Amelia eyes narrowed to a point where the monocle in front of her eye dug into her skin. She whirled around to face Fudge. "And may I remind you 'Minister'," Her voice filled with disgust. "I cannot be fired when I am investigating a member of the Minister of Magic's staff except by the Wizengamot. Even then it requires a seventy percent vote in favor of the termination," She nodded to Percy Weasley who was standing next to Fudge. "You can ask your young assistant on the accuracy of that law," She shook her head before continuing in a much quieter voice. "Cornelius, if these allegations are proven true and you continue to support your undersecretary it will be disastrous for you. Politically speaking the best thing you can do is fully support the investigation without comment on how you want it to end."
Fudge glanced at Percy who was now only nodding at whoever was speaking. Then his eyes moved to his Undersecretary as he considered his options. He knew Amelia was correct and that he didn't control seventy percent of the Wizengamot. With a glare at Harry Potter he turned back to Madam Bones and snarled, " Very well, but I expect a full briefing each day on your findings."
"I can't do that Cornelius," Amelia replied. "Again because this is your staff, I have to conduct this investigation entirely away from your influence."
"Fine," Fudge huffed and turned to leave the room. "Come Weasley," He said and walked out of the Hall.
Dolores Umbridge was stunned. When the Minister had shown up she had been sure he would dispatch these ridiculous accusations quickly, but she had just watched him leave while the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement remained.
Madam Bones turned again to Harry. "Who do you wish to be your advocate?"
Harry first thought of Professor McGonagall, but then realized that if Dolores was forced out of her position, he wanted her to step in as Headmistress of the school and if it appeared she was too close to him, she might not be allowed. He thought of each of the adults in the room. Madam Pomfrey, Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick…and then he knew what he should do.
"I would like two if possible Madam Bones," Harry said. "I would like Professor Flitwick and…" He let the sentence dangle knowing everyone who could hear him was listening. "...Professor Snape," He finished. When he mentioned the Potions Master an uproar started from the area near them as his decision reverberated around the room.
"Snape?" Hermione asked. "What are you doing?"
"I don't want McGonagall linked to me since I want her named Headmistress when Umbridge leaves," Harry explained. "Everyone presumes Snape and I hate each other. Though we do, I also know he will not betray me in this. He has no love of the Ministry. Besides if he testifies to what I say is correct, then no one can claim a bias anywhere."
"True," Hermione agreed. "Though you know if Umbridge goes down now, we won't be able to let her meet Aragog."
"But she will be discredited and Fudge will have one more thing he will need me for."
"Would you help Umbridge?"
"Are you nuts?" Harry asked. "Of course not. I'm talking about his political career. If one of his senior officials goes down then he will really be desperate in a couple of weeks when Voldy shows up."
"Ok," Hermione replied. "Are you going to invite me?"
"Severus Snape?" Madam Bones asked disbelieving.
"Yes ma'am," Harry replied. He looked over at the man before continuing. "We do not have the best relationship and this will assure everyone that there is no favoritism or anything else going on with my testimony."
Snape once again tried to lock on to Harry's thoughts when their eyes met. He wanted to know what prank the son of his dead nemesis was pulling, but again he faced what was an impenetrable mind when he tried. Soon he was seething at the idea that James Potter's son had mastered a skill in less than a month that he had spent years perfecting. He was only brought out of his thoughts when the head of the DMLE was asking him for the third time if he would agree to advocate for Harry.
"Yes Madam Bones," Snape agreed. "I will do as requested."
"Excellent," She responded. "Do you by any chance have a supply of Veritaserum at hand?"
"Unfortunately no," He replied. "Our current Headmistress acquired my last bottle in trying to interrogate Mr. Potter on a previous occasion."
Madam Bones head snapped around so quickly at Dolores Umbridge that her monocle few out of her eye. The Monocle was obviously charmed as it stopped at the end of its chain and returned instantly to its previous location. "As you know Madam Undersecretary, Veritaserum is a level three controlled substance with guidelines that must be followed, especially when it is to be used on a minor."
"I am the Senior Undersecretary Amelia," Umbridge replied pompously. "I do not have to follow those rules."
"I will agree that under certain situations the Minister of Magic may give permission for such things," Amelia replied. "Can I see his written authorization?"
"He...he didn't put it in writing," Umbridge stated as signs of nervousness appeared in her voice. "But he implied that I cou.."
"Then should I ask the Minister if he provided you with specific instructions to do the questioning?"
Umbridge faced had turned red but she did not reply.
Madam Bones turned to Harry. "Mr. Potter were you notified of the Veritaserum before it was administered? Were you allowed an advocate?"
"I...I didn't know, well I suspected so I didn't...well I didn't actually drink it," Harry stammered as if he was nervous before continuing. "I think it was the day after Professor Dumbledore disappeared. Professor Umbridge summoned me to her office and offered me a drink. I had seen Veritaserum used last year when…when Barty Crouch Jr. was questioned and suspected that she might try it. Once I pretended to drink the tea she offered me she started questioning me about Dumbledore and other stuff."
Two of the Aurors were busy writing down the new information when Amelia turned to a different one. "Edward will you go Floo the office and have someone bring a bottle to use?"
"Yes ma'am."
"You might need a password or something," Harry said. "Professor Umbridge has someone at the Floo regulation or whatever monitoring all of the fireplaces here."
"Thank you," Bones replied. "That's something that is outside of my control, but Auror Campbell will not have any difficulties," Once the Auror had disappeared in search of a fireplace, Amelia escorted Harry to the room off of the Great Hall. As they were going, Harry turned to her. "May I have my girlfriend join us as well? Hermione P..uh..Granger."
"Since this is only a preliminary questioning, she is more than welcome."
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