That evening, one of the aurors who still maintained a watch over Harry informed him and Hermione both that an auror would be taking the both of them to the Ministry to be formally interviewed as witnesses to what had happened over the past three-plus years, the next morning.
Harry was looking forward to it, but Hermione was becoming somewhat of a frazzled mess. He had to take her aside to help her calm down before she made herself sick with fretting about it.
Again in a classroom just down from the entrance to the common room, this time with Harry dragging Hermione down there, he firmly sat her on the edge of a desk while he stood in front of her, frowning and with arms crossed. Both ignored the quiet tailing aurors, this time.
"Hermione," he firmly said. "You need to calm down. You're making yourself sick with all this worry―"
"But, Harry," she cried, "What if I mess things up? What if I say the wrong thing and get everyone in trouble? What if I say something that's going to see Headmaster Dumbledore... or, worst still, Professor Snape... get away with what they've done? What if―"
"Hermione!" he firmly cut in. "You're not going to do any of those things."
"But, Harry―" she tried again.
"Stop!" he snapped back. "You're not going to do any of those things, because none of those things are your concern.
"What you're going to do is simply answer the questions put to you. It is not your responsibility to ensure you say nothing that allows someone who deserves suitable punishment from receiving said suitable punishment. That is the job of Madam Bones and her aurors, first; and then the Wizengamot, second."
Before she could say something else, as she clearly appeared to want to do, he continued, "I know we have learned not to trust those in authority since we entered the wizarding world three years ago. However, that has only been to do with the adults here at school, the Minister, and his... handler... Lucy Malfoy.
"We have no reason to doubt Madam Bones or her aurors. So far, over the past few days, she's done everything I've expected her to do when doing the right thing - and more. As for the Wizengamot, they've also not yet done anything that would lead us to believe they'd do anything but the right thing; Albus Dumbledore, as Chief Warlock and his machinations, aside."
As Harry had continued, he could see Hermione begin to slump her shoulders and look down, embarrassed by her actions.
"I know you're worried you might say the wrong thing," he more calmly said. "However, you cannot say the wrong thing if you simply answer the questions put to you honestly and fully. If you think something is important, tell her... or 'he', if it's a male.
"I really cannot see how you could possibly say anything that could harm the case or cases against anyone if you simply tell the truth. And I will not think less of you if, by some miracle, you do manage to say something that harms Madam Bones's cases.
"The only way I can see you truly harming her case or cases is if you lie. And, if you do that, you and me are done; our friendship will be over."
That had Hermione lift her face to stare back at Harry in shock bordering on outrage. "I would never!" she exclaimed.
Harry was pleased to see and hear the modicum of outrage in her expression and her tone.
"I didn't think you would," he calmly explained. "I only said that our friendship would be over if you did. As our friendship is as strong as ever, shows I don't believe you would."
That had Hermione shoot up off the desk to wrap him in a 'Hermi-hug'.
For Harry, that signified she'd both accepted the truth of his words and would no longer doubt herself; at least, on this issue.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The next morning had another, though smaller, parliament of owls make it's way to Harry. Again, Harry stepped back and allowed Neville to cast his wide area stunner over the lot.
However, when the other two stepped forward to being unloading the owls of their loads, he said, "No; stop."
When they both hesitated, he said, "This time, I want the loads checked for harmful packages before we release them from the owls. If they're harmful, the owl can identify the sender; understand?"
By then, one of the aurors came up on them. "Step back, please, everyone. Again, this is a declared crime scene." Then she turned to Harry and said, Madam Bones has already been contacted and I expect her on her way."
Harry immediately explained why he said the owls were not to be freed of their loads until each package was checked. That way, they knew which owl carried which load.
The auror nodded almost negligently as he worked.
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