Ch 14 Trials at the Ministry
After several days of rest, both Harry and Hermione were doing much better. Harry had slept for nearly thirty-six straight hours after Hermione awoke, while Hermione spent most of her time resting in bed, chatting quietly with her mom, Molly, and Ginny.
When Ron had tried to visit, she had teased him by pretending not to recall him at all.
"Ron, hmmm. That's right. You have a toad, right? Can't remember things too well? Decent at Herbology, terrible at Potions. You improved a lot last year, though…yeah, I think I remember you."
At first, Ron tried to explain that she was confusing him with Neville Longbottom after which Hermione than confused him with Draco Malfoy, Collin Creevy, Lee Jordan, and finally Fred Weasley.
Ron did not find the joke too amusing. Before he got too upset, Ginny firmly escorted him from the room. When she returned, Hermione was still chuckling as she spoke to Ginny, "Thin-skinned and temperamental. Now that's the Ron I remember."
Ginny laughed too. "You know, Hermione, Neville improved a lot over the past year. Especially since his grandmother got him a new wand after his father's got snapped fighting the Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries. Ever since we went with Harry to try and rescue his godfather, Neville has been a much better wizard than people give him credit for."
"Oh, I know Ginny. I was just pushing Ron's buttons," she stopped and then looked more closely at Ginny. "Why are you defending Neville, anyways? I made fun of several Gryffindors and you didn't say anything about them." When Ginny's cheeks blushed a light red, Hermione pounced. "Aha! You like him, don't you?"
Frantic, Ginny shushed her. "No, yeah, oh, I don't know. But keep it down. Do you know what it would be like if any of my brothers knew? Poor Neville. My family can be pretty tough on a guy, especially since they all think they have to protect their little sister."
"Yeah, your brothers can be tough to deal with," muttered Hermione softly.
"What? What do you mean?" asked Ginny.
This time Hermione looked around cautiously and dropped her voice, even though it was just the two of them. "Can you keep a secret?"
Ginny just stared at her and then rolled her eyes. "I grew up with six older brothers, Hermione. Of course I can keep a secret."
"Well, it's no secret that Ron had a crush on me for a long time."
"Really? I always thought Ron was the most subtle of my brothers," snickered Ginny.
Hermione smiled slightly, then continued as it faded. "Well, you remember how things were the summer after the Tri-Wizard Tournament, right? Well, Ron and I spent a lot of time together at Grimmauld Place before Harry arrived, and he-err, asked me out a couple of times."
"What? Ron finally worked up the nerve to ask you out? That must have taken him forever to…"
"I know. I know. Please, don't make this any harder than it already is. I told him no each time. I thought he was joking at first, because, well, you've seen some of our-uhh, disagreements."
"Are you referring to one of the several infamous verbal slugfests which have actually cleared out Gryffindor tower, such as the notorious Yule Ball Brawl, or just the more common everyday sniping and bickering that only frightens away people from other Houses?" teased Ginny.
"Oh knock it off. We're not that bad," argued Hermione. "At least most of the time," she mumbled. "Anyways, the point is that I never could really see the two of us together. I don't know how Ron ever did. I didn't want to hurt his feelings, so I told him I wasn't really ready for any sort of relationship, and that we needed to be there for Harry."
"Did you realize yet that you liked Harry?" asked Ginny in an odd sort of voice.
"No, I don't think so Ginny." Noticing the look in Ginny's eyes, Hermione paused, "Look, I know you had a crush on him long before I ever did. I hope you don't think I stole him away from you, Ginny."
Turning away for a minute, Ginny wiped some dust out of her eye and then looked back at Hermione, who had pretended not to notice anything. "Hermione, I don't think he was ever mine to have. I'm happy for you, for both of you, I really am." And she leaned forward and gave Hermione a big hug which was returned gratefully.
"That means a lot Ginny. You're the closest thing I have to a sister. I would never want to hurt you in any way."
"I know, Hermione. It's OK. So how did my brother take it?"
"About as well as you can imagine."
"Ohhh."
"Yeah. I did a lot of studying by myself, and he flew a lot on his broom. I thought it would be a relief when Harry got there, but as you can recall he was a little miffed about being left so long at the Dursleys. Anyways, I thought things were back to normal between us and then I found myself wondering if I did have stronger feelings for Harry than I had thought towards the end of the year. I kept telling myself I was just imagining things. And I thought Ron was over his crush so you can imagine my surprise when I got a letter from him two days after we left Hogwarts asking me to go to Diagon Alley with him, but I told him I still wasn't feeling well-which was true. Then he accused me of liking Victor and...well, we didn't write each other again and I didn't see him until we went to Grimmauld Place. In fact, we hardly talked until the afternoon that Harry wrote both of us and after that, we got so wrapped up in helping Harry train and study that we just put off that particular discussion indefinitely. I was so relieved when I realized that he and Katie were going out-I thought he was finally over his crush on me. And to top it off, the final spell that the three of us cast together to help defeat Voldemort worked perfectly, and it would only have done so if we were true friends motivated by trust and faith and love in each other."
"So what are you worried about Hermione?"
"It's just that now that Katie is dead…"
"Now that she's dead, you think Ron's going to try and put the moves on you again? Why on earth would you think that? Come on, Hermione. Even Ron is not that thick. Everyone can see that you and Harry are inseparable, even my brother Ron."
"Let me finish. The day I was attacked, the only reason I went to talk to Katie was because she was upset about the way Ron had treated her. The twins had been teasing her about cheating on Ron and she said that she broke it off with Ron because he was cheating on her…with Cho Chang!"
"WHAT?!"
"Shhh! Keep it down!"
"I'm not sure I'm following you Hermione."
"Look, Ron has felt overshadowed his entire life by his older brothers. Then the first friend he makes at Hogwarts, his best friend, turns out to be the-Boy-who-Lived, the hero of the wizarding world. Now Ron has dealt with jealousy and envy before-remember when he wouldn't talk to Harry until after the first task in the Triwizard tournament?-and I thought he was over it, but since Voldemort's defeat, I don't know. His new scar, his new clothes and attitude, all those interviews emphasizing his own accomplishments, and now, if he is really going out with Cho Chang, the girl Harry used to like-I don't know quite what to think."
Ginny stared at her and then laughed.
Hermione's eyes flashed with anger.
Putting up her hands in self-defense, Ginny sputtered, "Hermione, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh, but really. I think you're overanalyzing this. Think about what you're saying. I don't think Ron is setting out to replace Harry and steal you away or anything. I mean he can be thick and all, and tactless, and…well, you know. But he loves Harry like a brother. Deep down, Ron would never do anything to hurt him. Or you. And as far as masterminding some plot, uhh, this is Ron we're talking about Hermione. I'll be the first to admit he's great at Wizard chess and plotting Quidditch plays, but I had to pick out gifts and flowers for him to give to Katie. And Seamus had to help him choose outfits to wear on his first couple of dates for crying out loud."
Smothering a laugh, Hermione sighed, "Yeah, I guess I'm getting a little paranoid. Thanks, Ginny."
"Anytime," she laughed.
"But Ron is dressing a lot better now. Who's helping him match clothes now?"
"He's been spending a lot of time with Bill, I guess some of his coolness is rubbing off on Ron. So, have you mentioned any of this to Harry?"
"No, and I'm glad I didn't. He gets kind of defensive about Ron sometimes."
With a mischievous grin, Ginny asked teasingly, "So Harry doesn't know that Ron beat him to the punch, huh?" At Hermione's angry glance she added, "I meant asking you out Hermione…unless there is something else you wish to discuss-anything else between you and Ron? Or maybe you and Victor?" Her eyes glinted mischievously.
"There is nothing else to discuss," insisted Hermione in a tone of voice that indicated the conversation was finished. "Now, unless you'd like to spend the rest of the school year protecting Neville from your brothers' pranks…" Hermione's cool gaze met Ginny's steady look and they understood each other perfectly.
---
It was later that day, right after lunch when Harry knocked on Ginny's room looking for Hermione. She was reading in bed when he popped his head through the open door.
"Hello there Mione. Do you have a minute?"
"Yeah, come on in Harry."
Harry entered, looked around, and then closed the door before moving closer. He sat on Ginny's bed, across from the bed Hermione was laying in which Arthur had created for Ginny's visitor.
"What's up Harry?"
"Look, Hermione. About last week. I am so sorry I left you alone…"
"Nonsense, Harry. It wasn't your fault. Besides, you're the one who saved me after all. And we don't know for sure that they were using me to get to you. For all we know, I might have been the real target. Remember what Corlyn told us in Athens? Maybe this had something to do with Atlantis."
"Yeah, well, look, I still feel like this is my fault. Everyone around me always seems to end up hurt or worse. I…"
"Harry, we've already gone over this before. I choose to be with you. I know the risks and the dangers, but I would rather face them then be apart from you. I can't try and pretend that I don't know you or love you. I couldn't do that, Harry. So whatever you're trying to ask, just forget it."
"Oh, I know that Hermione. But thanks for reminding me. Look, I didn't come here to break up with you or do anything stupid like that. I just wanted to apologize is all. And I want to give you this."
Reaching down, Harry tapped a belt loop on his left hip, which immediately transformed itself into the sword of Godric Gryffindor. Pulling the sheathed sword and belt off of his waist, Harry handed the sword and scabbard to Hermione.
"I want you to carry it with you everywhere you go."
"Harry, it wouldn't have made any difference last week if I had been carrying the sword or not. I've already spoken with Saldar about this. He didn't recognize the threat any faster than the rest of us. He couldn't have helped me any more than he already did."
"I know Hermione. But please, do this one thing for me. I know we don't know who the assassin was really after. But I know I would feel a lot better if you carried the sword with you, if you had just a little bit more protection. Especially if Corlyn was right at Athens and people might start targeting you."
"But what about you Harry? I think you should carry the sword. After all, you are the one who is supposed to be…"
"No, Hermione, Saldar chose both of us. Either one of us can wield the sword. Look Hermione, we both know that I am the more powerful wizard. I'll be even better able to defend myself if I'm not distracted worrying about you. And I will worry less knowing that you are carrying the sword of Gryffindor." At Hermione's angry glance, Harry continued, "Please, Mione, I don't want to argue about this. Please just take the sword and promise me that you'll take it with you everywhere you go."
"Fine Harry, I promise. But I don't appreciate you thinking I need…"
"I know Mione. I'm sorry-I didn't mean it like that. But I'll feel a lot better, especially if there are other people out there looking for one of those artifacts from Atlantis." She got up, and Harry strapped the belt around her waist. She tapped the scabbard, and it transformed into a beltloop.
"What do you think Saldar?"
"I believe Master Potter is correct, Mistress Granger. In light of recent events, we would both rest easier were I closer to thee in order to better safeguard thy life. Pray be not offended Mistress Granger, we are only concerned for thy safety."
"I know, I know. I just don't like being treated like some little child…"
"that can't think for herself and all of the adults around you take it upon themselves to plan everything for you and protect you from danger? Yeah, Hermione, welcome to my life for the first fifteen and a half years. I know how frustrating that can feel, Mione, and believe me, that was never my intention."
"Yeah, I understand, Harry. Thanks." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and asked, "Heading over to your house for another Quidditch match?"
"Yeah, you wanna come and watch?"
"Nah, I've got some reading to do. Thanks, though."
"Suit yourself. See you later." He kissed her cheek and whispered before he softly closed the door, "Thanks, Mione."
---
After a couple of days of rest and meditation, Hermione began worrying about falling behind on her summer homework. When she began pestering McGonagall on her short visits about giving her an extension for her summer essay on Metamorphmagi so she could add a few more feet, everyone knew that Hermione was back to her old self and would be perfectly fine.
As for Harry, he made up for lost time by having the Weasleys over for games of Quidditch at his new home every afternoon. About five days or so after the attacks, both Harry and Hermione resumed their training with Saldar and Harry took up his lessons again with Dumbledore. Everything had just about returned to normal when a week after the attacks Harry and the Weasley boys joined the rest of the Weasley family for dinner after an afternoon Quidditch match. Hermione was sitting at the table with several books and a long scroll, scribbling furiously when a very distraught Arthur arrived at home.
"What's the matter, Arthur?" began Molly.
Running a hand through his thin red hair, Arthur shrugged and answered. "I'm not sure. Something big happened today, but I'm not sure what. There were all kinds of rumors flying around the Ministry today, but nobody seems to know exactly what. But I've got a bad feeling about this." He paused and then looked at Harry and Hermione. "Did you get the letters yet? I just heard about it today-I can't believe they didn't provide more notice than this, but…"
"Letters?" asked Hermione. "We haven't gotten anything…"
She stopped as everyone turned to watch as two dignified eagle owls made their approach to the Weasley kitchen. The first one dropped an official letter stamped with the Ministry of Magic's seal in front of Harry and the second dropped an identical letter in front of Hermione. Nervously, they glanced at each other and reached to open them. As Harry read through his, his puzzlement changed to anger. Hermione was nearly as upset.
"There is to be a hearing tomorrow regarding the death of Katie Bell. I'm supposed to be there at 7:15," explained Harry.
"And I'm supposed to be there at 7 o'clock sharp!" snorted Hermione.
"Yes, I'm sure it will be just a formality," mumbled Arthur unconvincingly. "They were bound to summon you as part of the investigation."
"Yeah, just like last time I went to the Ministry for a routine hearing," complained Harry.
"And why have they only slotted me for fifteen minutes. That doesn't seem like very much time for me to fully answer any questions they might have."
"Maybe they just want to have some time to talk to Harry before the day is over," snorted Ron. Both Weasley women and Hermione glared at him.
"This isn't funny, Ron."
"Oh, now you remember who I am, do you?"
"Yeah, and sometimes I'm sorry I do."
"And just what's that supposed to mean? I guess…"
"Enough!" snarled Harry. "You two can bicker later. I want to get some dinner and then go to bed early. We're going to have to leave very early tomorrow morning-in case they try to move the hearings up earlier at the last minute. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a very long day." Hermione and Ron simply glared at each other, but said nothing more as they ate quietly. Though he turned down Ron's offer of a game of Wizard's chess to retire early, it was very late before Harry finally fell asleep. His final thoughts were directed at Hermione.
"I have a feeling Fudge is up to something, Mione. I don't think he's forgotten the snub I gave him at the Order of Merlin ceremony."
"I hope you're wrong, Harry."
"Me, too. Good night."
"Good night."
But it wasn't a good night. Neither Harry nor Hermione slept very well that evening.
---
By five o'clock in the morning, Harry and Hermione were dressed and ready to go, waiting in the living room for Arthur to come downstairs. They were going to floo directly to the Ministry, and then check to make sure that there had been no last minute changes in the hearing schedule. As Arthur came down, he grinned as he saw the two leaning against each other, drifting off to sleep again as they sat in the comfortable sofa.
Arthur pulled out a small black box, stood in front of the drowsing pair, and pushed a small button. There was a small click and then a bright flash went off. Both Harry and Hermione jumped apart and quickly stood.
Glaring at Arthur, Hermione growled, "Why on earth do you think I'd want my picture taken at five in the morning?!"
Rubbing his eyes, Arthur replied, "Ahem, yes, well, the two of you did look very cute there on the couch, what with you snoring Hermione, and Harry drooling a bit there out of the corner of his mouth."
"I don't snore!" insisted Hermione crankily.
"And I don't drool when I sleep!" hissed Harry as he checked the corner of his mouth, which was dry. "And next time you want to take a picture, Arthur, you need to turn the camera around. That flash is supposed to go off on us, not blind you."
As Arthur began looking again at the camera, he began muttering. "Ah, right, right, Harry. Wonderful inventions these Muggles come up with. They never cease to amaze me…"
"We should probably be going now," suggested Harry.
"Right, right. Of course Harry." Stepping over to the fireplace, he picked up a pinch of floo powder from the pot, stepped in the fireplace and announced very clearly, "Ministry of Magic," and disappeared. Harry and Hermione followed his example.
As they arrived in the main hall of the Ministry of Magic, Harry tried to ignore memories of his past visits. The lobby was nearly empty as they registered their wands with the clerk. Then Arthur guided them to the lift that would take them to the level where the hearing was to be held. Standing in the lift before the doors closed, Harry gazed at the fountain. The first time he had seen it he had nearly been expelled from Hogwarts after being summoned to a supposedly routine hearing of the Ministry. The second time, both he and the fountain had nearly been destroyed during Voldemort's assault on the Ministry of Magic. The third time, he had transformed it into a portkey to send Aurors and willing Ministry officials to help fight Voldemort in his final battle. He wondered what this fourth visit might bring.
He must have looked uneasy, because Arthur tried to reassure him. "I'm sure things will go much better this time."
Harry didn't appear convinced, and even Hermione appeared apprehensive. Waiting for two hours outside the chamber doors did little to alleviate the tension, rather it grew worse. Finally, at seven o'clock sharp, the door opened and a thin, short man stepped out and looked at the three waiting silently on the bench.
"Miss Hermione Granger, if you would be so kind as to follow me?" he asked politely.
When both Harry and Arthur rose, he added, "I'm afraid only Miss Granger will be needed. The two of you may wait here." Putting his hand on her shoulder, he guided her into the courtroom.
As Hermione stepped through the doors, she noticed on her right side a vast hall filled with seats, apparently for crowds allowed to hear a trial. She sighed in relief when she realized it was quite empty. She then turned to her left and froze for a moment as she realized that the chairs for seating the Wizangemot were packed with witches and wizards. Near the center was Dumbledore, who nodded briefly towards her. On one side of Dumbledore sat Minister Fudge and on the other a witch who looked vaguely familiar.
"Please, have a seat Miss Granger," asked Dumbledore kindly. The short, thin man who had guided her in led her to a wooden chair with chains which sat facing the assembled wizards and witches. "Minister Fudge has called this emergency hearing in order to better understand the facts surrounding the unfortunate death of Miss Katie Bell," explained Dumbledore.
The witch on his side continued, "We apologize for the extremely short notice you were given about the timing of this hearing, Miss Granger. Likewise, I am sure that Minister Fudge will explain why the entire Wizengamot needed to sit in on what is a simple fact-finding hearing. I trust there is a very good reason for the irregularities of these particular proceedings." She then turned to glare at Minister Fudge, who seemed to waver only for a minute.
Fudge then spoke. "There are indeed special circumstances which necessitated this unusual hearing. All of that will be made very clear shortly. Now, to handle the questioning on behalf of the Ministry, I call upon Mr. Grimaldi."
A dull murmur rose from the audience as they whispered amongst themselves. Minister Bones' voice overrode them all, "Why is this not being handled by an Auror? There is no precedent for this…"
"As I explained already, there are unique circumstances which justify the procedure we are following today," explained Fudge coolly. "Please begin, Mr. Grimaldi."
From Hermione's right emerged a short, wiry man with a very thin face and sunken cheeks. A few wisps of white hair clung stubbornly to his bald head. A pair of dark black eyes seemed almost hidden underneath his bushy eyebrows, but darted about with a wicked intelligence. Hermione shuddered for a minute as his gaze locked with hers momentarily, and then nearly jumped from her seat when she felt a hand grasp her shoulder softly.
"Easy does it Mione. It's just me. I can't believe they're pulling this same trick all over again."
"What are you doing here, Harry? You're going to get in trouble."
"I seriously doubt it will make much of a difference one way or another. I'm sure Fudge has cooked up something good this time. One more minor infraction isn't going to make it any worse. Besides, it can get mighty lonely in that chair all by yourself."
"Thanks, Harry."
"Miss Granger, I have a few questions I would like you to answer for the benefit of the court," smiled Grimaldi with a haughty sneer. Hermione felt another involuntary shudder at the smooth, oily voice.
"Sounds like a Slytherin," commented Harry dryly.
"Shh. I need to concentrate."
"Miss Granger, did you notice anything unusual, anything at all, about Miss Bell when you met her at The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade?"
"Well, uhh, no. She was extremely upset about…"
"A simple yes or no will suffice, Miss. We do not need additional gossip." There was a burst of murmurs in the audience and the hand on Hermione's shoulder flexed threateningly.
In a slightly stronger tone, Hermione replied, "No."
"That should be no, sir. You are in a court of law and should be more respectful towards the officers that serve in it." Harry's grip tightened.
Hermione sat up straight and replied in a steely voice. "The answer was no. And when the officers of the court learn to act with common decency and courtesy, then they will not have to try and command the respect which would voluntarily be given them." Harry's hold relaxed and there was a murmur of chuckles in the gallery.
"Touché, Mione."
Eyes blazing as he glared momentarily at the crowd, Grimaldi returned to his interrogation. "Miss Granger, as you walked and spoke with Miss Bell, did you notice anything out of the ordinary as you headed out of town?"
"Afterwards, I thought it was a bit odd that she wanted to walk so far from Hogsmeade. At the time, I just thought she wanted to talk privately away from other people."
"And who suggested a private talk?"
"Well, I did. But I didn't intend on going out of town."
"Very well, tell us what happened as you left the village."
"Well, when we got to the clearing, I turned my back for a moment and then Katie attacked me."
"Did you see her attack you?"
"No, but it had to be her. There was nobody else there. It had to have been her."
"But you did not see her actually attack you?"
"No, but when I turned my back, she placed a hand on the back of my neck and…"
"We are not interested in additional details right now, Miss Granger. If we were, we would ask you. Please just answer the question I ask you. It really shouldn't be that difficult for you, after all, I understand that you are consistently at the top of your class every year and a prefect as well. Did you actually see Miss Bell physically attack you?" Hermione could hear Harry grinding his teeth in anger.
"No."
"And after the initial attack, you immediately fell unconscious?"
"No. I felt a blinding pain in my head and I cried out to tell her to stop. And then I called out to Harry. I…"
"Don't."
"What?"
"Don't tell him that you contacted me telepathically."
"Why?"
"I don't know-just a feeling, really."
"Miss Granger…could you finish your statement?"
"I called out loud for Harry and then I passed out."
"And you saw none of the events that occurred immediately afterwards?"
"Unfortunately, I was in a coma," sneered Hermione. "or is that a detail that the court is not interested in?"
"Ah, yes. Your curious illness. None of the mediwitches seemed to know what to make of it. Yet Mr. Potter is the one who managed to pull you through, was it not?"
"Yes, it was. I owe him my life. As does everyone in this room. If he hadn't defeated Voldemort…"
Gasps could be heard again throughout the gallery.
"Miss Granger, Miss Granger. Once again, your quick tongue quickly outpaces the need for information. Please, confine yourself to answering the questions I ask."
"Minister Fudge, I believe Mr. Grimaldi's sharp mind and pointed questions have uncovered the facts he has been pursuing. I think he has made his objective quite clear to those of us assembled here so unless he stands in further need of enlightenment, I believe we are done visiting with Miss Granger," suggested Dumbledore in a soft, yet forceful voice.
Grimaldi gazed angrily at Dumbledore and then quickly looked away. "Yes, those are all the questions we have for you, Miss Granger. Oh, except for one more. Where were you yesterday morning between the hours of six and eight?"
Hermione looked startled at the question. "Harry and I were training. We usually go running and do some sparring and exercise. Why?"
Ignoring her question, he continued, "And was there anyone else present? Any adults who could corroborate this story?" If possible, his sneer grew more malicious.
"It's not a story. And there is…"
"Please, Mistress Granger, do not mention me. As thou well know, sentient objects are viewed with great suspicion. I fear that this court of vipers will neither believe nor accept my testimony. Especially if they discovered who I was."
"What? But you're the sword of Godric Gryffindor! How could they not accept your testimony?"
Hermione thought she could hear Saldar sigh sorrowfully. "It is a long tale, Mistress Granger, one we do not have time for today. Believe me, they would not accept my testimony."
"Miss Granger?"
"Uhh, no. There was nobody else there besides Harry and myself," she answered.
"There was no other witness there, then? And was Harry there with you the entire time?"
"Yes he was."
His eyes glittering gleefully, Grimaldi turned towards the assembled wizards and witches. "Then a young witch, an underage witch, is the only person who can testify as to the whereabouts of Mr. Potter yesterday between the hours of six and eight in the morning." Turning back towards her he smugly asked, "And the two of you go off to exercise by yourselves every day?"
Hermione heard Harry's sharp intake of breath and felt his hand tighten on her shoulder once again and the air around her began to chill. She winced and shivered as she replied angrily, her own temper flaring, "I don't know what you mean to insinuate by your tone, but yes, Harry and I train by ourselves for two hours every morning. In case you've forgotten, we've faced some very formidable foes. And some of them are still around. And you never know when you're going to run into another one of Voldemort's pet snakes which has slithered out from under the rock it's been hiding under." Hermione glared with undisguised hatred at Grimaldi, whose face flushed briefly in anger.
"And you would do anything to protect Mr. Potter, wouldn't you? Disobey school rules, break the laws of the wizarding world, lie for him to provide him with a cover story…"
Once again, Dumbledore spoke. "This is a fact-finding hearing, not a trial, Mr. Grimaldi, so unless you have any more relevant questions, I believe we are done with Miss Granger."
Glancing angrily at Dumbledore, Grimaldi hissed angrily and waved dismissively in Hermione's direction, "You are dismissed."
Hermione stood up swiftly, and after a quick glance at Dumbledore, turned and walked stiffly towards the door, not waiting for her guide to escort her. She threw open the doors in anger and stomped out into the hallway. Harry was waiting for her there, and wrapped her in a huge bear hug, as tears of anger and frustration rolled down her face. Unsure what else to do, he just stood there hugging her murmuring, "There, there, it will be alright," over and over again, trying to comfort her.
"I'm sorry, Harry. I should have…"
"Don't worry about it, Mione. I'll be fine. The hearing was rigged from the beginning. They didn't want to hear the truth, they only wanted to use you to try and set me up for something. Don't worry, we'll figure out what it is and beat them at their own game. Dumbledore is in there and so are a lot of wizards who fought with us against Voldemort. But I'm going to need your help, OK?" The court official made the mistake of tapping Harry on the shoulder while he was trying to comfort Hermione.
Harry spun on him in anger. "And what do you want?"
"The court is waiting for you Mr. Potter."
"Well go back in there and tell them they can bloody well wait another ten minutes. I'll be there when I'm bloody good and ready. Go on! Get!" The official caught Harry's subtle hint and nearly sprinted back into the court room.
As Hermione began to calm down, Harry looked at Arthur and asked, "Do you know a disgusting little toad named Grimaldi?"
Arthur nearly spat in disgust, "He is the Malfoy family lawyer. He's a snake, as vile as they come. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, nothing really. It seems Fudge thinks he's a better representative for the Ministry then an Auror. He was the one asking all the questions in there-a real slimeball, that one."
Arthur shook with fury. "What are they thinking? Why on earth would they have something like that," again his face twitched in revulsion, "representing the Ministry?"
"I don't know, Arthur. But I'm going to find out. Don't worry, I'm sure everything will work out fine." He hoped his voice sounded more confident than he felt. Turning back to Hermione, he whispered, "I've got to go, love. You going to be OK, now?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Give me your cloak."
"What?"
"Give me your cloak. I'm going back in there. I have a feeling Fudge has something terrible up his sleeve, and I need to be there in order to help you."
"Mione, you can…"
"Harry, we don't have time to debate this. Now give me the cloak."
Slipping his hand into the magical leather pouch the twins had given him, he pulled out the cloak and handed it to Hermione. She quickly slipped it on, and then followed Harry as he walked to the chamber doors.
"You ready?" he asked Hermione.
"As ready as I'll ever be. And Harry, you need to control your temper."
"I know, Hermione. I saw your session."
"Yes, I know. But I imagine he's going to be ten times nastier with you. Keep your cool, no matter what he says. I have a feeling these guys are out for blood. If Fudge is willing to bend so many rules and regulations to bring you here for this mockery of a hearing, it's only because he figures he can nail you for good. He's risking everything by treating you this way after you've saved the world again from Voldemort. If the press ever got wind of this, his career would be over. He's a politician, Harry, not a dark wizard. But this is just as serious."
"I know Hermione. I realize all that," replied Harry in a slightly annoyed tone.
"I'm sure that you do, but I just want to make sure. Look, Harry, he's going to try and bait you, try and get you to lose control. You can't do that. If you get angry, he'll trip you up with something you say. Keep him off balance. Play this like you did that dragon in the first task."
Harry paused in front of the doors for a moment, recalling that event in every detail. He remembered how nervous and anxious he had felt, how he hadn't been able to hear the crowd over the beating of his own heart. After he raised his wand and summoned his Firebolt, he knew everything was going to work out. From the moment he pushed off the ground on his Firebolt, all his fear and tension had fallen away to the ground. His mind had been perfectly clear and he had been completely focused on his one, solitary object. Get the golden egg without getting killed by the dragon. It was not that different from what faced him in the courtroom. Sure, Grimaldi was probably nastier than the dragon he had faced, but his task was the same. Don't let the enemy land any blows. Survive. And take whatever incriminating story they were trying to create to punish him and steal it from them, and then use it to show the whole world the truth. They had brought this fight to Harry, and he was determined to make them pay for it. He would bring them down, all of them. With his face set firmly, he swung both doors wide open.
"Coming, Mione?"
"I wouldn't miss this for the world, Harry."
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