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Chapter 15: The Hearing Part 2

"Are you really the Heir of Slytherin and Griffindor?"

Harry turned to face Lord Charles. Their time to fetch Geldreth was almost up and Alexander wasn't back yet with the snarky goblin. What if Geldreth refused to come? Would the Ministry listen if only he testified under Veritaserum? Harry didn't know.

"Yeah, I am. Hopefully, Alexander and Abigail are on their way back with Geldreth and the Veritaserum, we're almost out of time," Harry replied.

"Don't worry. If my team is anything, it's reliable. They'll get here on time. Hopefully that letter you sent with Alexander will help convince the goblin to come," Charles said as he glanced up at the Wizengamot who were still whispering amongst themselves. Harry had created quite a juicy piece of information by claiming two of the most renowned titles in the United Kingdom.

"Yeah, let's hope so."

Meanwhile at the Order of the Phoenix...

Hermione had been trying to send letters to Harry for over a week now. But every time she tried to pass a letter that was addressed to Harry Potter to Hedwig, she would fly off. Obviously, Harry had told Hedwig not to come find him. It was frustrating her that she couldn't get an owl, even a ridiculously intelligent owl as Hedwig, to do as she was bid. Fred and George had thought it was a right old laugh that she was being outsmarted by a bird.

"Wha'cha thinkin' bout Hermione?" Ron asked from across the room.

"Nothing, Ron."

A new batch of doxies had been found in the drawing room and Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George had been battling them with Mrs. Weasley for two days now. The nest of dead puffskeins that Fred had found under the sofa had been cleared out yesterday but the room wasn't looking much better than when they started.

The drawing room was a long, high ceilinged room on the first floor with olive green walls covered in dirty tapestries. The carpet, which now exhaled little clouds of dust every time someone put their foot down, probably had been a soft cream once but now it had faded and become a dull dirty gray. The curtains that covered the windows that faced the street were a mossy green coloured velvet. However, that could also be the mould and mildew that covered them and currently they were buzzing with the sound of agitated doxies.

Everyone was decked out in cleaning masks over their noses and mouths and they all had a large bottle of Doxycide with a nozzle at the end which they had been using to kill the doxies for the past two days.

Hermione wished that the adults would tell them what was going on. She knew they were all frantically searching for Harry and that so far they hadn't found him and she was worried. Where could Harry have gone that not even Dumbledore could find him? What if he's been captured by Voldemort and his Death Eaters? How could that just be standing here cleaning when they should be out searching for Harry with the rest of the Order.

Hermione hadn't been paying attention while she was spraying the curtains and suddenly a fully grown doxy came soaring out of a fold in the curtains towards her face. It's shiny beetle-like wings where whirling as its tiny needle-sharp teeth attempted to chomp down on her nose.

"Ahhh," Hermione shrieked as the dodged the doxy's attack and sprayed it in the face with a blast of Doxycide. The doxy, that had only moments ago been attempting to munch on her nose with its poisonous teeth, froze in midair and then fell to the ground with a thunk as a dust cloud from the carpet formed around its body. Gingerly, Hermione picked up the dead doxy and chucked it in the bucket.

They shouldn't be cleaning. They should be out looking for Harry but little did she know that Harry had been found by one Albus Dumbledore who had informed the Order of Harry's current whereabouts and was now waiting for the hearing to be finished so he could intercept Harry and bring him to number twelve Grimmauld Place where he would be safe...

Abigail had returned with the Veritaserum first and there was only five minutes until their time was up when Alexander walked through the courtroom doors with Geldreth trotting along behind him, a prominent scowl on the golbin's face.

"Ah, excellent, you made it. Now, Master Geldreth could you please step forward?" Madam Bones said as she gestured for Geldreth to sit with a wave of her hand in the direction of the chair Lord Charles had conjured they had arrived.

Once Geldreth was seated the questioning began, "Master Geldreth, please state your name and title for the record."

"My name is Geldreth Snarklaw son of Gaelen Snarklaw and Master Goldsmith for Gringotts Wizarding Bank," replied Geldreth.

"Please describe, for the record, the day Mr. Potter came to you to perform a Heritage Test."

"He came into Gringotts on the third of August, but he was disguised. So in order for him to gain access to his vault it is required by Gringotts policy to perform a blood test to confirm that the identity of the customer is what they claim it to be."

"Please continue," said Madam Bones with a gesture.

Harry could tell that Madam Bones appeared to be running this section of the hearing. It was obvious that Fudge wanted nothing to do with this and was hesitant to even allow Geldreth to speak by the prominent glower on his face.

"I let the man claiming to be Harry Potter into one of the secure meeting rooms within Gringotts which are warded so that no one can listen in on any conversations held within. There, the boy, removed his disguise and I performed the blood test to verify his identity," Geldreth continued.

"And what was the nature of this blood test?" asked the plump witch in pink with a pinched look, "Surely, you are not suggesting that a goblin took blood from a wizard and performed magic using that blood. Blood Magic has been illegal in Great Britain since 1634. Are you suggesting that you performed Dark Magic?! And now expect us to believe the results of such a dark test?!"

"Goblins are not subject to wizarding law and it was not dark magic that I performed. Just a simple blood test which revealed the identity of my customer to be one Harry James Potter Heir to the House of Potter, Slytherin and Griffindor," Geldreth snapped.

Harry could tell that Geldreth was getting frustrated with the proceedings. He could only hope that the goblin's part was over soon.

"Did that blood test reveal how, Mr. Potter came to be the Heir of the House of Slytherin and Griffindor?" another member of the Wizengamot asked.

"Yes, it did. However that is confidential client information and is not pertinent to this hearing."

"Alright," Madam Bones replied with a nod and pulled out her wand, "Do you Geldreth Snarklaw, son of Gaelen Snarklaw and Master Goldsmith for Gringotts Wizarding Bank so swear that the man behind you, Mr. Potter is the Heir of the Houses of Potter, Slytherin and Griffindor?"

"Yes, I do swear," replied Geldreth.

"Then you are bound by magic, so mote it be," Madam Bones finished. As the last word left her lips a gold thread of magic slipped out of her wand and wound its way around Geldreth's throat before dissipating.

"The goblin speaks the truth," said a member of the Wizengamot with a frown.

"Mr. Potter is the Heir of the House of Potter, Slytherin and Griffindor," said another with a grin, "Welcome, Lordling."

"NO!" shouted Fudge, "I will not have this little attention seeking brat gain the title of Heir to two of the greatest Houses in Great Britain simply because of what a goblin says!"

"The goblin did not lie," Madam Bones placated, "My spell worked perfectly. If he had lied he would have died and yet here he stands."

"The goblin could have found a way around the spell," the plump witch in pink simpered, " perhaps the boy should also swear under oath."

"No," Lord Charles interjected as he stood, "It was agreed before Geldreth was fetched that my client would agree to verify his claim under Veritaserum. You will see it in the transcript. He will only verify his claim under Veritaserum."

Percy passed the transcript that he had been writing over to the toad-like woman as Madam Bones looked on with a hawk-like expression.

"So it does..." the witch stated before she passed the transcript over to Fudge.

"Fine then," snapped Fudge, "But Veritaserum is very expensive... Is the Wizengamot willing to adjourn this hearing yet again so that the defence may fetch some?"

There was muttering amongst the Wizengamot and most looked to be shaking their heads.

"Pardon," Lord Charles said, once more grabbing the Wizengamot's attention, "But my legal team already has purchased a vial of Veritaserum, sealed and unopened with the maker's seal still intact in preparation."

All muttering stopped, "Then proceed with administering the Veritaserum,"

With a nod from Anderson, Harry rose from his seat and moved into the seat Geldreth had just occupied. Lord Charles pulled the vial out of a pocket on his robes and held it up for the Wizengamot to see.

"Two drops of this and you will tell nothing but the truth for a minute," Charles whispered in Harry's ear, "Don't worry, I will stop them from asking questions about classified information. They will only verify your claim – nothing more."

Harry nodded nervously and opened his mouth. Two drops of Veritaserum were placed on his tongue. If Harry hadn't known that it was a truth serum, he would have said only water had been placed in his mouth for the potion had not taste or texture to differentiate it.

Lord Charles watched as Harry's pupils dilated, a sure sign that the potion was working, and nodded at Fudge to indicate that the questioning could begin.

"Now, Mr. Potter," said Fudge, "What Houses are you the Heir to?"

"I am the Heir to the House of Potter, Slytherin and Griffindor," Harry replied in a monotone voice.

"And how did you come to be the Heir of the Houses of Griffindor and Slytherin?" Fudge asked.

Lord Charles shot a silencing spell at Harry, "Now see here! We have stated previously that that is confidential information. You are now taking advantage of Mr. Potter's current state. That line of questioning has nothing to do with his hearing. He has confirmed for you that he is the Heir of the House of Griffindor and Slytherin as well as the House of Potter. Now can we please continue with the original purpose of this hearing?"

"Lord Charles is correct, Cornelius. You go too far," said Madam Bones from her seat as she glanced over at Fudge.

"Very well," said Fudge with a sigh, "Let the record show that Harry James Potter has proven his right to claim the title of Heir to the House of Potter, Griffindor and Slytherin."

"Now, the charges against the accused, once more, are as follows: That he did knowingly, deliberately, and in full awareness of the illegality of his actions, having received a previous written warning from the Ministry of Magic on a similar charge, produce a Patronus Charm in a Muggle-inhabited area, in the presence of a Muggle, on August the second at twenty-three minutes past nine, which constitutes an offence under paragraph C of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875, and also under section thirteen of the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy," drawled Fudge.

Harry was no longer under the effects of the Veritaserum and was now waiting for his hearing to be over. He would hate it if he was expelled from Hogwarts but so far the Hearing had run on too long and it was only technically starting. He knew that he was going to have a massive headache by the end of the day. When he got back to Baird's he was going to take a long nap.

"You are Harry James Potter, Heir of the House of Potter, Griffindor and Slytherin, of number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey?" Fudge said while glaring down at Harry.

"Yes," Harry answered.

"You received an official warning from the Ministry of Magic for using magic illegally, while still underage, three years ago, did you not?"

"Yes, I did. However –"

"And yet you conjured a Patronus on the night of the second of August?" Fudge interrupted.

"Cornelius!" Lord Charles loud voice boomed as he interjected. "The boy has the right to defend his actions in the case of a trial or hearing under subsection F, paragraph 2.7 of the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875 but also under the laws of the realm. He is allowed to defend his actions without you harping on his every word," Lord Charles finished with a growl up at Fudge that made him sound like the lion he looked like.

"Fine," snapped Fudge as he realised he was losing control of this hearing, "speak, Mr. Potter."

"As I was saying, I did receive an official warning from the Ministry of Magic for using magic illegally, while still underage, three years ago. However, it was not I who actually performed the magic. It was a house elf," said Harry.

"Preposterous!" Fudge scoffed, "A house elf?! In a Muggle house?! You expect us to believe this nonsense?!"

"Yes, I do," Harry replied calmly.

"No. No more of your stories, boy."

"Cornelius!" Lord Charles roared, "I will not have you speak to my client in such a manner. Compose yourself. You are the Minister of Magic. Act like it."

Fudge spluttered at the reprimand and Harry could see Madam Bones lift her hand up to cover her mouth where a small smile was slipping out. It appeared that not everyone appreciated Fudge's manner of conducting this hearing.

"The house elf in question is willing to testify as to his actions that day," said Lord Charles, "It is not a commonly known fact, but house elves can copy a person's magical signature. So that when a house elf does perform magic it will register as the signature that was copied, not their own personal signature. This is also part of the magic that binds house elves to families. Would you like me to bring the house elf forward?"

"I – not – I haven't got time to listen to house elves!" shouted Fudge.

"Now, Cornelius, if they have proof that it wasn't Mr. Potter who performed the magic then it must be taken into account," Madam Bones said calmly to Fudge who was slowly turning red before asking Lord Charles, "Can you please bring the house elf in question forward?"

"Certainly," Lord Charles replied with a short bow. "Dobby, please come here."

There was a sudden *Pop* and then Dobby was standing in the middle of the courtroom looking very confused.

"Youse called, Harry's Lionsy?" Dobby squeaked as he nervously began fiddling with his Hogwarts House Elf uniform.

Harry could hear a few snickers and giggles from amongst the Wizengamot. He had found it funny the first time Dobby had been introduced to the legal team, too. Dobby had taken one look at the large man with the lion's mane like hair and had immediately called him 'Harry's Lionsy'. Everyone around the table had gotten a good laugh out of that. But then Dobby had turned to the rest of the table and the names hadn't gotten any better. Baird's was possibly the most funny but also the most accurate. Not that Harry would ever say that to the man.

"Yes I did, Dobby, thank you for coming so promptly," Lord Charles said kindly.

Harry was glad that Lord Charles and the rest of the legal team didn't seem to look down on Dobby simply because he was a house elf. Or if they did, they didn't show it.

"Now, Dobby, three years ago, before Harry's second year at Hogwarts, did you go to his house?" Lord Charles asked.

"Yes, Sirs. I visit Mister Harry Potter, sirs," replied Dobby as he began rocking back and forth on his feet.

"And while you were there, did you perform magic while making your magic imitate Mr. Potter's magical signature?"

"Yes sirs," Dobby's ears began to droop and his eyes began to tear up and he turned away from Charles to face Harry, "I is sorry Mister Harry Potter. I does it to prevent you from returning to Hogwarts. You was in great danger. I hope you is not in more trouble because of Dobby."

"It's all right Dobby," placated Harry when Dobby started to tear up, "Thank you for coming here and telling the truth."

"Harry Potter is thanking Dobby," said Dobby with wide eyes before running forward and hugging Harry's legs, "Harry Potter is truly a kind and forgiving wizard."

"There, there Dobby," Harry said while patting Dobby on the head and looking over at Charles pleadingly. He could feel the bottom of his robes becoming wet from Dobby's tears.

"That is all Dobby," Lord Charles said, drawing Dobby's attention away from Harry, "You may return to Hogwarts."

"Yes, Harry's Lionsy, sir," said Dobby and with a snap of his fingers he was gone, presumably to the Hogwarts kitchens.

"Could you?" Harry asked Lord Charles with a gesture down at his robes. Lord Charles smirked at Harry and flicked his wand in his direction, the robes now spotless once more.

"As you can now see, it was not Harry who was responsible for the hover charm three years ago, which he was given a formal warning for," Charles stated for the Wizengamot.

"But how do we know that the house elf wasn't Mr. Potter's at the time of the incident and directed the elf to perform the charm, not knowing that it would register under his magical signature," a rather dumpy wizard with a large black moustache in the second row asked.

"At the time of the incident, Dobby the house elf was in the employment of one Lucius Malfoy," Charles replied, "Are you accusing Lucius Malfoy of purposefully sabotaging my client?"

Heh, Lord Charles was brilliant. Lucius Malfoy had Fudge in his back pocket. While this normally wouldn't be a good thing, Charles had obviously found a way to use this to their advantage. Fudge would never do anything to implicate Lucius in a crime.

"Nonsense!" Fudge shouted, "Obviously the elf was working alone."

"Then it's settled. The incident three years ago that caused Harry to receive an official warning for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875 was in fact caused by the actions of the House Elf Dobby who is now in the employment of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"Agreed. In the light of this new evidence, Mr. Potter's previous warning for the Misuse of Magic will be removed from his record," said Amelia Bones, "Now, let us continue with the rest of the Hearing."

Harry could tell that Fudge was slowly losing his patience with this hearing. It obviously wasn't going the way he wanted it to and the fact that Harry's legal team was trouncing him at every turn was becoming embarrassing for the Minister.

Fudge ran a hand down his face with a frustrated sigh, "Did you, Mr. Harry James Potter cast the Patronus charm on the night of the second of August?"

"Yes," said Harry "but –"

"Knowing full well that you are not permitted to use magic outside school while you are under the age of seventeen?"

"Yes, I do know that I am not permitted to use magic outside school while still under the age of seventeen. However, there were extenuating circumstances that-"

"Knowing that you were in an area completely inhabited by Muggles?" Fudge interrupted again.

"Yes, but as I am trying to tell you if you would stop interrupting me," growled Harry, "there were extenuating circumstances that dictated that I use the Patronus charm in order to-"

"And fully aware that you were in close proximity to a Muggle at the time?" interrupted Fudge.

"THAT IS ENOUGH, CORNELIUS!" Lord Charles roared as he stood from his seat. The high backed chair fell to the ground with a clatter as Lord Charles pushed it back and moved onto the floor of the Courtroom, "AS I HAVE WARNED YOU BEFORE, the boy has the right to defend his actions without you harping on his every word. If you continue to dictate his hearing in this childish manner I will demand a re-trial under a less biased administrator. Thus far you have changed the time of the hearing without due notice, belittled my client and his witnesses, and prevented my client from defending himself as is his right by law, not once, but over ten times. This is more than enough evidence to demand a re-trial and have you disbarred for misconduct!"

"So Minister," Lord Charles growled threateningly, "unless you would like to have an audit put in to have all trials, hearings and legal proceedings that you have overseen in your tenure as Minister looked over for misconduct, I would learn to hold your tongue and let my client speak."

By the end of Lord Charles speech, Fudge was gaping like a fish and so were a few members of the Wizengamot. Obviously he wasn't used to people not bending to his every whim. Honestly, the way the Minister behaved, Harry sometimes thought the Wizarding World of Great Britain had employed an overgrown toddler prone to temper tantrums as Minister of Magic.

"HOW DARE YOU!" the witch to the right of Fudge, who looked like a rather pale toad with large bulging eyes and a broad flabby face, shrieked, "THIS IS THE MINISTER OF MAGIC! YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO SPEAK TO HIM IN SUCH A WAY!"

"When the Minister starts behaving the way he is supposed to as the Minister of Magic and stops breaking his own laws over a simple Disciplinary Hearing I will cease reprimanding him, Senior Undersecretary, Umbridge," Lord Charles calmly responded, face blank as he stared down the toad-like woman.

"Hmmf," the toad woman huffed as she broke eye-contact with Lord Charles.

"Cornelius, Lord Charles is correct. A little professionalism, please and then we can all get on with our day," Madam Bones said, "Now, you were trying to clarify something for us Mr. Potter?"

"Yes, I was. Thank you, Madam Bones," Harry said with a slight bow of the head to the woman who had inadvertently defended him. Not too much of a bow to demonstrate subservience but enough to demonstrate that he was grateful for her sense of justice and equality.

"As I was saying," began Harry, "There were extenuating circumstances that dictated that I use the Patronus charm in order to protect both myself and my cousin from Dementors. The Muggle that I have been accused of performing magic in front of was my cousin, who I have lived with since my parents death and who has known about my magic and the Wizarding World since I was eleven and received my acceptance letter to Hogwarts."

Harry could tell from the muttering amongst the Wizengamot and the angry red flush on Fudge's face that they all wished to speak but Lord Charles began to alliterate on what Harry had said before any of them could speak.

"Under the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875 an underage wizard is permitted to use magic in self-defence if their life is in danger or a member of their family is unable to lend assistance or a family member's life is threatened. This addition to the Charter of the Restriction of Underage Sorcery was added after the McCallum Family Massacre of 1865 when it was revealed that the McCallum Family children had been physically unable to help protect or save their family while they were under attack from the Dark Lord Mallificarus' forces due to the fact that their wands had been taken from them for their summer break from Hogwarts as was customary at the time," Lord Charles explained, "It was thanks to my client, Mr. Potter's quick thinking and preparedness that not only his life but that of his cousin, Dudley Dursley, was spared from a fate worse than death; the Dementor's Kiss."

"Additionally, Dudley Dursley, Harry Potter's Muggle cousin and the Muggle that Mr. Potter has been accused of performing magic in front of already knew of Mr. Potter's magic and of the Wizarding World. Therefore, my client, Mr. Potter did not break or in any way endanger section thirteen of the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy," continued Lord Charles.

"As you can see, ladies and gentleman, Mr. Potter's only offence is that he used magic to defend both himself and his cousin from Dementors in a Muggle populated area over the summer when magic is not permitted to be performed by an underage witch or wizard. My client, Mr. Potter, should not be being punished for his actions. He should be being thanked for preserving not only his life and the life of his cousin but from preventing Dementors from harming the innocent Muggles of Little Whinging, Surrey!" Charles elaborated with a flourish of his arms.

The Wizengamot was completely captivated by Lord Charles' performance. Because that was what it was. The lion-like wizard could probably convince them the sky was actually pink if he wanted to, Harry thought. He was truly lucky to have Lord Charles as his Chief Barrister. Without him, Harry was sure that the Hearing would not have gone even half as well.

There was silence after Lord Charles speech. It was obvious that they were all thinking about what had been said but not a minute later a voice spoke up. It was Minister Fudge.

"That is a very good story," drawled Fudge, "I'm not sure how Mr. Potter convinced you of that little cover story, Lord Charles. How convenient that Muggles can't see Dementors, can they, boy? Highly convenient, highly convenient... so it's just your word and no witnesses. Because by your own admission, Lord Charles, Mr. Potter is the only wizard in residence within Little Whinging is he not?" Fudge finished with a smirk.

"Ah, but that is where you are wrong, Minister," Lord Charles replied with a smirk of his own, "We have quite a few witnesses. Of those Mr. Potter's cousin, Dudley Dursley and Harry Potter's Aunt and the Late Lilly Potter nee Evans' sister, Petunia Dursley nee Evans, have both submitted a written account and a memory of the evening along with a drop of blood for identity verification. Mrs. Arabella Doreen Figg, Sqib and Harry Potter's next door neighbour who witnessed the event has agreed to testify under Veritaserum. As well as Mr. Potter himself, who has submitted a memory of that evening of August the second, which has already been cleared by Unspeakables as being authentic with no modifications."

Fudge's eyes widened and so did the toad-lady's. They obviously hadn't expected Harry to have so many witnesses willing to testify even though they had provided notification of their witnesses to the Ministry as required so really, it shouldn't have been a surprise if Fudge had bothered to come to the hearing prepared.

"Bring forth Mr. Potter's memory," said Madam Bones after a moment, with a gesture to Lord Charles who immediately levitated the sealed bottle with the memory within up to her waiting hand. "You said that this memory has been cleared with the Unspeakables as un-tampered-with and true?"

"Yes, Madam Bones," Lord Charles replied with a nod.

"Alright. Bring forth the Projection Pensieve," Bones barked down at Percy.

With wide eyes, Percy quickly scrambled out of his chair, abandoning his parchment with a flutter, and exited the courtroom through a side door. A few moments later he returned, out of breath with a large black granite bowl with runes inscribed in gold around the rim.

When the bowl was passed to Madam Bones by the flustered Percy, she uncorked the bottle containing Harry's memory of the Dementor attack and poured the contents into the bowl. As the memory swirled around in the Pensieve it began to emit a faint blue glow.

"Watch closely," Anderson whispered in Harry's ear, "This is the good bit."

Suddenly the gold runes around the rim of the Pensieve began to pulse and glow while the swirling memory within, emitted an even brighter blue light which was cast onto the ceiling of the chamber. The ceiling was now bathed in a swirling blue light and around the edges of the room a matching set of glowing gold runes appeared to etch themselves into the stone. Once the last gold rune was completed, black lines began to swirl and twine their way through the blue light. Then with a flash of blue light the memory began, projected on the ceiling like a movie.

Harry and Dudley were standing in the narrow alleyway which formed a shortcut between Magnolia Crescent and Wisteria Walk. The Alley was empty except for a few wheelie bins and was much darker that the street they had just left because there were no street lamps. The shadow of the Jones' garage and the Miller's high wooden fence making the alley seem only that much darker as Dudley gave a harsh bark of laughter and then adopted a high pitched whimpering voice. "'Don't kill Cedric! Don't kill Cedric!' Who's Cedric – your boyfriend?"

Harry's face went a pasty white colour as the shock of what Dudley had said registered with him, "I – you're lying –"

"'Dad! Help me, Dad! He's going to kill me, Dad! Boo-hoo!'" Dudley mocked as he moved forward into Harry's personal space.

Harry's wand was in his hand shaking with the effort to not point it at Dudley, "Shut up," Harry whispered, "Shut up, Dudley, I'm warning you!"

"'Come and help me, Dad! Mum, come and help me! He's killed Cedric! Dad, help me! He's going to –'"

Harry's wand was suddenly shoved threateningly in the direction of Dudley's heart, the expression on his face both pained and beyond livid.

"Don't you point that thing at me!" shrieked Dudley as he backed into the wall of the alleyway Harry's wand pointed steadily at Dudley's heart.

"Don't ever talk about that again," Harry snarled, the expression on his face slowly shifting to murderous, "D'you understand me?"

Dudley obviously wasn't listening to a word Harry was saying as he focused his beady little eyes only on Harry's wand which hadn't moved and inch from where it was pointed at his heart.

"Point that thing somewhere else!" said Dudley frantically as his eyes flicked between Harry's wand and the end of the alley like a cornered rabbit trapped by a hungry fox.

"I said, do you understand me?"

"Point it somewhere else!"

"DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!" Harry yelled in Dudley's face.

"GET THAT THING AWAY FROM-" shrieked Dudley before he suddenly stopped and gave an odd, shuddering gasp, as though he had been doused in cold icy water.

There was a shift in the night. A chilly night breeze rushed through the alley and the warm summer night was suddenly a lot less inviting. The star-strewn sky was suddenly pitch black and lightless – the stars, the moon, the misty street lamps at either end of the alley had vanished. The distant grumble of cars and the whisper of trees had gone. It was as if the small alleyway had become completely separate from the world around it, as if it had shifted into a separate dimension. The muggy evening was also suddenly piercingly, bitingly cold and frost was beginning to grow on the telephone wires above the two boys' heads. Harry and Dudley were now surrounded by total, impenetrable , silent darkness.

Harry turned his head this way and that in confusion, obviously confused by the sudden shift in the evening.

"W-what are you d-doing? St-stop it!" Dudley fearfully stuttered as he tried to inch away from his cousin.

"Harry's head whipped around to face Dudley, "I'm not doing anything! Shut up and don't move!" Harry said as he moved in front of Dudley protectively.

There was no way. No way they could be here. Dementors in Little Whinging – There was no way and yet Harry's senses were telling him that they were already here... in the alleyway.

"I c-can't see! I've g-gone blind! I –"

"I said shut up!" Harry frantically whispered to his cousin with a hushing motion before standing stock-still, trying to see anything using his peripherals. The cold was now so intense that both boys were now shivering all over; goose bumps covering their arms and the hairs on the back of Harry's neck were standing up in instinctive warning of danger.

Harry turned his head this way and that obviously trying to hear something while Dudley quivered in fear behind him.

"I'll t-tell Dad!" Dudley whimpered. "W-where are you? What are you d-do-?"

"Will you shut up?" Harry hissed back at Dudley, "I'm trying to lis-"

Harry's eyes widened and he paled as the sound of a rasping rattling breath echoed in the alley. Harry could hear long, hoarse, rattling breaths as he backed up, tremblingly, closer to Dudley.

"C-cut it out! Stop doing it! I'll h-hit you, I swear I will!" Dudley stuttered out.

"Dudley, shut-"

But then Harry was cut off as Dudley's fist connected with the side of his head, lifting Harry off his feet. Harry landed hard on the concrete and his wand flew out of his hand and rolled out of reach.

"You moron, Dudley!" Harry yelled as he scrambled to his hands and knees, his eyes watering as he searched frantically in the blackness for his wand.

Dudley launched himself off the wall and blundered across the alleyway until he connected with the wooden fence on the other side.

"DUDLEY, COME BACK! YOU'RE RUNNING RIGHT AT IT!" Harry yelled after Dudley.

Dudley let out a horrible squealing yell, and his footsteps stopped. Harry couldn't see him but at the same moment the hairs on the back of his neck...

There was more than one dementor.

"DUDLEY, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! WHATEVER YOU DO, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!" Harry yelled frantically as his hands flew over the concrete in search for his wand, "Wand! Where's – wand – come on – Lumos!"

Harry's wand wasn't in his hand but he had said the spell automatically, desperate for the light to help him in his search and to his obvious disbelief, a soft blue light flared to life inches from his right hand. The tip of his wand had ignited.

Snatching up his wand, Harry scrambled to his feet and turned around.

A towering, hooded figure was gliding smoothly towards Harry, hovering over the ground, its face and feet hidden beneath its robes.

Harry's eyes widened but he still raised his wand in a defensive position in front of him, "Expecto Pantronum!" he yelled as he pointed his wand at the dementor in front of him.

A silvery wisp of smoky white vapour shot out from the tip of Harry's wand and the dementor slowed its progress but for some reason the spell hadn't worked properly and the dementor did not stop moving towards Harry.

Scrambling backwards, Harry retreated farther down the alley away from the dementor as it bore down upon him.

Harry couldn't see Dudley. Hopefully he was ok, but Harry couldn't know for sure.

A pair of gray, slimy scabbed hands slid out from inside the dementor's robes, reaching for Harry.

"Expecto Patronum!" Harry shouted weakly, his voice sounding dim and distant even to his own ears as terror clenched his heart.

Another faint silvery mist shot out of Harry's wand, even more feeble than his last attempt. He didn't know why it wasn't working anymore. If he couldn't do a Patronus he was going to die.

Both he and Dudley were going to die if Harry couldn't get his bloody Patronus to work.

The dementor now had Harry by the throat, its putrid breath that was as cold as death bathing his face and being sucked into his own lungs as Harry was forced to breath. He was drowning in cold, darkness and the smell of death.

Harry took a gasping breath, his eyes closed shut, as the dementor drew closer and closer to his mouth before his eyes snapped open as he shouted, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

Unbeknownst to Harry, his eyes were glowing the eerie green of the killing curse as the power of his magic surged through his wand and erupted in the form of an enormous silver stag from the tip of his wand which was pointed at the dementor's face.

The Patronus' antlers caught the dementor that had almost been on top of Harry in the place where the heart should have been and the dementor was catapulted down the alley with a ghostly shriek.

Harry was quick to his feet as happiness surged through him. He should have known better than to doubt his magic. It had never let him down so far.

"Prongs! This way! We have to find Dudley!" Harry shouted to his Patronus which tossed its head, its sharp looking antlers flying, and charged down the alleyway in front of Harry.

Holding his wand aloft, Harry followed Prongs down the alley, "DUDLEY? DUDLEY, WHERE ARE YOU?! DUDLEY!"

Harry's eyes immediately zeroed in on his cousin's frame. Dudley was curled up on the ground, his arms clamped protectively over his face as a second dementor crouched over him, gripping his wrists in its slimy hands.

The dementor was slowly prying Dudley's arm away from his face. A bruise was beginning to form on Dudley's wrist in the shape of the dementor's hand. Dudley's arm was almost completely out of the way now and the dementor was lowering its hooded head towards Dudley's face as if it were about to kiss him.

"Prongs! GET IT!" Harry bellowed, and with a rushing roaring sound the silver stag galloped towards the dementor and let out a bellow.

The dementor's eyeless face was barely an inch from Dudley's when the glowing silver antlers of Harry's Patronus caught it in the ribs. The dementor was thrown up into the air as Prongs' antlers gouged through its outer robe and with a hiss was absorbed back into the darkness.

The moon, stars and street lamps burst back to life and a warm summer breeze swept down the alley. Trees rustled in the Miller's garden past the wooden fence that made up one side of the alley and the mundane rumble of cars driving down Magnolia Crescent filled the air again. The dementors were gone. It was as if they had never been there in the first place.

Harry was standing still, tense and ready to move at a moment's notice just in case the dementors hadn't entirely left the area. Harry's t-shirt was sticking to his chest and back; he was completely drenched in sweat and his senses were going haywire.

Across the alleyway from Harry was Dudley; curled up on the ground, whimpering and shaking from the effects of almost having his soul sucked out by a dementor. Walking over, Harry crouched down next to next to Dudley and placed a hand gently on his wrist to check his pulse. It fluttered under his fingertips like a snitch's wings. Good. At least that meant his cousin was alive.

"Dudley? Dudley, are you ok?" Harry asked as he gently shook his cousin's shoulder. Giving Dudley a rougher shake, Harry frantically called, "Dudley! Dudley, answer me! Oh shit! Please still have a soul! Dudley, WAKE UP!"

"Mmmmhhhhhhnnnggg," Dudley groaned loudly before rolling over and falling back into unconsciousness.

Looking hopefully over his shoulder at Prongs who was standing protectively over Harry and had still yet to dissipate, Harry asked, "Is he ok? Yeah, he may be a right arse of a cousin but...No one deserves to have their soul sucked out by a dementor, not even Voldemort."

Prongs looked down at Harry blank faced before giving what sounded like a derisive snort and walked gracefully over to Dudley. Now standing over Dudley, Prongs leaned downand gave Dudley a sniff before he turned back to Harry and gave him a small nod.

"So he still has a soul?"

Another nod and then Prongs walked back to stand protectively behind Harry.

The clip-clop of shoes running on cement caused Harry's head to shoot up and Prongs to lower his antlers threateningly in the direction the sound had come from. Harry raised his wand only to see Mrs. Figg, his batty old cat-lady of a neighbour, come panting into sight.

Mrs. Figg's frazzled gray hair was escaping from her hairnet and a clanking shopping bag was swinging back and forth from her wrist, near her ankles. Her feet were halfway out of her tartan carpet slippers.

Harry's eyes moved quickly between his wand, Prongs standing protectively in front of him and Mrs. Figg. Prongs dissipated and Harry made to stow his wand but the damage was already done. Mrs. Figg had seen...

"Don't put it away, idiot boy! Best keep your wand out too" Mrs. Figg shrieked "What if there are more around? You'll need that Patronus! And always keep your wand at hand! Oh, I am going to kill Mundungus Fletcher!"

The memory was over and the black lines that had flowed through the swirling blue light were dissipating. The magic that made the runes glow gold was also fading until nothing but black marble remained on the ceiling.

"Dementors in Little Whinging," Madam Bones said breathlessly as if she couldn't believe it even though she had seen Harry's memory with her own eyes.

The Wizengamot was aflutter with chatter; disbelief a prominent theme amongst them.

"As you have just seen, my client, Mr. Potter was yet again telling the truth," said Lord Charles as he stood from his seat. "We have further witnesses if you require them..."

"I DON'T BELIEVE THIS!" Fudge roared as he too rose from his seat amongst the Wizengamot, "THE MEMORY IS OBVIOUSLY A FABRICATION!"

"Cornelius!" Madam Bones reproached, "I have the authentication sheet from the Unspeakables in front of me! The memory is an accurate and valid portrayal of the events of August the second. Mr. Potter used his magic in self defence and in the defence of his Muggle cousin. Clause seven of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery states that magic may be used before Muggles in exceptional circumstances. Those circumstances include situations that threaten the life of the witch or wizard himself, or witches, wizards or Muggles present at the time of the event. Do your other witnesses corroborate with the memory shown?"

"Yes, Madam Bones; they do. However, this poses the question," Lord Charles said, prompting the stilling of each of the Wizengamot members, "What were Dementors doing in Little Whinging, Surrey? According to the Ministry of Magic of Great Britain, all Dementors in Great Britain are under the control of the Ministry and are restricted to the Island of Azkaban. There are also no reports of wild Dementors and the Dementors of Azkaban Prison are not permitted to leave the Island without Ministry Approval. So who authorised two Dementors to leave Azkaban Prison and go to Little Whinging where the only wizard in residence is Mr. Potter?"

This caused the Wizengamot to begin their mutterings once more.

"Hehm," spoke the toad-like witch from earlier in a fluttery girlish manner causing the Wizengamot to pause in their mutterings.

"The Chair recognises Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister," said Fudge.

Standing up the simpering toad of a witch began to speak down her nose at Lord Charles, "I'm sure I heard you incorrectly, Lord Charles. So silly of me... But for a teensy tiny moment it sounded as if you were suggesting that the Ministry of Magic had ordered the attack on this boy!"

"That is exactly what I am suggesting, Madam Umbridge," Lord Charles replied, "Undoubtedly, the Ministry will be making a full inquiry into why two dementors, as you have just seen in Mr. Potter's memory, were so far from Azkaban Prison and why they attacked without authorisation. Or perhaps, who did authorise the attack on my client..."

"Rest assured, Lord Charles and Mr. Potter; I will look into the matter personally," Madam Bones said, "I will not let this matter go unattended. Now, I do believe that this hearing has gone on long enough. Lord Charles, have the other witnesses submit their testimonies."

"Already done, Madam Bones," Lord Charles quickly replied, "I had Abagail submit them to your office three days ago, personally. They should be sitting on your desk."

"Good, good. I believe this hearing is well over time. Mr. Potter was accused of knowingly, deliberately, and in full awareness of the illegality of his actions, having received a previous written warning from the Ministry of Magic on a similar charge, producing a Patronus Charm in a Muggle-inhabited area, in the presence of a Muggle, on August the second at twenty-three minutes past nine, which constitutes an offence under paragraph C of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875, and also under section thirteen of the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy," said Madam Bones.

Harry sucked in a nervous breath. The hearing was almost over.

"It has thus been demonstrated through both questioning and the use of a memory, authenticated by Ministry Unspeakables, that Mr. Potter was in fact attacked by two Dementors of the evening of August the second at twenty-three minutes past nine and in the defence of both himself and his cousin, one Dudley Dursley used his magic to produce a corporeal Patronus Charm. Clause seven of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery states that magic may be used before Muggles in exceptional circumstances. Those circumstances include situations that threaten the life of the witch or wizard himself, or witches, wizards or Muggles present at the time of the event. Therefore, Mr. Potter did not break the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery." Madam Bones continued

"Additionally, the Muggle that Mr. Potter has been accused of performing magic in front of, one Dudley Dursley; the cousin of the accused, already knew of Mr. Potter's magic and of the Wizarding World. Therefore, Mr. Potter did not break or in any way endanger section thirteen of the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy. All those in favour of conviction?" asked Madam Bones with a glance at the Wizengamot.

Fudge raised his hand and so did the toad-like woman but they were the only ones.

Harry's eyes widened and Anderson squeezed his knee, "Almost over now."

"All those in favour of clearing Mr. Potter of all charges and of all previous charges of which evidence has been given to prove his innocence?" said Madam Bones' booming voice.

Every single member of the Wizengamot's hands were raised. Harry eyes widened and he tried to count them all. They believed him.

Fudge dejectedly glanced around at them all, looking as though there was something decidedly unpleasant stuck in his throat. But to be honest Harry didn't care that much because...

"Very well, very well... cleared of all charges," growled Fudge.

Harry sat blank-faced in a strong mixture of shock and relief. He had been cleared of all charges!

"Congratulations, Harry" Lord Charles said with a grin and a slap on the back, "Couldn't have hoped for a better result, eh?"

"Yeah," Harry croaked as he choked down a sob of relief.

Seeing Harry struggling to maintain his composure, Charles shuffled forward and took hold of his client's shoulders. "Alright, it's been a long morning for everyone," Charles said with a nod to the rest of the legal team and Harry. "Abigail, if you could take Master Snarklaw back to Gringotts? And Henry, if you could accompany Mrs. Dursley back to her home?"

"Certainly," they both replied.

"Now, let's get you home to Baird," Charles said down to Harry with a smile.

"Just a moment?" Harry asked with a hand on Lord Charles' arm.

"Whatever you want, Harry."

"Geldreth?" Harry asked as he moved away from Lord Charles and towards the grouchy goblin, who was standing next to Abigail waiting to leave.

"Thank you for testifying on my behalf," Harry said with a bow, "You didn't have to even come, but you did and for that I am eternally grateful. If ever you require my help in a similar matter, I will be there."

Everyone's eyes widened at Harry's admission. It wasn't often that a wizard lowered themselves to thank a goblin as an equal.

"May your days be prosperous and your gold forever grow," added Harry.

Geldreth's eyes widened, "And you, Mr. Potter. It seems as if you aren't as dense as you first made yourself to appear. I see you found yourself a good teacher?"

"Yes," Harry replied with a grin down at Geldreth, "I have and thank you for remaining silent about the other sensitive matters regarding my blood test."

Geldreth's eyes shot up to Harry's forehead where his ever-present scar lay, "You are quite welcome Mr. Potter but as I said before; company policy dictates complete client confidentiality. You had nothing to fear."

"None the less, thank you."

Geldreth bowed to Harry. "If you would show me the way out, Miss? Not all of us have all day to flounce away with legal matters. Some of us have real work to do; with money," Geldreth snarked at Abigail as he began walking towards the Courtroom doors.

"I like him," Anderson remarked with a smirk over at Harry.

"Ha! Of course you do, Henry. Your personalities are so alike!" Lord Charles boomed with a laugh.

While Lord Charles and Anderson began to banter back and forth as the two lawyers were known to do, Harry approached his Aunt who was standing off to the side with a pinched look on her face.

"I didn't think you would come..." whispered Harry.

This was very awkward for him. The last time he saw his Aunt they were in the kitchen of number four Privet Drive and Harry had just saved Dudley from Dementors and thrown Uncle Vernon across the kitchen with wandless magic... He hadn't expected her to want to see him let alone come to his trial. He was amazed that Anderson and Alexander had managed to convince her to come.

Aunt Petunia sniffed and tilted her head away from Harry, "Mr. Anderson and Mr. Gregorovich convinced me to come and give my testimony of the evening. They also assured me that you would not be returning as you have found a new place to live with a Mr. Opus-kull-us."

"Yeah, I'm living with Baird now... Thank you for coming anyway. Even though you didn't end up having to speak... It means a lot" Harry said awkwardly to Aunt Petunia.

"As long as you don't ever grace my doorstep again, I'm willing to come to some silly hearing," Aunt Petunia sniffed.

"Well then," Harry said uncomfortably as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "Thank you anyway, you best be getting back home. I think Anderson was taking you?"

"Yes, I am," Anderson butted in, "Mrs. Dursley?" Anderson asked as he offered an arm to Harry's Aunt. Aunt Petunia stuck up her nose at the offered appendage and began walking away from the wizards to the Courtroom doors.

Harry looked over at Anderson and shrugged at the other man's scowl. That was just how his Aunt was.

He had told the legal team a little bit of what living with the Dursley's was like and Anderson, Alexander and Abigail had been very much for filing charges of abuse against his Muggle family but Harry had convinced the other wizards and witch that is wasn't worth it. After all, he wouldn't be going back there anyway, now that he was living comfortably with Baird during the summers and at Hogwarts for the rest of the year.

As Anderson trotted after his Aunt, Lord Charles and Alexander came up behind Harry.

"Ready to go, Harry?" Lord Charles asked as he placed a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Yeah, let's go home."