"There you are Percy," a frilly high-pitched voice said. When Harry looked at the noise he saw the same toad-like woman he'd seen with Minister Fudge the night Voldemort had returned. She also wore the same plum color robes as the other witches and wizards Harry had seen in the seats.
"Yes Madam Umbridge," Percy replied. "I had..." He looked at his father and at the man who was with them, "some last minute things to take care of."
Umbridge noticed who was standing amongst the blue robed Aurors. "Mr. Potter," She said in a sickly sweet tone that made an involuntary shudder run up Harry's spine. Umbridge then looked at the two blonde girls beside Harry. "And you must be Minister Delacour's daughters," She said. Harry noticed her facial expression seemed to change. It reminded him of the same look Narcissa Malfoy had at the World Cup.
"Yes ma'am," Fleur responded. "And zis is 'Ermione Granger."
"Yes," Umbridge replied. "A muggleborn from what I hear," She made the word seem more of an insult than a description. Umbridge quickly turned back to Percy. "We have lots to do today before I can take my seat on the Wizengamot, but tell me why I shouldn't fire you? I had Amelia Bones in my office asking why you've been inquiring about Potter's security."
"But you told..." Percy started.
"I did no such thing," Umbridge snapped. "Don't start your lies in here Mr. Weasley, you're already in enough trouble with the Ministry," She glared at her underling. "Now come with me before you cause any more trouble."
Percy nodded and Harry noticed him glance at the man who had been with him and Arthur. That man followed shortly afterwards in the same direction Umbridge and Percy had left.
"She's..." Fleur started as she stared in the direction the toad woman had left.
"Harry," Another voice said, interrupting her. One with a grandfatherly tone to it. Harry would recognize the voice anywhere. He turned to see the Headmaster there along with Alain Delacour. Dumbledore wore the same maroon robes with the 'W' woven as he'd seen in the benches in front of the chained chair. His 'W' was golden.
"Good afternoon sir," Harry said and then he smiled at Alain. "Sir."
"Ze Dursleys 'ave been treating you well?"
"Excuse me, but we need to get Potter away from the door," Shacklebolt said before Harry could answer. His eyes were continually watching people enter and leave the large chamber. "This is not a very secure spot," When he was sure he had everyone's attention he led them through a door near the back of the courtroom. Behind the door was a small room with several chairs and tables.
"This is where witnesses are normally kept until they are ready to testify. You'll stay here Mr. Potter until right before the trial is to begin. Then you'll enter the courtroom ahead of the remaining Wizengamot members," Shacklebolt said as he nodded toward another door. "They'll be coming from their area there."
"Sir, could you call me Harry," Harry said. "I don't feel like Mr. Potter."
"Very well Harry," Shacklebolt said. "I'm Kingsley then. I will be leaving one person in here while the rest of my team and I will be right outside the door to prevent unnecessary interruptions. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you sir."
"Doing my job Harry," Kingsley replied. He looked at Tonks. "You'll stay in here."
"Yes sir," Tonks replied.
When the other Aurors had left, Harry turned to Alain and Dumbledore. "About the Dursleys...uh.. I need to talk to you both about that," Harry started. "But first, I'd like to thank you sir," He nodded toward Dumbledore. "I know Remus and Padfoot couldn't have done today without your help."
"You're welcome," The Headmaster replied. "It's something that I should have thought to do earlier, but sometimes I find it difficult to return there," The last he said in a much quieter voice.
Harry remembered the headstone of Dumbledore's mother and sister and he again wondered what might have happened to a much younger Dumbledore.
The Headmaster's eyes wandered to each of the young people and ended on Hermione. "Miss Granger, did you enjoy your visit with Bathilda?"
Hermione could barely contain the smile that was on her face. "Yes sir," She replied as she clutched the book she'd been given even more tightly to her chest.
"Is that...may I?" Dumbledore said to her as he recognized the book she held.
Hermione nodded as she held out the treasure she'd been given to Dumbledore.
The old wizard took the book and ran his hand over the cover. He looked at Hermione. "You do understand what this is?"
"Yes sir," Hermione replied.
"You must have impressed her greatly."
"She said she thought I'd value it for what it was and not for what it's worth."
"I'm sure you will at that," Dumbledore agreed.
"She...she also said I reminded her of you at my age."
"I hope you found that to be a compliment?" He asked with a smile.
"Yes sir, I did sir."
"Would you like me to protect this for you?" He asked as he once again touched the book. "Or maybe Alain will store it at his house?"
Hermione looked at the book greedily. She really didn't ever want to let it out of her sight, but she knew it would be safer with one of those two men. She then thought of the perfect person to protect the book. "Can you have Madam Pince look after it?"
"Of course," Dumbledore replied. After a small hesitation he asked. "Can I presume by that request, that you are still considering returning to Hogwarts?"
"We are sir," Harry replied. "But we haven't decided one way or the other yet."
"Of course," Dumbledore replied. "I hope you didn't take my question to be anything but an inquiry. Now you said something about the Dursleys?"
Harry nodded and started describing the altercations they had had with Vernon and Dudley over the past week. Alain Delacour was becoming visibly angered while Dumbledore developed a look of sadness on his face.
"I...we've tried sir," Harry finished. "We tried to just avoid them, but no matter what we did.."
"Zose pigs wouldn't leave us alone," Fleur finished for him.
"Very well," Dumbledore replied. "Can we discuss this further after the trial?"
"Yes sir."
They heard a door open and turned to see a person emerge from the door that Shacklebolt had said the Wizengamot was located.
"Harry Potter," Said the man who had emerged. Harry found himself looking at Cornelius Fudge who stood there beaming with a wide smile on his face. "I'm sure you've been looking forward to this day haven't you."
"This day could've happened a lot sooner if you'd have believed us last year," Harry pointed out.
"Yes well those things happen," Fudge replied as some of the smile disappeared from his face. "You have to understand how it looked to the Ministry. Now I'm sure after today we can let bygones be bygones and move forward."
"And my Godfather? He should be here as well, but he can't because you still haven't cleared his name."
Fudge now had a nervous look on his face. "Harry, it just wouldn't do to have the Ministry look so bad after the last two years, not to mention all the years he was in Azkaban. Now I assure you that after Pettigrew's trial we can make sure that he's cleared quietly..."
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