London.
Several days had passed since receiving the letter from the Ministry of Magic.
At first, Harry had been filled with anxiety, terrified that the Ministry might change its mind and come to confiscate his wand. He'd even prepared to flee.
Fortunately, nothing happened during the first two days, allowing him to relax somewhat.
On the fourth day, Moody arrived unexpectedly with a team to escort him away, causing quite a commotion.
Harry now viewed everyone with suspicion, especially former Defence Against the Dark Arts professors.
It wasn't until Sirius arrived that Harry dared to go with them.
Rather than scolding him, Moody praised his vigilance, which eased Harry's embarrassment considerably.
Finally getting his wish, Harry moved into 12 Grimmauld Place to live with Sirius.
He also learned why Sirius had been too busy to visit him recently.
Both Sirius and Lupin had joined Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix, secretly opposing Voldemort.
Their recent mission involved contacting werewolves—not just British ones but those across Europe—to recruit them to their side and prevent them from being swayed by Greyback.
When Sirius shared this information, he had a fierce argument with Molly.
Molly insisted Harry was just a child who shouldn't worry about adult matters, but Harry disagreed.
What did being a child matter? Among everyone in the house, apart from Sirius, even Lupin hadn't faced Voldemort as many times as he had.
He'd weathered major storms before. Even if they wouldn't let him join the Order of the Phoenix, was it too much to ask for some information?
But no matter how Harry argued, the others remained tight-lipped, and Sirius couldn't help either.
Harry spent his days playing Wizard's Chess and Magic Awakening with Ron, while enduring the twins' pranks.
As the trial date approached, Harry grew nervous again.
He couldn't bear to imagine what would happen if he were actually expelled.
...
On the 11th, the day before the trial, Hermione and Cho came to visit Ginny, bringing some liveliness to Grimmauld Place.
Harry hastily put away his nearly-shattered chess king and rushed downstairs to the girls chatting with Ginny.
"Hermione, hasn't Wayne returned from Paris yet?"
He'd received a letter from Wayne, but having him present would be far more reassuring.
"Not yet," Hermione shook her head. "He and Fleur should be in Spain now."
The young witch pursed her lips, clearly jealous about Wayne spending so much time with Fleur, though she could guess the reason.
What could she expect, being so much younger?
Fleur had already graduated—they could do whatever they wanted.
Harry looked disappointed.
Understanding his concerns, Hermione reassured him: "As Wayne said, Dumbledore won't let anything happen to you. Legally speaking, this counts as self-defence—completely justified."
"That's easy to say... but..."
Harry walked away worriedly and barely slept all night.
He'd just drifted off when Mr Weasley shook him awake—today, he'd accompany Harry to the Ministry.
During breakfast, those who'd been on night watch also tried comforting Harry.
"Amelia Bones is quite decent, Harry," Tonks said with a yawn. "She's fair and will hear you out."
"I've met her," Harry nodded. "She's Susan's aunt."
"Don't even think about name-dropping," Sirius interjected suddenly. "Stick to the facts and be polite."
He'd wanted to accompany Harry to the hearing, too, but Kingsley had stopped him.
The Ministry was particularly sensitive these days. Without an official position, Sirius's attending as jury support wasn't a proper justification and might give them ammunition.
"If they really try to snap your wand, just shout Wayne's name loudly. Someone might help you."
Ginny was getting up early, too, since she'd be accompanying Cho and Hermione shopping later.
Harry's mouth twitched. "What kind of rubbish suggestion is that?"
"Technically speaking, Ginny's not wrong..." Mr Weasley said with a strange expression.
Harry gave him a bewildered look.
"Wayne has extensive connections. Even the famously impartial Bones gets along well with him."
"During the recent werewolf management office setup, I often saw Bones dropping by his place. Mentioning his name might actually help."
Harry nodded dazedly. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
"Don't worry, it's just a backup plan. Dumbledore will be testifying for you."
Hearing Dumbledore would attend, Harry visibly perked up, feeling more settled.
Finally, Mrs Weasley gave Harry a hug and watched as the two stepped out the door.
Thick fog obscured the newly risen sun. Feeling chilly, Harry followed Mr Weasley to take the Underground.
It was Mr Weasley's first time riding Muggle trains—he usually Apparated to work. He maintained intense focus throughout, staring fixedly at the route map above the windows.
When they alighted at the correct stop, Harry heard Mr Weasley exhale deeply, as if he'd just survived a magical duel.
The Ministry wasn't unfamiliar territory—Harry had testified here for Sirius before. But being the defendant this time felt entirely different.
Mr Weasley brought Harry to his office, but before they could settle in, an old man burst in breathlessly to inform them that the time and location had been changed.
They hurried to Courtroom Ten—the very chamber where Sirius had been cleared.
"An ambush, definitely an ambush. I must alert Dumbledore," Mr Weasley muttered.
At the entrance, he pushed Harry inside before rushing off.
Entering the courtroom, Harry saw the same members of the Wizengamot from before. To his surprise, the figure at the high bench wasn't Fudge, but a witch—Fudge sat among the Wizengamot instead.
He spotted Percy, too, who kept his head down, scribbling notes as if they'd never met.
When the witch spoke, Harry learned her name—Umbridge. Her saccharine voice immediately grated.
'A woman in her forties or fifties affecting a girlish tone,' he thought. 'The Ministry must be desperate, hiring anyone.'
As she called for the defence's witnesses, Dumbledore finally arrived.
Harry straightened noticeably.
Then the hearing began.
Dumbledore had called Mrs Figg as a witness—Harry only then learned that Mrs Figg was a Squib who testified that she had indeed seen Dementors on Privet Drive that night.
The two sides engaged in a fierce debate, with Dumbledore adamant that Harry had acted in self-defence, while Umbridge refused to acknowledge that Dementors had ever been to Privet Drive.
However, the presence of a witness and her precise description of the Dementors ultimately swayed the Wizengamot to believe Dumbledore and Harry.
Umbridge's face turned ashen, but she knew there was nothing more she could do against them this time. Quickly composing herself, she plastered on a saccharine smile.
"It seems we've misunderstood Mr Potter. However, Mr Potter, please refrain from drawing your wand and casting spells unless absolutely necessary."
"I think that was absolutely necessary—unless you'd like to be kissed by a Dementor?" Harry retorted sharply.
His impression of Umbridge had soured completely. That woman had practically wanted to put every spell he'd ever cast in his life on trial just now.
Had Dumbledore not been here, he wouldn't have known how to defend himself.
A flash of malice crossed Umbridge's eyes, but she didn't lash out. Instead, she glanced at Fudge among the jury members.
Plan A had failed, but they still had Plan B.
Fudge cleared his throat twice, calling out to Dumbledore, who was about to leave.
"Dumbledore, since you're here, we might as well settle other matters today, too."
Dumbledore frowned slightly. "I've already left the Wizengamot. Do Ministry affairs still concern me?"
Fudge stood and moved to the seat Umbridge had just vacated.
"Generally speaking, no. But this does involve Hogwarts." Fudge announced: "To ensure students receive more standardised and safer education, the Ministry will establish a new department—the Department of Magical Education."
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed sharply, his gaze turning piercing.
Fudge pretended not to notice, continuing to explain the department's functions to other Wizengamot members.
"Once established, the Apparition Test Centre and Wizarding Examination Authority will fall under the Department's jurisdiction."
"Additionally, we'll set up a Textbook Regulation Office, Major Offence Disciplinary Centre, and Teacher Certification Department, among others."
"Dumbledore, what are your thoughts?" Fudge asked, meeting Dumbledore's gaze calmly.
"Would my objection make any difference?" Dumbledore countered.
"Of course, you're the Headmaster. I'd respect your opinion." Fudge smiled triumphantly. "However, next year's Ministry donations might decrease—times are hard, after all. We've recruited over a dozen new Aurors this year."
"But with a new department established, naturally, more resources would be allocated accordingly."
This had been his main objective all along.
Umbridge's clumsy schemes could never truly affect Dumbledore. Conspiracies remained conspiracies—never fit for proper discussion.
But his method was perfectly reasonable and compliant, making it clear he intended to interfere with Hogwarts' affairs without anyone being able to object.
Not even Dumbledore.
Unless... he chose to overturn the table entirely.
But clearly, this minor matter hadn't pushed Dumbledore to that point yet.
"I see no reason or right to refuse," Dumbledore said gravely. "This is indeed a good thing. At the very least, you can help me find a Defence Against the Dark Arts professor for next term."
"Of course," Fudge said with restrained satisfaction. "The Department of Education will select an outstanding professor for the position."
Fudge was inwardly overjoyed. This was the first time he'd gained the upper hand in his struggles with Dumbledore, successfully extending his influence into Hogwarts.
Umbridge smiled too, because Fudge had told her she would be the first Head of the Department of Education. When the time came, she'd enter the school with the dual titles of Senior Undersecretary to the Minister and Head of the Department of Education—wouldn't that make her more powerful than Dumbledore himself?
BANG!
The courtroom doors were violently flung open, and all members of the Wizengamot turned towards the entrance.
A handsome young man emerged from the shadows, his brow furrowed in clear displeasure.
Harry's face lit up with joy, while Dumbledore's eyes flashed with amusement.
Recognising Wayne, over half the Wizengamot members instinctively rose to their feet.
Wayne swept them with an irritated glance, cutting off their attempts at greeting with a raised hand. His voice was icy as he demanded:
"Which House-elf-fucking bastard changed the trial time without notice?"
"Changing it is bad enough, but couldn't they have bothered to inform anyone?"
Harry had only one thought at that moment: 'This is fucking brilliant.'
Fudge looked deeply uncomfortable. After shooting Umbridge a furious glare that mingled with her own expression of panic and outrage, he scurried to Wayne's side with an ingratiating smile.
"Mr Lawrence, it was an oversight by my staff. They forgot to notify you about the time change."
"The trial has concluded. Potter has been cleared of all charges."
Wayne gave an indifferent hum. "He was obviously innocent. That's only to be expected, isn't it?"
Fudge nodded repeatedly.
"But is that what I asked?" Wayne's voice turned glacial. "I asked which House-elf-fucking bastard changed the time!"
The courtroom fell deathly silent.
Every juror's eyes turned as one towards Umbridge.