"Are you saying, young sir and miss that you do not wish to do your civic duty and give testimony in a case where you have been called as a witness?" Lord Altren asked. There was a warning note in his voice.
"No, we're not saying that at all" Hermione protested, "but there is no reason to hold us captive."
"It's so sad to see how poorly the young are being taught about the history of their world." Altren shook his head. "The traditions and history that made our people great once upon a time are being forgotten or ignored, but I supposed that's only to be expected when the only thing a magical history teacher will teach is about the Goblin Rebellions. Young lady there are many laws and traditions that can be traced back to the when the magical world was founded. A number of those laws concerned how cases of crimes against the magical world were conducted. This sealing is done for your protection. In the past, it was not unknown for a witness who left the chamber to be killed before their testimony could be given, thereby altering the outcome of the trial."
"However if you two do not wish to participate in this hearing, then you may leave, but understand it will be noted in the file kept on you at the Ministry that you refused to do your duty when called upon to do so" Lord Perrivor put in. "And such a refusal could affect your future prospects for employment… among other things."
Hermione looked horrified at the thought, while Ron looked mutinous, but they both sat back down and didn't say another word.
Lord Perrivor looked over the occupants of the room. "Does anyone else among the witnesses which to depart?"
None of the others spoke up or stood up.
Speaking with great solemnity, Perrivor said, "All who are to give witness shall now be bound to tell the truth. There will be no evasions or half truths."
A white glow surrounded all seated at and behind the Protector and Defender's tables.
Lord Longrim as the oldest member of the Council got to his feet and read the list of charges. "Cornelius Oswald Fudge, you are here before us facing the charge of High Treason against peoples of magical Britain and the magical world. The allegations making up the primary charge are: It is alleged that you did take bribes from known Deatheaters and allowed them into positions of power within the government so that they could further their racist agenda. That you abused the power of your office in the following ways: Imprisoning the man Ruebus Hagrid in Azkaban without a trial and no proof that he was the guilty party involved in reopening the Chamber of Secrets and that through you, the Ministry has failed to this day to compensate Hagrid for that false imprisonment. That you failed to give a new trial to Sirius Orion Black when possible evidence came to light that he might be innocent or even delay his execution until that evidence could be examined as is required by law. That you did abuse your position on the Wizengamot to have a simple charge of underaged magic heard before the full panel, when it should have only been heard a before a three member panel from the Department of Magical Education. Also it is alleged that you changed the time of this hearing but failed to notify the participants until the last minute so that Lord Harry James Potter would be expelled from Hogwarts for failing to show up at the appointed time. That you deliberately covered up the actions of the Dark Lord in his attacks against both magical and muggle-born families, leaving us defenceless if he chose to attack in full force. And you did knowingly violate the treaty between the magical and muggle government of Great Britain by doing so. As a further abuse of your power it is alleged that you did allow and encourage the Daily Prophet to print lies and slander about Lord Potter and Albus Dumbledore in an attempt to discredit them so no one would believe their claims that He-Who-Must-Not-be-Named was back. That you did place your Undersecretary Delores Umbridge at Hogwarts as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, even though she was not qualified to teach the position and this was done in an effort to silence Harry Potter and those who believed the claims about Voldemort's return."
Longrim paused for a moment looking up. "How do you plead to these charges?"
Fudge got to his feet. "I plead not guilty to all the charges and I also hereby declare that this court has no authority over me."
Longrim sat down as Dantes ordered, "Protector Delacour, call your first witness."
"Lord Harry James Potter." Delacour called.
As Harry rose from his seat, a comfortable looking straight-backed chair appeared between the tables.
"Lord Potter, how long have you been a part of the wizarding world?" Delacour asked, once Harry had taken the witness seat.
"Approximately seven years," Harry answered calmly.
"Prior to your introduction to the Wizarding World by Rubeus Hagrid, you lived in the muggle world, is that correct?"
"Existed might be more accurate," Harry answered after a moment's though on how to phrase it, "but yes, I resided in the muggle world."
"When did you first meet the Minister Fudge?" Delacour wanted to know.
"Do you mean when were we first introduced, or when did I first see the man? They aren't necessarily the same thing." Harry explained.
"When were you first introduced to him? And where?" Dleacour clarified the question.
"I was introduced to Minister Fudge in the summer before my third year at Hogwarts. He met me at the Leaky Cauldron when I went there to get away from my family after accidentally blowing up Marge Dursley." Harry told him.
"That was the summer Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban." Delacour commented then asked. "Was it an accidental meeting?"
"No, he was waiting for me inside the Leaky Cauldron."
"And why was the Minister of Magic, who I am sure was at that time a very busy man waiting there for you?"
"He came to chew me out for running away from my Aunt's house. He told me that I had caused them a lot of bother, but that they had smoothed all over and I would be welcome back at my Aunt and Uncle's the next summer." Harry told him. "Though he was polite abut it, he tried to make me feel as if it were my fault that I'd put the Ministry to so much trouble to fix things, even though Marge deserved it."
"And you didn't think it was odd that the Minister of Magic had come to do that himself? He could've sent an underling to make sure you were ok."
"Given that I wasn't raised in the Magical world I had no idea how things worked. I was just glad he wasn't there to arrest me, so I didn't really give it much thought." Harry admitted. "I mean I had seen him have Hagrid arrested on nothing more than suspicion and rumour about the Chamber of Secrets the previous spring so I was expecting the worst."
Delacour led Harry through the events where he had contact either directly or indirectly with the Minister.
"So the Minister didn't believe you when you told him that Pettigrew was alive?" Delacour inquired.
"No sir, he thought Granger and I were confounded by Sirius." Harry told the tribunal. "He wouldn't listen to a thing we said. He acted like we were five year olds who'd just had an encounter with a boggart. I have never been a child. Growing up with the Dursleys saw to that. Fudge chose to believe Snape, even though he had to know that Snape loathed Sirius and my Father and would like nothing better than to get back at them. It was a well known fact at Hogwarts during the time they attended school."
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