Love, Lies & Loneliness

(A/N And another chapter just cause I can.....and as always review if you can cause it makes me write faster...*wink wink*

Chapter 11
(Psychology of the Mob)

Harry had to run to keep up with the two wizards who were striding ahead of him down the corridor. Both figures were as imposing as each other and any they met in the hall immediately stepped from their path without hesitation. Their immensely different robes swirled behind them Harry having to dodge treading on them as he followed the pair as closely as he dared. Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape seemed to have caused quite a stir in the Ministry when they’d arrived. Disapperating into the security foyer of the Ministry of Magic the pair of them had strode confidently and determinedly through all security without even being stopped, leaving Harry to trail behind them in aw of their combined presence.

That morning Harry had been awoken by Dobby, the house elf unusually flustered as he pressured Harry into hurriedly getting ready and eating breakfast. Harry had found his best school robes folded neatly in the bathroom and assuming it was standard dress for hearings at the Ministry Harry had gotten washed and changed. All attempts at taming his hair were as usual fruitless and Harry wondered if those at the hearing would be shallow enough to convict him on mere looks. Breakfast had been just as rushed, Dobby all but hand feeding Harry as he flittered backwards and forwards past Harry on the couch, muttering something about a professor and his magic capped boots. With a piece of toast still in his hand, Dobby had pulled Harry out of Snape’s rooms and into the corridor and up towards the main entrance foyer of Hogwarts still muttering to himself. When Harry had arrived he’d found the headmaster and Snape standing together talking quietly. Harry was to say the least, completely stunned by the two wizards before him. Characteristically Dumbledore was wearing an emerald green robe, the comet’s that made up the pattern sparkling sharp and bright as they whizzed over the material. The matching wizards hat did little to disguise the fact that the headmaster had obviously spent a long time brushing his long gray hair, and plating his beard into a neat little braid. What was far more surprising than Dumbledore’s polished appearance was Snape’s almost immaculate one. The potions professor was wearing what appeared to be the blackest, crinkle free robes Harry had ever seen, the material shimmering like polished glass in the morning light. But what was short of heart stopping was that the potions professor’s hair was not greasy, and looked freshly washed, and was now tied up in a low ponytail with a long black ribbon, which matched his robe. The first and only thought that had popped into Harry’s head the moment Snape had turned to looked at him had been ‘beautiful.’ Harry wasn’t even sure if he’d only said it in his mind, cause a strange look passed briefly over Snape’s face as they stared at one another in silence. The moment the word had popped into Harry’s head the second later Harry was trampling on it and trying to shake it from his mind. Professor Snape was not beautiful, a man certainly wasn’t beautiful, hell a teacher and death-eater twice his age was definitely not BEAUTIFUL. The thoughts disturbed him but he had little time to think further on them as Dumbledore and Snape began striding out of the castle towards an apparition point outside the grounds.

The two wizards had hardly said two words together to him, since he’d met them in the foyer. Snape had instructed him once to put his hand about the professor’s waist as they’d apperated and then Dumbledore had sternly told Harry to stay close and follow them when they’d arrived at the Ministry. Harry knew something had changed since the last time Harry had talked to Dumbledore and Snape. Whether it was the way both wizards wore stern expressions of concern or the way both men seemed to share knowing glances at one another, Harry was sure something last night had changed his situation entirely.

So as they reached the large doors into the hearing room at the Ministry of Magic, it was with some trepidation that Harry followed the two wizards inside. The Auror posted outside the doors to the room didn’t even get a chance to check their wands before Dumbledore had flung open the doors making them crack like thunder as he stepped through them. Harry flinched at the sound but Snape seemed unmoved and merely followed the headmaster into the room.

Harry was surprised by how many people were in the room when he entered. The room resembled a muggle theater with a raised platform in the center of the room and a circular stand of chairs that looped around the entire platform. A large long table lay along one edge of the central raised platform and in front of it was a singular box with two chairs either side of it. The stands were full of muttering witches and wizards all now staring at the three wizards who’d just entered. Although he tried not to listen to their conversation Harry was sure he heard some side remarks about Snape’s presence and even more about Harry’s. If Snape heard the comments he made no move to acknowledge them as he followed Dumbledore up onto the platform. Harry obediently followed and noted without really looking up from his feet that Fudge was among eight wizards and witches sitting at the table.

“Albus?” Fudge stood from his seat behind the table as Dumbledore approached the table. Snape stopped a step behind the headmaster, and with a curt nod of his head motioned for Harry to stay next to him.

“Minister.” Harry had never heard Dumbledore sound so serious before the headmasters clipped tone towards the bumbling short man in front of him clearly indicative of his annoyance. “I shall make one more appeal for the council to end this farcical hearing and stop wasting our time with nonsense.”

“Headmaster this is neither a time wasting nor a farcical hearing. Young Mr. Potter is accused of attempted murder of an unarmed muggle, and repeated use of underage magic both crimes as serious as each other.” Fudge puffed out his chest pompously and Harry was sure he heard Snape growl low in his throat, although Harry supposed it could have been his stomach growling in unease. “Now please take your seat so the hearing may begin.” Fudge directed Albus to the chairs with an authoritatively pointed finger but the headmaster ignored him and instead glared at each member of the council in turn as he spoke.

“Then let the truth and its consequences be upon your heads.” With a final cool stare at the minister Dumbledore took the seat to the right of the little platform, Snape dutifully taking the one to the left, leaving Harry to stand uncomfortably atop the platform between both wizards.

“Thank-you.” Fudge cleared his throat loudly and the chamber came to silence, all eyes focused on him. Harry didn’t dare allow his gaze to stray as he stood stiffly in front of the council. “Harry James Potter. You are accused under section 1098 of the protection of Muggles act of attempting to injure with intent to kill Dudley Dursley while staying at number 4 Privet drive on the 1st of July. Further more this action is the third use of underage magic detected from your person. This hearing will hear evidence regarding these incidents and the council along with a body of your peers will decide your innocents or guilt, along with appropriate punishments. Is there anything you wish to say before we begin?” Fudge looked over the tops of his glasses at Harry and Harry glanced back at Dumbledore for guidance. Dumbledore shook his head warmly and Harry turned back to the minister to reply.

“No.” Fudge nodded understandingly and the trial began…

*********************************************************************
Formality after formality was discussed and Harry remained silent as his hearing and trial happened around him. Evidence was given from countless witnesses, Dumbledore adamantly defending Harry through the entire ordeal. Harry didn’t really know if Dumbledore was doing a good job of defending him but as witness after witness was dismissed Harry began to get the feeling that Dumbledore had found holes in all of their arguments. Time seemed to slow for Harry and as time wore on he became sore from standing one place all the time. There had been a short break for the council but Harry had to remain standing where he was. Dumbledore had stayed with him his reassuring smile doing little to ease Harry’s growing despair. He’d lost track of everything that he’d been accused of, his own wand becoming his enemy as the council showed the last three spells he’d performed as evidence.

Finally though after an exhaustive set of formalities, Fudge stood from his seat once more and pointed rudely at Snape, who’d sat almost as still and silent as Harry had through the entire hearing.

“Although this is highly irregular and not at all sanctioned by the Ministry, I would ask Professor Severus Snape to please now administer the appropriate dose of Veritaserum to Mr Potter.” Muttering and murmured gasps broke out from around the room as Snape stood from his chair removed a small vial of swirling turquoise potion from within his robes. In attempt at settling the crowd Fudge clapped his hands together drawing everyone’s attention back to himself like a muggle preschool teacher might with an infant class. “Please I understand that it is not common practice to administer truth serum to a minor but in this case Mr Potters crimes will only be revealed under such influence. Dumbledore assures me the boy has agreed to this knowing it to be his only defence against the charges.” When the crowd had settled again Fudge turned back to Snape and gestured with his hand towards Harry to resume.

Harry took a deep breath in already feeling light headed as he watched Snape uncork the bottle and swill the potion around one more time, inspecting it for something only Snape would look for. For a brief moment Harry allowed himself to admire the potion professors pale features, having never seen them clearly before behind the curtain of oily hair. Harry snapped out of quickly though as Snape spoke softly but firmly to his charge.

“Keep your head up and take deep breaths.” Snape handed Harry the potion who took another deep shaky breath before downing the vile potion in one go. Harry swayed a little on his feet as he handed the empty bottle back to Snape, who immediately handed it to Dumbledore so that he could take a firm hold of Harry’s wrist. Harry felt almost detached from his body as he watched Snape roll up the sleeve of his robe, the potions professor resting two of his fingers against Harry’s pulse to monitor it. With his free hand Snape reached up to Harry’s chin and held it still as he watched Harry’s pupils dilate as the potion slowly took hold. After a moment Snape nodded towards the council who all looked far too eager to question Harry. Harry however merely stared far beyond the people sitting in front of him his breathing deep and regular.

“Is your name Harry James Potter?” Fudge over the course of the hearing had collected various questions from the council and all of them now sat in front of him ready to answered by the influential boy before him.

“Yes.”

“Who were your parents?” Fudge was asking normal questions testing the dose of Veritaserum Snape had administered.

“James Potter and Lilly Evans.”

“What did Dudley Dursley do to you on the 1st of July this year?” Fudge waited patiently as Harry took several deep breaths just as Snape had told him to do.

“In the morning he and Todd woke me up by pushing a stink bomb under my bedroom door. They went out to the park after I’d made them breakfast, to play football. They came home and went upstairs and took the picture of my parents from the bedside table where I keep my glasses and a cup of water. He then took my wand from beneath my pillow and brought both the picture and my wand downstairs and into the kitchen where I was cooking dinner. He held them over the garbage disposal and said he’d drop them in. He dropped the picture into the sink and tore it to shreds.” Harry finished a little breathlessly and swayed on his feet slightly. He was already tired from having stood all day on the stand but now with his body fighting the veritaserum he was beginning to fade.

“What was the spell you cast on Dudley after the incident in the kitchen.” Fudge continued not even noticing Harry’s discomfort.

“Razorratis.” Harry answered automatically to which a muttering broke out. Harry shuddered at the added noise in the room and Snape moved hastily to focus Harry’s attention back on him, so that he would ignore the muttering. Fudge calmed the crowd down with a wave of his hand.

“You did not cast an unforgivable at the muggle then?” Fudge persisted on the point to which end Harry shook his head in reply.

“No, only Voldomort would cast an unforgivable curse at an unarmed muggle.” There was a hiss of surprise at the mention of Voldomort’s name being spoken but again it quieted down with Fudge’s insistence.

“Did you intend to kill Dudley Dursley?”

“No he’s my cousin…” Harry seemed to struggle then his eyes fluttering closed and his mouth opening and closing as if he fought hard not to say something. Inevitably though words formed in his mouth and then flowed freely for everyone to hear. “I intend to kill Voldomort.” At the effort of having repressed that information Harry had broken out into a sweat, and Snape muttered silently to himself as Harry’s pulse rate quickened a little. Seemingly satisfied with his own questions Fudge gestured to the council for any questions, and an elder witch stood up from the end of the table her beady eyes focused on Harry.

“Do you have a girlfriend at the moment Mr Potter?” The witch smiled maliciously as Dumbledore flung himself up from the chair in protest.

“This has nothing to do with the hearing currently progress, and I ask the question be retracted.” Dumbledore’s protest was too late though Harry already answering in monotone.

“No I’ve never had a girlfriend. I don’t like girls.” The strain of the questioning was beginning to take its toll on Harry’s body and Snape abandoned the boy’s racing pulse to hold him upright as he swayed dangerously, his head lolling from side to side.

“Albus be silent, Dr Crowley is obviously taking a line of questioning based on new information.” Fudge spoke sternly to the headmaster over the top of the Dr who was now continuing with her questions without thought or concern for the effect all the voices were having on Harry.

“Are you saying you’re gay Mr Potter? Perhaps that explains why your “Transition’ has taken its form in anger. Isn’t it possible that you became angry and tried to kill your cousin because you could not control your anger or your magic?” The vague questions reeked havoc on Harry’s potion riddled body and within an instant Harry’s eyes rolled back in his head and he fell limply into Snape’s awaiting arms, and began convulsing. All chaos seemed to break loose but all Harry heard and felt was Snape’s body shielding his own and the potion professors mellow voice guiding him to simpler questions like what his name was and what subjects he was taking at school. Finally in the complete mess that had become of the hearing the last of the Veritaserum left his body, leaving behind and exhausted and weak Harry Potter who at last passed out in blessed darkness.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>