Sir Harry J Potter GCOM

### WIZENGAMOT ###

On Monday [eight days before the Hogwarts Express] the trials started. The first few were almost foregone conclusions about minor infringements and resulted in fines and one probationary period. Harry felt he had to fly the knightly flag and attended for three days solid. On Thursday Gallus was the knight’s representative when Draco’s trial began.

When Harry entered the downstairs waiting area it was still grim and foreboding, but without the presence of Dementors the people waiting were not scared out of their wits. He was sitting there with the other witnesses when Draco was brought in by an Auror.

“Potter, what are you doing here? I’d heard you were on the benches now.”

“I’m a witness at your trial, Malfoy. So I could hardly sit in judgement on you, could I?”

“Merlin’s Ears, now I’m done for, with you appearing for the prosecution. Nobody will gainsay the boy-who-lived-twice.”

Harry spluttered in shock for a few seconds, and a very worried Malfoy was taken into the courtroom. Thus Draco did not hear Harry’s quiet reply: “No, for the defence.”

The other witnesses looked at Harry in surprise, but as they were not to discuss their parts in the trial they held their peace. Instead a lively discussion took place about the recent reforms, the up coming Quidditch matches, and how much Diagon Alley was improving since the dark days of Voldie’s rule.

Harry was still there when the lunch recess was called. Together with two other remaining witnesses, he was escorted to the canteen by an Auror and they sat at a separate table to eat their lunch. At two o’clock they returned to the waiting room and by three, Harry was the only witness left.

At a quarter to four the usher came to him: “Sir Harry, would you please attend the court.”

“Gladly, I got a bit bored reading the old magazines here.”

The usher smiled at him and Harry followed the official into the pit of the court. Draco was in the chained chair, and visibly paled when Harry walked in.

Harry was conducted to the padded witness chair, but stood until he had taken his oath: “I, Harry James Potter swear by my magic that I shall tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” Then he sat.

“Sir Harry, is it true that you witnessed a confrontation between the accused and Sir Albus Dumbledore deceased on the top of the Astronomy tower?”

“Yes, it is. Not that it was a real confrontation, more like a fraught discussion.”

Draco was looking curiously at Harry, wondering what he was going to say.

“Perhaps you would like to describe to the court exactly what you saw.”

Harry embarked upon his reasons for being there and what he overheard … taking nearly half an hour.

Draco’s attorney drew out various points to make sure the court understood what had happened; dwelling on the fact that Draco was under the coercion of his parents being killed.

When counsel for the prosecution attempted to impugn Harry’s veracity he replied: “Why would I lie? At school we were known rivals, both continually harassing each other. Surely I would have been expected to condemn the Malfoy actions, not find excuses for him. I saw his contrition and he would have agreed to come to the side of the light there and then, but for Fenrir Greyback’s untimely arrival.”

“The beast that the accused’s actions allowed in, to ravage underage defenceless students,” Counsel looked round meaningfully at the court.

Harry wanted to hex the man, however he contained his anger: “Many of us were not defenceless, but yes, his reaction on seeing the slavering werewolf, was one of shock and anguish. Mr Malfoy’s whole being spoke of the horror of what he had done. I know from personal experience that I have been publicly castigated for my mistakes; as many of you are well aware, but I seem to have come out alright in the end. Perhaps Mr Malfoy should also have the benefit of contrition and reformation.”

The accusing lawyer looked at Harry in disgust as some applause broke out from the court’s members.

Rolanda’s gavel broke the applause: “Thank you, Sir Harry, for your very lucid explanation and plea for clemency. Fellows of the Wizengamot, we have now heard all the witnesses; however there are various reports which need to be taken into consideration. I shall recess the court and we will re-convene at two o’clock on Friday afternoon for consideration and sentencing. This will give you ample time to read the reports without impinging too much upon your leisure time. I must stress, however, that the contents of these reports must not reach eyes other than your own; neither must you discuss the present case, which is still sub-judice. Court adjourned!”

Whilst Rolanda was talking, Draco looked at Harry in surprise and whispered: “What’s this ‘Sir Harry’ thing?”

“I’m your father’s Grand Commander now.”

Draco smirked: “Not for long I think, he’s bound to go down. Thanks for the defence; I didn’t expect your support. Congratulations!”

Just then Draco was whisked away by the Auror; so a surprised Harry never finished the conversation.

### GRIMMAULD PLACE ###

Friday was full of Hogwarts lists and Molly inspecting everyone’s clothes to make sure they were fit enough for eighth-years.

Harry had a brief owl from Gallus: ‘Reports debate took longer that expected. Recessed until Monday. Sentencing in the afternoon. Gone to country to rest aching head.’ GGG.

### DIAGON ALLEY ###

Saturday had Harry and his friends running the gauntlet of well-wishers as they tried to shop for the items they would need for their courses. The Fortescues’ alcove was suitably shielded for lunch and there Kingsley joined them. Afterwards he and Harry went to see the manager of Flourish and Blotts to talk about suitable tutor books because Harry was going to take Magical Tutoring as one of his NEWT’s subjects, practicing his DADA-teaching skills on the first to third years. Harry emerged with three books.

As they came out of the manager’s office Harry nearly bumped into Gertie.

“Hello Gertie, I thought you were all in the country.” Harry smiled at the twins.

“Gallus still is, but we had to come to get all the things the boys need for school. There’re just wands left to buy.”

“Harry?”

“Yes Gay?”

“We’re a bit worried about buying wands; would you come with us, please?”

“Of course! It’s nice to see that Mr Ollivander has reopened after his imprisonment.”

“What for?”

Harry then explained what happened at the Manor and why Voldie wanted Ollivander’s expertise; carefully leaving out all references to the Elder Wand.

### OLLIVANDERS ###

“Hello Sir Harry, congratulations. Buying another wand?”

“Not likely, Ollivander. This one’s done marvellous things for me – as you said it would. These two friends have been accepted into Hogwarts and they need wands.”

“Well now boys; not had to make any for Goblins before. I think we’d better do the test; like I did with Sir Harry. I just hope we don’t make so much mess.” Ollivander looked slyly at Harry and then winked at the twins: “Do you know; he exploded more than half of my stock boxes before we found the right one. I still find wands nestling together in a box with an empty one beside them on the shelf … Mmm … That gives me an idea.” Ollivander shot off down an alley on his ladder, returning after ten minutes with six boxes in his hand.

“I’ve chosen some nestling ones because I think they’ll suit twins. The Weasley twins had nestling ones too.”

The reactions were not as violent as at Harry’s choosing. One of the wands they chose; had, during testing, broken Harry’s glasses; the other baton had then repaired them. Ollivander said that that pair was the most efficacious, but the twins were worried about the damage. Harry laughingly said that he had lost count of the times he had broken his spectacles and Hermione had repaired them.

By this time there was a small crowd peering in at the window. Nearly half of them had disapproving looks on their faces.

Harry looked through the window: “How brave are you feeling Gay and Gum? I think we’re going to have to confront the crowd. I’m getting used to it by now.”

“S’all right Harry, as goblins we’re used to Mages looking down their noses at us.”

“Okay, let’s go and sort ’em out. Kingsley, would you mind standing between Gum and Gertie, then I’ll stand between Gum and Gay. Keep your wands out boys.”

Harry left the shop first, openly playing with his wand, the crowd drew back slightly and the friends quickly formed a line in front of Ollivander’s window.

Harry used a slight voice charm: “Good afternoon fellow witches and wizards. You see before you a working example of the co-operation that the Wizengamot sanctioned recently.” Harry side hugged the twins in emphasis. “For too long now our wizarding society has been at loggerheads with each other. Hogwarts is taking its lead from the Wizengamot; who, as you will have read recently, accepted both goblins and elves into their ranks. Meet two newly enrolled students who are under my personal protection. This is Ganymede and this is Gambrel, the twin sons of Gertrude and Gallus Griphook. Sir Gallus, you may remember, helped me to recover certain dangerous objects from the late Bellatrix Lestrange’s Vaults; without which we could not have defeated Voldie.”

A number of people applauded, but one argumentative soul said: “It shouldn’t be allowed. Goblins, you can’t trust ’em.”

“So you hide your galleons under the bed then?” Harry asked. A few people tittered.

“Of course not, they’re in Gringott’s.”

“So you do trust goblins then, don’t you?” Harry smiled triumphantly at the heckler: “Otherwise you would keep your money where your house is, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes, but that’s different …”

“So … Your family depends on your well-being. Your well-being is supported by your reserves of galleons. Therefore you must trust the goblins.”

“Well … Maybe … but you can’t trust the elves.”

“Do you have a house-elf?”

“Yes – three; why do you ask?”

“You appear to be in fairly good health, not poisoned, or strangled in your sleep; so you must trust the elves also.” This time Harry heard delighted laughter coming from the, by now, not inconsiderable crowd.

“Have it your own way then … But I still think it shouldn’t be allowed.” With a very red face the heckler stomped off towards Knockturn Alley.

The mood of the crowd had changed and they came forward to shake the twins’ hands as well as Harry’s.

“May I quote you on that, Sir Harry?” A certain gaudily bespectacled reporter beetled her way through the throng.

“Of course Rita, within the confines of our agreement, you may,” Harry smirked.

Rita scowled back; then smiled deviously: “Could we have a picture of the five of you?”

Harry looked at Gertie questioningly. Gertie grimaced but nodded her acceptance.

“I hope you also remember your agreement with me, Ms Skeeter?” interjected Kingsley: “You might also mention that I shall be the new DADA Professor at our academy. One of my lessons is bound to be about privacy and what to do when it is invaded. By the way, Sir Harry will be my assistant, so that I can still head up the Magical Law Enforcement Agency.”

By this time Rita was looking thoroughly subdued, but crafty – net result: a photo on the front page of the Prophet of five smugly smiling beings. With a caption of ‘Harry’s new friends at Hogwarts,’ and some innuendo that Harry had ditched Hermione and Ronald.

The following edition held a retraction with a picture of the golden three with the twins.

Gertie and the twins stopped over at Grimmauld Place for dinner, Gallus apparated over, to join them. With parental permission the now excited twins stayed over so that Harry could teach them some basic wand work and Hermione could assess the deficiencies in their learning and start rectifying the ones that were the most glaring. They stopped over on the Sunday night too, with Ronald helping them with their broom-riding skills, plus further inputs from Harry and Hermione. In their absorption they totally forgot to enquire about Draco Malfoy’s fate when Gertie collected and side-alonged them home at nine o’clock in the evening. Her departure plunged the Grimmauld household into a frenzy of packing until well after midnight.

### KINGS CROSS STATION ###

On Tuesday morning Bill and Fleur said that as Bill’s job had now been sorted out with Gringott’s and, as WWW was now presentable, they felt that Shell Cottage was calling to them. Harry wished them well and said that they would always be welcome to stay at Grimmauld Place when ever they wanted to visit London; they apparated away half an hour after breakfast.

Platform nine and three-quarters had had a small waiting room attached to it. This had a fireplace temporarily connected to the floo network. Not every family was allowed to use it. It was felt that other races should not be exposed to Muggle eyes and that the families of Wizengamot Fellows and Ministry workers should also have the privilege. The Magical department of transport had given out a timetable, to avoid accidents. The Grimmauld residents had been allotted ten-ten to ten fifteen; so at ten-o-five they were all congregated in the dining room in front of its fireplace. At ten-o-nine a blue flash was seen in the fireplace and a disembodied voice said: “Your turn starts now.”

Harry jumped in first, followed by the rest at thirty second intervals; Molly and Arthur holding the Granger parents’ hands.

“Well done,” said the voice: “We are now a minute and a half in front.”

Next out of the fire were the Griphooks; so, as a unit, the unified Griphook and Grimmauld party left the waiting room.

They were met by Seamus: “Hey Harry, congratulations. They’ve added a coach for us eighth years right at the front. Hey the twins, saw you in the Prophet, I’m Seamus. You’ll be welcome in the front coach as well if you want to come. Which one’s Ganymede?”

“I am, but everyone calls me Gay.”

Seamus giggled: “Well are you?”

“Not sure yet, girls are okay I s’pose, but I understand fellahs better.”

“Not to worry. We’ve all experimented both ways at school, haven’t we Harry.” Seamus looked pointedly at said Gryff. Who promptly blushed and looked away.

Ganymede smiled: “Thanks for the info; this is my twin Gambrel.”

“Hi!” Seamus held out his hand.

“Hi! Everyone calls me Gum – please note; not dumb.” The enlarged party cackled.

Neville and Dean had joined them as well as Justin and Michael so further introductions were made. As they walked up the platform others attached themselves, Harry did a quick count and most of the ones who had been in the DA had returned.

“Hey Lee, What’re you doing here?”

“Hi Harry, I missed my NEWT’s through injuries and was due to return last year to take them, but because of the hostilities … need I say more?”

“Not really. You’ll feel quite at home because most of us are DA members.” Then Harry noticed Blaise Zabini looking hesitant.

“Hey Blaise, come and join us.”

“Who me?”

“Yes you. I doubt there’ll be many ex Slyths around, and we all know you didn’t support Voldie. How did you manage not to be coerced?”

Blaise gave a wan smile: “We sold up and went abroad; Dad has a little island in the Caribbean so we camped out there in our shack. I only got back last night; the parents come over later in the month. I’ve had it up to here with eating fish and fruit; I’m going to pig-out on sausages and mash, followed with dollops of chocolate sponge and ice-cream. Who’re the newcomers?”

As they mounted the carriage Harry introduced the twins, explaining some of the current situation.

“Oh right. I’m ace at Charms friends, so if you want some help just ask, Okay? You’d better get a place at the window so’s you can wave at your folks.”

The window was very crowded so, by the time they had disentangled themselves, they were all sooty from the smoky tunnel. Hermione made a remark about being the ‘Dirty Dozen’ and then had to explain about the film and the whole Muggle genre supporting it. During the explanation, Gay and Gum, supervised by Blaise, got to learn and practice their cleaning spells on all the party.

Later on Luna and Dennis wandered in and were introduced.

The carriage was unusual and their half had no partitions between the seats, this gave the enlarged party enough room to sit comfortably and yet all be together. The other half consisted of three compartments. The prefects used one, the trolley lady another but the third was locked with the blinds pulled down.

The trolley lady was besieged when she came back from her rounds. She took it all in her stride; even managing to have an ample supply of Butterbeer hidden in her compartment’s depths.

Sometime mid-afternoon Harry and the twins went to find some third-years and introduce them. Everyone had read the Prophet article and had it in mind to make the two goblins welcome. Harry left them in a mainly Gryff carriage chatting happily and returned to the front.

On his way out he had passed the compartment with its blinds drawn. As he went by on his way back a blind fluttered, and someone peered out. Filled with curiosity Harry peered in and saw someone in an Auror uniform. The door slid open a crack which was filled by a standing Auror.

“Sorry to disturb you, Sir Harry,” said the Auror, as he came out and closed the door; coming to a stand in the corridor. “Could you do me a favour and sit with my detainee for ten minutes. I need desperately to go to the loo and find something to eat.”

“Any special precautions I have to take?”

“No, not really, he hasn’t got his wand back yet and he’s been very subdued so far.”

Harry drew his wand: “Okay. I’ll keep an eye on him for you.”

“Thanks, here’s the key.”

Harry carefully unlocked the door and, wand at the ready, cautiously slid it open.

There sat a solitary Malfoy staring morbidly out of the window.