The Anger .

"Oh," he said. "That reminds me. While the Hat and I were having our little chat, he told me the Headmaster wanted him - it to put me in Gryffindor. I couldn't get out of him why, though."

"I remember," replied Cygnus, turning to look at him. "I can't believe he did that."

"Well, I got the feeling it was more like a very strong suggestion," replied Harry. "What I felt from the Hat was that it had no intention of allowing the Headmaster's suggestion - to influence it in it's job."

"Still, for the Headmaster to try and influence the outcome of a sorting..." said Cygnus. "If that becomes popular knowledge, it goes even further to show why Dumbledore should be removed as Headmaster."

"It'll be my word against Dumbledore's if he chooses to lie about it, though," said Harry. "I don't know how much value it is to know that information." "I don't know either," said Cygnus. "However, it's still information that may prove valuable later. Something to remember, Harry; just because information gathered now seems of no or little value, there's nothing to say it won't be of much greater value later. Alright?"

"Alright, I understand. Thank you, Cygnus," replied Harry.

Soon, the party of three walked out of the gates and walked across the street of Hogsmeade into the Three Broomsticks. They floo'ed to the atrium at the Ministry immediately.

Stepping out of one of the many fireplaces that stood down each side of the hall that was the Ministry atrium, Harry was able to successfully step clear without falling over.

'I'm thinking I'm getting the hang of this,' he thought. 'It's all in the timing.' Cygnus led them down the length of the atrium to the security gate. The guard on duty weighed their wands and offered a receipt. Cygnus glared at the man for a moment before the guard stammered an apology and offered them back their wands.

"What was that all about?" asked Harry.

"Part of the security of the Ministry is that visitors must hand over their wands before entering beyond the atrium," replied Cygnus. "However, as I - and soon enough you - are on the Wizengamot, we are considered employees. That means we carry our wands through with us. The guard was being disrespectful by not immediately offering our wands back as we entered."

"Good to know," said Harry. Cygnus led them to the bank of elevators. To Harry's surprise, he discovered what he thought to be vertical elevators, could actually move along all three axies. A minute later, they were on Level Two in a narrow but long foyer. Directly ahead from them was a door marked with the title 'Auror Dept.'. To their right were a series of doors. Cygnus led them to the fifth and last doors, double doors, on the right.

Two aurors in full auror robes stood just inside the doors. They gave the three of them a once over before letting them through; and Cygnus guided the pair of them up a narrow set of stairs into what was clearly a visitors' gallery. He, however, walked across the room and out another set of doors.

Harry gave Daphne a quizzical look before she smiled and said, "Out that door where Daddy went is where the judicial panel meet. As Daddy is part of the Wizengamot of long standing he can - demand to be part of the panel. That's what he's gone to do.

Looking around, Harry saw the room was quite circular. Almost two-thirds of the room was ringed in tiered seats that appeared quite plush. There was a gap at each end, one of which led to where the party of three entered. The last one-third was the hard wooden benches up which he and Daphne, plus a few others, were sitting. Looking over, Harry could see at least a couple of them were journalists that had camped outside his hospital private room while he was at Saint Mungo's. That lead him to believe the others were just as likely to be of the same profession. The two sat quietly chatting to each other in whispers while they waited to find out what was going on. At just before 2.15pm the doors, out through which Cygnus had left, reopened and a stream of wizards and witches wearing plum coloured robes entered the room and immediately ascended into the plush covered seating opposite. Harry was surprised to see Dumbledore take seat to the immediate left of the centre seat. A rather obese man carrying a lime green bowler sat on the immediate right.

A few moments later, they watched as an elderly witch walked in with Madam Bones. Both ascended into the tiers. The elderly witch went directly to the centre seat while Madam Bones sat on a seat right at the nearest end.

"Oh, good," whispered Daphne to Harry. "Madam Marchbanks is presiding. She's strict but very fair."

As soon as she sat down, Harry noticed the clock on the wall click as it struck 2.15pm on the dot. She picked up a gavel sitting next to her right hand and gave it two short raps on the bench before her and a nod to a young man sitting at the other end of the front bench from Madam Bones.

In a clear voice the young man said, "Hear ye! We are gathered this eighth day of September in the year nineteen ninety-one in emergency session to sit in judgement. Madam Griselda Marchbanks presides."

Madam Marchbanks asked in a clear voice, "Madam Bones, for whom do we sit in judgement?"

Amelia replied, "We first sit in judgement of two muggles who are charged with crimes against the young Heir Apparent of a Noble and Most Ancient House. Those charges are: Ten counts of child abuse physical; ten counts of child abuse psychological; ten counts of child neglect; ten counts of child endangerment; and attempting, through ongoing abuse physical and psychological, to end the line of a Noble and Most Ancient House."

There was a great deal of angry mutterings coming from the members. Harry saw Dumbledore's reaction and whispered to Daphne, "Look at Dumbledore. I think he's fully aware of who's about to be brought in but is shocked at the charges, anyway."

"Very well," said Madam Marchbanks. "And what is the name of this unfortunate Heir Apparent?"

"Mister Harry James Potter," said Amelia.

There was even angrier mutterings and not a few shouts of outrage. Dumbledore looked positively ill.

Madam Marchbanks banged her gavel a couple of times until she had control of the session again. Once everyone had quieted down, she called "Bring in the accused."

Harry turned at the sounds of doors being opened and the two people he expected to see being led in by two aurors each. Two male aurors had hold of Vernon's upper arms on either side. Two females were the same with Petunia. His aunt and uncle both looked quite haggard.

As soon as Vernon saw the sitting members he began to rant at them. "What is the meaning of this, you freaks? I am Vernon W Dursley; a fine and upstanding member of British society. I shall not be treated this way. How dare..."

"Silence!" bellowed Madam Marchbanks.

Vernon's jaw snapped shut so quickly, Harry thought he heard the man's teeth rattle. Meanwhile, the aurors forced both into side-by-side chairs, where chains that were draped from them immediately snapped to life and bound them to the chairs. Petunia screamed in fear while Vernon futilely tried to use brute strength to force his way out of them.

They calmed back down after a few seconds of pointless attempts.

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