Chapter 892: A One-sided Trial


    As soon as Evan spoke, Umbridge moved uneasily again.


    Murder? said Fudge gruffly. This is nonsense, it sounds ridiculous. You have made up too many stories in the past few years, from the Basilisk to You-Know-Who, and now someone in the Ministry is attempting to kill Harry Potter?


    But its very likely that its a fact, Mr. Minister, said Evan, Just look it up and youll know that if someone has ordered the Dementors, they will definitely leave clues, and there are not many people in the Ministry of Magic who have the right to order the Dementors


    You do not want to say Im trying to murder Harry Potter, do you?! snapped Fudge, his face turning purple. This is madness, utterly abnormal. Look, Dumbledore, this is the student you have taught. You do not still believe this boys nonsense, do you?


    There were no more than five individuals within the Ministry who could control the Dementors, and Fudge naturally assumed Evan was referring to him.


    He was now like a powder barrel, ready to explode at the slightest touch. It was simply impossible to reason with him and analyze this matter calmly.


    Umbridge coughed softly, poked her body out of the shadow, and she could be seen clearly.


    She was like arge, pale toad, rather squat, with a broad, bby face, as little neck as Uncle Vernon, and a very wide, ck mouth. Her eyes wererge, round, and slightly bulging. Even the little ck velvet bow perched on top of her short curly hair put people in mind of arge fly she was about to catch on a long sticky tongue.


    Oh! Fudge gasped. The Chair recognizes Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister.


    So she spoke in a fluttery, girlish, high-pitched voice.


    I am sorry, I am sure I must have misunderstood you, she said with a simper that left her big, round eyes as cold as ever. So silly of me. But it sounded for a teensy moment as though Mr. Mason was suggesting that the Ministry of Magic had ordered an attack on this boy!


    She gave a silveryugh to make the hairs on the back of ones neck stand up.


    A few other members of the Wizengamotughed with her. It could not have been iner that not one of them was really amused.


    This is just a possibility, and its not the Ministry of Magic, but someone in the Ministry.


    Whats the difference? said Fudge angrily.


    I think what Evan said is very reasonable, and this is exactly what I want to say, said Dumbledore politely, If it is true that the Dementors are taking orders only from the Ministry of Magic, and it is also true that two Dementors attacked Harry and his cousin a week ago, then it follows logically that somebody at the Ministry might have ordered the attacks. Of course, these particr Dementors may have been outside Ministry control


    There are no Dementors outside Ministry control! snapped Fudge.


    Dumbledore inclined his head in a little bow, keeping a smile on his face.


    Then undoubtedly the Ministry will be making a full inquiry into why two Dementors were so very far from Azkaban and why they attacked without authorization.


    Enough, enough, Dumbledore, it is not for you to decide what the Ministry of Magic does or does not do! snapped Fudge, now a shade of magenta on his face. You and the kid next to you dont tell the Ministry what to do, you do not have that right.


    Of course it isnt, said Dumbledore mildly. I was merely expressing my confidence, as an ordinary citizen who is concerned about the progress of this matter, that it will not go uninvestigated.


    He nced at Madam Bones, who readjusted her monocle and stared back at him, frowning slightly as though shed understood something.


    I would remind everybody that the behavior of these Dementors, if indeed they are not figments of these boys imagination, is not the subject of this hearing! said Fudge, breathing heavily, turning his head to ignore them. We are here to examine Harry Potters offenses!


    Of course we are, said Dumbledore, but the presence of Dementors in that alleyway is highly relevant. use seven of the Decree states that magic may be used before Muggles in exceptional circumstances, and as those exceptional circumstances include situations that threaten the life of the wizard or witch himself, or witches, wizards, or Muggles present at the time of the


    We are familiar with use seven, thank you very much! snarled Fudge.


    Of course you are, said Dumbledore courteously. Then we are in agreement that Harrys use of the Patronus Charm in these circumstances falls precisely into the category of exceptional circumstances it describes?


    If there were Dementors, which I doubt


    You have heard from an eyewitness, Dumbledore interrupted. If you still doubt her truthfulness, call her back, question her again. I am sure she would not object.


    I  that  I  not  blustered Fudge, fiddling with the papers before him. I want this over with today, Dumbledore!


    But naturally, you would not care how many times you heard from a witness, if the alternative was a serious miscarriage of justice.


    Serious miscarriage, my hat! said Fudge at the top of his voice. Have you ever bothered to tot up the number of cock-and-bull stories this boy hase out with, Dumbledore, while trying to cover up his grant misuse of magic out of school? I suppose youve forgotten the Hover Charm he used three years ago


    That wasnt me, it was a house-elf! said Harry.


    YOU SEE? roared Fudge, gesturing mboyantly in Harrys direction. A house-elf! In a Muggle house! Is that possible?


    The house-elf in question is currently employed by Evan, and he is in Hogwarts kitchens, said Dumbledore, I can summon him here in an instant to give evidence if you wish.


    I  not  I havent got time to listen to house-elves! Anyway, thats not the only  he blew up his aunt, for Gods sake! Fudge shouted, banging his fist on the judges bench and upsetting a bottle of ink.


    And you very kindly did not press charges on that asion, epting, I presume, that even the best wizards cannot always control their emotions, said Dumbledore calmly, as Fudge attempted to scrub the ink off his notes.


    And Evan Mason next to him  he has caused much trouble in the past few years. We are too tolerant of these two boys! Fudge continued to shout, Just atst years Quidditch World Cup finals, he dueled with the bloody vampire in front of all the wizards in the world, and used Transfiguration


    Obviously, this was not Evans fault. That is what the Ministry of Magic should be responsible for. If you could ensure the safety of the game, Evan would not have had to risk his life and fight dangerous vampires. Cornelius, do you want to pursue this matter?


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