Harry Potter, Sovereign - Chapter 22

It was 5:30am on 12 August when Harry woke up. His inquiry was scheduled for 9am, but he was going to be at the ministry from the opening hours, 7:30am.

He was going there with Caitlyn, Scathach and Xuanzang, the 1st as his defendant for the inquiry, the others as bodyguards to keep either corrupt ministry employees or Dumbledore from taking Harry away. Or worse, having followers of the Dark Lord try to do something where noone would see. If a fight was to breakout, they would at least be able to get away.

Harry didn’t want to be held back by the women hogging the bathroom, and they were going to put extra efforts to look good for the occasion. He though they didn’t need it, but chose not to complain. He too had to look good. They were sure Fudge was going to make a show of it, and they were going to take advantage of it.

The ladies got him an elegant black and silver formal outfit with golden paterns, and the Potter crest added above his heart. They wanted him to wear some emerald green at first to go with his eyes, but the color represented slytherin too much for his tastes, and it wouldn’t do at a time where the public opinion was being turned against him. He didn’t use red either, as he felt he would feel too much like Dumbledore’s griffindor protegee. The thought alone made him scowl.

On top of that, he had also physically gotten better. The bad nights since his return from Hogwart, and the lack of proper nourishment from the Dursleys, had taken their toll on his body and mind. Ever since he left them, he had eaten until he was filled and rested well.

Adding to that all the exercises, physical, magical and mental he did daily, the disappearance of his magic block, and his improved constitution, and Harry was no longer looking like a scrawny kid. He looked like a solid teenager who could hold his own. He would be taken more seriously.

When Harry came out of the bathroom 10min later, he was startled to see Caitlyn already waiting for her turn. He managed to keep his external reaction to a split freezing. Her dark hairs and piercing blue eyes made an intimidating picture in the dark. After a quick greeting, he went to start on breakfast. He would finish preparing himself after that, not willing to risk having a single crumb marring his appearance.

‘… That’s some Lavender-like thinking… If today wasn’t important I’d probably shed a tear of mortification.’

He took his time in the kitchen, trying to relax. Even though he was confident everything would be fine, he was still anxious. He had never been comfortable in the spotlight, and this time he wouldn’t be dealing with classmates, but a.d.u.l.ts in significant positions. The arrival of the ladies certainly helped getting rid of his unease. They looked gorgeous. After the pleasant breakfast, they finished their preparations and left.

It was 7am when they exited the property, and they walked until the main road before going to London. During the last 7 days, the casters had looked at the different means of magical travel available, and easily discovered apparition. It only took them a single day to learn to use it. They were, after all, already certified magic users, skilled and experienced beyond the norm.

Xuanzang took Caitlyn in side-along apparition, while Scathach took Harry, who got under his invisibility cloak. Someone could have tried to prevent him from reaching the ministry, or intercept him at the entrance. They appeared in an alley, near the broken-down red telephone box that served as the visitors’ entrance to the Headquaters of the British Ministry of Magic.

The 4 of them squeezed themselves into the box, something that Harry internally enjoyed. After dialing the secret number, when they were asked for their purpose, Caitlyn stated that she escorting her client and his 2 bodyguard for an inquiry. With the 4 passes issued, the box descended into the ground and stopped when they reached the Atrium.

Caitlyn led the way, closely followed by Scathach and Xuanzang walking side by side. Harry was at the back, still hidden. There were very few people around, most employees starting their work at 8am unless they were security or on the night shift. As they passed the statue that stood in the middle of the Atrium, they glanced at it in distaste. Seeing noone looking around suspiciously as if waiting for someone in particular, Harry took of his cloak and stored it in his pouch.

They reached the security desk and had their wands checked. When it came to Harry’s turn, the security officer stared at Harry, then at his rod, then at him again with a mixture of wonder and unease. It annoyed Harry and he narrowed his eyes.

“Is there a problem?”

“N-no. I was just surprised mr Potter” the guard replied, unnerved by Harry’s glare. “You’re free to go.”

They left the security desk and went toward the lifts. They took one to the 2nd level, where the largest department of the Ministry was: the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. They went to the Wizengamot Administration Services, which undertook all administrative and clerical duties for the wizengamot. Court doc.u.ments, hearing dates, legal proceedings and such were recorded there.

They verified the time of the inquiry, and added Caitlyn in the files as Harry’s advocate. Semimaris had been paranoid when they prepared for the inquiry, and didn’t want Caitlyn to be blocked from helping Harry because she wasn’t registred. Caitlyn asked the clerq to warn them if there was any change concerning the inquiry. There was a small waiting room in the 2nd level, and Harry and his summons went there to pass time.

Less than 10min later, the clerq informed them that the time and place of the inquiry had changed.

“8am in courtroom 10” stated Caitlyn to the others. “That’s on level 10, in 10 minutes. What a coincidece” she added dryly.

“So, he went for full trial. Petty bumbling idiot” Harry said, his eyes hardening. “Let’s go.”

This time, Harry led the way. His anger at the ministry came back in force at the confirmation of the foul play they had prepared for him.

On the way, they came across several people going the same way. They were certainly surprised to see him present. A few of them greeted him verbally while the others simply nodded. Some glanced in curiosity, and the rest in disaproval or disdain. It was clear they were members of the light, neutral and dark factions of the wizengamot. They entered the courtroom and waited to the side while people kept coming in.

When minister Fudge entered the room, his previously confident expression melted when he caught sight of Harry, and he got anxious when he met the piercing gaze of the woman at his side. He was accompanied by an unpleasant looking woman with horrid pink clothes, who glared at him with unhidden loathing and hostility.

Harry looked at them with cold eyes. While he though of Fudge as a self serving moron, he instantly recognised his companion as an enemy. As they locked gazes, the pink haired woman felt a tingle of dread and turned her head away, the seed of worry planted in her heart.