Melody Riddle and the Order of the Phoenix

Chapter 47: Conceivable Betrayal

 Dumbledore nodded in satisfaction, pulling his wand out and waving it over me... rendering my body invisible just moments before the door to his office slammed open, and a hefty file of people came storming in with McGonagall in hot pursuit demanding what was so important that they had to arrive without prior notice. After she closed the door behind them, Dumbledore gestured for both her and my invisible self to come stand beside him.

Once we did so, both of us standing on either side of him, I was able to get a full look at everyone crowding up the office with triumphant faces. The Minister of Magic decidedly took his stance by the fire, smiling smugly at Dumbledore as he rocked back and forth on his toes. Kingsley Shacklebolt stood on the left side of the office door with his partner — a man with wiry brown hair — on the right. Percy Weasley was also there, giddily holding a large scroll of parchment with his quill held at the ready to take notes of the encounter at hand.

I glanced behind us when I heard fervent whispering, the painted people moving from portrait to portrait to quietly discuss what was occurring before them. It was probably one of the juiciest bits of drama they could ever get to see inside Dumbledore's office.

"Why, Cornelius," Dumbledore said with a bright smile, interlocking his fingers together in front of him. "What brings you here? Fancy a lemon drop?"

"No thank you, Dumbledore," Fudge sneered, a smile still plastered to his face. "We're here on very important business that you'll have to take appropriate action on. We've only Dolores to wait on."

As if on cue, Umbridge proceeded to also burst her way in... with a reluctant Harry in tow. He wrenched his arm from her grasp as she closed the door behind them, beginning the most tense minute of silence where all eyes traveled between Harry and Professor Dumbledore. The atmosphere, as such, was a big indication towards the end result that half of the people in the room expected to see.

"Well," Fudge said, breaking the silence. "Well, well, well..."

Harry glared hatefully at him.

Umbridge could barely contain her excitement as she explained, "He was heading back to Gryffindor Tower. The Malfoy boy cornered him."

Of course he did.. I thought with an eye roll.

"Did he, did he? I must remember to tell Lucius," Fudge replied. "Well, Potter... I expect you know why you are here?"

"Yeh —" Harry paused, glancing at Dumbledore. I glanced as well, noting that although Dumbledore was looking past him, he shook his head so slightly it was easy to miss should he have not paid attention. I returned my line of vision toward Harry, who finished with, "— no."

"I beg your pardon?" Fudge asked in surprise.

"No," Harry repeated.

"You don't know why you are here?"

"No, I don't."

Fudge's look of confusion wandered from Harry to Umbridge, his uncertainty as to how to respond to the turn of events apparent. He decided to respond with a sarcastic tone, "So you have no idea why Professor Umbridge has brought you to this office? You are not aware that you have broken any school rules?"

"School rules? No."

If I could've laughed without bringing attention to myself, I would have. The level of anger that rose in the Minister of Magic at Harry's tomfoolery was just incredible. His face was turning red and everything.

Fudge asked with gritted teeth, "Or Ministry decrees?"

"Not that I'm aware of," Harry replied, a lost look on his face.