Anxiety [hp]

- 3.2

[Harry trails Tom through the quiet room. The bartender glances up, his gaze lingering perhaps a bit too long. A solitary wizard reads a book while, at his elbow, his coffee cup stirs itself. Tom leads Harry upstairs.]

[As Harry follows Tom inside, he finds Hedwig perched atop a chair.]

Harry: Hedwig!

Tom: Right smart bird you've got there, Mr. Potter. Arrived only minutes before yourself.

"She was the absolute best indeed." Harry muttered sadly.

[A man clears his throat. Harry turns, finds a pinstriped silhouette of Cornelius Fudge at the window, staring at the ghostly shadows beyond. Harry's reflection shivers in the glass, but the man doesn't turn. Tom takes a position against the wall, fishes a pair of walnuts from his pocket and -- CRACK -- crushes the shells between his palms.]

Fudge: I should tell you, Mr. Potter, earlier this evening your uncle's sister was located just south of Sheffield, circling a chimney stack. The Accidental Magic Reversal Department was dispatched and she's been properly punctured and her memory modified. She has no recollection of the incident whatsoever.

"That department was dispatched the whole night." Jasper chuckled making his friends giggle along.

The Marauders turned to the future generation in confusion.

"What's the joke this time?" Lily sighed in annoyance.

"Oh don't you worry your pretty little head about it, Lils." Avery smirked.

[Harry waits. A man condemned. Then Fudge turns.]

Fudge: So that's that, and no harm done. (smiling) Pea soup?

[Harry glances warily from the steaming tureen of green to Tom, who works a grimy thumb into his gum, frees a walnut
sliver.]

Harry: No thank you. Minister... I don't understand. I broke the law. Underage wizards aren't allowed to use magic at home --

Avery groaned in annoyance, "Were you trying to get expelled, dumbass?"

"You clearly we're looking for a punishment for why?" Ariel grimaced.

Harry sighs, "Can I just be stupid in peace?"

"No!" Almost everyone in the great hall yelled, making Harry slump in his seat.

Fudge: (dishing up a bowl) Oh, come now, Harry. The Ministry doesn't send people to Azkaban for blowing up their aunts! On the other hand... running away like that... given the state of things... very, very irresponsible.

Harry: 'The state of things' sir?

Fudge: We have a killer on the loose.

Harry: Sirius Black, you mean. But... what's that got to do with me?

[CRACK! Tom shatters another walnut. Fudge smiles nervously.]

Fudge: Hm? Oh, nothing. You're safe, that's what matters. Tomorrow you'll be on your way to Hogwarts. These are your new schoolbooks. I took the liberty of having them brought here for you. [Harry eyes the stack of books. One is bound by a rope.] By the way, Harry. Whilst you're here it would be best if you didn't... wander.

Amelia looks to Fudge suspiciously, "Why didn't you just tell him the truth? You put him in danger by not giving him details!"