Harry Potter and the Unbeknownst Truth

Chapter Seven - The Trial of Dolores Umbridge

The following week hadn't been a fun one.

Umbridge was put on trial for her actions against Harry and Draco, but Snape had been put on trial as well for attacking her with an unidentified spell. Harry had received letters, asking him to report as a witness to both the trails. By lunch on the first day, word had gotten around to the entire school as both Snape and Umbridge had been removed from the premises for the time being. Both classes were placed on hold until they could find someone who could fill in the two places, so Harry was given a lot of free time. Umbridge's trial wasn't until the next day, Snape's trial being held after her's. Draco would be going to them with him, both of them bearing their scars that even madam Pomfrey hadn't been able to have faded completely. He'd told Harry that he'd written to his father about it all and that the man was going to try to use his influence to sway the vote against Umbridge. While the news did help ease Harry's mind, he was constantly bothered by it all. Umbridge was practically untouchable with the influence she had throughout the Ministry. To have that stacked against Snape, a past Death Eater who attacked someone to the brink of death... things didn't look good.

It was at the thought of possibly losing his father over again that brought Harry to realize how stupid he'd been acting these past few months. He finally had a father, he had a family that cared about him, why had he been pushing that away? Yes, it was far from perfect, but they could work things out. No family was perfect and every single one had its flaws. What mattered was that they would be there for each other through thick and thin. Snape had held up his end, it was time Harry held up his. He'd do whatever it took to keep his father from going to Azkaban. He didn't care if that meant that he had to reveal everything to the public if that's what it took. That would give Snape much more reason to attack than just protecting a few students.

Dumbledore had excused Harry from classes due to the stress of it all, letting Draco take a few days off as well. After all, the two of them had to prepare. It was weird for everyone to watch, especially Ron and Hermione. Harry and Draco had never been on the same side before, at least not publicly. Though, they played it off as simply hating Umbridge more than they hated each other. The enemy of my enemy is my friend after all. They spent their afternoons in the library, thinking of all the different defenses they could have. Harry was a bit hesitant about publicly talking about his detentions, but knowing that he'd have Draco there with him really helped. Ron and Hermione did their best to support him as well, but it was different. They hadn't gone through it themselves, Draco had. He understood just how degrading it was, how horrible it made you feel. To admit to taking that for months... he'd be making himself vulnerable. With Voldemort back now as well, what if he caught wind of this and did what he could to keep Umbridge in place so she could continue to hurt Harry from within the school. What if she was working with Voldemort? It really didn't help that Harry wasn't popular with the Ministry right now.

The day of the trials finally rolled around Harry was mentally bracing himself. Dumbledore would be coming with them. Not only to apparate, but he'd be speaking at the trials as well. The three of them walked down to Hogsmeade in complete silence. By the time they apperated into the Ministry, the atmosphere became even more thick. Mr. Malfoy was waiting for them in front of the doors to the trial and immediately pulled Draco from Harry and Dumbledore.

"Some headmaster you are." The man practically spat at Dumbledore, "Allowing a teacher to harm a student?"

"If I'm remembering correctly, Lucius, it was your call to have Miss Umbridge placed in the school." Dumbledore replied.

Lucius's eyes twitched, but the comment effectively shut him up. He pulled Draco after him as he swept into the room. Draco cast Harry one last glare for good measure before following his father. Harry followed Dumbledore in, he and Draco both being directed to an area by the floor as they were witnesses. Umbridge's trial had been a handful. Many protested that Harry was lying, but the boy simply offered to take some virteserum or give them his memory of his detentions with her. Dumbledore had told him that it perhaps wasn't a good idea, but Harry and Draco had talked it over and it seemed like the most efficient way to get her behind bars. Fudge told him he could do so, and with a sip of the Potion, they asked their question.