Close Or Far From The Law

Chapter 5 : 4. Discover the laws...

-THANKS.

Harry quickly took his clothes to go to the shower, well aware that waking Ron was no good, the redhead was a really heavy sleeper. Once under the hot water, he began to think while washing himself. Until then, the three of them had been trying to find information, but Neville was also an apprentice wizard who had lived in this magical world since birth. It was quite possible that he could help them, he must know a little more about the laws than them. Or at least, more than Ron, who had never really been interested... Even though no one was supposed to ignore the law. Harry was hesitant because he didn't like getting his friends in trouble. And Neville was particularly fragile on this point since he was afraid of authority. Not that Harry didn't understand. He was afraid of adults too. He just knew how to hide it better. In addition to having a monster much bigger than all the others.

Finally seated in the library in one of its quietest corners to avoid the housekeeper, Harry focused on Neville to help him with his homework while Ron reread his Transfiguration notes with a disappointed pout. As for Hermione, she had already been in the room when they arrived and they had been careful not to encroach on her space. The brunette had so many books open that she had more or less stacked them. Neville huffed softly during Harry's pause.

-She scares me like that.

-Me too… I'm worried about his health, especially.

Harry didn't dare tell his friend, he didn't think she would listen to him. She could be so stubborn when she wanted to be. And Ron wasn't helping matters with their arguments over Hermione's cat trying to catch the redhead's rat. Harry couldn't side with either of them. Personally, he hated the rat although he did not like mistreating animals and Crookshanks, the cat, surely had good reason to want to eat the rodent. Given his condition, he would even be of service to everyone. But Ron didn't want to hear anything about it and things were starting to get colder and colder between his two comrades. Harry sighed lowly, hoping that there would be a way out at some point.

-So, it's okay, do you understand?

-Yes, thank you Harry. Would you like to reread it anyway?

-Of course, Nev'. When you've finished your homework... Finally, I have something to ask you.

-All right.

was normal for people to make money from him with false information on top of that. Voldemort would surely be happy to answer that.

-It's good to know that muggles follow this rule of preserving privacy.

Neville seemed genuinely interested in discussing this with Hermione.

-But to come back to what we were saying, Madam Pomfrey can testify to the care she gave but only on this injury as it is the cause of the complaint. Then, we could also be witnesses but for that, Aurors would have to come and formally question us.

-That’s true… Why wasn’t that done?

Hermione was perplexed.

-To wonder if the complaint is real…

-Well, Father Malfoy has connections in the Ministry. Maybe he's just getting the guys over there to do what he wants.

-It's quite possible, Ron…

Neville pouted. Harry refrained from tapping his parchment with his quill. Yes, their real concern was Lord Malfoy's contacts. It wouldn't matter if they did things right on their end if the man was scheming to get what they wanted. Maybe that was why Voldemort actually wanted to talk to him about it. Because Harry could try but he didn't have the weapons and influence to counter the aristocrat. Or if he did, he had no idea. Yes, he was the Boy Who Lived… But in the end, what value did that really have for the wizarding population? Harry felt the headache coming on.

-Okay, I'll note it anyway. And I'm going to ask Hagrid to see if at least we can't be interrogated...

-We are minors, that is also a problem. In the Muggle world, a minor cannot be heard without the presence of his parents.

Harry immediately grimaced. So he couldn't be questioned since the Dursleys would never set foot in Hogwarts. Harry wouldn't do that in the castle, even for… No, for his sanity, it was impossible for him. He looked at Neville for confirmation. The chubby man nodded.

-This is also the case in the wizarding world. Besides, you happened to find yourself alone with the headmaster, I think, Harry.

-Yes why ?

-Because that shouldn't have happened either. In such circumstances, the presence of a legal guardian is required.

Harry frowned. He hated that his friend was giving proof that Professor Dumbledore could do near-illegal things. This gave Voldemort points and the dark wizard already had some for healing him. He rubbed his cheek, embarrassed and irritated at the same time.

-I see.

-But how do you know all that, Neville?

Ron was quite impressed that their shy friend had been able to tell them so much.

-Because I am the heir to House Longbottom, Ron. It's important for me to know all of this, as I will one day be the head of my line and vote in the Wizengamot.

-That sounds cool said like that.

-… This will be the case for you too, Harry. You are the heir of House Potter. Everything I know here, you should know.

Harry blinked several times as if to shake his ears. Was he an heir? Faced with her very clear confusion, Neville continued.

-You really didn't know? That's why you don't wear your heir ring and why you don't have... Everyone thought it was because you didn't care. Malfoy makes fun of you for that too.

-… For what?

-Well your posture. You don't have the posture of an heir to a great house.

Neville looked embarrassed to say this. He looked at Hermione and Ron who looked just as disappointed as he did. Ron even more so since he still came from a pure blood line. Harry had difficulty swallowing. Was that why Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, had been so surprised by his behavior? Was that why people looked at him strangely in certain stores, not just because of his scar?

-Damn then...

-Language, Ron.

Hermione said it reflexively. She stood up, dropping crumbs on the floor and put her hand on Harry's shoulder. He felt completely overwhelmed by what he had just learned. All this time, he was doing bad things because he didn't know his status... He had probably insulted people, more than once without even meaning to because of his ignorance. No one is supposed to ignore the law, the rules.

-Sorry, Harry, I should have told you about this sooner…

-It's not your fault, Nev'. It wasn't your place to do it.

No, the adults should have. These same adults who proved once again that he couldn't really count on them. But Voldemort? The man must have been aware that he didn't know either. Yet he hadn't said a word. Harry clenched his fists, furious and disappointed despite himself. Was this precisely the black mage's game? Had he finally found the flaw in what the man had planned for him? Neville patted him on the arm and told him that he was going to write to his grandmother so that they had the basics of the laws of their country. Harry thanked him, still caught in thought. With the desire to confront Voldemort right away. Fortunately, it was Saturday and the person was going to hear it!