Close Or Far From The Law

Chapter 20 : 19. To act like a big

Harry took a few more steps into the huge room that stretched around him. A sort of amphitheater of marble, ebony and red leather. The members of the Wizengamot finished settling into the comfortable seats and Harry noticed that the place was really split into thirds. Light, Neutral, Darkness. The three parties in the upper political sphere. To the left, the headmaster was placed in front of the light party, at a raised desk not far from Harry. On the right, Lucius Malfoy held the leadership of Darkness, his face void of any emotion although his eyes sometimes revealed something but too furtively for Harry to understand. And opposite him, in the middle of the other two, the Neutrals where Minister Fudge was also installed. No matter what his party had been before being elected, any Minister of Magic was obliged to sit in this place to treat everything equally. At least that's what the books said because Harry wasn't sure anyone here was truly neutral. It was all about power, money and how to get even more if that was possible.

Harry finished in his place in front of this entire intimidating assembly. No matter how hard he tried to ignore his age, it kept hitting him like a hammer against an anvil. He placed his hands on the wood of the bar where he had to speak to keep his stature upright. He hoped he wasn't going to shake. Luckily he wasn't alone, Sirius wasn't as reassuring as a certain dark wizard – since when were dark wizards reassuring?! – but he was present and he did not fail in his task. Harry wished he was still closer as a heavy silence settled over the room. Then rustling of parchment, Dumbledore coughed to clear his throat.

-Opening of this Wizengamot assignment regarding the matter of the Potter-Black Heir concerning the disappearance of his Potter house ring. Session held by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore as leader of the Wizengamot. This aims to provide as many answers as possible to the Potter-Black Heir as well as to the members of the assembly on the stealing of the ring and what exactly should be done next. of this affair. If members want to ask questions, they will have to go through myself or Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge. Are there any questions before we turn to who should one day be a member of this council?

Harry had truly never seen Dumbledore so serious. His eyes still sparkled but there was something else. He really played his role and ensured his power over the room with an almost severe professorial tone. Harry looked at the people present. So far, no one had complained and he had to admit deep down that Dumbledore had a lot more political clout than he had thought. He was also beginning to understand Voldemort's words. After defeating the last great dark wizard, Dumbledore had become an essential political figure and his ideas had spread widely because he was a savior in the minds of many wizards. Not only in their country but also internationally. Yes, in the end there was nothing surprising that Voldemort could have been so easily swept aside by the headmaster of Hogwarts, even with his supporters. Being valedictorian of his class hadn't been enough. Neither is being powerful. Even if he had a reputation, Voldemort had not had the time and had not been able to make a name for himself in the face of Albus Dumbledore's systematic distrust.

-Well, the Potter-Black Heir is accompanied by his guardian Sirius Orion Black, possible Lord Black and his lawyer Richard Graves, reminding us that he is a minor and that we must adapt our questions. Minister, would you like to start?

Harry didn't know what he thought of seeing Cornelius Fudge smiling at him like they were old friends. They had met in the middle of summer, when Harry had fled his abusive Muggle family after his accidental use of magic. Blowing up his uncle's sister hadn't been his best idea, but he had no regrets about it. She should have learned to keep quiet and Harry was well aware of the trouble he could cause to these people if they complained. Besides… No, he had to concentrate, this was not the time to drift. Especially since the minister had just gotten up.

-If you want to talk about this, Lord Malfoy, I fear this is not the opportunity you were waiting for.

-But it is certainly a matter which will have to be returned to. Someone died and Headmaster Dumbledore never provided an effective explanation for it.