Close Or Far From The Law

Chapter 31 : 30. Hearing the second prophecy

Harry wondered if they were really trying to please him or if it really suited them that he announced his choice that day. It was with anxiety that he entered the elevator, accompanied by two Aurors as well as his lawyer and his godfather. He wouldn't bet that it would stop anyone who wanted to harm him, but Harry just figured the Ministry had to appear to be doing something to keep him safe. He clutched Sirius' robes as they moved deeper into the most protected levels of their government. The device dared to squeak slightly, as if to panic his heart. Sirius rubbed him between the shoulder blades, but he wasn't fooling Harry: the animagus was even more on guard than him.

When the wooden cabin finally stopped at the right landing, Harry jumped out, dragging his godfather quickly. There was no protest from him and the Aurors did not dare smile at his apparent nervousness. So they too feared a new incident. The investigation led nowhere and the idea that it was at the very heart of the Ministry did not reassure any wizard who worked there. The atmosphere would even be electric at the Department of Justice which was seriously skidding on all matters concerning Harry, to the great dismay of Cornelius Fudge who saw his unpopularity growing. The Prime Minister would be undrinkable, according to Voldemort, who obviously took it from Lucius Malfoy. Harry would almost have laughed at it except that he was well aware that they wanted to make him disappear precisely because he posed insoluble problems.

Harry was seriously considering asking Voldemort to investigate himself. The black mage would probably be more successful than anyone with his intelligence and insight.

The doors of the Wizengamot opened before them, the Aurors remained outside while Harry valiantly advanced towards this courtyard of which he would one day be a part. If it still existed. Because if Voldemort won - and it seemed that the balance was leaning towards this path since Harry would not be able to fight him, at least for the moment in addition to not having the desire - nothing said that this instance would last . He stood in front of his possible peers and greeted in a clear voice, less weak than the first time now that he had a real idea of what could be happening here. He encountered a sea of faces filled with various expressions. Among the older ones, there was a kind of gentle condescension, among people of the Light, as well as the Dark, annoyance. Others were already close to falling asleep.

And then there was Dumbledore. Harry was surprised to feel like he had... aged. Whatever was happening, it seemed that the director had no peace and there was a certain hostility in the chamber towards him. Their eyes met, Harry didn't look down, even though he felt pressure on his brain. His occlumens reacted as they were supposed to and Harry made it clear that he knew what the former leader of the Wizengamot had done. He didn't even look sheepish or anything, remaining with this affable and somehow unreadable look. Harry gripped the wood of the bar he was in front of a little tighter, as he had to speak in front of them all.

-Heir Potter, you have returned to finally tell us the name of your representative for your seats in the Wizengamot.

Lucius Malfoy's voice was a little dismissive and the 'finally' could have been annoying. Harry couldn't say what the man was like in private, but in public he could be extremely irritating. To free his house elves... Harry almost smiled even though that would not have been welcome.

-Yes, Mr. President. I apologize to this assembly for this time of reflection and announce that I have chosen Lord William Greengrass to represent me.

Several heads turned towards the gray faction and the wizard in question stood up. A little slender and slightly overweight, William Greengrass nevertheless had the same eyes as his eldest daughter, Daphne, and a rather pretty nose. The rest of his face was hidden by a slightly overgrown but clean beard.

-I thank Heir Potter for his trust and swear that we will be able to discuss any proposed law that comes not only for his learning, but also for the respect of his rights.