Chapter 163: The Hearing
The unknown forest. A blur figure was running very fast. Another hooded figure was following behind. The blur figure screamed. But no one heard.
Chris woke up and saw a barn owl was trying to get her attention. She got up and took the letter from the owl. The owl left as Chris poured some drop of revealing potion on the letter.
It was almost half past six. Chris hurriedly pulled a jacket over her sleepwear and ran downstairs.
Chris burst into the kitchen as Mrs. Weasley was combining Harry's hair.
"Doesn't it ever lie flat?" she said desperately but then stopped as everyone looked at Chris.
"They changed it." Chris said without waiting. "Fudge changed the time and the place for Harry's trial."
"What?" Everyone looked surprised.
"Yes. It's starts at eight o'clock and it's down in old Courtroom, where the criminal trials happen."
"Criminal trial?" Harry stood up so fast that he almost knocked down a plate and the comb from Mrs. Weasley's hand.
"But how? Why?" Sirius said angrily.
"And how did you know about this Chris?" Lupin said.
"Er... A friend of mine just heard Fudge talking to his secretary." Chris replied. "But that's beside the point. Harry need to leave now."
"Merlin! Yes yes we're leaving." Mr. Weasley got to his feet.
"But are you sure, Chris? I mean they would have informed us if there was any last minitue changes." Mrs. Weasley said.
"Unless they want to accuse Harry for a irresponsible boy." Chris said. "Also I think they didn't informed Dumbledore. I'm sure Fudge wants to expel Harry at any cost."
Harry gulped.
"I agree. Arthur, we should leave." Sirius said.
"But..." Harry begun.
"No buts Harry. Leave now. Don't be late. Stay calm. Be polite." Chris grabbed Harry by his shoulders. "Look they'll try their best to show everyone why you can't be trusted. Don't give them any chance to prove that. Dumbledore will handle the rest, don't worry, Alright?"
Harry reluctantly nodded.
Chris hugged him.
"All the best." Chris pulled back and smiled. "Still if you feel angry, think about Quidditch. If only you're calm, you can catch the snitch."
Harry nervously smiled at this.
Mr. Weasley and Sirius hurried out of the kitchen, Harry followed.
There was one more thing in that letter Chris didn't tell anyone. Rita figured out who was the person manipulating Fudge and who sent those Dementors after Harry: Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister.
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"Why didn't you mention this to Harry? I mean he should be careful around that woman." Hermione said as Chris finished explaining Ginny and Hermione about the morning letter from Rita Skeeter.
"Hermione, Harry is barely straining his anger in front of us, do you think he would've been able to keep his cool if he knew the person behind all this problem is sitting in front of him?" Chris replied.
"I think no." Ginny said.
"Listen, you can't tell this to Harry, at least not before I tell this to Dumbledore." Chris said.
Hermione and Ginny nodded.
Soon they were chatting over different things.
"Oh I'm so nervous. We've O.W.L.s this year... It's so important..." Hermione started mumbling.
"You're going to be great Hermione." Chris and Ginny said together.
"Oh no. It's not that easy." Hermione said. "AAAHHH.."
Fred and George Apparated in the girls's room.
"How dare you?" Hermione looked at Fred. "You can't just Apparate in our room.
"O we can." Fred said grinning. "Also you just sounded like our mother."
"What do you want?" Ginny asked.
"We need Chris for a moment." George said.
"Why?" Chris asked.
"We need to discuss some ideas with you for Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes." Fred said. "George thinks you're the right person to do it."
"Can I join please?" Ginny asked with a cute face.
"What're you planning to sell by the way?" Hermione said quietly. "Other than those funny creams?"
"Oh we're far from those 'funny creams' Hermione." George said. "We're working on loads of things."
"You know I was thinking about the Disillusionment Charm Mad-Eye put on me." Chris said. "You can use that in a way in your Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes."
"See, I told you she's the right person, who wil take this business seriously." George beamed. "We've more ideas, Chris."
And they went through a long list of things they wanted to include. Chris, Ginny and even Hermione enjoyed their conversation with the twins. Chris admitted that, those two Weasleys were capable of dragging fun out from any kind of situation.
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"I knew it!" yelled Ron, punching the air. "You always get away with stuff!"
"They were bound to clear you," said Hermione, who had looked positively faint with anxiety when Harry had entered the kitchen. "There was no case against you, none at all . . ."
"Everyone seems quite relieved, though, considering they all knew I'd get off," said Harry, smiling.
"Then, I guess you kept your calm." Chris said smiling.
"Yes but Sirius..." Harry chuckled. "Gave a good piece of mind to Lucius Malfoy."
"He was there in the Ministry?" Chris asked.
"Yes he was." Harry said. "And as always was acting like a git. But this time my Godfather was there with me."
Harry looked at a happy Sirius, who was explaining a interesting story to Fred, George and Ginny. They all were laughing.
They all sat for lunch, and the mood on the table was much cheerful after a long time. Everyone helped themselves with great amounts of food.
"Umm.. Sirius I wanted to ask..." Chris said with a mouth full of mashed potatoes. "When is Dumbledore visiting?"
"Maybe tomorrow or a day after tomorrow." Sirius replied.
"You know I was sure if Dumbledore turns up on your side then no one is going to convict you.." Ron said.
"Yeah, he swung it for me," said Harry. "I wish he'd talked to me, though. Or even looked at me."
And as soon as Harry said this, he clapped his hand on his forehead.
"What's up?" said Hermione, looking alarmed.
"Scar," Harry mumbled. "But it's nothing. . . . It happens all the time now . . ."
Chris looked at him for sometime. Dumbledore was right, somehow, Voldemort was inside Harry's mind. The scar connecting them, could be reason. Telling Harry everything was really not a good idea, right now.
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To be continued...