Harry's first impression of the Wizengamot hearing chamber felt like a large medieval coliseum with the Wizengamot member sitting in four tiered levels in ornate chairs much like Dumbledore's in the Great Hall. Above them were some additional tiers for visitors but they had simple wooden benches. The seats curved for 270 degrees and created the feeling of being completely surrounded. The remaining 90 degrees of the room consisted of the primary seating for visitors. But today those seats were almost empty.
Candles floated at regular intervals to augment the light provided by a trio of gas-light chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The flickering light cast odd shadows on the seated Wizengamot members while the centre area where Harry and Sirius now stood was as bright as noon. A pair of simple chairs occupied the middle of that patch of light.
Overall, the room was designed to unnerve anyone called forth to testify. It was not a place for a friendly conversation. Harry wondered where the doors were to let in the lions.
In the front row of the Wizengamot sat Dumbledore and Fudge. Madam Bones was moving to her seat next to Dumbledore as Harry and Sirius entered the room. Harry didn't really recognize many of the others sitting on the Wizengamot tiers but did note Madam Longbottom and Mr Patil. Lucius Malfoy was noteworthy in his absence.
"Thank you for coming today, Mr Potter," Minister Fudge said from his position in the first row directly in front of the two Marauders' seats. "Mr Black is here in his role as your guardian. The DMLE Department Head, Madam Bones, has completed her presentation of the investigation into the events of the night of 21st day of June 1995. However, some of the Wizengamot members would like to ask some additional questions to clarify a few … er, inconsistencies that seem to have occurred.
"Madam Umbridge, our Senior Undersecretary shall be taking the lead in these questions after consulting with the concerned members. Madam Umbridge, the floor is yours."
The ugly, toad-like witch emerged from the shadows to Harry's left. Her formal black robes were trimmed in pink and she wore a scarf that looked as though one had poured a bottle of Pepto-Bismol all over it.
"Thank you, Minister Fudge," the woman replied in a fawning voice and Harry would have sworn she fluttered her eyelashes at the pudgy man. Unbidden an image of their possible young came to mind and Harry suddenly felt queasy.
"Now, Mr Potter," Umbridge started, her voice turning harder and shrewish. Her tone and mannerisms reminded him of his aunt. Now Harry had an image of Umbridge and his Aunt Petunia in his head. 'Oh, my god it gets worse! The toad and the giraffe!'
"Yes, Madam Umbridge?" Harry answered politely.
"The Wizengamot has heard about the alleged events on the night in question. However we have some questions on just what happened that allowed you to make your successful escape.
"Now, we have received some information on the dark creature that attacked your alleged captors. It was described as a 'monstrous werewolf-like creature' that used teeth and claws to wreck horrible damage on those men. We would like some clarification on just what it was that attacked those men." There was a pause while Madam Umbridge looked at Harry with an expectant expression. Her frustration built over several seconds of silence until …
"Well, Mr Potter, what do you have to say about the creature?"
Harry blinked innocently. "I'm sorry. Was there a question?" Now Umbridge looked a bit like Uncle Vernon. 'Oh my god! The threesome from Hell'
"Please describe the creature that attacked your accused kidnappers."
"It sounds like you already have a description, Madam Umbridge," Harry commented. "But since the only people in the graveyard were me, Voldemort, and the Death Eaters, I have to wonder who you've been talking to."
That set up an uncomfortable murmuring in the Wizengamot. Umbridge and Fudge looked annoyed at Harry's observation.
Umbridge turned to address the Wizengamot members.
"Members of the Wizengamot, this morning Oliver Gamot surrendered himself to the Ministry. He asserts that he and some unnamed accomplices captured Mr Potter because he is in fact a werewolf and they were concerned for the safety of the children of Hogwarts. Under the Werewolf Protection Act of 1990, parents and guardians of children have the right to act to prevent imminent danger to said children. The Act also exempts unregistered werewolves from protection under the law and are subject to immediate termination. So in fact, no crime against Mr Potter may have been committed here if their allegations are correct." This caused some more murmuring by the Wizengamot members. Harry was a bit surprised how many of the murmurs were supportive of the pink toad.
"And why was my office not immediately informed of this 'surrender'?" Madam Bones demanded.
"That is my fault I am afraid," Fudge admitted with an exaggerated look of innocence. "I felt it was best to have an independent review of Mr Gamot's allegations. Madam Umbridge and I questioned him extensively under my Executive Privilege just prior to this meeting. While the DMLE may be correct in the nature of the Dark Arts that appear to have occurred that night, the matter of Mr Potter's status is completely different."
Umbridge turned back to Harry with a triumphant air. "So, Mr Potter, are you a werewolf?"
"No," Harry simply answered.
Umbridge looked a bit shocked at Harry's simple response. "Mr Potter, we have Mr Gamot's memories that we can display for the Wizengamot. These memories clearly show you changing shape and attacking them in werewolf form. Now again, are you a werewolf?"
Harry and Sirius exchanged a brief glance and Sirius gave a little shrug looking bored. Harry smiled and then turned back to Umbridge while reaching for a small packet of papers inside his robe.
"I don't know these laws like you would, madam, but if you would bear with me?" Without waiting for a response Harry opened the packet and started to read.
"Under Section 2, Paragraph 1 of the Werewolf Protection Act of 1990, 'a witch or wizard is classified as a werewolf when they have a positive reaction to the Werewolf Identification Charm. A positive reaction is indicated by a red aura around the subject.'"
Harry paused and looked up and asked, "Did I get that all right? That is the way you wrote it, right? As the author of the law you should recognize your own work after all." Umbridge nodded in the affirmative seemingly against her will.
"Then we don't have an issue, since I don't have a red aura under that charm." Umbridge gave Harry a disbelieving look.
"I think we shall have to prove that ourselves!" Before anyone could object, the witch had drawn her wand and cast. "Lychanus!" Harry didn't dodge the spell. He just let it hit. A moment later he was surrounded by a soft blue glow.
"Yep. Still not a werewolf," Sirius confirmed. His whole tone and body language fairly screamed boredom and, 'Can we leave yet?'
Harry's blue aura caused an unsettled rumble throughout the room. Dozens of whispered conversations were breaking out. Only Dumbledore managed to simply sit still with a small smile and a twinkle.
"How..what…Mr Potter, explain this at once!" Umbridge sputtered out. "A blue aura is not a normal reaction to a real human being hit by that spell!"
"Well, I think it was because of a bit of accidental magic and my efforts to become an animagus," Harry answered with surprising candour. "As some of you may know both of my parents achieved the skill before leaving Hogwarts. I decided to honour them by following in their footsteps. I think my form was meant to be a wolf. In the graveyard I knew I needed some way to escape and survive. Next thing I knew I was furry.
"I don't think I was prepared for a full transformation that night," Harry added thoughtfully. "But now I seem to be stuck with it."
"And what do you mean by that?" Madam Bones asked while Umbridge simply glared at Harry.
He shrugged. "I seem to be stuck half way through the transition. Half-man, half-wolf. I understand that there is sometimes some 'bleed through' between a wizard's human and animal form. In this case it seems to be more than a bit. I am sure Madam Umbridge understands this issue very well."
The Senior Undersecretary of Magic recovered enough from the unexpected direction of the questioning had gone in to snap back at Harry. "And how would you suppose I would understand this?" she demanded.
"I'm sorry," Harry said in a slightly shocked tone. "I'd assumed you were an animagus yourself – a powerful witch and such. It is well-known that over time an animagus assumes some of the physical and mental characteristics of their other form. I just assumed based on your appearance you were a toad animagus." Many of the Wizengamot and the assembled onlookers broke out into amused or shocked laughter at the comparison many had made in private. However, no one else ever had the courage … or insanity to say it publicly.
"MR POTTER!" Umbridge shrieked. Her face turned a moulted red colour in her furry.
"What? I apologized for my incorrect assumption,"" Harry protested. Sirius nodded solemnly next to his godson. Years of telling straight-faced bullshit stories to McGonagall and his mother stood him in good stead now after what his young Marauder partner had pulled off. Mentally he was laughing his arse off.
"We seem to have gotten ourselves off the topic for which we have been gathered here," Dumbledore commented in a gently chiding tone. It was his first words since Harry entered the chamber.
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