Kapitel 104: Chapter 104

"If we get you up to speed quick enough, you may be able to join us in fourth year Ancient Runes some time after Christmas," said Daphne.

Later, the girls went in search of all those they'd nominally tagged to work in the spare classroom sorting Harry's mail. He stayed in the apartment and studied hard Ancient Runes for the day.

On the Sunday, the girls decided they needed to write down everything Harry had told them about his life with the Dursleys.

"We need to get it down, now, Harry," Daphne explained. "While it's fresh in my and Hermione's minds. And, sorry, but we'll need you to clarify points as we go."

With a sigh and a mien of pain, Harry nodded. "Let's get it over with."

They spent the better part of the morning writing down everything and anything Harry remembered in note point; and assigned dates to it all as best they could. They covered their psychological, emotional and physical abuse as separate areas; but, kept everything in chronological order.

They covered Harry being dumped on the stoop of his aunt and uncle's home, right through to his most recent summer living there.

After lunch they returned to it and began writing it all down in report form. It took many sheets of parchment before they were done; and both girls were rubbing their wrists and wringing their hands from 'quill cramp' before they were finished.

"Now that it's down on parchment, what do we do with it?" asked Hermione.

"Make copies of it, for a start," replied Daphne. "We need to send a copy to Stewart and Margaret, our solicitors, for their records of the truth. Next, I'd like to send a copy to my parents, if I may."

Frowning back, Harry asked, "Why? Don't get me wrong; I understand why Ackerman and Pentridge need a copy. But, why do you want a copy to go to your parents?"

She sighed and said, "Because they need to know your history, Harry. Once all this becomes public, they'll be asked questions about you. If they know none of this they'll come across as..."

"Uncaring or, worse, completely ignorant regarding matters concerning you and me," finished Harry with a groan. Looking up, he begged, "Just, please make sure they understand I want no one's pity. This is just so they know the truth, nothing more."

Nodding, Daphne replied, "I'll make sure they understand that."

"Anything else we need to do with the information?" he asked.

"We need to make sure Dumbledore receives a copy," replied Hermione, perking up.

"Why?" asked Harry.

"Because then he can't claim he was unaware of how you were treated by them, love," replied Daphne, looking and smiling at Hermione with respect. "It completely blocks him from later claiming he was unaware. Then, if he tries to send you back there next summer..."

"He will then be guilty of a whole heap of further crimes around child abuse," finished Hermione. "That's very clever," said Harry, chuckling a little bit. "It firmly puts him in the spot where he can't try and send me back there."

"If he tries to claim he didn't know, we hit him with our own copy of this, proving he did," said Hermione, tapping her finger on the written report. "If he admits to knowing about it, he comes across as a child abuser... or, at least, facilitator."

The three then set out to clean up what was written and make copies to send out. Dumbledore's would wait until they knew Daphne's parents and their solicitors had received theirs.

The rest of the weekend flew past and, before they knew it, they were into the new school week. The Monday saw the three receive a summonse, each, for the court date for the trial of Molly, Ron and Ginny. The case was set aside for the following Saturday week; or twelve days hence.

Twice, during the week, Dumbledore approached the three. On his first approach, he told Harry that, as his magical guardian, he was not permitting Harry to attend the trial. Instead, he - Dumbledore - would make a statement on Harry's behalf.

Harry countered with, "It's a lawful summonse, Headmaster. It's illegal for me not to go. And you would be breaking the law by blocking me from going."

"It is not safe, Headmaster stressed.

Mister

Potter,"

the

"That is irrelevant, Headmaster; and you know it," Harry shot right back.

Knowing he was on a losing streak with that argument if he continued, the Headmaster changed tack.

"Ronald Weasley is your best friend, Mister Potter," tried the Headmaster. "I know he and Ginevra are very sorry for the lack of thought relating to the minor incident regarding potions. However, as you weren't actually potioned, no harm was done.

"You need to let this go. I'm sure, if you see it in your heart to forgive them both, this will be something you can laugh over later."

"Laugh over?" asked Harry, incredulous. "The only thing laughable at the moment, Headmaster, is the blatantly idiotic idea I could ever consider Ron Weasley a friend, again; let alone Ginny or her mother. What they did; what they attempted to do; was unforgivable!

"I, and my bondmates, want the full weight of the law brought down on all three of them. Even if I wasn't being called as a Witness for the Ministry, I'd still want to be in that courtroom to see all three of them get their just comeuppance."

"Vengeance is the path to the dark, Harry," pleaded Dumbledore.

"Then it's a good thing I'm not looking for vengeance, Headmaster," retorted Harry. "I'm looking for justice. Righteous vengeance is what you seek when justice fails you. If you don't want me seeking vengeance, pray I receive justice!"

That final statement, more than anything, nearly led Dumbledore to panic. He had been working hard behind the scenes to ensure all three Weasleys received no more than a legal slap on the wrist for their actions.

Now, he had to return to his allies to ensure that more than just a slap on the wrist was meted out. He could not allow Harry to contemplate vengeance to solve his problems. Plus, if Harry felt the justice system in wizarding Britain was corrupt, he'd be less likely to sacrifice himself for their magical nation when the time finally came.

With a sigh of frustration, Dumbledore returned to his office to make some urgent Floo calls.