章節 56: Chapter 056

"While you're bathing, Benny should return and we'll have a set of decent robes for you to wear. We've kept those robes of Ted's that he can no longer wear due to increasing a bit of girth... shall we say. You're of similar height that what height difference there is will be unimportant. What you're wearing will be burned.

Sirius gave a second snort of amusement when Andromeda referred to her husband's gaining of weight as increasing his girth.

As he was about to head to the bathroom, he asked, "Who sits as proxy for Black on the Wizengamot? By rights it should be Cassiopeia."

"No one," she replied. "Lucius Malfoy has convinced Fudge his son, Draconis, is the next Lord Black. And then had himself installed as Regent for the House of Black."

Sirius spun on the spot just as he was about to walk out of the room. His expression quickly morphed from shocked surprise to fury. "He what?!"

"You heard me," she scowled. "Lucius Malfoy is currently sitting the Black seat as Regent. However, Gringotts has not given him access to the Black vaults in his self-claimed role, because they know damned well he is not. And Malfoy has kept that quiet from the Ministry."

"That will be the first thing I rectify at my trial," he all but snarled.

"Yes, but because he has claimed regency and it therefore allows him a seat on the Wizengamot when he otherwise would not hold one, have no doubt that he will be pressuring the Minister to have you 'Kissed' at the first opportunity," she explained. "It also explains why the order for dementors to be sent out from Azkaban to hunt you down and 'Kiss' you exists. And why Bartemius Crouch Junior was not 'Kissed'; but, instead, just returned to his cell.

"That is why it is imperative you being given a trial is to remain a secret right up until you walk into the chamber for your trial."

"And that is why Bonesy sent me to you to be put 'on ice' until the trial, rather than kept in a holding cell in the auror department," he nodded. "I wondered why, but was just happy she didn't choose that option."

"That is why," nodded Andromeda.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

Also that evening, as soon as he was able to separate himself from Hermione, Harry quickly drafted a letter to send to his Account goblin in Gringotts. He had a warding job he wanted to done, 'toot sweet', and wanted the best erected he could get while also considering the environment in which they were to be erected.

He also wanted it done in secret, with even the occupants not aware of it happening. And the goblins were the only ones who would do that. Gold was gold and it was none of their business if the humans would be disagreeable or not.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

The next morning and very shortly after breakfast, Harry and Hermione were approached by four aurors, two of whom he recognised, just as they were leaving the Great Hall.

With a quizzical frown, he asked, "What's going on?"

"I'm Master Auror Robards," said Robards. "Madam Bones has requested your presence at today's trials, after all. We're your escort."

"Just me?" he asked.

"No, Lord Potter," he replied. "Miss Granger, as well."

After Harry glanced at Hermione for a moment he turned back and sighed before looking at his current two auror shadows. "You recognise these four?" he asked.

"Yes, Lord Potter. They are who they say they are," replied the senior of the two.

"Very well," he said, turning back to Robards. "Well, it's not as if we've got anything better to do."

Robards smiled and gave a nod. "Then, let us be off," he said, indicating the main doors.

"Not yet," said Harry. "Both of us need to change out of our everyday wear before we go. It would be unseemly to appear in the Wizengamot chambers in anything but our best."

"There's no need―" started Robards.

"... To hurry there," Harry cut in. "I know. Give us fifteen minutes and we'll be ready to go."

Robards gave a sigh of minor frustration before he nodded.

And both teens hurried up the stairs to the Gryffindor Tower. And both were back down in just under the time Harry gave them to get changed. Both were wearing wizarding robes for their gender, with Harry wearing quite good quality robes. Harry also knew the robes Hermione was wearing was her only set of non-Hogwarts robes.

"Ready?" asked Robards, as soon as he saw them come down the stairs.

"Yep," replied Harry.

"Then, let us go," he said. "We're now running a little behind schedule."

"Then you should have allowed for that in your scheduling, shouldn't you?" Harry shot back.

Robards chose to ignore the question.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

Before the trials started, the two teens were taken to Madam Bones's office. There, she explained that she was unable to develop sufficient evidence to see Lucius Malfoy face trial.

"We all know he's guilty," she agreed. "However, yours is the only testimony containing any evidence against him. And, while you're obviously quite the clever young man, you were still only twelve years old at the time he tried to cast the Killing Curse at you. His stated reason for that, by the way, was just to scare you. He claims he was never going to do it. And, under wizarding Britain law, threatening it is not the same as actually doing it.