Comrades in Your Corner
Hazel patiently waited before the court. Both Fudge and Umbridge were at a loss for words for long moments. When Dumbledore saw that they were beginning to recover, he stepped forward. All eyes turned toward him, and he looked to Hazel for a moment. She nodded, as if to give him permission to speak.
Dumbledore looked to the Wizengamot. "I shall be the witness to address the monocle in question, since I am the one who said that it needed to be turned in. This young witch is the ward of one of the professors of Hogwarts, and I gave that professor, Professor McGonagall, permission to help the young witch in a dangerous matter in the Tan Dimension. Professor McGonagall was awarded the monocle during the expedition by the Spawning Lake. It is true the lake dried up here a long time ago, but we all know it existed and many believed it was still accessible from other dimensions. It was turned in to the Ministry of Magic for registration and validation. Hence, it has nothing to do with these proceedings or even the accused."
Dumbledore waited for the courtroom to silence; it took some time, since Fudge was also arguing and forgot to silence the room. "I would also like to add that the item in question saved a Hogwarts student's life—Cedric Diggory—and stopped a kidnapper and imposter in almost the same moment. I believe it is a beneficial item and, since it belongs to Professor McGonagall, it will be used appropriately."
Many heads nodded at Dumbledore's final words as the tone of the conversation became more positive.
Cornelius Fudge finally regained his composure and began to clear his throat. Then, his wand rose again and the gavel-sound echoed. "Fine! Fine! The Ministry will continue its tests on the item and will address issues with Professor McGonagall."
"I must disagree, Minister." Madame Umbridge's voice had found its syrupy tone again, and she smiled down at Hazel. "This is second-hand information. Our findings have shown that the item was a gift—perhaps it was made by this young, rogue witch."
An elderly witch in the stands harrumphed. "Now you are saying that we cannot trust the word of Albus Dumbledore?"
Many spoke at once at this comment, and then another witch spoke up. "I began the research on the item, and I interviewed Madame McGonagall. She told the same story to me. She even described the monocle's effects quite well. What Headmaster Dumbledore says is true. Do you call me a liar as well, Madame Umbridge?"
Umbridge's quill suddenly stopped, and her smile fell. "Of course not. No, no. Of course, I would never do that, esteemed Madame." Her sweet voice was clipped as she sat back in her seat.
Fudge looked to Hazel. "The fourth charge is very serious, prisoner! Do you deny performing illegal and unfounded techniques on citizens under the authority of the Ministry of Magic?"
"Once again, esteemed sir, I will have to deny this charge as well. The techniques I used were certified by St. Mungo's, and the potions I created were co-created by Professor Snape, who also tested and certified them. I believe he is on the Ministry of Magic's Committee of Potions Verifications and Validations and is licensed to both verify and validate potions created here."
The more she spoke, the more flustered Fudge became and the more surly Umbridge's expression turned.
"That may be well and good, but neither the technique nor the potion has been filed with the Ministry!"
Papers flew along the table as Fudge looked for documentation. Others began speaking, and papers began to fly everywhere as others looked for corroborating documents as well.
Madame Pomfrey shook her head, pursed her lips in disappointment, and stepped forward when Hazel looked to her. "Madame Pomfrey, can you please explain the techniques side of this?"
"I certainly can. First of all, the techniques have been grouped into one and are now called the Longbottom Recovery Technique, after the first patients to recover with its usage. Secondly, the technique was approved by St. Mungo's but was denied by the Ministry because of the use of dream-walking. Ms. McGonagall worked with St. Mungo's to bypass this, and the Ministry approved all techniques and renamed them the Crucio Remedies."
Suddenly, many heads were nodding, and there were a few "Aahs" of understanding in the benches.
A tall, thin witch spoke up. "I actually worked on this with St. Mungo's." She looked down at her desk. "Why wasn't this information added to the documents? That technique and the accompanying potions are revolutionary. They have already helped more than just the Longbottoms."
There was an uproar. "Why weren't we told of this? My daughter needs these techniques!" A middle-aged wizard was standing, his eyes fierce.
Madame Pomfrey responded calmly. "St. Mungo's has been advised to only treat individuals within their facilities."
"Quite. This is still in the testing phase. We do not want to put our loved ones at risk."
"Excuse me, Madame Umbridge, but I feel the need to correct you, because you seem rather ill-informed." Professor Snape's voice was cool and cutting. Umbridge's face twisted in rage. "Not only did I help in the creation of these potions, but Hazel Potter-McGonagall is probably the best Potions Mistress we have seen in centuries. I also thoroughly tested these potions myself. I have never had my competence questioned before. And, esteemed members of the Wizengamot, I was chosen for the Committee of Potions Verifications and Validations because of my meticulous nature."
Professor Snape stepped back like that was all he needed to say and nothing more was needed.
Hazel looked to Cornelius Fudge somberly. "I feel with these witnesses and the evidence in your own files, I can rest my case."
"Not yet. I will speak on behalf of the accused. I do not want there to be any doubt in the minds of the esteemed judges." Frank Longbottom stepped forward, his back straight, his eyes forward, his leathers immaculate. He already knew Hazel hadn't wanted to put him through any of this, but she understood that he could not stand by and watch people try to destroy the only person who was able to save him?
"I want you all to know what this young girl did for myself and my wife—and all only because our son is her friend. We were not stuck in our minds; we were locked out. We saw and understood all, but nothing would obey commands. We could not speak properly, we could not move as we wanted, we could not perform magic because we had been taken back to the mentality and capacity of children."
"No one could help us. Our son visited, and my wife couldn't hug him or say how much she loved him. We watched him grow and could never say how proud we were. We could only greet him as children excited to see a sibling or playmate. This young witch changed all that. She changed what our most learned could not—what your esteemed selves could not."
"And now you want to tear her down and label her a criminal? What happened while I was trapped within myself? What happened to our world?"
The courtroom was silent. Frank spoke a simple incantation to allow his voice to project, and when he spoke next, eyes opened wide in amazement.
"We waited fourteen years for the Ministry of Magic to find a solution, and you all just gave up. This young witch said that there had to be a way, and she went to her elders and found it. She brought us back stronger and more capable than before. How is that criminal? I believe these proceedings are what's criminal."
His voice had been angelic, commanding, and electrifying all at once. And it once again left the room in silence.