"That Harry Potter is giving a speech again?" Seeing Harry's figure appear on the podium once more, many shop assistants in Diagon Alley stepped out of their stores to watch the commotion.
"Yeah, I wonder what he's going to talk about today."
"No idea, but I like it when he comes to speak. Every time he does, everyone comes to watch, and then the boss gives us a break."
A female shop assistant from a Potion shop said this while turning her head to glance at her boss, who was also watching the excitement nearby.
As usual, Hermione and Ron accompanied Harry onto the podium. Unlike usual, Amanda, Cho Chang, Marietta Eckmore, and Penelope each stood in a different direction, firmly surrounding the podium in the center.
"Merlin's beard, is that Miss Amanda?" The female assistant from the Potion shop widened her eyes in surprise as she looked in Amanda's direction.
Clearly, she had a deep impression of the young girl who had "come to blows" with the Malfoy father and son two years ago and had compensated their Potion shop extremely generously.
"Hiss, not only is Miss Amanda here, but there are three more girls. And looking at this setup, why does it seem like they're guarding against something?" A clerk from Flourish and Blotts scratched his hair in confusion.
The Store Manager standing next to him replied solemnly, "Obviously, what they're going to talk about today is different from before, and it should be quite impactful."
As for who it would be impactful against, seeing the way these children were so defensive... one didn't even need to think to know.
It could only be the Ministry of Magic, because when they spoke of Voldemort's resurrection a few days ago, they hadn't been defensive like this at all.
Many discerning Wizards sighed helplessly. To be more defensive against the Ministry of Magic than against Voldemort—just what was their current Ministry of Magic doing?
"Everyone, today's speech will be a bit special," Harry said loudly, standing on the podium.
"You might not believe what I have to say today. Therefore, I have prepared Veritaserum in advance." Harry pulled a small Potion vial containing a transparent liquid from his pocket. "After I drink it, I will accept a Q&A from my companion. Only after proving the authenticity of what I'm about to say will I begin the speech."
Then, ignoring the noisy discussions of the surrounding crowd, Harry handed the small Potion vial directly to Amanda.
This portion of Veritaserum had been brewed by Amanda long ago. Since she had guessed the Ministry of Magic would play dirty with Harry, she had prepared for him to reveal everything during the speech.
To prevent the Ministry of Magic's remaining positive image in the hearts of the Wizarding World from affecting the speech's impact, Amanda had brewed a cauldron of Veritaserum during the first few days of summer break and prepared this small vial for Harry, so that his speech today would be more moving.
Taking the Potion vial from Harry's hand expressionlessly, Amanda nodded mechanically.
Turning around and seeing that familiar female Potion shop assistant in the crowd, Amanda beckoned to her.
"Hello, Miss. I still remember you. You're a clerk at the Potion shop, right?"
The female assistant was stunned and pointed at herself. "Me?"
"Yes, you." Amanda's voice was cold and solemn as she nodded with certainty.
"Uh, I am a clerk at the Potion shop," the female assistant agreed, not knowing why, and tucked her long hair behind her ear.
"Then I would like to ask you to confirm whether what's in this small Potion vial is Veritaserum."
As Amanda spoke, she extended her right hand holding the Potion vial toward the female assistant. The assistant paused for a moment, then walked out without hesitation and took the Potion from Amanda's hand.
In any case, Amanda's character had already been proven by her generous compensation last time; Amanda wouldn't hurt her no matter what.
Or from another perspective, with Amanda's abilities, if she wanted to hurt her, she wouldn't need such indirect methods at all.
Since she wouldn't be harmed, there was no reason to hesitate in helping this young girl.
Gently opening the stopper of the Potion vial, the female assistant carefully inspected the Veritaserum inside. Since Veritaserum is colorless and odorless, the inspection took some time, and she even used several Detection Spells.
The more she inspected it, the more surprised the female assistant's expression became.
By the end of the inspection, when the female assistant replaced the cap and returned the Veritaserum to Amanda, her eyes were already shining.
"This is Veritaserum, and it's of perfect quality. Miss Amanda, may I ask who brewed this Veritaserum? Our Potion shop would very, very much like to establish a long-term partnership with him or her!"
Anyone who could brew Veritaserum so perfectly certainly wouldn't be bad at other Potions either.
If they could establish a long-term partnership with such a skilled Potion maker, their Potion shop would be completely set!
Amanda took back the Potion, gave her hand a gentle shake after capping it, and a rare trace of mischievousness appeared on her face.
"I brewed this bottle of Veritaserum myself."
"Ah..." The female assistant was stunned for a moment. "As expected of Miss Amanda, to be so amazing in Potions as well."
While offering her admiration and praise, the female assistant couldn't help but sigh with disappointment. Amanda didn't lack money, and without even thinking, it was clear she had many more important things to do; it was essentially impossible for her to establish a long-term partnership with her Potion shop.
"Don't worry, Miss Assistant," the expression on Amanda's face softened. "Soon, you won't have to worry about Potion sources or Potion quality anymore."
"Hmm? What do you mean?" The female assistant blinked, looking at Amanda curiously.
However, Amanda didn't intend to continue. She simply turned and handed the Veritaserum back to Harry.
Seeing this, the female assistant could only return to the crowd full of doubt. The other onlookers had also heard the female assistant personally admit that the small vial of Potion was indeed Veritaserum.
Now, they were all looking up at Harry as he drank the entire vial of Potion in one go.
Once Harry finished the Potion, Hermione stepped forward and asked him in an equally loud voice.
"Harry, did you use magic in a Muggle community yesterday, in front of a Muggle?"
"Yes."
Boom! Just the first question caused a huge sensation among the onlookers. They discussed it heatedly, guessing the reason why Harry would perform magic in front of a Muggle in their community.
Amanda raised both hands and slowly pressed them down, signaling everyone to quiet down and continue listening. Everyone present immediately cooperated and shut their mouths.
"Why did you use magic in front of that Muggle?"
"Because I had to protect him and myself."
"Was there something threatening you?"
"Yes, there were two Dementors trying to attack us. I had to use the Patronus Charm to protect him and myself."
Under the influence of the Veritaserum, Harry answered Hermione's questions matter-of-factly, revealing the truth of last night in the most blunt and direct way possible.
The Q&A between him and Hermione was emotionally stable, but the onlookers below could no longer remain calm.
"Dementors went to a Muggle neighborhood?! Aren't they all supposed to be stationed at Azkaban by the Ministry of Magic?"
"More importantly, they actually tried to attack an innocent Young Wizard and a Muggle. Doesn't that mean that at any time, Dementors could come to attack us too?"
"Can the Ministry of Magic even control those Dementors anymore?"
"If the Ministry of Magic can't control those Dementors, then Azkaban..."
"In that case, is the resurrection of Voldemort that this boy was speaking about a few days ago actually true? Is the Ministry of Magic trying to silence him?"
"Then whose side is the Ministry of Magic actually on!"
Listening to the increasing questioning of the Ministry of Magic and the understanding and support for Harry among the onlookers, Amanda's lips curled into a faint smile.
She even heard a Witch say without any reservation, "Has no one noticed that Potter, a mere fifth-year Young Wizard, can already use the Patronus Charm? He even protected a Muggle. Merlin, he's so handsome!"
If Harry heard that, he'd probably blush. While this thought popped into Amanda's mind, she raised her hands again to signal for silence.
The truly explosive, hard-to-accept part hadn't even come yet.
"After you used the Patronus Charm, did you receive a letter from the Ministry of Magic?" Hermione also shook her head inwardly as she listened to the discussions. They were shocked by the Ministry of Magic's incompetence already? The part that would shock them even more was still to come.
"I did," Harry answered without any hesitation.
"What were the contents of the letter?"
"The letter stated that I was expelled from Hogwarts for violating the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery. They said someone would come soon to destroy my wand, and because I violated the Statute of Secrecy, I need to go to the Ministry of Magic for a hearing on August 12th."
"What?!"
"How is that possible! Since when has this regulation been so strict?"
"This is definitely targeting the boy. I used to receive warning letters all the time during summer breaks, but nothing ever happened."
"Isn't the more important point that the Ministry of Magic's mistake—or intentional act—led to an innocent Young Wizard and a Muggle being in danger, and when the Young Wizard used magic to protect himself, the Ministry of Magic claimed he broke the law?"
"The Ministry of Magic's claim is what's illegal! They even want to put Potter on trial; this hearing itself is illegal!"
"The Ministry of Magic is simply knowingly breaking the law!"
As soon as Harry finished his explanation, the onlookers erupted into an even more heated discussion and condemnation.
The loathing and resistance toward the current Ministry of Magic among the Wizards present had clearly reached a peak.
"So, were you expelled from Hogwarts and had your wand destroyed?" Hermione almost shouted to make her voice heard over the surrounding discussions.
Amanda didn't stop the onlookers' discussion this time, because she had seen those dozen or so people pushing through the crowd toward them.
"No!" Harry also shouted loudly. He felt like he couldn't help but smile, and he had to struggle to control his facial muscles.
"Because I received a letter where Headmaster Dumbledore told me not to surrender my wand and said I wouldn't be expelled. Then I was picked up by Amanda."
"As expected of Headmaster Dumbledore; it has to be him to do the right thing."
"And that young Witch named Amanda, she also did the right thing by protecting her friend."
"Exactly, the only ones failing to act decently are the Ministry of Magic!"
"Everyone shut up!" A shrill, unpleasant voice came through. A short, stout figure dressed entirely in pink stood before the onlookers, accompanied by a dozen Aurors.
"Do you have some questions about the Ministry of Magic's actions? We are the official institution of the British Wizarding World; everything we do is in accordance with the laws of the British Wizarding World."
"You're lying," the Owner of Flourish and Blotts stepped forward, looking at Umbridge without flinching. "Almost every single thing you've done is in violation of the laws of the Wizarding World."
"A Young Wizard using magic to protect himself in an emergency doesn't violate any law at all, yet you say he broke the law."
"Not to mention your illegal release of Dementors to attack innocent people, expelling a Hogwarts student over the head of the Hogwarts Principal, and initiating a hearing in violation of the law. Which of these things isn't illegal!"
"Sir, you had better be clear about what you're saying. You are questioning the Ministry of Magic." Umbridge's chest heaved rapidly, a look of utter disbelief on her face.
In her view, how could the Ministry of Magic be questioned? How could it be allowed to be questioned?
"I certainly know what I'm saying," the Owner of Flourish and Blotts gave a disdainful smile and took another step forward. "What's wrong? Are you going to snap my wand too?"
As he spoke, he even pulled out his own wand. Behind him, the other onlookers also stepped forward in unison and drew their wands.
It must be said that most people in the Wizarding World are very protective of Young Wizards. Furthermore, their emotions had already been stirred up by Amanda and the others. If Umbridge and her group dared to make a move now or say anything they shouldn't...
Then she and the dozen Aurors behind her would absolutely be buried under hundreds of Charms instantly.
However, Amanda clearly didn't intend to let any of the onlookers present take action. It was enough for the ordinary citizens to give them support and speak up for them.
They shouldn't be the ones to get physical; their daily lives shouldn't be affected, not even if there was only a possibility of it.
Stepping forward slowly, as Amanda drew closer to Umbridge and the dozen Aurors, they all clearly felt a terrifying Magic Pressure emanating from her. Their teeth began to chatter uncontrollably, and even their backs and knees felt an urge to buckle.
Turning around stiffly, Umbridge looked at this young Witch who was slowly approaching—the one who had once caused her humiliation after the Quidditch World Cup Final. For a moment, she showed a spiteful expression, which she then immediately hid, only continuing to output malice in her heart.
It's that damn girl again... If she ever got the chance, she would definitely, definitely make her suffer to the fullest!
"You wouldn't be thinking of attacking these innocent Wizards, would you?"
There wasn't the slightest ripple on Amanda's face, and her voice carried no emotion to speak of, but the underlying coldness made Umbridge and the others shiver.
Sweeping her gaze calmly over Umbridge, Amanda naturally didn't miss the spite that had just flashed across her face.
Her hatred and desire for revenge... that was another point that could be exploited. Amanda secretly decided to continue deducing what Fudge and this Umbridge would do next once things here were finished.
Amanda then refocused her attention on the matter at hand.
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