"I'm sure." Dumbledore answered skeptically, causing many in the audience to laugh. "All those in favor of removing Cornelius Fudge from his position as Minister of Magic?" This time the vote was very close since they needed a two thirds majority. Fudge had many dark families and his own group of hangers on supporting him and the outcome was very uncertain. A count began to see how many had voted to remove Fudge and in the end the number was written down on a piece of parchment and handed to Chief Warlock Dumbledore.
"Those who support removing Minister Fudge have amassed sixty eight votes, which is more than the required majority." Dumbledore announced. Fudge, who had been standing in anticipation of the announcement, dropped back in his chair in disappointment. "Cornelius Fudge, you are hereby stripped of the title Minister of Magic. As required in our laws, this body will reconvene in one week to vote on a new Minister of Magic. That concludes today's scheduled items. Is there anything else before we adjourn?"
"Yes!" an older witch said as she stood up. "Aurors, now that he is no longer Minister of Magic I ask that you arrest Cornelius Fudge."
The aurors looked towards Dumbledore for confirmation and he nodded slightly. Fudge barely reacted as the Aurors approached him lifted him out of his chair. The shock of the moment was so powerful that even when his wand was taken from him Fudge did not say anything. It was a sight that those in attendance would never forget.
"If that is all, this session of the Wizengamot is ended." Dumbledore announced. Immediately the crowd, no longer required to keep quiet, began discussing the days events much like witches and wizards everywhere were also doing. It would go down as one of the most strange and eventful days in the history of the Wizengamot. Dumbledore, who had secretly orchestrated most of it, left the room with a large smile and twinkle in his eye. His first action once free of his duties as Chief Warlock was to find and congratulate Sirius Black.
...
Back in Hogwarts, Harry had practically been jumping up and down in excitement ever since Peter Pettigrew was found guilty of being a Death Eater and for aiding in the murder of his parents. By the time Sirius made his surprise appearance and was subsequently cleared of the major charges against him Daphne thought she would have to physically restrain him from running to the edge of the wards and using his newfound ability to apparate in order to see his godfather. In the end she was forced to convince Harry that Sirius was probably as eager to see him as he was to see Sirius so he should just wait. Harry reluctantly agreed and sat back down. They had chosen to listen to the unfolding political drama outside on Daphne's portable magical radio. It was a bright, sunny day which at the moment matched Harry's mood.
"Do you think Dumbledore will let him come here?" Harry wondered aloud. "Maybe I won't even have to go live with the Dursley's at all this year."
"That'd be great, Harry." Daphne said with a smile at her excited boyfriend. She knew how much he disliked the idea of returning to his relatives and despite his assurances that he would be fine if he had to go back she was beginning to suspect conditions there were worse than he let on. "You know it's amazing how efficient the Wizengamot was today. That never happens. I guess they were just feeling the pressure of so many people watching them."
"Probably so. I just wish Dumbledore had made Wormtail keep talking."
"He couldn't have." Daphne replied, knowing that Harry was unaware of how the Wizengamot worked. "They voted to sentence him right then, and even as Chief Warlock he doesn't have the authority to override a majority vote from the full Wizengamot. They can question him later, but unfortunately not as many people will hear it."
Harry was about to reply when he saw a small, brown owl that he did not recognize flying towards them. It landed in front of Harry and stuck out its leg where a note was attached. Once Harry had removed the note the owl flew off back to towards the direction it had come from.
"What is it?" Daphne asked as Harry began to read the letter.
"It's from Sirius!" Harry said with a smile. He continued to read and Daphne noticed that his face changed from happy to disappointed and then back to happy again. "He says that he has to stay at the ministry filling out paper work tonight so that they can officially clear his record and legally return everything they had taken from him, including his wand. Huh, I guess I hadn't realized that Sirius had been using a substitute wand all this time. Anyhow he'll be here tomorrow after the End of Year Feast and that he wants to meet you."
"Just what have you told him about me?" Daphne asked curiously.
"It's all been good, I promise." Harry answered.
"That's fine." Daphne replied with a grin. "Just remember, you still have to meet my parents." Harry paled a bit at that thought as it had slipped his mind recently. He told himself it was probably ridiculous to be worried about it and was able to ignore the thought long enough to start reading again.
"Apparently I have to stay with the Dursley's for two weeks, but after that I can come stay at his house for the rest of the summer." Harry was thrilled at the news. As bad as the Dursley's were he could handle 14 days with them easily.
"I'm happy for you, Harry." Daphne said seriously. Harry had been through a pretty rough time over the past couple of days and she was glad for anything that could make him smile.
"It's great. I'm sure he won't have a problem if you come over. Or Hermione or Neville for that matter." As soon as he had said it Harry realized what had been bothering him all day: he had not seen Hermione since she left the infirmary the night before. Daphne wouldn't know anything about it either since they had been together the whole day.
"What's wrong? I know that look." Daphne said.
"It's Hermione." Harry answered. "Where's she been all day? I thought she might visit me this morning considering how upset she was last night."
"Exams are over so she shouldn't be studying still, unless it's for that project the two of you are working on." Daphne replied. "Although she has been working pretty hard on that."
"I bet that's what she's doing." Harry agreed with a nod. "She hates not being able to use magic over the summer and always wants to do a few things at the last minute before the year ends. She'll probably be in the Room of Requirement, which is convenient for us because we have a little chore to do while we're there."
"Let me guess, it involves that basilisk fang you picked up this morning?"
"Exactly." Harry answered. "So, you want to go drag Hermione kicking and screaming away from her project so she can enjoy the last few hours at Hogwarts?"
....
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