While, truthfully, the Second Task was fast approaching, so too was the February Wizengamot session.
At Hermione's request, Sirius contacted her father and told him of the session and that there would be an earlier sitting of the Wizengamot in judicial review. They would be sitting to hear the cases of Algernon Rosier and Augusta Longbottom.
At the same time he told both Granger parents that the attackers of Hermione on the Hogsmeade weekend - Nott, Cowley and McGruber - had all chosen to quit Hogwarts and finish their schooling elsewhere. That was Durmstrang.
"Isn't that one of the schools that is taking part in that infernal Tournament?" asked Monica.
"Yes, but the three are not permitted to attend," replied Sirius. "Their Highmaster, Karkaroff, forbid it. No one had to lean on him about it, either."
So, on the morning of the sessions, Sirius flooed to the Granger residence, picked up Wendell and flooed them to the Ministry atrium. Not to 'offend' wizarding sensibilities, Wendell wore a robe and carried a spare wand - though he could not use it - for the wand-weighing security station.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
At Hogwarts, permission for Harry to attend was given well in advance. Though, it would be fairer to say, that it was officially recognised he'd be attending as part of his duties as an invested Lord, than he was permitted. He did not actually need permission.
The girls, however, were not permitted to go watch as they had classes to attend. Though, again, if Lord Greengrass had demanded the presence of his daughter as Heiress Presumptive to watch in order for her to learn how the Wizengamot worked, she would be allowed. He did not ask, though; and Harry wouldn't push it, because he didn't feel it was his place to do so.
"But, Daddy's going to be there," Hermione grumped.
"Yep," said Harry. "But, do you want everyone to know that your father, who everyone knows is supposed to be a muggle because of your known heritage, is also in the chamber?"
Hermione immediately sighed and said, "You're right. Sorry."
"Don't apologise for it," he said. "You've done nothing wrong and it's completely understandable."
Harry headed for the Ministry atrium by way of Lady Marchbanks's Headmistress's office and flooing over from there with her.
After arriving via floo, first, he was quick to save her the effort of vanishing the soot off herself by doing it first. Then immediately offered his left elbow for her, knowing she used her cane in her left hand.
She gave a little chuckle and immediately accepted the elbow by laying her right hand on his horizontally held left forearm. "Such a gentleman," she said, as the two slowly made their way down the length of the atrium towards the security gate.
Many they passed hesitated and gave them both a slight nod of acknowledgement.
They'd only managed to go about twenty feet before Harry noticed a team of aurors had subtly formed a box around them as they walked. And he only noticed that because they'd also slowed their pace down to match that of the unusual couple.
He gave a little sigh of annoyance about it, which had Lady Marchbanks give a little chuckle back and gently pat his forearm with her fingers in a 'There-there' kind of way. She clearly knew why he'd sighed.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After passing through the checkpoint without having their wands weighed - the aurors were exempt and both Harry and Lady Marchbanks were recognised Wizengamot members - the now six made their way to a lift. When one arrived, the aurors immediately commandeered it and the six rode down to Level Nine, where the Wizengamot chamber was located.
Passing through to the chamber, Harry stayed with Marchbanks until her saw her safely within. Then, noticing Wendell in the visitors tiers with only a couple of journalists for company, he made his way up the stairs to sit alongside him for a moment.
"Wendell," he smiled. Quietly, he asked, "Have you been told, yet, about what happened to those idiots who dared attack Hermione?"
"Yes," the man smiled. "They... willingly... left Hogwarts and are seeking an education elsewhere."
"Mmm," smirked Harry. "Word was made clear to them that going back to Hogwarts would very likely see them immediately expelled again, if they were lucky. If they were unlucky, they would consider their lives forfeit."
Wendell smiled and asked, "You threatened them?"
"Threatened?" smirked Harry, while also trying to act innocent. "I would never do such a thing. I merely asked Mister Nott, the ringleader on their side of that little fracas, which curse he would prefer to be executed with; and explained why such a thing would happen."
Looking more fully at his future father-in-bond, he asked, "You don't think he took that to mean I was actually going to kill him, do you?"
Wendell chuckled and said, "You're a good boy, Harry. Now, I think you better go join your peers before the trials are called."
Harry gave a nod and descended from the visitors' gallery before crossing the floor and exiting through the door to the Wizengamot antechamber.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After going into the antechamber and meeting up with Sirius, Frank, Samuel and some of the others - stopping for a quick chat with each - the Wizengamot were called to take their seats. Harry sat between Sirius and Frank.
As they sat, he leaned to Frank and asked, "I didn't ask him, but why did you not want Neville here?"
"He is here," replied Frank. "He was escorted by aurors and is in the witness's isolation rooms with Alice."
"Ah!" said a surprised Harry. "I should have thought and come with him."
"That would not have been proper, Lord Potter," he said right back. "It could have been perceived as you interfering with a witness."
Harry nodded, understanding.
When the session came to order, Miles Ogden banged his gavel and called for the accused. They were starting with Algernon Rosier.
Frank immediately stood, stated he would be a witness and was recusing himself and headed for the witness isolation rooms.
As they were all settling down, Rosier was brought in.
As Madam Bones had already informed those who needed to know, Rosier immediately admitted guilt to the charges he claimed he would, but not the charges he claimed he wouldn't due to 'extenuating circumstances'.
Though he was pureblood he asked to take Veritaserum, just as Sirius did for his own trial, with it being allowed. That the charges were in relation to actions against a then Heir Apparent of one of the Seven is what got it through.
Of course, the court case was a foregone conclusion; guilty where he pleaded guilty and not guilty where he pleaded not guilty. However, the sentencing was not.
After the silencing wards went up to block sound from the tiers being heard outside them, Ogden said, "Right. What do we do with him?"
"He is clearly remorseful of his actions," said one of the Neutrals. "He pleaded and admitted guilt where it was warranted and accepts he placed the young Heir Apparent of the House in jeopardy. I urge leniency."
As the discussion went on, Harry asked for and got the call. "The Heir Apparent you're referring to has a name; Neville Longbottom. Mister Rosier deliberately placed his life at great risk on both occasions. I also remind you that, at the time, he was also considered the last of the line of a Noble and Most Ancient House. Should anything have happened to young Neville, we may have lost one of the Seven. That is a travesty that cannot ever be allowed, or excused.
"His actions demand jail time, even if he has later admitted guilt and shown remorse. He did not do such until he was called on it. If he was truly remorseful, he would have come forward on his own long before now.
"I suggest five years minimum security at a minimum. I, for one, will countenance no less. This body must show it takes its responsibility to the security of the realm, most gravely."
Harry received a fair bit of approbation for that call.
"Five is insufficient," stated another. "I would consider five would be the minimum for only once exercising such poor judgement. I call for ten, but acknowledge the call for minimum security."
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