Disclaimer: I do not own, in any form, shape or fashion, Harry Potter, Hogwarts, or any other of Ms. Rowling's marvelous works. If I did, I would be rich, and Ron would not be married to Hermione. Injustice! This work of fiction is an answer to Pendragon's Lord Potter story challenge. Author's Note: Much of this chapter was drawn from HPOotP chapter 8: The Hearing pp 137-151 (US paperback) to get an accurate representation of the trial. My wife and I are working on this in tandem; if anyone is interested in acting as a beta, please contact me.

Harry Potter and Adventures in Lordship

Chapter One: Susan

Susan squirmed in the hard guest seat towards the back of the Wizengamot. Aunt Amelia hadn't wanted her to come today.

"This is too personal for you. I don't want you getting upset during the trial and causing a scene," said Amelia.

"How am I supposed to learn self-discipline if I'm never allowed in a position that's taxing? I have to know what they are going to say about Harry! This is my life, my future we're talking about here, and I've got to know how Harry is going to behave before a group of his peers. Besides, if he's found guilty we'll need to start the dissolution papers."

And so Susan had won her place in the back of the court. She shifted again, waiting impatiently for Harry to arrive. She knew Fudge had moved up the time of the trial trying to catch Harry and Professor Dumbledore off-balance, and she found it smacking of underhandedness. That cad. Besides having poor Harry before the whole Wizengamot over a little under-age magic, when it usually don't rate more than a tribunal hearing! Hope old Dumble's heard about it and manages to get down here fast.

"Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot, it is now eight am, and Mr. Potter is officially late for his hearing regarding the usage of underage magic and breaking the Statue of Secrecy. An owl was sent to Mr. Potter to let him know of the change in time and location of the hearing," Cornelius Fudge announced pompously.

Right, I'm sure you sent the owl five minutes ago, you old rat.

Murmuring and whispered conversation broke out among the members of the Wizengamot. Susan shifted again in her chair, smoothed her hair, straightened her robes, looked at her watch. Time killing. Ah, it's still only been a minute past Fudge announced the time and that Harry's late. Just as Susan was about to reach into her handbag and retrieve a nail file, the door into the room burst open, and a distressed Harry Potter was shoved into the room by—was that Arthur Weasley?

"You're late, Mr. Potter," Fudge announced in a booming voice.

"I, ah, I'm sorry, sir. I didn't realize that the time and place had changed," Harry replied, licking his lips.

"That is no fault of the Wizengamot. An owl was sent this morning to notify you. Sit."

Susan leaned forward, watching apprehensively as Harry approached the Accused's Chair. Harry hesitated for a moment, eyeing the heavy chains around the chair nervously, then sat gingerly on the edge of the seat. Susan let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding as the chains clinked and rattled, then silenced. Susan glanced up at her aunt, sitting to the left of Fudge. Amelia's focus was solely on Harry, so Susan turned her gaze back to him, also.

"Very well, the accused being present- finally- let us begin…."

As Fudge began the long-winded preliminaries of the hearing, Susan sat back in her chair, turning her gaze from Harry—he wasn't doing any tricks, she couldn't see why Aunt Amelia was starting at him so intently—and instead began studying the members of the Wizengamot. Minister Fudge, of course, leading the hearing, and that Umbridge woman, ugh, can't stand her; there's Mr. Ogden, he's a nice man; oh, and Percy Weasley, that speccy git, I can't believe how he's treating his family, and there's Mrs…

"- Bryan Dumbledore, witness for the defense." Susan's head jerked back towards Harry, cutting off her train of thought. Dumbledore strode serenely across the room, stopping by Harry.

He always manages to look so calm! And Fudge looks like he's about to have kittens. This should prove interesting after all. Susan's mouth quirked into a smirking grin, as she settled in to watch the show.

"Ah, Headmaster Dumbledore- er, it's so good to see that, ah, you got that message we sent to you. Er, the one about the hearing—and, and, the time change," Fudge stuttered out.

"I seem to have missed that message entirely," Dumbledore cut off Fudge's stammering smoothly. "How fortunate that due to a lucky mistake I arrived at the Ministry three hours early."

Fudge grimaced. "Well—yes, ah, I suppose we'll need another chair. Weasley— ?"

"Not to worry, Cornelius," said Dumbledore pleasantly, as drew out his wand and conjured himself a plump armchair. Wish I had a plushy armchair, thought Susan wistfully. Dumbledore sat down, and looked up at Fudge and the rest of the Wizengamot with polite interest. Most of the group was still whispering and fidgeting.

"Yes, ah, yes, well then." Fudge began shuffling his notes, and the rest of the Wizengamot began to settle down. "The charges. Yes." He drew out a piece of parchment, and began to read it carefully. "The charges against the accused are as follows: That he did knowing, deliberately, and in full awareness of the illegality of his actions, having received a previous written warning from the Ministry of Magic on a similar charge, produce a Patronus Charm in a Muggle-inhabited area, in the presence of a Muggle, on August the second at twenty-three minutes past nine, which constitutes an offense under paragraph C of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875, and also under section thirteen of the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy." Here Fudge drew in a great breath, and looked down at Harry. Harry's face was livid red, his eyes narrow and angry.

"You are Harry James Potter, of number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surry?" Fudge asked, peering over his parchment.

"Yes," Harry said reasonably.

"You received an official warning from the Ministry for using illegal magic three years ago, did you not?"

"Yes, but –"

"And yet you conjured a Patronus on the night of the second of August?" asked Fudge.

"Well, yes," replied Harry, "but you see—"

"Knowing that you are not permitted to use magic outside school while you are under the age of seventeen?" Fudge demanded.

"Now listen here, Fudge!" Harry snapped. "I am trying to answer your questions, but you keep cutting me off! Three years ago I got a warning from the Ministry, but a house-elf was the one doing the magic. And I conjured a Patronus on August second outside of school and before a Muggle—a Muggle that is my cousin and therefore knows that I am a wizard, I might add—because there was a ruddy DEMENTOR right there, getting ready to SUCK OUT HIS SOUL. Or does the Ministry approve the removal of Muggles' souls?" Harry ended his tirade, face red and breathing heavily. "I would gladly submit to a trial by Veritaserum if it would assure the Wizengamot of my truthfulness on EVERYTHING, Minister Fudge. And I do mean everything."

"I don't know that is entirely necessary, Mr. Potter," Fudge replied quickly. "Veritaserum is rather hard on Ministry funds."

"Minister Fudge, I would insist that the council be assured of my truthfulness; I will pay out of my own funds the expense of the Veritaserum," Harry countered smoothly.

Susan about fell out of her chair. Either Fudge will press on to the testimony of a witness, or allow the Veritaserum. Last year he was chomping at the bit to get some of that down Harry's throat. If he does it now, he might not like what he hears. And offering to pay for it! Well played, Harry. There might be hope for you yet.

"This is preposterous! We can't let a boy march in here and tell us how to run the Wizengamot! Sit down, Potter, and let this hearing get on with," Fudge boomed, his ears turning red.

Amelia Bones looked at Fudge, then at Harry, and then at Fudge again. "Mr. Potter, if you insist on Veritaserum, I feel bound to tell you that sometimes one will tell something that they would otherwise keep to themselves."

"Madame Bones, I only want to clear my name. I would gladly pay the cost and take my chances rather than let my name be drug through muck. Besides, when one is willing to tell the truth, two drops will force the drinker to wholly and truthfully answer any questions. Only when three drops are giving will one unwitting spill more private thoughts and secrets." Harry looked over the Wizengamot, measuring each member. Fudge sputtered, enraged.

"Very well. Scribe, let it be noted that the Accused wishes to be tested with Veritaserum. Let it be brought and measured before the whole court so that we may see truth and justice done," Amelia Bones intoned. Percy scribbled furiously on his parchment, and then summoned an elf. "Please fetch me a vial of Veritaserum."

The elf nodded and popped out of the room. A moment later the elf returned, bearing a vial of clear liquid. Amelia took the vial and looked at Harry.

"Come here, Mr. Potter."

Harry stood and walked over to Amelia.

"Do you, Harry James Potter, understand that you are being given Veritaserum to testify to your truthfulness before the Wizengamot?"

"I understand, Madam Bones."

Amelia nodded thoughtfully, and carefully dropped two drops of the shimmering liquid on Harry's tongue. Harry shuddered, and his eyes unfocused and refocused.

"Mr. Potter, we will resume the line of questioning now. You said you conjured a Patronus on the second of August because there was a Dementor?" Amelia questioned.

"No, there were two Dementors. Dudley couldn't see them, but I could. He fell down, and the Dementors closed around him; they were going to Kiss him. Even though it was August, it felt like January."

"And you conjured a full fledged Patronus? Not just a puff of smoke?" Amelia looked skeptical.

"Yes ma'am. It's a stag. Would you like me to demonstrate?" Harry asked cheekily. Amelia's look changed from skeptical to approving.

Susan watched the questioning avidly; she noticed several members of the Wizengamot had amazed looks on their faces, while others looked distinctly displeased. A few of them were scribbling on parchment surreptitiously, and passing notes to their neighbors.

"No, thank you. I must say, that's impressive for a fourth year Hogwart's student."

"Well, I found it prudent to become proficient the year that they were guarding the school. I react badly to them, and had a few run-ins while they were on the grounds. Professor Lupin taught me how to cast the charm."

"I see. Now, were you responsible three years ago for the hovering charm at Four Privet Drive?"

"No ma'am. A house-elf named Dobby cast that charm."

"Very well. Was the elf from a friend of yours?"

"Most assuredly not. Dobby thought it best that I not return to Hogwarts that year. His old master didn't like me that much. He was afraid I would get hurt." Harry smirked.

"I fail to see how this is relevant to this case, Madame Bones!" shouted Fudge.

"Only going back to gather my previous truthfulness when you had me painted guilty, Minister Fudge," Harry smarted. "After all, you are the one who introduced this line of questioning."

"He's quite right, Cornelius. And you'll note that the Ministry Sneakscope hasn't gone off even once. He's telling the truth. You've judged this young man harshly and unfairly." Dumbledore stood up from his chair. "Or would you rather we gather the other witnesses for the Defense? I could summon the house-elf in a moment, and I have a witness to the August second attack on Mr. Potter waiting outside."

"No, no, Dumbledore, that's quite alright." Fudge couldn't say it fast enough. "I suppose now would be the appropriate time to vote for Mr. Potter's guilt or innocence." Fudge sighed, but Susan could see the toad-like witch, Umbridge, fuming, her mouth tight-lipped. Wonder what's got her knickers in a bunch?

"Would all those finding Harry James Potter guilty of underage magic and breaking the Statute of Secrecy please raise their hands?" A scant dozen of the Wizengamot raised their hands. Fudge, Umbridge, McNair, the Malfoy vote, Crabbe, the Goyle vote; all the others voting are in Malfoy's pocketbook. Of course they'd vote guilty. Susan snorted indignantly.

"Duly noted. Would all those in favour of acquitting Mr. Potter of these charges please raise their hand?" Fudge's voice held a note of disappointment. The rest of the Wizengamot raised their hands. Harry, a cheeky grin on his face, raised his hand, too.

"Mr. Potter, I regret to inform you that, as the defendant of this trial, you are not allowed your family's Wizengamot seat vote."Amelia frowned.

"My WHAT?" Harry asked, his eyebrows nearly reaching his hair line.