Chapter 28: The Trial P1

'Breathe in…. Breath out…'

'Breathe in... Breathe out...'

This is not exactly the difficult part of Occlumency training. This was just the exercise for throwing distractive thoughts out of the head.

Occlumency at its basic form is essentially a way to create a thin space between memory and mind. Essentially, Occlumency's goal is to release the mind from the clutches of memory. A mind that's not entangled with the memory of the brain or instincts attains a certain finesse in intelligence. The mind, in such a stage, transcends the intellect and becomes something more. An intelligence that is untarnished by the baggage of memory and impressions gathered by the mind based on that memory.

Such intelligence or the untainted portion of the mind is difficult to cultivate. Mostly because of the enormous influence memory holds over the mind. Harry would have continued to believe Occlumency was just the art of clearing the mind of emotions and thoughts.

But no. It is so much more.

To truly understand how Occlumency works one must have a rudimentary understanding of Leglimency.

Leglimency is the art of invading a mind. But, just simply using Leglimency is not possible. A wizard has to seek something while using Leglimency. This means, at the tip of the Leglimency probe there is an intent that's dipped in memory.

For example, if Harry wanted to know what Neville had for breakfast on January 2 then he has to be specific about the date, the term breakfast and a general time range of the event. Without these thoughts pushing into the probe, the Leglimency attack simply falters and would find some random memory that's floating in Neville's mind. Or, it's also possible that Harry may not even stumble upon an original memory at all. The mind is immensely complex. It could be entirely possible that Neville's mind shows him the ideal breakfast according to Neville. It'd be a false memory but that's how the mind works. It's incredibly complex and versatile.

According to Slytherin's works on the mind arts, this dynamic and evolving art originated in the land of Nagas. Harry was not exactly certain which place Slytherin was talking about in his books but Slytherin seems to have learned a rudimentary form of Occlumency from these Nagas. The Nagas might be some magical tribe because Slytherin describes them as enlightened wizards. Harry got no idea what Slytherin meant but the Hogwarts founder based his knowledge of the Mind Arts on the knowledge he gleaned from the Nagas.

After fifteen minutes of meditation, Harry opened his eyes and readily jumped into the pool provided by the Room of Requirement.

Clearing the mind of all emotions seems to be a lot of work. It sounds easy in theory but it's a tough task to accomplish. Harry had thought the aura stabilization ritual would make it easier to learn Occlumency.

But, no such luck.

The ritual worked strictly as it was described in Slytherin's book. It sharpened Harry's magic to the point it cost him less magic to cast a spell. His magic no longer behaved like a turbulent river but a placid stream. A useful trick, no doubt, but Harry remained frustrated because of any lack of progress in clearing his mind.

Casting the bubblehead charm on himself, Harry plunged into the depths of the pool.

'Maybe, I need a training partner.' Harry mused.

When that realization set in Harry took his leave.

It was fairly an uneventful day except for the fact that tomorrow the Wizengamot will be in full session for Sirius' trial. A trial that has garnered wild attention even from beyond the borders of the British Isles. It has become a national embarrassment of sorts and the Ministry was being pressured by the ICW as well. The revelation that a Pureblood wizard, especially the heir of a prominent family like the Blacks, was denied a trial sort of dented the Ministry's image abroad. The Ministry has been weathering the whole event by insisting Sirius has always been a follower of the Dark Lord. Of course, Malfoy had a part in that narrative.

However, the situation has changed radically in the span of two weeks.

Malfoy was now penniless because of Harry's plan. The head of House Malfoy defaulted on the full payment as per the contract. The resulting breach of the contract has let the fines kick in and Malfoy was now in a bottomless hole of debt. Once the Ministry realised Malfoy has no chance of crawling out of the debt they dumped him. The resulting reaction from the Ministry saw Lucius being dumped in a holding cell of the DMLE on charges of threatening Ministry officials and attempted bribery. Those charges were not exactly going to hold Lucius indefinitely nor was he going to spend months in Azkaban.

However, Harry could see a scenario where he could use this to his advantage. If he could push his luck with Amelia Bones he could neutralize a lot of Death Eaters before they join Voldemort. Then again, putting them all in Azkaban is not exactly a solution.

'Hmm... This is far more complicated than I thought.' Harry mused.

"Potter! Don't just stare vacantly in the middle of practice. Keep your head in the game." Angelina shouted at Harry as she flew past him on her broom.

Harry suddenly had an epiphany and ducked just in time for the Quaffle to zoom past over his head into the waiting hands of Katie Bell. From Katie, the Quaffle once again changed hands to Alicia who was pursued by a Bludger courtesy of Fred.

Taking his eyes away from the Chasers he looked for the Snitch that was hiding somewhere around the pitch. He scanned his surrounding for any golden glint but no such luck. Harry suddenly picked up on the buzzing sound of the Snitch from behind which made him turn the Firebolt around. A glint of gold caught his eye and he gave chase.

When the practice was finally over Harry was ready to fall into a bed and take a nap. But, he was immediately swept away by the guiding hands of Hermione.

"Where are we going?" Harry asked tiredly, struggling to keep up with Hermione's pace.

"I heard Hagrid was present for the sixth years class today." said Hermione.

"He did? Then why was he avoiding us for weeks?"

"I don't know. That's what I intend to find out."

Hermione ran fast covering ground at a pace that baffled Harry and made him winded by the time they finally reached Hagrid's cabin. Unlike the last few weeks, Hagrid's cabin was open with Fang sitting near the entrance.

"Hagrid. Are you there?" Hermione called out while Harry entertained an enthusiastic Fang who welcomed them with a few hearty barks.

"I missed you too Fang." Harry rubbed the head of the enthusiastic trusted companion of Hagrid.

Hagrid appeared by the door, each step shaking the wooden floor.

"Hermione, Harry! C'mon in." said Hagrid, his cheeks taking a rosy tint.

"Where have you been? Why did you lock yourself up in your cabin just because that woman wrote something about you?" asked Hermione, staring up at Hagrid with concern shining through her eyes.

"Nobody wants me 'ere. I know how people look at me and speak about me. Being a half-giant and all..." Hagrid said, letting out a shuddering breath that sounded like a chocked cry to Harry.

"Who told you that? Just because that stupid woman wrote something on that rag of a paper doesn't make you any less Hagrid." said Hermione.

"Besides, who cares what anyone else thinks? We care about you Hagrid and we for one would like our friend back in Hogwarts. Without you Hagrid Hogwarts is not complete." said Harry, patting Hagrid on his elbow.

"It's not that easy Harry. Yeh're not a half-giant."

"True. But, I'm a Half-blood and Hermione is a Muggleborn. We are both looked down on by Pureblood bigots all the time. Does that mean we should pack our stuff and leave Hogwarts? Forget us. Look at Professor Flitwick. He's a half-goblin. You don't see him hiding away because of that do you?"

Hagrid remained unresponsive except for eyes glistering with unshed tears.

"Harry's right. You can't expect everyone to be a bigot Hagrid. There are quite a lot of people I'm sure who treasure you as we do. Surely, you know that Hagrid." said Hermione.

Hagrid, who by then was openly crying wrapped both Hermione and Harry into a hug.

"Dumbledore told me the same yesterday ya know. Great man Dumbledore. Gives people second chances and all. He gave me the Gamekeeper job after I was expelled." said Hagrid, rubbing away his tears.

Hagrid let them go from the hug which was quite a welcome gesture. Harry was nearly choking in Hagrid's binding grip. Hermione was not faring any better. But, Hagrid remained unaware of this little fact and continued on talking.

"My ol' dad used to say 'Do not be ashamed of yourself'. He'd be disappointed if he saw me now. Told me not ter bother those who do not accept me as I am ya know. He was right, my ol' dad. Wise man like Dumbledore." said Hagrid, shaking his large head and taking a seat on a nearby stool.

Hagrid suddenly looked at Harry as if seeing Harry for the first time.

"Ya know Harry. When I first met you, reminded me then and there of little ol' me. Of course, I was not scrawny like you Harry. Was right as tall as my ol' dad. But, my ol' man died when I started Hogwarts. I was an orphan like you Harry. It's been tough, living without my ol' dad." Hagrid reminisced, a faraway look in his eyes.

"Anyway, look at you now. A Champion and all. Tell me, Harry? You'll win this Harry. I know you will. It'd show 'em all... yeh don' ave ter be a pureblood to win. How yeh doing with that egg Harry?"

"I solved it. I'll win the Second Task."

"Good. Yeh show 'em, Harry." Hagrid's joy was quite palpable.

Happy with the confidence Harry was exuding Hagrid happily offered tea which Harry and Hermione readily accepted. Then their conversation shifted to the more interesting topic of Sirius' trial. It was a hot topic of discussion in many magical households. The nature of Sirius' continued evasion from capture and the nature in which he was denied trial coming to light has put a lot of attention on the event. It also helped that Harry was publicly involved in the matter so a whole lot of interest was there to the trial's outcome.

XXXXXXX

When the morning sun took to the sky Harry was ready. He was granted permission by Dumbledore to attend Sirius' trial. Seeing as he was on the witness list for seeing Peter Pettigrew in the flesh Dumbledore could not forbid him from attending the trial.

So, early morning Harry came prim and proper with a decent attire for the event. He wore classic black pants with black boots. A white shirt and a navy blue sleeves jacket over the shirt. To look the part of a wizard he had to drape a cloak over his shoulder which was of a dark green shade. All in all, he looked like he was going to a Halloween party.

At sharp nine, he was present before the gargoyle that led to Dumbledore's office.

"Toffee beans."

The gargoyle slid away to show him the stairs. Harry climbed the stairs to the office and just before he could knock on the door it swung open.

"Come in Harry."

Dumbledore sat behind his ornate desk with Fawkes observing everything silently from his perch.

"Good morning Headmaster Dumbledore." Harry greeted, carefully shifting his eyes from time to time. Just because the trial was happening doesn't mean he was willing to let his guard down around Dumbledore.

"Good morning to you as well Harry. So, how will our plans be today morning? Do we need to collect Sirius before we arrive at the Ministry?"

"Arrangements have been made for Sirius' arrival. First, I need to confirm the trial will happen at the given time before Sirius can be produced at the Ministry." said Harry.

"A prudent measure. Then I suppose you are in favour of not delaying our departure to the Ministry? Mrs Tonks should be waiting for our arrival."

Harry just nodded showing his approval.

"I assume you are familiar with the floo?"

Harry nodded and Dumbledore was the first to leave in a shower of green flames through the floo. Harry followed suit and he stepped into the Ministry atrium. Harry immediately took note of the statues of the famed Fountain of Magical Brethren. Hermione was talking about the Fountain the whole night reading about it in some book or other. The Ministry atrium was quite packed with people and their arrival did not go unnoticed. Whispers and curious eyes followed their movements every step of the way.

Harry wondered how they are going to find Andromeda Tonks in this right mess especially when Dumbledore was being greeted by every wizard and witch in the Ministry. Even Harry was not spared the attention as he was also forced to exchange some hasty greetings with people he has never met.

Somehow they managed to traverse through the crowd and locate Andromeda Tonks. Sirius' attorney was not quite alone as Harry assumed. Accompanying Andromeda Tonks was the most beautiful woman Harry ever laid eyes on. He especially liked the pink strands of hair flowing out of the woman's head. They looked like long stripes made of Sakura petals.

"So, you are the one who's driving my boss up the wall with all the trouble you made with Malfoy and Sirius." said the pink-haired woman.

"Nymphadora!" Andromeda warned with a glare.

"Hey, I had to put up extra hours because boss-lady had us working round the clock. All because the chaos unleashed by this guy had us Aurors scrambling in all directions." said Nymphadora Tonks pointing at Harry.

Harry didn't pay that any mind as he was in a world of his own mostly impaired of speech by the sheer beauty and the bubbly aura of Nymphadora Tonks.

Suddenly, Harry was thrust back into reality when Nymphadora held out her hand with a smile on her face.

"Wotcher Harry. You can call me Tonks. Just Tonks."

Struck by the convergence of everything that was happening around him Harry blurted out the first thing that came to his mind.

"You are so beautiful."

The second those words were out of his mouth he was mortified. Now, he understood how Ron felt that day when the red-head asked out Fleur Delecour.

AN:

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