Chapter 372

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The headmaster's office has hardly changed over the past time, but there are definitely more wizards now. In the chair in front of the headmaster sat a stately lady of indeterminate age. Her facial features were predatory and a little sharp, a mixture of typical English and Finnish appearance, which did not spoil her in the slightest. Under the tightly wrapped black robe, only low-heeled boots could be seen. A little further away, as if put in a corner as punishment, stood Moody and Nymphadora. Dumbledore looked at them reproachfully, but this only worked on Tonks, causing a completely opposite effect in Moody — he only looked back defiantly, leaning on his staff.

"Ah, Mr. Knight, Mr. Guber," the headmaster turned his attention to us without a smile, inviting us to pass. "That will be all, Minerva. I won't distract you from patrolling."

As soon as Professor McGonagall left the office, Amelia Bones — it was definitely her, I saw her photo — looked at me very sternly and displeased.

"I'm very curious to know," she spoke in a voice literally freezing through, "for what reason are these two valiant law enforcement officers, with papers, almost storming my house?"

"A matter of urgent importance, Madame Bones," I nodded.

"What could possibly be the occasion for such a thing?"

"I, too," the headmaster leaned back in his chair, folding his arms together, "would love to hear it."

For the umpteenth time in the last 24 hours, I have retold the essence of the situation that happened, but now I have also added the reasons for my haste — whoever succeeds first has the advantage. Mr. Guber, by the way, at the very beginning of the conversation, took a sitting position on one of the chairs, listening with ecstasy and, apparently, trying to find out the missing details.

"The essence of the current situation is clear to me. Out of respect for Alastor, as a professional in his field, and since I allowed myself to be dragged out of the house at such a late time, then so be it, I will sign and accept your application."

Hearing this, Nymphadora smiled, and with a victorious gesture, gave out a silent, "Yesss." Moody grinned.

"Why don't you sit down?" the headmaster turned to Moody.

" I'd rather stand," the retired auror croaked. "Overview is better this way."

"However," Madame Bones continued her thought while Mr. Guber rose from his chair and began laying out on the table before the head of the DMLE the materials he had gathered. "I must disappoint you. Cases like this are handled by the Wizengamot in a small group, and it consists mostly of members of old families with rather radical views and supporters of Minister Fudge. You must realize that this case will not be heard in your favor, and there's nothing I can do about it. The task of the DMLE in such matters is to collect data and bring charges, along with the provision of case materials."

"That's where you're wrong, with all due respect," Mr. Guber spoke up as he took his seat. "My client has the status of a member of the Wizengamot. In the case, in the role of the victim, and in the case of a counterclaim — the accused, his official ward acts, all responsibility for whose actions is assumed by my client."

"Um... Excuse me, Mr. Guber, but who are we talking about?" Madame Bones clearly did not understand the essence of the unfolding dialogue.

"And I think," smiled the headmaster, "I get it. You, Mr. Knight, should be congratulated, but I, with your permission, I can only sympathize."

"Maybe someone will explain to me too?" Madame Bones looked around with a displeased glance.

"Allow me," I began to pull out the parchment I had received from the Heritage Hall and with it the mentoring contract. "I am the official representative of the House of Black interests at Wizengamot. Here is the relevant document, created and certified according to all the rules in the Heritage Hall. And here is the mentoring contract with Hermione Jean Granger."

I put the documents on the table in front of Madame Bones, and in doing so, I aroused her keenest interest, as well as that of Moody and Nymphadora. After examining the documents thoroughly, Madame Bones looked at me again.

"May I make copies and attach them to the case file?"

"Of course."

A couple of wand swings and copies of the documents lay on the table next to the originals.

"In this case, "said the head of the DMLE, "things are changing dramatically. If a member of the Wizengamot is directly involved in the case, then it is considered in full."

"I'm sorry," I decided to clarify some points. "But in one way or another, the case involves children of families whose representatives are members of the Wizengamot. Isn't that a reason for a full meeting?"

"Not at all. This is possible only in the case of a collective petition, and the members of the Wizengamot, whose families include the defendants in the case, are removed from voting and making the final decision. And considering the names of the defendants, a full meeting is unprofitable for them because, in a small meeting, the ratio of their supporters is higher, no matter what anyone says."

"Headmaster," came the gargoyle's mechanical but emotional voice. "A strange pink woman is trying to get in to see you. Should I let her in?"

Dumbledore sighed sadly but only nodded in agreement. Apparently, that was enough.