RNP Chapter 274 Harry's Hearing
Chapter 274 Harry's Hearing
Sirius knew in his heart that his behavior today was indeed inappropriate, so when faced with Mrs. Weasley's words, he did not talk back as usual, but just sat quietly and finished the food on the table.
His movements were quiet, as if he wanted to cover up his previous lapse in composure.
Harry stood to the side, and although he had some doubts about some of his godfather's actions, he was, after all, just a junior and felt there was no need to press his godfather for answers.
Seeing that the elders had quieted down and stopped talking, he lowered his head and quietly ate the food in his hands.
However, he lost his appetite and his thoughts drifted away, and he began to miss Ayers.
Ayers' warm smile and sincere words flashed through his mind like scenes from a movie, bringing him a sense of comfort.
Hermione, Ron, and youngest Ginny sat to the side, barely daring to breathe.
They could feel the low pressure permeating the air around them, as if an invisible boulder was pressing down on their hearts.
Hermione gripped her fork tightly, her eyes darting between the crowd, wanting to say something to break the awkward silence, but ultimately held back.
Ron kept his head down, focused on the food in front of him, mechanically stuffing it into his mouth, as if trying to escape the suffocating atmosphere.
Ginny was even quieter, her eyes wide open as she cautiously observed everything around her, afraid that she might accidentally cause some trouble.
The restaurant was extremely quiet; the only sounds were the clinking of cutlery against plates and the occasional swallowing.
Everyone was lost in their own thoughts, and no one broke the silence.
Mrs. Weasley watched this scene and sighed softly.
"Hurry up and finish eating, then go upstairs and play. I'll take care of the rest." Mrs. Weasley changed the subject. Neither she nor Sirius wanted to say anything more, so they could only urge the little ones to finish eating and go play.
Harry and the others could sense a different atmosphere, and they quickly finished their meal and left.
Back on my side, when I returned to my own villa, I couldn't be bothered with Sirius's behavior at all.
I immediately informed Butler Chen: "Butler Chen, go and handle the Ministry of Magic's hearing regarding Harry right now. Use all your connections to get this hearing done. I will not allow anything to happen to Harry."
Butler Chen bowed slightly, his face as composed as ever: "Young Master, rest assured, I will take care of it right away. I will use our connections in the Ministry of Magic to understand the specifics of the hearing and negotiate effectively with the relevant personnel. However, the situation at the Ministry of Magic is complex, and I cannot guarantee that things will go exactly as we wish, but I will do my utmost."
I nodded: "I'm giving you the highest authority. I don't want to hear any fabricated charges against Harry. Pay close attention to the hearing process and rules, and if there's anything you can work around, try to get it done."
After receiving the order, Butler Chen acted swiftly.
I calmly directed Butler Chen to do his work in the villa.
The Minister of Magic still dares to touch my people? Looks like he really has nothing better to do.
With a red glint in my eyes, I sat on the brightly lit sofa in the hall, listening to Butler Chen's report.
"Young Master, I've spoken with several influential people in the Ministry of Magic. They said they'd consider this matter objectively at the hearing and are willing to put in a good word for us. However, the higher-ups at the Ministry of Magic seem to have their own considerations, so we need to keep looking for solutions," Butler Chen reported.
I frowned: "Those guys are really cunning old foxes. Tell them that Harry is under my protection. If they dare to cause trouble for him, they'd better think twice before they get the chance to handle my wrath."
"Yes, young master, I will definitely convey your message to them." Butler Chen bowed respectfully and withdrew.
The next morning, Harry got up early, feeling both nervous and excited.
He was nervous about the upcoming hearing at the Ministry of Magic, unsure of what the outcome would be; he was excited because he finally had the chance to step into the mysterious Ministry of Magic, the core of power in the magical world, a place full of unknowns and mysteries.
Mr. Arthur Weasley appeared before Harry on time, with a gentle smile on his face, trying his best to put Harry at ease.
“Don’t worry, Harry, everything will be alright.” He patted Harry on the shoulder, then led him through the fireplace, the Floo Network quickly transporting them to the Ministry of Magic.
When Harry stepped out of the fireplace and stood in the hall of the Ministry of Magic, he was deeply shocked by what he saw.
Huge marble columns support the towering dome, and lifelike statues of various magical creatures illuminate the entire hall with soft magical light.
Wizards and witches dressed in various styles hurried about, some talking, some using magical items, creating a busy and fantastical scene.
Arthur led Harry to the hearing venue.
Along the way, Harry looked around curiously, observing the amazing facilities and strange magical phenomena.
He saw a talking fountain, with statues representing different magical races, constantly spouting water and speaking various languages; he also saw a mysterious elevator that could automatically adjust its floors using magic.
"Master Harry." Just as Harry was observing the scenery around him, he heard a familiar voice calling him from behind.
"Butler Chen? What are you doing here?" Harry was surprised when he saw who it was. He didn't expect that the butler of the Ayers family was also from this magical world.
Mr. Arthur Weasley also looked at the very gentlemanly old butler with curiosity.
“I’ve been waiting for you here for a long time. I just received a notification that your hearing time and location have been changed. Judging from your expressions, you must not have received the information yet.” Butler Chen walked ahead, turning back to look at Mr. Arthur Weasley and Harry, his meaning clear: he wanted them to follow him to the hearing.
"How could this be so sudden? We certainly didn't receive any notification." Mr. Arthur Weasley was truly surprised by this; he wouldn't have known if Butler Chen hadn't mentioned it.
“We can’t guess why the Minister of Magic would do this. Fortunately, the young master has had me keep an eye on this matter since yesterday. I’ll take you to the hearing now.” Butler Chen unconsciously quickened his pace.
"Very well, thank you so much, young master. By the way, I still don't know whose butler you are, Butler Chen?" Mr. Arthur Weasley finally realized that he didn't know whose family the other party belonged to, and so he took Harry and followed along.
"Butler Chen is from the Ayers family, I really have to thank Ayers." Harry felt a warmth in his heart, he really didn't expect Ayers to care so much about his affairs.
"Young Master Harry Potter, please rest assured. Just tell me the truth in a moment. My master has already taken care of everything." Butler Chen knew how to get things done; he didn't forget to curry favor with me, the master.
"Okay." Harry, who had been feeling quite uncertain, was now truly at ease, and his heart was filled with thoughts of that person.
Finally, at the last minute, they arrived at the hearing room.
The room contained a long table, around which sat some serious-looking Ministry of Magic officials.
Harry took a deep breath and followed Arthur to the designated spot to sit down.
After the hearing began, the officials started questioning Harry about his use of magic.
Harry tried to remain calm and recounted in detail his encounter with the Dementors on Privet Drive.
During the hearing, Harry noticed that the atmosphere at the Ministry of Magic was somewhat oppressive and serious.
The officials all looked somber; they seemed more concerned with following the rules than with Harry's ordeal.
Harry couldn't help but feel worried, fearing that he would be severely punished for using magic this time.
However, as the hearings progressed, Mr. Arthur Weasley and some other Harry supporters came forward to defend him.
They emphasized the dangerous situation Harry faced at the time and the justification for using magic to protect himself.
Thanks to everyone's efforts, the situation at the hearing gradually took a turn for the better.
Ultimately, after heated discussions, Ministry of Magic officials announced that they were dropping the charges against Harry for using magic.
Harry felt a huge weight lifted from his shoulders, and he looked gratefully at Mr. Arthur Weasley and the others who had helped him.
As Harry walked out of the hearing room, he felt a cold sweat break out all over his body.
“Harry, it’s alright.” Mr. Arthur Weasley walked over and gently patted Harry on the back to comfort him.
Having regained his composure, Harry looked up and around, and to his surprise, he saw the figure he had been longing for.
"Excuse me, Mr. Arthur Weasley, I think I see someone I know. I'll be back later tonight." Harry suddenly ran quickly toward the familiar figure.
"Wait, Harry, don't run around like that!" Mr. Arthur Weasley saw Harry suddenly run off and was about to chase after him.
“Mr. Arthur Weasley, I don’t think you need to worry too much about Master Harry Potter. The one he ran after should be my master.” Butler Chen raised the scepter he was holding to stop Arthur Weasley from chasing after him.
Butler Chen is very capable. His young master also needs to be affectionate with his lover, and he will handle those who get in his way.
“Alright, I’ll head back now. Please look after Harry, Butler Chen.” Mr. Arthur Weasley was relieved to hear that Harry was going to see Ayers, and then turned and left.
“I will.” Butler Chen smiled and bowed at a 45-degree angle, watching Mr. Arthur Weasley leave. Then he stood there with his scepter, watching me and Harry from a distance.
As Harry ran over, he finally saw the love of his life.
I was talking to an elderly person, and Harry was a little nervous, unsure whether to walk over or stand still and wait.
I was chatting with someone when I suddenly saw Harry running over. I could only apologize to the person I was chatting with and then walk towards Harry with a smile.
"Come on, let's go home. This isn't the place to chat." Harry was about to say something more to me, but I interrupted him with a smile, took his hand, and prepared to go back to my home.
When Butler Chen saw me take Harry's hand, he knew we were planning to go back, so he went back ahead of us.
I took Harry and planned to go back via the fireplace, since the Ministry of Magic had restricted 'Apparition,' so we could only go via the fireplace.
“Mr. Ayers Hall.” Harry and I were just about to step into the fireplace when we were interrupted by a voice.
"Oh, it's Mr. Lucius Malfoy. Is there something you need?" I looked in the direction of the voice that called me and saw Lucius Malfoy dressed in an exquisitely tailored black robe. Every gesture he made exuded the elegance and arrogance of a nobleman. He gently waved a cane inlaid with gorgeous gemstones in his hand, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
"Long time no see, still as charming as ever." Lucius nodded slightly, his posture resembling that of someone performing a solemn courtly ceremony.
His voice was deep and magnetic, each word seemingly carefully crafted. "I've heard you've been getting quite close to Harry lately. He might not like that."
Lucius raised an eyebrow at Harry standing next to me and gave him a polite smile.
A fierce glint flashed in my eyes, then I smiled and said, "Harry is a very good kid, brave and kind, and I'd love to be around him. Besides, he won't ask me who I'm with."
Lucius sneered, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. "In this complex magical world, kindness doesn't put food on the table. You should know that standing on different sides will lead to drastically different outcomes."
"What? Even that person didn't restrict my freedom, is the Malfoy family head planning to interfere?" I said with a smile.
Lucius slowly walked up to me, his eyes revealing a sense of pressure. "Of course not. Actually, I was just helping him deliver a letter to Mr. Ayers Hall today."
Lucius Malfoy took the pale blue envelope from his pocket and handed it to me.
I wasn't worried about them tampering with the letter; I just took it directly.
Harry, who was standing next to me watching us chat, was a little uncomfortable. He knew who had given Ayers the light blue letter he was holding.
She felt unbalanced and gripped my hand tightly.
"He said he looks forward to your reply, so I'll take my leave now." Having completed the task assigned to him by his master, he turned and left.
“Okay, I’ll write back to him,” I said softly, watching Lucius Malfoy leave.
Whether Lucius Malfoy heard it or not, he left without looking back.
“Ayers~” Harry was about to say something, but I stopped him from speaking with one finger.
“Let’s go back first.” I grabbed Harry again and threw a handful of Floo Powder at the ground. A burst of green fire enveloped us, and then we disappeared into the fireplace in the Ministry of Magic.