Percy

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 166080

Goddlefrood:
> 'Harry -
Dumbledore's just arrived at the Ministry and he's trying to sort it 
all out. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR AUNT AND UNCLE'S HOUSE. DO
NOT DO ANY MORE MAGIC. DO NOT SURRENDER YOUR WAND.
Arthur Weasley

eggplant:
> And then there is the fact that Harry was judged by the FULL 
Wizardmon, something that has not happened in many years, something I 
do no believe a overdue library book would merit, something Author 
Weasley was flabbergasted to discover.

Kemper:
> I can see where a FULL court could lead one to believe that Harry 
was in jeopardy of Azkaban. But my impression of the scene, is that
Fudge is trying to get Harry expelled from attending Hogwarts, to 
shut him up from telling tales of Voldemort's return. <snip>

Carol:
> Yes, that's my impression as well. He's tried before the entire 
Wizengamot, but Fudge is not in charge of sentencing, Madam Bones is.
And Madam Bones, as Tonks states earlier, is strict but fair. Once 
she understands that real Dementors are involved, there's no chance 
for
Harry's conviction. The law still allows minors to perform magic in 
front of Muggles in self-defense. The charges are dropped because the
law itself still provides an escape clause.

Ceridwen:
So, Arthur Weasley tells Harry, after he receives his letters from 
the Ministry, not to leave Privet Drive, and not to surrender his 
wand, because Dumbledore is trying to sort it all out.  When Harry 
comes to the Ministry, he is interviewed by the entire Wizengamot, 
not a three-judge panel, and not a Ministry panel.  He is not 
silenced, because Amelia Bones wishes to hear evidence.  Mrs Figg's 
testimony is allowed.  Harry is exhonorated by the fact that he and 
Dudley, the Muggle witness to Harry's magic, were indeed under attack 
by Dementors.  Harry is free to return to Hogwarts, his wand is not 
broken, he is not even censured or ordered to do community service 
because he hasn't done anything wrong.

So, did Dumbledore fail to sort things out because there was a full 
hearing of the Wizengamot?  Or was he successful?  It worked out 
well, and Madam Bones being "strict but fair" was a large part of 
that.  Since it's the Wizengamot, Fudge is not in charge.  It seems 
to me that a full court was the best and fairest thing for Harry.  

Ceridwen.