Ripples of magic spread outward, making the chandelier illuminating the narrow corridor outside the old house's entrance creak as its light flickered uncertainly.
Harry blinked hard. Before he could adjust to the gloom inside Sirius's old house, a figure rushed straight at him and wrapped him in a crushing grip around the neck.
"Oh, you're here, Harry! How are you? We all heard about it! Did they hurt you? The Ministry of Magic has gone too far this time. It was completely improper—they didn't produce any evidence at all. It's just their word against yours!"
Listening to Hermione's somewhat disjointed stream of words, Harry felt a surge of warmth drive away the chill of knowing that the Minister for Magic had personally slandered him.
"Oh, let him go, Hermione. You're going to strangle him to death."
Ron emerged from the crowd as well. Harry looked at him and saw that although Ron was fairly composed, his face was deathly pale.
There were more than just two people in the corridor. Aside from Mr. Weasley and his two eldest sons, the entire Weasley family was here.
Every one of them looked at him with concern, especially Ginny, whose expression was downright heart-wrenching.
"You're all here?"
Amosta asked in surprise, looking at the Weasley children.
"Oh, after you left last night, Arthur and I discussed it. Since there are only a few days until summer break and their exams are over, we brought them all here. Sirius also hoped the place would be a little livelier—"
Mrs. Weasley said. Once Hermione released Harry, she hurried over and gave him a hug.
"We were having breakfast when Arthur suddenly sent word that the Minister for Magic had declared he'd dispatched Aurors to arrest you. The Ministry is utterly disgraceful! There has never been