Ambrose Flume and his wife ran a sweetshop in Hogsmeade Village, one with a modest reputation in the wizarding world and especially beloved by young wizards.
All three of Harry's group knew him well.
Not only because they often visited his shop, but because there was a secret passage in its storeroom leading to the fourth floor of Hogwarts' main castle—a passage the three of them, along with Fred and George, used frequently.
"Then, Flume—"
Fudge was rather cordial toward this witness. Looking at him kindly, he said,
"Please tell the members of the Wizengamot jury whether you know the three defendants behind you."
Flume looked back at Harry, his expression full of reluctance, but he still nodded.
"Yes, Minister. They are Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. They are Hogwarts students. Like everyone else, they often visited my little shop."
For the moment, no one offered an opinion. Madam Bones merely watched Flume sternly.
"Flume, do you recall the three defendants visiting your shop on January twenty-seventh of this year?"
Fudge continued.
"Yes, I remember."
Flume bowed toward Fudge.
"Flume—"
Suspicion flashed in Madam Bones's eyes.
"As far as I know, your sweetshop is very popular with young wizards, and many students visit on every business day. How do you remember these three defendants coming to your shop half a year ago?"
Harry's mouth fell open as memories he had nearly forgotten entirely came rushing back. Fear welled in Hermione's brown eyes as she stared blankly at the owner of Honeydukes, as though she too had recalled something.
"Because Mr. Potter was very generous that day—"
Flume said, panting slightly.
"No student has spent that much gold in my shop in a single visit this year. Thirty Gold Galleons, plus five Silver Sickles and twelve Copper Knuts. It