At Hogwarts, almost everyone knew not to try trading barbs with Harry.
The guy was an old hand at sarcasm.
Hadn't a certain Slytherin student been verbally demolished so badly several times that he questioned his life? Then he had lashed out in anger, only to be beaten until he questioned his life all over again.
The people at the Ministry of Magic had no such experience, so Umbridge had no defense whatsoever against Harry's sarcasm and nearly coughed up blood.
She pointed a short, stubby finger at Harry, her whole body trembling.
Harry did not care in the slightest. He even put on a cute, innocent expression. His face, which could still be described as pretty even at fifteen, was highly deceptive.
"That won't be necessary," Fudge said viciously through gritted teeth.
Harry and Sirius had already been checked when they entered the Ministry of Magic. The golden, rod-like detection device had been given the ability to detect Polyjuice Potion last month...
"I was just making a suggestion." Harry spread his hands, infuriating Fudge so much that he had to take two deep breaths in succession before he could temporarily suppress his irritation.
Then he continued, "Are you aware that underage wizards are forbidden to use magic outside Hogwarts, and that magic must not be used in front of Muggles?"
"Yes, but..." Harry nodded, wanting to explain the circumstances.
"And yet you conjured a Patronus with magic on the evening of August second?" Fudge interrupted Harry.
"Yes, but..."
"You used magic despite knowing perfectly well that it was illegal?"
"But..."
"You were fully aware that there was a Muggle right beside you?"
Harry leaned back in his chair and stopped speaking.
Fudge frowned slightly. "Why aren't you answering my question?"
"This is a hearing, not a trial. You keep