Harry picks at breakfast nervously before his hearing. He and Mr. Weasley travel on the London Tube and use the visitor’s entrance (via a bewitched phone booth) to reach the Ministry; Mr. Weasley believes that arriving in a non-magical manner would aid Harry’s cause, given that he is on trial for the underage use of magic.

They arrive at the Ministry. Harry makes a silent prayer that he will donate 10 galleons to a wishing well raising money for ill witches and wizards if he is not expelled. Harry’s wand is scanned for its properties, and Mr. Weasley greets several colleagues. They reach Mr. Weasley’s office, greeting Kingsley Shacklebolt on the way—Kingsley and Mr. Weasley feign loud, curt collegial exchanges while secretly whispering more genuine greetings. Mr. Weasley’s colleague, Perkins, arrives in the office to tell Mr. Weasley and Harry that the time and location of Harry’s trial have moved; it is starting imminently.

Panicked, Mr. Weasley and Harry hurry down to the courtroom. They reach the courtroom door. Mr. Weasley, who is not allowed to attend, wishes Harry luck. Terrified, Harry enters the courtroom.