The look on Mr. Scrimgeour's face had August feeling better about this than he had before; there was, perhaps, a defense here. Just not one that could get him off on all charges.

"Priori incantatem doesn't go back that far, I'm afraid," August said. "She went to stay with a friend in the Hebrides. Said friend is a healer, tried to do what she could. Then Miss Scrimgeour contacted the aurors."

August added, "If it comes down to it - if the Wizengamot rules to have veritaserum used - how confident are you that you did not cause this?"

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