Hello everybody. This is the new story - this chapter is a little higgledy piggledy but hopefully it all makes sense. This is the result of the poll on my profile, though seeing as only seven people voted i've left it open if anyone wants to go and vote anyway.
So, leave a review please, and I hope it's okay.


"I think the only reason I never lost my mind is that I knew I was innocent. That wasn't a happy thought, so the Dementors couldn't suck it out of me… but it kept me sane and knowing who I am… helped me keep my powers… Sirius Black, Prisoner of Azkaban.

Prologue

The trial of Alice Jones, murderess of her own husband, was about to begin.

Jones had been accused eight years previously, in the middle of You Know Who's reign of terror: 1978. The trial had been hurried, and Jones had never been allowed to defend herself. Her husband had died under suspicious circumstances, likened to those found after the killing curse had been used. The only one around was his muggle-born wife, Alice. Albert Jones had been half-blood: magic father and muggle mother.

Amelia Bones; the new head of the DMLE, had been reading over the trials of those from Voldemort's era, and had come across the case. After performing Priori Incantatem on the accused's wand, which for some reason had never been snapped, she decided to award a retrial. This became an even better idea seeing as the woman was still coherent after spending so long in the presence of Dementors.

The woman was brought in, one of the cruel creatures gripping each of her arms. Her blonde hair was matted and dirty, looking browner in colour thanks to the dirt caked in it. Her face was streaked with filth, and her prisoner's robes were barely grey anymore they were so filthy. Worst of all, she was skeletally thin, struggling to keep up with her guards pace. The woman was in her thirties, but her hair was streaked with white. She was a mess.

Jones was led to a chair in the centre of the courtroom, facing the Wizenagamot. The chains circling the arms of the chair snaked around the prisoner's wrists, restraining her. Jones was calm and unafraid, staring unblinkingly at Madam Bones as the Wizenagamot settled.

"I call the court to order," Madam Bones called in a commanding voice. Pausing to allow the Wizenagamot behind her to fall silent, Amelia regarded the witch in front of her. She didn't seem like a murderess. Amelia had seen many a murderer enter these courts in her days, even before she became head of the DMLE, and this woman didn't have the right demeanour.

Clearing her throat, she began to address the defendant directly.
"Alice Maria Jones, you are called before us today to answer for the murder of your husband, Albert Jones, for which you were tried and found guilty. This is your opportunity to defend yourself." Madam Bones paused, watching for the flicker of understanding on the accused's face. After receiving it, she continued, "You have been accused of knowingly and willingly casting the Avada Kedavra curse upon your husband. How do you plead?"

Jones looked directly at Madam Bones, clearing her throat quietly.

"Not guilty, your honour," she rasped hoarsely.

"Let it be recorded that the defendant pleads 'not guilty'," Amelia spoke, waiting for the scribe's nod before resuming.

"I'm going to ask you some questions Mrs Jones…" Amelia started, before she was interrupted by Jones' lawyer.

"Your honour, my client is willing to answer your questions under the influence of Veritaserum," the man spoke, as loud and clear as Amelia.

Another man rose before Madam Bones could reply.

"Your honour, Jones could know a way to combat the potion. This practice was made redundant in the early 1970s."

"I will allow the use of Veritaserum in this case. The Wizenagamot can make their own decisions on whether it is reliable or not," Madam Bones spoke.

A ministry aid, a young boy, made his way across the courtroom to administer the potion: three drops on Jones' tongue.

"Mrs Jones, where were you on the night of the fifteenth of February, 1978, when your husband was murdered?"

"I was in bed next to him," Jones replied in a monotone voice.

"Did you notice anything unusual before you went to sleep?"

"Albert was wheezing slightly."

"It was you who informed the aurors of his passing was it not?"

"It was."

"When did you realise your husband was dead?"

"When I woke up, je wasn't breathing. His eyes were open and staring."

"What did you do then?"

"I called the aurors."

"Does anyone else have a question for Mrs Jones?" Madam Bones called, addressing the Wizenagamot.

Only one raised their hand; a middle aged witch with dark brown hair. Madam Bones nodded her head, allowing her to ask her question.

"How are you still sane, Mrs Jones?" she asked, looking very curious.

"I am innocent. It is not a happy thought, so the Dementors cannot take it from me."


The trial was concluded over three hours later. It was found that Albert Jones had actually died of a heart attack, and that Alice Jones was completely innocent. She was to be paid 100 000 galleons of compensation for each year she had spent in Azkaban. She was also to spend time in St Mungo's hospital to recover.

Meanwhile, Madam Bones and other high ranking ministry officials, including Barty Crouch senior, and the minister for magic himself, Cornelius Fudge, were having a very important meeting. The revelation about Mrs Jones' sanity had given Bones a very good idea. If they could listen to the prisoner's mutterings whilst they were in the presence of Dementors, then perhaps the other innocents in Azkaban could be wheedled out without the long process of giving every single prisoner another trial.

Of course, Barty Crouch was adamant that the rest of the inmates inside Azkaban were guilty, and Fudge was inclined to agree with him. However, Amelia Bones was determined. Eventually, it was agreed that she would be the one to investigate, but that anyone she pulled would have to be retried in the same way that Mrs Jones was.


So, that was it folks. You know, reviews keep up a writer's morale and help them write faster - just thought I'd mention it :D