Chapter 01

I look around the courtroom, trying to feel the mood of the Wizengamot. Most of the jury seems pretty bored: this is a small case against a no-name death eater, no murders or torture on the list of accusations, just the standard guy who joined because he didn't have a choice and gave money for protection. However, I see some faces I know I will have to be careful of: MacMillan and his supporters are known for their extremist stance on the Death Eaters. I will have to stop them from gaining too much momentum: if they manage to speak too long, my client might face Azkaban.

The man I'm defending is worried. I'm almost sorry for him. Just a poor man who happened to catch the attention of the Dark Lord. His posture is vaulted, his face tensed. His future is going to be made for him in this courtroom and he has absolutely no control over it. We watch as the interrogator take his place on the podium. I recognize him right away

He is also a problem: Percy Weasley is supposed to be more concerned about arresting Death Eaters than giving them fair trials. He also dislike me for personal reasons, which doesn't help my client. Fortunately for me, his extreme views of all things Slytherin didn't make him a lot of friends in the Wizengamot.

Finally, the interrogator stands up and the show begins. "Criminal trial of the eight of may, into offences committed against the Ministry of Magic by Edgar Williamson, resident at Williamson's Cottage, Brentingby. Interrogator: Percy Ignatius Weasley, Undersecretary to the Minister. Court Scribe, Adrian Polonius Edgecombe. Speaking for the Defence, Rachel Emma Hawthorne. You may take your seats."

As we walk to the middle of the chamber, I briefly pat my client's shoulder and whisper: "Calm down, I'm going to get you out of this, alright?" He doesn't answer, but straighten a little before sitting in the chair. No chains animate to keep him prisoner. We can win this.

Percy continues "You are in front of this assembly today to answer the following charges: you willingly joined the terrorist group known as Death Eaters, you willingly gave shelter to known criminals and you gave money to fund the Death Eater's campaign. How do you plead?"

I answer for my client: "Not guilty."The jury seems surprised and Macmillan intervene, outraged: "This is a joke! Williamson clearly bears the Dark Mark!" I ignore him and follow: "We will demonstrate that my client never joined You-Know-Who willingly, nor did he help fund his campaign of terror." Now, I have their attention.

Percy looks at me, carreful. "Very well. I call to testify Auror Ronald Billius Weasley." I didn't know Weasley was the one who made the arrest. This is bad: Weasley is a well known and well liked war hero, I will have to be careful to not insult him. I watch as he pass by us without looking at my client and take his seat in front of the jury as his brother continues. "Auror Weasley, please describe to the court how you became aware of Mr Williamson's ties to the Death Eaters."

The Auror begins his testimony: "Well, my team and I caught Theodore Nott in Brigham, a few days ago. He knew he was done if he didn't speak so he gave us all the names of all the Death Eaters he knew to get a lighter sentence. We checked Williamson's place and made the arrest. It was all pretty simple."

"And you are certain that the accused is a Death Eater?"

"He has the Dark Mark. We checked."

"No more questions, Auror Weasley." Percy ends with a small smile.

It's my turn now. I begin softly. "Auror Weasley, how did Mr Williamson acted during his arrest?"

"What do you mean by that?" Weasley answers with a small frown.

"Did he resist at all? Did he say anything?"

"No, he just told his wife to get the kids out of the room. Why?"

I ignore the question and continue "In Mr Williamson's house, did you find any Dark objects,any illegal books or dangerous potions?"

"No."

"Did you check his wand to see if he cast any Dark spells?"

"Yes, it came back clean."

"Did you find anything illegal at all in Mr Williamson's house?"

Weasley is glaring at me now. "You means aside from the Dark Mark tattooed on his arm?"

"Yes, aside from that." I give him another smile as he is forced to growl something sounding like "No."

"So, aside from the Dark Mark and the word of a criminal who had nothing to lose, you have no evidence of any crime committed by my client?" I see Weasley clam up. I'm not going to get anything else from him without pushing more, and that would hurt more than it would help. "No other questions for Auror Weasley"

Weasley storms out of the courtroom as the jurors look at each other, surprised by the turn of events. Most of them probably assumed it would just be a matter of: "Dark Mark so guilty verdict". The interrogator takes a few moments to accuse the blow, but regains his confidence as he calls the next witness "The court calls Septima Algernon, Charm Mistress, to testify." I watch as a severe-looking witch takes her seat in front of the jury.

I don't know her, but I can guess the angle of attack, and I know how to counter it. Moreover, the jurors don't seem to know that Septima Algernon either, which mean I don't have to play nice. I shoot a quick smile to my client to reassure him. I'm going to destroy that testimony.

Percy begins "Mrs Algernon, describe your work at the Ministry for the jury, please."

Algernon speak clearly and with confidence: "I am part of a team of Spell Researchers tasked by the Ministry to investigate the Dark Mark."

"And what where your conclusions, Mrs Algernon?"

"By inspecting several Dark Marks on different criminals, we arrived at several conclusions. First, all Dark Marks were applied directly by You-Know-Who himself. Second, not all Death Eater were marked, only the richest or more dangerous of his followers were deemed worthy. Third, it's impossible to administer the Dark Mark using any form of magical compulsion, like the Imperius curse. The subject has to be willing to take the Mark."

"So it's impossible that Mr Williamson was marked against his will?"

"We checked Mr Williamson's Mark and it's genuine. This man was marked of his own free will" she finishes before looking at my client with contempt. I knew I would have to every ounce of credibility she has. Looks that it would be more pleasant than I imagined.

"Thank you for your answers, Mrs Algernon. No more question." Percy looks at me, smiling triumphantly. I stand up and take my place in front of the witness.

"Mrs Algernon, according to you, the Mark cannot be applied using any for of magical coercion. Is that correct?"

The witch looks at me and judge me silently before answering "That is correct."

"What about other form of coercions?"

She is surprised now, more hesitant: "I do not understand the meaning of your question, Miss Hawthorne."

"What if my client was terrified, Mrs Algernon? Would that interfere with the application of the Mark? After all, you said yourself that Voldemort..." and I pause as she and several jurors jerk in their chairs "Voldemort had to apply it himself."

She looks at me with anger."That's irrelevant!"she answers hotly "No matters that monster's presence, that man could have refused to be branded!"

"Would you have refused?"

"I certainly would have, as any self-respecting wizard would!"

I smile now, I have her exactly where I wanted her to be."So you expect this court to believe that you would have stood your ground in front of Voldemort himself, watched your family get killed and be tortured for your defiance, while you cannot bear to say his name in front of this court, even after his death?"

I watch as the haughty witch dissolve in outraged stuttering, before turning to Percy Weasley "No more questions for this witness."

As Percy dismiss the witness, I look at the jury. Most of them appears contrite, a few look at my client with sympathy even, but Macmillan decide to go on the offensive. "You can twist the facts however you like, but it doesn't change the core of the issue. Your client was approached by You-know-Who, chose to take the Mark and aided him in the war, causing the death of many good witches and wizards!"

"But, aside from being forced to take the Mark, what crimes did my client commit, Mr Macmillan? Why don't we ask him what happened, rather than judging him on the words of others? I call Edgar Williamson to testify. Interrogator, if you please."

"Very well. Mr Williamson, you were part of the organisation known as the Death Eaters, correct?"

"Yes, sir" Williamson answer, looking at the floor. I wish I had more time to brief him on how to answer. He looks scarred and ashamed, almost guilty of his actions. I will have to make the jury see him differently.

"When did you join that organisation?"

"In March 1996, the 12th, sir." Another bad answer; you didn't join, you were forced to join.

"And what was your role in this organisation?"

"I was told to supply potions ingredients, sir" Oh no!

"And do you know how those ingredients were used?"

Please don't say poison, please don't say poison! "They were used in healing potions, sir." Oh thanks Merlin.

"How can you be certain of that, Mr Williamson?"

"My farm only grow those kind of ingredients, sir. That's the only thing they're good for."

Percy frown in distaste. He knows pushing Edgar will achieve nothing and changes his angle."Mr Williamson, the Ministry was not under You-know-Who's control at this date, correct?" Damn, good attack. Please Edgar, don't fuck this up.

"Everybody knows that He had spies in the Ministry during the last war. I didn't know who I could trust. I couldn't risk my little girls!" Good answer, going for the family angle. Might even be the truth. Damn, I'm getting pretty cynical, am I?

Percy looks defeated. "No more questions. Miss Hawthorne?"

I take a look at the stands. Still too many sceptics for me to be totally comfortable. I have to end this on a big note. "Mr Williamson, I want you to tell us what happened the 12th of March 1996."

He looks at me, afraid. I encourage him "Edgar, they need to understand what happened. Tell them"

He draws a shaky breath and begin to recount how he got the Dark Mark, how Death Eaters barged into his house, threatening his family and forcing him to be branded. I don't really listen to him, concentrating on the effects his words have on the jury. He isn't a good storyteller: he searches his words, hesitates and stutters a little bit, but the raw emotions in his tale manages to convince most of the jurors. But this is the moment Macmillan chooses to intervene. "What a lot of crap! All Death Eaters have the exact same story."

I try to intervene, but surprisingly, it's Percy who reacts first:" Lord Macmillan, this is a courtroom. If you do not have questions for Mr Williamson, please stay silent." It seems that Weasley is more fair than I gave him credit for. That or he recognise a lost case.

After that, the verdict came."Those in favour of the conviction on Edgar Williamson, please raise your wand." I watch as a few wizards cast a light spell, Macmillan amongst them. It's far less than the required half. We won. "This court declare Edgar Williamson not guilty of all charges. You are free to go."

Williamson looks at me like I was Merlin reincarnated. I just feel tired.

As we exit the courtroom, Williamson is tackled by two crying kids, and he falls to his knees to hugs them. I try to leave discretely but I'm stopped by Mrs Williamson, who looks at me with tears in her eyes and says: "Miss Hawthorne, I don't know how we will ever repay you for what you just did in that court. I heard about the others trials, you know, and when they came to take my Edgar I thought that..." She chokes up, unable to continue. We both know what she meant.

I look at her and try to think about something to say. Nothing really appropriate comes to mind. What could I say: "you're lucky you found someone would even tried?" Most of the other didn't even get that chance.

"Just... just try to pay my note quickly, alright? I hate to push you, but I really need the money."

Not what she expected to hear, I guess. She nods still, so I assume I could have said worse. As I look to the rest of the family, I can't help but add: "And if you want my advice, you might consider leaving England altogether."

She is really shocked now. "But Edgar is innocent" she try to protest "so it's not like they can do anything, right?"

I look at her wearily, then point at the couple of Aurors glaring at us. "And you think they will care? If they can't win legally, they'll find another way. Look, I'm not trying to scare you, but think about your girls. You don't want them to grow up with people looking at them like that." As soon as I finish that sentence, I think about Mary and the hypocrisy nearly makes me sick, but I don't show it. I leave the family to its celebration as a make way towards the Floo. It's getting late and I have places to be.

I emerge in the Leaky Cauldron as the regulars start to arrive. Hannah Abbot is at the bar. I was hoping for Tom, less chance of him spitting in my drink, but at this point I'm too tired to care. I retrieve my beer and isolate myself in a corner of the room. After a quick spell that informs me that no one put poison in my drink (even if Abbot did spit in it), I finally allow myself to relax a bit.

I know I must seem paranoid to the others, but someone did put poison in my drink once, and I figure it's not paranoia if they're out to get you. How did that teacher went, "Constant vigilance" or something... Of course, it wasn't really a teacher but a Death Eater in disguise, they told us. That's pretty ironic, now that I think about it. My mind starts to wander, when I'm brutally recalled to the real world by a drunk and angry sounding voice.

"I recognize you! You that bitch that frees Death Eaters, right? Have a good day at work? How many monsters did you manage to set loose today?" The owner of that drunk, angry voice is a drunk, angry Hit-Wizard who is currently looking at me from the bar. I wonder if they make portable Notice-Me-Not wards.

"Hey, snake-slut, I'm talking to you!" he insists. I don't react, knowing that no one will help, but that I cannot allow myself to strike first, because they definitely would arrest me.

"What, you think you're too good for us? Well we'll see!" He draws his wand. Fortunately for me, he is drunk, which mean I almost draw mine at the same time. As I try to think of the best way to diffuse the situation, an angry voices cut us. "That's enough, no troublemaker in my bar!" Abbot glares at the Hit-wizard from behind the counter, her wand already level of his chest. The drunk isn't pleased, but he put down his wand. Abbot isn't done, however. "You misunderstand: get out." After a few protest, the drunk leaves without causing any more problems.

I'm about to thank her for the unexpected help when she glares at me. "That goes for you too Hawthorne. Get out." Well, that's more along the lines of what's expected. I pay for my drink and leaves without causing troubles. As I walk towards my flat in Knockturn Alley, I keeps on asking myself why I got involved with all this mess. Then again, it's not like anyone else would do it I guess.

I'm finally at my apartment. I open the door and ready myself just in time for Mary comes crashing into me, her skull finding its usual spot buried in my guts. "Sis! You're home!" She looks up at me. "Did you help people?"

"Yeah, little sis, I helped people." And I guess it will have to be enough for now.

Author notes

Hi. This is my first story on this site, and English isn't my first language so please, don't hesitate to point the mistakes I made. I don't have any beta reader either so, if anyone is interested, send me a message.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.