Day 3. R. v Riddle
"Dr. Lupin," Hermione began, choosing a gentle start for her first cross-examination of the case. The first impression with the jury was crucial, after all. "You've personally overseen all seven of the crime scene analyses, correct?"
"Yes."
"Dr. Lupin, could you please refer back to evidence log number four?"
Lupin re-opened the booklet he'd been going through for the last few hours on the stand with Moody - the one containing the summaries of the crime scene analyses.
Hermione waited for the jury members to shuffle back to their own booklets before continuing. "As my learned friend Mr. Moody surmised, there were striking similarities between all seven of the murders... is this right?"
"Yes."
"Would you mind reiterating these for the jury?"
If Lupin was bothered by the repetitive questioning, he did a good job of hiding it. "The placing of the bodies was the most obvious similarity. All seven were placed intentionally, all bowing down... as if they were praying, or worshipping. All were stripped naked. The cause of death for all seven was concluded to be blood loss. All of the scenes were cleaned, thoroughly with bleach. No material from the culprit was recovered at any of the scenes. All of the victims were found in their own homes, aside from the fifth victim. No signs of any break ins. Nothing was found to be stolen from any of the scenes."
"All of these similarities led you to what Mr. Moody previously described as an 'obvious' conclusion'," she said slowly, clearly. "Could you please remind the jury of this conclusion?"
"It is highly likely that the murders were committed by the same individual."
"That is, these killings were likely the work of a serial killer?"
"Yes."
"The first victim, Miss Myrtle Warren, was found on the thirteenth of June, nineteen-ninety-nine, correct?"
Lupin flicked through the papers in front of him. "I - yes, that's the date."
She nodded slowly. "Her cause of death was, I believe, blood loss due to an incision in the neck, damaging both left and right carotid arteries?"
He checked the report. "That's correct."
"The coroners report found that the wound was clean. Would I be right in saying that this means that the incision would have been made with a single stroke of the murder weapon?"
"Yes."
"Possibly a knife?"
Lupin was considerate of his word selection. "A knife could have made the incision, yes."
"Is it of your opinion that in order for someone to injure another in such a manner, a high level of knowledge in human anatomy would be required?"
"Yes," Lupin said surely. "It's not as simple as it seems in the movies."
Hermione hummed thoughtfully.
"In nineteen ninety-nine, the accused, Mr. Riddle, was twenty-one years old and a full time student of Hogwarts University. He majored in anthropology. Do you know what subject anthropology entails, Dr. Lupin?"
"I believe that's the study of human behaviour."
"Indeed," Hermione agreed, taking her time between her next words. "Is it of your opinion that a man of twenty-one with no medical training whatsoever would have been able to make an incision such as the one suffered by Miss Warren?"
At the same time that Lupin leaned forward and stated a clear, "no,", Moody rose from where he sat. "Objection, Your Honour."
"Mr. Moody?" Fudge looked down his glasses.
"Dr. Lupin is not qualified to comment on the knowledge that the accused may or may not have."
Fudge's watch lingered on Hermione. "Overruled, Mr. Moody. Ms. Granger's question was rather clearly stated hypothetically. Dr. Lupin, if you would be so kind as to re-state your answer?"
Hermione pursed her lips, trying not to let her satisfaction show as Moody fought the subtle scowl on his lips.
"No," Lupin said clearly into his microphone. "I highly doubt that a man of such a young age, without medical training could have made such an incision."
Hermione smiled politely at the witness, before glancing at the jury.
All she needed was reasonable doubt.
"No further questions, Your Honour."
"You were very impressive in there today," Riddle said as they made the journey through the courthouse, flanked by his sizeable security detail.
"Thank you. I hope you're beginning to understand the importance of a well-prepared defence," she said almost cheerfully, fighting a small smile at his compliment.
"Yes. I find myself learning a great deal from you." He smirked. "You should come by tomorrow. After we're done here, I mean. There's a lot more we could go through for next week."
"Oh, would you look who's suddenly changed their tune," she said without realising how their relationship had become borderline playful. "I never thought I'd see the day. It's a shame it's come on a month too late."
He looked at her with an odd gleam in his eye that she couldn't quite place and said, "maybe the trial's not all I wanted to discuss."
She was thankful that her feet didn't trip over the same way her mind did at his words. She'd never been the most tuned in when it came to men - let alone beautiful ones - and it hadn't improved as she'd reached her mid-twenties, and so she found herself at a loss.
Was he... trying to flirt with her?
"I-I'm not sure what else you could possibly mean," she said, although her flushed cheeks probably told him the opposite.
He laughed, deep and genuinely, in a way she'd only heard a handful of times. "I'm teasing you. But I honestly am very interested in what you do. If I wasn't learning about it in these particular circumstances, I'd be very happy to learn more about you, and the legal system."
"Oh."
They were close to the exit of the courthouse now. Waiting just outside on the steps, she knew there would be a media frenzy, as there had been everyday this week. She felt particularly bad for Tom; even if she did manage to win him his freedom, his face had been released in the media. His reputation would be forever tarnished.
"How about it, then?"
Her mouth felt dry. She knew what she should say. She knew what the Judge, Moody and the board would all have her say. Anything that wasn't strictly professional with a client was a bad idea, let alone a client with murder charges, regardless of whether they actually did it or not.
But instead of speaking the words she should have said, she felt herself uttering an "oh, alright then."
He grinned down at her with the staggeringly beautiful smile that was almost as rare as his laugh just in time for them to pass through the large doors.
She was without an opportunity to regret her words, for then they were swarmed.
