HOUSE OF MADNESS

03. VERITASERUM

The atrium was filled with people. Harry could see Rufus Scrimgeour, the new Minister, Percy Weasley, still junior secretary, much to his displeasure Dolores Umbridge, who had returned to her duty after her most unfortunate encounter with the centaurs and of course Amelia Bones, chairwoman of the Wizengamot.

Everyone was talking simultaneously. Harry felt strangely reminded of last year when he had sat in the same chair he was sitting in now, the same one that had also been occupied by Igor Karkaroff when he had revealed information about the torture of the Longbottoms to save himself from punishment.

Only this time matters were much more serious than last year. This time not even Harry himself could be sure whether he was innocent or guilty. Judged by the looks he received most of the jury had already made their decision on that matter.

"Silence!" Amelia Bones shouted over the chaos of voices, looking serene in her heavy robes, monocle in place.

Almost immediately the atrium fell silent. Everyone looked at her in expectation.

"We have gathered today on a very serious matter," Amelia Bones said in grave tones. "We will pass judgment today on Mr. Harry Potter in the case of the usage of a dark ritual on a muggle citizen in the night of 15th August. First of all I give word to Mr. Gwain Roberts from the Auror Headquarters. Mr. Roberts please inform us about the ritual and Mr. Potter's involvement in it."

Harry saw a broad shouldered, well trained man stand up. It had to be said Gwain Roberts.

"The dark ritual, that was used on the night of August 15th, is a very ancient and rare one. It took us some time to classify it. Does the court allow our expert Ms. Fernandez word?"

"She may speak," said Amelia Bones.

A young, tanned woman stood up. She looked very fragile, almost like a doll, but her eyes had a determined and witty gleam to them.

"The ritual that was used is called convulsio corporis. It is as Mr. Roberts said very ancient and was used during the Roman Empire to punish traitors. Based on Mythology convulsio corporis was used to figuratively lay open the treason and crime that had been committed. Crimes were thought to show in the soul which was believed inside the body, according to the principle of dualism. Convulsio corporis as the name says turns the insides of the body out. There are several other potions or spells which would have the same effect. Special about convulsio corporis is that the ritual is said to show more efficiency on those who are... impure and have sinned."

Many listeners shifted uncomfortably at those words.

Fernandez continued, "The ritual came up during the Great Purges in the Roman Empire. Many wizards considered the uprising Christianity as a threat with its godly magic. They used convulsio corporis to 'purify' wizards who had conveyed to Christianity and associated with muggles under the idea of common equality by laying open their sins. We do not know exactly today but it was passed on that the ritual stopped working because it was not only used on the impure anymore. After some time of being out of usage the explicit procedure was forgotten. It is hard to explain how someone knew how to do it. What is striking is the symbolism of convulsio corporis. Even though it is in general not used anymore it became a symbol of purification and just punishment due to the believe that it only works on those who have sinned and it is said to have been conveyed by muggles into what they call exorcism."

Fernandez sat down again.

Everyone was still staring at her quite scandalized by what she had said. Harry felt his stomach turn. These words did nothing to calm him down.

"Thank you for this detailed information, Ms. Fernandez," Amelia Bones said after she had composed herself. "Mr. Roberts please."

Roberts nodded. "We have tested Mr. Potters wand with priori incantatem." he said. "It is out of doubt that this wand was used to perform convulsio corporis."

Again everyone started whispering and Amelia Bones had to call for silence once more.

"Mr. Roberts, do you think it is possible that Mr. Potter was able to perform this ritual?," she asked.

Roberts looked very unsure. "It is hard to tell," he admitted. "Of course, there is always a possibility, although it seems very unlikely to me that Mr. Potter should have known about the ritual plus be able to perform it. On the other hand I see no different explanation at the moment."

"Thank you, Mr. Roberts," Amelia Bones said.

Then she turned to Harry. "Mr. Potter have you or have you not performed the convulsio corporis ritual?," she asked him.

This was the moment for Harry to deny everything, to say that he had never heard of this ritual before, that he would not have been able to do it both morally as well as magically. But this was too serious to lie and he could not explain why his wand had been used.

"I don't know," he therefore answered truthfully.

This statement was met by silence.

Then Dolores Umbridge jumped up. "He is lying!" she shouted. "Of course he knows. He has done it and to save his neck he claims not to know!"

"Silence," Amelia Bones chided Umbridge. "Mr. Potter, it seems that you have to explain this further."

Harry sighed. "I don't remember anything from the early evening until when the aurors found me. I don't know what I did or what happened in between."

Amelia Bones did not look convinced. "This does not put you in a exceptionally good light, Mr. Potter."

"You can test me with veritaserum," Harry offered. It was his only chance to make them believe his seemingly far fetched answer.

This time someone else stood up. It was Dumbledore. Harry had not even noticed him before. Maybe he had arrived after Harry? "Harry, do you really think that this is necessary?," he asked.

Harry nodded. "Yes, headmaster," he said seriously. To prove that he told the truth he would take this step. He really did not want to spent the rest of his life in Azkaban.

"Well then, Mr. Potter," Mrs. Bones said. "It shall be done."

Harry swallowed the tiny bit of veritaserum that was given to him without complaint. Unexpectedly he first felt nothing of the effect.

Amelia Bones repeated her question. Again Harry confirmed his answer. He suddenly felt the urge to tell the truth. His mouth practically formed the words without his doing.

The listeners seemed surprised as he told them he did not know again under the influence of the potion. Amelia Bones frowned.

"Mr. Potter, did you have knowledge of the ritual before it was performed?," she asked.

"No," Harry answered immediately.

"The man who was killed is John Meyers. He lived in Little Whining. Did you know him?," Amelia Bones asked.

"No," Harry repeated.

"Do you have any explanation why your wand was used?" Amelia Bones asked. "Did you put it somewhere where it could have been stolen?"

Harry shook his head. "My relatives locked my things in the cupboard under the stairs," he revealed against his will. He did not like to speak about the Dursleys' mistreatment, especially not in the company of complete strangers. "I have no explanation. It must have been searched out on purpose."

Amelia Bones gave him an odd look. Was it pity? "Who knew of the … location of your wand?," she questioned.

"Only my relatives and me," Harry answered.

"Could have someone found out?" she asked.

"Maybe on the day I arrived...," he said. Harry hesitated. I can see in his head... can he see in mine? "Maybe Voldemort."

People gasped in shock.

"How?," Amelia Bones asked flabbergasted.

"Through my mind," Harry whispered. Yet another he had rather kept quite about. He started to regret his request to take veritaserum.

Amelia Bones stared at him. "Do you have any explanation on what might have happened?," she asked finally.

Harry opened his mouth to speak but he could not.

"Stop," someone said. It was Dumbledore. "I think I can explain," he told them. He looked very old all of a sudden.

Amelia Bones had leaned forward in her seat, completely focused on Harry. At Dumbledore's words she straightened again and looked over at the headmaster. She seemed somewhat irritated that he had cut Harry off.

Harry on the other hand was very relieved that Dumbledore had held him off telling about his mind link to Voldemort. It was a very delicate theme and one that would not meet much understanding, Harry knew that. Dumbledore could surely explain it smoother than Harry and maybe Harry would somehow get out of this mess.

He had momentarily considered the possibility that Voldemort had used the mind link to control him before saying it out loud under the influence of veritaserum and now it seemed all the more obvious to him. What he had feared last year had finally come true, Voldemort somehow could use his body. He felt tainted and used and he was glad he did not have to talk about it anymore even though the veritaserum would hopefully save him from Azkaban.

"Then enlighten us, professor," said Mrs. Bones, giving Dumbledore permission to speak.

Just like everyone else's, also Harry's attention was now on Dumbledore who briefly glanced in his pupil's direction, infinite sadness in his eyes, before he turned his head to speak to Madam Bones.

"The night when Lord Voldemort" most judges flinched, an expected reaction that Harry barely noticed "tried and failed to kill Harry, the rebounding killing course somehow connected their minds," Dumbledore told the judges carefully. His voice sounded wary, it was the first time Harry saw Dumbledore being insecure, not being confident. It frightened him more than he could have expected.

"Linked their minds?" repeated Amelia Bones. "What do you mean by that?"

Dumbledore sighed. "Last term it showed that this … link is something like a leak in the natural barriers of both Harry's and Lord Voldemort's mind. Sometimes in a state of ease, such as sleep, Harry was able to … slip into Lord Voldemort's mind."

The judges were abashed. Even Dolores Umbridge looked positively overwhelmed. Amelia Bones seemed not fully able to comprehend the words that had just left Dumbledore's mouth and Harry could not get rid of the feeling that all of this was going terribly wrong.

"In turn, Lord Voldemort was able to let Harry see certain things at will," Dumbledore continued, almost hesitatingly. Harry silently prayed that his mentor would stop talking but he knew that they had already told too much to back down now. "And seemingly he is also able … to posses Harry through the link."

Harry closed his eyes. He did not want to see their faces, the condemnation in their eyes. The dead silence told him everything.

Then, Madam Bones voice, very controlled: "Mr. Potter, can you assent Professor Dumbledore's evaluation?"

Veritaserum still in his blood system, Harry nodded his head. "Yes," he whispered, never having wished so desperately to stay calm.

His affirmation was met by more silence.

"Headmaster Dumbledore," said Amelia finally. "Do you have any explanation for this link, how it works, what it is and how it could be closed or destroyed?"

Now Harry looked at Dumbledore again, pleading that the man knew a solution like he always did.

"I do not know what the link is," said Dumbledore now, very determined. "But I believe it can be closed by Occlumency. If Harry would master the art of Occlumency the link would be effectively closed."

Harry's heart sank. He was an absolute looser at Occlumency and Dumbledore knew it. He would never learn it fast enough. In the meantime Voldemort could make him do who knows what. Was it really the only solution Dumbledore had to offer.

"We will take your advice into account, thank you, headmaster," Madam Bones said, then she turned to the other judges. "This case is very complicated since Mr. Potter is technically innocent but still performed the ritual. What do you propose?"

"He should be sent to Azkaban!" exclaimed Umbridge momentarily. "He is unstable and dangerous!"

Some judges nodded their heads in agreement, one of them Percy Weasley, but Harry was relieved to see that the majority seemed hesitant.

Madam Bones frowned deeply. "Since Mr. Potter did not act on his own will I do not consider sending him to Azkaban a proper solution. After all punishment is not in order."

Nods could be seen throughout the room but most acted very careful and their eyes never left Harry like they expected him to run amok and kill off the whole tribunal all of a sudden. Harry glanced down not willing to meet their gazes and especially not Dumbledore's pitying one.

"But you can't just let him return to Hogwarts. If You Know Who really can posses Mr. Potter, it's far too dangerous! Occlumency is very complicated, he is far too young to learn it and even if he should master it, it would take too long," one of the judges objected.

Harry glimpsed at Dumbledore, expecting the man to speak up for him, but Dumbledore sighed as if he had already seen this come.

Amelia Bones hesitated, then she glanced at Dumbledore. "No matter how we decide, it cannot do any harm if Mr. Potter learns Occlumency. Professor, I'm sure you can arrange lessons for Mr. Potter?" she asked Dumbledore.

"Of course, Madam Bones," Dumbledore replied friendly. He appeared somewhat relieved.

Harry noticed that certain judges, such as Umbridge were unhappy about Bones' decision, but they probably did not dare to protest against Dumbledore choosing a teacher since he had helped to prove that Voldemort had indeed returned.

"What about Mr. Potter then?" asked Amelia Bones. She looked sad as she said the next words. "I agree that it is too dangerous to let Mr. Potter return to Hogwarts. Does anyone wish to disagree?"

No one showed any willingness to speak, even Dumbledore was strikingly quiet.

Harry panicked. He had to go back to Hogwarts, to his friends... "Please, Madam Bones, you cannot forbid me to go...," he started but Amelia interrupted him.

"Mr. Potter, please ask yourself, do you really trust yourself to stay in a school full of children in your … condition?" she sighed. "You witnessed closely what can happen."

Harry felt taken aback. She was right. Even last year he had felt the urge to attack Dumbledore... What if Voldemort used him again to kill someone? Harry would never forgive himself. "No ... no, I don't trust myself," he admitted desperately.

"Maybe we should send him to St. Mungo's … they even might find a solution to … to cure Mr. Potter," one of the judges spoke up.

Rufus Scrimgeour nodded. "They would be able to watch over Mr. Potter there, I agree that we must not send him to Azkaban."

More and more judges murmured in agreement and even Madam Bones seemed to be taken with the idea, especially after she had refused Azkaban.

Now Dumbledore stood again. "Do you really think it wise to send the boy to a hospital? Wouldn't it be better to let him stay with trusted guardians, among people he knows and is used to?"

Amelia Bones gave Dumbledore a strained look. "Professor, St. Mungo's is one of the world's most expert hospitals. If someone can help Mr. Potter, it's the healers of St. Mungo's. And I think we all agree that in this dire case the best efforts should be made to avoid further suffering."

Suddenly Dumbledore's face took a haunted, almost guilty expression. "Yes, yes, you're right...," he said in that old, old voice, that made Harry shiver.

"Professor, what...? I don't understand...," Harry said to Dumbledore but the old man only shook his head.

"It's for your best Harry, believe me..."

Even Madam Bones was surprised at Dumbledore's reaction. "Very well then, does anyone object the idea?" she asked.

Umbridge's and a few others' hands went up but not nearly enough to oppose the decision.

Madam Bones looked almost apologetic when she said to Harry, "It is decided then, Mr. Potter. The court sends you to St. Mungo's hospital to ensure your safety and supply you with a proper treatment."

Harry sat there, dumbfounded and watched absentmindedly as the judges started to leave the room.

The aurors which had guided him inside stayed behind and as well did Dumbledore. When they were alone Harry slowly rose from the chair and walked over to Dumbledore. The aurors followed him closely, forming a half circle around him.

Harry gave them an irritated look for being so close to him, which they answered with grim, determined expressions.

He decided to ignore them for the time being and focused his attention on Dumbledore. "Professor, please if you have any explanation... is there really no other way to stop this than learning Occlumency?" he asked.

Dumbledore shook his head. "I fear there is not. I am so terribly sorry, my boy," he said and the sadness in his voice was so honest that Harry's heart cramped in desperation. "I wish things were different and I wish you would not have to go through these hardships. I will do everything in my power to find a solution, I promise, Harry. I never anticipated that this could happen."

Harry swallowed thickly. "That is not very helpful, sir," he said bitterly.

Dumbledore's eyes became suspiciously wet at those words. "I know, my boy, I know. And I will never forgive me for not protecting you enough."

Harry did not want – could not – see Dumbledore cry, the man he expected to be his anchor, so he looked down. "Sir ... what happened to your hand?" he asked in a disturbed voice and took Dumbledore's blackened, dead, right hand in his own.

Dumbledore smiled sadly at him. "The war scars all of us, my boy. But do not worry about me, you are far more important."

"I'm not so sure about that, headmaster," Harry whispered, thinking about the prophecy. How should he fulfill it now? His chances had been ridiculously low before and now... they were close to zero. How should he save his friends and loved ones?

He felt numb and Dumbledore's bittersweet words of comfort did not reach his ears. When the aurors took him away he felt a sting of happiness that was not his own, but made him laugh nonetheless. He almost gagged out of shame and tried to avoid looking at the fearful expressions around him.


(1) convulsio corporis is Latin and means convulsion of the body. I thought the ritual up. If you want to use it please contact me per PM. What I said about its origin is far fetched and made up by me.

(2) The concept of Dualism actually exists. Dualism means the believe that the mortal body is nothing but a vessel for the immortal soul. If this did not satisfy your curiosity read up on it.

(3) As I said this story is going to be sad and I hope this chapter touched you somehow.

REVIEW PLEASE and tell me if you liked it or not, what I can do better or what I already did well (if there's anything^^)!!

As I said I'll answer every review!! Really.

Thanks to emriel for your review!!