THE LAST PRINCE (T; MYSTERY/ ROMANCE; SS/ HP)
Summary: see Chapter 20
Disclaimer: See Part I: Prologue
Warnings: See Part I: Prologue. Additional: Major fluff at the end.
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A/N: Thanks for deciding to read this story yet again. Feel free to leave a comment after you're done reading. Our deal still stands. 10 reviews =1 chapter. I got 11 reviews as of today (11/12/13) for the last chapter so you get Chapter 24 for this update.
P.S. TIME JUMP: We are now in the last week of October. Any other questions may be directed to my Tumblr ask box or my Facebook page.
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The Last Prince II
The Pact and a Prophecy
By: C.M. Oliver
© 2013
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CHAPTER 24: TRIAL
The Chamber of the Wizengamot was patterned after the Senate Chambers of Ancient Rome: a circular room made out of limestone, with raised seats for spectators all around. An oculus that provided for natural lighting was atop the massive, dome-like room. In the middle of the arena-like structure were two rows of semi-circular implements –they seated the esteemed Lords and Ladies of the Ruling Court while in session, passing and repealing laws and what not.
Today's session however was not held to pass legislation as they normally did, but to try and sentence a criminal –the country's most high-profile criminal to be exact.
Cornelius Fudge, ex-Minister of Magic was brought in. He had a sneer on his weathered face as he surveyed the area and those who were present. He was made to stand in the middle of the bright room as chains suddenly sprung up from the polished floor, holding him down to his spot in front of the assembled body. To his right, an unusually gray-looking Dolores Umbridge was being treated similarly.
"Session 1536 –A of the Ruling Court of Wizengamot for the Joint Trial and Sentencing of Cornelius Oswald Fudge and Dolores Jane Umbridge is hereby called in to order." A court aide announced. "Presiding Officer is Lord Tristan Peverell of the Ruling Houses of Peverell and Gryffindor, High Lord of Wizengamot. All rise."
Tristan strode in, wearing magnificent ruby robes that matched those that the other nobles wore. He promptly took his seat and motioned for everyone to settle down.
"Madame aide, the case please," The same court aide spoke once more.
"Case number 4-5-7 dash 98-A, People of Magical Britain vs. Cornelius Oswald Fudge, ex-Minister of Magic –on the counts of perjury, multiple counts of bribery, graft and corruption and gross betrayal of public trust. At the arraignment, the accused, through his state-provided counsel, pleaded: NOT GUILTY on all counts."
"Case number 4-5-8 dash 98-A, People of Magical Britain vs. Dolores Jane Umbridge, ex-Chief of Wizengamot –on the counts of bribery, multiple counts of graft and corruption and gross misuse of power."
"Case number 4-5-8 dash 98-B, Severus Tobias Snape, Lord of the Houses of Prince, Ravenclaw and Cresswell vs. Dolores Jane Umbridge on the counts of unjust coercion and illegal advances to a member of the Ruling Court and Head of an Ancient and Most Noble House. The accused entered a plea, through her state-provided counsel, of NOT GUILTY to both cases."
Tristan nodded and sighed, eying the defendants. "What have you got to say for yourself?" Fudge smirked and spat.
"I will bring you down, you impostor! Mark my words!"
Tristan glared at him. "Not impressive in the very least, Fudge. But I'll hold you on to that." He then switched his attention to Umbridge. "And you, Madame?"
"I –I did nothing wrong! You can't do this!"
The young lord's blue-green eyes, darkened.
"So using blood quill on children is not wrong? Putting shame and scorn on other magical races is not wrong?" Tristan's voice rose with every accusation. "Selling out the Ministry to known Death Eaters is not wrong?" He smirked. "Coercing Lord Prince to marry you in exchange for conditional pardon isn't WRONG?"
"But –but, I didn't –Severus –"
"I believe we have enough cases as it is," said Severus, interrupting the blubbering mess that was Umbridge. "But I did say that if I hear address me informally again Madame that I will not take it sitting down." He glanced at Tristan and said, "I am formally declaring a feud on her House, my Lord –on the account of neglecting the proper manner of interacting with someone of higher stature in society than her."
"Noted," Tristan acknowledge the plea. "Since formally declaring feuds is not a legal but an administrative action, there would be no need to try that in here. The House of Madame Umbridge can submit a counter claim or forfeit. Which Houses does she belong to?"
"Selwyn and Umbridge, my Lord," the court attendant declared. Lady Longbottom stood up, looking much upset.
"As Head of the Houses of Hufflepuff, Smythe , Longbottom and Selwyn, I officially remove her under the protection of our liege. Our House values loyalty and integrity –and this piece of vermin is no longer one of our own."
"That leaves the House of Umbridge then," Tristan smirked. "Anyone else who would like to speak for this woman?"
Silence.
The look on Umbridge face cold not have been any more amusing to those she had maligned.
"But –"
"That settles it then. The House of Umbridge shall now be under the stewardship of Lord Prince. All properties and monies left shall be sequestered and –"
"If I may, Lord Peverell –"
"You may have the floor, Lord Prince." The High Lord gave Severus permission to speak. The cold gleam in the Potions Master's eyes hid a shard of amusement that Tristan did not fail to see. Severus took front and center and addressed Umbridge.
"I have no desire to add your appalling name to my already long-list of titles, therefore, you can consider your line ended as of today." He sneered at the simpering witch. "As for the monies and properties attached to it –I hardly doubt that there will be much left after today but –I want it directed to a fund for magical creatures, to help them get integrated in our society better –find them jobs, fund schools for them, hospitals and the like –"
"A most excellent decision," Tristan nodded at him as he sat down. Dolores Umbridge was still evidently in shock at what had just transpired in the lst five minutes.
"You –you can't do this!"
"I think we've already established the fact that I can, as you and Fudge are both facing this august body today. Let us not waste more of our precious time –present the evidences!"
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Tristan rubbed his forehead out of habit. As he had expected, Fudge's and Umbridge's sentencing took only a short amount of time. The Aurors have amassed enough evidence that warranted life imprisonment for the ex –Minister and ex- Wizengamot Chief. (on a separate inquest, Rufus Scrimgeour was found to have been just an accessory and was given 40 years). A smoldering Fudge and a shrieking Umbridge were dragged by a battalion of Aurors. Fudge vowed revenge as the doors of the Chambers closed on his and Umbridge's criminal forms.
"You okay, Tristan?" A quiet, but concerned whisper came from behind the sitting young Lord. He smiled up towards the owner of the voice. "Tired. Fudge was entertaining, but some of the words he said unsettled me a bit, Severus."
"Really?" A lone eyebrow was raised. Tristan eyed his surroundings briefly; several people were still present in the Wizengamot Chambers."Mostly about questioning Harry Potter's authorization regarding the Black-Slytherin-Gaunt seats," Tristan murmured softly. "Do you think –"
Severus shook his head almost imperceptibly. "Fudge is a fly. But if you worry, have Gareth deal with him. For now, he is gone. Your identity is safe. Stop worrying so much."
Tristan was thoughtful as he bit his lower lip. Severus thought that the man looked quite adorable like that. "If you don't cease that unnecessary worrying, you will end up chewing your lower lip off, Lord Peverell." The High Lord raised an eyebrow. "Something was off though –I could feel it." Severus sighed. He was about to reassure the young nobleman again when a dawdling voice came from behind them.
"Lord Peverell, Lord Prince."
Tristan's blue-green gaze landed on a spot, a foot away from Severus' left shoulder. "Lord Malfoy, how may I be of service?" Severus spun on his heel and was immediately accosted by the elder Malfoy's cool grey eyes. "Lord Malfoy," the onyx-eyed man intoned politely. Lucius Malfoy smiled at them.
"I merely came over to take this opportunity to invite you both to my birthday bash. It will be a most opportune chance for us nobles to come together and let our hairs down, so to speak." A passing glance between Tristan and Severus occurred –and it became clear to them both: there was more to this invitation that met the eye.
"As you may know, Lord Peverell, Severus –that is, Lord Prince –and I were contemporaries and friends. And sadly, we have not had the chance to catch up after his Lordship was announced –" Malfoy was drawling on. Tristan smiled to himself. He definitely knew where this was going. "I am quite aware of your liaisons, Lord Malfoy," the young noble interrupted. "But if you want so much to catch up with Lord Prince, is my presence really necessary?" Lucius Malfoy blushed uncharacteristically.
"Well, you see, I have noticed how seemingly closely acquainted you both were and I wondered –"
It was quite a treat to see a flustered Malfoy. But Tristan decided that there were other better opportunities for that spectacle. "Just forwards the invite to my liaison, Lord Malfoy, I will be there. Lord Prince's attendance is his own decision, however, no matter the dynamics between us as you have observed." Lord Malfoy reddened even more.
"O –of course, my apologies. I did not mean to insinuate." The blonde bowed before Tristan. "Thank you for the audience, Lord Peverell. I will see you on the event. It is the day after Halloween." He then turned towards Severus. The onyx-eyed man gave a curt nod.
"I will be there as always, Lucius." The elder Malfoy smiled at the familiar address. "I will tell Draco. See you, Severus." The man then turned to leave without another word. Tristan caught Severus' attention again as soon as Lucius left.
"Was it just me, or did I see Lucius Malfoy blushing?"
Severus chuckled.
"Get used to it. Lucius is a friend and all, but I will be doing him a disservice if I did not recognize the fact that if there is one thing that could get him short of moving mountains, it is power. And right now, you hold most of it. He is bound to get flustered when he is around you." Tristan looked at him funny.
"Should I be worried?" Severus laughed harder, something that he was now freely able to do, as it was only the two of them that were left in the Chambers. "If you don't mind him coming on to you, then no –"
"Wait. WHAT?" The young Lord burst out. "You –you mean –Malfoy –Malfoy would –"
"No offense, Love. But Lucius –it isn't you but the power you wield. Lucius may have worked for the Light in the last war, but nothing can change a man with principles like that overnight. I have yet to see him pursue something without any other agenda –that would be the day." He shook his head good-naturedly. "Lucius' side has always been the winning side, and right now, that's you."
"Can we trust him though? And would he really –"
"The Lucius you see is different from the Lucius I know. Yes, he is ambitious and shrewd, but when it comes to family, he is as loving as any Weasley I know." Severus sighed. "And to answer your other question, let's just say that he likes to –uh, experiment."
The Gryffindor had a look of realization on his face that quickly turned into a frown. "And you know this, because?"
The Slytherin quirked his brows before breaking out into a knowing smile. He drew closer towards his young lover, his gaze intensifying with every step. "Lucius is a friend, Love. Only. Are you actually thinking that –are you jealous?"
"Should I be?"
Severus leaned forward until his face was leveled with the younger man's bracing himself with his hands on the armrests of Harry's seat. "There were others before,,," he whispered, not taking his eyes off of his beloved. "But no one can ever compare to you."
"Prove it."
The Slytherin could not help but smile at his young Gryffindor's petulant tone.
"How fast can we get to your private rooms?"
"At home?"
"Think you can last that long?"
"M y office then, it is."
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A/N: M-rated content had been cut off for site rule compliance. Worry not, it's just frottage on top of Tristan/Harry's office desk. I'm still open to posting the un-cut version on my Tumblr if anyone wanted it.
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End A/N: Up Next: Chapter 25: Halloween. Again, our deal: 10 reviews =1 chapter. By the way, you can also check me and my stuff out at:
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