J K Rowling owns all the rights to the books and the amazing characters she created. I write only to satisfy my imagination and use my creativity and make no money from my writings.

Chapter 6 – Shock

Although it was completely impossible, Albus Dumbledore was found guilty on all accounts. There had to be some mistake! His opening had been brilliant (if he said so himself) dismissing the accusations as lies, slanders and simply unrealistic. He was calm and composed and wore his usual grandfatherly persona and twinkling blue eyes. He smiled serenely as he made his statement as if he was humoring an upset Hogwarts student.

He was confident that his many admirers would stand behind him, believe him instead of certain witnesses such as Severus Snape, Remus Lupin (who he "accidentally" outed as a werewolf) and a few others…who he had rescued from evil and darkness and given another chance. In his mind he knew that several people besides those two were under strict oaths sworn to him on their life and magic to not ever tell anyone…certain things…which they knew about him or what he forced them to do. He had also done many obliviations over the years especially after he found a rather dark spell that hid his magical signature so it could not be traced back to him.

He was asked to remove the oaths on life and magic on those people under them but informed the court it was impossible. "Why" he was asked and he had the perfect excuse – he had sworn an oath on his life and magic.

"I regret that I cannot reveal the contents of the oath" he said with a fake look of regret on his face.

Amelia Bones asked "Can you say who made you take the oath?"

"James Potter" Dumbles said quickly. A dead man could tell no tales, which is why a week before October 31, 1981, Dumbles called James into his office with a strange request. It was 1:00 a.m. and James had snuck out, bringing with him the Cloak so that Dumbledore could "study it" and, not that James would ever know, so that when the "end" came, he would have the extremely valuable Cloak in his possession.

Because Dumbles knew that James would soon be joining his ancestors, Albus handed a closed envelope to James and said "James, you are an honorable man and a perfect example of a true Gryffindor."

Dumbles hid a smile on his face as James puffed up at the compliment. Potter had to be one of the most egotistical wizards in Britain and lapped up every bit of praise (even if it wasn't true) and "pranked" anyone who didn't appreciate his awesomeness. A late-in-life precious only child, James was raised to believe he was perfect, amazing and a gift to the world, both Muggle and Magical. He was also a fool in Dumbles' opinion but that fit perfectly in his plans.

"Which is why I am asking you to trust me and do me a great favor which will help win the war before Christmas."

"Anything for the cause" replied a smirking James.

"Excellent! I knew I could count on you." Dumbles handed James a sealed envelope and a sheet of parchment with instructions. James first tried to open the envelope but Dumbles stayed his hand and said "I need you to trust me on this. You do trust me don't you?"

"Well…yes. But what is in the envelope?"

"I can't tell you due to a request from…my mentor" the wily old wizard said slyly, knowing that Potter would think that meant it was from Nicholas Flamel. "Now here is what you must do. The sheet of parchment contains an oath which I am duty bound to take. It is the oath which I must swear to and I need you to administer it to me word-for-word as I must swear on my life and magic."

James thought for a moment before asking again "What's in the envelope?"

"A list of instructions that is so secret it can't be revealed to anyone – not even the most Gryffindor of Gryffindors. Before you ask, I do know the contents but cannot reveal them to anyone as the information is crucial to ending the war."

James started to complain that he had to know "a little bit" of what was in the envelope but Dumbles was having none of it. "YOU MUST TRUST ME, as it is too dangerous for you to know. However, if your curiosity is too strong so that you will not do your duty…I can always ask Sirius or Remus to do it."

James couldn't allow that, so he read the parchment's contents while Dumbles swore on his life and magic. He then went home before Lily missed him, annoyed that he couldn't know but smug that he had been chosen for such a great honor.

Dumbles smiled after the fool left. The only reason he had taken the oath was so he could not be forced to ever reveal what was in it. And what was so important that Albus Dumbledore swore an oath on his life and magic – something that he had never done or wouldn't ever again? His master plan for Harry Potter. Inside the envelope it stated that James Potter demanded that Albus Dumbledore carry out all actions as stated below.

Despite what the Potter Wills said, if James did not survive the war, Harry was to be given into the care of Vernon and Petunia Dursley. If Lily survived, as a Muggleborn wife of a Pure-blood, she was chattel and had no right to contradict any of James' commands, even if it was life-threatening. Albus Dumbledore was to assume total financial control over the Potter estate and have free reign of all contents in all the vaults.

Also, it listed James agreeing to every plan Albus would be putting into place, so that Dumbles would have "a golden ticket" to do anything and everything he wanted to do concerning any surviving Potter (if one actually survived).

It was a fool-proof plan…except for one little thing. Charlus Potter had arranged things so that James could not claim anything of the Potter estate due to his unacceptable behavior and disastrous political views – namely being a minion of Albus Dumbledore. For Harry to inherit, a full medical and magical examination of the "child in Lily's womb" was to be done by Goblins and St. Mungo's healers, and the child could have no allegiance to Dumbledore or Lord Voldemort. Unlike James' Will, Dumbledore could not have it sealed as Charlus' Will was sacrosanct, unbreakable and copies were filed in several places and countries.

James had to read the Will, sign it and adhere to all terms and conditions AND not reveal the contents of it to anyone – if he wanted to get the G25,000 a year allowance which was the only thing Charlus had left him. Charlus had basically disowned his only legitimate son. Thus, he had no choice but to sign and make up an excuse to Dumbles why he couldn't make the generous donation to the Order of the Phoenix or give over the Potter votes in the Wizengamot.

"I'm under oath" James had told his mentor. "I have to wait until I am 25 years old to get anything" he lied smoothly. No one else could see the Will – except for those named in the Will and/or witnessed it. The Goblins refused to show a copy or name the witnesses or executors not even to Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, recipient of the Order of Merlin (first class), Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and Grand Sorcerer, record holder as the best student Hogwarts had ever seen, an apprentice of Nicholas Flamel and discoverer of the 12 uses for dragon's blood and the acknowledged Leader of the Light. He had a phoenix as a familiar as proof of his goodness, purity of mind and soul, honor and nobility.

But none of these titles, accomplishments or the massive amount of political offices and power he held would sway the Goblins or even the Minister of Magic. But Dumbledore was patient and knew what was contained in James' Will – or at least the one Dumbledore had drawn up for his signature. James was extremely glad that as per the terms of Charlus' Will, James had to sign the Will that Charlus had drawn up for him or else, no allowance and the public announcement of his disinheritance, the dissolution of his marriage to Lily (and the child in her womb) who would pass into the guardianship of the executor/witnesses of Charlus' Will.

As soon as the wards on the Potters' house rang, Dumbles knew the trap had been sprung. He had Fawkes flash him to the house, saw that James and Lily were dead, Harry survived but had a head wound and the Dark Lord was also dead. As a "prank" Dumbles evaporated Tom's body, leaving only his robes, wand and a pile of dust. He then flashed out as he heard someone entering the house.

Immediately he went to Gringotts and yes, James' private vault signaled that he and Lily were dead. Dumbledore demanded James' Will so it could be immediately probated due to the urgency of the matter. The Goblin who retrieved it for him was in his pay and was risking a lot to remove it from the Potter files. However, he knew that Dumbledore would reward him and make him the new Potter account manager. How wrong he was but when you gamble for high stakes, you either win greatly or lose disastrously – especially if you are a Goblin.

Dumbles went to the Ministry and called for an emergency meeting of the Wizengamot. While he waited, he nonchalantly opened the Will. It was a good thing no one had arrived yet as Albus threw the biggest temper tantrum of his life. He composed himself and had the Will immediately and irrevocably sealed.

He knew people would take the word of Albus Dumbledore and except for those named in the Will and/or witnessed it. The Goblins refused to name the names in the Will. The Goblins refused to acquiesce to his pronouncements but the "sheep" and even his enemies would obey him to the letter so great was his power and prestige. It would also help immeasurably that he would be the one to officially notify the world of the death of Voldemort.

In the end, Albus got his way with the child, but only had access to the trust vault as he had appointed himself the child's magical guardian. Sirius Black acted like a true Gryffindor and ran off to avenge James by killing Pettigrew, leaving his godson with Hagrid. The fool got himself sent to Azkaban without a trial, which was another plan of Dumbles. The Goblin Dumbles had tempted with riches and power, made a meal for the Gringotts dragon, after several days of torture.

But his plans had gone slightly awry, he was brought to trial with enough evidence to condemn the entire Wizengamot, but his "ace in the hole" would grant him his freedom as no one could prove anything due to the oath. He would, as always, be getting away with it, be restored to all of his offices, wrest the kid from the bosom of Arcturus Black and others, and things would go back to normal.

But then the witness from hell was summoned. Lars the Sorting Hat was brought in, sworn in as much as an entity could be sworn and naturally, Dumbledore objected. He was overruled.

It was true that Lars could not reveal the secrets of those he sorted. HOWEVER, with the exception of when he sorted the first years, he spent all of his time in the Headmaster's office. He had heard many shocking, despicable and frightening things throughout the centuries, but no one had ever asked him what went on in the office. Until now.

When Albus had been arrested, Lars summoned the head house elf, had the elf put Lars on his head (so the portraits wouldn't hear and blab) and then elf and Hat flashed away to the office of Amelia Bones. He offered to testify concerning things which Dumbledore had done in his office – lately, or in Hat years, the past 70 years.

Amelia jumped for joy, contacted Arcturus Black, gathered the witnesses and the rest was, or would be, history! No one noticed that Lars was gone and, until the trial, no one cared.

Albus' defense flew out the proverbial window, the Wizengamot was shocked as were the population when the Prophet's special edition came out.

The only thing that could have saved him (just a bit) was if he agreed to release people from their oaths, which he would not do because then he was really done for.

"You do realize that if you do not release these people from their oaths, they will be judged as aiding and abetting you and thus condemned" Tiberius Ogden announced. "There is enough evidence to condemn you but will you condemn these people to an ignominious fate simply out of spite?"

Apparently he would, because the Hat didn't know all of the contents of the letter as only Dumbledore did. "I am still under an irrevocable oath on my life and magic." Actually, he wasn't as that was one thing not on the list, but he did it anyway.

Since it was so late in the day, the Wizengamot dismissed everybody and retired to decide the verdict. Although it was already resolved, appearances had to be maintained, the members were hungry and tired and 90% of that august body wanted Albus Dumbledore to sweat like he had made so many others do.

The verdict would (probably) be announced tomorrow and the Wizengamot members would be staying together until the court resumed. Thus, there would be no interviews given, calls and pleas by anxious Dumbledore followers accepted or answered, husbands/wives trying to get first-hand news denied as the Wizengamot members dined well, did discuss the case and then retired to luxurious quarters, while the world waited.

Tomorrow would be a historical day!