Chapter 6
Ministry of Magic
The Ministry of Magic, the name that is carried by many countries in the world as the location of their magical government. A place that each country strives to make into a representation of just how wealthy they are and a point of pride that any outsider should envy. It houses the 'big wigs' so to speak and is their seat of power as they lead the country. However, the Ministry is no all pomp and grandeur, nor is it a sole place for men to flex their muscles and flaunt their authority. No, it is a place of mystery, of research, of peacekeeping. What else would departments such as the Department of Mysteries and the Law Enforcement offices be used for?
However, today it is unfortunately not playing host to our imaginations as we strive to explore the deeper intricacies of magics yet to be discovered. It isn't to host us as we delve into obscure prophecies or to allow us to go back in time to fix that one big mistake we made. Today, it is playing the part of judge, jury, and executioner.
The morning started off as any other, the regulars hurrying about trying to make it to their respective offices before their superiors reprimanded them for their tardiness. However, instead of the flood of people trickling to the normal stream of traffic in and out of the building that normally happens, the individuals merely changed from the busy workers to the pompous leaders of the Wizengamot. Even to the casual observer or maybe one who has never before visited the Ministy, it was easy to tell the difference in the crowd. While the normal workers moved with a sense of urgency or purpose, the Wizengamot members sauntered towards the lifts that would deposit them on one of the lower levels that was host to the their chambers.
The aforementioned chamber was another symbol of prosperity and position. It was tiered with the lowest level holding two seating areas opposite of each other. One side held the Ministry officials such as the Minister of Magic and Department of Magical Law Enforcement Head in addition to the Chief Warlock. The chairs opposite those almost resembled what one would expect of a throne. Each of them had gold trimmings set in a heavy mahogany wood, with deep crimson upholstery covering the seat itself. These seats held the seven most historically powerful families, the seven true founders of the Wizengamot and the true leaders of the country. These families consisted of the Bones, the Blacks, the Fawleys, the Greengrasses, the Longbottoms, the Macmillans, the Notts, and lastly the Potters.
These families had the power to veto a proposed law or rescind a decision of the Wizengamot as a whole. However, for them to do that required full agreement between the seven families, or between all active members from those families. Outside of the veto powers, they held three votes each. In the history of the Wizengamot, that situation has only occurred three times due to all of the families having differing opinions and viewpoints. Nevertheless, each family had immense power in their hands that set them apart from the rest and as a result carried the Most Ancient and Noble title, for they were the only true noble families of Britain.
The second tier held the Most Ancient families. There were a decent number of these families and they held a fair amount of power themselves. When it came to forming alliances, these were the ones outside of the big seven that formed and led many alliances each family holding two votes. The majority of their power didn't come from their name alone but from the many connections they were able to create and control. Families like the Malfoys fell under this category which allowed them to manipulate and bully their way to getting what they wanted. Their tactics created a general aura of fear amongst many less powerful families and even a few on the same political footing as them.
The third tier held the Ancient families. These families included ones like the Patils, and the Davis', all families that had been in Britain for a long time but usually came a century or two after the formation of the Wizengamot. Many of these families were recruited by the Most Ancient families to join their alliance or to get aid in pushing through new bills or reformations as they only held one vote per family.
The last tier of seating was for what was called the commoners or the general population. These people had no vote and were there in an observatory capacity. A little known fact is that most Wizengamot meetings are open to the public with only specialty meetings being restricted to the members themselves.
On the ground level of the chamber, there was a stone chair that had magical chains that could be summoned to hold down a prisoner. On either side of the prisoners chair up against the walls were the
Normally the Wizengamot meetings only housed around half of the total members, for the meetings were only mandatory for the Ministry Officials and the Most Ancent and Noble families. So usually, unless a certain faction was introducing a bill or another faction was trying to stop the others from pushing the bills through. Today, however, every Wizengamot member was in their seat as it was a prime opportunity for them to witness the fate of the betrayer of the Potters. In fact the only empty seats in the room were the ones in the top tier due to the occasion being restricted to the Wizengamot members only.
As the Most Ancient and Ancient families all settled down to wait on the Nobles and Ministry Officials to enter, a low buzz filled the silence as they discussed the case. On one side the a few members of the darker faction led by Lucius Malfoy were chuckling about how they could pin the blame on the Black heir regardless of knowing that he had no relationship with the Dark Lord. You could almost see the amusement at the Light and Neutral factions out for the innocent man's blood for causing the death of one of their favorite families. Across from the Darks, the Lights were mourning the loss of the Potters, wondering just why someone who was believed to be their friend would just betray them like he did. Separating the opposing factions, the Neutrals were discussing the implications of the Potters no longer being on the floor helping their cause amongst the 'Big Seven'. Unfortunately for the person being held responsible, the general consensus was that this was going to be a cut and dry case and that the gathering itself was only a formality to pass the judgement.
Eventually the remaining individuals made their way into the room. The eligible members of the 'Big Seven' being those that still had the representation, the Longbottoms, the Macmillans, the Greengrasses, the Bonees, and the Notts entered from their private offices that had direct access to the chamber and the Ministry Officials from their conference room in which they would convene right before a session. Taking their seats and gathering whatever paperwork they were carrying with them at the time, all eyes eventually turned to Albus Dumbledore.
"Attention everyone, this meeting of the Wizengamot is now in session." The chief warlock paused before clearing his throat and continuing. "Now as you have all been informed, this is a dealing of justice of the betrayer of the Potters and the man behind their deaths. Not only that, but this is the dealing of the kidnapper of the remaining Potter heir. I will now turn it over to Bartemius Crouch who will preside over the case under his jurisdiction of being the DMLE Head."
Finishing his opening spiel, the white-haired man nodded to Crouch before taking his seat. As the severe patriarch of the Crouch family stood, he gazed out to all of the attendees before speaking in a monotonous tone. "Since you have all been informed of the crimes before coming in today, this should simply be a case in which we determine the severity of guilt and the accompanying punishment. Before we bring the prisoner in, is there anyone that would like to add anything?" The only answer was silence. With a small nod to himself, he continued, "Very well, bring in the prisoner."
Not delaying any longer, one of the aurors guarding the door quickly left the chamber only to return a few moments later followed by two other aurors dragging the dark-haired prisoned in between them, his feet dragging behind them. As soon as they placed him in the stone chair Crouch waved his wand causing the chains to slither up around his feet and wrist before pulling them tight allowing the prisoner no movement. After he was thoroughly secured, he cast a rennervate to wake the man.
As Sirius came to, he noticed the grim set faces surrounding him a few even had an accusatory expression focused on him. Next he realized that he was secured quite tightly to his chair causing him a reasonable amount of discomfort. Looking towards the Ministry Officials, he asked, "Can one of you explain why you stunned and bound me when I came in on my own accord?"
Instead of providing an answer, Bartemius Crouch pressed on with the agenda. "Before you all is one Sirius Orion Black, or as you may now refer to him as the betrayer of the Potters and the kidnapper of their son..."
Instantly Sirius began to protest the accusation before being silenced by a whip of the DMLE head's wand.
"As mentioned before, this is merely a formality. We know that Mr. Black was in fact the secret keeper of the Potter's Residence."
Sirius began working his jaw hoping that if he yelled loud enough it would break through the charm.
"Due to their lack of secrecy of the secret keeper, the only reason for their death resides in front of us. We have key witnesses that found Black in the ruined remains of what was once the Potter's Cottage home. When he was questioned on the whereabouts of the Potter heir, he refused to give an answer providing the guilt of kidnapping. Now before we sentence this man, would anyone like to make a comment on the situation?" With the question posed, Crouch noticed a few people who appeared to be ready to tear the Black a new one.
Indicating one of them he said, "Lord Longbottom you may take the floor."
As Frank stood, Sirius gained a margin of hope that his friend would come to his aid. However, as he saw the man's glowering face, any hope of assistance left him. "Thank you Mr. Crouch. Sirius Black. I am ashamed to say that I once considered you a friend. After everything that James and Lily did for you, all that got them is you turning around and betraying them. Betrayal is one of the most despicable things that a man can do and of course you are the one to do it. For their sake, I hope you rot in the deepest pits of Azkaban living in the regret of your actions for that is what you deserve for this heinous act." With no more left to be said, the Longbottom lord took his seat nodding for Crouch to continue.
Standing back up, Crouch cleared his voice before asking, "Anyone else?"
This process continued with similar degrading remarks being thrown at the increasingly desperate Lord of the Blacks before finally his scream broke through, "GIVE ME VERITASERUM!"
Silence followed the outburst before Crouch regained his bearings. "As you all know, Veritaserum cannot be used on a member of a Most Ancient and Noble family unless the other Most Ancient and Noble families are in agreement with the action with the only exception being if they are found guilty. Therefore, it is your decision. All those in favor of veritaserum raise your hand now." The hands of Lord Longbottom, Lord Bones, and Lord Greengrass were raised. Turning back to face the now downtrodden Sirius, he continued. "Your request is denied Mr. Black due to failure of having the complete agreement of the families. Therefore unless there is anything else we will be moving on the handling of punishment."
Someone cleared their voice before standing. "I believe that he should at least be able to say what is on his mind, if anything it will allow us to say that we gave him the opportunity to defend himself." As he finished he sat back down.
"Thank you for your input Lord Greengrass. All in favor of allowing him to speak one last time?" Crouch asked.
Around the room wands were slowly raised. After the court scribe had a chance to count, they turned to Crouch and whispered something in his ear. Giving the scribe a nod, Crouch spoke again. "The vote after being tallied has come to fifty-one votes in favor and fourty-nine votes against. Therefore the accused will have the opportunity to speak momentarily on his behalf."
With a thankful nod towards Lord Greengrass, Sirius hurriedly gathered his thoughts pushing through the momentary panic of not having any chance at all. "Ladies and Gentlemen, what you all believe to be true is not the case. I was not the secret keeper, it was Peter Pettigrew. When James and Lily were casting the charm, we all decided that he was less obvious than myself making him the better keeper. As far as my godson, Harry is safe at my family home being looked after by my mother. I swear to you all I did not betray them. James was like a brother to me and I could never do that to him or Lily…" Sirius was cut off as he was silenced once again. He felt as if he could scream in frustration at the events that had obviously been stacked against him. The only thing that he couldn't figure out is why. Why would Dumbledore report him on those charges, why was he so determined that Harry was sent to Petunias when the man knew that he was the Godfather and therefore had custody rights. Sirius was stunned, not knowing what he should do.
"That is enough Mr. Black." The voice of Bartemius broke through. "We will take one last comment before we vote on the guilt and punishment of Mr. Black."
Nodding at on person on the second tier, the silky voice of Lucius Malfoy echoed around the room. "My fellow Wizengamot members. Mr. Black is obviously trying to cover up his own guilt by spreading these silver-tongued lies that make you want to believe his innocence. It is all an act I assure you. Before being released from the Imperious and expunged of my own guilt by our dear minister and undersecretary, I had the misfortune of seeing this man around other Death Eaters. Now I can't tell you and state as a fact that he did report the Potter's location to the Dark Lord, but it seems to me that aligning events would easily lead to something of that sort happening. Thank you all for sparing me a few words." He finished sitting down with a subtle smirk on his face, obviously he didn't want some of his political opponents catching onto his game. As Lucius looked down at Sirius, he struggled to contain his look of glee at the murderous expression on the Blacks face. His attention was redirected at Mr. Crouch as the man continued.
"Thank you Mr. Malfoy, now all that remains is the vote. All those in favor of pronouncing Sirius Black on the charges of co-conspiracy in the homicide of the Potters as well as the kidnapping of the young Potter heir that he all but admitted himself, raise your wand now."
As more and more wands went up Sirius couldn't help but feel that his world had truly crashed and burned along with his brother and everything else that he had lost. He barely registered that Lord Greengrass was one of the few that didn't raise his wand against him, nor did Frank Longbottom who had a look of indecision on his face not knowing what to think. The man who he knew and became friends with betraying one of his other close friends, or maybe the man being truthful and actually being innocent of it all. Frank truly did not know what to think.
Lucius couldn't help the half smile that appeared on his face as he saw the multitude of raised wands. He knew that this case was all but in the bag and that after Sirius was out of the way, Naricissa would have no choice but to claim the Black vaults in his name. He almost let out a gleeful noise as he knew that Narcissa and even Bellatrix would be absolutely devastated by their cousin's fate and they would only be capable of sitting there and taking the news. He knew that neither he nor Rodolphus would allow the women to properly mourn for Sirius.
Finally the moment that many of the people in the congregation had been waiting for came as the scribe seemed to finish up his tally before heading over to speak to Bartemius Crouch. As the DMLE head nodded to the scribe in confirmation, he cleared his voice catching everyone's attention before speaking, "With a count of eighty-one in favor I now pronounce this man.."
Suddenly he was cut off by the chambers doors bursting open.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON IN HERE!"
Sirius could have cried in relief at seeing the one chance for saving him, the absolutely furious red-haired, emerald-eyed widow of his deceased friend, the one and only Lily Potter.
A/N: Like always let me know what you think. Hopefully the chapter isn't too much of a let down.