Chapter 07: Matter of Meats
It wasn't the steady clacking of heels to stone that made most move out of the way, nor the pompous political powerhouse sneer that adorned his pointed face, or the simmering rage that rested on the lids of cold steel grey eyes, it was the white knuckled grip on his precious snake head walking stick, the way he strutted as if he owned everything within his gaze and currently his gaze was focused on the ubiquitous door that proudly stated Department of Magical Law Enforcement. It was known to many that he had visited that particular door many times in the last week and always left it banging rudely against the innocuous wallways and always in a worse mood than when he entered. The handle shuddered under his grip as he made his way in and up to the receiving desk.
A hesitant fellow with a knobby throat and a overlarge tan cloak began "Welcome to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement how can we help you today?"
Looking at the worn name plate "Yes Mister Robards..."
"Auror Robards." The man calmly corrected.
With an obvious distaste in his mouth, he drawled out "Auror Robards, I wish to see my son, Draco Malfoy."
Slipping into protocol as he meticulously reorganized some stacked papers with steady fingers "And do you have the proper forms Mister...?"
"Lord Lucius Malfoy the 2nd!" Lucius adamantly and proudly stated as he handed over the required forms. "Everything in their proper place and notarized by their Officiating head."
Looking over the forms Gawain Robards perused the offered documents and excitedly exclaimed "Excellent, very well done. Unfortunately Draco Malfoy is no longer in our custody as sentence was carried out a little over an hour ago."
"Sentence" Malfoy seethed "What sentence, I was not made aware of even a trial! How can there be a sentence!?"
Rewinding the track, the Auror hastily explained "I wouldn't be at liberty to say, well above my pay-grade you understand." Quickly and cautiously adding "Maybe one of the Department Heads would be best."
Barely containing his anger "And are any available on such short request."
Unknown to Lucius, that seemingly innocent question had deeper meaning in the Ministry of Magic. With so many people and department heads vying for the privilege to tell Lord Malfoy about his son and deliver the coup de grâce. It had started an all-out knock down competition of magical scrabble, to see who was really word ready. The winner was...
Looking over at a schedule Robards quickly brightened "Well you're in luck, it looks like Arthur Weasley is currently available, Head of Misuse of Muggle Artefacts."
"I'd rather not, anyone else?" The pointed expression becoming even tighter on his reddening face.
Looking once more, with a hint of determination, he sadly stated "I'm sorry, it seems everyone else is either tied up in meetings, has the day booked off or are currently on assignment. Dreadfully sorry."
Lord Malfoy exquisitely pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation "In that case, I wish to have an appointment."
To say the office was dingy, would be close to accurate. A broom closet, would be more lavish as the two desks inside were crammed tightly together, the animosity that radiated from the current two occupants stifled the air, leaving it heavy and humid.
The blond man had started the altercation with pure dumb luck, and by request, Arthur had responded in kind. Sitting on the shabby chair that could do with a bit a refurbishing, his ire stood proudly on his face as displeasure rolled off him in every haughty posture. The snide voice began "I wish to know about my son?"
"Well let me see." He rummaged around his desk, working around a haphazardly high stack of folders that seemed to defy gravity, and oddly reminisce like a jumbled paper wave teetering on crashing given any slight provocation. The stack reflected the man in charge of it "Strange, I don't know anything about him. Here, maybe this will help." Flatly said the thinning bright red haired man as he handed over a thin folder.
"And what, pray-tell is this." Lucius held the item with two disdained fingers.
For a brief second, blue eyes danced behind thin wired frames, as the tall thin man actually looked to puff up a bit "Why that is what all your grooming has led to Lord Malfoy." A stoic smile slid onto his features "I believe that..." Gesturing towards the file "will answer many of your questions. Go on, give it a read."
BEGINNING OF TRANSCRIPT
DRACO LUCIUS MALFOY
having been produced and first duly sworn as a witness on his own behalf, and after responding "yes" to the oath, testified as follows:
DIRECT EXAMINATION
Counsel: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you attend?
Malfoy: Oral…
Judge: Let it be noted that defendant attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from 1991 to 1994 as Exhibit 13b illustrates.
Counsel: What is your full name?
Malfoy: Malfoy. Draco Lucius Malfoy .
Counsel: Is that your own name?
Malfoy: Whose name do you think it is?
Counsel: I am just asking if it is your name.
Malfoy: And I have just told you it is. Why do you doubt it?
Counsel: It is not unknown for people to give a false name in court.
Malfoy: Which court?
Counsel: This court.
Malfoy: What is the name of this court?
Counsel: This is No 10 Court.
Malfoy: No, that is the number of this court. What is the name of this court?
Counsel: It is quite immaterial what the name of this court is!
Malfoy: Then perhaps it is immaterial if Malfoy is really my name.
Counsel: No, not really, you see because...
Judge: Mr Lovelace?
Counsel: Yes, m'lud?
Judge: I think Mr Malfoy is running rings round you already. I would try a new line of attack if I were you.
Counsel: Thank you, m'lud.
Malfoy: And thank you from ME, m'lud. It's nice to be appreciated.
Judge: Shut up, witness.
Malfoy: Willingly, m'lud. It is a pleasure to be told to shut up by you. For you, I would...
Judge: Shut up, witness. Let it be noted that defendant full name is Draco Lucius Malfoy as Exhibit 1a confirms. Carry on, Mr Lovelace.
Counsel: What is your date of birth?
Malfoy: June 5th.
Counsel: Of what year?
Malfoy: Every year.
Judge: Let it be noted that defendant date of birth is 5 June 1980 as Exhibit 1a confirms. Carry on, Mr Lovelace.
Counsel: Now, Mr Malfoy – for let us assume that that is your name – you are accused of transfiguring noxious ingredients in the attempt to harm or kill one Mr Harry James Potter specifically and many other charges.
Malfoy: I am.
Counsel: Can you explain how this came about?
Malfoy: Yes. I had the ingredients and the opportunity presented itself.
Counsel: Is that true?
Malfoy: No.
Counsel: Then why did you say it?
Malfoy: To attempt to throw you off balance.
Counsel: Off balance?
Malfoy: Certainly. As you know, all barristers seek to undermine the confidence of any hostile witness, or defendant. Therefore it must be equally open to the witness, or defendant, to try to shake the confidence of a hostile barrister.
Counsel: On the contrary, you are not here to indulge in cut and thrust with me. You are only here to answer my questions.
Malfoy: Was that a question?
Counsel: No.
Malfoy: Then I can't answer it.
Judge: Come on, Mr Lovelace! I think you are still being given the run-around here. You can do better than that. At least, for the sake of the Wizengamot bar, I hope you can.
Counsel: Yes, m'lud. Now, Mr Malfoy, perhaps you will describe what reason you transfigured noxious ingredients in your potions class of ten eleven nineteen ninety-four.
Malfoy: Is that a question?
Counsel: Yes.
Malfoy: It doesn't sound like one. It sounds like a proposition which doesn't believe in itself. You know – "Perhaps I will describe the reason I had to transfigure noxious ingredients... Perhaps I won't... Perhaps I'll sing a little song instead..."
Judge: In fairness to Mr Lovelace, Mr Malfoy, I should remind you that barristers have an innate reluctance to frame a question as a question. Where you and I would say, 'Where were you on Tuesday?', they are more likely to say, 'Perhaps you could now inform the court of your precise whereabouts on the day after that Monday?'. It isn't, strictly, a question, and it is not graceful English but you must pretend that it is a question and then answer it, otherwise we will be here forever. Do you understand?
Malfoy: Yes, m'lud.
Judge: Carry on, Mr Lovelace.
Counsel: Mr Malfoy, why did you transfigure noxious ingredients, knowing as you must have that transfigured noxious ingredients are designed to be dangerous in potions?
Malfoy: Because I needed those ingredients to cure a common ailment.
Counsel: Did you attempt to kill Harry James Potter?
Malfoy: His cauldron seemed to think so.
Judge: I think Mr Malfoy is on the circle again. Please advance to a new topic.
Counsel: Yes, m'lud. Were you present when the cauldron exploded?
Malfoy: Yes.
Counsel: What happened in that accident?
Malfoy: I was working at my desk, it was quite dark and gloomy in the classroom. When I heard an explosion and then I saw Potter lying on the ground. Cauldrons are mean taskmasters.
Counsel: Were the Aurors called out?
Malfoy: Yes, three of them. They took me into custody because they had to. I didn't fight it, because it
was my word against the cauldron's at the time.
Counsel: Are you pleading innocent to the charges?
Malfoy: It seems to be the smart thing to do?
Counsel: Innocent?
Malfoy: Well, I fool around sometimes. When a girl seduces me by telling me all these hot stories and dirty things, I'm not going to say 'no'. I mean I'm fourteen, when a girl tells me how much she wants to suck my toes and lick my feet, no matter the place. Who am I to stop her. It was right before potions, so I did the noble thing and thanked her, thanking her for making me feel good.
Counsel: Sir, the question was, are you pleading innocent?
Malfoy: I believe I answered that.
Counsel: M'lud I believe veritaserum should be administered to gain pertinent facts.
Malfoy: Objection as I am a minor.
Judge: Overruled as the transcript will only reflect actual facts. Aurors please administer the court verified veritaserum.
Malfoy: Do something, you're my attorney.
VERITASERUM ADMINISTERED
Counsel: Do you practice the art of Occlumency?
Malfoy: Yes.
Counsel: Are you an experienced Occlumens?
Malfoy: Obviously.
Judge: Unless asked, yes or no answers if you please Mr Malfoy.
Malfoy: Yes.
Counsel: Is your full legal name Draco Lucius Malfoy?
Malfoy: Yes
Counsel: Is your birth date 5 June 1980?
Malfoy: Yeeee No!
Counsel: When is your actual date of birth?
Malfoy: Yes or no.
Judge: Answer the question Mr Malfoy.
Malfoy: 30 July 1980.
Counsel: Your birthday is 30 July 1980, the same as Neville Longbottom?
Malfoy: Yes.
Counsel: Why was your birth date changed?
ANSWERS AND QUESTIONS STRICKEN
Counsel: Of course, sorry m'lud, did you transfigure noxious ingredients?
Malfoy: Yes.
Counsel: The same ingredients introduced into Mr Harry Potter's cauldron?
Malfoy: Yes.
Counsel: Did you put these ingredients into Mr Harry Potter's cauldron?
Malfoy: Yes.
Counsel: Did you plan this alone?
Malfoy: Yessssssss.
Counsel: Was there another party or person involved in the planning?
Malfoy: Yes.
Counsel: And who is this person or persons?
Malfoy: Yes.
Counsel: Again I ask the question, their name or names?
ANSWER STRICKEN DUE TO OCCLUMENCY
Counsel: Astounding.
Judge: Carry on, Mr Lovelace.
Malfoy: Yes.
Counsel: That wasn't a question to you Mr Malfoy.
Malfoy: Yes.
Counsel: Mr Malfoy, are you fighting the effects of the veritaserum?
Malfoy: Nnnnnnn, yes.
VERITASERUM ADMINISTERED
ANSWERS AND QUESTIONS STRICKEN
Counsel: Did you intend to kill Harry James Potter on the day in question?
ANSWER STRICKEN DUE TO OCCLUMENCY
Counsel: The whole class?
Malfoy: No.
Counsel: People at the table?
Malfoy: Yes.
Counsel: Did it matter who was at the table, per your and PART STRICKEN plan?
Malfoy: Yes
Counsel: Their names please?
Malfoy: Potter, Granger, Parkinson, Greengrass, Davis, PART STRICKEN.
Counsel: Perhaps you could summarize why those people were chosen?
Malfoy: Potter was the main target, Granger secondary target, Parkinson was a witness, Greengrass was a witness, Davis was a witness, PART STRICKEN was an accomplice.
Counsel: So your accomplice was also a target, please explain why?
Malfoy: She was there, she knew of the plan, she knew of my involvement, PART STRICKEN had to die.
Counsel: Did Ms PART STRICKEN know that others would die?
Malfoy: No.
Counsel: Did you want any of your classmates to live?
Malfoy: Yes.
Counsel: Please state them in order of preference for the record?
Malfoy: Me, myself and I, maybe PART STRICKEN. Probably not.
Counsel: I believe we are done here. Aurors if you would.
ANTIDOTE ADMINISTERED
COURT IN RECESS PENDING A DECISION
COURT BACK IN SESSION
Judge: The defendant may rise.
Malfoy: Do something. When my father hears about this.
Counsel: Keep your voice down. Court is in session.
Malfoy: I have a right to present a defense.
Court: Aurors, silence the defendant.
Malfoy: This is utter cods-
Judge: The court has determined the offender's culpability and the harm caused, or intended, by reference. These factors comprise the principal factual elements of the offense and the court's findings are as followed:
1 Count of Category 1 Inflicting grievous bodily harm/Unlawful wounding - Guilty
1 Count of Level 1 Attempted Murder - Guilty
5 Counts of Level 2 Attempted Murder - Guilty
18 Counts of Level 3 Attempted Murder - Guilty
1 Count of Category 1 Breach of an Anti-Social Behavior Order - Guilty
1 Count of Level 2 Attempted Manslaughter by Reason of Profit – Guilty
Do you, Draco Lucius Malfoy have anything to add before sentence is passed?
Malfoy: I was imperiused!
Judge: Your testimony states otherwise, pity. Other charges have been waived by the prosecutor pending the outcome of my ruling. You, Mr Malfoy, must realize that any sentence I impose is bound to be a very substantial sentence, subject to the report I have received and read. With that in mind, and with the understanding of the dynamics displayed in your animosity towards Harry James Potter, the court must explain. The only offense for which a "life sentence", is "fixed by law" is murder. As such, the culmination of the counts have led the court to this particular sentencing. That you Draco Lucius Malfoy willfully committed these acts, without regard to the consequences. Furthermore that the punishment must be equal in measure to the act itself. With this the court rules that you be stripped of any titles afford to you by the crown, you be deaged to that of a toddler, all monetary compensation to the injured parties will be paid by you or your benefactor/factors. So rules this court.
END OF TRANSCRIPT
The next piece of paper was much shorter. It comprised mostly of the monetary ruling through a quick claim civil case, in short, Draco's account was empty, with roughly 10 Pallas outstanding. Turning a quick shade he made note of the names, paying special attention to the filer. His expression darkened "I noticed your surname among those being compensated?"
Without missing a beat "I've noticed you've got a little hubris on your cheek there." As Malfoy initially went to wipe his cheek and then stopped suddenly, Arthur gestured with his hands "I am more than willing, would you like me to get that for you?"
Noticing the dead cause, Lucius responded "I believe that won't be necessary, Weasley."
"Well, since you now have your answers, and time being short..." He motioned to the clock "I believe that concludes..."
"Where is my son?"
"St. Mungo's infant care ward."
Seething "Sentence has already been carried out?"
Arthur knew very well that when a person was deaged it wasn't about the years lost but the experience lost with it. That was why the Philosophers Stone was the pinnacle achievement to be youthened and completely healed but retain your knowledge. It was the same with all the other age related potions, you could get older but the knowledge just didn't snap into existence, he voiced it "Well you could get him aged up, but a fourteen year old with a toddlers training." He smirked "Even with your teachings."
"Even with an appeal?"
"I believe that is why the court was so quick to action."
"I've lost my son."
"Hardly, you and your dear wife are still both young, plenty of time to groom Draco into the perfect son, once again." Many things were implied and Arthur jeered out the finish, it was not lost on Lucius.
"As I have no doubt that one day a reckoning will surely come to pass to all those involved. I'll make sure to pay a visit then." The threat hung on hollowed out words, inky black in their fluidity.
Arthur cheered up, with a thought as he brought a parcel around "Well in that case... Here I have a present for you... From the whole family actually, Molly insisted... Didn't know the size... So I just brought the lot of them... some of our old nappies." Lucius stormed out of the office before he killed a certain laughing man.
~x~x~x~
Next Chapter: A-Tisket A-Tasket, A Dragon Full of Basket
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