Chapter 09

I walk to the office the next, slightly apprehensive of Terry's reaction to my breakdown, but I have a job to do. I enter the reunion room, my posture more confident than I how I feel at the moment, and sit on my chair between Cassius and Terry. I decide to cut straight to the point. "So, Serina's trial. Terry, how is she?"

He smirks. "Hello too, boss." before continuing in a professional tone. "She's beginning to feel more confident, and she trusts us, which is better than I expected. I also visited her former employer and got a few letters of recommendation for her. Not sure if it will help to convince the more hardcore opponents, but you might be able to use them."

"Wait, former employers?" I ask, surprised.

"Yes, she told me she worked for a couple of months in the Muggle world." he tells me nonchalantly.

This is a surprise, but a good one. "That will help. Good job. Anything else?"

Cassius interrupts us. "Excuse me, but how will the letters help us?"

I give him a look of exasperation, but I explain him. "It will prove that our client is trying to build a life for herself, that she is capable to live in society. The fact that she had a job prove that she is more than just a mindless animal."

His face lights up in embarrassment when he finally gets it, and I'm a little bit surprised he didn't understand this earlier. I wonder if the fact that the letters were written by Muggles influenced him, but I decide to let this go. I'm going to blame the fact that's it's early, rather than casual bigotry on his part. I turn back to Terry: "Anything else?"

"Not much, but I heard a couple of rumours you might be interested in: there is supposed to be a vote coming up on a law concerning werewolves. I don't know what it's about, but your trial might have more ramifications than we thought." he says, his face becoming worried.

This might be bad. If there is a vote coming up, more people might come to the trial with a bias and I won't manage to change their mind if they have a stake in the outcome. I hate trials like this. "I guess we're lucky to have Granger as our interrogator, then. She tends to be impartial, and we most likely are going to need it. You found what strategy she is going to use?"

His face drops at that. "No, I didn't. But, to be fair, she doesn't have a lot of options: she will most likely try to paint Serina as a monster who attacked kids under Greyback's orders, perhaps interview some survivors at worst, and let prejudices against the werewolves do the rest."

I frown. Any other interrogator might use that angle, but I don't think Granger would do something like that. "It's Granger we're talking about. She is responsible for more than half of the laws concerning the rights of the werewolves coming to pass. She must have another agenda. None of her staff approached you to strike a deal?"

Terry's frowning too, now. "No. If Granger's planning something, she is keeping it close to her chest, and will most likely throw it out in the courtroom." We look at each other with worry.

We are interrupted when Cassius clears his throat and asks with a confused tone: "Is it that bad? I mean, if Granger's not a bigot, and doesn't discriminate against werewolves, wouldn't her agenda help us rather than be a problem?"

Terry and I stare at each other, then at Cassius, unblinkingly, before breaking into simultaneous chuckles. "That's actually a valid point." I say, regaining my composure. "While I would prefer not going in blind, I doubt Granger would screw Serina over for no reason. No use in worrying too much when we can't do anything about it."

I clear my throat and keep going. "Now, Cassius. The Swanson's case is going on trial today, too. You're ready for it?"

Cassius nods confidently. "I think so. The case is pretty clear cut, they have the same amount of evidence they had against Williamson, so I will do the same things you did."

I frown at him. "They're not stupid, Cassius. They lost Williamson's trial because they thought they had their ultimate proof of guilt, but they will try something different this time. What crime did your client commit?" I ask in a curt tone.

"He told me he smuggled potions ingredients." he says in a startled tone, surprised by my tone.

"And do you know if he did anything else?" I continue, raising an eyebrow.

"I... didn't ask more." he finish lamely.

I sigh, but decide to have mercy on my rookie. After all, my preparation for my first trial was worse than his. "Too late for you to find out, I suppose." Cassius slumps at this. "Look, it could be worse. All you have to do is prepare for the worst. What would you do if they claimed he killed someone?"

"Ask for proof?" he answer hesitantly.

"How?" I push him.

"Well, Death Eaters wore masks to conceal their identities, so how can they be sure my client did it?"

I nod approvingly. "Good. What if he was identified?"

Cassius hesitates, but ultimately can't answer. I give him my answer. "You ask for the spell used in the crime. If it's the Killing Curse, you're fucked, but any other spell you can claim your client was casting under duress. It's not perfect, but that could be the difference between 15 years and life in Azkaban for your client. And most importantly, keep your calm. Whatever they throw at you, you have to remain in control. Attack the witnesses credibility. Search for flaws in their testimonies. Anything that can make the jury doubt your client's guilt is good."

Terry clears his throat and I interrupt my rant to look at Cassius, who look miserable. I probably went too far on him, but he can't afford to be overconfident, even on simple cases. I still should reassure him. "It probably won't come to this, Cassius. If it did, Terry would have heard of it by now." On the other side of the table, Terry nods reassuringly and pats Cassius on the shoulder. "But you have to understand that nothing is ever won beforehand, and you can't afford to do the bare minimum for a case, even for a nobody like Swanson."

Cassius is shaking a bit, now, but he nods. I hope he remembers that lesson. I had to learn the hard way not to underestimate the Wizengamot, and I nearly fucked up several cases because I was growing overconfident. But he's smart, and Terry and I will stop him from the most obvious mistakes, so I'm not too worried about him.

We're nearly done for the day, but there is one last point I'd like to touch. "Terry, Any news from Healer Greengrass?"

"Yeah, it arrived yesterday. Malfoy should be ready to testify at the end of the week." he says calmly. "His mental state has been affected by Azkaban, but apparently he had some training in Occlumency and he managed to stay relatively sane."

Better than nothing, I guess, but I hope I could talk to him sooner than that. I'll have to find another way to find informations on him in the meantime.

"I guess that's it. Anyone has anything to add?" I ask, not expecting an answer. No one does, so we leave to our tasks. I realize as I leave that Terry didn't ask me about yesterday. I might have a chat with him later. But for now, I focus on the oncoming trial.

I'm waiting in courtroom 8's antechamber when Serina enters, flanked by two Aurors. She looks intimidated but I can see hope on her face as she looks at me, and she gives me a small smile when our eyes meet. I greet her calmly. "Hello, Miss Serina. How are you feeling?"

"I'm nervous." Her answer is understandable. I put a reassuring hand on her shoulder and give her a small smile. "Don't worry," I tell her, still keeping a calm face, "I'll get you out free." Her smile turn grateful, but before she can answer me, the doors to the courtroom opens.

"Time to go." I tell her, before turning and entering the chamber. I take a look around, and my eyes stop on the Interrogator's chair. Sitting next to Granger is someone I didn't expect to see: Culbert Eldridge. This is bad. Really bad. Serina must've seen my confusion, because she turns to me, a questioning look on her face, but we are interrupted by Granger.

"Criminal trial of the thirteenth of May, into offences committed against the Ministry of Magic by Serina, no last name, no residence recorded. Interrogator: Hermione Jean Granger, Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Assistant interrogator: Culbert Eldridge. Court Scribe, Adrian Polonius Edgecombe. Speaking for the Defence, Rachel Emma Hawthorne. You may take your seats."

Eldridge as an assistant interrogator? What is Granger thinking? This guy is one of Dolores Umbridge former partisan, and a leader of the anti-werewolves legislation! Why would she pick him for this trial?

I don't have time to think about it, however, as Granger continues. "You are in front of this chamber to answer the following charges: you joined the pack of the werewolf Fenrir Greyback, and you committed numerous attacks on Wizard and Muggle communities. How do you plead?"

"Not guilty." My voice is firm, and I look Granger in the eyes, but she seems to avoid my gaze. Something is definitely going on, and I don't like it. I remember Terry's warning. This trial is going to be much worse than I thought it would be.

It's Eldridge turn to speak. He sneers in our direction, before announcing: "The interrogation calls it's first witness: Professor Adrian Lockwood, professor in magizoology and expert in werewolf behaviour."

Another ex-partisan of Umbridge; the professor wrote a number of books describing the werewolves as nothing more than rabid beasts, all of them severely attacked by the Wizarding community. He doesn't scare me, I know I can destroy his arguments and his reputation. But why is Granger's allowing this?

I can see Lockwood making his way to the bench, looking at my client with barely concealed disdain. He takes his seat and give a satisfied smirk to Eldridge, who begins his questioning. "Professor Lockwood, you are an expert in werewolf behaviour, aren't you?"

I suppress a snort at this, but fortunately no one seem to notice excepted Serina who gives me a questioning look. I give her a small smile: Lockwood isn't a problem, merely an annoyance. The pompous fool begins speaking. "Yes, I am. I have published several book about those beasts behaviour and I consider myself an expert in werewolf."

Eldridge continues, oblivious to Lockwood stupidity. "And what did you discovered concerning werewolves, Professor Lockwood?"

Lockwood straightens his back as he begin his rant: "They are a menace to society, that's what we discovered. While they are less intelligent than the common wizard, they are cunning and ruthless, and their behaviour mimic the beast even in human form, as they form packs and hunt the unsuspecting. It's my recommendation that they are locked away, before more innocents are hurt."

"No more question, Professor." Eldridge finishes, satisfied.

It's my turn, now, and I am going to enjoy every moment of this. I turn to Lockwood, a predatory grin on my lips as he gives me a blank smile, unknowing of his impending humiliation. I decide to start slowly. "Professor Lockwood, you told this chamber that you considered yourself an "expert in werewolf", to use your terms. Is that correct?"

"Yes, it is." he answer, still smiling.

"What is your colleagues' opinion on the matter, Professor Lockwood?"

He stops smiling at that, and his face turns suspicious. "What do you mean?"

My grin widens as I answer him. "I mean the fact that you've been banned for the Magizoology's List of Professors, Mr Lockwood. Three months ago, if I'm correct, shortly after numerous critics concerning your books detailing your findings about werewolves. Can you expand on the matter of those criticisms?"

His face turns crimson, and he begins to sweat. One quick look at Eldridge's shocked expression tell me that he wasn't aware of his friend ban. I push on, driving the final nails in his coffin. "What about Professor Matthew Stone, an actual magizoologist, who published an article qualifying your book of "propaganda-ridden waste of paper"?"

I'm almost certain Lockwood is close to having a stroke. His neck bulges as his mouth opens silently, choked by the humiliation and outrage. I decide to finish this farce and I turn to the interrogator's platform. "No more question for Pro... I mean Mr Lockwood." Some chuckles echoes from the jury, and Granger seems close to smiling as the witness is dismissed.

Eldridge looks murderous, but regain his composure as he calls for the next witness. "The interrogation calls for Martha Enderson."

An unknown. I watch as a small, middle-aged witch takes her place at the bench. Judging by the look of fear and loathing she shoots at my client, I'm pretty sure she was attacked by a werewolf. I'm going to have to be sympathetic, to avoid angering the crowd.

Eldridge begins asking his questions, as Granger looks at me strangely, as if she was expecting something from me. "Mrs Enderson, tell me what happened to your family the night of the ninth of January, two years ago."

She begins her story in a small, grief laden voice: "We were preparing dinner, my husband and I. Our daughter Elizabeth was playing in the garden. I went out to call her, because night was starting to fall, and that's when we heard the screams. We ran out just in time to see that beast drag our poor Eli away. And the next morning, when the Aurors found the..." she inhale sharply, "the remains, they told us it was a werewolf attack."

Eldridge doesn't smile, but his tone show his satisfaction. "Thank you for your testimony, Mrs Enderson."

I stand up. Enderson looks at me with suspicion, and I can't blame her. "Mrs Enderson, my condolences for your loss." She doesn't answer me, and I didn't expect her to. Still, I had to say it. "You said your daughter was killed by a werewolf. Did the Aurors managed to identify the one responsible for the attack?"

"Does it matter?" her voice is charged with loathing as she answer. "There all beasts, every last one of them."

"It does matter, Mrs Enderson. Had your daughter been attacked by a wizard, wouldn't you have wished to see the guilty one been punished?"

She averts her eyes, not answering. I continues, in a softer tone. "My client was attacked when she was nine, Mrs Enderson. The only difference is, where your daughter was killed, she was turned into a slave for her aggressor."

Mrs Enderson close her eyes, tears rolling down her cheeks, before answering in a hoarse voice. "No, they didn't. We never found out who did it."

I pause for a moment, before saying in a respectful voice. "Thank you for your testimony, Mrs Enderson." We watch in silence as she leaves the courtroom, still crying. I turn to Serina, who show obvious grief on her face, and sit next to her. The cynical part of me would tell her that it's a bad idea to show her grief, as it could count as a sign of guilt, but I can't blame her for being human.

I take a look at Eldridge, and what I see worries me: rather than being worried or angry, if face shows eagerness. He's preparing something big, and that's not good for us. He grins evilly as he calls: "The interrogation calls for Andre Trudeaux."

Shit! Serina's hand grips my arm painfully as I call for Granger's help. "Interrogator. Considering Andre Trudeaux's past and his relation to my client, we ask that you refuse to call him as witness."

Trudeaux was Greyback's right hand, a monster in his own rights. And according to Serina, he was considered a monster amongst werewolves too. I don't want him anywhere close to her.

Granger looks at Serina with pity, but averts her eyes. "Your request is denied, Miss Hawthorne." She says in a dead tone, while Eldridge grins triumphantly.

Fuck! Why? Still, I have one last shot: "At least, we ask for a recess, as my client needs to prepare herself." I call, trying to hide my desperation as Serina's face whitens and her hand crushes my forearm. She nods briefly, and announces: "You have ten minutes." I drag a panicking Serina in the antechamber and sit her on a chair.

Her face is distraught, ashen. She whimpers softly as I try to calm her down. "Serina, look at me." My voice is calm, but firm, and she finally meets my eyes. "He will not hurt you. You hear me? You're safe. He won't hurt you here."

"You don't understand." she whispers. "He's a monster. No one can beat him."

"Not here, Serina. We are going to win here, because that's how humans fight. With words. That's how you beat monsters."

She clutches my hands, her eyes tearing up. "He's a monster." she repeats, softly.

"That's why he will lose." I speak calmly, still looking at her. "Because he is a monster, and we're not." She is still scared, but my words reached her. Her grip loosen on my hands, and I hug her gently. "You have to be strong, Serina. We almost won. It's time to finish this."

I let her go, and she seems calmer as we turns towards the courtroom. I speak to the two Aurors guarding the door. "You will not let that bastard come close to her." One of them frown, but his partner elbow him in the guts sharply, before turning solemn and nodding to Serina. We go back.

Trudeaux enter the Wizengamot carelessly, despite his escort and the heavy manacles ensnaring his wrists. His face is calm, serene, and he smile at the jury looking at him with repulsion, enjoying the looks sent his way. He takes his place on the chair, and chains restrain him as Eldridge starts speaking. "You are Andre Trudeaux, second in command of Fenrir Greyback's pack. Correct?"

"Sure am." Trudeaux answer jovially, still grinning.

"What the accused a member of your pack as well?" Ask Eldridge, pointing at Serina.

"Her?" Trudeaux leers at my client, who shrinks under his attention. "Yeah, she was. Not the best hunter, but a good tracker, and light on her feet."

Eldridge doesn't hide his repulsion as he ask his next question. "And did she join you while you were... hunting?"

Trudeaux's smile widens. "'course she did. All of the pack joined the hunt."

Eldridge expression is a mix of triumph and disgust as he finishes. "No more question for the witness." The room is silent, the jurors look at each other, disgusted by Trudeaux's flippant attitude. Some of them, too many to count, start looking at Serina too, and she gives me a pleading look as I stand.

I look at Trudeaux who looks back, unconcerned by me. We stare at each other in silence for a moment, before I begin. "So, Andre Trudeaux. Since you were Greyback's second in command, I assume you agreed with him regarding wizard, right?"

"What, that you're prey?" his smile turns in a smirk. "'course I did."

"And yet here you are." I simply say.

He seems confused by that. "What do you mean by that?"

"Playing tricks for your master, like a good dog." I continue in a flippant tone.

His expression falls, and his tone lose the fake joviality he sported. "You should be careful 'bout what you say, little bird. Some might take offence."

"Why should I care?" I shoot back, a fake grin on my lips. "After all, Eldridge seems to have pretty much neutered you, right?"

His irises turns yellow and he tries to lunge at me, but the chains hold him back. "Watch your mouth, bitch! You wouldn't be talking if I wasn't chained!" he snarls.

"Language!" I chide him. "You wouldn't want to offend your new master after all."

"He isn't my master!" his voice is full of hatred, and I can see the Aurors drawing their wands. The man is gone. All I can see in front of me is a beast. I close my eyes to stop myself from shaking.

My face is calm as I look back, and my voice become cold. "And yet here you are, betraying your own kin. What did he offered you for your testimony, Trudeaux?"

His only answer is a low, guttural growl, but I know I saw right. I can't let this go, so I continue, despite the gut wrenching terror I feel. "Answer me Trudeaux. Or did Eldridge took your tongue when he cut out your balls?"

Trudeaux stop struggling at that, and I'm afraid for a moment that I lost my chance, but he looks above my shoulder at Eldridge, before looking back to me, a mad gleam in his eyes. "You want to know what he offered me, little bird?" he asks in a cold voice, before an evil grin deforms his face. "He offered me a new cell-mate." he says, looking at Serina.

The courtroom freeze in shock as we absorb Trudeaux's accusation, until Serina jumps on her feet, shaking with anger. "You bastard! How dare you! How fucking dare you!" Tears of rage are rolling down her face and I move between her and Eldridge as the chamber explode in outrage, drowning Eldridge's attempts to defend himself.

Fortunately for him, Serina seems frozen, and she looks at me with a betrayed expression, but I move towards her and explain myself: "Not like this. Believe me, I would love to let you rip him apart, but not like this." Her eyes are still gleaming yellow, but she nods and sits back.

A loud bang silences the courtroom, and all eyes turns to Granger, who casually holster her wand. "Miss Hawthorne, I believe the interrogation would like to offer you a plea bargain. Let's assemble in a more private chamber, all right?"

Seriously? What's up with Granger?

Author note

I wasn't sure I would do Serina's trial, but once I started writing it, it somehow became this huge thing. I had to cut him in two because the chapter was becoming so much more than I expected.

Before you comment, yes, Hermione is out of character in this trial, and yes, there is a reason. It's revealed in the next chapter.

As always, thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed, and please, leave a review. I love getting review. Even negative ones.