Disclaimer: Well, see the previous chapters. I did kind of "borrow" JKR's trial stuff from OotP, so just so you know, only a bit of the trial stuff is mine.
(A/N: I love you guys. I really do. 87 reviews total! In reward, here's the next chappie (and the longest chappie yet..), and I'll see what I can do to get you a new one tomorrow.)
Chapter 8: Animagus and the Trial
Fawkes glided down silently. It was time for Harry to start getting ready, even though it was only four in the morning. If the Ministry tried to pull anything like they did last year, Harry would be ready. That and Fawkes felt that if he had to be up this early in the morning, Harry should be up. The waking up part should be fun, anyway.
The Phoenix perched lightly on Harry's bed, and leaned his head to where his beak was directly beside the boy's ear. His plan was to chirp really, really, loudly, and startle Harry up.
Before he could, however, a hand was suddenly clasped around Fawkes' beak, and another on the reddish-gold body. Fawkes could only blink before he was thrown onto the stone floor, his attacker following him.
"Oh, it's just you, Fawkes. What the heck were you doing?" Harry, alert and wide-awake, asked, crouching over the stunned Phoenix.
"Trying to wake you up, you idiot. Looks like I succeeded, but I didn't expect it to hurt that much. How did you know I was there?" Fawkes painfully got to his feet, wincing. The stone floor didn't really help. Hedwig, woken up by the commotion, was covering her beak with her wing, holding back her hoots of laughter at the Phoenix's predicament.
Harry shrugged. "Your weight on the bed, for one thing. It shifted my body awake. Then your moving your muscles and your heart beating alerted me to your presence. When I felt the warmth of your body near my ear, I just reacted."
Fawkes shook his wings, disgruntled. "Figures you have your own inner alarm clock. Anyway Harry, it's time to get ready."
The wizard looked at the clock on his bedside table, and raised his eyebrows. "Four in the morning, Fawkes? Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm trying to make sure that you're on time, no matter what pranks the Ministry tries to pull this year. Also, don't you need time to run over your case once more?" Fawkes tried to reason with the boy.
Hedwig decided to interrupt at that point. By the look on Harry's face, it was all starting to go downhill fast. "Harry, Fawkes was only trying to help. Fawkes, I don't think even you understand the owls' telepathic webs. When I sent the message last night," She paused when they both chuckled at the mere memory then continued. "When I sent the message last night, it invoked a kind of owl creed on all of the owls who received. Every owl in the entire world recognizes you as the Council's chosen, and wouldn't do anything to harm you. If an owl does do something along those lines, then they will be severely punished. No owl will send you a message saying that the time or something of your trial has changed. That would be under the category of harming you."
Both Harry and Fawkes absorbed the new information. "Oh. So you didn't really need to wake up this early. Oops?" Fawkes decided that now would be the opportune time to fly away. Before he could, Harry had drawn his wand, and made a motion. Fawkes's legs were weighed down with heavy chains, heavier than even a Phoenix could lift.
"Fawkes, do you want the puppy dog eyes?" Harry sent dangerously. Fawkes seemed to shrink as he tried to make himself as small as possible.
The Snowy Owl rolled her eyes. "Harry, please be nice to Fawkes. He didn't know. But now that you're up, it's a good idea to make yourself presentable, and review your case. You don't want to stumble over anything, do you? And I believe that Animagus potion is ready to be taken now."
Harry lit up, and waved his wand. The weights on Fawkes disappeared. "Yes! I can finally find out my form!"
Fawkes flew out of reach of Harry. "It's wise to review your case first. I believe that the potion can take up a great amount of time."
The wizard reluctantly nodded. "Well, Okay, but I will get you back, Fawkes. Waking me up at four o-bloody-clock in the morning wasn't a very good idea." At those words, Fawkes disappeared in a ball of fire, fearing for his life. Hedwig chuckled.
The owl was curious about what Harry was going to do, and tried to listen in, but to no avail. It seemed as if Harry had put a Silencing Charm around himself, so as to keep the element of surprise open. She was still able to watch, and observed Harry walking in circles, muttering to himself, and sometimes waving his wand. Occasionally, he would look up something in a book, and then go back to pacing and muttering. After about an hour of this, Harry stopped, waved his wand, and the Charm disappeared.
"Are you going to get dressed yet, Harry?" Hedwig took the opportunity to ask while she could. At her question, Harry looked at his sleepwear in consternation.
"Thanks Hedwig, I forgot. I'll do that right before I leave. Now for the potion..." Harry walked to a cabinet he had transfigured, and opened the door. The Potion he had brewed almost two weeks ago was a beautiful white; exactly the way the Potions book had said it should be.
The Animagus book advised that he sit down, clear his mind, and then take the potion. Depending on the user, the potion would activate in about half an hour on average. Harry hoped that it wouldn't take that long.
Fawkes appeared beside Hedwig as Harry sat on his bed, concentrated, and then downed the vial of potion. "What do you think he's going to be?" Fawkes asked quietly.
Hedwig shook her head. "No idea. Did any of the Council members give Harry their form for an Animagus form?"
"No. Believe it or not, Harry already had a great deal of power when we did the transfer. Some of the gifts he received were merely early awakenings of powers he already had. We tried to make him a multi-animagus, but we couldn't. His form was already decided when we did the transfer, so the form he has is a complete mystery to all of us. We were able, however, to make sure that he would become the fastest person ever to become and Animagus." Fawkes told the Snowy Owl, who shook her head in awe.
The two birds watched as Harry started to twitch. In seconds he was shaking on his bead, convulsions ripping through his body. This went on for thirty minutes before he started to calm down. Hedwig was frantic with worry for her master, but Fawkes assured her that this was normal. So, they waited patiently for Harry to come back to the real world.
Harry opened his eyes, and gasped in wonder as what he had seen in his mind came back to him. "Wow…" Harry murmured in his mind.
Hedwig couldn't take it anymore, and flew down to join her master. Fawkes wasn't too far behind. "Harry, are you okay? Do you know what your form is?" Hedwig asked anxiously, while checking him over for any injuries.
Harry smiled. "I'm a wolf! But my form said something about me being abnormal…" He frowned at that last part. "Since when are you ever normal?" Fawkes quipped. He ducked Harry's swat.
The wizard glared at Fawkes, and then looked thoughtful "That's actually a good question. Anyway, my totem…"
"What's a totem?" Hedwig interrupted. Fawkes silenced her with a glare, while Harry sighed. "A totem is basically what you are like. That's what decides your Animagus form. Mine is the wolf. Like I was saying, my totem told me that I would become a wolf when I transformed. Then he said something about me being something different, which made things easier for me, but harder at the same time. Fawkes, what's a 'shifter'?" Harry asked, curious.
The Phoenix squawked in surprise. "Your totem said that you were a shifter?"
Harry's eyebrows furrowed. "Err, yes, is that bad? He didn't explain anything when I asked, just moved on and told me how to transform."
Fawkes closed his eyes. Was that bad? Good gosh, where had that child been? If Harry's totem told him he was a shifter, then it must be true. And if Harry was a shifter this war was starting to look up. "Its actually really quite good Harry. Kind of being like a multi-animagus, only better. I'll explain more later on. Your totem taught you how to transform?"
Harry nodded, eyes brightening. "Here, I'll show you!" In a split second, Harry was no longer there. Instead, a black wolf with green eyes and gray patch of fur in the shape of a lightning bolt over his right eye took his place. "This is awesome! Whoa, the view changed! And I have a tail! Whee!"
The birds looked in awe as Harry started to chase his tail. "Fawkes, was this your doing?" Hedwig turned to Fawkes and asked.
"Not really. We thought it would take a month! I guess our combined powers helped really boost Harry..." Fawkes shook his head from side to side in amazement. Then he looked at the wolf, which was bounding around like he was high on sugar. "Harry, you need to change back, it's time to get ready!" He sent.
In answer, the wolf bounded towards them. When he tried to stop, however, his nails scrabbled to find any traction available, in vain. Closing his eyes, he wished that he could stop before he crashed.
When he next opened his green eyes, he was staring at Fawkes and Hedwig, who were looking at him incredulously. "What? Oh… I didn't see those before." Wolf-Harry looked at the spread, black-feathered wings that had helped him stop. "Is this part of the form?" Harry asked.
Fawkes made a choking noise in his throat. "I'm… not enitirely sure, Harry I believe that it's part of the explanation I promised you later. For now, please turn back into human, and get ready. It's time to leave."
The wolf sighed, and changed. In a second, Harry was standing there. The only problem was, his clothes had somehow disappeared with his transformation. "Oops. I guess I need to work on that." A wave of his wand later, and he was fully clothed.
Fawkes closed his eyes. "Yes, I would definitely think so."
Cornelius Fudge was in a bad mood. After the epidemic yesterday that spread among the owls, the Ministry was afraid to use them. So, he had not been able to send off a message to Harry Potter, tricking him as they did last year into being late to his trial. Any owl that he did approach to send the letter appeared to have a relapse of the epidemic. When others came, the owl had recovered, but those that came advised the Minister against using any owls until the mysterious epidemic had been fully researched.
Fudge was already in hot water. Polls showed that the Wizarding Population was in favor of a new Minister. Cornelius figured he'd not have his job soon. One thing he wanted to do before then was to render Harry useless in the Wizarding World, in revenge. The upcoming trial seemed to be perfect for his purposes. However, he was still counting on an image of the previous summer; a nervous, overwhelmed Harry Potter.
At his trial, Harry caused quite a stir when he arived with a Phoenix on one shoulder, a Snowy owl on the other, robes spotless, hair in some semblance of order, and his wand in a holster. Order members in the audience were astonished at the sight of the familiar Phoenix on Harry's shoulder. Dumbledore, sitting in a seat in the Wizengamot, was particularly flabbergasted at the realization that Fawkes was in on Harry's disappearance. In his seat, Remus sat back, grinning, and prepared to enjoy the show.
"Disciplinary hearing on the twenty-third of June, into offenses committed under the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and the International Statute of Secrecy by Harry James Potter, resident at number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey." Harry couldn't help but reminisce about the last time he heard those words. Last summer he had gotten off, and he would do so again.
"Interrogators: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minster of Magic; Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister. Court Scribe, Percy Ignatius Weasley." Harry was surprised that Dumbledore hadn't been mentioned, but realized that Fudge was taking this trial seriously, more serious than before, and so had wrested control of the Wizengamot from Dumbledore once more. By the mutterings among the other Wizengamot members, they were a little surprised as well.
Here Fudge stopped. "Any witnesses for the defense?" He questioned, glaring at Dumbledore, daring him to say so, and at Harry.
Harry shook his head. "Not as of now, Minister Fudge, but I reserve the right to call witnesses to the stand as I see fit."
Those in the audience were taken by surprise. All were expecting Dumbledore to jump to Harry's defense again. In fact, the Headmaster was about to speak when Harry had made his statement. Up in the Wizengamot seats, Fudge didn't know what to think. The way Harry had spoken… The Minster of Magic got a uneasy feeling about this. Dumbledore sat back, astounded. This trial had taken an unexpected turn. With Fawkes, Harry had made a powerful impression, for Phoenixes were famous for siding with the Light. Dumbledore watched Harry more carefully. Remus grinned. Oh, this would be interesting indeed.
Fudge took a deep breath. "The charges against the accused…" He started to read off a piece of paper, while Harry looked decidedly bored. His hand reached up to pet Hedwig, then Fawkes.
"You are Harry James Potter, of number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey?" Fudge asked Harry, glaring over the top of the piece of paper.
Harry smiled pleasantly. "I am Harry James Potter, but I'm afraid I no longer reside at Number Four. I used to live with my relatives, but have since moved out." He informed patiently.
Fudge's face turned red, as his control seemed to slip away. "Would Mr. Potter tell the court where he lives now?"
"No, Mr. Potter will not. Mr. Potter is concerned about disclosing that information for safety reasons. But please, by all means, continue." Harry said, his voice steady. He watched in amusement as a vein in Fudge's forehead started ticking. Hedwig and Fawkes both sent him mental messages at that, and he smothered a grin. His case would not do well if he started laughing.
"Mr. Potter, you will tell the court where you live, or be held in contempt!" Fudge's face started to turn purple.
"Actually, Minister Fudge, you cannot do that. Under Article Three, section twelve of Ministry Courtroom Procedures, 1953, the accused may decide not to answer any question that is unimportant to the hearing. My current place of residence has no bearing on the hearing. It is sufficient enough that the court knows that I used to live at number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey."
There was a furious whispering among the court, as Fudge looked to Percy, who was looking through a huge book. Percy looked up a Fudge, pale-faced, and nodded. All knew that Harry was correct. Remus cheered silently for Harry. Apparently, the teen had not spent two weeks idling about doing nothing.
"Very well. You received an official warning from the Ministry for using illegal magic three years ago, did you not?" Fudge scrambled desperately for the reigns of control.
"Yes."
"You attended a disciplinary hearing on August twelfth last year for the same subject, correct?"
"Yes, and was proven innocent by the court." Harry was pleased to get that little tidbit in; last year he was interrupted by Fudge every time he had tried to explain himself.
Fudge ignored that. "And, knowing that you are not permitted to use magic outside school while you are under the age of seventeen, performed a series of spells in the presence of Muggles on the morning of the seventh of June?"
"Yes." Everyone in the room expected Harry to go on, but was surprised that he didn't explain himself.
Fudge was about to speak, no doubt to proceed to the sentencing, when, like last year, Amelia Bones cut him off. "Would you please explain to the court why you did this?"
Harry smiled at her. "Of course, Madam Bones. On the morning of the seventh of June, Death Eaters entered number four, Privet Drive. I was still in that residence at the time."
"Preposterous!" Fudge interrupted. Harry's smile slipped, and his voice grew icy.
"Minister Fudge, under Article three, section five of Ministry Courtroom Procedure, 1953, no one may interrupt the accused when he is giving testimony at the behest of one of the Interrogators. Not even the leading body of the interrogators."
Minister Fudge once again looked at Percy, who once again looked up what Harry said in the humongous book, and once again Percy nodded in confirmation of the truth of Harry's words. By now, most of those in attendance were stifling cheers at Harry's performance. Even the Wizengamot seemed to be enjoying the Minister being taught Ministry Law by an underage student at Hogwarts. Amelia Bones coughed to cover up her smile. "Please continue, Mr. Potter."
Harry smiled at her again. "Thank you, Madam Bones. As I said, Death Eaters had come upon the premises of my place of residence at the time. My relatives, all Muggles were present, and sleeping. To protect them, I used my wand to cast locking, silencing, and various other charms on their bedroom doors. Then, when the Death Eaters reached my position, I dueled with them."
"Do you have any proof, Mr. Potter, that what you say is true?"
"Yes, Madam Bones. With the permission of the court, I would like to use my wand to show you exactly what happened." Here he gave a small bow.
Fudge started to speak, but then thought better of it. He couldn't think of any law that would forbid him to speak against Potter, but then again, he didn't think that the laws Potter had stated were actually true. He didn't want to test his luck a third time. When he looked at Potter, the brat glanced at him, eyes icy. He shivered in his seat. No, he didn't want to test Potter a third time.
"Very well, Mr. Potter." Madam Bones decided that Harry had something up his sleeve, and she wanted to see it. Of course, she was supposed to be neutral, but after what her niece had told her about Potter and his little shenanigans, she rather liked the teen.
Harry bowed, and drew his wand. He was well aware that some of the Aurors around the courtroom had drawn their wands, and planned to not give them any reason to use them. "Revelo Recorda Juin." Harry said clearly, pointing his wand at the ground in front of him.
Everyone was fascinated at the hologram that emerged from Harry's wand, which grew until all could see. Even Fudge watched, interested. The entire showdown between Harry and the Death Eaters was shown, even the Aurors' appearance and consequent investigation. It stopped before Kingsley dragged Harry away. When it stopped, the courtroom was silent, as they processed the sights and sounds that Harry had recorded with his wand. While they contemplated it, Harry put his wand back in his holster.
"Your… evidence is very convincing, Mr. Potter. Do you have any thing more which might prove your case?"
"Yes, Madam Bones. With your permission, I'd like to call Auror Shacklebolt to the stand, so that he might verify my evidence.
In his seat, Fudge realized that he'd lost all control. When the Auror stepped onto the stand, and began to tell his version of the story, he also knew that Harry had won his case.
Madam Bones watched as the Auror left the stand, and decided she was impressed. "Those in favor of clearing the witness of all charges?" She asked. Most of the hands raised immediately, a few following. Fudge did not raise his hand, nor did Umbridge, who had glared at Harry the entire time. "And those in favor of conviction?" Only Fudge and Umbridge's hands were raised. "Cleared of all charges," Bones announced.
Madam Bones turned to address Harry, and stopped. He was looking expectant… "Do you have something to say, Mr. Potter?" The court, which was about to leave, froze.
"Yes, Madam Bones."
"Go ahead, Mr. Potter."
Harry bowed. "Thank you, Madam Bones. I ask that the Ministry grant me an allowance for the use of underage magic."
Remus swore he heard a pin drop. He himself was swearing at Harry. He had just gotten off, and was asking for more? Then the werewolf stifled a grin
Fudge decided to regain control. "No, Mr. Potter. Exceptions cannot be made for anyone." He briskly gathered his stuff, but stopped at the sound of the teen's voice.
"I'm afraid that isn't exactly true, Minister Fudge. In the case of Ministry vs. Todd Toaden, 1784, Mr. Toaden was granted an allowance to use magic, although he was underage, because of the extreme circumstances in his life."
Fudge restrained himself from sneering. "Since you seem to be knowledgeable about this case, Mr. Potter, why don't you remind the court of this case?"
Harry flashed him a quick, feral smile. Those that saw weren't sure that they saw when they looked again and saw Harry's expression bland. "Of course, Minister Fudge, it would be my honor.
"Mr. Toaden's parents, his magical guardians were killed during an accident in their training to become Aurors. His only relatives left were muggles, and his parents had left no instructions as to who was to become Mr. Toaden's next magical guardian, so he was left without. A few years later, a still underage Mr. Toaden had to rely on magic to fight off some Dark wizards who were attacking his muggle relatives. At his trial, Mr. Toaden was given his reprieve due to the fact that there was no magical guardian present, and the circumstances upon which he used his magic was just."
Fudge clenched his fists. "And you expect a reprieve because of a case that was more than a century ago?"
Harry raised an eyebrow. "In paragraph D of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, the Ministry is allowed to grant underage wizards and/or witches a reprieve to utilize magic. The paragraph also states that unless a law ratified by a unanimous vote from the Wizengamot changes it, it is to be observed. My circumstances relate to Mr. Toaden's; I have no magical guardian present, and I was using my magic to protect my muggle relatives."
Fudge realized he was fighting a losing battle. It seemed as if Potter had all the books in Wizarding law stuffed inside his head. Maybe the public would like it if he gave Harry the reprieve, and therefore, he would keep his office!
"Very well, Mr. Potter. An owl will be sent to you with your special license to use magic. If you've no more to add, this court is adjourned."
Harry smiled, bowed to the Wizengamot, then to the audience, before vanishing in a ball of fire, thanks to Fawkes. Behind him, he left a stunned group of people.
Remus Lupin shook his head in amusement, and went to find Tonks. It appeared they had some money to collect.
Well, that's it for now! Thanks to all who reviewed! I'm afraid that I'd take up a whole 'nother page to respond to everyone, but here's a quick rundown;
Those who answered "African or European" and "Monty Python, Search for the Holy Grail" for question number three got two lollipops, one per answer. If you only got one right, you just get one lollipop. You know who you are.
For the other questions/comments on the reviews, here they are.
Lady Gallatea Ravenclaw: o-- You get a lollipop for the wolf!Your first guess is nice, but incorrect, as chapter eight says.Your second guess is also incorrect. Thanks for trying, though!
Cricket244: ch 7: revvie:o-- yes, Harry's in the CoS... ch 8 revvie: o--, o--
Paradox, Matt101, Digi Bonds, Lunarbard, cocopops, bandgsecurtiyaw, Mikito, HecateDeMort, Sweet-Charmed-Angle, e: Thanks for your comments. They make my day.
BrattyWitch: Thanks. I'm glad you liked the "owl epidemic"
FrozenOnyxPhoenix: You're incorrect, but it was a good guess. thanks for trying
PsychicLunar: Sorry, his Animagus form isn't all that original. But, At least I added a bit of twist to quell your disappointment. Good guess on Aragog's second gift, but wrong... and you didn't know about that famous remark in Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail? Oh well, I guess not everyone has seen it (shock, horror ;-) ). Thanks for reviewing... and I don't know about you readingmy fic at 4:30... guess you'll just have to figure it out on your own.
Fantasy Raan: o--, o--
RainbowDreams42: Well, if you saw someone you hated save your life, your opinion would change, wouldn't it? I'm glad you like the fic, and I'm glad to hear that I'm one of your favorites.
Kenlithia: Yes he does. o--, o--
Wizzel: Glad you liked the owl chapter... I had fun with that myself. I'm afraid I can only give you one lollipop for your guesses... only the third was correct. so, here: o-- I'm glad you like the fic. Your guesses were very good, btw.
David M. Potter: Thanks! Glad you liked it as well as I did.
Wytil: lol w/the rabbits. No, I don't think that will happen. Good guesses, but, I'm sorry to say that you don't get a lollipop today... Maybe next time
shdurrani: Thanks for reviewing! It seems that my owl chapter was well recieved... and I, too, have been questioned on my state of mind for reading/writing fanfic. Hope you like the chappie!
Bloodless Ace: Thanks o--
Danuschka: Sorry, no lollipops today. good guesses, though. As to the third question, look at the other revvies... most got it right. Thanks for reviewing!
cliff: o--
Rayz: Thanks! I'm glad you liked the owl chapter. Thanks again for reviewing!
nerd2006: Thanks! I do try to veer from the norm
Sky: Hmm...) Glad you liked the owl chappie!
Colleen: o--, o--
saffy2yrs: Thanks for reviewing. your first two guesses were good, but incorrect. For your third, here's your lollipops: o--, o-- I appreciate your comments!
druidmaster: Glad you like the fic. Good question. and two lollipops for question #3. o--, o--
HellsMaji: sorry, no lollipops for today... maybe next time. Thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you liked the owl chappie
Usagi the Mage: o--
laer: 1) don't know... but no lollipop 2)lol, no 3) o-- To my knowledge, I'm not a psychic. As I was searching for a third question to ask, that just popped into my head, and I decided to have some fun. Thanks for reviewing!
Phew! That's all the reviews! If I didn't get to say thanks to you personally, I'm sorry, but I had to get this chappie up. I'm also sure that you'd want the chappie soo, not wait for it until I had enough time to personalize all the reviews Now, for the questions.
By now, you know that Harry's Animagus form is a wolf. Only one person got that right in the revvies. None of you got Aragog's second gift right... And I was glad that most of you got the third question right. So, your next three questions are:
1) What is Aragog's second gift? (I hinted atit very briefly, very subtly, in a previous chapter. Note: it's not a physical gift. Happy guessing.)
2) What, exactly, is a shifter? I know I won't get exactly right answers, but any who comes close, I'll award two lollipops
3) What is Harry's Marauder name going to be? (James was Prongs, Sirius was Padfoot, etc.)
Please review!
