Harry Potter and the Rune of Alacantera

by Mione5

COMPLETE Harry returns for his seventh year a little different to when he left. What exactly happened during the summer and can Dumbledore and the Order find out the answers before it's too late. Not slash No HBP Mentions of rape and child abuse.

10. Chapter 10

Disclaimer – My hand is up for Adele and Ashley but that's all.

Chapter 10 – No words

It was almost pitch black when the three men apparated to Privet Drive that evening and the almost part was taken care of seconds later as Dumbledore quickly collected all the light from the street lamps.

They walked in silence down the street full of matching houses until they reached number four. 'Remember why it is we are here, gentlemen.' Dumbledore said softly and after exchanging an angry grimace both Snape and Ashley nodded curtly. The Vampire had been allowed to come after guessing, correctly, what Harry's uncle had done. A millennium of wisdom really came in handy sometimes.

Dumbledore unlocked the door and they all slipped silently inside before various locking and silencing spells were cast so that nothing could be heard from outside the house. That finished the three men walked into the sitting room and stood side by side in front of the fake fireplace. At a nod from the headmaster Snape flicked his wand and sent a large vase that was sitting on the sideboard hurtling across the room into the other wall with an earsplitting crash.

As expected a great yell was heard from upstairs and lights suddenly flicked on as they were assaulted by the sounds of footsteps thundering down the stairs. The three occupants of the house all stumbled into the sitting room, freezing almost immediately at the sight of the headmaster flanked by the menacing figures in black.

'FREAKS!' Vernon Dursley roared. 'GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE!'

Dumbledore flicked his wand and the enormous man was silenced and still as the elderly wizard took several steps forward. 'We are not here for either of you.' He said calmly as he looked towards a pale Petunia and trembling Dudley, who was for some reason that none of the wizards in the room could fathom, clutching his huge bottom protectively. 'You should be ashamed of yourself, tormenting those smaller and weaker than yourself. Your time will come Dudley Dursley, one day there will be someone who will take you to task.'

'I...I didn't do anything?' Dudley stammered.

An ominous growl from Snape silenced the fat teenager and Dumbledore's eyes turned icy. 'Go to bed now.' He commanded and Dudley didn't wait for another, quickly darting from the room as fast as his fat legs could carry him.

Dumbledore turned to Petunia. 'Your sister would be so disappointed that you let such things happen to your nephew. She thought the world of you and you hated her, you took that hatred out on her son, an innocent boy.'

Snape breathed out heavily at the accusation and Ashley sent him a consoling look. 'What you have done for the boy more than makes up for your treatment of him previously.' The Vampire murmured. 'I'm sure Harry would agree.'

Snape nodded and Dumbledore went on as if they hadn't spoken. 'You're neglect of Harry is appalling and you should really be punished but we haven't the time tonight. What your husband did was much worse and it is time he paid for his sins.'

'What did he do?' Petunia asked hesitantly glancing fearfully at her husband who was still shouting in complete silence, his face almost purple with rage.

'You will find out soon enough, Petunia. I only hope that when you do you can forgive yourself for not protecting one of your own as you should. Now leave us please.'

Petunia looked as if she was about to protest but in that moment both Ashley and Snape stepped towards her and without a backward glance she scurried from the room.

Dumbledore pointed his wand directly at Vernon and the man's mouth snapped closed even though he was still under the silencing charm. 'You foul, loathsome, perverted...' Dumbledore trailed off unable to even put into words how he felt looking at the muggle.

Snape went on for him. 'Sadistic, twisted, waste of air.' The potions master spat. 'You had to take the only thing he had left didn't you, you bastard. He was just a boy. Never in my life have I seen something so disgusting.'

Vernon's mouth opened and he muttered several silent words that caused Ashley to lunge forward, grabbing him by the neck and slammed him into the wall behind him, fangs glinting as he snarled at the muggle. 'How dare you.' The vampire hissed and before Dumbledore or Snape could stop him he sank his teeth into the man's neck.

It was only as he felt the muggle going limp in his arms that he noticed the two men trying to pull him off the now unconscious body of Vernon Dursley; his anger dispelling even the strongest stunning spell the headmaster could cast. As he stepped back Vernon crumpled to a heap on the floor and Ashley turned away, vomiting the foul tasting blood all over the floor.

'Ashley, what were you thinking?' Dumbledore murmured as he surveyed the mess before them.

'I think it's safe to say I wasn't.' Ashley said hoarsely as he wiped his mouth on his sleeve.

'What did he say?' Snape asked quietly, knowing that whatever it had been it had sent the vampire crazy.

'He said...' Ashley hesitated, looking ill once again. 'He said...he was such a good little fuck once he stopped screaming.' He finished in a whisper.

Dumbledore's eyes flashed and the very foundations of the house shook around them; yelps and screams from upstairs barely heard over the low rumbling.

Snape moved past his anger and did the only thing that came to mind. He raised his wand, pointing it at the fat man as he groaned; consciousness was returning. Snape waited until the man blinked and opened his eyes, immediately widening them at the sight of the potion master leaning over him, wand raised.

'For your sins, muggle.' Snape whispered. 'Castratus Maximus.'

Vernon's eyes bulged and his hands immediately flew to his crotch where he had just been castrated and cauterized.

'And for good measure. Obliviate.' Dumbledore added in a growl. Vernon's eyes became glazed and at a nod from the headmaster Snape quickly swept from the room and up the stairs to do the same to the rest of the Dursley family.

Albus raised an eyebrow at the wicked smirk on the younger man's face when he returned several minutes later. 'What did you do?' he asked carefully.

Snape's smirk became even more pronounced. 'Nothing they will remember.' He promised and without looking back the three men left Privet Drive never to return again.

---

Harry was nervous. Actually, that was an understatement. He was petrified. He was sitting between Albus and Claudius with Snape, Ashley and Adele several rows behind in the gallery.

'It will be alright, Harry. Just relax.' Albus murmured soothingly as he placed a gentle hand on Harry's arm. He could feel a small warmth resting in his chest and knew Adele was concentrating hard on relaxing him.

It worked partially but when the doors banged open and the Wizingamot filed in it didn't stop him jumping almost a foot in shock.

Rodd and Dumbledore exchanged glances as Fudge, Malfoy and Halington Greaves swaggered into the courtroom behind them, all smiling heartily as if without a care in the world.

Madame Bones had taken over as Head of the Wizingamot as Dumbledore had had to recues himself as had Fudge. 'Order. Order in this courtroom.' The tall witch called out as she tapped her wand on the bench. Once everyone had quieted she unrolled a parchment and began to read.

'We are here today to hear the case of Harry James Potter versus Lucius Malfoy on the charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment and attempted murder and Harry James Potter versus Cornelius Fudge in complicity with the previously stated charges and neglect in his duty of care as Minister of Magic. How does the Defense plead?' Madame Bones looked up from her paper and peered down at Greaves.

'Not guilty to all charges, Madame. This is preposterous. It is yet another trick for attention by that child.'

'Objection, Madame, I didn't realize we were into opening statements yet.' Rodd said calmly as he stood and stared at his colleague. Greaves just sneered back at him.

'Sustained. You will keep your remarks pertinent, Mr. Greaves and in their required format or they will be stricken from the record. Do you understand?' Madame Bones waited until Greaves nodded sharply. 'Let the record show that both defendants plead not guilty to all charges. We will now hear opening remarks from the defense. Mr. Greaves, the floor is yours but heed my previous warnings.'

'Of course, Madame.' Greaves said deferentially before walking around the desk and crossing the floor to stand before Harry. 'We are here today to bow to the whims of a spoilt child. A child that will use any lie, any half truth to get what he wants.'

Harry's hands clenched into fists and his bit his lip to stop from speaking out even though he dearly wanted to. He sat in silence and listened to the Law-wizard continually harp on Harry's past and his supposed penchant for the limelight, how he would make up anything to get his own way. This went on for almost twenty minutes before he finally said he was finished and sat down beside Malfoy and Fudge all of whom were grinning smugly. Albus patted his arm before taking Harry's hand in his own.

'Well done, dear boy.' He murmured as Rodd rose from his place beside them and walked out into the floor of the courtroom.

'Good morning, Madame Bones, members of the court. I'm here today to tell you a shocking story, one that will leave you cold with the knowledge that a person can be so cruel, or that another can be so heartless. I'm not going to laud about the accomplishments of the Boy-Who-Lived, I'm going to tell you about a boy, a boy who was kidnapped and tortured so horribly, left to the point of death with only one choice he could possibly make. A boy that rose above his pain and his anguish to do what he knew was right, even after those who had done him wrong continued to hound him. A boy with more courage than I have ever seen. A boy who has endured more pain than most could ever cope with. A boy simply called Harry.' Rodd turned and gave Harry a smile which the young Gryffindor tried gamely to return. Rodd nodded encouragingly and turned back to the Wizingamot.

'Harry was safe at home, or he should have been. Wards erected at the request of this council should have protected him, but they didn't. They allowed a known Death Eater, one that was captured a year before during a raid on this very Ministry and who spent over six months in Azkaban, kidnap him from his bed in the middle of the night and hold him for more than four days. How could this happen? That is what we are here to find out. I am going to show you evidence over the next few days that will prove to you that not only did Lucius Malfoy take Harry and hold him, but torture and curse him almost to the point of death. You will also be shown evidence proving that Cornelius Fudge was aware of the rebirth of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, having seen him with his own eyes in the Atrium of this very building on the same night he sent Lucius Malfoy to Azkaban. And that even with this knowledge and against the specific orders of this council did order the tearing down of the wards around Harry's home at the request of Lucius Malfoy on the same day he was taken.'

There were hissed words and the sounds of chairs scraping at the defense table but Greaves managed to subdue both his clients before any damage could be done and Rodd went on.

'I'm going to show you the truth. I'm going to show you the lies that have been told and I'm going to show you what happened to one young man who should have been safe. Thank you.'

Rodd came and sat down beside Harry, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze as the courtroom just stared in stunned silence.

'You may call your first witness, Mr Greaves.' Madame Bones said firmly after the silence lingered for several minutes.

'Yes, right.' Greaves stammered, standing quickly. 'The defense calls Lucius Malfoy.'

Malfoy stood slowly and swaggered elegantly over to the chair in the middle of the room, giving Harry a sneer for good measure.

'Mr. Malfoy, do you swear on your wand to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you Merlin?' A clerk asked quietly. Malfoy's sneer moved to take in the young man.

'Of course.' He said imperiously.

The clerk sat down and Greaves began. 'Mr. Malfoy, did you kidnap Mr. Potter from his home during the summer?' He asked bluntly, jumping in straight away.

'No.' Malfoy scoffed.

'Did you hold him in your home for four days?'

'No.'

'Did you curse or hex him during that time?'

'Of course not.'

'Did you ask Minister Fudge to remove the wards from around his house?'

'No.'

'Are you a follower of You-Know-Who?'

Malfoy's grey eyes narrowed. 'No.'

Greaves smiled brightly at the council before turning to Rodd. 'No further questions.'

'Your witness, Mr. Rodd.' Madame Bones called out and Rodd stood.

'The plaintiff requests the use of Veritaserum for this witness, Madame.' Rodd said quietly

'Objection.' Greaves was on his feet in an instant. 'Mr Malfoy is an upstanding member of the community donating millions of Galleons to charity. A request for Veritaserum is not only uncalled for but insulting.'

Madame Bones looked between the two opposing councils for several moments. 'At this point I see no reason for Veritaserum to be used however I reserve the right to change my judgment if I think it necessary.'

Rodd glanced at Harry and Albus and shook his head at Harry's stricken expression. 'Mr. Malfoy.' He said turning back to Lucius. 'Why would you sink to such a level?'

'What?'

'What made you use such a potion on an innocent child?'

'Pardon? I did no such thing.' Malfoy snapped, clearly rattled at such blunt and rude questioning.

Rodd had loomed over the man. 'So Harry made it all up then?'

Malfoy sneered. 'My son Draco, said Potter did have a very vivid imagination.'

'Objection, hearsay.' Rodd glanced at Madame Bones who nodded.

'Sustained.' She said. 'Please keep your testimony to your own words and thoughts, Mr. Malfoy. The thoughts of your son are irrelevant here.'

Malfoy nodded but was clearly angry at being reprimanded.

'Were you so distressed at the thought of Harry destroying your master that you decided to take things into your own hands?' Rodd jumped in quickly while the blond man was still off balance.

Lucius Malfoy's eyes widened and he snorted loudly. 'That child?' He sneered at Harry. 'Besting the Dark Lord? I think not.'

Harry's eyes widened as he noticed several in the council exchange glances. 'What is it?' he whispered to Dumbledore.

'Only a Death Eater would call Voldemort, the Dark Lord.' Dumbledore murmured back. 'That was a very costly mistake on Lucius' part.'

Harry thought about it for a moment and realized it was true, of the people he knew only Snape called Tom Riddle by that name. He glanced over at Greaves and saw that the defense council had paled. The man breathed a heavy sigh of relief when Rodd said he had no more questions and Malfoy was allowed to step down.

Fudge was called up next and he too answered no to every question Greaves put to him. The fun really started when Rodd began his cross examination. Again Veritaserum was refused but it didn't matter.

'Mr. Fudge.' He said carefully, flat out refusing to use the Man's title. 'Do you recognize this?' he asked handing over a sheet of parchment.

Fudge looked at it and nodded slowly. 'It is a record of my account at Gringotts.' He explained.

'And the deposit dated 21st November last year, what was the amount?'

Fudge glanced over at Malfoy. 'T...ten thousand Galleons.' He stammered.

'And who was that deposit from?' Rodd asked lightly.

'The Dragon Trust.'

'And who is the Dragon Trust?' Rodd's eyes never moved from the man before him even as Fudge's eyes flicked to Malfoy once again.

'Lucius Malfoy.' He whispered.

'I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that.'

'Lucius Malfoy.' Fudge said more loudly. Several whispers were exchanged around the gallery.

'And what was Mr. Malfoy's release date from Azkaban again?'

Fudge paled. 'The 21st November.' He whispered.

Rodd smiled grimly and handed the man another piece of parchment. 'This is another record of your account but for the month of July this year, is it not?'

'Yes.'

'And the deposit dated the 15th, how much is that for?

'Ten thousand Galleons.' Fudge sighed realizing this was becoming a losing battle.

'And the depositor?'

'The Dragon Trust.'

Rodd winked at Harry as he picked up another piece of paper off the table. 'Mr. Fudge, have you seen this piece of parchment before?' He asked, holding up what was clearly a Ministry Document.

'I...I...um...It's a Ministry Decree.' Fudge stuttered.

'And is that your magically binding signature on the bottom?'

'Y...yes.'

'And just what did this decree do?'

Fudge glanced around as if looking for someone to save him. 'It dissolved the wards around Mr. Potter's home.' He said finally

'And whose is the requesting signature for this very important, life threatening decree?'

Fudge's panicked eyes flew to Malfoy who looked as if he was trying to cast a Silencio with only his eyes. 'L..lucius.'

'Lucius Malfoy?' Rodd said clearly and Fudge nodded swallowing heavily.

'Yes.'

'And just what is the date of this particular decree tearing down the words around Harry's summer home and putting his life in danger?'

'There was no danger.' Fudge burst out.

'Answer the question, Mr. Fudge.' Rodd said calmly.

'I told you, there was no danger. The wards were a waste. There were no longer needed.'

Rodd turned to Madame Bones. 'Would the court please direct the witness to answer the question please?' he requested.

'Minister Fudge, please answer the question or you will be held in contempt.' Amelia Bones said firmly.

Fudge looked as if he was about to explode. 'The 15th of July. It was written and declared on the 15th of July alright.' He snapped. Most in the courtroom were beginning to show unease at the revelations about their Minister unfolding before them.

Rodd smiled and picked up a final piece of paper. 'One last one, Mr. Fudge, do you recognize this piece of paper?' Rodd said slowly as he held a roll of parchment with the date clearly visibly on the side.

'How?' Fudge's voice was incredulous as his face drained of blood.

'I'll take your reaction to mean that you do but if you could please say yes or no for the record.'

'Yes.' Fudge said automatically, his eyes never leaving the scroll.

Rodd made a point of unrolling it. 'This is your report from the night of the raid on the Ministry in May last year, is it not?'

'Yes.' Fudge whispered.

'It is a truth scroll, unable to be altered or destroyed, is that not correct?'

'Yes.'

'And in this scroll do you not say that not only was Lucius Malfoy found in a white mask and black robe with the Dark Mark burnt into his arm, but that you saw You-Know-Who dueling with Albus Dumbledore with your own eyes in the Atrium of this building?'

Fudge was panicking, unable to stop glancing between Dumbledore, Malfoy and Greaves.

'Mr. Fudge?'

'YES. YES ALRIGHT. I SAW HIM, ARE YOU HAPPY?' Fudge screamed and the courtroom broke out in whispers.

'Silence. Silence.' Madame Bones shot sparks into the air from her wand until all was quiet. 'Go on, Mr. Rodd.' She said coldly, staring at the man who was the Minister but probably not for much longer.

'I have no further questions for this witness, Madame.' Rodd said quietly before returning to his seat.

Amelia Bones glanced at her watch. 'This courtroom will break for lunch and will reconvene in half an hour.' She said giving her wand a final tap on the bench before the Wizingamot filed slowly from the room. Fudge, Malfoy and Greaves followed thereafter, however the swagger that had been there when they walked in was well and truly missing.

Dumbledore and Rodd grasped one of Harry's arms and pulled him to his feet, propelling him through the room towards the door where they met up with Snape, Adele and Ashley. Harry knew not to say anything yet and just took Adele's hand and allowed the adults to guide them into a large room further down the corridor. It was warm and comforting in spite of the growing November cold outside and the adults quickly sat around the fire talking as Adele pulled Harry to stand by the window.

'It's going very well, Harry.' She said softly.

Harry shrugged. 'It's all against Fudge at the moment. Malfoy will get off again. He always does.'

Adele shook her head. 'No, you heard Madame Bones. If she thinks Veritaserum is warranted she will call for it. And after you tell everyone what happened I bet she demands he take it.'

Harry couldn't help but smile at the complete confidence in her voice. 'I hope you're right.' He sighed, pulling her close.

'Course I am, I'm a Snape after all.' Adele said primly and Harry couldn't help but snort softly.

'I hope you're doing something constructive, Harry.' Snape called out from where the adults were gathered by the fireplace.

Harry rolled his eyes as Adele giggled before sinking his fangs gently into her neck and drinking slowly. They stood entwined for almost ten minutes before he drew away, kissing her softly on the lips. 'Love you.' He whispered.

'Ditto.' She whispered back and they slowly crossed the room to join the others. Snape took one look at Harry's now vivid green eyes and nodded in acknowledgement. Harry smiled and nodded back before pulling Adele down onto his lap and reaching for a sandwich.

Both Snape and Dumbledore realized just how good Adele was for Harry after lunch when things began to get tough for him. He was the first witness called after lunch, as Rodd had foretold he would be.

Harry had been on the stand for over an hour answering questions as calmly as he could regarding the incident during the dueling club in his second year; the Tri-Wizard tournament and even the hunt for the Philosopher's Stone in his first year. All trying to show just how much he craved attention.

Finally Greaves conferred for several moments with Lucius Malfoy who was grinning smugly at Harry even still. Finally the Law-Wizard straightened and turned back to Harry.

'Mr Potter, I'd like to ask you now about the death of Cedric Diggory at your hands.' Greaves drawled.

'I never killed Cedric.' Harry said softly glancing at Albus.

'Oh really? Who did? Not this You-Know-Who nonsense again.'

'That right. Voldemort killed him.'

The entire courtroom flinched but Greaves looked as if he had hit the jackpot. The expression was quickly wiped off his face however with Harry's answer to his next question.

'You do realize Mr. Potter that only a Death Eater would call You-Know-Who by his rightful name.'

Harry's mouth twitched. 'You do realize Mr. Greaves.' He said clearly. 'That his rightful name is actually Tom Marvolo Riddle. Lord Voldemort is something he made up so that no one would know he was really a half blood and that loyal Death Eaters actually call him the Dark Lord.' Harry finished his eyes riveted to Lucius Malfoy who seemed to have gone into apoplectic shock.

Snape glanced at Ashley with a wry smile. He had to sit on his hands so that he didn't get to his feet and applaud. The boy couldn't have answered better if it had been scripted.

Those in the courtroom broke out into whispers and once again a now pale Madame Bones had to shoot sparks from her wand several times for silence.

Greaves stated that he had no further questions for Harry and hurried sat down as Rodd stood. 'Madame, I understand that Mr. Potter has been called by the defense but he is also a witness for his own case and has requested the use of Veritaserum to prove the accuracy of his statements.'

Madame Bones nodded. 'If the plaintiff is requesting then let it be so.' She stated nodding to the Medi-Wizard in the corner. Before the young man could reach Harry Snape was on his feet.

'Madame Bones, the plaintiff also requests that potions master Snape be able to test and confirm the Veritaserum before it is administered.'

'Granted.'

Snape quickly stepped down onto the floor and crossed to Harry, holding out his hand to the Medi-wizard and taking the proffered vial. He held it up to the light tipping it several times before popping the cork. He sniffed it with his eyes closed before dipping the tip of his finger into it and touching it to his tongue.

'It's fine.' He said handing it back. He gave Harry's shoulder a surreptitious squeeze as he passed before returning to his seat. Harry opened his mouth and allowed the man to administer three drops on his tongue. Several moments later he felt lightheaded and disconnected but he knew that was right and just listened to Rodd as he began to speak.

'Harry, can you tell us what happened on the night of the 15th July and for the four days afterwards?' Claudius said softly.

Harry nodded and began to speak. 'It was late and I was asleep. I heard a noise and it woke me up. Lucius Malfoy was standing in the door way. He stunned me.' Harry's voice was completely monotonous, exactly as the last telling. 'When I woke up I was chained to a stone floor. I was naked. He was standing in the doorway, smirking at me.'

'Who was, Harry?'

'Malfoy.'

'Lucius Malfoy?'

'Yes.'

'What happened next?'

'He taunted me, saying how the mighty had fallen. Then he left. I don't know how quickly time passed. Every time I tried to fall asleep he came in and threw freezing water on me. I tried to make him angry, I was hoping he would make a mistake and I would be able to get away but he just got angry and cast the Cruciatus on me. Eventually he'd just cast it every time he came in. I was so cold and so tired and the pain. I couldn't help it. Finally I begged him not to and he laughed and said it was time. He said I wouldn't be able to resist it any longer.' Harry took a deep breath and continued the disjointed report; his eyes still unfocused and glassy.

'Resist what?' Rodd asked quietly. The entire courtroom was listening to Harry in stunned silence and Fudge was staring at Malfoy in horror.

'I'm not sure.' Harry whispered.

'What happened next?'

'Then came the pain. It was incredible. He was carving something into my skin. He was laughing. He made me look at him. Said he wanted to see the pain in my eyes. There was something on the blade. It burnt horribly. I wished he would just kill me and be done with it but he wouldn't.' Two tears dripped unnoticed down Harry's cheeks. 'When he'd finished carving what I found out later were runes into the front of my body he turned me over and finished the back. I couldn't move. I couldn't even make a sound. I blacked out several times but he revived me. He said he didn't want me to miss a minute. When he had finished he stood up and cast a spell. I knew nothing more until I woke up in the hospital wing. Albus said I had been missing for four days.' Harry's voice trailed off and there was several moments of silence as Rodd let the descriptive weight of Harry's testimony sink in. Harry had seemed to shrink into the chair, looking more like a small child than ever before.

'Harry, are you alright?' Rodd asked softly.

'I'll never be alright.' Harry whispered, unable to do anything but answer truthfully. Several women in the gallery gasped at the pained response.

Rodd rephrased the question. 'Harry, can you continue?'

'Yes.'

'Harry, how long after that night did you find out what had happened to you?'

'It was about just over three months.'

'Not sooner?'

Harry shook his head. 'When Albus and Professor Snape found me there was no way to tell what had happened. No markings, nothing remained. There was only my memory of what happened and it was hazy at best.'

'How can you be sure of what happened then?'

'Because when I collapsed at the end of October we found out what it was Malfoy had done.'

'And that was?'

'He carved a set of power boosting runes called Alacantera into my skin using a potion covered blade. The potion was a slow acting poison that would weaken me every time I used magic.'

'And the runes?'

'Alacantera contain a compulsion rune that would compel me to use magic as much as possible. That's why nothing showed up in the summer, because I didn't use any magic. It was only when school started again that it showed itself. He bound my magic and the compulsion rune together with the poison. He wanted me to continue using magic until it killed me.'

'Mother of Merlin.' A witch on the council breathed, coving her mouth with her hand. There was much shifting in the gallery and Madame Bones looked to be about to call for silence again when Rodd spoke.

'Harry, what choices did you have to negate the rune and the poison?'

Another tear made its way down Harry's cheek and most of the women in the gallery were crying too. 'I had no choice.' Harry said softly. 'The potion could only be expelled with another potion and an incantation, but my heart could not be beating. The amount of time it took for the potion to work wouldn't have allowed my heart to start again even with magic. The compulsion rune could only have been smothered with a bond to something or someone with very strong mind magic. A Turning and bonding to a Vampire was the only way. I could either do that and live to destroy Voldemort as is my task or I could let the poison kill me and fail everyone I love. There was no choice.' Harry finished softly.

Rodd reached out and squeezed Harry's hand. 'I have no more questions for this witness.' He said quietly.

Greaves stood up casting a wary glance at Harry realizing that he was still under the Veritaserum and the Law-Wizard had no idea of what could come out of the boy's mouth; and any good lawyer knows not to ask a question they don't already know the answer to. The damage done already was almost impossible to overcome. 'The defense rests.' He said firmly even after Lucius hissed sharply at him.

Madame Bones looked to Rodd. 'Do you have any further witnesses?'

'Just one Madame.' Rodd said calmly. 'The Prosecution calls Professor Severus Snape.'

There were several intakes of breath as Snape stood and walked down to the floor of the courtroom and Harry returned to his seat beside the headmaster who wrapped his arm around the young man and gave him the antidote to the Veritaserum.

Snape was sworn in and Rodd began. 'Professor, you were one of the ones to find Harry down by the gates four days after his disappearance. Is that correct?'

'Yes.'

'And his condition when you found him?'

'He looked fine. Well, he was a bit thin and he was exhausted but physically he looked fine.'

'How did you find out what had happened?'

'Harry just kept saying Lucius had taken him. He tried to explain but seemed unable. In the end Albus suggested he put his memories of the event into a pensieve so that we could all see them.'

'All of you? Who else viewed them?'

'Myself, Albus, Minerva McGonagall and Poppy Pomfrey to begin with but when we realized Lucius had cursed Harry, and that none of us could work out what it was, more people were shown including the other Heads of House and several select members of the Order.' Snape glanced at Dumbledore who nodded slowly. 'The next day when Harry settled down he was able to recount most of what had happened.'

'When did you find out exactly what had been done?' Rodd asked.

'Just over two weeks ago I visited Lucius one evening. Harry had finally collapsed in class that morning and we were getting desperate to find out exactly what had happened. I confronted Lucius and he admitted what it was he had done albeit after much posturing from himself and mock envy from myself' At this point Snape hesitated for a moment. 'He showed me the book he used for the runes and it was at this point that I found out that the potion Lucius had used was one I had developed.' He said ashamedly.

'What did that potion do?'

'It weakened the recipient every time they used magic until it killed them.' Snape murmured.

'Why would you develop such a potion?' Rodd asked with a glance at the Wizingamot who were hanging on every word.

'It was originally developed in consultation with Albus Dumbledore as a possible way to rid us of the Dark Lord but it was discounted due to the difficulty in administration. It was after that time that it came up in a discussion with Lucius and after a demonstration he kept a vial.'

'And it was this vial he used on Harry?'

Snape nodded. 'That's what he told me.'

'Did Lucius Malfoy tell you exactly what he did to Harry?'

'Yes.'

'Now most of the Wizingamot are aware of your duties as a spy for Albus Dumbledore however I believe these duties are now finished, is that correct?'

'Yes, circumstances have changed and I am no longer a spy for the Order. When my daughter Adele was bound to Harry it became too dangerous for me to continue.' Snape admitted and the look of Malfoy's face could have wilted a dragon.

'Mr. Malfoy denies both kidnapping Harry and carving any sort of runes on his skin in spite of Harry's memory of him having done so. Can you please tell us exactly what happened when the runes and potion were supposedly countered?'

Snape gave Albus a pointed look before speaking. 'Harry was Turned first and then was given the potion as Albus, Minerva, Poppy and myself chanted the incantation to expel the poison.' The potions master seemed to be waiting for something before continuing and most in the room were startled when Dumbledore wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders and pulled the boy close, keeping one hand over the ear furthest away from him while he murmured almost silently in the other one. 'Nothing happened at first but then Harry whimpered, those whimpers turning into screams moments later as what were the runes that had been carved into his skin all over his body reappeared. They were glowing black and they reopened and copious amounts of thick black poisoned blood flowed out. The amount was incredible.' Snape shook his head and nearly all in the room were looking at least mildly ill. 'Eventually he stopped screaming and lay still. He was so still and pale.' Snape trailed off.

Rodd looked at Albus who was still murmuring softly in Harry's ear as the Boy-Who-Lived sat with his eyes closed and his head bent. 'Tell me, Professor, is there a reason for this rather odd display?' The Law-Wizard asked, his expression slightly confused as he gestured to the two completely oblivious people at the table across the room.

Snape nodded. 'Harry cannot remember what happened that afternoon. The sheer amount of pain he was in has made him block it completely and neither myself, nor Albus, wish to accidentally trigger him to remember. He is best off not knowing. He has far too much to deal with already.' The man said glaring at Fudge and Malfoy.

Rodd nodded in understanding. That was something that hadn't come up in their discussions. 'Thank you Professor Snape. I have no further questions.'

Madame Bones tapped her wand sharply even as Graves rose to ask his own questions. 'While I believe we could sit here for days and throw question after question around, I feel that would be detrimental to Mr Potter who seems to have been through quite enough. The charges against Cornelius Fudge have been proven beyond reasonable doubt and I see only one way to settle those against Lucius Malfoy. The Wizingamot authorizes the use of Veritaserum to be administered immediately.'

The courtroom exploded, most of the noise coming from Malfoy who was snarling loudly at the council. Madame Bones shot an almost unending amount of sparks from her wand that went on for several minutes before there was silence. She then fixed hard blue eyes on the blonde aristocrat. 'Mr Malfoy, you will take the stand and submit yourself to questioning by this council under Veritaserum, is that clear?' Her tone gave no room for disagreement and Malfoy know that if he did not do as she said he would find himself at the wand point of several Aurors and the truth serum forced down his throat.

Malfoy, looking as if he'd like to eviscerate Madame Bones, Fudge, Graves, Snape and Harry all in one fell swoop growled loudly. 'Of course, Madame.' He snarled, stalking across the room and throwing himself into the chair. The Medi-Wizard hurried across the room to administer the three drops of Veritaserum, snatching has hand back when Malfoy snapped his mouth closed and hissed at him. Madame Bones waited for several moments until Malfoy's eyes took on the same glassy quality that Harry's had less than an hour before.

'Mr Malfoy, did you take one Harry Potter from his bed on the evening of the 15th July this year?' She asked bluntly.

'Yes.' Malfoy replied and whispers broke out around the room.

'Did you hold Harry Potter hostage for four days after that date?'

'Yes.'

'Did you use a potion developed by Severus Snape to poison Harry Potter during that time?'

'Yes.'

'Did you carve the runes of Alacantera into Harry Potter's skin and bind them to the potion in an effort to kill him?' Madame Bones was wasting no time in getting all of the answers she wanted.

'Yes.'

'Did you bribe Minister Fudge to dissolve the wards around Harry Potter's home so that you could kidnap him?'

'Yes.'

'And how many times over the last ten years have you bribed the Minister for any reason whatsoever?' Madame Bones pressed the issue.

'Too many times to count.'

Amelia Bones exchanged a whisper with a witch to her left, another wizard on her right also adding his thoughts before turning back to Malfoy who was still glassy-eyed. 'Are you a loyal Death Eater?'

Malfoy seemed to hesitate for a moment as if trying to fight the serum but it was too strong. 'Yes.' He said finally.

The head of the council pursed her lips as whispers of outrage broke out around her once again. This time she ignored them, her anger showing clearly on her face.

'Have you used the Imperious Curse?' she asked quietly.

'Yes.'

'Have you used the Cruciatus Curse?'

'Yes.'

'Have you used the Avada Kedavra Curse?'

There was another internal struggle as once again Malfoy tried to resist answering, but it was in vain. 'Yes.' He ground out.

Greaves was on his feet shouting and Rodd was answering straight back but both of them were drowned out by the shouting from the gallery. Madame Bones ignored everything as she conferred with the witches and wizards either side of her.

'Albus?' Harry whispered hesitantly as he spied Malfoy looking at him as if wanting to lunge across the room and throttle him with his bare hands even under the influence of the Veritaserum.

Dumbledore wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders and stared unblinking with icy blue eyes at the man across the room. 'It's alright, dear boy. He won't be able to hurt you for much longer.' He vowed.

That was quite the understatement as minutes later Madame Bones tapped her wand loudly on the bench several times for silence before speaking.

'The Wizingamot has reached its decision and it will be carried out immediately.' She said firmly. 'These were civil charges, originally filed by Harry Potter, but after the testimony we have heard here today we find ourselves unable to leave this as a civil case and have reverted them by unanimous decision to criminal charges. This action changes the punishment that can be metered out to something more applicable to the crimes that have been committed. Sit down.' She yelled as Fudge leapt to his feet. The soon to be ex Minister looked stunned at her outburst and promptly sat, his mouth still hanging open. Amelia nodded and turned to Malfoy.

'Lucius Malfoy, your actions have completely horrified and disgraced this court. That no one managed to curb your evil before now is a stain on the law enforcement of our world, and especially this Ministry, that can never be removed. What you put an innocence boy through is nothing short of appalling. You took his life in the worst possible way, making him have to choose between life and death himself and for that there is only one sentence that can be handed out.' As Amelia Bones stood and gestured to the Auror beside the door, Malfoy's face paled more than anyone thought possible. 'Lucius Malfoy, it has been agreed that you will be administered the Dementors Kiss to be followed by a term of life in Azkaban prison.'

'No.' Malfoy breathed as the door opened and the temperature in the room dropped as two Dementors glided in. The moved straight to the condemned man and began their task.

'Please, no.' Harry whimpered in Dumbledore's arms. 'Please no more.' His eyes were clenched tightly shut and he was trembling violently as the nearness of the Dementors brought back memories of the torture of the summer.

'Harry? Shh, it's okay.' Dumbledore murmured, holding the boy close. He glanced behind him to see Snape doing the same to Adele who was feeling the terror almost as strongly as her husband.

Finally the Dementors finished and glided from the room but by this time Harry had passed out and didn't hear Fudge being stripped of his title and position and thrown into Azkaban for twenty five years. He didn't receive the Kiss but from the look on his face he might well have. Madame Bones shot sparks into the air once more and called that the trial was officially closed.

By the time the Aurors escorted Fudge and Malfoy from the room Dumbledore had enervated Harry and he sat pale and shaking between Rodd and Albus as Madame Bones stared down at him.

'Mr. Potter, it has to be said that the courage you have shown both today and in the months preceding this day far outstrips anything I have ever seen. Your stalwart belief in your rights both as a child and as a wizard should be applauded and your maturity and clear headedness in the face of such adversity should be held in the highest regard.' At that point the witch actually rose and came around the bench and down the stairs to cross the room and stand before Harry who was quickly helped to his feet, swaying slightly on unsteady legs.

'Mr. Potter, I take it personally that the Ministry failed to notice what was going on and I swear to you that it will not happen again. Not while I work here anyway. Repatriations will be paid from both the Malfoy Trust and the Fudge Trust accounts for your pain and suffering. I only hope that you will accept the apologies of myself and the rest of the Wizingamot.'

Harry swallowed and looked down. 'I don't want any money.' He whispered.

'I'm sorry, Mr. Potter. I didn't quite catch that.' Madame Bones said encouragingly.

Harry raised his head, his green eyes bright with resolve. 'I don't want any money. Give it to charity or something. I did this because I wanted it to stop. The lies, the bribes, the pain. I didn't do it for money. I did it in the hope that finally someone may see the truth about Malfoy and Fudge behind the facade. I'm just glad it's over.' Harry sighed. 'May I please be excused?'

Madame Bones looked saddened at the world weary tone in the teenager's voice and nodded. 'Yes, Mr. Potter.'

Harry gave the witch a small smile. 'Thank you, Madame.' He finished politely before stepping around the table and walking to the door where he met up with his family. He accepted the kiss Adele placed on his cheek before taking her hand and with Snape and Ashley trailing quickly walked from the courtroom even as dozens of reporters clamoured to talk to him.

Albus, Claudius and Amelia Bones just stared after him. 'I know you've been saying it since he was eleven, Albus, but before now I never really believed it.' Madame Bones said quietly.

'Believed what, Amelia?' Albus asked, his blue eyes twinkling.

'Believed that he was the most incredible child you had ever met.'

Dumbledore smiled fondly. 'Even that doesn't do him justice anymore. There isn't a word to describe that boy, Amelia. In any language.'