J K Rowling owns all the rights to the books and the amazing characters she created. I write only to satisfy my imagination and use my creativity and make no money from my writings.
Chapter 11 – The Lawsuits
Harry Potter had a massive headache. Well actually it was Tom in Harry's body but he was almost willing to believe that the probably long-digested soul of the real Harry – if any trace of it had survived – would have the same pain as Tom was now experiencing.
Then, for some strange reason, he started thinking about Dementors and all that he knew about them. There wasn't much information on the creatures other than what the general public knew, which wasn't much as the public feared the creatures too much to investigate. But that was the public; unless it directly affected them or someone close to them (or any business they owned or were employed in), they were perfectly happy to ignore anything "unpleasant" or dangerous.
That was one of the reasons why Tom had been able to start his crusade. The Ministry officials only cared about keeping their positions or getting promoted – and how much money would secretly find its way into their coffers. Those in power liked it that way and it had been going on ever since the Ministry was founded in 1707 and there was no sign that it would change.
Had Tom's crusade been successful he would have changed many things – much to the surprise of his followers. Only truly qualified persons would have a Ministry job and as for Hogwarts…. It would be brought back to its former glory which one Albus Dumbledore had ruined even before he became Headmaster. Once he assumed that position, it was downhill all of the way and only Tom really knew why, but even in his days of power, no one would have believed him.
Once the real Harry's soul had been taken and Tom had assumed the boy's body and identity, his original plan had been to bide his time until Harry's body was healed of all of the abuse and neglect he had suffered at the hands of the Dursleys (and at Hogwarts), have Sirius Black proclaimed innocent and get custody of his godson (now Tom) and with Sirius' protection, money and influence start to bring down Dumbledore.
Having lived in Harry's brain and magical core for twelve years, Tom had witnessed all that Harry had had to endure at the Dursleys due to Dumbledore's version of the Greater Good and then at Hogwarts. He kept the boy on such a tight lease that he would never know his true position and power in the world, the money and properties he possessed, the real friends and/or allies he could have (and should have) made and the decent life that was his right.
But then Sirius Black had to be…Sirius Black. He was a toady to Dumbledore as was James Potter and other members of the Order of the Phoenix. Although Dumbledore had refused the office of Minister of Magic many times because all he wanted was to be an educator, if that were true he wouldn't be holding the positions of Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and Grand Sorcerer of Magical Britain.
When they had first come to Paris and after he and Remus had finally gotten an extremely drunk Sirius into the safety of his bed and Remus had gone to sleep, Tom had taken the opportunity to legitimize Sirius. He had found out a lot of interesting information, such as the oaths Sirius, James, Remus and others had made when they became members of the Order of the Phoenix to obey Albus Dumbledore in all things.
One thing of interest was that Albus would "allow" him to have custody of Harry BUT only under certain conditions. That was why he couldn't get his glasses replaced or have contact lenses or learn how to be a Lord of the House of Potter and Sirius would have free reign to turn Harry into a clone of James. In other words, it would seem to the world that Sirius would be Harry's guardian and heir and under Sirius' control. However, in reality, Dumbledore still controlled Harry via Sirius, had access to the boy's trust fund and Sirius would be contributing to the Order of the Phoenix.
After having Ron's name come out of the Goblet of Fire, Tom felt safe. But he should have known better with Albus involved. Tom had to admit that having his name coming out of the Goblet just hours before the first task was to start was a stroke of genius. Before Andromeda could be summoned, with a copy of the old and new set of rules, and fight against this latest outrage, Tom would already be forced to participate. The old rules had said that once someone participated in the first task, they were bound to take part in the other tasks. In other words, they were stuck.
But "fortunately" (sort of) Dumbo Boy had immediately attacked not only verbally but physically and had did enough damage to not only prevent him from participating in the first task, but due to the injuries he had received he was unconscious for two days. Then he had awaken but pretended to be asleep so that he could listen in to the conversations taking place.
He heard about the injuries of the three real champions and all but Cedric had been released when Tom woke up. The most noise was coming from the Weasleys because apparently Dumbo Boy had been seriously wounded (hooray) and it took him three torturous (well only one for Tom) for him to die. There was moaning and groaning coming from Ron (who believed in expressing the pain he was in) but it was Molly who was making most of the noise.
She was acting like a typical mother worried about her injured son BUT she was also giving interviews to The Daily Prophet and other news media (despite Dumbledore ordering her not to) telling about the life of her precious son (highly inflating his talents, popularity and good behavior). Alas, anybody with eyes knew the kid wasn't going to survive much longer (even Molly) but she was not going to let him "go gentle into that good night…rage, rage against the dying of the light"* at least not while there was breath in her body.
During the interviews, Molly was blaming EVERYBODY, starting with the lack of proper treatment by Poppy Pomfrey, then the healers from St. Mungo's were chastised, the treachery of Harry Potter (which at the moment no one could rationalize what she meant by that) and for the lack of the necessary training that the STAFF OF HOGWARTS failed to give (even though it was a rule of the Tournament that the staff couldn't help). The Tournament Committee was blamed for putting the Champions in a too dangerous a situation – especially an underage boy like her Ronnie.
Anything she could think of Molly said to anybody who would listen (and those who wouldn't but were trapped). She said whatever popped into her head and only the reporters took notice. As one of them stated "She has the worst case of foot into mouth disease I ever came across."
Then Ron finally died and one would think that a banshee had entered the room as the wail of grief let out by Molly would scare a Dementor (and maybe even kill a Basilisk).
Mercifully (for others) someone stunned Molly and then Poppy spelled a dreamless sleep potion into her stomach leaving poor Arthur to make the funeral arrangements.
Tom was still playing dead and was not being bothered (too much) as he was in a private, curtained off area in the Infirmary but some determined reporters and photographers tried to sneak in for pictures and interviews until the Aurors stopped them and put up temporary wards to keep all out of the area except for Poppy and the St. Mungo's healers. Since Amelia Bones had taken charge of the investigation, Dumbledore was also excluded. He considered it insulting but the St. Mungo's people backed Amelia.
"It is still unknown if Harry Potter has lost his magic for not taking part in the last minute call to participate in the first task" Amelia had told him. "He was seriously wounded and is in a healing coma – for the moment. If he dies, then it is because he lost his magic and thus his life."
However, Dumbles had an excuse already prepared.
"Surely you must remember that when Harry's name came out of the Goblet, the parchment said that originally Harry was to be the fourth champion but someone had replaced Harry's name with Ronald Weasley's. Thus, it may be assumed that since Harry is still alive, it is because Ronald took his place for the first task. Such a thing is allowed if the champion was injured before he could compete but as soon as he was well, he would have to compete in the other tasks – or lose his life and magic."
"And which set of rules are you referring to" said a voice filled with anger and ready to do battle with the Greatest Wizard since Merlin. "The real rules, or the ones recently made by someone, and my money's on YOU ALBUS DUMBLEDORE" spat out Andromeda Tonks, or the "witch from hell" as Albus always called her.
"HOW DARE YOU BESMIRSH MY GOOD NAME" Dumbles shouted. Before he could shout out anything else, Andy beat him to it.
She was holding up in each hand a copy the OLD rules and the NEW rules. She was furious that she had had to learn about Harry's injuries and his last minute entry into the Tournament NOT by the school but getting tipped off from a friend. No wonder Harry had asked her and the Goblins to research the Tournament – especially the rules.
She was risking much to accuse the respected, adored and in some cases, worshiped old coot but she didn't come alone. Amelia Bones and a few Aurors were waiting outside the Infirmary – disillusioned just to be safe – as well as the Goblin in charge of the Potter account and a few Goblin guards, in case they were needed. They were, as Albus did a few quick spells catching everyone off guard and they were all stunned.
"Now to deal with these tiresome rules and do a few obliviations" he smirked. Since he had said it out loud (because he liked the sound of his own voice) he levitated both set of rules from Andy's hands and was about to destroy them when he was unexpectedly stunned, dropped his wand and fell to the floor with a large thud. It was then those waiting cancelled their spells and one of the Goblin conjured up some rather large chains and tightly wrapped them around the old wizard.
Those he had spelled were revived, told what had just happened and Andy happily watched the Great Albus Dumbledore being levitated over to the Infirmary floo to be taken to the Ministry for questioning.
Poppy and the healer checked on Harry to find him awake and asking what was going on. Poppy gently told him about his injuries, Ron's injuries and death and what Dumbledore had just tried to do. Being the excellent actor that he was, Tom put on a shocked face, then a sad one and then a justifiably angry face, asking that Andy start proceedings to level a lawsuit against Albus Dumbledore.
"I want him punished for what he has done" Harry spat out. "He has caused me nothing but grief and…HE IS REALLY RESPONSIBLE for Ron's death" he said gloomily.
Unknown to everyone present, Molly had awaken, kept quiet for once in her life so she could eavesdrop on the various conversations and made a decision. She wouldn't (and couldn't) sue Dumbledore, but she COULD and WOULD sue Harry Potter for the death of her son and, in turn, get on Dumbledore's good side defending him against the slander of fixing the rules. He would help her get a wonderful settlement and for once he would owe her.
Rita Skeeter was in hog heaven and her editor was filled with joy due to all of the yummy slanders, accusations, mysteries and the lawsuits filed against several individuals, such as Dumbledore, the four Heads of House of Hogwarts and the Headmaster and Headmistress of the two other schools involved. Starting with Ludo Bagman, a few other dignitaries at the British Ministry were subpoenaed (and shocked when they couldn't get out of going) and there were many investigations going on and many people extremely worried – and with good reason.
But the best lawsuits involved Harry Potter and his guardian/attorney, Andromeda Tonks. They were suing Albus Dumbledore who started it all by suing Andromeda for slander. They were counter suing for changing the rules of the Tournament, and accusing Dumbles of putting a fake entry the morning of the first task to force Harry into the Tournament and, just to be thorough, for endangering the school since Harry's first year.
Molly volunteered to be a witness for Dumbles if he would try her case or act as her attorney in her suit. She was suing Harry for causing Ron's death and several other ridiculous accusations which would definitely be thrown out before trial unless Dumbledore or one of his minions heard the case. She knew she would win, even after she was told that Dumbledore had to recuse himself, being a defendant in Harry's case. However he assured her that he would provide a "cut throat" lawyer to hear her case and use his influence to appoint a judge amenable to her case.
"You WILL WIN Molly" Dumbles told her "Just as sure as my good name will be cleared!"
But would they win? Will Molly get the ridiculous amount she was asking as well as a few other unreasonable and non-negotiable demands? She was already spending the money in her head and deciding which of the Potters' many properties she would be moving her family into and what jewels and priceless artifacts Potter would be forced to turn over to her. Of course, she would need a complete list of all Potter possessions before she made her final decisions, but she could wait because her trial would soon be over and she could choose anything (and as much of) she wanted – because Dumbledore promised.
Albus Dumbledore had gotten out of tighter spots before this trivial matter and was certain he would survive the cruel and unwarranted publicity. Then he would…handle…Harry Potter and make the boy regret ever defying the Greatest Wizard since Merlin.
*Excerpt from a poem by Dylan Thomas (no relation to Dean Thomas).
