Chapter 21
Herb Morrison vs. The Wizengamot
The next couple of days were some of the toughest days Hermione had ever had in her life. Between Thursday and Friday, Hermione received three letters from Susan Bones. The first letter, told Hermione that Susan had written a letter to Herb's brother, telling him all about Herb's predicament.
In the letter, Susan had told Geoff that Herb had told her his story, and said how much Herb had given up for him in his life, and how much he was giving up for his brother now. She had asked Geoff to come to the Ministry of Magic on Friday and reveal himself to the Wizengamot and stick up for his brother, who had done the same for him all these years. She had also sent clippings from the Daily Prophet of Herb's arrest as proof to what she had said, including a clipping from Thursday morning's edition, which had stated that Herb would be put on trial in Courtroom Seven on Friday at eight-thirty in the morning, and could be sentenced to Azkaban for up to thirty years.
Hermione had read this same article early Wednesday morning. She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the number of years, and knew that Kingsley had been behind it all.
The second letter from Susan also came on Thursday. It told Hermione that Bea Haven was indeed the judge who would be heading Herb's case. Susan had tried to persuade her to go easy on Herb during the case, and all Susan said was that she wasn't exactly sure what had been going through Bea's mind.
The third letter came Friday morning with the Daily Prophet, and all it said was that Susan hadn't received any letter back from Herb's brother, but that her owl had come back the day before with empty-talons, so she figured that the owl had found its target.
A good portion of the Daily Prophet was dedicated to the story of Head Judge Herb Morrison's case. One article said that Minister of Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt himself would be present for the case, and had also invited much of the media to be in the court room as well. It had also reported that Kingsley and his good friend, the Auror who had been skilled in Legilimens, would be taking the stand against Herb Morrison as well.
"They are certainly holding nothing back," Ron said, at breakfast, as he was reading the Daily Prophet, "Aren't they?"
Hermione silently shook her head.
"Do you think Herb even has a chance of getting through this unscathed?" Ron asked.
"There is only man who can save Herb now," Hermione said.
"Himself?" Ron asked.
"Besides himself," Hermione said.
"Who?" Ron asked.
Hermione was about to answer, when she heard a pecking sound on the window.
"Another Ministry owl?" Ron asked.
Hermione stood up and rushed over to the window. She opened it up and took the rolled up piece of parchment from its talons and read it, her eyes going back and forth in a blur. She couldn't believe her eyes as she read it, and read over it a second time. What was Susan thinking? Could they actually get away with this? Could they be lucky enough?
"Looks like there is three people who can save Herb now," Hermione said, "Herb included."
"Who?" Ron asked.
"Lucius Malfoy," Hermione said.
"Are you joking?" Ron asked, "After what Morrison has put him through?"
"I know," Hermione said, shrugging, "I can't believe it myself. But it looks like he has made a bargain with Susan, and Susan has found a way to work it out."
"What do you mean?" Ron asked.
"If Malfoy takes the stand," Hermione said, "Susan says Narcissa will be free from her duties."
"Take the stand?" Ron asked, "What could Lucius Malfoy possibly have to give that could be good enough?"
"A lot more than you know, Ron," Hermione said.
Hermione knew there was only one real reason that Lucius Malfoy would take the stand. He had immunity from anything involving his history as a Death Eater, and if he revealed his story, he would be immune from any penalty.
"So are you going to tell me who this third person is?" Ron asked.
"I shouldn't," Hermione said, "I don't even know if he'll show up today."
"Well, whoever it is, Hermione," Ron said, "I hope he shows up for Judge Morrison's sake."
"So do I, Ron," Hermione said, "So do I."
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Ding!
"Bottom floor," the cool voice in the lifts said, "Courtrooms One Through Ten, Department of Mysteries."
Hermione followed a large number of witches and wizards out of the lifts. Many of them had cameras, and Hermione was sure she had been riding the lifts with many of the Daily Prophet reporters. Hermione immediately saw Susan waiting by the wall in front of Courtroom Seven. Susan saw her at once and motioned her over.
"Any sign of Geoff?" Hermione asked.
"Nope," Susan said, frowning.
"You've been very busy over the past couple of days," Hermione said, "How did you get Lucius Malfoy to take the stand."
"Well," Susan said, "I was having lunch after my meeting with Bea Haven yesterday and suddenly it came to me. There was one person in Herb's story, other than Geoff, who could help Herb out the most. The only problem is how to convince Lucius to do it. Then I remembered that his wife was working for us when she didn't really want to. I wrote Lucius a letter and asked him to meet me if he wanted to free his wife from her job. This morning, he met me at the Leaky Cauldron. Do you want to know what the first thing he asked me was?"
"Sure," Hermione said.
"He asked me," Susan said, "if the little boy that Herb Morrison once was ever came out of that closet."
"He knew?" Hermione asked.
"He knew," Susan said, nodding, "And he also somehow knew that Herb had told the story to me. I told him he had, and he told me that he'd help Herb only if I stuck to my promise. I told him that if Herb stayed out of Azkaban and kept his position of Head Judge, that he would definitely give a full pardon to the whole Malfoy family, including immunity."
"But he has the pardon," Hermione said.
"I told him that," Susan said, "He said that as long as his wife was still working for the Ministry, that his pardon would never be official. Well, that is exactly what I had promised him to begin with. He also said that every one of his files that revealed him as a Death Eater had to be wiped clean and vanished into oblivion, and that none of it could ever show up in the Daily Prophet again. I told him that if Herb survived this trial, he would do everything in his power to make that possible. Lucius agreed."
"Have you told Herb this yet?" Hermione asked.
"Yep," Susan said, "I told him and his lawyer."
"Who is his lawyer?" Hermione asked.
"Calvin Peters," Susan said.
"I knew it," Hermione said, "Somehow I just knew it."
"Relax," Susan said, "Calvin knows what he is doing."
"Does Calvin also know Herb has a brother who was once a Death Eater?" Hermione asked.
Susan didn't reply.
"I thought as much," Hermione said.
Hermione and Susan remained by the wall as scores of witches and wizards made their way into Courtroom Seven.
"Susan," Hermione said, "Those aren't all reporters are they?"
"Herb Morrison has many friends," Susan said, "Unfortunately, he also has many enemies who haven't made their way into Azkaban just yet. And that isn't the only surprise of the day, I promise you."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.
"Since you started working with the Wizengamot, Hermione," Susan said, "Have you noticed anything odd? I don't mean with the defendants. I mean anything that hits closer to home, as the Muggles say."
"You mean with the Wizengamot?" Hermione asked.
Susan nodded.
"Well," Hermione said, "I was always under the impression that the Wizengamot was a lot larger."
"Right on the Galleon," Susan said, "In every case you've participated in, the Wizengamot have always been numbered to a bare minimum. That is until today."
"Susan," Hermione said, "You're not saying...?"
"Herb is going to be tried in front of the whole Wizengamot," Susan said.
"Oh, Merlin," Hermione said, sighing.
Susan nodded.
"Do we have any chance, Susan?" Hermione asked.
"What did you say to Herb on Wednesday, Hermione?" Susan asked.
Hermione shrugged. Susan put a hand on her shoulder.
"There is always a chance," she said, "Always."
Hermione nodded timidly, and as she watched more and more witches and wizards walk into Courtroom Seven, she knew now who many of them were: several members of the full Wizengamot.
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At eight-twenty, Hermione was sitting in her usual seat. Almost every chair around her was filled, and over half of the witches and wizards in the courtroom were dressed in the golden robes of the Wizengamot. Bea Haven, the judge for the trial, was sitting in Herb's chair. As Hermione looked at her, she only hoped that Susan had said something useful to her.
Down in the bottom three rows of seats, on the left side of the room, were a number of witches and wizards, all equipped with either a camera, or a large stack of parchment and a number of quills and ink. Some of the quills, Hermione recognized, were of the Quick-Quotes variety. Directly across from them on the other side of the room was a number of witches and wizards adorned in business suits and dresses. Hermione guessed they were the friends, and enemies, of Herb Morrison. As Hermione looked around, she didn't see neither Lucius Malfoy nor anyone who might have resembled Geoff Morrison anywhere, though she did recognize Narcissa Malfoy sitting a few rows below her. There was an empty seat beside her, and Hermione guessed there was only one person who this seat was reserved for.
The doors of the courtroom opened, and Minister of Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt walked in. Suddenly, he was surrounded in a blaze of camera flashes from the left side, and applause broke out from the right side. A few reporters started to ask some questions to him, but he raised his hands toward them and silenced them immediately, then took his seat on the bottom row. Hermione then recognized someone she hadn't seen until then: Cornelius Fudge was sitting in the chair next to Kingsley. On the other side of Kingsley was a man dressed in the attire usually seen on an Auror. Hermione only guessed that this was the Auror who had been skilled in Legilimency.
The doors of the courtroom opened once more, and a few more people arrived. One, and the sight of him made Hermione's throat tense up, was Lucius Malfoy. Hermione looked at Susan, who looked back at her. Susan was smiling, but Hermione wasn't sure. Would Lucius Malfoy go through with his story? Even more important than that, would Geoff Morrison even show up? Because, as far as Hermione was concerned, without Geoff Morrison's story, it didn't even matter if Lucius Malfoy took the stand or not.
Exactly at eight-thirty, the door opened yet again. This time, Herb Morrison walked in. He was being escorted by two Aurors, one of whom was the same Auror who had escorted Hermione and Susan to Herb's cell. Hermione also recognized the lawyer Calvin Peters, walking behind Herb. Hermione grinned at Herb, hoping he would see her. Herb sat down in the front row, on the opposite side of the Minister.
Suddenly, Susan Bones stood up and the entire room went silent as if someone had suddenly used the Silencing Charm in the room.
"The next case is Herb Morrison vs. The Wizengamot," Susan said, "Honorable Judge Haven presiding."
Susan sat back down, and Bea Haven leaned forward.
"Would the defendant rise?" she asked.
Herb Morrison stood up, followed by Calvin Peters.
"Herbert Morrison," Bea said, "You are in front of the Wizengamot today as ordered by Minister of Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt, under the charges that you have connections to Death Eaters. Minister Shacklebolt also claims that you have not been entirely honest with him, and hopes that you will give your story today. He also wants the Wizengamot to be informed that Herb Morrison is, in fact, the defendant today, and should be treated as the defendant, and not as the Head Judge of the Wizengamot. Mr. Peters, do you have anything to say in the defense of your client before we start?"
Calvin stepped forward.
"Yes, Your Honor," Calvin said.
"Bea will be fine, Mr. Peters," Bea said, sighing.
"Of course," Calvin said, "Mr. Morrison has informed me that he will be revealing his entire story today, and has also informed me that he has a witness for --"
Herb tapped Calvin's shoulder and whispered something into his ear.
"Pardon me," Calvin said, "Two witnesses, if the other witness is here on time."
"I have no wish to wait for your witnesses, Mr. Peters," Bea said, "Is at least one of your witnesses here?"
"Yes, Bea," Calvin said.
"Is there anything else you want to say before we begin?" Bea said.
"Yes," Calvin said, "We request, because the Minister has offered his own participation for the Wizengamot's side of the case, and because he is obviously a very busy man, that the prosecution goes first."
"Is there a reason for this request," Bea said, "that has to do with anything besides the Minister's schedule?"
"Yes," Calvin said, "My client feels that the Minister's statement will help him with his story."
"I will accept it if the Minister has no objections," Bea said, "Objections?"
Kingsley stood up and shook his head.
"Very well," Bea said, "The Wizengamot calls Minister of Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt to the stand."
Kingsley walked over to the chair in the middle of the floor and sat down.
"State your name for the Wizengamot," Bea said.
"Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic," Kingsley said.
"Minister," Bea said, "Can you please state your reason for charging the defendant?"
"I interviewed Mr. Morrison this past Tuesday," Kingsley said, "during my on-going investigation. That day I had investigated the Wizengamot who had shown up that day, and only Mr. Morrison interested me enough to order him to a second interview."
"Please be more clear, Minister," Bea said, "Why was he the most interesting out of all your investigations?"
"I had a feeling that he was hiding something from me," Kingsley said, "And during that first interview, I asked Franklin Sawyer to assist."
"Franklin Sawyer," Bea said, "the man who you've also asked to be a participant for the prosecution?"
"Yes, Bea," Kingsley said. "He is skilled in Legilimency, and his knowledge in this art helps me, as well as the Auror Department, with many interviews. He assisted me in my interview with Herb Morrison, but he couldn't find anything."
"Mr. Sawyer, will you take the stand with the Minister?" Bea asked.
Sawyer stood up and walked behind the Minister.
"Mr. Sawyer," Bea said, "I'm sure many of the Wizengamot are not familiar with Legilimency. It has been quite a few years since many of us have had our education."
Many of the witches and wizards on the right side of the courtroom laughed softly. Bea looked at them, and they stopped.
"Thank you," she said, then looked back at Sawyer, " Mr. Sawyer, as I was saying, could you please tell us about Legilimency?"
Sawyer gave his explanation about Legilimency. He also described Occlumency.
"So Occlumency is used to block Legilimency?" Bea asked.
"Yes, Your Honor," Sawyer said.
"Has Occlumency ever stopped your attempts of Legilimency before?" Bea asked.
"Of course, Your Honor," Sawyer said.
"Even when you are at the top of your art?" Bea asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Sawyer said.
"Mr. Peters, may I see you up here for a moment?" Bea asked.
Calvin stood up and walked up the stairs, then past Hermione and over to Bea. Bea whispered something to Calvin and Calvin nodded. Bea whispered something else and Calvin nodded once again. Bea motioned for Calvin to return to his seat. He did so, and whispered something to Herb. Hermione could tell he looked a little concerned, but then nodded. Calvin looked at Bea and gave her the thumbs-up signal.
"Mr. Sawyer," Bea said, "Are you aware that Herb Morrison is skillful in the art of Legilimency?"
"I heard the rumor, but I wasn't sure, Your Honor," Sawyer said.
"So then it would be accurate to say," Bea said, "That you were not aware that Herb Morrison is also skilled in the art of Occlumency."
"I was not aware of that," Sawyer said.
"The Minister says that you found nothing when you used Legilimency on Herb Morrison," Bea said, "Is that correct?"
"I found nothing pertaining to what I was searching for," Sawyer said.
"Which is what?" Bea asked.
"Any connections to Death Eaters," Sawyer said.
"Could Occlumency have been the reason for your failure to find anything?" Bea asked.
"Yes," Sawyer said, "Absolutely."
"Thank you, Mr. Sawyer," Bea said, "You may sit back down."
Sawyer nodded and sat back down.
"Minister Shacklebolt," Bea said, "I will ask you the same questions. Were you aware that Herb Morrison was skilled in Legilimency and Occlumency?"
"Not at the time of my first interview with him on Tuesday," Kingsley said.
"You interviewed the defendant four times this week," Bea said, "Is that correct?"
"Yes," Kingsley said.
"You were unsuccessful to get the information you wanted?" Bea asked, "Is that true?"
"If it were not" Kingsley said, "we wouldn't be here today, Your Honor."
"That is all, Minister," Bea said, "Thank you."
Minister stood up and returned to his seat.
"Will the defendant please take the stand?" Bea asked.
Herb stood up and walked over to the chair and sat down.
"State your name," Bea said.
"Herbert Morrison," Herb said.
"You've agreed to tell the whole story you've been denying, Mr. Morrison?" Bea asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Herb said.
"Do you have any connections with Death Eaters, Mr. Morrison?" Bea asked.
"I do not," Herb said, "But someone very close to me does."
Many of the witches and wizards started to whisper and mutter about each other.
"Silence," Bea said.
The whole room went suddenly silent.
"Thank you," Bea said, "Any more of this and I will ask that anyone who is not a participant in this trial leave the courtroom."
Bea sighed and looked at Herb.
"Mr. Morrison," she said, "Are you telling me that the reason we are here today is because you are protecting someone close to you?"
"Yes, ma'am," Herb said.
"Knowing that you could go to Azkaban for a maximum of thirty years if you are proven guilty?" Bea asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Herb said.
"All right," Bea said, "Are you ready to tell your story, Mr. Morrison?"
"I am," Herb said.
"By all means," Bea said, "continue."
Herb started telling his story. The whole room was silent while he told the Wizengamot about his brother, how he had admired him, and how Geoff Morrison could have been a well-respected individual even today if certain events had not taken place. He then continued with the fateful day he had visited his brother at his house. He then explained how he had heard three people apparating into his brother's front yard.
"My brother then pushed me into living room closet and proceeded to the front door," he said, "I heard three voices. Voices I had never heard before in my life. Voices that scared me."
Hermione looked down at Lucius Malfoy. She noticed he was shifting uncomfortably.
"Then two men and a woman entered into the living room," Herb said, "And Geoff followed them in."
"Did you recognize any of these people?" Bea asked.
"At the time, no," Herb said.
"What do you mean?" Bea asked.
"As the years went by," Herb said, "Those two men and the woman's identities suddenly became clear to me."
"And who were they?" Bea asked.
"Rabastan and Bellatrix Lestrange," Herb said, "And Lucius Malfoy."
"Known to the world today as three of the convicted Death Eaters," Bea said, then turned her head, and Hermione knew she was looking at Lucius, "At least they were at the time."
"Yes, your Honor," Herb said.
"Continue," Bea said.
Herb continued his story. He put in detail how Lucius and Rabastan had held his brother down as Bellatrix applied the Dark Mark to his arm, then dragged him out of the room.
"Did you see your brother any time after the day of his eighteenth birthday?" Bea asked.
Herb nodded and continued his story. He told them how he hadn't seen his brother for three years, and when his brother found him, he asked his brother to leave the Death Eaters and run away into hiding. He also told them about the Daily Prophet clipping and how he had intentionally sabotaged that edition of the paper.
"And I haven't seen him since," Herb said, "I don't even know if he is alive."
"I assume you are hoping your brother is one of your witnesses," Bea said.
"It's a long shot," Herb said, "I know."
"All right," Bea said, "Mr. Morrison, you may leave the stand. As for your other witness, Mr. Peters. I think I know who he is. Would you like to introduce him yourself?"
"Yes, your Honor," Calvin said, "I call Lucius Malfoy to the stand."
Hermione stared at Lucius Malfoy. After about thirty seconds, Lucius Malfoy stood up and walked down to the central chair
"Silence," Bea said, preventing any remarks from the witches and wizards around the courtroom, "Let me make it perfectly clear that Lucius Malfoy has a Ministerial pardon against his charges as a Death Eater, and has promised that his dark days are over. I think this can be seen as Mr. Malfoy has agreed to take the stand. Mr. Malfoy, I assume you are here to back up Herb Morrison's story."
Lucius looked as if he was swallowing back something fierce.
"Yes, your Honor," he finally said.
"Were you, in fact, present in Geoff Morrison's house on the day Mr. Morrison is describing?" Bea asked, "Also referred to as Geoff Morrison's eighteenth birthday."
"Yes, Your Honor," Lucius said.
"Were Rabastan and Bellatrix Lestrange with you?" Bea asked.
"Yes, Your Honor," Lucius said again.
"Why did you visit Geoff Morrison on the day of his eighteenth birthday?" Bea asked.
"We were there," Lucius said, "because the Dar--"
He paused for a moment.
"I understand what you are trying to say," Bea said, "You may continue the way you want with it. I promise there will be no interruption."
She looked, with narrow eyes, around at the people in the courtroom.
"Sorry, Your Honor," he said, "We visited Geoff Morrison because Voldemort requested it."
"Had Geoff Morrison met with Voldemort before this date?" Bea asked.
"Yes," Lucius said, "I cannot tell you the details of it, because I was not present for it."
"Continue with what you do know, Mr. Malfoy," Bea said.
"Voldemort requested myself and the Lestranges to meet with Morrison," Lucius said, "And we were to brand him with the Dark Mark. It was an odd request, because Voldemort never allowed many people this privelege unless he trusted them. I don't know what Geoff did to gain Voldemort's trust. After he was branded, we took him back to Voldemort, where he became an official member of the Death Eaters. He--"
Suddenly, the doors of the court room opened and a man walked into the center of the courtroom. Lucius Malfoy looked at him with wide eyes. Hermione looked down at Herb Morrison, who looked as if he was about to cry.
"What is this intrusion?!" Bea asked, standing up.
"Sorry, Your Honor," the man said, "But I was under the impression that I had been invited here."
"Will you please tell us your name?" Bea asked.
"My current name is Daniel McMillan," the man said, "But I was born under the name of Geoffrey Morrison."
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Cliffhanger! Okay, I know. Many of you guys probably saw that coming. But I had to go that way. This is getting very interesting. All of this I have written comes from my head, and I will understand if any of it could be too believable for canon, but this is the way I've imagined it.
More to come! Feedback would be wonderful.