Blood Brothers

Written by Christina E Lupin

A/N: I am back for part two of the Umbridge trial! I can almost hear the cheers from here. Anyway, I will stop babbling so you can read about Umbridge and find out who the surprise character is. None of you got it right, though some of the guesses were funny and pretty close.

Last Time

Don't worry, pup. Even if something was to happen and that toad got off, we would never let her touch you.

I second that, Remus added, his voice low, menace literally dripping. She will learn what it means to hurt a werewolf's cub.

Or a Grimm's pup, Sirius quipped.

Harry's heart nearly swelled in his chest and he temporarily forgot about what he was going to face once the elevator doors opened. All he cared about was how his fathers cared for him and that they would protect him should something happen.

Chapter Nineteen: Trial Part Two

The size of the courtroom wasn't the only thing Harry noticed about the large room. A vast amount of people had taken seats in the stands, facing the small oval area with a lone chair. Umbridge was seated in the chair and long nasty-looking chains tied her down so she couldn't escape. Minister Fudge was beside her, whispering into her ear.

"That can't be good," Sirius mumbled, taking a seat in the front row.

Remus rolled his eyes. "Brilliant deduction, Sirius. What ever made you think that?"

Before the older wizard could reply, a shower of sparks caught everyone's attention. Fudge was now seated in his chair, which towered over the chair Umbridge sat in. He had a blank expression on his face.

"The case being presented today is a very serious matter," Fudge spoke. "Dolores Jane Umbridge, the defendant, is being accused of using an illegal artifact against Harry James Potter, a student at Hogwarts, while she was assigned to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts School. We will begin with the opening arguments from both the accuser and the accused."

A slender man dressed in elegant robes stepped up from where he was standing and began to tell a tale that had Harry, Sirius, and Remus shaking their heads in disbelief. He twisted everything in the story to make it sound like Umbridge was the innocent one.

That… that woman, Sirius growled, clenching his fists.

Calm down, Paddy, Remus replied soothingly. We knew that Fudge and Umbridge would make it seem nothing more than a case of Harry wanting attention.

Finally the man stopped and he went back to his place, looking smug. Fudge then called for Lawrence Daily to come forth.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Wizengamot," Lawrence began, nodding politely at the group wearing dark robes. "What you have heard so far is the tale of a spoiled child who wanted attention and clearly had a dislike of Madam Umbridge. I am here to tell you that that is all a lie. Harry is not an attention-seeking child and he has a reason to dislike Madam Umbridge. She used an illegal artifact during all of his detentions, an artifact that has been banned since the early 1800's: a Blood Quill."

There was a collective gasp from the audience, including from the Wizengamot. Harry certainly hoped that the disclosure of the item would help in court. He could use all the help he could get.

"Are you certain, Mr. Daily?" one of the members of the Wizengamot asked.

Lawrence nodded. "In fact, I have Mr. Potter's memories of all the detentions and it shows the Blood Quill in use. Madam Umbridge clearly knew that Blood Quills have been banned, and yet she used one on a student. That is a clear violation of our laws. Using a Blood Quill is not the act of an innocent woman who thinks of 'the students' safety'" he quoted from the other lawyer. "Would you want your own child on the opposite end of such an item?"

The lawyer took his own position across from the other lawyer and everyone turned to Fudge, whose face was going slightly red.

"Very well," Fudge grounded out. "Let us begin. Mr. Harvey, the floor is yours."

Mr. Harvey, Umbridge's lawyer, stepped forward. "The defense calls Mr. Blaise Zabini to the chair."

Another chair, similar to the one Umbridge was in, appeared in the oval space. Blaise Zabini, Harry's fellow yearmate and a Slytherin, hopped down to take a seat. The chains stirred a little but didn't bind him down.

The questioning seemed to take forever, but left the offensive side disheartened. Blaise spoke nothing but praise of Umbridge and talked about Harry like he was the spoiled child Harvey painted him to be. Fudge was trying to hide his smirk as he watched the proceedings. Everything was going according to plan.

"Thank you, Mr. Zabini," came Lawrence's tired voice. "You may go back to your seat." Once Blaise was seated, he turned to Fudge. "I call Harry James Potter to the chair, Minister."

Harry gulped and stood up shakily.

You'll do fine, cub, Remus reassured his son, squeezing Harry's hand.

Once the teen took a seat in the chair, Lawrence automatically started the questioning, sounding like he did in his office earlier. Harry relaxed a little and he repeated everything he told the lawyer. As his story unfolded, the audience began to murmur and a few of the Wizengamot members leaned forward, looking intrigued.

After Lawrence was finished, Harvey stepped forward, a smirk on his face.

"So, Mr. Potter, you have had an interesting past in your fifteen years, haven't you?" he asked casually. "First of all, you defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named when you were a little baby. Your next few years until you turned eleven were relatively quiet and once you were introduced to the magical world, you took to it like a duck to water. In fact, you have become quite… what is the word… spoiled."

"I am not…" Harry burst out, but Harvey silenced him with a wave of his hand.

"Come now, Harry, let's be honest. You have been given your way ever since you started your magical training at Hogwarts. Dumbledore has taken a liking to you and a good majority of the staff has as well. In fact, let us touch briefly on the events of last year, shall we?"

"Objection!" Lawrence shouted. "That is not relevant to the case."

"Let Harvey continue, Daily," Fudge said, his eyes on Harry.

Harvey grinned. "So, continuing on, Mr. Potter. The Triwizard Tournament disaster was one of the many questionable moves Dumbledore has made. There was supposed to be three competitors, but you were also included in with the chosen students. Then, at the end of the tournament, you and Mr. Cedric Diggory vanished. Several minutes later, both of you appeared, but Diggory was dead. You automatically shouted that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was back and that he killed Diggory. Dumbledore believed you and there was his second mistake." Harvey cleared his throat before continuing. "It seems that he has a blind eye when it comes to you. He believes every single word that comes out of your mouth, including a matter such as this. Madam Umbridge is a delightful woman, as many have confessed, and yet you were the only one to say that she used an illegal artifact on you."

"But she did! I can show you!" Harry shouted.

Harvey lifted an eyebrow. "Do you?" He turned to Lawrence.

The younger lawyer nodded. "Yes. Earlier today, I collected his memories to present to the entire Wizengamot that Madam Umbridge has done everything that Harry has told us." He took the Pensieve from the Auror next to him and sat it down on the table that appeared. Lawrence pulled his wand out and did a series of taps on the bowl before a light shone above the Pensieve. The memories played across the light and the entire audience watched.

Once the memories ended, Harvey looked outrage. "How do we know that Mr. Potter's memories weren't tampered or that these were his?"

The Auror who was in Lawrence's office earlier stepped forward. "I was present at the time of Mr. Potter's memories being removed and I was the one who took them."

Harry saw Fudge's face and knew that this Auror surprised him, meaning that the wizard was a trusted employee.

"Thank you, Mr. Wells," Fudge hissed. He turned to look down at the court scribe. "Let the records show the memories were shown and accepted."

It must have taken a lot from Fudge to say that, Sirius said in the link.

Harry had to agree with his dark-haired father.

Harvey seemed to have deflated a little and called off the questioning, sending Harry back to his seat. The Gryffindor blew out a breath and took his seat down next to his fathers, who patted his back.

"The offense has one more witness before the closing arguments," Lawrence said, startling everyone, including Harry and his fathers.

"And who is that?" Fudge asked.

The young wizard grinned. "Zacharias Smith, Minister."

Harry's jaw dropped and he watched Smith descend from the stands. Smith hated him! He did nothing but put Harry down whenever he had the opportunity.

Lawrence began his questioning once the Hufflepuff took a seat in the chair. "For the record, please tell us who you are and your relationship with Mr. Potter."

Zacharias lifted his chin. "I am Zacharias Smith and I go to school with Potter."

"Why have you decided to testify for your schoolmate, Mr. Smith?"

The boy seemed to pause before he continued. "Because Umbridge didn't just use the Quill on Potter. She used it on me too."

Several people from the audience gasped and both Fudge and Umbridge jerked from where they sat.

Lawrence looked grim. "Could you please show us your wounds, Mr. Smith?"

Zacharias unrolled the gauze from his left hand and exposed the back of his hand to Lawrence and whoever else could see. Even the court scribe leaned forward and he quickly scribbled on his piece of parchment.

"Mr. Potter, could you please come back down and show yours?" the young lawyer called.

Harry did so, and everyone could see that the writing on both boys' hands were identical with Umbridge's scrawl.

"Thank you, boys," Lawrence said and Harry returned to his seat. "He's your witness, Harvey." He returned to his spot, smirking.

Harvey was speechless and he knew he could nothing more. "I have no questions for the boy. You may go, Smith."

Fudge looked defeated as Smith vanished back into the crowd. "We will do a quick break so the Wizengamot can vote. Reconvene here in ten minutes."

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Ten minutes later, everyone was seated and one of the Wizengamot members handed a piece of parchment to the Minister, who paled when he saw what was written on the parchment.

"The Wizengamot have come to a vote," he began. "Madam Dolores Umbridge, you are guilty of both charges that you were accused of. Your sentence is ten years in Azkaban with no bail…"

The rest of his words were drowned out by the cheering of everyone in the courtroom. Sirius and Remus both hugged Harry, who visibly relaxed in his seat. Umbridge was guilty. She was not coming back.

Once Fudge dismissed everyone, the Marauders and Harry stayed behind until the crowd had thinned and found Lawrence waiting for them, smiling.

"Congratulations, Harry," the man said. "I knew that you would win."

"Not without Zacharias Smith's confession," Harry said. "How did you…"

"He came to me a few minutes before the trial started," Lawrence replied. "He was waiting and looked extremely nervous. He wanted to help, even though he isn't all that thrilled with you. Mr. Smith wanted Umbridge committed as much as the rest of us. You should thank him the next time you see him, Harry."

"I will," the teen confessed.

Lawrence glanced up to Sirius and Remus. "This won't be the last time you see me. Dumbledore came to me and offered me a position in the Order."

Both men grinned. "That's awesome," Remus exclaimed.

The lawyer bid the three goodbye and he left, his green robes billowing.

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End of chapter.

A/N: I was thinking of adding more to this chapter, but I wanted to capture the entire trial. The victory party will happen in the next chapter, which is chapter twenty. I can't believe that I have written that many chapters. I would like to thank everyone for reviewing and reading this story and keeping me writing.

Next Chapter: Patronus Charm. Harry and his friends go back to Hogwarts, Umbridge-free, and we find out who is teaching DADA. Also, Harry introduces Patronuses to the DA and gets to thank Smith for what he did in the courtroom.