Chapter 25: Sisters On Trial

Amanda poured a few drops of Veritaserum in Libra's mouth, which Libra took obediently though sullenly.

"What is your name?" Amanda asked, beginning with a simple question to make sure that Libra was paying attention.

"Libra Elm," the owner of said name answered emotionlessly.

"Did you use Scorpius Malfoy's wand to kill Professor Sanders?" Amanda then demanded, getting right to the point.

"Yes," Libra replied, though she was glaring at Diana.

"Were you planning on framing him so it would look like he was the culprit?"

"Yes."

"Was your sister Andromeda involved in this plan of yours, and what part did she play in it?"

"She was. She delivered a false note to Scorpius so he would come to the Charms classroom."

"Does she know that you are a thestral Animagus?"

"Yes."

"Thank you for complying with us. However, we will probably still tell the Ministry of Magic about you and your sister, and the two of you will go on trial soon. Scorpius and Diana, I would like you two to come to the trial with me as well, as witnesses," Bridget said calmly after Amanda was finished with her questioning.

"Yes. Put the evil Slytherins in Azkaban," Amber whispered in a gleefully nasty tone.

"I'm just relieved this nightmare is over. I was so afraid I would be attacked again," Amethyst sighed.

"Whether or not the two of you are deemed guilty by the Ministry of Magic, as Headmistress of Hogwarts, I declare the two of you expelled. You are both barred from completing your final exams, yes, ESPECIALLY you, Libra. You and your parents will be contacted by the Ministry about your trial. Until then, get ready to leave Hogwarts for good," Amanda said.

The trial was held on June 10, which was the Monday after the final exams were finished. The Floo Network had connected Hogwarts to the Ministry of Magic, and Bridget, Scorpius, and Diana used the fireplace in the Headmistress's office as their method of entry. The five of them headed to Courtoom Ten, the same dungeon that had been used for Harry Potter's trial back in 1995. Instead of one chair with chains attached, there were two, one for each of the sisters, and there were also other chairs for the three witnesses and for Gemini and Lyra Elm, the parents of the two accused girls. Two Aurors, Ron Weasley and Harry Potter, were guarding the door in case either of the sisters tried to attack or escape.

"No! It's not fair! Why is that...that mudblood in charge of our trial?" Andromeda shrieked when she noticed that Hermione Granger, as part of her job as the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, was overseeing the trial, with the Wizengamot as her jury.

"How dare you speak to Hermione Granger that way!" Scorpius roared at her. He started to point his wand but Bridget grabbed his arm firmly.

"Hush, now. Please stay calm during this trial or else you may be asked to leave or punished," Bridget told him. Scorpius lowered his wand but still glared fiercely at Andromeda. Ron stared at Scorpius in surprise, amazed to see someone who looked so much like Draco defending his muggleborn wife.

"Let us begin," Hermione said, seeming to ignore Andromeda's insult, "Disciplinary hearing on the tenth of June, into offenses committed by Libra and Andromeda Elm. The charges against Libra Elm are as follows: That she did purposefully use the Killing Curse to murder Professor Zachary Sanders, that she became a thestral Animagus and never registered with the Improper Use of Magic Office, and that she repeatedly used this thestral form to assault students and professors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The charges against Andromeda Elm are as follows: That she did knowingly aid her sister in the murder of the aforementioned Zachary Sanders, and that she lured Scorpius Malfoy into the site of the murder in an attempt to have him framed for the murder that her sister committed." Gemini Elm raised his hand, and Hermione acknowledged him.

"Please, Mrs. Granger, Andromeda and Libra are still children, and they did nothing wrong. They were merely preserving the lofty goal of ridding Hogwarts of those from inferior bloodlines," he pleaded, showing an obvious source for Andromeda and Libra's racist ideas.

"The Ministry of Magic does not support such a goal. Under the law, all magical children are allowed to attend Hogwarts, with no such restrictions on bloodlines or family background. It is also against the law to use any of the Unforgivable Curses and to be a willing accessory to murder," Hermione replied coolly.

"But it shouldn't matter! Killing inferior mudbloods doesn't count as REAL murder!" Lyra protested.

"That is not the way the laws are written, Mr. and Mrs. Elm. The laws do not follow your personal beliefs anymore," Hermione continued.

"Well, they should," Gemini muttered petulantly, but he and Lyra quieted down for the moment.

"Let us continue despite the interruptions. You are Libra Elm?" Hermione questioned, turning back to the two sisters who were in the chairs. They did not have the chains around them, although the chains had jangled ominously when they both sat down.

"Yes," Libra answered coolly.

"You used the Killing Curse on Zachary Sanders with the intent to murder him?"

"I did. And I'm glad I did it. I am also a thestral Animagus," Libra admitted proudly, "That is a clear sign that I am of true magical blood, as I am sure no muggleborn could attain such a transformation."

"Are you aware that both offenses you have admitted to are punishable by a lifetime stay in Azkaban?" Hermione continued.

"Yes, although there was a time when the Ministry itself was rightfully concerned with preserving the rule of pureblood witches and wizards," Libra replied.

"We are not here to discuss what the laws may have stated in the past, we are concerned only with the laws of the present time. The Wizengamot will decide their verdict soon. Now, you are Andromeda Elm?" Hermione asked, turning to the younger sister.

"Of course I am! And I'm only 12! You can't have me punished like an adult here!" Andromeda whined.

"Now, do you admit to being an accessory to the murder of Zachary Sanders?" Hermione questioned.

"Of course I would help my sister! And that blood traitor Scorpius should be the one being punished, not me! I wanted HIM to be blamed! Diana ruined everything!" Andromeda raged.

"Do you realize that being a willing accessory to murder is punishable by law?" Hermione challenged her.

"But Scorpius helped too! Libra wouldn't have been able to do anything if he wasn't there for Libra to steal his wand!" Andromeda protested.

"Let me repeat, a WILLING accessory to murder. You decieved him into entering the scene of the crime on the false pretense that Professor Sanders wanted to talk to him, am I correct?"

"Yeah, but he could've not come in the first place! He could've ignored the fake note I gave him! He could've fought back more when Libra Petrified him and stole his wand!" Andromeda pleaded uselessly.

"So you also admit to having forged Professor Sanders's signature?"

"Yes, but he's a mudblood and I'm a pureblood! I should be allowed to do whatever I want to him!" Andromeda demanded. Hermione ignored her and turned back to the Wizengamot.

"All in favor of charging these sisters as guilty?" she asked. Almost everyone raised their hands, aside from one witch and wizard who still held the older view that the life of a muggleborn was of lesser worth. "Libra Elm, you are hereby sentenced to a life sentence in Azkaban, and Andromeda Elm, you are sentenced to 10 years in the same prison."

"It's not fair! How can a mudblood be allowed to sentence us?" Andromeda whined as the assigned Auror guards led her and Libra out of the courtoom.

"Because it IS fair. And don't say that word in my presence again or I may get rough with you," Ron snarled at her.

"The court is dimissed," Hermione finally announced. Andromeda and Libra Elm would never cause trouble at Hogwarts again.