Give me one more chance
Chapter 21: Outcome
Pairings: James/Lucius
Rating: Kneazle
Disclaimer: The characters of Harry Potter are not mine; they are the property of JK Rowling and Warner Bros. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
G: This is about male pregnancy (possibly) and male/male relationships. I'm letting you know now what the relationships WILL contain. So, if you are AGAINST such pairings, please find something else more to your liking, you have been WARNED.
Flames will be ignored.
Beta-read by: Jadwiga. Thanks hon! You're the best. Any mistakes after she has done her work are mine.
Summary: Twenty-one year old James Potter finds himself in a precarious situation after he split with his boyfriend. Only his friends and family knows about it, but what happens when his ex-lover comes back?
Special thank you to: Slytherin_vs_Gryffindor yahoo group, and for those who read and didn't review thank you for even taking the time read up to this chapter.
Notes: I would like to thank each and everyone who had participated in the recent polls. The results were more than sufficient for my muses to plot this chapter. I hope you like it.
Enjoy!
oOoOoOo
Day one of Hearing Proceedings: L. Malfoy, petitioner versus C. Fudge, respondent
The atrium at the Ministry of Magic was bustling with reporters and civilians, as well as the usual employees running around the Ministry doing their odd jobs of delivering parchments and packages, and other official business.
The press was tipped off that Lucien and Lucius Malfoy would be in attendance in court on a case they had appealed on for many times in the past and were repeatedly denied—the legal custody of James and Lily Potter's son, Harry Potter.
In an impulsive move, Lucius visibly held James' hand in a firm grip, while attempting to shield James' face from the cameras, and James in-turned kept his head lowered in order not to have direct contact with anyone, so as to prevent a clear picture of him. Harry and Draco were right behind them, mimicking their parents in avoiding having their picture taken and ignoring all the prying questions that were being verbally hurled at them.
Following the Malfoy family was Severus with Sirius in disguise under James' or rather Harry's, invisibility cloak; with Calhoun walking alongside the Malfoy patriarch, Lucien. Both were in a deep discussion about what would happen and how the proceedings would go, and whether the case would be in their favour.
The media, like bloodhounds, were sniffing for a story about the enigmatic Malfoy heir, Lucius. Never had the wizarding world seen him out in public or his father for that matter, with anyone after his divorce from Narcissa Black and the supposed love affair he had with James Potter. And here for the first time in nearly thirteen years, Lucius Malfoy shows up with a man, who may or may not be his lover.
"Mr. Malfoy, is it true that this is your new lover, despite all your claims of being James Potter's soul mate?"
Another half-wit reporter interjected over the first imbecile, "Mr. Malfoy, could you tell the press how long you've been having an affair with this bloke, knowing the repercussions of violating your supposed bond to James Potter?"
As much as Lucius wanted to address the dunderheads, he kept on walking, ushering his sons and James, (who people didn't recognize without his trademark short messy hair and circular bifocals) into chambers.
Severus had to erect a shield around them and Sirius or they would have been pelted with rotten food. Lucien lashed out at the resentful crowd and rebounded the smelly produce back to the throwers.
Hopefully after today, the circus would be over and life could return to some type of normalcy.
oOoOoOo
Fate, it seemed was a cruel heartless bitch, in Lucius' opinion. How was it possible to get the same judging wizard who took his son away from him? Lucius visibly bristled.
"Calm yourself, Lucius. You're projecting your magic like last time and it would not bode well if you attack Fudge again. The Wizengamot will not favor you if you cannot control your temper. Let Calhoun handle them—it is, after all, what you pay him for, is it not?" Lucien slyly said to his only son.
Leaning forward, toward his father-in-law, James said in awe, "He attacked Fudge?"
"Oh, yes, and believe me, if it wasn't for the fact that we were here in court, I would have let him. But that wouldn't have been a wise decision considering we were trying to keep Harry with us," Lucien replied.
"And yet…"
"And yet, we still lost my grandson because of Fudge's self serving ego," Lucien sadly answered. Both sat back once the judge entered and took his seat.
The court was called to order with both counsels stating the claims against each other's clients. As it turned out, Fudge retained Anton Borham, a rival of Calhoun's father and their firm. The wizard was unorthadox in his practice and usually bribed the jury to get his clients from either being executed or being sent to Azkaban. But not this time, this time Borham couldn't pay a full tribunal to allow Fudge the liberties of doing what he did to the Malfoy and Black families.
"This is a preliminary hearing of Lucius Alexander Malfoy versus Cornelius Oswald Fudge. And Severus Tobias Snape-Black versus Cornelius Oswald Fudge. Are all parties present?" the judge asked.
"Yes, Your Honor," Calhoun and Borham answered.
"Right… Mr. Calhoun, you may present your arguments to the tribunal of why we should grant your client, Mr. Lucius Malfoy, full custody of the minor, Harrison James Potter."
"Your Honor, Harrison James Potter, has been abused by his godmother's sister and family since his time of placement, when Harrison was twenty-four months in the year 1982."
"OBJECTION!" Borham shouted.
"This is a hearing, Mr. Borham, not a trial. Objection overruled. Please continue, Mr. Calhoun."
"In addition, I have some startling evidence to prove that James Harold Potter fully intended for his son to live with his sire, Lucius Malfoy."
"Mr. Calhoun, for the record it had been established that the child in question was to remain in the care of his mother's family," the judge stated as he reviewed previous notes and documents.
"Indeed, Your Honor, but Lily Evans is not the child's mother and you, yourself did state that Miss Evans was the child's godmother in the original hearing in June of 1982 and I quote, "I have no other choice than to award legal guardianship to Harry's godmother's sister, Petunia Dursley." Calhoun then handed out copies of the transcripts to Borham and the judge.
Then he continued with the opening argument, "And as you also know, same sex partners are quite capable of reproducing regardless if they are male or female."
Adjusting his spectacles on his face, the judge sighed. "This offers us no proof whatsoever that Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Potter were bonded at his untimely death, Mr. Calhoun. I'm afraid that the judgment remains. Mr. Borham-"
"Even if I have James Potter's testament as proof, Your Honor?"
"Your Honor, my colleague is grasping at straws. The wizarding world knows that James Potter died that night when his house was attacked by the notorious Sirius Black in Godric's Hollow on 31st October, 1981'. Furthermore, a magical core exam was conducted by Potions master, Professor Severus Snape and Healer, Madame Poppy Promfey. The results showed that Lily and James Potter were indeed said minor's parents," Borham argued.
"Lily is not Harry's mother!"
Enough was enough but Lucius remained quiet watching the circus. Quicksilver orbs danced with pleasure as the tribunal murmured among each other.
"You are in contempt, young man. Please sit down or you'll be removed from this courtr-"
"NO! We should never be here! I will not allow my family and friends to suffer."
"This is your last warning. Take your seat," the judge said.
"I am Jamierson Harold Potter, heir to the Potter bloodline, husband to Lucius Alexander Malfoy, and biological mother to Harrison Jamierson Potter and step-mother to Draconis Lucius Malfoy. I give witness today of Harrison's parentage as mine and Lucius' son."
All hell literally broke loose in the hearing chamber, turning the forum upside down.
oOoOoOo
The volume of noise in the arena was deafening. Wizards and witches were clamoring over each other in a bid to have themselves heard after a stranger claimed to be the Boy-Who-Lived birth mother and was married to Lucius Malfoy.
But the look on the Malfoy heir's visage sent a chilling realization around the courtroom—the stranger was indeed James Potter and Harry's mother.
"THAT… IS… A… LIE!" Fudge shouted. Everyone ceased their meaningless bickering at Fudge's outburst.
"What is a lie, Fudge, that you didn't bother asking Professor Dumbledore of Harry's sire, as per stated in my bloody Will! Or the fact that I wasn't married to Lily! You… sentenced my son to thirteen years of abuse by Muggles who hated magic!"
"James is dead! You are an imposter!" Borham yelled. "I don't know what kind of trick you are playing at, Calhoun-"
"Trick? Are you mad?" Calhoun cut in, using a taunting tone of voice. "Let me assure you and everyone here—this is no trick." Signaling toward the doors, Calhoun stood, beginning his spiel of cutting to the quick and chopping up his opponents. "This is the Malfoy family tree—a copy to be exact—as you all ready know, no alterations can be made of any family line, because of the ancient incantations involved when crafting the scroll.
"If the tribunal and defense would pay close attention at the branch of Lucius Malfoy—you will see what has been hidden for fourteen long years," Calhoun stated.
The scroll floated by each member of the Wizengamot and all gave a startled gasp. Clearly etched in the silk woven fabric:
Lucius Alexander (b. 1958)
soul mate: Jamierson Harold Potter (b. 1960)
bonded: 1979, married 1981
children: Harrison Jamierson Malfoy (b. 1980), mother: Jamierson Harold Malfoy nee Potter
Draconis Lucius Malfoy (b. 1980), mother: Narcissa Black, adopted by Jamierson Harold Malfoy (1981)
Doing what Calhoun was best known for, he went in for the kill, "Now, we all know that any witch or wizard who is bonded would die shortly thereafter his or her mate have died—if the tribunal would look further up the tree, you will also see the only person to survive from his mate's passing."
Directly above Lucius' name was his parents' branch…
Lucien Abraxas (b. 1940)
soulmate: Lucas Achilles Malfoy (b. 1941 – d. 1958 giving birth)
re-bonded: to male offspring 1958
children: Lucius Alexander Malfoy (b. 1958)
"Oh, sweet, Merlin!" Lucien whispered looking at his son. He hadn't known anything about this, which explained why he hadn't died with his beloved Lucas. Lucien somehow, unexpectedly bound himself to his newborn son.
Prattling was jump started again within the arena. The evidence was irrefutable, James Potter was very much alive, or else it would have been seen on the scroll listing his death, as it had shown Lucien's husband's year of death and how Lucas had died.
If the situation couldn't get any worse for Fudge, it did once it became apparent that he had indeed sent an innocent little boy to live with people who harbored ill feelings toward magical folk. All the appeals submitted by Lucius and Dumbledore had been denied year after year—fearing that Lucius would corrupt the Boy-Who-Lived.
Not only that, Harry had been traumatized by the parental concealment charm. Even then, Fudge had some inkling that something had changed within the boy, but had thought nothing of it—chalking it up as the boy being heavily influenced by the dark aura surrounding Lucius and his home. But obviously this was not the case.
The charm affected Harry's magic. Harry was mediocre when using his wand, at best he performed at a low level with the simplest of spells. Although Harry was thirteen, soon to be fourteen, his magic was that of a first year. Harry's magic wasn't growing as it should.
Dumbledore was right, Fudge lamented to himself as he mauled his bowler hat in his fat sweaty fingers. All that he had done to get Harry away from Lucius was coming back to bite him and the hearing was just getting started—Calhoun still had to present Snape and Black's grievances too!
oOoOoOo
Day two of Hearing Proceedings: S. Black, petitioner, versus C. Fudge, respondent
There was no way for Borham to counter Calhoun's well built prosecution against his client. This was one case Borham wished he hadn't accepted. He knew this because of the Calhoun's family reputation of being ruthless in the courtroom for the truth and Borham believed this to be a challenge. Shaking his head in dejected defeat, Borham would see the case to the end, but he already knew the outcome—Fudge would pay for ripping apart not one, but two families.
Madam Poppy Pomfrey sat in the middle of the forum, straightbacked and fierce as a mother protecting her young. She had taken Harry under her wing, just as she had James, Sirius, Remus, Lily, Lucius and Severus. She knew how the boys fought and Lily, although a female, had sent them to the infirmary on plenty of occasions with boils and dyed hair and whatever else her devious little mind could think up. She always wondered if Lily should have been in Slytherin instead of Gryffindor.
"Madame, you are hereby to offer your account of support for Professor Severus Snape's claim of wrongful death as well as pain and suffering. Please tell the tribunal what happened," Calhoun requested.
"I'll do more than that. Here is my memory of what I told that buffoon to allow Sirius to remain at Hogwarts under house arrest," Poppy vented, clearly upset of having to revisit those painful moments. This would surely hurt Severus all over again. Hopefully, by her testimony this would bring Severus some closure to what Poppy deemed the worst tragic time in the young wizard's life.
White wisps of mist floated in the center of the arena. It reminded Harry of a movie projector he had seen one time, when he snuck partially downstairs to watch the film reel of the Dursley's on one of their vacations.
Everyone was watching the scene unfold of Madame Pomfrey talking with Minister Fudge in her office…
"Minister, please reconsider this course of action that you're about to take. Professor Snape is pregnant—with twins no less. If you take Sirius away you would be endangering Severus and his children's life! He has suffered one mishap that nearly made him miscarry, but this, this Minister would surely do him in," Poppy pleaded.
The Minister took a couple of steps around the medi-witch's office. "The last of the Black line should have ended with Sirius and his brother—they are no better than the wizard that their family support," Fudge said.
"Sirius worked for you! He served the community as your top outstanding auror. No one has surpassed his scores to date, and you're trying to tell me that you will not keep Sirius close to his spouse for the safety of their unborn children?"
"Poppy, I'm sorry, but some sacrifices must be made and this is one of them. I cannot allow a murderer roaming loose within the walls of Hogwarts," Fudge said. "I'm thinking of the children."
"That's Madam Pomfrey to you, Minister Fudge! Mark my words—you will regret this."
"I hardly see any harm coming to me by putting Black where he belongs, Madame," Fudge stated, self-assured that nothing terrible would befall him once Sirius was deep within Azkaban.
"You still don't get it? Severus and Sirius are bonded—you kill one, you kill the other."
He turned his back to her, preparing to exit her office. With no remorse whatsoever, Fudge replied, "Then so be it."
The memory faded and everyone within gazed at the Minister shaking their heads. He had knowingly killed two unborn lives, the future of the wizarding world, where life was precious with the growing threat of the Dark Lord.
Testimony also came from Headmaster Dumbledore, stating nearly the same words as Madam Pomfrey to Fudge when Lucius went to court the first time claiming to be Harry's sire. However, Calhoun's shining moment came when Harry took the witness stand and told everything of his abusive life with the Dursley's under Veritaserum.
The judge and Wizengamot had heard enough from the thirteen year old Gryffindor. This should have never happened. Harry should have remained with his father. Nothing could ever fix the type of damage that had been done to both the Malfoys and Blacks.
oOoOoOo
Needles to say Fudge was not at all happy with the outcome of the hearing. Calhoun emerged victorious when James verified that Sirius Black was not his Seccret-Keeper, but Peter Pettigrew, which meant that Peter was the one who had told You-Know-Who where he lived.
A devastating blow to the defense was Madam Pomfrey's official medical records on Professor Snape. The records showed how the Potions master became depressed, unable to care for himself and his two infant children. Madam Pomfrey's records also showed a severe loss of appetite, the inability to be around others, the weight loss. And it also had been Madam Pomfrey's recommendation that Severus be put on suicide watch.
This was enough for the tribunal to make their decision. They had a brief twenty minute break and returned with a verdict.
The Wizengamot faces were unreadable, so none were able to gauge what would be said.
"In the case Malfoy versus Fudge, this court rules that full custody of Harrison Jamierson Potter is awarded back to Lucius Malfoy and the parental charm removed. Restitution is to be paid by the Respondent in the amount of five hundred thousand galleons to Harry Potter for pain and suffering. This decision is final and cannot be revoked, changed, or reversed.
"In the case of Black versus Fudge, this court rules that Cornelius Fudge knowingly murdered two innocent unborn lives by interfering with a soul bond—therefore causing the maternal partner to terminate a viable pregnancy. Restitution is to be paid to Professor Severus Snape in the amount of five hundred thousand galleons for pain and suffering. This decision is final and cannot be revoked, changed, or reversed.
"The Respondent is to serve a two year term in Azkaban for knowingly murdering the unborn children of Sirius and Severus Black. The Respondent is to also serve a two year term in Azkaban, for knowingly lying under oath for the removal of Harrison Jamierson Potter from a stable home environment of that of his sire, Lucius Alexander Malfoy. Both terms are to be served consecutively.
"In addition, if the Respondent is unable to pay restitution, any and all properties, stocks, bonds, intangible assets are to be auctioned in order to satisfy the terms of restitution to both parties. This hearing is now adjourned!" The judge banged his gavel, pleased that he would no longer have to see either Malfoy and Severus Snape ever again.
oOoOoOo
Everyone cheered as Lucius and James walked into the Headmaster's office, along with Severus and Sirius and their children respectively. Orion and Sheridan hugged Harry and Draco. The group hug included Hermione and Ginny.
The teens hurried off to one corner of Dumbledore's office as the adults gathered themselves around the Headmaster's desk. Albus was humbled to have the two families and friends in his office. The elder wizard was deeply touched that after so many years, Lucius and Severus had finally got their bond-mates back and were truly whole once more.
"A toast!" the Headmaster exclaimed, catching the attention of all those in his office. A house-elf made sure to serve the children pumpkin juice and the others an aged mulberry wine.
"Yes, Albus, you're quite right," Lucius supported as he held up his gleaming crystal goblet. "A toast to Calhoun—for righting the wrongs that was done to our families."
Said person blushed as he humbly nodded his head in acknowledgement of the praise from his long time friend.
"Hear, hear!" everyone chorused.
The chatter commenced once more. James stood off to the side of the bi-level office, silently watching his friends and those he loved. He couldn't believe that he was standing here with most, if not all, of his memories intact. He missed his mum and dad, but knowing that they were a part of him made James cherish Lucius and the kids even more.
The soft voices drifted over James like a cooling balm for his soul. He glanced at Harry, the young teen must have felt that someone was watching him and turned towards his mother, giving James a bright beaming smile.
In that instant, James didn't see himself and Lily any more. He saw his lover in the form of his son. The parental charm was lifted from Harry. The former Gryffindor realized that his oldest son would never be as tall as Lucius or as charming as Draco—the abuse by the Dursley's kept Harry withdrawn and shy, which included being malnourished, robbing Harry of ever reaching his full height. But that didn't matter to James. What mattered was that Harry was back home where he belonged and James would be forever indebted to Calhoun.
Harry's hair was still messy in the back of his head as if he had been riding his broom in windy weather, but the raven tresses now fell about his shoulders. Shiny quicksilver eyes danced merrily from behind circular wired-rimmed glasses where vivid emerald orbs once stared. Now looking at both of his sons and husband, James could see the Malfoy bloodline. All three stood erect with a hint of a condescending air about them. The only difference was that Harry smiled more openly than Lucius and Draco. Perhaps it was because Draco was raised by Lucius, James wasn't sure, but it did explain a lot of Draco's mannerisms.
"Where are you now, my love?" Lucius whispered in James' ear.
"I was merely thinking," James replied, slightly leaning back into the firm body of his mate.
Sneaking an arm around James' slender waist, Lucius took a sip of wine. "Oh, that could be a dangerous thing, love, best you don't do that too often."
"Yes, well, you seem to be happy with yourself," James said, changing the subject.
"Yes, very. I will have you know that my father and Severus agreed to watch over our children for a few weeks while we are on holiday. There are several lovely spots I would love to take you to," Lucius replied, dipping his head lower to nip at James' right ear. Blond hair shielded Lucius' actions, if anyone was to look their way it would seem that Lucius was speaking privately to his lover and not openly molesting James.
"You're not playing fair, Lucius," James hissed, biting on his lower lips to keep from moaning out loud. He didn't need to be embarrassed by his friends knowing that he was getting felt-up by his spouse.
"And who ever said that I played fair?" Lucius answered, swirling his tongue around the curved shell before sucking on the lobe.
"You are such a Slytherin," James breathlessly said, as he turned a little into Lucius' embrace to rub against the other's bulge that was hidden by the dark flowing velvet robes they wore.
Across the room, Sirius had similar intentions for his own bond-mate, but Severus stopped him with a menacing glare, causing the animagus to smirk. "Well, everyone, the party was good while it lasted, but I must get home."
Prior to anyone questioning why Sirius was leaving, he latched onto Severus, grabbing a handful of floo powder and left in a green blaze for Snape manor. The occupants stared dumbfounded at the urgency of the couple's departure. Then laughter erupted.
Taking this as their queue as well, Lucius and James made their traditional good-byes and walked down the spiral stair-case, with Lucius guiding James out by the small of his back—an intimate gesture not lost to people that were continuing on with the celebrating.
oOo TBC oOo
A/N: Well, how was that? Did I deliver? I hope so. It's been quite a while since I've actively worked on this fic. My muses are bursting with all kinds of scenes for our favorite couples. How was the trial? So, did Fudge get his just desserts? Don't know? Well, stay tuned for the next chapter.
Nemesis
oOoOo Teaser for Chapter 22 oOoOo
Warning bells were going off in the ex-Slytherin's head—this was not the first time their friend had met with the older Malfoy under the pretense of his father's un-availability. Something was going on between the two of them and Lucius called Calhoun on it.
"I've known you all my life, Cal. I love you as a brother, but I warn you, Cal, my father's heart is not to be trifled with. I will not hesitate to hex you if you hurt him. The loss of my mother nearly killed him."
The lawyer sputtered, choking on his drink, spilling it down his vest. "What the devil are you on about, Lucius?" Calhoun asked, ignoring Severus in the background trying to be quiet.