Book One of the Heritage Series:
Harry Potter and the Return of Heritage
Chapter Thirty Five
Threats and Evil Acts
The week had gone by quickly, the teachers were beginning to pile the fifth and seventh years with more work for their exams, which were two and a half months away,
Even Professor Lupin was pilling them with work to make sure that they were ready for the OWLs and NEWTS, however as most student's knowledge of Defensive Applications was hit and miss he had developed individual additional homework for each students to research and develop their knowledge to bridge the gaps,
There had been one lesson that was covered by Professor Dumbledore and that had been rather enjoyable, it was a practical lesson on the use of shield charms, and he had them partner up and they had to cast as many spells that they could think of at the shield charm and try to penetrate it. The lesson was quite fun, they were forced to think of spells that they would not often use and see if they could penetrate the shield.
As Harry had said there had not been any opportunity for a DA meeting over the week, but with the fifth years and seventh years exams coming it was going to be difficult to continue as time was spent studying.
In other news the Daily Prophet had lost the court case that Sirius had brought against them after they had failed to reach a settlement. The wizengamot awarded them six million galleons, the amount of substantial and it meant that the Prophet had to liquidate itself to meet the award.
But that was not the end of the British wizarding paper, Sirius had then used the award to purchase what little remained of the company and bought twenty five percent of the company for each the Black's and Potters. The remainder of the company holdings were bought by the Lords Danvers and Flint, Gringotts retained nineteen percent for future sale, with a single percent going to the ministry.
Barnabas Cuffe was hired back by Sirius but board but all other members of staff were kept on but under probation pending a formal review. The sale, acquisition and restructuring of the Paper was kept quiet, only one small article was posted to say that the paper had been bought out by new investors.
Since the attack on the Village Auror's now had a permanent presence there, as well as in Diagon Alley and the Wizards Market of Chelmsford. Scrimgeour was not taking the chance of confrontations in such places again, and Amelia Bones had agreed and assigned the Auror's, she herself was implementing a large surge of recruitment with the funds now at her disposal and she was not wasting them.
Professor Dumbledore had awarded Harry, Ginny, Daphne, Cameron, Neville and Luna an award for services to the school in a ceremony in the Great Hall, he then also handed Harry a second award for his saving Cameron. He also announced that they had all been nominated to be awarded an Order of Merlin second class but they all told him that it was not necessary, but he told them it was already planned.
Harry had received a letter from Lord Danvers, it was not dissimilar from the one he had received when he rescued Josh.
Dear Mr Black-Potter,
I find myself writing to you again in the same year for the service that you have provided my House. I have received letters from both Cameron, Joshua, and Mordred and I was personally visited but Professor Dumbledore and Snape.
I am well aware of the situation, and the reasoning behind the attack on my Wards. I am proud of Cameron, he has his own mind and I am proud that he joined you in the defence of Hogwarts students in Hogsmeade.
I found the reasoning behind this attack disgraceful and I am having all of the boys up in front of the Wizengamot for the attack. They seriously miscalculated when they thought that I would not take offence.
You have the gratitude of myself and my entire House for saving Cameron, he and his younger brother are my wards and they fall under my protection. However as you saved his life there is a life debt between my House and House Black and Potter.
As you will be aware Life Debts are a serious business and I believe we should discuss this is person, perhaps we can arrange a dinner for the summer, I am sure Lord Black will not disapprove, and Joshua and Cameron have both asked if you would be invited for a dinner this summer, they speak highly of you and I must agree.
I look forward to speaking with you at the Wizengamot trial for Delores Umbridge. Again I cannot thank you enough for saving Cameron's life.
Yours sincerely,
Jacob
Lord of House of Danvers, Lord Regent of House Du Vant.
Today was the day of the trial for Umbridge so Harry had been excused from classes for the day, Sirius had sent him formal robes to him along with Kreacher who had returned to the House a few days ago, Dobby and Tilvar were at the Black Lodge in Bulgaria and were closing that property down properly and Kreacher volunteered to make sure that his Master Harrison was presentable.
Harry quickly dressed in his robes, he had got much quicker at getting ready, however Kreacher would not settle for less than perfect and with Harry's hair it took quite a while, even the charm to make it more pliable didn't seem to work well today, but eventually Kreacher passed him as presentable and left him to it.
Harry had to remove his belt and wrist cuff as the security of the chamber wouldn't allow him entry with them, his wrist felt rather empty without it and he realised how much he had come accustomed to it, with a shrug he pocketed his wand and left the Dorm.
Ron and Hermione who had never seen the robes before looked over from their chairs at the fire with open mouths, Neville however looked amused at their reactions.
"I take it from you stupefied expressions you have never seen the formal robes of the Ancient Houses representatives to the Wizengamot." Neville said smirking.
"But he looks so upper class and presentable!" Ron said gobsmacked now walking around Harry in a circle to admire the embroidery "Dad said he would need to get some robes for sessions but I didn't realise that it meant this style of robe."
"Well they show the status and power that the Houses hold" Neville said looking back down at a rather large book of Herbology, "whilst the Houses do not rule the wizengamot, these robes remind people of the power they once held and the power that they still have."
"It reminds me of novels I read when I was younger, when the Lords of the land had power over the common folk." Hermione said looking over the robe. "But whilst that is no longer the case in muggle society it seems that the old families still hold that same power."
"Not strictly true" Harry explained trying to remember what Sirius told him over the summer "We have the power we do because we have protected our society and guided it for a millennia, whilst we no longer rule it by ourselves we do have our seats and we advise the Wizengamot, the Wizards council can only be used under dire circumstances and when the ministry is threatening our society."
Hermione nodded, "that's what I read, but even now the gap between Muggle and Wizard society staggers me. And to be honest I do not think either is better than the other, each have their flaws."
"I should get going, as should the three of you, don't want to be late for Professor Binns, not that he would notice." Harry said, they quickly made their goodbyes and Harry walked off towards the Headmasters office, Professor Dumbledore was escorting him to the chamber today as Sirius was in a morning meeting with Lady Blake regarding a business venture.
In what felt like no time at all he was in front of the oak door to the headmaster's office, and he knocked firmly.
"Come in Harrison."
Harry entered and saw that the Professor Dumbledore was seated behind his desk in the plum coloured robes of the Wizengamot reviewing a small stack of parchment of his desk.
"Good morning Harrison, I see that you a ready to leave," he said with a smile "we have another fifteen minutes before we should leave, so make yourself comfortable, I just need to review some of these papers for the trial."
Harry nodded and settled into the seat opposite the Headmaster, and looked around, the office was as usual filled with strange devices on a table, the cabinets that surrounded the room were all closed but Harry could glimpse more strange things inside and many books. The portraits were pretending to sleep, although Phineas Black was not.
"Good morning Professor Black." Harry said inclining his head.
"I see that you have attired yourself in that awful griffins outfit" Phineas said with distaste, "I much preferred the Black Raven, more dignified."
Harry smiled, "when Sirius dies of old age, and as long as I outlive him then the Raven will grace my robes and I will wear it with honour."
Phineas gave him a look "that remains to be seen. And whilst you seem to be on your way to becoming an Heir to my House, I do not think you will be ready to become its Head and Lord anytime soon" and with that statement he walked out of the frame.
"Do not mind Phineas lad, he has always was cynical and aloof, it's his way of being nice" said a portrait from behind Professor Dumbledore, who was just writing a few notes on the parchment in front of him and seemed to be oblivious to what was happening around him.
"Don't worry yourself Professor Dippet" Harry said remembering his name from the memory Tom Riddle showed him in his second year "I am well aware of the nature of my distant grandfather and he does not cause me hurt, I am rather fond of him."
Professor Dippet smiled and nodded and made no further comment.
Harry looked back over the room, his eyes fell to the sword of Griffindor, it was such a beautiful sword, and still looked like it was forged only yesterday, he now recognised that it was goblin made, and it would never rust or lose its shiny hue.
He remembered it just like yesterday when he pulled it from the sorting Hat. He heard a trill from behind him and saw that Fawkes had flamed in, he looked at the professor and noticed that he was still looking at his parchment so he got up and walked over to the phoenix
"Hello Fawkes" he said looking at him, and he realised just how intelligent they were, Fawkes knew what he was saying, Harry wondered just how intelligent they were. "Is he keeping you busy this year?" he asked
Fawkes inclined his head, and Harry smiled "well I thank you for your efforts." He stroked the phoenix's plumage and began to whistle to himself whilst he waited, he didn't notice that Fawkes trilled his own song with him
Harry for the next few minutes was remembering his parents, he saw them in the graveyard and in the mirror of erised, he saw them in memories Sirius has shown him, he saw flashes of them in a kitchen smiling directly at him and then in a nursery when he took in intake in breath.
He looked around and saw Dumbledore and every portrait was looking at him "what happened just then Harrison? Your tune blended with Fawkes song."
Harry looked at his ring for a moment, and then at Fawkes who looked at him innocently "I am not sure, Fawkes was singing, as I whistled and then I saw flashes of my parents, and there was a flash of something I have never seen, I was in a nursery and they were both laughing at me"
Dumbledore frowned "Fawkes brought the memories to the surface, usually you would experience courage when a phoenix sings, strange thing magic, sometimes it does the unpredictable, I would imagine it showed you love?"
Harry nodded, he had felt love, but he also felt loved. He couldn't explain it.
"We should be going." Dumbledore said "are you feeling up to this Harry?
"Of course professor, it just took me by surprise." Harry said "how will we be getting there?"
There was a loud affronted trill from behind him and Fawkes took flight and descended between them hovering in front of them with graceful flaps of his wings
Dumbledore chucked "well it seems that Fawkes has answered that question for me. He will take us directly to the hallway outside the security room."
Harry took a hold of Fawkes long golden tail as did Dumbledore. Harry was ready for the feeling this time, the feathers got hot and then suddenly the feeling spread around his entire body and the next moment he was in the corridor leading the Wizengamot chambers.
Fawkes trilled loudly, and many turned to look at him when he quickly disappeared it flames. Harry looked around and saw that people were watching them so he walked towards the security desk and the unspeakable, a few moments later both he and Dumbledore entered the chamber and looked around, Harry soon spotted Sirius, but he was in conversation with a wizened old warlock, he saw Harry and smiled but continued to talk
"Mr Black-Potter" said a stern voice from behind him.
He turned and saw Augusta Longbottom standing there in robes but hers showed a rather fierce bear, she held her hand which Harry took and kissed her knuckles.
"A pleasure as always Lady Longbottom" he said with a charming smile "I think I should also compliment you on your grandson, he is living up to his parents, I have high hope for him for the future."
Augusta drew herself upright and looked proud "Neville is a good boy, and I am sure Alice and Frank would have been proud with the way he handled himself in Hogsmeade Village. I shall be visiting him during the week for I wish for him to take the heir ring of House Longbottom" she said
"I am sure that he will be honoured." Harry said and he began to make his way toward Sirius who had finished his talk with the old wizard. Harry was intercepted by an elderly lady
"Mr Black-Potter it is a pleasure to see you." She said with a kind smile.
Harry inclined his head and joined her smile "I am so sorry but I cannot place your name?" he said
"Griselda Marchbanks" she said kindly "I am the governor of the Wizarding examinations authority, so I shall be watching you closely dear boy, I will be grading your OWL's."
Harry looked stricken for a moment until she chuckled at him
"Don't worry dear boy I am sure you will be fine, they are not for a few months, but make sure to revise. Sirius Black! I remember your defence Against the Dark Arts NEWT you got an outstanding, you were exemplarily, and you managed to outperform your own family members for the last one hundred years!"
"Madame Marchbanks" Sirius said pleasantly "always a pleasure, but I think we should keep the chat on OWL's and NEWTs to a minimum, we don't want Harry to start panicking mid trial"
"Of course, how silly of me," she said smiling at him and she turned away.
"Don't mind her, she can talk about examinations until you fall asleep in boredom" Sirius said with a smirk "now I think it is time that you get on up to your seat."
Harry silently agreed and with a respectful small bow he walked up the tiered seats. He immediately noticed that Lord Danvers was next to him again as Madam Bones was in her ministry seat.
"Lord Danvers good to see you again" he said politely "you must forgive me for not replying to your letter, but I have not had an opportunity to discuss your invitation with Lord Black."
Jacob inclined his head respectfully and Harry could see a slight smirk "Good morning Harrison, and do not worry yourself I knew that you would need to speak to Lord Black. And I am also not old enough to have forgotten how taxing OWL year can be."
Harry smiled, he would never have called him old, and he reminded Harry of Bill Weasley a great deal, just with better breeding and etiquette. "I will admit that the pressure is mounting, however I believe that my duties as Head and heir of House Potter and Black is also adding more work"
Jacob chuckled quietly "well you do have me there, I was fortunate that my father was still Lord Danvers and I was only the heir during the summer, but now he has abdicated his Lordship to me and is now writing his memoirs in our house in the Scottish mountains."
Harry didn't get the opportunity to reply as Lady Longbottom took her seat to next to his, and Lord Maveric sat next to Lord Danvers and took his attention away; He was surprised that Lord Danvers father was still alive, it was incredibly rare for a Lord to abdicate his post.
He looked around the chamber and saw that many of the members kept glancing at him with appraising looks. He felt rather uncomfortable, and he was sure people were plotting how to use him for their agenda. His attention was diverted to Rufus Scrimgeour who was wearing his old auror robes.
He took his seat quickly and with little fuss, and with a glance around the chamber he nodded to himself and arranged his notes and then nodded to Madam Bones.
Amelia Bones stood up gracefully and looked at the gathered members "Today is the trial of Miss Delores Umbridge, I shall be in control of this trial and I will be asking the questions. As members of the Wizengamot you are entitled to be witnesses but you have no say in this trial." She said sternly, she then turned her gaze to the top tier where the Ancients sat, "the Ancient Houses are allowed to cross examine the defendant at their leisure, but I warn you, if you seek to impede justice you will find yourself in front of a tribunal."
Harry nodded to himself, it was the common format for all trials. The Ancient Houses were allowed to cross examine a defendant due to their status but if they were using the trial as a way of political manoeuvring they would face a tribunal of the Ancient Houses, and Harry had read examples of the punishments the tribunals had given. The Weasley's had been stripped of their seat in such a tribunal.
"Bring in the Defendant." Madam Bones said calmly.
The doors opened and two Auror's in red robes walked either side of Umbridge who they settled into a chair, she was not restrained but the Aurors were keeping a sharp eye on her from the shadows. She was dressed in her best formal robes, although Harry thought they were very inappropriate, Pink was not a colour for a trial.
"Seal the Door!" she said clearly, there was a slight boom of the doors closing and Harry saw the flare of magical protection activating. "This is the Trial for the use of regulated magical objects on minors, and its use on a minor the Ancient Houses by Miss Delores Jane Umbridge. We will also be reviewing unauthorised sanctions on members of our community that have come to light after a review of her office."
"Interrogators Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical law enforcement, and Lady Regent of the Ancient House of Bones, Rufus Julius Scrimgeour Interim Minister for Magic, William Croaker, Director of the Department of Mysteries, and Jordan Henry Samson, Chief Warlock and Percy Ignatus Weasley, Court Scribe."
"You are Miss Delores Jane Umbridge of number seventy four Cannon Lane, Poplar?" she asked sternly gazing at Umbridge
"Of course Madam Bones" Umbridge said brightly, smiling gleefully, Harry didn't trust that smile; if he didn't know better he would be worried she was going to get off.
"We have been informed that you do not wish to have any legal representative, I give you this opportunity to have someone summoned to offer council, however we will not postpone this trial" Madam Bones said.
"I do not require legal counsel; I have done nothing that was not sanctioned." Umbridge answered sweetly.
Amelia glared at the women, and nodded, "Very well, Miss Umbridge you stand accused of the having in your possession at the time of your arrest three Blood Quills, which are a Class B tradeable artefact. You also stand accused of using the previously mentioned artefacts on seven Hogwarts students as means of punishment, four of the students being minors; you also use the artefact on members of the Ancient Houses.
"After a thorough review of the actions of your office it has also been discovered that you have sanctioned the removal of five minors from their families, those children were afflicted with lycanthropy and have not been seen by their families since you signed the order." Amelia said with contempt, Harry could hardly believe his ears, and his thoughts of Umbridge had sunk to a new low. He hoped that those children were still alive, but he knew that it was a small hope and if they were dead Umbridge would pay tenfold. The Chamber went into uproar at those accusations.
Chief Warlock Samson set off a loud cannon fire bang, "there will be silence in the Wizengamot, if you do not control yourselves you will be removed from this chamber!" he said sternly gazing at the lower members.
The chamber quietened down very quickly at his words.
"Miss Umbridge do you deny that the Blood Quills in your possession belonged to yourself?" Amelia asked
"Of course Madam Bones," Umbridge said with a small childish laugh "the Quills that were in my possession are owned by the ministry, I am sure you will find the acquisition forms filed with the appropriate departments."
"We did indeed find the documents that you have stated" Amelia said "however the quills were to be used for the signing of ministerial documents in June nineteen nighty; they were supposed to have been returned. We also found a document for your acquisition of the quills stating "that they were required for the efficiency of the Ministers office." The quills have been kept in your possession since that date, and they have not been used for the signing of any document. So by your actions you have stolen Ministry controlled equipment, and six years have passed and I therefore state that these were your quills."
"I kept the quills for the Minister office, I however was never asked to acquisition a quill again so they were not used" Umbridge said with a nasty smile "it was not my fault that I was not asked."
"Please can you explain to the court why these quills were taken out of the Ministry to your office at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and Wizardry during your appointment as professor?"
"I found them quite by accident, I took my furniture from my Ministry office and they must have been at the bottom of a drawer" Umbridge said quickly.
"You then proceeded to use the Blood quills as a punishment at Hogwarts school, Please explain how this was sanctioned, Hogwarts School has a policy of no corporal punishment on any student, this has been enforced for the last twenty seven years, also British magical Law states that the use of Blood Quills on an person under the age of seventeen, without the consent of their guardian is illegal."
"I was a Hogwarts Professor; I have control of all punishments that I give to students." Umbridge said "Minister Fudge advised me that I was to use whatever means I feel necessary and that he would see to all the legislation needs."
"Tell me Madam Umbridge, are you aware of the laws regarding Blood quills?" Scrimgeour interrupted.
"Of course Minister, I am well versed in all ministry legislation" Umbridge said sweetly
"If you are so well versed did you not think that any change to the laws regarding the use of Blood quills would need to be put to the Wizengamot?" he said "and the Wizengamot would never agree to such a change, Blood quills are regulated as they can be abused by those who are well versed in dark magic."
"I was an Undersecretary, I am not a politician. I do not bother myself with such trivial matters." Umbridge said "Minister Fudge assured me that I had the approval of the ministry, so I took the action that I saw fit."
"Do you deny that you have used the blood quill on Lee Andrew Jordan, Samuel Stephen Dempsie, Terrence Fredrick Swift, Harrison James Black-Potter, Fredrick Gideon Weasley, George Fabien Weasley, and Lydian Abigail Marshal?" Amelia asked directly.
"I handed out the punishments that I believed appropriate" Umbridge said "those students were speaking lies in my class room and they were encouraging other students to question the ministry."
"Miss Umbridge I have here a testimony from Harrison James Black-Potter, Head of House Potter, heir to House Black, who is aged fifteen." Amelia said "you gave him detention and subjected him to the use of a blood quill him detention for telling the truth regarding the return of the terrorist Lord Voldemort."
"At the time the evidence suggested that Mr Potter was an unstable child prone to making tall tales" Umbridge said snidely "his history is full of such stories and I feel that I cannot be held accountable."
"You raise a good point miss Umbridge, you say that Mr Black-Potter" Amelia said with a glare, putting emphasis on his double barrelled name "is a child, yet you subjected him to punishment of using a blood quill, for five hours this is torture of a minor member of two Ancient Houses"
"You fail to understand Madame Bones, Mr Black-Potter deserved to be punished he is a spiteful liar and I had the backing of Cornelius Fudge." Umbridge said with a sour look it seemed she knew that things were not going her way.
"What did Cornelius say to you specifically Miss Umbridge?" Director Croaker asked her thoughtfully.
Umbridge looked at him for a long moment, and Harry could tell she was considering her answer carefully.
"Minister Fudge told me that I was to keep an eye on Mr Black-Potter. If Mr Black-Potter began to step out of line, I was to make sure that Mr Black-Potter was discouraged from dreaming up stories, he told me if I had to I was to put him in detention for the entire year and make sure he was indeed punished."
"That is open to interpretation" Direct Croaker said shrewdly "you may have mistaken his intent, you took it to mean that you had free reign to punish Mr Black-Potter as you saw fit, however it could have merely meant you was to assign him lines for the entire year, or you were to ban him from Hogsmeade, your assumption was that you had free reign, and for that reason you are accountable. Minister Fudge may have alluded to you having the power and backing to do what you wanted, but he never explicitly said it therefore the fault lies with you."
Harry couldn't help but smile, Umbridge had just put herself in a hole and it was getting deeper.
"I call for the evidence against the accused" Amelia called "I call to the centre of the chamber Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School."
Dumbledore stood and walked swiftly into the central dais away from Umbridge, he inclined his head respectfully to the interrogators.
"Professor Dumbledore, could you explain to the court how seven of your students were subjected to the use of a blood quill?" Amelia asked "I believed that the Headmasters responsibility is to protect the students in his care."
"Indeed that is correct Madame Bones," Dumbledore said sadly "had I known that Miss Umbridge was using Blood Quills as a form of punishment I would have not stood for it, but none of the students came forward, I believe that the only reason that we were made aware of these detentions were because Mr Black-Potter recognised a blood quill and reported it."
"Professor Dumbledore" Said Sirius taking to his feet.
"The Court recognises Lord Black" Mr Samson said immediately.
"Would you tell the court for the purpose of this trial the blood status of the students that were tortured by Miss Umbridge" he asked with a disgusted look at professor Umbridge who returned the look.
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at the question for a moment but answered clearly "Messrs Weasley are purebloods, Mr Black-Potter and Mr Jordan are half-bloods, and the remaining students are muggleborn students."
Sirius nodded "so the students that she used a blood quill on would not have known what a blood quill was, even the Weasley boys who were purebloods did not know as I would assume that House Weasley has not seen the need to discuss the quill as they are seldom used. It would seem that Miss Umbridge has targeted students whom she knew would not recognise a blood quill, she gambled when she assigned the Weasley twins the detention as their father works in the ministry but as Lord Weasley does not use the quills in his department it is not a surprise."
Harry was surprised when he saw a balding red head stand. He saw that it was Arthur Weasley, dressed in robes of red with a white lion was emblazoned over them.
"The court recognised Lord Weasley" Samson said the moment he noticed him standing.
"I can confirm that my sons were not aware of the legalities of a Blood Quill as we have never had the need of them." Mr Weasley said firmly "and whilst my sons are now of age I do not think that will reduce the fact that she has tortured both of my sons. This had been a targeted attack against my family, I am just thankful that my two youngest have not been in detention with the accused."
He sat down slowly but Harry could see that he too was furious with Umbridge, his face showed no signs of the carefree man that he usually was, but Harry knew this was Lord Weasley that was on show, and whilst the Weasley family did not have the funds the other houses did, they were liked by the majority and many would back them.
The next hour they spent reviewing the statements of each student who was given the punishment of a blood quill, Umbridge denied the entire affair, and stuck to her view that it was sanctioned and the blame fell on Fudge. Harry was eventually called up and he was cross examined by all of the integrators, and he answered truthfully, they wanted more information on the abuse he suffered at her hands for the entire year. The auror had to place a silencing charm on her for his questioning as she kept s speaking over him.
"I think we have enough evidence in relation to the blood Quill" Amelia said after two and a half hours since the session started.
The interrogators all agreed with a nod of their head.
"Miss Umbridge on your arrest we have since carried out an audit on your office, we have reviewed every file that you have been involved with and with have found irregularities." Amelia said "We have found signed orders from you, that you have given to the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, that sanctioned the removal of five young children, aged between four and nine, three male and two female."
Umbridge's face fell slightly at the mention of the children but a smile soon repaired "and why does this court require that information that document was for the Department in question, I only signed the form."
"I have checked the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures Miss Umbridge, there is no record of the sanctioned removal, no member was sent from that department to retrieve them." Madam Bones said "I have questioned the concerned parents who have not seen their children since they were taken away from them, would you care to advise us who removed these children from their homes?"
"I would not know Madam Bones" Umbridge said in a high falsely sweet voice and Harry thought she sounded nervous.
"At first they believed that it was a man who had taken their children, however I was not satisfied with their description of a bald white man," Madam Bones said "I consulted with a Healer and Director Croaker , and it was discovered that the parents had a memory charm placed on them, a rather poor memory charm."
Umbridge stiffened "I see." She gulped.
"I am sure you do Miss Umbridge" Madame Bones said with an evil smile of her own "because we were able to remove the charm, and imagine our surprise to see you miss Umbridge, taking the children away."
"You are mistaken!" Umbridge said quickly.
"Oh I was not Miss Umbridge, Now five children have been taken from their homes and have not been seen for many years." Madam Bones said "I have had a thorough search done of your offices, and I have found no relocation documents, no any record of these children, so will ask you, where are they?"
"I have no idea where they are" Umbridge said "you say that they were werewolves, I would guess that they have run off to live in a wood. I can assure you Madam that I had no involvement."
"I unfortunately do not believe you Miss Umbridge" Madame Bones said "you have had no qualms in torturing Hogwarts students, and you opinion on all members of our community who have dual heritage, such as half giants, lycanthropes, half-goblin, even the Veela are on record, and you have had many pieces of legislation passed to restrict them."
"What possible purpose would I have to remove these children from their homes?" Umbridge rasped looking for any way out of the question.
"Well you see Miss Umbridge, it is my belief that you did not want these children to attend Hogwarts school, whilst lycanthropes cannot attend the ministry run schools, the Hogwarts Charter was amended by Professor Dumbledore back in the seventies to allow Lycontropes to attend, as long as they followed a procedure that would not endanger the students."
"I was not aware of such a piece of Hogwarts legislation" Umbridge huffed "this is all conjecture."
"Oh no dear" Bones said menacingly "I also remember the times that you have petitioned to have that amendment overturned by this assembly."
"I, ah, erm…. "Umbridge said losing her composure.
"I will ask you again, where are those children?" Madam Bones demanded.
A nasty smile crept over Umbridge's face, gone was the falsey sweet visage, now she looked evil.
"The beasts are dead!" she exclaimed "they were exterminated like treading on an ant hill!"
The Wizengamot erupted into chaos.
Harry sat silent, the woman was evil, and he hoped that they would punish her for the deaths of the children.
Madame Bones had a silent conversation with the higher council, Scrimgeour looked grim but determined, Croaker looked hesitant.
"Miss Umbridge to the counts of possession of the illegal blood quill, and there use of on four minors, three adults, and there use for torture. You are also faced with charges of using the before mentioned on the minor Head of an ancient House and heir to an Ancient House." Madam Bones said in a booming voice "do you have anything to say in defence?"
"What I did was done on behalf of the previous Minister for Magic, I was instructed to get Hogwarts under the control of the ministry, to prevent the lies of that child and Dumbledore was spreading," she said "I do not believe these actions to be illegal, the detentions were after the enactment of the Educational decree which gave me the authority to handle all punishments, therefore it was not illegal."
"That is not correct," Madam Bones said, "You gave the first Blood Quill detention one month after the beginning of the school year, therefore your actions were illegal, Educational decree of not, it would still be illegal as it would violate ministry law!"
"That is not the case dear, you obviously are in a position that you should not be in, if you do not know our laws how can you pass judgement on me?" Umbridge said returning to her sweet visage.
Madam Bones ignored her "for the counts of the removal of five minors from their homes, falsifying ministerial documentation, and the now confessed murder of children, do you have anything to add in your defence?"
"Only that you shall never find their bodies and I will not tell you where I took them, or who cast the curse." She said with a nasty smile "I was performing a civic duty, they should never have been allowed to reach the age they did! And I -"
"ENOUGH!" Madam Bones said cutting through her speech, "I call for a vote, on the counts of being in possession of a class B tradable artefacts: three Blood quills, those they find the defendant guilty raise their hand." Madam Bones held up the three quills in a box, Harry could see the pink feather she had used on him.
The entire courtroom voted guilty.
"On the counts of the use of the before mentioned artefacts being used to torture on the seven Hogwarts students as means of punishment, four of the students being minors; you also use the artefact on members of the Ancient Houses, does this court find the defendant guilty?" Madam Bones said
It was not a unanimous vote, but three quarters of the court voted guilty, and whilst Harry was involved in the evidence, as Potter Proxy he could still vote.
"I move onto your final charge" Madam Bones said "on the counts of kidnap, and assumed murder of five children who were lycanthropes, falsifying ministry records, false misrepresentation and extreme moral grievances, does this court find the defendant guilty?"
The votes were counted, and to Harrys shock, it was a near miss, many did not seem to think she was guilty or perhaps they didn't care about the children Harry thought.
"The defendant is found guilty of all charges." Madam Bones said "Miss Delores Jane Umbridge this court finds you guilty on all charges brought against you. You are to be transferred to Azkaban prison, where you will reside for the remainder of your natural life, this court will review your situation within one year of today to discuss your crimes, at the review the decision will be made as to whether you remain in Azkaban or you will be subjected to execution."
"You cannot do this to me!" Umbridge shrieked "I am the senior undersecretary to the minister and the high inquisitor! You cannot do this!"
"In the time that Miss Umbridge is incarcerated, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement will conduct further interviews, to see if we can gain any more information on the children that was taken from their homes, in the hope to bring closure to their families."
"I will kill you Potter" Umbridge Screamed "you will rue the day that you did this! Mark my words you will pay!"
"Aurors!" Madam Bones called "take her away"
Umbridge was bound in chains and silenced by two aurors who had to knock her out in order to get her to leave.
Harry sat quite relieved that the women was being sent to a place that she belonged, but he hoped that they would be able to get more information from her.
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