[a/n0]Lone Traveler is quite a character. I'm sure he'll pop up again

[a/n] Sequel to HDD#224, goes before ICW. Includes HDD#169 & HDD#202 & HDD#203. It started with Harry being framed for the murders of Hagrid and Ginny. He used his time in Azkaban to superpower himself. Proven innocent,he singlehandedly wipes out Voldemort and his Death Eaters. All Magical Britain would have cheered, except they were suddenly magicless. And under foreign occupation. Harry let the Canadians in on what was to happen. He left his birthplace and settled in Niagara. Why? 'cause the author likes it there.

Bit of a bashing of my favorite witch. But somehow, not quite :)

All 4 prior installments had reviews that asked questions that needed answering. I felt a War Crimes Trial would be a good setting.

Harry Does Different CCLXXXVIII

Harry's Trial

Christmas 2004 was a joyous time for the most powerful wizard on Earth. This a factual statement, even if he made little impact on the world. The family had jokingly called his wedding a shotgun one. He had, after all, got her pregnant. Her father MOST DEFINITELY DID NOT want to hear how his daughter seduced him.

For months Harry wandered both sides of the border at Niagara Falls. More powerful than any hundred wizards: In many things, he behaved utterly muggle. He owned homes at each end of the tourist area. A citizen of Canada and a legal resident of USA. Harry also owned a room at the casino resort that provided one of the best views of the falls. Harry radiated an aura that made people avoid him, but slowly … thanks to gambling … he got past his pain. He was seen most everywhere in the hotel-casino. Sometimes the dollar machines, others the high-stakes rooms. Sure, if he asked, he could find out how up or down he was. If he ever ran too deep the manager would approach, hadn't yet come up.

There was a place. Tourists got to it by elevator. You could actually see the falls from behind. Whenever Harry felt especially depressed he would go; of course he would pay admission. But then he would cast Notice-Me-Not and Muggle Repulsion Charms and slip past the official safety marker, sitting there for hours or even days.

abcij

One day Harry was standing on the Maid of the Mist as it got close to the Horseshoe Falls "Take me and my sister's picture please." And a camera was pressed into his hand. The ship was rather empty that day, he smiled and nodded.

A pair of redheads posed in the camera lens, arms around each other. Neither young woman wore the almost ubiquitous yellow or blue plastic raincoat, content to get wet.

"Say I'M SOAKED." He told the sisters playfully, rather enjoying the moment. And after the shot handed back the camera with a smile.

One took the camera with a friendly smile, the other was more than friendly. She squeezed his upper arm and purred "Don't mind getting wet, either, huh? Looks good on you."

"Kind of forward, aren't we?" he joked, then a memory intruded "Susan Bones?"

The sisters giggled and the aggressive one introduced them "No E and V, or formally Eleanor and Violet, remind you of an old girlfriend, do i?"

"Schoolmate? Yes. Girlfriend? No." he answered concealing a frown.

This only encouraged Eleanor "Gooooood. Now you look like a man who knows his way around. Care to have a couple beauties on your arms for the day?"

Harry married her. He had little to say about his past, but a near disaster occurred when the wedding planner queried "How many from your family?"

Abcij

"Welcome home, Mr. Potter." A man in a business suit was at the door to his casino-hotel room "John Windsor, Canadian MBI. Congratulations on your wedding. You have a lovely wife."

Harry nodded curtly "Mr. Windsor. I'm surprised you didn't make contact sooner."

"We didn't know how long our conversation might take." He replied, a little nervous but hiding behind a professional demeanor "We know the new Mrs. Potter is a nomag. The heart wants what it wants, but my superiors were a bit discomfited to learn your father-in-law is a movie exec."

Harry grinned "We discussed book and movie rights." The man's horrified expression only broadened the grin. "The closest know I'm a wizard, including my father-in-law. Naturally, Eleanor knows more. I'm still getting up the courage to discuss the worst of it."

"I come with both an offer" the agent became all business "The government will assist you if the situation becomes somehow untenable. And a warning that our first concern is The Statutes."

Harry's eyes hardened "Mr. Windsor, remind your superiors of our agreement… and caution them… they have never seen even a noteworthy fraction of my power."

"You are but one wizard." The visitor didn't like having his authority challenged. It overrode his briefing instructions.

Harry made a completely unnecessary dramatic sweep of his arm and the agent vanished. From INSIDE the room that is. He was, in fact three feet on the wrong side of Harry's window, being smiled at. Harry then made a slicing gesture across his throat and he fell. No real concern…Wrong! He couldn't disapparate! And it was twenty stories to the parking lot below! His feet hit the blacktop with a jarring, but not damaging, jolt. It took an elderly woman screaming to make him aware he was absolutely naked. Windsor applied for reassignment forthwith.

Abcij

Eleanor Potter led the good life. Her father was certainly well off, but her husband commanded more wealth than some countries. And what he showed her of his magic was breathtaking, sometimes a little frightening. But, then, she was a typical adrenaline junkie. Pregnancy brought, at least temporarily, a slowdown.

"Mrs. Potter! MBI! I intend no threat, but we need to speak with your husband!" came a female voice after ringing the doorbell.

Her hand flashed to the jewel in her earlobe and she opened the front door a crack "Harry is out as he sometimes is. But he will be here momentarily."

"I have no doubt," the woman about her age replied as she offered her wand, handle first "Take this, please. I have no desire to experience a 20 story fall."

Mrs. Potter opened the door to her Canadian home and invited "Come in then, the night air is a trifle chilly."

"E?" Harry's voice was terse the instant he appeared "And you are?"

She held up her hands in an almost submissive gesture "Your wife has my wand sir. It was thought we should watch at a distance after Mr. Windsor's faux pas."

"Faux pas?" snorted Harry "Well, never mind him. What's changed?"

The agent was plainly afraid "Helluva thing to put on a rookie. But here's the situation. The former British Ministry has pressed war crimes charges against you with the ICW. Canada, in itself, does not have veto power and while it does control the British vote in the General Assembly-"

"Your bosses thought sending a young girl to give us the news…" Eleanor gave a cynical smile "Harry doesn't believe in shooting the messenger."

There wasn't much difference in age, if any really, but the agent suddenly looked like she was 12 "Thank you, Mrs. Potter. Mr. Potter I'm very sorry, but I must arrest you."

"I'm coming as well." Insisted the Mrs. And before any objection could be voiced Harry told her bluntly "I COULD blast out a crater from here to Toronto."

Abcij

There was a slew of preliminaries to work through. To give a sense, Mrs. Potter was barely showing when her husband was arrested. James Christopher Potter was born three weeks before the trial began. Jurisdiction, location, judges, charges, witnesses were all argued. Britain could not try him, nor could it take place on British soil, conflict of interest. Canada or USMA, same problem. Brazil was finally chosen.

The charges were straight out of Nuremburg.

1. Participation in a common plan or conspiracy for the accomplishment of a crime against peace

2. Planning, initiating and waging wars of aggression and other crimes against peace

3. Participating in War crimes

4. Crimes against humanity

5. Genocide

6. Treason

"Holy Shit!" exclaimed Eleanor Potter as the British prosecutors entered and two women locked eyes across the courtroom "A goddamned doppleganger!"

Judge Parana, in Portuguese, commanded "All be seated. Supreme Mugwump?"

"This trial has the sanction of International Law." Declared the world's highest ranking wizard. He was Indian.

The audience was buzzing, it had to be addressed "There is a remarkable…err…similarity between two of the participants."

"Susan Amelia Wood, British Ministry in exile, associate prosecutor." One redhead introduced herself.

The opposite side "Eleanor Potter. I am an American citizen and a nomaj."

"Most importantly…my wife." Harry put in. "And the resemblance was a conversation starter when we met."

Judge Parana's eyes flicked from one to the other "Remarkable indeed. Perhaps some modest appearance change."

"Let the Muggle do it." Sneered the other Brit.

Mrs. Potter shot back "I heard I got as much chance casting a spell as you do."

"I love you E!" Harry leaned over in his seat to kiss his wife "Tough luck Perce, outsmarted by the Muggle."

BOTH lead wizards were shouting for order and they eventually were obeyed. "The charges are most extensive. Mr. Potter? A plea?"

"Canada protests this entire affair, Supreme Mugwump." That nation's representative objected "We are the sole authority over Britain."

That high official gaveled for silence, then ruled "Your protest is logged for the record, however Mr. Diefenbaker, this matter has already been before the full ICW. As Minister for Magic at the time, Arthur Weasley was the recognized Head of Government, thus International Law favors him in this matter. Again? Mr. Potter?"

"Not guilty on all counts." Harry finally answered, his tone cold.

Percy gave a formal bow to his father, the mugwump and the Brazilian judge in order "To begin our case, I start with something perhaps the least impactful to world affairs. It is just one family's suffering at the hands of mass murderer Harry Potter. My brother called Harry Potter his best friend…at one time. Ronald?"

"First, the bastard gets convicted of murdering my sister." Ron shot a hateful glare, the past couple years had done little to improve his view of his former friend "Then after Dad sets him free, the first thing he does is make us destroy OUR HOME. Then, poor Charlie, I watched his arm burn from the inside out. Never saw such agony."

Harry's defender was Canadian, naturally, her first remark was a minor quip "There are quite a few Weasleys, to avoid confusion, let us save time by using your first name. Ronald, who ACTUALLY killed Ginny Weasley?"

"Draco Malfoy." He admitted sullenly, after a solid minute and a judge's command "Don't excuse him burning The Burrow."

The defender nodded "I heartily agree. Being falsely imprisoned for six years for your girlfriend's murder does NOT justify burning her family home. However you, meaning Weasleys as a whole, did not stop there. What, sir, is a familiar?"

"A pet." Answered Ron minimally.

The defender held up a thick book "Newton Scamander, O.M. (Second Class), famed Magizoologist and author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them defines them as quote animals (some say animal-shaped spirits) that serve a witch in various ways, whether as servants, messengers or even spies. Historical accounts of witchcraft make mention of familiars; such animals have been credited with supernatural gifts unquote. It goes on to say quote the animal and the human form a link on magical and emotional levels that rival marriage unquote. Who, Ronald, was Hedwig?"

"Murderer's stupid pet." Snapped Ron with a hateful look Harry's way, which was returned.

She gave her client a look before continuing "Your honor, the record should be amended to replace the witness' use of the word murderer with Harry Potter. And stupid is a subjective term that should be deleted. Moving on, Ronald, what happened to Hedwig?"

"Why ask me?" sneered Ron "You'll just change my answer like you just did."

Judge Parana ruled "The witness is directed to answer the question as asked."

"Dunno" Ron shrugged "Don't care."

She replied "Your callousness is noted. From The Quibbler the day of Mr. Potter's conviction Molly Weasley reached into Hedwig's cage and strangled Mr. Potter's familiar in a particularly slow and agonizing death. An innocent animal belonging to an innocent man. I remind you of two items, known to a small group as The Cloak and The Album. What were they? And where are they today?"

"Why don't you tell us?" the witness slouched in the chair.

Judge Parana declared "That will be a GG20 fine for contempt of the ICW."

"The Album was assorted pictures, assembled by Gameskeeper Hagrid, of Mr. Potter's family and now former friends." Harry's defender went on to explain "The Cloak was an invisibility cloak handed down through the generations by successive Potters. Both belonged to my client and were of great value. The former Hermione Granger…now Mrs. Weasley… destroyed both."

Percy Weasley put in "A couple things and a post owl justifies the deaths of my siblings and destruction of my ancestral home?"

"My name is Mrs. Bismarck" said the defender "kindly use it. Your sister's murder was not Harry Potter's responsibility. Your brother is a separate topic, but, by his very manner of death...a terrorist. The Invisibility Cloak was an heirloom of inestimable value. If you care to demand reimbursement, first repay my client for his losses."

The female redhead took over "Let us move on. Treason is punishable by death." She looked most bitter. "And can anyone deny Mr. Potter sold out his country for personal gain?"

"The same country, Mrs. Wood, that locked him up and threw away the key for a crime he didn't commit?" argued Mrs. Bismarck "And I note examples from history. George Washington should have been executed, and would have if the American Colonies lost. From your own country, William Wallace WAS executed for treason. How is he regarded today?"

Susan snorted in disgust "You compare Harry Potter to William Wallace?"

"And cast you as Longshanks perhaps?" Mrs. Bismarck countered "History is written by the winners."

Mrs. Potter whispered to her husband "I really hate her, Harry."

"Pretty though." He joked "Just not quite as pretty as you."

The trial was concluded for the day.

"We shall now address crime against peace and War crimes." said Percy after they were called into session "It is our contention Harry Potter engaged in a conspiracy to destroy the peace of our nation and, even if by some stretch of the imagination, it is not considered Treason. Potter did conspire with the Government of Canada to bring about the fall of The Ministry."

Here, Harry spoke for himself "As a technicality, not true. For two reasons."

"Well this should be good." Molly Weasley's voice was at first quite loud, but muffled by the end of her rhetorical remark.

Judge Parana gaveled "You may be the wife of Britain's former Minister, Madam, but you are not a party to this trial. Please, enlighten us Mr. Potter."

"Well, one besides my actually being innocent, the reason I was freed was as much because Voldemort was days away from toppling the government." Said Harry "What's more, Dumbledore and all the top officials knew it. Many of them were Death Eaters."

Percy frowned "You do not know that, Potter."

"In fact, I do, Weasley." Harry used the same officious tone "The Occupation authorities gave me a list of everyone who happened to die of a barbequed forearm that auspicious day."

Susan protested "That information would be an official state secret."

"Of a state that officially doesn't exist." Mrs. Potter pointed out sarcastically. She too was muted and chastised.

Harry brushed a finger across his wife's neck, restoring her full voice. Every single magical was awed that he did this while talking "Eleanor's comment is exactly my second point. A country without witches and wizards does not NEED a Ministry of Magic."

"I think that is enough for today." Announced the Supreme Mugwump.

Day three was a dull submission of paper evidence.

"By far the most serious crimes of all are genocide and crimes against humanity." Susan Wood began the day's presentation "Further…all magical beings."

Mrs. Bismarck melodramatically raised a hand "Beg pardon of my learned colleague. A little clarification, to which nonhumans is she referring?"

"Dragons, trolls, goblins, unicorns to name a few." Percy countered in a lecturing tone.

Harry smiled "Some I sent off Britain before April 1. Others took refuge with in the mines with the goblins."

"And you did not consider doing the same for innocent witches and wizards?" Susan's tone was bitter.

Harry sneered at her "Remember the Harry Stinks badges? And Auntie Ami was in charge of Azkaban.

"What am I here for, Mr. Potter?" his attorney complained "That said, my client has a point. Since we are using Nuremburg as a precedent. Let's take a look at who died on April 1 2002 … your Voldemort."

Percy inserted "My brother Charlie."

"Second, everyone with Voldemort's mark." Mrs. Bismarck acknowledged "Terrorists, murderers and torturers all."

Arthur Weasley pointed out, angry at the blatant targeting of one of his sons "Albus Dumbledore! my wife's grandfather Gideon Prewitt!"

"Neville." Harry pointed out a spectator.

Susan was adding "Anyone over the typical Muggle lifespan."

"Mr. Longbottom, how is your grandmother Augusta?" she asked.

The second most powerful wizard on Earth stood and his voice filled the large room "Her ankle's in a cast. Quite annoyed she can't just drink some skele-grow."

"Nevertheless" both prosecutors were displeased "The entire way of life of Magical Britain has been destroyed."

Mrs. Bismarck again resumed her previous point "Back to Nuremburg. There were more innocent victims of bombings and army movement…the term was Military Necessity… and no front line soldier was charged with a war crime if a bomb happened to hit a house instead of a bridge. Or if a factory fire destroyed the village beside it."

"To be honest" Harry added "I was as surprised as any of them when Dumbledore died."

Mr. Weasley was angry "And you did not think to test your reckless theory?"

"Another WW2 moment" Mrs. Potter cut in with "one of the scientists, just before the first atomic test, wondered about the possibility of burning the entire atmosphere. They still went ahead."

The entire assemblage gasped. No one thought to silence her.

Abcij

"Well, this is it." The trial had gone for ten days, dozens of witnesses.

Eleanor smiled at her husband "You could just destroy the whole place."

"We'd be on the run the rest of our lives, luv." He pointed out gently "I want more for you and Jimmy."

She hugged him and kept right on through the verdict.

"The High Council of the International Confederation of Wizards finds Harry Potter guilty on the sole count of Conspiracy to Commit War Crimes." a disembodied voice boomed throughout the massive dome "The sentence is to time served."

There was a profusion of well wishers, but Harry only had eyes for his approaching mother-in-law who was carrying a giggling toddler. He embraced her and rubbed his face on the boy's chest.

"Congratulations, Mr. Potter, on the outcome." It was the former Susan Bones, speaking professionally, but looking at her twin with some disfavor "You always were a bit my hero."

Eleanor frowned back "Then why did you sign up for this?"

"I was almost sorted into Slytherin." The prosecutor answered, nodding at the free man "He understands. Plus, that day, my home was under attack. Wards kept help from coming by apparation or floo, My Aunt Amelia and a dozen Aurors came in by broom. She was only twenty feet up when that wave of light came, taking our powers. At least it was quick."

Harry was still smiling in his son's embrace, his words were understanding if not warm "I'm past much of the hate I felt then. Don't suppose we'll see each other much, but good luck Bones."

"Bye Harry." She flashed a look of hurt at the impersonal handshake before departing.

There were a few more well-wishers. His sister-in-law was quite taken with the amazing building, and at least for this week, one teenage wizard.

"He looks like a fine boy, Harry." It was Hermione "Same hair as your mother. Eyes too."

Little James began to fuss as he felt the change in his father. The boy willingly went to his aunt.

Even his wife seemed to not be there. All he said was "Granger."

"Hermione." She corrected softly "Or even that silly Mione."

Harry shook his head "As if six years of Azkaban never happened?"

"Sirius and Remus were best friends again at once." She pointed out "And it's been almost that long now. Ron wouldn't come. He's just not ready. I'm sorry."

There wasn't so much as a twitch "You may tell him his forgiveness is not wanted any more than his friendship is."

"Dad is amenable. Mum, not so much." Said Hermione, she was looking dejected.

Harry shrugged "I only use those words to two living people. If you mean Grangers, I might like a chat with them. Gimme their cell numbers. Weasleys? Not interested."

"I have a daughter." She changed subjects "We named her Rose. She'll be learning the truth, I promise you that. But it's so sad watching her grow up without her powers. The Book...she was down to goto Hogwarts."

This elicited a disgusted noise "Books, cleverness." He threw her long ago words back at her "Maybe you'll teach History better than Binns."

"He's gone you know." She failed to repress a flinch "Ever since that day. You know, the Canadian Occupation authorities declared it Harry Potter Day."

He didn't budge a bit "I keep up. I'd be a fool not to. Neville! Luna!" he looked away into the space that had opened for them.

"It's like I'm-" she broke off

Eleanor sneered at her "I believe the adjective you're looking for is irrelevant." Then taunted her angry look "Want to curse me? Can you? You forgot all those adventures, everything you he and your husband -"

"You don't know the first thing about us!" Hermione choked back a tear.

Watching her husband warmly embrace a lovely blonde woman rose her hackles, but Mrs. Potter wouldn't show it to this particular woman. She kept focus "Harry's answered anything I ever asked. I've seen some in a pensieve."

"They don't work without magic. I know, I've tried." Hermione protested.

This led to an enigmatic smile "My husband has his ways. Harry's curse for instance You'll remember magic but never use it."

"The very reason he was tried today." Hermione pointed out "But I suppose …part of it… he was forgiven because it did rid the world of Voldemort."

Eleanor took her son from her mother and briefly played with the infant, then returned her attention "Harry would say that is closer to the truth than you've been in a LONG time. The major flaw there is that he doesn't have a need for your forgiveness…And these are the people I've heard so much about."

"Indeed my love." Enthused Harry arms entwined with the magical pair. He made a silly face at James, who smiled "This bundle of joy is James Christopher Potter. My better half, Eleanor, E for short. Yes her remarkable resemblance to Susan HAS been covered. E … best friends from the old days… Neville Longbottom and Luna Scamander."

Mrs. Potter's face relaxed a bit "Pleasure. Nice to finally meet you both."

"I assure you I'm not here to steal your husband." Said Luna as she shook hands. She grunted when Neville poked her in the ribs "Oh! Sorry Rolf tells me I have diarrhea of the mouth. Worry not, Eleanor Potter, I believe you and Harry will be together into the next century. Rolf is my husband. I'll be joining him in the rain forest for the remainder of my pregnancy. He will be quite a wizard."

"My children don't have their powers." Hermione was a touch bitter, both at being sidelined and at the particular circumstance she just referred to.

Neville mentioned in response "Enid and Giffard are both showing accidental magic."

"You haven't noticed yet, Granger?" asked Harry off-handedly "I didn't completely do away with magic in Britain forever. The Canadians did not have any troubles and kids conceived AFTER I did my spell will develop normally. My sources tell me Dean Thomas and Astoria Greengrass twins are both magical."

Hermione grasped her throat and gasped "That's wonderful!"

"Eleanor's parents reserved a hall in Iguazu as celebration." Said Harry, offering the pair a couple shoestrings "Portkeys there, gather your families and join us please."

A saddened Hermione observed "He didn't invite me."

"You are one of the book-smartest magicals of all time." Luna gave a protuberant look. Neville took over smoothly "And you're STILL my friend. But you're an idiot. Mrs. Scamander, see you in a bit?" They both disapparated.

Despite the precious bit of news she now had, Hermione Weasley was deeply sad.

Abcij

"Mr. and Mrs. Potter" a man in full military uniform, chest full of ribbons, and a thick yellow stripe on the end of both sleeves was waiting in a lawn chair on their Canadian property upon their return he introduced himself as he stood "Commodore Mathew White, Canadian Royal Navy. Welcome home."

Harry nodded, impressed "My wife, Eleanor. Son James." The baby didn't stir as he was passed from father to mother "Thank you. Rather unusual for a flag officer to welcome a citizen home."

"You are a unique citizen, Mr. Potter." He replied politely "The Gouvernment did want you to be sure to know international politics being what they are, we couldn't stop the ICW from acting as it did."

Eleanor offered "Would you like a drink Commodore?"

"Ice tea would be appreciated, Mrs. Potter, thank you." Replied White "I must say, great job at that trial. Not sure I could've kept my cool. Thank you again ma'am."

Eleanor sat at the table, only then did Harry followed by the officer "Jimmy will probably sleep until dinner. So, to use a favorite Americanism, what's up doc?"

"You've been aware we keep an eye on you?" asked White.

Harry only smiled "I could give you the names of every man and woman watching all three of my properties in the area ever since I moved here."

"The powers that be are withdrawing surveillance." The Commodore said "Magical and nomaj alike. You haven't violated any part of our agreement in any way. Longbottom and Lovegood have been a great help with our ensuring the Statute of Secrecy. The next generation will be raised under Canadian governance. We'll be glad to continue protection against outsiders, just please keep us informed of your plans."

The couple smiled sultry smiles at each other and Mrs. Potter answered "You have a wonderful country, Commodore White. Stay for dinner?"

"I'd be delighted ma'am. A question, Mr. Potter… is it true you threw one of our people out your casino room window?" he asked, with a hint of worry.

Harry just smiled "That's silly. Did the hotel have to replace broken glass? Come inside, I'll introduce you to butterbeer and maybe a firewhiskey."

Abcij

"You, Harry Potter, are insatiable." Eleanor panted her way up her husband's body.

He smiled as he rolled on top of her "I'm home, I'm free…legally…and in bed with the most beautiful woman on the planet."

"Magic these stupid sheets into some order." She commanded lazily, and when she was obeyed "Are we REALLY out from under the microscope?"

He teased one of her nipples "The commodore told us exactly what he was told was the truth."

"Meaning?" she nibbled at his earlobe. Mrs. Potter was no dummy.

Harry sighed "They'll never stop watching. They're just backing away to what they think is invisibility, but I'll always know. Now, don't you think James needs a brother or sister?"

"Again!?" she pretended outrage.