The Fidelius Kept Secret

by Venquine1990

After the meeting in the Hogs Head and talking with Sirius, does Harry come to a shocking discovery that breaks his heart and makes him make a drastic decision. A decision that will test the friendship between him and his Quidditch Team. Will they succeed? Will they be able to do what Peter Pettigrew couldn't? Can they keep the secret, even from Dumbledore? And what about the war?

26. The Trial Of The Year

Hey everyone,
AAAAAAAWW, none of you even tried to guess where I hid my KH reference. Now I'm sad. And that's not a good thing, seeing as what the content of this chapter is going to entail. Now at first I was thinking of letting this chapter take place on the 25th as well, but I couldn't really do that, considering what Percy told Molly a few chapters ago. Plus, I don't really want to mix the brilliance of Christmas with the negativity of this chapter.
So yeah, timejump,

Venquine1990
PS. Explanation for the inconsistency in regards to chapter 22 is at the bottom!

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Chapter 26
The Trial Of The Year

27th of December 1995
Wizengamot, London
Fudge's POV

After Amelia had arrested Umbridge and Percy had returned with the testimonies of several dozen students, I had contemplated to just put Umbridge to trial there and then. But Percy had asked me to wait till after Christmas and told me that there had been a few students who had been helping Umbridge with her detentions. Amelia had instantly sent out two teams of Aurors to arrest this lot and I had agreed with Percy's request.
And my Assistant had proven his worth once again as, on the short debrief meeting on Christmas morning, he had promised to take his older brother William with him for the trial. "Bill was the one who tricked Umbridge into believing in Riddle's return and who convinced her to be the one to kill him. He did it, because he knew of the Election test and he wanted Umbridge out of Hogwarts." This explanation had really impressed me.

The next day, yesterday, we had held quick and swift trials for all those who had been arrested and the easiest of them all had, surprisingly, been the Smith trial. I considered this surprising as I had met Zacharias Smith and his family on several occasions over the past few years and the lad had always struck me as someone with an ego the size of his legacy and who thought that legacy made him above the law or something.
Yet Smith, who looked around fearfully from time to time, kept quiet unless he was being talked to, admitted to his charges and only gave a few feeble excuses in the hopes of reducing his sentence. He hadn't expected his spell to cut her arm clean off, he had been afraid, he had worried for his legacy, he had acted without really thinking. But then Augusta had stood up and sealed his fate.
"And if another act of yours against another would endanger your reputation? Would you threaten them with death as well?" The boy had kept quiet, but the look on his face had said it all. He didn't like it about himself, but he was sure he would do it again. And he had even admitted this, though he also added: "But only out of initial fear. And I would always regret it afterwards." This really hadn't sat well with me, but I had accepted it.

The Wizengamot had debated about his sentence for some time, but this was mostly because of one reason. "That lad does not have the willpower to survive Azkaban. We can send him there all we want and follow protocol, but he won't learn a damned thing. And besides, there is the Goblins. They will do whatever it takes to continue the Hufflepuff lineage, just to keep their hold on the vaults and the fortune. That boy needs to be punished, but more than that, he needs to learn to check his hubris and to control that damned temper of his."
Augusta had told us all and Amelia had asked: "So what do you suggest?" And after a few more minutes of debating and suggestions being offered and shot down, it was actually Amos Diggory who had come with the solution. "Just leave him to me. I know just the punishment for his act. And the Diggories are known to have the magical abilities to make this punishment work." He had told us and then led us back into the trial room.

There he had taken the head chair and declares: "Heir Smith, you have committed a horrible act of injuring a fellow student for life. If you had cut off the young lady's wand hand, your sentence would have been twice as bad, so you can consider yourself lucky. However, your lack of conscience and your severe lack to control your own ego, not to mention that you let your ego affect your temper, makes you a danger for the English magical society.
Therefore, you will be expelled from Hogwarts, your magic will be bound for certain periods of time and you will serve time – working for my family, House Diggory, in the Cotton farm on the mainland of Germany. While there, your behavior will determine how much of your core will be unlocked, but this will be judged on a day to day basis. The length of your sentence will also depend on your behavior. If you try to argue against this sentence, know that the alternative – is Azkaban."

And instantly Smith had closed his mouth as he had wanted to object and his whole face had turned as white as the snow that lies on the roads surrounding the Ministry. Everyone had definitely agreed with this sentence and the other trials had commenced after this. Yet in these cases, while some of the culprits had been offered similar verdicts as Smith, the majority that had been given the choice, had actually chosen Azkaban.
And when one of them declares: "Send me there! I dare you! Before long, the Dark Lord will come and free me! And then I will have my revenge on all of your Blood Traitors!" Amelia had turned to me, but I had only grimaced. Afterwards Amelia had asked me: "Why aren't you announcing that Riddle is dead, Cornelius?" And I had answered: "Because I want to have Dolores sentenced first. Bring her and him down in one go." Amelia had agreed with this.

By now it's the day of the trial and while I don't feel like I have been able to enjoy the holidays whatsoever, I still feel a sense of excitement fill me up from within at the idea that I might be able to start doing that after today. "After all, just imagine how festive everyone will be when they hear that a potential war had been averted before it could begin. They might party even crazier than they did the last time that monster was defeated."
I mutter, but then William, who is with me alongside Percy, says: "Minister, if there is one thing that cannothappen, it's that. It created expectations and beliefs that were beyond unrealistic. I spoke with my siblings the other day and the way that people treated Harry after he returned was just unfair. It's now one of the reasons that Ron has Harry hidden away." This makes me cringe as I hadn't known this and the man goes on:
"Admit it, those crazy high beliefs and expectations made you treat Harry and his rights as deplorable as you did. All that slander? Would you really have done that if say Susan Bones or Cho Chang or even, Merlin blesses his soul, Cedric Diggory had made the declaration back in June?" And I really don't need to think on this long to realize that he is right. William smiles at me and says: "I have nothing against celebrating, Minister, but I firmly believe in balance."

And these are wise words that I vow to myself to keep in mind. I breathe in and out in order to gain a little bit more personal strength and determination and say: "Let's do this." The two redheads nod and come to stand on both of my sides behind me. And like this the three of us head into the Wizengamot courtroom, the same one in which Bellatrix Lestrange was put on trial more than 14 years ago and in which I tried to put young Potter on trial just last summer.
I suppress a grimace at this thought and conquer it with the thought: "At least the suspect within the chair deserves to be seated there this time around. Maybe even more than Lestrange did all those years ago." And Umbridge herself proves this as she seems to have been struggling against her binds for some time now. And yet the fact that her wrists are cut open and bleeding severely doesn't bother me and it doesn't make me worry for her either.

"YOU!" Umbridge screeches, her eyes wild and her whole form looking like she is about to transform into some kind of amphibian like monster or something. She looks right at William and she screams: "THIS IS ALL ON YOU! YOU SET ME UP FOR THIS! YOU KNEW! YOU DID THIS! YOU CURSED THAT CRAZY TEST ROOM! YOU PUT SOME KIND OF WARD ON IT WHEN THAT FOOL FUDGE WASN'T LOOKING! JUST TO MAKE ME FAIL."
I look from the deranged woman to William, but while the young adult is leaning back against the wall that separates the stands from the ground floor, he doesn't look agitated, insulted or even angered. Instead an amused smirk is on his face and he says: "I appreciate the compliment towards my skill as a Curse Breaker, Umbridge, but I'm afraid you are quite mistaken.
Even Dumbledore, Grindelwald and the Founders together wouldn't be strong enough to curse the test magic of Magical England. It has been gathering, strengthening and fortifying itself since the first Minister for Magic was elected in 1707. And considering that it gathers magic from all places in England where its citizens voice their opinions on something, that's pretty powerful, if it has been gathering for almost 300 years, don't you think?"

Umbridge stares at the man, who shrugs and says: "Though I do admit to some guilt. I knew Umbridge had an ego and that she had a dark side to her that she loved to listen to. The fact that she kept a Blood Quill in clear sight when I met her in her office proved this. So I figured she was our best candidate to cast the spell needed to end Riddle. Naturally, I could have done it myself and so could several Aurors and Goblins and even a few other Curse Breakers I know.
And I will also admit this. If I didn't suspect that Umbridge had already used that cursed quill on my family – and I do consider Harry family – I probably would have asked them to do the job. But I wanted her gone from Hogwarts and I felt that enticing that ego of hers was the best way to get that job done. Though I will admit, even I didn't expect the results that came from her little test. She really are more disgusting than some of the tombs I have worked with, honestly."

William ends his little speech and as he does, he raises his arm and hands the scroll with the test results to the person sitting above him. I had personally given him and Percy these to read before the trial commenced. And suddenly I realize that it's not Amelia Bones who sits behind where William is standing, but Lucius Malfoy. And yet the look in William's eyes proves that he is aware of this and I wonder what he could have planned this time.
Lucius sneers, probably because of the Malfoy-Weasley feud, but he takes the scroll nonetheless. And a few of those sitting near him read alongside him over his shoulders. At first I don't really see a reaction, which worries me considering that the start of the scroll describes the woman's plans for her fellow citizens. But then he seems to have read a few lines and suddenly his eyes widen and his pale complexion goes even whiter.

And those behind him voice his shock as they gasp and make exclamations of shock and horror. Umbridge also seems to guess what the scroll is about as she screams: "THEY DESERVE IT! THEY ARE NOTHING BUT MONSTERS! I WOULD HAVE ONLY DONE WHAT WAS NECESSARY! NECESSARY TO CLEANSE OUR BEAUTIFUL WORLD! MAKE IT THE WORLD WE PUREBLOODS DESERVE TO LIVE IN! FREE FROM FREAKS AND MONSTERS!"
Silence fills the trial room for several minutes as everyone stares at the woman. No one seems able to do more than breathe as everyone is just too shocked and horrified with the woman's declaration. But just when Umbridge starts to smirk, as if she feels confident that she has shocked them enough to convince them that she is in the right or something, Lucius stands up. Everyone turns to the blonde and he clears his throat and puts both hands on the cane in front of him.
And thanks to our cooperation of the last few years, I know what this means. "While I may admit that I do not think too highly of the beings that live in our society, such as werewolves, Veela and Elves, I am a man of honor and pride. Therefore, I consider myself man enough to admit that I respect certain individuals amongst these races, such as Fleur Delacour, who was chosen as the French Champion and Remus Lupin, who helped my son get a remarkable score for his DADA tests.

Therefore, I do not agree with Dolores Umbridge, not a bit. And I believe I speak for all of the Wizengamot when I say this." And while a few people nod reluctantly, probably because they lost family to these creatures when they sided with Riddle in the last war, the whole Wizengamot agrees with the man's sentiments nonetheless. "And what of Mudbloods, Lucius? You and I have agreed for years on how they poison our precious community! You can't deny this!"
Umbridge tries, but Lucius has kept standing and just stares the woman down as he says: "I have plenty enough voiced my opinion on the Muggleborn portion of our society, yes, I will not deny this. But there is a world of difference between what I consider necessary in regards to them and what you were planning. In fact –." And a cruel smirk grows on his face.
I gulp at this as I remember Lucius doing the same one time when I was dealing with someone who, like Umbridge a few days ago, wanted to blackmail me out of my seat. "I would almost say that your methods are eerily similar to those of a man once known as Adolf Hitler. Apparently he was a Muggle who hated Jews and he tried to exterminate them in a similar fashion. And well, seeing your mother, it really doesn't surprise me that you know of his methods."

And this time it's Umbridge who is gaping and whose face has whitened considerably. Lucius looks up and while he stares at nothing in particular, he says: "I will not deny that I often agree with the more negative opinions of our high society in regards to those not as fortunate as myself or my wife. I also admit that, from time to time, I lose myself to the darker nature that has been part of my bloodline for the past 210 years.
I also feel I need to make a confession. I was not in fact under the effects of the Imperius Curse in the war of the 1970's." And this time even William turns around to gape at the man. But Lucius ignores this and says: "Ever since my family had to flee France for fear of sharing King Henry XVI's fate, there has been a curse on our line; one placed there by those who chased my ancestors off of the French shores so long ago.
And – and I swear upon my magic I do not know how he found out about it or managed to locate the required spell – but Tom Marvolo Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort, managed to activate the curse. And for those of you curious what this curse does to those of my line who have it activated; the results can be compared to the being that sits in that chair right there. We, unfortunately, turn as cold, heartless and merciless as Dolores Jane Umbridge." The man takes a deep breath and then, with very clear disgust in his voice, he says:

"My cousin from my great-grandfather's side. My great-grandfather had two brothers and one sister. And Dolores Jane Umbridge is the great grandchild of that single sister. A sister who activated the curse within herself after she married her husband. Her father was so disgusted with his daughter's actions that he disowned her, but – the results of that marriage now sit before us all. And I would like to ask this Noble Body – help me put that bit of my family history to rest."
Shocked silence rings through the Wizengamot once again, yet I can't help but feel like Lucius is definitely going to get his wish. Then William asks: "Lord Malfoy, I have worked with curses that were put on a body over a millennium ago and can still be activated. Would you mind if I take a look at your family curse? See if, if nothing else, I can make sure that you can nevermore fall under its affects, perhaps?"
Lucius' eyes widen slightly, but he does give a single nod. William quickly and determinedly moves around the wall separating the two and thanks the person sitting next to Lucius when the man makes place for him. Lucius sits back down and William makes sure to show him his wand for a minute before he gets to work. And a look of intense focus and curiosity is on the younger man's face as he runs his wand up and down Lucius' body, yet he never lets his wand get in the man's personal space even while he works.

And after about three minutes, William's eyes widen by only a fraction and he curses softly under his breath. Lucius nods and William halts his movement for a moment before he sighs and says: "Lord Malfoy, I have bad news, good news and some more bad news. The bad news is that no spell I can cast will be able to undo the spell. The good news is that I can create an object that can, so to say, merge the curse with your Occlumency shields, giving you control over the curse. The bad news, the only object that would work – is a collar."
Lucius lets out a frustrated breath at this and asks: "Can you make it something fashionable?" And William shakes his head, but then he says: "No, but I think my twin brothers might be able to. They are inventors and if I teach them the spell chain that needs to be put on the collar, they might be able to do so. And yes, I am willing to swear an oath that I will not tell them why this needs to be done or for who." Lucius seems to stare down William for a moment and then looks away and says:

"Your word will do, Curse Breaker." William nods and leaves his seat again, the original owner retaking his seat and conspicuously putting his hand on Lucius' knee in support and pride. And Lucius' lips twitch for just a moment as a response. I release a breath of my own and declare: "Now then, let us get back to the case at hand. Dolores Jane Umbridge and her crimes." Everyone nods and Lucius puts the scroll on the floor beside him.
Instantly the magic of the Wizengamot copies the scroll and I state: "I would love for this one scroll to be the only evidence we would need to condemn Dolores Jane Umbridge, but this is not the case. Many of the cases we covered the other day were because she allowed these young men and women to do as they pleased, to hurt their fellow students. And then I am not even talking about her worst and first victim; Harry Potter."

"YOU'RE AS GUILTY OF THAT AS I AM, CORNELIUS! YOU SLANDERED HIM JUST AS MUCH AS I DID! YOU WANTED HIM BROKEN AND GONE AS MUCH AS I DID! I ONLY DID WHAT I DID FOR YOU! THE QUILL, THE DECREES, THE DEMENTORS! IT WAS ALL BECAUSE YOU WANTED HIM GONE!" Umbridge screams, but while I want to argue, two words jump out from the rest.
"Wait, Dementors? As in the Dementors that Potter said were the reason that he cast that Patronus back in August? Dolores, were you serious stupid enough to send two Dementors to a Muggle neighborhood? What if those monsters had gone loose? Were you even there? And what would you have done once they had done this? Once they had taken out Potter? Would you have sent them back? Or would you have just let them go wild on those Muggles living there?"
The woman sneers and glares at me and snaps: "No one would miss them." To which I can't help but scream: "THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 260 MUGGLES LIVING THERE, DOLORES! THAT MANY MYSTERIOUS DEATHS WOULD HAVE SHATTERED THE STATUTE OF SECRECY! IT WOULD HAVE MADE US THE TARGET OF THE ICW! MAYBE EVEN THE MACUSA! ARE YOU REALLY SO SENILE AND CRAZY THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN REALIZE SUCH A HORRIBLE THING?"

The woman stares at me and stutters: "But – but – but – You-You-You – Riddle –." And while I am well aware that the time to announce his death is fast approaching, I groan and snarl: "The max amount of Muggles killed by Dementors in one attack during his reign, Dolores, was 17. And even then that was an attack that lasted almost 48 hours and took place all over the Isle of Wight. More than enough distance between each instance that excuses were able to be made. And I know what I'm talking about, Dolores; I made three of those excuses."
The woman seems completely speechless at this and then William says: "And besides, Fudge wasn't even talking about the slander. He meant the fact that, for weeks on end, you subjected Harry Potter to your Blood Quill. And yes, Madam Bones already confiscated them and I already cast the necessary tests to see which ones were used, on who and for how long. You don't even want to know how often Egyptian Wizards use Blood Quills in their traps. Don't ask."

Many nod and Percy, who looks slightly green, says: "By the time that Harry Potter went down under, he had been enduring the use of a Blood Quill for a total of 1 to 2 weeks, and then I am talking about all of the hours counted up together that he used this quill, not the amount of days or weeks that he had a night of detention with our suspect. Needless to say, I do not believe that, even with the Essence of Dittany, his hand will ever be cleared of the scars."
And the fact that Umbridge is now smirking in triumph, I do believe, just seals the woman's fate. I have no doubt that many of those in the Wizengamot also have kids going to Hogwarts and that they are now imagining Umbridge subjecting their kids to torture for that long. I release a deep breath and say: "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Wizengamot, I suggest that we state Dolores Jane Umbridge's crimes and simply vote innocent or guilty for each, then sentence her."

Everyone around me nods and while Umbridge fumes and glares at them, she gets the same treatment send right back at her, many people now openly showing just how disgusted she is with them all. Yet then she turns to one of the members and suddenly a smirk grows on her face that I can only describe as villainous. "Now, now, now, Alfred, are you really sure that you want to judge little old me? What with the little secret that I have been keeping for you all these years?"
The woman asks and her tone is filled with so much sweet, I feel my own mood turning sour in response, or at least even more sour than it already was. For a second Alfred whitens, but then he glares and loudly declares: "My wife is infertile. I am the last of my line and my seat will become unavailable upon my death." A lot of people gasp, but Umbridge even shrieks while she stares at the man, as if unable to believe that he just did that.

Then, to my own shock, more people start to declare things. And while none of it can really be considered illegal or against the law, I can only commend them all as a lot of it sounds quite humiliating, especially for those in high society. And suddenly I get why William was so adamant on putting Anti-press wards on the room before the trial started. "Rita Skeeter would eat these poor souls alive – and make Umbridge's trial sound like an afterthought in the process."
I think to myself and then I realize something else. I quickly rush for the head seat of the Wizengamot and when the last of the members makes his declaration, which is shockingly enough that Lord Brewitt often puts on his wife's dresses when he's alone, just because he misses her so much since she was lost in the war, I state: "Harry Potter was telling the truth back in June. Lord Voldemort, also known as Tom Marvolo Riddle, did indeed return."

Everyone turns to me, but before one of them can accuse me of turning their admissions into a joke, I hold up the file that William gave me a few days ago and declare: "This is the official file that belongs to the Vaults of House Slytherin. It was given to me by William Weasley a little over a week ago and it declares that the Vaults went in Stasis in 1981, became active once more in June of this year – and were permanently closed on the 23rd of this month."
And just like William apparently did with the folder when he was in the Great Hall, I swish and flick my wand and make the words float up from the page and up in the air above me. But then Umbridge shrieks: "EXACTLY! AND I KILLED HIM!" This makes me wince and grimace, but then a voice that I have been hating for the past few months speaks up: "Now, now Dolores, we both know that's not entirely true, don't we?"
And for the first time in months, I actually feel gleeful relief when I see Dumbledore enter the chamber, the man looking just like he did when he came in to aid Potter in his trial. Yet I have no doubt that the man is planning to do the exact opposite this time around and I feel excited and ready to aid him in this. Also while his usual jovial smile is on his face once again, there is no mistaking the disgust in his eyes when he stares down at Umbridge in her seat.

"After all, it is true that you cast the first fatal spell upon Tom, but it was actually Remus Lupin who, with help of my phoenix Fawkes, gained access to the Legendary Sword of Gryffindor and who then decapitated Tom Riddle. And for those of you who have trouble believing me due to the events of the last few months, I took the liberty of taking my Pensieve with me and I have already submitted the memory of several witnesses to this event within it.
Including Remus' own, in case anyone is interested." And while Umbridge is once again gaping, I notice that a lot of heads are nodding in excitement. Albus smiles at all of them, as if they are students of his and he is their teacher, about to teach them a new Transfigurations spell or something. He quickly summons a simple stand and puts his Pensieve, which he pulls from his pocket and enlarges to its regular size, upon it.
And like an expert who has been using the device for years, he swiftly presses his wand against exactly the right runes on the side. The mist within the bowl swirls and rises up and then changes form. A dark forest with a clearing in the center and a decrepit shack on the verge of collapse standing in the clearing itself. Yet it's not the centuries piece of wood that draws my attention, but the monster that stands just to the side of the shack.

During the war I only saw Riddle a few rare times as, thanks to my job, I usually didn't arrive at a scene until after the fact. And yet the monster looks worse than the last time I saw him, which was just before the Potters defeated him the last time. Especially his chalk white skin makes him look like someone who just rose from the dead, but who failed in half of the ritual to make himself look human again or something of the sort.
"And Potter saw this monster rise from the dead several months ago. By Merlin, what was I thinking mocking the boy for something like that. He fought that – that – just to escape and warn us and I called him all kinds of things." I think to myself while a horrible sense of guilt overtakes me and then I see it. While Dolores does indeed cast a spell that causes gashes to be cut into the monster's torso, Lupin then yells:
"This is for James, Lily, Dorcas, Marlene, Fabian, Gideon and everyone else." And with his incredible werewolf strength and the howl of a wolf out to hunt down an enemy of his pack, the man breaks the monster's neck. This is followed by a burst of fire and Dumbledore's phoenix appearing wit the Sword of Gryffindor in his talons. A quick conversation is shared between Umbridge and Lupin and then Lupin cleaves the sword through the monster's neck.

The memory sinks back into the Pensieve, Dumbledore shrinks it back to the previous size and puts it back in his pocket as he says: "As you can see, our little Miss Umbridge did indeed cast the first deadly spell and it was indeed agreed between her and Remus that she would get credit, but – I do not believe that someone who is now being tried for horrendous crimes against minors should be allowed to take this credit."
Yet then, while I wonder when the woman will just give up and accept her fate, Umbridge shrieks: "DO NOT MOCK ME, ALBUS DUMBLEDORE! AND DON'T YOU DARE PLAY DUMB! I KNOW ALL ABOUT YOUR LITTLE ORDER! AND HOW YOU HAD THEM SPY ON YOUR PRECIOUS POTTER! THEY WENT INTO MY OFFICE, DUMBLEDORE! THEY SAW MY DETENTION! YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I DID AND YOU DID NOTHING!"

A lot of adults are now staring between the two and I whisper: "No, I can't let her win." And so I stand up and say: "Dolores Jane Umbridge, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. While it is indeed wrong and unacceptable that you, Dumbledore, knew of Umbridge's actions and yet did nothing, this does not take away from the fact that you, Umbridge took those actions. And besides, even I am willing to admit guilt in all this."
Everyone stares at me and I stare at Dumbledore as I say: "Over the past several months I have done everything in my power and more to undermine you, Albus, because I was in the fearful belief that you wanted my position and that you had gone senile and were using senile methods to attain it. I was, I do admit, completely unreasonable. And I know you, Albus, so I know you don't like to seek out a confrontation if you don't have to.
I won't say that you shouldn't have sought out a confrontation to convince me that Umbridge was in the wrong in her actions, but I am willing to admit that I more than likely would have been even more stubborn in my need not to believe you. After all, I may have feared Riddle, but I have worked with Umbridge for years. I thought I could trust her and until recently I no longer trusted you. Though I will say that my trust in you has taken another blow now that I know of this."
The man nods and he says: "I will accept any punishment that the Wizengamot decided to enact upon me for my negligence in regards to the safety of their children and future." And the man's sincerity is very obvious for all to see. Umbridge lets out a soft, tight-lipped shriek of fury and she shouts: "NO! THIS CAN'T BE! YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO GET AWAY! NOT LIKE THIS!"

But to this I shout: "THE ONLY PERSON TRYING TO GET AWAY WITH CRIMES IS YOU, UMBRIDGE! AND WE ARE ALL HERE TODAY TO PUT A STOP TO THAT!" For some reason the woman seems unable to understand how someone could shout at her as she gapes at me. I quickly take advantage of her moment of shock and state: "The Accused is suspected of having sent Dementors to Kiss Harry James Potter. Innocent or Guilty?"
Umbridge wants to yell, but the magic that William installed within the Wizengamot the other day before we went through the trials of the other suspects takes effect. And while her lips move, no sound escapes her throat. Instead of that, the whole hall lights up green, which the Wizengamot decided the other day is the color to indicate guilty, while red is now the color to indicate Innocent. I nod and while Umbridge looks around guilty, I state: "Declaration guilty. Accused of being willing to unleash two Dementors upon a community of 260 Muggles."

And while it doesn't surprise me that a few raise their wands reluctantly, the hall again lights up green. "Guilty. Accused of, through the previous crime, risking the destruction of the Statute of Secrecy." Green all around. "Accused of using a Blood quill on Harry James Potter for the duration of two weeks in hours used." Green all around. "Accused of allowing Hendrick Marcusses rape Mary Lettinson during one of her detentions."
Green all around and both Lord Marcusses and Lord Lettinson even stand up to show the room that their lights are green. Lord Lettinson also sends Lord Marcusses a grateful smile and Lord Marcusses nods in understanding to Lord Lettinson, just like the other day when Hendrick was sentenced. I then send Albus a sorrowful look as I know he was unaware of this and that it will horrify him. The man had already whitened when he heard of the rape and I know this will make it worse.

William spots this and he gets why as he instantly conjures a comfortable recliner to appear behind the ancient man. I send the Curse Breaker a grateful nod and then state: "Accused of teaching four Seventh Year Slytherins the Cruciatus Curse and having them test it on 6 Muggleborn First Years from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw House respectively." And just like I expected, Albus' legs give out from underneath him and he crashes down onto the chair.
The man's complexion worries me, but at the same time I can't help but think: "He will come out stronger from this. And the actions he will take to ensure this will never happen again will go a long way in helping him regain the trust of the populace." And while a few weeks ago this was the last thing I would ever want, I now really wish the man the best of luck. Yet I also feel grateful to William, who goes to stand with Albus and puts a comforting hand on his arm. And naturally Albus clutches to it, as if it's a lifeline of sorts.

I take a deep breath and state: "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Wizengamot. Most of what I have left to declare as accusations are either students who were suffering from the Blood Quill treatment or accusations that we have already learned of in the trials of the other day. What say you that I pick two more students in regards to the Blood Quill and one more crime of the other pile and that we simply judge Umbridge based on those verdicts?"
Many wands light up green and I give the hall at large a nod. I then state: "Accused of using the Blood Quill on Fred and George Weasley for a total duration of 16 hours, four hours a day for four days in a row." Green all around. "Accused of using the Blood Quill on Tracey Davis for attempting to promote her half-blood status within the House of the Pure. Duration 20 hours over the course of five days." Green all around.
I take and release a breath and think: "We already have her on rape and on one of the Unforgivables. What else could I use against her? That dark curse she used against Riddle will never stick, it practically ended him. I need something else? Something just as torturous. Something that is just really sick." And then suddenly a memory of one of the trials of the other day resurfaces. I feel my stomach turning at the memory, but I also mentally agree with myself.

I send another look at Albus, if only to give him one last warning and then I state: "Accused of casting a dozen Bone-breaking Curse on Leanne Waters and then forcing her to drink an unfinished Skele-Grow potion, which resulted in Miss Waters enduring unbelievable pain while her bones regrew themselves instead of the usual annoying pinpricks." And just like all the other times before the whole hall lights up green.
I nod and say: "I did not expect any different. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Wizengamot, I can think of only sentence worthy of these many, many horrific crimes; a one-way trip through the Veil of Death, effective immediately." And yet again the whole hall lights up green, some members even going so far as to shout their agreement. I nod at this and declare: "So it has been decided, so shall it be done." And the bang of my gavel seals the woman's fate.

---

Whew! That happened,
Also YES, I did some editing to chapter 22 as I suddenly remembered Percy coming to London and declaring that Umbridge was already being thrown through the Veil. I edited that and made it so that Percy came in distraught because he read the list of crimes and realized what a horrible being Umbridge actually is. And I probably could have let this trial go on some more and come up with some more gruesome crimes, but
I don't want to,

Venquine1990