If you are Reading this…
Ch 7
ISDH
121
"You know something." Tonks hissed.
"Yes, I do." He waved his left hand, flashing the Heir of Black ring, "Lord Black was planning to ask your mother if she wanted to return to the Family. He also, after Naming me Heir, Rebuked House Malfoy for Breach of Contract, Rebuked House Lastrange for Breach, and declared that they had willfully broken not just faith, but the Contract itself, and declared it Null and Void, reclaiming the Dowry, and the rest of House Lastrange as penilites, fines and interest."
Just then, a Gong Sounded, as the Doors to the Chamber boomed closed.
The trials had begun.
A wizard stepped to the center of the floor at the bottom of the chamber. His voice is carried by the acoustics, rather than a spell. "Gentlemen, and Ladies, the Chamber has been Called to Order." He was speaking in ritual tones. "Presiding over today's issues, Acting War-Witch Agusta Longbottom."
"Thank you, Scribe." Neville's gran eased into the pulpit's throne. "Continue."
"Lords and Ladies of this Court, I called you all here, for One of Our Own. Lord S. Black." the younger Houses went wild, while the Old and Nobole had sprung to their feet, then noticed they would have to wait. The Ancient Houses just smirked at the children.
As two aurors (Tonks and Shack) escorted the shaggy wizard to the Chair of Inquisition, where he was wrapped in chains.
"Objection!" A large well dressed man at the edge of his box. "For a trail of this… prodigious sentiment we need all hands. We are short Malfoy, Fudge, and though I am loath to say it… Dumbledor."
Diggle leaned over, "Lord Parkinson. Old Family, but lite on the wealth. A Noble House. A few generations short of Ancient."
Gus, short for Augusta Longbottom, the War-witch rapped her gavel, "They are down-stairs. They are next on the agenda.". The uproar swept the chambe again, before she had to rap her gavel again. "Who stands for the Defence?"
"Tonks for the Defence." Andromeda stepped forward as her husband dropped a pack of files on the table. "Please read the charges."
Bones handed a sheet to the Scribe, who stbeep to the inner circle to read it. "The Charges are as follows; Being a Death Eater, Accomplice to Murder by Leading the Dark Lord to the Potters, Murder of Peter Petigrew, and thirteen muggles. And Escape from Azkaban Prison." the Scribe turned to the Defence, "How does the Accused plead."
"Not Guilty as Charged." A. Tonks answered, as Black lounged in his chains.
This time the uproar needed Gus to pound her Gavel twice to be quelled.
"Madam Bones." The War-witch eased back into her throne, expecting the Prosecution to take its time in laying out the case…
"As Charged. So let us take this from the top." Bones smiled as she picked up her copy of the charge sheet. "How do you plead on the charge of Being a Death Eater?"
"Not Guilty." Black called out, "Fill free to check my arms."
"For the record, while he is marked, none of them are the Dark Mark." Bones exclaimed to the Chamber. "Leading the Dark Lord to the Potters."
"Not Guilty of leading Him to them, but I do hold some guilt, as it was my Idea for that Rat to be their secret keeper. Wormtail betrayed the Potters, Not I!" Black declared loudly, "I swore on my Blood, my Magic, and my Life to Protect baby Harry. I am his sworn Godfather!"
The chamber hissed, Diggle dropped his coffee cup.
Gus frowned, "Director Bones. Something tells me this was more for show…"
"You are correct, Madam War-Witch," Bones removed her monocle to polish it, "I just needed certain facts listed on the Record. I truly believe that this Chamber will vote Lord Black cleared, as to prevent a president of a Lord of our Realm being sent to prison without a full trial. As He is not guilty of anything at this time except escaping a place he should not have been in the first place…" She turned to look at the Dark/Traditional section. "After all, the Rights of the Lords of Our Realm needs must be upheld."
"Aye." Parkinson stood, "I move that Black be cleared of all charges."
Potter tapped Diggle. Diggle sprang to his feet, "Seconded."
The vote passed, two thirds voted for release, the others abstained.
As the chains withdrew, releasing Black, Tonks had packed up their table. Once Sirius was on his feet, he raised his left fist over his head, "By Blood, Magic, and Law; I, Sirius Orion Black, Lay Claim to House Black, and all that comes with!" His fist flared, and a ring now adorned his finger. Turning to look at his cousin, "Andi, Ted, Join me." and he led the way to the Black Box."
Bones set aside her top file, before handing a sheet to the scribe. "Now we are faced with How and Why Black was denied a trial. Prosecution calls…" She paused for effect. "Cornelius Fudge."
The lump that was walked out to the C.o.I. was dressed in Fudge's green pin striped robes, but he did not look even remotely stately. As the man in green eased on the wooden slab, the chains jangled, but did not embrace him.
A minor lord from the 'green' section moved to stand at Fudge's side. After a few whispered words, "Bletchley for the Defense."
"You realise that he has already pleaded guilty?" Bones asked.
"Yes, but he did not have consul, nor was he in his right mind. My hope is not to overturn the plea, but to mitigate the shit storm that is coming his way."
"Okay." the Fading Redheaded Director turned back to her table.
Agusta Longbottom peered down from her perch, "Are we ready to proceed?"
"Read the Charges." Bones called to the Scribe.
"Party to Attempted Murder of a Lord/or Heir. Party to the Unlawful Imprisonment of a Lord/or Heir. Accepting bribes. Interfering with Lawful DML matters. Abuse of Privilege." The Scribe read aloud. Now while Bribes and Abuse of Privilege were minor, it allowed her reign to drag Malfoy and other Named Death Eaters over the legal coals.
Longbottom sighed, "How does the accused plead?"
"Guilty, with extenuating circumstances." Fudge spoke aloud for the first time before the Chamber. "I humbly beg the Court for mercy. I will take…" his counselor slapped a hand over his mouth.
"Please, My client is distraught over these issues." Bletchley cried to the Chamber, "He has been found to be One to call for the Death of an Innocent man, a man that he has spent the last ten years believeing to the depths of his soul was guilty. His whole world is crashing down on him."
"I have the details of his crimes listed already, and not under any truth potion." Bones called out loud, "Fudge is not here for the crimes committed while he was in office… at this time." the hush fell over the crowd. "I need him to testify to how Black ended up in Azkaban."
The next hour, Bones milked the 'Puss of Truth' from the wound that was Fudge's 'crimes' against Lord Black.
"Very good, Director Bones." War-Witch Longbottom leaned on her desk. "As the Regent of an Old Bloodline myself, I find I must ask; what do you see as punishment for these crimes?"
"If I am being Honest." the Director removed her monocle, and polished it, before returning it. "This is a cross of Abuse of Position and a House Matter. If we striped Fudge of the protections of the Ministry, we can just allow House Black to deal with it. Under current Law, House Black has until End of Business Friday to pick apart House Fudge as long as they file the proper paperwork."
Lord Black surged to his feet. "House Black patisions the Hall for this option. As We have many such … issues, there should be plenty of meat for any who find the bloated remains of our kill."
'Pretty bloodthirsty there Black!" a voice called from the 'green' section.
"Would you prefer I declare Blood Feud with each and every House that Profited from my 'Vacation'?" Black snarled. The crowd drew back. Andy drug him back to his seat.
Gus scanned Hall, before striking her gavel. "Fudge blocking the review of Lord Black's case, closes the door on House Black seeking damages from the 'Mot, but allows House Fudge to be the prime Target of House Black's revenge. All in favor?"
More than two thirds of the Hall lit with glowing wand tips… including House Black. Only Two were Noticeable in their absence; House Fudge( better House Black break a fang ripping through the Ministry before falling on House Fudge) And House Potter( Everyone wants to know about House Potter)
War-Witch Longbottom banged her gavel. "Motion carried. House Black, You will file All related paperwork, before even a single knut or drop of blood is collected from what is left of House Fudge." Lord Black nodded. "Madam Bones, Next Case."
"Normally I would call Barty Crouch." Director Bones stood from her table, "But with the crimes and evidence I have on him, and with the Fact that as of Today; we have to choose a new Minister for Magic. We are into the Lunching hour… Who is nominated, and who accepts." She Grinned at Gus, "So the Politicking can begin, and we can vote an Interim Minister in, and hold elections next month.
"House Abbot nominates Director Bones!" Lord Abbot bellowed.
"Thanks Love, But I Need to hold this
Post just a bit longer." the Faded redhead Smiled up at her friend.
"House Parkinson calls for Lucius Malfoy!" A brute of a man with an upturned nose and an underbite. Harry could tell if it was just the mutton-chops, or if the man was jowled like Ripper too, but they looked like cousins.
"Buy what measure Does Master Malfoy Warrant a nomination?" Greengrass stood, "Besides, if I read the room correctly, Lucy will be joining Corny on the Chair."
"I just had to put his name forward, Contractual Matter." the bulldogish man returned to his seat.
Diggle whisper to Harry, "Here I am to Push Dumbledor's agenda. He gave me a short list should an opening come up." a scrap of parchment was fished out of the upturned hat.
E. Doge
S. Podmore
There were a few others, but they were scratched out.
Harry nodded, "Speak for Potter."
Diggle Stood and was called upon, "House Potter Calls for Elphias Doge!" the chamber went quiet.
A balding man in multi-layered robes nodded his acceptance of the nomination. The chamber was a buzz, then fell quiet.
Agusta Longbottom looked about, "Are there no more nominations?"
Director scanned the sitting 'lords', "That seems to be it 'Gus, unless you want your name added to the pot."
The acting war-witch snorted. But it was a very refined and elegant snort.
Doge was Named Interim Minister, and Lunch was called.