The Contract
Chapter 101
Albus Dumbledore, who was entirely unrecognizable, whimpered at being let out of the cell he was in. It palpable even without the sounds to go with it, the cell had no window, and was very small, it was also very isolating. You could hear nothing, see nothing, do nothing from within the cell. Entire body shaking, two guards roughly grabbed him under his armpits and marched him to the meeting room. His beard and hair gone, he had instead a buzz cut and tiny smattering of hair tufting out his face as if his body was no longer capable of producing hair.
He never thought he'd be so glad to see the guards, or to be touched. He had always exuded an untouchable aura, but to actually be so? It was horrifying, he never wanted to end up back in that cell, and prayed they would take pity on him. The Dementors were around the isolation cell much more frequently, maybe if he promised never to get in touch with anyone again, they might give him his old cell back again. It was so cold in that cell that he felt himself warming as he was shoved onto his seat.
Mild whirling, what day was it? How long had it been? "Wh…what day is it?" he asked, teeth chittering as he rocked a bit back and forth shivering. Praying that he wouldn't be sent back, that someone was taking pity. His black and white jumpsuit did nothing to retain any of his body heat.
"You'll be facing the wizengamot panel in three hours," sneered the guard, giving Dumbledore a look that suggested he was filth. It wasn't a full out court trial, merely the wizengamot, witnesses and Minister employees.
"Your Lawyer will be here soon." The second guard declared, a cup of lukewarm hot chocolate – debateable – was put in front of him before the guards went to the other side of the room. As if Dumbledore's very presence was poison and they wanted to avoid him as much as humanly possible while doing their job.
Dumbledore was never to be left alone with a single person, not even a guard. Not even his lawyer when he entered the room, they could put up all the spells they wanted…but they were not risking Dumbledore breaking out of Azkaban. Not when they were so close to permanently removing him.
As proven by Barty, it was all too easy to Polyjuice as someone and make a break for it. Dumbledore had fanatics everywhere, not all of them were publicly known, so better safe than sorry.
And almost all the guards were either sons of the Knights of the Walpurgis, followers of the 'Dark Lord' Voldemort or of course, sympathisers for the cause. Those loyal to Dumbledore had been weeded out a long time ago, and were kept a very close eye on.
Lord Slytherin kept a close eye on his enemies after all.
Dumbledore's teeth chittering was the only sound in the room, along with his shivering. "Please," he murmured, he was so cold, so very, very cold…just a warming charm…just a small…small warming charm, it wasn't too much to ask. His lips were almost blue, due to the cold he'd endured.
His mind drifted back to the day it all started, the day he received the letter from Gringotts dismissing him of his duties as Harry Potter's magical guardian. He'd been furious that his plans had been disturbed after a decade of smooth sailing. Enraged that his plans for the boy and the use of his estate had been interfered with. It was, he had determined, been a hindrance nothing more, intending on correcting that hindrance. Even if it meant manipulation, and if that didn't help, arranging an accident would prove to be an easy thing. After all it would be for the greater good.
He so wished he could go back to that being his only problem.
When the boy proved to be far smarter than he anticipated, refusing to give up the names of his betrothed and the family. He began to despair, the boy it seemed, didn't trust him, and wasn't malleable as he should have been. He had been raised by the Dursley's that was clear from the visit to Marge Dursley's home where he'd finally found the Dursley family. They had treated him as he suspected they would, he spitefully wished they'd been harder on the brat. Perhaps then he would have had the perfect weapon to work with.
His decision to put the brat in front of the mirror had been a desperate bid to regain control. He hadn't expected things to become so unhinged after that. Harry was supposed to end up in the Hospital wing, isolated, while he began to work on the boy. Instead, the boy had vanished from the school, carted off to who knows where. Entirely out of his hands and sphere of control. He'd regretted his impulsive actions; although he certainly hadn't expected anyone to find out. The boy obviously hadn't been close to his betrothed's family, he hadn't once written to them, not even to inform them where he had been housed. Which had eased him considerably.
That hadn't been the only thing that went wrong, just two nights before, he had placed the Philosopher stone in the mirror with intentions of placing it in the obstacle course. He would have dragged the brat kicking and screaming if need be, to face the monster, to see if the magic on the boy was as strong as he believed. To cement the hatred, he would inevitably need of Tom to do what needed to be done. He would have rather the boy wasn't friends with the Slytherins but there was nothing he could do. Ronald had failed in the one thing he'd asked of him.
When it was clear the boy wasn't returning, and the presence of Tom had faded from the school, he admitted defeat. Only then had he found out that the stone was gone and he had no idea where it was or who had taken it. None of the spells he'd placed on the arena had gone off, he'd lost it. He had no idea if Tom had taken it or what, either way, the experiment had been a complete and utter failure.
He'd began to fear that the boy would never return to Hogwarts. What if he was already attending a different magical school? It wasn't as if Harry had any real connection to Hogwarts, especially as seeing as he hadn't been able to really install in Harry a complete loyalty and utter reverence of his parents.
Due to all his plans failing, he had taken his eye off the ball, not only when it came to Tom but also Hermione. The cards that had fallen had all been aces and kings that day. As always, he kept anything that happened at Hogwarts, within Hogwarts. Or attempted to, children were luckily, indulged and pampered to but very rarely listened to. They would have listened to the tall tales of a troll with amusement thinking it was entirely embellished for dramatics sakes.
Still, it hadn't stopped the consequences from being far reaching. He really could have wrung the McMahon's necks for their interference at his school. Unfortunately, they had both worn Lordship and heirship rings, and it would have protected them from any spells he sent their way. Which meant, all he could do was attempt to hide everything and make the school seem as normal as possible, distract them if he could. Especially the warding, but it had been one of the first things they wanted to check.
Predictably it had well and truly failed, they'd been made aware of the holes he had put in Hogwarts over the years. He hadn't made any attempts to fill them over, he had no need, it would make the final battle easier for him to become a hero when Tom ultimately got in. Another mistake, but as always it hadn't been part of his chessboard, and he hadn't seen it coming.
For all the favours and building of his character to make him seem bigger and larger than life…had failed to keep him from Azkaban with the wards in the state they were in. If there was one thing he knew, was when it came to their children…purebloods were vicious and it took a single nudge of their child to be provoked. Three hundred years, it had been a shock to the system.
The person he hadn't seen on his chessboard? Tom, he had never in a million years expected such subtleness from him. He was a blasting charm, through and through, he attacked openly, he didn't have enough patience to move with subtly. It's why it was so easy for him to win, he, Albus, had patience in spades. Content to move his pieces when they were ready. He hadn't seen this coming at all, he'd been utterly blindsided.
He hadn't been able to focus on Tom entirely, he needed Harry Potter at the end of the day. He was the one who would have to die, before he could successfully end Tom altogether and rise up the ultimate hero having gotten rid of both Gellert and Tom. Thus, he had people he owed favours to take off after Healer Elmer Eddison, who he had found out was Harry's healer. Then he'd had to focus on trying to pull off a miracle and get himself out of a grave pickle that was a court case.
Unfortunately, he'd used up all his favours during the court case to answer for his 'inability to keep up with his chief warlock duties' of course, he couldn't tell them that he'd done it on purpose. It had kept him out of prison by the skin of his teeth, even if he had been charged, he would have gotten a few months if that. It would have set everything back, it still had, his popularity had taken a dive, but not as much as the reason he was in prison.
He had lost a lot of followers – even if they never considered themselves as such – when the news came out that the wards were at a critical phase the danger, he'd placed every single student at Hogwarts in. Truth be told, he hadn't realized they were that badly off, but with him feeding the wards, there had been no danger of the wards failing he was sure.
Conveniently forgetting he liked to take power from the wards when needed.
He was sure Tom was behind everything that had happened, the only good thing was he had nothing to do with Harry. He was most assuredly still a spirit when everything he'd had planned for Harry when everything began to unravel.
He'd told the Wizengamot who Lord Slytherin was, warned them, sooner or later Tom would slip up. He knew he would, so all he had to do was wait, he knew they would come to him, beg him to save them. Just like they had when having to fear the inevitable approach of Gellert entering the UK.
It had been years now, and nothing, not a single slip up as far as his people heard or saw. Lord Slytherin had been in the newspapers numerous times for his 'generous contributions and worse thing of all…the evil monster was at his school, sitting in his seats, charming everyone he came into contact with. Changing everything, and the newspaper had the audacity to say the school was the best it had been since Dippet's reign, as if he had done nothing to better the school. He had removed dangerous magicks so that none of his students were tempted to use dark magic. Removing the temptation, prevented his students from using, except those who were already lost to the dark. The Slytherins.
He would slip up, he had to, Albus couldn't endure this much longer. He'd made the best of it in Azkaban, had his people working for him. Writing to his most faithful, kept them doing his work for him on the outside. With his people failing to catch Healer Elmer Eddison, and getting imprisoned he had run out of options on finding Harry's betrothal family.
The boy was getting further and further away from his reach, his return to Hogwarts…he had seen his opportunity. He had arranged for Lockhart to grab the boy, knowing the best way to get to the wizard. He had let him off with questionable things, knowing one day he might need a 'favour' and look how fortuitous it had become.
It had to be fool proof, nothing could go wrong, this may well be the last chance he had of gaining control of the boy. He had run entirely out of favours, added to the fact, that soon enough the boy could take on his Lordship, which would make him nigh on untouchable with the Lordship ring. The blasted things he hated them, the sheer annoyance they'd been over the years was intolerable.
It had the added bonus of having the Ministry no doubt, coming to him for aid. This was Harry Potter after all, the Savior of the magical world, he'd created him after that night, made him bigger than life. With every intention of making him even better, the ultimate hero, the unknown martyr in the end. with him coming out the ultimate leader secure in his place. Potter was temporarily while he? Would go down in history renowned just as much as Merlin himself. That was the legacy he was going to leave behind.
Then it was pulled off without a hitch, the wizarding world in an uproar. Although, he hadn't expected them to figure out who had taken the boy. That hadn't been in the plans, which meant Lockhart had to die. Molly would take care of that the moment she had the boy in her care. Nobody came looking to him to make it better, to find the boy. That had been a major disappointment, but it faded in the face of his plan backfiring spectacularly. Harry had been found against all odds, and there had been nothing to indicate he had lost his memories unless they were lying to protect the boy.
Not only had the utter fool kept the letters from him, which by the way should have burned upon reading. He must be better at checking his mail and getting rid of all spells on them, than he was at general spell work. Which he had been pathetic at, surprisingly he had managed to scrape a pass on both his Owl and Newts enough to say he had passed some classes. Probably necessity with the amount of mail he got, practice often enough, you could learn a spell or two even if you were as pathetic as Lockhart.
Not only had Tonks been arrested in a result of that, but Molly had as well, and the news of whom Ginevra really was had come to light. The Weasley's very rarely had girls, so rare that it had been at least seven generations since a female Weasley had been born. He had offered a helping hand, he needed one close in age and from a very prominently light family to marry Potter, to continue the Potter line when the boy had to die. It hadn't been a must, but he didn't want the Potter line to die, especially since it definitely wouldn't go to him if anything happened. The closest relative was…the Black family, which meant Draco or Narcissa, Tonks would never get a chance of it, due to being stricken off. So, the Malfoy family would end up with the Black and Potter estate, which he refused to let happen. That amount of money was obscene considering just how well off the Malfoy's actually were. It would have made them the most powerful – monetary wise – family in the magical world.
No, he wanted to do something good for his followers, give them money. Which he no doubt would be able to use at his convenience, since he had ensured it would go to them. He'd twisted the truth to Tonks naturally, sensing just how desperate she was for the Black family fortune. The idiot of a girl hadn't realized she would never be Lady of the Black estate, the Blacks had always been a male dominated in society. She'd get to use the money yes, but never be in charge. He had never actually explicitly told her she'd be the head of the family, but it might have been implied. Still, when asked, he could freely tell her he had never told her as such and she'd accept it, complicit as she was.
Now his most loyal were useless to him, to add insult to injury? Guards he had most certainly never seen before had approached his cell and entered it. Naturally, they were unable to see anything except for the cell itself. They couldn't see the four-poster bed, the enlargement charms, the quilt, pillows, carpet, water repelling charms, the heating charms, the desk, the seat and all the various stationary items he needed to keep in touch with the outside world and more importantly books.
Then in one horrifying move, that still left him shaken to the core, they ripped down the wards and revealed the true extent of changes done to the cell. He'd expected it all to be taken, he'd succeeded in grabbing the letters he'd written – but were not sent yet – into the water, the parchment would soak and the ink unreadable if they attempted to get it. At least they wouldn't be able to read them and he couldn't be incriminating himself. No matter, he could have everything redone let them think they had won, let them have this small victory and made his life a misery.
Then they had turned around and made it a misery, they'd moved him to a new cell. The one he had been in…for who knows how long. The food was slotted through the door, and they occasionally flicked cleaning charms through the door but it was never opened. He never interacted with anyone. No matter what question he asked…the new guards never spoke to him. They wouldn't even answer a simple question like what date is it?
He had been informed some time ago – who knows how long? – he lost time with the Dementors near constant presence that he would be facing the wizengamot again on additional charges. For abuse of a minor, the last heir of the Most Ancient Most Noble house of Potter.
He knew Figg, Diggle and Doge had also been up on the same charges, but he didn't know what had become of them. Given the circumstances, and the fact they were charging him too, it was safe to say they did have evidence. Evidence enough against them and likely him as well. They were amongst the last panicked letters he received from them. He should have Obliviated them, they had known too much, enough to implicate him, if nothing else. He never revealed too much to anyone, and regardless of whether he had or not…it was still coming back to bite him in the ass.
He did need to find out exactly what happened to them though, hopefully the young faithful Doge would be helpful in regaling him on how the three trials had gone. this might help him build some sort of defence, even though it wasn't possible. The thought of Veritaserum being used was…terrifying. He had been so weak, so ill prepared for it, he'd spilled his guts so very easily under it. It made him shudder anew for an entirely different reason.
A deep clanging roused Albus from his memories, grateful at least, that they were not of his family. He was tormented endlessly thanks to the Dementors about his little sister Arianna. A little girl who he dearly missed, and had been glad when she died out of youthful vengeance, so that he didn't need to take care of her. All his faults laid bare here, it rendered him catatonic. Another reason not to realize the passage of time.
"Mr. Dumbledore," Lawyer Doge inclined her head as she professionally slid into the next seat. Wrinkling her nose up at the state of his prison suit, at least he didn't stink, per se, the prison was undergoing reform but it would take a long time until it reached acceptable standards. She was so very glad that the Dementors weren't around, she loathed those creatures and the thought of being near them made her feel faint.
"How are Arabella, Dedalus and Elphias?" Albus asked, his tone filled with tiredness and sorrow. Not even giving Diana Doge a single hello or how are you.
The lawyer's lips pursed; she did not want to talk about her grandfather. The things he had done for Dumbledore made her feel sick. When she took on their cases, she had dug into everything she could get her hands on, wanting to prove all of them innocent. To do her job, but in the end…to her unmitigated grief instead all she found was indicators that they were as guilty as the world believed them to be.
Especially one Albus Dumbledore.
"Kissed," she informed him in a clipped tone, she'd grown up with tall tales about Dumbledore. Her father couldn't stand the old man, and loathed when her grandfather used to idealise him. She'd been just as awed as her grandfather, failing to see the old man for what he was. Then reality had slapped her in the face. "Figg was incarcerated its unlikely she'll see outside of a prison cell for the rest of her life." considering the charge…she might not find it an easy place to be. She'd heard how Muggle prisons were regarding sexual abuse or child abuse. In other words, once word got out…they were treated very harshly indeed.
Albus slumped sorrowfully at that, "The evidence, will it affect my case?" he very much doubted anything more would happen. There was no way it could get any worse, he was imprisoned for three hundred years. Other than completely destroying what was left of his lauded reputation.
"Yes," she informed him, very well aware of the guards at her back, and to be entirely honest, thankful for their presence. Even if they couldn't hear what they were saying. "I suggest you plead guilty." Doing her duty, considering she'd overheard the suggestion that the Dementors kiss might be used, she sure as hell was going to suggest he plead guilty, it might save his soul. Although, she couldn't help but wonder if there was anything worth saving there.
Albus straightened, the very picture of the powerful wizard that he was, "I was not aware of the abuse." He informed her; his tone slightly cold at her accusation. Naturally, he tried very hard never to read or be informed about anyone's worries or fears. It was also why he had told them that he only wanted to hear if Harry was in mortal danger by Wizards. That and only that. So, that he could actually safely say he wasn't aware.
She knew he was lying, and was in awe of his audacity and the look in his eyes. If she didn't have the evidence that she did, and also evidence of a lot more other misdeeds she might have actually been drawn in. Which was very concerning indeed. "You'll be escorted to the Ministry of Magic, and will be held in the cells there until your trial in an hour or so. You'll be given another hot chocolate and something to eat while you wait."
Albus watched her closely, trying to decipher if there was a hidden message there. His heart pounding a little quickly, was it possible? After waiting so long, years, he was beginning to realize that Tom might not screw up, that somehow the world was moving on without him. That he was being forgotten, and that, well, that was hell, his worst nightmares coming to life. He had much to do, and so little time to do it.
He could not let Tom win, if he had to die to prevent that, then so be it.
"Time's up," the guard informed the lawyer, his tone not as curt when speaking to Dumbledore.
"I'll see you at your trial," she informed him professionally, despite wanting to claw his eyes out in disgust. She doubted the wizard was even aware of the world knowing about him and Gellert Grindelwald and everything that had come out in the newspapers following the revelation that Ginevra wasn't a Weasley but a Dumbledore.
Albus Dumbledore might be on trial for allowing the abuse of a minor, while being his magical guardian…but everyone would be judging him for everything else that had been posted in the newspaper. Being partners with Gellert Grindelwald and all his plans was definitely at the top of the list of aggrievances they all had against him.
As a lawyer all she could do was remind them for the reason he was on trial, and not his past. Even if she was judging him as well, she would do her job even if it was distasteful. It would be her last pro-bono case for a good long while. Her family had been rich once upon a time, but most of that money was gone, to this wizard as a matter of fact. His father had realized to his despair just how dire things were for them. Her father was so glad her grandmother wasn't here to see this.
They were also wondering if she knew, because she had left all her money to her son not her husband. Elphias Doge hadn't been able to get a Knut of his wife's money, they'd assumed maybe it was because she feared that their son would leave due to their differences in opinion regarding Dumbledore. Perhaps it wasn't that at all, but grandma Kathrine being aware of her husbands spending.
The moment Elphias Doge had been found guilty in court, he had ceased being Lord Elphias Doge and it had passed onto his son and heir even before being kissed. He became Lord Edmund Doge, his best friend Damien Diggle – who felt very similarly to Edmund regarding Dumbledore – had been a great help these past few months while the estate was in limbo. He didn't have a family, so was able to spare some expense to aid them.
Luckily her mum had left her and her father a tidy sum, it would stop them falling below the poverty line. They both worked, and as long as they were frugal with their spending, until she married…they should be okay, and the estate should be safe.
Diana Doge, gratefully left Azkaban behind, with quick strides, the longest part of it was the boat ride. As she traversed back the mainland. Apparating straight to the Ministry of magic the moment she passed the Anti-Apparation wards surrounding the prison.
One last defence then she'd kept her promise, whether she cared to defend him or not, she'd given her word. Her word as a lawyer held sway, for her personally and professionally. She would do it regardless of how distasteful she found it.
"Don't be nervous, nobody can refute the evidence," Rabastan stated firmly, as his father, Antonio, Sirius, Rodolphus and himself walked towards the edge of the Lestrange estate with Harry. "Considering all the evidence at hand, Dumbledore's lawyer will not wish to question you. She won't want to make any more waves than there already are for the old fool."
"Even if she tried, I will stop her," Antonio declared, eyes gleaming, he would not allow Harry to be questioned as if he were a suspect. "She will be a fool to attempt it, considering who you are and how Dumbledore is perceived by the magical world now." Smug that Dumbledore's downfall had been so harsh and degrading. Oh, there were hardly anyone now wishing to stand up for the wizard. It made for much smoother sailing in Wizengamot meetings. Especially without the two most vocal stooges of Dumbledore. Doge and Diggle deserved everything they got. He had seen the Dementors Kiss administered to the wizards.
Licking his lips, "It's not exactly how I wanted to be introduced to the wizengamot," Harry confessed, he wanted them to see him grown up, not a victim. Wanted them to listen to him, and not see a child trying to play an adult.
"I'd imagine it isn't," Antonio agreed fully, Harry had made his reticence well known. "Just answer the way we coached you, and they won't see a victim. They will see a determined young man who survived against all odds, triumphing against adversary and came out stronger than ever. Determined to make a future for himself, with his empathy intact." Although, the reality was Harry's empathy was strictly for those he actually cared for.
"I didn't need much coaching," Harry said, a little indignantly, as he straightened his clothes self-consciously. One day the world would know that he was Rabastan Lestranges' betrothed, he would be associated with the Lestrange name. He didn't for one second, wish to embarrass them.
"No, no you certainly did not," Antonio agreed, the young man was very well spoken, and mild mannered. The wizengamot would be in awe of him, between the trial and the upcoming balls, the world would soon become aware of Harry's presence and know just what he was capable of. They all underestimated him, thought he was the one writing the laws for Harry, they would soon learn just how wrong they were. Despite repeatedly informing them that it was all Harry.
"You'll be fine," Rabastan declared, "You show them what you're made off." They had debated the pros and cons of making them feel sorry for him, by appearing more vulnerable than he was. Harry wouldn't hear of it though, vehemently opposed to looking like a victim. So, between the Dark Lord and everyone else, they'd found a happy medium.
Bringing Harry in for a hug, kissing the top of his head, he like his father had noticed just how touch starved Harry was. Rabastan was just intimate with that sort of feeling, and wanted to ensure Harry didn't suffer from it. That it helped him too, was just a coincidence. There was nothing sexual about it whatsoever. As fond of Harry as Rabastan was…he was still young, still a child. He couldn't wait to see what he would look like fully grown.
Only a few more years until he was at that suitable age, then they could begin their engagement contract.
He could wait…well, more like he had to wait, but one thing Azkaban had taught him…was patience.
He just wanted the years to fly in.
That single hug seemed to strengthen Harry's resolve, "Let's get this over with, I want to enjoy the rest of my Yule holidays." Before he had to return to Hogwarts, not that he didn't adore the school now, with so many classes actually challenging him, but because of the absence of those who would seek to use him.
The others chuckled, but fully agreed, this trial would be the last one until after the New Year. They would have no other duties to oversee, they would be spending their time with their families as well.
With that Antonio and Harry apparated away, with Corvus directly behind them but not to the same area.
"Dumbledore will be there during your debriefing," Antonio informed the teenager, recalling that he hadn't informed him. Letting him know just in case he wasn't aware, which was doubtful, better safe than sorry nonetheless.
"I figured as much," Harry replied, looking around in curiosity, copying Antonio in handing over his wand when prompted. Noticing Corvus speaking to Lucius as they both came up behind them. Waiting in line for their wands to be checked before advancing further into the Ministry.
"Shall we be seeing you this Yule, Corvus?" Lucius asked, his voice as always smooth, as if every word that left his mouth was calculated. They hadn't seen him last year, understandably.
"Not this year, Lucius, perhaps next year after things have settled some more?" Corvus suggested, it was as good as affirmation that they would attend a small social function with the Malfoy's next year. Handing over his wand, watching unobtrusively as Harry was led down to the courtroom by Antonio who was keeping a very strict eye on everyone. Taking his duty of ensuring Harry's safety very seriously. As he should.
"I shall hold you to that, Draco very much likes Harry's company," Lucius whispered so low magic flaring as he spoke. Preventing anyone from listening in, even with eavesdropping charms. He so disliked telling his son 'no' when it came to things he wanted. He knew he was spoiling his son, but what father didn't want to spoil his only son and heir? Plus, the way Draco spoke, it was the sort of friendship that would outlast Hogwarts, like the few who had seen passed his masks and told him to pipe down or what they really thought. He never really had that, and he wanted it badly for his son.
"Your wife best be on her best behaviour," Corvus warned idly, casting a silencing charm, "My son wouldn't take well to anyone disparaging his betrothed." That would be putting it mildly, it would definitely make any further association rather tedious and strained to say the least.
Lucius barely concealed a grimace as he and Corvus began to walk towards the courtroom. He loved his wife, he truly did, but she wholeheartedly believed in the Black superiority. She was never going to be comfortable with anyone she perceived to be lesser. The fact Harry was also the next in line for the Black Lord did not help matters. Women didn't get the Black Lordship. The estate had just been lying unused for over a decade, all that money.
Of course, learning her niece – not that she'd cop to that relation – had similar thoughts had been sobering for Narcissa. At least, Narcissa hadn't kidnapped and planned on harming an heir of a noble and ancient house to get what she perceived as hers just because she wanted it.
Once inside, they found the room had been drastically changed. There was a large table to fit fifty wizengamot members off of the platform. And then two additional tables five feet from them, with two chairs behind them. In the middle of at set up, was a single seat for the witnesses. The gallery and everything else were gone, the room looked larger than usual and just as quiet as they all situated themselves. The reserve wizengamot members were seated, as Antonio and two others who weren't sitting today. Antonio was acting as a lawyer and cannot impartially take part. The other two were too ill to take part.
"Morning," Bill murmured as he slid into his seat, a red flush adorning his face.
"Good morning," Lord Slytherin said, a wry smirk on his face. "I see you've recovered from your hangover?" they had been drinking last night, Bill had invited him to attend a Yule feast with the rest of his family. After months of baiting to see what happened, it was the one thing he couldn't and wouldn't attend.
Bill groaned, "Don't," unable to refrain from rubbing his temples, "Ugh, I've taken three potions and none of them feel like they're working yet." It didn't help that Percy had gotten a lot of amusement out of his predicament. It did make him smile, Percy had calmed so much in the past year or so. Didn't spent as much time in books, like he had something to prove. It looked like without Molly around, he was more invested in family. Which is a good thing, since Percy would soon be out in the world, a job, a family maybe, at least he got a chance to make it right.
Molly had screwed them all up in one fashion or another, hell the twins had settled as well. They were focusing more on their prank inventions than actually using them to stir up trouble. Sirius' words had gotten through to them, gave them a new way to direct their creative energy. They were determined, and so they were planning on working during the summer holidays until they got enough money saved to buy premises. Having adults in their lives who were curious over what they were doing suddenly had shocked them. They quickly got over it and were constantly regaling mostly their father and Sirius about their new inventions.
Merlin, their father was so proud of them all, with Molly out of his life…he didn't look tired, stressed and subdued. He had a new zest for life, and suddenly Bill wasn't responsible for them all anymore. All it took was a year of his life to pull his family up by their bootstraps. Suddenly his father had a new woman in his life, he wasn't having to worry about him. Molly was in prison and wouldn't be able to bother them for a long time.
And as much as he hated to admit it, Ginny was in the best place for her. Maybe one day she'd be able to re-join the family. Whether she was a Weasley or not, she'd been raised as one and that meant something. Only if she got better, he refused to associate with her if she didn't get better. He couldn't risk it, the Weasley family name wasn't in a good place, but they were trying everything they could to make it better. It helped that Ginny and Molly weren't Weasleys or Prewitts.
"I'm sure you'll survive." Lord Slytherin declared, watching Bill with amusement, aware that Corvus was watching him intently. "Would you like to attend a celebratory meal after the trial?"
"Celebrating what?" Bill asked dryly, "I'm not sure how any of this could be construed as celebratory." His voice sobering. Child abuse was nothing to celebrate, especially not what he was reading that had been done to Heir Potter.
"You do look rather sick…" Lord Slytherin said, eyeing Bill cautiously, he looked ready to spew his load right there and then.
"Seeing this doesn't make you mad?" Bill asked, frowning incredulously.
Lord Slytherin paused; he couldn't very well confess that he was already very familiar with the results. Glancing as Dumbledore and the lawyer entered the room, "I was furious, unfortunately, Heir Potter isn't the only one who has suffered because of Dumbledore's inactions…it spans his entire career as both Transfiguration Professor and as Headmaster."
Bill straightened up, nostrils flaring, "Are…are you implying that he allowed students to return to abusive homes?" his confusion over Lord Slytherin's seemingly uncaring attitude vanishing under what he learned.
"You'll find, that if dug into, that many students begged the Headmaster to remain at Hogwarts over the years. In a place where they felt safe for the first time in their lives, a place that became home." Lord Slytherin said, sadness in his voice now. He knew all too well how it felt, he still considered Hogwarts his first home. He would have done anything to remain there, to get away from the Orphanage and the war, and the fear of death by bombs constantly dropping on the world. Years he'd endured that…to the extent his life had gone off the rails. He wholeheartedly blamed Dumbledore for what he'd become. Yes, he'd killed his grandparents and father…for abandoning him…he'd always going to do it, but if he had been allowed to remain at Hogwarts? His fear of death may have been reduced, not pronounced. The Horcruxes had been his undoing. Although, it was much easier to blame someone than acknowledge your own wrongdoing.
Bill opened his mouth, but whatever he wanted to say was forgotten as the trial begun. Still, his countenance was stiff and angry, furious with the new information. He wasn't sure why he was surprised…given everything the old fool had already done, but somehow Dumbledore continued to succeed in surprising him with his depravity.
The wizengamot quietened down entirely, folders with the case in front of them on hand. Including a list of questions that would be asked, which could only be asked if it was regarding the abuse of Harry Potter.
"Heir Potter, do you know why we are here today?" Antonio started off, ignoring the blatant look of sheer annoyance the boy exuded. He was clearly getting sick of people actually treating him as though he was stupid. While the questions were stupid, they needed to be asked.
"Yes," Harry stated, biting his tongue to stop the words he really wanted to spew out.
"When was the first time you heard of Albus Dumbledore?"
"When Hagrid came to pick me up in the middle of nowhere after my…relatives, tried to outrun magical letters that were continuing to be sent out to me. Hagrid mentioned Dumbledore and my…Vernon called him a crackpot old fool, and Hagrid got extremely mad warning Vernon not to insult the Headmaster in front of him. That was the first time I ever heard him mentioned."
"So, before you were eleven you never saw, talked or any way interacted with the wizard known as Albus Dumbledore?" Antonio asked, unable to help being theatrical despite the fact there was nobody here except the wizengamot.
"Objection, he's already made it clear that he's never seen Dumbledore, what's the point of continuing this line of questioning?" Lawyer Doge insisted, trying to curtail the dramatics a bit. Not that she blamed him, she would have been doing the exact same thing.
"I want the facts to be clear," Antonio declared blankly, "Irrefutably clear."
"Go ahead, Lord Abbott." Ogden declared, giving a hand wave at the same time for Harry to answer.
"I was not familiar with Dumbledore," Harry stated firmly, the fourteen-year-old wanted this over with already, and it hadn't even begun yet. "The first time I saw him I was entering the Great Hall with the rest of the first years." And had already taken the first move to claim his independence.
"When did you hear that he was your magical guardian and how did you feel?" Antonio asked, a sympathetic look on his face.
"In Gringotts when I was informed of my estate and holdings," Harry said blankly, "I was worried, a man I didn't know, a wizard, had a lot of control over me and my estate."
"How did you feel upon reading the newspaper article stating Dumbledore saw you frequently?" Antonio asked.
"Confused, a little irritated at the lies being printed," Harry informed them, knowing better than to let anyone know just how furious he actually had been. "Especially considering that I had taken great measures to ensure Dumbledore had no say at all in my life." his lips twitched a bit as he stared at Dumbledore for the briefest of moments, triumph gleaming in his eyes. It basically screamed 'I win' like nothing else.
"Was Dumbledore ever improper with you?" Antonio asked.
"He tried to claim a familial relation, liked to address me by my given name despite repeated requests to not speak so informally towards me." Harry told the lawyer, "I made sure that I was never alone with him, and given the way he used to speak to me, with familiarity, I am glad I made the decision to ask my Head of House to accompany me."
"So, you can think of no reason why Dumbledore would perpetrate the attack on you that resulted in…" Antonio declared, but before he could finish that sentence Harry replied.
"Can you think of a reason that would make me being kidnapped, okay?" knowing Antonio was just doing his job but so very furious with the wording. Clenching his hands into fists, "There is no excusing what I went through."
"I have no further questions," Antonio inclined his head in silent apology for his wording.
"And just what were those measures put into place to make sure Dumbledore had no control over your life?" Lawyer Doge questioned.
"I accepted a Betrothal contract," Harry said coolly, green eyes gleaming with malice as he stared at her. Loathing the ground, she walked on, despite the fact she was a lawyer like he wanted to be…but he wanted to help people…not do what she was. Defending murderers, and the scum of the earth like Dumbledore. It wasn't as if it was a secret, everyone knew he was betrothed. They just wanted to be nosy and know who he was betrothed.
"And is your betrothed and family here? In the Wizengamot perhaps?" Doge questioned, watching the boy closely.
"Genuine curiosity to know who my betrothed is or implying that the family I'm marrying into is somehow collectively all on the wizengamot?" Harry asked in turn, smiling in amusement, it was a good play, but useless all the same. "If that had been the case, he wouldn't have survived round one."
Antonio pursed his lips, not sure whether to feel amused or exasperated. The boy didn't have a subtle bone in his body. Well, that wasn't entirely true, he did know how to be subtle when it mattered. The rest of the time he just had no fucks to give when it came to anyone trying to play him like a fiddle. If anything, it just amused him with their attempts.
The wizengamot weren't quite so quiet with their amusement, as titters went around.
Dumbledore's blue eyes flashed in sheer annoyance, infuriated by the arrogance the boy was displaying. It vividly reminded him of another boy…the smile, the smirk, the sheer vindictiveness and malice he exuded. He wasn't supposed to be that way, he was meant to be beaten down and shy, incapable of making decisions looking to a trusted adult figure for aid, him really.
Everything had all gone, so, so wrong. He so wished he hadn't sent Hagrid, that way the brat wouldn't have found out about his estate. About him being his magical guardian, about this blasted Betrothal agreement. He would have been firmly in his control, one action…had a snowballs avalanche that completely derailed out of his control without him any the wiser.
None of this would have happened if Hagrid had just done what he told him.
If only he hadn't been so determined that Harry face Voldemort…and wanted to begin his manipulations early in having Hagrid get the stone while the boy was there.
A/N – Merlin's sake! If I keep writing it's going to be over 12 K before I can post this chapter! LOL hmm considering this is meant to be solely about the abuse Harry suffered I'm not sure how to incorporate everything else into it…unless I also make it about Ginny as well, what do you think? Will we just have Bill losing his composure and asking questions that aren't supposed to be asked? Harry wasn't asked a lot of questions…I feel it's really lacking there especially seeing as so far there's no 'proof' that Dumbledore knew but Veritaserum will clear that up in a jiffy…or will it? Will Dumbledore have succeeded in ensuring that he couldn't be found guilty of knowing? It would be a twist in a half 😉 after all their plans are all going too smoothly 😊 then again wouldn't it be more unpredictable if everything actually did for a change? :P R&R please
And as promised if there is a specific scene you want to see entirely written out feel free to ask and I'll post it on my Facebook group page :) Small scenes that no way fit into the story as it is I mean and only related specifically to this chapter and Dumbledore.