The Contract

Chapter 102

"Have you ever feared for your life under the direct care of Albus Dumbledore? And please bear in mind, you've sworn to tell the whole truth?" Lawyer Doge questioned, staring at the teenager expectantly. Naturally she wasn't aware of this particular question blowing up in her face.

"Very much so," Harry nodded grimly, taking in the genuine surprised in the lawyer's face. Clearly, she had expected him to say no, interesting. He shouldn't hate her for doing her job, especially since he wanted to do something similar…he knew instinctively it was because of whom she was representing.

"What?" she blurted out, glancing at Dumbledore her brow furrowed as she tried to make sense of this latest revelation.

Even the Wizengamot were paying attention.

Harry remained silent, 'what' wasn't a question he could answer, she could be asking a lot of questions with that single word.

"You aren't referring to the incident where you were kidnapped are you? Because like it or not, Albus Dumbledore wasn't present for that." Lawyer Doge pointed out, still feeling rather wrongfooted with the answer.

"No, no I'm referring to the time I nearly died," Harry said bluntly, not allowing them to simplify what he had been through. Kidnapping didn't cover what he had been through. He had very nearly been murdered, by people who wanted to use and abuse him.

There was a collective wince at the reminder.

"Then for the sake of us all, please elaborate this incident where you were in fear of your life?" gesturing for him in a way that said, the room was his, to speak. The witch looked rather worried, a little sick and tired most of all. Considering how long Dumbledore had been in prison? This had to have happened when the child was eleven or thereabouts.

"I was heading for the library, there was a book I wanted that wasn't in Ravenclaw common room. Curfew was soon and I knew I had to leave quickly to get the book and get back. Then suddenly I didn't care about the book…I felt compelled – literally and magically – to seek out something I didn't know." Harry told them quietly.

Everyone was leaning forward wanting to know what happened, so luckily, they could hear him just fine. All of them wondering what this had to do with Dumbledore and if he had actually tried to kill Harry much earlier than they assumed.

"It wasn't far from the library, but by the time I got there I was beginning to ache something fierce. I had potions to take in order to stop the pain, but the spell made it all so irrelevant. I felt like the actions were my own, even if it wasn't something I'd do. I could barely get to my classes let alone wander the school at night."

Antonio knew all this he was their lawyer, and had elected not to ask about it due to the fact Lawyer Doge had written it as one of her questions. He'd rather her dig a hole deeper for her client, it amused him. With Harry's permission naturally, he didn't want to have Harry knocked off kilter.

"I found myself in front of the Mirror of Erised," Harry paused, not for dramatics sake, but the loud protests and furious words coming from the wizengamot. Unable to curtail their own fury at hearing that such an item had been at Hogwarts amongst children.

"Who gave permission for it's removal from the Ministry of Magic?!"

"That thing was in a school filled with children?!"

"It's dangerous! It could have driven anyone insane!"

"I want the last person that was logged out from and who allowed it!"

"Merlin, the poor boy, he could have entirely lost himself to it!"

"Quiet!" Ogden called out, having to restore order to the wizengamot. "Let us hear what Heir Potter has to say." He was just as shocked and angry that such a dangerous item was at Hogwarts. Considering the child's poor life thus far, Lady Pettigrew was correct, he could have entirely lost himself to it. although, he noticed she was hiding herself in the corner away from his direct line of sight. Poor woman still didn't know whether her son was guilty or not, that sort of unknown limbo was torturous really.

"Please, continue Heir Potter," Ogden said, giving him a small smile and nod, not at all condescending but firm and encouraging.

"Hours went by, I was trapped in it's thrall. I was unable to look away, I could sense that Dumbledore was there…the entire time. He must have just been watching and waiting…for what I have no idea." He confessed, swallowing thickly, "Um, I was aware of what felt like days later, that Professor Quirrell, Professor Snape and Professor Flitwick entered the room having been looking for me. It was hours, if that, but those few hours set back my healing significantly. I was…in bad shape when they found me. They were cautious and worried about how to best help. I was unresponsive, but luckily Professor Quirrell knew what to do. He covered the mirror slowly, detaching it's hold on me. I vaguely heard talking after that but it was all indecipherable to me, the next thing I knew I was back home with my betrothed and his family."

"How sure are you that Dumbledore was there?" Doge asked, disturbed by what she was hearing.

"Just like I knew your grandfather was different when he approached me in the streets and watched me my entire childhood."

"You have the Black family magic, the ability to decern magic." Lord Slytherin said, awe in his voice, as if he had just figured something wonderful out. The reality was they all knew.

Harry Potter was one lucky son of a bitch, his mother must have taken liquid luck when she was conceiving him. The black family magic, the Slytherin family magic, was it any wonder that he was as powerful as he was? Any wonder that he was his equal? Instead of instilling him with fear…the knowledge filled him with glee. Harry was after all, never going to be Dumbledore's weapon.

"It pushed back my healing for months, to the extent that I didn't return to Hogwarts for the rest of the duration of what was my first year at Hogwarts." Harry told them, breathing deeply, "And yes, part of me was afraid of him, afraid of what he might do next. I still don't understand why he would do such a thing…" trailing off, oh, he knew, he knew everything, but luckily for everyone else's sake…he wasn't the one going under Veritaserum today.

Albus' eyes, if capable, would have been spewing fire and incinerated Potter where he sat.

"Are there any other instances we weren't aware of?!" it was Bill who spoke, entirely incandescent with rage. Harry was the same as his little brother had been…his entire face was red as he bore holes in Dumbledore's skull, looking as if he wanted to reach over and squeeze the life out of the older wizard himself.

Corvus' eyes widened when he saw the look on Tom's face. He was watching Bill with a look of possessive desire and amusement. Tom had never felt the need to trick anyone into joining his side with thoughts of them being his partner or any such nonsense. In fact, he hadn't seen Tom really care much for any sort of relationship. His goals were always the only thing on his mind. Apparently, that had changed…he'd thought perhaps it might be something casual, but that look? That was definitely not someone attempting to scratch an itch. Harry's voice brought him out of his thoughts regarding Tom and Bill.

"Fortunately, no," Harry replied nonetheless, amused despite himself. "He was removed as Headmaster of Hogwarts for endangering everyone before I returned." Then he missed nearly another entire year because of Dumbledore again. He couldn't wait until all this was over…and if they didn't give him the death penalty…he would kill the old fool himself.

"At Hogwarts, I no longer fear for my life," Harry stated easily.

"How many times have you gone to Hogsmeade weekends since the incident?" Antonio asked.

Harry pursed his lips, straightening his spine defiantly, "There has only been two Hogsmeade Weekends, I attended neither." Now that hadn't been part of the questioning, he would seriously kill Antonio as well, this would be seen as a weakness.

Antonio nodded, giving the Wizengamot a look that spoke volumes. Lockhart might be dead, and the others even half way involved in Azkaban…but the consequences were still ever present. Even if Harry didn't want them known, even an adult would react that way, it didn't make or mean Harry was weak.

"Do you have any other questions for my client?" Antonio asked her, wondering if she even remembered any of the questions she wanted to ask. It was clear she'd been knocked of her game by the added information.

"No further questions," she admitted, still disturbed, she knew this trial still had a long way to go.

"We will reconvene in fifteen minutes," Ogden declared, letting everyone have a small break, whether to go to the toilet, have a quick coffee and a chance to calm down. He certainly needed all three, and this was going to be quite a tense affair. "There are calming draughts available for those who need them, if you feel you won't be able to do your job, you won't be judged for taking one." He spoke quietly with the members of the wizengamot. It was improper to get overly emotional.

"I may have more questions for Heir Potter should we need clarification on some subjects, depending on what's revealed." Antonio declared, "His presence is needed." normally once they were finished being questioned during a closed trial, they were sent on their way.

Ogden frowned thoughtfully at that, it was true enough, they could have questions for Heir Potter…although it was a push at that. Especially with Dumbledore under Veritaserum. They would get all the answers they need directly from the horse's mouth. He glanced briefly at the boy, who was quiet and composed.

"The questions are about his treatment at the hands of the Dursley's and Dumbledore as well." Antonio pointed out, "He's not just anyone, he's a peer."

"He may remain as long as it is made clear that he keeps his composure, any outbursts from him will result in his immediate removal." They would understand if he did, but it didn't make it right to have the trial becoming disruptive. He would need to speak to Lord Weasley about his own slip up. There was a reason they had lawyers. They were there to observe, listen and then judge not interrupt.

"I shall inform him," Antonio agreed.

"Good," Ogden declared, his tone sombre, with that everyone began to leave the court except the guards. They had four of them, and all of them had been vowed before the trial to ensure no funny business occurred. They were all on tenterhooks to make sure no escape attempt was managed.

"You are allowed to remain and observe the meeting," Antonio informed Harry, "You may do so or return home it's entirely your decision." Rabastan was actually in the Ministry waiting. Everyone would naturally assume he was waiting on his father, Lord Corvus Lestrange. The reality was much different, and would remain that way for a while longer.

"They actually approved it?" Harry said surprised, he hadn't expected anything to come of it.

"They have, but you must keep your decorum, otherwise they will remove you. This isn't like a warning you'll get from the gallery; they will remove you if you speak out of turn." Antonio told him, as they made for the cafeteria. Which as expected was rather full with everyone taking their first break of the day. The smell of coffee, tea and other foods still strong in the air. "Is there anything you'd like?"

"A bottle of apple juice, please, if they have any…if not orange?" Harry said, looking around curiously, noticing that he was being stared at right back just as curious if not more so.

"Take a seat, I'll be back in a moment," Antonio replied, he didn't need to wonder where exactly Harry would sit down.

Not surprisingly, Harry chose to sit with Lord Slytherin, Lord Lestrange, Lord Malfoy and Lord Greengrass and Rune Master Lestrange (yes, Rabastan had passed his Mastery, with the certificate and everything to prove it) and thus was addressed as Master Lestrange. It certainly got everyone talking, that he'd choose to talk to what was known to be a dark fraction (Lestrange, Malfoy) Greengrass and Slytherin (Neutral).

Then there were snap backs, of course he'd choose to sit next to his Headmaster! Apart from Antonio Abbott he was the only one the young man knew. Naturally presuming they knew everything, when they knew very little of the reality that had been altered to Lord Slytherin's exact specifications.

"How is Bartemius?" Lord Greengrass enquired smearing cream and jam on a scone, "I've heard that he's being released from St. Mungo's this evening. Of course, whether there's a smidgen of truth to that one never knows when it comes to journalists." Sensationalists the lot of them, and entirely too annoying to contemplate.

"You've got that quite correct," Corvus said in dictate, honestly, the dregs of society became journalists in his opinion. Those without morals, who would do anything and everything for the sake of a story. Quite luckily, one of the worst had been dealt with.

"Bartemius is actually doing very well," Lord Slytherin agreed, placing the last of his chosen condiments onto his beagle. Cut in half for easier and cleaner eating, he had only ten minutes after all. He wasn't the only one eating rather hastily. "I think he's a much-improved version of himself, even from before."

"The decision to install two very good therapists into St. Mungo's however temporarily was a good one." Lord Greengrass said, happy with that.

"It certainly is," Corvus agreed, "It's no surprise, Bartemius had a lot of anger held inside due to his father and his…inattentiveness to both him and his mother."

"Senior had proven, even before the news came out, that he cared for nothing but image and his career." Lord Greengrass summarised. "There aren't many men like him around, ignoring your wife and child…it's disgraceful."

"Here you go," Antonio said, handing over a cereal bar and a bottle of apple juice, as he claimed the last seat available.

"Thanks," Harry murmured, removing the cap and taking a drink, he definitely preferred anything over pumpkin juice. Not that it was horrible, but he had his preferences. Sitting a bit more closely than was proper with Rabastan, but nobody seemed to notice.

"Will I get to meet Bartemius?" Harry asked, Rabastan and Rodolphus had spoken of him a great deal. Rabastan more than Rodolphus since Barty as they called him, had been more Rabastan's best friend, than Rodolphus, the age difference and the fact Barty had been in the same year as Rabastan.

"He's been invited to the Ball, but whether he's well enough to attend or not, remains to be seen. Have you heard back from him yet, father?" Rabastan questioned.

"Not as yet, but he will have just received it a day or so ago since that's when we found out he was getting released." Corvus explained, finishing up his cup of coffee, the others too busy eating quickly to comment. "Barty is staying at Lord Slytherin's estate, the Crouch estate is in quite a bad way, not just the properties but the estate he cared nothing for maintaining." Disapproval written across his face, it's like Bartemius Senior just didn't care for anything other than becoming Minister of Magic again or at least that's all they could presume. He hadn't taken on the part of Lord Crouch and became a member of the wizengamot. Or looked after the estate, it seemed it might have been something his wife handled, since it was doing well until she got sick.

"It hasn't been losing money has it?" Harry asked aghast. As young as he was, he was currently being taught everything he needed in order to run his estate by the time he took on his Lordship. His own estate had been luckily not losing too much money in the years Dumbledore had looked after it. Only due to the interest that was piling up for businesses they'd already taken on. It had remained stagnant though, no new businesses or opportunities had been taken. It was more than thriving now, Corvus was making sure of it.

"He's been spending it, but not maintaining it," Corvus confessed, his tone quiet, one shouldn't really be discussing other people's estates but it was known. "Barty has a lot of work ahead of him to set it to rights."

"With my help, he should have quite a safety net in place in the coming years," Lord Slytherin replied flicking his wand and getting rid of the crumbs. "There may be no salvaging the Crouch manor, it will depend entirely on how much it would cost to fix and whether it's worthwhile doing so." It would be entirely Bartemius' choice, but he doubted the wizard wanted to remain there, but he also had good memories of his mother. He had loved her very much.

"He'll certainly need some help, I doubt his father took any time to educate him on that…" Corvus declared sourly, to leave your child unequipped to deal with everything was at the height of carelessness.

"No, his father didn't, his mother however, did." Lord Slytherin informed them, standing up, "Which is a good thing, it means he's not entirely unprepared. I would commend her forethought, but considering she knew whom she married…it didn't require much forethought."

"I wish he gave us a bit more time," Lord Greengrass said, staring longingly at his left-over scones. Sighing resignedly, he too stood, "No, matter, I guess we best get going."

"I'm going to be staying for the trial," Harry told Rabastan.

"How long do you believe it will last?" Rabastan asked thoughtfully, wondering whether to return home – Harry was safe with the Dark Lord, his father and of course Antonio.

"Harry is the only witness, they aren't calling on Ms. Dumbledore, they believe she's too fragile to cope with what's happening. The school councillors' words said it would do more damage than good. Aberforth is ceding to the school's knowledge due to the fact he doesn't know her and knows she needs help. Everyone can agree to that, she definitely does. So, when we return to the court, we will begin Dumbledore's questioning, I suspect it might take an hour or two, with Veritaserum it will be quite quick in getting answers. The longest wait might be the decision the wizengamot reaches for Dumbledore's fate."

"Which better be put to death," Harry grumbled under his breath.

Lord Greengrass stared at him, startled by the words, while Corvus and Lord Slytherin just smirked wryly at the bloodthirstiness that they already knew was there.

Rabastan however, just stared at his betrothed with a look of utter smitten adoration.

"It's unfortunately, highly unlikely, he'll be sentenced to his cell again, with stricter rules to prevent anyone from getting too close." Lord Greengrass sighed, "Still too many people feel beholden to him, regardless of his actions."

Harry made a dissatisfied noise, but remained quiet on the subject. Knowing that Lord Greengrass was probably right, if Dumbledore would have been kissed or thrown through the veil or faced the killing squad (which was killing curses thrown from at least three wands by Unspeakables or Aurors but mostly Unspeakables) it would have been when he endangered every single child under Hogwarts wards. An entire generation…why would his story be any different to make them reconsider something they were so obviously vehemently opposed? Simple, it wouldn't matter Lord Greengrass was correct on that front.

"I'll wait here," Rabastan stated, he had a large coffee to get through and had a book to read so he'd be very content. He hoped the trial didn't last too long, but he somehow doubted that would be the case. With his book, time should fly in though.

"Alright, son, I'll see you soon," Corvus squeezed his shoulder, before the rest of the group left for the courtroom once more.

There was already a seat been conjured for Harry, whoever had done it, had done so with his comfort in mind. It wasn't just a wooden uncomfortable seat like the one he'd just sat in. No, it was padded and had someone's posture in mind. Dumbledore, Harry noticed was already in that seat, supporting glazed eyes that he was coming to be associated with Veritaserum.

No time at all was wasted on questioning Albus Dumbledore.

"Were you Heir Potter's magical guardian for ten years?" Antonio asked, his gaze shewed. As a lawyer he knew numerous ways Veritaserum could be beaten especially in the way the questions were asked. He had taught himself the best way to ask the same question repeatedly in order to trip up witnesses, now though, he was using it to get the best results with Veritaserum.

"Yes," Albus agreed.

"Did you ever visit Heir Potter at all during your stint as magical guardian?"

"No," he had no interest in the brat.

"You, who were Heir Potter's magical guardian, elected not to check on your charge?" Antonio asked again just to run the question home.

"Yes,"

"You neglected your duties as a peers magical guardian?"

"Yes,"

"How many people did you have keeping an eye on Heir Potter during his childhood years?"

"Three," Dumbledore struggled with that.

Lawyer Doge hunched her shoulders, staring at the ground with a fuming look on her face. Shame coating her

"What are the names of the three people you had watching over Heir Potter?"

"Arabella Figg, Dedalus Diggle and Elphias Doge."

"Did any of them tell you Heir Potter was abused?"

"No,"

"Did any of them give concerns that something wasn't right?" Antonio narrowed his eyes.

"Yes," he was unable to stop himself confessing as such.

"Why did you not check upon Heir Potter after those concerns?"

"Plausible deniability,"

"If you had no interest in being Heir Potters magical guardian why did you take on the position?" Antonio asked, asking the questions as if he didn't already know the answers to all of them.

"For the greater good, the seats would have been other unoccupied."

Lord Slytherin gritted his teeth, "Ironic, is it not? That he continues to utter the words that Grindelwald liked to spout? If I am not wrong, and I know I am not, they're also written above Nurmengard Prison." He spoke low, but considering the room they were in, his voice unfortunately carried.

"You used Heir Potter's status for your own benefit?" Antonio asked blankly.

"For the greater good,"

"Why would you allow Heir Potter to be abused?" Antonio continued relentlessly, clenching his fists, knowing what was coming.

"For the greater good,"

"Why was it for the greater good that Heir Potter be abused?"

"So, he would sacrifice himself at the right moment,"

Silence reigned over them all, even Antonio hadn't been expecting that. What the hell did Dumbledore mean by that?

"Why would he need to sacrifice himself at the right moment?" he managed to get out. His mind reeling over what had just been revealed. He noticed that Harry didn't seem very surprised by the statement.

"To put an end to Voldemort." A great many people flinched.

"He's gone!"

"He's dead!"

"How dare…"

"I am not surprised by his belief, especially if he thinks I am the dark wizard," Lord Slytherin said shaking his head, "You must remember that the Veritaserum goes by his own answers, his own belief, he believes wholeheartedly that HE is still alive. Regardless of the fact nobody except for one person potentially knows what happened that night." sombre and sad, exuding the belief that Harry might be the only one to know what had happened that night, that he believed everyone else had died.

"What does…Voldemort…have to do with Heir Potter?" Antonio asked.

"A piece of Voldemort imbedded itself in Potter after the attack," Dumbledore told the group.

Fear began to saturate everyone and everything.

Antonio glanced at Harry who nodded.

"In front of you all is proof that this is not true," Antonio declared, "While in hospital, Heir Potter underwent very invasive medical scans to ensure his continued survival. Heir Potter agreed to let you see them, in an attempt to show you the severity of his injuries, but this will also show you that there is nothing there so curtail the fear you're all experiencing something I'm sure Heir Potter agrees to before you get it into your head to fear a fourteen-year-old child because of Dumbledore's belief."

As quickly as the panic began, it abated, feeling entirely foolish for their initial panic. Of course, there was nothing wrong with Heir Potter, this was Dumbledore's madness. You-Know-Who was gone, Dumbledore just wanted to repeat his glory days or was going senile. At least that was the opinion of Lord Slytherin, and oddly enough, they found themselves considering the same thing.

Dumbledore heard the words, but found himself unable to react. Utterly bewildered inside, how could that be? How could nothing be found? He had run dozens of tests on the boy and found the magic imbedded within him. For a while he hadn't been sure of what it was, but with digging he'd figured it out. This couldn't be, they must have doctored the results. There was no way Tom had killed the soul piece, and that was the only way it could be removed.

"Was Heir Potter the only child you allowed to be in or return to abusive environments?"

"No,"

"Do we have to hear this?" Bill asked, suddenly looking sickened to his stomach. The calming draught was not helping as much as he wished it would have.

"How many young wizards and witches have you allowed to be abused?" Antonio asked.

The lack of answer was disheartening for them all.

"What the hell does that mean?" Bill whispered.

Lord Slytherin pursed his lips, "It means he doesn't know how many," he told Bill with sympathy. He lacked any ability to be surprised by Dumbledore's depravity, he had been a victim of it himself. He'd always known Dumbledore wasn't as benevolent as he liked to portray to the world.

"Is there a way to get answers?" Bill asked, eyes shadowed, before he joined the wizengamot his biggest worry was falling into traps he encountered while doing his job. Being here…he was getting first hand experience on just how depraved the world was. It took its toll on him, he'd been so, so very shielded from reality, that he was feeling the pressure now. Aurelias was the one he turned to, the only one offering, probably as the youngest and before him the newest member. He bore it with considerably more grace than him, but he hadn't been raised the way he should have been.

"Theoretically you would need to name every single student that went through Hogwarts walls. Ask the question over and over again with a different student." Lord Slytherin confessed, "It would be thousand upon thousand of names, you'd be better off asking those who had been 'ignored' to come forward, not that it would help at the end the day regretfully. That's if they're still alive." The war had taken too many lives, he was so very grateful to have his sanity intact once more. For he wouldn't have been saving the world…he would have been ending it.

Thankfully, he hadn't caused more damage than Grindelwald despite being coined 'worse' than him.

Antonio struggled to think of a way he could word it, so that he could get answers. Unfortunately, he realized he would need to name them to get confirmation or not.

"Did you discover anyone other than Heir Potter in the year of 1991 was abused?" Antonio questioned grimly.

"Yes," Dumbledore insisted.

"Did they come to you and ask for aid?"

"Yes,"

"What are their names?" Antonio demanded to know, glancing at Ogden who nodded, already swiping a piece of paper and quill. Grim and determined, and each name was recorded down.

"All of them are Muggle born students," Lord Slytherin confessed, "All from different backgrounds, houses and are all doing rather well academically. I've never interacted with them myself, allow me to speak to them." Muggle born or not, he wanted to ensure their safety. Send them to people who would educate them in the way they should.

"What the hell are we going to do with them?" Lady Pettigrew asked bewildered. "Fourteen students, who clearly might not be able to return home." The ministry was used to dealing with perhaps one student, usually older than fourteen years of age.

Lord Slytherin pursed his lips, this was why the world was stagnant, this was why he believed it needed overhauling entirely. "Lineage tests must be performed, if they have family however distant, they get the option of going with them. This incessant belief that children are precious doesn't mean they aren't abused." Stressing the word out.

"This is the wrong place for this," Ogden declared, clearing his throat in warning. "You are quite correct on that front, Lord Slytherin." Conceding his point, too much as of late…was making them see that. "Antonio, please continue."

"What was your intention with Heir Potter, by forcing him in the presence of the Mirror or Erised?" Antonio asked, backtracking to something else, there was nothing more he could ask about the other students.

"To connect him to his parents, to ensure his compliance, he needs to die when the time is right." Dumbledore insisted, an unholy gleam flashing across his features, believing wholly in what he said.

It was also a sign that the Veritaserum was beginning to wear off.

Harry was so very glad the Horcrux had been removed, these questions would have caused lingering doubts. Instead, they all had his recent medial scans, which 'proved' he was without a doubt without any pieces of Voldemort's magic in him so to speak. He might have had it removed, but Voldemort had presented it to him in the form of jewellery. Showing the trust, he had in Harry, in a box with shields on it so it couldn't affect anyone. Not that it could, due to the fact it was such a small shard. It would give Voldemort immortality and it would bring him back if need be.

"He's finally gone mad,"

"Utterly senile."

"Why did you abuse Ginny?" Bill blurted out before anyone could think to stop him.

"Get him out!" Ogden declared angrily. "Now!" furious with the wizard, they could not just ask questions they felt like.

It certainly got everyone all aflutter, but the answer…the answer had every single Wizard and Witch freezing on the spot. Unable to believe what they had just heard, including the guards who had begun to remove Lord Weasley from the room per the Chief Warlock's wishes. They were not rough about it, they understood, but they had a job to do.

"I was experimenting on how to create an obscurus."

Harry frowned, looking at everyone's faces with trepidation. Whatever an 'Obscurus' was it must be something dangerous and bad. His very quiet 'Huh' was heard in the silent room in which you could have heard a pin drop. The guards had stopped trying to lead Bill out of the room, and just stood there stunned. It was very unprofessional of them, but you could have knocked them over with a feather!

"Experimenting?" Antonio croaked, "Have you experimented with anyone else?" his heart pounding against his ribcage as if trying to break free.

Ogden was too shaken by the possibility to put a stop to this. They weren't supposed to be asking any questions like this. It was supposed to only be questions pertaining to Harry's case. Yet, the thought of silencing him did not cross his mind for a moment. He had to know himself.

Harry straightened up, staring at Antonio in concern, he was physically shaken. Was it because of what he heard and was holding himself back? Or was it genuine fear that had him reacting that way? He glanced at the others, and realized they too were petrified. Even Voldemort was alarmed, and he didn't tend to show emotion on the fly. Just what was an Obscurus?

"Yes,"

"Were any of your experiments successful?"

"No,"

Antonio licked his lips, perspiring heavily, "Are they dead?"

"Yes,"

"How many experiments?"

"Five,"

"Did you kill them?"

"No,"

Antonio narrowed his eyes, nostrils flaring, "Did you cause their deaths?"

"Yes,"

"Enough," Ogden declared, "This…this…this gets stricken from the record," he croaked out, wiping away the sweat at his temples with his handkerchief, after a few tense minutes, he added, "We're done here." He needed a calming draught himself now.

"Give me a moment to escort Harry to the cafeteria," Antonio said, pale and subdued, as the guards who had been escorting Bill, changed direction and headed for Dumbledore.

"Of course, we…we all need a moment before," inhaling sharply, the elder wizard was grappling with his self-control, "Before we begin the deliberations."

Antonio inclined his head, before turning swiftly and getting to Harry's side. He also wasn't surprised by the first question Harry asked, but at least he waited until they were out of the room full of Wizengamot members before doing so.

"What's an Obscurus?" Harry asked his tone low and quiet, as if he sensed the taboo of speaking of such thing.

"Let's get you to Rabastan, he'll keep you company until we're done." Antonio murmured quietly, "I'll tell you once we arrive. For now, please keep silent." It wasn't a subject you brought up; it was worse than Necromancy in terms of 'dark magic' so to speak.

Rabastan was right where they'd left him, a refilled coffee in his hand.

"I don't suppose you'd give that up?" Antonio asked as he approached the wizard, eyeing the coffee with need.

Rabastan frowned, he'd literally just sat down with it. One look at Antonio he realized something had happened, "You look like you need it more than me," he told him bluntly, handing the undrunk coffee over. "What's happened?" he didn't think he'd ever seen Antonio like this.

"Just…unexpected news," Antonio told him, still standing, as he erected silencing spells around the table they were sitting at. "Dumbledore was trying to turn his daughter into an Obscurus."

Rabastan startled, glad he no longer had the coffee in his hand.

"I have to return, you'll need to explain it to Harry," Antonio confessed, running his hand through his hair, bordering on exhausted from the events of the morning. "Thank Merlin it's Yule, I can go home and decompress after this…" he trailed off, before sighing, inclining his head, he turned and left the cafeteria, luckily there was nobody else there except Harry, Rabastan and the two workers at the counter and the chefs at the back.

Antonio moved quicker than normal as he made his way back into the courtroom. Then passed all the chairs and into the side room where they did their deliberating. He wasn't at all surprised to find that they were all quiet, subdued. It seems just when you couldn't think anything could get worse…it did.

The smell of the coffee stirred them, and they were reaching slowly for the mugs in front of them and pouring a coffee for themselves. other than breathing and stirring, nobody spoke, everyone reeling by the latest revelation.

"Are we truly going to let someone…who has endangered seven generations of children…not to forget the population in Hogsmeade…has allowed the abuse of…Merlin, potentially hundreds of children during his tenure… a peer at that, I won't even go on to mention what he's done to his own daughter…be placed back in a cell where it's proven he remains a danger to society?" it wasn't Lord Slytherin that spoke, or even Lord Abbott, surprisingly the statement came from a prominently light member, Dowager Longbottom. If it had been her Neville, there would have been nothing left of Dumbledore.

"Are you sure we imprisoned the correct monster in 1945?" Lord Slytherin asked, "How sure are we that Grindelwald wasn't entirely a creation of Dumbledore himself?" repeating what had been put in the newspapers for months now since Aberforth Dumbledore had blown the lid on every single dirty little secret his brother harboured.

Bill just shrank further into his seat, if not for the calming draught he would have been sick. Naturally, he knew about Obscurus, and other dark Magicks. It was something of a requirement for the areas he worked in. In third world countries, magic could be seen as…taboo, as evil, and children with magic were treated horrendously. It happened still in this day and age, but not often…and there hadn't been one in Britain or forward-thinking countries for such a long, long time.

To think to try and purposefully create one…for an experiment…Ginny could never find out what they'd learned here today. Merlin, it was bad enough going through what she had.

"He was trying to recreate what happened to his sister, wasn't he?" Bill questioned, tersely. Using his daughter, a daughter he'd given her name…was nothing sacred or out of bounds for this depraved wizard?

Nobody answered, there was no reason, they could only assume the same thing.

It was still inconceivable, Dumbledore's actions.

"I want Dumbledore dealt with today," Lucius said coldly, positively thrumming with power. He had not gotten into the inner circle of the Dark Lord's by looks or money despite what people might believe. Oh, no, he had power to spare, but he always kept it carefully hidden. It was better to be underestimated, his father had drummed that into his head. "If we dare to let him live knowing all this…I will return to my forebearers land and take with me considerable wealth and those who owe the Malfoy family in the process." His wife would be angry, but she would follow him as she always did.

Seven families owed him fully enough to follow him. Seven pureblood families at that. It was no mere pathetic threat, Malfoy's didn't threat, they promised.

"I don't believe you'd be the only one," Lord Slytherin sighed quietly, pinching the bridge of his nose, the only sign of something similar between Tom Riddle and Lord Slytherin. This was an extreme sign of discomfort, stress and annoyance, that only Corvus understood. Corvus was after all, one of the Dark Lord's oldest and closest friends.

Murmurs of strained agreement came from various directions of the room. Not all of them dark or neutral, but once again…prominently light families. It was one crime too many, in their opinion.

"Doge and Diggle received the Dementors kiss for lesser crimes," Lady Pettigrew pointed out, "I'm not making what Heir Potter went through as insignificant, but compared to Dumbledore's actions…it was a trite little thing. Dumbledore could have killed hundreds of Hogwarts students if those wards fell in one single sweep. Not including the shop owners, keepers, assistants, and anyone that might have been in the alley. He could have severely decimated our way of life in a way Grindelwald and…Voldemort did not." Anyone that actually survived wouldn't have wanted to live, not without their magic. It made her shudder anew at the thought.

"It's nothing to do with never finding out whether your son is innocent or guilty?" one of the wizengamot members bitterly retorted, "We judge Dumbledore on this case and this case alone."

"Which means we can discuss the Dementors kiss, the crime in which the kiss can be administered here is the case if Dumbledore is found guilty." Bill retorted, getting into the fray. "Which is exactly what will happen. Why deny what we already know to be the truth?"

"I would very much rather it dealt with today, I fear that if word gets out, he's going to be kissed an attempt will be made to break him out." Lord Slytherin said quietly, "As we've noticed, he still has a lot of people ready to do whatever it takes, or whatever he asks. Even if it meant stealing a wand from a peer, or kidnapping him."

"Why bother voting? Why not just declare he gets the Dementors kiss and be done with it?" sarcasm lacing their voice, clearly against the Dementors kiss for Dumbledore.

"We do this by the book," Ogden declared, "As we always do." Not quite so rude in his light reprimand, regardless the wizard flushed an ugly floridly.

"Yes, Sir," came the muttered defiant mutter, despite his defiant nature, he couldn't meet anyone's eye at all.

Lord Slytherin couldn't help but snort derisively. He was just pathetic, but then again, he thought the same of so many of the people here in this room.

"Now, raise your wand if you find Albus Dumbledore, guilty." Ogden declared, his grey hair standing on end a little more than usual. He'd spent most of the trial carding his hand through his hair, a nervous habit he'd never been able to break. He was the first to put begin raising his wand up, but by no means the quickest.

To no surprise everyone raised their hands, to have refrained…would be declaring allegiance to a disgraced wizard. Nobody wanted to be even remotely associated with Dumbledore's name. added to the fact the results would be publicised (except the obvious), and everyone would be interested in this case. Every single word would be poured over with an eagle eye, trying to figure out what it all meant, or if some word meant something else entirely.

"Now Lord Weasley was quite correct, the crimes Dumbledore was charged with…do fall under the Dementors Kiss as acceptable punishment." Ogden declared, repeating himself, he'd said the same thing during Doge and Diggle's trials, Figg fortunately for her, she fell under the Muggle jurisdiction according to law, due to the fact she had no magic, and had been a permanent resident in the Muggle world for the past fifty years. "To the administering of the Dementors Kiss raise your hand."

Thirty of the wizengamot raised their hands immediately, it would have been a hilarious sight, if it wasn't quite so serious. These solemn, sworn wizards and witches doing the worst of all duties they could, for the betterment of the magical world since not everyone wished to do so.

It took a few seconds longer for the next ten to raise their hands. It wasn't an easy decision to make, they looked a little sick. She'd forced herself to watch what she'd condemned Doge to, but she hadn't been able to repeat the process with Diggle.

Eventually the remaining members did as well, silent pressure from the glares they received on all ends.

They weren't stupid enough, in the end, to stay on a sinking ship.

Dumbledore was gone, had been for years now…this was just making it…official and rather permanent.

Before long fifty people were in agreement, to the Dementors Kiss it was.

"I file a motion that he receive the Dementors Kiss immediately," Lord Slytherin declared, his voice strong and firm. There was no hint of anger, or rage, or anything of the sort that suggested he was doing it out of jealousy or spite. It was rather placid all things considered.

Then again, they realized, he hadn't known Albus Dumbledore for anything more than a lawbreaking citizen having only came here just slightly before news broke about Dumbledore himself.

There we go! I hope you enjoy it! Another 2k over its normal length :P I hope that doesn't become a habit! And Sorry I didn't get to update it yesterday I had workmen in and out the house and I had to be outside (with the dogs) we're not allowed in the same room as them apparently safety due to Covid. not exactly where I wanted to be when its 2/3 degrees outside but I'm just glad it wasn't raining in all fairness lol! So, I didn't have much of a chance to write much :) and I didn't get to finish this chapter on the ending I wanted but Oh well...it means I can stretch it out to fit the next one ;) hehe after that will it be the ball/party? or returning to Hogwarts for a chapter then the ball? I can't recall when I said it would happen so I'll need to read it before I even think of the next (next) chapter hmm not much else to be said or thought in regards to the chapters or the future ones...might have something to do with it being midnight though :D so I'm definitely going to hit the trail goodnight folks! Don't forget to review! Take care and stay safe! xx