[a/n]The DoM fight

Harry Does Different CCCCb

Neville's Crucio

"Now, Potter, have done." Lucius Malfoy looked around arrogantly. All the children had a Death Eater's wand at his or her throat "Just to prove our point, crucio one of them. I don't care which. Hand it over, boy."

Harry shouted in defeat "No! Wait! Here you go!" But even as his hand extended the orb, Harry spun around and tossed it in a high arc. The pearly white treasure that was the cause of the fight curved lazily in the air and dropped …right into the grey swirls of the mysterious doorway.

"NOOO! FOOL!" the leader howled. He shoved past the boy. The whole point of his mission could NOT be denied him. Lucius' fingers almost touched the prophecy. He screamed as the veil swallowed him.

The other combatants did not hear a sound, however. He just quietly vanished. All were momentarily paralyzed by shock. "NEV! Don't let her! Remember what she did to your parents?"

"Psycho bitch!" the normally timid Gryffindor lashed out in fury. He slapped away the wand pushing into his neck. Neville Longbottom was disgusted with having been touched by his parents' torturer. And a little part of his memory of being taught by another of their torturers, fueled his hate. Free to use his wand on the floored witch, he yelled "CRUCIO!" and really meant it.

The remaining Death Eaters vanished in puffs of smoke.

New witches and wizards appeared. The one close to Harry had his wand drawn and spoke threateningly "Get away from my Godso- - - err, where'd they go?"

"CRUCIO!" Neville yelled again then "How do you like it? CRUCIO!"

Bellatrix LeStrange writhed and twisted on the floor. One moment she curled into a ball, the next her back arched.

"Easy there, kid." Sirius ran over and forced the wand down "Not that I don't understand, but you can't be seen having used an Unforgivable."

Abcij

The Sun had barely risen the next morning when the whole story was being told before the full Wizengamot. The Minister for Magic was trying to spin events to his advantage "Of course the Ministry was aware of You-Know-Who's return. It was, unfortunately, a necessary tactic to avoid releasing that until we were better prepared. I would like to thank Harry Potter and, of course, Professor Dumbledore; for their cooperation. Please accept my apologies for anything said during the past few months."

"While discussing the past few months, Minister" Narcissa Malfoy committed the inexcusable act of speaking without seeking recognition "what is to be done about the escapee from Azkaban? Who used the Cruciatus? By his OWN admission! And WORST OF ALL! MY OWN HUSBAND'S MURDERER! THE BRAT-WHO-LIVED! Who orphaned my son!"

Amelia Bones stood and spoke "Minister …if I may summarize our published findings? Thank you… First, Regent and Dowager Malfoy, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement offers its condolences on your loss. Did Sirius Black escape from Azkaban? Yes. However, never having been convicted in a trial nullifies that crime. Did Sirius Black cast an Unforgivable? Specifically, the torture curse? No. Neville Longbottom's wand was used to cast the spell and he was in possession of it at the time Aurors arrived. However, one Bellatrix LeStrange, currently in St. Mungo's for exposure was also found to have used the spell."

"Proves my point!" the widow cut in.

Minister Fudge's wand emitted a flash-bang "Dowager Malfoy does NOT have the floor! Continue Madam Bones."

"Madam LeStrange also did not have a wand." The Auror head continued "Evidence and Testimony leads to the conclusion that since her wand also showed Crucio traces, she had …at some point… been disarmed and retrieved Heir Longbottom's wand. Thus - - -"

Narcissa again cut in "Inuendo and circumstantial. In fact, hardly evidence at all! You would trust the word of a gang of hooligans?"

"Over the word of Death Eaters who, by the way, are unidentified and unwilling to come forward to testify? Yes." Countered Amelia before continuing "Which brings us to Lucius. I beg your pardon, Lord Malfoy. So you are acknowledging, he was present? Merely based on the testimony of …I believe you referred to them as hooligans?"

Narcissa drew herself up regally and began "Well I - - -"

"If they are truthful about that, they are likely truthful about his being a Death Eater." This time it was Amelia cutting her off "And, face it, at least some have always questioned the claim of Imperio. As for Mr. Potter committing murder, available testimony has it that, not only did he neither curse your husband, nor did Mr. Potter even know …at the time… the presence of The Veil behind him, or what it even does. Mr. Potter merely avoided a physical assault. At most, a case might be made for Unintentional Manslaughter."

Minister Fudge again flash-banged his wand and declared "Which The Ministry …based on the DMLE's investigative findings… has no intention of pursuing. This session has already been too long. I declare the matter closed."

Abcij

"Dumbledore didn't call for a trial" Sirius Black clinked his glass to that of his hostess "I owe you my freedom, Madam Longbottom."

The Regent of the Moste Ancient and Moste Noble House of Longbottom bowed back to her guest. She waved him to a Louis XIV chair and sat across from him "Lord Black, I assure you we are MORE THAN even. Taking my grandson's wand and being fully prepared to take the blame for use of an Unforgivable kept him out of Azkaban. Even had you been truly guilty of betraying Lily and James I would have offered you sanctuary. It was the heat of battle and I feel only pride in Neville's actions. Cursing that snake was a service to humanity."

"Sirius is the name." he replied with a self-deprecating shrug "The kids will never talk. Fighting for your life is a great cover for not seeing what's inconvenient. My dear cousin left his parents mindless hulks. I don't begrudge him a bit of revenge."

Augusta nodded regally "It shall be as you say. As Death Eaters are enemies to both of us, are we allies?"

"Black and Longbottom together?" Sirius gave an incredulous look "Those fogeys in the Wizengamot would fall out of their stuffy seats."

She gave a stern look "I do not suggest …that is… We can agree on that one issue. Whether we have other mutual interests is for the future. But you and I allying here will, in itself, signal a fundamental shift in the Wizengamot's power balance."

"Given my family situation, Augusta, my primary interest is seeing my Godson graduate Hogwarts." He replied.

She gave a regal nod, indicating her agreement and the conclusion of talks "Minute details for later. As to family, not to worry, an appropriate arrangement can surely be found."

"Ah…bu…" Sirius stammered, worried. But for the sake of Harry nodded and stepped into the Floo "Thank you for your hospitality, Madam Longbottom. #12 Grimmauld!"