Chapter Forty Four
Disclaimer: I do own the OCs and the Guardian Program and the other things that being a Guardian entails.
Summary: After the Second Wizarding War, a Guardian was given to each child of the main families that helped in the war. They were all tasked with a simple job, protect their allocated person with their life. Somehow, Freya screwed it up in the biggest way. She fell in love.
Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I've just had really bad writers block when it comes to this chapter but I have managed to work through it.
Just a heads up, I don't know how many chapters are left. I would probably estimate around three/four more chapters before the story is complete.
HARRY POTTER
A few hours later
Freya was stood outside the courtroom of Wizengamot, waiting. It was 11:00 and there was still thirty minutes before the trial took place, but all this waiting was driving her insane. She just wanted this trial to be over with and then she could deal with the consequences. McGonagall had sent over her trunk from Hogwarts to the Potter household, so now Freya was dressed in dark smart robes. James was beside her, holding her hand, also anxious for court proceedings to begin. Beside him was Harry and Ginny – who appeared calmer. Harry was used to waiting around for the court cases to start, but even he couldn't lie that he was feeling a little anxious. There hadn't been to a trial like this one for a long time and it made him wonder about all the different possible outcomes. Then there was Ginny, glancing at Freya every few minutes, feeling guilty for what happened the previous night. Not too far away, Hermione, Ron and Draco where present, also dressed in their court robes.
"Dad, can you run us through what is going to happen again?" James asked, looking to his dad, hoping for a distraction from all this waiting. Freya looked over too, just wanting to make sure that she knew what was to come. She hated not knowing and she liked to be prepared as she could be.
Harry nodded his head, "Sure. Lance will be brought out and he will be asked some questions regarding the allegations made about him. I and a few other people will give a statement and Lance will be given a chance to defend himself. After that, the Wizengamot members will make their decision." Harry explaining, remembering all the times he had to attend court in the past. A lot of his, Hermione and Ron's cases ended up going to trial so they were all well versed in court proceedings.
James nodded his head slowly, his eyes watching everyone as they walked by.
"What happens if they find him not guilty?" Freya asked, her voice low. James squeezed her hand in response, also thinking the same question. It wasn't something that either of them wanted to think about, but Freya was realistic and wanted to know every possible outcome.
Harry frowned, "I don't know." He honestly didn't know what would happen, but what he did know was that he wouldn't let Lance get anywhere near Freya again.
"He'll be found guilty," Ginny said confidently, sparing a glance at Freya. Freya said nothing, causing Ginny to frown. Ginny looked to her husband for support, but Harry just shook his head. There was no point in promising things when they didn't know what the outcome was going to be. Ginny sighed softly, feeling dejected.
Feeling suffocated, Freya stood up. "I'll be back in a second," She said, walking in the direction of the toilets. She just needed to get away for a moment, everything was just so tense and awkward. Freya couldn't even look at Ginny without feeling guilty and she was sure Ginny hated her.
James watched Freya walk away, slightly frustrated that there wasn't anything he could do to make it better.
Harry looked to his son, "How is she?"
James shook his head, "Not great. She is trying to hide how nervous she is." He knew Freya, and he could feel it through their bond how anxious she was. James didn't fully understand what she was going through, but he would stay by her side no matter what.
Slowly, Harry nodded his head, also watching as Freya disappeared from their sight.
After a few minutes, Freya came out of the girl's bathroom and went to walk back to where James and his family were, but she stopped when she felt someone looking at her. Feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, Freya looked around, hoping that it wasn't Lance or anyone else from the Guardian Program. She soon found who was looking at her, and it was Kingsley Shackelbolt. Freya stared at him, the anxiety in her chest turning into anger instead.
Kingsley walked over to her, every step fuelling her anger. Then, when he was a few feet away, he stopped. "Hello,"
Saying nothing, Freya stared at him, her eyes practically glowing with anger and frustration. The men who had approved the Guardian Program and had effectively ruined her life was stood before her. Before, she didn't blame him, but now she did. In her eyes, everything came down to his approval of the department.
"You're the Guardian who has come forward, aren't you?" He asked, his tone low. He was staring at her with his dark eyes.
Again, Freya said nothing, not trusting herself to speak because she knew she would hex him into next week.
Regardless of her quietness, Kingsley continued to speak. "I just wanted to say how sorry I am. I should have never approved the Guardian Program. It's a regret that I have carried with me for many years."
Freya's jaw clenched and her nails dug into the fleshy palm of her hand.
"I hope one day, that you can forgive me." Kingsley bowed his head as a sign of regret. Having said what he needed to, Kingsley turned around to walk away but stopped when Freya spoke up.
"No,"
Kingsley turned around to face Freya, for the first time seeing the icy anger in her eyes. "You don't get to say any of that. You have no idea what you put me through. I have been tortured, manipulated and ignored for my whole life. I was taught my life meant nothing. I will never accept any apology you have because it will never make up for what I have lost." Her voice was like silky steel, and her eyes like thunder. Her whole body was tensed and ready to snap at a moment's notice. At that moment, Freya didn't care about whether or not he was the Minister of Magic – she would gladly take him down.
Kingsley visibly winced at her words.
Freya stepped closer to Kingsley, making the man nervous. Freya stopped when she was mere inches away from him. "In my eyes, you're just as bad as Lance," She snarled lowly, her face contorted in rage.
Kingsley could not meet her eyes, but this time he flinched.
"Come near me again, and I will kill you," Freya said before turning around to walk away. She didn't want to be in his presence any longer. She had told him all the things she had wanted to say for such a long time and now that she did, she felt a lot calmer and ready to take Lance on in the trial.
James looked up when he felt Freya approach. When he saw at her, he could tell that something was different. "You okay?" He asked, taking her hand in his.
Freya nodded her head, "I am," She said before placing a small kiss on his cheek.
James grinned and squeezed her hand in response.
A women came out of the second courtroom, dressed in plain robes. The women cleared her throat, gaining their attention. "We are about to start proceedings. Would you please make your way in?" She asked calmly before disappearing back into the room.
As soon as she finished speaking, Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron and Draco walked into the courtroom. Freya and James looked at one another before following after them.
Once inside, Freya scanned the room. There were rows of seats in the back of the room for them to sit down on. In the front of the room was a high stand were the Judge would sit, and then on the right, there was another block of seats for the other members of Wizengamot – which was already filled. Freya couldn't make out any faces but she saw a sea of plum coloured robes. In the middle of the room was a chair, where Lance would be sitting when it started.
Following after Harry, James and Freya sat down in the seats at the back. Freya knew that they would be called for questioning later and it made her nervous. Her grip on James' hand tightened with her nerves.
James could practically feel Freya vibrating from nerves beside him. Leaning over, he whispered lowly in her ear. "You're safe Freya. He won't touch you." He repeated this a few times, hoping that it would soothe some of her nerves.
Slowly, Freya relaxed in her seat, sending James a grateful look. She glanced around the room once more and watched as Kingsley walked in. He sat not too far away from Freya and James, but she decided to ignore him. She couldn't help but feel smug when he couldn't even look at her. Her words had done what she wanted them to. Looking around once more, Freya noticed that more people had trickled into the room. Seamus and Dean were sat on the other side of the room, both looking slightly better now that their daughters were found. The Head Healer that treated Caitlin and Gretchen was also present. However, the person that Freya was most surprised to see was Eva – Lance's secretary. Eva had a robotic smile on her face, as she always did.
The whole room went deadly silent as the side door opened. All chatter ceased and everyone looked in the direction of the side door. The only sound in the room was the sound of footsteps hitting the stone floor. A few seconds later, three Auror walked out, and in the middle of those Auror was Lance.
James' grip on Freya's hand tightened, and so did hers. Freya could feel her heartbeat loudly in her chest. Freya couldn't help but stare at Lance, unable to look away. The Auror had allowed Lance to clean himself up slightly. Lance looked reasonably presentable and not as if he had just spent the night in the dungeons. His hair was slicked back and he was still dressed in his robes from the previous day. But what irked Freya the most, was the confident smile on his face.
"Cocky bastard," James whispered under his breathe to Freya. Freya smiled at this, fully agreeing with James' statement. Everything about Lance screamed arrogance and that's what she hated about him.
Lance's icy blue eyes scanned the room until they found Freya. Freya tensed in her seat, his gaze made her feel uneasy and it made her skin crawl. A large smirk appeared on his face and he winked.
Freya glared at him, the muscle in her jaw flexing. She wanted to hex him into the next century so badly but she knew she couldn't. If she did anything now, it would risk ruining the trial and a chance that Lance would be freed. Freya couldn't take that chance, even though the other option was very tempting.
James scowled darkly, wanting to go up and strangle Lance himself. If Freya wasn't holding him back, he would have gladly done it.
"Did he just wink at her?" Ginny asked in disgust.
Harry frowned, "He did," He couldn't believe the audacity of the man. Lance was acting as though he had done nothing wrong and it sickened him that people like Lance roamed freely.
Lance was placed into the single chair and was bound with magic so he couldn't move. As he was bound to the chair, Lance's smirk stayed in place, as if he didn't plan on being there long. Once he was secure, the three Auror stepped back and stood behind him.
The back door opened, and a man stepped out – the judge and leader of the Wizengamot, Benjamin Brown. The man was small, with a red face and brown hair receding. He looked very old, and his beard reached his stomach. He too wore a plum robe that mostly swallowed him. Benjamin sat down in his chair and cleared his throat, announcing his presence to the courtroom. Benjamin examined the papers in front of him before looking up.
"Lance Johnson. There are three claims against you. The first is the kidnapping of two minors, Caitlin Finnegan and Gretchen Thomas. How do you plea to the first claim?" Benjamin asked, his voice rough and low.
"Innocent," Lance answered loudly, wanting everyone in the courtroom to hear his conviction.
Benjamin looked down at his papers once more. "You have also been charged with starting a Department on fraudulent claims. How do you plea?"
"Innocent," Lance said.
When Benjamin came to the last charge, he frowned and looked confused. "Lastly, you have been charged with the massacre of minors through extreme methods. How do you plea?"
"Innocent," At this, Lance turned his head and looked to Freya, a blank expression on his face. But even Freya could see the betrayal hidden deep
Benjamin shuffled his papers once more and cleared his throat. "You may plead your case," Benjamin said, motioning for Lance to begin. He leaned back in his large seat, getting comfortable for what was to come.
Lance cleared his throat, "Every charge laid against me is an exaggeration or a lie. I did not set up this department under fraudulent claims. It was approved by Kingsley himself, one of the greatest Ministers of Magic we have ever had. Surely, he wouldn't have let me set this up unless he was one hundred per cent certain everything was legitimate," His voice was calm and he spoke with such elegance that it was almost compelling.
Kingsley visibly winced at the statement.
"You say that, but are you aware that Kingsley Shackelbolt was the person made the second claim against you?" A female voice said from the sea of plum robes.
Freya blinked slowly, not expecting this. She had no idea that was Kingsley who was bringing this charge against him.
Lance frowned, he was not aware that it was Kingsley that brought that charge against him. This changed things. "I made the Guardian Program to protect the war heroes that saved us. They were under threat and I did something to stop that threat. We owed it to the heroes that saved us in the Second Wizarding War to protect their offspring's from the Death Eaters that were still loyal to the idea of Voldemort," There was a visible wince from nearly everyone in the room and he played on this, "We have evidence to believe that Voldemort has a child and my department has spent years looking for that child,"
The news of this sent shockwaves into the courtroom. There was an instant wave of chatter, the Witches and Wizards speaking with one another in a frenzy. This was news to them, no one had ever mentioned the potential of Voldemort having a child.
Freya looked at the plum robbed people in concern. She and Harry shared a look with one another, with the older Potter also looking concerned. To Freya, everything he said sounded rehearsed and it worried how much Lance had prepared. He had been known for getting what he wanted and Freya was mentally praying that it wouldn't go in his favour.
However, the chatter ceased when Benjamin cleared his throat loudly and wetly. "That's enough! Moving on, Mr Johnson." Benjamin looked to Lance with an unimpressed expression.
Lance's lips thinned at the interruption. "So, as you can see, my department was not made in lies."
A male voice pipped up from the plum robes. "You have only addressed the second allegation. What of the first and third?"
"Yes, you say that you made your department to protect the wat heroes' children, but it's been claimed that you kidnapped two of them." A female voice sounded out, her voice loud and clear for everyone to hear.
"What I did was not kidnapping. There were threats that they were going to be harmed, so I placed them into my custody for safety reason," Lance defended, trying to appear honourable to the people before him.
Seamus' face flushed an angry shade of red. "Lies! He lies!" He shouted, jumping up from his seat at the back.
"Our daughters were taken without our knowledge or consent! They were a kidnapping!" Dean shouted out, disgust and horror on his face. He couldn't believe that this was Lance's defence. He was hoping to find a reason why Lance had kidnapped his and Seamus' child, but all he was hearing was excuses.
Benjamin looked to Seamus and Dean, "Enough! We shall have order!" He sent them a look, a silent warning to sit down so they could continue. Slowly, Seamus and Dean sat down, both looking unhappy with being reprimanded.
Lance turned his head to face and glared at the two men in disgust.
A woman stood from the stand, she was holding a piece of paper in her hands. "You claim that you did this to save them. But the Head Healer from the Ministry, Helga Cummings has written a statement for the hearing. She outlines in her report how both the children were found in appalling conditions. Severe malnourishment, dehydration and hypothermia upon admission. She recommended that they need to be sent to St Mungo's for further action for psychiatric treatment. That does not sound like you took care of them." She said, looking straight at Lance with an unimpressed expression on her face. She and everyone else had read the report in detail and she had been horrified to hear the conditions the children were found in.
Lance's index finger began to tap on the armrest. Freya instantly noticed this, that was a nervous habit of Lance's and it made her feel smug.
"I had no idea they were that bad," Lance argued back.
A male stood from the sea of plum robes. "They were found in the dungeons under your mansion. How could you have no knowledge?"
Lance immediately turned to face Freya and found her smirking at him. Lance glared at her with hate in his icy blue eyes. He knew that the only person who could have guided them into his dungeons was Freya. He then turned back to the judge and the jury, "I did what was necessary to save them. It was Frank Fernsby that was meant to look after them when I wasn't there."
Freya tensed at the name. She knew who Frank Fernsby was. He was part of the Guardian Program and one of Lance's minions, much like Eva was. She had met Frank once and found that she didn't like him. "That's one of Lance's minions," Freya whispered over to James and Harry.
Harry looked over at her and nodded her head.
Benjamin looked down at his documents. "We have a statement from Fernsby stating that it was his fault for leaving the girls. He takes full responsibility and pleads that the court punish him instead,"
Harry stood up from his seat. "Excuse me, but we have reason to believe that Frank Fernsby is colluding with Lance,"
Lance whirled around, surprise in his eyes, something Freya couldn't help but smirk about. Freya had instantly known was Lance was doing. He was going to get Fernsby to take the fall for him, and Fernsby would gladly do it because of how loyal he was to Lance.
Benjamin nodded his head and looked to one of the three Auror. "Find Mr Fernsby and bring him here."
The Auror said nothing as they walked out of the courtroom.
Satisfied with his intervention, Harry sat down. Ginny grabbed his hand and leaned her head on his shoulder. Harry kissed the top of her head and squeezed her hand. Harry saw the appreciative looks that both James and Freya sent him and he smiled back.
"Your honour, this is ridiculous. Fernsby and I are not colluding with one another, I assure you." Lance said, trying to seem charming.
"We must consider all the evidence Mr Johnson," A female voice said, "I am sure you understand that."
A male voice cut in. "And besides, if you are right then you have nothing to fear,"
Lance said nothing, but the unimpressed expression on his face never left. He could see that things weren't going how he thought they were going to go. The tapping on the armrest began to speed up and now his leg was moving slightly.
"Now, what is your defence in regards to the third charge against you?" Benjamin inquired, looking back down to his papers.
Lance shook his head. "I have not harmed any minor. I could never harm a child, let alone kill them! This charge is malicious and false. Every Guardian is looked after, cared for and the utmost priority. I scold ones with words but never harm or kill!" The way he spoke, it was as if he was offended by the claims made against him.
"Then explain why a former Guardian has made these claims then?" A male voice asked.
"I don't know," Lance said, looking upset, "I don't know why she is doing this. I have never harmed her."
Freya clenched her jaw. The lies were rolling off Lance in waves and it annoyed her greatly. James squeezed her hand in reassurance
A moment later, the Auror walked in with Fernsby in cuffs. Fernsby was a tall man with shaggy brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing plain grey robes and black shoes. There wasn't anything about him that stood out. Fernsby was lead into the room and another chair was conjured by another Auror. Fernsby was sat down on the chair near Lance and was magically bound to chair. Once he was safely secured, the Auror stood back as his job was done.
Benjamin looked to Fernsby, "Mr Fernsby, you sent in a statement about you being the one to blame. But we have a few questions regarding this. Are you willing to comply?"
Fernsby sent a side glance at Lance before nodding his head, "I am."
"How well do you know Mr Lance Johnson?" Benjamin asked.
"I have known him for fifteen years," Fernsby answered with ease. He was relaxed in his seat, his posture slouched ever so slightly.
"What role did you play in watching Caitlin Finnegan and Gretchen Thomas?" A male voice asked from the stands.
Fernsby tried to look for the voice but couldn't pinpoint where it came from. "I was meant to be watching them. I was meant to make sure they were taken care off and looked over,"
"And why didn't you?" A female voice asked.
Fernsby frowned, "I didn't think they deserved it. Just because they are the war heroes' children doesn't mean that we should protect them. They don't deserve it!" His voice progressively got louder until he was shouting.
Gasps filled the room and Lance shot Fernsby look of disbelief.
Freya was watching Lance and Fernsby closely. She didn't believe what he was saying and she certainly didn't believe Lance's expression. Freya knew that this whole thing was sham and it annoyed her that it was working.
"I trusted you to look after them!" Lance yelled at Fernsby.
Fernsby shrugged his shoulder and said nothing.
Benjamin cleared his throat. "Enough! Now, Mr Fernsby, since you're so against protecting the children of the heroes who saved us in the Second Wizarding War, what is your opinion on the Guardian Program?"
Freya sat up straight in her seat at this question.
Fernsby frowned and opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. The more he tried to speak, the more uncomfortable he looked. His face became flushed and sweat was gathered in his forehead. Everyone in the room looked at him, confused about what was happening, not understanding why he wasn't answering.
"Mr Fernsby, I asked you a question. Speak now or I will be forced to use Veritaserum." Benjamin stated, not impressed. He didn't like to use Veritaserum often in his courts but there was always a few vials of Veritaserum available under his desk just in case it was needed.
Fernsby opened his mouth to speak once more, but nothing came out. This time, Fernsby winced and appeared to be in pain. The more Fernsby tried to force it, the more concerned Lance became, his eyes darting around the room.
"He has the Guardian Mark," Freya whispered over to Harry. She could see the signs because she had experienced exactly what Fernsby was going through. The pain would start out subtle, but then the more the person resisted, the more painful it became. Remembering the pain made her shiver in fright and she had to remind herself that she was free from the Mark and it could no longer control her.
Harry immediately stood up, "Your Honour, he cannot tell you because he isn't allowed to. He has a Mark on the back of his neck preventing him from spilling any secrets about the Guardians. The Mark is very painful, on the same level as the Crucio Curse."
Gasps of horror filled the room, all eyes were on Lance and Fernsby, who looked very uncomfortable at this point.
"He lies!" Lance yelled out, looking scared for a moment.
"Check the back of his neck!" Harry yelled back, shouting over Lance.
Benjamin signalled for an Auror to check. The Auror walked over to Fernsby and grabbed his head, pulling it forward to reveal a large black mark on the back of Fernsby's neck. "A Mark is present and magic is coming from it," The Auror stated. Even if he wasn't touching it, he could feel powerful magic radiating from the Mark and it unnerved the Auror.
Benjamin looked at Lance with cold eyes. "What kind of cult is this?!"
Lance struggled in his binds, "I haven't done anything wrong!" He yelled out, his face flushed a deep red colour. "I am being framed! I have done nothing wrong!"
"Be quiet!" Benjamin roared back.
The room fell silent, even Harry was staring at Benjamin in shock. Benjamin didn't often lose his temper at anyone so it was a little unnerving to see this side of him. Harry had always respected Benjamin because he was fair and Harry had requested that Benjamin be present. This was to ensure that no one on the Guardian Program would infiltrate the case and be lenient towards Lance.
"Something dark is going on here and I don't like it. Can you explain why you felt the need to place a Mark like on that someone in your own department?" Benjamin asked, looking down at Lance as he spoke.
Lance opened his mouth to speak, but words seemed to fail him.
"I can," Freya said, standing up from her seat.
Instantly, all eyes were in Freya. James was staring at Freya in shock, not expecting her to make this move, but that shock soon turned into pride. Freya didn't pay attention to all the eyes on her. She was staring at Lance in the eyes, watching as he tensed and his jaw clenched.
Benjamin looked at her, "And you are?"
"My name is Freya Williams," Freya said, her voice loud so everyone in the courtroom could hear her, "I used to be part of the Guardian Program."
"You're the informant?" A male voice asked.
Freya nodded her head, "I am."
Benjamin motioned at her, "What can you tell me about these Marks?" He had read Harry's detailed report about the deeds that Lance Johnson had done but some of the information didn't make sense because no one understood the situation.
"Those Marks were made to control us. If we did anything wrong, Lance would activate the Mark and it would be very painful. There are five stages, the first is like multiple pinpricks, but the last stage worse than the Crucio curse. If he makes it to that stage, then no one survives." Freya answered with ease.
The room was eerily silent as the information was absorbed.
"Then how are you able to tell us this?" A female voice asked.
"I burned mine off. It is only skin deep and can be cut off or burned off. But there are defence mechanisms within the Mark that didn't allow us to. The Mark was also placed on the neck for a purpose, so people wouldn't remove it. One wrong move and then your neck could snap." Freya explained, watching smugly as Lance's expression turned to fearful. He knew that his secrets were about to be exposed.
There seemed to be mumbling within the sea of plum robes. "Has Lance ever used the Mark on you?" A male voice asked.
"Yes," Freya said.
"Lies!" Lance yelled out, struggling in his chair to no avail.
Benjamin ignored Lance and looked to Freya. "Miss Williams, what is your opinion about the Guardian Program?"
"It's a sham," Freya said immediately, "It's an excuse for Lance to have power and say in the Ministry. Lance has worked on blackmail for years, forcing others to do his bidding in exchange for that information not coming to light. Alastor Moody didn't even choose to train him, he blackmailed Moody."
The crowd instantly began to mutter with one another, this information sending them all into a frenzy. Alastor Moody had been a very well respected Auror. There wasn't anyone in the Ministry that didn't know that name. The fact that someone could blackmail Moody seemed almost unrealistic but at the same time, it made sense. When it was announced that Moody had taken Lance as his apprentice, people had been confused. Lance's scores on any tests were not exceptional – in fact, they bordered on terrible. Moody could have picked anyone and he chose Lance Johnson but they accepted it because they all thought that maybe Moody has seen some potential in Lance.
"She lies! Moody trained me fair and square!" Lance shouted out, his voice echoing throughout the room.
Benjamin looked to Freya. "These are serious allegations to make. How do you know this to be true?"
Freya shrugged her shoulders. "Lance likes to get drunk at my house with my parents. When he is drunk he spills his secrets," This is where she learned most of his secrets. Lance had loose lips when drunk and her father liked to serve Lance the expensive stuff.
Lance flushed red in embarrassment.
"I'll take Veritaserum if you don't believe me." Freya volunteered. She knew that they would want proof and this was the best option.
Benjamin sent her a look, "Miss Williams, what you are suggesting is unorthodox and unethical. We do not give Veritaserum to minors,"
Freya nodded her head, "I understand that, but I need you all to understand how twisted Lance is. He genuinely believes that everything he has done is necessary and he will never see the error of his ways. He has ruined hundreds of lives and killed people because we disappointed him. I was taught that my life meant nothing that I was made to serve the Guardians and to protect my charge with my life. He can't get away with this!" By the end of her speech, Freya was slightly breathless. She was feeling too much at that moment, everything was just becoming too much for her. Freya felt James squeeze her hand in reassurance and it helped, but only slightly. The only thing that would set her mind at ease is if Lance was killed.
A female voice asked. "Miss Williams, you mentioned he has killed people. Just exactly how many people have been killed by Mr Johnson?"
Freya frowned, "It's difficult to answer. A lot of people have committed suicide because they can't cope with the stress of the Guardian Program. A lot of children died before they even got into the program because they weren't good enough." Freya answered, remembering all the fallen Guardians that had died over the years.
"A rough estimate will suffice," The female voice said.
Lance looked at Freya pleadingly, silently begging her to not say anything.
Seeing this only affirmed every belief that he needed to be taken down. Freya wet her lips, "There have been 96 children," Freya had seen the list Lance had compiled, and he had marked down how many people he killed like it was a score sheet. Freya knew that at least 41 of the total number belonged to Guardians who received a charge and been killed due to whatever reason. However, the other 55 children didn't even make it that far. Some people died getting the Guardian Mark, others didn't even make it that far. It all depended on Lance's mood that day and it was a miracle that Freya had made it this far.
The room went eerily silent as all eyes landed on either Freya or Lance. No one spoke – no one knew what to say to that number.
"Children?" A male's voice echoed.
Freya nodded her head, "Yes. The youngest to be killed that I am aware of is 8 years old." Freya hadn't known that child personally, but she had heard rumours. Apparently, after killing the child, Lance had also killed the parents because they had conspired to have him killed.
Lance glared at her, pure hatred in his icy blue eyes.
Benjamin opened his mouth to speak when he was interrupted. The court doors opened and two people walked in. All eyes were on the two figures and Freya turned around to look, her eyes widening. Vivienne and Rupert Williams walked through the door, their heads held high.
"Court is in session. I must ask you two to leave," Benjamin said, looking at the two newcomers.
Vivienne grinned wildly, "Sorry, we can't do that." As she said that, her eyes landed on Freya, a hateful gleam in her eyes.
"Freya…" Harry muttered, looking uncertain. Freya shot him a bewildered look, not knowing that her parents were going to show up during the court case.
"Who are they?" Ginny asked, confused about what was happening.
James leaned towards his mum, "They're Freya's parents." He whispered lowly, a wave of disgust and hatred rushing through him. Freya had told him about her parents and he had seen first-hand the treatment she received by her father's hand. He hated her parents and he had told Freya this on multiple occasions.
Ginny's confused expression soon morphed into contempt and repulsion. She had heard everything from Harry and she had not been impressed.
Benjamin watched Vivienne and Rupert for a moment, silently assessing their risk. After a few seconds, he looked to the three Auror and motioned for them to remove Rupert and Vivienne from the courtroom so it could proceed. The three Auror nodded their heads and walked forward, ready to take them out of the room.
Lance leaned forward, "Do it!" He yelled out, a grin on his face.
Freya immediately grabbed James by the arm and dragged him behind the chairs, keeping him safe from what was about to happen.
Instantly, Rupert had his wand in hand. "Avada Kedavra." A jet of green light shot out from his wand, hitting an Auror in the chest.
"Avada Kedavra!" Vivienne yelled out, her spell also hitting a second Auror. Vivienne turned to face the last Auror, "Avada Kedavra!" The green light hit the man in the chest and his body fell down limply, joining the other two Auror.
As soon as the last body hit the ground, a flood of thirty people came into the room. They were all dressed in dark clothing and Freya new most of them. They were the parents of the Guardians and they had come to Lance's aid. All of them had wands in hand as they attacked anyone they could. All the people in the court stood up, defending themselves from the sudden attack. The room became filled with loads of screaming alerting others to what was happening.
Freya watched Lance, noting the malicious and smug grin on his face. He had planned this the entire time. This realisation set in and sent a cold shiver down her spine. Harry jumped up with his wand in hand, jumping into the fray with Ginny close behind him. Seamus and Dean jumped in, all too happy to attack against the department that kidnapped their daughters and nearly killed them. Kingsley was already fighting, taking down opponents left, right and centre. Draco, Hermione and Ron were already in the middle of the fray, taking down opponents with practised ease.
James went to stand, ready to fight alongside everyone else but was stopped when Freya dragged him back down. "I want to help!" He looked to Freya with pleading eyes, itching for a fight. He could see everyone around him fighting and he wanted to join in to help.
Freya shook her head, "I need to get you out of here." She was looking at the exit and noticed that Vivienne and Rupert where no longer standing at the exit of the courtroom. Her main priority was to get James out of there because she didn't want her parents anywhere near him. James grumbled under his breath but complied as Freya dragged him out of their hiding spot. He and Freya ran over to the exit and just as Freya was about to open the door, a spell fired behind them. Freya dragged her and James out of the way of the attack and turned to face her attacker.
"Not so fast, dear." Vivienne sneered at her daughter, her wand pointed at Freya.
Freya already had her wand raised, pointed at her mother in turn. Her body was tensed and ready for an attack.
Seeing no weak spots for her to exploit, Vivienne turned her attention to James instead. "Avada Kedavra!" A green jet of light burst from her wand, directed at James.
Freya grabbed James pulled him out of way just in time before the curse could hurt him. James' eyes were wide in terror, he had nearly been killed.
"James, I need you to leave, now," Freya said, her tone quiet and her lips barely moving. This was to stop her mother reading her lips and knowing what was happening. Her eyes were trained on Vivienne, never leaving the women in case she tried another attack.
James looked to Freya, slightly wounded that she wanted him to leave, but he also understood. He was out of his depth. He had never been in an actual duel and so he was the weak link that Vivienne would try to attack. "I'll get more help," He said, stealthy moving out of the room to get more Auror to help fight back.
Vivienne sneered, "So it's true, you've fallen in love with your charge," Her grip on her wand tightened, her knuckles turning white.
"Yes, and?" Freya said, not ashamed in the slightest.
"So desperate for love you fall for your charge, just like your slut of an older sister." Vivienne snarled, her wild eyes darkened in disdain.
"Well maybe if you had given me a loving childhood I wouldn't be like this," Freya mockingly answered back, mentally rolling her eyes. Her mother had two moods, either she wouldn't mention Lydia at all, or she referred to Lydia as the slut or disappointment of the family. Obviously, she was in a scathing mood that day.
Vivienne screeched at Freya, "Confringo!"
"Protego." Freya summoned a shield and her mother's spell bounced off. Freya immediately was on the offensive, "Confringo."
Vivienne jumped sideways to avoid the spell, but Freya wasn't done. "Stupefy." The spell shot out of her wand and hit Vivienne in the shoulder before the women could get her feet on the ground.
Vivienne fell to the ground, the stunning curse throbbed badly. She hissed from her position on the ground and pointed her wand, "Crucio!"
Freya dived out of the way. The spell hit the wall behind her, cracking the brick.
Vivienne was now back on her feet, "Avada Kedavra!" A massive jet of green light shot out from her wand, aiming at Freya.
Knowing that nothing could defend against the curse, Freya ducked, the spell missing her and hitting the wall behind her. This time, a scorch mark was burned into the wall. "Locomotor Mortis," Freya had her wand pointed at her mother's legs and watched as they locked together, causing Vivienne to fall to the ground once more.
"You ungrateful bitch!" Vivienne screeched, similarly to a banshee.
Freya snorted, "Says the Queen,"
Vivienne raised her wand once more, but she was stopped when another Witch joined the party. "Incarcerous!" Vivienne seized on the ground, invisible ropes wrapping around her body and making her drop her wand.
Freya looked up and saw Ginny with her wand pointed at Vivienne, "Ginny?" Freya said, looking at the woman confused.
"Let me go you, blood traitor!" Vivienne screamed, her checks red in anger.
Ginny glared at the woman, "You will not harm her," She walked over to Vivienne and took her wand, pocketing it to the woman couldn't get her hands on it.
"Why would you do that?" Freya asked when Ginny was closer. She couldn't understand why she had done that. Freya was under the impression that Ginny didn't like her.
Ginny turned her head to look at Freya. "I am not going to let her hurt you anymore. Besides, I want to have a chat with her about parenting," She said, looking down at Vivienne with a sly grin on her face.
Vivienne hissed from her position on the ground.
Freya couldn't help but feel flattered. "Thank you," She said, smiling slightly at the matriarch of the Potter family.
Ginny smiled warmly at Freya, "Now, go make sure that Lance doesn't get away," She said, motioning for Freya to be on her way.
Freya nodded her head as she jogged away, joining the main battle. Freya dived in, shooting spell from her wand with practised ease. Freya recognised a lot of the parents of the Guardians. Cordelia's parents were fighting against Hermione, Rebecca's parents were fighting against Draco and Ryan's parents were fighting against Ron. As Freya cast her spells, she didn't care about who she hit as long as it made contact – and it wasn't someone on her side. Freya made it to the middle of the room, where Lance should have been.
Only to find that Lance wasn't there anymore.
Freya looked around the room, trying to find him as soon as possible while also avoiding spells being thrown her way. Anger burned through her at the thought of Lance getting away. He had done this on purpose. Her parents and all the other Guardian's parents had been a decoy for him to make his escape during the fray.
Seeing something move out of the corner of her eyes, Freya turned her head and saw Lance. He had a coat over him and he was moving stealthily out of the battle. He was escaping out of the side exit with Eva right beside him.
Freya's eyes darkened.
The hunt was on.