James struggled to rise and staggered to the potion cabinet. After drinking the Reinforcing and Restorative, he collapsed in his chair, oblivious to his wife.
.
Everything that had happened required serious thought.
.
Someone BANISHED him. That was clear. But who? Who had such rights?
.
The kids couldn't. That's absolutely certain. They are minors, that's one, and they don't have the strength, that's two.
.
The ancestors? They couldn't banish either. The defeat of rights, yes, just think of Sirius. But banishment... ...so they're out too.
.
So it is the one who is the Elder of the Genus. But who?
.
No living relatives - all dead, distant relatives are no good, they have no such rights.
.
James pondered tensely, sinking into himself and gritting his teeth with rage. The uncertainty was... was frightening.
.
To find out that an Elder had appeared over you... ...and to find out this way...
.
We have to go to the bank. It's urgent.
.
James got up and went silently to get ready, ignoring the crying Lily.
%%%
The ministry was buzzing. Clerks, department heads, and visitors were all discussing the same burning question.
.
WHAT'S GOING ON?
.
The frenetic activity of the magicians who had arrived from abroad caused an unhealthy revival among ministerial employees and an increase in chatter.
.
The topic was licked from all sides, going over everything, even the most insignificant details.
.
The ministry was humming.
.
Everyone knew there was going to be a trial, but who?
.
A very special summons added to the excitement: once received, it was impossible to evade the summons, an action akin to the Unbreakable Vow.
.
Rumors multiplied and multiplied, breeding like rabid clobberflies. Everyone was waiting for the moment of truth.
%%%
Salazar woke up very early. He went to the children's room and looked at his brother and sister who were asleep. They looked pale - the ritual had made a lasting impression on them. The Slytherin sighed. He would have to explain to the children again that they could not resist the generic magic.
.
The children were only the catalyst; Magic had long ago decided to punish their parents. Especially since they could not expel their parents as minors.
.
Salazar did it.
.
As Godric's blood brother, he could safely give orders and decide the fate of the descendants of Genus Potter, especially since all the Lords and Lady Potter spoke out in favor of cutting off from the Genus those who trampled into the mud everything that is sacred to every human being - the family.
.
By expressing their will, the Potters had practically cut James and Lily off from Rod. This only had to be confirmed, expressed, which Salazar, who had performed the Ritual, had done perfectly. The children voiced only the first quatrain, then the Slytherin stepped in, cutting off all ties between Rod and James with the power of his magic.
.
The mages forgot that he had every right to do so, since he was not only Godric's blood brother, but also, first and foremost, a Peverell.
.
The Potters' consent, as set forth in the letter, only added to the legitimacy of this action.
.
Salazar stroked the children's heads and quietly walked out.
.
It was time to take revenge on someone who had decided to think he was God.
%%%
Morning. The Ministry was slowly filling up with life, the quiet corridors filled with clerks and visitors. The barrier set up in the center of the hall, enclosing the center of the hall, began to shine, and mages began to appear behind it. The international portals worked perfectly, without mishaps, and the mages steadily stepped through the barrier and stopped to wait for the others. At last, the last arrivals arrived, and they assembled, followed by Fudge, who personally greeted them, to the Courtroom.
.
The judges had arrived.
%%%
Dumbledore stared grimly at the scroll that appeared before him, adorned with the seal of the Ministry of Magic. He gently touched the scroll, and it glowed, the seal shattered, and the Vow bracelet flashed on his wrist for a moment.
.
After waiting out a fit of rage and panic, Albus unfolded the scroll and carefully read the contents. The lines bounced before his eyes as the irony of the situation slowly dawned on him. The mage reread the message and, tossing it aside, grabbed his hands over his head.
.
All his preparations made no sense. He was preparing for the Wizengamot trial, relying on his power, influence, and compromise (what without it).
.
The reality was harsh. There was a reason why the Slytherin bastard had smiled so knowingly the last time we met. He knew, knew that the Wizengamot was under Albus's thumb, knew, and took action.
.
This is not even the International Court of Magicians.
.
This is the Court of Magic.
.
The old man stared angrily at the scroll, lost in himself and not noticing that the door opened behind him.
%%%
The magicians who received the summons had different reactions. Some rejoiced, some shrugged, some floundered in terror. But they all felt the vow that bound them and could not resist it.
.
Magical summonses found their recipients everywhere, no matter where the magician in question was located.
%%%
The short, overweight mage stared in horror at his wrist, where, just a few seconds ago, the Vow bracelet had flashed. The scroll unfolded as if mocking, revealing what was written.
.
The mage ran around the room, howling and wringing his hands, but there was no way out.
.
So, whimpering, he apparated to the Ministry.
%%%
Mages entered the open doors in orderly fashion, sorted at the entrance by the Unspeakables, who indicated where to sit. The mood ranged from horror to malicious satisfaction to gloating. The huge hall gradually filled to capacity. The Unspeakable looked around carefully, checked the attendance lists one more time to make sure they were all present, and then closed the door, which immediately glowed with runes.
.
Now there's no way anyone can apparate from here, and there's no way to get out either.
.
The mages on the dais rose in a low voice.
.
"Gentlemen, please rise! The trial begins"!
.
Everyone present stood up, bowed to the judges, and sat down again. The magicians stared tensely at the judges. An unidentified man in a strict black robe stepped forward and announced:
.
" The Court of Magic is open! Let justice be done! Allow me to introduce the Judges..."
.
While the secretary introduced the mages, those present sat like a sack. In England, which had become a stronghold of fanaticism in the past half-century, no Master of Necromancy or Master of Blood Magic had been seen in the light side (as one Lightest mage understood it) for a long time. Artifactors had become a myth, and many other gifts were hidden and undeveloped for fear of the fighters against Evil.
.
And here...! There were dark mages sitting at the table, completely undisguised. Not even that. DARK MAGS, clearly proud of this fact. The attendees grumbled unhappily, but the vigilant secretary, looking around the room disgruntledly, imposed Silencing Charm, and the mages calmed down. They had to.
.
Dumbledore, who was in the center of the room, was also unnerving, looking extremely unhappy and aged.
.
"So today at the Court the fate of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore will be decided".
.
The hall exploded, and the secretary put Silencing Charm on again, deciding not to take it off this time.
.
"Albus Dumbledore is accused of deliberately harming Magic and its children, of exterminating the House, of starting a war".
.
The hall froze.
.
The mages froze when they heard the accusation. Causing harm to Magic. The worst thing that can happen. It's not bribery or even murder.
.
"This is a vile lie"! The former headmaster flashed his glasses. " I've always done what's best for mages. And this accusation is monstrous! I have always strived for peace, my whole life dedicated to fighting evil! I refuse that".
.
" Silencing Charm"! the secretary looked at him in displeasure.
%%%
James struggled to apparate, finding himself right outside the bank. The snow-white building towered majestically over the square, hiding innumerable riches in its depths.
.
What plays were played out here! Dramas, tragedies, and comedies of all kinds and forms have entertained bank employees watching these plays not for everyone, and today another one will play out within these walls.
.
Entering the hall, James crossed the hall at a brisk pace and approached the desks. A sitting goblin looked up at him nonchalantly.
.
"I'm listening," he squeaked.
.
" I want to meet with the manager of Rod Potter," James said curtly.
.
The goblin gave him a strange look and nodded, muttering something in goblin. James tapped the toe of his shoe impatiently, waiting for the steward and trying to keep his temper in check. Not the time to show his temper, not the time.
.
At last there was a cough behind him, and the mage turned around.
.
" Follow me," the elderly goblin steadily made his way into the study. James, gritting his teeth, followed him.
%%%
"What is your name"?
.
" Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore".
.
" Occupation"?
.
"Head of the Wizengamot".
.
" You are facing the following charges: direct harm to Magic, inciting war, extermination of genera, financial fraud, misappropriation of property, violation of the Secrecy Status, creation of an illegal power education, disruption of the educational process, failure to perform the duties of the director of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry".
.
" Objection! I..."
.
" Quiet! Behave yourselves"!
%%%
The wizards watched the melodrama with increasing interest. Albus kept trying to say something, interjecting himself into the proceedings, he was shooed away, but the wizard didn't stop trying. After reading out a long list of accusations, the secretary called for the accuser.
.
" The accuser is Salazar Ignotus Peverell-Slytherin, Lord Peverell, Lord Slytherin".
.
The hall gasped. The wizard, who had unhurriedly emerged to his seat, astonished those present with the luxury of his robes and the power of the magic that swirled like a thundercloud around him.
%%%
James entered the house in a deranged state. One thought was beating in his head: he was EXILED, cut off from the genus along with his wife. Now he does not have the right to a surname, it will have to be changed, however, he still has money, but this did not make it any calmer.
.
Hearing the name of the one who became the eldest in his Family (former, now in the former), James could not believe his ears.
.
How did he become a Slytherin?
.
He's a Dark Mage, brat! There were never any Dark Ones in his House!
.
When the goblin heard this, he laughed, looking at the former Potter as if he were a clinical idiot not to be cured.
.
" You don't say"! He grunted mockingly, wiping away the tears in his eyes. " I wasn't! Then who were the Peverelles, from whom your clan is descended? Just like Gryffindor, they were Dark! Otherwise Ignotus would never have agreed to his daughter's marriage"!
.
"But what does this have to do with Slytherin"?! Yelled an exasperated James. The goblin pushed back squeamishly:
.
" And he is Lord Peverell and the BROTHER, by blood, of Godric Gryffindor. Therefore, when my Lord returned, he became the Elder of the House, according to the will of his brother and sisters".
%%%
" My accusations are not unsubstantiated, distinguished judges. And I will prove it. I call a witness. Peter Pettigrew" .