Chapter Ten – The Trial
Harry found himself in a room that looked all too familiar. He had last seen the courtroom when he was looking through the pensieve. Now, he sat there in real life instead of a memory. However, it all seemed like a dream. He was being charged with the murder of Avery and the only witness saw the final part of the confrontation.
"Harry, how are you doing?" Harry was kind of in a daze but he recognized the voice of Albus Dumbledore.
"I didn't try, it was instinct." Harry could hear himself trembling.
"I know you didn't perform the curse Harry, don't worry you have a lot of supporters." He gave Harry a smile and then went to take his seat among the crowd.
Harry was sitting in the chair that he had seen other wizards occupied. Because of the severity of the crime they even placed him in manacles. He knew it was just precautionary but it still made him feel ill.
Looking among the people in the stands Harry recognized many welcome faces as well as some unwelcome ones. The Delacour's and Weasley's all had troubled looks on their faces. The others there to support him were Dumbledore, Lupin, McGonagall, and Mrs. Figg.
Also there were faces Harry wanted to spit at. The Malfoy's were there and Harry was surprised to see a little smirk on Lucius Malfoy's face. One of his friends had died and he was smiling? Also present for the trial was somebody who had been trying to get Harry thrown out for years, Snape. However, as far as Harry could tell he showed no emotion.
"This trial shall begin, please keep quiet." Fudge had begun the proceedings. "Harry Potter, you are being charged with murder. How do you plead?"
This was happening a lot quicker than Harry expected. "Innocent."
"Very well, who is representing you?" Asked Fudge.
"I don't know, nobody…" Harry didn't have anyone to represent him. He was just standing there with his mouth open when Mrs. Figg stood up.
"I'll be representing him."
"The court recognizes Arabella Figg as the Defense. Who will be representing the interests of Mr. Avery?"
"I am!" It was Lucius Malfoy.
"And for the Prosecution the court recognizes Lucius Malfoy. Okay, Mr. Malfoy you can call your first witness."
"Thank you Minister. I call Jezabelle Win to the stand." A woman stood up and Harry recognized her as the witness from the murder. She stood up and proceeded to tell the court about what she had witnessed that day. She had just finished her story when Lucius Malfoy once again broke in.
"You see, this could be nothing but murder. A boy craving power learns the most unforgivable curse and kills an innocent man. Did he do it for pleasure? I don't know and frankly I don't want to know. All that matters is that he did and should be punished for the crime. Thank you."
Harry was in shock, it looked as if he would be spending the rest of his life in Azkaban. He tried to speak but nothing came out of his mouth. Much to his relief Mrs. Figg stood up and began to speak.
"I would like to call my first witness."
"Very well, call your witness." Replied Mr. Fudge.
"I call Fleur Delacour to the stand."
Fleur stood up and left her family. It was at that time that Harry saw that there were no children in the stands. Aside from him Fleur was the youngest person in the room.
"Hello Fleur, how are you today?" Asked Mrs. Figg.
"A bit troubled, but that should be expected." Replied Fleur.
"Very true, now am I to understand that you weren't in Hogsmeade for the altercation?"
"That is true, I was at Hogwarts with my sister."
Lucius Malfoy shot up. "Then what the hell does this have to do with the case?"
"Character witness and background information, Lucius!" Sneered Mrs. Figg.
"Please continue Mrs. Figg." Said Fudge.
"Thank you. Now Mrs. Delacour, how do you know Mr. Potter here?"
"We are friends and I am his teacher."
"And what do you teach?"
"I am your assistant for Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Does Mr. Potter attend class?"
"No, he has private lessons with you and me."
Once again Malfoy stood up. "Is this going anywhere?"
"Yes, now sit down!" Replied Mrs. Figg.
"Mr. Malfoy, I'll have to ask that you do not interrupt again or a new Prosecutor will take over." Said Fudge. Lucius Malfoy once again took his seat.
"Now Fleur, may I ask you what Harry was working on in these private sessions?"
"He has been trying find a way to block the killing curse."
"That is impossible, how can a boy accomplish such a feat."
"He is very gifted, I'm sure you're aware of that."
"I am, but others may not be. Now, can you tell me how he has been trying to do the impossible?'
"It all started with a simple shield charm but only Harry knows for sure what he can do. We were unable to test the charm with the severe curses but Harry was able to block many other spells."
"What happens when Harry blocks a spell?"
"It generally is deflected away from Harry."
"So, could Harry simply have deflected Mr. Avery's own spell back at him?"
Malfoy shot up. "This is absurd! There is no way to prove that such a spell even exists let alone it did what you're theorizing."
"There are two ways to prove it is possible. One may kill somebody and the other is very simple."
"By all means, let's do the simple one." Said Fudge.
"Can I have a look at Mr. Potter's wand?" Harry's wand was brought out to her and she examined it thoroughly. She whispered the prior incantum spell and an orb appeared around her. Well, not a true orb but that of its shadow.
"This proves nothing, he may have simply cast that after the killing curse." Said Malfoy.
"Very well, if you want more proof then can I see Mr. Avery's wand?" Avery's wand was also brought out and Mrs. Figg examined it much like she had examined Harry's. She performed the prior encantum spell and a green spell came out. The ghost image of the killing curse was enough to make several witches and wizards faint.
"Is this enough proof for you Malfoy?" Asked Mrs. Figg.
Malfoy looked defeated. "Very well, the charges are dropped."
For the first time in a long time Harry cracked a smile. The manacles that had been holding him dropped off his wrists as a group of people surrounded him. He received many hugs from Fleur and even a kiss on the cheek. Harry saw that she hadn't meant it and shied away to the back of the crowd.
Harry was relieved and for the first time since the altercation he had a chance to think. Avery had come to kill him, why was he sent alone?
