Disclaimer: This is all based on J.K. Rowling's wonderfully created
universe. There's no words for how grateful I am for her work.
Chapter 8
Wanted
Who was she? Remus didn't really care; he just wanted to jump up and join her, embracing her with all his might. He would - if he could - or at least he wished he could. He wasn't exactly the type to go around hugging women he hasn't ever met before for no apparent reason. Sirius was that kind of person. But this wasn't about him. It was about her.
He struggled to keep his face impassive and gaped at her without realization. She wasn't having a good time herself. Remus watched the slender woman's every move through the crowd. "Excuse me. Pardon me. Oh, I'm so sorry, I really didn't mean- oops! There's your hat, madam. Sir, I really didn't mean to step on your foot at all-"
After a few more "pardon me's" and apologies she finally made it to the stage and joined Remus at his side, who now couldn't take his eyes off her. He had fallen under her spell - The Spell she didn't even purposely cast.
"Judge, I apologize once more," she gasped. "This man is innocent." She extended her arm towards Remus - extremely close to the Gravitational Fog. She ended up pointing to him in concern of being sucked into it herself. Remus strained to look her direction because, as was said, she was magnetic to his sight. He saw delicate pianist fingers and perfectly manicured nails with the softest color red painted on them. [i]Skin as fair as snow. Now how did that come about?[/i]
She didn't notice Remus yet, for she was too wrapped up in her argument. "He could not have been the murderer of Richard Ellings. I knew of his condition and he came to my home that night so he would know he wouldn't hurt anyone or anything. He - he's very careful about what he does. He wants all civilization to be safe from him and his. horrors." The judge looked disbelieving. "He's quite considerate for a werewolf," she added quietly. Remus couldn't help but notice that her face had reddened a little. She continued.
"What good would it do to send him to Azkaban do? At least there, he would know he wouldn't hurt anyone, but if you keep him free, he'll have more pain, fearing that he may bring damage. Being a werewolf, he deserves pain, right? You see we met at a bar late one night and became instant friends. I have people who can confirm that."
"Ma'am, I certainly hope you do because I'm afraid you'll have to be arrested if we do not find something just in what you're doing now."
"I understand. I have no intention of leaving yet though." She turned to the judge who sat idly at his elevated podium and she smiled beautifully, exposing a set of nearly perfect teeth. Remus watched is amazement. She was trying to win the judge's satisfaction by seducing him! He could hear a soft tapping sound coming from somewhere close to him; her foot was shaking uncontrollably. Hopefully, he was the only one who noticed, because her acting was going along well so far.
"I hardly find it 'just,' as you say, to give this man such a trial as this. You yourself know and have even had it arranged that he goes to Azkaban - no matter what. I [i]heard[/i] you talking to Mr. Charon Snake back there. He put something in that Truth Potion that'll make the taker do something against what it was projected to do!"
"'You yourself know' and blah, blah, blah," he mocked rudely. "What we do may not be just, but it is also not right to spy, Miss. If you find this trial so unfair then perhaps you should test out the potion for us to bring an iota of justice to this hearing."
The auburn-haired woman finally had a loss for words. She mouthed something but no sound came out. "Wh - what?" She looked to Remus for help. He did all he could do - smile. Their eyes met and Remus felt a strange feeling - like borrowing her vision for a moment. A single, solitary tear fell down her round face. Then, before he could warn her, three dementors adjusted themselves perfectly around her and began grabbing at her arms and shoulders possessively; they were hungry.
Remus had to do something to make them stop. If she took the enhanced Veritaserum, she and him were facing a long miserable hell on earth in prison.
"Stop! You can't so this to her!"
"Why ever not, Lupin?" Snake screeched.
Remus pushed at the sides of his chair, attempting to pull himself up. No use - he was too weak. "Because, because."
"I thought so," the judge huffed. Remus raised an eyebrow at him - his most murderous look that did not involve a hairy wolf's body. [i]If only I could get out of this damned fog. [i/]
Remus caught onto some muffled phrases from the direction of the woman. ".I hardly call this justice!" One of the horrid creatures clutched her at the mouth. She wailed in disgust, flailing her arms wildly about, shielding her face.
Meanwhile, Charon Snake slithered in between the commotion that the dementors stood around and slipped out a tiny clear vile from his trenchcoat. His eyes glowed orange with self-satisfaction. He just stood there doing nothing for the longest time; he enjoyed watching her suffer. It was like being aware of a bee's atrocious buzzing and practically screaming at the insect to go ahead and sting you. The tension pleased him. He frowned devilishly and jumped at her, pawing catlike at her face and pulling at her jaw to pop it open. Before long, she gave in and downed the Veristaserum.
Remus had failed to help - again. Whatever happened now would foretell both their futures. At first, the woman looked relatively the same, until her neck suddenly gave out and dropped downward. She dropped to the floor with a thud; the crowd was a flock of chattering birds. Remus heard the judge in the background, "No, no, do not be troubled. This is perfectly harmless," but the sound was as if heard from another person.
He watched in horror - expecting the worst. Her head snapped back sideways with a [i]pop[i/] and then lolled around lethargically. Suddenly, she craned her neck up, exposing pale skin. Her hazel eyes were dazed and unfocused. She looked through objects and people as if there was nothing there.
"What is your name, woman?" It was not much of a question, just a demand.
"Sally Roberts."
Grunt. "Where were you on the evening of the thirteenth of this month then?" interrogated the judge. No reply. She just swayed her neck around as she sat cross-legged and childlike on the hard flat floor.
"I said where were you on the thirteenth of this month!"
"At my house."
"With whom?" barked Snake.
Remus sat motionless waiting for the blow to fall.
"With Remus Lupin."
[i]How the hell.?[i/] Everybody else apparently thought the same judging by the increased noise level in the chamber. Even the dementors were rattled. Higher emotions meant more of a feast for them. Remus's defender, William Harrison, had chameleon-ed again, this time turning a sallow yellow. Meanwhile, Snake was practically shedding his skin in astonishment. For once, they had proof that the prevaricating werewolf was telling them something they would [i]have[i/] to believe. However, the "truth" was not the truth at all.
"Uh huh," the judge mumbled in astonishment. The shock was still sinking in. He cleared his throat. "Explain your relationship with this monster of a man."
Remus overlooked the title. It came along every now and then. Sally said dazedly, "We met at a bar." Her head did something of a somersault. "Yes, and we talked a lot. Eventually we met more often and became close - so close that he told me he was a werewolf. I worked at a bookstore and he would come and visit occasionally. Later, I moved to Glasgow and we met less and less often. But we never really lost touch." Her head proceeded to fall loosely on her shoulders - she was not needed for questioning anymore.
However, it wasn't over yet.
Voykovich still had his say. "This isn't possible. We need someone who can verify that Lupin was at the home of Roberts on the night in question. What if the Veritaserum potion was not concocted to its highest strength? That could mean that some of this information if false since the potion did not work to its greatest degree."
"I agree, Mr. Voykovich," the judge said in a matter-of-fact tone. He propped himself up on his stool to better communicate to the crowd. "Can any of you confirm that Lupin was at Miss Roberts's home?"
Remus stared at the scene warily. A man in the back raised his hand.
"Why am I not surprised?" laughed the judge. "Who are you, sir?"
"I am Sally's neighbor, Kerv. She and this man that is about to be put to his terrible fate here in Azkaban have known each other for three years now. I don't see how murder could even be possible in this situation. He was in another city miles away from Carlisle. It's physically impossible. Let this werewolf go free. He may not be the most welcomed among society, but that is his dilemma. No man deserves injustice - just someone who loves him and wants him."
"I see. I guess this calls for an overall vote." Kerv nodded and took his seat in the babbling herd of people. "How many of you think this werewolf is not guilty?"
This was it. Remus sank down into his chair with ease (due to the Gravitational Fog.) He felt the dementors' cloaks brush up against his side. Lucky for him, it was only that. Sally was nearly mindless on the ground with three of the dark creatures guarding her as if she could possibly "wake" up from her doze. She had done so much for him, and he didn't even know who she was.
Remus feared to look at the number that raised their hands - if any. He would rather listen.
"The verdict, then, is. not guilty. Remus Lupin is not guilty."
Chapter 8
Wanted
Who was she? Remus didn't really care; he just wanted to jump up and join her, embracing her with all his might. He would - if he could - or at least he wished he could. He wasn't exactly the type to go around hugging women he hasn't ever met before for no apparent reason. Sirius was that kind of person. But this wasn't about him. It was about her.
He struggled to keep his face impassive and gaped at her without realization. She wasn't having a good time herself. Remus watched the slender woman's every move through the crowd. "Excuse me. Pardon me. Oh, I'm so sorry, I really didn't mean- oops! There's your hat, madam. Sir, I really didn't mean to step on your foot at all-"
After a few more "pardon me's" and apologies she finally made it to the stage and joined Remus at his side, who now couldn't take his eyes off her. He had fallen under her spell - The Spell she didn't even purposely cast.
"Judge, I apologize once more," she gasped. "This man is innocent." She extended her arm towards Remus - extremely close to the Gravitational Fog. She ended up pointing to him in concern of being sucked into it herself. Remus strained to look her direction because, as was said, she was magnetic to his sight. He saw delicate pianist fingers and perfectly manicured nails with the softest color red painted on them. [i]Skin as fair as snow. Now how did that come about?[/i]
She didn't notice Remus yet, for she was too wrapped up in her argument. "He could not have been the murderer of Richard Ellings. I knew of his condition and he came to my home that night so he would know he wouldn't hurt anyone or anything. He - he's very careful about what he does. He wants all civilization to be safe from him and his. horrors." The judge looked disbelieving. "He's quite considerate for a werewolf," she added quietly. Remus couldn't help but notice that her face had reddened a little. She continued.
"What good would it do to send him to Azkaban do? At least there, he would know he wouldn't hurt anyone, but if you keep him free, he'll have more pain, fearing that he may bring damage. Being a werewolf, he deserves pain, right? You see we met at a bar late one night and became instant friends. I have people who can confirm that."
"Ma'am, I certainly hope you do because I'm afraid you'll have to be arrested if we do not find something just in what you're doing now."
"I understand. I have no intention of leaving yet though." She turned to the judge who sat idly at his elevated podium and she smiled beautifully, exposing a set of nearly perfect teeth. Remus watched is amazement. She was trying to win the judge's satisfaction by seducing him! He could hear a soft tapping sound coming from somewhere close to him; her foot was shaking uncontrollably. Hopefully, he was the only one who noticed, because her acting was going along well so far.
"I hardly find it 'just,' as you say, to give this man such a trial as this. You yourself know and have even had it arranged that he goes to Azkaban - no matter what. I [i]heard[/i] you talking to Mr. Charon Snake back there. He put something in that Truth Potion that'll make the taker do something against what it was projected to do!"
"'You yourself know' and blah, blah, blah," he mocked rudely. "What we do may not be just, but it is also not right to spy, Miss. If you find this trial so unfair then perhaps you should test out the potion for us to bring an iota of justice to this hearing."
The auburn-haired woman finally had a loss for words. She mouthed something but no sound came out. "Wh - what?" She looked to Remus for help. He did all he could do - smile. Their eyes met and Remus felt a strange feeling - like borrowing her vision for a moment. A single, solitary tear fell down her round face. Then, before he could warn her, three dementors adjusted themselves perfectly around her and began grabbing at her arms and shoulders possessively; they were hungry.
Remus had to do something to make them stop. If she took the enhanced Veritaserum, she and him were facing a long miserable hell on earth in prison.
"Stop! You can't so this to her!"
"Why ever not, Lupin?" Snake screeched.
Remus pushed at the sides of his chair, attempting to pull himself up. No use - he was too weak. "Because, because."
"I thought so," the judge huffed. Remus raised an eyebrow at him - his most murderous look that did not involve a hairy wolf's body. [i]If only I could get out of this damned fog. [i/]
Remus caught onto some muffled phrases from the direction of the woman. ".I hardly call this justice!" One of the horrid creatures clutched her at the mouth. She wailed in disgust, flailing her arms wildly about, shielding her face.
Meanwhile, Charon Snake slithered in between the commotion that the dementors stood around and slipped out a tiny clear vile from his trenchcoat. His eyes glowed orange with self-satisfaction. He just stood there doing nothing for the longest time; he enjoyed watching her suffer. It was like being aware of a bee's atrocious buzzing and practically screaming at the insect to go ahead and sting you. The tension pleased him. He frowned devilishly and jumped at her, pawing catlike at her face and pulling at her jaw to pop it open. Before long, she gave in and downed the Veristaserum.
Remus had failed to help - again. Whatever happened now would foretell both their futures. At first, the woman looked relatively the same, until her neck suddenly gave out and dropped downward. She dropped to the floor with a thud; the crowd was a flock of chattering birds. Remus heard the judge in the background, "No, no, do not be troubled. This is perfectly harmless," but the sound was as if heard from another person.
He watched in horror - expecting the worst. Her head snapped back sideways with a [i]pop[i/] and then lolled around lethargically. Suddenly, she craned her neck up, exposing pale skin. Her hazel eyes were dazed and unfocused. She looked through objects and people as if there was nothing there.
"What is your name, woman?" It was not much of a question, just a demand.
"Sally Roberts."
Grunt. "Where were you on the evening of the thirteenth of this month then?" interrogated the judge. No reply. She just swayed her neck around as she sat cross-legged and childlike on the hard flat floor.
"I said where were you on the thirteenth of this month!"
"At my house."
"With whom?" barked Snake.
Remus sat motionless waiting for the blow to fall.
"With Remus Lupin."
[i]How the hell.?[i/] Everybody else apparently thought the same judging by the increased noise level in the chamber. Even the dementors were rattled. Higher emotions meant more of a feast for them. Remus's defender, William Harrison, had chameleon-ed again, this time turning a sallow yellow. Meanwhile, Snake was practically shedding his skin in astonishment. For once, they had proof that the prevaricating werewolf was telling them something they would [i]have[i/] to believe. However, the "truth" was not the truth at all.
"Uh huh," the judge mumbled in astonishment. The shock was still sinking in. He cleared his throat. "Explain your relationship with this monster of a man."
Remus overlooked the title. It came along every now and then. Sally said dazedly, "We met at a bar." Her head did something of a somersault. "Yes, and we talked a lot. Eventually we met more often and became close - so close that he told me he was a werewolf. I worked at a bookstore and he would come and visit occasionally. Later, I moved to Glasgow and we met less and less often. But we never really lost touch." Her head proceeded to fall loosely on her shoulders - she was not needed for questioning anymore.
However, it wasn't over yet.
Voykovich still had his say. "This isn't possible. We need someone who can verify that Lupin was at the home of Roberts on the night in question. What if the Veritaserum potion was not concocted to its highest strength? That could mean that some of this information if false since the potion did not work to its greatest degree."
"I agree, Mr. Voykovich," the judge said in a matter-of-fact tone. He propped himself up on his stool to better communicate to the crowd. "Can any of you confirm that Lupin was at Miss Roberts's home?"
Remus stared at the scene warily. A man in the back raised his hand.
"Why am I not surprised?" laughed the judge. "Who are you, sir?"
"I am Sally's neighbor, Kerv. She and this man that is about to be put to his terrible fate here in Azkaban have known each other for three years now. I don't see how murder could even be possible in this situation. He was in another city miles away from Carlisle. It's physically impossible. Let this werewolf go free. He may not be the most welcomed among society, but that is his dilemma. No man deserves injustice - just someone who loves him and wants him."
"I see. I guess this calls for an overall vote." Kerv nodded and took his seat in the babbling herd of people. "How many of you think this werewolf is not guilty?"
This was it. Remus sank down into his chair with ease (due to the Gravitational Fog.) He felt the dementors' cloaks brush up against his side. Lucky for him, it was only that. Sally was nearly mindless on the ground with three of the dark creatures guarding her as if she could possibly "wake" up from her doze. She had done so much for him, and he didn't even know who she was.
Remus feared to look at the number that raised their hands - if any. He would rather listen.
"The verdict, then, is. not guilty. Remus Lupin is not guilty."