Chapter 12- Trials & Tribulations

**note I know very little about the legal system but hey I figure we can pretend the wizarding court system is slightly different, eh?

 Harry had to have picked the best night for a dreamless sleep because come six in the morning everyone in the household was being shaken from bed and ushered down to the kitchen for a large breakfast. While all the food looked marvelous Harry found he could barely touch his and spent most of the meal poking food around while his friends shot him reassuring glances.

 At 7:30 two ministry cars arrived to escort them to the wizarding court house. Harry piled into one with his three friends and they were off. Despite many attempts at happy chatter the ride was a silent one. When they reached the state buildings of the wizarding parliament Harry was impressed to say the least. All the buildings were gold domed and with elaborately carved pillars, some which appeared to be gem encrusted.

 They were ushered out of the car and into what Mr. Weasley told them was one of the main court buildings. The entrance hall of the building was all marble and velvet ropes divided it in half to cut off the other hallways. Mr. Weasley led them up to what appeared to be a podium. He rang a small bell on the desk like surface and soon a little old man came running out.  He climbed onto a stool and adjusted his spectacles before looking at Mr. Weasley.

 "Which trial are you here for?" asking the old man flipping through a large book with thick pages.

 "Potter vs. Dursley," replied Mr. Weasley, "but the trial isn't until noon. We've been told to meet Arabella Figg in room B112."

 "Right this way," replied the old man. He stepped down and lead them to another corridor, re-clipping the rope behind him.

 When they reached the room they were greeted by Arabella Figg, who then escorted only Harry to an adjoining chamber while leaving Hermione and the Weasleys in the main room. She motioned for him to sit down and placed a large silver bowl on the table.

 "You remember that I told you we'd be using pensive evidence" questioned Arabella. Harry nodded; the owl had come the week prior. "Okay," she replied, "Now there's not much to it. All you have to do is concentrate on a memory while placing your wand next to your temple and imagine it being copied and drained out. Now I have a list here and I need you to find that memory and try to put it into the pensive. I know it might be hard but we need it for the trial."

 Harry nodded. "What first?"

"I need you to think of the earliest time you can remember your Uncle beating you and try to put that in."

"Okay," replied Harry, though slightly reluctant. He took a deep breath and followed her instructions. It was an easy enough memory to find, the first time he'd really been aware that his family hated him, it had been Dudley's fifth birthday. He blinked back tears as he deposited a silvery strand into the bowl. More memories followed as she asked him more questions and a little more than an hour later the bowl was almost full, and Harry didn't think he could keep himself composed much longer. She thanked him and told him he could go wait with his friends, and caught him by surprise with a hug as he was going out the door.

 He wasn't able to stay too long in the company of his friends before he felt he was going to lose it and quickly excused himself to the bathroom where he tried to calm himself down. He returned to the room a few minutes later trying to look cheerier than he felt.

 An hour later they were finally taken to the actual court room. They were seated and everyone began to file in to fill rows of seats. The last to enter was Vernon Dursley, escorted by a man with a brief case. Harry noticed that Petunia and Dudley were already seated somewhere on the opposite side of the room. He sank back into his chair to try and avoid his Uncle's gaze.

 The judge, who sat behind a name plaque reading J. H. O'Connor, began to read off a piece of paper he'd pulled out of a file.

"We are here today to discuss the case of a Mr. Harry Potter against his Uncle, Mr. Vernon Dursley. Mr. Dursley you are being tried for child neglect and both physical and emotional abuse. How will you be pleading your case."

"Innocent," replied Vernon.

 Harry and the Weasleys stood in shock; apparently Vernon didn't realize exactly how much evidence there was against him.

"The prosecution may begin by presenting their evidence," stated the Judge.

 Arabella walked forward with a packet of photos, giving them to the judge as evidence of one summer's treatment. He proceeded to pass them to the jurors who were looking at them in horror. Harry sank deeper into the chair trying to avoid any looks of pity that darted his way as the jury viewed the pictures.

 "These pictures could have been easily faked," claimed the lawyer, "How do we know this wasn't the result of a couple of your magic tricks?"

 Ah, so the lawyer was a muggle, now Harry realized how Vernon had managed to find one who'd defend him.

 "Can memories be faked?" asked Arabella, "We have with us evidence in the form of a pensive. If I may your honor?"

 "Yes, please." replied the judge. Arabella handed him the silver basin and he slid out a tray of the podium before placing the pensive there. A few taps of his wand and muttered words verified that it was real. "If everyone is ready?" A series of nods and murmurs passed through the court room. The next thing they new the memories were being broadcast life-size on one of the walls.

 ..Stupid useless boy.. can't do anything right can you.. after all we've done you'd at least be grateful...

"I should have ducked there," muttered Harry as he watched his Uncle land another blow, in an attempt to keep away any emotion.  Then he realized that other people were there with him and silenced immediately, running a commentary inside his head instead. If only he'd have rolled a little farther that kick wouldn't have hurt as much or.. maybe if he'd stepped to the left.. The memories continued.

Ruining Dudley's birthday like that... I warned you no funny business.. ..... try and outdo Dudley on a spelling test did you, who'd you cheat off of?...I warned you boy... the only good thing to do is to stomp the magic out of him... no more letters, if I see another blasted owl.. I'll bar those windows shut.. you wont be going back to that freak school this year... are you listening to me boy?.. I'll teach you to show some respect..        

 Harry watched the memory of himself in disgust, had he ever been that weak? What would everyone think of him now? The grumblings of the court voiced a different opinion.

"That bastard! Can you imagine doing that to an innocent child!"

"Of all things..."

"How could anyone be so heartless?"

 It looked as if the court was ready to rise and attack dear old Uncle Vernon...

"Well is there anything you can say in your defense, Mr. Dursley?" asked the judge whose voice seemed short and terse from anger.

"He's lying!" Vernon was roaring now, "Besides he deserved every thing he got. You know it boy."

 Harry ducked back as Vernon lunged across the room. He was restrained quickly by two hit wizards, who looked all too happy to use force to drag him back to his own seat.

"If that is all the evidence you have to offer Mr. Dursley," the Judge O'Connor stated coldly, "I suggest that we leave the jury to decide their verdict now. We will meet back here in an hour."

 They followed his instructions and everyone filed out of the room. Harry and company all followed Arabella back to the room they'd been in before the trial began.

  "Ron and Hermione," she said, "You will both probably be asked to give testimony before trial is over, "since it's well known how much time you've all spent together over the years. You know there's a lunch counter around here somewhere. Harry, why don't you and Ginny go get us some sandwiches while I talk to them?"

 Ginny saw what Arabella was trying to do and dragged Harry out of the room.

"Are you okay?" she asked him when they were alone in the hall.

"Yeah," he lied, though it was obvious in the way that his hands were shaking. Ginny looked as if she was going to move to hug him but seemed to think better of it. He was grateful for that at the moment. Seeing the doubt still lingering on her face he asked, with an attempt at a smile, "So where is this lunch counter?"

 Ginny walked over to a map showing the layout of the building of the wall, "I think it's here, see where the children's resources area is?"

"Yeah," he nodded and they turned onto the corridor to their left. On the way to the lunch counter they had to deal with several young children running to the windows of different rooms. One girl actually made her way out to the hallway.

"Are you really Harry Potter," the little girl asked. Ginny stood back for a moment to see what his reaction would be. She was surprised when he didn't attempt to flee like usual at recognition.

"Yep, the one and only," he replied with a bow, "and who might this lovely young lady be?"

"Morgan," replied the little girl, "but I'm not a lady."

"Of course you are," he replied with a grin, "I don't think half the girls at Hogwarts are as pretty as you."

The little girl giggled in reply and then asked solemnly, "Can I see your scar."

"Sure," he replied while hoisting her up into the air, "But you know who really got rid of you-know-who back then don't you?"

"Who?" asked the girl, now entirely confused.

"My Mum did," he replied, "She gave up her life for mine and that was the most powerful force. You know what that is don't you?"

"What?" she asked, curiosity even more piqued.

"Love," he replied simply before putting the grinning girl on the ground, "Can you do me a favor?"

"What?" she asked.

"Never forget that."

 She grinned and waved to him as she was called back by a woman who appeared to be her teacher.

"Don't worry, I will," she called, "Bye Harry."

"Bye Morgan," he replied before turning to Ginny. "Let's find that lunch counter now." Ginny stood there mouth agape for a minute as he walked on. She ran to catch up with him.

"And what was that?" she exclaimed when she caught back up with him.

"What?" he asked.

"Any time anyone else comes up to you and asks you about your scar you turn and run," she replied, "Why'd you stay and talk to that little girl."

"Kids are easier to talk to," he shrugged, "Sometimes they understand things better than adults do."

She smiled, "So since when have you been good with kids?"

"Never," he replied, "I just remember how things were when I was that age and she's got to be an orphan too. She came from the children's ward didn't she?"

"Yeah," replied Ginny. Then she giggled. "Though I didn't know you were such a womanizer anyway." He laughed with her and they soon reached the lunch counter. They managed to order all their food and headed back down the hallway, stopping to wave to Morgan through a window on the way down.

 Soon they reached B112 and everyone dug into their lunch, Ron grumbling good-naturedly about the wait for food as usual. Everyone finished their lunch and sat around talking until the clock on the wall announced that it was time to return to the courtroom. They filed into their seats with Harry feeling much better than he had before. Soon Hermione was called to the stand for a brief testimony. Ron followed then surprisingly Fred and George. Their testimonies ended up being significantly longer considering that all three had been on the 'rescue mission' in the summer preceding his second year.

Aunt Petunia's testimony was short-lived. It consisted mainly of sobbing and how they'd tried to reach out to the poor boy in so many ways. Most people in court eyed her in disgust. Dudley just sat on a bench clutching his large bottom and glancing around fearfully while his mother gave testimony in his father's favor.  Uncle Vernon himself was called up and then finally, with much reluctance, Harry approached the bench. Arabella asked the main questions she'd already reviewed with him before the trial. Then Vernon's lawyer took his turn at questioning him.

"You say it's true that your uncle abused you?" asked the seemingly oily man.

"Yes."

"But is it true that you deserved many of these punishments for disobedience."

"No."

"Really, Let's take the summer you claim he barred your windows and locked you in your room. I believe there was an event involving you throwing a dessert onto the floor in the presence of guests. Could this confinement not have been for the safety of you and others?"

"I didn't throw it," replied Harry.

"He cant be telling the truth," the man told the judge. Soon Harry was Handed a small globe to hold in the palm of his hand.

"Did you throw the dessert?" sneered the man.

"No," replied Harry coldly and the ball glowed green.

"He's tellin' the truth," replied Judge O'Connor.

"But there was no one else who-"

"Doesn't matter he's telling the truth," replied O'Connor, "Continue if you have any other questions that might help your case. Otherwise you can return to your seat."

 Everyone watched as Vernon Dursley's lawyer turned around and walked away.

"In that case," replied Judge O'Connor, "The jury will leave to make their decision. We will meet back here in forty-five minutes."

Before exiting the room the Judge winked at Harry, "I guess that means we can clear that misuse of magic warning off your record then." Harry stood in shock before he was led out by Mrs. Weasley. When they all arrived in B112 once more Harry was shocked to see Albus Dumbledore waiting for them at the large table in the center of the room.

"Congratulations Harry," he said as they entered.

"What do you mean?" Harry said, confused. "They haven't decided yet."

"Things are a bit different in wizarding trials," replied Dumbledore, "The verdict is usually decided after the first half. The second half is only a measure taken in case new evidence comes to light. From what I've heard, It looks like Vernon will definitely be found guilty." Harry nodded absorbing the newest bit of information on the wizarding world that he'd been ignorant to.

"I just wanted to stop by," said Dumbledore, "I have a meeting with Cornelius and then with the delegates from Austria." With that he was off.

 The recess went by much quicker this time and they all filed back to the courtroom when the forty-five minutes were up.

 "The jury has been given sufficient time to decide their verdict," said Judge O'Connor. "Are you prepared to announce it?" The jury members all nodded and one of the jurors stepped forward.

"Guilty!" she declared.

"The sentence?" asked O'Connor.

"The Dursleys will be revoked of all holds of custody. Furthermore, Mr. Dursley will pay the fine of 313 galleons and spend two years in imprisonment."

"That's outrageous!" cried Vernon... but he was soon dragged out of the courtroom by the hit wizards. Aunt Petunia appeared to have fainted and Dudley was shaking while holding his large rump. Harry couldn't help but smile.