Title: Wisdom From The Dark 05
Author: Jyrnn
Spoilers: All four books.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor any of its characters. They are the sole intellectual property of J. K. Rowling and Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. I gain no monetary reward for this exercise and do not intend any copyright infringement.
Summery: A child has suffered enough, an intruder encounters unexpected resistance, and the careless words of Voldemort have the most unexpected results. Harry Potter is about to take a stand.
Chapter 5: The Bridge That Falls Behind You
A roar was the only way to describe it. A cacophony of the outrage of some mingling with the triumph of many. No one person's reaction to the judges sentence could be determined. The court was filled with surging wave noise and emotion. Very Raw, strictly primal, and undoubtedly honest. Harry laughed a desperate kind of laugh as he turned to face the bellowing crowd of spectators. Upon his entrance he had cast his glance downward, not wanting to see the accusation in the face of the few Ministry officials present before the Fudges pre-emptive lock-down. But now, when it really didn't matter, he glean the truth from faces of the crowd. The few who smiled openly wore the trappings of pure-bloods. Harry had been concerned about faceless enemies in the Ministry after Dawkins spoken the names of Avery, Boot and Nott. The smirks and tooth smiles of Avery and Nott gave justification to his fear. Just the same, the quiet green-looking Boot indicated he was pressured into his testimony. A small sea of men, faces without names, both reassured and worried Harry. He knew he had friends and he knew he had enemies. But it didn't matter. Fudge's war was waged behind closed doors with threats and blackmail. Harry knew this because he knew that Fudge was coward. This was not a vendetta against Harry, it was merely the Minister's way of hiding the re-emergence of Voldemort. After spending time tied to headstone Harry did not begrudge Fudge his fear, yet in that instant when he saw the pleased look on the man's face Harry was overcome with a hatred for the man's weakness.
But these thought lay hidden to any who looked at Harry. All anyone could see was a look of shock and a frame burdened by the weight of shackles and chains. It was a look of innocence lost, a look of immense betrayal and any with shred of decency who saw it wept inside with shame. In a hall of bureaucrats and traitors not many felt the sting of shame. But a few did. A few felt guilty for serving a fool and others yet regretted not speaking up. And thus did resolve form among a scattered few. The days of Cornelius Fudge were numbered. It was unfortunate he lacked the foresight to realize it. It was unfortunate he was a small and petty man. Yes it was unfortunate for him indeed.
***
Harry was hurried through the center aisle, a worried guard trying to yank him past the swelling crowd of the mob. Some reached out to show there support, others to deliver a parting jeer to the boy. All the arms reaching for the one figure gave the appearance of disorder and of brewing chaos. The longer his charge walked amongst the mob, the greater the chance of a riot. It was inevitable that the guard's forceful pulls would overwhelm Harry's dwindling stamina. With a painful thump and drowned out clatter of chains Harry Potter was sent sprawling. The wind was knocked from as he skidded closer to the right row seats. As the bailiff urged him to stand the tumult rose to new heights. Profanity and accusations swirled around the courtroom and so involved was the argument that few paid any heed to the fallen exile. Yet one person did. He reached down over the barricade despite the complaints of the bailiff. A manicured hand hauled Harry upright and grasped the cuff of Harry's too-large plaid shirt, pulling him into earshot.
"Harry Potter, how dreadful for you" breathed the voice of Lucius Malfoy. The man's platinum blonde hair was bound loosely behind his head and his eyes shone with amusement. "My Master wishes to express his gratitude for your blood. All this," he waved a hand at the anarchy around them "Is because of you. Farewell, Potter." With the air of man confident he would never again be bothered by his foe, Lucius disappeared into the chaotic mass of humanity.
The incessant urging of the bailiff shook Harry out of the stupor Malfoy's words had instilled. Glancing around he saw that the situation was beginning to calm down. Shaking his head Harry realized he had yet to stop laughing. Yet now it was conscious. He really did find the whole thing quite funny.
***
It had taken a long time to break up the madness after his verdict. The whole affair dissolved into utter bedlam and was a complete embarrassment. Ultimately he had started handing out citations and throwing grown wizards into jail. Once they saw how serious he was the bickering and fist fights had ceased and became quiet fury. Even the most pugilistic of malcontents withered under his glare. Such was his gift. It was not without price though, the entire ordeal had left him drained. Shrugging out of oppressive and voluminous black robes and shedding his wig, he shut the door to his chambers. He would need to make notes for his files. This case would only lay dormant for a while. *By Merlin's beard I just exiled Harry Potter!* It was necessary. Fudge had been too quick to prosecute and too loud in his denouement of allegations against Falstaff. There was no proof though, one way or the other. At least elsewhere the boy would be out of capricious hands. The files showed the boy was more than capable of surviving on his own. With a sigh he strode to the decanter on the sideboard. "Yes," Edmundus Fletcher said to nobody in particular as he poured some brandy, "The boy will do fine.
***
Percy Weasley stood at the front door of his house. His parent's house really but it was the only home he had known. He and Penny had talked of getting a flat of their own in London But nothing had come of it. He still lived in the same shabby farmhouse near Ottery St Catchpole, he still bickered with youngest brother at the supper table and still doted on his only sister. Yet it didn't feel like coming home. He bore a sense of profound sadness as he reached for the doorknob. He had failed so completely and now a boy who was practically a member of the family was exiled. Percy had quickly scrawled a note to Harry telling him not to worry, that the exile was to imposed a week from today. Now he needed rest. But first...
The door swung open and a anxious looking Arthur Weasley stood staring at his third son with bloodshot eyes. "I never should have left the office. Went home for a spot of breakfast and couldn't get back in. Fudge closed down all entrances for security reasons and I was stuck outside EVEN though I was bloody witness. Well, what happened son? Oh" He then truly saw the sorrowful gaze of Percy and slouch of his shoulders. Dully Percy walked into the foray and kicked off his shoes and plucked off his hat. He merely looked at his father and motioned him towards the kitchen. Minutes later they sat across from one another with steaming cup of tea each cradled in theirs hands. Percy took a loud slurp and sighed. "Fudge swore all the spectators and councilors to silence. He said it is not to leave the Ministry, is this clear Department Head Arthur Weasley." He said the last with a un-Percy like twinkle in his eye.
Comprehension dawned on Arthur as he replied, "Of Course Consoler Weasley. No what's all he fuss about. Is Gavin in Azkaban?"
"Falstaff wasn't charged Dad, it was Harry who went on trial." He motioned for his father to belay the shout of outrage that threatened to escape. The last thing they needed was one of the family to hear about this. "They charged him with everything short treason because he "assaulted the office of the Minister" and then rigged trial. Lucky Judge Fletcher was the only magistrate in over the weekend or it could have went worse." Percy steeled himself with a deep breath and a drought of tea. "Father, they banished him. You know what the Code says about Banishment right?"
Arthur responded in a monotone voice, "And he who is cast out shall live apart from the nation, and never shall he met with one of the blood of the nation. He shall dwell not in boundaries of our land."
Percy replied in an equally flat voice "But council shall meet to judge the exile each year on the anniversary of his exile." Percy brightened at this. " So Harry can challenge the decision a year from now right. This could all blow over by then right.
"Lets hope so son, let's hope so." The pair lapsed into silence.
End Chapter 5
Author's notes.
Well Harry's got week left in Britain to sort things out. How do you think he will deal?
Thanks to my reviewers, Nighttime Sunshine, peeweepotter, Them Girl and Relle. And to Lady FoxFire, I guess I've kept your attention thus far.
Author: Jyrnn
Spoilers: All four books.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor any of its characters. They are the sole intellectual property of J. K. Rowling and Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. I gain no monetary reward for this exercise and do not intend any copyright infringement.
Summery: A child has suffered enough, an intruder encounters unexpected resistance, and the careless words of Voldemort have the most unexpected results. Harry Potter is about to take a stand.
Chapter 5: The Bridge That Falls Behind You
A roar was the only way to describe it. A cacophony of the outrage of some mingling with the triumph of many. No one person's reaction to the judges sentence could be determined. The court was filled with surging wave noise and emotion. Very Raw, strictly primal, and undoubtedly honest. Harry laughed a desperate kind of laugh as he turned to face the bellowing crowd of spectators. Upon his entrance he had cast his glance downward, not wanting to see the accusation in the face of the few Ministry officials present before the Fudges pre-emptive lock-down. But now, when it really didn't matter, he glean the truth from faces of the crowd. The few who smiled openly wore the trappings of pure-bloods. Harry had been concerned about faceless enemies in the Ministry after Dawkins spoken the names of Avery, Boot and Nott. The smirks and tooth smiles of Avery and Nott gave justification to his fear. Just the same, the quiet green-looking Boot indicated he was pressured into his testimony. A small sea of men, faces without names, both reassured and worried Harry. He knew he had friends and he knew he had enemies. But it didn't matter. Fudge's war was waged behind closed doors with threats and blackmail. Harry knew this because he knew that Fudge was coward. This was not a vendetta against Harry, it was merely the Minister's way of hiding the re-emergence of Voldemort. After spending time tied to headstone Harry did not begrudge Fudge his fear, yet in that instant when he saw the pleased look on the man's face Harry was overcome with a hatred for the man's weakness.
But these thought lay hidden to any who looked at Harry. All anyone could see was a look of shock and a frame burdened by the weight of shackles and chains. It was a look of innocence lost, a look of immense betrayal and any with shred of decency who saw it wept inside with shame. In a hall of bureaucrats and traitors not many felt the sting of shame. But a few did. A few felt guilty for serving a fool and others yet regretted not speaking up. And thus did resolve form among a scattered few. The days of Cornelius Fudge were numbered. It was unfortunate he lacked the foresight to realize it. It was unfortunate he was a small and petty man. Yes it was unfortunate for him indeed.
***
Harry was hurried through the center aisle, a worried guard trying to yank him past the swelling crowd of the mob. Some reached out to show there support, others to deliver a parting jeer to the boy. All the arms reaching for the one figure gave the appearance of disorder and of brewing chaos. The longer his charge walked amongst the mob, the greater the chance of a riot. It was inevitable that the guard's forceful pulls would overwhelm Harry's dwindling stamina. With a painful thump and drowned out clatter of chains Harry Potter was sent sprawling. The wind was knocked from as he skidded closer to the right row seats. As the bailiff urged him to stand the tumult rose to new heights. Profanity and accusations swirled around the courtroom and so involved was the argument that few paid any heed to the fallen exile. Yet one person did. He reached down over the barricade despite the complaints of the bailiff. A manicured hand hauled Harry upright and grasped the cuff of Harry's too-large plaid shirt, pulling him into earshot.
"Harry Potter, how dreadful for you" breathed the voice of Lucius Malfoy. The man's platinum blonde hair was bound loosely behind his head and his eyes shone with amusement. "My Master wishes to express his gratitude for your blood. All this," he waved a hand at the anarchy around them "Is because of you. Farewell, Potter." With the air of man confident he would never again be bothered by his foe, Lucius disappeared into the chaotic mass of humanity.
The incessant urging of the bailiff shook Harry out of the stupor Malfoy's words had instilled. Glancing around he saw that the situation was beginning to calm down. Shaking his head Harry realized he had yet to stop laughing. Yet now it was conscious. He really did find the whole thing quite funny.
***
It had taken a long time to break up the madness after his verdict. The whole affair dissolved into utter bedlam and was a complete embarrassment. Ultimately he had started handing out citations and throwing grown wizards into jail. Once they saw how serious he was the bickering and fist fights had ceased and became quiet fury. Even the most pugilistic of malcontents withered under his glare. Such was his gift. It was not without price though, the entire ordeal had left him drained. Shrugging out of oppressive and voluminous black robes and shedding his wig, he shut the door to his chambers. He would need to make notes for his files. This case would only lay dormant for a while. *By Merlin's beard I just exiled Harry Potter!* It was necessary. Fudge had been too quick to prosecute and too loud in his denouement of allegations against Falstaff. There was no proof though, one way or the other. At least elsewhere the boy would be out of capricious hands. The files showed the boy was more than capable of surviving on his own. With a sigh he strode to the decanter on the sideboard. "Yes," Edmundus Fletcher said to nobody in particular as he poured some brandy, "The boy will do fine.
***
Percy Weasley stood at the front door of his house. His parent's house really but it was the only home he had known. He and Penny had talked of getting a flat of their own in London But nothing had come of it. He still lived in the same shabby farmhouse near Ottery St Catchpole, he still bickered with youngest brother at the supper table and still doted on his only sister. Yet it didn't feel like coming home. He bore a sense of profound sadness as he reached for the doorknob. He had failed so completely and now a boy who was practically a member of the family was exiled. Percy had quickly scrawled a note to Harry telling him not to worry, that the exile was to imposed a week from today. Now he needed rest. But first...
The door swung open and a anxious looking Arthur Weasley stood staring at his third son with bloodshot eyes. "I never should have left the office. Went home for a spot of breakfast and couldn't get back in. Fudge closed down all entrances for security reasons and I was stuck outside EVEN though I was bloody witness. Well, what happened son? Oh" He then truly saw the sorrowful gaze of Percy and slouch of his shoulders. Dully Percy walked into the foray and kicked off his shoes and plucked off his hat. He merely looked at his father and motioned him towards the kitchen. Minutes later they sat across from one another with steaming cup of tea each cradled in theirs hands. Percy took a loud slurp and sighed. "Fudge swore all the spectators and councilors to silence. He said it is not to leave the Ministry, is this clear Department Head Arthur Weasley." He said the last with a un-Percy like twinkle in his eye.
Comprehension dawned on Arthur as he replied, "Of Course Consoler Weasley. No what's all he fuss about. Is Gavin in Azkaban?"
"Falstaff wasn't charged Dad, it was Harry who went on trial." He motioned for his father to belay the shout of outrage that threatened to escape. The last thing they needed was one of the family to hear about this. "They charged him with everything short treason because he "assaulted the office of the Minister" and then rigged trial. Lucky Judge Fletcher was the only magistrate in over the weekend or it could have went worse." Percy steeled himself with a deep breath and a drought of tea. "Father, they banished him. You know what the Code says about Banishment right?"
Arthur responded in a monotone voice, "And he who is cast out shall live apart from the nation, and never shall he met with one of the blood of the nation. He shall dwell not in boundaries of our land."
Percy replied in an equally flat voice "But council shall meet to judge the exile each year on the anniversary of his exile." Percy brightened at this. " So Harry can challenge the decision a year from now right. This could all blow over by then right.
"Lets hope so son, let's hope so." The pair lapsed into silence.
End Chapter 5
Author's notes.
Well Harry's got week left in Britain to sort things out. How do you think he will deal?
Thanks to my reviewers, Nighttime Sunshine, peeweepotter, Them Girl and Relle. And to Lady FoxFire, I guess I've kept your attention thus far.