Title: A Little Bit of Love

Rating: R

Pairing(s): HP/DM, LV/SS

Warning(s): slash, violence, language, angst

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine. I own nothing here except for the plot.

Summary: The summer after fifth year finds Harry depressed. His godfather is dead, his relatives are being worse than usual, and the prophecy is weighing heavily on his mind. So when a shocking letter arrives at Privet Drive how does Harry cope?

Chapter Eight

The courtroom was filled to the brim with people. Reporters lined the sides and filled the back seats while witnesses and people who may be called upon filled the front and middle seats. Ryu hadn't wanted the court to be so full but his father had insisted that the reporters as well as some of the public be allowed in to "witness his glorious return to the real world".

"Everyone be seated." A gravel banged and the people filling the courtroom sat as the Judge had ordered. Ryu glanced nervously at his father, who despite looking haggard, winked back at him playfully. "As astonishing as this claim is, the law has an obligation to give the man standing before us a trial." At this the judge wrinkled his nose. "And a fair one at that. Now, we will begin with the opening statements from both sides and we will see how far we get." The judge motioned for the opposing side to begin and the man stood.

"Thank you your honor." The man, Mr. Switzer, gathered his papers and strode in front of the twelve people serving as the jury. At the request of his father's lawyer, all of these people were pulled from foreign countries that hadn't been affected by Lord Voldemort or the war, so that the man on trial would be given a fair trial.

"Today you will hear both sides, one defending and one opposing, the man sitting to your left." Switzer began, completely somber. "This man is known as You-Know-Who, or Lord V-v-Voldemort." Ryu snickered, both at the stutter and the fact that the man had already seemed to forget that the jury hadn't ever heard of Voldemort but in passing. "This man has been terrorizing both Britain's wizarding and muggle worlds for many years. He has used all three of the Unforgivables on many occasions, and all have been used on those weaker than him. He has murdered, pillaged, and raped. Nobody was saved from his brutality, except for those who agreed to join his side. And even then they could be placed under the Cruciatus curse! This man has no feelings whatsoever! He does not care for anyone! I ask that you put this man where he belongs...in Azkaban! Preferably with the Kiss." Switzer took his seat and Tom's lawyer, Mr. Allens, stood.

"Ladies and Gentleman of the jury," He began in a calm voice. "The man you see before you is innocent of all these accusations. He has been diagnosed with a rare disease mainly seen in muggles called Multiple Personality Disorder. This disease will be explained by several doctors in greater detail later on, but it basically means that Tom here has two distinct personalities; himself and Voldemort. I ask that you decide to release him if not on his own recognizance then to a mental facility where he can receive the help he needs, after listening closely to evidence supporting his claim." Allens sat and the judge banged his gravel.

"Thanks to you for the mercifully short openings. We will take a short break and then begin with witness reports."

(One Hour Late…)

"Mr. Switzer, you may call up your witness." Switzer nodded and escorted an older lady up to the stand. She was sworn in and Switzer began his questioning. Ryu watched as intently as Tom's lawyer.

"Mrs. Thomas, I know this will be hard on you but I ask you to tell us about what happened on August the twenty seventh." Switzer started with no mercy, honing right in on what Ryu knew to be a horrid story.

"My home was attacked. An awful man in a dark robe burst in with other men. They pointed their wands at me and stunned me as they dragged my husband and children down the stairs."

"How old were your children?"

"Seven and Ten." Switzer nodded.

"And what did the man do?"

"He ordered his men to..to..beat them and curse them. Then they were raped and killed. He forced my husband to do it, before he killed him. I only escaped because the Aurors appeared."

"Thank you." Switzer took his seat and Allens stood with a paper filled with notes in his hand.

"Mrs. Thomas. Did you get a good look at this horrible man in the robes?"

"Yes. He had a pointed face, like a snakes, and had red eyes." Allens nodded.

"Do you see that man here?" Mrs. Thomas turned to look at Tom. She stared at him for a long time before answering.

"He looked a little bit like the defendant. But he had darker eyes and no hair."

"Can you say for sure that this man is the one who ordered the attack?"

"No." The woman look sad and Switzer looked angry. Allens nodded and the witness was excused. The next few the man called up were also victims, and while all of their stories were horrid and sad, none of them could associate Tom with the man who had attacked them. The day ended with a young boy testifying. They would continue on with the doctor's explanations the next day.

TBC