A/N: Title is an Irish expression, literally 'cap of death', basically means last straw. Sorry to those who were a bit confused with the last chapter – the little interview at the beginning was irrelevant, it was just to show how pissed off Harry was getting with the whole affair. So, thanks to: witchintraining (I'm just ignoring your wishes for the time being), The Grim (sorry you were confused, but it really wasn't important), mollziki (here's some evil for you), and whirlyblue (were you v.bored Shirl?).
Cie Bais
Harry sat in the corridor, his eyes fixed on the door, he could hear the faint voices of Fudge and Dumbledore through the door, any moment soon he would be called through into Courtroom Ten where a witness box was waiting for him. Lucius Malfoy was sat in the chair in the centre of the room, bound by the chains on the chair's arms, despite his situation he looked calm and collected, not even grimacing from the wheals on his body he had obtained during his capture. Dumbledore had led Harry silently into the courtroom and gestured at the witness box, then he went back to his seat at the front of the stands.
"The first witness," Percy Weasley announced, "please recognize Professor Albus Dumbledore as C, please state your full name."
"Harry James Potter."
"Mr Potter please give us as near to a full account of your experiences from 16:15 on the 15th August." Dumbledore locked himself in Harry gaze.
"Well, um... Tonks had given, me a parcel about then and told me to take it to the door of the Department of Mysteries, I had to do a special knock, and say a password. So I went to the lift where I met Arthur Weasley – or at least I thought I did – "
"A person with the appearance of Mr Arthur Weasley," interjected Fudge.
"Yes, and he offered me a cup of tea, I went to his office and we talked for a few minutes, then I remembered the parcel, which he offered to take for me, I was tired so I gave it to him and went back to the Auror offices. There I met Tonks and told her what I'd done with the parcel, she told me that it was Arthur Weasley's day off so I was a bit surprised, the alarm was activated soon after that."
"Mr Potter, did you have any idea what was in the parcel?" Dumbledore asked,
"No, I just assumed it was fairly important though."
"And Mr Potter, if may ask, what did you and 'Arthur Weasley' talk about?" Fudge demanded,
"Just about the summer, how our families were, all pretty trivial stuff really..."
"Did you notice any change in the nature of 'Mr Weasley' when you told him about the parcel?"
"No, except, yes, his eyes sort of lighted up and had a kind of glitter that I'd never seen with Arthur Weasley. And his tone got kind of quick and more serious, I just assumed he was worried about me looking after it and I'd barely put it down before he'd snatched it up." Harry looking searchingly at Malfoy who had his own gaze clamped on Dumbledore with an expression on his face of pure abhorrence.
"And his appearance, Mr Potter? Assuming a Polyjuice Potion had been used the effects may have been wearing off."
Harry scanned his memory, trying to picture the scene between them, "If I remember rightly, his face looked a bit paler, and his hair, which was lightening as well as becoming slicker."
"And what did you think of this?" Dumbledore had his hands in front of him, with their fingertips pressed together.
"Well, I thought it was kind of odd and had a few doubts, but he was so quick out the door and picking up the parcel I wouldn't have had a chance trying to get it back." Harry sighed, "it was only when Tonks told me Arthur couldn't be there that I put it all together."
"You immediately suspected Mr Lucius Malfoy?" Fudge was still suffering a little from the embarrassment of the country finding out that his former benefactor was a Death Eater.
Harry nodded, "Yes, I mean it might not have been, but he was the only Death Eater I knew with pale skin and hair, and I've known him for a while."
"You instantly assumed it was of evil intent?"
"Yes, I don't see how anyone taking a top security parcel under the disguise of Polyjuice Potion would be doing it in good." Harry looked back at Malfoy.
"Thank you Mr Potter, are there any more questions for the witness?" Dumbledore turned to look at the crowd behind him, no movement was made. "Very well, court dismissed for lunch." Harry sighed deeply and began to make his way out of the room with the crowd of wizards and witches but a hand held him back.
"Harry, I was wondering if I could have a word?" Dumbledore led Harry to a small annexe off the main courtroom, and conjured up two chairs. They sat down and Dumbledore stared at Harry for a moment.
"Sir?"
"Harry, I feel it is your right to know what was in that parcel, why it was so closely guarded, what the Department of Mysteries wanted with it, and why Lord Voldemort sought after it. But of course it is your choice, you could remain blissfully innocent if you wish."
"Please Professor, if you will." Dumbledore chuckled,
"Of course, I had almost forgotten your curiousness, be it for better or for worse. So I will proceed, please do not interrupt me, there is a time for questions but now it not that time.
"I don't know if you believe in destiny Harry, though I'm sure three years with Professor Trelawney is enough to push it out of anyone. But of course there is the art of Astrology, which you will have studied. When a child is born in the wizarding world a complex analysis is made of the child. This will include mapping the stars at the time of birth, star signs and so on, eventually the child's destiny is built up. Of course mostly this is worthless so it is thrown away, perhaps given to parents as a memento of their child's birth. But sometimes, very very rarely, an astrologer will stumble across the destiny of a child that will inevitably shape the world. The parents may be informed, or may not be, and it is stored until such time when it may become important.
"This happened to you Harry, it was taken out as soon as you were born and it was realised that you fitted the prophecy I told you about last year but when Voldemort disappeared, it was lost, and only recently has it been discovered. It was going to be analysed by the Department of Mysteries as no-one knows the actual content. Unfortunately the wizard who wrote it thought it so important that it was sealed so securely that no-one has been able to open it. You will realise that whoever manages to read and understand it will find out ultimately what will become of you, an essential asset for both sides. It is now in the hands of Lord Voldemort, but whether he shall be able to open it is not known. Please do not be too alarmed."
Harry sat in silence for a few minutes and then said, "but if someone finds out my destiny there's not really much point to anything."
"Harry, Harry, your destiny is not like that of which Muggles speak, it is not clearly mapped out. It just shows what you could achieve if you are pushed to the limit of your true potential, naturally not all of it will occur. Now Harry I do not think you will be longer needed in this case, I suggest you go and get yourself some lunch, finds Tonks to go with you. I am sure it is incredibly unlikely anyone will be unable to unlock it, but for now, keep your head down." Harry turned back to Dumbledore, but he had vanished.
A/N: So, there you go, inspired by my adventures with HP Lego – which is possibly the coolest toy ever. Kinda short, but lots of dialogue – not nothing I'm very good at, was that OK? Anyway randomness, I hope that might have just sorted out those who were confused in the last chapter. Reviews v.welcome! :-)