Chapter 16

On Sunday evening, Dumbledore invited Harry into his own classroom. He had conjured a round table. At the table sat some thirty or so people, almost all of them were known to Harry. McGonagall, Poppy, Flitwick, Molly, Arthur, Remus, Hagrid, Moody, Tonks, Kinglsey, Hestia, Diggory, Figg, Diggle, Fletcher, Malkin, Tom the bartender, the Honeydukes candy shop man, Aberforth, Fred, George, and a handful that he didn't know.

Harry quickly sized the group up with respect to their ability to fight and concluded that at best half of them could hold their own in a street fight. Harry would hold the apprentices or the DA up against them any day.

Dumbledore began. "Thank you for coming Harry. Professor Potter had been providing impressive leadership to the light side's next generation and I have asked him to come and see if we might be able to join forces in bringing an end to Voldemort and his band of followers." The few who didn't know him, thought it curious that Dumbledore would be joining forces with a mere student. Those who knew him had a different opinion.

Three years ago Hagrid had known Harry to face death to help set him free from Azkaban.

Remus, McGonagall, Flitwick and Pomfrey had seen his bravery and leadership in action countless times since he was eleven. They needed no convincing.

A year ago, Amos Diggory was convinced that Harry Potter was an unbalanced attention starved orphan that needed to be regulated. Then in one night, he proved himself in the Department of Mysteries, paving the way for his ticket as Minister of Magic.

Eight Months ago, Kingsley thought Harry to be something of a loose cannon. Then he captured Pettigrew and saved the Granger family. At present, he had nothing but respect for the man.

Seven months ago, Tonks looked at Harry's little adventures with amusement. Then he saved her life and proved himself to be the ultimate gentleman.

Six months ago, Molly would have insisted that Harry leave the room and let the adults handle the adult matters. Then he selflessly gave her family a place to stay.

Four months ago, Aberforth watched in awestruck fascination as Harry saved the village and destroyed some of the dementors.

Two months ago Madam Malkin watched Harry take in yet another war victim and made sure that she had a place to stay at over the holidays.

Last week Arthur had personally witnessed Harry face down thirty dementors saving him, his wife, daughter and a family friend.

Fred and George owed their livelihood to him. Having seen the DA group. They shared McGonagall's curiosity - Would he have us?

Dumbledore continued. "Not wishing to impose on Professor Potter's activities to chip away at the dark forces, I believe that our group can be of use to him, and his to ours. As such, does anyone have any objection to Harry becoming a member of the Order?"

Tonks stood and began applauding. A moment later all who knew him joined in. Within five seconds, everyone was applauding. "Very well then. Let us continue our business. Tomorrow, the trials of …"

-

The Wizengamot trial of the three young Death Eaters was the beginning of an unhappy day for Harry Potter. By tradition, the spectators were seated first. They were seated about an hour before the trial was set to begin. No wands or other weapons were admitted in the courtroom. As it turned out, both trails were scheduled in courtroom ten, the same room where Harry himself had stood trial eighteen months before.

The witnesses were admitted next. In this case, Alastor and Harry were the only two witnesses. It appeared that there were no defensive witnesses summoned. Harry walked in and noticed Tonks, Hestia, Minerva and Remus among the crowd. Harry also noticed Rita Skeeter and her photographer, Bozo. He nodded to her. Curiously he also noticed Oliver Wood in the crowded audience stand. Harry remembered that Oliver's older brother was one of the hit wizards killed at the Grangers last summer, and that his niece was one of Harry's first year students. Harry could understand how the conviction of Death Eaters might have become an interest of Oliver's.

The prosecution and defensive teams were admitted next. Harry recognized Amelia Bones along with a witch and wizard that he did not know. There was one person at the defensive table who Harry did not recognize.

The Wizengamot judges came next. In normal civil or criminal cases a sub-panel consisting of five of the fifty judges would handle the case, substantially lightening the workload on any of the individual justices who were all citizens first, and justices on an as needed basis. In the case of the highly publicized, or Death Eater trials, all fifty justices had been called. Harry darkly recalled that all fifty justices had been present at his own trial. Sensing his mood, Alastor said, "Most likely it will be over in ten minutes. These minnows know what they need to do." Harry nodded.

The Wizengamot clerk read the charges. "This trial on 13 January 1997 involves three Death Eaters. Auror, show them in. A massive Auror opened the side door and lead the three accused Death Eaters into the room. They sere seated at the three magical chairs which chained them up. Deservedly, they looked terrified.

The clerk continued. "Anthony Betchley, Michael Bole and Adrian Pucey, you stand before the British Wizengamot accused of the following crimes;"

He looked at the sheaf of parchment and continued. "You are accused of possession of Death Eater paraphernalia. You are accused of possession of an unregistered wand. You are accused of membership in an illegal organization. Finally you are accused in conspiracy to commit assault and murder on Harry James Potter."

Flipping the parchments, the clerk continued. "The maximum sentences if convicted for each of the crime are one thousand, three thousand, ten thousand galleons and five years imprisonment respectively. Adrian Pucey, how do you plea?"

The young man faced the clerk and said, "Guilty."

The clerk continued. "Michael Bole. How do you plea?"

There were tears streaming down Bole's thin face. Looking up, he said, "Guilty."

The clerk continued. "Anthony Betchley, how do you plea?"

Betchley looked hard, or as hard as one can look while chained to a chair. He said in a firm voice, "Guilty."

Their council stood and said, "If I may make a brief comment, I would like to point out that Mr. Potter was not actually injured by any of these three young wizards."

Amelia stood and replied, "If I may comment, the fact that Mr. Potter was not hit by a curse does not mean that one was not fired. Mr. Ames, are you disputing the deposed record from Mr. Potter stating that a curse was fired at him?"

Mr. Ames replied, "No. The defendants are not disputing that."

The clerk stood again and asked, "Are there any other comments?"

Amelia shook her head, and said, "None from the Ministry."

Mr. Ames said, "None from the accused."

The clerk said, "Everyone please remain quiet and seated while the justices determine the sentences.

After ten minutes an older witch rose from the Wizengamot crowd. She began. "This case was largely about intent. The law prohibiting possession of Death Eater paraphernalia was designed to communicate that that foul organization is not to be glorified. The law remained on the books and is now strictly punitive. For possession of Death Eater Paraphernalia, you are each fined one thousand Galleons."

Hestia thought to herself given that she now made nearly six thousand Galleons a year, that was a lot of gold for a mask.

Harry finally recognized the old witch as Neville's Grandmother. She still looked ill. She continued. "The law prohibiting possession of an unregistered wand is intended to punish the usual reason for having an unregistered wand- Concealment of or evasion from being recognized for having committed a crime. For that you are each fined three thousand galleons."

She continued. "The law prohibiting membership in an illegal organization such as the Death Eaters is designed to discourage even passive membership in a terrorist organization regardless of one's individual role within that organization. For that, you are each fined ten thousand galleons."

Harry realized that it was unlikely that any of the three actually had fourteen thousand galleons.

Longbottom continued. "Your counsel's comment regarding intent had some merit. If you had actually succeeded in murdering anyone, you would be facing life terms or worse. As actual intent was not proven, you are each sentenced to three and a half years. Your fines are ordered to be paid prior to your being credited for serving time will begin." She collected her papers and the justices all left the courtroom.

As Harry was getting ready to leave, a stout wizard wearing a hood walked up and wordlessly handed Amelia a Gringotts draft paying each of the three wizards' fines. He walked out of the courtroom. Harry nudged Moody who nodded and said one word. "Fudge."

Moody had been right. The entrances and showmanship of the trial had lasted longer than the proceeding itself.

Harry left via one of the side exits and met up with Tonks. "Hi Sis. How are you?"

She smiled. "It's tall, dark and Harry. Good to see you lil Bro. Do you have to be anywhere until the Edgecombe trial, or can two lustful women take you to lunch?"

Harry smiled at Tonks and Hestia. He replied, "I have to sign a couple of documents this morning at Gringotts, but that won't take long. I would be honored to have lunch with you both."

They walked the length of the alley until they reached the marble building. They were greeted at the door and shown into one of the private conference rooms. Ragnot greeted Harry and as promised, they were done within five minutes.

They had lunch at a new pub, The Snowy Owl. Tonks was surprised to see Angelina and Alicia there. "Hi Harry," they said. "We were hoping that you would come and see us. Thanks so much for loaning us the money to get started."

"I couldn't resist the name," said Harry, "And it wasn't a loan. Consider it an engagement gift for the four of you. I'm just glad that you two were able to make your dream a reality."

"Thanks, Harry" said Alicia, smiling at him. "Have a seat. What can we get for you?"

Harry ordered a sandwich with crisps and a butterbeer. Tonks and Hestia each ordered salads and pumpkin juice. Alicia left them alone. Hestia started to ask about the pub, but Tonks cut her off, saying. "That's just Harry. He has this helping beautiful witches thing." She smiled and kissed him on the cheek as Alicia returned with their food.

They finished lunch. Harry insisted on paying the bill, thanked Alicia and Angelina and they made their way back to the now packed courtroom.

Harry and Ginny were sitting in the witness chairs. Michelle was brought in and the chair seemed to chain her a bit tighter than the three wizards had been earlier in the morning. The clerk read, "Michelle Edgecombe you are charged as a willing accessory in the following murders and attempted murders - Nine Aurors and three hit wizards on 12 July in Surrey County. You are also charged as a willing accessory in the murder of Ronald Weasley and Luna Lovegood on 11 August. You are also charged in the attempted murder and torture of Charlie Weasley, Molly Weasley, Arthur Weasley, Ginevra Weasley, Kelly-Jean Whitehope, and Harry Potter. How do you plea?"

Amazing everyone, Michelle said, "Guilty. They all deserved to die."

The crown erupted into a mass of white noise.

There was no need for deliberation. The laws regarding the murder of an Auror were very specific. Dumbledore rose and at once the room became deathly silent. "Ms. Edgecombe. You have paid for your hatred with a life sentence in prison, and forfeiture of all of your family assets. Thank you all for attending." There was cheering and a range of approving gestures from the crowd as Michelle was led away.

-

Tonks was walking out of the courtroom with Harry and Ginny. The corridors were quite crowded. A dozen steps ahead of her, Dumbledore had stopped to talk to a well-wisher. They had made up half of the distance when it happened. As if in slow motion, Tonks saw a glassy eyed Karen McKinney draw her wand and say Reducto. Tonks screamed as the jet of red light hit. A moment later, there was blood everywhere.

-

A/N

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