Chapter 8
Albus sat nervously in the chair in the middle courtroom 8; Minerva stood to his left and a few feet away Lucius Malfoy and one the Aurors that had found Albus sat together whispering. Minerva had not talked to him once yet and by the look on her face Albus could tell she probably wasn't going to either.
"Minerva… I'm." he stammered pulling up all his courage to just look at her.
"Don't say your sorry professor," Minerva butted in "I know your not. As soon as this case is over we can go our separate ways, I'm sorry we couldn't just be friends." She snapped the last sentence icily and stood up straight as the members of the wizengamot entered. They all walked quite stiffly into the room they stank of power and wealth something that Albus found revolting. Their faces were pictures of boredom they were all quite sure how the outcome of this trial was going to end. He watched as Minerva bowed her head in respect for her higher authority.
"Interrogators: Durga Dendrites minister of magic, Cid Girsborunge head of the department of magical law enforcement and Jennifer Green Head of the Aurors association." The loud voice spoke clearly.
"Witness for the accused; Alastor Moody." A small mutter broke out through the walls of the courtroom at the mention of the crazed mans name.
"Right now Mr. Malfoy who is currently filling as Ceartas for the Aurora Michael Kaleen will be the first to present his case." Albus watched with great dislike as Malfoy stood up and presented his case. He used words like vile and despicable quite a many times and Albus could tell instantly that the whole story had been rewritten. Putting his long finger tips together and resting his head upon them Albus prepared for what was to be a very long afternoon.
Finally Malfoy finished his warped story of what had happened and Minerva was called to stand before the wizengamot. She looked so beautiful; she walked with a power and grace that defied everyone in the wizengamot. She was fighting for him, she was arguing for his freedom just the thought of that made electric jump down his spine.
"Albus Dumbledore is a well respected citizen of the wizarding world some even consider him to be the greatest wizard of our time. Yet even a great wizard such as himself can not be in the right place all the time. We all make mistakes and Professor Dumbledore just happens to be caught in the middle of one. I have evidence and a witness to prove that Professor Dumbledore had nothing to do with the illegal, unregistered magic that happened that night at Derwatt rock." Her speech was forceful and her stance as sharp as her glare. He loved her, why had it taken so long for him to realise this.
"Albus Dumbledore as you know is famous and often has the press creeping around him. Minister, do you not have days where you wish to get away from work and the press to just have a friendly drink and conversation with out being spied upon?" She was playing upon personally feelings Albus found himself thinking very cleaver, very cleaver indeed.
"Professor Dumbledore was doing exactly this; I have a letter that even shows it
Alastor
My friend has it truly been almost two months since we last had a full conversation? I apologise for my rudeness. Please meet me at Derwatt rock on the 13th at 6 o'clock where we can walk to the pub in the nearest town. This way hopefully we won't be followed by the daily prophet who seems to have taken a liking to me at the moment.
Albus."
It was a total lie and Albus couldn't help but feel guilty that the wizengamot were just absorbing lies to protect him.
"I wish to call Alastor Moody in to prove my case." And prove her case he did. Every word of it had been rehearsed every word he said was fluent and believable. But Albus couldn't help the guilt that was eating at him, for his freedom and his brothers he had made two people he cared about lie to the people who tried to keep justice in the wizarding world. He was a liar and now thanks to him Minerva and Alastor were too.
"That is all for today the Aurors will be able to present their argument tomorrow and our decision will then be made." Albus watched as the wizengamot left their stations the stink of power returning as they walked out. As soon as they were gone he watched as Minerva gathered her notes with out a word to him and left.
He loved her. A woman eighty fears his junior it was a relationship even he might find himself frowning upon. Yet he wanted it, he wanted to be by her side to be able to take her into his arms at any moment. He wanted to give her is heart and take hers. Gary… the way he had talked to her earlier in the day was appalling and he was going to make the fool pay for the all the sleepless nights and hurt he had caused the woman he loved.
(A huge thanks to everyone still reading this, there's not much more to go now :) )
