Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter, which is property of J.K. Rowling.
AN: Sorry about last chapter, it had some technical errors and somehow chapter 1 got replaced. It's all fixed now. No death today folks, but instead, we build up momentum for the next one! You didn't think I'd kill a character every chapter, did you? I don't think there are enough people I could kill this early in the story! Now, I'm thinking about changing this story rating to R. No, there will be no shagging, but there is one particularly disturbing scene later on, and there might be more later. Now, one last thing. Since nothing I can find is as cool and fitting as Angelus is to Angel, the name of our new friend Dark Harry is up for grabs. Send in your suggestion!
AN2: IMPORTANT I'm having a bit of a fix on what story to release once Reap What You Sow is finished. So, my readers, help me out. Would you rather have an a) AU, very different story b) A Post-Hogwarts Story with Voldie c) A Post-Hogwarts story with a different villain entirely. Please vote, I'm really in a bind, and your opinions will help me choose! I'm asking in all my stories so that all my readers could get a chance to have a say.
Chapter 3 Trial
Harry Potter awoke the next morning, feeling a strange buzz about him. It felt strange, and slightly frightening, but Harry dismissed this as a curious euphoria to having fallen asleep pissed off with everything. He looked at Ron's bed, next to him, and was surprised to find it had never been slept in.
Where in the hell did Ron sleep then? Harry asked himself, But more importantly, why didn't he sleep here?
Another voice answered him immediately. Because you were fit to kill someone last night, they thought you would need space for a bit.
He got up and changed quietly, before he remembered something that made his day a whole lot worse. I have a trial today.
The next thought brought him down even farther. I have a trial on my birthday. Just effing great.
Harry opened the door, walking wearily, not really wanting to face the day. It would only get worse from there.
When Harry got downstairs, he was immediately put on guard. First off, everyone stopped talking almost immediately. Secondly, everyone was either avoiding his gaze, something he was used to after he exploded, but some were also looking at him strangely, almost bordering on fearful.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes. "Don't say nothing. I'm a master of that excuse."
"Harry…The-" Hermione started, but was somehow unable to finish.
Uhoh. If Hermione is speechless, it can only be bad.
"What?" Harry asked again, a clearly dangerous tone in his voice now.
"Here mate." Ron said, looking down but handing Harry the Daily Prophet.
Harry opened it to find the headline, and he stopped cold once he saw it, and could have sworn that his every mental function grinded to a screeching halt. .
Senior Under Secretary to Minister Missing!
He didn't even bother to look at the rest of the article. Through the dark elation about Umbridge going missing, something was wrong here, Harry knew. Two people I hate do something to anger me, then I black out, then they turn up missing. Harry was terrified about what it could mean, but dismissed it and focused on something else.
"You think I did this." Harry said, a statement and not a question.
"Well…" Hermione said, but was unable to say anything.
"Harry… It does look suspicious." Ron stated, then realized this was the wrong thing to say as Ginny narrowed her eyes at him, Mrs. Weasley immediately began scolding him, but the most terrifying thing of all, was Harry.
He glared at Ron with a fury so terrible, the Order members present found themselves comparing it to Dumbledore in battle. "Well, thanks, mate." Harry said sarcastically. "I'm glad you've grown up from fourth year." The venom in his voice was so vehement that even Snape could not manage it.
Harry strode out of the kitchen contemptously, thinking only one thing. This day can't get any worse.
Of course, you should not tempt fate, especially not when your name is Harry James Potter.
Harry slammed the door hard, almost shattering the wooden frame. "That-that-that- BASTARD!" Harry roared, kicking the door, numbly thinking that he'd suffer for that later.
"How could he-Never mind that, of course he could. He's Ron." Harry snarled, the desire to break something only escalating. He grabbed one of his formerly prized possessions, a framed picture of himself, Ron, and Hermione at the Hogwart's lake, sitting there, right after the events with the Philosopher's Stone, and threw it violently against the far wall. It shattered into pieces, like the friendship it represented.
Dimly, he wondered if he would regret that as well, but didn't care at the moment.
"Harry?"
Harry turned to see Ginny Weasley standing there, looking at him with an unreadable expression on her face.
"Shouldn't you be hiding somewhere, lest big bad Harry Potter get you too?" Harry asked bitterly, before throwing his foot against Ron's bed. Unfortunately, it probably did more damage to his foot than the bed.
Harry swore vehemently and violently, so much that even Ginny, who had grown up with six rowdy brothers, blushed, before she responded. "No, because I know it was not you." Ginny said quietly, "And I know Ron knows it too."
"Oh yes, that's why he just leapt to my defense this morning." He snarled, sitting himself on the bed. "This has all been a great birthday gift."
"Harry…" Ginny said sitting herself next to him. "Ron knows he's wrong. He just-"
"Doesn't think before he speaks?" Harry asked dangerously.
"Yes." Ginny said, unfazed by Harry's anger.
"Yeah well, I've got an appointment with my favorite Minister, so I must get going." Harry growled, and headed towards the door.
"Will you forgive him?" Ginny asked, but Harry didn't answer.
Somehow, that scared Ginny more than the thought of him being responsible for Umbridge's disappearance.
A sudden knock at the door brought Ginny out her thoughts, and she knew instinctively who it was. "Ron, he's not here." She called out, and the door opened, admitting her brother.
"I really screwed things up this time, didn't I Gin?" Ron whispered.
"Yeah, you did Ron. And this time, I don't think it will be as simple getting Harry's forgiveness this time."
Harry avoided Ron and everyone else for the hour that he still had before he had to leave to go to the Ministry. Harry knew he didn't have anything to do with Umbridge. Didn't he?
He grabbed the portkey that would take him to the Ministry, noting with some pain that even Tonks and Moony wouldn't look at him.
If Harry was perfectly honest with himself, he wasn't too sure about what he did either.
Of course, it's much easier to deny and blame someone else than to face up to the truth about oneself most of the time.
So he landed in the Ministry, confused, conflicted, and totally unprepared for what was about to happen next.
Harry walked through the Ministry, and noticed even more odd looks and behavior around him. Just bloody great, Harry thought to himself bitterly. His dislike of the Ministry was slowly but surely turning into bitterness and was well not its way to hatred. A hatred that could destroy millions.
He was ushered into the courtroom quickly, although no one touched him. This time, there were quite a few people, many of them reporters. With a silent groan, Harry caught sight of Rita Skeeter. This day really, really sucks. I guess Hermione let her off the hook.
The Wizengamot, Minister Fudge, Professor Dumbledore, Amelia Bones, and the rest stood there, looking at him gravely.
Harry was placed in the usual chair, and, much to his surprise and indignation, the same chains that he saw in Dumbledore's Pensieve bind Karkaroff bound him to the chair. "What is the meaning of this!" Harry demanded, and those around him thought they heard his voice change slightly. "I thought this was a disciplinary hearing!"
"See how haughty he acts," Fudge said in a stage whisper, smirking down at him. It drove Harry's fury up several notches, and Dumbledore's attempt to silently placate him barely soothed the fury that coursed like liquid fire in his veins.
"Mister Potter, although this was originally a hearing about your violation of the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, certain… facts and decisions have been made in the past twenty four hours." Amelia Bones said calmly, looking at him.
"In other words," Harry said bitterly, "You think I did it."
"So, are you admitting it?" Fudge asked gleefully.
"No, I am not you bumbling idiot." Harry said scathingly, "Because I didn't do it!"
Fudge seemed shocked that Harry insulted him, and titters were heard throughout the crowd. "Mister Potter!" Amelia Bone said in outrage, "The Minister is simply-"
"Being an idiot, a hindrance to the war against Voldemort," Harry glared at those who flinched, "Or merely being the most pathetic excuse for a Minister in possibly our entire history. Of course, I haven't studied all the failures in the Minister's office, so I could be wrong." Harry said these words with venom that could have killed if it wasn't mere words.
The crowd seemed shocked by Harry's anger, and he took that moment to vent more of his fury on the crowd. "Of course, you can't have an idiotic leader without idiots who follow him like blind sheep to the slaughter." Harry snarled, glaring at the entire crowd, "You were all so eager to believe I was crazy and Dumbledore senile simply because it was better than facing up to the truth! That Voldemort is back!"
Someone spoke up within the crowd fearfully, "Don't say his name!" He looked around wildly, as if Voldemort himself would appear in the Ministry again.
Harry glared at him with the fully fury of his dark rage, and the man almost fainted on the spot. "Why? Because you're all too cowardly to say it? Is that it? Or will he suddenly appear because I say his name? Well, let's find out. Voldemort. Voldemort. Voldemort! Voldemort!" Harry said mockingly, still glaring at the man, "See. Nothing to be afraid of. It's just a name."
"Mister Potter, that is enough!" Madam Bones shouted, banging her gavel loudly to drown out the uproar that followed Harry's tirade. "We have no time for these trivialities and accusations! You are on trial here!"
"Right… And you don't want to hear about these failings because?" Harry asked, smirking at the Wizengamot.
"Enough! Harry, please! Restrain yourself!" Dumbledore urged, and Harry glared at him too. He felt a small tug on his mental shields, and Harry threw everything he had at Dumbledore, with a look in his eyes of satisfaction as Dumbledore fell into his chair, gasping slightly.
"Mister Potter! Stop this at once!" Madam Bones shouted, glaring at Harry, who merely glared back with greater force.
"Very well. But only because I want to be done here." Harry said, with enough disdain in his voice that he figured even Fudge could discern, "So let's stop wasting my time."
The Wizengamot seemed again shocked by his attitude, and he smirked at them, challenging them. Fudge took up the challenge foolishly. It would be like a squib challenging Voldemort to a duel.
"If we are done listening to the ravings and rants of a clearly unbalanced young man," Fudge said condescendingly, looking around, "Then I would like to begin the interrogation."
"May I ask exactly why I, of all people, am being accused of this?" Harry asked, his voice on the line between sarcasm and scathing.
"Because Madam Umbridge, during her stay at Hogwarts, reported your undeserved animosity towards her, a woman who merely wished to help your education," Fudge said in an oily tone.
"Oh yes, I'm sure plenty of people learned from that bitch." Harry snarled, and several people gasped in surprise, but not the Order.
"Mister Potter!" Someone in the Wizengamot said in outrage.
"Well, it's true, isn't it? I don't think there were many high scores on the O.W.L's or the N.E.W.T.'s." Harry said scathingly.
"Nonsense! Some of the highest grades in DADA, including one that is the highest in Hogwarts' history were on these tests!" Fudge declared, but Harry cut him off with a glare so deadly, it would have killed a Basilisk in a staring match.
"I bet I can name exactly who got those scores." Harry countered calmly, "And I'm willing to bet that the rest of the scores are among the lowest."
"And how would you know that?" A woman Harry recognized as Professor Tofty asked in a combination of genuine curiosity and suspicion.
"Because I taught those who had the high scores, probably everyone who passed the Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L's, and Umbridge never taught us. You'd have gotten the same results if someone merely read from the book the to class every day. Wait a minute, that pretty much sums up that class!" Harry said sarcastically.
"You taught them?" One person asked incredulously.
"Of course I did. I founded and taught the group that got those scores, and it paid off when myself and five others within the group encountered Death Eaters and Voldemort himself in this very Ministry!" Harry shouted, almost getting up out of the chair, the chains being the only thing that bound him.
"What Mister Potter fails to mention is that this group is illegal." Fudge countered smoothly through the uproar that followed Harry's proclamation. "And Madam Umbridge was a perfectly competent teacher."
"Well, competent compared to you, Fudge." Harry cut in scathingly, "But the two of you must have really gotten along. In fact, you two should be part of Voldemort's little 'Make Harry Potter's life a living hell' club. You've been doing a bang up job so far, and Umbridge has done even more."
"Mister Potter! Both Minister Fudge and the late Madam Umbridge were merely upholding the law and-" Amelia Bones started, but Harry cut in, seeing his chance to finally do some damage.
"If by upholding the law means that Madam Umbridge was allowed to set Dementors on me last year, use a quill that cuts into my bloody hand, and try to use a Cruciatus Curse on me to get me to talk about private matters, then yes, she was." Harry said this with such force and venom that not even Madam Bones' gavel could calm the crowd down. Dumbledore looked at Harry as if to say You didn't have to do that.
Harry resisted the urge to give the old man the finger and tell him to sod off.
"See! Hear his outrageous claims! Madam Umbridge would never do such a thing!" Fudge declared, and many seemed to agree.
"Order! Order! ORDER!" Madam Bones nearly screamed, and the courtroom finally quieted down, but some still looked restless.
"Mister Potter, I trust you have proof of these clearly outrageous claims!" Madam Bones shouted.
"You can use Veritaserum or a Pensieve. I'd prefer the Pensieve to go along with it though. Any chance of banishing that ugly bitches' face from my memory is a gift." Harry drawled, and again, the courtroom seemed to fall into chaos.
Harry found a certain amount of dark pleasure in this, and in the back of his mind, something promised there would be much more to come. Much more.
After a moment, Harry told Madam Bones it was best to view the Cruciatus memory in a Pensieve, rather than from word of mouth. But, he added, perhaps to cause another reaction or perhaps because he really wanted it, they could take away all his memories of Umbridge.
The Wizengamot decided, (much to Fudge's displeasure and outrage), to view the memory on a rare large Pensieve projector and to hear the rest from Harry's mouth afterward with Veritaserum.
So, Harry quickly followed the procedure and dropped the memory into the Pensieve.
The courtroom watched as Umbridge began with the idea of using Veritaserum on Harry. As they watched the point where Umbridge demanded Snape hand over Veritaserum, Madam Bones stated in horror, "That's a regulated potion that is only to be used with proper Ministry approval. We never gave her that."
"Though you would have if she asked." Harry muttered to himself.
They passed it after that (Harry was thankful only Order members knew what he was talking about back in there), and watched in horrified fascination as Umbridge began convincing herself to use the Cruciatus Curse and her confession about . It cut away as Hermione gave in. Harry let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. He'd rather not have the next few minutes shown to the full Wizengamot and the media.
The entire courtroom was silenced, as if someone had used a Silencing Charm. Finally, Dumbledore, looking more aged and weary than ever before, stated, "We will now proceed with the Veritaserum interrogation. Madam Bones?" He asked, looking at the shocked Head of Magical Law Enforcement.
She shook herself from her shock and nodded shakily, and called in the potions master of the courtroom. It was a proud looking brown haired woman who stepped forward as the potions master, and handed Madam Bones the Veritaserum. As she neared him, Harry was struck with a thought. "Wait… How do I know that's not poison or something else." Harry said suspiciously.
From the back, he thought he heard a growl of approval from Moody before another uproar was heard. "Mister Potter!" Madam Bones stated, the familiar look of outrage on her face, "This is a Ministry Employee!"
"Oh, and wasn't Umbridge one as well? Didn't she try to use a Cruciatus Curse on me and sic some Dementors too?" Harry asked sarcastically, and Madam Bones looked affronted, as well as the woman who handed her the potion.
"Very well, Mister Potter. We will test it." Dumbledore stated, and summoned the Veritaserum to him. He quickly muttered a powerful Revealing Charm that showed it was in fact, Veritaserum. "Is that enough proof Harry?" He asked the Boy-Who-Lived, who nodded slightly.
Madam Bones quickly put the three drops down his throat, and Harry swallowed them. Before the pacifying feeling overtook his mind, he thought to himself, Payback time.
As Harry's emerald green eyes glazed over and he went slack, Madam Bones pulled his head up slowly, looking into them. "He is under the effects." She stated.
"How do we know that?" Fudge sneered, but he was truly scared. That memory of Potter's had not gone well for him at all.
"Minister Fudge!" Madam Bones stated, whirling on him, "I am the Head of Magical Law Enforcement! I know when someone is under Veritaserum!"
Fudge looked affronted, and tried to babble an excuse but no one listened.
"Now, Mister Potter. Did Madam Umbridge use a Blood Quill on you?" Madam Bones asked, knowing that from Harry's description, that was probably accurate. Fudge tried to squeak out an excuse, but once again, he was ignored.
"I don't know what that is." Harry stated.
"Did it cut into your hand and write in your blood, and leave a scar on it?" Madam Bones asked again.
"Yes. It's on my hand." Harry stated, and his hand rose and showed the faint but visible I must not tell lies to her. Madam Bones gasped in horror.
"I see." She whispered. "Then there are no further questions." She said the next part louder, and turned to leave and get the antidote when Fudge spoke up.
"I have one! Did you have anything to do with Madam Umbridge's disappearance Mister Potter?"
Dead silence. Most people were either looking at Fudge or at Harry. They looked at Fudge with absolute shock, and some knew that this was his last grasp at straws. Others looked at Harry eagerly, wanting the truth. Rita Skeeter in particular was hungry for a new juicy story to write. Not one person even dared to breathe as Harry's mouth opened to respond.
"No."
Thanks to gabbywolf, Treck, Marc Jason Ng, the1truegoddess, Bukuma, Szihuoko, LimaBean0501, BalrogMan65, Zeromaru: Chaos Mode, Mystic Archangel, moniqueagain, Adrelliehs, Emma Barrows, Freya4, lonelyslytherinslowlydying, kitkat, L.T., Lady of Masbolle, Dirbatua, Hunter101, snitch, nessy-poo-2008, Samurai Demon -God Sekikage, Arsenal, FroBoy, mashimaromadness, Kathyrn Black, Tanydwr, harrysmom, ShyDayDreamer, Maxennce, totallystellar, do-not-mess-with-me, SanityEscapesMe, and phoenix catcher for reviewing!
Q&A
Treck- As stated above, that was a mistake. It's fixed now!
Marc Jason Ng- More gruesome?! Wow. Well, I figured that was pretty painful as it was. But it's not the most painful death in the story, not even close.
the1truegoddess- Sorry bout that. No, I did not.
BalrogMan65- Sweet! Balrog's are awesome! Do I get an army of em? Or do I become one? Either way, thanks for the council seat!
Zeromaru: Chaos Mode- Harry for the next Dark Lord. Pah! Dark Lord's are sissies. You'll never find a mere Dark Lord Harry with me. More like a Dark GOD! You know, you could also translate Voldemort into "Wish of Death". (Flight and Wish are eerily similar) Yeah, I'm having trouble with Harry's new name. As you can plainly see at the top. Dude, you picture Death as a hot girl too? And I don't think J.K. meant "Eaters of Death" like that, you sicko! Lol.
Adrelliehs- Yeah, it's definitely Yami inspired. But Dark Harry is no guardian spirit, nor a mere dark side. He is much more!!! MWHAHAHAHAHA!!! Ahem… yes…nothing to see here folks…
Emma Barrows- I'm not normally a fan of H/Hr, in fact, I'm pretty much against it. But your story does have promise!
kitkat- Yeah! H/G Rules! The romance is a bit less than my other stories (evidenced by the lack of Romance in the Genres), but the H/G ship will be there!
Hunter101- Yeah. Most stories simply have him get angry, then start killing people. That's not Harry, no matter how angry he is. However, this Harry…
Samurai Demon -God Sekikage- Yeah, demons aren't necessarily evil (I'm following the Buffy kind of demon), and yes, I know that they are prone to get bloodlust. Your theory is well rounded and exceptionally good, so we'll have to see. Now, another of my stories has a real Demon Harry (yes, I know, I'm teasing), who is going to be fun to write.
Arsenal- I'm glad you think so. Dark Harry fics are mostly just Harry being angry, and irrationally going over to Voldemort or doing something equally crazy. I was shooting for something more in character.
mashimaromadness- Man, people really like it when Harry reams out Dumbledore. There won't be any more Umbridge, but there are plenty of other targets…
Tanydwr- Man, you are really polite then. (Or it could just be the school environment I hang out in. All guysstrange to downright disturbing conversations loaded with much worse) Voldemort's death… That is one of the deaths I've already pre-planned. Cause as we all know, he's gotta die.
Maxennce- Dark Harry's fighting back alright, and the look on everyone's faces when they realize this is going to be fun.
do-not-mess-with-me- I have a warped sense of humor too! How else can I keep coming up with inventive ways of death? I'm glad you liked the way Umbridge went down. I try to be original. No mere Avada Kedavra or death by Cruciatus (is that possible?) for anyone here.
SanityEscapesMe- Ginny? Evil? Perish the thought! Ginny can't be evil! Will 'Harry' get his revenge on everyone? Why- (Loud thunder crash, bangs, explosions) And that's what will happen. Will he hurt his friends and Dumbledore? Well- (More thunder) See, I can answer your questions.
AN: Well, I think we all know whose going to die next! If not, then it will become clear soon enough. I'm so mean to Harry, aren't I? Remember to send up your thoughts on Dark Harry's name. Really, please do! I also have a question for all of you. What's cooler? A thief Harry, or non-thief, much happier and social Harry? Anyways, thanks for reading and please review!