Disclaimer: No claim to Harry Potter! No claim! No claim! &has dragonsbreath& Be gone evil Lawyers!
Another Inspiration
Chapter 4: Trial
As they brought in Harry to the courtroom he could see the whole entire Weasley family, Hermione, and a few of his teachers, including a smirking Professor Snape, on his side of the courtroom. Harry was not really surprised about Snape's attitude, but he still wanted to punch the man for being such a greasy git and actually coming to his trial to gloat.
Professor Snape was overjoyed at the fact that their own wizarding system was putting the boy who made his life hell—along with the boy's father and that damned mutt, in Azkaban. It was the perfect revenge and he did not even have to lift a finger. All he had to do was sit back and watch the proceedings. He was also secretly pleased that Bellatrix would be going back to Azkaban and that her date for execution, though that wasn't a little detail that most knew, was being moved up to sometime in the next year.
Harry glanced at his distraught friends for a moment and continued to walk, occasionally shifting his shoulders in the unfamiliar white starchy dress shirt and pants. His eyes rested momentarily on Bellatrix and a cruel smirk graced his lips. Harry had given up on caring about much of anything except the fact that she would be going to Azkaban right along with him, and he would be out long before she ever did. Finally reaching his post, he sat beside Remus without making eye contact as the charmed chains wrapped themselves around Harry's ankles and wrists.
Bellatrix sat quietly in her seat in-between the two Aurors that guarded her, bound magically with chains at her ankles and wrists much like Harry's, but much tighter. Slightly disturbed by the maniacal look Potter gave her, though she would never show it, Bella contemplated the irony of the 'Golden Boy' going to prison. She almost expected any minute that one of Dumbledore's pets would barge in and take Potter away to hide him somewhere while the old fool manipulated the Ministry to let him off. What Bella did not know is that Dumbledore was very worried. He had asked Shacklebolt to show him the scene in a pensieve, and he was quite unsure of where the boy stood anymore. If Harry was stooping to torture those who went against him, he might as well be a Deatheater. Though, the most probable scenario was Harry being mentally unstable or angry and they had a bad case of an emotional, uncontrollable, and very dangerous child on their hands who was quickly loosing the ability to love.
Doubt continued to spread through Dumbledore's mind as he saw the gaze that Harry bewitched upon Lestrange. Was Harry turning dark or just a bit mentally disturbed? Or both? Dumbledore knew what the Dementors would do to the boy and he was quite sure that after he got out, if he survived the experience, body intact, his mind would be utterly destroyed and who knew what Harry would do. Anywhere from continual depression to too long a time of suppressed rage waiting to pounce on its prey. Either was very bad for the war, and Dumbledore could not spend the time to play shrink to his ace card against Voldemort. Time was running out and Voldemort would soon be on the move again. Without Harry there wasn't much to be done, but defend against him to the best of their ability. Turning his gaze away from Harry, he glanced at Bellatrix, who wore an unexpressionable look upon her face, then Remus, wearing a sallow expression, but his eyes foretold a nervous breakdown in his near future, the Weasleys, all rightfully quite worried it seemed, Hermione, whose face went back and forth from concerned to utter rage, and Severus Snape, who only can be described as an overjoyed git finally getting his wares. Dumbledore's eyes rested for a moment more on Professor Snape and gave a huge sigh as the Wizengamot finally decided to begin.
Cornelius Fudge, once again dispensed with the familiar green bowler hat, and gave a sharp nod to Percy Weasley to start writing. Cornelius rammed the silver gavel on his desk to silence the court and he began the proceedings.
"Ministry Trial of the twenty-sixth of June, year nineteen-hundred and ninety-six into offenses committed under the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, the International Statute of Secrecy, and the Decree for Restriction of Unforgivable Curses and Charms of Wizards by Harry James Potter, resident at number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey." Fudge first stated in his ringing voice, accompanied by the scratching of Percy's quill, and the slight shifting noises of the Wizengamot who wore the customary plum-colored robes with elaborately worked silver 'W's on the left-hand side of their chests.
"Interrogators: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister of Magic; Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement; Court Scribe, Percy Ignatius Weasley. Witnesses are Bellatrix Lestrange, victim of Harry James Potter, (Bellatrix smirked widely at this), and Kingsley Shacklebolt, Auror on site."
Stopping for only for a moment to further the effect's of sure imprisonment he picked up a piece of parchment, among the many others, and read, "The charges against the accused are a follows: That he did knowingly, deliberately, and in full awareness of the illegality of his actions, having that all Wizards are required to know the illegality of the unforgivables, cast the Cruciatus Curse on a Bellatrix Lestrange in a Muggle-inhabited area, on the twenty-fourth of June at twelve minutes past two in the afternoon, which constitutes an offense under paragraph C of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of the Underage Sorcery, 1875, and under section five of the Decree for the Restriction of Unforgivable Curses and Charms of Wizards."
Now looking at Harry, he frowned deeply, as did many of the witches and wizards of the Wizengamot who leaned forward to stare and look over this boy who dared to use such dark spells. Harry simply stared back, unabashed by the charges, or the many stares from the Wizengamot, and waited.
"You are Harry James Potter, of number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey?" Fudge said, now barely looking at the boy over the piece of parchment.
"Yes," Harry said.
"I can assume there are no Dementors involved this time Mr. Potter?" Fudge asked, now fully glaring at Harry, having discarded the parchment in front of him, sarcasm hinting at his voice.
"You would be correct minister, unless of course you are referring to the ones I will be seeing in Azkaban." Harry answered, sending back the minister's cheek, though did a much better job at hiding the sarcasm in his tone.
"You seem to be sure that you are going to Azkaban Mr. Potter, surely you are going to create a story for us today?" chided the Minister.
Remus thought it was best to intervene to the comment just made and he interrupted the Minister.
"Minister, Isn't this court supposed to keep its opinions outside of this room?" Remus asked in his prevalent tenor voice, but the accusatory tone could still be heard.
Now glaring at the werewolf, the Minister decided to bite back his next comment, and replied with an off balanced "Yes…"
Before the Minister could continue, Harry boldly interrupted.
"Minister, I would like to answer your question anyway, if permitted." Harry asked.
"Ah…well…alright, go on then" Fudge said, confusion starting to emit.
"First I would like to say that I do not make up stories as the Wizarding World seems to think. Secondly, I am sure I will be going to Azkaban since I am guilty of all charges, and I do indeed plead guilty to them."
The scratching of quills could be heard furiously moving across their pages, especially the reporters who wished to transcribe one of the biggest events in history. Rita Skeeter was having a field day with the whole thing and she looked about as happy as Severus Snape did.
Cornelius Fudge was perturbed by Harry Potter's speech, but felt a certain glee rising in his head. Harry Potter was going to Azkaban and would be out of his hair for a good long while, and when Potter did happen to get out his reputation would surely be firmly destroyed and no one would be able to overpower the Minister of Magic ever again.
"I see—yes, the court will make a note of this, but we must still continue with questioning of witnesses. Details you see…" Fudge said, starting to fade once again.
The Wizengamot shifted in their seats for a moment and stared at the boy. Never had they seen someone this young just admit to a crime like this, not even from wizards of age. This was quite strange to the old wizards. Why would someone go to Azkaban this willingly? Was there something else they did not know? Was the boy even sorry? Dumbledore was especially confused by Harry's actions. He knew that they had planned to plead guilty, but this was too simple, too plain. Harry was not even angry or upset. Something was very wrong with this picture and, only time would tell the answer.
Cornelius finally got back on track and decided he better get this over with. He had meetings to hold, people to see, and a certain Harry Potter to no longer worry about.
"Ahem!" all the shifting stopped and a single quill could be heard being placed on paper, and once again scratching away. "Would a Kingsley Shacklebolt approach the witness-box."
Kingsley Shacklebolt swiftly advanced to the front and calmly sat down. Having served in court before as a witness due to his Auror status, he always removed all emotion from himself and did his civil duty to the Ministry. While Shacklebolt made his way to the front, Fudge one again picked up the long piece of parchment that hid his face.
Since Shacklebolt was from the Auror department, Amelia Bones decided to continue with the questioning. No matter who was being tried, it was her duty.
"Mr. Shacklebolt, would you please recollect why you checked up on Mr. Potter and what you saw when you arrived upon the scene on the afternoon of June the twenty-fourth?" Madam Bones asked, staring at Kingsley, seemingly focused on him with her thick monocle.
"I was firecalled by Albus Dumbledore who had told me that the clock in his office said Harry Potter was in 'Mortal Peril' for a few moments while it rested then on 'Danger' and a few seconds later back to 'Fine'. Immediately afterwards I was called by the Ministry to apprehend Mr. Potter for misuse of magic. Myself, and a few other Aurors within the Ministry, Apparated near his home, but heard screaming from a park nearby. We went to Mr. Potter's location to find him stooped on his left knee, glowing wand over a withering and screaming Bellatrix Lestrange, common effects of the Cruciatus curse, smirking and seemingly happy at the turn of events." Kingsley methodically recounted.
"How was Mr. Potter apprehended?"
"I grabbed him and confiscated his wand while the other Aurors bound Mrs. Lestrange. He did not fight me in the least and was easily taken to the Ministry."
"Thank you Mr. Shacklebolt. You may move back to your seat."
Shacklebolt went back to his seat as quickly as he came while Madam Bones now moved her disdainful gaze over to Bellatrix Lestrange to ask her a question.
"You are Bellatrix Lestrange, yes?" she asked simply.
Staring coldly to the members of the Wizengamot, she replied, "That is my former name. My husband died in circumstances I will not discuss. For your pleasure my maiden name is Bellatrix Black."
"I see. Well, Ms. Black, for the court, are you a Deatheater?" Bones asked as if there was nothing wrong with the notion.
"Yes, and it is an honor." Bella replied smartly.
Many of the Wizengamot shifted uncomfortably at this statement and glared at Bellatrix, where a few had small knowing smiles on their faces. Not missing a beat, Amelia Bones continued with her questioning, unaware of the stares or shifting.
"Ms. Black would you please tell me why you were present with Mr. Potter on June the twenty-fourth in a Muggle park?"
"I was ordered by Lord Voldemort to retrieve Potter, kill any present Muggles, which, unfortunately there were none, and present him to my master." The now Ms. Black haughtily answered.
"So, when you arrived at the park you attempted to kidnap him?"
"Yes" Black shot back.
"What went wrong Ms. Black?" Madam Bones continued, still without any hints of emotion or notice of the appalled stares behind her.
"Potter heard my Apparation, dodged my 'Stupefy' and retaliated with the Cruciatus Curse. The boy was quicker than expected." Bellatrix drawled.
Now looking at Harry, she narrowed her eyes for a moment and proceeded to ask him the million-galleon question of the ages.
"Mr. Potter, could you explain to me why you chose that spell instead of another that you have learned in school?"
Harry smirked at Madam Bones. He knew the question was going to be asked sometime and he was going to explain it in his best terms.
"Madam Bones, the answer is quite simple. That fucking bitch," Quickly nodding his head to the left towards Bellatrix, "killed my Godfather, and she deserves every ounce of pain she can get. Whether it be by me, or by Azkaban, she will pay." Harry spat, the chains tightening slightly at his words.
The Wizengamot shifted restlessly once again at Harry's words, not to mention the first real emotion he had shown today. Very few of the Wizengamot knew of what Harry was speaking of, but all felt a small pang of sadness in their hearts as they remember all of the losses of the previous war. The Weasley's looked especially saddened, for they missed Sirius Black almost as much as Harry. Remus though, was quite nearly in tears from what the boy arose in his heart. Remus also felt hatred towards Bellatrix, and for her to be called by Sirius' last name made it all the worse.
"I see Mr. Potter, so your motive is hatred towards, let me quote, "that fucking bitch" correct?" Madam Bones boomed, the monocle making her eyes seem more crazed and ablaze.
Tensely, "Yes, you would be quite correct" Harry confirmed.
"Then I do believe this is enough questioning to get an idea of events, Cornelius?" Madam Bones finished.
"Ah, yes, the Wizengamot will go for a twenty minute break, and then they will discuss the accused and his crimes and decide on a sentence. Adjourned!" Fudge nervously announced.
The courtroom was filled with noise as people filed out for the break. Auror's escorted Harry and Bellatrix to new holding cells, which were small white rooms with a small cot; thick, frosted glass windows that only looked upon blurry halls; and bright lights. If you looked carefully enough you could see a shadow through the window pacing about.
Bellatrix Lestrange stared at the pacing figure for the fifteenth time in the last five minutes and sighed. This really sucked. She did not really care too much about her cousin's death, but there was that nagging feeling in the back of her head that told her she should feel a bit sorry about it. She thought again to her dead husband who Voldemort had killed. She knew Rudolphus only joined because of pressure from his parents, but he still joined, and had married her, an upstart Death Eater who wanted nothing but to please her lord. The marriage was a typical pureblooded marriage between the two, but it seemed all they did was go through the motions. Bellatrix was not sure why Voldemort had killed him, and she was not about to interrogate the Dark Lord on why he killed her husband. Instead, she asked Lucius and he said that Rudolphus wanted out and the price was death. Typical of course.
Bellatrix did love Rudolphus, but not like a wife should. There was no room for really anything more than a physical friendship. They both married to satisfy the parents, and it gave Bellatrix a reason to not satisfy Voldemort's other needs. She may be a loyal Deatheater, but a whore she was not, and whore she would never be.
Bellatrix's appearance was much better than she was last seen due to the shock of her dead husband. In a sense it brought her back to reality and she had become quite subdued after it. Even though she was, for lack of a better word, depressed, her appearance was not as gaunt as it had been and she had taken time to concentrate on her looks, if only to fill the constant silence of her home. The tell tale signs of Azkaban still marked her skin, but it was not as pronounced as before.
Bellatrix stared once more at the pacing Harry before turning over on her cot to stare at the wall instead. At least the wall did not move.
Harry was frustrated. He continued to pace along his room in hopes of excreting his energy that was fueled by the existence of Bellatrix Lestrange, now Black. Also, his ignoring of the obvious fact was coming back to bite him in the ass. Harry remembered how the Dementors affected him and how horrible Azkaban was to Sirius and any other person he had seen. It did not seem real anymore. Harry wanted to just freak out, throw a few things, have Dumbledore rush in and hide him somewhere, Bellatrix to suddenly drop dead, and a sudden urge to call a certain greasy potions professor a few expletives. Harry had seen his smirk when he entered the courtroom and he wanted to make the man pay for it. Hell, showing up to his trial was bad enough, but showing up like this iced the cake. Harry was in a mass of emotions wanting him to kill, hurt, or just be saved for once, and it was finally taking its wonderful toll. Harry finally stopped pacing, sat on the cot and hid his face in his knees. Life was going to be very hard for Harry Potter, and he had no idea how much worse it was going to get. As much as Harry tried not to think of the future, he could not help it. He raked his hands through his hair again, giving it a messier look than usual, and let fear over take him. Would his friends hate him? Would Remus? Dumbledore? Would he even make it out of Azkaban? Would Voldemort take over now that Harry was locked away?
Harry rocked back and forth on his cot and wallowed in his fears until he heard the thick boots approaching his cell. He looked up and stared at the shadow he could see in the cell next to him and let her suffering be his anchor. The Auror opened his cell and lead him back towards the court room.
Everyone had taken their previous seats, expect for the Wizengamot, and waited for them to file in. Harry kept his eyes firmly away from Remus while he was led, going back into his state of indifference, and stared at the empty seats that the Wizengamot would soon fill. Mrs. Weasley once again dabbed her eyes as her husband hugged her. Hermione sat next to Ron, tears glazing her eyes, and wanted nothing but to shelter Harry from this horrible fate. Snape's face was expressionless, but his eyes did not show the usual darkness. Two minutes passed by in shifting silence when the Wizengamot filed in and seated themselves.
Another minute passed as Cornelius Fudge called for order with his silver gavel. Silence had taken the room again and Percy was awaiting the verdict, quill in hand, ready to put the final condemnation upon the accused. Cornelius faced the Wizengamot and politely asked Albus Dumbledore to stand.
"The verdict shall be read by one Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore" The Minister of Magic plainly stated. It was no coincidence that it was Dumbledore reading the verdict. Cornelius insisted upon it to further crush his enemy and to get one over on Headmaster of Hogwarts. Fudge was quite put out with how much power Dumbledore had and definitely how much trouble the man had given him in the last year. Dumbledore cleared his throat and read from a piece of parchment that his shaking hands held.
"Harry James Potter, you are guilty of casting the Cruciatus Curse on a Bellatrix Black in a Muggle-inhabited area, on the twenty-fourth of June at twelve minutes past two, which constitutes an offense under paragraph C of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of the Underage Sorcery, 1875, and under section five of the Decree for the Restriction of Unforgivable Curses and Charms of Wizards. You will be sentenced to Azkaban for one year and six months for your crimes, you are also hereby officially expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and due to extenuating circumstances your wand will be held in a Ministry vault until seen fit to return it. You will be taken to your cell tomorrow morning."
With the verdict, Dumbledore shakily sat down. That was one of the hardest things he had ever done. Battle dark wizards, sure. Deal with unruly students, that's a given. Send his favorite student to Azkaban and expel him. That was a bit harder. Not only did he send his favorite student to hell, he sent the savior of the Wizarding world to a place that would only push his mind farther from the light and further into insanity.
Cornelius Fudge, however, was slightly surprised at the verdict. He had expected a longer imprisonment time for Mr. Potter, but nevertheless the boy would be out of his life. Oh how he wished. Fate was not kind to just anyone these days and certain incompetent Ministers of Magic would not be that lucky.
AN: Wow…I spent many hours on this. I am too easily distracted. Review people! Appreciate your time! I am trying to make chapters longer but I can't promise anything. However much is in a chapter is how much there is. Next chapter is CH.5 'Azkaban'
To answer a couple questions from the last chapter and to give thanks.
HeWhoWalksBehindTheRow: Thanks for the compliments. I do plan to continue. Not to mention you are my first review! Congrats
Demented Reaper: Harry is a bit of a complicated character. In this he does blame himself because of Remus, but he surely blames Bellatrix more. Hopefully this chapter cleared this up. As for Bella not seeming as loyal to Voldemort as usual, she may be a bit OOC in this and I am sorry. I am trying to write her as someone who wants to please Voldemort because it has been drilled in her brain so much from her family. After going to Azkaban once already and having her husband killed BY Voldemort she has a bit of doubt of how much she really wants to please Voldemort. I can tell you right now though that she will not betray Voldemort in this fanfic and switch sides due to Harry or anyone. She is staying dark in this one, well, as dark as one can get with Harry. Heh. Hope this answers your questions and if you have any more I will try to answer them.
Modern-Day Zarcon: Everyone give her a cookie and a box of nilla wafers for she is my beta and I love her! huggles
Also thanks to Skuld's Sentaro3, yo-yo55d, deathumi, bandgsecurtiyaw, and Gabichicaloca.