Embracing His True Self
Chapter 70
It was going to be an impossibly long few weeks, Harry thought, as he mentally ran through all the lists he'd have to get through. The trial was just the tip of the iceberg really, but definitely the most important one. It was doubtful that Dumbledore would be found innocent, but they had to be careful, they had no idea what Dumbledore's potential back up plans could be. The unknowns on the cards, that might be working in the shadows. They just couldn't be sure of anything when it came to Dumbledore…his depravity knew no bounds. Shuddering just thinking of that potions capabilities, he would rather die than have consumed that potion. Thank Merlin for Luna, and her hiding her abilities from Dumbledore…otherwise she too would have been used.
This trial was going to be long and arduous but it would be worth it in the long run. At least they didn't have the main Order members to worry about, since they were gone. He probably should feel some guilt over it, but he couldn't. They would have stood back and expected him to fight in a war, a child they probably assumed to be mediocre at best. They didn't deserve to live while thinking like that. Although, he also had to deal with Tonks.
Then dealing with the Longbottom's, all of them, and of course, everything in-between. It seemed that's all he was doing these days, but he wouldn't always be as busy, neither would Voldemort. Although, he'd always be busier than normal people, running the U.K behind the scenes…wasn't going to be easy along with ensuring there was no uprisings, which was entirely possible, they had to be extremely careful.
People detested change, fought it all the way, even if in the long run it would be best for them. They were just all set in their ways, the good Vs evil, the light Vs dark, Muggle-borns Vs Pureblood's. Those sort of belief's had to be set aside. The prejudice was tearing their world apart. Everyone had a magical core, everyone could cast spells, whether they were Muggle-born or Pureblood. Their world was minuscule, if they wanted to expand, it required resolution, agreements, and if that required sacrificing a few…then so be it.
It was more than time he put his own future first wasn't it not? He'd done enough saving, even if it was only until he could get his own ass out of dodge. Which had been something he'd planned, he was curious how it would have turned out, if Voldemort hadn't used his House-elf to get him that day. Not that he would have wanted to experience that alternative future, at the end of the day, he wouldn't give up the people he cared about such as Barty or Luna…or the budding relationship he had with Voldemort for anything.
"Harry! Harry! Harry!" Ginny said shrieking the courtroom down, aiming to run to him, only to be stalled by her big brother. "What are you doing? Let me go, Bill! I'm old enough to sit by myself!" she protested the entire time Bill kept a grip of her shoulders, guiding her in the direction he wanted her in.
"Now is not the time," Bill stated firmly, and somewhat coldly. "Keep quiet, head down and listen you can speak to him after the trial is over if he approaches you." He believed Dumbledore knew, whether it was true or not remained to be seen. As the eldest, he was the Head of the family until his father was well, and he would keep what was left of the family together. Ginny was used to getting her own way with their mother…it wouldn't fly with him.
"You see what he's wearing?" Charlie said, whistling slightly impressed, the guy he was with was even hotter he had to admit. He was definitely a Crouch the hair and facial features indicated as such, he looked like Bartemius Crouch a decade or two ago. He wondered if it was a cousin or son his gaze zeroed in on the ring, on his pinkie, the signet ring. He was the Lord of the ruined Crouch estate. "Look…Harry's finger," getting Bill to look by gesturing towards the teen.
Bill glanced over, locking in on what Charlie was trying to say without words.
"The Weasley's are watching you like beady-eyed owls after mice," Barty said, watching them unobtrusively. Nobody had missed the way the female Weasley had been shrieking. His fingers brushing absently over the signet ring, it felt extremely odd to have it there. He hadn't even received the heir ring from his father, he was supposed to get it when he turned seventeen but hadn't. His father had been a bastard, cared about nothing other than his damn Ministry job and promotion. "It's really weird feeling this," wondering if he'd ever get used to it. He was now officially Bartholomew Crouch, any blood test, scan would declare as such. He was actually here, getting to experience this, protecting Harry, as he'd been ordered by the Dark Lord after getting his ID sorted by the Goblins. Ha! Pensive viewing his ass, he was getting front row seats.
"I know," Harry said, glancing up at the Weasley's, giving them a nod, grateful that they didn't feel the need to 'save him' but there was still time for that he supposed. Then again, they'll know that there was no Order, no backup, and the Weasley name was going to be dragged through the mud in the coming days. Bill seemed to be well aware of this, he was guarding his family as fiercely as a dragon guarded treasure. Ron was ensconced in Charlie's hold, Ginny in Bills and the twins were close by, and not grinning like they normally took to doing.
They were grieving.
Because of him.
Despite seeing the results of his actions…he felt unapologetic, they were better off. "You'll get used to it," he told Barty, not really paying full attention to him.
That was until he was nudged harshly in the ribs, by Barty who was giving him a largely unimpressed look, before he realized what he was doing and paled. "Sorry," he said swallowing thickly, praying he didn't tell the Dark Lord. "Um…incoming," gesturing towards the front, where the wizengamot was beginning to spill in, followed by the defence and prosecution, along with the Minister for magic and Madam Bones.
Last but no means least, Albus Dumbledore. Technically the trial had been going on for days, quietly in the shadows of the courtrooms. Deciding what evidence to use, whether Veritaserum was to be used on the suspect, and despite the near majority behind vehemently behind it…more than half agreed (even if it was just one person) that he was to be imbibed with Veritaserum. They needed the truth after all, the public needed the truth and reassurance. So sure they were, that Albus Dumbledore, despite the blackmail attempts…that he was wholly innocent of the charges levied against him.
Now though…was the main spectacle.
"I'm surprised the reporters aren't here," Harry confessed, staring around, not even Elsmere. He knew when Dumbledore's trial was, he had been well informed, the only thing he was ignorant about was their names, naturally.
"Only one from each magazine and paper are allowed admittance into things like these." Barty as always, explained things for Harry who might be largely unaware. "The bosses send their best worker, anyone you see with a card around their neck works as a reporter. They know better than to make a sound during the proceedings, if they get thrown out…not only do they get fired but lose out on the article of the century."
Harry arched a brow, silently impressed, then again, having seen the memory of Barty's own trial, the only noise had been coming from Barty's pleading and Bellatrix's insane rambling. The trials here obviously were much greater composed than the Muggles ones. Then again…Muggles weren't capable of magic…wizards and witches were and could cause a whole lot more destruction in a short space of time. Especially if they were emotional. He knew all about that, even if he had been chiefly unaware of how dark the accidental magic was. Of course, nobody was going to tell him that his magic was primarily dark…no doubt they convinced themselves that it was just heightened emotions.
Refusing to see the reality in front of them.
Luckily for him though.
"How long do these things last for?" Harry asked, "Muggle ones last for days sometimes weeks at a time."
"Could go on that long here too," Barty said, "Ours were only so short because of how illegal it actually was. They didn't question anyone, we were deemed guilty and they were determined to see us behind bars…hell, the trial lasted maybe ten minutes." A faraway look on his face, speaking so lowly that only Harry could hope to hear him.
"Depending on who he calls in his defence…could be days," Barty mused, speaking a little louder now that he'd had his say about his personal life. "Then again…considering what was in the surprise addition of the newspaper…maybe there is nobody to call upon?" Doge, Diggle and Moody were gone, who else could he call upon to provide reference to his 'good character' which no doubt Dumbledore would do in order to buy time. Unaware of the fact the Order had been taken out, and if it was his escape plan, he was in for one hell of a disappointment.
"Nobody could find out?" Harry asked unimpressed, as his gaze lingered critically over Dumbledore as he was brought forth. Slightly shocked to see Dumbledore so…different. Not a bad shock, just general shock. Dumbledore's hair and beard were gone, and without his colourful robes…he looked like he'd lost a lot of weight. Good, maybe now he could understand what he had put Sirius through. All in the name of the so called greater good. His greater good.
"Not that I know, but I never asked," Barty said seriously, and he would never ask and presume to be told anything like that. He'd been given his orders to protect Harry at all costs, during the entire trial especially when he was going to be up on the witness stand. Which thankfully wasn't going to be today.
He was scheduled to take the stand tomorrow.
"Here we go," Harry murmured, blinking when Dumbledore's gaze went straight past him…had he changed that much? That Dumbledore didn't even recognize him? Or was he just still expecting a poorly dressed pathetic little boy that he had known? Nearly three years had passed since Dumbledore saw him last he supposed.
Harry ignored the long list called out by the Minister, but the scribe was listening and dictating everything that was said here today. He did however, listen to the long list of charges brought against Dumbledore, including coercion of Gellert Grindelwald.
"I protest to the use of Veritaserum, it's a violation of my clients rights," called out Damien Diggle, a lawyer, and a wizard who had just lost his grandfather. Firmly lodged on the light side and his belief in Dumbledore was complete. Not so firmly lodged that he had joined the Order though. Either that or Dumbledore didn't have a use for him.
"Denied," the Minister called out, "It has been majority voted by the council of magic."
"Then I demand that I ask the questions while he's under the influence and only the questions I deem pertinent to the case." Diggle stated in a swift retort.
"What he and everyone else deems pertinent could differ," Madam Bones argued, "I demand at least an impartial questioner." Which would be an Unspeakable, and luckily she'd had the forethought to have one in the court room today.
"I agree with Bones," The Minister stated firmly, "An impartial questioner it is."
"Then I demand only questions directly involved with why he was arrested to be asked." Diggle stated, "We will not have his privacy violated out of curiosity!"
"Are you under the impression we care about anything else but the case?" Bones refuted his statement, rolling her eyes in exasperation. It was always the same arguments when Veritaserum was agreed to be used in court.
Dumbledore though…was rather calm for someone with a lot of things to hide and Veritaserum being brought up.
Diggle pursed his lips, before giving in, it was clear he wasn't going to win against the use of Veritaserum.
"I call to the stand Bathilda Bagshot," Madam Bones, "Understandably, Veritaserum is not to be used." She was much too old to be consuming such a potion. She was also just a witness, and witnesses weren't asked to imbibe it, but they could if they wish to ensure their word was taken seriously.
It took Bathilda over ten minutes to take her seat in the witness stand and be called in, swearing to Lady magic to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
"Ma'am, can you tell us your relationship with Gellert Grindelwald?"
"I'm Gellert's great-aunt," Bathilda explained, a pained look on her face.
"What was he like when he first came to stay with you?" Amelia asked.
"Oh, so studious, polite and lovely!" Bathilda gushed, "He regretted deeply being expelled from school. He told me that it had been on the urging of his friends that he try…but due to his friends being legacies, Gellert was targeted, he refused to name his friends regardless and was promptly expelled as quietly as they could make it." shaking her head sadly. "He helped around the house…I was getting on in age, and he was determined to help for his upkeep despite the fact I didn't want anything."
"How long after he came did he meet Albus Dumbledore?" Amelia asked.
"Oh, it was four months if I recall, he was expelled in February, and they met during the summer holidays. I was ever so pleased he had made a friend, regardless of…the family being ever so secretive." She confessed, eyes shadowed as she strained to remember, her memory wasn't all what it used to be. Recent memory more so than her long term memory of course.
"Secretive?" Madam Bones questioned.
"Objection? Relevance?" Diggle shot up out of his seat.
"We need to set the scene so everyone can understand…" Madam Bones refuted.
"I'll let it play out," the Minister refused his objection. "The witness will answer the question."
"When they came to Godric's hollow, I naturally went to welcome them to the village. Unfortunately, I had the door slammed in my face, and it was very rare that you saw Mrs. Dumbledore or the boys." She told the court.
"You once observed who you now knew to be Arianna Dumbledore…did you not?" Bones questioned. Something they'd found out during the initial questioning of her.
"Objection?! Relevance?" Diggle interrupted once more.
"I'll allow it," the Minister stated, giving Madam Bones a look.
"Very well," Madam Bones agreed, "Did Gellert change in the course of this friendship with Albus Dumbledore?"
"Not at first," Bathilda confessed, wringing her hands anxiously, "It was so slowly that I almost didn't notice it. It was almost as if he had become increasingly obsessed with Albus to the point that he no longer wished to spend time with me…or even help around the house, reclusive and secretive as the Dumbledore's had been."
Harry listened intently to everything Bathilda said, the secretiveness, and things like that but he'd still been her Gellert. Then about how his personality had completely changed overnight. Harry gripped Barty tightly, the realisation almost causing him to be sick. The liquid Imperius potion…he hadn't been the first person to be imbibed with it. Merlin help them, how long had he been using people as his own personal puppets?
Barty hissed at the feel of Harry's tight grip, Merlin's balls, that hurt like hell.
"Sorry," Harry croaked out, "I trust you got the…" the bond surged with calmness, it seemed Voldemort was keeping his own unique tabs on him and the trial.
"Yeah, I got it," Barty agreed, just as disgusted as Harry, but not showing it. Barty had grown up loathing Dumbledore unlike Harry, so nothing surprised him. Yeah, Harry disliked him from the get go…but hearing how long he'd been doing this shit had hit home…he himself couldn't be surprised anything Dumbledore did. Harry finding out how close he came to being fundamentally changed on a cellular level had shaken him in a way Barty hadn't seen before and since. "We'll write to her anonymously." Make sure she knew what questions to ask when Dumbledore took the stand.
"I have no further questions," Amelia stated having asked everything Bathilda may be privy to.
"So, Madam Bagshot, you are blaming the entirety of Grindelwald's reign of terror on an innocent man?" Diggle begun, beginning his own cross examination.
Bagshot glanced at Diggle, "It's Dowager Bagshot," she chided him as if he were a small child, which he was to her. She'd been married all of one year, and her husband had passed away, she'd never remarried or used her married name having already written a few of her books and become known as a Bagshot.
"And I only answered the questions put to me," she added.
"Do you believe Albus Dumbledore is the mastermind behind your nephew?" Diggle asked, making no effort to hide his doubt from everyone in the room.
"I don't know what to believe," Bathilda admitted, tiredness exuding from her. "Gellert was a good boy, easily led astray by friends, desperate to fit in amongst his peers. The boy I knew…would not have gone on to do all those things he did."
"What was your opinion of Dumbledore before the newspaper article?" Diggle questioned her.
"I do not have much of an opinion, I don't personally know him," she confessed, "I did when he was younger, in a passing way, all else I know comes from what's in the newspapers when I read them. Often I get immersed in my books and forget all else that has been happening."
Diggle pursed his lips, thinking of nothing else he could say, "No further questions," he sighed, sitting down once more.
"Next witness, Professor Pomona Sprout," Diggle stated once Bagshot had successfully been herded from the seat.
Albus straightened up, frowning in confusion. He had not demanded that she be called up, where was Minerva? Was she not going to come to his trial? It was impossible…perhaps she had commitments she couldn't get out of today so would be appearing at a later date?
"How long have you worked for Albus Dumbledore?" Diggle got straight into questioning her.
"Over three decades now," Sprout answered, her face set in a stern line so unlike her usual cheerful self.
"And in that time have you ever seen Dumbledore do anything…remotely manipulative?" Diggle asked.
"I haven't personally observed anything said or done maliciously or manipulatively."
"How would you describe him as a boss?" Diggle questioned.
"Very fair, albeit with limitations, especially with the dire straits that the Ministry allowed the Hogwarts funds get into." Pomona admitted said.
Bones straightened up, eyes narrowing in on that particular sentence. Quickly writing down a few questions on that particular line of questioning.
Dumbledore winced, she just had to say something like that.
Harry snorted, watching the scene in front of him with malicious glee. "Oh, he's put his foot in it there."
"I see, and personally?" Diggle continued.
"He's a good man," Sprout declared.
"And do you believe what's been said in the newspapers?" Diggle questioned.
"No, Albus isn't that sort of person," Sprout declared, she was nothing if not loyal to her employer…but any hint of evidence that loyalty may breathe it's last.
"And did you check over the Hogwarts books?" Diggle asked.
"I am a professor only, I have no say in the running of Hogwarts," Sprout replied, the book was now in the hands of the Ministry anyway, and they would see for themselves.
"And the funds that was withdrawn from the Potter estate while it was under his care?" Diggle questioned.
Harry stiffened, surprised by the statement.
"I'm sure that every sickle has been accounted for," Sprout stated, it cost a lot of money to raise a child. "I am not privy to the details." Why would she be? She didn't know every detail of Dumbledore's life. She was barely a friend, maybe an acquaintance she spent no time with Dumbledore outside of a professional setting.
"That's all thank you," Diggle stated, finished with questioning. All he wanted to do was throw doubt on whether Albus was the wizard they were calling him to be.
"Can you repeat your earlier statement regarding the Hogwarts funds?" Bones asked, paying close attention.
"I said, professionally, very fair, albeit with limitations, especially with the dire straits that the Ministry allowed the Hogwarts funds get into." Sprout restated her earlier statement.
"As newly elected Deputy Headmistress, how is it you do not understand the financial running of Hogwarts?" Bones questioned curtly.
"Minerva naturally, took care of that, it is in her job description," Sprout replied, "She's under immense strain in order to ensure as many students as she can, are allowed into Hogwarts with scholarships and aid when required." That's what ate at her, she didn't know how many times she'd asked only to be denied.
"You believe the Ministry has any say in the controlling of the Hogwarts vaults?" Bones asked.
"It's what I've been told," Sprout stated firmly, as her heart sank, judging by the look on Amelia's face…it wasn't the case at all. Had Dumbledore and Minerva been lying to her all these years?
"Hogwarts is a private school, not even the board of directors dictates how the money is spent." Bones stated firmly, "You're belief is wrong. Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall have lied to you once that we know of…how many other times has that occurred in the past few decades?" not only that, but she had noticed a reoccurring theme, all the scholarship children ended up in Gryffindor and most of them were Weasley's this past decade. It did not bode well, they had accountants going through all the books, and by the time Dumbledore was called to the stand, they would have everything they needed to know.
Sprout had nothing to say regarding that.
"Nothing further," Bones stated.
Sprout was so very grateful to step down, and get out of the eye of everyone's attention. Her mind reeling over the latest revelation, and doubt began to sit firmly in her gut. If that was true…what else had Albus lied to him about? She'd always thought she was good at reading others…perhaps she wasn't after all.
"I call to the stand, Aberforth Dumbledore," Bones called out.
Diggle and Dumbledore's head snapped up at that pronouncement. Dread consumed Albus whole, while Diggle grabbed his paperwork and began to read through it, and found to his concertation, that he had been added to the paperwork. He couldn't put it off until he thought of a few questions on the brother.
Once he was sat and sworn in, Madam Bones began.
"How would you describe your relationship with your brother?" Bones questioned.
"Non-existent." It seemed Aberforth wasn't a big talker.
"Is there any truth to the best of your knowledge in the news reported in the newspaper?"
"The articles in which I have knowledge of, yes," Aberforth replied, apparently he wasn't going to keep silent and support his brother.
"Which articles?" Bones asked.
"Five, out of the ten," Aberforth stated.
"Aberforth," Albus whispered, staring at his brother heartbroken.
"Be silent, or you will be found in contempt," the Minister barked out to Albus, refusing to allow him to even attempt to guilt trip the witness into changing his statement.
"All of them are the truth," Harry scoffed, admittedly he had only been asked information on the articles he knew as truth. Five out of them all was quite a low number, it just proved that he really had no relationship with his own brother. Which he was spilling the beans right now, and the Wizengamot were all horrified.
"He really doesn't have anyone does he?" Barty chortled, so pathetic really, and really, really sad.
"Not anymore," Harry said vindictively, no doubt half of the character refences and witnesses that Diggle was set to call to the stand was dead.
"If that's the case…you might be called today," Barty pointed out, eyeing the Weasley's, "I'm surprised the Longbottom's aren't here." he confessed, turning back around finding nothing of interest.
"They can't call a witness out of the blue, they would have had to inform me," Harry said bemused, "I didn't receive any letter…and I doubt the Ministry would risk the letters being late, unless it was done deliberately.
"Actually they can," Barty revealed, "Doesn't happen often…but you signed in, they'll know you're there…they could call on you."
"Oh, I forgot about that," Harry sighed, of course, they knew everyone in the room, not only do they get names but wands to confirm, all were registered the moment Ollivander found one that fit.
"Used to be a House-elf that did all that back in the day," Barty commented, "My mother was always full of titbits like that." so very lonely, she'd looked to her son for comfort and conversation. It's probably why he loved books and knowledge so much, she'd been that reason. In turn his father allowed her to die alone in Azkaban in order to get him out. If he'd been able…he would have fought back with everything he had. Stopped it happening, allowed his mother to die in the comfort of the family home. The place she'd made home, while his father lived at the Ministry. To add insult to injury his reputation was untarnished.
"Really?" Harry asked genuinely curious, ignoring the 'Shh's' that came his way, but if they kept it up he was going to get really annoyed.
"Oh, yeah, they were the norm back then," Barty said sagely.
"Might happen again," Harry replied, quite frankly he could guess what happened, complaints by Muggle-borns about how it was too much like slavery and oppression, and they felt too uncomfortable with it. "It would be nice to see it back to its former glory." The Ministry was just full of corruption and greed, there was no betterment of the magical community within its walls. It's true purpose had been forgotten in time.
"Arianna did end up dying as a result of an argument between myself, Gellert and Albus," Aberforth said, even now struggling with his grief.
"What was the argument about?" Bones questioned.
"Muggles," Aberforth, "Their plans for them, I knew what they were up to, and I wanted them to put a stop to it."
"No more questions," Bones called out.
"Can you say your plans at seventeen were the same as you are now as an adult?" Diggle asked, standing up.
"Yes," Aberforth replied, "I wished to open a pub, which I have done," he'd lived his best life.
"With the life insurance policies of both your parents and youngest sister?" Diggle stated, "Is it true that Albus did not take his share?"
"Not at first, guilt got the better of him, after a while he demanded his shares, which I gave him without hesitation." Aberforth retorted, refusing to allow Albus to be seen as a saint. Their lives had been spread across the papers, there was no putting the gene back in the bottle. There was just no point to lying, especially when he had heard rumours of his brother undergoing Veritaserum…which had just been confirmed in the beginning of the trial. He had been able to buy the building and turn it into a pub with plenty extra to spare.
"Your brother realised the error of his ways, did he not? Went on to work at Hogwarts and help the next generation?" Diggle said.
"Too late," Aberforth snapped, if he'd just quit sooner his little sister…their little sister might still be alive.
"You have not forgiven him for his rash actions, have you?" Diggle said, shaking his head.
"He got our sister killed, and refused to allow him to manipulate me further," Aberforth replied.
"But you kept contacts did you not? You joined your brother quite frequently?" Alluding towards the Order membership he had.
"I was in the same room as him if that's what you're referring to," Aberforth said dryly, "Other than that, we never spoke unless it was in a professional capacity."
"No further questions," Diggle said, stepping back, it was clear he wasn't going to get any note of sympathy from Aberforth for Albus, he best quit while he was ahead when it came to this man.
Sighing resignedly, Diggle looked through all the names he had, nearly all of them had a black line through them. Which included his grandfather, their deaths were still baffling Aurors, they just didn't know what happened…and they couldn't find anything in the food or drink that could have caused it. The suggestion that Molly had poisoned them all somehow and then had the audacity to suggest she'd ingested some herself accidentally. It was You-Know-Who, he was somehow responsible for all this…he just didn't know how.
"I have no other witnesses to call today, Minister," Diggle informed the Minister. He'd need to speak to Albus on whom else he could call for character references. The ones he'd called had not gone the way he wished. At least he could call into question tomorrows characters, which would make them seen as unsuitable. He thought looking at Madam Bones list.
"I call to the stand…Harry Potter," Madam Bones stated loudly, standing up.
Whispers immediately sprang up at the mere mention of him.
Finally got around to updating this :D I've waited for far too long I know :) but you'll be pleased after re-reading it I've found the muses going strong so you probably won't have to wait as long for another update :D Not that there is much else to do...is there anything else you guys want to see about this story before it's finished? Which i'm getting is in around 5-10 chapters or something like that unless of course there's stuff I still need to do that I haven't thought of yet! Mpreg or not? want to see them pregnant or just in the epilogue? it's not often a story is nearly finished under a hundred chapters lately ;) LMAO! R&R please