Embracing His True Self

Chapter 72

Harry groaned when he heard the magical alarm he set go off, it was abruptly cut off by an irate Voldemort. That was at least until he remembered why said alarm had been erected to begin with. Harry was already rolling over and returning to sleep, refusing to get up, he blamed Tom. To say seeing Dumbledore brought down publicly and Harry's masterful performance yesterday…it had been a very passionate and long night.

"If you wish to observe the proceedings, you best get up now," Voldemort murmured as he swiftly stood, unashamed of his nudity. "We have ten minutes to get there." And he most definitely wasn't missing it for anything.

Harry opened an eye, watching Tom move towards his closet enjoying watching the way he moved, and his muscles flexing. Harry's cheeks warmed a little, but he was in no way ashamed of his staring. Tom and he had done a lot more than just show off a little skin lately.

In fact, he'd say he was almost ready to go the whole way. The book he'd read that Severus had – mortifyingly – given him had been very educational and had answered all the questions he had secretly harboured about sex. When Tom said there was a lot they could do that wasn't anal penetration, he hadn't been kidding the slightest.

Sighing resignedly, "Why did we leave it so late? We don't even have time for breakfast…" knowing why he'd set it so late…wishing to sleep in for as long as he could.

"Amita will have made us a sandwich we can eat on the way," Voldemort informed him, as he swiftly dressed, time was ticking, he had to admit he was slightly surprised that Dumbledore had not recognized him, by all appearances he hadn't even recognized Harry when his gaze had wandered over him apparently.

"That's something at least," Harry murmured, before reluctantly rousing, padding through to the bathroom as was his normal routine. Then he got dressed, still half asleep. At least until the smell of coffee and food caught his nose. Yanking down his top, he grinned when he noticed the House-elf had indeed brought them something to eat. The sandwich was bacon and egg, with a wrap around it to stop them spilling any on themselves. Then a flagon of coffee, in a to go mug. Perfection. "Thank you, Amita."

"You is welcome," she replied, before disappearing with a pop to allow them to continue dressing.

"Well, nobody is going to need to guess what we were up to last night," Harry said, staring at his image in the full length floor mirror in what was now their room. He had hickies dotted all over his neck in various shades and sizes.

Voldemort just threw a smirk as he sipped his coffee, which was made to the perfect drinking temperature. "Ready to go?" nobody could get into this part of the manor, he had ensured it. He'd changed the wards last night, so Barty was no doubt waiting for them at the entrance to their wing.

"Yeah, do you know who's going to be questioned today?" Harry asked, aware that Tom had been doing some reading after he'd been thoroughly exhausted and half asleep.

Voldemort leaned against Harry, "The Hogwarts teachers I believe, and if I am not wrong…I do think Black will be called perhaps even Lupin."

"They didn't mention it last night," Harry said, leaning back into Tom with a sigh as he ate his sandwich.

"They're in the Caribbean, it will take a while for the owl to reach them, probably more than the Ministry was anticipating." Voldemort said thoughtfully, he didn't understand his partners inclination to talk to the pair constantly, but he tolerated it. "They might not even get it in time." The ministry owls weren't exactly known for their speed.

"It wouldn't go straight to Gringotts?" Harry questioned reluctantly parting from Tom, as they both made for the door. It was time to leave, they would only just make it in time leaving now. They had put a PO box sort of thing at Gringotts, which was then transferred to the closest Gringotts branch for them to pick it up. An added precaution to keep their whereabouts safe…not that they had to worry now.

"Anything else, yes," Voldemort explained as they moved, "But important documents from the Ministry…like summoning's…will go straight to the recipient."

Harry nodded, before grinning at Barty, who was sitting waiting for them.

"My Lords'," he murmured, relief showing on his features, he'd feared they would be late. He didn't vocalise as such, he may have if it was just Harry though. He still mostly saw Harry as a very good friend, and often forgot himself but Harry seemed to like it so he didn't worry too much.

"Hey, Barty," Harry said, "Ready for the next round?"

"Oh, am I ever," Barty said grinning wickedly, "Everything after your performance will be a let-down." which was true enough, Harry had been magnificent last night. He wasn't the only one that thought so, judging by the hickies on proud display.

"Will it run on for the same length of time?" Harry prodded, "Or will it vary?" he knew a lot about the Ministry but he still had a lot to learn. Actual trials differed in the Magical and Muggle world…he just didn't know how much it varied.

"It will more than likely be the same length of time," Voldemort replied, as always up for educating Harry on anything he desired to know. "They have other trials in between Dumbledore's, and will have had to cut off when it neared time for the next yesterday."

Barty nodded, "The Ministry did stop all normal court cases when the war ended…" he told him, "All that was done those few weeks were Death Eater trials…if you can call them that. They were complete farces, which I'm surprised they got away with really, I mean it wasn't just wizards they were doing it to, but pureblood's. Lucius was one of the few who had a trial of his own."

"Lord Lestrange wasn't able to do anything?" Harry contemplated.

"No, nor was Lord Black," Barty shrugged, there was nothing to be done about the past now.

"Wait, that would be Orion Black right? What did he try?" Harry uttered, he wasn't sure Sirius knew that his father had tried to help.

"I don't know, I was under arrest…" Barty grunted, "You'd need to speak to Lord Lestrange…I just know he tried to get his son out. He'd just lost Regulus after all…and he did not want the House of Black to fall any father than it did."

"Huh," Harry murmured. "What do you think he'd think of it now?" it had fallen further. Stepping off the last step downstairs, and they made their way through the main entrance.

"Orion will just be pleased that the house still exists, the Black name meant a lot to him." Voldemort spoke this time. "To all of them."

"I see," Harry asserted, "That makes sense."

Barty opened the door for them, the three of them making their way out of the property.

"Well, there is still a Black heir, that's fully a Black," Harry pointed out, which was true enough. Black would retain his Black heirship if he had a child, to pass the Black Lordship onto when he passed away. If not, Harry would have to pass the Lordship onto someone else. "It's something at least."

"Indeed," Voldemort agreed, clasping both of them, he side-long apparated them from the doorsteps of the property – he could get through the wards after all he erected them – and straight to the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic.

"Woah, I take it back about not getting much sleep," Harry remarked, staring at Madam Bones, who had black rings around her eyes, detonating the lack of sleep she'd received tonight.

"She probably spent all last night reading through the transcripts and dealing with what she learned." Barty snorted, "She's a hard worker I suppose…" it was the only good thing he could say, he didn't know her overly well.

"Loyal to the Ministry," Harry ascertained, "And thankfully not Dumbledore." Otherwise, the trial would have been naught but a mockery and that would have pissed him off.

"I don't think anyone's loyal to the old fool now," Barty whispered to them, as he handed over his wand, at the wand registration desk, along with Harry and Tom, both Barty and Tom using a new 'wand' that went with their new identities. "Well, not many." He amended knowing there would still be a few regardless of what the news said about his character.

"Good," Harry replied contently.

The three were soon free to go, after checking in, and they headed immediately towards the courtroom. They weren't the only ones, but thankfully it was not in a rushed manner, the last thing Harry wanted was to be jolted around in a lift with others all desperate to get to a courtroom, like it was going to get them there any quicker.

Upon entering the courtroom, they found most of the same people with a few new additions. "Looks like you were right," Harry gestured towards the teachers and librarian. No Sirius or Remus though, he rather hoped the Ministry didn't call on them and disrupt their holiday, but he knew it was a rather futile hope.

"Of course I was," Tom preened smugly, he always liked it when he was proven correct, especially if it was a calculated guess.

The three moved to sit, while the wizengamot made an entrance claiming their own seats. The Weasley's weren't here this time, which was probably a good thing. Tom had been rather vocal in his desire to see that Ginny was killed in an accident. Tom not liking at all, just how she was staring at him.

"I reckon this is going to last more than three days…maybe four," Harry guessed, "Hell it could very well be five." Depending on just how many people were going to be called as character witnesses.

"Perhaps," Tom drawled, making a small indecipherable noise.

"Here he comes…" Barty gleefully stated, "Oh, he's definitely been told about his precious Order." Dumbledore looked defeated, destroyed and so utterly heartbroken. As if his very life essence had been drained from him, he hadn't even looked like that after hearing his own testimony.

"I agree," Tom agreed, watching Dumbledore with savage amusement, unless of course, it was just a ploy to make people feel sorry for him. which he doubted, Dumbledore relied too heavily upon his reputation. He was glad he had been talked into letting this happen. While he would have gained a whole lot of satisfaction killing Dumbledore…this was…indescribable. Dumbledore would still die of course, but slowly and painfully in Azkaban. He had some sort of illness which he was taking potions for, and he wouldn't get them in Azkaban, no he wouldn't last long at all. He'd give him three to five months at most. Why bother doing anything when Dumbledore was going to suffer without his help?

He could only hope that this would prevent another uprising, another Order taking the place of the one they'd just deal with. Too any wizards and witches had already died, lines had faded into obscurity, he wanted to bring them back.

To remake the world, admittedly in his image, to have the magical world thrive. Nothing would stand in his way, not even a second uprising. He did still need to make sure there were no recipes for that potion Dumbledore created anywhere, or actual potions.

Harry carded his hand through Toms' sensing his emotions, and relaxed back. He was going to enjoy watching the show he must say. Even if he could feel various eyes boring into his own…now that they knew what he looked like. Smiling a little when Tom tightened his hold right back, it was small things like this that reminded him that he wasn't alone. That someone had his back…in a way that nobody ever had and Harry would never willingly relinquish it.

Then the trial started, scribe wrote, before the first witness was called to the witness stand.

"I call to the stand Irma Pince," Bones calmly, her voice a little tired even to her own ears.

Irma Pince moved to the seat, and was sworn in. She still reminded Harry vividly of Severus, he wasn't sure if it was the stern looks, black robes or her tallness, she could pass herself off as Severus twin, if she was just a little younger. She looked like the Prince's her name was odd, Pince? She could he supposed, be from a squib line unaware of her heritage.

"We should make it mandatory for all students in Hogwarts to take the heritage potion the first week of Hogwarts," Harry remarked, that way they would know from the get go just what families they were part of, which would open up new doors…especially for the so called 'Muggle-borns' with so little wizards and witches…having a sponsor that was family would help immensely.

"That's reasonable," Voldemort agreed loftily.

Harry threw Tom a bemused look, before focusing on the trial as Bones spoke.

"How would you characterise your relationship with Dumbledore?"

"Tense," Pince politely informed her.

"And why is that?"

"He had the propensity of removing books from my library, and refused most of my book requests. Children cannot be educated if they do not have the correct books in which to learn from." Pince irritably told her, "It's been an ongoing battle since my appointment as Hogwarts librarian. Half of the books from the restricted section have been systematically removed. Even more from the normal bookshelves." Children couldn't learn if they didn't have all information at hand. Worse still, he would remove them without her aware or informed.

"Did he give a reason as to why these books were removed?" Bones questioned.

"No," came Pince's curt reply. "He did not, I had no idea any of them had been removed until a student wanted them. I did not realize it was him at first until I went to him in complaint about books being stolen from the library."

"Did he give a reason for not allowing other book requests?" Bones cajoled tiredly.

"Sometimes," Pince admitted exasperatedly, "Often times I just got the paperwork back with denied stamped across it."

"And what was that excuse?" Bones asked gently.

"That it was unappropriated for Hogwarts library, not for children to be reading." Pince declared huffily.

"What were the books on specifically?" Bones inquired.

"Magic," was Pince's dry reply. "Defence Against the Dark Arts, books on creatures, charms, advanced magic, theory of magic, potion books, ancient magics, alchemy, wandless magic, advanced runes and arithmancy…the list is endless."

"Can you think of a common denominator that would explain his withdrawal of these books in particular?" Bones requested.

"No, I'm afraid not," Pince bit out, her pride still smarting over Dumbledore's laying claim over her dominion for all those years.

"Do you have a list of all the books Dumbledore has removed during the course of your tenure?" Bones asked.

"I do, I brought it with me," came Pince's curt and clipped reply, already removing a large wad of parchment from her robes.

One of the Aurors' immediately stepped up to take it, Wandlessly checking it for any spells before handing it over to Bones when it proved to be exactly as requested.

"Thank you," Bones interjected as she placed the list on the table. "No more questions,"

"I have no questions for the witness," Diggle waved it off, why the hell would the librarian have anything significant to say? Plus, it was clear they did not have a favourable relationship at all.

Once Pince was out of her seat, she actually left the courtroom, having no desire to see the rest play out.

"I call Healer Poppy Pomfrey to the stand," Diggle trilled.

Dumbledore's blue eyes just watched everything without a single twinkle. He was still reeling over the information his lawyer had shared with him yesterday evening after such a horrific day of Harry betraying him so thoroughly. It was probably the first time he'd thought that perhaps Harry had willingly given the information to the reporters.

Poppy stood, still in her matron gear, as she took to the stand and was sworn in.

"How would you characterise your relationship with Dumbledore?" Diggle requested. He hadn't originally had her on the witness list, but unfortunately, he was low on possible candidates. He hadn't even said anything to Albus.

"He was my employer," Poppy replied calmly.

"But personally?" Diggle cajoled.

"I do not know him personally," most of her time was spend with Pomona Sprout and Severus Snape. Neither of which had a close relationship with Dumbledore either.

"Would you characterise him as manipulative?" Diggle coaxed.

"Yes," Poppy's reply took Diggle by surprise.

"Care to elaborate on that?" Diggle chided.

"I have seen him numerous times manipulating people in my hospital wing. Private conversations that no doubt…people would rather I not reveal, my word will just have to be taken for it." Poppy reported. "Not only adults just children as young as eleven-years-old."

"No further questions," Diggle proclaimed, taking his seat, frustrated.

Bones immediately stood, "Without naming names can you tell us of one such conversation?"

Poppy frowned, "There was an incident at Hogwarts, whereupon two students lives were put in severe danger. It really should have been reported. Instead it was suppressed and I observed Dumbledore subtly threating the victim to keep it quiet otherwise he would be expelled. That victim was also the victim of severe bullying that went unchallenged."

"Unchallenged how?"

"They were not punished, regardless of how many professors called into question the behaviour…it was brushed off as 'children being children' and it remained so until Albus was arrested…bullying isn't quite so rife at Hogwarts anymore." Poppy stated sharply, disapproval written across her face. she'd had to patch up too many students that were the results of bullying over the years and she hated it.

"I see, thank you, no more questions," Bones nodded in thanks to Poppy. It amused her greatly that Diggle's own witness had been so against Dumbledore. Normally such questions would be asked before the trial to ensure they were exactly what was needed for the defence.

Poppy gracefully stepped down, and like Pince seemed to prefer returning to Hogwarts rather than remain at the Ministry.

"I call to the stand, Rubeus Hagrid," Diggle smugly declared, knowing without a doubt this would definitely show Dumbledore's character in the right way. He'd met Hagrid, a few times, he always spoke very well of Dumbledore.

The great lumbering Half-giant entered when clearly called to by an Auror on the outside. Tom and Barty both grimaced at the sight of the half-giant disgusted by the mere sight of him. He was dressed atrociously, with a lime green and red tie and had clearly attempted to tame his hair, and failed spectacularly…and to think it only took a single spell.

One of the Aurors had to spell the chair larger so that Hagrid could sit in it. Which he did so without even thanking the Aurors forethought, too busy staring at Dumbledore with teary eyes. Struck dumb at the sight of the usually cheerful Headmaster.

"Mr Hagrid…tell us your relationship with Dumbledore?" Diggle started off, ignoring the fact the half-giant wasn't even looking at him.

"Great man is Dumbledore!" Hagrid boomed, there was not anyone in the room that didn't hear him.

If you knew where to look though, you could see the doubt and worry in those beetle black eyes. He had been told of course, about Harry's testimony before the newspaper revealed everything…he didn't know what to believe.

"He let you remain at Hogwarts?" Diggle asked.

"He did, great man, great man is Dumbledore," Hagrid boomed loudly, clearly anxious and displaying it. He wasn't one for being in the Ministry, he felt as though he was going to be arrested any given moment.

"Gave you two jobs?" Diggle pressed.

Hagrid nodded vigorously, "Aye, two jobs," puffing up proudly. He was indeed very proud of his jobs and took them both seriously.

"Have you ever been manipulated by Albus Dumbledore?" Diggle questioned.

"Objection, not everyone can understand the subtle nuances to notice they're being manipulated," Bones protested, and it was true enough…Hagrid seemed to be rather on the slow side.

"I'll allow it," The Minister declared.

"Withdrawn!" Diggle cried, "Has Dumbledore ever talked you into something you didn't wish to do?"

"No, no, Dumbledore's a good man," Hagrid said, shaking his head, and everyone could have sworn they saw things flying off his head and beard as he did so.

"Merlin, does he know any other words?" Barty grumbled in disgust, shuddering.

"I have no other questions," Diggle intoned, sitting down.

"Which jobs did you gain?" Bones questioned.

"Keeper of the keys, ground keeper, and the Care of Magical Creatures," Hagrid puffed out proudly. Practically beaming over his accomplishments and Harry felt sympathetic to his plight.

Nobody had the heart to tell him that the keeper of the keys and the grounds keeper was the same thing.

"What are your qualifications to teach COMC?" Bones demanded, glancing at the file on her desk for a moment.

"I've been taking care o' the creatures for decades," Hagrid said, staring blankly at her, "Ain't nobody knows em better than me."

"Is it true someone was injured during your first class?" Bones queried.

Hagrid's beady eyes narrowed a little, as if cottoning on, "It were just a scratch, nothing but a wee scratch, he didn't mean ter hurt anyone."

"You didn't take any classes to be educated on how to deal with students?" Bones summarised, already knowing the answer.

"I've been dealing with em for years," Hagrid said indignantly.

"And I assume you received quite a pay rise when you took on additional duties?" Bones wondered, she had a good idea on that too.

Hagrid shook his head, no, he hadn't received a pay rise.

"Tell me, do you know why you were chosen to pick up Harry Potter? Had you picked up students before?" Bones cajoled.

"I offered to help, the Headmaster's a very busy man!" Hagrid said, "I was going to be in Gringotts anyway, I had ter pick up the philosopher stone…oh, I shouldn't have said that…I should not have said that…"

Harry gave out a bark of laughter, finding it all too ironic.

"Mr. Hagrid we already know," Bones placated the stricken wizard. She was also aware that the Half-giant had probably been manipulated without knowing it.

"What was that all about?" Barty asked, Tom glanced briefly at them, it was clear he wanted to know the answer as well. He just wasn't as obvious about it.

"Hagrid is the biggest blabbermouth in the history of blabbermouths. Everyone that meets him knows within the first few weeks he parrots everything he hears. He doesn't understand the concept of secrets. Dumbledore knows this, and it's how we sound out most of our information." Harry said wryly, "When we got a name, Nicolas Flamel, it was only a few days before we had what it was. He prattled on like that, shouldn't have said it, shouldn't have said it."

"Idiot," Voldemort seethed, sneering at the despicable thing, he would never have graduated Hogwarts. He was thick, stupid, none of his potions turned out right, half his spells backfired or just didn't work…he was never meant for Hogwarts long. It's why he had chosen him."

"Did you know that it was a Basilisk responsible for the attacks you were accused of?" Bones queried.

Hagrid blinked dumbly, shaking his head, no.

"So you had no way of coming forward and letting the Ministry know you were innocent?" Bones continued.

"No," Hagrid cuffed out.

"As of today, your record will be wiped clean, you may take your exams and get a new wand. You are free to go Mr. Hagrid, I have no further questions." Bones declared.

Hagrid stared dumbly at the witch, eyes wet with tears, words he'd never expected to hear coming out of someone's mouth.

"Do me a favour…get him accepted into one of the Dragon reserves if it's possible," Harry whispered to Tom.

Voldemort arched a brow, "Fine," he sighed incredulously.

"I request a quick recess," Diggle requested of the Minister.

"Accepted, half an hour then we return," the Minister agreed to the short recess, after a nod from Madam Bones.

"Hum…I wonder what that's about," Harry pressed out suspiciously, wondering what Diggle is up to.

"Probably the fact his witnesses aren't in the Ministry," Barty snorted derisively. You could just see that Diggle was grasping at straws.

"Good, I'm starving," Harry said, "Shall we go out for something to eat or eat in the Ministry?"

"Substandard fare? I think not," Voldemort declared, "I know the perfect place.

To Barty's surprise, the 'perfect' place happened to be a Muggle restaurant, which became apparent when their apparels changed to fit in with the normal Mundane look Muggles liked.

Barty more than felt like the third wheel during their little lunch.

The looks they shared, the intimate conversation, Barty had to remind himself he was here as a bodyguard only. He wasn't here as Harry's best friend, with the world watching, they needed to make sure nobody would surprise them and try to kidnap Harry. Just because the order was gone, didn't make the threat any less real.

It would be even more so once if the world found out just who Harry was dating. They'd try and 'save' him from himself or some shit. As if Harry needed saving, he could look after himself.

Usually stuff like that did get out, but considering everything…it might just go under the radar for the rest of their lives. Nobody could or would accuse a guy who barely looks a day over twenty-one years old of being Dark Lord after all.

Harry leaned against Tom, "Who do you think he's trying to get on his side?"

"I think it will be children your age," Voldemort mused thoughtfully, "Someone less likely to believe what everyone is claiming due to their young age and lack of rationality."

"You honestly think Diggle thinks Dumbledore's innocent?" Harry scoffed at the idea, before eating some more, very comfortable.

"He's been spoon-fed how brilliant Dumbledore is since he was in nappies. He's a smart wizard, he should realize by now that there is some truth to everything he's heard…but…"

"Everyone's good at burying their goddamned heads in the sand when the truth inconveniences them?" Harry finished wryly, "What about you Barty? What do you think of Diggle?" trying to include Barty more, feeling awful for spending so much time with Tom.

"I believe he thought dumbledore was innocent and that everyone is out to get him." Barty said wryly, that it's all an elaborate set up. "He's tried his hardest to try and put holes in everyone' stories…by the end of the trial, he's going to know."

"Unless grief is blinding him further…" Harry mused, drinking his Pepsi max, he loved the stuff and was only able to drink it when he came to the muggle world. Which hadn't been happening very often as of late. "You were right, foods good." He murmured, after swallowing another bite. Unfortunately, they didn't have as long.

"It's possible," Voldemort conceded doubtfully, he'd never understood grief, other than the possibility of using it to further his cause.

Harry just grinned at that look, giving Barty a 'what can you do' look.

They spent the rest of their meal, what little there was left, in contemplative silence as they ate. It wasn't until they were done with only a few minutes to spare to get back to the Ministry. "Good job I have money with me." Muggle money at that.

"Hardly," Voldemort replied coolly, placing the money on the table, before standing, gesturing for the others to follow him, before Harry could get a chance to dig into his pocket.

Harry laughed, ruefully shaking his head, as he followed Tom with Barty close behind.

"I call to the stand Ronald Weasley," Diggle called out.

"Bad idea," Harry muttered shaking his head, honestly, the boy was easily jealous and didn't have a filter. "He will say something he shouldn't, Diggle shouldn't rely on him." he knew he hadn't been able to.

"Why hasn't Longbottom revealed what happened to them?" Barty whispered lowly.

"She'll be waiting to the last minute," Harry said, a sudden smirk on his face, remembering her rather vindictive promise. "To ensure that if he was looking to be found innocent…that her statement would ensure it would not come to pass. I bet you twenty galleons she'll press her charges within the last half hour of the trial." He would have liked the woman if not for the way she treated her grandson.

"Then that would just mean another trial," Barty bluntly stated, "A New case."

"But would it? I mean come on…Dumbledore's been charged with a dozen crimes here, why would they need to open a new case for Augusta?" Harry asked blankly confused.

"Because it would be a different case, his sentence would run concurrent with whatever he gets here and now. Quite frankly I don't believe he'd make it towards another trial."

"Tell me, Mr. Weasley, is there any truth in Harry Potter…" Diggle begun.

"Objection, that is not his name," Bones argued.

"Lord Black-Potter's statement? Did you ever feel manipulated into anything during say your first year of Hogwarts?" Diggle questioned, there was no way Ronald Weasley would lie, they were light as could be, and firmly in Dumbledore's camp.

"Yes," Ron confessed, looking green around the gills.

"Care to elaborate on that?" Diggle asked, brow furrowing.

"He set the entire thing up, so that Harry would face his parents killer, me Mione and Harry figured that out. I'm afraid though…that I didn't give it the due consideration it should have had." Ron admitted, looking tired and wary to the bone. "I didn't see the wrongness of it, neither did Hermione or Harry I don't think…at least he never said."

Harry stared at Ron stunned, a small bittersweet smile appearing on his face. Would you look at that, Ron had finally started using his bloody head, all too late of course, for them. He inhaled sharply and gave a nod, perhaps the bloody idiot wasn't so stupid after all. Harry leaned into Tom, feeling rather contented with his life.

"No further questions," Diggle grumbled in complaint, worry crossing his features…what if they were all right? What if Dumbledore had done these things?

"What of your second year?" Bones questioned, beginning where Diggle left off.

"Harry could speak to snakes, it scared a lot of people, even me, but I didn't let it get in the way of our friendship. It was just another adventure for us, but Harry's right, we got awards and points given to us, Harry, me and Ginny nearly died…" Ron said, "It didn't really sink in then, Ginny needed us the most after what she went through."

"Can you recall any times you were directly manipulated by Dumbledore yourself?" Bones cajoled.

Ron frowned, "Um, yes, I suppose, Dumbledore demanded that we not write to Harry, he manipulated us into believing that Harry would die if we tried. It was only later that we realised nothing would have happened."

"Hermione's been in touch with Ron," Harry stated, "That sounded too much like her."

"You came to rescue your best friend that summer, from a locked in room…tell me did you ever say anything to your parents?" Bones prodded.

Ron licked his lips, "Yeah, me and the twins told mum, but she said that there was a lot of crime in Privet Drive and that Muggles often put bars up to protect their property…when we told her it was only Harry's room…she said that they probably hadn't had the time to do the rest…that the Muggles worked."

"I see, and you didn't tell your father?" Bones queried.

"No," Ron shamefully admitted, he'd taken his mothers word for it and promptly forgotten about it. It wasn't as if Harry had told them much about the Dursley's, the only thing he knew was that they gave him a strange 50p silver coin for his Christmas and other titbits here and there.

"Can you think of any other attempts?" Bones prodded for more information.

"Other than knowing that people were being tortured with a blood quill…not really," Ron admitted.

"Why did you not inform your parents of that happening?" Bones asked genuinely curious.

"Susan didn't tell you did she? We all thought there was nothing anyone could do…even Dumbledore wasn't able to stop her…" Ron trailed off shrugging.

Bones pursed her lips at the disrespect, "No further questions," she had to remind herself that he was grieving and stressed. This trial was no doubt not helping matters…added to his usual course work at Hogwarts too.

Harry groaned, "Please tell me we aren't going to be hearing from Hermione and Ginny too…" exasperated.

"I call Ginevra Weasley to the stand," Bones said.

Harry groaned dramatically, while Tom sarcastically patted him on the back. "Son of a bitch," he grumbled. "We're going to be here all night."

Tom then possessively shrugged an arm around Harry's shoulder. Bringing him impossibly closer, and blatantly kissed Harry before staring back at Ginny with a 'He's mine' look on his face.

"Damn," Barty whispered, that had been hot.

Harry smirked at Barty smugly, he rather liked it when Tom got possessive. So long as he wasn't trying to kill anyone that was, especially not for looking.

"If we're on the same schedule she will be the last witness called," Barty pointed out, after glancing at the time.

"Can you tell us what happened during your second year?" Bones softly spoke, as if not to spook her.

Ginny wrenched her heartbroken gaze from Harry, turning to Bones as if just registering her presence. Tears already running down her face, but not for the question like everyone assumed…but because of what she'd just witnessed, her entire life she'd envisioned just blasting before her eyes. Harry had a partner…Harry was gay, Harry preferred men, just like her brother. "Lucius Malfoy slid a diary into my cauldron, I was…very lonely that year, and I began to write in it and it wrote back..."

"You were not told as you grew never to trust something that had a mind of its own?" Bones rasped out, shocked by the discovery.

"I was, I just…didn't listen, I didn't see the harm," Ginny protested, ashamed of herself. "It wasn't long before I began to lose time, find myself somewhere else…so I threw it away."

"I see, did anyone notice your strange behaviour a teacher? A fellow student?" Bones wondered.

"No," Ginny shook her head vehemently. Nobody had known her well enough to notice, and her brothers had all been distracted with their own lives.

"Were you told not to contact Lord Harry Black-Potter?" Bones asked, aware that Ginny wasn't Harry's friend and probably hadn't seen or observed any other manipulations.

"Yes, I was with Hermione and Ron when Dumbledore spoke to us," Ginny explained.

"And he said that the boy would die if you wrote?" Bones inquired.

"Yes, he was vehement about it, I didn't dare risk it," Ginny said giving Harry a forlorn look, one that spoke of a desire for forgiveness.

"That's all thank you," Bones said, giving the girl a reassuring smile, feeling sorry for her. She hadn't stopped crying since she ended up on the seat.

"Did you ever go to Dumbledore about your concerns about this diary?" Diggle questioned, gazing at her unsympathetically .

"No," Ginny replied, tears drying up.

"Do he couldn't have known? Couldn't have manipulated or foreseen anything that happened?" Diggle suggested.

"I don't know…I just don't know." Ginny said, bewildered by the sudden attack upon her person. She wasn't privy to any details, she was never allowed.

"That will be all," declared Diggle, brushing her off, he'd made his point, hopefully people would remember it.

Ginny ran towards her brother, so utterly bewildered by the way she'd been treated. She wasn't used to that, as the only female Weasley she was constantly pampered as much as her parents could allow.

"I call to the stand…Hermione Granger," Bones called out, calling on her own witness. She had three more before she was done. Diggle had nobody else to call upon. Hermione Granger, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.

Barty straightened in surprise, Hermione hadn't mentioned this when they'd met up the other day. Was it a last minute addition? Due to Harry's statements?

She wasn't aware she was in for a hell of a surprise in Augusta Longbottom. Giving proof of both Doge and Dumbledore's crimes, unfortunately, Doge was no longer amongst the living to be punished for his crimes.

It was to be another sleepless night for her.

There we go! Next chapter and you're all aware of who comes next...so will Augusta's be a separate trial (not that it will see it) or will she have her crimes added to those he already has? Can you think of anyone else who might give a character reference? Maybe an OC? or would you prefer the next chapter to be the last one? If its possible lol might take more than 10 chapters to finish the story if this continues on ;) I feel like i've been missing quite a bit when it came to their questions but I cant' think of them! :) R&R please