Title - Conviction and Certainty

Summary - Minerva McGonagall is charged with 1st degree Manslaughter

Chapter one - Guilty

Minerva McGonagall walked into the courtroom slowly. As she walked up to the podium, anti-magic chains clanking behind her, she peaked through her hair dangling from her bowed head. What she saw was unexpected. Thousands of people, reporters, students, former colleges, all sat around the room watching her angrily through gritted teeth or tears. Molly Weasly sat in silence but her handkerchief was wet and soggy, but she had Arthur to comfort her. Harry Potter was shaking with fury and rage. Remus Lupin, Tonks, Alastor Moody, everyone Minerva McGonagall knew, and some she didn't, was there.

The court shook as screaming and yelling rang through the room. People that were up in the stands or balcony seats threw things down upon the woman. She sat upon the stool and glanced up at the Minister of Magic and his new wife, Dolores Umbridge. Dolores Umbridge; the woman who tried to kill her, attempted murder twice, and now, helped to put her on death row. The only reason she was here today and not dead was for the publicity of the trial. The trial she wouldn't have gotten if things had been different. This is what condemned her to death before the pure blooded murder that the ministry wanted to commit but not before the humility and pain of reliving the past with the trial.

The hearing began with a bang from his gavel.

'Hearing number 25870 will now commence. In the case of McGonagall verses the People, the defendant will take the stand now please.' A voice spoke loudly from the end of the room.

'Minerva Aileen McGonagall, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you Merlin?'

'Aye' the woman spoke with confidence.

'Please say yes or no, not I'

'Yes' she spoke through clenched teeth.

'McGonagall, what do you plead when charged with assaulting the Minister of Magic, treason, and murdering Albus Dumbledore in the 1st degree?'

'Guilty'


And there's the first chapter. Please R&R!