Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling
Chapter 10: OotP 5: Trial
(Thoughts)
"Kill the spare."
"Viktor, Nooo!"
Harry Potter awoke in a cold sweat.
"Another nightmare, Harry-kins?" asked Luna.
"The same one," sobbed Harry.
"Rest, my love, the trial starts tomorrow," said Luna. She held his head to her breast as he cried himself to sleep.
"The case of Harry Potter vs. Cornelius Fudge; the Right Honourable Delores Umbridge, acting Chief Mugwump presiding. All rise," said Percy Weasley.
Today was the first day of the lawsuit trial. Harry was suing Fudge because the Dementors had given the kiss to his cousin, Dudley. Luna had told him of how in the other time line, Harry had driven off the Dementors and been put on trial for the use of underage magic for his trouble. This time, because he wasn't there, there had been no one to stop the Dementors from giving Dudley the kiss. With the money at Harry's disposal, he had been able to hire enough investigators to track down all the witnesses his barrister would need to lay out the case. The first day, they brought the following to testify: Mrs. Figg, the squib that had witnessed the attack, Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Auror who was first on the scene, and Marjorie Monahan, the Obliviator who made the Dursleys forget they had ever had a son.
In addition to Umbridge, the other two Mugwumps were Amelia Bones and acting Mugwump, Rufus Scrimgeour.
Amongst the many assembled Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot were: Lucius Malfoy, Sirius Black, and Levanus Lovegood, who was using his Lordship credentials for the first time since the Death Eater trials fifteen years before in order to get better coverage for the Quibbler. He didn't suspect that Harry was married to his daughter.
Luna was not present. Her muggle studies class had given her an idea. She had heard about how the Irish Republican Army was making peace overtures to Britain so she was trying to recruit former IRA members into her own private army for the second battle of Hogwarts. True, that battle was more than two years away. But requiting and training an army took time.
After the day's portion of the trial had ended, as they were leaving, Sirius pulled Harry aside to talk.
"Prongette," greeted Sirius.
"Padfoot," acknowledged Harry. "Has Dumbledore sent you to talk me out of the marriage or the lawsuit?"
"No. I just wanted to congratulate you and see how you are," said Sirius. "I understand why you did it. I would have done the same thing if I were in your shoes. So would your parents. Just, don't be such a stranger. You don't need to hide from me. In fact, if you'd like to borrow my family ring, you could have five votes on the verdict."
"Thanks, Sirius. You're the best!" Gushed Harry.
"Did I just hear you say that you are married? Who's the lucky girl?" asked Mr. Lovegood.
(Oh, great Merlin! She still hasn't told him!) Thought Harry.
"I'm not yet ready to reveal her identity to the public," explained Harry. "But I promise that she will give you an exclusive interview, soon."
"Jolly good! You know, we're in the tenth printing of that interview you gave me. I've never seen such a response!" said Mr. Lovegood.
"Well, I'm glad that we were able to help each other get the truth out there," replied Harry.
The next day, Harry's barrister, Franklin Nelson, called Cornelius Fudge to the stand.
"Your Honors, I request the right to treat this witness as a hostile witness," said Mr. Nelson.
"Request deny-" began Umbridge before Madame Bones nudged her and whispered something in her ear. The three Mugwumps began whispering amongst themselves for a while until Umbridge said: "Oh very well, request granted. But you will confine yourself to the facts of this suit and not deviate to other areas."
After the Veritaserum was administered to Fudge, Mr. Nelson began his questioning.
"Please state your name for the record," began Nelson.
"Cornelius Fudge."
"Are all of the Dementors under Ministry control?"
"Completely."
"Do you have to power to order the Dementors to attack someone?"
"Yes."
"Did you order such an attack on Harry Potter's Cousin?"
"No."
"Did you order the Dementors to attack anyone else?"
"No."
"After you, who is the next highest ranked person who has the power to order a Dementor attack?"
"Delores Umbridge."
"No further questions for this witness," said Nelson. "At this time I would like to call Right Honorable acting Mugwump Delores Umbridge."
"Absolutely not!" screamed Umbridge.
"Delores, we have nothing to hide. Go ahead and testify," said Fudge.
"But it's an insult to the dignity of my office!" retorted Umbridge.
"I insist," commanded Fudge.
"Request the right to treat this witness as a hostile witness," said Mr. Nelson.
"Go ahead," said Fudge.
After the Veritaserum was administered to Umbridge, Mr. Nelson began his questioning.
"Did you order the Dementors to attack Harry Potter's cousin?"
"N-no."
"Did you order the Dementors to attack someone else?"
"Y-yes."
A collective gasp spread throughout the courtroom.
"Whom did you send the Dementors to attack?"
"H-harry P-potter."
Another gasp spread throughout the courtroom.
"Aurors, take Miss Umbridge into custody." Commanded Fudge.
After closing arguments, the Wizengamot was told to deliberate and return a verdict in the morning.
"Good morning," said Luna as she kissed her husband awake.
"'Morning yourself," said Harry as the kiss ended.
"I think that I will go with you to hear the verdict," said Luna as she brushed his cheek with her hand and ran her hand down his bare chest and down and down.
"Mmmmm! Luna, honey, we can't. We'll be late."
Harry and Luna came running into the courtroom in the nick of time!
"All those in favor of the Plaintiff?" asked Madam Bones.
After Percy Weasley had counted all of the raised hands, counting Harry's five times, Madam Bones asked:
"All those in favor of the Defendant?"
It was obvious that more hands were raised for the Defendant.
"Court finds in favor of the Defendant," said Madam Bones.
As they were leaving the courtroom, Mr. Lovegood strode up to Harry and Luna and began yelling.
"Where in the hell have you been all summer? You are so grounded that next summer you won't even see the outside of our house! Well?"
"I got married," said Luna, holding up her rings and pulling Harry into a sideways hug.
Levanus Lovegood went pale and his eyes bulged!
"Don't worry baby. As long as you two haven't consummated, we can get a quick annulment and everything will be fine," stammered Mr. Lovegood.
Suddenly, Luna's manner, facial expressions and vocal tone abruptly changed.
"Two hormonal teenagers, all alone for an entire summer, how can you think they haven't consummated," said Luna.
(I'll say! You only held out for ten days) thought Luna's Mother. (Not that I blame you. I had forgotten how good love felt at fourteen)
(I never knew what it was like,) thought old Luna. (I was much older before my first relationship.)
(If had known how much better sex was as a woman, back when I was alive,) thought the sword, (I would have taken the sex change potion centuries ago.)
"Levanus, trust me when I say that this is necessary and I would never allow harm to come to our daughter," said Luna.
"Selena, I trust your judgment," said Mr. Lovegood. "I hope you know what you are doing."
After Court, Mr. Lovegood went with Harry and Luna to shop for their school supplies. It took longer than usual because Harry and Luna had to absorb the knowledge from every book in both Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley.
The next day, Harry and Luna got up early to catch the Hogwarts Express to school. When they got there, Luna's Father and Sirius were there to see them off. Suddenly Luna spotted a couple of familiar faces through the crowd.
"Amanda! Stan!" squealed Luna and she ran and embraced them both in a group hug. She kissed each of her best friends before Stan said:
"So, how's married Life treating you?"
"It's wonderful!" gushed Luna. "If you thought the books were cool, wait until see what we're going to teach the D.A. this year!"
After Harry greeted Ron and Hermione, he watched them go off to the Prefects' car. Harry found Neville alone in a cabin that he was willing to share with Ginny, Harry, Luna, Stan and Amanda. This left no room for Ron and Hermione. They would have to stay in the Prefects' car.
The ride to Hogwarts was uneventful, other than the excitement of Harry and Luna's marital status. They were, however surprised to see Professor Grublyplank instead of Hagrid waiting for the first years.
After the feast, Harry and Luna were called into Professor Dumbledore's office. When they got there, Professors McGonagall and Snape were also present.
"Please be seated," said Dumbledore. "Lemon Sherbet?"
"No thanks."
"Okay young lady," said Dumbledore. "I think that this has gone on far enough!"
He slipped the sorting hat onto Luna's head.
"Hat! Who's in there?" demanded Dumbledore.
"Let's see," began the sorting hat. "Luna Potter, Luna Lovegood, Selena Lovegood and Salazar Slytherin."