Chapter 9: Trials and Tribulations pt.2
Harry walked slowly into the courtroom and saw the cold faces of the Wizengamot staring down at him, as he looked around, he saw 2 familiar faces looking at him, he walked quickly towards them. They were 2 of the 4 heads of houses at Hogwarts, the heads of his own house, Gryffindor and Slytherin, Professors McGonagall and Snape, respectively. He sat between them.
"Good morning, Professors." he said.
"Potter." said Snape, quietly.
"Hello, Harry." said McGonagall, with a small smile.
What was strange, was that he didn't even get as much as a scowl from Professor Snape. He figured it was because McGonagall was there. As he looked around the courtroom, his eyes landed on the chair with the snake-like chains. His mind went back to the trial of Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange, how they pledged their faithfulness to Lord Voldemort, even as they were being shipped off to Azkaban. He was shaken out of his thoughts by McGonagall nudging him and inclining her head to the group of witches and wizards waving merrily at him. They were the ones who voted for his innocence at his hearing last year. He nodded and waved back. Looking over to the left, he saw the brightly coloured robes of Professor Dumbledore, whose eyes twinkled at him, with the same sparkle that was there for the past six years, even if he looked weak. Without warning, he felt his right arm being hoisted upwards by a curious Professor Snape, who stared down at the permanent scar on his hand, which said, 'I must not tell lies.' placed there by the bitch woman, Umbridge.
"She did that to you?" he asked, not looking into Harry's eyes.
"Yes," he said quietly, "when I said that Voldemort had returned." Snape nodded and gave back Harry his hand. He continued to stare at the door, which opened abruptly, making everyone turn to look. Two aurors were escorting a squat, toad-like woman, who was looking very disheveled and the centaurs' hoof marks were still imprinted on her face. They put her in the chair with the chains, which immediately tightened themselves around her.
"Delores Umbridge!" boomed a voice from the shadows, "You have been brought here on accounts of illegal uses of Dementors on 2 minors, one of them being a muggle I might add, hospitilising one of the most respected teachers at Hogwarts and brainwashing the students." The last few comments made McGonagall smirk.
"How do you plead?" asked the voice, which Harry recognised as Madam Bones.
"Not guilty!" Umbridge croaked.
"We'll see about that." said a sterned face wizard, with very bushy eyebrows.
"Witnesses for the prosecution are Professors Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape and Sybil Triolein, Mr. Harry Potter and Messrs. Fred and George Wesley." said Madam Bones.
Harry whipped around to see the 2 red-head twins, grinning widely at Umbridge. They caught Harry's eye and smiled at him.
"Witnesses for the defense." began Madam Bones as she looked at the paper in front of her, "well, I'm sorry Delores, but it seems that no one wants to vouch for you." The people in the courtroom laughed at that comment, even Professor Snape chuckled. Umbridge pursed her lips and scowled at Madam Bones.
"First witness, please." said Madam Bones. The bushy eyebrowed wizard stood up, "The prosecution calls Mr. Harry Potter."
Nervously, Harry stood up and walked towards the bench, past Umbridge, who sneered at him. He sat in the chair and waited. A short wizard with a long nose and big lips, sauntered up to him.
"Is it true, Mr. Potter, that on the night in July, two dementors were sent to attack you, but instead, they ended up putting your muggle cousin in danger?" said the wizard, as though he was running in a race.
"Yes." replied Harry.
"And what happened then?"
"They tried to take my cousin and I fended them off with the Patronus Charm."
"Did you know who sent them to you?"
"No, I thought Vol-, sorry, He-who-must-not-be-named sent them."
"Did this turn out to be true?"
"No, it wasn't."
"How did you find out the truth, after all?"
"Well, when I went to use her fireplace to contact someone."
"Who is 'her'?"
"Delores Umbridge, sir."
"Why did you have to use her fireplace in the first place?"
"Because she was watching all the others, so there wasn't much privacy."
"How do you know this?"
"When I was talking to my godfather, I saw her hand in the fireplace, reaching for his head."
"How do you know it was her?"
"Because she always wore a lot of rings on her fingers."
"And who is your godfather, if you don't mind me asking."
Harry looked at Dumbledore, who nodded for him to continue.
"His name is Sirius Black, sir."
There was a lot of chattering at this, but not the angry kind, excited chattering, especially among the females.
"Is this the Sirius Black of the Marauders of Hogwarts?" asked a black haired witch in the second row. Harry nodded.
Chuckling, she said, "He always used to make everyone laugh, him and James, even in the most depressing situations, they were the only 2 people in the history of Hogwarts, to cheek McGonagall. He was a great shag too, if you don't mind me saying."
Harry grinned at this, as the excited voices began to chatter again.
"The Sex God of Hogwarts, is what we used to call him, the greatest shag of the school, even better than James Potter : The Legend. He was the second greatest and to this day, no one can do better than the 2 of them." said a chestnut-brown haired witch proudly. Harry blushed at this, Snape shook his head, while Dumbledore and McGonagall smirked. Even Madam Bones blushed - apparently she was one of the many, who had a taste of what James Potter and Sirius Black had to offer. When she regained her composure, she banged the gavel, silencing everyone.
"Shall we continue with the trial." it wasn't a question, it was a direct order.
"Now, Mr. Potter, where were we?" asked the long nosed interrogator.
"I think-" he was cut off abruptly by the man. "Oh, never mind that," he said, "let's move on to how you got that scar on your right hand."
Harry slowly retold his story of his outbursts in class, leading to his detentions with the old toad, where he had to write lines using his own blood. This received several gasps from the people in the courtroom, not to mention the cold looks at Umbridge that made her squirm. If only looks could kill.
"Why didn't you mention this to one of your teachers, Mr. Potter?"
"Because I didn't want to cause anymore trouble."
"Did you mention it to anyone at all?"
"Yes, my two best friends, Ron Wesley and Hermione Granger. Hermione gave me some Murtlap essence to soak it in." The little wizard nodded slowly, "May I see your hand?" Harry reluctantly held up his hand to show him.
"That would be all, Mr. Potter, you may step down." Harry returned to his seat between his two teachers and watched the other witnessed give their testimonies, first George Wesley, who had similar detention experiences with the bitch woman, followed by McGonagall who explained her attack, while shooting daggers at Umbridge, then Snape, who was forced into giving Umbridge Veritaserum to use on students, then finally, a tearful Sybill Trelawnly.
"Now, Ms. Triolein, can you explain your treatment from Ms. Umbridge."
"This should be good." whispered McGonagall, so only Harry and Snape could hear, Harry smirked, while Snape looked disgusted at the sight.
"Treatment? TREATMENT!" she shrieked, making a few flinch, "the woman treated dogs better than she treated people. She walked around the school as though she owned the place. Giving out detentions, as if they were sweets, to any and everyone, especially to the Gryffindors. And she had the nerve to contradict my 'seeing' abilities. I have given accurate predictions, even asked Dumbledore!" she sobbed, as she stepped down from the bench, without being asked to do so.
"Burn in hell, you old bat." she hissed as she passed Umbridge.
Realising that there was no more hope, Delores Umbridge did something that she thought would bring pity. She cried. It was rather pathetic, as most people just snickered. Meanwhile, there was a lot of buzzing in the higher benches, most likely discussing Umbridge's fate. Honestly, everyone hoped she'd rot in Azkaban, as it was the closest thing to hell.
"What do you think is going to happen to her?" Harry asked McGonagall.
"I don't know, Potter, I don't know." she said as she shifted her gaze to the senior members of the Wizengamot, who seemed to have reached a decision.
"Delores Umbridge," said a cold voice, "you have been found guilty on all accounts and-" he was rudely interrupted by the old toad herself.
"Wait!" she squeaked, "I could give you a name of a Death Eater at Hogwarts, I don't think you want your children being taught by one, he could kill every last one of them." she finished, with a twisted smile.
"Really?" Madam Bones sneered, "do tell."
"Severus Snape!" she said rather smugly, making Snape's lip curl.
"Let me make something clear to you, Umbridge," said Madam Bones, "Severus Snape was cleared of all charges, 15 years ago, as a former ministry official, you should know that."
"As I was saying, " continued the same cold voice, "Delores Umbridge, you have been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment at the Azkaban."
The courtroom was in complete silence, everyone looking to see how Umbridge would take this news, but her expression was unmoved. It took 5 seconds for the occupants of the courtroom to surpass their pity of the woman before they started to cheer, while a scowling Umbridge was hauled off to Azkaban, all she did was stare at the people in the courtroom, as though committing their faces to memory until she got her revenge. Then, she pulled back from the aurors and faced Harry.
"You wait, Potter," she said coldly, "you'll meet the same end as your parents."
He watched as they pulled her away, she had that same confidence that Bellatrix Lestrange has, when she had been sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban, fifteen years ago.
"Come on, Potter," said McGonagall, impatiently, "I have some work to do."
Harry noticed that she was still walking with a cane and for a woman who was hit with 3 stunning curses at the same time, she still had her frosty attitude. He followed her outside, while nodding to passers-by, to see a puffy-eyed girl, waiting for him.
"Minerva, Severus." She said, nodding to them.
"Alexandra," said McGonagall, silently noting her appearance, "I'm sorry I can't stay to chat but I really must get back to the school."
"It's no problem." She said as McGonagall apparated.
"Did you get it?" Snape whispered, saving no time for formalities, but nevertheless, it wasn't that important.
"Yes." She said shortly, "but we'll discuss this when I come up to the school." Snape nodded and apparated after McGonagall.
"What was that about?" Asked Harry.
"Nothing," she said shortly, "now let's go."
They walked down the corridor in silence, both of them still lost in thought. Harry watched her. She seemed to be in a daze, not really noticing where she was going and she nearly tripped and fell down the stairs if she didn't hold onto the railing. He wondered what kind of errand she had to run.
"Are you all right?" He asked for the fifth time, when she nearly fell.
"I'm fine," she mumbled, "so how was the trial?"
"It was ok, I guess, she was sentenced to 25 years in Azkaban."
"Really?"
"Yeah. She left me with a warning too," he explained, "said I'll meet the same end as my parents, before walking out of there with her nose in the air. She left with the confidence that she would get out soon."
"Come on, you three!" yelled Tonks from the foot of the stairs, "we haven't got all day."
"Sorry." mumbled the three teens as they came downstairs.
Tonks walked over to the fireplace to see how much floo powder was left. Apparently she had come out of her grieving period, because she was back with her spiked pink hair and her usual attire.
"Where's Remus?" asked Hermione, looking around.
"He apparated there, said he'd meet us in Flourish & Blotts." she said distractedly.
"Oh."
"Alright then, we're flooing to the Leaky Cauldron," said Tonks as she threw the powder into the fire, "you know what to do, keep your wands out by the way."
Ron stepped into the green fire first, gripping his wand very tight in his hand, followed by Hermione, who secretly hated to travel by floo, suppressed her coughs as she inhaled the fumes, grasped onto Ron's hand as they both yelled, "The Leaky Cauldron". They were soon followed by a flushed Ginny and an ashen Tonks.
Harry and Alex walked quickly into an already crowded Leaky Cauldron, where they were met by the toothless innkeeper, Tom. Harry walked up to him, dragging a still dazed Alex, behind him. She'd been that way since they left the Ministry.
"Your friends have come and gone, Mr. Potter, said they'd meet you in Flourish & Blotts at 12.30." said Tom, answered Harry's question before it was asked. He mumbled a quick thanks and pushed past the people, while Alex, with her head still in the clouds, trailed on behind him. They passed through masses of people, no one travelling alone, not after the incident at the Ministry. Some of them only stopping for a few minutes to talk to friends and neighbours.
"Hi, mate." said Dean Thomas quietly, as Harry nodded to him. From Harry's understanding, Dean had been spending the summer at Seamus' house.
"How's it going?"
"Alright, you?"
"Same."
"How's Ginny doing?"
"She's fine."
"Good." Looking over his shoulder, he saw Seamus signalling to him. "I gotta go."
"S'alright," said Harry quietly, "come on Alex, let's go."
They walked on quickly to an empty Flourish and Blotts where they were greeted by a mass of bushy brown hair, rushing towards them.
"Finally!" squealed Hermione, nearly knocking over Harry.
"'Mione, can't breathe."
"Sorry"
"How was the trial?" asked Ron.
"It was alright, the old toad got 25 years."
"That's-" Hermione was rudely cut off by a tall, pale faced boy, with platinum blond hair and cold grey eyes.
"Well look who it is," he drawled, "Potty, the weasel and the mudblood."
"Watch it, Malfoy." hissed Ginny, as she drew her wand, while the other three drew theirs also, stepping menacingly towards Malfoy, who smirked and stood his ground. Tonks, who was at the back of the shop, with the assistant, turned to see what all the commotion was about.
"I don't remember the rules changing about underaged wizards using magic, so you might as well put those things away." he said simply.
"Try us!" spat Ron.
"Watcha gonna do, huh, weasel?" he jeered, "hex me? 'cuz I'd like to see you try."
"Draco, enough." said the firm voice of Narcissa Black-Malfoy, as hse put a hand on her son's shoulder.
"What, you couldn't risk another joining your pathetic excuse of a husband in Azkaban?" said Harry angrily.
"Enough." came an icy voice from behind them.
A rather warm smile was formed on Narcissa's pale face as she saw her 2 family members, standing before her, "Nymphadora, Alexandra."
"Aunt Narcissa." they said stiffly.
"Aunt?" said Ron looking rather confused.
"Yes, Ronald, they are family." said Hermione, impatiently.
"Her last name is Walker-Black." hissed Ginny in his ear.
"I'll explain it later, ok." said Alex, still looking a little dazed.
"Alright, Alex?" asked Draco.
"Yeah."
"Come, Draco, we're leaving." said his mother, taking his hand as they swept from the shop. Alex leaned on the wall, sighing, as she stared after them. She was lost in her own thoughts, not noticing the people shaking her, trying to get her attention.
"What?" she snapped, irratably at the shop assistant.
"Here are the books you asked for, miss." he said, shoving three large books into her hands.
"Oh, thanks."
"What are those for?" asked Hermione.
"Well, two of them are for my 6th and 7th year class and the other is for personal research."
"Oh."
After paying for their things, they walked out of the shop and into the now, half empty street, where they met a cheerful, sandy brown haired wizard, but he was no longer in his shabby attire. It seems that he's using the money, that Sirius left him, to good use.
"Hey, sorry I'm late." he said.
"No problem, nice robes." said Tonks.
"Thanks." he said, his face turning pink.
"Come on, let's go." said Hermione, as she walked forward, but she bumped into her frozen teacher, "Alex?"
Alex was staring at the couple, sitting at a table at Flourean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. The man looked up, meeting her eyes, he winked at her and looked down. She felt the tears forming again, as she walked on quickly, forgetting the calls of "wait!" from the people behind her. Mumbling a spell under her breath, she made her car disappear, only reappearing in the garage of her house, she wasn't really fit to drive. She thought that she would've gotten over her first encounter with Jay and his soon-to-be wife but the second one was just too much to handle. He was actually taunting her, knowing that she can't bear to see them together. With tears streaming down her face, she apparated to Number 12 and stomped up the stairs, not stopping to talk to anyone. She was actually surprised that she apparated without splinching herself in the process.
"Why'd she leave?" asked Harry. Ginny and Ron shrugged, as Hermione kept her eyes fixed on the spot that Alex was staring at, the couple sitting at the ice cream parlour.
"Look, she probably went back to Number 12." said Remus, "let's go."
A tall, hooded man, clad in all black, with a black cane topped with a silver snake, eating it's tail, was also watching the couple at the ice cream parlour and the group of people that walked back to the Leaky Cauldron. His cold eyes were fixed on the girl, that stormed off. With his mind set on what he had to do, he turned and apparated with a 'crack', in the dark, shadowed alley.
A.N: srry i took so long, i just didn't feel like typing anything. but now that you've finished reading it, plz review.
btw, i hope y'all know wut i mean by 'cheek McGonagall' and also, i'm not going to be updating for a long time, becuz of skool
to:
Jarno: - u have a point there, when i read it over it did look kinda confusing but look at it this way, since harry's parents died when he was a baby, the property couldn't be left to a minor, so it was Sirius' responsibility to look after it, but when harry became of age, Sirius would relinquish the title an stuff, to Harry. It's like a trust find, yes, it's urs, but you can't touch it until you reach a certain age. i hope that makes it clearer to you.