I don't own Harry Potter, only the OC
Hello guys, Badger here. Glad to see that you enjoyed the previous chapter. I am also glad to see that you guys were happy to see the Dursleys arrested. Well, I have good news. This is their trial. Originally their trial was also going to be in the previous chapter, but I felt like the chapter would be too long, so I decided to separate their arrest and trial into separate chapters. I hope you don't mind and I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 12
The Trial
Harry sat on a, rather comfortable, hospital bed as a Ministry Healer ran a few spells to see if Harry needed any medical attention. Thankfully, his uncle didn't cause any kind of damage, so he was free to go, though she did have a question about his scars.
"Do you want me to work on healing those scars?" She asked
"Not right now" Amelia spoke up "Harry has agreed to show them, should the court require physical evidence…however, once the trial is over, we shall bring him, so they can be sorted out"
The Healer nodded, before Harry was led out by Amelia Bones, walking alongside James, who nudged him gently.
"Are you ready for what's about to happen?" He asked
"I'm going to have to be" Harry sighed "Though it will be hard…especially with what they did to me"
James nodded in understanding, before he gently wrapped his arm around Harry's shoulders, in some kind of one armed bro hug, as Amelia continued to lead them down the Ministry corridors.
…
Dumbledore entered the Ministers office. In all honesty, he was confused. He was given a summons by the Minister, but was not told as to why Cornelius wanted to see him.
"Ah, Albus" Cornelius said "Please take a seat"
"Thank you, Cornelius" Albus replied, as he sat on one of the seats "Though, I must admit, I was surprised when I received an urgent summons"
"Yes, well, that's because we have a rather serious situation" Cornelius said, seriously "Albus, I must ask…were you the one who placed Harry Potter at his Muggle relatives?"
That question caught Dumbledore off guard slightly.
"Yes, due to the times we were in at the time, I believed it would be safer to have him living with his only relatives in the Muggle world" He replied "May I ask why you feel the need to know?"
"Because, according to the information that Amelia Bones has provided for me, those relatives of his have been physically abusing the boy and are now awaiting trial" Fudge answered
"What!" Dumbledore exclaimed, before realisation came to him "Please believe me Cornelius, I wouldn't have placed him there if I knew they would abuse him, I even gave them a letter, explaining everything to them and asking that they treat him as if he was their own, believe me!"
"I would like to believe you Albus" Cornelius replied "But the fact he has been abused there for ten years and you never once checked on him, that makes it hard to do so…you are listed as the boys Magical Guardian, are you not?"
"Yes" Dumbledore sighed, already knowing what is coming next
"I thought so" Cornelius nodded "I would expect there will be a vote to remove you as the boys Guardian and give it to someone else"
"I understand Cornelius" Dumbledore sighed "I can only blame myself…I should've checked on the boy…when is the trial?"
"It will be starting soon, in Courtroom 10" Cornelius replied "I imagine you want to be there?"
"Yes" Dumbledore nodded "I hope to also offer Harry my apologies for placing him there"
…
Harry followed James and Amelia, into the courtroom, where they sat down in one of the stands. James noticed that Harry was shaking slightly and understandably so.
"You going to be okay Harry?" He asked
"I will be fine" Harry replied "I'm just worried about something going wrong, or having to show my scars"
"I wouldn't worry too much Harry" Amelia spoke up "Veritaserum may be all they need for their evidence, so your scars may not be necessary"
Harry nodded, though he wasn't completely reassured. James patted his shoulder gently, before the rest of the Court entered the room. Harry noticed that Dumbledore had arrived too. The Minister waited until everyone was sat down, before he hammered his Gavel.
"Today, this court will see justice be done" Cornelius said "Through statements given to me by Amelia Bones, Harry Potter is here today, to receive justice for the abuse his Muggle Relatives have put him through"
There were small murmurs going through the Courtroom, with a few glances to Harry, making him more nervous.
"Bring in the accused" The Minister continued
Everyone watched, as Aurors dragged the Dursleys into the Courtroom. Harry could see that Vernon was yelling, but no sound was coming out from him, making him wonder what they did to him. They forced them down onto the chairs in the middle of the room, where chains immediatley wrapped around them.
"Vernon, Petunia and Dudley Dursley, you have been charged with child abuse towards one Harry Potter, heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter" Cornelius said "How do you plead?"
"Not Guilty!" The Family replied in unison.
Judging from the looks and murmurs from the rest of the Court, they weren't being believed.
"Very well" Cornelius said "Aurors, provide Veritaserum for each of them…starting with Vernon"
Vernon tried to resist when the Auror tried to dose him with the serum, but as he was chained to a chair, his efforts were futile and his eyes glazed over, shoulders slumping. Petunia and Dudley were also put under silencing charms until it was their turn.
"What is your name?" Cornelius asked
"Vernon Cuthbert Dursley" Vernon replied in a monotone voice
"When were you born?"
"19th April, 1959"
"Do you live in 4 Privet Drive?"
"Yes"
Satisfied that he was under the effects, Cornelius began.
"Have you ever abused Harry Potter?" He asked
"Yes" Vernon replied
"How many times?"
"Every day" Vernon replied, much to everyone's shock and rage "It stopped when he went to that freak school, but when he was living in our home, I made sure he was beaten every day"
"Why did you raise your fists to Harry Potter?" Cornelius asked, feeling his blood boil
"Because he is a freak!" Vernon replied "Just like his mother and father! Freaks like them should not live in our society! I hit him every day, in hopes of beating the freakishness out of him and have him learn his place and he would get extra beatings, if he didn't do his chores in time! When he was a baby, I tried to kill him by throwing him off of a bridge, but he somehow reappeared in the back of my car!"
Everyone in the Court Room was cursing the man. Dumbledore however was shell shocked. He specifically asked them to raise Harry as if he was their son. Why would they do this?
"Aurors, stun him and move onto Petunia" Cornelius said, trying to keep his anger down
Vernon went limp in his seat, as he was hit by a stunner. Petunia had her silencing charm removed, where Veritaserum was forced down her throat. Like Vernon she tried to resist. Also, like Vernon, her attempts failed and her eyes glazed over and her shoulders slumped.
"What is your name?" Cornelius asked
"Petunia Anne Dursley" She replied
"When were you born?"
"2nd September 1960"
"Do you live in 4 Privet Drive?"
"Yes"
"Have you every abused Harry Potter?"
"Yes"
"How many times?"
"Not as often as Vernon" Petunia replied "I usually yell at him, but I have hit him with a frying pan"
"Why?"
"It is his job to make food for us" Petunia explained "If he burnt it, or didn't finish in the time given to him, he will be hit"
There were looks of disgust around the court. Though she didn't abuse Harry in the same way Vernon did, it was still disgusting. Even the Pureblood bigots would never raise their fist, or hit their child.
"Aurors, please stun her and move onto the child" Cornelius said, in a forced calmness
Dudley didn't bother trying to resist the potion. Harry figured he must have been at least, a bit smart to know that his attempts will useless. Cornelius waited for his eyes to glaze, before he repeated the process.
"What is your name?"
"Dudley Vincent Dursley"
"When were you born?"
"23rd June 1980"
"Do you live in 4 Privet Drive?"
"Yes"
Taking a deep breath, happy that the nightmare will be at an end shortly, Cornelius continued with his questions.
"Have you abused Harry Potter?"
"Yes"
"How many times?"
"Almost every day" Dudley replied "I will often join in with my dad"
"Why?"
"I was encouraged to do so" Dudley explained "When I was 5 years old, I was encouraged and also rewarded for abusing and beating on him, before then, I will just stand back and laugh as my dad beat him"
With the questions over, Cornelius asked that Dudley be stunned. The Court Room were shocked with everything they had heard. There was a small break, as they everyone took a vote on the final verdict. When that was done, they woke the Dursleys up. Judging by the look on Vernon's face, he was expecting them to be let go, where he will then give even more beatings to the freak. Cornelius looked at the results, before he addressed them.
"Vernon, Petunia and Dudley Dursley, the Court finds you guilty of countless cases of child abuse, towards the heir of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter" He declared "Petunia Dursley, you will spend the next 30 years in a Muggle Prison, whereas Vernon Dursley will spend life in prison for, not only child abuse, but also attempted murder of Harry Potter…Dudley Dursley, as you are too young and influenced by your parents, you will be in Juvenile Detention, until you reach the age of 18, where you will then spend 5 years in prison…Aurors, take them away!"
The Dursleys protested, as they were dragged away, with Vernon yelling profanities every step of the way. Harry put his head in his hands, in relief, as the doors closed. He was free. Though it was likely he may come across Dudley and possibly Petunia after their sentences are over, he will never see Vernon again. James squeezed his shoulder comfortingly, happy to see his relatives taken away.
"Now that the Dursleys have been taken away, there is the matter of his Magical Guardian" Cornelius continued "Albus Dumbledore was originally listed as his Guardian, but due to his neglect to check up on the boy, that has been taken away from him…James Badger nominated for Amelia Bones to be Harry's guardian, before the trial, so all those in favour, light your wands"
Whilst the voting was going on, Harry looked at the Headmaster in shock and anger. He was the reason why he was living at his relatives. He was the reason he was put through years of abuse. All those beatings, and the man didn't even bother to check on him and stop what was happening.
Dumbledore could see the looks the boy was giving him and it pulled his heart strings. He didn't want the boy to be put through what he endured. He should've checked on the boy, but seeing those looks of loathing hurt. He hoped to apologise to the boy, but right now, he felt like he wouldn't want to hear what the Headmaster had to say.
"And the votes are in" Cornelius said, after a large majority of wands were lit across the room "Amelia Bones, do you accept to be Harry's Magical Guardian?"
"I accept, so mote it be" Amelia replied, raising her wand, giving her vow
"Now, if there isn't anything to add, case is closed" Cornelius said, banging his gavel
Harry felt a massive weight lift off of his shoulders, as everyone began getting out of their seats. He looked, when he felt a hand on his arm, to see Amelia looking at him.
"Come Harry" She said "Lets get those scars sorted"
Harry nodded, before he was led out of the Court Room.
…
The Ministry Healer that they saw earlier, spent a good five minutes, running diagnostics charms on his entire body, so she could fix whatever needed to be reversed. With his scars, she used a variety of scars and applied some kind of ointment on his back.
"This should help with the scars" She said "I can't guarantee that all of them will fully heal, but they should be better then they are now…now, I have found cases of malnourishment and brittle bones"
Harry tensed slightly, as the Healer grabbed a couple of potions and handed him to them.
"I want you to take these" She said "Once you take them, though the process may take some time, they will reverse what the effects have done to their body…finally, I want to ask you about your eyesight"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked
"I'm sure being short sighted annoys you" The Healer replied "But, if you want, I can give you some contacts that will help with your eyesight and don't need to be removed, that is, if you wish?"
"Yes please" Harry nodded "I hate wearing glasses"
"Okay" The Healer replied, removing his glasses "Tilt your head back and I'll put them in"
Harry tried to relax, as the Healer slowly, but surely placed the contacts in his eyes. His vision went blurry for a moment, before everything became more focused and he could see everything clearly. He was astonished.
"Thank you, miss" He said
"Don't worry about it" The Healer replied "Now, you need to drink those potions and you can be on your way"
Harry nodded, before he downed the potions. They tasted disgusting, but if they were going to help him, they were worth it. With another thanks to the Healer, he left the room, where James and Amelia were waiting for him.
"Is everything sorted?" Amelia asked
"Yeah…she healed me up" Harry replied "And gave me some contacts that don't need to be removed"
"Good thing too, you look better without them" James nodded
"Indeed" Amelia said "Now, there is just the matter of where you will live…you can live with me, but I understand if you refuse…James has offered his place, if you don't want to live with me, but I will be checking on you regularly"
Harry took a moment, to think about it. He wouldn't mind living with Amelia, but as she apparently lived in a massive manor, from what Susan told him, he felt it would be a bit overwhelming.
"I…I would rather live with James, if you don't mind" Harry said
"I understand" Amelia nodded "James has given me the address, I will be checking on you every few days, is there anything else you need?"
"No ma'am…nothing" Harry replied
Amelia nodded, before she left, to continue with whatever else she needs to do.
"So, you ready to go home?" James asked
"Yes" Harry nodded, the word 'home' warming him slightly
"Jinx!" James called, where the little elf popped in front of them
"Kind Master called for Jinx?" She asked
"Yes, Jinx" James replied "It is time, please take us home"
Jinx nodded, before she gently grabbed both James and Harry by the arms and transported them away. After his vision returned, Harry looked to see they lived in some kind of apartment, like the kinds you see on tv sitcoms.
"Welcome home Harry" James smiled
…
There we go guys, I hope you enjoyed. I must admit, I feel like this chapter is the weakest so far. Parts of it seem rushed, though that may just be because of the trial being quite long winded, but what do you guys think.
The Dursleys have now been imprisoned. Vernon recieved life imprisonment, which is what he deserves. Petunia will spend a long time in prison and probably will die not long after she is free. As for Dudley, I wanted to have it so that he was influenced by his parents. Not to be forgiven by people, but just thought it was realistic for him to be influenced by what his parents are doing. There will be a segment in a future chapter, where we see them in their imprisonment, but don't know when yet, so keep and eye out. Besides from that future segment though, they will not appear in the story again.
Amelia Bones has been named as Harry's Guardian. I'm not sure how often she will pop up in the story, but I will try to feature her as some kind of mother figure for Harry, though she may be a mentor figure instead. I don't know yet.
We also had Cornelius Fudge in this chapter. If you guys are worrying about him being the incompetent fool he is in canon, don't worry. In this story, he will be a smart man, who does what he can to see justice done right. I felt like it would be interesting to do something different. I don't know how many people have done a competent Fudge in a Fanfiction before, but I know I am not the first.
When it came to Harry being healed, there was a draft for the chapter, where they find the Horcrux in his scar, and find a way to remove it, but I decided to keep it close to canon, and the chapter was scrapped. I hope you don't mind, but I do want to keep some things close to the canon story. The next chapter will immediatley pick up from where this chapter left off and we will find out where James lives. I know I didn't go into a deep description about James' apartment but if you want to know what kind of apartment that he lives in, just imagine Monica's apartment from FRIENDS.
I hope you enjoyed and I can't way for you guys to see what I have in store. Once their Second Year starts, that's when it will really get interesting.
Badger out
