[a/n] DoHDD#10 led to DoHDD#12 with Harry sticking to the 3 Laws of Robotics even unto death. And we're back to answer TitusVorenus' "…aftermath and the long-term consequences…" Of this Harryless world.
[a/n1]William I don't know if we can be too hard on Mrs. Burkes. The defense is certainly allowed to offer alternate theories of a crime [at least in our Muggle world] but where's the proof? And a metamorph running around pretending to be kids? She'd've been laughed out of her profession. I got the Buckthorn name from HPWiki
[a/n2]And magitech's point aboutthe readily available Wizard tools like "…ask for an oath, or look at his wand…" Honestly! How'd that work out for Sirius?
Harry Does Different CDLVIIIa
Harry Asimov III
Almost a decade had passed since the now largely forgotten execution of a torturer. Formerly and famously known as The-Boy-Who-Lived. Hogwarts Castle was still a school, though the curriculum now more closely aligned with that of Durmstrang. But a portion now housed the King of Britain. Students still ate in the Great Hall, but a much grander and opulent place sat above even the Head Table. He sometimes reigned over a meal, but the Hall was also a throne room when he required it to be.
'Someday that will be mine' a new young noble thought as he greedily eyed the throne from his place as a supplicant. His face showed no sign of the avarice.
There was a hush and stiffening as the King entered. He sat with the careless ease of power. And waved his permission "Begin Quirinus."
"Yes my Master." If anyone remembered the stuttering fool of a decade ago, they would not dare remind him today "My Lord summoned the na-Duke of the Noble House of Malfoy into his presence."
A man with slicked-back blond hair and a goatee advanced and dropped to his knees before speaking "House Malfoy offers to renew its pledge of obedience, Majesty."
"We will address that momentarily Draco." Said the King with a familiarity none if his subjects would use to address him "Would you care to explain why We no longer have one of Our leading generals?"
There was a trickle of sweat running beside his ear but his voice did not quiver as he replied "Lucius Malfoy was a traitor."
"A serious charge." The King's voice showed no emotion "And why should I believe that? Lucius led Our troops through the caverns of the leprechauns. Their king's head and platinum shillelagh adorn this hall."
Draco laughed derisively "My father did not know the meaning of bravery. He led from about a mile behind the front lines. He did not even have the courage to Crucio me personally to frame Harry Potter. But sent a bounty hunter. Then covered his tracks by having her killed by another bounty hunter."
"Ahh …so there we come to the truth." The King sneered "More a personal grudge than any betrayal of his ruler."
Draco shrugged, the action made the other courtiers tense "Not necessarily, Sire. Consider that if he could plot to have his own son tortured, how loyal could he be to you?"
"We are planning new conquests, we doubt your qualifications …Draco… to take your father's place. Lucius was an excellent planner." The King whose name no one dared use pointed out.
To this the young noble bowed obsequiously and replied "I have been planning for this day for three years, Majesty. While no mean plotter, compared to me Lucius was an amateur. My mother has been my true teacher since revealing his treason to me. And she is a Black. I have commanded the Pureblood Youth Auxiliary since Your Highness founded it and stand ready to prove my skill. Last, in honor of this occasion, I have a gift. Have I Your Majesty's permission to call in several of my people? It is …forgive me… difficult to control."
"We would be disappointed should this waste the court's time." The King nonchalantly waved permission. The ever alert guards snapped even more to the ready.
In came a quartet of uniformed young people, about their leader's age. They all wore armbands emblazoned with a snake crawling through a human skull. Even with magical restraint, the prisoner was trouble to control. A supplicant who got too close cried out when separated from his ear. This led to her being stunned.
"Sire, may I present the leader of the Mudblood Liberation Front." Said Draco, calmly as if none of the violence had just happened. "And, like Lucius, I planned the operation that caught her. Unlike him however, I was there and killed two of her lackeys myself."
The King left his throne and granted her the extreme honor of a personal, royal, torture curse. "Hermione Granger. Almost the pinnacle of Mudbloods. I shall enjoy learning all your group's secrets. You could not possibly resist telling all you know."
"That might… be … the case." The terrorist coughed and gagged as the spell faded. Then she grinned "Except for one word, Volde-mort."
No one dared interrupted His Majesty when he was enjoying himself. He sneered "What would that be, girl? Mercy? We have none."
"Your slaves didn't …search… me well e…nough." She answered weakly "My death for Harry. Triceron!" Hidden deep beneath the hardened freedom fighter Hermione's mind flashed a thought of regret that her long-dead friend Harry Potter would likely not approve of the last act of her life.
The explosion levelled the ancient castle. Even magic would take days to extinguish the fires. Law enforcement would later discover the device had been implanted deep inside the terrorist's body.