Author's note: I do not own anything Harry Potter, JK Rowling does.
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I apologize for not updating sooner. I've been going through a lot in my personal life, which made writing anything hard. I hope this longer chapter makes up for my absence, and that you all enjoy it!
As always, a huge thank you to everyone who has interacted with this story! I appreciate each view, visitor, review, favorite, and follower!
~Two Weeks Later~
"I think we should call it there, Aster." Isolt called out, panting as she lowered her wand to her side. "Sirius, what do you think?"
Sirius and Aster, both also breathing heavily, looked at each other and shrugged. "Yeah, I'm good with that. Dueling you two is exhausting work, I think we should get some dinner now."
"Sounds good to me too. Thank you Isolt for today's dueling session!" Aster exhaled, swiping a loose strand of hair from her face.
"Of course, kiddo. It's not that often we get to duel, especially against people using both Potter and Black Family grimoire spells in their repertoire!" Isolt laughed. "Now let's go get some food in Padfoot's stomach, lest we all get into trouble."
"Oi! I resemble that remark!" Sirius laughed.
Making their way up the stairs from the basement level, which had a dueling ring nearly thirty feet across, the trio went to their usual spots around the kitchen table while Kreacher brought them their food.
All three were discussing stories from their past, noting how they all shared an enjoyment of pranks. Sirius had just finished a tale on how the Marauders had pranked every staff member at breakfast during his sixth year, turning all of their clothes a bright neon-yellow color.
Aster mumbled something to Sirius, gesturing vaguely with her hand.
"C'mon Aster, no talking with your mouth full."
Aster gulped, swallowing her dinner, before restarting her question. "Hey Sirius, are you and Isolt ready for tomorrow?"
"Don't you worry about us, kiddo. Auntie Andromeda knows what she's doing. We've been going over both of our cases for nearly two weeks now, and the evidence we have supporting Isolt is practically insurmountable, and for me, well, we have the rat for a reason. We'll be fine. Are you going to be okay by yourself tomorrow? Got enough books yet?"
Isolt and Aster laughed at this, and Isolt piled on. "Yeah, pretty sure we awakened your inner Hermione with how fast you've been devouring books lately."
"Hey! You're the one who had me learn Occlumency! That stuff is phenomenal and makes learning so much easier! But yeah, I'll be fine. I've got some rune sets I want to go over anyway."
"Yeah, and how are your shields doing? Shall I give them a test tonight?"
"I mean, if you want. Will you tell me more about your past if my shields pass your inspection!?" Aster could hardly contain her excitement. She'd been here for two weeks, and had only gotten a few stories out of Isolt, most of which were related to quidditch antics and seeker maneuvers that drove Isolt's friends crazy with worry.
Sighing, Isolt turned to Sirius. "What do you think, Pads?"
"I say if she passes, let her, but that's a decision only you can make."
"Okay, fine, Aster, if you pass then I will tell you my past. Can't really hurt, regardless. Just by being here I've probably bollocksed up the timeline anyway."
"Yeah, us Potters do tend to make a mess of things, don't we?" Aster chuckled, a twinkle in her eyes.
"That we do, kiddo, that we do. Tell you what, after dinner I'll test your shields, and we can go from there."
"Sounds good to me!"
"How are both of your studies going?" Sirius asked, as he speared another piece of steak with his fork, plopping it into his mouth.
Aster replied first, evidently excited to share more of what she'd been learning.
"Oh, it's been grand! I've reviewed for Charms, Defense, and Transfiguration, going over the spells and their theories, and I've reviewed up to Three X Dark Creatures for Defense as well! Arithmancy has been a great help in the theory work behind spells! I've also been reading up on various runic structures, like Elder and Younger Futhark, Cuneiform, and Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics! Though those hieroglyphics are hard!"
"Yeah, it definitely seems like you're interested all right. When do you think you'll be good to do the Runes and Arithmancy OWLS?" Sirius chuckled, rubbing his hand jokingly over Aster's head.
"Probably near the end of summer holidays, to be honest. It'd be sooner if I focused exclusively on my studies, but it is the summer holidays and I do want to take some time off, you know?"
"Of course! And Sirius and I are very proud of you for taking your studies so Sirius-ly." Isolt cracked a smirk.
"Oh, and don't think I've forgotten about you, little Miss Peverell. How are your studies going?"
"I've already finished reviewing the OWLs material. A second time through has really helped with that. The NEWT material is a lot harder, and more time consuming, but I should be done with it all before the winter holidays."
"Good! Aster, let either of us know if you need help with anything, and Isolt, if you need help on some of the NEWT material, I can help. I might not look it, but I did get several NEWTs back when I graduated Hogwarts." Sirius beamed at the two of them.
Not long after, dinner was finished, and Kreacher had returned to take the plates.
"Are you ready, Aster?" Isolt spoke up.
Aster bit her lip, thinking for a moment, before nodding. "Yeah, I suppose I am."
"Perfect, now, I'm not a natural Legilimens like Snape, but I like to think that I'm also pretty damn good at this. Just put your shields up and I'll give them a go." Isolt pointed her wand at Aster, who's eyes were closed.
Waiting for a moment, Isolt let Aster finish getting mentally prepared before Aster opened her eyes, locking them onto Isolt's, and heard Isolt whisper "Legilimens."
Aster felt an incredibly slight prodding in the front of her mind, but could also feel one from the back too. Locking down the 'front gates' she had created in her mind, she also fortified the back gate, effectively blocking Isolt from her mind. She felt the disturbances recede, and she found herself staring back at Isolt in the kitchen once more.
"Dirty trick, Isolt. How'd it pan out for you?" Aster smirked, crossing her arms in front of her.
"Oi, don't get too cocky kid! Those are some really good defenses, very well done. Just work on your reaction time a bit and you'll be golden!"
"What! You've got fully functioning Occlumency shields after only two weeks of studying the subject!?" Sirius couldn't believe it. It had taken him months to get even a rudimentary shield up and running.
"Uh, yeah. I mean, c'mon Sirius, don't you remember Isolt in Dumbledore's office? The whole, 'What? Like it's hard?' shtick? If you believe you can do it, then there's no limit to how much you can learn or what you can do." Aster replied.
Isolt smirked. 'Glad she's getting her confidence now. She's really achieved a lot in just two weeks. Guess I have to own up to my end of the deal.'
"Hey Aster, I know you want to know more about me, but can we save the majority of the discussion to after the trial? I don't mind telling you some stuff now, but there's some stuff I'd rather not have you worry about with the trial tomorrow."
"Hm, I can agree to that, but only because I'd rather not be worried tomorrow either."
"Thank you, I appreciate that. I guess I should start with where I first came to this timeline."
"Yeah, I guess that'd make sense, since that's where the differences seem to have originated from." Sirius chimed in.
"Yeah. Okay, now Aster, remember this all stays between us three."
"Of course!"
"In my timeline, when I went to the Ministry to rescue Sirius, there was no one stepping through the Veil. Sirius had shown up, but in the fight between us students and the Death Eaters, Sirius was killed, sent through the Veil by Bellatrix. I chased her down and failed to hurt her with the Cruciatus Curse."
Aster could see the tears falling silently down Isolt's face, which had turned to look at Sirius.
"He was my last family member, and she had taken him from me. Anyway, Voldemort himself showed up, and he possessed me, still not sure how, but I was able to kick him out of me, by expressing my love for my friends and for Sirius. He was exposed to the Minister himself, who had shown up to see what was happening, and at that point, the Ministry decided to make my life hell."
Isolt took a few breaths, collecting her thoughts before her grief and sadness took her over again. Aster and Sirius just waited, patiently giving Isolt the time she needed to recuperate.
"Sorry, anyways, in the summer after fifth year, I came across a transgender woman. She was a muggle, so I had to hide magic from her, but she was the first person I ever felt comfortable explaining myself too. How I'd always felt like being a boy was something thrust upon me, like the whole Boy-Who-Lived tripe, and that I was always looking at fashion magazines wishing I could be like the women I saw in them. She explained the muggle term 'transgender', and that's when everything clicked. She and I met up a few times throughout summer holidays, and she explained her transition, and many aspects of gender I'd never even thought of, or had thought possible. It was at that point that I decided to discover myself, and who I was. Eventually, I realized I was transgender, and literally the next day, it was time to go back to Hogwarts." Isolt took a break, reminiscing in some fond memories, of which she apparently had very few.
"A lot happened that year, but that was when I started my quest to defeat Voldemort. Dumbledore and I left the castle a few times, seeking out some items that Voldemort had secured his soul in, the Horcruxes we talked about before. He never told me I was one. At the end of the year, Snape, on orders from Dumbledore, though I didn't know it at the time, killed Dumbledore after Draco had Expelliarmus'ed Dumbledore. After his funeral, Ron, Hermione, and I –" Isolt started crying again, the salty tears leaving rivers down her face.
Sirius took some pity on the poor witch and summoned a handkerchief, handing it to Isolt, who nodded.
After a minute, Isolt carried on. "Ron, Hermione, and I didn't return to Hogwarts. We went on the run, looking for the horcruxes. Eventually, after three years, all that remained was two: his snake and an item hidden at Hogwarts. We returned to Hogwarts and Voldemort attacked. I was able to get the horcrux in the school, and ran across Snape in the Shrieking Shack, who was dying from Nagini's venom. He gave me his memories, explaining his connection to our mother, and that Dumbledore had raised me like a pig to the slaughter: I was a horcrux. Voldemort gave us an hour to collect our dead, and said that if I wasn't in the Forbidden Forest at the end of the hour, he'd resume his attack, killing everyone. We had sustained heavy losses, and I couldn't bear to be the cause of any more death. So, I walked out to meet him, willingly, and without telling anyone. He killed me, inadvertently killing the horcrux in me, so I returned and dueled him one last time. I killed him, though I was really injured. Several abrasions, a burn or two, broken ribs, and loads of trauma. I made my way over to the Hospital Wing, and before I could climb the stairs, I found them. They had – they had died, a smile on their face, a four-inch hole through both of their chests."
Aster could tell who Isolt had meant, as there was only two people in the whole world who she herself would grieve for like Isolt was grieving now.
"I failed them, Ron and Hermione. I failed at protecting them, I had lost all of the Weasley's, Hermione, Lupin, Tonks, everyone. I didn't know what to do. So, I resigned myself to a new fate, and made my way to the Hospital Wing. That night, after being healed by Pomfrey, I ran away to the Ministry, to the one room I knew that could help me end my sorrows: the room with the Veil of Death. I stepped through it, not even eight hours after killing Voldemort, into the room, instead of where I thought I was going to go. I felt something hit my legs, and I looked down and saw Sirius, and the same group of students I had taken with me to the Ministry in my fifth year. It was at that point that I knew I had gone back in time."
She was crying this time, and Aster and Sirius could both tell how hurt she was, yet neither knew what to say. Eventually, Aster spoke up, reaching across the table to take the hand of her older self in her own.
"Isolt, you are an incredibly brave woman. I know what you struggle with, or at least up to a certain point I do, and I'm here for you. You've helped me so much these last couple of weeks, let us help you now."
Sniffling, Isolt looked up to see the teary-eyed smiling face of Aster. Isolt broke down again, her chest racked with sobs. "I'm really sorry, but I'm not a brave woman. I'm a coward who ran from my problems, and a failure because I couldn't do the one thing that I had set out to do myself. I'm only here to make sure that your life doesn't get as fucked up as mine, and then I'll be leaving, so as to not fuck up your lives."
"Isolt, no. I know you don't believe it, but you're a wonderful person. You saved my life, twice now might I add, got me a trial, captured Pettigrew, freed Aster from a horcrux, and shut down both Dumbledore and Snape. You've been so wonderful to us, please let us help you." Sirius pleaded, holding Isolt's other hand in his.
"Look guys, I appreciate the concern, I really do, but I never meant to be here. I just want to make sure that I can actually help someone, and who better than you two."
"And we're incredibly grateful for all you've done for us so far, but don't you dare think that you're just a tool to be discarded once you're no longer 'of use' to us. We love you, and want you in our lives, because of who you are." Sirius was crying now, running his thumb over the back of Isolt's hand.
Smiling at the two other wixen, Isolt replied, "Thank you, both of you, but I'm a bit tuckered out. I'm going to get some sleep now. I recommend you do the same soon, Sirius, we've got quite the day tomorrow." Sighing, she got up and went up to her room, leaving Aster and Sirius at the table.
"She's really hurting, isn't she?" Aster asked out loud, to no one in particular.
"Yeah, but that's why we've gotta be there for her, like she's been there for us. Just have to keep showing and telling her that she's loved." Sirius intoned, before continuing, "Now I think it's past both of our bed times. You sure you'll be good by yourself tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I will be. I've got some studying I need to get done, and Kreacher knows I'll be here, so I won't be going hungry."
Both wixen got up, heading to their respective rooms, making small talk as they went.
The next morning, Isolt had re-transfigured Pettigrew into a rat, like how she had seen Mad Eye Moody transfigure Draco Malfoy into a ferret in her fourth year, and stunned him, placing him under a Body Bind jinx. Handing the rat to Sirius, who placed Peter in one of his pockets, Isolt also handed Sirius the invisibility cloak, as he was to accompany Isolt to the ministry, and wait until Isolt's trial had begun before Madam Bones would declare an emergency session trial for him.
After breakfast, and saying good bye to Aster, the duo (or trio, if you counted Pettigrew), apparated to the ministry to head through the security checkpoints and to meet with Andromeda Tonks next to the courtrooms down on Level Ten. It was a bit awkward getting Sirius through the checkpoint, but they managed to do it, and secured an elevator to themselves, a rarity in the ministry.
Speaking out loud to herself, Isolt laughed, saying "Rare to see so little foot traffic in the ministry. Guess everyone's excited about the trial of the supposed Lady Peverell."
After a few more jerky movements, the elevator had stopped, announcing to its occupants, "Ministry of Magic, Level Ten, courtrooms."
The pair left the elevator, and found Andromeda pacing back and forth in front of the side room set aside for the defense and the defense solicitor, which had a door that led into the court room, for convenience. Ushering Aster inside, Andromeda held the door open as she saw the wixen approach.
"Ah, good morning, Missus Tonks, how are you today?" Isolt greeted the elder wixen.
"Just peachy, now get in the damn room."
Once Isolt and the invisible Sirius had entered the room, Sirius took off the cloak, giving his cousin a hug in greeting.
"Not now, Padfoot, the trial is about to start. You lot ready?" Andromeda called out.
"Yup, you?" Isolt replied, nonchalantly twirling her holly wand in her fingers.
"Absolutely. Shall we?" Andromeda nodded to the door that led into the courtroom.
"Yes, ma'am. Pads, put the cloak back on. Can't wait to see the Wizengamot's expression when they see you just appear."
Sirius put the cloak back on, and Andromeda opened the door to the court room, letting both Isolt and Sirius slip inside, and closed the door behind her.
The Wizengamot trial room was quite a large room, set up in a semi-circular fashion, with the Wizengamot set up on chairs on a stadium-style dais, so that everyone could view the center of the semi-circle, which was where the prosecution and defense would be. Behind them was an audience section, for reporters and members of the public who wished to view the trial. Since the death of six wixen in the middle of Diagon Alley was a rare occurrence, it seemed like anyone who was anyone was in attendance.
The Wizengamot itself was composed of fifty-six seats for the people: twenty-eight hereditary seats for the Heads of the Most Ancient and Noble Houses of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, the families who had originally established the Wizengamot in about the year of 1100, and twenty-eight seats for elected members of the people, to represent the common peoples of Magical Britain.
Additionally, there were thirteen seats for the thirteen department heads of the Ministry, and one final seat for the Office of the Minister. This led to a grand total of seventy seats, which magically was a powerful number, being the number seven ten times. Coincidentally, this was also a point of contention in the Wizengamot, as some factions wanted to increase the number of seats to seventy-seven, an even more magically powerful number, but other factions opposed this as they viewed it to be a ploy to weaken their political power.
Regardless, Andromeda, Isolt, and the invisible Sirius sat at the three chairs provided for the defense team. Isolt looked over and saw that there were three people sat at the prosecution's table, none of them she recognized.
Up on his seat sat the one person in the Wizengamot who didn't have a vote, Albus Dumbledore, the Chief Warlock.
Albus banged his gavel a few times, signaling to the chatting members of the Wizengamot that the trial was about to begin. Eventually, the chatter died down, and all the members took their seats, most curious as to how today's events would play out.
"Welcome everyone, I wish that we could meet under better circumstances, but we are here today to preside over the trial of the alleged Lady Peverell. Court Scribe Weasley, would you mind reading the charges?" Dumbledore had begun the proceedings.
"Of course, Chief Warlock. The alleged Lady Isolt Peverell is accused of six counts of murder, one charge of threatening an auror, and one charge of impersonating a Head of House."
Several members of the audience and Wizengamot gasped at this, most had only heard of the murder charges, but threatening an auror? And impersonating a Head of House?
"And how does the defense plead?" Dumbledore asked.
Andromeda stood up, "Not guilty on all counts, Chief Warlock."
"Let the record show the defense's plea. Will the prosecution please begin their opening statements?"
At this, the lead solicitor, 'Or at least I assume he's the lead prosecutor, judging by how much pomade is in his damn hair.' Isolt thought right as the man began his statement.
"Yes, thank you Chief Warlock. Two weeks ago, the accused witch knowingly and willingly engaged in an altercation with six other wixen, slaughtering them all, before waiting for the aurors seemed to be a way to intimidate them, as she immediately began threatening Senior Auror Robards with his job, and then claiming she was the head of an extinct house, the Peverell's, who we all know have been an extinct line for two hundred years."
"Thank you, Mr. Howe. Would the defense like to begin their opening statement?"
Andromeda stood up, addressing the Chief Warlock, before looking at the rest of the members of the Wizengamot.
"Yes, thank you Chief Warlock. As the prosecution has stated, my client did in fact engage in an altercation with six wixen that fateful night two weeks ago."
Before she could continue, several wixen were startled, and Isolt was able to make out a few of their shouts amongst the cacophony that Andromeda's statement had caused.
"She's admitting to the fight? She must be guilty!"
"Lock her up already!"
"Throw her in Azkaban!"
'Man, some things never change,' Isolt thought, with a slight smile on her face. Internally, she was fuming, but she couldn't really show her anger without giving the Wizengamot even more cause to try to lock her up.
It took Albus banging the gavel for nearly a minute before the outraged wixen quieted down enough for Andromeda to continue.
"Yes, as I was saying, my client did in fact engage in an altercation with six wixen; however, the wixen in question where all Death Eaters, and each had been found with a very dark Dark Mark on their left forearms. Additionally, these wixen had been causing damage and havoc in the entrance to Diagon Alley, near the Leaky Cauldron, setting fires and inciting panic, causing most people to flee. My client assessed the situation and engaged them, and protected herself and the residents and shop keepers of Diagon from further harm. Furthermore, she did not cast a single lethal spell until she was nearly hit with a Killing Curse. Ending the fight, my client then waited for the aurors, which is what all respectable members of society should do, and then was antagonized by Senior Auror Robards who threatened my client with being thrown in Azkaban before a trial had even been mentioned. When my client revealed her displeasure with Robards' behavior, and mentioned that she'd be gunning for his job, it was done in the heat of the moment, in response to a Senior Auror who doesn't seem to have the manners to deal with a wixen who had just fought six terrorists to the death by herself. When asked to identify herself, my client provided her name, and was then not asked for proof before Senior Auror Robards added another charge of impersonating a Head of House. After that, my client was taken to the Ministry for questioning."
Andromeda sat back down, noting that several wixen seemed to be contemplative of what she had dropped on them.
"Alright then. Mr. Howe, are you ready to present evidence in support of your arguments?"
"Yes, Chief Warlock. I have here with me a report of the injuries sustained by six victims: literal dismemberment, conjured weapon damage, blood boiling curses, and several bone shattering hexes. Does that sound like a witch just 'defending themselves'? I think not. Especially when the defendant doesn't even have a single scratch on her, reported or otherwise."
Andromeda quickly stood up. "Objection, Chief Warlock, no Auror had deigned to give my client a medical check-up, and that is part of the basis for the later charges. Therefore, there wouldn't be any records, because the Aurors didn't do their jobs."
"Sustained, Mrs. Tonks. Mr. Howe, do you have any other evidence to corroborate your claims?"
"N-no, Chief Warlock. Regardless of the lack of an injury report on the accused, I believe the injury report adequately demonstrates that the accused was not acting in self-defense."
"I see. Mrs. Tonks, would you like to respond?"
"Yes, thank you. Ladies, gentlemen, and others in the esteemed Wizengamot. We are a society built on centuries of laws and records. Therefore, my response is two-pronged: one, my client is claiming the Self-Defense Law of 1307: in defense of self and others, lethal force is authorized as long as one did not escalate the situation to lethal themselves. Additionally, my client has agreed to undergo Veritaserum."
The Wizengamot was shocked, reciting the old laws, especially one of the very few laws that had not been modified or tweaked since its inception was a very smart plan, and the use of Veritaserum would only lend credence to the veracity of the defense's claims.
Dumbledore looked around, noting how many members were stunned at this development. Internally, he was panicking, this trial was quite literally handed to him when he had started planning to get rid of Isolt Peverell before she became too large a thorn in his side, but he didn't have a vote here, so all he could do was follow procedure for now.
"All those in favor of allowing Veritaserum to be administered to the defendant?" He asked.
After tallying the votes, it was decided in a vote 36 to 34 that the defense would be allowed Veritaserum questioning. Dumbledore called for the truth serum to be administered, and an Auror quickly complied, bringing Isolt to a chair in the middle of the room, restraining her with anti-magic cuffs, and poured three drops of the truth serum down Isolt's throat.
"The defense may now question the accused." Dumbledore motioned.
"Lady Peverell, would you kindly state your name?"
"Isolt Lily Peverell."
"What color is the sky?"
"Blue."
"And who is the Chief Warlock"
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."
"Would you please state how you took down six wixen all by yourself?"
"I was doing shopping in Diagon Alley, and heard some commotion from near the entrance. Upon arriving, I noticed the Death Eaters firing spells at buildings. Luckily, it didn't seem any resident of Diagon Alley was on the street, so I engaged, using only spells to stun and incapacitate them. Only when I was nearly hit with a Killing Curse did I use some more lethal spells, though most of those I re-directed from the Death Eater's themselves. Once they were all dead, I set about extinguishing the fires, then prepared the bodies for the aurors by removing their masks and rolling up their sleeves, exposing their Dark Marks, all of which were black and not faded."
Minister Fudge paled at the implication.
"And what happened when the Aurors arrived?" Andromeda continued.
"I asked them if they ever actually arrived in time to help, rather than just several minutes after something happened. Robards took exception to that, asking me if I killed the six wixen. He never bothered to check them. He was pointing his wand at me the entire time. When I said yes, I had killed the six Death Eaters, he ordered me arrested, at which point I was annoyed and told him he'd lose his job over this. He demanded to know who I was, so I told him I am Lady Peverell. He took exception to that too, it seems."
"That is all the questions I have, Chief Warlock." Andromeda sat back down, satisfied that she had just basically gotten Isolt off on all charges.
"Thank you, Mrs. Tonks. Would Mr. Howe like to ask any questions?"
"Yes, thank you. Alleged Miss Peverell, how is it that you knew these victims were Death Eaters? Could they not have just been some teenagers stirring up some trouble?"
"I have fought Death Eaters before. I know their outfit when I see them. They also were throwing dark curses around, something a teenager stirring up trouble probably wouldn't be doing."
Several Wizengamot and audience members snorted at that statement.
"And how come you didn't receive a single injury?"
"I'm quite good at fighting. Most important thing is to dodge. Second most important thing is to know how to re-direct spells. Quite handy, that."
"Hm, of course. And this Killing Curse? Can you describe why that shifted the fight to a lethal one, if you're so good at dodging?"
"Well, couldn't really dodge that one. I just sorta caught it with my hand and crushed it. If I hadn't, I'd surely be dead."
"You caught a Killing Curse? With your hand? That's preposterous!" Mr. Howe was getting incensed.
"Well, I mean, it's a death spell. And what are the Peverell's known for? Death magic. Makes sense to me."
"Chief Warlock, if we may, can we move on to ascertaining if my client is indeed a Peverell? I know it's a bit out of order, but it would seem that it appears necessary at this moment." Andromeda spoke up, hoping to get the trial back under her control.
"I see no reason to deny that, since the current matters seem to deal with Family Magicks. Any opposed?"
No one was opposed. Today was indeed a bombshell day for all those present.
"You may proceed, Mrs. Tonks."
"Wixen of the Wizengamot, I would like to present a witness: Account Manager Ironclaw, of Gringotts." Andromeda beckoned to the audience, and sure enough, a goblin came forward to stand next to Isolt.
"Greetings, Account Manager. Thank you for your time. Would you please tell me what you know about the wixen to your right?" Andromeda continued.
"Ah yes, she came in to my office one day, with some privileged clients who I cannot name at this time due to a confidentiality agreement, and we provided her with a lineage test. She was found to be Lady Peverell, by magic and blood. She accepted the Headship ring, and ventured into her vault. What she retrieved, I am not at liberty to say. After that, she continued on her merry little way."
"Ms. Peverell, can you confirm the Account Manager's story?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, Chief Warlock. I went into Gringotts and took a lineage test. I claimed the Headship ring, but I cannot show it, as these magic cuffs are quite good at what they do."
"Well, since Gringott's has acknowledged the accused's claims to be of House Peverell, would the Wizengamot mind voting on the charge of impersonating a Head of House?"
After a vote, 65 to 5, Isolt was cleared of that particular charge.
"Now, getting back to the charges of murder, you, Lady Peverell, are claiming self-defense of self and others, and are claiming your Family Magicks assisted you in blocking the Killing Curse."
"Yeah, that's pretty much what I said earlier." Isolt muttered, still under the effects of the Veritaserum.
"Mr. Howe, any further questions for the witness?"
"A few more. So, Lady Peverell, since you caught and dismissed the Killing Curse so easily, what made you feel in danger? Surely if you can defend against that curse, anything else would be child's play?"
"A bone breaker is still a bone breaker. Plus, I don't know if I can catch those spells, and would rather not try it. If I wasn't able to catch a spell, for any reason, I don't imagine that going over well for me."
"And why do you feel Senior Auror Robards was so antagonistic towards you?"
"I dunno. Probably because I did his job for him and then asked him why he couldn't do it."
"So, you're saying that Robards was acting petty? A man with a couple of decades on the force, and he just now starts having behavior problems?"
"Pretty much, yeah. I don't know about his record, but I do know that Auror Shacklebolt was a much more well-behaved auror."
"No more questions, Chief Warlock."
"Thank you, Mr. Howe. Mrs. Tonks, any final questions?"
"No, sir. But I do have one more witness to summon."
"Alright, but let us administer the antidote to Lady Peverell."
The same auror from before, the one who'd administered the Veritaserum, came forward once more, dropping three drops of the antidote into Isolt's mouth. Instantly, Isolt shook her head, clearing the remaining effects from her mind, before the auror escorted her back to her seat at the defense table.
"You may summon your witness, Mrs. Tonks."
"I would like to summon Madam Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
Mr. Howe jumped up. "Objection, Chief Warlock, relevancy. Madam Bones was not there at the events two weeks ago."
"Mrs. Tonks, that is true. For what purpose are you summoning Madam Bones?"
"For one reason: I'd like to get insight into the record of Senior Auror Robards. Since Mr. Howe has so graciously brought up his record, I figured the least we could do, to properly ensure that justice is done today, is to check with Senior Auror Robards' boss as to his conduct and record."
"Objection overruled; you may proceed."
Madam Bones had sat watching the proceedings with growing interest. It seems that Lady Peverell and Solicitor Tonks had several tricks up their sleeve, and probably hadn't shown all of them yet. 'Even though she's a Tonks now, it's clear that Andromeda is still very much a Black.'
Amelia Bones walked down the steps to the witness chair, waiting for the questions that she was sure would be asked of her.
Sure enough, Andromeda was the one who started. "Madam Bones, how long have you been on the force?"
"Nearly two decades. Since about 1979. I started as a field auror, then worked my way up to Department Head."
"And how long has Robards' been an auror?"
"A full twenty years."
"And why is he only a Senior Auror?"
"He plays loose with the rules. We've received several complaints from witnesses and accused alike as to his behavior and cavalier attitude."
"Oh, really? And how come he hasn't been reprimanded?"
"He has, several times. Most notably after a review was performed after the 'arrest' of Lady Peverell."
"And what were the findings of this review?"
"That Senior Auror Robards had acted with reckless abandon, failing to secure the site, badgering a potential witness, threatening the accused, and passing off his duties to the other aurors present."
"And what is has been done, in light of these findings?"
"Senior Auror Robards' has been placed on leave until the results of this trial. We had determined that any repercussion shall be decided after, so as to not have any conflict of interest."
"And what punishment, if any, have been decided?"
"Termination. He has received several warnings over the years and has not curbed his mannerisms. This time, his behavior has threatened a Head of House, and one who we had determined through our own investigation had defended Diagon Alley from six marked Death Eaters. She should've received a proper thank you, and a damn medal for her performance, not an auror who acts with emotions first, brains never."
"Thank you, Madam Bones, the defense has no further questions."
Mr. Howe and the other members of the prosecution were arguing amongst themselves, seemingly realizing the futility of pursuing any charges against Lady Peverell now.
"Would the prosecution like to ask questions of the witness?" Dumbledore asked.
"No, Chief Warlock, we would not."
"Then, Madam Bones, you are excused, thank you for answering questions today."
"Of course, Chief Warlock." And with that, Madam Bones returned to her chair, even more interested in how things played out today.
"Would the defense like to give their closing statement now?"
"Of course, Chief Warlock." Andromeda now addressed the entire room, both Wizengamot and public audience. "As demonstrated, Lady Peverell acted within the confines of the law to defend herself and others from six terrorists. Further, she was harassed by then-Senior Auror Robards and harangued with two trumped up charges against her, without even so much as a 'how you do'. We request that all charges be dropped in light of the overwhelming evidence of no wrongdoing on my client's behalf. Thank you."
"And would the prosecution like to give their closing statement?"
"Yes, thank you, Chief Warlock. We believe we have given sufficient evidence that unnecessary violence was used by Lady Peverell in her fight against the six victims, as demonstrated by their injury reports. Additionally, when law enforcement did arrive, she clearly egged Senior Auror Robards on, provoking him and causing him to lose his temper. We request that the defendant be sentenced to Azkaban."
"If the Wizengamot would now vote on the six counts of murder?" Dumbledore requested, still trying to lead what little of the trial was left.
It was determined through a vote of 55 to 15 that Isolt Lily Peverell would be cleared of all murder charges.
"On the charges of murder, the Wizengamot clears the defendant Isolt Lily Peverell of all six charges. Will the Wizengamot please vote as to the charge of threatening an auror?"
Again, another vote turned up in Isolt's favor, but only barely, with a 36 to 34 vote.
"It is my honor to declare Lady Isolt Lily Peverell cleared of all charges. You're a free witch, Lady Peverell."
"As a free witch, am I free to rejoin the Wizengamot? After all, the Peverell's are a member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight." Isolt called out to the Wizengamot.
Dumbledore looked around, not really expecting this so soon. He saw the eyes of nearly every member of the Wizengamot look from him, to the young witch in front of him. Before he could speak up, several audience members were very vocal about their demands.
"She's a Lady of Peverell, she must be allowed to join us!"
"She was accused of murder - we can't have that here!" said one voice.
"But we literally just cleared her of that!" came a reply.
Dumbledore banged on his gavel once more, seeing no way he could possibly deny the witch her request.
"I think the Wizengamot should vote, one last time, as to your entrance into the Wizengamot. After all, the ministry has appointed a proxy for House Peverell –"
"And who gave you the right to do that? The Peverell charter is very clear that no one should be appointed by the ministry on our behalf, for any reason." Isolt sent an icy glare to the Chief Warlock.
"Er, well, you see, that was done after the last Head died with no heir, nearly two hundred years ago."
"Well, I'm reclaiming it. And if I know my laws correctly, there's not really much you can do to stop me from taking my seat. I only asked politely so as to show my respect to the institution. But since there seems to be some debate, I will just claim my seat using the bylaws set up by the founding members of the Sacred Twenty-Eight: any Head of a founding House may reclaim their seat, without interruption, unless extenuating circumstances prevent such a feat. Since I'm no longer on trial for murder, and I was cleared of all charges, there are no more extenuating circumstances. Thus, I'm taking my seat."
With that, Isolt walked up the steps to the House Peverell seat, glared at the ministry proxy, and with a hard edge in her voice, growled, "Move, bucko. You're in my seat."
Frightened, the proxy quickly cleared the seat and left the room, bowing to the Wizengamot on his way out.
Dumbledore just watched this display happen, and he and the other members of the Wizengamot knew they couldn't really stop Lady Peverell. Her knowledge of the bylaws was seemingly flawless, and they weren't going to stop her and set a precedent for someone to stop their heirs from ascending to their seats eventually.
"Well, shall we end today's – " Dumbledore started, but was quickly interrupted by none other than Madam Bones.
"Before we close today's session and leave for the day, I would like to exercise an emergency session, here and now."
Several wixen in attendance just gaped at the Head of the DMLE.
"Whatever for, Madam Bones?" Albus had adopted his grandfatherly tone of voice.
"For the trial of one Sirius Orion Black."
Chaos broke out in the courtroom.