Chapter 26
Albus Dumbledore Vs. The Wizengamot, Part 1
Author's Note: This chapter begins a few minutes before the last chapter ended.
Saturday, January 2nd, 1993 – Late Morning
As Sirius walked toward his friend, Remus Lupin, Amelia put Sirius' defense file away in her briefcase, and pulled out the large folder on Albus Dumbledore, which held documents and witness statements she had collected during the investigation. She then walked up into the Wizengamot seats. Cornelius Fudge caught her eye, and pointed to an empty chair between himself and Rufus Scrimgeour. Amelia nodded, walked along the row and sat down beside the Minister.
"Congratulations on a strong defense during Sirius Black's trial, Madam Bones," Fudge said.
"Thank you, Minister," Amelia said, "But I did very little. Sirius did his part too."
"That he did," Fudge agreed; he sighed heavily as he looked toward the media. "I do not look forward to speaking to the media about Sirius Black."
"It will likely be easier to talk to them about him than about Albus Dumbledore," Amelia said.
"True," Fudge said, sighing heavily.
"Minister," Amelia said, "I would personally like to handle the investigation toward Peter Pettigrew."
"You have it," Fudge said, "As well as my support. Whatever you need, I'll be happy to help as much as I can. It will be much easier to tell that to the media than something like that, then telling them we have no idea about the status of Mr. Pettigrew. If he is still alive -"
"If you believe Sirius' story," Amelia said, "Then he is alive."
"I have to believe it," Fudge said, "I doubt anyone who has been in Azkaban this long could fabricate a story like that, and make it sound so believable. The fact that only a finger could be found of Pettigrew, instead of an entire body? The Ministry got enough hell when we couldn't produce You-Know-Who's body. What happens if Pettigrew is alive, is a Death Eater, and something happens while we just ignore it? It would be a disaster."
"Indeed, it would," Amelia agreed.
"Minister," Rufus said, "I am at a loss here. Perhaps you could help. Why is Dumbledore's trial next? Why aren't we saving it for the last of the three trials today? Shouldn't Snape be tried next?"
"I asked Madam Bones that exact same question earlier this morning, Rufus," Fudge said, "It was her idea. She explained her strategy and her reasoning. If all goes well, we may not even need a third trial. It could certainly save us all a bit of time."
A confused expression crossed Rufus' face, but he said nothing.
"So how should we play this out, Minister?" Amelia asked.
"It is your investigation, Madam Bones," Fudge said, "I may be the stand-in Chief Warlock, but you're the one with all the important information. You may take charge with the statements, questions and handling witnesses, with a bit of assistance from other interrogators."
"Does Dumbledore have a solicitor?" Rufus asked.
Amelia scoffed lightly. "Ten Galleons says he'll defend himself without any assistance."
"Am I to believe that this is allowed?" Dolores Umbridge asked on Fudge's other side.
"It is rare, but it has happened," Amelia said. "If anyone will defend themselves in front of the Wizengamot, it is Dumbledore. Who better to defend him than himself, the former Chief Warlock? He knows how the Wizengamot works."
"You're right," Fudge said, nodding. "If this takes place, I'll have no choice but to allow it."
Amelia set the folder of information regarding Dumbledore in front of her, but did not open it. A few moments later, the doors of the courtroom opened, and everyone looked toward them. Albus Dumbledore walked into the room, his wrists shackled by magic-blocking cuffs, and escorted by the same two Aurors who had escorted Sirius Black.
The buzz inside the courtroom from the media, Wizengamot, and general audience was palpable, The flashes from the camera were rapid and bright. Fudge slammed his gavel four times before the audience and media calmed down. By that time, Dumbledore was seated at the same table Sirius and Amelia had sat at only a few minutes prior. He looked serene and calm – there was no sense of nervousness shown on his expression. He was simply staring forward at the Wizengamot.
A long minute later, Fudge slammed the gavel once again, claiming everyone's attention.
"Before we begin this trial," Fudge began, "I address the media, and those of you seated in the audience. Albus Dumbledore is something of a celebrity to many in the wizarding society of Great Britain. Much of what will be revealed today will be hard to swallow. Therefore, once again, I ask you to heed this warning. Any overzealous interruptions that delay this trial will result in removal from this courtroom.
"So begins the Criminal Trial of Great Britain versus Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, on this, the second day of January in the year nineteen ninety-three. Now, usually at this moment in time, I would produce the charges the defendant is accused of. However, there are many charges, and even more that may be unknown at this moment in time. So the charges will be revealed throughout the remainder of this trial."
Amelia was rather surprised when nobody, not even Dumbledore, objected to Fudge's decision not to present the charges immediately.
"Albus, do you have a solicitor?" Fudge asked.
"I have chosen to defend myself, Minister," Dumbledore said.
"Scribe, please take note that the defendant, Albus Dumbledore, has chosen to defend himself during the proceedings," Fudge said. "Representatives for the Wizengamot – Interrogators: Stand-in Chief Warlock, Minister of Magic Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Rufus Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Department -"
As Fudge continued rambling off names, Amelia prepared herself, and rummaged through the folder in front of her.
"The Defense may proceed with their opening statement," Fudge said.
"Minister Fudge," Dumbledore said, "Esteemed members of the Wizengamot. Each and every one of you know who I am. I could hear the response from everyone inside this courtroom when I walked in with my wrists bound like some common criminal. Shock. Disbelief. Everyone here knows I am an innocent man. My arrest and incarceration is nothing but a sham. The greatest of insults. Let us end this debacle now. If you proclaim me cleared of all charges, return my titles and honor to its former status, I will forget this ever happened, and forgive all of you. We all have better things we could be doing with the time wasted here."
Amelia wasn't sure which she found more humorous. Dumbledore's speech, or the fact that Minister Fudge was simply glaring at the man. Several of those sitting in the courtroom, both in the audience, and Wizengamot were looking at Dumbledore as if they couldn't believe the man had used that as his opening statement.
"Are you finished, Dumbledore?" Fudge asked.
"I am," Dumbledore said, with a nod.
"Your request to – and I quote – 'end this debacle'," Fudge said, "is denied. Madam Bones, you may begin."
"Thank you, Minister," Amelia said; "As the Minister alluded to, there are many crimes in question today, some of which have been far reaching. So we will do this in chronological order. I call my first witness: Sirius Black."
Sirius looked momentarily surprised to be called as witness, before he stood up. But his surprise was not as great as the shock which Albus Dumbledore's expression. Dumbledore whipped his head around as he looked for Sirius. When he saw Sirius walking toward the center of the courtroom, his eyes narrowed and he turned back to the Wizengamot.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Dumbledore demanded, "What is Black doing outside of Azkaban, and walking amongst us on his own. Have you all lost your mind?! Have you all forgotten what this man did over a decade ago?!"
"Silence!" Fudge growled, slamming his gavel several times, silencing both Dumbledore, and those in the audience who were ready to speak up from Dumbledore's outrage, "Sirius Black was placed on trial earlier this morning, and he was cleared of all charges. He is a free man, and he is free to be a witness in this trial if he chooses. Do you have any issues with being a witness, Mr. Black?"
"No, Minister, I do not," Sirius said.
"Very well," Fudge said, then motioned to a raised chair, located near the Court Scribe, "Take your oath and be seated."
Sirius walked over to the chair in question, but remained standing and turned to the Wizengamot.
"Sirius Orion Black," Amelia said, "Do you, upon your honor, swear to tell the truth to the best of your abilities?"
"I swear," Sirius said.
"You may be seated," Amelia said; as Sirius sat down, Amelia produced a familiar scroll she had used earlier for Sirius' trial, "I have in my hand James and Lily Potter's Final Will and Testament, which was given to me by Keeper Ragnok the Sixth, Account Manager of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, upon permission of Harry James Potter. Albus Dumbledore, I am sure you're familiar with this Will. Is this your signature at the bottom of the Will, marking you as the official human Witness of James and Lily Potter's Will?"
"Yes, it is," Dumbledore said. "James and Lily Potter trusted me to be the official Witness. However, there is a possibility that portions of the Will were edited and added without myself as Witness."
"As official Witness," Amelia said, "It was your duty to open the Will after James and Lily's deaths. Why did you not have the Will opened in the days after James and Lily's deaths?"
"I thought it would be appropriate for Harry Potter to open his parents' Will," Dumbledore said, "When he was old enough, and mature enough, to do so."
"I happen to believe you're lying, Dumbledore," Amelia said, "I don't think you wanted the Will opened. James and Lily listed several Guardians for their son in their Will. Absolutely none of the names listed here were chosen to raise Harry Potter. Actually, I will take that back. Harry was raised by his Muggle relatives – Lily's sister, and her husband. Their names were listed here. But only because Lily expressly forbid her sister to raise her son. And don't try to tell me this was something they added without your knowledge, Dumbledore. If we discover anything contradictory to that, we aren't going to be very pleased with you."
"I had discovered that that Lily Potter had sacrificed herself for Harry using rare Light magic," Dumbledore said, "It involved bloodlines. Lily's own bloodline. Harry needed to live with somebody who was his mother's bloodline. Lily's own sister. Harry would be protected if he lived with his Aunt. The fact that he remains protected and alive after all these years proves my point."
"Whether or not that is true, Dumbledore," Amelia said, "You ignored James and Lily's wishes. Refusing to open their Will after their deaths caused an innocent man to be placed in Azkaban, where he spent over eleven years.
"The first date penned into the Will reads the seventh of August in 1980. Mr. Black, what was the date that you were named Harry Potter's Godfather?"
"July 31st, 1980," Sirius said, "The night Harry was born. Three days later, I performed the Godfather Ritual with James, Lily and Harry."
"So this was before the original penning of the Will?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Sirius said.
"So I believe we can safely assume," Amelia said, "that Sirius Black was labeled as Harry Potter's Godfather – per the Godfather Ritual – under Guardians, during the original penning of the Will. This was done while you were there as Witness, Albus. Is that correct?"
"I am an old man," Dumbledore said, "It was a long time ago. I can't be expected to remember such a small detail."
"Given that Sirius was named Harry Potter's Godfather before the Will was originally penned," Amelia said, "I think it is safe to say James and Lily Potter would have placed that information in their Will while Albus was there as Witness. Therefore, I believe we can safely assume that you, Albus Dumbledore, knew Sirius Black had participated in the Godfather Ritual, and therefore could not have betrayed James and Lily Potter. So why, Dumbledore, did you not bring up such information when Sirius was arrested?"
"Mr. Black was already in Azkaban before I got wind of such information," Dumbledore said, "Even if I had wanted to inform Millicent Bagnold – who was the Minister of Magic at the time – of such information, I do not believe she would have listened. There was nothing I could do."
"I just told you what you could have done!" Amelia said, "Had you opened James and Lily Potter's Will would have given Madam Bagnold enough reason to give Mr. Black a trial he did not receive until today!"
"It was an old man's mistake," Dumbledore said, "And as I said, I had thought it best -"
"Enough," Amelia said, "It is clear that you did this for personal gain."
"I beg your pardon," Dumbledore said.
"You wanted Harry Potter to open his parents' Will, only when most of his parents' wishes wouldn't matter anymore!" Amelia accused. "Or perhaps you didn't want their Will opened up at all!"
"That is quite the accusation, Madam Bones," Dumbledore said.
"Perhaps," Amelia said, "But it is easy to prove. You were well aware that Sirius Black was Harry Potter's Godfather? Were you not?"
"I was aware," Dumbledore said, "Yes."
"Mr. Black," Amelia said, to Sirius, "During your own trial, you told us about the night of Halloween in 1981, the night James and Lily Potter were murdered by You-Know-Who. Would you please repeat that part of the story which includes the defendant?"
Sirius did so, telling the court about meeting Rubeus Hagrid outside of the Potter's home in Godric's Hollow. How he had told Hagrid that he was Harry's godfather, and rightful guardian. How Hagrid had refused, telling him he had orders to bring Harry to Dumbledore.
After Sirius was finished, Amelia noticed Minerva McGonagall raising her hand. Amelia nodded, and Minerva lowered her hand.
"So if Hagrid had given you your godson, instead of taken him away," Amelia said, "Do you believe you would have confronted Peter Pettigrew?"
"No, Madam Bones, I would not," Sirius said, "I believe I would have spoken to my friends, and we would have dealt with Pettigrew in other more legal ways. It was losing Harry, after losing his parents, which had broken me."
"Thank you, Mr. Black," Amelia said, "I believe that is all the questions I have for you. If there are no more for Mr. Black?"
Fudge and Scrimgeour shook their heads.
"Mr. Black, you may be seated," Amelia said, she continued speaking as Sirius headed back to his seat "So this is where we are. Rubeus Hagrid has taken away baby Harry Potter from his rightful guardian, who his parents had chosen to raise if they had passed away. Hagrid took baby Harry away, and we already know what Sirius Black did after that moment. But where did Hagrid go with Harry Potter, on Albus Dumbledore's orders? Before I call my next witness, I have to admit I am confused about something.
"Albus, it sounds as if you had sent Rubeus Hagrid to James and Lily Potter's house. How did you know they had been attacked that evening?"
"I had placed a series of enchantments and charms around their house," Albus said, "So that I could be informed if there was an attack. Unfortunately even with the precautions, it was too late. I had sent Hagrid to Godric's Hollow."
"Due to previous circumstances," Amelia said, "Hagrid was not permitted use of a wand. Therefore, he could not Apparate. How did he get to Godric's Hollow so quickly?"
"My phoenix, Fawkes," Albus said, "Assisted him in transport."
"Why did you send Hagrid?" Amelia asked, "Instead of go yourself?"
"I could not leave Hogwarts so urgently in the middle of a war," Albus said, "I had to inform the staff. Hagrid was available to leave, as he was not a Professor."
"So let me get this straight," Amelia said, "According to Mr. Black, Rubeus Hagrid was following your orders to take him Harry away from Godric's Hollow. He refused, under your orders, to give Harry to Mr. Black."
"I had no idea Sirius was there at the time," Dumbledore said, "I had asked Hagrid to check on James, Lily and Harry. I had hoped that Hagrid would find all three alive and well. I had asked Hagrid to take any survivors away from the site. Hagrid did as I had requested; unfortunately it was only Harry that had survived."
"Taking Harry away from his rightful Guardian constitutes as kidnapping," Amelia said. "Hagrid was working under your orders, so it is you whom are charged with his kidnapping. That may very well be the original crime you were charged with."
She paused for a moment, letting this sink in with everyone in the room. Then she spoke again.
"The Wizengamot calls Minerva McGonagall as its next Witness," she said.
Minerva stood and moments later, she replaced Sirius at the witness' chair and gave her oath.
"Minerva McGonagall," Amelia said, "As you raised your hand, I can assume you have knowledge about that Halloween evening which concerns Albus Dumbledore."
"Yes, Madam Bones," Minerva said.
"Please explain your part in the events of this time period in discussion," Amelia said.
"During the late evening of October 31st, in 1981," Minerva said, "I was preparing myself for bed, when Albus' phoenix delivered a letter to me. The letter had instructions from Albus. He informed me that he believed Lily Potter's sister was threatened by You-Know-Who and his followers, and he had asked me to watch over them until he could contact me again. I went to the residence of Lily Potter's sister where I remained watchful, apart from when I needed breaks for nourishment or whatever else was urgent.
"It was during these breaks that I had been informed of the events in Godric's Hollow on that Halloween evening. I couldn't get the whole story, just bits and pieces. I had a task to do, and I did it. I remained at the residence until the following evening. It was late into the evening – very dark – when Albus made an appearance. Albus informed me that James and Lily Potter had died, and that Harry would be living with his relatives – Lily's sister, a Muggle. It turned out that I had been tasked with watching the Muggles, to scout out their behavior. After a few minutes, Rubeus Hagrid arrived and he had baby Harry with him."
"So after taking little Harry away from his rightful Guardian, appointed by Harry's parents." Amelia said, "Rubeus Hagrid took an entire day to get from Godric's Hollow to Harry's Muggle relations in -"
"Surrey," McGonagall supplied.
"Surrey," Amelia echoed, "Mr. Black tells us that Hagrid had traveled on a flying motorcycle he had let Hagrid borrow. If we compare a flying motorcycle to a broomstick, it doesn't take very long for one to travel from Godric's Hollow to Surrey. Rubeus Hagrid seems to have gone inexplicably missing for twenty-four hours with young Harry. Perhaps you could explain that, Albus?"
"He traveled with Harry to a safe-house I had procured," Dumbledore said, "Where he had remained for nearly a full day."
"Did you visit him and Harry at the safe-house?" Amelia asked.
"I did not," Dumbledore said. "Voldemort -"
Several people gasped when he said the name. Fudge slammed the gavel.
"Enough!" Fudge said, "Dumbledore, you will not use that name in this courtroom!"
"You-Know-Who's followers were still a threat," Dumbledore continued, "I did not want to risk his followers finding the temporary safe-house."
"So Minerva McGonagall had spent a full day at the residence of Lily Potter's sister," Amelia said, "She was watching these Muggles for you, Albus, because it was your intention for Harry Potter to be raised by them, even though James and Lily Potter forbid her sister from raising young Harry. Minerva, is there anything else you would like to add about that evening?"
"Yes," Minerva said, frowning, "Albus did not speak to Lily Potter's sister that evening. He merely placed Harry on the residence's doorstep, with a written letter addressed to Lily's sister. I imagine Harry was there all evening until his Aunt found him."
There were several shocked and horrified murmurs around the courtroom.
"Professor McGonagall," Rufus Scrimgeour said, "Are we to understand that Harry Potter – who had been fifteen months old at the time – was merely laying on a doorstep all evening? In early November? Exposed to the elements and other possible dangers of the night? Only twenty-four hours after surviving an attack from You-Know-Who?"
"Yes," Minerva said, frowning.
"I am absolutely horrified at this, Dumbledore," Amelia said, "Explain yourself."
"Petunia Dursley – Lily's sister – does not favor magic or magical life," Dumbledore said, "Confronting her that evening may have only made things worse."
"So not only was Harry Potter raised by someone who his parents did not favor," Amelia said, "He was raised by somebody who did not approve of the magical race? Someone who wouldn't be able to be prepared for what would happen to a young child during their early years of magical childhood. All because you believed he would be protected from his mother's sacrifice. However, the night you left Harry Potter on his Aunt's doorstep was not the last time you saw him before he came to Hogwarts, is that correct, Albus?"
Dumbledore frowned, but said nothing. Amelia rummaged through her folder, and took two pieces of parchment.
"I have in my hand," she said, "A written witness statement by Harry Potter himself. I questioned Mr. Potter about Albus Dumbledore two days ago. Minerva McGonagall, Auror Alastor Moody, and an Unspeakable were there with me. Can you confirm this, Minerva?"
"I can," McGonagall said, "I was indeed there when Mr. Potter wrote that witness statement."
"Thank you, Minerva," Amelia said, "Please remain seated. I'm not finished with you just yet. Harry Potter revealed many things to me when I spoke to him. He revealed some private information to me that I promised to be very discreet about. Therefore, Minister Fudge, I am calling for a Rite of Confidentiality."
There were several gasps and murmurs heard around the room. The Rite of Confidentiality was a very rare enchantment that only the Minister of Magic could enact. The enchantment would cause everyone in the courtroom to 'forget' certain pieces of information one hour after it was given.
Amelia handed Harry's witness statement to Fudge, and he read through it. His eyebrows raised as he came upon certain pieces of information. Amelia could just imagine what he thought about Harry being a Metamorphmagus capable of cross-gender morphing.
Fudge cleared his throat. "I will allow the Rite of Confidentiality. During the enchantment, no one is allowed to write any of the information given, that includes the media. This information concerns that of a Minor, who wishes to keep parts of their life private. If this information gets out without the Minor's consent, there will be charges brought up."
The Minister stood and proceeded to perform the Rite of Confidentiality. When he finished, he sat back down and motioned to Amelia to continue.
"Harry Potter's witness statement reads as thus," Amelia said, "'On Sunday, the twenty-seventh of December, I was given a Flushing Draught by Madam Poppy Pomfrey, the Hogwarts Healer. I had suspicions that I had possibly been Obliviated or Compelled once, or possibly several times in my life. The Flushing Draught allowed me to remember many things..."
Amelia continued reading Harry's statement to the shocked audience. Dumbledore was merely staring at her as she read it. Harry's statement described everything from his gender-swap Morphing to being Compelled to forget certain things and remember them differently. She then read the statements from Hermione Granger and Poppy Pomfrey. She then explained Ron Weasley's statement, which backed up the evidence of Dumbledore Compelling Harry and Hermione, and Ron aiding in the Compulsions.
"Minerva," Amelia said, "Do you have anything you would like to add to this?"
"Yes, ma'am," Minerva said, "When Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Poppy Pomfrey told me about the Obliviations and Compulsions they had suffered, I had apparently gotten very defensive about it, attempting to defend Albus."
"'Apparently'?" Rufus Scrimgeour asked, "Could you clarify that?"
"I was under the effects of a Compulsion Draught, as well as a Loyalty Draught," Minerva said, "The Loyalty Draught was linked to Albus. It appears I had been dosed many times in the past several years, possibly starting with that very night Harry Potter was placed on his Aunt's doorstep. Otherwise, I would have objected to the very idea of it! The potions made me unwaveringly loyal to Albus, stopping me from questioning any – well – questionable things he did."
"If I may," Albus said, "Do you have any proof – any at all – that these Draughts were brewed specifically by me, Minerva?"
Amelia had to hand it to Albus. It was a smart question.
"No," Minerva said, "I have absolutely no proof they were brewed by you, only -"
"Only linked to me," Albus said, nodding, "Indeed. Draughts and Potions do not need to be brewed by someone in order for them to be linked to that person. Anyone with a grudge toward me could have done that, in hopes to blame it on me. I could say the same for those Flushing Draughts given to Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Madam Pomfrey, and yourself. Were they brewed by Madam Pomfrey, or given to her? How do we know they were Flushing Draughts? Isn't it quite possible to brew a potion capable of making the drinker hallucinate certain scenes? Those statements from the witnesses could have been things they had hallucinated."
Once again, Amelia had to hand it to Albus. Even if what he was saying was not true, several members of the Wizengamot – those who were Albus' firm supporters – may believe him and believe the things were possible, therefore believing him innocent of these claims.
"How about we ask the person who brewed those Compulsion Draughts, shall we?" Amelia asked, "Aurors, will you please collect Severus Snape from the holding cells? I'm calling him as the Wizengamot's next witness. Thank you, Minerva, you may be seated."
As McGonagall stood and walked back to her seat, Cornelius Fudge smacked his gavel.
"Small recess as we wait for the next witness," the Minister said.
A buzzing sound was heard as the media and audience began talking amongst themselves. In his chair, Albus Dumbledore was merely sitting there, staring forward. Amelia thought he might have been preparing himself for defending himself from whatever Snape was going to talk about.
"Do you believe this is a wise move, Minister?" Dolores Umbridge asked, "Bringing in a prisoner as a witness."
"Severus Snape may be the best witness we have in this trial, Madam Umbridge," Amelia said, "May I remind you that Mr. Snape surrendered himself to DMLE custody. He is here willingly, and has agreed to willingly stand trial."
"I agree with Madam Bones," Fudge said, "Besides, Mr. Snape's confession here could make it easier for the Wizengamot to sentence him after this trial is over."
"Very true," Scrimgeour agreed.
Amelia nodded in agreement as well. She only hoped Snape would be a good witness, as he had promised prior to his arrest. Even then, Amelia wasn't at all sure whether or not the Wizengamot would vote Albus Dumbledore guilty. He was, after all, a very smart defendant.
Odd ending, I know. But I wanted the trial to continue into the next chapter. There may be more than just the end of the trial in the next chapter too. I had planned on having the whole trial in this chapter, but I realized that it had been nearly a week since my last update, and writing the rest might take a few days, so I wanted to get something up.
The Rite of Confidentiality was something I came up with as I was writing the chapter. Yes, that means Minerva will forget Harry's a Metamorph, but that will be remedied soon. To clarify, only Harry's Metamorph secret was under the Rite.
