Chapter 27
Albus Dumbledore Vs. The Wizengamot, Part 2
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay. Had no personal internet for nearly a month, which made it impossible to upload new chapters. However, during the hiatus, I've been on a writing spree. So to make up for the delay, I will be uploading several chapters over the couple of weeks.
Saturday, January 2nd, 1993 – Late Morning
The atmosphere inside Courtroom Ten was so thick with tension, that one could cut it with a Diffindo Charm. The audience and media were whispering to each other, likely talking about the trial of Albus Dumbledore, which was currently underway. The defendant in question was currently staring forward in his seat, as he had been since the trial had gone to a temporary recess.
Meanwhile, Amelia Bones was shuffling through the documents and parchment in front of her, as she prepared to interrogate the next witness, Severus Snape, who would be arriving at any moment. Given the fact that she had already questioned Snape on the day of his arrest, she figured Snape should be an excellent witness, whose testimony would not only likely place him in a cell in Azkaban, but hopefully it would be the factor that would place Albus Dumbledore in another cell in the prison.
Suddenly, the doors of the Courtroom opened, and Severus Snape stepped into the courtroom, his wrists bound in magic-blocking shackles. The same two Aurors who had escorted Dumbledore into the room were now escorting Snape. As cameras flashes threatened to blind the man, Snape didn't seem to respond, or even notice. He merely stared forward as he walked between the aisles.
Beside Amelia, Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge waved his wand, and a chair appeared some feet away from Dumbledore. Snape sat down in the chair, and the magic-blocking shackles which had bound his wrists now split apart and Snape's arms were forced onto the armrests, where they were cuffed to it. His ankles were also bound. If he had noticed Dumbledore sitting near him, he did not make any indication of it.
Fudge smacked his gavel, and the low whispers and buzzing around the courtroom ceased.
"The Criminal Trial of Great Britain versus Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore resumes," Fudge said, "Severus Tobias Snape, before your own Criminal Trial begins, you are here because you were summoned as a witness to this trial. Do you accept the request to take part as witness?"
"Yes, sir," Snape said.
"Do you understand," Fudge continued, "that any statements you make, as witness, could be used against you in your own trial?"
"Yes, sir," Snape repeated.
"Do you, upon your honor, swear to tell the truth to the best of your abilities?" Fudge asked.
"I do," Snape said.
"Very well," Fudge said, then turned to Amelia, "Madam Bones, you may begin questioning the witness."
Amelia nodded once and turned to Snape. "Severus Tobias Snape, records show that you have been employed as the Potions Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for eleven years. Is this correct?"
"Yes, Madam," Snape said.
"The defendant, Albus Dumbledore, hired you?" Amelia asked.
"That is correct," Snape said.
"I have a document here regarding an official record of statements from several years ago," Amelia said, lifting up a piece of parchment from the table in front of her, "It was taken during the criminal trial of one Igor Karkaroff. Karkaroff named you, Severus Snape as a Death Eater. Albus Dumbledore responded with this..."
"I object!" Dumbledore said.
Amelia rolled her eyes. "What now, Dumbledore?"
"I am well aware of the statement you are about to present," Dumbledore said, "Such a statement was given in a closed council session. It could greatly harm Severus if presented to the public and media."
Amelia turned to Fudge. She wondered if she should request yet another Rite of Confidentiality, but thought against it. Even if Dumbledore was right, Snape's trial would only do more damage than the information Amelia was about to reveal. Fudge merely narrowed his eyes as he looked at Dumbledore.
"Objection denied," Fudge said, "This is obviously a ploy to silence a key witness in your trial, You will have your opportunity to question the witness, Dumbledore. Until then, I suggest you be silent."
Dumbledore frowned, but wisely said nothing.
"Please continue, Madam Bones," Fudge said.
"As I was saying," Amelia said, "Albus Dumbledore responded with this..."
"'Severus Snape was indeed a Death Eater. However, he rejoined our side before He-Who-Must-Not-Named's downfall and turned spy for us, at great personal risk. He is now no more a Death Eater... than I am.'
"I repeat... 'he rejoined our side before He-Who-Must-Not-Named's downfall and turned spy for us'. Mr. Snape, is this statement correct?"
Severus did not answer for nearly half-a-minute. Amelia was about to repeat her question, when Snape finally spoke.
"Yes," Snape said, "That is correct."
"Would you please explain?" Amelia asked.
"In the early months of 1980," Severus Snape, "I received some information that I had considered important. I thought that the Dark Lord would want to hear it, and I immediately gave him the information."
"What information is this?" Rufus Scrimgeour said.
Dumbledore opened his mouth to – once again – object, but Amelia was quite sure she knew what his objection would be. She held up her hand.
"The Department of Magical Law Enforcement is well aware what this information is," Amelia said, "I have deemed it confidential, and it will not be discussed in this very courtroom. Matter of fact, it really has next to nothing to do with this trial."
Dumbledore closed his mouth, then nodded gratefully in Amelia's direction. Amelia did not respond in kind. She hadn't done that because of him, but for the protection of Harry Potter.
"Please continue, Mr. Snape," Amelia said.
"A few months after I revealed the information to the Dark Lord," Snape said, "I realized exactly what the repercussions of what I did would be. I realized I had made a grave mistake. I had no choice but to find help, and there was no better option than Albus Dumbledore. I sought out his help, and he answered me. In turn for the information I had given him, Albus had promised to protect me. In turn, I would be his spy. Soon after, I became the Potions Master at Hogwarts."
"Were there any special requests or instructions that Albus asked you to undertake?" Amelia asked.
"Shortly after I was hired," Severus said, "Albus named the Head of Slytherin House. I admit I was rather surprised that I was given such a title. After all, there were other possible candidates amongst the Hogwarts staff who were more qualified than I. I asked Albus why he gave me that role. He told me that, as the Head of Slytherin, I would be able to keep a better eye on the Slytherin students. Several of the Slytherins over the years since I started teaching there have been children or relations of known Death Eaters, or known allies to the Dark Lord. Also there were other students who were possible candidates for future Death Eaters. Albus knew I was a Master Legilimens, and Occlumens, so he had tasked me with keeping a sharp eye on these students. He wanted me to report if there was any indication that the Death Eaters could regroup and become a threat again."
"Are, and were, you aware that use of Legilimency on minors is illegal unless authorized by the Ministry?" Scrimgeour asked.
"Yes, sir," Severus said.
"And yet, you admit to using Legilimency on students?" Scrimgeour asked.
"Yes, sir," Severus repeated, "I've done so several times over several years, not only on Slytherins, but on other students as well."
"Please describe other special requests and demands Albus Dumbledore made to you," Amelia said.
"I'm afraid I cannot think of any other special requests that Albus has made to me," Severus said, "As far as memory serves me, every other request was purely in the academic sense, employer to employee regarding my role as a Professor."
Amelia narrowed her eyebrows at Snape. She couldn't believe he had just said that. Hadn't he told her on the day of his arrest exactly what Albus had asked him to do? What was he playing at? Well, she was certainly not going to let that one go!
Albus Dumbledore privately smiled at the look on Madam Amelia Bones' face. It was highly amusing. He didn't need to use Legilimency to know that she had not believed Severus' statement. Obviously she would be continuing the line of interrogation. And that was exactly what Albus had counted on. While he may not have been able to predict that he would be on trial, he had been prepared for the possibility that Severus' wrongdoings could be discovered. He smiled as he remembered a discussion regarding that very possibility...
Flashback:
Saturday, December 26th, 1992 – Late Evening
Albus was sitting at his magnificent mahogany desk in the Headmaster's Office, sucking on a lemon drop and working on various paperwork, when the small gargoyle statue, which imitated the large gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office, turned toward Albus.
"Severus Snape is making his way here," the statue said.
Albus thanked the statue, and relaxed in his chair. A moment later, the door to his office opened, and Severus Snape stepped into the office.
"You summoned me, Headmaster?" Severus asked.
"Indeed I did," Albus said, then motioned to the chair on the other side of his desk, "Please be seated."
Albus thought Severus might have opted to stand, but he still smiled when the young man sat down in the chair.
"Earlier today," Albus said, "Hermione Granger had an accident while experimenting with Polyjuice Potion."
Severus' lips went thin. "So my assumptions were correct. Granger stole those ingredients from my private stores! Or was it Potter?"
"Either or, it does not matter," Albus said.
"Of course it matters!" Severus snapped, "They stole my supplies. I assume you summoned me here to inform me that I am in charge of their punishment?"
"No," Albus said, "That is not why I summoned you.
"If you want my advice about what happened to Granger, then I assume she probably messed up the brew," Severus said, then sneered. "The little know-it-all brat finally found something she couldn't do."
"Oh, but she did brew the Polyjuice Potion – quite successfully in fact," Albus said, "That was not her key mistake. Her mistake was that she mistook a cat hair for a human hair. When she took the Potion, she was transformed into a Neko."
Severus raised his eyebrows, then he smirked. "Excellent. She deserves it for such a foolish endeavor."
"Perhaps she does," Albus said, "Unfortunately, this event has presented several problems. A few hours ago, I visited Miss Granger in the Hospital Wing. Potter was there with her. It would appear that Potter is Granger's Mate."
"I hardly care for the love-lives of the little brats, Albus," Severus sneered, "Especially concerning those two."
"Perhaps you misunderstood," Albus said, "Perhaps you have never heard of the term Neko's Mate?"
"Such knowledge has alluded me, I do admit," Severus said. "I will also admit I am not too deep in knowledge about Nekos."
"When a Neko finds a Mate," Albus said, "It is similar to that of when a Veela finds their own. Like Veela, when Nekos find their Mate, they mate for life. They will defend and fight for that Mate to their death. The mate will do the same. If the Mate is harmed, or injured, the Neko will know. They are very alert to their Mate's well-being. Nekos are also similar to Veela – and Werewolves, as well – in the fact that they are basically immune to mind-control."
Severus' left eye twitched.
Albus stared at Severus through his spectacles. "Perhaps you understand now. Because she is now a Neko, Miss Granger is now similar to that of a Natural Occlumens. Also, she cannot be placed under the Imperius Curse, nor can she fall victim to Obliviations, Compulsions, or Potions which affect the mind, including but not restricted to: Compulsion Draughts, Loyalty Draughts, and Love Potions."
Severus exhaled. "That could be problematic."
"Indeed it could," Albus agreed. "I think we need to prepare for the possibility that the Obliviations, Compulsions and Potion effects Miss Granger has been victim to over the years may wear off. She may remember everything very soon. This would also mean that she'd discover exactly what was done to not only her, but to Harry Potter as well."
"What are we going to do, Albus?" Severus asked, "If this is discovered – no, not 'if', but when it is discovered, both of us will be in a world of trouble. Unless we prevent it."
"What do you suggest, Severus?" Albus asked.
"I suggest you quit pussyfooting around with Granger, Albus!" Severus growled, "In the past you made attempts to do away with her, and her influence toward Potter, by placing her in peril made to look like accidents or natural occurrences. I suggest you stop with the 'accidents', and make it happen sooner rather than later."
"Believe me, it has certainly crossed my mind, Severus," Albus said, with a deep sigh. "Unfortunately, I do not think such an opportunity will present itself. Miss Granger will be under the ever-watchful eye of both Madam Pomfrey and Harry Potter over the next few days."
"Surely they are not obstacles!" Severus said.
"I am sorry, Severus," Albus said, "But I cannot take the chance that I'd be caught."
"If you don't do anything, you will be caught!" Severus growled, "If Granger discovers exactly what you did, we'll both be in trouble."
"I agree that is a possibility," Albus said, "But due to this foreknowledge, we have the time to prepare for the possibility. Severus, I must ask another task of you. If the Ministry – be it the Aurors, or the Department of Magical Law Enforcement – finds out about the illegal crimes of mind-control that has been taking place, I must ask that you admit to not only taking part in all of it, but masterminding it. You must convince the Ministry that I had no part to do in it. If you can't do that much, you must convince them that you were controlling my part in it."
Severus' lips curled. "Even if I agreed to this -"
"You will agree, Severus," Albus said, "This request falls under the agreement you took part in all those years ago. On the rare possibility that I am arrested and placed on trial in front of the Wizengamot, I cannot be found guilty. I could escape Azkaban, this is true, but that would make me a fugitive, and I would not be able to focus on the important tasks at hand with the Ministry after me. You know this."
"Do you honestly believe," Severus said, "that the Ministry will believe that I was able to fool, manipulate, or control the great Albus Dumbledore?"
"Yes," Albus said, "But only if you play your part right. I will, of course, do my part. But you must do yours."
"You do realize this will surely end with me in Azkaban?" Severus asked.
"Of course," Albus said, "But if you do go to Azkaban, I can guarantee you won't be there very long. I do have one suggestion for you that may help toward convincing the Ministry."
"I'd be open to any suggestion," Severus said.
"Convince the Ministry that you fear me," Albus said, "You fear for your very life if it is discovered that you betrayed me. Convince the Ministry that you want to go to Azkaban, if only so you can avoid me. I'm sure that will turn a few heads."
"What will I get in return for this if I succeed?" Severus asked.
"Convince the Ministry that you, and you alone, are responsible for the illegal acts," Albus said, "And I will consider our agreement all those years ago has come to a fine end."
Severus nodded once. "Fine. If the Ministry comes for me, I will play my part."
"Thank you, Severus," Albus said, "I firmly believe you can complete your task."
Saturday, January 2nd, 1993 – Late Morning
When Amelia Bones had called Severus Snape as a witness, Albus had worried that Severus might back out of his agreement. He had wondered if Severus would take his suggestion of feigning fear toward him, and turning it into something real – that he would really voluntarily go to Azkaban, if only so he could hide from the agreement he had made with Albus so long ago.
Those worries went away when Severus began the statement he had fabricated, in order to make the Wizengamot believe that he was the mastermind behind the crimes Albus was accused of.
Albus relaxed as much as he could in the chair he was seated in, as Madam Bones spoke again.
"Mr. Snape," Amelia said, "May I remind you that you swore to be truthful in your statement here today?"
"I am well aware of that, Madam," Severus said.
"Perhaps you remember, Mr. Snape," Amelia said, "that on the day of your arrest, which you voluntarily gave yourself up, you made a statement regarding Albus Dumbledore's crimes. You said, and I quote, Albus 'asked me to brew various Potions for him. Loyalty Potions, Compulsion Draughts, Love Potions.' Do you deny saying this?"
"I do remember saying that, Madam," Severus said, "However, I also admit that I lied that day."
"You lied?" Amelia asked. "Did we hear that right?"
"Yes," Severus said, "As you said, I voluntarily gave myself up. If you recall, I was afraid of Albus. The truth is I wanted to go to Azkaban, because if he discovered I betrayed him, and manipulated him, then what he would do to me would be worse than what Azkaban may do to me."
"You say you betrayed and manipulated Albus?" Rufus Scrimgeour asked, "How?"
"I did not lie when I stated that I brewed Loyalty Potions, and Compulsion Draughts," Severus said. "I did brew those, but I did it for me, not for Albus. However, in order to divert attention from myself in case of discovery, I keyed the Potions and Draughts to Albus, knowing that he is a renowned Potions and Alchemy Master. I had hoped that if he was implicated for the crimes, I would be free from the pacts we had made so long ago.
"I never expected to be called upon the witness stand against Albus, but now that I have been forced to admit this, I believe I did the right thing when voluntarily giving myself up. There is a reason the Dark Lord fears Albus Dumbledore, and I don't want to find out first hand that reason. I am guilty of brewing illegal mind-controlling Potions and Draughts. Albus did not have any knowledge of what I was doing."
Albus privately smiled again when he saw Amelia frowning. When she looked at him, he merely stared forward, feigning being deep in thought.
"Do you have any more questions for the witness, Madam Bones?" Fudge asked.
"I... no," Amelia said, sighing, "No more questions."
Fudge nodded, then turned to Albus. "Albus, you may question the witness."
Albus smiled for everyone to see this time. It was time to solidify votes toward clearing him of all charges.
"I have no questions for Severus," Albus said, "Merely a statement."
"Very well," Fudge said, "Please continue."
Albus turned to Severus and cleared his throat. "Severus, I believe I have told you more than once that you are like a son to me. You were a fine student at Hogwarts. One of the best. I knew you would be successful, however sadly I found that you had made some very bad choices in life. I considered it quite a personal victory when you came to me for help and advice all those years ago. I had hoped that I could help you to be that fine young man I had pictured you as.
"So I took you in. I gave you a position at Hogwarts where I was sure you would succeed and flourish. I gave you the role of Head of Slytherin House. You said I had asked you to watch the children of known Death Eaters and allies of... He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. I did, yes, but in hopes that you would help those misguided youth – as you had once been – and make them better, simply because you had once been in their shoes. I didn't expect you to use Legilimency against them. If you had told me you would be doing that, I would have suggested against it.
"I am deeply saddened to discover that you tried to manipulate and use me. To find that I am here, on trial, because of something you did – it truly breaks my heart. However, as I once had hope for you to change your ways, I once again have that same hope. You have voluntarily given yourself up. Perhaps you will once again see the wrongs you have done. Hopefully time in Azkaban will help you where I could not. I forgive you for what you've done against me, Severus."
Albus looked forward again, silently indicating that he was done. He privately smiled at the looks of adoration coming his way from those Wizengamot members who considered him a friend or ally. If he had been capable of patting himself on the back, he would have done so. It appeared his strategy had worked. Or, rather, he hoped it had.
"I believe this ends Mr. Snape's time on the witness stand," Fudge said, "Aurors, please take him to a nearby room and make sure he and the room is secure. Mr. Snape will be on trial immediately after this trial has completed."
The two Aurors which had escorted Severus into the room bound his wrists again and led him from the room.
"Do the Wizengamot have any more witnesses?" Fudge asked.
Amelia shook her head. When there was no indication of any more witnesses, Fudge turned to Albus.
"Do you have any witnesses available, Albus?" he asked.
"No, Minister," Albus said.
He could have called up some character witnesses, but he didn't want to take the chance that they'd say something against him instead.
"Very well," Fudge said, "Do you have a final statement before the Wizengamot decides your fate, Albus?"
"No, Minister," Albus said.
Albus knew well enough that the members of the Wizengamot had already made their decision, due to the witness statements and evidence that had been presented. Between the doubt that Albus had thrown against certain details, and Severus' own statement, Albus felt that enough had already been said.
"Very well," Fudge said, "It is time for the Wizengamot to vote. Because there are many charges against the defendant, the Wizengamot will vote against each charge one at a time. This will not be a silent vote. Members of the Wizengamot, you will raise your wand if you agree to certain statements I present. Let us begin.
"On the charge of kidnapping Harry Potter from his rightful guardian – one Sirius Black – on October 31st, 1981," Fudge said, "Wizengamot, raise your wands if you believe the defendant is guilty."
Albus frowned as several members of the Wizengamot raised their hands. However, he quickly realized they were mostly from the members of the Dark Alliance.
"Wizengamot raise your wand if you believe the defendant is not guilty," Fudge said.
Albus smiled when most members of the Light Alliance, and a few of the Neutral Alliance raised their wands.
"In a vote of twenty-four to seventeen," Fudge said, "The defendant is cleared of the crime of kidnapping."
Albus smiled slightly, but that was only the first of several charges. There was still a chance he could be seen as guilty of any of the charges.
However, the results of the first charge seemed to result in a pattern. There were upwards of ten different charges, and in ever single one, Albus was cleared by a small margin, usually between four-to-seven votes. The look on Amelia's face as Albus was continuously cleared of more and more charges made Albus want to laugh out loud. Served her right for arresting him.
"... and finally on the several charges of Obliviating and Compelling Harry James Potter," Fudge said, "Wizengamot, raise your wand if you believe the defendant is guilty."
Albus inhaled a breath, as wands were raised. If there were any charge that he could be seen guilty of, it was this one. Harry Potter's statement had provided evidence that Albus was present for the events surrounding these charges."
"... raise your wands if you believe the defendant is not guilty," Fudge continued.
Albus frowned when he realized there were nearly as many wands raised for this as for 'guilty'. He couldn't count all of them before they lowered. It would be a close call.
"In a vote of twenty-one to twenty," Fudge said, "The defendant is cleared of the charges. With that, Albus Dumbledore, you have been cleared of all charges."
As several people clapped behind Albus, and up in the Wizengamot, he stood up. The shackles almost immediately fell away giving him the freedom of his wrists again.
"Aurors," Fudge said, "Please collect Severus Snape so we may begin his trial."
As the Aurors left, Albus walked closer to the Wizengamot so he could speak to Fudge.
"Thank you, Minister," Albus said, "It is wonderful to know that there was a good substitute for my role of Chief Warlock in my stead. I assume I can take back the chair for Severus' trial."
Cornelius frowned. "My apologies. I am just realizing that you did not hear the news. Albus, after the news broke out of your arrest, you were removed from the Wizengamot. You can put your name back in for the role of Chief Warlock, but there will be other contenders. There is a possibility you may not retain the position. That is not the end of the bad news, I am afraid. I received a post from a representative of the ICW this morning, and it appears you have been removed from that role as well. They might reinstate you, but as you know, it usually takes several months for that to happen. Also, there might be other contenders for the position instead."
"Perhaps it was time I had retired from those positions anyway," Albus said, "So that I may focus on my role at Hogwarts."
"Albus," Cornelius said, sighing, "I'm afraid you've also been removed from that post as well."
"Minister," Albus said, "I have been cleared of all charges. Certainly that means the role as Headmaster is still mine."
"That is not up to me to decide, Albus," Cornelius said, "After Mr. Snape's trial, the School Governors will be meeting with Minerva McGonagall to discuss her future as possible Headmistress. I'm sure if you wish to put your name back in contention for the role, that the Governors would give you a chance. Though you may not regain the title."
Albus bid the Minister farewell, then walked away. He couldn't believe what was happening. He had been cleared of all charges, but now it seemed as if he had lost all his prestigious positions! Of course he would meet with the Governors, in hopes to convince them to give him back his position as Headmaster. However, most of the School Governors were also members of the Wizengamot, half of which had thought he was guilty of his crimes. He had to admit that Minerva McGonagall would be a fine Headmistress. He had planned to pass the title onto her when he either retired, or passed onto the next great adventure. But this was not that time. He needed to be the Headmaster of Hogwarts. Many, if not most, of his plans counted on that factor alone!
Albus sighed and walked over to a chair in the front row and sat down, ignoring the media and well-wishers who were either asking him questions or congratulating him on being cleared of all charges. He didn't want congratulations. So what if he had avoided going to Azkaban. If he had gone to Azkaban, he could have easily escaped the prison. That was not a big deal. Losing all his prestigious positions and titles was far worse than going to Azkaban. What good were congratulations, when they did nothing to help him ?
So, ignoring the well-wishers, he merely stared forward, waiting for Severus' trial to begin. He already knew that Severus would likely go to Azkaban. After all, he had been expecting it ever since he heard Severus had been arrested. Planning on how to get Severus out of Azkaban was only one of the many things he had to prepare for.
It was everything else had to prepare for that was far more important. He needed to prepare for the possibility that he would no longer be the Headmaster of Hogwarts. It would be a road-bump on the path to success, sure... but he would simply jump over it.
The Greater Good demanded it.
So, yeah. That happened. How many of you expected Albus to be cleared of all charges? The main reason Albus was cleared of the charges was because he had allies, friends and supporters in the Wizengamot who voted on his side. Also, his schemes with Severus – aka, Severus' witness statements – pretty much helped with the decision. Albus had counted on that, and it had worked. True, Albus may have been guilty of all those charges. But thanks to his supporters, he was cleared of all charges.
Next chapter: The School Governors. Minerva versus Albus for the prestigious position of Headmaster/Headmistress of Hogwarts. Who will get it? Also, Snape's fate is revealed. No, the actual trial won't be shown, just a small description.
Hope you liked this chapter!
