"Mister Creevey," Chief Warlock Fiawander said to start the hearing.
"Sir," Professor Flitwick said before Dennis could answer or even move. "We would like to offer Cameron Vall to give his testimony first since he is new here and uncertain of what will transpire. We also think his testimony will be highly… illuminating."
Fiawander gazed at Flitwick for almost thirty seconds before he said: "Mister Vall, please stand."
Cameron stood as requested. All eyes turned toward him, and Dennis instinctively felt the pressure such scrutiny could produce. However, Cameron appears very calm. He squarely met the stare of the Chief Warlock.
"Mister Vall, you are indeed central to these events and this hearing. I agree with Professor Flitwick that we can learn quite a bit from you. To that end, I am agreeing to let you give testimony at the start. Do you have any questions before you begin?" The elderly head of the august body stated in what amounted to a friendly manner.
"No, I'm pretty sure of what's going on. Magic from what I can see doesn't really change people… or what's inside of them," Cameron said.
Eyebrows rose with his words.
"Very well. Mister Vall, please bear in mind you are honor-bound to speak only the truth. Deception is not treated lightly, and perjury even more so. Do I have your word all you say here will be of the utmost veracity?"
"Um, yes. I will tell the truth," Cameron said and gazed so fiercely at the Chief Wizard Dennis wanted to break out in a cheer. "Besides, the truth is a lot stranger than anything I could make up."
Several within the Wizengamot snickered until Fiawander tapped his wand several times. After which he returned the direct stare to Cameron and asked: "Mister Vall, can you please explain to us how you discovered Mister Creevey to be a wizard?"
"'Cause I love him and was worried about him," the lone muggle in the dock well said without hesitation.
"Can you elaborate? Details would be appreciated," The Chief Warlock requested.
Once again, witches and wizards in every manner of dress carefully watched Cameron as if he might suddenly transfigure himself or prove to be a secret animagus. Those dressed in austere black robes, and particularly those in the severe maroon ones, appeared to lean forward as if to catch his words.
"I never would've figured out he's a wizard, sir. Denny… he never did any magic in front of me that I could see or tell," the apprentice plumber from Nottingham began. "Wasn't 'til I started following him to the train station that I saw anything."
"You followed him?" A voice from the Wizengamot gallery asked.
"Sure. I was worried 'bout him walking through the streets at night all alone. He said it was too much of a bother for me to go with him when he'd head home. Still, I went trotting after Denny to make sure he'd be safe 'cause Nottingham can be a bit rough at times," Cameron said and began his testimony in earnest.
Although Dennis knew every reason why Cameron followed him, it still warmed him to think the young man cared deeply enough to trail him in secret. He did not take it as a suspicious act on Cameron's part. His boyfriend acted out of an abundance of concern and love. Dennis clung to the idea.
For nearly an hour Cameron told his story, sometimes interrupted by a question from the Chief Warlock or the Wizengamot. He detailed the pains he went through to make sure Dennis did not see him, and reiterated his motives centered on Dennis' safety. With wide eyes, the Nottingham resident told of the first time he saw his boyfriend disapparate in an alley well outside the view of anyone not actively trying to find him. He spoke in awe of watching a human being fold up into himself like a Gordian knot consuming itself. Cameron stated he did not believe his own eyes and never raised the issue with Dennis for fear Dennis would think him mad. Honesty and sincerity oozed from Cameron.
"And yet you continued to follow him? Why?" Another member of the Wizengamot, one dressed maroon, inquired.
"Same reasons. I didn't want him to get hurt. You know we got jumped one time walking back from a pub to my flat by some blokes looking to pick a fight with anyone who even sounded gay?" Cameron said, and Dennis thought it brilliant how he raised the issue of that event. "I mean, I know now Dennis did something to his hands to help him knock those assholes out…"
"Mister Vall," Fiawander warned him.
"Yeah, right, sorry 'bout that, but what would you call 'em?" He countered and shrugged as if the label could not be disputed. "There we were minding our own business, sharing an umbrella, and trying to get out of the rain. Up they come saying we've got to pay them in order to walk on the street. It was pretty clear they was looking for a reason to start throwing punches. Dennis saved both of us, and I know your rules say he can use magic in spots like that. 'Cept I never even once suspected or knew he used magic. Just thought really knew how to throw an uppercut."
People appeared to hang onto his every word. Some chuckled when he described the situation and Dennis' actions. Of course, Dennis knew muggles did not testify at the Ministry very often, if ever, so it made for a rather unusual event even by by magi standards. He felt himself smirking at the memory of the altercation.
Cameron seemed to be charming the people in the gallery. He continued with his tale of how he finally discovered Dennis' magical secret after seeing him disapparate several more times. Finally, Cameron admitted he could no longer keep the information to himself and confronted Dennis about what he witness. Dennis, he said, tried in every way to deny anything odd or untoward took place and that Cameron might need to get his eyes check. However, Cameron listed the places and times when Dennis performed the feat. In his telling, Cameron gradually backed Dennis into a corner out of which the young wizard could not escape.
"Listen, if I only saw it once or twice, I might think maybe I had a fever that night or one too many pints," Cameron told the assembled. "But I saw him do that a bunch of time… just… turn inside out into the air and disappear. I waited four times to see if he would come back, but he never did. Then, that got me to thinking about some of the things he told me about in his life, and… not that it didn't add up, but what it added up to was kind of… off."
"For example?" The Chief Warlock prompted.
"Well, the school he went to."
"He told you about Hogwarts?"
"No, he never mentioned the name. Just that it was a private school in Scotland somewhere. He told me about ghosts once, but I thought he was just having one on me. Did you know he's friends with a whole lot of them?" The young man stated in an excited manner.
Several of those in the stands smirked at Cameron's enthusiasm. Fiawander assured Cameron they knew about Dennis' association with the departed at Hogwarts. Many eyes turned to stare at Dennis. Once again, the questions regarding Peeves and Thomas hung unsaid in the air. The vow wiggled his brain. He knew if he refused to tell a man who came close to killing him, Dennis would never tell the Ministry or anyone else about either of his spectral friends.
Dennis listened with renewed interest as Cameron spoke about the night his boyfriend finally revealed the truth. By that point, Cameron said he willingly accepted the facts due to what he saw over the course of several weeks. When Dennis gave him the small demonstration with his wand, the act that drew the attention of the aurors and ultimately led to the hearing, Cameron stated it did not come as a shock to him. Rather, it seemed to explain so much about the young man with whom he fell deeply in love.
"I know you're worried about me, someone not a wizard knowing this, but that sort of brings up what's between me and Dennis. I'm not a threat to him… or to you. I haven't told a soul about what I know, and I've had a lot of time to do that. Doesn't that tell you about my intentions?" Cameron explained, and it sounded as if he reached his conclusion.
"For the present moment, it tells us a great deal, Mister Vall. It is clear you're a person of character and conscience, and that you care for Mister Creevey quite a bit," the Chief Warlock said without sounding condescending. "However, it is tomorrow or the next day, the next month or year, when your affections for him run thin that concerns us. There is no guarantee you can give or make to assure us you will keep your silence on this matter."
Cyrus Fiawander threw a spanner into the works of Cameron's testimony. Regardless of the heartfelt and honest nature he presented, no one could say what the future would hold. Dennis remained very cognizant of that fact. He also knew, after hours and hours of planning with Professor Flitwick, it would likely prove the chink in the armor of their defense.
"Funny that," Cameron spoke up.
"Funny what, Mister Vall?" The Chief Warlock inquired.
"You worry 'bout me, but what about all these people here? What about you? What if your egg cracked and you went running around blabbing to the world everything you know? You can't give us a guarantee you won't. Can you?" The muggle giving testimony deftly countered.
Dennis and Professor Flitwick shared a glance of surprise at the astounding tactic Cameron apparently concocted on the spot. However, as Dennis returned his attention to the Wizengamot as they harrumphed and sputtered at Cameron's supposition, he saw the Chief Warlock narrow his eyes. It seemed he expected the muggle boyfriend of a wizard to be cowed by the people and setting in which he found himself. However, they never counted on the fact Cameron found it all amazing, interesting, and downright wondrous his boyfriend turned out to be a wizard.
"We have rules in place to govern our people," Fiawander rejoined.
"I've seen your newspapers, and I'd say not everyone follows 'em. You've got all sorts of rule breakers, sir, if you don't my me saying. Maybe you think you can't trust me 'cause you can't trust your own."
The silence that swept the hall felt deadly to Dennis. What sounded like two pieces of parchment beign rubbed together hovered somewhere far behind him. Regardless, Cameron stayed conservative regarding what he knew. Dennis told him several choice stories about what he encountered in his job, and those people clearly violated wizarding law. However, the Ministry never seemed to mind the minor malcontents and troublemakers within their midst. They tended to look for the worst sort dark magic users. It again begged the question of why they decided to single him out for prosecution.
"This is not a point we're here to discuss, Mister Vall," the Chief Warlock quickly dismissed that point. "Now, if you have no other testimony to offer, you may resume your seat."
Cameron looked to Dennis and the professor. Both twitched their heads back and forth. The young man of muggle origin displayed his worth as a witness and managed to strike a blow for their side. Dennis hoped they could continue to sway the Wizengamot by providing repeated examples of unequal treatment. However, Cameron shook his head, and then returned to the seat next to professor Flitwick.
"We thank Mister Vall for his courtesy, candor, and willingness to take part in this hearing," Cyrus Fiawander said and tipped his head in Cameron's direction. "Now, we come to the other half of this equation: Mister Creevey."
"Sir?" Dennis said and stood.
"You may remain seated, Mister Creevey," the old man said and waved him down with a hand. "Is there any part of Mister Vall's statements you wish to amend?"
"He was speaking for himself, sir. I don't think I should put words in his mouth."
"Very well. Please, then, could you explain the evolution of your relationship with him, Mister Creevey?"
"Yeah," Dennis said and cleared his throat. "It got started when I went to Nottingham to search their records about Lord North, Ninth Earl of Nottingham."
He gave a quick summary of meeting Cameron in the Lion's Rose in Nottingham during a research trip, how they immediately hit it off, and the fact they went home together that evening. Some in the Wizengamot presented sour faces, and Dennis could not tell if their reaction stemmed from the fact two gay men got attracted to one another or if the wizard-muggle pairing upset them. Dennis, however, did not relent. He described how each time he went to Nottingham he met with Cameron, and their relationship steadily grew. Dennis explained what he thought of Cameron as a person and what attracted him to the young man. It ranged well beyond the physical and far into the emotional and psychological. From the corner of his eye, he saw the smile on his boyfriend's face as he spoke. Just on the edge of his hearing, Dennis noticed a very faint abrading noise.
"You seem quite deeply attached to him," the Chief Warlock commented, "and, from the looks of it, the affection is reciprocated."
"You bet it is!" Cameron loudly blurted.
"Mister Vall!"
"Sorry," he mumbled. "Just sort of slipped out."
"We are not here to gauge the depth or even value of the relationship between the two of you, except that it lead to a violation of the secrecy statute," Fiawander said in a not-too-pleased tone.
"Excuse me," Professor Flitwick said and stood up in the small dais supplied for him.
"Professor?" The Chief Warlock intone and nodded his head in the direction of the diminutive man.
"For the record, does a violation of the International Statute on Wizarding Secrecy only occur through the use of magic in front of the non-magical, excluding squibs?" The professor clearly enunciated his question.
"No, of course not. It is a violation to reveal the identity or truth of witches and wizards, the magical world in general, to any non-muggle person or persons," Cyrus Fiawander stated in such a manner that it sounded as if he read from a textbook. "As you well know, the statute clearly states 'Should any such creature cause harm to, or draw the notice of, the Muggle community, that nation's wizarding governing body will be subject to discipline by the International Confederation of Wizards.' It's quite clear."
"And this applies to all witches and wizards?"
"Professor Flitwick, you know very well it does. What is the point of your questions?"
Chief Warlock Fiawander sounded agitated. Dennis tried to hide his smirk and proved mostly successful. At the same, Professor Flitwick moved around from the behind the table to stand in full view of Wizengamot, although his head barely crested the height of the tabletop. Dressed in a nicer version of his strange formal attire, he exuded a sense of presence that managed to silence the hall. Once again, Dennis knew he chose the correct path when he asked his friend and mentor to help with his case.
"The point of my questions is that neither this august body nor the Auror's Office applies this law fairly to all witches and wizards. For that matter, it looks as if Dennis Creevey was singled out by the Ministry of Magic. This is not a prosecution: this is a persecution," the Hogwarts instructor clearly intoned.
A small set of gasps rang through the assembled, and even Cyrus Fiawander appeared taken aback by statements. Professor Flitwick did not move or break his eye contact with the Chief Warlock. It suddenly made perfect sense to Dennis why the professor wanted Cameron to testify before him. The little man seemed far cagier than anyone would likely suspect.
"I'm sorry, Professor, but that is an unsupportable assertion," Fiawander replied.
"Oh, we have ample evidence the Ministry is very selective regarding who it decides is in violation of the statute… and who isn't. In some cases the Ministry is blatant in favoritism regarding certain officials. Further…"
"You say you have evidence? I think it best if you present this evidence first before continuing with your line of accusation since you are moving headlong into slander, Professor Flitwick!" The Chief Warlock demanded.
"Very well," Flitwick said and turned toward the table. He grabbed one set of photographs produced by the glasses Dennis invented. The turned and held them aloft. "This is Jonah Balaenopter. He is in charge of one of the maintenance crews for the Flue Network. With him is a young woman named… Piper Ricardo. In the second photograph, we can see that Jonah displays a very visible aura of magical energies. Miss Ricardo does not. She is clearly a muggle. Now, my question is why is this kissing couple in Diagon Alley?"
Startled murmurs shot up through the gallery of people.
"Please present these photos," Fiawander barked.
Professor Flitwick pulled out his wand, barely uttered a whisper while flicking the stick of wood, and sent the pictures sailing gently through the air to the Chief Warlock. The elderly man snatched them out of the air. After studying them for a second, he glared at the professor.
"Yes, where did we get these," Professor Flitwick addressed the unasked question. "Mister Creevey is exceptionally skilled at charms. Truly, one of the best students I ever had the pleasure to instruct, and he took it upon himself to devise a set of special… well, glasses. These Aural Picto-Glasses allow the wearer to see the magical aura that surrounds witches and wizards. Quite fascinating, really, and a lovely bit of magic. Now, Dennis went a step further and found a means for the glasses to retain snapshots of the images one sees through the lens…"
"Where are these glasses?" The Chief Warlock all but hollered.
"Here is a pair you may examine."
Professor Flitwick levitated the item to the man sitting high above the others.
"Now, slip them on and look around," the professor instructed. Surprisingly, Fiawander followed the command. "You will see anyone who is magi clearly enshrouded by their intrinsic magic field. Where as Mister Vall and Dennis' mother, Missus Creevey, are completely devoid of the magical aura."
Cyrus Fiawander leaned forward. He then slid the augmented sunglasses up and down his nose as he peered around. Dennis thought the man appeared simultaneously angry, confused, and worried. Following half a minute, the man took them off, set them on his desk, and scowled at everyone. A slight scratching sound hovered in the background.
"This is clearly a misuse of a muggle artifact…"
"In the same way Morpheus Spectacles are a misuse of muggle eyewear?" Professor Flitwick interjected. "Or magicked cauldrons, spoons, brooms, clocks…"
"You've made your point," the Chief Warlock snapped at him. "However, this is clearly a violation of personal priva…"
"There is no expectation of privacy when in public spaces, Chief Warlock. Both magic and muggle law is quite clear on that matter, or else aurors would never be allowed to do their jobs," the professor said while snagging a sheet of paper from the table behind him. "I believe you, yourself, in1978 argued to the Wizengamot that – let's see – yes and I quote, privacy in public realms is an absurd principle since it would require everyone to be blind and deaf to everything around them."
Like most authority figures, Cyrus Fiawander clearly did not enjoy hearing his words used against him. Dennis never knew Professor Flitwick completed so much research regarding his case and to the depths he plumbed. He also thought in roundabout terms regarding how the Wizengamot, and Cyrus Fiawander in specific, would approach their so-called fact finding mission. The tiny man began to reveal the thin veneer of the matter being a simple hearing.
"And since the charms placed on those glasses do not physically affect either the wearer or the person being viewed, or produce any effect whatsoever except in the pictures it creates, and cannot be classified as dark magic as such, the Aural Picto-Glasses do not fully fit under the misuse use of muggle artifacts provisions found in the Protection of Muggles Act," Professor Flitwick laid out another piece of logic.
All the heads in the Wizengamot turned from staring at the professor and cast their eyes on the Chief Warlock. Dennis watched with the same fascination he would a Doctor Who teleplay presented on his father's television. Minds much keener than his wrangled over subtle details that would go overlooked under his ministrations.
"I would like to see more examples of this supposed evidence. We will only accept it as provisional until these… whatever you called them glasses can be validated as functioning as you claim," Chief Warlock Fiawander grumbled.
"Of course, of course. There is one set I think you'll find very interesting… is the third stack coming toward you," the charms professor said as he sent one set of photographs after another flying toward the Chief Warlock. "This involves Cassandra Clavis…"
"You are a liar!" A man yelled while jumping to his feet, his face as red as the robes he wore.
"Mister Clavis, decorum please," Fiawander called one of the ranks of the Wizengamot to order.
"This… this man is perpetuating a lie!" Rafferty Clavis shouted and turned the word man into a slur.
"Professor Flitwick hasn't even made any claims yet?"
The atmosphere in the entire hall grew incredibly tense. Dennis felt it pressing around him from every side. Many of the members of the Wizengamot whispered to themselves. The man named Rafferty Clavis looked exceptionally panicked. Everyone knew he made a mistake with his reaction in that it all but confirmed Professor Flitwick's unspoken accusation. He slowly sank down to his spot on the bench.
"Professor Flitwick," the Chief Warlock returned his attention to the professor. "Should this device work as you say it does and these pictures can be authenticated, are you claiming each of these persons is guilty of violating the secrecy statute?"
"Yes. The photo of Miss Clavis was taken at the secret entrance of St. Mungo's where she is currently employed. The man she is hugging is clearly non-magical," the professor began the real accusation. "As you can see, the doorway is completely revealed, and that can only happen if someone used the correct spell. She must have performed it in front him, or at least exposed that man to it when someone else entered. Does this not constitute a violation of the statute?"
Cyrus Fiawander looked put upon.
"We documented thirty-two cases of magi-muggle couples, some of whom appear to be married, in which the muggle is exposed to the existence of magic. It also argues the partner is aware of the witch or wizard status of their… mate."
"It would indeed," the Chief Warlock quietly agreed.
"So, I put it to the Wizengamot: why is Dennis Creevey being persecuted for a violation of the international statute when none of these others suffered the same fate? What crime did Dennis commit that is more grossly offensive than what these people did? We already know he went to lengths to the conceal the truth of his wizarding ability, but Mister Vall showed a tenacity and intelligence Dennis did not – could not – foresee," the professor went further in stating Dennis' defense.
"But do you deny Mister Creevey did, indeed, violate the statute?" The man sitting at the high desk questioned in return.
"Only after Mister Vall already deduced the facts. Dennis did not reveal anything."
"Except that he allowed Mister Vall to track his location and witness his disapparation."
"I think saying he allowed it is a bit of a stretch!" Professor Flitwick huffed.
"Sir," the Chief Warlock called him to order.
"Yes, Warlock Fiawander, but then can we also assume the people we witnessed allowed themselves to be captured in photographic evidence?"
The Wizengamot acted as though they watched a tennis match. Their heads jerked from side to side as the two parties, Chief Warlock Fiawander and Professor Flitwick, debated the issue. Dennis did the same. He could tell what the Chief Warlock meant to prove, but he fully understood the defense presented by his friend. The young wizard in the dock knew his mentor to be an extremely clever man, yet seeing Professor Filius Flitwick in action gave him increased and renewed respect for the mind inside the head with slicked back hair. Without realizing it, Dennis raised his hand as certain thoughts stampeded through his head.
"Mister Creevey, you wish to add something?" The Chief Warlock's question rang through the hall.
"What?" Dennis blurted and felt himself start when he saw the position of his hand. "Um… yes. Well, I basically have a question about something… I don't really understand."
"Proceed," Fiawander told him.
"Why don't I ever get into trouble for using magic in front of my parents? They're both muggles. Doesn't that count as a violation?"
"Mister Creevey, do you really think we can go around arresting every muggle-born witch or wizard who used magic in front of their parents?"
"Yes," Dennis flatly answered, "if the law is as strict as you claim it is. My parents have seen loads more magic from me that Cameron ever did. Aren't you afraid they're going to expose the wizarding world? What about all the other muggle parents… like Miss Granger's?"
"Are you suggesting we should charge you and arrest your mother?" The old man babbled his question in clear disbelief.
"Then you make exceptions to the rule?"
"You are advocating we destroy families!" Said the Chief Warlock in a stunned voice.
"No. I love my parents and would fight anyone who tried to harm them," Dennis declared. "But it just seems to me there's a lot of exceptions to the rule. What about those people we caught doing things worse than I ever did? Are you going to try them the same way you are me?"
"This is not a trial, Mister Creevey!"
"But the next one will be, and don't tell me it won't. I can already see a bunch of those people in the Wizengamot already made up their minds," Dennis countered and pointed to the gallery at the fair end of the room. "So, are you going to go after those people like you did me?"
"This is ridiculous, Cyrus! My daughter did nothing wrong!" Rafferty Clavis yelled.
"Except expose the magic world to a muggle," Professor said in a direct, simple manner. "How long has your daughter been seeing this man, Mister Clavis."
The Chief Warlock frowned and said: "The Clavis' are not the subject of this hearing, Professor."
"No, they're not, but what about equal application of the law?"
"Before we answer that question, let's get an answer to another," Fiawander shot back and shifted around in his seat. "Mister Creevey, did you or did you not perform a spark spell in front of Mister Vall?"
"Ah, yeah, I did, but Cam already knew I was a wizard?" Dennis replied.
"Then Mister Vall directly said, in no uncertain terms, that he knows you are, in fact, a full-fledged wizard?"
"What?" The wizard at the center of the hearing mumbled in confusion.
"Mister Vall," the Chief Warlock turned his attention to the non-magical man. "Did you say to Mister Creevey you knew him to be a wizard?"
"I told him he could do some incredible things I never saw any other person do. Called it magic," Cameron answered in a nervous voice.
"Did you ever once utter the word wizard? Or sorcerer… enchanter? Did you ever specifically place a label on Mister Creevey's abilities?"
"I don't understand what you're asking me."
"Chief Warlock," Professor Flitwick tried to intercede.
"Please, Professor, hold you questions. What I am asking Mister Creevey and Mister Vall is vital to this hearing in establishing exactly what Mister Vall knew at the time Mister Creevey cast a spell in front of him," Fiawander cut him off. His eyes shifted back to Cameron. "Mister Vall, did you ever, before Mister Creevey performed that spell, call him a wizard?"
"No," Cameron truthfully if quietly answered in the hall brimming with silence.
"Did you call him a magician?"
"No."
"Or a sorcerer?"
"No."
"Who, then, first spoke the word wizard?" Chief Warlock Fiawander pressed.
"I guess Denny called himself that," Cameron stated while staring at an empty spot on the floor.
"I see. Did he call himself that before or after he gave you a demonstration of his powers?"
"I honestly don't remember."
"Understandable given the circumstances," the old man droned, and then his head twitched a little to the side. "Mister Creevey, I present the same question to you."
"It was after," Dennis recalled in a trembling voice.
"Chief Warlock, I am not certain I understand the distinction you're trying to make," Professor Flitwick interjected.
Cyrus Fiawander again adjusted his sitting position and leaned forward before he said: "I am establishing that Mister Vall did not fully know, in fact, Mister Creevey to be a wizard. In both word and deed Mister Creevey revealed himself while Mister Vall only had speculation. Thus, his actions are in direct violation of the secrecy statute in two different forms. That is the distinction I am trying to draw."
The silence in the hall, except the scratching noise, compounded on itself while all eyes turned to the professor. Dennis saw the way the man's ample eyebrows nearly knitted themselves together in both obvious consternation and while he thought. Despite the anger and fear brewing in his gut, he found the manner in which the Chief Warlock turned the matter on its head rather impressive. It provided a clear example of why he held the high chair.
"Is calling him a wizard really that important?" Cameron asked with being recognized by the Chief Warlock.
"Mister Vall, in our world words are very important. The manner in which a witch or wizard incants a spell, the way they pronounce and inflect a word, directly affects what the spell does. Our words convey specific intentions that we must always be cognizant of lest others come to harm," Fiawander explained.
Dennis knew his stared in terrified amazement of the answer, and he saw Cameron register the same reaction. However, something in what the Chief Warlock said did not sound entirely honest or logical. He frowned and raised his hand. Fiawander nodded to him.
"Chief Warlock, you're saying that even though Cam saw me do magic several times and knows I have… abilities, the fact he didn't use the word wizard before I said it what makes this a crime?" He inquired.
"What makes it a crime is you broke the spirit of the law…"
"Spirit of the law?" Filius Flitwick spat. "Now people can be found guilty for violating that?"
"It is a question of intent!" The Chief Warlock nearly yelled.
"Yeah, this is exactly what Voldemort would do," Dennis said loud enough so a good number of people in the gallery gasped at the statement.
"Excuse me, young man?" Fiawander rumbled in a dangerous manner.
Dennis glanced from side to side. The dark wood of the half-walls, balusters, and rails gleamed in the light thrown by a hundred large candles floating high overheard. The yellow light reflected off the polished marble floor laid out in an intricate design. He could hear breathing, but mostly Dennis felt the eyes of dozens of people staring at him.
"This is the type of stuff Voldemort did," he loudly repeated. "He twisted words… logic to prove someone guilty… usually people who wouldn't support him. Voldemort accused muggle-born and half-muggles of stealing wands. That Umbridge lady sat right where you are and talked about purity of magic blood the same way you're talking about the spirit of the law. You're using it as weapon to get people to do what you want."
This time Dennis did more than hint at a comparison to the kangaroo courts contrived by the self-styled Lord Voldemort, and it made an impact on those sitting in judgment of him. Dennis suspected it would be common knowledge they all knew he suffered under the headmistress tenure of Dolores Umbridge and that his brother died fighting the forces of Voldemort. Thus, his working knowledge of Voldemort and his cronies surpassed theirs.
"And what is it you think we want from you?" The Chief Warlock asked in a haughty manner.
"You think I know secrets about Peeves the Poltergeist and Lord Thomas North… a wizard nobleman killed by another wizard hired by muggles," and Dennis let those facts settle into the room for a few moments. "The Aurors' Office has been all over me about those two, even before that Kapékítrinos guy tried to kill me. I don't know what he thought I had, but at least he was more honest about it than you are right now! How many other people have you had hearings on who broke the spirit of the law?"
Dennis cast his gaze from one end of the Wizengamot assemblage to the other. A fair number of them refused to meet his gaze. Although Professor Flitwick warned him to use that argument only in the most desperate of situations, the words forced themselves out of his mouth. The Vow he made with Peeves wormed around in brain, as it always did whenever he thought too closely about his knowledge of the spirit.
"Mister Creevey, it seems your grossly overstate the situation in this case," the Chief Warlock told him.
"Is he?" The professor challenged. "You are using the weight of your office and that of Ministry to prosecute one person who's… romantic partner discovered the truth. What sort of threat do you think Dennis or Cameron Vall presents to us? Are you that afraid of one young man?"
"Since Mister Creevey raised the issue, how much better would we be if someone considered the threat He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named posed when he was a young man?"
"That's a false equivalency and you know it," Flitwick angrily countered. "Nothing Dennis ever did shows even the slightest hint of dark magic. He works as a rubbish collector for Merlin's sake. You think he's trying to overthrow the magical world by poking around in people's trash? To carry your ridiculous comparison out, Voldemort was already deep in Eastern Europe seeking out exceptionally dark powers at the same age as Dennis is now!"
Since his death, the history of Thomas Riddle, who called himself Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord, became widely known and researched. Dennis got forced to sit through the history of dark magic, now compulsory at all schools of magic in England, and reminded on a daily basis of what those practices personally cost him. The mere idea he would seek out dark magic after losing his brother in the war became so repellent in his mind that he wanted to exit the hearing chamber. Gall filled him.
"Fine!" Dennis exclaimed. "You want me to admit I broke statute, I confess, but you need to go after those people the same way you came after me. I want to read about it in The Daily Prophet. I want to see you hand out the same sentences Cam and I get. I want to hear you say every single one of them broke the spirit of the law… and obliviate their muggle partners! I want it to be fair and equal to what you're doing to me!"
Dennis glared at the Chief Warlock. Fiawander appeared shocked at Dennis' words. The Wizengamot sat stock still, apparently waiting on the words of Cyrus Fiawander. In the background, Dennis heard the very faint tell-tale sound of quills on paper. He never once entertained the notion reporters might cover the event even though he knew the law considered such hearings a public affair. Rafferty Clavis' reaction immediately made more sense since it would be reported his daughter got accused of the same supposed crime, but on a broader scale. He already tried to initiate form of damage control, as likely did the Chief Warlock.
"If the evidence you presented bears up under scrutiny, then we will definitely proceed with a full investigation," Fiawander remarked. "However, did I hear you correctly when you said you'll admit to your violation?"
"No, I said I'd confess. I'm not guilty of anything a bunch of other people have done that you're ignoring." Dennis replied as his ire grew. Professor Flitwick advised him to never concede guilt as it would force the Wizengamot to make a final determination. "I want to confess just to get this over with. It seems like the least painful way."
One of the few truly interesting subjects in the History of Magic taught by Professor Binns at Hogwarts could be found in the witch trials stemming from the early fourteenth to the middle seventeenth centuries. The period of Inquisitions proved morbidly fascinating and quite instructive regarding the violent overreaction of muggles to magic. Dennis, after hearing the mini lecture on the importance of words by the Chief Warlock, he realized he needed more than just the specter of Lord Voldemort. He knew the word confess carried a particularly heavy weight in the magical world. Dennis used that weight as best he could.
"Mister Creevey, your flair for the dramatic notwithstanding…"
"Flair for the dramatic? How much more dramatic is it that you're going to erase part of Cam's mind?" Dennis again interjected, and he gave up any pretense he intended to follow the rules of decorum for the court as he fought to preserve his boyfriend. "Isn't it bad enough the muggles used to hunt us? Now you've got us hunting them!"
The Wizengamot erupted into shouts of complaint and a need for order on the part of the witness. The mix of Lord Voldemort and the Inquisitions proved extremely potent. It offended the sensibilities of the magical mind in that no one wanted to be counted among either party. Dennis glanced at Professor Flitwick, and the tiny man appeared equally as stunned. A small grin, however, got etched across his lips when he turned to face Dennis. The Chief Warlock banged his wand on the lectern and shouted for order and silence. Red sparks flew out of the end like a Guy Fawkes fireworks display. It took over a minute before some semblance of order got restored.
"I am warning you right now, Mister Creevey, that I will not have the integrity of this hearing impugned by your imagined slights!" The Chief Warlock rumbled.
His words got met by the sound of quills scribbling away on parchment. The warning arrived too late from Cyrus Fiawander. Dennis saw him gaze at the back of the gallery seats. The man swallowed several times.
"I understand you feel put upon, but we are investigating a serious matter in which you played a significant role. As you stated, it falls to us to investigate the evidence you presented and conduct proper hearings. However, the allusions and allegations you are making are not helping. I would ask you to desist from such… hyperbole."
"I don't even know what that word means, Chief Warlock," Dennis confessed.
"It means to speak in exaggerated terms simply to get a reaction out of people. You are wildly overstating circumstantial aspects," the elderly man explained.
"I don't think I am."
"Then we disagree, but you can see the disruptive effect your words are having on the proceedings. I wish to reduce that so we many conclude our business here," Fiawander flatly stated.
Dennis nodded his head.
"Mister Creevey, do you accept the basic facts as we've covered here?"
"What facts?"
"That you did knowingly admit to Mister Vall your wizardhood and did perform magic before a muggle, all in contravention of the International Statute on Wizarding Secrecy," said the Chief Warlock in a measured and stately manner as if the previous ten minutes never happened.
"Yeah, I admit I confirmed what Cam already knew, and then I performed a spell right after that," Dennis rejoined and rephrased the statement. "And I don't think the statute really applied at that time."
The Chief Warlock's face set into hard lines. His eyes glinted in a dangerous fashion that could be seen throughout the chamber. Dennis understood he foiled the man's attempt to get him to confess to a crime. However, hours and hours of grilling by Professor Flitwick made him ready and wary of such tactics. He stood facing the Wizengamot with what he considered a clean conscience.
"Do the members of the Wizengamot wish to asked any further questions?" The leader of the conclave inquired.
No one raised a hand or spoke. Quite a few stared at Dennis with stern expressions. A smaller portion refused to even look at him, especially Deputy Minister Clavis. It seemed as if the air started to leak out of the room. Cyrus Fiawander let his eyes sweep the room one last time.
"Well very. I now adjourn this hearing and will await the Wizengamot in private chambers," the Chief Warlock declared and banged his wand once.
The Wizengamot rose as if remotely controlled. They filed out of their end of the gallery through the door by which they arrived. The small number of spectators also stood. Dennis stood as well. A minion of the court arrived and told Dennis and Cameron they should wait until formally dismissed by the Wizengamot in case they need further clarifications. Dennis then joined Cameron and Professor Flitwick as they exited the chamber floor. They waited for Dennis' mother to join them. From there they made their way to the long, black marble hallway.
"So… that's it?" Jill Creevey exclaimed when they walked toward the lift.
"It seems so," Professor Flitwick replied, but he did not sound encouraging.
"What about all them pictures Dennis took?" She continued.
"I'm fairly certain once the aurors examine the Aural Picto-Glasses and find they really do work, they'll begin investigations into those other people. The Daily Prophet will make some to-do about this if they've nothing else to report," the short man said.
"What are they doing now? Those people in the black and red robes?" Cameron inquired while his hand sought out Dennis'.
"They now deliberate and decide if Dennis' actions warrant charges. I believe, however, they are in a bit of a quandary as one of their own is probably facing a similar investigation. They will find it difficult to condemn Dennis while trying to go easy on Cassandra Clavis and the rest."
"Why'd they get so angry at the end? I don't understand everything that happened," the male muggle pressed the topic.
"I basically said they were acting like Voldemort and the Inquisitions that burned witches and wizards at the stake. They don't want people to think of them like that," Dennis summarized the reactions.
"And that was well done, my boy. It certainly put doxie in their closet!" Professor Flitwick chimed.
"I still don't know how they're going find," Mrs. Creevey stated.
The professor did not lead them to the lifts, but rather turned down a hall bearing a dark enameled plaque indicating the waiting room lay in that direction. Dennis found it wholly unfair to keep the waiting room so far from the main chamber. The walk from the lift inspired a low-grade terror, and any trek longer than that might be debilitating. It did not seem too far a leap in logic to conclude the Ministry desired such a reaction.
"Since they did not get a full or real confession out of Dennis, I am willing to bet they bring charges and will request a trial. I don't think it matters whether Dennis is found innocent or guilty: they need to bring charges in order to save face. However, I believe the press is going to be quite critical when they do. Dennis gave them far too much ammunition to aim at the Ministry," the professor concluded for them.
"So… what's going to happen to me?" Cameron asked with justified panic in his voice.
Dennis stared at his boyfriend and felt his eyes begin to sting.