Chapter 6: The Ruling
Amelia turns to Bagnold, "The Prosecution has no further questions at this time." Amelia said.
"Do you have any questions for this witness Albus." Bagnold asked.
Albus clenched his fist under the desk, With him under the influence of Veritaserum any question I ask to try and deflect the blame from me will be responded with nothing but the truth…I can't risk it. Albus thought to himself, "No I do not…" he said through gritted teeth. He knew with that testimony Sirius would walk free today, All my plans, He growled silently.
"Administer the antidote Shacklebolt, and get those restraints off him Sirius Black has clearly been cleared of all charges against him." Amelia said.
The man nodded and removed Sirius' restraints before administering the antidote. Sirius blinked the expression returning to his face. He looked down to his now freed hands feeling his magic running through him once again, "What happened?"
"Your testimony just cleared you on all charges Sirius, you are a free man." Amelia said.
Sirius gasped looking to Remus who was beaming. Sirius left the stage and ran to his lover hugging the werewolf tightly. Amelia turned to the Bagnold, "The Prosecution would now like to call Minerva McGonagall to the stand."
Albus eyes widened as he whipped his head around seeing his Deputy Headmistress stand and begin making her way to the podium. As she passed Dumbledore she gave him a smirk that made him gape at her. She took the stand linking her hands in front of her. "Minerva McGonagall do you swear to take an Honor Oath risking your magic before this court."
"I do." Minerva replied firmly. Amelia held out a wand toward Minerva. Minerva picked up the wand with her right hand and pointed it straight up, "I, Minerva McGonagall, hereby swear on my magic to speak nothing but the truth before this court room today." The wand shot off multiple golden sparks. She the passed the wand back to Amelia before returning her hand to its original position.
"Minerva McGonagall," Amelia began, "Could you state for the court your occupation."
"Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Head of Gryffindor House, and Transfiguration Professor." She responded.
Amelia walked over to the prosecution table, she picked up a small box and came back over to Minerva. She popped open the box revealing a small orb, "Minerva can you tell me what this is?"
Minerva looked down raising an eyebrow, "It's a prophecy orb." She said. Albus flinched, How could they get that? No matter only the one stated in the prophecy can make it speak, He smirked.
"Indeed," Amelia said, "Take it Minerva."
McGonagall reaches out with her right hand and picks up the orb. To Albus' surprise the orb immediately lit up:
"Heed me Lioness:" a the raspy voice of her friend said, "The Master of Hogwarts will bring the Child of Prophecy much pain and sorrow. Stripping the child of the ability to recognize real love, grooming him to die at the hands of his enemy. The Lioness must make a choice: Obey the Master of Hogwarts or Spare the child from his suffering. Should the Lioness wish to spare the child take him to the treasures resting place. Should the Lioness succeed more than one Heir will be spared suffering. Heed Me Lioness."
The room gasped and Minerva placed the orb back in the box. Amelia closed the box and turned to the audience, "You all just heard a prophecy given to Minerva McGonagall by one Lucinda Dodonus, daughter of Tycho Dodonus."
Albus' face was contorted in fury, She told me Lucinda was a dead end, but she too received a prophecy…and she kept it from me! Damn you Minerva!
"As you heard," Amelia began, "The prophecy Minerva McGonagall received insinuates the Master or Hogwarts, or the Headmaster, would cause the 'Child of Prophecy' pain and suffering. However, this Prophecy does not clarify who the 'Child of Prophecy' is."
Albus smirked, None of them know about Sybil's Prophecy, and Severus won't say anything.
"We at the Auror Department looked into this alongside the Unspeakables in the Department of Mysteries and found a new Prophecy has indeed made an appearance within their Hall." Albus stiffened, "The Label on the prophecy shows the prophecy in question involves Harry James Potter and 'Lord Voldemort'. With this information we can deduce the 'Child of Prophecy' mentioned in the prophecy Minerva McGonagall received is in fact Harry James Potter."
There was a slam from back of the room, "You damn old man!" Sirius shouted as he was being held back by Remus, "What have you done to my Godson!" he struggled against Remus, "Let me go Remus!"
Albus narrowed his eyes at him, Like I'd tell you, he thought.
"Sirius Black!" Bagnold said banging her gavel, "You have been cleared of all charges, continue to make a ruckus and I will fine you!"
"I don't care!" He growled, "You make that bastard tell me where Harry is!"
"Sirius!" Minerva called, "Remain calm, Harry is safe."
Albus looked to her with a raised eyebrow. Amelia stepped up to Minerva, drawing her wand and waving it over Minerva's chest. The crowd gasped as they watched a spell dissolved, there sitting cupped in Minerva's left arm was Harry Potter. The boy was looking around as people stared at him. He pouted getting nervous at the sudden attention and clung to Minerva's robes. Cameras began flashing as soon as the boy became visible.
Albus slammed his hands on the table, "Minerva what have you done! You had no right!"
"She had every right Albus!" Amelia said, "As the Will of the late Lord and Lady Potter stated should anyone from the list of guardians not be able to take Harry into their care, guardianship would go to the next in line. As Sirius was indisposed and Alice Longbottom was in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Mungos, Minerva McGonagall was next in line as Harry's guardian so guardianship of Harry James Potter went straight to Minerva McGonagall, though she did not know it at the time when she intervened in your schemes to abandon Harry at the Dursley's in the middle of the night."
The court room felt a rush of magic, this time it wasn't Sirius, or Remus. Andromeda Tonks was now standing magic whipping around her, "You tried to leave Harry with those people?!" She growled.
Two aurors walked up to the woman as Bagnold banged her gavel, "Andromeda Tonks, control yourself immediately or I will have those Aurors restrain you!"
Andromeda's magic immediately calmed and she retook her seat her eyes still lit with a a cold fury as she glared at Dumbledore. Sirius smirked, Well she was originally a Black. We know how to hold a grudge.
Bagnold banged her gavel causing the, "Order!" she called, "I will have Order!" when the room quieted, "Madam Bones continue with your witness."
Amelia turned back to Minerva, "Lady McGonagall please tell us of the events that occurred on the night of November 1st, 1981."
Minerva smiled as she positioned Harry in her other arm, before beginning the tale of the night of how Albus attempted to abandon Harry on the Dursley's doorstep. She told them of how she watched the Dursley's all day and deemed they were not worthy of being Harry's caregivers, then how Albus suddenly arrived on the street. She told the court everything he told her that night. She ranted about how even after she informed him all about the Dursley's behavior he still insisted on leaving Harry with them. She then went on to talk of Hagrid's arrival with the boy and how Albus simply left Harry on the front step with nothing but a letter and without even ringing the doorbell.
"After Albus departed I doubled back and took the boy from the step before heading to my home." She exclaimed.
"So you chose to 'Spare the Child' as the prophecy put it?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, upon my arrival home I immediately submitted a request for a sabbatical and summoned Remus Lupin to my home to assist me in deciphering the rest of the prophecy said." Minerva continued, "It barely took Remus an hour after he arrived to deduce we needed to take the boy to Gringotts."
"The 'Treasures resting place'." Amelia said.
"Indeed. Once there we got in contact with Sir Ragnok the Potter Family account manager and he informed us of the Potter family Will. We reported this to you Amelia and here we are." Minerva said as Harry cooed in her arms.
"Thank you Minerva." Amelia turns to Bagnold, "The Prosecution rests Madam Bagnold. At this time I think it would be unwise to allow Albus Dumbledore the oppritunity to cross examine Minerva as she has defied him and is currently holding Harry Potter whom Albus has attempted to manipulate to his own ends."
"I concur!" Lord Greengrass called out.
"Agreed, don't let that monster near the boy!" the voice of Augusta Longbottom called from her seat in the stands.
Bagnold banged her gavel, "The members of the Wizengamot have spoken. Amelia have one of your Aurors escort Minerva and Heir Potter back to her seat. Albus, know if you make a single move toward them you will be on the receiving end of multiple stunners." She told the fuming old man.
Amelia nodded to Shacklebolt who stepped forward to guide Minerva back to her seat. He watched Dumbledore closely his hand ready to draw his wand should the man move for them as they passed him. The old mans usual kind face was distorted in rage as Minerva passed him. She held Harry close to her chest and watched him warily until they were safe behind the barricade.
She quickly made her way back to Sirius and Remus. The boy got excited as soon as they were close to his godfather, "Pa' Foo!" he cried reaching for him.
Minerva passed the boy to his godfather who hugged him close, "Yes Harry, Uncle Padfoot is here." He said as Andromeda and Ted rushed over to them hugging them both. The reporters in the room began snapping pictures of this touching moment.
Albus glared at them when Bagnold's gavel smacked again, "Everyone please return to your seats." She called. Everyone sat down as told. "It is time for our ruling. For the charge of Illegally administering of potions to students under your care while serving as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Those who find the defendant guilty raise your wand." Bagnold called out. Only nine wands were raised, "As it seems there was not sufficient evidence to render a guilty verdict, this charge is dropped." She banged her gavel.
Albus let out a sigh of relief. " For the charge of Knowingly blocking the reading of the Late Potter's will, using your position as Chief Warlock to seal the Ministry copy. Those who find the defendant guilty of this crime raise your wand." More than twenty raised their wands, "The defendant is found guilty." Bagnold bangs her gavel.
Albus eyes widen in horror, "For misusing his position Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is hereby stripped of his position as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot." She bangs her gavel, "For the charge of Obstruction of Justice, when you did not come forward with the information on who the Potter Family true Secret Keeper was. Those who find the defendant guilty of this crime raise your wand."
All but four raised their wands, "The defendant is found guilty, and is sentenced to five years in Azkaban." Albus' face was contorted in rage as the Minister bangs her gavel.
"Next for the crime, One count of attempted Line Theft, due to your choice to allow Sirius Black to take the fall for Pettigrew's actions and having Heir Black thrown in Azkaban without ever holding a trial, in doing so you unwittingly preventing Heir Black from taking up his role as Head of the Black family thus costing the Black family their heir. Those who find the defendant guilty of this crime raise your wand." Every pureblood member raised their wand, except for Lucius Malfoy, and more than half of half-blood members, "The defendant is found guilty, and is sentenced to five additional years in Azkaban." Bagnold bangs her gavel again.
"Next, one count of child endangerment. Those who find the defendant guilty of this crime raise your wand." Twenty-three wands were in the air. Bagnold bangs her gavel, "The defendant is found guilty, for this crime Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore will be removed from his post as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. If you will endanger a baby there is no telling what harm you could cause to a castle full of children." She bangs her gavel.
Albus shouts, "You can't do that!"
"I can and have!" Bagnold glares down at him, "Next, the charge of multiple counts of illegal use of Obliviations. Those who find the defendant guilty of this crime raise your wand." Only fourteen raised their wands. "As it seems there wasn't sufficient evidence from the prosecution, this charge is dropped." The gavel once again smacked the stand.
Albus let out a sigh of relief, "Finally, the charge of conspiracy to plot the death of the late Lord and Lady Potter. Those who find the defendant guilty of this crime raise your wand." Albus looked on in horror as all but three raised their wands, "The defendant is found guilty, for this crime, and sentence to thirty years in Azkaban. With that Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore has had his title as Chief Warlock revoked, and been removed as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and finally he is sentenced to a total of forty years in Azkaban. So mote it be!" Bagnold bangs her gavel, "This court is adjourned."
A/N: All those plans. Up in smoke. And the loss of two of his titles he so loves to add at the bottom of every letter he writes. Though I'm sure once the ICW hears about this he will be removed from that position as well. So What do you all think? Was Dumbledore punished severly enough? Or should I have been harsher? I'm glad to see everyone seems to enjoy this story so far. I'd also like to take this oppritunity to ask you all to please have a look at one of my other stories 'The Potter Matriarchy'. It is one of my newer stories were I have once again rewritten the entire story. I haven't gotten many reviews on that one yet and would love to see ya'lls responses.
Up Next: Sirius is taken to McGonagall Manor where he and Minerva must have a long talk on who will actually be taking charge of Harry's guardianship. Dumbledore pulls off an escape.