If you like what you see and what more please Follow and Favorite my work. It would mean the world to me, thanks!
Also you can find advance chapters, commissioned art, and more bonus content on my page at www Pa/ treon /Mark_Ward
Your support would go a long way in helping a small time author, thanks!
Chapter 96: Death Eater Trial Pt. 1
Tobias turned to the chamber at large and nearly everyone recoiled back in feat under his gaze, finally, then his eyes landed on Harry or in a more approximate area. But Harry knew the man had his sights upon him and to prove it...
"And you," the man repeated as he pointed his finger at him.
Sighing Harry wondered why him, why couldn't he just be left alone for once in his life.
Anyways there went his plan of stealthy getting away once shit hit the fan, he would be target number one if Tobias could have it his way.
"Who me?" Harry asked as he looked around, then turning to face the person seated right next to him, he whispered conspiratorially though his voice still did care in the silent chamber. "I think that sour puss balding man is talking about you, mate! What in Merlin's name does he want with you. Did you kill his cat, it really looks like you did to me with how screwed up his face is."
There were a few awkward coughs, and chuckles being barely held back. The poor man next to him scuttled away from him, as if not wanting to have anything to do with him.
Harry could understand, if he was him, he wouldn't want to have anything to do with me!
"You think you are funny, Potter. Let's see you joking when I have you on your knees before me."
"Talk about ego issues," Harry whispered to the middle aged woman on his left, "do you think he is trying to make up for something?"
Even though Harry was making jokes he was already thinking of plans to get himself out of this situation as his eyes darted about. Already he came up with 52 different plans in the span of moments, 90% of which weren't feasible and was impossible to achieve, 9% would see him dead outright, but just 1% of it would be cutting it close and might be possible.
"I can't wait to get my hands on you boy," the Dark Noble growled as he stared viciously at him.
"Ooo, scary," Harry said as he shivered in fear and shook his hands about. He made up his mind, he will go with his last plan, and pray to Magic that it worked.
"Just you wait boy..." the man said, "I will fulfill my Dark lord's final wishes. I will end you just like your parents!"
"You know a man can only take so much, Tobias," Harry said as he changed up his tone. Now he was deadly serious and all jesting was gone as dark clouds hanged over his face, if the man had known Harry best then he should have known when he got that look on his face you were fucked.
Harry had to give it to the man, he really did get the surprise on him and everyone else it would seem, maybe not Madam Longbottom, but for everyone else this was just a total break of decorum and decency.
It really reminded people of Voldermort's dark days where he would lie, cheat, steal, kill, rape, threaten, and everything else in between to get what he wanted.
Noble purebloods just didn't do things like this, you just didn't come up to someone and point your wand in their face and force them to do what you want. Sure you could war with each other and kill many people in the process, but you didn't put an aristocrat's life in danger.
You could see that on a lot of people's faces, more than fear and worry there was anger there and hate. Even if Tobias somehow found a way to get what he wanted, he would be facing a lot of resistance and outright wars.
Still Harry should have expected a desperate man would break the unsaid rules of the wizarding peerage. When you push a beast to a corner, expect that it would fight back viciously.
Though that did not mean he would allow himself to be stepped on all over. This is the man who funded his own vassal to rebel against him and his house. Who had ulterior motives and lusted after his family wealth and lands.
Now he dared to bring up his parents...
The gull of the man!
Each dragon has his or her own reverse scale, and you never touch it!
And that is exactly what poor Lord Nott did.
Everyone in the chamber could feel that magic billowing about as the power seeping the place and Harry stared down at the man as lighting flickered through his eyes.
"There was a limit that you can never pass, Lord Nott and you have!" Harry told him exactly what he thought. "Send your men against me and no matter what great force they come in, I will end them and chop off your hand that sent them."
Then looking at the Lords and Ladies in the courtroom, Harry enacted his plan. "And you lot," he shouted at them as he sneered, "What are training dummies that just want to be hit around? Why are you sniveling like cowards in your seats?
What would your proud ancestors think if they knew they had descendants like you?" Harry asked as he emphasized each point with a jab into the air. "Look around, who out numbers who here?" he asked, pointing out the obvious to everyone.
Sometimes the rational mind does not notice things when it locked with fear, but when you point it out things have a way of resolving themselves. Everyone looked at the small army gathered of a 100 or so Death Eaters, then they looked at themselves who were 500 or so Great nobles. Plus their hangers on who were in ones or twos if you wanted to count them.
Each and every single one of them could do that math, and if not they had spells to assist.
"Do we not have our family magics on your side?" Harry asked, hammering down the realization on everyone. "Tell me who is the superior practitioner of magic, us who come down from long lines of great wizards and witches or some washed up Hogwarts graduate that learned hogwash and thinks he is loftier than us Great Lord?!"
"SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP," Tobias screamed as he looked like a mad man screaming about. It didn't take a genius to see that he was losing control of the situation. At first, the angry man had the surprise on everyone and cowed them into silence with his show of brutal force, but now everyone was realizing that no didn't have the upper hand.
The one thing that kept everyone in line and on the best behavior was gone.
The antonym of fear was always rationality!
"I had enough of you," the older man shouted as he glared at him with near insane eyes. "Attack, attack now!" he ordered his men, trying to get the jump on everyone before it was too late.
A myriad of spells were fired from the Death Eaters gathered down below mostly made of Dark spells that were intended to kill or main.
Quickly shields of all kinds of variety were put up by the gathered Lords, a few were generous enough to put up massive shields that protected dozens of people at a time. Some were like him who went on the offensive right away as they sent destructive spells of their own. Others were true cowards at heart like our very own Minister of Magic who hide behind his Undersecratly and used her as a shield.
Still more and more people got up as Harry's words seem to have an effect and they were all ready to fight for their lives.
But there seem to be another shock in store for everyone. The spells that were fired off by each opposing group seem to come short as a flickering blue shield came into view. Harry's own giant lighting bolt that was targeted right at the Nott family head and Tobias's dark bolt that was clearly for him was absorbed by the shield that separated the stands from the ground floor below.
Everyone looked around in confusion as the thing on their mind was where the hell did that massive shield come from. It couldn't have been casted not the fly something that massive and powerful that took on all those spells needed to be casted before hand with a lot of people, and that is when Madam Longbottom finally got up.
"Now, now, now, my Lords and Ladies please be seated. It is my duty as Chief Warlock to take care of scum like these," she said as her gaze landed on the gathered Death Eaters. Everyone in the crowd above looked surprised, but did as they were told as everyone was curious to see how this played out.
"Y-you... you did this?" Lord Nott asked in surprise as he couldn't hide his fear spreading across his face.
"Didn't I say before hand I knew you would come with this idiotic plan, you fool?" she asked him as if he was a simpleton.
"Now drop your wands and come in peacefully. You will be facing the court of law for your crimes, Lord Nott."
Harry could see the sweat falling from the man's forehead, clearly he did not expect this sort of resistance. The fool that it would be an easy coup, but it looked like he bite off me than he could chew.
Chuckling nervously, the man hide behind his snarl, "Who long will your shield hold up Madam with the onslaught of my men? An hour, maybe two? Ha, eventually it will give way and it wouldn't matter what preparations you made before hand, all you would have done is bought yourself a couple hours of life. In the end you will be dealt with just like all the other traitors behind you."
"You still don't understand poor child," the old woman shook her head as if he wasn't worth explaining to anymore. "You have lost the moment you stepped inside."
Giving the signal to someone, Death Eaters started collapsing to the group, some outright flopped to the ground while others tried to uselessly resist what was happening to them as they fell one knee.
Only Tobias and 4 other high ranking Death Eaters still stood gaping around like idiots and with amulets glowing brightly, but at the same time quickly winking out. If Harry had to guess, they must had on Magic Nullifying amulets on them.
"Wh-what did you do?" the rebellious man asked, this time he made no effort to hide his fear as it leaked out of his tone.
"Did you not notice it when you walked in? You stepped into a Gravity Sinkhole, dear?" Madam Longbottom sweetly smiled.
Harry raised a single eyebrow, now that was a pretty hard magical phenomenon to create.
"Get him," Tobias pointed to Mulciber II who was chained up to his chair.
Harry watched a dark spell went for the Auror, he felt bad for the poor souls who would be dying in the line of duty right before their eyes. But sometimes sacrifice needed to be made for a plan to come together like this.
Madam Longbottom played everything perfectly, and he had to give it to her with the amazing long sight she had.
This went to prove what experience meant!
No matter Harry's awesome power, his endless wealth, his great Legion, his remarkable Bloodline, and if he would add - his striking looks. He was still new to all this. He was still a fourteen year old kid who got thrown into all this and tried to make the best out of it.
He had a long way to go before he could have the same vision and shrewdness like Madam Longbottom. He never seen coming what happened today, but Neville's grandmother did and was prepared for it as she was experienced and wise in her mature years.
Still though that didn't mean you could take away from all he accomplishments. Harry had struck out on his own and made amazing things happen in a few short months. What more did he had in store, even he did not know. He provided his genius and potential.
Nevertheless to prove how well Madam Longbottom planned the spells meant for the Aurors who stood right next to the prisoners harmlessly whizzed through them and out the other side and struck the wall opposite. All that those spells did was harmlessly cause the body of the Aurors to ripple like a pond with a stone dropped in.
Staring gapingly at what was obviously an illusion, Lord Nott looked up at Madam Longbottom with his eyes nearly popping out. "Y-you.. you," he was only able to get out as he clearly couldn't form any words.
"You know I could never had risked these criminals escaping," Madam Longbottom smiled, then in a vicious grin she added, "just like you, Tobias."
Suddenly people begin to pour in from the fireplaces around the chamber as it seem like the holidays weren't over yet. This time instead of Death Eaters, people with leather jackets that reaching down to their ankles appeared in the chamber.
Everyone knew who they were, you either love them if you are the good guy or hate them if you're the bad, Aurors!
Cheers went up as the magical law enforcers made their way inside the Wizengamot. Among the ranks of Aurors, Harry spotted a very familiar bubbly pink hair leading a squad as Death Eaters now trying to get up as the effect of the gravity pressure wore off was arrested on the spot.
They planned, and Madam Longbottom planned. But in the end, it was the old lady who was the best of planners.
Tobias looked around as his people were put into magical handcuffs, even his last few remaining Sergeants gave themselves in as they saw no hope.
Then his face hardened and Harry did not like that look one bit.
"Attack," the man shouted as he was taken down by a few Auror and tackled to the ground as his wand was taken away and his was put into magical handcuffs.
Nobody knew who the hell he was talking about as all his people were arrested and divested of their wands.
But then everyone was quick to realize who he was talking about as a few people from among the gathered Lords and Ladies got up with wands raised.
Immediately Hary knew who they were, hardliners and steadfast supporters of Lord Nott, his people who were in their ranks.
Harry watched Madam Longbottom mouth widened in surprise, the old lady planned admittedly, but she wasn't omnipotent and couldn't know ever plan that Tobias made.
Harry knew it was too late even as he brought forth his wand to do battle. They had the jump on everyone as their wands begin to glow with spells about to be fired, and even as he and a few others got up to make battle he knew that suicide attackers would be able to do a lot of damage before they could be stopped.
And the Auror was too far away to help and they had the shield in their way which would take some time to put down.
Of last desperate measures, this was really going to hurt.
However suddenly one of the suicide attackers' head all but evaporated as a beam of energy struck home. Looking at where the attack came from, Harry turned around to see Ram right besides him and did a double take as he saw how wide her mouth had gone.
From her lips down to her chin and throat, her mouth was like a gaping hole as another beam of energy gathered. More than that what attracted his attention was her eyes as they glowed a bright red color as if she went into killer mood, which he guessed she did.
Looking around for Rem, he saw that she took to the air and her hands were morphed into twin cannons as she shot off quick volleys which accurately struck down the attackers and caused were ever the energy beam struck to evaporated as the only thing that made sense was that they were stripped atom by atom into nothing.
Before he could even form his surprise on his lips the attackers were all taken down. And Ram & Rem landed back right besides him as they reverted back to their original forms of cute maid girls.
Looking at his two twin maids, it was no wonder Tobry forced them to come with him, they were basically the best guards he had. No wonder living constructs were worth an arm and a leg, plus a kidney.
They were just too fucking effective!
Harry shivered at the thought of being ripped apart on an atomic level and was glad these girls were loyal to him, and him alone.
Silence greeted the place, as nobody had any words to say. The whirlpool of emotions and surprises was just too much today.
Even Harry felt a bit dizzy at all the things that went down.
Madam Longbottom was first to collect herself, "Take them away," she said to the Auror with waved of her hand. "we will deal with their trials in the next session."
Then looking at the dead bodies of the dozen or so hardline supporters, she wrinkled her nose, "Could someone take them away?!"
Immediately a few servants were quick to act as they all looked nervous to be about something.
"Now, if we can get back to the trials," the old woman said as if nothing just went down at all and everything was fine at the office.
Check out , I am 25 chapters ahead!
Chapter 97: Death Eater Trial Pt. 2
"Now, if we can get back to the trials," the old woman said as if nothing just went down at all and everything was fine at the office.
Harry had to hand it to the old woman, she had hard guts.
"You don't mean after all this we can act like nothing happened," Fudge squeaked. The man was sweating bullets as he didn't seem to handle well all that went down.
Shaking his head, Harry just felt bad for the country, with leaders like him what do you think the country would be like.
A Minster was suppose to be a leader of men, and inspire people. But all Fudge did was shiver like a coward and hide behind a woman's skirt.
Madam also seem to agree with him as he could see the flicker of disgust on his face as she turned to face him. "Whatever do you mean, Minster. we handled the criminal and all his conspirators!"
"But.. but.. but," the man tried to say, but then he suddenly realized that he would look foolish if he tried to say he had a fright. Then that would immediately call into question his leadership.
Speaking up for the man was his Undersecretary, Dolores Umbridge, "I think what the Minster is trying to we need recess so that we can process what happen and take a small break."
Staring at the woman with narrowed eyes, Harry felt like strangling her. If they did what she said then it would derail his plans. Already everything was set in motion, and he did not want to delay Sirius's trial anymore.
That why Harry was glad when Madam Longbottom spoke up, she wanted these trials to commence as much as he did no matter what. After all she was out for blood for her son and daughter-in-law.
"Minister Fudge," the old woman said as if she was reassuring a little child while ignoring the toad like woman. "We must stand steadfast and show the people we will not be terrorized by FEAR. That we would not bend to the whims of criminals. That we WILL lead the common people to a brighter future and forge ahead."
Clapping sounded around the chamber, and even one person shouted, "Yea, Chief Warlock!"
Waving her hand to settle down everyone, Fudge saw that the gathered folk were swaying to one direction. And since he was a coward at heart, he bent to the whim of everyone. Smiling wanly, "If that is what everyone believes then I will concede."
However this didn't seem the end of things as Lucius Malfoy got up, "Chief Warlock I must ask, if you knew before hand that Lord Nott would be making a surprise visit then why didn't you warn the court in advance instead of all this coming to as a suprise."
Harry could feel the old woman roll her eyes, the answer was obvious and she did not need to spell it to him. The man was a previous Death Eater whatever he said and whatever bullshit he spewed of Imperius Curse or not. Who knew if he would have given Tobias forewarning and joined him on his little coup.
Still though, she kept on a professional face. "Lord Malfoy it was my duty as Chief Warlock to run this court and oversee the preceding. All I have done is my done to safe guard these proceedings and protect the lords and ladies that make up this great court. I do not want to bother and burden others with my duty. When I took on this post I knew what this would entail and the safety risks involved."
"Yea, Chief Warlock!" the same person shouted.
Looking around with a grin on his face, Harry wondered who that joker was.
Nevertheless there were nods of agreements all around, some might be butt hurt of not being put into the loop, but they had all limbs attached and they got to keep their lives. So there really wasn't anything else they could ask for or else they would look ungrateful towards the very person that saved them.
"Well spoken," Lord Malfoy said as he had no more leverage to complain or take action against her in the court. If there had been deaths here today, no matter what there would have been questions about the legitimacy of Madam Longbottom's new rise into this post, and naysayers and all kinds of opponents would have been sticking their heads out of the woodworks.
But the old lady took command of this situation perfectly and showed everyone why she was put in charge and reassured them even more. Harry would expect after this event went into the newspaper and the people found out about it, Madam Longbottom would be seen as a hero. And he expects she would not face opposition for a couple of years until of course the next crisis.
"Now," Nevvile's grandmother said, "before we continue with our hearing, I first want to give thanks to all those who stood proudly in the face of tyranny and fear. You are all the true heroes today, and I would like to give a round of applause to you all."
A round of applause did go up at her little congratulatory speech, those who stood steadfast at his call to arms nodded their head to themselves giving themselves a mental part on the back. Everyone liked being thanked, and he had to give it to Madam Longbottom's wisdom of sharing the glory today.
"For those of you who had hide behind your servants and all but fleed," she said as her merry tone quickly disappeared. "For shame, for shame indeed! You shouldn't have done that. Your ancestors must be weeping in their graves and portraits left behind having you as descendants.
No words hold more truth than; in the face of danger and evil a man shows his true colors. And for those who hide behind woman's skirts," she said clearly implying a certain someone, "You have shown that you are true cowards at heart."
Silence reigned at the old woman's final words and those who she was speaking about knew who they were. Harry could see some faces go ghastly as they could already see their political careers go up in flame, and some had the decency to hide their faces in shame.
"All I can say is whenever there is evil or wrong in the world face it and fight it at ever turn. It is only when we do nothing that evil wins in the end," she concluded with.
This time the applause that went up was nearly deafening as some took to vocalizing their joy with wild cheer and shouts of, "Chief Warlock!"
Once the clapping and cheering settled down, the old woman added on a final note, "I want to give special thanks to someone. Lord Potter," she waved her hand at his direction. "You have shown this court true courage today as you roused up everyone and spat in the face of dastardly corruption. Let his actions and valor be a guiding force to this court at large.
Please give a special round of applause to our young hero and savior, Harry Potter!" she shouted.
"Thank you, Chief Warlock," Harry nodded his head once the wild cheering settled down. "You humble me with your words, Madam."
"No, Lord Potter you humble me with your actions! All I can say is that I wished all your children were like you, steadfast and brave!"
"Thank you," Harry said once again, playing to the court as he nodded to them.
Since he had everyone attention now, he might as well ask for what was rightfully his.
"Madam Longbottom, before these proceedings of those foul criminals continue, I want to come to the court at large with my grievances."
"And pray tell what is that, my lord?" the old woman asked.
"It is about Lord Nott, the Traitor," he aptly named the man. "Not only as he targeted me today along side others of note, but he as also stewed rebellion in my own backyard. I believe now I am left with no choice but to pursue Casus Belli with his house!"
Gasps sounded all across the hall as sharp intakes of breaths were pulled in. In this age where the Wizarding world had faced two wars back to back, the Great Houses that made up high society has dwindled and wars that used to be waged against houses has been steadily ceased as everyone was in a time of recovery.
To be seen as going to war was like breaking the silent peace that has been held for over a decade.
"Order, order," Madam Longbottom said as she struck down with her gavel. "It is within Lord Potter's right to pursue war with a house that has interfered with his own affairs if he brings enough proof to the court."
Then looking up at him, she asked, "Did you bring proof of this, Lord Potter."
"Yes, I have the rebellious knight's wife who can testify to everything," Harry replied as he had Lady Chalet or now Ms. Nia back at his family manor, this was one of the things he required of her to do for him before he took her in.
"And if it makes the due process faster, I also have a recording," Harry added as he took out his Mirror phone and played Ms. Nia testimony for everyone to hear.
"I will need to review this, but if that proves to be true then," Madam Longbottom said. "Then as is my right as Chief Warlock, I shall grant House Potter Casus Belli against House Nott for one year, and one year only. All territory conquered within that year shall fall into whoever hands took it, and in one year's time all hostility shall be ceased and arms shall be put down immediately."
"Wait," Lucius said as he got up, "We can not do this! We must observe the peace," he said adamantly. If Harry had to guess then he was the one instead that wanted to seize easy picking as he saw it since Tobias was no just locked up.
"And what would you have me do, Lord Malfoy?" Madam Longbottom asked, "take a Great Lord's very own rights!"
Sharp intakes of breaths were taken at that question for many reasons. There were certain privileges that came with being a Wizard Lord, waging war was one of them, and for that to be taken away it would be seen as the greatest offense.
With the assimilation of more and more Muggle-borns into the Wizarding world, Lords and Ladies started to hold on tightly to their privileges for fear of it being taken away. And for more modern views slipping in like democracy and human rights.
"No," the man said with a shake of his head, no one else more than him didn't want to see that happen. "But... but..." he still tires to argue as he seem to want to have it both ways.
"But nothing," the old woman held her hand and shut him down. "I must do my duty as observe the rights of the Great Lords."
Seeing it as the end of the conversation, the old woman moved on, "Now, let's proceed with these hearings!" she said as loud agreements went up.
"Mulciber II," she said as she turned to the illusion still in the middle of the room. The man must be far away at somewhere else along with the Aurors and Dementors, and as everything went down today in the courtroom, he stayed still and motionless watching everything with a bored gaze.
It was obvious he gave himself up to his Dark Lord's cause, even Harry shivered a bit at how easy he took everything. He was glad he didn't listen to that old fool and let these fanatical Death Eaters stay cozy in Azkaban where they could be rescued at any moment by their master to wreak havoc once again on Magical Britan.
"You have committed countless sins in the name of your dark master, we at the Wizengamot believe that your punishment hasn't been equal to the weight of your crimes. Today I call for you to be sentenced to the Dementor's Kiss for all that you have done against this great nation!" she uttered as her eyes turned hard.
"Let a vote be called on this matter! All those in favor of the motion, say Aye!"
A flurry of ayes where heard and some even held up there wands up into the air to show how adamantly they were with this including Harry's own as he represented 6 Great houses with his vote.
"All those against the motion, say Nay!" the old woman said.
There were also plenty of nays and wand waving, as some were good old buddies of Mulciber II and others were just too soft hearted to allow such a savage thing to happen.
The Dementor's Kiss was a hotly debated thing as some saw it as too horrible to even fathom, but there needed to be the ultimate punishment something so bad people just tremor in fear of it being spoken.
Plus with how wide spread being sent to Azkaban is, the fear factor needed to be kept up.
Once the votes were tallied by the giant scoreboard, Augusta Longbottom smiled broadly, "It seems like your fate has been decided, Mulciber II... You shall receive the Dementor's Kiss!" she announced as the ayes were the ones who had it.
As the elderly woman spoked those words, the Dementor cried out in joy as they savagely flung themselves at the chained man. Even though Harry knew that this was happing somewhere far away, he still shivered in fear as he watched the creatures latch on to the Death Eater and begin to suck out his soul.
The Aurors right next to prisoners stepped back in fear as the vile creatures feated on the man's soul. A part of him, a very small part of him kind of felt bad for the man as wisps were drawn out and the man gasped in his chair.
Once they were done all that was left was an empty husk, there was nothing left of the man that used to be there. Staring down at those eyes which used to have life at them all Harry saw emptiness.
It was said the eyes were the window to the soul, and Harry believed that now.
Nothing was there at all.
"Remove him," Madam Longbottom said as she waved her hand, "and bring in the next one."
Today was going to be a blood bath.
Harry did not know how he should feel as he was the one who started it all.
Was he truly the hero of the story or the villain...
He guessed he didn't know now!
Chapter 98: Death Eater Trial Pt. 3
The next person to be dragged in or more like the image of them- was a wizard by the name of Antonin Dolohov. Antonin of House Dolohov, a Count Family who were always near and dear to the Dark Side.
His family was a very close supporter of Voldemort during those dark days as they provided plenty of soldiers, gold, and support. Though they did pay the ultimate price in the end with Antonin Dolohov being the last of his line as nearly all of them died in the line of duty in one form or the other. And today that line would be snuffed out, forever.
Though Harry guessed it was only fair after all the man had done in the name of his Dark Lord.
The war took a heavy toll on either side whether it be Light or Dark; to be honest, it never was worth it from the very start. Everyone was in the process of licking their wounds from the earth shattering war Global wizarding war that Grindelwald brought.
Then to face a second one, Magical Britain and Europe as a whole took a very heavy blow thanks to it.
Staring down at the man as he was seated and magical chains sprung up to wrap around him. Harry could make some of his features out, Antonin had dark brown hair which was matted, pale skin that looked it hasn't been under the sun for ages, deep sunken eyes, a thin gaunt face as if he hadn't been getting enough to eat, and long tall figures.
Antonin Dolohov was a Dark Wizard and one of the Death Eaters of Lord Voldemort. Dolohov was a powerful wizard, and among all the Death Eaters, only a few could equal to him in magical might. He fought in the Wizarding War that plagued Magical Britain and through most parts of Magical Europe, during which he tortured many Muggles, and wizards and witches who were not supporters of his Dark Lord and master. Along with other Death Eaters, he participated in the murders of two people of great note - Fabian Prewett and Gideon Prewett. Mrs. Molly Wealey's very own brothers, causing her maiden family to go extinct.
Dolohov was caught, convicted of his crimes, and sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban.
There was more outcry for harsher punishments to be carried out since the man and his Death Eater friends did end one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight or the Earls of Magical Britain. But thanks to Dumbledore who believed in second chances, forgiveness, and all that other bullshit plus some other Dark Families making some secret maneuvers, he only got a life sentence to Azkaban.
More than anything though it was the first time Harry heard that Mrs. Molly came from such a powerful and old bloodline, and it did get him wondering why she and her family still lived abject poverty.
He could understand why in some cases people can't claim Lordships over a certain family since they are either Matriarch like the Bones family or a Patriarch like the Nott family and such, but in most cases they are Egalitarian like his family were the oldest inherent.
Still all that didn't matter since in the end if you are the last of your line wouldn't it be your duty and your right to restore your family.
There must be a story behind why Ms. Molly never did take over the Prewett and left it to decline over the years.
"Antonin Dolohov," Madam Longbottom called out as she turned her gaze down on the Death Eater who sat still on his seat. "You stand here today facing a retrial for all the crimes you have committed which are just too numerous and gruesome to list off one by one. But to make a brief summary, you have tortured, killed, and raped countless innocent souls in the name of your Dark Lord who is all but gone."
At the mention of his master, Harry could feel the man twitch, but was quickly able to control himself.
"Most importantly, you have killed Fabian Prewett and Gideon Prewett, the last scions of House Prewett."
Talk about giving more importance to two people over dozens if not hundreds of people. It was just the way things were, kill a muggle in broad day light, and expect a light sentence of a few years or months in Azkaban. Kill a pure-blood and a noble one at that, then you just raised all hell yourself.
Harry could feel a whole lot of Lords and Ladies stir at the mention of the old Earl family now nearly extinct family.
In today's Magical Britain families like his - the Potters, the Blacks, the Bones, the Longbottoms, the Mort, the Notts, the Greengrass, the Lestrange, the Rosier, the Parkinson, the Diggory, and all the other families that made up the Sacred Twenty-Eight which where the highest powers that be in all this land.
The Marquis families long ago stepped back from the political field; the Dukes, the Arch-Duke, and Royal family had long ago gone extinct so they weren't something to consider for a long time.
That left all the power in the hands of the Earl families, they are the ones now who lead this country and hold great authority.
To have one of them snuffed out was a deep blow to all Great House and Magical Britain itself.
The Dark Side might think this is a great blow to the Light since one of their number went down, but really all this did was diminish the pool of powerful bloodlines that could be married
"Do you deny any of these crimes?" Madam Longbottom asked sitting back in her high back chair which looked near enough to a throne but wasn't so no one could raise any questions about it.
The was allowed to speak as he was unmuzzled, taking in everyone as his sunken eyes ran throughout the chamber, he finally spoke. "The only thing I am saddened about is that I didn't get the chance to kill more of you Light forsaken sad excuses of Noble pure-bloods," he chuckled as his eyes landed on each and every Light Side member like Amos Diggory, Marshall Fawley, Amelia Bones, Ahmed Shafiq, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Harold Macmillan, then Augusta Longbottom.
The only person he did not stare at who was part of the Light Side was Harry, who he of course thought couldn't be here among the crowd.
"Fine last words indeed," Madam Longbottom chuckled, not being fazed in the least bit.
Then turning to the gathering of Lords and Ladies, she uttered, "Let's put it to the vote. All those in favor of the motion, say Aye!"
A flurry of ayes were heard to show how adamantly they with this including Harry and a bunch of other people.
"All those against the motion, say Nay!" the old woman called out, but it was only a show of going through the motions since at this point as the scoreboard indicated that the Ayes had.
Once all the votes were counted up, Augusta smiled sweetly like a kind old lady, but what came out of her mouth wasn't so. "Administer the Dementor's Kiss!"
The retrials felt like they went on for days, without interruption or gaps people were just non stop brought in. It was like a long precession was going on from here all the way to Azkaban itself as new decisions were made about their crimes.
At the height of Voldermort's power, he had thousands of followers throughout the country and many armies from Great families that supported him. It was said more would have followed him from the lowest pureblood with nothing to his name, the whole of the Grey Side, and even some of the Light Side members.
Nobody really likes where this country is going; there are great ideological battles being wages and the identity of this very nation beeing decided. It would be more accurate to say that there was an existential crisis going on, not just here in Magical Britain but in the whole Wizarding community.
Two wars were fought, because of the future and were wizarding kind as a whole would go down.
However in the end, Voldermort was just too brutal and cruel so he wasn't able to tap into all the sectors he could and only had fanatical and Dark Side members. Unlike Grindelwald who affected the whole world on a grand stage with his ideology, Voldemort mostly stayed here in the Magical Isles and in parts of Europe, never leaving this continent.
Still even within Voldermort minuscule pool of followers compared to Grindelwald, there was a whole variety of them. And just as there was a great difference in them so was there in their crimes.
Most, of course, where the most vile lot who committed horrible crimes against everyone and this nation as well.
People like Gibbon who started up a whole Human Trafficking ring where he could steal muggle girls or even muggle-born witches for those with finer tastes, and in some cases boys from their homes and put them into prostitution to be passed around by Death Eaters.
There were also people like Selwyn a mad man who experimented on himself as he had an extra head sticking out of his neck so that he could dual cast. He went on to not only experiment on himself but others as his laboratories with countless corpses were found.
Or a man named Manson who started a little cult within the Deat Eater camp worshiping Voldermort as the God-king. That in if itself wouldn't have been too bad, but he lead monthly ritual mass slaughter where they would offer the hearts to the big old Snakey.
And there was another person who took the title Death Eater a bit too literal as he could cannibalize his victims that he killed.
Plus one Dark Noble who used the Imperius Curse to really good effect as he had a massive harem of beautiful women all under mind control. Harry could understand why the fella had to go down that route when Harry saw his ugly mug, talk about Ugly Bastards! He really had the icing on the cake.
Then there were two mass murders that their kill count was just mind boggling. One of them started a plague that wiped out dozens of countryside villages. And the other raised up hell as he had countless undead running around during the war causing all sorts of chaos and dragging more souls down.
Or one who would burn his victims alive in their homes and listened to as he put it, 'their beautiful screams!'
And the list just kept going on and on and on of endless horrible things. Harry just couldn't believe that humans could do all those things to themselves.
Voldermort really did gather the worst of the worst that Magical Britain had to offer. It made Harry wonder what that said about the man who had such repugnant company.
Or about the man who let them all go off easy.
Harry shook his head, and his will firmed up. Getting rid of those two men would be such a grand duty to not just himself but all.
One retrial that raised his hackles up a wizard by the name of Pyrites a personal servant of Lord Voldemort at around the time of the war. What got Harry's attention more than anything was the fact that he accompanied Voldemort to Godric's Hollow on the night he murdered his parents.
Besides those vile lot, there were those who only committed minor crimes like lotting, or arson, or hate speech. In the end though, they did not really harm anyone or kill for that matter, but they were bundled in with all the other criminals.
Finally, there were the poor, poor fools who just jumped on the bandwagon which was Voldermort's train, foolishly thinking it would just be some fun.
Dumbledore bunched them all together and Harry couldn't blame him, there really wasn't anything besides spending some time in Azkaban or getting the Dementor's Kiss.
There really was something that needed to be done about the legal system, there shouldn't be just two forms of punishments that were really only for the worst criminals.
However, that was something else for another time.
One retrial that drew his attention was of Augustus Rookwood was a Dark wizard and a Death Eater loyal to Lord Voldemort. During the war he was a spy who worked as an Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries. After the height of the first war he was named by his comrade Igor Karkaroff, and thanks to that he was arrested and imprisoned in Azkaban.
Harry sort of felt bad for him, he was so self reassured in his safety thinking he could get away with everything he did, but his friend.. or he guessed his ally since Death Eaters don't have friends betrayed him and sold him out to buy his freedom.
Once he was seated his eyes darted around looking around like a trapped animal, and who could blame him this was his first time in a long time out of that hellhole and meeting people besides those who scream madly in their cells.
The court crier listed his crimes which were mostly state espionage and whatnot.
"Retrial for what," the man asked once he was allowed to speak.
"To decide if you are deserving of the Dementor's Kiss, or will just be thrown back in prison" Madam Longbottom simply answered.
"Wait, y-you... you can't do that," that man stuttered as he looked around within the crowd for help, but all he got was blank stares.
"There is a new Chief Warlock and with it comes changes in policies and decisions," Madam Longbottom replied. "Now," she continued, "who here believes that Augustus Rookwood deserves the Dem-..."
"WAIT," the spy shouted interpreting Madam Longbottom mid-sentence.
Giving him a pointed stare, "you best have a good reason why you decided to interpret me, Mr. Rookwood. I don't take kind with your kind cutting me off on top of all you have done."
"I-I can give you some names. Isn't that the same deal you made with Igor Karkaroff. I was a top-ranking Spy for the Dark Lord, not many people would betray the Department of Mysteries and could report from inside," he said as he licked his lips.
Rolling her eyes, the old lady said, "All you care telling me is that you are a treacherous snake. Nothing more."
"What I am trying to say is that I was divulged many secrets and I knew the faces of many Dark Nobles. Yeah," he said when he saw the shock on a lot of faces, "and I could prove to you that they were working independently no matter what they say about being under an Imperius Curse."
"And who could you name?" Madam Longbottom asked as she leaned in.
"Madam," Lucius warned in a false tone as if he had the best intentions at heart for her. "You shouldn't listen to this criminal all he speaks is lies."
"Shh," the old woman said, not putting up with his bullshit for a single second.
"Go ahead, name them, and I might reconsider about giving you the Dementor's Kiss."
Seeing the evident relief on his face, he saved his head at the silvery blond haired man, "Well, Lucius is one for sure. He was a great provider of wealth. Then there was Hunter Flint, Rory Rosier, Corban Yaxley, and Tobias Nott."
"Lies, all lies," a shrill voice called out as Harry turned around to see Lord Rosier up form his seat with his cane pointed at the spy.
"Those are just the most high ranking I know," the man continued speaking over the rising noise. "There are plenty more lower ranking Death Eaters I can name."
"And you say you can prove all this?" Madam Longbottom asked focusing in on the man.
"Yes," the man quickly nodded his head.
Harry felt like laughing out loud, he guessed when a man's life was at risk forget all previous loyalties, he was willing to spill anything to preserve his life.
That was just inner human nature at work.
What made Augustus Rookwood admittance so good was that he named 3 Dark Side families of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, make that 4 but Tobias was already going away for a long time. Plus Lucius Malfoy who basically held the same authority as an Earl even though he wasn't - which was all thanks in part to his backers, the main branch of Malfoys in France.
Looking at the four named individuals, Harry saw how white Lucius's face was and how sick Lord Flint looked, Lord Rosier was near hysteria, the one odd individual was Lord Yaxley who had a calculating look on his face.
Ignoring that for now, Harry grinned from ear to ear, in the last war nothing was ever able to stick to these men. They all had an army of solicitors lined up and the best defenses set up, but now that was all going away.
"Madam Longbottom," Lord Yaxley said as he spoke up in a cool calm voice as if he had nothing to hide. "Why don't we come back to this later. There are three more people left who might take up your attention," he said, and Harry could feel the old woman freeze up.
Harry knew very well who the Earl was talking about, the ones that attack on Frank and Alice Longbottom and drove them made.
Rabastan Lestrange, Rodolphus Lestrange, and Bellatrix Lestrange, plus Bartemius Crouch Junior who was not here of course.
"Yes, why don't we come back to this later," the elderly woman said as her could feel her eyes blazing over. This was after all what she was here for all day and saved them for last, revenge, sweet sweet revenge!
With a wave of her hand, she dismissed Augustus Rookwood who was dragged out screaming, "No, NO, NOOOOO. Y-you.. you don't understand. You can't do this. I-I will be dead. You hear me, I WILL BE DEAD!"
However, the Chief Warlock wasn't really listening to him as three individuals were brought in.
Chapter 99: Sirius's Trial Pt.1
"NOOOO," Augustus Rookwood shouted as he was dragged out screaming. He tried to put up a good fight as he resisted like a trapped animal, but he really couldn't do anything as he was wrapped up in cloth and unable to move his hands.
All the Aurors had to do to shut him up was put the muzzle back on him as he was dragged out, and the image of them disappeared.
Harry was really worried by the spy's last few words, it raised a lot of alarms in his head.
More than anything he would have loved to get Augustus Rookwood testimony started like yesterday. He wouldn't even mind delaying Sirius's trial, and the man himself would have wanted this Earls and high ranking Death Eaters locked up more than his freedom and the clearance of his name.
Harry tried to say those exact words, but when he looked at the head of the Wizengamot he knew that would not be happening. Augusta's eyes were locked ahead as he saw those same images of vitriol and retaliation he held for only one person, the killer of his parents, Voldermort.
That same anger and hate could be felt off of her as it came in waves.
Nothing he said or did would take her off this war path she was on.
And Harry could understand, her revenge for what happened to her son and daughter in law was so close that she could taste.
If he was in that same position, and had Voldermort where he wanted to exact his revenge he knew there was also nothing someone could do or say to stop him or even slow him from taking his revenge.
"Ram," Harry whispered, left with no choice Harry knew he had to act.
Leaning in, the pink-haired maid replied, "Yes, Master," with all the civility and decorum of a proper servant. In private she might act up, but when in public she more than her own dutiful little sister was the most dedicated and faithful.
"Send word," Harry said, "I want the Magic Task Force activated. Find me where Augustus Rookwood is being held up in, and have the agents protect him at all cost. I want him to live through tonight, and stand trial no matter what! Understood?!"
"Yes, Master," the maid bowed her head as stepped off to the side and give the right call on her own Mirror Phone.
Nodding his head, Harry repositioned himself on his chair, he did all he could do for now. Activating the Magic Task force that the Queen let him use would be showing his hand too soon, but sometimes risks needed to be taken to get the much bigger rewards.
Now everything was in the hands of Magic.
Turning to the center of the chamber, in walked in three individuals together all chained up and dressed in Azkaban garb with plenty of Aurors to either side and a few Dementors brought along as well.
This was the first that a group came in together, before it was one person at a time as each of their crimes were reviewed individually. But it looked like Augusta Longbottom had them all gathered up together and saved them for last.
Looking at them each in turn, Harry's eyes landed on the man in the center of the small group. Rodolphus Lestrange was a pure-blood wizard born to the Pure-blood Lestrange Family, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight.
Rodolphus was a tall man, with very dark hair, and after being in Azkaban, he appeared gaunt and his looks diminished a bit.
Rodolphus of course attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and was sorted into Slytherin house. Later in life he joined the Death Eaters and fought in the Wizarding War. The Lestranges were considered to be among Lord Voldemort's most loyal and trusted servants and were the only ones who truly searched for him after his downfall.
When Voldemort was said to be defeated, Rodolphus refused to accept it.
Along with his brother, wife, and Barty Crouch Jnr, they attacked Aurors and Order of the Phoenix members Alice and Frank Longbottom. They tortured the couple with the Cruciatus Curse to the point of insanity, and were subsequently captured and imprisoned in Azkaban prison for this crime. Upon their trial, he and his friends proudly declared their continuing devotion and awaited their master's return.
For their gull, complete lack of care for authority, and their crimes of torturing and permanent incapacitation of Alice and Frank Longbottom, they was only sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban.
As you can guess, Madam Longbottom was of course furious and rightly so with the light punishment they got off on.
On the left was his half brother, the bastard of House Lestrange, Rabastan Lestrange. He was a thin man with a dirty beard growing in. He was like his brother's shadow as he stepped in behind him.
On the right was Bellatrix Lestrange née Black, the eldest daughter of Cygnus and Druella Black, cousin of Regulus and Sirius Black, and the elder sister of Andromeda Tonks and Narcissa Malfoy.
She was fanatically loyal to Lord Voldemort and was among the most dangerous and sadistic of his followers. And it was said that she was his right hand man or woman in this case and his most trusted servant if that psychopath could trust anyone.
There was a remarkable resemblance between Bellatrix and her sisters. At first glance, Harry mistook her for Andromeda Tonks, only upon closer observation did he notice the differences. She was a tall woman of white skin; and long, thick, shiny dark hair. Her face had a strong jaw, thin lips, and heavily-lidded grey eyes with long eyelashes.
She really looked gorgeous and even after spending long years in Azkaban, nothing took away from her beauty.
But looking at her eyes, Harry could see the insanity in them.
That was the effect of Dark magic.
Most magics are Neutral magic or Grey Magic as it really doesn't draw from anything but your power alone.
However magic like Dark or Light; they draw from very specific emotions that align with them.
For example, Battle Magic which was the main magic of his family fell into the Red Magic group, where he predominantly drew from anger or bloodlust.
If a Wizard isn't Strong of Will and have Control of his Emotions, he or she becomes like Bellatrix, the other Death Eater, and their ilk. You become nothing but a driving force for your magic as you are molding to only feel one type of thing whether it be hate, or anger, or lust, and so forth.
That is why a True Wizard; is one that is in control of himself and his magic.
Not the other way around!
Give in and all you might get was a small boost in power, but in the end you will become nothing more than a tool.
"Rabastan Lestrange, Rodolphus Lestrange, and Bellatrix Lestrange; you come here today before this court facing reconsideration about your punishment," the court crier called out.
They were unmuzzled so they could be allowed to speak since this was after all a humane process!
"You stand here on the account of 475 Second Degree Murders of Muggles, 97 First Degree Murders of Muggles, 19 Rapes, 34 Kidnappings, 15 Robberies, 28 Arsons, Aggravated Assaults, Hate Crimes, Conspiracy to bring down this State..." and the list just went on.
This time Madam Longbottom let the man go on as he listed all their gruesome crimes in perfect details. Everyone was made to listen and the full scope of their crimes was laid bare.
Finally when the court criers got to the list of crimes against wizards and witches, after all wizarding-kind lives were more than those paltry 572 muggles or more, a lot killed and tortured and had so many unspeakable things done to.
The man spoke of two people, "Your attack on Alice and Frank Longbottom as you tortured them with the one of the Unforgivable Curses, which has been made highly illegal, the Cruciatus Curse, to the point of insanity."
Harry could feel the old woman stir as if she was a slumbering beast made awake.
Finally at long last, the court crier whose face was ashen grey at the point asked, "Do you have any words you would like to say to the court at."
"Heheehe," a deep chuckle came from down below. Everyone turned to Bellatrix who was madly cackling in her chair. Once she had everyone clear and undivided attention, she spoke up, "You think you are all safe so high and mighty above us? That you think that my MASTER dark hands would not reach out to you. That he wouldn't Choke and Throttle everyone of you where you stand."
Harry watched as Narcissa shook her head, and he even saw a look of disgust pass through Bellatrix's cousin's face, Amaryllis Mort. The woman was truly far too gone as she had gone completely broke.
"Shut up, Bellatrix," Rodolphus growled to his wife, and then muttered under his breath, "your mad ravings get tedious at times!"
Bellatrix growled back at her supposed husbands and it was clear she wanted to jump at him and rip him to shreds. It was clear there was no love lost between the two individuals, their marriage was after all a thing of convenience, not something build upon love or mutual understanding.
Ignoring her, the old Head of House Lestrange looked up to face Madam Longbottom. Unlike the other Azkaban prisoners who either had gone broke or just raving mad after years in that hell hole, Rodolphus still retained some of his sharpness.
"I see that you are the new Chief Warlock. Did that old bastard finally croak?" he asked with a rasping chuckle.
"If I were you, I wouldn't worry about Dumbledore, but instead about yourself," the old woman whispered.
"Yes, going to exact your sweet revenge," the man drawled as he glanced at the Dementors.
Saying nothing, the elderly witch just simply stared at him while a peep didn't even leave her lip. Harry wondered what was going on behind those eyes, maybe images of the day she got the news her son and daughter-in-law were all but gone, or memories of them when they were alive and well and happy.
"I shall tell you," the man continued with an insufferable smile on his face, "Your son's last few moments... they were just exquisite. You should have been there, hahaha," he laughed nastily. "You should have been there as he called for his mommy... as he called for you like a little baby as he balled his eyes out.
Never thought a grown man could cry like a little baby," he whispered as he gazed up at Madam Longbottom seated in her throne like chair.
Silence greeted him as Augusta was still as a statue, not saying a word.
"Is that all you have to say, huh?" the Death Eater shouted as his face contorted once he saw he didn't get the reaction he was looking for. "Going to remain silent all day. Did you die in your chair old woman."
"Are those your last words," Madam Longbottom finally spoke up, "because if so I have come to my decision! Administer the Dementor's Kiss!" she called out.
All three criminals spoke up at once as the Dementor prowled over to them like starving animals, today those dark creatures had a feast unlike anything else before.
"You will rue the day, you messed with our family!" Rabastan Lestrange roared as if that meant anything since that line would be over today.
"Our dark master will avenge us," Bellatrix screamed out as she stared at everyone with her insane eyes trying to take them all in as if she was going to remember each and every single one of them before she went to the grave.
"I regret the day I didn't find your grandson that night," Rodolphus shouted. "I would have loved nothing more than to end your pathetic line with you!"
Before they could each get anything out, the screams and gasps sounded out in the chamber as each and every single one of their souls begin to be sucked out.
Most in the chamber still couldn't stomach it so they turned around and averted their gazes, but Augusta Longbottom, she watched closely as the very thing that made them - them, was dragged out of their body and out their mouths.
She didn't blink once or stray her eyes away as the process happened right before her.
Finally at long last silence once again greeted the chamber as no one said a word or even tried to breath loudly.
The Chief Warlock position was one of great importance and power, not only do they run these proceeding, they can call a session when ever they want, they have the authority to give the floor to whoever they want while silencing other with the threat of dismissal.
Plus they could sole decisions like right now what Madam Longbottom did as she didn't call a vote since she didn't want to risk it going the other way and could make a ruling all on her won.
That was a lot of power, and Harry was glad he got that out of Dumbledore's hands or else the man would have shut down so many of his plans.
Breaking the silence, Amelia Bones spoke up to the court crier, "Why don't you continue. Please call out those criminals that are still on the loose."
Harry nearly forget that was his number one priority today. Thanks to all the drama and chaos that unfolded he nearly forget that he wanted to get Sirius's name cleared.
Giving the signal to Rem so that she could call in Sirius, Harry felt a bit of trepidation as the time was nearing.
"Why do we need to do that?" Lucius suddenly asked as he rolled his eyes while breaking away from Fudge who he was most definitely filling his head with stuff.
Narrowing her eyes, Amelia nearly all but growled at the pompous man, "So that we can always remember and be on guard of the criminals that still run about, who aren't behind bars."
Then pausing, she smiled viciously, "or would you like to move on to the next thing on the agenda, like Augustus Rookwood testimony?!"
"Hear, hear!" some people shouted from among the crowd.
Harry watched with amusement as Lucious swallowed down on the lump on his throat. "I believe," he said as Harry could see that literally pained him to say so, "that we should listen to Lady Bones wise council, and carry on with these retrials."
Nodding her head, Madam Longbottom was still as silent as before as she must be processing things. But she kept a firm grasps on things and lead the proceedings. She was truly a strong woman, others in her place might have broke down or just giving in.
Receiving his orders, the court crier who looked dead tired on his feet continued, "And Barty Crouch Jnr," he called out.
As the man continued Harry was really reminded of how many Death Eaters were still out there even if they got the most fanatical or just the plain stupid ones who couldn't lie for their life. There were still plenty of Death Eaters still out there, and when you counted the other who got off on lame excuses or weren't just found out, it added up.
Today Harry might have send a deep blow against Voldermort as he got ride of the most loyal men and woman of his, but there was still more work to be done.
"Sirius Black," the court crier said, "for the betrayal of the Potters, the murder of twelve Muggles, and the murder of Order of Merlin, First Class Pettigrew Pettigrew."
Turning to Rem, Harry gave her the look of 'Where the hell was he?'
This was it, this was the time!
Before he got his answer there was a commotion down below, the flames in the fireplace turned pitch black and they rouse up, and in walked in Sirius Black.
He was dressed very well and might he say, very lordly.
He had on a black and red gothic style tuxedo with a black shirt underneath he of course left a few buttons open. He also had on a black trouser in intricate elegant designs with a very expensive cane in hand, the chains of a pocket watch hanging out, and his Lordship ring right out in the open for all to say.
"Hello folks," he grinned as he walked into the chamber, unfazed in the least bit as everyone took him in.
He took a seat unperturbed when nobody responded to him at all and rested his ankles on his knee and turned to everyone.
"Suprised to see me?" he asked as he held up his hands to either side.
Then that was when the pandemonium started.
All Harry did was shake his head, though he had to give it to the man, he knew how to make an entrance!
Chapter 100: Sirius's Trial Pt.2
"Suprised to see me?" he asked as he held up his hands to either side with his cane in one. There was nothing to stop his obnoxious grin from spreading across his face.
All Harry could do was shake his head; though he had to give it to the man, he really knew how to make an entrance!
Then that was when the pandemonium started.
Everyone begin to talk all at once as some shouted in a fearful voice, "Call the Aurors back!"
While others were calling forth a battle to arms as if they were being besiged by a whole legion of angry bloodthirsty soldiers.
A few seem to remember the shield that was put up early today and they started shouted to Madam Longbottom, "Put the shield up, put the shield up!" As if their lives depended on it.
Most though were just screaming like little girls, Harry had to give it to one lord who really had some good pairs of lungs on him as he let out an ear-piercing girlish scream that could have cracked glass if he wanted.
Others decided to find shelter behind their servants and hanger-ons they brought with them, using them as a body shield.
Harry felt like bending over in laughter when he saw the Minster of Magic, Cornelius Fudge eyes begin to roll back in his head and he fainted on the spot. Umbridge tried to shake him awake but the man was long gone into unconsciousness.
There were still plenty of brave souls inside the chamber of the Wizengamot as they all had their wands out and at the ready.
Sirius took everything in with calm eyes though his grin was still on his face, "What has you all in a bunch, huh? Did you just get attacked by someone?!" he joked, but he had no idea how truly on the mark he was.
Seeing that nobody was laughing at his jokes, the black haired man shook his head and muttered to himself, "Talk about being a tough crowd."
In all the mayhem and noise going on, Madam was one of the few people that reminded calm and still in her seat. Speaking up, her voice must have been amplified and magically altered as it cut through the noise.
"What are you doing here?" she simply asked. As Sirius spoke up to answer, Harry did not miss the glances that the old woman sent his way. All Harry gave was a discrete nod of his head, and the elderly witch left him be for now.
"I am here for my trial!" Sirius answered with a shrug. Then looking around at the gathering of High Lords and Ladies, he asked, "This is what this is about right. If not, I can leave," he pointed to the fireplace.
A deep rumbling chuckle echoed across the chamber room as everyone turned to look at Lord Cyrus Greengrass who was seated calmly in his seat. "We are just surprised by your unannounced visit, that is all," he answered for the room at large.
"Well I can't miss my own trial can't I?" Sirius mused, "And there is some stuff I have to say about my crimes." Turning to the court crier, Sirius asked, "What did you say again that I did."
The poor man looked startled that he was being addressed from among everyone, and with the way his face whitened like a piece of parchment. He wasn't really feeling too good about gaining the scrutiny of Voldermort's so called right hand man.
"N- no... n-nothing Sir," the man squeaked out as he tried to make himself as small as possible.
Sighing, Sirius stared pointedly at the trembling man, "Good lord, man. I won't bite! Stand up straight, have a bit of spine. Just repeat the so called crimes I committed."
Looking around for help and seeing he wasn't getting any except blank stares, the man shuddered out, "Sirius Black, you are accused of betraying the Potters, murdering twelve Muggles, and murdering Order of Merlin, First Class Pettigrew Pettigrew."
"Well first of all I didn't betray the Potter, James and Lily were my best friend..."
"How dare you say their names," Kingsley Shacklebolt spat out with disgust in his eyes. "They treated you with respect and care..."
"Could I please finish," Sirius said with an exasperated sigh, "when I am done you can throw around all the insults you like."
Seeing that no one else was about to cut him off, of course, thanks to how fiendishly evil he looked with a scowl on his face. Sirius straightened his jacket and continued, "like I was saying. If there was any crime I am guilty of, is trusting those I shouldn't have like Pettigrew Pettigrew."
"What do you mean," Madam Longbottom asked as she narrowed her gaze at the man.
However before the Black family wizard could answer, Aurors started to pour in from the fireplace. They all had their wands raised and at the ready, then in a flash, they were surrounding Sirius who sat calmly on his chair.
Talk about awful timing, Harry thought, couldn't they come swooping in the last minute after Sirius got his name cleared.
The lead Auror stepped up and called out in a quiet tone, "Sirius Black, you are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent, anything you do or say can be used against y-..."
"Wait," Amelia Bones shouted as she got up from her chair. "This man is about to stand trial."
"What do you mean," Lucius Malfoy sneered, "arrest him and toss him into the deepest hellhole you can find. One that he can not escape from."
For a moment there Harry could have sworn he caught worry on the pompous ass's face. And really he should be distressed, after all he did invade the Black family lands and estates and tried to make their wealth his own.
"Let's put an end to this charade," Fudge said as he puffed himself up. The idiot seem to have been wakened up by his Undersecretary at long last. O, how Harry wished he stayed like that as he listened to him continue to prattle on like the buffon he was.
"Since he has decided to fall into our laps, arrest him. And toss him back into Azkaban, but make sure you put on Anti-Animagus runes on him so that he can not escape again."
"This man... no this Great Lord has never had a trial before until today for the accusations laid before him," Amelia growled.
"Are you telling me he has been tossed to Azkaban without even a trial at all?" Lord Cyrus asked as he rubbed his goatee in contemplation.
"I must say that is setting a dangerous precedent," Harry played along as he put on a false concerned expression on his face. "Forget a common man, but for a Lord, and one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. For his basic rights to be waved away like that..." Harry shook his head, putting a sad expression on his face.
"What will happen tomorrow, will we be thrown into Azkaban without any due process, at the whim of whoever is in charge."
Loud muttering was heard throughout the chamber as lords and ladies angrily and suspiciously murmur to each other as they all clearly agreed with him. Forget the basic rights of a person there was no way that a noble pure-blood would want to give up his special rights and the high rank they were held up in.
If this was true... then this would set up a very bad example who knew when someone one could look back on this date and take an example from out of history.
"I still does not matter," Fudge said, not realizing the way the room was swinging. Anyways that wasn't the point, what was that a scion of a Great house got put into Azkaban without legal proceedings where he could defend himself.
"He is still convict of those crimes. I remember well that day we surrounded him, after all I was the one leading it. I know without a shadow of a doubt he killed those poor muggles and obliterated fine young Pettigrew Pettigrew! And everyone knows that he was working for Voldermort on the inside acting as his most loyal servant because after all what can you expect from a Black, huh?!"
"Are you done, Minster?" Harry asked, just listening to the man made him want to ripe out his ears. Harry could see why he was so against all this, his arrest of Sirius is after all what brought him to stardom and lead him to the Mister of Magic post.
If it came out that the thing that defined him was all false then it would be all over for him. The press would have a field day with him, and people would start to about the validity of him being in the most powerful office in the land, and of course that let to one thing.
The one thing that all politicians feared, dismissal from office.
"Anyways why do you care what happens to him?" Lord Rosier asked all of the sudden, he seem to finally collect himself as he wasn't a wild mess anymore. "Isn't he the one who betrayed your parents to the Dark Lord?"
Only a Death Eater would call Voldermort the dark lord not daring to use his name or not as fearful as the average wizard folk who called him - you know who. The man knew as he did, Sirius was no betrayer.
"It doesn't matter what I think, or feel," Harry answered as he put on a serine expression. "even at a young age, I know how to set aside my anger and see the bigger picture. Something I wish I could say about you, my lord," Harry smiled at the man.
"You little brat," the androgynous man shouted as he got up from his chair with his eyes blazing over.
"Please be seated," Madam Longbottom spoke up, "this is a gathering of the most esteemed and powerful people in this land. Not a playground yard where you can sling mud at each other."
"My apologies, Chief Warlock," Harry bowed his head, though he wasn't sorry one bit. Putting Death Eaters was after all one of his favorites after times.
Sniffing daintily like a little girl the man turned his head away not saying a word.
Ignoring the older man who was acting like the child instead of the other way around, Madam Longbottom waved her hand at the Auror forcing them all to take a step back.
Sirius brushed at his jacket wiping any some imaginary dust while he winked at the retreating Aurors.
"Is this true, Amelia?" Madam Longbottom asked as she did not take her eyes off of Sirius for a moment. Her gaze was narrowed at him as if she was contemplating something.
"Yes, Ma'am. I too couldn't believe this so I checked all the court's records, and nothing... There is no file on Sirius or the minutes of his trial."
"Maybe you didn't have the right clearance," Malfoy snorted as his eyes darted looking for anything to delay this.
Chuckling softly as Amelia showed a rare moment of mirth, the woman looked down at the man. "They are a public record, Lucius, anyone could view the court minutes."
Going red in the face, there were a few loud laughs at the pretentious fool account including Harry of course while the other in the chamber barely held it back, even the Aurors let out awkward coughs.
The only person who seem unaffected was Madam Longbottom who continued, "if that is true then give the man his trial."
Harry did not know that this had been weighing him as much until he heard those words, it was like a massive weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
"Bring out the Veritaserum would you, so that there is no doubt what I say" Sirius uttered, "I will be willing to lower my defenses."
"You heard him," Madam Longbottom said, "bring out the Truth Potion!:
Doing as commanded someone came in from the fireplace carrying a tray, the person quickly administered the potion into Sirius as his eyes started to gloss over.
"First question, who are you," Madam Longbottom asked.
"Sirius Black, the new Lord of House Black."
Muttering fulling the chamber, as the truth as been verified, Sirius was indeed a Lord of a Noble and Most Ancient House."
"Were you loyal to Voldermort, or working for him in any sort of fashion?"
"That old fucking snake, ha, as if. There might be some Death Eaters here with you all, but I am not one nor shall I ever be."
"That a load of hogwash," Lord Flint cried out, "you were the Dark Lord's most loyal..."
"Enough," Madam Longbottom said as she glared down at the Death Eater, "I am running these procedures, not you Lord Flint. If you interrupt me again, you shall be taking the first Floo out of here. Am I understood?" she asked, daring him to say otherwise.
"Yes, Ma'am," he answered as his eyes narrowed at the older woman.
"Now where was I?!" she said. "So you didn't betray the Potters. You are saying Peter the now dead man did it?" she asked with a raised eyebrow, clearly not buying it.
"Ha, that rat is more than alive," Sirius growled. Then turning back to the older woman, "I can understand why you wouldn't believe me, so I have proof," he said as he withdrew an old battery parchment from the fold of his pockets.
It was the one and only Marauder's Map, Harry handed it over to Sirius since he said he would have some use for it.
He made sure to be extra careful as the Aurors suddenly pointed their wands at him and he held it up to the older woman.
"What is it?" she asked as glanced over at it then back up at him.
"This is an enchanted map that me and my friends made back in the day. It plots out Hogwarts clearly for you."
"And what use does it have for me?" the old woman shook her head.
"This," Sirius said as he brought out his wand which immediately had the Aurors on the alert, but he just ignored them as he swirled his wand over the parchment. "The map as an interesting feature were you can go back, so now that you can see this," he said.
Nodding her head to the Head Auror who walked up to Sirius carefully, the man took the map from him and started casting some spell looking for some traps. Once he was satisfied with his thorough check-up, he finally handed it over to the Chief Warlock.
On it of course was Peter Pettigrew's name right next to Ronald Weasley and the other boys he shared his dorm with.
"Wait," Madam Longbottom said as she spotted her grandson's name nearby. "You are saying he was hiding in the Gryffindor boy's dormitory."
"Of course in his Animagus form as a rat," Sirius bowed his head.
"What does that prove," Malfoy snorted, "for all we can know you could have falsified this. I will have you know we will not fall for it!" the man said as if he was the most righteous individual in this room fighting against evil.
Grinning at the man, Sirius said nothing but took out something else from his pocket a tuft of rat hair. "If you want my lord," he said as if the word was an insult, "you can check for yourself. This is hair from Peter that I plucked off of him when I had him cornered. I believe a simple ritual would do."
Greedily taking it with a wave of his hand, Harry could read the asswipe like an open book. It was obvious the man would purge the evidence which could prove that Peter was still alive and well.
Still with his smile on his face, Sirius continued, "of course I do have some more, which I would like to submit to his court. I did make sure to take a rather large bit out of him," he said as he showed teeth, making him look very feral.
Watching as Lucius's face fell and then he threw away the hairs which he seem to treasure a few moments ago in disgust, Harry chuckled deep inside.
"Still," Madam Longbottom said, "even if this does prove that Peter is still alive. You are still the one who is credited for betraying the Potters."
"And who said that?" Sirius asked as he leaned in his seat.
"Dumbledore," the old lady simply answered.
"What if I said he speaks lies," Sirius stated, "after all he was the one who made the Fidelius Charm and should know better than anyone who the Secret Keeper was."
Loud gasps echoed in the chamber at the wizard's accusations.
If you guys want advance chapters check out my Pa/ treon I am 25 chapters ahead!
www Pa/ treon /Mark_Ward
