Chapter 22
The Trial
The rest of the weekend was immensely tense. Remus refused to speak or even be in the same room as Voldemort. He did his own cooking, cooking for himself and Harry, however, he did his best to even ignore Voldemort's existence. At night, Harry could hear Remus cry from the guest bedroom across his room. Before Harry knew it, it was Monday, the day of the trial, and Remus looked as though he was nowhere near ready to forgive Harry's father.
The three men made sure to dress in their best suits. Harry wore a dark green suit jacket over a white button-up shirt and emerald tie with black slacks, looking rather Slytherin for the famed Gryffindor, while Voldemort dressed in all black, looking lethally formal. Remus was dressed in his cleanest set of robes, holding Voldemort's hand as they walked into the courtroom, however, he never looked at Voldemort.
The courtroom was filled with all of the Wizengamot members, sitting in their elevated seats in the front of the stone courtroom. Two tables were in front of them, each with empty seats. Around them in the stands were reporters and onlookers, the entire room buzzing with nervous anticipation as Voldemort led Harry and Remus to their seats at the right table. Harry looked around from his seat. He saw a few professors from Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall was sitting with Professor Snape and Professor Slughorn, the last of which seemed to have brought a small baggy of treats as he munched on a crystallized pineapple. There were some other faces he recognized, old Hogwarts students who graduated. The Weasley Family all sat together, Mrs. Weasley giving Harry an apologetic smile as Fred and George both gave him a huge grin and thumbs up. The Malfoys were there as well, naturally, Draco staring at Harry with pride as he sat between his mother and father. The buzz lowered as pictures were taken. Harry did his best to ignore them and looked up at the Wizengamot members, his eyes resting on the Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour. He never saw or met the man before now. All he knew was from the Daily Prophet and even then, Harry did not know how to feel about the man.
He seemed more confident than Fudge, reminding Harry of an old lion with gray in his mane of hair and bushy eyebrows. He seemed to exhibit a natural dominance that radiated the room. An Alpha, no doubt, but Harry was too scared of the whole situation to even acknowledge it. There was movement behind them, and Harry saw the Minister nod. Everyone turned around to see the doors opened, and in walked Dumbledore unaccompanied by guards.
The room exploded as Dumbledore walked in calmly. Reporters were yelling questions as cameras all took pictures, flicking like bright lights as the crowd all murmured their own opinions. Harry did his best to stay calm, looking forward when the old man reached the two desks, he was afraid to meet Dumbledore in the eye. Dumbledore moved to sit on the opposite table, alone. The Minister of Magic stood up and raised his hand. The room died into a silence. Minister Scrimgeour lowered his hand and looked around.
"We are here today to discuss the charges brought against Albus Dumbledore by Tom Riddle. These charges include kidnapping, slander, forced injection of Alpha Protein into an Omega, as well as neglect for the welfare of one Harry James Potter, our very own Chosen One," the Minister glanced at Harry as he said this. "Neglect which includes libel over Mr. Potter's second gender and his personal relationships. Both Professor Dumbledore and Mr. Riddle have chosen to represent themselves, and so Professor Dumbledore I must ask how do you plea to the charges brought against you?"
Dumbledore stood up and said with confidence, "Not Guilty. Everything I have done; I have done with good reasoning."
"Minister, if I may," Mr. Riddle said. "I want to make a correction to the charges as you have read them."
"A correction?" the Minister frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You've called my son by the wrong surname. Harrison's full name is Harrison Salazar Riddle. You have called him by his wrong name, Harry James Potter," Mr. Riddle explained smoothly. "There is also the further titling of my son as 'the Chosen One.' I have made it quite clear in my initial charging as well as with follow-up documentation that the prophecy that labels my son as such is fictitious."
Minister Scrimgeour's frown deepened at that. "You are saying that Harry Potter is not the savior of the wizarding world, Mr. Riddle? Am I understanding that?"
"I am saying that it is both irresponsible and highly abusive to put the state of our existence all on a teenage boy who is barely old enough to use magic outside of Hogwarts," Mr. Riddle said. "The fact that this prophecy exists is also to be highly contested, due to the circumstances surrounding it and it's creation. I have gone through these reasons in the documents that I have submitted."
"Oh, oh yes I see," Minister Scrimgeour muttered, frowning at the small stack of papers as though reading them would be the worst task in the world. He looked around the Wizengamot. "Did anyone else read Mr. Riddle's charges fully?"
"I have, of course," said a square-jawed witch with close-cropped gray hair and a monocle. Harry recognized her from his previous trial last year, she was Amelia Bones, Susan Bones' aunt. "As I am sure everyone else here has."
"Yes, yes of course," Scrimgeour nodded. "Though they all still need to be debated. I know about your recent resurgence and media presence; however, I am not sure I believe any of it. I've been an Auror for many years, Riddle, and you learn a thing or two on the force, one of them is sniffing out lies and dark magic. You are surrounded by Dark Magic, are you not?"
"I will not deny that," Mr. Riddle answered smoothly. "Yes, I have practiced the lesser Dark Arts for pure research purposes. I am a researcher, and magic is my subject. Before Harrison's kidnapping, I have been researching the Dark Arts and the exact properties of their danger. Taking spells and breaking them down to their simplest forms and examining them. Something, I am very proud to say, my dear Harrison has also taken an interest in."
"You are teaching Harry Potter Dark Arts!?" Scrimgeour shouted, sounding both furious and scandalized. Both Riddles shook their head.
"No, I am not," Mr. Riddle said strongly. "Perhaps we can have Harry present his interests and have you all determine whether or not it truly is Dark Magic. Does that sound fair to you Minister, Dumbledore?" He looked between the Minister of Magic and Dumbledore.
"Very well," Scrimgeour muttered, not looking pleased. Dumbledore, however, just watched Mr. Riddle carefully before nodding.
"Excellent," Mr. Riddle smiled. "Harry, if you would?"
Realizing that he was going to have to speak, Harry's face turned red as he stood up, fully aware of the hundreds of pairs of eyes all focusing on him. He cleared his throat and tried to speak as clearly as he could. "Uh, it's true. I talked about this with Professor McGonagall when I switch career goals. I wanted to become an Auror initially, however, I decided that it would be better, for me, if uh I went into something else. I wanted to look into magic, like the origins of magic and told Professor McGonagall as such. Specifically, I want to study and examine the properties and makings of spells, focusing on their classification of whether they are Dark or Light Magic. In the hopes that through my examination some spells can be changed or given a different perspective." Harry finished and looked around, hoping that he was able to convey his thoughts correctly.
The Minister stared at Harry for a while, and the young Omega could feel the Alpha's presence radiating from the man. He shortened the chain on Draco's necklace and pressed his hand against it. "You wanted to be an Auror?" the Minister asked.
"Originally, yes," Harry nodded.
"And you stopped because of your second gender?" Scrimgeour asked, as though the thought was offensive. "We have plenty of Omega Aurors, Mr. Potter."
"No, I changed because I was no longer interested in becoming one," Harry said, he felt himself slowly gain confidence as he inhaled Draco's scent from the necklace. "However I thought the point of this was whether or not my father was teaching me the Dark Arts."
"Sounds like it to me personally," Scrimgeour muttered.
"I must say, I must agree with Harry on this point, Minister," Dumbledore said, speaking for once. "I too am shocked that you want to change your career path, however, what you propose does sound intellectually interesting. Though, this would require a mastery of Ancient Runes, which you have not taken up as an elective."
"I know, Professor," Harry said, his voice hardening. "Professor McGonagall and I have already talked about this and the best course would be private tutoring after I graduate Hogwarts. However, that doesn't mean I'm waiting until then to get started completely. I have been looking through my father's notes and talking about it with my friends."
"I see, then perhaps a small intellectual exercise? This will bring this motion to rest," Dumbledore suggested, looking at the Wizengamot. "Harry's research is based firstly on his father's; we can question both to figure out if the Riddles are indeed guilty of being practitioners of the Dark Arts."
The Wizengamot agreed and Harry felt nervous at being suddenly thrust into the hot seat. Mr. Riddle shook his head. "Honestly, Dumbledore shall you continue to use my son even now? Harrison does not need to prove anything, it is not him or me who is on trial, but you, Dumbledore. We are here so you can finally answer to your years of neglect and abuse! Not to question my son's interest in my research!"
"However Tom, I have to argue that Harry's interest might be unnatural," Dumbledore countered. "If through your research it can be proven that you are manipulating him against everything he knew—"
"Manipulating Harrison? Don't you dare begin to talk about manipulation, Albus Dumbledore! You have had a hand in Harrison's development ever since you kidnapped him!" Mr. Riddle yelled. "From when he arrived to the Potters to when he was given to the Dursleys instead of his godparents and now here, you are trying to use my son as a shield so you can play the victim!"
"Stop this," Scrimgeour yelled out. "Harry Potter will do a demonstration!" He ended his statement with a bang of his gavel. He glared at Harry, "Step forward," then he added in a gentler tone, "if you please." Harry felt everyone's eyes on him as he stood up once again from the table and walked around so that he was standing in the middle of the circular room. He swallowed heavily. "Right now… what exactly was your proposal again?"
Madam Bones answered. "From my understanding as head of the Auror Department, Mr. Riddle here, it is Mr. Riddle, correct?" she said in a booming voice, glancing at Harry, who nodded. "Mr. Riddle wishes to examine spells and break down their properties to determine what exactly makes them Dark Magic or not. Is that correct, Mr. Riddle?"
"Yes, ma'am," Harry nodded.
"And the end result?"
"To write my findings," Harry answered. "We already use Dark Magic regularly. Jinxes and hexes are used regularly and even taught to students in Hogwarts. It is only the third classification, Curses, that are frowned upon, at least with spells. That said I also found that during times of war, the Ministry has allowed Aurors to use Dark Magic Curses against their enemies." He glanced at Minister Scrimgeour as though he was going to comment or deny that.
Instead, the Minister nodded, "We have," he said, "when it is needed."
"However even though Aurors use it during wartime, it has been always illegal for the rest of the population," Harry continued. "That seems a bit unfair that Aurors can be judged on what is acceptable than the general population! This isn't my focus of study however it seems that with my research this issue can be addressed."
"You think we are unfair?" Scrimgeour asked.
"No, he is not saying that," Madam Bones said, "however we are getting distracted. Now Harry, how would you classify a simple charm? Perhaps the Severing Charm? A popular spell among seamstress and barbers."
Harry nodded and thought, racking his brain as he tried his best to remember everything he could about the Severing Spell. It was hard to do so under pressure. He could feel his face flush, he didn't want to fail his father or look stupid. "We are not asking that you be an immediate expert, just give us your understanding and thoughts based on your current level of education," Professor Dumbledore said. Harry did not want to be grateful to the old man, however, his words did quell a small part of his anxiousness.
"It can be a very dangerous spell if used wrongly," Harry said, looking up at the members of the Wizengamot. He did his best to avoid Minister Scrimgeour who he was quickly growing to dislike. It was created for common tasks such as cutting cloth and hair, as you said Madam Bones, I even saw Mrs. Weasley use it once to cut up a really stubborn potato. However, the spell was to cut, it's incantation is Diffindo. If I remember correctly, it comes from uhh Latin? Meaning to cut or split or open."
"That is correct, Harry," Professor Dumbledore interrupted. "Specifically, it is the first person active indicative. Where did you learn this?"
"Hermione's books—anyway," Harry continued, never looking at Dumbledore. "That is the spell. To split open. It does not mention cloth or hair or potatoes, the target that is being severed or cut is the caster's target. So it would then be, I would argue, the caster's intention that makes this spell dangerous or not, and not the spell itself. Though I am sure that it cannot lob a head off of someone's shoulders, it can give a person cuts, I would imagine."
"Yes, thank you Mr. Potter for that, uh, stunning description," Minister Scrimgeour said. "So you are saying that it is not Dark Magic?"
"No, I am saying that it all depends on the caster's intentions, just as Dark Magic is currently ranked," Harry said. "The majority of its use is for common stuff, however, that does not mean that it doesn't have the possibility of doing harm. A person can use the spell just as easy to give someone cuts as to cut open a potato."
"So we should never teach the spell? Is that what you are saying?" Scrimgeour demanded. Harry blinked, where did the Minister get that conclusion from?
Harry shook his head, "No, Minister, but maybe extra cautious should be given while teaching it, emphasizing the dangers that can come from it if handled poorly." He found himself glancing at the stands, his eyes falling on the three professors who came to watch the trial. Snape just scowled uninterested while Slughorn continued eating, looking amused at the whole trial. Professor McGonagall, however, was watching Harry with interest, and the slight upward curl of her lips told Harry that he, at least in her eyes, passed an unknown test he was taking.
"I see," Scrimgeour muttered. He looked at Dumbledore, "Do you see uh fault in this boy's logic?"
"No Minister, with Harry's current experience, I would say that his explanation is flawless," Dumbledore said. "However I am concerned that we should not use just his explanation to stand for Tom Riddle's research. The boy might not have been influenced as greatly as feared, however, it is no secret that Mr. Riddle dove into the most dangerous of Dark Magic for his 'research.'"
"Is this true?" Minister Scrimgeour demanded.
"That I have researched the Unforgivable Curses and broke them apart? Yes," Mr. Riddle said. "However you do not need to be a user of the Dark Arts to break them down, just as Harrison demonstrated with the Severing Charm. We did not see him use it, or anyone in this room use it. He used his own knowledge of the spell and its effects, as well as its background and creation in order to arrive at a reasonable conclusion. Why should my research be any different but on a bigger and more detailed scale? I have looked into the Unforgivable Curses and what makes them so deadly and unforgivable both to understand them and see if a counter-spell is possible. I have done the same with the Patronus Charm, which is the furthest from the Unforgivable Curses as you can be. I admit that I cannot perform a Patronus like my son, however that does not mean that I cannot research it!"
The Minister leaned back and gave a low hum. "That does sound reasonable," he muttered. He closed his eyes for a moment then nodded.
"Very well, I believe I can say with confidence that you are not a Dark Wizard, Mr. Riddle," Scrimgeour said. "But that is not why we are here, is it?"
"No Minister, that is not," Mr. Riddle nodded. Harry took this as a cue he can return to his seat and did so without haste. Remus patted his back and gave Harry an encouraging smile. "We are here about Dumbledore and his crimes against my family. Starting with when he hired two people many years ago to kidnap Harrison."
"Yes, kidnapping… you did not report this kidnapping to the Aurors when it happened, correct?" Scrimgeour asked.
"At the time, no. I knew who was behind it and knew that due to his connections to the Auror department, they would only delay and bring up roadblocks every step of the way," Mr. Riddle said. "This also happened only a month after my husband and Omega, Adrian, died during childbirth. Needless to say, I was still grieving over my loss. Harrison's kidnapping pushed me over an edge."
"An edge that led to Dark Magic?" the Minister asked.
"No worse, an edge that led to depression," Mr. Riddle said. "A severe almost manic depression that lasted for years. I have lost my sense of self, hopelessly looking for my Harrison, not knowing that Dumbledore gave him to the Potters who changed his name to Harry James Potter, and later when they passed away, was given to the muggle Dursleys who were Lily Potter's relatives."
"And during all of this, you did not think once to go to the Ministry for help?" Scrimgeour asked.
"No, I did not," Mr. Riddle said. "If this would make a difference, I do not know. For at this point, Harrison was known as Harry Potter: The Boy Who Lived. I fear that the Ministry would not see me as a lost father, but as a greedy man clambering for fame and attention. That, and as I have said before I did not make the connection between my Harrison Riddle and Harry Potter. That connection was not made until this very summer where, ironically enough, Harrison found me."
"And how did he find you?" someone from the Wizengamot asked.
"By pure luck, it would seem," Mr. Riddle said. "It was an open secret that Harrison is a Parseltongue. How this is possible, I cannot say, perhaps it is an aftereffect of his unfortunate encounter with Lord Voldemort,"—everyone except Harry and Dumbledore flinched at the name. Remus frowned and looked down at the table— "Needless to say, he simply followed my pet snake one day and found his way home."
"Your pet snake," The Minister repeated.
"That sounds too convenient," Dumbledore said. "Minister, the odds that a snake could lead Harry from his home in Surrey to wherever Mr. Riddle was residing at the time are laughable. I suggest that he otherwise kidnapped Harry from the Dursleys and kept him locked away during the summer until he truly believed this ludicrous story!"
"You're wrong!" Harry screamed, standing up so quickly his chair almost fell. "You're wrong! You kidnapped me! Not my father! Nagini found me one day after the Dursleys abused me, I was running away because of the article Skeeter wrote about me—the article that you helped write because you told her everything!"
"The boy is clearly hysterical, we cannot take what he is saying seriously," Dumbledore quickly said.
"I am not hysterical!" Harry yelled.
"Harrison," Mr. Riddle said in a warning tone. He cleared his throat and said calmly, "As my son was saying, though it sounds like from a story, that was indeed what happened. Harrison came to me, following Nagini, my beloved pet who had kept me sane during Harrison's time away, and there, in Malfoy Manor, we were reunited."
"Why were you in Malfoy Manor?" Scrimgeour asked. "Did you know about Mr. Malfoy's alleged ties to Dark Magic and You-Know-Who?"
"My personal home was under reconstruction at the time," Mr. Riddle said. "Lucius Malfoy was kind enough to open his doors to me during that period. As for the allegations regarding Mr. Malfoy and his ties to the Dark Arts and Voldemort, I did know about them, yes, however, I also know that he has been cleared of any and all allegations and suspicions."
The Minister nodded, accepting the answer. "Professor Dumbledore, do you have a response to this?"
Dumbledore frowned, muttering to himself. He shook his head, "No, I do not."
"Very well," Scrimgeour said grimly. "Though I still have doubt that Harry Potter can simply stumble his way onto Malfoy's property, as well as being kidnapped and placed into the Potter's care."
Harry heard movement to his left and looked up to see Remus standing, looking uncertain. "I can explain how Harry found his way to Lily and James, Minister," he said.
"You are?" the Minister asked.
"Remus Lupin, I was good friends with both Lily and James, as well as Harry's godfather with my husband Sirius Black. Now I am… I am in a relationship with Tom Riddle. Sirius and I, we both visited Lily and James the day after they got Harry. Dumbledore delivered him personally in the middle of the night. It was him and one other person I cannot remember, I am sorry. Point is that Dumbledore gave Harry to Lily and James, who at the time were having trouble having a child of their own, and told them that his parents died tragically. They gave him his new name, and we all loved him, none more than Lily and James."
"Interesting," the Minister muttered. He frowned in thought, "And you said this happened in the middle of the night?"
"Harry's arrival happened around the middle of the night, yes, Lily and James were wakened up by Dumbledore's knocking," Remus nodded.
"I see," the Minister said, his face looking grim. "Then we have no more doubt, do we?" He looked around the Wizengamot, all of whom shook their heads. "Let us move on then."
Harry couldn't help but smirk victoriously at Dumbledore, loving the shock on the old man's face. The shock quickly faded and turned into a thoughtful expression as Minister Scrimgeour shuffled through the papers, looking for the next point. "You claim that Albus Dumbledore is the reason for Harry Potter's abuse, correct? But abuse from whom?"
"The Dursleys of course," Mr. Riddle said.
"Harry was not abused by the Dursleys!" Dumbledore argued. "They were strict at most."
"You call starving my child strict? Hitting him? Making him feel unsafe?" Mr. Riddle asked. "Professor Dumbledore, Harrison has gone to you multiple times about this issue, and each time you send him back there without even checking to see if it was true. You and the Dursleys made Harrison feel trapped inside that hellscape."
"Is this true?" the Minister asked. "Mr. Potter?"
Harry just nodded before looking up, "Yes, it's true," he said. "I was treated horribly because I was magic and because I was my parents, Lily and James's, son. They've locked me away in a cupboard under the stairs where I lived for eleven years. They beat me, made me do all of their chores even when I physically couldn't, and barely fed me. They were both nasty in their own personal way. Uncle Vernon would whip me with his belt and Aunt Petunia would grab me by my hair, cutting it to shreds only for it to grow back the next day."
Behind him, Harry could hear muttering. The Wizengamot members, however, stared at Harry unemotionally, from either not caring or doing their best to be neutral he could not say. Scrimgeour looked at Dumbledore, "Is it true that you never checked on Harry?"
"It was a dangerous time, if people knew that I was visiting Harry's home to make sure he was safe, Voldemort's followers would have eventually found him," Dumbledore said. "I had to stay away for Harry's safety. I've left a letter explaining everything to Petunia and Vernon Dursley."
"I would argue that in this case, a letter would not be enough," Mr. Riddle said. "Especially if you have been so concern about Harrison's safety."
"Yes, yes, I'm inclined to agree," Scrimgeour nodded. "I would have at least visited once after the trials were over."
"I wanted Harry to have a normal childhood," Dumbledore said, "my presence would only have complicated things."
"So instead you left him at the hands of the muggles who have already resented Lily and James Potter," Mr. Riddle said. "You have thrown Harry at their mercy, and the price was sixteen years of suffering and abuse. Even after he told you, you still forced him to return."
"It was for the greater good," Dumbledore said. "Harry Potter was safe with the Dursleys, as long as he considered the place home and the muggles his family."
"I never did," Harry's voice cut through the room like a knife. "I always hated it there. I never thought the place was home, just as prison I was forced to stay in. And now I know the muggles were never my family in the first place."
Dumbledore's face fell as he stared at Harry. Harry only glared at him back. "I hated it there. I found every excuse I could to be away from it."
"And now he will never go there again," Mr. Riddle said, "both because he is home, with me and Remus, as well as the poorly timed passing of Mr. and Mrs. Dursley."
"Ah yes, Petunia and Vernon's murders," Dumbledore said.
"Accidental deaths, if I remember the muggle report," Mr. Riddle countered. "Their house burned down to faulty electricity or something. Whatever the muggles use to power their appliances." The Wizengamot nodded.
"I've remembered reading about that as well," some muttered.
"Terrible tragedy, but now I do not know…"
"The point is that Harrison would not have been there if not for Dumbledore. It was Dumbledore who ordered told Hagrid, the groundskeeper at Hogwarts, to get to Harrison first before anyone else. He even took Sirius Black's flying motorcycle to do it!" Mr. Riddle said. "At the time of Lily and James's death, Harrison should have gone to either Sirius Black or Remus Lupin as they are his godparents. Instead, Dumbledore had his own groundskeeper steal the child away for a second time and brought him to the muggles."
"That is slander!" Dumbledore yelled.
"No it is not, it is what happened," Mr. Riddle said. "I've asked Hagrid myself during my visits to the school to prepare for this case. The current Headmistress of Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall, can agree as a witness to mine and Hagrid's conversations." He looked up at the crowd, his eyes falling directly on Professor McGonagall. A hush fell upon the room as everyone looked at her.
"Well, ma'am? Is this true?" Scrimgeour asked.
"This is quite unorthodox, I was not informed that I would be needed to testify," Professor McGonagall said, "however yes it is true. Mr. Riddle visited Hogwarts several times in preparation for this trial, and each time he interviewed one of the staff, I accompanied him. One of the staff members he talked with has been our own groundskeeper and keeper of the keys, Rubeus Hagrid." She sat back down as the crowd exploded in yells and comments.
"SILENCE!" Scrimgeour yelled and Harry found himself yelping softly as the Alpha's scent and power overwhelmed everyone. Only Dumbledore and Mr. Riddle were unaffected. He looked down at Dumbledore and said, "This does not look good for you, Dumbledore."
"I stand by my decision, at the time the Dursleys were the safest place to place young Harry," Dumbledore said. However, it looked as though the crowd was starting to disagree with him. There were murmurs and disappointing looks aimed at Dumbledore's way. The Minister stood once more, and the murmurs die.
"If that is what you believe," he said. "However, this does not even begin to compare the last charge set against you: knowingly giving Harry Potter, an Omega, Alpha Protein under false pretenses. This is evidence found, if I am not mistaken, by Harry himself?"
"Yes, minister," Mr. Riddle nodded. "Dumbledore lied to two people who cared very much for Harrison, both of whom through no fault of their own added the Alpha Protein to Harrison's food daily for some time."
"And who are these people?" the Minister asked.
"Molly Weasley, mother of Harrison's best friend, Ron Weasley, and the house-elf Dobby," Mr. Riddle said. There was a loud gasp and everyone turned to see Mrs. Weasley teary-eyed as she looked at Harry.
"Oh Harry dear I'm so sorry!" she cried out, "I did not know—I thought that they were supplements for you!"
"Enough!" Scrimgeour yelled, "I will not have anyone else interrupting this court!"
"I'm sorry, Minister—I mean—" Mrs. Weasley blubbered over her words as she tried to dry her tears. Harry did his best to give her a reassuring smile, but he didn't know if it helped.
Mr. Riddle cleared his throat and nodded, "During the summer after Harrison and his friends went to Diagon Alley to get their supplies for Hogwarts, Mrs. Weasley, under instructions given explicitly by Dumbledore, went to the nearby Apothecary to pick up the Alpha Protein, which she was told and was labeled as vitamins and supplements for my son. I have given you all a copy of the receipts, all signed for in Dumbledore's name." Mr. Riddle waved his wand and a copy of the receipts appeared in front of each member as well as his and Dumbledore's table. The Minister picked up his copy and muttered to himself. "Harry was given this during the summer?"
"Yes, and it was continually spiked into his food during most of September until Harry and his friends went down to the kitchens themselves to stop it," Mr. Riddle nodded. "This is the jar of Alpha Protein that Dumbledore has given the house-elf Dobby." The jar appeared in front of the Minister. "As with Hagrid, I have personally interviewed the house-elf, under Professor McGonagall's supervision."
Scrimgeour frowned. "Dumbledore, you must know what happens when an Omega consumes Alpha Protein! What possible excuse do you have for this?"
"None, I will not excuse my actions, however, I have done, as I always have done, what I felt was for the greater good. Harry needed to focus on the task ahead of him, defeating Voldemort. I saw immediately that his second gender was an issue, it would be detrimental for him to go into battle and be distracted because of his heat," Dumbledore said passionately. "He needed the protein, needed to be rid of his heat if he were to survive this war and beat Voldemort. I knew the possible dangers and accepted them."
"Possible dangers!" Mr. Riddle yelled, "Because of you my son almost died! His uterus almost shriveled into uselessness! It was only luck that Ron Weasley stopped him from consuming any more of the protein during the summer! Any more and by the time I saw him on the platform, I would have been too late to save his reproductive system! You have put the cost of my family, my son, and his ability to have children under your Greater Good! What possible reason besides a personal vendetta do you have to do this? My life has been plagued by Albus Dumbledore, he has appeared at the worst of times and meddled with every aspect. From stealing my child to denying him a safe home, and even messing with his personal relationship with the Alpha known as Viktor Krum, all to isolate my son and make him malleable. To ruin my life! However, what I want to hear, now, is why. Why do you do this, Albus Dumbledore?"
"You know exactly why, Tom. You are dangerous," Dumbledore said.
"I want to know why too," the Minister demanded. "Dumbledore! What is your motivation behind this?"
"To save everyone," Dumbledore said fiercely. "This man before you is no man! Tom Riddle is a monster who has murdered and tortured hundreds and will do so again. Minister, everyone, Tom Riddle is no other than Lord Voldemort himself!"
It was as if Dumbledore has jumped up and cast the Killing Curse at Harry. Harry felt an icy cold hand reach for his heart and grip it tightly. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't speak. He just gawped stupidly as he looked at Dumbledore with absolute terror. The whole room seemed to caught in this icy grip as well. Nobody talked, they just stared at Dumbledore and Mr. Riddle in total shock.
Then, like a rock smashing into a window, the silence was shattered by a laugh. Harry's father was laughing in his chair. It wasn't a mad laugh, but it still unsettled Harry at how Lord Voldemort himself could laugh at this situation. He was just ousted! Just reveled in front of Aurors and the Minister of Magic himself! How could he laugh at this moment?
Harry was not the only one broken by Mr. Riddle's laughter. Chaos erupted in the stands, people screaming or demanding questions. The Aurors in the room all took out their wands uncertainly, aimed them at Mr. Riddle as he continued to laugh. Up in his seat, Scrimgeour screamed for order, banging his gavel but nobody listened. Dumbledore relaxed his pose, looking satisfied at his revelation, as though everything was turned around. Next to Harry, Remus sniffled, and out of reflex, Harry reached out to squeeze the older Omega's hand.
"ORDER! ORDER! I WILL HAVE ORDER!" Scrimgeour yelled, "ORDER!" The chaos did not die, it only seemed to increase. Scrimgeour threw the gavel to the ground and pulled out his wand, aiming it in the air.
Several loud bangs like loud gunshots rang through the air, and there was finally silence. "Order!" Scrimgeour yelled once more. "Dumbledore explain yourself! What do you mean Mr. Riddle is You-Know-Who? And Mr. Riddle why are you laughing!?"
"Because it is ridiculous," Mr. Riddle answered. "Me? The Dark Lord Voldemort? On what grounds?"
"You know exactly why, Tom," Dumbledore said. "Minister, this man is the reason for the last war and this one. He has fallen too deep into Dark Magic—"
"My research?" Mr. Riddle interrupted. "You are using my research against me? Dumbledore even you mustn't be so narrowminded? If I truly was Lord Voldemort, then my own son who I have gone through hell to get back is destined to kill me and me, him! And we both have no want in the slightest to kill each other. That is to say, even if this prophecy is real in the first place."
"Are you suggesting that there was a false prophecy in the Department of Mystery?" one of the members asked, glaring at Mr. Riddle. Harry assumed that he must work down there.
"No, I am saying that there was a false prophecy in the Department of Mystery, a prophecy contrived by Dumbledore himself all to get rid of my son," Voldemort said. "Consider the circumstances of when the prophecy was given. It happened during an interview in Hogs Head for a teaching position in Hogwarts, which has never happened before. Position interviews always happened in the castle, always, but for this one, Dumbledore went out of his way to go into the Hogs Head, a remote place, where it was just himself and the interviewee alone… and someone else listening in. Someone loyal, ultimately, to Dumbledore. It seemed all too convenient that a prophecy meant to save the world happened there, where someone could listen in, instead of in the Headmaster's office where the interview was supposed to happen. A prophecy that, unfortunately, led to the deaths of Lily and James Potter, and started the series of unfortunate events that led us here today in this courtroom. Dumbledore has planned all of this, every huge moment, as a final insult and act against me. He saw my son and decided to groom him into a soldier for his war, a soldier all too willing to die for his cause. That is Dumbledore's ultimate crime: he groomed Harry to die. This outrageous claim that I am Lord Voldemort is a pathetic excuse from a pathetic old man who has run out of cards to play. I will say this once and for all, for everyone to hear…
"I am not Lord Voldemort. I am simply Tom Riddle, a concerned father who wants nothing but the best for his son. I am a beaten and depressed man who has suffered under Albus Dumbledore for years, and now I will stand up against him and not let him kill my son."
Harry couldn't help but smile both in pride at how strong his father looked in that moment, and in victory as he saw the fight leave Dumbledore. The old headmaster slumped into his chair, looking defeated.
Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour picked up his gavel once more and looked around. "We all have heard enough," he said. He looked at his other Wizengamot members who nodded in agreement. "For the charges of kidnapping, slander, neglect, and abuse, as well as forced injection of Alpha Protein, those who find Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore innocent?" He, along with a small number of Wizengamot members raised their hands. "Guilty?" Scrimgeour asked and the rest of the Wizengamot members rose their hands, drastically outnumbering those who voted for innocence. The Minister nodded.
"Very well, we find Albus Dumbledore guilty of all charges," he said. "The usual sentence for this would be a lifetime in Azkaban, however, I will take into consideration the good Dumbledore has done for us, especially in the defeat of the Dark Wizard Grindelwald. With this in mind, Professor Dumbledore I revoke you of all your titles and positions, as well as sentence you to six months in Azkaban, after which you are under house arrest for fifty years. This I do for a charity in light of everything you have done." He banged his gavel, and it was all over.
Harry felt strange as he watched two Aurors take Dumbledore away. He was happy that they won, obviously, however it didn't feel like a satisfying victory. Dumbledore was going to spend the rest of his life in home instead of in jail. He had his titles revoked, yes, however, Harry felt as though the old man has gotten off easy, especially after everything that happened. Still, that did not stop him from hugging his father fiercely. "We did it," Mr. Riddle sighed as he hugged Harry, one hand combing Harry's hair. He looked up at Remus, smiling, only for the Omega to watch them sadly with a longing look.
Harry hugged Remus afterward and looked between the two of them awkwardly. "Dad…"
Mr. Riddle shook his head, "Later, Harry," he said. "Remus, would you please follow me?"
"Where are you going?" Remus asked, staring at the man with suspicion.
"I'm going to disband the Death Eaters," Mr. Riddle said. "I always had a plan, in case I needed it, and I want you to see my conviction. In order to do that, I need to speak with Malfoy. You too, Harrison."
Remus did not look convinced. He stood in place as Mr. Riddle walked away. Harry looked at him and said, "Please Remus? For me?"
Remus frowned as he looked down at Harry. He sighed, "I do not know how but you mastered James's pout," he muttered. "Fine." He took Harry's offered hand and the two walked to follow Mr. Riddle.
Reporters surrounded them immediately. Remus and Harry stuck close to Mr. Riddle as the Alpha said loudly, "We have no comments at the time! I just want to see my family home!"
Reporters still asked their questions, however, and through the crowd, people were shoved out of the way as Draco Malfoy emerged. "Harry!" he said, pulling his Omega to his chest and hugging him tightly. "You did beautifully today!"
"Thank you Alpha," Harry whispered.
"Mr. Malfoy! Mr. Malfoy! How do you feel about the accusations Dumbledore made?" a reporter asked, "did you know about the allegations against your father?"
"Neither boys will answer any of your questions," Mr. Riddle yelled once more. "I will gladly answer any and all questions at my home in an hour's time—until then I only want to bring my Omega and son home! Now please, move out of the way."
The crowd parted and Mr. Riddle started to walk. "Come along Draco, you may come too," he said. Draco only held onto Harry tighter as he began to walk with them. On the way, Harry saw his father and Mr. Malfoy meeting each other's gazes and giving a slight nod to each other. Mr. Riddle led the three of them to the fireplaces in the Atrium and one by one, with Mr. Riddle being last, they all went home.
Harry and Draco quickly fell upon each other in a loveseat, their legs tangled together as they cuddled, giving each other lazy kisses, or drawing patterns on the other's body as Remus sat awkwardly on the couch, glancing at Mr. Riddle who paced impatiently. It was almost ten minutes after they returned home and neither adult said a word. Suddenly, Mr. Riddle stopped and looked at the windows. "Finally," he muttered. "Draco, go open the door for your father."
Draco looked as though he didn't want to leave Harry for a second. "Go on, I won't move," Harry smiled, and he gave Draco one last kiss before they began the complicated procedure of untangling themselves from each other. Draco left the living room only to come back a moment later with his father following.
"My lord," Mr. Malfoy bowed.
"No Lucius, there will be no more of that," Mr. Riddle said, glancing at Remus. "It is time to right our wrongs. Voldemort is dead, and his dangerous followers will join him, or be placed back in Azkaban."
Mr. Malfoy's eyes widened as his skin paled. "I—I understand," he said.
"You know who to trust, and who needs taking care of. I want the Dark Lord to fade into obscurity," Mr. Riddle commanded. Mr. Malfoy gave a final bow and turned. He stared at Draco for a moment before leaving.
"What is my father going to do?" Draco asked, his skin starting to pale from fear like his father.
"He along with a small handful of others are going to betray the rest of the Death Eaters, killing some while sending the rest to Azkaban," Mr. Riddle said. "I am sorry, however, your aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange, is one of the few Death Eaters too dangerous to let live. Though she deserves to rot in Azkaban, I cannot risk having her break out once more."
"So that's it? Just sweep everything out from under the rug?" Remus said bitterly. "Like it never happened?"
"No, it did happen, and we are paying the consequences, they are paying the consequences," Mr. Riddle said. "Remus, I love you. Please just tell me how to repent and you know I shall do it. I want the Death Eaters gone, far away from our lives as possible. This is just a step of showing you my dedication."
Remus sighed. He looked up at Mr. Riddle and asked a question. "Who are you?"
"Tom Riddle," he answered immediately. "An idiot who is lucky to have Remus Lupin as his lover and Omega."
"Will… will Voldemort ever come back?" Remus asked, forcing himself to say the name.
"Never, he died the moment I had my Harrison back. Our Harrison," Mr. Riddle said. He took the few steps to close the distance between them and got on one knee, taking one of Remus's hand. "He will never come back," he whispered. "I promise you."
Remus sighed. "I can't forgive you instantly, you know that," he said.
"I will wait no matter how long it takes, as long as I have you in my life," Mr. Riddle said. Remus gave a sad smile and leaned down to kiss Mr. Riddle's cheek.
"I want to stay in the guest room, just until I'm ready," he said.
"Of course my puppy," Mr. Riddle nodded, "take your time. I will show you how trustful and devoted a husband I am. How loving of an Alpha I am."
Remus hummed but allowed himself a smile. He glanced down at his stomach and looked up at Mr. Riddle. "I've been thinking, Tom, about names. If our baby is a boy, I want to name him after our other loves, keep their memory alive. We don't have to if you don't want to, but if it's a boy, I want to name him Sirius Adrian."
Mr. Riddle smiled at that, he kissed Remus's hand then cheek. "I love it," he whispered, "and if she is a beautiful girl, I am sure we can come up with feminine versions."
Remus nodded and patted the space next to him. Mr. Riddle stood up hesitantly and sat down next to Remus, cautiously putting a hand around his Omega. "I'll always love you, Remus," he whispered.
"I know, but please give me time to find my love for you again," Remus said.
"Of course my puppy, we have the rest of our lives to love each other," Mr. Riddle said.
THE END