Harry Potter and the Life Indebted Slaves

by Evil Computer

I am not good at writing summaries. But as the title suggests, Harry learns that wizards can make another witch or wizard into their slave if that person owes them a life debt. Read the story to figure out what Harry does with that information. The story is rated M for a reason (Lemon/Smut and mature themes). This story is also known by fans as the one with the bad ending.

7. Chapter 7: R v Weasley

This is the final chapter of this story. This chapter is very experimental, even though I have already dabbled in writing fake Harry Potter universe court decisions before. I think that it will really satisfy anyone who wants all the loose strings to be tied up. I also really want to thank all of you who left comments, they help motivate me to keep writing.

As always, all rights to the Harry Potter universe belongs to J.K. Rowling and I did not profit by writing this fanfiction.

Although this chapter will be tamer than the others, I will still be exploring mature themes. Also note you may not like some of the Warlocks' reasonings, but that is intentional.

R. v. Weasley

CONFIDENTIAL! The majority (49-1) of Wizengamot has decided to keep the reasoning in this decision confidential. This is because of the high profile of this case and the will of the Warlocks to avoid life indebted slaves becoming common knowledge due to the damage that it might cause to our economy.

The reasons of the majority (34) is written by Warlock Parkinson.

[1] Based on the reasons that follow, I find Ronald Weasley guilty on four counts of first-degree murder, and one count of mischief.

[2] From those changes, for the reasons below, I find that the proper sentence for Ronald (Ron) Weasley is life in Azkaban without the chance of parole for 77 years and 6 months.

Facts

[3] On May 6th, a massive magically induced explosion happened at the Potter residence. This explosion killed Harry Potter and his three life indebted slaves Hermione Granger, Cho Chang, and Ginevra Weasley. This fact is not disputed by either council.

[4] Ronald Weasley was seen in the area around Potter's house on the day of the explosion. After Weasley was arrested, Aurors were able to look at the spells that his wand last casted. They found that the second most recent charm was indeed an explosion charm.

[5] In his testimony, Weasley admitted to using the explosion charm near the Potter residence. However, he claims that was only to "scare him" and "get him [Potter] to regret what he did to my [Weasley] family."

[6] The day before the explosion, Weasley had sent and signed a death threat that was delivered to Potter by owl.

[7] In the sentencing of Molly Weasley, who pled guilty to four counts of conspiracy, she admitted to working with Ron Weasley to murder Potter and his slaves.

Issues

[8] There are three clear issues that this decision needs to address. They are listed as what follows:

1. Do the facts support that Ronald Weasley did the crimes that he is accused of beyond a reasonable doubt?

2. Did Ronald Weasley intend to do the crimes he is accused of and was not in a state of impaired judgement at the time?

3. If the answers to the two questions above is yes, what is an appropriate sentence for Ronald Weasley?

Applicable Laws

First Degree Murder - Murder is first degree murder when it is planned and deliberate or is done while carrying out some other crime.

Second Degree Murder - All murder that is not first degree murder is second degree murder.

Persons suffering from diminished responsibility - Where a person kills or is a party to the killing of another, he shall not be convicted of murder if he was suffering from such abnormality of mind (whether arising from a condition of arrested or retarded development of mind or any inherent causes or induced by disease or injury) as substantially impaired his mental responsibility for his acts and omissions in doing or being a party to the killing.

Conspiracy to Commit Murder - Except where otherwise expressly provided by law, conspiracy to commit murder applies to every one who conspires with any one to commit murder or to cause another person to be murdered, regardless of whether the victim is in the British Wizarding community or not.

Mischief - Everyone commits mischief who wilfully:

a) destroys or damages property;

b) renders property dangerous, useless, inoperative or ineffective;

c) obstructs, interrupts, or interferes with the lawful use, enjoyment, or operation of property; or

d) obstructs, interrupts, or interferes with any person in the lawful use, enjoyment, or operation of property.

Disturbance of the Peace - When the accused, not being in a dwelling-house, causes a disturbance in or near a public place.

Analysis

i. Do the facts support that Ronald Weasley did the crimes that he is accused of beyond a reasonable doubt?

[9] The council for Ronald Weasley argues that the facts are not sufficient for finding their client guilty.

[10] They argue that Weasley did not cast the spell that killed Potter and his slaves. They argue that in a drunken state, he went to the Potter residence, to try to scare him. They make the claim that in his drunken state, he had rationalized that scaring Harry with an explosion spell might make him release his sister from slavery.

[11] The defence council claim that there is no evidence that shows that his spell killed the four inside. They state that the only crime Weasley is guilty of is disturbing the peace, which should be settled by him paying a fine.

[12] I do not agree with this submission. None of the neighbours who testified heard two explosions that would suggest another culprit killed Potter and his slaves. Furthermore, Ronald Weasley had sent a letter threatening to kill Potter earlier that day. To believe that he acted on that intent not long after writing that letter is not unreasonable.

[13] From the evidence in front of me, I find that Ronald Weasley was the one who cast the explosion charm that killed Potter and his slaves. As such, he is factually guilty of first degree murder. I also find him guilty of mischief as that crime is rationally connected to the explosion that Weasley caused.

[14] On the four counts of conspiracy, the accused's counsel argued that since their client was not charged with it upon arrest it should be dismissed. They claim that this is simply a charge added on by the ministry's council to strengthen their case against Weasley.

[15] I cannot accept this argument. I find that the new evidence that was collected, that led to Molly Weasley's arrest and conviction, is applicable here. This position is supported by precedent that the Ministry's council gave me, including R. v. Grindelwald and R. v. Rawls.

[16] In the alternative, the accused's counsel argued that the testimony of Molly Weasley should be found inadmissible as she had a conflict of interest in testifying. They were able to prove that the ministry did offer her a reduction in her sentence for testifying.

[17] I accept this argument and strike Molly Weasley's testimony from the record.

[18] That leaves us with the handwritten documents that the Ministry's council submitted into evidence. They talk about a plan of "M and R" to attack the Potter residence and kill Harry Potter while making it look like an accident.

[19] Though Molly Weasley's testimony makes it clear that R meant Ron, since I have struck that testimony from the evidence, I cannot accept this. The Crown has failed to provide any other evidence that suggests R is Ron. Ronald Weasley denies that R is him. As the defense puts it, R could be anyone, Rose, Riley, or even Ryan.

[20] Finding as such, Ronald Weasley is not guilty of the four counts of conspiracy to commit murder.

ii. Did Ronald Weasley intend to do the crimes he is accused of and was not in a state of impaired judgement at the time?

[21] In Wizarding law, also in British muggle law, murder can be diminished by proving that the accused was in a state of impaired judgement at the time. Specifically the law states an "abnormality of the mind (whether arising from a condition of arrested or retarded development of mind or any inherent causes or induced by disease or injury) as substantially impaired his mental responsibility for his acts and omissions in doing or being a party to the killing." Although this is older legal language, that is not as sensitive in its wording that we use to discuss mental illness today, it is still good law. However, the law is clear that people who are suffering from a mental episode can find diminished liability for murder.

[22] The council for the accused submits that Ronald Weasley's drunkenness falls within this category and submits that should be considered if Weasley is found to have murdered Potter and his three slaves. They are hoping for the lower charge of second degree murder.

[23] When Ronald Weasley was taken into custody, it was noted by the arresting aurors that he seemed to be inebriated. However, as he was not arrested for a crime related to alcohol, his blood alcohol was not taken as evidence.

[24] Regardless, I do not believe that the intention of the law, as it is currently written, is meant to cover drunkenness. It also seems like Ronald Weasley was considering a murderous attack when he sent the threatening letter to Potter. Though he may have been drunk when he wrote it, due to the lack of evidence to amount such a defence, I find that he was not in an impaired state of mind when committing the crimes he is accused of, as described by law.

[25] As such, I find Ronald Weasley guilty of first-degree murder of Hermione Granger, Cho Chang, Ginny Weasley, and Harry Potter. He is also guilty of mischief for destroying Potter's place of residence.

Sentence

[26] It is clear in recent jurisprudence that the proper sentence for a person convicted of first degree murder of a witch or wizard is life in Azkaban without the chance of parole for 25 years. The abolishment of the death penalty will not be re-analyzed in this case.

[27] As such, Ronald Weasley will spend life in Azkaban without the chance of parole for 25 years due to the first degree murder of Harry Potter.

[28] The issue raised by the defence is that Hermione Granger, Cho Chang, and Ginny Weasley are not witches, but slaves. The council for defence submits that slaves, like house elves, should be treated as property. This means that their deaths should be settled with Ronald Weasley and the Potter estate in tort.

[29] I partially accept this argument. Though I do not believe this is a tort issue, I do believe that the murder of a life-indebted slave should not lead to the same prison sentence for the murder of a free witch. This is because the slaves would have already died but-for the actions of their master.

[30] Noting how there is little jurisprudence on this matter, I feel that the best sentence is a compromise between the commonly given sentence for first degree murder and second degree murder. As such he will get life for each murder. As the parole minimum for first degree murder is 25 years and second degree murder is 10 years, I feel that Ronald Weasley chance for parole should not occur for another 17 years and 6 months for each of the murder of Potter's three slaves. This adds an extra 52 years and six months before Weasley can apply for parole.

[31] On the charge of mischief, it is evident that Ronald Weasley should get the higher end of sentences handed down by previous Wizengamot decisions, as he decimated Potter's house in a massive explosion. As he will be already serving life in Azkaban, we see it fit to add five years before Weasley can apply for parole.

[32] As these charges will be served consecutively, Ronald Weasley shall be sentenced to life in Azkaban without the chance of parole for 77 years and six months.

Order

[33] Ronald Weasley is sentenced to life in Azkaban without the chance of parole for 77 years and six months.

1. Do the facts support that Ronald Weasley did the crimes that he is accused of beyond a reasonable doubt?

Yes

2. Did Ronald Weasley intend to do the crimes he is accused of and was not in a state of impaired judgement at the time?

Yes

3. If the answers to the two questions above is yes, what is an appropriate sentence for Ronald Weasley?

Life in Azkaban without the chance of parole for 77 years and six months

The reasons for the concurring (15) decision is written by Chief Warlock Ernest Hawkworth.

[34] I support the majority of the reasons presented by my colleague Warlock Parkinson. However, he and I differ when it comes to Ronald Weasley's guilt on the charges of conspiracy to commit murder and on sentencing.

[35] I believe that Ronald Weasley should be found guilty on all counts of conspiracy and, if my reasons below had attracted the majority, I would have sentenced him to life in prison without the chance of parole for 145 years.

Analysis

[36] I find no issue with how the majority outlined the facts in this case. In general, they came to a correct decision, however I need to address Warlock Parkinson's flawed reasoning when it came to the conspiracy charges.

[37] Though I agree that Molly Weasley is not a reliable witness, I find it flawed to dismiss all the evidence associated with her. It is clear that R is Ron in their murder plot. The threatening letter is evidence separate from Molly's testimony that Ron plotted to kill Harry and his slaves. It does not matter whether he was drunk doing such a crime. What matters is that he did it, and from the evidence in front of me, that is clear.

[38] As such, if I were the voice for the majority, I would have found Ronald Weasley guilty on four counts of conspiracy to commit the murders of Harry Potter, Ginevra (Ginny) Weasley, Cho Chang, and Hermione Granger.

Sentence

[39] I find issue with the majority's sentence as it breaks from precedent and fails to consider the charges of conspiracy that I believe Ronald Weasley is guilty of.

[40] I agree with the majority's decision to sentence Ronald Weasley to life in prison without the chance of parole for 25 years for the murder of Harry Potter. I also agree to adding 5 extra years on the charge of mischief. However, I disagree with how the majority sentenced Weasley for the murder of Harry Potter's three slaves, Hermione Granger, Cho Chang, and Ginny Weasley.

[41] Ever since this court abolished the death sentence, we have been willing to give life in Azkaban without the chance of parole for 25 years to murderers. This is not a lesser sentence, as Azkaban is a place where no witch or wizard wants to spend the rest of their life. The only difference is that it is a more humane sentence.

[42] Though life indebted slaves have less rights than the average witch or wizard, they are still human. If they are killed by someone who is not their master, the murderer should be sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole for 25 years.

[43] As such, if I wrote for the majority, I would have sentenced Ronald Weasley to life in Azkaban without the chance of parole for 75 years for the murders of Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, and Cho Chang.

[44] Unlike the majority, I found Ronald Weasley guilty of four counts of conspiracy to commit murder. Following the sentencing precedent set in R. v. Grindelwald and R. v. Rawls, I find that 10 years is applicable to each count of conspiracy. This results in an extra 40 years to Ronald Weasley's sentence.

Order

[45] If I were to write for the majority, I would order that Ronald Weasley spends life in Azkaban without the chance of parole for 100 years for the first degree murders of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ginerva Weasley, and Cho Chang. I would add 45 years before the chance of parole for the mischief charge (5 extra years) and the four counts of conspiracy to commit murder (40 extra years). In total, I would order that Ronald Weasley spends life in Azkaban without the chance of parole for 145 years.

The reasons for the dissenting (1) decision is written by Warlock Griselda Marchbanks.

[46] I disagree with the position taken by all of my fellow Warlocks of Wizengamot. Though it went unmentioned in the other decisions, it is wrong that this decision is going to be unreleased. We should not be scared of informing the Wizarding community in Britain that life indebted slavery is legal. If that is an issue, the Ministry of Magic can draft a law banning it. Thus, by keeping this decision secretive, we are doing a disservice to the Wizarding community. Our salaries are based on their taxes and in a free society, all judicial decisions should be made public. Wizengamot continues to be overly secretive and that needs to change. If I was writing for the majority, I would make this decision public.

[47] I also disagree with the sentencing decision that my colleagues arrived at. As life indebted slaves would be dead if not for their master, they cannot be murdered. Thus, Ronald Weasley should be found not guilty of the charges tied to Harry Potter's slaves.

[48] I believe that Ronald Weasley should be sentenced to life in Azkaban without the chance of parole for 40 years.

Analysis

[49] Slaves are objects and not wizards or witches. A good analogy is how we treat house elves in the wizarding world. They thus should not be granted special rights by this court. If another witch or wizard kills a life indebted slave, their master should collect damages in tort.

[50] For this reason, the charges against Ronald Weasley that are tied to the death of Harry Potter's slaves should be dropped.

[51] However, I agree with the majority that Ronald Weasley should be found guilty of one count of first degree murder and one count of mischief. I also agree with the concurring decision regarding Weasley's guilt to conspiracy to commit murder.

Sentence

[52] Though I do believe that the majority was wrong in sentencing Ronald Weasley for the "crimes" tied to Harry Potter's slaves, their sentencing of Ronald Weasley's true crimes was to precedent. As such, I will copy them.

[53] Ronald Weasley should be sentenced to life in Azkaban without the chance of parole for 25 years for the murder of Harry Potter. He should be given an extra 5 years for mischief, after blowing up the Potter residence. Weasley should also get 10 years for conspiring to murder Harry Potter with his mother, Molly Weasley.

Order

[54] If I were to write for the majority, I would sentence Ronald Weasley to life in Azkaban without the chance of parole for 40 years.

Thank you for reading to the very end of this story! I figure I bored people away from the story with this experimental chapter, which may seem repetitive with the multiple decisions. For those who are interested, I modeled this chapter to seem like a decision made by the House of Lords. I did use real (although modified) laws taken from multiple commonwealth nations. I chose not to use only British law, as their laws are not always written in a manner that is clear, and I figure wizarding law would be slightly different, just like how other commonwealth laws are different.

Hopefully, this is a satisfying end, and yes, I did get the idea for this conclusion while re-watching Community.