Disclaimer: I own not a thing.
A/N Yes, I know I suck! Especially last chapter...But...There was nothing I could do--life gets hectic sometimes! I'm having trouble finding good original L/J fics to read...and so I'm sad. :-( So I have nothing to push me to write about them...No real interest! You know?
Well, after much consideration (about 1 minute's worth or so) I decided who should be the main narrative of the trial. Lily--I didn't think I could really do her without messing up my plot. James--he's still unconscious in St. Mungo's, Isabella, Patrick and Forneli--no, don't like writing new characters all that much, even if 'Wilkes' is a real character in the books, I made up his first name and therefore a newbie. I also thought of doing Dumbledore, but that was a no, and Remus is...Gone still. Poor dearie! So it came to Sirius, and I liked that idea best and so--here it goes.
I've also thought of TWO completely awesome plots--(err maybe not *awesome*) one where Lily DOES go to Azkaban and the other where she doesn't! I can't pick! It seems boring to not make her go? Right? Oh well, I decide when I get to the end of this chapter!!
Questions
Question by Angelic Ashley
I don't understand two things though- when did Isabella become a death eater (Like what part of the story did we find this out) and how did Lily not know about it?
And why did Isabella become a death eater in the first place?
Answer:
Well, I went over it in one of the last few chapters, I think it was chapter 22 (not positive, mind you I didn't double check myself) But Isabella became a Death Eater a week before Lily was captured. Isabella became a Death Eater in the first place to take her brother's place--as said in chapter 22...It's all explained there, unless you accidentally skipped that chapter... It might help if you skim over the chapters a bit... That's what I do (sad but true), I can't always keep straight what I have and have not said.
Question by hErShEyKiSsEs17
What happened to Remus? will he be in the next chapter? also, will James recover in time for the trial?
Answer:
Remus...Is still gone. :-( He'll be back though! I'm hoping next chapter, but you can't control these things. And no, James won't recover in time for the trial. He's still unconscious in St. Mungo's.
Question by Kathie
what the hell?? Isabella is a death eater? O.o In what chapter you said that!?
Answer:
Chapter 22...I don't mean to be rude...But I do believe you skipped a major part of the plot there, dear.
Question by Shree
Have you written any original fiction? I didn't see any on your website last time I checked, but if you have written any, have you posted it on fictionpress.net? If not, is there any possible way I can read it?
Answer:
Yes I have written Original fiction and it's not on my website--because I haven't decided whether or not to put non-HP stuff on it yet. And yes, it is posted on fictionpress.net. There's a poem and short story...Both rather depressing, I might add.
Question by Sierradogbaby
Man, things just don't seem to be going well for them, do they?
Answer:
Doesn't look like it does it? I agree--I love torturing my characters!! Muhahaha!
Question by manic bipolar pretzel
why would Remus assume that lily and James had been taken by "Voldemort and his nutty followers"?
Answer:
Well, after all just the day before or so, they'd all been his captives. It made sense to me...Maybe I didn't do it clearly enough (something I would easily believe)
Question by Clearbrook
If Sirius is friends with Isabella, then why did he tell on her and Patrick?
Answer:
Well, before he hadn't known they were Death Eaters, and now that he did--well-- he's got to do his duty. Right...?
Question by mystikalolo
when did Sirius turn them all in? why did the minister just randomly, out of nowhere, say that Sirius and James would be getting salary raises and become Unspeakables? how long has it been since Isabella apparated till rite now? when did Remus start missing? and... finally... where is James?
Answer:
::ducks and hides behind her "human shield":: One question at a time... First of all, to explain myself, I don't always think they you have to explain when people did stuff, so--just assume that it was right after you last saw Sirius that he turned them in. The Minister did not randomly give them he promotion--he did that because they'd been doing hard work. If *you* had been taken hostage and turned in Death Eaters and gone through a lot of crap, you'd be wanting a hefty paycheck too. Besides, at the very beginning of the story James had said he'd wanted to be an Unspeakable.
The length of time sins Isabella apparated...Hmm...I think it was about a few hours. It depends, I just left it up to the readers. Remus isn't missing--he just wasn't found with everyone else at the fort. And James, is in St. Mungo's, unconscious...For now. :-) On a last note...Dang you like to ask questions!
Question by Amelia Bedelia
When are you thinking the story is going to be finished? About what chapter and at what point in their lives will you stop the story?
Answer:
In a few chapters...I'm hoping by the end of May or the beginning of June. Maybe sooner. I'll stop the story sometime in the story line time...A few months later--but it won't go through the months like it has been so far...Hmm...*shrugs* I can't really say exactly when...It might not be the prettiest end for our dear Lily... I'm not sure what chapter-- but right now I'm estimating 30 or less.
Question by
To Kill a Mocking Bird is an awesome book, and I'm glad so many of you agreed with me! It ended up helping a LOT with this chapter... As it's a trial, but it's quite different from the book, it just gave me ideas on how to do it.
Flirting With the Enemy
By
Sierra Sitruc
Chapter 25 Fates Decided
~*~
Sirius watched with hawk-like eyes for the four most important guests of the trial to arrive. The room was humid despite of all the cooling charms. Everyone was antsy with anticipation of the verdicts, and a few were terrified of them.
The building was packed with reporters, photographers, sketch artists, the jury, witnesses, an assortment of political figures, random people of importance with a claim to fame, or just ordinary people off the streets called to be there, but there was no sign of the defendants themselves anywhere.
Sirius found himself wishing he'd picked a different spot. Behind him was Albus Dumbledore and Grogan Stump, their gentle arguing about who had died when beginning to make him sick, and in front of him were Patrick and Isabella's family, huddling together in shame. Patrick's fiancé, Pandora, was leaning teary eyed against Patrick's father. Sirius felt wave after wave of nausea run through him.
He'd chosen this spot, with the intention of hiding from the press and being in a place where he could see those on trial, without them seeing him, as if anyone could find someone they knew in this crowd.
There was a loud bang, as the doors to his left opened and revealed a determined faced Forneli Wilkes, chained up to a Dementor he was unwilling to enter the room. Whispers erupted around the room, excitedly discussing him.
The next to enter was Isabella, her face pale and tired, and she followed close beside the ugly Dementor who was escorting her. Her brother followed, his shoulders squared and looking brave like the Gryffindor he was.
When Lily entered, the whispering voices became louder and arguments rose up between the audiences. The most famous Death Eater and the most controversial. They'd been reading about her for weeks in the Daily Prophet, her picture was branded in all of their minds. Now they finally saw her in the flesh and every soul in the room felt pity for the young woman.
A fresh cut was on her head, and she looked only half conscious. She was being practically carried in by the Dementor whose skeletal hands trembled around her hungering to have a taste of her soul. She and Isabella's robes were identical, as they were covered in black sand remnants and it only added to the look of helplessness she harnessed with expertise.
Sirius stayed quiet, ignoring the old hag beside him who kept mumbling nonsense to him every few minutes. Her voice made his skin crawl and he had it in his mind to give her a good kick.
The trial started rather boringly, and everyone fidgeted in their seats as they waited for the good part to start.
Isabella was called to the stand first; she gave her brother and best-friend an encouraging smile, which looked more like she was holding in a scream.
"Miss Patil, you are aware that you have been charged with deviation to the Ministry of Magic of England, correct?"
"Yes sir," Isabella answered the man questioning her, looking him straight in the eye.
"You are also aware that this charge is related to the death of a muggle family--the Prices."
Isabella cocked her head to the side, "No, I was not aware of that."
"Then let me explain to you..." His eyes glittered spitefully, "Annette and Serge Price, along with their nine year old son, were murdered violently, the same night your house--exploded. Thus incriminating you to the crime."
"Oh."
"Do you agree to these charges?"
"No." Isabella said firmly, "No, I haven't killed anyone. I don't even know who the Prices are!"
"Do you admit to being a Death Eater?" The man asked.
Isabella bit her lip for a moment, before looking down at her feet and answering, "Yes."
The room immediately broke up into a fuss; the noise grew so loud that several appointed officials had to use silencing charms on the unwilling ones or escorted them out.
"But--first, let me explain myself," Isabella pleaded, shifting tensely in her seat.
The man studied her a moment, before agreeing to her request with a brisk nod.
"I only did it, to save the life of my brother." Isabella gestured to Patrick, and the man interrupted.
"Is he not a Death Eater himself?"
"I didn't say that! I did it to save him! You-Know-Who would have killed him had I not joined!" Sirius heard people around him make noises of curiosity, Sirius studied the woman on the stand--and felt his curiosity aroused as well.
"You-Know-Who wanted me to join--I didn't want to--but...What would a sister do to save her brother?" Isabella looked the interrogator up and down before asking him, "Do you have a brother or sister, sir?"
The man humored her question, "A younger sister, actually."
"Then you know that you would do anything to save her, don't you?" Isabella's genuine words echoed across the room, "Anything...Even join with the ranks of the greatest terror this world has ever faced."
The room was deadly silent; it seemed that every person in the room had stopped breathing. "Would you, sir?" Isabella's voice broke the silence, her voice full of tears.
"I see what you mean--who wouldn't do anything for a sibling? That is all for now, you may be seated, Miss Patil." Isabella rose shakily and went to sit beside Forneli.
Forneli's inquiry was after Isabella's, and it was less interesting, but much more violent. Forneli and the man argued until they were blue in the face, and finally the man called the Dementors to take him away until the verdict.
"Patrick Patil to the stand, please." The man said wearily. Patrick swept up to the stand, and took his seat.
He spoke words to the crowd of the innocence of a child--joining with the ranks of Voldemort had not been his wisest decision, and when he wanted to get out--there was no way. He went through the story of asking Isabella to take his place, after much feuding with himself. A childish mistake of his youth almost costing him the lives of all of who he loved.
He finished his short interrogation with. "I know I've made a great mistake, but I'd be willing to do anything to have myself forgiven, and to make it up to the Ministry." Pandora whimpered in front of Sirius, who was beginning to sweat, the spring weather was beginning to get to him or so he told himself.
Then it was Lily's turn...She didn't even look coherent enough to answer questions. The man questioning her was so kind as to help her to her seat, and there she sat warily and stared at the man with glazed green eyes; no longer sparkling with curiosity and life, but with a dullness of a blind man.
"Miss Evans you are aware that you have been charged with deviation to the Ministry of Magic of England, correct?"
Lily gave a throaty, "Yes."
"Is there anything you would like to say in your defense?"
Lily took a deep breath before speaking. "No, I know what I did was wrong. I killed a man--and I know I must be punished for it, no matter how evil he was. I helped torture those of my own kind, and innocent muggles. No matter how inadvertent it was, I still did it." She swallowed loudly, and Sirius was alerted to her face once more, and it was at that moment their eyes locked across the room. Lily was staring at him, with those dull eyes and for some reason it made him hang his head in shame.
Not for the first time, Sirius felt a pang of regret for turning them in...And a new thought came to him. He was getting promoted for this, when at that moment he felt no better then the Death Eaters on trial themselves. He felt like a coward and a monster, for no human being could do this to another human.
"All I can offer is my deepest apologies, but I won't lie or try and get myself out of this. I cannot live a life with this guilt on my shoulders. I have no life left after what I've done. I'm an outcast in this society and the only thing I can ask of you is to send me from this wretched hell I'm in." Another loud swallow, and it seemed they could all hear her pounding heart around the court room, beating in time with theirs as they heard her words. The words of a young woman begging for mercy.
"You'll be fulfilling the duty to your people by sending me to Azkaban- where my death awaits me with the only open arms I'll ever see again," she said weakly, but powerfully all at the same time finishing with a deep sigh as she searched for strength to stay conscious.
Sirius analyzed what she said. He could tell, in the way she spoke and what she said--that she meant every word. That she was not meant to be a Death Eater, a Death Eater wouldn't be the sickened by what they'd done, he suddenly sided with Isabella. Lily was innocent, in that she was remorseful, if you are remorseful for what you have done, then the punishment should not be death in Azkaban.
It was then that Sirius came to a horrifying revelation...This must be what James saw in Lily. James must've have seen what Sirius had been too blind to, what he hadn't wanted to see. And in realizing this, and knowing that it was too late to undo what he'd already committed...He knew James was going to kill him.
"You may be seated," The man said. "Now, I shall read all evidence against and for these defendants and then the jury shall make there decision."
It was then that Sirius turned to the man beside him--he hadn't paid him much attention to him, his cloak hood was up and he hadn't recognized him. Until now.
"Snape?!" Sirius hissed, more astonished then anything.
"Ah. You finally notice my existence," Severus said sarcastically, and the plump woman beside them shushed him.
The air between them became very uncomfortable as they listened to the man give evidence of guilty and not guilty of each individual on trial. Sirius had a feeling Isabella and Patrick could get off--Lily too if there was enough pity from the jury.
Sirius studied the jury closely. It was made up of twelve witches and wizards, all of which were randomly picked. Seven of them he recognized from the Ministry, it was quite apparent which way they would vote. The other five looked like they would rather be elsewhere and would vote whichever way they felt would get them out of here the quickest. Lily looked the same.
One of the things about juries is that they were all made up of people. People with opinions, and prejudices--each had their own histories. Some were stubborn and close-minded and others were their opposites, compliant and open-minded. One of the things that worried Sirius was that the people on this jury had been affected by Voldemort's terrors.
He'd seen it frequently among his fellow Aurors. Filled to the brim with a ruthless attitude to avenge a passed loved one, murdered by a mad man's rage. They killed viciously and brutally, such to the point that Sirius believed them to be no better the Death Eaters, but the only difference was that the Aurors were on the side of the Law.
If the jury was filled with people with these prejudices, then the Death Eaters before them were doomed to exile.
~*~
Morgana Mulciber sat with her hands neatly folded in her lap; her ash brown hair fell around her face in a natural part down the middle, and gave her face a symmetrical and cold look. This would be the perfect conception, for Morgana was a frozen soul.
Ever since her brother's death just a short while ago, courtesy of Lily Evans, she'd been aloof to everything around her. The only thing on her mind was murder--revenge on the one who took her brother away from her.
She squirmed in her seat among the eleven other jury members. She knew which way she would vote for Lily Evans. Guilty. The others she could care less about.
Morgana didn't even listen to the evidence--who cared if Lily had cooperated well with an Auror for days on end. It didn't matter--she had killed her brother and for that...she must pay.
She waited impatiently for Norman Collardly to finish reading the evidence. He'd always read slowly in their school days, and it seemed he hadn't changed.
Half an hour later, he finished and proceeded to take votes.
"On the trial of Isabella Patil, what is your vote?" Norman asked the jury, "For those of you, who vote innocent, please raise your hand."
Morgana looked around her and saw most of the hands going up, and decided to go with it and raised her left arm.
"Isabella," Norman said with a small, but friendly smirk, "You are free to go."
Isabella's face took on a shocked face, as if she couldn't believe what the man had said. She stood up on weak legs and walked away from her seat to join her family's awaiting hugs and kisses.
"On the trial of Forneli Wilkes, what is your vote?" Norman repeated, "Who votes innocent?"
No hands went up. "Forneli Wilkes is here by sentenced to Azkaban, for life, for his degrading behavior to the Wizarding World." His powerful voice echoed through the room and cheers rose up in agreement, unlike before with just the polite clapping for Isabella.
The air around the room began to shift, as they awaited what came next, "On the trial of Patrick Patil, what is your vote?" He addressed the jury once more. "For those of you, who vote innocent, please raise your hand."
Eight hands reluctantly raised themselves, Morgana not among them.
Norman turned to Patrick and the Isabella's scene was repeated, teary family reunion included.
As Norman went to Lily's trial, Morgana felt her lips curve into a wicked smirk. Witches and Wizards alike leaned forward in anticipation, some of them with their hands clasped together in silent pleas others sent hateful glares at the witch in question.
"On the trial of Lily Evans, what is your vote? For those of you, who vote innocent, please raise your hands."
A few hands went up, the owners seeming unsure of themselves. Then a few more, until it a six to six vote. Morgana cringed, and looked at the bald headed man in front of her and willed him to put his hand down.
Her black eyes could almost pierce inside his skull she stared so harshly. His hand wavered, going up and down up and down and those around him groaned impatiently.
Then his chubby, not to mention hairy, hand went down and stayed down.
Norman's voice rang out across the room for all to hear and for some it made the Earth shatter around their heads, but to Morgana the shattering was music to her ears, "Lily Evans, you are here by sentenced to Azkaban, for life."
~*~
A/N I went a bit faster this time--typing wise. I'm not very happy with it, but at least you have the verdict.
Remember also, that Mulciber was the man Lily killed in a duel a LONG time ago...Err--our time.
THIS IS NOT THE END!!!!!!!!!!
*~Sierra~*