A/N: I'm just answering one review before the rest of the chapter so the person understands what's happening. They were anonymous so I couldn't reply to it by PM.
Shinigami: Tonks was the only one available, I did write that in but it got edited out, sorry I thought people wouldn't think too much on it. Coodos for being observant! As for your other question: no, no wizards are yet to realise not everything is black and white so that rules out compromising.
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His left eye was twitching. He couldn't help it; it wasn't as if he knew Tonks made coffee strong enough to wake up a sloth.
His day had plummeted from possibly annoying to absolutely infuriating. Why of all places would they have a custody case in a dungeon? He felt like a criminal. And he was probably, if the glares from the crowd were anything to go by. He'd known people were pissed that he'd 'stolen' Matt's place as the Boy-Who-Lived but this was just mean.
He sighed and looked to his left. Manebe, Kashi and Shimo were all seated at the plaintiff's table, deep in conversation. Shimo looked up and locked eyes with his best friend. Midori grinned and gave him the thumbs up. Shimo smirked back and mouthed, "The Potters are going down."
Midori struggled to keep him smile as he nodded at Shimo. He wasn't sure how he felt about the Potters. He loved his brother that was for sure and he liked his parents, but was it enough to make him want to stay with them? It was a question he needed to answer to and quick. He knew he would be asked where he wanted to go and he had no clue.
He sighed, he felt like a first year instead of the teacher he had once been.
The new Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot had yet to be chosen so Fudge had stepped up to the position. Brilliant…
"We are here to decide the custody of Harry Sirius Potter-"
"Objection!" yelled Manebe.
Fudge stared down at the old monk in irritation. "What?" he snapped.
"Harry Sirius Potter had not been called so for thirteen years. His name is Midori."
Fudge sighed, "I apologise Mr Kuragi but that name was never legally submitted to any form of government, you just went ahead and named Mr Potter that. So for this hearing he is Harry Sirius Potter."
Midori rolled his eyes. He'd known he'd hate Cornelius Fudge.
"As I was saying. We are here to decide the custody of Harry Sirius Potter. Manebe Kuragi vs. The Potter Family. Mr Kuragi would you like to begin."
"Thankyou Minister," Manebe said as he got to his feet. "Seven years ago I came across a small boy who had been abused, beaten and starved. He was so small and light. He had been so traumatised it took a month before he would eat and speak. It took a year until he spoke of what had happened to him. It was two years until he stopped waking up with nightmares. The damage done to Mi-Harry was done by his own uncle, he has a burn on his back that no amount of healing salve can get rid of it." He turned to the Minister, "Mister Fudge permission to show the court a memory?"
"But you're a muggle!" spluttered Fudge.
Manebe smiled, "yes, but Shimo here isn't. Shimo could you please pull out my memory of the day I found Harry."
Shimo nodded and placed his staff (his wand had remained at the Academy, he hated the thing) on Manebe's temple and drew out a silvery string.
Quickly a pensive was placed in front of the room and Shimo put the memory inside. "Project," he ordered, tapping the side of bowl.
Blueish light shot out of the pensive and an image began to form on the ceiling.
It showed Manebe and Arina huddled together as tree branches snapped all around them from the force of wind, water rose up into the sky to form a twister and the earth began to crack.
And in front of them lay a small raven-haired, green-eyed boy crying.
Just as it had all those years ago a voice rippled through the courtroom, quiet and gentle and yet full of authority.
"Calm down child. They are here to help."
Harry quivered and opened one eye. The court gasped at the evidence of hurt and suffering there.
"Where… am I?" whispered Harry before his eye flicked shut again.
He began to glow gold. Astounded the court watched as the wounds began to heal themselves and Harry settled into an easy sleep. The wind and trees calms and the water settled as if it had never been disturbed.
As the glow faded the voice spoke up again.
"I have healed his external mutilations but the wrongs down to him are not so easily forgotten nor understood. I charge you, Manebe Kuragi, with my Chosen. His path is a heavy one. Bear it with him."
The memory ended. Midori was stunned that Manebe would show that memory. He had always been afraid of what it meant for Midori and kept it a secret from most.
Manebe continued, "As you can see," he said in a weird, strained voice, as if seeing the memory physically hurt him. "Something powerful entrusted Harry Potter to me that day, I needed no legal adoption, that was a sign from Magic herself."
"Objection!"
screamed Lily from across the room jumping up. "You can't know
that was Magic! And how do we know that memory wasn't tampered
with."
Manebe glared at her with cold eyes, "You can check it
if you like. I think you'll find it unchanged."
Lily's eyes flashed but she sat back down.
"Is that all Mr Kuragi?" asked Fudge.
"For now."
Fudge shifted nervously. This wasn't turning out so well, he had hoped to find numerous holes in Kuragi's argument and just hand the boy over to his biological parents. He hadn't counted on the man actually having a case!
"Mr Potter is you please."
James stood up and gave Midori a tiny smile. "Minister, Wizengamot, you all know of the night of Halloween 1981, Lord Voldermort" wince. Oh for the love of Merlin. "attacked our home and attempted to kill our twin boys. That night we were tricked by Albus Dumbledore to believing our youngest son Harry had been killed and our eldest Matthias was doomed to a life of fighting Voldermort." Wince. "And then thirteen-years later we learn that not only was our son still alive, been tortured by my wife's sister's family but also that Harry was the Boy-Who-Lived." The court gasped. They all knew this but hearing it said out loud… besides gasping added dramatic affect. Wizards are petty folk.
"All my wife and I want is to get to know the son we lost. We love him and want what's best for him."
The court erupted into applause as James sat down. Popularity and sympathy was on the Potter's side.
Fudge nodded, "Thankyou Mr Potter. Now who either parties like to question a witness?"
"I would," yelled James and Manebe at the same time. They glared at each other.
The Minister started to sweat, "Err well okay. Um Mr Potter you go first."
Midori scoffed at the blatant favouritism.
"Thankyou Minister," said James, smirking at a fuming Manebe. Midori rolled his eyes at his father's antics… whichever one he was. "I call Manebe Kuragi to the stand."
Manebe stood up and went to sit in a metal chair in the middle of the room. James approached him.
This was the real floor in the magical world, thought Manebe. Not enough lawsuits that they needed lawyers but just enough that without lawyers it didn't work. In Japan and other countries open about muggles they had the same problem. Mostly they used specialised muggle lawyers who had been taught about magic but it was never quite right.
The European system was that everyone represented themself. It made sure the better educated (and usually richer) always won.
But not this time, he thought savagely.
"Please state your name for the court."
What was the point? Fudge had already said it.
"Manebe Kuragi."
"And your residence?"
"The Buddhist Temple in Hokkaido. I'm
a senior monk there."
"What is your relationship with Harry Potter?"
"My relationship with Midori is that I found him after he was beaten and abused by your wife's family and almost killed. I raised him from when he was seven. I comforted him after nightmares for years! Nightmares of your in-laws." Manebe took a breath and glared at James, "Where were you Mr Potter? Living it up with your famous family. Did you ever give one thought to the son you lost?"
The room was deadly silent and James wore a look of utter despair. The monk's words had cut deep.
James swallowed and carried on, ignoring Manebe's question. "You are a muggle yes?"
Manebe rolled his eyes, "I'm not magical if that's what you're asking. We don't use that derogatory word where I come from. To us it is just as bad as your word 'mudblood'."
"Then how do you expect to raise a magical child?" snapped James irritated by the way Manebe was turning to questions around on him.
Manebe looked at him as if he was an idiot. "Your 'muggles' do it and they have never heard of magic before their child gets the letter! I've known about it all my life. I live near a magic school, my best friend is a witch and I make potions in my spare time. Just because I can't use magic doesn't mean I do not understand it."
James scowled, "Mr Kuragi you're an orphan correct?"
"Yes but I don't see what that has to do with anything."
"Would you do anything to see your parents again?"
"Almost anything but-"
"Then how can you take away a child's chance to be his parents?" asked James smugly, thinking he had the monk cornered.
Never try and out-philosophy a Buddhist monk.
"A parent is not just the person who gives live but the person who raises the child," said Manebe sagely. "So really aren't you trying to do the same thing you accuse me of?"
-
"Please state your name," Manebe said, adopting James' earlier words.
"Lily Holy Potter."
"And your residence?"
"4 Griffins Lane in London."
"How long have you lived there?"
"13 years," said Lily, confused at the relevance.
"Where did you live before?"
"Objection!" yelled James.
"On what grounds Potter?" growled a voice from the back. Midori's head snapped up and his heart raced as he locked eyes with Alastor Moody. He knew it must be the real one but still…
"What does it matter?" snapped James.
Manebe smiled softly, "There is a point Mr Potter if you would let me continue before interrupting."
Moody gave a small cackle. "You heard the man Potter. Sit down shut up."
"Thankyou Auror Moody," said Manebe. Oh yes. After recovering from his incarceration Moody had returned from his retirement to fight Voldermort (despite the fact the Ministry was still denying it).
"Now again Mrs Potter where did you live before?"
"17 Godric's Hollow," she sighed.
"Why did you move?"
Lily glared at him. "It was where You-Know-Who attacked us. Where he killed our son Harry and marked our other son top a live of fighting him!"
"But your son Harry wasn't dead. He was suffering at the hands of your sister and brother-in-law. Tell me Mrs Potter what kind of relationship do you have with your sister?"
"I don't have one. We haven't spoken in twenty years," said Lily bitterly.
Manebe smiled in victory, "Don't you think Mrs Potter that your stubbornness stopped you from helping your son? That if you had talked to your sister you could have ended the abuse? Or that it might not even have happened at all?"
Lily choked back a sob and gave him the death stare, "I know that! Don't you dare think that it doesn't kill me inside to know my family feud led to my son's torture?"
"Did you search for Harry at all?" jeered Manebe.
"No," she whispered.
"Why not? There was no body. Didn't you consider he crawled away or was taken by another death eater?"
"Dumbledore said…"
"Ah yes, Albus Dumbledore," he sneered. "So you didn't look for Harry because one man, the man who in fact kidnapped your son, told you… what was it now? 'Evaporated due to excessive magical exposure.' Do you realise how ridiculous that sounds?"
"I'm sorry!" she wept, "I'm sorry Harry. I should've looked. I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She sobbed into her hands and fled the stands into her husband's waiting arms.
"Mr Potter, want another witness?" Manebe taunted. "Because I'm done."
James glared at him and just shook his head. Midori meanwhile was struggling not to laugh. He'd never seen Manebe be so… so… dickheaded. It was hilarious!
Fudge stood up, "Then the Wizengamot calls Harry Sirius Potter."
Midori sighed and got to his feet. He walked over to the chair and
sat down, shivering as the cold metal bumped his legs."
"Name?"
snapped a toad like woman.
"Midori," one-word questions get one-word answers.
She tittered, "Don't lie in court. State. Your. Name." "My name is Midori," he said calmly, "I will not argue with you on this madam."
She pursed her lips furious The Minister patted her shoulder. "Drop it Delores."
"Fine," 'Delores' said shrilly. "And where do you live Midori."
"The Academy of the Magically Gifted in Hokkaido."
Delores turned red. "Lies, lies, lies!" she screeched. "You live at 4 Griffins Lane!"
"If you already know why ask me?" asked Midori innocently.
"Why you-" she caught Fudge shaking his head at her. "Have you or have you not been living at the Potter residence for the last month?"
"Yes," he agreed. "But it is not my home. I've just been staying there as guest." He bit his tongue, knowing that his words were killing the Potters.
Of course Kashi, Manebe and Shimo were rejoicing in victory.
Another kinder looking woman stood up. Midori recognised her as Amelia Bones, Head of Magical Law Enforcement.
She opened her mouth and asked the dreaded question. "Where do you
want to go Midori?"
Where do you want to go Midori? He felt like
such a child! He'd already graduated! He use to be a teacher for
Christ's sake! Couldn't he just be an emancipated minor? … Why
couldn't he?
"Madam Bones," he said politely, "would it not be possible for me to become an emancipated minor?"
She blinked, 'Well yes I guess so if you have enough evidence that you can live alone. But on another day… not at this hearing."
"Why not?"
"Well um…" she stumbled and looked to Fudge for support. The stunned minister just shrugged.
"Erm well if you can state your case I get that's… alright," she looked like she'd been punched in the stomach. Never had a trail changed focus half way through.
Nodding Midori got to his feet. "As has been addressed by the other two parties," he began channelling that episode of Law and Order he had once watched. "When I was a year old I was kidnapped by Albus Dumbledore and placed in an abusive household for seven years. I escaped to Japan and spent two years on my education gaining masters in Charms, Potions and Transfiguration. I then spent two years doing extended studies into Defence Arts and working as a teacher at my old school before Dumbledore tricked me into coming to Hogwarts," he stared down a few members of the Wizengamot before finishing. "He told me that he knew who my family was, but they had all died. He emotionally blackmailed to come to the school to learn about my 'family'." Midori left out the fact Shimo had told him Dumbledore was lying and he'd only gone to figure out the truth.
"I can provide for myself since I have a teaching license and I'm still getting royalties from my notes and co-creation of the Blood Hampering Potion-" the crowd gasped.
(For History of the Blood Hampering Potion scroll down.)
Ambridge
jumped up, "More Lies! Not child created that half-breed potion! It
was made by Septimus Alkien and Professor Charlie Green!"
Midori smirked, "Professor Charlie Green is an alias. Charlie was the name of the first vampire who tried to original potion," he paused, "He died. I chose the name as a tribute. And Green is the English translation for Midori. I just tacked on the Professor to add credit."
The frog just blinked before hurriedly taking her place back in the Minister's lap… I mean seat next to the minister…
Madam Bones looked quite impressed, "Is that all then?"
"Yep," said Midori happily.
Fudge cleared his throat and stood up. "The Wizengamot will now leave and made its decision."
The witches and wizards in the golden stands got to their feet and moved out of the room. Midori turned to look at the Potters. They looked… distraught. Oh dear. Well all except Matt who had a tiny smile on his face that told Midori that he had suspected the scheme… even though Midori had only thought of it minutes before. Wow, his twin was good.
Midori's eyes began to move towards his other family but stopped when something caught his eyes.
A familiar head of brown hair bounced in the crowd and a flowing amber robe belonging to an ancient and noble house.
"NEVILLE!" Midori yelled causing the brown hair to swivel to face him, but all the people blocked Neville's face and as quickly as he was found Neville disappeared.
Midori moved to chase after him when the doors swung opened and the Wizengamot filed in.
"That was quick," he muttered under his breath, hoping the council's speed didn't mean they'd gone with wealth and power.
Everyone sat down except Fudge who looked like he'd smelt a rotten egg. A good sign maybe?
"In the custody of Harry Sirius Potter this court rules in favour of-"
History of the Blood Hampering PotionIn 1988 Professor Charlie Green, an English Potions Master living in Japan at the time, began correspondence with American Alchemist Septimus Alkien. It was completed in late 1989, a record for a ground breaking potion. It was awarded the Most Revolutionary Potion in the 20th century, beating the Wolf's Bane Potion.
The Blood Hampering Potion holds back the vampirish tendencies for a fortnight but still keeps the vampire alive.
It means a person can live forever if they continue to take the potion, however it is not a recommended path choice for immortality. The potion is expensive and magically draining.
The Potion allows vampires to walk in the sun, eat food instead of blood and immune to holy water and objects.
A/N: CLIFFHANGER! Hehe… Oh come on! We haven't had one for a while! Oh and I'm very sorry for not updating for a awhile. I've been dealing with problems both personal and with school. But here it is now and it's the holidays so I'll be trying to work on this a lot.
Questions to Answer through reviews (if you choose to review).
Thought of a possible title. 'The Obstruction Who Lived'.
I've already decided what's going to happen but I want your opinion, who do you think Midori should end up with?
Review Answering:
Power214063: He won't don't worry. Fawkes is having a great time being free.
Nightstarz & Petites Sorcieres: No Scrimmigur won't become the Minister. Since Kingsley became friends with the Potter's through the Order before they became famous Kinsley became Head of the Auror Department instead of Scrimmigur. Now he's just a nice guy who likes to annoy the crap out of Tonks.
Adenoide: Snape's still pissed his favourite and most talented student is a… Potter. Don't worry, he'll come through eventually. The Potter's are just a little blinded by the fact their son is alive. They want him to be happy… but they want him to be happy with them.