A/N: So, this chapter is quite long. You'll see why once you read it. I know you're all hoping Harry gets Teddy, so here's the beginning of that. Anyways, hope you enjoy the chapter and please review. Thank you. :]
Warnings: Mentions of rape. Ron, Hermione, Molly, Andromeda, etc. bashing. Lots and lots of dialogue (not really a warning, I know :P). Slander against Harry and Severus. Allusions to child neglect.
Three Months Later
A Potter/Tonks Controversy
These last three months has seen the beginnings of one of the most famous custody hearings happening in Britain. Returning to England from where he has been living for over five months, Harry Potter came back to become Hogwarts' medi-wizard. He has been back in England for just over five months and has already been the topic of many articles. However, this time, it is not just about Harry Potter.
Before the final battle, Harry Potter was named godfather to a newborn baby boy named Ted Lupin, the son of deceased war heroes Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Lupin nee Tonks. Sadly, Ted's parents perished in the battle, mere months after his birth. Mr. Potter, though the rightful guardian of Ted, gave up custody to the boy's grandmother, Andromeda Tonks nee Black. It wasn't long after Mr. Potter's disappearance from Britain that Mrs. Tonks declared that, because of all that had been said about Mr. Potter, she would never allow her grandson near him. Now her words are being tested.
Just over two months ago, it was discovered that Harry Potter has changed his mind and is fighting for the full custody of his godson with the help of his lover, Severus Snape. Nothing has been brought to trial yet but it has been said that a trial is thinking of being set in the coming weeks.
Who will win the fight to care for this young, five year old boy? Both are putting up a good fight for the child they love.
"At least it was Luna who wrote it this time," Harry said, placing the paper down on the table and looking across at Severus.
"Yes, having a reporter as a friend has its benefits," Severus nodded, sipping his coffee. "It means that no one knows that there is a trial tomorrow."
"They'll figure it out before then," Harry said with a sigh. "Severus, do you think I have a chance?"
"What's wrong? You've been very sure of yourself these past few months," Severus said.
"That was before we were going to trial over this and I had to convince the Wizengamot to grant me custody of a five year old when the entire world hates me because I'm gay, apparently dangerously powerful, and fled after the final battle," Harry told him pointedly.
"You left out bedding a Death Eater and Slytherin," Severus said with a smirk.
Harry rolled his eyes. "To be technical, you're the one bedding me. I have yet to screw you into the mattress."
"It can be your Christmas present," Severus said and Harry rolled his eyes again, grinning.
"I better be getting a real present but I'll take that too," Harry said.
"Greedy brat," Severus said and Harry laughed.
"You know it."
"Anyways, yes, Harry, I believe you have a very good chance to win this," Severus said.
"If I do, do you think I can do it?" Harry asked quietly.
"Raise a child?" Severus questioned and Harry nodded. "Yes, I do believe you can and you will be able to and you will do it well."
"What about you?" Harry asked. "What about us?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, if I do get Teddy, what'll happen with us?"
"I'm not going to leave you if that's what you think."
"But I doubt you want a child and for us to have a child together when we've only been together for five months."
"Harry, I'm not leaving you and I will help you with Teddy, just like all the others will," Severus assured his lover.
"But if I win, I'm going to have a five year old child to look after and have live with me, live with us," Harry said.
Severus sighed and walked around the table. He took Harry's hand and pulled the Healer to his feet. "I am not leaving you. I am going nowhere. I am going to help you with Teddy. I love you and I do not mind that there will be a child living here."
Harry looked at Severus with shining eyes and smiled, wrapping his arms around Severus' neck. "I love you. Thank you."
"I love you too," Severus said, kissing the top of Harry's head.
"If everyone could please be seated, this trial will then commence," Kingsley said, his voice echoing throughout the courtroom. The day of the trial to determine the guardianship of Ted Lupin had come. As Harry had predicted, the press had learned about the trial the evening before and had printed a last minute article to let the world know.
Harry had been accompanied to the trial by Severus, Dean, Luna, Bill, and Fred and George. They had all signed up to be witnesses as well for Harry's side of the argument. As Harry and Severus sat at their table on the left side of the room, the others went in the stands to wait and watch.
Andromeda Tonks had not come alone either. To Harry's dismay, she had brought Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Mrs. Weasley, Lee Jordan, and Neville Longbottom. He frowned when he saw Neville. He hadn't spoken to the Herbology professor since he had come back and Neville had never bothered him. Andromeda and Mrs. Weasley sat at the table on the right while the others went into the stands.
"Let us proceed if everyone has arrived," Kingsley said, glancing around the room. "On this thirteenth day of March of 2003 at ten forty-three a.m. we begin the trial of Potter against Tonks for the custody of one Ted Remus Lupin. We will be hearing from a number of witnesses as well as Mr. Harry Potter and Mrs. Andromeda Tonks nee Black. After hearing the accounts of all present for this case, the Wizengamot will deliberate and the results will be given at a later date.
"The child in this case is five year old Ted Remus Lupin, son of Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Lupin nee Tonks, both of whom were lost in the final battle. Prior to this, just following Ted's birth, the parents named Mr. Harry Potter godfather of their son, a position Mr. Potter accepted. Mr. and Mrs. Lupin died just months after the birth of Ted and, on the request of custody from Mrs. Andromeda Tonks, the Lupin will was read.
"The will stated that Ted Lupin was to go to his godfather, Harry Potter, if Mr. Potter so chose and wished. If Mr. Potter were to refuse custody, the child would then go to his maternal grandmother, Andromeda Tonks. If the child were to go to Mrs. Tonks and, at any point, Mr. Potter wished for the child's custody, it was to be granted to him. As it were, Mr. Potter gave up custody of Ted and allowed him to be left in the care of Mrs. Tonks who took over custody and has had custody for the past five and a half years.
"And so we reach the heart of this case. Mr. Potter wishes for full custody of his godson while Mrs. Tonks refuses for various reasons. Arguing in favour of Mr. Potter today is Professor Severus Snape, Mr. Dean Thomas, Mr. William Weasley, Mr. Fred Weasley, Mr. George Weasley, and Ms. Luna Lovegood. Arguing in favour of Mrs. Tonks today is Mrs. Molly Weasley nee Prewett, Professor Hermione Weasley nee Granger, Mr. Ronald Weasley, Ms. Ginevra Weasley, and Professor Neville Longbottom. The lawyers present today are Mr. James Saren representing Mrs. Tonks and Mr. Lucas Regan representing Mr. Potter.
"We will begin with Mrs. Tonks' argument and witnesses, beginning with Mrs. Molly Weasley. Mrs. Weasley, if you would please step up to the stand," Kingsley said, flipping through papers as he spoke. Mrs. Weasley inclined her head and left the table, taking a seat behind the stand. "Mr. Saren, begin your questioning," he added and Saren stood, walking to the open floor.
"Good morning, Mrs. Weasley," Saren said. "Mrs. Weasley, do you understand why you are here today?"
"Yes, I do, sir," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Very good. Now," Saren said, "have you ever met the child in this case, Ted Lupin?"
"No, I have not."
"How long have you known Mrs. Tonks for?"
"Since before she was a Tonks. We went to school together though she was a couple of years below me."
"How else do you know her?"
"She was a part of both formations of the Order of the Phoenix."
"Did you know her husband, Ted Tonks?"
"Not as well. He was a member of the Order as well but was rarely around."
"Did you know Nymphadora Lupin nee Tonks and Remus Lupin?"
"Yes, I did."
"How?"
"Both were members of the Order though Nymphadora was only a member of the second formation while Remus was in both. I was also at school with Remus and Remus taught my children at Hogwarts one year. He was a family friend."
"How do you know Harry Potter?"
"It is Harry Potter, sir," Mrs. Weasley said. "Everyone knows him."
"How do you know him to enable you to fight this case?" Saren rephrased.
"I met him when he was eleven. He needed help getting onto Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. He became best friends with Ron and he was like another son to us."
"So you were very close to Mr. Potter, he was dear to you even?"
"Yes, he was. We would've adopted him in a heartbeat had we been allowed."
Harry swallowed thickly. He remembered how much the Weasley parents had seemed to love him. He jumped slightly when Severus took his hand and threaded their fingers together. Harry looked at him and gave him a small smile.
"What changed, Mrs. Weasley?" Saren asked and Mrs. Weasley's expression got cold.
"We learned the truth about him and learned what he had done."
"What do you mean by that?"
"We learned that he is gay and that he let himself get raped by filthy Death Eaters to save another filthy Death Eater."
Harry stiffened and Severus squeezed his hand.
"Who do you mean? Who did he save?" Saren asked.
"Severus Snape," Mrs. Weasley said, throwing a dirty look at Harry and Severus.
"Mr. Snape was exonerated of all charges. What makes you call him a Death Eater?" Saren asked.
"Objection," Regan said, jumping to his feet. "We are not here to discuss the status of Severus Snape. This is not relevant."
"Sustained," Kingsley said and Regan sat. "Move on, Mr. Saren, and stick to the matter at hand."
"Yes, Minister," Saren said. "Mrs. Weasley, before you learned of his orientation and other things, would you have said that Mr. Potter would have made a good family man? A good husband and father?"
"Definitely," Mrs. Weasley nodded. "In fact, we had believed he was going to marry Ginny."
"Your daughter?"
"Yes. However, he obviously led Ginny on to hurt her which he succeeded in doing."
"Why do you say that?"
"He never said he was gay and had no intention of marrying Ginny. Ginny has been in love with Harry for years and had been waiting to marry him. She was devastated and horrified when we learned he was gay."
"So you think Mr. Potter should have said he was homosexual?"
"Yes, it would've been easier and kinder and we could've been done with him sooner."
"Do you believe Mr. Potter to be a responsible individual?"
"Despite everything, he can be responsible sometimes."
"Sometimes?" Saren repeated.
"Yes. Throughout his years at school, he did many reckless things that put my son, daughter, and daughter-in-law in danger. There were many times they could have been killed. He also left after the final battle and no one knew where he was for five years," Mrs. Weasley said.
Harry winced at all that was already being brought against him. Severus' thumb began rubbing the back of his hand.
"Would you say that Mr. Potter is capable of caring for and raising a child?" Saren asked.
"No, I do not," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Why not?"
"He is a selfish person. He only thinks of himself. To care for a child you must think of the child before yourself. He also does not have a wife to help him. He is too young for a child. He is quite powerful and dangerous because of his uncontrolled power. We also cannot forget that he is gay and not against having sex with Death Eaters. He would not have a good influence on a young, innocent child," Mrs. Weasley said hatefully.
"Objection," Regan said. "She is attacking my client."
"Overruled," Kingsley said. "She was answering the question, Mr. Regan. Continue, Mr. Saren."
"You are a mother, Mrs. Weasley, correct?" Saren said.
"Yes, sir, of six boys and one daughter," Mrs. Weasley nodded.
"So you would, of course, know what it takes to raise a child."
"Yes."
"Would you please inform us?"
"Of course. Any child must be put before yourself. A child needs constant attention and love and care and a calm, safe, and stable environment. Any child also needs a female figure and not just because women are better at caring for children. You must have patience. With young children, such as Teddy, you must have a strong hold on your temper," Mrs. Weasley said.
"And you feel that Mr. Potter does not meet any of these requirements?"
"No, he doesn't."
"In regards to Mr. Potter's position as godfather, do you not think Mr. Potter should have his godson as it was the wish of the parents?"
"No. Harry left. He abandoned Teddy. He did not think of his godson when he left. If he wanted him, Harry should've and would've taken him right away, not waited over five years. It is only suddenly that he wants Teddy when he's never cared about the boy or met him," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Objection," Regan said again. "The only reason Mr. Potter has never seen the child is because Mrs. Tonks has denied and refused him the right."
"Sustained," Kingsley said. "Be careful, Mrs. Weasley," he warned.
"One last question, Mrs. Weasley," Saren said. "If you had to choose between Mrs. Tonks and Mr. Potter, who would you give custody to and why?"
"Andromeda," Mrs. Weasley said without hesitation. "She is his blood grandmother and has more of a connection to him. She can also tell Teddy about his parents. Harry abandoned his godson. When he left this country, he gave up anything and everything pertaining to Teddy."
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. You may sit," Saren said and Mrs. Weasley left the stands.
Harry looked down as a tear slid down his cheek. Did he really abandon his godson? He had made sure he was going somewhere safe (though it had been proven that Andromeda was neglecting Teddy). What if it had been worse and Teddy was being abused? It would've been his fault.
"Harry, you know it's not true," Severus whispered to him.
"But I did leave," Harry whispered back in a pained voice.
"Yes, you left, but you did not abandon this child. You were only seventeen, had just defeated Voldemort, and had lost many you cared for. You went through a traumatic experience to save me. However, you made sure to place the child somewhere you believed to be safe and his situation could truly be worse," Severus told him.
"What if they're right and I'm not able to care for Teddy and raise him?" Harry whispered, looking up at Severus.
Severus gave him a gentle smile and wiped away the lone tear, caressing his cheek. "You have the biggest heart of anyone I've met. You are more than capable to care for and love and raise this child. Do not forget that you will have many people to help you when you need it."
Harry smiled at him in silent thanks and laid his head on Severus' shoulder.
The trial continued with each of Andromeda's witnesses saying everything and anything to make Harry seem a terrible choice for Teddy's guardian. They continuously shot him hateful looks as they said hateful things. They brought up many times that he left England and, therefore, abandoned his godson to any kind of life. Each of them also brought up his actions towards saving Severus, his orientation, and the fact that he was dating Severus. The longer the trial lasted, the more hope Harry lost despite Severus' constant reassurances.
Once Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had spoken, Kingsley called upon Neville who slowly walked up but did not go to the stand. Instead he went to the panel and quickly conversed with Kingsley. No one could hear what was being said but Harry didn't miss the way that Kingsley crushed a smile before it could make an appearance. Eventually Kingsley nodded and Neville walked away, heading, not for his original seat, but the rows behind Harry and Severus.
"There has been a change. Professor Neville Longbottom has expressed his concerns of testifying for Mrs. Tonks and wishes to, instead, testify for Mr. Potter," Kingsley said and Harry's heart leapt. He spun around and looked at Neville whose eyes glanced at him as if afraid of what would happen if he held eye contact for too long. Neville gave him a small smile and Harry smiled back. "Due to this change, we will proceed with the final questioning of Mrs. Tonks. She will first be questioned by Mr. Saren and then by Mr. Regan."
Andromeda took the stand.
"Mrs. Tonks, Ted Lupin is your grandson, correct?" Mr. Saren began.
"Yes, he is."
"How old is he?"
"He will be six next month."
"And how long has he been in your care?"
"Since the day after the final battle, so a little over five and a half years."
"How long have you known Harry Potter?"
"Truthfully, I don't really know him. The first time I had met him was the day he signed the custody papers."
"Did you and Mr. Potter speak that day?"
"Harry said he was sorry."
"Did you respond?"
"Yes. I said—" Andromeda hesitated. "I said he would never see Teddy."
Saren nodded. "Does Ted seem to be a happy child?"
"The same as any other child."
"Did he inherit lycanthropy from his father?"
Neither Harry nor Severus missed the tiny sneer that Andromeda held. "No, he didn't."
"Is there any reason you refuse to allow Mr. Potter contact with Ted?"
"Many," Andromeda said. "He is young, irresponsible, and reckless. He abandoned Teddy. He is gay. He associates with Death Eaters. He is too powerful. He's dangerous. He is selfish and, from what we know of his childhood, more than likely unable to feel many emotions besides hate and anger, let alone giving love to a child."
"And these are the same reasons that you are fighting for custody?"
"Yes."
"No further questions, Minister," Saren said and sat down.
"Mr. Regan," Kingsley said.
"Just a few questions, Mrs. Tonks," Regan said. "Now, you said that you've never truly met or spoken to Mr. Potter, correct?"
"Correct."
"So if you have never met him or spoken to him, how do you know all these things about him are true? How do you know that he wouldn't be a good influence on the child?"
"Well, some are rumours but many are true. He is gay and he does associate with Death Eaters. He is also very powerful and he did abandon Teddy."
"Did he?" Regan said. "True he left the country but he didn't just leave the child's welfare to be handled by strange Ministry officials. He made sure that Ted went to you, somewhere safe and where he could be taken care of. Correct?"
"Well, yes."
"You say he is so powerful that he is dangerous. It is obvious that he is a powerful wizard for he did help rid us of Voldemort. However, how do you know he is dangerous?"
"Powerful people always are."
"Are they? So Albus Dumbledore was dangerous? Our Minister is dangerous? Hogwarts' headmistress is dangerous?"
"Well, no…"
"And so you have false reasoning," Regan said. "You cannot presume to know Mr. Potter even if some of these things are true."
"Yes, sir," Andromeda said quietly.
"Now you said that Ted does not have lycanthropy. Does his behaviour change at all during the full moon?"
"He gets very fussy and does not sleep well. He throws tantrums and cries and screams himself hoarse."
"How do you handle these days?"
"He stays in his room."
"You mean he locks himself in his room?"
"No. I leave him in there and give him his meals in there."
"So you leave him alone to deal with this?"
"I will not tolerate him acting like a brat."
"I see," Regan said. "Is Ted a happy child?"
"As happy as most children."
"So he plays with his toys, he laughs, he smiles, he plays with friends?"
"He doesn't have friends," Andromeda interrupted.
"Pardon?"
"He doesn't have friends. We don't usually leave the house."
"Ted doesn't like to leave the house?"
"No, I won't let him. He's allowed in the backyard when he wants but he can't leave the property."
"Mrs. Tonks, your grandson is five years old. He needs friends."
"I won't risk him infecting others."
"But he is not a werewolf."
"He has symptoms. He could be a carrier."
"I see," Regan said, glancing at Kingsley who was hiding a glare. "How did you feel about Remus Lupin?"
"I didn't hate him but I didn't like him either. He was poor and weak and dangerous and low in society. It was humiliating when my daughter married him."
Regan glanced at Kingsley again who gave a small nod.
"Thank you, Mrs. Tonks. That is all," Regan said and Andromeda left the stand.
"We will now proceed with Mr. Potter's witnesses and Mr. Potter. Mr. Regan," Kingsley said and Regan began calling Harry's witnesses.
Unlike the questioning that Andromeda's side had gone through, Harry's witnesses mostly just began speaking and stopped once they felt they had said all they wanted. If Regan had questions after he would ask, otherwise he would dismiss them and call the next witness. Fred, George, Dean, Luna, and Bill were all called and then Regan called Neville up. Harry watched the Herbology professor walk up to the stand and sit down, looking much like he once shy eleven year old self.
"Professor Longbottom," Regan said. "You came here as a witness for Mrs. Tonks but instead changed and decided to testify for Mr. Potter. Why the change of heart?"
Neville didn't answer right away. He seemed to be thinking about his answer as he looked around the room. "I've never hated Harry. I've never been against him for any of the reasons that others have been. I honestly think that his choice to leave Britain was the best thing he could've done. He had destroyed Voldemort and that's what we had asked him to do. It was his turn to live his life instead of living the way others told him to. It was time for him to get his life back and have a life free of criticism and control and betrayal and Voldemort.
"Yes, Harry's gay. So what? Homosexuals are supposed to be accepted in our world but instead we're acting like Muggles with the way we are treating his orientation. Is it because he's the Boy Who Lived? Because he's our saviour? If it is then we have not come very far from where we stood at the beginning of the war. No, the war was not based on homosexuals but it was a war that had a basis of hypocrisy and prejudice. We're still acting like that simply because Harry Potter did not settle down with a woman and have dozens of children. We think ourselves so superior because we're magical but, with the way we're treating Harry, we're no better than Muggles or Death Eaters. And I mean real Death Eaters, not Professor Snape or Draco Malfoy.
"When we were in school, Harry went through more than he should have. He never should have had to go through and see everything he did. I mean, honestly. He was eleven years old and he was nearly killed by a troll, a three-headed dog, Devil's Snare, a giant chess set, and then his own professor who had Voldemort attached to the back of his head. This was all in his first year when he was only eleven. And that's not even mentioning the other six years. However, through it all, he never lost his best qualities; his ability to forgive, his caring and loving nature, his kindness, his compassion, his want to help others, and his need and want for friendship and a family.
"You all say that Harry is selfish. That has to be one of the most ridiculous things I've heard. Harry is not selfish and never has been because he's never been allowed to be. He spent his seven years at Hogwarts living for others and thinking of others. He never once put himself first. When he thought, and forgive me for bringing this up," Neville looked at Harry, "when he thought his godfather had been captured by Voldemort, the only thing he thought of was going to save a person who meant everything to him. He didn't care that Death Eaters or Voldemort could be there. He didn't care that he could be killed in an instant. The only thing that mattered to him was that he tries and save his godfather. That was just one moment. There were dozens of similar situations where everyone else came before himself. If he gets Teddy, and he should, the same thing will happen. Teddy will always come before himself. Once Harry cares about someone, he no longer cares what happens to himself as long as they are happy and safe and alive. He will protect Teddy with his life. Harry could be seconds from death and, if Teddy was hurt, Harry would spend his remaining moments making sure Teddy would be okay.
"Harry is the nicest person I've ever met. We need more people like him in the world; a person who is so amazing in every way but doesn't know it so he doesn't flaunt it. We need more people like him. No one deserves Teddy more than Harry and there is no better life for Teddy than with Harry."
There was a lingering silence as Neville stopped speaking. It was broken by Regan dismissing Neville from the stand. Neville stepped down and headed down the aisle, walking towards the doors.
"Wait, Neville!" Harry called and ran after him.
"Can we have short recess?" Severus asked and Kingsley nodded.
"We will continue in fifteen minutes," Kingsley said and Severus went after Harry and Neville who had walked out into the corridor.
"I see you've got your voice back," Neville was saying. "Well, I noticed it a while ago when it happened but—"
"We haven't exactly talked since I've come back," Harry finished and Neville nodded.
"I'm sorry about that, by the way," Neville said.
"I thought you hated me even though you didn't say anything to me or come after me like Ron and Hermione and Ginny and Lee. I know that you're not one to do that but—"
"You never thought they would be either," Neville said and Harry nodded with a small smile. "No, I never hated you or anything. I wasn't sure what to do. You seemed so different when you came back that I thought it would just be best to stay distant. It didn't cause any problems."
"True," Harry said. "Why did you switch sides? You came here with them."
"I never wanted to. I was never in support of them. I didn't even want to be involved in this thing," Neville said.
"So what happened?"
"Ron, Hermione, and Ginny threatened me and Hannah, mostly Hannah. She's pregnant and they said they would kill Hannah, the baby, or both if I didn't agree to come with them and testify for them," Neville explained.
"Oh, Merlin," Harry breathed. "Well, what now? You didn't testify for them. You changed sides. What will they do?"
"Hopefully nothing. When I was up there talking to Kingsley, I told him everything and he said he'd send people to protect Hannah," Neville said.
Harry sighed. "I'm sorry you've been dragged into this."
"It's all right," Neville said. "Besides, I got to help you. I really think you'll get your godson."
"I hope so but you never know. There are a lot of things against me."
"There are more against Andromeda," Neville said.
"Harry, we have to get back," Severus said quietly, unwilling to interrupt them.
"Guess I have to go," Harry said.
Neville nodded. "I'll see you around, Harry. We'll have to talk more."
"Definitely."
"And, Professor Snape?"
"Yes?"
"Take care of him and Teddy. It's time he stops being the protector," Neville said with a smile and Harry laughed quietly.
"I agree, Professor Longbottom," Severus said. "I will do all I can to make him happy."
Neville smiled. "I think you're doing fine the way you are. See you later and good luck."
"Bye, Neville," Harry said, watching his once fellow Gryffindor walk away.
"All right?" Severus asked.
Harry looked at him and smiled. "Yeah. Let's go," he said and took Severus' hand as they re-entered the courtroom.
"We will now continue and finish this trial," Kingsley said.
"Professor Snape," Regan said and Severus rose, heading for the stand. "You are an important part of this case, Professor."
"With as many references as there have been, I'd have to agree." Severus said in his usual caustic voice and Harry smiled while Regan, Kingsley, Harry's witnesses, and a few Wizengamot members chuckled quietly.
"Is there anything you'd like to say?" Regan asked.
"Yes, though many cannot be said because they are inappropriate," Severus said and more chuckles sounded while Harry snorted. "To everyone besides a select few, I am not a good man and I deserve to be dead or in Azkaban. A few years ago, I agreed with them and, on some level, I still do. I am not a good man and I never have been. At seventeen I took the Dark Mark. I quickly realized my mistake but did not escape until a few years later where I then became a spy. I did horrible things as a Death Eater and spy, and there is not a moment of that 'career' that I don't regret. I still bear this mark though it is faded.
"Why do we condemn Harry when he did nothing but protect us, save us, and then live his own life like he deserves? It's true that Harry saved me and it's true that he went through something horrible to do so. However, it only shows the length he will go to in order to protect those he cares for though Merlin only knows why he cares for me."
Harry smiled at him.
"I once thought a few of the same things that have been said today. I once believed that Harry was selfish and arrogant and foolish and reckless. He can still be foolish but only when he chooses to be and it is in a safe way. He is no longer reckless. He has never been arrogant and he definitely never been selfish. How could he have been selfish was he was busy being forced to live our way and to protect us and to put us before himself?
"I have never met another person like Harry in my entire life. He values so many things and it is all the things we push aside or take for granted. When he loves, he puts his entire being into it; he puts his soul into it. If he had his godson, the child would never feel a day of sadness, a day where he wondered if he was cared for or loved. In fact, I think the child would be annoyed and embarrassed and smothered by the love that Harry would give him.
"Harry's orientation does not tell if he is capable of caring for this child. Whether Harry is homosexual, straight, bisexual, or asexual, Harry can and will love the child with everything he has and the child will not have a better childhood. He could not have a better guardian."
"Thank you, Professor," Regan said and Severus returned to his seat.
"Our final speaker for this trial is Mr. Harry Potter," Kingsley said and Harry approached the stand. Like the others, Harry just spoke.
"I have a lot of things against me. Some are true, some aren't, and some I don't know. I don't really have a lot to say. Nearly everything's already been said," Harry said and paused, thinking about what to say. "You all think I abandoned Teddy. In some ways, I did but not completely. Abandoning someone means to leave and not worry about someone's welfare. Yes, I left England and I left Teddy, but I didn't abandon him. Before I left, I made sure he had somewhere to go and someone to take care of him. True, the nature of the care being given to him has been brought into a new light but I had still made sure that my godson was taken care of before I left.
"You are all very adamant that I cannot care for a child because of a choice I made and I don't understand it. All I did was save a man's life. Yes, I had to do something horrible and make a deal with Death Eaters, but it worked, didn't it? Severus Snape is alive. I'm aware that many of you here don't like him but so what? And why? You know the truth, all of it. Why do you continue to hate him when it's well-known that the war would not have ended had it not been for Severus?
"Yes, I was raped by Death Eaters so I could learn how to save him. Perhaps to all of you, it's a bad reason but it's not. I care for him more than anyone else. I'd do it over again if I had to. Once I would have done it for some of you.
"Look, I'm not saying I'm going to be a fantastic guardian. I hope to be at least good. I'll make mistakes, everyone does. A first-time mother doesn't always know what her child wants when he cries. I won't always know what to do but I'll have help. Severus has already told me numerous times that he'll help me and everyone who came here with me will help too. I also have friends in Spain that would willingly move here if I needed help and needed them.
"It's been said that I'll be a bad influence on Teddy for a lot of different reasons; because I'm gay, because I'm with Severus, because Teddy won't have women around. It's all ridiculous. The fact that I'm gay will not impact Teddy. It won't cause him to be gay if that's one of the things you're all worried about. I won't care if he's gay or not either. I'll love him no matter who he's attracted to. In fact, I believe that being with me and Severus will just make him more open-minded. He won't be prejudice against people who are gay. He'll be more open to accepting different things. As for him not having women in his life, even though he will, I really don't think it matters much. While it may be an advantage, a child does not require a woman in their life. Besides, Teddy will have women in his life. He'll have Luna Lovegood, Fleur Delacour-Weasley, Victoire Delacour-Weasley, Minerva McGonagall, and Poppy Pomfrey. He'll have many women in his life."
"What about siblings and friends?" Hermione suddenly interrupted. "A child needs friends and people his own age."
"Professor Weasley, do not speak," Kingsley said.
"Apparently he doesn't have friends right now, according to Mrs. Tonks," Harry said. "He'll have friends and people to take care of him. He'll have the Delacour-Weasley children and my friends in Spain. He will not lack friends or people to care for him. Look, I'm not sure what you want to hear. I love Teddy and I want to take care of him. I want to honour Remus and Tonks' wish to have me raise him. I know you all think that, if I want to raise him, I should've taken him right away but I couldn't. I wanted to in some ways but I also didn't. I was only seventeen. I had just defeated Voldemort and watched so many people I cared about die or turn on me. I was free of the life I had been living, a life shadowed in manipulations and fear and Voldemort. I wanted to live again and that's why I left. I wanted to take Teddy but I knew I wasn't ready. I couldn't take care of a baby when I was only seventeen.
"I've always wanted to be a good godfather to Teddy ever since the day Remus asked me to be godfather. I still remember what Remus' reasoning was for choosing me over anyone else to be his son's godfather. He said that, if I was Teddy's godfather, then he and Tonks would know that, if they were to die, Teddy would be taken care of and loved. They were all right with dying because they knew Teddy would be with me. They trusted me so much. No, they never wanted to leave their son but they knew there was more of a chance of them dying than of them making it through the war. They didn't want to leave their son but they were all right with it if it meant Teddy could grow up in a world free of Voldemort and if he would be with me.
"I won't be perfect. I'll never claim to be but I will try my hardest to make sure Teddy is happy and safe and healthy and loved. He will have a lot of people to take care of him and love him and that's all I want for him. I want him to have the childhood I didn't get to have," Harry said, finally coming to an end. There was a lingering silence as everyone let Harry's words sink in.
"Thank you, Mr. Potter," Regan said quietly. "You may sit down."
Harry nodded and returned to his seat beside Severus who immediately took his hand and pulled him close.
"We have heard from all witnesses as well as Mr. Potter and Mrs. Tonks," Kingsley said. "That concludes this trial and the Wizengamot will deliberate until further notice. An owl will be sent to Mr. Potter and Mrs. Tonks with the date of the next court date where our decision will be announced. Until then, Ted will stay with Mrs. Tonks but visitation rights will be put into effect for Mr. Potter. Two nights during the week, Ted will stay with his godfather and also every second weekend. The weekdays are to be decided between Mr. Potter and Mrs. Tonks. If they are unable to come to a decision, their lawyers will then make the decision for them. You are all dismissed."
They watched as Kingsley and the rest of the Wizengamot exited the room from a back door.
"We did well, Harry," Regan said quietly, turning to him and Harry nodded. "You've got a very good chance, especially since we brought out Andromeda's neglect."
"Harry," Andromeda interrupted as she stood in front of him stiffly with Saren beside her.
"Andromeda," Harry said.
"What days do you want Teddy?"
Harry hesitated and glanced at Severus. He turned back to Andromeda and said, "Starting next week, Tuesday and Thursday nights and every other weekend."
Andromeda gave a tight nod. "I will bring him around four-thirty and pick him up at around eleven the next morning. For the weekends, I'll bring him Friday night at around seven and pick him up Monday morning at around nine."
"That works," Harry nodded. "Thank you."
Andromeda didn't say or do anything except give him a long look before walking away.
"That went better than expected," Regan said and Harry gave him an amused smile.
"Thank you, Lucas, for doing this," Harry said.
"It's my pleasure. I think it's only right that you have your godson," Regan said and Harry nodded.
"Thanks again," Harry said. "We have to get home."
"See you soon, hopefully," Regan said with a smile.
Harry nodded again. "Bye, Lucas," he said as he and Severus got to their feet. Being joined by the others, they left the Ministry, Harry clutching Severus' hand all the while.
A/N: I hope I did all right with the trial. I tried to make it seem like a relatively real one with the objections and them being "sustained" or "overruled" and things like that. I think when I wrote this chapter I had finished reading Helter Skelter (amazing book by the way) which was basically a trial for half the book. I tried to make this trial a bit like that except not so extreme. :P Also, with the Molly and Andromeda bashing. I have nothing against them at all. I actually really like Molly and I like Andromeda for the little amount that we actually know her in the real books. I'm just having fun making the usually good people not so perfect for once. :P And, third, I've had the occasional question about Draco Malfoy. He won't be making an appearance in this story. It was just the one mention at the very beginning. Sorry, but no Malfoy in this one. :P
So, hope you all liked the chapter and hope I didn't fail too miserably at the trial. Please review. Thank you very much. :]