Chapter 25: trial of the toad

Harry stepped off the lifts on level ten. The last time he walked these hallways, he, Ron and Hermione had infiltrated the Ministry in search of the Horcurx. He shuddered at the memory of all the muggle born witches and wizards huddled together, attempting to shield themselves from the dementors Umbridge had stationed in the halls. As sick as this memory made him, it also provided him all the determination he needed to get through the day. Today he would be testifying at the first of many trials that were scheduled for the next few weeks. Today, justice would finally be served.

Harry made his way resolutely down the hall toward the courtroom where the trials were being held. Ron and Hermione were both waiting outside the door.

'Hey mate', said Ron. Harry nodded at Ron in greeting before glancing over at Hermione. She wore an anxious expression on her face and was wringing her hands together.

'What's wrong, Hermione?', asked Harry.

'Oh, nothing', said Hermione.

'She's nervous', said Ron. 'Afraid she's going to say something wrong.'

'It's not just that', said Hermione. 'It's . . . I don't know . . . being here after . . . you know', said Hermione.

'I know', said Harry. He understood exactly what she meant. Hermione had spent much more time in the courtroom then either he or Ron, and could do nothing but watch as the terrified muggle borns were tortured by the dementors and accused of stealing magic.

'Ready?', asked Ron.

'As ready as I'll ever be', answered Harry.

'What are you going to say?', Ron asked Harry.

'I'm not sure, but I do know one thing.'

'What's that?'

Harry held up his hand and clenched it into a fist. The dim light in the hallway fell across his hand to reveal the words I must not tell lies. Hermione nodded at Harry once and Ron wrapped his arm around her waist. Together, the three of them entered the crowded courtroom. It became apparent to the trio almost immediately that they were not the only ones there that day that were hoping to see Umbridge go down. Harry looked through the sea of people and found that most of Dumbledore's Army were there along with many other students from Hogwarts. He even recognized the faces of several of the muggle borns they rescued from the Ministry just a few short months ago including Reg and Mary Cattermole. He, Ron and Hermione made their way over to where their old school mates were seated and took their seats next to them. A moment later, Kingsley entered the courtroom followed by Umbridge herself, flanked by Valentine and the head of MLE, Rich Barnett. They escorted her to the chair in the middle of the room and upon taking her seat, the shackles attached to the chair sprang to life and bound themselves around her wrists and ankles. Harry smiled to himself. He was taking a small amount of satisfaction that the toad was getting a taste of her own medicine.

He took this opportunity to get a good look at Umbridge. After the war she had been arrested and put into Azkaban to await trial for the crimes she had committed. From where Harry was seated, he could tell that Azkaban had not been kind to her. Her once neat hair was frazzled and contained more grey then the last time Harry had seen her. The smug grin that once graced her face was gone and in it's place was the look of fear. He sat for a long time lost in his own memories and didn't even notice the trial had started nor did he hear himself being called to the stands. It wasn't until he received a sharp jab in the ribs from Ron that he was pulled back to the present.

'You're up', whispered Ron.

'Oh . . . er . . . right', said Harry. He stood and made his way down to the stands.

'Please state your name', said a Ministry official once he took his seat.

'Harry James Potter'

'Mr. Potter', began the official. 'You are here today to testify against one Dolores Jane Umbridge for the crimes she committed while teaching at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as well as the crimes committed during the second war, is this correct?'

'Yes sir', said Harry.

'Mr. Potter, you had stated in your written testimony that Ms. Umbridge had forced you and other students to serve detentions at Hogwarts by doing lines with a blood quill. Did you bring any proof of this allegation with you today?'

'Yes sir', said Harry and for the second time that day he clenched his hand into a fist and held it up to show the official the words he was forced to carve into his skin. The official only nodded and glanced at Kingsley who nodded back at him, indicating for him to proceed.

'Thank you Mr. Potter', he said and Harry lowered his hand. 'You also stated that Ms. Umbridge was going to use the Cruciatus curse on you while fully aware of the illegality of her actions.'

'Yes sir. She was convinced that I knew Dumbledore's whereabouts at the time, although I did not, and since Professor Snape had no more veritaserum she was going to try to torture me until I told her', said Harry.

'But she did not curse you?'

'No sir. Due to quick thinking by Hermione Granger, I was able to avoid being cursed', said Harry. The official nodded once more. Harry glanced over at Umbridge who was glaring back at him.

It went like this for some time. The Ministry official asked Harry question after question about the many things Umbridge did during her rein at Hogwarts and Harry answered each one of them the best he could. At long last, the line of questioning moved to what she was accused of doing during the war.

'Mr. Potter, you also stated in your written testimony that you witnessed Ms. Umbridge force muggle born witches and wizards to present themselves to the Ministry to register and accuse them of stealing magic is this correct?'

'Yes', said Harry. 'Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger and myself infiltrated the Ministry after Voldemort took power. She was subjecting innocent witches and wizards to dementors and imprisoned many of them in Azkaban while stripping the rest of them of their wands and their rights.'

'You also mentioned something about an eye?'

'Yes. She had placed Alastor Moody's magical eye in her door to keep an eye on her workers. Moody was killed while retrieving me from my aunt and uncles house before Voldemort took over the Ministry', said Harry.

'Thank you Mr. Potter', said the official. 'You may step down.'

'Thank you', said Harry as he stood. He glanced over at Umbridge once more, but this time she did not meet his gaze. She had her head bowed and was nervously wringing her hands together. Harry knew what she was thinking. She wasn't going to get away with anything today. When Harry found his seat once more he turned his attention to where the Cattermole's were now seated in the stands to be questioned.

'Did you see old toad face looking at you?', whispered Ron.

'Yeah', Harry whispered back. 'She knows she's done for.'

The rest of the trial passed in much the same fashion. Harry watched as each member of the DA was called for questioning, each with their own story of what Umbridge had done to them. Ron and Hermione each got their turn on the stands and each of their stories collaborated with Harry's. Harry glanced down at his watch as the last person to testify was finished questioning and was amazed that it was just after noon. He had expected the trial to take much longer. He turned his attention back to the proceedings in time to see Kingsley stand.

'We are going to break for a brief lunch while the jury deliberates. We shall commence in one hour', said Kingsley.

Harry looked over at Ron and Hermione. 'Shall we?', he asked, indicating the exit.

They nodded and followed him out of the courtroom and to the lifts. Once they made it back to the Atrium they flooed to the Leaky Cauldron for a quick lunch. The three of them found a quiet corner in the familiar pub and Ron and Harry slid into an empty booth while Hermione ordered them each a butterbeer.

'What do you think will happen?', asked Ron once Hermione joined them.

'I don't know but I do know she's not getting off', said Harry before taking a swig of his butterbeer.

'Do you think they'll send her back to Azkaban?', asked Hermione.

'For a while I suppose', said Harry. They all sat in silence, each playing the days events over in their heads.

'How come Ginny didn't come? She was part of the DA after all', said Ron.

'She missed the owl Kingsley sent her. Apparently he didn't know we were living together and he sent it to Holyhead. She had practice today anyway and she couldn't get off', said Harry.

'Are you guys hungry', asked Ron.

'No', said both Harry and Hermione.

'I'm not in the mood to eat anything with so much going on', said Hermione.

'Me either', said Ron. Both Harry and Hermione turned to look at Ron with incredulous looks on their faces.

'What?', asked Ron.

'I've never heard you refuse food before', said Harry, laughing.

'Oh shut it Harry', said Ron, also laughing. He picked up his butterbeer and drained the bottle. 'We should probably be heading back', he said.

Harry glanced down at his watch. 'Yeah, I guess you're right', he said. The three of them stood and headed to the fireplace to floo back to the Ministry. Once there, they headed toward the lifts that would take them back to the courtroom and ran into Mr. Weasley.

'How's the trial going kids', he asked as the lift arrived and the four of them stepped inside.

'Good', said Harry. 'She's not getting away with any of it, I can feel it.'

'The whole Ministry is buzzing about it today. I don't think a single witch or wizard here wants to see her anywhere but Azkaban', said Mr. Weasley.

'I think they'll get their wish', said Hermione. 'Ron and I will fill you in when we get back to the Burrow tonight.'

The lift doors opened and Mr. Weasley stepped off and bid the three of them goodbye. When they finally arrived at level ten, they stepped off the lift and made their way back to the courtroom. They arrived just in time to take their seats before Umbridge was escorted back out. She glanced around at all the faces staring down at her with fear in her eyes as she was once again bound to the chair. Harry turned his attention back to Kingsley who had stood and faced the Wizenagmot members.

'You have reached a decision?', asked Kingsley.

'Yes Minister', said an elderly member from the first row. He stood and turned his attention to Umbridge. 'Dolores Jane Umbridge, we find you guilty of treason, for which you are sentenced to serve ten years in Azkaban prison. We also find you guilty of torture for the acts committed at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the acts committed while at the Ministry of Magic during the past year for which you will serve seven additional years in Azkaban prison.'

Harry turned and smiled at Ron and Hermione who beamed back at him. Seventeen years, he thought to himself. Seventeen years that Umbridge would spend in Azkaban. He had seen first hand what that place could do to a person. Sirius, who had been innocent and was able to hold onto his sanity by clinging to that fact, was never quite the same after serving his time there. He looked down at the squat, toad like woman and thought of all the things she had done and decided he felt no pity for her.

'Please escort Ms. Umbridge back to Azkaban', said Kingsley to Valentine and Barnett. They both nodded and the chains binding Umbridge fell open and they hauled her to her feet. Up until this point, she had not uttered a single word. She had sat through her sentencing quietly, clearly in shock, but as she was being escorted out of the courtroom she seemed to have been shaken out of her reverie. She began struggling with Valentine and Barnett, screaming.

'YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME! I'M SENIOR UNDERSECRETARY FOR THE MINISTER OF MAGIC!'

Harry turned to Ron. 'Seems to me that she's already lost her mind', he said, chuckling.

'I don't think old toad face was ever really in her right mind to begin with', said Ron.

'MUDBLOODS! GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME! YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!'

She continued to scream all the way out of the courtroom, her voice fading away when the doors leading out shut behind her. Harry sat for a moment, deep in thought. He had a feeling that this was going to be the last time he was ever going to see Umbridge. He felt nothing but relief at the thought. He turned to his two best friends and could tell by the expressions on their faces that they were thinking the exact same thing.

'Come on', he said. 'Let's go home.'

****************************************************************************************************

A/N: Sorry it took so long for the update. PLEASE REVIEW!!! :)