The Dark Beckons Chapter 7
A/N:
I've been cranking out chapters like crazy. I have way too much time on my hands and I can't keep playing Harvest Moon and the Sims 3 like a maniac, so I thought I'd work on my two stories. I'm dedicated to finishing this though, so no worries about me ending this way too early. The fun is just beginning.
Thanks to all the reviewers, and people who are following me or the story, and who made me or the story their favorites. I really appreciate it.
I really love my Hermione. And yes, she is adopted, simply because I want her to be able to be accepted by the purebloods. I know it's a bit overused, but I couldn't fit her in the Dark Side if she wasn't accepted by them fully, instead of just tolerated or ignored.
There is a mention of femmeslash in this chapter, but nothing even slightly graphic.
Chapter Start
Karma's a Bitch, isn't it, Narcy-kins and Lucy-pie? Bellatrix's revenge part 2/ In third person POV:
"Everyone, may I have your attention, please?" Amelia Bones tried to call everyone to order, as the trial room was packed with spectators, and of course Belinda Gwendolyn Caliran, the one reporter that Amelia actually liked. She had guts, that one. She had earned the right to be in all trials and to be the exclusive writer for the Ministry going-ons by her actions: in one article, she managed to defy the Ministry by writing the article, to get the Aurors to listen to Harry Potter, to get Dumbledore in serious trouble, to get Sirius Black a fair trial, to get the Minister sacked (no one liked Fudge anyway) for knowing Voldemort was back and not doing anything, and uniting the country in support of Harry. All of this was a welcome change, and Amelia was proud to work with her. At least there was one reporter who was more concerned with the truth than her hair or even ratings… not that her ratings were low: they were higher after one article than Rita Skeeter's whole career, and she had the most of the wizarding world's leaders and the highly educated following the Prophet, something they hadn't done in centuries because of the drivel that was normally in it.
Belinda's aristocratic face showed anger and impatience. She grabbed her wand and shot up sparks, which startled the gossips enough to make them dead silent.
"Everyone, shut the fuck up, or I'll curse the shit out of everyone who says a fucking word! We have a trial that'll make history, damn two powerful and influential magical beings, and will free an innocent witch who spent thirteen and a half years in Azkaban; to watch! I for one, would like to see justice be served instead of gossiping about Sirius Black's love life." She spat, looking directly at two younger witches who immediately turned bright red.
Amelia smirked… sometimes offensive language and threats were acceptable. Or, at least, she'd let that one slide. It worked at any rate. Belinda not only was a great reporter, but she was amazing with curses, even if she couldn't understand the theory behind it. She was sorted into Hufflepuff but had several influential Slytherin friends who influenced her and taught her the Dark Arts and dueling. Adelina Prince was a bit possessive over her during the early years of their romance and had grown even more attached and possessive as the years grew on, due to Belinda's looks at first (shining black hair, long and curly; aristocratic features, slender and lithe with slight muscles, full pouty lips, and slanted brown eyes, courtesy of her Japanese mother), but they found a deeper connection that only a Hufflepuff could give a Slytherin: loyalty, fidelity, love that she actually showed no matter who she was with; and that a Slytherin could give a Hufflepuff: power, knowledge, connections, and teaching of pureblood ways, as well as an opening to see the real side of the Dark. Amelia knew that her family was Dark as well, and was proud of her heritage. Unknown to most, she herself had taken Dark Arts classes, as well as led her niece in those arts. Amelia wasn't blind: she knew that it wasn't the magic that was evil: it was the person who used it for evil; and to blind herself to a version of magic was not only wrong but incredibly stupid. When Aella Prince was adopted by them, the family had grown even more powerful, well-known and Dark, to the point where no one dared to look at them wrong for fear of what they'd do. With her this angry, and her daughter, arguably the best duelist in the world, Aella's fiancé, Angel Frost who was tied with her; and wife, a researcher of all kinds of magic: namely, painful and Dark ones next to her, no one wanted to be the idiot who said a fucking word. Which was helpful for Amelia.
"Alright, everyone. This is a trial, meaning that any talking or actions taken against those on trial or testifying will get you a year in Azkaban, no exceptions. I'd advise you to keep quiet and act with proper decorum. Now, let's bring in the defendants and their lawyer, Mr. Rochester."
Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy were brought in, Lucius looking arrogant and self-assured, Narcissa fearful, but at a look from her husband, she put up her mask. Walking with him was another rat look-alike, only with a greasy black-comb over and a beak nose, who looked just as arrogant as Malfoy.
"And their witnesses."
At this, Rochester turned red.
"Mrs. Bones, we have just one."
At that, the doors opened, and Rodolphus Lestrange walked in, chained up.
Belinda smirked, and Amelia knew what her old friend was thinking: Not very credible. No one's going to believe this.
"Bring in the prosecution's witnesses and the prosecution lawyer."
The doors opened and everyone turned, shocked. Draco Malfoy was the first to go up, a determined look on his face. Lucius hissed and tried to get out of his chair, which he was chained to.
"Didn't expect me to grow a backbone, did you, father?" Draco taunted, smirking. "I'm not going to let a chance to tell my story and all the shit you've done to me pass me by. Even if it goes as far as to mention your incestuous fascination with me."
The crowd gasped as one, and looked furious. Lucius lost his arrogant look as he knew what would happen to him. Rape and incest resulted in a life sentence to Azkaban. But with Draco being in training by Aella, Angel, Belinsa, and Adelina to be a death duelist himself, he knew he would have to face his son, who was a sadist and had no qualms about torturing people until they begged for death. Lucius knew Draco would increase his efforts to hurt him because of what he had done.
Draco turned to Narcissa. "I didn't forget that you knew. You always did treat me horribly because of Lucius' attraction to me."
He took his shirt off and undid one of his glamours. On his chest was a scar, but not any scar. Slut was burned onto his chest. He turned, and on his back was the word Monster, cut into his back.
"You deserved it. You're a fucking demon, a monster." Narcissa snarled.
Belinda, Aella, Adelina, and Angel glared so much that if looks would kill, Narcissa would be crushed to death. Their magic was unleashed, and Narcissa started trying to get out of the chair as her worst memories flashed in front of her. Amelia let that happen, as she would have done the same if her job wasn't on the line. Children and family were the most important things to her, and most of the Wizarding world agreed with that completely, shown by someone calling for her to be given the Dementor's kiss and the crowd screamed their agreement. Amelia let it die down. She couldn't remain fair with this evidence, and just from that, Narcissa's and Lucius' fate was sealed.
He turned to Belinda. "Don't report that, please."
Belinda nodded. "Wouldn't dream of it." Amelia smiled at her, and Draco smiled gratefully and thanked her.
Severus, Madam Promfrey, Aella, Angel, Daphne, Blaise, Theo, Adelina, Andromeda Tonks (the lawyer for prosecution), and Bellatrix walked in as well.
Lucius started to panic. This was not good at all for them.
"Mr. Rochester, read your opening statements." Amelia said.
"Lucius and Narcissa are fine, upstanding citizens who are the victims of liars who are after their money. Draco Malfoy would inherit all of the money and property, so I ask you to realize the clear motive behind his lies. Bellatrix would be free if she can convince you that she was under the Imperius curse the whole time, which is absolutely preposterous. You will find that Lucius and Narcissa are clearly innocent." He stated, still arrogant, even though everyone else realized that Narcissa and Lucius were already facing life sentences for what they did to Draco. No one believed for a minute that Draco lied and cut that into his skin or burned himself for money.
The crowd was almost violent at this point, and Amelia yelled for order.
"Andromeda Tonks, proceed with your opening statements."
"Ladies and Gentlemen… as most know, Lucius Malfoy was a Death Eater, and the only reason he was set free was because of his gold. He didn't even get a trial. And even though the Dark Lord was gone, Lucius and Narcissa never lost their cruelty. We've seen the scars given to Draco, clear evidence of abuse, and Narcissa's admittance of giving them to him. If they can be this cruel to their own son… they are monsters to others." Andromeda paused, then smiled wickedly. "As for Bellatrix… Rochester, you are right… it is preposterous that she was under the Imperious… however, it doesn't matter what evidence we lack. It matter what you believe we have, and shortly, you will all believe without a doubt, that she was under the curse."
Suddenly, the doors locked on themselves, and Belinda, Draco, Andromeda, Angel, Aella, Adelina, and Severus grabbed hands, starting to chant. Everyone was tied to their chairs but them, forced to listen to them speak. Their eyes glazed over, all hearing the exact same thing: overwhelming evidence in support of Bellatrix, Lucius and Narcissa confessing under Veritiserum, and Bellatrix under Veritiserum telling them that she was innocent. Lucius and Narcissa believed that they did put them under the curse. Once all of the group knew that their spell worked, they dropped hands, went back in their places, and unlocked the door.
"Amelia… we've finished our statements." Andromeda called, and Amelia straightened.
"I've come to a decision… Bellatrix, you have been cleared of all charges. Lucius and Narcissa… you are going straight to Azkaban, until you are faced with dueling your son to the death. The only fate you can escape if you win is the dementor's kiss."
With that, the dementors came in, holding onto their arms. Narcissa fainted, so the dementors grabbed her by the hair and dragged her. Lucius was forced to his feet and was dragged by his arm to the door.
Draco smiled, and the group exited.
"Everyone… good job. The Dark Lord will be pleased. And Belinda… you'll print the article saying what they thought they heard." Draco whispered to them, smiling brightly. "Now, I have a Boy-Who-Lived to talk to."