Disclaimer: I STILL do not own the characters in the Potterverse, no matter how many threats I have made, all of the rightful owners refuse to accede to my demands This is SOOO unfair! I have more talent, I have more power I have… (at this point, the nice men in the white coats enter the room, stuff a filthy gag in the author's mouth and haul him off to the rubber room..)
A/N: I cannot believe the response I am getting from this story! (wiggles like a puppy) I have been getting some interesting plot bunnies from folks, some of which I may incorporate… I really like the idea of Dumbles getting a spanking.. but I will have to make it a figurative one…and it will happen…NOW!!!
Chapter 4
Payback
"This session of the Wizengamot is convened for the purpose of setting aside the Declaration of Emancipation in the case of Harry James Potter, minor child of James Potter and Lily Evans. Request for conservatorship has been filed by…"
"Excuse me, point of order." This was from Madam Bones, sitting as Head of the Magical Law Enforcement Office.
"Yes Madam Bones?" Dumbledore was impatient to get the procedures concluded. He was finally going to get his plan for Harry to defeat Voldemort back on track. That and slap down those damned goblins. How DARE they pull that stunt in his office and make him look like a fool.
"According to rule 4798, section (1), subsection (b)(34), the Wizengamot must hear cases dealing with criminal matters prior to hearing civil matters. The MLEO has a sealed indictment handed down just 1 hour ago in regards to several major crimes against the well being and peace of the Wizarding community, the victims being minor children. It would be a grave miscarriage of justice for this case to be continued, the prosecutor and the MLEO believe that the accused perpetrator of these crimes is in a position to add to his crimes against children if he is not apprehended and brought before the bar immediately. We have aurors in place as we speak ready to arrest the suspect and transport him to this court within mere moments."
"By all means, Madam. You are within your rights and the rules of this court to bring this accused miscreant in for reckoning. As Supreme Mugwump, I order the arrest of the suspect and the immediate transportation to the Chair of Judgment." Dumbledore wondered if the MLEO had actually caught one of Voldemort's Death Eaters who had been torturing children, or if it was some kind of family child abuse case.
"Thank you. Aurors! Take the suspect into custody!" At this point, two aurors who had been stationed behind Dumbledore tapped him on the shoulders with their wands, and he was instantly transported to the Chair of Judgment, the chains magically wrapping themselves around him, effectively binding him to the chair. The gasp heard throughout the courtroom was filled with disbelief. How could a wizard so light that he had a phoenix as a familiar even be accused of crimes which would require a chained chair? The prosecutor, Robert Slagg, came to the podium.
"In cases where the Supreme Mugwump is accused of crimes, Rule 22, section 77 (b) (66) requires the Wizengamot to be headed by the Mugwump Pro Tem, this month's Pro Tem appointment held by Josiah Zambini. Please take the bench, Mugwump Zambini." Josiah Zambini came forward. There were a couple of snickers and a whispered comment about him being the latest member of the "Zambini of the Month Club" in reference to him being the 7th husband of his wife, all of them taking her last name and all of the previous ones having died under mysterious circumstances. All in all though, the members of the Wizengamot were comfortable with the choice. Although the Zambinis were a Dark family, they were undeclared in the war and were known to be fair and honest to a fault.
When Zambini was seated, he took the indictment, unsealed it and began to read. As he browsed through the document, at a couple of points his eyes widened and he muttered an "Oh, my!" under his breath. He then composed himself and, putting on his most neutral face, turned to face Dumbledore.
"Albus Dumbledore, you stand accused of the following crimes. On 5 March 1960, you abducted Lileth Rose Prewitt, also known as Lily Evans-Potter, age 1, a pureblood magical child, and Petunia Daisy Prewitt, age 3 months, a squib, following the deaths of their parents, and placed the children with a muggle family, Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Evans. You are further accused of concealing the whereabouts of said children from their lawfully named guardians, Andover and Generva Weasley, falsifying records to show that the said children had perished with their parents, depriving said pureblood children of a proper upbringing in a magical pureblood family. On these 8 counts, how do you plea?
"Innocent!"
"There is no legal plea of 'innocent', it is either guilty or not guilty."
"Not guilty."
"Albus Dumbledore, you are also accused of the following counts. On 31 October 1981, you abducted the pureblood minor child, Harry James Potter following the death of his parents, James Potter and Lily Evans-Potter, also known as Lileth Rose Prewitt, and placed said pureblood minor child, against the stated binding wishes of his parents, with a non magical family, depriving him of a proper pureblood magical upbringing. It is further alleged that you neglected said pureblood minor child for 10 years, knowing that said child was being physically and mentally abused by his non magical caretakers simply due to his heritage. You are further accused of con cealing the pureblood heritage of said minor child from both the child and his pureblood living relatives, Arthur and Molly Weasley. To these 14 counts, how do you plea?"
"Not Guilty" Sullenly.
"Albus Dumbledore, you also stand accused of conspiring with Barty Crouch, Sr., deceased, former Minister of Magic, to deprive one Sirius Orion Black, pureblood wizard, of his civil rights to trial by the Wizengamot and by Veritaserum in order to prove his innocence in the deaths of James and Lily Potter, a pureblood witch and wizard, and parents of a minor child, Harry James Potter, pureblood wizard. And the deaths of 12 muggles and the alleged death of Peter Pettigrew, Pureblood Wizard. You are further charged with 12 counts of unlawful imprisonment, one for each year that Sirius Orion Black spent in Azkaban, due to the denial of his civil and Pureblood rights of trial by Wizengamot and Veritaserum. On these 14 counts, how do you plea?"
"Not guilty"
"Albus Dumbledore, you further stand accused of concealing evidence gained post facto in the case of Sirius Orion Black, pureblood wizard, which would have vindicated said pureblood wizard following his escape from unlawful imprisonment in Azkaban. On this count, how do you plea?"
"Not guilty"
"Albus Dumbledore, you stand accused of defrauding the estate of James and Lily Potter, pureblood wizard and witch, and the inheritance of Harry James Potter of numerous items of value, diverting them for your personal use. You are also accused of embezzlement from the estate of James and Lily Potter, pureblood wizard and witch, of the sum of 2 million Galleon, 3 Sickles, and 4 knuts, during a period of 14 years using 104 transactions. On these 154 counts, how do you plea?"
"Not guilty"
"Albus Dumbledore, you are accused of 7 counts of torture in the case of Harry James Potter, minor child, pureblood wizard. It is alleged that you forced the named minor child to undergo Occlumency lessons with one Severus Snape, half blood wizard, a known enemy of both the minor child and his parents. On these 7 counts, how do you plea?"
"Not guilty."
"Albus Dumbledore, you stand accused of denying the civil rights and false imprisonment in the case of Harry James Potter during the month of July of this year by denying him the right of communication with his friends and relatives. You are also accused of interfering with owl post to Harry James Potter and using undue influence on his friends and relatives to deny communication with the minor child. On these 44 counts, how do you plea?"
"Not guilty"
"Albus Dumbledore, you are accused of violation of statute 14041, section 1, subsection (v)(iii), Child Protection Act which requires all "Headmasters, teachers, school personnel and medical staff to report suspected child abuse to the proper authorities". The specifics of these 77 counts are as follows: At various times in the past 15 years, you, as headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, were notified by your teaching staff and medical personnel of suspected child abuse against Harry James Potter, minor child, pureblood wizard. It is alleged that you refused to inform the proper authorities of the suspected abuse, allowing it to continue. On these 77 counts, how do you plea?"
"Not guilty"
"Albus Dumbledore, you are accused of corruption of your position as Supreme Mugwump of the Wizengamot by calling this session of the Wizengamot with the intention of denying one Harry James Potter, also known as Lord Black, Heir of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black, and Lord Potter, Heir of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter, Pureblood wizard and Emancipated Minor, his civil rights and property by using your influence to have the emancipation of Lord Potter-Black set aside and guardianship of Lord Potter-Black awarded to you. On this count, how do you plea?"
"Not guilty"
"Mr. Prosecutor, are you ready to proceed?"
"I am, Your Mugwumpiness."
"You have the floor"
Over the next 12 hours, the prosecution laid out its case. They called in the goblins and their investigators to present evidence of Dumbledore's guilt. They introduced a parchment trail showing the timeline of every count of which the old wizard was accused. Witnesses included Molly and Arthur Weasley, Minerva McGonagall, all of the Weasley children, including Percy, who had attempted to warn others about Dumbledore. There was also Snape, Hermione, Neville, and Arabella Figg. When the evidence of Harry's blood relationship with the Weasleys was introduced and verified, Molly Weasley broke down crying, then she and Arthur had to be removed from the court for threatening life of Dumbledore. Hermione Granger, no longer the Dumbledore-worshipping sycophant, gave her testimony about the Headmaster using his influence on her and Harry's other friends while fixing Dumbledore with a scathing glare. At the end of the testimony, Zambini turned to Dumbledore.
"Will the defendant testify under the influence of Veritaserum?"
"Yes I will." This brought a gasp to the court, and people began to wonder if maybe the whole thing had been a huge mistake. After all, you couldn't possibly lie under the influence. The prosecutor stood up again.
"Sir, there is one thing that I would like to point out prior to the Defendant's testimony. I have a signed statement from Professor Severus Snape, Hogwarts Potions Master, that he was requested by the defendant on numerous occasions to brew antidote for Veritaserum and place the antidote in small, muggle made, plastic capsules." Harry was shocked. He thought that idea was his alone. Madam Bones suddenly pointed her wand at Dumbledore and stupefied him. The auror standing next to Dumbledore pried his mouth open and removed a small, crushed blue capsule from between his teeth.
Zambini gave an amused look. "It appears that the defendant had plans to stack the deck just a tad." Calling on Severus Snape, he asked how long the effect of the antidote would last.
"No more than 20 minutes."
"Very well, the defendant will be searched for any more contraband and this court will adjourn for one hour. At that time, the defendant will undergo Veritaserum."
"I withdraw my request for Veritaserum, Your Honor!" Dumbledore shouted out.
"Too late, Albus. Aurors, stay with the prisoner."
Exactly one hour later, the Veritaserum was administered, and Dumbledore confirmed every bit of the prosecution's assertions with the exception of 14 counts. It turned out that at the time of those 14 counts, the Child Protection Act had not yet been passed, thereby making his non-reporting a moot point. The remainder of the counts stood however. At the end of the testimony, Zambini called for a vote. The vote to convict on all counts (other than the 14 dropped counts) was unanimous, Light wizards and witches, disgusted by their standard bearer's crimes stood shoulder to shoulder with the Dark Wizards and witches for the first time in over 500 years.
"Albus Dumbledore, stand and face this court." The chains were removed from the chair and Dumbledore stood.
"It is the decision of this court that you receive the following punishment for your misdeeds. You are hereby stripped of all titles, offices and awards and your seat in this body vacated. All of your property shall be given in restitution to your victims and their estates. The estates in question are those of Lily Potter, nee Prewitt-Evans, Petunia Dursley, nee Prewitt-Evans, Sirius Orion Black. Since Petunia Dursley was implicated in the abuse and shown to be guilty by a preponderance of the evidence, her award shall be given over to her victim, Harry James Potter. The award shall be as follows. To the estate of Lily Potter, 25 . To the estate of Petunia Dursley, 25. To the estate of Sirius Orion Black, 25. The remainder of your restitution shall be awarded to Harry James Potter. Since Mr. Potter is the sole surviving heir of both the Potter and Black estates, and since Petunia Dursley's award has been forfeited to him, he shall receive 100 of the amount of restitution. The order has been signed and filed with Gringotts and your property seized." Suddenly Dumbledore's robe disappeared, leaving him in a pair of grey boxer shorts. "When I said ALL of your assets, I meant ALL." There was a nervous laugh through the court. "Your monetary sentence has been carried out. I also sentence you to 17 life sentences, to be served consecutively. As you are close to the end of your natural life, this court has made special arrangements. You shall be stripped of your magical core and a soul tracker placed upon you. Your memories of your crimes shall be duplicated and stored in 16 sealed penseives. In the event that you undergo reincarnation, a penseive shall be opened and the memories returned to you. That incarnation shall be stripped of its magical core, should it have one, and shall be returned to penal custody for the remainder of its natural life. This shall continue until your 17 life sentences are fulfilled. Do you have any last words to this court?"
"Yes I do. I do not believe that I will be staying around for all of this. Fawkes!" Dumbledore held out his hand to recreate his exit from Hogwarts the previous year. This time however, Fawkes did not do his part. Granted, he did fly over and land on Dumbledore's arm, but instead of flaming away, he looked him in the eye, then turned around very deliberately and faced away from him. He lifted up his tail and squirted a stream of excrement directly at Dumbledore's face, then flew roughly 2 metres away before flaming out of the room, leaving Dumbledore amazed, confused, and very messy.
"It appears that you will be the guest of the penal system after all. And for a very long time. Aurors, do your duty." The aurors pointed their wands at Dumbledore, bound him and appearated away. Zambini then banged his gavel.
"If there is no more business.." Just then, a wizard in a white wig and robes stood up.
"There is one more item of business."
"And who might you be?"
"I am George Steinman, Solicitor for Harry James Potter-Black, pureblood wizard and Heir of the Most Noble and Ancient Houses of Potter and Black. My client is here to claim his rights as Heir to these Houses and claim his Seat and his two votes in this august body. He declares and claims his lawful title as Lord Potter-Black. He also declares that his names shall be Lord Potter, Lord Black or Lord Potter-Black. My client declares that they shall be interchangeable."
"Very well said. Lord Potter-Black, Please rise."
Harry stood up. He was dressed in silvery grey robes with the crests of the Potter and Black Houses on his breast, the Potter crest to the right of the Black crest. His robes were trimmed on the hem, front, collar and sleeves with two simple stripes, one black, one white. On his left hand, he had the signet ring of the House of Black, on his right, the House of Potter. He had a minor glamour on his face which made him appear to be a couple of years older. Harry strode to the middle of the room.
"Lord Potter-Black, we accept your petition to join this body and claim your votes. We reaffirm your emancipation and invite you as a brother to join magic. Please hold up your wand." Harry did so. "Do you, Lord Potter-Black, vow to uphold the honor of this august body, protect and defend the wizarding world against all enemies, from within or without?"
"I, Lord Potter-Black, do so vow." At that moment, a golden light shot out of Harry's wand and connected with similar lights coming out of the uplifted wands of every other member. They formed a golden dome over the head of Harry, then retreated.
"Lord Potter-Black, since you are Heir to Houses both Light and Dark, please choose your seat." Harry had watched the members of the court and seen that members of Dark houses sat on the left side, while members of Light houses sat on the right, with a wide aisle between them. He took his wand, levitated the chair they had prepared for him, then placed it firmly between the two in the very front row.
There was a stunned silence. Then a single person began to clap, slowly and deliberately. Harry could not tell which side it was coming from, but it was quickly picked up on. Two, three, a dozen, then every member of the Wizengamot was getting to their feet, clapping, slowly and deliberately, then rising in speed. There came cheers from the gallery as Harry climbed the stairs and walked down the aisle, shaking hands with wizards from both sides, finally claiming his seat.
Phase 2 was complete.
A/N: There you go, folks, one spanking delivered! I am almost tempted to end this one here and write a sequel, but I would like your opinion. Should I continue this one or serialize it? PM me or put it in the reviews!