This is it, the big trial of Dumbledore and the Weasleys. Of course the old codger goes first, and they reveal what's happened from that curse he put on the rest of the Weasleys. There are six witnesses, and they will each give their stories.
I want to thank you all for your patience and wishing me luck on my exams and tests, I greatly appreciate it.
I don't own Harry Potter.
Enjoy!
Ministry of Magic, Kingsley's office:
The day of the trial had come, and all the witnesses had gathered in Kingsley's office to follow him to the special courtroom they had arranged for this special occasion. The room was rigged to make sure everyone in it would tell the truth, and if they tried to lie then the spells would increase and push them to tell the truth. And thankfully the defendants didn't know that.
"It's almost time." Kingsley was gathering all the evidence together and had already gone over everything with the witnesses.
"We're ready when you are Kingsley." Harry held onto his husband's hand and looked as all the witnesses had gathered; Severus, Hermione, Draco, Ginny, himself, and Regulus and fortunately Regulus would go first since he knew firsthand what Dumbledore had done.
"You know what to do Regulus, but of course we'll explain why you're not dead to the rest of the Wizenagamot and believe me all of them have seen that you were a death eater but they know you never actually killed, tortured, or imperiused anyone. They just want to hear your story." Kingsley had dismissed several members of the Wizenagamot earlier that month, mainly because some of them were supporters of the purebloods and dark arts, so their judgment was clouded.
"I wouldn't have it any other way, I can't lie here."
"Good, I'm sure your families are all here?"
"My mother and siblings have already ascended into the courtroom, Lucius, Narcissa, the Lupins, Ginny's brothers, and of course Professor McGonagall are with them."
"Of course, now let's go, the sooner this is over with the better." They agreed and followed him through the Ministry, and luckily all the reporters were in the room waiting for the trial to start.
Right as they walked into the courtroom, and stepped into the witness area the cameras started flashing everywhere and members of the Wizenagamot had already filed in. The audience came and was full to the brim of the room, including some possible flames from Harry's past.
Kingsley made his way to his own seat and hammered down to silence everyone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, members of the Wizenagamot and witnesses the court is now in session. Bring out the defendants." Some guards left the room, and while Harry sat beside Severus holding his hand he felt him tense.
"Easy Sev, just relax everyone's here for us."
"I know, but I'm still not feeling right." The pregnancy had taken a bigger toll on Sev's health, but it was nothing out of the ordinary.
"It'll be ok, I promise." He kissed Sev's cheek, and turned seeing the guards returned with all the defendants; they were in chains and in ragged Azkaban clothes. Molly, Arthur, Percy, and Ron all looked terrible, but Dumbledore looked much worse.
"What the…what is this?" Ron looked at Regulus with confusion. "Sirius?"
"Silence Mr. Weasley it's not your turn to speak!" Kingsley shouted and Ron shut up with his lips pursed together. "Albus Dumbledore, take the stand." Two guards escorted the wizard to the spot in the middle of the room and chained him to the chair to prevent any possible attempts of escaping.
"He looks sullen." Ginny whispered.
"Looks drained more likely." Draco.
"It's the least he deserves." Severus.
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, you have been charged with multiple accounts of fraud, multiple accounts of theft, three counts of kidnapping, one count of rape, multiple accounts of assault, two accounts of false imprisonment, two accounts of murder, two accounts of attempted murder, multiple accounts of abuse, one account of using unforgivables, and one account of an attempt to induce an illegal abortion. Do you deny said charges?" Dumbledore's lips were in a tight line, as if he were trying to hold back.
"No." half the court gasped.
"Are you aware that you are facing life in Azkaban if not the kiss?"
"Yes."
"Very well…Dumbledore I am going to ask you several questions on your past, all I want you to answer is yes and/or no. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Is it true you planned the death of the Potters after you were told a prophecy concerning Voldemort and his destroyer?"
"Yes."
"Is it true you ordered the deceased Sirius Black to switch positions with Peter Pettigrew knowing Pettigrew was a death eater and would tell the Dark Lord the locations of Lily and James Potter?"
"Yes."
"Is it true that you kept the witness Regulus Arcturus Black locked away in your family's home after he came telling you of a way to destroy the Dark Lord? And that you locked him away in an asylum for over a decade when he tried to escape?" that took a little longer to answer.
"Yes."
"Is it true that ever since you've been purposely putting Mr. Harry James Potter in danger, leaving him with neglectful relatives and stealing from his family's vaults?"
"Yes."
"Is it also true that you've abused one if not more of your students including one Hermione Granger when you forced her to spy on Mr. Potter even when she really tried to befriend him?"
"Yes." Most of the court had large gasps coming around as the questions continued, all Harry could do was smiled as Dumbledore's discomfort increased and his face contorted into a mask of anger and shame. This was going to be great just as soon as the witnesses could tell all their stories.
"Dumbledore, you were a respected man and role model to the entire Wizarding world, and you betrayed everyone's trust with all the crimes we've just listed. Before we let the witnesses come forward, let me ask you…why? Why harm an innocent child and destroy the family he had before Voldemort murdered them? Why do anything to mess up the Boy-Who-Lived and his future family?" it was obvious Dumbledore was furious, and all he could do now was glare fiercely at Harry and Severus.
"For power, I knew that Voldemort would ruin my chances of possibly ruling the entire Wizard community. I needed a scapegoat, one whom I could train from an infant to be the perfect tool in taking out my worst enemy. After he finished my goal, I had no more use for him except he lived through the war. I had arranged him to marry Ginevra Weasley, but I had been fooled when she and Potter married my potions master and Draco Malfoy, my plans were ruined and then the money was gone. I wanted revenge against Potter."
"Just because he outsmarted you?"
"Yes."
"Well…I can honestly say this doesn't surprise me. Though you have confessed to every crime, we will allow the witnesses to give their stories for the records. Mr. Regulus Black please take the stand?" Dumbledore was taken down from the stand and Regulus smirked as he took it.
"He looks happy." Ginny giggled.
"A little too happy." Harry smiled.
"Mr. Black, until some months ago you were believed to be dead at the age of eighteen correct?"
"Yes sir."
"Would you please explain to the court why you vanished so soon after becoming a death eater?" Regulus cleared his throat and looked up at the entire court.
"I did in fact become a death eater, but I just want to clear things out when I say I was never involved in any raids, killings, torture, kidnappings, nothing with the main death eaters. I never used any unforgivable curses, and I never harmed anyone in my short amount of time as a death eater." He spoke with such confidence he was practically glowing.
"Let the records show that Regulus Black has been cleared as a death eater and will now tell us the events of when he was missing."
"Thank you Minister Shacklebolt, now to start off I was the one who first discovered Voldemort's secret to his prolonged life. He used horcruxes to keep himself alive even when his body was destroyed; he sealed part of his soul into seven different items but I had only known of one, the locket of Salazar Slytherin. When I first found out the location of the first one I had my house elf Kreacher accompany me to the cave it was kept in. The horcrux was in a pool of a potion called 'The Drink of Despair', a potion that could only be dealt with when drank and the drinker would feel immense pain with every gulp until death. I had drank the potion and I managed to retrieve the locket, but as the potion's effects increased I was dragged under water by Inferi, and I ordered my elf Kreacher to take the locket and destroy it." Most of the court gasped.
"How did you survive the potion and the Inferi?" a woman with dark hair asked on Kingsley's right.
"That I am not sure of, but somehow I managed to use my wand to escape and after I left the cave my body felt weak and I managed to get to Dumbledore in Godric's Hollow. I woke up in his family's home, and I told him what I had done but after I begged him to go to the ministry he declined and kept me locked up in that room. I heard every conversation he had with his spies, and I knew his plan so I decided to escape. Sadly he caught me and the next thing I knew I was in that asylum."
"Mr. Black, is it true Dumbledore was aware of your relationship with Nigel Prince?"
"Yes, and he used that against me. Somehow he found out about my love life and he threatened to hurt Nigel if I tried to escape again so I forced myself to adapt to that hellhole. I thought I would be trapped there forever, and then my cousin and her family rescued me. I was saved, and I reunited with my long lost love." There were several awes from the audience, even some of the reporters looked in awe.
"That's good to hear Mr. Black, you may step down now."
"Thank you." Regulus stepped down, smirked at Dumbledore but as he turned away someone called out to him.
"Oh Mr. Black, before you step down tell us, do you regret anything from when you joined the death eaters up until now? Like, your late brother Sirius Black, do you regret anything with him?" Regulus' smirk faded a bit, but he turned to the reporter with a serious look on his face.
"I regret that I didn't listen to my brother that I didn't leave with him when I had the chance. If I had listened to his advice then it's possible we could've changed a lot of things before today. My brother Sirius Orion Black may he rest in peace, and rest assured that his godson is safe among us." A few people applauded that little speech and Regulus took his seat in the witness spots.
"Ms. Hermione Granger take the stand please." Harry saw Hermione take a deep breath and walked with her head held high to the seat. "Ms. Granger, kindly explain the reason you spied for Dumbledore in the first place please."
"Thank you Minister, when I first came to Hogwarts I hadn't really thought of trying to befriend the great Harry Potter, but after I got to know him I started to like him as a friend. Sadly though, I knew he was in danger and I couldn't say anything otherwise Dumbledore would've destroyed my family the same way he did the Potters. I accepted the money yes, but I secretly returned it every time because I didn't want to hurt Harry. I acted the way I did because I was afraid, but I can see now that me coming forward was the best thing I could've done for Harry and Ginny because I could see they were happy with their new spouses." She looked at Harry for a brief moment. "I am sorry for what I did, and I intend to make it up to Harry and Ginny as long as possible."
"And what will you do now that you've left Hogwarts?"
"I have decided to move close to Durmstrang, I have a friend there who can help me continue my education and I can start a new life with my family."
"Ms. Granger, what about your relationship with the Weasleys? You were in a relationship with Mr. Ronald Weasley, tell us please was he as abusive as Mr. Dumbledore?" Hermione froze for a second, but stood tall in her seat.
"Yes, if not he was probably worse. Ron wanted me to marry him after we graduated, but he was so possessive about the money and me that he started hitting me in our fourth year. After I had become a girlfriend to Viktor Krum he went ballistic, and after Viktor left he verbally abused me over the summer. Molly Weasley was furious with me, saying I was a whore and stupid for dumping her precious Ronald. I put up with it long enough, and that last night I was abused, I had gone to Professor McGonagall's office and she took me to Kingsley."
"For your cooperativeness you have been granted a pass from Azkaban, but you have also paid off the fine issued by Mr. Potter is that correct?" a dark haired man in the upper right corner spoke.
"Yes, and I know I've jeopardized my future career, but it's worth it." She glared at the Weasleys. "Because I know now the real monsters will be put behind bars." Ron glared angrily at Hermione as did Percy, but Molly and Arthur looked away.
"Were you aware that Dumbledore had cursed the Weasleys into doing his own will?" she looked back at the members of the Wizenagamot.
"I was, but it wasn't until recently I put the pieces together. I am sorry that they were forced into it, but I am not sorry that Ronald Weasley is going to jail because both he and his older brother Percy were by far the only ones truly into the scandal with Dumbledore. Everyone else was against it."
"Thank you Ms. Granger, you may step down." Hermione smiled and walked back to her seat.
"You did good Hermione."
"Thanks Ginny."
"Mr. Draco Malfoy please take the stand." Draco kissed Ginny's cheek and made his way to the stand.
"This shouldn't take too long." Harry whispered to Severus.
"Mr. Malfoy, how long were you dating Ginevra Weasley?"
"Over a year maybe, and despite the marriage planned for her between her family Ginny and I were in love. I only went along in the death eaters to protect my family, my friends, and my girlfriend now my wife."
"Lies!" Ron stood up and was forced back down.
"Silence Mr. Weasley!" Kingsley glared and turned back to Draco. "Mr. Malfoy, what happened while you were held captive at the Weasleys home?" Draco looked down for a moment, and then breathed in looking back up.
"We, Severus Snape and I, were held hostage in a room possibly some far bit off from the actual house. We were assaulted, verbally and physically, and it was Percival Weasley and Ronald Weasley who attacked me, but it was Dumbledore who attacked and raped my godfather." Harry felt Severus tense next to him, and rubbed his palm.
"Easy Sev, easy." He whispered.
"What do you remember next?"
"I was unconscious for the most part, but the next thing I remembered was waking up in the loving arms of my beautiful wife Ginny." He smiled at said wife and she waved at him.
"I think that's all we need to know, you may step down Mr. Malfoy." Draco did so and sat next to Ginny giving her a kiss on the lips. "Next, Mrs. Malfoy please take the stand." Ginny stood up and took the stand. "Mrs. Weasley can you concur that everything your husband has said is true?"
"Yes, every word."
"You had no part in any of Dumbledore's plans to hurt Harry Potter or his family's money?"
"No, I never agreed to any of it. I do love Harry, but like a brother and I don't want to jeopardize that. My family has done the unthinkable, and I am ashamed of them for it; even if they were forced they should've said something somehow. I am proud of my brothers Bill, Charlie, Fred and George, but I want nothing to do with Percy or Ron. What they did to my husband and tried to do to Severus Snape is disgusting. I am proud of my husband, and I'm proud of my friends who have stood by my side throughout all of this." Kingsley smiled and nodded.
"That will be all; you may step down Mrs. Malfoy." Ginny smiled but glared at her two angry brothers and parents before going back to Draco's side. "Next, Mr. Severus Snape." Severus looked at Harry who gave him a smile, and then slowly made his way to the stand.
'Take it easy Sev, take it easy.' Harry could see Sev's discomfort, and hoped that Kingsley would make this short for him.
"I know that you are not quite well Mr. Snape so I'll make this quick. We are aware of what Dumbledore has done to you, and of your condition. Just answer us this, did you know Dumbledore was plotting against Mr. Potter?"
"Yes, but not until after his…death."
"You had been doing all you could to protect the boy, and despite your love for the deceased Lily Potter you are now married to Harry Potter and expecting his child."
"Yes, and I love him unconditionally. Despite all that's happened between us and our age difference Harry loves me for me and I for him."
"Good to know, and you are now a respected member of the community. I think I speak for the entire Wizenagamot when I say congratulations to you and Mr. Potter, and wish you nothing but the best. The same goes for Mr. Black, and the newlywed Malfoys."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, you may step down." Severus slowly stepped off and made his way back to his seat.
"You did good love." Harry kissed his hand.
"Thanks."
"Now then…Mr. Potter would you please take the stand?" Harry was the last witness, but what more did they need? "Now we obviously have enough evidence to convict the Weasleys and Dumbledore, but do you have anything to say on their behalf?" Harry looked at Molly and Arthur, obviously ashamed of what was happening whereas Dumbledore and the other two Weasleys did not.
"For Dumbledore I have a few words, I considered him a role model and almost like a grandfather to me. Now I find that he never gave a damn about me, all he wanted was fame and power, and he killed off my family and almost killed my unborn child and husband. I want him to rot in Azkaban, and let Ron and Percy join him. Ron I considered my best mate, but he betrayed me and hurt Hermione so I could care less what happens to him now. Percy I never really liked him so he can rot as well, but Molly and Arthur…I would like to hear what they have to say." Kingsley nodded and turned to the Weasley pair.
"Molly and Arthur Weasley you have permission to speak." They stood and looked at Harry sorrowfully.
"I speak on behalf of my wife and myself, we are sorry we didn't come forward but the curse prevented us. We didn't want to hurt Harry or Ginny and we didn't know what Dumbledore had done to the Potters until now. We might not have known them very well but we never would've done this, I am sorry I shut out my own sons and daughter, I did consider Harry a son and I wanted to tell him so many times but I wasn't able to. I hope my family can forgive me someday, and I'll do everything I can to make it up to them no matter how long it takes." Arthur sat down but Molly didn't.
"I'm sorry too, I lost myself completely throughout all of this. My own brothers would be ashamed of me, may they rest in peace. I should've known my daughter would've never married Harry but at least she married into a good family. I am sorry for all I've done, and I only hope that my children can forgive me someday and like Arthur I will do everything I can to make it up to them no matter what. I plead guilty to everything, and I'll gladly go to Azkaban if it means they will as well." She directed her eyes to her two sons and Dumbledore, and then sat back down.
"Mr. Potter?" Kingsley looked at Harry.
"I think that's all I needed to hear, I don't care what you do with Dumbledore, Ron, and Percy, but please be lenient on Molly and Arthur, I'm sure their children would appreciate it."
"Thank you Mr. Potter, you may step down." As Harry made his way back a certain redhead bastard decided to speak out.
"THIS ISN'T FAIR! Why should we suffer when Hermione goes free! YOU BITCH! IF I EVER GET OUT I'LL KILL YOU, I'LL KILL ALL OF YOU!" Ron was restrained by the guards and forced silent.
"You are not allowed to speak Mr. Weasley, now either you be quiet or you'll have the kiss right now!" Kingsley had banished all the Dementors from Azkaban, but only a few stood away just in case. "Now since we've heard apologies from both Mr. and Mrs. Weasley I think the Wizenagamot can offer leniency, but for now we will council. In an hour we will decide their punishment, guards take the defendants to their cells until we return." The guards did so and while Dumbledore and the two younger Weasleys glared, Arthur and Molly looked tearfully at the rest.
"Let's get a drink." Harry and the others left through the other end away from the reporters and audience.
"That went better than we'd hoped." Ginny.
"Sure did, I just hope your parents don't have life in Azkaban. Despite what they did they were forced."
"Maybe, but they can't go free just like that." Severus sat down on a bench and Draco and Ginny left to find some drinks. Regulus sat near them and sighed.
"Just think, as soon as Dumbledore's away we'll all be freed at last." He sighed again.
"Would you please stop sighing you're making me sleepy?" Severus yawned.
"Sorry Sev, I'll bet that little one's been restless hasn't he?"
"He's not even four months along and he still swears the kid's out to get him." Harry groaned rubbing his forehead.
"You're not the one pregnant so shut it." Severus leaned back and soon Ginny and Draco returned with cups in hand.
"Here, hey where'd Hermione go?" Hermione had left in another direction, but not far.
"Oh she mentioned going to talk with her parents, she'll be back to hear the sentencing." As Harry sipped his drink and held his husband's he could only imagine what all the evil defendants were thinking.
An hour later:
As they filed back into the courtroom all the defendants were lined up in front of the Wizenagamot and all the witnesses and the audience had returned as well. As Kingsley hammered his mallet on his desk everyone's attention was directed at the man.
"We have come to a decision, and by the rule of the entire wizard court Albus Dumbledore, Ronald Weasley, Percival Weasley, Molly and Arthur Weasley you are found guilty of your crimes." Harry sighed. "Albus Dumbledore you are sentenced to life in Azkaban with your magic stripped, Ronald and Percival Weasley you both are sentenced to twenty five years in Azkaban with your magic stripped as well, and Molly and Arthur Weasley you both are sentenced to three years in Azkaban maybe one year if you behave. This court is adjourned."
"THIS IS NOT FAIR!" Ron shouted.
"I DEMAND ANOTHER TRIAL!" Percy and Ron shouted insults here and there but Dumbledore just stayed quiet along with Molly and Arthur. As they were escorted out forcefully Harry and the others quickly left to avoid any more questions and articles from the reporters.
"Come on guys, let's go home." They all said goodbye to Hermione, met up with the rest of the families and went straight home to move on with their lives.
Just one more chapter and then the epilogue. Next one brings the birth of the baby and a little surprise for Nigel and Regulus! Again thank you for being so patient with me you have no idea how it warms my heart to have such support.
I know I said it'd be a couple of weeks, but I figured since this one was done I'd go ahead and let it up.
R&R
Later!