AN: I apologize for the severe delay, but I had a difficult time adjusting to college life. It's only recently that I had any free time to sit down and actually right.
Disclaimer: I don't own HP.
In dedication to Suit, the best law series I've ever seen and the inspiration for the completion of this chapter.
Chapter 8: Trial
Harry Potter could be found on this morning in the middle of October seated patiently in the Headmaster's Office.
He was wearing a navy blue robe below his black, partially buttoned cardigan, a grey scarf wrapped around his neck. His runic leather gloves and black, but shiny, combat boots completed his look. All-in-all, he looked rather regal - at least when compared to his three other companions. Neville wore a plain black robe and sported a tie, while Ginny simply wore her school robes.
Of course, their rather formal attire was in stark contrast with Dumbledore and his ridiculously, bright, hipster robes and mismatched clothes.
"Headmaster, you are looking fashionable, as ever." Harry smiled, more at amusement of the Headmaster's terrible fashion sense than anything.
"And you are looking quite sharp yourself today, Mr. Potter." Albus replied cheerily. Harry wasn't sure whether the man hadn't detected his sarcasm or was pulling one over him. "Now, we best be on our way to the Ministry. Mr. Lockhart isn't going to go down without a fight. I don't suppose I need to instruct you how to use the Floo Network?" He asked, and seeing the three make a negative gesture, continued. "After you then, Mr. Potter." He held out a small dish filled with the magical white power towards Harry.
Harry grabbed a fistful of the powder and stepped into the fireplace. "Ministry of Magic, Atrium!" He simultaneously threw the powder into the fire, turning it into an eerie green before it swallowed up Harry completely. In the next moment, Harry found himself "gracefully" exiting the fireplace. That is to say it seemed to spit him out, sending him sprawling onto the floor, and eliciting odd looks from passersby.
His companions appeared behind him soon after. While Neville and Ginny stared wide eyed at the various features of the Atrium, Dumbledore wondered curiously why his newly acquired protégé was dusting off his robes and muttering darkly about fireplaces. He banished such thoughts from his head in good order, and led his charges past the "Fountain of Magical Brethren" with its golden statues and rainbow colored water. The four of them reached a golden gate guarded by a single wizard whose job seemed to be inspecting wands and issuing badges. Being with a Chief Warlock had its perks, it seemed, as they walked to the front of the line - regardless of the irate looks people shot towards them – and simply cut in.
"Good morning, Chief Warlock." The guard greeted amiably. "I'll need to check your wands, sir."
Harry flicked his wrist, and handed over his main wand to the guard. His other wand was currently locked in his trunk back in Hogwarts. The guard accepted their wands with both hands, and handled them with care. "You'll receive your wands again on the other side. What is your business with Ministry today, Chief Warlock?"
"Barnaby, I am with Mr. Potter, Mr. Longbottom, and Ms. Weasley to attend the Wizengamot's gathering." Albus answered the question without going into specifics.
Barnaby didn't seem to mind the lack of details. In fact, he seemed pleased that a man as important as Albus Dumbledore knew and even spoke to him on a first name basis. "Well, here are your badges." He handed over four gleaming, golden badges and, after watching them pin it onto their robes, let them pass through the gate which separated the Atrium from the lifts.
Dumbledore ushered them into one of the lifts before entering himself and punching the button that would lead them to the Wizengamot's floor. As the doors closed, the sound of one of Celestina Warbeck's song wafted into the lift. Dumbledore stroked his beard pensively, humming with the tune and bobbing his head up and down.
Neville and Ginny stared at their Headmaster, wide-eyed at his normally strange behavior. Harry wondered whether Dumbledore would break out dancing as well.
A soft ringing sound broke Dumbledore out of his groove, signaling to the group that they had arrived at their desired floor. Dumbledore straightened out his robes just as the metal doors parted, allowing him to leave the lift, and his previous behavior, behind. Without another thought, Harry followed suit, matching the aged man stride for stride.
"Neville, Ginny, you might want to start moving before the lift closes on you." Harry called out in a sing-song tone. That was apparently enough to break the stupor that had settled on the pair.
Within a few short minutes, they had reached the mahogany double doors of the Wizengamot chamber. The design on the doors, as with everything inside the Wizengamot chambers, attempted to give off an appearance of grandeur. Numerous intricate carvings decorated the door, so intricate, in fact, that few ever bothered to take the time and actually marvel at them anymore. It was a typical example of the Wizengamot trying too hard – and failing - to impress their importance on others.
With a heavy sigh, Harry adopted a keenly militaristic stance with both arms behind him and strode forward into the chamber. The room, he found, was akin to the Grecian amphitheatres of old, with the seats rising in elevation the farther it was from the center of the room. The entrance that Harry used led him to the lowest level in the room, the area which would also become the focus of everyone's attention once the day's proceedings started.
Neville and Ginny brought up the rear, taking in the scene before them with a kind of awe that came only with youth and inexperience. From the corner of his eye, Harry could see that Dumbledore had moved to one of the two tables nearby. It was, presumably, the plaintiff's side.
The other would be for Lockhart – the defendant. The doors on the other side of the hall creaked open, allowing said person and his defense counsel passage into the chambers. Harry locked eyes with the blonde haired git that was his "professor" and smirked triumphantly. This was going to be the last and hopefully most humiliating day of Lockhart's freedom.
Harry moved to take a seat next to Dumbledore followed by his two fellow witnesses.
Fudge took up a prominent position in the room, overlooking both the defense and the prosecution from his considerably elevated platform. He shrewdly eyed the related parties, no doubt already formulating what plan of action would benefit him the most. A self-serving politician to the bone, Fudge was never one to let pass an opportunity to curry favor with socialites.
The heavy head of the gavel met wood. The ominous sound filled the room. The Trial of Gilderoy Lockhart had begun.
"Members of this august body, we are gathered here on the Seventeenth of October, Nineteen Ninety-Three by request of the Chief Warlock to enact justice. The defendant, known as Gilderoy Lockhart, has been accused by the plaintiff, Albus Dumbledore, of the following charges: the violation of the Hogwarts Contract, two counts.
"The breach of educational standards, sixteen counts.
"The violation of the Pureblood Protection Act, two counts.
"The illegal use of memory charms, three counts.
"The use of memory charms on minors without consent, two counts.
"Assaulting a minor, three counts."
"And acting as an accomplice to murder, two counts." Fudge took a deep breathe, and stared Lockhart down. "How does the defense plead?"
One of Lockhart's barristers, a sharp looking, smartly dressed man, answered for him. "Not guilty to all charges, except one, your Honor."
Fudge raised a brow at him. "Please specify which." The power in his voice made it clear it was a command phrased as a request.
"To one count of breach in educational standards, your Honor. An incident during the second of September last year where my client released a batch of," the barrister paused to consult with his papers, "freshly caught Cornish pixies on a class without proper instruction. Granted that was hardly my client's fault seeing as the spell he was required to teach in the curriculum proved to be ineffective against the pixies - a situation that was rectified soon enough without any lasting damage."
It was Lockhart's turn now to shoot a triumphant smirk at Harry. In all honesty, it was a rather brilliant move by his counsel –downplaying the severity of the case by focusing on something so trivial.
The barrister, clearly a man of some intellect, was not finished.
"In fact, I believe that my client had even offered to pay for the damages at the time, but was promptly turned away for his generosity by the current Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. All other claims against my client are baseless, without a shred of evidence indicating he did what theyclaim he did. Your Honor, this case is clearly a waste of time of all these venerable witches and wizards and I would like to move for the immediate dismissal of this case."
Several members of the Wizengamot stood to leave. Even more broke out in mutterings under the belief that the trial would now be dismissed. Fudge had other thoughts.
A bang of his gavel quickly brought order back into the room. "Unfortunately, Barrister Spectre, the validity of this case has already been determined and therefore, cannot be dismissed as of yet. Your plea of Guilty to the one count of breach in educational standards has been noted and will be kept in mind when we deliver our verdict. The defense will now begin with their opening statement."
Dumbledore nodded gratefully towards the Minister. "You have heard the charges we have brought up against the defense. Outlandish they may seem to be, that a man of Gilderoy Lockhart's standing would be accused of such, but they are unfortunately true. Despite the claims of the plaintiff, the grounds for our case have been based on facts and evidence painstakingly compiled in order to bring this man to justice for his actions.
"On November 13, 1992, a series of attacks against students began, marking the opening of the chamber of secrets. This culminated in the kidnapping of one Ginevra Weasley by an enchanted dark artifact under the guise of Tom Riddle on December 10, 1992. Gilderoy Lockhart, then a professor, was one of many tasked with the location and elimination of any threat within the chamber of secrets as well as the retrieval of Ginevra Weasley. Eight hours later, Gilderoy Lockhart appeared before me in my Office with an unconscious Ginevra Weasley and Neville Longbottom. He was, however, strangely alone in this endeavor despite a direct standing order to remain with his assigned partner, Bathsheda Babbling, who was also found unconscious in an abandoned classroom with no recollection of the past few hours.
"A runic mental diagnostics test employed by Harry Potter on the Seventh of October revealed Neville Longbottom and Ginevra Weasley to be under the effects of a memory charm. These chain of events could hardly be mere coincidence and it is undeniable that Gilderoy Lockhart's action in the case is, at best, suspicious. By his own words, he has admitted his guilt in one matter. The prosecution will show, with this trial, that he is guilty of the rest as well."
Now it was the Defense's turn for their opening statement. Michael Spectre circled around to make eye contact with all members of the Wizengamot before beginning. Harry noted this with some worry. It was a sign of a seasoned orator.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Wizengamot," he began, an easy smile plastered on his face, "I admit that we have, indeed, confessed to be guilty of one," he raised his index finger up high, "one count of breach in the educational standards. Yes, my client is guilty, but not of their exaggerated claims. The question this body must decide, it seems to me, is not whether my client is guilty, but rather how guilty he is. And you will find that the answer to that is, in fact, not very guilty at all. That is better by far than what many people can honestly claim. I find it ironic, cruelly so, that you would sit here and judge my client, a man of upstanding repute, while murderers and Death Eaters still roam free! Let the man who is free from guilt throw the first stone!"
Dumbledore seemed unfazed by his outcry. "The prosecution calls Bathsheda Babbling to the stand."
The professor of Ancient Runes stood and was promptly sworn in by the Auror on guard. "Professor Babbling, could you kindly tell us what you recall regarding the events of December 10, 1992?"
"Well Headmaster, as you know, I had been assigned to find the chamber of secrets along with all the other professors. We were instructed to pair up and I was assigned with Professor Lockhart. We were following a trail of what seemed to be hissing sounds at the time when I was knocked out."
"And what was Gilderoy Lockhart's relative position to you at the time you were knocked out?" Dumbledore pressed.
"I can't rightly say where, exactly, but I'm sure that he was no longer beside me when I was attacked."
Dumbledore smiled paternally at her. "The Prosecution rests, your Honor."
Spectre stood up to begin his cross examination. "You say that he was no longer beside you at the time you were attacked, correct?"
"Yes."
"Can you be absolutely certain that he was, in fact no longer with you considering that your attention as elsewhere?"
"Like I said, I can't rightly say, sir."
"Interesting," Spectre murmured loudly, "and did you hear my client draw his wand or otherwise murmur any sort of incantation at around the same time?"
"I was busy trying to determine the source of the whispering so I can't say I did."
Spectre nodded in satisfaction. "The Defense rests, Your Honor."
Harry frowned as he watched the examinations and subsequent cross-examinations following. Each followed a similar pattern. Dumbledore would call up a witness, Spectre would place doubt on the witness' credibility or otherwise negate the statements made. His questioning was always phrase din such a way that the answer he would receive would place doubt in the minds of the members and make them second guess the whole thing. Harry had to hand it to the man. He knew his profession well. This occurred similarly to both Ginny and Neville – two of the most crucial witnesses to their case.
"Mr. Lockhart, could you relate to the Wizengamot what really happened on that night?" Spectre asked.
"It's all been mentioned before." The blonde began. "I was out on patrol with my partner, and like she said, we were following a trail of sound at the time. I stopped for a moment to tie my shoes but when I looked up, my partner, Professor Babbling, was out cold. My attempts at enervating her failed. I assumed it was an attack and hid her body in a nearby classroom to protect her. I then continued on the trail we had been following for some time.
"A while later, I found Neville Longbottom out in the corridors. He was, I presume, trying to save the girl himself. A brave, if foolish, act. He had his own theory of how to track the monster at the time – one far more credible than mine, I will admit – and for that, I let him accompany me. We did, eventually find the chamber and rescue the girl. However, the apparition known as Tom Riddle managed to grab a hold of my wand!" Harry leaned forward in interest.
Strike one.
"A fight ensued where Neville was unfortunately struck with a strange curse within seconds of the fight. I was unable to protect him from it soon enough and when he awoke, he remembered nothing."
Strike two.
"I did what I had to and fought with Neville's wand. It was a brutal fight, but in the end, I managed to get the upper hand over the dark emanation." He finished, flashing a winning smile at his "audience."
Strike three.
"Clearly, my client's version of what really occurred in the chamber of secrets more than explains things." Spectre started. He blocked out the rest of the barrister's words and whispered something quickly into Dumbledore's ear.
"Finally, Defense calls Harry Potter to the stand." Calmly, Harry did as was requested.
"Mr. Potter, would you say that you are a qualified medical expert?"
"No."
"How about a Runes Master?"
"No."
"Well, if you aren't, than what makes your analysis of the Rune chain used to diagnose the minds of Neville Longbottom and Ginevra Weasley credible?"
"It isn't." Harry replied coolly. "What is credible is the diagnosis made by the qualified medical experts and Runes Masters who followed up my initial report. The results of both tests were similar in all relevant instances."
"And according to both your reports, whose wand was it that cast the spell resulting in the damage to Neville Longbottom's person?"
"The wand seemed to belong to Neville Longbottom." Harry raised a hand to stop Spectre from continuing. "Whose wand, if we all seem to recall was with Lockhart at the time the attack occurred. So unless Neville over there did it to himself – highly unlikely mind you – I doubt that his story is as factual as you claim. Perjury, as you should know, Mr. Spectre, is a serious offense and grounds for the authorization of Veritaserum in court."
Spectre paled, perhaps finally realizing where they had gone wrong. That lasted for but a moment, however, and his recovery came quickly. "That has yet to be proven definitively. In any case, you do not have the right to request for its administration."
"The Prosecution does have that right however." Dumbledore said, his eyes sparkling mirthfully. "But before we do, there are some pieces of evidence we have to bring to light. First, the analysis does indeed show that it was Neville Longbottom's wand which cast the charm. According to Mr. Lockhart's testimony, that wand was in his possession at the time. Second, Priori Incantatem conducted by Aurors indicated no spells being cast after the memory charm, which is surprising considering once again that Mr. Lockhart claimed to have engaged in a, and I quote, 'brutal fight'. Additionally, a report forwarded to me by St. Mungo's showed that Mr. Lockhart did not, indeed, check in. Surprising, really, given that he must have been physically and magically drained by his fight."
"I believe, given the evidence, that an administration of Veritaserum should clear this matter up quickly. Your Honor, Prosecution moves to overrule Defense's refusal to take Veritaserum on grounds of sensitive information."
Fudge wasted no time in replying. "Defense's refusal overruled. Aurors, administer the potion."
Two burly aurors clad in their blue robes stalked forward and detained the frightened Lockhart while a third moved to administer the drug. Harry smiled satisfactorily as he watched the defendant sing like a canary. In the end, it seemed, the man's knack for embellishment proved to be his own downfall.