Chapter Thirty One: The Trial of Tom and Dolores Riddle
Ten days had passed since Tom Riddle AKA Marvolo Slytherin and his wife Dolores Riddle nee Umbridge were arrested and sent to America for trial as the British ministry was still under the Riddle Regime and any trial attempted would be biased. Harry and Sirius still held spots on the Wizengamot in England and decided to resurrect the old Potter family plan. Harry and Ginny were in the house in Salem relaxing as they read of Harry's newest famous legendary achievement the full defeat of the Riddles.
"So when's the trial Harry?" Ginny asked looking interested at the news headlines.
"Officially this week, unofficially tomorrow, we decided to lay a fake schedule for the New Ministry to follow." Harry said looking at the weirdest headline he ever seen.
Dark Magic staff has been stolen in Salem.
In a surprising turn of events Unspeakables in the American Ministry have disclosed that a rare Dark Magic artefact has been stolen by the followers of the Riddle Regime the 'Staff of Herpo' is the only known Dark Magic Staff or Sceptre left in the world. Bellatrix Lestrange now head of the Regime broke into the Salem museum ten days ago the day Aurors went to England to capture Thomas and Dolores Umbridge to try them for the crimes in England and for Thomas Riddle the sixty years of crime known to people at the current time. The Staff which has the power to destroy whole cities is now in the hands of the most dangerous people in the world right now, Bellatrix Lestrange and her husband Rodolphus are known to many as two of the darkest Magic capable people in the world at the present time. Michael Potter head Auror of the American Auror Association is being criticised by Auror associations the world over as he left the Aurors without a leader while he attended to the mission in England.
"Oh shit!" Harry said as he knew that the papers were blaming Michael and Harry felt guilty as Michael had volunteered to help and was now in trouble for it.
Michael and James were coming to the house both looking extremely annoyed at the papers claims. Harry noticed his father was reading a different paper then Michael who was reading the 'American Wizarding Newspaper' while James had a copy of the 'Daily Prophet' from England. Harry looked at the Prophet's headline.
Harry Potter: Vandal of the wizarding community.
Harry Potter the most hated man in England and suspected mastermind of the kidnapping of Marvolo Slytherin and his wife Dolores is now added offences of vandalism to his list of convictions the wizard in question has defaced the Ministry's prized portrait of Salazar Slytherin founder of Hogwarts and the only true founder to care about the children of the school and preserving bloodlines of pure magic. Harry Potter is still being hunted by the Aurors in the Ministry and is expected to be captured soon enough.
"OH THIS IS PURE DRAGONSHIT!" Harry shouted at the top of his lungs.
"I know cousin but relax the trial is tomorrow so me, you and your dad will all be there as well as Sirius, Ron and Arthur so we'll be ok." Michael said burning his newspaper non-verbally and leaving.
"The portrait had a second home so it's alive, luckily." James said to Harry.
"What do you mean luckily dad?" Harry asked with hints of anger in his voice.
"In England destroying a portrait is an offence son, one that can result in some incarceration." James said looking at his son with worry.
"Oh crap…" Harry said with a look of horror.
James then left and Harry prepared for the trial the wizarding world had waited years to be done, he got his best dress robes ready and watched as Ginny was watching TV, something she had gotten to be a huge fan of in her years in America. Teddy and Abi were in the garden with Spear and Gail playing blissfully and Ron and Hermione had come with news that they were ready and taking the kids so Harry and Ginny could know they'd be safe during the trial. The next day was once of tenseness and worry as Harry and Ginny had gone to the courtroom to begin with the trial the wizarding world was waiting for since the day Riddle first christened himself with the name Voldemort. As Harry and Ginny entered the court they saw Tom and Dolores seated in a small box with two wizards seated beside each of them.
"Official Minister of Magic for England Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore and for America head of the Auror Association Michael Potter will preside, everyone please be seated." Kingsley said as everyone sat down for the trial to begin.
"Thomas Marvolo Riddle, you stand accused of genocide, corruption into Dark Magic, political corruption, fraud, persecution of Half-Bloods and Muggle-Born and endangerment of children's lives during the Battle of Hogwarts. How do you plead?" Dumbledore asked.
"Not guilty of all charges." Tom said humbly.
"Dolores Jane Riddle, you stand accused of murder, political corruption, genocide of Muggle-Born and Half-Breeds, endangerment of children during your tenure as head of the Muggle-Born Commission and the unlawful imprisonment of an unknown number of Muggle-Born wizards and witches thought to be at least twenty-five thousand. How do you plead?" Michael asked.
"Guilty and I would do it again a thousand times to rid the world of the filth that makes magic blood impure." Umbridge proudly proclaimed.
"I didn't see that coming." Harry said to Ginny as they looked over the proceedings.
The next several hours were spent as Dumbledore and Michael looked into the crimes Riddle committed as Voldemort and as Slytherin many different people went to the stand including the McKinnon family, Fabian and Gideon Prewett, Benjy Fenwick, Caradoc Dearborn and many other Order members and families of victims. Harry's parents then took the stand explaining the events surrounding Halloween 1981. Harry then saw what he knew would defeat Riddle as the Resurrection Stone was used and Hepzibah Smithand Tom Riddle senior appeared and described how Riddle killed them merciless without flinching. Then it was time for Harry to take the stand and deliver his evidence to the court.
"State your Name, Address and title please." Michael said to him.
"Harry Potter, Salem Massachusetts and my title is Auror second class." Harry said presenting his wand.
"Ok Mister Potter can you please tell us about the first time you encountered the accused please." Michael said to him.
"Well I was one but for the first time I remember is in 1992 in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, then again as a Horcrux in 1993, for the flesh in 1995 then again in 1996 and 1997 and 1998 then again in 2000 and most recently 2004 when we apprehended him." Harry said counting all the dates
"And on these occasions how many times did he try and kill you?" Dumbledore asked.
"Every time expect in '92 when he first asked me to join him." Harry said revealing that information to his parents.
"I see, and how many times have you duelled against Thomas Marvolo Riddle in your life?" Michael asked.
"Five times but two were on the same night."
"What happened on the 23rd of January 2004 Mr Potter?" Dumbledore asked.
"I used a combination of Old Magic and my spell creations to seal the magic out of the blood-line of Tom Marvolo Riddle and Dolores Jane Riddle." Harry answered.
"How do you believe the accused has acted in his life?" Michael asked.
"I think Tom Riddle is the by-product of his ways, he acts merciless and unflinching when killing people or torturing. He also has a self-hatred personality since he is a half-blood."
"Could he reform his ways?" Dumbledore asked.
"No, when all his Horcruxes were gone I offered him a chance to repent and he refused."
"Thank you Harry you may step down." Dumbledore said.
After Harry stepped down he returned to his seat with Ginny and watched most the other proceedings until the time came for Tom Riddle to take the stand.
"Name and Address please." Michael said.
"Thomas Marvolo Riddle, no fixed address."
"Do you have anything to say in your defence?" Dumbledore asked.
"No, I have done these terrible atrocities and I will take responsibility for them all." He said with a defeated look.
"Then these courts sentence you and your wife to life in prison in Azkaban but until we can send you there you will imprisoned in Americas greatest prison Salem Hole." Michael said banging the gavel.
Harry and Ginny went to the house and waited on everyone it was time to return to England and defeat the New Ministry and get their lives back on track so they could live in peace. Harry's parents went home first then Harry and Ginny and the kids, Dean and Parvati followed with their son and by midnight all were back to England.
A/N: This chapter is short because it's a trial and you can only make one so big. Now the Stag's Leadership is over and it's time for just Harry as an Auror so no more D.A.D.A but lots of action and love as well as the canon kids and maybe another non canon one.