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Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
{Parseltongue}
The occupants of the Black Manor found themselves very busy during the month of December. Tom and Fenrir were both filling out paperwork in preparation for taking their seat on the Wizengamot at the first session of the year. Tom could not wait to see Dumbledore's expression when he took the seat of Slytherin at the same time that Dumbledore took the proxy seat for Potter.
Fenrir was also planning his inquiry into the Lestrange trial. He would be able to request that Bellatrix and the two Lestrange men, as well as Barty have a full trial with Veritaserum. This would ensure that their names would be cleared and that they would be able to address Bellatrix's existing issues with the House of Longbottom.
Because he would be sitting the Proxy seat for the House of Black, Fenrir had the right to address any legal issues of members of that house, even if they were married into another house at the time. This also allowed him to avoid bringing up Sirius Black. He had no rights over disowned members of the family. It would be up to someone else to mention the fact that Sirius Black had not received a trial.
If that were to happen, Tom and Fenrir decided that it would not cause them too much trouble since the Potter boy was supposed to be safely at his aunt's house and they could simply explain that Fenrir had been the guardian for the Black Heir since his Naming Ceremony. After checking with the Goblins, they found that there was no way to tell when the ceremony had been done.
They were not worried about Corvus reacting to anyone that the Potter's had known as he not had very much contact with them at all. According to Tom those memories were so unimportant to the boy that he would have to search out those memories to make connections people he could come in contact with. Not that they were planning on having Corvus interact with anyone that the Potter's were friends with.
Severus continued to come to the manor to speak with Tom about what Dumbledore was doing and to make plans regarding how he would act while teaching. Tom was furious that Dumbledore had told Severus that it would probably be better if he only showed favor to the Slytherin students while terrorizing the other houses. Dumbledore thought that it would help cement his place in Voldemort's ranks when he had to return to his spying duties.
Tom suggested that Severus mention to the Headmaster that he would be able to keep an eye on any student that was showing interest in the Dark Arts if he were to be more open to the other houses. Tom had a few other suggestions, but felt that it would probably be best if Severus did not teach at Hogwarts if Dumbledore was going to try a turn every other house against Slytherin.
As Lord Slytherin, he hoped that he could keep the old man from destroying the school, but he would only have limited say as he was only one of the founder heirs. He did not know of any other heirs and would have to make do with what he had.
Lucius and Narcissa continued to come by the Manor. Most of the time, Lucius would disappear into the study with Fenrir and Tom while Narcissa would play with Corvus. She found that he liked to play with the toys, but would mostly bring her books for her to read to him while he sat snuggled in her lap.
One cold Tuesday, Lucius came through the floo while holding his son in one arm. The white haired boy looked around with wide eyes as Lucius explained that Narcissa was sick with a cold and the house elves were all dealing with plans for the Yule ball while she was ill. He thought it would be good for Corvus to have someone his own age to interact with.
After pulling off Draco's heavy outer cloak, Lucius followed Tom up to the Portrait Hall. They both thought it would be better to speak up there where they could keep an eye on the boys rather than leaving them alone to get into trouble. Lucius was nervous at having Draco interact with his Lord's heir as he was well aware that the boy did not like to share and was already a bit spoiled, but he really could not have left him at home.
Tom called Corvus over as soon as they entered the room while Lucius stood his son on the floor in front of him. "Corvus, this is Draco. Draco, this is Corvus." Both men stood back and watched as the two boys stared at each other. Neither of them were sure how this meeting of the two heirs would go.
All of a sudden, both boys launched themselves at each other, startling the two men. Tom and Lucius only relaxed when they heard both boys call out "Mine" at the same time. Holding onto each other's hands, the two boys were soon settled in Corvus's favorite nook and were showing each other pictures in the many books that Corvus had.
Walburga spoke from her Portrait with a small laugh. "Well, that has to be the most interesting meeting of heirs I have ever seen. They normally immediately start to fight." The other portraits agreed as they too watched the two boys interact.
Tom and Lucius sat in the armchairs as they watched the two boys. Nagini curled up beside Tom and began to dose. She was spending most of her time sleeping in Tom's quarters because it was so cold, even with the fires going.
"I have to say that I am relieved. He did not react well at all when he met the young Nott heir. I think he hit him on the head with a book." Lucius let out a relieved breath.
"Hn. I am surprised as well. I was not sure how Corvus would react with he was faced with someone his own age. I have to say, I am surprised that they declared ownership of each other and then rushed off to play. I am not sure, but I don't think that is normal."
Phineas spoke from Orion's frame. It is not a normal reaction. I think that the majority of heirs react much like the young Malfoy did when faced with the young Nott heir. However, I remember when my son met his cousin for the first time. They were immediately fast friends, and they remained that way until they died." Phineas always spoke as though he was imparting great words of wisdom, even when he was telling a story to Corvus.
"It will be a good thing for them to interact with each other." Regulus said from his Portrait. "They will not be alone when they go to school if they are good friends before then. Lucius, have you thought about sending Draco to Durmstrang?"
"Durmstrang? No, I don't think that Narcissa would want him to be that far away. Are you thinking of sending Corvus?" Lucius looked at Tom inquisitively.
"I am thinking about it. He is on the list for both schools since his mother went there. They have a much better selection of classes available. Of course, there is the fact that Dumbledore will not be there." Tom looked over and saw that the boys were still looking at books. "Corvus has an eidetic memory and absorbs knowledge at a phenomenal rate. Durmstrang offers accelerated classes for those that are more advanced. If he goes there, he may do better."
Lucius nodded. He could understand the desire to see one's heir be the best and have the best education available. "Draco is also on the list for both schools. I may see if Narcissa will be open to Draco attending Durmstrang instead of Hogwarts. Maybe we can find a Manor closer to the school so that it will not be an issue of distance."
Tom looked at Lucius with a thoughtful look. "I think there is a Riddle home near there, and possibly a Black home. That is something we will have to look into closer to the time they go to school. I wonder if I could get Severus to teach there if Dumbledore continues with this nonsense about him treating the other three houses like they are second rate. It is like he wants the other houses to hate Slytherin."
"I think that you are right about that. If he is planning on using the Potter boy as some sort of Light Icon, then he would want the world to see Slytherin house as evil. It is the house that the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters were in after all. I was in Diagon Alley and heard some children talking about the snakes and how they were all evil and had probably followed you."
Tom looked at the boys while he thought. "The old man will be in for a surprise when he learns that the Potter boy is dead-again. I am not sure what to do about the Hogwarts situation other than pulling Severus out. He cannot hold the mark over Severus now that I have moved and cloaked it. Maybe it can get better once the old man is gone from the school. I think that would be the only way I would feel comfortable with Corvus attending that school."
"Hn." Lucius shifted in his chair. "Are you and Fenrir planning on attending the Yule Ball this year? Corvus can stay with Draco in his nursery since they get along. There may be a few other heirs there as well. I know some of the other Dark families would love to see all of you."
"I think that we will. You will have to have an elf attending them at all times as Corvus can still get through child-safety wards. I have even tried some of the older ones. The boy just walks right through them. Fenrir had the gall to show up at my door a few nights ago and pass the boy to me before leaving with only having said that it was 'my turn'." Tom ignored the amusement that he saw on his friends face. "I actually had to sleep while holding onto the boy to keep him in one place."
"Young Corvus is definitely something else. Have you seen him do anything else?" Lucius thought that it was both amazing and horrifying that Corvus could bypass wards. He was thankful that Draco had shown no such ability. "Draco has managed to summon a toy, but that is all."
"Hn. I think he has summoned things, but I am not sure. I have not seen it actually happen. The only thing we are sure of is the thing with the wards and the fact that it starts to rain if he is upset, which does not happen often. I am not worried though, his being able to bypass the wards…" Tom stopped talking when he saw an incredulous look spread across Lucius's face. Tom stood and looked towards the boys, thinking that they had managed to hurt themselves.
He was surprised to see small colored bubbles floating around the boys, who were giggling and popping the bubbles as they came close. As soon as the bubbles were gone, Corvus scrunched up his little face in concentration, and more bubbles appeared, much to the delight of Draco who was clapping happily.
"Well. Apparently he can make bubbles." Tom said dryly.
"Apparently." Lucius replied
The members of the Black household celebrated Yule privately on the 21st of December. Corvus watched as Tom lit the Yule log and as Fenrir asked a blessing on the House of Black. The two men had decided that they would try to make the holiday as wonderful as they could for the young heir, so they decided that they would decorate the tree while Corvus could watch.
Corvus was thrilled when they allowed him to place some ornaments on the lower branches of the tree that they had placed in the Portrait Hall. They had decided that they would decorate there as that was the room that they spent the most time in.
Once the decorations were finished and the traditions upheld, Corvus was allowed to open presents. He received books, toy and clothes from his guardians, the Malfoys, and a small toddler Potions kit from Severus.
Corvus spent most of his morning looking at books and playing with the Potions kit. The little cauldron was set up so that Corvus could add any of the ingredients that came with the kit, and the cauldron would produce music, colored lights, bubbles, or sweet smells. The cauldron would also speak and tell him that he needed to be safe while brewing, what the difference was between clockwise and anti-clockwise, and various other small phrases that were common for brewing.
Severus was pleased when he flooed over so that he could go with Tom and Fenrir to the Malfoy Yule Ball. Severus sat with the young heir as the others were getting dressed and watched as the boy played with his gift. He was a bit startled when the boy brought his little cauldron over to Severus so that he could play with him.
When Fenrir and Tom walked in to let Severus know that they were ready, they found both of them sitting on the floor while producing various effects from Corvus's new favorite toy.
"Are you ready Severus?" Tom asked with a smirk. The Potions Master flushed as he stood and brushed off his cloak. Leaning over he picked up Corvus and sat him on his hip expertly.
"I am. Shall we?" Severus raised one brow and pretended that the others had not caught him sitting on the floor playing with a toddler Potions kit.
Fenrir smirked and led the way down to the study, where they each flooed over to Malfoy Manor. Corvus hid his face in the Potion Master's shoulder and giggled as they spun through the floo system, causing Fenrir to roll his eyes. He had never realized that children thought magical travel was fun.
They were greeted in the receiving room by Lucius and Narcissa who was holding Draco in her arms.
" Day'co" Corvus squealed while trying to get out of Severus's arms so that he could go play with his friend.
Tom reached over and plucked the squirming boy out of the Potion Master arms and held him up so that Corvus could see Tom's face. "Corvus, be still. You can play with Draco later." He spoke firmly and waited until Corvus pulled his pouting lip back in before he settled the boy on his hip. "Thank you for having us."
The Malfoy's smiled at the interaction between Corvus and their Lord. Narcissa had also had to take a moment to calm her son when he recognized his friend.
"It is a pleasure to have you my Lord. There are a great many here who will be delighted and relieved to see you again, and of course to meet young Corvus. If you would like, Narcissa can walk with you so that Corvus and Draco can distract each other?" Lucius was pleased when Tom said that would be fine and left to mingle with the other Dark families. He was sure that some of them would be shocked to see their Lord with a toddler on his hip. Smirking, Lucius turned to greet the next arrival.
The night passed swiftly after the children were all placed in Draco's nursery with no less than five elves to keep watch of the young heirs. The Malfoy's and the guardians of Corvus were amused when they found out that Draco had spent most of the night making sure that none of the older or bigger children messed with his friend. The elves told the adults that he would glare at the other children and tell them that the Dark Lord would get them if they messed with Corvus.
Lucius was both appalled at the treat and pleased that his son was so protective of the other boy. He relaxed when he saw that Tom was more amused than anything over what the boy had said.
When Tom and Fenrir had made their way upstairs to collect Corvus before going home, they found the two boys curled up around a stuffed dragon in Draco's cot. Corvus never even stirred as he was scooped up into Fenrir's arms and taken home, where he stayed in his own room for once.
The fifth day of January was bitterly cold and it was no surprise that there was fresh snow on the ground. Fenrir and Tom both were up with the sun and getting ready for their first Wizengamot session. Lucius arrived at the Black Manor with Narcissa and Draco, so that he could arrive at the Ministry with the other two men. Narcissa would be watching both boys along with Severus, who was bringing both boys refills for their toy Potions sets.
Dressed in fine robes with their House Crests displayed on the plackets, the three men set off into the cold. Once they arrived at the Ministry and registered their wands, the three men set off to the Wizengamot chamber nine floors below. Lucius separated from the others as he made his way to the seat reserved for the Head of the House of Malfoy. Tom and Fenrir took seats in the gallery to await the bringing of the meeting when all new seat appointments were made for the year.
The best thing about them taking their respective seats today instead of later was that Dumbledore was also taking a new seat, and therefore could not preside over the meeting. This ensured that Fenrir's proposal for the Lestrange family would be heard without interference from the old man.
Dumbledore did not even notice the two men sitting at the back of the gallery as he swept in with bright robes. Tom and Fenrir listened in as Dumbledore told reporters that were seated in the gallery that Harry Potter was doing wonderfully and that he was safe, protected and loved. Dumbledore took special care to tell them that the boy looked exactly like his father, but with his mother's green eyes. Of course, he sounded despondent when he told the reporters that the boy still had the scar that was shaped like lightning from the confrontation with the Dark Lord. The reporters were eating it up.
Both Fenrir and Tom smirked as the old man dug himself deeper into a hole that he had no idea he had created.
When the meeting was called to order, Amelia Bones was quickly decided by the members to preside over the meeting as Acting Chief Warlock.
"It is the fifth of January; the first meeting of the Wizengamot is now called to order. First order of business is to swear in all new seat appointments. Today we have four appointments for House seats. Let us start with the Noble House of Potter." Dumbledore made his way to the center of the room to stand before Amelia. "Albus, as Magical Guardian of Harry Potter, heir to the Noble House of Potter, you have been approved by this body to sit in proxy for that House. Do you swear that you will vote your conscious as you feel will be best for the Noble House of Potter?"
Albus looked around the room with a grandfatherly smile. "I do, my dear."
"You are granted the one vote allocated to a Noble House. Please take your seat for the House of Potter for the remainder of this session." Albus nodded to a few of the men that were sitting near the Potter seat. "Scribe, please notate that Mr. Dumbledore has a one vote for the House of Potter and will have a total of three when he is sitting as Acting Chief Warlock."
Tom smirked in his seat within the Gallery. He had not realized that Dumbledore could only use the two votes granted to the Chief Warlock if he was sitting in that position for the session. This meant that he would have two less votes while they tried to help his other followers get out of Azkaban.
Our second seat to appoint is for the Noble House of Grey." Fenrir stood and made his way to the middle of the room and stood with an air of dignity that Dumbledore had not managed with his wild robes.
"Lord Fenton Grey, as Head of your house, you have been approved by this body to join your peers. Do you swear that you will vote your conscious as you feel will be best for the Noble House of Grey?"
"I do." Fenrir said with a nod.
"You are granted the one vote allocated to a Noble House. Please remain where you are." With this instruction, a few members of the Wizengamot leaned forward, including Dumbledore. "Lord Fenton Grey, as Magical Guardian of Corvus Hyperion Black, heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, you have been approved by this body to sit in proxy for that House."
Dumbledore stuttered and stood. "I must protest; the House of Black has no heir other than Sirius Black as he is the last male from that line alive."
Mr. Dumbledore," Amelia was looking at the old man with a glare, "It is not your place to protest these proceedings. However, let me assure you that the information provided in this session has been matched to that of the records in Gringotts. Sit down."
Dumbledore blinked for a moment before slowly taking his seat.
Amelia turned her attention to the stoic young Lord before her. "Where was I? Oh yes, Lord Fenton Grey, do you swear that you will vote your conscious as you feel will be best for the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black?"
"I do." He gave another small nod as spoke.
"You are granted the three votes allocated to a Most Ancient and Noble House. Please remain where you are." Amelia could not help but smirk in Dumbledore's direction as she directed the young Lord to remain standing. It looked as though he was going to jump out of his seat again. "Lord Fenton Grey, as Magical Guardian of Corvus Hyperion Black, heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Loxias, you have been approved by this body to sit in proxy for that House. Do you swear that you will vote your conscious as you feel will be best for the Most Ancient and Noble House of Loxias?"
"I do."
"You are granted the three votes allocated to a Most Ancient and Noble House. Please take your seat for the remainder of the session. You may either sit in the seat reserved for Loxias or Black as they are the same rank. Scribe, please notate that Lord Fenton Grey controls seven votes between the Houses he represents." Fenrir made his way over to the Black seat, which was near Lucius Malfoy's. The two men nodded at each other as Fenrir took his seat.
Our Last seat to appoint is for the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Slytherin."
Tom made his way to stand in the middle of the room. Tom hid his smirk as he glanced at Dumbledore and saw his wide eyed and shocked expression.
"Tom Riddle, Lord Slytherin, as Head of your houses, you have been approved by this body to join your peers. Do you swear that you will vote your conscious as you feel will be best for the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Slytherin?"
"I do." Tom spoke clearly.
"You are granted the four votes allocated to a Most Ancient and Most Noble House. Please remain where you are."
Tom had been about to move to take his seat when he was instructed to remain where he was. He raised one brow as he looked at Amelia Bones.
"Tom Riddle, Lord Slytherin, it does not happen often, but you are not only Lord of a Most Ancient and Most Noble House, but are also the Head of the Magical House of Riddle. As you hold the title of Head and Lord of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Slytherin, so is your secondary house of Riddle raised to the status of a Most Noble House." Tom blinked once and made sure that he was not showing any of the shock he felt. "Therefore, Lord Tom Riddle-Slytherin, as Head of your houses, you have been approved by this body to join your peers. Do you swear that you will vote your conscious as you feel will be best for the Most Noble House of Riddle?"
"I do."
"You are granted the two votes allocated to a Most Noble House. Please take your seat for the remainder of the session in the Seat reserved for Slytherin, as it is the highest ranking of your seats. Scribe, please notate that Lord Tom Riddle-Slytherin controls six votes between the Houses he represents."
Tom made his way to his seat at the top tier of the seats within the Wizengamot chamber. His seat was directly behind Lucius and Fenrir. Both men nodded to their Lord as he took his seat. All three of them looked across the room discreetly and saw that Dumbledore looked like he was going to have an aneurysm at any moment.
"Next order of business for this first meeting of the Wizengamot for the year; new business presented by the Houses. Mr. Dumbledore has asked to bring an issue before this body as proxy for the Noble House of Potter. Mr. Dumbledore, you have the floor."
"Thank you Acting Chief Warlock Bones." Dumbledore stood and smiled while looking around the room. His smile dimmed as he met the icy blue eyes of Tom Riddle across the room. "As Proxy for the Noble House of Potter, I request that this body allow me access to the Potter Vaults as Harry Potter's Magical Guardian. I feel it is in the boy's best interest, that he be surrounded by thing that will connect him to his dearly departed family. With this body's permission, I am sure that the Goblins will allow me to access the things that the boy needs to ensure that he grows up happy and healthy." Dumbledore retook his seat as the room sat in silence.
Amelia just blinked at the old man for a moment before turning back to the room. "Would anyone like to put forth a counter to Mr. Dumbledore's…request?"
Lucius stood from his seat and waited to be recognized.
"Lord Malfoy, you have the floor."
"Thank you Acting Chief Warlock Bones." Lucius seemed to gather his thoughts for a moment before he continued speaking. "I would ask that this request be denied as there is a very valid reason for the Goblins to have put these types of safeguards on vaults of orphans. It is at the request of the Heads of those houses, that extra security measures are enacted. If the parents of the child and the Head of his family made this decision, it is not for us to overrule that decision. As a governing body, we must respect the wishes of the Potters, who made the restrictions of their vaults that way for a reason. Furthermore, this body should be wary of interfering in Gringotts matters; this is a very delicate issue that could very well cause offence from the Goblin Nation."
After Lucius retook his seat, Dumbledore looked around to see if anyone would stand to speak for him before they begin the vote. The room sat in silence for the three required minuets with no one standing. A few of the members of the Wizengamot would not meet the eyes of Dumbledore, knowing that they would see disappointment in his eyes that they had not stood for the issue he put forth.
"We will vote on the issue now. Those in favor of Mr. Dumbledore being granted access to the Potter Vaults by this body raise your wand and be counted." Only a few wands were raised, much to Dumbledore's consternation. "Those opposed to Mr. Dumbledore being granted access to the Potter Vaults by this body, raise your wand and be counted." The room lit up as every other wand was raised. "Scribe, please notate that Mr. Dumbledore's request to be granted access to the Potter Vaults by this body was denied by a vote of 237 to 13."
"We have one last request to be presented on behalf of a House today. Lord Grey has asked to bring an issue before this body as proxy for the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. Lord Grey, you have the floor."
"Thank you Acting Chief Warlock Bones. In the past few weeks, an issue regarding a member of the House of Black came to my attention. Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black was brought before this body and was not given a full hearing or trial. If fact, I was surprised to see the charges that were placed against a member of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. The law states that a member of any Magical House may seek retribution, up to and including the end of the line of the offending party, if the offence has affected the Houses in question; in this case, that would be the Most Ancient and Most Noble house of Lestrange and the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black as her Maiden House. Bellatrix Lestrange was allowed, even encouraged, by our laws, to seek retribution against the Ancient and Noble house of Longbottom for their actions against her and her Houses."
Fenrir stopped for a moment and looked around the room. He was gratified to see many pale faces in the crowd as well as the hopeful face of Barty Crouch Sr. Dumbledore looked like he was choking on a lemon drop while Augusta Longbottom looked furious.
"I was actually in the alley when I witnessed-I would be able to provide Pensieve memories if needed-Frank Longbottom end the pregnancy of Bellatrix Lestrange with and abortion spell. I then witnessed Alice Longbottom curse her while stating that she would never be able to produce another Dark Wizard. For those actions alone, Bellatrix was well within her rights to end their line."
Fenrir could now see that there were other faces that were showing fury. They had clearly not known this information before.
"In looking at the records of the joint trial of Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black, her husband Rodolphus Lestrange, her brother-in-law Rabastan Lestrange, and friend Bartemius Crouch Jr. I noticed something…unnerving. All four were sent to Azkaban without being questioned under Veritaserum for casting unforgivables. As the proxy for the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, I request that the required questioning under Veritaserum be done immediately to see if unforgivables were cast, or if a member of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black and her family of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Lestrange and her friend of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Crouch are imprisoned for taking lawful retribution that has yet to be completely taken by the offended Houses. The Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black is not satisfied."
Fenrir stepped back and took his seat, leaving stunned silence in the wake of his speech.
Dumbledore stood up almost immediately. He was shifting his weight from side to side as he waited to be recognized.
Amelia looked towards the old man. "Mr. Dumbledore, you have the floor."
"Thank you Acting Chief Warlock Bones. I would ask this body to deny the request of Lord Grey. As the presiding Acting Chief Warlock of the trial in question, which I may add many of you attended, was conducted with the law being upheld to the highest measure possible. The accused were tried and found to be guilty of casting unforgivables in the attempt to get to the heir of the Ancient and Noble house of Longbottom, as he was thought to be a threat against Lord Voldemort. It is a well-known fact that those in question were marked followers and thus, there is no need to revisit this issue. It is highly doubtful that Bellatrix was seeking retribution for a pregnancy that she was simply unable to carry to term. Let us not open old wounds for the Ancient and Noble house of Longbottom by having their members that were cursed…so cruelly…be able to spread vicious lies."
As Dumbledore again sat back in his seat, the room stilled and became silent to see if anyone would speak again in favor of the Lestrange trial being reopened. Lord Malfoy again stood and waited to be recognized.
"Lord Malfoy, you have the floor."
"Thank you Acting Chief Warlock Bones. As a member of this body that was present at the trial in question, I would like to request that this body give serious thought to revisiting this issue. While sitting here and going through memories that I have of that trial, I find that I have no memory of proof being offered that any of the four cast an unforgivable. Nor do I remember there being any proof offered to show that any of the four were marked followers of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. It is our duty to uphold our laws to the highest standard and we would be remiss if we had condemned members of our community unjustly."
Lucius retook his seat and waited. They were only allowed to have two arguments for and against a request or petition before the matter was brought to a vote. He was expecting someone to argue against them having the Lestrange questioned under Veritaserum. He was not disappointed when Augusta Longbottom stood and waited to be recognized.
Madam Longbottom, you have the floor Thank you Acting Chief Warlock Bones as the proxy for the Ancient and Noble house of Longbottom, I ask that this body refuse this disgusting request." Eyes widened as Augusta Longbottom spat out her argument. "That filth is right where they belong and they deserve to rot in Azkaban for what they did to my son. There was no reason for them to hurt my son other than they were filthy Dark Wizards that hatted everything that was of the Light. This body should not have to cater to the whims of the Dark filth that stains our world." Augusta sat back in her chair as she tried to regain her breath. She was clutching her chest as she huffed out deep breaths.
We will vote on the issue now. In the matter of Lord Grey's request to have the Lestrange trial revisited on the behalf of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, Those in favor of granting the request, raise your wand and be counted." She waited a moment to allow the count to be calculated. "Those in favor of denying the request raise your wand and be counted."
Fenrir watched with Lucius and Tom as Amelia looked over the final count of the vote and tap some papers on her desk with her wand. Finally she looked up to address the room.
Scribe, please notate that Lord Grey's request on behalf of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black to have this body revisit the matter of the Lestrange trial was granted by a vote of 155 to 95"
The members that had obviously voted for the request to be denied immediately started to protest the decision, led by Dumbledore."
"Silence, If you continue to disturb this body as it makes just decisions, you will be removed from this session." Amelia raised her voice as she addressed the angry Wizards that followed Dumbledore. "The four individuals in question are being retrieved from Azkaban as we speak. They will be given Veritaserum and questioned by me. Any disruptions to this trial will result in immediate dismissal from this session and disciplinary actions by this body. Is this understood?" Amelia looked right at Dumbledore as she asked this question. "Good. This session will resume in half an hour. If you are not in this chamber when the doors are sealed, you will not have a vote. I suggest that you take a break if you need to. This will be an open trial, reporters will be allowed in the gallery."
Dumbledore again tried to protest when he was glared into silence by Amelia.
Looking out over the room she again addressed the Wizards and Witches inside. "This is a last reminder. The doors will seal in half an hour. We will then be questioning the accused as they should have been at their trial. This body is in recess."