A/N: Thank you very much for all the reviews. I enjoy seeing what you guys think and love it when you guys tell me that you cant wait for more. If you have any questions, please let me know and I will continue to reply through PM.

Happy Reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

{Parseltongue}

During the short break, Tom watched, along with Lucius and Fenrir, as Dumbledore tried to convince Amelia that he should be back in his position as Chief Warlock for the duration of the trial. Dumbledore kept looking over at the three Slytherins and then lowering his voice to a whisper as though he were making sure that they could not over hear the conversation. He continued to become frustrated with Amelia and raising his voice so that everyone still in the room could hear his complaints about Dark Wizards controlling the session and his belief that it would be for 'the greater good' if he was in charge of the trial.

"Amelia, you know that it would be for the best if I were in charge of this…trial. I have much more experience in dealing with these types of Dark Wizards. This Lord Grey is obviously a follower of Lord Voldemort and is trying to get his comrades out of their imprisonment so that they can still carry out his orders." Dumbledore was smiling as gently as he could while his eyes twinkled kindly at Amelia Bones, who just continued to read a file on the table in front of her while she answered him in a cool tone.

"Mr. Dumbledore, as you a very well aware, you are not eligible to take any active rolls in this trial as you have claimed the Potter seat today by Proxy. It is a law that you instated yourself, that no man may claim a House seat while still holding an official title, one not pertaining to a House, during the same session. I do not appreciate you trying to subvert your own laws here. Furthermore, I would not step down in this instance as you seem to be oddly predetermined in your opinions about how this trial should go. I would also be concerned about your opinion that everyone is following He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. In reading the transcripts to the first trial, which you presided over, I see no mention of that even being asked. This concerns me as they were imprisoned under the charge of 'War Crimes under orders of a Dark Lord.' Tell me, Mr. Dumbledore, why should I ignore law and allow you to take the seat of Chief Warlock when it seems as though you did not follow you duties of that position, primarily making sure that proof was given and properly documented, during the last trial?"

Dumbledore gave sigh and gave a disappointed look at the younger woman. "My dear, I am sure that the files are just incomplete for some reason. I assure you that we had plenty of proof before these four dangerous followers of Lord Voldemort were taken to Azkaban, were they deserved to be."

"Hm. I am sure." Amelia just raised one brow. "I will keep that in mind when this trial is over. I do hope that this trial does not cause concern for other trials to be checked for erroneous handling. It would not do for there to be…incomplete files…when someone has been condemned to Azkaban." Tom, Fenrir and Lucius watched with interest as Amelia just stared at Dumbledore without expression. "But I am sure that you are correct, this trial will just ensure that the paperwork is complete and we shall be on our way soon. Now, it is almost time for us to begin, I suggest that you make your way back to your seat."

Dumbledore just walked back to his seat and sat quietly, his eyes no longer twinkling after his conversation with Amelia Bones. Tom smirked as he watched the old man from his position across the room. Having Amelia Bones preside as Chief Warlock for this session had turned into a huge boon for the Dark Lord's agenda. Almost anyone else would have been bending over backwards to please the Leader of the Light, but it seemed that Amelia Bones was only interested in fulfilling her duties as best as she could.

Fenrir and Lucius had been quietly speaking for a moment before they turned to Tom. Fenrir spoke quietly only after Lucius placed a privacy charm around them.

"It is possible that Amelia will begin to look at other trials once this is finished. Sirius Black may actually get his trial and he will probably start to look for his godson if he gets free."

Tom thought for a moment before replying. "If it happens and Sirius Black leaves Azkaban, he will be looking for Harry Potter. There is no way for them to connect Corvus to the boy that Dumbledore tried to create. If anything, it would only cause more problems for the old fool when he cannot produce the Potter boy, especially with the request that he put forth today." Tom looked at the two men before him and smirked. "With the changes that I made to the mark, Dumbledore may possibly be drowning in troubles before the day is out."

Fenrir nodded and turned back so that he was facing the courtroom again as Lucius quietly removed the silencing charm. All three men sat silently as they waited for the doors to close and the trial to begin, secure in the knowledge that they had nothing to worry about. Tom had made sure to test both Lucius and Fenrir under the Veritaserum that Severus had provided and found that nothing that would be asked today would cause them any concern. They spoke quietly with the few members of the Wizengamot that approached them, but otherwise sat calmly as they waited.

Dumbledore watched Tom from across the room and was surprised that neither he, nor Lucius, seemed to be upset that four of Tom's followers were going too questioned under Veritaserum. Perhaps I can ask a question while they are under the influence of the potion that will ensure that they return to prison quickly. Amelia is simply not suited for such a position and will probably be unable to ask any helpful questions. How dare she speak to me like that? I will see that she is never in a position within this body again for her words.

Lord Fenton Grey. I have never heard of him and I was sure that they Grey family died out some years ago. I wonder who this Black Heir is that he has custody of. I was sure that I would be able to use Sirius to get gain access to the Black votes and Vaults at some point.

A few members of the Wizengamot scurried back to their seats just as the doors closed. No one had been locked out as everyone wanted to make sure that they were present for the Lestrange re-trial. Reporters sat in the gallery with parchment and quills at the ready and the four prisoners from Azkaban were standing on one side of the courtroom with Auror guards holding their arms.

With a glance around the room to ensure that everyone was paying attention, Amelia called the session back to order. "It is the fifth of January; the first meeting of the Wizengamot is now called back to order to revisit the matter of the Lestrange trial. The matter was requested by Lord Grey on behalf of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black as the proxy for that House and was granted his request by a vote of 155 to 95." Amelia summoned the four chairs that the Wizengamot used for trials and motioned for the Aurors to make sure that the prisoners were properly restrained.

"For the duration of this trial, I have enabled the shields that will block any spells from reaching the prisoners. I will also be erecting a silencing shield while questioning the accused to prevent anyone else from questioning the accused." Protests again rose around the room as the occupants realized that they would not be able to interact with the prisoners during the questioning. Tom noticed that only Dumbledore and Augusta Longbottom looked angry while everyone else looked mildly perturbed. "As the only person that should be asking any questions during any trial is the Chief Warlock, this measure will ensure that this requirement is met and not called into question at a later date."

"As a reminder, if you disturb this body as it conducts this trail, you will be removed from this session. The four accused will be given Veritaserum and questioned by me on matters pertaining to the matter of the Longbottoms, the Dark Mark, and the accusation that they are followers of...Lord Voldemort. The last two matters will be questioned because of the original charge they were convicted of: 'War Crimes under orders of a Dark Lord.' As there seems to be no indication that this matter was even questioned before, it will be determined today if they committed any crimes while following or being a marked follower of…Lord Voldemort. Any disruptions to this trial will result in immediate dismissal from this session and disciplinary actions by this body. Is this understood?" Amelia looked around the room at the silent observers. She had noticed how most of them had flinched as she had said the name of the Dark Lord that had caused so much trouble for the Wizarding world. With a nod, she raised the silencing charms. "Auror, administer the Veritaserum to Bellatrix Lestrange."

A tall black man with a bald head stepped forward and place three drops on the tongues of the woman that was chained to her chair. She, along with the other prisoners, was dirty and looked as though she had not eaten anything substantial for a while. After administering the Veritaserum, the Auror stepped to the side to await his next order and guard the prisoners.

"What is your full name?" Amelia began with the standard questions that were supposed to be asked of everyone that had been accused of a crime that merited a full trial.

"Bellatrix Elara Lestrange née Black" Bellatrix's expression and tone was flat and her gaze was completely vacant as she answered under the influence of the potion. This reaction was involuntary and was used to verify that the potion was working correctly.

"Scribe, please notate that the Veritaserum is working properly. Bellatrix Lestrange, when were you born?" Amelia continued with the standard questions, making sure that they had all been asked. Once all of the personal information had been asked and notated properly, Amelia asked about the incident that had been brought before Wizengamot by Lord Grey.

"Bellatrix Lestrange, please explain to this body why you and the three others sitting with you, attacked the Longbottom family on the night of October 31, 1981."

"My husband, his brother, and Bartemius Crouch Jr. went with me as witnesses as I sought retribution for my House from the House of Longbottom."

Amelia could see Augusta yelling behind the silencing wards and looked down at the scroll that automatically updated with any outbursts that occurred behind the silencing shield. "Why were you seeking retribution from the Ancient and Noble house of Longbottom?"

"I was shopping for baby furniture when Frank Longbottom ended my pregnancy. His wife then cursed me so that I would no longer be able to carry a child."

Amelia looked down at her paperwork and frowned. Even with just those two questions, she could see that the previous trial was a farce. "Did you at any time attack, or plan to attack, the Heir to the Longbottom House?"

"No."

"Why?"

"I was going to take the Longbottom Heir as my own son through blood adoption."

A few brows rose around the room at this comment, including Tom and his two followers.

"Why were you going to blood adopt the Longbottom Heir?"

"I studied the laws pertaining to retribution between Houses. The blood adoption of an Heir is permissible if the offence of one House killed or destroyed the line of succession. The Longbottom family made sure that I would not be able to give my husband an heir; retribution demands that the Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom pay for that offence in full."

"I see. Did you use an unforgivable while seeking retribution from the House of Longbottom?"

"No."

"What spell did you use on Frank and Alice Longbottom?"

"It is a spell I created that locks them in their own minds to relive their worst memories until they feel true remorse for their actions."

"So they will be able come out of their comas if they feel remorse?"

"Yes."

"Hn." Amelia looked around at the members of the Wizengamot and saw that most of them were blinking in shock. Albus and his most devout followers were the only ones, other than Augusta Longbottom, that looked displeased with the information that was coming to light. She made a few notes on the parchment before her before she addressed him Auror. "Auror Shacklebolt, Please roll up the left sleeves of all four…accused. As the charge against these four was that they committed 'War Crimes under orders of a Dark Lord' while marked followers, we will see to that now.

Once the sleeves were all rolled up, Amelia looked down onto four clear forearms with one brow raised before turning her glare towards Dumbledore. Dumbledore was looking at the four chained to their chairs in alarm.

"Scribe, please notate that all four of the accused are free of the Dark Mark. We will begin questioning the accused about their supposed dealings with Lord Voldemort now. As Bellatrix is still under the influence of Veritaserum, we will begin with her. Bellatrix's Lestrange, do you serve Lord Voldemort?"

"No." Gasps were heard on one side of the silencing shield that Amelia had erected. Tom just smirked.

"I see. Have you committed any crimes while under orders from or as a favor to Lord Voldemort?"

"No."

"Oh, for the love of Merlin." Amelia was now glaring out right at a pale Dumbledore. "Auror Shacklebolt, administer the antidote to Bellatrix Lestrange and administer the Veritaserum to Rodolphus Lestrange." Once the Auror had administered the potions, Amelia began the control questions again. "Scribe, please notate that the Veritaserum is working properly. Rodolphus Lestrange, what was the reason that you followed Bellatrix Lestrange to Longbottom Hall on October 31,1981?"

"I was acting as witness to retribution as the Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Lestrange."

"Did you at any time, attack or plan to attack the heir to the Ancient and Noble house of Longbottom, and why?

"No, my wife wished to blood adopt the Longbottom Heir as our own son."

"Did you agree to this choice?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"We both wanted a child. Retribution laws ensured that the Longbottom House would have to provide an Heir to us due to their actions against our House."

"Are you a follower of Lord Voldemort?"

"No"

"Have you ever committed any crimes while under the orders of or as a favor to Lord Voldemort?"

"No."

"Auror Shacklebolt, administer the antidote to Rodolphus Lestrange and administer the Veritaserum to Rabastan Lestrange." Once the Auror had administered the potions, Amelia began the control questions again. "Scribe, please notate that the Veritaserum is working properly. Rabastan Lestrange, what was the reason that you followed Bellatrix Lestrange to Longbottom Hall on October 31,1981?"

"I was asked to stand as witness to retribution as a member of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Lestrange."

"Did you at any time, attack or plan to attack the heir to the Ancient and Noble house of Longbottom?

"No"

"Are you a follower of Lord Voldemort?"

"No"

"Have you ever committed any crimes while under the orders of Lord Voldemort?"

"No."

Amelia sighed and handed a note to another Auror who quickly left the room. "Auror Shacklebolt, administer the antidote to Rabastan Lestrange and administer the Veritaserum to Bartemius Crouch Jr." Once the Auror had administered the potions, Amelia began the control questions again. "Scribe, please notate that the Veritaserum is working properly. Bartemius Crouch Jr., what was the reason that you followed Bellatrix Lestrange to Longbottom Hall on October 31,1981?"

"I was a witness to retribution as a non-relation to the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Lestrange."

"Did you at any time, attack or plan to attack the heir to the Ancient and Noble house of Longbottom?

"No"

"Are you a follower of Lord Voldemort?"

"No"

"Have you ever committed any crimes while under the orders of Lord Voldemort?"

"No."

"Auror Shacklebolt, administer the antidote to Bartemius Crouch Jr." Amelia looked down with a sigh before she removed the silencing shields around the room. She glared at Dumbledore as she asked for the vote. "We will be voting on all four accused. If you feel that they are guilty of 'War Crimes under orders of a Dark Lord,' raise your wand and be counted." Amelia waited until the count had finished before continuing. "If you feel that the four accused are not guilty of 'War Crimes under orders of a Dark Lord,' raise your wand and be counted."

"Scribe, please notate that Lord Grey's request on behalf of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, resulted in a re-trial with questioning under the use of Veritaserum. The four accused were found not-guilty by a vote of 210 to 40"

There was no doubt as to the outcome of the trial after everything that had been said under Veritaserum, but Tom, Fenrir, and Lucius could not help but sigh in relief when the results were documented properly. Tom made sure to remember the faces of those that had voted with Dumbledore in an attempt to send the Lestranges and the Crouch Heir back to Azkaban.

Bellatrix looked confused when she heard the verdict of not-guilty; her confusion deepened when she heard that Lord Grey had requested the re-trial on behalf of her Maternal House. She looked around with a small frown on her face until she saw Tom sitting behind Lucius and Fenrir. Once she made eye contact with the three men, she had to look at her lap to hide the relief that she felt. She did not want those that had put her in prison to see her expression.

"In the mater of retribution the against the Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom for their actions against the Most Ancient and Most Noble house of Lestrange and the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black as Bellatrix Lestrange's Maiden House..."

Bellatrix snapped her head up so that she could see Amelia clearly as she spoke.

"It is clear from the testimony that we heard today, under Veritaserum, that retribution has not been completely paid by the Ancient and Noble house of Longbottom, therefore…"

Augusta Longbottom stood and began to scream. "The Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom owe nothing to that filth. She should be rotting in Azkaban for what she did to my son. He did nothing wrong to cause her to attack him like an animal. Her houses should be ash for what she did!"

"Auror, silence and detain Madam Longbottom." Kingsley made his way from the center of the court and restrained Augusta Longbottom in her seat under a Silencing Charm. "Madam Longbottom, you will be facing disciplinary action from this body for your actions and words that you have spoken during session today…yes, I can see every threat you made while the Silencing Shields were up since everything is recorded for documentation on either side of the Shield. I suggest that you hold your tongue before this body before it is decided that the Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom needs to stand before this body to defend its Noble status. As it stands, your House status is in dire jeopardy thanks to the actions of your son and daughter-in-law."

Augusta Longbottom paled as she sat back in her seat. Dumbledore leaned over his chair so that he could whisper in her ear, only to be pushed back by Auror Shacklebolt without a word.

"As I was saying, it is clear from the testimony that we heard today, under Veritaserum, that retribution has not been completely paid by the Ancient and Noble house of Longbottom, therefore this body will stand witness as retribution is completed. I have requested that the Longbottom Heir be brought before this body as well as any records that we have on file…I am just waiting, and here we are." Amelia took a file from an Auror that had rushed into the room.

As Amelia looked over the file, another Auror walked into the gallery with a small child in her arms. Augusta tried to speak but was still silenced by the Auror that was standing beside her.

"Madam Longbottom, would you care to tell me why the Heir to your House has sustained injuries during the two months that you have had him in your custody?"

Once the silencing charm had been removed, Augusta raised her chin and spoke angrily. "The boy is clumsy."

"Clumsy or not, I see no reason for the boy to have this many bruises and a broken arm when he had not had such injuries before he was in your custody."

"He is a squib!" Augusta spat.

"Hn. I see. I think it is probably for the best that the Most Ancient and Most Noble house of Lestrange wanted to blood adopt the boy as their own. Silence her again Auror Shacklebolt." Most of the occupants in the room sighed in relief when the shrieking that had begun was silenced. "Normally this body does not vote on such matters, but as retribution was left unpaid and the Most Ancient and Most Noble house of Lestrange was imprisoned due to false information provided by the offending House, I would suggest that we take a vote so that the records are complete and so that nothing can be said about retribution having been unfair." Amelia Looked around.

"Now Amelia, this is not something that this body should bother with, I am sure that the boy is fine with his grandmother."

"Mr. Dumbledore, you will be silent or have a Silencing charm placed on you. If you speak again without having the floor, you will be removed from this session. You are not Chief Warlock today." Under Amelia's glare, Dumbledore sat back in his seat and tried to look disappointed in her actions as he looked around the room.

"All in favor of voting on the final price of retribution to be paid to the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Lestrange please raise your wand and be counted…All opposed raise your wand and be counted."

"Scribe, please notate that this body will vote on the matter of final retribution to be paid to the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Lestrange as determined by a vote of 235 to 15. The retribution that the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Lestrange had planned on taking was the blood adoption of the Heir to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Longbottom. Would anyone like the floor?"

Dumbledore was quickly on his feet, as were a few other members of the Wizengamot, including Bartemius Crouch Sr. "Mr. Crouch, you have the floor."

Bartemius Crouch Sr. stood as the rest of the members that had wanted to speak retook their seats. Dumbledore looked slightly put out as he frowned over at the Head of the Noble House of Crouch. "Thank you Acting Chief Warlock Bones. I think that the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Lestrange should be granted their desire to adopt the boy as their own son and heir; it is clear that it would be in the best interest for the boy as well as go a long way towards retribution. I do think, however, that the Ancient and Most Noble House of Longbottom should have more of a punishment for their actions of trying to hide the dishonor of their House. Going so far as to provide false information to see an entire House imprisoned, after ensuring that they could not provide their own Heir, is something that is incomprehensible. These are not the actions of a Most Noble House. I suggest that the Ancient and Most Noble House of Longbottom stand before this body and defend the current station of their House, and if their actions are found to be wanting, that their House be reduced in rank."

The room was silent after Bartemius Crouch Sr. took his seat. It was rare that a House was faced with the possibility of having their rank lowered and was an issue that the members of the Wizengamot took seriously.

Clearing her throat, Amelia looked around the room. "Would someone like to speak against the suggestion put forth by Bartemius Crouch Sr.?" Dumbledore was the first person on his feet. Amelia sighed softly as she recognized Dumbledore. "Mr. Dumbledore, you have the floor."

Dumbledore looked towards Amelia patronizingly as he spoke. "Thank you Acting Chief Warlock Bones. I think we are all well aware of where our duties lay in this matter. The boy should be raised by his grandmother and should not be placed into the hands of dangerous Dark Wizards. It is obvious that they have found a way to lie under the influence of Veritaserum and have deceived this body in regards to their supposed innocence. It would be the height of irresponsibility to ensure that the boy grows up outside of the light and around such people. He will be perfectly fine with the mother of his father and he will learn his duty to his family and community. This body should not allow the boy to be raised in a manner that will ensure that we have more Dark Wizards to deal with a later time. Furthermore, to demote a House is a serious thing and there is no reason to do such a thing now. There is simply no need for further retribution to be paid to the people that have tried their hardest to destroy the Ancient and Most Noble house of Longbottom, one of the leading families of the Light." Dumbledore did not seem to notice the looks that he was receiving as he retook his seat. He simply smiled benignly at the others in the room.

"Lovely, would anyone else like to speak on this matter, or are we ready to vote?" Amelia looked around tiredly. "Perfect. All those in favor of granting final retribution to the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Lestrange as per the suggestion put forth by the Head of the Noble House of Crouch, raise your wand and be counted…All those opposed to granting final retribution to the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Lestrange as per the suggestion put forth by the Head of the Noble House of Crouch, raise your wand and be counted."

"Scribe, please notate that, on the matter of final retribution to be paid to the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Lestrange, this body has voted in favor of the suggestion put forth by the Head of the Noble House of Crouch by a vote of 237 to 13. The final retribution that will be carried out for offence against the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Lestrange by the Ancient and Most Noble House of Longbottom is this: The child known as Neville August Longbottom will be blood adopted by Rodolphus Lestrange and Bellatrix Lestrange and will be the Heir to the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Lestrange. Furthermore, the Ancient and Most Noble House of Longbottom will stand before this body during the next session, and defend itself and its actions to this body. This body will then vote on the matter of the status of the House in question."

"Bellatrix Lestrange, I suggest that you head to Gringotts and complete the adoption and the naming ceremony as soon as possible. I then suggest that all of you head to St Mungo's Hospital to ensure that you are all healthy afterwards. I am sure that Lord Grey will provide you with any help that you may need as he is acting Proxy for the Most Ancient and Most Noble Houses of Black and Loxias."

Amelia watched as Bellatrix nodded that she understood her instructions as she accepted the child that the Auror had handed her. Bellatrix was smiling over at her husband while tears rolled down her cheeks as she held the toddler close to her body.

"The four of you may move to the gallery for the rest of the duration of this session." Once the floor was clear and the chairs had been banished, she began to speak again. "Before this session can be closed we have one more matter to take care of today. Due to the fact that this body has found four innocents within the walls of Azkaban, having been condemned without proper trial, all files will be pulled and investigated for all current Azkaban inmates. Any prisoner that is found to have an incomplete file, or if there is anything found that is questionable about the trial or any legal actions that were taken, will receive a full re-trial that includes questioning under Veritaserum. Due to this investigation Mr. Dumbledore, you are hereby suspended from the position of Chief Warlock for the duration of the investigation. You will be allowed to sit your seat as Proxy for the Potter seat, but that is the only vote or seat that you may occupy." When Dumbledore made to protest, Amelia continued to speak over his sputtering. "I sincerely hope that nothing is found that would cause this body to need to investigate you and the actions that you have taken while under the banner of Chief Warlock." Dumbledore became very quiet as Amelia continued to speak. "A temporary representative will be chosen at the next session to represent this body as the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards as you will not be eligible to hold that position while the investigation is occurring."

"It is the fifth of January; the first meeting of the Wizengamot is now closed."

The first people out of the door were the reporters. There would be a special evening addition of the Daily Prophet that would announce the innocence of the Lestranges and the Crouch Heir. Until the public was aware of the situation, Auror guards were assigned to a protection detail for the four freed prisoners.

As he walked out the door behind his freed followers, Tom shared a private smile with Lucius and Fenrir. It had gone better than he had expected.