AN: I'm not used to writing a 'law suit' scene so please tell me how I did for this one in a review.

Harry Potter and the Heart of Power

Chapter 14

-Harry-

Bouncing nervously in his seat he stared around at the massive room, taking in the sight of the various Lords and Ladies that made up the Wizenagamot for his law suit. Susan was sitting next to him but a more apt description would be that she was sitting on him as she had latched onto his arm and showed no sign of letting go, not that he was complaining. Ever since he had woken up that morning he had been a nervous wreck, waiting for Susan and Amelia to arrive and praying that Susan wouldn't treat him any differently now that she knew his secret.

-Flashback-

Sitting in the chair by his door he stared at the clock, his knee bouncing up and down as he nervously waited for Susan and Amelia to arrive. He had stayed up for as long as he could the previous night, talking with the portraits of his parents, catching up with them as he finally got to speak with the ones who brought him into the world. He told them about his dual identities, about his plans and goals, about his businesses and inventions, and, most importantly, he told them about Susan, the amazing red haired girl he had been falling for. His mom had ordered him to bring Susan to the portraits as soon as possible so they could meet her…his dad just complimented him on choosing a red head.

Hearing the sound of knuckles rapping on his door he shot to his feet, pulling it open as he saw Amelia for the briefest moment before Susan shot forward and engulfed him in a hug, her arms wrapping around him as he instinctively returned the gesture, his tense muscles loosening as his stress began to recede.

"You…you're not mad?" he asked hesitantly as Susan pulled back and looked him dead in the eyes.

"Not at you Harry," Susan promised as she kissed his cheek softly, his skin reddening at the intimate touch "never at you.".

-End Flashback-

While Susan's reassurances had helped calm him down his nerves were still shot to hell as he sat twitching in his seat. Next to him sat 'Lord Peverell' who had pulled him to the side before the hearing to explain that after the trial he had gone back to the Bones manor with Susan and Amelia where he used the time turner to get to the ministry for the trial as 'Lord Peverell'. At that point though they were all ushered inside with Susan, Anastasia, his future self, and his current self in a small booth on the ground level of the hearing room and Amelia went up to the Bones seat to help preside over the hearing.

"All rise!" a sickening voice called out as he turned to look up at a woman who greatly resembled a toad sneering condescendingly at the assembled group "The Honorable Minster Fudge presiding.".

"Objection!" Anastasia called out as she rose up to face the court "This law suit is against the ministry itself for its illegal actions against my client, the Lord Potter. Having the Minister of said institution who the law suit is being levied against cannot be allowed to pass on the grounds that he is a biased individual when it comes to this case in particular.".

"Over-" the toad like woman began only for a man in a business suit rose up from the guest section.

"The Prosecution is correct Madame Umbridge," the man stated "such an act would go against the laws and regulations of the International Confederation of Wizards and, should the British Ministry continue with this act, then they shall be removed from said confederation and a boycott shall be placed about this country.".

"H-how dare you?!" the toad woman spluttered in outrage "Aurors! Arrest-".

"I am Harlem Leverage, United States Secretary of International Wizard Affairs, and should you continue with that order then it shall be seen as an act of war, resulting in The United States, as well as our allies, declaring war upon you.".

"N-now now," Fudge stammered out, the politician paling drastically at the mention of war "there's no need for that.".

Ignoring Fudge, Leverage stepped forward and pulled a folder of documents out of his jacket, hoisting them into the air while calmly continuing "I was informed of this law suit by the Prosecution's Attorney, Anastasia Malfoy, and how she believed that a biased individual would preside over the hearing. The subject was brought to the ICW and it was agreed with her statement and, since the charges levied against the British Ministry For Magic are severe, I was selected to preside over this hearing as an unbiased individual. Failure to comply with this shall likewise result in Britain's expulsion from the Confederation and the placement of the boycott.".

Fudge and Umbridge spluttered and blustered for a few moments more before the overweight British Minister was, somewhat forcibly, removed from his seat and moved over to the chair for the Minor House of Fudge while Leverage took place as the individual who would preside over the case. "Will the prosecution and the defense please rise?" Leverage requested once settled into the seat as Anastasia rose along with a rather arrogant looking individual who, if the glances at Lucius Malfoy were any indication, was rooted pretty deeply in the pocket of the Blood Purist Faction. "The Charges that the Prosecution has levied against the British Ministry for Magic are as follows," Leverage spoke once the two attorneys were standing "first is the Illegitimate theft of a Potter Family Ancestral Home in the village of Godric's Hollow after Halloween of nineteen eighty one. The second is the failure to pay the bounty on the since declared deceased Dark Lord Voldemort to the Potter Family Vaults, despite credit for the Dark Lord's defeat having been given by the Ministry to Lord Hadrian James Potter. Does the Prosecution agree that these are indeed the charges being levied?".

"We do your Honor." Anastasia spoke up with a nod as the Defense Attorney scoffed arrogantly.

"Very well," Leverage said with a nod "we shall begin with the first Charge of the theft of Ancestral Property. Does the Defense have anything to say about this matter?".

"These charges are preposterous," the Defense Attorney answered with a condescending snort "the Property in question was the event of a major event of Magical History and, as such, the Ministry was well within their rights to confiscate the property.".

"Very well," Leverage said but he could see the irritation in the man's eyes "will the Prosecution now give their opening statement before we bring in the first witness?".

"Of course your Honor," Anastasia said with a nod "our stance is a simple one. The home that the Ministry stole from my Client is one of the few things that would allow him to connect with his deceased parents. The ministry simple took it and placed a small plaque outside before abandoning the property to the ravages of time, allowing the building and landscape to fall into a dreadful state of disrepair over the past ten years, as they wanted to do a publicity stunt for the public. They offered no compensation for the property which is made worse when one takes the time to consider that, with the Original Potter Manor being destroyed in a Death Eater Raid during the War, the Godric's Hollow Cottage was the official Ancestral Home and Potter family 'Manor' being the only Potter family property left meaning that the Ministry stole the Ancestral Seat of an Ancient and Most Noble House.".

"Thank you Ms. Malfoy." Leverage said with a nod as whispers began to circulate among the gathered lords at the piece of information Anastasia had just dropped "Prosecution has first witness.".

"Thank you your Honor," Anastasia said with a nod "I'd like to call Bartemius Crouch Senior to the stand.". After the man, who he remembered from Anastasia's lessons was the head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, sat down in the seat in the middle of the room, Anastasia began once again. "Bartemius Crouch," she asked "is it true that you were one of Minister Bagnold's chief advisors during her term back in nineteen eighty one?".

"It is." Crouch said simply, the man looking as calm as possible in the chair, not a bead of sweat seen on the man's brow despite the hundreds of hungry stares being aimed at the Department head by people who either wanted him to say one thing or not say another.

"With such a position I would assume that you would know who suggested the confiscation of the Potter family property if you did not do so yourself." Anastasia said with a raised eyebrow as he waited to see what would be said, having been told about the man's obsession with the rules and laws.

"I was not at the Ministry when it was suggested but I did protest such an action," Bartemius denied "as you said. The Godric's Hollow Cottage was, by all legal standings, the 'Potter Family Ancestral Home' and by confiscating it the Ministry would set a bad precedent which could lead to the theft of the homes of other pureblood families.".

That one statement got a reaction that he knew would turn the tide in his favor as many of the Lords and Ladies assembled looked wide eyed at the thought of their own Homes or artifacts being 'confiscated'. While several of them may not have cared about his own property and heirlooms, or even wanted to him to lose them, they cared even more about keeping their own family property and artifacts.

"Did you ever discover who suggested such a foolish action?" Anastasia sked the man who shook his head in the negative.

"I did not but it wasn't for lack of trying as I wished to find out who with the Minister's ear would suggest such a foolhardy venture so that I could convince the Minister to no longer heed that individuals words lest they lead the Ministry to ruin." Crouch explained.

"Thank you Director Crouch," Anastasia said with a nod before turning to Leverage and saying "no further questions.".

"Does the Defense wish to cross examine the witness?" Leverage asked the Defense Attorney who thought about it for a moment before answering in the negative as Crouch returned to the Crouch family seat.

The hearing continued for another hour as the Defense called in their own witness and 'questioned' them but it simply dissolved into a 'pureblood supremacy' speech mixed in with a dash of 'the unquestionable right of the Ministry' for flavor. He could tell that Anastasia was having the time of her life as she tore apart each and every argument, using simple logic and siting of law to do so.

"I believe we've heard enough." Leverage spoke up as the witness returned to their seat. "I now call it to a vote. All in favor of the Prosecution rise.". At that order the majority of the Lords and Ladies rose up, all of them having a look of fear in their eyes at the thought of their own Family properties being confiscated by the ministry, the only ones who voted against them being the ones like Lucius Malfoy who bribed the higher ups. "Very well," Leverage said with a nod "the British Ministry for Magic will forthwith return the deed to the Godric's Hollow Cottage to Lord Potter, will pay the sum of one hundred thousand Galleons in reparations for the properties theft, and will pay for the repairs of the property to return it to a proper condition. We will now adjourn for two hours to rest and take lunch. Dismissed!". Punctuating the statement with a bang of a wooden gavel Leverage rose up from the seat as did the various attendants of the hearing as Susan squeezed his arm excitedly at the first of the charges going in their favor.

"This is great Harry!" Susan cheered excitedly as they walked out of the courtroom to go get lunch "we've already won the first part!".

"Don't get too excited," Anastasia cautioned "the next part will be much harder. We won this one so easily because the other Lords were too afraid of their own homes being taken but most of them don't really care about Harry getting the bounty of Voldemort and several of the Lords and Ladies who voted in our favor for this charge will vote against us for the second simply for the reason of Harry being the one to levy it.".

"Very true." Amelia said with a nod before they took the Floo over to the Cauldron and walked out to Muggle London to grab some food before flooing back for the second part of the trial.

"Will the Prosecution call their first witness?" Leverage asked once everyone had once again assembled in the courtroom.

"Of course your Honor," Anastasia said with a nod "I would like to call Barnabus Fudge as a witness.". Quickly the cousin of Cornelius Fudge, who was the Head of the Ministry Bounty Office back during nineteen eighty one, was brought forward and sat down in the witness chair. "Barnabus Fudge," Anastasia began once the man was settled "you were the head of the Ministry Bounty Office during Nineteen Eighty one, correct?".

"I was." Barnabus said stiffly, the man glaring coldly at Anastasia while answering.

"Then could you explain as to why the Ministry chose to withhold the Death of the Dark Lord Voldemort despite the Ministry openly crediting Lord Potter with the man's defeat?" Anastasia asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Because the Ministry needed the money more than the brat did." Barnabus said with a calm shrug "After he failed to step forward and claim the gold the Ministry transferred the amount to our own coffers.".

"You mean after the Ministry allowed Albus Dumbledore to name himself the Guardian of the Lord Potter and abandon him with his Muggle relatives for ten years?" Anastasia asked coldly. "Albus Dumbledore had no right to be placed as Lord Potter's Guardian at the time and sealed the wills of Lily and James Potter to prevent that fact from being discovered. After failing to even see Lord Potter for three years though Guardianship was transferred to Lord Potter's muggle relatives who have since emancipated Lord Potter and had their memories wiped of magic as per magical law.".

"And your point is?" Barnabus interrupted snidely as Anastasia glared at the man who flinched under the gaze.

"My point is that the Ministry aide in the manipulation and displacement of the Lord Potter to prevent him, or a legal guardian of such, to claim the gold. And even still the laws state that should any individual be physically incapable of stepping forward themselves to claim a bounty then the Ministry is legally required to transfer the gold to their personal vault. This means that the Ministry purposefully and knowingly stole one hundred and thirty thousand galleons from the Potter family. If they were willing to do that to Lord Potter, an individual who they themselves claimed was a 'hero' then what else would they be willing to steal from other families?".

Like before various Lords and Ladies looked nervous at her words, albeit to a lesser extent as the families that were part of the same circle as Lucius Malfoy simply glared coldly down at Anastasia. "No more questions your Honor." Anastasia said coldly with a stare at Barnabus, clearly showing that she viewed the 'man' in the chair before her as scum.

"Does the Defense wish to cross interrogate the witness?" Leverage asked the defense attorney who sighed and answered in the negative, the man clearly exasperated with Barnabus showing the usual competence of the Fudge family. After the Defense had also passed up on questioning a second witness Leverage looked out at the different Lords and Ladies, "Then I call it to vote. All in favor of the Prosecution please rise." Leverage ordered as, slowly but surely, the Lords and Ladies rose but it was no clear victory as it had been the last time and it came down to a victory of only ten votes in his favor. "Very well then," Leverage said with a nod "the Ministry is hereby ordered to pay the original bounty of one hundred and thirty thousand gold galleons to Lord Potter and, as added reparation, shall also be forced to pay ten percent of the original bounty for every year that they withheld the gold which adds up to another one hundred and thirty thousand galleons. Court dismissed!".

After the gavel came down Susan cheered excitedly as she hugged him happily, jumping up and down in excitement as she peppered his face with kisses and he tried to restrain his blush, not noticing a widely grinning Natalie snapping picture after picture of was Susan was doing. Meeting up with Amelia the trio flooed back to Bones manor where he spent a few hours talking and laughing with the two beautiful Bones women before using the Time turner to go back in time to attend the suit as Lord Peverell. It was a very strange thing, going through the same event under a different persona, already knowing what was going to happen and he was barely able to refrain from chuckling when he saw Susan peppering his past self with kisses at their final victory. Once his past self-had left with the Bones women he had gone back to his condo with Anastasia to celebrate as the laughed and drank throughout the night.

-Next Morning-

Groaning in pain he felt his mind being dragged forcibly into the waking world as a hangover assaulted his skull. "Hangover release." He grounded out as a second potion tooth released a dose of hangover potion into his mouth making him sigh in relief as the pain faded away, mentally thanking the Goblins for making him the extra potion teeth for hangover potion, poison antidote, love potion antidote, and truth potion antidote. As his hangover faded away he became aware of an unfamiliar scent in the air…and an unfamiliar weight on his chest…realizing what they were his eyes shot open as he looked down to see the naked and peacefully sleeping form of Anastasia Malfoy snuggled into his chest. "Oh shit." He mumbled to himself as he began to remember what had happened the previous night.

AN: I tried to make the amounts Harry won from the law suits realistic for this type of case. The One hundred and thirty thousand galleons is close to being equal to one Million American Dollars.

AN2: I had originally intended to wait longer before starting the Harry/Anastasia pairing but please don't freak out, I have a good reason for it and a plan to handle the situation and make things work better.