Sirius paced back and forth in the plush antechamber, trying to ignore the mutterings and idle chatter around him, idly toying with the golden watch strapped to his left wrist. The Wizengamot was already inside, preparing for the trial and discussing with the defense the charges and procedures. Dumbledore was in there, entering Lily's plea on her behalf, and all Sirius could do was hope that the man was doing as he promised. He'd tried to get entrance, considering who Lily was to him, but it 'wasn't for the ears of the common rabble,' as Dolores Umbridge had told him. By the bylaws of the Ministry, nobody outside those directly involved in a trial, or those directly related to them, could witness anything but the proceedings itself and the verdict. Sirius's own had never even made it this far; he'd been sentenced directly to Azkaban and shipped off without anyone even bothering to ask him what had really happened.
All he had for company, at the moment, were the press and the those eager to see the downfall of a once great hero; the same ones that had been so eager to see his own, the same ones that had jeered and spat and thrown things at him as he was led out bound in irons. The only people that didn't seem to be excited were three, solemn people sitting in the corner, dressed all in black. One was a tall gentleman with dark hair, holding his wife's hand as she cried. The mother was blonde and beautiful, even in her sobs. The child, though- she was a miniature version of her older sister, and she was dead silent, staring at the ground with empty eyes.
Sirius was sure the Delacours would get no joy from this trial, no matter which way it went.
"Be surprised if she don't get the kiss," an elderly crone near him said. It took everything he had in him not to curse her into oblivion.
Wouldn't that be quite the headline? He thought amusedly. Maybe we'd even get a nice cell next to each other in Azkaban. Would you like that?
He looked at his watch, tracing his thumb over the hand that read Lily. He hadn't been wearing the watch, as of late, because every time he looked at it, all he could think about was a poor, frightened girl stranded in a cold cell, wondering if the people she cared for were being kept away, or if they just didn't care to come visit; but, now, he didn't plan on ever taking it off again. She'd made the watch herself, along with about ten more for the people she loved the most in the world. And, to make things even better, the two she'd made, just for him and her, were special. They only had two hands, one with each of their names, and instead of numbers to read the time, each clock position had a different status or location written on it. His was on "Ministry of Magic."
Hers was on "Mortal Peril." That might have worried him, but she'd spent the entirety of the last school year stuck at the same position, if her own telling of history had been correct.
Happy Father's Day, Sirius thought, running his thumb over her hand again. That was what she'd told him when she gave it to him. And what an awful father I've made, too, he added bitterly. He never should have let things get this far. One way or the other, I'll be bringing her home. He wasn't going to let her face the same things he had.
For now, he raised his hands to his mouth to breathe some hot air into them; they were deep below London, and the morning had already been very chilly. Despite that, for some ungodly reason, the courtroom was kept at a lower temperature than the rest of the Ministry. Sirius had never really understood why. Not until he first saw Lily imprisoned in the holding cells, anyway. They want to break the spirit of their prisoners, he thought, not liking it one bit. Perhaps Hermione Granger was right, after all, just like Ashley had taken to telling him as of late. Perhaps the Ministry was in dire need of reforms. He didn't have the time to ponder it any further.
Finally, the great doors of the Wizengamot Chamber creaked open, a warm light spreading out across the gloomy antechamber. Sirius was the first one through them. The Wizengamot itself was already seated, in a high-crested ring above the center of the courtroom. The rest of the audience had to sit behind them, and because of the lighting in the room, the defendant, who would have to preside on the lower floor in the center of the chamber, wouldn't be able to see anyone but those who were judging them. Sirius sat as close to the Wizengamot as he was allowed, trying to listen in on their mutterings, and hoping that, if he leant forward enough and got lucky, Lily would be able to see at least one friendly face.
Unfortunately for him, they were discussing the bloody weather, and he was just about to snap at them to at least try focusing on the case they were about to preside over when Ashley Smith took a seat right next to him.
"Sorry I'm late," she whispered.
"Thought you weren't coming," Sirius said. Ashley looked upset about that, like she meant to start their argument all over again, right here in the Wizengamot.
"I might be mad at you right now," she said, "but that doesn't mean I'm going to make you go through this alone. I'm here for you, Sirius-" She raised her left hand, where, upon a certain digit, her engagement ring still rested- "I just needed to run a few messages for Bones before I could get here, she's got at least seven meetings to get to once this is done."
Sirius frowned at that. "They think it won't take long, then?"
Ashley shrugged. "Even if it does, she still has to meet these people- she's in for a long day, I'm afraid."
"I suppose I'll have to save you a plate, then," Sirius said, giving her wry smile.
"Not a chance," Ashley said, interlacing her fingers with his and resting her head on his shoulder. "I took the next week off, and I've rented about a dozen of Lily's favourite musicals."
Sirius gave Ashley's hand a little squeeze, and then turned his gaze down below, to where Dumbledore was standing near the entrance to the holding cells. The old man had his hands held together behind his back, a grave look on his face.
"It's going to be alright, Sirius," Ashley said a bit more softly. "Dumbledore isn't going to let her go to Azkaban."
Sirius just nodded. He knew that. Half the Order was positioned around the courtroom, ready to strike at a moment's notice if things went south. It'd be hard, and it'd mean making outlaws of the lot of them, but they were all in agreement that Hazel Lily Potter could not go to Azkaban.
He scanned the rest of the crowd, looking for them. Kingsley and Tonks were two of the six aurors stationed around the room, and Kingsley gave him a small nod when their eyes met. Dedalus Diggle was sitting with Hestia Jones, Mundungus Fletcher was near the exit (presumably with a bunch of smoke bombs hidden in his robe), Arthur Weasley would be in as soon as he finished up his work, and many and more he just couldn't see from where he was. They had a good plan, and they had more members situated in both the Ministry lobby and right outside the courtroom, ready to assist in the getaway. And, yet, still, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that he was missing something very important.
When he found Lucius Malfoy sitting in the crowd, he still didn't know if that was it. They'd expected some sort of Death Eater presence, but it seemed like Lucius was alone. Perhaps that was it? Why weren't there more Death Eaters?
He didn't have time to ponder it.
"Silence, please," Madam Bones called out.
That drew Sirius's eyes back towards the dais, where the Chief Warlock was supposed to be. Only, as Dumbledore had been ousted and they'd yet to successfully replace him, where one seat was supposed to be were instead three. Bones took the center one as Acting Chief, and to her right and left were Cornelius Fudge and Dolores Umbridge respectively. Every member of the Wizengamot wore plum coloured robes, all embroidered with a large silver 'W,' but the hat on Bones's head was larger than the others.
"Suits her, don't it?" Ashley asked, squeezing his hand again. Sirius agreed, but he'd prefer to see Dumbledore back in his rightful seat.
"Bring in the prisoner," Fudge barked out.
The defendant, you prick, Sirius thought angrily. She isn't guilty yet. His head turned towards the heavy, oaken doors as they creaked open, just as everybody else's did. He almost hoped she wouldn't be there, despite how badly he wanted to see her. Ashley squeezed his hand, and it was plain to see why.
Lily looked awful. Her hair was unwashed and greasy (and, to Sirius's eyes, it seemed a bit thinner, as well), hanging low to her shoulders and dangling in front of her face as she shambled forward, her wrists and ankles both clad in heavy irons, a chain connecting them down the center of her body. She was still wearing the same black robes she'd been wearing when she was arrested, and her face was sullen and sagging, with dark rings below her eyes that told Sirius she'd been neither sleeping nor eating. Her once vivid, lively, wonderful green eyes scanned the crowd around her, dull and lifeless. He wanted desperately to call out to her, then, to let her know he was here and that everything was going to be alright.
"Don't," Ashley whispered out to him. He almost ignored her, but that would have only gotten them both in trouble with the Wizengamot. The last thing Lily needed for her case was for her Godfather to get dragged out by aurors.
Happy Father's Day, he thought, the watch suddenly heavy on his wrist.
The two aurors on either side of Lily let go of her as the doors closed behind them. They took up position by it, in case she should try to flee, and turned her custody over to Dumbledore, who walked her to the center of the room. The only sound was the clanking of her chains, but Sirius could see Dumbledore whispering something to her. He only wish he knew what.
There was one chair in the middle of the lower floor, more chains and manacles laying below it. Dumbledore motioned for her to sit in it, guiding her with a hand on her lower back. When she did, the chains below her sprang to life, clasping and binding around her legs and arms, despite the restraints she was already wearing.
Sirius had to bite his tongue again. The chains on the defendants seat were only supposed to be used against those already found guilty, for either the purposes of a retrial or new charges. They're treating her like they did me, Sirius thought. Like she's done the thing, without so much as a word in her defense. He expected Dumbledore to speak up, but the man said nothing. He stared up at the dais expectantly, twiddling his thumbs.
"We are gathered to determine the guilt of one Hazel Lily Potter," Bones said in a rehearsed voice. "She is charged with the murder of Ludo Altorius Bagman and Fleur Isabelle Delacour. The defense has submitted that you are pleading 'Not Guilty.' Is that correct? You must speak, Miss Potter. Nodding is not appropriate for our records."
"Yes," Lily said, undoubtedly through clenched teeth, "but only because-"
"That is enough," Fudge said, cutting her off. "You are to speak only when spoken to, and answer only what is required of you. Is that understood?"
"Yes," Lily growled, angrier this time.
Good, Sirius thought. They haven't broken her, then. That, and that Dumbledore really had convinced her to change her plea, made him feel much better already- he only wished he knew how he'd done it.
"We have your confession to both crimes, Miss Potter," Umbridge said in a sickly sweet tone. "Did you kill them?"
"Do not answer that, Hazel," Dumbledore said at once, stepping forward to drag attention to himself. "Honourable witches and wizards of the Wizengamot, Hazel's confession was obtained under dubious amounts of stress, and should not be taken into consideration. The simple fact of the matter is that, aside from the confession, there isn't enough hard evidence to prove Hazel guilty of anything."
"Proof," Fudge said with a scoff. "She confessed Dumbledore."
"Silence, Cornelius," Bones said. "Miss Potter, do you deny that you were found at the crime scene shortly after Ludo Bagman's murder?"
"No," Lily said. Sirius could hear chains clink when she tried to shift in her seat.
"And do you deny that the Killing Curse was found on your wand, when it was inspected by Ministry officials?"
"No," Lily said again, followed by the sound of more chains.
"There you have it, Dumbledore," Fudge said impatiently. "What more do we need to-"
"I said silence, Cornelius," Bones snapped. "Albus, I will admit; our findings seem conclusive, no matter what you say. That this trial is occurring at all is, quite frankly, a formality due to you- if you do not have the evidence or arguments to prove otherwise, I believe the Wizengamot is ready to deliver our verdict. What do you have to prove that your claims of innocence are not unfounded?"
"The Killing Curse was found on Hazel's wand, yes," Dumbledore said, "but her wand was destroyed when aurors arrived at the scene."
"So, she snapped it herself!" Fudge said, ignoring the warning glare from Madam Bones.
"I said destroyed, Cornelius," Dumbledore said. "Not snapped. Hazel's wand was found in fifty-seven different pieces- and, indeed, some were even missing, when officials attempted to piece it back together. And, as you well know, the Killing Curse was found on her wand, not Bagman's, which was the only other wand found at the scene. Tell me- how can anyone cast the Killing Curse with a shattered wand?"
"Cornelius," Bones said, turning her sharp gaze to his, "have we determined how Hazel's wand was shattered?"
"No, not as of yet," Fudge admitted, his face growing a bright red, "but there are many such ways of doing so."
"But none are so quick and efficient as simply snapping it," Dumbledore said. "For a wand to be destroyed this thoroughly, it requires a spell of significant power."
"Then she used Bagman's to destroy it, and then-"
"Then tell me, Cornelius," Dumbledore said happily, "what was the last spell cast with Bagman's wand? No, perhaps she set up a decoy or two to divert us- Hazel is especially clever. Tell me- what are the last fifty spells performed with Bagman's wand?"
"Fifty?" Crouch sputtered. "I'm afraid- err-"
"Oh my," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling. "Don't tell me you didn't bother reading the case notes, Cornelius. I specifically requested this information- I would have expected this fine Ministry to come prepared for a case they quite insisted on. Dolores, dear, would you mind reading the list for the court? I'm quite certain you'll find it in that rather alarmingly large stack of papers you have seated next to you."
Dolores Umbridge looked like she'd rather eat a live toad, but that could have just been how her face normally appeared. Regardless, she did as she was asked, reciting each spell off one by one and looking increasingly constipated with the simplicity and nonthreatening manner of each one.
"-the Cheering Charm, portus, accio, incendio, and aquaventi," she finally finished.
"Interesting," Dumbledore said, nodding when she was done. "One of those, we will come back to later. For now, one thing is increasingly clear- Bagman's wand was not used to destroy Hazel's, and Hazel could not have destroyed her own without it. And, before you ask, Cornelius, no- she didn't have the time to cast more than fifty spells between the death of Ludo Bagman and the arrival of the Ministry. Your own examinations prove that Ludo Bagman died only twenty seconds before the aurors arrived at the scene. Hardly enough time to destroy a wand, let alone gather the pieces of it up into one fine little bundle- and, yet, that was how it was found. Not scattered about, with aurors having to forage for it, but all in one place. Very convenient, don't you think?"
"It doesn't matter how her wand was broken," Fudge said, his face beet red again.
"Of course it does, dear man!" Dumbledore said. "Everything matters- especially when you accuse one of our greatest heroes of cold-blooded murder."
"Hero?" Umbridge scoffed. "The girl is-"
"An Order of Merlin, Second Class," Dumbledore said promptly, nodding in agreement with his own statement. "An honour given to her by this very administration, I seem to recall."
"It doesn't matter," Fudge said impatiently. "Regardless of how it was broken, the Killing Curse was found on her wand, Dumbledore, and she admits to casting it herself. That, alone, is worth a life sentence to Azkaban- unless you have a different explanation for it?"
"I do, as a matter of fact," Dumbledore said happily, rocking back and forth on his feet while a wave of whispers swept through the Wizengamot.
"Well, go on, Dumbledore," Bones said expectantly.
"Hazel is quite fond of a certain spell our Professor Flitwick taught her in her second year," Dumbledore said. "Reddimitto- the Reflection Charm, which, interestingly enough, is the spell found on Hazel's wand right before the Killing Curse. Convenient you left that part out, Cornelius."
"I did no such thing," Fudge sputtered. "Mind your tongue, Dumbledore."
"Hem hem." Umbridge set her hand back down from her throat. "If I may. Nobody has ever reflected a Killing Curse before, Dumbledore. Do you honestly expect us to believe a girl of fifteen was able to do it?"
"Nobody ever survived one, either, until young Hazel did it," Dumbledore said, earning himself another wave of whispers. "There is no one I would believe more capable of doing just that- and it would also explain how the Curse ended up on her wand as well as how it shattered. The Killing Curse is unblockable- I can only imagine the consequences of attempting to bounce one back."
"You'd have to be an idiot to try such a thing!" Fudge protested.
"Yes, or desperate and out of options," Dumbledore said, nodding again. "But, yes, you are right. Hazel is quite clever- and, yet, she also possesses the same youthful stupidity as the rest of her peers do. As Dolores was so happy to point out, she is only fifteen. Cornered, scared, and exhausted from the Task she was forced to compete in the same day, I do not find myself surprised that she fell back on a spell that has helped her so many times in the past."
"The Task?" Fudge said, slowly catching up. "What are you on about, Dumbledore? The Task was three days before Bagman died, it's got nothing to do with-"
"It has everything to do with it," Dumbledore said. "And I will explain it all, in due time- for now, I believe it is best we get to the first of your witnesses."
"But-"
"As you say," Bones said. "Bring in the first witness."
Maraktis looked uncomfortable as he sat in front of the Wizengamot, right at Lily's side. He was wearing his work robes, and the stark white of them did much to hide his broad-shouldered, athletic figure. While the Wizengamot gazed at him, he stroked at his bushy beard, the only hair on his head.
"Please state your full name and occupation for the court," Bones said sharply.
"Henry Ballan Maraktis," he said. "I am a Healer at St. Mungo's- or, I will be, anyway, until the twentieth of August, where I will take up position at Hogwarts School of-"
"Yes, yes, yes," Fudge said impatiently. "And what is it you do?"
"I specialize in the healing of the mind," Maraktis said, his voice cooler. "In the line of duty, aurors often meet with things that leave- an impression, we'll say- something that can leave a mind broken and injured, much like a physical injury. I speak with them, and help them process these situations and heal from it."
"Is it only aurors you meet with?" Umbridge asked.
"No," Maraktis said. "I also meet with civilians. Aurors are just my main patients."
"And Hazel is one of yours?"
"Yes," Maraktis said reluctantly. "But it was supposed to remain private. Somebody leaked-"
"Why would Hazel need her mind healed?" Fudge asked.
"Why would anybody?" Maraktis asked. "I will not betray her trust. What we discuss during our sessions is between the two of us, not-"
"Healer Maraktis," Umbridge said with that sickly sweet smile of hers. "Need I remind you that all of your notes and logs have been seized and entered into evidence? You will answer our questions- truthfully- or we will have no further need of you."
Maraktis clenched his jaw and went silent. Sirius thought that was going to be an end to it, for a moment there.
"Hazel has been through more trauma than any girl of her age should be subjected to," Dumbledore said on his behalf. "While she has borne it better than many would, it was determined that she meet with Henry to improve her mental health."
"So, you admit the girl was going mad?" Fudge said sharply.
"Not mad," Maraktis snapped, glaring at Dumbledore. "Never mad. She only needed-"
"Not mad, you say?" Umbridge said, smiling and leafing through her papers again. "How curious."
"Not mad," Maraktis insisted. "She has had more than her fair share of troubles- far more- and it is of no surprise that she acts out at times. But, despite all that, she has more good in her than-"
"Hem hem," Umbridge said, pretending to clear her throat as she produced a small, leatherbound journal. "If I may."
"Absolutely not," Maraktis said, his face turning a bright red. "Those are my private notes, meant only for my own-"
"'Hazel is beginning to worry me,'' Umbridge read, ignoring him. "'I can tell the dark magic she used against that girl has had an effect on her, as she exhibited all her usual tells when I pressed her on it. But, despite that, she has refused to tell me about it. A worrying sign. If she cannot work through it, she may go mad, as many before her have.'"
"May," Maraktis emphasized. "And if you read my notes from later, my fears are alleviated, and she-"
"'Hazel is quick to anger,'" Umbridge read again, flipping to a previous entry, instead. "'And when a cold fury is upon her, there is a sense of danger in her. I fear for whoever inevitably ends up earning her ire in the future.'"
"A jest," Maraktis said, "as you'd know if you read the line before it, and in the very next line, I go on to-"
"'I can sense that Hazel is deeply troubled,'" Umbridge said, flipping back to the very beginning, "'Although she will not discuss her past, I can see the pain in her eyes. Dumbledore was right to come to me. Without the chance to heal from her trauma, I fear we may have had a new Dark Lord on our hands, as it would have only been a matter of time before she lashed out.'"
"I had only just met the girl!" Maraktis protested angrily. "With the full context, you'd understand that I came to regret that judgment, and that I thought Hazel was a-"
"And why, pray tell, would you regret it?" Umbridge asked, closing the journal with a loud clap. "You were correct, were you not? She did lash out, did she not?"
"She did not," Maraktis insisted. "She was only-"
"And I have many more instances of her 'lashing out,' as well," Umbridge said, grabbing her stack of papers. "All of which were compiled by her representative in the Department of Magical Minor Misdemanours and Educational Truancy. Shall I read them to you?"
"Before you do," Dumbledore said keenly, "may I ask who this representative was?"
"I'm afraid that information is confidential," Umbridge said sweetly.
"Surely, the Wizengamot could make an exception, as they have many times before," Dumbledore said.
"We could," Bones said gruffly. "But you'd need a good argument, Albus. Why is the name of her representative relevant, when these events are before her time at Hogwarts, when the girl still lived with Muggles?"
"When I left Hazel with her aunt and uncle," Dumbledore said, "I did so under an agreement with the Ministry."
"Yes, yes," Fudge said impatiently. "We're all well aware, Dumbledore. You only spent five straight weeks negotiating the deal with the Wizengamot."
"The Ministry agreed to inspect Hazel's home no less than twice a year," Dumbledore continued unabated. "And, in exchange- despite being her guardian at the time- I would leave her upbringing to the Ministry. They were to ensure her safety and education prior to beginning her time at Hogwarts, as well as assign her tutors and counselors as needed."
"What is your point?" Umbridge asked.
"My point is that I was assured she was meeting every benchmark," Dumbledore said. "And, yet- when she was eleven, and it came time for her to receive her Hogwarts letter- she not only knew nothing of the magical community, but she wasn't even safe in her own home. Whoever her representative was, they failed to inform me of even the slightest-"
"Did you even read the reports, good man?" Fudge said exasperatedly. "Because- I can assure you- it was a well-known fact among the Ministry at the time that she was being horribly mistreated by those Muggles."
He said the last word contemptuously, Sirius noticed.
"And, yet, despite all of our many meetings, you said not a word to me," Dumbledore said. "And all the information I had was saying quite the opposite."
"I'm sorry, Albus," Bones said, cutting in. "While I find this all very interesting, I'm afraid I have to disagree that it is relevant to the trial at hand. If you'd like to open an investigation once these proceedings are through, I would be happy to assist you, but until then- your motion is declined. As you were, Dolores."
"26th of April, 1985," Dolores said, beginning to read her notes. "Hazel got into an altercation with her cousin, resulting in a broken ankle on her part and several broken bones on her cousin's. Magical knowledge was found to be adequate for a five year old. 21st June, 1986. Hazel was cooking for her family, and nearly started a fire after throwing a tantrum. She received a burn on her left hand and a bruise on her cheek when her aunt tried to stop her. She threw another tantrum when her magical aptitude was tested, resulting in a burst of accidental magic that broke every piece of glass in the home, causing several deep cuts in all present.
"23rd October, 1988. At her Muggle school, Hazel stole several belongings from her fellow students. When confronted, she responded by cursing three of her class, resulting in a stay at St. Mungo's for all involved. It is unknown whether this was accidental, or if she was beginning to realize how her powers should be used. Bruises were found on her torso and legs when her own health was examined. Teachers informed us she was always picking fights with the other children, and her aunt and uncle corroborated. She refused to cooperate during the examination of her magical knowledge.
"25th April, 1989. More stolen objects were found in Hazel's possession, and all were returned to their true owners. When they were removed from her chambers, she attempted to threaten the Ministry official responsible. More bruises and cuts found on her body. When questioned, Hazel refused to answer as to where they came from. 21st January, 1991. Hazel lured a few Muggle girls away during break, where she cursed them away from the sight of school staff. Two girls were left with minor injuries, while the third was sent to St. Mungo's for extensive injuries. The girl lived, but only after a full year of invasive treatments. Those are only the worst of her many, many issues. Tell me, Healer: did you know of these events when you began treating Hazel?"
"No," Maraktis admitted slowly, "but- but I don't believe she knows of them, either."
"And I would have to agree with Henry," Dumbledore said, jumping in quickly. "Examinations of her mind performed during her time at Hogwarts has shown a tremendous amount of memory modification."
"How convenient for her," Umbridge said with a smile that was undoubtedly supposed to seem sweet. "Regardless, these events, and your own findings, prove one thing: Hazel has always had a tendency towards violence."
"Thank you for your time, Healer," Bones said. "We will now hear from our second witness."
The next witness, to Sirius's surprise, was Draco Malfoy, who entered the room with a smug, satisfied look, wearing robes of a deep gray. He looked the spitting image of his father, with his hair slicked back the same way.
"Potter's horrible," he said, sounding awful eager about it. "Even before she came to Slytherin, she was always jinxing and cursing all of us in the halls, and some of it was real nasty- Crabbe got sent to the Hospital Wing, once, with boils all over his face and chest. She liked to tear open people's bags in the hallway, pretend to help, and then sneak things into her pocket, too."
"Childish and mean-spirited," Bones admitted, "but hardly violent."
"That was only how it started," Malfoy said, looking like he was trying to make himself cry. "I- in second year, she- that's when she started-"
"Take your time, Draco," Cornelius said in a much softer voice than when he'd addressed the silent, fuming girl still sitting in her chains.
"She challenged me to a duel, in front of half the school," Draco said at last. "I had to accept, and when I went to it- she ambushed me, stole my wand, and then- and then sicced a snake on me."
"A snake?" Bones asked, ignoring the whispering Wizengamot around her.
Draco nodded eagerly, and Sirius decided he'd find a way to dispel him from the Black family for this.
"She loves snakes," Draco said quietly. "In the common room, she- she's always summoning them, letting them- letting them coil all around her. She- she uses them to remind everyone that she's Slytherin's Heir, to 'keep us in our place.' If anybody tries to do anything, she- she curses them."
"Is that so?" Bones said.
Draco nodded.
"And has she ever cursed you?" Bones asked.
Draco nodded again, this time sucking in his bottom lip as if he was nervous and scared.
What a load of rubbish, Sirius thought.
"Third year," Draco said slowly. "I- I had enough of it. I walked in on her cursing Pansy Parkinson- making her teeth huge, giving her acne, and calling her the 'Queen of Trolls', and- I challenged her to a duel myself. So, she- she put me under the Cruciatus, and then- and then snapped my wand, in front of everybody."
That got the Wizengamot rumbling and whispering again, and Bones had to bang her gavel to restore order for the first time.
"The Cruciatus?" Bones asked. "As a third year?"
Malfoy nodded again. "She learned it from- from Flint and Montague."
"The two individuals found guilty of torturing her under the Cruciatus during the same year?" Dumbledore asked. "The ones currently in life sentences at Azkaban for that exact crime?"
"She asked them to do it," Draco said quietly. "She was with them all the time, and it wasn't the first time they'd done it to her. She- liked the pain, they said. It- whenever she was done hurting somebody, she'd- it got her excited, and they'd sneak off to- to-"
Sirius got the implication, and he was sure everybody else did, too, based on the increased mutterings. Bones had to raise her voice again, which was good, because Sirius felt like breaking Lily out right then and there, just so she wouldn't have to keep listening to these awful lies.
She never did, he thought, definitely squeezing Ashley's hand too hard. Dumbledore should have called me as witness, I could disprove all of this. He'd walked in on them torturing her, and he would gladly say just that.
"We've heard enough," Bones said grimly. "Bring in the next one."
What followed Draco was a parade of other Slytherin students, each telling stories worse than the last. Pansy Parkinson had been almost completely unable to get a single word out; she collapsed into terrible sobs at the first question and continued to lay it thick throughout her testimony, but when she got to the end of it, half the crowd was crying with her, and Sirius was just waiting for Dumbledore's signal.
Come on, old man, he thought, not able to bear much more of this. Let's just get her out of here already.
He didn't give it, though, and next was Rita Skeeter. Sirius supposed it was to confirm all the rumours she'd reported about Lily. Her face was caked in gaudy makeup, and when she entered the room, Sirius could have sworn her eyes twinkled with victory.
"You often reported on Hazel's worrying behaviour, did you not?" Bones asked once she was sworn in.
"I did," Skeeter confirmed with a pert nod.
"And, later on, you retracted this information, did you not?'
"I did," Skeeter said, nodding again.
"Our other witnesses have confirmed what you reported, and much worse, as well," Bones said. "And you have yet to publish a single article since your retraction. Is that true?"
"Yes," Skeeter said, her head bobbing again.
"My question for you, Miss Skeeter," Bones said, "is why?"
"Because none of it was true," Skeeter said to a chorus of scoffs.
Sirius leant forward in his seat, unsure if he'd heard her right, and he noticed half the crowd doing the same.
"Miss Skeeter," Umbridge said. "If Hazel Potter has threatened you in any way, you need only say so- as you did during our questioning. I promise, no harm will come to you."
"I'm afraid I have no idea what you mean," Skeeter said innocently.
Bones frowned. "Did you not, during questioning, claim that Potter threatened to have you murdered if you did not retract your claims?"
Sirius's heart sank. He knew immediately that it was true- or, at least, that he'd threatened her with something. He remembered how Lily waited so eagerly during her suspension from school for an article from Skeeter, and he remembered how strange it seemed to him that Rita Skeeter, of all people, would admit she was wrong.
They'll give her the kiss, he thought, his stomach roiling. Come on, Dumbledore, we have to get her out of-
"She did no such thing!" Skeeter said, sounding offended, even going so far as placing a hand over her heart in mock outrage. "I retracted my claims because they were blatantly false- all except for her outing, which I regret immensely."
"Fales?" Bones asked.
Skeeter nodded. "I spoke to the same students you've been summoning all day, and they told me similar tales- albeit nowhere near as terrible. Later, I started second guessing myself, when, upon questioning a few of them again, they started giving me contradicting information. That was when I discovered they were just making it all up- as I'm sure they are now, as well."
"This is not what you told us when you were questioned prior to the trial!" Fudge said, face bright red.
"I'm afraid I have no idea what you mean," Skeeter said, smiling sweetly. "The students were all lying, and I realized how much of a monster I had been, believing them without question, and reporting what I did. The truth of the matter was quite different- Hazel is actually quite a sweet girl, who was being bullied by them. All she wants is to be left alone, and to find someone who loves her- and I couldn't stand being a part of her torment any longer. You would have found this out for yourself- if you'd bothered asking anyone else."
She was lying, Sirius knew instantly, but he didn't care. He laughed, then, while the crowd around him was grumbling and shouting, and while Bones was banging her gavel again.
"You are claiming our prior witnesses were committing perjury?" Bones said sharply.
"I am," Skeeter said, casually inspecting her nails. "And if you'd like the evidence, I'd be happy to give it to you- of course, you'd already have it, if you were actually pursuing justice instead of whatever you call this farce of a trial. Hazel Potter is innocent- and I doubt Fleur Delacour is even dead."
Interesting, Sirius thought, still smiling. And where did she get that particular piece of information?
"If you're so informed, then where is she?" Fudge asked pointedly.
Skeeter shrugged. "Perhaps she and Hazel decided to elope? After what I did, I can hardly blame them for wanting some privacy. Have you tried checking the beaches? I hear Nice is lovely this time of year."
"How did Bagman end up dead, and how- why- was she there if she didn't do it?"
"Why, Minister," Skeeter said, batting her eyelashes at him. "Wasn't that your job to find out?"
That got Sirius laughing again and, this time, half the court joined him. Bones kept banging her gavel, but it did nothing to calm the crowd. Whatever Lily had done to sway Skeeter, he was happy she'd done it, because it likely just saved her life. They had to declare a brief recess, and Sirius was feeling so much better that he grabbed Ashley by the waist, kissed her firmly on the lips, and gave her a little spin, all of which made the woman look breathless and delighted. When they were finally allowed to enter the courtroom again, Bones called for their next witness.
Hermione Granger entered the next room, and her mere presence got Sirius laughing again. Dumbledore hadn't told him she'd been summoned, but, Merlin, Sirius didn't mind the surprise one bit. If Fudge thought she was going to help his case, then he was truly deluding himself, and she proved it on the first question.
"You have been summoned here to confirm Hazel's behaviour at school," Bones said after restoring order again (meaning just silencing him). "You will answer truthfully and to the best of your ability. Did you witness Hazel using the Cruciatus Curse on your classmates?"
"No," Hermione said immediately, arms crossed along her chest, fingers tapping impatiently on her arm. "And she never would have." Sirius noticed the look of longing she gave Lily- but his goddaughter seemed to prefer staring at her own feet, rather than meeting the eyes of her best friend.
Fudge frowned again. "You were summoned here to-"
"I was summoned here because you were stupid enough to believe Lucius Malfoy when he said I'd testify against Lily," Hermione snapped. "He tried to threaten me into it, saying he'd kill my family and- and other things, if I didn't."
That caused quite the outroar, and while Sirius knew it was good for them, he couldn't help but feel his triumph deflate a bit. His eyes found Lucius Malfoy across the room- and he was smiling. Why was he smiling? He almost rose to go ask him, but Bones was shouting for order again, and Ashley was pulling him back into his seat.
"Next witness," Bones said begrudgingly once the crowd was quieted.
"No," Fudge said.
"We still have a dozen to get through, Cornelius," Dumbledore said amicably. "I believe Sae Asari was next, no?"
"No!" Fudge shouted, slamming his fist down on the desk in front of him. "No more, Dumbledore! No more witnesses!"
"But, Cornelius," Dumbledore said, his eyes shining again, "they were all your witnesses. I have yet to call any. You cannot change our laws just because they are not working out in your favour."
"I said no more!" Fudge said, standing up fully. "This is a farce- all of it- and I will have no more!"
"If you insist," Dumbledore said, shrugging. "Then I will move to my closing arguments."
"No more!" Fudge said, standing abruptly. "You have made a mockery of our court, and I will have our ruling!"
"Sit down, Cornelius," Bones said. "You're our Minister- do try and act with some dignity. Go on Dumbledore. Say what you will."
"Hazel Potter is innocent of her accusations, as I have said all along," Dumbledore said, hands held behind his back. "There is no evidence that tie her to the crime, nor does the Ministry have any actual witnesses- only those to her character, as we have seen, and all who have been called today were a poor attempt to smear her good name. And, as you have heard from our last two, they were lying under the instructions of one Lucius Malfoy."
"The girl is mad, Dumbledore," Fudge insisted. "Why would Lucius Malfoy go to the bother?"
"Simple," Dumbledore said. "He is acting under the orders of the one truly responsible for killing Ludo Bagman."
"And that is?" Umbridge asked pleasantly.
"Voldemort," Dumbledore said happily.
Sirius might have expected a round of laughter or jeers. What he didn't expect was the sudden silence.
"Voldemort?" Bones repeated.
"Voldemort," Dumbledore said, nodding. "I told Cornelius the same on the night Hazel was arrested, if you recall."
"I do," Bones said.
"This is absurd!" Fudge sputtered. "He has not-"
"Hold your tongue, Cornelius," Bones snapped. "You've said quite enough for one day. Go on, Dumbledore. If Voldemort is back, I want to hear how, and I want to hear why Hazel was missing for three days, and how she ended up over Bagman's corpse."
"I would be delighted," Dumbledore said, sounding like it. "Although, a good deal of it is guesswork- the Ministry has quite insisted on keeping Hazel locked away for a month, without allowing anyone to question her, and, as a result, it has undoubtedly ruined our chances of verifying any of this."
"Still," Bones said, speaking before the other two could. "I would hear it."
They planned this, Sirius realized suddenly. They want the Wizengamot to hear everything. Bones is on our side.
"As you wish," Dumbledore said, nodding his head. "It begins during the Third Task- a student at Hogwarts overheard a prophecy, and failed to report it to me until all three Champions were dueling in front of the Triwizard Cup. The prophecy stated that, at the end of year- in this case, the schoolyear- Hazel would be taken to a 'dance of skulls,' and the Dark Lord would be revived."
"Preposterous," Fudge said. "If there was a prophecy, it would be in the Department of Mysteries- we would know about it!"
"There are a great many prophecies of which we have no idea, Cornelius," Dumbledore said calmly. "Their capture in an orb requires them to be reported- and, as I said, this one never was."
Fudge opened his mouth, but Bones openly shushed him.
"Continue," she said, nodding at Dumbledore.
"From here, I can only guess," Dumbledore said, stroking his great beard. "But, a 'dance of skulls-' how curious that, on the same night as the Third Task, the same night Delacour and Potter both disappeared, Lucius Malfoy was hosting a masquerade to celebrate his wedding. It is my belief that that is where they disappeared to- and that the same night, Voldemort was returned to a corporeal form."
"Madness," Fudge said with a scoff. "Lucius Malfoy is a respectable member of our society- and you forget that half the Ministry was there!"
"I do not," Dumbledore said. "I know not how this was kept from the guests- and, again, I am sure it is far too late to investigate, due to your mad folly- but I suspect it is the truth. Voldemort was brought back at Malfoy Manor, and Hazel was used to do so.
"No!" Lily said suddenly, struggling in her chains. "He lies! I didn't-"
"Be quiet, girl," Bones said authoritatively. "Go on, Dumbledore. How were the two girls taken there in the first place?"
"Remember my opening arguments," Dumbledore said. "I mentioned we would return to a certain spell, cast by Ludo Bagman during his final days- in this case, the portus spell."
"You think he made a portkey, then?"
"Yes," Dumbledore confirmed. "We all witnessed Hazel and Fleur be taken by the Triwizard Cup- and it was Ludo who placed it there, and it was Ludo who then failed to show up to give his commentary during the event. It is my belief that he went on the run, unable to contain his guilt."
"And why would he create a portkey in the first place?"
"Again, this is guesswork," Dumbledore said, "although, in this case, it is because the Ministry denied my request to look into Ludo Bagman's finances. Regardless of this, it is common known fact that Ludo is in a tremendous amount of debt. If I guess correctly, he was paid to create the portkey."
"And so Hazel was being kept in the manor?"
"I know not where Hazel was the next three days," Dumbledore said. "Perhaps she was held prisoner in the manor, perhaps not- what I do know- or, rather, what I have a very good idea of- is that Fleur Delacour yet lives, and that that is why she sits here, today, having confessed to no less than two murders."
"She lives?" a high, French voice said as Mrs. Delacour stood and shouted from the gallery. "My little flower- she lives?"
"She does," Dumbledore said, nodding even though he couldn't see her. "Although, she is undoubtedly in a good deal of danger. Still, so long as she lives, they have Hazel's full cooperation."
"Speak, girl," Bones said, looking at Hazel. "Do you deny any of this?"
Lily looked wordlessly between Dumbledore, Bones, Umbridge, and Fudge.
"I-" She sputtered. "I- I- she- she's not-"
"We will not get the truth from Hazel," Dumbledore said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Not until Miss Delacour is rescued. I urge you, now, Cornelius- if we move quickly, tragedy can be avoided. Send aurors to Malfoy Manor. I believe that is where she is held."
"Nonsense," Lucius Malfoy barked. Sirius thought he could see a twinge of fear in his eyes. "Cornelius, good man, surely you don't believe I am-"
"Be quiet," Bones snapped. "You are not a member of the Wizengamot, and you were not given leave to speak. Say the word, Cornelius- I can dispatch aurors immediately, and we can find the truth of the matter in just a few-"
"I think not," Umbridge said, cutting in. "Dumbledore believes he can fool us- perhaps, if Hazel is being manipulated by anyone, it is by him. Perhaps, he has the French girl stowed away, and plans to deposit her in Malfoy Manor should we investigate."
"Don't be absurd," Bones said, but Fudge was already latched on to it.
"Yes!" he said eagerly. "Yes, I see! I will not be fooled, Dumbledore!"
"Cornelius, please," Dumbledore said sadly. "Listen to reason. We can still-"
"A vote!" Fudge barked, standing to his feet. "Let all those who believe Hazel Potter to be guilty raise their hands!"
Sirius breathed in deeply and held it, watching as members of the Wizengamot raised their hands one by one, counting each and every one of them.
Thirty seven, he thought when he finished. Less than half. They won, he realized as the crowd began muttering and shouting once more. Lily is coming home- we did it!
But, if that was true, then why did Lucius Malfoy look like he'd won?