A/C: I don't know how trials work, so I'm doing things my own way. Also, yes, I made this trial so damn long I decided to split it in two.

In the weeks that followed, Melissa was subjected to a combination of interrogations and solitude. Dumbledore was her most frequent (human) visitor. The man was fascinated by Snape's discovery and would gently ask questions about her former muggle life. Perhaps he was hoping to find the trigger which caused her reincarnation? It seemed likely, but her life- and death- were mundane to the point that Dumbledore was left unsatisfied. On occasions when Snape joined him, talk turned to moments after death. He wasn't buying her 'lack of knowledge', especially since she apparently had known how to get rid of the mystery demon. Fortunately, she found a way to cover her tracks in that regard; and he, too, was left unsatisfied. In all appearances, she was thoroughly innocent in her ignorance.

This tactic worked well with her other interrogators. Ted Tonks looked for every angle, every loophole of her story about April 17th in preparation for the trial until he was unable to crack her façade; and Mister Salvatore, the one man who knew most about her, was purposefully kept away from Dumbledore and Snape (thanks to the efforts of Fawkes), so he never learned of her reincarnation status. It was delicate work. One spaced between days of solitude and boredom, but she handled it with all the focus she could muster. After all, it was all she had left.

Despite Dumbledore's best efforts, it was inevitable that Melissa had to spend time in a holding cell at the Ministry. 'Protocol' for the wizarding world's insistent -yet chaotic- bureaucracy. Melissa resigned herself to the whirls of the bureaucratic machine. Paperwork, identification, extra identification as they muttered over her lack of a wand, questions, accusations, more questions- She took it all with bland, polite countenance. Anything too much one way or the other emotionally would be twisted against her - or so Ted Tonks cautioned. So she did her best to make the Ministry's job as easy as possible with the whole process.

She'd be lying to call her stay in the holding cell 'comfortable' by any measure. That said, it was clear to anyone that the true discomfort awaited for when the trial was to begin.

Harry arrived with Professor Sprout via floo to the Ministry. Once there, they joined Professor McGonagall with Fred, then Professor Snape with Rowle and MacNair. Together, they were guided by the professors down (and in many directions) through the elevator. On arriving at their destination, Harry looked around curiously. "This isn't the same place we had my relatives' trial."

"No, it is not." Snape answered. "This trial is not open to the public, so they had to select a more private courtroom."

Rowle narrowed her eyes. "Why isn't it public?"

Snape replied. "I'm sure you will agree, Miss Rowle, that any instructional detail that may come forth on horcrux creation and demon-summoning ought to be kept away from public knowledge."

The girl grimaced at the idea. With a jerky nod she muttered "I suppose" and kept silent as they walked through the doors. The same could not be said for the others.

"GEORGE!" Fred raced forward. In little time he reached a nearby group of redheads and launched himself against his brother. The two spoke rapidly to each other, words Harry only half-caught. His own attention was split from looking around the room. Eventually he spotted Sirius and went over to him. The two hugged tight, and Sirius asked how he was feeling.

"I'm alright. Just nervous, really."

"No doubt." They pulled back a bit, with a frown on Sirius' face. "It's all a bit mad, isn't it?"

"You have no idea."

"Still…" He let out a harsh breath. "After this, depending on how it goes, we need to talk about what happened."

Harry nodded. "Of course."

"Your attention, everyone." Dumbledore's soft yet instructional tone caught the room's attention. "Those of you who will be speaking for or against the accused should head to your designated rooms. The law-wizards leading the proceedings will guide you through the process."

With murmurs all around, each group went about their ways. Harry followed after Ted Tonks. The Weasleys came in, too, to his mild surprise.

"You're not going with the others?" He asked the twins.

The brothers looked at each other, communicating silently. Further back, Molly Weasley's eyes seemed to harden. Then George spoke. "No. We know it wasn't her fault. Not really."

"At least not intentionally." Fred added, though his voice was somewhat bitter.

George nudged his brother slightly. "'Sides, we came to a compromise about the whole thing. I'm gonna get a new arm this summer!"

"Really?!"

"Yeah! Bennett's even paying for it. So, you know, can't send a person to Azkaban if they're willing to help out, can you?"

Harry's eyes widened. "Oh, wow. Definitely not. I see what you mean. I'm glad to hear it."

George grinned. "Thanks!"

That was the last bit of cheer to be had for a while. Understandable, given they were attending a murder trial. Melly was brought into the room, chained up in a chair for the Accused. It was hard to tell how she was taking it, as Harry couldn't see her face.

That said, his own feelings were torn up as the law-wizards and witnesses made their cases. It was hard hearing it all again; especially as Rowle and MacNair's testimonies were dissected into detail. It really was horrific, what they went through. Though that was partly eclipsed by their law-wizard, Mister Doyle. He was of the opinion that the Mad (Mudblood) Muggleborn was the truth of the tale and put his questions to that effect. That made Rowle's testimony uncomfortable to watch as, anytime she faltered by mentioning Bill, he would needle his questions in a way that made the poor girl doubt herself, or bite back an urge to lash out. Mister Tonks tried to help Rowle by encouraging her to tell those parts of the day, though with Doyle interfering, mixed with her own doubts, made the entire cross examination incredibly uncomfortable to watch.

When Harry's turn came, he dreaded what was to come. Retelling his side of things was hard enough, but the questions afterward twisted his mind into its own confusions and doubts.

"So you're saying that she showed no suspicious behaviour leading up to these events?"

"She was in a coma, sir." He repeated, yet again.

"And before that? There was nothing that made you suspect that something was amiss?"

"No, sir."

The law-wizard gave an oily smile. "Mister Potter, if you could remind the court; when, exactly, do you believe that this 'demonic possession' first took place?"

He took a moment to think it over. "Around May of our last school year."

"So one year ago?"

"Yes, sir."

"So, what you are saying is, by your account, Miss Bennett has been under possession for nearly an entire year, and you never suspected a thing?"

A small, inaudible gasp entered Harry. That… that was a good point. Did he really notice nothing? This entire time?" He raked through his memories, trying to find something- no- somethings over the last year that he must have written off.

"Mister Potter?"

"Yes- I mean- I'm just thinking it over." That other demon did say something about her only being at risk when she's asleep. Still, there had to be sometime- "Oh! After Quirrell tried to attack me in the forbidden forest- he had been drinking unicorn blood for Who Know Who to stay alive- we found her knocked out near the edge of the forest. When she came to, she was frantic and speaking in a strange language none of us had ever heard before. Then, later, when she was in recovery after he kidnapped her, Professor Snape tried to go into her mind and ended up getting hurt by Cipher in the process. Though, I didn't know at the time that that's why he passed out."

"Hmm… Well," Doyle murmured, "this all took place when You Know Who was nearby. He could well have attacked her in the forest while on his way back to the school. Leaving traces of dark magic on her, perhaps even a cursed trap for any legilimens to find? Chief Warlock Dumbledore is a known legilimens, after all. You Know Who could have used the girl to that effect."

That… weirdly that made sense. That said- "If I hadn't seen Cipher and the other demon last month, I'd consider that. It just doesn't seem possible, with that in mind."

"But you didn't see them, did you?" The man asked pointedly.

He snapped back. "I saw them using her body."

"Any person can change their voice, their manner of behaviour."

"And hurt their friends in the process?"

"Well, no sane person would, of course." The man smirked. Harry growled quietly, but didn't respond. Mister Doyle spent the rest of Harry's time continuing along that tactic. Trying to find ways to make Harry doubt himself, doubt his own memories of the past year. It was an infuriating process, but Harry held firm to the best of his ability. When Ted took to questioning it was a weight off Harry's shoulders. It was still stressful, of course, but at least Ted was trying to help Harry. He focused more on Harry's visits to the hospital wing, as well as his interactions with Bill and the other demon. He gave as much detail as possible. What they said, how they said it, and how it all compares (or rather, doesn't) to his friend's usual self.

That part went fairly well. As did George, Fred, and Snape's time on the stand. Having a wizard question Snape's sanity… Well, it was very funny to watch him try. Unlike Rowle, there was zero hesitation to bite off the man's head; especially when he suggested that Snape "let a child's imagination get the better of him." Then the humour left as Doyle called on the next witness.

"I'd like to call Bennett's self-proclaimed demon to the stand."

There was a murmuring among those in attendance. The head judge of the proceedings looked visibly confused. "You wish to summon a creature that doesn't exist to the witness stand?"

"Precisely." The man purred. "With how dedicated the defence is that this murder was caused, not by Miss Bennett, but by demons, I'm sure we'd all like to hear from the source itself."

From his desk, Mister Tonks stood quickly. "Your Honour, I'd advise against this. My client has gone through a harrowing experience, and to force her to summon one of these demons-"

"It's alright, Mister Tonks!" Melly's voice called out. Her head tilted back to try and look at Tonks, but could only see him from the periphery with how tightly the chains bound her. With a steady breath she continued. "It's alright. Luc is the only one left, and he won't be a danger. I promise."

"I'm not worried about him being a danger, Miss Bennett-"

"But if this is what it takes, it's worth it." Melly shifted to look at Doyle. "As long as you're serious about treating him as a witness."

"Oh, of course." The man purred.

Harry shivered. Not for a reason he could pinpoint, but something about the exchange felt wrong. Yet the adults eventually consented, and Melly was given a moment to bring the demon forward. In the awkward silence that came from the waiting, Harry glanced around the room. Some others were doing the same, or gave varying looks of discomfort as they waited.

A deep hum came out from Melly, her head glancing down at the chains, then fingers and joints wriggled about in testing motions.

Mister Doyle drawled impatiently. "I take it that you're the demon?"

Her head lifted up to address him. The American accent, back again. "I take it that you're the lawyer?"

The man's face scrunched in disgust. There came a stillness as Doyle tried to smooth out his expression. It didn't succeed. "Before we begin…" He tapped his curled fingers against his leg in contemplation. He attempted to bring back his usual, oily smile, but it came out taut and strained. "Do you consider yourself of legal age?"

The answer came easily. "On every account."

"In that case…" The smile eased out, "would you consent to testifying under veritaserum?"

"OUT OF THE QUESTION!" Mister Tonks called loudly, practically shoving off from the desk to the centre of the room. "Possession or not, my client is underage! She cannot testify under veritaserum!"

"But you said that this isn't your client, didn't you?" Doyle taunted. "But a woman- or man?- of legal age has no such restrictions."

Before anyone else could say anything, the demon, Luc, spoke up. "Just to clarify, veritaserum is that truth-telling concoction you humans made up, correct?"

The law-wizards looked back at Luc, the other one giving a look like he wanted to slap her, yet he answered tersely. "Yes. It is."

"How long do the effects last?"

Mister Tonks cut in, "Now, wait, there's no reason to-"

"Thirty minutes, at minimum."

"I object!" Mister Tonks looked over at the judges. "This is my client's body who will be consuming veritaserum, which is against the law!"

"But it's not the child's mind who is being affected." The comment had Ted look incredulously at the one who spoke, Luc itself. "It's mine. Well, by a technicality of consciousness rather than biology. If it helps, Mister- Tonks? Correct?- so long as we provide the full distinction and privileges between witness and defendant I'm sure we can come to a reasonable arrangement."

"...Privileges?" Doyle asked.

"It's unreasonable for a witness to answer questions in chains, don't you think?" It replied and, Harry could almost swear it, the demon grinned as it said so. "After all, it's not like I'm the one on trial for murder. What mixed messaging would that give, to give testimony as my own self while being treated as the accused? Legally questionable, for sure. It wouldn't look good for either of you." The group was stunned silent as it continued. "And, of course, I require the ability to walk freely until the effects wear off. That way no one can argue that someone underage was under effect. It's a perfectly reasonable arrangement for all parties here."

The silence ended. Voices buzzed from the Wizengamot. Some broke out into small arguments. The law-wizards themselves joined in, and the arguments grew louder. With a gavel struck for order, the objection was sustained, forcing away the ideas of using veritaserum and releasing her from the chains.

Annoyingly, Luc took the decision badly. Its head flung back against the chair and gave a sound of disgust before speaking. "Ugh! How dull. Fine, fine, have it your way. Ask your little questions." Then it grumbled. "This is going to get annoying fast."

Doyle seemed similarly annoyed. "Alright, then. Can you state your name for the council?"

"I can," It answered with cheek. "Lucifer Morningstar."

The man blinked rapidly. His mouth opened and closed in bafflement. Then he laughed. "...I'm sorry, you're saying you're the Devil?"

What? Harry's eyes widened. He can't be serious?!

"Devil, Satan, Memnoch, Prince of Darkness, Silver Tongue, and a plethora of other monikers that have sprung through the aeons. Though Lucifer or, in your case, Mister Morningstar, will do just fine."

He couldn't help it, the man cackled. "Oh! I get it now! The Devil made me do it. Miss Bennett, you're brave, I'll give you that!"

"Oh, please, don't lump me in with that triangular monstrosity." Lucifer scoffed. "I had nothing to do with Cipher's happytime murder spree."

Instead of addressing him, Doyle turned to the Wizengamot. "Distinguished members, surely you can see now that the girl is mad? Imagining spectres of the Devil to act on her impulses, hiding behind-'' Doyle kept talking, at least- his mouth kept moving. Though no sound came out of it. As the man began to flounder with mutism, Lucifer spoke.

"Gentlemen, ladies, surely you can see that the man's prattling is getting us nowhere. Perhaps Mister Tonks should take the lead while Mister Doyle uses that time to collect his senses?"

As Doyle waved his wand in frustration at his throat, several members of the Wizengamot whitened. One of them spoke. "I'm sorry, did you silence him?"

"Yes," He said in a way that seemed to ask 'Why are you even asking?' "He's being annoying."

"But- you're not armed! You're in the chair!"

"And?"

The Wizengamot member gaped at him. Beside Lucifer, Ted cleared his throat. "Ah, you aren't supposed to cast magic while sitting there."

"Hmph. Well if I wasn't in the chair that wouldn't be an issue, would it? Also if the man bothered to do his job correctly."

Harry got the sense that that wasn't at all what Ted was getting at.

"Yes, well- please refrain from it in the future, Mister Morningstar."

"If it will speed up the proceedings," It answered in a bored tone.

After a bit of commotion, one of the staff cast a finite on Mister Doyle. The man blustered with his restored voice. Though the silent silencing spell had enough effect on his senses that he allowed Ted to take on the first round of questioning. The change gave him the ability to set the timeline of Lucifer's presence. It started with the ritual, appearing before her in a windowless shack to hear out a bargain.

"What exactly did this bargain entail?"

"Our arrangement is that I am to provide her the means to protect her secrets. In return, she must deliver me particular visions of the future."

The law-wizard clicked his tongue. "That's not an exact answer."

"And yet it's all I can give you."

"What do you mean?"

"My true self gave her the means to protect her secrets. I am that means of protection. An imprint of myself, supplanted to guard the most important of her secrets. Therefore, I cannot divulge the details surrounding them."

"If that's the case, why bother with the others, then? She had you to guard her thoughts, so why did she bring other beings into the fold?"

Lucifer hummed in thought. "I was the first person she approached, so I don't know what deals she made and with who- aside from two, that is. The best guess I can make is that she felt it necessary to guard her lesser secrets. Secrets she needed access to, as opposed to mine which are banned from her consciousness entirely."

"She banned herself from her own memories?"

"That's what I said."

That gave people in the room something to chew on. Quiet murmurs went around the room. Even Ted went quietly pensieve. "...Why would she do that?"

Lucifer gave a low chuckle. "I can't answer that."

"You can't tell me what would possess a person to seek out a deal with the Devil himself, to be the sole keeper of their darkest secrets?!"

"Oh, well that's a different question entirely." Lucifer answered impishly. "It's because I'm not! Someone found out some of her little secrets." Her fingernails clacked gleefully against the armrest. "About how she's eliminating Voldemort's power sources one by one, and that Pettigrew's arrest wasn't an accident."

"WHAT?" The question made Harry jump as Sirius leapt to his feet. Now standing above the crowd with that booming question, he was easier to be spotted from the witness' periphery.

"Oh, he never told you?" It purred. "You were going to rot in Azkaban until July of 1993. You only escape to go on a revenge hunt for Pettigrew, and end up dying, instead." It turned back to Mister Tonks. "When that person realized the truth, he cornered the girl and gave a very thorough interrogation. After an exposure like that, well, she couldn't risk that again. Not with what's at stake. Enter: Me! The key to her salvation!" He chuckled darkly. "Well, while this tale breathes, at any rate."

Hands gripping against the bench in front of him, Sirius looked down and over to where Mister Salvatore sat, speaking in a more hushed tone. "Tell me it's not true!"

Harry leaned over to get a look at Mister Salvatore, but couldn't see much of the man's face. Just the chin and a bit of cheek as he gave the smallest of headshakes. Whatever the expression, it must have rocked Sirius, for he slumped back into his seat with no other words.

Beyond them, the trial continued, yet Harry felt numb as the Devil was asked more questions about his time in Melly's mind. She knew! All this time! …She's the reason Sirius is free. Harry reached out, clasping his godfather's hand, feeling Sirius squeeze tightly. If Sirius never got out of Azkaban, Harry would have… Sirius would have… 'ended up dying, instead.' He shuddered. It was like he was standing on a small platform in a dark hole, with puzzle pieces raining down around him as he swiped sluggishly for the pieces, trying to grasp at clues for it to all make sense. How long had she known? It couldn't have been long, could it? Pettigrew was caught in April, he recalled. But for that to not be an accident… When did she see the truth? Why hadn't she said anything!

Shock and frustration dimmed into hot embers. In an effort to stove them away, Harry fought to re-focus on the trial. At the moment, Ted was asking something. "-regret that choice?"

"Without question." Lucifer answered. "During last year's events the girl learned well that some remedies are worse than the disease itself. Unfortunately for her she wasn't a match for Cipher's cunning. Not that I'm surprised. From what information I gained before his expulsion, he's fooled far greater minds in the past. Though the muggles' methods didn't provide Cipher an entry into this dimension as he's plotting for."

Voices whispered around the room. "So you're saying he's done this before?"

"At least two other times before. One of which was a scientist, and the other involved a group called 'The Pines'. Alas, his cryptic gloating only revealed that much."

"I see."

The exchange continued. Mister Tonks asked a variety of questions to bring as full of a picture as possible. Knowing well that it would all be in danger once Mister Doyle takes the lead.

Until then-

"I'd like to propose a recess." Mister Doyle spoke. "It is close to noon, and I'm sure the court and those in attendance require a moment's respite before we continue."

After some muttering, the head judge spoke. "Very well. We will reconvene in one hour's time."

-they have a moment to breathe.