Spirits of the Living
a Sailormoon-Harry Potter-Slayers fanfic..
by Kellybug
SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY -
SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY - SM-HP-TRY -
Chap. 27
The morning before the trial of "The Thief" Dumbledor, Usagi and her family (blood- and extended) were having coffee in the Dungeouns of Slytherin:
"Is everything made-ready for the trial?" Usagi asked her table-mates.
"The representatives of the Goblin-Nation are ready, my Owner!" Ami chirped and smiled. "We just wait for Dumbledor to present himself!"
"How fare the Ookami ano Kyongshi?" Usagi asked Naru and Umino.
"Werewolves are content!" Naru smiled. "Finding students and teachers good-neighbors, hai! Good-relations, even, with parents! Good-relations, especially, with non-magical parents! Yes. As good as with Black-Magic Party! And? With Lovegoods!"
"Lovegood Xeno ano Lovegood Luna are known for being, both, neutral when it comes to ookami ano kyongshi! Have known good, have known bad!" Rei smiled.
"Much like mahautsukai! Have been good? Have been bad!" Minako added. "Take as individuals!"
"Same thing with vampires!" Umino grinned. "Vampires live on as they lived, when they lived! Hai. Some had bad life, and it effects life-after-death! Demo. Some had good life before death have trouble understanding lives, now! Just want to make friends! 'White-Magic'-Party of Dummadoro make that very hard!"
"Ookami and Kyongshi have been hurt by Dummadoro." Staring into her coffee-mug, Usagi's eyes turned slowly to the blood-red of a Lunar eclipse:
"Ookami ano Kyongshi shall hurt.. no more! Iyaa."
"Aneue?" Shingo asked as he returned to the Potion-Master's Sanctum, "Gomennissai for this intrusion! McGoniga-Sensai in in Great-Hall with King Robert of Magical-Britian and Charles of Muggle-Britian!"
"Hai!" Usagi perked up. "Guests here to bear witness to trial? Good!" She, then finished her coffee, and filled a traveling-mug. "Let us go, and explain how we will restrain
'Rat-of-Hogwarts' for trial! Come, My ami-chan! Must not keep Kings waiting! Iyaa. Have countrymen to reassure!" She, then, turned to her Lieutenant:
"Snape Ami-chan?" Usagi snapped out. "You are best one to explain to Goblins their role before trial! We want Dummadopo safely in trap when trap is sprung! No reason for Dummadopo-roast to escape well-deserved stew-pot!"
"Hai, my Owner!" Amelia Katherina Seraphim grinned, much like a goblin.
And, Rei and Minako shivered slightly.
And, Makoto giggled, somewhat eerily.
And, Hermoine hopped in responce!
After caffiene-refills, the entire-squadron left in formation for the Great-Hall, traveling-mugs firmly in-hand. The formation stopped in front of the High-table, and bowed in respect
to McGonigal and her guests, then Usagi and Amelia Katherina Seraphim stepped up and saluted the Head-Mistress and Sovereigns:
"Marshalls Tsukino and Snape-Mizuno reporting for duty, Head-Mistress!" Usagi snapped out. "Ready to prepare Dummadoro for trial!"
"And, how - if I may ask - how this will be done, Your Highness?" McGonigall enquired, with a rather-knowing grin on her face! Whatever these girls were cooking, the dish would be delicious! Delicious for everyone but Dumbledor, of course! The long-bearded goat HAD started this couldron to cooking, however.
"We will just open up the school, Sensei!" Usagi replied. "Now that we cleaned it up? Baka will want to make clean-house his house, again! Get REVENGE on two NOVICE-witchlings dano!"
"'Novices'?" McGonigall chuckled, as Severus and Saeko fought to keep their composure!
"'Novices', only because Princesses have never been to Hogwarts', before!" Ami slowly bowed with an elegant grin. "Princesses more-magical than all of Hogwarts' staff of worthies, put together!"
And Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Hermoine Granger, Harry Potter, and Luna Lovegood were on the floor, writhing in giggles!
"Dum.. bledor..," Draco gasped out between giggles, "always thought himself.. better.. than his.. betters!"
"A fatal flaw.. I will assure you." Ami smiled, and then took another sip of coffee.
"Speaking of beings smarter than Hogwarts'?" Usagi purred to her Lieutenant, "Amelia Katherina Saraphim? Tell judges why they need to stay low until sundown!"
"Hai, Usagi-ane!" Ami chirped. "Goblins will understand, very well, and agree!"
"Ara.. Usagi-aneue!" Shingo grinned. "I forgot to report, Dementors have been reported around Hogwarts! Some are here, beyond doubt, to keep witness for Prosecution from running-away. Too many are here
to stand guard, demo."
"All Azkaban has?" Usagi clapped her hands. "HAI! Setsuna-Sama willl be able to send ALL kidnapped-joji HOME! Pluto will no longer be sad!"
After a busy breakfast, with every remaining House wanting advice from the Senshi - particualarly, Usagi and Amelia Katherine Seraphim - the students left for their various classes! The outdoor-classes kept watchful eyes and ears opened for any signs of Albus Dumbledore, who was now considered "Public-Enemy Number One" in Magickal Britian!
As the morning wore on to lunch, the Senshi still kept getting reports on Dumbledore's whereabouts, plus any movements of the few followers the former-Headmaster had left.
Lunch and tea-time were rather-relaxed, though still vigilent, with both student-body and teachers being rather-jovial! Some, it seemed, for the first time in ages!
"Pardon me, Mistress McGonigall? Your majesties? Your highnesses?" Madame Hooch bowed and smiled. "The latest-flight, Hufflepuff, just landed and reported sensing Dumbeldor lurking at the edge of the Forbidden Forest! They said he seemed a bit perprexed!"
"He did, did he?" Minerva asked, grinning over her teacup.
"Not hiding his perplexities?" Rei asked and Minako giggled.
"Hunger probably fighting better-judgement?" Amelia Katherine Seraphim asked.
"Baka never has HAD 'better-judgement'." Saeko groused.
"The truth, times ten." Severus sighed.
"When hunger outweights self-preservation," Usagi grinned, "Dummadoro will come in! Then trial will begin! Hai."
Soon, the classes of the day were over, and dinner was about to be served in the Great Hall, when Usagi and each of the Senshi seemed to awaken to a strange feeling. A feeling which placed a hungry, wolfish grin on each of their faces.
"Guest-of-Dishonour is waiting to come inside, Mistress!" Ami leaned into Usagi and whispered in her ear.
"Then, by all means, let him in!" Usagi whispered back. "Trial should get under way! Goblins and wolves and vampyri look hungry! Make sure Otousan ano Okaasan have protective-spells around Diggory no Petils! And, Harry-kun ano Hermi-chan no Luna-chan!"
"Hai, my Owner!" Amelia Katherine Seraphim courtsied in respect to Usagi. "I shall tell my parents to watch over our charges!"
And, with that, Ami Kat went to advise the Snapes!
Soon, Usagi whispered an incantation, and the barriers around Hogwarts fell, allowing Albus entry into the school.
And, Usagi smirked a little as an old, magical scarecrow took the bait!
"So?" Albus asked, conspiratorially, of Usagi. "This is what you have done with Hogwarts'?"
"Hai!" Usagi's smirk grew wider. "Needed make-over! Too much darkness! Much too much. Even Goblins agree."
At the word "Goblins", Dumbeldor seemed to awaken from a dream, and looked around wildly for any Goblins.
After whispering an incantation to securely-reseal Hogwarts, Usagi grinned. And, pointed in back of Albus:
"Guests are in back of you - former-Headmaster! Hai!"
Dumbledor slowly turned around, and paled and shivered, to the sight of two regal-looking goblins, in the robes of the judge:
"King Griphook of the Goblins of Britannia and his second, Lord Sharpnose, have - for this time - agreed to depence with Goblin-tradition, and hold court-trial for all to see truth of 'Greatest Wizard since Merlin'! Is Prosecution ready?"
Amelia Katherine Seraphim Snape-Mizuno, in her blue collar and holding the ice-spear of Mercury, arose from her desk:
"Prosecution is ready to procede, Your Highness!"
"Thank you, Princessa Amelia Katherina Seraphim of House Snape and House Mizuno, heir of Mercury, you may be seated." She then slowly turned and disrobed before the goblin-judges. "As I am a PART of the case against The Dummadoro, I MUST have you agree that - by Goblin-law - I am allowable to try The Dummadoro! Test me, your honors! Examine me."
Griphook and Sharpnose then sniffed carefully - and closely - of Tsukino Usagi:
"Yes!" Sharpnose grinned. "Not only has the Dragon awakened in the Lunari, but? She has come to flower! As has the Mazuko! You shall make a fine Queen! And? Better Judge!"
"We can SMELL the trouble plaguing you, Daughter of Serenity!" Griphook intoned. "The fears are just vapors, Princess, nightmares to be banished. ALL have been touched by the Madness. Even, we who judge! Let not the thought that you have been harmed keep you from fearing you cannot weigh discreetly! You may take your seat."
As the Goblins finished making their pronouncement, Usagi rose slowly, re-robed, and took her place on the Bench-of-Judgment. She then called the session to order.
"In accordance with the laws of Great Britian, both Magical and Muggle, Goblin Law, and the writs of Luna, this court is called to hear the charges brought against one 'Albus Dumbledor'! Does the Defendant have proper-counsel?"
"This 'Court' has no powers over me!" Albus said, imperiously. "I shall defend myself!"
"The Fool hath spoken." Severus softly chuckled.
"Hai." Saeko agreed with her husband. "Old Courtroom-saying: 'He who represents himself in court has a fool for a lawyer'."
"Then," Usagi spoke solemnly, "since you have chosen to represent yourself? Let us, now, procede to the charges! You, Albus Dumbledor, are hereby charged with theft, misappropriation of funds as Headmaster of Hogwarts' School of Wizardy and Witchcraft, kidnapping, rape, murder, attempted-murder, conspiracy to commit murder, graft, and treason against the governments of Magical- and Muggle Great Britian and Ulster! How do you plead?"
Dumbledor stood silent.
"The JUDGE has asked, as a courtey," Griphook growled and beared his teeth, "how does the defendent plead?"
"This 'Court' has no powers over me!" Albus repeated, standing and glaring to intimidate the Judges.
Usagi - remembering how she had done that, herself, in her younger-days, swallowed a chuckle and turned to her Second, smiled and nodded.
Amelia Katherina Seraphim Snape-Mizuno, Princess of Mercury, then arose from her seat at the Prosecutors' Table and, with all the sympathies Gobblins were famed for, produced the Ice-Spear of Mercury ane swiftly thrust it into Dumbledor's hip!
And? Dumbeldore yelped and whimpered, "That hurt!"
"My Mistress, The Judge, asked how does the Defendant PLEAD?!" Princess Amelia Katherine Seraphim of Mercury hissed out her qustion. "Guilty or not? The Judge demands an answer, and her patience wears thin!"
The spear never seemed to melt, as Dumbledor started to shiver and stutter!
The Senshi of Venus and of Mars, meanwhile, were staring at the Senshi of Mercury, shivering themselves, eyes wide, and holding on to each other for dear life!
"Let's NEVER make The Lady Mercury mad at us?" Rei begged Minako. "Ja ne?"
Minako could only nod slowly, transfixed by the blue-haired Senshi. Finally, she whispered out hoarsely, "Hai."
Meanwhile, closer to Severus and Saeko, Cedric, Parvati, Padme, Harry, Hermoine, and Luna were breathing-out a chant:
"Iced boggard.. Iced boggard.. Iced boggard.. Iced boggard.."
"We ask, again." Amelia Katherine growled low, much like a leopardess, "How - does - the - defendant - wish - to - plead? Guilty.. or, no?"
"Not.. Guilty.. your.. Honors!" Albus stuttered, as he tried to rub warmth into his hip.
"There, now!" Amelia Katherine Seraphim grinned, much like a hungry wolf, and pet back Albus' hair, and licked his forehead. "That did not hurt. Much."
"Just scared the piss out of the old fossil!" Severus chuckled lighly as he whispered in Saeko's ear, causing his wife to giggle.
"I thought", Flitwick noted to the assistant-nurse, "that AROMA smelled vaguely familiar."
"Good!" Usagi chirped and clapped. "Now that we have plea? We can commence. Is DMLE ready to present case?"
"We re ready, Your Highness!" Andromeda Black Tonks arose from her seat at the Prosecutor's Bench, next to Sailormercury, evidence and testimonies readied for the Judges' examination.
"Will the 'Defence' be ready for any rebuttal?" Usagi looked into the eyes of Dumbledor.
"I SHALL, witchling!" Albus growled as his irises glowed a strange, feral green. "Do.. your.. worst!"
"We shall see, Chaos," Usagi responded, "whose 'worst' is, indeed, worse. Let the trial of Great Britian vs. Albus Dumbledor now BEGIN!"
Suddenly, Albus felt chains bind him to the Defendant's Chair as he had never been bound, before!
"These chains that bind you, Dumbledor," Griphook announced solemnly, "Are the chains that bind Fenrir of Asgarde! They will allow you to call and cross-examine witnesses, but! Will not allow you to - escape - your fate!"
"As it should be." Usagi announced. "Are werewolves ready to witness trial?"
Oosaka Naru, comfortably seated upon her broom, arose from the Slytherin-end of the hall:
"Wolves are ready," Naru announced, "hai!"
"Good!" Usagi respended, nodding and smiling to her chambermaid, then, turned to the old-Gryffendor-end of the hall:
"Are Vampyri ready to witness trial?"
Gurio Umino arose seated on his broom:
"Vampires are ready to witness, your Highness!" Umino nodded sharply.
"Good!" Usagi grinned to her butler. "Court will NOW come to order! The Prosecution may call it's first witness."
Amelia Katherina Seraphim stood up proudly:
"Thank you, your Honors! The Prosecution wishes to call as it's first Witness Aberforth Dumbledor!"
"Now, why should you have to call my brother as a first-witness?" Albus asked The Prosecution, looking directly at Sailormercury.
"Does Oldbus really want to hear Amelia Katherina Seraphim's answer?" Harry snickered a whisper to Hermoine and Luna.
"It is because, O Dumbledor," Ami closed her eyes to Dumbledor's stare and smiled, rather like a cat, "Goblins wish to get to root of problem! Feel that disease started long before greybeard become Headmaster?"
"Oh? The records of Dumbledor's behavior goes back long before he became Headmaster, I assure the Worthies on the Bench!" Andromeda Black Tonks said as Representative for the DMLE. "Back, in fact, to his association with the late Gillert Grindelwald!"
"Now!" Amelia Katherina Seraphim turned to face the witness, "Do you, Aberforth Dumbledor, swear to tell the truth before these Judges to the best of your ability? Knowing that to do otherwise is seen as a crime, among the Goblins, punishable by death?"
"I do!" Replied the aged wizard.
"Arigatounissai!" Amelia Katherina nodded and smiled. "Thank you! Now? Mr. Dumbledor! What is your relation to the Defendant?"
"I am the older-brother of the idiot!" Aberforth growled out.
The Great Hall, fill with witnesses, jurors, and various other attendees, was abuzz with gasps and snickers!
"That.. may be.. Aberforth-niisan." Amelia Katherine Seraphim half-whispered.
"'May be'?" Andromeda Tonks whispered into Ami's ear, trying not to giggle out loud.
"However?" Amelia Katherine continued, "For the sake of the Judges and Jurors, Lord Aberforth? What did the Defendant do that made him an 'Idiot'?"
"He took the concern our sister, Arianna, had for him, and twisted it into an incestuous affair!" Aberforth glared at his brother, and then produced letters. "I have proof, by our sister's own hand! Then, under his dark spell, he sacrificed her to his true love! Gillart Grindelwald!"
"But, Aberforth! My brother!" Albus automatically stood-up to plead to his brother. "Do we HAVE to bring Arianna into .. this?"
"Our SISTER was brought into this when you GAVE her over to Grindelwald!", Aberforth shouted in defiant response.
"Since the name has been stated before the Triumverate?" Griphook, Usagi, and Sharpnose spoke as one, making Rei, Minako, Makoto, and a present Hotaru shiver involuntarily. "The witness will procede with his testimony, as he is under Goblin-oath!"
"Do not worry, Dumbledore Albus.." Amelia Katherina Seraphim Snape-Mizuno hissed like unto a basilisk. "You will have .. a chance .. to cross-examine the witness! Lord Dumbledore? Pray present the letters.. to the judges?"
The letters were passed from Aberforth Dumbledor to Amelia Katherine Seraphim to the Judges. First, Griphook and Sharpnose carefully searched and sniffed the letters:
"The letters have the penmanship and smell of the Arianna Dumbledor", Griphook confirmed.
Then, as soon as she was handed each letter, Usagi read them, making sure that her empathic mind and heart understood each sentence before placing them back upon the Judges' Bench:
"Let.. these letters.. be marked as Prosecution Exhibit A." Usagi's voice came out in a tremble as she handed the letters to Ami. "The Court may procede."
The Prosecution quickly went over each letter.
"This is, indeed, interesting!" Amelia Katherina Seraphim said. "Also troubling. Will save questions for Defendent demo. This finishes our questioning of the witness, for now. If Defence wishes to cross-examine the witness?"
"I do!" Albuus then stood up as staight and tall as he could, and - stroking his beard - stalked over to his brother and proceded to stare at him:
"Aberforth, my brother, would you kindly tell me - and, the court? Why you dragged our dear sister's name into this - trial? Do you, really, hate me so?"
"Does he really want his brother to answer that?" Harry whispered to Hermoine and Luna. The two young witches quickly squelched their giggles.
"You can glare at me all you wish, Albus!" Aberforth countered. "You know as well as I your charms will not work!"
And, Albus cursed at himself for trying to best his brother.
"As for why I brought Arianna into this?" Aberforth continued. "Our sister was PUT in the middle of the affair between you and Grindlewald, and you left her there as a sacrificial-LAMB for that dark BASTARD to use and to KILL!"
Gasps came up though the hall, followed to murmers!
"But.. Aberforth.. my brother..", Ablus struggled with his defence, "I had no idea that.. this would happen?"
"That is not what the Arianna Dumbledor wrote in her letters." Sharpnose stated. "Judge Tsukino? Read the last letter of the Arianna Dumbledor to the court."
"Dearest Aberforth", Usagi began to read, "I am afraid. Afraid this will be my last letter to you. Or? To anyone."
As Usagi continued to read the letter, her eyes slowly become the color of a lunar-eclipse, and her voice molded into that of another, a young English witch:
"I am accompanying our brother, Albus, to a rendevous with Lord Grindelvald. And? A goodly part of me is scared. I do not wish to go, but, I feel that I am compelled to! Albus chooses to go, and, where my dear love Albus goes, I must follow. Even to Hell and the grave. "I feel weakened, and, quite unto death. And? All I can see is that leacherous gaze of Albus. But? Is that gaze for me? Or, for Gillert? I know that poor Albus follows that dark bastard around like a puppy! He's quite in love with him. And? I fear it will be the death of him. But? I am assured, not before me. Grindelwald needs a sacrifice this moon, though the wherefor anf the why of it I do not know. And, I know I am be it. So? I am owling you this missive, knowing it shall be my last. Keep my memory with you. Always.
"Your sister, always, Arianna."
Her eyes still the color of the lunar-eclipse, Usagi took the second of the three letters pinned by Arianna and addressed to Aberforth:
"My dearest Aberforth,
"I have never been as happy as I am, now! My Albus said he needs me! He actually admitted he needs me! He doesn't just love me, he needs me! With every member of his magnificent body! There is a power to him, and, only to him. And? I have given myself to the power. I cannot help buy giggle in sheer delight as that power forces forces its way into this willing vessel. They say it is wrong, that it is dark beyond measure. But? How can that be? When I am with brother Albus, he makes me feel all safe and warm. And wanted. This, my dearest Aberforth, has been all I have ever hoped for, bur dared not ask, ever since the death of our parents! My love, Arianna."
Usagi, from her seat, folded the letter, and headed it Judge Bloodnose. Then she turned a quick gaze to the former-Headmaster. She did not speak, but her eyes shouted volumes:
'How could you?'
"The Court.. thanks you.. for your witness, Heir Dumbledor." Usagi spoke unto Aberforth. "You may step down. But? Know that we may call for you, again." She then turned to face the Prosecutors. "The Prosecution may call their next.. witness."
"Thank you, Your Honor!" Amelia Katherina Seraphim spoke from where she stood. "The Prosecution, and the DMLE, would like to call Lord Thomas Riddle, Jr., of Valdemorte to the stand."
An excited murmer, much akin to the buzzing of bees, arose in the hall at the request of Amelia Katherina Seraphim Snape-Minuzo, only to be hushed as a huge reptilian-form of a man strode confidently to the witness' seat.
"Good Lord Riddle." Ami nodded.
"Councilor." Valdemorte responded.
"Take a seat, please!" Ami offered a ghost of a smile to the witness.
"Thank you, Counsilor." Valdemorte replied. "And? Thank you for using the name giving me at my birth!"
"I take it," Ami asked as her eyes raised slightly, "that you PREFER the name 'Riddle'?"
Her slight smile returned. She knew her audience in the great hall were hooked, and tuning in on Tom Riddle of Valdemorte's testimony.
"My father, Doctor Thomas Riddle, may the gods grant him rest, held more honor than the whole of the Maletropes of Valdemorte put together! Save my mother!"
"I see." Amelia Katherine paced the table, as she pondered how best to preent her next questions. "Is THAT why you were hesitant to enter the darker-arts, Lord Riddle?"
"Yes, Madame Prosecutor!" Valdemorte affirmed. "My mother's kin were well-known, and greatly feared, as the BLACKEST of perveyors of dark-magicks! And? When my missive came from Hogwart's, I made a promise to my mother and father that I would take a different path than my accursed kin! Unfortunately, it was a promise I could not keep."
"And?" Amelia Katherine asked point-blank of the Death-Eater, "knowing the penalty for lying to goblins is death, what made you break your words to your parents, Lord Riddle?"
"'Tis not 'what' made me break my oath to my parents, Madame Prosecutor! But? WHO?!" Tom Riddle, Jr., shifted his accusitory gaze to the defendant, "It was my 'best friend' in school: Albus Dumbledor! 'But? The world has NEEDS of the Dark-Magicks of the famed Maletrops! And, you are the only one to inherit them!' Albus would sweet-talk to me. HA!" Tom pointed a finger towards the ex-headmaster. "By the 'world'? That old theif meant himself! After I had 'mastered' my accursed-family's vast library, I was - as I had known - declared the new 'Dark Lord', by Albus, himself, I was hunted-down by my 'best-friend'! He would have distroyed me, to gain my fame and - most importantly - my knowledge. But? I 'disappeared' before that could happen! And? Afterwards, I warded my family's library! Or? Most of it."
"'Most of it'?" Co-counsel for the Prosecution, Andromeda Black Tonks, asked the witness, then bowed to Amelia Katherina. "Pardon me for speaking out-of-turn, Lady Snape-Mizuno, but, how much of the Library of the Maletropes of Valdemorte was missing? And, more importantly, why was the library warded?"
"Those accursed tomes and grimoires were warded, O Agent of the DMLE," Voldemorte growled dangerously, "so to keep them safe from the PALMS of THIEVES who would try to profit from the knowledge of the Valdemortes AFTER my death. I had, and still have, an aggreement to consign those pages of Most-Dark magic to Goblin-Flames after my death!"
"And?" Andromeda Tonks asked the judges, "Do the Goblins of Gringottes have a list of the stolen-tomes?"
"Gringotts has that list!" Griphook acknowledged, nodding to Sharpnose, who produced the list and handed it to Usagi.
After reading the list of tomes, carefully, Usagi handed the list to Amelia Katherina Seraphim:
"The tomes are incredibly old, Lord Riddle! I recognise an ancient-name!" Amelia Katherina Seraphim noted. "And, from what my father has told me, a cursed-name! What is your relation to this 'Alfonse Alois de Valdemorte'?"
A gasp went through most of the teachers and the students, even those of Slytherin.
"That.. name.. belongs to my great-great-grandfather!" Tom Riddle, Jr., Rumbled like thunder, "May his dark-soul ROAST in the deepest pit of Tartarus!"
"And? That tome contains?" Ami asked Riddle.
"The Revivus-Incantation?" Riddle nodded. "Yes. My accursed-ancestor searched for that long-thought-dead bit of magic! Unfortunately, he found it. And practised it. And perfected it! I had - hoped - with all me being, that the Revivus would be destroyed, forever, in Goblin-Fire! But? The Grimoire that held it vanished from the Valdemorte Libraries before the fire could be lit!"
"I have read of the Incantation. The Revivus. In the Schools of Mercury." Amelia Katherina Seraphim remembered with a deepening frown. "When mine was still just a branch of the Royal-Tree of the Mercurians. We understood it to be Earthan magic. Arkkadian, if I remember. We also knew it to be forbidden magic, even to the darkest-of-wizards, then. Can you explain.. to the assembled hall.. why it was forbidden, Lord Riddle?"
"It is.. forbidden..", Riddle breathed out, "because it takes the spirit of a deceased-person, and places it - forcefully - in the living-soul of another!"
"Yes." Ami nodded. "And? As anyone who has studied the workings of the living-soul can affirm..?"
The young Prosecutor then turned to Hino Rei. The young Miko's face was frozen in shock and wide-eyed fear:
"A soul possessed by another spirit", Rei arose and spoke in a voice the whole of the Great-Hall could hear, "cannot long survive the invasion! No matter how gentle the incoming-spirit tries to be."
A gasp arose from the witches of Hogwarts, student and teacher alike.
"Arigatou, Rei-chan!" Ami bowed to her sister-Senshi. "You may return to your seat."
"But.. but.. the world has NEED of the magics of The Maletropes of Valdemorte!" Albus quickly arose in his defence. "And.. and.. you would have had that legacy BURNED, Thomas?"
"'The world' does not need the spells and encantations of the Maletropes, Albus!" Tom pointed an accusatory finger at Dumbledore. "Just you."
"But.. but.. look at Judge Tsukino! And.. and.. Pro.. se.. cutor Snape!" Albus stuttered, trying to regain control of himself and his school. "THEY are of two spirits! THEY are living! Surely, THEY can teach us how to join..."
"The only reason WE.. my sister-Senshi and our family and friends.. are succeeding as 'two spirits', DEFENDENT Dummadoro!" Usagi snapped-out from her seat. "Is because we- Amelia Katherine Seraphim and myself, Ryo, Mamoru, Rei, Minako, Makoto, Hotaru, Shingo, Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna, Naru, Umino, Otousan and Okaasan - are not 'shared' - spirits. We are reincarnates! Our spirits were not forced into us! As the Revivus would have forced them in. If they would have had to force their way into us? I highly DOUBT we would have lived long enough to attend Hogwarts' First-Year! I relinquish the right-to-speak to Prosecutor Snape-Mizuno! I have said my peace. Ami-chan?"
"Thank you, Your Honor!", Ami giggled. Leave it to her Mistress to explain thing so thoroughly before she could do it! She then addressed the witness. "Lord Riddle, of Valdemorte? I sense no mark upon you that would come from ever using the Revivus! Have you ever used that incantation? Or, seen it used?"
"No, Madame Prosecutor, I have not!" Tom replied. "But? My mother, in warning me from her family, admitted that her grandfather, and her father, had performed the incantation before! To make willing-servants, temporarily, out of their hated-enemies! Then? After I started reading my family's library? I realized that the stories my mother told me were actual living-nightmares! Especially, after I saw WHO was called upon BIND the insure the operation went.. as planned. The gaurdians of the Mesopotamian underworld!"
"And," Amelia Katherina Seraphim inquired, "Do you, or The Death-Eaters, who have protected you since the Defendant 'vanquished' you - using his own words - in battle, ever suspected the defendant, Albus Dumbledore, practicing - or preparing to practice - the Revivus?"
"My spies - and those of House Malfoy - have taken note of Dumbldore preparing to use the Revivus, a few times! That is after he tried to perform the accursed spell! Twice."
"And? How were the victims of the Revivus recognized as such?" Amelia Katherine Sersphim asked Lord Riddle.
"Perhaps I may answer that, Ms. Snape?" Andromeda Tonks turned the Amelia Snape. "In going over the historical-reports of the DMLE, I was able to find reports on the victims of the Revivus, the last dating to the 1960s. Our healers, working as mystical Medical Examiners, were able to tell that the corpses-in-question were worked to death, as it were! Some in a very short time, as they had been reorted as healthy individuals just days or even hours before being carried to the healers! Also, the bodies bore the symbols of ancient Mesopotamian dieties of death. Many branded into them. And? Many of the healers said that they were unfamiliar with the traces of the spirits that had exited the bodies, even though they had known the decedants for years! I do have copies of the reports with me, varified by my Superior, Alister Moodey, and Masjestrix Augusta Longbottom!" -
"Thank you, Officer Tonks, and thank you, Lord Thomas Riddle, for your testimonies." Amelie Katherina Seraphimed smiled and bowed to her fellow-Prosecutor. "Officer Tonks? You may hand documents to judges so they may authenticate signatures! Does the defence wish to cross-examine witnesses?"
"No!" Dumbledore threatened to boil over. Then, simmered down. "Ah, no, your honors."
"Oh! Lord Riddle. I have two more questions!" Amelia Katherine Seraphim asked, "Why do you suppose that the defendant only limited himself the using the Revivus only twice? What was missing from the ingredients that the ritual could not be performed more times than that?"
"From what I have gleaned from my research into the damnedable ritual, Madame Prosecutor?" Tom Riddle, Jr., answered Ami Kat Snape-Mizuno, "For the incantation to.. work.. at its optimum, the spirits to be imprisoned together have to not only be equals in energies, but 'mirror-images' to one another! Their qualities have to mirror each other, perfectly! Unfortunately? Such 'Duppelgangers' are very rare! That is why the ritual fails so often! Not that the Maletrops of Valdemorte ever shed many tears for the victims of the Revivus! They were, afterall, beings who were considered 'disposable'!'
"I see." Ami pondered the answer, and her next question. "I am wondering, now! Do you, Lord Riddle, know if the defendant had any other souls that he planned to use in his experiments?"
"Unfortunately, yes!" Tom replied, first with a sour-look on his face, then, breaking into a smile and laugh. "However, I am glad to say that we Deatheaters managed to thwart his schemes!"
"And, who were the lucky souls, Lord Riddle?" Amelia Katherine Seraphim asked.
"They are', Tom Riddle, Jr., recited, "Minerva McGonigall.."
Miinerva recoiled and gasped in horror at the thouught of being used as a puppet, and at being betrayed by someone she had considered a friend! She only started to settle back down when she felt the hands of Agatha Longbottom clasp her hand reassuringly.
"Bellatrix Black.."
"That abomination!" Bella seethed, as Narcissa held protectively to her sister:
"We are here, Bella! We are here. And Dumbledor is damned!"
"Poppy Pomfrey.."
Severus and Saeko both worked to reassure the Medi-Witch that she was with friends, and well-gaurded.
"Lily Evans.."
"Damn your black soul to Hell, Albus!" Harry's mother whispered through her tears.
"And Luna Lovegood."
Hermoine held tightly to Luna, whispering a spell of protection over her new-sister, while Rei and Minako stared and threw silent-curses at the former-headmaster.
"Thank you. Good Lood Riddle." Amelia Katherina Seraphim bowed. "You may step away from the witness' bench, with the warning that you may be called before the judges, again!"
"I understand, your highness!" Tom Riddle of Valdemorte smiled. "Thank you, and the judges, for letting me tell my side of this story."
"And, may you live to see the entirity of the Library of Malatrope of Valdemorte burned to ashes!" Amelia Katherina Seraphim smiled. "The Prosecution now calls to the stand, Lord James Potter!"
A gasp, again, rose up most of the hall, as James Potter arose and strode confidently to the witness stand. That James Potter was alive and inn fine-health was a shock to over two-thirds of the Great Hall! Including Albus Dumbledor, who was trembling and had turned an ashen-color.
"Lord James Potter!" Amelia Katherina Seraphim Snape-Mizuno spoke up crisply. "Do you swear that what you are about the tell this court is thw whole-truth, knowing that the Goblin-penalty for pergery is death?"
"I do, your Highness!" Lord Potter responded crisply.
"You may be sitted, Lord Potter." Amelia nodded. "For the sake of this court, would you, please, state your name. In full."
"Lord James Fleamont Potter." Lord Potter answered. "Of Godric's Hollow, in Sussex. And, Auror, until 1980."
"And, Lord Potter? How long have you known the Defendant, Albus Dumbledor?" Prosecutor Snape-Mizuno asked.
"Since I was a First-Year at Hogwarts, Madame Prosecutor!" Lord Potter answered. "It was Dumbledor who suggested we - my foster-brother, Sirius Black, and I - go into Law! I don't know if he meant Law-Enforcement, per say? But? It seemed like a natural-fit!"
"Oh.. that's what ol' Dumble's meant, alright!" Sirius Black grumbled a whisper to his cousins. "The old Scarecrow thought our reputations from school, plus our affiliation with a werewolf, would tarnish the DMLE so badly that the Aurors of Britian would be denounced and disbanded!"
Bellatrix Black Lastrange fought a suddden urge to cackle and put the Great Hall into a panic!
"That did not happen, did it, dear cousin?" Narcissa whispered through a knowing grin.
"Came right back to bite him in his back-side, Narci!" Sirius grinned.
"I see." Ami Kat lowered her head and smiled as she started to pace before the witness' seat. "Officer Potter, if I may address you as such? When was the first time the defendent ever appeared on the blotters of the British aurors?"
"About.. March of 1980, as I recall!" James Potter searched his memory. "In November of 1979, certain itams reputed to still be wells of cursed-magicks were found on the grounds of Hogwarts' School of Witchcraft and Sorcery, without having been purged of their evil, as Goblin-law and The DMLE both require! In March of 1980, Myself and my partner, Auror Sirius Black, were assigned the tasks of determining the origins of the cursed-objects, and determining who had been in close-contect with them."
"I see." Amelia Katherina Seraphim breathed out, allowing herself a soft chuckle before donning the mannerisms of a teacher and raising her voice as if lecturing the Great Hall:
"While I know the reasoning for needing the learn the origins of a particular dark-item, which is to learn how best to purge it of it's darkest-magicks, can you please explain to the class, Officer Potter, why we need to know of who has been in close-contect with the accursed-items?"
The three Judges had a good laugh in responce to the question!
"Do you think," Severus whispered to his wife, "that our dearest daughter could teach a certain Dunderhead something?"
"I.. think.. Dunderhead will learn." Saeko purred as she turned her eyes to glance at Dumbledore. "Will he live to benefit from what he learns? Highly doubtful!"
"If we can learn who handled the accursed-items, Madam Prosecutor?" James Potter answered, "We may be better able to stop the cancer before it spreads. Maybe."
"Very good!" Ami smiled. "Potter James gets 'A-plus' for explanation! Now? Next question! Were you or Auror Sirius Black ever able to locate any of the cursed-items?"
"Yes, Madam, we were!" James Potter answered. "We recognized the ring of Grindel Grindelwald, immediately, upon the finger of the defendant! And? Sirius and I could feel it was still eminating the darkest of magicks. We, then, went to Gringott's in London to gain permission too speak to the Goblins. And, that was when they explained to us the disappearance of the books from the library of the Maletropes. And, gave us our best description of the Wand of Grindelwald. So? Sirius and I went about surveilling old Albus and were finally able, through our own hidden-magics, to enter his 'sanctum sanctorum', and searched for the stolen-items!. We found the books and the wand, still eminating dark-magicks. We knew that the Goblins were better than human-wizards at dealing with dark-magick, so we decided to report what we had found to the DMLE and the Gringotts! Then, we made our escape. We thought we had gotten away clean! But? One week later, two aurors - higher in rank than us - were found dead of an unknown-curse. It took an examination by the Goblins of Gringotts to identify what killed them as a Revivus ritual! As soon as that news was leaked out, Albus Dumbledore - as High-Muckymuck of the Wizengamut, announced that 'Lord Valdemorte' had returned to reclaim Magical Britian! And, that all active-members of the DMLE had a bounty on our heads!"
"And, did you or Officer Black believe the claim, Officer Potter?" Amelia Katherina Seraphim Snape-Mizuno asked the Auror, looking at the Great Hall.
"Only in-part, Madam Prosecutor!" Officer Potter replied. "We both believed that a boounty had been placed on the Magisters and Aurors involve in the case, but? But Sirius and I both realized that the source of the bounty could not have been Lord Riddle!"
"And, why is that, Officer Potter?" Prosecutor Snape-Mizuno asked, still facing the Great Hall, and any followers of Albus Dumbledore still scattered among the jurors and spectators.
"Because, at the same time the deceased were being examined for what had killed them, the Goblins were examining Riddle for any residual-traces of the Revivus! You see? From what I have been taught, even since before entering Hogwarts? A spell, incantation, or ritaul stains the soul of the sender as much as target. Much like gunpowder on a mortal. And, the more elaborate the ritual, the greater the 'stain'. And, Thomas Riddle, Jr., had not one trace of 'Revivus' upon him!"
"As I have learned, Officer Potter, many times." Amelia Katherina Seraphim purred. "So you and Mrs. Potter went into hiding?"
"At Lilly's insistance!" James explained. "We were at war, no matter who fired first. And? Harry had been born just a few months prior. Lilly was fearing what would happen to our son!"
"So? That is when you went into hiding?" Amelia Katherine Seraphim asked the witness.
"After a long discussion with Lilly? Yes." Officer Potter answered. "Even though I still had questions?"
"Questions?" Ami turned to the witness. "Questions about..?"
"Our safety, Madam Prosecutor!" James Potter explained to the court. "No enchanted 'Safe-House' is truly safe. Not 100 per-cent! Especially, not from those who know of the enchantments to guard it."
"And, who enchanted your sanctum, Officer Potter?"
"My superior, Alestair Moody!" The witness answered. "Under the watchful eyes of Albus Dumbledore, as leader of the Wizengamot!"
"And, did you have a protection-detail, Officer Potter?" Ami asked.
"We did, my wife and I, and Harry!" Officer Potter answered. "Auror Jocasta Lynngate, hand-picked by Albus Dumbledore.. for her 'faithfulness'."
"I see.. overseeing the enchantment of your hiding-place.. and, hand-picking your protector!" Ami pondered. "Tell me, Officer Potter! Were you or Lady Potter ever able to come up with any 'counter-measures' to someone you - obviously - suspected of being villianous?"
"Yes, Madam Prosecutor, I was!" Officer Potter stated. "Lilly, at the time, still trusted the 'Greatest Wizard Since Merlin', but I didn't! So? When I called Sirius to be our 'Promise-Keeper', as Dumbledor suspected I would, I also called Peter Pettigrew, and, under a Silencia-spell, asked them, both, to look into our deaths if anything should happen to us."
"You called in a KNOWN-ASSOCIATE of VALDEMORTE?" Dumbledor stood up and screamed at James.
"Yes, I DID, Albus!" Lilly stood up and screamed from the wolves' end of the Great Hall. "I still trusted you, may the gods forgive me for being that stupid! But? I much as I trusted you, there were three other people I trusted in this world - besides my husband - that I trusted more: Severus Snape, Ramus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew!"
With a snarl and a death-glare, Dumbledore quickly turned to Lilly, and her family shielding her, whele the Senshi arose from the seats they were sitting in, with wands pointed:
"TARTARI!"
Suddenly, Albus Dumbledore was JERKED back and bound to his seat, and gasping for air!
"The accused will have a chance to defend himself..", Usagi spoke, "at the proper-time! Prosecutor Snape-Mizuno? Do you have any further questions for this witness?"
"No, your Honor! I do not!" Amelia Katherina Seraphim responded to Usagi. "Does the Defense with to cross-examine the witness?"
Dumbledore glowered, then mumbled. "No."
"The witness may return to his seat, then!" Usagi grinned.
"Thank you, your Honors!" Lord Potter bowed to the judges, then turned to Amelia Katherina Seraphim with a warm smile:
"Thank you, Madamoiselle Snape-Mizuno! In so many ways, you remind me of your father."
"You are welcomed, Lord Potter!" Ami shily smiled in response. "I take that.. as a compliment."
"As I meant it!" James smiled again. "Now? I must rejoin my wife! Excuse me?"
"You are excused, Lord Potter!" Assistant-Prosecutor Tonks answered James Potter. "You and your Lady have a good night! Prosecution is ready to call our next witness, Your Honors!"
"You may call your witness, Assistant-Prosecutor Tonks!" Griphook spoke, eyeing and appraising Dumbledor. .
"Prosecution calls as its next witness," Amelia Katherine and Andromeda called out in unison, "Lord Peter Pettigrew!"
The Animagus-rat Marauder-turned-spy stapped up to the witness-stand.
"Now, Lord Pettigrew! You are an Animagus-rat! Why, and how, did you gain the form and function of the rat?" Amelia Katherine Seraphim asked, looking out toward the spectator-jurors in the Great Hall.
And, between the two regal goblins listening intently, Usagi was smiling. Her Ami was now in one of the two roles she was - indeed - born for: Lecturing a class!
"I, along with the other Marauders, began to study the arts of the Animagi after we found that our friend, and fellow-classmate, Seamus Lupin was afflicted with the - 'Curse', other Wizads call it - of Lycanthropy! Wee wanted to find a way to calm Seamus during periods of the full-moon so that he would not be a dangers to others, or to himself."
"And that is why you took the Shamanic-totems of animals!" Ami-Kat grinned and nodded. "Werewolves are less-prone to fear and attack one of their own.. a part of the natural-world.. then they are to strike at humans in general, and wizards and witches, in particular! Am I correct, Lord Pettigrew?"
"An 'A-plus' for the teacher, Madamoiselle Prosecutor!" Peter smiled, and produced a bit of fruit. "Along with an apple!"
"Arigatonisai, Pettigrew-Sama!" Amelia Katherine Seraphim smiled before crunching into the apple. After swallowing the bits of fruit, she continued. "I DO have one more question before I give the questions over to Tonks Andromeda-chan, however! To satisfy my curiosity! Why did you choose a rat as your form, Peter-kun? Or, did the Natsumi choose you?"
Pettigrew chuckled lightly. "The rat, Ms. Snape, was chosen for me! I think. As the rat is known for it's quick-wit and intelligence, it's resourcefulness, so are the Pettigrews!"
"Also rumoured to be subversive and ruinous." Adromeda Tonks said with a smile.
"So were the Pettigrews," Peter laughed, "rumoured to be, Ms. Tonks! But, no, my family was just - observent - and careful about with we observed. We have always tried to - avoid - dangers when and where we saw them, and lessen those dangers when we, and others, could NOT avoid them! We Pettigrews are just not as - boastful - as the Potters abouty it, nor as tempestuous as the Blacks."
"We were a boisterous clan," James sighed, smiling at Lily. "I can be glad that Harry's got more Evans in him than Potter, that way!"
Lily Potter, nee Evans, just giggled and held closely to her husband.
"We ARE a bit head-strong!" Sirius barked out.
"A 'bit'?" Bellatrix playfully scoffed at her cousin. "Sirius, my cousin, is that not an understatement of fact?"
"Sirius?" Narcissa smiled and chuckled, "Aberdeen granite is softer than our heads!"
"Arigatounisai, Pettigrew-Sama," Amelia Katherine Seraphim gently bowed, "for revealing background-information! Tonks Andromeda-Sama will ask the next questions. Hai!"
Andromeda Tonks took the floor of the Great Hall, as Amelia Snape-Mizuno took her plkce at the Prosecutor's Table:
"Thank you for sharing, Amelia Kathrine Seraphim!" Andromeda then started her questioning. "Now, Lord Pettigrew! It was as an Animagus-Rat that you starting spying for Lord Thomas Riddle of Valdemorte?"
"Yes, Mrs. Tonks, that is correct!" Pettigrew twitched his nose. "I have been an animagus since my days at Hogwarts! And? I offered my abilties to Lord Riddle, because I began to fear the Headmaster, here, at Hogwarts!"
"And, will you pray tell the Court," Andromeda responded, "WHY you feared the Defendent so much you offered your services to the Lord Riddle of Valdemorte?"
"As I explained to Prosecutress Snape-Mizuno, Prosecutress Tonks," Pettigrew recounted, "I am a Pettigrew, as well as an animegus-rat. As a rat, and a Pettigrew, it is in my being to be inquisitive! And? As a rat, I can get into places the other wizards and witches, even my fellow animagus-marauders, cannot get into. With the possible-exception of Francis Longbottom, our badger! Anyhow, one day my rat's nose sniffed out a particular-offending odor! The darkest of magicks. Much worse the the underparts of Tarteris, itself! My sense-of alarm was raised, but? So was my sense-of-intrigue! I HAD to LEARN what that infernal-stench was! So, I followed it, right into the Head-Master's office. And? His Inner Sanctum! Blacker it was than the stickiest Pitch, with EVIL so thick I thought I would suffocate. And? I heard a cry. The small, desperate cry of a young girl's soul grown mad! The crying was almost unrecognizable. Almost. But? I recognized the words 'incest' and 'murder'! After a few seconds, my eyes adjust to the blackness enough that it no long inky-black, but an inky-grey. And? As I looked around, I saw where the soul of the damned was crying from! The sobs eminated from an inky-black ring! It was the Ring once worn by Gillert Grindelwald. and? Looking around more? I saw the accursed Wand of Grindelwald, spewing forth it's own darkness! And, I felt other damnedables, coming from the darkest of tombes. Twas then I swore to leave that room, and never go back! But? I knew that I would have to warn someone! Someone powerful enough to take on the Dumbledor."
"So? THAT is why you wanted Usagi?" Amelia Katherine Seraphim growled out, staring cold fire at Dumbledor. "You planned to her to trap your sister's spirit, again? To abuse her further? You sick pervert?"
"He deserves Hell, Xellos!" Filia whispered through her tears.
"Iyaa. Scarecrow does not deserve Hell, my Filia." Her husband replied. "Hell would be to kind for him. He deserves MUCH worse!"
"Thank you, Lord Pettigrew!" Andromeda replied. "Dumbledor? Do you wish to cross-examine?"
"And? Why should I WANT to address a self-confessed CRIMINAL?" Dumbledor scoffed.
"And? WHAT, to my knowledge, are my crimes?" Pettigrew sniffed.
"This should be good, my Severu?" Saeko whispered to her husband.
"Besides trespassing?" Dumbledor began, standing and address the court, as though he was administering toddlers. "Spying and Sabutauge? And being an illegal-Animagus!"
The last "illegal"-charge brought laughter from the room.
"About the 'Trespassing'?" Peter stood up to address the defendant. "I only went where my nose lead me! And, as for the spying and sabutauge? I was no one's spy at the time, and I was able to sabutauge nothing - at the time. And? As for being an 'Illegl'-Animagus? When the Marauders studied the art, it was no considered 'illegal'! And? When we finished the lessons? Myself, James Potter, and Frank Longbottom registered with the DMLE! Mrs. Tonks? As a member the DMLE? Was I breaking any laws in becoming an Animagus?"
"No, Lord Pettigrew," Andromeda Tonks answered the witness and the court as she stood up, "you did not! Under the laws of the Wizengamot, and enforced by the DMLE at the time? Being an Animagus was not considered criminal! It was not even considered a 'gray-matter'! In point-of-fact? It was only considered 'gray' after Albus Duumbledor became High-Councilman of the Wizengamot!"
"BAH!" Dubleldor harrumphed. "The old Wizengamot had just grown soft and lazy at that time! Always turned blind-eyes to the Animagi! Humph!"
"Like your Wizengamot turned a blind-eye to the brewing and selling of Love-Potions, Dumbledor?" Usagi rose up. "Not even watching to make sure ingredients were legal and safe?!"
"But.. But!" Dumbledor sputtered and stuttered. "But.. love-potions are needed? And.. and.. well.. accidents.. happen?"
"'Accidents'," Usagi spoke slowly as her eyes turned into eclipsed-moons, "were ALLOWED to happen!"
Each of the Senshi present, plus Naru and Umino, shivered as she listened to their Princess' pronouncement.
"Judge has question for witness!", Usagi snapped out, then turned to face Pettigrew. "Witness James Potter spoke of an Auror-Guard? A 'Jocasta Lynngate'? Hai. Were there any witnesses to who threw the spells? Besides you, Officer Potter, and Lord Riddle of Valdemorte?"
"There were, Judge Tsukino!" The witness answered. "There were two: Raemus Lupin, and the late Jocasta Lynngate, herself. And, though she is dead? Jocasta was kind enough to leave us with a parting-gift! A pensive-tear."
"I see." Andromeda slowly spoke as she scanned DMLE-reports from the crime-scene. "I, also, see no Auror-reports of a pensive found! And their search was exhaustive! Oh? So the report reads!"
"That is because, at Tom Riddle's request, I kept just enough magic in reserve to hide the Pensive in a pearl of layer-upon-layer of occulomancy! Then, Raemus and I hid that pearl in the ruins of the safehouse! Thank you, Albus, for throwing the tantrum that distroyed the safehouse! It not only helped Raemus and me hide the pearl? But it helped Severus retrieve our Stag and Doe and replace them with the Golems!"
Severus and Saeko, meanwhile, were cuddling and skickering at the retelling of the tale!
Albus tried to growl out a curse, only to be bound tighter, by the chains which held him!
And the Potion-Master and his wife collasped on each other, crying with laughter!
"Well, I'll be damned!" Luna Lovegood whimpered to Harry and Hermoine. "It IS funny! Teehee!"
"Defendant will have chance to defend himself!" Usagi remanded the old ex-Headmaster. "Not until Prosecution has rested their case demo! Now? What happened to the Pensive of Jocasta Lynngate?"
"After Moony.. ah, after Raemus Lupin, pardon me!" Pettigrew said. "After Raemus and I played 'Keep-Away' with the Headmaster and the pensive, I gve it to Raemus for safe-keeping! He should still have it?"
"Where is Lupin-Sama dano?" Usagi inquired.
"Amongst the rest of the wolves, I should think?" Peter Pettigrew pondered.
"I am here, your Honors!" A tall thin wizard stood up from the middle of the werewolf pack.
"Yes," Griphook nodded. "You are the Raemus Lupin!"
"And, do you still carry the Pensive," Sharpnose asked, "after all this time?"
"I do!" Raemus answered the Goblin-Judges. "All we have need of, now, is a scrying-bowl!"
"Have better than Scrying-bowl!" Usagi chirped, and returned her gaze to Amelia Katherine Seraphim Snape-Mizuno, and nodded once.
And, Amelia Katherine Seraphim walked calmly around to the front of the table, and brought forth her henshin-stick:
"Mercury Star Power .. MAKE-UP!"
After pirouetteing into Sailormercury - and frightening a few of the older witches and wizards in the process - Amelia Katherine Seraphim held out her arms and hands as to hold water, and commanded Lupin:
"Bring the Pensive to me! Pour tear in the midst of the bubbles. Hai."
Raemus did as he was instructed, trusting in the magics of the bluenette Prosector.
And, Amelia Ketherine Seraphim finished the encantation she had started, tossing the bubbles towards the high-ceiling of the Great Hall:
"SHIBON SPRAY!"
The ice-fog formed a large bubble at its Mistress' command, and the last hours of the life of Jocasta Lynngate played before the assymbled-Hall:
All was quiet in the safehouse, as Jocasta Lynngate, Chestnut-haired witch and eight-year DMLE-member, quietly waited for her Master to enter.
"I am a very good agent," Jocasta whispered to herself, "I know Dumbledor will reward me well!"
"And, we all have learned how well Dumbledor 'Rewards'." Severus growled low as he watched the Pensive play-out.
Too soon, Dumbledor was in the safehouse.
"What was that, Auror Lynngate?" James Potter asked cautiously, followed by Lilly, who was protectively holding their son. "Albus Dumbledor? What are you doing here? Is this Wizenmagot-business? Or Auror-business?"
"Neither." Albus drawled out. "My business.. is my own. It is with you, and Lilly. And? With little Harold." He snaked-forth the Wand-of-Grindelwald. "I have.. a NEED.. of Miss Evans! One that neither you, nor young Harold, will NEVER be part of. AVERACADAVERA!"
Then, from somewhere in the shadows close-by, came an answer to that curse: a counter-curse.
"Reverso en MEDIA!"
"NULLIFICARE!" Dumbledor almost screamed out. "Voldemorte! Pettigrew! What are YOU doing here? How.. How did you even GET in here?!"
"Protecting.. friends.. Headmaster!" Peter breathed out dangerously. "Oh? I forgot! You've never known what a 'friend' was! You just know of puppets. As for how we got in? We just followed your stench!"
"Pettigrew!" Valdemorte called out. "Help me save our Stag, Doe, and Buck!"
"Dear Jocasta, daughter of Ambrosia.. KILL THE POTTERS!" Dumbledor ordered. "Every.. one."
"Yes.. Master." Jocasta smiled. "I am sorry, James, but? It's business. AVERACADAVERA!"
Then, three voice - Thomas', Peter's, and Raemus' - rose to counter the curse:
"NULLIFICARE!"
"Severus, RETRIEVE THE POTTERS!"
"As you wish, friend Riddle!"
"SNAPE?" Dumbledor was heard to roar! "Dear Jocasta? It is time we leave this cursed place. DESELO!"
With that simple curse, the safe-house fell in upon itself, reduced to so many spinters and so much dust and mud!
"Ayiiiiiiiiii! I.. I.. cannot move! Albus, my True-Lord! What are you.. doing to me?"
"Paying you.. 'Casta.." Dumbledor chuckled, "for your.. services. AVERACADAVERA!"
And, as the spy and assassin, Jocasta Lynngate, breathed her last gasp, she let out one single tear.
Then, as the view of the Pensive faded into the grey - and then the black - of oblivion, Dumbledor's voice, in a bizarre calm, could be heard:
"My Lilly? Jimmy? Harold? AVEDACADAVERA!"
Then, the bubble-screeen dissipated.
"As the Pensive has revealed," Amelia Katherina Seraphim spoke as the bubbles of Mercury dissipated, "It was not Thomas Riddle, Jr., Lord Valdemorte, who attempted to kill the Potters, but - rather, one Albus Dumbledor! And, why, pray tell? If we are to believe the previous-testimonies? to resurrect - literally - an incestruous relationship! But? Since this is a trial? We should let the Defendent plead his case! Former-Headmaster Dumbledor? The floor is, now, yours! State your case! And, state it well."