[a/n]The single biggest theme of reviews for DoHDD#10 was HE'S DOOMED So, this one fulfills that.

Harry Does Different CDLVIIa

Harry Asimov II

"That mask is nonsense." A heavyset black dwarf effortlessly climbed into a typical-sized chair in a room above the White Wyvern pub "You are Lucius Malfoy."

The silver mask came off to reveal a face as expressionless, that demanded "How do you know you were not followed?"

"You sought me out because I am a metamorph." The dwarf became a well-muscled apparently middle-age woman with formerly-blonde white hair "Your own niece is the only witch who could possibly track the faces I have worn today. What do you want?"

Lucius sneered "Madam Buckthorn, that Mudblood is no kin of mine."

"What do you want?" the woman repeated. "My time is very valuable."

At this he smiled "I should think my vaults are adequate to enable us to reach an arrangement."

"Target you name, money I name, or deal no." the metamorph's hair turned all black.

Lucius gave a careless shrug and started "I do not think a child would be too much a test of your abilities. Or worth very much of a contribution to your organization."

"Then of course, you can do that yourself." There wasn't the least qualm from the woman over child killing. She was simply negotiating.

He twitched "No connection to this action may be traceable to me. Harry Potter embarrassed the Noble House of Malfoy and must pay. Nor is mere killing adequate. His legions of fans must turn against him. Every little witch with a Boy-Who-Lived doll must burn it."

"An epic revenge will not come cheap." Verucca did not care about either the potential client or target. The motive, however, gave her a feel for how serious the desire was. And thus, the value placed on the job. Out loud, intentionally, she summarized "So, you desire me to setup a young hero. One under the protection of the most powerful wizard of our day."

Lucius snorted "Dumbledore is an old fool." He reached into his robes and brought out a scroll "Else, I could not have obtained this. For all Potter's mostly excellent breeding, he is utterly indoctrinated to Muggleism. While he has not specifically quoted these theories publicly, he is not shy using them to explain aberrant behavior."

"The Three Laws of Robotics, a life of conscience." She read the title "By Harry Potter. I must get close to my target to understand how best to discredit him. Also, if at some point, I need to impersonate the boy, I need more than a few pictures. Thirty days work: GG25,000 all in advance. Double that if I end up having to kill."

Lucius looked like he'd swallowed a skrewt and snapped "What I am asking isn't worth half that."

"But silence is golden." Verucca smirked, making her threat plain.

Abcij

Just about six weeks after Lucius made that contract, the full Wizengamot was meeting. And while he'd got exactly what he wanted from the bounty, he did not have to fake the fury that was expected today. However it was something of an act to direct it where needed.

"If it wasn't for family prestige I would expose exactly what you did to my son." Narcissa was standing beside her husband, arm-in-arm, and with a perfect smile "Another minute under that spell and instead of relearning to walk, Draco would be next to the Longbottoms."

Lucius waved to an ally while retorting "It was your sister that put them there."

"My son will know his father's part in this. And do not think I did not arrange for insurance against mysterious accidents." It was the last thing she had a chance to say before the meeting was called to order.

The Minister for Magic stood and his wand erupted a couple times, then he announced "The chair moves to suspend other business and begin criminal proceedings. Without objection, so ordered. Aurors, bring in the accused."

"Magic suppression cuffs! Shackles! Really Minister! Where is the ball and chain?" the defense attorney protested as her client was brought into the courtroom.

Harry entered with an impassive expression, something that would have done an adult facing a parking ticket proud. He made no effort, ineffective as it would have been, to protect himself from the hail of food that pelted him. The boy was made to stand alone in a beam of intense white light. Armed guards had wands trained.

After order was reestablished the central figure spoke coldly "Trial of Harry James Potter. Officiating, Cornelius Oswald Fudge. Prosecutor Delores Jane Umbridge. Defense Catherine Debra Burkes. The Wizengamot Committee of the Whole sitting as Jury. The accused is charged with use of an Unforgivable, namely the Cruciatus, on Draco Lucius Malfoy Heir Apparent of his Noble House. How plead you in regards to this hy-eh-nous crime?"

"Sir, I am deeply pained by the news of Draco's suffering." Said Harry in as calm a tone as ever "As much as any, I hope he recovers soon, and that whoever truly harmed him is punished. I assure you, I am not guilty of this crime. Indeed, having read about the spell, it does not seem to have any positive use. I would not cast it."

After allowing a minute of the crowd voicing disapproval, the Minister declared "It will be so entered. Madam Umbridge, proceed."

"During the course of this trial, noble members, you will hear both about the hy-eh-nous crime and the hypocritical philosophy that the criminal Potter uses to justify his actions." The pink-clad witch's high-pitched voice seemed to croak "The matter is made more disturbing by the discovery of the intrusion of ideas from Muggles."

The sneered last word of her opening remarks brought exactly the right sentiments to the surface. There were a dozen witnesses, all of whom saw Harry Potter repeatedly cast the Unforgivable on his fellow First Year. They all described the utterly cruel snarl he wore as his wand flashed multiple times. It was that of Hermione Granger that was most devastating. Obviously holding back tears, she testified "No Madam Prosecutor, I saw exactly what everyone else said. As far as I could see Harry Potter cast that torture curse on Draco Malfoy. He doesn't like me, and calls me names, but nobody deserves that."

"I thank you, my child." Umbridge smiled condescendingly "We are all sure this was difficult for someone so young."

Now, the young witch jumped out of the stand and slapped the railing "I've told the truth! It's what I SAW! But I also KNOW here …and here…" touching her head and breast "It's somehow a lie!"

"The witness is excused. Thank you." The prosecutor was now giving an order.

Mrs. Burkes stood then and "Objection, Minister, I think the witness' testimony should be heard. All of it. Whatever it is." The truth is she was grasping at straws. There was little evidence in her client's favor.

"Thank you, ma'am." The young witch smiled at about the only person who did not seem hostile to her "Harry's a good student. Tops in our year. But even Percy's Defense book doesn't have the Crucio in it, and he's the oldest student I've talked to."

Again, Harry's defender interjected "For the record, that is Percival Weasley, a Gryffindor Fifth Year."

"He told me he only knows about the spell because of his family fighting Voldemort in the war." Said Hermione. She only academically noted the shocked gasps at her use of the name "Professor Quirrell told me he had no plans to teach about it below NEWTs. According to Professor Flitwick, few if any, students …never mind a First Year… could control their magic well enough to cast it."

Here Delores stood "Minister, I object. The witness is quoting third-hand information and referring to individuals who have not testified."

"The comments are stricken from the record." Cornelius ruled "The Wizengamot will disregard."

Hermione frowned, not caring he was the Minister "And even if you grant the near impossibility of a someone our age knowing an Unforgivable. Especially, coming to Hogwarts like a Muggleborn. With all that, Harry Potter was and is philosophically incapable of such cruelty."

"Ahh yes, the fake human theory." The prosecutor sneered, then simpered obsequiously "Minister, I wonder if I might have leave to pursue this matter?" And on receiving a wave produced a scroll and several books "I submit into evidence an essay by the accused and the works referred to. An obscure Muggle …name of… ummm… Asseemoove."

The witness snorted with all the contempt a preteen could manage "Obscure? If you consider a hundred million books sold obscure. And his name …let me spell it out… A-S-I-M-O-V."

"Be that as it may." Delores waved dismissively "The short version of it is that a fake human, built by a Muggle, uses pseudo-magic to rule the human race. Supposedly for our own good. How would you feel being ruled by something less magical than one of these books?"

Harry took offense to the mocking look and protested "That is not what Daneel was!"

"Let's get to that in a moment." The prosecutor was all too pleased with her chance. Delores spoke with great disdain "So, these walking talking stones were given brains that had the rules you claim to follow. In short, the three are in order of importance, that you must protect yourself from harm; obey orders; and protect people from harm."

A look of anger flashed before the boy could quite control it "Robots were designed to be stronger, faster and smarter than humans. Certainly smarter than you."

"Yes very droll. Obviously, respect for your superiors is not included." Delores was inwardly furious, but knew she could not show it "You certainly have no difficulty protecting yourself, as even your Muggle school records attest. Obeying orders is another matter. I would interpret that …for school purposes… as obeying teachers who have authority over you. Wouldn't you say getting a detention is proof of NOT following orders?"

Mrs. Burkes hadn't seen any problem with what was asked so far, but this she cleverly countered "Almost all of us here went to Hogwarts. Perhaps we could ask Professor Dumbledore to identify any one of us that completed Hogwarts without earning many such."

"A telling point Catherine." He nodded lightly from his almost throne "I am not immediately aware of any. Myself included."

*Hem*hem* the prosecutor gave several high-pitched coughs "We are merely judging Mr. Potter by his own standards. But let us see the most important part of his alleged code. If protecting yourself is the least important rule then perhaps you can explain your cousin's broken hand, this happening AFTER you professed your so-called Laws. And currently, there was the first injury to young Master Malfoy and the dead troll to add to your casualty list."

"Last February I outscored Dudley on a math test." Harry reported the event with little emotion "His friends pinned me against a wall and he went to punch me. I ducked. That's all. Neither me, Hermione, nor Ron, really knew any spells to fight a troll. I cannot say we really do, yet. I regret his death, but I would have mourned either or both my friends more. Draco's injury in Potions was regrettable, but how many might have been hurt …or k-k-killed… had I not acted."

Harry's defender added "Nor can that event be reasonably connected in any causual manner with the later Unforgivable attack."

"Oh I think we can, Mr. Burkes." Umbridge countered false sweetly "The failure of one to cause sufficient harm leads directly to the second. The few weeks of time between is inconsequential." Then she gave a gleeful giggle "And since the accused so conveniently opened the door, his collection of books invented something called The Zeroth Law. This an invention which allowed the rock with a brain to go around killing all the humans he wanted so long as he believed it was for the Greater Good. A term our Mugwump is acquainted with …I believe."

The Minister grinned victoriously at his underling. Things could not have developed better had it been all planned out "Judging by the sense of the Wizengamot, can I ask …as a matter of form… for a verdict?"

"G-U-I-L-T-Y!" the declaration was probably heard three floors away.

Harry took it with outward passivity. Nearby, Hermione burst into tears and Ron shouted a protest.

"As the father of the victim of this atrocity, I beg leave to speak." Lucius requested, hardly expecting a refusal. Nor was he "I did not wish to sway the process of justice in the establishment of guilt. However, that achieved, I would like to voice my opinion that the usual admittedly severe punishment for use of an Unforgivable strikes me as inadequate."

"Lucius, I will not further argue against a verdict once given by our highest court." Dumbledore spoke without procedurally asking permission "Do you not think a boy so young as Harry deserving of leniency? I recall several beneficiaries of such a policy not so long ago."

The blond wizard sneered at the old man "That somehow my unfortunate war circumstances should be used to argue against justice for my Draco is offensive. I ask all of you if, as a young boy, Potter can deliver a torture curse would you …any of you… be willing to risk his escape from Azkaban, thus inflicting him on our heirs?"

"DEATH!" this demand was, if anything, louder than the verdict.

Abcij

It took three days to decide the method of execution, and name witnesses. The Veil was chosen and a few witnesses were picked. Naturally, the parents of the victim were allowed to attend. In came the criminal surrounded by hooded, sexless guards. None of them was less than twice his size.

"NO! THIS IS CRUEL AND INHUMANE!" Hermione broke free of Ron's parents, and charged the execution party. Wand drawn and glowing "ON TOP OF THAT HE'S INNOCENT! WE JUST NEED TO PROVE IT!"

Though his arms were bound behind his back, the young boy pushed his way through to his friend and spoke urgently "Hermione stop! It makes me very happy you believe me. But nothing can be done to stop this. And it would violate my belief in the Three Laws if you did."

"The Ministry does not require a felon's intervention to maintain order." The Minister's tone was harsh. He waved at the archway and ordered "In you go, boy. If not …Unspeakables, do your duty."

Harry looked at him impassively and answered "Yes, sir." He only paused long enough to say "Hermione, Ron, take care of each other." No one followed him up the stairs. The only sound in the chamber afterward was that of a young witch sobbing on a young wizard's shoulder.

Abcij

"You five are reputed to be the finest bounty hunters in Britain." This time Lucius Malfoy did not care that his identity was known. His eyes swept the others in the room. "Verucca Buckthorn displeased me. I want her head. I am not picky that it be attached when I view it. Am I clear?"

One wizard was sucking on a cigar offered "It's considered rude to go after another professional."

"I do not think I will have a problem overcoming your difficulty." Lucius offered a bag of gold to each and the meeting broke up.