It's My Life
The recess was more than enjoyable, Lucius treated his family, Harry, and Severus to a quick lunch outside the ministry and then they all hurried back. They did arrive earlier than expected, so had to wait outside.
"Is it almost over, Father?" Draco asked his dad.
"I believe the jury is swaying to Harry, everyone seems quite put off by the admissions." Lucius said quietly. "But, we must not talk of this here. It's technically against attorney/client privilege." He added.
"I hope it's almost over…I don't like the glaring I'm getting from Dumbledore…" Harry muttered.
"What?" Severus asked.
"I don't know what it is, but he's got eyes on me. During questioning, his eyes were always in my direction. I didn't like the way it felt…" Harry admitted.
"Lucius?" Severus looked to his friend.
"I'll watch it when we go back in and if I catch him actually glaring at Harry, it counts as intimidation and that can cause a problem or two as well." Lucius assured. "You're perfectly safe, Harry. There are Aurors all around the room, and we're here too."
"I know, it just felt weird." Harry admitted.
"Understandably so." Narcissa mentioned.
"Why is Professor McGonagall here?" Draco wondered.
The group looked to where Draco pointed, and sure enough, Hogwarts' deputy headmistress was venturing towards them in her formal robes. "Minerva, what brings you here?"
Minerva lightly slipped Severus a note as she walked by and over to Dumbledore's lawyer. "What did she give you?" Lucius asked quietly. Severus hid the letter in front of him and opened up the small bit of parchment, reading it over silently, then giving it to Lucius. The man read it over himself and nodded.
"Um?" Harry questioned.
"You'll find out inside, just don't panic…Remember?" Severus told Harry.
The teenager nodded, wanting to know, but felt he would have to wait. It must be a secret and needed to be kept quiet until the right time. Minutes ticked away before the doors to the room opened and everyone filed back in. Harry was getting a very bad feeling, the whispering between Albus and Ralph wasn't promising because they kept looking at Harry, but also Severus, Narcissa, and Lucius.
Albus motioned to the left arm and Harry knew that's where the dark mark was. Were they going to try and out those working for Voldemort? Harry couldn't let that happen. Narcissa and Lucius were safe, but Severus still had it! What could he do with this amount of time? Harry took his place with Lucius, then faced his father and hugged him.
"You alright?" Severus asked, surprised at the action.
"Yell at me later." Confused, Severus watched as Harry shifted to put his hand over Severus's left arm as the potions master felt his mark react and start moving down his arm, to his wrist, then leave completely when Harry's hand held Severus's. Harry let go and stepped away as he cringed a bit, then relaxed.
"Harry, what…What did you just do?!" Severus asked instantly.
"Ssh, Dad." Severus stared in surprise at Harry's hushing him. "I did what needed to be done. Yell at me later." Harry turned away and sat down.
"Severus, what's wrong?" Narcissa inquired softly.
Harry side-eyed his father from his seat, telling him to be quiet. "Nothing…Nothing at all." Severus lied.
"Lucius, give me your hand, subtly." Harry told the man. Lucius didn't ask questions as he inconspicuously moved his hand over to Harry's and felt the a sensation of his mark that Harry altered reacting, then moving upward to his back shoulder. "Don't draw attention. I need you to trust me." Harry let go of the man's hand and sat with his arms crossed over one another. Lucius faced forward as Amelia returned now and everyone stood until she reached her seat.
Amelia took her place. "Welcome back. This court is now back in session for the case of Potter-Snape versus Dumbledore." Everyone got situated in their places. "Now, who would like to lead off? Are we still on witness testimonies?"
"Yes, your honor…We'd like to call Minerva McGonagall to the stand." Ralph stood up.
"This witness was only just added, which I'll allow, if Mr. Malfoy has no objections?" Amelia stated.
"None at all, Madam Bones," Lucius agreed.
Minerva made her way to the place to be questioned, and automatically accepted the Veritaserum given. The control questions were asked and then Ralph took his stand before the woman.
"Minerva, in all the years you've worked for Albus Dumbledore, would you say he's been very observant to the students at the school? Ensuring their safety?" Ralph questioned.
"In all the time I've worked for Hogwarts, I would say without doubt he's had their safety at the forefront above all else." Minerva said.
"And would you say that he's attentive, caring, and understanding to the student's needs?" Ralph went on.
"I would agree to that." Minerva nodded.
"As you can see, Albus is nothing more than a respectable member of society, and one of the best headmasters that Hogwarts has ever seen." Ralph smiled. "Minerva, have you ever suspected that Albus handled a situation badly?"
Dumbledore was smiling proudly at his decision to call on Minerva to defend him. Minerva now folded her hands together in her lap, keeping a straight face. "Yes." Dumbledore flinched now, eyeing the woman.
"Could you be more specific with an example? Say…Mr. Potter's placement at his muggle relatives home? Did you feel Mr. Potter would be in danger there?" Ralph recovered quickly from the answer Minerva gave before. Albus had said this woman would defend him and she was revealing to not do that at all.
"On the horrible night of October 31st, 1981, when the Potter's were tragically lost to Voldemort. News spread quickly as Albus told me to go and stake out the home of Lily's muggle sister as Harry would be living with them until his time came to join the magical world at eleven when he started at Hogwarts."
"As instructed, I stayed all day until the early hours of November 1st, 1981, in my animagus form of a cat to spy on the family. Albus came and I returned to normal form, asking him if he believed this to be the best course of action because I found it to be a mistake." Minerva informed.
"C-Could you tell us what you told Albus about your assessment of the situation Mr. Potter was to be placed in?" Ralph pushed.
"I told Albus that it wasn't wise because I'd watched these people all day and deduced they were the worst sort of muggles imaginable." Minerva remarked firmly. "I went on to ask where Harry even was and he told me Rubeus Hagrid would be bringing the boy, Albus informed me that he trusted Hagrid with his life and could handle the task of transporting Harry from Godric's Hollow to Privet Drive in Little Whinging's Surrey." She continued.
"Albus also told me as a reason for Harry staying with those awful people, that they were his only family left. I said that there wouldn't be a person alive who didn't know who Harry Potter was, Albus said it was better for Harry to grow up away from the fame until he was ready." The witch added.
"Did Rubeus Hagrid deliver the child as expected?" Ralph asked.
"Yes, he did. And Albus promptly placed young Harry on the doorstep with a letter before we left." Minerva informed.
"Nothing further," Ralph walked away.
Lucius stood now. "Professor McGonagall, did you agree with Mr. Dumbledore's decision to leave Mr. Potter on the doorstep of these muggle relatives' home?"
"No, absolutely not. However, I couldn't argue with the man; he said he was in charge of Harry's care since the boy had no other family. I know he activated the blood of bond charm to protect Harry at the house, connected with Lily's sister, but that was all I knew of the protection. I didn't understand why he'd want Harry away from the world…It's not as if the dark lord was around anymore given what happened. Notably how young Harry earned the title for being the boy who lived." Minerva said.
"Did you believe the dark lord was indeed gone?" Lucius asked.
"Yes. We heard he'd been destroyed," Minerva said. "Nothing was heard of him surviving the incident from that night until Harry's first year at Hogwarts, where we discovered that the dark lord had lived, but without a body."
"Now, may I ask…When did you suspect that Mr. Potter was not alright in the place Mr. Dumbledore placed him." Lucius pushed lightly.
"When I sent out Mr. Potter's acceptance letter to Hogwarts." Minerva replied.
"Why was that suspicious?" Lucius inquired gently.
"Because of where I had to address his letter. The cupboard under the stairs. I felt that wasn't right as young Harry was a boy, just ten years of age at the time. Why would his address not be the same as when Albus wrote the letter to the Dursley's. This was addressed to Mr. Harry Potter of Four Privet Drive, Cupboard Under The Stairs, Little Whinging, Surrey. It was a very specific place." Minerva remarked.
"I asked Albus about it, and he assured me Harry was fine and that it was a glitch, which is impossible as every magical child is recorded at birth by the book of admittance and quill of acceptance. And it changes to the child's foremost current address."
"Did Mr. Potter ever come to you about his situation?" Lucius questioned.
"No, he did not." Minerva responded. "But I wish he would have and I'd have done all in my power to rectify this awful mistake."
"Thank you, Minerva. Nothing further." Lucius stepped away.
"You may step down," Amelia smiled. Minerva took her place, this time, on Harry's side of the courtroom, clear defiance to the man she's trusted all these years. "Are there more witnesses?"
"Yes, your honor…I'd like to put myself up there." Lucius stated.
"Objection, we already heard his wife's testimony who claimed he was with her the night in question of Mr. Potter being removed from the Dursley's." Ralph exclaimed.
"Mr. Malfoy, this is necessary?" Amelia inquired.
"Yes, Madam Bones…As my statement is more to do with the other charges of intent to control Mr. Potter-Snape's inheritance and overall life." Lucius said firmly.
"Who will question you?" Amelia asked.
"Mr. Calprine may, if he likes, but I would just like a few moments of the courts time to reveal what I've discovered?" Lucius remarked. "I do consent to using Veritaserum."
"Very well then," Amelia nodded. "I'll allow this." Lucius took his place and allowed the potion to enter his system and then was asked the same questions as everyone else. "You may begin." She invited.
"On the 28th of March, 1996…I went to the Ministry of Magic to discuss with Minister Cornelius Fudge about the torturous methods being used inside Hogwarts and requesting as both a worried father, and member of the educational board that Dolores Umbridge be removed for failing in her duty to teach students proper defense, and her inhuman discipline when I happened to overhear a conversation between Mr. Fudge, Miss. Umbridge, and Mr. Dumbledore regarding young Harry." Lucius began.
"And what did you overhear because this sounds an awful lot like eavesdropping…Which is inadmissible as it was obtained illegally." Ralph commented.
"Mr. Fudge knew I was there because I'd set up a meeting with him and he knew I was coming to discuss important matters regarding his undersecretary." Lucius replied. "His own receptionist informed him I was already there and the door was wide open." He continued.
"The matter was of the investigation on Mr. Dumbledore. Fudge informed that it was active and Mr. Dumbledore was not currently Harry's guardian. After some arguing, and unable to find the answer of who had guardianship over Mr. Potter, Albus made a suggestion to Fudge about using a Slavery Collar on Mr. Potter." The lord went on calmly as there was already bustle in the room.
"Go on, Mr. Malfoy," Amelia invited.
"There was debate on its use, and for a short time, Minister Fudge seemed like he would agree. However, the man, thankfully, denied the request under the reasoning that even with it in place, they wouldn't be able to control Harry because he wears his lordship rings and they'd warn him of danger."
"At the same time, the next request was Mr. Dumbledore telling Mr. Fudge to stop the investigation because he needed control over Mr. Potter. Needed him…Obedient because he was destined to destroy the dark lord or everyone faces the fall out." Lucius explained.
"Your honor, you can't possibly be thinking to allow this in? It's clear eavesdropping!" Ralph argued.
"Silence yourself…Mr. Malfoy, was this obtained at a time after the investigation had started and you were representing Mr. Potter?" Amelia inquired.
"Yes, Madam Bones. I have been representing Harry since our trip to the bank on August 7th, when the investigation began. Also, about that trip, I have more information on the inheritance theft attempts. If I may speak more?" Lucius answered.
"The admission stays. It was obtained while Mr. Malfoy was representing his client, no laws broken." Amelia remarked. "Go on," She invited Lucius to continue.
"At the bank, we discovered before even arriving there that Mr. Potter did not have possession of his vault key. And said he had not seen it since first year, where a Rubeus Hagrid was entrusted to help Harry get his school supplies. The key, according to Hagrid, was given to him by Mr. Dumbledore."
"Now, I find it curious why Mr. Dumbledore would have possession of a trust fund vault key. That should have been in possession of his parents, and then given young Harry's age, while Hagrid could have taken Harry to the bank; Mr. Potter would have had to take an inheritance test to prove himself to the goblins that he was who he says he was." Lucius said.
"That is very much true. Magical guardian at the time or not, the key to a vault belongs with its owner or back to the bank until the child appears." Amelia stated.
"So among our findings in that department, after Griphook the Goblin handled the inheritance test…We found out that Mr. Potter was eligible for his lordships of Potter, and Slytherin, which was won in conquest for his defeats of the former heir, Voldemort. Also, I assure these lordships were not taken until Mr. Potter's guardian had been reassigned as Severus Snape when the investigation started." Lucius paused.
"Before we left the bank, Griphook informed us that Mr. Dumbledore had tried many times to access Mr. Potter's accounts and vaults inherited while the boy was still in custody of his muggle relatives. The bank, of course, rejected the requests and informed him that withdrawals had to be made by Mr. Potter himself and guardianship of the boy did not allow him to just access things on his own. However, an audit of the trust showed payments of 500 galleons every month, this equated to muggle currency is 2,489 pounds($2,880 in US Dollars)."
"You couldn't expect that they take in a child not their own and not be compensated for the extra mouth to feed," Ralph snorted.
"I do understand that…If the money had been used to actually care for Mr. Potter. As you heard from Mr. Snape's testimony, Mr. Potter had been suffering long term malnutrition. Damage that took months for Mr. Snape to reverse with nutrient potions and proper diet and exercise to get Mr. Potter on the registered levels for a boy his age. I have a statement here from Madam Poppy Pomfrey of the first time she treated Mr. Potter in the Hogwarts infirmary at the end of his first year when he was just eleven. She states that her inspection revealed Mr. Potter being so thin you could see his ribs under the skin." Lucius handed the document to Amelia.
"And reports from all other years when she saw him, stating all the same about her worry for Mr. Potter's well-being, but it never improved no matter what she told him. His eating habits were abysmal from being starved with his relatives that he couldn't eat properly at school. Not until Mr. Snape started him on a long treatment to reverse the damage."
"So you are saying that with the money these muggles received from Mr. Potter's vault without his consent…Mr. Potter was never cared for with the funding?" Amelia questioned.
"That's correct, Madam Bones. I'm sure Harry would be delighted to get up here and reveal everything he went through as we've heard from everyone but the one it happened to." Lucius said.
"I wasn't going to ask it of him…But, Mr. Potter…Do you consent to being up here and telling your story?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, I do, Madam Bones." Harry remarked firmly, coming to his feet.
"Very well then." Amelia nodded. "Mr. Malfoy, you may step down and Mr. Potter…You may approach."
"You're sure about this, Harry?" Lucius questioned. "He can question you about anything and you are sworn to tell the truth."
"Harry, you may begin whenever you are ready," Amelia smiled to the fifteen-year-old.
"Thank you, Madam Bones." Harry nodded to her.
He was putting an end to this nonsense. Everyone would see the manipulative liar Albus was after today, even if the man didn't get prison time; people would know the truth and never trust him again. Harry considered that justice served, Albus Dumbledore's reputation ruined.