The Trial
Time Unknown
Why was I brought into this world?
When faced against the vast universe that moved with a will unfathomable by man, man always questioned his existence.
That was the thought that engulfed Harry's world when he saw a dragon for the first time.
It was pure intoxicating power. The magic that made a dragon was so vast that Harry found it difficult to find his way back to his reality.
Charlie Weasley incorrectly assumed Harry was transfixed by the imposing physical size and predatory visage.
It was made lay within that had enchanted him. And to see them sedated under the superfluous magic used by witches and wizards agonised Harry. How could such powerful monsters be controlled by mere witches and wizards?! It could not be allowed. It was an insult to the true nature of magic.
Why was I brought into this world?
The thought resounded in his ears.
Why was I brought into this world?
While Harry began to experience what could only be described as his second existential crisis. Daphne was experiencing a thrilling encounter of magic between Cedric Diggory and Hitomi Murasaki.
The Hogwarts Great Hall was alive with screams of cheers and crackling duellists pouring all their power into beating each other.
Daphne was one of the few Hogwarts students cheering madly for the girl from Mahoutokoro.
"Beat her down Cedric!" a Hufflepuff screamed.
Hitomi was flicking out magic from the tips of her fingers. She moved with the grace of an acrobat, pulling out amazing feats of body manipulation and destructive magic was let loose when she danced herself into specific poses.
The great hall was removed of all tables and in the centre a dome was set up that served as a magical shield to keep the duellists in and the audience out.
The judges were seated at a high table near the entrance to the hall and everywhere else was packed with students, radio operators and reporters from every corner of the magical world.
Representatives from the ICW joined the judges at the high table and were observing the duel with diplomatic excitement.
Cedric used transfiguration and charms to amazing effect and Hitomi was besieged by attacking falcons and powerful tornadoes of wind.
"And Hitomi is sent hurtling by Cedric's whirlpools of death!" Ludo Bagman was killing it as a commentator.
It was the finals of the tournament. Cedric had made it there by winning three duels and Hitomi had won all four. Fleur Delacour had beaten only Victor Krum and Mikhail Ferodorovich had beaten Fleur and Krum. Drumstrang had turned out to be the biggest disappointment after all the hype about their prowess in dark magic.
In the end Hitomi's unbelievable speed turned out to be far to superior and when Cedric showed an opening after being forced to take a breath to prepare his next spell chain, Hitomi struck with brutal efficiency. She shot forward like an arrow with one arm behind her back and the other pointed as fist at Cedric with a single finger out. Lighting shot out of the tip of her long nail and Cedric went into shock as it lanced through his shoulder.
Hitomi lowered herself and swung on the balls of her left feet to lash out with her right under Cedric's chin.
Cedric was unconscious by the time his airborne body hit the floor.
Majority of the hall went silent and exuberant cheers from the supporters of Hitomi erupted with joy. The Hogwarts champion had lost. Mahoutokoro school of Magic had won!
Daphne hugged Tracy. "Go girl power!" she shouted pumping her fist in the air.
The nearby Hufflepuffs gave her dirty looks.
Soon the cheers subdued and applause filled the air as Cedric was quickly healed by the Healers and brought back to consciousness. When he was able to move, he shook hands with Hitomi and the pair turned to face the judges as the dome of magic was undone.
Daphne was eager to hear the speeches but a tap on her shoulder reminded her of the great burden that lay on her shoulders today.
It was Sirius. "It's time," he said solemnly, his dark mood unaffected by the joyous one.
Daphne smiled at Tracey's concerned look. "It'll be fine," she said.
The date of Harry's trial had arrived.
Gringotts was shut down for the first time since its opening. An army of vicious goblins armed to the teeth with battle axes and spears stood in formation in complete silence. Their Magistrate was at the Ministry of Magic and his word was what they were waiting for.
Today it was revenge granted or war promised.
Twenty First March Nineteen Ninety-Five – Norwegian Ridgeback enclosure
"He's in there," said Charlie with amusement.
The walked was the small gate that had a flimsy barbed wire fence that stretched miles into the distance curving into the horizon. The dragon enclosures were guarded by wards, not walls.
Albus and Charlie walked into the barren area that had a few trees around. The land steadily rose in altitude becoming mountains before the horizon. It was midday and the sun burned down on the Earth like a wood in fire.
"How has he been?" Albus asked as Charlie led him deeper into the enclosure, to the camp at the foot of the mountain range. Many rode brooms to cover the distance and a few took portkeys. Rare were those dragon handlers who chose to walk long distances in the dragon reserve.
"Keeps to himself mostly and totally obsessed with dragons," Charlie said with a bright laugh. "He's always around when we bring one of 'em down for check-ups and harvesting. Last couple of days we've been collecting the blood from a Ridgeback and little Potter has been there watching like a shadow on the wall."
"Any unusual behaviour?"
"Well he does keep muttering about a project and some of the handlers found him doing this really cool thing with runes. He created a ward that warped anyone who entered its space. It didn't work out the way he planned cause he wasn't able to undo it and we had to mark a perimeter around it. Some of the lads enjoy trying to make their way out when they enter inside. We usually have to toss them a rope or something to pull them out." Charlie laughed.
Dumbledore's eyebrows rose high. "Did he say more?"
"Na," Charlie said. "We did ask him about it of course but he just said it was for extra credit in Ancient Runes. The boys a right genius I tell you. I think he feels like this place is home. I've been telling him about how to become a dragon handler as well!"
Dumbledore chuckled but on the inside his guts were turning. What Charlie just said was similar to the strange wards he had found in the desert between the breach of the forbidden forest.
"Has he said anything about the trial?"
"Not a word. It's like he doesn't care at all. Maybe we ought to let him remain here. We've kept his presence a secret for this long and we can keep doing it longer still."
Dumbledore shook his head. "Voldemort will never give up getting his hands on Harry."
Charlie pursed his lips. His always cheerful outlook dimming a tad.
The ground became rocky and the pair trekked over large boulders and came across a small valley. Within in was a twenty-foot-long Norwegian Ridgeback with leather wings that were dark as night.
It was shackled to the ground with metal chains all over its body and there were at least a dozen needles attached to its under belly from where blood was being drained for use in potions and research.
Dumbledore's lips pursed in disapproval but he knew there was no other way. The alternative was killing the dragons and draining them dry.
"There he is," Charlie announced as the got close enough to see the monstrous beast. Its skin was a mix of blue and green and it had large bone spikes curving out of the length of its spine. The longest bone spike was at the tip of its snout and sitting atop it and staring into the sky was Harry.
Dumbledore looked at Charlie incredulously.
"Like I said," Charlie said with a grin. "He loves them dragons."
Harry noticed Dumbledore's approach and his carefree expression soured. Mr Duty and Responsibility was coming to take him for the trial.
Smoke billowed from the dragon's large nostrils. It was heavily sedated and its eyes were drooped.
"Ready to go Harry?" Dumbledore asked, raising his voice to be heard over the handlers shouting instructions at each other.
Harry jumped and slowly landed on the ground defying the pull of gravity.
"Learnt some new tricks have you?"
Harry grinned psychotically. "Lots."
Dumbledore removed a plastic duck from his robes and stuck out his hand. "Portkey," he explained. "Straight to the Ministry."
"Is there light at the end of this tunnel?"
"We have a plan."
Diagon Alley – Mid-day
The muggleborn rebels were tense. They were in disguise everywhere. Some sat in the Leaky Cauldron. Many roamed the alley and the bulk of the force was camped in a building opposite an out of order telephone booth.
Ted and Vance were sitting in the Cauldron sipping on water in a shadowed corner of the bar. Aurors patrolled the streets and the rebels went unnoticed. It was as if the Aurors were waiting as well.
"All the portkeys are set for one hour from now," Vance whispered. "We attack as soon as the trial begins."
"What about the wards?" Ted asked steadily.
"It's going to take a full front assault from the telephone entrance to give Kingsley and Arthur to infiltrate the department of mysteries and destroy the ward stones."
"Until then blood will be spilt. Are you ready?"
"All of us are ready to die," Ted said softly. "If you say this is the way then this is the way Emmeline."
"It's the only way. Voldemort's return to power took everyone by surprise. If we don't strike now, we're never going to get the chance again."
Ted sighed. "I hope Amelia is as successful with the attack as she is confident."
"Pray Ted," Vance said. "Pray that we succeed or else our world is doomed to be controlled by monsters who would see the innocent burn."
Ted stared at the wall behind Vance. He hoped Daphne would be okay. Her letters and encouraging howlers had kept the Rebellions will strong.
Ministry Court Room – Half an hour past midday.
"Remember Harry," Dumbledore whispered. "Do not attack until I give the signal."
Harry nodded absently and his face was carefully blank. Dumbledore could not pinpoint if that meant Harry understood him or was going to ignore him.
The ancient wizard pushed open the doors to the court room and was immediately met by a blast of cold air and terrible memories.
His eyes widened in horror and he quickly conjured his phoenix patronus. He turned to see if Harry was alright and found Harry on his knees, panting and shaking.
Dumbledore put more power into his patronus and the silver glow bathed the courtroom and pushed the dementors back.
"Come on Harry," Dumbledore said softly. "We have to keep moving." He gently held Harry's arm and pulled him to his feet. In the process he met Harry's eyes and his heart sank when he saw what was reflected in them.
Fear. It was fear. What did Harry see? There were dozens of Dementors floating about and all their hoods seemed to be focused on Harry.
"Welcome Headmaster Dumbledore," came a silky voice from within. The former Wizengamot hall was filled with people and a few goblins who were there to observe the result of the trial. He saw Knights of Walpurgis seated among the crowd, not bothering with disguises and he saw Amelia's undercover Aurors as well. Rita Skeeter and her trope of reporters were seated at the press corner while Patricia Potter, Harry's distant squid relative was speaking softly into a radio broadcaster.
In the centre of the large hall, lit with fire and candles, was a black chair beside which stood Andromeda Tonks.
Dumbledore led Harry to the chair and chains sprang to life to bind his wrists.
"Don't panic Harry," Dumbledore whispered. "Everything's going to change."
The fear receded and cold determination took over emerald green eyes.
"Yes," Harry said vaguely. "I know why I exist."
Dumbledore frowned. He didn't understand but there was no time to contemplate those strange words. Lucius Malfoy had banged the wood hammer on his table signalling the start of the trial and to shock of everyone, he stood up.
"Lords and Ladies!" he announced grandly. "Before we begin the trial of Potter verses Gringotts, allow me to make a rather important announcement."
Quills scratched against parchment and radio corespondents spoke softly into their microphones.
"Our government has undergone many changes over the past year and today after a long struggle we are about to enter into a state of stability." Malfoy paused while everyone breathed in his words. "In order to usher into a new era new leadership is required and therefore it is my great pleasure and honour to pass the baton on to the new King of Magical Britain - Lord Voldemort!"
More than eighty percent of the people clapped loudly as a handsome man, tall and pale, with dark hair and blue eyes, looking barely over the age of thirty stepped out of the chamber that used to be reserved for the chief warlock.
It was the dawn of a new era.