Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
A/N: Posted the wrong chapter. It is fixed now.
-oOo-
This time on A Mid-Winter's Eve: Things don't go to plan as plots intertwine and Dumbledore gets what's coming to him.
-oOo-
Chapter 14
-oOo-
June 3, 1998
London, England
Harry was feeling the stress of NEWTs in a few weeks. He wasn't as bad as Daphne or Hermione, but he was starting to worry at the amount of time life was taking away from his studies.
Hermione was a bit of a basket case this week, which wasn't helping. Between NEWTs, Head Girl duties, being four months pregnant and the stress of what the Weasleys had done to them, she was looking rather frazzled.
Daphne was just livid. Five times a day she threatened to eliminate the entire family. Thus, Harry had managed to convince them to both stay at Hogwarts while he attended the trial. Technically, they were not required. He was.
When he met Ted in the atrium of the ministry, Harry immediately knew something was wrong. He was standing there with an Auror and a long look on his face. Dressed in his formal robes, he walked up to Ted. "Morning, Ted. Any reason you have an escort?"
"Regent Potter-Black, I'm Auror Westfield. If you would, I am to accompany you to the Auror's Office for a few questions," the man said.
Harry cast a glance to Ted. "Just go with it," Ted said.
"Can I ask what this is about?" Harry asked, feeling a little apprehensive.
"If you would just come along peacefully, I'm sure we can have you on your way shortly," the Auror said.
Harry looked at the watch on his wrist. "I am due in a courtroom in twenty-three minutes," Harry told the man. "Am I under arrest?"
"Not at this time, but you do need to come with me," the Auror insisted.
"Andi is on her way. She will sit in with you if we aren't done in time and I will go to the courtroom," Ted said.
"Sure," he said, feeling rather apprehensive.
They were escorted to level two and led into a small room with a large window that looked out onto the Auror offices. As the Auror left to get another, a paper airplane shot into the room. Ted took it when it landed before him.
"Ted, you going to tell me what is going on?" Harry asked, looking at him unfold the parchment.
"I'm not sure, to be honest. I just know that Amelia sent me a quick message to bring you in as soon as you got here. Westfield met me in the atrium. The trial has been postponed until tomorrow," Ted told him.
Harry scowled. "I want the bastard kissed by a dementor."
"I would be careful what you say today, Regent Potter-Black," an auror with black skin and wearing a kufi said. Westfield followed Kingsley in, closing the door behind him and taking up next to the door.
"Morning, Auror Shacklebolt," he said, catching right away that Kingsley had used his proper title.
"What is this about, Auror Shacklebolt? I can't help but feel like this is an interrogation of my client," Ted said.
"Not an interrogation. There was an incident yesterday and we are just asking a few people of interest some questions. If you would, Regent Potter-Black, I would ask you to take an oath of truthfulness so this issue can be cleared up as soon as possible," Kingsley said as he set up a stack of parchments, a dictation quill and a pocket notebook. He set a folder on the table next to the parchment.
He looked to Ted.
"Regent Potter-Black will only agree to that if you only stick to questions about your investigation and he is allowed to refuse to answer any questions," Ted replied.
"That is fine. If you would take out your wand and repeat after me," Kingsley said.
When Harry was done, Kingsley stuck the brown quill to his tongue. "Test. One. Two," he said when he put the quill to the parchment. It started write down what he said. "This is an interview being recorded with a dictaquill number four-eight-two-three. Interview of Regent Harry James Potter-Black. Questioner is Senior Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt. Auror William Westfield is witness. Regent Harry James Potter-Black and his Solicitor of Note, Theodore Black-Tonks, in attendance.
Before the interview started, Regent Potter-Black has taken a modified oath of truthfulness. He has taken an exception to not answer a question if he chooses. Questioning to begin."
SA Shacklebolt: Regent Potter-Black, can you please go through your day yesterday. Please don't leave out any details, list any times as accurately as you can and whomever can verify where you were?
R Potter-Black: Uhm.
S Black-Tonks: Harry, just tell Auror Shacklebolt everything you did yesterday
R Potter-Black: Uhm, everything?
SA Shacklebolt: In as much detail as you can.
R Potter-Black: Uhm, well, I woke about six. Went for a run with Neville and then we worked out for a bit. I probably got back to my room about quarter past seven.
SA Shacklebolt: Who is Neville?
R Potter-Black: Heir Neville Longbottom.
SA Shacklebolt: Thank you. Please go on.
R Potter-Black: Well, I took a shower when I got back then went down to breakfast with my wives, Heiress Daphne Black and Heiress Hermione Potter.
SA Shacklebolt: Where were your wives when you were out running with Hier Longbottom?
R Potter-Black: In our rooms.
SA Shacklebolt: And they were in your rooms the entire time?
R Potter-Black: Yes. Listen, what is this all about?
Shacklebolt looked at him for a moment before sharing a look with Auror Westfield. The other man shrugged. "Where were you about one yesterday afternoon?"
"That would have been about the time we were walking to transfiguration," Harry replied. "What is going on?"
"Who is we?"
"Daphne, Hermione, Neville, Susan, Hannah and myself."
"And you all made it to transfiguration together? None of you left or lagged behind or went to the bathroom?" Kingsley pressed.
"No. Kingsley, what is going on?" Harry demanded, not liking this.
Kingsley stared at him for a long moment. "Are there others that can verify this?"
"The whole class, probably. What is going on?" Harry was getting annoyed.
"Yesterday afternoon, a little after one in the afternoon, a box of chocolates was left in a room at Saint Mungo's. They were laced with a potion that we have yet to identify, but it caused an allergic reaction with two patients. You wouldn't happen to know anything about this, would you?" Kingsley asked in a rather severe tone.
Harry felt something inside him flip over in an uncomfortable way. "Who?"
"Do you know anything about this?"
"Of course, I don't! I was at Hogwarts all day and haven't been anywhere near Saint Mungo's in over a month. Who died?" Harry asked a little desperately.
Kingsley sighed. "Ronald Weasley and Gilderoy Lockhart."
Harry felt like he was going to be sick. Seeing Ron in his current delusional state was bad enough. Knowing he would never recover was worse. Now Ron was dead. Even if he hadn't forgiven Ron in his heart, he had forgiven him. "What?"
"Ronald Weasley and Gilderoy Lockhart. We know you have a history with Mister Lockhart and Mister Weasley. Did you wish any ill will on either of them?" Kingsley asked.
Harry put a hand to his mouth. "No. I mean, not really. I won't deny I'm not sad about Lockhart. The man tried to obliviate Ron and I and leave Ginny to die, but I never plotted to kill him. And Ron… Ron and I talked recently."
"Regent Potter-Black, I know what the accusations are of Mister Weasley against what he did to your wives. You wouldn't try to get revenge on him for that?" Kingsley questioned.
"I wouldn't," Harry said. "Recently it was found Ron had been confounded that night. He didn't mean to hurt Hermione."
"And would you hire or ask anyone to take revenge on either of them?"
"No, I would not," Harry said.
"Do you know of anyone that would seek to take revenge, either on your behalf or for their own reasons?" Kingsley questioned.
Thoughts to his wives and what Narcissa wanted to do last week had him looking uncomfortably at Ted. Ted had a rather impassive face. "Regent Potter-Black would ask to answer that question after we have had time to confer in private."
The Auror at the door shifted. Harry couldn't help but feel threatened at his change in stance. Instinctively he reached for his wand. Ted stopped his hand.
"I am stopping the dictaquill. You can have ten minutes to confer with your client," Kingsley said.
When they left, Ted furtively looked around. "Harry, there will be listening charms here, most likely. My advice is to say nothing. If they want to keep asking questions, make them get a subpoena. I can then negotiate on your behalf before you answer any more questions."
"But doesn't that make me look guilty?" Harry asked.
"Potentially, but I think it better you don't say anything right now," Ted advised.
"Fine."
When they came back in, Ted spoke for him. "My client is not interested in answering any more questions at this time. I will gladly take any further inquiries or make my client available if you get a subpoena."
Kingsley nodded. "Very well. I assume you are representing Heiress Potter and Heiress Black as well?"
"I am," Ted affirmed.
"If we have more questions, we will contact you in the next few days."
Harry waited until they had left the ministry, via the muggle road entrance and walked three blocks before suddenly letting it out. "Ted, tell me that Narcissa or Andi are not involved in this? I can tell you that none of us are." He ran a hand through his hair. "Bloody hell. Ron is dead."
"Harry, I know Andi is not involved. I think we should call everyone together," Ted told him.
Harry let out a long breath. It had been hard enough to deal with Ron going completely mental and the almost certainty that he hadn't meant to get Hermione hurt. Now he was dead, and Harry was looking like a prime suspect with all the issues with the Weasleys right now.
"Bloody fuck!"
-oOo-
June 6, 1998
Hogsmeade, Scotland
Daphne was walking into Hogsmeade today with Astoria.
"You could have asked me what happened," Daphne said to her normally bouncy sister.
"Hmmm, what is that?" the pensive girl asked.
"What exactly happened. About the curse. About how your stupid idea last week put us in more jeopardy than we were already in," Daphne said angrily.
Astoria skipped a step. She adopted an innocent face. "I don't know what you are talking about, unless you are talking about how Filch found me in that broom closet?"
Daphne snorted. "I'm not talking about you being half naked with a boy sucking at your tit. I'm talking about Ginny Weasley. Did you actually make her swear an oath?"
Astoria gave her sister a cheeky grin. "Oh, someone was sucking on something, but it wasn't my tit at the time. Luckily Filch showed before there was a mess to clean up."
Daphne scoffed. "You are only fifteen!"
"And you are a prude that waited until you were eighteen. By the way, how is it laying with another girl? Does Hermione know just the places to get you all wet and bothered? I've always wondered about that, but Amanda isn't that way," Astoria asked with a grin.
Daphne blushed a little. "You know I had to be pure as part of the bloody contract. And don't you dare do that!"
"Do what?"
"That!" Daphne exclaimed.
"Still don't know what I'm doing?"
"Being an annoying prat! Don't change the subject. Did you make Weasley swear an oath?"
"Oh, that?" she tried to ask innocently.
"Yes. That," Daphne said rather deadpan.
"It was nothing. I was just doing what grandfather taught us. It won't be a problem," Astoria said.
Daphne made a growling sound. "Astoria, I swear, if you weren't family, I'd bury you myself."
Astoria gave her a cheeky grin. "But you love me, admit it."
Daphne screamed in frustration as they reached the gate. "Merlin, what were mother and father thinking to have you?"
"I'm sure mum was thinking it felt good while fathe…. OW!" Astoria screamed as she grabbed her bottom. Daphne had her wand out and ready to cast another stinging hex. "You are way to uptight today. Is this your baby hormones?"
Daphne screamed again and started to walk faster. Astoria grinned behind her back. "You're bloody impossible, Stori!"
"Pretty much."
Daphne let out an angry huff and continued to charge ahead.
"Is it safe for you and the babies to be so upset?" Astoria questioned.
"I'm fine," she snapped.
Astoria took her arm. Daphne spun around to glare at her sister. "Daph, I'm sorry. I'm not trying to get you this upset. I know I shouldn't have done what I did last week. I only made Weasley swear she would not intentionally harm you or any of our family. That's it. She swore she didn't know a thing. Are you going to tell me about the curses?"
Daphne's glare softened. After a moment she let out a sigh. "I wish Harry could have come with us."
"Why didn't he?"
"He was asked to go back into the Aurors office today," she said.
Astoria frowned. "They don't think he killed Lockhart and Weasley, do they?"
"No. At least Ted doesn't think so, but they think he knows something. He's supposed to be under veritaserum for a bit to answer a few questioned agreed on by the Aurors and Ted. With all these issues, what you made Weasley swear last weekend complicates things," Daphne told her.
Astoria looked a little chastened. "I'm sorry, Daph. I was only trying to protect you and my niece and nephew."
"I know, Stori. Next time though, don't. Talk to me, Harry or father before you do anything stupid again. We can at least back you up," Daphne said.
Astoria grinned. "It almost sounds like you love me and care about me."
Daphne snorted. "Don't read too much into this. You are still an annoying prat."
They started to walk towards the Three Broomsticks again. "A prat you love."
"I swear," Daphne exasperatedly yelled. Astoria giggled at her. Daphne gave a slight uplift to the side of her mouth. As annoying Astoria was, Daphne did love and worry about her. Not that she would ever admit that.
They were almost to the Three Broomsticks. Being a non-Hogwarts weekend, the town was quiet for a Saturday morning. "Are you going to tell father?"
"Will you release Ginny from that vow? The last thing we need is to be blamed for her losing her magic. We aren't in a blood feud with them yet," Daphne said.
"We should be," Astoria said.
"We should. Are you going to release Weasley?"
"Are you going to tell father?"
"Only if you don't release her."
"Fine. When we get back, I'll hunt down Weasley and release her," Astoria grumpily agreed.
Daphne nodded.
In an upstairs private room, Daphne hugged her mother and father in greetings. Her father looked behind her. "Where is Harry and Hermione? This is a family meeting."
"Harry had to go into the DMLE for more questioning today. Hermione had some Head Girl duties she couldn't get out of because Corner was out today," Daphne said.
Her father frowned and her mother gave him a hard look. Looking around, he turned to the fireplace. "We are going to go home to have this talk."
When they were in the family's sitting room, Daphne felt relieved as she sat on the small sofa.
"Is it starting to wear on you?" her mother asked as she motioned for Daphne to move to put a pillow behind her.
"I swear I'm double the size of Hermione already," she whinged to her mother.
"Well, you are having twins," her mother said.
"Are you doing well?" her father asked concerned.
"I'll be fine, father. Now what is this meeting about?" Daphne asked.
"Do I get to stay or am I still too young?" Astoria questioned.
"You, stay," her father told her. "Before we get into things, why is Harry in the DMLE?"
"They think he knows something about Weasley's and Lockhart's deaths. He doesn't. Harry wants to kill some of the Weasleys, but Ronald wasn't one of them," Daphne replied.
Her father frowned. "That was an unfortunate error," her father said.
Daphne snapped her head around to him. "Unfortunate error?"
"Ronald wasn't the target," her father said. When she glared at him, he went on. "The boy was given a box of chocolates that were not intended for him. They were actually given to his brother, Percival. Percival gave Ronald the chocolates when he vistied."
Daphne closed her eyes and pinched her nose.
Astoria stared with huge eyes at her father. "You wanted to kill him?"
"It wasn't supposed to kill him. Not initially anyways," her father said.
"I can't hear this. I can't tell Harry this! They already are asking him if he knows anything," Daphne exclaimed. "Do you have any idea what this might do to the case in the courts?"
"Then it is fortuitous he is not here," her father said.
"Father, he is my husband! My regent and lord. Are you asking me to keep a secret like this from him?" Daphne demanded.
"Of course not, Daphne," her mother said, giving her father a harsh glare. "What your father is trying to say is that the potions were only supposed to make Percival fall into an unwakable coma so that he wasn't a threat to you and your family anymore."
"Apparently, someone had it out for Lockhart though. The Weasley boy and the old fraud shared sweets," her father said angrily.
"How do you know this? Where can I get contacts like that?" Astoria asked.
"One of my second cousins is a Healer at Saint Mungo's," their mother replied.
"I can't tell Harry I know all this!" Daphne exclaimed.
"I didn't know he was a suspect," her father told her. "You should have told us."
"Ted told us not to talk to anyone to keep everyone out of the investigation," Daphne snapped back.
"You should have told us. Told me, at the least. You girls are not to keep anything this big from me. I need to know to protect this family," her father said angrily, obviously upset about the whole thing.
"Father, you are not my head of house anymore. My obligation is to protect my family. My obligation is to my husband and children first. Hermione second. You third. You are my family, but I was protecting you by keeping you out of this. I am glad I didn't know all this before Harry had to go in today," Daphne angrily retorted.
This seemed to hit her father hard. Yes, she had married Harry, but until now, she had never directly gone against her parents. She wasn't a girl anymore and her father was no longer the head of her House.
"You are right, Daphne. Your father will understand. Won't you, Grover?" her mother demanded.
Her father took in a deep breath. He didn't look pleased about it. Like most pureblood lords, he was king of the roost. To understand that one of his daughters was no longer in his direct control hadn't really seemed to hit him until this instance. He looked to be swallowing his pride as he said. "Yes, you are right. Daphne, I'm sorry. If I knew Harry was a suspect or being questioned, I would not have called this family meeting."
There was a long silence before Astoria asked, "So, are we offing any other Weasley or are we letting Harry do everything?"
"Astoria!" her mother said shocked at her younger daughter's blasé attitude. Their father shook his head, looking between amused and proud.
-oOo-
June 9, 1998
London, England
Harry walked into a place he had never wanted to step into again. It wasn't as musty or dusty as last time, most of the old moth or doxie eaten furniture was now gone and the elf heads on the stairs were missing. Harry scowled to think of the evil thing that had betrayed Sirius that night. Harry did not regret what happened to Kreature. The bastard died when presented with clothes, he was so old the loss of his master's magic was too much.
The stasis charms that Hermione and him had put on the place last summer were holding. Even with the month they had spent cleaning this place after he turned seventeen, he had not been able to get rid of the awful painting yet, but he was being quiet enough to not wake it.
In a few weeks they would be leaving Hogwarts and would need a place of their own. Grover was offering them a small cottage for them to use. Of course, a cottage to the Greengrasses meant a small country estate with an old tutor style house that had five bedrooms and more amenities than where he grew up in Little Whinging. They were going to accept it for now, until they decided to find a place of their own. All he knew was that he didn't want to live here.
Hermione, Ginny, George, Fred and him had cleared out all they could. He had allowed the twins to take anything they wanted except for two rooms. On the second floor was the old Lord's study and the library. Only those of Black blood or married into the family could safely access the books in the library and all the old finance and family books were in the study. Not to mention the few artefacts and heirlooms he wanted to keep.
Today he was heading towards the study.
As he walked through the house, he could see signs where their charms were degrading or failing. "I think I need a house elf," Harry said to the oppressive, mostly empty house.
When he entered the study, he made a face. Generations of records of the Black family lined the shelves, along with the heirlooms and artefacts. All the paintings that they had decided to keep were piled haphazardly along the built-in bookshelves. A particularly snarling man in mid-sixteen hundred garb was glaring at him.
"Have ye come to place us where we belong, nave?" the painting snarled.
"Shut it. I am the regent of House Black and I'll do with you want I want," Harry snapped back. He wasn't in the mood to play around today.
The large painting behind the old English oak desk looked amused. "My son and grandson could never get that tone of command."
Harry smirked at the man before giving him a small bow. "Lord Black," Harry greeted the painting with respect. Lord Arcturus Black, the last true Lord of the Blacks, was a stately looking man.
The painting waived his hand dismissively. "Cut with the lord crap, Harry. Has Hogwarts let out for the year?"
"Not yet. NEWTs are in a few weeks. I have a matter of some importance though," Harry said.
The man smiled. "Are you talking about your new wives? I saw the tapestry. Greengrass? They were always neutral, but I knew Tiberius to be rather ornery at times," the painting of Arcturus remarked.
"I'm sorry to say, but Tiberius Greengrass passed on almost ten years ago. His son, Grover, is Lord Greengrass now," Harry said.
Arcturus nodded. "I remember him being more level-headed than his father."
"Arcturus, I know you don't get much information when I'm not here, but there is a matter of importance. I want to declare a blood feud and I want to do it in the old form," Harry told him.
Arcturus brow rose. "I thought you were like my grandson and didn't believe in the old ways?"
"My wife does and some members of the Weasley family tried to end both of my lines," Harry said bitterly. He was torn between the four Weasleys he had no problem with and the other four.
Arcturus' eyes narrowed. "What do you mean end both lines?"
"A blood curse that would have made all of my blood fallow," Harry said.
Arcturus and others swore or tried to give their own curses. "And you are not just going to destroy the entire family now?"
"There are some members that I have no quarrel with. Others I want to bury six feet down," Harry told him.
"A Black would never allow members of a family to do such things just go free. You must destroy them all," an older woman said. The sign under it read Cedrela Black.
"I will not harm those that are innocent," Harry said harshly.
"And this is why you want the old forms," Arcturus said contemplatively. "What do you want?"
"To offer William, George, Fred and Ginevra a way out if they do not wish to stand with their family," Harry told him. "The others I am going to destroy."
Arcturus nodded. "I see. To declare blood feud in the old ways means you declare eternal vengeance on the entire blood line or clan. If you declare blood feud on the Weasleys, that means all. You will have to eliminate them, or they eliminate you. The only way to end a blood feud in the old ways is the total annihilation of one blood line or the other."
"I understand that. That is why I need another option," Harry said.
"If you declare blood feud, there is no other option. You see the blood traitors die. I will not see the Blacks die out," Arcturus said in a commanding voice. "You are set to declare a blood feud?"
"I will declare blood feud," Harry affirmed.
Arcturus rubbed his chin as he thought. "The only way to not kill the ones you want to save is for them to declare themselves part of another bloodline and the head of that line accept them."
Harry nodded. "Thank you."
"You are going to kill the ones that tried to kill off our house, right, Lord Potter-Black?" Arcturus questioned. Harry knew this was a test by the old man in the painting.
Harry's eyes burned with his power. "You have my oath and word that they will suffer."
Arcturus nodded, then gave Harry a small bow. "Very well. You are worthy of my blood. Now, do you plan to keep me here for the rest of your days?"
Harry gave the man a small grin. "I am looking at options. I plan to combine you and the Potter portraits at some point."
Arcturus scoffed and others complained. "You plan to stick me next to your grandfather, don't you?"
Harry's grin grew. "I know how much you both love each other."
"I would love to ring his neck," Arcturus said. "What my sister saw in him I will never understand."
Harry chuckled. "He misses you too. So does your sister. For now, they are staying in my vaults until I can get a place that will do honour to you both."
Arcturus shook his head. "You are just as much of a troublemaker as my sister and grandson."
"I hear Potters were good at making trouble."
The painting chuckled. "No truer words were ever said."
-oOo-
June 10, 1998
London, England
Harry watched the members of the Wizengamot walk into the courtroom. The thirteen members sitting int the trial today all had varying expressions. Most looked passive. Lord Dearborn looked troubled. Chief Warlock Brown had a rather severe expression.
Across from him Dumbledore had his head down. All the man's sins against Harry and House Potter had been lain bare the last two days. Eighteen tomes or journals. Thirty-two Potter heirlooms that the man had collected and never returned going back to his great-grandparents. The lies that led to Sirius spending more than twelve years in Azkaban. The way he illegally sealed his parents' will to 'protect him'. The stolen magic and family history that was supposed to be his birthright.
Harry was seething inside, finding it hard to keep his emotionless face as passive as possible. He knew what was going to come out. Ted had been preparing for this for over a year. But to see it before the Wizengamot was something else.
Chief Warlock Brown stood before the dais. "Mister Dumbledore, please stand."
Dumbledore did, still looking downcast. In all the years that Harry knew the man, he never known the man to look defeated before. It almost took the steam out of Harry's anger to kill the man. He had meant he wanted the man dead. At the least, it would keep him from using anyone else.
"Mister Dumbledore, do you have anything you would like to say to this court before we vote on your guilt or innocence?" Chief Warlock Brown asked. She really did look a lot like Lavender, just fifty years older.
Dumbledore looked up, before looking at him. "I would only wish the court finds some mercy on my actions. I can see how my actions appear. I never meant to steal knowledge or heirlooms. I always had the intention to return them, I just never thought Harry was old enough. I wanted him to have a childhood. I realize now that my actions led to a young boy growing into a man years before he should. Harry, I do apologize. I only ever meant to protect you. I never meant for your relatives to treat you the way they did."
Harry was about to retort when Ted put a hand on his arm.
Dumbledore turned to the Wizengamot. "I never stole anything from Mister Potter or his family. All knowledge and items in my possession were freely given or obtained when I was Mister Potter's guardian. I only took them for his protection and to gain the knowledge needed to defeat the Dark Lord Voldemort. Everything was to be returned to Mister Potter when needed."
Most of the Wizengamot didn't look pleased.
When it was obvious he wasn't going to say anything else, the Chief Warlock tapped her wand on the podium. People in the stands behind them had started to whisper and talk in hushed tones but silenced instantly.
"I will instruct the Wizengamot members present on how to vote. A blue light on your wand means innocent. A yellow light will mean guilty. If you abstain and there is an even count, I will be the final vote. Is this understood?"
The thirteen members indicated their understanding.
"In the civil trial of Regent Harry James Potter, Regent of House Potter, versus Mister Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Head of House Dumbledore, the Wizengamot court will vote on the following charges, taking into account the evidence presented, and voted on the least severe to the most," Chief Warlock Brown said.
"The first count is for the theft of protected funds in the total of one-hundred and three thousand galleons. How does the Wizengamot find?"
Harry watched as thirteen wands raised. Ten of the members had yellow wands. Three were lit blue.
"Mister Dumbledore, you are found guilty of the first count. The second count is for the theft of eighteen heirlooms after becoming Regent Potter's guardian, and the theft of fourteen heirlooms lend to you between nineteen-twenty-one and nineteen-eighty. How does the court find?"
Eleven wands lit yellow.
As each charge was read, at least ten wands had yellow lights.
When it was done, Dumbledore had been found guilty of everything.
"Mister Dumbledore, it is the finding of this court that you are guilty on all counts. The court demands you repay all funds, return the seven heirloom items still missing and will recommend you be barred from holding any office in the Ministry of Magic of Great Britain and that you be removed from any position you have over any child," Chief Warlock Brown said.
Dumbledore's head sunk lower.
"The evidence and verdicts will be handed to the DMLE. It is this courts recommendation that the maximum penalty of four lifetimes in Azkaban for your attempts at line theft, and for the Dementor kiss, or other permanent death, for your attempts at the Line Assassination of the Potters.
If I may add, this is one of the most heinous cases I have had the displeasure to be part of in my thirty-four years as a Wizengamot member and now Chief Warlock. The acts that you are responsible for are just as bad as the mad men you claim to have been fighting. Is it really the moral high ground if you plot for your own allies' demise?
Finally, this court will grant the motion that Mister Dumbledore cannot be within one hundred yards of Regent Potter, Heiress Potter, Heiress Black or any other member of Regent Potter's family without permission. If it is unavoidable, you are not to talk or make any contact with said party unless bidden." Chief Warlock Brown looked at Dumbledore like he was a disgusting thing.
"The duty of this court is fulfilled. I call it adjourned."
Harry got up. He was alright with the verdict. He really wanted Dumbledore gone. He didn't want the man anywhere close to his family.
"Harry, can I have a word?" Dumbledore asked as he came over to his table.
Harry stood with Ted. "I have nothing to say to you anymore. I expect everything to be returned and the goblins to confirm the funds are in my vault by Friday."
Dumbledore sighed. Harry had never seen him so downtrodden. "I cannot do that. Some of the items you request were never in my possession, and I do not have those funds. The Order of Pheonix required funding."
Harry made a terribly angry face. "I don't care. You stole from me. You stole from my family. You tried to kill me and left me with abusive relatives. Ted, if he comes within a hundred yards of me, I want him in a cell or on the boat to Azkaban."
"Harry, please," Dumbledore said.
"That is Regent Potter-Black, Mister Dumbledore. Friday or I call on the Aurors," Harry told him before walking out.
"Albus, if you bother him or any of his wives again, I will have the Aurors arresting you," Ted said behind him before he followed Harry out. They made it through the throng of reporters and was joined by others on the lift. Harry tried to ignore them, but his patience was growing real thin by the time they made it to Amelia's office.
"Straffen, get them out of here. This is the DMLE not a circus," Amelia demanded.
"Yes, boss," an older Auror with dark hair said.
When the door closed, Amelia looked at them. "So?"
Harry raised an eyebrow as they sat in chairs before her desk.
"Like you don't know already?" Ted asked.
"I receive the noticed. What are you thinking?" she asked to Harry.
"I want him kissed or sent through the veil. I don't want him anywhere near anyone I love," Harry told her.
She nodded. "I meet with Augusta tonight if there isn't an emergency meeting of the Board of Governors."
Harry nodded his agreement.
"Now, I know you didn't just head up here to talk about Dumbledore's fall from grace," she commented.
Harry motioned to Ted, who took out a pile of parchments. "This is the official filing of Blood Feud between the House of Black and Potter against the House of Weasley. The old ways will be declared Sunday. I will send the required notice to William Weasley when I get back to my office."
Amelia frowned. "I have no issue with a blood feud, but the old ways?"
"I don't want there to be any misunderstanding of what will happen if you try to harm or kill my family," Harry told her.
"Very well, Regent Potter-Black. The DMLE will recognize the Blood Feud after you have completed the old Rights of Blood Betrayal. You are only to deal with those involved in the feud. If you harm anyone else, then you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I will inform you that Molly, Percival, Arthur and Charlie Weasley are currently in DMLE custody. A blood feud will not allow you to harm them while in custody awaiting trial. Do you understand?" Amelia said in her Head of the DMLE persona.
"I understand, Director Bones," Harry said.
"On a personal note, the House of Bones will back you in this. What that woman did is beyond evil. What are your intentions with the Weasley case next week?" she asked.
"I will request a duel to end the bastard. I want to see him die," Harry said.
Amelia frowned. "Harry, I agree that you should see him dead, but do you want to dirty your hands that way?"
"Amelia," Harry said, unable to keep the anger out of his voice. "Percy tried to harm my unborn children. He threatened to kill my wives. He tried to kill us and cause irreparable harm to my family. I want everyone that might try to go after my family to know the cost."
Amelia regarded him for a few. "I knew your grandfather some when I was younger. He was very protective of his family, but right now you are reminding me more of the Blacks. Just don't let this send you down a path you can't come back from."
Ted put the parchments on her desk. "Andi and his girls wouldn't let him go that far."
Amelia smiled. "I do like Daphne and Hermione. I know Neville has already invited me to a dinner at Longmarche after you graduate. Perhaps I should recommend making it a party?"
Harry let a small smile onto his face. "That would nice."
-oOo-
Next time on A Mid-Winter's Eve: The beginning of the end… or a Potter-Black's vengeance.