Thanks to everyone who reviewed my story :)
AN-1: I am so happy you liked the previous chapter! I was a bit anxious about how it would be received, and you all seem to have really liked it.
AN-2: Chapter betaed by Miette and dstone12, thank you!

The world has become crazy. It doesn't make sense anymore. I'm sitting in a cell. An Auror cell mind you, not one in Azkaban. Not yet. It's only a matter of time.
My mind feels clearer than it has for a long time yet I cannot make sense of the multitude of thoughts pushing through my head. I look down at my left arm for the hundredth time but it is still blank. No black skull looking back at me. No snake rearing its head at me.

I lost consciousness shortly after being put into my cell, and when I woke up, two days later according to the Aurors, the Mark was gone, my promise, my struggles and my hard work erased without my consent.
At first, I thought that the Aurors had found a way to remove the Mark and had done so because they feared I could pass information to the group through it. After all, according to them, I am nothing but a terrorist. But the next morning, they told me our Lord was dead, and that the Mark had disappeared from my arm at the time of his death.
They did not tell me how he died. I cannot believe it. But I wouldn't have believed what had happened… one week ago? Or is it two? How many days have I spent here waiting to be led off to Azkaban?

I look up as my door opens noisily. Moody and Longbottom – Frank, not Alice and why does it even matter? – stand in front of me, faces blank. I expected jeers and hateful faces but theirs are devoid of feelings. Like when they pulled me away from Jonathan.

"How is he?"

I have to ask.
They don't pretend not to understand.

"Still breathing. Unconscious. He spent a long time under the Cruciatus. Healers are not optimistic," answers Moody.

Still no jeers. No you-deserves-this-you-f…...g-Death-Eater. Only blank faces. I do not know what to do. I should ask for a lawyer, like Father taught me. But what could he do when I was caught red-handed? Would Father's lawyer even come when I've betrayed the cause?
A snort escaped me. Useless betrayal. Jonathan's barely alive, and his mind… I feel tears coming and I push them back roughly. They are of no use here.

"Your lawyers are here," says Moody as he watches me warily.

Lawyers? Is Father hoping numbers will make up for the lack of arguments in my favour? At least, he still supports me despite my failings.

"They asked for a meeting with the Judge, Auror Longbottom and you," explains Moody.

What do they hope to negotiate for? My guilt is clear as day.

I shrug to myself and let Moody pull magic inhibitor scuffs on me. I feel cold. Magic's absence is always more perceptible than its presence.
They lead me through several corridors. We meet other people but I keep my eyes fixed to the ground. I don't want to see them gloating. Slytherin has lost.
I hope Severus is alright. He has to be. At least one of the three of us must be.

We enter judge Amelia Bones' office and I struggle not to let my surprise show. Mr Bluntlaw, Father's lawyer, is accompanied by Lily Potter. Why would she defend me when her son was the other target? Is her son dead? Is she here to get revenge under the guise of helping me?

Moody makes me sit between my two lawyers, in front of Judge Bones' desk, before sitting in the chair beside her desk. His wooden leg makes him no less formidable.
Severus did this. Did he also save Moody's life that day? Bellatrix seemed so certain he had betrayed us. Jonathan and he spent more time together than with me. I was too busy with Mulciber and the cause.
I want to scream. Everything I thought I knew is dissolving into shambles. I don't know what's true and what's not.

Frank Longbottom remains standing, leaning against the wall with an overview of all of us.

"Mr. Rosier."

Judge Bones' voice is loud in the silent room.

"Your lawyers feel there were… mitigating circumstances which led you to attack Longbottom Manor. They have asked that we review the memory of the scene which Auror Longbottom kindly provided and then that we, Judge, Aurors and lawyers, ask you any questions we may have until we decide on the proper actions concerning your future. Be warned that Auror Moody will use a truth detector during the entire time."

"I understand."

What else can I say? That I doubt it will bring me anything other than ten years in Azkaban? That I wish I were back in Hogwarts joking with Jonathan and Severus? Will Severus forgive me for letting Jonathan down? He repeated time and time again that I needed to focus on my Apprenticeship. Had he known how much I would need those skills?

"Right. Let's get it over with."

Judge Bones pulls out a pensieve and sets it on her desk while Longbottom wards the room against intruders. We will be vulnerable while in the Pensieve, though I expect Longbottom will not go in.

"Everybody please touch the Pensieve. As we will be going in together, I will use Religo Memento to bring us in the memory at the same time."

We all nod. Severus would be asking himself why I can use a pensive with the inhibitor cuffs on. I just feel tired.

Seconds later, I'm standing inside Longbottom Manor.
I have not yet arrived. Frank Longbottom is playing with his son, repotting flowers. They are getting more soil on themselves than in the pots but they are laughing together, the little one shrieking in delight. Until Longbottom looks up suddenly, wand at ready.

"Alice."

I watch as Alice Longbottom quickly but efficiently puts her son into his crib, muttering a spell under her breath which activates the crib shield while Longbottom sends a Patronus. They stand back to back, on each side of the crib, silent and focused.

Less than two minutes later, I see myself running into the room, along with Bellatrix, Carrow, Dolohov, Yaxley, Lord Nott's brother and Jonathan, the latter lagging slightly behind. Six of the best of us to attack the Longbottoms. The two golems and the earth elemental that broke the wards for us are useless, their magic spent on getting us a quick entry. Fine pieces of Magic, only achieved with Lord Voldemort's guidance. Gibbon and Lord Selwyn's nephew remained behind to prevent any reinforcements from coming in behind us.

The Longbottoms attack us the moment we enter the room. They fight well despite being outnumbered. Only now do I notice that Jonathan is clearly less than helpful in the fight. He doesn't hurt any of us. But he gets in the way of casting spells, allowing the Longbottoms to fare better than they should have. Until Alice falters. Only a small misstep. The breach in their defence is enough for us to finally immobilise them. We are not to kill them. They are Purebloods. Only the child, the one who would endanger our fight, is to die.

I feel nauseous, remembering my certainty that the little kid needed to die.

Of course, the crib protects the child. We are unable to get through its shield. We are unable to take it away with us as it's anchored into the ground. I feel like a fool. I know the protections my parents taught me, to use for my future heir. They would draw on the Magic of our House. Few spells and rituals could break them. Why did I think the Longbottoms would be different only because they were Gryffindors?
Our Lord may have anticipated it when he gifted us the golems and the elemental but misjudged the strength of Longbottom Manor's wards. Though I heard Nott and Yaxley talk about a second elemental that our Lord kept behind to guard two powerful prisoners.

Anyway, we are unable to accomplish the mission assigned by our Lord. Bellatrix is very angry.
She threatens the Longbottoms. Tell them to bring the defences down or else. They refuse. As they should. Children are precious. When did we forget it?

She casts the Cruciatus curse on him. Then on her. Testing which one might crumble and give up his child to save his lover. It doesn't work. She tries to Imperio them to make them deactivate the shield. And fails.
She cackles madly, a threatening glint in her eye. Then announces she has always wanted to know if people could really become mad if they spent too much time under Crucio.

They flinch, both of them. But they hold strong and still refuse to comply.

I turn my head as I hear a gasp. Lily Potter has tears glistening on her face. Master Bluntlaw's face is blank but taut, just as Judge Bones' expression is. I cannot see Moody's as he faces away from me.
I want to close my eyes because I know what comes next.

"Enough!"

Jonathan stands between Bellatrix and the Longbottoms.

"We are not to harm them," hisses my friend.

He's trying to seem reasonable, not to show how much he disagrees with our mission. I can see it so clearly now. It may have worked with someone other than Bellatrix.

"We are to kill the child, whatever the cost," replies Bellatrix coldly.

"Are you listening to yourself? We cannot afford to kill them. The bad press—"

"Will be nothing to worry about once we have won," finishes Bellatrix smoothly.

We are all masked, yet I can feel her anger and madness oozing from her.

"You cannot kill them or torture them to madness. This is not who we are. We've failed this time because we misjudged the strength of their protections but there are other things—we can try again. We—"

There's a gasp from all the others as Bellatrix disarms Jonathan. He did not expect it either.

"Little Wilkes," she says, coldness and maliciousness seeping through her voice. "My Lord was right. As he always is. You are a traitor. You don't wish for us to kill the baby. You wish for the future killer of my Lord to live," she snaps viciously, casting Crucio on him.

He yells in pain, falling to his knees.

I watch as I remain frozen along with the others, not understanding what's happening. Our distraction is enough for the Longbottoms to free themselves and retrieve wands from Merlin knows where, fighting back again. Now we are only four against two, as Bellatrix focused on interrogating and Crucioing Jonathan.

At the time, I was too busy with the Longbottoms to do more than check to see she was not killing him. Too confused to do more than react to their attack. Now, I can listen to her.

"Who else is plotting my Lord's demise?" asks Bellatrix, eyes dark with fury through her mask.

"No one," answers Jonathan defiantly. "I am loyal and—"

He breaks off with a scream as she breaks one of his fingers with a small focused blasting curse.

"Wilkes. I am no fool. My Lord is no fool. We knew you were not as loyal as you pretended to be. Especially since your special friend came back. Snape. The genius Lord Caspian. Did you think he could be the one to lead us? Or is he still so hung up on his Mudblood he did not want to see her child dead?"

"We are loyal," protests Jonathan stubbornly. "We wish for Lord Voldemort to win and become Minister. You—"

He cries out as she Crucioes him once more.
I know him. He's telling the truth. She doesn't believe him.

"Do not lie," she hisses. "You want me to abandon the mission, which means you are a traitor. And you will tell me who else is. Could it be my little cousin? Was he so upset with the death of his precious House Elf that he decided to overthrow my Lord? Did he think he needed to kill a Dark Lord to prove himself the Black heir and roped you into his scheme? Or did you and Caspian trick him into betraying our Lord?"

She's ranting, a manic look in her eyes as she circles her prey. She seems to have completely forgotten the mission despite our limited time before the Aurors arrive. Uncovering a potential betrayal to Lord Voldemort and our cause always was her obsession. I can't even count the number of times she accused Severus of such a thing.

I don't know what happened then.
In the memory, Jonathan looks at me. Looks at me fighting the Longbottoms while stealing glances at him when I can. And casts his Patronus. Not to send a message. Not to protect himself, though what protection could it be against Bellatrix? Only so it comes to fly in circles around me.

Bellatrix watches in surprise before she laughs.

"A wandless Patronus? How impressive," she sneers. "But what trick did you expect to happen? A Patronus to defend yourself against the Cruciatus? Even your Patronus is afraid of it!"

Jonathan only looks back at her with his chin raised. She laughs again as she casts the Cruciatus spell.
She did not understand. The Patronus was not for him.

I watch as his bright hummingbird circles around me then around my left arm. It keeps turning around it in dazzling circles, distracting me from the fight. It's not the only distraction. I remember the confused feeling in my head. How my determination to kill this child turned to wondering why I was considering killing the kid when kidnapping him was much more reasonable. How I wondered what we truly hoped to achieve here. How I suddenly realised I needed to save Jonathan from Bellatrix. How I realised she was going to kill him.

I want to shout at my memory-self for taking so long to realise what I needed to do.

I break off my fight with Frank Longbottom, dodging to the side to run toward Bellatrix. Jonathan's writhing on the floor, no sound coming from him. I run harder when his Patronus begins flickering on and off.
I take Bellatrix by surprise, but she still manages to avoid my stunner. I cannot harm her, my Lord will never forgive me. Yet I cannot let her hurt Jonathan more than she already has.

"Another traitor uncovers himself! Mulciber was so certain of your loyalty," she laughs madly as we fight.

She's better than I am. I'm still an Apprentice. And she doesn't care if she hurts me or Jonathan.

Our duel had seemed to last for hours but in truth, it lasts mere minutes. I'm losing ground when Alice Longbottom casts Avada Kedavra on Bellatrix. She doesn't see it coming.

I'm at Jonathan's side in a heartbeat. He's unconscious and shaking, breathing with difficulty.
I'm not a healer. I do the only thing I can think of. I take off our masks and take him into my arms. I talk to him, trying to make him open his eyes.

Will Severus forgive me if Jonathan never wakes up?

In the memory, Alice goes to her child while sending her Patronus off. Frank keeps watch on me and the other Death Eaters. Those who are not dead anyway.
Aurors arrive almost immediately. They must have already been on their way after Frank's first Patronus. They speak with the Longbottoms briefly before taking charge of my fallen comrades. Prewett and Frank Longbottom have to pry me off Jonathan so the Healers can take care of him. They are surprisingly gentle.

I blink as we suddenly are back into Judge Bones' office. The Judge is studying me. I wonder what she sees.

She nods to herself once before speaking. Her voice is clear and matter-of-fact.
"You may be wondering about your companions' current status. As you know, Mrs Bellatrix Lestrange is dead and Mister Wilkes is currently at Saint Mungo in a coma after suffering from intense exposure to the Cruciatus curse. Mister Carrow was killed during the attack as well. Misters Dolohov, Gibbon, Selwyn, Yaxley and Nott are in the ministry's custody like yourself."

I cannot say I'll weep on Bellatrix and Carrow's fate. She tortured Jonathan. She was crazy. Carrow had cared less about the cause than the fact it allowed him to cast vicious spells without retribution.
I shudder when I remember some of the things I did. The 'special' events I partook in, torturing Muggleborns and traitors. Thank Merlin this madness only lasted five weeks. Who knows what I would have done in the name of the cause? I remember being uneasy after some of those nights, but Mulciber had resolutely assured me the end justifies the means, and I had believed him.

I want to cry when I remember how I brushed off Jonathan's comments when he had cautiously admitted he had reservations about Carrow and Dolohov. How I told him the cause was too important to punish them for their behaviour. He had not insisted. I thought I had convinced him.
What did this Mark truly do to me? How much did it influence me? How did Jonathan manage to resist it?

"Mister Rosier?"

I feel myself flush as I realise I missed a question addressed to me.
"I'm sorry Judge Bones, could you repeat the question please?"

"Do you belong to the terrorist group known as the Death Eaters?"

I look at her incredulously. She knows I do.
"Yes, you saw my Mark when I was arrested."

"You do not bear it anymore," she remarks.

I shrug.
"It disappeared sometime after I was put into my cell."

"Why did you attack the Longbottoms' manor?"

The question isn't unexpected. I asked myself the same thing several times these past days. Where to begin?

"Have you heard of the Prophecy?" I finally ask.

"I cannot say that I have," answers the Judge slowly. "But I might be the only one if I'm reading this room accurately."

The Aurors shift uneasily and Lily Potter flushes slightly. Seriously.

"Sybill Trelawney made a Prophecy to Albus Dumbledore in January, 1980. It said The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not..."

Judge Bone sits back in her chair, arms crossing on her chest, and gestures for me to continue. I must be careful in my answer.

"Our Lord thought it meant that one baby born in late July, 1980 would have the power to kill him. He thought the child might come to do so because he would be born to an enemy family who would raise him to hate our Lord and our cause. So we decided to kidnap and raise the child on our side."

It had seemed reasonable enough at the time. Even now, I could go with this plan. Except Lord Voldemort is dead so it doesn't matter anymore.

"Bellatrix spoke of killing Neville Longbottom in the memory," says the Judge as she locks eyes with me.

I feel a wry smile pull at my lips.
"She did. We had determined that two babies fit the Prophecy, Neville Longbottom and Harry Potter. After the election for Minister was postponed to an undetermined future date, it was decided the children would be killed instead of kidnapped because they were too dangerous for the cause. I'm not even sure how to explain why, it made sense at the time."

"Do you mean it does not make sense anymore?" asks Judge Bone.

"Many things don't make sense anymore," I answer with a shrug.

"Do you know why they made sense then but not now?" asks Lily Potter, opening her mouth for the first time.

I fully look at her for the first time since I entered the room. She's composed and professional. No anger, no hate is perceptible on her face, even though I admitted we had planned on killing her son.

"You know I used to bear the Death Eaters' Mark on my left arm. It allowed us to find each other and to communicate brief messages to each other. I think it also influenced minds and feelings."

I feel ill at ease revealing this information and yet, why should I not? Now that the Mark has disappeared, it cannot incriminate anyone who was not caught.

"Why do you say "I think" Mister Rosier?" prods Judge Bones.

"Obviously, I would never have agreed to be marked if I had known the Mark could be used to influence my decisions. I only realised it when Jonathan..."

My voice breaks and I want to hit myself. Slytherins do not show weaknesses to strangers. Even though they have already seen me cry over Jonathan's body.

"I only realised it when Jonathan used his Patronus to protect me from the Mark's influence."

There. Steady voice. Firm eye contact with the Judge.

She cocks her head to the side as she looks at me with piercing eyes that may be able to see through my soul.
"You're saying you turned on your companions once your mind was not influenced by the Mark."

"I… I was confused but I could not afford to be because Bellatrix was torturing my friend. So I just put everything aside and focused on saving him."

"And now?" asks the Judge. "What do you think now?

"Now I realise that we, the marked Death Eaters, always voted the same way in the end. We always agreed together. Once or twice, the day after a meeting, I asked myself why I had thought this decision was the best but it did not happen so often and I stopped thinking about it."

"But you think Mister Wilkes did," stated Judge Bones.

I nod. Jonathan always was more introspective than I was. Severus' return must have helped too.
When I think about what I did these past years, I know most of it was not because of the Mark. I believed in our cause and in our actions.

"You implied some of the Death Eaters were not marked," said Moody, the question mark clear in his voice.

"Some refused to bear the Mark because it was contrary to one of their oaths."

I must be careful. It's one thing to confess my crimes, another to sell out the others.
"In hindsight, they may not have trusted our Lord completely."

"Lord Voldemort?" asks the Judge knowingly.

"Our Lord," I answer, looking back at her steadily.

They know whom I am referring to but there is no proof, also the disappearance of my Mark on the day of his death is suspicious. And maybe Bellatrix said something in the memory. But I can try not to sully his memory. I am certain he did not mean for the Marks to harm us. I realise he was not quite sane in the end, to decide to kill babies. I am sure Jonathan and Severus know why. I wish they had told me, but I know I might not have listened then.

Our gazes stay locked for a long time. Finally, she drops her eyes to the notes I had not noticed her taking. She seems to read them all over; taking her time. The silence is not as uncomfortable as it ought to be.

When she finally speaks, her voice is firm, without any hint of compassion nor understanding, but without accusation either.
"Mister Rosier. Your lawyers feel that this Mark influenced your decisions, especially the decision to attack the Longbottoms' manor. Some experts have explained how it could have worked like a kind of subtle Imperius curse, which is an extenuating circumstance. However, I've been given to understand you have not always been under this influence. You chose to join the Death Eaters. Belonging to them means you partook in their actions against Muggles and Muggleborns. You broke the law then. How can you justify this choice?"

Was it not obvious?
I almost wince as a voice in my mind sounding like Jonathan chides me for assuming people know what I do. I think back to Severus' disputes with Lily Potter during our Hogwarts' years, how he had complained she didn't understand what it was like for Slytherins. Maybe I should explain. At least, it will do me good to vent. I can even hope for another inquiry on Dumbledore. I'm surprised I didn't see him at the Longbottoms'. His mission was over now, wasn't it? Could he be the one who killed Lord Voldemort?

"How can I justify this choice?" I repeat, to give me the time to organise my thoughts. To control the sudden surge of anger that threatens to overcome me as I think of everything they did to bring us to that point. They are as much to blame as Bellatrix and I for Jonathan's state.
"Let's begin with the fact that we tried the legal way to promote our ideas, only for Minister Birkins to cheat to get elected. Worse, the Head of the Wizengamot, the body supposed to guarantee the respect of our laws and freedoms, Headmaster Dumbledore, refused to even consider an inquiry on this cheating. And this year, when it looked like we would win these elections again, they just cancelled them!"

I take a breath to calm myself as I realise I raised my voice much more than I wished to. My arguments must be rational to hope to make them understand.

"Minister Birkins' cheating seems obvious to you," says Judge Bones neutrally. "Why would Headmaster Dumbledore refuse to launch an investigation if it really was so?"

I cannot stop a harsh laugh.
"Headmaster Dumbledore hates Slytherins. I'm certain he would erase our House if he could. We have never been so reviled since he became Hogwarts' Headmaster. He shows every student how he despises and shuns Slytherins. Remember the inquiry a few years ago which led to his suspension? Do you know how it began?"

"Lord Prince came to the Wizengamot with concerns about the House of Slytherin because these past years, they had been getting much more detentions than the other Houses," said Moody drily.

"But this isn't how it began. Lord Prince began to look into the detention records because Severus, Lord Caspian, had confided to him that Dumbledore had made him swear a Silencing Oath during his fifth year."

I look at Lily Potter who has her hand in front of her mouth as if to prevent herself from screaming or vomiting or something. She won't like what I have to say and I don't care. She should have listened to Severus better. She should have been a better friend to him. Except he might have chosen her over us if she had.

"This is a grave accusation, Mister Rosier," says Judge Bones, frowning.

"It's a heinous crime to commit upon a minor," I shot back.

"How was Lord Caspian able to tell Lord Prince if he was under such an Oath?" intervenes Longbottom, speaking for the first time.

There's no incredulity in his voice. Is he not as enamoured with Dumbledore as most Gryffindors are?

I shrug. Severus is the genius, not me.
"Severus didn't want to swear that Oath. In fact, he asked for his Guardian, who was Lord Malfoy at the time, to be present but as we were during the school year, Dumbledore told him he would only call Slughorn who was acting in loco parentis."

I cannot help but sneer as I say the last words. We all know Slughorn wouldn't have acted against Dumbledore's will. The man only cares for his fame and his relationship with the powerful. Dumbledore had been the powerful one back then.

Moody nods at my explanation.
"I see. It was a Constraining Oath then."

Lily Potter doesn't look like she understands what it means. I don't either. I only know Severus finally broke the Curse.

"Constraining Oaths are Silencing Oaths sworn under duress without any advantages given to the one swearing the Oath. Magic recognises that the one who swore the Oath was not given a fair price so to say and as such, the Oath is void. It usually takes a few years to fade though some experts, especially among Goblins, have means to remove it faster," explains the Auror after seeing our blank looks.

"What was the subject of the Oath?" asks Judge Bones.

"To never reveal he had almost died, very nearly bitten and mauled by Remus Lupin in his Werewolf form, because Sirius Black wanted to play a prank on him and thought it would be so funny to put my friend in direct contact with a Werewolf hiding on Hogwarts' grounds!"

I am aware I almost sound hysterical, but the fact that Severus almost died because of that cruel, stupid git still gives me nightmares. I am not even speaking about how it affected him afterwards. It could have broken our friendship if Jonathan had not been there to keep tempers in check.

I expect them to argue. To call me a liar. Instead, there is silence.
Lily Potter's face is stony. My lawyer seems more optimistic than when I entered. Moody's face is blank but I have no doubt his mind is churning. Judge Bones is digesting my declaration.

"Let's focus on my main question, Mister Rosier. For you, this is proof Headmaster Dumbledore hates all Slytherins."

I nod.
"Only one of many. I could also tell you about his speech in Hogwarts, the first time Lord Voldemort ran for Minister of Magic. How he told the whole school that Slytherin was supporting the wrong candidate, how he hoped we would make the right choice and that Lord Voldemort wasn't it. You could also look into the inquiry that led to the Headmaster's probation. It's enlightening about how he views Slytherins."

"Very well, Mister Rosier. Is it the only reason you joined the Death Eaters? Because you felt our institutions were biassed against Slytherins and ready to cheat not to give you the power you felt you deserved?" asks Judge Bones.

There's a hint of challenge in her voice.

I smile at her darkly.
"It was one of the reasons. The other main one is that children were suffering and nobody was acting because of the stupid agreement between Muggles and us that Muggleborns and Halfbloods who live in muggle areas are their responsibilities. Do you know how many children we rescued? How many we saved?"

"Yet you would kidnap, even kill, Neville Longbottom who is very much loved by his parents," states Judge Bones coldly.

I close my eyes as I absorb the blow. It hurts because she's right.

"We lost ourselves somewhere. Need I remind you how Jonathan's father was killed? We're not the only ones to have made mistakes."

The Judge is silent for a time, tapping her feather lightly on her desk.

"Would you be willing to give up the names of the other Death Eaters in exchange for a sentence lighter than Azkaban?" she finally asks.

She cannot ask me to betray them. Not when there are no Marks to distinguish us anymore.

"If we may have a moment to discuss privately with our client, your Honour?" intervenes Mr Bluntlaw.

I don't expect her to agree to his request but she does. Mr Bluntlaw directs me to the left corner in the back of the room where four chairs and a table are set up. Lily Potter accompanies us. She activates the privacy shields on her lawyer's stone.

"Evan. It's a relief to finally be able to meet with you," says Mr Bluntlaw. "We are not out of the woods yet but I think we can hope for a better end than Azkaban for you."

"I don't see how. I attacked the Longbottoms with the intention of killing their child."

It comes out with too much hysterics for my taste but can they really blame me?

"There are extenuating circumstances," says Lily Potter. "You were quite convincing. And you did not lie once."

"Maybe I can fool truth detectors."

Few people can. While truth detectors cannot make you tell the truth, they can tell when you say something you believe to be a lie. It takes training to fool them, and even then there are no guarantees of success.

She shakes her head and signals to Mr Bluntlaw.

"Jonathan. We have a list of people we believe are or were Death Eaters. If you agree to testify they are and provide memories of them acting as Death Eaters, we can negotiate the terms of your sentence."

She gives me a list.

Bellatrix Lestrange
 Rodolphus Lestrange
 Lord Oliver Mulciber Senior
 Oliver Mulciber Jr.
 Gregory Goyle Senior
 Julius Crabb
 Lord Orion Black
Edward Beltram
Lord Ignatius Selwyn
 Philippe Selwyn
 Violet Parkinson
Euphemia Rowles
Lord Horatius Fleamont
Walden MacNair
Charles Nott
 Lord Cantankerous Nott
Alecto Carrow
Amyctus Carrow
Antonin Dolohov
 Corban Yaxley
 Marcus Gibbon

"That's quite the list."

She looks at me knowingly.
"The Judge already possesses testimonies for these. However, she does not have proof that the Mark was not influencing them at the time. If you have memories of them acting outside the law at the beginning of the Death Eaters, before it truly came into play… It would be enough to search their home for Dark Artefacts or proof of other malversation as well as submit them to veritaserum."

Some of them had been amongst the most devoted to our Lord but also the most vicious. I would not lose any sleep over them, but they would never forgive me for betraying them. Could I afford it?
I think about Jonathan, how he interposed himself between the Longbottoms and Bellatrix and will pay, almost certainly with his life, for it.

"I only have incriminating memories for Bellatrix, Rodolphus, Oliver Jr. and Julius. Mostly one memory of the earlier raids when they tortured a Muggle against orders," I finally say.

It's not much but I realise I really don't have early memories of any of the others acting truly viciously against Muggles and Muggleborns. I could provide memories of humiliation and rough housing of Muggles who abused muggleborn children, but that would be quite hypocritical when I did the same and don't regret it even without the Mark on my arm.

I startle when Lily Potter puts her hand on mine and squeezes lightly.

"Thank you Evan. I think it will help."

"Why are you helping me?" I blurt out.

She smiles sadly.
"Severus asked. He said it would play in your favour if one lawyer, even one in-training, renowned for going after Death Eaters was defending one. I'm glad I accepted. As I said, there are extenuating circumstances. You didn't want other children to suffer as Severus had."

She has changed from our Hogwarts' years. Why am I so surprised when I have changed too? I can almost hear Jonathan warning me that Gryffindors were not the only ones to have prejudices.

"I suppose your family is well for you to be able to put things into perspective."

Her eyes flash.
"They are. You're right, I would have reacted differently if my son was dead. But he's not. And we are not blameless."

There is nothing more to say. Mr Bluntlaw goes to speak quietly with the Judge while Lily Potter and I take our seats back. Moody turns to me casually.

"Would you know anything about the Founders' objects we found scattered at Lord Voldemort's Home? There was a cup that used to belong to Helga Hufflepuff, a Locket that belonged to Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw's long lost Diadem and Godric Gryffindor's dagger."

I shake my head.
"I only know he was fascinated by Magic."

"So you would not know anything about Horcruxes he might have made?"

I stare at him in horror. Horcruxes. It… would explain a few things.
"I've always been told to destroy any Horcrux I may come in contact with."

Moody nods as if my answer was enough to confirm his suspicions. There's obviously a lot I don't know. Hopefully, Severus will fill me in.

Finally, Mr Bluntlaw comes back to his seat too.

Judge Bones looks at me steadily.
"I cannot tell if you are lucky or not, Mister Rosier, knowing what you went through these past days. However, the Aurors Longbottom are only pressing charges for attempting to intimidate persons with legal authority. We have established your actions as a Death Eater were influenced by the Mark branded on your arm. Provided you give us the memory you spoke of with your lawyers, you will be sentenced to a fine to cover the damages in the Longbottoms' manor which will be split between all assailants. You will remain under Auror Moody's custody for a year with the obligation of remaining under his watchful eye unless otherwise authorised. You will remain in a Ministry cell until your fine has been paid and Auror Moody has arranged his schedule and home to accommodate your presence."

A year with Moody. I would spend ten to get Jonathan back.

PS: I'm sure you've recognised Evan's POV :)
After this interlude, there will be one last chapter and then four epilogues. The chapter will focus on Lord Voldemort, so if there's anything you want to know about him, let me know and I'll see if I can fit it in.