The path not taken

Those that were within the hall were extremely interested in the new information they got about this other world. The ability to see your attributes rather than having no idea was something that could be extremely helpful. They were confused on why such things as agility and strength would be displayed, they had magic to do things for them so why would they care?

Even their weight was easily solvable with potions. It was a rare magical that was over weight, and when they were their was usually a reason for it. Images must be upheld after all and to not show the correct image would be a disgrace to their families honour.

That however was place at the side right now as this was more important, there was the possibility of learning something of great importance in this. Something that they could use to gain some advantage.

Lily kept looking over at the child who had been reborn, her maternal instincts wanted her to rush over and envelop the girl in a hug, the girl however looked content within her sisters hold. It was a sight that both made her happy that she had a loving home and hurt as she was not in it.

James was being stoic, he refused to show what he was feeling about this as he himself did not known what he was feeling. His emotions were swirling within him like a maelstrom, they were changing and shifting so quickly he could barely identify one before they had shifted.

Lucius Malfoy was getting worried as all the indications were showing that these were some extremely powerful people. He knew however that his alternate, if anything like himself would try to capitalize. He just needed time to find out the best path.

Harry was in a strange position. There were currently two versions of himself in the room, one was a very pretty girl and then himself. He was being reminded about his alternates beauty by his little sister who was fascinated by the girl. He himself was but he could not bring himself to go talk to her never mind look at her as he just felt, strange. What did not help was one of his friends was staring at his alternate with undisguised lust, the other as if she was expecting a plot to unfold at any second.

Thus it was that he was actually relieved when the book landed within lupins hands, It was over quickly but he was sure that he spotted a look of disgust on his alternates face but it immediately shifted right back into a stoic mask. He could not help but wonder what the man had done to get such a reaction. He shook his head and accepted that he would probably find out soon.

Chapter 4: Trial and trial by combat.

Four months had passed on Earth, and a trial was just starting.

This brought a killing smirk to lilies face. She had tried and tried to become close to her sister. She had visited in casual and non magical clothes, she had even cast a notice me not so that only her sisters family would notice her during her visits. Through all of her attempts they all ended in failure. So to hear what her sister had done to her child, to see her precious 'normal' life and reputation going up in flames. It brought her an immense sense of glee.

A trial that had caught the attention of the media, as they don't often find a case of child cruelty and murder this bad.

Unknown to most in the audience, an old man with eye-watering robes was also in the audience. He was concerned. Most of his devices had died, and later exploded in the most spectacular fashion, except two. The two that had survived were created using soul magic, a branch of magic he tended to despise, but had it's uses to do good.

Albus winced at this, Another one of his secrets had been released. Whilst it was true that he despised soul magic he was at least aware enough to know that it had its uses. There were some amongst his followers that want every form of certain types of magic to be banned. This was not the case with him, although he did not show it, he was a man to use any tool in his arsenal. It was true that he tried to avoid it as much as possible but there are those times where we must do things we dislike to get the results.

This hypocrisy however was drawing him many glances from those around him, disbelief, smug satisfaction, rage, there were many emotions showing upon their faces and it was such times that he was glad that he had long ago mastered the mind arts to control his features. No need to give them more ammunition.

One was a tracker, and the other was something to detect the physical health of the subject.

The blood based versions had either exploded or stopped working. The simply enchanted ones had as well.

With a sigh he turned towards the trial. (EN)

The prosecution had stood to start her case, and did so by stating the charges "Vernon and Petunia Dursley are charged with multiple counts of child abuse, and one first degree murder charge, all in relation to the young boy found dead at their house."

The judge turned toward the defence, and in a sombre tone asked, "How the defence plead?"

"Not guilty your honour," the solicitor replied uncomfortably.

He knew he his clients were screwed.

This drew a stifled chuckle from somewhere which annoyed Albus, He knew what his alternate was their for. It had been one of his plans, many plans. In the case that the family dies but the boy survives he would be placed with his blood relatives and this would allow him to grow humble. He would not know of the magical world and thus would not be influenced by his fame. The fact that he could place certain wards over the home was not the point of the matter.

"Very well, would the prosecution call their first witness?"

The coroner that had performed the autopsy took the stand. He was a middle age man, whom was wearing his scrubs.

After being sworn in, the questioning started, "Would you state your name and occupation for the court?"

"Timothy Smith, Coroner."

"Your report stated that the boy died from thirst, and infections from various wounds, what wounds were there? And in your professional opinion, where did they come from? And are there any other injury's on the boy beyond the cause of death?"

The man on the stand was serious, and he replied, "yes that's correct. The wounds that were infected were a patch of missing hair and skin on the scalp that had burns surrounding it, this was most likely caused by being hit by a hot hard object."

The prosecution interrupted, and said, "People's exhibit two your honour, a frying pan with a bit of flesh and hair stuck to it, which are consistent to the boy's.

Chloe winced as she remembered that. It was not a pleasant memory, she was just glad that her new life was filled with joy, this is what had helped her move on. Others in the room where not so lucky as it was a fundamental core of their society, the protection of children. True there were things such as arranged or contracted marriages and other such things but those were for the house. It was also to look out for ones offspring as the parents would try to find a suitable partner for them . It was also one of the reasons why voldemort was so feared, he had no compunctions about the murder of children.

Vernon Bellowed out, ignoring his lawyer's suggestion that he be quiet, "It was the freaks fault! He shouldn't have burnt our breakfast!"

"Enough Dursley! Further outbursts will cause you to be in contempt of court," the judge declared.

"Sir, could you retract that? That could easily be taken as a confession, and he might make more."

The defence was about to insist that the judge uphold it, when the judge agreed.

Petunia paled as she realized that if her husband didn't shut up, they would be found guilty on all counts.

At this lily smirked, both she and her parents had warned petunia about the loud, rude and boorish man. Petunia however wanted nothing to do with the family any more due to lilies 'freakishness' and had found someone just as prejudiced as herself. The fact that it was coming back to bite her was just her well deserved comeuppance.

The coroner the continued his testimony, about the broken ribs, and arm. The hand shaped bruises.

More evidence, in the form of pictures of the injuries was submitted, as well as measurements comparing Vernon's hands to the hand bruises.

And through it all, Vernon wouldn't shut up. He was eventually removed as he started insulting everybody involved.

Petunia by that point was sobbing in her hands at her husband's temper.

After the coroner stepped down, the police investigator that did the actual investigating at the house took the stand.

There was more evidence of child abuse, from the roughly carved "Freak's room" in the cupboard, obviously carved by the child, the bloodstains, the lack of toys, books, or other possessions, to the fact that the bed was made out of slabs of cardboard on the floor and a thin blanket, and finally to the fact that there was no less than five locks of various types on the outside of the cupboard, all of them had been needed to be broken to get the body out.

Every one in the hall was shocked about this. How could someone do such a thing to family. It was horrifying to even contemplate such actions but to see them be played out on the fie screen was making some of the younger years run for the nearest toilet. Harry was sighing a breath of relief, it seemed as if he had been lucky and had dodged a bullet. What worried him however this was close to the start of this viewing, what would happen later on?

The evidence of murder was self explanatory, the fact that they left the boy in a boiling hot house locked in a tiny cupboard, without food, water, or a place to relieve himself.

The solicitor tried to argue for his clients, but he really had no arguments for any of the evidence.

So he tried to bring in a character witness to help, and he really only found one willing.

Marge Dursley.

It was a disaster from the defence perspective, she was rude, overbearing, and blatantly said they should have killed him when they found the boy on their doorstep.

The defence attorney decided to throw in the towel at that, as the judge ordered an investigation on the woman he had brought in as a witness. He had known from the start that the case was virtually hopeless, but his clients wouldn't allow him to attempt to strike a deal, and his male client acting out just made it worse.

Lily sighed at this " you know James" she said quietly to her husband " I sort of feel sorry for the lawyer, he was probably appointed and knew that he was loosing, just not how badly." this drew a small nod from James, it was clear to most that the unfortunate man wanted to be anywhere but where he was.

The jury was out for a record breaking thirty seconds.

"Has the Jury reached a verdict?" the judge asked, and inside he was pissed at the defendants.

"We have your honour, Guilty on all charges," the leader of the jurors said.

The judge nodded, and ordered Vernon brought back, with a warning that additional charges of being in contempt of court would be brought upon him if he starts acting out again.

The judge stood up and slammed the gravel to settle everybody, and said, "Petunia, and Vernon Dursley, you have been found guilty of an unknown number of child abuse counts, and First degree murder. I personally am disgusted at how you treated the boy, whether or not he is related to you. As we don't know the full extent of the emotional and physical abuse you two have heaped upon the boy, combined with you leaving him to die, I am sentencing you to seven consecutive life sentences, with no possibility of parole. Your son will be given to child services, in hope that the damage you have caused him can be reversed. Case dismissed."

Vernon started shouting that it was all the freak's fault, and jumped out to attempt to attack the judge, and Petunia just started weeping. She had lost everything, her home, her freedom and her son. At least she isn't getting tasered like her husband she realized.

The recently tasered Vernon, and Petunia were led to the vehicle that would send them to their new home.

Dumbledore left the trial, which was a rather quick one all things considered, worried that he wouldn't be able to re-establish the blood-wards when he found the boy, a boy he knew had to still exist since two devices said he did.

Albus ignored the looks that he was getting from those within the hall as he knew that there was a good reason for his actions, The fact that he forgot about the irrationality of humans did not even enter his mind. There were a few in the room with smug smiles upon their faces did not help the matter.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Vert marched to her sister's room a day after she got her sister moving again. She needed to help her sister, and she decided to push her.

Her combat abilities at least. Chloe needed confidence, and the best way she could think to build it, is to show her that she, while not strong already, can become strong, and with the fact that the combat fields don't have too many people, and those that are there would understand beginner mistakes, it shouldn't be too hard for her to be there.

" An excellent idea" squeaked out Flitwick in approval of the idea. He was however biased as he was both a duelling champion and descended from goblins, a well known warrior race.

In Vert's left hand was a green hooded cloak, and after knocking on the door, and being called to enter, she tossed it at her sister.

"What?" Chloe asked in shock, and fell silent at the stern expression that her sister had, the current turn of events had shocked her out of her wooden state.

"Get dressed, and put the cloak on, it should help with your nervousness about being around strangers. Today we are going to get you some practical experience with some enemies of your own 'weight class', instead of myself whom is above your current level," Vert commanded.

Chloe complied, as she hadn't seem her sister in this mood before, and was befuddled by it. After she was dressed, Vert went into her HDD and flew her sister off to the closest field.

Upon landing Chloe took a look around. There were blobs with dog ears and tails, walking flowers, and even some monsters that looked like they came from Dudley's Space Invaders game.

The fire screen flashed and showed what could only be called statistic cards of each, the fact that the Dogoos were adorable did not get missed by the girls in the hall.

"Chloe, I took some missions for you to complete, and I will only jump in to help IF and only IF you need help. This is your time to show yourself that you have potential. I already know you do. Now in order to complete the missions, you have to kill ten Dogoos, which are the blobs with dog ears and tails, five tulips, which are the walking flowers, and find three medical herbs, which I will show you what to look for. Any extras you kill would be great and give you some extra experience," Vert explained.

Histoire was smiling and nodding, "a good idea vert. Give her a sense of achievement along with the sense of danger with you their however she was perfectly safe. All that was needed for her to see for herself that she has strength and worth. That she can grow into her position." said vert getting a smile from both of the sisters showing that this was exactly what had been done and that it had worked.

Chloe was nervous, but didn't say a word of protest, as she realized that her sister was simply trying to help, and to break her of White Hearts words, and so she cast a quick fire bolt at the closest dogoo.

It went strait through the first one and exploded on a second, killing both. Looking at her hand in shock, she didn't see another spawn behind her until Vert skewered it.

"Pay attention sister," Vert admonished a sheepish Chloe.

Confidence added, Chloe used her weapon for the first time in actual combat, and found it was less tiring, but also less powerful, taking two or three blows to kill the Dogoos.

Ten Dogoos pass before she knew it, and was actually starting to have fun, when one hit her from behind. It staggered her a few steps, and into the path of a tulip. Which knocked her down. Vert was about to help when the tulip was blasted by a fire-bolt, and the Dogoo by what looked like a blade of wind.

"That's new," Vert muttered to herself.

At this Chloe sheepishly scratched the back of her head whilst giggling. This had been the first time she had done so but not the last. In fact most of her spells were still unknown to her sister as she did not show off her power, she tended to keep it till she needed it. Those in the hall however were shocked at the sheer elemental manipulation, something that had not been seen in centuries.

Laying on the ground, in an area temporarily cleared of enemies, Chloe muttered, "Ow..."

Placing a Nepbull by her sister's head Vert commented, "You need to pay attention to your surroundings, nice recovery though."

"Agreed. Hello Lady Vert," a new voice pitched in. "Taking a day off to help a new adventurer?"

Vert smiled at the young woman approaching her, and nodded. "You could say that Iffy, but it would only be part of the story."

At this the gamindustri table gave a small cheer at one of their close friends appearing, much to the confusion of the others in the room. There was a few chuckles at the girls name however. Most though just nodded, it was a different culture meaning different naming conventions, they just needed to look at the patils for proof of that.

IF looked at the downed girl, whom was trying to catch her breath speculatively... until said girl got up, and her hood fell, and before she could put it back up her face was exposed.

IF gasped and asked, "Is she your...?"

Vert nodded, and said, "Yes, but keep it quiet for now. Chloe, here is a good friend of mine, her name is IF, Neptune and I simply call her Iffy though."

"Ummmm," Chloe said nervously, then continued, 'Ni-nice to-to meet yo-you I gue-guess."

IF looked at Vert in askance, and during that distraction Chloe grabbed the Nepbull and ran to finish her quests.

Vert sighed, and simply said, "Long story, and its hers to tell."

IF nodded, and then both turned upon hearing a loud scream.

They saw Chloe running from a giant Dogoo.

A very pissed giant Dogoo.

The screen changed to show the scene of a almost house sized Dogoo bouncing after Chloe, this caused there to be some chuckles much to the girls embarrassment, she had to admit though that it was an amusing scene.

One that Vert took out in one blow.

Chloe leaned against a tree and caught her breath, but Vert could tell by the smile on the girl's face that the excursion did its job. It gave the girl self confidence, with the added bonus of teaching her caution.

She had also gained five levels, and that was actually pretty impressive since she started out a bit stronger than Vert had expected.

Vert looked at Chloe, whom was apparently so tired now she fell asleep against the tree she was resting against and smiled. Now, she felt, she was on the right track.

Gathering her sister in her arms, Vert transformed again and, after giving IF her farewell, flew back to the Basilicom.

Chika, waiting for her sisters to come back smiled at the wiped out form of the younger, and the small smile that adorned her face, and relaxed.

The two dressed Chloe for bed and tucked her in. They hoped that this would be the last major setback in their sister's recovery.

They were wrong.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

This drew conversations about what other types of creature there was in the other world, what differences between the cultures and other such topics. Whilst most were listening most of the speculation was done by the ravenclaws.

The bit that had those on the gameindustri table worried was the last sentence. What would cause more trouble for the girl. They then came to the same conclusion. Her CPU form. It had taken all of them by surprise in their first transformation. The same with the sisters. So it was not surprising that it would have that effect. The only question was how drastically did she transform. Neptune matured both physically and mentally when she did. Plutia was well Plutia. Blanc gained a hair trigger. So they had to admit that they were curious. Chloe however was wincing at what she knew was coming. It had not been a pleasant experience and she still hated her other form. She would admit that it had its uses but it was very dis-concerting.