𝕸𝖔𝖓𝖔𝖈𝖍𝖗𝖔𝖒𝖊
Act I - The Trials of Summer
Chapter 28 - The Trial Part 1
If there was one thing that the Wizarding World and the Wizengamot could be relied upon, it was to waste an ungodly amount of time making doing nothing sound important.
Two. Hours.
They had spent the entire two hours simply going over the tiny minutiae regarding Nobility, ascension from an Ancient House and the relevance of a Vessel in such cases, and how much of the associated rights, duties and rules applied to Harry Potter, now Peverell. Oh, and if there was some random trivia through which he, Harry James Potter could be stopped from becoming Harry James Peverell, or prevent House Potter's Ascension to House Peverell, or prevent him being accepted as a part of the Nobility. Lucius Malfoy in particular, had been downright vicious at how Potter, an otherwise family of traders, could not be allowed to rise to a Noble position, at which Sirius Black had asked if having a French pig-farmer ancestry was good enough for the same. That had led to even more yelling and more gavel-banging from a most irate Chief Warlock.
Umbridge, the bitch that she was, had raised one clause after another, almost all of them focussed on the Sacred Twenty-Eight, and how the Wizengamot was 'above' such power-grabbing attempts. It took Lord Burke openly chastising her, calling the 'Sacred Twenty-Eight' as a fancy title whose origins lay in a particular biassed book called the Pureblood Directory, written by Cantankerus Nott in 1958. Using it to challenge the rights of Nobility was not just laughable, but a direct slander of the Wizengamot's Charter.
Now, if Dumbledore, Fudge and the overseeing members had just gone through the papers involved, Harry wouldn't have had such distaste in his mouth. Instead, they spent the bulk of those three hours discussing the legality of various minute and meaningless pieces of magical laws pertaining to the subject, how to handle them, and how the changes (if they remembered everything to begin with) affected the running of the Wizengamot in the foreseeable future.
Well, it was meaningless to him, but somehow everyone else found the discussions absolutely fascinating and were jotting down notes.
That said, people were avoiding mentioning anything related to the cemetery incident on the night of the Third Task. Hell, there were moments when the jury actively avoided even mentioning it when the conversation should have naturally led to that point.
Either they were afraid of getting back to the uncomfortable topic about the Dark Lord's origins, or they weren't interested in trying to toe the line with the last scion and Lord of a Noble House as infamous as the Peverell line.
For now, anyway.
Harry wasn't sure how he should feel about it. It was convenient, but annoying and depressing at the same time. On the bright side, it meant that he had less to worry about than the Trial turning out against his favour. A charging bull always looked at the red cape, not the man with the sword.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity to him, the ruckus died down and Dumbledore fired some loud fireworks from his wand.
"Now that I have everyone's attention," He said mildly, "I would like to conclude what has been the most drawn out notice declaration period for the Wizengamot session. All minor accusations against House Potter's ascension to House Peverell and its elevation to Nobility are hereby dismissed."
The sound of his gavel echoed through the entire room. No doubt because of the application of a well-timed, sonorous charm. "Now, before we move onto the prime case and adjoining accusations, I would like to conclude these deliberations, in three succinct points."
Harry met the Headmaster's eyes.
"First," said the Chief Warlock, "As per the submitted documents and existing legalities of the Wizengamot Charter, I find no precedence of any House, Ancient or otherwise, rising to Nobility through a Vessel. Indeed, the possibility of a Vessel for a Noble House, extinct, dormant or active, is so low, that the particular clause was removed in 1768. The Wizengamot Charter is silent on the topic of Ascension of Houses, Ancient or otherwise, to Nobility status."
Harry felt his heart beating faster.
"Second," he continued, "Unlike the deposition given by the Defence Counsel, the name 'Peverell' is not merely a 'name-change', but a completely different House, with its own history, and magical traits. The only connection it has to House Potter is the registered marriage between Iolanthe Peverell and Hardwin Potter. From the Wizengamot's Directory of Inheritance Records, a similar claim can be made by twenty-six members of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. It is obvious that House Potter bears no special relationship with House Peverell to allow subsumption of the former into the latter. Being a new addition to the Wizengamot, the fines as described by Clause 21A holds."
Umbridge's teeth showed.
"Third, House Potter enjoys rights, privileges and duties under Article 11C, and is duty-bound to pay appropriate taxes to this governing body to maintain its right as an Ancient House and member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. All existing businesses and contracts bear House Potter's insignia and have dealings that are unrelated to House Peverell. Shifting them to the banner of House Peverell will break any and all pacts established under Article 11B. As such, the subsumption of House Potter into House Peverell is rejected."
Harry felt his stomach cramp, as an uneasiness began to spread through his abdomen and upwards to his chest. A lot of their defence rested on the acknowledgement of his status as a Noble, and if Albus Dumbledore rejected it in open court, then—
"However," said Dumbledore, "House Peverell went extinct before the formation of the Wizengamot, there can be no sure fire way of ascertaining that this is the original Peverell Family Magic. That said, there is no doubt that Harry Potter is a Vessel, and as such, by the Wizengamot Charter, he is eligible to claim Noble status for the House of Potter."
Harry's eyes widened. Did Dumbledore really mean what he thought he meant?
"To conclude," said the Chief Warlock, "I henceforth acknowledged House Potter as a Noble and Most Ancient House as per the laws of the Wizengamot, and confer all rights and confer all appropriate duties as is due." He peered down at Harry and said, "Congratulations are in order, Mr. Harry Potter. It has been quite some time since someone has achieved the distinction of being called a 'Warlock'."
"This is outrageous!" claimed Lord Nott. "That boy killed respectable members of the society, members of the Wizengamot using his foul magic. He should be sent to Azkaban, not applauded and offered titles!"
"I am well aware of what he's accused of," Dumbledore said casually, as if the matter were a minor inconvenience. "But that does not relieve us of our duty to judge potential claimants for their worthiness for the mantle of Warlock. Regardless of Harry Potter's use of his Family Magic, its uniqueness cannot be ignored by this body and needs to be recognized as such. Whether Mr. Potter walks free after the trial, or is sentenced to lifelong imprisonment, is irrelevant."
A cold draft swept through the room.
A little smile played on the corners of Dumbledore's mouth. The centennial wizard looked down at him, peering through those half-moon glasses. "Now then, I believe we are at a consensus over Mr. Harry Potter's notice. Is there anything else you might have to share with this body, Lord Potter?"
Harry suppressed the urge to smile. "No, and I'm most obliged, Chief Warlock. I yield the floor to the Minister to finally begin the Trial and let it be done with."
The room fell silent.
"Very well," said Albus Dumbledore, "let's begin."
…
…
…
They had transfigured the courtroom to create a witness box on the left and another for the accused — Harry himself, on the right. It briefly reminded him of those legal drama soaps that Aunt Petunia used to watch on the television.
He was legally an adult, and as such, was allowed to represent himself at the trial, and defend against the accusations laid against him. An adult who was also the celebrity known as the Boy-Who-Lived, and Lord Peverell, the Head of a Noble House, and a son of House Black. All three of those things applied to the same person— him, but on the political spectrum, each of them carried their own weight. However, as Daphne had made him understand, this was the Wizengamot, and the trial would need a kind of wordplay that was above his pay grade. So, it'd be for the best if he kept his mouth shut and let Joshua deal with it.
Albus Dumbledore banged the gavel. "As a primary witness, in this case, I willingly step down from my position as Chief Warlock for the period of the Trial, stating a conflict of interest. I request Madam Griselda Marchbanks to preside over the Trial in my stead."
Harry tried very hard not to look at Joshua.
"Albus," said a wizened old lady with brown hair going white and frizzling at the edges, who was, no doubt, Griselda Marchbanks, "that is hardly necessary."
Dumbledore demurely smiled at him. "It is. Many of my public actions agree with Harry Potter's statements. Not to mention, I was the one that retrieved Mr. Potter's unconscious form from that cemetery on the night of the Third Task. It is obvious there is a conflict of interest."
With those words, Albus Dumbledore lifted his wand and sent some fireworks up in the air as he deserted the plump chair and walked down, before fashioning a cosy armchair near the end of the Jury Box. Meanwhile, Marchbanks rose and sat on the Chief Warlock's chair.
"Wizengamot Hearing on the thirtieth of July," said the Court Clerk in a ringing voice, and Percy automatically began taking notes at once, "of Harry James Potter, currently residing at the Black Manor, London for offences committed under Culpable Homicide, listed in Section 299, and offences committed under public mischief listed in Section 505 of the Wizengamot Penal Code."
The Clerk then went on without pause, "Prosecutors: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister of Magic, and Dolores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister. Court Scribe, Percy Ignatius Weasley—"
He cast a wide-area gaze in Harry's direction.
"Witness for the Defence: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore." said Dumbledore, in a quiet tone that caught Harry by surprise. He had definitely not expected the Headmaster to voice out his support for him in public like that.
Mutters rose among the Jury at Dumbledore's statement. All eyes were now centred on the wizened Headmaster, who sat down with a perfectly calm expression. Some of the Jury looked annoyed, others slightly frightened.
Not surprising. The jury that was sitting all around to deliver judgement wasn't an impartial one. They had already made up their minds on who was guilty and who wasn't. The trick was to ensure that the larger number fell in his favour.
"Just making it clear where I stand," The Headmaster said amiably, "Conflict of interest."
Fudge looked like he had just swallowed a lemon.
Griselda Marchbanks banged the gavel and peered down at Fudge. "Minister Fudge, I should remind you that the reputation of an Ancient, forgive me, Noble and Most Ancient House and a well-known celebrity is at risk because of your actions, and already we have seen some major upheavals in today's session. Should things go south, you and your clients risk facing an extreme defamation case. I hope you understand that."
Fudge turned slightly blue.
"Crystal," He croaked.
Marchbanks turned towards him. "I understand Mr. Potter, that you're now registered as a Lord and member of a Noble House, but not even Nobility gets to skirt justice. I hope you understand that."
Harry nodded.
"Do you have an attorney to represent you?"
"Joshua Greengrass," Joshua took a step forward. "Defence for the accused."
Fudge scowled.
Griselda coughed into her fist. "With that in mind, I'd advise both parties to plead for more time and try to reach for an Out-of-Court settlement before things get more complex and a lot more expensive."
Fudge stood up, no longer wearing his green bowler hat. "Words are wasted on such an atrocity. I am only interested in serving the court of Law and ensuring that justice prevails."
And Lucius Malfoy likes to knit in his free time. Harry wanted to say.
"Very well," said Marchbanks, "Defence Counsel, please proceed."
"Chief Warlock," said Joshua in an opening statement, "there is no case. The trial is baseless. A publicity stunt by people with bruised egos. There is no evidence, and frankly, I feel we're wasting everyone's time here by drawing out this farce. I'd request this case be rejected and have my client released, acquitted of all charges."
"Prosecution?"
Dolores Umbridge stood up, and gave a girlish laugh. "Chief Warlock, the evidence lies in the recollection of the events that transpired that night, which we'll portray in court. We already have Harry Potter's statement, verified under veritaserum, on his use of the killing curse—"
"He also stated that he couldn't cast the curse!" Joshua said.
"Which only points at his less-than-savoury character," Umbridge retorted, "Merlin knows, there is absolutely no authentic way to determine whether Harry Potter successfully cast the curse. The memories obtained during his DMLE Trial, submitted as Evidence 2B through E, reflect a most emotional state during the event. I have a statement from the Department of Mysteries, submitted as Evidence 2F, suggesting that his memory is too distorted to be given any value in court."
"Distorted?" Marchbanks raised a brow. "Are you suggesting that Mr. Potter fabricated his memories before presenting them to the interrogators?"
Umbridge gave her a sickeningly sweet smile.
"Suggestions are baseless in court. I prefer facts. And the facts are these — the accused is notorious for his connection with the darker shades of magic. We have an incident of him burning a Hogwarts professor to death, public practice of Parseltongue, an art associated with the darkest of wizards in broad daylight and in front of an inappropriate audience, open hostility against his classmates and even a Hogwarts Professor, and a known proclivity towards breaking rules. In fact, I have several statements from his schoolmates, reflecting on how Gilderoy Lokhart, former acclaimed member of the Dark Force Defense League and the DADA Professor at Hogwarts during the 1992 School Term, had been seen admonishing young Harry Potter about the perils of letting fame go to one's head. Let the court reflect that Professor Lockhart was found obliviated and brought him to the Hospital Wing, with the accused claiming a most fantastic story about the mythical Chamber of Secrets and the Professor attacking them out of nowhere and the wand exploding in his face. Preposterous! We again have an incident where he performed a wandless engorging charm on his own aunt, a muggle named Marge Dursley, and his entry into the Triwizard the following year, breaking the tournament's rules."
She was building up suspense on purpose. Drawing things out. Everyone knew it. The bitch loved the attention she was getting.
It got on his nerves.
"Chief Warlock," Harry interrupted coldly. "I must ask if this is going anywhere? Unless… Madam Umbridge is only interested in trying to scare me by revealing private information to the gossiping masses?"
No one missed the bitch's smirk in victory, as if he had verified something great.
"Is that an admission that what I've said is correct? Mr. Potter?"
"... The events happened, yes, but the way you're interpreting it—"
"We will let the court decide how to interpret the events," The woman smiled like the piece of shit that she was, "but regardless of interpretations, we can summarise them into one of two things. First, that the accused is a wielder of a luck so byzantine that it allows the existence of dead-for-a-decade Dark Lords to rise and pose as a stuttering professor for at least a year just to make an attempt at killing him and failing to do so, in a place where Mr. Potter shouldn't even have entered. The same luck that allows the sudden discovery of the mythical Chamber of Secrets by a twelve-year-old parselmouth, when generations of Hogwarts professors and headmasters have been unsuccessful in doing so. The list goes on and on."
"Or," She paused for dramatic effect.
"We can choose to believe that all of this is nothing but the silly ramblings and lies spread by a mentally unstable, albeit precocious, child that also shares traits of the Darkest Lord in recent history. A child with a history of acting out and breaking laws. The third-floor corridor, the Chamber of Secrets, the hunting for the then-thought mass murderer Sirius Black, and forcing entry into a World Tournament made for adults — all of this paint a picture of dire obsession with grandeur and staying in the limelight."
Umbridge gave Harry a condescending sneer before turning to Marchbanks. "Chief Warlock, the Prosecution has no doubt that we'll prove that Harry Potter is a power-hungry young man, suffering from delusions and unstable magical potential at best, and a notorious murderer at worst."
Damn it. This. This was why Joshua had warned him from speaking during the Trial. This woman was going to take everything he said and twist it in the worst form imaginable. But if he allowed this woman to toe the line any further, he'd be inviting her to kill him via a thousand minor cuts.
She needed to be stopped.
He looked at Joshua who was… smiling?
Harry blinked.
What the hell was going on?
As if in answer to his inner turmoil, Joshua stood up. "Chief Warlock, the Defence wishes to countersue."
"On— on what grounds?" Umbridge asked, perplexed.
"I believe that's my line, Prosecutor," said Marchbanks.
"Defamation of character," said Joshua, "The Prosecution is heavily attempting to smear my client's reputation to affect the Jury's opinion. I believe she used the words 'mentally unstable', 'power hungry' and 'notorious murderer' to describe my client when she has yet to procure a single bit of evidence against his person. The case-history, as she has put up, comprises events that have happened over the last four years, with a significant majority of them happening in Hogwarts. Events, whose details have been submitted to the DMLE from the office of the Headmaster of Hogwarts. Chief Warlock, the Prosecution, in her fear-mongering and abject bigotry, has called the Hogwarts staff, its Headmaster as well as the DMLE of the Ministry of Magic as 'incompetent' at best, and 'corrupt' at worst. Not to mention, her words are aimed at a boy who single-handedly ended a decade-long war as a baby, for which he was awarded an Order of Merlin, First Class." He laughed. "Honestly, I think the Prosecution is one step away from claiming that Harry Potter is just another orphan and the Boy-Who-Lived moniker is another of his delusions."
Several among the audience laughed.
Umbridge looked furious. "Chief Warlock, for a case of defamation to be allowed, it'd mean that the statements made would have to be false, which is… hardly the case here."
"Then you shouldn't have any problem proving them in court?" Joshua challenged.
"Mr. Potter himself admitted that my statements were true."
"Mr. Potter only admitted that the events happened, not your interpretation."
Marchbanks banged the gavel. "Countersuit is allowed."
"Chief…" Umbridge looked at Fudge for support. Finding none, she looked at Marchbanks incredulously. "Are you serious?"
The crone arched an eyebrow. "Would you like to approach the bench and find out how serious I am?"
Umbridge moved in slowly and approached the woman. "Chief Warlock, any counterclaims must have been filed before the Trial even began."
"It should have," said Marchbanks, "but the Defence has sued you based on your statements after the Trial has begun."
"But—"
"Madam Umbridge," said the crone, "Albus Dumbledore had the foresight to send me a courtesy copy of the DMLE interrogation results of the event, because he held a conflict of interest, as a prime defence witness. In a criminal trial, the Burden of Proof falls on the Prosecution, and I have here with me, a statement from the DMLE, concluding that there is absolutely no evidence that Mr. Potter cast the killing curse successfully, or that he was the one responsible for the deaths. The only reason we have this Trial is because Amos Diggory filed a murder charge under Section 299 on Mr. Harry Potter, claiming him responsible for the death of his son Cedric Diggory. The charges registered under Section 505 were later added by the Prosecution before the Trial began. In a similar vein, the Defence is charging the Prosecution, and the plaintiffs they are representing, for defamation of character. So yes, I am going to allow it. This is now a defamation trial."
Marchbanks banged the gavel. "The criminal case of Harry Potter prosecuted by the Ministry is dropped! Court adjourns for an hour. I told you before. Both parties should consider an out-of-court settlement before things become more complicated and more expensive."
Umbridge opened her mouth to reply, but no words came out.
Harry laughed.