[a/n]Therio noted an access problem on #89. I tried accessing without logging in, it worked. Maybe try flipping between 2 or 3 chapters before/after and see if it opens. Don't know beyond that. My profile is still not updating number of views. Wonder if that ever will. Though I did just get back email notifications.

[a/n]Guest wondered: Acromantula in the forest… charged as an Accessory Before The Fact? :: And look! I even have Amelia as a central figure, without mentioning Young-Miss-You-Know-Who :))

Harry Does Different DIVd

The Crimes of Rubeus Hagrid

"Ron was real great." Harry was relating their visit to the Dark Forest, and the Acromantula den therein, during the Express ride home. The whole tale had consumed much of the journey between Hogwarts and London. The compartment door had never been closed, so neither Hermione nor any of the Weasleys, knew who heard what, or when. It amused him to see his friend blush in embarrassment at the praise "He might have sobbed about why couldn't've been follow the butterflies, but he was with me every step of the way."

Abcij

A middle-aged woman approached a boy in the Surrey playground who was idly rocking on a swing. She stopped, not too close and spoke easily "Good afternoon, Harry Potter. I was hoping to have some of your time. As you do not appear occupied? Now would be good, I assume?"

"How do you know my name?" he demanded, with suspicion.

She smiled "My mentor would approve, though you need to develop a more subtle wand draw. And more awareness of your surroundings. The Head Auror, Mr. Potter, rarely asks questions she does not know the answers to. I sought you out with several, and added some more during my efforts to actually find you. I am Amelia Bones. Head Auror."

"Must be the first time a magical has come to me since Hagrid." He replied, standing because, somehow, he thought he should.

Madam Bones gave an approving nod "Equal parts respect and defensive. Very well. I have, what amounts to a third hand accounting, of your past year at Hogwarts. If even half of it is accurate, I should think more than some House points is in order. Depending on details, I can see one or more criminal cases. Not against you or any of your confederates, you have my word. Would you tell me? In full?"

"Sure. There's more than a few I wouldn't mind seeing in jail." The boy nodded and began talking. He did end emphasizing the role of one Lucius Malfoy, concluding "He treated Dobby just awful."

She sighed "I completely understand …even agree… with you. There, I hope you'll accept, a justice delayed. I will pursue that with everything at my office's disposal. A senior member of the Wizengamot and a pilar of the community …as he has made himself… will be able to cause many delays."

"He go around yelling 'Wait'll my father hears of this' too?" snorted Harry, unimpressed.

Madam Bones nodded "The director has no comment on the subject. But, as Amelia, I can say Abraxas was invoked on more than one occasion. And you may NOT quote me."

"Well, what's one more time?" and he talked, at length. And answered questions, some of which went into First Year too. And after over two hours queried "Well? What do you think? What can you do?"

Her thinking mannerism was to tap her wand on her teeth, which the witch did for several minutes, then "None really good. Very dangerous will be wiping out that Acromantula den."

"Hagrid won't like that." It was a reflex to defend his friend.

She sighed "Certainly, ordinarily, I would not reveal this ahead of formal charges. Especially not to a chi …someone so young. But, as you are involved, the easiest case to make will be against Hagrid. Acromantula do not belong in Britain. From your description of the den, they are breeding to dangerous numbers …never mind sizes."

"Prosecute Hagrid! What for?" exclaimed Harry in panic.

Madam Bones easily prevented the boy from rushing off, first pointing out "You don't even know where you want to go, Mr. Potter. And you are thinking of this through a bias of friendship. Noble enough, but I offer a different perspective. As you just said 'Hagrid said If anyone wanted some stuff, then follow the spiders' He deliberately sent you into a life-threatening situation. He has known this Aragog, and his …or her… children, for half a century. I don't suggest he was sending you as a free snack, but there is no way he could not know the risk. But, and with due respect to your accomplishments, why did he not direct the clue at Professor Dumbledore? You and Ronald Weasley are not even half-educated wizards. That you survived is sheerest luck."

"True, but Hermione was - -" he started.

She smiled "How you stayed out of my niece's House- -Well, never mind that. It takes, as Mad-Eye would put it, brass balls, to do what you did. Pure Gryffindor."

"Aw." The boy looked down, scuffed his foot in the dirt "I had loads of help."

Amelia smiled "While endearing, a word of advice. Certainly NEVER take credit for what you did NOT do. It eventually comes out. Former Professor Lockhart for instance. Conversely, if you don't pat your own back, no one else will. Understood?"

"I guess. Is it really necessary to put Hagrid on trial? I'm not clear …well, on all sides… what happened with the Chamber. But I know THAT was unfair." He was still quite adamant in his defense of his friend.

She patted the boy's shoulder kindly and assured him "Tried? Yes. Convicted? Not my sole decision, though I have a vote. And not now. Assuming a conviction, a sentence is a different subject altogether. Nor would I presume to convince you otherwise. Best advice, Mr. Hufflepuff-in-Gryffindor-colors, let your views change if the evidence indicates. On a completely unrelated subject, what do you know about Blood Wards?"

Abcij

Cornelius looked grim as he took the podium, but inwardly he was skipping like a schoolboy. There were many negative opinions of the Minister for Magic, but none accused him of being unable to read the crowd. The trial had embarrassed numerous of his political opponents, and he was calculating how to even make them allies. After an appropriate pause, he flash/banged his wand and spoke powerfully "Director Bones? Has the Wizengamot reached a verdict."

"Lord Minister, we have." The powerful witch replied, then glared at Hagrid "The defendant will rise." She paused as all present voiced displeasure as the half-giant standing rattled everything anywhere near, then "Regardless, the charges are Multiple Counts of Criminally Negligent Manslaughter, two Counts of Criminally Negligent Attempted Manslaughter, Multiple Counts of Child Endangerment, Cowardice in the Face of Danger to Children, and Dereliction of Duty. In all, we find Rubeus Hagrid guilty as charged."

Taking possession of the scroll that he'd summoned, Fudge scrutinized it fully and asked, formally "So say you all?"

"So say we all!" the seven selected members announced, loudly.

It was pitiful, watching the nine foot man fall over. What happened next was enough to shatter most anyone's heart. Minister Fudge announced "Witness impact statements?"

"Appearing for the prosecution, Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, O.M. (First Class), Grand Sorc., D. Wiz., X.J. (sorc.), S. of Mag.Q." by virtue of his titles, likely more powerful than the Minister.

After being seated and sworn, the prosecutor began "Professor, until very recently, you sat with the defense. As advisor, though not as prime advocate."

"That, Paulus, I felt was too much." The witness explained "I wear many hats in our society, and could not give the level of attention needed to run a criminal defense."

The wizard wasn't one of those who felt the need to correct his old headmaster on professionalism, so merely went on "But that is a far cry from testifying against, arguably, your most loyal protégé."

"I have given dear Hagrid chance after chance after chance." Dumbledore was stroking his beard "Further, I do want to state that my long stand that he was innocent of any involvement in the tragic events of 1943 culminating in the murder of Myrtle Warren has been proven beyond all doubt." He gave a smile to the defendant, that then morphed to a glare "That said, and I feel some measure of responsibility, he is given to blatantly stupid decisions. Nor does he have a clue as to keeping his big …fat… mouth …shut!"

Paulus the prosecutor prompted "And specifically related to this case?"

"Follow the spiders! Right into a den of hundreds! To a pair of underage, not even half-trained wizards? I shall leave Amelia the sad duty of that report, but even I would consider myself blessed by Merlin himself to get out of such a predicament with nary a scratch." The headmaster was radiating anger.

The defense was given the opportunity to cross, and just mutely shook her head. Hagrid looked equal parts shocked and betrayed as Dumbledore left.

"Madam Bones, Professor Dumbledore's testimony included mention of you. And during trial, we heard your report on Auror incursion into the Dark Forest. A short summary, please, then more of the aftermath?" asked Paulus.

The new witness nodded "Of course, operations began several days before. A representative met with the Centaurs to ensure none of their people would be at risk. In fact, many joined the effort. My force, which I personally led, wiped out the Acromantula. The cost was five Aurors and three Centaurs."

"Poor Aragog." Hagrid bemoaned the loss, loud enough for most to hear. "I coulda - - -"

This was met with contempt, very loud, contempt. Fudge ordered "Silence!"

"The corps has three children orphaned because their parents were on the mission together. Both dead." Amelia's voice was a forced emotionlessness "Two of my other people had a child each. Bites cost several others a limb. None of the Centaurs had children, but the herd is very close. It is still in mourning.

A squeaky voice cut in "Leave us not discuss mere horses."

"Thank you for your contribution, Delores." There was little doubt the remark was sarcastic, then she went on "Apologies, Minister. Once investigators and the cleanup crew arrived, we quickly discovered the horror of these creatures, which have NO PLACE on Britain. They are native to the Australian Outback. There were sixteen living victims being fed on by the creatures. Four Humans, nine Centaurs and three unicorns. Though, of course since some question the intelligence of Centaurs, a unicorn certainly isn't relevant."

The small equine contingent glared hatefully at the Deputy Minister.

"Among the deceased were the bodies of Hogwarts students just presumed missing, most for decades. Though some as recent as two years ago." She stopped long enough for everyone to understand she was finished.

The defender asked "Was there any indication that my client could have KNOWN the Acromantula had captured and were feeding, or fed, off Humans?"

"All victims, Human Centaur or otherwise were webbed up in a place not near where the king Acromantula set himself up. I would speculate probably not." Amelia admitted.

Satisfied, Donna the defender sat "No further questions."

"I, of course, cannot prove that your client did NOT know the monsters were eating people. Quite a few students, whose only crime had been not following a school rule." She added "Detentionable, not deserving of several months …at least… of slow torture."

Donna protested, loudly "Minister! Objection! Move to strike as non-responsive!"

"Madam Bones' statement can be supported by known Acromantula feeding habits, Minister. If necessary, we can subpoena a magizoologist to confirm." Paulus countered.

Fudge waved it off "Unnecessary. Overruled."

Hermione was the least damaging testimony when it came to Hagrid's defense. A Muggleborn losing a few months' education meant nothing to the all-Pureblood panel. She also had the least direct knowledge. Harry's earlier staunch support of his friend had deflated during the trial phase. Though it was not nearly as damaging as Ron's bitter denunciation.

"Last, the prosecution calls, Squire Arthur Weasley." Paulus didn't quite succeed in concealing a smirk. After the swearing in, asked "Sir, what impact did this affair have on your family?"

Mr. Weasley rarely showed anger "My wife has been completely distracted by Hagrid's use of our son to clear his name. She barely lets even our oldest still in school, Percy, out of her sight. Certainly not willingly. As far as I am concerned, he may as well have fired Avadas at Ron and Harry. That it did not hit is not relevant. The man is a coward."

"Thas na 'ow it was, Arthur!" the defendant burst out, uprooting the defense table with the violence of his standing.

Mr. Weasley threw the stand aside and snarled "Go on! Fat Bearded Oaf! Come at me! I dare you!" to the Aurors he snapped "No! Let him go!"

"The witness WILL sit down." Fudge commanded, though it somewhat lacked real rebuke "Aurors, remove the defendant. The penalty phase will continue without interruption." Even with magic, the overlarge stunned giant took a few minutes to clear.

Donna first addressed Fudge "Apologies, Minister, my client is overwrought and I would say, a certain feeling of betrayal at the lack of support despite his long record of selfless service."

"If it wasn't for Dumbledore his neck would have been snapped along with his wand back in 43." Arthur argued, and "Now we have something better. Let's see how quick basilisk venom kills. In small increments. Or maybe pump him up with Acromantula venom?"

This was an opening Paulus hoped for "Is that not, perhaps, a tad extreme, Squire? Even considering the risk incurred by young Ronald?"

"Two of the bodies were a Seventh-Year girl and Fifth-Year boy." Arthur growled, barely restraining his temper "The boy was my Uncle Tom. I never got to meet him. The girl was a Muggleborn named Helen Bonham. My family is noted for its inability to produce girls. Well, my Ginevra would not have been quite the sensation, as Helen was pregnant with who would have been my cousin. Instead, she was spider food."

Fudge's wand popped, rather discretely "I believe that concludes this hearing. Arthur Weasley, and any Ministry employees impacted by this …ahh incident… a week's leave. See to your families. Court will adjourn until 9am for sentencing."

Abcij

"We did debate all mitigating and aggravating factors in this case." Said Amelia when the Minister recognized her. Tensions were high. Every court Auror had his or her wand in hand. The time was 9:06, which is as punctual as government work gets. The convict was only represented through his attorney "Mr. Hagrid was of great value during the Voldemort war. There was also the rationale presented that he provided useful information in the successful outcome of the crisis being referred to as The Chamber of Secrets Opening."

There were noises of disapproval from the crowd.

The Minister's wand cracked angrily "Silence!"

"However, the argument that supplying that information to children …no matter how capable… was the solution, simply does not hold water." Madam Bones went on with the sentencing report "Professor Dumbledore's rationalization that his impact testimony differed from what he offered during trial, as the defendant's friend, somewhat mirrors public opinion. However the situation was made vastly worse by the discovery of bodies in the Acromantula den. Most of us agree Mr. Hagrid probably had no malicious intent. Simply, the correct action would have been to reveal the creature's existence decades ago."

Still the most vocal was Mr. Weasley "Give him some venom! Justice!"

"That is revenge Arthur." Dumbledore interposed in a scolding tone.

Mr. Weasley glared back "I'll gladly pour it down his throat."

"Diplomacy means a deal, usually, that no one is quite happy with. To paraphrase." Said Madam Bones before the echoes quite faded "Hear the sentence of the tribunal! The contents of the convict's home will be divided among the victims' families, or sold at auction as desired. Some items are surprisingly valuable. The structure itself reverts to Hogwarts control. Short term, Rubeus Hagrid will be confined in Azkaban. Our ICW representative, Albus Dumbledore, will query other countries if they will accept an exile. If there is no acceptance within 366 days, Rubeus Hagrid will be executed by Dementor exposure. Thus speaks the Wizengamot!"

Fudge's wand burst in light and noise and he declared "So let it be written! So let it be done! This hearing is closed."

"Well I was right." Amelia muttered to herself as the sounds of disapproval filled the courtroom.