THE TRIAL OF ILA POTTER
The next day Ila stood in the bathroom, facing the mirror. A girl identical to her was staring back at Ila. She watched the face opposite her lift an eyebrow, and open her mouth wide before closing it. She watched the girl brush her fringe away and apply mascara that was also Hermione's. The girl blinked in time with Ila, before rubbing her eyes violently, forgetting about the fresh mascara. Opposite to Ila's, the girl's hand was dotted with black. Ila put her glasses on, but nothing changed.
The girl opposite Ila was still blurry.
"Are you nervous?" Ginny asked as Ila took her seat at the dining table. Everyone was there, still in their pyjamas but all just as awake as her.
"No," Ila said, picking up some toast. She stared at it, before putting one layer of butter. She was about to put on the knife when something stopped her. She needed to put another layer of butter. She wasn't sure why, aside from uneasiness settling in her stomach, something that she knew would get worse if she did put the knife down. Ila listed to herself and spread another layer. And another. And another.
"I'm sure the Ministry isn't going to do anything that drastic," Hermione rationalised, trying to eat her cereal but every time the spoon was near her mouth, she found something else to say, "Dumbledore's part of Wizenmagot, so you'll be fine."
"No offence Mione, but something about Dumbledore being there is making it worse," Ila said, placing another layer. Just one more. That'll do.
"Good job Mione," Ron muttered sarcastically.
"Morning Ila," Mr Weasley smiled, unaware of the anxiety shared by the friends as he entered the room. "How are you feeling? Not nervous I hope."
"Dad put yourself in Ila's shoes," Ginny grumbled. "You'd be shitting yourself."
"Language Ginny," Mrs Weasley tutted, coming up to Ila and placing her hands on Ila's shoulders.
"Well, if it helps, I'll be there," Mr Weasley said. "Well, I'll be right outside waiting for you. No matter what happens, good or bad, I'll be there. Just not inside."
"I'm going in by myself?" Ila asked, she said, finally dropping her knife. She realised she wasn't even hungry.
It's how its always been. But I'm sure they'll be understanding, considering the circumstances," Mr Weasley said, trying his best to calm the flames inside Ila's head.
"They all think I'm crazy anyway," Ila muttered her breath, resting her chin on her head. Her eyes shifted to the clock in front of her. Her trial was in an hour.
Leaving with a bunch of reassuring goodbyes from her friends, Mrs Weasley and Sirius, Mr Weasley and Ila left to go to the Ministry.
For some reason, Ila wasn't really expecting much. She thought they'd go by Portkey. The thought slowly became less true when they went in his car and drove to Trafalgar Square. Clearly, the lion in the middle of the square wasn't going to be the Portkey. Mr Weasley talked his way throughout the journey, trying to ask Ila lots of questions about London. Ila rarely left her house so most of her answers consisted of –
"I'm not sure," or "I haven't been there."
Mr Weasley was on the topic of restaurants in London when they turned into a rather empty street. It seemed that they were at the back entrances of a bunch of buildings. It smelt of weed and cigarettes. The place was littered with beer and vodka bottles, clearly from the night before. Ila was pretty sure she saw some throw-up up too.
There was something that caught her eye.
A bright red telephone box at the end of the street.
That has to be something magical, Ila prayed, not wanting to be on the street or in London in general.
"Ah, here we are," Mr Weasley smiled, opening the door to the telephone box, and motioning Ila to get in. He got in and closed the door, glancing once more on either side to make sure no one was watching them.
"What about him?" Ila said, nodding towards the man hiding behind the pillar on the street opposite.
Mr Weasley tilted, his head before saying – "I don't think he's in the right mindset if you get what I mean."
The man lifted a joint to his lips before taking a deep breath and letting out a puff of smoke.
"Alright, sorry for the tight squeeze," he said, pushing past Ila to get to the phone operator. "What was it…6-2-4-4-2!" Mr Weasley held the phone by his ear placed a coin in the operator and dialled the numbers.
Soon, a voice appeared, coming out of the phone, "Welcome to the most magical place on Earth, the Ministry of Magic! We hope your visit will be as magical as the place."
Soon, the floor of the telephone booth began to move down. The view of London was slowly disappearing. The last Ila saw of the man was him yelling out in confusion before being met by darkness.
Moments later, a large hallway with many wizards moving around filled Ila's vision. Though from, they looked more like ants, scurrying around. With dark wooden floors and peacock-blue ceilings, it was as sophisticated and depressing as the Ministry of Magic sounded. The telephone box stopped abruptly. Ila and Mr Weasley walked through the long hallway. Every few meters or so, on either side of the hallway, were lines of wizards waiting by fireplaces. One by one, wizards evaporated in the fire. Ahead of them was a grand statue. As they stepped into the atrium and got closer Ila saw…
The statue was horrifying.
There was a wizard, smiling in all glory as it pointed its wand in the air, water sprouting from the tip. Below the wizard were witches, house elves and goblins bathing in the water, trying to drink it or praising the wizard above. What was worse, the platform that all these figures were on, they were held up by a bunch of people. They seemed to be close to being crushed by the weight of the rock, struggling to hold it up. Some even fell underneath. Reading the meaning on a plaque, those figures holding up the rock were all supposed to be muggles. It was meant to signify the 'harmony' between wizards, magical creatures and muggles.
"Quite the tasteless statue isn't it?" Mr Weasley said quietly, staring up at the statue himself.
"Has this always been here?" Ila asked.
Mr Weasley shook his head. "This was commissioned by the new Deputy Head. While it says it's meant to show the fellowship, just by looking at it you can tell it's all rubbish. And no one wants to take it down because… apparently, this is something that everyone already thinks. The Deputy just had the guts to say it aloud," Mr Weasley whispered.
Just then, a wail startled Ila. Looking back, relieved not to see the graveyard, she saw a haggard-looking man with a beard that could rival Dumbledore. Aurors were trying to escort the man from the property.
"YOU CAN'T JUST LET HIM DO THIS!" the man yelled to the Aurors and to everyone around him. "I'VE LOST MY JOB AND NOW I CAN'T FEED MY KIDS! THEY'RE JUST BABIES – THEY'RE GOING TO DIE! THE END OF THE WORLD IS UPON US IF WE DON'T DO ANYTHING! YOU ALL KNOW IT!"
More Aurors were escorting people holding up signs that read:
'LAYING OFF WORKERS WON'T STOP YOUR SECRETS GETTING OUT! THE GOVERNMENT IS CORRUPT AND WE KNOW IT!'
"And if they do…" Mr Weasley didn't finish his sentence. Instead, he ushered Ila to continue walking. They reached the lift. Ila could see all the different levels. They were heading to the courtrooms on level 10. On level 9…
The Department of Minstry
At the thought of the department, she felt the air grow cold. Even though the hairs on her harm painfully stood up, there was underlying curiosity. This was perhaps one of her only chances to get in touch with Death. The last time she met Death, she nearly died.
She wasn't really planning on doing that anytime soon.
"Ah! Here we go!" Mr Weasley said, ushering Ila out of the lift. It was a long, dark hallway, reminding her of the Slytherin dungeons.
"Do you know how long it would take?" Ila asked as they walked.
"I think it might have depended on the members of Wizenmagot. I've heard trials last only for 5 minutes or even 5 hours."
"What were the results of them?"
Mr Weasley remained silent.
It seemed there was some sort of jinx, at least to Ila, that lengthened the hallway forever. It felt like they had passed the same mosaic over and over again. It continued on for a while until a door appeared. Ila and Mr Weasley both walked much quicker at the sight of the door, so quickly that Ila nearly missed the sight of –
"Don't touch me!" Lucious Malfoy spat at short-haired woman. "I said I was going."
Ila quickly looked ahead again. She couldn't think of that now. Her hand clenched into a fist as Mr Weasley stopped in front of the door.
"Alright, you're on your own for this part," Mr Weasley said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "But don't worry. I'll be waiting in my office. It will be on the fifth level. I'll be there with Kingsley."
"Ok," Ila said, her eyes unable to focus on him.
"And…whatever happens, happens. We'll be there to help. Ok?"
Ila nodded before opening the door. She wasn't surprised at the sight of the Wizenmagot court considering she saw Dumbledore's memory of Barty Crouch Jr's trial a few months ago. It was much less chaotic, there were no spectators. It was slightly updated with no cage for her to be in. Instead, she sat on a lonely chair that faced the 50 or so members of Wizenmagot, all sitting above her. The lowly chatter stopped as she looked up at them, immediately met by the only familiar face, sitting in the middle. He held a mallet, smashing it on the gavel.
"Very well," Cornelius Fudge announced. "Are you ready?"
The last time Ila saw him, he blatantly accused her of lying. Lying about Voldemort, about the Sisters. She wasn't sure if that was before or after Moody. It didn't matter though. Nothing about that matters now if people don't believe her now. She would get her wand taken away.
"Yes sir," Percy Weasley said, sitting slightly lower down, with a parchment and quill in his hand.
So that's where he's been, Ila thought. She wondered if anyone from his family knew about this and if they didn't, should she mention it. Mr Weasley was bound to have bumped into his son.
Percy threw a glance, full of malice at Ila, nothing like the boy that she had met first year. If it wasn't for the situation, she would've laughed at the pathetic attempt of intimidation. She hadn't done anything to him personally. In fact, just last year she was watching the Quidditch Cup Final with him and Fudge in the Top Box.
All she did was tell the truth and this was how she got repaid?
"Disciplinary hearing of the twelfth of August," Fudge said in a ringing voice, and Percy began taking notes at once, "into offences committed under the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and the International Statute of Secrecy by Ila Leela Potter, resident at number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey has begun. Main interrogators: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister of Magic; Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement; Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister. Court Scribe, Percy Ignatius Weasley —"
No matter how much Percy wanted to distance himself from the family, he couldn't quite get rid of Weasley's affinity for redness, his brows furrowing in concentration as he tried to get every word of Fudge.
"— Witness for the defence, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore," a quiet voice interrupted, causing Ila to whip her head.
From the shadows emerged none other than Dumbledore, looking calmer than ever.
What was he doing there? Mr Weasley said that it was going to be her. Did he lie? No. Mr Weasley isn't one to lie. So he must have not known. Why didn't Dumbledore tell anyone? Why didn't Dumbledore tell Ila about representing her?
It seemed that for the first time, Ila wasn't the only person out of the loop as Fudge glanced to the fellow members.
"There was no mention of a witness Albus," Fudge said testily, holding the hammer as though he was going to use it on Dumbledore's head instead of the gavel.
"I suppose that happens considering the date of the trial was only given a few days ago," he replied simply. He walked up to Ila's chair. She stared at him.
She didn't feel any less angry.
That's what everyone says. Time heals everything. Grief, anger, shame
Why the fuck does she feel worse off?
"There's nothing against the rules for Miss Potter to have a witness for the Defence Cornelius," a woman spoke up.
"You are quite correct," Fudge said begrudgingly. "Let us continue without any more interruptions."
Chief Warlock Fudge: From what I have read, this will be a fairly straightforward trial. As a reminder, to inact any form of punishment on Miss Potter, the entire court must be in agreement –
Defence Witness Dumbledore: Pardon me for the interruption Cornelius, but need I remind you this is a trial to determine if Miss Potter is guilty, not what her punishment will be.
Chief Warlock Fudge: Thank you, Witness, it must have been a slip of the tongue. We all know what I am trying to say. And moving forward, it would be best if you refer to me as my title of Chief Warlock.
Defence Witness Dumbledore: My apologies. It must have been the slip of a tongue.
Chief Warlock Fudge: We are here today to discuss the event that occurred 2nd of August 1995. Miss Potter was found breaking the Decree of the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery which states that any wizard under the age of seventeen cannot use magic outside any educational institutions.
Senior Undersecretary Umbridge: Why exactly were you using magic on the 2nd of August Miss Potter?
Accused: I was attacked. I had to use magic or otherwise my cousin and I would have been…
Senior Undersecretary Umbridge: Would have been what Miss Potter? Killed?
Accused: Dementors were attacking us. We would have been given the Dementor's kiss.
Senior Undersecretary Umbridge: Dementors you say? And do indulge Miss Potter, how do you think Dementors were able to reach Little Whinging that day?
Accused: How am I supposed to know? I'm not the one that released them.
Senior Undersecretary Umbridge: Do you know what I do for a living Miss Potter?
Accused: I don't see how this is –
Senior Undersecretary Umbridge: My job is to know the exact number of Dementors there are in Azkaban. Every day, I visit the prison and I, myself, count the number of Dementors there are. On that day, and the day after that, and the day after that and even today, none of the Dementors have gone missing. How would you explain that?
Accused: I mean, I don't know…they were probably released when you weren't there
Senior Undersecretary Umbridge: You think someone released these Dementors as though they were dogs on a leash and told them to run around? These are classed as some of the most dangerous dark creatures known to us. We do not keep them for pets Miss Potter, we are –
Witness Dumbledore: The matter at hand isn't how these Dementors were released Dolores, it is why were they released and ready to attack Miss Potter.
Senior Undersecretary Umbridge: In order to answer the question Witness, shouldn't we know how they were released?
Witness Dumbledore: That isn't of Miss Potter's knowledge.
Head of Magical Law Enforcement Bones: What was the magic in question that was used during that day?
Accused: I used the Patronus charm.
Senior Undersecretary Umbridge: I thought the Patronus charm wasn't on the curriculum for another few years at Hogwarts.
Witness Dumbledore: Miss Potter was taught it a few years ago by one of my professors.
Senior Undersecretary Umbridge: Which one?
Witness Dumbledore: Once again, I don't see the relevancy. The reason why we're here is to decide if Miss Potter's use of magic breeches the Decree of the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery.
Senior Undersecretary Umbridge: Which it does. Witness, while we do not have evidence for Dementors being present at Little Whinging –
Accused: There is, I literally saw them. My cousin nearly died –
Senior Undersecretary Umbridge: I will only tolerate one interruption during this trial, Miss Potter, I will not tolerate another. Besides, there is evidence that you used magic and breached the Decree.
Witness Dumbledore: I do have a witness that I can call upon. I can collect them -
Chief Warlock Fudge: Don't. Percy you do it. And don't write –
Interruption to collect witness
Chief Warlock: Full name.
Witness: Arabella Doreen Figg
Head of Magical Law Enforcement Bones: What were you doing on the 2nd of August?
Witness Figg: Well, I was going for a walk in the evening for some cat food, it was far too hot to go in the day. The shops are at the end of Wisteria Walk but as I walking, I heard a bit of a commotion through this tunnel. I didn't think anything of it at first. Since it was near the tunnel, I thought it was just some teenagers messing around but…but as I walked past, I saw the two girls and the Dementors. I remember her cousin lying on the floor with one of the Dementors hovering over her. It took Ila a few tries before her spell worked and a deer appeared and moved the Dementors away.
Chief Warlock Fudge: There aren't any records of witches living in Little Whinging.
Witness Figg: That's because I'm not a wizard, I'm a Squibb.
Chief Warlock Fudge: Be sure to check the inheritance records Percy and again don't –
Head of Magical Law Enforcement Bones: Can you describe the Dementors?
Witness Figg: Well, they were big, bigger than me but I suppose anyone could be bigger than me…they were wearing black cloaks, I couldn't really see their faces and…it was strange…I had this feeling of…of dread. I remember feeling afraid that I must have left the hob on and one of my cats decided to explore it and…I could barely move.
Head of Magical Law Enforcement Bones: Very well. Thank you for sharing, you can go. Percy show –
Interruption to escort witness
Chief Warlock Fudge: That witness means nothing. She was clearly asked by Dumbledore to come here and probably fed the information. She probably doesn't even have cats!
Head of Magical Law Enforcement Bones: But I doubt the use of the Patronus was used casually. It's an already hard spell to conjure, it took her three tries from what I'm reading.
Senior Undersecretary Umbridge: Perhaps it was all to show off. The Witness did mention that the tunnel she was in is usually occupied by teenagers.
Accused: I don't have a close enough relationship with my cousin to hang out with her like that. Willingly anyway.
Witness Dumbledore: I think we do have to question why the Dementors have come to Little Whinging in the first place.
Chief Warlock Fudge: Weren't you the one that established it wasn't necessary? Besides, there is no evidence -
Witness Dumbledore: Records? Dolores –
Senior Undersecretary Umbridge: I'd prefer you address my title, Witness.
Witness Dumbledore: Surely the Senior Undersecretary would have some record about them that day? Some kind of list perhaps? Something that makes sure every single Dementor is in Azkaban. There has to be some kind of -
Chief Warlock Fudge: If you're going to insinuate something Dumbledore, I'd rather you be a man about it.
Witness Dumbledore: Things have been going array since I haven't been a part of Wizenmagot. Using an entire courtroom for something that could have been a ten minute meeting in Ms Bone's office? Assuming that Ila was guilty and trying to figure out her punishment when we haven't even established her innocence. Immediately wanting to take her wand away, something Wizenmagot has no authority over and in fact, only something that I, as her headmaster can do. Making sure I wouldn't arrive by giving me the details of this trial only ten minutes before it started? And letting two Dementors out on your watch. There are clearly bigger issues than whether Ila Potter's use of the Patronus was allowed.
Chief Warlock Fudge: I think you are trying to paint a certain picture of the Ministry which is not true. Perhaps you should realise that you do not need to worry about the Ministry anymore now that you are no longer a part of it.
Head of Magical Law Enforcement Bones: I think it's time for a verdict. All in favour of Ila's innocence.
35 members agree, including Head of Magical Law Enforcement Bones
Head of Magical Law Enforcement Bones: All in favour of Ila's guilt.
15 members agree, including Chief Warlock Fudge and Senior Undersecretary Umbridge
"Very well," Dumbledore said as Fudge hit his gavel, probably imagining the block to Dumbledore's head.
Ila stood up and was ready to talk to Dumbledore. Perhaps she had been a bit harsh on him. He did want what was best for her, even if the methods were a bit unorthodox. Maybe it was time to talk to him and maybe forgive him. He was the reason why she was still going to Hogwarts. Maybe that was enough to forgive -
Dumbledore left without even a glance at her.
"Mr Weasley, is alright if I can go to the toilet before we leave?" Ila asked, still feeling the remnants of her anger from the trial.
"Sure, the toilets are actually on the floor below. For some reason cutting to departments also means cutting the number of toilets per floor."
"I won't take long."
Ila didn't feel bad about lying to Mr Weasley.
Actually she was lying about feeling bad, she felt awful. She thought she was more angry if anything but seeing Mr Weasley wave her goodbye as the lift doors closed, it was the only thing she felt. Ila watched the floors descend until she hit the eighth level. The Department of Mysteries.
At that point, she was the only person left on the lift. No one knew what th
She descended down, past Wizenmagot, down to the ninth level. To the department of mysteries. By the time she reached the level, she was the only one left.
"Level Nine: Department of Mysteries."
It wasn't what she expected. She thought there would be more wonder, more mystery, more whimsical magic floating through the air. Instead, she was met by a depressing hallway, black tiles organised neatly. It was silent. She couldn't hear anything, not even the hubbub from upstairs. Any thought she previously had about Mr Weasley or Dumbledore had disappeared, she could only focus on the silence. And then her footsteps when she exited the lift and headed down the hallway. There was a large black down by the end of it.
Behind this, she would find her answer about Death. She remembered the twins telling her that they study loads of things, brains, love, time, space…death.
She opened the door to a large chamber, doors on all sides of the room. Twelve was what she counted. She stepped into the middle, wondering which one would be the right one. Straight ahead, and she would move clockwise. Opening the first door, it was the complete opposite of the chamber.
Bright and golden, she stepped into the room to see clocks surrounding her. She could tell the time from every single country in front of her. From large grandfather clocks that reached the ceiling, to small pocket watches on tables, she wandered to the end of the room to see shelves upon shelves on Time Turners…She picked one up, the feeling was familiar. Maybe it was her intuition or her curiosity but she pocketed the Time Turner. They weren't going to miss one. Beside her was a table with a jar in the middle. As she walked closer, she could see a little hummingbird, breaking out of its egg and fluttering its wings. After a few moments, the bird died, falling to the bottom of the jar. It became encased in some glittery material, before forming an egg and once again, emerged as the bird.
For some reason, watching the bird die and rebirth, she was reminded of the Sister's symbol. A snake eating its own tail, the constant cycle of death and birth. She wondered if the Sister's would break in here. She made a mental note before opening the door at that end. The room was even stranger than the last. Much larger than before, it was filled with shelves, towering over Ila. Each shelf was filled with crystal balls, each emanating blue light. Whispers from each ball grew louder as Ila walked past them. She wondered what this room was. Probably something with Divination. Maybe Trewlany wasn't as crazy as she seemed to be.
Realising she was taking too much time, she walked out of the room, and out of the time room. She closed the door and headed out to the next room. Opening the door, she was met with the sight of the clocks once again. Weird….she moved to the next door only to be met with the same one again. It must be jinxed or something. She walked back a door to see the same sight…unless they were all clocks?
No.
This time she moved three doors. She opened the door, only to find it locked. This was getting better. At least it wasn't clocks again. But…even though she couldn't open the door, whatever was going on in there, it smelt very good. It was warm and…she kept wanting to smell it just once more. One more time and…
She's getting distracted again.
She begrudgingly moved to the next door and…
Through the door, Ila was surprised to see the lack of objects. There was only one thing. An archway. It was on top of a circular podium, surrounded by mist. She stared at the archway as she walked towards it. Her peripherals started to get blurry until the only thing in focus was that archway. Feeling herself get cold, she knew this had to be something to do with Death. She walked closer to the arch until she was close enough to touch it. It looked normal. She could see the other side of the room to it…so why was it here?
Ila lifted her hand. She had to touch it, she'd be an idiot if she didn't.
Just as she was a mere inches away, a voice stopped her.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Ila whipped around so fast, she stumbled back, only to be grabbed last second. The hand belonged to a man that she hadn't seen before, but seeing his name tag pinned to his lapel, it was the Deputy Minister of Magic...
The Order mentioned something about him…what was it? Fuck, if only Crookshanks hadn't gotten in the way.
The only thing she did know was that she couldn't trust him.
The man smiled, showing all of his teeth. Strong and white and perfect apart from one. His front bottom tooth was black and rotten. As though he caught onto Ila's stare, he closed his mouth and pulled Ila towards him, away from the arch.
"Now how did you get in here?" he asked, as though he was talking to a child.
"The door was open," Ila lied.
He bent down, eye level to Ila. Merlin, he smelt horrible. He smelt sharp and acidic, watering her eyes. It reminded her that one time Ron accidentally made his potion wrong and she couldn't even open her eyes for a while. She wished she could do that here, but her paranoia was forcing them to stay open.
"I suppose I asked the wrong question. What are you doing here?"
Ila gulped. He was strange. No person can stare at someone for so long without wavering.
Or even without blinking. Ila was pretty sure he hadn't blinked the moment she saw him.
"I got lost."
He stared at her for another few moments. The answer didn't satisfy him but stood up properly. "Do you know what that does?" he asked, nodding to the arch.
She shook her head, struggling to see him through the tears welling up.
He smiled, careful not to show his teeth this time as he pulled something out of his blazar. Ila flinched, thinking it was his wand but instead, he produced a pair of scales.
"Life and Death work in many mysterious ways. But the one thing we do know is they are always in balance with each other," he said, holding up the scales in front of Ila. "So let's say that you fell into the arch, can you guess what will happen?"
Ila stayed quiet. She looked down and for a moment she thought she could see the bottom of a tombstone and grass.
"Come on, there's no wrong answer…hmmm? No? Someone lives. A baby could be born. Someone could be revived. Avada wasn't strong enough. Look at me little girl," he said through gritted teeth.
Ila glanced up and something familiar washed over her. As though…she didn't recognise him through his looks but…it was something stronger… something…who was he?
"No one would find you. No one could. You don't go through that and come out alive," he explained, pointing to the arch, his finger an inch away, "in fact, you don't come out at all. And something tells me you are far too important to get lost in there. So, I suggest you leave right now before I figure out who was supposed to be looking out for you. You wouldn't want them to get worried about being fired. Run along."