Kindred Spirits
by Tailkinker
This is a work of fan fiction based on the Harry Potter series and the Sailor Moon franchise created respectively by J.K. Rowling and Naoko Takeuchi. The characters and settings belong to their respective owners and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is written purely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered as part of the official canon of either series.
Trial's Reprieve
The Department of Magical Law Enforcement was bustling with activity as Harry, Sirius Black, and Hotaru Tomoe walked through its offices. Harry's heart raced, knowing that their meeting with Amelia Bones, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, was just moments away. This encounter was Harry's last hope for securing a chance at an appeal—a chance to prove his innocence.
Sirius, his normal scruffy appearance set aside and dressed as befit a millionaire Wizard, exuded a sense of determination as he walked beside Harry. Hotaru, in the dark blue kimono she'd worn to the Obon festival, remained a calming presence at Harry's side. He knew that she had her own concerns, centered around the Sailor Soldiers, but for now, her focus was on supporting Harry.
"Wotcher, Sirius."
It was a young, pink-haired Auror. Harry realized that he'd seen her before, when Barty Crouch Jr. had been arrested.
"Tonks," replied Sirius. "I'd love to stop and chat, but we've got an appointment. Let your Mum and Dad know you're all invited for dinner the last day of August." He pulled a card from his robe and handed it to her.
"Tonks?" asked Harry quietly as they moved on.
"Yeah. She's your barrister's daughter," said Sirius. And Harry understood; Mr Tonks had mentioned that he was married to one of Sirius' cousins.
As they approached the door to Amelia Bones's office, Harry took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. With a determined nod, he pushed open the door, and the trio entered the office.
Amelia Bones, a formidable witch with graying hair and a no-nonsense demeanor, was already seated behind her desk. Her sharp eyes assessed Harry, Sirius, and Hotaru as they entered. She motioned for them to sit in the plush chairs in front of her desk.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Black" she began, her voice carrying the weight of her position. "I understand that you are here to discuss the matter of Mr Potter's expulsion."
Harry nodded, trying to keep his voice steady. "Yes, Madam Bones. We believe that there has been a grave injustice, and we're hoping to present new evidence that could change the outcome of my case."
Sirius leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Amelia. "We have reason to believe that there were irregularities in Harry's original trial, and we've been diligently gathering evidence to support his innocence."
Hotaru, though quieter than the others, added, "We're here to request that the Wizengamot reevaluates Harry's case and grants him the opportunity for a fair hearing."
Amelia looked at Hotaru, and said, "I was expecting Misters Potter and Black. May I ask your name?"
"Hotaru Tomoe, ma'am." Hotaru bowed, hands clasped in front of her. "Pleased to meet you."
Harry stifled a grin. After three weeks in Japan and only one back in England, Hotaru had yet to shift back to 'English' mode.
Amelia Bones regarded them with a measured expression, her fingers steepled beneath her chin. "Well, this is a serious matter, and the Wizengamot does not take appeals lightly. I will need to review the evidence you've gathered and assess its merit. If I find that there are substantial grounds for reconsideration, I'll table it before the Wizengamot."
Harry felt a surge of hope. Madam Bones noticed, and raised a finger.
"Don't get your hopes up too far, though. It's a rare day that the Wizengamot agrees to re-hear a trial."
"Even without being Chief Warlock, the word of Albus Dumbledore carries some impact on the Wizengamot," said Madam Bones. The four of them, along with Edward Tonks, were hurrying down the corridor on Level 10 of the Ministry. "He was able to swing the votes to get your appeal."
"Great," said Harry. He glanced at his barrister. "Thanks for making the time, Mr Tonks."
"All I had to set aside was some research," he said. "Of course, this isn't exactly my bailiwick. I'm in family law, not criminal."
"There was no way to retain a criminal barrister in the time we had," said Sirius. "Dromeda wouldn't have married you if you weren't clever. You'll adapt."
Amelia paused outside a set of doors. "Mr Black, Ms Tomoe, you'll have to wait here. Mr Potter, Mr Tonks, with me." She turned and pushed the doors open.
The Wizengamot Chamber was circular and quite large, with tiered seats running along half its circumference. A large number of wizards and witches sat on the benches. All were dressed in official-looking plum robes. There was a chair in the center of the room, with a woman seated in it. Harry noticed that there were several chains attached to the chair, though they hung down to the sides.
"For lack of evidence," Minister Fudge was saying, "the Wizengamot finds you not guilty. You are free to go."
The woman—dark-haired and tanned, and very beautiful—stood, bowed to the court, and walked out.
"What do we have next?" asked Fudge. He glanced up at Madam Bones. "Ah. Mr Potter's appeal. Very well, let's get this out of the way. Clerk?"
"Case 1995 dash 753." Harry turned, recognizing the voice. It was Percy Weasley, the only Wizard present who wasn't wearing the plum robes. Well, aside from himself and Mr Tonks. "Ministry of Magic vs Harry James Potter. Violation of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 11th of August, 1995. Violation of the Statute of Secrecy, same. Trial date: 21st of August, 1995. Verdict: guilty, decided in absentia."
"Thank you, Mr Weasley," said Fudge. "Now then. The Wizengamot has agreed to hear your appeal. Please state your basis."
"Mr Potter was out of country at the time of the trial," began Ted. The barrister checked his notes. "He did not receive his summons."
"I believe that this was already covered at his trial." The new speaker was a woman. She was somewhat overweight, and her eyes were a bit protruberant. It put Harry in mind of a rather large frog. Her voice was high-pitched and...well, he didn't know how to put it, except 'girly'.
"Mr Potter cannot expect to simply not show up when notified of the hearing," she continued.
"Mr Potter was not, in fact, notified of the hearing." Mr Tonks held up a file folder. "Nowhere in the case notes do I see a return receipt for his service."
"Well, the onus to prove that he was, in fact, out of country is on Mr Potter," said Fudge briskly. "Do you have anything that proves this?"
"I do." Ted strode forward and held up Harry's passport. The small burgundy-coloured booklet was still quite pristine, as Harry had only gotten it two months ago. "As you can see from his passport, he entered Japan on the 8th of August, 1995, and departed Japan on the 21st of August, 1995. Given his travel time, his entry visa is stamped the 22nd of August, 1995, at four-twenty PM." He produced a small sheaf of parchment. "I have prepared copies, signed by Madam Bones, of the relevant visa pages."
There was a momentary stunned silence.
"That is a Muggle document," said the toad-like woman sweetly, though her face looked as though she'd bitten into a lemon.
"It is," agreed Tonks. "However, when wizards or witches—even pure-bloods—travel via Muggle means, they still must acquire and use a British passport. In short, it has legal standing in our world, every much as it does in the Muggle world."
"He's right," said Fudge glumly. "Well, I suppose that takes care of that. The appeal is granted. Mr Potter, you will receive our owl regarding your new trial date. Until then, you are—"
Amelia Bones immediately leapt to her feet. "Minister, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement has elected, in the light of this new evidence, to dismiss all charges against Mr Potter. As he was out of the country on the 11th of August, he could not have produced the Patronus charm at the heart of this case."
"What?" But—I—" Fudge sputtered for a moment, then sighed. "Very well. All charges are dropped." He did not look pleased to be saying it. "Mr Potter, you are free to go."
Fudge banged his gavel, and Harry heaved a sigh of relief. He turned to his barrister.
"Mr Tonks. Thank you."
"Oh, you'll be getting a bill." Ted grinned. "If I didn't bill you, they'd probably disbar me."
The two turned and walked out the chamber doors, Harry still chuckling. Sirius and Hotaru looked up as they emerged.
"How did it go?" asked Sirius nervously.
"All charges dismissed," said Harry.
Hotaru let out a squeal and lunged forward to hug him.
