[a/n-1]For starie78 disincluded "Similar to the word exclude, but carries the added suggestion that a person was at one point included, but then excluded due to their own extreme level of douchiness" Admittedly, not widely accepted.

[a/n0]Review from Guest advised alix33 to check out a Polydicta short Ch#7 from "Hidden Tales" gag reflex warning.

[a/n]Prompt from Vukk:In HBP, Draco tries to cast crucio on Harry. What if he succeeds? This is a fertile idea, with multiple outcomes. Let's explore a few.

Harry Does Different CDLXXXIVa

CruciLoo 1

Harry watched his nemesis storm out of the Great Hall; taking all of 5 seconds to decide, followed.

The blond Slytherin was frustrated at the failure of his carefully constructed murder scheme. The Dark Lord had promised to kill his beloved Mother unless he killed Dumbledore. He stormed into the boys' loo, punched the mirror over the sink and yelped. Angrily turning the faucet he muttered his problems to his reflection. Then the voice he least wanted to hear.

"I know what you did, Malfoy!" growled Harry in accusation.

Draco didn't need to turn to know who it was. All in a single lightning move, he snarled "Potter!" pulled his wand and cast a leg-locker curse.

"Wasn't that First-Year?" Harry taunted as he leapt, allowing the spell to pass under him. Then responding with a wordless stunner.

Draco ducked behind a stall then fired back his own stunner.

"Levicorpus!" the Gryffindor fired back, not impressed with his opponent.

A shield sparked briefly, and the Slytherin doubled up with a pair of stunners. Neither hit, and one ricochet splintered some stone.

"Sectumsempra!" Harry did not like being pelted with debris.

Draco liked it even less when some wood dug into his neck, even if trivial. In a fury "Crucio!"

"Riddle plays with - WHOA!" the raven-haired boy's taunt was cut off has he tripped over the rubble of part of a toilet. Neither boy paid attention to the furious Myrtle. Then his nerves were on fire. It wasn't as bad as from the Dark Lord himself, perhaps, but it didn't stop.

Having caught the long target of his ire, the Slytherin had no intention of letting up "Crucio!""Crucio!""Crucio!""Crucio!""Crucio!"

"Expelliarmus!" this was in fact echoed, because two different professors came on the scene. One from Severus Snape was modulated only to disarm, which it did. The other, from Minerva McGonagall, blasted the attacking boy into a wall as he crumpled in a heap. The wizard was paler than usual as he turned, wand also zeroing in.

The witch, however, was already firing "Expelliarmus! "Incarcerous! Incarcerous!" She stepped over her fellow Head, glancing at both Slytherins to satisfy herself, then rushed to her student. Turning the young wizard over, who was curled up in a fetal position, she shook gently "Potter! Potter! HARRY!"

"Huh? Wha?" the boy babbled idiotically "Whomi? Who-u? Weeee? Ahhh! Deee!?"

Abcij

It was, it seemed to Minerva, a lifetime later that she had just escorted the noteworthy pair of her other students to the Hospital Wing. En route she had, as best she could, told them what happened.

Both her prefects were visibly upset as they entered. The girl rushed to her friend whose arms and legs were randomly flailing about. She blushed as one hand brushed one of her breasts. She pushed it away with some difficulty complaining "Don't do that, Harry!"

"Blurrrp. Geep. Suummmy. Grum." Was the spat of nonsense coming from the boy. None of his actions were intentional. He did not even especially look at teen witch.

Hermione caught his hands and gave a concerned look "Madam Pomfrey? Can something not be done? What is wrong?"

"That fake Moody showed us!" snarled Ron "He's been Crucioed out of his gourd. That's what! And I bet this foul git had something to do with it." He'd seen both Slytherins in nearby beds and wasn't picky. A flash of his wand overturned one and he began stomping on the prone form.

Stunning the redhead and nodding to the Mediwitch to deal with the mess, Dumbledore advised "Perhaps, Poppy, it would be advisable to relocate Mr. Malfoy and Professor Snape to the far side of the wing. It also be wise to setup a privacy ward."

"Fuckin bastards are going to Azkaban!" this from Ron, surprising McGonagall sufficiently that she only raised an eyebrow. He wasn't affected by the look, shouting "Harry fought You-Know-Who! No way Malfoy could've beat him. Obviously him and Snape ganged up! Harry's been Crucioed. Malfoy's not near good enough."

Harry's left foot randomly kicked Ron's knee and he giggled in the way an infant might.

"Your accusation is, no doubt, based on incomplete information …Ronald…" it was then, the Headmaster appeared. He fired at both the Potions Master and the blond student "Obliviate!" Withdrawing his wand, he went on "There, no evidence except the rest of us that the attack on Professor Snape even happened. And without evidence of an Unforgivable being used on poor Mr. Potter, the matter will …faaaade. I trust I can be assured of everyone's silence? Harry will receive the absolute best possible care."

In a decided role reversal, Hermione glared "That's it? Are you senile?! I should think an Unforgivable is worth more than LINES!"

"Watch your tongue, Miss Granger!" scolded McGonagall reflexively.

Ron gave a sullen look then pulled on his friend's elbow "C'mon Mione. Sorry, Professor. Come On!"

"Since when do you worry about the ru-ules!?" Hermione was hard-put to keep up with the lanky boy. "Well? Answer me! And slow down!"

He ignored her efforts and kept up with only a slight slowdown "There are only two people I'd trust with this. And NOT out in the open. Now. Do you walk? Or do I carry you?"

Abcij

"Well we're back in the Common Room. Can we stop now?" though phrased as a question, it was more a command.

Ron looked around for red hair, found it "Bloody! Wish Fred and George were still here! Ginny? Stop digging at Thomas' tonsils, will ya?" And to the great surprise of witnesses, he led the pair into the girls' dormitory.

"How did you get up here?" asked Random Girl.

Ron ignored her, and somehow unerringly climbed onto his sister's 4-poster "Those two taught you privacy wards didn't they?" And after the command was honored brought his appalled sister up to speed, concluding by producing a pair of wands "How do we get these to whoever is best to see them?"

"Snape's wand? And Malfoy's?" under other circumstances Ginny might have been gleefully amused "How did you do it?"

Hermione answered "Whoever he tossed out of bed, plus the other MUST have been in Madam Pomfrey's office. But Ronald- -"

"One of THESE, Mione" he shoved them at her "OR both! Hexed Harry into the Permanent Damage Ward. Don't you want them punished?! Now, who can we trust? I won't be able to keep them a couple hours before I get searched."

Hermione didn't have either a chess-brain, or a prankster knack. Ginny was able to process it the quickest, saying "Susan's aunt Amelia needs the wands as evidence. Luna's father can publish all the whys and wherefores before the Ministry can pull its stunts and get it to the public. Madam Bones will have all the support she needs."

Abcij

It took only another full day. The entire school was only told that Harry had taken ill, and that by odd coincidence the best ones to brew a treatment were the two Slytherins.

*hemhem* "Why Amelia, I believe it is most appropriate to report to the senior Ministry official when you are on business." Said the pink-clad witch sitting at the near end of the Head Table.

The top Auror barely glanced at her political enemy. And at a nod, she and her escorts all drew their wands and she announced "Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape. You are both under arrest. The charge, use of an Unforgivable against a human."

"Now surely Amelia, I cannot imagine what evidence - -" Dumbledore began.

But she cut him off "Headmaster, at the moment, there is a case being assembled …I do not yet have a charge… against yourself and Professor McGonagall for Conspiracy after the fact. Now? Can we do this peacefully?"

"My father will hear of this!" Draco stood and shouted.

The Head of Slytherin glared "Do be silent, Mr. Malfoy. Resistance would be difficult as our mediwitch cannot seem to secure our property."

"Who said Potter was human?" chortled Vince Crabbe. Who was promptly slapped upside the head by his boss. That a moment before an Auror magically restrained the Slytherin.

Hermione clutched Ron's knee assuming her redhaired friend would give away something best kept quiet. He shot her a 'I know that' glare.

"As it will come out in trial, anyway" said the DMLE Head "it would be those aforementioned wands that are our evidence. Both show a similar volley of spells. Clear indication of like use in the same time period. The exception being multiple Cruciatus Curses found in Mr. Malfoy's wand. This does not obviate the circumstance of Mr. Snape's known relationship to the boy. And Mr. Potter certainly did not torture himself with Mr. Malfoy's wand."

The Headmaster frowned but spoke with quiet assurance "Some logical inferences. But I doubt they would pass the full muster of true evidence."

"That is not for me to decide here, Albus." Her eyes were on her team securing the prisoners. And while aware of her niece, and the pair of Gryffindors, Madam Bones would not spare them any attention. "In this situation, I am merely the arresting officer. So, naturally, when the Wizengamot tries this House Bones will be abstaining."

abcij

There were motions, and hearings, and meetings. But finally a trial was set to begin. The large courtroom packed due to the scandal of Harry Potter joining the not quite as famous Longbottom couple in the Permanent Spell Damage Ward of St Mungo's. Everyone was then deeply surprised when Minister for Magic Fudge began *HARRUMPF* "It is my understanding that a plea has been agreed to?"

"Indeed, Your Honor." Said the prosecutor as she stood.

From behind the defense table, Dumbledore interrupted "This has not been discussed with me, Cornelius."

"Silence!" Fudge took delight in setting his wand off "Unusual in a case like this. I can make no promises as to the Wizengamot's approval. But, there is no harm in listening."

The pale black-clad man stood and confessed "I came upon my Godson, Draco Malfoy, trading …admittedly, unfriendly spells, in the boys' second floor loo. None of which, for the record, were Unforgivables. I have hated the sight of the Potter brat from the moment he showed his arrogant face in my class. Even worse than his bastard father. Breaking his mind was the most enjoyable experience of my life. I cast the Cruciatus. Again. Again. And AGAIN."

"Dramatic, compelling …abhorrent as well." The opposing witch tapped her fingers in a mocking clap "Enlighten the court …Mr. Snape… how it is YOU cast Crucio when it appears on the Malfoy boy's wand?"

Dumbledore tried to cut in "Severus I am warni- -"

"Be silent you old fool!" he shot back "If you had actually kept YOUR brat in line, none of this would have happened!"

Fudge almost laughed, but his wand flashed …lukewarm… "Order! Madam Prosecutor?"

"Yes, Your Honor. Thank you." She gave a bow "The accused still has not explained the odd circumstance of him casting a spell that appears on Mr. Malfoy's wand."

Snape sneered at her "Nothing can be simpler, even for your simple mind. Even an incompetent brat can occasionally be lucky. Potter managed to disarm us both with a single Expelliarmus. I retrieved my Godson's wand instead of my own, and cast accordingly. One does not need Legilimency to read your pitiful thought. Of course, an exceptional wizard such as myself can use a not perfectly matched wand."

"Minister? As we have an admission of guilt." Lucius was speaking politely enough, though not having requested permission ruffled some prickly nobles "Might I suggest that, without denigrating the unfortunate victim, that those arriving at the end of the incident were drawing incorrect conclusions from the witnessed actions."

Augusta Longbottom had a different view, with reason ""While Duke Malfoy is correct …from a certain point of view… I do believe there is precedent for holding all involved in a criminal act as equally responsible for the entire crime."

"By your own argument, Speaker:" the blond wizard pointed out in silky tones "As we have no verifyable testimony as to how the fight stated, Mr. Potter himself could be culpable for his own condition."

Outrage came from a particular group of redheads, who were supplemented by a pair of non-Weasleys. There was also a faction among the general populace.

"ORDER!" Fudge demanded with a pop from his wand "I would suggest the Wizengamot table the matter of Draco Malfoy's conviction …if there is one… until a later session. It may even be conceivable to convict on a lesser charge. A confession makes a verdict academic - -"

Disagreement was only a minor one over method "Give him The Kiss!" or "Throw him through the Veil!"

"It is the decision of this August and Ultimate assemblage of justice" the Minister for Magic had on his full-dress hat and spoke with iron in his tone "that you be taken from this place and delivered over to the Dementor Squad for punishment. Procedure to take place without delay. Aurors! Take him away."

While Fred and George cheered, Ron .com merely looked grimly satisfied "Maybe. But getting rid of Snape isn't worth Harry's soul." He didn't look at his family as he pushed through the crowd.

"Problem Weasley?" the condemned man was able to stop his escort in front of the angry redhead "At least I had the satisfaction of seeing the arrogant brat beg for mercy that would never come. Just pain. On top of pain. On top of pain. You and Granger can feed him with a spoon forever. Heheheh."

Having caught up, Hermione shoved Ron aside and got in his face, full of spite "I remember your words of not long ago. Snivilus! Dementors' Kisses are awful. Almost as horrible to witness. But. I'll. Do. My. Best."

"Filthy little Mudblood." Restrained and surrounded, Severus lashed out in the only way he could. His forehead collided with the girl's nose. He was dragged away smirking, red dripped down his face.

Hermione staggered back into Ron's arms crying "I dink he boke my dose!"