The Malfoy Trial

In the aftermath of the Battle of Hogwarts Harry was feted and showered with compliments wherever he went. Even the ex-death-eater families felt it prudent to flatter him. The Prophet ran a series of exposés about him and his two close friends underlining the privations they went through in order to destroy the Horcruxes and eliciting much sympathy for them. It was starting to get very cloying so Harry was relieved when new headlines broke the tedium.

‘MAGICAL GENE REVEALED BY RECENT RESEARCH.’

The article continued to say that the gene was recessive, only reasserting itself when it came from both parents whose parents had also carried the gene. It also suggested that Muggle-born Magicals were not that, at all. The foundation had conducted research and found Magicals in every so-called Muggle-born’s heredity, albeit sometimes many generations removed. It also seemed to suggest that Magicals should endeavour to marry Magicals, in order strengthen the minute gene pool.

Harry also had more mournful duties to perform. Having discussed it at length, the Golden Trio felt that they had to attend every funeral and memorial unveiling; showing sympathy to the grieving relatives. Harry made sure they went to those of known opponents, too.

Naturally Rita Skeeter latched on to the apparent discrepancy.

“Mr Potter, perhaps you can explain to our readers why you attended the Yaxley funeral yesterday? Surely he was one of your opponents.”

“It’s very simple, really, Rita. We have to defuse the system that gave cause to Voldie’s rising; that of a small divided community. Magicals are a very small proportion of the human-race and we should bury our differences and agree to tolerate each other. Our small community has a great responsibility towards the Creator’s world and we should not be squabbling like schoolchildren in the playground. The recent genetic research has found our magical gene and, if our depleted community is to continue to exist, we must build up the strength of that gene-pool.”

“That sounds very much like the argument Voldie was using to recruit pure-bloods.”

“Yes it does, only he took the idea too far, into a blood-supremacy argument. He conveniently forgot that Magicals are not only represented in the human-form; think of the elves and goblins, for instance, or the Centaurs and Dragons. The magical set of genes flow through all of us; that is what should bring us together, not the outward differences of speech and appearance.”

“Does that mean you would like to forgive all those who opposed you?”

“That’s what I aim to show by attending the various obsequies. Don’t get me wrong; those who damaged others and our community have to pay for their misdemeanours and show true repentance by making suitable reparations. Unfortunately some are too proud or too stubborn to recognise their wrongdoings.”

“I take it you refer to the upcoming Malfoy trial – a family universally reviled.”

“Don’t be too hasty, Rita. There were things that some of the Malfoys did in opposition to Voldie – had they not done them I would be dead and he would now be your overlord.”

“And what things were they, Harry?”

“You know very well, Rita, that they are sub judice and not to be discussed before the trial, so don’t try to trip me up.”

Rita knew where the new power of patronage lay and reported Harry’s discussion almost verbatim; thus fuelling the debate about the newly revealed genes.

###

Lucius’s trial was first. It lasted over a month.

The headlines forgot about genes and the golden trio; publishing the revealed wrongdoings; holding up proverbial arms in mock-horror, while at the same time going into all the gory details. After all, even the magical press-barons knew what sold newspapers.

The evidence against him was overwhelming, not helped by the fact of a secret store of dark artefacts found hidden in one of his personal vaults. Gringott’s had been unusually co-operative in allowing Auror access.

“Wizard Malfoy; do you have anything to say before the Wizengamot deliberates the evidence presented? Perhaps recognition of the harm you have caused, or even an offer of reparation.” It was the standard offer of Milady Chairman; the acceptance of which had caused so many rifts to be healed amicably.

“I’m still head of House Malfoy and, as a Mage should be addressed as Milord. I did what any proud Malfoy would do. One whose ideas have been vindicated by the latest genetic revelations. If I was asked to do it again, I should most certainly follow the same path. Do what your pathetic rump of a Wizengamot has to do. The Malfoy name will live on as a shining example to pure-blood principles and I will be its exemplar.”

“Show you no contrition?”

Mage Malfoy looked at the chairman in deep disdain, refusing to utter a further word.

The prisoner was taken down and the court cleared, in order that the Wizengamot could consider their verdict.

His Lordship was brought back and the general public and press readmitted.

“Lucius Araxes Malfoy, The Wizengamot has considered all those evidences brought before it concerning your conduct before the cessation of hostilities. It has taken into consideration all those generous contributions to magical charities, but finds them tinged with political self aggrandisement. They therefore cannot be taken as any form of mitigation. Your callous conduct towards your house-elves and the tellers at Gringott’s leaves much to be desired, if that is how a pure-blood family behaves, many members of this house are glad to hail from a less prestigious family tree. As to the various charges of incarceration, torture, murder and the use of magic for nefarious purposes, unanimously we found all the charges proven. You are guilty as charged on all one-hundred and fifty-two counts. Do you have anything to say?”

“I have said all I have to say, the Malfoy name still shines forth.” Lucius stood as he said those last words and shook his fist triumphantly in the air.

Members of the Wizengamot groaned, some had hoped that he would, at last, be contrite.

“Very well … Here is our sentence! By the act of 996 AD which reiterated and modified the regulus of senate of 102 BC. The House Malfoy is now dissolved. Its Mage, Seer and Adept titles become defunct. All its gifts, appurtenances and incomes will be forfeit to the state in reparation for the damages caused. This will be the last time this house will be mentioned by name in any official utterances. Lucius Araxes of that house will be placed in immediate Mufilato and is condemned to the deepest cell in Azkaban in perpetuity, so be it.”

As he was taken away the horror on Lucius’s face was very visible, however his shouted protestations could not be heard through the silencing charm. The members sat in shocked silence, taking in what a horrible sentence they had laid upon him.

Milady Thaumaturge drew them out of their contemplations: “Members of the Wizengamot, the prisoner made one point which is something we should rectify immediately. The new representatives of the houses have not yet been inducted. I will take nominations from the floor.”

“I sponsor Aberforth to represent House Dumbledore.”

“I sponsor Edward to represent House Lupin and Andromeda as his guardian.”

“I sponsor Alpheus to represent House Thicknesse.”

“I sponsor Harry James to represent House Potter and House Black.”

“I sponsor … …” Twelve new people were sponsored and accepted; it took two days to have them all properly invested and sworn in.

###

During the reception after Harry’s investiture he was chatting to the Minister: “The dissolving of a house, how does that affect the remaining family?”

“Narcissa will revert to her name of Black and her offspring, Draco, becomes a Snape.”

“Why a Snape?”

“Godfather’s inheritances mean more in the magical world than they do in the Muggle one, Harry. In the same way that you inherited the Mage Black title from your Godfather so Draco has inherited his surname and title from his deceased Godfather. There had to be someone to continue the House Snape name anyway. But for the dissolving, Draco would also have the four votes, in the same way you exercise your five for both House Black and House Potter.”

“So why has he not been invested?”

“Because he’s still sub judice.”

“Does that mean that if she is exonerated, Narcissa will take the House Black vote?”

“No Harry, you are its head, as Mage Black. Her marriage took her away from the house; she returns as a suppliant to you as head and, if she is released, you will be responsible for her welfare and behaviour. Of course, should you so wish, she could become your Legate as far as House Black is concerned taking the courtesy title of Countess Grimmauld; as could Ginevra for House Potter, once you were married.”

“Um … Thanks … The Ginny thing … Please don’t spread it around, but I’m not too sure of that going ahead now; she’s gone very cold on me.”

“Not to worry young man … All our wives do that on us … Usually because they want to change us or buy them something expensive … There are plenty of others wishing to be your partner.”

“Yes … I know … I get owl proposals every other day … I doubt their motives even more than I do Ginny’s.”

“The price of fame, dear boy, the price of fame …” The Minister wandered off to greet someone else.

###

Narcissa was next in the headlines. The Snape archive came to her rescue. Severus had made notes about everything in his life down to the most mind-numbing detail. Harry sympathised with the researchers involved. However it did reveal a number of occasions when, in the court of Voldie, Narcissa had aided and abetted the spy for the light, quite often putting herself into considerable danger. Harry vouched for her conduct during the forest fight, and the way, by telling Voldie that Harry was dead, she had enabled Harry to become eventually victorious. Both points told in her favour.

“Witch Black, as you are aware, the new Bonarbour Nursing Home for victims of the battle is being set up. As you have an intimate knowledge of the running thereof, you are sentenced to work as its assistant treasurer, under probation until such times as this court feels fit to release you from those bonds.”

Narcissa’s looks were ones of relief and surprise as she heard her sentence: “Thank you Milady Thaumaturge.”

“What does it mean, Hermione?” Harry asked quietly.

“Well Harry, she’ll go back to her beloved manor house and work there raising money to be spent on the victims of the outrages. In a way it’s forgiving her and in a way it’s also a sentence in that she knows it no longer belongs to her. Anyway, she’ll not be a drain on the Black reserves, because they’ll feed, clothe and house her.”

Their quiet discussion was interrupted by the chairman.

“Will Witch Grainger please step forward into the arena?”

Hermione looked a bit scared and searched Harry’s face enquiringly. He shrugged his shoulders and indicated that he would support her if necessary.

Milady Thaumaturge came down into the main arena and held Hermione’s shoulders in a formal gesture: “By the powers of the act of 996 AD which reiterated and modified the regulus of senate of 102 BC; we have a duty to replace an expunged house by creating a new one. The Genetic Adjudicators have been looking into the magical antecedents of all those previously regarded as Muggle-born. In you, Witch Grainger, we find seven connections each to seven different houses. Those of Black, Bulstrode, Longbottom, MacMillan, Potter, Weasley and that defunct house, pertain. The conjunctions are so entwined that it is impossible to declare which house you truly belong to. Therefore, in recognition of your war efforts and in the fulfilling our duty under the act, we declare you the Progenitor of House Grainger and welcome you to your new seat in the Wizengamot as Seer Grainger. Moreover we declare House Grainger the predominant surname of all who marry into it for the next three generations, only declaring this void if it would thereby cause another house to become extinct.”

Hermione looked shocked, but quickly regained her composure. In her acceptance speech she referred to the acceptance of other magical races into full membership; emphasising the equivalent points made in Harry’s acceptance speech. She did however; spoil the effect slightly by overdoing her SPEW ideas.

It would be Draco Snape’s trial the following week.

###

Like his Mother Draco was supported by the Snape archives, Harry instanced the tower incident and the incident at a certain manor house now turned convalescent home as his supporting evidence. It was late Friday morning when the court was cleared for them to consider the verdict. Although now an accredited member; Harry, as an interested party, went out too.

The prisoner and observers were called back just before tea break.

“Draco, Adept Snape, you have been found guilty of actions which endangered minors and in certain cases led to theirs and others’ deaths or permanent mutilation. We have taken into account the support given by Mage Black, Ser Potter and the archives of House Snape. However we feel that you need close supervision and, unless a suitable Wizengamot Mentor can be found, you will be sent to the low level security area of Azkaban.” Milady Thaumaturge looked round at the members: “Is any member of the Wizengamot prepared to be the prisoner’s Mentor remembering that this includes a Chastisement Order?”

There was silence. Draco, seated by himself in the centre of the arena, looked round desperately.

“Why can’t his mother do it, Hermione?” whispered Harry

“She’s not a member and, anyway, she’s on probation,” she replied, sotto voce.

“Oh … I see.”

Draco was still looking round, he caught Harry’s eye and looked pleadingly at him.

“It looks,” the Chairman started: “as though you cannot find a Mentor. And, although I feel it is not in your best interest I shall have to incarcerate you in …”

“Wait!” Harry stood: “I’ll volunteer to be his Mentor.”

“Including the Chastisement Order?”

“Yes Milady Thaumaturge, whatever that is.” Harry looked at Hermione for guidance; she was head down in her law books rapidly flipping pages trying to find out.

“Good! I hope, Adept Snape, that you behave yourself towards your Mentor. This court will not countenance the sort of previous impertinences reported to have taken place between the two of you. Any report of incivility towards your Mentor will immediately cause your recall and incarceration. Is that clear?”

“Yes Milady Thaumaturge, quite clear, thank you.” Draco’s demeanour was surprisingly meek.

“Good! Now go and prepare yourself for the first part of your Chastisement Order. Court dismissed, to reconvene, fully robed, for its observance in the foyer after tea in half an hour’s time.”

Harry, with a still book-immersed Hermione, went to see the clerk of the court.

“I understand that I have to sign various papers and that you will rehearse the conditions of Mentorship with me.”

“Welcome Milord.” The clerk gave the head of two houses a deep bow. “There is a lot of official jargon but it boils down to this. Your vassal has to be with you at all times, he is only to talk when he is addressed or allowed by you to posit an idea. In private you may have dissenting discussions, but in public he has to obey your commands. As indeed, you will command his vote in the Wizengamot. He will have a trace collar attached to him and you will have its control via a ring. We will also have a trace on him similar to the one used on under-age witches and wizards. He may only use magic when you specifically permit it. The slightest infringement will result in automatic pain equivalent to Crucio. The same holds true if he tries to attack or molest you in any way.”

“When you say ‘with me at all times’ does that mean in the bedroom and the bathroom?”

“I’m afraid so, Milord. I do know of the court varying the order so that the vassal remained in a magically locked cage. However that was because the Mentor was married and certain conjugal rites were deemed too personal to be witnessed by the vassal. As you are single, that provision is non-operative.”

Harry grimaced and then thought that it would be little different from sharing everything in his dorm at school, so he just shrugged his shoulders and said so; asking about the Chastisement Order.

“Well, Milord; this is where the public sees you corporally chastise your vassal and he makes a fealty bond with you. Once that is completed the chastisement takes place in private, that is, if the Wizengamot has not ordered otherwise and it hasn’t this time.”

“Corporally chastise?”

“Yes, Milord. Cane on bare buttocks, one stroke for each person affected, this time it appears to be sixteen, we suggest four from the left and four from the right, so your hand doesn’t get overtired.”

“Um … I’m to cane Mal … Um … My vassal in public?”

“Just the first time, Milord and then weekly for the following fifteen weeks, in private of course, fortnightly for the next thirty two weeks, then monthly, etc. Not to worry we’ll work out a schedule with the dates. Occasionally the Wizengamot may order a further public beating, that’s usually for some minor infringement like refusing to thank your Mentor after a thrashing, or using impure language in the Mentor’s presence, that’s mainly for the ladies, but some of the men include being sworn-at under this category; that’s largely up to you to interpret.”

Harry had ten minutes remaining before he had to publically strike his former rival. Part of him exulted and part of him was revolted as he sipped tea in an ante-room and looked over Hermione’s shoulder at the relevant passages in her law book, learning the ritual words that must be said.

Time came for Harry to go to the foyer.

“Don’t forget you have to mark him each time, so don’t pull you punches,” Hermione whispered just before Harry, cane in hand, made his grand entrance.

There was a raised dais with a throne-like seat on it; a fully robed Harry took his seat. A few minutes later, from the same door that Harry had entered, came Draco, crawling on his hands and knees, led by a collar and chain by a triumphant-faced Ronald Weasley. Ronald led Draco to kneel in front of Harry and then removed the collar and chain.

“I, Draco, Adept Snape beg, Harry James, Mage Black, Seer Potter to take me as his vassal, to use as he wishes and to punish as I truly deserve.”

“I, Harry James, Mage Black, Seer Potter, take you Draco, Adept Snape, as my vassal. You will obey me in all things, and I will punish you as you justly deserve.”

Draco crawled forward and Harry lifted his foot, Draco laid his head on the floor by Harry’s other foot and Harry’s raised foot descended onto Draco’s neck.

“I, Draco, Adept Snape, swear fealty to Harry James, Mage Black, Seer Potter.”

“I accept your oath of fealty and give you this collar as a sign of your vassalage.”

Harry removed his foot, Draco knelt upright and Harry placed the said collar round Draco’s neck. It was emblazoned with Black and Potter family crests.

“Milord, I crave your indulgence to punish me for my misdeeds.”

“Are you truly sorry for the sins you have committed?”

“Aye, Milord, humbly sorry; please chastise me thoroughly?”

Draco rose and went over to the chastisement frame. Facing away from the audience, he lowered both trousers and boxers and leant forward over the frame exposing his bare buttocks for all to see. Harry knew what he had to do and took up his stance.

CRACK: “One,” said the recorder.

CRACK: “Two,” a few voices joined him.

CRACK: “Three,” breathed the audience of hundreds.

CRACK … CRACK … CRACK … So the count went on, Harry changing sides every fourth stripe and the audience becoming more excited as time wore on.

CRACK: “Sixteen,” shouted the crowd in glee.

Draco slowly bent upright and even more slowly drew his garments up, wincing when the fabric rubbed against the forming bruises. He straightened himself and walked in a stiff stance toward Harry, offering his hand; which Harry shook.

“Thank you, Milord, for chastising your unworthy vassal; I nor my house will ever hold this in feud against House Black or House Potter and I will obey your every wish.”

Harry could see unshed tears in Draco’s eyes, and noticed the slight quiver on his lips. “My wish is that you accompany me to the domiciles of House Black and House Potter, and serve me willingly as a true vassal should.”

“Aye, my lord.” Draco knelt again at Harry’s feet.

Harry attached the leash to Draco’s collar, bid him rise and had him follow his lord through the door into a small retiring room where a few of Harry’s friends waited. Harry could see Draco shivering in the effort not to break down in front of the now small audience.

“I think Adept Snape and I have a lot to discuss, friends. Probably best done in private, don’t y’think? We’ll floo away immediately.”

Harry took Draco firmly by the arm, steered him to the fireplace and threw the powder in.

They landed in Grimmauld Place.