The Third Time is a Charm

Posted 15 March 2010

Chapter 87 The Wizengamot

Two days later on November 5, 1981…

It was the day before the hearing that Dumbledore was going to demand at the last minute so no one would have any warning. Because the Wizengamot had to notify the goblins, they and the attorneys would be waiting to hear at what time the meeting would start, and be at the Ministry immediately.

The blood wards had been erected using goblin, elf, vampire and wizard magic. No wizard could enter the area without a family member. Remus Sr. Tonks, Salazar and Moony were added during the ceremony as well as the other creature participants. Because Snape was Severus’ counterpart, he was already included into the intricate magic that was contained in the shields. They covered the whole underground fortress as well as everything that was street level above it. Now the family could be more active above ground and use the houses and enjoy the outside. It was one of the things about the underground that bothered Becca. She liked fresh air and to see a real sun or cloudy weather as it was today.

It was during the time that Becca was seeing to the moving of several pieces of furniture that they heard from Rita Skeeter.

She had come to be good friends with the Prince family. Recognizing that in them, not only could they make her famous, but they had a real heart for the magical world and wanted to change it. Not through wars and fighting, but through progress and business and prosperity. It was such a new concept she wondered why no one else had thought about it.

“Severus,” Rita said through the mini floo, “I just heard that Sirius Black was arrested on the suspicion of killing the Potters. It also seems that no one knows what happened to Harry Potter, although I suspect you know.”

“Harry Potter was placed in his aunt’s custody by Albus Dumbledore. Are you available to come to a Wizengamot hearing tomorrow? We don’t know the time yet, so we would have you come here and leave with us.”

“Is this going to be headline material?” Rita asked with a gleam in her eyes.

Severus laughed at the woman that had proven useful for the last six months. “I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed,” he told the reporter without really answering her question about headlines.

“What time do you want me there?” she asked excitedly.

On November 6, 1981 at 12:47 PM…

Everyone was in the sitting room waiting… and waiting… and… “When are we going to find out?” Harry said impatiently. “I just want this to be over!”

“Calm down Harry, maybe something happened and he won’t try to get the Potter vaults.” Severus said dryly.

Harry snorted at him in disbelief just as the floo flared to life. Gorbink was on the other side and said, “Show time everyone, I have been called to be at the Ministry in Courtroom Seven in thirteen minutes.

The floo cut off, but they didn’t need anymore information they had to act fast. “Alright ladies,” Severus said to Becca and Rita. “You heard the man, let’s get ready.”

Becca drank a nasty tasting potion and wanted to throw up afterwards. “Merlin, Severus, can’t you make these things taste any better?”

“No” came the response from both Severus and Harry at the same time. How many times had Harry asked that question? Too many to count.

Rita changed to her animagus form and rested in Severus pocket. He and Harry were going, but they would have to stay out of sight using a charm. Becca now looked like a horsey woman that was too thin for her own health and looked at the others. “Hey, can someone fix my clothes? Doesn’t this woman eat?”

Salazar laughed and spelled her clothes to fit her new frame. Becca then picked up little Harry and said, “Alright guys, we are ready to go.”

They arrived at the Ministry of Magic with three minutes to spare, but still needed to get to courtroom seven. Harry gave a mild shudder as he remembered his own courtroom experience after the dementor incident.

They quickly made their way through the crowd and arrived outside the courtroom door at the same time the attorneys did. “Are you ready to play the part of your life, young lady?” one of the attorneys asked.

“For little Harry? You can count on it.”

They walked in just as Dumbledore was addressing the Wizengamot.

“What is this interruption? This is a closed session and we will not be disturbed,” the old man said.

Becca was hidden behind the attorneys and Dumbledore didn’t see her or the baby yet. The attorneys spoke up, “If it pleases the Minister, we are here about the same matter Albus Dumbledore has summoned you about. I have with us Petunia Dursley and her nephew, Harry Potter.”

There was murmuring in the courtroom as the members to preside over the case looked to see who was behind the legal counsel. Snape, Lucius and Moony had all come with the legal team and were surrounding Becca and little Harry.

Minister Bagnold raised her gavel and hit the podium with a resounding crack. “Order, ladies and gentlemen, we do not need all this noise.” She then turned back to the occupants standing in the doorway. “As this matter concerns Harry Potter and his aunt is in custody of him, I believe we will allow this intrusion. Surely we all want what is best for the child and the Chief Warlock’s request has been challenged by Gringotts.”

The attorneys were looking at the Minister expectantly and she requested, “You may take your proper place in this courtroom.”

Three very aristocratic and well known men entered the area for legal counsel. Sitting directly behind them were Moony, Lucius and Snape, wearing their finest silk black robes. Both Snape and Lucius had their lordship rings on their right hand and their family crest in the proper place on the left breast, outlined in a gold wreath denoting they were the Lords of their family. All of the stitching was of the finest acromantula silk thread and their robes were of the latest fashion. Snape had taken Harry and Severus’ advice and taken possession of the Prince family vaults and properties.

Becca was sitting next to Moony, with little Harry in her lap. He had been fussy earlier but when they sat down he settled down a bit. Until he looked at who was sitting next to him.

“Moo” the baby said quietly, as he raised his arms to Moony. He remembered Moony from his visits to the Potters. Moony was the one that gave him his train. The man picked up the little boy out of Becca’s lap and settled him down so he was sitting and looking at the people in the room.

Both of the soulmated couples were in the courtroom as well as Salazar. They were not going to miss this show for the world. They looked around and saw, Molly Weasley, of all people in the courtroom and she had the newest baby with her. A little girl this time, named Ginevra. Harry shuddered, for a second time that day, at the possible reasons that they would be here. Thank Merlin; they were going to be able to stop this madness.

Albus Dumbledore was fuming under the guise of his twinkling eyes. How did they find out so fast that he was calling a meeting today?

With three raps of the gavel the Minister stated, “For the record, this meeting will come to order on the matter of Harry Potter and his guardian. This day is November 6, 1981 and the time is five minutes after one post meridiem. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore will address the court first. His petition is to be the magical guardian of one Harry James Potter and to have access to funds to facilitate that appointment.

Albus Dumbledore stood to address the Wizengamot. He stressed all the reasons he should have access to the Potter vaults, citing the need for security and even posting guards to make sure the baby remained safe. Since no one knew what happened to all the Death Eaters, there may still be Voldemort supporters that would want to harm him.

When he was finished with his blustering, the Minister addressed the courtroom again.

“As Albus Dumbledore has completed his request we will now hear from the attorneys representing Harry Potter and his aunt, Petunia Dursley.

The eldest attorney stood up for the court, “It has long been a practice to allow magical orphans to remain in the magical world, especially those of pureblood descent. However, Albus Dumbledore brings up a good point. Harry Potter’s godparents are not available at this time, although we believe that they will be reached very soon. It is Petunia Dursley’s option to appoint a magical guardian from people she knows or to leave it for anther time when the whereabouts of said godparents can be ascertained.”

The second attorney then stood, “We would like to call to the stand Mrs. Petunia Dursley.”

Becca stood up (polyjuiced as Petunia) with Harry in her arms and stepped down the stairs to the witness box that the attorney indicated. The baby was sleeping again and clutched to her shirt.

Minister Bagnold turned to Petunia, “Is your name is Petunia Dursley and are you the blood relative of Harry James Potter.”

“I am a blood relative of Harry James Potter and my name is Petunia Dursley, at least today it is.” She said with a smirk. She didn’t see it, but both Severus and her grandfather were glaring at her.

“What do you mean ‘at least today’?” The Minister questioned.

“What would you say if your husband took exception to taking a child in? I told him I could change my name tomorrow if he didn’t agree.” There were snickers in the courtroom and as several of the women in the Wizengamot tried to hold in the laughs. You could tell because several of the ladies had their hand over their mouths to muffle the noise.

“Yes, I see your point,” the Minister replied with a smile of her own.

“How did you come to hire Wizard attorneys?” the Minister was really interested in the answer to that question. Muggles didn’t know anything about their world and she would never have expected the group that came in today.

“Oh, that was easy. Severus Snape, Lily and I were childhood friends. We lived not too far from each other even before Lily went to Hogwarts.”

Albus Dumbledore lifted his eyebrows in surprise. He didn’t know that Severus and Lily had known each other.

“So I sent the owl, which showed up when Harry did, to get in touch with Severus when I saw the baby was left with us. I was concerned about raising a magical child.” Becca looked at the attorneys, she knew her grandfather was there and she needed his strength.

“He in turn said that there were several things that needed to be done for Harry and asked his friend Mr. Malfoy for advice. Mr. Malfoy then made some inquiries with his attorneys so that everything would be legal and there would be no problems.”

“You have known Severus Snape a long time then?”

“Oh yes, Minister, since Lily was about six or seven years old.”

“Do you agree with Albus Dumbledore that you need protection?”

“I object, Madame Minister,” Dumbledore shouted into the room. “How would a muggle know about the protections needed for a young wizard like Harry?”

“Well, as I understand it, there are blood wards on the house because of Lily’s sacrifice to save her son. It was in a letter left with the baby that was written by Albus Dumbledore. The goblins from Gringotts and then Misters Snape and Malfoy have both checked and they said we are very safe,” Becca answered the outburst.

“What about the child’s needs? Don’t you feel you will need funds for that?” the Minister asked.

“Of course, but when our parents died, Lily and I both put our money in trust funds for our future children. We did it on the same day our parent’s estate was settled. Also, Lily and James had taken out an insurance policy. They only thing I need is a… what do you call us? Oh yes, a muggle death certificate.”

“A muggle insurance policy?” the Minister queried.

“It gives monetary protection for the family against early disability or death. They each took one out in case Harry had to be moved to our world.”

“I see,” the Minister then rapped her gavel twice and stated, “Let the record show that Mrs. Dursley will be furnished with muggle death certificates for Lily and James Potter.”

“Thank you Minister.” Becca (Petunia) said graciously.

“So what are you requesting for the Gringotts accounts as Harry’s only blood relative?”

“I formally request that the accounts be sealed until his eighteenth birthday. This is the age that he becomes a legal adult.” Becca responded.

“Actually, in the wizarding world, the legal age is seventeen. I would suggest that you allow him access at that time.”

“I acknowledge your wisdom in this matter and amend my earlier request.” Becca stated formally.

The Minister then addressed Severus Snape. “Mr. Snape, do you feel that the protection around young Mr. Potter is adequate for his security?”

“Madame Minister, I work for Prince Conglomerate and they have assured me that they will personally check the wards periodically. They will also, if needed, post one of their own security guards to protect the family. They feel that protecting children is of the utmost importance. In addition, I will also be keeping surveillance on the wards to make sure they stay in place.”

“Who is the other gentleman sitting next to you?”

“This is Remus J. Lupin Jr.; he has been a long time friend of the Potters and is also employed at Prince Conglomerate.”

“Do you Mr. Lupin, agree with Mr. Snape on the safety issues brought forth in this court?” the Minister asked.

“I believe the wards currently erected around the residence of Harry Potter are quite adequate. I have known the Potters since our first year at Hogwarts and we were very close.”

“Very well.” The minister turned to Becca and said, “Mrs. Dursley, I see no reason to refuse your request as you have several people here to vouch for you and have stated they will continue to look out for the welfare of the child. Is there anything else you require from this court before we make our final decision?”

“Yes, last week Lily said if anything happened to them that I should let someone know that Sirius was not keeping her secret.” Becca said, feigning confusion on her face. “No, that wasn’t right; she said he was not the one with the secret… or something like that.”

“Are you telling us that Sirius Black was not their Secret Keeper?”

“Yes, that is what she said. I am sorry to not remember the words exactly. I am unfamiliar with your terms.”

“Does anyone in this court know where Sirius Black is at this time?” the Minister asked the court.

One junior auror stood up and spoke, “Yes, Madame Minister, he is in the holding cells to be shipped off to Azkaban for murdering the Potters and suspicion of being a You-Know-Who supporter.” It was interesting how the auror lowered his voice when saying Voldemort’s moniker.

“You will go get this man immediately after these proceedings.”

“Yes, Madame Minister.”

“Excuse me Minister; there is something else I needed to ask about.” Becca timidly approached the woman.

“What else may we do for you?”

“I wanted to know about health care. In my world we do not brand our children and I don’t know what to say when Harry goes to the doctor. I know he did not have it last week when I visited with my sister.” Becca said as she waited for the explosion to happen.

“I don’t understand what you mean. What brand? We do not brand our children.”

Becca had been unfastening the pants that Harry had on to show them. She saw, out of the corner of her eye, Dumbledore try to sneak out the door. She also saw the stunner that hit him, from under the invisibility charms, which one of the men shot at the old man.

Becca turned the baby around and showed the court his right thigh that indeed had the sex slave brand prominently displayed on his flesh.

The courtroom was in an uproar. People were shouting at the audacity of anyone doing something to a child. Several of the older members of the courts came to the witness box to examine what had been done to the savior of the wizarding world. One of them recognized the brand as the Dumbledore crest and they started looking for the man in question.

Above all else, Molly Weasley, stood with Ginny in her arms and screamed, “You promised! You promised that he would marry my Ginny; that you could create the marriage contract. How dare you lie to me?”

The Minister was rapping with her gavel to try to get everyone’s attention. Someone found Dumbledore close to the door stunned and levitated him down to the chair for the accused. You know which one, the one with the chains on it.

Becca noticed that at some point, Rita had dropped her disguise and was furiously writing the whole thing. She had three parchment pads with dicta quills writing the whole thing down. Someone was chaining Dumbledore to the chair in the room with thick heavy chains and Molly Weasley was still shouting about promises to her Ginny about her becoming the next Lady Potter. The poor little girl that couldn’t be more than two months old was crying with all the noise and upset around her. Harry clutched his aunt when several people had gathered around him to look at his leg.

Becca noticed that it was now getting to be close to three in the afternoon so she looked around her at the mass confusion and took another swig of the awful potion that tasted so bad she wanted to spit it back out. Only for little Harry and her family would she drink such a foul concoction.

Poor Harry didn’t know what all the fuss was about and started to cry at all the loud noises in the room. Finally the Minister retained some order in the room and demanded, “Headmaster Dumbledore, you will explain yourself.”

“I was trying to protect the boy. I didn’t mean any harm. It was to know if he was in trouble or attacked in spite of the protections around him.” He was hoping that no one knew it was a sex slave brand.

“Try again, Albus, I know what that mark means.” One of the Ministers aides stated as he looked at the headmaster in disgust.

One of the attorneys stood and interjected, “Madame Minister, I believe that in situations like these we have enough evidence to request a confession under veritaserum.”

“I second that request,” someone in the back of the room shouted out.

The Minister again rapped with her gavel and stated, “It has been requested and seconded that a veritaserum confession be granted. Does anyone oppose?” No one raised their hand in opposition. “Then let the record show a unanimous vote for the use of veritaserum on Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore.”

“You will go get the veritaserum,” The Minister said to the auror in the room.

“Excuse me Minister, but I happen to have some on my person that was bottled at Prince Pharmaceuticals. You may check it if it pleases the court.” Snape had stood to make his offer in hopes of having a better product to get the best confession. Albus had built up a tolerance and he wanted the man to fry.

“As Mr. Snape is a Master level potion’s brewer, the court will allow this. We require a vow that this is brewed to ministry specifications.”

So Albus was given the new and improved veritaserum and spilled all his secrets. The attorneys knew, from the Prince family, exactly what he had been doing and they had him confessing everything. The Wizengamot members were beyond disgusted and had never thought to hear such things. Not even from Voldemort.