Chapter 063

Then Bones said, "It is not the prosecution's intent, at this time, to see Mister Hagrid incarcerated as we believe he was faithfully acting under what he believed to be the lawful orders of Albus Dumbledore, his boss.

The law-wizard added, "It is the defence's request, also at this time, for Mister Hagrid to be returned wand privileges. As this latest evidence has now shown the truth of the matter, we do not feel he was justly found guilty of facts that led to the death of the minor witch, Myrtle Warren; which is what led to him being incarcerated and his wand snapped at the time."

"The prosecution has no problem with that," returned Bones. "However, we do feel strongly that he never be allowed to be in a position of authority over a child, ever again."

Madam Longbottom thought of that for a few moments before she declared, "If Mister Hagrid is found innocent of the crimes for which he sits before us today; then we shall vote on the request for his wand privileges to be reinstated. The second part is irrelevant if his guilt is decided in the first part.

"Secondly, because of the nature of the crimes committed against and relating to Lord Potter, we shall vote first for his innocence and then for his punishment if he is found guilty.

"Are there any who wish to ask questions, or shall we move on to the votes?"

When she again received no comment, not even from Nott, she said, "Very well. Those voting for guilty, do so now."

To Harry, it appeared a little less than half voted for guilty.

"Those who vote for not guilty, do so now."

Again, a little less than half voted. Apparently, the rest had abstained.

When the tally was given, those who voted not guilty won through - just.

Harry could see Hagrid slump forward in relief.

"Very well," said Madam Longbottom. "A minority has voted for your innocence. Therefore, you are free of that matter. We shall now vote on whether or not wand privileges shall be return to you.

"Those who vote 'yes' for the return of wand privileges, do so now."

Again, less than half voted in favour.

"Those who vote 'no' for the return of wand privileges, do so now."

This time a clear majority voted against.

"I am sorry, Mister Hagrid," said Madam Longbottom. "Wand privileges will not be returned to you at this time."

"Tha's alri'," he quietly said. "Ah'm now used ta not 'avin' a wand."

"You are free to go, Mister Hagrid," she said. "And, accordingly, you are free to return to Hogwarts as Groundskeeper. However, you are not to ever be in a position where you are an authority over children, ever again. That includes being the one to take the first years across the lake on their first night in the castle. Understood?"

"Yes, M'm,' he replied.

The chains then dropped away and he, quite dejectedly, rose and made his own way out of the chamber.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

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Once Hagrid exited, Longbottom turned to Bones and asked, "Do we have time for one more?"

"This one, we do," she replied. "This person immediately and without equivocation offered a plea of guilty to all charges in advance. They are already quite repentant."

"Then it should be a quick one," declared Madam Longbottom. "Bring in the accused."

Harry thought it would be Professor Flitwick, he was right.

As with Hagrid, Professor Flitwick was not led in wearing manacles. Instead, he calmly walked in with the two aurors assigned to him merely following him along without even laying hands on him.

He directly headed to the accused's chair, which had been altered to his stature between the time Hagrid left and he arrived, and sat upon it. The chains, just as with Hagrid and Sirius, lazily draped over him.

Harry was beginning to suspect the chains were not just magically enchanted to wrap around the accused, but also in such a way as to imply the innocent or guilt of the person sitting on the chair.

Once he was sitting he was told he would be taking Veritaserum.

"I'm sorry, Madam," he quietly replied. "But, as a part goblin, I'm somewhat immune to its effects. However, after studying it, I believe four drops, rather than the regulated three, may in fact work on me as I'm only part goblin."

"If you are willing to take four drops, then I cannot see any reason for you not to take such," said Madam Longbottom.

"Auror," said Madam Bones. "Four drops, if you would."

Fleming replied, "Yes, Ma'am. Four drops." He then stepped forward and, as Flitwick willingly tilted his head back and stuck his tongue out, the four drops were administered.

They waited the recommended time and then asked him the verification questions. Harry was surprised to learn he was actually 104 years old.

Madam Bones then read out the charges against him, of which there was only two. One for child endangerment through placing one of the traps on the third floor in Harry's first year and one for failing to stop the ongoing abuse of a student through ongoing bullying - Luna.

"For the record, Mister Flitwick," said Longbottom. "How do you plead?"

"To my absolute shame, guilty to both charges, Ma'am," he immediately replied. "On my return to the castle on the evening following the first task in the Tri-Wizard tournament, I immediately moved to end the bullying of Miss Lovegood. However, it does not forgive me for not stopping the bullying as soon as I became aware of it, other than reporting it to Headmaster Dumbledore."

"You will have the chance to speak in your defence later, Mister Flitwick," said Longbottom. "For now, your plea of guilty to both charges is noted.

"Madam Bones, you may begin."

After first submitting Flitwick's interrogation transcript, Madam Bones moved on to both Harry's and Flitwick's own memory strands; which, as with all others, was shown in a solicitor's projective pensieve to the court.

After that, a Dicta-quill transcribed statement from Luna Lovegood was submitted.

"As you can see from Miss Lovegood's statement," said Bones. "She never once reported the bullying to any member of staff. She appears to believe it was the fault of fanciful and invisible creatures that made her fellow housemates behave the way they did. It is the opinion of a DMLE authorised mind healer that Miss Lovegood is still suffering from the effects of the death of her mother, when she was nine years old. The woman died in her arms and Miss Lovegood appears to suffer some measure of guilt in not being able to help her."

"Has she since been offered help in that area?" asked Longbottom.

"Yes, but her father is unable to afford it."

Harry silently vowed he'd both look out for her and pay for it, as he utterly despised bullies.

"Very well," said Madam Longbottom. "You may continue."

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