Chapter 073

As Harry had expected, McGonagall's trial went a fair bit longer than the trials of the other Professors except Snape's. It even went almost as long as Snape's. Partly, that was because they included what happened on the night of the first of November, 1981, when she was part of the party of three that dumped him, Harry, on the doorstep of the Dursleys.

A memory was then played. Harry knew the memory wasn't his and it was explained it was her memory. He was just surprised she had given it for viewing in the court pensieve, as it clearly painted her in a poor light.

However, he was not surprised by what it showed.

Once it played through and the memory faded away, Ogden then said out loud to everyone in the chamber, "If there is anyone who still believes... after witnessing that... that Harry Potter was ever sent by Dumbledore to live in a big castle with plenty of servants and lived a high life, then they're clearly an idiot."

Looking at McGonagall directly he asked, "Knowing the Potters as well as you did... and that you clearly had witnessed the poor behaviour of those muggle Dursleys... why, in Merlin's name, did you allow the boy to be left there?"

"Albus said it was the safest place for him and that he would be able to grow up without the fame that would surround him," she replied.

"Yes, we saw that part of that conversation in the memory," he said. "However, that does not explain, after you witnessed the behaviour of those muggles, why you seemed to agree with him and left the boy there, anyway."

"Because Albus said..." she tried again before Ogden firmly cut her off.

"Albus Dumbledore is not a God!" he snapped back. "So... what you're telling me is that you left the boy... an infant... in what was clearly shaping up to be an abusive home, because Albus said so with empty platitudes and some nonsense about a scar behind his left knee.

"The only thing you are telling us with that remark of yours is that you are quite willing to allow Hell to rain down upon a baby all because Albus said you were to do so!"

McGonagall didn't even raise her head to respond.

After a long few moments, Ogden said, "Well, Madam McGonagall, it is the belief of this court that you should witness a little taste of just what hell that boy went through at the hands of those muggles."

Harry immediately stood and grabbed Ogden's attention. "Excuse me, Chief Adjudicator."

"Mister Potter?" he asked.

"Lord Potter," Harry immediately shot back holding up the back of his right hand to flash his ring.

Ogden had the honour to immediately blush in embarrassment. "My apologies, Lord Potter. You wished to say something?"

"No, sir," Harry replied. "I ask permission to be allowed to leave for this and wait outside until you are done showing those memories. And, I further ask that anyone not of age or of stout constitution also be allowed to leave for the duration."

Ogden gave a couple of quick blinks back before he said, "I... think that would be wise. But, I'm going to go further."

Turning to look at the wider chamber he said, "What is included in these memories is not for the faint of heart or the young and are deeply personal for Mis... Lord Potter. All but those who do not have current and actual business in this chamber are to leave for the duration."

After the chamber cleared a fair bit, with many of those wishing to stay who wanted to see and weren't allowed grumbling about it the entire way, Ogden started the memories.

Harry was just thankful he was able to remove himself, Neville and Hermione from the room.

"You didn't need to do that, Harry," said Hermione. "I think we all could have stomached watching it."

"That had nothing to do with it, Hermione," he replied. "I just don't want to be looked at with pity from my schoolmates. And, as few people as see any of that the better, as far as I'm concerned."

"Oh," she quietly replied. "I... didn't think of that. Sorry."

It was more than fifteen minutes later the visitors, plus the three teens, were allowed to re-enter.

McGonagall was now openly sobbing in her seat.

When the trial finally finished Ogden called for the vote. She was found guilty of all charges.

However, the vote to incarcerate her, lost. There was no other vote, and Harry wondered why until Ogden returned his determination.

"Madam Minerva McGonagall," he began. "After the discovery you had been potioned with a mild obedience potion, it is the determination of this court that you not be incarcerated for your actions against Lord Potter and the students of the school. However, your stated wish you be allowed to quietly retire and return to your ancestral home is also not accepted.

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