Chapter 42

"What about our new friend; Potter?" Tony asked, seeking out news articles related to the magical one.

"The press has yet to decide upon a name for Mister Potter," Jarvis replied.

"Hit me," Tony ordered.

"His magical status has been speculated upon," Jarvis replied, "leading to such names as Wizard …

"Boring," Tony decided.

"Sorcerer …"

"Eh, too normal," Tony stated, cocking up his nose.

"Magician …"

"Pass."

"Mage …"

"Stop! That one has potential. Mage," Tony mused rolling the word around his tongue and brain for a minute. "Right. That's the one. Run with it. You know what to do."

"Indeed, Sir," Jarvis replied.

ooo00ooo

"All rise!"

Matt stood behind the desk that he'd been provided, his assistant beside him doing the same, as the five-person panel of judges filed in from a door to the right.

His heightened senses told him that the large oval room was filled to capacity with observers. The sound of popping cameras and the smell of unknown chemicals told him that there were dozens of reporters also present. Both of these facts were unsurprising given the extreme nature of the case within the magical world.

"Please be seated," the magical bailiff stated. "This session of the Magical Congress of the United States of America is called to session. There is one item on today's docket, the trial of the Magical United States of America on behalf of the International Confederation of Wizards against one Harry James Potter. Bring in the prisoner."

Movement from a door to the left heralded Harry arriving and being placed in a chair inside of a magical dome. Hermione had told him that the dome would allow sound to travel into and out of it, but magical spells couldn't be performed from inside it, nor would they pass through the barrier. The sound of dozens of cameras popping away accompanied every step that Harry made.

"If it pleases the court, I bring a petition," a man spoke up from just the other side of the barrier between the court proper and the observer's seating area.

"Your name, Sir?" the middle judge asked.

"Peter Silverbrush," the man replied. "I'm here on behalf of the British Ministry of Magic, Office of the Minister for Magic."

Beside him, Matt felt Hermione stiffen. There was surprise in her posture; she obviously knew nothing about this petition.

"What is this petition?" the same judge asked.

"The Minister for Magic requests that, as Mister Potter is a British citizen, that he be handed over to us for trial and judgement," Silverbrush said.

Matt felt Hermione lean closer to him.

"Harry's shaking his head," she whispered.

Instantly, Matt was on his feet.

"Your honours, Mister Matthew Murdock. Counsel for the Defence. We wish to state that we are happy for Mister Potter's alleged crimes to be judged here and today by yourselves."

The five judges conferred briefly before the lead judge delivered his verdict.

"Even if we were inclined to accept your petition, Mister Silverbrush, the fact that Mister Potter is willing to place himself under our authority, plus the fact that the charges stem from actions on our soil, lead us to reject your petition.

"Bailiff, read the charges."

The Bailiff stepped forward, the crinkle of paper in his hand.

"Harry James Potter is charged with breaking the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy by performing one thousand, two hundred and three spells in the vicinity of non-magicals in the city of New York, in the state of New York on the date of twelve May, two thousand and twelve. He is further charged with violating the dress code as defined by the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy when magicals are in contact with non-magicals."

As soon as the charges had been read, before Harry had even been asked how he wanted to plead, Matt was on his feet.

"With respect, your honour, the Defence does not want to take up any more of your valuable time than is necessary. With that in mind, we would like to ask that all charges be dropped immediately."

A loud buzz rippled around the room as the incredulous statement was made.

"It was my understanding that, even though you are a nomag, you are a lawyer," the lead judge stated. "Is it normal practice in the non-magical world to have such serious charges dropped before the trial has even been properly begun?"

"No, Your Honour," Matt replied. "However, due to the extenuating circumstances, that is the wisest course in this instance."

"Wisest course?" one of the other judges asked in disbelief. "I suggest that you sit down and let this trial continue in its proper manner before we fine you for contempt."

"With all due respect, Your Honours," Matt interjected, firmly staying on his feet, "Clause Seven of the International Statute of Secrecy clearly states that 'magic may be used in front of muggles in exceptional circumstances, including imminent life and death situations'. This is what Mister Potter did.

"The entire world was at war with an invading alien army. The entire world. Not just the non-magical world, but the magical world as well. We have the resources to show you footage of what happened that day. We can call the man responsible for forming the Avengers, a group of extraordinary individuals intent on saving the world. And while my client was not originally a member of said group, his actions that day have made him one.

"Mister Potter saw that lives were in danger and he acted to save those lives using whatever means he had at his disposal, including magic. Yes, he wore a cloak made from dragon-hide, a cloak which saved him from harm and very probably his very life in the battle due to its magical strength.

"My colleagues have been monitoring the world's reaction to Mister Potter's appearance on the world stage since that day. Yes, his extraordinary gifts have been remarked upon. No, the world does not know where they come from or that he is a wizard, although there has been some speculation on that point. No, the world does not know about you or your society. They believe that, like the other members of the Avengers, he is unique. A single magical user within a world of normal people, a world that now also contains extraordinary people, much like himself.

"Mister Potter acted that day to save lives, not just the lives of those in New York, in the direct and immediate line of fire from the Chitauri, but ultimately the lives of every man, woman, child, witch, wizard and creature on the planet.

"On that basis, on the basis of your own laws, I ask you once again to drop the charges against Mister Potter."

Only then did Matt sit. Impassioned pleas weren't unknown to him in the courtroom, and yet there was something a little different with the one that he just gave. And while he ultimately hoped that it would succeed, he was quite prepared to go through all the points more slowly, calling experts as they were needed to prove his case if needed.

Matt easily tuned out the continuous babbling throughout the chamber as he focussed his senses on the judges. The fact that there appeared to be some heated argument amongst them told him that his speech had indeed had some effect.

Finally, after nearly five minutes, the judges straightened, nodded to the bailiff and silence was restored to the court through the use of a cannon-like blast produced from the bailiff's wand.

"Your case, Mister Murdock, is well-thought out," the lead judge said, inclining his head in acknowledgement. "There is indeed a very strong case as to why these charges should be dropped; in fact, we find ourselves questioning why this case was brought to us in the first place. The laws are clear, as Mister Murdock pointed out. Clause Seven gives the exceptions under which the International Statute of Secrecy can be broken. And this situation clearly falls into that category.

"Mister Potter, we offer you our thanks not only on our own behalf, but on behalf of all witches and wizards, for the many, many lives you saved. We have seen the footage from that day and it has been noted that not once did the hood of your cloak slip allowing any part of your face to be captured by non-mag recording devices.

"You also have our apologies and assurances that the reason that this case reached this far will be investigated.

"All charges against Harry James Potter by the Magical United States of America on behalf of the International Confederation of Wizards are hereby dismissed."

It was the judge's wand this time that let off the cannon-like bang and Matt instantly relaxed into his chair, very pleased and more than a little surprised that his gambit had paid off..

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