Chapter 057

"However," she continued, "I have sufficient evidence to have him removed from being a sitting member of the Wizengamot for prejudicial behaviour. I informed him he either voluntarily stepped down from that body, or I would take him to trial and have him permanently stripped from ever being allowed to sit upon that body, anyway. I think I had enough for that.

"As he still has the dream of the Magical House of Malfoy being elevated to Noble status within his lifetime, I know he would not want to jeopardise that. I made it quite clear it would not happen if he tried to force the issue and still try to demand sitting on the 'Mot; I'd charge him, anyway."

"Damn!" scowled Harry. "However, he could still try to force it later, once he felt sufficient time had passed and you wouldn't then be able to push for his trial, anyway."

"Nope," she smiled. "I forced him to make an oath he would not try to sit on the 'Mot until the House of Malfoy was elevated. And let him think there was still a chance of that. I'll be making damned sure there isn't."

"So, he's decided to play the 'long game' and wait, rather than force the issue and risk losing everything," he sighed. "At least he's showing the Slytherin mindset his son utterly lacks."

"Just so," she agreed with a nod.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Because of the secrecy surrounding Sirius turning himself in, not even Harry was made aware his Godfather's trial would be that day. Actually, the only people who knew of it were Sirius himself, Amelia Bones, Gawain Robards, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks, Andromeda Tonks - who was now his self-appointed healer - and Ted Tonks, who would be acting as his Law-wizard for the trial. That was until that morning, moments before the trials started and Harry and Hermione had already left to be taken down and 'snuck' into the chamber. Then she'd summoned the aurors who would also be in the courtroom into her office and briefed them.

Having already met Edward 'Ted' Tonks on a couple of occasions previously and his opinion of the man now impressing him even more, Sirius had decided he would both accept the man as his Law-wizard for the trial and - unknown to anyone else just yet, including the man himself - would be retaining the muggleborn wizard as his Law-wizard of Record for the House of Black at the immediate conclusion of the trial. Sirius had no idea who was the current Law-wizard of Record for the House of Black, but knew whoever it was hadn't done their job by ensuring he received a trial in the first place. He suspected Malfoy's interference in that.

The first trial up that morning was of Cornelius Fudge, as expected. Harry and Hermione were escorted in just as the Members of the Wizengamot filed in.

Three days previously, Madam Bones herself sent the owl to Fudge informing him of his trial. In that notice she also informed him that if he didn't turn up in person before 9.00am that morning, precisely, then he would be tried in absentia. And, as such, would not have opportunity to speak in his own defence.

Further, if he didn't turn up and was found guilty of any of the crimes for which he'd been charged, then he would be considered to have escaped lawful custody. Then reminded him that it was he, on his own authority, who ordered the dementors out to hunt down Sirius Black and immediately apply him with the 'Kiss', just because he had 'escaped lawful custody'.

She expected it was enough to ensure the man was in court and she was right. When the current Chief Adjudicator, Madam Augusta Longbottom - who still had not stepped down as Regent for the House of Longbottom - banged her gavel and called for 'The accused, Mister Cornelius Fudge' to step forward, a similarly portly man to him almost reluctantly came forward from the very full visitors' gallery.

"And, who are you, Sir?" she asked.

"Minister Cornelius Fudge," he replied. "I've taken Polyjuice to ensure I safely arrived before someone tried to murder me... again."

"Again?" asked Longbottom.

"Someone tried to enter my home, without invitation, the night of my... arrest... six days ago," he replied. "I informed Amelia by owl I was then immediately moving to a safe house known only to me for my own safety."

When Longbottom turned to Amelia, the stern woman nodded back and replied, "I was so informed."

Turning back to Fudge she said, "Very well. Take a seat." And indicated the accused's chair with its golden chains. "At least you have enough honour to come here today."

Though he looked at the chair with some fear, Fudge manned-up and sat. As soon as he did, the chains leapt to life and firmly bound him to the chair. He gave a quiet yelp and slightly jumped when they did.

Fudge's trial then went through quite quickly. Each of Harry's memories were displayed, as they were in the first task, of Fudge's behaviour regarding being informed of Sirius's innocence. Together with other memories the man himself reluctantly submitted. The trial was quickly moving ahead.

Harry and Hermione were not asked to give testimony, but were ready to do so if they were. They'd already been told they'd be there for each trial those memories were shown, just in case. They sat together off to the side apart from the general public and the media. They were watched over by two aurors, Robards and Hammer, who kept their eyes scanning the room looking for trouble.