Chapter 27
The Trial Of A Potions Mistress
Author's Note: I will only say one thing about this chapter. I did not add every warning I should have at the beginning of this chapter. The reason why will be obvious by the end of the chapter, but will be explained in the end Author's Note.
Warning: Dumbledore and Molly Weasley Bashing
(Saturday, December 19th, 1994 – 11:15 AM)
Sirius Black was currently relaxing on the couch in the sitting room of the cozy little cottage he and Remus had been staying in for the last few months. The cottage was a rental, belonging to his cousin Andromeda Tonks. Before she had gotten married, she had lived in this cottage for two years. After she had married her husband, Ted, she had rented it out to various people over the years.
Andromeda had offered it to her and Remus, after Sirius had contacted her a week after his escape on Buckbeak the hippogriff from Hogwarts, this past June. She became the Secret Keeper for the cottage. Andromeda was also a Healer, who worked in St. Mungo's, and she had helped him heal, from his time in Azkaban, over the past several months. Ted Tonks was a lawyer with the DMLE, and he was going to be Sirius' defense representative during his trial later that day.
Andromeda and Ted were expected to arrive at the cottage within the hour. Apparently, Andromeda wanted to make sure Sirius looked presentable for his trial. Apparently 'Looking presentable' had nothing to do with his health. She wanted to dress him up fancy in order to make a good impression.
"Everyone has seen you as a villain, Death Eater, and the betrayer of James and Lily Potter over the past thirteen years, Sirius," Andromeda had said, during a mirror call earlier that morning, "You need to look like Lord Sirius Black, not like the 'Prisoner of Azkaban' when you walk into the courtroom today."
Sirius had just finished up a mirror call with Amelia Bones. She basically wanted to confirm that he would be there for his trial. He promised her he would be. She looked very happy a bit relieved to hear that. Then she told him he needed to be at the Ministry by one-o-clock in the afternoon.
"Your trial will be the second of two trials today," Amelia had said, "The first trial takes place at noon, and I am not sure how long it will take. Your trial will begin a half-hour after the first trial finishes. Unless I tell you differently, I want you to arrive at one-o-clock this afternoon. Senior Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt and Rookie Auror Nymphadora Tonks will be escorting you when you arrive, and you can meet them near the Security Desk in the Atrium. If the first trial is still going on, then you can wait in a separate room, located near the courtroom, with the Aurors, and Ted Tonks. Even if you have to wait an hour or two for your trial, it is better to wait near the courtroom, so you can be ready."
Sirius had, of course, agreed to meet Aurors Shacklebolt and Tonks in the Atrium at the scheduled time. He thought it was ironic that Ted and Andromeda's daughter would be involved in the escort. All three members of his cousin's small family was taking a part in helping him today.
Remus Lupin was currently in the kitchen, cooking lunch for the two of them, and Ted and Andromeda, so they could eat something before they needed to be at the Ministry. Sirius smiled as he recalled the moment Remus had read Rita Skeeter's article in the Daily Prophet earlier this week that confirmed Sirius would be getting a trial. Remus had been more emotional than Sirius, his eyes full of tears of happiness and relief that his only living best friend in the world would be getting a chance at freedom once again. No longer would they have to hide in this cottage, with Sirius barely getting any sun, except to lounge around in the backyard either in his Animagus form, or relaxing in a hammock, when the weather was nicer.
Sirius' musing was interrupted as the compact mirror on the coffee table in front of him vibrated, alerting him that someone was calling him. He picked it up and opened it, thinking it was either Amelia or Andromeda, therefore was very happy to see Harry Potter and Hermione Granger's faces looking at him. They were sitting on a couch together, as they had the first time he had spoken to them over this mirror.
"Harry! Hermione!" Sirius said, grinning, "I was wondering if you would contact me before my trial today."
"We wanted to wish you good luck, Sirius," Harry said.
"Not that you need it," Hermione said, "You're simply getting the trial you should have gotten thirteen years ago. Just be honest about everything and don't let them intimidate you, and you should be fine."
Sirius chuckled. "You sound like Remus, Amelia, and my cousin and her husband. Which is basically everyone else I've talked to today about my trial. They've basically all said the same thing to me."
"Your cousin?" Harry asked.
"Andromeda Tonks," Sirius said, "My favorite cousin. Though, when you realize my other cousins are Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange, I suppose it is easy to pick a favorite. Technically, your father was my second cousin or something, but we considered each other more like brothers."
"You're related to Draco Malfoy?!" Harry asked.
"So are you," Sirius said, "Your grandmother was Narcissa's Great-Aunt, and mine. Don't let it get to you, Harry. Most purebloods and half-bloods in Britain are related at some branch of the family tree if you search through the tree long enough. The Blacks are also closely connected to the Weasleys, through Arthur Weasley's mother."
Harry and Hermione's faces twisted in disgust at the mention of the Weasleys. Sirius couldn't blame them, given their recent history with a few members of the Weasley family.
"What about Muggleborns descended from Purebloods and Half-bloods?" Hermione asked. "I am a Dagworth-Granger descended from a Pureblood."
"The two of you a probably related in some branch of the family tree," Sirius said, "Fourth, fifth cousins, maybe more. The closest connection to the Potters and Dagworth-Grangers is their love for creating Potions, and the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers, of which your great-grandfather, Fleamont Potter, was a member of. He created the Sleakeazy's Hair Potion and various products, among others. So you don't need to worry about all that if you two crazy kids decide you want to get married sometime."
"Well, now that you mention it," Harry said, "Hermione and I have decided to pen a Betrothal Contract together after we claim our seats in the Wizengamot Council on Monday. For now, it is a preventative measure, to prevent other Noble Lords and Ladies from believing we'll accept Betrothal Contracts from them."
"That is a brilliant idea!" Sirius said, "Who suggested it?"
"I think there's an insult in there somewhere," Harry joked. "Actually it was a combination of advice from Amelia Bones, Professor McGonagall and – apparently – our Account Manager, Keeper Ragnok, though he only gave the advice to Professor McGonagall."
"Well, you received very good advice," Sirius said, "I would have given you the same advice. Betrothal Contracts you don't have a hand in can be a very messy business."
"Yeah, tell me about it," Harry said, "I still haven't destroyed the illegal Contract that was penned between Albus Dumbledore and Molly Weasley for me and Ginny Weasley. Amelia doesn't want me to destroy it until after today's trials."
"So Molly Weasley is the other one on trial today?" Sirius asked. "I was told mine is the second of two trials today.
"Yeah," Harry said. "We firmly believe she'll be in Azkaban for a few years by the end of the day."
Sirius shuddered. "I wish her luck, no matter what she might have done to you. She doesn't strike me as someone who is going to come out of Azkaban bright and shiny like me!"
"You weren't bright and shiny when you left Azkaban, Sirius," Hermione said, frowning.
"Precisely," Sirius said, "Molly's probably going to end up like my dear cousin, Bellatrix. Insane and ranting and barely recognizable."
"That's horrible," Hermione said, frowning, "Even for someone like Molly, who was planning to do so much to us."
"I didn't know Molly very well," Sirius said, "But I knew her twin brothers, Fabian and Gideon. A good pair of boys. I knew them well. Killed in a skirmish with Death Eaters, but from what I've heard, they fought and defended themselves well. Went down together, but brought a few of the bastards with them. They didn't talk much of their sister, which either means they didn't like talking about her, or… well, I don't know what else it might be. They loved her, don't get me wrong. But it might have been tough love."
"She loves her children," Hermione said, "But I think she loves them too much. She's so overbearing with them. She was overbearing with us too! We had to conform to her rules whenever we were in her house. She acted like we were her children. But given that she wanted us to end up married to her youngest two children, I suppose it makes sense with how she treated us that way. Still… it was pushy, overbearing and rude. I have a mother, after all. I don't need another one. Oh, Merlin, Harry… I'm sorry. I didn't mean –"
He cut her off by pecking her on the lips. Sirius smiled at the touching scene.
"I know what you mean, love," Harry said. "Yes, she tried to be like a mother to me. But… I didn't want her to replace my mother. Everything I remember about my mother, tells me she was the best mother I could have had."
"Lily was definitely the best mother, Harry," Sirius said, smiling. "I still remember the look on her face the day she and James announced she was pregnant. It was only topped when I saw her holding you the first time I met you – a few hours after you were born. Besides you, and perhaps your father, in that moment there was nobody else in the room, even though there was me, Remus and a lot of our friends coming in and out of the hospital room. To Lily, it was just her, you and your father when she looked at you. Never doubt she loved you. She loved you the moment she knew you were inside her. Believe that."
Harry's eyes were misting over, and he was grinning. "Have I told you recently I have an eidetic memory? The ability was blocked, probably something Dumbledore did to me. I'm sure if I focus on my parents, I can come across so many memories. Maybe even the day of my birth in that hospital room."
Sirius chuckled, then it evolved into a howl of laughter.
"What is so funny, Sirius?!" Harry asked.
"Harry, you were either asleep or latched onto your mother's breast during that first day in the hospital room," Sirius said, grinning. "I don't know if you even want to try to picture that day."
Hermione giggled at the look on Harry's face, which set Sirius off again. Harry was blushing hot red after Sirius' statement.
"I suppose there is a reason we shouldn't be able to remember things when we were so young," Harry said.
"Harry, if you really do want to see that day," Sirius said, "Then sometime we'll find a Pensieve and visit the memory of that day."
"What's a Pensieve?" Harry asked.
"Basically a large enchanted bowl with special liquid inside it," Sirius said. "You use a spell, while pointing your wand at your forehead, and thinking of a specific memory. Then you pull out a silvery strand, which is the memory, and put it in the Pensieve. You then dip your head inside the bowl, and suddenly you're inside the Pensieve with the memory playing around you."
"That's brilliant!" Harry said, "Can you use something like that at your trial?"
Sirius shook his head. "You can fake memories in a Pensieve. Therefore it isn't permitted in a Courtroom. Same goes with Veritaserum – the truth one person believes might not be the actual truth. So it isn't permitted either. Believe me, my trial would be a lot easier if I could use such a strategy."
"You do have a good strategy, though, right?" Harry asked. "Amelia said I didn't need to be there for the trial. I could be there, and give my witness statement of what happened last June, you know."
"It isn't necessary, Harry," Sirius said, "You've done enough just by opening James and Lily's Final Will and Testament. Combined with my story of the events surrounding that time, we have a great strategy."
"Alright," Harry said, "I just wish I could do more."
"I appreciate it, Harry," Sirius said. "I tell you what. Once my trial is over, I'll let you know what happened."
"If you can actually talk to me after your trial, then I'll know it went well," Harry said. "Because otherwise –"
"It won't happen," Hermione said, firmly. "I have faith you're going to walk out of the trial a free man, like you should have thirteen years ago."
"You're right, love," Harry said; smiling at his girlfriend, then looking back at Sirius. "There's nothing to worry about. In a few hours, you'll be a free man."
"Of course I will be!" Sirius said. "I wouldn't be leaving the safety of my current residence if I didn't believe I'd be a free man." He cleared his throat. "I better end this here and now. My cousin and her husband will be here soon to make me 'look presentable' for the trial."
"We'll be with you in spirit, Padfoot," Harry said, "And I know my parents will be there too."
Sirius smiled, blinking back tears. "That is all the support I need, pup. Can't go wrong with that support on my side."
"Be well, Sirius," Hermione said, "We'll see you in a few hours."
Farewells were exchanged, and Sirius shut his mirror. He inhaled and exhaled then wiped the tears from his eyes. Then he looked up at the ceiling.
"Your son found a good woman there, Prongs and Lily," Sirius said. "They remind me of you so much. If she had auburn hair, I might have said I was going mad. Because it would be like I'm looking at the pair of you all over again."
He cleared his throat and stood up. He needed to stop sitting on his bum, and prepare for the last day of his incarceration.
Self-imposed or not.
(Saturday, December 19th, 1994 – 11:50 AM)
Director Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, gripped the briefcase firmly in her hand as she stepped into Courtroom Ten. She made her way over to the Prosecution Table, smiled at her assistant, Samantha, who was sitting in a chair behind her, before she sat down at the table. She opened her briefcase, then started placing the documents and parchment which was inside it on the table in front of her. Enchantments on the table prevented anyone not seated at the table from seeing what was on the table, so she needn't worry about having the documents and parchment out in the open.
Sitting across the aisle to her left, at the Defense Table was Dedalus Diggle, Molly Weasley's defense lawyer. According to a memo she had received earlier that day, Albus Dumbledore had paid for Diggle to represent Molly Weasley. Amelia held back a snort at the thought of Molly needing a Defense Lawyer. If she wanted to prevent her youngest two children from being given a trial and probably sent to Azkaban, Molly was going to have to go through with her deal and basically admit all her crimes for the Wizengamot to hear.
Sitting in the row behind the Defense Table, Amelia found Arthur Weasley, sitting in between two young men, whom she guessed was Arthur and Molly's eldest sons, William and Charlie.
Amelia turned and looked up toward the Wizengamot Council. Both Molly Weasley and Sirius Black's trials were to be presented in front of the entire Wizengamot Council. House Bones' vote was being Proxied by Augusta Longbottom today, as Amelia would be Prosecutor for Molly Weasley's trial, and Chief Interrogator for Sirius Black's trial. The difference between Prosecutor and Chief Interrogator was simple: Amelia wasn't prosecuting Sirius, and he already had a Defense Lawyer in Ted Tonks.
Members of the Wizengamot were still making their way toward their chairs. Amelia smiled as she saw her friends and allies in the Great Alliance as they made their way to their own seats. Aside from Castor Greengrass who was seated in the Neutral Seats, the Great Alliance sat together during Council Meetings. Albus Dumbledore and Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, had yet to arrive yet, but Amelia expected they would be the last of the Council to arrive.
Amelia smirked privately at the thought of Albus Dumbledore being present. He wouldn't be happy with her opening Salvo for the trial. Of course, he wasn't going to be happy at all, she knew, given how many skeletons of his would be coming out of the closet after the two trials today were over.
Amelia looked over her shoulder and found that the representatives of the media were filing into the room. Very little about this first trial had been seen in the various media sources. The fugitive – and possibly innocent - Sirius Black was a far better topic than a Matriarch of a Minor House. Of course, if the media knew just what Molly Weasley had done to the Boy-Who-Lived, the hero and savior, Harry Potter, today's trial might have been discussed more. But it all would be revealed soon.
Amelia had a sudden revelation as she looked back at Diggle. What if Albus Dumbledore had asked Diggle to defend Molly Weasley for a specific reason. Maybe he was trying to prevent Molly from mentioning certain things during her defense – such as anything to do with Albus Dumbledore?
She narrowed her eyes and stood up, then walked over to Diggle and sat down in the chair meant for Molly. Diggle blinked as he looked at her.
"May I help you, Director Bones?" he asked.
"What has Albus Dumbledore asked you to do in defense of Molly Weasley, Mr. Diggle?" Amelia asked.
"I beg your pardon!" Diggle exclaimed, "This is most inappropriate! I am not about to give you my strategy!"
"You don't need to give me your strategy," Amelia said, "I already know it. Dumbledore has asked you to make sure Molly Weasley doesn't mention Albus' name at all today. Hasn't he? He doesn't want his secrets to come out today. Well, too bad. I'm going to give you a tidbit of my strategy, Diggle. My prosecution begins with Molly Weasley meeting Albus Dumbledore one day. This meeting began the journey that lead Madam Weasley to this trial today. Dumbledore isn't going to get his way today, Diggle. Molly Weasley has already promised me – for the sake of her two youngest children – to be completely honest about all of her crimes. Otherwise, her two youngest children will be sitting here for a trial too."
Diggle stammered. "Y-you can't do this, Director B-Bones. M-Minister of Magic Cornelius F-Fudge has stopped you from –"
"From placing Dumbledore under arrest," Amelia finished. "That is all. He has not ordered me to stop investigating the man. Nor has he said I cannot open Dumbledore's closet of skeletons for everyone to witness. Dumbledore's trapped you, Diggle. He knows you're going to lose. He hasn't hired you to defend Molly Weasley. He's hired you to stop her from saying his name. Think about it, Diggle."
Amelia didn't wait for Diggle to respond. She stood up and walked back over to her chair and sat down. She shook her head in pity for Dedalus Diggle. The man didn't realize that he was nothing but a pawn in Albus Dumbledore's chess game. Dumbledore cared little – if at all – for the man or how his career would likely suffer due to this trial. This much was obvious. He was simply a tool for Dumbledore to use for his own means.
Speak of the devil. Albus Dumbledore stepped into the Courtroom, walking amongst other individuals such as Head Auror Rufus Scrimgeour, the Minister's Undersecretary, Dolores Umbridge and Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic himself. Amelia frowned at the sight of Dolores Umbridge. She had only been notified earlier today that the woman would be her replacement as Interrogator. Amelia was usually an Interrogator during trials when she wasn't the Prosecutor.
Amelia did her best to keep the smirk off her face as she watched Albus sit in the chair that was meant for the Chief Warlock. The chair that was raised higher than the others, as if it was a golden throne. Albus looked around at everyone, as if they were the subjects of his Kingdom and Court. Then his gaze fell on her and she stared at him, provoking him, daring him to attempt to use Legilimency on her.
However, he looked away from her, and she held back a smirk again.
Enjoy your few minutes in your throne, 'Lord of Light', Amelia mused, You're not going to be in charge of either of these trials. I'm going to make sure of that.
Her musing was interrupted as Dumbledore smacked his gavel on the surface three times in front of him.
"Bring in the Accused!" Albus ordered.
Amelia looked over her shoulder as the doors of Courtroom Ten opened. Auror Hestia Jones led Molly Weasley into the room, who was followed by Senior Auror John Dawlish. Molly's hands were bound in magic-blocking manacles, and she was wearing what appeared to be one of her own hand-sewn outfits – which had obviously been delivered to her by one of her family members. Auror Jones led her to the Defense Table, and motioned to the empty chair. Amelia noted Molly Weasley glaring at Dedalus Diggle as she sat down in the chair.
She found this interesting. Most interesting.
Jones and Dawlish then walked over to a row of chairs meant for witnesses. As arresting Aurors, they may be required to answer questions or make statements, therefore they were considered witnesses.
"Chain the doors!" Albus ordered.
Amelia didn't turn around this time, but she knew the doors were now crisscrossed with enchanted steel chains resembling spider webs.
"So begins the Criminal Trial on this, the nineteenth day of December in the year nineteen ninety-four," Albus said, "The Accused is identified as Molly Matilda Weasley 'nee Prewett, Matriarch of the Minor House of Weasley."
"Representatives for the Wizengamot," Albus continued, "Chief Prosecutor: Amelia Susan Bones, Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Representative for the Defense: Dedalus Damien Diggle, Interrogators: Chief Warlock Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore; Rufus Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Department, and Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic. Court Scribe..."
Amelia waited patiently for Albus to finish naming off the various names. Then he asked the question she was waiting for.
"Are there any opening remarks from the Prosecution or Defense before we begin?" Albus asked.
Amelia raised her hand, as did Molly Weasley.
"Prosecutor Bones," Albus said, "Stand and be heard."
"Minister Fudge," Amelia said, as she stood up, "I object to Chief Warlock Dumbledore as Interrogator. As a close personal friend of the Accused, I consider him too close to the Accused. Therefore, I argue that he will not be an unbiased Voice as an Interrogator."
Albus narrowed his eyes at her, as murmurs and whispers were heard around the Courtroom.
Minister Fudge whispered to Scrimgeour and Umbridge for a few moments, then he cleared his throat and stood up.
"The Interrogators accept the Prosecution's recommendation," Fudge said, "Chief Warlock Dumbledore, you are excused from your duties for the remainder of the trial, but will be allowed to take your chair amongst the Wizengamot, as the representative for the House of Dumbledore. I, British Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge will replace Chief Warlock Dumbledore as Interrogator in his stead."
Albus did not move for thirty seconds. He merely looked back and forth between Fudge and Bones. Then he sighed, stood up and made his way to his chair in the Light Alliance section of the Wizengamot. His eyebrows narrowed further as Amelia smirked up at him.
"Do you have any other objections, Prosecutor Bones?" Fudge asked.
"No, Minister, thank you," Amelia said, as he sat back down.
Fudge smiled, then turned to Molly.
"Molly Weasley, the Accused," Fudge said, "You have something to say before we begin with your trial?"
"I do not wish to be represented by Dedalus Diggle, Minister Fudge," Molly said, "During our meetings preparing for this trial, Mr. Diggle did nothing to support my suggested strategy. Instead he dismissed everything I had to say. Therefore, I cannot agree to his representation in my defense."
"Do you have a suggestion as your Defense Representation, Madam Weasley?" Fudge asked.
"I wish to represent myself," Molly said.
Amelia looked up at Dumbledore's whose eyes were wide and face was pale as he stared down at Molly. There were gasps, whispers and murmurs around the Courtroom before Fudge raised his hand to stop them.
"This is most abnormal, Madam Weasley," Fudge said, "Are you sure about this?"
"I am, Minister Fudge," Molly said.
Fudge turned to Scrimgeour and Umbridge and the three Interrogators whispered amongst themselves. Finally, Fudge turned forward.
"While this decision is abnormal, Madam Weasley," Fudge said, "It has been decided that we will support your decision. Mr. Diggle, you are excused."
Amelia smirked at the man as Diggle stood up. He stared at Dumbledore for a moment, then picked up his briefcase and walked over to an empty chair on the Defense side of the aisle. Amelia smiled lightly at Molly. It seemed she, like Amelia, had realized exactly why Dumbledore had wanted Diggle to represent her. She was having none of it, especially if it meant Diggle's representation would probably break her deal with Amelia.
"I assume you have no other objections, Madam Weasley?" Fudge asked.
"No, Minister," Molly said.
"Prosecutor Bones," Fudge said, "You may begin with your opening statements."
Amelia stood up and cleared her throat. "Minister Fudge, Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot Council, representatives of the media and other concerned citizens sitting amongst us. To most of you, Molly Weasley may appear to be a respectable, law-abiding citizen of British magical society. A loving wife, a dedicated mother of seven children, a Matriarch of a lowly Minor House. Her only job is a housewife, even though she has nobody but her husband to look after while her four youngest children are students at Hogwarts for nine months of the year.
"The truth of who Molly Weasley is, and what the Accused has done, is far Darker than this Matriarch of a Light Family wanted you to know. The Accused may want you to believe she is a dedicated mother, but she has concocted a plan that not only endangered her victims, but also caused her two youngest children to follow in her misdeeds, which has not only caused them to be expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but also – through her own nefarious plans – caused them to risk a breach of the Statute of Secrecy – our most important law!
"Her crimes are so nefarious and so Dark that she dared to ensnare, manipulate and steal from one of our most respected and loved citizens, Harry James Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived!"
Gasps, whispers and jeers erupted around the Courtroom. Albus Dumbledore stared at her with narrowed eyes. She simply smirked at him, as Fudge slammed the gavel on the surface in front of him to stop the commotion.
"Yes," Amelia continued, "Harry James Potter. The Boy-Who-Lived. Our savior and hero. It will be proven today that the Accused's plans for Harry James Potter started five days after that tragic Halloween in which James and Lily Potter lost their lives after sacrificing themselves for their son, Harry Potter. Five days. James and Lily Potter were barely buried six feet under before Molly Weasley decided to begin a nefarious plan concerning a young baby boy who was barely fifteen months old at the point in time.
"The Accused's plan weaves through many paths, but it led to the same destination: a plan to make Harry Potter – through any means necessary – end up married to her daughter, Ginevra Weasley, so she could steal the Potter fortune for herself. Any means necessary. Those means will be revealed today.
"The Accused, Molly Weasley, is guilty, Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot. There is no defense against her crimes. The Accused is guilty of not only breaching the Statute of Secrecy, but also guilty of a great number of crimes. I am here to see the Accused in Azkaban by the end of the day – for a very long time."
Amelia sat down to murmurs and whispers around the room. Fudge smacked his gavel.
"Do you have an opening statement, Madam Weasley?" Fudge asked, after the room silenced.
Molly stood up, as the manacles around her arms banged against the table.
"Prosecutor Bones was correct in much of her statement, but not all of it," Molly Weasley began, "I am guilty of many things. I do deserve to go to Azkaban. Perhaps, even, for a long time. Perhaps for the rest of my life. But the Prosecutor is wrong about one thing. I am a dedicated mother. I am a mother who wanted her children to have everything in life. I wanted them to have a better life than I have had. I wanted them to have everything they wanted.
"My daughter, Ginny Weasley, dreamed of one day being Lady Potter, the wife of the Boy-Who-Lived. I wanted to make her dreams come true. My youngest son, Ron Weasley, wanted to be the best friend of the Boy-Who-Lived. I helped him do that. I was willing to do anything to give my children what they wanted. And because of this, they now sit in a Holding Cell… because of me. Because I wanted them to have everything they wanted. Because I promised they could have everything they wanted. Because they believed I could give them what they wanted, and they agreed to help me get it for them.
"I am guilty of my crimes. My children are not. They do not deserve Azkaban. They do not deserve to be blamed for anything you may hear about them today. Please do not blame them. Blame me. Today I am here for them. Because I am a dedicated mother who only wants the best for my children.
"I am guilty of my crimes. But I am not the only one. There is one other who should be seated here beside me. I hope that one day, he will be seated here. Because he – like me – deserves Azkaban.
"And all the horrors that come with it."
Molly Weasley sat back down and stared forward. As whispers and murmurs were heard around the room, Amelia looked up at Albus, who was staring with wide, fearful eyes at Molly Weasley. Amelia wanted so badly to stand up and applaud Molly Weasley. The woman knew she was guilty of everything she did. But she also knew who started her on a path that brought her here.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" a voice roared.
With quick, Auror-trained reflexes, Amelia slipped off her chair and ducked down. Panic ensued around the Courtroom, and Amelia looked on horrified, as Molly Weasley fell out of the chair, her heavy form slumping over onto the floor, obviously dead of a Killing Curse. Amelia then stood up, summoned her wand from her holster and looked around. Her eyes widened as she saw who the perpetrator of the Killing Curse was.
Dedalus Diggle was pointing his wand where Molly Weasley had just been sitting, breathing her last breaths of her life. His eyes were blurred and hazy. Symptoms of the Imperius Curse – Amelia recognized it immediately. The Aurors around the room pointed their wands at Diggle. Moments later, Diggle pointed his wand at the side of his head.
"Expel –" Amelia began, but she was too late.
"Confringo!" Diggle shouted.
Amelia looked on in horror as Dedalus Diggle's head exploded in brains, blood and gore, which sprayed around on several people who were closest to him. His headless corpse dropped to the ground like a bag of bricks.
Arthur Weasley's wail of devastation echoed around the room as an equally devastated Bill and Charlie Weasley held him back from running over to their dead mother.
Amelia turned and looked around in Dumbledore's direction. He was standing, staring wide-eyed in horror at Molly Weasley's corpse. Amelia narrowed her eyes at the man. She wasn't falling for it.
Albus Dumbledore was guilty of two unnecessary deaths today. He didn't want Molly Weasley naming him in her statements. She knew it.
And she couldn't arrest him for seven months.
Yep. That just happened.
I must apologize for not putting "Character Deaths" and "Graphic Violence" in the warnings. It would give away the ending of the chapter. I did not want to give any hint to the end of it. I knew most of my readers might be upset if I did.
When Amelia Bones was speaking to Dedalus Diggle before the trial, I do not consider this intimidation. She was warning him that Dumbledore was manipulating him to do something that benefits nobody but Dumbledore.
Next Chapter: The Aftermath of the ending of this chapter. And Sirius' Trial! Yes, it will take place even with the horrors of this chapter! I promise it won't have the same results. I wouldn't do that to you.