Chapter 28
Aftermath
Author's Note: Thank you for such an amazing response to the previous chapter. So many reviews and comments, many of which were made less than three hours after the chapter was published! That has never happened for me before!
Just for this amazing response – and the fact that this chapter does not have Sirius Black's Trial – I am giving you a second chapter today. You'll get another chapter tomorrow, which will be Sirius' trial! I promise! The reason it isn't in this chapter, is because the aftermath of the last chapter took too long to get done. So much happens in this chapter!
Warning: Dumbledore Bashing
(Saturday, December 19th, 1994 – 12:15 PM)
The flash of a camera from one of the Daily Prophet cameramen, followed by several more camera flashes, as the cameramen from several media representatives started taking photos of the horrifying scene in Courtroom Ten, brought Amelia Bones' focus from Albus Dumbledore and back at the task at hand.
"Aurors!" Amelia yelled, "Summon those cameras! Now!"
The cameramen and other representatives of the media shrieked in protest as the cameras were zoomed over the heads of everyone in the room and toward the various Aurors.
"You cannot do this!" Rita Skeeter shrieked, as she marched over to Amelia, side-stepping a bit of Dedalus Diggle's blood as she crossed the room.
"I just did, Miss Skeeter!" Amelia growled, "Those photos are evidence! If you, or any of your peers, argue further, you will be in Holding Cells instead of sitting here, reporting the next trial when it takes place."
Rita blinked. "The next trial is still going to happen."
"Yes," Amelia said, firmly, "It is."
She wasn't going to let this tragic disaster delay Sirius Black from becoming a free man. Rita raised an eyebrow, then she grinned and walked back over to the media.
"Hem-hem!" a voice coughed somewhere in the Wizengamot; Amelia ignored it for now.
"Aurors!" Amelia said, "Nobody leaves the room. Line everyone not in the Wizengamot up against the walls, get their statements and check their wands! Leave Arthur, William and Charlie Weasley alone for now, please."
"Hem-hem!" the same voice coughed.
Amelia rolled her eyes and turned around. Dolores Umbridge was standing at her chair and looking right at Amelia. Amelia sighed, and walked over to Umbridge.
"What can I do for you, Madam Umbridge?" she asked.
"Director Bones, I must have misheard you," Umbridge said, "Did you just say the next trial is still going to happen after – well – what just happened in here?"
"Yes," Amelia said, "It will happen. The man in question has been waiting for this trial for a long time. We will not delay it any further than necessary. If we have to, we will move it to another courtroom. Do you not agree, Minister Fudge, Head Auror Scrimgeour?"
"I certainly do agree," Scrimgeour said, "However this room is now a crime scene. We must move it elsewhere."
"I agree – Sirius Black's trial must take place today," Fudge said. "Has he arrived, Director Bones?"
"I wrote him a letter which his Defense Lawyer confirmed he received," Amelia said, "He has agreed to arrive around one-o-clock. I have asked Senior Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt to escort him. If we can figure out where the trial will take place, I can give the message to Auror Shacklebolt."
"Courtroom Nine next door," Fudge said, "It is set up for the Wizengamot Council meeting on Monday. So we can borrow it for Black's trial. However, this time we will have a select few media representatives and only those people closely involved with Sirius Black and the surrounding events as spectators. Dolores, when I am finished with Director Bones, I will give you a list of the media I wish to invite. You'll meet with them and explain what is going on. You'll have to dismiss the rest. After telling them I will give a statement later about today's events."
"Of course, Minister," Umbridge said, "I just have one more question, Director Bones. Why do you need witness statements? We saw what happened. Dedalus Diggle was obviously angry that he had been dismissed as the Accused's lawyer, and he killed her, then killed himself so he wouldn't have to suffer the consequences in Azkaban."
"I'm afraid that is not all what happened," Amelia said.
"Mr. Diggle was under the Imperius Curse," Scrimgeour said, "I could see it in his eyes from my chair."
"Merciful Merlin!" Fudge gasped, holding a hand over his heart. "Who could have done this?"
Amelia opened her mouth, but was interrupted by someone clearing their throat. She narrowed her eyes when she saw Albus Dumbledore standing nearby.
"The perpetrator who put the Dark Mark in the Sky at the Quidditch World Cup has not been apprehended," Albus said, "Perhaps they are the culprit here."
"It is possible," Scrimgeour said, nodding, "Which means it is someone in this room."
"Could even be someone sitting in one of the Wizengamot chairs," Amelia said, her eyes on Dumbledore.
"Director Bones, I am shocked at your blatant accusations!" Umbridge said. "The Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot are fine, respectable, law-abiding individuals!"
Amelia resisted a healthy snort, but it was a very close thing.
"Obviously Director Bones is stressed after the tragic events that just took place," Albus said, "Perhaps she should take the rest of the day off. We can choose another replacement for her place as Interrogator in Sirius Black's trial."
"I disagree," Scrimgeour said, "Director Bones has always been cool under pressure. I am quite sure she will perform well with the rest of today's events."
"Agreed," Fudge said, "Besides, Director Bones is the Chief Interrogator in Black's trial today, Albus. She will not be replaced from her role."
Albus frowned. Amelia resisted glaring at the man, but it was close. Obviously Albus was afraid of what she could do as the Chief Interrogator of Sirius' trial. She knew what he wanted. He wanted her out of the trial, because without her, he might be able to arrange for Sirius to be found guilty.
"Of course," Albus said, "My apologies. I was only looking out for Director Bones' health - mental, physical or otherwise."
"I am perfectly capable of doing my tasks today, Chief Warlock," Amelia said, "Now if you excuse me, I must get back to that task."
"Of course you must, Director Bones," Fudge said, smiling, "I wish you luck investigating this terrible crime. Pardon me. I must give my condolences to Arthur and his sons. Terrible!"
Amelia turned and found Samantha walking over to her.
"Did you speak to one of the Aurors, Samantha?" Amelia asked.
"They spoke to me first," Samantha said, "Obviously, they know I am your secretary, and that you might have need for me."
"I do, as per usual," Amelia said, smiling, "Kingsley Shacklebolt and Nymphadora Tonks are not here in attendance. Find them and tell them that Sirius Black's trial will now be next door in Courtroom Nine. Otherwise, they should still follow their orders as I gave them earlier."
"Yes, Amelia," Samantha said.
Amelia turned and found John Dawlish standing over Diggle's headless body, while trying to keep out of the blood and gore surrounding the body.
"Auror Dawlish!" Amelia said.
Dawlish turned and walked over to Amelia. "Yes, boss?"
"Your initial findings?" Amelia asked, "I assume that is why you were studying Diggle's body?"
Dawlish cleared his throat. "I noticed Diggle under the symptoms of the Imperius Curse before he… blew off his head. Obviously, given the… manner of his death, we can't prove it. His wand his covered in blood and gore, so I dared not pick it up yet. Aside from the obvious… there isn't anything else yet. Unfortunately, because of the panicking, I do not know who was sitting around him. Especially directly behind him. If he was put under the Imperius Curse, it could be whoever was directly seated behind Diggle. They could have pointed their wand at his back and nobody would have noticed."
"Something I hadn't thought of yet," Amelia said.
She now had another lead – what if Dumbledore used a scapegoat to place Diggle under the Imperius Curse, so his wand wouldn't show the Imperius Curse on it? Obviously if the person was caught, Dumbledore would do everything to make sure he had no connections to the culprit.
Amelia resisted cursing out loud. She really hated when the culprits were very good at hiding their tracks. Worse, her main suspect was quite powerful, magically and politically, in British wizarding society. And just as popular with a good majority of British wizards and witches. He could easily hide his tracks with a few well-planned maneuvers. She needed to be several moves ahead of him.
"Perhaps someone here will know who was sitting behind Mr. Diggle," Amelia said, "Obviously the culprit wouldn't be the one to tell us who they were. Very good, Auror Dawlish. I have a task for you, Auror Dawlish. Please let Samantha here out of the Courtroom. She has tasks she needs to do for me."
"Of course, Director," Dawlish said, "Come on, Miss. Let's get you away from this horror show."
Samantha nodded, nervously, then followed Dawlish across the room. Amelia sighed and looked around the room. Most of the Wizengamot was still in their chairs, talking to their neighbors. Albus Dumbledore was with the Weasleys. Cornelius Fudge, who had just been speaking to Arthur and his two eldest sons, turned and walked back toward the Wizengamot Council seats. Amelia walked over to the Weasleys.
"Arthur," Amelia said.
A red-eyed Arthur turned toward her, as did his sons and Albus.
"Excuse me, Chief Warlock," Amelia said, "I wish to speak to Arthur and his sons in private."
Albus bowed his head. "Once again, I am terribly saddened by your loss. Please, if you need anything, I will always be available for you."
"I appreciate it, Albus," Arthur said.
Albus smiled, then turned and walked back toward the Minister of Magic.
"I promise you, and your children, that I will find out what truly happened here," Amelia said, "I did not want this to happen to your wife. Please believe that. I firmly believe she was guilty of her crimes, and should have been in Azkaban. But I do not believe she deserved what happened to her."
Arthur sniffled and nodded. "Thank you, Director Bones. That means a lot to me. What – what is going to happen to Ron and Ginny?"
Amelia had expected this question. She knew she might regret her decision later, but it was the only thing she could do at the moment. It ruined a few of her plans, when it came to Dumbledore's investigation, but she didn't want to cause any more grief for a family who had suffered so much recently.
"I will honor your wife's agreement as if it had been completed," Amelia said. "You, along with Molly's Great Aunt Muriel Prewett will be their guardians. Their magic will be bound with four bindings and they will not use wands until they are seventeen. However, I am told Muriel Prewett is well qualified to home-school them."
"She was a Hogwarts Professor several decades ago," Arthur said, "I believe she taught Minerva McGonagall."
"Impressive," Amelia said, nodding, "Then she is well-qualified. I will have Ron and Ginny released into your custody before the end of the day. I will try to have your wife's body in your custody in the next few days as well, so you can give her a proper goodbye. Would you like to see your two youngest children now?"
Arthur nodded. "Yes. I-I need to tell them what happened. Do you need any statements from my sons and I?"
"Not at the moment," Amelia said, "I might ask to speak to you later."
"Of course, Director Bones," Arthur said, "I would be happy to cooperate with whatever you need of me. You could have placed my son and daughter on trial instead of gone through with my wife's plea. Thank you for doing this."
"You're welcome, Arthur" Amelia said; she didn't want to tell him she was second-guessing herself at the moment, "Auror Jones!"
Auror Hestia Jones turned from the witness she was speaking to, then made her way to Amelia.
"Yes, Director?" she asked.
"Take Arthur and his two sons and escort them to the Ron and Ginny Weasley's Holding Cells," Amelia said, "Remain with them please. I will release Ron and Ginny into their custody after Sirius Black's trial."
"Yes, Director," Auror Jones said; then she addressed the Weasleys; "Follow me, please."
Arthur and his sons took one last, long look at Molly's body, then they followed Auror Jones across the room.
Amelia sighed and turned back toward where she had last seen Albus Dumbledore. He was no longer speaking to the Minister. In fact, as she looked around the room, she could no longer find him. Where was he? How did he escape the courtroom!
"Minister!" Amelia growled.
"Yes, Director Bones?" Fudge asked.
"Where is Chief Warlock Dumbledore?" Amelia asked, "I thought he was talking to you. Now he isn't here! Nobody was to leave before we checked their wands!"
Fudge looked around wild-eyed. Then he bustled over to her and whispered to her.
"Y-you can't possibly believe Albus did this, Amelia!" he whispered, "I know you're investigating him, but this – he couldn't have done this!"
"You didn't give him permission to leave, did you?!" Amelia asked.
"Of course not!" Fudge said, "But I certainly wasn't going to keep an eye on him and make sure he stayed here!"
"Albus Dumbledore was involved in Molly Weasley's crimes, Minister!" Amelia whispered, harshly. "He helped her create an illegal Betrothal Contract between her daughter and Harry Potter! He was the reason Molly Weasley did everything she was in court for! Who else besides Albus Dumbledore had better reason to place Diggle under the Imperius Curse, so he could silence Molly Weasley?! Albus Dumbledore hired Diggle, so the man could take charge of Molly's trial, so Molly wouldn't mention a word about Dumbledore and implicate him in her crimes! Molly made a deal with me, in order to save her children from trial, to tell the Wizengamot everything! That is why she didn't want Diggle to be her lawyer!"
Fudge blustered and stammered. "Amelia, I… it sounds… well, if you believe all this, you need to get proof! But you cannot arrest him until next June!"
"Minister!" Amelia hissed, "You're still honoring his deal?! Do you not see what Dumbledore's doing here?!"
"I don't know what is happening here, Bones!" Fudge whispered harshly, "It is your job to find out what happened! Speaking of your job! Whoever did this wouldn't have been able to do it if the Aurors hadn't allowed spectators to have their wands in here today!"
"Perhaps this is something to be discussed on Monday during the Council Meeting?" Amelia asked, "Better enforcement of wands during Wizengamot Council meetings and trials? We're extremely lucky this is the first time something like this has happened!"
"We are," Fudge said, nodding. "I'll consider it. However, I am making an emergency decision now. Nobody gets to keep their wand, without my permission, during Black's trial today! Hackles are already raised. We don't need to make things worse!"
"Dumbledore cannot be an Interrogator for Black's Trial," Amelia said, "You saw the Potter's Will. He was involved in Black's – well, there is no better way to put it – illegal incarceration."
"I'll do you one better," Fudge said, "You're correct that he is partially to blame for Black going to Azkaban without a trial. Therefore, he has no business being involved in Black's trial today. Albus Dumbledore will be barred from the courtroom during Black's trial. Will that appease you for now?"
Amelia sighed in relief. "Yes, Minister. It would."
"Good," Fudge said, "Director – Amelia – I… I really don't know what to think about Albus and these accusations you have against him. All I can tell you is if you truly believe he is responsible for what happened here, you need to prove it. Until then, keep quiet about it! After all, it could be someone else who did it! We don't need a witch hunt after today's events! There's already going to be enough blame heading our way because of this!"
"I know this," Amelia said, sighing, "I will prove it was him, Minister."
"Good luck, Director," Fudge said, "If that is all, I need to prepare for Black's trial. Tell the Aurors not to allow Albus into Black's trial today. On my orders."
"Believe me, I will," Amelia said, firmly.
Fudge nodded and walked away from her. Amelia cursed Albus Dumbledore to hell, and vowed she would see him pay for what happened today – on top of everything else she knew he was guilty of! She was going to find out how he was able to leave a room full of Aurors, who was watching everybody! If it was the last thing she did!
With that in mind, she resumed her tasks, eager to get them done so she could be ready for Sirius Black's trial.
Nothing but Sirius' freedom would make getting out of bed today worth it.
(Saturday, December 19th, 1994 – 12:55 PM)
When Sirius Black stepped out of the Floo and into the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic, he did not expect the scene he had walked into. It had over thirteen years since he had stepped into the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic – he did not want to think about the last time he was here – but he had never seen it as he did at that moment. Normally there would be a cacophony of sounds – chatter, laughing, and other sounds – from various witches and wizards as they walked, ran, and bustled through the Atrium.
Today, there was no cacophony. It was like walking into a funeral. The only sounds were whispers and murmurs around the various visitors, as they spoke to each other. He thought it might have been because of him, but the coherent side of his brain made him realize that the reactions to his arrival couldn't have been that quickly. Almost nobody was looking in his direction.
He jumped as someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and found Remus, who had just arrived. Sirius cleared his throat and walked over to Ted and Andromeda Tonks, who were standing with their daughter, Nymphadora, who was dressed in Auror garb, and – Sirius almost didn't recognize the man – Kingsley Shacklebolt, whom he had been friendly with in Hogwarts, also in Auror garb.
"Whose funeral are we attending?" Sirius joked; Andromeda's harsh glare in his direction made him wince. "Um… bad phrasing?"
"There was an incident in Courtroom Ten," Kingsley said, in a low voice, so it wouldn't carry to eavesdroppers, "Dedalus Diggle, apparently a victim of the Imperius Curse, murdered Molly Weasley then killed himself."
"Merciful Merlin!" Sirius gasped, hoarsely. "Me and my big mouth. You should just arrest me now for me being so tactless."
"You did not know," Remus said, soothingly, "Still, you're right that it was tactless."
"Sorry, Mr. Black," Kingsley said, "If you have a wand on you, I need it. And I need to magically bind your arms."
"I understand," Sirius said, grimly. "I did not bring a wand with me today. I promise."
"As do I, as his lawyer," Ted Tonks said.
Kingsley nodded. Sirius held his hands together in front of him and he grimaced as the magical bindings were placed on his arms.
"Has the incident in the Courtroom changed anything about my trial?" Sirius asked, concerned.
"Only that it has been moved to Courtroom Nine," Kingsley said, "It will still be in front of the entire Wizengamot, and Director Bones will be Chief Interrogator. She was apparently quite adamant that your trial go on as scheduled."
"Of course she was," Sirius said, "She wants to see me become a free man today. Shall we get going so I can become a free man?"
"Rookie Auror Tonks," Kingsley said, "Lead this group to the lifts, please. I will remain beside Mr. Black."
"Nymphy!" Sirius exclaimed, "I thought that was you! You look hot in that outfit, don't you think so, Remus?"
Sirius glanced at his best friend. Remus glared at him, but Sirius did notice the man was blushing a bit. Sirius cackled. His best friend had a fancy!
"Don't call me that, cousin!" Tonks growled.
"Nymphadora," Andromeda said, "Ignore your cousin and do your job like a proper Rookie Auror should."
"Yes, Mum," Tonks muttered, then cleared her throat. "Come on, you lot!"
Even though the atmosphere in the Atrium was grim, there were a few people Sirius passed who did double-takes as they saw him. Their wide-eyed stares followed him as he made his way toward the lifts with the Auror escorts and his friends. Thankfully, there was no jeering or bad-mouthing him. Nobody calling him a traitor or a Death Eater. Rita Skeeter's article earlier this week seemed to ease a lot of people's doubts about him. It seemed they were waiting to find out – after his trial – if he was truly guilty or not. He was quite thankful for that.
He stepped into the lifts and looked out at the crowd, who was still staring at him. Soon, his group was inside the lift, and the doors of the lift closed. He jumped slightly as the lift began moving. All of a sudden, it was thirteen years ago, in November, and he was in one of these lifts as Aurors – and nobody else – transported him to a Holding Cell. He would be in that Cell for only a few hours, before he would be given a glass of water that would transport him to Azkaban. Soon after, he was in a Cell in Azkaban, and he wouldn't leave for twelve years.
Sirius blinked and he shook himself. That wasn't going to happen this time. He was getting a trial. He would be a free man. He could see his godson soon, as a free man. Maybe he and Amelia could reignite their romance.
Yes. He had to believe it would be true. It was the reason he had left the safety of the Fidelius Charm after all.
(Saturday, December 19th, 1994 – 1:55 PM)
Amelia Bones knew she should be in Courtroom Nine already. She should be there before Sirius Black would step into the Courtroom. But she refused to follow normal protocol. Not today. Not after what happened in Courtroom Ten. Nothing was going to happen to Sirius Black. Not on her watch.
So here she was, with Senior Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt and Rookie Auror Nymphadora Tonks, leading Sirius Black, and Ted and Andromeda Tonks toward Courtroom Nine. A few minutes ago, she had reunited - outside of calls through mirrors – with the man she had fallen in love with seventeen years ago. The man whom – if things had gone better – she should be married to. The man whom she should have a family of her own with. All of which had been taken from her. From her and Sirius Black. Harry Potter, as well. And so many others.
Amelia narrowed her eyes, as she saw the man who she put all the blame on for not being able to spend the last thirteen years with the man she loved. Albus Dumbledore was standing near Aurors Savage and Proudfoot, who she had ordered to stand outside Courtroom Nine and bar Albus Dumbledore from getting inside. She stopped fifteen feet from the scene ahead of her.
"Shacklebolt, Tonks," Amelia said, "Remain here with Sir – Black. Do not let Albus Dumbledore get near him."
"Yes, boss," Shacklebolt said; Tonks echoed him.
Amelia walked forward toward Dumbledore.
"What are you doing out here, Albus?" Amelia said.
"Director Bones," Albus said, "These two Aurors are preventing me from getting into the Courtroom. Please tell them to let me pass."
"I cannot do that, Albus," Amelia said, "Minister Fudge has barred you from attending this trial."
"I beg your pardon?" Albus asked.
"You were partially to blame for Sirius Black going to Azkaban without a trial, Chief Warlock," Amelia said. "Be happy you still have that position after these recent revelations of your corruption toward justice. Not only has the Minister barred you from being Chief Warlock for this trial, he has barred you from even taking your seat on the Council today. He has barred you from stepping into the Courtroom. Return to Hogwarts, Headmaster Dumbledore. Or I will arrest you – and ignore the Goblet of Fire and its bindings on you! I should arrest you right now for leaving a crime scene! Leave now, or these two Aurors will escort you to a Holding Cell, and I can find out later why you left the crime scene!"
Albus frowned and gave her his best 'I-am-disappointed-in-you" stare.
"Very well, Director Bones," Albus said, "However, I can ease your mind on why I left the Courtroom. I am an old man, Director. I needed to use the restroom. I wanted to return, but nobody would allow me back inside. As you can see, I am here. I did not flee the Ministry."
"Just go, Albus," Amelia said. "Go back to your castle. The majority of your students are still in the castle, preparing for the Yule Ball. You should prepare for the Ball too, Headmaster. Wouldn't want the Goblet of Fire to decide you aren't doing your job, would we?"
"I will see you at the Council Meeting on Monday, Director," Albus said. "It should be one to remember."
"Yes," Amelia said; as she was reminded of what Harry Potter and Hermione Granger's plans were for the Council Meeting, "I am sure it will be. Farewell, Albus."
"Farewell, Amelia," Albus said.
Amelia walked back over to Sirius, and blocked Albus from getting anywhere near him.
Albus did stop as he reached the group. He smiled at Sirius. "Good luck, Mr. Black, on your trial today."
Sirius said nothing. He simply narrowed his eyes at the man. Albus's smile turned into a frown at Sirius' reaction. He gave a sad sigh and started off down the corridor.
"I do not understand that man," Sirius muttered. "It is like he doesn't realize I blame him for everything that has happened to me since Wormtail became James and Lily's Secret Keeper."
"We'll make sure everyone knows what he did to you, Sirius," Amelia said. "Come on. Let's get you your freedom back."
I apologize for not having the trial in this chapter, but it didn't feel right including it with everything else that had happened.
I hope my readers are okay with what I decided to do with Ron and Ginny. Amelia decided to honor Molly's deal. If only for the sake of the innocent Weasleys who are suffering so much right now.
Next Chapter: Finally! Sirius Black's trial! There will be no cliffhangers, no splitting up chapters. It will happen in one sole chapter!