herumtreiber

Title: The Privy Councilors 3/33
Chapter: three
Author:

herumtreiber
Genre: AU to HBP, romance, adventure
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or related characters. Nor do I make any money from the writing of these stories.
Rating: R
Warnings: Sexual content
Epilogue compliant? No way!
Chapter length: 3023 words
Beta: None.
Summary: Draco/Harry, Luna/Neville, Ron/Hermione, Narcissa/??? Harry is about to be sent to Azkaban. The story explores Wizengamot politics and the fight against evil Dumbledore - where he gets vanquished early and does not prattle on and on - but is he gone? Plus de-aging. Someone returns whose name begins with a S. (And my revenge on characters whose accents are hard to read – like Hagrid and Fleur ;-)

Table of contents

Spills and planning - part 2

I'm tired of the excuses
Everybody uses
He's their kid
I stay out of it
But who gave you the right
To do this?
(What's the matter here, 10,000 Maniacs)

In the exposition mode, the memories played for the whole Wizengamot audience. They were able to witness as his dreadful relatives abused and beat Harry, chortling and smirking with glee. Petunia urged her two men to hit Harry, though she was arguably worried that they couldn't damage Harry too much.

Vernon, looking like a demented Walrus, snorted and stated disdainfully that he'd got a message from Dumbledore, saying they had a free hand with their nephew. If they killed him, they would suffer no repercussions as Harry had turned out to be an unmanageable young man.

A little while later, facing the perils of the Dursleys, Harry performed accidental magic and summoned an impenetrable shield. The Walrus tried to breach it, but he couldn't.

Apparently conjuring the white shield triggered some alerting device in the wards, in half a minute, the Headmaster and Auror Shacklebolt showed up. Harry's face lit up, thinking he was going to be rescued.

Instead Dumbledore went to the Dursleys, after unobtrusively trying to enter Harry's space. He shouted at them, "You were supposed to weaken him! You were supposed to make it easier to prevail over him! Instead you have done nothing of the sort. You are a disappointment to me as you have always been, Petunia. Your husband is useless, as is your son." Then Dumbledore used Avada Kedavra on the three of them.

Dumbledore approached Harry, whose shield had disintegrated by this time, and taking Harry's head in his hands, muttered, "You have also failed me, Harry. But perhaps something can be salvaged for my plans. 'Obliviate minor!'"

The memory finished playing and they beheld a Wizengamot in deep turmoil. In the tables devoted to Harry's 'friends,' shouting could be heard. Some people had to be restrained to keep them from attacking Dumbledore, or Harry.

oOoOo

Draco turned to Neville, and nodded briskly. Neville stood up and said with a stentorian voice, "We have seen the incontrovertible evidence! Harry Potter is innocent of the charge of murdering his so-called guardians! I demand an immediate vote to this effect. I will also tell the esteemed – or not – Wizengamot, that we intend to cast Lex majoris after the vote is known, so that all of you who yearn to see Harry wrongfully imprisoned will take your rightful place in Azkaban."

After the demand was ratified by the Privy Councilors, the vote was taken. Soon it became obvious that Harry would be free tonight. The final count before the councilors voted, was 20 guilty and 245 not guilty; adding the votes of the councilors the total came to 20 guilty and 425 not guilty.

Neville turned to Harry, bowing, "Lord Potter, the Wizengamot has declared you innocent of the charges brought here. You are free to leave at any time, though we request your help in the matter of retributions."

Then Neville proceeded to cast the Lex majoris spell. The councilors joined in the corresponding sections, and the spell was enacted. The magic was designed to protect innocent parties in trials, and ensured that the guilty party would suffer the sentence they tried to inflict on the innocents.

The 20 people who had voted against Harry soon found themselves bound by ropes and chains. Soon they were whisked away to Azkaban, to serve their sentences.

Dumbledore also found himself bound with chains in the Chair of the Accused. He tried to use Legilimency on Neville, but he was unable to; he tried to cast Obliviate on Harry and also failed. Unbeknownst to him, Severus' potion was acting and he had lost the ability to use that kind of magic.

oOoOo

Severus was resting on a bed in St. Mungo's. Narcissa and Remus were seated near his bed.

When Remus appeared in the parlor using the portkey, he thought he was going to die a painful death at the hands of an enraged Narcissa. However when she saw Severus, her demeanor changed and she asked Remus politely what had happened.

Remus provided a short explanation, including Draco's deductions and the results of his spell.

Narcissa imperiously ordered her elf Bisky to fetch her blue robe and cape. She left Remus alone for five minutes, when she came back, she was all fire and ready to take the St. Mungo's staff by their scruffy necks and shake them.

They arrived at St. Mungo's and after recognizing Remus, they were predictably told by the Witch-receptionist that they had to wait for their turn, there were 89 persons before them. Remus sighed, and his inner wolf took control for a second as he growled, "You will deal with us now, woman!"

The witch looked startled and ready to do battle when Narcissa interrupted, drawling lazily, "It would be a pity if you lost your job because you treated the patients so unfairly. You see, my family controls many of the grants coming to St. Mungo's. A signal, one word from me and the grants would cease. Logically I would explain that I'm cutting the monies due to the witch-receptionist's mean streak, and you would be out of here very fast. My name is Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy."

"Of course, if you help us, you would have my thanks and support in your career here!"

The witch then changed completely her behavior. She helped them bypass the waiting patients, she took them directly to the Healer in charge of potions accidents. Narcissa insisted that the witch, named Merian Batik, go to a restaurant and have lunch courtesy of Narcissa, after the care she took with them.

Remus watched the intricate dance and realized how well Cissa played her role. How she went from threatening to supportive as necessity demanded. She really could play off other people's perceptions of her. He remembered other Malfoys, Lucius and Draco, and considered how they could also be using the key factor of their wealth to try and pave the world for them.

He realized that people expected the Malfoy Heir to behave in a certain way, to be completely normal when he was not. If he used his wealth to get something or showed it in front of others, they branded him a 'spoiled brat' and deemed him unworthy of more attention. Strangely similar to the way they expected a teenage werewolf to behave, always the picture of normality and ease, even though inside he was in turmoil.

Eventually the Healer read the name of the poisons off Severus' skin. The 'ink' was slowly fading away, so he read it first thing. He nodded and commented, "A very unlikely combination, used separately they are not toxic, however, put together, they constitute a very noxious brew. Fortunately we have the counter-potions at hand." He wrote something in a strange flat device and in ten minutes the medicines came.

They were given to Severus. Remus and Narcissa sat around. Remus was strangely tired, but kind of exhilarated. He had broken free from a lifetime of demands and saved Severus' life. He took out the ring-portkey and gave it to Narcissa.

Narcissa held the ring as she muttered some spells. Presently she gave the ring back to Remus, saying "I've changed the portkey to take you back to the parlor by yourself. You are keyed into the wards. I've noticed how you seemed a bit freer today. I've also taken note of the fact that you saved Severus. It behooves me to watch over your well-being. Most assuredly it would be threatened by Dumbledore!"

"You have a place at the Manor. I'm also sure Sirius wanted to leave more to you, but he was wary of Dumbledore's paws in everyone's robes. He loathed the idea of Dumbles using the Black money."

"You are also the last link of the close-knit associates of Lily. She and I were once acquaintances, before the weight of her friends' expectations, and my friends' attitudes, drove us apart. Still I put out a feeler for her time and again."

"It was I who got wind of Voldemort's plans that Halloween and alerted Dumbledore. He should have protected them more, knowing when the attack would occur. Nonetheless they died, and Harry was left an orphan."

"I prevailed on Lucius and offered to adopt Harry under an Unbreakable Vow and show him a proper Wizarding upbringing. Lily had told me she had provided for this in her Will. Dumbledore didn't listen. Instead he started to Obliviate the conversation and my feelings about Harry and Lily from me. It was only a short time ago that I remembered again."

"So you see, there are ties between us of shared friendship, shared perils and concerns."

oOoOo

After Dumbledore appeared bound in the Chair of the Accused, Neville stated, "We charge you with the murder of three Muggles, among other things. You have endlessly abused your privileged position as the head of the Wizengamot and Headmaster of Hogwarts to wreak an incalculable amount of damage. You have shown how fraught with perils is the road that leads to a sole decision-maker."

Draco observed how neatly Neville assumed the leading role, when suddenly there was an infernal racket by the hole where the door used to be, and a seemingly awful beast came in, who looked like a malformed gigantic phoenix. Draco was filled with dread, and he had the almost overwhelming urge to run away, screaming.

Yet he forced himself to stay and fight alongside his mates. He watched fascinated as the humungous bird came closer and soon expulsed two robed figures. He saw the figures lobbing some kind of objects.

Luna turned to Pansy and rolled her eyes. The enraptured Harry, Draco and Neville were too caught up in the theater to recognize that the figures were about to launch bombs at them!

Hastily Pansy enacted shields around the councilors and Luna, sensing the hostility of the figures toward Ron and Hermione, cast shields to protect their erstwhile spies.

Soon enough, the cowled men assaulted them with a volley of projectiles, which turned out to be dung-bombs.

Harry looked at a figure holding what appeared to be a big canister, and then it all seemed to click for him. The phoenix and its noises, which could be construed as those of a motorcycle, their penchant for dung-bombs, their almost synchronized work.

Harry moved unobtrusively his invisible wand and kept the left figure from launching the canister. He asked, "Why are you doing this, Forge?"

The man answered, "I'm doing this to get justice, and I'm not Forge!"

The other figure added menacingly, "Don't try to confuse Harry, Forge! We are trying to get you free..."

"… because we just know that the frigging Wizarding World is under Dumbles' thumbs…"

"…including our traitor brother Ronniekins. So we are here to stun them using our products…"

"… like the bombs and Swamp. Meanwhile we'll take you on our trusty motorcycle out of the country…"

"… the motorcycle which was Sirius' but we won fair and square in a prank war…"

"… and we'll settle down, preferably in a tropical country with lots of beaches. We managed to convince Dad to come."

A third figure got out of the phoenix, the cloaking spell collapsed and they could see a red and gold motorcycle.

The figure lowered his cowl and was revealed as Arthur Weasley. Arthur spoke softly to Harry, "I am sorry for all you've had to endure, Harry. At first I thought it was for the common good, as Albus would have us believe, but I noticed the inconsistencies. I remembered how the Headmaster first favored you, like he did when he turned a blind eye to the depredations of the Marauders. Lately Albus was intent on breaking you by withdrawing support from your friends."

"Then my sons informed me of all the hardships you've endured through the years, and I wanted to help find a remedy for that. I begged my sons to take me with them, and together we will help you cope with the betrayal and the memories. I'm especially sorry Ron betrayed you, I would have never believed it if I hadn't seen it."

Harry wanted desperately to correct Mr. Weasley's assessment of Ron, but he knew that if he did so, Ron would be in some peril. It was better to wait for a moment in the future and lay the cards on the table then. For an instant he imagined Dumbledore must have similar feelings of protectiveness, until he realized that he would undoubtedly reveal the truth to Mr. Weasley soon in the future. He would certainly not do as Dumbles did and keep all cards secret forever, hoping to catch the other players unawares withholding information they were entitled to.

The hulking shapes took down their cowls and were revealed as Fred and George Weasley, otherwise known as Gred and Forge. They approached Harry and slapped his back, while Neville informed them that Harry had been declared innocent, and now they would proceed to the trial of Dumbledore.

Gred smirked and said, "Wandless, Harry? That was a pretty good magic you did when you stopped Forge."

Harry snorted and chuckled at the Twin's mistaken assumption. Strangely enough, he'd laughed more in this 24-hour period than in the past months combined.

He was saved from answering when an irate female voice asked, "Won't you punish the Weasley Twins because they intruded in a room reserved by the Wizengamot and subjected us to the indignity of dung-bombs?"

Luna replied frostily, "If it pleases Mrs. McGonagall, the Twins used an item that is a common staple at Hogwarts. Their use is regulated in pranks, but is seen with little to no concern. The Twins orchestrated their entrance into the chamber, because there happen to be numerous notice-me-not charms, legilimency spells and other riffraff surrounding the doors and indeed the mere attendance to this trial. It would seem that all Harry's friends were kept from entering."

"The Twins bypassed this block as they do all things, with gusto and a flair for the dramatic. Remus Lupin also evaded the restrictions. The Wizengamot may decide to try them for this, but if it does that, you can rest assured that the Privy Councilors will enact Lex majoris on you."

oOoOo

Draco stealthily approached the Twins. While they had a somewhat civil relation, having met the others several times in the Burrow when he and Hermione were investigating books, the Slytherin prince and the Gryffindor Twins looked at each other with cautious respect, born of enduring each other's pranks.

Draco appeared between the hulking twins, he cast a privacy ward and stated, "You are laboring under a misapprehension that we need to correct now. You think that Ron and Hermione have betrayed Harry. I assure you it is not so!"

"You think that just because you've known Ron all his life, you know his hates and dislikes and the course he is liable to follow. I have news for you, you're wrong! I've known him as you can only know your bitter enemy. I know his failings, and his strengths. Quick to anger, quick to react – this is typical Ron, and would seem to imply he would believe the tales about Harry. Yet Ron is also the consummate chess player, the one who is willing to be trounced by a chess figure in order to help his friend."

"This Ron would take matters under advisement and proceed accordingly, backed by the steadfast Hermione. They have put themselves at great risk. They stand there with the enemies of Harry's, yet it is thanks to them that Harry is free!"

"Don't take it so hard. Undoubtedly you spent some time in conversations with Ron and came to the conclusion that he believed Dumbles. He had to stay safely out of sight of Dumbledore for us to get this crucial information. I think you should keep company with your brother and Hermione for some time. You could follow them to the Malfoy Manor."

"If you don't make it with them, you can find the Manor 23 miles southwest of Stonehenge, in Wiltshire, England ."

oOoOo

Blaise took the leading role now, preening a little and smirking, "Now we will proceed to the trial of Albus Percival –whatever- Dumbledore. We will commence the Veritaserum interrogation. The accused is advised that if he rejects the examination he will undoubtedly be declared guilty, due to the blatant nature of the memory we saw. Lord Malfoy will ask the questions."

Dumbledore paled, and knew he was lost if he let Draco question him, and lost if he didn't. Still, Draco was a Malfoy, and the Malfoys were very punctilious regarding certain questions of etiquette and honor. Perhaps he could use this to direct the interrogation before it occurred.

Dumbledore spoke, "I will permit it, if I have Draco's word that he will limit himself to matters concerning the Dursleys."

Albus breathed again when Draco replied, "I swear on my magic as Lord Malfoy to limit any interrogation of Dumbledore I perform today to matters concerning the Dursleys." The magic was felt as it coalesced momentarily against Draco.

Dumbledore was given three drops of Veritaserum from a vial provided by Draco. Just as the interrogation was supposed to begin, Draco made an imperious motion and said, "Matters concerning my attention have risen. I must leave for a while, I won't be able to conduct the interrogation." He started walking towards the door, and added as an afterthought, "I advise that Hermione Granger perform the questioning."

Harry was studying minutely the aged headmaster's face. The man had been happy when Draco made his oath, and now that he was falling under the influence of Veritaserum, he discovered he'd been bested. While adhering scrupulously to the oath, Draco evaded it completely. Dumbledore's fate rested now on Hermione, and if there was one thing that Hermione liked, it was finding the truth, no matter how well-hidden it might be.

The policy of truth 1/2