The Privy Councilors 4/33 - part 3

[herumtreiber]

Title: The Privy Councilors 4/33 - part 3
Chapter: four
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:  2515 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


The policy of truth - part 2

The vote came in Dumbledore's disfavor. The vote was 180 for him, 85 against – with the vote of the councilors the final tally was 180/265 for Dumbledore's guilt.

The Privy Councilors conferred for a moment. Draco motioned for Hermione and Ron to join them.

The Hogwarts students listened to the daunting solution offered by Pansy. The only one who thought the verdict was too harsh was Luna, who fought for a more lenient ruling, though she was overruled by the other councilors, who sided with the ruthless judgment proposed by Pansy and Blaise.

They decided the order in which they would speak as the Wizengamot grew more restless.

Finally Pansy turned to face the assembled wizards and witches and brushed aside a strand of her copper hair. "The guilt of the headmaster is extreme. There is every reason to believe he still poses a peril to the Wizarding World, there's also the little matter of the horcruxes. To kill him would be useless, as he would be resurrected elsewhere. His memories could provide more insight about the endless lies and swindles he perpetrated.”

Pansy stepped aside from the podium and Blaise took her place. The Slytherin frowned fiercely at the unruly Wizengamot. "It is the will of the Privy Council that he be subjected to a Triple Kiss, that is, he’ll be Kissed three times by different Dementors, rendering his soul unable to resurrect in any way. I’ve heard people say that even if someone is Kissed, their soul can still be called to return to this earth.”

Luna shook her head vehemently, the Ravenclaw still thought the judgment too harsh for the Headmaster. She looked accusingly at Draco whilst Blaise spoke. “We don't want that in this case, so his soul will be wrenched in three unconnected pieces. Later the pieces will be collated for memories. I guess the dratted horcruxes will be ineffective when used to resurrect a destroyed soul."

Draco bade the guards to round up three Dementors and come back very soon.

Presently the Dementors approached the cowering men and women of the Wizengamot. Seeing them hunker in fear, they who so blithely were ready to throw Harry to dank and dismal Azkaban, Draco felt his temper rise.

Though he felt keenly the cold dread spread by the awful beings, the Slytherin laughed at the cowering Wizengamot, and he taunted them. "Feel for a moment what you wanted Harry to feel the rest of his life!”

Draco stood behind Harry and enveloped the Gryffindor tightly with his arms, as if afraid the Dementors would try to snare the brunet Gryffindor away from the security of his embrace. He said mockingly, “You are getting off scot-free, in my humble opinion! Better not work against him again or Dumbledore’s fate will be yours!”

Before the horrified gaze of the onlookers, the first Dementor approached Dumbledore. Taking pity on the members of the august asembly, Luna hastily took out her wand and threw a protective screen around the scene, obscuring the macabre scene that took place. Dumbledore was Kissed three times.

Blaise noticed Draco’s exhausted mien and quickly took charge. He motioned towards the Head Auror and instructed him to take the cursed Dementors to a specific office in the Department of Mysteries, where Marcus Flint’s cousin worked.

The councilors looked at Dumbledore’s dead body. They looked at each other with trepidation and finally, one after the other, they directed their wands toward the body. At a nod from Neville, all of them shouted ‘Incendio!’

The body burned brightly like an ephemereal flame. Only some metal buttons were left of what had once been the proud headmaster and Supreme Mugwump.

HRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRH

Draco looked exhaustedly towards the chamber, noticing how tired Hermione and Ron looked. The couple probably hadn’t slept all that well since Harry’s arrest, what with propping up the elaborate facade to spy on Dumbledore and keep their innermost thoughts safe from the strange device of Dumbledore’s that could read even their reveries.

He approached the redhead and the brunette, greeting them somewhat irreverently. “Hello Weasel, Hermione!”

“What’s up, ferret?” answered Ron. He yawned widely and rubbed his eyes. Hermione yawned too, albeit more discreetly.

“You look like an exhausted mammal, Weasel. You could do with some rest,” commented Draco sarcastically.

“How are things with the other weasels?” asked the Slytherin. Ron glared tiredly and replied, “Mom and Ginny are against Harry. I think they won’t be too happy with my role.”

Hermione added, “Bill and Charlie were also against Harry. I don’t think you should return to the Burrow just yet, Ron.”

“You could stay at the Manor, you know,” said Draco. Noticing Hermione pondering the offer, Draco added the irresistible touch. “You and I could research the Malfoy library, Hermione.”

When Hermione’s tired face lit up, Draco knew the Gryffindor girl would go to his house. And where the bushy-haired witch went, Ron would follow.

The Slytherin said, “You've done your duty here superbly, now go and have some rest!"

Meanwhile, Harry was thanking Neville and Luna for their support.

“Don’t thank me, Harry!” said Luna dreamily whilst she brushed Harry’s threadbare prison garb.

“Just getting rid of some Wrackspurts,” explained the blonde girl when she noticed Harry’s quizzical look.

Neville said bashfully, “Have to go now. Gran is alone at the manor, and I have to repot some carnivore flowers.”

Neville hugged Harry awkwardly. Afterwards Luna said, “I have to go to the offices of the Quibbler. I’ll walk with you to the Floo, Neville.”

Neville blushed when Luna touched his arm. The pair walked slowly to the exit and turned back to wave at Harry one last time.

Harry walked towards the Slytherin and his best friends, who hadn’t deserted him in his darkest hour. He silently hugged the redhead. Ron returned heartily the embrace.

The pair were soon joined by Hermione. The brunette turned towards Draco and begged with her eyes for Draco to join them.

The Slytherin yawned while he rolled his eyes. Shrugging, he approached the trio and hugged them awkwardly.

The quartett composed of friends and former enemies held each other tightly.

The moment was interrupted when Fred and George approached them.

“Should we join these gits, Gred?” said George.

“No, they look too cozy,” replied his twin.

Fred looked at the destroyed door of the chamber and shrugged. “This place could do with a little renovation, now that we’re done with it.”

“I think the motorcycle needs tuning. I want it to roar like a dragon,” commented Fred.

“Yeah, so we can scare Malfoy some more,” said George whilst he leered at Draco.

Draco glared at the twins as Hermione took out her portkey to the Manor. Motioning to the magical device Hermione held in her right hand, Draco said, “This’ll take you to my house. Mind the peacocks and the flowers, though!”

The twins shrugged, they had closed the shop for repairs and things at Malfoy Manor looked interesting - what with pranks to perform on Draco’s precious peacocks.

Fred motioned for his father. Arthur was talking quietly with a recalcitrant member of the Wizengamot who wanted to arrest Draco and Harry. Arthur had quoted a bylaw that effectively shut up the witch.

Arthur walked towards the group and agreed to go to the Manor – after all, his enemy Lucius was away in Azkaban, and he held no grudge towards Narcissa and Draco.

George touched Ron. Fred grabbed the handle of Sirius’ motorcycle as Ron held Hermione’s waist gingerly. Arthur grabbed the handle of the motorcycle, wondering how the device operated – the twins hadn’t been too clear about that.

The brunette muttered the password and Ron and Hermione were whisked away, but the others remained.

Draco explained to the baffled twins that probably the portkey was overwhelmed by all the magic used in the motorcycle. He grudgingly gave them a ring, with the password Galadriel. Soon the twins and their father disappeared.

Draco turned around, surveying the angry faces of the members of the Wizengamot.

Now that Dumbledore was gone for good, who would be the head of the Wizengamot? The law dictated that whoever commanded a majority of the votes was automatically the head of that body. It was a dicey proposition though, because tradition said that if the person commanding the Wizengamot lost an important vote, they’d be replaced immediately.

The head could be anyone, there was no age limit – the important thing was that they had to be able to provide a stable majority. Draco would be able to occupy that post, relying on the support of the other Privy Councilors.

It was an important position because the Head could introduce pieces of legislation and present the motion to vote on any given proposal. They also held the wards which protected the deliberations of the Wizengamot wherever they met, even deep in the bowels of the Ministry.

Draco had keenly watched his father when he was a little boy. The elder Malfoy’s commanding presence and his political acumen – even after Lucius was seduced by the corrupt ideals of Voldemort – provided the perfect example that Draco was keen to follow.

Smirking inwardly, Draco opened the judgment of Kingsley Shacklebolt. He produced again Harry's memory - the damning words of Dumbledore - and proceeded to harangue the Ministry about the screening procedures for Aurors.

With a police force that obeyed the whims of an old man, it was no wonder that people were left to their own devices and despaired sometimes.

He asked for 5 years in Azkaban for the corrupt Auror. The vote came out against Kingsley, and he was sent to the prison island.

Next Draco called for the judgment of Nymphadora Tonks.

Looking at his cousin’s face, Draco decided to skate carefully between familial obligations – and his mother’s mood. Draco expressed regret for her actions but explained that she was acting under orders.

Maybe a seasoned veteran would have reasoned out the orders and found the glaring inconsistencies, but Nymphadora was only starting. Tonks had done no direct wrong. Draco asked that she be kept from a Ministry job for 10 years.

This was easily granted and soon Tonks was running across the chamber and crying on her mother's shoulders.

Harry was surprised. Given Draco’s earlier demeanour, he was expecting furious reprisals against Tonks. After all, she had refused to aprehend Dumbles when he almost killed Narcissa – yet Malfoy had kept his cool.

 

Harry frowned suspiciously. He yanked Draco’s elbow. "What was that all about, Draco? I would’ve expected you to be pushing for a stronger punishment against Tonks."

"Well, I think what I said about Tonks not having enough experience is correct,” drawled Draco. He shuddered when he thought about Narcissa’s probable reaction. “ Of course, she is my cousin - and Narcissa's niece. I expect my mother will want to meet her soon. I can just imagine what mom’s reaction would be if I said 'Sorry mom, your niece was sentenced to Azkaban for 10 years, on my orders."

Draco sighed wearily. “You haven't seen true fury until you’ve seen my mother pissed off. I'd rather avoid that!"

The Privy Councilors huddled and deliberated for another ten minutes. Despite the objections of Neville and Luna, they eventually arrived to some conclusions regarding Dumbledore’s record.

Nodding towards his fellow councilors, Harry turned around and surveyed the members of the Wizengamot. He remembered distinctly the time they hauled him up here and treated him like very dangerous scum – just because he had saved Dudley’s life by conjuring a Patronus!

Harry snorted when he saw the fawning faces of the members closest to him. Sure, now that he was cleared of all charges, he was supposed to forget all about his maltreatment at their hands and continue to risk his life to defend them from Voldemort!

Harry felt satisfaction that he was able to turn the tables and take command of his life for once. The Wizengamot sheep had blithely used him as they saw fit and they discarded him with ease; they’d been ready to send them to Azkaban without considering the facts of the case – just like they did with his godfather Sirius.

So it was with grim satisfaction that the Gryffindor closed the proceedings. "It is our will that the Order of the Phoenix be disbanded - any meeting of this group will be considered a terrorist action, understanding that the law applies to anyone.”

Harry glared at the enraged faces of some members. His fierce mien reflected the state of his mind after the ordeal they had put him through. “A select few cannot be considered above right and wrong. The fight against Voldemort” – Harry smiled grimly when the cowardly politicians shrank back from the name of the noseless scum Voldemort – “can best be achieved through the coordinated effect of the government."

Harry motioned towards the hall, his hand stopping when it pointed at the chair where Dumbledore had been. "It’s also clear to us the extent to which Dumbledore manipulated the Wizengamot, using it to rubberstamp his pet projects like werewolf registration. It is our will to examine further any bill supported by the old coot."

These motions were duly voted on and implemented when the response was significantly favorable – due to the united stance of the Privy Councilors.

HRHRHRHRRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRH

After the Wizengamot was dismissed by its Head, Draco cornered Harry. "I want to talk to you about accommodations.”

The blond said diffidently whilst he shuffled his feet, “I know you can use one of the Potter homes, but it's late now and there won't be time enough. Why don't you come home with me?”

Draco smiled craftily. “It's turned into a veritable Gryffindor den by now. Ron and Hermione will be there, and also Remus, I think."

Seeing Harry’s tired expression, Draco hastened to add, "If you need help with this business - just someone to talk to? I trust you know you can come to me, or Weasel and Hermione."

Draco took out a bracelet and hefted it in his hand. "This portkey’ll take us home, to the parlor.”

The blond gazed sharply at Harry. “Just don’t mention any shopping. Mother’s a” – Draco mumbled under his breath and Harry caught only the last syllables – “…holic.”

Harry yawned, after all the excitement of his trial and the days past, he was frankly exhausted. He surmised what Draco was talking about, but he decided to rile up the Slytherin a bit. After all the stress, he needed a little fun – so he said tiredly, “Your mother? She’s what? Alcoholic?”

Draco glared whilst he put the bracelet on his right wrist. “She’s a shopaholic, all right! She’s always dragging me to fancy stores, frankly it’s overwhelming!”

Harry grabbed the bracelet, shivering when his fingers touched Draco’s soft skin. Draco muttered the password and they were whisked away from the Ministry that had tried to dispose of Harry so blithely.

Instead of going meekly to Azkaban, through their combined pluck they remained together, sound of mind and body. They would plot another day in Malfoy Manor.

Angry aardvarks