Harry Potter and the Guild of the Night

Chapter 14

The next day dawned bright and cheerful, which most of the sighted residents at Hogwarts thought was completely inappropriate. It was Ron however who first articulated it.

"Look at that!" he said indignantly as they gathered in the Entrance Hall after breakfast. The doors were open and they could see the blue sky and beautiful weather outside.

Harry turned towards him. "What?" he asked as Ginny came and wormed her way under his arm. He settled his arm firmly around her shoulders as Ron groped for an answer.

"Er, well, the weather's great out there, Harry, and we're going to be stuck in a courtroom all day. Not that we're not going, of course," he said hastily. "It's just that why couldn't it have been miserable today, then I'd feel smug about being stuck in a dry room all day."

Harry frowned as he tried to make some kind of sense of that. "Ooookay," he finally said but was interrupted by the arrival of Remus before he could tease Ron any further.

"Alright, children, is everyone ready?" Remus asked, slightly anxiously. "Professor Dumbledore and the others will be here in just a moment."

"Remus?" Harry asked. "How are we getting there?"

"By Portkey. Professor Dumbledore thought it would be best," Remus replied and then hesitated. "Apparently the news that you would be appearing at the Wizengamot was leaked and the press are circling like sharks. They don't know why you're going to be there but just the fact that you are has them scenting a story."

Harry and his friends groaned. "At least Rita will behave herself," Hermione muttered smugly and Ron, who was standing close enough to hear her, laughed. Before anyone could question Ron, the Headmaster, Professor Snape and Madam Pomfrey walked into the Entrance Hall, with the Headmaster carrying a cricket bat under one arm. Mrs Weasley had already left, as she had wanted to meet with her husband before the hearing.

The Headmaster walked up to Harry and placed one hand on his shoulder. "Now, Harry, are you sure you want to go today? There is no requirement for you to do so," he asked kindly.

Harry squared his shoulders as Ginny wrapped her arms around his waist. "Yes, Headmaster, I want to go," he said firmly.

Dumbledore patted him on the shoulder and then guided one of his hands onto the cricket bat. "If you would all make sure you are touching some part of this," he said and the rest jostled around until all were touching the bat. "We'll be off then." This phrase activated the portkey and they all felt the distinctive pull around their navel. When the pull ended, they all stumbled and caught at each other to retain their balance. They had appeared near the fountain in the foyer of the Ministry and Dumbledore quickly led them all over to the security desk to have their wands checked. After that formality, the Headmaster led them through the golden gates and into a lift. Their party filled an entire lift and when the doors closed and the lift started to rise, Dumbledore turned to face them all.

"Now I have managed to get this hearing declared closed. That means that there will be no media present and the room will be spelled so that what goes on inside will not be allowed to be spoken of outside the room except by Professor McGonagall or myself. Even the members of the Wizengamot will not be able to speak of it." Harry sighed with relief, a sound that was echoed by Snape. "I do not believe you will be required to give testimony, Harry, but since you will actually be present, the Wizengamot may choose to ask you some questions. Just be honest. You children will be sitting in the public gallery with Mr and Mrs Weasley. Madam Pomfrey, Professor Snape, Remus and I will be elsewhere."

The lift came to a halt and the Headmaster led the party out into the corridor where they were met by Arthur and Molly Weasley. The teens were hustled off down the corridor by Mr and Mrs Weasley and into a large courtroom. There were gasps of surprise from some of the teens and they took their seats. Ron sat on Harry's left with Hermione sitting beyond him and Ginny sat on his right and gripped his hand. Fred and George took seats behind them and Neville and Luna sat in front. Mr and Mrs Weasley took seats next to the twins. Shortly after they sat, the sounds of murmuring in the courtroom died down.

Ron leaned over and whispered into Harry's ear. "There are only 10 of the Wizengamot members here and your Aunt, Uncle and cousin are sitting on chairs in the middle of the room. Kingsley Shacklebolt's standing guard over them. Your relatives look like they're about to be sick but they aren't complaining which from what you've told us is a bit odd. Oh, hang on, oh okay, well, I'd say from the look your Uncle just gave Kingsley they've been intimidated pretty badly. I guess they're too scared to say anything." Harry smiled weakly at Ron and turned back towards the court.

Ron fell silent as the witch sitting in the middle of the row of Wizengamot members stood. She cleared her throat. "The Wizengamot will come to order." Harry started and then relaxed as he recognised the voice of Madam Bones. "Familial court hearing of the fourth of August into the neglect and abuse of Harry James Potter by Vernon Michael Dursley, Petunia Rose Dursley and Dudley Andrew Dursley. Interrogator: Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Court Scribe: Percy Ignatius Weasley. Witnesses for the prosecution: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Severus Septimius Snape, Remus Julius Lupin, Poppy Elizabeth Pomfrey. The accused will speak as their own witnesses. Under the circumstances, the Wizengamot has decreed the use of Veritaserum. The witnesses for the prosecution will speak and be questioned first. First witness: Remus Julius Lupin."

Madam Bones sat down and Remus was led in from a door at the side of the courtroom by an Auror and was seated in a chair opposite the Dursleys. He glanced at them and was pleased to see that they were pale with fright. Vernon Dursley had even gone beyond pale; he was almost green.

Madam Bones rose again with a sheaf of parchment in her hand and stepped down to the floor of the room. She walked up to Remus.

"Full name?" Madam Bones asked.

"Remus Julius Lupin," Remus replied calmly.

"Your current place of residence?"

"I currently reside at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"And you are a registered werewolf?"

"Yes," Remus replied quietly.

"Your reason for residing at Hogwarts?" Madam Bones asked.

"I am doing some consulting work for Professor Dumbledore over the summer and he offered rooms for me while I was doing that," Remus answered.

"Very well," Madam Bones said, ticking off some points on her parchment. "Please tell us what happened on the night in question."

Remus took a deep breath. "The wards surrounding the Dursleys were triggered at about 9 o'clock but in a rather confusing way. Albus...Professor Dumbledore...couldn't work out exactly what was wrong. I volunteered to go and check on Harry. Professor Dumbledore insisted that I be accompanied. Professor Snape was the only teacher available so he came with me. When we arrived in Privet Drive, we found the house dark and apparently uninhabited. We were forced to break in and when we went and checked Harry's bedroom we found it empty, except..." Remus hesitated and shot a quick glance at Harry. "Except for the body of Harry's owl, Hedwig. She had been killed, her neck broken. There was no sign of Harry but I remembered him saying that he had previously been kept in the cupboard under the stairs so we headed down to check."

Remus was interrupted by Madam Bones. "He was kept in a cupboard under the stairs?" she asked incredulously. "When?" she demanded.

"Er, from when he was given into the Dursley's care until just before his eleventh birthday, I believe," Remus said. Harry hunched his shoulders; he really hadn't wanted anybody to know that.

"Why was this not reported before?" Madam Bones demanded.

"I...don't think anybody knew about it," Remus replied softly. "I only just found out myself a few days ago."

Madam Bones seemed to quiver with anger then took a deep breath and calmed herself. She looked up to where Harry and the others were sitting for a moment then turned back to Remus.

"Please continue, Mr Lupin."

Remus nodded. "We unlocked the cupboard and found Harry inside. He...he'd been badly beaten and his face was covered in blood. Professor Snape carried him into the living room and sent me to get Professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey. She was able to give him initial treatment and then he was taken to Hogwarts."

"Why was he not taken to St Mungo's?" Madam Bones asked sternly.

"Professor Snape thought it would be unwise and we had to agree with his reasoning. He said that if we took Harry to St Mungo's everyone would know. It probably wouldn't take long for word to get to Voldemort..." There were gasps from around the room. "...and that if he knew that Harry was in such a vulnerable state he would not hesitate to launch an all or nothing strike against St Mungo's. We couldn't risk that. Poppy is a fully qualified mediwitch and Severus is a Potions Master. Harry got the best of care."

"When you spoke with Mr Potter, did he tell you who had injured him?" The other members of the Wizengamot leaned forward slightly at this question, their faces solemn.

"Yes," Remus said. "He said that it was his Uncle Vernon who had beaten him and killed his owl."

"Nonsense," Vernon blustered, both nervous and angry. "The little freak is lying!"

"Mr Dursley!" Madam Bones thundered. "Be silent! You will have your chance to speak later. If there is one more outburst from you, you will be silenced."

Vernon Dursley paled and his eyes widened with fear. Madam Bones turned back to Remus.

"And what did his Aunt and cousin do during this? Did they participate? Did they aid Mr Potter?" she asked.

"They didn't aid Mr Dursley, at least as far as Harry could remember, but they didn't aid him either."

"Thank you, Mr Lupin," Madam Bones said and gestured to the Auror who had brought Remus in. "You may go. Next witness: Severus Septimius Snape."

The Auror led Remus back through the door they had entered from and returned a few minutes later with Professor Snape. He was seated in the same seat as Remus. Madam Bones walked up to him.

"Your full name?" she asked.

"Severus Septimius Snape."

"Your current place of residence?"

"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"Your reason for residing at Hogwarts?"

"I am the current teacher of Potions."

Madam Bones nodded to herself. "Please tell us what happened on the night in question."

Snape drew himself up and proceed to give a version of events that matched Remus' and he too named Vernon Dursley as the one whom Harry had said had injured him. After he had finished, Madam Bones thanked him and called for the next witness. The Auror led out Poppy Pomfrey.

Madam Bones shuffled her parchments. "Your full name."

"Poppy Elizabeth Pomfrey."

"Your current residence?"

"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"Your reason for residing at Hogwarts?"

"I am the school's mediwitch," Poppy answered proudly.

"Mr Potter was given over to your care. Would you please inform the court of the extent of his injuries?"

Poppy's lips thinned. "Mr Potter had severe bruising to his face, torso and legs. He also had four broken ribs and his nose had been broken. His lip had been split in two places." She took a deep breath. "He also had a large amount of glass imbedded in his face and eyes. The facial injuries I could fix but his eyes were damaged beyond repair. We just didn't get to him in time. Mr Potter has been blinded."

A large silence descended on the courtroom. Harry's head was bowed and he was gripping his cane tightly with one hand. The other was gripping Ginny's hand tightly. She had both her hands wrapped around his. Ron had one hand on Harry's shoulder and the other was around Hermione's shoulders. Both of their faces were grim.

Madam Bones swallowed. "Did Mr Potter say who had done this to him?"

"He said that it was his uncle."

Madam Bones took a few deep breaths. "Thank you, Madam Pomfrey. You may go. The next witness is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."

The Auror came over and led out Madam Pomfrey, returning with the Hogwarts Headmaster.

Madam Bones walked over with a grim expression on her face. "Your full name?"

"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."

"Your current place of residence?"

"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"Your reason for residing at Hogwarts?"

"I am the Headmaster of Hogwarts."

"Previous witnesses have stated that the wards alerted you to problems at Number 4 Privet Drive. What was the nature of the alert?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"It was very unclear," the Headmaster said calmly. "The wards indicated that Harry was alive but possibly injured. They did not however give any indication as to the cause. When I informed Remus of this, he insisted on going. I did not wish him to go alone and Severus was the only teacher available to go with him."

"You also heard Mr Potter's version of events?" The Headmaster nodded and Madam Bones continued. "And you have agreed to allow the Wizengamot to view this memory?"

Again the Headmaster nodded and Madam Bones gestured to the Auror who had brought in the witnesses. He left the room briefly and returned with a pensieve that had an odd, large, square-shaped attachment something like a flat screen on it.

"Oh," Hermione whispered to Harry and the others. "It's a viewing attachment. It allows the memory to be viewed by others."

The pensieve was placed in front of Dumbledore and he pulled out his wand. He delicately removed a memory and placed it into the bowl. Madam Bones then waved her wand at the pensieve and the screen lit up. They saw a still picture of a bruised and bandaged Harry lying in a bed in the hospital wing. Ron, Hermione and the others gasped as they saw how bad Harry had looked and Ginny leaned her head on his shoulder. Madam Bones paled and waved her wand again. The image began moving and the court heard Harry's whispering voice describing the events of the night. By the end, everyone in the court was pale and Harry was shaking. Both Ginny and Ron had an arm wrapped around his shoulders and Hermione had reached over and placed a hand on his knee. Fred and George's faces had identical expressions of anger on their faces and Neville's expression was grim. Luna was staring at the Dursley's, her wide-eyed gaze cold and imperious. Mr Weasley was white-faced and shaking with rage and Mrs Weasley was red-faced as she glared at the Dursleys, tears running down her cheeks.

Madam Bones stepped over to the pensieve and shut it down with a wave of her wand. She waited while Professor Dumbledore returned the memory to his mind.

"Thank you, Professor. What is being done for Mr Potter now? How do you intend to continue his education?"

"I have asked for and been sent a trainer from the Guild of the Night." The Wizengamot members immediately started whispering amongst themselves in surprise until they were silenced by a glare from Madam Bones. She indicated for Dumbledore to continue. "He will now take over Harry's education. Harry will obviously remain at Hogwarts to be with his friends and so that his trainer may take advantage of the resources there. Also that is where Harry is the safest. I do not believe Harry's education will suffer in any way. His guardianship has been taken over by Mr and Mrs Weasley and Mr Lupin."

"Mr Lupin is a werewolf," Madam Bones objected and Harry's head came up and he frowned. "Are you sure that is wise?"

"It was Harry's wish that Remus Lupin be his guardian," Dumbledore said calmly. "I saw no reason under the circumstances to refuse that request. I know that there may be some objections to Mr Lupin which is why Mr and Mrs Weasley were named as joint guardians."

Madam Bones nodded with surprised interest. "Thank you. You may step down."

The Auror stepped forward and lifted the pensieve and he and the Headmaster left the room. Madam Bones turned to face Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Auror Shacklebolt, if you would administer the veritaserum to Mr Dursley, we will begin the questioning."

The tall, dark Auror nodded and pulled a small vial out of a pocket in his robes. He stepped forward.

"Mr Dursley, please open your mouth," he said in a deep, resounding voice. Vernon Dursley looked like he was about to object but a single look at the forbidding presence standing over him made him wilt and meekly open his mouth. Shacklebolt let three drops fall on Vernon's tongue and capped the vial. He watched Vernon until his face became slack and his eyes drooped. He then stepped back and nodded to Madam Bones.

"Please state your full name."

"Vernon Michael Dursley," he responded with complete calm.

"What is your relationship to Harry Potter?"

"He's my nephew."

"How long has he been living with you?"

"Fifteen years."

"What room has been his bedroom in that time?"

"He lived in the cupboard under the stairs until he got that letter from that freak school he goes to. They knew too much so we moved him into Dudley's second bedroom."

Eyebrows were raised by the members of the Wizengamot at this response.

"Have you ever beaten your nephew?" Madam Bones asked.

"No, other than that Saturday night a few weeks ago," Vernon said calmly and the members of the Wizengamot looked at him with surprise.

"Have you ever shaken or yelled at him?"

"Yes."

"Have you ever mistreated him?"

"Yes."

"How have you mistreated him?"

"Not fed him properly, locked him in the cupboard and his room, made him do all of the work around the house, yelled at him, told him he was freak, worthless, a burden..."

"Enough," barked Madam Bones and Vernon Dursley fell silent.

"What happened in the week leading up to that Saturday night when you beat him?"

"I was having trouble at work. Someone had been embezzling money at the company and the evidence was pointing at me. I was being accused of the embezzlement as well as fraud and theft. On the Wednesday, there were four charges of bullying and sexual harassment lodged against me."

"Were these charges true?"

"No!" Vernon bellowed, his face starting to go purple. "I've never stolen money from Grunnings. I earn a decent wage and I don't need to steal to provide for my wife and son." It was remarked by all in the courtroom that his nephew was not considered in this.

"What about the other charges levelled at you?"

"Well," Vernon blustered and he began to sweat. Kingsley Shacklebolt started forwards; he was starting to fight the veritaserum, but stopped when Vernon settled back into the chair. "I may have been a little harsh on the people in question but they needed the encouragement, they were slackers. And what crime is there in admiring a woman. I admire my wife, don't I?"

"Did people at your work believe them?"

"Yes, which is completely preposterous! I have given many years of loyal service and have risen to a very responsible position. It's clear that they are jealous and determined to bring me down."

"Were they putting pressure on you? And how did that make you feel?"

"Of course they were putting pressure on me. They wanted me to resign, the idiots! But I refused; I was determined to fight these ridiculous charges. The whole thing made me angry, furious! I deserve better that that!"

"So you were stressed and angry, during the week. What about Saturday?"

"I had a phone call from the general manager of Grunnings asking me to resign quietly. That they would make it worthwhile and that they didn't need the adverse publicity right now. I was furious. How dare they treat me that way?" Vernon's face had gone a fairly interesting shade of puce and he was literally shaking with rage.

"What happened that evening?"

"After dinner that boy was smart enough to go back up to his room and Dudley went out to play with his friends. A couple of hours later, the police brought him back. They said he'd been beating some girl and that he would be charged the next day. I thought it was some kind of trumped up charge but they said it was true. I couldn't believe my own son; my flesh and blood would disgrace me that way. We've done our best to bring him up right. We've given him the very best of everything. He's never gone without. And this is how he repays us, by bringing disgrace on my good name! I was furious with him."

"You started yelling at him?"

"Yes," Vernon said self-righteously. "It's what the boy deserved."

"Then what happened?" Madam Bones said sternly.

"One of those damn owls flew in through the window. Into my kitchen. I've told that freak boy that there are to be NO owls in my house." Vernon Dursley began almost vibrating with rage again and Madam Bones nodded significantly at Kingsley Shacklebolt. The Auror stepped forward and drew another vial out of his pocket and forced Vernon to drink it.

"It's a calming potion, I think," Hermione whispered to the group up in the viewing area.

When Vernon had calmed down, Madam Bones continued questioning him.

"What did you do when the owl cam into the kitchen?"

"I yelled for that boy to get down to the kitchen and get rid of it but the stupid bird flew out of the window again. Then I...I..." Vernon stuttered to a halt and frowned.

Madam Bones watched him for a moment. "What happened when Harry came downstairs, Mr Dursley?" she prompted.

Vernon frowned again. "I...he..." he stammered and then shook his head in bewilderment. "I don't remember."

Madam Bones frowned at him. "You don't remember?"

"No."

She frowned again and beckoned to Kingsley. They went over to the members of the Wizengamot and a low-pitched discussion ensued.

"How can he not remember?" Ron asked quietly but heatedly. "I thought the veritaserum was supposed to take care of that!"

"Veritaserum makes sure you tell the truth, Ron," Hermione said quietly. "But it can't make you tell the truth if you don't remember it." She thought for a moment. "I've read about this. I think he got himself into such a rage that he tipped himself over the edge a bit. I think he really doesn't remember what he did. I think that's why they ran, because when he came back to himself and he saw what he'd done he knew he was in big trouble; there'd be no explaining this one away to anyone."

"So what do they do now?" Neville asked anxiously.

"I think..." Hermione started and then waved everyone into silence when Madam Bones turned back to face the Dursleys.

"Auror Shacklebolt, if you would administer the veritaserum to Mrs Dursley so we can get to the bottom of this?"

Kingsley nodded and walked over to Petunia. She cringed in her chair but made no protest when he indicated for her to open her mouth. He let three drops fall onto her tongue and waited for it to take effect. When it had he turned back to Madam Bones and nodded.

"Please state your full name."

"Petunia Rose Dursley."

"Your husband is Vernon Michael Dursley?"

"Yes."

"What happened on the Saturday night in question when Harry came down into the kitchen?"

"Vernon started yelling at him, telling him he was freak and that he knew the rules about owls in the house and that he was nothing more than an ungrateful wretch who only knew how to make our lives a misery. Then he grabbed Harry by the scruff of the neck and pulled him out of the kitchen and they went upstairs."

"Do you know what happened there?"

"I didn't at the time, though I could hear first Vernon and then Harry yelling. I found out later that Vernon had killed the boy's owl."

"Then what happened?"

"I don't know. When Vernon was upstairs, I took Dudley and we left and went to a neighbour's house. I was frightened. I had never seen Vernon so angry and I was afraid he'd hurt my Diddy darling."

Madam Bones took a deep breath. "Leaving your nephew alone with him?"

"Well, I couldn't let him hurt my Dudley now, could I?" Petunia said as though it should have been obvious. This caused a small wave of muttering through the courtroom, which Madam Bones silenced with a glare.

"When did you return to the house?"

"About 2 hours later."

"At what happened then?"

"Well, Harry was nowhere to be seen. Vernon seemed much calmer." Petunia frowned and continued. "In fact he seemed almost frightened. He said that Harry had run away, threatening to go to...to you people. Well, we couldn't trust him not to lie to you and then we'd be in trouble, the ungrateful little wretch. Vernon said we'd have to hide until we could find away to let you lot know the real story of what happened. He said that America would be the best for now. So we packed hurriedly and left. I thought it would be best to wait for morning but Vernon insisted we leave immediately. He said you lot couldn't be trusted."

"Thank you, Mrs Dursley," Madam Bones said with dry irony and returned to her seat. She and the other Wizengamot members conferred with each other for a moment. Madam Bones stood.

"The Wizengamot will take a two hour recess to allow the Dursley's to recover from the veritaserum and for us to consider our verdict." The ten members of the Wizengamot rose and filed out of the door, their heads together, deep in discussion. Two more Aurors came in and led the Dursleys out through another door. Mr and Mrs Weasley collected the teens together and they too left the court. The Headmaster was waiting for them in the corridor.

"Come along everyone. I have arranged for a room to be set aside for all of us and for some lunch to be provided. It seemed better than wading through the masses," he said, his eyes twinkling.

He led them down the corridor and into a small conference room. Plates of sandwiches and jugs of pumpkin juice were sitting on the table and the hungry teens fell onto them. The hours had passed surprisingly quickly in the courtroom. Harry fumbled for a chair and sat down heavily. Ginny and Remus came over and sat on either side of him.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Ginny asked quietly.

Harry shook his head in bewilderment. "He doesn't remember and they weren't there. How am I supposed to understand why he did it when he doesn't remember?" he said plaintively.

Ginny slid her hand into his and Remus placed a hand on his shoulder. "Actually Harry, the fact that he can't remember is the explanation." Harry looked at him with confusion on his face and Remus tightened his hand. "Rage...is an odd thing, Harry. Rage can focus your attention; it can give you strength when you thought you had none. Or it can turn you into a beast, an animal. I think it did that to your uncle. He doesn't remember because the rage took over and blanked out everything else. Normally it wouldn't have done that. Normally he would probably have just yelled at you, maybe locked you in your room; do what he'd done before. But remember he was under extreme stress from what was happening at work and the pressure they were putting him under. What he thought was undue and unwarranted pressure. It looks like that weakened his control enough that when the rage took over, it really took over. Your uncle is essentially a bully but one with a nasty temper. Bullies tend to be cowards though. That's why he's never beaten you before; he was too much a coward to tempt fate like that. To risk you telling someone at school and what that would mean for him. But that night, the stress and his rage overrode his cowardice"

The others had been listening to Remus' explanation.

"You're not excusing him, are you?" Ron asked incredulously.

Remus gave an odd laugh. "No, not at all, Ron," he said firmly. "It was a reason, not an excuse. But I know the feeling. I remember most of what happens when I'm a werewolf, not clearly but I remember. The only time I have absolutely no memories is when the werewolf gets enraged. It hasn't happened often but when is has all I remember is the rage, not what I did."

"So what'll happen to them?" Harry asked.

Remus sighed. "I don't know, Harry. We'll just have to wait."