Harry Potter and the Guild of the Night

Chapter 15

Two hours later they were all called back into the courtroom. Professor Dumbledore and the others who had acted as witnesses joined them in the viewing area. When everyone had settled and the Dursleys had been brought back into the room and been seated, Madam Bones rose.

"The Wizengamot has come to a preliminary conclusion, however, before we make a final decision we would like to speak with Mr Potter."

Harry froze and his friends bristled in alarm. Remus opened his mouth to protest but closed it when Professor Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder. The Headmaster rose and made his way down to the floor of the room where he immediately entered into a quiet discussion with Madam Bones and the other Wizengamot members. When he returned his face was grim.

"I'm sorry, Harry, but I'm afraid you will have to speak," he said quietly. "Some of the members wish to be absolutely sure before they make any decisions. I have been able to insist that Remus accompany you and that, as your guardian, he may call a halt to the questioning at any time if he feels you are becoming unduly stressed. You will not be required to take veritaserum."

Harry gave a nod and stood shakily. Remus quickly came and stood by him. Harry grabbed his arm and was led down onto the floor of the courtroom. Remus led him to the chair, helped him sit and stood behind him with both hands on his shoulders.

Remus leaned down and whispered in his ear. "If at any time it gets too much for you, Harry, just let me know," he said anxiously.

Harry gave a weak smile in return and raised his head when he heard someone walk up to him. Madam Bones eyed him with sympathy and smiled reassuringly at Remus.

"Thank you, Harry," she said kindly. "I know this cannot be easy for you. I will be the only one to ask you questions; do not respond to anyone else. Just answer the questions clearly and honestly."

Harry swallowed and nodded.

"You have heard the testimony that has been given today. Was it accurate?" Madam Bones asked.

"Yes," Harry said quietly and the faces of a few of the Wizengamot members became grim.

"Has your uncle ever hit you before?"

"Um, well, he's done stuff like give me a clip around the ears before but he's never beaten me before."

"Has your aunt ever hit you?"

"Um, no, not really."

"Not really?" Madam Bones questioned. "What has she done?"

Harry hesitated. "Er, well, she threw a frying pan at me once because I broke some plates but she missed. I moved too fast. But otherwise it's never been anything more than what Uncle Vernon has done, you know, a clip around the ear."

"Has your cousin ever hit you?"

"Er, yes."

"Beaten you?"

"No," Harry said with a dismissive shrug. "Just a whack every now and then when we were little. He doesn't try anything now." This last sentence was said with a secretive little smile that the adults in the room found very amusing.

"Do you like your relatives?"

"No."

"Yet you did not hesitate to save your cousin's life last year when the Dementors attacked. Why?"

"Well, I was also saving my own life and, well, Dudley may be the world's biggest prat but that doesn't mean he deserves what the Dementors would do to him," Harry said with confusion at this line of questioning. "I'm not sure anyone does," he continued quietly.

Madam Bones smiled softly at him, pleased with such a mature answer. "Is it true that Mr Lupin was your choice as your guardian?"

"Yes."

"And Mr and Mrs Weasley?"

"Yes."

"Do you wish to return to the Dursley's home?"

"No!" Harry half-yelled with a shudder. Remus' grip on his shoulder tightened and Harry took in a deep breath. "No," he said quietly. "I don't want to go back."

Madam Bones was quiet for a moment as she considered the final question on her parchment. She had been unsure whether the young man should be asked this question but given his answer to the Dementor question she thought that maybe he could handle it.

"What do you want done to the Dursleys?" she asked solemnly.

Harry swallowed and was quiet for a couple of minutes. Finally he looked up at her with his blind eyes. "I don't care," he said honestly. "I didn't come here because I wanted to get some kind of revenge. I came here because I wanted to know why my uncle did what he did. As long as I don't have to see them ever again I don't care what happens to them."

"Even though you have been blinded?" Madam Bones asked curiously.

"Yeah, even though that happened," Harry replied. "Look, I hate being blind but how is doing something horrible to the Dursleys going to change anything. And anyway, I've got a great new teacher. It's not like I'm going to be helpless or anything." Harry's head came up and he sat proudly for a moment.

Madam Bones nodded, clearly impressed with the young man sitting in front of her. "Thank you, Harry. We have no further questions for you."

Harry stood and with Remus' help, returned to where the others were sitting. He collapsed back down and his friends quickly hugged or patted him on the back.

Dumbledore leaned forward and rested a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Well done, Harry. Well done indeed."

Madam Bones returned to her seat and the members of the Wizengamot conferred quietly again. After about ten minutes, she stood and cleared her throat.

"The Wizengamot has come to a decision." She turned and faced the Dursleys. "Vernon Michael Dursley, would you please stand."

Vernon pushed himself to his feet and stood trembling, completely devoid of his normal manner and staring intently at the floor. Madam Bones looked at him sternly.

"Mr Dursley, you have committed a terrible act upon your nephew," she said grimly. "You beat and maimed a defenceless boy who had been placed into your care after the tragic death of his parents. In fact from what we have heard you have betrayed that trust many times over with your neglect. Yet in spite of your behaviour, Mr Potter has grown to be a fine, upstanding young man. A situation I have no doubts is in spite of your efforts. The Wizengamot has considered all that it has heard today and has come to a decision. While it is in the power of this court to try and sentence a muggle who has the guardianship of a witch or wizard, it does not lie within our power to enforce such a sentence on a muggle. Therefore, you will be handed over to the muggle authorities where you will be incarcerated in an appropriate prison for a term of not less than ten years and not greater than twenty years. How long you remain incarcerated beyond ten years will depend entirely upon you and whether you are able to change for the better." She turned to the Aurors. "Take him away."

Kingsley indicated to two tall, strong Aurors who quickly stepped forward and grabbed Vernon by the arms. As they began to lead him out of the courtroom, the verdict seemed to sink in and he began to struggle and yell. The Aurors did not hesitate and tightened their grip on him, dragging him swiftly out of the room. Petunia gasped and paled, gripping her son's hand tightly.

Madam Bones turned back to the remaining Dursleys. "Petunia Rose Dursley, would you please stand."

Petunia rose shakily to her feet. "Mrs Dursley, while you are not responsible for the injuries to your nephew, you too have been guilty of shameful neglect. The Wizengamot views this very seriously and asks you to consider whether, had the circumstances been reversed, how your sister would have treated your son." Petunia flushed with shame and bowed her head. She knew full well that Lily would have raised Dudley as her own had positions been reversed. Madam Bones eyed her with satisfaction and continued. "However, in spite of your neglect and abuse of Mr Potter, the Wizengamot has taken into consideration the fact that you have a son. While your son is in no way to blame for what has happened to Mr Potter, nevertheless his own behaviour has been cruel and unchecked by either you or your husband. In spite of all of this, you and your son are free to return to your home." Madam Bones paused until she could make eye contact with Petunia. "However, both your treatment of your nephew and your son's behaviour towards the local children has been reported to the branch of Social Services that liaises closely with the Ministry of Magic. You and your son will be watched, Mrs Dursley, and you will have monthly meetings with Social Services for the period of time in which your husband is incarcerated. Check your son's behaviour, Mrs Dursley, and think carefully on your own. You will get no more chances."

Petunia nodded as silent tears ran down her cheeks. She knew that with Vernon now in prison, she would have to find work to support herself and her son and she had few qualifications. All of her prideful arrogance was gone. She still had enough pride left however to hold her head up and face what was coming and enough intelligence to know not to blame Harry for this. She looked up into the viewing gallery where her nephew was sitting, surrounded by his friends. For once she looked at him, not as a burden or an embarrassment, but as her nephew and more tears fell as she took in for perhaps the first time how much his eyes were like Lily's. And she remembered how much she had loved her sister before she had allowed her bitter jealousy to taint everything.

"I'm so sorry, Harry," she said honestly and remorsefully.

Harry started in surprise and then looked towards her. Petunia winced as the sightless eyes veered over to her and then saw her nephew nod once in acknowledgement. She turned back to face the front of the court. Madam Bones however had turned her attention to Dudley.

"Dudley," she said sternly and Dudley shot to his feet, slowly inching his hands behind him to cover his bottom. "You have cruelly and maliciously tormented your cousin for many years. And yet when the two of you faced the Dementor attack last year, your cousin stood by you and saved both of your lives. You are no doubt aware now of what effect the Dementors can have on you. Had your cousin not taken the action that he did, it would have been much, much worse. The Dementor's Kiss leaves a person mindless. You and your mother would do well to remember that and think hard on it." Dudley swallowed and nodded.

Madam Bones nodded to Kingsley again and the tall Auror came forward and stood behind Petunia and Dudley Dursley.

"This hearing is closed," Madam Bones said with finality and Kingsley ushered the Dursleys from the room. The Wizengamot members rose and quickly disappeared out of the room, leaving Harry and the others alone.

"Alright, Harry?" Remus asked quietly.

Harry nodded and the muscles along his jaw tightened. "Can we go home now?" he asked quietly.

Remus drew him into a hug. "Of course," he said and turned to the Headmaster. "Albus?"

Dumbledore drew a thin piece of metal out of his pocket which he quickly extended. Hermione recognised it as a telescoping antenna from a radio. The Headmaster quietly muttered, "Portus."

Remus guided Harry's hand onto the antenna and the rest all joined him.

"Shall we go then?" the Headmaster said and the familiar tug took them all back to Hogwarts.

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As soon as they got back to Hogwarts, Mrs Weasley insisted that Remus take Harry up to their rooms and let him rest. Harry didn't seem inclined to argue so Remus agreed. The other teens slowly headed outside and sat down next to the lake. They sat silently at first and then Ron spoke up.

"They should have got more," he said quietly and there were noises of agreement from most of the others. Hermione was one of those who said nothing. She was staring at the lake, her brow furrowed as she thought. Ron gave her a nudge.

"Don't you agree, Hermione?" he asked.

Hermione grimaced. "I don't know, Ron. Part of me agrees with you. But the rest of me says that if Harry's happy with what happened then we ought to be happy as well."

"I still don't really understand part of it," Neville said with a frown. "I mean that whole bit about rage that Remus talked about when we had lunch. I don't understand."

"I do, well, kind of anyway," Hermione said with a shrug. "I read about it once but it was a long time ago and I didn't really understand it at the time. I think I understand a bit better now. Look, Harry's told us before that Mr Dursley could get pretty angry with him from time to time but he never really did anything. He yelled and he locked Harry up but nothing worse than that. But Mr Dursley was put under some pretty extreme stress at work. I mean, being investigated for theft, fraud and embezzlement and having those harassment charges levelled against you would be bad enough, particularly if you didn't do it."

Ron snorted. "You really think he was innocent?"

"Well, I think he was innocent of the embezzlement, theft and fraud charges," she said. "But maybe not the harassment charges. Those seem the most likely. That probably put him under a lot of stress. Muggle businesses take those kinds of charges pretty seriously. You can get sacked if they are found to be true. They were already pressuring him to resign because they didn't want the scandal of the publicity."

"So what are you getting at?" Ron asked.

"Well," Hermione said, trying to remember what she had read. "Stress can reduce your ability to control yourself. Mr Dursley was under great stress and then Dudley was brought home by the police and he was in big trouble. Then you have the arrival of Pig just to add to it and I think Mr Dursley just snapped. His rage was too great for him to control. Under any other circumstances I think he would have done nothing more than yell but the stress caused him to completely lose control. I also remember reading that someone who experiences incredible rage like that often doesn't remember what they did."

"Temporary insanity," Neville suggested.

"Well," Hermione temporised, "possibly. There's a lot of debate as to whether there is such a thing as temporary insanity. Certainly the muggle legal system can't really seem to make up its mind."

"So is ten years for what Harry's uncle did considered a light or a harsh penalty by muggle standards?" Ginny asked.

Hermione gave a mirthless laugh. "Well, I suppose that depends on who you ask. There are many people who would say that they should have locked him up and thrown away the key. But there are equally as many who would say that he shouldn't be locked away, that locking people up is counter-productive and that people who commit crimes should be counselled, not punished. But the muggle legal system doesn't have access to veritaserum which I think makes all the difference. After all, three drops of veritaserum and you have the truth of the matter. In the muggle legal system, you just have to hope that they are telling the truth."

"Huh," Neville said, "I think I prefer the wizarding system."

"So do I," replied Hermione and the group lapsed into silence.

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Harry lay curled up on his bed, eyes closed. He wasn't actually asleep though, just thinking. He wasn't sure whether he was pleased or disappointed at the penalties that had been handed down by the Wizengamot. He was kind of pleased that Uncle Vernon was being jailed but he was a bit ambivalent about what had been done with Aunt Petunia and Dudley. He knew that they wouldn't have an easy life now. Uncle Vernon's job had been a lucrative one and Aunt Petunia didn't have a lot in the way of skills. She would likely have to take a fairly menial job and those weren't very well-paid.

Maybe Dudley will finally lose some weight, he thought with an amused snort. Still, Aunt Petunia had apologised which was more than could be said for Uncle Vernon or Dudley. Harry snorted again, his thoughts jumping from place to place. Dudley would have to go to the local comprehensive. Aunt Petunia wouldn't be able to afford Smeltings' fees now. Unless she swallowed her pride enough to ask Aunt Marge for help. Harry rolled over and sighed with frustration. He couldn't seem to think very well. He'd always done his best thinking when he was on his broom. Something about flying just made things seem right.

He was descending into a nice little bout of self-pity when a thought occurred to him. Why couldn't he go flying? After all, with Oversight he'd be able to see things like trees and other immovable objects. Harry sat up, his sightless eyes gleaming and a smile curving his lips. Well, the only way he'd find out if he was right was to try it and he could certainly use the distraction of trying. He grabbed his cane, got up and opened the cupboard. He groped around until he found his Firebolt and rested it on his shoulder. He carefully opened the door to the lounge room he shared with Remus. His guardian had said he was going to a meeting with Dumbledore so Harry was fairly sure that he wouldn't be stopped.

A quick and careful listen determined that Remus was indeed gone and Harry quickly slipped out of the suite and headed for the nearest exit. Once outside he headed for the quidditch pitch, figuring that that was the best place to work out if his idea was a good one or not. When his cane hit the first of the support beams for the stands, he stopped and instigated his Oversight. He yelped with joy as the stands leapt into glowing view in front of him and he walked through them until he was on the pitch itself. He put his cane down and mounted the Firebolt. He took off slowly and was immediately glad that he had. It was a little disconcerting and almost dizzying to view the world with Oversight at times.

Harry did four low and slow laps of the pitch before he felt comfortable enough to try a faster pace. As he sped up he immediately started to feel better and he began laughing. Suddenly feeling free for the first time in weeks, he made a sharp upward movement and began soaring into the sky at a rapid pace. He then turned and dove towards the ground, which was a wonderful greeny-brown colour to his Oversight. He pulled up perhaps a metre short of the ground and tore along the pitch towards the stands. He pulled up tight again and flew upwards, spiralling and carolling his delight.

He didn't know how long he had been flying, performing all sorts of aerobatics, when he suddenly heard a furious voice yelling out to him.

"MR POTTER! GET DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW!"

He looked down and saw the energy colours he knew were Professor Snape, which surprised him as he was sure he had detected fear and well as anger in that voice. He shrugged and obediently flew down towards the Potions Master, noticing the energy shapes he had previously identified as Remus, Professor Dumbledore, Mrs Weasley and his friends all running towards the quidditch pitch. They had obviously heard Professor Snape yell, Harry groaned to himself. He headed down and was quite pleased with himself when he made a perfect dismount in front of the Potions Master.

"Yes, Professor?" Harry said with a beatific smile, his face glowing with pleasure. This expression completely disarmed Professor Snape and before he could marshal himself, Remus and the others arrived.

Remus came thundering up to Harry and grabbed him by the shoulders, looking him up and down.

"Harry! Are you alright? You're not hurt are you?" Remus started babbling and Harry frowned. Before he could say anything however, Mrs Weasley and his friends had gathered around him, making frightened and worried noises. Only Professor Dumbledore did not join in the worried hen-pecking. He stood next to his Potions Master.

"He was flying, was he?" Dumbledore asked mildly and Snape nodded. "How interesting," the Headmaster said with a secretive smile and a glint in his eye. The two of them turned their attention back to Harry.

"I'M FINE!" Harry yelled angrily and those fussing around him fell into a startled silence. Harry sighed and his anger faded. He knew they were only concerned. "I was using Oversight. I could see what I was doing perfectly well and I was enjoying myself," he continued in an exasperated tone.

"Well done, Harry," came the dry, amused voice of Master Nhean. Everyone whipped around in surprise to look at the Night Master. Nobody had seen him arrive.

Harry smiled wryly. "You knew I'd be able to do this, didn't you, Master?"

"Yes," Nhean replied firmly, "but you had to discover it for yourself."

Harry grinned; a lot of what his Master did involved discovering things for yourself. It was a little frustrating but very satisfying at the same time. "So would I be able to play quidditch?" he asked eagerly.

Nhean cocked his head to one side. "I can't see why not. It would take some work on your part to get used to using Oversight in such a manner but I think you could do it." He stopped and smiled. "I think it would be very good practice."

Harry's entire face lit up and the Weasleys exclaimed. Ron started grinning like a maniac and thumping Harry on the back. Ginny gave an excited squeal and hugged him and the twins began dancing around, chanting "We've got our Seeker back!" at the top of their lungs. They then shot off towards the shed where the quidditch equipment was kept and came back carrying a box. They quickly opened it and Fred grabbed the snitch.

"Stand back, everyone," Fred yelled and Harry's friends obliged. "Hey Harry! Catch this!" He let the snitch go and everyone watched in fascination and delight as Harry's eyes latched right onto it. The snitch flashed upwards and disappeared and Harry leapt back onto his Firebolt and took off after it. The Weasleys, Hermione, Neville and Luna whooped and hollered as Harry dove after the snitch. All of the adults, except for Master Nhean, watched in astonishment.

The snitch swooped and jinked around but Harry followed the little purple shape unerringly and within minutes was sweeping down to where his friends were standing and cheering with the snitch held firmly in his hand.

Nhean watched this with high amusement and when Harry landed he walked up to him and placed one hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps it might not take as much work as I thought," he said with a laugh. "But I think that's enough for today. You're using your Oversight in a way you never have before and if you don't have a headache already, you will soon. Practice will improve that and I don't think I'll need to remind you to practice this."

Harry laughed, handed the snitch back to Fred and picked up his cane. He then disengaged his Oversight and realised that his Master was right. He did have the edges of a headache but he grinned anyway. He didn't think anything was going to stop him today. He had back the one thing he was good at in his own right; that he'd thought he lost forever.

His friends gathered around him and they headed back up to the castle with the adults following along behind, still shaking their heads with amazement and amusement. Halfway back, Harry heard someone calling his name.

"'Arry," Hagrid yelled as he puffed up towards them. "There yer are! 'Ave I got somethin' fer you! 'Ere." Hagrid pulled a small fur pouch out of one of his many coat pockets and handed it to Harry.

Harry smiled at Hagrid. The half-giant hadn't been around that much this summer. He'd said something in an embarrassed tone about Madame Maxime so Harry hadn't pushed the matter. He opened the pouch and carefully felt around inside. He wasn't sure exactly what he was going to find inside and just hoping it wasn't something with teeth. His fingers encountered a small, smooth egg and he carefully pulled it out. His friends gathered around to have a look at the egg sitting in the palm of his hand and, when they arrived, so too did the adults.

"Hagrid?" Harry asked. "What exactly is this?"

"Tha's the surprise!" Hagrid said in a pleased tone. "The bloke I bought it from said it'll hatch in a few days. I thought you could do with a new friend since that great lump of an uncle killed yer owl."

Harry swallowed painfully at the thought of his beautiful Hedwig but remained intrigued by the egg in his hand. It somehow seemed appropriate that it was Hagrid giving him this; he had after all bought him Hedwig before his first year.

"Wow, thanks Hagrid," he said with feeling and Hagrid ducked his head in embarrassment. "Do I have to keep it warm?"

"Yeah," Hagrid said with a blush. "Tha's why I've got it in tha' bag. Keep it in there an' it'll be warm enough. I don' think you'll have any problems. Especially not with 'Ermione around."

Hermione blushed and Hagrid ruffled Harry's hair and bid him goodbye. Hermione turned to Harry and examined the egg closely.

"Come on, Harry! Let's go to the library. I'm sure we can find out what kind of egg this is and what's going to hatch out of it!" she said with excitement. Harry and his friends all laughed as Ron groaned.

"Can we wait until after dinner?" Harry asked mock-plaintively. "I'm hungry after all this excitement and I'm sure the library won't run away while we're eating."

"You never know," grumbled Ron good-naturedly. "It probably thought it was going to get a break over the holidays. I'm sure it's frightened of 'Mione."

Hermione took a good-natured swipe at Ron, who grabbed her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Harry put the egg back into the pouch and Ginny took the opportunity to mirror Hermione's position with him. He smiled down at her and led them back up to the castle.