Harry Potter and the Unexpected Inheritance

Chapter 8

The Trial

Harry sat in the courtroom, his wrists and ankles manacled. He wasn't sure what he was feeling. Confusion seemed to be at the top.

He had listened to Wormtail ramble on and on about Harry's powers and his authority over the Death Eaters. How Voldemort favored him, gave Harry anything Harry asked for. How, ordered by Voldemort, Harry had done all three of the Unforgivable Curses, which was only partially right because Harry had done the Cruciatus Curse twice on his own out of anger.

But in reality, nothing Wormtail said was a lie. It was all true.

Harry was guilty.

True, most of it was only because Voldemort had manipulated it but Harry could have chosen not to protect his friends. He could have chosen not to do the curses and accepted not being allowed to go home.

Choices.

Harry took the stand, feeling numb. He was guilty.

"Mr. Potter?"

Harry looked up at the Minister of Magic.

"How do you plead?" said Mr. Goodhue.

"Guilty," said Harry.

"NO, HARRY," shouted Sirius.

The courtroom went into a tumult.

Harry looked at Sirius. "Everything he said was true, Sirius," said Harry in a hollow voice.

"So you have joined him?" said Mr. Goodhue.

"No, Minister," said Harry. "I haven't. I won't."

"But you do what he tells you?"

"Those were tests of my powers, Sir. If I didn't do them, he wouldn't let me leave."

"How can he keep you?"

"He has me under wizards contract," said Harry.

"Why would you contract with him?"

"To keep him from hurting my friends and family," said Harry.

"So he is controlling you?"

"He can only make me go to him," said Harry. "And my friends are protected by him through me by the contract."

"He protects you."

Harry nodded. "From everyone except himself," said Harry softly.

"He tortures you?"

"He has," said Harry. It seemed almost as if the Minister was pulling Harry's defense out of Harry for him.

"Has he used the Imperius Curse on you?"

"He can't," said Harry.

Now the Minister appeared curious. "Why not?"

"The Imperius Curse and the Cruciatus Curse don't work on me," said Harry and a gasp went around the courtroom. "And he can't kill me. The Killing Curse would rebound on him again."

Another buzz went around the courtroom. Harry caught comments like a wizard who can counter all 3 unforgivable curses, I don't believe it, he can't be that powerful, must be a lie.

"So how does he torture you?" asked Mr. Goodhue.

"He touches me," said Harry.

"His touch causes you pain?" said the Minister, sounding skeptical. In fact, another buzz of disbelief went around the courtroom.

It did actually sound far-fetched.

"I ask you again, Harry Potter," said the minister. "Have you joined Lord Voldemort?"

"NO," said Harry, loudly this time.

"And how do you plead to the charges?"

Since it seemed the Minister was trying to help, Harry said. "Guilty by coercion." Harry still felt guilty for letting Voldemort force him.

But the jury didn't seem to believe that Harry could be that powerful. Or that Voldemort would let him live if Harry wouldn't join him.

They judged him guilty.

Harry still felt numb.

When the verdict was handed down, Harry heard Sirius shouting again and Harry saw several guards subduing him.

Two guards approached Harry and he stood up, his chains dangling. They took his arms and led him toward the door, hearing a fervor of noise behind him. He was going to jail. He glanced back at Sirius who was still struggling with the guards and shouting his name.

An explosion on the other side of the room almost knocked Harry down.

Wizards in black robes and masks were apparating all over the room.

Harry's hand hit his scar as pain exploded in his head.

"Anyone who moves will die," said Voldemort who had apparated directly behind Harry. "You two, move away from Harry." The two guards couldn't move fast enough. "Did you think I wouldn't come, Harry?" said Voldemort in Harry's ear. Harry's head was pounding. "Did you think I would let them throw you jail?"

Voldemort looked around the courtroom. "You people are so pathetic. This is the only wizard in the world who can destroy me and you want to lock him up," said Voldemort. "How sad."

"Harry," he went on. "You are strong enough to free yourself from my bonds, show them your power."

"No, Voldemort," said Harry. "I'm guilty."

"You aren't, Harry," said Voldemort.

Harry was confused again. What was Voldemort going to do to him now?

Voldemort moved around Harry but stayed within the flinch zone, still close enough to grab Harry if he wanted to.

"Minister," said Voldemort. "May I address the court on Harry's behalf?"

"Are you giving us a choice?" said Mr. Goodhue.

Voldemort chuckled and glanced at Harry. "A Minister with a sense of humor. Interesting." He looked across the courtroom. "Sirius Black," said Voldemort. "Are you still under oath?"

"I am," said Sirius.

"Very good," said Voldemort. "Who is responsible for Peter Pettigrew, your Mr. Wormtail, returning to me?"

Harry took a breath to speak but Voldemort reached out and grabbed Harry's face. With a cry of pain, Harry hit his knees.

"Quiet, Harry," said Voldemort. "I'm talking to Sirius."

Voldemort let go and Harry got up, pressing his hand to his head.

"I'll rephrase," said Voldemort, looking back at Sirius. "Who escaped Azkaban and the Dementors and broke into Hogwarts with the sole intention of killing Peter Pettigrew who betrayed James Potter?"

"I did," said Sirius.

"And you found him," said Voldemort. "Didn't you?"

"Yes."

"So, why didn't you kill him?"

Sirius swallowed, glancing at Harry. "Harry stopped us."

"Harry did?" said Voldemort. "A thirteen year old boy stopped a wizard as powerful and as determined as you together with Remus Lupin?"

Sirius looked confused. "He told us not to kill him."

"He told you?"

"We felt it was his decision," said Sirius.

"You gave the decision of life or death of another wizard to a 13 year old boy?" said Voldemort. "Pretty irresponsible choice for your first decision as his godfather."

Sirius looked horrified.

"So I ask again. Who is responsible for Wormtail returning to me?"

"I am," said Sirius.

"NO," shouted Harry.

"Quiet, Harry." This time it was from Sirius.

"And why did Harry come to me the first time?" said Voldemort.

"Because you threatened his friends."

"And why did he come back the second?"

"Because you had me in a cage," said Sirius.

"And why did Harry make the first contract?" said Voldemort.

"To protect me."

"And why did he make the second contract?"

"Because I breached the first one by escaping," said Sirius.

"And why did he come back to me yet again?"

"You threatened him with me again."

"But you fought me, Sirius," said Voldemort. "Why did Harry make the next contract?"

"You had Ron then Hermione," said Sirius.

"Yes." Voldemort glanced at Harry. "Harry defends his family and friends fiercely, doesn't he?" said Voldemort, turning to the Minister. "Such loyalty and steadfastness is admirable."

"Why do you condemn such a wizard? Especially one with his power?"

The Minister looked skeptically at Harry.

"Do you not believe it?" said Voldemort. He turned to Harry. "Show them, Harry."

"I won't," said Harry.

Voldemort grabbed his face again putting Harry to his knees. "See how stubborn he is."

"Let go of him, Voldemort," said Sirius.

"So, it's true," said Goodhue. "Your touch hurts him?"

"Oh, yes," said Voldemort, staring into Harry's face. "Show them, Harry."

"You can't make me," Harry managed to say.

"Can't I," said Voldemort. He let go of Harry and straightened. "Sirius."

"Go ahead, Harry," said Sirius.

Harry stood up and glanced at Sirius who nodded. He sent Voldemort a glare, twisted his wrists and the manacles burst open as if they were made of glass.

The courtroom gasped as a whole. The minister picked up his wand and re-affixed a new set on him. Harry looked down at them. The other set had been put on him by a mere guard.

"Go on, Harry," said Voldemort.

Harry did it again and the courtroom gasped again.

"You see, Minister," said Voldemort. "Harry could have escaped you anytime he wanted, but his sense of honor wouldn't let him. He would have let you lock him away.

"He stands before you showing his courage and perseverance. He tells you the truth and you do not believe him. He proves his loyalty to you all and you shun him. He shows you his power and his honor and you still want to lock him up.

"I will not shun him," said Voldemort. "He knows I want him with me. I have done everything in my power to prove to him that I acknowledge - admire - his integrity and want his allegiance, even made him my heir, and yet he still will not accept me."

Voldemort turned to Harry and reached out his hand. Harry took a step back.

"You see, Minister," said Voldemort. "Harry was telling the truth. He has not joined me. My manipulations keep him tied to me but until he accepts me, I can not control him. And I will not, can not force him. He must do it of his own free will.

"So," Voldemort turned to the jury. "I have testified that Harry has told the truth.
What will you judge him now?"

The courtroom was still silent.

"Voldemort," said Sirius. "The verdict has already been handed down. You know the law."

"I do," said Voldemort gravely. He looked at Harry. "So Harry has another choice to make. Stay here and be jailed innocently by people who do not want him. Or come with me."

Harry closed his eyes against the pain the impact of those words thrust upon him. People who do not want him.

Harry had felt unwanted most of his life - until Hogwarts. Harry glanced around the room. Where was Professor Dumbledore? Where were the Weasleys? Where was Hermione? Only Sirius was there. Sirius and Voldemort.

Voldemort moved behind Harry. Harry's head pounded.

"You know I want you with me, Harry," said Voldemort softly. "Everyone has deserted you."

The pain in Harry's chest felt like it doubled. Harry wanted to crawl away and die.

"I'm here. Sirius is here," said Voldemort. "Have you made your choice?"

"I-I just want to go home," said Harry in barely a whisper.

"All right, Harry," said Voldemort. "I will accept that."

But before Voldemort could grab him, Harry stepped forward. He looked at Sirius. "I'm sorry," said Harry.

I'm getting out of this nightmare.

The cupboard under the stairs at #4 Privot Drive was unchanged.