Harry then addressed the Wizengamot, "I am aware that the punishment for death eaters is the veil, I would like to plead for this case to be awarded life in Azkaban. Living in that hell hole while not even being able to wipe your arse is, I think a more fitting punishment for his crimes than a quick, painless death."
The vote was instantaneous and unanimous as Snape was led away to join another Hogwarts potions professor in Azkaban, gone was the haughty look or the trademark sneer as the handless death eater was now crying like a two-year-old in a tantrum.
Shack turned to the Wizengamot, "the article that was written by Lord and Lady Potter and appeared in the Quibbler has been found to be correct in every detail. Pettigrew's body was recovered from where Voldemort murdered him on Halloween and I am one of a select few who have seen the carcass of that Basilisk and the photo just doesn't do it justice."
A lot of glances were cast in Harry's direction with these comments.
"It was also true that while lord Potter was being starved and abused Albus Dumbledore was stealing five thousand galleons every month from the Potter vaults for over twelve years. In this time he formed a relationship with the goblin in charge of the Potter account and was using Sickyle to try and overthrow the goblin government, they have issued a death sentence against Dumbledore and over fifty goblin traitors paid with their lives."
The Wizengamot wasn't too bothered about fifty dead goblins but stealing over half a million galleons while a child was being abused was deplorable.
"Dumbledore uses anyone he thinks necessary to achieve his aim including a young man he forced into becoming a defence professor. Oliver Wood had a promising Quidditch career ruined because he has had so many compulsion charms cast on him by Dumbledore that he has now been left with a nervous twitch that will rule him out of playing professionally. Dumbledore has lied, cajoled, bribed or cursed witches and wizards in his unrelenting quest to be supreme ruler of the magical world, remind you of anyone else?"
While the Wizengamot were digesting this Molly was led into the chamber, she was walking on her own until she spotted the red hair in the gantry and the witch just broke. Her knees gave way and she was wailing like a banshee with the realisation that her greatest fear looked likely to become a reality; although they were alive she was still going to lose every one of her children.
Ginny was sobbing at the sight of a bald Molly as she had to be carried to the chair after glancing in their direction, Shack had to cast a couple of cheering charms on her before she was settled enough for him to administer the truth serum.
After allowing time for the serum to take effect Shack began his questions.
"What was the Weasley involvement in Dumbledore's plans?"
"He wanted Ron to split Harry and Hermione leaving the way clear for Ginny. His plan was then for Ginny to dump Harry just before Albus had arranged a confrontation against Voldemort, he wanted the boy broken and defeated."
"How were you to achieve this?"
"By any means possible, he was going to provide any potions that were required."
"Did you agree with this plan?"
"I agreed to go along with it but not the plan, Albus wanted him dead but I wanted Harry married to Ginny. I had been pestering him for years to arrange a betrothal contract but we now know he never had the power he claimed to have and was not Harry's legal guardian."
"How did you come to be arrested?"
"I lost my temper and pulled my wand on a muggle, when she defeated me I tried to use a pureblood law to break lord Potter's betrothal."
Shack didn't see there was anything further to be gained with the questioning and gave the antidote.
Amelia spoke to Harry, "lord Potter could I ask if you have anything to say on this situation before we consider sentencing?"
Harry was watching Ginny receive hugs from everyone around her as the tears streamed down her face, "Minister my main concern here is for my friend Ginny Pomfrey, I think seeing Molly Weasley handed a long sentence or Dementors kiss would be detrimental to her recovering from the ordeals inflicted by her former parents. I would be satisfied if she received the same sentence as her husband with the proviso that she wasn't allowed to contact any of her children after her release, they of course may contact her if they wish."
Ginny suddenly had her arms round Harry and was sobbing into his chest as he held the young witch and tried to offer words of comfort. This more than anything influenced the Wizengamot and Harry got his way, Molly Weasley was going to be living in Azkaban until next summer.
Bill Weasley didn't become a Gringotts curse breaker by being stupid, his parents had just been given an unbelievable easy ride through the court and he couldn't help but think that the young wizard currently with his arms round his sister had something to do with it. There was no mention of the Weasley greed that had caused so much heartache for the Potters and if his suspicions were correct, Harry had not only saved his two youngest siblings but his parents as well, at least he knew Ginny appreciated it. The Weasley family had already been deeply indebted to this young wizard before acquiring this latest round of debts but had treated him deplorably, a mistake the new head of the Weasley family would be doing everything in his power to atone for.
Amelia then used her memory of Dumbledore's attack in the great hall to be projected for al to see, the viewing of it left a sickening taste in everyone's mouth. The supposed leader of the light using a spell designed to maim and kill in a hall full of children destroyed any shred of doubt that might have been lingering in peoples minds.
Unfortunately it was here that all the minister's carefully laid plans unravelled as outraged members of the Wizengamot demanded that Dumbledore explain what the hell he had been playing at, they were baying for blood and not about to settle for anything less than hearing directly from their former chief.
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