Chapter 153 Wizengamot!
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Harry was somewhat nervous as he made his way once more to the court chambers of the Wizengamot. Sirius had gotten his trial, but Harry was surprised at the short time it had taken to get to it. With the Buckbeak trial, it had taken months before there was a hearing, Sirius had barely taken two weeks. Harry thought that shouldn’t be too surprising though, this was technically 12 years overdue, and was being personally handled by the head of the DMLE.
Harry had spoken to Amelia a bit about what had happened, being required to give a statement due to his involvement with the events of that night, and during that time Amelia had asked him what he thought of Sirius’s story. Harry gave his truthful answer, he believed that Sirius was telling the truth, because the version of events that he gave made more sense than what had previously been thought. Peter Pettigrew being alive alone opened up some questions about his supposed death, and given that the two people who would supposedly know the events of that night the best were alive and available for questioning, it would make sense that a trial should happen.
As Andromeda opened the doors to the sitting area, Harry saw Susan and Daphne waiting for him near the front row, two chairs left open near them. They waived him down and sat him in between them. "How are you feeling Harry?" Susan asked, squeezing his hand a bit. Her touch was soft and warm, something nice and grounding for him.
"Nervous, I know it’s not my freedom on the line or anything, but... I want him to have the chance to live his life again. Voldemort took away a bunch of people’s lives, my parents included. If we can reduce that number by one, I think that’s a good thing." Harry said. Several people around him flinched at the mention of Voldemort’s name, Andromeda included. Harry, Susan, and Daphne though, were beyond that point. Two of them had fought him directly, and while Daphne hadn’t, she’d heard all about it. She had been with them every other step of the way.
"It’s perfectly normal to be anxious at a time like this. Even if you don’t really know him that well, he’s someone who can be very important to you. Caring about his well-being is natural." Daphne said, as she squeezed his other hand. Warm and soft, another grounding presence. "Luna sends her love, but unfortunately she wasn’t allowed to attend this time. Apparently Mr. Lovegood needed her to care for a newborn Jackalope they had found on the property."
That’d be Luna. Her heart was terrifyingly large for such a petite girl. It was probably tearing her up that she couldn’t be here. "I’ll let her know it’s okay. Maybe I should see if she wants to go to a muggle zoo this weekend... assuming I can handle that." Harry said, looking towards the opposite balconies. Members of the Wizengamot were filing in, and many seats were filled already. Cyrus Greengrass, Xenophilius Lovegood, Amos Diggory, and Bartholomew Abbot were all there, although that was all the members he recognized out of hand. Towards the front of the chamber, Harry saw Headmaster Dumbledore, as well as Amelia Bones. They would be presiding over this case. Harry expected the Minister of Magic to be arriving shortly. There was however a good deal of time left before the proceedings would start.
After another twenty minutes of somewhat agonizing waiting, Albus Dumbledore called the meeting of the Wizengamot to order. "Esteemed members of the Wizengamot, the time has come once again for us to act as a judicial body in a criminal matter relating to the war that dominated our world but 12 years ago. It has been brought to the attention of the Wizengamot and the Ministry, that the prisoner known as Sirius Black had not received a trial for his crimes under orders of then head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement Bartemius Crouch Sr. such a matter was done at the time in an attempt to ease the tensions that followed the end of the war, but it seems as though there may be more to this story. Peter Pettigrew, believed victim of Sirius Black has been found alive, and Sirius Black, who had escaped from Azkaban, has spoken on matters regarding his incarceration that could exonerate him of any misdeeds he may have committed. It is the right of any citizen of Magical Britain to receive a fair trial before incarceration, and his prior lack of trial is a stain on the reputation of the Ministry and Wizengamot I hope to rectify today. Given my prior involvement with the matters relating to both the Potter family, and Sirius Black, I will step down as Head Warlock for this trial. I motion for Amos Diggory to act in the Position of Head Warlock for the length of this trial." Dumbledore said, his voice amplified by magic.
"Seconded." Came the voice of Cyrus Greengrass.
"I accept the nomination." Amos said, stepping up.
"All in favor?" Dumbledore asked. A smattering of wands shot up, filling a large sphere in the center of the courtroom with blue light.
"By majority vote, Amos Diggory has been accepted as acting Head Warlock for this case." Dumbledore said, as he moved to the side and allowed Amos Diggory to take his seat.
"Madam Bones, please read the statement of the DMLE regarding this case." Amos said as he made his way to his chair.