Harry Potter: Eclipse.-Chapter 83:

Harry shrugged. "I didn't want to knock you out, I wanted you aware," Harry said.

"And what's wrong with a normal Petrificus Totalus? You know, a simple freezing charm?" Sirius asked, shaking his arms a bit to get rid of the pins and needles the countercurse left behind.

Harry shrugged. "Would you believe I simply didn't think of it?"

"But you thought of a rare, borderline Dark curse instead?" Sirius asked.

"Yup," Harry said.

Sirius laughed. "Only you, pup," he said, fondly looking at Harry.

The ministry, 3rd August 1992

Eventually it was time to leave. Going via floo, Remus left first, quickly followed by Harry and Sirius. Entering the main atrium of the ministry, the two men lead Harry to the wand check-in. Going through the same procedure as last time, Harry and Remus were handed passes for visitors. Sirius, as a Lord, didn't need a pass as he was officially a member of the Wizengamot.

Going to the area where the courts were, Harry watched as Dodge skilfully weaved his way through the crowds to reach them.

"I've listened in on those around us and I can say we have 70% of the crowd already," he said in lieu of a greeting.

Looking around, Harry saw some familiar faces. Lucius was standing with a crowd of his more distinguished peers and seemed to be holding court. Catching his eye, Harry nodded his head in greeting.

"You're all prepared in case you're asked to give evidence?" Dodge asked.

"Yes," Harry confirmed. He was more than prepared - he was even looking forward to it.

"Right, good. Follow me, then, I will lead you into the private entrance. As it's you who is fighting for custody, you will be in the front box, not the main viewing area," Dodge explained, leading them to a well-hidden door.

Feeling eyes on him, Harry looked up as he was about to enter and caught Dumbledore's periwinkle blue eyes boring into him. He could feel the pressure of the old man's legilimency and knew the wizard was trying to plant something. Frustrated, Harry casually raised a hand to his head, making sure his Heir ring was on show.

He barely managed to contain his smirk when he saw Dumbledore's eyes flash with anger as he realised he wouldn't be able to plant suggestions that way.

Taking his seat behind Sirius, Harry looked around and saw the members of the Wizengamot had started to trail in. Lucius was sitting with men who Harry recognized as past Death Eaters and Dark sympathisers. As if sensing his gaze, Lucius looked up and caught Harry's eyes, emerald and silver clashing. The subtle nod the blond gave told Harry he had been successful in swaying their votes.

Harry also noted that, when Dumbledore took his seat, he too was in the front however, he stood on the opposing side to Harry. The elderly man was glaring at Sirius and Remus with disgust, and Harry could practically feel the hatred pouring off him. His magic, which practically rolled off of him in angry waves, was screaming his bad mood. Feeling his magic, Harry barely withheld his snicker. novelbuddy.cσ๓

Eventually the room grew quiet as an elderly man Harry didn't know stood and took the seat of the overseer. He was around 70 looking, with a neatly trimmed beard and a face marred with laugh lines. "I, Lord Marcus Trilby, do hereby call this session of the Wizengamot to order," he spoke, his voice easily above the residual noise.

Harry had never heard of the Lord, so he couldn't guess which side of the fence he sat on.

"Today's session has been called by Lord Sirius Black 3rd, on the issue of guardianship for Heir Harrison Potter-Black. Heir Potter-Black's current guardians have filed to retain their claims - therefore, a vote shall be called at the end to ascertain the outcome."

Again, the crowd who didn't know the reason behind the trial started to whisper, before Lord Trilby called them to order. "Mr. Dodge, as you are representing Lord Black, why don't you give your opening statements," Trilby said.

Edgar stood, his robes flaring in a way that reminded Harry of Snape. "Ladies and gentlemen, today I come before you to ask you to see reason. My client, who is actually Heir Potter-Black, is a boy who desperately wants and deserves a family. He has withstood trials we could hardly begin to imagine and now asks for you to grant him his wish: to be returned to his rightful guardian, his blood adopted father, Lord Black."

Harry was impressed with Edgar's approach. He saw how a few, particularly the women, seemed to soften as he spoke. The mention of the blood adoption also stirred the purebloods as it was an old magic ritual - to ignore it would be to ignore all the bonds of family, something no pureblood did lightly.

"Thank you, Mr. Dodge, now for the opposition Chief Warlock I believe you have retired your chosen council and have decided to represent yourself and the boys Muggle family who didn't chose to come," Trilby said to Dumbledore. There was no scorn in his voice, but Harry got a feeling that this man was either not fond of Dumbledore or was firmly on Harry's side.

Dumbledore stood and walked slowly forward. "Yes, thank you, Marcus." Lord Trilby didn't react noticeably to the dismissal of his title, but Harry saw his eyes flash momentarily. "Ladies and gentlemen. As you know, I have dedicated my life to helping our community and have spent countless years helping to mould the minds of our young - many of you yourselves are my former students. Therefore, I implore you to see reason: Harry is best left with his muggle family. They are, after all, his last true blood family."

Harry actually had to pinch himself to distract him from the urge to laugh aloud. The old man was a fool.

Trilby, however, nodded. "Very well. Mr. Dodge, if you would like to plead your case."

"To start, I would like it noted that, although Heir Potter may share blood with the muggles that raised him through his mother Lily Potter nee Evans, they are in no way, shape, or form his family. Those despicable human beings are the worst possible guardians for a child, magical or otherwise."

Dodge paused then to let his words sink in.

"I will ask now that the voting members of the Wizengamot to please consider the files provided. You will find Healers' reports and evidence of not only their gross negligence, but violent physical and verbal abuse."

Harry saw the files appear to the members and watched as their faces changed; even the Death Eater squad looked disgusted.

"As you can see, by the time Harry reached Diagon Alley at the age of eleven, he had suffered from 31 broken bones, none of which received proper medical treatment or care. His body had scaring all over, most heavily on his arms and back, the patterns corresponding with raising his arms in defence and being whipped with what appears to be a muggle belt. There was no sign of Heir Potter-Black having ever received medical treatment."

Dodge once again paused. During his speech, Sirius had stilled and lost all colour; Harry could see his magic was coiled and actually lashing out towards Dumbledore. Placing a calming hand on the animagus' knee, Harry tried to sooth him. It wouldn't do well for Sirius to attack the man now and appear to be an unsuitable, or rather unstable, guardian.

"Not only this, Heir Potter was severely malnourished and underweight. His health and growth were stunted by his poor conditions. These findings made by Healer Jordan Theon are also supported by Hogwarts' own matron Poppy Pomfrey, as well as Potions Master and Professor Severus Snape - both of whom helped Heir Potter-Black throughout his school year to recover from the damage caused by his relatives."

The final statement had Dumbledore stilling, his anger almost tangible. "Therefore, I ask you this: Do you really think muggles who would do this to a child, a member of their own family, are really the best guardians for Heir Potter-Black?"

Dodge finished his segment and sat, giving Trilby a nod showing he was done for now.

Dumbledore practically flew from his seat and stalked to the centre of the room, barely managing to calm his voice as he spoke. "I will admit the medical records do look damaging, but who here hasn't experienced a little rough and tumble playing whilst growing up? To blame all of these injuries on Mr. Potter's relatives surely isn't fair, many boys will have a few scrapes from rough housing. I myself had a few growing up with my brother."

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