The fifth of January came around quite fast, but despite that Hadrian had been anxious for days, he could envision it blowing up in his face. He was doing things differently and not able to predict the outcome. Yet he couldn't allow fear to deter him from his goals, couldn't let the fear of the unknown play havoc with him. Still, there was so many ways this could go so very wrong, Dumbledore could already have people in the Ministry wrapped around his pinkie. He honestly didn't know when Dumbledore had begun digging himself into everything in the magical world, he assumed it was after the defeat of Grindelwald but was it? He was about to find out.
Nobody else was being called in except him, and he had fought to ensure Tom would be able to attend as well. The only thing that granted him permission to attend was the fact they were bonded. It was after all Tom's husband and bonded who had been wronged, so it was within his rights to sit with Hadrian for moral support. Slughorn had been extremely shocked by that admission but not overly surprised, everyone with eyes could clearly see the love and admiration they held for each other and they were so smart, they could keep up with each other. That's not to say they had been very foolish to bond so soon, it was young even by magical standards who expect the heirs to be married by the time they were eighteen years old.
He had been advised by Eileen Prince, all the Black's, Avery and Abraxas in a letter to NOT attend in his school uniform it was seen as an insult to come to such a serious occasion dressed in every day clothes especially uniform. He had snorted derisively, remembering their plum robes, yes since wearing plum robes was so much better. The Princes, Black's, Avery's and Malfoy's would know, they were prominent in the Ministry of magic, they were well read in politics.
"Well, what do you think? Is this good enough?" Hadrian asked Eileen Prince, she was the only one there, stepping down off the staircase and into the Common Room. Eileen was burrowed in the corner, muttering under her breath with books strewn around her.
Eileen looked up, nodding in approval, "Yes, you will earn respect and they will probably refrain from talking to you like an insipid idiot." her lip curling just a tad.
Hadrian bit his lip, his lips twitching into a smile, a small one but there nonetheless. Oh, there was no guessing where her son had picked up his attitude. It was right there in the face of the thirteen or fourteen year old teenager. Moving over towards her, wondering what she was doing up so early. "Do you need any help?" Hadrian asked, sitting down, his fingers drawn to the potion book. Arching an eyebrow, this was THE potions book, the one that would be one day known as the Half-Blood Prince book. This was a sixth year book, Eileen wasn't in her sixth year yet, and she had the book? Evidently Severus had picked up more than his mothers looks and attitude then. Why hadn't she pursued a professional career as a Potioneer?
"No!" Eileen snapped her lips pursed in irritation, she refused to let anyone else know just how pathetic she was that she couldn't cast spells properly.
"Hey," Hadrian said, waiting until she looked up at him. "Something is obviously bothering you, what is it?" he asked more firmly, refusing to just walk away.
"I can't cast the spell," Eileen scowled, and it was the last chance for her today then they were moving onto something else and she'd fail.
"Which spell is it?" Hadrian queried, silently with a gesture asking if he could take the book and find out for himself.
Eileen mutinously nodded her head, glaring at the book as if it was to blame for her failure.
Hadrian's eyebrows rose from behind the book, she couldn't cast this spell? "Do you always have a difficult time with spells?" he asked her, lowering the book nary a lick of judgement on his face. He was beginning to suspect why Eileen Prince may have left the magical world behind, perhaps it had nothing to do with her parents at all.
Eileen glanced away in shame, never verbally answering the question.
"Is the wand yours?" Hadrian then questioned.
Eileen gave him a quizzical look.
"I er…know someone who used his father's wand, it was given to him and he was expected to use it." Hadrian explained cautiously, "He used it for years, it wasn't right for him so he was never able to get the spells to work for him correctly. When he got himself a wand from Ollivander's his spell performance shot up. Ollivander always says it's the wand that chooses the wizard, not the other way around, if it's not the wand you chose…you might want to see about getting one suited to YOU." glancing at the wand he froze for a second, he was very familiar with that wand, it had been held to his face during Occlumency lessons, Severus Snape ended up with a second hand wand…he was either extraordinary lucky it suited him…or he had been even more powerful than anyone realized. He had come to school with not only second hand robes and books…but a wand too. Why? The funds enabled him to get a wand, robes and everything he'd need…had Dumbledore denied his request or had Eileen Prince been too proud to ask for it? Or were the funds reduced significantly under Dumbledore's time as Headmaster? He was beginning to believe so; even the Weasleys had a difficult time with their brood.
"This wand has been in my family for generations, it was last used by my great-great grandfather," Eileen said quietly, staring at the wand a strong hope beginning to brew in her chest, perhaps she wasn't as useless as she felt all the time. Or as useless as her parents made her feel for not being good enough. Her only saving grace was the fact she was a girl, expected only to marry and bear children, one which would get the Prince name which had made abundantly clear in the contract they were setting up for her.
"We have a Hogsmeade trip coming up at the weekend, meet me at the doors of Hogshead at the beginning of the trip and I'll Apparate you to Ollivander's so you can get yourself a wand that fits." Hadrian stated grimly, he didn't wonder if they had money the Prince's were well off. He placed the book back in front of her. "As for that wand, it has nothing to do with power, most spells require emotion, don't just utter the words and expect it to work, think of something that makes you angry, really angry…let it build up then cast the spell. If it doesn't work don't worry a new wand might solve your problems." only might, some people just didn't have enough magic to cast the most difficult of spells, much like Tom's mother. Merlin it was just mind-boggling two of the magically weak woman ending up with a Muggle and having sons that were extraordinarily magical.
"Now come on, let's head down to breakfast before we miss it." Hadrian stated standing up, he waited patiently until she'd packed everyone up and they began to move.
"I hear you've been crowned the Gobstones captain and reigning champion again?" Hadrian said more of a statement than a question since he already knew the answer. Glancing back to make sure the common room door had closed behind him, before glancing at Eileen as she replied.
"I joined in my first year and have won every game," Eileen said smugly, proud of her accomplishments, she just wished magic came as easy.
"How are you at chess?" Hadrian asked he'd seen her playing often enough, and honestly? She was better than even Weasley at the game. He knew she was also in the chess club but didn't know how she did overall competing with students some of who were obviously older than her. Other than when she was playing chess or Gobstones (in the common room and at the clubs) she didn't have much in ways of friends, and it was a shame. It wasn't because she was antisocial, it was just each of her other Slytherin classmates were all boys.
"Seventh on the leader board," Eileen replied all others on the leader board were seventh year students.
"Not bad," Hadrian said with a grin, "I'm absolutely hopeless at chess." he had no problem admitting that, he was better than he had been while he was 'Harry Potter' but only because he actually had the time to sit down and actually play a game without worry or without a selfish brat throwing a tantrum if he won (which probably would have happened) 'couldn't even be better than Harry Potter at one thing' oh he knew what Weasley would have thought.
Eileen gave him an incredulous look as if to say nobody could be hopeless at chess.
Hadrian just grinned at her as he wandered into the Great Hall; he noticed that the core group and Tom weren't there yet. He rolled his eyes, an early morning 'meeting' it was then, Hadrian didn't bother with them, it was mostly just Tom making sure they knew he was still in charge or giving them their 'orders' which wasn't all that big - they were still at Hogwarts after all. He'd probably have one when he got back, but in the common room not an unused room in the dungeons especially if the news was good. If not then Tom would be extremely pissed off, in fact both of them would be.
"You look very dashing, Hadrian," Walburga teased him, but still very serious he was dressed impeccably for a Pureblood Lord of the Peverell-Slytherin line.
Orion just glanced drolly at his intended and cousin, it was a good job for her that he knew she was just kidding, and that Hadrian was bonded already himself. His parents and aunt and uncle had contemplated breaking the marriage contract only to find out they couldn't, they had secured it so fully that even they themselves couldn't undo what was already done.
Arcturus and Melania (Macmillan) Black were Pureblood's who had believed in blood purity, that they should get rid of Muggle-born's and all for the purification of the wizarding race. Orion had been raised the same way, but not quite as vehemently as them. That was until Hadrian's book came out, in the beginning they'd been anti-Peverell, refusing to believe it, and so they had done research of their own, even they couldn't ignore the evidence in front of them. Even the Muggles were doing tests on their own offspring with accurate results; the thought of having a retarded child was horrifying to the wizards who had never heard the term before. That was just the start of the list, the second even more alarming, magically weak children or worse squibs are the results of inner breeding between family members.
It was why his Lucretia was to be married to Ignatius Prewitt; they had done extensive research to make sure that there was no Black blood at least three generations back.
"Thanks," Hadrian said, staring at his empty plate the thought of eating on top of his stomach playing up was off putting to say the least.
"You'll want to eat," Dorea urged him, placing a piece of dry toast on his empty plate, "This will help stop the queasiness." patting at his back in sympathy before going back to her own meal. Hadrian couldn't help but remind her of Charles, minus the hair of course.
"When are you leaving?" Alphard asked curiously, from where he sat next to his brother Cygnus and across from his sister Walburga. They all knew about the case, it was in the newspapers and of course, word got around the common room quickly enough.
"After breakfast," Hadrian informed him, picking up the piece of toast and nibbling on it.
"Then you should eat more, or take money with you, the trial could last all day," Myrtle said causing Harry to jump at the suddenness of her voice at his back. It took everything not to point his wand at her, even after all this time here, some reactions were too ingrained to be so easily dismissed. Myrtle giggled in amusement, "Library after dinner?" if he was back at Hogwarts by then.
"Definitely," Hadrian agreed, suppressing a yawn, he hadn't slept well last night; the constant worry had prevented it. Watching Myrtle duck, the reason became obvious a few moments later as the Great Hall flooded with owls. Shrunken boxes, letters and other mail began to drop down or the owl swooped towards its owners. "Hopefully the trial won't last too long." the last thing he wanted to do was spend all day in a cold sterile room with a bunch of old farts.
"Don't hold onto that thought," Tom said smoothly joining the conversation and sliding into his seat. The others who had been with Tom sat down too, none were missing and none looked as though they'd been hexed. "He has a lot of allegations that need dealt with, and none will be swept under the rug, it's much too serious for that."
Hadrian grimaced, then grimaced again as Tom filled his plate with food. "Eat," was all Tom had to say, he gave a nod to Myrtle, who had found a book about Parselmagic and given it to him for his birthday. They weren't rare but also weren't exactly popular reading material, snake language couldn't be learned, thus Parselmagic was only available to those who could speak it. He had already read it and was fascinated with learning more or making his own spells. Hadrian had suggested writing a book from a snake speaker's point of view and adding in his spells - they might be the only snake speakers in Britain but there were many overseas. Tom had learned that a Gaunt had been the one to start Ilvermorny magical school, but they weren't going by the Gaunt name anymore, and that he wasn't sure what the names were.
"I'll see you later," Myrtle added, noticing that her own owl was hooting impatiently, she waved her hand at Hadrian's reply as she walked briskly towards her house table.
"Well it looks like everyone is aware of Dumbledore's trial," Hadrian said blinking at the front page of the Daily Prophet. There on the front page was Dumbledore, from the background he would say it was Hogshead, he had evidently been staying at his brothers pub. Didn't they have a house in Godric's Hollow? Or had that been sold after what happened to Ariana and Kendra Dumbledore? It wouldn't surprise him; it might explain how he got Hogshead pub and Dumbledore who knows? Perhaps he'd thought he didn't need a property with him starting to work at Hogwarts and sold it?
"He was a teacher, at Hogwarts, it's going to be big news," Aiden pointed out after swallowing a mouthful of food. "Plus he does have some academic standing." twelve uses of dragons blood and what not, oh and the stuff he did with Nicolas Flamel he supposed, it was all there in the paper.
"Yeah, you have a point," Hadrian mused thoughtfully, perhaps that was all it was, nothing more. He could only hope so and that he hadn't underestimated Dumbledore…he would hate to have done that. Feeling a little better he finished off his piece of toast and started on his scrambled eggs, but everything else on his plate remained untouched. Turning to tom, "How long have you been up?" he asked him, his side of the bed had been cold, he had to have been up quite a while, and he was surprised Tom had successfully managed to sneak out of the bed without wakening him up.
"Over an hour," Tom replied, his voice low.
"You're going to be falling asleep in the court room," Hadrian chuckled in amusement, putting his fork down, he was done.
"Hardly," Tom said dryly, "I'm actually quite looking forward to observing everything,"
Hadrian nodded, yes he knew that, he'd felt Tom's anticipation for days, he'd read up on everything Wizengamot and court related when he first got word of Dumbledore's trial date. Even he had barely been able to get Tom's attention and keep it, he always made up for it later on at night though. "Don't I know it; you were definitely made for politics,"
Lestrange nodded in agreement, his uncle was the Minister of Magic, and not very popular. Minister Radolphus Lestrange, unfortunately he didn't think his uncle would last much longer, especially not after his unsuccessful attempt at closing down the Department of Mysteries and his health wasn't what it used to be.
"Boys, it's time to go," Slughorn informed both Tom and Hadrian, without his usual buoyancy. He was still coming to terms with what had happened he had begun to teach at Hogwarts at the same time as Albus, he had considered him a friend of sorts, one with mutual respect with no manipulation on either side. He didn't have many of them, but what he knew now made him feel quite sick, the implication he might have been grooming Hadrian was horrifying. What if he had done it to another student who had passed through these halls and he'd been completely oblivious.
"How are we getting there, Professor?" Hadrian queried, his innocent green eyes staring at Slughorn.
"We must leave the castle to take a Portkey to the Ministry of magic's atrium, from there we will go straight to the courtroom, I will be there with you every step of the way." Slughorn said reassuringly, he had seen how anxious Hadrian had been this past week since the announcement. It seemed it was taking everyone in Slytherin house to make sure Hadrian ate anything these days too. He couldn't be more proud of his house for looking out for each other. He nodded in approval at the attires they both had on, perfect.
Hadrian nodded his understanding, standing up, he checked to make sure he had his wands, his money pouch and anything else he might need, including a book shrunk in his pocket for between breaks - if they had any - he just wanted to be sure after all. He had some muggle money in the pouch, he wasn't sure whether the Ministry had a place to eat or if you'd need to go to the nearest convenience store to get something. Tom as always was right next to him, although unlike him Tom was thrumming with anticipation and excitement.
"Come on then," Slughorn said before swiftly walking from the hall, swift he may be but Hadrian and Tom had no trouble keeping up with his quick pace.
It took them no time at all to descend the stairs and walk along the corridor and out of the front doors of Hogwarts and after a quick jog down the steps the stopped abruptly almost smacking into their Head of House who had stopped. Harry blinked in surprise when the Portkey was handed to them from there. He had been under the impression that the wards at Hogwarts had been altered so he could be Portkey'd out after winning the 'Triwizard tournament' perhaps not.
"Grab a hold boys, tightly now, don't let go until we arrive," Slughorn cautioned them, the three of them held onto the Portkey tightly, and the professor uttered the words clearly 'Ministry of magic atrium' and they instinctively closed their eyes and endured the spinning sensation as the Portkey whirled them to the Ministry, both Horace and Tom remained standing, Hadrian however embarrassingly landed on his backside, he'd never been able to stand after a Portkey ride. Smoothly standing up, brushing his robes down head held high, refusing to show his embarrassment like any proper pureblood.
Unfortunately it wasn't quite so quick to get to the Courtroom from the atrium like Hadrian remembered before his fifth year. They spent over four minutes waiting at the wand check registration desk, only then were they seen which took an additional five minutes, between the professor taking animatedly with the wizard, and the wizard actually getting around to checking the three wands before declaring that they could go. Tom was watching everything with calculating curious eyes, from everything around him, the flying paper airplanes to the wizards coming and going.
One sickening (for Tom and Horace) elevator ride saw them on the correct floor to get to the courtroom. Unlike previous floors these were empty of people, probably already in the courtroom. It was a full meeting of the Wizengamot which meant all other courtrooms were empty; there were no other Wizengamot members to oversee any court cases.
Unsurprisingly the room was no different from what it had been like in his time, dimly lit walls, and dark stone with only torches enabling everyone to see. Rows of seats with fifty wizards all sat in their plum robes, talking quietly waiting on the trial starting. In the middle of the front sat three people, all of whom were unfamiliar to him but he knew he would hear their names called soon enough. Well, unfamiliar they may be, but Hadrian's breathing hitched when he caught sight of the Minister of Magic, swallowing thickly, bloody hell he looked like Rodolphus Lestrange's double…was that their grandfather? Or an Uncle side?
"Take a seat, the accused will be brought in momentarily," the smooth voice echoed around the room, one that was designed to cause you to relax.
"Come, boys," Slughorn said, and with that the three of them made their way to the benches and sat down.
"Alright?" Tom asked lowly, the doors opened emitting Albus Dumbledore who strode forward, head held high a nervous glance was caught when he sat down, as the manacles clanged dangerously but did not bind him. He knew what had caught Hadrian so unaware and he wanted to make sure it wasn't too much, he suspected it wasn't, after all he was friends with the others and never had a problem with it.
"Yeah, just took me by surprise, that's all," Hadrian admitted quietly, they knew they couldn't discuss anything in here, and it wasn't just because their professor was here, but the memories of these court cases were saved, and could be viewed in a pensive at any time.
Tom nodded before turning his attention back to the scene in front of him. He got a great deal of satisfaction in seeing Dumbledore brought down so low. He deserved everything that was happening after what he had done to him and most certainly after all he'd done to Hadrian. The manipulative old fool, using children in a war, grooming kids to join his damn Order and them manipulating and raising Hadrian to defeat him as well as go to his own death before seeing to it that he was killed by yet again using children. It was very difficult to keep his true feelings from showing through, only allowing a margin of his feelings to seep into his gaze and face. It was his bonded who he had been stalking and being inappropriate with after all so he was allowed some leeway.
"Interrogators: Radolphus Lestrange, Minister for Magic; Antoninus Macmillan, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement; Leonard Spencer-Moon, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister. Court Scribe, Wilhelmina Tuft." Radolphus spoke clearly while Wilhelmina wrote everything the Minister was saying down on the paper in front of her, her quill scratching quickly so she didn't get too far behind.
Hadrian coughed in surprise; two of the names were familiar to him through the History books. The Undersecretary of the Minister became Minister himself, in fact he brought peace and prosperity during his time as the Minister, as for Tuft, she died while she was Minister, after eating something she was allergic to…if memory served him correctly. Both of them were well liked and popular.
"You are Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, of number 1 room of Hogshead inn, Hogsmeade?" Radolphus asked, still standing, before looking up from the information in front of him to Dumbledore himself waiting on a reply.
"Yes," Albus stated strongly, sitting up straight a picture of confidence.
"Are you fully aware of the charges brought against you?" the Minister then asked.
"Yes, I am," Albus said quietly, a look of sadness overcoming his face. The urge to add more was strong, but he did not, he knew they got annoyed when they were interrupted.
"And you have decided to represent yourself?" the Minister then asked, quite incredulously at that.
"I have," Albus nodded, he was smarter then any lawyer they could put in front of him to defend him. He probably knew more about the law and regulations as well. No, he couldn't risk someone not defending him the way he needed it, he knew how bad it looked and he was quite worried about the outcome.
"To start with wilful child endangerment," the Minister began on the top of the list of charges which had already been spoken out loud to the Wizengamot members. "Did you or did you not take Mr. Peverell to Hogwarts instead of calling the healers from St. Mungo's to be healed by school healer?"
"A child who was grievously injured, and almost died three times during the time he was in a coma, which was a month while they healed him and removed the curses upon his person." Antonius added, his tone grim as he saw the list of injuries the child had endured, it was truly a miracle that he had survived.
"I did take him to Hogwarts, but you must understand I underestimated the grievousness of his injuries, I believed there was no time to waste in getting him seen to." Albus informed them, of course, lying through his teeth.
"It would have taken only a few moments for the Healers to see to him, it must have taken you at least fifteen minutes to get to Hogwarts itself and that isn't including the time it took you to get to the school Healer which I'm sure would have taken an additional five minutes." the Minister pointed out, refuting his statement.
"In retrospect I should have called the healers, but I am not omnipotent," Albus chided them.
"I believe Healer Chang informed you herself she wasn't able to deal with the extent of his injuries, that he should be sent to St. Mungo's which again you prevented." Antonius stated sharply, "We have a written statement here to that affect, sworn in and signed." which meant she had no problem allowing her statement to be used in the courtroom today.
This was not going well, Albus thought and it was only the first of the charges brought against his person. "I also suggested getting a Healer to come to Hogwarts, someone who was able to deal with his injuries, when I realized how bad it obviously was I was quite worried about moving him again."
The sceptical looks on everyone's faces made Albus' stomach shrink upon itself. The silence lasted for what felt like an age. He knew no matter what happened, the chances of being allowed back in Hogwarts was zilch. He would never again teach the next generation of students, he had worked so hard to get to where he was both as Head of House to Deputy Headmaster. He had one day hoped to be the Headmaster of Hogwarts himself. He had sworn never to be anything like his father, the horrifying thought of dying on that island surrounded by those soul sucking creatures made him feel cold as though he was already in the presence of the Dementors already. He had to up his game he thought, as panic began to get the better of him. The calming draught he had taken earlier not working in the face of his looming reality.
"Is it true that Mr. Peverell almost died during his last year at Hogwarts?" the Minister asked, but he already knew the answers, he just had to ask them for the sake of the Wizengamot getting the full picture. After enduring Dumbledore during his school years this was a lot more fun than it should be. The prejudice old fart had evidently gone too far and Peverell had taken action against him.
"He had an unfortunate accident," Albus corrected him; unable to help himself, as his erratic heartbeat kept shooting through the roof.
"An accident implied it couldn't have been prevented," Antonius retorted angrily. "Is one of your duties as Head of House to ensure that nothing dangerous is in the Dormitories is that not correct?"
"For the sake of the Wizengamot, Mr. Peverell was attacked by a werewolf cub, if not for the quick thinking of Tom Riddle and Healer Chang, Mr. Peverell would have died." the Minister informed the Wizengamot, ignoring the quiet whispering they were doing, used to it by now. "It was a Gryffindor student, Mr. Hagrid who had illegally taken it from its parents and kept it locked up hidden away in his Dorm room. The talking rose in volume as they expressed their anger at such a thing being done.
"Yes, but I have additional duties…" Albus wasn't able to finish.
"A yes or not will suffice," the Minister stated, not wishing to hear his pathetic excuses.
"Tell us what happened to Mr. Hagrid," Antonius pushed.
"He's a young student who was inconsolable after what happened, he made a mistake, we've all done something regrettable, I did not believe suspension or expulsion was the way to go. He received three weeks of detention, and I keep a closer eye on him." Albus stated he had not expected this to be brought up.
"And how did Mr. Peverell react to the lack of punishment?" the Minister asked after the court scribe whispered into his ear.
"He was upset, he believed I was lenient in his punishment," Albus said, praying that his sister wouldn't be brought into this.
"What exactly did you do in turn?" the Minister then asked after a glance at Hadrian Peverell who was sitting watching the proceedings with a blank look on his face.
"I have him detention for the manner in which he spoke to me," Albus replied, "He accused me of favouritism," he added with an indignant tone in his voice.
The Wizengamot went utterly silent at that last pronouncement, too stunned to even speak to one another.
"On to the next charge," the Minister cleared his throat, looking down at the list of charges, "False accusations of a minor, the Minor in question is Tom Riddle who is here with us today."
Tom cleared his throat and spoke up, "Excuse me, Sir, My name is not Tom Riddle, I haven't used it in nearly two years, my name is Tom Marvolo Peverell-Slytherin, the last of the Slytherin line, my mother was Merope Gaunt." he remained respectful and polite, these were the wizards he wanted to respect him after all. In fact one day he wanted to be in the position Lestrange was in now. It would be the only name he ever used; there would be no 'Voldemort' no madness.
Lestrange nodded, glancing at Taft, "Make it so," in other words he was telling her to change the name on the paperwork.
"What it is in question that you accused Mr. Peverell-Slytherin?" Antonius asked, "Oddly enough, another Slytherin who you have kept a suspiciously close eye on." a shudder wracking up his spine as if he was disgusted.
"Keeping in mind we have another sworn statement from Healer Chang," the Minister stated, glancing briefly at the clock, nine forty-five already, still it was going to be a long day regardless of the time. They would need to pause for lunch at one o'clock before reconvening half an hour later.
"Mr. Peverell had been acting strangely, behaving oddly and I was worried about his health, I asked Healer Chang to tend to him, I did not believe Mr. Slytherin was responsible. I did not accuse anyone of anything." and thankfully that was the truth.
"Was there someone else close to Mr. Peverell at the time?" Antonius continued with their interrogation.
"No," Albus conceded, there hadn't really been anyone else at the time.
"I believe we should get onto the next charge, harassment," the Minister stated, moving on now.
"Did you or did you not give unfair detentions to Mr. Peverell in order to interrogate him?" Antonius questioned.
"I did not," Albus stated firmly, he had merely used it as an opportunity.
"So you believe a single instance of not paying attention in class, after you had just entered the classroom might I add is enough to garner detention?" Antonius said his eyes narrowed, "We have pensive memories of those instances should you wish to refute the claims."
"The memories show that Albus Dumbledore questioned Mr. Peverell insistently about his family, trying to get the young man to concede to his demands by using a family he didn't have to do so." the Minister added for the Wizengamot. "It is also clear that the detentions were unfairly given, the Aurors reports show that on page five, various Gryffindors were observed doing the same thing as Mr. Peverell but it was only Mr. Peverell who was given detention."
"I only wished to help Mr. Peverell learn more about his family, if he was in fact from the Peverell line he would have been in line to receive a substantial inheritance." Albus argued, "I did not give him detention to question him, it was a spur of the moment decision to ask him. Mr. Peverell had in fact not paid attention in classes previously, hence my decision to put an end to it."
"Why did you continue on in that vein when it was obvious Mr. Peverell was uncomfortable with your insistences?" Minister Lestrange questioned.
"I did not realise I was making him so uncomfortable," Albus said, pursing his lips. This was looking down right terrible, getting worse by the minute; his own defence was feeling incredibly weak. He felt betrayed that Horace wouldn't even meet his eyes; this was one big misunderstanding how could Horace think so badly of him? Doge as always believed in him, he was sitting up straight nodding encouragingly every now and again but his eyes held a defeat that made him realize it must be a lot worse than even he thought.
"You. Didn't. Realize?" Was enunciated slowly with enough doubt to fill the entire Ministry. "Yet we have reports from dozens of students that you keep watching Mr. Peverell, he is not a Gryffindor you have no need to even be looking at him especially not while he eats his meals."
"What exactly were your plans for Mr. Peverell? It's here that you made fraudulent statements to the Minister of magic while you tried to gain custody of Mr. Peverell!" Antonius proclaimed, "There's written statements from both the Minister Lestrange and Headmaster Armando Dippet to prove as such." he had to admit himself that the Auror's had done a fine job in gathering every possible shred of evidence and information they could. "This is bordering line theft, if you had succeeded it would have been!"
"I was concerned, Mr. Peverell is extremely vulnerable, and all teenagers who are emancipated are vulnerable to being manipulated. The last thing we need is the current generation siding with the Dark Lord and abandoning all hope." Dumbledore said gravely, "It is not as if I had planned to use the boys money, he's emancipated I wouldn't have access to it, likewise it wasn't as if I could marry him to whomever I choose, the emancipation prevents all that, I merely wanted to make sure the Dark Lord Grindelwald couldn't get his hands on them."
Hadrian was biting his tongue so tightly that it had begun to bleed, the hypocritical shit, if the wizarding world had even an idea of what Dumbledore had done in his teenage years he would be in St. Mungo's not teaching the next generation. Vulnerable to being manipulated, he mentally scoffed; the urge to choke the life out of Dumbledore was strong. He swore if it was the last thing he did he was going to make sure Dumbledore could not possibly manipulate another person again and so that nobody would ever, ever listen to him when he spoke about anything. He was going to bring him down, squash him like a bug.
"Despite the fact he was attacked by the Dark Lord's forces?" the Minister said sarcastically.
"For which we've never found out the reason," Albus retorted, trying to paint Hadrian in a bad light was his last resort.
"A reason?" the Minister boomed, his voice angry, "How can you think there's ever a reason behind what that wizard is doing? The people he's attacked and killed! Mr. Peverell had a very lucky escape! Not many others can say the same thing but he isn't the only one!"
Hadrian had to refrain from smirking; it was extremely rare to see anyone speaking to Dumbledore that way, to his face of all things. He felt inordinately irritated that he had felt worried all week, he had been so worried that Dumbledore would speak and everything he was striving towards would be just set aside as an over active imagination of a teenager. Only Hadrian would fail to take into account just how powerful his name was and how many others wanted on his good side.