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Hidden Family	By : vinsmouse Category: Harry Potter Crossovers > General - Misc Views: 17507 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Biggles, not making any money, just cheap thrills.

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Chapter XXI

9th October, 1991

Ministry of Magic
Harry stepped out of the floo, an Auror at his side. He was surprised at the lack of media and it must have shown on his face for his escort commented on it.
“This is a secure floo,” Kingsley Shacklebot explained. “It’s used when there is a need to avoid the main entrance. Madame Bones thought it would be better if you didn’t have an encounter with the media before the trial.”
“Please tell her thank you for me,” Harry said. He had seen reports on the telly involving trials and he was very grateful to Amelia for sparing him the discomfort.
“I will,” Kingsley promised. Nothing further was said as the Auror led Harry down the hall to a private room. “Somebody will come and get you when it’s time for the trial to begin,” he explained as he opened the door.
“Thank you,” Harry politely responded. Stepping into the room his mouth fell open in surprise.
“Careful laddie you’ll catch flies,” Ginger teased.
“Grandfather,” Harry happily shouted. Gone were all traces of the dignified Lord of an Ancient and Noble house, in his place a child happy to see his family. “What are you doing here? Not that I’m not happy to see you.”
Ginger chuckled. “Yet you hide it so well.” Ignoring the boy’s blush he continued. “Amelia wanted me to testify as well. A task I am more than happy to carry out. Are you alright laddie? Any further trouble from your headmaster?” He and the others had been quite concerned when Harry wrote them of his last meeting with the elderly wizard.
“I’m fine Grandfather, a bit nervous but I think that’s normal isn’t it?” Harry replied. Ginger admitted it likely was. “The headmaster hasn’t said anything more to me, though he has been giving me disappointed looks every time he sees me. I’ve ignored them of course.”
“Good. I don’t see why the man supposes his disappointment would matter at any rate.”
Harry smirked. “I imagine that has to do with the reaction of most of the Wizarding world to the man. You should see the way most of them revere him. One would think he were Merlin himself walking amongst them.”
Ginger shook his head. “If they see him that way it would explain how he continues to escape any consequences for his actions. Well with any luck today will begin the process of chipping away at his reputation and power.”
“I hope so,” Harry readily agreed. In the ordinary way he wouldn’t wish ill of others but the aging headmaster quite needed to be taken down a peg or two. He had obviously forgotten that he is only human and therefore as susceptible to mistakes as any other. “Will any of the others be here?”
“No laddie. We discussed it with Amelia but she felt there was no real need for their testimony. Though she didn’t say it I suspect she wanted to avoid the appearance that might be given by a bunch of old squibs testifying in a case that will involve Dumbledore.”
“I’m not sure I understand Grandfather.”
“I think she is afraid the court, being comprised of witches and wizards, might think we were only out to damage a great wizard’s reputation out of jealousy. As the others can’t really add anything to the case she thought it not worth the risk,” Ginger explained. He was to some extent guessing but it was a guess born of close association with the witch in question.
Just then the door was opened. “It’s time,” Kingsley informed them. Silently the Auror led the two down the hall to the courtroom when he escorted them to their seats.
As the complainant Harry, along with Ginger, was to sit behind the advocate’s table. Harry didn’t recognize the witch who would act as advocate for the government but she looked quite competent. Looking above the courtroom he saw several witches and wizards seated in the area he assumed comprised the Wizengamot. He recognized a few from his studies but most were unfamiliar to him.
As Chief Warlock Dumbledore was in charge of the proceedings, as such he soon brought down a gavel, calling the court to attention. “Are the parties ready to proceed?” he asked. At their nods he indicated they should proceed.
The government advocate, Ms. Davis, stood. She wasted little time on preliminary statements, keeping these short and concise. “I call Madame Amelia Bones to stand witness.”
Amelia rose from her seat, quickly making her way forward. Standing in the centre of the aisle she waited for the questions to begin.
“Madame Bones is it correct that you removed Harry Potter from the Dursley home in 1987?”
“It is.”
“Why did you feel the need to remove him from this home?”
“Harry’s mother had asked me, before her death, to make sure her son lived with his grandfather. She told me that he should never live with her sister, Mrs. Dursley, as the woman hates anything and anybody having to do with magic.”
“Why did you wait such a long period to carry out her wishes?”
“I was foolish. I had thought Harry was with his grandfather when he was not. After overhearing a conversation between Albus Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge I realized he was living with the Dursley family. I was anxious to do my duty, late though it might be, and immediately began searching for the grandfather. It took some time but I was able to find the man.”
“What happened after you met Harry’s grandfather?”
“After explaining the situation to him, Mr. Hebblethwaite, was quite willing to take Harry in, providing that was his wish. We went that same day to the Dursley house in Surrey where we discovered that young Harry was the victim of abuse and neglect. The moment Mrs. Dursley was aware of our purpose she was more than willing to sign custody of her nephew to his grandfather, a man who was a complete stranger to her.”
Ms. Davis frowned. “How can that be?”
Amelia quickly explained about the surrogacy. “When we retrieved Harry from his room, a small cupboard under the stairs, he was wearing clothing which could only be described as rags and had quite a number of bruises and small cuts. With the custody papers in hand we quickly left the home and made our way to Gringotts bank. The goblins were quite happy to assist us with the necessary paperwork. Mr. Hebblethwaite legally adopted his grandson and began the process for Harry’s eventual emancipation in the Wizarding world.”
“Did the goblins assist you with anything else?”
“Yes they did. They healed young Harry of his injuries, new as well as old. We discovered that the curse scar Harry wears contained dark magic which had never been removed. The goblins easily removed the dark magic along with a monitoring charm, loyalty charm, and a block on his magic.” There were gasps heard throughout the room at this news.
“Madame Bones do you know who was responsible for this?” Davis asked, clearly affronted.
“Albus Dumbledore,” Amelia replied.
Davis whirled towards the Wizengamot. “Ladies and gentlemen I respectfully request the Chief Warlock remove himself for hearing this case.”
“Of course I shall do so,” Albus easily agreed to the request. Though calm on the outside, inside he was bristling with anger. How dare they use this trial to bring accusations against him? The fact the accusations were true had no bearing on the issue as far as Dumbledore was concerned.

Augusta Longbottom was quickly appointed to preside over the proceedings in his stead and the trial continued.
Ms. Davis asked only a couple more questions for clarification after which the defence was given a chance to examine the witness.
“Madame Bones if the accusations of child abuse are true I must ask why so much time was allowed to pass before charges were brought forth.” Mr. Frazier asked.
“It was believed to be in the best interest of the child that his whereabouts be kept confidential until he began Hogwarts. This summer past Lord Potter took up his status as head of an Ancient and Noble family allowing him a certain amount of security. The situation was then discussed; with Lord Potter ultimately deciding justice had been denied too long.”
Mr. Frazier declined any further questions. The documentation from the goblins had already been recorded and Amelia could tell him nothing further.
Ginger testified next, his testimony mirroring Amelia’s up to the point of their visit to Gringots.
“Mr. Hebblethwaite, could you tell us if your grandson suffered any lasting damage as a result of his placement with Mrs. Dursley and her family?” Davis asked.
“I should say so,” Ginger replied. “He suffered nightmares for a long while, he still occasionally suffers from them. It was necessary that he take potions for the first year of his time with us in order that he might escape long-term damage from the abuse and neglect he was subjected to. The healers tell us Harry will never be the size he should have been, the early and prolonged malnutrition having stunted his growth. For the first two years he lived with me he was in a state of nervousness brought about by a fear that I would become like the Dursley family, especially when he performed accidental magic.”
Ms. Davis took her seat.
Mr. Frazier stood. “Mr. Hebblethwaite did you actually witness anybody in the Dursley family abusing your grandson?”
“No,” Ginger had to admit. “But...
“Then he could have received his injuries in the same way most little boys do, through play,” Frazier suggested.
“No he couldn’t have.” Ginger enjoyed the look of frustration on the man’s face.
“Because he told you? Couldn’t he have lied due to a desire to live with you?”
“Yes Harry told me and the healers confirmed the injuries could only have come from abuse.” Ginger spoke somewhat quickly, not wanting to give the man a chance to interrupt him.
Frazier, at this point opted to dismiss the witness. He had not been happy when he was assigned this case but as all were entitled to a defence he had little choice. While he was doing his best to mount a defence there was little he could do given the evidence in play.
As her final witness Ms. Davis called Harry to testify.
“Stay calm laddie,” Ginger whispered as he gave the child’s shoulder an encouraging squeeze.
Harry nodded his acknowledgment before making his way forward.
“Lord Potter, may I call you Harry?” Ms.Davis asked. She was aware that the members of the Wizengamot might well forget they were discussing a child if he was continually addressed by his title. Receiving permission, she continued with her questioning. “I know this may be difficult Harry but could you tell us what life was like for you with the Dursley family?”
“I didn’t live when I was with the Dursley’s Ms. Davis, rather I only existed. My earliest memories of life at #4 Privet Drive are of my cousin beating me while his parents looked on with smiles on their faces. From the time I arrived on their doorstep I was assigned chores, many of which were beyond my capabilities. Failure to complete the chores resulted in a beating from my uncle and no food for a period of time. It could be anywhere from a day to a week. I was never called by my name, only boy or freak and everything that went wrong was blamed on me. When I was four my aunt began teaching me to cook. For every failure I was beaten, needless to say I quickly learned the art of cooking. I was also told that my parents were shiftless drunks who got themselves killed in a car wreck leaving me to be a burden on decent people.” Harry testified in a toneless voice, the only way he could make it through the testimony.
“But surely your cousin Dudley also had chores?” Davis enquired.
“No madam he didn’t,” Harry replied. “Dudley spent his days, when not in school, eating, watching the telly or playing video games, unless he was playing his favourite game of Harry Hunting.”
“If the members will direct their attention to the parchment I distributed they will see an explanation of the unfamiliar terms. Now Harry, could you explain to us what Harry Hunting entailed?”
“It was simple really,” Harry grimaced in memory. “Dudley and his friends would chase me and if they caught me I would be beaten by the lot of them.”
“Were your aunt and uncle aware of this?”
“Yes ma’am, they often witnessed and encouraged it.”
“How did you feel when your grandfather arrived at the Dursley home?”
Harry smiled warmly. “It was the best day of my life. I was a bit nervous of course but when Grandfather asked if I wanted to live with him I quickly said yes. I was somewhat afraid the offer would be withdrawn if I hesitated.”
“So you preferred a complete stranger to the Dursley family?”
“Yes, I didn’t suppose he could possibly be worse. Luckily he was a hundred percent better, no a thousand times better. If it weren’t for my grandfather I doubt I would have been alive to receive my Hogwarts letter,” Harry truthfully added.
Mr. Frazier declined to question the boy, knowing it would only anger the members of the court if he challenged the victim, especially considering his fame.
Throughout the testimony of the witnesses the Dursley’s had wavered between anger and fear, both emotions clearly visible on their faces. Fearing they would interrupt the proceedings, gaining them no sympathy, Frazier had applied a silencing spell. He now removed the spell in order to question the accused. The moment the spell left them Frazier saw any chance they had fly away.
“You freaks have no right to bring us here,” Vernon yelled, his face purple with rage. “We are normal, decent people. We won’t be subjected to this so-called court. It’s a travesty and I demand you release us.”
“You demand?” an elderly wizard disdainfully asked.
“Yes I demand! We are not subject to your laws.” Standing beside him Petunia tried and failed to shush him as she took in the looks of disgust aimed their way.
“Who are you to demand anything of us muggle?” Lucius Malfoy sneered. He was no supporter of the light but neither was he any longer a supporter of the Dark Lord. Few would have believed it but the night Harry Potter vanquished his master had been one of the happiest of his life, topped only by his marriage and the birth of his only son. He had agreed with much of the Dark Lord’s ideals but had quickly realized that his methods would ultimately destroy them all.
“I am a normal, decent...”
“Decent? You call it decent to beat and starve a child in your care?” Lucius demanded. While not quite proper it was not without precedent for a member of the Wizengamot to question a witness.
“We never asked for him,” Petunia replied. “Your precious Dumbledore left him on our doorstep during the night with only a letter demanding we take him in and care for him. Nobody asked us if it was what we wanted, if they had I would have told them absolutely not,” she sniffed.
Lucius smirked at the woman’s words. “Is that why you beat and starved your own nephew?”
“We had every right to protect ourselves.”
“From a child?” Lucius scoffed.
“From his magic,” Petunia snapped.
“We couldn’t perform magic what else could we do but to try and stomp the magic out of him?” Vernon added.
“I think we’ve heard enough,” Lucius calmly responded. Looking about the room he saw the other members nodding in agreement, both dark and light wizards alike.
A silencing spell was cast on the members allowing them to deliberate. Another silencing spell was applied to the Dursley’s for good measure. As the court examined the evidence the Dursley’s grew more and more nervous. Their faces were covered in sweat as they sat close together, gripping tightly to one another’s hands.
“Petunia and Vernon Dursley,” Augusta Longbottom intoned. “For the crimes of which you are accused this court finds you guilty of all charges. You are hereby sentenced to a term of ten years each in the medium security wing of Azkaban.” To many it might not seem sufficient but Augusta knew that exposure to the dementors would soon drive the muggles insane. They might survive their time in Azkaban but they would not do so with their sanity intact.
“You can’t do this,” Vernon yelled as the silencing spell was once more removed.
“What about our little boy? What will happen to him?” Petunia cried.
“That will be something the muggles will have to work out for themselves,” Augusta replied. “Though I will recommend that he be placed in a loving family. With any luck it isn’t too late to save him from the path you were allowing him to travel.”
TBC...
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Hidden Family