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After Party	By : pittwitch Category: HP Canon Characters paired with Original Characters > General Views: 19051 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 87
- 88
Natalie stepped from the transport boat, assisted by the two steady hands of her counsel and brother.

Steadied, she straightened to her full height, as she smoothed invisible wrinkles from her stone gray suit. She spoke not a word to the assembly of wizards, merely met their gazes straight on as Mr. Cheatham stepped forward to extend his hand to the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. Kingsley Shacklebolt stood by his side, grim expression on his face and arms folded across his broad chest.

Mr Cheatham spoke first, “Shall we begin?”

“Please follow me,” Shacklebolt rumbled.

“Lead on, sir.” Cheatham replied. He followed directly behind the Auror. Natalie followed him, flanked by Nathan.

Natalie's plain black pumps clicked ominously on the stones, the only real sound that accompanied the odd assortment.

The Azkaban guards on either side of the imposing gate nodded at Shacklebolt, and the gate creaked and groaned before opening.

“You will relinquish your wands to the the guards,” Shacklebolt instructed the crowd. “Safety reasons.”

Cheatham stared at him blankly, “We did not bring our wands. But, if we are wandless, all should be wandless.” He waved a hand towards the assembly. Grumbling immediately commenced, only to be silenced by the Chief Warlock.

“Standard practice. No wands inside Azkaban. The guards will take good care,” he stated firmly. “Now, do we have to search everyone?”

Cheatham, Nathan and Natalie held out their arms automatically, Natalie stared straight into Shacklebolt's eyes, face expressionless.

After the guards sorted everyone's wands, the procession entered the darkness of the building. They marched silently through the dark dank halls to an assembly room where the Wizengamot took places in the risers while the other settled on one side of a long, very solid wooden conference table.

Once all were settled, the Chief Warlock nodded to Kingsley, who opened the door, and called out, “Bring the prisoners forward!” His voiced echoed off of the corridor walls, bouncing into the deepest recesses of the prison.

Severus and Lucius strode forward, herded by four more guards. They stepped into the conference room and made their way to the two chairs set a fair distance apart from each other and the table.

A small, pale witch, the court scribe, laid out a stack of scrolls at the far end of the table, facing the small high windows. She picked up a quill, dipped it into the inkwell next to her and began to write across the top of the first scroll, “People v. Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy”

Kingsley made essentially the same announcement, “The matter of the Ministry versus Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy is now open. All parties with interest in this matter must stand and be recognized.”

The Chief Warlock stood first, “Tiberius Ogden, reactivated as Chief Warlock, for the Ministry.”

“Thomas I. Cheatham, attorney at law, for Lord Monterichelieu known to the Ministry as Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy, under the rules of Mandatum Exigo.”

The court scribe never even looked up as she diligently transcribed their words.

“The Ministry charges ...” Shacklebolt began

“Please stop Mr. Shacklebolt,” Cheatham interrupted him. “As the blood bonded mate of Lady Monterichelieu, Lord Monterichelieu does not fall under the jurisdiction of the British Ministry. We move that any and all charges against him be dropped. We also move that he be immediately released to the custody of his bondmate pursuant to the rules of the International Magical Constructs signed by both of our great nations, a copy of which I have here,” he concluded, handing a copy over the table.

The witches and wizards of the Wizengamot protested loudly, calling out their scorn. Ogden rose again, yelling, “SILENCE! We will hear the arguments!”

“Thank you, Chief Warlock,” Mr. Cheatham nodded at him. “Mr. Shacklebolt, I direct your attention to the marked pages, Section W. Part 1.”

Shacklebolt took the bound book and handed it to Ogden, who studied the pages over the top of his wire rimmed glasses. Hushed, angry whispers in the gallery continued unabated. “She's the new Dark Lord, and here we go again!”

Natalie looked completely bored, sitting in the straight backed chair, studiously examining her on well-polished manicure. Severus and Lucius sat motionless. Nathan and Cheatham leaned their heads together to whisper about the next course of action.

Ogden heaved a heavy sigh, closing the book, and peering up at Shacklebolt. “Mr. Cheatham appears to be well versed in the laws of the International Magical Constructs. According the agreement, we have no right to hold Mr. Snape.

“OGDEN!” hissed a particularly agitated witch, “You cannot decide this alone.”

“Yes, I can. We voted before the special assembly to allow the Wizengamot to witness the proceedings, but that I would be the sole judge. Sit down, Ophelia.”

Natalie curled her lip in a rather bored sneer, giving Cheatham the side eye.

“Mr. Snape …” began Ogden.

“Lord Monterichelieu,” Cheatham corrected him, tone calm, but firm.

“Yes, yes, Lord Monterichelieu, you may join your … Lady.”

Snape uncrossed his legs and rose gracefully. He moved to Natalie's side of the table and sat down. Natalie turned to grace him with a small but meaningful smile.

“Continue Mr. Shacklebolt, please?” Tiberius nearly pleaded with the Auror.

“One moment, please?” Cheatham interrupted once more. “We understand that Ministry wishes to press charges against Lord Malfoy, however, we would like to counter the charges.”

More uproar in the assembly, more yelling from Tiberius, and finally the noise settled down enough for Mr. Cheatham to continue. “As Lady Monterichelieu did defeat and vanquish the Dark Lord, she did also assert her lordship over his pledged bondmates.”

“I TOLD YOU SHE WAS THE NEW DARK LORD!” Ophelia shouted angrily from the gallery.

Natalie took a deep breath, folding her hands on the table top in an effort to keep herself from shouting back at the obnoxious little witch.

“Ophelia, sit down and keep quiet or I shall order you removed!” Ogden boomed. “I am in charge of this matter!”

“Well take charge then!” she retorted.

“Mr. Shacklebolt, please see this witch to the waiting area.”

“Yes, sir,” Kingsley nodded to the two guards to his left, who made to the witch and took her by the arms as she continued to protest, squawking all the way to the door. Once the door closed behind them, the proceedings began again.

“Lady Monterichelieu,” Ogden started. “We are not able to charge you for your actions here, but if I may ask a few questions?”

Natalie glanced first at Thomas, then Nathan. Satisfied with what she saw, she nodded, then answered, “You may ask. I will only answer with the approval of my counsel.”

“Very well, to satisfy and perhaps allay the fears of the Ministry, are you the new Dark Lord?”

Natalie looked to Cheatham first. He nodded. She looked Ogden straight in the eye, “No. I am not the new Dark Lord.” She whispered under her breath, for only Severus to hear, “I am a Lady after all.”

“Very well,” Ogden grudgingly accepted her answer. “How is it then that you … inherited? Is that the right word? How is it that you inherited Voldemort's marked Death Eaters?”

“I can answer that for Lady Monterichelieu,” Cheatham offered. “The status of Dark Lord has many intricate rituals that must be followed for a proper assertion of power. Your “Dark Lord” Voldemort only, shall we say, picked and chose which ones he wanted to follow. As such, when Natalie defeated him in the battle, she also assumed the connection, albeit poorly formed, to Voldemort's Death Eaters.”

“Poorly formed?” Ogden asked with confusion.
“The connection between a Lord and their sworn bond mates should be reciprocal. Voldemort did not complete his Mark fully. The Death Eaters could only answer to him. They could not summon him for their own protection as they could under a true bond.”

“Interesting, but I'm afraid I still don't quite understand.”

“Mr. Malfoy, how were Death Eaters to call the Dark Lord?” Cheatham directed the question.

“Two ways, sir. We could speak his name aloud, or we could use an incantation and touch a wand to someone's Dark Mark.”

“Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. When were you to call the Dark Lord?”

“We were ordered to call him if and only if we were able to locate Harry Potter.”

“What would happen to someone who called for Voldemort for any other reason?”

“The results were distinctly unpleasant.”

“Was the Dark Lord able to ignore the call?”

“Yes, sir. He could choose not to answer.”

“What would happen if he did?”

“I'm sorry? I don't understand?”

“If Voldemort ignored the call from one of his marked, would the results for him be distinctly unpleasant?”

“Of course not. He had no consequences.”

“Mr. Ogden, I present to you the manifesto that details the responsibilities of a Dark Lord to those who have sworn their fealty.” Cheatham passed another small book to the Chief Wizard. “With your permission, I quote:”

The Dark Lord shall protect and treasure those who have sworn fealty and completed the bond ritual. They shall do all within their power to ensure the bonded with due diligence and care. The bonded shall honor the bond and duties of the Dark Lord and shall not abuse the protections offered under the bond, or suffer the consequences as spelled out in the next section.

“Mr. Malfoy, would you say that Voldemort protected and treasured his followers?”

Malfoy coughed, then straightened in his chair, “No sir. He did not.”

“Mr. Ogden, do you now accept that Voldemort's bond with his Death Eaters was incomplete?”

“Yes, I am afraid I must.”

“Very well then, as such, although Natalie defeated him, she does not have full control of the bonded, or use of his Mark. However, I believe she is able to manipulate the Marks to some degree. Mr. Malfoy, do you bear Voldemort's Mark?”

“Yes, I do.” He rolled up his sleeve to reveal the ugly, now faded skull and snake.

“Next question, Mr. Malfoy, have you at any time, sworn fealty to Natalie Monterichelieu?”

“Yes, I have.” Malfoy stated.

“Therefore, you are now bonded to Natalie. Under the etiquette of the Dark Lords, you are no longer under the jurisdiction of the British Ministry either.”

More consternation and outcry from the gallery arose, and once again, Mr. Ogden had to quiet them.

“Mr. Cheatham, I really must protest.”

“I assert the same authority and sanctions that removed Lord Monterichelieu from your jurisdiction. Shall we pursue this to the International Court? We did, after all agree, to your conditions here. I expect you to honor your conditions as well.”

Cheatham backed him into the proverbial corner, eyeing him steadily.

Ogden breathed deeply, thinking on his options. “I concede. Mr. Malfoy, you are hereby released.”

“Now that these two matters are settled, I put forth the matter of Natalie Monterichelieu versus Rufus Scrimgeour.”

Again, the gallery erupted. Malfoy's eyebrows rose impossibly high. Cheatham simply stood his ground, waiting patiently.

Once all was settled once more, he continued, “Lady Monterichelieu does assert and swear that Rufus Scrimgeour is a Death Eater.” Cheatham continued, raising his voice over the angry rumblings of the gallery. “She intends to offer incontrovertible proof.”

“What type of proof do you expect to offer here?” Ogden scoffed.

“It is the contention of the Ministry and the Aurors that the boundaries of this prison, known as Azkaban, barricaded from Apparition.”

“Yes, no one can Apparate on or of this island.” Shackleford answered.

“We propose a demonstration. If Scrimgeour is marked as we contend, Natalie shall summon him through the wards of this prison to have him present here in this room.”

“Preposterous!” Ogden himself shouted at this. “She cannot do such a thing. She doesn't even have her wand.”

“I do not require a wand.” Natalie answered solemnly. “If you so allow me to demonstrate? What do you have to lose? If I cannot, you keep your Minister and I return to the states, never to bother you again.”

Ogden stared at Shackleford, who shrugged, stating, “What can it hurt?”

“I think perhaps something this momentous requires a majority vote,” Ogden addressed the gallery. “All those who wish to see if this is possible, please say 'Aye'?”

A resounding “Aye” rang out from the crowd.

“Please proceed and amaze us, Ms. Err, Lady Monterichelieu.”

“As you wish, sir.” Natalie smiled softly. She stood and walked around to the front of the table. “Lord Malfoy, if you would? I need to touch your Mark.”

“Of course, Lady Monterichelieu.” Lucius rose gracefully and stepped to her side.

“This will not be pleasant,” she stated calmly. “You would be wise to kneel. Less far to fall.”

Lucius did kneel and offered his marked arm to his new Lady.

“Thank you for your faith in me, Lord Malfoy.”

Lucius smiled and nodded to her. She cupped his elbow with her left hand, steadying his arm. Singing a soft incantation, she began to trace the outline of his Dark Mark. Everyone present quieted down in baited anticipation of a spectacular failure. Every stanza, Natalie's soft voice whispered, “Scrimgeour.”

In a few short minutes, the atmosphere in the room changed perceptibly. A blue-white glow emanated from Lucius' mark, and he began to grimace in obvious pain. Gritting his teeth, he swayed, fighting valiantly to hold his arm steady for Natalie. Her focus was total on her task. She continued singing, grasping Lucius' arm even more tightly. Suddenly, the blue lights swirled tornado-like, spinning wildly until the form of one Rufus Scrimgeour appeared in front of the Wizengamot, baffled and out of sorts.
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- 88
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After Party