章節 49: Chapter 49
While Harry and Daphne were basking in their love for each other, the rest of the country was celebrating over the death of Voldemort and outrage at Dumbledore for trying to kill the Boy Who Lived. Celebrations were taking place on a large scale, making the Obliviators work overtime in covering it up. All around the world, millions of witches and wizards were in awe as they watched the duel between Harry and Voldemort over and over again. People couldn't help but be astounded that a mere school boy who was barely fifteen years old could defeat someone so powerful. They were enthralled by the one hundred foot tall thunderbird Harry had created out of lightning, which made them remember what the Sphinx had called Harry during the third task – the Lightning Lord.
Cyrus and Elizabeth Greengrass were in their bedroom, with Dylan playing with his toys on the bed. Astoria had remained at Hogwarts, telling them that she would come back after in the train along with her friends in a couple of days. They were worried about Daphne, but when they mirror called Harry, he didn't answer, and when he used the floo, an elf had told him that Master Hadrian and Miss Daphne were asleep.
Cyrus waved his hand at the e-mirror and the channel of the Magical Daily News appeared.
"This is truly a day for celebration, Ladies and Gentlemen" said the reporter. "The Dark Lord Tom Marvolo Riddle, known better as Voldemort is no more. This has been confirmed by the Director of Magical Law Enforcement Lady Amelia Black. She said that she had been working with Lord Hadrian Potter for more than a year in bringing him down, so when Lord Potter killed him last night, he really did die. He has been officially declared dead."
"It is not known how Tom Riddle cheated death, but whatever it was, Director Black isn't saying what it is. But what we can speculate is it that it must have been something truly horrifying, which defies the fundamental laws of magic. And it seems it really doesn't work as well as it should, as Lord Potter was able to destroy whatever was holding Riddle in this world, finally killing him and fulfilling the terms of a prophecy which was revealed last night."
The reporter continued. "What happened last night was an attempt on the life of Lord Hadrian James Potter, the Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, and newly revealed Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Gryffindor and Slytherin. Lord Potter was kidnapped once he touched the Triwizard Cup in the maze of the third task, and was transported to a graveyard where Tom Riddle was resurrected by his loyal Death Eaters."
"Fortunately, due to the crystal that was following Lord Potter, we were all able to see what was happening. Director Black revealed later that they had placed a tracking charm on Lord Potter because they were worried about such an attempt, but the charm was nullified due to the highly extensive and illegal wards placed around the graveyard by the Death Eaters. At that moment, Daphne Greengrass, eldest daughter of Lord Cyrus and Lady Elizabeth Greengrass of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass, and newly revealed Lady Potter, disappeared for a while and came back with a sheet of parchment which showed the coordinates of where her fiancé was being held. It is speculated that she used a Potter family tracking device to find him."
"DMLE Director Amelia Black, Lord Sirius Black and a team of Aurors and Curse Breakers worked tirelessly for more than half an hour to bring down the wards, braving nature's fury. When Lord Potter started duelling Tom Riddle, he revealed that he was Lord Gryffindor-Slytherin. It had been revealed by the Magical Daily Press two years ago that Godric Gryffindor's only daughter married into the Potter family, so it is not very surprising that Lord Potter managed to acquire the Headship of the family which was long thought to be extinct. But what was surprising was that he revealed that he was the blood descendant of the other Hogwarts founder, Salazar Slytherin!"
"He said that his mother Lily Potter nee Evans was the true descendant of Salazar Slytherin and that Tom Riddle was actually the descendant of the founder's adopted son, Salazar Slytherin Jr. He said that it was Salazar Jr who terrorised the people of the era, not the founder."
"The duel that followed was something which nobody had ever seen before. It even outstripped the duel between Gellert Grindelwald and Albus Dumbledore, making it the longest and most deadly duel between two wizards in modern magical history. When Tom Riddle created a basilisk made of Fiendfyre, Lord Potter created a thunderbird made of lightning, which was a hundred feet in height! That spectacle has become legendary, giving Lord Hadrian Potter the title of 'Lightning Lord', along with many others. His famous thunderbird familiar 'Aquila' appeared at the scene and helped in taking care of the Death Eaters, who too were hell bent on killing the Boy Who Lived."
"When Lord Potter finally beheaded Tom Riddle with the Sword of Gryffindor, there was much happiness by people all over the country. Tom Riddle had been the cause of the deaths of several hundred witches and wizards of Britain, tearing apart thousands of families in the process, so it is a relief that he is truly dead and gone before he could start another war that would surely have wiped us all out."
"But it seems the celebration was not to last, as when Lord Potter came back to Hogwarts, Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge ordered the Aurors to arrest him, citing that Lord Potter had 'killed purebloods who were upstanding members of the country'. Considering that more than half of them were wanted for questioning regarding the Dolores Umbridge trial, we can't understand what Minister Fudge meant when he said that they were upstanding members."
"But that's when Albus Dumbledore decided that Lord Potter had to surrender for causing the deaths of those Death Eaters and Tom Riddle. From watching what happened, it seems Dumbledore had this grand plan where he would reform the Dark Lord Tom Riddle after the latter killed the young Lord Potter. Dumbledore then attacked him, grievously injuring Lords Black and Greengrass in the process, who were immediately taken for treatment in order to save their lives. But in that time, it seems Daphne Greengrass had declared an honour duel."
"A ring of fire surrounded the Albus Dumbledore and Lord and Lady Potter, and after announcing what Dumbledore had done to the Potter family, Lady Daphne, the newly revealed Lady Potter took her oath, and Magic accepted it, turning the fire around them blue. The next several minutes were spent in rapid spell fire, as the two parties duelled against each other until finally Lady Potter turned into a tigress and attacked Albus Dumbledore, defeating him."
"It is unknown how Lord and Lady Potter are animagi, but people are very impressed that they were able to achieve the transformation so young. Lord Potter takes the form of a golden eagle while Lady Potter takes the form of a Siberian tigress. Once she turned back, Daphne Greengrass promptly fainted in the arms of her fiancé, while Albus Dumbledore was arrested by Director Amelia Black. Lady Daphne has greatly inspired awe in the younger generation, especially girls with her immense dedication and love shown towards her fiancé, not to mention her talent in magic."
"The trial of Albus Dumbledore will be held tomorrow, where everyone is said to find out the true extent of his crimes. In the meantime, let us celebrate the defeat of the most notorious Dark Lord in British history, defeated by the Boy Who Lived, or who is now known as the Lightning Lord. This is Steve Green, reporting for the Magical Daily News."
"I just don't believe it" muttered Cyrus. "I have never heard of a phenomenon where a woman is a Lady of a House when the couple haven't married yet. Amazing."
"I wonder if she and Harry are okay" said Elizabeth concerned.
"Their elf told me that they're still asleep" said Cyrus, his eyes narrowed. "She has hidden a lot of secrets from us, Lizzie. I don't like it. Why didn't she tell us about her being an animagus? It's not like we wouldn't have been proud of her! It's an amazing achievement. We're her parents for Merlin's sake!"
"Yes, I'm upset about that too" said Elizabeth softly. "But I realised something last night. She isn't just our daughter. She is also the Lady of House Potter and we know what that means."
Cyrus sighed. The Potter family were notorious for being highly secretive. No one could ever breach them to uncover their secrets, which was why they were considered quite mysterious.
"Still" muttered Cyrus "She could have told us something. I didn't push for that prophecy part as I knew that Harry had his secrets and I couldn't demand them. But this is Daphne, our own daughter. She's only fifteen! Why did they have to hide it from us? She didn't even tell us about being Lady Potter. I'm hurt by her behaviour, Lizzie."
"She probably has a reason for it" said Elizabeth, squeezing his hand comfortingly. "We'll talk to her later, okay?"
Cyrus nodded in resignation and sighed. Elizabeth smirked. "Dylan, daddy seems to be upset. Why don't you go play with him? It'll make him happy" she said softly, tickling the one-year-old baby, making him giggle.
"Dada!" said Dylan, crawling over to his father. "a'ppy!"
Cyrus smiled as he picked up his infant son. He shook his head. He didn't have to worry too much; Daphne would come and explain it to them. She had always acted in a mature manner and this would be no different, but that didn't make him stop being worried about her. He just wanted both his daughters back home soon. It had been one messed up year.
HP*LIGHTNING LORD*HP
The early next morning, Harry got up to find that Daphne wasn't in bed with him. He closed his eyes and the wards informed him that she was outside, on the grounds. He immediately got up, wore a pair of boxers and jumped out of the balcony and transformed into an eagle. He flew for a minute until he found her. He landed and transformed back.
"It really is peaceful here isn't it?" said Harry with a smile.
There were sitting on a bench overlooking a large step fountain. The grounds of Potter Castle were covered with fountains of every shape and variety, as the Head of the Potter family a few hundred years back had done it for his wife who loved the sound of water. Besides, the view was spectacular. Harry's favourite was the large fountain right in front of the front steps of the castle, which had a moving Potter Crest carved out of marble, with several other statues of creatures present as well.
"Yeah, it is" said Daphne quietly.
Harry frowned slightly. Because of the sheer amount of time they spent with the other, coupled with the fact that they practically lived together at Hogwarts for the past several months, Harry and Daphne had come to understand the other's moods and emotions better. So Harry knew that something was troubling her.
"What wrong?" he asked softly.
Daphne didn't answer, and Harry was getting worried. Had he done something wrong? Was she mad at him? Sure, they fought occasionally like any other couple, but he couldn't think of anything he had done which would make her mad at him now.
"You've applied for the Gryffindor and Slytherin Lordships to the Wizengamot Administration Services, haven't you?" asked Daphne, still staring at the water fountain.
"Yes" said Harry slowly, drawing out the word. "I went there late yesterday evening and got the approval as well. They had Unspeakables from the Department of Mysteries check if the family rings were indeed authentic and not fake, and once done, they had no reason not to give me the seats. They were quite happy about it, truthfully. I've made Sirius the Regent for House Gryffindor and your father for House Slytherin. But you know all this, as I told you last night."
When she didn't answer, Harry cupped her face and made her face him. "Daphne what's the matter with you?" he asked.
Daphne slowly removed his hand from her face, much to Harry's shock.
"I never thought about this before" said Daphne, still not looking at Harry. "But it is very rare for Noble families to pass on the title to someone else. That's why my situation was so unique before Dylan was born, and Susan is still the heiress of her family. Multiple Lordships, especially three Most Ancient and Noble Houses have never been heard of before, as even if people knew that they were related from one, they couldn't access the Headship of the family. That's why you were so thoroughly screened by the Unspeakables; it was because no one wanted to let someone fake their way into the Wizengamot."
Harry frowned, as he already knew about this.
"Three Lordships will being in a lot of support for you in the Wizengamot and from the public" continued Daphne in the same flat voice. "But you also need to continue the lines. People will take advantage of our family so that they can get access to the immense wealth and power which is brought by the three Lordships. People will want their families to control the Potter family, thus increasing their own standing."
"I don't know where you're going with this" said Harry confused. "I won't let myself be tricked by anyone like that."
"That's not what I meant" said Daphne softly. "You cannot be tricked. But that doesn't mean our children would be the same. Being a girl who bears the title of Heiress brings about a tremendous amount of attention. Susan was already friendly with Neville since the time they were kids; both families had already been wondering if there could be a possible marriage between them in the future. But before I knew about our marriage contract, I was under a lot of pressure. My dad isn't like Lucius Malfoy. He deeply loves his daughters and didn't really care that he didn't have a son. While such things are very uncommon in the Magical world, in Noble families, it is essential that a male child is born so that he can carry on the name and titles. Being a girl who has that responsibly will bring other families to the forefront, trying their best to snatch her up. And that's what is going to happen in the future with us as well."
Harry still looked confused. "Alright, I understand that. Is that why you're upset? Daphne, if I ever have an issue with that, I can always talk to Cyrus. Who better to coach me about such matters than a man who has been through it himself? Besides, we're talking about something that is years in the future. I really doubt that we would even try for children until we're twenty-five, which is ten years in the future. Why are you bringing it up now?" he asked.
Daphne steeled herself as tears welled in her eyes. She took a deep breath and said, "I'm telling you this because it will give time for you to find two more wives."
"Excuse me?" asked Harry in shock, and he reared back as if he had been slapped.
"If we have only daughters like how my parents did, I don't want them to go through what I did for so many years until I found out about the contract" said Daphne. "I don't want them to suffer through a loveless marriage just because of family titles and politics which happens in Noble families."
"You think I would do something like that?" asked Harry angrily.
"No" said Daphne softly. "I know for sure that you won't. But love is blind Harry. Anyone can take advantage of our future daughter and use it as a means to get the family titles and fortune. Why, Ginny Weasley herself wants to marry you only for your fame and money, does she not? So do all your Boy Who Lived fan girls, and after what happened on the 24th, nearly every other girl as well."
When Harry opened his mouth, Daphne beat him to it. "So, I've come to a decision. Carrying on the family lines is important, and since the three families are all so powerful and wealthy, you might have to marry two other girls so that you can without a doubt pass on the titles. I don't mind you doing that" she said with silent tears flowing down her face. She tried to smile with reassurance but failed miserably. "My parents have always taught me to do what is important for the family, and if that means me sacrificing some time with you and sharing you with two other women, I can handle that. What I'm trying to say is that should you marry two others, I'm fine with it. I, I -"
She couldn't continue as she suddenly started crying inconsolably. Harry immediately grabbed her and pulled her to his chest, hugging her tightly as Daphne sobbed her heart out, releasing all the pent up frustration and fear inside her. A lone tear slipped down Harry's pale cheek as he slowly rubbed her back, making soothing sounds to calm her down.
It took several minutes for Daphne to calm down, and finally, she silently hugged him back, burying her face in his chest. Harry slowly pulled her away and cupped her face with both hands, but she refused to meet his eyes. He used his thumbs to wipe away the tears.
"I'm never going to marry anyone else" said Harry softly, but firmly. "Please understand that, Daphne. I don't ever want you to have that doubt in your mind. You're my life, Daphne. You're my very soul. How can I marry someone else when my heart and soul already belong to you? After everything we have faced together, do you think I would let anyone come between us? I would gladly give up the Gryffindor and Slytherin titles should they interfere with us. Yes, I would" he said, taking in the shocked expression on her face. "You're more important to me than any of this. I've said this before; what is the point of so much wealth and power if the girl I'm so madly in love with is unhappy? You don't ever have to worry about you sharing me with some other woman, Daphne, because I can readily promise you that it will never, ever happen. You are the only one for me and there is no disputing that. If there are others who think they can get married to me because I have two extra titles, I don't fucking give a damn. Everyone has seen how deeply we love each other, and nothing is going to change that."
"As for us not having a male heir in the future" said Harry interrupting Daphne, "I don't care. I would be just as happy if I had a daughter as I would if I had a son. You don't understand; discrimination between men and women while unheard of in the magical world isn't the same in the muggle world. I've seen it, and I know what it's like and there is no way I would introduce such disgusting thoughts into our society because of this. Besides," he said with a small smile on his face. "Can any daughter of the Ice Queen of Slytherin be tricked by someone, just to get their hands on her money?" he asked, making Daphne chuckle slightly. "If we don't have boys, we can always blood adopt orphans if that's what you want. Don't be so discouraged, Daphne. We'll figure it out. And don't ever think that I will marry other girls just for them bearing my children. I'm not that immoral and disgusting, you know."
Daphne buried her face in his chest again. "I'm sorry" she murmured as more tears flowed down her face. She couldn't believe he had just said that. Any other boy would have jumped at the opportunity of having a harem, but he chose to remain faithful to her. This was the reason she admired him so much. He had a heart of gold.
Harry smiled and made her sit on his lap, hugging her tightly. They sat there in silence, listening to the sounds made by the water fountain, soothing their volatile emotions.
HP*LIGHTNING LORD*HP
Draco Malfoy was sleeping on his bed in the Slytherin dorms, looking at the top of his four poster bed, still in shock at the fact that he was now an orphan. He had always laughed at Potter because he had no parents, and now, he didn't have parents himself. There was no one on his father's side of the family (they had all killed each other in a bid for power), and the only people on his mother's side were Andromeda Tonks and Sirius Black. He didn't like asking either of them for help. Andromeda was a blood traitor (never mind that she was brought back into the Black family and wasn't considered a blood traitor anymore) and there was no way was he going to live with Potter's godfather.
It was a shock to him that both his parents had been killed in the fight between Potter and the Dark Lord. He knew that his parents supported the Dark Lord of course, but he never thought that it could get them killed! Potter was only a filthy half-blood, while he and his parents were purebloods! They were superior! How dare that bastard kill his parents? He would have to go to Gringotts and claim the Headship of his family and become emancipated before Wizarding Children Services knocked on his door.
Whatever happens, he would make Potter pay.
HP*LIGHTNING LORD*HP
Theodore Nott shook his head and moved to his bed. It wasn't difficult to realise that Draco Malfoy was planning some sort of revenge on Potter. Theo wasn't so stupid. He knew that his father had brought it upon himself. His mother had raised him to be practical, and he knew what his father was. He really couldn't bring himself to blame Potter, as he was only trying to save his own skin. Besides, from what he had experienced from his home life, Nott Sr wouldn't be missed too terribly. Theo and his sister were raised solely by their mother, while their father hadn't bothered with them too much, so Theo rarely interacted with him. At least now, he wouldn't have to follow in his father's footsteps and become a Death Eater. If the Dark Lord had returned and he had refused, the Dark Lord would have taken it as an insult that he had not joined and tortured him into insanity; after all both Theo's father and grandfather were Death Eaters and both had perished two nights ago.
Maybe this was for the best. He deeply loved his mother and sister and would protect them from harm. He had thought that it would be impossible to be Potter's acquaintance because of his father, but now, he was free to form his own political connections. He knew without a doubt that Potter would be entering the political circle himself. Maybe he could try a tentative friendship with Potter and see how it goes. With him and his mother in charge, they would transform the Ancient and Noble House of Nott into something more than the Dark Lord's political puppet family.
Unknown to Nott, this decision was the beginning of a chain reaction which Harry had foreseen and described to Dumbledore long ago. Once he knocked the Light and Dark Kings out of the board, Hadrian Potter would unify both factions, becoming their King and was thus loved by all. Maybe Harry really should have taken Divination after all.
HP*LIGHTNING LORD*HP
Harry and Daphne calmly entered the Wizengamot chambers and sat on the chairs reserved for the Plaintiff as they watched various other members of the Wizengamot ascend to their chairs. He also noticed a few empty chairs, belonging no doubt the families wiped out during the battle with Voldemort. The Ancient and Noble House of Lestrange was essentially extinct because Rodolphus and Rabastan's father was killed during the fight as well. So was the Noble House of Selwyn, while there was no one to represent the Noble House of Malfoy since both Lucius and Narcissa were dead, and Draco hadn't appointed a Regent yet. He saw Lady Nott acknowledge him, so he nodded back as well, wondering why the woman wasn't angry about the fact that he had killed her husband.
There were many people in the visitor's gallery today, no doubt to prove as witnesses in case they were needed. Chief Witch Lady Acton ascended and took her place at the biggest chair, overlooking the others. A pale looking Cornelius Fudge sat on the chair to the left of the Chief Witch, while Amelia Black took her place to the right of the Chief Witch, signifying that she was the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Chief Witch Acton banged her gavel and said, "The Emergency session of the Wizengamot on the 26th of June, 1995 is being called into session for the criminal trial of one Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore." Several dicta quills of the Wizengamot and the press started writing and people could see the crystal of the Magical Daily News being suspended in mid-air.
"Bring in the accused" said Amelia.
Two Aurors brought in Albus Dumbledore who walked in as if he owned the place. Harry mentally smirked, as Dumbledore didn't remember most of their conversation two nights ago, so he had no idea about being injected with Malaclaw venom or about Harry taking the Felix Felicis. Unfortunately, Dumbledore's entrance wasn't as graceful as he hoped as he tripped over his shoes and fell down on his face painfully. The hall was deathly silent as none of them laughed as the Aurors helped him up and placed him on the chair, the chains binding him in place. Dumbledore thought the chains were particularly tight.
"Albus Percival Wilfric Brian Dumbledore" said Lady Acton. "You have been brought before the Wizengamot as you have been accused of – attempted murder of Lord Sirius Black, Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black; attempted murder of Lord Cyrus Greengrass, Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass; attempted murder of Lord Hadrian Potter and Lady Daphne Greengrass, Lord and Lady of the Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Potter, Gryffindor and Slytherin. You have further been accused of facilitating in the murder of Lord James and Lady Lily Potter, along with the permanent incapacitation of Lord Frank and Lady Alice Longbottom, Lord and Lady of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom. You have also been accused of line-theft in regards to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter. How do you plead?" she said.
"Not guilty of all charges" said Dumbledore, with a lot of effort. Nobody saw Harry smirk slightly.
"Very well" said the Chief Witch. "Lady Black, please proceed with your case."
Amelia spent the next one hour detailing everything Harry had uncovered and giving evidence for each. She proved that Sybill Trelawney had indeed given the prophecy regarding the Dark Lord Voldemort and Hadrian Potter, but it had been in Dumbledore's office, and not in the Hog's Head as Dumbledore claimed. Aberforth was only too happy to testify to that. Harry had spoken to Aberforth and pleaded with the man to testify about the true nature of Albus to the public, so after much convincing, the man had agreed, so it began the tale of how Albus Dumbledore had collaborated with Gellert Grindelwald, essentially coining the phrase 'For the Greater Good', and how it was Albus's plans which enabled Grindelwald to take over the world as he did.
People were in shock at that, and only then did people wonder and ask why Dumbledore had let thousands of witches and wizards be killed for more than twenty years until he decided to grace his presence to defeat Grindelwald.
Amelia had also had her Aurors sweep through Dumbledore's office. And that's where they struck gold. There were treasures and trinkets belonging to several families which Dumbledore had taken during the war, and Harry was happy to provide evidence to all that was taken from the Potter family as well, until he recovered it later. All this proved that he deliberately painted a target on the backs of the Potter and Longbottom families.
Amelia had then shown Harry's oath sworn Pensieve memory which showed the incident which took place after he had returned to Hogwarts. It clearly showed Dumbledore firing the curses at Sirius and Cyrus, which grievously injured them. When they came to the part of Daphne transforming into a tigress, Fudge decided to use this opportunity to convict Harry and Daphne.
"There!" said Fudge. "The two of them are unregistered Animagi! They should be arrested and sent to Azkaban for breaking the law!" he shouted.
There was mass outrage as many of them called Fudge a traitor and a Death Eater until finally, Chief Witch Acton let out a cannon blast from her wand. But before she could say anything, Amelia spoke up.
"Chief Witch, if I may?" said Amelia.
"Of course, Lady Black" she said with a frown.
"These are the Animagus Registration Certificates of Hadrian Potter and Daphne Greengrass, given to me by the office of the International Confederation of Wizards. As you can see, they're been registered for more than a year" she said, looking at the pale face of Fudge with narrowed eyes.
"Here you are, Minister" said Lady Acton coldly. "You can check it yourself. Or do you want me to arrange a meeting with the office of the ICW to check its veracity?"
"No" whimpered Fudge. Harry rolled his eyes.
"Mr Dumbledore" said Lady Acton. "We have just proved that you have indeed committed all those crimes you were accused of and more. Do you have anything to say in your defence?"
"Harry has to be stopped" said Dumbledore firmly. "He has grown too powerful -"
"More powerful that you wanted him to be, you mean" said Sirius sneering. "You just couldn't handle someone derailing your plans, could you Albus? Is that why you tried to kill him?"
"Correct me if I'm wrong" said a woman from the portion of the elected representatives. "But did I hear you right when you said that you wanted to redeem You-Kn, Tom Riddle and his Death Eaters?" she asked incredulously.
"They should have been given a second chance" said Dumbledore stiffly. "But Harry killed them all before they could repent for their actions. He -"
"You're talking about those murdering, psychotic bastards" shouted Samantha Hudson, a woman who was elected to the Wizengamot for the second time. "They killed innocent people and children without remorse and you wanted to give them a second chance? What about their victims? Can they be given a second chance? Can you bring back my husband, Dumbledore?"
"Or my son and daughter-in-law?" snapped Lady Augusta Longbottom. "I completely agree. Do you think people like Bellatrix Lestrange can be reformed? Are you insane, Dumbledore? They're the worst people one can imagine, with no remorse in their hearts what so ever and you expect us to forgive them all?" she shouted.
"What is the real reason you want Lord Potter dead?" asked Cyrus Greengrass.
Dumbledore struggled but answered. "Harry is the last of the very famous Peverell family as the last descendant of Ignotus Peverell married into the Potter family. They have items belonging to the Peverells that I have been searching for years. I don't ever want him to even accidently gain access to Peverell family magic, gaining him their Lordship. It should be mine. They wouldn't work for me unless the Potter/Peverell family is extinct, and I can finally gain access to their vast array of books and instruments and be remembered as the greatest wizard in history. For all that to happen, Harry has to die."
People were in shock, as the Peverell family connection was something that was forgotten by the public and later hidden by the Potters. Harry didn't really understand why they had hidden it, but one of the portraits at Potter Castle had said that the Peverell name carries too much history and it was better that no one knew about it in order to protect the family members from undesirables. He found out that it was the Peverell family connection that was one of the causes for the Potter Massacre. It was then that Harry made the connection between the Peverells and the Tale of the Three Brothers, and Dumbledore's obsession with his cloak. It was one of the Deathly Hallows. He frowned slightly when he saw the reactions of the members and the audience. Should he have hidden that too? After a moment, Harry mentally shrugged; after all, it had been nearly two hundred years since the Potter Massacre. Any and all people who had been involved were dead anyway, so it didn't matter if they knew about the Peverells.
"Let me get this straight" said another elected man. "You wanted You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters to start another war and take over the country?" he asked in disbelief.
"Yes" said Dumbledore, unable to help himself. The after effects of the strong dose of Veritaserum, coupled with all the tinkering Harry had done to his brain, made Dumbledore answer most of the questions as honestly as possible. He tried to fight the effects, but there were other factors involved as well, which prevented him from not telling the truth. Luck may not be an end, but it certainly was a means to an end.
"You're insane" said the man, shaking his head. "I shudder to think what would have happened if you had actually supported and helped Grindelwald."
"Chief Witch if I may?" asked Daphne softly, standing up. Everyone looked at her in surprise, as they never expected her to say anything. Harry too was curious what his fiancée would say as well.
Lady Acton looked at her in surprise but nodded. "The Chair recognises Daphne Greengrass, Lady of the Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Potter, Gryffindor and Slytherin" she said.
Daphne walked to the middle of the Wizengamot chamber with a grace that very few possessed. She had the feminine charm but was also able to show that she was far more than that.
"Honoured members of the Wizengamot" she began, her voice magically enhanced by the magic in the room, and the crystal moved in front of her. She was wearing impeccable robes of black and a deep shade of purple, which complemented with Harry's as well. They always chose to dress in same colours for such occasions, to show their unity. The way she held herself, her posture, her blue eyes shimmering with sustained magical power and her soft voice made her the epitome 'woman of substance'.
"I do not stand here today as the daughter of Lord Greengrass or as the Lady of House Potter. I stand here today, as the fiancée of Hadrian Potter, a fifteen-year-old boy. I met Harry nearly four years ago, and we got engaged just four months later due to a marriage contract between House Potter and House Greengrass. Since then, I've spent nearly all my time with him, as both Harry and I are not exactly social people. In that time, I've grown to admire who he is as a person, and he taught me that I should never let anything affect me and to always get back up. Albus Dumbledore painted a target on James and Lily Potter and their infant son Hadrian. He painted a target on Frank and Alice Longbottom and their infant son Neville. He specifically set a trap and made Death Eater Severus Snape listen to a part of the prophecy that foretold the death of the Dark Lord at the hands of one of the two boys. This ensured that my fiancé was orphaned when he was a one-year-old baby. After that night, he took the recently orphaned infant, and instead of giving him to his godmother Alice Longbottom as was specified in the Potter Will, he instead placed the infant on a doorstep in the middle of a November night in a muggle neighbourhood. Did he even think about the fact that Harry could have been kidnapped by someone, could have be mauled by stray dogs or could have died of the cold as well? No. He happily placed him on the doorstep of magic-hating bigots who did everything possible to make Harry's life there miserable. He didn't even have the decency to ask if the Dursleys wanted to take care of him; he just dumped the baby on the doorstep. What's more, he took the blood of the recently orphaned baby, thus committing line theft and used it to power illegal blood wards around that muggle home and used the rest to power tracking and monitoring devices."
"For the next few weeks, my fiancé struggled as he cried for his mother and father. A fifteen-month-old baby was starved and forced into a dark and enclosed cupboard and stored with filthy shoes, while the rest of the country celebrated the defeat of the Dark Lord Voldemort at the hands of the Boy Who Lived. Did anyone care about the fate of that poor infant? Did anyone realise that he was hit by an Avada Kedavra curse and survived, and that might have adverse effects on his body and mind? No one cared about him while he starved and cried for his mother. No one cared when he was beaten up for accidental magic. No one cared when he nearly died at the hands of his so-called relatives."
"Where was Albus Dumbledore during all this time? I really wonder what would have happened to Harry had he been any other orphan, not having as many resources as he did later on when he discovered about the true nature of the Potter family. Or what if he had not realised the true extent of his wealth? Would he have grown up on the streets? He is so famous that people all over the world know his name, but he could have easily ended up sleeping next to the sewers had his relatives thrown him out due to his freakishness, as they called it."
"Albus Dumbledore continued to torment him in the years to come at Hogwarts, beat the incident with the Chamber of Secrets or with the Goblet of Fire. He calls Harry dark, but he doesn't see the darkness of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. What kind of a man is he? Is this the man everyone has looked up to for the past century? How blind have we all been to have overlooked this selfish, delusional and insane megalomaniac and hail him as our greatest leader? Have we truly fallen so much?"
"Harry was kidnapped at the end of the third task and was used in a ritual that helped Voldemort gain his body back. He killed Voldemort, and in the process, stopped another war which would have easily wiped us all out. Can you imagine what would have happened if Voldemort had been left alive? Innocent people could have been killed; he would have turned us all into his slaves, just to do his bidding. What kind of life is that? And it was such a life that Dumbledore was trying to endorse, by trying to kill my fiancé and redeem Voldemort in the process. How do you redeem a person who has absolutely no sense of remorse?"
"When Albus Dumbledore attacked us, I declared an Honour Duel for all that he has done to the Potter family. My question is, what have you all done for a family that has sacrificed so much for this country? Harry has trained extensively to protect you all, without you even knowing about it. He sleeps for three hours a day and gets up again to study and train. He has been doing this since he was seven years old. You forgot him when he was a baby and he suffered as a result. Are you going to do the same again? I don't believe so. I believe that all of you know in your hearts how much Hadrian Potter deserves justice. Please, give him and his family justice by sentencing Albus Dumbledore for his crimes. Let my fiancé finally visit his parents' grave with a feeling that their murderers have been captured and punishment handed out. Members of the Wizengamot, I appeal to you to finally give my fiancé the peace of mind he has never had all these years. Let justice finally be served. Thank you."
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票