章節 88: Trick 87: Need a Wizard Lawyer? Call 1-800-NOJAIL4ME!
Ace was sitting in a chair in the middle of the courtroom as Cornelius read out the charges, "According to Undersecretary, you have used a memory hex and altered her own. As well as are a participant and most likely a member of a rogue militia of an army positioned to take over the Ministry under the charge of one Albus Wulfric Percival Brian Dumbledore. These charges have been placed on you under the suspicion and accusation from Undersecretary Dolores Umbridge."
Ace looked over at Dolores and smiled, "High Inquisitor, I hope you're well." Dolores glared at him, her eyes spitting fire. Cornelius slammed the podium with a gavel, saying "Mr. Brand, please."
Ace asked "May I stand?" Cornelius waved and Ace stood up, saying "Esteemed Witches and Wizards of the Wizengamot. These charges are absolutely false, the only relation to this so-called 'Dumbledore Army' is the understanding of the name Dumbledore. I have not, under any circumstances, even had the notion of sedition."
He shook his head and continued, "However, I will make it known that I have a genuine dislike for Undersecretary Dolores Umbridge." Cornelius cleared his throat and said "Mr. Brand."
A woman asked "How, may I ask, have you come to this dislike?" she was frowning a bit, Ace replied "Her means of punishment and disregard for the rules of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has brought me to this dislike. I am under the impression that the Ministry has brought reforms to courses, namely the Defense Against the Dark Arts class."
Cornelius replied "Yes, of course. Everyone knows this." Ace raised a finger and retorted "Naturally. However, punishing students with a means of torture is not acceptable in any scenario. A 12 year old wizard has accrued mental damage for simply asking a question, is this acceptable?"
The woman frowned, asking "Excuse me?" Ace explained "The use of a so-called Dark Quill, which uses the writer's blood as ink, scarring their hands. Fortunately, we are able to heal the scarring, however this method is truly vile."
The woman turned to Dolores, asking "Is this true?!" Dolores giggled "I'm sorry. How I run my classroom is none of your business?" The woman retorted angrily, "The use of a Dark Quill on students, while not forbidden, is highly inappropriate!"
Cornelius slammed the podium with a gavel, saying "Enough! We are here under accusations of memory hexes." Ace nodded and replied "I plead not guilty. In addition, I would like to enlighten the court. High Inquisitor had placed several magic photos of cats that can also testify to my innocence. I have not used a Memory Hex on Ms. Undersecretary, however as known by the Minister, I have threatened her on one occasion."
He waved his hand and added, "Resulting from her punishment method." the Wizards and Witches looked around, whispering to each other.
Cornelius frowned and asked "Is this true?" Dolores replied "While the use of surveillance has been used, there are many other ways of secretly performing Memory Hexes, evading the detection of Magical Photos."
Ace rolled his eyes and retorted "Erroneous. Even the use of an invisibility cloak would be seen under the keen senses of cats. Unless someone used the mythical cloak from the children's book of the three brothers. I wonder if you're suggesting that I have this cloak in my possession?"
Dolores rebuked angrily "There are many more means! I don't know which you used, but you must've used one! I would not ever use one of the Unforgivable Curses! Let alone the Killing Curse!" Ace smiled and nodded, "Of course not, you're part of the Ministry. Come on, Undersecretary! You have no idea if you were Memory Hexed and you sit here accusing me, simply saying 'Well there must be a way he could do it' while not even knowing that method yourself!"
He looked at Cornelius, adding "Minister, please. These charges are, pardon my language, completely gobbledegook. I can be accused of anything with this sort of logic. Perhaps I'm also a Death Eater? There's no evidence but I could be!"
Cornelius raised his hand stopping Ace and said "Motion to drop charges of Memory Hex usage. All in favor." the majority raised their hands including Fudge. He knocked the gavel continuing "Memory Hex charge has been dropped, we move onto the next charge."
Ace shook his head and replied "I have no evidence to prove this. Again, there is no evidence for or against this accusation." Cornelius was handed a paper, he read the paper, saying "The evidence against you is as follows; Prohibited use of magic in teaching students, inciting students towards violent methods, the education and demonstration of offensive spells while under the knowledge of their prohibited use on school grounds, frequent visits with Dumbledore himself, periods of time where you are nowhere to be found, the acquiescence of students using paraphernalia, the acquiescence of students privately practicing magic, and possession of dangerous muggle weaponry."
He took off his glasses and continued "This evidence has been accrued over months of investigation by one Dolores Umbridge as well as surveillance records via the means of Magical Photos and Ghosts."
Ace shrugged and replied "Most of these charges are simply basic requirements of teaching students. Most students respond to physical means of learning much better than literary. Demonstrating spells in a safe environment is proven more effective for some of my students. If that is to be a criminal charge and connection to an army, then I would like to ask why every teacher is not in this courtroom as well."
The woman from before spoke at this time, "Minister, I do not believe that these pieces of so-called evidence hold true. They are simply nitpicks without any solid basis for criminal suspicion." Cornelius frowned and asked "How might you explain the frequent acquiescence of misbehavior, frequent visits to Dumbledore, as well as Muggle Weaponry?"
Ace smiled and replied "If I were to prune and prod every student for every little mistake they may make, I would most likely find myself on the end of constant harassment. Students make mistakes, they break the rules, and follow their whims. I look the other way within reason as I don't believe in enforcing every rule to a T. School should be a place of learning and kinship, not a prison. The only difference between enforcing every rule and Azkaban is the lack of Dementors."
He turned to the others, continuing "I'm sure this doesn't shock any of you, right? A little bit of leniency shouldn't be a crime." before turning back to Cornelius, adding "As for the frequent visits to Dumbledore, I simply ask him for extra study materials. He has his own private library with more advanced magic that can aid students in their own studies. I would also like to note that me and Professor Dumbledore are friends, once again, I don't see how this is criminal."
He paused before finishing "The Muggle Weaponry is a gift from a loved one. It was inappropriate for me to leave it out in the open, I concede this."
Dolores retorted "I hardly see how everything can be so coincidental and harmless! You must be hiding something! The hours where you disappear are the most suspicious! It is not simply a few minutes, but hours!"
Ace smiled and replied "I have to use the bathroom and sleep, no?" Dolores stood up and said "Minister, he cannot be trusted! I motion for the use of Veritaserum!" Cornelius frowned and the woman from before, retorted "Veritaserum will be ineffective should he believe himself."
Dolores said "Then a Legilimens Charm should do the trick!" The witches and wizards erupted into murmurs as Cornelius knocked the gavel, saying "Please! Quiet! I too find these a bit too coincidental. Perhaps the other forms of evidence are refutable, however the missing time is questionable."
Ace smiled and said "I accept a Legilimens test." the Wizengamot went silent and Cornellius frowned, surprise on his face as he spoke "You are aware that your memories will be infiltrated and viewed for the court to go through at their leisure?" Ace nodded and smiled "I have nothing to hide. Pure Gold does not fear the flame, as they say."
He paused before chuckling, "However, I don't know if I can say the same about Undersecretary Umbridge?" Dolores grit her teeth and the woman stood up, saying "Minister, I hardly believe this is necessary! At most the charges are completely fabricated, and at worst they are so miniscule they are not even worthy of a trial!"
Ace added, "I would like to add that Ms. Undersecretary has also used Veritaserum on students." The woman looked at Ace, who smiled and stopped talking. Cornelius frowned and said "Let's vote. All in favor of Legilimens?"
He looked around and only a few members raised their hand, Umbridge being the first to raise hers. Cornelius spoke again "All in favor of clearing the accused of all charges?" the rest of the members raised their hands.
Cornelius knocked on the podium, saying "The accused is cleared of all charges." before leaving. Dolores stood up and pointed at Ace, saying "You have not heard the last of me! I will return to Hogwarts and find your secrets!"
Ace held his arms and said "Shiver me timbers." before laughing as he walked out of the courtroom, humming to himself.
He returned to Hogwarts and was called to Dumbledore's office.
Dumbledore asked "The Trial?" Ace smiled and patted his chest, "Cleared of all charges. They had nothing in the first place." Dumbledore smiled and nodded, saying "I would like for you to teach the Defense class for the rest of the school year."
Ace was stunned and replied "That's like what? A few weeks?" Dumbledore nodded and Ace replied "Uhh… Okay. I'd rather not teach next year…" Dumbledore smiled and nodded, "Not a problem. Thank you, Ace."
Ace smiled and nodded, walking away. Dumbledore added "Oh and Ace." Ace turned his head and Dumbledore continued "Thank you. Again." Ace knew what he was saying and grinned "No worries, old man. You're a bit too old to go to Azkaban, right?" as he chuckled and left the room.
Dumbledore shook his head and snorted, returning to his business.
The next day
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