[HP] The lesser of two evils #38

Chapter #38: The trial.

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Harry was nervous, he was sitting in a room where there were so many important people dressed in black robes, he was sitting on a stand section where civilians usually sit in cases like this, after all, this was a trial.

“Has it started yet?” Suddenly a voice interrupted Harry’s thoughts.

“Oh, Tonks, Fleur, and Hermione,” Harry said as he saw his three female friends, it didn’t take too long for him to kiss them on the cheeks. “Not yet but I think it will soon,” he added before he sat again and his recently arrived friends did the same too.

Tonks was sitting behind him, Hermione was on his right and Fleur was on the left side, this was a very important event that a lot of people wanted to witness, but the ministry only allowed the close relatives of the victims of the person that was going to stand on trial, Aurors, and the press, and then, the most important person in the room entered wearing a dark cloak just like the rest of the other older people.

“Minister Fudge!” Said one of the Aurors escorting him and everyone had to stand up.

“Please sit…Good morning everyone, today we’re reviewing the case…Bellatrix black versus the magical Britain, bring the accused!” He ordered the Aurors.

Soon another door was opened and surprisingly, a group of ten Aurors were lifting a big wooden box that seemed to move from time to time, soon, the box was placed in the middle of the room, the Aurors shared a look and shortly after that, they got rid of the box's chains so it could open and then reveal the figure of Bellatrix Black with her body completely restricted.

The woman surprisingly had a calm look and even if her hands and legs were tightly restricted, it didn’t take too long for the Aurors to restrict her even more with magical chains and there were lots of them, most of the people in the room were gasping as the presence of such monster even if Aurors looked to be in complete control of the situation.

Bellatrix Lestrange neé Black, the angel of death, Voldemort’s angel, the incarnation of death, the deathless demon, those were some of the many nicknames the criminal has, the level of fear that she causes just by being here is incredible but it makes sense considering she’s the dark lord’s second in command.

Contrary to many who were devoted to the lord because of fear or the benefits, Bellatrix followed him blindly, she didn’t ask for anything in return, whatever her lord wanted her to do she did it without hesitation, she is almost as feared as Voldemort and it is suspected that she has Horcruxes too because no matter how many times wizards stronger than she has defeated her, she always returns stronger than the last time.

“Bellatrix Black, you’re standing today in this sacred place to face justice…You’re facing the next charges: tax evasion, blood supremacy, arson, torture, murder, and the most shocking one and one that hasn’t been heard for centuries…Soul robbing and kidnapping,” the minister said and it seemed like he was going to be the judge of this trial.

This caused everyone but Harry and his group to gasp, that was a very serious crime, in fact that’s a crime that hasn’t been heard of since the early ages of the magical society when everyone was experimenting with muggles and other magical people, back then souls were used to make wands, spells, and even potions, of course, those practices are now banned and anyone who is caught doing it will get the dementor's kiss in the spot.

“Bellatrix Black, after hearing the accusations, how do you declare yourself?” Asked the minister with a serious tone and Harry was surprised by how competent Fudge looked right now, but after seeing the many flashes of the cameras, he understood why.

“Innocent,” Bellatrix finally said a word and she still wore the same bored expression.

“Very well, it’s time to show the evidence…Miss Bones?” The minister said and soon an older but beautiful red-haired woman rose from her seat.

“Oh Amy,” Tonks said as she saw her superior.

“Ah…I’m late!” Suddenly mad-eye joined Harry and his group too.

The red-haired woman suddenly presented evidence of all the crimes Bellatrix Lestrange has been accused of but most of all, the murder and torture accusations, and then, it was time to present the most shocking evidence to the public.

“And these ladies and gentlemen,” Amelia Bones said with a serious tone before she showed the jury and civilians the spheres where the souls of Harry’s family and friends were trapped. “This is what a soul looks like,” the redhead presented to the whole jury the evidence.

To say that they felt scared and creeped out would be an understatement.

“Your honor, I’d like to ask the suspect some questions under veritaserum,” Amelia Bones wasn’t suggesting.

“I allow it,” the minister nodded at a dark-skinned Auror and soon, a vial was provided.

The Auror carefully got close to Bellatrix and carefully opened her mouth, even with only her mouth she was dangerous so, it was better to be safe than sorry and soon, he deposited the contents of the liquid inside her mouth. They waited for a few minutes and after asking some questions that only the real Bellatrix would know according to her record, they could proceed now, the potion would only work for ten minutes so, they didn’t have too much time.

“Bellatrix Lestrange…Do you admit that you’re guilty of all the crimes that were listed today?” Asked the redhead with a fearless tone.

“Yes…I’m guilty,” Bellatrix answered and she was in a zombie-like state.

“Let’s talk about the soul thing…Are you responsible for the attack against the Potters?” Asked the redhead in a cold tone.

“Yes…Yes, I was in charge of the operation,” Bellatrix answered without resistance.

“Your people are usually known for the killing curse and the use of the other unforgivables, however, this time you and your friends decided to use something new to suck the souls out of the Potters and their friends…” Amelia wasn’t happy. “Is that the truth?” She knew she was starting to get out of control but she couldn’t contain herself, she actually wanted to kill Bellatrix on the spot.

“Yes…It’s the truth,” Bellatrix once again held no resistance against the questions.

“Could you explain to the jury the spell you used to make that happen?” Amelia questioned and the accused seemed to be resisting a little this time but not for too long.

“Yes…The spell is called <<NonAnima>>…I don’t know the details but it seems like our team of researchers in the Death Eater headquarters alongside the dark lord experimented with dementors to create this spell but the researchers finished the job, I don’t know much more because I wasn’t part of the researching team,” Bellatrix confessed with a bored tone.

Soon the room was filled with gasps, to hear such brutality was something they didn’t expect and yet, it wasn’t hard for them to believe that the death eaters would do something like that.

“We’ll talk about this team of investigators you’re talking about later…I want you to confirm something…What’s inside of these spheres are the souls of…” Amelia listed the names of Harry’s family, friends, and loved ones.

“No,” Bellatrix said with a cold tone.

Everyone was surprised to hear those words, Harry was even starting to believe that the woman was resisting the veritaserum.

“Are you telling me that what we have here is not a soul? Where are the souls then?” Asked the older redhead with a furious tone, she was starting to believe she was resisting.

“The spheres are fake, the real ones are in possession of the death eaters in the close circle of our dark lord and by this time I’m sure they’re all around the world, safe and sound and hiding until he returns,” Bellatrix suddenly looked at Harry. “Potter…You know what they want, if you want their souls back, you know what to do!” Bellatrix said with a smirk. “Goodbye!” Bellatrix said in a threatening tone and it seemed like she was planning to do something.

However, before she could do anything, a mysterious figure, a witch or wizard with their face covered in a cloak jumped on the center and made Bellatrix’s head explode which shocked everyone.