Chapter Seven, The Trial

Upon arriving in the Great Hall for her sixth year, Gwen ignored all the looks she was getting and hugged her Blood-Sister Luna tightly, then she hugged her friends from Slytherin and kissed and hugged Draco before she walked beside her Blood-Brother/God-brother Neville and her best friends Ron and Hermione towards the Gryffindor table with an even stride and her head held high. Everything seemed to be going well during the Sorting - if you count ignoring the whispers and stares of the sycophants and Dumbledore well - when during the middle of the Sorting ten Aurors stormed into the Great Hall interrupting the preceding.

"Professor Dumbledore you are under arrest so if you can kindly turn over your wand to Auror Shacklebolt without a fuss." The unknown Auror spoke firmly with a stern tone to his voice that said not to mess with him.
"Now Auror Proudfoot," Dumbledore said condescendingly, drawing a wand that had an all too familiar symbol on it to Gwen and her loved ones, but he wasn't drawing it to hand it over but brandishing it as if he were prepared to fight, not caring there were students in the Hall and first years caught in between them. But Gwen wasn't going to allow that.
"That's my wand. My family's wand and a family heirloom." Gwen shouted standing to her feet as everyone turned to stare at her; some in confusion and others in distaste.

"And before anyone tells me to be quiet and sit down," she looked pointedly at Snape, "that wand has the Deathly Hallows symbol on it, my family's symbol. It was stolen from my Great Uncle by Grindelwald and my Grandfather and Father had been looking for it before they died. Check with Gringotts if you don't believe me. Or better yet, look at my Ladyship ring as I'm Lady Guinevere Lily Potter-Black-Peverell." She enunciated her last family name as she strode feline-like towards Auror Proudfoot with her hand outstretched showing him the ring. Auror Proudfoot assessed the young Lady's hand before turning lightning fast towards the Headmaster or soon to be ex-headmaster.
"Expelliarmus! Accio Elder Wand!" Once the wand was in his hand he checked over the matching symbol on the wand before it was returned to its rightful owner.

As soon as Gwen had grasped hold of the wand a golden light filled the Hall as wand and master connected, the Peverell Magicks washing over Gwen as the wand seemed to sing.
"That settles that then." Kingsley Shacklebolt said simply, smiling at Gwen before turning a look of utter disdain towards Dumbledore. "Wand theft and theft of a Family Heirloom will also be added to your long list of charges, Dumbledore."
"What are these so-called charges then?" Dumbledore demanded all traces of his grandfatherly facade had disappeared.

"I'm glad you asked that." Auror Proudfoot smiled wickedly, waving his wand so magic suppressing cuffs appeared on Dumbledore's wrist as eight Aurors surrounded Dumbledore wands raised pointing at the man while Kingsley summoned an astounding six Portkeys and an astounding six more wands off of the man; only two of which were registered to be his own wands, the other four wands turned out to be from Sirius - (those at the Battle in the Ministry and those in the Order recognised the wand instantly due to the runes on the wand) - and Regulus Black, and James and Lily Potter.

As soon as Kingsley read out the results of the test he had just run on the wands the Hall started shaking as if caught in an earthquake, the windows blew outwards and cracks ran up the walls causing dust to fall from the ceiling, as the ceiling turned a dark stormy grey as thunder boomed and lightning struck despite it not actually happing outside.

"It's okay baby, shhh." Draco soothed, running up to a furious Gwen whose hair blew as if caught in a strong wind and her emerald eyes glowed brighter than the Killing Curse.
"You. Stole. My. Parents. And. Uncle's. Wands." Gwen hissed dangerously, slipping into Parseltongue at the end. At that moment Neville, Luna, Ron and Hermione raced over to Gwen and Draco, Neville and Luna taking a hand while Draco wrapped his arms around her waist and Ron and Hermione placed their hands on her shoulders.
"Now, my dear girl -"

"SHUT UP!!!!" Gwen roared, her magic whipping around her turbulently. She took a deep breath leaning back into Draco and squeezing her siblings hands to centre and calm herself. She didn't want to hurt the First Years.
"Aurors Proudfoot and Shacklebolt, I apologise but my parents - which includes Sirius as he was not only my Sworn Godfather but my Blood-Adopted father as well - are a touchy subject for me."

"It's quite alright Lady Potter-Black-Peverell." Auror Jamison Proudfoot as the head of this retinue waved off. "I apologise you never got the chance to know them and that Sirius was only just found innocent."
"The words too little too late come to mind." Draco scoffed.
"You can thank Dumbledore for that." Neville scoffed, shocking people with his new behaviour. "Those of us who have lost parents thanks to this stupid war will only know my sister's pain and yet those who have both parents mock her for it."

"He was the one who cast the Fidelius Charm. He knew Uncle Sirius wasn't the Secret Keeper from the start and let an innocent man rot in Azkaban for twelve years and afterwards failed to get him a trial- which he never had - and left him to go on the run so he couldn't raise Gwen. So she would be where he wanted her to be." Luna added, which was quickly recorded by Auror Proudfoot who nodded to the six teens and turned back to Dumbledore and Kingsley who was pointing his wand at the man along with Minerva who looked like she was torn between anger and wanting to cry for everything that has happened to Gwen; she didn't blame her for losing control, besides it was nothing a little magic couldn't fix.

"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore you under arrest for multiple wand thefts, blocking a witches magic, child endangerment, child abduction, accessory to child abuse, attempted Line Theft, embezzlement, blocking the Wills of Lord and Lady Potter from being read or even opened, mind control of a minor, poisoning a minor, mind control and cursing a scion of House Montague, acts of terrorism, murder of Ariana Dumbledore, instigation of the civil war with Gellert Grindelwald, giving false evidence, obstructing the course of justice and falsely accusing the late Lord Sirius Orion Black the third. Charges may also be brought against you if anything else arises during the course of our ongoing investigation.

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to a law-wizard. If you cannot afford a law-wizard, one will be provided for you. Do you understand your rights as presented?" Auror Jamison Proudfoot asked, his voice hard and unrelenting as he pinned Dumbledore with a challenging glare. The entire hall was silent as everyone gaped at the man. But when the Japanese wizard just continued to stand there, pinning him under a direct gaze, waiting for his response, Dumbledore was forced to speak.

"I do," he said, though his voice was not as strong as it had been previously.
"Aurors," he called when he had voiced his understanding, "Take him to the ministry and ensure he's in one of the containment cells."
The Dumbledore supporters and sycophants looked at each other in shocked concern. They were truly taking Albus away from Hogwarts?
"Ah, I see we may have hit a snag," Dumbledore said, a hint of joviality entering his voice. Which made Minerva tense as she hurriedly pointed the first years behind her to the door behind the staff table which led to the antechamber while she pointed her wand at the man she had come to loathe; but she had hid it for the sake of her students.

The last thing they needed was someone who worshipped the man as Deputy, and either Professor and Head of Gryffindor. "You seem to be labouring under the assumption that I will... What is the phrase?.. Ah, yes, come quietly." And with that he let out a loud whistle and called, "Fawkes!"
No one was prepared for what happened next. The Phoenix came to answer the call but the moment it reached the middle of the hall - just slightly in front of where Gwen, Neville, Luna, Draco, Ron and Hermione stood - Fawkes burst into a hot fiery ball as a dark vapour rose from the burning Phoenix: a Dark Binding Curse.

When at last the last of the dark vapour had evaporated Dumbledore fell backwards into his throne like chair as Fawkes appeared from the fireball; however, unlike his Burning Day he wasn't a chick rising from his own ashes but instead a fully grown bird that looked healthier than anyone had ever seen him.
"FAWKES!! Come here. NOW!!!" Dumbledore bellowed, and for a moment as he flapped his wings a victorious grin spread across Dumbledore's lips as he thought he was going to escape while everyone prepared for the fight to stop him from escaping but also unwilling to hurt the Phoenix but would do what they had to do. When they were left stumped.

Instead of flying towards Dumbledore, Fawkes gave the man a withering look with his soulful black eyes, turned his back on the man and landed on Gwen's shoulder preening her blood red hair much like everyone has seen Hedwig do to her when a gold flash of bright light eclipses the group leaving the Great Hall reeling.
Fawkes just destroyed his so-called bond to Dumbledore. He turned his back on the man for Guinevere Lily Potter-Black-Peverell. Fawkes was Gwen's second Familiar after her beloved snowy Siberian owl Hedwig.
"How dare you!" Dumbledore spat, spittle flying from his mouth as his face turned a shade of puce that reminded Gwen horribly of Uncle Vernon. "You dare betray me Fawkes!? Me. Albus Percival -"

"People don't like being chained and shackled, Dumbledore." Gwen hissed before looking at him almost innocently it looked frightening: like a Fallen Angel. "I thought you would've thought you'd learned that by now. You've done it to me. You've done it to Sirius. You've done it to Fawkes and apparently you did it to your own little sister." Dumbledore glared darkly at the redheaded girl, his eyes promising retribution.
"Congratulations Dumbledore resisting arrest and attempted escape have just been added to your incredibly long list of charges." Auror Proudfoot drawled.

"Not doing too well are we? For the records of the Wizengamot, let it be known that Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore just tried to escape and resist arrest by means of the Phoenix Fawkes who apparently was never his Familiar but was chained to the man by a Dark Binding Curse. The Phoenix in question has since become the second Familiar to Lady Guinevere Lily Potter-Black-Peverell. Aurors, let's go." He commanded pulling out the emergency Portkey to transport them to the holding cells in the Ministry. Knowing nobody would be able to concentrate after the shitshow that just happened Professor McGonagall had dinner be served while she sorted the remaining first years in the antechamber before allowing them to join the others.

She knew the coming days would be filled with meetings upon meetings with the Board of Governors for the new changes she wanted to implement as the students deserved to have a well rounded education and have the means to have the best start in life they possibly could. Which meant interviews for new teachers, Deputy (if she was voted into the Headmistress position), classrooms set up, equipment, new equipment for Rolonda Hooch's class and any other classes, new Head of Houses (staff will only hold one position to ease their strain and be available for the students which she regrets she hasn't been there for her lions as much as she'd like but with three positions and not able to lose one or even two she had no choice).

And as the current Deputy these responsibilities fell upon her shoulders so the best way to do this would be to cancel lessons and give study hall until this matter is resolved. While everyone had dived upon their dinner gossiping about what had happened, Gwen left for the kitchens with her siblings, two best friends and Draco in-tow, she couldn't stand the looks and the gossiping about her and her family without feeling like she was going to lose control; especially as the Aurors had taken her parents' wands and Uncle Reggie's wand as evidence only allowing her to have the Elder Wand which she had gotten Dobby to take to Gringotts to put into her Family Vault as it was too dangerous to be left in the evidence locker at the Ministry or upon her person at Hogwarts.

Besides, she wanted to bond Winky to herself and save her from a life of misery; a life Gwen knew all too well, and give her a life of love, respect and safety. Thankfully Winky was all too eager to have that love, respect and safety. A life with a purpose and agreed to become Gwen's second personal House-elf answering to Tally just like Dobby, and much like Tally and the other elves in Gwen's EMPLOY, Winky had a beautiful, and most important clean, uniform with Gwen's three Houses: Potter, Black and Peverell. Plus it was more protection for Gwen as there would always be someone to check her food, drink and letters while the other rested, which to her loved ones was nothing to grumble at.

* * *

~ Holding Cells, Ministry of Magic, London ~

Within the bowels of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement Dumbledore sat without a care in an interview room with his Law-wizard Tommy Fawley, a young wizard fresh out of Law school and who was tasked with the job of trying to get Dumbledore to see what he has done wrong and how serious this situation and the charges were. But it was like talking to a brick wall; he'd get more sense out of a Kappa.

Leaving the room for a breather before he lost his cool with his client - who he didn't want as the crimes were heinous against the ex-headmaster of Hogwarts - but unfortunately it was part of his job as he was a newbie in the Law-wizard/witch industry he didn't get to pick what cases he was working on but they were assigned to him by his superiors. However, he couldn't see any way he could help his client or get a lesser sentence. The Wizengamot, Amelia Bones: Head of the D.M.L.E and Cassiopeia Black the Law-witch for Lady Potter-Black-Peverell would not go easy on him (not that he deserves it). Especially as Dumbledore shows no remorse for what he's done - for any of it - all claiming it was for the 'Greater Good' whatever that meant, Tommy Fawley wasn't sure he wanted to know.

~

After receiving an owl from Amelia Bones over the latest evidence against Dumbledore- to warn them so they don't lose control in the courtroom - Cassiopeia, Remus, Narcissa, Andromeda, Lucius, Ted, Rhea, Elijah and Dora (who wasn't allowed to be an Auror for this case due to her close relationship with Gwen) they were beside themselves with anger and couldn't believe the gall of the man. Once they had calmed down they all Apparated to the Atrium of the Ministry where Andromeda would be the Proxy for Gwen's Houses on the Wizengamot and would sit between Elijah and Lucius in the Neutral section, while Remus, Narcissa, Rhea, Ted and Dora would sit in the witness and viewing section.

The second that they arrived they neither looked or spoke to anyone, just kept their heads held high and their faces impassive as they headed to the golden lifts at the far end of the Atrium. As they were about to enter the lift that was only a quarter full, a gossipy voice called from behind them stopping them in their tracks.
"Ahh, Mr Lupin-Black. Can..." the woman said, the group turned around to see a woman dressed in an acidic green skirt suit, red heels, permed curly blonde hair and bright lipstick to match her heels.

"I would not finish that sentence if I were you, Rita Skeeter." Cassiopeia said sharply, a stern look on her face. "You will not be getting any information from us regarding this case or our family. And if you Ever mention Gwen in that tawdry piece of parchment you call a paper then I will not only ruin the Daily Prophet and all who work there but you as well.

This is your last and only warning. Keep your nose out of places that doesn't belong to you. My niece and the Lady of the family are not for the Wizarding world's entertainment nor are they entitled to know anything about her life, and nor are they entitled to have a say in her life. Unless, of course you wish for me to have the DMLE investigate you and all of the Daily Prophet?" She asked, an eyebrow raised and a challenging look on her face. Rita glared at her for a moment before she put on a fake smile.

"Of course not Law-witch Black." She said, before she hurried away, leaving the group to hurry into the lift as it was about to leave. They rode the lifts down to the Department of Mysteries in relative silence, while ignoring everyone gawping at them. Twenty minutes later they had arrived in the Department of Mysteries and not too long after that the trial was starting in courtroom ten.
"Order!" Madam Bones called, banging her gavel a few times, effectively silencing everyone in the courtroom. "This trial is now in session. Before you today I bring forth a trial of Lady Guinevere Lily Potter-Black-Peverell vs Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.

The charges against the accused are as follows: multiple cases of wand thefts - all from the same family, blocking a witches magic, child endangerment, child abduction, accessory to child abuse, attempted Line Theft, embezzlement, blocking the Wills of Lord and Lady Potter from being read or even opened, mind control of a minor, poisoning a minor, mind control and cursing a scion of House Montague, acts of terrorism, murder of Ariana Dumbledore, instigation of the civil war with Gellert Grindelwald, giving false evidence, obstructing the course of justice and falsely accusing the late Lord Sirius Orion Black the third.

When the Aurors lead by Head Auror Jamison Proudfoot, Dumbledore tried to escape and resist arrest by means of the Phoenix Fawkes who apparently was never his Familiar but was chained to the man by a Dark Binding Curse. The Phoenix in question has since become the second Familiar to Lady Guinevere Lily Potter-Black-Peverell." Madam Bones spoke gravely to the stunned courtroom. "Aurors, bring in Albus Dumbledore." She ordered.

As the double oak doors opened at the back of the circular room, Albus Dumbledore was brought in, tied to the chair in the middle of the room and force fed Veritaserum.
"What is your full name?" Madam Bones asked the standard tester question.
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore." Dumbledore replied in a monotone voice.
"Did you know Sirius Black wasn't the Potters Secret Keeper?"
"Yes."
"Did you know who it was?"
"Yes, it was Peter Pettigrew. I knew he was a traitor."

"And yet you said nothing and allowed this to happen. Why?"
"I needed Guinevere Potter to grow up unloved and downtrodden, so she'd be so thankful to the Wizarding World, but mainly to me, that she would sacrifice herself to defeat Voldemort once and for all and 'rid' herself of-" Dumbledore made a choking sound as he tried to stop himself from revealing anything more but the potion would not let him.
"Go on." Madam Bones prompted. "Rid herself of what?"
"Rid herself of the Horcrux in her scar." Dumbledore revealed, inciting pandemonium within the courtroom as a number of people became suddenly sickly pale.
"You were going to have her raised like a lamb for slaughter!" Augusta shouted horrified.

"Madam Bones I'd like to point out that Sirius and I found out about this last year when we secretly took Gwen to Gringotts." Remus interrupted loudly, standing from his seat. "The goblins have safely removed that from her scar and as such been destroyed, but in doing so they found out that Voldemort made seven of them. Three have been destroyed."
"Thank you Mr Lupin-Black." Madam Bones nodded her head with relief coating her tone.
"NOOO!!!" Dumbledore shouted.

"Silence!" bellowed Madam Bones. "You allowed this abomination to stay within a child? So you knew then that before the fiasco of the Triwizard Tournament that Voldemort wasn't really gone but was reduced to a wraith? That he had possessed a teacher, Quirrenus Qurriell at Hogwarts the year of 1991?"

"Yes, I knew he was alive and said nothing. Because of the prophecy she needs to die to defeat Voldemort and she has too much power and will have more than me once she's of age, I can't have that. Yes, I knew Quirrell was possessed at the start of the year, it's why I tested her against the Mirror of Erised and made such easy tasks to protect the Stone. Just like I know Gilderoy Lockhart is a fake and Obliviated the real witches and wizards of his feats in his books. I need him to test them and not teach them much." Dumbledore explained, a smirk on his face.

"Aurors, alert St Mungo's of the situation and that if he ever regains his mind, we will arrest Gilderoy Lockhart and have him brought here for a trial, we will get to the bottom of this and there will be no more injustices." She ordered, satisfied when a team left she turned back to the trial at hand. The trial had been going on longer than anyone had planned or even expected as the deeper Madam Bones questioned the more they realised how deceitful, and manipulative the man before them was and how deep his crimes and injustices went into not only today but also into their past as well.

They found out that he had killed Regulus Black when he had uncovered plots to his brother and niece Guinevere Potter-Black-Peverell, and that he had been in the Death Room with the veil of death disillusioned from the start of the battle when Gwen and her friends had arrived and how he had disarmed Sirius at the same time he had jumped in front of Gwen when Bellatrix had fired the Killing Curse at her, and how he took the two Black brothers' wands along with the Potters as trophies of his 'kills'.

How he had willingly and instigated the plans with Grindelwald and how he had killed his own sister as she was chain around his neck dragging him down and stopping his plans but when he was confronted by his brother Aberforth he had to pretend otherwise and abandon his lover and their plans. How both he and Gellert had hunted down the Peverells together and killed them claiming the Elder wand despite it belonging to the Potters as their Family Heirloom, and most shockingly; how the legendary duel between Albus and Gellert was staged. A fake. After four hours, now way past midnight, Madam Bones finally brought the trial to a close.

"Albus Dumbledore for nearly reducing an Heiress into forming an Obscurus, among your other grievances you are hereby stripped of your wands and all titles effectively immediately! Your monetary will go to all those who you have hurt with your fake greater good scheme, including your own brother for the murder of your younger sister and all those who had died, or who were seriously injured during the last war due to your inactions. Your wand will be snapped and your magic bound. I hope it was all worth it, for you will spend the remainder of your days in a high security cell near Grindelwald in Numenguard but far enough away that you will only ever hear him and never see him again." Madam Bones said, banging her gavel. "Take him away." She ordered.

* * *

~ At Hogwarts, Gryffindor Sixth year girls dormitory, Gryffindor Tower ~

Earlier that evening, while witches and wizards were reeling from the events of that evening, Gwen was feeling more relaxed then she has done in years, stepped out of the bathroom into her dormitory towel drying her hair only to freeze when she sensed someone at her back. Turning around she noticed Lavender Brown, Abbie Runcorn (she thinks? A fellow sixth year but in a different dorm) and two seventh years standing with angry scowls on their faces and their wands pointing at Gwen.
"What do you want?" Gwen asked, slowly lowering the towel from her head as her wand appeared in her hand hidden by the towel.

"You will give us that wand back Potter!" Abbie snarled, the tip of her wand starting to light up. "It doesn't belong to a weak Omega like you!"
"Protego!" Gwen cried, protecting herself from Abbie's wand just as a Dark cutting curse was thrown at her and she suddenly realised it had been a trap.
Then she knew no more.

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Author's note: DO NOT ask me to update in any way shape or form. There are other ways of telling me what you thought of this.