Chapter 6: The Trial 

There was no escaping now. All the jury and judges were facing here in a vast circle, impending eyes and cold faces freezing her to the spot, it was only when the judge called her did she shudder forwards. The judge was old and wrinkly, so much so you could have mistaken him for an old hat. His glasses sank into his skin as the hazy hazel coloured eyes looked into her, analysed her, and scanned her for confidence. There was none.

“Sit,” the low voice of the judge said and Lucy took the seat dead in the middle. The judge’s accomplices kept their eyes in her; there wasn’t one time she wasn’t watched, the slightest movements making them all stare. The judge put some sheets together before continuing.

“Miss Lucy Eileen Snape, daughter of Severus Snape and Lily Jane Potter, no certificate of marriage…”

“Yes,” Lucy said quickly but soon realised the judge was merely calling out the case. She shrunk and felt red as he grabbed the sides of the stand and leant down to look into her. The fall was so steep he could fall to death and his voice echoed dangerously.

“Would the prosecuted not speak during legal requirements of the court,” he boomed and stared at her. When Lucy didn’t do anything he returned back to his position like a gargoyle back onto his perch.

“The accused has been found guilty of summering magic and injuring muggles in a muggle environment. The accused is sentenced to 18 years imprisonment in Azkaban — " 

“Woah, what?” Lucy shrieked and her hands sunk to her sides to hide her fists. The judge stopped and moaned.

“Miss Snape,” he rasped. “Do you have a lawyer?”

Lucy said nothing at first before muttering. “Well...no but I — ”

“Or a witness?” he pondered loudly so she could hear.

“No but — ”

“If a criminal has no witness or lawyer then he or she is automatically guilty...” he sighed and flicked the papers back in front of his face.

“That isn’t fair...! Sir” Lucy’s voice turned mute as she noticed everyone eyeing her again and she shrunk back in the cold oak, wishing it would comfort her. “I can’t go to prison! I was protecting myself!”

The judge heard Lucy perk up again but did not focus his attention on her, but instead on her papers sealing her fate.

“Miss Snape, we know this is unfortunate timing but I assure you the ministry will help your friends in finding a new leader to help your adventure — ”

“I don’t want help!” Lucy whimpered. “I want be free and I want to go home!”

The judge chuckled softly and smiled at her.

“Mr Gibsby, sign here please,” he spoke to his companion below and made the letter float down with his wand. The man stood up and claimed it with his skeleton fingers before slowly reading the letter.

Lucy felt herself start to shake but kept her face calm as the man signed the letter slowly, as if inflicting pain into Lucy. He twirled his wand lamely and sent it back up to his boss who smiled gratefully.

“This case is closed,” he boomed and went to flick his wand for the baton nearby. Lucy watched as it glowed a white colour before slowly floating over. Instincts told Lucy that it was going to bind her to the parchment. She really was doomed now, but in the adrenalin rush of forcing back tears, her mind wandered to Sirius Black...

Then without warning, a loud clatter of metal could be heard down the dark corridor behind the jury. All of the robed men and woman turned their heads in unison; even the judge was partly distracted. Lucy heard someone swear loudly before she turned in excitement. Whoever was coming had stopped her one-way ticket to Azkaban for a couple of minutes.

'I might have time to say goodbye to dad...’ she thought gratefully. 

The silhouette was outlined by a soft light in the background of the tunnel, probably from an open office door. Being the only moving figure, it became the only interesting sight. The judge stuck out a rosy pink bottom lip and peered forward, stooping over his oval spectacles.

Lucy saw the thing stagger forward, muttering words to mute to hear. Lucy noticed it was half lifting one leg as the half-light hit her. It was now obvious it was a woman, who then causally walked into one of the watchers seats and swore loudly and fell over.

“And who might you be?” the judge mocked slightly at the person. The girl shook her head like a wet dog, brown hair making a pattern in the air.

“Louise Erigum,” Shona Mcguire pronounced in a cheerful voice as she stood up. Realising she was facing the wrong way, she turned around.

The place was half horrified at the state Shona was in. hands clapped together; her skin was paler than icy water, almost inhuman like and could have been mistaken for being dug up from an age old grave. She had some bags under her eyes but her smiled showed different, the cheeky idiotic smile she usually wore. The only thing presentable was her suit, grey waistcoat and grey trousers with a white blouse underneath, showing off her figure.

“Looks too good for you me, Lord?” Shona joked, trying to crack the frozen air. Lucy half smiled in relief and got thumbs up from Shona as the judge was too busy wiping his spectacles to get a better look at the woman in front of him.

“Are you alright?” one asked and looked over his tanned nose. Shona turned her attention instantly.

“Oh, dead leg. See?” She said and shook it out. This didn’t impress.

Mumbles went through the court as Shona got more looks from everybody. She placed a hand on the tall chair above and turned to Lucy.

“What are you doing here?” one attacked her and Shona was forced to turn her attention once again.

“I’m a lawyer for Miss Lucy Snape,” Shona said plainly in surprise.

“Where is your licence?” One quivered in a high voice from above, joining the prowl.

“Handed it in at reception like the law states, I have to when you check in at the ministry my good sir. Good thing I turned up a couple of hours early mind, heard a rumour the fezziwonks were touring here!” Shona said happily, but none looked impressed at her early appearance “And what’s this I hear Dumbledore turned up three hours early? Didn’t realise he was a fezziwonks fan!”

“Yes...surprising isn’t it?” the judge said unconvincingly, showing his only sign of stress so far. Shona smiled happily at this and clapped her hands together, rubbing them enthusiastically.

“Right let’s start this case” she muttered. She walked back and forth from the ginormous wooden chair were a shivering Lucy sat. There was a soft hum from the court as Lucy stared at Shona.

“What are you doing here?” It was more of a half shocked half angry gesture. Shona put on hand on top of the chair and talked quietly.

“Oh I thought a pay a visit,” Shona said casually and smiled.

“Do you know anything to do with lawyers?” Lucy asked hopefully.

“No…not really” Shona said admitted and Lucy’s shoulders went down, mouth gawping open “I’m Shure we’ll be fine though” Shona assured her.

The mumble dimmed and the court addressed them.

“The charges?” Shona asked seriously. The judge sighed to himself and raised the papers once again.

“The charges are as follows…” He mumbled. He raised his wand to let another unseen copy float down to Shona who caught it effortlessly. She frowned and placed a hand on her chin as she walked around.

“Lucy Eileen Snape charged for summering magic and injuring muggles in a muggle environment, she has also believed to have injured the boy — ”

Shona stayed silent and scanned the page, and Lucy wished her friend would say something, but she knew this was only increasing the pain...

“Miss Lucy Snape has and will be accused of illegally producing magic in front of a muggle and — ”

“WRONG SIR!” Shona said in a loud, energetic voice. She pointed at him and the judge looked slightly unnerved by the randomness. Lucy felt like hitting her hands on her head. “It is not illegal to produce a protection charm or spell in any way in the element of danger!” Shona replied.

“Really...” the judge droned, not impressed by the young lawyer.

“Really?” Lucy whispered, not believing her luck. Shona turned to her and make a noise which probably meant to be a ‘yes’ before returning to her ageing audience.

“Check it yourself,” Shona said confidently “The paper that it’s written in is is in fact part of a page the ministry’s most trusted laws. The laws are the ministry’s world, I believe” All went silent as Shona shook her head “law on the rights of the protection act 1954 onward” she added smartly

“How dare you?” The judge growled low into his voice box. Shona perked her eyebrows upholds and looked up to the old man.

“Going green are we?” Shona Asked. Lucy sniggered and the judge gave her a look. She read the law to herself as the judge crowed down to try and listens in, but the height made it very hard to hear...

“Miss Erigum, I advise you be more respectful to your higher workers.” A woman in pink sniffled.

“Apologies” Shona bowed and smiled into the floor. The crowd mumbled again as Shona walked back to Lucy. “Dinosaur,” she mumbled, almost making Lucy fall out of her chair.

“Do you know what happened on the night of the attack?” The judge bought all attention back onto him. Shona bite her tongue, which was poking her cheek.

“I’m afraid I do not” Shona admitted coolly and the judge smiled, baring yellow teeth at her, and Shona decided not to stick her nose up at the smell, she didn’t want to be chucked out just yet.

“At 6:26 pm the accused preformed the charms spell, struck with the stupefy curse sending Mr Dursley to the ground”

Lucy flinched. She had hurt a Dudley? That was impossible, she couldn’t have hurt anyone? Could she? She had instantly thought they were talking about Dudley, but then again, she hadn’t even been near him.

Shona looked over her shoulder to Lucy to clarify, and looked just as shocked as Lucy did. But she did hide this as she turned back. Lucy then spoke into her mind to Shona, Shona’s mysterious powers picking up the thought.

‘Shona...I think they’re blackmailing me’ Lucy said quietly in brain so no gargoyles could hear

“Where was the incident?” Shona asked normally as though nothing had happened at all, but gave Lucy an OK sign with her hands as she held them behind her back.

“Little Winging,” the man said.

“May I bring us to the idea that Mr Harry Potter was at the scene as well? He supposedly used the patronus charm on a dementor...that is correct?” she asked sensibly. Suddenly all were roaring at her.

“If you are referring to Mr Potter you are at the wrong hearing,” he chuckled a little louder, his mangled companions copying him, but did not faze Shona one bit, in fact, she was no more determined. Lucy perched on her seat more.

“But common sense prevails that dementors are known to draw fog in?” Shona said and paused in mid thought with the tip of her finger in her mouth, eyes focused on the rimmed glasses.

“We did not bring the subject of dementors up.” The judge told her with a sarcastic voice.

“So you think Miss Snape just decided to whisk her wand out and produce a charm? Then hurt a muggle unsuspectingly?” Shona bit back with force

“Well no...” The judge started

“Good. We finally agree with something then,” Shona butted him, her smile slipping away.

“Miss Merigum...” he said breathlessly.

“Please, call me Louise, your shroud politeness is putting me off.”

Shona had the whole court stunned. Lucy was astounded that Shona had lasted this long and they genuinely believed she was a lawyer. But she couldn’t avoid the fact that getting expelled was still a massive option. Her knees were starting to felt weak from pressure and she couldn’t do anything about it.

“Back to the subject” the one in pink said cheerfully, Shona looking at her like she had only just awoken from the dead. Even though Lucy knew Shona, she had never seen the look before and the sallow face probably was making her a whole lot scarier than she actually was.

“Yes,” one murmured, breaking the silence but not successfully.

The judge then spoke aloft. “It is believed then Miss Snape met up with her father, who then…”

“Don’t try and lie to me” Shona said suddenly in a hoarse voice. She walked in front of the stage and scanned her eyes up towards to the judge, the blue eyes suddenly serious.

“What?!?” the judge roared astounded, but Lucy could see sweat on each and everyone’s faces.it then struck her Shona had been reading their minds the whole time. Then the true idea of how much power Shona truly held became quite unnerving.

“You were about to accuse her father. You were going to say how Snape could have attacked the muggle and the dementors could have been mugs in hoods; don’t try to hoodwink me.” The place was alive with murmurs as Lucy looked at the jury. “You think I was born yesterday? Because of the way I act is it? Well let me tell you something you should know, Mr Gregory, you’d be briefing the court of law if you had let that lie slip your tongue.”

All couldn’t stop staring. Shona’s mind reading powers had once again stunned the living.

“Who told you this?” The judge asked and loomed over Shona nearly breaking her neck to see him. 

“You really thought I’d believe that was muggers that attacked Miss Snape, not Dementors? You really thought I wouldn’t suspect the head judge of lying?” Shona couldn’t believe it either. “Well I didn’t my good sir. Unless I’m mad, which I probably am now.”

Shocked and disturbed at the girl, the judge noticed the change in tone in the girl

“What did you suppose I’d think? Halloween suits?” she shook her head in disbelief and chuckled softly.

“WHERE IS YOUR RESPECT?!” The judge roared. Lucy shrunk into her seat and swore she felt the shout hit her back. Shona wasn’t deterred.

“I have respect to those who only tell the truth sir,” Shona’s voice was full of venom. The judge decided to change the subject, knowing he wasn’t going to win with words and trying to forget Shona’s unforeseen knowledge.

“As I was going to say...”

“Actually, there was a problem with what you were going to say earlier sir.” Shona muttered to him.

“Sorry?” the judge wined and tried to lean over but Shona seemed to cower. 

“OK, OK, don’t kill yourself! Hang on!” She said quickly and walked near the exit and the viewer chairs.

“You have a problem with the evidence?” The judge droned unsurprisingly and pushed himself back into his chair, shouting slightly

“Well yes.” Shona said loudly as well as she started to climb past the viewer’s steps and closer the opposing cloaked men and women, all looking as if some hideous creature was approaching “you said miss Snape cursed a muggle correct? Mr Dursley and another?”

“Yes,” the man said curiously, unsure now if he had the right evidence himself as the girl strode closer to the crowd, who seemed to be backing away, making an amusing sight for Lucy.

“Wrong sir again! I can assure you from the evidence at the muggle hospital that Mr Dursley only suffered injuries from an encounter with a dementor, not a stupefy charm.”

“Proof?”

“It’s on your desk” Shona said as she came to the last rack of stairs

“Sorry?”

“On your desk!” Shona said even louder and put her hands up before making a noise “I’m coming I’m coming…” she muttered sarcastically.

Shona strolled by the caped people, some backing their legs off while others eyed her. Shona walked with her hands behind her back, thinking slowly. Lucy had to admit she was making her hearing a lot more fun than she thought. Shona ploughed straight towards the judge. When she arrived she placed both arms on the side of the desk and talked in a normal tone.

“You see Sir, because Miss Lucy Snape is protected by the act she has the right to use any magic possible if she is in danger. I think it is a bit of a coincidence that Mr Harry Potter was attacked and for Miss Snape not to be attacked? Not very likely.”

The judge loomed into her, their heads inches apart and he said in a slow tone.

“Very well done, Miss Lousie, very well done indeed. But I’m afraid in vain. You see, unless you are thick, dementors can only be cleared by the patronus charm. Now Mr Potter used this yes, but not Miss Snape. She used a stupefy charm. Now explain that,” he concluded. Shona froze. Then Lucy got a message inside her head from Shona.

 ‘Oh Bogarts’

The judge smiled at her sarcastically as Shona’s face seemed to be frozen. The judge’s wand rose again and was about to hand Shona the pen when suddenly…

“She is innocent!” Shona said quickly and grabbed his attention back. “She is innocent! I…I have a witness!” she told him almost randomly. The judge wiped his eyes and sighed.

“And this witness is...?” he droned, wanting to have wrapped things up by now. A man came running in, robes flying around. Shona didn’t look round as the man yelled:

"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore!" Dumbledore entered in one swoop causing the place to come alive with voice. The judge scowled at Dumbledore before giving Shona one too. Shona had one eyebrow perked up with a know it all face on.

“Damn you,” he muttered and Shona walked off down to Dumbledore. Lucy felt a wave of relief wash over her as Shona spoke into Dumbledore’s ear. He nodded softly and spoke in a whisper. Lucy strained to hear but heard nothing. Lucy had the feeling this was the maddest court hearing that had ever occurred.

“If I my witness is allowed he would like to speak” Shona said happily and stood next to Dumbledore. The judge’s face didn’t move.

“The department of mysteries I visited some days ago had on display a recent object they had recovered from little winging. This object was stone knight from a life size wizard chess playing board. Someone or something has cursed it to do its bidding.”

 All went quiet.

“You don’t think the ministry did this? Do you?” He laughed.

“No,” said Dumbledore. “But how nice of you to think about your work place like that. The department of mysteries has backed me on this. Lucy Snape is innocent.”

“And the muggle?”

“Mrs Figg has said she only saw Harry Potter at the scene were Mr Dursley was.” Dumbledore cut him up so quickly no one had time to react.

The judge grumbled for a couple of seconds and went for his wand, Lucy stayed in her seat and grimaced but for obvious reasons. He raised the baton and said through his gritted teeth.

“The defendant is found not guilty!”