Harry Potter: The Angel of Death C34 (Patreon)

Chapter 34: The Trial Part II

The moment Scrimgeour finished speaking, several members of the Wizengamot began proposing alternatives.

“Ministry custody would provide—”

“A court-appointed guardian could—”

“An old family with appropriate protections—”

“A neutral household, surely—”

“Temporary supervision under Ministry authority—”

The suggestions continued to come, each gathering nods and murmurs of approval from different sections of the chamber.

This was hardly the first time Harry had heard these arguments. The exact same points had been raised during the previous hearing, and Crowley had dismantled them one by one. He had won that argument then, and Harry had every confidence he would win it again today, but that did not make listening to it any less irritating.

Sitting quietly while more than a hundred witches and wizards debated his future as though he had no say in the matter was incredibly frustrating. They discussed where he should live, who should have authority over him, what risks were acceptable, what arrangements were necessary, and what restrictions ought to be placed upon him and his guardians, all without asking the person whose life they were discussing.

Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes, it was a miracle he had not done so already.

Then Cornelius Fudge stood with a smile that looked far too eager.

“If the court requires Ministry oversight,” the Minister said warmly, “my office would, of course, be prepared to assume temporary responsibility for Mr. Potter’s welfare.”

The room went quiet as many members of the Wizengamot halted their discussions and looked towards the Minister of Magic. Crowley immediately stood from his seat and turned around to look at Fudge with a cold smirk.

“Minister,” Crowley said pleasantly, “how generous.”

Fudge’s smile faltered.

“Harry's well-being is naturally one of our highest priorities.” He said. 

Crowley looked at him for a moment before walking towards the center of the room, addressing the entire council.

“Of course.” Crowley nodded thoughtfully before looking at Madam Bones. “May I ask a question?”

Amelia Bones gestured for him to continue. Crowley folded his hands behind his back and made eye contact with several members of the council, one by one, before saying:

“Should the Minister for Magic possess direct authority over Harry Potter?”

Fudge blinked.

“I hardly see—”

“Let us think about it carefully,” Crowley interrupted smoothly, pacing slowly around the chamber. “Harry Potter is the most famous wizard in Britain.”

Several people nodded.

“He possesses immense public goodwill.”

More nods.

“His support carries political weight.”

The nodding stopped as many began to catch on. 

“His public appearances influence public opinion.”

Now people were exchanging looks.

“His approval, disapproval, endorsements, friendships, and associations are all politically valuable.”

Fudge's smile had disappeared, and Crowley looked directly at the assembled Wizengamot.

“So I ask again.” Crowley continued, “Does this court truly intend to place Harry Potter directly under the control of the sitting Minister for Magic?”

“I would hardly describe it as control—”

“Would you not?” Crowley asked. “A guardian possesses legal influence over residence, education, access, public appearances, finances, medical care, and social contact. In Mr. Potter’s specific case, such authority would also grant proximity to one of the most beloved public figures in Britain.”

Fudge began to shift uncomfortably, withering under the scrutiny of the audience and the Wizengamot. 

“Is this court comfortable handing the Minister that degree of personal access to Harry Potter?” Crowley looked around the chamber.

Fudge’s face reddened as more and more people began to look at him with distrust and suspicion. 

“Would that not create an extraordinary conflict of interest? The Minister overseeing the child whose public approval could influence elections, policy legitimacy, and national confidence?”

Fudge looked around the room, trying to find someone to rescue him from the hole he had dug himself into, but even his closest allies avoided looking directly at him. 

“Surely,” Crowley finished softly, “no one here wishes to create the appearance that the Ministry intends to acquire Harry Potter as a political asset.”

Fudge sank back  into his seat looking as though he had just seen a ghost, he was pale, visibly seating and trembling a bit as he avoided looking at anyone around him. Harry wonders ifit was the first time someone had publicly and decisively shut him down while exposing his manipulation for what it was, or perhaps it was that his allies had not rushed to his defense. Either way, Cornelius Fudge looked like a man who would very much prefer to be anywhere else, Harry watched as the Minister fixed his attention on a random parchment with the desperate concentration of someone hoping reality might simply forget he existed. Something told Harry that Fudge would not be volunteering to speak again during this trial, and frankly, that was probably for the best.

Crowley caught Harry's eye and gave him a small wink before turning back toward the chamber. Harry relaxed in his sead and a smile tug at the corner of his lips: Crowley’s had this. 

Over the past month he had proven time and time again his competence and at this point, Harry was almost beginning to feel sorry for anyone foolish enough to stand against him. Almost sorry, this people are the ones trying to stop him from obtaining his freedom so no sympathy for them.

“As for court-appointed guardianship, the defence welcomes specific suggestions.”

That was such an obvious trap, but several members of the Wizengamot either did not see it or ignored it. 

“House Selwyn has experience fostering—”

Lord Travers couldn’t even finish his suggestion before half the chamber started to object:

“Absolutely not!”

“They are dark sympathies, they still support—”

“Unacceptable.”

After being shut down, Lord Travers sat down, looking at his friend, Lord Selwyn, with apologetic eyes. 

Lord Ollivander rose from his seat next.

“House Abbott, then. They have no ties to the Dark Lord. On the contrary, they opposed him during the war at considerable cost. The previous Head of House Abbott lost his life, and the family suffered the loss of several valuable alliances as a consequence of their stance." 

“That is a political provocation!”

“Do you intend to give Potter to Bones’ faction-” Lady Rosier shut up, looking at Madam Bones, who is presiding over this trial, fearfully. Madam Bones paid her no mind, and Lady Rosier let out a relieved sigh before sitting down. 

By the look of relief on Lord Abbott’s face when his House was dismissed, combined with Madam Bones’ complete lack of interest, it became painfully obvious that Lord Ollivander had not actually bothered to ask whether House Abbott had any interest in the arrangement. 

Call him old-fashioned, but Harry felt that checking whether a family was interested before volunteering them to take custody of a teenager might be a relevant detail. 

"A Light family loyal to Dumbledore, perhaps?" a senior Ministry official suggested. "The Chief Warlock has opposed multiple Dark Lords over the past century and is widely recognized as the most powerful wizard alive. Any family within his sphere of influence would be more than capable of providing protection."

"And hand Potter directly to the Chief Warlock's faction?" Lord Nott scoffed. "I think not."

Several members of the Wizengamot immediately began nodding, while others frowned.

"The boy is already too closely associated with Dumbledore as it is."

"Albus Dumbledore has never abused his position."

"That is not the point."

"It is precisely the point."

Harry watched another argument begin to gather momentum and briefly wondered whether anyone in the chamber was physically capable of agreeing on anything.

Apparently not, he thought. The moment someone proposed a solution, half the room objected on principle, while the other half objected to the objection. At this rate, they could spend the next decade discussing potential guardians and still fail to make a decision. Not that Harry minded, every minute they spent arguing with one another was a minute they were not coming up with new ways to interfere with his life.

The discussion continued for several more minutes, all while Crowley leaned on the desk of the defense, half sitting on it, while looking at the chaos unfolding around with delight. 

Every name offered was argued against within seconds. Harry watched as the most powerful governing body in magical Britain proved Crowley’s point better than Crowley ever could have done himself: no one trusted anyone enough to give them Harry Potter.

Harry noticed that roughly a dozen members of the Wizengamot had remained silent throughout the discussion, while their colleagues argued over potential guardians,  they simply watched the debate unfold without contributing.

He recognized most of them, they were the members who had attended the previous hearing. Unlike the others, they had already seen this argument play out once before and had come to the same uncomfortable realization: deciding who would receive custody of Harry Potter was a political nightmare.

“What about the Macmillans?”

“They have too much influence already.”

“The Greengrasses?”

“Neutral families are neutral until offered enough benefit.”

“A Ministry-appointed household—”

“Controlled by whom?”

Every candidate came with alliances, rivalries, obligations, enemies, and agendas. Choose a Ministry official and accusations of government overreach would follow. Select a family aligned with Dumbledore and half the chamber would complain about favoritism. Pick one opposed to him and the other half would do the same. 

Harry and Crowley watched as the Wizengamot gradually descended into chaos, with members interrupting one another, raising objections, and even tearing themselves apart over matters unrelated to the topic at hand.

To Harry's horror, he found the spectacle increasingly entertaining and for a brief moment, he felt conflicted as he realized just how much of Crowley's Crowleyness had rubbed off on him over the past month. Then he shrugged and returned to enjoying the show. If the politicians were determined to make fools of themselves, who was he to interfere?

Beside him, Crowley observed the proceedings with a relaxed expression as if he was watching a particularly enjoyable theatre performance.

"My dear boy," he whispered, leaning slightly closer, "let this be a lesson: politicians require remarkably little encouragement to demonstrate why they should not be trusted."

Harry snorted.

The members of the Wizengamot dismantled proposal after proposal until even the most stubborn among them was forced to acknowledge the obvious truth: nobody could agree on a guardian for Harry Potter. 

Only once the discussion had begun dying down did Crowley finally rise. 

“Members of the Wizengamot,” Crowley said calmly once the chamber was quieting down, “I would like to thank you.”

That drew confused looks. Crowley just smirked.  

“For proving my point.” Crowley's smile widened ever so slightly. “You have spent the last thirty minutes attempting to choose a guardian acceptable to this court.”

He gestured around the chamber.

“You have not found one.”

No one spoke, and Crowley looked toward the audience and then back to the assembled council.

“So, esteemed members of the Wizengamot,” he said smoothly, “I would like to shift the focus of this discussion.” 

That gained the attention and interest of many. 

“We have spent a considerable amount of time discussing what Mr. Potter supposedly cannot do.” He looked around the chamber. "What I find particularly interesting is that very little time has been spent discussing what he has already done."  

Harry had learned by now that whenever Crowley sounded reasonable, someone was about to have a very unpleasant day. 

The solicitor clasped his hands behind his back. 

"The Ministry's position relies heavily upon the assumption that Mr. Potter is ultimately incapable of managing his own affairs due to his age."

Several members nodded.

"A fair concern."

His words seemed to surprise people, which, in all honesty, it shouldn't; Crowley does love to agree with opposing arguments only to then turn them around.

"Fortunately," he continued, "we possess something far more valuable than assumptions."

He smiled, making several people look at him with caution.

“Evidence.” Several parchment files floated from his briefcase and distributed themselves among the members of the court. 

“But before we proceed, let us address another matter. Many of you have already reviewed the records of the hearing held last week.”

That earned several nods from around the chamber.

“Nevertheless, a brief reminder seems prudent. During those proceedings, Mr. Potter's character and maturity were examined at considerable length and found to be entirely satisfactory.”

Crowley paused briefly.

“Should any member of this body require a more detailed account, the official transcripts remain available for review, as do the testimonies of those present.”

He brought attention to the files previously distributed next.

“Now, let us begin with finances. Wizarding Britain allows heirs to access inherited wealth from the age of eleven.” Crowley paused. "A rather terrifying concept when one thinks about it."

A few chuckles spread through the chamber.

"Yet it remains legal." He gestured toward Harry. “For over two years, wizarding law has trusted Mr. Potter with direct access to a substantial inheritance, and in those years, he has demonstrated remarkable financial responsibility. He has not squandered his fortune, gambled it away, or fallen victim to fraud despite his youth and inexperience.”

He took a brief pause. 

"He has not attempted to purchase dragons, private islands, Quidditch teams, or any of the other catastrophically irresponsible expenditures normally associated with wealthy adolescents." 

That earned another round of laughter, even Madam Bones seemed a bit amused for half a second before her expression returned to her usual cold professionalism. 

Crowley pressed on, not losing momentum. 

"In fact, the evidence suggests Mr. Potter has demonstrated financial restraint considerably superior to many adults."

That earned a few offended looks from certain members, Harry suspected those people were precisely the people Crowley meant. 

“If this nation considers him mature enough to control a fortune, it seems rather inconsistent to suddenly declare him incapable of managing his own life.” 

Several members of the Wizengamot looked as though they were seriously considering Crowley's statement and from the audience section came a few enthusiastic voices of support.

"Yeah!"

"You tell 'em, Crowley!"

Harry did not even need to look to know exactly who had shouted that.

Several witches and wizards turned toward the gallery with expressions ranging from annoyance to disbelief. A few older wizards and witches looked personally offended by the interruption.

Fred, entirely unrepentant, waved one of his enchanted flags, while George offered the chamber a cheerful wave.

Harry lowered his head into his hands.

"Silence in the audience," Madam Bones ordered, giving the twins a stern glare.

Fred and George immediately sat down and proceeded to mime zipping their mouths shut, locking them with an imaginary key, and dramatically throwing the key over their shoulders. Then they both gave Madam Bones enthusiastic thumbs-up. The Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement stared at them for several seconds before letting out a long-suffering sigh.

The exchange lightened the atmosphere throughout the chamber, more than a few witches and wizards suddenly found the floor, ceiling, or their notes intensely fascinating as they struggled to contain their laughter. Even several members of the Wizengamot were fighting smiles, but not everyone was amused. Molly Weasley and Professor McGonagall were glaring at the twins with the sort of expressions that promised consequences later 

Fred and George, displaying their usual survival instincts, wisely avoided making eye contact with either woman.

Crowley coughed to hide his amusement before continuing. 

“Mr. Potter has done a considerably better job managing his own affairs without guidance than many witches and wizards twice his age.” 

One of the previously distributed files open itself midair. 

“Let's take, for example, Mr. Potter's decision to pursue emancipation. He did not hire the first solicitor he met, he did his research. He arranged consultations with multiple firms, compared qualifications, reviewed professional histories, and only then reached a decision. In other words, he approached the matter with diligence, caution, and a level of due care that many adults fail to demonstrate when making decisions of far lesser consequence.” 

Harry felt his ears grow warm as dozens of heads turned in his direction. More than a few members of the Wizengamot were nodding approvingly, while others regarded him with expressions that ranged from impressed to pleasantly surprised. The praise was embarrassing enough on its own, but what made it worse were the muttered comments that began spreading through the chamber.

"My grandson is nearly thirty and he still signs contracts without reading them."

"I once caught my nephew investing in a company because he liked the logo."

"Heavens, my brother is seventy-two and I wouldn't trust him to choose a color for the parlor."

Harry briefly considered sliding under his chair and remaining there until the trial ended. 

“Let us now turn attention to Mr. Potter's residence,” Crowley said after Madam Bones silenced the chamber. “This report was conducted by a court-appointed inspector three days ago.” 

One Mr. Strong had visited the flat a few days earlier alongside Crowley. The man had spent nearly three hours inspecting every room, examining the wards, checking safety measures, and asking Harry what felt like hundreds of questions.

Halfway through the inspection, Crowley had casually switched on the television and the man nearly suffered a heart attack.

"Is that... working?" he had demanded, staring at the television.

Apparently, Mr. Strong was a half-blood who had spent the latter half of his teenage years living with his Muggle grandparents after his parents died during the war. Since moving to a magical district following his grandparents' deaths, he had rarely interacted with Muggle technology. Like most magicals, he knew that magic and electronics generally did not mix particularly well, so seeing a functioning television inside a magical home had been quite the shock.

Harry had explained what he knew about magitech and the modifications he had made to the flat, and by the end of the conversation, Mr. Strong looked as though Harry had personally revealed the secrets of the universe. When the man finally left hours later, he was carrying a lengthy list containing the titles of every magitech book Harry had used, along with the names of several European companies that specialized in magitech.

Harry was fairly certain that in some law book, somewhere, that probably counted as bribery, or at the very least, it was not entirely professional. On the other hand, Mr. Strong had been the one asking questions, and besides, no one involved in politics seemed particularly interested in playing fair; why should he?

"The residence currently occupied by Mr. Potter was inspected in accordance with Ministry housing regulations." Crowley continued to explain the report, and several people skimmed through the copies Crowley had given them. 

“In short, the property was found save, properly maintained, appropriately secured and fully suitable for habitation.” Crowley folded his hands. “Mr. Potter is not simply managing on his own; he is doing so exceptionally well.” 

There was a brief silence as members finished reading the report.

“Now, another point brought up by both the Ministry and me during the previous hearing is that Harry Potter is in constant danger.”

That brought attention back to him right away. 

“Does anyone present disagree?”

When nobody did, Crowley nodded. 

“As we have already established, Harry Potter is famous.” He began pacing. “He is politically influential, a frequent target, and the last surviving member of House Potter.” 

He stopped walking. 

"Since there appears to be unanimous agreement that Mr. Potter remains under active threat, then we may reasonably conclude that House Potter itself remains endangered." 

A murmur spread through portions of the chambers, and Harry noticed Lucius Malfoy was visibly biting the inside of his cheek to remain silent. He had spotted the trap, but he can not say anything.

Harry smirked. 

“Mr. Potter is not merely the Boy-Who-Lived,” Crowley’s voice echoed through the chamber. “He is the sole surviving heir of a noble House.” 

Crowley reached into his briefcase and withdrew a very old-looking book. A few members of the Wizengamot, the traditional faction, recognized it and began to look nervous.

"The Ancient Rights and Privileges Charter," Crowley announced pleasantly. 

A few people exchanged alarmed looks.

"Under Article Seventeen," Crowley continued, casually opening the book, "an heir of an endangered House may invoke provisional majority rights during periods of existential threat against said House." 

The chamber exploded into chaos, and dozens of conversations broke out simultaneously as members of the Wizengamot argued, questioned, and protested. Several traditionalist members looked very uncomfortable, while others appeared to have suddenly developed a deep interest in the contents of their notes.

"Mr. Potter is the sole surviving Potter," Crowley said, raising his voice just enough to carry above the growing uproar. "His House possesses no spare heirs, and he remains the target of a hostile force responsible for the deaths of his parents. House Potter therefore remains endangered. The conditions outlined within the Charter are clearly met."

The statement only intensified the commotion and Amelia rose from her seat.

“Order!”

The chamber gradually quieted, and as the noise faded, attention began shifting toward the traditionalist bloc. 

Harry almost felt sorry for them. 

Originally, they had been among the strongest opponents of his emancipation, many had supported Voldemort outright, while others had merely sympathized with his ideals. To them, Harry Potter was either an enemy, or a useful asset to be controlled but right now they have a problem. A huge problem. 

If they rejected the law simply because applying it benefited Harry Potter, they would be undermining centuries of inheritance rights, House privileges, noble protections, and ancient traditions. Everything they constantly claimed to defend would be weakened by their own actions. But if they support the law, they would be supporting Harry Potter.

It was one hell of a conundrum. 

Crowley was no longer arguing that Harry deserved emancipating, he was arguing that denying Harry might require dismantling the very traditions half the Wizengamot had spent their entire careers protecting. 

Across the chamber, Lucius Malfoy closed his eyes briefly. Several witches and wizards seated nearby looked at Crowley with a mixture of irritation and reluctant respect.

Many were beginning to understand why Anthony J. Crowley had a reputation for being terrifying. Crowley had not tried to win the argument, he had simply arranged things so that his opponents could not afford to lose it.

What a frightening solicitor indeed.

***

Author’s Note: Biggest chapter so far, nearly 4K words. I probably won’t be able to update tomorrow since I’m stuck with a double shift at work and will likely be completely exhausted by the time I get home.