Shock, disbelief, anger then a blank mask overcame all fifty members of the Wizengamot, some struggling to regain their impassive look but inevitably they all succeeded. In fact Hadrian caught sight of what could have been a witch at the back looking horrified by what had come out of Dumbledore's mouth. Cocking his head to the side, wondering just why he felt as though he recognized him or her. Frowning in annoyance, it was right there, he could feel he'd seen this person before but where? Where? He was just about to give up hope when the face he knew flashed before his eyes, melding with the one in front of him. Bloody hell, this was Doge, he wasn't a dull eyed, scraggy face, short podgy thing he remembered, he was thin, hair wasn't grey and he looked full of life. Dumbledore's greatest defender, refusing to ever believe a bad thing about the old fool even when it was in black and white, after his death. Look at him now, horrified to the core at what he was hearing coming out of his friend's mouth.
It wasn't like Dumbledore to make such a mistake, to say something like that; it was very out of character. He must be panicking and very worried to screw up in such a measure. It gave him a great deal of satisfaction to know Dumbledore was terrified. He was getting a doze of what he had gone through faced with the entire Wizengamot on a trumped up charge of underage magic. He could have made sure everyone knew about Voldemort right there and then, pensive memories couldn't be faked but he'd been content to let things play out, no, he thought angrily, that wasn't his life anymore, and he was going to ensure that nobody suffered at Dumbledore's hands ever again.
"Boys?" Professor Slughorn's voice brought Hadrian out of his dark thoughts.
"Yes, Professor?" Tom asked, none of his sadistic amusement showing on his curious yet serene face.
"They will be busy for at least an hour while they view all the memories, are you hungry?" Horace asked them, praying that they would say yes, he couldn't very well be irresponsible and leave them sitting here while he went for a cup of coffee and he desperately wanted a cup of coffee. He was extremely tired, slightly vexed too, unable to believe the nerve of Albus to give him HIM! That disappointed and betrayed look. He just wanted to get out of the room for a brief moment.
"Wait, what memories?" Hadrian asked, looking around the room only to realize that the Wizengamot were no longer there, in the middle of the room a pensive was glowing blue. "They view them and don't just take the Auror's word for it?" he was quite surprised, it didn't seem to him that pensive memories were all that big in his time.
"They don't," Horace said, educating the teenager with a smug smile twitching at his lips, "Each and every memory submitted by the witnesses, defence or prosecutor are viewed so that the Wizengamot may get a real feel of what happened."
"And fifty people can view them without a problem?" Hadrian asked, gazing at the basin in bafflement.
"Without a doubt," Horace informed Hadrian. "It would be next to impossible to converse, but they aren't there to talk, they are there only to observe."
"I assume the Ministry has a cafeteria?" Tom questioned the professor, knowing Hadrian was done with his questions.
"Two in fact," Horace said, "One is in basement level two, used by the law enforcement mostly, and basement level eight is the cafeteria for the general public, next to the reception area." as the entire Ministry was underground they usually didn't bother with 'basement' in the titles but it was nonetheless there in the directory. "Shall we go?" if he had realized just how hopeful he looked he would have been deeply embarrassed by his lack of restraint, he was after all, first and foremost a Slytherin.
"I am thirsty," Hadrian said in agreement, plus his butt was numb sitting in the same place for ages, he wasn't sure how long he'd already been there. Perhaps he'd underestimated how long the process would take, his own trial hadn't lasted all that long and assumed they were always that way.
"This way," Horace said, eager to get out of the room, he gave a nod to the Minister and his Undersecretary as they left, none of them blinked an eyelash at the decision to leave, since quite a few people did elect to go especially if there were a lot of memories to view. Since the two teens didn't know where they were going, Horace led the way after another sickening elevator ride (for both Tom and Horace) Hadrian meanwhile rather liked it, he'd always been an adrenaline junkie of sorts, for years he had rode his broom and relished each moment of it and the freedom he felt during it. He didn't miss flying as much as he thought he would, or rather playing Quidditch, he had no reason to feel the freedom the sky beckoned him with here. No burdens on his shoulders, he was more than just content with his life…he was extremely happy.
"Are you okay, Professor?" Hadrian asked sympathetically, as they walked. "I know he's your friend and this must be very difficult,"
A pained look appeared very briefly over Horace's face as he walked, he didn't appear in any mood to answer that question, instead he got them into the cafeteria, there was no line and for that Horace was grateful, he was about to ask the boys what they'd like when it became apparent that they would be paying for their own items, instead he paid of his large mug of coffee and slice of cake. He patiently waited on both of them finishing up before getting them situated where there weren't too many people to overhear anything.
Taking a sip of coffee, he sat back eyeing the teens with fondness, "I'll be just fine, there is no need to worry," he could see they were confused for a moment before realisation dawned. "He was my friend yes, and it's never nice when you think you know someone and they turn out to be something very different. Unfortunately, that is a way of life, young or old you will experience this yourselves no doubt."
Tom bit his tongue; he'd never allow himself to be surrounded by anyone like Dumbledore or someone who was a pretender or manipulator.
"I know," Hadrian said, thinking of the two he had considered his best friends for seven whole years, he couldn't even bring himself to think their names anymore. Even now it hurt, just a twinge though, he knew the real meaning of friendship and it was nothing like what he'd experienced with them. That's not to say it hadn't been shaky at times, like with Aiden, but jealousy had gotten the better of him, after his wake up call he'd become one of his staunchest friends. He liked to think it wasn't completely reliant on the oath of fealty he'd sworn.
Horace seeing the look on Hadrian's face didn't doubt his word, he had obviously been betrayed in some manner. He just hoped and prayed it was not an adult who had betrayed his trust in any manner but he believed it was. It would explain why Hadrian never went to an adult with his problems; thankfully he'd trusted Armando, who had given him a place at Hogwarts earning some measure of trust from the insecure teen. Just remembering how baffled he had been when they were all concerned for him that day he left the Hospital wing without permission haunted him near constantly.
"Do you think he will be found guilty, professor?" Tom asked, changing the subject while he gripped Hadrian's knee tightly giving him the comfort he so desperately needed. Today was dragging up a lot of old memories for his bonded and he hated that he didn't know how to make it better. Hadrian was the only one he cared about, only one he'd ever felt anything for. He was extremely pleased with himself when he felt Hadrian relax a little and begin to eat his sandwich with more vigour than he'd had the past week. Either that or the hunger had won over the worry.
"There is no doubt about it," Horace informed Tom grimly, "It will be a matter of whether he serves time in Azkaban or get's a suspended sentence."
"You think he could get a suspended sentence?" Tom questioned, feeling a sinking sensation in his gut.
"Some first offenders do receive suspended sentences, its normal youngsters who receive them, but considering Albus is a teacher his sentence might very well be used to set an example against being inappropriate and receive a heaver than normal sentencing." Horace explained as he quite happily drank his coffee, feeling much more alert and honestly? Relieved that he wasn't still sitting in that room with Dumbledore staring at him.
Now that Tom liked the sound off, he really hoped they went down that route and used Dumbledore as an example.
"I'm surprised there aren't reporters in the courtroom," Hadrian added, speaking around the lump of sandwich in his mouth ensuring that no bits spat out. He wasn't Dudley Dursley and hadn't been raised by pigs after all. He didn't sense any curiosity from Tom so he must already know the answer.
"Reporters aren't allowed in the courtroom without a pass, and they are rarely given, they are nonetheless waiting in the atrium for news of the outcome already." Horace told them, putting his empty cup aside in favour of his cake. The courtrooms were very secure areas of the Ministry, the only reason he had been able to get a pass was because legally while Hadrian and Tom were at Hogwarts, both were his wards and they had to be escorted by an adult even if they were emancipated. His students were being taught by the teachers who had free periods, unfortunately the Newts students had to go the library with a quiz since nobody qualified was available to take the class for that time period.
"I see," Hadrian added, drinking some juice to wash down his sandwich. It made sense, since there hadn't even been any reporters in the courtroom for his farce of a trial. There was still so much he didn't know, but he was actually actively reading the material so he knew everything he could about his world now. "Do you know what happens after they view the memories?" in other words how much longer does the trial go on for?
"You will more than likely be called up to answer some questions; Albus may ask you some as well since he's defending himself." Horace began seriously, "They may even call you up as well, Tom, after that they will probably have more questions for Albus and then deliberations will begin on whether he will be found guilty or not guilty, and if it is guilty they will hold one more discussion on the punishment itself and the length of it."
Okay, now THAT was news, Dumbledore himself was going to ask questions? That was definitely going to be the most awkward part of the trial that was for damn certain. What kinds of questions was Dumbledore going to ask? Probably try and get him angry or make him feel really small his mind immediately began to think of tactics the old fool often employed. If the old man thought it would be easy to rile him up he was in for a hell of a surprise.
Horace glanced at his watch, "If you need to relieve yourself, I suggest doing it now, there won't be another break for two hours," he himself intended to as well.
Tom and Hadrian both nodded before they departed, the sign for the toilets ensured they didn't need to enquire as to where they were. Horace grabbed the empty cup, glasses and plates and put them on the top tray before lifting it and dumping them in the large tray, they automatically began to clean and float back over to their original positions. By that time the boys had returned, so Horace moved towards them, instructing them to stay there and went to the toilets himself.
"You can't let Dumbledore get you angry," Tom cautioned him, as soon as their teacher was out of earshot.
"I know," Hadrian said grimly, "I'm aware of the tactics he employs, well better than most," he added thoughtfully.
Tom did have to concede that point, since it was true. Nothing further was said, they couldn't risk speaking of anything more while they were in the Ministry of magic. Although they could have used their minds to speak, but it took a lot of concentration to do it and neither wanted to miss anything and when they went back in they couldn't afford to miss anything especially if they were called up.
Both glanced around when they heard the door open, seeing that Professor Slughorn was back, still wiping his hands with paper tissue which he placed in the closest bin. "Shall we?" he said, and with that the three wizards began to leisurely make their way back, true to Slughorn's word, there were reporters there, four different ones less than he had assumed, it must be a single reporter for each publication, one paper and probably three magazines, he couldn't see the name tags from where he was. They looked bored, but obviously they didn't want to miss anything and risk getting fired.
He lost sight of them once the doors of the elevator closed, and they were on the move once more, all of them holding tightly to the straps above them. What Hadrian loved most about the elevators - which surprisingly wasn't the thrill of riding in them - but rather the speed in which they went. He had mentally counted how long the elevator had been in motion and it was merely seven seconds, it took them longer to get in and out than it took for it to go.
Five minutes later the trio re-entered the room, all of them began to analyzing everything they were seeing. The Wizengamot were still not there, Dumbledore was no longer in the room, and a few others were absent as well. The Ministry, the Undersecretary and the scribe were sitting eating at their seats. Hadrian had just taken his seat when the noise level rose exponentially as the Wizengamot members were ejected from the pensive. Their expressions boded well for him, quite a few of them looked very squeamish, and as if they'd seen something they really didn't like the look of. Turning back to the front, Hadrian had to work really hard to keep the satisfaction and amusement from showing through. Quiet shuffling was heard and Hadrian didn't need to look to know that they were probably all reclaiming their seats ready for the next round.
A side door was opened moments afterwards and Dumbledore was escorted back into the room with two Aurors, a third moved away from them to conjure up a chair before he left through the double courtroom doors. The two Auror's escorting Dumbledore took their seats; they weren't the ones Hadrian had dealt with twice in the past. In fact Hadrian didn't recognize them at all, but that didn't surprise him, all the Aurors from this time were probably either retired and extremely old or dead by his time.
"Mr. Peverell, would you mind coming up and answering some questions?" the Minister asked after making his way over to the teenager, keeping his voice low so nobody else could hear him bar those who were sitting closest to him.
Hadrian nodded, "I'll come, Sir" he answered, being polite and respectful; it never hurt to be too polite especially to someone in power.
"Good," Lestrange nodded, "When I call you up, take a seat on the chair," with that he wandered back to his position without waiting on a reply, picking up the bundle of paperwork, sighing internally, as he stretched out wondering how best to begin questioning him.
"I'd like to call Mr. Peverell to the seat," the Minister called out, and utter silence descended, you would have heard a pin drop.
Hadrian stood up, giving a grim smile to Tom and Horace before moving around the seats, his heart pounding erratically, as nerves got the better of him momentarily especially when he sat down and found himself face to face with the entirety of the Ministry officials.
"What is your name?" Andronicus enquired, this part he found tedious, they already knew but for the sake of records they must ask them.
"Hadrian Peverell-Slytherin,"
"What was your first interaction with Albus Dumbledore like?" Andronicus asked something they weren't aware off.
"He was there with Headmaster Dippet after I woke up, the Headmaster asked me how I was but Dumbledore interrupted him and demanded to know who I was and when I didn't answer right away he asked me my name…it's pretty hazy I was in pain, I was unconscious for a long time and it took a while to regain my bearings." Hadrian answered, "As soon as the Headmaster was gone, he was asking me where I was from, and repeated it a few seconds later…I would have answered if I could, but I was still extremely disoriented."
The Wizengamot all nodded in approval at his clear concise answers, exactly what they would expect from a fifteen year old pureblood.
"And then?" Andronicus probed, presuming it wasn't the end of it.
"I received a pain relief potion from the school healer, Healer Chang, who took excellent care of me and made sure to answer each and every question I presented to her during my stay in the hospital wing." Hadrian added, "The Headmaster then asked me a few questions about what happened. I answered as much as I could about the attack, it was then the Headmaster realized he had to get the Auror's involved, he suggested I eat while I waited on them…pain relieve potions aren't meant to be taken with an empty stomach. I was malnourished and they were quite concerned about me. Dumbledore interrupted once more asking me if I attended Durmstrang, which of course, I had no idea about…I was even aware of magic at that point, or rather the finer details, being cursed does sort of drive home the existence of magic."
"Further into the conversation when Headmaster Dippet made it clear that no magical child would be left behind, insisted I attend magic school, I was quite overwhelmed, in a good way, at his generosity, I hadn't received much of it in my life." Hadrian caused, shifting slightly to make himself look self-conscious and just the right amount of worried. "Then I felt it sink away when Dumbledore asked the Headmaster if it was wise, truly thought I was going to be thrown out the school, homeless and utterly helpless." it was what a child would think after all. "Then when it was sorted Dumbledore then again demanded to know who my parents were…but I didn't know they died when I was very young, a baby. Healer Chang and Headmaster Dippet postulated the idea that I may be from the pureblood Peverell line. After that they left me to eat and get some rest before the Auror's arrived."
"And when was your next meeting with him?" Lestrange asked, this had already been answered as well, the Aurors had been thorough but they had to hear it all again, or rather the Wizengamot did.
"The next day, Headmaster Dippet brought me a list of all the classes I was eligible to take at Hogwarts, I had always been able to catch onto subjects quickly, and picked out my classes. Dumbledore was the one to take my to get my supplies, once we were out of the school he began to interrogate me again. Wishing to know who my parents were, as if he suspected I had lied. Then proceeded to ask if magic had truly not been a part of my life. Asking them in different ways as if he suspected I knew more than I let on." Hadrian informed them.
"On page nineteen there's a sworn statement from Auror Aaron Moody that Dumbledore began asking questions about Mr. Peverell-Slytherin a few days after this incident trying to get information, insistently trying to get at least the names of the parents and the addresses in which the young boy had been raised." the Minister stated, holding up the page in question himself. It had also been in the pensive anyway, so they were already aware of this, and their nodding confirmed it.
"How was your first Transfiguration class?" Andronicus prompted.
"Well, it was different from my normal classes, I…well I didn't ask Healer Chang for any more pain relief potions, so I was a little sore, and I must admit distracted. The class hadn't even been started for ten minutes, when Dumbledore singled me out, demanding that I pay attention and removed three points from Slytherin when nobody else had completed the work yet. As I said I had always picked things up remarkably well, and did the double spell directly afterwards but he did award Slytherin ten points, but blatantly ignored Tom when he did it right afterwards…" Hadrian explained, "At the end of the class, Dumbledore asked me to come to the front of the class, he gave me ten assignments that I had missed since the beginning of term and informed me that I had only until the Christmas holidays to turn them in. My hand ached something fierce but I got them done before the holidays. I didn't think anything more of it until I handed them in during a staff meeting, Professor Slughorn seemed quite angry at Dumbledore for it."
"How did that make you feel?" the Minister asked.
"Confused, I just thought it was the way Dumbledore was with everyone…after a week there and no other professor doing it I did begin to think I was being picked on a little but what could I do? He was a professor; I was just a student…a new one at that I didn't think anyone would take me seriously. I thought not complaining would make it stop, especially if I didn't let him see it was bothering me, I thanked him for the homework and the opportunity to prove myself and moved on." now this had been what he had thought with Snape when he was being unfair when he was young, so it was definitely how he should have taken it if he had been young.
"Tell us about the werewolf cub incident," Andronicus questioned.
"Well I don't remember much about it, the attack was such a surprise…I saw a shadow, heard a sound and I turned around, the werewolf cub's teeth latched onto my neck, my magic reacted to my fear and blasted it away from me, and I just remember feeling very, very weak and in a lot of pain." Hadrian explained, "I do know I was out of it for two days, Professor Slughorn came to see how I was doing after I woke up. I learned that Hagrid had only earned detention for a fortnight despite what happened, Professor Slughorn said he pushed for a tougher punishment. I'm ashamed to say I lost control of my temper."
"Go on," Andronicus encouraged.
"I bolted from the hospital wing before the professor or Tom who was visiting could say anything. I ran straight to the Great Hall and made my way towards Dumbledore. I was disrespectful, I asked him if it was anyone other than his precious Gryffindors if the punishment would have been so lenient, to me he does favour the Gryffindors. He had given Hagrid two weeks detention after I had almost been killed. I asked him if his problem was me or the fact it was a Slytherin and he hated our guts." Hadrian allowed his cheeks to flush purposely thinking of the things he and Tom had gotten up to. They would assume it was the fact he was ashamed at his loss of composure he was sure. "He told me not to make the situation worse and I yelled or what apparently I can go around almost murdering people and only receive two weeks detention."
"And his reaction?" the Minister had to stop his lips from twitching, he had seen the memory and he just loved it, a teenager standing up to Dumbledore…in front of all the teachers and students.
"He removed twenty-five points from Slytherin," Hadrian replied, "Then I laughed, saying my disrespect was worth twenty-five point's removal but none had been taken from Gryffindor. I then said to all of them, that they were meant to be teachers, that a student almost died in your care and that's all its worth - two weeks of detention and I added I'll bet they are with Dumbledore himself which they were."
"And then?" Minister Lestrange prompted.
Hadrian shifted slightly, "Um, I told Dumbledore he shouldn't be allowed near children, that he shouldn't be a teacher, to look around at what happens to the students around him getting away with murder,"
"You said something else," the Minister pointed out, almost salivating over that juicy piece of information, dying to know what it was. It was something big that could make Dumbledore so scared, so terrified. Even now he was watching the proceedings paler than a piece of parchment.
Dumbledore could feel his entire world was about to collapse from under him, his heart felt as though it was about to burst. He still didn't know how the boy had found out about Ariana but he hated that he did. He had thought he'd gotten away with that information coming to light earlier; apparently his relief was too soon. What was he going to do? He'd sent his adulthood preventing that information ever coming to light. He knew Gellert wouldn't reveal the information, he held guilt for what happened to her just as he did. He closed his eyes, swallowed the lump in his throat and waited. Praying the boy didn't know anything that he only knew about Ariana because she was buried in Godric's Hollow. The thought of everyone knowing his teenage plans filled him with so much dread and shame.
He would never be trusted again.
Hadrian pursed his lips, his mind racing, if he revealed this it would be the nail in Dumbledore's coffin. It would cement him as a bad guy; nobody would ever trust him again. Yet how did he explain how he knew about it? What happened was only known between three wizards, Dumbledore, Aberforth Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald. Dumbledore could try and use it against him and make him look like a spy or something. Glancing at Tom, he nodded firmly, telling him to go ahead lay it all bare. Did he reveal all or only a titbit?