Nobody would admit it but everyone had been so focused on the spectacle in front of them, so when the doors of the court room slammed open loudly, they all jumped in fright, their hearts pounding away. They noticed that it was an Auror who had so rudely interrupted the proceeding of a trial, much to the Wizengamot's disapproval; they didn't like to be interrupted. They would have given him a glare to convey their feelings but the Auror didn't seem inclined to meet their eyes, he just dove over to Minister Lestrange and hastily began to whisper into his ear, his hand gestures wild and untamed.
"We found something in Dumbledore's quarters," he said hastily, "You'll want to see them as well, I've given a general description of a few of them." lowering his arm and handing over the parchment a little sheepishly as he became aware of his actions.
Lestrange rolled his eyes, Gryffindors, wearing their hearts on their sleeves, or apologising frequently. Still, he looked down at the parchment straightening up; his eyes narrowing in on the 'description' it seemed to contradict everything they had learned…unless it wasn't just Peverell but Slytherin too. He glanced speculatively at Tom Slytherin from the corner of his eye. The description wasn't enough, not for him, he wanted to see the memories. No, he needed to see them. This was going beyond harassment and it was creepier than stalking.
"What's going on?" Andronicus asked, standing up staring between the Auror and the Minister, caught between being curious and cautious.
"Where were they found, Auror Prewitt?" the Minister asked, clenching his first in anger.
"He had a secret compartment stashed away behind his bookcase," Prewitt admitted, "If we hadn't taken a second look we would never have found it, we had to call in Yaxley to tell us all the spells that were there and how to remove it." Yaxley might be a healer, but he was the most renowned magical seer (as in had the ability to see magic) they had, and definitely knew his magic, and thus they often asked for his expertise. Well him and a curse breaker who worked for Gringotts primarily.
Andronicus wondered what had been found, a glance at the paperwork told him it was memories.
"Remove the memories that are currently in the pensive, immediately," the Minister turned to Andronicus giving him a grim nod to move, he would get his answers soon enough. Pinching the bridge of his nose, the trial was going over its allotted time. Turning to his scribe, "Send out alerts that the next trial will be postponed for an hour," hopefully that would give them enough time to see it through. They might need to actually end this trial and see the end of it done tomorrow; they couldn't keep everyone here for much longer, especially not the students.
The scribe quickly ran out of the courtroom as if the hounds of hell were on her heels, to get someone to write out the missives so they all knew it was postponed. She also realised the possibility of another day of writing Dumbledore's trial, the press were going to be beyond pissed off at having to wait another day in the Ministry just to get an answer. An answer they were all eager to publish, instead of the usual 'Where is Grindelwald' and the war and destruction that followed in his wake.
"Sir, it's done," Andronicus informed the Minister, as dozens of memories now lay to the side safely ensconced in vials.
Prewitt knowing what came next removed the evidence bag containing a box before handing it over to the Minister gracefully. The box was then opened, and one by one the memories they'd found hidden were placed for public viewing in the pensive. The box was then placed aside, Lestrange stood up silently demanding attention, which the fifty wizards of the Wizengamot gave him without pause all wondering to themselves what was going on.
"New evidence has come to light, please spread yourself around the pensive so they may be viewed for your perusal." thankfully it would take only five to ten minutes with the few vials they had. Each of the Wizengamot members stood up and made their way around to the pensive in the middle of the room. Each had their wands unsheathed and out in front of them, then as one, they placed the wands above the shimmering memories, in complete sync having done this dozens of times they were very much used to it.
"What do you think they found?" Hadrian whispered curiously, it was probably silly to speculate, but he did have a desire to know more.
Tom shook his head, just as contemplative as Hadrian but content to do it in silence. They would find out very soon, there hadn't been many memories placed inside the pensive, which meant they wouldn't be left hanging for too long. The Minister and Undersecretary had gone in with the rest of the Wizengamot, they were curious as well. Whatever it was had made them want to see the memories instead of just reading about them, if that is what had been on the paperwork, they might have not had a chance, it was new evidence after all.
"It doesn't look like Dumbledore knows either," Hadrian commented quietly, having glanced the old mans way; he had the same reaction as everyone else. Would it make the trial swing in Dumbledore's favour? Or was the ball well and truly in their court today? He wished he could say it didn't matter, since it was very unlikely Dumbledore would return to Hogwarts…but he'd rather know he was in Azkaban, at least until they dealt with Grindelwald…not many people would be likely to listen to Dumbledore over those who had saved the entire magical world from exposure and a power hungry maniac. The very maniac that Dumbledore had plotted and planned with. He very much doubted Aberforth would lie for Albus; Aberforth loathed his brother, even in sixty years time. Maybe not just loathed, he'd say he loved and hated him in equal measures, loved who he used to be but hated who he was now.
Tom and Hadrian watched as the court scribe made her entrance again, reclaiming her seat evidently out of breath having dealt with whatever major thing she'd been told to. Tom noticed the small smirk playing around Hadrian's face and made a mental note to ask him about it once they were safely within Hogwarts again. He would get answers before Hadrian had go with Myrtle, it was tedious the friendship Hadrian had with the others, especially Ravenclaws and the Hufflepuffs, but he was used to it by now, and Myrtle was a good friends to him, he reluctantly approved of that one. Didn't mean he had to like it though.
True to many people's thoughts ten minutes ago, it did take only a short time for the memories to be viewed. Tom's heart leaped at the way they were looking at him upon being evicted from the pensive. Blinking at them he shrugged and turned back to face the front, not as composed as he looked, although seeing Dumbledore's lips twitching definitely made his effort infinitely harder.
"I'd like to call Tom Slytherin to the chair," the Minister stated already making his way towards his own, but he didn't take a seat, instead he just stood behind it. His hands gripping it, his mind trying to understand everything he'd learned this morning and afternoon.
Tom's eyebrows rose in surprise, automatically standing up he moved over to the chair Hadrian had vacated some time ago. He smoothly sat on the seat, not even glancing at Dumbledore, wishing for him to feel insignificant as possible. He refused to be fearful; he stared at the Minister in silent enquiry.
"Has Dumbledore ever shown an interest in you before the then Hadrian Peverell appeared?" Lestrange asked, watching surprise filter through his impeccable Slytherin mask.
"Yes," Tom stated to the startlement and surprise of the Wizengamot.
"In a similar way to Mr. Peverell-Slytherin, perhaps better or worse?" Andronicus queried.
"In some ways similar, but in others not so much," Tom replied after a few moments of thought.
"Can you elaborate on that?" Lestrange wanted it explained for the benefit of the Wizengamot members.
"Ever since I stepped foot in Hogwarts he hasn't trusted me, he's always watched me closely, but unlike Hadrian I have never received Detention and he had no desire to help me find my family. I had no idea I had an uncle alive until I was notified of his death, as a Parselmouth my lineage should have been obvious." Tom drawled, but without his usual bite, he wasn't stupid enough to antagonise the entire Wizengamot and the Minister of Magic.
"You informed him of that fact?" Lestrange questioned, eyes darkening a little, now that was line theft if he'd ever heard it.
Tom nodded, "Yes, he was aware of my abilities,"
"Thank you, you may step down now," the Minister gestured towards Tom's vacant seat.
"I have a few questions I'd like to ask," Dumbledore said standing up, deciding to use this to his advantage.
"Very well," Lestrange allowed it looking amused.
"When you told me about your abilities can you tell me exactly what you said?" Dumbledore asked.
Tom had to refrain from gritting his teeth, "I said I could make things move without touching them. I can make animals do what I like without training them. I can make bad things happen to the people who are mean to me. I can make them hurt if I want to…I can speak to snakes too. They find me and they whisper to me." seeing the gleam in Dumbledore's eyes he spoke again, unable to take it. "The animals I spoke of were snakes, I didn't realise it was a different language at the time I just thought they responded well to me. Bad things did happen to those who bullied me but I had no control over my accidental magic, ask any child who gets angry, they too will have made things happen. I did say I could hurt them if I wanted to, but it didn't mean I did. Of course, they would lie and get me into trouble, my magic made them afraid of me and it prevented me from making friends." saying those words left a distaste in his mouth, like he'd befriend those filthy bullying Muggles, but he had to stop whatever Dumbledore's plan was in its tracks. The sympathetic looks he received did bode well for him. Good.
"I have no further questions," Dumbledore replied, his irritation rising to new heights, they had the entire Wizengamot wrapped around their fingers. Didn't they realize what they had on their hands? Instead he was being made to look like the bad guy in all this. Sitting down, his mind churning on how the hell he could get out of this, he was still going to try his best; he wasn't one for giving up.
Tom stood gazing at the Minister in silent question, he received a nod in reply, yes he could return to his seat.
"Care to explain, Mr. Dumbledore, why you have memories of the Gaunt family hidden behind a secret panel in your bookcase, immersed in a plethora of spells?" Lestrange questioned Dumbledore. They would certainly be having a word with Ogden; he'd be luck to keep his job, which was the Head of the Law Enforcement patrol. He had absolutely no right giving up memories of instances he'd encountered during his job. If he didn't lose it he would be demoted, never able to qualify for promotion and paying a hefty fine.
Dumbledore paled, his eyes going to the pensive, unable to believe they had found the memories. He'd been taken so off guard at being arrested that he hadn't had any chance to plan ahead. Then after he got released he had been informed he wasn't allowed back into Hogwarts, they wouldn't even let him personally collect his things, instead they'd had a House-elf pack everything and sent it to the gates of Hogwarts.
He would have been horrified if he realized he was blindly opening and closing his mouth, unable to articulate a reply.
"I assume that is a 'no comment'?" Lestrange questioned, barely able to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
Dumbledore's blue eyes stared at him, straight through him, almost as if he hadn't heard a word the wizard had said. Truthfully there was nothing he could say, he couldn't tell them why he was collecting those memories, the ring, the Gaunt's were descendants of the Peverell brothers, the one item he wanted above all other hallows, he had wanted so desperately to get his hands on it. He'd thought for a moment when the wizard died it would be his opportunity to investigate it, items of that nature were usually just discarded in a room. He hadn't expected them to know about Tom; there and then he knew he wouldn't get his hands on it.
"Esteemed members of the Wizengamot, I think we are done here, please vacate the room and let us know when a consensus has been reached." the Minister stated, the chief warlock of the Wizengamot would be the one to come to them when a decision had been reached. Now those times couldn't be predicted, the Auror's could do the best job they can, but the Wizengamot were the human factor, and that made it unknown. He had been surprised a few times, but without solid proof the Wizengamot didn't like sending wizards or witches to Azkaban.
"Do we leave while they deliberate?" Hadrian asked, his own trial had been far from normal, so he honestly couldn't say he knew what was what.
"No, there is no need," Slughorn explained, pasty white, he was extremely disappointed in Dumbledore, and all the things he'd said about Tom. Perhaps he should have said something, but it was a little late for that. Not that his word would make a bit of difference, plus he didn't want to drag it all up in front of his students, nobody deserved to hear what Dumbledore thought of them - especially when it was the words that Dumbledore had used. No, it was best if he said nothing. "The trial is all but over now, sometimes they take only a few moments, other times it takes up to an hour, but I have no heard of a case being over one hour in deliberations."
"I see," Hadrian murmured quietly, blinking in astonishment when the door opened, surely they couldn't be finished? Perhaps something had happened to one of the Wizengamot members? His jaw dropped when the chief warlock was followed by the others, all of them wearing blank masks, as they calmly retook their seats.
"Ahem, they don't normally finish so quickly," Slughorn amended his eyes wider than his students.
"Has a verdict been reached?" Lestrange questioned, everybody else was seated, and none other than the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and the Minister of Magic remained standing.
Hadrian noticed there was no sign of shock on his face, good mask or just genuinely unsurprised?
"And?" Lestrange questioned.
"Guilty, on all accounts," the chief warlock stated confidently, it had been agreed immediately, while the amount had taken a few moments to decide.
Dumbledore closed his eyes in dread, already pale and couldn't get any paler. Praying to whatever deity that may watch over him that he wasn't about to be sentenced to Azkaban.
"And the sentencing?" Lestrange asked, his heart pounding, wondering what they were going to do, he was hoping for a sentencing and not a suspended one.
"We agreed upon two and half years in a minimum security of Azkaban prison," each of the fifty members nodded solemnly one after the other, showing their unity in the agreed sentencing term they had handed out.
"Then it's done, Aurors escort the prisoner to the island." Minster Lestrange commanded.
It was time to speak to Ogden and get answers to his complete lack of composure and professionalism.