The Contract

Chapter 67

"Presiding over the trial will be Minister Lord Cornelius Fudge, Head of Law Enforcement Madam Amelia Bones, Lawyer Lord Antonio Abbott and Scribe Heir Alfred Bellamy...the trial will now commence." The Minister stated as Heir Bellamy did his duty and scribed, all information would be available to the public, and of course, be used for their records. He could say most of the information regarding the beginning of trials in his sleep. Which was a really good thing.

Even after a coffee, a break and not to forget some lunch...he still felt extremely wrongfooted. Everything he thought he knew was suddenly all wrong. The fact it appeared so many people were innocent...and not to forget someone he had worked alongside for so long was in actual fact You-Know-Who's Second-in-command.

It was well known that many had been put under the Imperius curse. It was weeding out those willing from unwilling that had proved troublesome. They thought they had succeeded, even if there were doubts about those who had been cleared of all wrongdoings. Lucius Malfoy was one of the ones distrusted, they believed he wasn't under the Imperius curse.

Yet he'd been one of the first to begin a pot to raise money to ensure all those who are innocent and had been put under the Imperius curse got the mental health they needed. Insisting that the funds would go directly to St. Mungo's so that it was one less thing they had to worry about. Not all of them had an immense fortune in order to use that to get themselves the help they needed. Lucius may have just started the funding, but it had gained a significant amount already, he had seen it when he added to it. It was certainly a good cause, and he wasn't one for not giving to charity when it would aid his public profile.

No doubt by the end of the week, he'd have enough to make sure all those who are found innocent would get the help they need with lots left over. Lucius was always good at raising money for different causes.

"Any complaints about the use of Veritaserum? Which by the way has been approved by the council of magic and the wizengamot itself?" Madam Bones said loudly, wrenching Cornelius from his thoughts. Straightening up, refusing to show embarrassment at his thoughts getting away from him.

Not surprising that nobody decried it's use, for it would help prove once and for all whom was truly innocent and who deserved to be back in Azkaban. There were more reporters here this time, having heard from their colleagues and friends about the colourful trial they'd missed no doubt. They'd never expected the Lestrange brothers - of all people - of actually being proven innocent under Veritaserum of all things. They were truly innocent of the crimes they'd been stuck in Azkaban for life for.

And what happened to Bellatrix Lestrange? Was making its way around Magical Britain like Fiendfyre. Not knowing whether she was actually guilty or innocent was just making it all that more fascinating.

Bellatrix would have delighted in being the talk of the magical world, too bad she wasn't around to see or hear it.

"I would like to demand that I be the only one questioning my client," Antonio stood up and informed them the same thing he'd said at the beginning of Rodolphus' trial.

"Madam Bones?" Fudge asked of the witch, who was uncommonly sombre, she was clearly feeling the effects of her decision. He'd told her she'd only been doing her job, and that someone clearly 'qualified' had cleared Lady Bellatrix Lestrange for the trial. Although, the qualified part had been raised into question, he would be summoned to his office the moment he returned for duty and would be questioned then he and Amelia would decide what to do with him. They'd need someone to blame for this entire thing, and it did go right directly back to his decision that she was fit enough to stand trial AND be questioned.

"I unequivocally give it," Madam Bones declared, she honestly didn't think she'd have any questions to ask when all was said and done. If Rodolphus was innocent...well, it didn't take a genius to figure that the brother was also. The group had been close friends before all this, she knew she'd done her digging into their school years as part of the investigation.