enchanted | james potter

nina cried power

" it's not the waking, it's the rising. "

February 16th 1982, the day of Peter Pettigrew's court hearing on the collaboration with Voldemort for murder of Lily Evans and attempted murder of Harry Potter.

The court room was rammed-full of people - all the Order members, close friends and family to Lily, press, random people who managed to fit into the room to watch the prosecution of Peter Pettigrew, and on the other side of the room was the Council of Magical Law who were to decide Peter's punishment.

Keira, James, Sirius, Remus, Josie, and Mary sat together on the front row, Thomas just a couple feet away, Keira's family just behind them who were sat with Arthur and Molly Weasley, and The Order sat not too far away, also close to the front row.

Harry was left with Molly and Arthur's kids at their house, being babysat by their grandmother. James didn't think Harry should be at the hearing because everyone would create a big hassle over seeing him, especially the press. Harry shouldn't be subject to that kind of harassment.

Ever since the date was set for the hearing, James had been emotionally and mentally preparing himself for the moment that he first sees Peter. However, no amount of preparing could be enough for when he did see his former best friend. He wanted the jump out his seat and beat him to death, he wanted to do to him what he did to Lily. But, he also wanted to cry and scream at him, ask him why he did what he did, what did he do to him that caused this?

Instead, James grabbed ahold of Keira's hand that was resting in her lap.

"The case of Peter Pettigrew who is facing the charge of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and working for Voldemort as a Death Eater." The Minister of Magic, Millicent Bagnold, who was the judge for this case, read out as Peter had entered the courtroom.

His arms were held by magical handcuffs behind his back as he was trapped in a claustrophobic cage. He looked even smaller than normal, his shoulders were hunched and his head was bowed down, too scared to look at anyone, especially his friends he betrayed.

The story of how that night went was explained; Peter managed to convinced James to leave the house, claiming that Dumbledore needed him to go to his office in Hogwarts, that there was a problem that had to be addressed immediately and the only person who could do that was James. While he was out, that was when Voldemort entered the house in Godric's Hollow and murdered Lily, but was also killed by Harry.

When Peter apparated with James, they didn't arrive at Hogwarts, and instead was taken to a random forest where Peter frantically explained to him what was happening. Then, James fought him to get his wand, very quickly, James won the fight and apparated back to Godric's Hollow, but the damage was already done. When he left, his wife was alive, but when he returned she was dead and the house was in shambles.

The hearing went on as evidence was brought forward and people testified, including Sirius, Dumbledore, Mad-Eye Moody, and next; James.

James had written and rewritten his testimony no less than 10 times, there was so much he wanted to say, but he never felt that what he was writing was including everything he wanted to say, he didn't know how to put some of his feelings into words.

"Finally, I would like to call Mr James Potter to the stand for his testimony against Mr Pettigrew." Bagnold said in an authoritative tone.

James Potter had never been nervous to speak in front of a crowd, he was always the loudest person in the room, but now, he was absolutely terrified.