November 1994
Ministry of Magic
Dumbledore could only grit his teeth in anger as madam Marchbanks allowed for the trials to be conducted separately.
"Mrs. Tonks, you can begin your arguments," said Madam Marchbanks.
Andromeda nodded, "Thankyou, madam Marchbanks."
"Now, we before I go into the details of this case," began Andromeda Tonks. "I would like to establish some facts which have already been confessed by Dumbledore."
She faced Dumbledore, "Mr. Dumbledore, you, in front of DMLE head, Amelia Bones, confessed that you intentionally misled the investigation into how Harry's name came out of the goblet and also allowed for one of the major evidences in form of any magical residue left on the Goblet go to waste?"
Dumbledore could only agree. Although the confession he made outside the Wizengamot had no value in the council but since he had done it publicly, he had no choice but to agree.
"I did what I did to save..." Dumbledore wanted to speak but Andromeda cut him across.
"Thankyou, Mr. Dumbledore," she said.
"Madam marcbanks, even before I started the argument,one crime of Albus Dumbledore has been established."
She continued her face widening into a grin, "Earlier, I asked for separate trials because before I go into the details of this case,the council must learn about few things of the past."
Dumbledore instantly interrupted, "I object. Things of past has nothing to do with this case."
Madam Marchbanks shook her head, "I don't see a problem if few things are discussed, Dumbledore. It will only shed more light on the truth and help the Wizengamot make make better decision."
"Thankyou madam Marchbanks," said Andromeda.
She continued, "Let us begin from the day when, he-who-must-not-be-named was killed."
She turned and faced Dumbledore, "Mr. Dumbledore, can you tell the council under what circumstances and how did you remove Harry Potter after he-who-must-not-be-named was vanquished."
Most people were in confusion about why would Andromeda talk about something that happened 15 years ago but under the stern gaze of madam Marchbanks they kept silent.
Only Dumbledore understood where all this was going but he had no other option but to tell truth.
"James and Lily had went into hiding at Godric's Hollow under Fidelius charm but in that fateful night, I suddenly remembered the location and existence of the Godric's Hollow," said Dumbledore in deep sadness. "Which meant only one thing... that the wards had been breached."
Andromeda cut him off, "And after that you must have immediately apparated at Godric's Hollow to confront he-who-must-not-be-named but instead would have found a baby Harry Potter and a vanquished he-who-must-not-be-named?"
Andromeda cutting off Dumbledore and adding her question was intentional as Dumbledore telling the court that he sent Hagrid would not create such an impact but now after her question, Dumbledore saying that he sent Hagrid would definitely raise alarms.
Dumbledore could only grit his teeth, "No... I did not go to Godric's Hollow but sent Rubeus Hagrid... he found the baby Harry Potter..."
The reaction was what Andromeda was expecting. Why would you sent Hagrid to a place where it was possible that Dark Lord was still there?
Andromeda again cut across, "The council should note the point that Rebeus Hagrid is keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts and is not allowed to use a wand."
"Why did you sent Hagrid to Godric's Hollow and not yourself went there?" Asked Andromeda staring intensely at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore could only remain silent. How could he tell that it was Snape who had already told him that Voldemort was gone and so he had no qualms in sending Hagrid alone. Him revealing this would only further aggravate things and Snape would be thrown into mud.
Ultimately he sighed, "I realize my mistake... My emotions at the loss of Lily and James let me make an error in judgment."
Andromeda nodded, "First error in judgment from Albus Dumbledore."
"Can you please tell me what happened after this and where was Harry Potter kept? And methods you used to ensure Harry Potter's security?" She asked.
Andromeda made no mention of the secret keeper or Sirius meeting Hagrid. It was all reserved for later.
Dumbledore sighed, "Even after fall of Voldemort..." the entire council baring a few flinched at the name.
"... the world was in chaos. His death eaters were rampaging and Harry's security was the prime thing for me..."
"Fortunately, Lily Potter had in a way from her sacrifice left a certain powerful protection for Harry which could have only been achieved by presence of Harry's blood relatives and thus I decided to have him placed with his only surviving family, his aunt."
Andromeda chuckled softly, "Quite the narrator you are, Albus Dumbledore."
"Madam Marchbanks, before I shed light on the story, I would like to call, professor Minerva McGonagall as a witness," said Andromeda.
Dumbledore again instantly objected, "Madam Marchbanks, I request that Andromeda Tonks be asked to instantly come to the matters of the present case. She is just wasting our time. At this rate, it will take days to complete the arguments."
Andromeda Tonks smiled, "Why so anxious, Albus Dumbledore? Even it take some time, I believe everyone is eager to hear the life story of Harry Potter."
"How he lived in a castle rivaling, Hogwarts? Riding dragons and slaying acromantulas or maybe riding acromantulas and slaying dragons?"
Dumbledore felt his temper rising while madam Marcbanks announced, "Minerva McGonagall, please come as a witness in the well of the hall."
Minerva sitting in her seat, sighed deeply and stepped down into the well.
Unlike Andromeda and Dumbledore who were standing, a chair popped in from the ground for her and she took her seat on it.
Andromeda faced McGonagall, "Professor McGonagall, I believe the day Harry was placed at his aunt's home, you were with Dumbledore the entire time."
Minerva nodded in agreement.
"Please tell us the account of all what had happened that day," said Andromeda.
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