"The Prosecution rests, Chief Adjudicator," replied Bones.
With a nod back, Longbottom then turned to Flitwick. "Mister Flitwick, as you do not seem to be represented by a Law-wizard, it is now your turn to offer evidence in your own defence."
"The only defence I offer, Chief Adjudicator, is included in my testimony," he replied. "However, to repeat what I have written so the other Members may know of it, I make you aware of the following..."
He then went on to describe how he was unable to find work after he'd retired from the duelling circuit and how Albus Dumbledore was the only person to offer him work. Then he described how, in 1991, Dumbledore stated he would fire him if he did not go ahead and assist with setting the traps on the third floor corridor after he first baulked at doing it. However, Dumbledore had also promised him that no student would be able to get into that corridor, let alone through to the trap he had set up and he had trusted the man.
Next he told of how he was aware of some bullying going on in the school and, when he first came across it, issued punishment. However, when he raised the issue of the constant ongoing bullying by the majority of students in his own house against one student with the Headmaster, Dumbledore told him he was to leave it alone.
"He told me it would build character in the girl, to rise above it," said Flitwick. "And I am ashamed I didn't act against the Headmaster's order and deal with it, anyway."
At the beginning of this school year he also wanted to offer assistance to 'Mister Potter', but the Headmaster forbade him doing that, too; citing that the Tri-Wizard Tournament specifically forbade it and that he would risk his magic if he attempted it. However, once he found out from a reading of the contract that Mister Potter, due to his name coming out of the Goblet could not then be considered a Hogwarts' champion, he knew he could offer Harry assistance. But, by then, it was too late. That was only two days before the task.
"That concludes the evidence I submit, Chief Adjudicator," he finished. "The defence rests."
"Very well," said Longbottom, giving a firm nod back. "Under my direction we shall vote on three issues.
"The first is only for guilt or innocence and we will vote each separately. If found guilty for either or both, we will then vote for punishment of each guilty verdict. Please remember that a vote of guilt in any crime against a child could very well mean that Mister Flitwick will immediately lose his job as a professor at Hogwarts."
She gave that a moment to sink in before she said, "In the first matter, the setting up of a dangerous trap within the school in the 1991/92 school year, those voting for guilty please vote now."
About a third voted.
"Those voting for not guilty, please vote now."
About half voted. Harry could see the professor would be declared not guilty of that charge.
"In the second matter, failing to act to protect a student under his care from harm within the school in the 1992 to present school years; those voting for guilty, please vote now."
Again, about a third voted.
"Those voting for not guilty please vote now."
Again, about half voted. Harry could see the professor would be declared not guilty of that charge, too.
"I move for another vote, Chief Adjudicator," said one of the Members, rising in place.
"Oh?" asked Longbottom. "And what would that be."
"Given what has been made clear this day, I move for a vote to be taken as to whether Filius Flitwick be allowed to remain a Head of House or banned from such a position forevermore."
"Very well," she replied. "I can see the wisdom of that."
"In this new matter, losing his Head of House position due to a loss of trust, those voting the affirmative please vote now."
This time, a little over half voted.
"Those voting for the status quo, with Mister Flitwick retaining his Head of House position, please vote now."
And, this time, less than half voted. The professor would be losing his Head of House position.
Turning to look at the professor, Harry could see it was what the little Charms Master expected.
"Mister Filius Flitwick, it is the decision of this court that you are declared not guilty of the charges laid against you. However, this court has also found that your forsworn guilt is sufficient for you to lose your position as Head of Ravenclaw House. A position you will never be allowed again. Are we clear?"
"Yes, Ma'am," he quietly replied. "Thank you. I shall do my best to recover my honour by never again falling under the sway of Albus Dumbledore to divert me from what is right."
"Very well," she said. "Aurors, you may release him. Professor Flitwick, you are free to return to the castle to return to your position of Professor of Charms."
As the chains were released and the professor stood, he bowed to the Wizengamot and, without another word, strode from the chamber. He looked in no one's specific direction as he left.
"That's sad," said Sirius.
"Yes," said an equally sad Hermione.
"It was well-deserved punishment," Harry firmly retorted. "He did as Dumbledore told him to, even when he knew it was wrong. He placed keeping his job over the safety of the students. For that alone, the man does not deserve your commiserations."
"You would have rather seen him fired?" asked a surprised Hermione.
"Hell, yes," he firmly replied. "The man is a Charms Master of incredible skill. Plus, he's taught at least two full generations of students who have passed through the school.
"While he stated he believed only Dumbledore offered him a job, that was back over twenty years ago. Things have changed since then. Now, two generations of Hogwarts students know exactly who he is and what he's like. There is no way, for the last decade or so at least, he'd have been out of work for long."
Hermione sighed and softly said, "I guess you're right."
Flitwick's trial was the last of the day. And Longbottom said they'd be recommencing the next morning with Pomona Sprout's and Severus Snape's. Depending on how long they both took, they would be followed by Minerva McGonagall and the Dursleys.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Before they left for the day, Sirius took Harry aside to explain a few things to him.
"Alright, Pup," he began. "Here's what you need to know. First, I'll be staying with the Tonkses for a while. I'll very soon be bringing Andi and, through her, her daughter back into the House of Black as recognised daughters; and Ted as a recognised spouse of a daughter of the House of Black."
Harry gave a nod back but refrained from saying anything, knowing Sirius had more to tell him.
"Secondly," continued the old dog, "I'm appointing Ted Tonks as the Law-wizard firm of Record for the House of Black. No idea who it is now, but I consider them useless if they did nothing to ensure my freedom back in November 1981.
"Third, while you're still going to be a named Heir of the House of Black, I'm sliding you down the line a bit. I'm naming Andi as my immediate Heir, then her daughter, then you. Got that?"
"Yeah, sounds good," Harry replied.
"Fourth, Andi's scheduled me for some pretty intense potions to aid me in healing as quick as possible. So, I won't be able to visit you in school, but I'll be available via owl. Plus, I need to collect a pair of mirrors from my old family home in Kings Cross. They're communication mirrors and will allow us to talk one-to-one any time you feel the need to contact me.
Again, Harry nodded.
"Fifth, during the next few weeks I also have to find time to get into Gringotts to collect the Lord's ring for the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black and don it. Then I'm going to need to make a start on getting the House finances back up to scratch."
"Yeah, that's important," agreed Harry. "The goblins have informed me how much work I've got to do with them to get the House of Potter finances up to scratch, too."
"When I can, I'll help you with that," offered Sirius.
"Thanks, that'd be nice."
"In the mean time, keep your head down," said Sirius. "And I apologise, in advance, I won't be able to come in to witness the trials tomorrow. I don't think I'll be able to move much once those potions begin to kick in."
"That's alright, Sirius," Harry was quick to say. "The quicker you get your health back up to normal the sooner we'll be able to spend more time together."
"My thoughts, exactly," nodded Sirius.
Just as they were about to part, with Andromeda clearly wanting to get Sirius back to her place, an Unspeakable turned up and said, "Lord Black? A moment of your time, if you would? It's vitally important."
After a quick glance at Andromeda, Sirius said, "Sure!" Then he turned back to Harry and said, "Take care of yourself, pup. And don't get too angry if the trials don't go as well as you hoped."
"I will. Thank you, Sirius," replied Harry, returning to his auror escort, who were waiting off with Andromeda and Hermione.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
On his return to the school, Flitwick headed direct to his office. There, he pulled out a flagon of goblin ale and poured himself a healthy measure.
Then he sat back in his office chair and went over all his past actions relating to Dumbledore, the rest of the staff, the students of what was his own House and the student population in general.
Once he'd mentally reviewed everything - and pretty much polished off that, plus one other, mug of ale - he pulled a long sheet of parchment before himself and began to make a list.
This list would be the foundation of how he behaved as a Professor, a man and a goblin from that point on.
He worked until McGonagall knocked on his door. But he wasn't finished by a long cast.
"Come!" he barked.
When McGonagall opened the door and tentatively walked in she then quietly closed the door behind her.
"How did it go?" she quietly asked.
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