Chapter Text
Chapter Five, Trials and Summer Solstice
Lord Theseus Scamander Head of the DMLE in collaboration with Earl Bellamy Augustus the new Supreme Mugwump of the ICW from the Netherlands called for an early trial the following morning at seven in the morning, starting with Dumbledore. They knew many if not all of the Wizengamot and ICW representatives along with those affected by the crimes of Dumbledore and the nine Heirs would want to be at home to celebrate the Summer Solstice and Mother Magic with their own families.
"I know it's early, so let us move swiftly along." Theseus spoke loudly to the gathered Wizengamot members, witnesses, ICW representatives, reporters, Orion Black, Monty Potter, Alexise and Dimitri Ivanov and Ignatius Prewett, who were all sat with Vasilisa, Natalia and Lucretia for support while Arcturus, Nikolai and Charlus sat on the Black, Peverell and Potter seats respectively (Nikolai and Charlus only filling in as proxies).
Theseus, Harfang Longbottom, a carefully selected team of Aurors, Bellamy Augustus and his representatives had all worked throughout the night to make sure they had everything in order for the ten emergency trials they were holding in a matter of hours. They had worked meticulously to make sure they had every memory, and every statement from the three witches that had been attacked unprovoked - including analysis of their wands and spells they had cast - before they moved on to collect witness statements and memories from the other patrons of the alley who had witnessed the attack. Once that had been done they moved on to do the same with Aberforth (as it was needed for Albus and the nine wizards trials).
Followed by retrieving memories, statements and wand analysis from the nine Heirs (the attackers); high had revealed some startling and horrific discoveries pertaining to one Albus Dumbledore. Which was why they were starting with him and were forcing Veritaserum down his throat instead of giving him the option as was the law and the normal protocol.
"On the morning of 20th June 1946 at 7:00am," Earl Bellamy Augustus spoke, his voice rolling over all those within the room in a deep baritone that demanded he was listened to. "The multiple trials of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore vs Lady Vasilisa Ivy Peverell, Heiress Natalia Ivanov, Mrs Lucretia Black-Prewett, Mr Aberforth Dumbledore, and the widen community worldwide."
At that announcement Vasilisa could see the reporters having a field day, but there was one particular reporter who looked almost identical to a reporter she knew from her time.
"That's Ruby Skeeter." Orion whispered, following Vasilisa's eye-line. "She's a vile woman and reporter for the Daily Prophet. Her husband's not that much better and their young daughter has all the worst qualities of both parents."
"Lovely!" Vasilisa commented dryly. "We really need to have an independent paper that isn't bribed by the Ministry and reports things truthfully."
"That'll be the day." Orion muttered, squeezing Vasilisa's hand comfortingly.
He knew that with her necromancy powers Vasilisa was a Seer and was one of the big reasons why she wanted to change things; things he agreed with. He wanted the world much better than it was currently for their future children and themselves. He knew that even with the short time he's known her that when she puts her mind to something she can accomplish anything.
"Give him the Veritaserum, Auror Longbottom." Earl Bellamy Augustus ordered, pulling Orion out of his thoughts.
"Your name." Earl Augustus demanded. "And enunciate loudly and very clearly." He wouldn't trust Dumbledore or put it past him to mumble the answers under his breath, making the proceedings take longer so no one could celebrate the Summer Solstice and Mother Magic. It was well known that he hated such proceedings and wished to abolish them.
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore." Dumbledore mumbled through his gritted teeth.
"The charges against the accused are as follows: he willingly conspired with seven other Heirs to murder Lady Peverell, and manslaughter of Heiress Ivanov and Mrs Black-Prewett. Murder of his sister Miss Ariana Dumbledore, threatening to murder his brother Mr Aberforth Dumbledore when he tried to stir the threats to Lady Peverell. Mind control of minors at Hogwarts. Plans to turn Lady Peverell over to the Dark Lord Gellert Grindelwald with plans to end with her death. Acts of terrorism, instigation of the civil war with Mr Grindelwald. Attempted Line Theft with the murder of Lady Peverell, and finally, cases of embezzlement and interfering with several arrests including his own." Whispers shot around the courtroom like the buzzing of insects as they all gossiped over the horrifying acts of a teacher at Hogwarts.
However, Orion didn't care for the masses. At the revelation of the deeper plans to get rid of Vasilisa - his soulmate and the woman he was coming to care very deeply for - Orion got overly emotional as the anger and fear took root enveloping his mind causing his mind, body and magic to start connecting deeply with the Black Dog within him. Much like his soul already had. Thankfully no one other than those around him noticed the change in Orion as rumbling growls slipped back his lips that were pulled back in a snarl and his once beautiful silver eyes were now a black so dark they looked like Death's cloak. A cloak that was so dark it had no other colours and any that shone or reflected upon it seemingly were absorbed. Which is exactly what Orion's eyes now looked like as you could neither see his pupil nor the sclera.
'We must kill him and all who pose a threat to our mate.' The Black Dog growled within Orion's mind feeding Orion's and his own anger.
'You're right but death is too good for the likes of them.' Orion returned not even batting an eyelid at the added voice in his mind. He knew, ever since he was a child, he knew that he would receive the gift of the Black Dog. An ability that hadn't been seen in the Black family since the time of Iolanthe Peverell-Potter when she and Orion's ancestor, Aries Black, who had been her best friend and Iolanthe's staunch supporter and protector. Living up to his name sake: 'the God of War.'
Through the haze of fear and anger clouding Orion's mind he felt a firm but gentle squeeze to his hand as Vasilisa's voice filtered through bringing him from that haze and soothed his frazzled nerves with her honeyed words spilling from her plump and kissable lips.
"I'm okay now, my love. Thank you." Orion whispered, squeezing her hand and kissing her cheek, soothing her worries, as he tuned back into the court case.
"Albus Dumbledore, for the crimes you have committed you are hereby stripped of your wand and all of your titles and possessions effectively immediately!" Theseus Scamander thundered, glad this dangerous wizard will be far away from his kind and impressionable little brother. At this shock flew across Orion's eyes along with slight confusion. Evidently he had been lost to his anger and fear longer than he had originally thought. A fact that was confirmed the second he looked at his pocket watch as it was nearly ten am. Showing just how truly terrified he is at the thought of losing her.
"You were lost to him for a while." Lucretia whispered sharply, her eyes not moving from the scene down in the courtroom. "Are you okay, little brother?"
"I'm well, Tia." Orion whispered, smiling guiltily when he noticed the tension bleeding out of her shoulders. The Black siblings shared a brief smile that held more emotion in their eyes than could be seen on their faces to outsiders; the Blacks - minus Pollux, Irma and Walburga - have always been fiercely protective of each other, as they tuned back into the court proceedings once more.
"Your monetary will go to all those you have hurt with your fake greater good scheme, creating Grindelwald as he is and lack of action in this war that you are the cause of." Theseus continued, anger in his visage and voice clear as a bell. "Including your brother for the murder of your sister and the Wilkins family for the death of young Archibald Wilkins. Your wand will be snapped and your magic bound. I hope it was all worth it, for you will spend the remainder of your days in a high security cell in Numenguard. Where Grindelwald will soon join you, but far enough away that you will only ever hear him and never see him again." Theseus said, banging his gavel. "Take him away." He ordered, sighing tiredly. One down, nine more to go.
* * *
~ Castle Black ~
After the eventful day of ten trials that had successfully sent Dumbledore to Numenguard and the nine Heirs to Azkaban for the rest of their lives (much to the ire of one Tom Marvolo Riddle), Arcturus, Nikolai, Alexsie, Dimitri, Ignatius, Orion and Monty led Vasilisa, Natalia and Lucretia back home to Castle Black where Charlus, Dorea, Cassiopeia, Euphemia, Yelena and Melania were all seething everything up for the celebration while they waited for them.
This celebration, the Summer Solstice or Midsummer as it's otherwise known, was at a time when food and nature are in abundance so they would hold festivals that are often focused on fertility and the life-giving powers of the sun. They would light bonfires and dance all night on Midsummer's Eve. Like on Samhain, it is also a time when ghosts can cross over from the afterlife into this world. Which is why witches would wear light, bright coloured flower crowns to ward off the more malevolent spirits.
The lighting of the bonfires is intended to boost the sun's strength for the remainder of the crop season and would ensure a healthy harvest. Midsummer traditions focus on reconnecting with nature which is why the wixens gave several offerings to Mother Magic that they would throw into the bonfires as they danced. The offerings are made up of five main items, such as:
Oak - its Celtic word is duir, and it means doorway - it is seen as the King of the Forest. As to wixens, oak symbolises a doorway to both the mystical realms and the new, darker cycle of the year that is about to begin.
Mistletoe, is long believed to have fertility and healing powers, and is thought to harness the soul of the tree and be at its strongest when it grows on oak at Midsummer.
The Beech tree, that brightens the forest with its fresh lime green leaves, is seen as the Queen of the Forest and consort to the Oak King. It symbolises ancient wisdom and is a sacred wolf of the Summer Solstice. It is believed that if you write your wish on a beech twig then bury it, your wish will come true as Mother Magic will answer and make it so as the twig decays.
Hazel trees are believed to have magical properties and can protect against evil spirits. They are also a symbol of fertility.
The beautiful, shimmering leaves of an Aspen were believed to carry messages from this world to the afterlife. Wearing a crown of aspen leaves allowed the wearer to travel to the underworld and back. While traditionally, shields were made from aspen wood as it was thought to protect against evil, so its symbolism and its part in not only the offerings but crowns as well, played a huge part in Midsummer. Most if not all witches would create flower crowns with a bit of each of these items along with bright colourful flowers; but like all things, how the crowns look and what is added is all down to that particular witch.
"How'd it go?" Melania asked the three young witches, as she expertly weaved her daughter's hair in and around the flower crown that Lucretia had made earlier that week. Which also went with the dusty blue floral gown she was wearing. While Yelena weaved Natalia's hair and Euphemia weaved Vasilisa's hair.
"Dumbledore was sent to Numenguard and the ones who attacked us were sent to Azkaban." Vasilisa answered.
"Despite their parents trying to fight otherwise." Natalia added, causing the three elder witches to relax slightly.
"That is excellent news, Svetlyak." Yelena breathed ecstatic as she kissed her daughter's forehead and then Vasilisa's. "Your Mama and Papa would be so proud of how far you've come." She praised her niece, hugging her tightly once Euphemia was finished. Everyone knew this was most likely extremely hard and painful for Vasilisa as it was the first holiday without her parents, but they were all so proud of her and would always support her.
"YA tebya lyublyu, Tetya Yelena." Vasilisa whispered emotionally into her aunt's chest. "And you Nattie, Tia, Mia and Melania."
"O, Dorogoy! Ye tebya lyubly, lyuBEEmaya! Always." Yelena whispered, hugging Vasilisa tightly and kissing her forehead once more.
"We love you too, Lisa." Euphemia smiled, glad she and Monty were learning Russian as she brushed a strand of Vasilisa's dark locks behind her ear.
"Your family now. All of you are, and us Blacks protect what's ours like a dragon does its treasure." Melania added, bestowing her own kiss to the three young witches' foreheads.
"Now, let's head down." Lucretia cried, clapping her hands with a mischievous smirk upon her lips that made Vasilisa's heart lurch and drop into her stomach as it was identical to Sirius's, and made her and Natalia what she was up to; they didn't have to wonder much longer.
"I'm sure Orion and Alphard are most eager to start the celebrations with a bang with you and Natalia, Lisa." Lucretia laughed, ignoring the blushing witches and the admonishment from her mother as she led the way out of the bedroom.
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Russian to English Translations:
• Dorogoy = sweetheart
• YA tebya lyublyu = I love you
• YA tebya lyublyu, lyuBEEmaya = I love you, my darling.
• lyuBEEmaya = darling, my love (feminine).
• Svetlyak = firefly.
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Author's note: DO NOT ask me to update in any way shape or form. There are other ways of telling me what you thought of this.
Ships:
• Vasilisa & Orion
• Natalia & Alphard
• Lucretia & Ignatius
• Alexsie & ?
• Dimitri & ?
