Ministry of Magic: Court Trial Part 2
An odd, magical force spun all four relatives around to face the front and held them in place, which prevented any of them from moving freely. The only thing which was not locked in place was anywhere above their shoulders, allowing them to turn their head and allowing them to speak.
"Will we have to sit in those two chairs while they stand there?" I whispered over to Narcissa.
"Oh, of course not, darling. I promise they will be sent away when you and Kasper are called down there."
Narcissa patted my shoulder in a comforting way, and, as nervous as I was, I breathed a small sigh of relief.
Being in my petrified state, I did not focus too much on what was being said at that moment. I was still in shock as to being in the same room as my parents. The ones who created all the trauma I have ever experienced.
My own abusers breathed in the same atmosphere I dwelled in.
No, I will never forget what they did to me.
My heart was about to explode out of my chest. I had no idea what to do or say or if I was even supposed to do or say something at all. I then began to observe what was happening from my tall seating area, taking in more of my mum's and dad's appearances. My mother's hair was insanely matted, and my father did not have his glasses, therefore lacking his vision. Each of them also appeared thin and rather ill. I had no idea being in Azkaban could put you in such a bad state of health. I wondered if either of them had gotten the dementor's kiss yet.
"This must be mistake..." cried Mrs. Norman.
"Do you or do you not possess the Dark Mark and label yourself as a Death Eater?" asked the judge in a demanding tone that sent a shiver up my spine.
It is crazy to think that after so many years, my parents and Kasper's parents are finally getting what they deserve.
Anger raged in Mrs. Norman's voice. She finally dropped the pathetic act and an evil smirk formed on her lips. "What do you think?" Her expression darkened.
Her eyes then dropped down to her right arm, covered by the long sleeve of her prison gown. I think the judge had his answer then.
During more arguing between the Normans and the judge, my mum strangely turned her head to see where I sat. The rest of her body could not move, so she stood rather awkwardly. For the first time in a while, she looked me dead in the eyes. It was a strange sensation since her eyes were glued to me. Her eyes were nothing like they once were, but worse. A spark did not shine in her eyes. A smile from her did not warm my heart. She did not eye me gleefully with a tray of scones in her hands. Instead, her once caramel-colored eyes were dull, yet not exactly lifeless. Maybe the dementor has not gotten her soul just yet. If she even had one, anyways.
I wondered how she felt being looked down upon from a powerless position and finally paying her debt of evil. In no way did I feel sorry for her, though I could see in her eyes that she was pleading for help.
She was then aggressively whipped around by magic and forced to face the front. I forced myself to shake myself of the horrid vision of my mother in my mind.
"The Dark Lord is superior and above all." Mr. Norman's voice reverberated off the walls. "Though you throw us all in Azkaban, he will avenge us one day!"
I just now noticed how peculiarly quiet my parents were being.
"So, you have nothing to say to your son whom you abused profusely. No sympathy?" asked the judge, visibly annoyed.
"The Dark Lord promised Kasper everything he could have ever wanted. Instead, he chose foolishly. He chose death!" shouted Mrs. Norman.
"HEY! That's enough!" The judge silenced Mr. and Mrs. Norman from saying anything further. I glanced over at Kasper, whose fist were clenched hard and who looked as if he were going to jump out of his seat and murder someone. I will take a wild guess and say he wants to murder his mum and dad.
The judge turned his attention to my parents.
"Have you nothing to say, Mr. and Mrs. Rosewood?"
Surprisingly, they both were not nearly as audible and outspoken as Kasper's mother and father. They seemed shaken almost, as if slightly afraid. Or maybe it was just from being weakened and ill.
My father looked up at the judge, though I knew he could not see him without his glasses.
"It's hard to speak to a man you can't see," he said, his breath shaky.
The judge gave no answer but used his wand to make my father's glasses gracefully float down to him and onto his face.
"Better?" the judge spat.
"Yes," my father simply replied.
"Now tell me," said the judge as the levitating quill next to him swiftly scribbled onto some paper, "What happened the night you four decided to receive the Dark Mark?"
My mum's prison gown was ragged and ripped of its sleeves. She steadily glared down at her forearm and gasped as if seeing it for the first time. A tense silence followed after that.
"Surely you remember something?" The judge was quickly growing impatient.
My father blank-stared into the distance.
"I remember a dark, dark place. One where I felt no control over myself," he said through harsh breathing.
"That tells me nothing, Mr. Rosewood."
"That's all I know."
"You're lying, and you're making a fool of yourself." The judge violently slammed his hands on the podium.
My father was refusing to give any information. Cannot say I am too terribly surprised. He is skilled in gaslighting.
Out of nowhere, my mother fainted and collapsed hard to the ground. Loud gasps sounded around me. I held my breath without meaning to. Then two wizards, who I assumed were trained medically, were called and came to carry my mum out of the court room. Once my mum was out from the room, the area erupted in low whispers. I should have expected my mum to give out, but I did not. My head buzzed with an intense ringing. I just wanted to go home.
The judge banged his gavel.
"Silence! Mrs. Rosewood is in our care. Kasper Norman and Holly Rosewood, please come to the stand. Everyone else out!"
My heart was pounding and pounding. My hands were shaking.
"Just go sit in those two chairs down there. We will be waiting for you two outside," said Lucius as he and Narcissa departed, along with the group of people who had remained behind the judge. It was then just me, Kasper, and the judge once my dad, my aunt, and my uncle were escorted out of the courtroom by four guards.
Kasper and I made our way to the middle, our steps echoing behind us. I then sat amongst the area where my parents had once stood.
The judge walked off his platform and into the center of the room. He then summoned a chair with the snap of a finger and sat across from me and Kasper.
"I'm sitting down here so I don't have to shout at you from up there. Anyways, how are you guys doing this afternoon?"
I hesitated before answering.
"Great," I said, though my face definitely said otherwise.
Kasper awkwardly nodded his head in agreement.
The judge was much more patient and softer spoken than before, and I felt the tenseness in my muscles ease just a little bit. He also had the grayest of hair and wore a weary look which said he had been doing this type of stuff for years.
"I'm so sorry you two had to witness that," he said with a voice that reminded me of a sweet and compassionate grandpa, "Do please forgive me. I did not actually intend for you guys to be in here during that time. I know this all certainly cannot be easy."
I did not want to be rude, so I forced myself so say something. "It's dreadful... having Death Eaters in the family."
"What about your other family members? Like your grandparents?"
I casted my eyes towards my hands which were folded in my lap, not ready to answer.
"They have all been obliviated of our existence," replied Kasper solemnly.
"Really?" The judge said in astonishment. "Wow."
"Well," he continued, "If you can, I would like each of you to give an account on what happened the night when your parents received the Dark Mark and any other information you would like to share. I have been informed there has some been some abuse in the household, so it would not be fair to just punish them for their association with Death Eaters but for every crime they have committed. So please, tell me all you know. It will help me tremendously."
Retelling the story was like reliving it all over again.
I relived a lot that day.