That night, when the Lightwood clan gets back to the Lightwood family home, they are all still reeling from the information that they have learnt.
Tomorrow is Hodges' trial, which will be a much smaller affair, with just the Lightwood clan present and then Hodge will have his runes stripped away.
But for tonight, the Lightwood clan will spend time with each other, laugh and have fun, rejoicing in the wake of Valentines' death.
It feels even better for Jonathan, Astor, Jace and Clary to know that none of their sperm donor/abusers' ashes can ever be used in some obscure ritual to bring him back.
When they stumble into the Lightwood family home, they find Max and Madzie curled up together, asleep on the couch, a stack of books in front of them with a few conjured toys scattered around as well.
Everyone smiles softly before Magnus uses his magic to send the conjured toys back to where they belong, and put the books away.
He then picks up Madzie and takes her into the bedroom that Clary and Izzy happily set up for her, while Jonathan takes Max to his bedroom, changes him into his pajamas, brushes his teeth and then tucks him in.
The two of them then meet up with the rest of the family in the living room, where Magnus creates a special soundproofing bubble.
This means that anyone outside the room can't hear anything, but they can hear what is going on outside the room.
This is just in case someone comes to the door or Max or Madzie need one of them. Magnus is nothing if not protective of Madzie and Max.
Once the soundproofing bubble is up, they begin talking about the trial and about everything that they have learnt.
Jonathan, Astor, Jace and Clary are all super relieved that he is dead and that everyone in the Shadow World knows that none of them claim Valentine as a parent, that they are safe people to approach.
The Downworlders and Shadowhunters around New York all knew this already, but for the entirety of the Shadow World to know it... it is a massive thing for the siblings.
Maryse and Robert express their relief that the Lightwood name is no longer associated with Valentine, and instead, is associated with change, with progress.
Magnus is leaning on Alec, whose arm is wrapped around his waist. Robert is the first to notice this and smiles.
He knows that Magnus would never do anything to hurt Alec, because Magnus is just that kind of man, someone who is dependable, despite his outrageous prices.
After they have spoken and digested everything that has happened today, Magnus asks what they all want for dinner, mostly because he can feel himself getting hungry.
Everyone puts in their order and Magnus conjures whatever everyone wants, and conversation lulls as everyone digs into their food.
Once they have all eaten their fill, Magnus gets rid of all the rubbish, much to everyone elses' relief. None of them wanted to deal with the rubbish after today.
They spend a few hours playing card games and board games laughing and having fun before they all head to bed after Magnus takes down the soundproofing bubble.
The next morning, Max and Madzie are filled in on the fact that Valentine is dead and that Hodge will be tried and sentenced today.
Max asks if he can stay here with Madzie again, since he doesn't want to ever see Hodge again.
Magnus says that that is more than okay, since he will be staying here too, mostly because he doesn't know Hodge at all, aside from a few stories that Alec has shared with him.
To Magnus, Hodges' trial and sentencing is for the Lightwood family only. So, unless Alec wants him to accompany them for emotional support, Magnus will be staying behind with the kids.
Alec is more than happy to let Magnus stay home with Max and Madzie, as are the rest of the Lightwood clan.
After breakfast, the Lightwood clan heads to Imogens' office, where Hodges' trial will be held and where the sentencing will take place.
Once they are inside the office and seated, Brother Enoch brings the Mortal Sword in and Brother Zachariah all but drags Hodge in.
Hodge is then chained to a chair next to Imogens' desk, and he cowers under the harsh glares of the Lightwood clan.
Every single one of them is looking at him with intense hatred, only beat out by the hatred they had for Valentine.
It isn't long before Imogen places the Mortal Sword across Hodges' hands, glaring at him with more hatred than he has ever seen on her face.
When Imogen begins questioning him about why he worked with Valentine a second time, Hodge admits that he felt jealous of Maryse and Robert, because they had their curses removed, because they could go outside.
He admits that he felt betrayed by them, in a way, since he had helped raise the kids as well, had provided them with aid when they had needed it, and only Maryse and Robert had had their curses removed.
He then admits that Valentine had threatened all of the kids, but especially Max, in one of the earlier letters, saying that he would kill all of them, starting with Max, if Hodge didn't help him.
Valentine had told Hodge that he would kidnap Max and take him outside, where Hodge couldn't help him, and then kill Max in full view of Hodge.
Valentine had admitted as much the previous day, but it still shocks the Lightwood clan to hear it.
The fact that Valentine was willing to stoop so low as to threaten a literal child! It is still a really hard pill for the Lightwood clan to swallow.
Once Hodge is finished talking, the entire Lightwood clan take a few moments to think about what he has said.
With that out of the way, it is time for Hodges' runes to be stripped and then for him to be sent into the mundane world to fend for himself.
Started: 18/05/2025
Finished: 18/05/2025