The Trial before the Council
The trial to decide whether Reginald Dennison should remain in Slytherin House commenced on the evening of April 4th. The weekend before, Robert Kaufmann, Umberto and Morwena interviewed Philip and Lara about their efforts to save Pauline. Robert preserved the memory of their conversation in a vial and presented it to Professor Gregor for safekeeping.
The other witnesses expected to give testimony at the trial were all Slytherins. They would speak in person before the Council. The Council Room, however, was restricted to Slytherins only, so the two Hufflepuffs’ testimony would be relayed via Pensieve.
Morwena and Umberto worked out between them a schedule of who would present what evidence. They split between them who would interview each witness. Umberto volunteered to take the opening arguments, while Morwena took the closing argument.
Robert would bear the whole of the defence, though he kept Aiden and Freya at his side. They planned to slip him notes throughout the trial to make sure he remained on track and did not miss any important points.
The evening of April fourth, all of Slytherin House came downstairs to watch trial. Even the Fifth Years took time away from the O.W.L. prep to observe the proceedings.
Torches lit the stone space. Footsteps echoed in the shadows as students filed into the pews. The space between the front row and the raised dais of the Council Chairs had been magically expanded. Two tables stood there now, one on the left for the prosecution, and one on the right for the defence. Morwena and Umberto sat, reading through their notes. Robert Kaufmann entered, accompanied by Aiden and Freya. Umberto stood and shook his hand. From Morwena, Robert received only a wary glance.
Once all the students were seated, the council filed in. All rose as Professor Gregor entered and took his place in the high-backed chair with the crimson seat cushion. The Council President, Aurelia, picked up the gavel and tapped it on the stone bench in front of her.
“Let’s get started, shall we?” she said. “This is the Slytherin Class of 2012 vs Reginald Dennison. Representing the Class of 2012 are the two senior prefects, Morwena Felwich and Umberto Calais. Reginald Dennison will be tried in abstentia due to his being in Ministry custody for the same offences that we will be discussing here. Serving as Dennison’s defence is the honourable Robert Kaufmann of the Slytherin Class of 2006, and his two assistants, Freya Felwich and Aiden Thompson of the Class of 2014.
“Will the Class of 2012 please make their opening statement?”
Umberto rose and bowed towards Aurelia. “It will be my pleasure, Miss President.” He turned so that he could address both the Council and the gallery. “Late on January 28th of this year, Reginald Dennison, currently a member of the Slytherin Class of 2014, attacked without cause or provocation Pauline Langlet of the Class of 2012, in violation of his solemn Oath. We will content that this attack was premeditated, and that he knew full well the cruel injury he was inflicting upon his victim.
“What we demand in redress is the stiffest penalty this body can bestow: expulsion. We demand that Reginald Dennison be stripped of badge and title, that his name be removed from Slytherin records, so that he will never again be considered a member of this House.”
Umberto sat down, and Robert stood. He stood in the same manner, so that he could address both the council members and the audience.
“For those of you who don’t know me, I am Robert Kaufmann. I have a degree in Magic History from the Wizarding University in London. Before that, it was my honour to walk the halls of this castle as a Slytherin. I am here to defend Reginald Dennison. His family has not offered payment to me for my services. Indeed, I am taking no money for this at all, from anyone. I am here because Professor Gregor asked me to come.
“I will defend Reginald Dennison regardless of my personal sense of his guilt or innocence, simply because he is entitled to a defence. We are a people of laws and rules, of ritual and tradition. These rules and traditions must be followed. In short, I am here to make sure the prosecution proves its case. If they fail and fall short, I must ask the council to acquit and let Dennison keep his badge and title, and remain a Slytherin.
“Know also, that prosecution and defence are merely different organs of the same body, united by both School and House. I do not see the prosecution, your prefects, as rivals or enemies. In fact, I hold them both in the highest regard. Whether you sit in the gallery or upon the dais, where I in my day also sat, please keep an open mind, listen to the evidence, and come to your own informed understanding of the truth.”
He sat, and Morwena stood. “The prosecution calls as its first witness, Jason Carter.”
Jason Carter, Freddy Jones and Terrill Reese were sitting by themselves in the first row. Jason stood and faced the council. “Mr. Carter,” said Morwena. “On the morning of January 28th of this year, Reginald Dennison challenged Patrick Wren of Gryffindor to a duel, is that correct?”
“Yes, Prefect Felwich,” answered Carter, meekly.
“Do you believe he ever intended to go through with this duel?”
“No,” said Jason, shaking his head. “He said as much. It was a ruse. Something to get the prefects worked up about, so they wouldn’t guess what he was really up to.”
“And what was he really up to?”
“He wanted to have a go at Pauline Langlet.”
“Why Pauline? Do you recall any conflict between them prior to that date?”
“He may have squabbled with her through the years,” said Jason. “It bothered him how she could sit at the table and talk like she was like everybody else. He thought she should at least be keeping a low profile. Then this year, after that thing with Ellsworth, he really started talking about doing something. Putting her in her place, as it were.”
Blake Ellsworth was a Council Member. There was some debate whether, given the incident between him and Pauline during the Autumn term and the punishing jinx that followed, he should be forced to recuse himself. Professor Gregor was concerned that, if he did recuse, they would not have a quorum, and the whole process would be rejected. Ellsworth was summoned and was made to swear to treat the matter as objectively as possible.
Morwena made no mention of any of this. Her humiliation of Ellsworth had been widely discussed within Slytherin House. She saw no need to make any further reference to it. “What did this ‘putting her in her place’ entail, exactly? What did he have in mind?”
“I thought we were just gonna scare her,” said Jason.
“Did he ever mention to you his desire to curse her?”
“No.”
“Yet, you knew he had a copy of a banned dark magic book, Wicked Vengeance. You knew that he had studied this book and that he had hidden it on the campus grounds. You even knew where he had hidden it. And you must have known that he had used this book to curse a Gryffindor girl.”
Carter held up his hand. “Wait, Prefect Felwich. I didn’t know he used that book to curse Roycester. I didn’t know he was studying it. I thought he just wanted to look at the pictures.”
“I have not seen the pictures from this book,” said Morwena. “I understand that they are deplorable.”
“They’re totally sick.”
“You have seen them.”
“Once when I was a kid.”
“Prior to this academic year, you mean?”
“Yes. Years ago. He stole the book from his dad’s library and showed me the pictures. They were gross, creepy …”
“Sadistic?” suggested Morwena.
“Yes.”
“When did he bring this book to campus?”
“Last year.”
“Are we talking academic or calendar years?” asked Morwena.
Jason considered for a moment. “It was the Autumn term last year, when we were Third Years.”
“Autumn of 2009,” said Morwena. “He showed you that he had taken it from his father’s library once more?”
“Yes.”
“Did he ever talk about cursing someone?”
“He said Patrick Wren, but we were joking around. The curses are for women.”
“It says so right in the title, doesn’t it? Curses for Unfaithful Women. Professor Gregor says they curses are quite ineffective on boys. Even Gryffindor boys.” She allowed herself a narrow smile. There were nervous giggles from the gallery. “Back to the evening of the 28th. You eluded the junior prefects who were tasked with watching you. You lay in wait for Pauline to return from her duties in the library. At this point, I understand, a debate broke out about the planned action, is that correct?”
“Yes. Thompson and Reese didn’t want to go along with it. So Reggie stunned them and shoved them off to the side.”
“You were still thinking this was some sort of prank, were you not? At what part did you sense that he truly meant to harm her?”
“When I heard the incantation. I thought, ‘Oh you crazy git. You’ve gone and done it, now.’ I was laying on my back at that point. Harkenborough had wrapped me up good by then.”
“Did you sense that he had used a curse from Wicked Vengeance?” asked Morwena.
“Yes. I knew it was a dark magic curse. I figured it must have been from that book.”
“Had he asked you, would you have approved of attacking and causing harm to your Slytherin sister?”
“No, I would not. Not Langlet. Not any of them.”
“You are his most trusted confidante, are you not?”
“I was,” said Jason.
“Point taken. He showed you where he had hidden Wicked Vengeance, which you promptly revealed to your prefects after this incident. If anyone knew in advance what Reginald Dennison’s plans were, it was you. And yet, he kept you in the dark.”
“Yes. About this, he did.”
With a glance at Robert, Morwena said, “That is all I have.”
Robert stood. “One question, young man. Let’s just say it for the record, shall we? Why Pauline Langlet?”
“Because she was Muggleborn,” answered Jason.
“Thank you. That is all.”
Robert and Umberto questioned Freddy Jones about Harkenborough’s unexpected appearance at the bottom of the straight stairs, and about the battle between the three Fourth Years and the two Sixth Years. With some back and forth, they were able to determine that Pauline had sprayed Dennison with the hot water charm, Aguamenti Calienti.
Next, Aiden brought a wooden pedestal before the dais, and Freya set a wide low bowl upon it. Out of the bowl, like a ghost, came the head of Lara Guishar. Though their doppelgangers did not appear, the Council and the gallery could hear the voices of Morwena and Robert as they questioned the Hufflepuff prefect.
Lara refused to answer any question about Pauline’s medical condition, citing patient confidentiality. She would only answer general questions.
Robert: “Did Harkenborough tell you who had struck Langlet down?”
Lara: “No. I knew it was Mahglin. I had fought these curses before, and I was prepared to do it again.”
Lara use of the name “Mahglin” caused a hiss of whispers out of the gallery. Aurelia with a glare silenced them. In the memory transcription, Morwena was quick to clarify the point. “By Mahglin, you mean Reginald Dennison.”
Lara: “Yes.”
Morwena: “You have heard professionals discuss this particular curse since the night of January 28th, have you not? What is their consensus?”
Lara: “The experts were quite surprised that she was still alive. In their experience, this particular curse is always fatal.”
Robert: “Why did the victim not die in this case? Is that indicative of a weak or ineffective cast?”
Lara, sternly: “No. It was strong enough to cause permanent damage. She survived because Philip was there. He called for me, and I got there in time. I had trained what do to and I defeated the curse.”
In the gallery, Rhiannon wrapped her arm around Pauline and pressed her lips into Pauline’s hair. Tess gave Pauline’s hand a squeeze.
Lara’s face faded away. Aiden and Freya took away the Pensieve and the pedestal. Morwena faced the Council once more. “We have brought evidence that Reginald Dennison lay in wait for Pauline Langlet, his Slytherin sister, and that he struck her without provocation with a vicious and terrible curse, in violation of his solemn Oath. We demand that he be expelled from this House.”
Robert, standing, his left hand tucked under his elbow, his right hand at his chin: “Let’s take that step by step, shall we, Prefect Felwich? For the sake of the gallery, allow me to explain: Slytherin boys in their Second Year take an Oath not to harm their Slytherin sisters ‘by force or by spell.’ Do we have testimony that took this Oath?”
“Yes, he did,” said Umberto. On the Council, Brent Arnold said, “Aye,” while Blake Ellsworth and Pierce Mageford nodded their heads.
“Very good,” said Robert. “Now, about the exchange of spells between Dennison and Langlet. According to the testimony, she struck him first. Might his response fall under self-defence?”
“I think we need to consider what a proportional response to Aguamenti Calienti might be,” said Morwena. “One is not allowed to kill one’s dueling partner, no matter what the scoring hex might have been.”
“We are not sure that Dennison knew this curse would be fatal,” said Robert.
“Yes,” pressed Morwena, “but he must have known its effects, that it would cause permanent harm to his victim. The curse was completely out of proportion to the incident.”
“Not to mention, striking her with a curse or hex is a violation of the Oath,” added Umberto.
Robert: “Again, for the sake of the gallery, when Abigail Van Helsing, the first Slytherin Witch, was admitted to this House, it was Baingarden, the Head Boy, who said, ‘She shall be like a sister to us. No harm shall befall her by force or by spell.’ Abigail was eleven at that point, and hardly prepared to defend herself against an older and more experienced wizard. By the time she was the same age as Langlet is now, she was not the only witch in the House, and she had built quite a network of allies around her. My question: Does the Oath still apply to an older girl, or is it exclusively for the protection of the younger witches?”
Aurelia: “Mr. Kaufmann, I understand you are playing devil’s advocate here, but really, that suggestion is offensive to me, even in jest. I have walked these halls for seven years, protected by that Oath, and I expect to enjoy its protections throughout my adult life from any Slytherin male, of any age.” She added wryly, “We of the fairer sex are to be protected.”
Kaufmann: “Is the Council in agreement on that point?” There were nods all around. “Very well. The last question. Let us return to Langlet’s heritage, which was the reason, according to testimony, that she was targeted in the first place. Does the Oath protect Muggleborn witches?”
Morwena stood to take up the challenge. “Pauline Langlet’s ambition, beauty and intelligence has been a credit to this House from the first day she walked these Halls. She has never been less than a full member of my coven. Our ranks would have diminished completely had we not been strengthened by the likes of Pauline, or our peer, Gordon Sumner, or leaders like Severus Snape. We need to put this nonsense about the purity of blood behind us! If the Hat in its wisdom set Pauline among the Slytherins, then she is a Slytherin!”
For a moment, the room was completely silent. There was no restless shuffling of feet or papers, no whispers. The Council looked nervously from one member to the other. Blake Ellsworth leaned forward and said, “You’re asking, Prefect Felwich, for us to denounce a doctrine that our fathers and grandfathers have held since the beginning of time. It’s quite outside the scope of this inquiry.”
“On the contrary, Councilman, this question is central to our inquiry,” answered Morwena. “I’m asking that you find that Reginald Dennison was wrong to attack Pauline Langlet because of her parentage. It was wrong. It was always wrong.”
Aurelia: “I like your reasoning, Prefect Felwich. If the Sorting Hat directed someone to Slytherin House, who are we to argue? Pauline Langlet is a Slytherin witch. She’s protected by the Oath. All in favour, say Aye.”
From left to right, the Council members voiced their vote. Each member said, “Aye.” Aurelia gave the final vote. “We are unanimous,” she said. “We have found that Reginald Dennison has broken his solemn Oath. Do we accept the remedy demanded by the class of 2012?”
Pierce Mageford spoke. “Let’s be done with the brat. Aye!” The others followed suit.
“This is the will of the Council,” said Aurelia. “Reginald Dennison is hereby cast from the House and stripped of badge and title. This hearing is now concluded.” She wrapped her gavel against the stone. The sound of it echoed across the room.
Robert offered his hand to Umberto and Morwena. “Well done!” he said.
Tears streamed down Pauline’s face as she received hugs from Rhiannon, Tess, Alyssa and Meriko. Others came to her side, boys who shyly touched her shoulder, and girls who gave firm hugs. All of Slytherin House had rallied around her.
In the morning, Reginald Dennison awoke in his Ministry cell to find that his black cloak was torn. The green serpent badge had been ripped away in the night. He complained to his minders, but they only shrugged their shoulders. “No one entered your room in the night and tore your cloak,” they told him.
Later, he received an owl from Professor Gregor announcing the decision from the Council. His parents received a copy of the same letter. His father appealed the decision immediately to the Emerald Club, but later in the summer, the Club’s Executive Board upheld the decision.
Morwena’s revenge was complete. Reginald Dennison was no longer a Slytherin. By the morning of April the 5th, however, the full consequences of his violent act had yet to fall fully upon him. The criminal trial was still a month away.