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The Wizengamot Trial of Adhara Lovella Potter - August 24, 1991
In a grand chamber within the Ministry of Magic, the Wizengamot trial of Adhara Lovella Potter commenced. The chamber was filled with the finest witches and wizards, their robes adorned with various symbols and colors, all eager to witness this extraordinary case. Remus Lupin, standing at the center, looked determined as he prepared to fight for the guardianship of his goddaughter.
Remus Lupin:ย Rising to his feet, he cleared his throat and addressed the assemblyย 'Members of the Wizengamot, esteemed witches and wizards, today we gather to address a grave injustice suffered by a child, Adhara Lovella Potter. My accusation is against Albus Dumbledore, who, as an appointed magical guardian, has egregiously failed in his duties to protect and care for young Adhara.'
Remus began to present his evidence, confident and unwavering.
Remus Lupin:ย 'First and foremost, I submit the results of a comprehensive inheritance test, revealing a shocking truth. Albus Dumbledore, in his position as magical guardian, appointed himself without legal authority. He did so illegally, disregarding the rightful choice of godfather โ myself, Remus Lupin. It is clear that he manipulated Adhara's situation to maintain control over her, a grave injustice to a defenseless child.'
The courtroom buzzed with murmurs and gasps as the members of the Wizengamot absorbed the shocking revelation.
Remus Lupin:ย 'Now, I present irrefutable evidence of Adhara Lovella Potter's physical suffering at the hands of the Dursleys, the family Dumbledore placed her with. Medical scans reveal severe physical abuse, malnourishment, and trauma. Every improperly healed broken bone, every scar โ both new and old โ serves as a testament to the neglect and cruelty she endured.'
The members of the Wizengamot couldn't help but feel a collective shiver of anger and empathy for the young girl.
Remus Lupin:ย He continued to lay out his case, displaying a series of photos to the assembly.ย 'Behold, the abhorrent conditions in which Adhara was forced to live. The tiny cupboard under the stairs, with no bed, old bloodstains, and claw marks, testifying to the years of torment she suffered. The words "Freak's Room" written in chalk, a heartbreaking reflection of her own self-worth imposed by those who were meant to care for her. Her "new" room as you can see has been fittedย with bars on the windows, seven locks on the outside, and a cat flap on the door, akin to a prison cell.'
Remus Lupin's voice grew more impassioned as he revealed further evidence.
Remus Lupin:ย 'I present to you the scars on Adhara's back, evidence of belt lashings she endured. And, finally, Albus Dumbledore acted of his own accord and placed an illegal and altered magical block on her, which not only prevented her own magic from healing her properly from her years of abuse but was an attempt to hold back her true potential. This is not the life Adhara Lovella Potter deserved, and it is my duty to protect her and provide the love and care she has been unjustly denied. She saved you all as a mere baby, is it not only fair you save her in return? Has she not lost enough?'
As Remus Lupin concluded his presentation, the courtroom was filled with a resounding silence, the weight of the evidence and the shocking revelations weighing heavily on the hearts and minds of all those in attendance.ย
Albus Dumbledore, the accused, stood before the Wizengamot, his eyes carrying the weight of the world and an aura of wisdom that had earned him the respect of many within the wizarding world. As he began to address the assembly, a hushed anticipation filled the chamber.
Albus Dumbledore:ย Clearing his throat, he spoke with a measured and somber toneย 'Members of the Wizengamot, I stand before you today, accused of failing in my role as the Magical Guardian of Adhara Lovella Potter. I wish to shed light on the circumstances that led to the decisions I made in her best interest.'
Albus Dumbledore let out a somber sigh, acknowledging the accusations brought against him.
Albus Dumbledore:ย 'I must first address the matter of Adhara's godfather, Remus Lupin. At the time of her parents' tragic demise, I was not aware of his status as her godfather. The events that unfolded on that fateful night were marked by chaos and uncertainty, and in the absence of such crucial information, I believed it best to act as her Magical Guardian to ensure her safety.ย While I understand Mr. Lupin's best intentions, I must express my concern about the inherent risks. As a werewolf, there are unique challenges and potential dangers associated with his care for Adhara. We must consider her safety above all else.'
He then turned to the issue of his lack of involvement in Adhara's life.
Albus Dumbledore:ย 'I admit that I failed in checking in on Adhara as I should have. My high positions within the Ministry and at Hogwarts, as well as the immense responsibilities I undertook to rebuild our society after the war, left me stretched thin. While it was not an excuse, it was the reality of the situation.'
Albus Dumbledore continued on to address the matter of the magical block.
Albus Dumbledore:ย 'Regarding the magical block I placed on Adhara, it was done out of an abundance of caution. No one had ever survived the killing curse before, and the circumstances surrounding her parents' death were unique. I didn't wish to risk any potential residual magic from that night causing harm to her later in life. It was an act of protection, not an act of negligence. I planned on having her looked at once she began Hogwarts, to see if it was safe to remove.'
His voice grew more impassioned as he addressed the issue of Adhara's living situation.
Albus Dumbledore:ย 'As for her placement with the Dursleys, I understand the concern, and it grieves me deeply to hear of the suffering she endured. However, there were compelling reasons for that decision. There were protections in place that kept her safe while living there, and it was essential that she remained hidden from those who would wish to harm her. I believed that the Dursleys, despite their faults, would love her as their own, providing her the best chance at a normal life.'
Albus Dumbledore concluded his defense with a heartfelt appeal.
Albus Dumbledore:ย 'I swear to you that I was never aware of the abuse Adhara suffered while living with the Dursleys. If I had known, I would have taken immediate action to protect her. Everything I did, I did for her safety. The world we live in is not without danger, and my intentions were always to protect and prepare her for the challenges she would face in her future... I humbly ask you to consider this, as you pass judgment. However,ย It is of utmost importance that Adhara unfortunately ... returns to the Dursleys. The blood charm placed on her is a powerful protective measure. We all know their remains many uncapturedย Death Eaters out there, who would stop at nothing to get their hands on her ... as long as the blood charm remains ... Adhara Potter is untouchable in the safety of the muggle world. Though, I do agree we cannot let her continue being abused, so I recommend that someone be placed nearby to ensure her well-being and safety as she remains there.'
As Albus Dumbledore finished his defense, the Wizengamot chamber was filled with contemplative silence, the weight of the difficult decisions made in the name of a young girl's safety hung heavily in the air. The fate of Adhara Lovella Potter now rested in the hands of the Wizengamot.
The Wizengamot chamber was cloaked in tension as the members of the esteemed council absorbed the gravity of the situation. The fate of Adhara Lovella Potter, a young girl who had already faced immense tragedy and hardship in her short life, hung in the balance.
The arguments put forth by both Remus Lupin and Albus Dumbledore had cast doubt and raised complex questions about Adhara's best interests. Remus Lupin's presentation had been powerful, revealing shocking truths about Adhara's living conditions and the unscrupulous actions of Dumbledore. The evidence he presented painted a grim picture of a defenseless child subjected to physical and emotional abuse. The members of the Wizengamot couldn't help but be moved by the images and testimony.
Albus Dumbledore, on the other hand, had defended his actions with a mix of somberness and apparent concern for Adhara's safety. He cited unique challenges associated with Remus Lupin's status as a werewolf and expressed the belief that placing her with the Dursleys had been the safest option, even if it resulted in her suffering. He acknowledged his own failure to adequately oversee Adhara's well-being but insisted that his actions were motivated by a desire to protect her from unknown dangers.
As the members of the Wizengamot contemplated the evidence and arguments presented, they knew they faced a difficult decision. On one hand, there was the undeniable evidence of Adhara's suffering and the shocking revelation that Dumbledore had acted as her magical guardian without legal authority. On the other hand, Dumbledore's appeal for the continuation of the blood charm's protection raised a compelling point about the potential dangers facing Adhara in the wizarding world.
The fate of Adhara Potter rested in their hands, and it was a responsibility they did not take lightly. The deliberations that followed would determine whether Adhara would be returned to the Dursleys, placed under the watchful eye of a protector, or granted guardianship to Remus Lupin. It was a decision that would shape the course of Adhara's life and the wizarding world's future.