Chapter 33

As they entered the Black ancestral home, Remus grabbed Edmund by the back of his collar and pulled him inside. Just when they reached the dining room, Edmund, who was not at all amused by such a cheap intimidation tactic, grabbed Remus' arm and twisted it hard, forcing Remus to free his collar.

"You've got a lot of nerve trying to rough me up Lupin," Edmund said menacingly. The rest of the occupants of the room immediately pointed their wands at Edmund while Iris, who was struggling to keep her calm already had her wand placed at Remus' temple.

"Iris! What are you doing?!" Sirus yelled, shocked that Iris would side with a stranger.

"What am I doing?" Iris yelled back, finally losing some of her cool. "What do you all think you are doing?! Who do you all think you are?! You isolate me for the whole summer, never answered to any of my letters, had goons patrolling around the street, making me feel like a damn prisoner and when I was finally about to get away from my so called relatives, Remus coerced me to come here because you were here Sirius. When Edmund agreed to come with us despite Moody's blatant insult upon his person, Remus tries to rough him up and show superiority."

"I tolerated because Lupin here has some familial relation with Iris," Edmund continued after Iris, ignoring the sickening crack that was heard from the arm he was holding. "But that doesn't mean you can have your way with me. Being a Lord of a Noble House and a Wizengamot member, I could declare a blood feud against each and everyone of you and legally murder you all right now."

Before anyone could think of a retort, they felt a heavy pressure bearing down upon them. Unable to bear it, their knees buckled and they fell down, their breath hitched in their throat and their backs were drenched with cold sweat. Their bodies began shivering due to an unknown sense fear.

Mustering a lot of courage, Sirius spoke in a jittery manner, "Um, w-we can be ci-civil here r-right.? The-the-there's no n-need for violence."

"Oh I'm being very civil mutt. The fact that you're friend wolfy here is still alive says a lot," Edmund growled.

Sirius looked at Iris and pleaded, "Iris, pl-please. Listen to me. Vol-voldemort has been quiet and w-we are all quite para-paranoid. Al-alright, I'm so-sorry for what Remus did. Please, le-let's all just, ba-back off ok?"

Edmund looked towards Iris and made eye contact with her. After a silent conversation between the two, Iris turned towards Sirius and nodded while Edmund released his hold on Remus. The pressure upon everyone disappeared and they collectively gasped for air.

Sirius sighed, he looked at Edmund who was already healing Remus' arm, though very halfheartedly, and then towards Iris, "What's happened to you Iris?"

"We'll talk about this later Sirius."

Finally, everyone calmed down but they kept looking at Edmund warily. Without saying another word, Edmund and Iris went upstairs and locked themselves in a room while throwing out what looked like pig weasel's stuff. A few minutes later, they could hear some people trying to open the door and some yelling but, since no one had studied chakra seals in their lives, they just kept banging on the door.

For the rest of the day, they kept their interactions with the order members, Weasleys and teacher-pets to the minimum. No one saw them for lunch or dinner.

The next day, Iris stormed out the room followed by an equally incensed Edmund.

The ministry had just informed Edmund about Iris' trial being pushed forward while no such update had arrived for Iris.

"We're leaving for the ministry," Iris began, gaining everyone's attention. "Edmund was notified that my hearing had been pushed forward by two hours."

Without wanting for anyone's response, Edmund grabbed Iris' hand left the house. Once outside, they flashed to the ministry building.

As they entered the chamber where the hearing was to be held, they stood beside each other, ignoring how other lords and ladies were looking at them.

Soon, Fudge entered the chamber and took his seat. He was taken aback when he saw Iris standing in the middle of the room with Edmund and for a moment was lost, not knowing how to proceed. A quick glance towards Malfoy and a nod from the said man, Fudge decided to proceed as was pre-determined. Though this interaction didn't go unnoticed by Edmund.

When everyone was settled, Fudge began, "We are here to witness the trial of the accused, Iris Potter, on usage of underage magic in front of a muggle, thus breaking the statute of secrecy. All those who..."

Eye twitching with annoyance, Edmund decided to interrupt before Fudge made an even bigger a.s.s out of himself. "Minister Fudge! Before you proceed with the 'sentencing' of Ms. Potter, I'd like to address the Wizengamot upon matters that are very important and very much related to this case."

Fudge looked as Edmund as he had grown another head. Wasn't he supposed to be of the dark faction? Even though Fudge had betrayed him and Edmund must still be a bit angry about it, his family was a supporter of Lord Malfoy. Surely he must have been informed about the verdict Fudge was about to pass.

"Edmund my boy..."

"... I'm a lord minister Fudge and I'd like to be addressed as such. I'm also a member of this esteemed body and it is my right as a member to be heard by my fellow lords and ladies."

Fudge cleared his throat and replied nervously, "Of course. The Wizengamot recognizes Lord... Whirlpool."

Edmund stepped forward while Iris maintained a stoic expression. She had wanted to say a word or two of her choice but Edmund had emphasized that she had to stay quiet and let him handle the situation.

"Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot. We have been called here to witness the hearing of an 'underage' witch accused of using underage magic. This is an insult to our traditions and the laws set by our forefathers..."

"... And how is this an insult, 'Lord' Whirlpool?" Malfoy interrupted.

"Lord Malfoy, a full Wizengamot hearing is held when the accused is an a.d.u.l.t. This is a case of underage magic. How can anyone justify this trial, it is contradictory in itself! Furthermore, I do not see any interrogator who is questioning Ms. Potter or any evidence that she used magic. Minister Fudge was about to call for vote while Ms. Potter was not even given a chance to defend herself nor was she provided with a defence, which is the right of every witch or wizard that is a part of our magical community. But, before any of that, this is a mockery of our thousand year old laws because the fact that Ms. Potter didn't cast any protective charm and now she stands accused, makes me question their very credibility."

The Wizengamot members started murmuring. Fudge started sweating. He glared at his undersecretary who's head snapped towards him and nodded quickly, affirming that Iris had used magic.

"How can you be so sure that she didn't use a protective charm?"

Edmund smirked and replied in an icy tone, "Because it was I who used the charm to drive away two dementors that were about to give 'the kiss' to a muggle named Dudley Dursley and Ms. Potter."