Post by Julius Plutus on Dec 31, 2007 1:43:29 GMT -5
The Minister watched the proceedings with a rather stern and unfriendly look about his face. Forbes made his case quite well, the theatrical skill of the wizard being used to its full extent. Not surprisingly, the White girl admitted her guilt-- it was expected by the Minister, seeing as she had turned herself in. Then a representative from the Department of Magical Creatures stood and, following Forbes, levelled her accusations against Clearwater. The boy did not deny the accusations and then provided a defence of the Gryffindor, Felix Genero, claiming the other boy's innocence.
Proceedings taking long enough, the Minister started reaching for his gavel to dismiss the claims against Genero when the representative of Firefox finaly stood and began to speak. Plutus frowned, tilting his head at the stranger. His eyes widened some as his aurors reached for their wands when the man revealed himself to be Azrael, the so-called Angelus Morti.
Plutus knew little of the wizard who had just began a defense of the students. However, there were questions about and rumors of him and the reported organization he ran which, again, the Ministry knew next-to-nothing about other than whispers here and there. Some of the whispers mentioned Inferi, however, and creating inferi was considered to be one of the gravest and most heinous crimes in Wizardom. However, as the Ministry was not even close to a shrap of evidence or clear suspicion of these rumors, they just wanted to question the wizard.
Alas, the questioning would have to wait as the aurors were forced to not do anything. The mysterious wizard was, apparently, acting as the official representative of Firefox University, and thus had a certain immunity that the Minister could not breach so long as he was not threatening.
After Lord Azrael finished his bit, Plutus leaned forward from his bench, raising his hand to stop Taymyr or Julian from speaking. The Minister had reached his decision in the case, and wanted to address this Lord Azrael directly.
"I thank Firefox for caring enough to at least send someone to defend these children. However, they have already pled guilty to our charges. Perhaps, though, if you had been able to speak before them, they would have provided arguments in their favor, so I will take that into account," said Minister Plutus, looking down at the Angelus Morti. "Before presenting the sentences, though, allow me to counter some of your claims. Concerning your place on our wanted list, however, we would only like to ask you some questions, but that is a different matter.
"Now, first of all, the Dark Mark is an evil, corrupting symbol of death and destruction. Despite that fact that the form of this mark conjured by the accused is outdated, it still bears a very close resemblance to the mark used by the now deceased," the Minister added extra emphasis her on purpose, "Scorpius and his Society of Shadows. Thus it would be enough to scare those who perhaps, instead of dawdling looking at the exact details of the mark, just ran for cover as memories of the last time such a mark burned in the sky flooded their minds.
"As for the use of Unforgivable Curses, we call them so because they are unforgivable. Now, yes, it is known that in times of dire need a blind eye may be turned to the use of the Cruciatus or Imperius curses, but I must stress that those must be very dire circumstances. Unforgivable Curses are evil, and they corrupt the souls of any dark witch or wizard that can use them. Their intent is solely to either destroy or manipulate another wizard's humanity, and that is not a power that should be played with, especially by students. Furthermore, as they are indeed known as Unforgivable Curses, the students should have had full knowledge that what they were doing was wrong.
"Now, the jurisdiction of the Iberian Ministry of Magic is everywhere outside of Firefox University grounds. That means if a student commits a crime outside of your school, they are able to be prosecuted by us, though the university may act to defend them, as you have so eloquently demonstrated. Now, as I do believe that these magical creatures were obtained by our officials on university grounds, I will not prosecute on those charges."
Plutus paused a moment. Azrael lifted the list and pointed at names on it. Names of murderous and wanted individuals like Fenris Fenrir, the Unknown One, and Dominique Contessa. Then there were other names on the top of the list--predominantly Scorpius--that the Ministry was now insisting to be deceased and thus no longer a threat. The Iron Minister narrowed his eyes some at the Angelus Morti.
"Students rebelled within the walls of Firefox University once before, sir. As I recall, it was several students with loyalties to the Society of Shadows that assisted Scorpius in gaining entrance to the school during his major assault. I will not allow such a threat to arise again," proclaimed the Minister. "Corruption of students cannot take place within the confines of that university, and if you would like the Ministry to keep its nose out of Firefox's business, perhaps you should have your Headmaster control his student body. After all, the safety of our wizarding posterity is always at the forefront of the Ministry's mind."
Gathering himself together, Plutus took a breath and raised the gavel once more, letting it drop, the sound it made reverberating around the stone chamber. The Minister brought his eyes upon the students.
"The Ministry of Magic hands out the following verdicts and punishments:
Gwen White, Slytherin Student of Firefox University, is found guilty of all charges brought against her. For turning herself in, cooperating with the Ministry of Magic, and pleading guilty to the charges brought against her, Ms. White will be let off with time served and a stern warning. This is your only second chance, Ms. White. Do not make any more regretful decisions.
Shadonius Cleartwater, Slytherin Student of Firefox University, is found guilty of all charges brought against him. For cooperation with the Ministry and pleading no contest, Mr. Clearwater will be given timed served and placed on probation. Any breaking of the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcerery or other law outside of Firefox grounds will result in greater punishments.
Felix Genero, Gryffindor Student of Firefox University, is cleared of all charges. For his confinement in Ministry prison, he will be compensated fifty galleons."
Minister Plutus stood, the other officials in the room standing as soon as he did. He began his descent from his chair before stopping, turning and looking at the crowd. His eyes drifted from Azrael to Sylph.
"And might I recommend that Firefox University keep a better eye on its students and ensure that they know just how evil and dangerous the dark arts are. As the representative of Firefox has so kindly pointed out, the Ministry of Magic cannot be burdened with punishing unruly young wizards. It is time for the university to become more active in ensuring the security of Iberia by protecting and teaching our young people."
With that the Minister left the chamber, departing to the judicial chambers behind it. Aurors stepped forward and gave the students their wands and other belongings back, and the Dementors backed away from the doors to make sure that the departure of the observers and participants of the trial was not too... uncomfortable.
Proceedings taking long enough, the Minister started reaching for his gavel to dismiss the claims against Genero when the representative of Firefox finaly stood and began to speak. Plutus frowned, tilting his head at the stranger. His eyes widened some as his aurors reached for their wands when the man revealed himself to be Azrael, the so-called Angelus Morti.
Plutus knew little of the wizard who had just began a defense of the students. However, there were questions about and rumors of him and the reported organization he ran which, again, the Ministry knew next-to-nothing about other than whispers here and there. Some of the whispers mentioned Inferi, however, and creating inferi was considered to be one of the gravest and most heinous crimes in Wizardom. However, as the Ministry was not even close to a shrap of evidence or clear suspicion of these rumors, they just wanted to question the wizard.
Alas, the questioning would have to wait as the aurors were forced to not do anything. The mysterious wizard was, apparently, acting as the official representative of Firefox University, and thus had a certain immunity that the Minister could not breach so long as he was not threatening.
After Lord Azrael finished his bit, Plutus leaned forward from his bench, raising his hand to stop Taymyr or Julian from speaking. The Minister had reached his decision in the case, and wanted to address this Lord Azrael directly.
"I thank Firefox for caring enough to at least send someone to defend these children. However, they have already pled guilty to our charges. Perhaps, though, if you had been able to speak before them, they would have provided arguments in their favor, so I will take that into account," said Minister Plutus, looking down at the Angelus Morti. "Before presenting the sentences, though, allow me to counter some of your claims. Concerning your place on our wanted list, however, we would only like to ask you some questions, but that is a different matter.
"Now, first of all, the Dark Mark is an evil, corrupting symbol of death and destruction. Despite that fact that the form of this mark conjured by the accused is outdated, it still bears a very close resemblance to the mark used by the now deceased," the Minister added extra emphasis her on purpose, "Scorpius and his Society of Shadows. Thus it would be enough to scare those who perhaps, instead of dawdling looking at the exact details of the mark, just ran for cover as memories of the last time such a mark burned in the sky flooded their minds.
"As for the use of Unforgivable Curses, we call them so because they are unforgivable. Now, yes, it is known that in times of dire need a blind eye may be turned to the use of the Cruciatus or Imperius curses, but I must stress that those must be very dire circumstances. Unforgivable Curses are evil, and they corrupt the souls of any dark witch or wizard that can use them. Their intent is solely to either destroy or manipulate another wizard's humanity, and that is not a power that should be played with, especially by students. Furthermore, as they are indeed known as Unforgivable Curses, the students should have had full knowledge that what they were doing was wrong.
"Now, the jurisdiction of the Iberian Ministry of Magic is everywhere outside of Firefox University grounds. That means if a student commits a crime outside of your school, they are able to be prosecuted by us, though the university may act to defend them, as you have so eloquently demonstrated. Now, as I do believe that these magical creatures were obtained by our officials on university grounds, I will not prosecute on those charges."
Plutus paused a moment. Azrael lifted the list and pointed at names on it. Names of murderous and wanted individuals like Fenris Fenrir, the Unknown One, and Dominique Contessa. Then there were other names on the top of the list--predominantly Scorpius--that the Ministry was now insisting to be deceased and thus no longer a threat. The Iron Minister narrowed his eyes some at the Angelus Morti.
"Students rebelled within the walls of Firefox University once before, sir. As I recall, it was several students with loyalties to the Society of Shadows that assisted Scorpius in gaining entrance to the school during his major assault. I will not allow such a threat to arise again," proclaimed the Minister. "Corruption of students cannot take place within the confines of that university, and if you would like the Ministry to keep its nose out of Firefox's business, perhaps you should have your Headmaster control his student body. After all, the safety of our wizarding posterity is always at the forefront of the Ministry's mind."
Gathering himself together, Plutus took a breath and raised the gavel once more, letting it drop, the sound it made reverberating around the stone chamber. The Minister brought his eyes upon the students.
"The Ministry of Magic hands out the following verdicts and punishments:
Gwen White, Slytherin Student of Firefox University, is found guilty of all charges brought against her. For turning herself in, cooperating with the Ministry of Magic, and pleading guilty to the charges brought against her, Ms. White will be let off with time served and a stern warning. This is your only second chance, Ms. White. Do not make any more regretful decisions.
Shadonius Cleartwater, Slytherin Student of Firefox University, is found guilty of all charges brought against him. For cooperation with the Ministry and pleading no contest, Mr. Clearwater will be given timed served and placed on probation. Any breaking of the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcerery or other law outside of Firefox grounds will result in greater punishments.
Felix Genero, Gryffindor Student of Firefox University, is cleared of all charges. For his confinement in Ministry prison, he will be compensated fifty galleons."
Minister Plutus stood, the other officials in the room standing as soon as he did. He began his descent from his chair before stopping, turning and looking at the crowd. His eyes drifted from Azrael to Sylph.
"And might I recommend that Firefox University keep a better eye on its students and ensure that they know just how evil and dangerous the dark arts are. As the representative of Firefox has so kindly pointed out, the Ministry of Magic cannot be burdened with punishing unruly young wizards. It is time for the university to become more active in ensuring the security of Iberia by protecting and teaching our young people."
With that the Minister left the chamber, departing to the judicial chambers behind it. Aurors stepped forward and gave the students their wands and other belongings back, and the Dementors backed away from the doors to make sure that the departure of the observers and participants of the trial was not too... uncomfortable.