The Ministry of Magic

Welcome to the ministry of magic

Kiara sighed as she entered the Ministry, "Lets get this over with"

She walked into a court room, she was presenting their case, she had not told the others, she would not place it in anyone else hands and have them fail, no the was her job. she was the Head of Hogwarts and be damned she was going to let Hogwarts fall under scrutiny because of her past.

Standing on one side of the court room she sighed as she saw the last remaining Lestranges. The matter of inheriting would be dealt with first.

The Lestrange manner and half the vault had been left to her in the divorce. Daniels now widowed wife wanted it now doubt. Then she saw the 4 year old twin girls and and a girl around the age of 13 along with their mother. They could have the house and money... she didn't need them.

The judge Mathias Carlin walked into the room.

"In the case of the Death of Daniel Lestrange, Representing Hogwarts, it Headmistress Kiara Riddle. Present your opening case Headmistress"

Kiara stepped forward into the court, it was a closed court room so press wasn't allowed inside.

"Thank you your honor" said as she slipped into courtroom mode, like she never left it.

"Daniel Lestrange, was a very disturbed man, the day of his death he lost his lost his mind. Disregarded what was right and wrong, completely over come by the need to kill. Mr. Lestrange planed to kill me, if there had been no intervention he would have succeeded. His death was the result of self defense, he wanted to kill us, we had to stop him. Unfortunately the only way to stop him was to end his life" Her voice rang through out the court room.

Then a man in the other end of the court stood.

"Were you aware Mr. Lestrange has young Children Headmistress?" the man asked.

Kiara nodded "Yes I was aware... What does Widow Lestrange want in compensation of her husbands death?"

After a whisper from the women in black the who appeared to be her lawyer replied,

"Lestrange Manner and Vault, both of which are in your possession Headmistress" he said.

Kiara having guessed that is what she wanted signed a paper and floated it to the Lawyer.

"Done" she said as if she had given him a mere 10 sickles.

The judge nodded "15 Minute Reassess, then the prosecution will present their case"

Kiara sighed and walked out of the court and in to the observations area, it was going to be a long day.

Sevastyan had hurried to the Ministry of Magic in London as quickly as he could. Why hadn't the Headmistress told him that there was going to be a legal proceeding?! He would gladly have been there to solidify her case, if she had asked.

The only consolation he'd had was in the fact that apparently none of the other staff were aware: it had been his stroke of good, or possibly bad luck - he couldn't determine which one it was - that led him to find the letter on her desk when he'd arrived to see how she was managing with the aftereffects from the Cruciatus. Sevastyan could only assume whatever possible affection might have been left for Daniel had evaporated the moment he'd attacked his ex-wife.

Irritation was clear on his face as he'd messed up on the telephone booth's required numeric entry, and again as he'd had to wait in line at the Atrium's security station. When he finally had a nametag that read 'Sevastyan Kaminski; Court Visitor' or some such thing (Sevastyan didn't bother to look) the Russian immediately proceeded the lift and was sluggishly led to the courtrooms. The doors of the lift couldn't have opened fast enough for his liking, no matter what.

Sevastyan adopted a brisk pace that had almost been an all-out run in an attempt to get to the right courtroom in a timely manner. He stopped immediately, in mid-step, when he spotted the familiar hairstyle that was unmistakably the Headmistress's. "Kiara?" he asked calmly, wondering if he had arrived too late to hear the conclusion of the case.

Kiara turned at the familiar voice, "Sevastyan?"

Walking over to him she asked "What are you doing here" she asked she in such a way, she was worried.

The prosecution was taking there turn next, basically calling Sevastyan a murderer and killed Daniel needlessly. Which of course was rubbish, but they were going to use his history in dark arts against him.

Her worry caused him to become slightly guarded, particularly being in this place full of unfamiliar people. "I found a letter from the Ministry on your desk that mentioned the hearing, and thought I should be here to strengthen our case. My father vos unfortunately unable to attend, but he vouldn't say vy other than that he vos busy," Sevastyan explained, though didn't seem too concerned about his father.

"It vould appear that I am late..." he stated conversationally after a moment. "Vot has transpired thus far?" Sevastyan asked, a little suspicious at how quickly the court seemed to have been adjourned judging by the time he'd noted on his watch before departing from the school. Perhaps things had gone in their favor? Sevastyan hoped so, but the Headmistress's greeting gave him just cause to think precisely the opposite.

Kiara sighed she had been in a rush to get here and make sure things were prepared she had left the note there. Though she would have preferred Sevastyan not been there for his sake. The prosecution wasn't going to be nice, without him there she wouldn't have to worry about him or how he would react to the prosecutions case.

Daniel deserved what he got and it had been out of self defense not out of the need to kill.

Only problem was the method of which Sevastyan had used, a curse unknown by the ministry and would most likely question why he used it.

She had been hoping to shield him from that.

'You missed nothing important, just our opening presentation and some...." Kiara paused, how to word it?

"other affairs"

Sighing again she said "The opposition is up next"

One of the pieces of research that Eglantine had not destroyed out in the Forbidden Forest was a simple animagus potion. It allowed an injured or deformed human to retain their original health when in animagus form. The only problem was that she had not had the chance to try it before... apparently it worked as Eglantine was now slinking down the wall inside of the Ministry of Magic, feeling very well and wheelchair, levitation charm free.

She doubted anyone would have paid any attention to the small cream coloured tabby walking into the room, but to be sure, she was staying in the shadows.
Her ministry informant, who had faithfully provided information to her ever since her husband had died, had sent her a letter about a trial which Headmistress Kiara was apart of. Of course, she had no trouble figuring out why it was not common knowledge and it had taken her a good deal of self-control to not inform Sevastyan...

Still from where she had climbed up into a window, he seemed to have found out on his own, as he was seated with Kiara. Lying down, Eglantine prepared herself for an interesting trial.

"There is suspicion about my motives, then?" Sevastyan inquired, his face schooled in emotionless neutrality upon hearing this news. "Very vell. They vill find nothing," he replied with what he thought was confidence, but a slight overtone of uncertainty was figuratively laced around the words. What he'd meant to say was that they would find nothing against him on the charge of murdering Daniel, or so he would hope. What he hadn't said was that they'd likely know about some of his previously illicit activities of a good eleven years prior.

"Ven vill they be reconvening?" he asked, almost sounding like a weary but resolved soldier just re-entering battle and asking of battle statistics. Sevastyan wasn't tired, his alert and watchful eyes clearly displaying that. The square jaw seemed set with determination, his overall countenance rather calculating. "I vill leave if you ask it of me, but I vould prefer to face those that vould dare accuse me of murder."

Kiara smiled slightly "Can't aruge with you there, of course you may stay"

Looking out a court room for a minute she continued "No actual charges have been made yet, that is what the opposition is going to try and prove"

Looking Sevastyan in the eyes she said "I will be damned if I am going to let them, come I haven't been beaten in court yet. I don't plan on starting now. We start again in 10 minutes. lets see what the opposition has up there sleaves"

A young witch unfortunately noticed Eglantine up in the window ledge and it was only feline grace that saved her from being levitated down. Not wishing to be "saved" again, she leapt down from the window and covertly stalked her way into the assembled seats. Threading her way through countless robes and legs, she found herself directly underneath Sevastyan's chair. Lying down, she began to clean her paws, happy that her new position was both concealed and convenient. Now she could hear whatever was said...

"But the fact that they are preparing something leads vone to believe they have some charge they vish to declare," Sevastyan said grimly, though nodded in understanding of what had already occurred.

A raven brow quirked upwards at the sudden fire in her tone, figuratively speaking. It reminded him vaguely of his sister, when she'd been mad at him for some silly little prank he'd pulled on her that she hadn't appreciated. Sveta could take a joke, but Sevastyan tended to take things a little further in those days than perhaps he should have, even as a joke.

"Let's," he said simply, with a serious nod. He wanted to know what the opposition had cooking, too.

((Okay reasess over, your que Merci))

((okay))

Charles Mongaven rose from his seat and folded his long arms behind his back. "Your Honour, now that the we have dealt with the matter of compensation and inheritance, with your leave, I would like to ask a few questions about how the victim was murdered."

Judge Carlin nodded "Proceed"

Kiara glared "Victim? so that is your game hmm we will he about that" thought Kara as she stiffened in her chair.

Sevastyan observed the goings on with interested eyes. However, at the word 'murder', he couldn't help the sudden furrowing of his brows. The Russian professor regarded the lawyer neutrally, though already felt some ill-feelings toward this man.

'Victim...? ....Murdered... my a**! I vow to you I vill stand my ground, and I vill prevail,' Sevastyan mused darkly, feeling several muscles in his already rigid posture tighten defensively.

Mongaven nodded to the judge and then turned to face Kiara and Sevastyan.

"Headmistress Kiara, according to your own words the victim, Daniel Lestrange, allegedly attacked you. However, you failed to mention who the "we" you mentioned entailed. Your Honour, I present you to the startling theory that Kiara Riddle did in fact directly lie to the court. It is my theory that she did, in fact, lure Mr. Lestrange to Hogwarts where she engaged him in mild conversation. Her lover, Professor Sevastyan Kaminski then killed the innocent man in cold blood to procure a revenge so darkly disturbing that it chills my blood."

Kiara felt her blood run cold and boil at the same time and she stood to her feet.

"Objection, this isn't court of theory, nor is this a murder trial, Niether I nor Professor Kaminski are on trial here, where is your evidence behind your so called claim?" Kiara voice was as cold as ice as she eyed the lawyer.

Lover? Sevastyan raised a brow at that one, though he was hardly amused. It would hardly do for him to lose his cool in front of the entire court over a comment of conjecture that was surely intended to elicit a reaction, and possibly a slip-up, from either one or both of them. Well, he wasn't going to be slipping on anything: Sevastyan was metaphorically watching his footing, testing the solidity of the ground he trod upon as he did so.

It was difficult to tell if this dragon breathed fire or ice, so beside himself Sevastyan was with the assumption presented. Slight color rose to his face as he too stood to his feet. "I object as vell. Ve are not here for conjecture, and last I vos avare this vosn't a murder case. There must be evidence of murder before such ludicrous conclusion can be made," he stated, the tenor bassoon of a voice clear as a bell. Carefully, Sevastyan regarded the wizard with guarded gray irises that bespoke of just how frigid ice could be, without appearing to be threatening... it was quite a feat on Sevastyan's part, but not impossible.

Mongaven, to his credit, barely showed the terror that bubbled through him at the reactions of the accused. Still he swallowed and was careful to keep his eyes trained anywhere but on the Headmistress or DADA Professor.

The judge sighed, "Objection, noted. Mr. Mongaven, either prove your theory or return to the questions."

Mongaven nodded. "Of course, Your Honour. Now it so happens, that this theory of mine does have proof." He pulled a case from his seat and withdrew a piece of paper from its confines. "This is the sworn statement of a Hogwarts student, who due to the fact that the said student is a minor, is protected by wizarding law and does not need to reveal name or age." He magically enlarged the letter so that the judge and those watching could read it.

"I was walking down the hallway on my way to class and I saw Headmistress Kiara and Professor Kaminski holding each other and whispering. He was kissing her and she sort of did the same. They were talking about getting rid of someone and I ran back to the common room."

Mongaven sighed. "Now, Your Honour, this student swore that a plot was begun between those seated here. I must ask myself, why would a child, innocent and frail lie about something so serious."

----

Eglantine all but transfigured back into her human form at the mention of lovers and secret plots and the rest of the lies. Only a great deal of experience and self-control kept her under Sevastyan's seat.

Kiara got up from her seat and moved fully into the court room.

"Your proof is unreliable, there for usless in this courtroom. How convieniant for you that you don't have to produce name or age, but because of that fact what you presenting cannot be proven with out a reason of a doubt that is was a even a student that wrote it. And why can't you? because it is not true..."

Kiara then turned to the judge "Your honor this is getting us no where, his proof is unprovable and there for a waste of this courts time"

The judge nodded again "I hope you have something more solid to back that up Mr. Mongaven"

Mongaven nodded quickly, nimble fingers already pulling out his next piece of evidence.

"I do have something much more solid, Your Honour." he stated, smiling. "I have that same student who wrote the note here in the courtroom. With her parent's permission, I was granted the right to call her to the witness stand. Bellatrix Rosier."

The tall blonde Slytherin rose from her seat and moved fluidly into the witness chair.
"Miss Rosier, would you mind telling those assembled your age, name and whether or not you saw the Headmistress and Professor Kaminski engaged in a romantic moment?"

The girl looked nervous and slightly worried.
"I am Bellatrix Lament Rosier. I am 15 years old and I swear by a wizard's oath that I did indeed see Headmistress Kiara and Professor Kaminski engaged in a romantic moment."

---

Eglantine's eyes widened and she sat up, moving closer to the edge of the shadow cast by the chair. Surely it was a mistake. Her niece would not enter the court and commit perjury...how could Edmund allow such as thing?

((I do hope this is okay... I'm not that well-versed in courtroom stuff in RL, lol))


'Rosier?!' Sevastyan repeated in his mind, recognizing it instantly. He observed the young girl intently, determined to find some sort of reason for this madness. What goals did she - or someone else in her family, now that Sevastyan thought about it - have for this?

Sevastyan stood up and asked the court at large, "Are ve certain that this is indeed Miss Rosier, and that she is indeed untouched by such dark magic as the Imperius Curse? Somevone vith motive to sabotage this case could very vell have put Miss Rosier up to this, or even be posing as her by use of the Polyjuice Potion...

"Furthermore, if I may for a moment analyze Mr. Mongaven's statement... he had described the vitness to be 'innocent' and 'frail'. I vould like to submit my own theory that as such an 'innocent child', Miss Rosier vould also be qvite impressionable... her mind open to the suggestions and conjecture of others and hence easily influenced to affect the very nature of this case." Sevastyan sounded clearly affronted at the ludicrous claims being repeated by a more youthful voice. And if this lawyer wanted to play with theories, then Sevastyan was willing to play under a sense of confidence that there was more to this tactic than met the eye and that he could possibly riddle it out.

"If vone vere to follow my own theory through to conclusion, it vould appear that the vitness presented has no more credibility than the statement already presented and somevot dismissed in the eyes of this court, Your Honor. The only solidity Mr. Mongaven has produced is that yet another voice is capable of making the same claim - even a two year old could hypothetically say that they seen vot vos claimed to have been seen.

"If such an event did happen then vy is it that neither of the adults directly involved in said romantic moment recall it themselves?! This.... child's play.... is still vasting the court's time - there is no definite proof for this allegation to stand on."

((Yeah is it good))

Judge Carlin turned his head "I can see you point Mr. Kaminski but you are missing the fact she said this under a Wizards Oath"

But Kiara quickly countered "If I may your honor, the phrase "Romantic Moment" can have a wide range of meanings. Depending on who you are and your opinion of the word "Romantic". Two friends walking through a garden together can be considered romantic to a outsiders point of view.

"I agree with Professor Kaminski your honor, this witness is unreliable, as what she says can be infuenced in a number of ways and should not be taken seriouly by this court"

Mongaven clasped his hands behind his back once again. "With your permission, Your Honour, I will have Miss Rosier define the romantic moment and prove that she is a reliable witness."

Judge Carlin nodded, "Proceed, Mr. Mongaven."

"Miss Rosier, in your own words, please define what Headmistress Kiara and Professor Kaminski were engaged in."

Bella hung her head slightly and then straightened.
"I saw them both snogging each other outside of the Headmistress office. He was kissing her face and neck and Headmistress Kiara was thoroughly enjoying it." Amazingly, the youngest Rosier did not appear to be enjoying the fact that she was possibly accusing her professors of murder. In fact she looked as if she might become sick at any given moment.

Mongaven nodded. "And Miss Rosier, you have a boyfriend, do you not?" the girl nodded, starting to look bored. "So you understand what snogging is and how a couple act in private?"

"I am 15 years old. Of course I know what kissing is." Bella sounded annoyed now, hating the fact that she was being treated like a five year old.

"There you are, Your Honour. But feel free to cross examine, Miss Kiara."

Kiara of course knew what Bella Rosier was saying was untrue, no such event even came close to happening for heavens sake.

"Miss Rosier, what was the date and time you supposely saw Professor Kaminski and I together?" she asked trying to keep her voice as nuetral as possible.