Ministry Court Room (May 2054)

Emma Venice stood on one side of the court room, she was here to hopefully in her opinion, to sentense one Kenneth Pherson to at least 2 years in Azkaban. Kenneth was a caught raider, she had captured him herself when her squad recieved news of a raid in the Daigon ally area. He has been sucking the magic out of a elderly witch, the poor woman almost didn't recover.

But of course, Kenneth, had gotten a defense lawyer.. provided to him by the ministry. She hadn't met him before, so she had no idea exactly how good he was..

She would admit only to her self of course, she was a bit nervous, this was her first trial she was prosecuting by her self, before she only assited the lawyer in the court room, now it was in her hands. Now it was just her luck she was up against a opponent she didn't know and he was more experinced at this then she was...

"No Presure Em.." she thought exsaperated to herself.

"Wizards and Witches of the court, Kenneth Pherson was caught quite red handed taking the magic of another, who is recovering in St. Mungos at this moment. What he did was an assult to her rights as a free human being, I charge him with assult in the 2st degree, and propose he serve 2 years minimum in Azkaban prison" she proposed before slowly stepping back and her gaze went to Draco Viper, a waiting him to make his final case for his client.

Kenneth Pherson, the young man in question, closed his eyes, almost praying his lawyer had something convinsing to say.. for he couldn't spend 2 years in prison. he couldn't, his fiance would surly not survive 2 years without treatment... and her treatment came from him being a raider.... he would pay for the old womans medical bills... anything.. anything but jail time... he needed to be free.

Dracovan Viper stood on his side of the court room standing tall, with a neutral, almost bored expression. The neutrality was a trick his maternal Grandfather had taught him when it came to certain expressions: stand blankly, reveal nothing. The boredom.. well... to put it lightly, despite the occasional "good work" he managed to convince himself he was doing, being a counselor of law wasn't exactly what he'd call his dream job. At best, perhaps it could be described as him upholding the family of legacy, ensuring that he, the oldest male heir to the Viper Clan bloodline wouldn't be a disappointment. Not to mention he had his Mother's noble family, the Kaminski's, to make proud.

He listened intently, or at least, as intently as a bored wizard could, to the task reported, sipping at a clear-filled goblet that looked like no more than water, but was anything but. Hazel orbs regarded the witch speaking with mild curiosity. She was rather young... Pretty, but young. Perhaps, if Lady Luck was at his side, this could be settled swiftly, and smoothly, and he could get back to his herb garden.

An inconspicuous wince escaped him at his client's deeds spoken. Granted he had seen and heard much worse, but this was different. This was in league with the new evil that seemed to now roam across the world, sprinkling fear and despair once more. One he was sorry to say his family was rather tangled, divided, and conquered in, as each member seemed to carry a different opinion and outlook on it all. Last he looked, his youngest cousin, Viggo, was having rather strained, if any, contact with his Mother, Draco's Aunt Amaranth, who seemed to be involved in this entire affair far more than she was letting on, even to her closest kin. Why, he couldn't even place the last time he saw his Aunt in anything other than a cameo, five-second appearance, on the grounds of her being busy "at work"...

In all honesty, not even Draco himself had passed a judgment on where he stood in regards to the illness and the leaps witches and wizards were making in an effort to "get better". He was still very much conflicted.

Noticing his client looking a bit nervous, Draco placed an understanding, supportive hand on the younger wizard's shoulder. Perhaps, at the current moment, he couldn't say for sure if he could understand and agree with Kenneth Pherson's means, but regardless of any view that may be conceived and born with time, it mattered not. Kenneth was Draco's client, and to the attorney, that was as good as family.

"It'll be all right, Kenneth. Do not fret." he whispered in assurance.

"I, Dracovan Maksim Viper, stand and speak on behalf of the defendant Mr.Kenneth Pherson as his legal council, pleading not guilty, on the grounds of mental distress and illness." Draco spoke loudly, with confidence, looking around the room as to make eye contact with each and every person, lingering a bit longer on Emma Venice's eyes. They were a rather lovely shade...

Mentally, he shook his head. Now was certainly not the time to stare at beautiful women, particularly when they were trying to prosecute a client! He focused his thoughts on the others, locking his eyes unto Emma's once more, with a nod of affirmation and confidence, waiting like a panther for her next words, so he, the hunter, could counter and debate them through the Court's minds, each syllable at a time.

Emma blinked for a moment, as she listened to her opponents defence for his client, Mental Distress and Illness?

He couldn't be Serious, the man obviously knew what he did, and he knew he was in trouble the moment she caught him... Wait...

That gave her an idea, why not give the consoler what he wanted.... give him the mental illness plea, but his client would be locked up in the Mungo's Psyche ward instead of a Azkaban cell... As long as there was someone to supervise him and keep him from being a danger to others... Why not?

"I have no Objection... if it is proven he suffers form mental distress and Illness I propose he be placed in the care of St Mungo's Mental Illness ward...." she proposed. Though she doubted the man was crazy... and also doubted he would get the desired result a mental health examination...

She then turned her gaze on Draco, "If it is proven the defendant has mental illness, the prosecution will drop 2nd Degree Assault charge" she mentally added ..Only if...

Being new and for the most part inexperienced, Emma was easily able to read by for facial expression... She was curious as to why he pleaded Insane Illness.... Surely he knew she would call the Mental health counter....

The very thought made her nervous... Maybe she was playing just the way he wanted her to... fighting the urge to bit her lip she looked at Draco... awaiting his counter or surrender.

” Though... he does look proud, and confident... I highly doubt he will agree to easily..." she thought to her self, and she respected him for it.

Kenneth looked in shock, Mental distress or Illness?.... He wasn't insane! was he desperate? yes. but insane.... No. He did how ever keep quiet, but not before letting out a gulp... St. Mungo's crazy ward was no better then Azkaban.. it didn't matter... if he was locked up... he couldn't help his fiance.

Draco smiled as it seemed that the Prosecutor was shifting slightly more in agreement with him. Recognizing his chance to swoop in and drive his point home and push things towards his and his client's favor, he quickly formulated a response to Emma's motion for St. Mungo's.

"As successful as St. Mungo's has proved to be in the past, I must object to this motion. You see, by mental illness, I do not mean insanity. Merely... depression. Which, given the sad circumstances of Mr. Pherson's life, particularly where his dearly beloved fiancé are concerned, I daresay you can all agree and sympathize..." Noticing the look of shock and worry on Kenneth's face, Draco placed a supportive hand on his shoulder, handing a goblet to Kenneth in a gesture of support and confidence. There was no need for the wizard to fear. Draco, despite his own conflicted feelings and opinions on it all, was on Kenneth's side for better or for worse.

"As to distress... well... I think it speaks for himself. The news of his beloved's worsening condition set off a catalyst in Mr. Pherson's mind, causing all sense of morals, conscience, and logic to be suppressed, for his sole focus was on finding a solution to his girlfriend's condition. At all costs. And for that, I believe I may speak for my client in the expression that the deepest remorse and regret is felt."

"With this in mind, I propose not a term in the psych ward, for after all, Mr. Pherson has a job and his own affairs to look after, but rather weekly counseling and therapy sessions at St. Mungo's."

Once more, he turned to make eye contact with all those present in the room, though he showed a bit more caution when it came to gazing upon Ms. Venice's eyes. After all, should he linger too long upon those lovely orbs, he may not be able to break away.

Emma was stuck when it came and the defense made their case... She was starting to truely hate this drain illness... for not only what it did to the victims but the effect it had on the people around them.

The moral decisions on this matter were becoming more and more difficult.. taking a deep breath she forced her self to continue... she couldn't hesitate, not now. She did feel remorse and sympathy for the defendant, honestly she did, but she had a job to do...

" What happens after that? after being slapped on the wrists and then set free to be allowed to attack others? and send more people to Saint Mungos?" She felt horrible for saying this... none of this was right.

Emma lowered her head slightly, a mistake she knew... everyone in the court knew she didn't think much of her case. She was just forcing her self to go through with it.

She waved her wand and conjured image from the attack site the Kenneth was caught at. The Anti magic Explosion that went trhough the ally Stripped all magic from the builtings and floo networks and any enchantments died. The anti magic has a blocking effect on living beings... their magic remains, it merely magic it impossible to use... So it is ready for harvest...

The Ally looked like a dead, poor poverty stricken back ally... people were scared and scattered about, some were injured, unconcious or delirous.

"Are we going to let him do this again? Because that is was he intends to do... is own reasons asside this is what he intends to do!" she said before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath to keep control.

"When did justice depend on the sincere reasons of the criminal? When a thief steels form a store to feed and support his hungry family, is her not still punished for if he is caught? how is this any different?"

Merlin this was horrible....

"I need a drink after this..." she thought to her self as she turned to Draco and the judge once again.

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Kenneth couldn't bear to look at the images shown by Emma, he almost could believe he had done something so drastic... but what else could he have done... what else could he do? if there was any other way, he would do it.