The Tribrid on Trial

The courtroom was more extensive than Hope had imagined it would be. Seats set like a half oval around the room greeted her, and the seats were far from empty. She casually looked around as she was led to the middle of the room, where a chair was meant for her to sit.

She spotted Newt, Albus, and Elijah sitting together in the far left corner. It was like they weren't even breathing.

Looking down at the chair, she noticed the restraints. Ah, lovely, just what she liked—being confined for strangers to ogle. Still, she sat down and placed her arms where instructed, as binds were wrapped around her wrists and ankles by magic. She clenched and unclenched her fists, grinding her teeth.

"Hope…uh?" The Judge - Bob Ogden - spoke, surrounded by the Council of Magical Law, leering down at her from their higher-leveled seats.

Hope glanced up. She couldn't lie, but she also couldn't tell the truth. 

They'd hear 'Mikaelson,' and all whispers would be about Klaus. Then there was the bit of information that she was technically a time traveler, which would not exactly bode well for her.

"You can call me Hope."

"Hope," Ogden said, nodding with a slight frown, "I've reviewed your case. Read what you told Mr. Randshook in your interview."

Interrogation, Hope mentally corrected.

Ogden drummed his fingers against the parchment papers she remembered the quill scratching at. "You admitted to the murder of eight Wizards."

"I admitted to the murder of eight Poachers, yes." Hope didn't dare look in the direction of the three of them. They watched her intently- she could feel it. However, she glanced to the side to see a little old lady sitting in one of the chairs, looking rather uncomfortable.

She had a large hat and handbag, staring down at her polished yet worn shoes. The witness, Hope assumed, though it didn't matter now what she said. At least, she wouldn't think it would; she'd already confessed to the murder.

"Your case is a rather interesting one," Ogden said, bringing Hope's attention back to him, "you have multiple counts against you. Murder, arson, and refusal of the Werewolf Code of Conduct, he held a hand up when Hope opened her mouth to argue, "I have also recently been told by Hogwarts Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, that you were given permission from the Minister himself. Is this true?"

"Yes."

"Well, I see no reason to not scratch that away."

Thomas, from somewhere in the courtroom, scoffed.

Gritting her teeth, Hope focused only on the judge and not creating an accidental hemorrhage to one of the trial attendees.

"Still, murder and arson are not soft crimes."

Hope waited to make sure she was intended to speak. "I didn't set the fire. The Poachers did. I put the fire out before it could spread to the rest of Hogsfield."

Papers shuffled as she finally risked a glance in the corner's direction, and as she assumed, their eyes were trained on her—all except Elijah, who was seemingly staring away but likely listening intently.

Ogden cleared his throat. "I see," he thumbed through the file and nodded, "however, there are no witnesses to suggest you aren't responsible for the fire." He glanced up. Mrs. Davenport, please address the courtroom in detail about what you witnessed the night of June 27th and early morning of June 28th."

As Hope suspected, the old woman in the corner was the witness.

"I was out to check on my garden, as I've had a Gnome issue recently, and I saw several lightning strikes in the same location. I've never seen lightning like that. I moved a bit closer, and I saw a woman in the clearing. She…she was covered in blood."

"Who was that woman?"

The old woman, whom Hope now recognized as one of the ladies she often passed by on her way to Alice's, stretched a crooked finger at her.

"We know she was there." Elijah's voice cut through the room of hushed whispers that died away immediately. Standing to his feet, Elijah faced the Council.

"Elijah Mikaelson?" Ogden blinked his eyes in surprise. Apparently, Elijah had done well in blending in with the rest of the crowd. "What brings you to the Ministry?"

"She's of my kind, is she not?" He asked, a small, wry smile touching his lips, but he didn't once look at her. "I do not know how she came to be, but nevertheless, she is my responsibility…" he trailed off, narrowing his eyes. "And as it seems, I created an agreement with the Ministry nearly two hundred years ago. 1742, if I do recall." He removed a bit of parchment from his pocket as he walked down the steps toward the Council. "It is well within my right to act on behalf of any Vampire fallen into the midst of your world, as is stated. The Minister of Magic at that time, Eldritch Diggory, graciously agreed to my terms that I am to be appointed in any case a Vampire of my own heritage is accused of any crime. I may be unable to prevent the consequences you have set for this Vampire- Tribrid, but I can and will exercise my right to defend her."

Silence filled the hall, but Elijah merely stood. Slipping his hands into his pockets as he waited.

"An Original Vampire in our midst," one she didn't recognize from the Council, made a face, "trying to dictate how we run our court system?"

Elijah seemed to almost chuckle; he smiled instead. "I am merely adhering to a contract agreed between my people and yours," he narrowed his eyes and tilted his head, "I am a man of my word, is your Ministry?"

Ogden took a slow, deep breath, glancing over at Hope.

"Breaking the contract will also break the vow I set those two hundred years ago. Protections I've set in place will be gone, and you will have no one else to blame but yourselves."

"Is that a threat?" Ogden asked, brows furrowed.

"It's a friendly reminder."

Hope bit her lip, holding back a smile. She had to hand it to Elijah. He knew how to command an audience.

Ogden tapped his fingers before taking the contract from Elijah and reading them over. Hope wasn't entirely sure what it said; she never knew Elijah knew about the Wizarding World, let alone had binding contracts with them. But Elijah was smart, and whatever Ogden saw on the parchment before him made him visibly sweat.

With bated breath, they waited for Ogden to speak.

"Very well. Mr. Mikaelson will take over this case as a defendant of the accused to prove her innocence as stated in the contract given. We will reassess and rejoin at a later date. In the meantime, the defendant will reside at Azkaban Prison."

The room became a rush of chaos as some cheered that Hope would be spending time in Azkaban. In contrast, others shouted that she should be immediately released for keeping the village safe. She had no idea people who had attended had actual opinions. 

Firm hands held either side of her arms as she was hoisted from the chair and started to walk out. Panic set in as she searched through the swarm of people trying to leave the courtroom simultaneously, but Hope was going in the opposite direction.

Where was Newt and Albus? She couldn't see them in the sea of people.

"Wait," she started, trying to look over her shoulder, "I didn't say goodbye." There was no guarantee she'd ever leave Azkaban, but she couldn't leave without at least saying goodbye.

"Wait," she tried again, voice a bit higher, "I didn't…I didn't say goodbye."

The door slammed behind her, cutting her off from everyone.

From them.

"I didn't say goodbye."