Chapter 1

The sun was halfway through its journey yet the rays couldn't penetrate the thick blanket of dark clouds below. The cold gush of wind carried dried up lives like a grim reaper accompanying souls to the afterlife, and The unnamed graves cried out, begging to be taken with them. Alone in the cemetery stood Morgan solemnly with a cigarette in one hand and a handful of wild flowers in another. In front of him stood 2 graves, graves of people he used to call friends, loyal friends. Friends who saved his life countless times, weather it was during school days or in the war. People like them were impossible to come by, yet here they were buried 6 feet under just because Morgan couldn't repay the same favor back that day.

Guilt burned inside him as he looked at the names carved into the grave stones. Gideon Prewett and Fabian Prewett. 

He should have come sooner, not that it mattered much to the dead, yet the respect they deserved was far more than they had gotten. He was not a religious type, yet he placed the flowers on the grave stones and prayed for their souls. He let out a sigh and just stood there looking at the graves in silence. 

If the twins were to see him right now, they would have laughed at his face.

'Cry baby Graves' 

He could hear Gideon teasing him for being a wuss. where as Fabian would have kicked him for being in such state for them.

A smile appeared on his face in their reminiscent.

"Who are you," an old harsh voice brought him back to reality, and his face hardened again.

Behind him stood an old house elf, looking at him cautiously, His dusty old rags barely covering his body and a wrinkled face haggard as a hag. He had a defensive pose against Morgan, ready to attack him if Morgan were to move an inch.

"Grokel will call Aurors if stranger dare defile master's grave," He warned walking limply towards him, His eyes resolute to fight a wizard.

Now that Morgan looked closely, the elf looked familiar, and the name confirmed it. 

"Grok?"

"Yes that is Grokel's name," the elf said, still cautious.

It seemed like time hasn't been kind to the elf, He used be the personal elf of the Prewett twins and Morgan have seen him multiple times, sneaking in supplies into Hogwarts for the twins.

"What are you doing here," 

"Taking care of masters" the elf gave him a look as if he asked the stupidest question in the world. 

Grok doesn't seemed to have recognized him, He flicked his finger and all the dried up leaves on the grave vanished, the cracks remained. Grok's age seemed to have effected his magic.

"How long have you been taking care of your masters." He asked even though he already guessed the answer.

"Since master left Grokel behind, cruel masters left Grokel behind," The elf suddenly fell on his knees and let out a sharp wail, tears in his eyes.

Morgan just looked at the elf in sympathy. A master's lost was the greatest pain for a house elf. 

"Where are you staying,"

"In the prevett cottage,"

"Any new masters?,"

"Grokel only served one master, will only serve one master and they are right here" The elf pointed his sharp fingers towards the grave stones, Anger in his eyes impossible for an house elf to posses. 

Morgan gave the elf a short look, he knew he couldn't convince the elf to break free from his self imposed isolation. 

With a sigh he glanced at the graves one last time before heading for exit.

"It was nice meeting you again Grok"

He walked out of the cemetery and snapped his fingers. Red sparks escaped his finger and a red bus instantly appeared in front of him. The reason he didn't use apparation was that his mastery on magic was rusty and he didn't want to get splinch, just because of few gallons. 

He paid the conductor and told him the location. The world outside the bus blurred. 

Alastor was waiting for him near a red phone booth, his wooden food tapping the ground impatiently. 

"Took you long enough," he grumbled as both entered the cramped space.

"Had a few people to meet," Morgan said calmly. 

Alastor's eyes bored into Morgan before he turned around, he seemed to have gotten the message and didn't enquire any further. He dialed buttons on the phone in a specific order and waved his wand over it for identity confirmation. The telephone booth moved downwards silently like an elevator with silenced charm and they waited in silence.

"So how is Burkes doing this days," Morgan decided to break the silence which Alastor was far to comfortable on maintaining.

"Edric? He left Enforcement Department right after the war and started running his family business. Nowadays he is part time lawyer, full time businessman. bloody man can't stop trying to sell me a new pair of eyes," He scowled in annoyance. 

"Any major case he had taken recently," 

"Yes, yours,"

"Well that inspires a load of confidence in me," He sighed and both went silent.

The Ministry was writhing in Fiendfire the last time he stepped foot in this so called hallowed halls. Back then the chambers were filled with screams of despair and the black tiles were painted with blood. 

On that day the Aurors were fighting another war against the vampires in heart of London trapped under Anti-Apparation ward, leaving ministry in hands of 30 rookie Aurors to defend against hundreds of death eaters. Even the now pristine condition tiles and expensive artwork couldn't hide the dread that still lingered here for Morgan. Everywhere he looked an image would flash before his eyes. Flashbacks of his comrades dying screaming, begging for mercy to the enemy. His heart was beating faster and his breath quicken, his hand tried its best to stay away from the pack of cigarettes in his pocket and he tried to focus on his destination ignoring the ghost of his past.

Few familiar faced passed by them, some ignored them, few noticed Alastor, yet not one recognized him. Though he was greatfull for that.

They passed through the a grand entrance with 2 Aurors as constant guards. The Aurors looked at Alastor, and let the duo pass without any questions. They entered a long hallway with hundreds of chambers at both side of the walkway. Names embedded in gold on each chamber's door along with their title below.

The first door has the name of the most powerful man in the building, Minister of Magic. Beside the door 4 Aurors were guarding it with unwavering focus, looking at their scars, Morgan instantly knew that they were veteran Aurors. Beside the MOM there was the chamber of another influential man, Albus Dumbeldore, Chief Warlock of the Wizangamote. He held the title of the most powerful wizard in the world and the prowess he displayed during the Ministry Siege, Morgan knew the title was well deserved.

Along the way they passed by few familiar names yet only one caught his eyes. The head of the Law Enforcement Department, His former boss. As far as he could remember, She was a hard ass, But a fair person and an alley against the purist. A small part of him wanted to got there to say hello, yet he scrapped that idea and moved forward.

After walking for few minutes finally they reached their destination, the civilian law section. There were hundreds of lawyers talking to their clients or arguing among themselves. Tables filled with stacks of papers and assistants running around from one table to another. The place looked more like a fishmarket and less like a gentlemen lawyers that Daily Prophet made them out look like in the paper.

A young receptionist sat at the very front of the room, her head buried in mountains of paper work as she frantically went through every single one of them. She didn't even didn't notice the duo's arrival even with the noice of Alastor's wooden leg.

"We are here to meet Mr Burkes," Alastor said calmly, But the girl seemed to be too busy in paperwork to entertain them.

Impatient, Alastor just slammed his hand on the table. And barked. "GIRL,"

"Wh…What? Ohh I am so sorry sir, how may I help you," With a startled look as a cat she looked at Alastor.

"Mr Edric Burkes, we are here to see him" Alastor said firmly.

"Please give me a moment" She went through the list of lawyers appointment "Mr Burkes…Mr Burkes…..Burkes....is ready to see you, table number 27"

She went back to sorting papers instantly without saying another word, her face full of frustration….

"Young people this days," Alastor muttered before going towards the rows of tables. Some of the tables had a privacy charms on them, some didn't bother. The tables were lined up in ascending order and the rush increased as they moved forwards.

He could already see table number 27, yet it was occupied. There was a long blond haired man setting on the chair and opposite to him was a half bald man talking intensely.

As soon as the man saw Alastor and Morgan, the privacy charm around them fell.

"I say that again Mr Malfoy, Your petition will not survive one day in Wizangamots. The ministers won't entertain such charges. Now if you excuse me I seems to have another guest attend to…."

Morgan noticed a little shook in the blond man's face before going back to indifference mask. Lucius looked like he didn't want to be there, crowded places seemed to be far beneath him, and his disgust intensified as his eyes fell on Morgan, with hate that rivaled Morgan's. Both had their eyes locked onto each other, if any one of them were to make any sudden move a fight would have started right than and there.

" I must say I didn't expect you to came out of hiding, It is quit refreshing to see you here Graves," A disgusted sneer was plastered on his face. 

Morgan, with every fiber of his being he held himself back from twisting the bastard neck. After a decade of being away from this world and its people, He thought he had had moved on, yet here he was thinking about killing a man just by seeing his face. His kept his mouth shut as he didn't know if he could stop himself. There was a reason he hated the wizarding world and the blonde man in front was one of them.

"Why don't you sod off from here Malfoy, We don't welcome lying dogs here," Alastor said coldly. His disfigured face twisted into utter disdain.

That seemed to have angered Lucius further.

"Such language, Not that I expect anyting less from traitors,"

"Fare better than following a madman," Alastor barked back, his hands already nearing his wand. 

"Wh.."

Burkes decided to intervene and cut off Malfoy.

"Gentlemen, we are civilize people here, We settle our differences in the court of law. How about we go on our marry ways, and face each other in court," Bruks voice came as sweet as butter which reminded Morgan of slizzy lawyers from US, Hustlers who would do anything to win the case. 

With one last sneer, Malfoy strode out of the office and Morgan relaxed. 

"Ignore that dreadful man, and apologies, the receptionist is a new, and doesn't seems to know to not send two people at the same time. Anyways, Morgan, How many years it has been 6-7 "

"10 years," Morgan said calmly. 

"10?, Merlins," Burkes and him weren't that close, nor were they strangers. They used to meet each other for discussion regarding few cases. Back then Burkes was a nervous wreck of a man, polar opposite to the man standing in front of him.

"Anyways place take a seat," The duo sat on the chairs, both avoided sitting on the chair that Malfoy sat on. Fortunately for them there were 3 seats available.

"What was that man doing here," Morgan asked sharply.

"Nothing, just a few pre-trial threats. Unfortunately for him, not everything can be bought by his endless supply of Gallons. Anyways lets talk about your case," he opened a thick file with Morgan's name one top. There were old news articles about him, official documents and what looked like his Auror profile that was compulsory for every Auror in those days. 

"It's a well known fact that, you were the one who, How should I put it, Made Abraxas Malfoy's head disappear during Ministry's siege," Burkes said nonchalant. "The papers are dragging your name through the mud for that incident. Even today people are debating if Malfoy was a Death Eater and as much as anyone want to justify an accidental killing of a possible Death eater. The shear brutality of the execution made it quite hard for people to defend it,"

Burkes stopped at a single photo of a burtilized headless body. There were countless injuries on the corpse which made it hard to identify if the body was of a man or woman.

"Some are even questioning who the real criminal was there. To put it simple if you had just used a wand, it wouldn't have bother public that much, after all accident happens during arrests, especially during the war. But how would one convince public that this," He pointed at the photo, "was an attempted arrest,"

He then pulled out a copy of Daily Prophet and tossed it on the table. It had a huge headline on the front page. "13 JUSTIFIED CRIMINALS OF MINISTRY by Reta Seekers." with 13 photos of people under it like they were some common criminals. After looking closely all 13 of them were the surviving Aurors who were there at the siege that day. It didn't take long for Morgan to find himself among them. His younger self, his face covered in blood and eyes promising murder to every last death eaters . 

He could still remember that day like it was yesterday, he could feel his mechatte hit the man's spine multiple time. Even in rage he could clearly remember the taste of the man's blood in his mouth. And that was the day he killed a man and he didn't fill a thing.

He felt sick just remembering the beheaded corpse laying there unmoving as he continued to hack it in vengeful rage.

Burkes voice brought him back from that nightmare.

"We don't have anything to worry about though, Public perception doesn't effect the Wizangamots ministers and Malfoy doesn't have enough cloth to have majority ministers on his side, as much as he likes to think he have. Just as long as you don't challenge their egos, they would make a fair decision,"

Alastor just gave him a satisfied nod where as Morgan still remained a skeptic.

"How about we talk about fees now," Morgan said, After all, there was no free meal in this world and even though he had a pretty penny in his vault, he knew the lawyers in Wizangamots were not cheap.

"You don't have to insult me like that Graves," Burkes looked offended "I would never take any fees from the ones who fought the Dark Lord, Even if it means spending every last gallons in my vault and beside I like seeing those bastard on their high horses to fall," 

Morgan's suspicion increased, yet the man got Alastor's guarantee. So he let it slide. 

Three of them converse for an hour about the trial and their strategy before departing.

"What do you think about Burkes?" Morgan asked Alastor as they exited the Civilian law chambers.

"He looks like a scheming type, but he is alright. He has helped us against blood purist quite a bit,"

Morgan gave a nod in satisfaction, his uneasiness desapired a little. 

"Now how about you get yourself a wand,"

"I won't be staying here for long, I will be gone as soon as the trial is over," Morgan said as he finally pulled out a cigarette, his lungs has been begging for them since the moment they entered the ministry.

"Back to being miserable little bugger?" Alastor's eyes bored into Morgan that he didn't dare to meet. 

"Atleast I am welcomed there," He muttered softly, A pair of blue disdain filled eyes burned his memories for a millisecond before disappearing into the lone corner of his brain. Even if the world has really changed, and the muggleborns were welcomed with open arms, He didn't care now, What was lost, wasn't going to come back ever again.

Alastor gave him one last stare before limping forwards. Perhaps he knew how Morgan felt or peraphs he didn't want to deal with a lost cause. 

They reached the floo exit of the ministry and Alastor turned to face him

"I have asked a few favors for you, The Aurors will not take you in custody because of my assurance, make sure to keep my good faith with Bones,"

"Of Course," he gave him a smile, he knew his friend had pulled a few strings and he was gratefull for it.

"And where might I find you,"

"Hog's Head ,"

Alastor gave a nod before flooing away and Morgan flooed to Hogsmade.

.

Hog's Head Inn was exactly the same as a decade ago, it seemed as if time was absent there and everything was exactly the same. Same old grumpy bartender, same old oily furniture and same old Goat mix booze that was far better than any whiskey he had for the past decade. Even a little glass would hit like a truck, perfect antidote to forget the past. 

No new customers came to this inn, and the barkeeper was satisfied with that. It was perfect for people like Morgan as well. A quite place, with no to disturbance. 

Morgan spent 3 days there. Him and the bartender fighting a silent competition for who is going to take down more glasses of Goat mix, and It seemed the old man had far more of a fighter liver than he had. He lost to that old man, 5 times in the span of 3 days.

Alastor came to pick him up as he woke up from one of such competition, his head screaming with an hangover. The veteran Auror seemed to have anticipated that, He handed Morgan a pepper up potion. And the pain instantly disappeared. 

 This time though, Alastor brought some company. 4 Aurors geared to the tooth. They stood silently behind Alastor yet their intentions were clear, they were to accompany Morgan to the Wizangamots. To escort him as if he was some criminal.

As a former Auror he knew the protocols, yet a man still had feelings and the cautious nature of the Auror didn't made it feel any better.

They potkeyed straight to the ministry building, only possible due to special ward access.

They snapped into existence in an enclosed room with no windows and only one door. A room Morgan was quite familiar with, he had brought countless criminals through this room, yet today he was the one on the receiving end to such treatment.

It looked like the Wizangamots was already in session as the inner door was sealed shut with powerful wards. Alastor walked forwards, waved his wand and the door opened revealing a narrow space leading straight to the Wizangamots. Alastor marched forwards, Surrounded by 4 Aurors Morgan followed the lead.

It seemed every one of the 13 Aurors had different trials, As Morgan was the only one who had the honor to be escorted with 4 Aurors and an ex-Auror at his back, no other person could be seen in the Wizangamots with such hospitality.

The ministers on their seat stopped talks as soon as he entered, Everyone looking at him to see if he really the monster that the paper made out to be or was he innocent. There were quite a few familiar faces among them, People who used be rookies under him were now sitting on bench who were going to judge him. There were few old faces as well, Stuck to their seat like a glue refusing to give up, and then there were those who deserved to be there. Among them the most notable one was an old man sitting at the the front-most seat. His purple robes unable to to hide the power he wielded, weather it was political or magical. 

 Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore 

"Albus will help you in this trial," Alastor muttered from behind before leaving him.

It seems his old friend had far more connection than he knew of. Who knew he was close enough with Dumbledore to call him with first name.

"Mister Graves, stand on the dock" His escort said as they retreated as well.

Morgan did as he was told, there was no point on brushing egos to those who were going to judge him, all he had to do was to keep quite, be done with the trial and be on his merry ways.

The Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge sat on the head chair of the court and glanced at Morgan's eyes for a moment before turning away. He cleared his throat and said firmly.

"Name Morgan Graves, Former Auror. Accused of Breach of Statue of Secrecy, Murder of a Member Abraxas Malfoy. Mahem and murder of Thaddeus Wilkes, Cassius Rowle, Ignatius Mulciber Jr, Octavian Selwyn, Vesper Muldoon, Marius Carrow and Marcellus Wilkes," 

As names went on Morgan began to question his decision for coming. He was under the impression that he was facing only one charge and that of Malfoy's murder and Burkes failed to mention any other charges during their meeting. And looking at few of the minister's horrified faces at his kill count, He worries seemed valid. He glanced at Alastor who shared the same surprise as him. Because all the people mentioned by Fudge, he had definitely killed during the war, and he knew if even one of this people were to be proven non death eaters than he was as good as a permanent resident in Azkaban, a little sweat trailed down his forehead.

The purist were going all out on this it seemed. If he had know about this charges, he would have just stayed hidden.

"How do you plead for this charge Mister Graves,"

What was even there to say but.

"Not Guilty," 

Burkes came walking through the crowd, and the trial started. His eyes seemed twitchy for some reason.