Last of the Fae Chapter 143: The Thane Fae Trials Pt. 3

No one in the courtroom stirred at the formal announcement, the silence as thick as the tension. Minister Fudge allowed himself a small, self-satisfied smirk, clearly pleased that Cassian Vale was following what he assumed would be a predictable script.

"Your argument, Counselor Vale?" Fudge prompted, his tone oozing false civility.

Cassian inclined his head respectfully before stepping forward, his posture immaculate, his voice calm and smooth—yet resonant enough to fill the entire chamber with practiced ease.

"My client, Lord Thane Fae, had no prior knowledge that the Dementors stationed aboard the Hogwarts Express were operating under the authority of the Ministry. As such, he could not have knowingly or willingly interfered with an official investigation or mission," Cassian began, pausing just long enough for his words to settle over the crowd.

He began to pace slowly, methodically, across the open floor before the Wizengamot, every step measured—deliberate. His eyes scanned the assembly, not just the judges and the Minister, but the guests and witnesses lining the public gallery. He studied their expressions, their posture, their whispers. There were truths hidden in reactions. And Cassian Vale made a career out of uncovering truths.

"As for the charge of dangerous use of magic," he continued, "the statute in question clearly applies only to cases in which a witch or wizard casts with gross negligence or clear disregard for the safety of those around them. Lord Fae's actions were the direct result of a perceived threat that—based on witness testimony—terrified the entire student body."

He turned sharply, eyes now locked onto the council.

"Furthermore, the accusation of child endangerment is built on the presumption that underage individuals were exposed to harmful or uncontrolled magic without the means to protect themselves. Yet it is an irrefutable fact that my client's actions actively prevented harm to those very same students. His spellwork, though powerful, was controlled. Precise. Intentional. And executed only after the threat had made itself known."

A flicker of movement among the grey-robed council members caught his eye. A few had begun exchanging notes. Good. That meant the foundation was shifting, even if only slightly.

Cassian's lips curled into the faintest trace of a smile.

After decades of loyal service to House Greengrass, he had stood in courtrooms soaked in schemes—witnessed trials more theater than law, more vendetta than justice. This trial was no different. The stink of politics hung heavy in the air, and Cassian could feel the invisible hands tugging on strings from behind the curtain.

To win, he knew he had to do more than defend his client. He had to unearth the players behind the scenes, and expose the hands manipulating the board. Someone seeking to profit had no doubt thrown their weight against House Fae, and they had done so with calculated timing.

Cassian just needed to identify whose chips were already in the pot—and what cards they were still hiding up their sleeves.

And he intended to do so before the final hand was played.

"Very well Mr. Vale the council had heard your argument and so shall it judge its worth and significance," Fudge replied though there was a certain hint of boredom creeping into his tone, "Call the first witness!" 

There was a bang as the heavy doors of the courtroom opened and Auror Jerry Gerald walked dressed in plain but socially acceptable robes. 

The man was clearly uncomfortable in the heavy and somber atmosphere, pulling at his collar with frantically darting eyes. 

Still, Jerry managed to make it to the witness seat, a chair sat directly in front of Thane with only a couple of feet separating them. 

"Witness please state your name and occupation for the court!" Fudge called out with a bombing voice, seemingly displeased with Jerry's demeanor. 

"M-my name.." Jerry coughed once to clear his throat, "My name is Jerry Gerland and I'm an Auror with the Department British Ministry of Magical Law Enforcement."

"Counselor you may now question the witness," Fudge intoned with the least amount of enthusiasm possible. 

Cassian nodded only showing the bare minimum of respect for the sake of formalities, before setting his gaze on Jerry, "Officer Gerald, can you confirm your involvement and relationship with this case?" 

"Y-yes I was the uh...handler in charge of overseeing the dementor task force sent to search the Hogwarts Express for contraband," Jerry replied stumbling over his phrasing in the beginning before finding his voice. 

"You were also the arresting officer correct?" Cassian quickly added on making Jerry freeze for a moment before nodding stiffly, "Yes after I arrived on the scene I-" 

"I only require a yes or no answer for this particular question Officer Gerald I will ask you about the series of events when or if I ask for them." Cassian quickly interrupted showing that he would have absolute control of the questioning. 

Jerry glared at the lawyer but said nothing and after a moment Cassian nodded moving on, "Now you said you were the Handler for the dementor task force...I assume this means you had some authoritative control over their actions?" 

"Yes," Jerry replied bluntly not giving Cassian any further opportunities to verbally berate him 

"Good, then please tell the council what procedure you employed when initiating the search for contraband aboard the Hogwarts Express?" Cassian asked. 

Jerry exhaled through his nose before answering, "Once the train came to a stop I authorized the dementors to close around the train before I gave them the command to search the train carts." 

"So to clarify you established a perimeter before initiating the search," Cassian specified which Jerry answered with a curt, "Yes." 

Cassian frowned suddenly as if deeply perturbed by something, "I'm sorry I'm having trouble picturing the scene. Can you tell us how wide of a perimeter you established around the train?" 

Jerry opened his mouth and then froze, "I-I...I'm not completely certain, but no more than a couple of meters." 

"A couple of meters?" Cassian repeated doubtfully, "How many is a couple." 

Jerry adjusted himself in his seat as Cassian turned on the pressure, "Within ten meters." 

Cassian slim eyebrows rose, "And was this range by design or circumstance." 

"Pardon?" Jerry growled out now openly glaring at the lawyer. 

"Let me rephrase," Cassian acquiesced, "Were you able to directly order the dementors to form a perimeter within a ten-meter range or did they just happen to interpret your order and by chance for a perimeter within ten meters." 

Jerry was silent for a moment and didn't seem intent on replying until Fudge spoke up, "Answer the question Officer." 

"By circumstance," Jerry muttered and Cassian frowned, "Well then you at least are able to recall the specific number of dementors to search the train while the rest maintained a secure retainment of the search?" 

Once more Jerry stalled before speaking, "I can't say I remember the exact number." 

Cassian nodded as if he expected such an answer, "So for this procedure, that you were entrusted with you gave loose instructions to Dark Creatures when they would be inspecting a train full of children who are legally declared vulnerable. If that doesn't sound like endangerment I don't know what does." 

"That isn't-"Jerry started but Cassin cut him off, "No further questions at this time, I now turn the witness over to the council." 

Fudge grumbled, "Very well Counselor, the council may now question the first witness."