Chapter 26.3-- Doom Days

“Good. So that means you agree with me that a person who lacked the dark mark would not be subject to the Act?”

“Yes.”

“So if Sirius Black lacks the dark Mark then he could not have been held awaiting trial in Azkaban”

“Yes.”

“Good. Mr. Black if you would” Sirius stood up, revealing both his arms as bare.

“Madame Bones, can the dark mark be hidden with illusion magic or transfiguration?”

“No. The magic of the mark fights any attempt to hide it” She said.

“So that means that Mr. Black’s bare arms are proof that he never bore the dark mark?”

“Objection— The Petitioner is trying to tender witness through my witness to prevent cross examination on the evidence.”

“I am doing nothing of the sort. Merely using the delightful Madame Bones to clarify a few things” I said.

“Objection Overruled, but Mr. Forswythe shall be free to cross examine Mr Black on his possession of the dark mark at a later time” Dumbledore said. He was being shockingly fair. I guessed that his reputation was not so hallowed in the other nations that he would risk it by appearing anything less than fully objective.

“Now, answer the question Madame Bones”

“Yes”

“Were you aware of a trial being prepared for Mr. Black?”

“No.”

“Were you aware of what section of the prison he was kept in?”

“Yes”

“What section is that?”

“The Maximum Security Wing”

“The area reserved solely for convicts presenting the highest level of danger to society, according to the Azkaban Guidelines?”

“Yes.”

I smiled. Bones was being cooperative in all the best ways. I didn’t even need to do anything more than what I’d already done. Doing mote here would only serve to antagonise her needlessly. Since she was likely to be the one replacing Fudge— the Minister was over, it was only a matter of time. With how he was handling this, my faith in his ability to navigate the mess with the Asians was at an all time low.

“Was there a trial being prepared for Sirius Black?”

“Not that I am aware of” She said.

“Are trials for suspected criminals not usually under the purview of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?”

“They are”

“So that means that if there was a trial being worked on, then you should have been aware of it, does it not?”

“Objection— the question calls for the witness to speculate.”

“Speculation is allowed where the matter is something that should be within the Witness’ competence. You yourself introduced her as the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.” I countered hotly on his heels.

“Overruled. The witness should be able to answer the question” Dumbledore ruled.