The People You Trust

A/N: Longer summary at the bottom of his chapter for those wondering if this story is worth their time.

Warnings: Swearing and select adult situations, non-graphic in nature. Mentions of sexual abuse/rape (non graphic descriptions), violence, and trigger warning for a suicide scene with an OC character

Disclaimer: All characters and plot lines relating to Harry Potter are property of J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 1: Unjustly Sentenced

July 8, 1996

The full Wizengamot was in attendance as Harry Potter was led into Courtroom number 10 by a Dementor on each side. They had all be present just last year as the boy had been brought in on charges for underage magic and a few of them noted some of the changes in the boy. While the previous year he had stood before them looking nervous, unprepared and incredibly young, this time there was a very distinct look of resignation on his face. Although less than a full year had passed, the boy also looked remarkably older. Taller, and of slightly broader build in his shoulders, part of the changes were the normal passages of youth but it was the boy's demeanor that was remarkable, he looked at the Minister with a startlingly mixture of anger and kind of terror-filled defiance. It was not the kind of look a child had, who would have been nervous but at the same time confident that some stronger power would work things out for them. Instead it was the look of a man that fully understood how much trouble they were in and was prepared to face it despite knowing that odds were hopeless.

The boy had good reason to be terrified, the case the Minister had brought against him this year was not only for much graver offense than underage magic, it was almost airtight. Everyone present knew that Potter was guilty and the trial was more formality due to his celebrity in their world than to convince anyone of his culpability,

He up for conspiracy to corrupt minors, working for and swearing allegiance to the Dark Lord, revealing top secret information to a known traitor to the government, the torture of muggles and murder- the evidence was strong and plentiful. Everyone present already knew that the boy had been caught at the scene of the crime. Everyone in their world had been obsessively reading the horrible details of what the boy had done for days on end and there was no doubt that it would be a speedy trial. Most of them were already making long lunch plans.

When the boy was instructed to take a seat the chains of the prisoner's chair bound him in place and a leather gag was secured around his head when he tried to object to the charges made against him. With his icy glare that shook more than a full grown wizards in the court he certainly looked the part of a dangerous criminal and the 'upstanding' members of the community were quick to notice it.

The Minister had also had the forethought to prevent another embarrassing interruption from Albus Dumbledore appearing as a self-proclaimed defense council by naming him as a witness for the prosecution, effectively silencing anything that the man would (or even could) have said to help young Mr. Potter as he was now bound to only answer the questions that he was poised rather poise them himself. Though judging from the sad, bitter look of disappointment that the famous Headmaster was currently giving his formerly favored pupil many thought that they would not have to worry in the first place.

The morning had worn on with an endless stream of witnesses from the prosecution. They had built up the case gradually, showing that Potter had displayed an increasing pattern of deranged behavior starting as far back as his Third Year at Hogwarts and escalating over time to become a danger to others. More than a few whispers were made about the fact that as the headmaster of the school Dumbledore had shown enormous negligence in allowing the boy's behavior to not only go unchecked but had often encouraged it to a point where it became clear that the boy had gone from being rather manipulative and sneaky to outright cruel and murderous. Each of the witnesses were able to confirm the others' testimony, making the Minister's point clearer and clearer. However, despite the damning evidence that was brought before the court, there was still a strange reluctance in the air to officially convict. Most would later chalk up this feeling to the fact that it was the legendary Boy-Who-Lived. The child that they had all so blindly worshipped for magic that they could not even comprehend. Suddenly all of the whispers that had followed the supposed destruction of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named had new meaning. It was not a miracle that had saved them but instead it had been the presence of a new and potentially powerful dark lord- one that needed to be stopped sooner rather than later. They should all be thankful that they had managed to capture and subdue to the boy during his first real round of violence or else it was possible that he would have soon grown too powerful, too proficient at escape for them to capture at all.

And yet, despite everything there were several people that knew that there was something left unsaid, some nagging feeling in their bones that told them that things were not as they appeared to be. Unfortunately it would many years before that feeling was fully understood or even remembered after that day.

The case that the former High Inquisitor of Hogwarts, Delores Umbridge, the lead prosecutor for Magical Law Enforcement, Andrew Decklan, and the Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge presented had certainly appeared straight forward at first glance. They alleged that after a full year of careful and methodical rebellion from the students of Hogwarts- led by Harry Potter- the boy had then coerced several students into following him to the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic meaning to hand over some of the most promising students to the Dark Lord as his first sign of loyalty. He had chosen his best friends to show that his loyalty to the man was in fact absolute and he would have no ties to his former life. The boy had then meant to officially take the Mark and reap the rewards of being You-Know-Who's right hand man- the first of which would be learning the Dark Arts from the top Death Eaters to employ against his abusive muggle relations.

Much of this plan had been spoiled by the appearance of Dumbledore's so-called Order of the Phoenix, an organization that most of them knew about from the war but had never learned the identities of the people that served to protect their world against the Death Eaters. Potter's plans to hand over the Longbottom boy, two Weasleys, Xenophilius' little girl and a muggleborn had been ruined but the Dark Mark found on his arm showed that he had somehow been forgiven for his failure and still been accepted into the man's ranks.

All five of Potter's classmates testified separately that Potter had had a 'vision' of his godfather, a known Death Eater the court was reminded, despite Potter's inane and muffled protests that the man was in fact innocent, was being held and tortured by You-Know-Who. However, the prosecution brought in several experts, ranging from researchers in the Department of Mysteries to healers at St. Mungos who were all in agreement that such a connection was impossible and that the boy was either delusional or using a ploy to get them to follow him.

Given the fact that several Death Eaters had been waiting in ambush to capture the children it was clear that the boy had conned them all in order to get them to his master.

But if it was a ploy why did all of the children also recount that Potter had attempted to forestall them from coming with him? Was it truly a play on their sense of loyalty and nobility as Decklan suggested? Clever 'reverse psychology' that compelled the children to follow after their supposed friend. Surely it must have been as Potter had been reluctant to seek out an adult for help and had refused to speak to his High Inquisitor who worked at the Ministry and who surely would have been of assistance. Though apparently the boy had a history of avoiding authority figures when dangerous situations arose. His friends had innocently claimed that they had always known that the boy had pure intentions, he had wanted to save them. However, when pressed they could not truly understand what had prevented them from seeking out help, even though none of them had any problems with authority figures or seeking help in ordinary situations. It became increasingly clear that the boy had been manipulating for a long while. Perhaps not maliciously at first. Even those against the boy did not think that an eleven year old was cunning enough to so thoroughly brainwash other school children but his sneaky behavior, his social isolation from most peers and his inability to confide in adults all pointed to some disturbing behavior patterns that had very obviously escalated.

It was also pointed out that Potter was the only student that had not sustained any injuries during the fight at the Ministry- very suspicious indeed. It was not surprising that the others had found themselves ill-equipped against trained and experienced Death Eaters, was the court expected to believe that a fifteen year old was capable of holding his own against them? The only clear explanation was that they were not aiming for him. This information, when pointed out correctly by the prosecution, suddenly made the parents of the two injured and obviously confused Weasley children outraged and for the first time in years they had questioned the wisdom of encouraging their kids to hang around with a boy who placed them in repeated and apparently escalating danger. From the Weasley girl's testimony, her parents had practically taken the boy in as another adopted son and they had never imagined that he would betray their trust.

Next, testimony was given that revealed that Severus Snape's position as a highly effective spy had been exposed by none other than Potter himself. The boy had been privy to the information despite having a well-known, long standing grudge against his professor, another obvious oversight by Dumbledore. Again the students had all agreed in their statements that the boy hated the potions' master and had done since his First Year in the school when the man had seemingly questioned the boy too intensely in his first class. The Healers' of St. Mungo's had a few theories about this kind of behavior. It was well-established that the Boy-Who-Lived enjoyed the spotlight and was used to receiving special treatment. The prosecution was careful to show that the potions' professor had been one of only a few teachers not to cater to such feelings of grandeur and Potter resented him for it. Snape's true allegiance had been exposed to the Dark Lord due to the boy's grudge against him and as an early sign of loyalty to the boy's new master. If it had not been for the quick actions of young Draco Malfoy the man would be dead.

The other charges were addressed when his muggle family was questioned. The boy had been arrested when a squib, Arabella Figg, had reported a disturbance at Number Four Privet Drive to the Ministry. The foolish woman had then not waited for the Aurors but instead had gone over to check on the situation herself, no doubt believing Harry Potter to be in grave danger- and she had walked into a terrible scene.

Potter's relatives, according to testimony from one Vernon Dursley, had been writhing in agony under the cruelty of the Cruciatus Curse, when Potter, startled by the appearance of a witness, reacted quickly and ruthlessly- immediately killing the old squib after she had so kindly collaborated his tale the previous year.

Thankfully the squib had already alerted the Aurors who were able to apprehend the boy after a brief and very one-sided duel. The easy way he had been taken down showed once again that the Death Eaters at the Department of Mysteries clearly hadn't been heavily targeting him. Once securely under arrest at the Ministry, the full story had come to light. Lucius Malfoy, who had been captured the night of the Ministry break-in, confessed that Potter had been conspiring with the Dark Lord in exchange for the knowledge of how to revenge himself upon his muggle relatives after years of neglect and physical abuse. There had been evidence of extreme abuse that would have driven most to want revenge but the fact that the boy had taken it so viciously, employing the use of Unforgivable Curses could in fact-not be forgiven. Under their own sworn testimonies, every witness had backed up the story that Harry had been mistreated by his family and that he held no affection for them at all, although every one of them had either been shocked or even flat-out denied that the boy would have struck out at them with violence.

But the Aurors had found the boy with the Mark on his arm. Potter had been in custody since being apprehended at the Dursley Residence which meant that no polyjuice potion had been involved, and no one but Potter could have gotten past the wards of Number Four anyway. Prior to the trial Potter had been given Vertiserum, under which he confessed to having cast an Unforgivable Curse before, but then denied cursing his relatives or killing Arabella Figg. This was explained to the Court by the revelation that Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, had been able to throw off the Imperious Curse since the age of fourteen, no doubt he had been caught off guard against the potion initially but once he was in control he was able to fight off the effects of Vertiserum as well.

They had expected the defense that had come from the boys friends when they had been further questioned about the events of the past year, but the Aurors had already explained things to the children and despite a few bleating, disbelieving protests, even they had been at a loss to explain the boy's actions. Truth be told- it was the boy's closest friends that had helped secure the case most of all. After all- they were the ones that knew him best. They were ones that had been best able to reveal the pattern of behavior that no one else had been fully able to see.

The Granger girl, a muggleborn but one noted for her intelligence by several other witnesses , had been at a loss to explain how Harry could have been framed and despite her assertions to the Court, they could all could see the look of betrayal and hurt on her face as she looked at her now former-friend. The facts were spelled out clearly and although it took several pointed questions and reminders of the evidence she eventually allowed logic to override her emotion. Under oath, when asked if, given the evidence, she believed that the boy capable of the magic involved in the crimes despite only having just completing his OWLs, she had admitted the reluctant truth. When properly motivated for the need for revenge, Potter was capable of extraordinary magic. She had confessed that while Potter often struggled with Theory or essay writing when it came to their marks, when it came to true mastery of practical spells his were usually unmatched in power.

Ronald Weasley was similar, not as logical as the girl but still confident of his friend's integrity, he- at first- steadfastly stood by his best mate. However, once under oath he was also the one that had admitted more than any other witness how much Potter had hated his muggle relations. As his most trusted confidant, Potter had revealed to him more than anyone else about how he was treated at his relations home- but his friend and confidant had never revealed that the muggles had been physically abusive and again there was that look of startled insight from the witness as he realized that perhaps he did not know his best friend as well as he had once believed.

At long last the only one left to be questioned was the accused, one Harry James Potter. All of the former witnesses were now present having stayed after their testimonies to try and understand what had happened. It had actually been encouraged by the Healers at St. Mungos, a way for the victims to come to terms with the fact that they had been used and manipulated by a person that they trusted. A person that they had believed to be their friend. It was bound to be confusing and disorienting for them but the questioning by the Aurors had helped them and it was clear that they were no longer in denial about what their 'friend' had done.

There were tears running down the faces of Ginny Weasley and Hermione Granger. Neville Longbottom and Ron Weasley were glaring at their dorm mate with deep seated rage. Even Luna Lovegood, supposedly noted for her cool demeanor, was staring down at the boy with resentment. All of the children had been questioned for several days before the trial, thoroughly vetted by not only Aurors but Ministry Healers to help them overcome some of the damage this boy had been doing to them.

The painful gag was finally removed but the accused was still bound to the chair.

"Harry Potter, we have heard from several witnesses placing you at the scene of the crime. Many have also testified to your mistreatment at the hands of your muggle relations. Is it true that throughout your childhood you were forced to live, and often locked into, a small cupboard under the stairs?"

The court could see the flush on the boy's face at having to answer these questions about his past but his answer was clear, "yes but how is that my fault?"

"Is it also true that the Dursleys once placed metal bars on your window and locks on your door effectively keeping you a prisoner in your own room?"

Potter looked over at his red-headed friend, who he had already heard relate this particular fact to the court, before answering, "yes they did."

"Were often denied proper food or adequate clothing?"

Potter took in a shaky breath, obviously hating to admit this appalling treatment in front of so many strangers, "yeah I was but I never tortured them because it!"

"Why did you not report your relations to either the Ministry or a teacher at your school?" the prosecutor pressed, "if you had not intended to 'rectify' this situation on your own, why would you not seek help from those who would have given it to you freely?"

Potter's eyes widened and he glared at the man with such an intense and icy gaze that several members of the Court could have sworn that the temperature in the room physically dropped, "so because I didn't complain about it, I must have wanted to kill or torture them? Who was I going to tell? Dumbledore already told you that he knew about it! But that only counts against me too doesn't it? Before this summer the Dursley's never beat me up, and that was only because-"

"That is enough," Decklan snapped and with a snap of his wand Potter was silenced, the loss of composure did not go unnoticed by several court members who were unimpressed by the tactics of the prosecutor, particularly on a minor.

"Minister," Decklan announced changing is voice to one of thinly disguised fake sympathy, "the fact that this boy, a wizard, has suffered cruelly at the hands of mere muggles is undeniable. At this time I ask that I might show the court the full extent of the injuries inflicted by Mr. Potter's uncle?"

Many people looked around in confusion at this request but few could miss the fact that Harry Potter visibly paled in discomfort and perhaps shame.

"Granted," Minister said casually.

"No!" the boy protested, but it was in vain, with a flick of a wand Harry Potter was released from his chains, his seat, and his shirt. He was then forcibly turned towards the court and its witnesses, where several voices gasped and a few- like the muggleborn friend of Potter's- gave a startled sob, at the markings on the boys back. He had apparently been whipped, savagely at that, with a leather belt and his back was a mess of welts and slashes- angry, red and inflamed some of the injuries looked infected and it was evident that the Ministry had refused to heal them so that they could be entered as evidence.

Potter appeared mortified at having himself and his injuries so exposed but he remained silent and collected after his protest had been ignored. "As we can see Potter certainly had motive to want to inflict retribution on the family that should have provided comfort and safety to a boy that desperately needed it. Instead they beat, starved and neglected him. The muggles involved in this case deserve to be held responsible but nothing allows an individual to employ the use of an Unforgivable, and I believe that we are all in agreement that there is no defense for joining the ranks of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named."

"I would never join him!" Potter shouted, once again angry.

"But you did, you bear his Mark, you knew of his intimate plans at the Ministry, you betrayed Severus Snape and the work of the underground organization of the Order of the Phoenix which undermines our defense for the war, and you callously murdered a defenseless squib when your plans were revealed. While I personally have sympathy for your situation Mr. Potter, I never wish cruelty on any child," he said more to the court than to the boy in front of him, "that does not excuse your behavior. There were several other options available to you and instead you chose to use your vengeance as reason to turn on the very people that have supported you. The Wizarding World has always looked upon you with great favor Mr. Potter and you betrayed that trust when you chose to turn to murder and violence."

Potter's eyes turned down and there was true and unmasked sadness in them, "I would never kill Mrs. Figg," he said quietly. "You don't understand, I didn't do it..."

The Court had heard enough, it was regrettable, it was even upsetting to them but the evidence could not be ignored and Potter had provided no reasonable explanation, though no one seemed to notice that he had not been given the opportunity to speak freely of the events. After a single vote the Court found him guilty.

"Harry Potter," Minister Fudge spoke, looking happier than anyone could remember him being for a long time, "the Wizengomot has found you guilty of all charges. Because you are a minor at this time you will be sentenced to life in Azkaban, medium security. At this time do you have any last words for the court- any remorse for your actions?"

Harry Potter looked up and for a moment every member of the Wizengamot had the distinct impression that he was looking them directly in the eye- speaking directly, and only, to them, the effect was mesmerizing and some knew in that instant that this was a moment that they would never forget. His voice was soft and trembled somewhat in fear of his coming sentence, but the words were clear and strong in the silent room, "Someone should look after Mrs. Figgs cats, she doesn't have any family and they mean everything to her. Also…" the boy took a breath and seemed to consider his next words carefully, "Voldemort will use you against each other, just like this. You're all playing right into his hands and you don't even see it. You're all so worried about looking good or protecting yourselves but you never look at the bigger picture- and Voldemort will destroy you all for it. Maybe then you'll realize that I probably could have helped you, if you had let me."

Harry Potter was then dragged out by the Dementors, kicking and struggling the entire time, somewhat diminishing the effect of his strong and determined speech. And still there was that nagging feeling in so many minds that they were missing something, until a witch in the corner- a quiet rather dull woman that never seemed to contribute much in the way of making decisions or leading opinions voiced a thing that everyone else had only registered subconsciously, "Funny," she said, almost to herself, "I've never heard of a Death Eater that's willing to use His name."

A/N: One year ago today I published my first story on this site and have enjoyed the process immensely. I haven't finished Harry Potter and the Awakening Power but wanted to start with this story that I have been sitting on for a while, though if you have read/are reading my other story you shouldn't worry, I'm still devoting most of time to that as the beginning chapters to this one are largely written and will come out about once week (hopefully).

Those of you wondering what you're getting into: Obviously this is the very unoriginal idea of Harry going to Azkaban at a young age after everyone believes that he has joined the Dark Lord, however, I hope to make this rather unique. The first few chapters will be rather dark as they explore exactly what happens to Harry in Azkaban, a very young man, who is innocent in a prison covered with Death Eaters that know he is innocent and guards that believe him guilty. This is also a time when the Ministry is re-designing the prison for the war and is arresting 'enemies of the state' while they lack of many of the dementors that they have depended on for defense. Not all the dementors abandoned the prison so Harry will still be exposed to them to an extent but they now have to employ a few new ideas as well, and they aren't pleasant.

The other thing to keep in mind is this is NOT a bash the Weasleys/Hermione story and how they turned their back on Harry at the first drop of a hat. They are 16 year old kids that were placed in front of trained Aurors and basically questioned until they truly believe that Harry turned on them and they are immensely hurt by this. Harry was their best friend and they believe that he was leading this double life without ever confiding in them. This is going to be a look at what happens to them without Harry in their lives and how it will affect how they grow up and the lives of the Order. Expect some very different couples and few other surprises.

Hope you all enjoy this and if you do please, please drop a review, I love hearing from people.