The barrister of the Dursleys was preparing mentally to lose this case. McDougal was known for being one of the best and in this case it was obvious that the boy wasn't at fault. And with the boy knowing how to act and not look guilty, there was little he could do. The Dursleys had got themselves into this. The part they told the neighbours about the boy's parents being drunks that caused a car crash had been proven wrong by McDougal in the beginning by using the police records of all accidents on the 31st October 1981. That the boy was a delinquent was crushed by the statements of the school teachers and the librarian. They couldn't claim to have been generous enough to pay for the boy's needs as the Potter estate had paid them for the care of the boy and they had embezzled the funds and lived in luxury while still mistreating the boy. This case was just not winnable.
Harry was allowed to leave the seat and took a seat next to Sirius, who put his arm around his shoulders.
"That was good work, Harry. They can't get out of this. Calling you was a last ditch effort of the Dursley's barrister. McDougal had torn apart their defence already." Sirius informed Harry whispering.
Harry just nodded. He was doing his best not to lash out at the Dursleys. He needed to give the image of the good boy. No matter how much he wanted to hurt them.
Both barristers gave their final speeches and then the judge asked the jury to decide. The result was clear. The jury voted for the Dursleys being guilty of child abuse and embezzlement of funds. They were convicted to prison time. Ten years for Vernon for his role in the physical abuse and six years for Petunia. The hateful looks and shouts of Vernon bounced off of Harry. They were finally going to pay for what they did to him. The judge ordered that Dudley would be examined by a child psychologist to find out how much his parents' behaviour had influenced him. His placement would be decided afterwards. As Margery Dursley had been found unsuited to raise a child, he would either be placed in a foster family or in an institution that was specialized to undo the mistakes in upbringing of children that were caused by their parents or guardians.
The reports of the investigators on Dudley Dursley had been clear in pointing out that the boy needed to learn proper behaviour as his parents didn't teach him the difference between right and wrong. The property of the Dursleys would be found out and the money they got for caring for Harry would be returned to him with interest. If they didn't have the money their house would have to be sold. Harry and Sirius went back into the side-room where Harry had left his book to meet with Mr McDougal. Sirius thanked him for the good work he had done. Harry was mostly apathetic. While a small smile was on his face, he was just glad that this episode of his life was over.
.....
Harry was in the locker room before the second Quidditch match for the Ravenclaw team. They were up against Slytherin this time. He knew he had to be on guard for any aggressive ideas the snakes could come up with. But the training from the indoor Quidditch had given the whole team better reflexes for dodging bludgers. Daniel was giving the team last minute instructions.
"Okay, Slytherin is good, but we are better. Contrary to past years we got a lot of training in over the months where we normally are limited due to the weather. Indoor Quidditch not only spared us from freezing, but also honed our reflexes. Slytherin didn't train anywhere near as hard as we did. Our chasers know each other's reactions now, our beaters have better aim and our keeper is at the top of his game. And I will make damn sure to get the snitch before Higgs does. The main job though will be yours, Roger, Quentana and Harry. Take their chasers apart. Harry, don't let them build up their moves; get the quaffle from them before that. Steven and Tod, keep them busy. We will win this game, let Pomarel have peace of mind for his NEWTs after this and in the end the cup will be ours." Daniel proclaimed, getting cheers from the other members of the team.
Daniel led the Ravenclaws out of the locker room.
"And the two teams are entering the field. The Ravenclaws in blue, the Slytherins in green. Both teams won their first matches. Who will be victorious this time? The surprisingly strong Ravens under Daniel Barkaim or the brutal assault mix of Marcus Flint?" Lee Jordan commented.
"Jordan!" Professor McGonagall admonished.
"Sorry, Professor, just saying as it is." Lee said.
"And the bludgers and the snitch are let off by Madam Hooch. The teams are getting ready for the kick-off. There is the whistle and they are in the air. Immediately the quaffle is taken by Potter, who passes at Davies, dodging a bludger Davies races to the Slytherin hoops. Two Slytherin chasers are trying to stop him, but he … drops the quaffle. Ah, a calculated move. Quaffle possession by Pollianore. She speeds over to the Slytherin hoops. She aims, but Bletchley is in position, no a feint shot, on the left hoop, she passes to Potter, who scores through the middle hoop. 10:0 for Ravenclaw." Lee commented.
Cheers erupted from the crowd in blue and bronze. But the game was on again.
"Bletchley passes the quaffle to Flint, but Remmons forces him to drop the quaffle immediately with a well-aimed bludger, which grazed Flint's shoulder. Quaffle is taken up by Davies who had waited for that chance. Flint in pursuit of Davies. Davies passes to Pollianore, passes immediately to Potter, who puts the Quaffle through the right hoop with a spinning shot. 20:0 Ravenclaw. The Snakes seem to be miffed about the early goals. Flint aggressively takes the quaffle and shoots towards the Ravenclaw hoops, he passes to Pucey, but no, intercepted by Potter. Potter dodges a bludger shot by Doberson and speeds towards the Slytherin hoops. Flint is hot after Potter, but damn can the boy fly. He outpaces Flint easily. Potter evades Moon, but Flint has caught up while Potter dodged Moon. Potter throws the quaffle high over Flints head, dives under him and retakes the quaffle. Did you see that?" Lee commented.
The spectators definitely saw that and cheered for the manoeuvre.
"Potter passes to Pollianore. And there go the seekers off. Barkaim in the lead, Higgs hot on his tail. And Pollianore used the distraction of Bletchley to score again. 30:0 Ravenclaw. It was a feint. Barkaim led Higgs on a wild goose chase down to the ground. Higgs nearly hit the ground but could straighten his broom just in time. Slytherin in quaffle possession now, Pucey off towards the Ravenclaw goals. Potter again tries to intercept a pass, but this time Moon gets the quaffle. Moon to Flint who shoots at the right hoop. Caught by Oustabler. Pass to Davies, pass to Pollianore, she is off towards Slytherin, dangerous bludger there, Flint gets the quaffle from her, but there, Potter foresaw the intention of the Slytherin captain and while Flint didn't secure the quaffle yet he hit it from his hand, passing it to Davies directly. Davies dodges Moon, passes to Potter when confronted with Pucey, Potter shoots long range and it's in. Just through the right hoop while Bletchley was too far to the left. 40:0 Ravenclaw."
And so the game went on. While Slytherin tried to take out the Ravenclaw players, all the indoor Quidditch training had given them excellent endurance and reflexes. Their game was just faster than the Slytherins could act. And Tod and Steven prevented the interference from the Slytherin beaters.
"No sign of the snitch so far and Ravenclaw is leading 190:20. This looks like a bad loss for Slytherin. None of their normal tactics work. Ravenclaw seems to have prepared well for this match. Rumours say they were the team that used the indoor Quidditch field most. It seems like it paid off for them. Those passes and moves of their chasers are incredible. Pollianore in possession again. Bludger at collision course, but no, redirected at Pucey who tried to intercept her by Remmons. Pucey can't dodge and is hit by the bludger in the chest. That must have hurt. Pucey is down for now. Pollianore uses the chance and puts the quaffle away without problem. 200:20 Ravenclaw." Lee shouted.
It took fifty more minutes during which the Ravenclaw chasers increased their lead to 330:70 until the snitch finally was seen.
"And again Barkaim seems to have seen the snitch. Is it a feint again? Higgs is more reluctant to follow Barkaim now, but there, he follows. This time it isn't a feint, Barkaim is chasing the snitch. Davies gets the quaffle, passes to Potter. Potter in the Slytherin half. Nobody stops him though and he puts the quaffle through the right hoop. 340:70 Ravenclaw. And the seekers are parallel to the ground only five feet over the ground. Barkaim in the lead by three feet. He stretches his arm and grabs the snitch. He has it; Daniel Barkaim caught the snitch for Ravenclaw, ending this incredible match with an end result of 490:70. Slytherin was totally trounced by the strong Ravenclaw team. Can anybody stop them?" Lee asked.
The same thoughts must have gone through the head of Oliver Wood. Next weekend would be the Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff match. If they wanted to have any chance at the cup they needed to win high. Otherwise Ravenclaw would get the cup this year. Their chasers were simply superb. How he wished that .
.....
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