Courtroom 4: The Trial of Rydiger Von Heap

[Rydiger von Heap]

"Well... As I said, it may have happened later, but just me not remembering it. I just can't remember, it was a lot of people there, but no that I know or would recognize. I guess my mind was focused at Rowle."

[Pius Thicknesse]

"You traveled to this country, without a request from us or an order from your own government and preceded to begin investigating Death Eater activity? You headed to Knockturn to gather clues and found yourself confronted by a wanted Death Eater and presented yourself as the father of a known Death Eater.

Then that same Death Eater placed a curse on you. What I am not understanding is the motive of this Death Eater? What did he or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named wish to gain from such an encounter?"

[Rydiger von Heap]

"It was on the request of the Internatonal Confederation of Wizards. And seen that my son according to the letter was a trusted Death Eater, I figured they would trust me aswell. I despise people like him, who kills for fun, and who aren't mentally healthy enough to understand nor accept the rules of a goverment, and making my son join him is ended directly in my son's death. I will do all in my power to fight against him and his followers. And if they as I said exposed me as a spy, they would probably not bother to kill me themselves. I'm certain they sits at the Silver Serpent as we speak and are saying: "Heap? That spy dude? No, no, we didn't kill him, we are to lazy. Let the Ministry do the dirty work for us. Let's make sure he gets the Dementors kiss, it's worse than death, after what I've heard. That will teach him to spy at us for the Ministry!" or something like that."

[Baron Papanoida]

*He stood in his seat, his position as Head of Intelligence coming into play.*

Minister, if I may.

*He paused for a moment to allow people to give their attention.*

There was a witness at Knockturn Alley that day. One of my agents was there on routine patrol and saw Mr Heap speak with Rowle. They arranged to meet later that day and Heap left of his own accord.

[Rydiger von Heap]

Heap looks at Papanoia with a suprised look in his face. "I did?" Heap said, soundg couries. "What more happened? If I get something in detail, I may remember something... Meet him later... I actually did, before the attack, but... No, I'm blank. My aplogizes."

[Baron Papanoida]

That is as far as my agent saw. They did not follow Heap or Rowle when they left the bar.

*He sat back down, hoping that he had given some useful information. Just luck that Tamwell was there.*

[Rufus Scrimgeour]

Mr Heap, do you have any memory of where you went to meet Rowle once you left the Silver Serpent?

*This tiny piece of information was somewhat helpful. It cleared up a segment of the story at least.*

[Dolores Jane Umbridge]

Umbridge was quite pleased to hear that they had yet another reliable witness but still disturbed by how the accused persisted to ignore direct questions, going off on irrelevant tangents.

"Did you avoid Pius' simple question on purpose, Mr. Von Heap? It certainly does seem you like to talk around in circles, doesn't it? Doing so has got you so lost in your own lies that you are hardly making any sense at all! Let's be very careful how we answer this next one, hmm?"

[Rydiger von Heap]

"Minister, I have no memory of leaving the Silver Serpent at all. It just... went dark, and I awake in Diagon Alley at night."

Heap looks at Umbridge. "Here there is two alternatives: A: I avoid and ignore everyone calling my explenations lies and stories with no basis to prove so, and who don't show me the same respect that they demand me to show them. Take the Minister, for example, short, substantive questions
with no mockery in them at all. Or B; I'm in pain and have more on my mind than just this court. Do you have any idea how much effort I put into not scream? Didn't think so! Or a combination. Trail or not, I have my principles."

[Dolores Jane Umbridge]

Umbridge wasn't surprised in the least by his answer, the denial was actually expected.

"Well, you did answer the question this time. But you lost me after denying having any memory of the event. I'm not sure if it's the language barrier, the pain in your leg, or just that your truths and lies are in a jumble by now but like I said before, your statements make no sense Mr. Von Heap. I am asking you to please not deviate from the questions anymore."

Turning to Pius, she continued.

"Pius, would you be so kind as to repeat your last question? I'm afraid Mr. Von Heap may have somehow not heard it."

[Rydiger von Heap]

"Certainly the pain," Heap confirms. He looked at Pius. "How would I know what You-know-who thinks of anything? I just tried to become a Death Eater myself as a part of the role as spy for you guys, and suddenly Rowle decides it's time to let me take a mission. We goes to the Weasly home, where I can't act on my own free will, and parts of the battle also turns dark. Enough information on the stage, Mr. Thicknesse?"

[Pius Thicknesse]

*Pius was slowly growing angered with the man. He showed no respect for anyone in the court except himself and Lucius, his story was as holy as a piece of Swiss Cheese and he held his credentials up in the International Confederation as some sign of all powerful role. The Supreme Mugwump was one of the most worthless positions in the wizarding community, it was at most times honorific.*

"Mr. von Heap, you were never asked to go to the Death Eaters and join their ranks as a spy for us. You have also said that you have almost no memory of events between when you went to the Silvery Serpent and when you woke up in Diagon Alley."

"What I am still not understanding is that there is a witness, as Mr. Papanoia pointed out, who saw Mr. von Heaps meet with a Death Eater but there was no witness of the actual curse taking place. What do you remember from this battle that you have said you took no part in mentally?"

[Rydiger von Heap]

"That I have already been tolerant enough to answer twice now, Mr. Thicknesse. And of course it was no witnesses to the curse. How normal is it to let people see it, if they comitt a crime?"

[Rufus Scrimgeour]

*He nodded slowly.*

True. Whoever supposedly performed the curse would likely do so out of the public eye. But this also makes it difficult to prove or disprove.

Let me ask you this Mr Von Heap. You say that your son was a Death Eater killed by an Auror. What would you say to the suggestion that this would be a more feasible reason for you to join them rather than fight against them?

[Rydiger von Heap]

"Certainly not!" Heap said sharply. "Mr. Scrimgeour, when Phillip was a kid... You can't imagine how it was like. We were so close, Phillip and I. He was my son, and I loved him. And after the divorce, my ex-wife started a false rumour about me abuse the boy, by hitting him. After that, Fudge refused to let me visit him. And years later, I heard he was killed for being a Death Eater? Seriously! Phillip was a good kid. If he turned out to become a Dark Wizard was it due to his mother who brainwashed him. Her interest in the Dark Arts was one of the reason we divorced in the first place."