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Post by Severus Snape on Feb 20, 2012 23:46:50 GMT
I believe Professor Snape knows the defendant. May we hear your statement? Upon this request, Snape rose from his seat and took position in front of the Minister. There was a dreaded silence among the court, but this did nothing to alter Snape's calm composure. He was not sure why he was summoned to the court, or who had suggested it - his 'meetings' with Ophelia were strictly behind doors. Given the piercing look he received from her father as he first entered the courtroom, he could only presume Ophelia had told her father everything, yet he was hardly about to announce the true nature of these 'meetings' to the court. A slight nod of his head towards Scrimgeour gave way to his statement, his deep, slow voice echoing around the glazed stone walls. 'Minister.... Ophelia first came to me for counsel of a private nature but my experiences of her on an emotional level were... limited, and if you require a personal reference, may I also suggest summoning her former husband, Vladislav, to witness. Snape glanced at the Dottore, and then at Miss Black, his associate, albeit not one he yet considered of equal experience and skill as himself. Although I do not doubt this potion's part in aiding the defendant and these proceedings, may I just warn you of the dangers of long-term use. I need not remind you that any prime goal should be to find a long-term solution in such seriously afflicted patients, and uses of cures with potions are more suited to physical rather than ones of psychological conditions, as is common knowledge among any doctor, Vampire or Wizard. Addictions, dependancies, further mental decline... other undesirable effects which may weaken the mind. There are other ways in which to assist the patient with Tepes Syndrome - I believe Occlumency training may strengthen the mind against the illness. He turned and addressed the Wizengamot. 'Other than this, I fear there is not much else I can say to help you reach your conclusion.' |
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Post by Rufus Scrimgeour on Feb 21, 2012 19:28:30 GMT
I was under the impression you could provide us with a character reference for the accused. We apologise for taking up so much of your time Headmaster.
*He had added nothing to his notes at this stage and it was coming close to the time to make decisions.*
I believe Mr Vladislav is waiting to be summoned to court. Send him in.
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Post by Bojan Vladislav on Feb 21, 2012 21:07:38 GMT
**He was stood outside the courtroom nervously running his hand through his hair, when someone came to get him and gestured him towards the centre of the courtroom. He felt all eyes on him, but his eyes flickered from the girl in the cage, only barely recognisable as his estranged wife, and then up towards the Minister, his hands clasped in front of him**
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Post by Ophelia Fuilteach on Feb 21, 2012 21:22:31 GMT
Sickness watched Snape through narrowed eyes. Surely he hated Ophelia enough to condemn her, but she was surprised by his discretion. He still wouldn't look at her, however. Well, that was only to be expected. Ophelia could barely stand to look at him, either. Sickness could feel Ophelia's distress. Sometimes, Sickness kept the poor girl in the dark, but at times like this... she wanted her to hear everything that went on, every word spoken.
Well, well, well... The potion might cause more long-term damage? That was an interesting fact. Dear little Dottore had failed to mention that. Perhaps she was hoping to inter Ophelia permanently at the Carmilla LeFanu facility, and could only do so with no chance of recovery. Such paranoid thoughts were typical of Sickness.
Snape's suggestion of Occlumency was ludicrous. Try to train Ophelia to keep Sickness at bay? Nonsense. She was here to stay, and the poor mad girl would never be rid of her. Once again, however, Sickness was surprised by how hard her host fought her when Bojan entered the room. She struggled and fought until Sickness backed off, leaving Ophelia free... for a short while, at least. She smiled weakly at Vladislav. He had stepped up to be a character witness for her! She had hoped that he would, and had been so afraid that he would abandon her, as she had abandoned him. She felt such a rush of gratitude that she smiled properly for the first time in months. He was here. That was all she had wanted.
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Post by Severus Snape on Feb 21, 2012 21:32:44 GMT
Snape bowed his head at the Minister's reply and since he was no longer required, took leave of the courtroom, passing Vladislav on the way but not acknowledging him. The rest of the proceedings were not his business, nor did he much care to hear the outcome.
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Post by Rufus Scrimgeour on Feb 21, 2012 21:50:43 GMT
Mr Vlasislav. At this time the court has seen fit to call upon you as a witness for Miss Fuilteachs character.
We need you to tell us, in your own words, what you know of the defendant as a person.
*He hoped that this witness might have the answers needed to close this case and come to a sentence.*
I understand that you were married, so obviously you are well acquainted. During your time together, did you see any signs that Ophelia, without her Sickness, had the capability of bringing harm to others?
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Post by Bojan Vladislav on Feb 21, 2012 22:41:06 GMT
**When he saw Snape passing, he felt a pang of anger - and he really wondered what he was doing on the courtroom floor and what he had said. He heard the Minister's voice address him, he looked back up at him and took a deep breath to reply**
Yes, ve vere married. At the time, I did not believe she could bring harm to others, not on purpose.
**He tried hard not to look at Ophelia - he could already feel his heart low and heavy**
She vas alvays gentle and loving. That is the voman I like to remember.
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Post by Rufus Scrimgeour on Feb 21, 2012 22:44:32 GMT
*He bowed his head slowly with a nod of reassurance.*
Mr Vladislav. You specify that you believed it at the time. Has your opinion changed? Please elaborate.
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Post by Bojan Vladislav on Feb 21, 2012 23:05:10 GMT
**He looked up at the Minister suddenly, nervous of his words being twisted against him. **
Vell... your honour, she seems possessed, I am not sure how to explain. This is not the Ophelia I knew. She vas not a killer. It has been proved she has murdered, but I cannot believe it.
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Post by Rufus Scrimgeour on Feb 21, 2012 23:14:37 GMT
*He nodded,. He could see that Bojan was uncomfortable being questioned about Ophelia in front of her, though he was beginning to grow weary of the unhelpful answers.*
We are aware of the 'Sickness' as it has come to be known. What we are looking for is an idea of what the defendant is like without that side of her. We believe Sickness can be treated. We need to know if Ophelia herself is a threat.
Please try to put your personal feelings aside.
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Post by Dottore Giulietta de Medici on Feb 22, 2012 21:28:39 GMT
Giulietta looked sympathetically at Mister Vladislav. Her patient had always spoken very fondly of him, and he seemed to be a good man... even if the tiny doctor couldn't bring herself to actually like humans.
"Perhaps, Minister, it would be helpful if we removed Miss Fuilteach from the court while Mister Vladislav gives his statement?" she suggested.
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Post by Rufus Scrimgeour on Feb 23, 2012 21:47:42 GMT
*He nodded and pursed his lips.*
Very well. Proceed.
*He waved two Auror guards to come forward and remove the cage.*
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Post by Dottore Giulietta de Medici on Feb 25, 2012 13:07:20 GMT
Giulietta gestured to Jadrin and Sanguini. Despite her advanced age, she would never have been able to restrain Ophelia if she had tried to escape. "Would you two gentlemen be so good as to assist me with Miss Fuilteach?" she asked.
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Post by Lord Sanguini Fuilteach on Feb 25, 2012 13:10:52 GMT
Sanguini stood, and as soon as the cage was removed he went over to his daughter and took her arm, holding her firmly, but not harshly. He, Jadrin and the dottore escorted Ophelia from the courtroom and into an adjoining chamber without windows.
"You're doing so well, a mhuirnín," he said quietly.
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Post by Ophelia Fuilteach on Feb 26, 2012 21:59:13 GMT
Ophelia moved through the courtroom in a haze, leaning on Jadrin and her father. She felt so weak. She hadn't been eating properly, and had they not kept hold of her, she would have lunged for the nearest human and bitten them.
She looked up at Bojan as she passed him. He was so beautiful, even now when he looked so worried and anxious. The vampires led her into the anteroom, and she began to sing softly to herself. "I say I'll go through fire, and I'll go through fire. As he wants it, so shall it be. Crazy, he calls me... Sure, I'm crazy..." she sang, trailing off into cracked laughter.
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