'Allo~

I said soon, did I not? ;)

The plot bunny for this story wouldn't stop biting me, so I had to do something.

I still don't have all the details hashed out for this, but I'd love to see some responses and feedback before I post the first chapter.

Warnings: Erm, ranting? I believe that's it :D

Disclaimer: Don't own HP or LotR :|

Here in the dark we are safe from the judgment
Now arm in arm locked tight so no one gets in
The heaven-sent, they call you hell-bent
But hell is not where we're going
Hell's where we've been

Come raise your lantern to the sky
And let's illuminate this night
We'll dance like heathens around the flame
And while the world sleeps we are awake

Lanterns-Rise Against

"Bring in the convict!"

Minister Fudge's voice rang across the room, catching the attention of the multitudes of people milling around in anticipation for the trial and condemnation of one they had once revered. A door on the far side of the circular room opened, and no less than five aurors emerged, leading a bruised and heavily battered, but nevertheless unruffled Harry Potter over to the scaffold set up in front of the infamous veil.

His normally sleek black hair was oily and tangled, falling well past his shoulders in a horrid mess. Skin paled from long months of captivity had given him a ghostly appearance, not that one could tell through the layers of grime and blood that covered him. A threadbare cloak hung off of his shoulders, just as dirty and worn as the rest of his clothing. He moved carefully, each step obviously paining him, though not once throughout his trek did he ever make a sound, maintaining a dignified silence.

His eyes were possibly the only aspect of him that hadn't been changed from his imprisonment- they still gleamed a stunning shade of emerald, relaxed and bright with a cool contempt for those around him.

He stood, completely impassive, as Fudge cast him a nervous look before turning to face forward. Magnifying his voice, he began shouting out his speech, and then moved on to listing the numerous crimes that Harry had been 'convicted' of.

"-Assault and battery, flying without a permit, breaking and entering, vandalism, conspiring with dark creatures, fraternizing with dark creatures, being a dark creature, multiple counts of first degree murder, several counts of reckless endangerment, evading arrest, resisting arrest, unauthorized magic, and posing a danger to the wizarding world."

As Fudge paused to take a breath jeers and shouts rose up from those watching, witches and wizards raining obscenities and threats down upon their ex-savior, who stood as if deaf to their insults.

The voices died down as Fudge began to speak over them "Mr. Potter has been fairly tried-" Harry suppressed a snort at this "- and convicted on all counts. Thus, he has been sentenced to exile through the Veil, wherever it may lead." He paused dramatically, but before he could speak up again a quiet voice cut him off.

"Enough."

Harry's voice was soft, but somehow travelled to every corner of the room as people fell silent of their own accord. Soon the room was dead quiet save the strong but quiet voice of the one standing before them. His intense gaze swept over them, softening ever so slightly as he caught sight of the unhappy faces of the only two people that had bothered to stick by him, Luna and Neville. They looked miserable, and he gave them a slight smile before his gaze moved on and he continued.

"Have you no shame, no sense of dignity? Are you content in the knowledge that you have turned against one of your own?" All eyes were on Harry now, who had limped to stand at the edge of the scaffold, magical bindings doing nothing to stop him.

"You stand by as injustices are committed, before joining in on them yourselves." He didn't even pause as he froze the two aurors advancing upon him wandlessly and wordlessly before continuing, voice seeming to deepen in a frigid anger.

"I never asked to be shoved into the position of your bloody savior- I could have- and sometimes wanted to- cut my losses and leave you ungrateful lot to Voldemort. But no, I decided to remain and deal with the results of your incompetence. You all dumped your failings on an infant and were lucky that I decided to fight for, rather than against. Indeed, you're lucky that the abuse directed at my at any given time did not affect my loyalties."

His glare raked over his audience, capturing them with it and leaving them almost seeming spellbound before he continued. His voice was even softer, but held such a depth of anger and a plethora of other emotions that that all in the room couldn't help hearing.

"I am done. Finished. Fed up with your fickle inconsistencies and malicious rumors. Mark my words; Voldemort is dead by my hand, yes, but your festering society shall eventually spawn another Dark Lord, and when that happens don't come crying to me."

Even as his last words rang through the room Harry spun on his foot, cloak swirling about him in a very Snape-esque fashion as he stalked towards the veil; a lazy wave of a hand deflected the paralysis spells directed at his back. Spinning in front of the veil he gave his audience an almost feral grin, winking at his two last friends, before falling backward through the ephemeral curtain.

Even as darkness closed over his body pain blossomed in his joints, quickly spreading to envelop his entire being. He was aware of several presences before the level of pain bypassed that of several Crucios, and he knew no more.

I'd be happier if this was longer, but kicking Harry out just seemed a good place to cut things off. As such, this'll be the last time you see the wizarding world for a while at least ;)

Review, por favor?