Chapter 32 - A childhood aquaintance (1/2)

As both of the parties and all of the jury presented, the old man, presumably Neal's maternal grandfather, Oakley Avery started his argument while Dumbledore who was representing Neal, as he was still an underage wizard countering while the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge stood as the head Judge.

Although Dumbledore should be the one to sit in the head judge seat as he is the current Chief Warlock, since he's now representing a party, Cornelius has no choice but to be his replacement.

”No matter the reason, the boy should be handed over to our family according to the legal documents”. Dumbledore replied, ”but still since his mother has already been disowned by your family, he's no longer your grandson.

But yes, Leon Avery is still the guardian of the boy”. Then the old man said, ”He is the only left from the House of Slytherin. The House of Gaunt which was the other branch of Slytherin family inherited all their properties after they became extinct and squandered their wealth and now dead with nothing worth left.

Meanwhile, the wealth accumulated by Salazar Slytherin and his descendants were seized by Ministry after the Gaunts inherited their properties and no one knows what of their wealth had become even now.

Cornelius frowned, ”get to the point, Mr. Avery. We don't have time to listen to stories and history”. Oakley continued, ”fine, I'll come directly to the point”. He turned his head towards Neal and said, ”we're the last blood relative he has in this world. Since my son was sentenced to life imprisonment, along with my brothers and their families, everything we owned can be inherited by him legally once you become an Adult.

I don't want my family's wealth to be seized by the Ministry and other related families after my death just like how it happened with the House of Slytherin and end up like the House of Gaunt who lived in a shack. Don't you all think he deserves to be inherit his rightful inheritance for his future? It's true that I have lost right as his grandfather. That's why if I don't take his custody, he can't receive the inheritance”.

As the jury began to discuss with each other, Dumbledore said, ”his parents saved for him enough amount of money to live happily until he dies. Not to mention, the survived House of Slytherin worked hard from scratch in America and they too have a few properties that Neal would inherit eventually when he becomes an ȧduŀt.

So, I don't think wealth is the problem here”. When the members in the jury were murmuring between themselves, Cornelius then said, ”we've heard both of their arguments. Now let's hear Mr. Slytherin's view about it”.

Neal stood up and replied, ”I want to talk with Leon Avery, the murderer of my parents. Only after getting my answer from him, I can say my opinion”. Cornelius replied, ”only high ranked Ministry officials have the right to enter and visit prisoners in Azkaban”.

Neal then said, ”okay. I understand. Then I ask Mr. Oakley Avery that if he, really wants me to inherit his wealth, then why hadn't he claimed me all these years?

I heard that the Avery family denied the custody and there is no relationship between me and them when my parents died and I was left in an Orphanage. Is it because I was confirmed to be the heir to the Salazar Slytherin?”.

The old man bitterly smiled and replied, ”The ones who declined it in place of me were the ones who are serving in prison right now. The information about your mother having a son was kept away from me.

I only knew about your existence last year. Even to date I deeply regret the fact that I disowned your mother mistakenly believing she was a squib”.

Neal replied while looking at Cornelius, ”I will accept whatever the court will decide for me”. Cornelius then spoke, ”raise your hands if you think Mr. Slytherin should stay with the House of Avery”. As the members raised their hands, Cornelius counted and frowned as the number reached 25.

Then Cornelius spoke, ”raise your hands if you think Mr. Slytherin should not be in Avery family's custody”. As this number reached 25 too, Cornelius started to feel a headache. Then he said, ”Albus Dumbledore, Oakley Avery,

Please come to a compromise between yourselves or else I will pass the judgment that Mr. Slytherin will be under the custody of Ministry. Anyone agree with it, please raise your hands”. As soon as he said that, 36 people raised their hands with amusement on their faces.

Dumbledore then said, ”I will compromise and give you half of his custody until his 17th birthday. Until 14th birthday, he will be in his guardian's care which I appointed. The other three years will be under your family's custody”.

After thinking for a while, Oakley accepted it and Cornelius passed the judgment.

The whole Britain wizarding world started to talk about it as the matter was published in the Daily Prophet.