Last of The Fae

"A very bold and...unprecedented claim Lord Fae," Crouch replied, "But are you prepared to defend your argument before a jury of your peers?" 

Thane smiled his posture relaxed but confident, "I most certainly am." 

Crouch grunted, "Very well then, I then call upon Amelia Bones to give her account of Lord Fae's accused crime as the lead officer of the investigation." 

Thane looked over as Amelia walked down from the stands and took a position in front of Crouch's podium to address the assembled courtroom, "My name is Amelia Bones, I was the head officer in charge of the Fae Inc. investigation that sought to verify whether or not Lord Fae's company had employed the use of soul magic in some of its newest products, which included Cornerstones and Bank Sigils." 

"Would you please explain to the court the exact findings of your investigation with sufficient context," Couch asked going through the motions. 

"Certainly," Amelia promptly replied, "When the Department first became aware of the possible use of soul magic we placed an immediate embargo on the sale of both products while obtaining samples to test for ourselves. After employing several methods the Department found that both the sigils and the cornerstones use a new form of soul magic that Fae Inc. termed as soul bonding. It appears that when registering a new user or owner the sigils and cornerstones are able to scan the very soul. The department was unable to uncover the exact method as to how the sigils facilitate this interaction, nor any possible adverse effects." 

As Amelia ceased her explanation the courtroom buzzed once more but it wasn't so loud that Couch needed to call order. Instead, he turned to address Thane, "Lord Fae do you object to any of the information Madam Bones just supplied?" 

"Only that the reason why Madam Bones was unable to find any adverse effects is that there are none," Thane answered, "Soul bonding is an utterly harmless magical enchantment, it poses no threat to the short or long-term health of those who it is cast upon." 

"How can you be so sure?" Couch asked. 

"When the sigils and cornerstones were first made available to the public, over a thousand individuals purchased and registered a sigil before the embargo was placed on my company. It's been almost two weeks since then and not a single individual has come forward with any symptoms," Thane cited. 

"That may be the case, but the fact of the matter is that you knowingly exposed the public to an untested, highly regulated, and potentially dangerous form of magic!" Couch emphasizes leaning forward in his chair and glaring at Thane, "Despite your status Lord Fae, you are not above the law! And the public are not your subjects to unwillingly experiment on!" 

Couch's blistering reply tore through the air but Thane remained unflinching, "I assure you, your honor the last thing I did was experiment on the fair citizens of our society. You are trying to paint me as a reckless mad scientist with no sense of morals or caution. And I say this once more, the law you cite has no bearing as it is unjust and outdated, as all magic has the potential to harm if employed incorrectly or with malice. Neither of which applies to my invention of soul magic." 

Crouch's eye bore into Thane, "How could you possibly think that this court would believe such a ludicrous statement? Soul Magic molests and delves into that which is most pure and private. To touch the soul is the most perverse and a violation of the most extreme degree." 

"I have to disagree, your honor," Thane argued, "What you have heard of soul magic like the rest of society are narratives and examples from the worst wizards and witches in history. No matter what magic they cast you would find examples of sadism and perversion because that is who they were as a person. As I said before magic does not have a moral compass it simply exists." 

Thane's counter-argument got a round of mutters from the crowd but Crouch quickly silenced them with his hammer, "May I remind you Lord Fae that the soul is the most sacred part of the self. To change or interact with it in any capacity is to change the person on a fundamental level. An effect most often achieved through great physical and mental duress that almost always results in scarring."

"Well then it's a good thing I invented a way to access the soul without inflicting any duress," Thane rebutted to even more uproar.

"You truly expect this court to believe that a mere second-year found a way to interact with the soul without any adverse effects?" Crouch asked incredulously. 

Thane smirked, "There's no need for you to compliment me your honor I'm fully aware of my excellence. But I understand why you might be hesitant which I why I am prepared to explain my methodology in front of this court as well as release my dissertation, though I was hoping to save it for my M.A.G.E."

Crouch was flushed in the face, and his pupils vibrated with rage, "Very well then if you insist on this course of action, I hope you are prepared to defend your findings." 

"As prepared as any scholar would be," Thane replied confidently only for Crouch to smile, "Good, then I call Chief Warlock and Headmaster Dumbledore to stand as expert testimony!" 

Crouch banged his gavel and a tall figure rose in the very back of the pews. Thane watched as the old ancient wizard walked down to the floor and despite his greying beard, and wrinkled appearance, Dumbledore's eyes were sparkling and clear. 

"Hello Lord Fae," Dumbledore greeted with a smile as he took the center stage, "I'm sorry that we are conversing together for the first time under such unfortunate circumstances." 

"Not unfortunate, only necessary," Thane replied regarding Dumbledore with an unreadable expression, "I believe a year from now this moment will be seen as the beginning of a new age." 

Dumbledore's eyes narrowed, "Many men before you have talked about ushering in a new age...their ambitions often came with a cost others were forced to pay." 

 "Well then it's fortunate that I am not them," Thane replied, "But I understand your trepidation, you and the rest of Wizarding Britain fear what you don't understand. While caution is needed and vital for any nation to stand the test of time, stagnation is a slow and insidious killer." 

Dumbledore frowned and the twinkle in his eyes turned into something more guarded, "You talk about the lifespans of nations when you have barely reached the first quarter of your own. You are on a dangerous path Thane, involving yourself with things far beyond your scope. I suggest turning back before it's too late." 

Thane snorted, "Respectfully Headmaster you have no idea of what exactly my scope entails. Also while we are in this court please address me with the proper respect and use my formal title." 

Dumbledore stared at Thane before he nodded stiffly, "Very well Lord Fae. You can begin your dissertation, I will hold off commentary until the very end."