Across The Courtroom
Aug 8, 2017 0:55:23 GMT
Post by Gabriel Bishop on Aug 8, 2017 0:55:23 GMT
Deep down, Gabriel knew this day was bound to come eventually. He dreaded it and hoped beyond hope that somehow everything would resolve without a trial, or at the very least without him. Realistically he knew that unless there was a major regime change within the Ministry that it would be impossible for things to come to a close smoothly, but he could still hope. Remus' trial had started and the pair of them, against their better judgement, had decided it was better for them to distance themselves in public. It was hard, Gabriel often found his attention unconsciously drifting off towards where Remus sat in the court rooms. Luckily Gabriel was practiced at guarding his own thoughts and emotions and managed to keep a look of bored indifference on his face through most of the trial, even when he caught himself staring at the back of Remus' head.
Eventually his role changed from aloof spectator to active participant. They wanted to question him both regarding the arrest and his relationship with the accused. It was partly his fault, he'd gotten sloppy over the past few weeks. Escorting Remus back home, visiting during broad daylight and taking up for him in conversations around the office but the old werewolf had been the best thing that happened to him since he'd left home and uprooted his life and things had finally gotten back on track, could you really blame him? Their relationship felt fresh and new again while keeping it's familiar and comfortable feel. The sneaking around kind of added a layer of excitement, Gabriel couldn't help himself. But now... Now, they had to hold each other at a distance for both of their sakes.
When Gabriel was called in for questioning he entered the courtrooms, bringing an air of aloof confidence with him. The auror cleaned up fairly well, his mane of blonde was pulled back into a neat ponytail, fly away hair tamed and slicked back. He traded in his normal attire of jeans and muscle hugging t-shirts for something more professional. He took his seat in the middle of what felt more like an arena than a courtroom. It was menacing, surrounded by high benches and unused chains, bathed in dim torch light. Gabriel felt condemned and he wasn't even the one on trial. If one managed to look past the hard angles of his mask, between the lines and the cracks, they would see discomfort and uneasiness written clear as day on his face, but only if one knew how to look at him properly. His expression was nearly blank, but his hands rested in his own lap, fingers digging inconspicuously into his own palms to suppress the impulse to chew nervously on his finger nail. It wasn't his first time in a courtroom but it felt like it would be the most important testimony of his life.
The first question came and he regarded it with very mild interest at best. His blue eyed gaze wandered off to find Remus' and hold it for a moment as the Wizengamot official spoke. One look was all he would allow before his attention returned to the stuffy looking Ministry officials seated above the rest. The words tasted sour in his mouth as he spoke, calling Remus things like 'Mister Lupin' or 'the accused', like he was a stranger and not someone who knew Remus intimately. Gabriel knew all his secrets now, at least he thought he did, and that made calling him 'Mister' feel terribly wrong. One question made his blood run cold in his veins, because it had been something he thought over himself a hundred times. They wanted to know if Remus tried to take advantage of his auror position.
Gabriel found Remus' gaze now, unashamed of how he stared. It felt important that Remus hear the answer just as much as his accusers. He shook his head, shifting ever so slightly in his chair. "No." Gabriel told him and them. "Mister Lupin never gave me reason to believe that he was taking advantage of my position within the Ministry."
Eventually his role changed from aloof spectator to active participant. They wanted to question him both regarding the arrest and his relationship with the accused. It was partly his fault, he'd gotten sloppy over the past few weeks. Escorting Remus back home, visiting during broad daylight and taking up for him in conversations around the office but the old werewolf had been the best thing that happened to him since he'd left home and uprooted his life and things had finally gotten back on track, could you really blame him? Their relationship felt fresh and new again while keeping it's familiar and comfortable feel. The sneaking around kind of added a layer of excitement, Gabriel couldn't help himself. But now... Now, they had to hold each other at a distance for both of their sakes.
When Gabriel was called in for questioning he entered the courtrooms, bringing an air of aloof confidence with him. The auror cleaned up fairly well, his mane of blonde was pulled back into a neat ponytail, fly away hair tamed and slicked back. He traded in his normal attire of jeans and muscle hugging t-shirts for something more professional. He took his seat in the middle of what felt more like an arena than a courtroom. It was menacing, surrounded by high benches and unused chains, bathed in dim torch light. Gabriel felt condemned and he wasn't even the one on trial. If one managed to look past the hard angles of his mask, between the lines and the cracks, they would see discomfort and uneasiness written clear as day on his face, but only if one knew how to look at him properly. His expression was nearly blank, but his hands rested in his own lap, fingers digging inconspicuously into his own palms to suppress the impulse to chew nervously on his finger nail. It wasn't his first time in a courtroom but it felt like it would be the most important testimony of his life.
The first question came and he regarded it with very mild interest at best. His blue eyed gaze wandered off to find Remus' and hold it for a moment as the Wizengamot official spoke. One look was all he would allow before his attention returned to the stuffy looking Ministry officials seated above the rest. The words tasted sour in his mouth as he spoke, calling Remus things like 'Mister Lupin' or 'the accused', like he was a stranger and not someone who knew Remus intimately. Gabriel knew all his secrets now, at least he thought he did, and that made calling him 'Mister' feel terribly wrong. One question made his blood run cold in his veins, because it had been something he thought over himself a hundred times. They wanted to know if Remus tried to take advantage of his auror position.
Gabriel found Remus' gaze now, unashamed of how he stared. It felt important that Remus hear the answer just as much as his accusers. He shook his head, shifting ever so slightly in his chair. "No." Gabriel told him and them. "Mister Lupin never gave me reason to believe that he was taking advantage of my position within the Ministry."
