(no subject)

[wunderkind]

STUFF GOES IN HERE

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[doggedly]

No, then we could just have an actual war. That sounds so much better.

[They were nearly getting on, but Sirius glares over at Edgeworth with just as much intensity as he had before. And this is unfair to ask, this is a low fucking blow, but he says it anyways--]

If you found out who killed your father. What would you do?

[jurisimpudent]

[He wasn't expecting that. He wasn't expecting that at all. If he were braced for it, then maybe he could handle himself a little bit better, but instead, the question catches him below the ribs like a physical blow. And he does flinch, physically, jerking away from him; at once, all his toughness and resolve melt away, and he just asks, unsteadily:]

What?

[doggedly]

You heard me.

[He knows that Edgeworth heard it. It's not a what that requests clarification, or even an attempt to buy time. It just-- is. This is like sticking your fingers in someone's wound, like twisting a knife, and he does not back down.]

If you knew who they were, what would you do?

[jurisimpudent]

I'd...

[He looks down at his hands. His voice is still faint, lacking conviction. It's not even unhappy. It's just dazed and distant.

He does have an answer. It's not the first time he's been asked this question. It is the first time he's been asked it in five years.]

I'd...ensure that they were in the grasp of the Ministry. For proper punishment.

[doggedly]

You wouldn't.

[He sits back in his chair, tapping the ash from the end of his cigarette, a careful, practiced flick of his thumb.]

That's the answer you're meant to give, but you wouldn't.

[jurisimpudent]

[And he shakes his head once, silently, staring down at his hands. Quietly:]

I wouldn't...murder him. I wouldn't kill him. If that's what you think.

[doggedly]

Then what would you do.

[He's staring at Edgeworth, watching him watch his hands, his gaze narrow and focused.]

If you wouldn't kill him. But you wouldn't turn him in, either. So what would you do.

[jurisimpudent]

[And Edgeworth - he doesn't meet Sirius' eyes. He keeps staring down, paralyzed by that question. What would he do? What would he do? He doesn't...He wouldn't kill him - or would he? He might; he's a killer now. But - ]

I...I would want him to be tried in Muggle court.

[doggedly]

Why.

[The shame of it, is what he first thinks. A wizard forced to conform to muggle law, forced to bear a muggle trial--able to free himself but forced not to. But he waits, to hear what Edgeworth will say.]

[jurisimpudent]

Because - it's right.

[He says that quietly; in spite of the absolutism of that statement, he has no idea whether or not it is. Yet as he speaks, his certainty grows:]

Because when a muggle is murdered, it's not wizardkind which is done an injury. So why does wizardkind get to exact retribution? I've seen those trials - bigots viewing the crime like the killing of a stray dog, having to be convinced that muggles are even people. How can we allow people who don't even think that justice needs to be done to be in charge of justice?

[doggedly]

Muggles sit in muggle courts for their crimes.

[But how often does that happen? It's the other way around. It has been for ages, and ages, and Edgeworth is right, at least, on the stubborn blindness of those in charge of justice. His family is a part of that--if anyone knows it, it's Sirius.]

And how would they punish him, when they found him? What would they do? The shit they do to their prisoners, that wouldn't mean anything to a wizard.

[jurisimpudent]

A loss of freedom is significant.

[But Edgeworth knows, perfectly well, that a muggle prison simply couldn't hold a wizard. There's no way. And the death penalty wouldn't be applied, and...then what?

He clenches his hands.]

He could be handed over to be in Azkaban after.

[doggedly]

And that would be enough.

[He says it quietly. It lacks any of his previous sharpness--and he's still looking at Edgeworth, a long, steady stare.]

[jurisimpudent]

[He's quiet a long moment, two, three, and then admits, his voice low and confused:]

No. There's nothing that would be enough.

[doggedly]

[He nods, in response. That makes sense. And there's a beat of silence, again, between them, before he says:]

So. Do you think you're after taking down the Statute because of your father?

[jurisimpudent]

[And there's a long moment of silence, and then he stirs unhappily.]

I...oughtn't be so selfish as that.

[doggedly]

[He laughs, once, short.]

Just say you're doing it in his memory. Then it becomes less selfish. It's a bloody tribute.

[He ashes his cigarette again, slowly.]

But I don't think getting rid of the Statute would change anything. Not really.

[jurisimpudent]

[Another moment, and then:]

It would give them the chance to fight back against us. After everything we've done to them, I think they ought to have the right to decide whether or not to retaliate.

[doggedly]

[Some of his disdain comes back into his snort.]

And you think we deserve that--for 'everything we've done'. Rounded up and burnt at the stake, if they think that's what is required.

[jurisimpudent]

[A small, unhappy shrug. And, quietly:]

I'm not the only orphan this war has made. And at least I know why my dad ended up dead; others have grown up without knowing anything.

[A pause.]

I don't know if we deserve it. But if they decided it was necessary, I'd be willing to face it.

[doggedly]

[He snorts, folding his arms over his chest again. There had been, for a few moments there, some glimmers of understanding--but they are quickly drying up and fading.]

Well, then we'll put you in the group of volunteers. Because I didn't fucking do anything to anyone, so I'm not dying for no reason, just because some-- kid wants to take it out on me.

[jurisimpudent]

[Which is the correct philosophy to take. Which is far and away more reasonable. Edgeworth reaches up and draws his hand across his mouth. He'd been holding it together, at first, but Sirius' question had shook him, and he's feeling...shaken. Unmoored, perhaps.

And so he confesses, miserably:]

I'm the only one who can even fight back. Out of all the kids I grew up knowing. All the rest of them, from home, from the orphanage, would just be killed if the Death Eaters came to their town. And I can't even tell them. I have to lie to their faces.

[doggedly]

But nothing's happened to them. You're punishing yourself for nothing--being miserable and guilty when nothing's gone on. I mean, Merlin, it isn't as if the orphanage is full of kids whose--

[But that doesn't matter, does it. Even if Edgeworth is the only one, he's still there, because some Death Eaters... went too far, or took out their revenge, or anger, or a thousand petty stupid reasons, none of them reasons to kill anyone. (Especially not Edgeworth's father, who he knows from his own memories--and this thought is a little traitorous to what Sirius is and what he stands for. But why not be a little more traitorous, right? He's come so far today alone.)]

Saying you're willing to die if they want you to--that's stupid.

[jurisimpudent]

I know.

[And that's not just paying lip service to the idea; he does know; it is stupid. And yet he can't help but think it would be right. In some small way.]

But if they knew...They would hate me. Far and away more than they'd even hate someone like - like Malfoy. Because I never helped them. Wouldn't they?

[doggedly]

What would you have done?

[Somehow, he's ended back in a role that's nearly-- well, it isn't comforting. It's more a part of challenge, answering Edgeworth's misgivings with a steadiness that maybe he ought not to give.]

You couldn't even help yourself. What were you going to do for them then? If they're dwelling in the past, that's not your problem either--and you shouldn't be dwelling in it either.