Disclaimer; You know what I don't own.
Recreant
Chapter 1
By Robbly
The minister of magic, Trebax Vafer, stood and walked slowly over to the podium sitting solitary in the middle of the stage. The small mass of reporters did last minute checks on their parchments and note taking quills. The crowd was silent even as magical cameras took photos.
"I am present here today on the 24th of February 2004, to announce the sentencing of one Harry potter. After just over 6 years of deliberation of which the aforementioned boy has spent in Azkaban a verdict on his case has been decided. Questioned under Veratiserum, Mr Potter affirmed his service to Voldermort, his receiving of the dark mark & his participation and part responsibility in the Christmas Eve massacre of 1997 which resulted in the deaths of 2,576 muggle & pure-blooded wizards and the wounding of countless others. Due to this evidence along with many other eyewitness accounts and to an innumerable amount of other information, Mr Harry Potter has been sentenced to the Dementor's Kiss to be performed in 3 days."
Smiles of satisfaction rippled through those present. To anyone not holding that same opinion it would be quite disturbing. However people not holding that same judgement of Mr Harry Potter were a rare few and none of which were currently in attendance.
Various feelings were demonstrated throughout the crowd. One missing however was shock. Shock had passed. Everybody had now accepted the fact that the boy-who-lived had gone to he-who-must-not-be-named. Reasons were absent and therefore caused much contemplation onto why their saviour had joined the dark side but no real explanations had been found. So therefore shock gave way to the many other emotions.
Relief was shown on some faces; finally this powerful servant of the Dark lord would be rendered harmless to the rest of the wizarding population. Anger, why had it taken so long for a person, even young as he was, who was responsible for such crimes to be punished. Resentment, to the boy who must have really been guilty he really must have committed those horrible crimes, happiness, that Potter was finally reaping what he had sewn. Contentment at revenge achieved for the wrongs done to them.
As proved the crowd was not very supportive of the mentioned Harry Potter. The once loved wizarding saviour was now a hated outcast among wizarding society. Very little of the wizarding population had not been hurt, through the events blamed on the boy. Many had had relations of friends killed or wounded by the massacre & through many similar attacks led by him.
A general hostility rippled through the crowd dulled by the sentence. Some felt the sentence too lenient but not much more could be done to a person than a Dementor's kiss.
"However due to his service of the wizarding world while he was a young child Harry has been granted a final wish before his sentence is executed. Given fact the said demand is reasonable and of a peaceful nature."
The minister paused. He knew this would not be taken well.
The crowd's hostility built and adrenaline fuelled anger surged. Why was such leniency being given to such a criminal? Antipathy ruled the present emotions held by the crowd especially by one redheaded man at the back. A doe brown eyed girl tried to grab his shirt but he angrily cast off her hand and strode forward through the crowd. Said crowd parted for him respectfully, they all knew of the unspeakable man. This was Ronald Weasley, the man half-responsible for the capture of the murderer Harry Potter. He was also a prominent Auror responsible for the capture of many, many death eaters. He came forward to the front of the crowd and stood dominantly in front of them. Another blond haired man joined him, the crowd gasped as their two saviours stood in front of them. The other was Draco Malfoy. An unexpected presence at the scene. Draco Malfoy was an unspeakable too. He was not an Auror but held the rights of one. He was the other person half-responsible for the capture of Harry Potter. Malfoy had been a spy for the side of light and had now been recognised for it now the dark lord was defeated. Ron's anger surged as he addressed all present.
"This murderer does not deserve rights. Why do we continue to give them to him?"
The crowd made sounds of agreement
"Why do we give him such leniency for something that he did probably unwillingly while he was too young to know what he was doing?"
The crowd showed more agreement
"I Ron Weasley challenge the sentenc-"
Draco quickly cast a silencing charm on him, shaking his head softly. Gryffindors just did not have tact. As much as Draco did not mind the boy getting into trouble he would prefer it off a political scene. With more discretion he spoke.
"I understand that you all are upset about the leniency being demonstrated to the convicted murderer Harry Potter."
The crowd agreed with some hesitation, why had this man silenced the other unspeakable if only to agree with his views?
"But in truth he did save the world from Voldermort when he was young. I remember that when the first reign of the dark lord was ended by Potter there was rejoicing, presumably most of you indulged in this. Therefore with some indecisiveness I ask that the boys request be granted as long that it is as said of peaceful nature."
Indecision flew through the air as people remembered how happy they had been when Potter as a child had been the boy-who-lived. They looked towards the minister for magic for specification which he was all too happy to provide.
"Given that the request is reasonable and of peaceful nature it shall be granted. It cannot also involve the taking of his own life."
He paused as the crowd restlessly and albeit a bit unhappily agreed.
"Thank you for your time."
There was slight applause as he did a slight bow to the crowd and walked off the stage and out of the room. The crowd broke up and the hearing was finished. The unspeakables and the girl gone, only a lone man stood in the corner. A grim look on his face he stood up and slowly followed the others out.
Ron entered Azkaban. Harry's cell was at the very back. Ron couldn't help but flinch every time he passed a dementor he felt more depressed as he continued. However there was one emotion that surged through him. Rage. Pure uninhabited rage.
His Auror training was not helping. There was just no way of being prepared for the unhappiness that a mass of Dementors did to a person. When the new minister had come in after Fudge had finally been proved incompetent he had been quickly advised to strike a deal with the Dementors. Trebax Vafer being a much more intelligent individual had quickly followed this advice, it was said he still followed the advice of Dumbledore whom had been returned to his respected state when he had returned half of the Necromancer's pendant in 1997, therefore saving the wizarding world from destruction. The red head slightly wished the deal hadn't been struck. The most pertinent upsetting thought currently in mind was the death of Ginny, his sister through Potter. The betrayer. It just strengthened his rage.
Stiff movements echoed his thoughts as he strode towards the last cell. He passed Wormtail's cell. The traitorous man was babbling. There were no dementor's outside his cell, there was no point. He was mad. Ron only shook his head and continued walking.
He slowed as he came near the final cell. The torrent of saddening thoughts hand increased tenfold. This was probably due to the mass of dementors outside his cell. Harry was a exceptionally guarded prisoner. The fact that this security had not changed in the 6 years 2 months and a few days time Potter had spent in the prison said much for his current state.
Potter was currently curled up in a ball in the very centre of the tiny cell shadows clouding him. The mass of dementors allowed the redhead right up to the bar. As he got closer he heard the words.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I tried, I really tried. It was too much. I couldn't take it! I'm so sorry."
Even whispered the remorseful, repentant tone was undeniably clear. This however wasn't caught by Ron's ears as the last 3 words were whispered over and over by the pathetic figure. There appeared to be tear stains over the floor and the rags worn by the tiny figure along with blood stains and the stains most likely from excrement. The smell permeating the general vicinity was utterly repulsive. Bile came up Ron's throat and nausea threatened. Ron hardened himself performing a quick spell with his wand rendering him unable to smell. He looked at the pathetic figure a small feeling of compassion rising quickly quashed by rage, hatred and contempt.
"Potter."
Authors note:: This story has been redone with the old name and a new plot that I considered better than my old one. Any former reviewers feel free to protest. I have bad spelling and grammar skills, tell me if I've done something stupid. Email with any comments and questions (robblywoo@hotmail.com). Thanks for reading.