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No Good Deed

The gavel struck against the sound block. It was banged twice more in an effort to bring attention back to the barristers and Wizengamot holding court.

The Minister of Magic, Dahlgren Paynes, who beat out the incumbent, Kingsley Shacklebolt, in a fair election just the previous month, stood and looked disappointed at the general audience and their rude behavior.

"Madam Chairperson, you have the floor," he stated, then sat back down once the crowd had turned down the murmur to a quiet roar.

The election outcome was a shock since, in the six years Kingsley was Minister, he and his policy leaders had been successful in implementing measures of equal opportunity employment and prison reform practices, and his public approval rating had remained high.

The public, however, was a fickle lover. Dahlgren Paynes won by a small margin.

Dahlgren had never been a fan of the 'Golden Trio'. He thought their sneak tactics and diving headlong into danger was reckless, destructive, and inefficient. The fact that his predecessor allowed the three to be celebrated as heroes was both irresponsible and disheartening. It was each citizen's duty to maintain peace and order, and if trouble arose, the public would stand behind the Ministry's decisions and standings.

He believed that it was the Ministry's responsibility to foster public trust, act peaceably and in the benefit of the people. Nothing of what these war veterans had done was peaceful.

Dahlgren could admit to himself that what Lord Voldemort was attempting was neither progress nor beneficial to anyone but himself. Dahlgren could also admit that something needed to be done to stop the forward motion of Voldemort's genocide of all those not of pureblood. Dahlgren, himself was considered a half-blood, though his mother was magical – Muggleborn – and his father a pureblood, he and his brother were considered half-bloods. However, he was strongly opposed to using violence as a means to obtain acquiescence. He thought the Ministry should lead by peaceful example.

He turned to look at the four currently waiting to be charged and sentenced. He fought to keep his expression neutral. It wouldn't be appropriate to sneer or smile at their position. He had wanted to laugh out loud at the absolute shocked and dismayed expression that the little swot made when Aurors showed up at her door to arrest her.

Dahlgren's first order of business, as Minister, was to bring charges to those who had broken the law during the war, and no amount of previous cronyism would dissuade him from doing that.

He focused as Madam Chairperson read the charges.

"Vigilantism. Reckless endangerment of children. Reckless endangerment of Muggles and Muggleborn. Destruction of public property – Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Gringotts Banking.

Hermione Jean Granger - Criminal assault to Merrietta Edgecombe and Cormac McClaggen. Murder. The wizards and witches murdered by your wand are unknown, so we are applying a charge of 20 deaths to your charges.

Harry James Potter – Criminal assault and attempted murder to Draco Abraxas Malfoy {currently serving time in Azkaban}. Murder. The wizards and witches murdered by your wand are unknown, so we are applying a charge of 20 deaths to your charges.

Ronald Billius Weasley – Criminal assault to Gregory Goyle Jr., Draco Abraxas Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe {both currently serving time in Azkaban}. Murder. The wizards and witches murdered by your wand are unknown, so we are applying a charge of 20 deaths to your charges.

Severus Tobias Snape – Misappropriation of school funding. Treason. Espionage. Collusion with a known enemy of the state. Murder. The wizards and witches murdered by your wand are unknown, so we are applying a charge of 100 deaths to your charges."

Hermione stood quietly while the charges were being read and let the tears silently slide down her cheeks. She couldn't believe this was happening. Six years ago they fought and won a war, and life was just now beginning to look up. After helping to rebuild, and going to University, getting a job in the Minister's office as a liaison to the Care of Magical Creatures Department; she was starting her life. Now this.

They were not allowed to speak in their own defense. A silencing charm was cast to keep them from being heard. It was the job of their barristers to defend the trio. However, she hadn't heard a peep from any of the defense team. In her opinion, the prosecutors had not proven anything. This was all supposition, with the exception of the vigilantism and possibly the assault charge on Merrietta, however, Hermione recalled that after seven years, some kind of statute of limitations should be in place.

A tug on her hand brought her attention to Harry. He was scared. It was hard not to be. She felt numb and her heart broke for him. She was very protective of him; always had been, since they'd met, but now, she could do nothing. Ron took a long breath; Hermione noted the way his chest inflated then deflated, but she couldn't hear it. He looked resigned to this fate. This resignation was contrary to his normally emotional responses. She was proud of him for facing this with resolve.

Severus stood stalk still, his fists tightly fisted. Hermione could feel the rage coming off of him in waves. It was all so unfair.

The charges were read and the Wizengamot looked to the Minister for sentencing.

Minister Paynes stood and nodded in acknowledgment to Madam Chairperson.

He turned to the defense table an eyed the four awaiting their fate. He took too much pleasure in this, but he couldn't help it. He was an imperfect wizard after all and they were bullies, he rationalized, clenching his jaw.

"Hermione J. Granger, Harry J. Potter, Ronald B. Weasley, Severus T. Snape, by the authority of the Ministry of Magic, as Minister, I, Dahlgren Paynes, do sentence you to incarceration at Azkaban for a period not longer than 24 months, to which upon release, you will serve the community in whatever manner is necessary for a period not longer than 12 months. You may not leave the country. You may not hold any positions of authority within the Ministry, and as of today, your current positions and titles are stripped, as follows:

Hermione J. Granger: Lead Liaison, Care of Magical Creatures

Harry J. Potter: Lieutenant- first class, Auror, Magical Law Enforcement

Ronald B. Weasley: Detective Sergeant, Auror, Magical Law Enforcement

Severus T. Snape: Master Potioneer, St. Mungos Hospital."

Hermione felt like she had been hit by a bludger. She couldn't breathe or think or speak.

Harry and Hermione maintained holding hands until they were physically pulled apart by Wizengamot Aurors.

OoO

GOLDEN TRIO TO AZKABAN!

The running list totals are as follows:

Kingsley Shacklebolt was charged with a myriad of crimes, most notably was high treason for his involvement with the Order of the Phoenix, while holding a public office.

Arthur Weasely, his daughter Ginerva and son, Ronald were all charged and sentenced to Azkaban.

Hermione Granger.

Harry Potter.

Malfoy family (Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco), who allegedly betrayed the Dark Lord in aide of the Order of the Phoenix.

Severus Snape.

This reporter is saddened by this turn of events, and prays to the Gods and Goddesses watching that our newly elected Minister, Dahlgren Paynes, sees the errors of his ways.

Signed – Luna Lovegood, Quibbler