A/N: Hey next chapter up already. I managed to remember to put in times yesterday, but I forgot to mention that yesterday was "Day of Trial". So now you know it was "Day of Trial", and that except for the first moment of this chapter the rest of it should be "Day of Trial" as well.
Disclaimer- In any event that someone attempts to sue me, they should know I type these things on a broken down lap top that I'm still making payments on… don't sue me, isn't mine.
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Ron's POV
Day before Day of Trial
God I hate the paperwork part of being an Auror. This definitely wasn't in the pamphlet, I would've seriously considered becoming a… a… a something that didn't have paperwork, yeah that's what I would've done.
"Weasley"
I looked up to see my boss Kingsley Shacklebolt walking in my office with my two best friends Harry and Hermione; behind him.
"Er… did something happen?" I ask thinking it was trouble.
"No Weasley, you three were the last people left I needed to discuss something with so I thought might as well just bring them with me to your office to discuss it. Do you mind?" Kingsley asked as they sat down in the chairs.
"No I-" I started.
"It was rhetorical Weasley. Now as you know, tomorrow is the trial of the Death Eaters that didn't die, and that we currently have imprisoned in Azkaban. There's been a lot of press around, and it's a very important that nothing goes wrong. Nothing." Kingsley explained.
We shook our heads to show we understood.
"So to make sure nothing goes wrong each and every Auror has been assigned to someone's protection once they enter the Ministry of Magic. To assure they all reach the courtroom safely." Kingsley stated.
"But please Sir, why would we need to escort anyone? Especially since it'll only be in the Ministry of Magic?" Hermione asked Kingsley.
"I can't say Granger, it's on a need to know basis, and right now you don't need to know. And stop calling me Sir." Kingsley stated.
"But Kingsley that doesn't make any sense-" Harry started.
"I know Potter, but the Ministry isn't taking any chances. Tomorrow every Auror will promptly be here at 7 am-" Kingsley started.
"Seven? Why so early?" I blurted out.
"Because that's the time you need to be here at, that's why. Tomorrow you will all (giving me a stern look) be here at seven. Upon entering your office you are to wait. We will have a house elf- a paid house elf Granger (he adds after Hermione's glare); bring you a note. On this note will tell you where you need to meet the person you're escorting, and at what time. On it will also be instructions on which way you will escort your person to the courtroom. No one will just be taking the lifts; they'll be a number of ways to get there. Some of those ways will be there only for tomorrow, some of them may have always been there but you may have not known about them." Kingsley explained.
"Sir, why all the secrecy?" Hermione asked,
Kingsley gave her an annoyed look at not calling him by his name. He says he prefers us to call him by his name so we can feel more comfortable around him, and that his enemies may take this as a weakness on his part, a mistake so he'll have the upper hand. On the other hand, he says it would be unprofessional if he called us by our first names. I know, Mental right?
"I can't tell you Granger. And most importantly, you can't tell each other. No one is to know what any other Auror is doing till the trial is over. Do you understand me?" Kingsley asked us.
We nod our heads again.
"Can I get a verbal confirmation this time?" He asks.
"Yes Sir/Kingsley, we understand." We say.
"Good."
He says as he stands and reaches in the pocket of his robes. He pulls out three strips of paper and puts them in his hand.
"Pull one" He says to us.
"Er, are we drawing straws?" Harry asks.
"No, there's a name on each sheet of paper. That name is the person you'll be escorting. Its Fidellus'd so that only the person who picks the paper will know the person they're guarding. This way if someone has already been alerted to the plan, they won't know who to expect guarding them." Kingsley explained.
"Good idea Sir." Hermione said reaching over to take a paper.
Her expression was unreadable. Harry and I both took the lasts two pieces of paper.
Name: Draco Malfoy
Current Location: Azkaban Prison
Fuck
Of course that last word wasn't on the paper. I looked up to see Harry's expression in a pained sort of way, and Hermione's was still the same.
"Well, that's it. Once you two leave this office a file will be brought to Weasley by house elf about the person he's escorting. Granger, Potter when you return to your office a house elf should enter soon afterwards with a file on the person you will be escorting. Study it and remember it. I shouldn't have to remind you that the more you know about the task at hand the better. And remember no telling anyone, not even each other, got it." Kingsley said as he walked to my door.
"Got it Kingsley" I said.
He left.
"So, who'd you guys get?" I said immediately.
"Ron, did you miss the conversation?" Hermione bellowed.
"Come on, it's just us. He probably expects us to tell anyways." I complained.
"No. We're sworn to secrecy by these little pieces of paper and I for one plan to uphold it." She replied.
"I think she's right mate. Not this time. Something serious is going on, and I don't want to be the one to screw it up." Harry added.
"We all know it's probably just the Ministry over doing it." I stated.
"Doesn't matter. I'm not telling, and I'd think you be taking this a bit more seriously." Hermione added.
"How can I? Every time someone needs protecting its all 'don't say this and don't say that'. And nothing ever happens." I say sitting back in my chair.
"He does have a point." Harry said.
"He couldn't even tell us anything. It has to do with this trial, and I don't like it." Hermione said.
"They just don't want there to be anything to stop all the Death Eater from being placed permanently behind bars. There over doing it, and so are you." I said to Hermione.
"Overdoing it, am I? Fine, I know something I won't be overdoing tonight."
She said before leaving and slamming my door.
"Dunno Ron, but I think you may have upset her." Harry said with a grin.
"Ha, Ha Harry. She just needs to blow off some steam, she'll be fine." I said a bit uncertain.
Hermione and I have been living together for the past year. We got together after the war, and waited till we finished our shortened Auror courses to move in together. We still fought all the time; it was just what we did. And this wouldn't be the first argument from work we had to take home.
"If you say so. I guess I'll see you after the trial tomorrow then." Harry said.
"What? Why?" I quizzed.
"Well we won't see each other tomorrow morning will we? Not with all the secrecy and stuff. And I know you, you're going to give the file a quick once over and head home, while I take a little longer, and Hermione takes the longest." Harry said with a grin while heading towards the door.
"You smile, but it's a system that's never failed, mind you" I point out.
"Yeah, but we've always worked together before, now were separate. Do yourself a favor Ron, and really look it over, ok?" Harry said.
"Alright Harry, I get it." I said.
"See you tomorrow then" He said as he closed the door.
Day of Trial
7:01 am
Yawn
Doesn't speak to me all night, and waits till 20 to seven to wake me. Then when I get out of the shower- the cold shower, because she took all the hot water; I get to the kitchen and see two bits of toast and she's no where in sight. Some girlfriend.
Crack
A house elf appears holding some parchment.
"Ronald Weasley Sir?" the house elf asks, more than states.
"Yeah, yeah that's me." I reply.
He hands me the rolled up piece of parchment and disapparates.
Name: Draco Malfoy
Location coming from: Azkaban Prison
Meeting time: 9:15 am
Meeting Place: Security desk of the Ministry of Magic
To all Auror's,
Some of you may have times within ten minutes of this letter. I would suggest you get ready and start getting to your destination. If you have a meeting time that's quite far away from the time of this letter I would suggest going over the files of your person to help pass the time. The reason for this is because we can't have everyone on their routes at the same time. The plan is to not have any of you cross paths with another. Upon delivering your person safely to the court room, further instructions will await you where to go. You will not be allowed to head back to your office. In case there's an event of emergency those who have finished their escort will be called upon to help, and we most likely will not be able to spare the time it would take to get you from your office.
I also tell you that I will be escorting the Minister of Magic himself. And that I will get my person to his destination safely, and I expect no less from you. I also tell you this because I have the utmost faith that no one from my team of Auror's is untrustworthy, and would ever do anything that could hinder their missions.
Good Luck,
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Head of the Auror Division
Underneath Kingsley's Letter is the path I should travel.
Well, that was cheerful. Might as well look over his file… ok, so I only skimmed it yesterday. But what's to know about Draco Malfoy? Death Eater, Muggle and Mudblood Hater, Spawn of Satan… that about covers it.
Let's see, yada, yada, yada, Father Lucius Malfoy, yada, yada, Death Eater, yada, yada, yada, died in Azkaban... really? Well that's news, too bad it couldn't have happened to his son too.
What else, yada, Mother Narcissa Malfoy, yada, yada, yada, current location, Malfoy Manner, yada, yada, 28 years old- What? She must've paid someone good money to fudge her birthday at the Ministry.
Yada, yada, wand type: Beechwood, 11 and a quarter inches, unicorn hair- damn that Ferret had a unicorn hair wand too. Is nothing sacred?
Yada, claims he was innocent, yada, yada, yada, gave information on yada, yada, Ministry, yada, Death Eaters to yada, yada, yada, helpful to yada, yada, yada, Voldermort. Yada, yada
Yawn
Yada, yada, imprisoned for, yada… zzzz
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Knock, Knock, Knock
"Hmm, what?" I say looking up at my door.
Good nap. Nap? What time is it? 9:12? Shit.
I open my door to see Ginny standing there.
"Hey bro, just came to say hello and-" She starts.
"Sorry running late. Gotta go. Important mission" I say quickly walking by her to the stairs.
"Well I'll go with you, I got here early actually-" she begins to say following behind me.
"That's great sis." I say starting to run.
"What's the rush? You've never been worried about being late before?" she says jogging behind me.
"Real important. Can't be late for this" I say as I get to the staircase.
"Well I guess me being early was lucky then" she says running up the stairs behind me.
"Yeah." I say now taking the steps two at a time.
"I'm supposed to deliver a message from Hermione" she says from right behind me.
"This isn't really a good time Gin" I say.
"I can see that. But-" she starts.
"Besides the way she left me this morning, I'm not really in the mood to hear anything she has to say" I say going back to single steps.
"But Ron," she starts still behind me.
"Quidditch is really keeping you in shape hun?" I ask, trying to change the subject.
"Yes, I suppose it does." She answers.
Ginny plays for the Holyhead Harpies.
"Listen, we can talk later, you can't be next to me right now." I say opening the door from the staircase.
"Why? Ashamed to be seen with you sister?" she teases.
"No. But this is supposed to be a big deal. I guess Hermione couldn't tell you because it's such a secret" I say turning the corner and seeing Kingsley looking in my direction already.
"No she couldn't, but- why are the Minister of Magic, your boss, and Draco Malfoy standing next to the security desk?' she says upon seeing them.
"Can't say" I answer somewhat truthfully, as I have no idea why Rufus Scrimgour and Kingsley are standing there.
She doesn't say anything else as we approach, and I'm grateful. Kingsley looks slightly disgruntled. And seeing Malfoy is making me want to punch him in the eye. I plan on ignoring him, mostly. See just now- he said something smart about me and my sister. I remember when Moody turned him into a ferret and I'm calm. Did he just say something to me?
"Eat Dung Malfoy" I reply.
That seemed appropriate enough. I wish Ginny would leave. And why are they un-cuffing him? He could do something stupid like-
"Why you little" the guard starts, but I'm already in front of Malfoy.
"There's no one more than me who'd love to see you slug Malfoy. But my job as his protector started the moment I got here, so I can't let you do it mate." I said to him.
"Fine. I'll catch him back at Azkaban then" The guard said and stormed off angrily.
I have to admit that was funny though. That guard looked a bit off balance anyways. Ginny is leaving. She can leave me a note for what Hermione said. Hope it was an apology. Damn were moving, better take Malfoy's side… before he trips someone else.
We enter a room and after Malfoy gets the drink he requested he starts asking questions. Inquisitive prat, isn't he? But at least I'm getting answers too. Death threats? A person who works at the Ministry? Yeah Malfoy just me, and you can stare all you want. There he goes complaining.
"Still all about self, hun Malfoy?" I ask.
He continues on his rant, making snide remarks about Ginny. She'd wallop him one if she heard him. He thinks she's an Auror, I guess three years in Azkaban wouldn't enlighten you to current Quidditch news. Kingsley and Scrimgour are leaving.
"You can call me Kingsley… if you ever get the chance to…" Kingsley said smirking and left, with Scrimgour still behind him.
Malfoy is looking at me. I look at him with a grin.
"What did that rubbish mean, 'if I ever get the chance to'?" He asked.
"He was joking… I think" I said looking at the door.
"You think? It did nothing for my faith in you, what does it tell me that he doubts I'll make it in your care?" He states.
"After the stories he's heard I think he's sure I'll kill you myself." I answered simply.
"And you people call this type of treatment protection?" He asked.
"No, that was manners. As soon as we walk out this door, then you'll see protection." I answered and made my way towards the door.
"I can hardly wait." I hear him mutter as he follows me out the door.
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A/N: In case you don't know me, I always tend to give two of these things. So how did Ron sound? Hopefully in character, same for Hermione and Harry. Can't wait for next chapter, let the adventure begin…