Chapter Two.

"Alright," Kingsley Shacklebolt's deep voice carried throughout the oval room, commanding the attention of the jurors, reporters and all others present, while the defendant continued her constant eye contact with the Minister of Magic. "Now that we have clarified and cleared the accusations connecting Miss Shaen with Voldemort and activities against the Ministry, let us finish our questions concerning her use of an otherwise unknown potion."

Alanna sat still in her seat, placed directly under the gaze of the Minister and his jury, halting her actions of soothing her sore neck, and wiping the faint traces of blood off of her hands and throat onto a handkerchief from her robe's pockets before placing the tissue back in her pockets' confines and resting her hands upon her lap.

"Miss Shaen, did you ever give any thought onto the side effects that your potion would bring upon the wizard you used it on?"

Alanna bit her lip momentarily before the Veritaserum caused words to flow from her mind and out through her dry mouth, "Yes, I considered that there might be many possible side effects, the thought of the Inferi gave me nightmares almost every night. However, when I examined the frog I mentioned earlier, it appeared that there was no new damage to the body, aside from what was caused when I flung it against the wall that is, or sign that it was under my control considering it shocked me by jumping onto my face."

"What about mental stability? You were obviously not able to judge that from an autopsy."

"No, I was not…It was something that I worried about but, I figured that if there were any signs of such a thing they would show almost instantaneously, considering the body would have to be in mint condition before the ingestion of the potion, it was my theory that any irregularities would show at least within the first five to ten minutes. If anything as such were to happen then I would work to relieve the ailment."

"And if it was not something you would be able to cure?"

"I would return all symptoms that caused death to the body."

Gasps and whispering filled the room once more, as both Kingsley and Alanna continued.

"What if someone nearby would not permit you to do so?"

"Not possible, I planned it so that no matter the situation I would find a way to make those nearby to be otherwise occupied. As was the case when I used it on Mister Weasley."

"Please, explain how you accomplished this."

"Well, when his body was brought into the Great Hall, his family was in an uproar of sobs, and as I said earlier, all others began talking amongst one another about how success would be difficult if not impossible. None of the students, teachers or aurors were able to look in their direction, after a few moments of quickly treating those nearest me and double checking the mental status and expressions of everyone's faces I made my way over to Molly and Arthur and offered to clean Fred's exterior wounds while they comforted their children and family friends. Arthur thanked me and escorted his family to a nearby corner to morn together. That is when I repaired his body's injuries. He had several broken ribs, a fracture in the skull, ruptured lung and interior bleeding though the blood flow was rather slow considering the body's state, he also had major gashes and fractures across his exterior and a few chipped teeth as well, all of which I quickly fixed."

"You then went onto give the potion to him?"

"Yes. I placed a silencing charm around us first, so in case something did go astray I could handle it quietly without notice, then poured all of it into his mouth and after two very slow minutes he started making coughing motions and his chest was moving as a sign of breathing. He didn't sit up, but his eyes did open and he began to try to speak."

"And what all did Mister Weasley say?"

"Well it started something along the lines of, 'Blimey, feels like Hagrid sat on me by mistake. Oh hey Nurse, what's going on?' His tone of voice was raspy, which seemed logical, but he still was attempting to joke around like his normal annoying self."

"That does seem like his typical personality however, did you simply judge him stable based off of that alone?"

"No, I went on to tell him what had happened, that he was killed by a falling wall and what I had done. I figured that the reaction from such news would truly show if he was his normal self or not."

"And how did he react?"

"At first he laughed, then it seemed as though he remembered it happening and went silent for a moment, eventually he went back to grinning and said something along the lines of, 'Well, I guess that beats being done in by Hagrid, wouldn't you agree Nurse?' He tried sitting up but I didn't allow him to, explained that there may be some side effects and that I needed to check to see if any were apparent. As I double checked his previous injuries to make sure they hadn't come back I asked him questions, who his parents were, what his name was, what the date was, what he did for a living, etcetera. He answered them all with a bit of cheek and what I'm sure he saw as humor, and after twenty minutes or so I allowed him to sit up and go to his family. As soon as he did the Hall went silent then cheers erupted and all of those that were speaking of our imminent defeat were smiling and taking back their words, you would've thought we won the war at that moment with the energy from everyone."

"Yes, I recall that as well, though we will still be asking those that were in the Hall at the time to clarify."

The sound of quills scratching on parchment was more furious than ever, no doubt jotting down every single word of Alanna's monotone recollection.

"Why would he call you 'Nurse' and not by your name? Surely he knew who you were from as you said, all the trips to the infirmary, was this a sign of any memory damage?"

Alanna uncontrollably scoffed and rolled her eyes as she spoke, "It bloody well beats me why, but he and his twin have never once called me by my propped name and title, their form of a joke I'm sure, they both have called me 'Nurse' since I started my apprenticeship. It's one of the reasons why I find them both annoyances."

A few chuckles could be heard from the witnesses' side of the room, as others continued to whisper among one another and jotting down her response.

"So, Mister Weasley showed no signs of any side effect what so ever?"

"Correct Sir."

Silence befell the court room once more as Kingsley sighed and shook his head. "If it were not for the fact that I witnessed firsthand you taking a decent sized dose of Veritaserum I would not believe your words right there Miss Shaen. It seems very unlikely that such a powerful potion would have no side effects what so ever, even for a temporary period of time."

"I never said that there were no side effects." Alanna winced at her uncontrollable response, it was not her intention to ever bring this up, but it seemed that good old Veritaserum thought otherwise.

Kingsley's eyebrows rose and he leaned forward as he continued to hold eye contact with her, a rare sternness now apparent in his voice, "Miss Shaen, you did just say that there were no side effects on one Mister Fred Weasley, so why would you state that there were ones after all? It is not nearly close to the time in which the serum should be wearing off on you, so I expect a clean explanation."

"You asked whether Fred Weasley had any side effects, he did not." Alanna tried fighting the truth serum and bit deeply at her lip, cheeks flushed and a swarm of embarrassment starting to flood her at what she knew was to be discussed in a matter of seconds.

"Continue Miss Shaen, if he did not show symptoms than who or what did?"

Alanna could taste the blood from biting her lip so hard, and without warning the words tumbled quickly from her mouth allowing her embarrassment to be shown to the court, "The potion had an adverse effect on myself. Two days after the battle I suddenly felt searing pain while working on repairing the school, my left lung ruptured, four of my ribs broke and gashes appeared all over my skin from nowhere and almost instantaneously."

If a wizard were to drop a feather to the floor every ear in the room surely could hear it from the absolute silence that befell upon those that heard her fast paced answer.

The Minister cleared his throat after a few stunned moments and returned to his normal deep and calm tone of voice, "Yet, you are sitting before us, two years later, with no injuries and alive…how?"

"Poppy…she was helping with repairs near me and watched it happen. She scolded me like no other while she worked on my sudden injuries, stating whatever it was I did I shouldn't have done it. That I should've told her about these wounds sooner…It took several hours and many of our fellow healers to fix all of the ailments, during which I kept going in and out of consciousness. At the beginning of it when they would fix an organ and move to another, the first would rupture again. I don't know how many elixirs they forced me to swallow or how long it took total, they were stubborn, refused my pleas to just let me go and that it was pointless…they just kept working."

Alanna could feel every inch of her skin warm from embarrassment, and for a split second dropped her gaze to the dark tiled floor before sighing and lifting her head high once more to meet Kingsley's dark thoughtful eyes.

"Everyone, please note that we will also be needing to question the healing staff that was employed at the time mentioned by the defendant, during our next session." There was a pause as quills scratched against parchment once more. "Miss Shaen, did any other side effects arise aside from what you just described?"

"I occasionally get migraines that I use to never have had to deal with before, but that is it Sir, nothing else."

The Minister nodded his head and tapped his fingers against his knee for a moment in thought. "Miss Shaen, you earlier mentioned that you do did not regret your actions, is this still valid?"

"Yes. I do not regret my actions, it gave hope to our side of the war when we needed it the most, and it ultimately saved someone's life."

"Very well…now it is my understanding that you have currently been self employed by selling an assortment of potions to various establishments, such as St. Mungos and the like, is this correct?"

Alanna's expression grew confused as she answered, "Yes, Sir."

"And you have had otherwise no contact with persons in the wizarding or muggle society?"

"Poppy occasionally sends an owl, but otherwise no, Sir."

Kingsley nodded his head once more and jotted something down on his notes. "Then I have no further questions at the moment, does any member of the Wizengamot wish to ask Miss Shaen anything before we adjourn for the time being?"

Silence replied, showing that all agreed upon the questions asked and were so far appeased with the responses Alanna had given.

"Alright, then until we meet again I would like to enforce that Miss Alanna Shaen does no further business with any form employment, official or otherwise until a formal and final verdict is made on her behalf. All in favor?"

Stunned, Alanna watched as once again a unanimous decision was made concerning her. She understood why they would ask such a thing however, the thought of having no income for Merlin knows how long was not comforting in the least.

"I would also like to impose that Miss Alanna Shaen be escorted and supervised by either Auror Harry James Potter and or Auror Ronald Bilius Weasley at all times until we reconvene and we the Wizengamot deem otherwise, or the final verdict is cast. All in favor?"

Alanna's heart sank as for a record breaking third time in one trial, the members of the court unanimously agreed. Not only would she now be jobless, no she would also be under constant supervision by two wizards she still saw as children. 'At least I'm not being sent to Azkaban, it really could be worse…' As she silently reassured herself Kingsley made his final address to the members of the court and all others in the room as witness. "Then let it be known that until such time, the members of the Wizengamot deem that Miss Alanna Shaen, defendant in question, is to go without her normal form of business and that she be under the constant watch of two of our most trusted Aurors, both of which will be sending weekly reports to myself. I will send owls with notice of the time in which we will reconvene within the month, and until such time I would like to remind all journalists present that it is illegal to divulge to the public the responses of the defendant until the final verdict is sentenced." Standing, the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, made one final statement before breaking eye contact with Alanna, "Also Miss Shaen, while you are under said supervision, I personally would like to hear that you attempt socialization of any form in the wizarding community once more."

Moreover with that being said, the Minister along with all other members of the Wizengamot, dispersed from the court room. The reporters were close to follow, complaining about how they would have to edit their work and how they were to appease their bosses and the public with such alterations. Alanna however, shakily stood, stunned with the implications that were now being placed upon her, and the thoughts of what they could ultimately mean for her future. She could hear others moving and speaking around her however, the words were but a background noise as she lost herself to thought. It was not until the voices grew closer and the feeling of two arms pulled her torso down into an uncomfortable embrace did Alanna notice her surroundings once more.

A curly mop of red hair was in her face and the sound of Molly Weasley's emotional voice filled Alanna's ears, as it was the short plump witch that was embracing her so informally. "I never did get to thank you, my dear. Despite what anyone else has to say you are a treasure to myself and my family."

Molly began to sniffle as Alanna uncomfortably patted the older woman's back. "Um, thank you Mrs. Weasley, but really this is not necessary."

"Yeah, lay off the Nurse, mum."

"Doubt bred purebloods like her are used to physical contact."

Molly released the startled woman and began to dab at her eyes while scolding the two identical red haired young men alongside her. "Now you two, I would expect you to be kinder to the young woman after what she has done for this family."

The two were now grinning down at their mother a hint of mock anger plaguing their voices, "Ah, but that's the kicker isn't though?"

"Nurse didn't even think of our family or Fred when she did it, now isn't that right?"

"Thought us nothing but nuisances." Now the two began to act sullen and teary-eyed, as the jokesters that they were.

"Though it is better than being, oh what was it…"

"A 'stuck up prat thinking he had the power of a god'?"

The twins began laughing and simultaneously slapped their elder brother on the back.

Alanna sighed in annoyance, with the effects of the Veritaserum slowly beginning to ebb from her being she was glad that there were no questions being directed her way. Looking around she saw not only the whole Weasley family with the exception of the youngest and only daughter, but Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Fleur Delacour, though if Alanna remembered correctly Fleur was now a Weasley herself, were also present. Apparently the whole group was witness to her hearing, which was not surprising. Aside from them it seemed that no one else came to see the outcome, after all it wasn't as if Alanna had any family that weren't behind bars, and since the battle she had lost touch with the greater majority of her friends, Poppy included.

"So Alanna, dear, do you have any plans for this evening?"

There went the luck of not having to answer any questions before the serum wore off. Biting her lip in an attempt to lie, the truth still managed to escape her. "No."

Molly gave a wide smile and continued, almost as if she knew that the young woman had no choice but to go along with her. "You should come to the Burrow for supper then. I've been meaning to invite you for ages, but our owls haven't seemed to have any luck reaching you."

Arthur took this moment to stand beside his wife, hand clasped to her shoulder. "Now Molly, that might not be a wise idea."

"Oh rubbish, Kingsley is having Ron and Harry escort her. If he didn't want her around our family he chose the wrong aurors now didn't he?"

Arthur sighed and yet smiled, "Right then, well I have a few things to do at work myself, but I'll see you lot later tonight." With a kiss to Molly's forehead and a pat to Alanna's shoulder, Arthur left the room shooing a few straggling reporters on his way to the lift.

"Here Alanna, since the hearing is over you should probably take this back."

Turning to her left Alanna eagerly retrieved her wand from Harry's outstretched hands, wasting no time to make a small wrist flick aimed at her neck, healing the small cut previously made by the chains of her seat during the hearing. "Thank you." Though the trial was over for the time being, her voice remained monotone, not fully comfortable with her current company.

"Molly," Fleur followed closely by her husband walked to stand beside her mother-in-law, "I theenk we should start heading back, no?"

"Oh, yes, yes, we can't just stand around here chatting away now can we? Alright everyone, Alanna you too, lets head back to the Burrow."

Eying Harry and Ron momentarily, Alanna sighed in silent agreement, it was clear from her 'escort's', as Molly had put it, expressions that she would be following the large family back to their home, and walked with the group to the lift. Upon reaching the main floor, Harry announced that he should go to his office to fill out a few papers for himself and Ron, before leaving and that he would head over with Arthur at the end of the day. After the family bid the young man a 'farewell for now', the group made its way over to the vast floo network, and somehow Alanna found herself saying 'The Burrow' as her destination, closely followed by Ron.

Though it was merely the late afternoon, Alanna was exhausted and did not wish to deal with the red haired family, in reality she would much rather have preferred to apparate home and sulk on her bed in silence however, it seemed as though she had no choice but to go along with the group. The auror would not allow it and even if he did, the etiquette she was brought up with wouldn't. So off to the Burrow she went, for a night she knew would become even more tiring than the hearing itself. The only perk would be that the Veritaserum seemed to be almost completely out of her system by the time she stepped out of the fireplace and into the residence that could only be home to the Weasley family.