Disclaimer- see chapter 1
Sorry for the wait
Chapter 4
I was placed in a holding cell for a couple of hours before anyone appeared to inform me of what was going on. A young auror arrived and entered my cell slowly.
"Harry? You alright mate? "
It was Tonks.
"I believe you Harry, but there is nothing I can do." Tonks gave me a weak grin, clearly hoping she'd get an enthusiastic response. I merely gave her a brief nod. I wasn't going to pretend that it was all okay and that I was perfectly alright.
Tonks noted that I was not going to show that we were friends and launched into an explanation to what was going to happen next. "Harry, you are allowed to contact anyone you like who you wish to represent you during trial and any witnesses you wish to call upon. Your trial will be held tomorrow at ten o'clock, as I think you are aware. You will be tried before the full Wizengamot. You will be allowed one meeting before the trial. Please tell me who you wish to contact."
Who would I contact? I didn't have a lawyer, and no one believed my innocence apart from Malfoy, and Tonks by the look of it. Tonks would be no use so I only had one option, "Malfoy. Draco Malfoy please."
I could see the surprise register on Tonks' face. She hadn't expected that, even though I'm sure she had probably heard about my so called relationship with the young Malfoy.
"Draco Malfoy? Are you sure?"
I groaned in frustration. "Yes! Come on Tonks! Who else am I going to call? Every one of my 'friends' think I'm a fucking MURDERER! Yeah, a great help in court they'll be." I felt a bit bad for shouting at Tonks, especially since she appeared to believe me but I had a lot of built up frustration and anger that needed to be released, and she was the only person I had seen since being locked up. Tonks nodded meekly and left the cell. She had been offended by my outburst.
It wasn't fair. "It's not fair," I whispered to myself. A tear rolled down my cheek before I could stop it. This one drop of liquid released the dam and hundreds more came flooding out. I got up from the uncomfortable thin bed I was sat on and shouted at the top of my voice, "THIS IS NOT FUCKING FAIR."
I heard my cry echo and felt ashamed. This was what they wanted I thought- for me to break down. I was determined not to give them anymore satisfaction and wiped my emerald eyes. I returned to the bed, lowered myself onto it and I curled up.
It was many hours before I was visited again. I had fallen asleep when the cell door croaked open once more. Draco Malfoy entered, followed by a man I didn't know, and Tonks.
"Harry. You have visitors," said Tonks abruptly, " You've got fifteen minutes." Without another word she left, I really should have apologised to her, but she left before I could say anything, and also I had company.
"You alright Harry?" asked Draco, clearly concerned. I nodded, not sure what to say. The wizard standing before me was one that I believed hated me only the day before. "Good. This is Mr Kelligan- your lawyer."
Mr Kelligan was a tall, slim man with shoulder length brown hair. He was finely dressed in expensive robes, and had an air of elegance, not unlike Draco. He offered me his hand, which I took with a firm shake. "Pleasure to meet you Mr Potter."
"And you," I replied. "Ma…Draco, what is your plan then?"
"I'll explain in a second." Draco quickly cast a few spells on the room, to avoid being overheard.
"They let you in here with your wand?" I asked in surprise.
Draco laughed, "Of course. A Malfoy is never parted from his wand. I convinced them I was to be trusted – I had to sign an oath binding document swearing that I wouldn't help you escape with the use of my wand.
"Right, enough about that. You deserve an explanation. First things first, why do I believe you are innocent? Well, contrary to popular belief, I am not a Death Eater, but Vincent – that's Crabbe to you- is. He works as a spy. Not for Dumbledore- stupid fool- but for me and my friends. We are trying to find a way to destroy the Dark Lord, so we needed an inside source, and Crabbe volunteered. He was there when the plan was made to frame you, but there was nothing we could do to stop it happening without giving away the true intentions of Vince to the Dark Lord. However, we can help you now."
"How?" I asked, slightly dazed by the information I was gaining. I had no idea Slytherins were actually so thoughtful or good. I assumed they were all wannabe Death Eaters. Luckily for me that they're not, I thought wryly.
"You have alibis Harry. Each of my friends are willing to stand as your alibi. The story is that you were in the Slytherin rooms all last night, and you didn't leave until morning, so there was no way you could have committed the murder. With any luck that should be enough to win the trial, since seven alibis are hard to counter. Mr Kelligan will talk through the other details with you."
I hoped this plan was going to work. The thought of spending my life in Azkaban was not a pleasant one.
"As I'm sure you are aware Mr Potter, alibis alone are not enough to win this case, if we don't have a plausible reason why it's your face plastered on the front of the Prophet standing over Charlie Weasley. Luckily for you, we know the truth- it was Percy Weasley with Polyjuice, and so we can…"
I stopped listening for a bit there. Percy Weasley. A Death Eater! He killed his own brother! I knew Percy had different ideas to the rest of his family, but I had no idea they were so extreme.
"Harry? Are you listening?" asked Draco, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Oh, sorry."
"Where was I? Oh yes, because we know how it was done we can present a reasonable case, " said Mr Kelligan. "The Wizengamot are not going to believe it was Percy Weasley so we will not even bother mentioning it, we'd only need to show how we knew, putting Crabbe in danger. I have no choice but to suggest the use of Polyjuice and hope that with the alibis it will be enough. They don't really have a case if you have alibis, and since you will be questioned under veritaserum, they cannot doubt you either."
Things were looking up, I could actually feel a little bit of hope sparking up inside me. I stood a chance, and since the potion Draco had given me had proved it's worth earlier, I didn't have anything to fear from the veritaserum. I may still be able to help Tom, but the question was – how? I hadn't the power to take on Voldemort. Just a teenage wizard, with no extraordinary powers apart from a weak wandless magic ability.
Draco and I talked for a bit before Tonks returned. He really wasn't as bad as I thought he was. When Tonks entered, Draco pretended to wipe tears from his eyes. "Harry! Don't worry love. It'll be alright. Remember. I love you," he said in a sickly voice that would have made me laugh if the situation hadn't been so serious.
I hugged him and whispered in his ear, "Thank you." He gave me a peck on the cheek, and a smile, then he was gone. Mr Kelligan shook my hand again and left with a curt nod. Tonks turned to leave and I knew I needed to apologise.
"Tonks. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have shouted. I just had a lot of anger that needed to be released. You didn't deserve it."
"Ok. Apology accepted." Then she left too. I was alone again, with nothing but my thoughts for company. The trial was tomorrow, and I prayed that it would work out.
Not that happy with this chapter. I've rewritten it numerous times, but still can't seem to get it how I want it. Anyway. Hope you enjoyed it.
