Aftermath

It was morning at the Burrow. Harry stared at this week's Daily Prophet. It's bold title filling half the page. 'Malfoy Guilty!' It read.

Lucius Malfoy, one of the most respected pure-blood wizards in the world, and one high up in the Ministry of Magic, was convicted this week for actively participating in the crimes of you-know-who, which lead to the death of Sirius Black, who not only was wrongly convicted of the murder of Peter Pettigrew, but also happens to be the cousin of Malfoy's wife Narcissa Black.

A twinge in Harry's heart as he thought of his dead god-father made him stop reading and drop the paper. He still couldn't accept that he was gone.

Hermione and Ginny emerged from the stairs. "Sleep well?" Ginny yawned.

Harry gave a shrug indicating a 'no' and picked up the paper off the floor. Hermione quickly grabbed it and inspected the cover.

"I don't know why you want to read that, you were there remember?" he smiled. He just wanted to avoid talking about it, wanted the past week to evaporate from his mind. All the children involved in the attack were given three weeks off school without homework, which disappointed Hermione because there were the final exams to practice for. Harry presumed that Draco would have been given the same treatment, due to his father's conviction.

Hermione opened the paper and scanned the page. "Oh My God!" she exclaimed.

Ginny leaned over her shoulder and smiled! "WOW!" she laughed.

"What is it?" Harry asked " Has Rita Skeeter posted a naked picture of me on page three?" Hermione got the joke, having being brought up with muggles. Ginny did not. "What's so special about page three? Anyway no it's Draco!" she could barely contain her excitement.

"What? Draco's naked? Uurgh!" Harry shuddered and laughed. Ron entered the room.

"Who's naked?" he smiled cheekily and looked at Hermione. Who gave him an evil look.

She sighed and started to read.

Draco Malfoy, only son of convicted Death-eater Lucius Malfoy, was seen leaving the courthouse in a blind rage. Having being asked about how he was feeling after his father's conviction, the young Malfoy angrily attacked a reporter, breaking his nose, two ribs and his wrist. The reporter (seen here) has chosen to sue Malfoy for grievous bodily harm, however, due to the fact that Draco Malfoy has just inherited a rather large sum of money, and become one of the youngest bachelors in the country, there is no doubt that the trial will last very long.

Hermione turned the page toward Ron and Harry. A large picture flashed before them. Draco, surrounded by reporters was walking back into the building with Snape, then suddenly turned and threw a punch at a reporter, knocking him to the ground. Then he repeatedly kicked the man as he huddled on the floor, only to be dragged away by Professor Snape and a number of ministry officials. A small picture at the bottom showed the reporter in question, who was covered in bruises, two black eyes and cuts to the face.

"Woah!" Ron bellowed. "And to think I actually stood next to the guy by myself with no guards around."

"I think he was planning to do that to me Ron!" Harry groaned "He beat up the reporter imagining he was me!"

"Most likely!" Ginny trilled as she sat down handing him a plate of toast, then tucking in to her own. She was still grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"But who cares? Lucius is behind bars! It's over!" She munched.

"Well! Yeah!" Harry moaned "But I still can't help feeling just that little bit guilty…after all, he is his father!"

Hermione threw the paper away "Harry! Don't! The man was evil! He deserved what he got, the fact that he is Draco's father is insignificant!" She added.

He tucked in to the plate of toasty bread, and ignored her. Ron had picked up the discarded paper and was reading it to himself.