Hey there! So, I had a conversation with a girl on facebook if a writer should ask for reviews. I wanted to make it clear that I just want to hear back from you and to know what you really think about my story. I do not expect all reviews to be positive and I want to assure you that I will not take chapters as "hostage" for reviews or follows. Reviews are my real and only feedback from you and I just desire to improve. So, please, leave one, if you have the time!
Disclaimer: This beautiful universe belongs to our beloved Joanne Rowling, the rest is just blabber of my sleep deprived mind.
No one could wrap their mind around Ron's confession. His laughter was echoing through the room, nobody else dared making a sound.
Harry cleared his throat.
"Now you can see why I insisted on you hearing this directly from Ronald Weasly."
"Ya're all weak and stupid. Why'd waste energy to safe a bitch that knows not how to sort her priorities."
Blaise was just as angry as everyone else.
"Will we continue listening to this drunkard or can we proceed with the meeting?"
"I have to follow protocol, Zabini. I want to propose to sentence Ronald Weasly for rehabilitation in St. Mungo's."
"You cannot be serious. All participants in the war that used black magic are to be sentenced in Azkaban. Many Death Eaters have more reasons to be put in a mental institution than him! Usage of black magic should be punished accordingly."
Blaise was red in the face.
" In order for him to go to Azkaban, there should be a trial. You should be aware, Mr. Zabini, that this is impossible in our situation. For now, this is our only alternative." Harry forced the words out with difficulty, it was obviously too hard for him to talk about his childhood friend like this.
"For now I will agree with you, but keep in mind, Potter," Blaise looked at him with determination, " that once Hermione is back, I will not leave this case like that. I will not defend any Death Eaters but I will not defend Ronald Weasly either."
Neville stepped in.
"It is time for Draco Malfoy to go through his questioning." He put a glass of veritaserum before him and Draco drank it.
"First, no one is allowed to interrupt this questioning. If you have any questions that are to be asked, direct them to Luna Zabini. She will then come to me and ask them."
Draco knew it was now or never, he was uptight enough to continue with this.
"I am ready, Longbottom."
"Were you in contact with Hermione Malfoy, neé Granger, during your stay in Azkaban?"
"No."
"Did you have any idea about her plans?"
Again a negative answer.
"Did you read through all the letters that were I possession of Luna Zabini?"
Draco paused for a moment, it was hard to remember some of them.
"Yes, I did."
Neville furrowed his brow but continued.
"Please, give us a summary of what you read."
"The letters pictured her emotional state during the so called mission."
"Her who?"
Draco almost chocked on her name.
"Hermione Granger - Malfoy."
"Did she leave any instructions for you or anyone else about what actions to be undertaken after you were released?"
Draco's pupils were dilated. The veritaserum couldn't let him tell a lie but he didn't know what the truth was.
"I..I-I..."
"Is there something wrong, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Yes but I do not know what."
Luna looked worryingly at him but no one paid attention.
"Did Hermione Granger gave any instructions in her letters?"
Draco started shaking.
"Je ne sais pas, je ne sais rien."
Everyone looked at Draco with confusion. Blaise snickered.
"The veritaserum is a strong potion. If he is under stress, he may start talking in a different language. This way the mind tries to sort out the information better and give a clearer answer." Neville explained in a calm voice. "But this also shows that he may or may not hide information. Draco Malfoy could not do it in purpose but I am not allowed to go through his mind and trace any usage of magic."
Harry wasn't pleased.
"I know we should follow the protocol but in this case..."
"No!" Luna's voice echoed around the room. "You will not abandon the protocol the moment you want. After all, we all agreed on Ronald Weasly's case because of this protocol. You will not torture an innocent man just because he was not that fortunate to be your dorm mate. I refuse to allow this to happen."
Neville looked at Harry who expected his seconding.
"I agree with Mrs. Zabini. This kind of magic may leave scars in one's mind. I am also inclined to think that this might be a self-defense mechanism that stops a bad memory from reappearing. No one can oppose to the fact that this whole 'situation' , if I may call it that, is a real challenge to Mr. Malfoy. Let us not forget that he was also for months in Azkaban and tortured by dementors. He only recently came back to London which is also a factor."
Draco didn't hear any of this. His body was jerking, his grey eyes were blank and watery. For one Neville was right, Draco's mind was not sound enough to endure this kind of questioning.
Luna stood up and went to Draco. Blaise followed up and together they helped Malfoy to stand on his two feet.
Harry was beyond angry.
"What do you think you are doing?"
"As I said, I will not allow this nonsense to continue. Mr. Malfoy obviously is not in a good state to proceed with this. You may not care about his constitution, but we do. Now, if you please." Luna barely walked herself. Neville smiled at them and let them go. Ginny also stood up and went to help Luna walk while Draco was dragged by Zabini.
Harry looked at his wife's back as she walked away from him and he couldn't shake the feeling that this was an end for them, maybe not the end of their marriage, but of something just as big.