CHAPTER 10: JUSTICE

A/N: This chapter onwards, the story contains death of characters. If reading such a thing disturbs you, please do not proceed any further.

10.1

"What's going on over here?" Ginny asked, her voice high with surprise.

Somewhere at the back of his mind, Harry knew he ought to answer her. But he was concentrated on the boy he currently held in his arms. Malfoy's mouth was on his left shoulder, the teeth cutting in through his robes. One of his hands, callused and torn, was in Harry's hand, the other clutched the back of his neck. The rough skin scraping against Harry's flesh. Malfoy was trembling.

"I said, what's going on over here?" Ginny's voice was now shrill with both surprise and barely restrained anger. "MALFOY!"

Malfoy jumped back from that awkward embrace. For a second, he seemed disoriented. His mouth was an uncertain shape. Then his eyes widened and traveled to those terrible figures on the floor. Harry's gaze followed his. The floor was empty.

"It was just a boggart." It was either Lee or George. "You are absolutely safe."

Malfoy made a queer sound and jerked his hand free of Harry. The next moment, he was flying out of the room, a hand on his mouth.

"What's going on?" Ginny demanded for the third time.

George and Lee looked at each other, before plunging into a hasty explanation. Harry collapsed on one of the chairs. He could feel the pressure of Malfoy's hand on his neck, the scraping of the rough flesh, his teeth biting into his shoulder, the sharp bones of his body pressing against him…

"What a terrible experience mate," Ron's words broke his reverie. "The ferret was blubbering all over you."

"Really Ronald!" Hermione spoke up sharply. "Malfoy had a horrifying experience."

"But having to hold him so close! Ugh! I am sure Harry is going to have nightmares about it."

"What I can't understand is why Harry was holding him so close in the first place." Ginny's voice was accusatory.

"Ginny! Harry was only restraining him. You make it sound as though they were locked in a passionate embrace." Lee's voice held laughter.

"Shut up Lee." Ginny roared. "It's not funny."

"Seriously Lee," Ron exclaimed dramatically, "what a mental image. I think I'm going to be sick."

"Hey Harry, still not recovered." George slapped him lightly on his arm even as the others continued to bicker.

"Well fearing a Kiss…"

"Yes," George nodded, "Dementor's Kiss. Pretty awful, isn't it?"

Harry's thoughts moved on to his fourth year when he had seen the after-math of this dreadful Kiss. Barty Crouch left just a shell. For a minute he imagined Malfoy broken like that. The head lolling about, the drool falling from the mouth, and the eyes nothing but two blank holes of emptiness….gorge rose within him. For a minute, he thought he'd be sick but then George's concerned hands were on his back, making soothing circles.

"Hey easy there." George said, and then turned towards the others. "And you all stop this racket!"

Astounded – George hardly ever raised his voice - they turned towards them, their faces registering concern as they saw Harry's white face.

"Harry what's the matter?" Hermione asked as the four of them hurried towards him.

"Hermione do you think Malfoy can get the Kiss?" Harry counter-questioned.

Hermione looked in perplexity towards the others. "I don't think so. It is only for the most hardened criminals. I am sure this is just a fear that he harbours."

"Well he did get the Death Eaters in Hogwarts…" Ron began but then had a look at Harry's face and hurriedly changed tracks. "But the Wizengamot would not have let him out of Azkaban had he to be given the Kiss."

"Perhaps he is worried because his uncle's brother, Rabastan Lestrange, got the Kiss yesterday." Hermione said reflectively and then looked exasperated at their surprised gasps and looks. "Don't you all read the Daily Prophet? It was all over the pages."

"We were a little busy with the party and all." Lee said. "Though I can't say, I'm saddened. Wasn't he part of the group that went to the Longbottoms?"

"Yes," Hermione nodded. "Neville must be very happy. Bellatrix and Rudolphus dead. Rabastan and Crouch Kissed."

"Very Good!" Ron said vehemently. "When I saw Neville's parents in the Hospital, I wanted to kill the bastards who had reduced them to such a state myself."

Harry remembered the way Alice Longbottom had given the toffee wrapper to Neville and how Neville had slipped it into his pockets. Perhaps, Neville had now a room full of those wrappers. In his mind's eye, he visualized Neville pressing those wrappers tightly, trying to feel a mother's embrace through those pieces of parchments .Quite abruptly, another image superimposed itself on this one. Malfoy crouched low on the ground, gathering the ashes of his parents' picture. Trying to feel their love and concern thru those ephemeral things that seeped thru his fingers, leaving behind nothing but smudges. Harry shut his eyes. Narcissa Malfoy gathered him up in her arms, her voice low with desperation as she asked about her son.

"But wait a minute," Ron said and Narcissa disappeared. "How come there are Dementors still at Azkaban? Weren't they supposed to have been Voldemort's supporters? So how come they are still there?"

"Hi Kids, what's the discussion?" Bill entered the room. "Oh hello Hermione, nice to have you back."

Ron tried very hard to look nonchalant but the tips of his ears were already a shade of red as Hermione thanked Bill.

"Bill where were you?" George asked. "Didn't you say you'll be taking leave today? Yet I didn't see you."

"I had gone to see off a few guests." Bill answered. "Anyways what are you all discussing?"

Ron repeated his question.

Bill looked thoughtful as he chewed on his lower lip. "Well you must understand that we all are still to recover from the war. Majority of us feel that only the Dementors will be able to keep the Death Eaters in captivity and thus keep us safe and secure."

"But Bill," Hermione argued, "surely we can come up with other means of guarding them. Even Professor Dumbledore was against the Dementors."

"Yes, but the Ministry doesn't really think so. And I am sure they have their reasons." Bill shrugged. "Perhaps Dad or Percy would be able to answer this question better."

"…thank Merlin, the house is quiet." As if on cue, Percy entered the room.

"Hey Percy, what are you mumbling to yourself?" George greeted his elder brother.

Percy let out a sigh. "Just being thankful that the guests have departed."

"Why?" Lee said slyly, winking at the others. "I thought you quite liked Penelope's company. You were quite busy with her."

Percy turned tomato red. "We were merely dis discussing the new di directives of the Ministry." He stammered.

"Must have been a pretty intense discussion, since I saw the two of you move behind the curtains at one point of time." George said with a dead-pan face. "Perhaps you were too involved to notice."

"I…I," Percy stared at them helplessly as the others laughed.

"Relax Perce," Bill said, putting an arm across his younger brother's shoulders. "They are simply pulling your leg a little. Now tell me why are you looking so tired? Had a bad day?"

Percy swallowed convulsively and shuddered. He really did look exhausted. Lines of fatigue were running all along his face. The others sobered up.

"Yes, Percy what is the matter?" Ron asked, concernedly.

Percy gave himself a little shake. "Lucius Malfoy killed himself today."

"WHAT?" A chorus of voices.

"Yes," Percy said. "He killed his wife, Narcissa, and then himself. Their bodies were found…"

"NO!"

A shout from the doorway had all of them looking in that direction. Malfoy stood over there. For a moment Harry could see the area behind his body as though Malfoy had become transparent. There was no colour, just a pale, translucent blob.

"You are lying." Malfoy shouted, coming towards Percy.

Percy drew himself to his full height. "I'm not in the habit of lying"

Malfoy looked at him with frantic eyes, then his mouth trembled. "It's a joke, isn't it Sir?" There was a wild hope in his eyes.

Percy looked at them for support. "I'd not joke about such a thing."

"Of course," Malfoy said, "your brothers have asked you to bait me." He turned towards George. "It is just one of your jokes, isn't it, young master? Just something to teach me a lesson."

George looked uncomfortable. Malfoy was looking at him with haunted eyes. "Just a joke," Malfoy said. "It is really very funny. Seriously." He caught his stomach and let out a bark of laughter. "Ha Ha Ha." It was like shards of glasses being rubbed against one another. "See I am laughing." His mouth crumbled. "But do say it's a joke.....please."

"Its no joke Malfoy," Percy said gravely. "I saw their bodies."

"I DON'T BELIEVE YOU." Malfoy let out a savage cry. "YOUR FATHER PROMISED ME. HE PROMISED ME!"

The next moment, he flew out of the room. The others looked at each other uncertainly before rushing out after him.

10.2

"….not true, not true." Malfoy's voice, sounding like an out of tune street-piano, reached Harry's ears, even before they all entered the room, en masse.

Arthur Weasley was sitting on one of the sofas. Malfoy was kneeling before him. Molly Weasley sat next to her husband, her eyes worried. Fleur and Charlie were a standing a few steps away.

"My Lord, say this is not true, not true." Malfoy repeated as they filed inside the room.

Arthur Weasley, looked as tired as Percy. He removed his spectacles and rubbed them, in a mechanical way. He looked at his wife before looking at the boy looking at him with such wretched desperation. "I am sorry…."

"NO." Malfoy scrambled back, shaking his head so vehemently that there was just a blur of silver. "Not true. You," he made a vague gesture with his trembling arm, encompassing them all, "you all are joking. Perhaps you all are angry with me for something and…."

"Tell me Sir," he scrambled back towards Arthur, "what did I do wrong? Why are you all punishing me like this?" He swallowed, the sound of it thick. "I'll take any punishment you mete out to me. Just tell me what to do. But don't punish me like this."

"Of course, I must have done something wrong." He continued wildly after a moment of silence, as they looked at each other aghast. "I deserve to me punished. What do you want me to do? Please tell me, tell me." Hysterically, he thumped his head against the floor in front of Arthur Weasley.

"Stop it Malfoy," Arthur Weasley, reached out and pulled Malfoy up, even as Harry's head became full of the thumping sound: thump, thump, thump…

"Is it that Sir," Malfoy's eyes were insane, there was a lump on his forehead, "that you want me to teach a lesson? Put me in a room with a werewolf, Sir. I'll not say anything. Not one word will you hear from me." He snapped back is lips in what was supposedly a smile. It was a feral snarl.

"Will somebody ask him to stop it?" Molly cried out wretchedly and Fleur moved towards her and squeezed her shoulder. Molly put her hand on that of Fleur's and held on.

Malfoy scrambled towards them. "You can spit on me, Ma'am. Spit on me. Here." In a violent movement, he thrust out his left arm and tore away his sleeve. "See the Dark Mark. I took it." He scratched at it. "If you want you cut my arm but do say, do say that this is all a horrible joke. Father, Mother, they…"

"Stop it Malfoy," Percy cried out wretchedly as he moved forward and pulled Malfoy up from the ground. "Your parents are dead. Lucius was able to break free from his prison. He went to your mother's cell and…"

"NO!" Malfoy put his hands on his ears. "You are just torturing me. But why? I am ready to be punished." His mouth took on uncertain shapes before he pulled himself and moved towards Hermione. "Perhaps all this is just to entertain you. I don't know. If you want, you can turn me into a ferret, cage me for life if you want to. You can have fun at my expense whenever you want to. I'll be your elf, whatever."

Hermione put her face in Ron's shoulder, her shoulders shaking slightly. Ron held her tightly. "You Sir, perhaps you are angry with me, you can scald my face. Here," Malfoy thrust his face near Ron's, "they say my face is deformed. They say I am an Albino with a pointed chin. Even if you scald it, it's not going to make a difference."

"Go away Malfoy," Ron shouted wretchedly.

Malfoy stood uncertainly for a moment, tears coursing down his cheeks. He wiped them off with his sleeve. It left dirty streaks. He moved towards George and Lee. "Perhaps you are angry because another thing is missing. Yes, I stole it. I admit it. Brand it on my forehead," he rubbed a hand across his forehead, "but please …"

"Enough Malfoy," Bill shouted. "Stop this at once. We didn't kill your parents."

Malfoy seemed not to have heard him. And Harry realised to his horror that he was now standing in front of him. There was snot coming out of his nose. "Master Conqueror. Perhaps it is you. You can crucio me." He rubbed a hand across his running nose. "Or even…even… sectumsempra."

Harry recoiled. The image of Malfoy lying in his own blood was not the one that he wanted to appear before him ever.

"There is nobody who will come now." Malfoy continued in that broken voice. "He was lying in the shack. And they said he was a traitor…."

"STOP THIS AT ONCE MALFOY." Percy shouted, seemingly at the end of his tether. He pulled Malfoy to face him. "I saw their bodies…."

"BUT HOW CAN IT BE?" Malfoy shouted too. "MY LORD PROMISED ME THAT MY FATHER WILL NOT GET THE KISS." He suddenly whirled towards Arthur Weasley. "That was our understanding, wasn't it? I was to obey each and every order. I had to stay in this house, serve you all…"

Harry suddenly found the atmosphere suffocating. He could hardly breathe.

"What are you talking about Malfoy?" Charlie turned towards Malfoy, his eyes darting from Malfoy to his father. "What understanding?"

Malfoy wiped his tears with his sleeve. The tears, the snot, the dirty streaks, everything mingled on his face. His lashes were clamped together. "He said my father will not get the Kiss as long as I was able to stay in this house…"

"What is this Dad?" Percy looked questioningly at his father. "What is he talking about?"

Arthur Weasley seemed to have aged a lot in these past few moments. He sank down further in his seat.

"It is all because of Fred's death." Molly cried out wretchedly. She put a hand on her husband's shoulder. "His aunt killed my Fred. I can never forgive his family, never." Tears were falling from her eyes.

"Mum please don't cry," Ginny said as she went and hugged her mother from the back. She looked small but determined. Fleur squeezed Molly's shoulder once again before moving towards Bill.

"Will somebody please tell me what's going on over here?" Ron's voice was bewildered.

"Dad, I think you owe us an explanation." Percy stated.

"He doesn't owe you anything, and you should mind your tone," Molly began but Arthur stood up and gestured her to be quiet. "No Molly, I think they do." Turning around, he squeezed her shoulder while thumping his daughter's back with his other hand. "Why don't we all sit down?" He said, addressing the others.

He put both his hands on Molly's shoulders and gave them a reassuring squeeze before settling down next to her. Ginny settled on the arm-rest, and the rest too after looking at each other uncertainly settled down on the various chairs and sofas. Only Malfoy remained standing, his eyes fixed on Arthur Weasley. As all eyes turned towards him, he sat down abruptly on the floor, in a lotus position. Charlie started to say something but then glanced towards his father and stopped.

Arthur Weasley took a deep breath, then began. "It is very simple. The Malfoys have always been an evil family. In the last war, Lucius Malfoy supported Voldemort yet he pretended to be under Imperious and got away scott-free. This time, he wasn't so lucky." He gave a wry grin. "His son was hardly better. The same Pureblood snobbery, the arrogance of wealth and privileges. Ron told me of how he used to behave. Abusing Hermione and the others, gloating at Cedric Diggory's death, being a member of the Inquisitorial Squad."

Harry stole a look at Malfoy. His eyes were two grey points on a pasty face, Every other colour seemed to have been wiped off his face. He was staring bewilderedly at Mr. Weasley.

"And then you know what he did." Mr. Weasley continued after a pause. "Letting the Death Eaters and Greybeck into the school. You see your brother's face, don't you? Ron almost died because of the poisoned wine. Had Harry not been there and shoved that beozar in his throat, do you think he'd have survived?" He looked at all of them agitatedly. "My youngest son, your youngest brother would have been dead. And despite this, Percy you ask me for an explanation."

Percy looked extremely discomfited. He shuffled a little and scrubbed his shoes on the floor.

"Well, there's not much to say." Mr. Weasley continued after a pause. "I thought the boy needed to learn a lesson about humility, about duties, about poverty; about knowing what it is to suffer hardships and ridicule. I told him that if he wanted his father not to get the Kiss, he should serve us."

There was an audible gasp.

Mr. Weasley looked at them. "You might call it an abuse of power. I don't really care." His voice turned ugly. "He is a murderer. He tried to kill Ron and Katie and then got Dumbledore killed."

"My Fred." Mrs. Weasley wailed. "He was worth a thousand Malfoy but this piece of garbage survived while he got killed. Why? Oh Why?" She suddenly struck her chest with her palms. "Oh Fred, I…"

"Mum please." Ginny caught hold of her hands. "Please don't do this." She put her arms round her mother and held on to her tightly. Her eyes were brimming with tears. "I don't care what dad did. I love you both."

"But Mr. Weasley," Hermione began but it was Charlie who burst out explosively: "HOW COULD YOU DAD? HOW COULD YOU?"

Mr. Weasley turned to his second son who looked furious. "I simply don't understand you Charlie. Do you think Azkaban would have been better for him? He wouldn't have lasted even a few hours amongst those Dementors."

"True," George remarked. "His greatest fear is that he will get the Kiss."

A bell rang within Harry's head. Something was simply not right.

"You were not serious about offering him a fresh start on that day." Charlie spoke in an accusing voice, completely disregarding George's remark.

"Actually I was." Mr. Weasley spoke calmly. The agitation that he had been displaying a few minutes earlier had all but disappeared. And why not, Harry thought wryly, the list of crimes of the Malfoys was long. "As the Deputy Minister I've certain rights and Draco Malfoy's case is directly under my purview. If I want to, I can set him free too. The day you talk about Charlie, I'd have set him free, helped him in his new life even. But…"

"Dad you knew he was never going to accept that deal!" Charlie shouted. He shook his head and turned towards his elder brother. "Bill you remember we had this discussion. I said I couldn't believe how a man can live without any kind of self-respect and you said that Malfoys have always been like that. Now you see. How could this wretched creature have agreed to walk out of the house? Deputy Minister Weasley would have set the Dementors on his father."

"And what did his father do?" Arthur Weasley roared. "Do you see your sister or not?" He pulled Ginny to his side. "Do you see her or not? He used her, gave her that damn horcrux in order to humiliate me and strengthen his own position in the Ministry." He choked for a minute. "She'd have died. My baby would have died and you…"

"Dad please don't." Ginny sobbed. She threw her arms round her father's neck.

There was silence save for Ginny's wretched sobs and Arthur's agitated breathing. Harry looked at Malfoy. The Slytherin was looking down, his hair hiding his face. They had grown long, like his father's. Something clicked in Harry's mind.

"It was his father getting the Kiss that he feared the most."

Everybody looked at him. Harry jumped up from his seat. "His greatest fear, you see…"

Lee whistled, his eyes widening in sudden realisation. "Ah! The Dementor was kissing his father."

"What is all this about Dementors?" Bill asked and the others filed in.

Harry looked at Malfoy, the boy's face was still not visible. Was he even aware of what was happening round him? So this is what had kept Malfoy over here, suffering all the abuse. Harry felt as though an icy hand was twisting his insides. He had felt contemptuous of Malfoy, had thought him a disgusting coward, a spittle-licker ready to toad to anybody while all the time the boy was merely trying to save his father from a fate worse than death.

"Well," Arthur Weasley's voice cut through his reverie. Apparently now all had heard about the Boo-You-Hoo and the Dementor. "I did keep my promise. I didn't let them give the Kiss to Malfoy. But that bastard was always too clever. I don't know how he managed to get out of his cell today. He also managed to reach his wife. They have had an easy way out."

"Dad," Bill began a little hesitantly, "I can understand your point of view but don't you think it was a little harsh on the boy."

"A little!!!" Charlie snorted derisively. "Placing a sword on his head is not a little harsh measure. One step taken wrong, one squeak of protest, one wish not followed immediately, means he is out on the street and his dad is going to get the Kiss."

"And what did daddy dearest do?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"Dad," Charlie said bitterly, "do you think right now there is any difference between you and Lucius Malfoy?"

There was a collective gasp of shock and outrage.

Many voices spoke at once but it was Molly Weasley's action that made them all silent.

THACK!

The slap resounded in the room and everybody looked on horrified as Charlie's cheek turned red.

"Damn you Charles! How dare you insult your father like this?" Molly was shaking in agitation. "The Malfoys, fathers, sons all have caused so much grief. I almost lost two of my children and had one disfigured." She took hold of his robes and shook him. "What do you know of the pain that parents go thru when they lose a child?

"Molly," Arthur Weasley shouted and caught hold of her hand before she could strike Charlie once again. "Control yourself."

"Control!" His wife shouted, pushing Charlie away violently. "Our children think that they can simply insult us. Arthur, you and I have never even taken a decent holiday. We never spent money on ourselves because we wanted to fulfill the wishes of our children and they…" Shaking convulsively, she put her face in his chest, unable to go on.

"Please Mum," George said as he along with Ron, Bill, Fleur, Ginny moved towards their parents. Ron had pulled Hermione also along with him. Only Charlie stood as though in a shock, his right cheek still red with the impact of the slap. Lee looked at Harry wryly, his eyes questioning but Harry sat transfixed on his chair. After a moment's hesitation, Lee walked out of the room. He reentered some moments later with a tray holding glasses with some rose-coloured drink. Meanwhile, the children had made their parents sit on the sofa. All of them were holding onto them. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny along with Hermione and George were sniffing quietly. Some of them accepted the drink.

"Mum, I don't think Charlie," Percy began tentatively but Bill gestured him to be silent.

"I am going to put an end to this." Mr. Weasley remarked. He looked at the boy sitting on the floor. "Malfoy that offer still stands. I'll help you in every way to start anew. Now there's nothing to stop you from accepting the offer. And," he continued, glancing at Charles who stood rooted on the spot still, "I'll let Charlie decide what all you need to begin a fresh chapter in your life."

"That's a very handsome offer dad," Ron said. "What do you say Charlie?"

But it wasn't Charlie who spoke.

10.3

"Can I see their bodies?" Malfoy's voice was sharp and brittle as though there were shards of glass in his throat.

Percy, to whom the question had been addressed looked uncomfortable. Malfoy, in one fluid movement was standing in front of him. "They were given a burial by water."

"Their bodies were dumped in the sea." Malfoy said, the voice still sharp. Harry thought he could see a red line of blood running thru his throat.

"I am sor…" Percy began and then stopped abruptly because Malfoy had kept his palm on his mouth.

"Please don't say something you do not mean." Malfoy said, removing his palm. "You are not sorry. None of you is."

He looked at all of them once more then shrugged his shoulders. "Ma'am the robe that I am wearing is mine own." He said, looking at Molly. "I am not carrying anything in my pockets. If you want you can search me." He continued, turning his gaze towards Lee and George who flushed and looked away.

"Oh I am sorry I forgot, I have this." He put his hand in his pocket and then moved towards Arthur. He bent down and placed something at the latter's feet. Harry craned his neck and looked. It was a galleon.

"What?" Arthur looked perplexed, his eyes moving from the coin to Malfoy's face.

"I told him not to give it to me." Malfoy's voice was no longer sharp. It had faded as though the blood had clogged his throat. "But he insisted. Said he wasn't in the habit of taking anything free."

"What are you talking about Malfoy?" Charlie asked, his voice high.

"My services." Malfoy looked tired and exhausted. He was blurring before Harry. Harry removed his glasses and rubbed them. "I am sorry was I supposed to charge for them?"

"What is this?" Mr. Weasley questioned. "What services? What charges?" He looked at them all. "Does anybody know what he is talking about?"

"Do you mean somebody paid you a tip for serving food etc?" Hermione asked, timorously.

There was a short bark of laughter. It took a minute for Harry to realise that it emanated from him.

"Harry are you alright?" Ginny said, moving towards him. She stopped short. "Harry you are crying!"

Oh! That's why Malfoy was blurring before his eyes.

"Harry dear," Molly Weasley jumped and came towards him.

"She asked me whether her son was alright." Harry exclaimed.

"Who…who are you talking about?"

"Mothers." Harry said wildly.

The next moment he was smothered into a big hug as Molly Weasley held him close. Harry thought about the moment when he had seen Cedric's lifeless eyes. At that time, Molly had been an anchor. She had held on to his shuddering form and he had felt so secure. Today why did it feel so suffocating?

"Perhaps it's time we all retired." He heard someone say. "It has been a long and tiring day."

"Malfoy where are you going?" Another voice made him pry himself from Molly's arms and look up.

"Why should I stay over here?" This was definitely Malfoy's voice, confused. It scarred Harry's insides. He put back his glasses.

"Father and mother," Malfoy choked. He made some vague gestures. "They are gone. I must go too."

"But…" Charlie looked nonplussed.

"Oh you think I've stolen something." Malfoy said. "I have not. I swear. But, of course you can search me."

"Damn it Malfoy," Charlie said. "That's not what I…"

"Ohhh," Malfoy said. "You think I've more galleons. No. That was the only one. I've been honest about it. I had no idea that you wanted me to charge them." His voice was dead. "Believe me."

"What the hell are you talking about Malfoy?" Charlie demanded, shaking the boy in front of him. "What charges? What service?"

"My body. They …."

Charlie let go off Malfoy as though he had been slapped once again. His face was shocked.

"WHAT?" Arthur Weasley shouted, rising from his seat. "WHAT DID YOU SAY?"

Malfoy looked at him. Harry was reminded of Cedric's eyes.

"BOY! HOW DARE YOU LIE…?"

"He is telling the truth." Harry's voice filled the room.

"Are you trying to tell me," 's voice quavered as he looked from Malfoy to Harry and back again, "that somebody abused…"

"YES." Harry's voice was like a shot.

Every eye, horrified, looked at him.

"Yes, he was. Repeatedly" Harry continued.

There were gasps and short screams of protest.

"Harry! Mate what are you saying?" Ron's voice was shocked.

"Why?" Arthur Weasley wailed. "Why didn't anybody…? He took a few shuddering breaths then looked at Malfoy. "You thought such a thing had my approval." It wasn't really a question.

Malfoy looked at him. His eyes grey and cold. Dead.

"And you Harry, you too?" Arthur Weasley's voice died in his throat. He collapsed back on his seat and put his head in his hands. His shoulders shook.

"Don't Dear," Molly Weasley, her voice and face wet with tears, left Harry and went up to her husband. "Leave us alone," she said cradling her husband in her arms.

"Tell me their names." Percy said, moving towards Malfoy. "I'll see to it that they are punished for this heinous crime."

"How does it matter?" Malfoy asked, his voice hollow. "My parents would still be dead."

"But don't you want them punished for their crimes?" Percy asked, perplexed.

"Crime!" Malfoy laughed. A hollow sound that struck the walls and filled Harry's ears. "Wouldn't people call it," his gaze moved over them all, "Justice?"

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A/N: Thanks to Lokifan, padsy, Belhaven on Tap, excessivelyperky, realistjoker, the Light Shadow, Saphirefox-irl, darkshadowarchfiend, I.h.o.o.q, flyingdaggrs, gladiz, gluegirl, Uk3-obeys-seme, Kimi 1313 and Cat for their reviews.

Do tell me what you think of this chapter.

To my Anonymous Reviewers.

darkshadowarchfiend: Glad that you are so involved with the story. Thanks.

Kimi1313: Thanks for your review. Well the Weasleys have their reasons too. But yes the dividing line between justice and revenge can get blurred at times. And yes, I love reviews, the longer the better.

Cat: Thank you so much for an interesting review. Following your suggestion, I kind of pointed out everybody's position etc. in this chapter. Hopefully there was less of confusion. As for the Weasleys, I have tried to present their views too but perhaps haven't been very successful. Anyways do keep on reading and reviewing. It's always great to hear from the readers.