So this is a new story I've had in my harddrive for months... So I guess it's not new... Anyway, I don't own Harry Potter. I do, however, own the characters that are original - Juliana, Josey, the healers, etc (You get the idea). I also own the plot. If you're going to use, get permission from me, please? I'd really appreciate it!

After a quick dinner, I headed to my apartment to change into a nice dress outfit. The trial was only at five, so I had about a half hour to Floo there.

But the Ministry was busy, so leaving my apartment immediately was a good option. I managed to make it through the visitor gates and to the elevator with minutes to spare.

My father was a prominent half-blood. Coming from the descendants of the Black family - centuries back that we were hardly even considered related - this trial was more of an issue to tarnished pureblood families than it truly was to me. I just wanted the man in jail.

The trial started slow. Questions about his age - fifty three - and his occupation before he retired. And then they started to ask for memories from him - which he gave willingly. Memories of my childhood. Memories of abuse, pain, heartache. Memories of a broken man that was too far gone to be helped. Memories of a murderer.

"Do you have a witness that can vouch for you being mentally unstable, Mister Winter?" Dolores Jane Umbridge asked him.

I glanced at the pink clad woman, black robes barely covering the pink suit dress she wore underneath. Honestly?

"My daughter, Juliana," my father stated, glancing at me.

"The Wizgamot calls Juliana Winter to the stand."

Me? I only came to watch... I rose to my feet and slowly made my way down to the middle of the court room. My father sat inches from me, staring at me intently. I refused to look at him.

"Are the allegations against your father," a woman, whose name I didn't know, asked, "due to him being unstable?"

"The allegations against my father are all true, and he deserves to be sent to Azkaban for what he has done to not only myself, but my sister," I started. I had the entire Wizgamot's attention I realized, so I nervously went on. "My father has been neglecting and mistreating my family for twelve years following my mother's death. There were few incidents before her death where he'd get violant as well. I do not think my father is only acting out of a broken heart and grief. I believe that my mother's death brought out a side of him that he kept hidden."

"Do you believe that due to your mother's death, that your father changed."

I thought about it for a moment, but knew I had to tell the truth. Reluctantly, I admitted, "Yes."

There were some looks and I knew, just barely, if they thought my mother's death was a factor, then he'd be sent to therapy.

"Therefore, it is possible."

"My father knew what he was doing when he abused my sister and I," I said simply. "This man sitting before you did not show remorse for any bruise or mark he put on my baby sister's skin. He not once apologized, not once tried to stop, and not once hesitated. This Death Eater before you ignored me for the eight years I was gone from his roof and the next time I hear of him, he is on my doorstep. I do not recollect any one moment when he would back down. You can see in his memories just how gruesome and detailed his escapades were. He spared no thought for age or lasting damage." I could feel my jaw wobble with the need to shed tears, but I swallowed, clamping my mouth shut.

"Very well, I believe what you're trying to say is that your father is a Death Eater, Juliana, and therefore should be punished for that as well?"

That wasn't all I was trying to say, but I nodded anyway. "I do not vouch for this man. I do not care what becomes of him. I do not want him out there for any young girls to be grabbed. He is a heartless man. If he walks free, he will do nothing more than continue what he started with my sister and I. I do not feel safe, and none of the women or children in the world should feel safe either. Please, just picture your children," I pleaded. "Picture them writhing on the floor, trying to find someone to care for them, but no one will come to help. No one. That is what he did to me, but you can't let that happen to your children or your grandchildren."

I knew that it struck a cord, and perhaps I was trying to manipulate them, but I didn't care. Whatever it took. I was called off the stand. I gave my father a single look, full of loathing and disgust, before returning to my seat for the verdict. At nine in the evening, the Wizgamot voted on a decision and I held my breath as I awaited the verdict.

"We sentence Claudius Winter to life in Azkaban, with no chance of parole and may he break any Azkaban statutes, he shall be issued the Dementor's Kiss." A mallet hit the wooden desk and I exhaled. My father would no longer be in my life. Ever again.

Josey was safe now. Safer, anyway.

When I got back to the Burrow, it was quiet and Molly insisted I stay over night, as Josey was quite tired and needed rest before she apparated. I agreed, but we came to the decision I had to leave early in the morning.

Thanks for reading! Next chapter up - Tomorrow! Review, my dearest readers!(:

I'm sorry this is kinda short, too, but it's just a filler...

And thank you to everyone that's reviewed, Favorited, and followed so far! I love you guys!

Lots of love,
Anastasia