Title: Finding a Family
Author: Crimson Rosary
Summary: All is good after Voldemort's demise, but then comes Harry's magical and creature inheritance. Now he has to do what in order to accomplish what?! Manipulative!Dumbledore, Molly, Ron, Ginny Bashing!
Pairing: HPxHarem
Rating: M
Author's Note: This is my first HPxHarem story! Please leave comments whenever possible – please be specific about where in the chapter you felt a certain place or didn't understand something! It would be really helpful! Also, if you don't like HPxHarem, click the little back button in your browser or click the red X at the corner! Thanks! (:
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Harry Potter; all those belong to J.K. Rowling.
'Thoughts'
{Parseltongue}
[Telepathy]
Chapter 12
~ The Guardians ~
"My dear, it seems that what Severus has told us is true. Lord Potter-Black has asked for to court our daughter. And Daphne has confirmed it." Lord Jeremiah Greengrass informed his wife.
"What has he written us?" Lady Freya Greengrass inquired.
"It is the usual formal negotiation." Jeremiah said. "It seems that he will be pursuing our daughter with the end result being an engagement between the two parties. The terms are all laid out with the prior Lord Sirius Black as his witness to the contract. They have sent it to us so we can sign it ourselves as well as having a significant individual bear witness to our signing. There are no consequences should the courting duration end early or should Daphne decline being betrothed. He has also asked for our presence during the Easter holidays. There is something he wishes for us to know."
"Very well; we shall agree to meeting with Lord Potter-Black." Freya reached for it and read over the conditions and smiled, "Everything is to the benefit of our daughter, yet it also protects Lord Potter-Black. Very well. Shall we sign?"
The two did so and made a copy of the scroll before sending the original back to the Gryffindor.
…..
When a Ministry owl arrived, one each, for the victim, savior and the witnesses to the near-rape scene, Harry scowled. His magic had erupted from him in the form of a heavy and oppressing aura. The trial for Ron Weasley, Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe had been pushed back to their Easter holidays, for fear of "distracting the three gentlemen from their studies." Harry had to scoff at that; none of them really studied – all they did was eat and sleep.
The students struggled to breathe and only when Hermione gripped his sleeve in a near death grip, did Harry realize what his anger entailed. With a deep breathe, the Great Hall occupants could practically imagine the sounds of a vacuum sucking in all the magic before bottling it up inside the Gryffindor.
No matter. When the trial was over, they'd all be punished. Harry purred at the thought of keeping his mates safe from any potential danger. If their punishment wasn't well thought out, he'd serve them the correct one.
…..
Harry was walking around the school when he heard some sniffling. Turning his head this way and that, he followed the noise until he arrived at a broom closet. With a pulse of his sensor, the elf felt the spells placed upon the door. Yet, it was a bit strange that he could hear past the silence charm that was spelled on the door.
Tapping the wards with a finger, he felt them fall apart until there was none left.
Opening the door, he spied the familiar platinum blond hair of the fifth year Ravenclaw that Harry had realized, he hadn't been seeing for awhile.
"Luna, are you okay? What happened?"
"I'm fine. I had just left Neville to his classes and I was thinking about heading to the library for my free period, but then someone pushed me from behind." The girl looked up with tears in her eyes, but her face had a small smile on it. "My shoes are missing though. I figured I'd wait in here until the Nargles decide to return them. It's all right though; I usually find them near the end of the year."
"Oh my little moonbeam," Harry frowned, pulling the girl up on her feet. His eyes drifted onto the floor in search of something. "The Nargles took your wand too?"
"Oh yes. They're quite mischievous when they wish." Luna answered wistfully, as the Gryffindor spelled her clothes clean. The Ravenclaw patted her clothes down. "It's all right though. They're just trying for attention. However, I don't think they realize they're going for the negative kind."
Harry frowned. The bullying was happening again and yet again, he had not stopped it in time! He was furious and his elven blood pulsed in his veins, the creature out to get blood.
"Do you know where the Nargles are?"
"They're probably floating around in the classrooms right about now. But don't worry, Harry. They're just influencing the older Ravenclaws to do their bidding. After all, they be a bit persuasive when it comes to dealing with the girls who've fallen for you."
"The same girls as last year?"
"Oh yes. The Nargles are quite vicious and persistent."
Harry growled and eyed the bruises littered over Luna's skin. It seems that his elven inheritance allowed for him to see through glamours and the like – something quite useful when dealing with strangers – but it was more important when seeing the things that Luna was fruitlessly trying to hide.
Her skin was had spots in black and blue, and some were a bit yellowish on the side – possibly bruises that had occurred just about a week ago. It was so frequent that there was barely a spot that Harry could find without a patch of skin that was roughed up. Harry sighed. What was he doing? He had left his friends in pursuit of his mates and now, look what happened! Luna was hurt!
"Come on, little moonbeam. Let's head to the infirmary. Madam Pomfrey will fix you right up."
The elf picked up the ransacked bag that was lying on the floor beside Luna and held the young Ravenclaw's hand as they walked towards the infirmary. Just then, the bell rang and the students poured out.
On the way there, Harry saw the Ravenclaws that Luna were referring to and he snarled at Cho and her gang of friends. The same damned annoyances that had made Hermione cry when they returned to school. With his eyes promising threats, he smirked and turned away, relishing in the fear that oozed from their bodies.
At the infirmary, Luna was whisked away to the bed that both Madam Pomfrey and Harry had insisted was saved just for him. "The mattress is a bit comfier than the others. Plus the covers are a lot warmer." Harry argued, even after the mediwitch had walked away, rolling her eyes at the Gryffindor's claims.
"You don't have to stay here Harry. I'm sure Hermione and Susan are looking for you. Don't you have a study session to attend?"
"Those are not as important as making sure you're safe and okay." Harry declared. His green eyes roamed the Ravenclaw's body, barely noticing the blush Luna sported.
"Harry. . . could you – could you turn away? I'm not decent." Luna whispered embarrassingly.
"Wha – Oh." The elf's mind finally supplied his sight with what was actually there. More than the bruises itself, the school uniform that Luna was wearing was a bit ripped up in certain places, holes in others and tears on the rest of the fabric. Buttons were falling off and her blue and bronze tie was missing from around her neck. The Ravenclaw must have been scratched up and pushed around before being shoved into the broom closet for who knows how long she had been there.
"Sorry," He swiftly turned his head, feeling his cheeks warm. "H-How about I go look for an extra robe for you?"
"Y-Yes. . . please and thank you."
Harry nodded his head curtly and left the infirmary, bumping into Susan, Daphne and Hermione when the trio had come looking for him. They had followed the news of the gossip and rumors surrounding the Boy-Who-Lived, whom had marched through the throngs of the students, leading a young Ravenclaw to the infirmary.
"What happened?"
"Luna was bullied," Harry spat, his green eyes ablaze with fury. "I'm going to get her a spare uniform."
"And then?" Daphne asked, her face as cool as her expression was.
"And then, I'm going to gut those wretches who dare harm my Luna." Harry snarled, stomping off to Ravenclaw Tower with his three mates in tow.
"How are you going to get in? You need a Ravenclaw to enter the Common Room."
"Hah," Harry sniffed. "All you need is to answer the riddle. And if the portrait still refuses to allow me entrance, I'm going to invoke my right as both Lord Gryffindor and Lord Slytherin. As half the owner to Hogwarts, I should be able to enter without any problems."
The warpath Harry dug out left students back up against the wall in an attempt to hide themselves away from the Gryffindor's ire. They all had known how volatile Harry's anger was when it came to protecting his friends, and to find that the path was leading the Twice-Defeater-of-Voldemort to the Ravenclaw Tower – well, someone must have done something horrible to that Lovegood girl that was always around the Gryffindor.
Standing before a door, Harry used the bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle and awaited the riddle.
"How many seconds are there in a year?" The eagle asked.
"12 of them: The 2nd of every month." Harry answered immediately.
"You may enter." The door opened and the Gryffindor stomped in.
"Where is Luna Lovegood's dormitory?" Harry barked out, green eyes scanning the fearful expressions on the Ravenclaws' faces.
"What are you doing here, Harry?" Goldstein asked. He was surprised to see the arrival of their old DA leader. Then again, now was a perfect time to ask about the revival of the DA. Perhaps he would be willing to restart it?
"I need an extra uniform for Luna. I found her crying in a broom closet devoid of all her possessions bar a ripped up uniform. I thought prefects were supposed to keep an eye on any bullying within their houses."
Padma Patil walked up, "Goldstein and I didn't see any bullying happening. And if it did, it would have occurred away from our eyes. I apologize that you found Luna in such a state, but I can assure you that we'll keep a sharper eye out."
"See that you do," Harry growled, his voice deepening a few octaves. He waited for Padma to run to the Girls' Dormitories to retrieve Luna's things and in the mean time, Goldstein walked up to him.
"Will you be restarting the DA this year?" The Ravenclaw prefect asked.
"I'm not sure. I didn't really plan on it from the start. It was only a way to get back at Umbridge. But knowing that those who have been members of the DA had received O's for their DADA O.W.L.s, perhaps I'll start it up for our seventh year DA N.E.W.T.s." Harry replied, addressing the issue.
"You can also incorporate other subjects into the curriculum," Hermione added. "It would help very much if we had a repertoire of spells if, in any case, we end up needing them."
"If we do potions though, we might need a professor to overlook our class. Potions aren't just for brewing and healing you know. You can use potions in battle as well." Daphne said, her entry into the conversation invoking several startled looks once the Ravenclaws realized that a Slytherin was in their Common Room.
"We can just invite all the professors to teach us a few things. We can use extra tutoring lessons as a pretense for their inclusion in the club. After all, not everyone goes to the professors for help. This would be a great way to facilitate and grow the student-teacher relationship within Hogwarts." Susan interjected, bringing some of the attention away from Daphne and centering it around her.
Harry hummed, ideas already forming. "If you really wish to restart the DA – I think the latest would be after the Easter holiday. We can have a few sessions before our end-of-year exams and then continue on until next year for those who have yet to graduate."
"So when will the sign-up start?" Padma asked, coming down the spiral staircase. Slung over her shoulder was a shrunken suitcase – Luna's suitcase – and after handing it over, the Ravenclaw prefect explained that she had charmed it when an undetectable expansion charm as well as a featherlight charm.
"Look, I'm not sure I'm going to be the one leading the club this year. After all – I've previously said that we only started it to get back at Umbridge." Harry announced, already seeing the interest sparking in the Ravenclaws' eyes. "If you really wish for the DA club to restart, you should ask the Professor McGonagall, as she is the Deputy Headmistress until the Headmaster has been decided. But I have more important things to tend to."
"Then we'll do that," Goldstein announced, and by the time Harry, Hermione, Susan and Daphne left, the Ravenclaws had already filled up half the sheet to petition for the restart of the club.
…..
Luna giggled when she heard the news, tugging on her new uniform before closed drapes. "I'm not surprised actually. The tinkling replingers have been floating around several students' heads. I'm sure they were fostering the idea of restarting the DA. After all, hadn't we all received O's?"
Harry sighed, hearing the rustling fabric behind the flimsy division. Though he was ecstatic to hear Luna laughing, he didn't understand why she believed that the DA would continue to run.
The other girls had returned to their classes, promising to take notes down for Harry, for the boy had declared he would stick by Luna's side until she left the infirmary. Of course, they thought nothing of his protective gestures – he had done the same for them whenever they had gotten hurt or had fallen into trouble. Neville had come in just as the girls had left. He apologized to Luna profusely, believing that it was his fault for not escorting her to the library before leaving for his classes.
Luna easily waved off his apology, saying that she had nothing to forgive when it wasn't his fault in the first place. And when that was settled, Neville smiled once more before apologizing and running off to his next class.
"With Voldemort gone, there really is no need to fight, to defend. But it is good to have some skills and abilities to back you up in case of an emergency. Plus, I feel like it would be a good crop this year."
"Already starting to think like a professor, Mr. Potter? Are you sure you're not going to try becoming a teacher?"
Harry laughed, and watched as Luna pulled the divider apart, attempting to pull her socks up, but having a hard time since her abdomen was hurting.
"Here, let me." Harry offered, taking the socks from Luna's hand and pulling them up her slim calves, stopping at the base of her knees. "Is this all right?"
"Thank you," Luna replied breathlessly.
"You're welcome." Harry smiled, nodding his head in approval after he had helped Luna wear her last sock. He knelt down on one knee and proceeded to slip her loafers onto her feet.
"You know, this looks more and more like a scene from Cinderella." Luna blushed shyly, curling a lock of her platinum blond hair between her fingers.
Harry blinked. "I didn't think you knew about Cinderella. Does the Wizarding World read muggle fairytales?"
Luna laughed once more, her giggles sounding just shy of ringing wind chimes. "No, no. Cinderella is not a muggle fairytale; it is a Fae's myth; then again, aren't all myths just stories passed down from generation to generation?"
"I. . . I didn't know Cinderella was a Fae's myth." Harry said.
Luna smiled, "Wherever did you think her fairy godmother came from? Really Harry, a fairy godmother?"
"Well. . . that sounds like it makes sense."
"And Sleeping Beauty – the faeries that protected Aurora?"
"Very well. I concede. You have made your point." The elf smiled.
Madam Pomfrey came over just then and handed Luna a glass vial. "Drink up, let me check you and you can head to dinner. I'm sure your friends were quite worried about you." She pointedly sent a look at Harry and the boy nodded his head, excusing himself to wait outside of the infirmary.
"You should have seen Mr. Potter. I don't think I've ever seen him as frantic as that – coming into the infirmary with angry, but worried eyes. The doors had burst open with the massive fluctuation in his magic." The mediwitch laughed, flicking her wand to get a diagnostic on the Ravenclaw.
"Really? But I'm just his friend. A fifth year Ravenclaw." Luna said, waiting patiently.
The mediwitch smiled a knowing smile, "Then you have much to learn."
Dismissing the Ravenclaw, Luna met up with Harry and the two walked down towards the Great Hall.
"What did Madam Pomfrey say?"
"She says that I'm doing quite well. I just need some rest, but since it's Friday – I can the extra sleep in tomorrow."
"Good." Harry smiled and once they entered the Great Hall, Harry escorted Luna over to the Ravenclaw table, helping her into her seat besides Padma and leaving.
"You should have seen it, Luna." Padma smiled gently. "Harry was about to wallop the bullies that left you in the broom closet."
Luna looked down, feeling quite warm at her statement. "He didn't need to," She tried halfheartedly.
"Oh, but I have no doubt that he would once he gets his hands on them. But no worries, Goldstein and I have got your back. If you need anything, you can come to us."
"Thank you," Luna smiled, turning around to catch a glimpse of her savior, her friend.
…..
When April 7th came, the Easter holidays arrived. It had been a month since finding Luna in the broom closet and Harry had not let his little moonbeam out of sight. The elf had escorted her to her classes, carried her books and bag, walked her to their meals and even kept an eye out for her whenever she would stray away from his sight. When she would return to the Ravenclaw Tower for the night, Harry made sure that the wards, spells and charms that he had placed around her bed – with the help of Hogwarts – would stick, stay and protect her.
So far, it was great. Though he still hung around Hermione, Susan and Daphne, Luna was always by his side. Plus, whenever he could, Harry would practice with his Quidditch teammates as they paved the way towards the Quidditch House Cup. He even made time to spend with Neville – and while the Longbottom scion did not mind the Ravenclaw's presence during his and Harry's 'guy time', the sixth year Gryffindor did wonder how far Harry's protectiveness would go.
Luna, however, adored the attention she was given. And while she hated to say it, the Ravenclaw was thankful that Harry was around her. No one pranked her anymore; nobody messed around with her things or stole them for that matter. No one would dare come within a ten feet diameter of her – unless they were either hers or Harry's or any of their group's friends. And Luna didn't mind – not at all. After all, if anyone tried to harm her, they would have to go through a ferocious elf to do so.
Sure she still had to listen to the whispers and backlash that came with garnering the Boy-Who-Lived's attention, but those were only when she returned to the Ravenclaw Tower and was in the presence of the elder Ravenclaws. During classes, her year mates were more focused on their work itself, so there weren't any problems there.
It was oh, so perfect!
Luna felt so safe, so protected, so warm. She smiled every time Harry would look at her and call her his "little moonbeam". The pet name was so endearing, it soon caught on with Hermione, Susan, Neville and even Daphne, whenever the Slytherin was around to hear it.
Of course, Harry would frown whenever the others say it, but Luna would dismiss it as something the person said.
Yet, it was the best feeling Luna had ever felt since stepping foot into Hogwarts as a first year. Harry really did make things better and she would follow him till the ends of Earth, as the muggles had called it.
On the other hand, the days passing by only made Harry more jumpy and nervous than ever. Sure he was anxious whilst he was getting Hermione's parents' permission to date their daughter and eventually be engaged with said daughter, but remembering that entire situation had reminded Harry that he had yet to actually speak with Madam Bones about his relationship with Susan!
And Susan had invited over Hermione and Harry, as well as Daphne, over to Bones Manor for a few days of their Easter holidays! Luna was invited as well, but she said she wished to spend the first few days of vacation with her father before joining them. He was going on a journey to locate some of the magical creatures they saw and believed in.
Harry had no doubt that they might exist. After all, there was something about Luna that made him believe in her – in her words – in the truth of the things that she said. Perhaps it was something in her blood?
"Oh this is going to be a nightmare," Harry bemoaned his lack of preparation. Hermione shared a glance with Susan and the two giggled. Luna, who was walking besides Harry who had an arm wrapped around her waist, only smiled with vacant eyes staring up at the clear blue sky. Neville rolled his eyes, his arm wrapped around Hannah's waist as the couple followed along behind the others.
Thankfully it seemed that their Easter holidays had fallen on a Thursday.
And with a lightheartedness in his steps, something that he had yet to feel in years since entering Hogwarts, Harry boarded the Hogwarts Express after his mates. There was no Dumbledore that year, to guilt him into staying at school.
No Dumbledore anywhere.
…..
"Welcome home, pup." Sirius smiled. Turning to their guests, Sirius and Remus shook Mr. Granger's hand before kissing the back of Mrs. Granger's hand. "And welcome, Daniel and Jessica, to 12 Grimmauld Place. I apologize for the dreary décor, but this is one of the Black Properties in London. Has been in the family for awhile. I thought it would be a good idea to stay in the country."
"Thank you, Sirius." Jessica smiled, though her eyes darted around the house. It was still a bit dusty and the walls were still painted black, but Sirius, Remus and Harry had removed Walburga Black's portrait off the wall and the heads of the past house elves were also gone from the estate.
"We're having Dobby and Winky come and clean up whenever they're free. Of course, we pay them. . ." Sirius hastily added, looking sideways at Hermione.
Said witch laughed at his reaction. "It's all right Sirius," she said, waving away his concern. "Harry told me all about how the magical bond between master and house elf will keep the house elf alive. And without the magic that sustains their bond, the house elf will eventually waste away, or become mentally disturbed. Sort of like Kreacher, when I think about it. Wasn't his master – er. . . Regulus?"
"Yes," Sirius answered, with a sad smile on his face. "Regulus received Kreacher upon his acceptance to Hogwarts. Of course, Kreacher had always been in the Black family – and had always emphasized the pureblood supremacy, what with being given to mother as a part of her betrothal present."
"It make sense now, doesn't it? Kreacher had gotten more out of hand once Walburga died – only a few years after Regulus had passed away." Hermione summarized.
"Enough of that," Remus said, clapping his hands together. "We're spending time together for vacation. It should be a happy affair – none of those somber memories."
"So where shall we begin?" Harry asked.
…..
The court trial was set for the first day of Easter Vacation. Harry didn't know whether or not it was a good thing, but he hoped for the best.
"I now call to trial, Ronald Bilius Weasley, resident at Ottery St. Catchpole, Devon, West Country, for offenses committed against Heiress Daphne Greengrass of the Noble and Ancient House of Greengrass. Interrogators: Amelia Susan Bones, Minister for Magic; Kingsley Shacklebolt, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement; Percy Ignatius Weasley, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister; Court Scribe – Rutherford Dillon the Third Would the accused be seated."
Ron did as he was told, blue eyes looking up warily at the entire courtroom. He didn't have to turn his head to know that many were there because of such a scandalous event.
"Read the accusations."
The court scribe dutifully did so, "Ronald Bilius Weasley is accused of emotional trauma, attempted rape, and battery and assault to the Heiress Greengrass."
"Administer the Veritaserum."
Gale Stone leapt to his feet, "Minister Bones, as the boy is yet of age, he cannot be forced to take the potion."
Ron sagged in his seat. Thankfully the Ministry had appointed him an attorney or else he really would've been in trouble.
"I disagree," Tabetha Wave, the Greengrass family attorney spoke up. "As the defendant has already been charged with thievery and the like in his previous trial, there is no reason that he should not be given Veritaserum. Also, Mr. Stone, your allegations to your defendant's age is false. Mr. Weasley's birthday is March 1st, the same day that he decided to assault Heiress Greengrass. Therefore, he is of age and should be administered the Veritaserum."
There was a pause as the Minister, her Undersecretary and the Head of the DMLE was given evidence to support Wave's statements.
Gale wouldn't show it, but he knew his opponent would go for that. "Of course. I agree with you Ms. Wave." Ron paled in his seat. "However, these documents will prove that, although March 1st is my client's birthday, his time of birth isn't until seven forty-six pm in the evening. Therefore, your evidence is invalid and void."
Wave admitted that Stone won this round, but what was one battle when you could win the war?
"Attorney Stone is correct. The boy will not receive Veritaserum." Minister Bones declared, waving off the employee that stood waiting by.
"Now, let's here your side of the story, Mr. Weasley."
"Thank you, Minister Bones." Ron said. "Well, you see. There I was, walking back to my dormitories, because it was a self-study period for me. Then, out of nowhere, Greengrass accosted me. She pulled me into an alcove and began to –"
Freya and Jeremiah gritted their teeth as they continued to listen to this – this mongrel badmouth and tarnish their daughter's reputation and name. The things he spoke of were outrageous! As if their daughter would lay a finger on that piece of trash!
Tabetha slide a gaze towards her clients and saw their stony face. She looked the other way and saw the Greengrass Heiress frozen still, hands trembling even when the Harry Potter had wrapped his arms around her in comfort. On his face was a snarl and Tabetha knew it was only because of his mates that prevented Harry from breaking the wards around their little section before clawing the boy's eyes out.
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley. Attorney Wave, if you would please."
"Thank you, Minister Bones." Tabetha gathered the notes she'd jotted down as the boy talked and walked over to him.
"I'd like to ask where, during this time, were Mr. Weasley's auror guards. At his last case, the final decision was to allow Mr. Weasley to continue his education with an auror supervision. However, several witnesses found Mr. Weasley unattended for, which allowed for him to put his plan into action."
"I don't know," Ron shrugged his shoulders. "They probably went for a leak or something. I don't keep track of where they are. Aren't they the ones that didn't do their job well? If they were around me, Greengrass wouldn't have even tried to get in my pants." He answered carelessly.
Tabetha paused before answering. "Of course." She could see it. The boy felt empowered, having not taken the Veritaserum. He thought he could bluff his way out of this? Well, he was in for a shock.
"Minister Bones, here are the statements taken from Mr. Weasley's Aurors supervision squad. They stated that Mr. Weasley had rushed away from them as soon as class ended. He had ran around the corner before they were ambushed by him and the other two assailants with stunners. They were only awakened after they arrived in the Infirmary, courtesy of the Charms Professor, Filius Flitwick."
Papers were passed around and soon the interrogation really started. Tabetha shot question after question, even as the Minister gave her own. If they weren't known for being as stoic as the Malfoys, Harry knew his future Greengrass mother and father-in-law would've been grinning vindictively.
Yet, the boy didn't crack. Even if he kept going on and on about how he was traumatized by a girl's attempt to rape him, Ron didn't realize that his stories were lacking any sort of evidence. After all, it was his word against the victim's, and the fact that he did not take the truth serum really didn't favor him in the audience's eyes.
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley." Amelia spoke up. She gathered all the evidence before handing them over to Percy. "Please escort Mr. Weasley to his holding cell. Have a squadron of Aurors posted around him and we will alert you when he is needed."
"There will be a brief intermission." Minister Bones said, and she stood from her seat and left the room.
"That lying scumbag," Harry hissed, glaring daggers at the redheaded boy who walked past them with a smug smile. "He thinks he's won this."
"Don't worry, Daphne." Hermione said, reaching over her fiancé and giving the blonde a firm grip on her shoulder. "He'll rue the day he messed with us."
"Of course," Daphne said stiffly.
When recess ended, the girls were half-full from their little snack and everyone had gathered. Daphne was called up to testify, as she was the victim. Her acceptance to use the truth serum really paved the way through Ron's lies. Following Daphne was Hermione, Susan and then Harry. Of course, everyone paid more attention to him.
"Would you like to use Veritaserum, Lord Potter-Black?"
"Of course." Harry said. "However, I am not sure if it'll be effective due to my elven inheritance. If I may," He was given the vial and he stared at it, gauging the amount before he took a swig.
"Lord Potter!" Minister Bones cried out in shock. "How do you feel?"
"I feel fine, angry in Daphne's behalf." Harry answered in a monotone voice.
"Good, it's working." Amelia breathed a sigh of relief. "Now, if we can hurry this along. I am not sure how long this dosage will work for."
Harry was asked the appropriate questions to assure the audience that the potion was working before they got into the nitty-gritty bits.
"Please relay your encounter of the event."
"I was studying with Hermione and Susan in the library when I smelled blood. I quickly followed the scent and found Daphne on the floor. Her clothes were ripped and Weasley, Crabbe and Goyle were standing all around her chuckling like it was a game. I quickly dispatched them and I went for Weasley because he had reached his hand towards her. Only when the rest of my mates came did I really calm down. But my elven side was not appeased. It wanted revenge for what happened to Daphne, but Daphne was more important so I had to cover her up."
"Is that all?"
"Yes."
Amelia motioned for Ron's attorney to continue. Stone stood up and walked around Harry. "When you say that you found my client along with two others surrounding Heiress Daphne, can you clarify what you mean?"
"The hallway was dimly lit –"
"So you couldn't have seen who the assailants were!"
"No. My creature inheritance gave me better vision than I ever had. Therefore, I knew it was Weasley, Crabbe and Goyle. In addition, their scent was quite obvious and recognizable."
"You admitted that you attacked my client?"
"Yes."
"Then he should be the one suing you. He had done nothing to you, yet you attacked him for no reason."
"What better reason to attack someone than to defend my mate's honor and chastity. He nearly raped her. What would've happened if I hadn't gotten there in time? She would've had that memory stained in her body and would've affected her deeply. She is already in pain now, yet Weasley has denied the truth serum in favor of changing the story in his favor."
"How can you say that you favored your assault with my client because you wished to defend your mate's honor? According to your testimony, he had yet to touch her."
"Her clothes were ripped and while Crabbe and Goyle were holding her arms and legs down, he was reaching for her top." Harry answered. His finger twitched and his eyes began to clear.
"One last question, Attorney Stone." Minister Bones warned.
"You are certain that you saw my client and two others about to rape Heiress Greengrass."
"I am positive."
"No further questions."
"Would you offer to show us your memory of the situation?"
"Of course." Harry agreed, and his memory was retrieved before it was shown to the gallery.
"Please bring in the accused as we discuss the verdict." Minister Bones said. With a wave of her wand, the Wizengamot members disappeared from view, showing blurry vague figures from behind a thick veil.
Harry blinked his eyes and shook his head. He grimaced at the cotton-wool taste in his mouth before he stepped out of the chair and reached for a ready-made glass of water to drink. He walked back over to his mates and resumed his position around Daphne, keeping her calm even as her face was stone cold.
"Don't worry, Daphne." Susan whispered, rubbing her hands up and down the Slytherin's arm. "This is in our favor. There's no way he won't be guilty."
Ron entered the courtroom and was placed at the center, shackles locking him into the chair as he stared forward at the blur. He didn't even acknowledge anyone in the crowd, a stupid smirk on his face.
The tension was high and within twenty minutes, the view of the Wizengamot was cleared.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley, we find you guilty of all charges." Minister Bones said, reaching off of the parchment. "We also find you guilty of assaulting your Auror guards before the attempted rape and as you are now of age, you are sentenced to two years in Azkaban, post haste. You may continue the rest of your education after your compiled sentence if you wish, but your debt with Lord Potter-Black will continue even when you're placed in Azkaban. You are to be given a restraining order as soon as you leave the prison – stay away from Harry and his friends and family; a good 100 meters should suffice. As the verdict stands, your wand will also be snapped and your magic sealed for the duration of your stay in Azkaban, as dictates in your last trial."
"WHAT?!" Ron burst out, angrily standing from his chair. He rattled the chains loudly. "HOW COULD YOU BELIEVE THE SLUT OVER ME?!"
"Silence, Mr. Weasley!" Amelia commanded. Cameras went off in a flurry.
Then there was a crazy gleam in his eyes as Ron fell back down in his seat. "I know what it is…" He muttered quickly and feverishly. "It's because of Potter… Potter…"
Ron's head shot up and his blue eyes glared at the quartet. "IT'S YOUR FAULT POTTER! IF YOU WEREN'T HERE, THEY'D BELIEVE ME! BUT OF COURSE! WHO WOULD DOUBT MR. GOLDEN BOY? THE SAVIOR OF OUR WORLD!" The redhead spat. "YOU RUINED MY LIFE! DO YOU HEAR ME?!"
"TAKE HIM AWAY!" Amelia shouted through the chaos.
"I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS! YOU THINK RAPE IS THE BEST THING I CAN THINK OF?! NO! I'LL GET MY REVENGE! AND YOU'LL REGRET THIS!" Ron shouted, jumping backwards to stare at them even as four Aurors grappled at his flailing limbs. "I'LL COME BACK AND YOU'LL REGRET YOU EVER BETRAYED ME! DO YOU HEAR ME?! YOU'LL –"
The courtroom doors closed loudly behind him, yet the audience could still hear his loud screams from outside.
"Well," Amelia said, smoothing out the wrinkles in her robes. "I think that's the end of the case. Court adjourned."
The gavel knocked three times, signaling the end of the case.
…..
"How are you feeling, my darling?" Freya wrapped her arms around her eldest, absentmindedly petting her hair just the way Daphne liked it when she was little and had been scared of the dark.
"I'm fine mum." Daphne murmured. "I'm glad he got what he deserved."
"Yes, hopefully two years in Azkaban will set him straight."
Hermione shook her head, "I doubt it. If anything, Ron was the most stubborn of the three of us. Not only was he bullheaded, he was also ignorant and an… well – he's an idiot. And besides, after his two-year sentence, he still has to finish his community service without magic."
"It'll be alright, Daph," Susan said. "He can't do anything without magic."
"Let's not allow this to ruin the rest of our vacation, Daphne." Jeremiah spoke up. He patted her on the shoulders and gave her a warm smile. "He does not deserve your attention."
"Yes…" She reached for Harry's hand, and held it with a firm grasp. "However, I can't help but feel that he's gone somewhat off the deep end. He even promised revenge when he got out."
"Not to worry. I will speak with Amelia and with how many strikes he's received, he'll never be out of the Aurors' sights." Her father promised. He'd be damned if he allowed his daughter to get hurt again.
Jeremiah chanced a glance at Harry and smiled. The elf looked like he was about to go on a rampage, his viridian green eyes ablaze with fierce protection for his mates.
"Come, let us return to Grimmauld Place and rest. I think we've had enough for today." Freya suggested.
They walked out of the courtroom, ignoring all the pressing questions from the media before heading over to the floo's. They were soon whisked away, leaving the media to run off to get a jump start on the early morning editions.
…..
A/N: Yep! Finished! Though, I feel like it was a bit rushed :/ Not that happy with it, but happy that I got my main points across. Thanks for reading!