00Animefan268, Dueler312, cantante, CaramelBoostAlister Moody, cMEk,Trisken Leigh
newalgebrabuddycuzbiosdone 3, HermioneGrangerTwin, Blue Nariko, and writeforonce are the wonderful reviewers for Chapter 13!!!! Thank-you!
Disclaimer: Why would I steal from my idol?
Chapter Fourteen: Price of Peace
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"All rise for the honorable Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Rufus Scrimgeour, presiding over the case of the Ministry versus Lucius Malfoy."
Honorable is a stretch…Harry thought, rose wearily and silently thanked Merlin that this was the last trial. The last one, but perhaps more interesting then most. Lucius Malfoy, and Narcissa while she was alive, was among the most active of Death Eaters, however he had kept himself and the Malfoy family neatly in the shadows except for the time when Voldemort controlled the Ministry. But records from that period were minimal and shoddy at best. This prosecution was grounded mostly on witnesses, and many of these would be dismissed like always, on the grounds of possible mind tampering or being Confunded.
"We will begin with a statement by the defendant." Scrimgeour announced, glaring at Lucius who stared coolly back while everyone resumed their seats. Harry tried very hard not to sigh as he sat in his temporary chair next to the Chief Warlock.
Lucius Malfoy rose, his haughty glare panning the full court. Even wearing the frayed gray robes of Azkaban, Lucius' contemptuous sneer made the judges closest to him shift uncomfortable.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Lucius drawled, "I am here, prepared to make a bargain."
"Bargain?" Scrimgeour barked, his face reddening with anger, "You would presume that this court will try to reason with prisoners?" One of Lucius' eyebrows rose as his smirk returned.
"Minister…with all due respect," Lucius sneered, "there is a significant probability that I will be set free." Harry leaned forward, surprised at how quickly this trial had really started.
"A possibility." Another judge spat, gripping the banister tightly before being silenced quickly by the overseer. Lucius smirked again and directed his statement at Harry and Scrimgeour, completely ignoring the others because he knew that they were all but powerless in this particular trial.
"My offer is to fully incriminate myself for all the crimes of which I have been accused…all for two simple requests."
The entire court of the Wizengamot hushed and looked to the Chief Warlock. They clearly expected a blistering refusal, however they had not been witness to the storm Scrimgeour went into when Harry calmly informed him that he would not give testimony against Lucius and would in fact speak in Draco's defense. Several objects had been broken before the Minister finally calmed down enough to thunder that all of the witnesses against Lucius had failed some part of their anti-magical mind tampering assessment tests, used to verify that their testimonies were true. Harry was the last resort.
"Minister…if I could be given a moment." Harry murmured quietly. Scrimgeour nodded and sank slightly lower into his chair.
"Your terms?" Harry asked, his low voice carrying through the still stone chamber. Lucius resumed his chair and assumed a position applicable to a business deal. Grey eyes pierced Harry's over Lucius' long fingers and he began.
"The easiest of the two…I want the assurance, in writing, that I will receive any punishment, Azkaban, death, whatever you desire." Lucius chuckled dryly, Harry did not. Malfoy could not imagine the punishment that seemed fitting to Harry, "Anything except for the Dementor's Kiss." The court muttered amongst themselves, some murderously, some accenting. Harry didn't know which he preferred.
"That is not impossible, but it must be discussed…what is your other demand?" Rufus asked, his authority returning as Harry resumed his seat. The Minister, Harry, and Lucius all knew where the trial would end; this ridiculous dance was now merely a formality to appease the Wizengamot and the public.
"My son is to go free without any tracking devices and shall be delivered to an undisclosed place of his desiring where no one except a transport of his choosing will know of his whereabouts." Lucius' eyes now burned holes into Harry's soul, asking other promises of him. Harry stared back unblinkingly and nodded, only slightly perceivable to anyone not looking directly at him. It often occurred that promises made to Death Eaters were not seen as binding in the Ministry. Harry would make sure this one was.
"Impossible." Harry stated blandly, sick of these pretenses, "There is irrefutable evidence of Draco's status as a Death Eater from his own mouth. This is addition to his Dark Mark classifies him as a level 2 danger which requires constant surveillance by a specialized Tracking Wizard and house arrest for six months." Harry paused before adding, "Draco has already been cleared of all charges during his involvement with Voldemort because of his assistance in his downfall. He will now only be tried for crimes before and after the defeat of Lord Voldemort." Lucius closed his eyes for a nanosecond in what Harry could only guess was relief before the liquid silver eyes penetrated Harry again.
"In that case I will settle for the dismissal of Draco's case and a magical device tracker, not a wizard, for one year after which it shall be removed and no house arrest." Lucius' cold, cruel gaze swept the courtroom one final time, "Make your decision."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ten minutes later Harry had thankfully finished his last Wizengamot duty of escorting Lucius down to the care of the Security wizards for Azkaban quickly. As he left the corridor and turned towards the elevators, ignoring the screams from condemned prisoners, Harry paused to stare at the infamous black door leading to the Department of Mysteries. A stab of grief filled him during the journey in the lifts to the expansive halls of the entryway of the Ministry of Magic. Harry was still wrapped in his own thoughts until a furiously angry voice filled the hall.
" POTTER!" Draco Malfoy thundered, startling many homeward bound employees who scurried out of the way of the billowing black robes as Draco strode quickly over the marble surface.
"Keep your voice down Draco…my hearing is fine." Harry replied dryly, unable to resist the urge to roll his eyes.
"You swore Potter!" Draco continued blisteringly, lowering his voice only slightly, "You promised me you wouldn't testify against my father! It was part of our agreement or have you forgotten?"
"Do not call me a liar, Malfoy." Harry spat, his eyes flashing dangerously, "I did not testify against your father." Draco opened his mouth and quickly snapped it shut, his argument apparently useless.
"Then how was he convicted?" Draco challenged, unbelieving, "They had nothing on him and you know it!" Draco's gray eyes, so similar to his father's, burned with familial loyalty.
"A plea bargain." Harry shrugged. Draco raised an eyebrow, so similar.
"Plea bargain?" Draco scoffed, "He's going to Azkaban on a bargain? What in the name of Merlin is he getting out of it?" Harry raised an eyebrow, mimicking Draco's trademark look.
"You can expect your guard to be removed in two days." Harry said in monotone, "if you require the exact terms of your release you can see the court scribe, but the only requirement is a tracker for one year." Harry moved to step around the blocking figure but was stopped as Draco thrust out his arm.
"What now Malfoy?" Harry hissed, aggravated and wanting to get to Hogwarts as soon as possible. Malfoy remained silent for a moment, absorbing the information just given to him. Harry counted silently to ten, upon which he resolved he would break the offending arm. Luckily for him, Draco spoke at eight.
"I-I want to thank-you, Harry" Draco said through gritted teeth, Harry looked up in surprise. Not in all the years they had known each other, as spiteful enemies or unwilling partners, had Draco ever shown remorse towards his wrongs or gratefulness for Harry's help saving him from Voldemort and the Ministry. It always seemed darkly amusing, two powerful entities, opposite in almost every view, but united in their hatred for this young man.
"If it wasn't for you I would be in prison or dead." Draco slowly lowered the arm blocking Harry way and shrugged, "I seem to have a way of acquiring enemies."
Harry was speechless, but his mind ran at full speed as Draco turned around and strode back towards the exit, a free man.
"Draco!" Harry called taking a step towards the fireplaces. The blonde spun on the spot, scowling.
"I don't want some heart-to-heart Potter! I just didn't want to owe-"
"Do you want a job Draco? Harry asked, struck by inspiration. But Draco's scowl deepened.
"Dammit Potter." Draco growled, "I'm not some charity case!"
"Then it's a good thing this isn't charity." Harry injected, "It just so happens that I need someone of your skills."
"Are you trying to insult me or mock me?" Draco spat, "You need someone who is educated in the Dark Arts and known for betraying their master?"
"No." Harry said calmly, walking closer so their conversation wouldn't be a ten-foot shouting match, "I need a Slytherin who is skilled at Potions and as much as I detest complimenting you…you rather have a talent for the area." Draco snorted and still looked wary.
"You could help bridge the gap between the houses," Harry pressed on, "A Death Eater who switched sides…you don't think that that would give a better impression of your house?"
"Slytherin's don't need a better impression, Potter." Draco drawled, but Harry could see the interest in his silver eyes, "The world just needs to see our perspective."
"Ignoring your bigoted remark, " Harry muttered, then continued in normal tones, "Does this mean you'd like to apply?"
"Tell me Potter, "Draco said, his air of superiority returning, "other then the lack of a decent salary and the 'joy of teaching the next generation.' "Draco's voice was so thick with sarcasm and scorn that Harry vaguely wondered if he would choke on it, not upset in the least if this were the case, "What's in it for me?"
"How about the fact that no decent person will hire a prior Death Eater and no dark wizard will hire a traitor?" Harry taunted, a bit happy as Draco's smirk was wiped off, "Or do you have other job offers?"
Draco scowled and crossed his arms, but did not dispute the fact. Now Harry smirked.
"Or were you planning on living off of the Malfoy fortune you whole life? Never have to lift a finger?" The insult triggered Draco just as Harry knew it would.
"Malfoys know about hard work Potter," he snapped. "How do you think we amassed that fortune?"
"Then you won't mind my sending you an application once the Headmistress clears the recommendation." Harry said, smiling for the first time that day as he observed the corner he had neatly backed Draco into. Draco could see it as well and narrowed his eyes, making one last attempt to avoid it.
"What makes you think she'll accept me? Hmm, Harry?" Draco half-smiled, "You are talking about a teacher who literally tried to kill me during a battle."
"Professor McGonagall is forgiving." Harry shrugged, "And she knows about your assistance to me and trusts my judgment. And if I'm wrong then you won't have wasted any time by letting me send you an application, will you have?" Draco growled but was out of reasons for refusing it. Chuckling, Harry walked swiftly towards the wall of fireplaces, now officially late for his planning session with Ginny and Professor McGonagall. He called over shoulder, "You'll receive it in the morning."
"Trying to start a trend here Potter?" Draco shouted out, a last ditch attempt, "Ex-Death Eater as the Potions Master?" Harry laughed again and threw a handful of Floo powder into the nearest grate.
"Well then I'll have to be careful to never let you get the Defense Against the Dark Arts post won't I?" And as Harry was whisked away towards Hogwarts, he was almost positive he saw the shadow of a smile on Draco's features.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Ginny sipped her cup of tea, she tried to discreetly pinch herself for the third time.
Sitting at a small table in the headmistresses office with her former teacher, drinking tea and discussing current events was quite a shock. Ginny felt she would have been much more comfortable behind the usual administrative desk being admonished for her current detention situation. And on top of it all, Professor McGonagall was insisting that Ginny call her 'Minerva' as was the norm between professors.
Ginny still could not grasp the idea that she was a professor here at Hogwarts when she was so newly out of Hogwarts herself. Already she feared the first day of classes. She felt nauseated simply picturing the full Charms class sitting there, waiting for her to teach them. For Merlin's sake some of her friends were still in school!
Ginny's head began to swirl and she struggled to take a deep breath and fight off the anxiety attack.
"Drink your tea please, Ginevra." Professor McGonogall's clipped tone cut through the thickening fog. Ginny sloppily raise the cup and gulped some down. Immediately she felt lighter, her worries seemed less pressing and Ginny smiled.
"Calming potion Profe- Minerva?" Ginny inquired, taking another sip. She could just barely taste the bitter undertone and hadn't before searching for it, "I thought it would have been made useless with sugar."
"Pure sugar yes, but not honey," Professor McGonagall smiled kindly, "I can remember my own first class fears only too well." Ginny blushed, hating how easy she was to read. But she couldn't help asking.
"You're sure I'm ready for this Pr- Minerva?" Ginny looked at the wise, aged face sitting across from and her and couldn't help compare it to her own youthful one.
"My dear, I would never appoint an unfit teacher, "Professor McGonagall reached out and briefly grasped Ginny hand which lay on the table, "You are a talented witch…with more experience then you give yourself credit for." Ginny was still not convinced.
"But I have no clue what to teach them!" She protested, setting the teacup aside, "The outline just tells me approximately what spells to introduce, I have no idea how to go over each spell thoroughly but still quickly and when to test! I really don't think -"
"Clearly you are not thinking Miss Weasley." Professor McGonagall interrupted. Ginny unconsciously sat up straighter at the use of her school name, "Professor Flitwick isn't dead! Merely retired! He expressed to me that he is more then willing to give advice or send any lesson materials you wish for. He simply did not want to be overbearing or he would have sent them earlier." Professor McGonagall observed Ginny scrutinizing.
"You are not alone Ginevra…" Professor McGonagall finished in a motherly tone. She glanced at the nearby clock, "Though I would appreciate it if Mr. Potter would grace us with his presence soon."
As if summoned, Harry spilled out of the fireplace at that moment; the green flames disappearing as he brushed some soot off of his robes.
"I'm sorry Professor, Ginny." Harry apologized as he gave Ginny a peck on the cheek and sat down, "I was held up as I left the Ministry."
"Minerva please, Harry," Professor McGonagall rebuked lightly, "Tea?"
"Please." Harry accepted and took a sip. Ginny watched happily as a few worry lines disappeared from his forehead.
"Let's begin," said Professor McGonagall, her businesslike manner returning, "What subjects shall we look at tonight?"
"I think we could actually finish tonight Minerva." Ginny said, shuffling through her extensive pile of notes and hiring records, "We only have Arithmancy, Potions, Herbology, and Quiddich left…"
"Arithmancy I will take care of personally, "Professor McGonagall said, "Professor Victor might be willing to return. We've been in correspondence as of late and he has expressed a desire to return now that we are restaffing."
"Harry and I have spoken to Neville since our last meeting as well." Ginny offered and Harry nodded distractedly. He looked at Ginny for a moment before swiftly looking away as he noticed she was looking back. Quickly Harry shifted his gaze to his cooling cup of tea. Ginny's eyes narrowed instantly. She recognized that look and she was not happy. But before Ginny could press the issue, Harry hurried on.
"Neville would love the job and he is the perfect candidate." Professor McGonagall nodded quickly and jotted down his name on the outside of an envelope they would send with an application, "So then onto Quiddich…"
"You can certainly still run the program Harry, don't worry, I wouldn't deny you that." Harry blushed a moment at Professor McGonagall's teasing tone, but spoke again.
"Thank-you Professor- er Minerva," Harry hurriedly corrected himself at a glare, "but I was actually wondering if it would be possible to split the program between myself and Ginny, if you want to." Harry spoke the last part to his fiancée who was completely surprised but pleased. She loved Quidditch with a burning passion, almost as much as Harry. But it was the one thing he was completely unencumbered doing, as much as Ginny would have loved to run the program, she couldn't ask Harry to give it up.
"You're an excellent flyer and you love it just as much as I do, " Harry explained, shrugging, "so I thought with all of our duties next year it would work out best to share it, if you don't think it'd be too much extra work."
Ginny didn't answer, but threw herself into Harry arms, squealing in a very undignified manner. Crushing him an excited hug for half a minute, Ginny blushed and returned to her seat as she remembered the third party present.
Clearing her throat uncomfortably, Ginny tried to think of a new subject to avoid Professor McGonagall's humored gaze.
"But what about Potions?" She inquired, grateful for the legitimate question, "The position isn't exactly…desirable considering its last occupant." Harry shifted uncomfortable.
"Yes there is quite a dilemma," Professor McGonagall frowned." Not to mention that it is incredibly difficult to find a talent potion maker who would be willing to choose teaching over a life of study and research. They all have some unquenchable thirst to discover things." The group sat in pondering silence for several minutes.
Ginny was drawing a complete blank. She couldn't thing of a single qualified person. They were all either under talented, pompous or crazy.
However Harry shifted in his seat again and put his arms on the table.
"I have a possible candidate." Harry said slowly, gauging the two women's reactions, "He is fully qualified and willing to start immediately…" He hesitated and Ginny was suspicious again.
"What's wrong with him?" Ginny demanded. Harry looked directly over her head.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked innocently, leaning back and draping his arm over the back of his chair. Ginny did the same and glared into his green eyes trying to remember that she was distrustful and not enticed by those green eyes and the slight smirk on his face.
"Did he inhale potion fumes and has some freaky third eye?" Harry rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Gone insane?"
"No."
"Lockhart type personality?"
"No!"
"Pedophile?"
"NO!" Harry groaned, "Don't you trust my judgment?" He turned on the full pleading heat from his emerald eyes but Ginny remained unmoved.
"I do!" Ginny protested, "So why the cloak and dagger? It's not as if they're a Death Eater or something…" Harry looked away and muttered an unintelligible phrase.
"Harold James Potter!" Ginny exclaimed aghast, grabbing the arms of his chair to prevent escape, "Whom have you hired?"
"I didn't hire him yet…I just said I'd send him and application." Said Harry evasively.
"Harry." Professor McGonagall, silent during this time, injected calmly, "Who is this person?" Harry paused and sighed, running his fingers through his raven hair before speaking quietly.
"Draco Malfoy."
Stunned silence lay heavily in the room for a moment. Ginny couldn't believe her ears. She saw the platinum blonde head sneering in triumph behind her eyes. In the background a movie played of a particularly bad encounter between the Order and Death Eaters. She and Draco had faced off, Ginny now felt a surge of the all-consuming rage that had filled her soul and made her to duel to kill. But unfortunately they had been interrupted when Ginny caught sight of four Death Eaters trying to overwhelm Hermione through sheer numbers. In the moment Ginny took to Stun one of them (three was no problem for Hermione) the slimy coward had Disapperated.
Angrily, Ginny stood and paced along a large bookshelf.
Of all the people he could possibly seek out! She thought, fury clouding every sense, he chooses the one man I want to kill and bring back to life so I can kill him again!
Ginny felt a slightly calloused hand touch her arm gently and lost control, slapping the hand away.
"DRACO MALFOY?" Ginny screamed as Harry took a startled step back, "Could you pick a moredisgusting, pigheaded, cruel, deceitful, detestable, chauvinistic BASTARD?"
"Gin, please," Harry was clearly shocked at the magnitude of her reaction, "I know he did awful tings…and he's still quite contemptuous I'll give you that. But he's different. He doesn't believe in the same things, he's-"
"Changed?" Ginny hissed, her eyes flashing with fire deep within, "Harry Potter you are ten kinds of a fool. I don't care if he's 'changed'…I've been changed for knowing him. I know the people he's hurt. I've seen the damage he's done and frankly I want him to feel the pain everyone has felt."
"Ginny…" Harry whispered, aghast. The fury in her eyes reminded him of his all consuming hatred that had only been put out as his family and friends showed him that pain for pain bred nothing but more hate.
"Both of you sit down." Professor McGonagall snapped and despite the situation her former pupils complied without thought. Years of ingrained response couldn't be changed, "If you are done shouting like children we can discuss this rationally." Ginny still couldn't grasp the situation. Harry was asking them to hire a Death Eater? He couldn't possibly think that Ginny would be accepting of this.
"Now Mr. Potter." Professor McGonagall slipped back into the familiar role as their mentor, "Why in the name of Merlin should we allow Mr. Malfoy," Ginny was happy to note how Professor McGonagall spat his name, "to teach here? To be in contact with children and shape their young minds?"
"To come within a mile of me without being blown up…" Ginny mumbled under her breath. Harry frowned at her but made no remark.
"He really is different Professor," Harry insisted, but then winced, "Although he is still arrogant and considers himself above others…but he doesn't believe in the mass murder of people based on their blood."
"Didn't stop him from murdering a defenseless Muggle did it?" Ginny said cruelly, the anger stealing over again, "A mother and child…just happened to be too close when he tried to destroy a member of the Order who was trying to bring him in for justice. They couldn't find any remains, nothing at all." But Ginny didn't continue as Harry's hand clenched tightly against the seat of his chair, his eyes glazing over.
Oh God…Ginny thought, horrified. She'd triggered one of Harry's memories.
Forgetting where she was, or rather whom was there and didn't know about Harry's problem, Ginny dropped to her knees beside Harry's chair and placed a hand over his, reaching the other up to twist his head and unseeing eyes toward her.
"Harry?" She whispered urgently, trying not to cry or beat herself in shame, 'Stay here…with me. Please concentrate." Harry drew a shaky breath and flipped his clenched fist to grip her hand. Ten seconds later he calmed down and blinked, his foggy green eyes focusing.
At the same moment they realized their company and swiftly turned to look at their old teacher.
Professor McGonagall was silently studying the pair over her fingertips. Ginny moved slowly back into her chair and she and Harry both sat fully upright, feeling like they were first years again caught in a restricted area.
"Everyone has secrets…" Professor McGonagall began slowly, her intelligent eyes piercing Harry's head, which he had turned down to examine the intricacies of the wooden table, "Some are meant to be told, some not." Professor McGonagall paused again, this time to look at Ginny who also found the table suddenly curious.
"I agree with Miss Weasley… Mr. Malfoy cannot be trusted at the current moment." Harry looked up, shocked and ready to argue. But Professor McGonagall held up a silencing hand.
"However I also trust Mr. Potter and if he believes Draco is decent I am…willing…to look at the idea of changing my opinion." Ginny scowled deeply but remained silent. Professor McGonagall stared at Harry, resting her chin on her hands and spoke directly to him.
"If we are to hire Mr. Malfoy, I have some absolute, non-negotiable requirements. Mr. Malfoy may not keep any of his secrets from the three of us is he wishes to stay." Professor McGonagall paused to sip her tea and Harry hesitantly interrupted.
"And how do you suggest we do this? He's not going to be very excited about this to say the least…" Their professor half-smiled and Ginny would almost say she was smirking.
"Miss Weasley will conduct the in person interview and will be given the final decision on his job status after she does so."
"Yes!"
"NO!" Harry looked positively murderous and Ginny couldn't help provoking him a bit.
"What?" She asked innocently, "Don't you trust him to be around me?" Harry glowered but remained silent.
"Those are my terms, Harry," Professor McGonagall challenged, "Take it or leave it." The tension was once again tangible.
"I'll send him an application with a note of the requirements in the morning." Harry finally said grudgingly, "Everything will be sent through Ginny after that."
Professor McGonagall nodded and took up her usual brisk manner.
"Then it appears we have finished…before you leave I would like to show you your offices and chambers," she paused, "most likely you will want to live together and I would recommend the Charms quarters, they are a bit more spacious and… more private." Ginny blushed darker then her hair under the unfailing gaze of her old professor. But luckily Professor McGonagall rose and gestured for Harry and Ginny to follow. At the door Harry paused.
"After my lady." He said merrily, his eyes twinkling at winning the argument overall. Ginny frowned grumpily and swept past him onto the rotating stairs.
Chuckling, Harry followed and grasped her hand as the staircase brought them down a revolution behind the new headmistress.
"You know I don't have to hire him." Ginny pointed out stubbornly, but she didn't remove her hand. Harry laughed again.
"But something tells me you will…"He teased as the stairs slowed. Ginny scowled at his cockiness.
"What's the point of it?" She snapped as they stepped off the staircase and turned right, following the swiftly moving cloak that had just disappeared around a corner. "Are you trying to follow tradition and hire a Death Eater Potions Master?" Laughter rang louder through the corridor.
'What?" Ginny demanded, very peeved.
"It's just that," Harry said, still chortling, "you two are more similar then you'd think…Draco said the same thing earlier." Harry couldn't stop laughing even as his beautiful redhead huffed angrily and tore her hand away, storming up the hallway as fast as her petit frame would take her.
It was worth it…Harry thought of the jab, still smirking as he lengthened his stride to catch up with Professor McGonagall and Ginny. Even though I'm not so sure we'll be in the same quarters now…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phew! Finally finished transcribing that! It takes way longer to type out something written on paper then just typing it in the first place!
I apologize for the wait, school kicked in right when I was about done and I freaked out. There's only about two or three chapters left, most likely two but I'm not sure of the exact ending as of yet.
Also I would really appreciate a review on this chapter because I want people's opinion of the flow of it…I felt like some parts were a bit quick but I want people's opinions.
PLEASE R&R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pretty please?