The Trial of Ron Weasley
The snowball fight that Harry organised which involved the entire school helped to relieve some of the tension that had built up after Hermione's death. Hermione had been to see the witch Harry had seen entering the hospital wing, a few times and Hermione seemed to be coping with the effects of the rape just fine. Pomfrey had made sure that she wasn't pregnant from the rape, and Harry was secretly glad. One morning on New Years Eve, Harry was eating breakfast with the Hufflepuffs when the post arrived. He easily spotted Hedwig who flew down and made a perfect landing on the table in front of him, holding an official looking letter in her beak.
"Thanks girl" Harry said stroking her feathers lightly. Hedwig nibbled his fingers gently and then flew away to find a mouse to consume.
"Whats that?" Neville asked peering at the letter in Harry's hands.
"Dunno" he admitted and Harry opened the envelope and took the letter out.
Dear Mr Harry James Potter
Please note that you are requested to be on the jury in the trial of Ronald Bilius Weasley. The trial will be held on January 1st in Courtroom 10 at 10.30 am. Please ensure that you have arrived at least half an hour before the start. An Auror will be waiting for you in the Ministry entrance to take you to the Jury room.
Sincerely;
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
"I was expecting that" Harry said looking at the letter again. He picked up the envelope and noticed that a second letter was inside. He picked that one up and read it as well.
Dear Mr Harry James Potter
Please note that you are requested to be on the jury in the trial of Ginerva Weasley. The trial will be held on January 1st in Courtroom 10 at 11.30 am. This trial will be held after the trial of Ronald Bilius Weasley.
Sincerely;
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
"But I wasn't expecting that" he added. He passed the letters to Neville who read them himself and raised his eyebrows in shock.
"Well, we knew it would happen someday" Neville said as Hannah and Susan joined them "What are you going to do?" he finished by asking the question on both their minds.
"Whats going on?" asked both of the newcomers.
"Harry got a summons to be on the jury when Ron is tried for rape" Neville explained.
"But he's also on the jury for Ginny's trial as well" Luna added finishing her cereal.
"Oh" Susan said. "Whens the date?" she asked.
"Tomorrow" Harry said looking a bit upset. Even though Ron had clearly done a terrible thing, five years of friendship couldn't just go away.
"Harry, I know what your feeling" Hannah said putting an arm around him, "But you've got to put those feelings aside and do the right thing".
"I know" Harry said. "I was thinking of what the punishment will be. Like you said, it's not often a rape case is heard" he added.
"Just make sure he doesn't get off with it" Hannah said.
"I will" Harry promised and they all believed him. He wanted to see Hermione, but both of his wives said that it might look as if he was being influenced by Hermione. Harry agreed that he didn't want to give the other side any ammunition to get Ron and Ginny off.
"What do you want to do then?" asked Luna.
"Well, I wouldn't mind a nice walk and just see where we end up" Harry shrugged.
"Why not?" Neville said and they got up and left the castle, after first stopping at their tower to get proper shoes and coats and a rather good warming charm Luna knew.
They had a slow walk down towards the school gates and headed into Hogsmeade. The village still bore some of the scars from the battle, but most of the windows had been fixed and all of the shops where open. As they walked through the main street which they had had the mass charge down, they kept getting thanked by practically everyone in sight. They managed to make their way into the Three Broomsticks and they sat down in one of the alcoves and waited to be served. As there weren't a lot of people in the pub, they didn't have to wait long and where dealt with by Rosemetta herself.
"What will it be, Harry?" she asked warmly.
"Four Firewhiskies and a Butterbeer for Luna" Harry said, then thought for a moment "Make it five Firewhiskies" he said.
"I can only give you and Susan the Firewhiskies I'm afraid. The rest will have to make do with Butterbeers" Rosemetta said, with the look that told Harry he should have ordered correctly.
"I know that" Harry began "But it's very cold outside and we need it for medicinal purposes" he finished with a gleam in his eye.
"Well why didn't you say so in the first place?" Rosemetta said and went to get the drinks.
"Nice play there" Luna said smiling. A year ago, Harry wouldn't have thought that Luna would be like this. But over the last few months, she had really come out and Harry counted himself lucky to have a friend like her. The same went for Neville as well.
"Thanks. I wasn't concerned with that though; I'm still thinking on tomorrow" Harry said checking to see if any Auror was nearby that he recognised.
"Thinking about the trial?" Neville offered.
"Its not that I'm concerned about. The letter says that I'll be met by an Auror who will take me to the Jury room to wait for the case to begin" Harry said making another check.
"Well, what's the problem?" Susan asked.
"I don't trust some of the Aurors" Harry replied bluntly. "I trust Kingsley and Tonks. Add Mad-Eye to that as well, even if he is retired. But the rest I don't trust at any rate" Harry said, satisfied that nobody was listening to them.
"Why don't you trust them?" asked Luna, as she watched Rosemetta set off on the return trip from the bar back to their table.
"Luna, these are dark times we live in. The attack proved that Voldemort isn't afraid to attack Hogsmeade – the nearest place to Hogwarts. Some of the Aurors are paid off to tell Voldemort when a bust is going to take place, so he and his followers move out before the attack. It would be easy for one of these corrupt Aurors to incapacitate me, putting me out of the fight" Harry said darkly.
"Here we are" Rosemetta said brightly as she reached their table. She had brought them all a Firewhiskey each, as well as a few snacks to enjoy.
"Thanks" Harry said. He reached into his pocket to get some money, but Rosemetta stopped him.
"On the house" she said putting the drinks in front of everyone.
"No, let me pay" Harry began, but Rosemetta cut him off.
"It's on the house for what you did last week" Rosemetta said and left before he could say another word.
Harry shook his head then turned back to his friends. He was thinking of the next day when he went to the ministry. The rest could see the problem etched on Harry's face.
"If you're worried about tomorrow, we could always come with you. As your escort I mean" Hannah said, and Harry thought for a moment then nodded agreement.
"I guess that should be good enough for almost anything" Harry said taking a mouthful from his bottle. "Imagine the look on people's faces, when I turn up with my own security squad" he laughed allowing some of the tension to roll off him.
"I guess some people won't be too happy about that" Harry noted.
"If they have a problem with that, then they can….." Neville's voice trailed off.
"Can what?" asked Luna.
"Stuff it" Neville finished, and the table erupted in a gale of laughs and giggles. The few other customers looked accusingly at them, but wisely didn't say a word.
They finished the drinks and snacks and wrapped up arm once again. After bidding Rosemetta farewell they went into the street outside. They had only been outside fifteen seconds when they heard a high voice. This wasn't Voldemort's, but something almost as bad.
"Harry, dear boy!" Rita Skeeta called as she approached the group. "I hear you are going to be on the jury for the two big cases tomorrow" she added as she reached for a familiar looking quill and notepad set. "Can you give me a quote?" she asked looking hopeful. Harry was more interested in how the hell she knew he was on the panel.
"Who told you about me?" he demanded.
"I have my sources" she said cryptically. "Now, can I have a quick word?" she asked again.
"I guess you can have a quick word" Harry said, his mind grinning at his next answer.
"Okay, what is it?" she asked eager to begin.
"Supersonic" Harry said and turned and walked off in the opposite direction.
"You can't do this to me" Rita shrieked. Her first reaction was to go for her wand, but Harry's senses alerted him and he sent a splitting charm at her. It was aimed so that it didn't hit her, but it hit her quill and notepad which caused a miniature explosion and scattering the pieces around her. Several people looked at the disturbance, but left Harry to his own devices of dealing with Rita.
Harry looked at Rita who was staring at the miniature devastation around her and then turned and walked off, followed by his friends. They headed towards the Post Office where once again they got treated like royalty. When Neville had sent the two owls off, they headed back to Hogwarts and managed to get back to their tower without anybody noticing that they had disappeared at all. Harry had made a bee-line for the bathroom and had a nice long relaxing bath.
"Mmmm" Harry murmured as he let the bubble bath wash over him as he sat in the bath. He was so relaxed that he didn't notice another two bodies enter the bathtub and join him.
"Nice in here, isn't it?" Hannah commented.
"It is rather nice" Susan agreed, and she giggled slightly. Harry jerked himself onto his feet when his mind registered the two talking. This had a slight side effect on the two girls.
"Looks like someone is pleased to see us" Hannah said and Susan nodded. Harry did the only thing he could do under the circumstances. He tripped himself up and did an emergency crash dive so he sat down again.
"Not as big as his Firebolt though" Susan said, trying to keep a straight face.
"STOP IT" Harry shouted in an attempt to save face. The girls gave in eventually, and the three had a relaxing bath and when done they dressed in sight of each other (after all, they where married), and then left the bathroom and went into the common room. When they got there, neither Luna nor Neville where to be seen. Harry spotted a note the large wooden table, and he read the message.
Dear Harry, Hannah and Susan
We've gone to see McGonagall about tomorrow. We'll be back as soon as possible
Luna and Neville
"Wonder how long it will take for them to get back" Harry remarked as he read the note aloud. Harry's stomach made a statement at this point in time, so they called for Dobby and the elf brought them a light dinner of Chicken Pie. Just as they sat down, Luna and Neville returned and Dobby gave the two pies of their own.
"Thank you, Dobby" Luna said and Dobby bowed and the vanished from view.
"What did McGonagall say about tomorrow?" Harry asked Neville.
"She said it was fine for you to go, but that we have to stay here" Neville said finishing a mouthful of pie.
"What did you say?" Harry asked keenly.
"Well that didn't go down well actually" Neville blushed slightly. "Luna got a bit worked up and told McGonagall that she was lucky that the death eaters hadn't attacked Hogwarts" he admitted.
"Oooooooooooh" Harry said.
"Yep" Neville agreed, catching Harry's meaning.
"Luna's grown up a lot since last year, hasn't she" Harry said to his best mate.
"We all have Harry, we all have. The DOM battle made people realise that Voldemort was really back" Neville said darkly and in a low voice.
"Enough of this hushed talk Mr Potter, or else no married privileges" Susan said in a mocking tone.
"Better believe her" Neville warned chuckling.
"I don't doubt it" came the reply amide gales of laughter. When they finished, Harry said he wanted to get a long period of sleep and so he bid the group farewell, kissing Hannah and Susan in the process, and headed off to his dorm room which he shared with Neville. As soon they heard the door shut, they leaned towards each other, looking like a group of robbers making a heist plan.
"You think Harry is going to be up to tomorrow?" asked Hannah, concern etched on her face.
"I don't know" Neville admitted. He of the group was the closest to Harry on the basis that he had shared a dorm room before with him.
"Harry is a strong person" Luna said firmly.
"I know that, the question is how strong is strong?" Susan asked.
"That is something that only Harry can answer" Luna said wisely and they agreed. They talked well into the night about how they could offer Harry the support he would need, when Susan yawned suddenly. She had a glance at the clock on the wall and started when she saw the time.
"Merlin!" she exclaimed, "It's almost 11, no wonder why I'm tired" she said stifling another yawn. The group broke up and went to their different dorm rooms, with Neville closing the door to his silently so he didn't wake Harry. The boy took off his clothes and dressed for bed. As Neville climbed in and pulled the covers over himself, he couldn't help but wonder what troubles his friend would face the next day.
# # # # #
It was nearly 8.30am when Harry woke up. A glance at his watch told him that he had not missed the trial and so he got up and had a shower and then dressed in the same formal black robes he had last worn when he and the rest of friends had escorted Susan to her mother and aunt's funeral. After checking his appearance in the mirror, Harry headed downstairs.
"Morning, Harry" Luna greeted him as he descended.
"Morning, Luna" he returned the greeting and sat down next to Hannah grabbing a plateful of scrambled eggs that was pushed towards him and started to eat.
"McGonagall asked us not to go with you" Hannah said from the sofa.
"So, what are you going to do?" asked Harry between mouthfuls.
"We are going anyway" Hannah said simply.
"Great" Harry said, but then he thought of the fact that they would be using Floo Powder, and his face downshifted a gear. Susan asked Harry if there was anything wrong. "I'm always falling out of the fireplace when I use the floo network" he said.
"We can always fly there on our brooms" Neville said, not taking his eyes from a book on Mediterranean Water Planets. Harry was sure that he had seen the book before, but couldn't place when and where he had seen it.
"Fly? Anyone have any idea how long it is going to take to get there?" asked Harry as he finished his breakfast and watched as the plate disappeared.
"Well, if we set off now then we should make it" Susan said.
"Besides, there is another very good reason to fly on brooms, rather then Floo to Grimmond Place or to the Ministry" Hannah said.
"Whats that?" Harry asked, and it was Luna that explained.
"It's the safest way of getting there" Luna said choosing her words. "Voldemort and his followers will be expecting you to use the floo network to either Grimmond Place or the Ministry and so they might lay a trap for you. He wouldn't expect you to go by broom would he?" she reasoned and Harry couldn't fault her logic.
"I guess not" he agreed.
After a few more minutes of talking, they got their brooms and walked through the corridors and strolled down the newly cleared path to arrive outside the gates. They passed through them so that they where now outside the school grounds, and mounted the brooms. As one person the five rose into the air and flew off into the sky. Bunched together and Harry cast a Concealment Charm on the group so that no muggles would see them flying overhead. Harry had taken the chance to use the "Point Me" spell he had used in the final Tri-Wizard Tourlement task, and made sure that they where heading south. Before they had set off, Harry had sent Dobby with a letter for Griphook asking for some muggle money. When the others questioned him, he explained that while London was down south, he wasn't sure if he could get to it using the compass. What they where going to do was land at a place called Peterborough, and then take the muggle train to complete the journey to London. Harry looked at how his friends where arranged in escort around him; Hannah was above and to the left of him, Susan was above and to the right, Luna below and left and Neville was below and to the right. They talked as they flew through the air in an attempt to keep Harry thinking of something other then the upcoming trial. After an hour of flying, Harry thought he could see Peterborough in sight and the group landed near the train station and cancelled the concealment charms, shrunk their brooms so they fit into their pockets, and walked into the station. As he had the most experience with muggles, Harry was nominated to buy the tickets and he walked up to the little booth and asked for five single tickets to London.
"Certainly, sir" the man behind the glass window said. "Will that be standard class or first?" he asked and Harry thought for a moment.
"First Class please" he said. If he was left too little money to get back, then he could always go to Gringotts and get some more money changed. Harry waited for the man to finish printing the tickets and when he did, he pushed them towards Harry.
"That will be £236.30 please" the man said and Harry handed over the right amount of money to the man.
"Thank you" Harry said as he collected the change and the tickets, and returned to the group. He found them looking at a display screen which was showing the times of some of the trains which would be stopping at the station.
"I think we only have to wait five minutes" Neville said as he consulted the screen.
"That's good" Harry said as he saw that the next train would get them into London for 10.05. They went onto the platform to wait and Hannah, Susan and Neville said that this would be their first train trip that was not on the Hogwarts Express.
"Really?" asked Luna and the others nodded.
"Well, it's much like the Hogwarts Express" Harry explained, "But wait till we get on board. It's like having your own servants, though not house elves of course" he laughed as a liveried train arrived in the station to take them to London.
They went on it and made their way to the First Class coach and sat down on the seats. As Harry had said, it was quite nice in the coach and warm too. The seats where a shade of royal blue, and the inside sides a shade of palest gold. A red carpet ran along the aisle and under the seats and it made Hannah want some for their dorm's floor. Harry said that if they wanted something to eat or drink, then they could summon one of the waiters to come. The train sounded its horn causing Hannah, Susan and Neville to jump slightly, and the train started to move from the station. Soon they where speeding through the countryside and Harry and Luna smiled as they saw Hannah, Susan and Neville gaze out of the window at the speeding landscape in amazement and wonder.
"Tickets please!" called a man who had entered the coach from one end. Harry produced the tickets and showed them to the man. He took them in his hand and checked to see that they where correct. As he did so he looked at the appearance of the five.
"You're dressed strangely" the man said.
"Oh, this get up" Harry said, figuring what he was talking about. "We're on our way to a new years Sci-Fi convection" Harry was thinking fast to explain why five teenagers where wearing cloaks and other magical clothing.
"Well have a good time" the man said as he handed the tickets over and left the coach.
"Good thinking" Neville said congratulated.
"First thing I could think of" Harry said.
"What if he didn't believe you?" asked Hannah.
"I'd have shown him this" Harry said as he pulled one of the model Tachikomas that he had got as a wedding present from Luna.
"Smart" Susan said.
"That's why I'm a prefect" Harry said with a straight face, and he settled for a comfortable train ride.
It only took around an hour to get to London, and they pulled into Kings Cross dead on 10.05. As they pulled into the platform, Harry smiled as he saw the number – Platform 9. He half expected to see the Hogwarts Express standing nearby, but of course he couldn't see it. As they left the train, they got assaulted by the cold air which made them pull their cloaks tighter to their bodies. They left the station and took a taxi to a particular street where a broken telephone box stood. Everyone managed to squeeze in and Harry dialled 8888, and the view changed as the group went underground and into the Ministry of Magic. As soon as they left the lift, Hannah, Susan, Luna and Neville arranged themselves around Harry protectively and they made their way to the visitors desk. A minor employee checked their wands and he waved them through. He was surprised by the fact four of the five where grouped around the fifth. He was certain he had seen the centre person before, but couldn't place his finger on it.
"Wotcha, Harry!" came Tonks's bright voice from behind them.
"Morning Tonks" Harry greeted her as Tonks strolled up to the huddle.
"You ready for later?" she asked eyeing Hannah, Susan, Luna and Neville.
"I'm ready to do it now" Harry remarked. He saw Tonks looking at the others with curiosity on her face.
"What are they doing here?" she asked, clearly puzzled.
"They have escorted me here. I was thinking of going to Diagon Alley after here" Harry's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I was supposed to be your escort" and Tonks gave a little laugh and spread her hands in a fan shape. "Consider yourself escorted".
"Suuurrrre" Harry joked as they got into the lift which descended to the courtrooms.
When they reached the right floor, they got out and walked along the various corridors and passages until they got to a door marked 'JURORS ONLY'.
"This is where I leave you" Tonks said indicating the door. "You'll be called in….." she was interrupted by approaching footsteps. Harry's group of four escorts lowered their hands towards the pockets of their robes which contained their wands. Harry turned towards the person approaching them and saw it was Kingsley.
"Ah, I was hoping to find you here" he said. "Harry, I'm glad we meet under better circumstances" Kingsley added.
"Me too" Harry said. "Any problem?".
"Yeah, we've moved up the trial to now. I came down to see if you had arrived yet, and show you to the courtroom" he said looking at the others, but not making or causing objections.
"Great" Harry said rolling his eyes.
"If you're ready, then we can go and start the trial" Kingsley said solemnly and led the way back down the same way he came, with everyone else following him.
He stopped outside a very familiar courtroom which Harry remembered as the same one as he had been tried in over a year ago. Kingsley opened the door and went inside and was followed by Tonks, Harry, Hannah and Susan. Luna and Neville spun on their heels and put their backs to the wall with both person's wands being drawn. As they entered, Hannah and Susan did the same on the inside of the courtroom. It drew murmurs from those already in the room, but no protests where made. Harry sat down on the single remaining seat and as he did so, Diggle stood up to begin the trial. Clearly he had been made the Chief Warlock, and Harry approved of the choice.
"I bring the trial of Ronald Weasley to order" Diggle announced to the stirring of some the assembled people. Harry noticed that most of the Weasley family where present, with the exception of Fred and George who had told Harry that they would be sending a written statement each, rather then cause a scene. Diggle announced each member of the jury and then drew himself up to full stature. "We have been unable to find someone to serve as the prosecution. Would one of the jury be willing to take the job?" he asked.
"I am willing to do the job" Harry said before anyone else could say a word.
"Very well" Diggle said and Harry left his seat and crossed over to the prosecution table, and Hannah and Susan took two spare seats and sat behind and to each side of him.
"Bring in the accused" Diggle said, and a door opened admitting Ron to the room, flanked by two hooded Aurors. He stood where Dumbledore had stood the last time Harry had been there, and Ron stood up straight. "Prisoner 24601, you are accused of the rape of Hermione Jane Granger on 25th December of last year. How do you plead?" Diggle asked.
"Not guilty" Ron said simply.
"So entered" Diggle said, and sitting down, he signalled the trial to begin. "Please list the witnesses" he called.
"Harry James Potter"
"Hannah Abbot"
"Susan Bones"
"Luna Lovegood"
"Neville Longbottom"
"Minerva McGonagall"
"Poppy Pomfrey"
"Dobby" and Harry had to smile as Dobby arrived with the return of his loud crack when he appeared in the courtroom.
Harry allowed Ron to go first, and he and his legal-wizard argued that the case was mute as Hermione was dead. Clearly somebody had not told them about her return to life. Harry waited until Ron and the legal-wizard had finished with Hannah and then began to argue the case to jail his ex-best friend.
"Miss Abbot, what was the state of Miss Granger when you first saw her?" he asked.
"She was completely terrified and crying all the time" Hannah said.
"And what was her condition physically?" Harry asked.
"She was lying on the floor and surrounded by blood" Hannah said paling slightly as she remembered the scene.
"What was your first thought?" Harry probed.
"When I saw Mr Weasley, I knew right away that she had been raped" Hannah replied.
"Objection" called the legal-wizard, getting to his feet. "The Prosecution and the witness are related to each other and the witness is giving false evidence" he said.
"Overruled" Diggle said. "The court has already seen the rememball evidence of what the witness has seen" he sounded slightly annoyed. "Continue"
"Thank You" Harry said and the case got underway again. "Thank you Miss Abbot, you may step down. I call Susan Bones to the stand" and Susan responded to the summons. "Miss Bones, could you tell me please what you saw the minute you had entered the room?" Harry asked.
"I came into the room and saw you send Mr Weasley against the wall, sending him away from Hermione" Susan said calmly as she recounted her view of the event.
"What was Miss Granger's state?" Harry asked.
"She was in a state of distress" Susan said.
"Objection" called the legal-wizard, getting to his feet again. "My client has said that Miss Granger had consented to the sex".
"Overruled" Diggle said slowly. "On the condition of the next question".
"Miss Bones, please answer the next question either 'yes' or 'no'. In your opinion, did it appear that Miss Granger had consented to the sex?" Harry asked.
"No, she didn't" Susan said. "And threes a good reason why" she added.
"What is that? Harry asked, knowing full well the answer.
"We all heard the screaming of Hermione" Susan revealed.
"Thank you. No further questions" Harry said, and he sat down.
"Your witness" Diggle said to the legal-wizard.
Harry and the defence traded argument after argument until the last person, Pomfrey, had given her evidence. On the look of it, it seemed as if Ron had a chance of getting away with it, however Harry still had his trump card to play. Harry requested a short break of ten minutes and Diggle agreed and so they broke for a ten minute recess. Harry strode from the room and went into a little office, closely followed by Hannah, Susan, Luna and Neville. A cloaked and hooded figure sat on a chair at the far end of the room, partly hidden by the shadows.
"Are you ready?" he asked the figure and the figure nodded in reply.
"Is this going to work?" the figure asked.
"I should hope so" Harry laughed and he talked to the hooded figure for the rest of the ten minutes, until a knock came from the door.
"Harry?" Tonks said as she popped her head round the door. "It's time to go back in"
"Thanks" Harry said. "Coming?" he asked the figure.
The figure nodded and got up and walked with the group until they got into the courtroom. The hooded and cloaked person took a seat at the end of one of the public viewing benches. Diggle and the jury where already there, as well as Ron and the legal-wizard.
"Mr Potter" Diggle said as he rose from his seat. "What was the reason for your request?" he queried.
"I was told of a new witness to the incident" Harry said, managing to keep a straight face.
"Very well" Diggle said, confused. "You may call your witness"
"I call Hermione Jane Granger" Harry said and people looked around in puzzlement and confusion, until the hooded figure stood, and crossed to the witness box.
A/N: GOTCHA! Well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter as much as I did writing it. For your information this is the longest chapter at 14 pages long, and is written in MS Word in Times New Roman in font size 12.
There's a at least two references in this chapter. One is the wizard who inspects the wands. Try and find out where he has been before, while the second is tricky.
QUIZ TIME: Why does Diggle call Ron Prisoner 24601? If anyone can get this, they appear in the next chapter in a cameo roll. They have to identify the book and also the characters name. NO GOOGLE ALLOWED!!!!
Well you know the procedure, PM me with answers for the quiz, and leave the reviews in the review box! Tell me your favourite moments as well
THANKS
Pixel