Author's Note: Oh man, I am so sorry for not updating quicker. Life has been extremely crazy and I've had so much work to do. I only have about 2 1/2 more weeks of the semester left, so I'll hopefully update at least once more. I just want to thank all of you guys for reading and reviewing because it really does mean a lot to me. I don't own any of these characters, please thank our queen JK Rowling for creating this world. The more you guys comment, the faster I tend to update (so, I suggest commenting)! Thanks for the support! Enjoy Chapter 21!
Chapter 21: Who's Going to Hogwarts?
Harry cooked a light breakfast for himself and Ginny. They sat at the table discussing what she had left to do before leaving for Hogwarts the next morning: she still had some last minute packing to do and she promised Mrs. Weasley that she would make a pie with her before dinner that night.
He took their plates and he was washing them in the sink when Prim came flying back with a letter in her talons. Harry pushed open the window to let the owl in and he took the letter. Ginny fed Prim a treat and the owl flew away. "What is it, Harry?" Ginny asked.
"Dunno, it looks like a Ministry letter though," he commented.
He slid his finger through the seal on the envelope and broke it. He pulled the letter out and inspected it. The ink was a navy blue and it was on an official piece of Ministry parchment. Harry read the letter out loud for Ginny to hear:
Harry,
Please come to the Ministry today as soon as possible. We have a special Emergency trial that we would like your opinion in. We're sorry that this is so last minute, but we have had our fair share of long trials these last few weeks.
Thank you for understanding and I look forward to seeing you.
Sincerely,
Kingsley
"Emergency trial?" Ginny asked.
Harry shook his head still a little stunned, "Dunno. Guess I'll have to go and find out."
Ginny nodded understandingly, "I'll get back to the Burrow and finish up with my packing. I'm sure Mum would love to see me home so early, because you know she's not completely comfortable with this."
Harry kissed her softly, "I'm sure it's nothing too serious, but make sure to tell your mum that I'll be there later." Harry ran upstairs and got dressed. He came running down the stairs as Ginny went upstairs and he continued outside beyond the wards apparated to the Ministry.
He arrived at the Ministry only to be surrounded by the press; he tried pushing thorugh the crowd but could not get through. He heard Kingsley's voice booming through the Atrium of the Ministry. "Harry, come with me. All of the reporters- everyone please report to the conference center!"
Harry dodged through the members of the press charging towards the conference center and he found Kingsley. Kingsley placed his hand on his shoulders, "I'm so sorry about not telling you about the trial sooner, but we weren't sure if it was going to take place," he explained.
"I understand, sir, I was just wondering what is exactly going on. Your note was rather vague and I don't know what I'm getting myself into."
Percy came trotting up to where Kingsley and Harry were chatting, "Sir, you're needed in the court room. The Wizengamot has returned from their recess and they are ready to begin the next case."
"Why thank you, Percy. I was just apologizing to Harry for the short notice about the trial. Well, Harry, I need to go start this. Percy will take you down to court room," Kingsley said as he left the two in the atrium. He headed towards the lifts, while Percy and Harry followed behind.
"He always heads to his office before a trial and drinks a glass of firewhiskey - for his nerves. Here, after you," he held out his hand gesturing for Harry to get into the lift first.
Harry stepped into the lift and stood nervously against the wall. Kingsley did not really inform him about the trial. Harry did not even know who the trial was being held for. He coughed, "Percy, er- whose trial is this?" They stepped off the elevator and Percy placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Draco Malfoy's trial."
Harry gulped. Draco Malfoy's trial? He was going to be at Draco Malfoy's trial. Harry could not grasp the idea. It was too unbelievable. Percy handed Harry a set of red robes and instructed Harry to put them on. Harry followed directions and then trotted behind Percy into the courtroom.
The members of the Wizengamot were already sitting in their seats and they were talking amongst themselves, but they grew silent when Harry entered the room. Harry tailed behind Percy trying to ignore the stares he was getting from the people sitting in the room. Percy gestured to a seat and then sat down in the next chair, Harry sunk down into the chair trying to ignore the whispers. He saw Professor McGonagall sitting on the other side of the room. Two very stern looking men surrounded her and she was chatting up a petit woman. Harry had never seen Professor McGonagall look so happy when talking to someone outside of Hogwarts, excluding Madam Rosmerta. Harry saw a few more familiar faces from hanging around at the Leaky Cauldron and other people from Hogsmeade.
A purple memo flew across the courtroom and landed on Percy's lap, generally purple notes were from the Minister of Magic, he stood up and cleared his throat, and announced, "All rise for the Minister of Magic, Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt." Harry stood and watched as Kingsley glided into the courtroom in his black robes. Kingsley looked powerful; he never had any reason to be afraid. Kingsley motioned for the court to sit down and he introduced the trial.
"United Kingdom Ministry of Magic versus Draco Abraxas Malfoy," he said before pounding the gavel. Two guards dressed in red vests dragged Draco into the courtroom and locked him in the chair. He looked horrible. His hair was disheveled and his clothes un-kept. He didn't look nervous, though, he looked comfortable.
Kingsley spoke again and Harry refocused his attention, "Draco Abraxas Malfoy, you are being charged with conspiracy against the Wizarding World, aiding Tom Riddle and his followers, being a member of the 'Death Eaters', attempted murder, crimes against Muggle-borns, and the destruction of property. How do you plead?"
Draco sneered in his chair and squirmed against the back, "Not guilty." His mouth closed and Harry could swear Draco's face got whiter. Harry looked around the courtroom, he was under the assumption that none of Draco's family was there and they weren't. Lucius had surrendered himself and was put in Azkaban for 5 years, while Narcissa's trial had yet to happen.
"Witnesses for the defense?" Kingsley called.
You could have heard a pin drop. No one stood up for Malfoy. Then there was a strong voice in the back, "I'd like to testify on behalf of Draco Malfoy."
The man stood up and walked to the front of the bench where Kingsley was presiding. "Andrew Wilson, you're here again?" Kingsley asked.
The man, Andrew, nodded and preceded over to where the clerk was watching her Quick Quotes Quill take notes. "Andrew Quinn Wilson," he said and the quill scribbled down. He winked at the clerk and then smiled to only part of the Wizengamot.
Harry had never seen this man before, but clearly Kingsley had known him. He had sandy brown hair and grey eyes; he looked like an easy-going guy but maintained an attitude like Gilderoy Lockhart's. Percy leaned over and whispered, "One of your new colleagues." Harry became more interested in this man. What kind of evidence did he have to testify for Malfoy?
Andrew captivated the Wizengamot and told the tale of the Battle. Apparently, Andrew was everywhere that night and he watched recalled the Draco during the battle. "Mr. Malfoy was not responsible for the Fiendfyre that began in what is known as the Room of Requirement or the Come and Go Room. Vincent Crabbe created the curse and it lit the room on fire. I know this because once we got the fire under control, we- the Aurors- were able to recover it and perform 'Prior Incantato'." Andrew continued on reciting the night's events just as Harry remembered. Draco was getting more and more uncomfortable as Andrew's testimony wore on. Harry scratched his head in wonderment. He was confused as to how he could have been that oblivious to Andrew during the entire battle; well, he did have other things going on. He wrapped up his testimony saying that Draco should only be convicted of half the charges. Kingsley nodded, "I'm sure that the Wizengamot will take that into consideration. You may be seated now." Andrew reached his seat and flashed another winning smile. He was a very unusual Auror Harry noted, but then again most of the Aurors that Harry knew were all dead and they were all members of the Order.
"Any other witnesses?" Kingsley prodded the crowd. Harry slowly put his hand up, "I would like to testify for Draco Malfoy," he said. The court whispered. "Silence," Kingsley boomed.
Harry got up slowly from his seat and walked over to the court reporter, "Harry James Potter," he said slowly. The quill scribbled down his name and he nervously gritted his teeth in front of the court. He felt his hands getting clammy and he wiped his right hand on his hip. Harry knew that he couldn't be as put together as Wilson, but he tried to maintain some sense of calm.
When would Harry have ever thought that he would be testifying for Draco Malfoy? He glanced over at Draco who was staring back at him. It turned out Draco was really interested in why Harry was testifying for him. Harry didn't even know why he was testifying for Draco; but there was a part of him that felt some sort of sympathy for Draco.
Harry got started and recounted from his sixth year when Draco lowered his wand on the astronomy tower. Harry continued on with the story and ended with how Draco wasn't trying to kill Harry and his friends, he was just trying to turn them over to the older 'more experienced' Death Eaters. The court whispered to each other when Harry ended his testimony. He slumped back up to his seat and wiped the sweat from his brow.
Kingsley ordered Draco to be removed from the courtroom while the Wizengamot reached their verdict. Harry twiddled his thumbs nervously while waiting for the arguments to begin. Percy took notes on behalf of Kingsley. Many members of the Wizengamot were quite vocal and they were threatening to set the Dementors on Draco Malfoy.
But, Harry couldn't let them do it. Harry stood up, "EXCUSE ME!" he shouted.
Everyone stopped and turned their attention towards Harry. He gulped. "Like I said before, if it wasn't for Draco and Mrs. Malfoy," he added, "I wouldn't be here today. They saved my life. Yes, Draco wanted to turn me over to Tom Riddle, but he didn't kill me. He actually saved my life and my friends and I saved his a few times."
Several people started arguing amongst themselves. Kingsley boomed again, "I say, we send Draco to Hogwarts to finish school. I'm not saying we force him on Minerva, but I think it would be good for the boy to be back with his peers."
There were some objections from the Wizengamot. "I don't know, Minister. Why would you think sending the boy to Hogwarts would be wise?"
"Well, I don't want to put anyone in an awkward position here, but I'll arrange something where the boy will learn from his previous mistakes," Kingsley said.
Kingsley was being vague. He didn't really want many people to know his plan for Draco; Harry didn't even know what was going on inside Kingsley's mind. One lady spoke up, "Minister, well, I'm just curious to know what the boy will be expected to do at Hogwarts?" Much of the crowd agreed with the woman; there were murmurs of agreement among the crowd.
Kingsley motioned for the Wizengamot to settle. "What I am thinking is that the boy won't have class privileges to go to Hogsmeade on specified weekends and he won't be allowed to be on the Quidditch team. He will be required to take on an extra course in Muggle Studies. Instead of going to Hogsmeade, he will have extra lessons in Muggle Studies and he will do extra work around the castle for all of the professors. Then, once a month, I will visit the boy and monitor his progress. This will be somewhat of a test for him. If he passes, then he'll be monitored for a probationary period. If he doesn't pass, then he'll go Azkaban upon graduation. But, I think it's right that he goes back to school. Are there any objections?"
The crowd whispered again. Harry glanced around trying to see which way the crowd was leaning. Harry leaned forward in his seat and saw in the corner of his eye that Percy was taking notes frantically. "Can we put it to a vote?" Kingsley asked the crowd.
There was a general consensus of people who were ready to vote and only a handful of people who looked like they needed more time. "All of those in favor of sending the boy back to Hogwarts," he asked. Most of the crowd raised their hands. About eighty percent of the crowd raised their hands, "All of those opposed," the remaining twenty percent raised their hands triumphantly.
"Well, the I's have it. Draco Malfoy will return to Hogwarts under the custody agreement of Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please, Guard, can you escort Mr. Malfoy back into the courtroom."
The big wizard in royal blue robes left the courtroom and dragged Draco back in. The wizard locked Malfoy back into the chair and enchanted the locks, so Draco could not break out. Kingsley stood up from his seat and made sure Draco was looking at him. Draco maintained eye contact, but would glance around the room every few seconds. Kingsley gave him the verdict and the punishment, but he was told he would be kept locked up until tomorrow; Draco sneered at the idea of going back to Hogwarts and then he was brought back into custody.
"Members of the Wizengamot, you are dismissed. This was our last case until we catch more Death Eaters, but we will be meeting again to discuss what will be done at Azkaban."
The witches and wizards gathered their belongings from the courtroom and filed out. Kingsley waited for Harry, "Thank you for coming today, Harry. I knew your story would help me get my way with Mr. Malfoy. I just don't think it's right to lock him up in Azkaban. I think he has some potential to be better; I think he just needs the right influences."
Harry somewhat understood and shook Kingsley's hand, "It's no problem at all, Sir, but could I just ask one thing?"
"What is it, Harry?"
"Who is that Andrew Wilson?" Harry asked.
"Andrew Wilson? He's an auror. You'll formally meet him the day after tomorrow at training. He's around Bill's age. He's slightly arrogant as you could tell. He was one of our last recruits, but didn't really help much when the Ministry was taken over last year," Kingsley informed him. Harry absorbed the information and nodded.
Kingsley stuck out his hand, "Thanks again, Harry." He shook Harry's hand and then checked his watch, "Good gracious, it's already 5:30! Excuse me, Harry, I have a lot of work I need to finish before leaving." Kingsley turned and walked briskly out of the courtroom.
Percy was waiting by the door for Harry. Harry undid the court robes and handed them to Percy who hung them up. "Better be going now, Harry. Mum will kill us if we miss this dinner!"
They hastened to the fireplaces and flooed to the Burrow where Mrs. Weasley was just setting the table. "Harry, there you are! Been wondering when you'd get here! Oh and Percy, you're early!" Mrs. Weasley said. She grabbed both of their cheeks and pinched them slightly.
"Mum, wouldn't miss this dinner for the world," Percy told his mother kissing her on the cheek.
Harry hugged Mrs. Weasley and kissed her cheek as well. "There was no way that I'd be missing this."
"Well, I'm glad both of you are here. You can both help, because no one else is home yet, except Ginny."
Harry and Percy helped Mrs. Weasley finish setting the table and preparing the Burrow for dinner. Ginny came skipping down the stairs, "Hey, how was it?" she asked.
"Ginny knows?" Percy asked.
"No, she doesn't know anything about the trial but she knew I had to go. She was at my house when the letter came," Harry explained.
Percy looked slightly confused and dropped the subject. "Come with me," Ginny said, "I need to show you something."
Harry followed Ginny back up the stairs she shut the door and began to kiss Harry. "I've missed you all day," and she kissed him again. "I missed you too. I wish I didn't have to be there, but I think it was good I was there," he told her.
"Whose trial was it, may I ask?"
"It was for Malfoy," Harry said slowly.
Ginny slightly gasped, "That jerk. What'd they give him?"
Harry sat down on the bed and looked pensively," He's going back to Hogwarts with you," he told her.
Ginny looked quite upset. "He's going back to Hogwarts? That piece of scum is going back to Hogwarts?" She grew angrier as she kept repeating it back to herself.
He rubbed her back trying to get her to calm down, "He's being released into McGonagall's custody and then he'll be taking in extra Muggle Studies classes. Oh and he won't be able to participating in extracurricular things, like quidditch."
"But, still," she reasoned, "He'll be at Hogwarts with Hermione and I."
Harry understood. Even he didn't want to be at Hogwarts with Malfoy and he had to let Ginny go back. As he leaned in for an apology kiss, Mrs. Weasley called that supper was ready. Ginny held his hand and kissed him once more before going downstairs. Everyone was already seated at the table and they were waiting on Harry and Ginny.
"Where've you two been?" George asked trying to hold back a laugh. Harry blushed guiltily. "For your information Harry was helping me finish packing," she retorted.
George put his hands up in defense and then Ron chimed in, "Packing? Is that what you call it now?"
Ginny drew her wand from her pocket. "GINEVRA WEASLEY!" Mrs. Weasley screeched, "YOU PUT THAT WAND AWAY! Ronald, George, please do not tease your sister. Please, every one sit down supper's ready." Ron picked up his fork and knife and listened to the advice of his mother and began to eat.
When they were finished, Ron excused himself from the Burrow because he had promised Hermione that he would have dessert with her family. George made some sly comments underneath his breath and Angelina hit his side, "Ouch," he said.
Angelina whispered, "Good," back to George. Harry could tell that she kicked his foot for good measure.
Ginny held in her laughter at her older brother's 'troubles' and held Harry's hand under the table, while Mr. and Mrs. Weasley cleaned the kitchen up. Harry and Ginny played a game of Exploding Snap, while George played with Angelina's hair in the corner, and Percy was reading in his favorite corner of the sitting room. Ginny leaned over the pile of cards and told Harry that Mrs. Weasley wanted her spending her last night at home. Harry understood, he had even promised Ginny the night before that he'd spend it at the Burrow- in Bill's room, like he promised Mr. Weasley.
George and Angelina left first, according to George he wanted to lie in since it would probably be a slow day. However, Ginny caught him winking at Angelina when he said 'lie in'. Percy left pretty much right after George and Angelina. Mrs. Weasley spent a little extra time arguing with him to take leftovers, because she wasn't going to have anyone in the house to feed starting the day after tomorrow. Percy pleaded with her, but ended up giving in once she told him she'd be coming around his flat a few times a week to tidy up and cook meals.
Mr. Weasley patted Harry on the back and kissed Ginny's head, "Night, you two. Don't stay up too late," he said. Ginny kissed his cheek, "Night, Dad, we'll be up in a few minutes. We just want to finish this game." Mr. Weasley gave a nod of approval. "Well, just don't stay up too late. Big day tomorrow, right? Oh and Harry, Molly made up Ron's room for you." He headed up the stairs to bed.
They were both a little confused as to why Harry had to stay in Ron's room, but there was no use in arguing. Harry yawned, "Are you tired?" Ginny asked him. "A little. We didn't necessarily sleep last night," he said slyly. "You're right. We didn't, did we?" she let out a small laugh. "Maybe we should go to bed then."
She led the way up the stairs and then outside her door she kissed Harry goodnight. "See you in the morning?"
"Yes, I don't want to risk it- especially, you're last night home," he said.
"Are you sure?" Ginny asked she gave a pleading look. Harry kissed her again, "I'll come down in an hour," he said. Ginny lit up and she walked into her room and flicked on the lights.
Harry let out a breath and climbed the stairs to Ron's bedroom. He climbed into the cot that he had always slept on and whispered 'Nox' and the tip of his wand dimmed. From the shadows of the moon, Harry watched the players in Ron's Chudley Cannons posters fly around. He thought about the bracelet that was in his bag and when he was going to give it to Ginny.
Everything seemed nice and quiet for Harry's exit from Ron's room; Harry silently opened the door and snuck down to Ginny's room. She was digging through drawers and double-checking that she had everything she needed packed when Harry poked his head in. He closed the door behind him and snuck up behind her. She was a little startled, but managed not to scream. "Blimey, you scared me, Harry."
He apologized and sat down on her bed while she rummaged through her trunk. "I think that's it," she announced after looking over every square inch of her room. "You think?" Harry asked her. She lovingly tapped his face and he smiled at her touch. She crawled into bed with him and she flicked off the light; she wrapped her arms around Harry's waist. He closed his eyes and rubbed her back slowly. They talked for a while, but then grew quiet and fell asleep.
Ginny woke Harry up as the sun was coming up over the Burrow. "You better get back upstairs. I'm sure they won't be happy about this," Ginny told him. He kissed her cheek, "You're right. I'll see you in a little while."
Harry opened the door as Ginny fixed the blankets around her. He looked back at her once more, "Hey Ginny," he whispered, "I love you."
Her face lit up and he closed the door behind him. Harry turned and came face to face with Mr. Weasley. "Better get upstairs before Molly sees you," he advised. Harry bowed his head and ran up the stairs.