Author's note:
Thank you for the reviews! my, oh, my i love those things ^^'
Well, anyway this chapter and the next, which is the second last, will be a chapter split in two, I'll post the next part tomorrow ;P
I'm still trying to decide between the two names I'm considering for this story, but i wont be changing it until the story is comepleted. Which shouldn't take long now :D
Involuntary Redemption
Daphne sat with her head in her hands outside of the court-room. They had taken Asteria to Azkaban almost thirty minutes ago, and she was now awaiting the decision concerning Theo. She couldn't go in, since it was almost over, and besides she didn't have it in her to see another Wizengamot ever again.
They took her.
The sentence wouldn't leave her. They took her little sister to Azkaban. There might not be Dementors, but it was still Azkaban. And they took her there. Daphne could feel the lump in her throat even worse, when the doors to the court-room opened, and revealed Theo. . . and no guards.
Daphne didn't have the energy to get up, or even be happy to see him. In truth she would have chosen Asteria over him any day. Cousin or not. And he was free.
Theo sat down next to her and didn't say anything. Daphne was glad he didn't. He probably knew what she was thinking of, and rightfully judged it wisest not to comment.
"They cleared me, for lack of evidence." Theo said after fifteen minutes of silence.
"I figured." Daphne said with a tiny voice.
"Should we go home?" Theo asked casually.
"Where is that?" Daphne whispered to herself, but followed Theo down the corridor anyway. But there was no home without Asteria.
Nearly two months later Daphne was sitting in a chair by a small window in the library of Nott Manor. All the windows in the house were small, but this one was a bit clearer, so she could see the landscape outside.
She missed the Greengrass estate, she missed the smell, the familiar corridors and corners. But most of all she missed her family. Her mother's smiles and quick remarks, her father's disapproving looks. And Asteria's. . . . .
She returned her eyes and thoughts to the Daily Prophet in her hands. After everything it had really tried to bring the truth for once, and Daphne had somehow gotten stuck on an article about the imprisoned Death-Eaters that she couldn't let go.
There was quite the list of convicted Death-Eaters. And just at the bottom, a few names had caught her attention.
Lucius Malfoy. 10 years.
Draco Malfoy. 2 years.
Blaise Zabini. 6 years.
Asteria Greengrass. 5 years
Daphne thought she was being rather pathetic. She had been sitting in various rooms around the Manor, with the same article and the same names. It was as if she couldn't shake the feeling that Asteria would stride in any minute wearing a smirk and a horrifying outfit.
She hadn't even begun to think about Blaise. There was really no point. . They were both gone for many years. Many years that she was beginning to think she'd spend alone in the Manor with Theo. In itself not a comforting thought. As a true Nott would, Theo was mourning his father's death the same way Asteria had mourned their parents. Daphne had so far stayed clear of anything containing alcohol. She was never much of drinker, but she didn't feel like pushing her luck.
"There's a letter from the ministry." Daphne looked up to see Theo standing in the doorway. Looking as prim and proper as ever. If slightly less relaxed.
"What's it about?" Daphne asked indifferently.
"Asteria's appeal hearing." Daphne frowned. It said clearly in the article that convicted Death-Eaters didn't get a chance for appeal.
"Someone has asked for it, on the grounds of further evidence." Theo said calmly, and dropped the letter on a table.
"So when is it?" Daphne asked reluctantly.
"Two hours."
"What?" Daphne nearly shouted. "Whey didn't you tell me sooner?" She asked in disbelief.
"It slipped my mind." Theo said simply, and Daphne quickly got up from her chair and headed for her room.
Asteria sat in the same seat as the last hearing, only she looked very different than the last time. She was thinner for one, and had deep dark circles under her eyes. The look was the same though, cool and calm. Daphne had no idea how she managed to be so. . . normal. Maybe that wasn't the word but it fit somewhat.
"Asteria Greengrass, has been called in today to her appeal hearing before this Wizengamot." Professor McGonagall started, as the Wizengamot became silent. "An appeal was made on her behalf, by Mr. Neville Longbottom, who is here today as a witness." McGonagall gestured to her right where Longbottom was sitting looking slightly concerned at Asteria. Daphne craned her neck slightly, and caught his eye. He smiled briefly, and Daphne sat back with a confused look.
"Mr. Longbottom, would you like to start by telling the Wizengamot what you have told me when making this appeal." Longbottom nodded and stood up. He turned to address the witches and wizards with a serious look.
"I have made this appeal, because even though Miss Greengrass was indeed a Death-Eater, she also helped Dumbledore's Army during her time at Hogwarts, bearing the Mark." The Wizengamot remained silent, and Daphne looked fleetingly at Asteria's blank face. "She told me that she did not wish to have the Mark, and wanted to help me. And because of that I do not think her sentence is fair. She told me about what the Death-Eaters at Hogwarts were doing and that was very useful to us." Longbottom said finally, and sat down.
"Are there any questions for the witness?" McGonagall asked, and was met with more silence. She turned to Asteria who met her eyes calmly.
"Miss Greengrass, is what Mr. Longbottom just said the truth?" Asteria nodded.
"Then why might I ask, did you not mention this during your first hearing?" McGonagall asked disapprovingly.
"I didn't think it would matter, I barely had anything useful to tell him." Asteria said in a hoarse voice.
"Yes but something like that could prove quite consequential regarding your conviction." McGonagall said sternly. Asteria simply shrugged, and Daphne felt her jaw drop just a little. How on earth could she be so. . . indifferent?
"As I said, I didn't think it would matter." Asteria said hoarsely. McGonagall shot a sideways glance at Longbottom, who was eyeing Asteria in disbelief, and then returned to her.
"Well, I do believe this matters greatly, so the Wizengamot will now vote to clear Miss Greengrass of her conviction, and any further sentencing." A surprised whisper spread over the Wizengamot. Daphne felt her jaw drop a little further, and looked to Theo at her side. He met her eyes, and she could see just a glint of hope in his.
"All in favour of continuing on with the current sentence?" McGonagall asked, and hands shot up in the gathered crowd. Daphne tried to count but didn't have enough time. She couldn't tell if it was over half.
"All in favour of clearing the defendant of all her sentences?" The other part of the hands went up, along with McGonagall's own. Daphne found it odd that the woman seemed so likely to believe that Asteria didn't deserve her sentence. But she was grateful none the less.
McGonagall seemed to do a quick count before lowering her arm, and watching the others do the same.
"Miss Asteria Greengrass, is hereby ordered immediately released and cleared of all charges, she may also return to her schooling if she wishes." McGonagall said with the same stern voice as always. Daphne felt like someone had just lifted a huge rock off her chest.
She sprung up from her seat and ran to her sister, who had hesitantly stood, and threw herself around her, in a tight hug. Asteria didn't react at first, but then lightly put her arms around Daphne, and hugged her a bit more carefully.
"What just happened?" Asteria whispered hoarsely, and Daphne looked at her with tears in her eyes.
"You're going home." she said, and hugged her again. Asteria hugged her back a little tighter this time.
"It doesn't make sense." She whispered into Daphne's hair.
"I don't care." Daphne said firmly. She thought she felt Asteria chuckle just a little.
A/N:
There you have part 1, hope you love it and reviews are critically important. Really they are! ;D
