I'm super sorry it's taken me so long to get this up. Things have been mad hectic in my life right now. I'm also sorry that it's so short. There are only one or two more chapters ahead. I'm not sure, yet. It's kind of a bitter sweet thing. Hope you enjoy. Please read and review!


Chapter 28

Conviction

August 1, 1999

Washington, DC

It was a few minutes after ten and Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco, Johnny Ray, Neville, Roddy, and the rest of the team were gathered in the conference room.

Everyone had a good night sleep and felt better than they had in a long while. Thy were chatting happily when Johnny Ray stood up to begin the meeting.

"I can't thank each of y'all enough for all of the hard work you've put into catching Michael. I know that we are all greatly relieved to have him off the streets. We have all been given two weeks of paid vacation time. I am very thankful for Ron, Harry, Draco, Hermione, Neville, George, Luke, and Ashira and all of the help you have been able to provide. If it wasn't y'all I don't think we would have caught him and I don't think we would have even known where to start." Johnny Ray paused and everyone clapped. "You've been an amazing asset and I am honored to have worked with each and every one of you. If you ever need a reference or anything please don't be hesitant to ask. Harry, we would like for you to teach us the counter spell for the sectumsempra just to have incase we need it. I realize this is dark magic but it would still be nice to know. Just in case."

"Of course. It isn't a hard spell to learn. When would you like me to show you?" Harry answered.

Harry showed everyone the counter curse and Amber said she was going to record it and file it so it was on hand incase it was ever needed again. Harry agreed and hoped they never had to come across it again.

"Now, what to do with Michael. I know this is the question on everyone's minds. I've been thinking about it as well. I think that he needs to be tested for a physiological problem. He needs to be admitted into a hospital and then sent to trial from there. I know we all have many questions for him. He probably doesn't know the answers to most of them, but I don't think it will hurt to try. The way I see it is that we should let Luke go in and talk to him. He is most comfortable with Luke and views him as a friend, no matter the circumstances. Something about Harry or Roddy set him back at the house yesterday. I don't want that again. I realize he doesn't have a wand but he may posses wandless magic that he has no idea about. Luke is our safest bet. Does anyone disagree?"

No one said anything and Johnny Ray continued, "I want to make a list of questions for Luke to ask Michael. Again, he probably won't know the answers to most of them in his proper mind, but for right now we want to keep him in his right mind."

Hermione wrote a list of all the questions they wanted to ask. The list had things like why did you choose the people you did? Did you feel remorse? Harry wanted to know how he learned the curse and Draco wanted to know why he targeted Hermione. Luke added a few questions of his own to the list. After they finished the list Luke went to visit Michael in the cell.


"Michael. Michael, you awake?" Luke asked nervously.

Michael picked his head off the floor and sat up rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He nodded.

"I brought you some water and some food." Luke said and passed the food to Michael. Luke sat on the cold concrete and waited for Michael to eat his food.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Michael was muttering over and over again. "I'm so sorry. Please. I'm sorry. I didn't mean too, I couldn't help."

"Mike, it's alright. We're going to get you help." Luke reassured him. "I do have some questions before we get you some help though." He waited for Michael to acknowledge him before he continued. "How did you learn that curse?" Luke asked after Michael looked him in the eye.

Michael was quiet for a few moments before he spoke. The quietness made Luke uneasy but finally Michael said, "Sixth year I was in the lavatory when Harry used that curse on Draco. They didn't know I was in there. When I heard them come in and start firing curses at one another I magically locked the door and pulled my feet up so they couldn't see them. I could see them though. I watched Harry cast sectumsempra on Draco and I saw Snape run in and save Draco."

"Okay, that answers that question. Had you ever used it before the war ended?" Luke asked looking at his lost friend.

Tears poured down Michael's cheeks as he nodded his head yes.

"Who? When?" Luke asked trying to keep his voice calm.

"During the war, I... I... I used it on LeStrange. I killed LeStrange with the curse during the final battle." Michael's voice came out shaky.

"That's alright, Mike. He was a bad guy. He was trying to kill us. He murdered people, he killed people for no reason. Using that curse on LeStrange was okay. He deserved it. I know how hard it was to fight and kill people. I affected all of us. It wasn't something that we should have had to do at 17 years old. It has changed all of us. It's okay." Luke said in the most soothing voice he could muster. Luke asked a few more questions but didn't get many more real answers. Michael started to digress and Luke felt it was best to leave him be for a while.


"How'd it go?" Harry asked Luke when he reentered the conference room.

"I got a few answers. I'll go back in a little while. He needed to calm down. He said that he saw you use the spell on Draco in the lavatory back in 6th year. He said he was in the stall when you cast that curse on Draco but he hid from you. He also said that he used that curse to kill LeStrange during the final battle. He quickly started to digress after that so I figured I'd let him be for a while." Luke answered.

"Damn it!" Harry muttered as he slammed his fist into the desk.

"It's not your fault, mate." Draco chimed in. "Don't even go there. I know where you're going with that and it isn't true at all. Not your fault. Don't blame yourself. It could be my fault as well. If it hasn't been sectumsempra it would have been something else, and whatever curse he might have used might have been harder to track and figure out where it came from. Michael using sectumsempra is actually a blessing in disguise."

Hermione, Ron, Harry, Luke, Neville, George, and Roddy all stared dumbfounded at Draco.

"Don't look at me like that." He growled.

George laughed and that eased the tension in the room.


October 5, 1999

Hermione, Draco, Ron, Harry, Luke, Neville, George, Roddy, and Johnny Ray all were very somber as they entered the courthouse in Washington DC. It was a rather cold, windy day for early October. The previous day had been the last day of Michael's trail. They were supposed to announce the verdict today. Michael has been at St. Alfred's since August the 1st. He has been officially diagnosed with PTSD, one of the most severe cases that anyone had ever seen. He had, honestly, no recollection of the events that occurred when he was in one of his fits. He always woke up and felt a sense or guilt and relief. He had shown great remorse for his actions. He had apologized profusely for his poor actions. He had written very heart felt letters to Draco, Hermione, Roddy, and Luke about his actions as well as to the DC team of investigators. It was up to the jury to decide what Michael's punishment would be.

They were all nervous for Michael. Each one of them had slightly differing opinions of what they wanted to happen to Michael. They all agreed that he needed to be punished and they all agreed that he needed to continue to get counseling and help dealing with his PTSD and the demons that he was fighting.

They all sat silently in the courtroom. Michael's parents were there and couldn't begin to express how grateful they were for the support from everyone. They were mortified by their son's actions but came to realize that he wasn't able to control his actions at all.

They were all nerves waiting for the judge and the jurors to announce the verdict. Hermione was twirling her hair. Harry was drumming his hands on his legs. Luke was popping his knuckles over and over again.

After Michael had been arrested everyone from America took 2 weeks off and Johnny Ray and Roddy added another 2 weeks to that. They all needed time to unwind and to relax and do some serious soul searching. They were all so greatly effected by Michael's actions. Johnny Ray and Felicia spent 18 days in Fiji and the rest of the time they spent at home really enjoying being with one another.

Roddy and Mae spent two weeks in Greece and Crete and then Roddy spent a week alone in Romania visiting Charlie and playing with dragons. He had been very jealous of Draco when Draco and spent time with dragons and wanted to experience it as well. The final week of his time off he spent at home with Mae.

Harry went back to England and spent the final days of summer with Ginny. He had missed her more than he could remember ever missing anyone. He had experienced missing many people but the longing he felt for Ginny trumped anything he had experienced before. They spent time at The Burrow as well as at Sirius's place. They relaxed and talked about their future. Harry was finally able to admit that he needed Ginny and realize he needed her in his life. Harry also spent a fair amount of time alone and soul searching and forgiving. By the time October arrived Harry felt like a new man, he felt lighter than he thought possible. He was happier then he thought he could ever be.

Ron went back to England and he spent most of his time with Ashira. They were very much in love but neither of them were ready to talk marriage, just yet.

Both, Ron and Harry, went back to finish their auror training and would soon be licensed aurors and could choose their own specialized fields. They were excited about that and they were both talking about moving out of The Borrow. Harry had 12 Grimmauld Place and Ron was talking about getting a bigger flat with George. Molly wasn't exactly thrilled about that idea but she did realize that the boys were growing up and needed to learn to live and survive on their own.

Hermione and Draco spent some time site seeing in America, since they were already there. They explored both the wizarding and muggle Philadelphia, Washington D.C., New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Orlando, Nashville, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Dallas, and some of the beautiful countryside throughout America. They spent a few nights in Limestone, Tennessee with Johnny Ray and some time with Roddy in Charlottesville, Virginia before heading to Italy and then to Spain.

Everyone was back in Washington D.C. now, waiting on the verdict.

They were all on edge when the jury came into the courtroom.

A young wizard from the jury stood up to announce the verdict. "The jury finds Michael Ralph Corner guilty of murder. He is sentenced to serve six months in Wizarding Alcatraz. He will receive his counseling there every day for those six months. After he has served his prison time he will be on probation for three years. He will be going to counseling three times a week for the first year, twice a week the second year, and once a week his third year on probation. He will only be allowed to leave the country to return to England for family emergencies. He will have to have these approved by the Ministry of Magic." The young wizard stepped down and tears began to flow from Michael's eyes as well as his parents.

Everyone seemed to agree that his sentence was fair. He was okay with having to serve time. He had come to terms with what he had done and he knew he had to pay the price. He was very grateful with how short of a sentence he had received. Before they carted Michael back to his cell he was allowed to talk to his friends and family.

"I really can't thank each of you enough for everything you have done for me. I am beyond grateful and I am also beyond sorry for all of the trouble and pain I've caused each and every one of you." Michael said with tears in his eyes. He spoke a few more words to his parents and to Luke before the guards took him back to his cell.


Limestone, Tennessee, United States

Everyone gathered at Johnny Ray's place after Michael's final day in court. Hermione and Mae helped Felicia in the kitchen while the boys all played quidditch in the back pitch. Felicia thought it would be a good idea to have a get together with everyone after the trial was finally over. It was a time of celebration and Felicia loved any excuse to make a big huge meal. She and Johnny Ray had something they wanted to announce as did Hermione.

Hermione, Mae, and Felicia called the boys back in and waited for the rest of team that worked to catch Michael to arrive.

Once everyone had arrived and everyone was eating and talking merrily Johnny Ray and Felicia stood up and laced their fingers together.

"I want to thank each of y'all for coming out here tonight. You each were very instrumental in the capture of Michael. I don't know if we would have caught Michael or even known where to start without you. You've helped bring awareness to an illness that is very real and effects wizards and witches even if it isn't heard about often. I am personally more than grateful for all of the man hours you've spent on this case. Felicia and I both thank you from the bottom of our hearts." Johnny Ray paused and Felicia squeezed his hand. He began to speak again. "Felicia and I would like you all to be the first to know, we are pregnant and we are expecting our first child in May."

There were cheers and congratulations all around. After the excitement of Johnny Ray and Felicia's news died down Hermione stood up.

"What I have to say isn't near as exciting as the fact that there will be a baby soon but I want you all to know that I've decided what I'm going to start doing come January. Most of you know I took some time off since I graduated back in May and I was very unsure as to what field I wanted to go into. I am still not sure this is what I'll do the rest of my life but for now it's what I want to do. I will be heading back to England and I will be working in the research department at St. Mungo's. I was very moved by Melissa's actions when Roddy was hit with that curse and lost all that blood. If it wasn't for her Roddy would have died despite our best efforts. I also have been doing loads of research on PTSD adn the best and different ways to treat and possibly cure it. I have been in contact with St. Mungo's and they've agreed to give me my own research lab and I basically have free range to do whatever I want, within reason, of course. I'm very excited to begin doing this and this experience has helped mold and shape my thoughts and ideas and has given me drive and a new found purpose. Thank you all very much." Hermione annoucned. There were applause and hugs from everyone.

After the meal was over Hermione went and found Melissa. "May I speak with you for a few moments, Melissa?" Hermione asked.

"Of course, you can." Melissa answered with a smile.

" I am going to be able to hire some people to come and work with me and for me. I have been given a rather large budget and I also know that I can raise my own private funding if I need too. I was hoping that you would like to come and work with me and be my public voice. I am really trying to stay out of the public eye for a while. I've had enough of my face being plastered on every newspaper and magazine with the war and then with everything with Michael to last me a long time. I would also love to have you come and research with me and bring your own ideas and thoughts and things you've tried before. You said you've done some stuff on your own. I would very much love to be able to work with you. Hopefully, together, we can help change wizarding medicine and our world." Hermione looked at Melissa hopefully.

Melissa nodded with tears in her eyes. "I would love to come and work with you. I would love to be able to show you the research I've done and hopefully we can get our work out there to people. I am very honored to have this opptunity." Melissa cried.

Hermione wrapped her arms around her and they hugged one another.

"I'm glad you feel that way. I was worried you'd think I was trying to cut in on your work and your ideas."

"No, no. Not at all. This is wonderful." Melissa said.

Harry, Ron, and Draco were standing in a corner talking to Roddy and Johnny Ray.

"I guess that went well." Harry said. "I know she was a little worried about bringing it up to Melissa."

"Wait, you knew about this before her announcement?" Ron asked.

Draco and Harry laughed at Ron. "Yes, I did. Don't get all worked up there just told me this morning before the trail. You were with George." Harry laughed.

Ron's red face lessened and he went to get another drink.


After the evening was over Hermione and Draco went back to their hotel room.

"It's all over." Hermione sighed as she walked through the door to their room.

"I am glad. This has been a very long ten months. I can't believe all of the things that have happened in such a short timeframe. I can honestly say these past ten months, since really getting to know you has been the best time of my life. You've changed me, 'Mione. You've changed me for the better. I've never been so happy. I didn't even know it was possible to be this happy. I didn't know if I'd ever be able to love. You came in and proved me wrong. I'm so lucky to have you in my life." Draco said and this pressed his mouth to hers.

He still took her breath away. Whenever they touched she still got warm all over and her body still pulsed. She melted into his arms as he lowered her to the bed.