Disclaimer:
Nothing is mine. Harry Potter (the Weasley family and so on) belongs to JKR and those who publish her books. Damien is Kurinoone's and Harry's background is kind of hers, too. I am doing this for fun (and to sleep peacefully) and I earn no money for this story. There are parts of this story that have been written by JKR and parts that have been written by Kurinoone.
Chapter Thirty-Five – Being Judged
The rushing and twirling stopped. They had reached their destination. She slowly opened her eyes.
Professor Dumbledore touched her shoulder softly. "Are you okay?" He asked quietly.
She nodded and took a look around. They were indeed in the Burrow's kitchen. Professor Dumbledore stepped out of the fireplace and with shaky legs she followed him. It looked like she had never left. The pots and pans were the same they had always been. The plates were washing themselves in the corner and the familiar clock was ticking in the background. A glance through the window showed her the familiar view. Her heartbeat slowed and she seemed to calm down. She was home. She was really finally home.
And then the door opened and there was her mother. Her breath hitched, her heart was racing once again. Maybe she had arrived at the Burrow but she probably only was really home when they all knew it too.
"Molly," Professor Dumbledore said. "It's good to see you."
"Albus," her mother said calmly, her face full of suspicion. Some of her red hair had turned white and her face had more lines than ever. Ginny hadn't noticed that at the wedding but maybe she had hid it then and didn't usually. Her eyes that once had shone brightly had dimmed. Ginny's heart clenched painfully at seeing her this way. Her mother looked over at her, before she turned to Professor Dumbledore again, frowning. "What do you want?" There was nothing of the usual friendliness there and the urge to please every guest that arrived in her house. Now there was only weariness and a dark lingering suspicion. "We told you before we aren't interested in your," She nearly spat the word. "Order any longer."
"I'm not here for that today." Professor Dumbledore replied calmly not letting the dark mood influence his cheerfulness.
Her mother didn't seem to like his good mood but she didn't comment it either. "We're in the living room." She said businesslike. "Tell us what you want. I want you to leave after that." Ginny had never heard her acting rude before. Would that change when she revealed herself? Fear was starting to crawl up to her. Could everything ever return to the way she had left it?
Professor Dumbledore made his way over into the living room after her mother. Ginny followed them. Her eyes fell on her father first. He was sitting in his usual armchair but he had aged. Some of his hair had fallen out and his eyes were tired behind his glasses. He had his hands folded; the newspaper that usually completed the image was missing. He looked like he wasn't interested any longer anyway.
Bill was sitting on the couch, Fleur and Percy by his side. His earring was missing and he clenched Fleur's hand in his. It nearly looked painfully but he nodded at Professor Dumbledore. Fleur's beauty seemed strangely out of place in the house. It always kind of had but this time it seemed obvious to everyone and it evened seemed like she was holding back. Her head was resting on Bill's shoulder.
Percy's hair wasn't combed and his fingernails weren't cut as precisely as usually. They had different lengths and his glasses were slightly bent. He lacked the usual perfection and he didn't even look at Professor Dumbledore. In the past he would have sprung up, offering his seat.
Charlie stood at the window, looking out. He had turned shortly around to face them, his eyes lingering on her before he turned back around again. he had more scars on his arms and there was an angry burn. Maybe he had stopped being careful with his dragons.
Fred and George weren't sitting together. One of them stood beside Charlie, leaning against the wall, his wand in his hand, looking oddly out of place. The smile was missing from his face and there was no prank item. Ginny hoped it was a fake wand he was holding that would turn into a duck any second. He gripped it tighter, it didn't change. The other twin was sitting on the ground, across from Ron, the chess board between them. Usually they never played against Ron. They didn't fancy losing.
Ron's eyes were the only ones that stayed on her. He gave her a slight nod. His eyes shone brightly and – were there tears? He started packing away the chess pieces against their loud protests and Fred's or George's startled expression.
"Good evening", said Professor Dumbledore softly.
Bill nodded again, Fleur smiled and Ron mumbled a greeting back. The rest kept silent.
"Maybe you should sit down. I've got some news for you." Professor Dumbledore started. No one moved.
Her mother crossed her arms. "Everyone of us is here, there can't be bad news." She stopped. "Although if you want to tell us that the bastard escaped-"
Professor Dumbledore interrupted her: "They're good news."
"Did they give him the Kiss already?"
Ginny's breathing hitched as she realised that her mother was talking about Harry... but for her he only was the one who had killed her. She swallowed a few times and bit her lip, her fear getting the better of her. Guilt was weighing down on her.
Professor Dumbledore shook his head. "It's not about Harry."
Charlie hissed. "Don't say the fucker's name in here."
Ginny opened her mouth, ready to defend him. When she realised what she wanted to do, she quickly closed it again. That would definitively not be the best way to let them know that she was alive.
"It's about Ginny actually."
There was a collective intake of breaths. "There are no good news about Ginny any longer," said Percy quietly. Everyone else but Ron nodded. Tears welt up in Ginny's eyes. Seeing them this way...
Professor Dumbledore continued like nothing had happened. "Not always things are like they seem like and things definitively weren't what they looked liked that day."
"What did that fucker say to defend himself?" spat Charlie.
"As I said before this has nothing to do with Harry but everything to do with Ginny. I've had a visitor today." He nodded towards Ginny. "Someone who had to tell me a great tale, something that will be a source of great joy to every one of you." Charlie snorted. "Excuse me for my bluntness but there is no other way to say it: Ginny is alive."
For a second time froze before-
"That's not possible" said her father resolutely. "We were there. We saw what happened."
"Ah, but Arthur as I said before not everything is as it seems-"
"We saw her. They identified her. We buried her. Whoever said that is a liar!" her father spat.
Professor Dumbledore sighed. He looked at her and nodded. "Would you really call your own daughter a liar, Arthur?"
"I- what?" Her father opened and closed his mouth before he shook his head.
Ginny's hands were shaking as she pulled down her hood. They stared at her. She stared back, slowly looking at each of them.
"No," said her father shaking his head. "That isn't Ginny. I don't know what game it is you're playing but-" He shook his head again.
"Dad," pleaded Ginny softly.
Her father shook his head again. "No." He adjusted his glasses. "You couldn't even get the hair colour right." He stated calmly as if it wasn't his supposed to be dead daughter standing in front of him.
"It's dyed, nothing more." Ginny explained. Her father still shook his head. Ginny's eyes filled with tears. "Please." She whispered and looked at her mother. "Mum," Her voice shook.
"I'm not your mother." Her mother was staring at her for only a moment before she turned towards Professor Dumbledore. "Leave! I don't want to hear your fairytales!"
Ginny trembled. "Mum," She cried. "Dad." She took a deep breath. "It's really me. Please, you've got to believe me."
"She's telling the truth. I ran a few tests. It's her, it's your daughter. She's Ginny Weasley." Professor Dumbledore stated calmly. He nodded at Ginny encouragingly.
"I don't know what you try to gain with this but- this isn't possible." said Percy. "And as my mother said – leave. Leave us alone. We don't want any of your new lies. If you really are this desperate for us to come back to your Order-"
"You're not the man we thought you are." One of the twins completed solemnly.
"As much as it pains me to see you're thinking so lowly of me, this is not about me, not at all. It's about your daughter, who's alive, who's hurting because you don't believe her to tell the truth. I can show you my tests-"
"You can take my blood! Everything to prove I'm telling the truth!" Ginny said her voice getting hysterical.
Bill stood up. "There are ways to fake these. And what do you think happened that day Ginny died? They ran tests, they made sure it's her and faking these – impossible!"
"Then take one of these tests with me, one that's impossible to fake!"
Bill shook his head, disgust on his face. Ginny looked from one to the other but they weren't trusting her, not one of them believed her but Ron. He looked at her, looking absolutely helpless and lost. But she didn't want to tell on him, she didn't want to tell them how far in he had been. They never had to find that out, did they?
And then she got a sudden idea. "But- maybe those tests can be faked but there is something else, something to prove it's really me, your daughter, your sister."
They all stared at her and Professor Dumbledore nodded at her again, showing her that he at least was standing behind her.
"I can tell you everything about me. Things no one but me would know."
Professor Dumbledore nodded, smiling. "Or you could just show them your memories. Those can't be faked, not without noticing-"
"Maybe they can't be faked by anyone but surly you'd be able to." stated her mother.
"Oh, Molly, I'm quite touched you think so highly of me but I would never be able to-"
Ginny interrupted him not caring for how rude this was. This was more important. "I was born on August, 13th... here in the living-room. You told me that my birth was so quick you didn't have time to go anywhere else. It was a strange cold day for mid August. And- Dad held me first and then Bill and- he said I looked ugly and to this day you still make fun of him for saying that. You all call me Ginny now but you tried Gin-Gin for a while. I liked it first and grew to hate it later and made that fact very known to all of you. I hated playing with dolls even through you had bought some especially for me- Ron showed some interested in them through. I enjoyed climbing trees and the first time Mum saw me, she nearly had a heart attack. I wasn't allowed into the garden alone after that. So I had to help in the kitchen a lot. I only loved helping you bake but you wanted me to help you cleaning. I- I noticed that if my brothers did something they would have to help instead of me, so I started blaming things on them. I- Bill, do you remember that vase? I smashed it and told everyone it was you. Mum believed it and- I didn't have to help for two weeks. You were furious but no one believed you. Charlie, it was you who I first showed my flying skills. You were so damn proud of me but you promised me you wouldn't tell anyone. That it could be my secret as long as I wished it to be. But you wanted to be there when they finally saw me flying- and, I remember your faces the first time I handled a Quaffle and beat all of you and- I was so angry that you never allowed me to play Quidditch before that day. It was you, Mum, who made me see the reason behind their actions. They wanted to protect me. But they knew that if they made it too obvious I would be furious and they were scared of that." Ginny smiled. "Totally illogical, right? They wanted me to be a part of the Weasley family and they tried to make it look like they treated me like one of the boys but they protected me. And at the same time they were scared shitless of me. I- I noticed you know? That you hit me not as hard, that you were going slower when racing against me. So I tried to be even better- I-" Tears were filling her eyes. "But you were all stupid jerks on my first day as a Hogwarts student. Mum, do you remember my first letter? I told you that I had been sorted into Gryffindor but that they were the biggest prats around and that Ron was the worst of all. Percy, you do remember the nights I couldn't sleep right? When I had nightmares and Mum and Dad weren't there- I always came to you. You could calm me down and I trusted you much more than the others to not make fun of me. And Dad, you remember our secret, right? That you would sometimes bring home sweets only for me? And that you would pick me up and read bedtime stories to me- but we never told anyone because I begged you to. Fred- George-"
But she couldn't go on. All of them were crying and her mother lunged forward and embraced her. It was the tightest hug they had ever shared. And her father came and hugged both of them. And her brothers joined them. It wasn't like usual where they waited and gave hugs one after the other. Now they were only some kind of big Weasley mob, all hugging and sobbing and trying to grab a part of her to make sure that she was really standing in front of them, that she was as solid as all of them. Ginny couldn't breathe, but it didn't really matter because she had waited so long, had cried so many nights because she thought she would never feel that again.
"How... Ginny... how is that possible? I... we were there... when... in the Ministry-" her mother cried, tears getting all over her.
"I-" Ginny sobbed, remembering Harry. He was probably alone right now, in the depths of the Ministry or some prison, being held a prisoner, not knowing if he would survive the next days- She cried harder, her mother tightening her grip on her. It wasn't fair that he wasn't having a family reunion. He deserved one so much.
"Albus-" her father said, his voice heavy, tears streaming down his face. "I don't know how we'll ever be able to thank you for this."
Professor Dumbledore repeated softly: "It's not me you have to thank, Arthur."
xxx
They stayed awake very long that night but when Ginny finally went to sleep, she did so in her own room. It was a strange feeling for her. Nothing had changed. It was like she had just left it the other day. Everything was still in place. But she didn't sleep well. She was tired and close to passing out but she dreamed about Harry. And it wasn't a happy dream. She woke up crying, the shock of the darkness and coldness of a Dementor lingering in the back of her mind. She couldn't go back to sleep after that and so she stood up even through it was very early.
She walked down the stairs into the kitchen. Her mother was already awake, making tea and coffee. She paused when she spotted her. She hurried towards her and hugged her again. "Oh thank Merlin, it wasn't a dream." She guided Ginny to one of the chairs. "Do you want coffee? I'm going to make the very best breakfast in just a moment. You look hungry. You need something to eat. Did you get enough to eat? You look so thin!" Her mother pushed a box away that was sitting on the table to clear room for her.
"Yes, coffee would be great, Mum."
Her mother wiped some tears from her face and grabbed into the box. "Those- those are some from the things that reminded me of you." She took out Ginny's favourite cup. "I- I couldn't see it every day after a while but- I kept everything- and I started unpacking again." She set the cup down and hugged her again. "Oh, Ginny."
Ginny tried to smile, tried to calm her down and rubbed her back. "It's okay, Mum. I'm here, I'm home."
Her mother beamed and nodded. "Yes, yes, you're home. I still- I can't grasp it yet but oh- thank Merlin, Ginny-" She brushed some more tears away and took the cup, filling it with coffee. "I already put your hand on the clock back." She didn't have to explain what she talked about. Ginny glanced at the clock. Her hand was pointing at home, as were the others. Her mother took out another cup and filled it with tea, sitting down across from her, looking at the clock as well. "Your hand pointed to lost after- after- I couldn't see it, so I took it down but-" She smiled and took a gulp of tea. Ginny nipped on her coffee.
There were footsteps on the stairs and her father appeared. "Ginny" He said and walked over to her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Before letting her go, he softly kissed her forehead. He hummed softly under his breath as he took a cup of tea. He sat down beside her mother and they both fixed their eyes on her, drinking in the sight of her. Ginny had to blink back tears to see them this happy again. She fiddled with her cup, running her hands over the little mark that showed that it had been shattered once and that a little piece was missing since.
"I didn't want to ask it yesterday," started her father slowly, searching for the right words. "but do you know how- what happened that... that day? What really happened? How can you be here? And where were you? What happened to you Ginny? What did he do to you?" His voice was laced with worry and fear and his eyes looked troubled.
Ginny bit her lip, trying to search for the right words. Where should she begin? What should she tell them? She took a gulp of coffee before putting down her cup. She fiddled with her hands, taking in deep breaths.
"If you can't tell us now, Ginny, it's okay." said her father, reaching over the table, holding onto her hands.
Her mother tried to suppress a sob but she failed. "What did he do, Ginny? Please, you have to tell us. We'll get into touch with someone in the Ministry and they can hear you and- he'll be punished, Ginny, you don't have to be afraid any longer. There may be a trial but- he's going to be given the Kiss. There's no need to be afraid. Everything will be fine."
Ginny started crying and with every word, she had to cry harder. She shook her head. "No, they can't do that. They- I- you don't understand. That's not- you can't- don't say that, Mum!" She pressed her hand to her mouth and shook her head. "Don't talk about Harry that way!"
They both took in a sharp breath. "Ginny, I'm not sure you understand-" started her father and her mother was staring at her, horrified.
Before they could say more, the fire flared and turned green. They turned towards it. Her father drew his wand. But it was Professor Dumbledore who stepped out, followed by Madam Pomfrey. Her father put his wand away.
"Good morning, Albus, Poppy." greeted her mother them. "Can I offer you a cup of tea?"
"Good morning," Professor Dumbledore smiled. "That sounds very inviting but I must decline your offer, Molly. We're here for Ginny actually. I hoped you'd be awake already."
"Is there any news, Sir?" Ginny asked, her heart speeding up.
Professor Dumbledore nodded. "The trial is going to be today."
Ginny's breathing hitched. "Is there a chance I can see him?"
"That's what I'm here for. I'll take you now."
"What are you talking about, Albus?" asked her mother.
"Ginny asked me to take her to Harry. She wants to see him. Surly she explained it to you already." Professor Dumbledore said.
Ginny blushed and looked away. "I just tried to but- I-" She paused. "I'll get dressed." She stood up.
"You're doing no such thing. You're not going." said her father, sounding absolute.
"What?" asked Ginny. "I- of course I'm going, Dad."
"No, you only got home." agreed her mother.
"And we" her parents shared a quick look. "we don't want you to see him again."
Ginny stared at them and shook her head. "You don't get it." She turned towards Professor Dumbledore. "I'm coming." She hurried upstairs, throwing on the first clothes she could grasp. When she returned downstairs they were still arguing.
"You're not going, Ginny." Her mother said as soon as she saw her.
"I am and you can't stop me." She stepped towards the fireplace and beside her headmaster.
"No." said her father. "We forbid you to go."
"Molly, Arthur," Professor Dumbledore started. "if she hadn't had the time to explain what happened you should just trust me. She can see him, it's not-"
Her mother interrupted him. "No, we're her parents, we make the decisions and we say no."
Ginny crossed her arms. "But I'll go."
Professor Dumbledore sighed. "Maybe it would change your mind, Arthur, if you could come as well?"
Her father hesitated, Ginny shook her head. "I want to see him alone."
Professor Dumbledore looked over at her. "Your parents only want the best for you and of course they have the ultimate say in this, Ginny. They just got you back. They don't want you out of their sight. Arthur, please, come ahead and join us. We haven't got that much time-" Professor Dumbledore took a look at his watch. "And we really must get going."
Her father looked from her to Professor Dumbledore to her mother and finally he nodded. "I'll come with you."
Ginny frowned but she kept silent. If this was her only chance, she would take it. But she needed to see Harry.
"Very well, now that we settled that, there is something else we need to do. Would you mind, if I transfigure your clothes, Ginny, Arthur?"
Ginny shook her head at once, while her father frowned. "Why, Albus, what've you planned?"
Professor Dumbledore took out his wand and pointed it at her. While she felt her clothes changing, he explained: "He isn't allowed visitors at the moment but I'm going to defend him in trial today. As his witness of defence I'm allowed to see him. And Arthur, you're going to be my assistant- I'm bringing Poppy to check him over and Ginny- you're a nurse in training. Poppy may need assistance and she only trusts you in this. Alastor will meet with us in the Atrium from where we'll make our way to the prisoner cells where Harry is awaiting his trial."
Ginny brushed down her robes and nodded, understanding.
"You're defending him?" asked her mother shocked.
Albus nodded but said nothing more about it. He turned towards Arthur and transfigured his clothes as well. He was now wearing a simply dark blue cloak, a large hat covering his hair and most of his face. "Perfect," Professor Dumbledore said, clapping his hands once. "We should get going then."
They stepped over to the fireplace and one after the other they threw in floo powder, calling out their destination. Ginny went last. Her mother was clutching her apron, looking solemnly at her. Ginny tried to give her a reassuring smile but it didn't seem to help.
She disappeared in the twirling and saw fireplaces rush by her. It stopped and she was in the middle of the Atrium. She stepped out of the fireplace quickly, making her way over to the others. Madam Pomfrey passed her a small bag. "Potions," She mumbled as an explanation. Ginny took the bag and nodded.
Auror Moody came walking towards them, his wooden leg thumping loudly on the floor. "Glad it's finally so empty in here." He said as a greeting, taking a look around at the really empty Atrium. Only a few people were milling around, most of them Aurors. "Aurors cleared the place moments ago. It was hell in here. They all tried to get a look at him. A press conference is somewhere around here at the moment- so let's better get going before the masses return!"
Professor Dumbledore nodded and they all followed Moody down the Atrium. "Change of locations," the Auror muttered to Professor Dumbledore. "Had to get him out of his cell."
Professor Dumbledore looked at him worriedly. "What happened?"
"Who is the better question." muttered Moody. "Bastards wouldn't keep their hands from him."
Madam Pomfrey gasped. "How hurt is he?"
"Not here," Moody shook his head, his magic eye rolling around. "I've got him in my quarters."
Moody was leading them to the lifts. He scrolled at everyone they met, while answering question of who they were and what they were about to do – not that many dared to ask anyway. They entered a lift and he pressed some buttons and tapped his wand to the wall. The lift started at once and pulled down. When it stopped Moody got out and they followed him.
He led them further down the Ministry, away from prying eyes and nearer to where Harry was. Ginny's heart was beating loudly in her chest, but she tried to look as neutral as she could. She didn't want to give them away.
Finally they came to stand in front of a door, where two Aurors were standing guard. Moody said something in quiet tones, which got the others to open the door. Their group entered, leaving the Aurors behind.
Ginny was the last to enter. As soon as the door was closed, Moody had his wand ready, making complex motions with it but Ginny didn't pay him much attention. Instead she focused only on the one she had prayed to see. Her heart leaped when she saw the familiar mob of unruly black hair.
He was half sitting, half lying on the bed in the room. He looked terrible. Anger welt up inside of her but she swallowed it. His eyes meet hers and a slow tired smile spread on his face. He got up. He father gripped her arm and tried to hold her back but she pulled free and in a few seconds she had crossed the space between them, coming to stand just in front of him.
Only then did she realise that he was wearing handcuffs which glowed in some strange light. She looked up at him, hesitating. Could she touch him without hurting him? Should she touch him at all? Didn't he want to touch her in front of people? Should she just stay where she was?
It seemed as if her nervousness had shown because Harry lifted his arms, making it possible for her to stand even closer. She ducked a bit and closed the gap between them, coming to stand right before him. He looked down on her and she felt him lower his arms a bit. The hug was a bit awkward, but she didn't care. Her arms found their way around him, pressing him close. He rested his chin on the top of her head, while she drew in his scent and rested her own head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat for a moment. Ginny didn't know how long they stayed that way, but it was someone's cough that brought her back to reality. She buried her head even deeper into his clothes, trying to will reality aside, but she felt Harry lifting his head.
"Ginny, com- come here please." pleaded her father. Ginny stayed where she was. But Harry loosened his grip.
"You should listen to him." Harry whispered just above her ear. She shook her head, even going as far as tightening her arms around him even more. She didn't want to let him go. Harry pulled away. Ginny wanted to say something but he grabbed her shoulder to steady himself. He closed his eyes and grabbed his head. He hissed in pain. She grabbed his arm while Madam Pomfrey was at his side a second later. Together they helped him sit down against his loud protests.
"Harry, what's wrong? What happened?" Ginny asked concerned.
"Just dizzy." Harry mumbled. Ginny took hold of his hand, while Madam Pomfrey pulled out her wand, muttering spells under her breath.
"You should give him something against pain, something strong." interfered Moody. "Tonks and I managed the worst already." Ginny's heart clenched painfully. He was already better? "But the unauthorised Cruciatus still lingers."
Ginny gasped as did Professor Dumbledore. Madam Pomfrey went through her things, finally handing him a vial. Harry looked up at Dumbledore a bit suspicious before he gulped the potion down.
"Who was it?" asked Professor Dumbledore.
"Blake. I don't know who else was there, he was the only one I met in the cell but there were more standing guard- they must have heard him."
Ginny tightened her grip on Harry's hand. She tried to ignore her father's face. Harry was more important now.
"I'll take care of it." said Professor Dumbledore.
Harry shook his head. "No, you won't and you won't defend me."
"But Harry, my dear boy, the evidence I managed to gather-"
"I'm not your dear boy." Harry spat. He paused for a moment, looked from Dumbledore to Ginny to Moody to her father to Madam Pomfrey, back to Ginny and then he made the connection. "No." He shook his head.
"I told them," Ginny drew in a deep breath, confirming his suspicion. "everything."
Harry stared at her. His eyes darkened and something moved in them. He dropped her hands, she tried to reach for his again but he backed away. "No," He said, his voice cold. And then: "you promised."
"I- Harry-"
"No, get away! Get away from me! You said you wouldn't tell and what did you do? You told! How could you?!" His voice was harsh and his tone final.
Ginny felt like she had been punched in the stomach. Tears formed in her eyes. "Harry, please, you have to listen to me, you-"
"No!" He turned away from her, Ginny tried to reach out to him, he stood up and turned to Dumbledore. "Don't! You can't use this in court, this can't be known."
"My dear boy," Professor Dumbledore said. "This is the truth and everyone has a right to know what really happened. Otherwise you-"
"What does it matter? Voldemort" Madam Pomfrey and her father flinched "will hunt them down!"
"They would've given you the Kiss!" Ginny cried out.
"I'll rather take the Kiss than get them murdered!" Harry shook his head, stepping nearer to Dumbledore. "You know what he's capable of. He'll kill them in the most brutal way there is!"
"No, Harry-" Ginny started again.
"Ginny, shut up!" He hissed. "You don't understand this; this is too big for you!"
Ginny gaped at him. "I'm saving your sorry ass and all you've got to tell me is that I'm too young to get it?"
"Ginny-" whimpered her father.
Harry turned around towards her, stalking towards her. Her father was there in a second, standing in front of her. Harry sneered. She tried to push her father aside but he wouldn't move. "We're leaving." her father said. "And you won't see my daughter ever again."
"Well, gladly!" Harry spat. "I don't want to see her treacherous face anyway!"
Ginny felt like crying and screaming and punching him. "You don't mean that, Harry! You don't mean it that way."
Her father pulled her away and towards the door.
"Harry-" She pleaded, trying to break free from her father but at the same time trying not to hurt him.
"I do, Weasley, I do mean it exactly that way."
xxx
Ginny fiddled with her hands, looking up at Frank Longbottom who was pacing the room. Alice Longbottom was sitting next to her as were Damien and Madam Pomfrey. Professor Dumbledore had just left them. The trial would start in mere minutes in the room next to them and they would be able to watch it through a projection Professor Dumbledore had conjured into the air. This way they could follow what happened and knew when it was their time to enter the courtroom.
After her father had dragged her out of the room and away from Harry – under the suspicious looks from the Aurors standing guard outside – Professor Dumbledore had followed them, telling them in quiet tones that he would come to visit them when he was finished.
They had returned home where her mother had waited. Some of her brothers had been awake already and her mother had finished preparing breakfast. After breakfast her parents had pulled her aside in their room, asking her about Harry and what this all meant. She hadn't said much only that she wanted to be at his trial and that she would testify in court. She had tried to explain to them that it was Harry who had saved her. They hadn't believed her, instead going as far as telling her that she didn't know the truth and that he had lied to her. They were concerned for her and even wanted to get her to a Healer to check if she was okay. She had tried to argue but they didn't listen. She hadn't told them about her relationship with Harry. She couldn't imagine what that would have meant. And she had other things to occupy her mind with. She had tried to get the anger and hurt out of her system. Harry was probably trying to protect the Longbottoms and her. He didn't want to risk their lives. But it couldn't be at the cost of his. She didn't regret what she had done but she hoped that Harry would see reason. But she was willing to accept that Harry was mad at her and that he would need time to forgive if he only lived.
Professor Dumbledore had visited them shortly after that, telling them that Ginny had to be in court. Her parents had protested but he had insisted, telling them that he wouldn't force Ginny to say anything she didn't want to and that it would help for the truth to come out. It had taken a while to finally convince them but he had managed. Her parents and brothers had come, too. They were sitting in the courtroom with the rest of the audience.
Ginny took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on the present. Everything would turn out right. It just had to.
Mr. Potter entered the room, closing the door behind him swiftly. He nodded at them all. "I spoke with Harry again." He explained shortly. "I hope he'll go with it. I begged him to but-" he trailed off. "Thank you again for being here, for risking-" He broke off.
Mr. Longbottom nodded. "Of course, James, of course. After everything Harry has done for us, it's the least we can do." Mrs. Longbottom nodded as did Ginny.
Mr. Potter gave them a relived smile. "I need to get going." He looked at the projection shortly. "It's about to start."
Mr. Longbottom clasped his shoulder tightly. "Everything is going to turn out right, James, you'll see."
"I hope so." Mr. Potter smiled tiredly. "If he agrees to everything, there's a change but if he doesn't-" He looked troubled but shook his head. "I'll see you later." He nodded again and left the room.
"He's going to agree to it. It's the Dementor's Kiss otherwise. He won't risk that." tried Mrs. Longbottom to reassure them. Ginny balled her hands to fists. He couldn't risk that. She didn't know what she would do if he didn't go with it, if he would end up getting the Kiss. She drew in a shaky breath. He wouldn't do that. Professor Dumbledore had seemed convinced nothing could happen, that everything would turn out right and she believed him.
Over the projection they could see the doors to the courtroom swinging open and more Aurors entered. A hush spread through the crowd as Harry entered. He was lead to the chair in the middle of the floor. Auror Moody waved his wand and the chains bounding Harry disappeared. Ginny could see several people who were sitting closest to Harry flinching away. Harry was lowered into the chair. The chains sprang to life at once and wrapped themselves tightly around his arms and legs. Ginny bit her lip and balled her hands to fists. Silently she watched Harry being forced to look up at the people sitting in front of him. Her family was there. They stared at him angrily. Hopefully they would understand what really happened soon. There was Neville. Soon he would know that his parents were alive and the hate from his face would hopefully vanish. But Harry focused on the people sitting in the front row. The newly elected Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour was sitting alongside a large rather intimidating looking woman and a dark haired wizard whose names Ginny didn't know.
The courtroom was silent as the Minister cleared his throat. Ginny guessed that usually he had to request silence. "Now, that the accused is here, we're about to begin." He eyed Harry ruthlessly before speaking and Ginny felt a sudden hate grow inside of her for the man who had once been 'merely' her father's boss. It was clear what he thought about Harry. Could that man really oversee the trial?
"Harry James Potter, you are brought before the Wizengamot today for crimes which you have committed against the Wizarding world. These crimes include the casting of the Unforgivables. You have committed a total of twenty-one murders and have participated in numerous raids, resulting in more deaths and destruction. Do you deny these accusations?"
Harry's voice rang out clear and strong as he answered "No."
Ginny felt her heart drop. This wasn't really part of the plan, was it?
"The trial shall commence and acting as the Interrogators are myself, Rufus Scrimgeour, Minister for Magic, Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and Julian Reid, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister. The witness of the defence is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."
Professor Dumbledore appeared beside Harry and greeted the Interrogators with a nod, ignoring the whispers and stares from the audience.
Harry cleared his throat when Scrimgeour finished the introduction. "The accused is to speak when asked a question." Scrimgeour said sharply.
"I've got something to say anyway." spit Harry back just as sharply. "I don't want him as my witness of defence." Harry nodded towards Professor Dumbledore.
Whispers broke out through the entire court room and Ginny felt her stomach drop. Scrimgeour frowned, Madam Bones raised an eyebrow.
Professor Dumbledore kept smiling. It was like he had known this would happen. He stepped forward, pulling out a piece of parchment which he handed Madam Bones. "Mr. Potter is underage, therefore a minor. His parents are his legal guardians and they gave me full authority to be his witness of defence."
Harry stared at him shocked as did several people from the audience. It was nearly ironic that Harry was standing trial for murder but couldn't decide who would defend him.
Madam Bones nodded. "This," she held up the parchment. "is named authority." She passed it on to the Minister and Reid. They both gave it a quick look before nodding as well.
Scrimgeour continued like nothing had happened. "I think that the first thing that should be explained is indeed this trial. The accused has verbally agreed to the charges placed on him. Why is it that you insisted on a trial, Dumbledore?"
Professor Dumbledore walked a few steps over to where Harry was sitting. "I think that the right for a fair trial is every wizard and witches right. Therefore Mr Potter should have this chance as well."
Scrimgeour ignored Professor Dumbledore's words and continued like he hadn't asked a thing. "The first of the charges," he read from a parchment before him. "Harry James Potter, you have been charged with twenty-one counts of murder. How do you plead to these charges?"
Harry waited for a few seconds. 'Come on,' Ginny pleaded silently. 'Not guilty', she willed him to say. He didn't.
In an emotionless voice he said: "Guilty." Ginny's stomach dropped and she shook her head. This didn't sound good at all.
"Right, well, now that that's settled, we'll move on to the raids-" Scrimgeour was cut off as Dumbledore moved forward.
"I don't think we have quite finished with the first charge." he said in a calm voice.
Scrimgeour looked at the two people sitting next to him. "Yes, we have, the accused has pleaded guilty to these charges. What do you wish to add?" he asked in a controlled voice.
"Minister, you asked a simple question to which Mr. Potter gave a very simple answer. However this case is more complicated-" Professor Dumbledore was cut off as the Minister lost his patience.
"Complicated! There is nothing complicated about this! He has admitted to committing these murders! What are you trying to suggest, that he didn't do this?"
"Of course not. Mr. Potter is indeed quite correct in answering guilty to these crimes. My point is that these murders themselves should be investigated a little closely." Dumbledore answered in his calm voice.
"The Wizengamot does not have the time to look closely at every single crime this boy had committed! We have to move on." Scrimgeour retorted. "There are more trials planned for today."
"It would only take a moment or two to make my point, if you would answer one question, Minister?" Dumbledore answered.
"Ask your question!" he answered, thoroughly annoyed.
Dumbledore inclined his head and looked at the Minister calmly. "Out of the twenty-one murders, how many of the victims were Death Eaters?" he asked simply. There was a hushed silence that fell over the room.
"What difference does that make?" asked a thoroughly annoyed Minister.
"It makes all the difference. Now, Minister how many of these victims were loyal followers of Voldemort?" A sharp intake of breath was heard as most people gasped at the name.
"I don't have the necessary documents with me." Scrimgeour answered as he glared at Dumbledore.
"Of course, with this trial happening so fast it isn't possible to gather all the information. I do apologise. However, you will forgive me if I present my first set of evidence." Dumbledore held up his hand and at once a file appeared in his hand. Opening the file, Dumbledore reported the findings."According to this extract taken from Mr. Potter's official criminal record, out of the twenty-one victims, sixteen were Death Eaters."
"How does that change anything? They were still humans! This boy had no right to kill them!" Scrimgeour snapped.
"Forgive me, Minister, but according to this, your predecessor had given the orders for these very men to be killed upon capture." Dumbledore held up another document and it instantly disappeared and reappeared in front of the Minister.
Amelia Bones reached over and took the parchment and studied it closely. "This shows a list of names of sixteen Death Eaters and next to their names are the dates that Minister Fudge has announced the order to kill them upon capture." She said strictly, passing it on.
"As you can see from this, these Death Eaters were condemned to death by this very Ministry. They were men with atrocious crimes to their names. They were greatly feared by the Wizarding community, hence Minister Fudge's orders to kill them at sight. Minister Fudge had even agreed to give out rewards to any Auror who could take down these highly dangerous men. What I would like to point out is that on one hand this very Ministry was quite content to have these men killed and even offered a reward to the Auror who managed to complete this task. On the other hand you are willing to punish the one who did in fact destroy these men. I was just wondering how you could justify that."
It was Madam Bones who answered. "It is the job of an Auror to capture or in some cases kill anyone who poses a threat to our world. Mr. Potter is not an Auror. He is not even of age yet. Therefore he can't be treated the same as an Auror. He didn't kill these men because they were at threat to the Wizarding world. He killed them for his own personal agenda."
"You're quite right Madam Bones, however, Mr. Potter may not have killed these men for the same reasons, but I think it is highly unjustified that one man gets rewarded for a deed that another gets punished for. These men were not a part of our society. They were endangering our people. If Mr. Potter got rid of them, for whatever reason, he still did the Wizarding world a favour. He should not be punished for killing these Death Eaters."
Madam Bones made a note on her parchment and after a few whispered words with Julian Reid and Scrimgeour she addressed Dumbledore. "The second charge against Mr Potter is participation in violent raids which disrupted peace and endangered lives. Mr Potter, how do you plead?"
"Not guilty except for two occasions." he answered clearly.
"Please explain yourself, Mr. Potter." Madam Bones simply ordered.
"I have never participated in any raid that has happened. The only raids I was a part of were the Hogwarts Express incident and the one at Diagon Alley."
At the mention of Hogwarts Express, a ripple of shouts went through the crowd. Ginny frowned. He had been there when they had set fire to the Lovegood's house. But maybe they didn't know about that.
"These are the only occasions you were involved in a raid?" Madam Bones asked.
"Yes," Harry answered.
She made another note and whispered something to Reid. The Undersecretary wrote something on his parchment as well.
"I wish to present my first witness to explain the situation at the Hogwarts Express." Professor Dumbledore said.
Madame Bones nodded her head and Dumbledore said in a clear voice. "My first witness, please enter." Damien quickly stood up and left the room, appearing seconds later in the court room. He gave Harry a nervous look before he walked over to the small stand that Professor Dumbledore had conjured.
"Please state your full name for the Wizengamot." Dumbledore said gently.
"Damien Jack Potter," came the reply.
"What can you tell you about the incident on the Hogwarts Express earlier this year?" Dumbledore asked.
Damien took a deep breath and launched into his story. He told them that Harry had sent a private message to him, he refused to say how, that he and all the other students were to remain on the train. He told the courtroom full of people that Harry had assured them that the attack was not meant for the students. As long as everyone remained on the train, none of them would get hurt.
"This is ludicrous!" spat the Minister when Damien had finished. "This…this boy is the accused brother! He's obviously going to try and save him! We can't take his word for it! He's underage!"
"I'm sure that Mr Damien Potter doesn't mind sharing his memory of the incident with us." Professor Dumbledore answered.
Scrimgeour was still insisting that Damien was underage and couldn't give evidence to prove that Harry wanted to protect the students.
"He may be underage, but I'm not!" a voice rang out. Sirius Black stood up and walked down towards the platform that Damien was standing in. He stood next to Damien and gave the younger boy a reassuring smile.
"I was there at the Hogwarts Express and was injured in battle. At seeing me injured, Damien foolishly ran out from the train to try and help me. Harry saved Damien's life. He moved him out of the way of a killing curse. I remember him clearly telling the Death Eaters that he had instructed them to only stun any students that may come in their way. He escorted Damien back onto the train and even locked the door so that no student could leave."
Madame Bones once again took notes on her parchment while Scrimgeour looked on the verge of bursting with anger.
Julian Reid spoke up for the first time in the Hearing. "While your testimony is appreciated, Mr. Black, I'm afraid that we can't accept it. You are closely bond to the accused and according to Decree number four hundred and seventeen, any person related to or as close to an accused as you are cannot give testimony due to the likelihood of misinterpretation of events."
Mr. Black opened his mouth to argue but was silenced by Dumbledore. "If that is the case then I will have to present my second evidence piece. I was hoping not to use this but it seems we have no other choice." Professor Dumbledore took out a vial with swirling white mist from his robes. "For security reasons the person whose memory we are about to witness cannot be named as it would endanger them. I have already had the memory tested to detect any forgery. Here is the report to say that it had not been tampered with." with that, Dumbledore sent another report up to the front desk. Again Madam Bones picked it up, looked through it and then gave Professor Dumbledore a nod so that he could go on.
Professor Dumbledore dipped his wand into the white mist and pulled it out. He sent it flying towards the stone wall. At once it burst into a cloud of colours and slowly the picture cleared to show the Hogwarts Express stationed and surrounded by Death Eaters. All of the men were hidden behind their white masks except for one. Harry was standing just a few feet away from the train. As everyone watched, the image of Harry turned around to look at the Death Eaters, his emerald eyes flashing dangerously. "Remember my orders; no one goes into the train. If a student comes out of the train, you merely stun them, understand. If any of you kill a student, I will kill you in return."
"I trust that this should now settle this matter. Mr. Potter may have been with the other Death Eaters that day and he did duel with the Aurors, but he also made sure that no student was injured. He actually kept the other Death Eaters away from the children. Without Mr. Potter being there, the Death Eaters would certainly have attacked the train, killing the defenceless children trapped inside. Again, Mr. Potter acted out of his accord, for his own reasons, but he helped the Wizarding world nevertheless." Professor Dumbledore said, explaining the evidence.
Mr. Black and Damien left the stand after that and sat down next to Mr. Lupin.
"What about the raid of Diagon Alley then?" asked Minister Scrimgeour.
"I've got several Auror reports here describing what happened that day. If you wish I'm sure we can ask some of these men to repeat what they've written down already." He handed Madam Bones another file.
"I'm sure a summary of these reports is enough for now." said Madam Bones.
"Mr. Potter was indeed in Diagon Alley but he was merely there to create havoc. I've managed to collect another memory of another man who cannot be named being a witness to the orders that took place beforehand." He took out another vial out of his robes, making it possible for them to see it yet again. Harry appeared as did several Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort. A hiss went through the crowd. Voldemort looked at Harry, nodding at him. "I want you to create havoc, nothing more, understood?" Memory Harry nodded. "Of course, Sir." The memory stopped and faded away.
"Mr. Potter duelled only with Arthur Weasley that day and didn't use an Unforgiveable either. Furthermore they only duelled because Mr. Weasley attacked him and he was only defending-"
"Auror Weasley attacked him because he had tried to kill his only daughter beforehand!" said Scrimgeour sharply. "I was there, I saw the whole thing myself."
"You will know then, that he did not succeed. The Killing Curse didn't even hit her in the first place, maybe it wouldn't even have worked if it did but only Mr. Potter can answer that."
Professor Dumbledore turned to Harry as if asking him to answer his unspoken question.
"Of course he'll answer that it wouldn't have worked, Dumbledore. But what does it really matter? Mr. Potter killed her only weeks later-"
"But that is a whole different charge and we'll surely come back to that again later." interrupted Professor Dumbledore him. For a moment they stared each other before Madam Bones, Scrimgeour and Reid scribbled something down.
Professor Dumbledore continued to give evidence that Harry had in fact helped the Wizarding world time and time again. He brought Poppy Pomfrey to the witness stand and let her explain how Harry had saved her two children from dying in the fire that the Death Eaters had started. After giving her testimony, she left and went to sit on the benches, near James and Lily. He then called Sturgis Podmore to the stand who testified that Harry had been the one who brought back his son Jamie.
"Regardless of the accidental kindness that the accused may have shown, he still has cast numerous Unforgivables. That itself is a life sentence in Azkaban. It can't be overlooked!" Scrimgeour said, arranging the pieces of parchment in front of him.
"The casting of the Unforgivables is a difficult subject, but again, Minister I would have to argue that the one rule should be for all. If your Aurors can cast unauthorised Unforgivables and be excused, then I can't see the justification for others to be punished."
Scrimgeour frowned. This wasn't only going against him as the Minister of Magic but against him as the former Head of the Auror Office. "How dare you accuse my Aurors of such a thing? I have never heard of such an occasion where my Aurors have carried out any unauthorised curses!"
"My apologises Minister, but if you give three drops of Vertiserum to each and every Auror sitting here, you will be surprised to how many admit to casting unauthorised Unforgivables." Professor Dumbledore answered. He swept the surrounding Aurors with his gaze and stopped purposefully on one, who seemed to squirm under Dumbledore's stern look. "And in any case…" Professor Dumbledore continued. "…you will see in Mr Potter's personal file that he has never used an Unforgivables on any Auror in any duels that may have taken place. The killing curse that he has used, like I explained already, was for the Death Eaters that he killed."
"So what is it that you're trying to suggest, Dumbledore?" Madam Bones asked in her loud voice."That Mr. Potter here is actually not a follower of the You-Know-Who? That he in fact is someone who tried to help others while he was known as the Dark Prince?" she finished with a quizzical look on her broad face.
"I am only trying to bring out the truth of Mr. Potters actions. You may interpret it as you like." Professor Dumbledore answered, a twinkle reappearing in his eyes. Ginny's stomach felt lighter. Everything looked a bit better for Harry already.
"Okay, Dumbledore. You've put up a good show. You've tried to twist everything this boy has done to make him look good. But even you can't explain the crimes left. Sixteen victims were Death Eaters, I admit we can't punish Mr Potter for their deaths since we wanted them dead in the first place, I'll give you that. But explain the other five victims. The horrific torture and murder of Frank and Alice Longbottom, the murder of Kali and Raj Randhawa and the kidnapping and murder in this very building of Ginevra Weasley." Scrimgeour said, letting the words sink in."Frank and Alice were not Death Eaters, neither were Kali and Raj Randhawa! They were good people who were tortured and brutally murdered in their own homes by this boy! Let alone Ginevra Weasley, a young girl who had nothing to do with this war at all and who was killed in the halls of the Ministry of Magic in front of a whole group of Aurors and her own family! If nothing else, I think these crimes should be enough to sentence him to the Kiss." Scrimgeour ended. There was an uproar as many Aurors cheered at the Minister's words.
Professor Dumbledore nodded gravely. "Let us begin than with the murders of Kali and Raj Randhaw. I know that a known Death Eater is standing trial after Mr. Potter and that Aurors managed to gather very convincing proof that it was indeed named Death Eater who killed the Randhawa couple and not Mr. Potter. It is by far a mystery to me how two men can stand trial at the same time for the same crime when evidence points towards only one person murdering the couple."
There was mumbles in the crowd. Professor Dumbledore pulled out another file, handing it over. "These are a copy of named proofs." Madam Bones nodded, passing it along.
Minister Scrimgeour had the decency to look embarrassed. "Several large newspapers reported that he was seen at the crime scene." He tried to defend himself and the charges.
"A newspaper article is not capable to function as evidence for murder." Professor Dumbledore stated calmly. Reid wrote something down.
"Let us continue then with the murder of Frank and Alice Longbottom." Scrimgeour said hastily, trying to move on to saver topics.
"I understand the severity of this charge, but I would also like to point out that till this day, the Longbottoms death has been somewhat of a mystery. I would like to question the two only persons who can provide any answers." Professor Dumbledore said. "But maybe Mr. Potter would like to say something about that day first?"
Harry glared at Professor Dumbledore and Ginny willed him to stay quiet. Harry hissed something at Dumbledore that wasn't heard in the courtroom. Professor Dumbledore only smiled and repeated his question. Harry shook his head and looked away.
Mr. Longbottom stood up and took his wife's hand. "We'll see you in a bit, Ginny." Mrs. Longbottom said, smiling at her. Ginny nodded and they left the room, leaving her alone. She took deep breaths. She would be the last witness.
Professor Dumbledore turned away from Harry. "I would like to present my next two witnesses then."
Harry let out a strangled sob as Frank and Alice Longbottom walked through the doors into the courtroom. The entire courtroom was silent. They all were staring hard at the two people who had been thought to be dead for standing in front of them, wearing bemused expressions.
"It…it can't be!" Scrimgeour exclaimed all of a sudden, his face very pale.
Ginny focused on Neville. The shocked boy sat looking at his supposed dead parents in stunned silence. His brown eyes lingered at his mother's face for a moment before snapping to his father. They looked at him and smiled sadly. Ginny couldn't really believe that Professor Dumbledore hadn't told him beforehand like he had helped her telling her family.
Harry didn't look good either. He had his head lowered, staring at the ground. Only now did he look really helpless. Ginny's heart clenched at the sight of him. He stayed that way the whole time while Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom were given Veritaserium to confirm their identities. They told the story about what had happened that day and how Harry had saved them. How Harry hadn't been able to hurt Mrs. Longbottom because she had been pregnant. They went on and told about their life as Muggles, how the strange boy 'Alex' helped them raise money in the fight clubs, and came often to see them and generally became friends with them.
Professor Dumbledore took over and explained that until recently the Longbottoms were under powerful memory charms, what was why they couldn't return back to the Wizarding world but that he had found them when he had found about what had happened and that he had managed to restore their memory. Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom sat down and it took a while for everyone to calm down before they could continue.
"Which leaves us with Ginevra Weasley," concluded Professor Dumbledore. Harry tried to fight against his chains and shook his head.
"Who can't turn up here because it's impossible that her death was faked as well. It happened in this building, there were people present, people who saw her die. Several Aurors and her parents can confirm it was Mr. Potter who killed her." concluded Scrimgeour.
Professor Dumbledore smiled. "My very last witness will prove you otherwise."
Ginny hastily stood up and left the room. Before entering the courtroom, she took a few calming breaths and smoothed down her cloak. She finally opened the door and entered. She quickly made her way over to the stand, trying to ignore the whispers around her.
"Please state your full name for the Wizengamot." Dumbledore started gently.
"My name is Ginevra Molly Weasley." She said her voice echoing in the room.
She looked up and saw Scrimgeour leaning forward in his chair. Madam Bones was staring at her and Reid seemed absolutely shocked. As were many Aurors. The audience was shouting out questions and talking loudly. "Silence," Madam Bones shouted over the assembled crowd. "Impossible!" Scrimgeour finally said, shaking his head.
"Miss Weasley, are you willing to take Veritaserum to prove who you really are?" asked Professor Dumbledore
Ginny nodded and loudly added "Of course."
It was Reid who spoke up. "It's forbidden to use Veritaserum on minors."
"With the exception of extreme causes." Professor Dumbledore stated. "And I strongly believe that this is one of those. Her parents are here. As her legal guardians they can agree its use." Ginny looked over at her parents.
"But they could only agree to it if that's indeed Ginevra Molly Weasley." conquered Reid.
Professor Dumbledore nodded. "But there are other ways to prove it's her of course. With the drop of a blood a few quick simple tests can be run right here. Would you be willing to take one of those, Miss Weasley?"
"Yes." She said.
Professor Dumbledore looked at Reid again. "I believe there's nothing speaking against that?"
Reid shook his head and an Auror made his way over to her taking a drop of her blood. He ran the test. At seeing the positive result the audience erupted into shouting again. Madam Bones took a look at the test and its result again before ordering silence once more.
"But these exact tests were run with a dead Miss Weasley before!" Scrimgeour said, still not believing that it was indeed Ginny standing before them.
"The Healer who ran those tests is here today." Professor Dumbledore nodded to a woman in the crowd "and I'm sure she can confirm that there was indeed a mistake. She did not – like it's usually common – take blood from the body itself but some from one of the wounds. That blood was indeed Ms. Weasley's but taken from her hours ago."
The woman in the back nodded. Scrimgeour shook his head again.
"Are you now willing to consider giving Ms. Weasley Veritaserum to make sure she's telling us the truth?"
Reid looked from Madam Bones to Scrimgeour before he nodded. "If her parents agree, we can't see a reason why this should be a case for an exception."
Professor Dumbledore turned towards her parents and Ginny did as well, silently pleading with them. They traded a long look before finally they both nodded. An Auror stepped over to her, carefully giving her the potion.
Under it she told them who she was and everything about the day she had 'died'. She told them that she had stayed hidden with Harry to protect not only herself but him.
They finally gave her the antiserum. There was an odd silence after she had finished speaking. However, Professor Dumbledore wasn't quite finished yet. Ginny remained standing in the stands, as Professor Dumbledore told the shocked Wizengamot that Harry was the reason Voldemort was now able to be defeated. The truth about the destroyed Horcruxes had reached the Ministry but was not released to public knowledge yet. The Ministry wanted to be absolutely sure before making such a statement.
Professor Dumbledore held up a large file that had confirmations that the six objects stolen had been destroyed as their magical essence could not be detected. Professor Dumbledore showed another memory of Harry destroying the Slytherin Pendant. Ginny didn't even look at the memory, but heard Harry's voice as it shouted out, 'Tell him, I'm through! I'm not his puppet anymore'. Instead her eyes were fixed on Harry only. She heard the sharp intake of breath and the gasps as everyone saw Harry's eyes turn black in the memory and the pendant being blasted into smithereens.
Professor Dumbledore stood in the middle of the floor, sweeping the room with his blue eyes. "I have shown you every piece of evidence I had to show you the truth about this boy that sits before you. Yes, he committed murder, yes he stayed with Voldemort for the last fifteen years. But at the same time, this boy has saved many lives. He went against the people that brought him up to help the innocent. He risked his own life numerous times to help the innocent. A few people sitting in this room would not be here if it wasn't for him." He looked pointedly at Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom before looking at Ginny, Damien and Madam Pomfrey. "I have also tried to bring to light the recent struggle this boy has gone through. He has destroyed many of the Horcruxes that made Voldemort invincible." Professor Dumbledore kept silent for a moment letting everything sink in before he continued. "If Voldemort is brought down today, it is only because of Mr Harry Potter. This war is now not far from being over and the peace that the Wizarding world will get after the fall of Voldemort is all due to this boy." He paused again. "I leave the decision to you." Dumbledore finished and went to stand next Ginny.
For the first few minutes there was silence. The three people sitting in the front row were deep in conversation. Ginny clenched her hands painfully. She wanted to race to Harry, wanted to hug him, wanted to be there for him. She wanted to be at his side when they judged him. But she didn't. She stayed were she was and watched him. Harry wearily looked up. He seemed to be ready to accept any punishment.
At long last the three officials faced Harry. Scrimgeour was looking very red in the face. He spoke in a loud voice. "All those in favour of the life sentence in Azkaban for the accused."
Scrimgeour raised his hand and looked around the courtroom. There were many hands in the air. However, Madam Bones and Julian Reid didn't have their hands in the air. They sat silently as Scrimgeour counted the hands in favour of sending Harry to Azkaban.
"All those in favour of clearing Mr. Potter from all charges." Madam Bones said. Her hand along with Reid's raised into the air.
Ginny's heart seemed to have stopped as he took in the raised hands. His family and friends had obviously shot their hands in the air but it seemed the majority of the Aurors had raised their hands as well.
Scrimgeour didn't say anything as the number was totalled up. Madame Bones took over and stood up. "Mr Potter. The verdict is clear. You have been cleared of all charges. You're free to go." she added with a small smile.
At once the chains binding him slid away from him with a bang. Harry stayed where he was though. Ginny felt like she could cry. She stepped off the stand and wanted to make her way over to Harry, who was still sitting on the chair, shaking his head. He didn't believe what he had heard that much was obvious. His father was at his side a moment later and pulled him into a fiercely embrace. His mother and Damien were there as well and Mr. Lupin and Mr. Black followed closely behind. Ginny tried to make eye contact with him and ones their eyes met but he turned away, instead hugging Damien.
Her father appeared at her side. He grabbed her arm. She frowned and tried to break free. She needed to speak with Harry. She needed to make him see reason. They just needed to talk about this. He would understand. He had to.
But her father's grip on her arm was firm, as he pulled her further away from Harry and out of the courtroom.
xxx
AN: Yay! He's free! Let me know what you think! :)