(A/N: I know, it took me long enough, but I went to visit Tailer, and we're back on track.)
Last Chapter
"So Harry, I take it from that you finally proposed?" Draco asked.
"Yea…same for you?" Harry asked
"You know it." Draco said grinning.
A few minutes later the girls came back in grinning like mad.
"So…the two of us are getting married." Hermione said holding Draco's hand. "And the two of you are getting married," She said gesturing to Ginny and Harry. "I think we should have a joint wedding."
"That's a marvelous idea Hermione!" Ginny agreed, scooping eggs onto Harry's plate. Harry and Draco looked at each other.
"What say you, Draco?" Harry asked the blonde boy sitting across from him.
"Are we really going to be able to talk them out of this anyway?" Draco asked skeptically, glancing at the two girls, who were happily planning away.
"Probably not," Harry admitted with a grin, also watching the two girls.
Remus Lupin was in his big comfy arm chair sipping a cup of warm tea, cookie in hand, when the door burst open.
"Remy!" Sirius said.
"What?" Remus asked, exasperated.
"I'm nervous," Sirius whined, "My trial is tomorrow."
"Why me?" Remus asked the ceiling in an attempt to ignore the man standing before him.
"Remy, why aren't you listening to me?" Sirius continued to whine.
"Why, Merlin, why me," Remus asked again.
"Fine than Mr. Cranky Pants, I'll just go find some other pedestrian to give all my problems to." Sirius said before stomping out of the room.
"Okay," Remus muttered happily, a satisfied smirk on his face.
Ginny stood looking out across the grounds. Harry, Draco, Ron and her had decided that it was time to take a break and had drug Hermione along with them.
"How are you?" Harry asked her absently, coming up behind her hand putting both hands on top of her stomach and kissing her neck.
"I feel about ready to pop. I probably look it too." She grumbled unhappily.
Harry moved his hands to her shoulders and gently turned her to face him. Lifting her chin slightly he bent his head down and kissed her. "You are beautiful, and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise." He said firmly after being forced to part for breathe. When she looked up at him doubtfully he kissed her again.
"Oi, get a room you two!" Ron called from the large shade tree several feet away. Harry raised one hand and flicked him off with out taking his mouth from Ginny's.
"What do you say we go inside and relax?" Harry laughed.
"I think that would be a very good idea." She wrapped her arm around his and began walking toward the castle.
"Are you going to Sirius' trial? It is tomorrow you know." Ginny inquired once they had reached the Gryffindor common room and were lounging comfortably on one of the couches nearest the fireplace.
"I still need to see Dumbledore about that, but I'm sure he'll let me go. It is my godfather on trial here." Harry sighed and buried his face in hair. He had always loved the way it smelled; like a tropical paradise.
"Harry, knock it off." Ginny complained after several moments.
"What if I don't want to knock it off?" He responded mischievously, kissing her brow.
"Get a grip," Ginny giggled as his lips trailed lower.
Harry sat nervously in his seat in courtroom number thirteen. His foot tapped impatiently on the hard concrete as the wizengamut filled slowly in. His eyes darted down to where Sirius sat in the uncomfortable looking chair in the center of the open floor.
"Calm down before you give yourself some kind of aneurysm." Remus muttered from his left.
"I can't calm down; Sirius very well may be locked away for good after this. Besides, we're in courtroom thirteen do you have any idea what that means? Thirteen is unlucky!" Harry rambled anxiously.
"Harry," Dumbledore, who was seated on his right, said firmly, "Calm down." As the words left Dumbledore's mouth Harry felt himself slump back into his seat as some of the tension left his body. If Dumbledore wasn't worried then things would be okay, right?
"Drink this," Remus pushed a potion filled vial into his hands.
"What is it?" Harry asked him skeptically.
"It's only a calming draught, Harry," Dumbledore explained soothingly. Harry glanced between the small glass vial and the two men sitting to either side of him several times before putting emptying the glass container into his mouth. He felt himself relax completely even as Madam Bones began calling the court to order.
"Sirius Orion Black, you are accused of two counts of murder in the first degree. How do you plead?" Madam Bones asked once the room had quieted.
"Not guilty, your honor," Sirius' voice wavered slightly as he answered.
"Very well; do you consent to the use of veriteserum during your questioning; to be administered by a licensed Healer?"
"I do consent to the use of the truth serum; I only request that it be administered by Professor Severus Snape." Harry was shocked that Sirius would trust Snape, and when he questioned Dumbledore about it was told, "This has all been planned." Meanwhile Madam Bones was having a whispered conversation with the man seated next to her.
"That seems reasonable, considering he is a potions master. Professor, if you don't mind?" Snape stood from where he was seated on Dumbledore's right and made his way toward the healer holding out a small vial of clear liquid.
The potions professor then proceeded to smell, drip and taste the contents. After several minutes of inspecting the innocuous looking liquid he turned to Sirius and instructed him to open his mouth. Three drops were carefully placed on the convict's tongue. Harry felt the chaos of his emotions being pushed aside by the potion as he watched Sirius' eyes glaze over.
"Please state your full name." Madam Bones requested, testing to make sure the potion was working.
"Sirius Orion Black," Sirius replied in a monotone. Several more test questions were asked before Madam Bones finally got around to something important.
"Who was the secret keeper for Lilly and James Potter just before their deaths nearly eighteen years ago?" Harry held his breath waiting for the answer to the million dollar question.
"Peter Pettigrew," Several gasps were heard throughout the court room.
"Who betrayed the Potters to Lord Voldemort?" Again the answer of Peter Pettigrew came from the drugged man.
"Did you kill Peter Pettigrew?" Once again Harry held his breathe.
"No," Sirius answered in the same flat tone.
"Who killed Peter Pettigrew?" Madam Bones didn't pause in her questioning.
"No one; Peter Pettigrew is alive."
"Please explain the events of the night Mr. Pettigrew was killed, Mr. Black." Harry looked over at Remus and noticed the slight smirk on his face; the shit was about to hit the fan.
"I had spent days looking for Peter; the need for revenge overtook all other wants and needs. I had tracked him all across the country side, and then finally I caught up to him. It was a crowded day in London, but at that point my rage was all consuming. When he saw me Peter immediately started to beg my forgiveness, I didn't register most of his platitudes; they were meaningless." Every eye in the room was locked on Sirius' hunched figure, and even though the serum had taken over, you could still see the sadness, the remorse for what had happened. "After several moments of listening to his whimpering I raised my wand, and he started yelling about how I had killed the Potters, among other things. Before I knew what was happening, he drew his wand and the street exploded. He cut off his finger and transformed into his animagus form before disappearing into the sewer."
"Then what did you do?" Madam Bones prompted after several minutes of silence.
"The only thing I could think to do; I laughed." The serum was wearing off and Sirius was beginning to become more aware of his surroundings.
"Thank you, Mr. Black. The Wizengamut will now convene in order to come to a verdict." The entire courtroom burst into conversation. Harry, Remus, Dumbledore and Snape made their way down to where Sirius was now standing, the effects of the potion having worn off completely.
"Here, Black," Severus held out a vial filled with a dark green substance, "This will help with the after effects."
Almost two hours later the Wizengamut came back in and every one scrambled to return to their seats. Harry was once again tapping nervously, and several minutes later felt a hand on his arm. He looked up expecting to see Remus, but instead saw that the hand laid comfortingly on his arm belonged to Snape. He gave a small, grateful smile that looked more like a grimace than anything. Severus nodded in acknowledgment.
Madam Bones stood and everyone turned their attention to her. "Mr. Farron, how does this court find the defendant?" She got strait to the point.
A short, rather plump balding man near the end stood, "On two counts of murder in the first degree, this court finds the defendant," He coughed quietly, the entire court room held their' breathe, "We find the defendant not guilty. Further more, we pardon any crimes that he may have committed as a result of his false imprisonment, including his breaking out of Azkaban Prison. This court would also like to apologize to you, Mr. Black, for the injustices done to you, and hopes that some how you can forgive the failings of this house of justice." Sirius sat in his seat completely stunned and unable to move. After several minutes, though, he managed to nod.
"Court is dismissed," Madam Bones called and once again the court room was filled with noise.
The rest of the day went by in a wonderful bliss of happiness. Harry spent the rest of the day with Sirius and Remus after being excused from his evening classes. The group was sitting by the lake when Ron and Hermione came to join them while the two were on break.
"Draco and Ginny wanted to come, but they both had classes," Hermione told him, taking a seat on the blanket Harry had seen fit to throw down.
"Bet they loved that," Harry laughed.
"Oh they did," Ron sat down next to Hermione.
"Where's Neville? I would've thought he'd come down with you two." Remus came over from where he had been pushing Sirius into the lake.
"He's with Luna," Ron crooned making kissy faces. Sirius, who was soaking wet, laughed and then grabbed Remus and started pulling him toward the lake.
"Those two…" Hermione sighed.
The morning after Sirius' trial Hermione woke alone for the first time in a while. When she noticed this she frowned.
"Where's Draco?" She murmured absently, standing and walking to the door that led into the common room.
She pushed the door open quietly so she wouldn't wake him if he'd fallen asleep on the couch. What she saw when she finally stepped out of her bedroom confused her. Draco sat in his favorite armchair, his face blank and eyes glazed slightly. "Draco?" She rushed over to him, "What's wrong?"
Draco's only response was to hold out that morning's addition of the daily prophet. Looking down, expecting to see an article about Sirius being freed, she was shocked by what the head line said.
"He's finally made a mistake, Hermione. He's finally gone," Draco said in a voice that clearly showed that he couldn't believe it.
"Draco I… I don't what to say." Hermione was befuddled. Draco looked at her with tear filled eyes.
"I've got to owl my mother," Draco stood and began rushing around looking for writing utensils. Hermione stuck her hand in her school bag which had been left on a near by table and pulled out parchment and a self inking quill. She then grabbed Draco by the arm and sat him down at the desk the two shared before putting the items in front of him.
Smiling up at her he grabbed the quill and started furiously writing a letter that was more than likely hardly legible, even with Draco's usually neat scrawl. As Draco wrote his letter, Hermione herd a tapping on the window and went to let the owl in.
When she opened the window, two owls came fluttering in. One Hermione recognized as a Draco's eagle owl, the other must have belonged to the school. Draco's went and sat patiently on the desk, waiting for Draco to finish, and the school owl landed neatly on a perch Hermione had set up and held out its leg. Hermione removed the letter and was surprised to find that not only was it from Dumbledore, but it was addressed to both of them.
She quickly read through it, and looked up just in time to see Draco's owl exit out the window. "Dumbledore wants to see us as soon as possible; it's 'urgent'."
"Might as well go now then," Draco was walking toward the door.
"Let me get dresses first," Hermione scolded him.
"Oh, right," Draco said sheepishly.
Draco sat in a large courtroom and watched as his father was led in, bound, by a guard of four dementors. Hermione's presence at his side was the only thing that kept him in his seat. He closed his eyes as his father sat down in the old looking wooden chair, but he could not stop himself from gearing as the chains came to life and bound him.
Hermione noticed Draco's distress and placed a calming hand over his which he wrapped in his own and clung to. "I don't understand," he whispered brokenly, "I've spent hours waiting, praying for this moment, I hate him, and I can hardly stand to watch this."
"He will always be your father, Draco. You can't change that, no one can." Hermione continued trying to soothe him as Madame Bones stood and read off the long list of charges. Lucius Malfoy's trial had taken all day; it was now nearly six in the evening and the Wizengamut had just returned with the verdict.
The same balding man that had proclaimed Sirius innocent not forty-eight hours ago stood. "On all charges we, the court, on this twenty-first day of June, do find the defendant guilty. The punishment for the crimes committed is the dementor's kiss. May our maker have mercy on your soul."
Draco turned and buried his face in Hermione's shoulder and he felt the cold of the dementors as they re-entered the room. The last thing he heard before blissful nothingness took over was his father's screams.
"What happened?" Draco murmured questioningly as he opened his eyes to see the bright white of the infirmary.
"You went into shock and passed out." Hermione explained quietly from her seat next to his bed. Draco made to sit up, but fell back when he was hit with a wave of dizziness.
"How long have I been out for?" Draco groaned.
"All night," Madam Pomphrey came bustling out of her office to check on her patient. "You can go, but I want you to get strait to bed and rest."
"Yes Madam Pomphrey," Draco said respectfully before standing and walking slowly to the door to avoid getting dizzy again.
The next several days went by as peacefully as things ever do in the wizarding world, and there was only strange thing on the mind of the Headmaster of Hogwarts as the last days of term flew by in a blissful blur. His potions master, Severus Snape, spy in Voldemort's troops, had not been called to a meeting since before the Malfoy trial. This was worrying, surely Severus, who was a member of the inner circle, would have been called to serve as a way for Voldemort to vent his anger at the loss of such a loyal follower.
Even more disturbing was Severus' reports of his conversations with other members of the dark order. It would seem no one had seen hide or hair of the dark menace for weeks. It did not seem like something Voldemort would do, running and hiding.
Every day the atrium at the ministry of magic saw host to hundreds of Witches and Wizards, some going about their daily routine, others had much more urgent matters to attend to. The atrium, with its elegant wood floors and large spluttering fountain, had even seen its fair share of criminals and vagrants.
This sunny morning though, it held one man who most would like to never have seen.
As the first workers to arrive at the ministry every morning appeared, they were shocked to see a very confused looking Voldemort standing in the middle of the atrium, looking around as if he were a small child that had lost their parent. When the red eyes turned on the stunned workers, they seemed lost.
"Where am I?" The most feared wizard in all of Great Britain asked, sounding very much like a small child.
"Y-y-you're a-a-at th-the ministry o-o-of m-m-magic," Ernie, the security guard managed to stammer after several minutes of silence.
"How did I get here?" Voldemort was obviously very confused.
By this time a crowd was beginning to gather, all too stunned to do anything but watch as Voldemort wandered about, poking at this and prodding at that.
"Voldemort," Kingsley Shacklebolt called quietly, trying to gain the dark lord's attention. "Voldemort," He called a little louder after receiving no response. Kingsley's eyebrow drew together in the middle of his forehead, perhaps, "Tom?"
Voldemort turned and looked at him as if he had just spoken, "Yes?"
"What are you doing here?" Tonks asked, coming to stand next to Kingsley.
"I don't really know. I can't really remember much." Voldemort answered, puzzled.
"I'm sorry sir, I don't think I understand." Harry was seated in a large sitting room connected to Albus' office. He was surprised when he had walked in to see not only Dumbledore, but Sirius, Remus, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Draco and Snape as well; though the one that really shocked him was Narcissa. "You're saying that Voldemort isn't really Voldemort."
"Something like that, my boy," Dumbledore's usually cheerful manner had been replaced by a gloomy seriousness that Harry didn't like.
"But how could Lucius have controlled him? How is that even possible?" Harry felt Ginny wrap her arms around him.
"I believe he used a very old spell that acts much like the imperious curse." Dumbledore explained.
Harry nodded and looked to where Draco sat holding Hermione, "Please tell me you knew nothing about this."
"If I had known, Harry, I would have told you. Maybe not before this year, but you would have known before now." Draco assured him. Harry nodded numbly and walked to the window to look out at the grounds. He took a deep breathe and turned back to the group. Ginny was standing inches from him; she must have followed when he got up.
When Harry looked up a Ginny's still formed, he frowned at the look on her face. Suddenly Ginny moaned and grabbed her stomach.
"Gin, what's wrong?" Harry demanded urgently. He helped her over to a couch and made her sit. "Ginny, talk to me," He growled at her as the grimace left her face.
"I'm fine," She assured him. Harry glared at her disbelievingly, "Oh, honestly Harry, I've been getting these all day, they're nothing."
"Ginny, they are not 'nothing'!" Harry argued.
"He's right Gin," Hermione told her with a knowing smirk.
"What are you getting at?" Ron's eyes narrowed at the knowing look on Hermione's face.
"I believe what my oh so eloquent girlfriend is getting at is that Ginny here is in labor." Draco explained for them, right as Ginny's face screwed up once again in pain.
"Oh shit," Harry snapped, "Alright, do you think you can make it to the hospital wing?" Harry asked of Ginny, who nodded, "Ok, good. Ron, fire call your mum… Hermione, go warn Madam Pomphrey!" Harry was freaking out.
"Draco, take care of Harry," Ginny said standing and starting towards the door with the help of Narcissa. "I don't need him panicking on me."
THE END
(A/N: First off, yes this is the end. dodges people with tar, feathers and pitch forks I know most of this was very abrupt, but Tailer and I were tired of dragging this out and are both extremely ready for it to be done. dodges rotten food Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I'd like to thank every one that has bothered to put up with Me and Tailer and our ever inconsistent updates, and our sporadic mood changes. A special thanks to Tailer herself for having the patience to put up with me for over a year and a half. To every one that has ever taken the time to review, I love you. hands out cookies and cakes But to keep you all from hunting me down and killing me for this ending (Tailer if you hand out my address I WILL scalp you) I will tell you that we DO plan to write a sequel, that we plan to start towards the end of August. So until then keep your eyes peeled, you never know with us. Cheers! --Becky)