Author's note
Thank you for dropping by. I hope you enjoy the story. Your reviews are welcomed and cherished, always ;)
CHAPTER 37
AS THE SIXTH MONTH DIES
"Have you got everything you need?," Ella asks.
"Yes."
Draco answers with little spirit, his eyes sticking to the floor. The new backpack on his bed remains open, revealing the stuffs inside. Some new clothes, towels, a toothbrush, a comb, some parchment and quill with an built-in ink tube.
"I have written down your rights and obligations," Tristan hands him a roll of parchment carefully secured with a thin rope. "You should keep this safe and handy and refer to it often. Whenever you feel like your rights are being violated, require my presence instantly and refuse to speak or make decisions until I arrive. Do you remember?"
"Yes, sir," says Draco, not bothering to pick up his eyes.
"On the other hand, do your best to comply with the rules. I know it will be hard but good conduct will save you a lot of trouble in the future. I trust you can do it, can you?"
"Yes, sir."
"I will visit you every other day."
Draco slowly raises his head to look at Tristan. Tristan gives him a sad smile and a nod. Remaining quiet, he eyes Severus and Ella.
"We will visit you too," says Severus.
"Are you married?"
Surprised, all the adults stare at him. Ella chuckles:
"Not yet, Draco."
"I will let you know when it happens if you are interested," Severus smirks.
"Do you like reading?," asks Ella.
Pausing for a moment, he nods:
"Yes."
"I thought you might be interested in this."
Ella produces a book and hands it to him. He quietly studies the cover, which bears the title BLOOD HIERARCHY IN WIZARDING WESTERN EUROPE: THE UNDERLYING THOUGHTS.
"Aurora Virtanen?," he murmurs. "The author has the same family name as yours."
"She is my mother," Ella smiles. "Would you like to bring it along to entertain yourself?"
"Yes. Thank you, Professor."
For the first time since his arrival, the boy produces a half smile. Tristan rises from his seat:
"Let's go."
They apparate to the Ministry of Magic. Tristan puts on his stone cold lawyer face to ensure them an undisturbed trip to the Law Enforcement Department. Ella must admit to herself that without him, she wouldn't manage this scary journey, much less supporting Draco through it. The boy's hand, held in her own, squeezes tighter and tighter as they approach the Aurors' Office.
After a one hour long procedure, Draco is admitted to the detention unit. It breaks Ella's heart when he looks back over his shoulder before disappearing behind the door, escorted by an officer.
The three adults remain silent for a long while on their way home. Not until they enters the familiar kitchen does Ella speaks up:
"I hope he will be fine in there."
Tristan pours himself a cup of coffee:
"I have done everything in my power to ensure that if they so much as display the intention to mess with his rights, they will find themselves in even more trouble than him."
Severus picks up his water bottle and disappears into his lab. Ella props her cheek in one hand:
"Do you have an estimation as to how much time he might have to serve?"
"One month, I hope," Tristan replies, tiresomely leaning at the kitchen counter.
"What is the juvenile custody facility like?"
"Fairly okay. It's summer break now so he will have much of the time for himself. Supervision system is good. Plus, if we visit him often, we will know if things go wrong. One month is quite easy to handle. That is if I succeed."
"No pressure but I don't see why you won't."
He tilts his head and wildly strikes his hair.
"Have you got an idea what to do next after he has served his time?"
"Severus and I have been thinking," says Ella. "We have not come up with a solution yet. It's hard. He definitely should continue his education; the question is how. We could homeschool him but we will be both in Hogwarts for most of the year, which renders it impossible. That leaves the option of sending him to another boarding school. But no other school in Europe offers English instructions."
Tristan muses in silence. At the end of his first cup of coffee, he sighs:
"Would be a pity to watch his future go astray. He has great potential."
"Every child has their own great potential."
Glancing at her, he smiles. Then he serves himself his second cup.
"Are you visiting your parents this summer?"
"No. I've moved it to Christmas."
"How about the summer field trips?"
"I've cancelled them too. Not ready to go out there again yet. I will review some literature instead."
Tristan takes a deep inhale and a large sip of coffee:
"Are you going to the annual conference of Policies and Social Justice then?"
"I'll see."
"It'll be nice if you show up. You have missed it for so many years. People kept asking me where my co-author was."
"Wait, I have totally forgotten. How did the case of Remus turn out?"
Tristan puts down his cup and tucks his hands in his pocket:
"Suspended sentence and the record will be cleared after one year. After the trial, I referred him to the Minorities Support Organization. They promised to be in contact with him to help him find another job."
"That's great!," Ella rights herself on her seat. "Do you know where he is living now?"
"Hmm?," Tristan raises an eyebrow. "I thought you would have known. He stayed with Mr Black. Probably still staying there now."
"Really? I have no idea. Haven't talked to anyone about him lately."
"When will Harry come home?"
"End of next week."
The week of Draco's detention passes quickly. The three adults take turn to visit him. He seems fine, although he apparently has cried himself to sleep some nights and his anxiety escalates dramatically as the trial approaches. At the house in Spinner's End, Tristan shuts himself in his room all day and consumes more and more coffee.
As approved by the court, the trial takes place in private. Ella has never seen Tristan in this shape. During the trial, he is stone cold and as solid as steel. Defending both the victim and one of the defendants, underaged and with mixed behaviors, his position allows him little room to be anything less than that.
Ella squeezes her hands under the table and holds her breath waiting to hear Draco's sentence.
"… one month in custody at the Ministry's facility."
Ella's hands snap up to cover her mouth and wipe her tears. The weight let off is so great she feels as if she could very well be floating in the air.
"One month! He got one month!," she exclaims the moment she steps out of the court room.
Severus instantly rises and pulls her into a hug. Over his shoulder, she sees Harry keeping a blank face but his eyes blinking thoughtfully behind the glasses.
"How about the others?," asks Severus.
"Life sentence for two of them and ten years for the other. But Tristan believes they could be pardoned earlier."
Shortly later, Tristan appears, exhausted but relieved:
"All are well in place. I promised to visit him every week. This will pass in no time."
"I will visit him too," Ella beams. "We should have a very nice lunch today."
Harry remains quiet all the way home. Right after lunch, Tristan prepares to leave. His annual vacation ends precisely tomorrow.
Ella casually leans against the door frame of his room. His suitcase produces a click sound when he shuts it.
"I owe you a million thanks, Tristan. I consumed your whole vacation this year."
He rises to take his coat off the hanger and turns to facing her:
"Take care of yourself and gain back your weight to make up for that. And enjoy your time with your love," he winks.
Ella rolls her eyes.
"Will you drop by when you come to visit Draco?"
"I might or might not be able to. But I will when I can. Otherwise see you in Brussel."
"Hopefully," Ella shrugs.
"Aw, try to make it."
"Is there a good reason too?"
"Good wine and Belgian chocolate?"
"Hmm that works. I will come."
Tristan laughs. After a month of stress and hard work, they finally can laugh together again.
As the brown figure disappears into thin air, Ella leans her head on Severus' shoulder:
"Is it okay if I never move out of your room?"
"It's extremely okay," he whispers.
———————————
ENDING NOTE
Dear readers,
Ella's first year at Hogwarts is now over, which brings Book 1 to an end. The coming year, to be covered in Book 2, awaits her with the Triwizard Tournament, her growing relationship with Severus and Harry turning fourteen, along with the remainders of this year.
I will spend some time refining Book 1 language wise before getting started on Book 2, hopefully in one or two months. I would love to receive your general feedback for Book 1 as a whole and learn of your possible expectations on Book 2.
Thank you very much for your interest and support all along the way. Without you, the completion of Ella – Book 1 would not have been possible.
Lots of love,
Thái Khuê