This chapter was such a headache for me to get through, mainly because I don't know how to write courtroom scenes. Especially in the wizarding world. So I apologize if it feels disjointed in some places. Anyway - a lot's gone wrong since I last updated, both in the personal world as well as reality, so I hope this finds you well and gives you a reprieve. Stay well, dear friends.
"I'm nobody/ I'd be appalled if I saw you ever try to be a saint/ I wouldn't fall for someone I thought couldn't misbehave/ But I want you to know that I've had no love like your love..." - Hozier, "Nobody"
Sirius's release from the hospital was not the relaxing, easy, "go home and get off your feet" sort of release. He'd signed himself out, George accompanying him home to change and get ready for Harry's trial. He hadn't seen Hermione in days, and every time he saw Draco the man seemed to achieve a new level of stress.
"Be honest with me, George," Sirius said, opening his bedroom door as he unbuttoned and rolled his shirt sleeves to his elbows, facing the ginger man head on. "How bad is it looking?"
George sighed, ruffling up his hair, and gave a shrug, "I'm not sure, mate. The wizarding world sees Harry as their hero, and can do no wrong, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have any enemies. Especially in the Ministry. Ron, Hermione, Percy - even Malfoy, somehow, they're all doing their best to make things right."
"So it could go either way," Sirius said with a sigh, affixing his new leather jacket over his shoulders and trying not to let his stomach twist with dread. He was worried enough about Harry's trial, let alone the fact that he'd see Hermione and have to open up a can of worms that he still wasn't ready to think about. "At least they aren't just throwing him in Azkaban."
George grimaced, and glanced away before returning his gaze, "Right. We'd best get a move on, or they'll start without us."
Sirius nodded, letting George grip his arm and Apparate the two of them to the Ministry. They were mostly silent as they wound through halls and corridors and lifts, each in their own thoughts. After what felt like an eternity traipsing through emerald colored walls, they came to a large, open hall with a massive oak door on one side, a set of stained glass windows facing it. Pacing along the hall was Hermione, hair meticulously pinned wearing a cream colored blouse and a black skirt, her heels clacking across the marble floor.
"Hermione!" George called, his face immediately breaking into a broad grin, and Hermione looked up at him before her pinched face smoothed and her shoulders relaxed. George rushed to her side, instantly wrapping her in a warm hug and squeezing her tightly. "My favorite bookworm, it's been too long! My world has been so bleak without you beside me."
Hermione snorted, shoving against George's chest and shooting him a dry smile, "I'm so very sure that's the case." She looked to Sirius, shooting him a half-smile as he appraised the deep purple bags under her eyes. "Hey, how are you feeling?"
"Like I'll be ten times better once this is over with," he said with a soft smile, and Hermione nodded her agreement. "Where's Ron?"
Hermione immediately tensed again, worrying her fingers and fidgeting on her feet, "That's the thing, I'm not sure. He'd said the night before he had something important to do, but he'd be back in time for the trial. He's one of our witnesses, so if he's not back in time - "
"Hermione!" a voice called from the end of the hall, and the trio turned to see a wiry ginger man approach them. "I've written up our defense, just in case you needed help remembering, but considering it's you I'm not too worried, although - " The man paused to eye the dark bags under her eyes, lowering his horn rimmed glasses to lean closer and get a better look. "I see you haven't slept, so it's potentially a good thing that I've done this."
"Hello, Percy," George announced in amusement, "Glad to see you haven't changed."
"You see me every Sunday, George, I doubt I've had much of a chance to change without your noticing," Percy quipped, although he did so with a fond smile.
"Sirius, this is Percy Weasley, one of the older Weasley brothers," Hermione introduced, startling Percy into offering his hand to shake, eyeing the ginger man as he gaped and floundered. "He's a top notch attorney and has agreed to help with Harry."
"Of course, Harry's family," Percy said before blinking owlishly at Sirius. "I'm so sorry, I didn't think to introduce myself. I just - well, I thought you were an Auror or something. You look very different!"
Hermione and George each exhaled, Hermione pinching the bridge of her nose as George looked heavenward.
"Err - yeah, the prima natus does that, I think," Sirius said lamely. He was so tired, regardless of nights he spent worrying about Harry, he did just get out of the hospital earlier that morning.
"It's just - well - I always pictured you as I've known you, which I'll admit wasn't very well," Percy explained. "I don't think I came into contact with you much, but - "
"Percy," Hermione interrupted sharply, her brows pinching together, "Have you seen Ron?"
Percy blinked back at her, "I thought he was with you?"
Hermione groaned, planting her face into her hands and trying to collect herself.
"I'm here!" Draco called, sprinting down the hall and coming up beside Sirius, gripping him on the shoulder as he fought to collect his breath. "Sorry I'm late, I got held up with a patient who - "
"You aren't late," Hermione muffled behind her hands. "We've still got half an hour."
"Oh," Draco rasped out, inhaling deeply before he took to sneering at the brunette, "Why did you tell me to get here so early then?"
"So we could go over everything once more before the trial starts," she said with a sigh, checking her watch and growing more worried. "But we need Ron, and I haven't heard from him."
"Shit," Draco hissed, checking his own watch and frowning. "He wouldn't be late for this."
George and Percy were eyeing Draco quietly, both glancing to one another yet saying nothing. Sirius stepped a bit closer to him, sending them an irritated look that asked them to knock it off, and they quickly looked away.
"By the way, I still need your blood," the blond reminded, stepping towards her and cupping her jaw with both hands, pressing his thumbs into her neck.
"Hey, what the hell are you doing?" George asked, reaching for his wand. Percy seemed to move for his, although his eyes were wide and he grew pale quickly. Sirius snorted at them in amusement.
"Let him," Hermione snapped, squeezing her eyes shut.
"Roll your head foreward," Draco insisted, taking the brunt of her head's weight as she did as she was asked. "Breathe - " He seemed to pull on Hermione's head, and Sirius heard a loud pop, but Draco released her quickly as she gave a small sigh of relief. "I told you to go to sleep, not hang your head over books every night for a week straight."
"I'll sleep after the trial," she promised, and Draco sent her a glare that told her he didn't believe that one bit. Sirius grinned, still finding their friendship utterly amusing.
"Our character witnesses are still Ron, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood and Ginny if need be, correct?" Percy asked, going scarlet as he looked anywhere but towards Draco. George was rolling his shoulders and trying to come to the mental conclusion if he wanted to ask for help or not. "Hermione and Malfoy as key witnesses."
"What can I be?" Sirius asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
Percy checked his notes, frowning down at them, "Hopefully it shouldn't come down to your input, but if we need it we'll see if we can put you on the stand and give your side. Would you consent to veritaserum if the court threw a fit?"
"Yeah, anything to help Harry," Sirius insisted.
"I'll consent to veritaserum or memories," Draco offered, shrugging at the two Weasleys' shocked faces. "It might make things go smoother."
"Same here," Hermione nodded, not at all surprised. She checked her watch again and groaned, gripping her hair as she began to pace once more. "Where is Ron?!"
"Here!" Ron announced, jogging down the hall, his Auror robes billowing about as he neared. He looked battered and bruised, yet grinning from ear to ear as he reached them. "Hey! How goes it?"
"How goes it?" Hermione screeched, her voice climbing in pitch as worry danced across her face, "Ron! What happened to you?"
Ron shrugged, scratching his nose dully, "Oh, you know. Stuff."
Draco sighed, drawing his wand, and positioned Ron to face him. "Gryffindors, honestly. Tell me, who was your on-call medic at the Tower during school?"
"Hermione, normally," Ron said with a grin, even as she growled, stilling long enough to allow Malfoy to heal the large purple marks that had landed across his face. "Who all's here?"
"Just us, right now," George answered.
Ron nodded, like he wasn't surprised. "I think Ginny's rounding up Luna and Neville, Hannah said she needed to wait for someone to take over her shift before she could get here."
"Ron," Hermione said, even though she was struggling to remain calm. "Where have you been?"
Ron beamed, proudly patting a bag that was strapped to his side underneath his robes. "It's a surprise!"
"A surprise - Ronald, we do not have time for this!" Hermione insisted, her voice getting squeakier as her panic grew. "Harry's trial is in twenty-five minutes and he needs us!" Her voice broke on the last word, warbling as she tried to fight tears from spilling down her face, to no avail.
The Weasleys all seemed to fidget, and Draco was looking like he wanted to be anywhere but there. Ron looked lamely at his shoes, a dark and guilty look crossing his face, murmuring, "I know. I'm here."
Sirius sighed, motioning the other wizards away before getting a good grip on Hermione's sleeves - still careful to not touch her, he'd rather not get sick and feel even more miserable - and leveled her with a stare. Hermione floundered, looking anywhere but into his face, until he gave her a gentle shake. "Granger, look at me," he pressed, waiting until her gaze lifted. He gave a small smile, trying to make sure she didn't think he was mad with her. "It's going to be okay. Whatever happens, whatever goes on in there, we've got this."
Hermione sniffed, swiping away the tears and shooting him a smile. "You're right. I just - " Worry flashed across her face again, and Sirius found himself idly watching the different emotions flick in her eyes. When did she get so easy to read? " - we've never had great luck with trials and cases before, they've always been agonizing and flying by on the seat of our pants. I can't - I won't - take that chance with Harry."
"Well, nobody's been thrown in jail before, it can't have been that bad," Sirius chirped, grinning at her pointed stare as Ron neared. "I didn't get a trial, I don't count."
Ron coughed a laugh, Hermione whirling around to shoot a playful frown at him. He dropped an arm over her shoulders, tugging her into his side and squeezing. Sirius dropped his hands from Hermione's arms, glad to see her calmed and the two patched up. "Sirius is right - we've got this. Stop worrying, there's no Death Eaters involved with this one, we should be golden!"
"Just one ex-Death Eater, I'm afraid," Draco drawled as he came up on her other side, idly passing her a handkerchief as if he hadn't patted his pockets down anxiously to find it for her.
"You two bantering will be the death of me," Hermione sighed, patting her face dry and shooting Draco a thankful smile.
"Yeah," George said, coming up beside Sirius and loping an arm around him as well, glancing suspiciously between Draco and Ron. "I have many questions about the ferret's involvement with all of this."
Draco's upper lip curled into a sneer, and he was ready to retort before Sirius interjected, turning to his friend and business partner incredulously. "You mean you don't know?"
Hermione winced, rubbing her temples, "I haven't had time to explain, beyond Percy."
George shrugged, "And I haven't left your side at the hospital, mate. What's wrong?"
Sirius floundered, trying to find the words to describe their situation before he realized how horrible of a headache it gave him. "Oh, I'll tell you later," he sighed, Hermione shooting him a sympathetic smile before loud, echoing footsteps reached their ears.
They turned just in time to see Ginny, and a tall, broad shouldered man skid to a stop as they rounded the corner, huffing and puffing as they reached them. Walking in slowly behind them was a doe eyed blonde woman, who had tiny gourds hanging from her ears.
"Sorry - sorry," Ginny rasped, clutching George's arms to steady herself as she tried to breathe. "Got lost - thought it was on the - the fifth floor."
"We've got ten minutes," Draco informed. He nodded to the man clutching his knees and wheezing, appraising him dully. "Longbottom."
The man raised his head, bobbing it twice, and let his mouth fall in a grim line. "Malfoy."
And that, apparently, was their greeting.
"Sirius, s'Neville, Luna," Ginny gasped, waving her hand towards the man and woman before flapping it in Sirius's vicinity. "Neville, Luna - Sirius."
Neville blinked, his eyes and mouth going comically wide, and Sirius couldn't help but grin. "Oh wow! You look like you're barely out of Hogwarts!"
"Yeah, you know," Sirius shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets, "I keep a mean skincare regime."
Neville laughed, offering his hand to shake, smiling warmly when Sirius did so, "Prima natus is a nasty thing, innit?" Sirius made his grumbling agreements before the petite blonde stepped beside them.
She took a long, hard look at Sirius, squinting her eyes, before politely tucking her hands inside her periwinkle robe sleeve, "You've got so many complicated emotions floating around you - your aura looks like a patchwork quilt." She offered a covered hand to shake, and Sirius found himself liking her, much to his confusion. Once he released her hand, she floated her way over to Hermione and Ron, Draco keeping his distance now that the others had arrived.
"Don't mind Luna," Neville said lightly, smiling as he spoke. "She keeps a different perspective than most people."
"Not a bad thing, I don't think," Sirius said before turning to look at Neville properly. He sized him up, took stock of him from head to toe, and narrowed his gaze and tilted his head. "Don't I know you from somewhere?"
Neville blinked, the tips of his ears turning pink under the scrutiny, "Err, don't think so. Unless you remember me during the fight at the Department of Mysteries, but I doubt it. Plus, I was fifteen and looked much, much different."
Sirius was shaking his head, crossing his arms over his chest and huffing, "No, that isn't it. I know you somehow."
"Neville was in the same year and house as Harry, Hermione and Ron," Ginny offered as she turned to them, George wrapped around her shoulders easily. "Maybe from pictures?"
"No, that's not it either," Sirius insisted, Neville's face slowly turning red now, "We've had conversations before, somehow."
"I - I really haven't a clue," Neville stated lamely, looking to Ginny for help, although she offered none. "I mostly just keep up with everyone through letters, I don't get out much from the castle."
"Which I'm fixing," Ginny said simply, sending Neville's entire face aflame as George's brows raised in surprise.
"Which you a-are, yes, um, fixing," Neville stammered before clearing his throat and gesturing in the general area of Hermione, "I'm going to go see Remione and Horn - I mean, err, Hermione and Ron." And with that, he bolted, Ginny grinning cheekily to Sirius as he tried to contain his laughter.
"Longbottom?" George hissed, staring wide-eyed at his sister. "That's the bloke you've been gushing about? Neville?"
"Yup," Ginny stated proudly, "Hannah set it up. We've only been out a few times, but it's been brill."
"You aren't tormenting the poor lad, are you?" Sirius questioned, although he felt he already knew the answer judging by the smirk she sent him.
"Now does that sound like me?" Ginny teased before quickly sobering up as she checked her watch. "Ron, have you got the stuff? Now would be a good time."
"Right," Ron said before gesturing for everyone to gather around in a tight circle, as several members of the Wizengamot were beginning to wander into the hall and enter through the large oak doors. "So, reason for my tardiness - this." He pulled the small bag from his hip, unravelling it to show off the small vial of shimmering gold. Draco and Hermione immediately took to gaping before the Slytherin leaned forward to hiss.
"That is incredibly illegal!" Draco insisted, "Harry - Potter is already on trial for one illegal thing, let's not add to it!"
"It's only illegal if Harry takes it," Ron pressed, glancing to Hermione as her jaw clicked shut and her brows arched in surprise. "Well, I'll be damned. I made Hermione Granger speechless."
"Don't ruin it," George muttered, shooting an easy grin with his younger brother. "So - who takes it?"
"Not nearly enough to go around," Neville noted, towering over the lot of them to peer down at the Felix Felicis.
"Should be the unluckiest one of us all, I think," Ginny announced, crossing her arms and rocking back on her heels, her long red hair swaying as she stared at her target.
It took a few moments before Draco looked up, catching her gaze and sputtering, "Me?"
"Balance things out," she shrugged.
"You can't be serious," the blond deadpanned before holding up a strict finger and pointed glare to Sirius, before thinking better of it and aiming it towards a snickering George.
"Well…" Hermione trailed off, and Draco whirled the finger on her. "Listen - we're the most worried about your testimony, and how the court will take it."
"Plus, wouldn't you like to have one lucky day, Draco?" Luna added, twirling a lock of hair around her wand.
Draco still seemed apprehensive, so Sirius draped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him in close, grinning at his cousin's son.
"Do it, or I'll tell everyone here about your little secret," Sirius insisted, feeling the blond stiffen and throw a seething glare up at him.
Hermione's mouth dropped open, her arms crossing over her chest as she glared at her newly-wed husband, "Sirius!"
"What? You threaten the same thing all the time!" Sirius declared.
"Jokingly!" she moaned in exasperation.
"I loathe you," Draco hissed, snatching the vial from Ron, as all of the remaining Gryffindors looked on curiously. Luna had turned completely around to admire the stain glass window behind them.
"Love you too, cousin," Sirius cajoled, taking the vial, uncorking it with his thumb, and shoving it into Draco's mouth as he placed him in a headlock to do so. "Now - bottoms up, we're running out of time."
Draco coughed and wrestled his way free from his grasp, wiping his mouth with his sleeve and glaring at Sirius. "You're going to pay for that."
Sirius was then reminded that Draco had access to plenty of medical equipment that could be used against him, but decided that Harry was far more important.
"Let's just - " Hermione looked torn between wanting to scream, laugh, and cry. "Everyone calm down, collect ourselves, and present a united front for Harry."
The group nodded, glancing anxiously to Draco as he tugged on his collar. Everyone filed into the courtroom, Sirius slotting himself between Ron and George in the row directly behind Percy, Draco and Hermione.
"Everything'll be fine," Ron murmured, although when Sirius glanced to him, he could see the worry stretched across his freckled face.
"Everything'll be fine," Sirius echoed, nudging Ron in the shoulder and offering a small smile. Ron was quick to return it, settling into his seat and fiddling with his sleeve.
George attempted to bring some levity to their wait, cracking one liners for his friends and siblings to overhear, yet he only received a chuckle or two from Neville and an airy comment from Luna. The rest of the assembled Weasleys weren't in a joking mood, and Hermione and Draco had their heads bent together and whispering.
Around them, the courtroom filled - wrinkly wizards taking their appointed seats in the Wizengamot and chatting amongst themselves. Sirius watched as they each chatted, joked and laughed without a care in the world, as if a man's life weren't about to be decided for him in a few moments. Sirius found himself becoming irrationally angry, wanting nothing more than to pull rank, sit his happy arse in the seat that belonged to the oh so noble house of Black, and bark at every old geezer to shut the ever living fu -
"All rise for the Minister for Magic," a voice rang, clear as a bell, and Sirius looked up to see an imposing figure stride up to his post.
"Is that Kingsy?" Sirius hissed, Percy harshly shushing him over his shoulder. Sirius gaped as the barrel of a man made a sweeping gesture over the room, tapped his wand to the podium, and urged them all to take their seats.
"Kingsy?" George whispered out of the side of his mouth.
"Long story," Sirius whispered back, glee etching across his face as Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister for Magic, glanced up from his papers to make eye contact with Sirius. If he didn't know any better, he would've seen him crack a small grin.
"We are here today for the trial of Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, for use of an Unforgivable," Kingsley's booming voice rang out. A small set of double doors to their left opened, and Sirius's stomach roiled as Harry was led out, his hands clasped in chains. He moved to take his place at the center of the room, turning to see his friends there for him with a smile before looking up at his judge and jury.
"He looks so pale," Ginny murmured behind him, on the edge of her seat and looking over his shoulder worriedly. Sirius looked to Harry, who seemed to be in good spirits, and looked back at her inquisitively. "Malfoy," she hissed, and Sirius looked to his cousin. The blond wizard had his jaw clenched, his back straight as a board, and Sirius watched a vein beginning to bulge in his neck.
"What does - uhh - Felix Felicis do, exactly?" Sirius asked in concern. "Like...how does it work?"
"Ohh boy, get ready for a show," Ron whispered, the three of them ignoring the proceedings to watch the former Death Eater squirm in his seat, growing visibly distressed as the seconds passed.
"Malfoy, are you - ?" Hermione began to ask, a hand lighting on his bicep, before Draco ripped himself out of his seat to stand, giving a loud, echoing clap as he did so to call all attention to himself.
"Actually, your Honor, Minister, sir," Draco said, haltingly, as if some other being were in control of his tongue. He was grinning brightly at everyone, smoothing back his hair casually as he addressed Shacklebolt. "If you don't mind, I think we can agree that Harry - Potter - has been through enough, so why don't we just get things moving along?"
Harry's mouth actually dropped open in surprise as he stared at his childhood nemesis, Shacklebolt merely arching a cool brow as he appraised his suggestion. The rest of the courtroom was taking in aghast gulps of air, and Hermione was staring the Slytherin down with a murderous expression.
"Draco, will you please sit - " she had been saying, before Kingsley spoke over her.
"What did you have in mind, Mister Malfoy?" he asked, reclining in his seat and using one of his hands to rest his chin upon. If one knew how to read Kingsley, they could see that he was increasingly amused. Sirius was having the time of his life, watching the stuffy Wizengamot members clutch their pearls and mutter amongst themselves.
"I consent to allow my memories of the incident in question to be taken, recorded, and shown before the court," Draco said, as simply as if stating the weather as opposed to consenting that his privacy be laid bare before everyone.
"You've yet to declare if you find Harry Potter to be guilty of anything, Mister Malfoy," Kingsley intoned.
"Not guilty, sir," Draco supplied, his voice calm and sure.
Kingsley considered it, tipping his head this way and that, Sirius cracking a grin as they made eye contact once more. "I'll allow it. Please, step into the next room where your memories shall be collected. However, I do suggest having another set of memories of the incident be available - just in case."
"I'll provide another point of view, Minister," Hermione offered, standing and smoothing down her skirt with all the grace of a ballerina, readying herself for her next performance.
"Then please, Miss Granger, Mister Malfoy, follow Aurors Hill and Finnegan," Shacklebolt insisted, watching as Draco helped Hermione down from the step and across the floor, passing by a flabergasted Harry. "We'll take a brief recess while they get those settled. Feel free to mingle amongst yourselves."
Sirius immediately looked to Harry, who was given a chair, although he'd twisted completely around in it to look searchingly at his friends, mouthing a very clear "What the fuck?" Ron waved the concern away, expertly mouthing back "Don't worry!"
"Sooo - Felix Felicis?" Sirius prompted Ron.
"Basically, voice in your head suggesting the luckiest thing to do," Ron murmured back, still grinning. "Looks like Malfoy tried to fight it off for a bit."
"Will this work?" Neville asked, appearing on the other side of Sirius's head, between him and Ron. "This memory thing?"
"It's got to, right? Percy?" Ginny asked, settling herself back on Sirius's shoulder.
Percy twisted in his seat, adjusted his glasses, gazed at all of the inquisitive eyes boring into him, and only opened his mouth before stammering, "W-w-well, there - uhh - there's a chance."
"Percy!" George groaned, plummeting his face into his hands.
"I was planning on building up to this!" Percy defended, taking off his glasses and waving them. "But Malfoy's gone and made a spectacle of himself, and now I'm not so sure!"
"Oh look, Hermione and Draco are coming back," Luna mentioned, seconds before the two were led back through the door and the courtroom attempted to wrangle itself back into order.
"Well, if everyone's ready," Shacklebolt boomed, pausing to hear for any objections, then turning to Malfoy and Hermione when there were none. "Who would like to proceed first?"
"I will," Draco insisted, speaking over Hermione and shooting her a glare when she began to protest. "Whenever the court is ready."
Auror Hill waved their wand, a long, silver tendril beginning to waft from the tip, taking form and shape into a massive curtain appearing between Harry, Hermione and Draco. Light began to shine within it, and soon sound began to follow.
"Draco, darling, you need more flowers here," Narcissa insisted, walking through Draco's barren apartment as he looked through his bookshelves, searching for something.
"I don't need flowers, Mother," Draco intoned, the voice of someone having the same conversation once again. "Or knick-knacks, or decorative pieces, or pictures."
"Oh, well certainly you do need pictures," she argued, looking at a blank stretch of wall. "Photographs, art pieces - whatever you fancy. This would be the perfect placement for that landscape that would hang in your room as a child."
Draco rolled his eyes, looking up to the ceiling to take a deep breath, letting it out slowly and looking back to his bookshelf. "Sounds like a perfect idea, I'll stop by during the week to get it."
Just before Narcissa could speak, a large silver stag cantered into his living room through the window. Draco turned to blink at it, surprise crossing his face, before the stag's mouth opened and Harry's voice came spilling out.
"Malfoy, please, I need help - it's Sirius. Number 12 Grimmauld Place - hurry, he won't wake up," Harry rushed, urging Malfoy to stand and nod to his stricken mother, popping immediately away.
He reappeared in the back garden, taking only a second to get his bearings before another crack announced Hermione's arrival. She turned to look at him, still swathed in the purple gown Sirius had helped her with, and immediately took off running into the shed.
Things seemed to move in slow motion as Draco followed, running and skidding to the door of the shed, Harry gripping Sirius's hand tightly and looking up at them both, tears streaming down his face.
"He fell," he said, lamely, making no complaints when Draco took his place, running over a series of spells and charms and tests that made his face tighten with each result.
"He's dying," Draco said, looking up to find a steely reserve pass over the two Gryffindors' faces.
"Why?" Hermione asked.
"It's the prima natus, obviously, but for some reason it's trying to kill him - as if the time's up," Draco stressed as she kneeled in the dirty shed floor with him, cradling Sirius's head and setting it in her lap. "But it isn't, I checked him over three days ago - he had plenty of time then."
"Can we fix it?" Harry asked, his voice shaking as his face remained hard as he stood off to the side.
Draco inhaled, exhaled, and answered. "The only thing that can fix him is if we marry him off. The binding spell used in a marriage ceremony would be enough to support his magical energy system until he fulfills the rest of the requirements of the curse."
"Marry him off to me," Hermione suggested, scoffing at Draco and Harry's synchronized looks of disbelief. "Don't give me that - he obviously doesn't have time for us to figure things out much longer."
"First thing wrong with your plan - it's stupid," Draco chided, taking Sirius's wrist and pressing two fingers to keep tracking of his pulse. It was slowing - not a great sign. "We need a Ministry official, life-long binding vows, and an unfilled marriage license on the premises."
"I've got all of those," Harry offered, pointing at himself when Draco shot him an unsure look. "Ministry official who knows the marriage vows and binding spell, and a stack of unfilled marriage licenses in my study. Let's go."
"Secondly - there's no way out of this, Granger," Draco said, turning to speak to her softly. "You know that, don't you."
Hermione nodded, although they noted that he hadn't phrased it as a question.
Draco released a forceful sigh, looking to the ceiling for guidance once more, "Thirdly - he's unconscious. How are we going to get him to agree to the vows for the binding spell and sign the bloody license in the first place?"
Hermione chewed her lip in thought, yet Harry was quick to blurt out "We could Imperius him."
"Harry!" Hermione gaped.
"Hermione, he doesn't have time for us to figure anything else out," Harry stressed, kneeling beside Sirius and gripping his other hand. "I'll even cast it. Please - I can't lose him again."
"Harry, this is - " she coughed a sob, shaking her head wildly, "This is serious."
Harry cracked a grin, nodding once. "I know. That's why I'm doing it."
"If we're going to do anything, we need to do it now," Draco urged, pressing harder into Sirius's wrist in an attempt to will the pulse beneath to beat harder and faster.
Hermione sucked in a lungful of breath, nodded once, and everything began to speed up once more. Harry summoned a marriage license, cast the Imperius Curse upon Sirius, spoke the vows and the incantation for the spell, ordered Sirius to agree when he was supposed to and sign once he had. As soon as Hermione agreed and signed her name there was a golden glow that traced across the marriage license to symbolize the completion of the marriage as well as the binding spell. Once the glow had faded, Sirius sucked in a lungful of air, released it slowly, and slumped back into the floor with a groan.
"We've got to get him to the hospital," Draco insisted, rising to his feet and grabbing Sirius underneath one arm as Harry grabbed the other. "If he lives - you're in trouble."
"I prefer that than the alternative," Harry said as they carried Sirius between them.
"What do you mean if he lives?" Hermione demanded as she rose, following them out of the shed and back into the garden. "He's going to live," she insisted stubbornly, her brows furrowed as she glared at the blond wizard.
"If the prima natus curse doesn't consider you a viable option, it will kill him outright," Draco stated bluntly, staring her down. "You may have bought him some time, but there is no guarantee. I'll work on him at the hospital, we'll know more once I get him in a bed."
Hermione halted in her stride, nodding slowly, and wrung her hands anxiously in the garden. "I'll be right behind you two. I need to change out of this."
The two nodded, Apparated to St. Mungo's, and the memory began to fade slowly away.
Once the lights of the courtroom tried to adjust, an eerie silence settled over the room. Sirius felt every eye on him, yet he found himself glued to the trio on display. Harry was looking to Hermione, searching her face for something, Draco standing ramrod straight beside her. She merely tucked a wayward curl behind her ear and straightened her shoulders, and Harry seemed to settle.
Kingsley cleared his throat, muttered something to the juror closest to him, and banged the gavel in an attempt to regather everyone's attention.
"The court shall have another recess while the jurors deliberate, and decide if they require Miss Granger's memories of the event before we proceed," Kingsley declared, nodding to the Wizengamot as they stood and filed out of the courtroom. Everyone did the same, except for their gaggle of friends, who stayed seated and silent as they watched Harry be led out of the room and Hermione and Draco retook their seats.
"You two are married?" George was the first to say, turning slowly to Sirius to give him a wild eyed stare.
"Surprise," Sirius intoned back, unabashed.
George whirled around to Ron, gripping his sleeves tightly, "Are you okay with this - this marriage business!?"
Ron blinked, trying to wrestle free from his brother's grasp, "Yes?! Why wouldn't I be? Sirius is alive, isn't he?"
"He's married to your ex!" George declared as Ron removed his brother from his sleeves, as if they didn't already know, "Doesn't that make you angry?"
Ron sniffed and scratched the side of his nose, "Nope. Wish them the best."
George scoffed, shaking his head wildly, and Ginny poked her head over Sirius's shoulder to catch Hermione's tired gaze.
"We're having a chat later," Ginny offered calmly, and Hermione returned it with a soft smile and a nod. Ginny then glanced to Sirius, gave a lopsided grin reminiscent of George, and knocked her elbow against his shoulder. "Nice catch, mate!"
"Ginny," Neville hissed in admonishment, likely taking pity as he watched Sirius's face go uncharacteristically red.
"Can we just - " Sirius started before he let out a large huff of air, like he was deflating, rubbing his hands on his face, " - can we just get through this trial first?"
"Please?" Hermione echoed, looking just as tired and drained as Sirius was feeling.
Everyone seemed to make vague mutterings, aside from Draco, Percy and Ron, the latter of which seemed indifferent, and the former beginning to rock back and forth in his seat as if he really needed to use the loo.
The jury returned, insisted that Hermione's memories weren't needed, yet requested her statement. Hermione made her way to stand back in the center, shooting Harry a reassuring smile before she returned her gaze to Kingsley, who asked for her to proceed whenever she felt ready.
"I was at a previous engagement for the evening when I received Harry's patronus that Sirius was in trouble," she began.
"Were you expecting such a patronus?" one of the wizengamot inquired.
"Well, not necessarily at that time, but yes," Hermione admitted, wringing her hands together. "Sirius had been struggling with the prima natus curse ever since his arrival in the present. I'd noticed his steady decline, yet at the time he'd seemed to have been feeling better, so I thought he'd be alright in being by himself - or at least alone until Harry arrived later - and assumed I wouldn't be needed that night."
"Are you considered Mister Black's caregiver?" another member asked.
Hermione wrinkled her nose, "In terms of babysitting him, hardly. He has full autonomy, and I'm sure any of us would get a right earful if we even attempted to do so." She shot him a pointed stare at this, and he couldn't help himself with a grin. "No - Sirius and I are merely roommates, and I like to check on him and make sure he's okay."
"Yet you married him," one suggested in a drawl that spoke of ulterior motives.
Hermione's shoulder's straightened, "Forgive me, but am I the one on trial here today, Minister?"
Kingsley gave a small laugh, side-eying the court, and answered, "No, you are not, Miss Granger. Please proceed, and ignore the out of turn comment."
"Thank you," she said, getting on with it. "What Harry did was purely an act of desperation in order to save our friend's life. We've had plenty of those moments on the battlefield, and recognized one as soon as we encountered it. Given the circumstances, and the knowledge of a medical professional such as Healer Malfoy, we all did what we felt we had to. Harry's use of an Unforgivable was only to buy Sirius more time as we sought to fulfill the unknown requirements of his prima natus curse."
Kingsley hummed, regarding Hermione thoughtfully for a moment or two, then turned back to the wizengamot. "If there are any further questions?" They remained silent. "Then thank you, Miss Granger, you may return to your seat."
Hermione nodded, shot Harry another smile, and did as told, Draco replacing her soon after.
"Healer Malfoy," Kingsley boomed, and Draco blinked as if he were waking from the last few moments of sleep. "In your medical expertise, how would you describe Mister Black's health in the days leading up to the incident in question?"
Draco sighed through his nose, pinching the bridge of it, and lifting his head once he was done. "Speaking plainly, Minister, Sirius Black was as healthy as he could be considering his condition. I'd treated him days prior for general aches and pains, and he'd complained of nightmares and migraines. I hadn't expected to see him so quickly, and in such deteriorating health, when I arrived at the premises."
"What was Mister Black's prognosis, had Mister Potter not intervened as he did?" a nasally voice questioned.
Draco lifted a pale brow, glanced at the speaker, and looked into the Minister's eyes. "He'd have been dead in minutes if Potter hadn't cast the spell." Draco sniffed, looked to Sirius and then Harry, and then back at the Minister. "If Potter hadn't cast the spell, I would have. I firmly believe his and Miss Granger's quick decisions are the only thing keeping that man standing at this moment."
"Thank you, Healer Malfoy, I believe that is all," Kingsley insisted, Draco nodding and returning to his seat. "I shall open the floor for character statements, before releasing the jury to deliberate."
At this, they saw a quick procession of Neville, Luna, George and then Percy. Ron and Ginny were the final two to go, making heartfelt statements about all that Harry had done for them in sake of himself.
"As you well know, Harry and I were previously in a relationship," Ginny stated towards the end, red hair swaying as she shook, "What you may not know, is that man sacrificing months of his own happiness for me. He bent over backwards just to make me happy and attempt to fix something that was never broken in the first place. He is a selfless human being, and would tread hail and high water just to make sure anyone was happy before he considered himself."
Ginny was dismissed back to her seat, wiping her eyes and sniffling, and Harry was caught dabbing at his own with his shirt sleeves.
The wizengamot began to gather their things, everyone shifting in their seats, before Kingsley's voice took the room once more.
"I would like to hear from Sirius Black, before the final verdict is made," he declared, and Sirius felt every eye turn to him once more.
"Err," Sirius began before George elbowed him harshly in the ribs.
"Get up there, you git!" he hissed in his ear, propelling Sirius onto his feet and into the center of the silent room.
"Well, um, where to begin?" Sirius said, looking around to Harry and then to his friends. Nobody had told him to prepare anything, and he'd just been released from the hospital that morning.
"We can begin with where you stand on things," Kingsley said, offering a small smile, "Considering that you did have an Unforgivable cast upon you."
"I mean, as far as Unforgivables go, that one's pretty forgivable," Sirius joked easily, scratching the side of his nose and putting his other hand in his pocket, "Obviously, I find Harry not guilty. The man saved my life, and gave me a pretty bird for a wife." He heard Hermione's tiny groan over his shoulder, and shared a grin with Kingsley.
"Look, I don't even know why we're here, if I'm honest," Sirius continued with a shrug. "Harry did what he had to in order to keep me breathing another day, and for that I'm grateful. He'd do it for anyone, as we've all heard. The unique nature of the prima natus curse created a unique situation that Harry handled accordingly. I know for a fact that Alastor Moody would be applauding him and harping at every one of you for even thinking of throwing cuffs on the man."
Kingsley let out a booming laugh, one that seemed to shake the stands, and he smothered it with a few easy chuckles, "You are absolutely right about that. Auror Moody was a fan of unthinkable scenarios."
"You're telling me - James Potter and I had to take his entrance exams twice before he let us in," Sirius scoffed before softening at the mention of James. "Look, I know this is weird and confusing for everyone, no more so than me. But throwing Harry Potter in Azkaban has got to be the craziest, stupidest thing I've ever heard, and I've got an irreversible blood spell on me that brought me back from the dead."
"Thank you, Mister Black, that was very insightful," Kingsley said before standing, addressing the court once more. "The jury shall make their decision on the final verdict."
Sirius made his way back to his seat, glancing to Draco and Hermione as he did so. Hermione shot him a small smile as Draco offered a discrete thumbs up, and George patted him on the back a few times as he slid back into his seat. Ron had his head bowed, his forehead resting against his clasped hands, and when Sirius turned around he saw Luna with an arm around Ginny, Neville wrapping an arm around her shoulders as she stared at her feet.
It seemed like an eternity of silence, but it felt all too soon when Kingsley stood once more, the wizengamot filing back into the room, and the court rose as well.
One short, plump witch made her way to the Minister, handing him a small piece of parchment, and made her way back to her seat. Kingsley unfurled the parchment, regarding it quietly, and whenever he looked back to Sirius he knew that Harry was going to be okay.
"The court finds Auror Harry Potter not guilty in his use of an Unforgivable," Kingsley boomed, and Sirius heard a collective breath released from the lungs of those surrounding him. "Or, as Mister Black so eloquently put it, he has been forgiven in his use of an Unforgivable."
The court seemed to chuckle, and Harry was beamed as he was released from his shackles and turned towards his friends.
"Court dismissed," Kingsley wrapped up, and Harry was over the barrier and hugging Hermione and Ron in an instant. Ginny rushed into the embrace as well, and George loped an arm around the group as he sniffled into his sister's hair.
"You've got to stop doing dumb things, Harry," Sirius heard Ginny sniffle. "You can't keep going to court for dumb things."
"As one of those dumb things, I disagree," Sirius interjected, Neville chuckling beside him as he peeled Ginny away and let her sob into his robes instead.
George pulled apart as well, his eyes red as he seemed to shake it out of his system. "I'm going to let Mum and the others know the good news. Party at Harry's, all invited!"
"I'll go stop him from making a mess," Percy sighed as he watched George run off, grinning as he regarded the trio still hugging tightly. "Well, glad my services weren't entirely needed."
"You kidding? Your definition of the term unforgivable gave me my inspiration," Sirius teased, watching as Percy seemed to mentally pat himself on the back before he departed in search of his brother.
Sirius neared the teary trio, noticing now that Draco had slumped into his seat with a sort of boneless quality. Sirius was about to ask if he was alright, when he felt a hand enclose on his arm and a sharp tug, and soon his face was buried in Harry's shoulder.
"Thank you," Harry mumbled.
"Of course," Sirius scoffed, yet he allowed the moment to warm him from the inside out. Yet someone was missing… "Draco," he barked out roughly, "Get over here."
"I'm alright, thanks," the blonde snarked.
"Malfoy," Hermione grumbled beneath the three men towering over her, "Come here."
Sirius peaked an eye open to watch as a pale hand shot out, awkwardly patted Harry's other shoulder a few times, and darted out between Ron's arms.
"Git," Hermione huffed, and she disappeared from the pile, and a few yelps were heard, and then Draco was in between her and Ron as everyone resumed hugging Harry.
"I'm uncomfortable," Draco declared with a steady glare.
"Too bad," Ron announced, snuggling into the crook of his neck, "You helped save Harry. This is how Gryffindors show their thanks."
Draco started struggling, trying to get out of the hug, "I am never helping you three - four - ever again. This is the first, only and last time I - "
"Well, doesn't that look cozy?" a voice boomed, and everyone shot apart from each other to look up at Kingsley, grinning cheekily at them all.
"Thank you so much, Minister," Harry began, yet he was cut off by Kingsley's unimpressed snort.
"Come now, Potter, I've told you many times to call me Kingsley," he insisted before turning to Sirius. "And you - don't think I didn't hear that 'Kingsy' statement from the beginning of the trial. I've told you hundreds of times - "
Sirius began to laugh, grinning at his old friend as Luna, Neville and Ginny neared them, "Sorry, it slipped out - I'd had no idea what you'd gotten up to. Imagine my surprise at seeing you! Minister for Magic!"
"How do the two of you know each other?" Ginny asked.
Kingsley sighed, and Sirius began to laugh all over again. "It's a long, complex story."
"It's not long," Sirius argued.
"It's a complex story," Kingsley amended.
"It's not that complex."
"It's a story."
"More of a summary - "
"Alright, fine," Kingsley groaned. "We'd been in dueling club at Hogwarts, he was a few years above me and he was meant to be training me."
"And I was trying to, but somebody was trying to impress his widdle girlfriend at the time," Sirius added before humming, "Whatever happened to her, anyway?"
"Married Dedalus Diggle," Kingsley muttered before continuing, "Anyway, I challenged Sirius to a duel."
"I was a sixth year," Sirius said with a smirk he was trying to hide.
"I was a third year," Kingsley finished with a sigh as the group began to grin, "It didn't end well, yet all I wound up with were a few bruises and a horrid nickname."
"I didn't give you the nickname, that girl did," Sirius snorted, rolling his eyes before he leaned conspiratorial towards the lot, "I come up with much better nicknames."
"Right," Harry chuckled, running his hands through his hair, "Which one did you come up with, then? Of the Marauders?"
Sirius blinked, opening his mouth, and then shutting it to lamely mutter, "Moony."
"You came up with Moony?" Draco drawled disbelievingly, "For the werewolf? How long did that one take you?"
"Shut it," Sirius glared.
"Can we go now?" Hermione asked with a sigh, looking beseechingly towards the ceiling, "I'm so tired of this room and would like to be out of it."
"Oh Merlin, George is throwing you a party at Grimmauld Place," Ron remembered, turning three shades whiter.
"I gotta go home!" Harry yelled as he dashed out, waving an arm, "You'll all be there! Even you, Kingsy!"
"Watch it, Potter!" Kingsley bellowed as he rounded the corner. "I know where you live!"
"So you should be there," Ron grinned before he swallowed it at Kingsley's frown. He gulped, taking off after Harry, "I'm coming too, Harry!"
"We'll see you all there, then," Neville said, nodding to them as he and Luna departed, Ginny lingering for a moment before she wrapped Draco in a hug.
"Thank you, ferret," she said, parting just as he seemed to think of where to put his hovering hands. She smiled, gripping his arms, and gave them a squeeze, "We can't thank you enough."
"I - err - well," Draco faltered, deciding that patting Ginny on her shoulders was a good way to reciprocate. "Just get him to quit being stupid, it gets old."
"Oh please," Ginny scoffed, releasing Draco completely to his immense relief, "As if we all haven't tried." She turned to Hermione, hugging her gently, "I'll be 'round tomorrow, alright? I'll bring some treats from Mum."
"Thanks, Gin," Hermione muffled into her shoulder, squeezing back tightly.
Ginny pulled away from Hermione to turn to Sirius, playfully punching him in the arm, and grinned. "I guess I'll check on you too then, since I'll be there."
"Gee, thanks," Sirius teased, watching her go and join Neville, who'd been waiting at the door for her. Draco took his moment to depart as well, slipping out after the two and walking the opposite way.
"If you two need anything, don't hesitate to ask," Kingsley offered, looking between them before his face settled into something gentle yet serious. "I know things didn't go how you two expected. Let me know where I can help."
"Thanks, Kingsley," Hermione smiled.
"We will," Sirius promised.
Kingsley returned the smile, patting them both on the shoulder, and made his way out the door, "I'll see you both at the party! If George is throwing it, it'll sure to be wild!"
They shared a laugh before the Minister exited the room, leaving them alone for the first time in weeks.
Sirius looked to Hermione, unsure of where to start, and Hermione seemed to deflate as she looked at him tiredly.
"Well I suppose we should - " she began before Sirius cut her off with a shake of his head.
"Not today," he insisted, "We've - you've - been through enough today. We'll tackle this thing once we've both gotten a decent night's sleep."
Hermione blinked in surprise before smiling, "I think that's just what we both need."
"Not like we'll get much tonight, I imagine," Sirius snorted, leading her towards the door as she walked alongside him, his hands in his pockets. "How wild does George's parties get?"
"Oh, they used to be insane when he had Fred there to plan with him, most of the ones he's thrown since the Battle have only been in the same field," she chuckled, "I imagine we'll get to Fred-and-George level tonight."
Sirius didn't know whether to laugh, cry or a combination of both, and Hermione only laughed at his expression as they exited the courtroom together.
