Thorfinn Rowle paced his cell waiting for the day's exercise time, since the downfall of Voldemort the treatment of Wizards in Azkaban had completely changed. No longer were there screams of pain and anguish at all hours of the day and night, No Dementors to feed off them hell even the building itself had gone through a complete overhaul, A whole new building sat on the once fortress. The prisoners had been granted luxuries that had been unheard of before the new initiative, time outside to walk and run and feel the wind and sun they could even plant vegetables in the greenhouse, They had donated books in a onsite library, a new kitchen facility with decent food, even a laundry facility with new clean uniforms and new beds and bedding. Good behavior meant they were eligible for the laundry, kitchen,Library and garden duty Never to look a gift horse in the mouth, Thorfinn had become a perfect prisoner, even being pulled to make reports on Voldemort's movements and goals during the years he was serving. They had even asked about his joining and initiation, he had been given vertiserum at the time so he let slip his forced marking at the orders of his Father.
In Thorfinn's eyes he had been guilty despite this fact and had served the idiotic man he was not stupid he had killed Muggles he avoided Crucioing them he didn't hold with prolonged suffering. He let the world believe he would just kill Muggles which he had been raised to believe were cattle. He avoided killing Wizards/ Witched if he could help it he did not believe in killing his own kind even Muggle Borns in his mind were people they had been given Magic for a reason, Who was he to question Magic's sound of metal grinding caught his attention as the noise was close a guard stood at his door looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Minister has asked for you Rowle, I'm taking you to the Ministry." The guard motioned for him to walk over to the bars so he could place the Cuffs on him, he nodded and walked over to the guard to allow the cuffs luckily they were just normal handcuffs not magic suppressant no that was the earring in his right ear. The guard wasted no time cuffing him and letting him out of the cell and ushering him to the one way floo. He was taken right into the antechamber for the courtroom and allowed to sit on a bench until called. Before long Potter himself collected him and ushered him into the chamber, where they were conducting a full session. Potter led him to the chair in the middle of the room and uncuffed him and allowed him to sit.
" Welcome Mr .Rowle you may be unaware but there are two new laws we are creating that will be affecting a handful of prisoners you have been nominated to participate in , should you choose to do so. But first I have one question for you. Do you Hate Muggles ?" The minister of Magic asked .
"I would not say Hate sir more Indifferent, I was raised to believe they were nothing more than fodder or on the same par as an Animal. I have nothing against Muggle borns and know that Magic gifted them for a purpose. But I know next to nothing about Muggles other then what I was ordered to do to them." Thorfinn started watching the man carefully.
" Do you desire to kill them like Voldermort?" The man asked.
" Kill no I only Killed them on his order so he wouldn't kill me they never held any interest in me at all." He shrugged being honest.
" I would like for you to participate in the second new law I believe despite the fact you have killed Muggles you are not a killer . We all did things during the war we are not proud of. I think you need to learn about Muggles and see them as people therefore I want you to join me in my office. I want to go over both new laws with you and allow you the option of them." The dark skinned man nodded to Potter who stepped forward and asked him point blank.
" Will you need to be cuffed or will you be coming along?" Thorfinn paused; he had a choice to go back to Azkaban or see what the crazy Minister had in mind.
"I think I can handle a change in status Lead the way Lord Potter." He nodded to the boy as an equal Potter gave him a smirk, and led him out of the courtroom. They remain quiet in the halls of the Ministry.
" What would you think if I told you that I was raised by Muggles?" Harry asked curiously.
"I wouldn't think that at all it's impossible your status as a legacy the last Potter entitles you to certain rights in our world one of them being raised by your closest Wizarding relation In this case the Black's Andromeda Tonks raised you as the closest living relative had anything happened to her the next would have been Longbottom ." Thorfinn stated as if it was apparent.
" No Thorfinn, I was raised by my muggle aunt and uncle, I met Andromeda only once before my godson and her grandson was born." Harry stated.
" NO Impossible you have to know your family history, you have to know the family rituals, the family allegiances, do you know anything about your heritage? '' Thorfinn exploded.
" I know nothing of my wizarding family, and that's my point. I can talk and hold a conversation with you despite being raised by Muggles. They have language and education and feelings and emotions and family history just like you. Just something to think about." Harry smiled
"I guess I never really thought that far it was unimportant. Thank you. I will remember that." Thorfinn nodded.
"Anytime I'm willing to help show you the good things in the Muggle world like Draft Beer and lazy Sunday watching Football. Video Games and Movies always love watching a good western." Harry laughed, clapping the older man on the shoulder. Thorfinn gave him a slight grin and they continued along the halls and into the Minister's Office.
"Kingsley and Hermione shall join you shortly. Go ahead, have a seat. I got some Head of Department duties but Owl me if you are interested in a guys day can never have too many of them." Harry bid Thorfinn goodby and left him.
He shook his head another test to see if he would try to escape he wasn't stupid what ever law the minister had in mind was better then Azkaban and a life on the run.
He waited after Harry left the room he did not wait long for the minister and an unfamiliar woman who must be the Hermione Harry had spoken of.
"Good thank you for joining us Tea?" The minister asked.
"I'm fine thank you Sir I just want to know how you can consider letting a man who has killed muggles and harmed countless Wizards and witches." Thorfinn stated.
"Under duress you were tied to a man who would have killed you and then the same people he ordered you to kill. We have looked extensively into yours and several others past and have changed the way we think as a whole thanks to this woman here she has brought a whole new idea on mind healing and terrorist, Like Voldemort.I know this is something that we want to promote and who better to participate then a former Death Eater." Kingsley smiled.
"AH I see I'm to be a poster boy for reform." Thorfinn smirked.
"In a way yes but I'm rather hoping you will be the first to volunteer to be a part of the other law, a Marriage law. Hear me out before you say anything." Kingsley held up a hand when Thorfinn tried to speak. "I have someone in mind who needs protection from an abusive ex. She is smart and sweet but has been living in fear of her ex. She is like a daughter to me and I need someone I can trust to keep her safe. Her ex is trying to use his influence to corner her and force her to Marry him by rapeing her repeatedly until she falls pregnant. Being a pure blood he is protected by the fact she's a muggleborn Witch and our laws don't protect her not yet anyway." Kingsley said softly.
"A man is trying to force himself on a Witch! Scum! Does she agree to be with me Minister, does she know what I have done." Thorfinn growled softly.
" Yes I am quite familiar It was actually my Idea to approach you about this matter. You are a physically imposing Man that my ex has in the past admitted to being afraid of. I know I am not a traditionally pretty woman and have a studious harsh personality , But I believed he loved me and wanted a life with me because he loved me not because he wanted to control me. I now understand what that man has manipulated me into being. I wish things were different but I need someone to help protect me. I have not slept in weeks because of my ex. I'm afraid of leaving the house for fear he will corner me somewhere. I do not like living in fear I want my life back." The woman sighed heavily sitting in the chair next to the desk.
"A man convincing a smart independent woman that she needs to be the one to change is the person at fault Miss, I agree to the Marriage Law but I will expect to stay with you I do not believe in divorse or separation from my Wife I expect to treat you with respect and will expect the same. I also expect faithfulness in our relationship; neither of us shall cheat." Thorfinn sat back in his chair watching the woman carefully.
"I agree that I think cheating is the ultimate betrayal to a marriage, my ex believed it was his right to sleep with every Witch that dropped her knickers for him, needless to say I wholeheartedly believe in fidelity is an understatement." Hermione gave a small grin to the large death eater.
"Well it seems as if you have come to an agreement here are your effects , And I need to remove the cuff from your ear as you are no longer under power cut off. I will also send the full stipulations list Via Owl by tomorrow night I believe you and your fiance will want to get to the bank today and find out the status of your holdings. " The Minister laid a small stack of clothes on his desk along with a wand Thorfinn's wand to be exact.
Thorfinn understood the Minister wished to maintain his power in the room and have Thorfinn show humility in front of the girl, He was a soft touch when it came to women so the Minister need not worry. He stood, approached the man's desk and knelt in front of the man. Who smirked at the younger man leaned down and whispered in his ear.
" She appears fine but is fragile and far more damaged by her ex than she wants to admit to anyone. Please treat her well." He whispered softly into Thorfinn's ear.
"I will do my best to treat her well." Thorfinn replied softly, raising to gather his clothes.
"Go change, use my private bath. It's the second door just there." Kingsley pointed to the door Thorfinn nodded and disappeared into the room.
"I hope we have chosen the right one Mi. I suggest only staying one night at the cottage then going to one of his family homes. I can only give you a week to get to know him before we have to marry you."Kingsley sighed.
"I know Kings, We have to move quickly to shut down Ron's legal suit." Hermione sighed a tear falling from her eye.
"Oh Darlin I know you feel helpless right now all we can do is get you married to Thorfinn and away from that man." Kingsley stood and gathered Hermione to him in a loving hug, Hermione eased into the elder Wizard who took her into his life as a surrogate Daughter.
"I don't know where I would be without you Kings, After everything you have been my Rock losing my Parents crushed me. You and Harry are the only reasons I am myself today." Hermione smiled at the Wizard.
Thorfinn walked back into the office interrupting their moment. Hermione stepped back from Kingsley and wiped her eyes free of the tears she had shed.
"Good much better, now as it stands Tuesday of next week Hermione is to face a tribunal. This is something we must have married before. I know this is not ideal but the tribunal will force Hermione to marry Ronald, something she refuses to do she will go into the detail of that with her later. For now help her pack her things and get her to one of your family properties. Lay low there until monday." Kingsley folded his arms over his chest.
"I know Kings. I promise we will be back here Monday to complete the bonding process, I'll send an owl when we are settled at the cottage for the night." Hermione smiled turning to Thorfinn taking in the huge intimidating man for the first time nervous about being alone with said man.
"Right let's get this done we need to get to Gringotts."She added after a moment.
"Lead the way." Thorfinn motioned.
Hermione nodded hugging Kingsley once more before motioning to Thorfinn to follow her out of the Ministry and to the streets of muggle London.