A/N: My readers may be excused if they think my life's ambition is only to write takeoffs from broomstick flyer. At this point, I have five stories at various stages of completion as tributes. I am truly intrigued by this idea, but I found her execution of it left something to be desired. Hence this story, written in Harry's POV. I hope you enjoy.
Sam and Henry led me into Courtroom 10 of the Ministry and I had an immediate feeling of déjà vu back to my fifth year and the underage magic/magic in front of muggles kangaroo court trial that evaporated quickly as I felt the hurricane of hatred directed at me from all quarters it had been nothing like that two plus years before. Today I was already tried and convicted: if their emotions could do it, I'd already be through the Veil.
Sam sat me at a table, before the five judges (the Minister the Chief Warlock the Head of the DMLE and two senior Wizengamot members) while Henry walked across to speak to a man at another table I blanched when I caught a glimpse of Hermione then I forced myself to look only at Henry and the other man. That man was balding, a trifle squat, with a sardonic air to him. He clearly looks a home in a courtroom.
"Who's that?"
Sam grunted. "That's Jerome Mandl the Grangers' representative. We're old buddies in the matter of Weasley we're allies and in the Malfoy business he's going to help us get it settled in your favor."
I started. "Whyever for?"
"The Grangers want to nail you to the wall on rape and get every bit of flesh and blood out of you." Sam sounded as sardonic and cynical as ever I'd heard him.
I was totally flabbergasted. "But I've acknowledged I'm Marie Jane's father! What I deny is that I raped her."
"Yeah but you see doing that confuses them they think you must've assets squirreled away somewhere and want to make certain they get it all. They expect a death sentence on you they want to make sure you don't hit back from beyond the grave." I started sputtering but Sam cut me off. "We know the only item outstanding is our fees. Those are well documented and detailed and will continue to be so that even with the worst they'll see they got everything else."
I sighed and shook my head. "OK tell me about the others here. I see Kingsley Shacklebolt and he's sitting where the Minister should so he has the job?"
He nodded. "The Chief Warlock is Steven Umbridge."
I started. "Umbridge." I growled.
"Yes but nothing like his sister. Hated her and everything she stood for when she was tried they had to restrain him from pitching her through the Veil!"
I grinned. "Sounds like he'll do. The head of the DMLE?"
"She's a former Master Auror Melissa Roberson. She was outside Britain when Voldemort took over and they didn't let her back in. She's so good they didn't go after her she got more DeathEaters than Moody did so they were content to let whither on the vine she's not really into politics but she's the only one left with any credibility and she's stuck. Think of Amelia Bones only more so."
"I can live with that. And the Wizengamot members?"
"Not political types. They're chosen for having a lot of legal and trial experience."
"Works for me. What about the prosecutor?"
"The prosecutor is Danton Smith. His great-nephew was one of your classmates."
I gave Sam an involuntary scowl. "I remember his great-nephew and not too fondly at that. What can you tell me about Danton?"
Sam considered a moment. "He's pretty relentless and he'll strive for any advantage he can find he thinks that Weasley can give him a view of you and Miss Granger that is relatively objective.For the Malfoy case he would love to nail you against the wall so that you're in Azkaban regardless of what happens in the rape trial."
I snorted sourly. "Neither reason makes sense to me all my testimony will be under Veritaserum I'll demand it. For Weasley, he ceased to be my friend back in my fourth year as you two know his desertion on the hunt only verified it so it's laughable that anyone would think Ron's views aren't subjective. For the Ferret it's open and shut self-defense and my memories given under Veritaserum will confirm that."
Sam nodded as Henry came to our table. "Jerome's in line with us. Miss Granger understands she'll likely testify in both cases. She's not happy about it but she's doing it."
I looked at Henry and had to ask "Is my daughter here in England too do you know?"
Henry looked sympathetically at me. "Jerome said no she came in on an International Portkey and will go out immediately when we're done. Her parents are caring for the baby."
–SWM–
Just then, the Chief Warlock banged his gavel. "Prosecutor Smith, you may proceed." I managed to hold back a chortle that would have been totally out of place somehow I'd expected to hear a masculine version of his sister's pseudo-simper the shock of hearing the resonant tenor instead led me to almost lose control.
"Thank you, Chief Warlock." Smith had an even more impressive smooth, resonant baritone voice. He hadn't spoke for more than about fifteen seconds when I realized that with the way the justice system ran this was a stepping stone for him if he had my scalp on his belt he'd easily become Chief Warlock or Minister in the not too distant future I avoided patting myself on the back realizing Hermione likely concluded this before she even came back.
"Members of the noble Wizengamot Chief Warlock Minister and members of the public. It grieves me terribly that we must try Harry James Potter (his voice rose over the tide of savage mutterings for my immediate extermination) rather than laud him as we should for ending the reign of terror inflicted on us by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named today we will try him for murder then later for forcible rape clearly there are things working deeply in this young man's mind and soul that impelled him to commit these acts it is my duty to seek justice so we must attempt to understand the roots of his motivation.
"This is not to say that understanding him will stay my hand in seeking full justice under our laws rather if understanding what caused him to become a moral freak we might be able to spot and treat others before they can commit similar outrages in future."
As he said that both Henry and Sam crushed my biceps their interviews with me told them that 'freak' is the one word that would set me off. "Courage." muttered Henry, sotto voce. I regained my composure.
"There are two persons who can claim to know Mr. Potter better than any othe miss Hermione Granger and Mr. Ronald Weasley their insights are invaluable to our understanding. While both will of course testify under Veritaserum there will be incidents of interest experienced by only one and even when both were present there will be a difference in the way they view and judge the incidents for this reason we feel that while the order on Mr. Weasley to not speak of these things outside of court is needed he must be able to testify in open court.
"As newly released records show these extraordinary young adults have played a huge rôle in the events of the last seven and a half years. Beginning in the autumn of 1991..."
As Smith went off into a long oration about our deeds I found myself wondering who these people of whom he spoke of were beyond names and faces they were nothing like the Harry Hermione and Ron I knew and remembered. Even the acts we did only bore a general resemblance to those they did. We'd been nothing like the well-oiled machine he depicted basically we'd made it through by improvising adapting and then generally only managing to overcome by the skin of our teeth. Most damning in my eyes was the fact he portrayed us as having had no friction among us before the 'inexplicable' parting during the hunt and as he wound down I cocked an eyebrow at Sam getting a shark-like grin in return.
–SWM–
Mandl rose and slowly walked to the center of the courtroom when I saw him begin a grin that would shame a shark by comparison I matched it inwardly.
"Chief Warlock Minister members of this noble court and spectators our redoubtable prosecutor has certainly told us a tale of these three young people a tale for the ages but I think he has sold them rather short for how many wizards have encountered Centaurs even once and escaped with a whole skin let alone twice and even enlisted their aid in removing a malignant Ministry presence?" I saw the Chief Warlock start and barely avoid an outburst at the oblique mention of his sister.
"For that matter, how many of us have ever encountered an Acromantula once let alone three times and live? Two of them even parlayed with them before returning to Hogwarts Castle who among us can say that they fostered a full Giant?
I enjoyed hearing Mandl out-Smithing Smith particularly when Ron nearly fainted at the mention of Aragog's folk but I never saw the coup de grâce coming.
"Still I'm amazed that their greatest feat was unmentioned by Mr. Smith their eradication of that heath scourge of magicals and non-magicals alike Yaws."
By this time, Smith knew he was being practiced upon and really should have been more wary but he fell into the trap. "Yaws?" he bellowed. "What in Merlin's name is Yaws?"
Mandl showed all his teeth. "Why Danton it's a double Firewhiskey, chased with a Butterbeer you can treat me to it at the Cauldron after court."
It was a trial in itself for me not to laugh my head off luckily I knew doing so would only make me more his foe and my self-learned mental control just held Sam and Henry managed too I think we three and Ron (who was three steps behind, as usual) were the only ones in the courtroom who didn't I'd been working hard at practicing the 'custody of the eyes' regarding Hermione but I saw her convulsed with mirth and despite all the sight lightened my heart.
–SWM–
When the laughter died away I saw Mandl was ready to get down to business. "It is time to get down to brass tacks as the saying goes. Bluntly Prosecutor Smith's account hardly bears any resemblance to my client's memories and her attitude towards Mr. Weasley I can't speak for the third of this trio but I suspect that we will find yet a third view of this 'friendship'." I caught the verbal quotes thought about this and wondered just what Henry and Sam had shared with Mandl.
I cocked an eyebrow. Sam caught it and made sure that we couldn't be overheard. "Neither of us told Jerry anything beyond the fact you hadn't considered him a friend in a long time." I nodded then directed my attention to the stand where she had just taken Veritaserum.
Q. What is your name?
A. Hermione Jane Granger.
Q. Were you born in the United Kingdom?
A. Yes.
Q. How long have you been friends with Ronald Bilius Weasley?
A. I have never been friends with Weasley.
Quelling the attendees' loud murmurings took several minutes of gaveling by Umbridge I was stunned, to say the least. She's never liked him? Never felt friendship for him? Merlin! Did my friendship of Ron for the first three years lock us in with him? Lord beyond anything else I've surely caused her too much pain in her life and far more than I ever expected. To say I'd never intended her any pain whatsoever was a given at least to me.
Q. When did this dislike begin?
A. On the Hogwarts Express 1 September 1991.
Q. How did you know on the Express that Ronald Weasley would not be your friend?
A. By his reaction to me.
Q. Do you mean that the responsibility for never being friends is not solely his?
A. Yes. From the time I learned about being a witch and started studying my books I was terribly excited when I am excited I tend to babble and show off what I know I like Ronald recognized Harry Potter and wanted to impress him it became a competition between us.
Ronald tried to do a spell and when it didn't work I told them it wasn't much of a spell I then repaired Harry's glasses and I could see that while Harry was enthused by it Ronald was angry. We did unite over Malfoy's incursion but I was certain that Ronald and I weren't going to be friends.
Q. Did anything else happened that first day?
A. Yes while we waited for the Sorting I was muttering over all the spells I'd learned and talking about everything I had read in Hogwarts: A History. I could see Ronald rolling his eyes and shaking his head when I was Sorted into Gryffindor I saw Ronald hit his forehead and I understood why when he was Sorted into Gryffindor too while I talked to Percy Weasley I saw Ronald rolling his eyes and caught him muttering 'Another Percy, just what we needed'.
Q. Before the events on 31 October 1991 were there any other incidents of friction between you and Mr. Weasley?
A. Yes. The day we had our first flying lesson Ronald sneered at my unease on a broomstick later at dinner Malfoy and his goons came by and I was furious when Ronald fell into that 'duel at midnight' trap of Malfoy's and dragged Harry along with him I knew that Ronald had just gotten Harry into trouble but if I'd tried to point that out there would have been a big row so I went along over Ronald's objections because Harry needed help.
Q. Were you right?
A. Yes Malfoy wasn't there, but we heard Filch and had to escape the Trophy Room in doing that we had to hide in the Third Floor room Headmaster Dumbledore had warned us against at the Opening Feast. It opened for us three First Years and we saw 'Fluffy' and the trapdoor he guarded.
Q. Did you really say 'We could have been killed. Or worse expelled'?
At this question chuckles floated throughout the courtroom. That was the first hint that they could express something other than murderous outrage.
A. Yes I was shocked and frightened and it was the first thing that came out of my mouth better than lecturing Ronald and Harry on how dumb they'd been.
Q. What happened on 31 October?
A. We had Levitation Charms in Charms class I had been trying in the earlier weeks to be helpful to others in classes but led by Ronald's disdain I'd not made many friends I was paired with him and I tried to ignore him but that ended when he started swinging his wand about dangerously I tried to get him to pronounce the spell properly when he challenged me to do the spell I did it the first in class to do so and got points from professor Flitwick.
Q. What happened after the class?
A. After the class Ronald mocked my eagerness in class and I'd had all I could stomach and ran off crying to a girls' loo. I did hear Harry say 'I think she heard you' and Ronald saying 'So? She has to know she has no friends.' A few hours later I heard the Patil twins calling for me but I didn't answer and they didn't look into that loo.
Q. What happened that night?
A. That night I heard shuffling in the hallway outside and the door opened with the most awful odor. Then I saw the Troll and screamed then Harry and Ronald rushed in and tried to distract it Harry finally leapt up on the Troll's neck somehow Ronald did the charm he couldn't do that afternoon and knocked the Troll out soon after Professors McGonagall Snape and Flitwick came in and I took the blame.
Q. Why did you do that?
A. To keep Harry out of trouble because Professor Snape didn't like him. Also if I told the full story Harry might have to choose between Ronald and me and either way would see him hurt so I lost points regained by them and we went to our Common Room even though we said 'thanks' the look Ronald gave me said he'd only gone after me because Harry did and he didn't care if I'd lived or died.
Q. What happened after that day and before you Harry and Ronald went after the Philosopher's Stone?
A. I made sure that I was part of what Harry did, particularly when Ronald was there. I'd realized that Ronald would always appeal to Harry's more reckless impulses by being part of a trio, I could act as a brake on that and make certain that Harry would learn as much as being friends with Ronald would allow him to doRonald didn't like to study and made it clear he resented my efforts Harry didn't seem to notice Ronald's reactions.
When I returned from the holidays Harry's stories about the Cloak and the Mirror told me just how out of control he could get without my help. The whole incident with Hagrid and the Dragon pointed that out even with my help we got into a lot of trouble and Harry could have easily died in our detention thank Merlin for Firenze saving Harry from the possessed Professor Quirrell.
Q. What happened at the end of the year?
A. We were finally able to put together the clues we'd stumbled upon all year. Harry took the lead with this and I could tell he could be a fine student when not distracted Professor McGonagall's dismissal of our concerns frightened us and we resolved to go after the stone that night even so Ronald's reactions made it clear he'd as soon stay and sleep I regretted having to body lock Neville Longbottom but I knew helping three others ran the risk of one or more of us getting injured.
We got back to Fluffy's door, opened it to discover that someone had been there first as a harp was playing. It stopped but we got through the trapdoor before Fluffy could react. When we hit the Devil's Snare I briefly regretted Neville not being there but I knew more than enough Herbology to pass the trap. Harry easily got the enchanted key Ronald was in his element with the living chess set I was concerned that he might find a way to injure maybe even kill me but it was he who ended up sacrificing himself.
We went on and saw another troll either knocked out or dead then in the next room was a logic puzzle and the doorways became blocked by fire I solved the puzzle and Harry went on for there was only enough of that potion for one.
I pondered Interesting that she doesn't speak of the hug and what she said to me guess you get some leeway even with Veritaserum.
When I got back to the chess room Ronald was coming to he saw me his face turned bright red and he was about to yell at me for deserting Harry when Professor Dumbledore arrived and conjured a stretcher for Ronald and took off for the room Harry entered in about ten minutes he returned with Harry on a stretcher too and levitated them both to the Infirmary. Ronald was there for the night and Harry for another two days before Harry awoke Ronald was telling a fantasy story of that night with him as the hero I ignored several snide comments aimed my way before the Closing Feast Harry told us what the Headmaster told him Ronald seemed put out that I was included.
–SWM–
Q. How did the summer of 1992 and the first few week of the new Hogwarts term affect your relationships with Ronald and Mr. Potter?
A. In the summer I tried several times to write Harry but received no reply I could not find either on the Express but I learned from Fred and George Weasley that they had rescued Harry from his relations and that Harry spent the last month of the summer at their home the Burrow. Their description of Harry's living conditions made me think he was being abused by them and was the reason for his not getting letters I supposed that at the Weasleys he didn't think to write and I knew that none of them would have reminded him.
After they arrived and we heard their story all of my fears about Ronald's bad influence on Harry doubled Harry and Ronald could have done several things to get word to Hogwarts but Ronald cajoled Harry to make the worst possible choice I tried to point this out but Ronald acted as Harry's gatekeeper and we had more than one row over this.
–SWM–
I felt strangely detached as I heard her familiar voice, declaiming in familiar patterns though muted by the Veritaserum so that she didn't go into any of the rants she'd certainly have burst into otherwise I mainly let her words wash over me remembering everything but only coming to full concentration in spots.
Q. What were your reactions to the Dueling Club meeting and afterwards?
A. First it killed the last bit of the schoolgirl crush I had on Professor Lockhart. Second the immediate branding of Harry as the 'Heir of Slytherin' enraged me as he'd told me about being able to talk to snakes in the First Year. Third I lost a measure of respect for the Headmaster since he too knew about this ability of Harry's and could have quelled the other students had he tried.Finally I was more disgusted with Ronald since the start of the troubles that Halloween he'd pulled away from Harry at times and this was one of them.
A. How did you become petrified?
A. On 1 May 1993 I was researching what sort of thing/monster could be petrifying the students. I decided to look at creatures and found in one of the books the description of the Basilisk.
But I couldn't figure out why no one had died until I remembered that first there had been water then that Colin had been looking through his camera also Justin had stood right behind Nearly Headless Nick so I posited that none of the victims had looked directly at the Basilisk except Nick who was a ghost. So no deaths only petrifications.
I also remembered Harry hearing voices in the walls so the Basilisk moved through them I tore out the page, wrote 'Pipes' on it and folded it up I then took out my compact and told Penelope Clearwater what I found and concluded we went to find a professor, then we heard a scraping sound when I used the mirror to peer around the corner we both saw the Basilisk. My only mistake was to have the page in the same hand as the compact.
Q. Do you have any recollection of the four weeks between the petrification and your revival?
A. Bits and pieces. It was rather like accounts I've read of people in comas I heard Harry and Ronald talking Harry seemed a trifle put out at Ronald's comments and tone of voice. I remember Harry coming in six times and talking to me about everything and nothing Ronald only came in twice more both times he said how glad I was out of the way and how he regretted that I'd not died and how useless I was.
Q. And from 30 May on to the end of the term?
A. Once I was cured I ran into the Great Hall shouting 'You figured it out!' and hugged Harry with all my might Ronald turned crimson and barely kept from exploding I was saddened that there would be no exams except for the OWLs and NEWTs but it gave me time to get the whole story from Harry I was terrified for him even though he won I was a bit amused that Ronald's face turned so many interesting shades of red.
–SWM–
I continued to float in the river of her words, through my odd summer where I blew up Aunt Marge and the Minister and Mr. Weasley acted so strangely I had known something was up but I information had been withheld from me.
Q. Did you have friction with Harry and Ronald?
A. Yes it was based on my taking all the electives and using a Time-Turner sadly I didn't use it enough to rest properly and I was snappish Ronald was happy to give me a hard time and we rowed rather frequently so when I walked out on Divination Ronald crowed about how I couldn't take it.
Q. Did Harry ever take your side?
A. No he was torn between his two friends and tried to mediate. But when I alerted Professor McGonagall on Christmas that Harry got a Firebolt anonymously and she confiscated it I drove a wedge between us Harry was angry and Ronald was openly gleeful in taking his side then after the broom was returned there was the Scabbers incident Harry took Ronald's side remembering the Firebolt I think.
Q. How did the events of 9 June, 1994 affect relations with Ronald?
A. In the end they worsened. At first he was gleeful when Scabbers was found then he nearly died of fright when Sirius Black as the Grim dragged him into the Shrieking Shack then during the confrontation with Sirius Lupin and Pettigrew he almost started ranting at me when I identified Lupin as a Were and he didn't help against Snape.
When we all came to after my Time-Turner adventure with Harry and I explained what had happened he nearly began screaming at me he hated the idea of me having an adventure alone with Harry. Fortunately Madam Pomfrey came in thought his adventure had made him hysterical and gave him a sleeping potion the rest of the term and trip back were quiet.
–SWM–
I continued to 'skim' over her testimony and paid little attention to the Quidditch World Cup and her outrage over House Elves nor the events before Halloween.
Q. When Mr. Potter's name came out of the Goblet of Fire, what was your reaction?
A. Shock. But when I saw his face I knew he hadn't put his name in nor had anyone else do it I waited for him and he told me what they'd said to him when we got back to our Common Room the celebration sickened me because they assumed he'd successfully cheated the Goblet.
Q. When did you know that Mr. Weasley had deserted Mr. Potter?
A. The next morning. I'd grabbed some breakfast for him so he could avoid the Great Hall which was still in an uproar over his selection my respect for the Headmaster died when he said nothing about Harry being forced to compete against his will then Harry told me about Weasley's desertion how betrayed he felt.
Q. What happened after the first task?
A. I was destroyed at the risk he had to take. I got down to the medical tent as fast as I could to talk to him then Weasley arrived and gave a 'non-apology apology' that Harry accepted.
Q. What about the second task?
A. He took Cedric's advice and used the Prefects' Bath but at the cost of losing the Map he stunned me by having memorized the clue using the Old Hundredth Psalm tone sung twice! Neville told us about Gillyweed and Dobby got him some.
I was used as a hostage Krum's because we went to the Ball together when I came to I was surprised that Weasley was Harry's and that he brought Fleur's hostage up too he was lucky that most of the judges approved of his actions.
Q. What of the third task?
A. We were truly all at sea on that one and I encouraged him to work on a number of charms and curses that could allow him to protect himself against various threatsRonald helped some but not effectively he seemed to me to be detached and apathetic.
When Harry found out the nature of the task on 27 May I was happy that we had enough time to find spells he could use to navigate the maze his news about Mr. Couch's erratic behavior and then his disappearance was worrying but we concentrated on preparations.
The task was horrific to me. What happened in the maze then his abduction then the fake 'Moody's' attack on him and his confession then the Minister letting a Dementor 'Kiss' the only witness shocked me that Harry wasn't a basket case amazed me.
–SWM–
I still let the testimony wash over me until she got to my arrivat at Headquarters.
Q. What happened when Mr. Potter arrived at Mr. Black's house?
A. Harry was happy to see us at first, but then blew up at us it upset me until I remembered that Harry had had no support at all from any of us after we got back to London.
I wasn't surprised to get a Prefect's badge, but I was stunned that Ronald did too he was insufferable and triumphant I didn't know why Harry and Neville were overlooked for had Harry been chosen it would have been a message to everyone that the Headmaster supported him and if not Harry Neville was still a better student than Ronald of course the rest of them threw a party for us.
Q. And at the start of the term?
A. I knew we were going to have trouble. Madam Umbridge's speech was a warning (I saw the Chief Warlock start and then relax clearly he forgot that this had to be part of the testimony)
Ronald was the horror as a prefect that I expected right from the start he had no regard for the students in Gryffindor I didn't understan why he tried to flirt with me when did our rounds that is after I pried him out of the Common Room to do the rounds.
Madam Umbridge lived down to my fears. She was there as a tool for Minister Fudge her lessons were useless and I feared for our OWLs I also was outraged at her persecution of Harry and the barbarism of writing lines with a Blood Quill I helped him with healing but his hand was still scarred.
Q. And further along in the year?
A. After he started detentions I suggested to him that he teach us by Defense by 5 October he agreed and we organized the DA as in the Defense Association but it was renamed Dumbledore's Army Ronald took a big part in it but he was pretty ineffective. When the DA was compromised on 29 April Ronald tried to downplay his rôle and Harry and I got into the most trouble.
Late on 18 June we were caught by Madam Umbridge trying to contact Sirius we managed to trick her and the Centaurs carried her off Harry me Ronald Ginny Weasley Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood rode Thestrals to the Ministry only to fall into a trap. We fought twice our number of DeathEaters and Voldemort too the Order did show up but we lost Sirius and all of us were injured.
–SWM–
I let Hermione's testimony wash over me through the Weasley's Bill and Fleur drama the odd trip to Knockturn Alley and our arrival at Hogwarts.
Q. You and Mr. Potter didn't get along well that year and you seemed to turn towards Mr. Weasley instead.
A. Sadly this was true. We found out at the end of the year on the night the Headmaster died that Draco Malfoy had used House Elves to dose us with repelling and anger potions so that his machinations to kill Headmaster Dumbledore wouldn't be discovered by us a side effect of this was both of us turned our attentions to the youngest WeasleysI really threw myself at Ronald which makes me shudder to this day and Harry pursued Ginny.
The attack that killed the Headmaster on 28 May brought both Harry and me out of thrall of the potions he related the boasting of Malfoy about them before Snape killed Dumbledore.
–SWM–
The events leading to Ron's final break simply washed over me.
Q. Tell us about the final break with Ronald.
A. We learned that the Sword of Gryffindor could destroy the Horcruxes and that Ronald's sister had been caught trying to steal it from Snape then Ronald when crazy and went after us mainly Harry it got to the point that I had to cast a shield to keep Ronald from attacking Harry he asked then if I was coming with him I turned him down really as much as I disliked him that would have been always my answer then when he left it wasn't enough that he deserted he'd also eaten almost all the food.
Mandl also took her memory of the desertion and played it to the courtroom unsurprisingly it bore out her testimony when I looked at Ron he was as red as a fire engine she was given the antidote and resumed her seat. Soon it would be my turn.
–SWM–
Taking Veritaserum was a totally different experience for me. I had been on the wrong side of what Voldemort sent over our connection and Snape's mind rapes both of those had been painful verging on incapacitating I'd also been Imperiused and that was euphoric for me but that feeling hadn't been enough to give into the caster's demands though.
I'd thought I'd been exposed to Veritaserum in my fifth year from Umbridge but it came out in Snape's trial that he'd sabotaged the potion so that the students wouldn't have that violation from her on top of everything else.
When it was given to me I felt as if I my mind floated a few inches above my head I could hear the questions but my body gave the answers independent of my mind Henry asked the questions.
Q. When did your friendship with Ronald Weasley first come into question.
A. I first became uneasy about it in our third year. I had been upset with Hermione going behind my back to McGonagall about the Firebolt but more for not talking to me first but Bilius overreacted so badly you'd have thought it was his broom, not mine. When we thought Crookshanks had killed Scabbers he was so abusive to her for some reason I felt I had to be neutral. After Hermione and I had saved Sirius Bilius acted upset and outraged that he'd not been part of it.
Q. When did your friendship end.
A. On 31 October 1994 the night that my name came out of the Goblet of Fire and I ended up in that thriced-damned tournament, He one of the only two people who knew me the bestaccused me of cheating to get my name drawn and then berated me for not telling him how to do it that ended it that one action destroyed all the friendly feelings I'd ever had for him.
Q. However, on 24 November you accepted his apology.
A. No I didn't. I allowed people to think I had for two reasons: First having him as an out and out enemy would cause me publicity problems I didn't need. Second I thought it would hurt Hermione if I put her in the position of choosing between us.
I heard a gasp I was sure came from her I also absently noted that tears were now flowing down my cheeks.
Q. How did you relate to him after that.
A. I tried to distance myself from him as much as I could to be sure he didn't really seem to want close friendship like before.
Q. So, leading up to the breakdown on the Hunt in 1997…
A. … I made sure he got as little support from me as possible.
Q. And on 31 October 1997
A. We had news about needing the Sword of Gryffindor to destroy the items we sought and of Ginny Weasley's close call Bilius went off his rocker and verbally abused me and Hermione leading up to his drawing his wand and Hermione protecting us from the him with a shield charm and he left us also we packed enough food to last the three of us six months and he ate it all in six weeks.
With that Henry took my memory of the breakdown and played for the courtroom there were gasps and mutterings that sounded as if they weren't ready to kill me for the first time today I think that the look of hatred in Bilius' eyes affected them at that point I expected that Henry would feed me the antidote but my non-automatic mind was shocked.
Q. Harry, you've been crying for most of your testimony. Why is that.
A. I hurt my best friend for years from the first time we'd me if I'd been more perceptiv, more empathetic and communicated with Hermione better we'd have ditched Bilius much sooner.
Q. Why do you feel you need to take all the blame.
A. Because people like me are to blame for everything that turns out bad.
Q. People like you.
A. Yes. The Freaks.
Q. Who taught you that.
A. My aunt Petunia uncle Vernon cousin Dudley and aunt Marge. For as long as I lived there they made sure I knew what I was anything that didn't go to their expectations I the Freak was blamed for it and I was punished.
Henry then gave me the antidote. I turned to him to ask him why the devil he'd asked me those questions but then I felt a blow to the back of my head causing me to stumble a few steps beyond Henry I knew what happened. Bilius had tried to cold-cock me.
–SWM–
When I regained my footing I whirled to face him. At that point, I'd have gone after him the fact I had no wand notwithstanding but then I saw him hit with four stunners the ones from Sam and Henry I'd have expected the one from Smith was a surprise.
I almost fainted in seeing the fourth coming from Hermione and the look of utter fury on her face intellectually I knew it came from her own hatred of Bilius and their strategy of preserving me at this point irrationally I hoped it came from some surviving ghost of friendship for me.
I swayed a bit as clearly the bastard's blow had been stronger than I thought Henry helped me into my seat he told me sotto voce "Sit back and enjoy the show."
–SWM–
I've described Sam Cogley as a short man. But the man pacing before the judges and the audience had grown into a veritable giant then he spoke and he needed no Sonorus charm to be heard the passion and righteous fury in his words would have stilled the crowd at a Quidditch World Cup final match let alone the courtroom.
"What is this garbage this drek this offal? My client has been tried and convicted by this society he has been all but executed up to this day by you and the rest of Wizard Britain and now he is attacked by the prosecution's 'Golden Boy' I thank prosecutor Smith for his action in defending Mr. Potter.
"But that is not enough not even a tithe what can we expect? Will the crowd here who have been slavering for his blood since before they ever entered the Ministry today now rush down here carry him away and lynch him on Diagon Alley?
"Can we even hope that our client will be safely be returned to his cell? Will we hear that he died 'trying to escape'? Or just 'disappeared'?" Sam's furious sarcasm figuratively flooded Courtroom 10 I could hear the start of abashed embarrassed fidgeting in the spectator seating Sam clearly had pegged their bearing and they were clearly wrong-footed.
His voice softened but that had not ameliorated the force of his declamation. "This is Britain what in the name of sanity has happened to the great traditions of British Jurisprudence? Yes the prosecution and defense are adversarial that is a given but it is also a given that the defendant has the assumption of innocence until found guilty." His voice regained its resonance and volume. "NOT 'guilty until proven innocent'! NOT 'execute him and apologize later if we're wrong!' were I a British subject I would renounce my citizenship in shame!
"Now prove to us that you haven't totally jettisoned your heritage there should not be a 'trial' today in the matter of the missing Draco Malfoy the prosecutor clearly erred in charging Mr. Potter with a crime for no evidence was ever presented to suggest that Mr. Potter 'murdered' Mr. Malfoy no evidence was even presented that they have even seen the other since the death of Albus Dumbledore in June 1997.
"Narcissa Malfoy asserts that 1. Draco Malfoy is dead 2. That Mr. Potter is involved with this death. 3. That Mr. Potter committed murder. ALL of this asserted without any direct supporting evidence whatsoever! Yes she asserts that items belonging to her son were found on Mr. Potter's person assertion is not proof. We have not been informed that any positive identification has been made I can think of a number of theories to explain those items being in Mr. Potter's possession without pointing to any wrongdoing on anyone's part.
"The most and in blunly the least this court can do is to conduct an inquest into the matter of Draco Malfoy's absence even now were you to be honest there are no grounds justifying an inquest however in simple justice to Mr. Potter an inquest must take place."
Sam's voice rose again to new heights, a seeming impossibility. "In the name of Harry James Potter whose basic rights - those rights that all of us depend on - have been totally and completely abrogated for nigh on a year I request this inquest. Indeed in the name of all our rights I demand it. I DEMAND IT!" His roar actually appeared to blow people's hair away from their faces.
–SWM–
There was a long period of silence before Umbridge spoke for his fellow judges. "Mr Cogley your points are quite well founded we will need to confer before answering you we shall recess for one hour."
Sam scowled. "Chief Warlock that is all well and good. However it does not answer our concerns for the safety of our client kindly either empty the courtroom of all but the judges us and Ms Granger and her counsel or confiscate everyone else's wands even this doesn't address our legitimate concerns about Mr. Potter's safe accommodations."
I saw the judges were taken aback. Before they could respond, a woman's voice called out. "Chief Warlock may I approach? I swear upon my magic and life that I have no designs to hurt Harry James Potter nor his representation." There was a bright flash and no falling body the woman reached the floor and I recognized her as Augusta Longbottom Neville's grandmother and mother-in-law of Alice Longbottom, my godmother. "After the deaths of James and Lily Potter Harry should have been left with us to rear as one of our own why this didn't happen is moot. As head of House Longbottom I extend sanctuary to our godson and his representation I will submit to an Unbreakable Vow that Harry will only go between his rooms and this courtroom further I will vow that House Longbottom will protect him to the last drop of our blood."
Umbridge conferred quickly with the other judges. "Madam Longbottom we accept this offer come forward and take your oaths." The oaths were made swiftly. "Madam Longbottom take now your charge and your guests. You may make a Portkey to do this. We will summon you by secured Floo when we are ready for your return meanwhile this courtroom will be cleared when we resume all spectators will yield any wands on their persons before being allowed in I declare this court in recess."
–SWM–
Madam Longbottom used the Portkey and we found ourselves in Longbottom Hall. "Turin" she called and a House Elf came. "Prepare the third floor guest rooms and take our guests there. Mr. Potter stays in the rooms unless he's called to court Messers Cogley and Drummond may come and go as they fancy. Have a meal prepared and served to them you are also to protect Mr. Potter from anyone else from outside the household and also Mrs. Hannah Longbottom with your life"
We were shown to a spacious suite of rooms. Henry and Sam chose the most easily defended bedroom for me some minutes later Turin served a large meal to us it felt like a luxury to eat my fill and use real silverware I then stretched out on my bed and rested until we were called back to court Augusta went through first then me followed by Sam and Henry.
–SWM–
We found ourselves in an anteroom into which Minister Shacklebolt entered. "I will escort you to and from this room as per our agreement none of the spectators have wands only those about whom we agreed."
We nodded and followed him out into a courtroom arranged far differently than the last time we'd sat there for one none of the spectators were sitting behind us those seats were blocked off the throng also was refreshingly silent next our seating and the Grangers' seating were moved to face the judges. Third the Chief Auror and three master Aurors scanned the crowd with wands out and ready to deal with any disturbance from that quarter. Finally the prosecution bench was in line with ours and Narcissa Malfoy sat there.
"After conferring the judges agreed that there is insufficient evidence presented by Prosecutor Smith to warrant any trial be it civil or criminal so accordingly this is now an inquest into the whereabouts and condition of one Draco Malfoy Mr. Smith the testimony will begin with any whom you know may bring this matter to light aside from Mr. Potter and all testimony will be given under Veritaserum."
Smith escorted Narcissa to the stand and administer the serum.
Q. What is your name.
A. Narcissa Black Malfoy.
Q. Are you the wife of Lucius Malfoy.
A. Yes.
Q. Are you the mother of Draco Malfoy.
A. Yes.
Q. When and where did you see Draco Malfoy last.
A. On 16 February 1998 at Malfoy Manor.
Q. Did he say what he would be doing.
A. He said he was patrolling on the Dark Lord's orders which usually meant that he would be gone for a week or ten days at the outside.
Q. When did you first suspect that something was amiss.
A. On 25 February I received an owl from the Dark Lord demanding Draco's attendance and report I replied that he hadn't returned.
Q. Did you try to find Draco.
A. Yes. I asked his friends like Theo Nott Millie Bulstrode Blaise Zabini Terry Boot Gregory Goyle Vincent Crabbe and others but none had seen nor heard from him.
Q. When did you begin to suspect Mr. Potter.
A. Anytime my Draco was discomforted Potter was my first thought. They had been enemies from the first time they met in 1991 every time I saw the detestable glory hound his hatred for Draco screamed at me my mother's instinct warned me that he'd hurt my baby and wouldn't give it a second thought.
When Potter's personal effects were published I recognized the things Draco always carried with him when I checked in person I was able to identify everything including the wand I knew then he'd killed and despoiled my son I went to you and demanded he be tried for Draco's murder.
Smith gestured to us that she was now our witness. Henry rose and began.
Q. Are you a DeathEater.
A. No but I support the Cause. (The capitalization of 'Cause' was clear in her voice)
Q. All those you asked regarding Draco were marked DeathEaters.
A. Yes of course.
Q. You recognized your son's possessions and jumped to the conclusion that Potter had killed him.
A. What other conclusion is possible? Draco would never have given them to him willingly so the bastard must've killed him to get them.
Q. Has anyone told you that they've seen Draco's body or saw Mr. Potter confront Draco.
A. No to both.
Q. So you don't know if Draco died of natural causes and Mr. Potter found him or if somebody else killed him and Mr. Potter came across his body or his personal effects or if somebody else gave Mr. Potter those effects.
A. (Narcissa squirmed and fidgeted before answering) No I don't know.
Henry motioned and Smith gave her the antidote and led her to her seat.
Henry now addressed the judges. "Your Honors we can now finish with this. We have heard Mr. Potter and seen his memories of Draco Malfoy's attack on him he is willing to give you those recollections under Veritaserum and have them displayed publicly. Mr. Smith will you administer the Veritaserum and extract his remembrances?"
Smith affirmed he would and a Pensieve was produced and my testimony was given.
Of course it unfolded exactly as it happened. As we expected Smith brightened when I said 'People change' we knew that he would use that when the rape allegations were adjudicated but it was the price of doing business. Narcissa's weeping for Draco left me obscurely moved I couldn't say I got any joy in killing him but the fact he was being mourned made me wonder if anyone would grieve for me when I made that journey into the dark.
The judges withdrew for about two minutes and returned. Umbridge spoke. "All rise. Regarding the inquest into the status of Draco Malfoy we find the following: Mr. Malfoy did on 17 February 1998 by attacking Mr. Harry James Potter resulting in Mr. Malfoy's death. We also find that Mr. Potter's actions were in self-defense and for the preservation of his life. This inquest is concluded."
Smith led a sobbing Narcissa from the courtroom, then returned. Sam Henry and I exchanged satisfied looks. One hurdle cleared.
–SWM–
Umbridge addressed the counsels. "Do you have any further matters to bring up before we adjourn?"
Sam rose. "If it please the court we must settle the nature of the further actions involving our client." At this Smith and Mandl and Hermione started. "As in the matter involving Mr. Malfoy just now concluded we contend that as things now stand the allegations outstanding do not rise to the level of a trial.
"Fact: Nobody disputes the existence of Marie Jane Potter nor her parentage.
"Fact: When we first met with Harry his first concern was to provide for his daughter he authorized a will leaving everything to Marie Jane with Hermione Granger as regent he then doubled her support and instructed us to make certain the Grangers took it and used it for her benefit.
"Fact: The only debts being incurred currently are for our fees monitored by Gringotts and all invoices are forwarded to the Grangers.
"Fact: The only point at issue is the Grangers' allegation that Marie Jane was conceived in an act of forcible rape one in a series of such acts.
"For this charge no evidence has been presented either circumstantial nor prima facie I now call Hermione Granger to the stand one question is all that I require under Veritaserum."
Umbridge thought. "This is a reasonable request. Miss Granger you will submit to a single question under Veritaserum from Mr. Cogley."
Hermione reluctantly took the stand the potion was given and Sam approached.
Q. Since Christmas 1997 do you have any memory of either being forcibly raped by Harry Potter or being placed under any Unforgivable Curse by Harry Potter and for that matter any curse or hex.
There was a long moment before her answer during which the entire room held its breath.
A. No.
Courtroom 10 sat in stunned silence. Smith gave the antidote and ushered Hermione back to her seat. Sam faced the judges. "Honored judges, there are no grounds for any trial regarding the circumstances of Marie Jane Potter's conception however an inquest is needed to clear the confusion and hopefully allow Harry Potter Hermione Granger and particularly Marie Jane Potter to live the rest of their lives free of innuendo and gossip."
The judges withdraw for a space then returned looking grave and resolute. "All rise" intoned Umbridge "We concur in the lack of grounds for any trial and in the need for an inquest to determine to the best of our ability the circumstances of Miss Potter's conception the inquest will be held two weeks from now 8 February 1999 10 am. Are there any further requests germane to the inquest?"
I rose. "If it please your Honors I request that all the Grangers and my daughter be present at the inquest. I've no idea what the inquest will find I am acutely aware that my life could still be at jeopardy for my part in her existence I wish should the worst befall to at least hold her once in my arms to tell her I love her and tell how much I wished to be there for her the rest of my life." That last I could barely choke out.
Umbridge's expression was unfathomable to me. "This is a reasonable desire. Mr. Mandl and Miss Granger, you will ensure that the entire family including your daughter Miss Potter are in attendance.Court is adjourned."
Shacklebolt escorted us back to the Floo from which we returned to Longbottom Hall.
A/N: First, a big shout out to my Beta, Alix33. Betas help keep me on the straight and narrow, bless them all. Any goofs are on my dime.
Jerome Mandl is/was a real person, my brother and sister's high school band director. He had exactly the personality depicted here, which I think is perfect for the lawyer for the Grangers. As a case in point, in 1976, in the last school concert before the U. S. Bicentennial, he made good on his vow to only play Russian music!
The whole 'What's yaws?' exchange (which is a variant on 'What's yours?') I read in the Callahan stories by Spider Robinson. I can't locate the exact story right now.
Dates given were taken from the calendars in The Harry Potter Lexicon. The exact date for Ron's desertion is not given, so I chose 31 October, the date that was so 'kind' to him.
I'll admit that the Veritaserum testimony is rather discursive, but the alternative would have been to multiply the questions and that would have dragged. Also, the questions can be assumed, so question marks can be omitted.
The fact that the Egg's message fits Old Hundredth is something I stumbled over. To the best of my knowledge, it hasn't been used in a story before.
Any Harmonian has to explain the events in HBP. Many writers employ potions, but I've never seen the idea of their being potioned by Draco before. Given everything, it seemed a logical development.
The story recommendation the this chapter is After the First Task by Sheltie, id: 5828091 A different take on what might have happened from the fourth year on.
Harry's additional testimony is here in accordance with one of my core beliefs, that Harry is damaged and needs healing. This serves to bring the problem out, but that healing awaits for future chapters.
There is often a poll up on my profile. Your input is needed. Please check and vote.
Once more, thanks to all of you who read my efforts. Visitors, hits reviews, follows, favorites, C2s are my only payment. Believe me, they make me feel rich!
Posted: 04/11/2017 Revised: 04/09/2021
Words: 9,489