The couple of days after the World Cup were tense at Malfoy Manor. Lucius had been very bad tempered when he had resurfaced. Penny suspected the sight of her father's Dark Mark had truly spooked him. More than once she sensed his gaze on her, clearly evaluating her. Penny wondered if he thought she had conjured the Dark Mark but seen as she didn't have a wand she deemed that unlikely.
The eve of her trial dawned as if out of nowhere. Penny's good behaviour declined into restlessness and irritability, pacing around the Manor. For the most part Narcissa let her get on with it, but towards the evening had joined her pacing route matching the younger witch's pace.
'You need to eat' Narcissa said walking fast to keep up.
'Not hungry.' Penny said bluntly, taking a sharp left turn.
'Still need to eat. What do you want? Venison? Chocolate pudding? You may have whatever you wish.' Narcissa promised, nearly walking into Penny as she suddenly stopped.
'Mac and Cheese.' Penny said as Narcissa raised an eyebrow. 'I want Mac and Cheese.'
'Of all things, what you want most is Macaroni with cheese?' Narcissa said sceptically.
'My Nana used to…' Penny said stopping short, with a pained expression. She abruptly carried on pacing, her eyes lowered. Narcissa didn't attempt to follow her but a short while later called her to the kitchen with a steaming bowl of Mac and Cheese that smelt so good Penny's stomach growled despite her agitation.
'Thanks' She muttered into bowl as she scooped some into her mouth. A happy moan escaped her as the flavour hit her senses. Narcissa watched her with a bemused expression but didn't attempt further conversation. After eating as much as she could manage Penny sat in the living room her mind whirling as she stared into the fire. She must have fallen asleep for the next thing she knew Narcissa was shaking her, sending her to bed.
The next morning she travelled with Lucius into the Ministry, descending down to Level Nine via the lift. Walking down the flight of stairs to courtroom Ten, Lucius stopped before the courtroom door and turned to Penny.
'Persephone.' He said as the young witch raised her eyes to his, wary defiance thinly veiling deep unease. 'Remember, speak only when spoken to by the Wizengamot, you were being attacked and you panicked. Try for once, not to lose your temper.' He said, a cold look in his eyes.'
'Would I do such a thing?' Penny replied, her voice dripping in sarcasm. Lucius looked displeased but unsurprised at her reply. Knocking on the door, he led her into the courtroom. Looking around it looked like it could hold at least a couple hundred people, but in the room was occupied by just four individuals sat at the front of some raised benches on the far wall of the courtroom. Busy with the events at the World Cup, Penny speculated uselessly. Mafalda Hopkirk sat beside two other witches, the younger of which had bright violet spiked hair, the other just as short grey hair and a wearing monocle. Lastly a small wizard who had a ferret-like face with small eyes that shifted constantly. Penny followed Lucius nervously, sitting in the chained chair in the centre of the room when Lucius gestured, shifting uneasily as the chains clicked audibly as she sat down.
'Good day' Lucius said to the panel nodding curtly at the grey haired witch with the monocle in the middle who nodded in acknowledgement. Penny's blue eyes met the dark eyes of the youngest member of the panel's, taking in her bright hair and heart shaped face, but most of all the shocked recognition that registered all over her face. Glancing at Miss Hopkirk, the bob-haired witch poised her quill ready as the leading witch began speaking, and drew Penny's attention away from the young witch.
'Disciplinary hearing on the thirtieth of August into offences committed under the Degree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and the International Statute of Secrecy by Persephone Black, currently resident at Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire, previously Little Oaks Home for Orphans, Hackney, London. Interrogators, Amelia Susan Bones, Deputy Head of the Department of Law Enforcement, Terry Cattermole, Junior Assistant in the Department of Law Enforcement. Nymphadora Tonks, Auror Trainee, Court Scribe, Malfalda Hopkirk.' Malfalda was scribbling furiously as the other witch reeled off the details in a monotonous voice. When Amelia Bones had finished she looked meaningfully at Lucius who stood up very straight and puffed out his chest.
'Lucius Scorpius Malfoy, standing for the defence.' Lucius said calmly although Penny caught his slight sneer towards the spiky haired witch, before summoning a seat from the side of the room and sitting down on it.
'Witness for the defence, Kingsley Shacklebolt.' A deep voice boomed behind Penny, causing her to turn in surprise. The tall wizard crossed to a front bench at the side of the court room. Penny looked at bald wizard questioningly, and he merely nodded with a faint smile. Looking round at Lucius Penny knew immediately this was a surprise to him, although his face barely showed any expression. The panel glanced to Kingsley before Amelia picked up a sheet of parchment in front of her and began reading aloud.
'Very well. The charges against the accused are as follows: That she did knowingly, deliberately and in awareness of the illegality of her actions, used a Expulso hex in a Muggle inhabited area, both in front of a Muggle and also proceeded to use Legilimency on said Muggle, causing severe, and potentially irreversible damage to the victim's mind. All of which constitutes an offence under a Paragraph C, of the Degree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875 and also under Section 13 of the International Confederation of Warlocks of Statute of Secrecy.' She finished and looked down at Penny who tugged uncomfortably at the sleeve of her robe. 'You are Persephone Black?' She asked the young witch.
'Yes.' Replied Penny stiffly, raising her eyes to the monocle that reflected the dim lights of the chamber. Although the witch regarded her thoughtfully, Penny could not detect any emotion from her, unlike the wizard beside her, who was clearly extremely anxious as he looked away when she met his eyes.
'You knowingly performed an Expulso hex in front of a Muggle?' Amelia asked.
'I don't know.' Penny said quietly.
'What do you mean you don't know?' The witch replied sharply, as irritation flashed in Penny's eyes.
'I mean I don't know' Said Penny scowling slightly. 'I did it unintentional, so I don't know what magic it was.' Penny finished, her eyes returning to the young witch, who was watching her with great interest, but Penny was confused by the complex emotions that were in the twinkling eyes.
'What about the Legilimency?' Pressed on Amelia. 'Also unintentional?' She asked, scepticism in her voice. Penny hesitated, glancing to Lucius who stood.
'Clause Seven of the Degree of the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery allows for use of magic in exceptional circumstances, correct?' He asserted to which Amelia nodded. 'In the case of this…Muggle' he emphasised with disdain 'He was attempting to sexually assault my niece, who in an attempt to be a good upholder of the International Statute of Secrecy, was unarmed.'
'Unarmed?' Amelia interrupted 'You expect us to believe that the level of magic was performed wandlessly? At her age?' She said disbelief clear in her tone. Before her uncle could reply another voice interrupted.
'I can vouch for that' Kingsley said, his voice booming around the courtroom as he stood. 'I arrived at the scene to find Persephone unarmed and in a clear state of distress.' He explained in a slow, calm voice. 'I believe both uses of magic were as a result of a combination of exceptional ability and extreme fear. Considering we are talking about a twelve year old girl, I believe it is understandable that in this situation, she lost control of her powers.' Amelia regarded Kingsley steadily before returning her eyes to Penny.
'Persephone, could you describe the events of the afternoon of the twelfth of August?' Amelia asked. Penny glanced at Lucius again, who nodded as he and Kingsley both resumed their seats. Taking a deep breath Penny launched herself into speech.
'I was heading back to the orphanage from…a friend's...' Penny said glancing down briefly 'I took shortcut through an alleyway, and that's when…when the man grabbed me and dragged me into one of the empty buildings.' Penny said, feeling sick as she recalled the stench of a petrol-stained hand covering her mouth. Feeling eyes on her she forced the lump in her throat down. 'He tried to r…' Penny said her voice disappearing as she flushed, indignation and shame flooding her system. 'I tried to get away from him, but I couldn't. It all happened so fast…I don't remember using the Expulso hex…I don't really remember much…It all happened so fast…' She repeated trailed off again as her eyes stung. Blinking angrily Penny tried to force the tears away.
'Take your time Persephone.' Amelia said gently, Penny loathing the pity in her voice.
'Penny.' The angry witch snapped reactively 'Stop calling me Persephone.' A noise of amusement caused Penny to look up at the young witch who for some reason was smiling. Scowling at her Penny then looked back at ground as the Head of Law Enforcement continued.
'Penny.' She corrected. 'Could you tell us about the Legilimency?'
'What about it?' Penny asked irritably folding her arms as she raised her eyes.
'What exactly did you do?'
'I'm not sure' Penny said carefully 'I touched his mind…saw what he was thinking, what he wanted to do... I just….panicked… Lashed out in the only way I could.' Penny rushed on, paling as the image from her nightmares reared its head and she flinched. 'Next thing I knew he was…as he was…and then Shacklebolt' She said gesturing with an unnecessary wave of her hand 'Shacklebolt showed up.' She finished lamely looking back to the floor. A few moments of silence followed before Lucius stood and spoke.
'So in conclusion, my niece acted in self-defence against a filthy predator who had taste for twelve year old girls. Due to his physical strength being vastly greater than her own, she was unable to protect herself without magic. Perhaps her actions were excessive, but perhaps consider that this was a twelve year old girl who was being threatened with rape and who knows what else. Given her advance magic abilities and the extreme situation, it is hardly surprising she was unable to control her magic. I do not doubt she regrets her actions deeply, but given the alternative…well, I would assume the Department of Magical Law Enforcement would not condemn my niece to such an atrocity?' He finished pointedly.
'Of course not.' Amelia snapped shifting in her seat. Staring down at the young girl in the seat, Penny knew this hearing was coming to a close. Amelia looked at the witch and wizard at either side of her as she asked 'I think we have heard enough from the defence. Has anyone any further questions?' The young witch next to her stirred and Amelia announced her. 'Nymphadora Tonks.'
'Just Tonks.' The spiky haired witch said pulling a face. Penny raised a bemused eyebrow. 'Wotcher Penny.' She said smiling down at the dark haired witch. 'Have you always been a Legilimens?' She asked.
'I don't see how that is relevant to this hearing.' Lucius snapped before Penny could respond. Penny looked between her uncle and this woman, curious at his clear animosity towards her. Penny scanned the young witch's face, and a lightbulb went on in her brain.
'You are Andromeda's daughter.' Penny stated to the surprise of the courtroom. Lucius made a displeased noise beside her, which she ignored.
'Legilimency?' Tonks asked, with a hint of unhappiness in her tone.
'Not exactly. Mrs Weasley mentioned Andromeda had a daughter, I heard you were older than me. Lucius is resentful towards you, and you have a certain amount of family resemblance. Plus only a pureblood would come up with a name like Nymphadora' Penny said conclusively as the young witch smiled widely.
'Damn, she's good' Tonks said brightly 'You resemble my mother more than I do! Not that I mind. Might have to do something about that family resemblance though!' She said chuckling before screwing up her face. Penny watched her puzzled as the rest of the panel rolled their eyes in an exasperated way. Suddenly Tonk's nose turned into something that resembled a pig's snout, when she opened her eyes she cackled at the shocked expression on Penny's face
'How...' Penny said as Tonks continued to laugh.
'You have your tricks, I have mine!' She laughed, before screwing up her face, replacing the snout with a platypus beak.
'Shall we get back to the matter at hand?' Snapped an impatient Amelia, who stared disapprovingly at Tonks, who sighed dramatically, screwed up her face, and resumed her previous appearance. Penny's stomach dropped as her temporary distraction came crashing down. The pause as Amelia considered her felt like a century.
'The court has heard both the charges and the defence.' She said slowly. 'I believe that the accused did indeed risk breaching the Statute of Secrecy and also committed Grievous Magical Assault as stated under Section 47 of Offences of Magical Harm.' She paused as Penny felt bile rising in her throat. 'However…' Penny looked up hopeful as Amelia continued. 'I feel given the…circumstances that the offences were committed, mainly the traumatic impact of the situation, and the instinctiveness nature of wandless magic that the actions were not done of malicious intent. Nevertheless, the impacts of the Legilimency are extreme and probably permanent, thus this cannot go without punishment.' Another pause at Penny wondered wildly what punishment could possibly in store. 'I propose the accused participate in unpaid community service at St Mungo's Hospital For Magical Maladies and Injuries for a six week period during next year's summer break, and also be issued with a formal warning that any further use of magic outside of Hogwarts will result in both expulsion and destruction of the accused wand.' Penny gasped as it dawned on her that would mean she was keeping her wand. 'All in favour?' Amelia asked looking to either side of her. As all four on the bench murmured their consent Penny let out a breath she hadn't noticed she was holding.
'Sentenced to three weeks community service. Expulsion and wand destruction revoked.'
'Court dismissed.'
Penny bounced back up the stairs, twirling her wand happily between her fingers. Lucius followed her with an amused smile on his face. Walking out the golden gates he tossed a gold coin in the fountain as Penny spun energetically on the spot. 'By the way' He said causing the dark haired witch to look in his direction.
'Happy birthday.'