Back to the Basics

            There is a group of teachers waiting for Johnny Parker when she comes back from break.  She already looks haggard, as though she hasn't slept much over the last few weeks.  She looks up at Professors Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, and Zimmermann hesitantly.  "Howdy, Professors.  Anything I can do for you?"

            "Your attendance is required at a meeting with the board immediately," Dumbledore says sternly.  "You're being evaluated due to the unusual circumstances that have gone on since your attendance at this school."

            Snape smirks and orders a few house elves to take Johnny's belongings.  He then leads her to a hall that has a square table and several wizards and witches, as well as prominent members of the Hogwarts staff, sitting around.  She recognized Lucius Malfoy near the head of the table.  McGonagall points to a chair at the end and Johnny sits in it nervously.

            "Around the table, I introduce to you:  Cornelius Fudge, head of the Ministry of Magic, Mafalda Hopkirk, Improper use of Magic, and Arthur Weasley, Misuse of Muggle Artifacts," Professor Dumbledore says.  "Lucius Malfoy is also here to witness the meeting.  "

            Johnny looks at Arthur Weasley briefly.  She's never seen Ginny's father, though she's pretty sure he knows about them now.  He seems less than thrilled about being there.  He looks at Johnny and flushes a bit.  She manages a weak smile.  He's so much like his children.

            "Joann Parker, please stand up," Fudge begins.  Johnny does as she's told.  "Miss Parker, you are aware that you have been charged with a serious crime.  Attacking anyone, but especially your teacher, is a very grave offense indeed."

            "I'm being tried for this again?" Johnny asks, shocked.

             "Professor Snape requested zat ve go over ze evidence, Miss Parker," Zimmermann does not seem very happy with this course of action.  He is glaring at the potions teacher.

            Johnny actually smiles.  If she gets expelled, Zimmermann can't use her the way that he has been.  If she's proven innocent, she can go back to Gryffindor.  She wins either way.  "What do you need me to do?"

            "You claim that you were in the Gryffindor Tower the night the students dressed as Death Eaters invaded and Professor Zimmermann was attacked the Halloween Ball," McGonagall says softly.  "I was at the Gryffindor Tower on an inspection at that time so you were not there.  Where were you?"

            Johnny looks at Arthur before responding.  "I was attending the Halloween Ball, ma'am.  I was dressed as a medieval prince.  Hermione Granger helped me with my costume."

            "Were you seen there?" Fudge asks.

            "Yes, sir," Johnny says, looking down at her feet.

            "By who?" Snape demands.

            Johnny sighs.  "Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom, sir."

            "That settles it!  She was at the Ball when Professor Zimmermann was attacked.  She couldn't have done it!" Snape cries.

            Dumbledore smiles.  "If that's the case, then she should be returned to her house and allowed to continue her Quidditch career within the school."

            "You lied originally, Miss Parker," Lucius Malfoy says with a sneer.  "Why?"

            Johnny frowns.  "I was afraid, sir."

            Lucius smiles.  "What were you so afraid of?"

            Johnny chews her lip.  "I was afraid of people finding out what I was doing at the Halloween Ball, sir."

            "What were you doing?" Lucius asks.

            Johnny looks at Arthur, who is a dark shade of red.  She takes a deep breath.  "I was kissing Ginny Weasley, sir."

            The board murmurs shocked replies to this.  Arthur just lowers his head, refusing to make eye contact with anyone in the room.  Johnny glances at Dumbledore, who, though surprised, also has a concerned expression on his face.

            "So she vasn't responsible for my attack," Zimmermann says quietly.  "I feel great pity for accusing her and hope zat ze person responsible is found and punished for allowing such a mistake to be made.  However, she is guilty of perjury, and should remain in her current situation as a result of it."

            "No!" Johnny cries.  "I just didn't want anyone to get hurt because of what happened.  Ginny… her family and friends…" she looks at Arthur.  "I was wrong but I made the choice I did to protect other people!"

            "I second Professor Zimmermann's decision," Lucius says.

            Fudge stands.  "If there are no objections, then we will adjourn this meeting with Miss Joann Parker remaining in Slytherin house as a result of perjury during the original trial."

            Fudge looks around the table.  Arthur stands slowly.  "I object, sir."

            "What?" Lucius snaps.  "On what grounds?"

            "That the decision made by Miss Joann Parker was based on a fear of what would happen if it was discovered that she is in love with my daughter, Mr. Malfoy," Arthur says boldly.  He looks at Johnny.  "She was unaware that she would not be punished for who she cares about.  How can you punish her for trying to protect herself and a fellow classmate?"

            "Well said," Professor  Flitwick exclaims.  He flushes when he sees the attention on him.

            Fudge clears his throat.  "Be that as it may, Mr. Weasley, she was still under oath when she made the testimony at her last trial.  The decision rests as is.  Meeting adjourned."

            The board begins to clear out and Fudge walks over to Arthur.  He lowers his voice.  "We will have words, Arthur, regarding your display this evening.  Good night."

            Johnny watches everyone leave.  She'd made the right decision and is still being punished for it.  She is still right where Zimmermann wants her.  She lowers her head and slumps into the chair.

            Arthur sits in the chair next to Johnny.  He doesn't look at her.  "My daughter speaks very highly of you, Miss Parker."

            Johnny looks up.  "She says good things about you, too, sir.  And you can call me Johnny."

            Arthur smiles.  "Well, Johnny, while I will admit that I was concerned about Ginny's feelings for you but I think maybe those concerns were unfounded.  You handled yourself very nobly this evening.  I'm sure she'd be proud."

            Johnny nods.  "I hope so, Mr. Weasley," she remembers Fudge's words.  "Are you in trouble with the Ministry?"

            "Not terribly.  Speaking one's mind is often frowned upon at the Ministry," Arthur says.  "Don't you worry about that."

            "Okay," Johnny stands.  "I'd better go change into my Slytherin robes now.  Thank you so much for speaking for me.  That meant a whole lot."

            Arthur stands as well and shakes Johnny's hand.  "If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask any of us Weasleys for anything.  I'm sure I'll be seeing you around."

            Johnny watches him leave.  She gets up and sees that Dumbledore is standing by the door, waiting for her.  She sighs.  "Good evening, sir."

            "Good evening yourself, Miss Parker," Dumbledore replies.  "I truly am sorry about what happened here.  I was hoping that there'd be a ruling in your favor, as you seemed to have overcome that fear obstacle."

            "You knew?" Johnny asks.

            Dumbledore chuckles.  "I know quite a few things, Miss Parker.  It's my job, remember?  I am headmaster of this school."

            Johnny frowns.  "Why didn't you say anything?"

            "If it had been my place to, I would have," Dumbledore replies.  "But that was something you needed to work out for yourself."

            "Professor, if you know so much about what's going on here, why don't you do anything about Zimmermann?  You have to know what he's up to!"

            Dumbledore shakes his head.  "Again, it is not my place.  He has yet to do anything that I deem suspicious," Johnny thinks that she sees a glimmer of anger in his eyes but it's gone immediately.  "Go on back to your house, Miss Parker.  Things will work themselves out if you give it time."

            "I hope so, sir.  Thank you," Johnny leaves the room, a bit downhearted but excited to see Ginny the next day.  She has a nice present for Ginny and is eager to give it to her.