Disclaimer: In Ch 12

A/N: Any and all court proceedings that go on are not really based on life; they're just my ideas of how the trial should go.

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"What's Lucius Malfoy doing writing to Harry?"

"Probably for the same reason he wrote to me. Look." She pulled out the note Dobby had delivered to her earlier, and handed it to Harry.

"Trial's tomorrow. Guess Malfoy's getting worried."

"Well, he won't scare us off. But we'd better show these to Dumbledore." The trio headed to the headmaster's office.

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"This is serious, you three." Dumbledore sighed after reading the letters. "Lucius still commands a great amount of respect."

"Yeah, but it's trial-by-jury isn't it?"

"Not exactly, no. Mr. Fudge will act as a judge and the school governors will be the jury. While defense wizards may be used, they are unnecessary."

"Wish we had one."

"It's too late for that, Harry. We will simply try our best."

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It was a nervous group that left Hogwarts the next morning. No one spoke much, and Hermione looked extremely pale. They stopped at the post office, and Dumbledore led them into a corner.

"Portkeys," he motioned, pointing to various objects that were piled together. "We'll be using the hat. It will take us to the Ministry." The four of them reached for it, and Harry felt the familiar jolt as the Portkey pulled him to his destination.

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The sensation ended abruptly as they reached their destination. Harry had never been to the Ministry of Magic headquarters before, and he gazed at the large building. A five-story tall brick building with ivy climbing the sides, and white trim, it didn't look very much like what he had expected. But the hag entering through the glass double doors was a definite sign the building was used by the magic community.

Upon entry, they were directed down one corridor and then another until they reached Fudge's office. They had barely any time to look around before Fudge got up from behind his desk, and began shaking hands.

"Hello, hello," Fudge greeted them nervously. "Glad you've arrived. Let's go, shall we?" They exited, and walked down the hall to a set of doors. "In here."

They entered a somber room with dark oak furnishings. There was a table for Hermione and her supporters, another facing it for Malfoy's group, and a middle table for Fudge and the governors. There was open space for other wizards to watch the proceedings. Harry noticed many filing in; this was an interesting case for them. The Malfoys were a high-profile family in the wizarding community, and this was the youngest member of the family on trial. Most expected it to be greatest entertainment available that day.

Dumbledore slowly moved into his chair at the end of the table. Harry sat beside him, then Hermione, then Ron. Malfoy hadn't arrived yet, although there was a severe-looking witch that Harry suspected might be the defense person Lucius had mentioned. Crabbe and Goyle were also seated there, scowling.

Harry glanced at his own companions. Dumbledore was graver than usual; he could detect no levity in the man's expression. Hermione was still pale, but there was now a fierce determination in her features. Ron was obviously angry; his face and ears were slowly turning purple.

As for his emotions, they kept shifting. Harry wasn't sure exactly what he felt. But then Draco Malfoy entered, with Lucius following, and he had his answer as he met the other boy's cool, confident gaze. Hatred.

It surprised him temporarily. Harry had never felt such anger before, not even toward Voldemort. But Malfoy was different. Harry wasn't sure why; Voldemort and Malfoy were the same in showing regret only that they had not been successful in their attempts at murder. But it was different.

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Dumbledore glanced over at the boy, frowning. Harry's eyes were blazing so furiously, with such a fierce scowl on his dark face, that he looked almost unearthly. He clenched his teeth harder when Dumbledore placed a calming hand on his arm.

Draco appeared a bit shocked at Harry's expression, but recovered with a smirk. He turned to face Hermione, his cold gray eyes challenging. She paled further, but glared back.

Dumbledore returned his gaze to Harry. He noted with alarm that Harry's hands were not clenched into fists so tight that the knuckles appeared translucent. Blood seeped from between the boy's fingers.

"Harry!"

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Harry didn't know he was bleeding. All he saw was Malfoy. He couldn't hear Dumbledore either; the ringing in his ears was too loud.

HARRY!

Dumbledore's voice inside Harry's mind was so loud, it hurt. Startled, Harry forgot about Malfoy for a moment.

That's better. The Headmaster switched to normal conversation.

"You'll need to hold in your temper, Harry, if you want to testify. Otherwise, Mister Fudge may see fit to remove you from the hearing. Miss Granger needs all the assistance we can offer her today."

Harry nodded, but didn't take his eyes off of Draco, who was easing into his seat. Lucius stood behind him.

"Are we ready to begin?" Fudge asked. Murmurs of assent were heard from the tables. "Fine, then. As you all know, we are here to determine the fates of Mr. Draco Malfoy, Mr. Vincent Crabbe, and Mr. Gregory Goyle. They have been accused of attacking Miss Hermione Granger with the Cruciatus Curse and an attempt on her life by use of the killing curse. They are also accused of forceful restraint of Mr. Harry Potter when he attempted to intervene." He glanced at Hermione, then Malfoy. "Who would like to begin?"

"If I may," Lucius drawled. "I would like to ask if this case is truly necessary. My son erred in judgment, and I assure you that he has been duly punished."

"Not necessary?!" Ron burst out. "He nearly killed Hermione!"

"Calm yourself, Mr. Weasley, or I shall have you removed. How has the boy been punished Lucius?"

"He has been expelled, of course. He is no longer allowed to practice magic."

"Be that as it may, Lucius," said Dumbledore quietly. "The fact remains that the curses your son and his associates used, and were prepared to use are classified as Unforgivable by our laws. We cannot ignore fact. The law states that use of the Cruciatus, Avada, or imperious be handled by a trial."

"The law also states, Mr. Dumbledore, that if the accused was not acting of his own free will, then he shall only be prevented from using magic in the future and not sent to Azkaban." Malfoy's defense lawyer paused for a moment. "Do you have evidence that Draco was not being controlled?"

"We have used Veritaserum."

"Was it made properly?"

"Enough!" Fudge raised a hand. "Clearly, there is need for a trial. We will take a brief break to calm ourselves, and then begin again."