Summary: Draco Malfoy stands trial before the Ministry for his crimes as a
Death Eater. His only vote of confidence is a letter from Albus Dumbledore,
who died during the Final Battle. The current headmistress, Ginny Weasley
mistrusts her new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, but Dumbledore
must have known something.
Disclaimer: My name is not J.K. Rowling, I do not own Harry Potter, and am not either Warner Brother.
Crimes Against The Heart
Chapter 4
"This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night and day, thou canst not then be false to any man." -Shakespeare-
The tables were bursting with student once again. Professor Snape sat on Ginny's left and Professor Malfoy sat on his left. Several murmurs had run through the Hall as students had seen the supposed Death Eater at the Staff Table. Ginny's resolve was being tested, did she trust her own decision.
The night of the student's arrival had arrived and Ginny's nervousness had not subsided, somehow she doubted not everyone would be as trusting as she would. Many parents would remember Draco Malfoy as the school bully who had been a complete prat during their days at school. The sorting went smoothly, Ginny waved to her niece, Bill and Fleur's oldest daughter, as she was sorted into Gryffindor. Then came time for Ginny's speech, in which she always felt she had no skill. She recalled Dumbledore's smooth attitude and felt she paled in comparison. This year her speech would speak loudest to those who were not students, but the lesson was valuable, nonetheless.
"As another year begins, I give you all this chance to begin anew. Forgive and forget mistakes and transgressions. I would ask you all to ensure a wonderful new year, yet do not sacrifice yourself to become someone new, there will always be those who will accept you for yourself," Ginny said steadily. She felt the speech need not be long to be important. "Prefects, lead the first-years to your houses, be prepared for what awaits you tomorrow."
The students filed out of the Great Hall, and Ginny retired to her chambers believing all the other staff was doing the same. Two men were meeting in the Potions Classroom, partly to catch up on recent new, but partly for one to explain.
Snape closed the door behind the young Malfoy. He expected answers from his one time favorite student, but the pride he now felt was radiating off him. He had thought Draco had joined his father so long ago.
"What happened? Dumbledore never told me you worked for the Order of the Phoenix," Snape said slowly.
"I did not work for anyone, much less a pro-muggle group. I work for one cause, the Draco Malfoy cause," he snapped angry at the idea he was a hero. He was not a hero, he killed his father. He toyed with the idea of telling Snape about the crime. Snape had made mistakes, he would understand, not like anyone else would.
"Draco, do you understand that no one will ever believe you are innocent, they want proof, some sort of tangible proof..." Snape let the senetnce go unfinished.
"What about the death of my father?" Draco yelled across the room. Snape's steps faltered as he tried to comprehend what he had said.
"Draco, did you kill your father?' Snape asked not really wanting to know the answer. Snape had been close with the elder Malfoy and his death had hurt. He had been friends with the elder Malfoy and although they had not agreed about principles, Snape had been sad.
"No, I killed a monster," Draco answered softly. Draco could feel tears wanting to form, he had never cried since he was a little boy. His father had beaten him if he cried. Draco could hear his father screaming about his only son being a failure and weak. Draco fought back the tears. There was silence as Snape allowed Draco to regain control of his emotions.
"Have you told anyone?" Snape questioned. Draco could not tell another soul about his father. He had been close with Snape. He was not close with anyone. Pansy was dead. Elsie was gone. He never gave a damn where Crabbe and Goyle were.
"No, just you. I could not tell him. I wanted to tell Arthur Weasley, but I was afraid he would tell Potter and I am not a hero, I am not Harry Potter," Draco said bitterly.
"I am quite glad you are not," Snape replied. "Keep it a secret. Never tell another soul. Your father made mistakes, Draco, you saved him. I made them too. Know, what you did was for the best, whatever you are feeling guilt should not be included. You saved him," Snape repeated.
"I think I need to sleep," was the only reply Draco gave him as he swept out of the room, leaving Snape in the dungeon. As he walked down the corridor he heard talking from behind a tapestry. He lifted it aside and began to walk down the passageway. He recognized the voice as Ginny's, but wondered what she was doing up this late. He came to the end of the passage and saw a door, a plaque read 'Brangaine' in green letters. Draco exited out the passage, but part of him wanted to talk to his daughter. He thought she was his daughter. He needed proof. He needed to find proof, but who had proof of his daughter's heritage now that Dumbledore was dead? Then it struck him like a ton of bricks, Ginny must have proof...
Meanwhile, in Brangaine's room Ginny was telling the story of Harry Potter's second year at Hogwarts. She had already fallen asleep, but Ginny did not stop. As the story ended she blew out the candles and kissed her goodnight. She retired to her own chambers, but could not help, but be amazed. What looked like a hundred owls filled her room. She took the letter from the owl nearest her and read it quickly.
Dear Ginny Weasley, Headmistress of Hogwarts, Are you insane? Hiring a known Death Eater and murderer to teach my child. If Dumbledore was still in charge of Hogwarts he would not allow a Death Eater a second chance just because of some flimsy evidence. I will be in contact with the school governors, but I had expected better of you. We were such great friends at school and you seemed so level-headed. I am sure you will try to rectify this situation. Katie and Oliver Wood
Ginny read another, and another, they were all the same. They contained threats and promises to withdraw their children if Draco Malfoy continued to teach at Hogwarts, but Ginny had already agreed to employ Draco Malfoy and was not backing down. She drafted a little letter of her own.
Dear Concerned Parents, My orders from the Ministry of Magic are to employ Draco Malfoy. Albus Dumbledore always said Hogwarts would be a sanctuary for all who needed it. So, if anyone would like to send their child to another school feel free to find one with the qualifications of Hogwarts. Yours in trust, Virginia A. Weasley, Headmistress of Hogwarts
The letter was sent to everyone who sent a letter of concern. Ginny was not surprised to wake the next morning to discover their was not one request for transcript records. She had won the battle over her first controversial staff appointment. And it felt good.
A/N: I hope this chapter clarified Ginny and Draco's characters. I am kinda thinking about discontinuing this story if I don't get more reviews. I like the way this story is moving, but no one seems interested. Love, KTBallerina.
Disclaimer: My name is not J.K. Rowling, I do not own Harry Potter, and am not either Warner Brother.
Crimes Against The Heart
Chapter 4
"This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night and day, thou canst not then be false to any man." -Shakespeare-
The tables were bursting with student once again. Professor Snape sat on Ginny's left and Professor Malfoy sat on his left. Several murmurs had run through the Hall as students had seen the supposed Death Eater at the Staff Table. Ginny's resolve was being tested, did she trust her own decision.
The night of the student's arrival had arrived and Ginny's nervousness had not subsided, somehow she doubted not everyone would be as trusting as she would. Many parents would remember Draco Malfoy as the school bully who had been a complete prat during their days at school. The sorting went smoothly, Ginny waved to her niece, Bill and Fleur's oldest daughter, as she was sorted into Gryffindor. Then came time for Ginny's speech, in which she always felt she had no skill. She recalled Dumbledore's smooth attitude and felt she paled in comparison. This year her speech would speak loudest to those who were not students, but the lesson was valuable, nonetheless.
"As another year begins, I give you all this chance to begin anew. Forgive and forget mistakes and transgressions. I would ask you all to ensure a wonderful new year, yet do not sacrifice yourself to become someone new, there will always be those who will accept you for yourself," Ginny said steadily. She felt the speech need not be long to be important. "Prefects, lead the first-years to your houses, be prepared for what awaits you tomorrow."
The students filed out of the Great Hall, and Ginny retired to her chambers believing all the other staff was doing the same. Two men were meeting in the Potions Classroom, partly to catch up on recent new, but partly for one to explain.
Snape closed the door behind the young Malfoy. He expected answers from his one time favorite student, but the pride he now felt was radiating off him. He had thought Draco had joined his father so long ago.
"What happened? Dumbledore never told me you worked for the Order of the Phoenix," Snape said slowly.
"I did not work for anyone, much less a pro-muggle group. I work for one cause, the Draco Malfoy cause," he snapped angry at the idea he was a hero. He was not a hero, he killed his father. He toyed with the idea of telling Snape about the crime. Snape had made mistakes, he would understand, not like anyone else would.
"Draco, do you understand that no one will ever believe you are innocent, they want proof, some sort of tangible proof..." Snape let the senetnce go unfinished.
"What about the death of my father?" Draco yelled across the room. Snape's steps faltered as he tried to comprehend what he had said.
"Draco, did you kill your father?' Snape asked not really wanting to know the answer. Snape had been close with the elder Malfoy and his death had hurt. He had been friends with the elder Malfoy and although they had not agreed about principles, Snape had been sad.
"No, I killed a monster," Draco answered softly. Draco could feel tears wanting to form, he had never cried since he was a little boy. His father had beaten him if he cried. Draco could hear his father screaming about his only son being a failure and weak. Draco fought back the tears. There was silence as Snape allowed Draco to regain control of his emotions.
"Have you told anyone?" Snape questioned. Draco could not tell another soul about his father. He had been close with Snape. He was not close with anyone. Pansy was dead. Elsie was gone. He never gave a damn where Crabbe and Goyle were.
"No, just you. I could not tell him. I wanted to tell Arthur Weasley, but I was afraid he would tell Potter and I am not a hero, I am not Harry Potter," Draco said bitterly.
"I am quite glad you are not," Snape replied. "Keep it a secret. Never tell another soul. Your father made mistakes, Draco, you saved him. I made them too. Know, what you did was for the best, whatever you are feeling guilt should not be included. You saved him," Snape repeated.
"I think I need to sleep," was the only reply Draco gave him as he swept out of the room, leaving Snape in the dungeon. As he walked down the corridor he heard talking from behind a tapestry. He lifted it aside and began to walk down the passageway. He recognized the voice as Ginny's, but wondered what she was doing up this late. He came to the end of the passage and saw a door, a plaque read 'Brangaine' in green letters. Draco exited out the passage, but part of him wanted to talk to his daughter. He thought she was his daughter. He needed proof. He needed to find proof, but who had proof of his daughter's heritage now that Dumbledore was dead? Then it struck him like a ton of bricks, Ginny must have proof...
Meanwhile, in Brangaine's room Ginny was telling the story of Harry Potter's second year at Hogwarts. She had already fallen asleep, but Ginny did not stop. As the story ended she blew out the candles and kissed her goodnight. She retired to her own chambers, but could not help, but be amazed. What looked like a hundred owls filled her room. She took the letter from the owl nearest her and read it quickly.
Dear Ginny Weasley, Headmistress of Hogwarts, Are you insane? Hiring a known Death Eater and murderer to teach my child. If Dumbledore was still in charge of Hogwarts he would not allow a Death Eater a second chance just because of some flimsy evidence. I will be in contact with the school governors, but I had expected better of you. We were such great friends at school and you seemed so level-headed. I am sure you will try to rectify this situation. Katie and Oliver Wood
Ginny read another, and another, they were all the same. They contained threats and promises to withdraw their children if Draco Malfoy continued to teach at Hogwarts, but Ginny had already agreed to employ Draco Malfoy and was not backing down. She drafted a little letter of her own.
Dear Concerned Parents, My orders from the Ministry of Magic are to employ Draco Malfoy. Albus Dumbledore always said Hogwarts would be a sanctuary for all who needed it. So, if anyone would like to send their child to another school feel free to find one with the qualifications of Hogwarts. Yours in trust, Virginia A. Weasley, Headmistress of Hogwarts
The letter was sent to everyone who sent a letter of concern. Ginny was not surprised to wake the next morning to discover their was not one request for transcript records. She had won the battle over her first controversial staff appointment. And it felt good.
A/N: I hope this chapter clarified Ginny and Draco's characters. I am kinda thinking about discontinuing this story if I don't get more reviews. I like the way this story is moving, but no one seems interested. Love, KTBallerina.