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 20
"There is an auld saying- I do no' ken if it will mean anything to ye but I remember Jorge repeating it to me after he was blinded. They say only the lame can love, only the maimed can mourn." -Kate Forsyth, The Pool of Two Moons-
Now was not the time to be afraid. A man should not live his life in fear, because a life lived in fear is a poor one. For as long as Draco could remember there was always something he feared that stopped him from living his life. As a child and young man it had been his father, in truth Lucius Malfoy was a very intimidating man and any child would naturally fear him. Also, Draco was terrified one day he would lose his friends and their high opinion of him. Draco held no more power over other Hogwarts students than a muggle, but his popularity secured him as some sort of social overlord. While he was in hiding, he dreaded being caught. For all these years Draco had not used his wand or risked any magic, just in case the Ministry got wind of where he was hiding. When he returned to the Wizarding World he feared scorn and public backlash, yet none ever came. And now Draco feared a force stronger than his father, more powerful than the ministry, and more profound than social circles; love. Yes, Draco Malfoy was afraid of love. Mostly he was afraid of what would happen if he was convicted and executed- or worse, to live out his days without her.
Draco sat at a table with Harry Potter sitting to his right and Ron Weasley on Harry's right side. Across the aisle sat Ernie MacMillian with a women Draco did not recognize. On the other side of the room sat various Ministry officials including the Minister of Magic, Arthur Weasley. This was Draco's first day of trial.
Draco looked at the list of names Harry Potter had just handed him, the witnesses for the prosecution. First was Gregory Goyle, childhood friend of Draco Malfoy, currently serving four life sentences for murder and conspiracy to murder. Severus Snape, colleague and godfather of Draco Malfoy. Ronald Weasley, the auror present at time of murder. Harry Potter, also an auror present at time of murder. (Although usually not allowed, Harry and Ron were acting as lawyers and witnesses, but this was The Harry Potter and the Ministry has always had a bit of a blind spot for him.) Ginevra Weasley, the Headmistress of Hogwarts and ex-wife of the victim. Owein Bole, the only son and heir of the victim. Draco Malfoy, the Damned, Draco wrote at the bottom of the list before handing it back to Harry.
"This is not a joke," Harry admonished reading what Draco had written. Harry crossed out what Draco had written. "I know what most of these witnesses are going to say, Draco. However, I have no clue as to why Goyle is on this list. I mean, he doesn't really have any connection to this case, unless he's meant to be a character reference." A hush fell over the crowd as Arthur Weasley banged his gavel on his desk.
"Draco Lucius T. Malfoy, you are accused of the murder of Derrick Alasdair Bole. How do you plead?" asked Minister Weasley. Draco swallowed before answering a little intimidated by his surroundings.
"I plead innocent under rule one, section two of the decree for reasonable sorcery, a wizard may kill in the defense of his own life or those around him. Bole was killed in the defense of life, I swear it on the Malfoy name," Draco said trying not to falter. A quiet babble broke out among the courtroom. Very few wizards were able to prove that their or another's life was truly in danger, therefore few wizards tried this approach.
"Do you Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley intend to prove this was a life or death situation?" Arthur asked looking at his son and surrogate son. Ron nodded and Harry stood to accept.
"We do, Minister," Harry replied evenly.
"Then, let the trial begin. Prosecution, you have the floor," Arthur said gesturing to Ernie. Ernie stood and made a rather large show of gathering his papers. He puffed himself up importantly before he began to call his first witness.
"I would like to call Gregory Christopher Goyle to the stand," Ernie announced. At his words doors opened and Goyle came in accompanied by two wizards.
"Do you swear to uphold the Wizarding bylaws and tell what is true in your heart?" a witch asked Goyle.
"I do," he grunted.
"Mr, Goyle, what is your connection to Draco Malfoy?" Ernie asked gesturing to Draco.
"Back in our school days we were good friends," Goyle replied still looking at Draco.
"Do you believe Draco could have committed this crime?" asked Ernie anxiously.
"Er, yeah," Goyle answered.
"And why is that?" Ernie probed.
"Once, when we was about in our third year Draco lost us the quidditch game, he was steamed up pretty bad about it. Well, Bole said something about finding our team a new seeker and Draco heard about it. He told me and Vince that if he ever got the chance he would knock the stuffing out of him," Goyle announced looking proud he had remembered.
"That's all from the prosecution, your honor," Ernie said smugly sitting down.
"Your witness, Potter," Arthur said looking unimpressed at Goyle's testimony.
"Mr. Goyle, did Draco ever tell you he was going to wait fifteen years before killing him?" Harry questioned.
"Not that I remember," Goyle admitted.
"Mr. Goyle, did Draco often say he would knock the stuffing out of someone?" asked Harry calmly. Goyle thought for a moment before answering.
"All the time," he answered. "Used to say he was going to off you everyday." Harry gave a very small smile.
"And I am alive, proof Draco was probably a very unhappy little boy who did not know how to express his feelings, except with empty death threats," Harry said still laughing a bit. The courtroom gave a small chuckle at his words. "Do you think its possible Draco didn't mean what he was say?"
"I suppose, I mean otherwise almost everyone he knows would be dead , wouldn't they," Goyle declared.
"No more questions for this witness," Harry said.
"Mr. Goyle, you may step down," the witch who had sworn him in said. Goyle got up and retreated out the same doors he entered still followed by his two guards.
"I would like to call Severus Snape as my next witness," Ernie said pompously. His last witness had not been as convincing as he would have liked him to be.
"Do you swear to uphold the Wizarding bylaws and tell what is true in your heart?" a witch asked Severus.
"I swear," Severus said taking a seat in the witness' chair.
"You have known Draco Malfoy for how long?" Ernie questioned Snape.
"Since the day he was born, I am his godfather," Snape retorted obviously showing his opinion of Hufflepuffs had not changed since Ernie was at school.
"And do you believe he was ever involved with the Dark Lord?" Ernie asked slyly. Snape gave him a cold look.
"I know he was never in league with Voldemort," Severus said not afraid to say his old master's name.
"Do you think he is responsible for the murder of Derrick Bole?" Ernie asked trying to sound brave.
"He's already admitted he killed him," Severus pointed out.
"Do you believe it was truly a kill or be killed situation?" Ernie demanded losing his patience with his former professor.
"Yes, because Draco has given his word, his word as a Malfoy," Snape remarked scathingly. "And a Malfoy would never swear by his name, unless it was the truth."
"Why do you favor those students which are in Slytherin House?" Ernie asked angrily. Severus was turning all of his clever questions around on himself.
"Because they are the ones that need to know they are someone's favorites," Snape replied gently.
"Your witness Potter," Ernie said not looking at Severus.
"I have only one question for Professor Snape," Harry said. "During your fifth year at Hogwarts, who saved you from being killed by a werewolf?" Harry was grinning from ear to ear as he asked.
"Ja...ter," Snape mumbled quietly.
"Who?" Harry asked a bit louder.
"James Potter," Snape repeated loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Thank you," Harry said. Harry sat down and leaned over to talk to Draco in hushed tones. "If Ernie keeps this up we might not have anything to be worried about. He is doing such a poor job, I am afraid it might be some sort of tactic."
"He probably is just lousy at this," Ron said enthusiastically.
A/N: Alright Chapter 20! I never thought I would make it this far. I hope everyone likes the story I could use a few critiques, please. So thanks to those of you who did review and for those who read this. Thanks a bunch, please review, 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 20
"There is an auld saying- I do no' ken if it will mean anything to ye but I remember Jorge repeating it to me after he was blinded. They say only the lame can love, only the maimed can mourn." -Kate Forsyth, The Pool of Two Moons-
Now was not the time to be afraid. A man should not live his life in fear, because a life lived in fear is a poor one. For as long as Draco could remember there was always something he feared that stopped him from living his life. As a child and young man it had been his father, in truth Lucius Malfoy was a very intimidating man and any child would naturally fear him. Also, Draco was terrified one day he would lose his friends and their high opinion of him. Draco held no more power over other Hogwarts students than a muggle, but his popularity secured him as some sort of social overlord. While he was in hiding, he dreaded being caught. For all these years Draco had not used his wand or risked any magic, just in case the Ministry got wind of where he was hiding. When he returned to the Wizarding World he feared scorn and public backlash, yet none ever came. And now Draco feared a force stronger than his father, more powerful than the ministry, and more profound than social circles; love. Yes, Draco Malfoy was afraid of love. Mostly he was afraid of what would happen if he was convicted and executed- or worse, to live out his days without her.
Draco sat at a table with Harry Potter sitting to his right and Ron Weasley on Harry's right side. Across the aisle sat Ernie MacMillian with a women Draco did not recognize. On the other side of the room sat various Ministry officials including the Minister of Magic, Arthur Weasley. This was Draco's first day of trial.
Draco looked at the list of names Harry Potter had just handed him, the witnesses for the prosecution. First was Gregory Goyle, childhood friend of Draco Malfoy, currently serving four life sentences for murder and conspiracy to murder. Severus Snape, colleague and godfather of Draco Malfoy. Ronald Weasley, the auror present at time of murder. Harry Potter, also an auror present at time of murder. (Although usually not allowed, Harry and Ron were acting as lawyers and witnesses, but this was The Harry Potter and the Ministry has always had a bit of a blind spot for him.) Ginevra Weasley, the Headmistress of Hogwarts and ex-wife of the victim. Owein Bole, the only son and heir of the victim. Draco Malfoy, the Damned, Draco wrote at the bottom of the list before handing it back to Harry.
"This is not a joke," Harry admonished reading what Draco had written. Harry crossed out what Draco had written. "I know what most of these witnesses are going to say, Draco. However, I have no clue as to why Goyle is on this list. I mean, he doesn't really have any connection to this case, unless he's meant to be a character reference." A hush fell over the crowd as Arthur Weasley banged his gavel on his desk.
"Draco Lucius T. Malfoy, you are accused of the murder of Derrick Alasdair Bole. How do you plead?" asked Minister Weasley. Draco swallowed before answering a little intimidated by his surroundings.
"I plead innocent under rule one, section two of the decree for reasonable sorcery, a wizard may kill in the defense of his own life or those around him. Bole was killed in the defense of life, I swear it on the Malfoy name," Draco said trying not to falter. A quiet babble broke out among the courtroom. Very few wizards were able to prove that their or another's life was truly in danger, therefore few wizards tried this approach.
"Do you Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley intend to prove this was a life or death situation?" Arthur asked looking at his son and surrogate son. Ron nodded and Harry stood to accept.
"We do, Minister," Harry replied evenly.
"Then, let the trial begin. Prosecution, you have the floor," Arthur said gesturing to Ernie. Ernie stood and made a rather large show of gathering his papers. He puffed himself up importantly before he began to call his first witness.
"I would like to call Gregory Christopher Goyle to the stand," Ernie announced. At his words doors opened and Goyle came in accompanied by two wizards.
"Do you swear to uphold the Wizarding bylaws and tell what is true in your heart?" a witch asked Goyle.
"I do," he grunted.
"Mr, Goyle, what is your connection to Draco Malfoy?" Ernie asked gesturing to Draco.
"Back in our school days we were good friends," Goyle replied still looking at Draco.
"Do you believe Draco could have committed this crime?" asked Ernie anxiously.
"Er, yeah," Goyle answered.
"And why is that?" Ernie probed.
"Once, when we was about in our third year Draco lost us the quidditch game, he was steamed up pretty bad about it. Well, Bole said something about finding our team a new seeker and Draco heard about it. He told me and Vince that if he ever got the chance he would knock the stuffing out of him," Goyle announced looking proud he had remembered.
"That's all from the prosecution, your honor," Ernie said smugly sitting down.
"Your witness, Potter," Arthur said looking unimpressed at Goyle's testimony.
"Mr. Goyle, did Draco ever tell you he was going to wait fifteen years before killing him?" Harry questioned.
"Not that I remember," Goyle admitted.
"Mr. Goyle, did Draco often say he would knock the stuffing out of someone?" asked Harry calmly. Goyle thought for a moment before answering.
"All the time," he answered. "Used to say he was going to off you everyday." Harry gave a very small smile.
"And I am alive, proof Draco was probably a very unhappy little boy who did not know how to express his feelings, except with empty death threats," Harry said still laughing a bit. The courtroom gave a small chuckle at his words. "Do you think its possible Draco didn't mean what he was say?"
"I suppose, I mean otherwise almost everyone he knows would be dead , wouldn't they," Goyle declared.
"No more questions for this witness," Harry said.
"Mr. Goyle, you may step down," the witch who had sworn him in said. Goyle got up and retreated out the same doors he entered still followed by his two guards.
"I would like to call Severus Snape as my next witness," Ernie said pompously. His last witness had not been as convincing as he would have liked him to be.
"Do you swear to uphold the Wizarding bylaws and tell what is true in your heart?" a witch asked Severus.
"I swear," Severus said taking a seat in the witness' chair.
"You have known Draco Malfoy for how long?" Ernie questioned Snape.
"Since the day he was born, I am his godfather," Snape retorted obviously showing his opinion of Hufflepuffs had not changed since Ernie was at school.
"And do you believe he was ever involved with the Dark Lord?" Ernie asked slyly. Snape gave him a cold look.
"I know he was never in league with Voldemort," Severus said not afraid to say his old master's name.
"Do you think he is responsible for the murder of Derrick Bole?" Ernie asked trying to sound brave.
"He's already admitted he killed him," Severus pointed out.
"Do you believe it was truly a kill or be killed situation?" Ernie demanded losing his patience with his former professor.
"Yes, because Draco has given his word, his word as a Malfoy," Snape remarked scathingly. "And a Malfoy would never swear by his name, unless it was the truth."
"Why do you favor those students which are in Slytherin House?" Ernie asked angrily. Severus was turning all of his clever questions around on himself.
"Because they are the ones that need to know they are someone's favorites," Snape replied gently.
"Your witness Potter," Ernie said not looking at Severus.
"I have only one question for Professor Snape," Harry said. "During your fifth year at Hogwarts, who saved you from being killed by a werewolf?" Harry was grinning from ear to ear as he asked.
"Ja...ter," Snape mumbled quietly.
"Who?" Harry asked a bit louder.
"James Potter," Snape repeated loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Thank you," Harry said. Harry sat down and leaned over to talk to Draco in hushed tones. "If Ernie keeps this up we might not have anything to be worried about. He is doing such a poor job, I am afraid it might be some sort of tactic."
"He probably is just lousy at this," Ron said enthusiastically.
A/N: Alright Chapter 20! I never thought I would make it this far. I hope everyone likes the story I could use a few critiques, please. So thanks to those of you who did review and for those who read this. Thanks a bunch, please review, KTBallerina.