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 21
"I know its not much, but it's the best I can do. My gift is my song, and this one's for you. And you can tell everybody that this is your song, it may be quite simple, but..." Elton John, 'Your Song.'
Harry did not want to take these first two witnesses to heart, after all neither were actually present during the murder, they helped establish Malfoy's background. There were still five witnesses who could change everything. Most damaging could be Owein Bole, Derrick and Ginny's son. His testimony could change the outcome of the entire trial. Harry had spent several hours coaching Owein what to say, but Harry had a feeling Ernie was setting him up. Even though it was considered wrong and illegal for him to tell Owein what to say Harry felt it important for the little boy to be prepared. Ernie wanted Harry to think he had the upper hand, to underestimate him. Harry, however, had learned a very important lesson in Auror training from one of the greatest Aurors ever, Alastor Moody. Constant Vigilance.
Harry was having another turmoil. Part of him wanted Draco to be locked away in Azkaban for the rest of eternity. With Draco out of the picture, maybe Ginny would realize she needed someone-him to help her, to love her. Harry really did truly love Ginny, after all that's who he was doing all this for. Harry had grown so close to the Weasley family in the past twenty years. He had always assumed one day Ginny would change her mind and they would live happily ever after together, like Ron and Hermione had. He had basically taken Ginny for granted. Harry knew it would be wrong to throw the case just so he could have Ginny, but part of him still wanted to lose. Harry knew there was no guarantee Ginny would even want him if Draco was sent to prison for her son.
Now was not the time to dwell on what might happen. It was time for the questioning that more directly concerned the case. Ronald Weasley, the auror present at time of murder was the first to testify.
"I would like to call Ronald Arthur Weasley to the stand," Ernie called to the courtroom. Ron left Harry's side and stood before the court.
"Do you swear to uphold the Wizarding bylaws and tell what is true in your heart?" a witch asked Ron.
"I do," Ron said taking his seat.
"Mr. Weasley, how did you know to apparate to Derrick Bole's residence on the day of the murder?" Ernie asked.
"Draco Malfoy told me that my sister and my nephew were in danger," Ron replied candidly.
"Did you believe Draco at first?" he questioned further.
"No, we had some friction when we were at school. I thought he was a bit of a idiot," Ron admitted.
"So, why did you go with Mr. Malfoy if you thought he was a bit of an idiot?" Ernie asked.
"Harry believed him, and if Harry thought he was telling the truth, well then it was good enough for me," Ron responded.
"And when you arrived what happened?" Ernie questioned.
"Derrick was threatening Ginny. He was telling her to put down her wand, other wise he would kill Owein. Derrick was advancing on him with his wand drawn, pointing at their son," Ron told him trying to remember everything.
"And then?" Ernie prompted. The entire room seemed to hang on Ron's every word.
"The three of us burst in at that point and Draco was just the fastest of the three of us," Ron said.
"What do you mean by the fastest of the three of us?" Ernie asked him.
"I mean, if I had been a bit faster I would be on trial for the murder of Derrick Bole," Ron explained to the stunned courtroom. "I wish I had been faster." The words had a great impact on Arthur Weasley who was beginning to realize exactly what the Malfoy boy had done for his daughter and grandson.
"Your turn, Potter," Ernie muttered gesturing he was done questioning Ron.
"Ron, what was the first thing you thought after Draco killed Derrick?" asked Harry. Between the two of them they had worked out exactly what was to be said during the questioning.
"Thank Merlin Ginny's okay," he replied steadily.
"What was the first thing Ginny said to you?" Harry questioned.
"She pointed to Derrick's body and said, 'He tried to kill me, me and Owein.'" Ron answered quietly. Perhaps it was obvious they had conspired to write these questions and answers.
"Do you believe Draco Malfoy would actually kill someone without a reason?" Harry asked carefully. It seemed important to establish that despite his actions as a school bully, he was not a murderer.
"No, I don't believe anyone could," Ron responded coldly. Ron was obviously still thinking about the deaths of so many good friends lost in the war.
"That will be all," Harry said feeling there was no need to continue the questioning. So far Harry had succeeded in proving his case, and making Ernie look like a pompous idiot. The next witness on Ernie's list was Harry, but it seemed sort of pointless to interrogate the Boy-Who-Lived knowing he could give no new information. Ernie seemed to be thinking along the same lines.
"I would like to call Owein Donovan Bole to the stand, your honor," Ernie said standing to address Arthur Weasley. Into the courtroom walked Owein, being led by a the kindly looking witch who swore everyone in.
"Now, Owein, you wouldn't lie to the Minister of Magic, would you?" the witch asked as if she were addressing a five-year old.
"Of course not," the little boy replied quickly.
"There's a good lad," she said smiling. "Now, just answer the questions that this man is going to ask you, okay?"
"Sure," he said. Ernie stood up and walked over to where Owein was sitting.
"Mr. Bole, how old are you?" he asked.
"Twelve years, and eight months," Owein replied.
"Can you tell me what happened the day your father died?" Ernie questioned.
"Well, Mum and Da got into a huge row. Mum had her wand out to defend herself, but Da just laughed at her. He took out his wand and told her he was capable and willing to kill me, not her. Then, Professor Malfoy, Uncle Ron, and Uncle Harry burst in and Professor Malfoy saved me," Owein told him rapidly. The courtroom seemed to hang on every word the little boy said.
"Mr. MacMillian, please approach the bench, Mr. Potter you too," Arthur Weasley said gesturing them over. "I am afraid based on the evidence just given I am going to pardon Draco Malfoy.
"But he..." Ernie began, but was silenced from a look from the Minister. Both men returned to their seats, Harry gave Draco a reassuring smile.
"Ladies and Gentleman, after hearing the following testimony I have decided to pardon Draco Lucius Malfoy based on the fact he was defending the lives of others," Arthur announced. The courtroom began clapping and Draco actually shook Harry's hand.
"Daddy!" a little girl cried over all the other noise. Draco rushed over to the voice and picked up his daughter. There was no way he was going to lose her again.
"Brangaine, I thought I lost you," he cried holding her close to him. "I love you so much, baby. We can be a family now, I swear."
"Good show, Potter. I knew you would win," Draco said thankfully.
"Really, how?" Harry asked surprised by his statement.
"Cause, you're the hero, you always win everything," Draco replied teasingly.
"Not everything," Harry said pointing to Ginny, who was making her way through the crowds.
"Ginny," Draco cried out running towards her, with Brangaine still in his arms.
"Draco, you're free. I can never thank you enough," Ginny said practically weeping. "I love you, Draco I just want you to know," she whispered holding him close.
"Ginny, I love you, too. I wish there was a way to say it sweeter, but there is nothing deeper than the love I have for you," Draco said trying to tell her how much he cared.
"I want us to be together always," she said.
"No," Draco replied.
"What?" Ginny cried scared he was going to slip away again.
"Longer, nothing would make me happier than for you to marry me, Ginny?" Draco proposed.
"Yes, Draco. I will," she said this time actually weeping.
A/N: The story is not over yet. I still have a trick or two up my sleeve. Thanks for any reviews. Right now I am just having a busy summer. I hope everyone is enjoying my longest ever story. I am considering writing some stories about Draco and Ginny's married life while raising children and dealing with life in general, but I don't know if anyone likes that. My other idea is Harry Potter's Sixth Year. I have an idea, but I don't know which is better. Love ya lots, 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 21
"I know its not much, but it's the best I can do. My gift is my song, and this one's for you. And you can tell everybody that this is your song, it may be quite simple, but..." Elton John, 'Your Song.'
Harry did not want to take these first two witnesses to heart, after all neither were actually present during the murder, they helped establish Malfoy's background. There were still five witnesses who could change everything. Most damaging could be Owein Bole, Derrick and Ginny's son. His testimony could change the outcome of the entire trial. Harry had spent several hours coaching Owein what to say, but Harry had a feeling Ernie was setting him up. Even though it was considered wrong and illegal for him to tell Owein what to say Harry felt it important for the little boy to be prepared. Ernie wanted Harry to think he had the upper hand, to underestimate him. Harry, however, had learned a very important lesson in Auror training from one of the greatest Aurors ever, Alastor Moody. Constant Vigilance.
Harry was having another turmoil. Part of him wanted Draco to be locked away in Azkaban for the rest of eternity. With Draco out of the picture, maybe Ginny would realize she needed someone-him to help her, to love her. Harry really did truly love Ginny, after all that's who he was doing all this for. Harry had grown so close to the Weasley family in the past twenty years. He had always assumed one day Ginny would change her mind and they would live happily ever after together, like Ron and Hermione had. He had basically taken Ginny for granted. Harry knew it would be wrong to throw the case just so he could have Ginny, but part of him still wanted to lose. Harry knew there was no guarantee Ginny would even want him if Draco was sent to prison for her son.
Now was not the time to dwell on what might happen. It was time for the questioning that more directly concerned the case. Ronald Weasley, the auror present at time of murder was the first to testify.
"I would like to call Ronald Arthur Weasley to the stand," Ernie called to the courtroom. Ron left Harry's side and stood before the court.
"Do you swear to uphold the Wizarding bylaws and tell what is true in your heart?" a witch asked Ron.
"I do," Ron said taking his seat.
"Mr. Weasley, how did you know to apparate to Derrick Bole's residence on the day of the murder?" Ernie asked.
"Draco Malfoy told me that my sister and my nephew were in danger," Ron replied candidly.
"Did you believe Draco at first?" he questioned further.
"No, we had some friction when we were at school. I thought he was a bit of a idiot," Ron admitted.
"So, why did you go with Mr. Malfoy if you thought he was a bit of an idiot?" Ernie asked.
"Harry believed him, and if Harry thought he was telling the truth, well then it was good enough for me," Ron responded.
"And when you arrived what happened?" Ernie questioned.
"Derrick was threatening Ginny. He was telling her to put down her wand, other wise he would kill Owein. Derrick was advancing on him with his wand drawn, pointing at their son," Ron told him trying to remember everything.
"And then?" Ernie prompted. The entire room seemed to hang on Ron's every word.
"The three of us burst in at that point and Draco was just the fastest of the three of us," Ron said.
"What do you mean by the fastest of the three of us?" Ernie asked him.
"I mean, if I had been a bit faster I would be on trial for the murder of Derrick Bole," Ron explained to the stunned courtroom. "I wish I had been faster." The words had a great impact on Arthur Weasley who was beginning to realize exactly what the Malfoy boy had done for his daughter and grandson.
"Your turn, Potter," Ernie muttered gesturing he was done questioning Ron.
"Ron, what was the first thing you thought after Draco killed Derrick?" asked Harry. Between the two of them they had worked out exactly what was to be said during the questioning.
"Thank Merlin Ginny's okay," he replied steadily.
"What was the first thing Ginny said to you?" Harry questioned.
"She pointed to Derrick's body and said, 'He tried to kill me, me and Owein.'" Ron answered quietly. Perhaps it was obvious they had conspired to write these questions and answers.
"Do you believe Draco Malfoy would actually kill someone without a reason?" Harry asked carefully. It seemed important to establish that despite his actions as a school bully, he was not a murderer.
"No, I don't believe anyone could," Ron responded coldly. Ron was obviously still thinking about the deaths of so many good friends lost in the war.
"That will be all," Harry said feeling there was no need to continue the questioning. So far Harry had succeeded in proving his case, and making Ernie look like a pompous idiot. The next witness on Ernie's list was Harry, but it seemed sort of pointless to interrogate the Boy-Who-Lived knowing he could give no new information. Ernie seemed to be thinking along the same lines.
"I would like to call Owein Donovan Bole to the stand, your honor," Ernie said standing to address Arthur Weasley. Into the courtroom walked Owein, being led by a the kindly looking witch who swore everyone in.
"Now, Owein, you wouldn't lie to the Minister of Magic, would you?" the witch asked as if she were addressing a five-year old.
"Of course not," the little boy replied quickly.
"There's a good lad," she said smiling. "Now, just answer the questions that this man is going to ask you, okay?"
"Sure," he said. Ernie stood up and walked over to where Owein was sitting.
"Mr. Bole, how old are you?" he asked.
"Twelve years, and eight months," Owein replied.
"Can you tell me what happened the day your father died?" Ernie questioned.
"Well, Mum and Da got into a huge row. Mum had her wand out to defend herself, but Da just laughed at her. He took out his wand and told her he was capable and willing to kill me, not her. Then, Professor Malfoy, Uncle Ron, and Uncle Harry burst in and Professor Malfoy saved me," Owein told him rapidly. The courtroom seemed to hang on every word the little boy said.
"Mr. MacMillian, please approach the bench, Mr. Potter you too," Arthur Weasley said gesturing them over. "I am afraid based on the evidence just given I am going to pardon Draco Malfoy.
"But he..." Ernie began, but was silenced from a look from the Minister. Both men returned to their seats, Harry gave Draco a reassuring smile.
"Ladies and Gentleman, after hearing the following testimony I have decided to pardon Draco Lucius Malfoy based on the fact he was defending the lives of others," Arthur announced. The courtroom began clapping and Draco actually shook Harry's hand.
"Daddy!" a little girl cried over all the other noise. Draco rushed over to the voice and picked up his daughter. There was no way he was going to lose her again.
"Brangaine, I thought I lost you," he cried holding her close to him. "I love you so much, baby. We can be a family now, I swear."
"Good show, Potter. I knew you would win," Draco said thankfully.
"Really, how?" Harry asked surprised by his statement.
"Cause, you're the hero, you always win everything," Draco replied teasingly.
"Not everything," Harry said pointing to Ginny, who was making her way through the crowds.
"Ginny," Draco cried out running towards her, with Brangaine still in his arms.
"Draco, you're free. I can never thank you enough," Ginny said practically weeping. "I love you, Draco I just want you to know," she whispered holding him close.
"Ginny, I love you, too. I wish there was a way to say it sweeter, but there is nothing deeper than the love I have for you," Draco said trying to tell her how much he cared.
"I want us to be together always," she said.
"No," Draco replied.
"What?" Ginny cried scared he was going to slip away again.
"Longer, nothing would make me happier than for you to marry me, Ginny?" Draco proposed.
"Yes, Draco. I will," she said this time actually weeping.
A/N: The story is not over yet. I still have a trick or two up my sleeve. Thanks for any reviews. Right now I am just having a busy summer. I hope everyone is enjoying my longest ever story. I am considering writing some stories about Draco and Ginny's married life while raising children and dealing with life in general, but I don't know if anyone likes that. My other idea is Harry Potter's Sixth Year. I have an idea, but I don't know which is better. Love ya lots, KTBallerina.