"Written laws are like spiders' webs, and will like them only entangle and hold the poor and weak, while the rich and powerful will easily break through them." (Solon, Anarchasis)
The next few days at 27 Ivy Crescent passed quickly. Lucius spent some time holed up with Advocatus Tethering in Eleanor's old study, while at the request of her lover she made several excursions into the magical world and tried to follow up on Tonk's information regarding the sale of the Malfoy Manor. Towards the end of the week she was convinced the hearing hadn't come a day to soon. Narcissa definitely had some interested parties lined up.
On Wednesday the Daily Prophet reported the escape of Bellatrix Lestrange from St. Mungo's, and Eleanor started to have doubts with regards to the consideration she had shown the Death Eater after Lucius had struck her down. Thankfully Voldemort's minions held back for the time being, though the wards Eleanor had laid around the house were tripped a few times, mostly by muggle neighborhood children. It proved to be a certain annoyance, as Lucius kept insisting she teach the little pests a lesson and on one or two occasions took his cane and proceeded to do so himself, and she had to rush after him to first save and then obliviate them.
Finally it was Friday and accompanied by Mr. Tethering Eleanor and Lucius made their way to the Ministry for their hearing. While the lawyer seemed extremely confident, Eleanor found that her memories of her visit to Azkaban had become more vivid than she would have wished, and the idea that she might have to spend a year there under the conditions she had seen Lucius endure, dampened her spirits quite a bit.
Four aurors Eleanor didn't recognize met them in the main hall as they entered the building and swiftly led them to the large auditorium where the wizengamot was convened. Tethering took his leave of them to put on his formal robes and his clients followed the Ministry officials into the central arena.
To Lucius the arrangement now seemed oddly familiar, though he was grateful that the magical bindings on the chair remained inactive this time. Eleanor however, who had witnessed the trial from the benches in the audience and now sat on a second chair to the left of her companion, felt rather uncomfortable as the center of attention in the arena. At least the hearing had not been declared public, so only visitors with a direct link to the case or the accused were allowed to be present.
Eleanor saw Draco in one of the front seats. He had not arrived with his mother and was accompanied instead by a rather dour-looking Severus Snape. Obviously attending the revision meeting had not been the potions master's first choice of plan for the day.
Narcissa, of course still attended. As before she was accompanied by Mr. Greenleaf, and had taken her place near the judges' bench. She wore very elegant pale violet silk robes and Eleanor heard her laugh once or twice at some of her lawyer's remarks, but the looks with which she regarded her former husband betrayed a certain anxiety. It had to be a shock to see Lucius this close to the possibility of rehabilitation. Lucius himself shot her a few glances that could only be described as murderous.
Finally the aurors announced the arrival of the judges and everyone stood to show respect until they had settled in. Eleanor watched Dumbledore as he surveyed the audience, gave her a curt nod of acknowledgement and then followed the entrance of the Public Interrogator and of Advocatus Tethering. Lucius' lawyer took the floor first.
"Your honor, assembled judges. We are here today to ask for the revision of Mr. Malfoy's sentence of exile. Before I begin to make my case I would like to quote the conditions of exile as laid down in the last revision of the law in 1775. 'Let the offender be stripped of all magical abilities. Have his wand brought before him and broken, and henceforth banish him from all places of magic and the congress of all wizards and witches, to spend the rest of his natural life among muggles. Let him be given enough means as money, food and clothing to survive for the span of seven days. After such time no magical person may aid him and no one may be avenged upon him under threat of the severest penalties. So he will be dead to all wizards and witches. Let not his name be spoke, nor his grave be marked and let no one remember him.'"
Tethering pointed to Lucius. "Now let us examine how this sentence was carried out. On the 25th of June Mr. Malfoy was duly squibbed and his wand was broken, as the regulations demand. However, he was then evicted from the building into the center of muggle London wearing highly conspicuous Death Eater robes in broad daylight instead of appropriate muggle clothing. He was given no money, no food or any other means of survival. It is only thanks to his personal resilience that he managed to survive long enough in order to sit here before you today.
Still, all of this might be described as a minor oversight. However, a few weeks after the sentencing Mr. Malfoy was most viciously attacked and tortured by four Death Eaters. Their confessions are on record, and I am happy to quote from them should the court demand so. Mr. Malfoy was completely helpless at the time, as the squib hexes prevented him from defending himself even in the least against their magical attack.
How could they come after him, you ask? Easy, the court had never bothered to truly sever all magical ties between my client and the magical world. The Dark Lord had nothing else to do but to activate the dark mark, and he would know immediately where his servants could find Mr. Malfoy. The sentence this court pronounced didn't result in exile in the way it is described by law, but in effect threw this wizard to the wolves. He might as well have been sentenced to being tortured to death by the cruciatus over several hours or even days and it would have achieved about the same effect. I call this an outrage! And I demand that this sentence be revoked because of the gross negligence and misconduct of the wizengamot."
Tethering stepped back with a dramatic sweep of his robes and ceded the arena to the Interrogator who began to make his case. "I have a question of my esteemed colleague. If Mr. Malfoy was rendered so helpless, and if there was such a vicious attack on him? How did he manage to survive? Why is he not dead today, starved, killed by a muggle mob perhaps, or eliminated by the Death Eaters?" Eleanor held her breath as Tethering turned to the scarlet clad official with a thin smile around his lips. The advocatus obviously liked the question, whereas she had dreaded it above all others.
"Why, his acquaintance with Professor Sartorius furnished him with the means to survive in the muggle world. Then, when she heard of the Death Eater breakout, she actually came to his rescue, of course." The Interrogator stepped forward. "Aha! So you do not deny that this witch broke the law by aiding an outlawed wizard?" The advocatus shrugged his shoulders. "Why would that concern me right now? We are not here to judge Professor Sartorius. We are here to debate the legality of Mr. Malfoy's sentencing." He looked up at the bench. "Honorable judges, am I mistaken?" An elderly witch sitting next to Dumbledore slowly shook her head. "No Mr. Tethering, you are not. Interrogator, stay on the point of debate, please."
However, as Eleanor found out during the rest of the exchange, this seemed to be a problem for the public official. Very little could be said to defend the carrying out of Lucius' sentencing, and whereas much might have been made of her involvement in the affair, Tethering ensured it was rigorously kept from the debate. While the red-haired witch found her spirits rise the longer the two men argued, she also had to admit herself that her faith in the judicial system was rapidly eroding. Any reasonable person could see that she and Lucius were patently in the wrong. Yet, the system forced everyone to wear blinkers. She began to better understand her lover's patent cynicism in his dealings with the Ministry.
Eventually the judges adjourned for a brief discussion and then Dumbledore stood to announce their decision. He regarded the people in the arena gravely, exchanged a brief glance with his colleagues and faced the almost deserted auditorium at large. "Here is our dilemma. We cannot send Lucius Malfoy back into the non-magical world without his abilities. The connection of the dark mark cannot be broken. Even if one were to cut it out with a knife, it would come back. I know because it has been tried. Voldemort's powers are indeed great and those who have been perverted by him will never be free of him again, though they may wish it. The Death Eaters will always find one of their own. And we know now that they would kill this man most cruelly. Mr. Malfoy's punishment of exile would indeed turn out to be nothing more than the most inhuman death sentence."
The public interrogator made an attempt to speak, but a gesture from the chief judge silenced him. The old wizard leaned forwards and now his piercing blue eyes looked directly at the accused before him. He seemed to have forgotten about his colleagues and any spectators. "Lucius Malfoy, the loyalty of one friend and the mercy of this court have kept you from prison and death. And the love of this woman has saved your life. Whatever success you may attribute to your lies and cunning and the legal skills your wealth has bought you has not come to you because of any of your own merits, but as a gift and wholly undeserved by you. If you dare look into your own soul, if you have one spark of honor in you, you will acknowledge the truth in what I say."
Eleanor looked sideways at the man sitting next to her. His mouth was fixed in a harsh line of defiance, and his steel-grey eyes regarded Dumbledore with a look of intense hatred. The two wizards held each other's gaze for a long time. Finally Lucius was the one to break contact. He lowered his lids and then she saw his eyes come to rest on her. Their expression softened. "I will never acknowledge anything to you, old man, as long as I live," he said. "But she knows the truth."
"Then we will announce our decision," said the chief judge, and the aurors commanded everyone to rise. "It is the will of this court that Lucius Malfoy be restored to his magical abilities and he be received again into the wizarding community. This court regrets that no other legal options are open to them if they wish to protect this man from a hideous death. We cannot now transmute the sentence into another such as imprisonment as this is prohibited to us by law. As this court was unable to properly carry out the sentence of exile, any help that Eleanor Sartorius may have rendered Mr. Malfoy in the interim can not be defined as directed at an exiled outcast, and therefore she has not broken the law.
We realize of course that Mr. Malfoy's ultimate sentence stands in no relation to the crimes he has committed. However, we hope that injustice that errs on the side of mercy is to be preferred to injustice that errs on the side of cruelty and hatred. If we are to fight the darkness that lies before us, then every drop of blood we spill without need will only give strength to our enemy. So mote it be." Dumbledore paused. "I hope you will remember this day, Lucius Malfoy. And when you have an enemy at your feet, imploring your mercy you will think back to this and grant it."
The blond wizard tossed back his hair with an arrogant lift of his head, but Eleanor could see no sign of satisfaction or triumph on his face. "I already have," he said, contempt coloring his voice. His eyes fixed on the chief judge, then flitted over to where Draco sat in the first row of the visitors' benches. "I saw the knife marks that were to excise the mark for myself, yet I have remained silent these years. You know what I speak of."
Dumbledore appeared lost in thought for a moment, then he held up his hand and invited the other judges to accompany him to the arena where again they formed a circle around Lucius quietly intoning the incantations that would lift the squib-hex. Golden light broke from their wands and swirled round the man in their midst, and when they finally lowered their magical weapons Lucius Malfoy slowly lifted his arms, threw back his head and shouted up towards the high vaulted ceiling above him in pure animal exultation. Blue static crackled along his body for a few seconds and Eleanor watched some of the aurors shrink back in alarm. She was fairly certain that many in this room questioned Dumbledore's wisdom in setting the former Death Eater free in their midst.
Seconds later, however, Lucius appeared firmly in control of his emotions and with a quick commanding jerk of his head signaled to Advocatus Tethering, who stopped the judges from ascending back to their seats. Dumbledore inclined his head to listen to the lawyer and then turned. "Before this hearing is adjourned we have one last matter to take care of. Advocatus, if you will. Everyone, please be seated."
Tethering gave the judges a moment to settle, then unfurled a piece of parchment and began to read. "At the session of the wizengamot on the morning of the 25th of last month Mrs. Black, formerly Mrs. Malfoy saw fit to announce the revocation of her handfasting. My client has not yet had an opportunity to respond to this announcement. However, he wishes to do so now. Let it be known that Lucius Malfoy accepts the revocation – under the conditions of the marriage contract that was drawn up at the time of the handfasting between his father, Octavian Malfoy and the bride's father, Arcturus Black. The contract is available on the public record as mancipium number 27852/C. However, we would like to reiterate the main points of this agreement.
Firstly, that should Narcissa Black be found responsible for the dissolution of the marriage she be rendered without claim or title to the possessions of the House of Malfoy. She will receive the current equivalent value of her dowry back and for her disgraceful behavior lose any right to proclaim herself mother of the offspring that might have resulted from the marriage in the meantime.
Secondly, that should Lucius Malfoy be found responsible for the dissolution of the marriage he be rendered without claim or title to the possessions of the House of Black. He will make no further demands of the House of Black and for his disgraceful behavior will lose any right to proclaim himself father of the offspring that might have resulted from the marriage in the meantime. His former children will henceforth bear the name of Black.
In either case the injured party may abstain from enforcing this contract should they be so inclined."
By this time pretty much everyone in the auditorium had craned their necks to gauge the reaction of Lucius' former wife who sat deathly pale and stiff as a poker to the side of the bench of judges. She had not made a sound. Tethering looked up for a moment, then cleared his throat and continued.
"Clearly in this case there can be no argument against the fact that Mrs. Black is the one responsible for dissolving the handfasting. Because of certain facts that have come to Mr. Malfoy's attention in the meantime, such as Mrs. Black's attempt to willfully sell his son's ancestral home for her own gains, he wishes to exert the full measure of punitive provisions of the marriage contract.
Narcissa Black, supervised by myself, you will proceed immediately to Malfoy Manor, there to collect your personal belongings and vacate the premises forthwith. You have two hours to do so. If you wish Draco Malfoy may accompany you and you may take your leave of him. He will henceforth cease to legally be your son and you will not be allowed any further contact with him, until he has come of age and will decide for himself how to conduct himself towards you. Tomorrow Gringotts bank will make restitution of the current value of your dowry to you in the amount of 85.327 galleons, 7 sickles and 3 knuts."
The lawyer lowered the parchment and looked at his employer whose gaze was fixed upon his former wife. Narcissa had sat through the entire declaration without any show of outward emotion, but at the mention of taking her leave from her son she had staggered to her feet. "You monster," she shouted down at Lucius now. "You cannot take my son from me! How dare you?!"
The wizard's voice cut through the deadly silence of the hall like the crack of a whip. "Draco," he commanded. "To me!" Malfoy junior cast a quick glance at Professor Snape, then got up, walked around the row of benches and joined his father in the arena. Lucius laid a possessive arm around his back, then lifted his face to look again at Narcissa. "As a witch you should know that every act of will, every spell and every incantation has consequences, desired as well as undesirable. Did you think you could challenge me in the way you did and not feel the results? I believe I must have once loved you, otherwise how could I have overlooked such glaring stupidity for so long. Still, it is never too late to teach someone a lesson in life. Consider it a boon born from my former affection that I make the concessions I do."
He exchanged a quick glance with his son. "Go to her," he said quietly. "I will see you at home in a little while." Then he added in a louder voice. "The clock is ticking, dearest. If you want to pack up all your beautiful dresses, I suggest you be quick about it."
Narcissa bent down and started to hurriedly whisper with Advocatus Greenleaf while Tethering gave Lucius a curt nod and made his way up the benches to meet them. The other members of the scant audience had stuck their heads together and started to discuss the startling new developments in the ongoing Malfoy scandal until Dumbledore's gavel restored a moment of order and silence. "This hearing is adjourned!" he called, then looked at Draco who followed Advocatus Tethering to join his mother and shook his head. Eleanor thought she could see his lips form the word "mercy".
She turned to her companion. "That was a bit harsh don't you think?" she said, her voice carefully neutral, and had Lucius' immediate and slightly unwelcome attention. "My dear, this is between me, Draco and Narcissa," he said firmly, and the flash of his grey eyes that hit her warned her not to pursue the matter further. "Yes, and I'm just the mistress," she muttered, turning from him, but he immediately stepped in her way, his hand reaching under her chin.
He brought her head around to look at him with just enough force to get her attention. "You are never just the mistress and you know it! But right now you could be Merlin's mother and I would still tell you to mind your own business," he said. "What Narcissa did is unforgivable. I will have my revenge for her audacity and will punish her embarrassing stupidity."
He regarded her for a moment, waiting for her acknowledgement, then his face slowly relaxed and a small smile played round his lips. He gripped her arms in his hands and held her. "My love, I am a wizard again," he said, his voice tight with emotion. He hesitated, then spoke quietly, but distinctly. "I lost everything and you gave it back to me. I would never admit it to the old fool who just judged me, but I want you to know that I will never forget what you did for me. Lucius Malfoy has rarely ever acknowledged a debt, but this one I will – to you." He leaned in on her with a fait leer. "I may even forgive you your muggle-stunts like dishwashing and telephoning one of these days."
She smiled and relaxed and felt that Lucius' exultation radiated out from him until it reached her, too. She ran her hand over his chest, assuring herself she wasn't dreaming. "Yes," she said happily. "Back to working magic again. Lucius, I would have never dared hope for such an outcome when I first got word of your arrest and when I saw you in Azkaban."
The courtroom had emptied, and Lucius laid his arm around her walking her out of the arena. "See, that's what we need to work on. Your level of honest arrogance leaves much to be desired, whereas your hypocritical humility is just unbecoming in a pureblood. I for my part never had a doubt." She followed his lead and shook her head.
"So where do we go from here?" she asked. Lucius turned his head and looked at her while gallantly holding open the elevator doors that would take them to street level. "Ollivander's in Diagon Alley. I really feel naked without my wand. And I am sick and tired of having to hit people over the head with my cane. It lacks class and subtlety and feels just too – muggle-like."