Hiya, guys and gals! Again, I'm writing this ahead of time, so I don't know if I got any reviews just yet, but I hope I did, and if I did, Thank you! You guys rock!

Oh, NOTE! Ok, so I'm a bit of an idiot with the whole court room thing, so I don't know who's supposed to go first. Is it the defense, or the prosecution? Oh well, it's too late now. I'm making the prosecution go first in my story, and for any people out there who major in law or something and take it as an offense, I'm sorry! I really am. I'll make sure that next time I write a story, I either make it totally fantasy so that everything can be what I want it to be, or I'll get all my facts set straight before writing it out.

Also, I know, the dates are totally screwed up. Again, that's just me being totally disorganized. The dates most probably don't add up, and I'm sorry. Please don't pay too much attention to that.

Now, I'd say enjoy the final chapter, but it's really not, since there's the epilogue, and I'm only calling it the epilogue because A: I don't like even numbers, so I'd rather end with an odd number of chapters: twenty-one, and B: because it sort of gives you a picture of what's going to happen later on. So anyway, enjoy this chapter, but do not fear, for this is still one more to come after this!

Now, onto the story!

Chapter 21

Over

Draco could hardly breathe. He was so nervous. Sitting next to his lawyer; looking up at the judge – this was much more nerve-wracking than he'd imagined. What would happen now?

He had waited for this day; for the chance to see Harry again, but with that, he had also dreaded this day, knowing the horrible possibilities. Now it was here, and he just wished he could put everything on pause.

His lawyer, a kind women with chestnut brown hair, smiled at him encouragingly and, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder said, "Relax, Draco. I'm going to work my very hardest to get you the best deal you can possibly get."

DHDHDH

Blonde! The moment Harry had walked in, the first thing he'd looked for was Draco's platinum blonde hair, and there it was, just a few yards before him, sitting in the front. He stared on, nervous and excited and worried all at the same time.

Then, as if sensing Harry's eyes on him, the blonde turned around and the two shared a loving smile, lighting Harry's features up. The brunette wanted to run up into Draco's warm embrace right there and then, but he knew he couldn't, so he just kept staring and smiling, playing out the scene in his head, where he grabbed Draco and the two of them ran away together, happily ever after.

And then he got pushed from behind. Lily told him to keep moving, and they went to the first row of seats, Harry glaring daggers at her the whole way.

He knew some of the people who were going to testify. Himself, Ginny, both his parents. Ron had been asked, but he'd refused, which Harry was grateful for. He suspected Snape would be more than happy to testify, but he wasn't sure. Suddenly, he heard a bang! And the court had come into session. Wow, he thought to himself. The judges really bang those hammer things? To him, it had always seemed like something that only happened in movies.

The judge said a few words and before Harry knew it, Ginny was walking up to the stand, setting her hand on the bible, and swearing to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help her God. His eyes burned with anger, but he remained silent because really, what else could he do?

"Miss Weasley," the prosecution lawyer began. "Is it true that on the fourteenth of May, you and Mr. Potter attended your high school spring dance together?"

"Yes."

"And can you tell me what happened on that night?"

Harry closed his eyes tight, not wanting to believe this was really happening.

"Well, we were having a good time, at first. We danced a bit and he got me a drink. Then, he kissed me." At this she blushed, which, in Harry's opinion, was totally for dramatics. "But suddenly, it was like, I don't even know. He just pulled away and said he needed some air. And then he just left."

"Mm-hmm. And was this the last of Mr. Potter that you saw that night?"

"No. Naturally, I was curious about why he was acting so weird, so after a minute of waiting, I went outside to see where he'd gone off to and if he was alright."

"And what did you see when you found him?"

"I saw him and Draco kissing."

A few gasps were heard throughout the courtroom, but the lawyer continued, nevertheless.

"I see. Now, you refer to Mr. Malfoy by his first name, but is he not your teacher?"

"Yes, but he told everyone the first day to just call him by his first name."

"Alright. So, basically, he liked to develop a very close relationship with his students."

"Your honor, I object! He is putting words into her mouth." Draco's lawyer protested.

"Sustained. Mr. Chesly, please reword your statement."

"Miss Weasley, would you say that Draco liked to have a close relationship with his students?"

"Yes."

"Good. No further questions."

"Ms. Sutton, have you any questions for Miss. Weasley?"

"Yes," and she immediately stood up and walked over to Ginny with determination in each stride. "Miss Weasley, you say that Mr. Malfoy liked to create a close connection with his students, correct?" At Ginny's nod, she continued. "Before the whole incident with Mr. Potter, would you say that Mr. Malfoy was one of your more preferred teachers?"

"…." She paused for a moment, cursing the fact that she was under oath. "Yes," she ground out slowly.

"Yes, and did you ever forget to maybe, say, do your homework?"

"No, I always did Draco's homework."

"How about in any other class? Did you ever forge to do your homework?"

"I…yes."

"So, wouldn't you agree with the statement that creating a close and informal connection with one's students makes the students more eager to do well in the class?"

"…maybe."

"That's not a suitable answer."

"Fine, yes. Okay?"

The lady smiled at Ginny's attitude and continued. "So wouldn't you agree that any well-educated teacher could possibly do the same thing in hopes of urging their students to do well?"

"Yes."

"Fantastic. Now, going back to the night of the dance, you said you saw them kissing, correct?"

"Yes, I did."

"And then what did you do?"

"I, well, I turned around and walked away. I didn't want to see that. It was disgusting."

"Hmm… you left in the middle of the two kissing. So, in that case, it could, indeed, be possible that after you left, they simply stopped kissing and both went their separate ways?"

"…yes."

"No further questions, your honor."

Harry smiled. He liked Draco's lawyer. She definitely had spunk.

Next was Snape.

Mr. Chesly walked up to him after the oath and asked, "Would you say Mr. Malfoy had a particular interest in Mr. Potter?"

"Yes."

"How so?"

"Well, at first, he asked me about Mr. Potter. He asked me what I knew about him. Also, the night of the dance, I saw Mr. Malfoy walk out just moments after Mr. Potter. He never came back."

"Did you question Mr. Malfoy about this?"

"Yes."

"And what did he tell you?"

"He said that his shift had ended and so after speaking with the boy, he had simply left home."

"And what time did his shift end? Do you know?

"Eight o'clock."

"Hmm. No further questions your honor."

"Ms. Sutton?"

The chestnut-headed woman shook her head no.

"I would, however, like to call the school principle, Mr. Dumbledore, to the stand."

The bearded old man walked up to the stand and took his oath.

"Mr. Dumbledore, when hiring someone, you look deeply into their profile and resume correct? Would you say that, when hiring Mr. Malfoy, he was a nice guy?"

"Objection! His personality at first impression is irrelevant. Anyone can pretend to be something they're not."

"Sustained."

"Fine. No further questions." That had ruined her whole angle on the principle.

"Mr. Chesly?"

"I would like to call Lily Potter to the stand."

She took her oath and sat herself down.

"Mrs. Potter, what do you remember of the night of the dance?"

"Well, I'd asked Harry to come home by eleven, but he didn't arrive home that night until after midnight."

"Hmm… so from the time he left the dance at around eight o'clock until after midnight when he returned home, he was simply gone. Tell me, Mrs. Potter, did you notice anything about his … state of being."

"Your honor, this is irrelevant. His state of being could have been from running home quickly to make it on time!"

"Overruled. Answer the question, Mrs. Potter."

"He was disheveled and very flushed."

"Interesting. Now, did you happen to notice any change in Harry at all? His personality; his moods?"

"He was most definitely very depressed."

"He told you this?"

"Well, he was too depressed to say it outright, but one afternoon when I went up to his room, he broke into tears while hugging me and then he went to sleep for the rest of the afternoon and didn't wake up until morning."

Harry felt like killing himself. Who knew that a moment of vulnerability with his mother would be turned against him?

"No further questions."

Ms. Sutton, filled with growing rage, stood to question Lily before even being called.

"Can you honestly say that your son has never been depressed before? That he has never cried before?"

"Well, no, but-"

"And at the age of sixteen, wouldn't you say that many teenage kids are depressed? He could have been crying for a number of reasons, unless, of course, he told you specifically what he was crying about?"

"I…no, he didn't tell me."

"I didn't think so."

Yes! Harry thought to himself. Sutton: one, Chesly: zero!

Ms. Sutton continued to glare angrily at Lily until the judge finally inquired, "Any more questions, Ms. Sutton?"

"No, your honor. I'd now like to call upon James Potter."

After the oath had been taken, she questioned, "Mr. Potter, you would agree that your son is a smart boy, right; cable of making good decisions?"

"Objection! The mind can be persuaded!"

"Overruled, Mr. Chesly. You may answer."

"Yes, I've always had good faith in his decisions."

"Don't you think that if anything horrible was happening- anything he didn't want, he would tell you?"

"Of course."

"Has he spoken to you of his relationship with Mr. Malfoy?"

"Yes."

"And what has he said?"

"He's in love with him, and he tells me that Mr. Malfoy loves him as well. Actually, he ran away the other night and didn't want to come back, but Mr. Malfoy was the one who told him to come. He didn't want us to worry. He wanted Harry to do the right thing."

"So would I be correct in saying that this was not a one-sided relationship and that your son took part in it just as willingly as my client?"

"Yes."

She nodded her head and sat down.

Mr. Chesly jumped and asked, "You said he ran away. Where to?"

Crap. Was Harry's only thought.

"…He ran away to Mr. Malfoy's house."

"And how long was he there?"

"I don't know."

"Fine, no further questions, but I would like to call Harry Potter to the stand."

He sucked in a breath of air. He knew it would be coming, but he didn't know how unprepared he would feel.

Slowly, he stood and went to the stand. He made his oath, mimicking the previous few people, before sitting down nervously. He looked over at Draco, anxious, and the blonde smiled back at him reassuringly. Harry gave back a weak smile before turning to Mr. Chesly when he rudely cleared his throat for the brunette's attention.

"Let's get right down to the point, shall we, Mr. Potter? Did you, or did you not take part in sexual intercourse with Mr. Malfoy?" Harry froze and looked over to Draco for guidance, but there was nothing the blonde could tell him.

"Your honor, don't you think this question is unfair…?"

"No, take your seat Ms. Sutton. Answer the question, Mr. Potter."

"Remember, you're under oath." The man added with a smirk.

"That is quite enough, Mr. Chesly. I think it is obvious to the boy that he is under oath."

"…yes," came Harry's small voice.

"Well, now that we have that cleared up, let's continue. Did you realize that this was illegal, at the time?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"I said yes, didn't I?"

"Very well, then. Now, would you consider Draco a worthy and admirable person?"

"Of course."

"So isn't it possible that he could have possibly persuaded you into doing something that you, at first, did not want to do? Isn't it possible that he talked you into something that you would have otherwise not done; something that you otherwise would have looked down upon?"

"Well, he's a smart guy, but-"

"Answer the question, Mr. Potter. Isn't it possible that he could have influenced you into doing something you otherwise would not have done?"

"No." was Harry's cold reply.

"But you just said he was smart and admirable, yes?"

"I did, but that doesn't mean I don't have a mind of my own. He can't make me do something I don't want to do. And anyway, he wouldn't want to. He respects me and my decisions and-"

"That is not relevant to my question."

Glaring, he continued. "I knew what consequences would come from this. I'm not some stupid little kid. I chose to be in a relationship with Draco of my own free will. And Ginny over there tried to blackmail me into being her boyfriend so that she wouldn't tell anyone, but did I do it? No." There were gasps throughout the courtroom, but he continued. "If I don't want to do something, there is no one who can make me do it."

Heated and angry, Mr. Chesly muttered out, "No further questions."

Smiling, Ms. Sutton stood up to question Harry.

"Mr. Potter, I can see that you feel very passionately for Mr. Malfoy, yes?"

"I love him."

"And does he love you?"

"Objection, your honor! How is he to know? Mr. Malfoy could have influenced him-"

"Overruled, Mr. Chesly. Continue."

"Yes, he does."

"Was there ever a moment when Mr. Malfoy was, perhaps, harsh with you in any way?"

"No."

"Did he ever force himself on you?"

"No. Every time we went to do something, even as small as a kiss, he would always ask me if it was what I wanted and if I was sure. He would never do something I wasn't comfortable with."

"So then you agreed to every act of sexual contact shared between the two of you."

"Yes, wholeheartedly."

"Then why, Mr. Potter, were you always so depressed, as your mother claims?"

"Because of everyone else. Draco's the only one who makes me feel happier than I've ever felt before. I mean, I have friends and stuff, but I've never been in love or anything like that. And now, just because he's a little older than me, everyone looks down upon it like it's the biggest sin in the world! My birthday is in just a little more than a month, and had I been even just that one year older, none of this would have been happening.

"Maybe he would have gotten fired, but it wouldn't be anywhere near as big is this. I mean, what's the difference? How much older and wiser and mature could I possibly get between now and July? It doesn't make any sense! I love Draco, and just because I'm a few weeks short of the age of consent shouldn't mean anything!"

Ms. Sutton smiled, admiring Harry's passion, and turned to the judge saying, "No further questions, your honor."

DHDHDH

Harry stood, waiting nervously. The jury was deciding on the final verdict. He was so nervous he could feel his insides twisting into a million different turns. What would their final decision be?

Suddenly, it was time to announce the final decision as the jury walked back in. All of a sudden, he thought he couldn't breathe. All he could do was live for the answer and pray that they came bearing good news.

He thought he would die of suffocation as the person final spoke.

"On the charge of statutory rape, we find the defendant…guilty."

There were some pitying moans in the back, but for Harry, there was nothing. He couldn't believe it. No. It wasn't possible. Hadn't they listened to a single thing he'd said up there? He loved Draco! He loved him! It wasn't Draco's fault! Harry wanted it! He'd wanted all of it!

The judge then spoke and said, "Draco Malfoy, you have been sentence to fourteen months in prison."

"No!" Harry shouted aloud, jumping out of his seat and running to Draco. "Draco, no!"

He wanted to grab a hold of the blonde and never let go; pack him up in a little bag and keep Draco with him forever, but the guards where already grabbing him, pulling him away.

The tears began to flow from Harry's eyes and Draco's own eyes were looking dangerously watery. "Harry, don't worry. It's going to be alright. Remember what I told you!" He began yelling as the guards pulled him farther away and behind a door. "I'll come back for you! I love you!"

"No!" Harry screamed, sobbing as another guard came out and stopped him from moving forward. "No! Let go of me! Let go!" But the guard would not budge, and there was nothing he could do. And so, slumping into one of the benches, he dropped his head into his hands and cried his heart out.

It was over.

DHDHDH

AN:

NOOOO! I'm so evil! I know, and I'm sorry, but come on. More than half of you had to be expecting this, right? Plus, it's the only way I could have possibly ended it well. Ending it all happy and free would have been totally unreal. It would have made this story pointless. This way, it's not pointless. Love is a powerful thing, but it can't overcome anything. It can last forever, yes, but it does not have unlimited power as some may think. So anyway, I know it's a sad ending and stuff, but you've got to read the final chapter; the epilogue!

I'm telling you, whether or not you hated this ending, you've GOT to read the epilogue. I'm pretty sure everyone will love the epilogue. It's bittersweet and so it goes both ways for whichever way you wanted the story to end. Happy or sad. Trust me. READ THE EPILOGUE!

Okay, well, hope you at least sort of liked this chapter. And sorry if the whole court scene was horrendous. I have no idea how a real one works. Anyway, please review!

xoxo Spideria xoxo