Chapter Trigger Warnings: Mentions of forced behaviour

Chapter 129:

Trials

Sure enough, it took a couple months before they were called to trial. Or more precisely, before Draco was called to trial.

They led – dragged - Draco out and away from their shared cell. She couldn't tell what would happen. It felt…odder without him here. Colder. She hoped they would let him off easy, given his coercion into action, but there was no way to tell.

She hoisted herself up into a seated position. It hurt to do so, but there was no telling what state he would be in upon returning. She didn't trust the guards, the current Ministry workers – whomever they may be – to be…gentle with him. Not after everything. Not with everything so raw.

Ariella wasn't sure how much time had passed, when the guards came to get her as well. They were rough with her, which wasn't exactly unexpected.

She was finally able to see the exit. It wasn't much to write home about. It was the same as the rest of the prison: cold, dank, and foreboding. She was surprised by how much they allowed her to see, until she realized there really wasn't an escape from the island prison. How Black had done it years ago was even more of a mystery to her now that she saw the impressive fortress.

Once they got to a small, gated landstrip, they had her – and two armed guards – activate a Portkey, which took them all straight to an empty, stark room. She was given a clean robe to throw on over her dirty clothing before they placed manacles on her wrists and led her out and down the hallway. It was chilly, but wasn't nearly as cold as Azkaban. Then again, she wasn't in the warmest of clothes.

The same guards led her into a small room, though it could clearly seat plenty of jury members if need be. They sat her down and shifted her manacles to the chair itself. They then took their silent positions at the back edges of her chair until others filed in.

No one spoke until they were all seated. Looking out at the small sea of people in dark robes was intimidating. At the front podium was seated a gentleman she didn't recognize.

"Ariella Elizabeth Lyons. You are here to have judgement passed based on your actions in the Second Wizarding War. You are not to speak unless spoken to and to answer only the question asked. Do you understand?"

"Understood, Sir."

"You are eighteen years of age?"

"Yes, Sir."

"You were raised in Malfoy Manor, is that correct?"

"Yes, Sir."

"You were raised as servant to the Malfoy family?"

"Yes, Sir."

"You took the Dark Mark upon the Dark Lord's return?"

"Yes, Sir. I was forced to."

"You obeyed the Dark Lord's direct commands when given them?"

"I was forced to," she repeated simply, despite knowing they didn't want to hear that answer. She didn't fully blame them, but it was the truth.

"You were complicit in helping to carry out Lucius Malfoy and Draco Malfoy's tasks, including putting others in harm's way."

"Yes, Sir."

"Have you killed anyone?"

"No, Sir." I'm not permitted to.

"Have you – "

Whatever was going to come out of the magistrate's mouth was halted by knocking on the exterior door. One of the guards on the entrance answered, surprised when he was pushed aside as Harry Potter strode into the room.

Murmurs went through the jury like a wave. Clearly, he was not expected to make an appearance, certainly not at her trial. Yet here he was.

He strode directly over to her, ignoring the ministry members waiting for an answer, including the spluttering jury leader's question of "What is the meaning of this, Mr. Potter?"

"You alright?" he whispered to her.

She nodded. "What are you doing here?"

"Trying to help get you free."

Standing to her side, he faced the jury and yanked up her left robe arm.

"You see this?" he asked forcefully, gesturing to her bond mark. "This binds her to the Malfoy family. She isn't allowed to refuse them. She wasn't lying when she said she was forced. She means it literally. You can't hold her responsible for those actions she was forced into."

"Mr. Potter, while we appreciate your testimony and continued contributions, this is not your place or decision to make."

"I am allowed to speak for whomever I want to."

"You don't hold nearly as much sway as you think you do, Mr. Potter."

"You need to hear it from someone. In addition, she saved my life."

"You cannot continue to claim that about everyone."

"I was at risk multiple times. It only stands to reason that multiple people helped save my life."

"Mr. Potter – "

" – it's the truth. Believe me or not."

They appeared to deliberate as Harry simply looked up at them – the magistrate leader particularly – obviously refusing to back down.

After they finally conceded to consider Harry's point of view and he left, they continued to grill her about her actions, particularly in connection to Lucius' and Draco's during the war. It was gruelling and they were clearly growing tired and exasperated with her continued answer of being "forced to".

Once they were finally finished, they escorted her to a side room while the jury deliberated. Suddenly, there was a knock on the room door. The guard by the door peaked out.

"Mr. Potter, you cannot just barge in here. Even given your status, you simply cannot just request whatever you wish."

"Five minutes. That's all I'm asking."

Slowly, the man nodded curtly and let him into the room. He crossed to the table and sat across from where his friend sat, manacled to the cold table.

"Harry? What are you doing here?"

"I came to check in on you. How are you holding up?"

"Fine. Just waiting at this point." She paused. "You didn't have to come."

"You helped save my life, Ariella. And we've been friends for longer than that. Of course I did."

"I didn't – "

" – you did. Please don't diminish what you did in the Forest."

She swallowed hard, glancing down – away from him.

"Whenever you get out – will you come visit me?"

"If I'm allowed to, then yes. I'd like that."

"Time's up, Mr. Potter," one of the guards said.

"Alright, alright, I'm leaving."

Shortly after Harry left, they escorted her down the hall and down a narrow set of stairs to a cell. They shackled her into the cell and left her to wait. Now she simply wondered what they would decide. And why they were keeping her here instead of Azkaban. Not that she would complain, but still…it was odd. And sharing a cell without Draco, even after only a couple months, felt odd.

So just a quick note – I'm sure a lot of you are noticing that we're at the end of the school years. I have every intention of continuing this story into their adult lives. (I even have several chapters drafted out already.) I hope you will continue with me.