A/N: Bonus Chapter as promised!
Sirius Black acquitted of all charges and given order of merlin first class
Read the headlines of the paper the very next day of the battle. If the testimonies of Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Peter Pettigrew under the influence of veritaserum were not enough. Severus Snape had also willingly testified after he himself had been acquitted with the help of Minerva McGonagall, Kingsely Shacklebolt and Harry Potter.
The first day of trials after the war had been insane. Harry had been taken to the ministry under a double guard of the Order and the Aurors. While He and Hermione had insisted on speaking about Sirius, Snape and the Malfoys the tribunal of the Wizengamot had refused to acknowledge that last name. He was ready to fight but hearing that he was at the ministry and that the dark lord was finally gone had turned him into a celebrity overnight. Witches and wizards from all over had arrived to see him.
The Wizengamot had quietly ignored him and gotten him to shake over a 100 hands before he was Portkeyed to a press conference where all he got to do was shake the Ministers hand and receive his order of merlin first class. Before Harry, Ron and Hermione knew it they were back home and dazed with the days events.
Harry was shocked, Ron couldn't stop talking about being a war hero and Sirius had poured himself a fire whiskey and locked himself in the study.
Hermione was livid. She had taken a handful of floo powder and gone to Blaise's apartment in London.
—
Right after the battle and Draco's arrest, Luna had refused to leave Blaise's side. She had gone with him to his apartment in London and they were sitting together with the best wizarding lawyers money could buy when Hermione stormed in
"Mione's here" Luna said as she led Hermione into the study where there was a team of 4 lawyers and Blaise sitting
"They didn't even listen!" Hermione spat as she walked over to Blaise's side and gave him a hug
"That's exactly what I was afraid off…" He said solemnly "are you okay…" he asked
She nodded at him and turned to the lawyers "What's the next step?"
"We will have to file a formal appeal… but with the number of cases being dealt with everyday… there's no telling how long it could take…" One of the older Lawyers said
"Here is the due process and this is everything that will help speed it up…" Blaise said showing Hermione two long rolls of parchment.
—
Snape stepped off the boat and submitted his wand at the security station. He was taken to a room that had been sealed off by magic. A portego shield separated him from the other half of the room. He could tell there were silencing charms and other protective enchantments on the walls.
Lucius Malfoy was brought in first.
"Severus… have you seen Narcissa or Draco yet?" He asked
"No not yet… how are you holding up"
"It's dark and damp and the monsters are sucking what little life is left in me…"
"Not much different form at home then…" Severus smirked slightly and Lucius cracked a smile
"What news?"
"Miss Granger is at the Ministers office everyday all day with your appeal for the past 4 days… I assume she is giving them one last chance today before taking more…" Snape paused wondering how best to put it "….drastic measures…"
"I am grateful and ashamed at the same time…"Lucius said his eyes downcast "If all my vaults have not been sealed and seized yet, please give her any help she may need financially… it seems money is all I have to offer…"
"I doubt she will need that…" Snape said
"Of course she will…" Lucius said "one always need money…"
"If Mr. Zabini hasn't already emptied his vaults, Mr. Potter and Lord Black will be managing that…" Snape said a little sourly
"Sirius?"
"Who else…"
"Thank you Severus…" Lucius said "You and Narcissa have made Draco a much better man than I am…"
A small beep went off and they knew their time was up
"Tell cissa I love her…"
"Tell her yourself…" Snape said as he and Lucius stood up. A warlock came in and bound Lucius with a spell.
Once he was gone Snape sat down and waited to meet Narcissa and Draco.
—
Andromeda Tonks had long forsaken the black family name but when Harry and Hermione came to her and told her all about her sister and her nephew, how could she say no to helping them. Especially after all they'd done to help.
—
"I really don't think I'd be the best fit…" Sirius whined
"What do you plan on doing with your time then?" Lupin asked
"What do you plan on doing with yours?" Sirius shot back
"Well, McGonagall has offered me my old job back… besides if you do this, you could help me stay employed and maybe even help others like me… and maybe one day even my kids.…" Lupin said politely
When Sirius looked at him sit undecided he mumbled "… after all the assignments I let you and James copy, I'd say this is the least you could do for me…"
"Really?" Sirius said sarcastically "We became animagi for you!"
"And nearly got me and yourselves expelled in the process…"
"But…"
"No more buts… just shut up and do it… you need a job otherwise you'll go barking mad… for real this time…"
"Fine…" Sirius huffed conceding and leaving the room then yelled "But I'm not happy about this!" As he stomped his way up the stairs…
—
The wizengamot had been in session for a whole week. Every day sentences were passed on the captured Death Eaters. Every day they named new allies in the ministry. Every day there was yelling, begging, finger pointing and harsh revelations. Every passing day had become a media circus for Harry. After the third day he decided it's best not to step out at all. Every day Hermione was at the ministry with Percy as she pushed the appeal for the Malfoy's
"I understand Mione, but the truth is he-who-must-not-be-named…" Percy began
"Voldemort…" Hermione snapped cutting him off
"Yes, him… he was living in their house… Malfoy Manor was the base of operations, there is no way the Wizengamot…"
"They risked their lives to hep us bring him down! Draco died!" Hermione slammed her hand on the table as she stood up.
"I know… and that's another thing! Where is the stone? Why won't Narcissa give it up?" Percy started
"They have been in Azkaban for almost a week now!" Hermione said "and if they are not brought in tomorrow itself… then trust me when I say this, I will use Harry - The Chosen one - Potter and anything else I have at my disposal to throw in the face of the Wizengamot to get them acquitted!"
Hermione picked up her file and marched out the door. As she got closer to the entrance of the a stream of flashes went off in her face as all the reporters waiting at the entrance shouted question after question at her. She said nothing and stepped into the fireplace and left.
—
Harry and Sirius were waiting for her as she stepped out of the fire
"Anything good?" Harry asked as soon as she stepped out
"It's time…" Hermione said seriously
"Damn…" Sirius cursed and said "I haven't been to the barber in ages…"
—
The next morning the headlines of the daily prophet had witches and wizards all over spitting out their tea or choking on their breakfast
WAR HEROES DRACO, LUCIUS AND NARCISSA MALFOY DETAINED FOR ONE WEEK IN AZKABAN DESPITE THE CHOSEN ONE'S APPEALS AND INSISTENCE THAT THEY SAVED HIS LIFE
The article featured interviews and quotes from Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Minerva McGonagall, Blaise Zabini, Luna Lovegood, Andromeda Tonks, and Hermione Granger.
There was even a picture that Hermione had taken of Harry, Ron, Draco and Blaise in their quidditch robes just before a match that was there among the photos of Andromeda and Narcissa, some pictures of Blaise and Draco as well as the Malfoy family photo.
The very same day, the Quibbler also ran a special issue with a picture of Draco and Hermione on the cover with the cover story headline:
THE WARRIORS. THE LOVERS. THE DESCENDANTS.
The article spoke about how Draco and Hermione had discovered each other, their heritage and how they had joined forces despite all odds and defeated Voldemort.
Other smaller papers ran extracts from both articles and interviews from anyone they could find. Some were shocked, others were outraged but what no one could do, was ignore the Malfoy's any longer.
—
Rufus Scrimgeour had been woken at the crack of dawn by Percy Weasley who handed him a copy of the prophet that was warm from the mint.
"What is it?" He said gruffly
"The prophet is under new management…" Percy said "I told you we should have granted miss granger a special appeal…"
The minister took the paper read the headline. His eye's grew wider with every word. He folded it back and asked "Who's management?"
"Lord Black…" Percy said sombrely
"Merlin! That mutt has been causing problems since the beginning of time!" He snapped then said "Get me the first portkey to Azkaban… Write up a speech for the press conference… Get to Gringotts as soon as it opens and unseal the Malfoy Vaults… get me Kingsley and the best tribunal prosecutor we have…" Rufus Scrimgeour said getting out of bed
—
Hermione had barely slept all night. She had been up at the crack of dawn practicing every spell she knew to clam her nerves. Suddenly Sirius came thundering down the stairs calling out "Hermione! Hermione!"
"Kingsley just sent a patronus… The minister himself is going to get them out…" He said looking at Hermione.
She was in shock for a minute then she punched the air "YESSSSSS! Can you tell Harry and Ron… I'm going to go tell Blaise!" She said running to the floo
"Oh yes, she definitely has a lot of Slytherin in her…" Sirius mused with a smile as he climbed marched up the stairs to wake up the boys
—
Hermione, Blaise, Luna, Ron (Grudgingly), Sirius and Snape were waiting in the corridor as hasty set had been put up in the central atrium of the Ministry of Magic.
"…and in the sprit of honestly and transparency they have submitted their testimonies under veritaserum and have also agreed to a through search and seizure of any all dark artefacts from the Malfoy Manor and other properties. This operation will be lead by Kingsley Shacklebolt and a team of aurors handpicked by him.
The Malfoy's put their own lives at risk and nearly lost their only son to help bring about the fall of Voldemort. They assisted Harry Potter, Dumbledore, The Order of Phoenix and the Ministry in every way. We owe them a debt of gratitude and for that we present Lucius Malfoy II, Narcissa Malfoy and Draco Lucius Malfoy the order of Merlin 1st Class" Cameras went off everywhere as the 3 Malfoy's were given their medals by Harry Potter. As they started to leave the stage, the reporters exploded with questions.
"Thank you all for coming… Since the Malfoy's are still undergoing due process, they will not be available for questions, interviews or comments. We request that they be granted their privacy." Percy said over the yelling and gave the signal to disperse the crowds.
—
There were cheers and hugs as they met with their friends.
"I'm so glad the lawyers helped?" Blaise winked at Draco as they boys broke apart from their hug
"Like you can't even image…" Draco said but was too busy looking at Hermione who was getting a Hug from Narcissa
"Thank you Miss Granger…" Narcissa said in her ear
Hermione was looking at Draco and replied "Thank you…"
As the girl and the woman broke apart they shared look of understanding.
"You have my gratitude and my wand" Lucius said seriously as Sirius and he shook hands formally
"Didn't do it for you…" Sirius said cheekily
—
Andromeda and Narcissa had a tearful reunion. The sisters had stayed up all night talking and sharing their lives thus far. They decided that they would do right by Bella and have her added to the Black Family Crypts.
"Thank you…" Narcissa said to her sister "I know that it must be a hard decision for you to allow that…"
"Her husband never did anything for her… she simply married him to be Voldemort's mistress… She cannot be buried next to that man… no… she should be with the ones who loved her…"
"Mother!" Draco came running out of the fireplace from Sirius's house "Father collapsed, Sirius and Lupin are taking him to St Mungos…"
—
LUCIUS MALFOY ADMITTED TO ST. MUNGOs
The article had a formal statement from Narcissa Malfoy about Lucius undergoing treatment for torture he faced at the hands of Voldemort.
"And she said that she would stay with her brother till every last trace of that vile creature was removed from her home…" Sirius read aloud from one of the prophets inner pages as Narcissa sipped on her tea elegantly.
"Nothing about this place has changed…" She said looking around "… how do you expect to get married unless you redecorate…"
"You were in Azkaban not 2 days ago Cissa…" Sirius commented
Narcissa merely raised an eyebrow at him to ask - so what?
Sirius sighed and said "Woulds like to redecorate the Black Family home Cissa?" His voice dripping with sarcasm
"That would be an amazing project to undertake while I waited for Lucius's health to get better…You sure you wouldn't mind? I'd feel terrible if I threw away something you were sentimental about…" She said equally snarky
Sirius paused for a moment and it looked like the cousins were having a battle of wills. Sirius looked away and Narcissa smiled… she knew she had won.
—
Dumbledore's funeral was a grand one. Everyone showed up for it. Snape, McGonagall and Harry had interred the body into the ground and cast the first dirt. There had been a tearful tribute to him from several friends and students alike.
Later… In the dead of night. Snape, McGonagall, Narcissa, Lucius, Harry, Blaise, Draco and Hermione had hosted a small private ceremony and interred Grindelwald next to his one true love. Just before closing the Casket, Harry placed the folded cloak over Grindelwald's hands that held the Wand and wore the ring.
The Hallows were united at last, and placed in the hands of the one Hallow Hunter who understood that to be master of death meant to willingly face it beyond the veil.
—
After the first week of summer holidays and not being able to get out of their homes. (Even the Weasley home had to put up wards to keep away reporters) Harry, Ron (grudgingly), Draco and Hermione decided they really needed to get as far away as possible from London.
They were sitting playing gobstones as possible locations were discussed.
"We have a summer house in Greece…" Draco said and then whispered to Hermione "or Blaise's home in Italy…" She blushed but he could tell her heart was not in it
"I think…" Harry said slowly "I want to go to Goddrics hollow… to my parents home… " he said
"I think that's a great idea…" Hermione said
"I was also thinking that Tonks's mum could help me fix it up… she was close to them and she has a lot of pictures of that time… besides her house is pretty close too…"
"But it's Godric's hollow!" Ron said "They will be swarming around us if we go there to.." He sounded more hopeful than hopeless.
"Yeah… but, it's something I've wanted for a while…" Harry said "What do you think 'mione?"
"I want to go to Australia…" She said tears forming in her eyes "I just want to go see them once you know…" Draco gathered her as she hid her face in his hands
"I think I'm going to ask Luna to come with me to America… she really wanted to see Thunderbirds… and besides no-one knows us there…" Blaise said trying to diffuse the situation…
"So why don't we all go our separate ways for a bit…" Luna said returning to the room levitating a tray full of pumpkin juice… "We'll be seeing each other again at the beginning of the school year anyway…"
And just like that, it was decided…
See you tomorrow!
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