The Malfoy Trial – What else does the Boy-Who-Lived have in store for us?
In a surprising turn of events, this morning's trial was ended after six hours at the end of which Lucius Malfoy has been sentenced to Life-imprisonment in Azkaban – (which shall not be guarded by Dementors anymore, as Minister of Magic Kingsley Shaklebolt has confirmed- for more information turn to page 6) – while Draco Malfoy has been spared from prison but must report to the aurors every three months, and submit his wand for inspection. Narcissa Malfoy, wife to Lucius Malfoy (Convicted Death Eater) and mother to Draco Malfoy (also a Death Eater, but with very little role in war crimes) has been given a penalty of 30,000 galleons.
While there where many witnesses against them, what surprised the Wizarding world was Harry Potter, Vanquisher-of-The-Dark-Lord's testimony. He testified for Malfoy, and not against, as many thought he would – indeed, Mr. Draco Malfoy himself seemed very surprised.
Mr. Ronald Weasley, well known friend of Harry Potter, seemed to disapprove of it – his scowl said as much , while Miss Hermione Granger seemed concerned – ( possible rift between the Golden Trio? Is Harry Potter and Ron Weasley fighting for Miss Granger's affections? – turn to page 7 to learn more).
''Mr. Draco Malfoy, albeit a Death Eater, looked like his 'heart wasn't into it' '' – says Mr. Potter, while recounting the fateful night when he along with his friends were captured by a group of notorious snatchers led by Scabior and Greyback.
''When Lucius Malfoy urged Draco to identify me, he seemed to avoid my eyes and said 'he wasn't sure' if it was, indeed, me, although the scar was a dead giveaway especially since he used to call me Scarhead in school.'' He says, referring to the famous lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead.
The Jury, consisting of Frederick Bones, Imelda Hackthorn, Rosaline Selwyn and Bilius Hoyden found Mr. Draco Malfoy to be an unwilling participant in the war owing to his father being a Death Eater and his Aunt Bellatrix Lestrange being an ardent follower of the Dark Lord, as well as the fact that the Dark Lord seemed to have taken up residence at the Malfoy manor, and since Mr. Draco Malfoy has never used an unforgivable curse on any one, and neither participated in one of the many war crimes that included but wasn't limited to Muggle Hunting, Muggle Baiting, Muggleborn snatching, he has been let off on a fine.
Mr. Potter further clarified that during the Battle of Hogwarts, Mr. Malfoy was simply rushing about trying to convince wizards on both sides to not harm him, to which Mr. Malfoy vehemently opposed, but in Ron Weasley's words, that mirrored Mr. Potter's – as always – he said –
''The git wasn't even trying to fight, he kept avoiding hexes and told the Death eaters he was on their side, but when the Hogwarts's elves joined the fight with pots and pans he pleaded that he was a student before being clouted by a spatula. ''
- Imelda Hackthorn warned Mr. Weasley to not use inappropriate terms to address the accused in court, and while Mr. Weasley looked confused she clarified he wasn't allowed to address Mr. Malfoy as ' git' , upon which Mr. Weasley whispered – ''but he is one'' and Miss Hackthorn threatened to have him removed from the court room.
Another tantalizing piece of information about Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy came out as soon as the trial started – Mrs. Malfoy had apparently lied to the Dark Lord when asked whether Mr. Potter was alive after being hit by the Killing curse.
Frederick Bones and Rosaline Selwyn asked Mr. Potter thrice to confirm that he indeed had been hit by the killing curse, and not simply stunned. Mr. Potter assured them that he indeed was hit by the Killing Curse, which leads us to a very important question – Is Harry Potter immune to the Killing Curse? It has been twice now that he survived a killing curse, when no other wizard is known to have had survived this particular curse.
Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger did not seemed to be surprised by this piece of information, but the court was in such uproar over this that Imelda Hackthorn had to bang her gavel multiple times to quiet things down, and eventually resorted to using a mass silencing charm, that she forgot to lift while directing questions to Mrs. Malfoy and had to repeat the entire process all over again.
''I was sure that the boy was dead – after all, it is the Killing curse. When I approached his body, miraculously, he was still breathing. Maybe that was the exact moment I changed my alliances – a wizard powerful enough to survive the Dark Lord's killing curse twice was surely not one to be trifled with. I instead focused on getting to my son, Draco, who was still in Hogwarts, and hence lied to the Dark Lord with the intention of getting my son back, safe, from Hogwarts, which was still under siege. ''
While Ron Weasley was heard whispering – ''Absolute load of dung – she doesn't care about alliances – only her precious git of a son- '' upon which he was promptly removed from the court by Imelda Hackthorn, Harry Potter said the war could have had a very different outcome if Mrs. Malfoy hadn't lied to Riddle. (During the entire course of the trial, Mr. Potter repeatedly insisted everyone to call He-who-must-not-be-named as Tom Riddle, which he claims was the birth name of You-know-who before he adopted the self-given title of Lord Voldemort.)
Several people have testified against the Malfoy Family, including Arthur Weasley, who said with absolute conviction that he always knew Lucius Malfoy was never imperiused during the first Wizarding War and did everything of his own volition – Molly Weasley, Augusta Longbottom, Dean Thomas, Luna Lovegood – who were both imprisoned in the Malfoy Manor before being saved by Harry Potter - although Mr. Potter denies saving them, insisting a mere house-elf named Dobby apparated them out – Kingsley Shaklebolt – who was an active Auror on field during both Wizarding wars – Susan Bones, niece of the Late Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement who was brutally murdered last year, as well as several other people.
Why the famous Harry Potter decided to speak in support of the Malfoys is anybody's guess – Miss Romilda Vane, longtime friend of Mr. Potter who attended school with him, says –
''It is clear he was threatened and made to comply against his wishes – clearly Malfoy knows some secret that Harry doesn't want the rest of the world to find out.''
While Pansy Parkinson, daughter of convicted Death Eater Cassius Parkinson is of the opinion that too much hexes and curses had addled his brain to the point that it wasn't functioning properly.
Many people have raised concerns over Harry Potter's erratic behavior as well as his very complicated personal affairs – to read more, continue on to Page 8.
Harry threw the Evening Prophet down on the table, sighing. He turned his attention to Ron, who was raging on about stupid court customs –
''How else am I supposed to talk about Malfoy? Right foul git, that one.''
Hermione couldn't stop snickering – it was highly amusing to her that less than three hours into the trial, Ron had been kicked out from the room after three separate warnings.
Harry carefully approached Mrs. Weasley – she was in a bad mood since the early hours of the day, when she had yelled at him and Ron for sneaking out in the idle of the night. Upon learning they had been to Malfoy Manor, she was furious beyond words could describe.
Harry was embarrassed when she was scolding them for such carelessness, but this was worse – she was upset and had barely spoken three words since the trial. Harry couldn't figure out if it was because of the testimonies he gave on behalf of Malfoy or sneaking off to the Manor.
''Mrs. Weasley?'' He called out, quite nervous.
''Yes, dear?''
''Are you…perhaps upset with…me?''
Mrs. Weasley sighed as she wiped her hands on her apron and turned towards him.
''Harry, it isn't…just that, I wish you would've had told us before testifying for Malfoy instead of against him.''
Harry shuffled his foot. He didn't think his decision was wrong, but he wondered how to explain that to Mrs. Weasley without coming across as rude or ungrateful.
''Well, Ron said the same thing…''
''Harry, you weren't there for the first war. There was no obvious climax as there was with the siege of Hogwarts, but there was a war raging on everybody, wizards changing sides faster than you could blink, families turning on each other, death eaters attacking everywhere – when it was all over, the biggest decision the ministry made was letting death eaters go. Lucius Malfoy got off with a simple fine! Look how that turned out – he has been one of the strongest supporters of V-Voldemort, second only to Bellatrix. Imagine if he were put behind the bars the first time – there would be much less financial support on Voldemort's side, and none of the ministry connections that Lucius provided. ''
She paused, taking a deep breath.
''Don't you feel we just made the same mistake? Another war, another Malfoy got off the hook based on technicalities – the whole family is rotten to the core, Harry! They'd always support muggle-haters, they'd always push the pureblood agenda – if not Voldemort, they'd always find someone vile to support!''
There was a loud bang from George's room, and Mrs. Weasley patted Harry on the shoulder before going up the stairs, already yelling at him. There were copious amounts of purple smoke coming out from beneath the closed door, and George was coughing away inside.
Harry felt a small hand at his shoulder, and turned to look Hermione signaling him to follow her. He did so, curious as she led to the garden and to the shed outside.
''She's upset because of her brothers.'' She said, casting Muffliato.
''What?''
''Gideon and Fabian Prewett. Antonin Dolohov is most widely known for their murder, but Lucius Malfoy was one of the five Death Eaters present there. She was hysterical when the Ministry announced Lucius was free of charges after the first war.''
Harry rubbed his forehead. ''How did you know?''
''Ron heard from Bill, who heard it from Aunt Muriel.''
Harry loitered around the kitchen after dinner, looking for an opportunity to corner Mrs. Weasley as well as Mr. Weasley. He needed to clear a few things up, so even though Ginny was suggestively waggling her eyebrows at him, he laughed and mouthed – 'Later'.
Finally, Percy trudged upstairs, having finished a late dinner, and Harry jumped on the chance.
''Mrs. Weasley – about this evening – I wanted to say something.''
Molly turned around, and looked very confused for a moment. Harry ploughed on nevertheless.
''About the Malfoy trial….well, several things. I was terribly suspicious of Malfoy during the sixth year, and tried to follow him all round the castle – and Moaning Myrtle said he'd been crying in the second floor loo, so I followed him and …well …he was sobbing, really, and it seemed he wasn't at all happy with the whole Death Eater thing. I hated him, of course…but in the Astronomy Tower….he did lower his wand, you know, when Dumbledore said he'd arrange for him and his family to be safe from Riddle – right before Bellatrix arrived and messed it up. I think, for a split second, he did want to get away from the life he'd been leading. Dumbledore himself said it – he said Draco was many things, but he was not a killer. He requested Snape to do the killing, because he didn't want Draco's soul to be damaged. In the Manor – last year – I knew he recognized me, but didn't confirm it at all – he was actually scared of the consequences. Draco Malfoy is a cowardly, arrogant, prejudiced hypocrite – but he isn't a killer! He didn't even Crucio half-bloods, like Crabbe and Goyle did under Carrow's encouragement – Ginny said he was simply content to act like he owned the place because he had the Dark Mark. Lucius Malfoy is absolute vermin, but Draco….is suffering enough.''
Harry was breathing heavily, feeling more than a little nervous. He hadn't given a speech this long since his tutoring sessions in DA, and wasn't sure if he did a good job explaining. He was aware of Ron and Hermione behind him, and Arthur sitting at the table.
Molly sniffed a bit.
''I…see. I never knew Dumbledore – then again, he trusted everyone, mind you – even Snape – yes I know he was ultimately on our side….well, if you say so.''
Harry continued to look at her imploringly, as if begging her to understand, and Molly found herself melting infront of those honest emerald eyes.
''Oh, dear. It's alright really, I wasn't terribly upset or anything, besides, we do trust your judgment, you know. You did manage to figure out those Horcruxes and all – ''
''No no – it was all Hermione and Ron, really, I just messed around with the Hallows a bit – ''
''- We all know you wouldn't make wrong decisions, Harry – ''
Harry opened his mouth to protest, but Mrs. Weasley simply laughed and patted him on his head affectionately – she had to reach up to do that, Harry was quite a bit taller than her.
Harry felt a rush of relief. He had had very little dinner in anticipation of this stressful conversation.
Now on to the next business.
''Mr. Weasley…do you have a bit of time?''
Arthur straightened up a bit, and waved his arm as if to say he had all the time in the world. Harry dearly wished Ron would bugger off – he would simply make things much more complicated. With a sigh, he pulled a chair and sat down infront of the two people who were the closest thing he had to a parent.
''Do you consider me your family?''
Arthur, poor man, choked on his glass of water, while the knitting yarn fell from Molly's hand and rolled away under the counter.
''What the bloody hell kind of a question is that?'' Ron demanded, even as Hermione tried to shush him.
''Harry, dear! Of course – why would you doubt that?'' Molly said, distressed, as she tried to reach for his hand, as if to reassure him.
''Like a real son?''
Arthur, finally having stopped coughing, looked up.
''Harry, we'd put you on our family register if you would ask – we contemplated doing that after second year just to have you live with us and never go back to...err … your aunt.''
''No pretensions between us, yeah?'' Harry kept pushing.
''Of course, dear boy! You have always been family!'' Molly had stood up now, and was attempting to reach across the table to probably hug Harry – she could've just walked around the table to do so, but the thought didn't seem to occur to her.
''I tell you, he's not quite been right since that fall from the window in Godric's Hollow – '' Ron swore.
''This should be fine then.'' Harry smirked, looking supremely smug as he pulled out the form he had been hiding under the table.
Merging of the Secondary Potter Vault with the Weasley vault
This is to certify that Mr. Harry James Potter has requested the merging of the above mentioned vaults into one, suggested name being the Potter- Weasley Joint Vault. As of 11th June, 1998, the contents of the vaults shall be treated as one and can be withdrawn with both the Weasley key as well as the Potter key, until a new common Potter-Weasley key is issued by the Gringotts Head Council.
There was a little space on the bottom where Harry had already signed his own name with great flourish, and was now waiting for Arthur to sign it with baited breath.
''Now hold on a minute- '' Arthur protested, looking very agitated.
''But you said I am family!''
''But that's – ''
''You said you'd put me on your family register if I asked you to! How about you sign here instead?''
''Oi! No – it's your gold, Harry – '' Ron exclaimed, trying to read the paper from the opposite side of the table.
''- Shut up Ron, why don't you go upstairs and let the elders talk – '' Harry shooed him, and was promptly smacked across his head by an indignant Ron.
''Right – both of you, silence!'' Molly said, hands on her hip, and looking very threatening despite the flowery apron she wore.
''Harry, we don't – we can't possibly take your gold!'' she said, looking distressed again as she addressed him.
''But it's not even mine – half of it is Sirius's!''
''Well, he left it to you- ''
''Because he thought of me as family – '' Harry stressed again.
''Harry, this – this is a big deal – '' Arthur tried again, even though he could see that glint in Harry's eyes that he saw last year, when he was planning to go on the run instead of attending Hogwarts – the glint that meant Harry was going to get his way.
''Please, Mr. Weasley. It's not charity, or weighing the kindness I've received against gold – this is nothing but gratitude. This is me sharing with m-my family – the only one I've had, since I was eleven. This is me daring to offer something that I'd never talk about with other people. This is me being comfortable enough with you to offer this. Please don't say no.''
Ron, as if feeling the sincerity of his request, stopped trying to wrestle the form away from Harry's hand, while Molly teared up, unused to Harry speaking his mind and being all emotional.
''Knew something was up when you started pestering us with all those silly questions.'' Arthur sighed, looking around for a quill to sign it with, and when Harry immediately produced one from his other hand, already inked up and ready to go, he shook his head with a kind of fond exasperation.
Harry could feel his smile stretching from ear to ear as Mr. Weasley signed it, and ticked the agreement on the next page. He knew it was the right thing to do, and gave a covert thumbs-up to Hermione, who had suggested the emotional-blackmail-approach in the first place.
She grinned back at him, and extended her hand for a high five, which Ron noticed and huffed.
''Never thought you'd stab me in the back, Granger.'' He muttered darkly, as Harry and Hermione laughed.
