A Bill's Bill
Chapter 5: Products of War
Everything is owned by JK Rowling, all I own is the plot. Enjoy this almost 10K monster! - C
Ministry Interrogation Room, 8:00 PM
"I will say nothing until I have seen and spoken to my wife as well as my legal representation." Lucius Malfoy replied in a bored even voice that did not portray his fear nor his worry for his family.
"Mr. Malfoy as a former Death Eater you must see how this looks..." The Auror in front of him had spent the better half of the last hour trying to get him to admit to buying testimonies to get himself out of Azkaban. Ironically, in this War, he had not had to buy any testimonies for his families freedom. His wife and son had been hailed heroes by the Golden Trio and most of their Order of the Pheonix. After some very heavy fines and a deep and thorough investigation of the Manor, they were each given magical probation. The Wizengamot had been kind and they had been ridiculously lucky.
The Auror had previously claimed that he was in 'cahoots' with the Weasley's of all people. He had made that comment once and only once. His look must have been enough to silence the Auror. He did not welcome reminders of the life he threw away with Molly. He was reminded of it in his every waking moment. The Dark Lord would never have accepted his pledge of allegiance if he had married a known blood traitor more so, she would never have let him go within a foot of the Dark Lord.
Now the ill-dressed Wizard was back to droning on about a lighter sentence if he would reveal his 'inside man.' They were being dodgy about the specifics of what he was being tried for. He was able to glean that the Wizengamot was trying to reverse their decision. He wasn't surprised. It had been something he and his army of well-paid solicitors had been prepared for. The reminder that his legal counsel was absent just annoyed him further but he kept his expressions passive not wanting to give the cretin anything to go on.
At his continued blank stare, the Auror finally grew frustrated and stormed out of the room. They were running out of time before they would legally be at fault for not calling his legal representative and they knew that. They had already tried taunting him with his son and his wife being tossed into cells. They tried making gruesome suggestions of what prison would be like for his soft-spoken wife and the mental deterioration Draco would suffer in Azkaban due to his young age.
Though it was admittedly, a struggle he had remained silent and passive the entire time. They didn't know what having the Dark Lord living in your home did to your family. They didn't know what it was like to have people tortured and killed during dinner on your table that you celebrated every family occasion on. They had never had to get used to the constant screams coming from the cells that had been long forgotten about under Malfoy Manor.
His dear wife Narcissa had stopped being delicate or soft-spoken from the moment the Dark Lord returned and their lives were constant peril. Draco had stopped being a child the day he failed at the Department of Mysteries. He was branded an adult and forced into a mad crusade that Lucius's own father had drafted him into. His son was a stronger man then he would ever be and he thanked Merlin for that daily.
Cissy was a Malfoy, but first a Black. She was strong as she was beautiful. She was the real spine holding his entire family together and they all knew it. She was kind enough that she never flaunted it or mentioned it. How he was ever lucky enough to deserve her he didn't know. He was immediately lost in memories of quiet days together sitting and reading or taking a simple stroll. Happy memories.
They were all marred and turning to char as he recalled her parting words to Draco earlier this evening. "Send your brother our love" As hard as he tried to block them out, Cissy's words were still ringing in his ears. His mind was vehemently trying to deny the truth that had been thrust upon him. A brother. Cissy had sired another son and not of his blood. If it had been of his blood the child would have shown up on the families tapestries and lineage books, a vault would have been created for them... all of these were things that were triggered by a child of Pureblood descents birth. The fact that Lucius was not aware of the child, meant that this child was not only not his but also not of Pureblood. His wife sired a half-blood
His stomach convulsed and his mind rioted as he felt his revulsion for the secret child of his wife's. He hypothesized who the father could be. She had certainly never shown interest in any other wizards, Pureblood or not. Who could be so horrifying that she would conceal a child from him? Surely she wouldn't have sullied herself to have a child with a muggle. The thought made him want to throw up and had he any food in his system he might have. One thought was shouting through his mind like a siren; Having a child with a muggle contains an actual possibility to fool registries.
He sat in silence as he replayed their entire marriage looking for a sign of her infidelity. He went through every function she worked on, how she was out of the house all day and rushed back for supper with them. He recalled the occasional function where she missed dinner. Was she even helping plan functions or was it all a ruse? He buried himself in memories of every late night every time she turned him down in the bedroom because she was too tired. Had she been too tired because she had come from another man's bed?
He begged his mind not to find some proof some sign that she had been unfaithful. Something he had overlooked, something he had missed. An unfamiliar scent, outfit, or even a disappearance. He sighed inwardly knowing there would not be one. This child would have been older than Draco. He would have been from before their marriage. All Malfoy unions had triggers for infidelity that were not based on the male counterpart but solely on the woman. It tracked every time the woman was pleasured down to the minute, so there was no confusion on a wife's fidelity. It was considered barbaric and an invasion of privacy but it was why Malfoy's had the least marital separations and bastards.
A standard Pureblood marital contract insisted on the Witch being a virgin the night of their wedding. Lucius was not required to be virginal but she was. His father had not been happy about this addendum because their solicitor warned them it had recently been discovered that it would not be tamper-proof unless both parties consented to the same clause. When his father had simply insisted that his son was a virgin and he could input the clause the Solicitor had given his father the shock of his life. It had been the first time he had ever experienced the cruciatous curse. His father had been furious, he spent days coughing up blood in the safe warm arms of Molly. His father would not be deterred, he had a dual fidelity clause forced into place for after the marriage so he wouldn't go back to whatever 'whore' he had been with and his wife could not stray.
Not even the Dark Lord could counteract those, not for the lack of trying. He had heard rumors that towards the end of the war he was attempting to have an heir with the wife of one of his loyal servants. He wanted the child, his heir to be a secret even from the father. He had spent many months trying and failing to discover a way to undermine the marriage bonds. While he had been so focused on the bonds, Harry Potter had been destroying him one soul fragment at a time. They had been lucky.
The morning before the last stand at Hogwarts the Dark Lord had inquired about Cissy's health. It had terrified him into begging Severus for aide. Severus had calmed him down and said he would look into a safe house for Cissy as well as a plan to hide her. He instructed him to go home and strengthen his Occlumency shields. The two had promised to meet again the next night. He was dead before their appointment as was the Dark Lord.
Even without the Fidelity Runes deep down he would never have believed her to have been unfaithful to him. She never left his side, even when he was shunned and sentenced to Azkaban. He solidified his belief that the child must be from before their union. He thought back to when he had eavesdropped on her in her room before their wedding. Bella had been ranting and raving about him not finding out about something. He thought it had been her fear of their marriage, but maybe it was this child.
He smoothed his hair down his back. His face was still an impassive mask. He knew that there were Aurors standing outside the room looking in. If he showed any signs of cracking they would never let him see Cissy or Draco.
He sat silently, his hands folded into his lap waiting. Their time was running out and they knew it. They had confiscated his wand when they had been arrested in Cissy's tea room. They had been shackled and immediately separated so they could not speak to each other. All of the House Elves had fled to Merlin's knows where so they could not be questioned. He continued to stare at his fingers contemplating his wife when Head Auror Proudfoot walked into the room.
"Mr. Malfoy. Good Evening, sir." He nodded at the man trying to keep his distaste to a minimum. The tall sandy-haired Auror stood behind the chair opposite him, leaning on it appreciatively.
"Is there a reason I am here Mr. Proudfoot? I was unaware that the Ministry made a habit of tearing people out of their homes prior to family dinners. You must not have much to do these days." He paused and moved his hands to rest on the table.
"Though, I do believe Fenrir Greyback was never caught and is still on the loose in the countryside. One would think your Auror's would be thoroughly entertained by him that you would not need to barge into my home, terrifying my staff and arresting my family." He sneered.
"Not terrifying your family?" The Auror responded calmly still hovering by the chair.
"We endured a war, Mr. Proudfoot." He responded simply. Mr. Proudfoot sat down across from him waving his wand to unshackle him. He rubbed his wrists. There had been no need to shackle him to the table. He was wandless and had not put up any fight since he had been arrested.
"You'll be relieved to hear we cannot locate your son, Mr. Malfoy. That was a nifty trick you had there. That Portkey was made by Albus Dumbledore himself." He knew his face showed some relief and confusion to the admission. He said nothing trying and hopefully not failing to keep his concern for his family to himself. What had Cissy gotten them into?
"Hmm... Mr. Malfoy let's be frank with each other. I honestly don't think you know what's going on and if I'm being honest I don't think anyone here does either." He raised an eyebrow at the tired looking Auror. He said nothing as the Head Auror stood up and began pacing the room.
"I lost everyone I loved in that war. My family, friends, and the woman I loved. I only stayed on as the Head Auror because of Kingsley... I mean Head Minister Shackelbolt literally had no one else. We didn't know who we could trust, we still don't, and there were no new recruits because of the War. Mr. Malfoy, I am here to weed out the corruption and deceit. To rid the DMLE and the Ministry of corruption, nepotism, and blood prejudice. Most importantly though, to rebuild it. I don't think it's a job for me though, I think the Ministry needs new blood, younger blood. Like the Granger girl or the Potter boy." He stood silently staring off at something Lucius could not see. He could see a world of hurt in the man's eyes. This man was broken, the war had broken Proudfoot like it almost broken him.
"What do you want?"
"My wife back." He said simply. "She was pregnant and we were trying to set a date. Voldemort sent your sister-in-law and several others to my house. I was told that Bellatrix Lestrange crucioed her until our daughter died and then Greyback was set on my wife. I was here at the Ministry, the whole time trying to get information for the Order. It was the cost I paid for my service to all of Wizardkind."
"My condolences," Lucius whispered. He knew firsthand the horrors of his demented sister in law and Greyback.
"Voldemort. I blame Voldemort Lucius, not you." He ran his hands through his hair and sat down again. The man had more lines than he did and he was easily half his age. It was the price of war.
"Lucius, I won't lie to you because there is no point. There was an incident this morning. Your name was implicated and by extension your families. The public is still shaken by the war and any sign of Voldemort is taken entirely out of propulsion. You have the support of myself and the Minister in this matter but the Wizengamot is requesting a re-trial for your war crimes."
"Why would the Wizengamot request a re-trial?"
"This incident this morning involved a patient in Saint Mungos. The impression that was given was that you attained your testimony from the golden trio and the Order. A reporter was in the next room caring for her sister and overheard everything. The prophet made headlines that night. The public is calling for blood." Lucius felt the blood drain from his face. There it was, their ticket to Azkaban. He knew it had been too easy. They had gotten off to easy after the war had ended. He was always nervous, the fear of retribution was always hanging over his head and over his families heads.
"Skeeter?" He asked. He was aware that his voice was shaking.
"Yes and no. It was a junior writer for the Prophet. Skeeter took her notes and rewrote the article."
"Can I see it?"
"What?"
"The article as well as the notes?" Mr. Proudfoot sighed. "The public believes that your lawyers aided you in your deceit with the Order of the Pheonix. All of you lawyers are being detained and questioned. You need new counsel but based on your popularity right now..."
"It will be hard pressed to find me proper representation." He finished.
"Not necessarily. You aren't going to like this Mr. Malfoy but I ask that you put aside your Pureblood prejudice and-"
"It's Granger isn't it?" The manners he was ingrained with made him flinch at interrupting someone mid-speech but he knew it was her. It was always the annoying swot. Always trying to save the world.
"Yes, sir." He rubbed his temples as he felt a migraine come on. Mr. Proudfoot muttered a spell for his headache and summoned tea and biscuits for him. He thanked him and took a sip of the abysmal tea.
"And if I decline her representation?" He asked after some thought. It wasn't as if he had anything better but still, he had values.
"Mrs. Andromeda Tonks has offered to represent you but Miss. Granger is your best bet. People listen to her and she is quite literally a walking library." He smirked over his teacup. This much he knew from Draco and his position on the Board of Trustees at Hogwarts. She had personally broken nearly every Hogwarts record and reset the schooling standard for the decade.
"You didn't answer my question about the notes and you are being consistently vague."
"Minister Shackelbolt is currently debriefing your wife and then she is going to come in here and speak to you. She asked that she speak to you before anyone else did. It is a decision myself as well as the Head Minister respect. She would have been in earlier but she was visibly distraught and the Minister insisted she would be seen by a Healer after she ate something. We happened to have a Healer in one of our cells who was released but stayed to attend to the patient from Saint Mungos." He breathed a sigh of relief. Despite being hurt by her deceit he was still worried for her and he still loved her. Even after all of this, he would still go to Azkaban for her.
"You tossed a patient from Saint Mungos in a cell?" He asked incredulously. Proudfoot rubbed his eyes.
"Half of the East ward in Saint Mungos was blown up and several rooms and hallways are destroyed beyond repair. Mind you, most of the damage was done by the DMLE but still." He snorted despite himself.
"You have had an exciting day." Proudfoot rolled his eyes.
"Tell me about it." He looked up at the door. "That would be them."
He stood up as his wife came through the door her arm on Hermione Granger's arm. The young woman looked worse for wear and was sporting a nasty cut that was in the middle of healing across her left cheek. She guided Cissy into a conjured chair next to him. He helped her sit and placed his hands in hers. She refused to meet his eyes. Proudfoot nodded at him as Granger shuffled her papers on the table.
"Mr. Proudfoot." She barked. Proudfoot visibly recoiled.
"Yes, Ms. Granger."
"A Wizard's oath of privacy if you please for my client as well as myself." He sighed in relief and inched towards the door.
"You have my Wizards oath that it will be a private conversation. It will not be recorded or observed by the Ministry, it's affiliates or reporters. Have a good evening Ms. Granger." She scoffed at him as the door closed behind him.
"Mr. Malfoy, my name is Hermione Granger and I will represent you in a Court hearing tomorrow morning. I apologize for my tardiness, I was compiling evidence and having charges dropped. As of now, all charges of fraud have been dropped against your wife and your son, Draco."
"Thank you. What are the charges?" Hermione looked at his wife nervously.
"As soon as I leave your privacy will expire. I am going to take my stuff to the corner and work. I will cast a silencing spell so the two of you can talk." She gathered all of her papers and conjured a desk that she sat at with her back to them. As she was about to cast the silencing spell she gasped and started rummaging around in a hideous looking purple beaded bag. She pulled out several parcels that contained what smelled like delicious food. She walked over and sheepishly put it down on the table. She opened the containers for them and placed serving utensils down on the table.
"She didn't want to eat." She muttered before she turned around and rushed back to her table casting several silencing spells on herself.
He cast a quick glance over the food, they were being held in odd black oblong bowls that had a flimsy yet hard texture to them. They had sealed clear covers with an insignia on them. This must be taken away he marveled. He poked at it oddly.
He turned to his wife and gripped her hand.
"How bad is it, dear?" He asked calmly. He noted that she was starting to shake.
"Bad." She whispered.
"Okay." He responded calmly. He pulled the bowl containing a thick and creamy soup towards them.
"Soup, dear?" She looked up at him with eyes filled with tears.
"Lucy?"
"Yes, dear." He replied calmly. He was pretty sure this illegitimate child was going to have a mountain of paperwork involved but it was not his child and therefore not his place to make any serious decisions. The child was an adult and didn't need raising, but if it needed financial support he would be only an owl away. That he could do.
What frightened him was if Cissy would want to have the child over for dinners or Merlin forbid the child moves into the manor. He knew what he would do, he would swallow his pride and aide his wife. Just looking into her eyes he knew he would never be able to deny her anything. He loved her and Draco. They were the reasons he got out of bed in the morning every day.
"You..."
"My love, is Draco safe?"
"Yes."
"Then let's eat, whatever it is can wait. I honestly have never had take-away and I am intrigued by the experience." She burst into laughter with tears streaming down her face. He gathered his wife into a warm hug.
"I love you, Cissy." He murmured. "You do need to eat though."
She laughed and took the spoon he handed her. The two began to eat the soup, it was amazing.
"I'll confess, take-away is delicious." He said to his wife who was eating Chicken Marsala and rice. She smiled tightly at his confession.
"Don't tell Pip. She'll cry for days." He snorted. Cissy's head raised at Granger's crouched over form. "Do you think we should offer her something?"
Lucius shrugged knowing his wife was going to offer. She stood silently and placed little bits of everything into one container. Her eyebrows were tight concentrating on the task in front of her. He almost laughed at his sweet wife.
During his trial, he had been questioned about a dementor attack that had happened upon him after the Dark Lord fell. The entire Wizengamot was shocked that a Death Eater was able to conjure a Patronus. He had merely shrugged at their ridiculous questions and subjected himself to countless questions at the Ministry as to why he had been one of the first Death Eater's to be able to successfully conjure a Patronus. They had unabashedly claimed that Death Eater's souls were so dark and damaged that they could not conjure one.
He had known the darkness that the Dark Lord would inflict on his follower's souls. Early on Cissy had insisted that they do a Magic Ritual to have their souls intertwined. It was old magic that was illegal and dangerous but she had been so terrified for him when he was recruited that this was the only way to pacify her. Now, he loved that he could claim his heart and soul were in her hands.
She was walking over to Granger who was still writing in her notes. She gently tapped her shoulder causing Granger to jump with her wand pointed in his wife's face. When she saw who it was she stowed her wand and removed the sound barriers. To her credit, she hadn't shrieked and had erected several protective wards around her before she had even had a chance to turn around. Lucius was impressed.
"Mrs. Malfoy is there anything I can do for you?" She asked.
"Oh, I was wondering if you were hungry." She handed her the plate. Granger thanked her profusely and set the plate down.
"How's it going?" She asked as she stood and stretched in front of her desk. Cissy walked back to his side and sat down next to him.
"We're enjoying the peace and quiet before the storm that is about to envelop my family." He said whilst placing a hand on Cissy's frail one.
"I am so sorry Mr. Malfoy. The Ministry is one hundred percent in the wrong. I'm having over fifty Auror's reprimanded as well as over seventy-five Ministry Employees. The notices are going out within the hour. I'm afraid it will get a lot louder before it gets calm. Wizardkind are frightened and prejudiced since the War."
"In my experience, I tend to find that people do imbecilic things when they are frightened and prejudiced." He didn't want to acknowledge her but she was doing a lot for his family. She blushed and he felt a slight pressure on his leg from Cissy who had just retaken her seat. Granger nodded her head and turned towards her desk.
"Oh, Miss. Granger?"
"Yes?"
"Which restaurant did you order this food from? It's marvelous." She visibly reddened.
"I made it. It's my mom's recipe. I've been trying out a bunch of their favorite foods in hopes to get them to remember me. I obliviated them in the War. It's a work in progress. Some days are better than others. Sorry. I need to work. Mr. Malfoy. Mrs. Malfoy." She mumbled. Neither Malfoy understood exactly what she was talking about as she quickly shuffled back to her desk. After studiously erecting her silencing charms she continued to work.
Cissy raised an eyebrow at him, he returned her look with a shrug. Gryffindor's were odd. She was stacking the containers methodically her hands shaking with nerves.
"Cissy?" He asked startling her into dropping a container lid.
"Yes, dear?"
"Do you remember the day Draco was born?" She scoffed.
"Remember? He weighed eight and a half pounds! You'll forget first, trust me, dear." He laughed. It had been a long and scary day with a long labor and delivery. He wondered who had been there for her during her first labor and delivery. He could ask but he didn't.
"The MediWitches kept throwing me out." She smiled at him.
"They would not have had to if you hadn't hexed them." She swatted his shoulder playfully.
"My wife was in pain!" He replied indignantly.
"Giving birth is not a picnic."
"No, it was not." They settled in a comfortable silence each lost in their memories of that long and yet wonderful day.
"Are you ready Cissa?" He asked gently. He could visibly see her tensing. They had dragged this out to long.
"No." She whispered. "But it has to be done. I had prayed you wouldn't find out. It was selfish but..." She trailed off staring at Grangers hunched over back the top of her quill bobbing above her mountain of hair.
"I wish I could ask you to promise you will still love me but I know I don't have the right." She whispered.
"I will always love you, Cissy, no matter what. You have my heart and soul, remember?" She shook her head sadly and pulled away from him.
"I didn't always Lucius." His back straightened at her formal use of his full name.
"I will always love you, Cissy. Stop worrying so much." He said forcefully.
"You may not after this. But I want you to know, I was young and foolish and I didn't know better. Or maybe I did. I don't know. I was young and in love and I can't take back what happened but if I could-"
"Cissy, for the love of Merlin. Spit it out." She reached a hand into her robes and pulled out a letter.
"There is a letter I wrote for Draco, he has it in his possession now and has already read it. This is a copy. He has the original. I thought you should know what I wrote to him, it's the easiest way to explain... explain what's going on."
She opened the letter and handed it to him. He opened it slowly and began to read and read.
Then he re-read and re-read the letter trying to make sense of the grouping of letters that made up words in front of him.
A shuffling noise from behind Lucius brought his consciousness back and instantly he was able to understand the contents of the letter. The ramifications making the very blood in his veins body freeze. He was suddenly aware of every ounce of blood pumping through his body. He was aware of each hard nail sitting on its soft finger tipped bed. He was aware of how his stomach dropped and his forehead was beaded with sweat. He could see that Narcissa's lips still moving but he could hear no words coming out of her mouth. The only noise he could hear was a short buzzing sound.
Lucius slammed his fists on the table and rose so quickly his chair knocked to the floor behind him. His wife was speaking through her tear stained cheeks, but still, he could not hear her. He felt his body's basic functions evade him as one earth-shattering and heartbreaking thought stampeded its way through his jumbled mind.
Molly.
He and Molly.
He and Molly had a son.
Prewitts' Cottage, Monday 3:00 AM
The two brothers entered the living room to find Ginny sitting huddled up on the sofa next to the fire. Draco hadn't remembered what she had looked like and was surprised to find that the rumored girlfriend of the Boy Who Kept on Living was actually very pretty. She was wearing nothing but a Gryffindor quidditch jersey that said Prewitt on the back. She was small enough that it reached her thighs, but still, it was incredibly short. Bill rushed over as she was making to stand up.
"Gin, don't stress yourself. You need to rest. You got splinched. Mum-"
"I know. I got the rundown from Fleur. Always have to be the attention hogger, don't you big bro?" She smirked at him trying to make her older crestfallen brother smile. Draco suddenly felt like he was intruding on something very private. As he backed away he painfully realized Bill was going to have to do go through this with each sibling. He was going to have to fight for his place in the family he wanted and avoid the one he didn't accept him.
"Ginny. I don't know if Fleur told you about Dad and Mum and they're-" His voice broke several times and this time Ginny did make it off of the sofa.
"You stupid man-brother-wizard-person." She hit him with each word. "You're my big brother whether you like it or not, no blood spell is going to change that. Dad is your dad and Mum is your mum. And as much as I want to rid the world of Perce sometimes, we're all family. A family that's going to get bigger soon anyway..."
Bill's face changed from shades of white and then red really quickly. Draco stepped forward in case he needed to intervene or catch Bill when he passed out, whichever came first.
"You're pregnant? I don't care if he saved all of wizardkind. I'm going to kill that slimy son of a-" She laughed lightly holding onto her sides.
"No, you idiot. George." At both of their incredulous looks, she laughed harder.
"He's not pregnant! No ones pregnant! Stop with the pregnant mania, people! I do think he's going to ask Angelina though." She grew serious instantly at her brother's nonsensical expression. "He went to... he went to Fred's on Friday. Spent hours there with a bottle of firewhiskey and a little black box in his hands."
Bill looked at his little sister skeptically.
"And you know this because...? I don't trust anything that comes out of Ron's mouth. He exaggerates everything. Like when he got a hangnail and he was convinced they were going chop off his hand or like when he kissed Mione and told everyone they were getting married. Not sure who hexed him worse that time." Even Draco laughed at that. Ginny smiled at him as if she had just noticed he was there.
"Oh, hi Draco." She waved at Draco and he responded by waving cooly back. "And in answer your question Bill, he asked me to pick him up because he was too pissed to apparate home. He was holding that box like it was that bloody map of his he was so attached to when we were at Hogwarts."
Bill was smiling from ear to ear.
"Well, I'll be darned. I thought Angelina was going to have to ask him." Ginny snorted before gently sitting down again.
"No really, Charlie and I took bets on how long it would take her and if she would get down on one knee. I mean I didn't make any bets, especially if Fleur asks." Ginny laughed again.
Quite quickly their conversation took a natural detour about the cottage, the alcohol, and the apparently comfy beds that Bill and Fleur weren't making use of. All the while Bill fussed around her like a mother hen, insisting that she eat and checking on her wounds. When Bill lifted her shirt Draco blanched. The wounds were ghastly. It looked like a hippogriff clawed out chunks of her skin. As Bill gently let her jersey drop Draco noticed that she had a six pack. Another Auror for the Weasley family he thought, were they planning on taking over the Ministry or something?
"Hey Bill, no offense but you look like crap. Go get some sleep. I'll watch over Draco make sure he doesn't knick anything." She winked at him. Bill sighed and checked with him that he was okay before he shuffled off to his room with his family. Draco passed Ginny another sandwich and refilled her tea. He sat silently while she ate.
"Can I ask you something?" He started, she looked up nodding, "Why did Fleur not finish her Medi Witch schooling?" Ginny sighed shifting her body on the sofa.
"They don't like to admit it but, it's because you need a sponsor. MediWitch training is expensive and Bill and Fleur don't have the money for it." He wasn't surprised. He had figured that was the reason. He made a mental note to take care of an anonymous sponsorship when he got out of here. Fleur was obviously gifted and it was a career she could do a few hours a week or even work from home so she could spend time with Victoire.
"Originally her father was going to be her sponsor but then he lost a lot of business because of the War and he couldn't afford it. I don't remember exactly what he does but it has something to do with trade from England to France. Once the war started France closed its borders in an attempt to keep Voldemort out. Obviously, it didn't work but it was pretty damaging to the Delacours." He nodded intrigued by her answer. He knew many markets had taken a sharp decline because of the war in England. Draco's mother had even anonymously funded a campaign to feed Witches and Wizards that had fallen on hard times because of the war. As a general rule Witches and Wizards did not want to take what they called 'pity money' from the Malfoy's. It was a lesson they had learned directly after the war. All of their contributions were anonymous, as were their heavy monetary presence in almost every gala or auction. He only knew about the Charity to feed people because Astoria volunteered there twice a week.
"You know, Harry offered to sponsor them but they won't do it unless they can pay him back... and well that didn't go over well with Harry. He likes to save everyone, feed everyone, you know..."
"Not really, we weren't exactly mates in school."
"Oh, well the Dursleys. The family that took him in after his parents died used neglect him. They wouldn't feed him and made him live in a cupboard under the stairs." Draco couldn't hold back his appalled gasp.
"Why would the Ministry leave him there? Surely he was being checked in on?"
"Dumbledore said because they were blood relatives Voldemort couldn't get to him." She paused. "Harry's a better man for it." She smiled when she said the Boy Wonder's name.
"Are you two... you know?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"Yes, you gossip. I think Harry wants to marry already but I think Dad will murder him if he does it during Quidditch season."
"Disrupting their viewing schedule?" He laughed. He hadn't had time to watch too much Quidditch since the war had ended. He had gone back to Hogwarts for his final year and then had kept a low profile. The only times he went out in public was with Astoria or Blaise. Blaise usually just wanted to drink and they went to Knockturn for that. Astoria hated attention and spotlights. They usually went to a neighboring country or a Muggle establishment. It was something he knew would enrage his father but he didn't need any more press on him or his family.
"Draco, I play starting for the Holyhead Harpies." She said seriously.
"No... Really?" She nodded enthusiastically.
"So that's why Potter's dating you. He gets to date a Quidditch star. Points to Potter"
"Yup, that's me. I'm a natural star. That and we get free tickets whenever the family wants them. Since I joined the team they put a limit to ten members per family since the Weasleys are not the smallest bunch." Draco laughed imagining the Manager's face when he realized how many Weasley's there were.
"No, you're not." He replied chuckling. Ginny sat up and put an arm on Draco's shoulder to steady herself. She leaned up and looked him in the eyes her soft brown eyes turning dark.
"Of all of us, you're lucky you got Bill. He's the most forgiving and kind."
"Who's the least?" He joked.
"Me." She smiled at him and then continued speaking with the same light smile on her face. "I'm also the most terrifying and deadly in a duel Draco. Remember that if you think of ever trying to hurt my family."
"You're a terrifying little red head." He decided after a few moments.
"Why, thank you, Draco. Don't worry we're all friends here... and if we're not I'm friends with Astoria. I have more than enough to threaten you with." Ginny smiled as his eyes widened.
"How?" He spluttered.
"Daphne designs our uniforms. Male designed Quidditch uniforms are not practical for Women. Too loose at the crotch and too tight in the chest if you get my meaning. Astoria helps her with measurements and stuff. She talks about you non stop. Well, Daphne makes her stop but you know she wouldn't stop if she didn't have to-" He felt his cheeks redden.
"She's a sweet girl and she really likes you. Don't mess it up."
"Not on my life." He swore. The tension in the room began to dissipate as quickly as it came. Ginny peeked over at the hallway to make sure the bedroom doors were closed before she smirked and leaned over conspiratorially.
"So..." She continued. "Did you hear them going at it?" She smirked. Draco couldn't help himself as they both burst out laughing.
"I swear. It was impressive."
"Right?" Ginny guffawed. "I can't wait till Harry hears. He's never going to let Bill forget it. At least Victoire didn't walk in. That tot has walked in on most of the family."
"Really?"
"When I say everybody, I mean everybody. At this rate, she is not going to need those special classes in third year." They both erupted into giggles. "Is it true Professor Snape gave those classes?"
He nodded. "It's even more awkward than whatever you are imagining."
They were in the middle of impersonating his godfather giving the sex talk when they were interrupted by a sharp crack as Pip appeared in the living room. He was clutching a letter with the Minister's seal on it. Ginny drew her wand but faltered as she saw Draco not draw his own wand.
"Draco. Do you know him?"
"Yes. This is Pip, he's my house elf." He turned to Pip.
"Pip what is it? What's wrong?"
Pip held out the letter for him to take. He vaguely heard doors slamming open and shut behind him as he took the parchment from Pip. He could feel Ginny's labored breath on his shoulder as he looked at the envelope that was addressed to Mr. Bill Weasley and Mr. Draco Malfoy. With shaking fingers he turned it over, he dropped it and bent down to pick it up. Ginny put a hand on his shoulder.
"Breathe Draco. You're one of us and we protect our own." Millions of thoughts swirled around his head and none of which were about his own safety. His mother, his father, and Astoria's safety terrified him. Maybe the sorting hat was right. He was more suited to Ravenclaw and Gryffindor than he was to Slytherin.
"It's okay, Draco. We're in this together." Bill bent down to pick the envelope up. Fleur was standing behind him.
"Together?" Draco nodded not trusting himself to speak, taking some small comfort from Ginny's hand on his shoulder and Pip's strong presence at his side. Bill opened the letter and Ginny read aloud for everyone to hear.
To Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Weasley,
At around 11:30 AM Sunday morning a fight erupted in Saint Mungos between my Aurors and several healers, other Aurors, and the Weasley family. According to multiple eyewitnesses at the scene, Mrs. Weasley suffered from temporary amnesia sending her mind back to the year 1970. According to multiple Aurors and Healers at the scene in question Mrs. Weasley confessed to siring her eldest son, William 'Bill' Arthur Weasley with Mr. Lucius Malfoy, a known acquitted Death Eater of Voldemort.
During the war not only did the Malfoy Manor (home to the Malfoy family since the early fourteenth century) host Voldemort himself in their home, all Death Eater activities including but not limited to revels, imprisonment, interrogations, tortures, and murders were done in their home. It is no secret that Mr. Malfoy and his family relied heavily on the testimonies (see attached) of Mr. Potter the girlfriend of Ms. Ginevra Weasley, Ms. Granger the girlfriend of Mr. Ronald Weasley, Mr. Ronald Weasley, as well as many other members of the Weasley family to have, he and his family acquitted of their War crimes and given magical probation rather than life sentences in Azkaban.
The esteemed Wizengamot felt at the time that after multiple pensieve and testimonies under the influence of Veritaserum that the Malfoy family was, in fact, being held hostage in their home and most charges were dropped. Some of young Mr. Malfoy's more grievous charges that were dropped are listed below.
Mr. Draco Malfoy's charge of usage an Unforgivable Curse; The Imperius Curse on Madam Rosmerta of Hogsmeade over the course of several months. Madam Rosmerta has dropped all charges and refused to testify stating that he was, "A young boy forced to fight his idiot of a father's war."
Mr. Draco Malfoy's charge of improper use of a Cursed Object; Opal necklace and use of it on a fellow student. Ms. Katie Bell was reported to have spent six months recovering in Saint Mungos from minimal contact with the aforementioned cursed object. Ms. Katie Bell has chosen not to press charges on her fellow classmate, Mr. Malfoy nor is there an conclusive evidence Mr. Malfoy expressly gave Ms. Bell the necklace.
Mr. Draco Malfoy's charge of creating an unauthorized entranceway and portal in Hogwarts and admitting vile Death Eaters such as the renown Bellatrix Lestrange and Fenrir Greyback into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. These charges were dropped due to Lord Voldemort's threat on Mr. Malfoy's and his families lives should he not complete the task given to him.
Mr. Draco Malfoy's charge of murder of Mr. Albus Dumbledore, Order of Merlin, First Class, and Headmaster to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at the time of his death. Mr. Draco Malfoy's only living witness of the crime is Mr. Harry Potter, another Order of Merlin, First Class. Mr. Potter refuted the claim that Mr. Malfoy murdered Mr. Dumbledore stating that Mr. Dumbledore was dying and that Mr. Severus Snape cast the unforgivable curse that killed the beloved educator. He additionally claimed that Mr. Draco Malfoy tossed him the wand that he had used to defeat Lord Voldemort and had Draco not given it to him he would have been killed thus the Wizarding War would not have ended and many more lives would have been lost.
Mr. Draco Malfoy's final grievous charge is of general Death Eater activities known only to be a fact due to his Dark Mark on his forearm. This charge was dropped due to insubstantial evidence of actual activity done as a Death Eater by Mr. Malfoy. However, this charge is not inclusive to an archived charge of Mr. Draco Malfoy's kidnapping, endorsed torture, torture, imprisonment, and failure to notify the ministry of the previously mentioned charges in his home of Mr. Harry Potter, Mr. Dean Thomas, Mr. Ronald Weasley, Mr. Griphook, Ms. Luna Lovegood, Ms. Hermione Granger, and the death of Mr. Dobby an independent house elf and former employee of Malfoy Manor. These charges were dropped as the above living witnesses all testified to Mr. Malfoy's concealment of the true identities of Mr. Potter and his compatriots when they were captured and to testify as to the true nature of his character.
The esteemed Wizengamot ruled a six month magical probation for Mr. Draco Malfoy, five years of magical probation for Mr. Lucius Malfoy, and one year of magical probation for Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy. Due to how heavily the Malfoy family relied on several members of the Weasley family for testimonies several of the Aurors, [whom are now facing disciplinary action] made the decision to illegally arrest Mrs. Weasley. This resulted in a duel between conflicting Aurors, Healers and several members of the Weasley family. The threat to Mr. Arthur Weasley's family prompted him to evacuate his step-son; Mr. Bill Weasley and his family as well as his daughter Miss. Ginny Weasley. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Draco Malfoy disappeared via illegal Portkey after an illegal arrest was made in his home at approximately 6:30 PM.
The esteemed Wizengamot has been in emergency session following the overwhelming outcry from the public regarding the previously stated situation. The Wizengamot understands that this is a delicate matter and has spent numerous hours debating the topic. The conclusion is as follows.
The Wizengamot is requesting Bill Weasley and Draco Malfoy, turn yourself over to the Wizengamot and stand re-trial. Please be aware that Mr. Lucius Malfoy and Mrs. Molly Weasley nee Prewett will be standing trial as well. Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy has been released to the care of her sister, Mrs. Andromeda Tonk's under Auror supervision. Mr. Arthur Weasley has been released to his work within the Ministry where he too will have Auror supervision.
Mr. Bill Weasley and Mrs. Molly Weasley stands accused of conspiracy to commit treason against the Ministry of Magic, aiding terrorists, and bearing false witness for the Malfoy Case. Both Mr. Malfoy's will be retried for all the above and attached charges that were committed during his time as a Death Eater under Lord Voldemort's leadership.
Should the Wizengamot find you and your family guilty, the Malfoy family will be retried and likely given life sentences. The Weasley family will also be tried as accomplices and given the harshest penalties the law provides.
It is the duty of the Ministry to see justice prevail regardless of our affiliation in the Great Wizarding War.
Signed,
Kingsley Shackelbolt
Minister of Magic
Ignorantia Juris Neminem Excusat
The room fell silent as Ginny read the closing remarks from the Minister. She shuffled through the rest of the parchment reading the numerous crimes they were being charged with when a slip of paper fell out and onto the floor. The blazing insignia of the Order of the Phoenix was stamped on the letter. She carefully tore the seal off and skimmed the parchment. She looked puzzled and then began to read again.
Draco and Bill,
Please disregard the attached 'Charter.' It was written by the Wizengamot with my signature as the Minister. The Ministry is chewing out all the Order Members trying to ascertain who knew about this. Because I am the bloody Minister I have managed to evade questioning for now. I have spoken to Narcissa Malfoy and since Lucius was not aware of the situation it is going to make the trial easier. We can have him take Veritaserum and testify. Although because of the potions Molly is on she cannot take veritaserum, it will complicate matter but don't worry. Hermione has taken over all lawful duties as of now. She says it will look mighty suspicious but there is nothing we can do.
The point of the previous letter was to cause strife between the two of you in hopes that one would turn the other in. I am sure that since you are both strapping young lads with brains in your heads you will do no such thing. There is no legally defined reason that either of you should be under arrest other than the fact that wizards are traditional bigoted idiots.
This is a Witch hunt, I know that as much as you do. In my opinion, the privacy of people's family matters should not become public record nor opinion. The sanctity of your families home value's have been violated today. This much is certain. This is what I managed to convey in a private meeting between myself and several more modern members of the Wizengamot. Me and Hermione are trying to turn this entire farce of a 'trial' to be simply a familial matter and not a matter of violation of the law. They pretty much all bought it. One of them even claimed to have heard a rumor about Lucius and Molly when she was at Hogwarts but now that I'm writing it down I'm realizing you might not want to hear that.
I must apologize for my delay in writing. I was trying to settle the Ministry as well I am currently attempting to calm down your understandably very angry siblings. I'm not sure I recall Charlie having such a strong right hook. We are aware that your mother is suffering temporary memory loss and her healer, Tracey Davis assures us that it should wear off within the next twenty four hours, given she is on the proper medication. The Council has agreed to allow Tracey as well as Charlie to remain with her at all times. We were going to leave George since your mum recognizes him but Charlie won't leave Tracey's side. It's sweet.
It may ease your mind to know that Lucius was able to calm her down without the use of a calming draught. The healer's are hoping that since he is a familiar face she will be able to take the truth from him and that should speed up her healing process. She will, however not regain her memories by the time the Wizengamot is in session so we can only hope that Lucius convinces her not to say anything damaging.
I have arranged a hearing for all the Aurors that were completely out of line and there will be serious inquiries made into the lawful and unlawful arrests that were made. In addition to the fact that the Aurors that were involved in the attack of Molly, while thoroughly bruised have been detained for questioned. Several have already lost their badges due to Head Auror Proudfoot standing firmly behind us. Proudfoot has personally testified for your families and we have the backing of many respectable Aurors.
The last and final note I want to go over is that the Wizengamot is requesting you both turn yourselves over to the Wizengamot and stand trial for conspiracy for treason and false witnesses. The case will be fairly straight forward. The Wizengamot will request you to drink Veritaserum and they will request Pensive memories that they will view and each take a Wizards oath to protect you and your families Privacy. I do not see any reason for Draco to come but I do think that Bill should come forward. It would help in Molly and Lucius's case. Hermione says Draco coming could be damaging, best leave him behind.
The choice is up to you,
Kings
PS. Just got word that Arthur was released from questioning. They ordered him to go straight to work as there was a confidential (sorry) Ministry raid in his department.
PSS. This letter is going to incendio as soon as your done reading it so I suggest you stand back. Those muggle films that Harry sent me were amazing!
No sooner had Ginny read the postscript she jumped back as the letter burst into flames.
"Well, there went that." She muttered. Bill turned his head to Draco. He was remarkably pale. He exchanged a worried look with Fleur.
"Draco say something." Bill pleaded. Draco' says eyes were wide and terrified. He looked as if he was going to have a panic attack and then pass out. Bill felt Fleur step around him towards Draco as he let out a choked whisper.
"I'm not a terrible person Bill. I'm-" He was cut off by Fleur hugging him tightly. Draco looked as if he was unaccustomed to such open displays of affection and it rattled him more than he already was.
Bill paused and stared at what he was starting to truly realize was his little brother. He looked at the pale boy as if he was seeing him for the first time. He wasn't the cocky obnoxious kid that Ron had described at Hogwarts. He was thin with dark bags under his eyes as if he hadn't slept well in years. His heart broke for Draco, for the life he led. Not for the first time that night he thanked Merlin he had been brought up by the Weasley's and not the Malfoy's but his heart went out to his little brother who should have been protected from Voldemort. In that moment he wanted nothing more than to murder Lucius Malfoy for failing to protect his family and failing his son.
It wasn't your fault Draco." He whispered. Draco looked puzzled.
"The choices you made were for you to survive. I know you don't want to hear this, but you were a child being forced to play a game most adults couldn't survive. None of us blame you. They only listed those crimes to get at you." Draco hung his face in shame.
"Katie-"
"Katie is a healer at Saint Mungos. Her experience gave her a unique outlook on HealerShip and she has made ground breaking discoveries because of it. I know for a fact she doesn't hate you."
"Professor Dumbledore, everyone that died that day, I let the most vile and deadly people in the world into a school filled with children. Children! Knowing full and well what they would do when they got there. I knew what I was doing."
"They threatened your mother and yourself, Draco. Honestly, I never want to be put in that position because I don't know how different our decisions would have been and I'm an adult." Draco balked at him openly admitting to treason.
"I guess I need to go to the Wizengamot." Bill sighed. They sat side by side watching one of the most beautiful if not last sunrises he had ever seen.
"Draco?" He asked.
"Hmm?"
"If I don't come back, If I go to prison, don't go back to England, stay here. Whatever they try and pull you in with will only be yanked back out and they'll send you to Azkaban as well. Trust no one and stay here. Keep Fleur and Victoire safe from the Ministry. Swear it to me."
He stood and shook his hand.
"I swear brother." Bill turned to his wife and kissed her soundly on the mouth.
"I love you." He murmured pressing their heads together.
"I love you too, my Bill." He kissed her cheek and then Ginny's and turned towards the small cowering house elf ignoring Fleur's sobs as Draco held her.
"Take me to the Minister."
The two turned and left, the Wizard not daring to look back.
Ignorantia Juris Neminem Excusat means 'ignorance of the law excuses no one / ignorance of the law is no defense' it is actually the motto of the Ministry. Also, don't you love Lucius trying to figure out take away containers?
-C