Ginny and Harry walked in early before dawn to wake them up. He dragged Ron back to his room. Hermione winced as she got up and walked to the bathroom. Ginny raised an eyebrow, made a face and said, 'I don't even want to know. How I wish you were dating someone other than my brother.' Blushing, Hermione made haste to get ready.
Breakfast was a quick affair. The two of them took the Floo to the ministry, a connection was established from The Burrow for their purpose. As they walked along the corridor that led to Courtroom Ten, where the Wizengamot was holding regular trials, Hermione felt trepidation for the first time. The heavy wooden doors at the end were open, and loud voices echoed as they moved closer. The trial was yet to begin. As soon as Harry and Hermione entered, there was a hushed silence, before murmurs started again.
'Mr. Potter!' rang a voice. Hermione swung her head towards the noise and saw Professor McGonagall striding towards them in her plum coloured robes. 'Ms. Granger,' she added as she glimpsed Hermione. 'I am glad to see you two today. I must inform you that the Wizengamot has agreed that Narcissa's trial is to be held first, Mr. Potter. After that, Draco will be brought in. You can leave before Lucius Malfoy's trial would begin if you wish to.'
A loud clanking noise disrupted the din again, when Narcissa Malfoy was escorted into the courtroom by two Aurors. She was dressed in ill-fitted dark prison garb, her hair a far cry from her usual pristine style. Despite the fact that there were no Dementors in Azkaban, her eyes looked devoid of life. She sat down on the prescribed chair for undertrials where her hands were immediately magically bound.
The door to an antechamber swung open and Kingsley walked in, flanked by unknown faces. A scribe followed close behind. He took the presiding chair and cleared his throat, calling for order. McGonagall ushered the two of them along to the front row, before taking her place among the rest of the Wizengamot. Harry saw movement from the corner of his eyes and turned to see Elphias Doge wave enthusiastically at him. He gave him a small smile before shifting uncomfortably and looking away.
'Now begins the trial of Narcissa Malfoy formerly Black, resident of Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire County. Interrogators: Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic; Wallace Wilson, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement; Agnes Nuttall, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic. Court scribe, Timothy Grant. Offences include-' Kingsley began to count a sizeable number of offences that were to be levelled. Hermione realised that most were however, mild offences in nature and pitted her as an 'accessory' to multiple counts of torture and imprisonment of victims. She wondered if Harry's close watch over the initial hearing had anything to do with the mild nature of the crimes she was to be tried for. The trial began. Procedural matters were taken up first, followed by documentary evidence and the prosecution's witnesses. They were scant. Finally, Harry was called to the witness box. He rattled off with his side of the story and proceeded to inform the Wizengamot about the incident in the Forbidden Forest and its implications. Once he was done, Hermione rose to stand in the Witness Box. She didn't have much to speak, so she quickly told them about Narcissa's lack of participation in her torture and interrogation by Bellatrix Lestrange. While closing her statement, she said, ' Lord Voldemort was brought down by the power of love. A Mother's Love was what saved Harry that night at Godric's Hollow. And it was a mother's love again, that allowed Mrs. Malfoy to brave, arguably, the greatest Legilimens of our time and lie to him at great personal risk, to aid in his downfall. I request that we begin our new chapter, not with promises of retribution, but with emphasis on restorative justice. It has a much greater capacity to build a society based on trust and compassion.' Silence reigned when she finished. She was not cross examined, so after a moment's hesitation, she stepped down from the witness stand and her eyes fell upon Narcissa. She was sitting with all her grace and dignity, but her eyes were glassy with tears. Hermione looked away and hurried back to Harry. The silence of the courtroom stretched and started to feel oppressive when she felt a warm hand squeeze hers. She turned to see Harry giving her a proud look. Kingsley cleared his throat to continue. It was nearly two hours into the trial when he wrapped up the proceedings and set a date for the sentence hearing. A short break commenced before Draco's trial was to be begin.
Several members of the Wizengamot approached the two of them and crowded around to introduce themselves. It wasn't just Harry they were clamouring after, but her as well, gushing about her idealism and magnanimity as well as their hopes for her future. A middle aged man approached them. He had chestnut coloured hair, littered with greys and a chiseled jawline that gave him a look of distinction. Dressed to the nines, he introduced himself with elan, 'Miss Granger! Mister Potter! I must first express my heartfelt gratitude for your fearless and valiant heroism in the War. Wherever would we be, if not for the young and brave at heart? A very dark place indeed.' He held his hand out for her to shake and she clasped it with hers when suddenly, he turned it and kissed her knuckles instead. Flustered, she withdrew her hand, but not before he flashed her a broad smile and continued, 'Where are my manners, my name is Edgar Kershaw. I am the current Chairman of the Hogwarts Board of Directors. Order of Merlin, Second Class.' He then turned to give a pompous handshake to Harry, who looked quite nonplussed, to her amusement. He then went on to inquire about the Gringotts break-in, pressing Harry for more details about the seemingly outlandish incident, listening with rapture as Harry tried his best to recall it. He was trying to not feel conscious about the sheer number of people listening in. Hermione wished Ron were here to save Harry the consternation of reliving the experience. He was a much more enthusiastic storyteller, though a downside was his disturbing lack of consistency of fact in the many versions of the story he inadvertently came up with. Each version got progressively more tragic and his own contribution more exalted. It was a habit stuck since their school years, as evinced by his recollection of the Second Task during the Triwizard Tournament.
A warning bell sounded, signalling an end of the break and alerting the members to retake their seats. 'If there is anything you need, Miss Granger, Mister Potter, anything at all, do not hesitate to seek my counsel.' Kershaw said, as he turned to take their leave.
Finally, it was time for Draco Malfoy's trial.
The wooden doors swung open once again and a frail young man was escorted in by the same Aurors. He took his seat and looked visibly intimidated when the shackles came up to magically bind his hands. Hermione realised that they were all simply teenagers and still too painfully young to be put through all of this. The minister rose once again to list the crimes of the accused. They included Murder, Conspiracy to Murder, Conspiracy to Wage War, partaking in Hate Crimes, Use of the Unforgivable Curses, besides the lesser crimes of abetment to others still. She was shocked at the severity of the crimes he was being charged with. She closed her eyes and gulped. She couldn't help but feel revulsion at the whole situation. In the Muggle world, she was used to a much more humane (sometimes even indulgent) treatment of juvenile offenders. He had been just sixteen when he took the mark, after all.
The proceedings went off the same way as they did for Narcissa. When the witnesses were finally called, she waited with bated breath for her turn. Soon however, she realised her turn would take quite a while. There were many witnesses with accounts of torture by his hands. Most surprising for her was the not so modest number of convicted or under trial Death Eaters. Her eyes widened when a gaunt and filthy looking Thorfinn Rowle took his place at the witness box to recount the experience of being put under the Cruciatus Curse for failing to capture the Golden Trio. She looked at Harry and found him looking more determined than ever. She knew he was almost venerated now, but was unsure if his testimony would be enough to eclipse the testimonies of all these witnesses. She looked back and realised that the prosecutor was finally calling her to the witness box. He was a portly man, with a receding hairline. His robes were stretched around his tummy and his dark eyes held much distaste when they followed her to the witness box. She expected he was very unhappy with the two of them for speaking on behalf of the Malfoys.
She tried her best to convince the Wizengamot of Draco's innocence by relating his unwillingness to identify them during the Manor incident, but she could see many remained unconvinced. The prosecutor seemed adamant that she narrate all the instances of bullying during their school days as evidence of his bigotry but she refused, insisting they be construed as nothing more than a childish endeavour at self assertion. She doubted another morally charged speech would make much of a difference at this point, and stepped down for the next witness.
It was now Harry's turn. He stood and looked straight at Draco. His platinum hair had lost its sheen, and he looked remarkably like he did when in sixth year. Deep dark circles marred his pale androgynous face. His silver-grey eyes looked on in trepidation, disbelief at Hermione's testimony still clearly written across his face. Soon however, his occlumency skills kicked in and he schooled his face as Harry took the witness box.
'Mister Potter, could you please recount the incident at Malfoy Manor for us? Could you tell us the conditions in which you found your dear friends, Luna Lovegood and muggleborn Dean Thomas, incarcerated in their dungeons?' the Prosecutor asked him in a saccharine voice.
Harry took a deep breath and started recalling the events, particularly focussing on Draco's reluctance at identifying them, just as she had.
He then said, 'Luna told me how he sneaked bread and some cheese once in awhile for the prisoners. She said every time she saw him, he looked like death and scared out of his wits, as you'd expect from anyone who's got Lord Voldemort shacking up with them'. There were collective gasps and a couple of swears at Harry's nonchalant use of that name. The prosecutor wiped his brow before asking his question. 'Students at Hogwarts have told us how he often took over punishments that were to be meted out to errant behaviour under the watchful eyes of the Carrows. You have heard of other testimonies where he subjected even those like himself (Death Eaters) to the said curse. Tell us, did he ever demonstrate compassion or any other behaviour that could vindicate him? Did he not relish the punishment meted out to an innocent Hippogriff, or at the resignation of the beloved Professor Lupin?'
Harry closed his eyes. 'Well, um, I admit, he was quite smug as a kid. I remember the first time we met, at Madam Malkin's, he asked me whether my parents were "proper" wizards and witches. In hindsight, what I see is a child who had been brought up in the most chauvinistic of environments. His Dad, well we all know he was a shoe in for the next Dark Lord. Made his dislike of "mudbloods" quite clear. I don't think I would have been very different had my parents been like that.' Several murmurs were heard at this statement. 'Moreover, I have already apprised you, Kingsley, of the special connection I had with ol' Voldy.' Kingsley's lips curled in amusement. 'I actually remember the instance when I looked into his mind quite unintentionally, to witness the Rowle incident. His face told me all I needed to know. That he hated every moment of it. Voldemort stood right next to him, testing him. We all know that when someone fails in front of him, they pretty much forfeit their lives. He's hardly been known for his benevolence. And let me make this clear. That night when Severus Snape used the killing curse on Dumbledore, I was there under the invisibility cloak. I saw him lower his wand, his hesitation and reluctance to take a life. What I know is that he failed to cross the line that separates him from a bully to a psychopath who takes pleasure in killing and torture. I think that despite overwhelming pressure to be that person, his innate compassion held him back from ever being what those around him considered ideal. If that's not evidence of his potential for reform, I don't know what is. I'm not as articulate as Hermione,' he smiled at her 'But, I do hope that I have been able to convince you to treat a kid like a kid. I never asked to be a Hero, and he never asked to be the Villain in everyone's stories. We were thrust into the roles that were determined by the adults around us.' His eyes hardened. 'I want to ensure that our choices and future isn't stolen from us even though our childhood was.'
The silence that followed was as eerie as it had been for Hermione. But soon, whispers broke out and Kingsley had to ask for order. The trial was in its last legs now. Kingsley asked Professor McGonagall and Edgar Kershaw to grace the antechamber for a quick discussion before resuming his seat. He spoke again, 'Due to certain extenuating circumstances and in light of Mr. Potter's testimony, I have come to the conclusion that this case doesn't warrant a full sentence. Hogwarts has also expressed its willingness to help in his rehabilitation. I hereby sentence Draco Malfoy to three months of imprisonment in Azkaban, and a year long probation at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry under the direct supervision of Headmistress McGonagall. If by the end of his Eighth Year at Hogwarts, he is unable to procure a character certificate from the Headmistress, he will be sent back to Azkaban to serve another two years. Those in favour of the sentence-,' he looked around. Several hands were slowly rising, albeit hesitatingly. Elphias Doge looked disgruntled, but with a glance at Harry, raised his left arm to signal his acquiescence. Hermione's heart soared. She could count more than half the people in the room with raised hands. 'Those against-?' Fewer hands rose. Harry grinned at her. 'Passed. I now dismiss this court. We will reconvene the session after lunch, for Lucius Malfoy's trial'.
A great din erupted as people got up to leave. Many were obviously unhappy to have supported the motion. Clearly, they hadn't wanted to dismiss the pleas of the Boy Who Lived. Even Elphias Doge simply nodded at Harry before leaving, but Harry couldn't stop smiling. It was infectious. Hermione glanced in Draco's direction and realised he was looking right at them, regarding them pensively. For a moment, she thought she saw longing in his eyes. But that moment was gone, when the Aurors escorted him out. Longing for his freedom most likely, she mused later when she and Harry walked across the Atrium to get back to the Burrow.
