There and Back Again
"That there isn't sufficent evidence to convict Draco Malfoy of the murder of Professor Patrick O'Bannon. We do find, however, that he is guilty of aiding Death Eaters during the attack on Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Mr. Malfoy you are hereby sentenced to ten years in the new wizard prison, Claustrum." Dumbledore gave Malfoy his sentence.
"Ten years? It is worth it, I served the Dark Lord, he will not forget me. Lord Voldemort rewards those loyal to him, he will let you two rot in prison for not staying completely loyal to him." Malfoy pointed at Crabbe and Tooker as Kingsley led him out of the chamber.
"Mr. Tooker, we acknowledge that you attempted to help us find the truth about Professor O'Bannon. However, that does not lessen the fact that you aided the Death Eaters during their attack on Hogwarts. You will be deported back to America where you will be incarcerated for five years in the wizard prison Alcatraz. Mr. Crabbe you will be held in the Ministry jail until your trial date. That concludes todays trial." Professor Dumbledore led the Wizengamot back out of the chamber as the spectators made their way to the exits. When they reached the atrium Harry finally asked the question he had been waiting to ask since the sentence came out.
"How could they not convict him?" Harry asked Remus and Molly.
"They didn't have any direct evidence, Harry." Remus answered. "When they questioned Malfoy he admitted to everything but killing Patrick. They hoped that Tooker or Crabbe would point their fingers at Malfoy. When they didn't they had no choice but to decide what they did."
"It isn't fair! He deserves life for what he did! Sirius was given a life sentence based on a lot less evidence than this." Harry's temper was reaching it's boiling point.
"Harry, I know, and believe me I agree with you. But Sirius was convicted in different times with different people in power. As much as we hate it, what the Wizengamot did was the right thing to do." Remus answered him has he held out a coffee mug and told everyone to touch it. Immediately they were all sent back to Grimmauld Place.
The following week had seen the trials of Crabbe, his father, Goyle, and Pettigrew. Crabbe and Goyle both received five years in Claustrum while Crabbes father received twenty years. Pettigrew was tried for the recent attacks and for the murderof twelve muggles and as an accomplice to the murders of James and Lily Potter. He was also tried as an accomplice in the attempted murder of Harry. It was quickly decided by the Wizengamot that his sentence was life imprisonment in Claustrum. Harry was still unhappy with Malfoy's sentence but was feeling better with every Death Eater conviction.
"Happy birthday, Harry." Ginny whispered in Harry's ear to wake him up.
"Morning, Gin, thanks." Harry smiled as he wiped the sleep from his eyes.
"What time is it?" Ron mumbled while he rolled over.
"Seven-thirty." Ginny said quickly.
"Gin, you couldn't have waited to give him a birthday kiss until, oh I don't know, noon?" Ron complained throwing a pillow at his sister.
"Nope, sorry." Ginny said as she kissed Harry again.
"Don't worry about Ron, he's just jealous Hermione isn't kissing him right now." Harry laughed as he put his glasses on.
Harry sat up on his bed and stretched his arms around Ginny and gave her a hug. Just then Hermione Apparated into the room and sat next to Ron on his bed.
"Happy birthday, Harry." Hermione said as a huge smile grew on his face.
"I get my license today! Your dad told me he would take me into the Ministry today." Harry exclaimed exictedly.
"And we get to join the Order, mate." Ron grinned.
The four friends spent the next hour joking and talking until they heard Dobby and Winky making breakfast in the kitchen. Harry lead the way down the stairs and into the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley was also in the kitchen helping the two house-elves.
"No, Winky, Dobby will do this. You go make the pumkin juce." Dobby was ordering Winky as they played tug-of-war with a bag.
"Winky does not want to make pumkin juce! Winky will help the Wheezy's mum!" As Winky finished speaking the bag she and Dobby were fighting over ripped open and flour went all over the kitchen. Dobby, Winky and Molly were instantly covered in the flour.
"Honestly you two!" Molly exclaimed. "Dobby, please clean up this mess. Winky, will you be a dear and get another bag of flour?"
"Morning, Mum." Ron chuckled.
"Morning, kids. Happy birthday, Harry." Molly responded.
"Thanks, need a hand with anything?" Harry said while trying to contain his laughter.
"No, I have everything under control. Well almost everything." Molly said with a smile. "I will come get you when breakfast is ready."
The four left the kitchen and decided to go get dressed in their day clothes. They all met in the sitting room and waited for Mrs. Weasley to come get them. Remus and Arthur both came into the room to say good morning and happy birthday. At eight-thirty Mrs. Weasley came and told them breakfast was ready. At ten after they were finished eating Arthur and Harry traveled by Floo Powder to the Ministry. An hour later they both Apparated back to Grimmauld Place. Everyone congratulated Harry on his license and much like Fred and George did when they got their licenses he chose to Apparate from room to room instead of walking the ten feet. By four O'clock that afternoon it appeared Harry had grown tired of Apparating all the time and resumed walking.
"Happy birthday, Harry." Albus greeted Harry as he walked into the sitting room.
"Thank you, Sir." Harry smiled when he saw his headmaster.
"Would you four please follow me?" Albus motioned them to the far side of the sitting room to a bookshelf. Albus grabbed the book There and Back Again off of the shelf. "Here it is. Harry, this is your birthday present from Sirius and myself.He told me about it a couple years ago when I came to check on him and couldn't find him. It is a type of Portkey, it will activate when you hold it and say either There or Back Again. When you say There while holding the book it will take you from where ever you are to what Sirius described as a huge field that no one else knows about. When you are there, or anywhere else for that matter and say Back Again while holding the book, it brings you back here to Grimmauld Place."
"Wow, Professor, thanks." Harry smiled as he held the book. "Can we try it now?"
"I don't see why not, the Order meeting doesn't start until seven, please be back by then." Dumbledore smiled at his four students.
"Ok, everyone touch the book." Harry told his friends, when all four of them were touching the book Harry spoke again. "There."
Instantly the Portkey activated and before Harry could even feel his navel being tugged he found himself standing in the middle of a huge field. Harry looked around and he could see birds flying in the sky, rabbits and other small animals running through the tall grass. Harry smiled, finally he was free.
"You three ready?" Harry asked with a smile. They all quickly transformed into their Animagus forms and began running or flying through the sky.
I wish I could talk to them while I am in this form. Harry thought to himself but he could hear himself barking.
I can hear you Harry. Harry heard Ginny bark back to her.
Me too. Came a screech from Ron.
And me. Hermione roared.
This is great. Harry barked as he chased a white rabbit through the field. Ron was circling high above them when he swooped down and caused the rabbit to turn sharp to the left. Hermione was in the perfect place and playfully pounced at rabbit which made another sharp left turn right at Ginny. The rabbit now feeling trapped made a leap of faith right over Ginny and into its rabbit hole. All four friends began laughing as they laid down in their Animagus forms near the book.
Hey, Talon. What's it like to fly like that? Callidus asked.
Wicked! Even better than being on a broom. How did that rabbit get passed you Ginger? Talon asked his sister.
Because, I wasn't going to kill it. Plus it surprised me to see it do that. Ginger answered honestly.
Hey, Midnight. You do realize that this is the second cat you turned yourself into, don't you? Talon asked.
Very funny, Talon. At least this time I can change myself back. Midnight answered. What time do you think it is?
I don't know, but we should probably get back anyways. Callidus answered as they transformed back into their human forms. Everyone placed a hand on the book and waited for Harry.
"Back again."
A/N: First yes I meant Alcatraz prison in San Francisco, it has been taken over by the American wizards and turned into a prison for them. It has the same wards and protections that Hogwarts does in the fact that muggles just see an abandoned prison. Also just for future knowledge, italics while in animal form means that they are talking and not thinking. Harry and Ginny bark, Hermione growls or mews and Ron screeches.