Chapter 3: As Though Of Hemlock

Against her better judgement, Ginny went to get another glass of pumpkin juice in the last recess to assuage her parched throat. Harry and Ron were doing unflattering impressions of her off to the side and dissolving into laughter until Molly stomped up to them, grabbed Ron by the ear, and hissed something that couldn't be heard across the room. Ginny hoped this meant that her mum had come around, but when she laid eyes on Ginny and Arthur a few minutes later, her expression was less than welcoming. She slunk back into the courtroom early and tried to read the prisoner. Malfoy was composed and quiet in his chair, but steadfastly refused to look in her direction. When the Wizengamot reconvened to vote on a verdict, Malfoy's eyes didn't budge from the floor.

"All in favour?" The rustling of sleeves as hands rose. "So be it." Scrimgeour cleared his throat. "Draco Malfoy, you have been found guilty of utilization of an Unforgivable Curse. You have been found guilty of trespassing. You have been found guilty of association with a forbidden organization. You have been found guilty of the attempted murder of Katherine Bell, and the attempted murder of Ron Weasley. You have been found innocent of the attempted murder of Albus Dumbledore." Scrimgeour accepted a piece of parchment from Percy. "Mr. Malfoy, you are hereby sentenced to lifetime imprisonment in Azkaban prison. Your wand will be broken."

"Sir?"

"Yes?"

"I respectfully ask that my wand be given to Ginny Weasley." He looked directly at her, poker-faced. "She needs a new one."

Ginny barely suppressed a smirk. He still didn't realize that the "wand" he'd taken from her was a twig she had Transfigured to look like a wand. She was rubbish at Transfiguration, too – he really should've been able to tell the difference. She felt effervescent with relief at the moment. The Order's involvement in the ambush at the Burrow had been successfully hidden from the Ministry, and she'd done what she felt was the right thing and testified that Malfoy wasn't acting with criminal intent when he broke into her room. Sure, he was found guilty, but even if her testimony had made a difference, his sentence would probably have been the same.

"Very well. Your wand is granted to Miss Weasley. Your sentence will begin at once." Scrimgeour began shuffling parchment and the court began to stir to its feet.

"That's that then, isn't it?" Ginny said brightly to Arthur, who began stretching his legs and wincing.

"Indeed. I hope your mum's not too mad at you. You couldn't say much in the poor boy's defense."

"No, but thank you for understanding. I love you, dad," she said impulsively as he stood.

"I love you too, poppet," he replied, chucking her on the chin.

"Ginny."

She whirled around, her ponytail nearly putting out her eye. Malfoy had called her name. He tilted his head, beckoning her over. She turned back to Arthur. "I'll be right back," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Don't take too long. We'll be late for dinner."

Ginny approached the prisoner's chair and looked down at Malfoy. He stared back insolently, seemingly unaware that he was at a disadvantage. "Malfoy?"

"Thank you," he said simply.

She fixed him with a cool, imperious gaze. "I wasn't trying to help you."

He bowed his head. "I know. But there was more you could've said. You didn't try to demonize me."

"The truth demonizes you, Malfoy. I didn't have to." He had no response whatsoever. "I'm sorry to hear about your mum," she said, unable to sound sincere.

"I'll bet you are." He stared at her, his eyes darkening. "I lost it when he killed my mum, Ginny. I did everything I could to save her and it wasn't enough because I was weak. I don't care about any of it anymore. The fighting, the power struggles, the ambitions…I don't want any part of it. I'd give anything to have her back."

The weariness in his voice echoed in Ginny's bones. She was tired of constantly fearing for her life. She didn't want to fight with her family. She never meant to hurt Harry. She hated being a slave to Tom, one way or another, her entire life. For Draco, the time for constant conflict was over, leaving him only with regrets. Ginny had no choice but to live with both, and keep fighting. She resented him for his repose, even if it meant Azkaban.

"Visit me." The words reverberated off the walls of the mostly-empty room. Aurors were waiting impatiently to take Malfoy away.

"What?"

"In Azkaban. Visit me."

"No."

"Visit me."

"Goodbye, Malfoy."

"Or I'll tell people things they shouldn't know," he said pointedly as she began to walk away. Ginny hesitated, trying to discern what he meant by that nebulous threat. Things they shouldn't know? Like that Tom had special plans for her? As if it would make a difference. That she had a Hand of Glory under her bed? Please. She turned back to him, looking for clues in his face, but he was looking at the vacant seats around him. "The Minister's gone already," he mused mildly. "Took his secretary, too."

Shock struck Ginny like a physical blow across the shoulders. No, your other prat brother. Dead useful spy for us, with him being so close to the Minister and all. Malfoy was threatening to expose Percy as a Death Eater. She hated Malfoy. No, she hated Percy! Oh, who was she kidding? She hated them both. To think through this rationally….

Pro. If Malfoy exposed Percy as a Death Eater, she wouldn't have to.

Con. He'd probably tell on Percy even if she does visit.

Pro. Percy sold out his own family to Death Eaters.

Con. Her mum would die of heartbreak and regardless of present circumstances, Ginny loved her mum.

Pro. Why would Malfoy want her to visit, anyways?

Con. Having to visit Malfoy. In Azkaban …Perhaps gaining his trust? Perhaps gathering intelligence he inadvertently spills?

"Come back to us, Weasley," he ordered, snapping his fingers. The arrogance of the gesture was utterly lost, his wrist being manacled to the chair as it was. "You'd better show up within two weeks."

"Fine," she exploded, immediately feeling better. She glared at him to let him know how seething angry she was. If she managed to snitch on Percy in the time between, she'd never have to see Draco again. The power was still in her hands. "So help me, Malfoy, I'm going to make you wish you'd never been born."

"Way ahead of you. I already do." She had no rejoinder for that. "Enjoy the wand."

She turned on her heel. "Enjoy Chez Azkaban."