Heh, no lemon, sorry guys! but my wonderful Beta, El-Gilliath,assures me this is great regardless!
Warnings: Lots of Fighting.
Crime and Punishment
Roger, Mandy and Tracey were studying for their NEWTs. Well, Roger and Tracey were studying while Mandy was working on perfecting a paper airplane. Only Roger was excited to be one of the youngest ever to pass their NEWTs, and was studying zealously, while Tracey studied dutifully and the other three usually had to be manhandled into studying.
Mandy held up her creation and inspected it with one eye. Parchment was really too heavy for good planes, they only flew short distances; she'd have to buy some paper next time she was in Muggle London. But speaking of short distances... she aimed at Roger's head. The plane bounced off his ear and sent Mandy into a fit of giggles.
"Merlin, Mandy. Grow the fuck up. I'm actually trying to study over here." He snarled and crumpled up her hard work with one fist.
"Hey dumb ass! I spent the last twenty minutes on that!" Mandy growled.
"And that's why you aren't going to pass," He argued back.
Mandy yelled in frustration before tackling him off his chair and down to the hard floor. Tracey ignored their tussling and scooted her chair a little to the right so they didn't roll into her.
Roger was on top of Mandy, but Mandy was seconds away from kneeing him in the balls when Neville burst into the room.
"What the Hell? Guys stop it! Harry's in trouble!" He yelled at them.
At the mention of Harry's name the other three froze and looked at Neville. "In trouble for what? He just brought back the fake Moody and saved the day." Tracey asked carefully. She put down her textbook and stood up.
"Harry used that Celtic ritual we looked up against Voldemort and Scrimgeour found out." Neville panted. "They're debating about putting him on trial."
"What? How did they find out? My plan was flawless." Roger grunted as he rolled off of Mandy and stood up.
"Apparently not. I don't know how he found out but he did. And he's seriously pissed." Neville told them seriously.
"Trial? There's no way Scrimgeour would do that. He needs Harry too much to put him in Azkaban for using ancient rituals." Mandy mused as she stood as well.
"I don't know, he's really angry. Like I've never seen before." Neville replied nervously, "He punched Harry he was so mad."
The other three froze again. "Punched?" Mandy stammered out. "He's never been mad enough to physically hurt Harry himself," Roger murmured.
"I heard Harry's jaw crack and Harry fell to the floor. We were both too shocked to move. Harry and I were just training like usual and Scrimgeour marched in and socked him. He just blew up at him and was screaming and shouting about the Cannibalistic Ritual and then he ordered me out. Shacklebolt, Moody, and Dawlish are all in there now with Harry."
"Fuck!" Roger swore.
"What do we do?" Mandy cried. The image of them all beating a defenceless Harry flashed through her mind. Surely they wouldn't... would they? Kingsley would never beat on Harry! But Scrimgeour was a different story...
"Wait. And pray that Harry's okay." Tracey spoke softly. "Pray to every God that'll listen."
oOo
When Harry awoke the next morning, he didn't want to move. Draco was warm and comfortable and the air in the infirmary was chilly. But, unfortunately, nature calls. He extracted himself from Draco's warmth and stretched as he began to walk towards the bathroom. When he was done he rinsed his face and looked at himself in the mirror. He had stubble, not surprising since it was a day and a half since last time he shaved.
As he walked out he noticed Madame Pomfrey talking to a small boy. Upon closer inspection he realized it was Dennis Creevey. He was a fifth year, but when he was slumped and depressed he looked more like a third year. Dull eyes. Listless attitude. No wonder the kid was on suicide watch. A spark of anger burned in Harry. Damn Voldemort and his 'holier than thou' pure blood attitude. The man wasn't even one himself! Voldemort and Hitler would have been great pals if they had ever met. Harry began to walk over to see if there was anything he could do. He still felt partly responsible for Colin's death.
"Good afternoon Mr. Potter." Pomfrey greeted as Harry approached. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better, thank you very much." Harry grinned.
"I was just telling Dennis that the school will stay open, thanks to you, but he's not sure if he wants to stay here." Pomfrey told him, but Harry got the unsaid message.
He nodded and turned to face Dennis. "I don't blame you." Harry sat on the cot next to the small blonde.
"Thank you Mr. Potter for killing the basilisk." Dennis replied in a lifeless voice.
"Please, call me Harry. Mr. Potter makes me sound old." Harry grinned, "I'm only seventeen."
"Thank you... Harry." Dennis spoke again in the same somber voice.
"It hurts to loose someone you love. Especially a family member." Harry began quietly.
Dennis nodded.
"But you're lucky."
Dennis looked at him as if he was crazy. "How?" He asked in disbelief.
"Well, people who lose loved ones to illness, or famine, or an accident have noone to blame for their loss. No outlet to release their anger. But not you, you're just like me now. You can fight and avenge your brother's life."
"How?" Dennis wrinkled his nose, "You killed the basilisk."
"Yes, but who opened the chamber?" Harry asked.
"I don't know. Who?"
"Voldemort."
Dennis flinched and replied, "I can't fight him."
Harry laughed. "Yes, I suppose that is my job. But you can support our side. I bet you'd make a fine healer. You can help stop the war that killed your brother."
"A healer? You think so?" Dennis asked hopefully. Light came back into his eyes and he sat up a little straighter.
"I know so. I'd want a strong kid like you to heal me after a battle." Harry nodded.
Dennis smiled, "I think you're right. When I was little in Muggle School, Colin was always protecting me from bullies. So now it's time for me to take care of him."
Harry nodded, "I'm proud of you." He patted his shoulder and smiled. "Will you be okay now?"
He nodded with a small smile. "Thanks."
Harry turned to face Madame Pomfrey, who was smiling brightly. "Do I have a clean bill of health?" He asked.
She nodded, "I check up on your earlier while you were sleeping. You and Mr. Malfoy are free to leave."
Harry gave her a lecherous wink before jogging off to his cot. Draco was still asleep. He was sprawled across the cot with a content smile on his face. Harry sat on the edge and took a moment to study his features. Pale skin. Soft lips. Silvery blonde hair. While he wasn't the most beautiful bed partner Harry had ever had, he was definitely in the top five. But there was something different about Draco. Being with him just felt... right. He was content. When he was with him he didn't think about the war, or Voldemort. It was calm. A calm that Harry was becoming addicted to. And it wasn't just sex, it was just being in his presence. Just holding him while they slept was enough, and Harry had never been fond of cuddling with sex partners.
Harry's musings were interrupted as Draco's eyes fluttered open and he yawned groggily. He looked up at Harry through his bangs. "What time is it?"
"Around two I think," Harry answered.
"Mmm." Draco yawned and stretched.
Harry eyed his form appreciatively with a lecherous grin. "Do you want to head back down to your room?"
"Can you leave yet?"
Harry nodded, "Yup. My shoulder will be sore for a few days but Madame Pomfrey gave me a clean bill of health.
Draco scooted off the cot and stretched his arms upwards on last time, unintentionally arousing Harry further.
Harry stared at the pale expanse of flesh that Draco revealed along his waistline. "Do I still need to do something nice for you before we have sex?" Harry asked.
"Merlin, eager much?" Draco raised an eyebrow.
"Well... I know I'm going to be punished either later today or tomorrow and I'm not sure how well I'll be able to...perform afterwards."
Draco's eyes widened. "You mean... you mean they'll physically punish you?"
"How else would they?" Harry frowned.
"What do they do?"
"Well... last time I was punished I had to spend a week in Azkaban."
"WHAT?"
"Don't worry, the Dementors were only allowed to be around me for ten hours a day at the most."
"And that makes it okay?"
"And Roger was locked up with no food or water for five days."
Draco gaped.
"And Neville received twenty lashes."
"This is the government you're fighting to protect?" Draco asked enraged. How could they treat human beings like slaves? Animals? Fuck.
Harry shrugged nonchalantly. "How will we learn if the punishment isn't severe?"
"Severe? What the fuck did you three do to receive your 'punishment'?" Draco demanded.
"Actually all five us were punished. We ... ah... meddled around with ancient Celtic magic."
"Meddling! Merlin!"
"We were only fourteen then. It'll be worse now since I'm older."
"No."
Harry looked at Draco confused. "No?"
"No. You won't get punished. I wont let them hurt you."
Harry laughed. "Draco, you're going to protect me against the Minister of Magic? Aurors? Unspeakables?"
"Yes."
Harry pulled Draco to his chest. "Thanks for the concern," He said as he nuzzled Draco's jaw. "But it's unnecessary."
"Unnecessary? They'll end up killing you!"
"Actually, with how mad Scrimgeour was last time it's a miracle he didn't." Harry replied.
Draco shook his head. "This is mad. They're mad."
Harry sighed and wrapped his arms around the fuming Draco. "Can we please not talk about it?" He murmured into his ear.
Draco sighed as he wrapped his arms around Harry's waist. "Fine," He muttered.
oOo
"Roger? Roger are you okay?"
Roger was tucked in between two suits of armour with his head on his knees when Hermione first saw him. He sat up straight as she hurried towards him.
"Are you okay? You didn't show up to meet me in the library so I started to get worried and I went looking for you... is everything okay?" She asked again.
Roger gave Hermione a weak smile. "Yeah, I'm sorry about standing you up. I just needed... a minute to myself." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Although there were no visible tears, Hermione could see that his eyes were red and tired looking.
"If you want we can meet later. After all, Hogwarts is staying open now so we don't have to worry about that anymore." She gave him a small smile and started to back away.
"No! Wait, please... stay." He begged and grabbed her hand.
Hermione was instantly by his side. "Okay." Roger scooted over a few inches so she could lean up against the wall with him. "Do you want to talk about it?" She asked quietly.
He sighed and gave a small smirk. "Not really... it's just... it's just Harry being Harry again. Merlin, he's pretty much my little brother. He's always getting himself into loads of trouble and our 'parents' are always get both of us in trouble because I should have stopped him or I should have been a better influence, or I shouldn't have encourage him."
"Is Harry in trouble for defeating the basilisk by himself?" Hermione asked.
Roger smirked again. "You really are a bright witch. Brighter than most. Yeah, Harry is in trouble. And so are the rest of us for not keeping a closer eye on him. But how were we supposed to know?" Roger muttered the last bit angrily.
Hermione placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "What is the punishment?"
"Scrimgeour is a fucking hard ass. He wants a fucking melee."
"...A melee?" Hermione breathed suddenly. "You mean, he wants you all to fight each other?" She asked in horror.
"Basically. But it's us four against Harry. And without magic. We cant stop until Harry is knocked out. We have to fucking attack Harry until he's half dead and bleeding all over the fucking floor." Roger punched the suit of armor in anger. The suit muttered about anger issues and scooted over a few steps.
Hermione was speechless, "... But... they can't DO that." She whispered in shock. "That's... inhumane!"
Roger laughed bitterly, "But whose going to stop them? It's pointless. Don't worry about it."
"Don't worry?" Hermione frowned, "Of course I'll worry. I like you. And I like Harry. I don't want to see either of you hurt."
"Davies!"
Roger shot to his feet as she heard Shacklebolt call his name. Hermione stood up slowly and watched fearfully as the powerful auror walked towards them.
Shacklebolt was a cheerful person. When he was around the Myrmidons, he usually had a huge smile on his face and a joke on his lips. But today he looked bitter and resigned. Roger could actually see wrinkles gathering around his eyes and mouth. "Harry was released from the hospital wing. Let's get this over with."
Roger nodded and shot and small smile to Hermione. "Right, I'll see you later Hermione." He and Shacklebolt headed down the corridor. Hermione collapsed to the floor and hugged herself. This was the ministry they were fighting to protect?
oOo
Harry stood strong in the middle of the lethal circle; he was facing Tracey and could see Mandy and Roger in his peripheral vision. Neville stood at his back. Neville was always one to charge first in a fight, but Harry was hoping since the target was his best friend and surrogate brother Neville would hesitate. Scrimgeour, Shacklebolt, Moody, Dumbledore, Snape, Black, and Madame Pomfrey all stood further back. Harry had no idea why the Potions Master was there to watch as well, but he tried to block the spectators out of his mind and concentrate on his friends. He was going to attack, and hurt, his friends. His family. His brothers and sisters. Fuck.
He quickly thought of Draco. He and Draco had only made it five steps out of the hospital wing when his Godfather came up to him with the most solemn look he'd ever seen on the older man's face. He told Harry to follow him. Harry had given Draco a quick kiss and a small smile before following his somber godfather. Harry shook his head free of thoughts of Draco too. He needed to concentrate on the task at hand. Neville at his back, Tracey at his front.
Tracey crouched a bit lower to the hard ground. She saw right through Harry's basic plan, but he was right: Neville wouldn't charge Harry first, and never at his back. This was a punishment for all of them, not just Harry. Punishment for letting Harry be Harry. Tracey frowned. It wasn't right. She'd rather spend time with Dementors than fight her only family.
"One last thing: anyone who is obviously holding back will face worse punishment." Scrimgeour announced. All five flinched. "BEGIN!"
For a moment no one moved. A tension heavy silence bore down on them.
It was Mandy who struck first. And from there it was tag team fighting. Mandy and Harry danced in a small circle blocking and parrying until Harry managed to push her back a few steps. As Mandy temporarily lost her balance Roger charged in.
Roger drew first blood. He sliced a long, but shallow, wound down Harry's calf. Harry didn't even flinch as he counterattacked. Roger managed to block the hard strike, but was unprepared for a second so quick. Harry sliced along his arm. Roger drew back a few steps and Neville stepped in.
Neville and Harry were the closest match physically. Neville fought with a broadsword, his powerful arm muscles swung it around like it was lighter than a feather. But Harry, with his katana, held under his powerful strokes. Neville grunted as Harry swiped along his side, barely grazing the skin. Neville pushed Harry back, and while he stumbled a step or two, Neville socked his across the jaw. Hard. Harry felt his loosened teeth gingerly with his tongue and spit out a mouthful of blood. He then glared and punched Neville in the stomach in retaliation. Both boys quickly dropped their swords and swung their fists again. Harry blocked Neville's, but Neville's body followed his fist through and slammed in Harry, knocking him to the ground.
Harry grit his teeth and kicked Neville off of him. He then pounced and straddled him and hit him three times in the face before Neville managed to throw him off. Both boys scrambled for their blades and stood up hastily as they swung. Neville managed to cut along Harry's left arm while Harry cut along his right.
Neville took a few steps back, he was breathing heavily. Tracey moved in. She swung her fencing sword faster than Harry's eye could follow. He managed to block most of them, barely, but several small stinging cuts accumulated all over his body. Tracey was fast, but if Harry could score one critical blow, she'd be out. Harry gained two more shallow cuts before he saw his opening. She was swinging high, and Harry feinted a block, but brought his sword across her stomach, drawing a deep cut. Tracey stumbled back and to the ground.
Harry turned just in time to catch Roger's charge. He blocked with his sword, but he didn't expect Mandy to sneak up on his unprotected, and unaware, back. She sliced across his left shoulder blade, a deep, crippling cut. Harry cried out in a momentary lapse before thrusting back on Roger and spun to do a roundhouse kick on Mandy. Mandy, unprepared for physical retaliation, fell back a few paces again.
This time it was Neville that attack Harry in unawares. Harry, focused on Mandy and Roger, didn't sense his best friend until it was too late. He managed to step out of Neville's fatal swing so it only caught his front shoulder blade. But again it was on his left. Harry's left was useless now with three major wounds disabling him. Harry cried out again and spent several minutes blocking Roger, Neville, and Mandy from three different sides.
Roger gritted his teeth and Harry quickly blocked all their blows. He was fighting recklessly now. While that was a good thing on most fighters, it wasn't with Harry. The more reckless he was the better he fought. Roger didn't see Harry's low blow coming at his right side, and Harry stuck a deep wound on his unprotected side. Roger gasped in pain and swung blindly as a counterattack. He managed to cut into Harry's leg again. Harry barely grunted and took a step back before charging at Neville.
Harry had a new plan: take out the strongest. And Neville was the strongest physically. His conscience nagged at the back of his mind for attacking his best friend roughly and with out caution, but this was the fastest way to end this. Harry had so many cut over his body, quite a few of them were deep, and he was beginning to think he had considerable blood loss as his vision wavered a bit. Neville was good, but he had a hard time blocking fast attacks. Harry pushed his body to its limits to cut down Neville with swift attacks. He scored four blows in a row across his chest before Neville stumbled back and to the ground.
Harry was beginning to lost energy as he turned to face Mandy. He attacked with powerful downward thrusts, but she blocked them all. With one good hit Mandy knocked Harry's sword out of his hands. Harry didn't bother to try and pick up his blade and instead rushed into her and brought her down physically. Mandy scratched across Harry's face with her long manicured nails deep enough to draw blood. Harry grunted and punched her in the eye. He felt Roger coming up behind him ready to strike a fatal blow to his back. Just as Roger began to swing, Harry threw his weight into a roll and brought Mandy up to receive the blow. Roger tried to stop himself, but couldn't and watched in horror as his sword sank into Mandy's joint between her shoulder and her arm. The sword nearly went all the way through. Mandy was in so much pain that she couldn't even scream. Roger quickly pulled his blade out and Harry rolled her as gently as he could so she was back on her back.
Roger swung again, but Harry managed to dodge and tackle Roger's legs. Roger fell under Harry's weight, but didn't drop his blade. He brought it down on Harry's back, and finally scored his fatal wound between his shoulder blades and centimetres from Harry's spinal cord. Harry gasped raggedly in pain. He knocked the blade out of Roger's hands. Roger punched upwards and crunched Harry's nose. Harry's vision swam as his cartilage shattered. He returned the favour and slammed his palm into the side of Roger's nose and in his eye socket. Roger could only see out of his one good eye now and he grappled for a rock on the ground. He found one that was half the size of his hand and brought it crashing into the side of Harry's head. Harry rolled off Roger and grabbed his blade. He managed to slice until he hit bone in Roger's right arm. Roger howled in pain.
Harry panted for a few moments as he laid on his back. He looked up as he heard footsteps approaching from his left. Tracey staggered up to him holding her fencing blade. Before Harry could react she brought down her blade right through Harry's chest, strategically missing his heart. She then collapsed onto her knees. Harry's world exploded in pain, Tracey did manage to pierce through his lower right lung. He could feel the blood rushing into his lung and began to choke and cough up blood.
"Enough!" Shacklebolt yelled as he spun to face the Minister. "Scrimgeour, Harry is down. And severely wounded." Shacklebolt felt sick after watching the Myrmidons tear each other to pieces. He raised them to trust each other and follow orders no matter what, and Scrimgeour ordered them to rip each other apart.
"Fine. Good. Pomfrey, please only heal the fatal wounds. The rest will heal the muggle way." Scrimgeour nodded to the pale, and a bit shaky, healer. She rushed to Harry first, she could tell from his breathing that Tracey punctured his lung.
Sirius Black rounded on Scrimgeour. "Was that really necessary? This punishment was too harsh." He argued.
Scrimgeour eyed him with disdain. "I don't think it was too harsh. Besides, give them a punishment they wont forget and they wont break the rules."
Black glared angrily, but didn't say more. He valued his job as an Auror and as the DADA teacher, both jobs Scrimgeour could take from him effortlessly. Snape also eyed the Minister with disdain, but he and Dumbledore remained silent.
Moody remained silent as well. He stood back from the crowd and observed the five teens; his one magical eye whirled from teen to teen. He hoped that this didn't damage their already fragile psyches.
oOo
To Be Continued!
eh? What did ya'll think?
Thanks to all who read! espeically: El-Gilliath (my fab beta), Ari, GOldensong, Forever secretive, Kurako (gah, Draco does seem too innocent, i keep trying to fix that...), WhiteDragonShiro, DREAMS Of CRYSTALLIZE LOVE, SeulWolfe, RitaMalfoy (wow! thanks for reviewing ALL the chapters! -glomps-), SaphirePhoenix (it's far from over ), sally, fudgebaby, Kismetkracker (a rec list? wow! i feel honored! and yes Remus will come in later! i promise!), MidNite Phoenix (ha, i'm really not in contact with JK Rowling, i get all my info from the Harry Potter Lexicon, and wow, i didn't think book 6 was quite that bad!), PoeticTradegy (i'm glad you found it again), DarkJewel, SianaMoon, MidnightsRose, scarblade (pomfrey and magic, my friend, that's how ), Yukino-chan, JadedSecrets, GoddessMoonLady, jbcna, TheDevilsSeductress, angelkitty77, rayvern, Bluebear13 (every chapter starts with a flashback), sakura blossoms4, spirit element, jmmill13, Dulce Psycho (ah! Thanks!), Priestess of Silvanus, SilvreDragon1610 (yes, things will develop better with harry and draco, promise!), methoslover (ha! sure), jillypooh, Firehedgehog, xxbabysparklesxx, beebs (meatloaf! i haven't listened to them in ages!), DemonRogue, sadie, Jujube15, The Great and Powerful Oz (gah! i'm sorry! the x and z are right next to each other! -begs for forgivenss-), Shania Maxwell, tamachan444, sphinx12, Mithros (gah! sorry no lemon, i totally changed what i was going to do with the chapter! i hope you still liked), fifespice, DestinyEntwinements, Dark Angel of Fire Ice, xXPillZXx, RavenMistress, Lady Slone, Miss Moonlight, Brennend (heh, Harry really used the magic just because he can, heh), AND MissiYoung! Thanks all!
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