Well, here's the next chapter. Sorry it's been longer than expected, but I've been busy roleplaying on this HP site I found, and I've had an amazingly busy week - 18th birthdays, guy fawkes night celebrations, homework, a first aid course... Please don't hate me when you read this chapter - I know I'm being mean but without it I wouldn't have a story!

Disclaimer: Anne McShiffles is mine, as is Siria, but nothing else :(

9th December 1998

POTTER CONDEMNED TO 28 YEARS IN AZKABAN

By Anne McShiffles

Yesterday afternoon the jury assigned to Harry Potter's case came to a verdict regarding his charges. He was proclaimed guilty of some, innocent of others, and was sentenced to a total of twenty eight years in Azkaban.

This will leave 17-year-old Ginny Weasley, Potter's ex-girlfriend, to bring up Siria Potter-Weasley, the child used as bait to secure the Chosen One's capture. Many were shocked when the 15-week-old baby was revealed as being Potter's daughter. The prosecution even used her as evidence that his judgement wasn't good. But if you think of the hundreds of illegitimate children born every year, you can see that he is just human. He made a mistake and now he won't be able to see this mistake until she is older than he is now.

Potter was found guilty of using the Unforgivable Curses, damage to historical buildings, breaking and entering, theft and destruction of historical artefacts. However, the jury came to the conclusion that he was innocent when it came to the charges of trespass, murder, theft and protecting a fugitive. The fugitive mentioned, Sirius Black, Potter's godfather and the namesake of his daughter, was also proclaimed innocent of his crimes.

Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger were fined when they faced the Wizengamot, and have now returned for Hogwarts. They appeared at the hearing to give evidence on Potter's behalf and are greatly distressed by the sentence.

"All Harry did was what he had to do to destroy Voldemort. Now he's got to spend the next thirty years in jail, accompanied by dementors and Death Eaters," Granger, now 19, protested. "What about his daughter? What happens to her now? What's Ginny [the baby's mother supposed to tell Siria when she asks where her daddy is? 'Sorry, kid, the Ministry imprisoned him for saving people's lives'."

During the trial, dementors had to be removed from the courtroom after Potter had a spout of fainting fits. It is believed that he has suffered from these previously, but as he was unable to perform the patronus charm and in light of the Battle of Hogwarts, they affected him more adversely than ever.

More people gathered in condemnation when they heard of the verdict. Nymphadora Tonks, wife of the late Remus Lupin and member of the Order of the Phoenix, has resigned from her post as an auror in protest. As a young, single mother herself, she can surely relate to what Ginny Weasley will be going through. Kingsley Shacklebolt, head of the auror department, also expressed the view that he too would like to leave, but is "worried about all the new recruits getting brainwashed".

As the Ministry hits down hard on werewolves and other half-breeds in the Half-Breed Containment Act released earlier this week, it is becoming more and more obvious that we have exchanged one tyrant for another.

Thanks for all the reviews I got for the last chapter. The winner of the virtual cookie contest is... ReadingRed! Congratulations! hands over virtual cookies This chapter's competition is for a virtual bag of chocolate pumpkins! Review for a chance of winning:-D