The media went crazy the first morning of the trial as Draco and Harry Malfoy made their entrance into the ministry. They had been ordered to bring Lily to court but they had not wanted to subject her to all of this. Lucius was bringing her through one of the staff entrances and would keep her in Arthur's office until she was needed.
Draco held on to Harry's hand "It's okay, we'll get through this"
Harry squeezed his hand back "Thank you for being here"
Draco leaned in and kissed his cheek "Where else would I be?"
They stepped out of the car and as they were walking up the stairs the reporters were throwing questions at them left and right. They ignored the voices until one Harry could never ignore, cut through the air.
"So you decided to flaunt your disgusting relationships openly?" Ginny sneered "Couldn't keep your ferret in hiding like your little snake all those years ago.
Harry turned to see her coming up the stairs " Ginny" he said bitingly "You will not speak of my husband like that."
Ginny smirked "So you actually went through with the farce of a wedding, I thought you would come to your senses when you were served."
"I love Draco and I was not about to allow your little game to ruin our future. And when this trial is done we will take our daughter home." Harry said
Ginny flared up at that "She's my daughter and I'll be the one walking out of here with her."
Harry turned around and allowed Draco to lead him into the ministry. He tried to keep as calm as possible. He knew that it would look better to the court if he was cool and collected.
The team of attorneys came up to meet them inside "Ginny will have today to present her case. You need to keep cool and allow us to do our work."
Harry nodded "Does she have a case?"
The attorney shook his head "She has pulled out some witnesses and I heard she has been seeking some dirt on you, hired Rita Skeeter to try and dig up some dirt."
Draco sneered at this "That bug never learns. Trying to punish us for losing her job."
They walked into the courtroom. Harry and Draco sat with their attorneys at their table but they were not alone. The Weasleys, the Malfoys, and many of their friends from school ranged behind them in the seats. Ginny sat with her attorney and the only one on her side was Rita.
The opening statements began and then the judge declared that the defence could present their case.
000000000000000
Ginn'y attorney stood up in front of the room and called their first witness "Healer James Kale"
An elderly wizard in St Mungoe's robes stood up and came forward and took his seat in the witness box. The man was sworn in and there was something about the look he sent Harry's way that reminded him of Professor Umbridge.
The attorney Mr Henry spoke "Can you state your name and your profession for the court?"
The healer answered "James Kale, healer in family psychology at St Mungo's"
"You have a lot of experience working with divorced families, is that not true?" Mr Henry asked.
"Yes. For over thirty years now." The man stated.
"And in your opinion when the parents divorce what is the best situation for the children involved?"
"The child should have access to both their parents. A girl child especially needs the influence of their mother in their life."
"And would it be better for a child who is one to live with their father who works full time, or a mother who can be home all the time?"
"I believe that at this stage of development it would be best for the child to have a constant parent. If the mother is willing to stay home with the daughter, it would be best for the child's development."
Mr Henry had one last question "And what kind of influence would having the child be in a household with two men living as mates, have on the child?"
"I believe that it would be confusing for her. She might have her doubts about her own sexuality in the future."
Mr Henry took his seat and the top lawyer after calming Harry and Draco down quietly, stood up and took his turn.
Mr Wolf approached the doctor "You have studied child development. Tell me at what age does a child start having significant memories?"
The doctor responded "By about 20 months the child would remember things they experience, they would start attaining memories and feelings."
"And in your expert opinion how easy would it be for a child who is nearly 2 years old to adapt to a parental figure they have never spent time with?"
The doctor shook his head "It would be hard at first but with time the child should adapt to it."
"You argued that the child needed a female figure in her life. Could such a role not be filled by a child's Aunts or grandmothers?"
The doctor nodded "If there were strong female figures in the child's life that were a constant, yes that would be appropriate."
"And is it not true that studies say that children raised by a gay couple are no more likely to be gay?" Mr Wolf dug in.
"Yes, most studies do believe that."
"You argue that a stay at home mother would be more stable of a home. But how about one who has not had a steady relationships and jobs?"
"I believe Miss Weasley would settle down with her daughter."
"Interesting. This is the same woman who abandoned her three month old daughter to head off to America with her newest boyfriend."
The doctor paled "Well time changes things, Miss Weasley seems to have settled."
"So you would argue Miss Weasley who has no job, rents an apartment and has no ties to family or friends here in England is a more stable home for a child then the child's father who has raised her. A father who is happily married, holds a good job as does his husband, has the security of his family money to fall on. A man who has the backing of not only his in laws but the support of Miss Weasley's own family"
The healer was almost speechless "I will agree that it does seem Mr Malfoy does have a more secure life to offer his daughter."
00000000000000000000000000000000
Wolf informed Harry and Draco that the only other witness that the defence had was Ginny herself. It turned out that for all of Rita's spying she could not find any dirt to help Ginny on such short notice.
Ginny took her seat and when sworn in she sat there smugly and stated her name "Ginnerva Molly Weasley"
Her attorney smiled "Miss Weasley can you tell me what led you to leave your husband and daughter?"
Ginny nodded "My ex-husband was more interested in his career and his male lovers then he was in me. Our daughter took center stage when she was born. My husband ignored me and alienated me from my daughter."
"Are you saying your husband had lovers when he was still married to you?"
"He was involved with his own professor when in school. He was out late at all hours of the night. I have it from a good source he was in a relationship with a member of his own team of aurors."
"So why did you not take your daughter when you left?"
"My husband is a rich and powerful man. He gained much of that from his old lover. I knew I had no chance of gaining custody of her against the famous Harry Potter"
But you have come back for your daughter now?"
She nodded "I love my daughter and want to be a part of her life. When I heard Harry was bringing another man into her life I knew I needed to protect her."
"Protect her?"
"Draco Malfoy was involved with the death eaters. He and his family had their name cleared but I have my doubts. I do not want that influence on my child."
When it was their turn to question her Mr Wolf pounced "Miss Weasley isn't it true even before you left you never spent time with your child?"
"No. I loved my daughter, my husband kept her away from me."
"I have a signed testimony from your own mother that stated that you refused to even hold your daughter. On nights your husband worked you would leave Lily with her all night until Harry could pick her up, was your mother lying Miss Weasley?"
"No"
"And in fact it was you who was having affairs when you were still married, isn't that true? The man you ran off with you had been seeing for over a year?"
Ginny pursed her lips "Dean offered me what Harry would not. He cared about me. He showered me with attention."
"Tell me why is it you returned back to England now? Isn't it true that you were banned from quiditch because of enhancement potions and Mr Thomas left you?"
"Yes, but it's not as it sounds"
"Miss Weasley can you tell me what is your daughter's favourite color, what is her favourite toy, what book does she like to be read before she goes to bed?"
"I don't know"
"Does she have any allergies? Has she ever had the dragon pox? Does she go to bed easily or does she need to be rocked?"
"I don't know"
Mr Wolf turned to the judge "Since Draco Malfoy's role as an adequate parent is in question, would it please the court to have Draco answer the questions."
The judge nodded "Mr Draco Malfoy do you know the answers?"
Draco stood "Lily loves green, her favourite toy is a teddy her Uncle Fred gave her when she was born. Her favourite book is Goodnight moon. She has allergies to peas, had the dragon pox in March and has a small scar from one, and often needs me or Harry to sing or play blues music to go to sleep."
"Miss Weasley, when did your daughter take her first steps? What was her first word? "
Ginny shook her head and Draco spoke "She took her first steps at fifteen months, into my arms from Harry's. Her first word was daddy to Harry, second Papa to me."
"So tell me Miss Weasley why do you think that you would make a better parent to your daughter then Harry and his husband?"
"I'm her mother"
"A mother who does not know the first thing about her child. Family is important, do you have the support of any of your family to help you raise her?"
Ginny shook her head.
"Isn't it true that your entire family is sitting behind Harry and Draco, supporting them. That your parents have encouraged Draco's adoption of Lily?"
"Yes"
"No more questions"
00000000000000000000000000000000000000
The court was about to adjourn for the day so that Harry's attorneys could have some time before they brought their witnesses forward when Ginny's attorney stepped forward.
"Your honour we request that Miss Weasley be granted visitation with her daughter."
Mr Wolf stood up "We object. Miss Weasley has not had contact with the child since she was three months old."
The judge thought for a moment "I will permit Miss Weasley to take her daughter for the night. She will be expected to return Lily to her father tomorrow at court."
Harry went ghostly pale as he heard this and when the judge closed for the day Harry let Draco lead him out of the courtroom. Lucius was already there with Lily in his arms as he had been informed of what had happened.
Ginny came forward and demanded her daughter "You heard the judge, I get her for the night."
Harry reluctantly handed her over but Lily began screaming "Daddy, daddy" and reaching for him.
Draco had to hold Harry back to stop him from reaching for her "Its okay Harry, it'll only be for one night Harry."
"We'll see" Ginny said as she walked off ignoring the cries of her daughter.
Harry buried his head into the shoulder of his husband "I can't stand this. Lily is so scared."
Lucius wrapped an arm around Harry and Draco and led them into the privacy of one of the side rooms. Lucius assured Harry and Draco that the ministry was sending an official to keep an eye on Ginny. Harry had a sinking feeling though that did not go away. As he lay in bed with his husband that night he could not sleep.
0000000000000
In the morning when they were in the courtroom they looked over at the table where Ginny should have been sitting but she was not there. They had been told Lily would be taken to her grandfather's office and they would get her when court ended for the day.
Harry turned to Draco, both exhausted as they had not slept the night before "Where is she?"
Draco shook his head "Calm down, she'll be here soon."
The judge came into the room and noticing the missing defendant she asked "Where is Miss Weasley?"
Her attorney looked pale "Miss Weasley seems to have disappeared. I went to her apartment to collect her this morning and she had cleared out."
Harry would have dropped if Draco had not held tight to him. The judge spoke "I want a warrant issued for Miss Weasley on charges of kidnapping"
The courtroom cleared quickly and Harry found himself alone with his husband and his family. He had not spoken since the warrant had been issued. He couldn't believe she would steal his daughter.
"Rita" Lucius said "She got spot listening in on some of the court members last night"
Harry was stunned "What do you mean? What's going on?"
"The case was going your way and Rita must have told Ginny. When I learned, I insisted that the aurors be doubled on Ginny."
"How did this happen?" Draco demanded.
His father shook his head "I am sorry, I'm not sure how they got past it. I just learned before you did."
Harry could not believe this. His daughter's birthday was in two days. The case had been going well. He had believed the court would allow Draco to adopt her and they would be a family in time for her birthday. Now she was missing and he was not sure he would ever hold his daughter.
The judge had appeared "It is not official but the ruling will of course be for you after this. Miss Weasley will face prison time and Draco will be permitted to adopt Lily"
Harry stared at the judge "That is if we ever get my daughter back"
Harry sunk into the comfort of his husband's arms. Everyone tried to assure him that he would have his daughter back in his arms soon but he could not believe it. He would not believe it until his daughter was back in his arms. He had been scared before, but at that moment he would have rather been facing Voldemort then not knowing where his baby was.