Not mine someone else's.

Criminal Charges.

"So Hermione it's been two weeks now have you decided what career path you're going to take?" Harry asked earning himself a quick glare from Ron who was obviously fed up with the subject. The lure of the book he was reading though was too much and he disappeared behind its covers.

"Yes I think I have," she answered buttering a slice of toast with her normal annoying neatness and precision. "I'm going to pursue House Elves for Hire. It looks like it's going to be a success. Remus says that word of mouth is bringing in more business each day, but it's nowhere near enough yet to keep all the Elves busy. We need some positive advertising to move things on."

"Such as?" Harry asked with a sinking feeling.

"An endorsement would be good," she answered beaming a smile at him.

"Oh no you don't," Harry said quickly. "You're not getting me involved. I set this whole thing up just so I wouldn't have to get involved."

"You wouldn't have to do anything all we need is the use of your name."

"How?"

"We'd quote you saying what a wonderful service we provide how you wouldn't dream of using any other service, that sort of thing."

"That sounds like an endorsement deal to me," Ron said emerging from his book. "That means I get ten percent of the fee, as your agent."

"Sorry Ron ten percent of nothing is still nothing," Harry said.

"So you don't mind," Hermione said with a broad smile. Harry shook his head. "I'll tell Remus to run the flyers off."

"Look Harry if I'm going to be your Agent we really will have to discuss these things before you go and give your name away for free."

"Ron you can't expect these poor Elves to pay for Harry's support. They don't have any money."

"Not now they don't, but what about when they do."

"Honestly Ron not everything is about money," Hermione retorted. Red rag to a bull Harry thought.

"So says someone who's never had to wonder where the next galleon is coming from."

"Enough the pair of you," Ginny interrupted.

"This use of my name is only temporary, ok," Harry added. "Once things are moving along nicely you drop me from it."

"Good," said Ron. "According to this book your name is a valuable commodity and should be used with great care. If it becomes over exposed it loses a lot of its value."

"I really regret getting you that book, and all those others," Hermione said. "You've done nothing but have your face stuck in them since they arrived. You're behind on your homework, and you haven't even started to revise yet. Exams are only a few weeks away."

"We haven't even broken up for the Easter holidays yet," Ron complained.

"You can never start too early. These exams will affect the rest of your life."

"No they won't."

"Of course they will every employer will ask you about them."

"I'm going to be self employed, and as my own employer I've no intention of asking myself about them."

"What if you fail as an Agent?"

"Oh thanks for the vote of confidence Hermione. I'm representing Harry the man who beat Krum. How can I fail?" Ron was as angry with Hermione as Harry had seen him since the two of them got together.

"But what if Harry gets injured so badly that he can never play again. Then you'd be out of a job." Harry glanced at Ginny and raised his eyebrows, but all she did was give a shrug in return.

"I'll still have Ginny, and I intend to get other players as well."

"Well you haven't got any other players yet have you, and Ginny could get pregnant and then where would you be."

"Oh leave me out of this," Ginny snapped. Hermione realised what she had just said, went bright red and looked apologetic for a couple of heartbeats.

"Ron you can't let seven years of education slide by as though they don't mean anything," she continued at the same intensity.

"I don't intend to, but neither do I intend to spend every waking moment worrying about it."

"But Ron…"

"We're not the same Hermione."

"Look you two stop it," Harry said not wanting to be dragged in, but neither did he want to listen to this argument over and over for the next two and a half months. "Hermione you'll revise way too much, and will be short tempered until after the last exam. Ron you'll do the bare minimum and moan while you're doing it. Could you both except this about the other and maybe, just maybe do a little less in one case, and a little more in the other. Gin and I have more than enough on as it is, without your little side show."

"Hear, hear," Ginny added and fortunately for all concerned any right of reply was interrupted by the usual flurry of morning owls. A very regal looking owl landed between Harry and Ginny with two official letters, one for each of them. Ginny relieved the bird of it's burdened and handed Harry his, just before she ripped her own open.

"No surprise, they're charging me with using an Unforgivable," she said after quickly reading it. Ginny threw the letter onto the table in disgust where it was snatched up by Hermione.

"Same here," Harry said handing his over to Ron to read. "Except that they're also charging me with murdering a Gertrude Derwin, and the destruction of an endless list of properties."

"Who's Gertrude Derwin?" Ron asked frowning.

"She was the witch who was killed looking for her cat," Hermione answered. "You know what's strange about this?"

"What's that?" Harry asked. He wasn't really interested. He had hoped that this whole nonsense, and it was nonsense, would just go away.

"They haven't said who you're meant to have used an Unforgivable on."

"I'm not surprised," Harry said. "It hardly does their case any good to name the most hated Wizard of modern times as the victim."

"Well I suppose the good news is that it'll be over soon, one way or another. The twelfth of March isn't far off," Ginny said. Another owl then decided to dive bomb them dropping a letter inches from Harry's cup of tea. He picked it up and slit it open and quickly read the short missive.

"It's from Greg Widdick," Harry said.

"Who's that?" Ron asked.

"Our lawyer Ron, keep up will you," Ginny said.

"It appears that we are under house arrest until the trial. Neither of us are to leave the school grounds. If we do we'll be locked up until the day of the trial. He also says that we're going to be escorted to the Ministry by three Aurors, but he intends to accompany us to make sure nothing untoward happens."

"Like what?" Ginny asked.

"He doesn't say, but he reckons the case is so feeble that they're up to something else and I can only agree with him," Harry added, "but I'm damned if I can see what that is."

"I think it's time we called in our debt the Aurors say they owe us," Ginny said quietly so that only Harry heard her. Harry looked at Ginny and wondered what she had in mind. Ideas of his own had been floating around in his own head for some time and he wondered whether they matched.

"I think I agree with you love. We'd better go and see Professor McGonagall and let her know about our new prisoner status. Hermione could you let Professor Rossi know that we're going to be late?" Harry asked.

"Of course I can. Come on Ron, put that book down." Harry, Ginny, and Ron all looked at Hermione in total surprise. Those were words that they never expected to hear her utter. Hermione though chose to ignore their looks, gathered her belongings, and left the table. Ron followed still looking shocked.

"Just when you think you know somebody," Harry said once they were both out of earshot.

"I don't think she likes the idea of my brother being a sports agent," Ginny said.

"Well they don't have a very good reputation. Hermione probably thinks he should be doing something with more status."

"I know mum would agree with her, but with Fred and George running a successful joke shop she won't have much of an argument." Ginny leant against Harry, who was now sipping his tea. The word 'why' kept rattling around his head. Why were they so intent on sending Ginny and him to jail? It didn't make sense when had they ever been a threat to the Wizengamot. They'd been the one to pick a fight not them.

They walked in silence out of the Great Hall both of them deep in thought, so it was only on the third attempt that they heard the voice calling out to them as they reached the second flight of stairs.

"Dad!" Ginny said in surprise when she turned her head and saw her Father below her. Mr Weasley though didn't say anymore until they had reached him, and then in a whisper said.

"I'm Percy not dad."

"Wow good likeness," Ginny said.

"Polyjuice?" Harry asked. Percy just nodded. "Are you sure that your dad can afford the loss of hair." Ginny couldn't help herself and sniggered.

"Is there somewhere we can talk in private?" Percy asked ignoring Harry's comment and Ginny's giggling. Harry suspected that was due to the fact that Percy was showing early signs of becoming follicle challenged as well.

"There's usually an empty classroom on the first floor this period. We can talk there," Harry said. Once they entered the classroom Harry locked the doors and put up all the privacy charms that he knew.

"What's so important that you risked coming here illegally disguised?" Ginny asked sitting on top of the teacher's desk her legs swinging back and forth. Harry had to force himself to concentrate as he was finding the sight very distracting.

"They're hiding evidence from your lawyer."

"What evidence there isn't any," Harry said his irritation showing.

"I realise that, but they claim to have a witness that saw the pair of you casting Unforgivables like confetti."

"That's rubbish!" Harry snapped.

"I know Harry I know, and that's why they're hiding it from you. If they spring this on you they hope to damage your defence, and blacken your names."

"I am so sick of this," Harry shouted to the room.

"Who is this witness?"

"He's a Death Eater. He claims that he was under the Imperius Curse."

"Sounds like he's trying to find a ticket out of jail," Ginny said.

"Of course he is," Harry said still angry, "and they expect everybody to believe his word over ours?" Percy shrugged his shoulders there was really nothing he could add.

"We shouldn't let this go to trial Harry, I understand your reservations, but we mustn't let them play their game," Ginny said. Harry looked at her feeling her passion and knowing that this time she was probably right. Their hands were being forced and doing nothing was becoming less and less of a possibility.

"I know," he said a heavy burden weighing down on his shoulders. "We'll discuss this later, in private." Percy looked at his sister and brother-in-law and knew that something major had happened but he had no idea what.

"I have information on three members of the Wizengamot as well," Percy said pulling out several rolls of parchment. Harry scanned them quickly before handing them over to Ginny.

"Thanks Percy we already knew about one of them. It's amazing that so many people know what that pervert did and yet have done nothing about it. That makes a total of seventeen out of fifty who can be blackmailed. It's not enough."

"Seventeen!" Percy said a look of shock on his face.

"Appalling, isn't it, how corrupt the Wizengamot has become, and don't think for a minute that the other members aren't as bad or worse," Harry said.

"Do you really mean to blackmail these people Harry? Won't that make you as bad as them?" Harry glanced at Ginny and saw her shake her head slightly.

"It's best you don't know what we have planned Percy. Not that we really have anything planned at the moment." Harry could tell that Percy was dying to know what his cryptic comments meant, but before he could say anything Ginny asked him a question.

"Percy how are things at the Ministry? We hear all sorts of rumours."

"The place is a nightmare somebody is being suspended everyday."

"Why?" Ginny asked.

"For mostly complaining about the latest Ministerial decree."

"Anybody been sacked yet?" Harry asked.

"No they haven't dared yet. If they sacked someone it would require a hearing. Suspending someone on full pay doesn't require any action for three months."

"I suppose that makes some kind of sense, but they can't continue like this for much longer though can they? So what's going to be the next decree then?"

"Umbridge wants to ban the public from writing letters of complaint to the Ministry, especially about you two. You have a lot of support out there."

"You're kidding me." Harry said.

"I'd say we have about a hundred letters a day on average protesting how you're being treated."

"Umbridge must love that," Ginny said.

"She refuses to open her own post anymore. Too many curses getting through. The only reason you haven't been locked up to await trial is that they're nervous about what the public would do if they did."

"Maybe we should force the issue and leave Hogwarts. Make them arrest us," Harry suggested.

"No Harry, not until we've got our plans sorted out, besides they'd separate us," Ginny said with a pained expression. He was better than he had been about being parted from Ginny but he knew he couldn't put up with that for very long.

"Ok love. Percy is it possible for you to tell Kingsley Shacklebolt that we want to have a private word with him."

"I guess so. What should I tell him it's about?"

"Debt repayment," Harry simply said

"That's all?"

"He'll understand."

XXXXX

The private chat with Shacklebolt turned into a series of long meetings which included Hermione and Ron. In hindsight it would have been less stressful without Hermione, but he would never have dreamed of starting what they were planning without her involvement and approval. It was her sense of detail that drove Harry round the bend. It was also, he realised in quieter moments, her sense of detail that was going to make the plan work, unless they were discovered and imprisoned beforehand.

The twelfth of March arrived sooner than they wanted and it was all Harry could do to pick at his breakfast that morning. He was having second thoughts, no change there. Ginny wasn't much better and she looked as pensive as Harry felt. Ron and Hermione weren't expected to be allowed in the courtroom, but they were going to be in the Ministry regardless.

The news of their coming trial had spread throughout the Wizarding world like wildfire despite the Daily Prophet making no mention of it. Some news just couldn't be constrained. Rumours of demonstrations and civil disobedience continued to circulate Hogwarts, but there was never any hard proof so Harry discounted them. It was only Ron who got excited about the rumours and believed all of them.

Hermione and Ron had left for the Burrow earlier as they intended to enter the Ministry alongside Mr Weasley in case there were difficulties. To be honest Harry was surprised that Mr Weasley hadn't been suspended or sacked yet, but it seemed he was determined not to create anymore trouble for Harry and Ginny and was keeping his head down.

"Dad what are you doing here," they both heard behind them. Turning they could see Greg Widdick was walking towards them between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables. Hilary and Irene ducked under the Hufflepuff table emerging right beside Harry and Ginny.

"He's come to see us," Ginny said.

"We didn't do it," they both said at once.

"What didn't you do?" Harry asked.

"Whatever it is that made you get dad here." Harry thought that was said by Irene.

"For once this isn't about you two, so quit panicking, and just what do you get up to when you're wandering the castle out of curfew?" Harry said looking right at them and narrowing his eyes. Neither of them answered but gave him their best innocent look, and realising they weren't in trouble they both walked as quickly as possible to greet their father. Running in the Great Hall wasn't allowed and it seemed to be one of the few rules that the twins were finally obeying.

Harry and Ginny strolled slowly after the two girls so they could have a few moments with their father. Mr Widdick was in a tight hug with his girls. All three of them were ignoring the looks they were getting from passing students. There was no doubt in Harry's mind that the Widdick's were a close knit family, and from no where a flash of jealousy ran through him that he had been denied it when he was growing up.

"All right girls that's enough. I don't want you to be late for class."

"See you dad," they chorused.

"And behave," he added sighing as they walked away.

"Yes dad." Greg Widdick watched them until they had left the Great Hall, before turning to Harry and Ginny.

"How are you two?" he asked.

"We're fine thanks," Harry answered.

"My girls haven't been giving you too much trouble I hope?"

"They definitely seem to be better this term. They're being caught out of bounds less at least. I still haven't figured out just what they're up to when they are out and about."

"I'm glad they're causing less grief for you. I never had any grey hair until they learnt to walk. Then we called them seek and destroy. Now we need to discuss the latest developments."

"There's usually an empty classroom on the first floor this period. We can talk there," Harry said. The three of them walked on with Mr Widdick looking round in much the same manner that his daughters had done when they had first arrived at Hogwarts.

"It hasn't changed a bit," he said half to himself.

"You studied at Hogwarts?" Ginny asked.

"I did and loved every minute of it. I was glad to leave in the end all the same and get out in the real world. This is the first time I've returned. I should have come back sooner, but life just seemed to get in the way. I had some good times here. In fact I was always worried I might not be welcome back after our leaving prank."

"What was that then?" Ginny asked as they entered the empty classroom.

"Me, and my nameless friends, some of them are rather important these days and pillars of the community, altered the bewitchment on the Great Halls ceiling."

"What did you do?"

"We made it actual rain during the final breakfast, even though it was a brilliant sunny morning. Got everybody completely soaked. It seems rather stupid now, but that's how we got caught. We all had water repelling charms on." He smiled at the memory. "One of my friends was even carrying a muggle umbrella the idiot."

"So you and your friends were the only dry people in the school," Ginny said laughing.

"We were, but there wasn't a lot they could do about it as it was our last day. Anyway enough of memory lane it's time we dealt with the here and now. I should explain what my tactics are going to be. We have just under an hour until the Aurors come to escort us to the Ministry."

"Look Greg I appreciate you wanting to come with us, but there's really no need."

"This whole thing stinks Harry and I want to make sure they don't try and separate us. You're both capable people but in this situation you need professional legal help, and that's me. Now the way I want to handle this…"

"It's ok Greg we've made plans of our own." Harry didn't like interrupting Mr Widdick, and no doubt he had spent a long time working out his strategy. The thought though of hearing him explain it at this late hour just didn't appeal.

"Sorry what plans are these?" he asked looking bewildered and not a little upset.

"It's best you don't know. Just in case it all goes pear shaped," Harry said with a forced smile. Greg Widdick's mouth opened and closed, but nothing came out.

"This is a kangaroo court Greg," Ginny added jumping down from the desk she had been sitting on. "You know it. We know it. In fact anybody with half a brain knows it. Even my brother knows it. No matter what you've worked out in our defence isn't going to make a scrap of difference. They're going to find us guilty."

"You think things are that bad?" Widdick asked.

"Yes," Ginny said simply.

"But they can't hope to get away with it. People won't put up with it. I won't put up with it."

"We have no intention of waiting for others to fight our own battles," Harry said. "My Godfather spent twelve years in Azkaban because no-one was prepared to fight his battle. It was his own efforts that got him out in the end, and we have no intention of being imprisoned and separated from each other."

"But why…" Greg stammered. "Why are they doing this?"

"I wish I knew. I think it's some sort of revenge by someone, but I've no idea who. Maybe we'll finally find out today."

"We're not playing the game by their rules anymore," Ginny said. "Now while we wait for the Aurors to come and get us tell me exactly how you fixed the ceiling in the Great Hall." Harry could tell that the Weasley side of her character would not be denied. The chance of out doing Fred and George's spectacular departure from Hogwarts was too good to miss. He only hoped that they would be there at the end of term to carry out whatever mayhem she had in mind.

Harry didn't pay much attention to their conversation as he wandered around the room going over the day's plans. Even at this late stage he had doubts about whether it was the right thing to do, but Creswell, Umbridge, and Cuffe along with the rest of the Wizengamot had left him with very little choice. His thoughts though were interrupted by a knock on the classroom door. He lifted his wand and with a flick opened the door and revealed three Aurors in full dress uniform.

Dawlish was the Auror standing immediately in the door way. Harry had never liked the man and each time they had met nothing had happened between them to change his mind. Dawlish though was looking uncomfortable and Harry didn't need to use Legilimency to know that he would rather be anyway else than here today.

"Mr and Mrs Potter we have come to escort you to the Ministry. We have a Portkey that will take us direct to the Courtroom," Dawlish said stiffly and then cleared his throat nervously. "The Wizengamot also demands that both of you hand over your wands."

"No bloody chance," Ginny yelled making Dawlish flinch. Harry winced at her sudden anger.

"They're that scared of us are they?" Harry asked.

"I'm sorry Mr Potter, but those were my orders." Harry could see that he wanted to say more but didn't. The other two Aurors entered and he saw that it was Hargrove and Walsh. They'd both been his personal bodyguards after the death of Riddle, and had dragged Umbridge out of the award ceremony for him. He was surprised to see that they hadn't been fired or suspended in between time.

"It's good to see you both," Harry said his arm out stretched. The two Aurors smiled and shook his offered hand.

"We take no pleasure in this," Hargrove said. Walsh looked as shamefaced as Hargrove but shook Harry's hand anyway.

"I understand," Harry said. "Here's my wand." He handed his wand over to Hargrove much to Ginny's surprise. Harry knew that having a wand wasn't going to help them at the Ministry one way or another. The plan would only start once he told Shacklebolt to begin. He wanted to see how things went in the courtroom before he started the process that would turn the Wizarding World on its head.

"Thank you Harry," Hargrove said placing Harry's wand in an inside pocket of his robes. Ginny hesitated for a moment but followed Harry's lead and handed her own wand over reluctantly.

"I hope you don't think I'm going to hand my wand over," Greg Widdick said his wand in hand.

"We don't need your wand Mr Widdick," Dawlish said. Greg looked a little disappointed that he wasn't going to get an argument and replaced his wand back in his robes.

"They're not the enemy Greg," Harry said. "Shall we go then?"

"Mr Potter I know we've had our differences," Dawlish said, "but I want you to know that I don't agree with what's going on. We owe both of you and if Mr Shacklebolt hadn't told me to do my duty I would have told Umbridge what to do with her job."

"Don't worry about it Dawlish. Let's get this over with and maybe we can be back in time for lunch."

"I doubt that Mr Potter."

"There's more going on than you realise Mr Dawlish," Harry said winking at Ginny. Now that things were on the move he was beginning to feel more confident. Sure things could go wrong, when had they not in the past, but they would deal with that at the time. Worrying wasn't going to help anymore. "Come on we need to leave the schools grounds so we can use the Portkey." Harry then left the classroom linking arms with Ginny in the doorway.

To an outside observer who had no idea what was going on, it looked like Harry and Ginny were in charge of three Aurors and a civilian rather than being escorted for trial. As they walked out of the castle Harry saw two familiar faces waiting to greet them, but Ginny got there first.

"Neville, Luna shouldn't you be in class teaching or learning?"

"We weren't going to let you go without our best wishes," Neville said glaring at the three Aurors as though this was all their fault.

"Cheers Neville," Harry answered, "but we'll be fine."

"We've told Ron and Hermione that we'll be waiting for news in the staff common room. The flue is connected to the network so if you need help just call." Harry was touched by his friend's loyalty it was something he couldn't get use to in others and was sure he never would.

"I don't think that'll be necessary, but thanks anyway."

"Remember Harry the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry," Luna said without her usual dreamy expression." Harry wasn't sure why but he felt a chill run down his spine as her words sank in.

"Ok Luna I'll try and remember that," was all he could say in reply. He might have asked why she said that, but he didn't dare. Maybe she was being perceptive, it had happened before, or maybe it was just another of her random sentences. Those happened far more often. The walk to the Hogwarts gate was carried out in silence as Harry ruminated about what Luna had said.

"Was that Neville Longbottom?" Auror Walsh asked.

"Yea," Harry said.

"Really, I expected him to be bigger, more imposing. He did take down Bellatrix Lestrange single handed after all."

"Yea… well he was well motivated. People can move mountains if they have enough motivation, and he had it by the bucket full. He normally prefers the company of plants and is one of the gentlest person I have the privilege of knowing," along with Hagrid he thought.

"My first partner, Jim, was one of the first people on the scene after his parents were attacked," Dawlish said shuddering at the thought. "Others who knew Jim at the time said he was never quite the same man after that. The spark went out of him is how they described it."

"The world's a better place without the bitch," Ginny said with venom. All conversation ceased until they reached the gates. Dawlish pulled out a coil of rope and waited until everybody had grasped a section of it. Then he touched it with his wand making it flash blue and moments later Harry felt the familiar tug on his navel and the worlds began to spin.

Harry was about to congratulate himself on landing on his feet this time when he heard multiply shouts of 'Avada Kedavra' from behind him Without thinking about it he flung himself at Ginny throwing her to the ground covering her body. He never saw or felt the two red beams of light that hit him in the back making the world go black.

There has to be a cliffy every so often!