I didn't wait too long for this update, did I? I'm trying to be better about updating! I'm winding down toward the end…so we're almost there!
As usual, I am not J.K. Rowling, nor do I own Harry Potter or the recognizable characters
On to the story!
Before I knew it, it was time for Ronald Weasley's trial. I was anxious to learn if he was truly remorseful for his actions concerning Hermione and myself. What I had heard about him simply did not fit with what I had seen and I wanted to learn the truth of the matter, whatever that may be. I hoped for the sake of his family that he was at least remorseful.
The courtroom was nearly full by the time Severus and I found our seats beside the Malfoys and the Potters.
"I call to order this session of the Wizengamot in the case of the People vs. Ronald Weasley. Chief Witch Augusta Longbottom presiding. How does the defendant plead?" asked the Chief Witch.
Weasley's lawyer responded for him, "Not guilty."
There was an immediate outcry in the gallery. I squeezed Severus' hand when I felt him tense in anger.
"Quiet! Quiet all of you! I will have order! If you cannot handle yourselves, you will be removed from the premises," Chief Witch Longbottom bellowed.
Before she could move on, Weasley's lawyer spoke up, "Chief Witch Longbottom, if I may. My client has requested to be questioned in front of the Wizengamot and these witnesses with Veritaserum before any of the witnesses give testimony so as to reduce the stress and agony of the victims."
"That is highly irregular Counselor, but I will allow it. I will warn you now that we will be most displeased should this prove to be a waste of time. I will require Potions Master Severus Snape to examine the Veritaserum and administer it to the defendant if he will accept," she replied.
Severus stood and nodded. He leaned down and placed a kiss upon my forehead before making his way down to the front of the courtroom.
Severus picked up the vial handed to him by an Auror and took the topper off, examining the vial closely.
He nodded to the Wizengamot in confirmation that the vial was in fact Veritaserum and approached Weasley on the witness stand where he administered three drops of the liquid.
The Chief Witch waited a moment before turning to Weasley and speaking, "Ronald Weasley, you will be questioned by the prosecution, your own Counselor, and possibly the Wizengamot as well Do you understand?"
Weasley answered with a glassy look in his eyes, "Yes."
Satisfied that the potion had taken effect, Severus made his way back to his spot next to me.
"Very well, we shall begin," the Chief Witch stated.
"The prosecution rose and moved in front of Weasley.
"Mr. Weasley, you plead not guilty of the assault and near murder of Professors Hermione Malfoy and Elle Snape. How is this possible given the fact that the victims saw you and spoke to you as well as many witnesses confirming that it was in fact you?" the prosecution asked smugly.
Weasley responded, "I was not in control of my body. I was under the Imperious Curse."
The room was silent with that revelation. He was under the effects of Veritaserum and couldn't lie. If it wasn't Ronald acting out of jealousy and anger, then who wanted to harm Hermione? I was under no delusion that I was the intended target.
The prosecutor stuttered for a moment before he again found his voice. "Do you know who used the Imperious Curse on you Mr. Weasley?"
"Yes," was the simple reply.
The courtroom was startled again and listened eagerly.
"Mr. Weasley, who cursed you?" the prosecutor asked stunned.
"My Ministry appointed fiancée, Pansy Parkinson," Ronald replied with a glassy look still on his face.
The courtroom broke out in murmurs all over. I could see Hermione crying in Draco's shoulder out of the corner of my eye. Severus put his arm around me and pulled me close as I laid my head on his shoulder, too stunned to make a sound.
Chief Witch Longbottom banged her gavel, trying to hush the courtroom. "Silence! The prosecution may sit. If it pleases the defense, I would like to continue questioning Mr. Weasley myself."
Weasley's lawyer nodded his acceptance.
"Very well. Mr. Weasley, it is your claim that your fiancée, Pansy Parkinson, used the Imperious Curse on you and this caused you to assault Mrs. Malfoy and Mrs. Snape. Is this correct?" she asked.
"Yes," he stated simply again.
"Please elaborate on that, Mr. Weasley," the Chief Witch said.
"I overheard her bragging about it to a friend through the floo. We had recently moved in together at my insistence. I wanted to make the relationship work if I was going to be stuck with her. She didn't know I was home. I heard her speaking to someone in the floo and was about to announce that I was home when I heard her. She told her friend that she cursed me to get information from Hermione and to 'take the bitch down' for taking her 'Drakie-poo'. I was horrified that I could have done such a thing without even knowing. I left the room quietly to try and get my bearings and come to grips with it all. Before I could even sit and think, the Aurors showed up and arrested me. I was put straight into a cell without questioning. The last thing I saw as I was dragged out of my home was Pansy smirking at me," he stated.
The Chief Witch was silent for a few minutes before responding, "Aurors, we will be having a discussion soon about proper protocol and questioning. The Minister and Head of the DMLE will be involved as well. In the mean time, find Ms. Parkinson and take her into custody. Auror Shacklebolt, I want you in charge of this. You have the court's permission to question her with Veritaserum."
She then turned to the gallery and called Severus down to administer the antidote to Weasley.
"Mr. Weasley, it is the decision of this court that you did not indeed knowingly assault and attempt to murder Mrs. Malfoy and Mrs. Snape. Your new former fiancée will be brought to the Ministry and properly questioned. I apologize for their lack of proper protocol in your handling. The Ministry will pay you a sum of 1,000 Galleons for your trouble. Additionally, if Ms. Parkinson is indeed guilty, you will be assigned another life mate through the Marriage Law. However, this time we may look into the possibility of your interviewing potential candidates. I only offer this because it is clear that your match was inadequate. Until then, you are free to live your life Mr. Weasley."
With that, she banged her gavel and the trial was over. Ronald's parents rushed forward to celebrate while Severus and I made our way out to head back home to the castle and the Potters and Malfoys stayed behind to talk with the Weasleys.
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