Behind Closed Doors

Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 15: A Long Night's Journey into Day

A witch or wizard's wand is one of the most important parts of them. It represents the essence of who they are as a person. However as an object, a wand can tell many stories without its owner present. And it was one such story that had brought Zara Malfoy to the Detention Center for Underage Witches and Wizards at half past three in the morning. Housed within the Ministry of Magic, the center housed less than fifty underage witches and wizards at that very moment, all of whom were educated about magic in an alternative fashion rather than at Hogwarts. That was not to say that Hogwarts students were somehow above children whose parents had not chosen Hogwarts. However, it was well known that Albus Dumbledore kept any and all incidents involving underage magic within Hogwarts. So there were no other Hogwarts students being detained there at the present time. To be sent to the center, children had to harm another witch or wizard or a muggle with intent. This prevented children from being brought in after hurting the aforementioned by accidents caused by the inability to control their magic.

The story Zara's wand told of the spells that it had cast and those incantations are what had landed her there. The imperious curse that she had put on Ginny Weasley was enough to hold Zara until the circumstances under which it had been cast were revealed and confirmed. But because a stunning spell and the beginning of the killing curse were also revealed by Zara's wand at the time Ginny Weasley was in the Chamber of Secrets, Rufus Scrimgeour was confident that the youngest Malfoy would be jailed indefinitely. Considering that there were witnesses in Dumbledore's office and none who were conscious with Zara in the Chamber, it would take a very long time to find evidence to the contrary that she was indeed innocent.

Zara's screams pierced the quiet of the center which had sent its residents to bed hours ago. Guards who doubled as officers in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement rushed out to see what all the noise was about. When they saw that Rufus Scrimgeour was holding a struggling girl in his arms they rushed out to help.

"This is the Malfoy girl whom I told you about earlier. She'll be staying here until we can figure out what happened at Hogwarts," He said practically having to shout over Zara's screams as he handed the girl off to a waiting guard.

Tired of lying down and simply taking what was being done to her, Zara fought and squirmed with every ounce of strength she had. But unfortunately for her, the guard had 150lbs on her and easily restrained Zara before taking her to a room where she was promptly cleaned up, and changed into the dark green robes that were the uniform in the facility. And to add insult to supreme injury, Zara Malfoy was restrained to the sole bed in the room. The door closed behind the guard when he left with a dull metallic thud plunging the girl with the beautiful golden hair into darkness.

At 4am, a house elf admitted Lucius Malfoy into the home of Cornelius Fudge who was currently living in the Minister of Magic's residence on Downing Street in London. The elf showed him to the Minister's study and then disappeared with a loud crack. As he waited in the study clutching his serpent cane, Lucius found it very difficult to stay in the room and wait for Fudge. While he was not in any way upset in an obvious way, any casual observer would notice the tension in his body. On the inside, Lucius was seething. In truth, it took every single ounce of will power in him not to go upstairs to Fudge's bedroom and confront him about Zara's whereabouts.

"Lucius?"Asked a somewhat tired voice, which caused Lucius to turn around. "What can I do for you?" Asked Cornelius Fudge from the doorway.

"I apologize for disturbing you at such a late hour," Lucius replied still managing to be cordial in spite of the circumstances. "But I have an urgent matter to discuss with you."

"Of course," Fudge replied crossing over to the wet bar and pouring himself a brandy. "May I interest you in a drink Lucius?"

"No, thank you. I've come to speak with you about the conduct of Rufus Scrimgeour."

"I see," The other man said with a resigned sigh and sat down in a chair across from his visitor. "I was told that he had taken charge of investigating the incidents that occurred at Hogwarts this year. And I heard that your daughter is involved? Is that true?"

"Yes Fudge it is," Lucius admitted begrudgingly. "Zara was taken to the Ministry earlier this evening for questioning. But she has not been released yet."

"Because Zara is the prime suspect in this investigation," Fudge said quietly. "I'm sorry Lucius. But Rufus has informed me that Zara should be detained until the investigation is complete. And I agree with him for the safety of your daughter."

"Tell me Fudge," Lucius said changing his tact. "Is the Ministry in the business of terrorizing children?"

"Excuse me?" Fudge said clearly taken aback by the question.

"Tonight, my wife and I were waiting for Zara to be released by Mr. Scrimgeour at auror headquarters. And when he brought my daughter out to the corridor behind the waiting room, he would not let Zara speak to me even though she wanted to speak for a moment. He retrained Zara and when she wouldn't obey him, he lifted my daughter up and took her away even though Zara was screaming for me. And as if that is not enough, aurors stunned my daughter while she was at Hogwarts. So I ask you again Fudge, is the Ministry of Magic in the business of terrorizing children? Because if that is indeed true, perhaps I should withdraw my continued support of your office. I do not want to endorse a leader who would let a child be terrorized in any way for something that she may or may not have done."

"Is that a threat Lucius?"

"On the contrary Fudge, it is a promise. Not only will I withdraw my support, I will also make sure that the Daily Prophet is made well aware of the discretions you have committed whilst in office."

"What can I offer you in exchange for your continued support and your silence?" Fudge asked.

"I want my daughter. If Zara is found guilty of something, I will make all the necessary arrangements to ensure that restitution is paid in whatever form that may take. But until then, Zara deserves to be in her own home where she will be safe. Am I making myself clear Fudge?"

"Yes Lucius you are. I will speak to Rufus and arrange for your daughter to be released this morning," He said reluctantly.

"That is all I ask. It is always a pleasure to do business with you Fudge," Lucius said with a small smile.

The early morning sunlight spilled into the kitchen of the Tonks Household. Andromeda had been the first to get up so she was the first one in the kitchen making coffee. Ted followed not very long after and kissed his wife softly on the lips before beginning to make breakfast for the family. For everything that they had been through, Andromeda and Ted had come out of it with a solid marriage that only seemed to grow stronger as the years passed.

"How did you sleep last night darling?" Ted asked as he began cracking eggs.

"Quite well actually, though I did hear you get up," Andromeda replied with a slight smile.

"Did you?" He asked innocently.

"You couldn't resist that cake could you?"

"I can't help if your chocolate torte is addictive," He said in defense.

"Did Nymphadora happen to come in while you were up?"

"Yes she did. She had an emergency at work."

"Oh?" Andromeda replied, the word emergency piquing her interest. "Anything serious?"

"Actually," Ted began but was interrupted by the sound of a beak rapping at the window. He looked up and saw an owl holding a copy of the Daily Prophet.

"I'll get it," Andromeda said before her husband could finish his sentence. She opened the window and the owl came in and gave the paper to her before departing.

"Mornin'," Tonks said coming into the kitchen yawning.

"Good morning sweetheart," said her mother turning around and headed back to the table with the paper. "I heard you had a late night last night. Is everything alright?"

"I wanted to talk to you about last night mum," Tonks replied watching her mother unroll the paper.

"Of course," Andromeda said. "What about?" She asked and then without warning she gasped.

"Mum?"

"Dromeda what's the matter?" Ted asked, turning around obviously concerned.

But Andromeda didn't answer either of them. Instead she sank into a chair at the kitchen table and began to read.

CHILD FROM PROMINENT WIZARDING FAMILY ARRESTED FOR ATTACKS AT HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Reginald Babington, Prophet Staff Writer

Sources who wish to remain anonymous have announced today that the Auror Department arrested a student late last night for attacks against muggle-born students at Hogwarts which have occurred throughout the school year. It has been since revealed that the child is Zara Malfoy, the only daughter of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. Miss Malfoy started her first year at Hogwarts last September and school records indicate that she is a bright and well liked student at the school. The only defining difference for her before this incident was being sorted into Gryffindor House. The Malfoy family has a long history in Slytherin House. Draco, the older of the Malfoy children is currently a second year student in Slytherin House, taking after both of his parents. His mother Narcissa's family, the Blacks also has a long history in the house with the only exception being Sirius Black who like Zara was also in Gryffindor. Legal trouble is not a new issue for the family however. Mrs. Malfoy's cousin Sirius is currently incarcerated in Alzkaban for murdering 12 people almost 13 years ago. Zara's Aunt and Godmother Bellatrix Lestrange is also in the prison for the torture of Alice and Frank Longbottom, former aurors themselves. Though the exact nature of the attacks at Hogwarts have not yet been revealed, Zara Malfoy is currently being held at the Detention Center for Underage Witches and Wizards within the Ministry of Magic and her wand has been confiscated. The Daily Prophet spoke to Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry only to be told that "I will not comment about the incidences that have happened at Hogwarts until the investigation being done is completed and I have spoken to Miss Malfoy." More details about the attacks at Hogwarts and Miss Malfoy's involvement in them will be published in the Prophet as they become known.

Andromeda read the article through once more before she dared to look up again. When she finally did, Tonks and Ted were standing on either side of her reading the article as well. "Is this where you were last night?" She asked her daughter quietly.

"Yes Mum," Tonks replied looking just as stunned as her mother did. "How could the Prophet find out so quickly? I thought they were keeping this pretty hushed up?"

"There's obviously a leak somewhere," Ted said grimly.

"Poor thing," Andromeda murmured softly as she ran her hands over the photograph of Zara Malfoy giving the photographer taking her picture a million dollar smile in what looked to be a party dress. She was holding an Easter egg basket so the photo had been taken fairly recently.

"Something's not right mum," Tonks interjected. "I sat with Zara last night and she didn't know what happened to get her to the Ministry. I think Scrimgeour is making an example of her on purpose. There have been rumors going around that he can't stand Lucius Malfoy."

"I'm sure he can't," Andromeda agreed quietly. "But everything will work itself out."

"Mum you have to help Zara!" Tonks exclaimed. "She's family."

Andromeda turned to her daughter, "There's not very much I can do for Zara Nymphadora. But should a need ever arise to do so I will. Until then, the Malfoys will take care of their own," She said before walking out of the room.

Money can buy a lot of things. In the case of the Malfoy family, it frequently bought silence as well as material items. However, today was the exception to the rule. As time headed toward noon Zara Malfoy's story was spreading like fire across the country creating a sensational scandal. In contrast to the waiting area of Auror Headquarters which had been done in a rich maple wood color with two enchanted windows featuring that day's weather, the Detention Center for Underage Witches and Wizards was depressing. The walls were cement and the floor was a dingy white carpet that looked as if no one had taken a cleaning spell to it in a very long time. It was here that Lucius Malfoy had been directed to wait for his daughter to be brought to him. As he sat waiting in a hard plastic chair, he was glad he had convinced Narcissa to stay at Malfoy Manor and sleep. She would have been appalled at the condition of this place and therefore furious about Zara having to be here in the first place. There was no question that this incident had strained relations between husband and wife. While Narcissa had indeed offered sympathy and comfort to him last night, she was still furious with him and rightly so. An 11 year-old little girl was paying for his choices both in the present and the past. Zara's first year at Hogwarts should have been filled with happiness and excitement. But now she was probably thinking about whether she'd even get her wand back let alone go back to Hogwarts.

The sound of a door opening caused Lucius to look up and disrupt his thoughts. When he did however, he was rewarded by being able to see a most welcome sight. There in the doorway stood Zara in her school robes which were a little tattered from her ordeal. But she was cleaned up and looked physically unharmed. She was accompanied by a guard.

"Miss Malfoy is free to go," He said before leaving the room.

Zara took a hesitant step forward, almost as if she was afraid that the guard would return and take her away again.

Lucius didn't hesitate and filled the gap between them immediately before hugging his daughter tightly, "You're safe now Zara," He whispered to her softly. He felt her exhale against him after he said that.

"Now can I go home?" She asked her voice muffled against his robes.

"Yes Zara," Lucius said as he pulled away from his daughter slowly. "We can go home."

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