Chapter 28: the malfoy trials: pt. 3

Ginny paced back in forth in the hallways of the courtroom wringing her hands together. She and Harry had just returned from the Leaky Cauldron after a brief lunch and were early for Lucius Malfoy's trial. Up until this point, Ginny had not shown any hint of apprehension about the testimony she was about to give. Harry watched her anxiously. He could only imagine how hard this must be for her and he longed for a way to make it easier. But he knew Ginny. She would never admit she was scared.

"Ginny, you don't have to do this," said Harry as she continued to pace. He stood and grabbed her lightly by the arm, stopping her in her tracks. She turned and looked him in the eye, showing nothing but determination.

"I have to do this Harry. I have to," she said forcefully. Harry sighed and released her arm. "Why are you so against me testifying?", she asked.

"I'm not against it really," said Harry. "I just hate seeing you like this."

"And just how do you think I've felt every night for the past few weeks?", she asked. "You come home every night in a bad mood, beating yourself up because a certain Death Eater didn't get a long enough sentence or because someone else got a sentence that was too long."

"But that's different . . .," began Harry but Ginny cut across him.

"How is that any different?", she asked, her voice rising slightly in the empty corridor. "You didn't have to testify at half the trials you've been to, but you did it anyway because you felt that it was something you had to do. Well, this is something I have to do."

Harry walked over to her and gently took her by the hand. "I know you've been having nightmares about the chamber," he said in a low voice. Ginny let out a long breath and closed her eyes. "How?", she asked.

"You wake up screaming almost every night. I feel so helpless when it happens. The first time it happened you just brushed it off and said it was nothing. They were happening more often as the trial date approached, am I right?", said Harry.

"Yes. I thought you were asleep," said Ginny. "I don't want to bother you with my trivial little dreams anyway. If anyone should be having nightmares, I would think it would be you. You've been through more then I have."

"Don't you understand how much it pains me to see you go through this? All I want is for you to be happy, Gin. Can't you see that?"

"I'm sorry Harry"

"Don't apologize to me. You have nothing to apologize for. I just don't want you to have to relive what happened," said Harry.

"I have to do this, Harry. In order for me to even begin to get over what happened, I need to do this," said Ginny.

"Ginny . . . I . . . "

"Enough Harry. I'm not discussing this any further. I'm going to go into that courtroom and tell them exactly what happened to me during my first year at Hogwarts. I'm going to make sure they all know what Lucius Malfoy was responsible for," said Ginny, her voice starting to rise once more.

"If you're sure, Gin."

"I'm sure," said Ginny. Just then, the doors to the courtroom swung open signaling that the trial was about to begin. Harry walked over to Ginny and took her by the hand.

"I'll be right there with you the whole time," said Harry, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

"I love you, Harry"

"I love you too," said Harry. "More then you know." Hand in hand the two of them made their way into the courtroom and to their seats. Harry noticed that Narcissa Malfoy was no where to be seen. The doors in the back of the courtroom banged open and they watched Lucius Malfoy be escorted into the courtroom by Valentine and take his seat in the center of the room. The chains on the chair sprang to life, binding him where he sat. Harry noticed that he looked pale. His pale blonde hair was frazzled and showing a bit more grey. He held the general air of unkemptness. Azkaban had not been kind to Lucius Malfoy.

"Lucius Malfoy, you are here today as an accused Death Eater who was in Voldemort's inner circle. You are accused of many crimes committed during the first and second war. We will hear testimony's against you today as well as the testimony of anyone who may be here on your behalf," said the Ministry official proceeding over the trial. Lucius scanned the faces in the courtroom and hung his head. Harry had an idea of who he was looking for.

Lucius' trial turned out to be the longest Harry had attended thus far. Dozens of witches and wizards turned up to give testimony of the many crimes that he had committed throughout the years. Harry glanced over at Ginny. The longer they sat there, the more anxious she was getting. He gently squeezed her hand to show her that he was there for her. They watched as an unfamiliar wizard gave his testimony against Lucius. Lucius' head snapped up when he heard Harry's name called as the next to testify. Harry thought Lucius looked almost hopeful as he made his way to the stands. He wondered if Narcissa or Draco told him that he had testified on their behalf. He hoped Lucius didn't think he would do the same for him.

"Hello again, Mr. Potter," said the Ministry wizard in a low voice as Harry took to the stand. Harry smiled to himself. He really had testified at a lot of trials.

"For the record, please state your name," said the official, loud enough this time for the entire courtroom to hear.

"Harry James Potter"

"And you are here today to give your testimony against Mr. Malfoy?"

"Yes sir," said Harry. He spared a quick glance at Lucius. He had once again hung his head and Harry could tell that he felt as if all hope for a light sentence was lost. He moved his gaze to where Ginny was sitting in the stands and felt no pity for Lucius.

"You stated in your earlier written testimony that when you witnessed Voldemort return to his body that Mr. Malfoy was amongst the Death Eaters who responded when Voldemort called upon his followers. Is this correct?"

"Yes sir," said Harry, turning his attention back to the official. "He returned and I heard him tell Voldemort that his allegiance was always with him."

"You also stated that he was present during the incident at the Ministry of Magic during your fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"

"Yes sir. Voldemort had used our connection to lure me and my friends to the Ministry that night under the pretense that he held my godfather, Sirius Black, captive. Of course, we found out once we got there that my godfather was not in any danger and Voldemort was trying to obtain a prophecy that involved him and I. Mr. Malfoy was one of the Death Eaters that my friends and I fought that night," said Harry.

"Thank you, Mr. Potter. Now, you had also mentioned something about the Chamber of Secrets?", asked the official.

"Yes. Mr. Malfoy slipped an old diary of Voldemort's into Ginevra Weasley's cauldron while we were in Diagon Alley. This diary held a piece of Voldemort's soul. This is how the Chamber of Secrets was opened." Harry glanced up at Ginny. She was nervously wringing her hands together. All he wanted to do is run to her and wrap her in his arms.

"A piece of Voldemort's soul?", asked the official, clearly confused. "Could you explain this a bit more?"

"No sir," said Harry. He had no desire to go into any more detail about Voldemort's horcuxes. "Kingsley knows what that means, and that's all that matters here."

The official looked up at Kingsley who nodded. "Thank you Mr. Potter. Now, I see that you also stated in your written testimony that Mr. Malfoy was, for lack of a better phrase, demoted among Voldemort's followers?"

"Yes sir. After he had failed Voldemort, he had stripped him of his wand. When I was captured and taken to Malfoy Manor, I could tell that he only continued to do Voldemort's bidding out of fear. Although, given this information, I do not believe he deserves a lighter sentence here today. He was still a Death Eater until the very end."

"Thank you Mr. Potter. You may step down," said the official.

Harry stood and made his way back to where Ginny was sitting. He noticed that she looked a bit pale. When he reached his seat, she looked up and gave him a weak smile. He knew it was her attempt to show him that she was all right, but Harry wasn't fooled. He sat down and took her by the hand. He knew there was nothing he could do or say at that moment that would chase away her fear and anxiety. Not even a minute later he heard the official call her name. She turned and looked at Harry fearfully. Harry squeezed her hand. "You'll do fine, Gin. I'm right here," he whispered. Ginny nodded and took a deep breath before standing and making her way to the stands with her head held high.

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A/N: Hope you enjoyed. As always, please review!!! :)