Aftermath - Chapter 5 - A Strange Request

"I don't understand," Harry said after the noise had subsided from the avalanche of words of disbelief which had greeted Hermione's announcement that Harry was being called as a witness to help defend Draco Malfoy. "When was Malfoy arrested?"

"While you were sleeping in the hospital wing few days ago," said Mr. Weasley as he came into the room and gave his wife a quick kiss and hug. "Sorry, forgot to tell you. Just...anyway, Draco Malfoy and his father were taken with the rest of the Death Eater's who were still alive and who we managed to capture."

"Are they in Azkaban?" Ginny asked.

"Lucius Malfoy is," said her father as he sat and Mrs. Weasley placed a plate of fried eggs and toast and a hot cup of tea in front of him. "But Draco Malfoy is being held in the Ministry I've heard, with a few Dementors nearby as guards."

"The Dementors are cooperating again, are they?" Harry asked.

"Oh yes," Mr. Weasley said. "They know who is in charge now. There numbers have shrunk considerable with the joy that has greeted Voldemort's death. There is talk of not using them as guards for good, but its too soon for that."

"Seems very sudden for a trial, doesn't it dear?" Mrs. Weasley said as she sat next to her husband with a cup of tea.

"His mother has been placing a lot of pressure to try him quickly," Mr. Weasley said and then noticed the looks from the others. "Don't look so surprised. The Malfoy's have always paid for want they wanted and I don't think that is going to change. There will always be those in the Ministry willing to take gold for favors. According to what you said Harry, Draco Malfoy didn't actually take part in the battle, but he still has to answer for his previous crimes."

"What is Malfoy being charged with?" Hermione asked.

"Not sure," said Mr. Weasley. "But letting Death Eaters into Hogwarts last year and Dumbledore's death are most likely part of it."

"But…but…Harry? Defending Malfoy?" Ron said in shock. "The Ministry has gone off its rocker, you ask me."

"This is not a Ministry request," said Mr. Weasley as he examined Harry's letter. "Ah, yes, I thought as much. The legal council for the Malfoy's is Jeremiah Hatcher. He's the one that asked for Harry."

"Hatcher?" said Mrs. Weasley. "Isn't he one of the best?"

"Yes," said Mr. Weasley around a mouthful of eggs. "I am sure Narcissa Malfoy is spending as much as she can to keep her son out of Azkaban."

"Can't I refuse to be a witness?" asked Harry and Mr. Weasley shook his head.

"Afraid not. It is, unfortunately, the law that defendants may call any witness they wish."

Harry let out a sigh. "Then I guess I have no choice."

Ron just shook his head. "But, Malfoy? It doesn't make sense. Why would they call Harry to defend Malfoy? Harry hates his guts. We all do!"

"I can't disagree with that," said Hermione as she looked at Harry with worry. "But, does…well, does he really deserve to go to Azkaban?"

"Yes," said Ron at once but no one else had said so and Ron cast unbelieving looks at them all. "I mean, come off it! It's Malfoy we're talking about! After all the grief he caused us, especially you, Harry!"

"I do hate his guts," said Harry, a little too quietly to sound convincing. But…Azkaban, Harry thought, with a shudder of horror. Of all of those at the table only Harry had felt the true power of the Dementors and he wasn't sure if even Malfoy deserved that.

"I'm confused," said Ginny. "How can Harry defend Malfoy?"

"It's the legal counselor," said Mr. Weasley thoughtfully. "He can ask Harry questions to put Draco Malfoy in a good light. They know something, something about what happened, and they think if Harry says these things, the court will listen to him, being as he is the hero of the moment and the one who brought down Voldemort. The character of a witness often plays a big role in how the judges interpret the evidence."

Harry knew that first hand. The arrival of Dumbledore at his own hearing a few years ago surely swayed a lot of votes for dismissal of all charges in Harry's favor.

"What could Harry know that could save Malfoy?" Ron asked in wonder.

"Dumbledore's plan," Hermione said.

"Maybe that's the idea," said Mr. Weasley. "Get Harry to tell them what Dumbledore's plan was. If they can prove Dumbledore knew what Malfoy was doing and allowed it to happen, maybe he will get off."

"But I didn't know Dumbledore's plan," Harry said in exasperation.

"Of course!" said Hermione suddenly after a moment of silence. "Everyone heard Harry say that Dumbledore arranged his own death, let Snape kill him. That's what they'll use to try to get Malfoy off."

"Bloody hell," Ron said through clenched teeth and his mother gave him a stern look.

"Language!"

"But Malfoy getting off?" Ron said in frustration. "He almost killed me with that poisoned bottle of mead for Dumbledore. And he cursed Katie Bell!"

"Hard to prove all of that," said Mr. Weasley. "Madam Rosmerta actually gave the cursed necklace to Katie and the bottle of mead to Professor Slughorn. At least that's what Harry heard Malfoy tell Dumbledore."

"But she was under the Imperius Curse!" Ginny added.

"It eez eempossible to know who cursed her, it leaves no trace," Fleur said as she stood and started collecting empty breakfast dishes with a wave of her wand, directing them to the kitchen sink.

"Quite right," said Mr. Weasley.

They were all silent, contemplating Draco Malfoy going free and unpunished.

"Maybe I should have….in the Room of Requirement…," Harry said but didn't finish his thought.

"Let him die, Harry? In the Room of Requirement?" Hermione asked, guessing his thoughts, and everyone was looking at Harry.

"No, I didn't mean…it was fire…and…even Malfoy didn't deserve that."

"No, he didn't, it was…horrible. But even later you couldn't let him die, wouldn't let him be attacked by the Death Eaters, even though you knew he had a hand in Dumbledore's death," said Hermione. It wasn't an accusation, just a statement of what had happened.

"I…he…," but Harry didn't know what to say. He had saved Malfoy, twice, and Harry knew he didn't do it out of love for him. Maybe it was because he knew Malfoy wasn't in control of his fate, much like Harry most of his life. He had seen Malfoy sobbing in the bathroom, had even felt horror when the spell he had used caused wounds to erupt on Malfoy's face and body.

"What are you going to say at his trial?" Ron asked after a long silence. His tone was almost accusing, as if Harry was going to save Malfoy once again, if it was possible. "Best if you lie a bit," Ron added.

"What? I..I don't know, Ron! I'm still trying to take all this in! Excuse me," Harry said as he stood. "Thank you for breakfast, Mrs. Weasley. I…I just need some air."

Harry went out the door and not a second after he left Ron realized he had said something wrong and started to get up to follow him. Hermione grabbed his arm and shook her head "no" and Ginny glared at her brother. "Leave him be," she said in anger and followed Harry outside.

He was standing by the garden looking at the gnomes poking their heads up, sniffing the air. Harry felt Ginny's hand on his shoulder and he reached up and held her hand, feeling its warmth.

"Sorry," Harry said. "Just too much to take in right now."

"I understand," she said. "Ron is way out of line. I think a Bat-Bogey Hex would do him some good." Her words made Harry feel better and he grinned a bit. He turned to face her.

"What should I do?" he asked and she looked slightly surprised, but then took a deep breath and spoke.

"You do what you think is right," Ginny said. "And if…if…you truly believe Malfoy deserves some punishment, make sure he gets it. But don't do it for vengeance."

"What?" this last part surprised him. "You know all he has done to me and Ron over the years, the number of times he called Hermione…that word… how often he has insulted your family."

"He was just a child, a stupid boy," Ginny said. "And now, well, now, you are both men. Maybe it is time for this to end. Look at Sirius and Snape, the hatred they had for each other, and not even the need to destroy Voldemort brought them together."

Harry looked at her in wonder. "Maybe. But I'm not going to help him get off. He did cause Katie Bell and Ron to almost die. And he did play a part in the attack on Bill and Dumbledore's death."

"Then just answer whatever questions they ask you. Be honest, tell the truth, and let the judges decide his fate."

Harry nodded and knew it was the right thing to do. Harry pulled her close to him, hugging Ginny tight. "Thank you" he said and looked into her beautiful brown eyes and then came the words he had been dieing to say to her all year. "I…I...love you."

Ginny squeezed him tighter and let out a long sigh. "About time you said that, not that I didn't already know it. When you told me we had to break up so Voldemort couldn't get to you through me, I knew you loved me then. And you know I have loved you for a very long time."

They kissed and it was as if all the pain they had experienced in the last few days was extinguished.

"Ah…hmm…" an embarrassed-sounding voice came and Mr. Weasley was standing in the yard with his robes on and a briefcase in his hand. Harry and Ginny sprang apart as if on fire, both a bit flushed.

"Sorry to interrupt," Mr. Weasley said with a bit of a grin. "Just on my way to the Ministry and thought Harry would like to come along. Check out the Auror training schedule, get your feet on the ground so to speak." Harry had already told the others first chance he had that he was going to be an Auror.

"I…sure…," Harry said. "If…it's OK?" he asked Ginny and she smiled.

"Go on," she said. "We'll…catch up…later."

Harry gave her hand a quick squeeze and then ran into the house. He was a bit surprised Mr. Weasley was working, the day after his son's funeral, but perhaps it was best that way, to get on with as normal a life as possible under the circumstances. Mrs. Weasley seemed much better and there were many people here to help her through the difficult days ahead. Percy had moved home for the time being, Charlie had planned stay for a few weeks, and Bill and Fleur would not return to Shell Cottage for a few more days.

"Best put on some good robes," Mrs. Weasley said to Harry as he passed, him not surprised she already knew what was happening. "And no trainers, proper shoes! Want to look sharp now you are going to be at the Ministry all the time."

"Right," said Harry, and thought it might be time to go shopping. He didn't have many clothes here, having been on the run for most of the last nine months. Ron and Hermione were not at the table and Bill and Percy were there now with Fleur, both looking in a terrible state, eyes bloodshot, pale looking, and with pained expressions.

"No, I promised your mother," Fleur said to Bill as he looked at her with pleading eyes. "And she is quite right! Eef every time you drink this firewhiskey there eez an instant cure for your pain, soon I will have a drunk for a husband!"

"I'll make it myself," Bill said and started to get up, but then his mother glared at him.

"Not in my kitchen, you won't!" she said sharply and Bill just groaned and sat down.

"But, Mum," Percy said in a pleading tone as Harry went up the stairs. "I've got to be at work in…is that the time! In five minutes! Please, just a little something…my head…"

"Not a thing for any of you!" he heard Mrs. Weasley shouting and Bill and Percy groaned and then Harry was too far away to hear the rest. As he entered the bedroom Ron was sitting on his bed again.

"Sorry, mate. I was a bit out of line," was the first thing he said and Harry smiled.

"It's all right," Harry said as he searched for his cleanest robes. "Bit of a shock, me supposed to be defending Malfoy."

"Yeah, bit mad, you ask me. Just…tell them the truth I guess. How he treated you like dirt for six years and how you saved his worthless life and all that. And about him letting in them Death Eaters."

Harry paused. "I..I never actually saw him do that. I was with Dumbledore."

"Oh, right," said Ron, a bit puzzled. "But you know what happened on the Astronomy Tower and what he said to Dumbledore, so that's got to count against Malfoy."

Harry nodded. "Right."

Ron looked at him strangely while Harry started to put on his robes. "Why you getting dressed up for?"

"Going to the Ministry with your father, check out the Auror office and training schedule."

"Oh," Ron said and Harry detected a hint of jealousy. He knew Ron also wanted to be an Auror, but no invitations from the Ministry were forth coming.

"Look, mate," Harry said in as gentle tone as possible. "It'll happen. Some day you'll be right there with me. You've got more experience fighting the Dark Arts than most of those who are Aurors now. Maybe you should go back to school this fall."

"Nah," Ron said, but Harry could tell he felt better. "I reckon I'm gonna try a hand at business first."

"What?" Harry said, more than a bit surprised.

"George and I had a talk last night," Ron said. "Wants me to come help him with the shop, maybe open up a branch in Hogsmeade. Said he pay me salary first, then a percentage of profits. Be nice to have my own money. Can't be taking Hermione on dates without a bit of coin in my pocket, can I?"

Harry grinned. "Reckon not. I'm sure you'll be great at it. So, you and Hermione? All right now?"

"Yeah, fantastic. Went for a long walk, had a nice chat and...well…bit of the old snogging."

Harry grinned. "Told you she wasn't mad."

"Yeah, just wanted to hear it from me sober was all," he said with a big smile. "Say, what about you and Ginny? Do you..? I mean, sorry, none of my business."

"I do," Harry said as he adjusted his robes, blushing a bit. "And yes she knows and feels the same."

Ron had a big grin. "That's fantastic, Harry. I think it's going to be a great year."

"Can't be worse than the last, that's for sure."

"Not bloody likely," Ron said, his voice a little sadder.

"You all right?" Harry asked, a bit worried.

"Yeah, no worries."

"What're you going to do today?"

"Waiting for George to get up. Mum said Hermione and I should get him to go to the shop, keep him busy, and lend him a hand. Hermione's taking a quick shower now."

"Be careful. Not all the Death Eaters have been accounted for."

"Oh, I'll have my wand handy. I'd just love to meet one of them in the middle of Diagon Alley!" Ron said with an intensity Harry didn't like.

"Just...be careful. And stay clear of Gringotts."

"Yeah, best we do that. Evil little goblins likely to do us in for all the trouble we caused."

"Harry! Hurry, dear!" came Mrs. Weasley's yell from below.

"See you," Harry said as he grabbed his wand and then he ran downstairs to where Mr. Weasley and Percy were standing by the fireplace.

"We'll use the Floo Network," Mr. Weasley said and then he threw some powder into the fireplace, green flames shot up, he stepped into it, and said very clearly "Ministry of Magic" and was gone. Percy went next, with Harry detecting a slight groan from him as he disappeared and after a quick goodbye for everyone and a reassuring look from Mrs. Weasley and a "you'll do grand" from Ginny, Harry was off to the Ministry of Magic.