Disclaimer: Harry Potter is NOT MINE! I own nothing to do with the magical and wonderful world that JK Rowling created, owns and that Warner Bros operates, aside from copies of the books and films.

In the weeks following the battle, Harry spent a vast majority of his time in the Hospital Wing of Hogwarts, looking after Hermione and listening for any word on Ginny who was also confined to the Hospital Wing. The Weasley daughter had been cursed by Bellatrix Lestrange before the crazed lieutenant of Voldemort had been killed in a combined effort of Molly Weasley, Hermione, Ginny and Luna. The curse, as best as Madam Pomfrey and curse experts from St. Mungo's could tell, was a variation of the Cruciatus Curse that attacked Ginny's ability to perform magic, making Ginny suffer tremors and excruciating pain whenever she tried to case even the simplest spell.

Hermione was still barely speaking to anyone, and had only moved from her bed to use the lavatory. The only person who could get close to her without Hermione screaming or lashing out at was Harry. She would constantly wake up in the middle of the night, screaming in terror, so much so that Madam Pomfrey had to put a Silencing Ward around her bed so she wouldn't take the other patients. Harry had suggested a Dreamless Sleep potion but Madam Pomfrey had reminded him that the potion was very addictive and that was the end of Harry's attempts to sedate Hermione.

Harry learned the true causality list for the Battle of Hogwarts three days after the battle. The final death total for the defenders was 136 people, including 67 students. It was rumored that Voldemort had attacked the school with about one hundred Death Eaters, and around other three hundred Snatchers, while the defenders had maybe 150 students and staff, though a little over a hundred Hogsmeade villagers and family of the defenders came late in the battle. Harry grimly did acknowledge that the Death Eaters and Snatchers suffered horrendously for the attack. Over sixty Death Eaters were killed and another thirty were captured, the Snatchers suffered similar numbers and fates with less than fifty Snatchers escaping the battle.

The British Ministry of Magic was in shambles. Most of the high command had supported the Voldemort reign, and had either died or been captured in the battle. The few Ministry officials that had not supported Voldemort had also suffered greatly. As far as Harry knew, the only surviving senior Ministry official that hadn't been killed or captured was Arthur Weasley. But Mr. Weasley occupied one of the many beds in the Hospital Wing, and had suffered a grievous injury by the way of losing his wand arm to a curse from Macnair. The three representatives from the ICW were quickly taking over but even they couldn't battle against such a manpower shortage.

But what was worse was that the funerals for the fallen defenders were beginning. The bodies of the Death Eaters and Snatchers were buried in unmarked graves or burnt, the few families that came to collect their fallen were treated coldly but allowed to take their fallen family members away from Hogwarts.

The Weasleys had left for the Burrow two weeks after the Battle for the dual funerals of Ron and Fred. Arthur had recovered enough to be moved and while Ginny was still unable to use magic, there was nothing more that the Healers could do for her, and it was decided to allow Ginny to return home. Harry and Hermione were invited to the funeral but both were terrified of what their reception would be.

"I don't want too Harry," Hermione said. "I am the reason Ron is dead, he died protecting me. What will Arthur and Molly think or say if I came?"

"Hermione, the Weasleys want us there, "Harry said, pushing his own unease and guilt down deep. "Arthur and Molly won't blame you for Ron anymore than they will me for what happened to Ginny. You know that Bellatrix used that spell on Ginny to hurt me."

"But Harry…"

"No Hermione, we are going," Harry said. "I know that if we don't, we will regret it for the rest of our lives. Ron and Fred deserve us being there."

Hermione nodded though tears were welling up in her eyes. Harry sat down on the edge of Hermione's bed and pulled Hermione close, so she could lay her head on his shoulder. Harry began to hum an unknown tune, and gently rocked Hermione, watching as her eyes slowly drooped and closed. After laying Hermione back on her bed, Harry silently left the Hospital Wing and made his way up to the Gryffindor Common Room. With each step, Harry could see memories flash past his eyes, random flashes of he, Ron and Hermione walking through the corridors, playing chess and losing against Ron, Hermione berating and chastising he and Ron into doing their homework, playing Quidditch with Ron and Ginny, and having tea with Hagrid.

"Why?" Harry cried as his vision blurred with unshed tears. He reached out finding the wall and sank down against it as tears began to spill from his screwed shut eyes. "Why? Why did you have to take Ron, Hagrid, Remus? Why couldn't it have been me?"

Harry's cries and sobs echoed all up and down the corridor as tears poured down his cheeks. Soon it began to hurt to cry, Harry took great deep breaths, trying to calm himself. His throat felt like he had just swallowed an entire bottle of Firewhiskey and it had just remained in his throat instead of going down to his stomach. It hurt even to breathe.

Weakly, Harry got back to his feet. He cursed himself for breaking down; he knew that he had to be strong, not only for himself but also for Hermione and the Weasleys. They had always been so strong for him in the past, now it was his turn. Harry stumbled up to the Gryffindor Common Room, completely on memory as so much of the castle was still in shambles. He climbed the spiral stairs to an empty dormitory and fell into bed, praying to any deity known or unknown that he would not be visited by the memories or nightmares again. But Harry knew that he would be visited, no matter how much he prayed. Harry wondered if this mental anguish was his penance for causing so much death, or his reward for surviving when so many others didn't.

"Master, it is time to wake up," Kreacher's bullfrog voice dragged Harry from a very fitful sleep.

"Kreacher?" Harry asked as he grabbed his glasses from the bedside table.

"Yes Master," Kreacher said. "You must get up, you are meant to be at the red hair's funerals in one hour."

Kreacher's words registered immediately with Harry as he shot up in bed. "Bollocks," he cursed. Harry leapt from his bed and raced into the bathroom to wash and change. "Thank you Kreacher," Harry said. "Can you make sure that Hermione has gotten up and is ready?"

"Yes Master," Kreacher croaked. The elf vanished with a pop as Harry closed the bathroom door.

Freshly washed and in clean robes, Harry made his way down to the Hospital Wing where he hound Hermione waiting for him. She wore a set of black robes over a black dress; her hair lay flat in soft waves. Hermione seemed smaller and more fragile than Harry had ever seen her. He could se the slight shimmer of a Glamour Charm Hermione wore to conceal her red eyes and blotchy cheeks.

"Are you ready Hermione?" Harry asked.

Hermione shook her head meekly. "No I'm not Harry but I have to go," she said. "You were right, if I don't go I will regret it for the rest of my life."

Harry smiled softly at Hermione as he pulled her into a hug.

"Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger," Madam Pomfrey said. "You can use my office's fireplace if you would like? I've spoken with the Weasleys, so they know to expect you."

"Thank you Madam Pomfrey," Harry said. He led Hermione into Madam Pomfrey's office and over to the fireplace nestled in the corner. A small jar was on the mantel, full of Floo powder. Harry and Hermione each took a handful of Floo powder.

"I'll be right behind you Hermione," Harry reassured Hermione who had stopped a few feet from the fireplace. "Do not worry, you will be fine."

Hermione gave Harry as small smile before stepping up to the fireplace; she tossed the Floo powder into the flames, turning them the same shade of green as Harry's eyes, Hermione noted. "The Burrow," Hermione said clearly before she stepped into the flames and vanished.

After the flames returned to their normal orange, Harry tossed his handful of Floo powder into the flames and called out, "The Burrow," and followed Hermione through the flame portal to the Weasleys' home.

"Harry," the somber voice of Arthur Weasley welcomed Harry as he stumbled out of the fireplace, a nearby chair preventing his fall.

"Mr. Weasley," Harry said, his gaze taking in the pale and downtrodden Weasley patriarch. The empty sleeve of Arthur's robe drew Harry's gaze, and Harry's eyes softened. "I am sorry about…"

"No apologies necessary Harry," Arthur said. "You are not to blame for any of this, in fact if you hadn't defeated Voldemort when you did, the causalities would be even worse than what they were. Never think Molly or I blame you or Hermione for anything that happened."

Harry felt as if an immense weight had been removed from his shoulders. "Thank you sir," Harry said. "You don't know how much that means to me, and Hermione."

"I think I do," Arthur said, stepping up to Harry and putting a hand on the teen's shoulder. "Now let us go and say our…"

"Goodbyes," Harry finished thickly. Arthur nodded.

"Yes, our goodbyes," Arthur said. "And son, you certainly have earned the right to call me Arthur."

Harry nodded. "Of course Mr., I mean Arthur."

The two men left the Burrow's kitchen and made their way out the back to the orchard and the small hill that overlooked the Weasley home.

"This is where we Weasleys have been lain to rest for generations," Arthur said. "And it will be where we lay Fred and Ron today."

Harry swallowed a thick throat. He had never been set foot on this hill in all the time he had spent at the Burrow. Ron and Ginny had told him that the hill was sacred Weasley ground and that only those of Weasley blood by birth or marriage could walk upon it, unless invited by the Head of the Weasley House.

Waiting at the top of the hill were the other Weasleys, Hermione and the surviving members of the DA and the Order of the Phoenix. At the top of the hill were two wooden pyres with the shrouded forms of Ron and Fred. Harry walked over to Hermione and put an arm around her shoulders. She immediately turned into his shoulder, unable to look at the still forms of Fred and Ron. Next to Harry and Hermione was a catatonic George who was flanked by Katie Bell and Angelina Johnson. Alicia Spinnett and Lee Jordan had both died in the battle, or Harry was sure that they would be here now. The surviving Weasleys were staring silently at the pyres. Bill was kneeling next to a wheelchair-bound Ginny with Fleur standing behind her husband. Charlie stood next to his mother, holding her closely as she sobbed. Percy was standing at the end of Weasley, staring unblinkingly at Fred's body. Harry had heard that Percy had barely spoken five words since the Battle.

Arthur stepped up to the front of the gathering in-between the two pyres of his sons. "Thank you all for coming," he began. "We are all here to honor and remember two extraordinarily brave young men. Fred Hugo and Ronald Bilius Weasley, my sons, your friends and comrades. They gave their lives defending their family, their friends, their loved ones against an enemy who deemed them traitors to their own kind because they refused to bow down to a monster. They fought for what they knew was right, and I could not be anymore proud of them."

Harry wiped his eyes clear as he felt Hermione continue to sob into his robes. Even the weather seemed to be in a state of mourning as the sky was overcast and there was the threat of rain all around them. He turned his attention back to Arthur as the Weasley patriarch continued.

"I ask all of the Weasley ancestors who have passed on before them to guide Fred and Ron onto the next great adventure, and where they can watch over us," Arthur said. "And let them both know that we will never forget them and that they will always be in our hearts, forevermore until we meet again."

With a shaky hand, Arthur drew his wand and silently cast a flame spell to ignite the pyres. Harry tried to tune out the wailing of Molly and Hermione, the other Weasleys and mourners, and the crackling of the flames as they ate away at the wooden pyres and shrouded forms of Ron and Fred. Flashes of memory flew past Harry's unseeing eyes, times spent with Ron playing chess in the Common Room, or flying at the Quidditch Pitch, Fred and George giving Harry the Marauder's Map or playing Quidditch for Gryffindor. As more and more memoires flashed through his mind's eye, Harry couldn't stem the flood of tears streaming down his cheeks and nose, dripping down into Hermione's hair.

Within minutes, the flames had consumed the bodies of Fred and Ron. Numbly Harry noticed that the flames that consumed Fred's body burned a bright purple, almost exact shade as the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes shop in Diagon Alley. The flames the consumed Ron's body turned a bright orange, just like the Chudley Cannons. And upon seeing those two colors, somehow Harry felt a little bit better, as a fragile smile made it's way onto his face. One of the first smiles that Harry could remember wearing since the battle.

Harry sighed heavily as he pulled on his robes, no his mourning robes as he called them, once more. This time Harry and Hermione were not leaving the Hogwarts' grounds, as it was time to lie to rest the staff members of Hogwarts that had fallen in the battle, including Professor McGonagall and Hagrid. Harry was still having trouble wrapping his mind around the fact that McGonagall and Hagrid were dead. Never in his worst nightmares did Harry ever think McGonagall or Hagrid would die in the war, they had featured so heavily in his life and his dreams for the future that he couldn't contemplate the two not being a part of his life.

"Are you ready Hermione?" Harry asked as he entered the small common room that he and Hermione shared. Hermione had been released from the Hospital Wing the day after the Weasley funeral, and the pair had moved into the Head's suite off of Gryffindor Tower.

Hermione nodded and the pair left the Suite and began their trek down to the grounds. McGonagall and Hagrid were to be laid to rest right next to Dumbledore, in memory of the countless years that the pair had given to Hogwarts. Harry looked down at Hermione who looked as pale as one of the ghosts. Harry knew that Hermione wasn't taking the constant funerals well, hell he wasn't either but Harry refused to show it. For the longest time it had been Hermione who had been the rock that had kept Harry stable, now it was his turn to be there for Hermione. She had idolized McGonagall, thinking that the Deputy Headmistress was exactly what she wanted to grow to become.

And Hagrid had been Harry's first real friend. The man to introduce Harry to the magical world, gave Harry his first birthday present, Hedwig, and arguably his best present, the photo album Hagrid had given Harry at the end of Harry's first year.

The Order of the Phoenix and the DA were assembled around the two caskets, along with members of the Ministry and Hogsmeade village. Harry glanced at the white marble tomb that held the body of Albus Dumbledore, his mind drifted to the conversation that he had had with Dumbledore at King's Cross, how the Headmaster had orchestrated much of Harry's life in an attempt to destroy Voldemort. Harry wasn't exactly sure what he felt for the former Headmaster but Harry shook those thoughts from his mind as he sat down next to Hermione.

Hermione's eyes were glued on the casket that held the body of Minerva McGonagall. She just couldn't believe that the Professor was dead. Professor McGonagall had been Hermione's mentor, ever since Hermione had entered the wizarding world, and was the person who Hermione had looked up too the most. McGonagall was the epitome of a witch in Hermione's eyes; no-nonsense, fair, rule abiding, courageous and willing to do what was right instead of what was easy. In the back of her mind, Hermione thought that she would follow in McGonagall's footsteps, work at the Ministry for a time, then return to Hogwarts and become a Professor then Head of House and finally Headmistress. A fresh wave of tears spilled from her eyes as she mourned the loss of her mentor and favorite teacher.

Harry heard Hermione resume crying and pulled her against him, letting her bury her grief into his shoulder and chest. Harry barely heard the same little wizard who had presided over Dumbledore's funeral give the eulogy for McGonagall and Hagrid. A wave of frustration came over Harry as the speaker mentioned that Hagrid had been expelled in conjunction with the death of Myrtle, even though he had been exonerated when it came to light that the real culprit was Tom Riddle. The wizard extolled on Hagrid's gentle nature, even through his mother's brutal heritage, and his love of animals, regardless of their nature.

Soon the service was completed and the guests left, leaving just Harry and Hermione. Hermione had cried herself to sleep during the service, and was clinging to Harry while she slept. Palming his wand, Harry cast a Weight-Lessening Charm on the sleeping Hermione and carried her back up to the castle and to their suites. Once Hermione was tucked away in her bed, Harry slowly made his way back down to the grounds and the tombs.

"I thought that I would find you here Mr. Potter," a weak but familiar voice said from behind Harry. He turned to find Professor Flitwick behind him, leaning on a crutch, Harry's eyes instantly drawn to the half-goblin's missing leg. Flitwick looked down at his injury. "Do not concern yourself with this Mr. Potter, what's done is done."

Harry swallowed and nodded. "Professor…"

"Come now Mr. Potter, you have certainly earned the right to call me Filius," Flitwick said.

"Then please call me Harry," Harry said.

"Agreed," Filius said. He made his way over to Harry's side, and looked at the two tombs. "They all thought extremely highly of you Harry," Flitwick said. "Albus, Minerva and Rubeus all believed that you would defeat Riddle in the end."

Harry bowed his head. "They had more faith in me than I did in myself," he admitted. "I honestly had no clue how I was supposed to beat Voldemort. I got lucky. Riddle should have won Professor, he really should have. If not for a whole lot of luck, he would have."

Flitwick's eyes widened at Harry's admittance but kept silent. He walked up to McGonagall's tomb and laid a hand on its cover. "Perhaps you think that but it doesn't really matter now, does it? Riddle and his ilk are defeated, and you are alive. That is all that matters."

"I suppose," Harry said. "I just wish it hadn't come at such a high price."

"I do not believe that Albus, Minerva or Rubeus would believe that their lives were too high a price to pay for Voldemort's defeat," Flitwick said.

"It was too me," Harry argued.

"That is what all men say when they survive and others do not," Flitwick said. "Mourn our loses Harry but do not forget to live the life they themselves gave their lives for."

Harry nodded. "What will happen now Professor? With Hogwarts I mean," he asked.

"I don't rightly know Harry," Flitwick said. "But what I do know is that Hogwarts will reopen in time."

"In time for what?"

"Just in time Mr. Potter," Flitwick said with a Dumbledore-like air of vagueness.

Harry laid his hands on the two tombs and bowed his head. 'Professor McGonagall, Hagrid, I am so sorry I wasn't strong enough to protect you,' he thought.

"Mr. Potter, Harry," Flitwick asked. "Perhaps tomorrow you would come to my office, I have some mementos that I am sure that Minerva would have wanted you to have."

"Um ok Professor," Harry said. "I will stop by your office tomorrow. I should go, I need to check on Hermione."

"Of course Harry, until tomorrow then," Flitwick said before limping away back toward the castle. Harry spent another five minutes between the two tombs, trying to keep his tears from spilling out as more memories of McGonagall and Hagrid passed through his head.

The sun dropped behind the mountains to the west of the castle when Harry began his slow trek back inside.

"What is this?" Harry demanded, brandishing a thick piece of parchment.

"I don't know Harry," Hermione said, sounding a bit like her old self. "I need to see if first."

Harry handed over the parchment to Hermione, who put it on the table and quickly read it.

"Well Harry, it seems that we both have been called as witnesses for one Draco Lucius Malfoy in the case against him by the Ministry," Hermione explained.

"What in Merlin's name is Malfoy playing at?" Harry asked. "Why would we even think of defending that bastard?"

"Well Harry, we are obligated to show up now Harry," Hermione said.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"If you had bothered to read or help me back in third year with Buckbeak's appeal, you would know that once the letters are received and opened, the recipents are magically bound to show up and give testimony."

"Are you kidding me Hermione?" Harry shouted. "I am not helping Malfoy slip out of his punishment!"

"We are not going to let that happen," Hermione said. "We only have to show up and give testimony and tell the truth. We both know that Malfoy is guilty, and I am sure that the Ministry will find him guilty."

"I hope you are right Hermione," Harry said. "I don't want the same mistakes of the last War to be repeated. I will not let the remaining or surviving Death Eaters escape punishment."

The next morning Harry and Hermione donned their best robes, Harry's House crests standing out prominently, and Floo'd from Hogwarts to the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic. The Atrium was packed with people, obviously aiming to be witness to the start of the Death Eater trials.

"Mr. Potter! Ms. Granger!" an excited voice cried out. Immediately, the crowd turned as one and began clamoring for Harry and Hermione's attention. They began pressing in closer and closer to Harry and Hermione, trying to touch the Man-Who-Won and the Brightest Witch of the Age. Harry felt Hermione slid behind him and clutch his arm with an ever-tightening grip. Harry glanced over his shoulder and saw that Hermione's face had gone very pale and her eyes were darting back and forth like a cornered animal.

"Enough!" Harry shouted, his wand raised above his head as he fired off a Cannon Blast Charm that startled the crowd. "Back off, all of you!" Harry growled. "If you don't, I will start using this."

The crowd instantly began backing away, not wanting to be at the end of the Man-Who-Won's wand. Harry put an arm around Hermione's shoulders and led the shivering witch through the crowded Atrium.

"Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger," a red-robed Auror said from nears the lifts. "My name is Gawain Robards, and I have been ordered to escort you both down to the courtroom."

"Thank you," Harry said, noticing that three other Aurors had taken up positions behind Harry and Hermione, blocking the crowd from getting closer to the lifts.

The Auror bade Harry and Hermione into a lift and pressed his wand to the wall. The buttons glowed a soft blue and a new button appeared with the number 10 on it. Robards pressed the button and the lift shuddered into motion.

"Security feature," Robards said. "Only Aurors or Unspeakables have the authorization to take the lift all the way down to the courtrooms."

Harry nodded and turned to Hermione. "Are you ok Hermione?" he asked.

"I'm ok now Harry," Hermione answered. "I just didn't expect all those people. It was just too much."

"I understand Hermione," Harry said. "Once this is over, we will go right back to the castle." Hermione nodded and leaned closer to Harry. Harry himself was fighting to keep it together. He had not been surrounded by so many people since the battle, and the crowd in the Atrium had sent him spiraling back to the battle.

The lift came to a noisy halt and the door opened.

"Please follow me Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger," Robards said. The Auror led the pair down the same dark hallway that Mr. Weasley had led Harry down three years previously for Harry's disciplinary hearing. But instead of leading the pair to the large door that led to the courtroom, Robards turned to the left and down another hallway.

"Where are you taking us Auror Robards?" Harry asked.

"The waiting rooms," Robards said. "The witnesses waiting room to be specific. Unfortunately you and Ms. Granger will need to be separated, as to insure there is no witness tampering."

Both Harry and Hermione froze at the Auror's admission. They looked at one another, fear flooding their faces. Harry turned to Robards. "Is that really necessary?" he asked. "Neither of us like Draco Malfoy, we want to see him in jail, why would there be any tampering between us?"

"I am sorry Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger but if you don't, there is a chance that Mr. Malfoy could be set free on a technicality," Robards said. Harry could tell that the Auror was sorry but he also wasn't going to budge.

Harry sighed. "Could you give us a moment?" he asked. The Auror nodded and opened a door behind him. Harry led Hermione into a small waiting room. "Thank you."

Robards closed the door and Harry turned to Hermione who had sat down at the small table in the middle of the room. "Hermione, are you all right with this?" he asked.

"No Harry, I'm not really," Hermione answered. "But I will not let Malfoy get off because I was too weak to stand being alone for a bit."

"Never think yourself as weak Hermione," Harry said. "You are the strongest person I know."

Hermione giggled softly. "This is a reversal," she said. "Normally I am the one who says you Harry are the strongest person I know."

"Well then Hermione, I need to remind you more often then," Harry said. "You have given up so much for me, just to be my friend and ally. You have been my biggest supporter and have always been by my side, even if I haven't always deserved it. But Hermione, if you really aren't comfortable being alone, then who cares if we are breaking the rules."

"No Harry, I will be okay," Hermione said. "Let's just get this over with. The sooner we are out of here, the better."

Harry nodded. "Ok," he said. "Auror Robards, we are ready."

The door opened and Robards stuck his head inside. "Mr. Potter, if you will follow me," he said. Harry squeezed Hermione's hand once more before following Robards out of the room and down the hall to another waiting room.

"How long will we be down here?" Harry asked as he sat down at the table provided.

"Shouldn't be long Mr. Potter," Robards answered. "Trials usually go by pretty quickly. You and Ms. Granger should be out of here in a couple of hours at the worst."

Harry nodded and Robards stepped back into the hallway, leaving Harry alone.

There were no clocks in the room, and both Harry and Hermione had surrendered their wands to Aurors Robards as a security measure. Harry had handed over his holly and phoenix feather wand to Robards, not the Elder Wand which had remained back at Hogwarts.

Harry looked up as a knock sounded at the door. "Mr. Potter, its time," a female voice called through the door. "May I come in?"

"Sure," Harry said, getting to his feet and stretching. An attractive female Auror entered the room; she had long black hair and bright blue eyes, and seemed only a few years older than Harry.

"If you would follow me sir?" the Auror asked. Harry nodded and followed the Auror out of the room. He noticed that there were no other Aurors waiting outside in the hallway, nor outside Hermione's room.

"Has Hermione already been called to testify?" he asked, trying to sound calm while his mind was racing with consistently more and more terrible thoughts about Hermione.

"I can't answer that Mr. Potter," the Auror said. Harry slowly nodded and kept following the Auror down the hallway. "Through here Mr. Potter," the Auror said, holding open a door for Harry.

Harry walked through the door and instantly recognized where he was, the Wizengamont courtroom that he had been tried in back before his fifth year. In the middle of the chamber was Draco Malfoy, sitting in the same chair that Harry had sat in. His mother, Narcissa, and a thin weedy looking man who was obviously his barrister were standing behind Draco. Up in the first row, Harry spotted Hermione, looking very pale but she gave Harry a smile when they made eye contact.

"Mr. Potter, if you would please sit down in the witnesses' chair?"

Harry looked up to see Octavian Weatherspoon sitting in the same seat where Cornelius Fudge had sat. Weatherspoon was pointing at the chair that Malfoy currently occupied. Malfoy stiffly rose from his seat and stepped aside to allow Harry to sit down. Harry noticed that while Malfoy had his customary sneer on, his face was paler than normal and his eyes were wide and slightly bloodshot. Harry sat down in the defendant's/witness chair and looked up at the reduced Wizengamont. Harry knew that quite a few of the missing members were awaiting trial themselves for following Voldemort among other crimes.

"Mr. Potter, you have been called before this council to give testimony on one Draco Lucius Malfoy, regarding this list of charges: belonging to a terrorist organization, three counts of attempted murder, the use of an Unforgivable Curse, the Imperious Curse, attempted use of an Unforgivable Curse, the Cruciatus Curse, and multiple counts of accessory to kidnapping. Now Mr. Potter, in order to gather truthful testimony, all witnesses and defendants are required to take Veritaserum, do you understand Mr. Potter?"

Harry was a little surprised at the use of Veritaserum but nodded his agreement. The female Auror who had escorted Harry into the chamber stepped up to the chair and showed Harry a vial of clear liquid. Harry stuck out his tongue and the Auror dropped three drops of Veritaserum onto Harry's tongue. Harry blinked slowly as he felt a haze settle over his mind.

"Mr. Potter, can you hear me?" Weatherspoon asked from the judge's podium.

"Yes," Harry answered in a dull, monotone voice.

"Excellent, we can now begin," Weatherspoon said. "You are Harry James Potter, so of James Charlus and Lily Elizabeth Potter? Born on July 31st, 1980, correct?"

"Yes."

"Good, now Mr. Potter, did Mr. Draco Malfoy attempt to use an Unforgivable, namely the Cruciatus Curse, on you on the date of May 6th 1997?"

"Yes," Harry answered. The Wizengamont began muttering around him but he couldn't understand what they were saying.

"Did Mr. Draco Malfoy belong to the terrorist organization, the Death Eaters?"

"Yes."

"Did Mr. Draco Malfoy ever cast or admit to casting the Imperious Curse in your presence?"

"Yes." More mutterings came from the gallery.

"Please describe to the Wizengamont the event of June 28th 1997, the events that led to the death of former Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore?"

Deep in Harry's mind, he felt a spike of panic at the request but the Veritaserum forced him to answer. "The Headmaster and I had just returned to Hogsmeade after searching for an artifact that Voldemort had corrupted in a way that is unspeakable. We saw that the Dark Mark had been cast over the Astronomy Tower, and we flew up to the Tower on brooms borrowed from Madam Rosmerta. Malfoy appeared a few moments later, he Disarmed Dumbledore and began telling all that he had done that in in his attempt to kill Professor Dumbledore under orders from Voldemort, including putting Madam Rosmerta and Katie Bell under the Imperious Curse."

The murmurs and mutterings of the Wizengamont grew in volume once again. Draco paled drastically as his mother put a hand on his shoulder to steady her son.

"Very well," Weatherspoon said. "Mr. Easton, do you have any questions for this witness?"

"I do Chief Warlock," Malfoy's barrister said. "Mr. Potter, my client does not recall seeing you in the Tower that night, so how can we trust your testimony?"

"I was hidden under my Invisibility Cloak as ordered by Professor Dumbledore," Harry said.

"If you were there, why didn't you help the Headmaster? Your OWL grades showed a remarkable aptitude for Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"I was immobilized by Dumbledore just before Malfoy arrived," Harry said. "The spell only wore off after Severus Snape killed the Headmaster."

"I see. Mr. Potter, did you believe that my client was truly capable of killing Albus Dumbledore or anyone else?"

Harry paused. The Veritaserum was beginning to weaken but it still compelled Harry to tell the truth. "No, I did not think that Draco Malfoy would kill Dumbledore," he said. "Or anyone else." The mutterings suddenly ceased.

"And why do you believe that Mr. Potter?" Easton asked.

"Draco Malfoy is a coward," Harry said. "A coward and a bully. Not a killer."

"Why do you say that Mr. Potter?" Easton asked, as Narcissa held Draco down in another chair.

"Ever since I first met Malfoy, he has always needed someone bigger or stronger than him to protect him," Harry said. "Whether it be his father, Snape or Voldemort, Malfoy would always talk big but when it came time to deliver, he would always fall short. Malfoy would constantly spout off pureblood supremacy nonsense but could never back it up. He would say he was better than any muggleborn or half-bloods just because he was a pureblood but look at his grades, his strength, they all fell flat compared to most muggleborns and half-bloods."

"Yes, pureblood supremacy," Easton said. "Now Mr. Potter, if you had grown up in Mr. Malfoy's environment, under the constant pressure to conform to the view of your parents, would you not try as much as you could to have your parents' approval? And would you be able to stand it that if you were to deviate from their beliefs, you would be punished?"

"I know exactly how that feels sir," Harry answered. "My Aunt and Uncle are Muggles who hated me just because I was a wizard. I didn't know I was a wizard until I turned eleven before then my 'family' did all they could to make sure I was 'normal'. They claimed they wanted to stamp the magic out of me. They treated me like a House-Elf and I was punished when I had any episodes of accidental magic. So I know exactly what its like to grow up in a place were any action or belief that goes along with the narrow view of bigots. I do not know what it was like to grow up in a loving environment where anything and everything I asked for was handed to me on a silver platter, like your client did."

The chamber had gone silent at Harry's admission. Most people believed that Harry had grown up in a loving environment, away from the wizarding world for his safety, this story being constantly told by Albus Dumbledore.

"No more questions Chief Warlock," Easton said stepping away from Harry, looking like he had had his entire worldview shattered.

"Very well, Auror Richards, if you would please give Mr. Potter the antidote?" Weatherspoon asked. The female Auror stopped from the shadows behind Harry and gave him a small vial of a light blue liquid. Harry quickly downed the vial and the haze of the Veritaserum fell away, leaving his mind free and clear. He stepped down from the witness chair and climbed the stairs of the gallery and sat down next to Hermione.

"Are you all right?" Hermione asked in a whisper.

"Not really but I will be," Harry said.

The trial continued on, as both the Wizengamont and Malfoy's barrister called several more witnesses including Pansy Parkinson and Narcissa Malfoy. Both women extolled on how Malfoy was just a child who had been intimidated into joining the Death Eaters, and that he was under duress and the threat of his life and the lives of his family if he didn't go along with the Dark Lord's orders.

Harry watched the Wizengamont members as Pansy and Narcissa made their pleas, and wasn't very glad with what he saw. Several of the members were nodding and looking sympathetically at Draco. 'They can't honestly be thinking of letting Malfoy go free? He's guilty!' Harry thought.

"Mr. Easton, are you ready to give your closing statements?" Weatherspoon asked.

"I am Chief Warlock," Easton said. He stepped to Draco's side, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Esteemed members of the Wizengamont, my client, Draco Lucius Malfoy, has made some very bad choices, there is no question about that. But those choices were made out of necessity and a feeling of helplessness. Young Mr. Malfoy grew up in an environment in which he was expected to be the best, the epitome of the wizarding world, and to follow in his father's and grandfather's footsteps as the right hand of a master manipulator, a man that essentially brainwashed dozens of intelligent wizards and witches into following him. How is a young man, one who was a hostage in his own home, supposed to refuse the Darkest Wizard of all time when he demands of you an impossible choice: kill someone or watch your entire family killed in front of you before being killed yourself? I ask you, what would you do? Would you be able to stand up against the Darkest Wizard of all time, Lord Voldemort, or would you do all that you could to protect your family from a monster's rage?"

Harry had to admit that Malfoy's barrister made a compelling argument, saying that Malfoy didn't have a choice but to go along with his family and join the Death Eaters but Harry knew that Malfoy had always wanted to follow in his father's footsteps; to become a Death Eater and join Lord Voldemort, to rule over those he felt lesser than he was. Malfoy had made it clear from the very beginning that he thought himself better than others just because of his blood and name, and had never shied away from letting the whole world know it. Harry knew that Malfoy had just gotten cold feet when he realized what it meant to follow Lord Voldemort. Harry might have felt some pity for Malfoy but it was quickly squashed when he recalled all the times that Malfoy had mocked him, his friends and loved ones. 'Shoe is on the other foot now, isn't it Malfoy?' Harry thought as the Wizengamont members stopped talking amongst themselves.

"It seems that the Wizengamont has finished deliberating," Weatherspoon said. "We will now tally the votes. For each charge, I will ask the Wizengamont to raise their wands, alit, for a guilty or innocent vote. On the first charge; belonging to a terrorist organization, the Death Eaters, how does the Wizengamont find Draco Lucius Malfoy?"

Harry looked around the chamber as members raised their wands, the majority of them lit.

"The Wizengamont finds Draco Lucius Malfoy guilty of belonging to a terrorist organization, namely the Death Eaters," Weatherspoon announced. "The next charge will be a total of three counts of attempted murder, all of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. How does the Wizengamont find Draco Lucius Malfoy?"

The majority of wands were lit, though there wasn't as many as for the previous charge.

"Very well, the Wizengamont finds Draco Lucius Malfoy guilty on the multiple counts of attempted murder, against one Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore," Weatherspoon said. "Now for the charge of using an Unforgivable, the Imperious Curse, on Madam Angelique Rosmerta and Katie Elizabeth Bell, how does the Wizengamont find?"

Again a vast majority of wands were lit, signaling a guilty verdict. Harry watched as Malfoy sank into his chair, his face in his hands. "On the charge of attempted use of an Unforgivable, the Cruciatus Curse, against Harry James Potter, how does the Wizengamont find?"

Only a few members raised lit wands, much to Harry's surprise. And so the Wizengamont found Malfoy not guilty of that charge. "On the count of accessory to kidnapping, the victims being Garrick Ollivander and Luna Selena Lovegood, how does the Wizengamont find?"

Again, only a few members raised their wands. This time Harry wasn't surprised as he knew that Malfoy wasn't directly involved in the kidnapping of Ollivander and Luna, his only crime there being living in the house that they were being kept.

"On the charge of accessory to kidnapping, the Wizengamont finds Draco Lucius Malfoy innocent," Weatherspoon said. "We shall no deliberate on sentencing." The three ICW members gathered together, and a shimmering cone surrounded their heads. Harry glanced down at Malfoy who was being comforted by his mother, though Harry could see that Malfoy was terrified.

Harry felt the magic in the chamber shift as the Silencing Spell around the heads of the ICW members vanished. They turned to face the chamber and Malfoy. "Draco Lucius Malfoy, please rise," Weatherspoon said. Malfoy stood up and looked up at the three ICW members who were about to decide his fate. "Normally, the guilty verdicts leveled against you, including the use of an Unforgivable, would mean an automatic life sentence in Azkaban," Draco nearly fell to the floor in fright and despair but his mother and barrister kept him upright, "however, due to your age and the circumstances surrounding your crimes, we have decided to sentence you to twenty-five years in the maximum security prison, Le Bastille, in France." Weatherspoon raised his wand and swiftly brought it down, signaling the end of the trial.

Harry looked at Hermione, and saw that her face mirrored his own expression of utter disbelief and shock. 'They can't be serious!' Harry thought. 'The use of an Unforgivable on a witch or wizard means a one-way ticket to Azkaban!'

"Harry, they can't be doing this, can they?" Hermione asked.

"I'm not sure but I am going to find out," Harry said. "Stay here. I'll be right back." He stood up and made his way over to the three ICW judges. "Mr. Weatherspoon, could I have a word?"

"Of course Mr. Potter," Weatherspoon said. "I assume this is about Mr. Malfoy's sentencing."

"Yes it is," Harry said. "The use of an Unforgivable on a witch or wizard is supposed to be a life sentence in Azkaban, and Malfoy used the Imperious several times."

"Yes, under normal circumstances, Mr. Malfoy would be serving a life sentence in Azkaban," Weatherspoon said. "But there were several mitigating circumstances which led to our decision. First was the fact that Azkaban is not, and has never been a suitable place for a prison, especially with the use of Dementors as guards, in the eyes of the ICW, regardless of . The ICW has always hated that the British Ministry of Magic has used such monsters as guards. Even a small stint in Azkaban can cause long-long problems. And second, we all agreed that Mr. Malfoy was trapped in a very bad situation. He was essentially a hostage in his own home…Please Mr. Potter, do not believe we are letting Mr. Malfoy off easily, Le Bastille is the most secure prison in all of France, and Mr. Malfoy will not find his time there pleasant."

Harry didn't look happy with the reasons that Weatherspoon gave but Harry could tell that nothing he did would change their minds. He nodded to the ICW judges and then made his way back to Hermione, and together they headed back to the lifts that would take them back up to the Atrium.

"Mr. Potter! Ms. Granger! What are your reactions to Mr. Malfoy's sentencing?"

The pair was immediately accosted by a mass of reporters, photographers and others who had been trying to sneak their way down to the trial.

"Can we get a statement Mr. Potter?"

"Why didn't you defeat all the Death Eaters?"

"Are you and Ginny Weasley going to get back to together even though she is stuck in St. Mungo's like a cripple? Or will you be…"

There was a deafening crack as the reporter was thrown across the Atrium, slamming into the opposite wall, her photographer stuck right next to her.

"Rita Skeeter!" Harry snarled, an angry red glow at the tip of his wand. "If I head one more word out of your mouth, you will wish that Hermione had kept you in that jar."

"Oh Harry dear, I am just asking the questions that need to be answered," Rita beamed, even though she was stuck to the stone wall like a chewed piece of gum. "The people want and deserve to know."

"You horrible little shrew," Hermione hissed. "How dare you! How dare you think of even asking these type of questions?"

"If you ever come near me, my friends or my family again, you'll find out why Voldemort is dead and I'm still alive Rita," Harry snarled. Rita paled beneath the heavy layer of makeup she wore while her photographer's pants gained a new stain down their front.

"Come on Hermione," Harry said. Hermione nodded and tucked herself under Harry's arm as they headed toward the nearest fireplace, the crowd parting before them like the sea before Moses.

A/N: Well there you have it, the next installment of A Chance? A Hope!Sorry that it's taken so long, I've started a new job since I posted the first chapter of this story as well as moved, so things have been a bit hectic. But things have started to calm down, and that has allowed me to finish up this chapter and get around to posting it. I hope you all like it, I am sure that there are some things that I've messed up. I am an American, so I do not know the particulars of the British judicial system, so I am just basing my courtroom scene on Harry's hearing in Order of the Phoenix. Anyway, hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please let me know. Til next time,

SlyNinjaKnight