There were no windows in the cell, so she couldn't tell if it was night or day, but she had gotten used to it. she'd learned the hard way not to ask questions. After the war and defeat of Voldemort, so many death Eaters were captured and imprisoned; Sometimes she saw them. They were thirsty for her blood; Even after all these years.

Weren't they tired? She was.

Due to all these dangerous dark wizards,including herapparently, being held captive, they had reinforced the security in Azkaban. Now the dementors guarded the exterior walls, while men guarded the cells. It didn't lessen the effect of the dementors though, they still sucked all the happy thoughts from your mind, until you were left with nothing but fear and sadness and despair.

She knew that because by now they had sucked every ounce of her happiness out of her.

Each Prisoner was allowed 3 visits a year. She never had any. Each Prisoner was only allowed to speak when spoken to; No questions were to be asked. Due to loads of crimes committed during and after the war, all the prisoners were given hurried trials and their cases were closed; never to be opened again.

She was one of them. She wasn't given a full trial; The evidence against her was too strong and she had no shield but her words and her words, turned out, were worthless.

Voldemort and his supporters had apparently created a mindescape from veritaserum. Discovering that, the ministry stopped using it altogether. It wasn't worth the effort if the suspects were able to fight it off. So, at that time, she had had no proof, no counter evidence to prove her innocence.

Prisoners were not allowed to send mails, however, they were permitted to receive them. Not that it made any difference for her; She never received anything.

Oh, she had tried; But try as she might, it was useless. She had asked for a second trial, to be listened to, to least contact a friend, but no avail; Everything was forbidden, especially when it came to her.

Sometimes she could hear other prisoners; They begged to let them contact their families, but they weren't really heard by anyone but her. She wanted to tell them to stop; That it was useless; That she had tried everything. She used to struggle too, but it only hurts you worse.

The guards were apparently the only upgrade in the prison, since the prisoners would not be in direct contact with the dementors, but she'd take the dementors any day... She'd take them over the guards with open arms...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

-Longbottom!

Neville turned at the voice of the minister, but couldn't stand up.

-"Sit, son." Kingsley said.

-Minister...Sir... is it?...could she...

-She is telling the truth.

Neville put his head in his hands, unable to lift it.

-How?

-The evidence was all fake, made up, she explained it all; It makes sense.

-So... W-what's the order?

-Her immediate release. God knows, that girl doesn't deserve another minute in that cell.

-"She hadn't deservedanyof it." Neville whispered. "She was innocent and no one listened. Not even herclosest friends!

-The evidence was too strong, Longbottom. there was nothing for her to explain at the time.

-Yes and just like that, we throw a bunch of people in Azkaban without giving them any chance to explain themselves.

-Longbottom, come to your senses; It was the best decision at the time. The months following the war were mad times, Longbottom, I don't even want to recall them, but all suspects with strong evidence against them were thrown in prison, she amongst them. The law doesn't take somebody'swordsfor the truth, unless there is evidence for it and in this case, all evidence pointed that she was guilty; We only did our jobs.

Neville nodded his head reluctantly.

-Now I want you to go to Azkaban and set the release papers in order. It takes two days to release her already; We don't want to keep her in there any longer.

Neville was on his feet with no hesitation.

He just turned around and asked worriedly:

-"Sir, Harry and Ron,They need to know."

-Yes. I know that; But I find myself reluctant to tell them that the person who was until recently guilty for the death of Arthur Weasley, is indeed innocent...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Aurors' office*

-"What do you think it is about that case that Kingsley had to deal with himself?" Harry asked.

-"I don't think about that case." Ron said plainly.

-Good, it's better if you don't.

There was a knock on the door and then Charleston walked in, still cautious of their behaviour.

-Auror Potter! Auror Weasley! The minister has asked to see you in his office, immediately.

-"We'll be there right away. You can go." Harry said.

This was getting creepy and it set Ron on edge badly. What was it about this case that was worth talking about again after 5 years?

-"Come on. let's go get done with this shit." Said Ron.

As they reached Kingsley's office, Anna was already waiting for them.

-The minister will see you now, go in please.

When they walked into the office Kingsley was sitting behind his desk, rubbing his temples thoughtfully; When he looked up, he suddenly looked older than Harry ever remembered seeing him.

-Potter! Weasley! Sit. There's simply too much to discuss for you to be standing.

-Minister, What's the urgency?

-You see today a woman was captured.

-"Very well and who was it? The same woman we were going to interrogate?" Harry asked.

-Correct, Potter, Marietta Edgecomb was captured and through her confessions, we attained information... information that can be both relieving and agonising for the two of you.

Harry couldn't fathom anything. What was this matter that needed so much preparation for?

-"let's hear it then." said Ron evenly, clearly wanting to get it done with.

-Gentlemen, we have been mistaken and blinded by our hurried and false judgement for 5 years;Ron, I do not wish to open old wounds, but this needs said.

Ron somehow looked baffled by all this introduction; Harry couldn't help but feel the same. He was curious, yes, but there was something, some strange sound in his mind telling him to run.

-According to Marietta Edgecomb's confessions under the influence of Rosita serum and validated by my own performance of legilimency, we understood that the fingers of accusations in September 19th 1998 were in fact, pointed at the wrong person.

Suddenly the temperature dropped 100 degrees. The Voice in Harry's mind, was now loudly and clearly ordering him to run away, but his feet somehow felt too weak to use; One glance at Ron and he knew he was worse; His usually pale skin looked ghostly white and he was gripping the edge of his seat so hard his knuckles were white.

-Wha-what are you saying?

-You see all of the evidence collected, leaded us to her, but after interrogating Edgecomb, it turned out that it was fake and...

Harry couldn't take the rambling any longer; He needed a straight answer; So then he could run just as his mind was telling him to, so he punched the desk suddenly rising on his feet and shouting:

-"Enough with the words Shacklebolt! Is she or is she not the murderer?"

Kingsley closed his eyes, as if it pained him to say it:

-"She's hasn't done anything. five years and all the while she was innocent..."

And then Harry was running. His mind was too scared to function any other emotion but fear. He ran with only one destination in his head: "Hermione Granger"

AN: So here it is! I hope you enjoy! About Kingsley's complex words, I find it a way for him to stall. annoying, right?