The Saturday before Halloween, which fell on a Tuesday, wasn't a Hogsmeade weekend, so Wood had taken full advantage and called a six am Quidditch practice. He totally ignored the grumbling about it not even being light out yet, casting Lumos Maxima to light up the pitch, and proceeded to put them through a punishing four hour workout that had Harry questioning if Wood hadn't been hit in the head by one too many bludgers. He'd arranged ahead of time for them to breakfast as a team afterwards, and treated them all to a lecture about strategy, causing many of them to pelt him with pieces of toast and fruit in an effort to shut him up. Therefore, when Harry returned to his dorm for a hot shower, he wasn't in the best of moods. His ire was furthered by seeing Ron yet again scouring the map for any sign of Scabbers. Ron had been actively putting off taking the map to Professor Lupin, as agreed, and Harry had enough.
"I'm going to shower, Ron, and when I'm done, we're taking the map to Lupin." Harry announced firmly.
Under his breath, Ron muttered, "Alright, Hermione."
"I heard that!" Harry said with his head stuck deep in his trunk.
Snape was turning Harry into a bat, that's all there was to it. The Greasy Git had made Harry start going to his quarters once a week for a review of Harry's schoolwork after the long practices with Wood had made Harry's marks slip from O's to a few E's and an A in Muggle studies, of all things.
Harry couldn't help that Wood was a dictator and his relatives had been monsters.
Hermione was another problem for Harry. Since her murdering cat had killed Scabbers, Ron hadn't had much to do with her. Sure, Scabbers was a pokey little guy that did more sleeping than rat things, but Ron had loved him. He'd been with their family for twelve years. Her cat had been booted from every home he'd been in, he was such a terror. With Ron having less to do with Hermione, Harry had felt the need to be with her more outside their dorm. It was only natural that he'd pick up her nagging ways, and it annoyed Ron to no end that he had.
Like he'd told Harry a million times, the map was fine. He wasn't getting roped into the things that diary had made Ginny do. It wasn't his fault that he was obsessed with it. He needed to find Scabbers.
Ron tapped the map and said, "Mischief managed."
He'd go with Harry to see Lupin just to get his friend to shut up. Lupin would tell Harry that the map was fine.
Harry returned from his shower to dress, and saw Ron watching him with a mulish expression. Too bad, Harry thought sourly, as Ron's own mother often said, it was better to be safe than sorry, especially after the diary. When he was ready, Ron, against his better judgement, Harry could clearly see, joined him, and they set out for the DADA classroom, and Lupin's quarters behind it. Ron trudged along beside Harry, his face set as if he were going to his doom, and it annoyed Harry. Ron still wasn't really speaking to Hermione, and as she really didn't have many friends, Harry had felt obligated to keep her company. That was fine, she was his friend after all, but admittedly, without Ron to mediate, Harry wasn't really enjoying Hermione's full attention, especially when the bulk of it consisted of her telling him all the things he was doing wrong, and berating him for letting his marks slip enough that Snape had stuck his big black boot in. It all added up to Harry blurting out at Ron, "Look, Ron, if the map is dark, it should be confiscated. If it's not, then you've got nothing to worry about. And really, Ron, it wouldn't be the first time the twins pranked you with something that seems great, but really isn't."
Ron suppressed a shudder, remembering the Teddy Bear Incident. Harry was right. The twins were a menace, but he was wrong about the map. He's seen lots of things that maybe a thirteen year old boy shouldn't. For one, he'd seen several of the older students whose footsteps appeared to be on top of each other in strange spaces. Obviously they had been snogging, maybe more. He'd seen Sprout and Hooch in Sprout's chambers in much the same configuration. He didn't want to imagine what they got up to. And the best of all was that Percy the Prig had a daily meeting with Penelope Clearwater in an out of the way broom closet. Ron had confirmed what they were doing when Percy had come back with his hair mussed and his shirt miss-buttoned. If he ever said a word about anything Ron got up to with Harry and Hermione, Ron now had a way to knock Percy's halo off his head.
They had made their way through the halls and had finally come to Lupin's office door. Harry knocked, and after a long minute, Ron's hopes soared that Lupin would be away on one of his sick days.
There was no such luck as the door swung open revealing Lupin's gentle smile and a room filled with all sorts of creatures in fish tanks and cages.
"Come in, Harry, Ron. What can I help you with today?" the Professor said with a sweeping gesture for them to enter.
"Thanks, Professor," Harry said, "sorry to bother you on the weekend, but..."
"No bother at all," Professor Lupin said. Indeed, he looked pleased at their company. "I was just about to make a pot of tea. Please, join me."
He gestured to a small sofa that flanked a small tea table, and a chair that was obviously Lupin's usual spot.
Harry and Ron sat while their Professor set out mugs, prepared tea, and gestured for them to help themselves to milk and sugar.
"And to what do I owe this pleasant visit?" Lupin asked amicably, settling into his chair.
"Well, Sir, we wanted to show you something Ron was given, and have you look it over to make sure it's safe. Not dark. You are our Defence teacher, so we thought you would be best to ask," Harry said.
"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Harry" Lupin chuckled, "although I'm sure you realise that your guardian could have also told you."
"Yes, Sir," Harry said over Ron's squeak at the mention of Harry's guardian, "but, well...Professor Snape..."
"Is Snape," Ron muttered.
Lupin heard him and let out an easy laugh. "Yes, Ron, he is indeed. Very well, let's see what you've got."
Ron pulled out the blank map, then his wand, tapped it, and encanted, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."
Harry thought Lupin would laugh at that as well, but the man was staring at the map with a kind of astonished expression.
"Where...wherever did you get that, Ron?" he asked faintly.
Ron explained how it came to be in his possession, glossing over the stolen from Filch portion. He felt a frisson of dread as Lupin reached for it, a slight shake to his hands.
Ron handed it over. "Sir, do you think it's dark?"
Lupin said nothing as he traced his fingers over the surface of the parchment, following the footsteps as they moved about. Finally he said, "This map took a great deal of skill and effort to make. We spent weeks perfecting it."
Harry and Ron exchanged a glance of surprise.
"'We', Sir?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Harry," Lupin said, "myself, your father, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew. We called ourselves The Marauders. We were all quite close at one time. The best of friends. That's us, Mssrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, our nicknames for each other, the creators of the map."
"Which was my father, Sir?" Harry asked.
"James was Prongs," Lupin said fondly.
"How did you make the map?" Harry asked curiously, "what magic did you use?"
Lupin chuckled and said, "We tried everything we could think of, for months, to get it to do what we wanted. In the end, it was really quite simple. It was the Homenum Revelio spell. It took the four of us casting it at once, but it worked."
"Brilliant!" Ron whispered and then asked, "How did you get all the bits of Hogwarts on it? I mean, no one knows about half of the rooms that are on it, and there are even some secret paths that go to Hogsmead on it."
"Well, it took some work," Lupin said, "first we enchanted the parchment to track us as we walked the boundary of Hogwarts' grounds. Once we had that, we looked in Hogwarts, A History to find a layout of the castle itself. It has only a very basic one, so we searched the library until we found a detailed blueprint of the castle. We copied it to the parchment, and then we verified it all by walking each floor of the castle. Your father's Invisibility Cloak was invaluable for that endeavour, Harry, as we did much of that at night. Mr Filch and Mrs Norris being a constant threat," Lupin chuckled and sipped his tea. "Then came the hard part, getting the map to show the inhabitants of the castle. James and Sirius were convinced the Homenum spell was the secret, but no matter how many times we cast it on the parchment, it remained...just a map." Again Lupin paused, giving a rueful little laugh. "You'll appreciate this, Harry. It was actually, inadvertently of course, Professor Snape who provided the answer. He asked a question in class about the Homenum Revelio spell, which gave James the idea to cast the spell on the castle rather than the parchment itself, then direct the spell into the parchment. From there it was just trial and error until we realised it took the four of us casting it together and directing it into the parchment. I'll never forget that moment. The map was suddenly teeming with footprints and names. Then it was spells to animate them, and then protection spells to safeguard it in case it was lost. However, now I have a question for you. How did you manage to come up with the correct incantation to activate it?"
Harry looked over at Ron, who reluctantly related where the twins had found the map and how they accidentally, after many failures, came upon the incantation. Lupin only laughed delightedly at Fred and George's antics, saying, "Yes, your brothers are certainly as clever and resourceful as James and Sirius were."
"You...you aren't going to confiscate the map, are you, Sir?" Ron asked, "only, I've been looking for Scabbers. Hermione's cat chased him off. I think he may have ate him, but I'm tracking Crookshanks, her cat, hoping he'll lead me to Scabbers."
"Scabbers is your pet familiar?" Lupin asked, "like Neville's toad Trevor?"
"He's Ron's pet rat, Sir," Harry said.
"Got him from my brother, Percy," Ron said, "he's been missing for days."
"Have you checked with Hagrid?" Lupin asked, "he may have found him. Animals do seem to be drawn to him."
"He hasn't seen him," Ron said morosely, "I'm sure Crookshanks ate him, Sir. I chased him out of our dorm, and that's when Scabbers went missing."
Lupin smiled sympathetically and said, "No, I won't confiscate it. But I must have your word you won't go sneaking about under the Cloak...yes, Harry, I know Dumbledore returned your father's cloak to you...after hours. Do you both solemnly swear you'll steer clear of no good?"
This was said with a smile, but they both knew he meant it. "Yes, Sir. We solemnly swear," they both chimed.
"Very well," Lupin smiled, "and I hope you find your rat, Ron."
"Thank you, Sir," Harry said, "and thank you for telling us how you, my father and your friends made the map. It's...well, it's nice to hear something good about my father from someone who was his friend."
Lupin caught Harry's unspoken inference. "Well...don't be too hard on Severus, Harry. He and James...well, it was a clash of personalities. They were off on the wrong foot from the beginning. It's ironic that Severus is now your guardian, but, well, perhaps you can give him the chance James didn't. Please know, Harry, that you may come to me if you have a need to talk. I can be an ally between you and Severus if you have that need."
"Thank you, Sir," Harry said thoughtfully.
"Alright then boys," Lupin said, standing, "thank you for an enjoyable interlude, but I'm afraid I have a few errands in Hogsmeade to get to. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon."
Harry and Ron took their leave, and on the way back to their common room, Ron agreed that Professor Lupin was an alright sort after Harry told him a light hearted "Told you so."
Ron shoved Harry with his shoulder and said with a laugh, "You know, ever since you started hanging out with Malfoy and Hermione, you've become as much a prat as they are."
"Take that back!" Harry shouted and chased Ron up the stairs to their dorm. Ron thought it was nice to have his happy friend back.
Draco woke up on Monday morning, dreading what was to come. They'd been informed by an official Ministry Owl, last week that both of his parents' trials had been moved up a week.
He got out of bed, grabbed the robes he had chosen for the day, and made his way to the showers. Things had improved for him in Slytherin, at least with the boys. Pansy was still the way she was. She had only learnt to keep her nasty comments out of earshot of Millie, Snape, and the surprising Gryffindor contingent he had gained. Not only Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but Weasely's entire extended brood had taken to guarding Draco from the bullying that had occurred outside his house. It both surprised and nettled him that he'd become their pet Slytherin.
If only he could have them around today.
He let the spray from the shower wash the sleep from his eyes. It beat down on him in a steaming cloud as he made quick work of his ablutions. Once done, he towelled off and donned his clothes before anyone else could enter.
He was still putting on his socks when the door opened and Vince entered. Draco tensed. He didn't want a confrontation with his former friend, not today of all days.
When Vince merely looked at him and chose a shower stall, Draco let out a huff of breath.
Vince popped his head out from behind the curtain and said, "I heard your parents' trial is today."
Draco nodded, keeping his eyes down as he tied his shoe. They'd had a few words in the past weeks about Draco's new friends. While Greg seemed truly hostile, Vince had seemed
more than a bit mystified and hurt about it, even if he was the one to call Draco a blood traitor.
Vince continued to look at Draco for a few more moments before he finally said, "I hope it goes well for them. Your mum's always seemed nice."
With that, Vince disappeared behind the curtain and the shower started up.
Once Draco was dressed, he made his way out of the common room and up to his aunt and uncle's quarters. He let himself in.
The scent of bacon, porridge, and eggs assailed him, and he had to take small breaths through his nose to keep from gagging. Stress always made him ill. He sat at the small kitchen table that served for the meals they all took together occasionally, and took a piece of dry toast. He smeared a small dollop of butter on it and a bit of the persimmon jam they'd made, and took small bites. Uncle Ted looked over his paper and pushed the teapot towards him without a word.
Aunt Andromeda entered the room and kissed Uncle Ted on the cheek before placing a steadying hand on Draco's shoulder. Since they'd had that day of making jam, she'd been noticeably more demonstrative to him. It was strange, given that Mother's petting and pampering had lessened since he'd started school. He didn't mind it, as long as it wasn't done publicly. No one needed to see that, in Draco's opinion, not from any parental figure.
"Today's the day, huh?" his uncle finally said. "I wish I could be there with you."
Draco shrugged, and said, "Thanks, Uncle."
Having his aunt's Muggleborn husband show up might actually have been good for the outcome of the trial, but Draco couldn't imagine how awful his father might be to him, even so.
"Ooh, look at the time!" His aunt said. "We need to head up to the Headmaster's office to floo out."
Draco stood, glad to abandon his half eaten toast. He followed her out and soon they entered the Headmaster's office.
The old man sat behind his desk, but rose as they approached. He said, not unkindly, "I hope things go well for your family today, Mr Malfoy."
"Thank you, Sir," he answered, as he attempted to cover his surprise. Father had nothing good to say about Dumbledore. He was sure if the tables were turned, Father wouldn't be wishing the old man well.
Aunt Andromeda threw a bit of floo powder in the fireplace and stated, "The Ministry of Magic."
She stepped in, and swirled out of sight. Draco followed.
When Draco stepped out of the Ministry floo, he found Professor Burbage standing with his aunt. She smiled what he was sure she thought was an understanding friendly smile, but he found it a bit condescending. He wasn't a child anymore, this whole messy business had robbed him of that, and he felt a pang of resentment toward her.
"Professor Burbage," he nodded at her, swallowing his irritation.
"Draco," she said, "I want you to know that whatever happens today..."
"Professor," he cut her off, not wanting to hear her tell him everything would be alright. "Thank you for your support."
She hesitated a brief moment before hitching her smile back up and saying, "Of course. I was just explaining to your Aunt that my department fully supports your parents taking custody of you again after this is over, upon the completion of parenting classes that we've asked the Wizengamot to make a condition before that can happen."
Draco stared at her, thinking she was truly mad if she thought Father wouldn't fight that tooth and nail. He simply nodded in response, not able to think of anything to say that was appropriate. He just wanted this over.
"Perhaps we should go and find seats," Aunt Andromeda said, putting a protective hand on Draco's shoulder.
"I'll speak with you again after," Professor Burbage said, and hurried off down the corridor.
Draco followed his aunt, who nodded to several people Draco didn't recognise as she led the way to seats that had been reserved for family, although they were the only ones representing any family. He took his seat and tried not to stare at the rough wooden chair in the centre of the court, with its cruel iron shackles dangling. His attention was caught by the eye-searing flash of pink hair belonging to his cousin as she fumbled to her seat in the upper tier across the court. She tripped and nearly landed in one of her fellow Auror's lap, and he let out a small groan of embarrassment.
"What's she doing here?" he muttered to himself.
His aunt heard, and patted his arm. She said in an effort to reassure him, "It's part of her training, Draco, to observe high profile trials. She won't be testifying"
Slowly the courtroom filled, and the doors were closed. Draco spotted that dreadful Skeeter woman, her expression nearly obscene with gleeful anticipation, her poison pen poised and ready. She made him feel ill, and he quickly looked away, his eyes falling again to the spotlighted chair in the middle of the court. The thought of seeing his delicate mother, whatever his mixed feelings about her may be, chained into that torturous device made his eyes sting and his heart feel heavy. He hoped he would be able to retain his composure, and steeled himself in preparation, letting his eyes sweep over the gallery. He spotted the parents of several of his housemates sprinkled amongst the spectators, and their once friendly faces now looked threatening to him. He was sure their presence was meant to be a warning to Lucius more than any show of solidarity or support, and he raised his chin slightly, refusing to let their glares intimidate him, despite how unnerved he felt inside.
A sudden hush came over the courtroom and everybody stood as the Wizengamot made their entrance, filing into their seats overlooking the centre of the courtroom, looking to Draco like the collective face of doom, and he pulled in a haggard breath. The moment of truth had arrived.
After everybody was seated and Fudge had gavelled everyone to silence, he said, nodding at the Auror stationed at a side door, "Bring in the prisoner."
Draco took a deep, steadying breath as his mother was escorted in, her hands chained, two burly Aurors grasping each of her arms. He resisted the urge to shout at them to remove their filthy hands from his mother's person. They brought her to the chair and she sat. The shackles snaked around with a sickening metallic clanking, securing her to the chair, and Draco bit his lip.
"Hear, hear!," Fudge shouted, banging his gavel furiously, "Auror! Unchain the prisoner immediately!" he blustered, "there is no need to restrain this prisoner in the presence of her child! She has no wand, she cannot flee, she poses no danger to this court!"
A stern looking woman with a monocle who was seated next to Fudge leaned over and furiously whispered something to the Minister that Draco couldn't hear, but they heard Fudge"s reply of "Yes, yes, but the boy doesn't need to see his mother in chains!"
That comment drew all eyes to Draco, who wished fervently for the floor to open. The woman whispered something else and then sat back with a disgruntled expression.
Fudge had final say, and after throwing a glance of annoyance at the woman with the monocle, he waved his gavel and said, "Remove the restraints. Madam Malfoy, please stand."
"Thank you, Minister Fudge," Draco's mother whispered hoarsely.
"Narcissa Malfoy, you are charged as an accomplice to the buying, selling, and possession of prohibited dark materials. How do you plead?"
Mother! Draco's inner voice cried, fearing the worst. Despite her frequent annoyance at her husband, Draco knew his mother was devoted to his father, and would gladly sacrifice herself to save him. He closed his eyes and bit his lip, fighting back the tears that threatened.
"Not guilty," she said clearly, and Draco's eyes popped open in astonishment. There was a buzzing throughout the court, and a look of stunned disbelief on his aunt's face. She reached out, clutching his arm, and they both watched his mother deny any complicity as the monocled woman spoke up.
"Madam Malfoy, your solicitor has no doubt advised you to plead not guilty, however, you are under oath to tell the truth. Do you really expect this court to believe you had no knowledge of the many exceptionally dark and dangerous objects confiscated from your own home?"
"I had no knowledge until our home was invaded," Draco's mother said expressionlessly.
"Madam Malfoy," the woman said, "I will once again caution you, you are under oath. Do you still maintain you had no knowledge of the dark objects found in your own home? The home you share with your son?"
"Alright, Ame..Madam Bones," Fudge said placatingly, "the boy is an innocent minor, no need to drag him into this," once more drawing all eyes to Draco.
Could he just shut up!? Draco thought furiously.
"I beg to differ, Minister," Madame Bones said sharply, "I have seen for myself the objects confiscated from Malfoy Manor. They had to be viewed through a myriad of containment spells, protego shields, and protection charms; they are so dark and dangerous. It took three Ministry curse breakers to take down the concealment charms and curses surrounding them at Malfoy Manor. Even the elves were terrified. All the official paperwork notes that this woman displayed neither surprise, nor did she protest when these objects were found and piled in front of her and her child, yet we are expected to believe she knew nothing?"
Draco looked at his aunt worriedly. Even he had to admit it sounded highly unlikely his mother knew nothing.
After adjusting her monocle, Madame Bones once again addressed his mother. "Madam Malfoy, please explain how you can be so oblivious as to the goings on in your own home. How you could not know that your husband was dealing in dark objects, particularly given the size of the cache removed from your home."
"Lucius, my husband, is a very private man. He does not involve me in his business dealings, he keeps that separate from our family life. He doesn't discuss his business matters with me," she said, "we have an understanding in that regard. He runs his business, I run our home..."
"A home in which an astounding collection of dark objects were concealed," Madam Bones said, "which you claim no knowledge of. It seems your understanding with your husband is in sore need of revision, Madam Malfoy."
"It would seem so, Madam," his mother said humbly to twitters from the spectators.
Fudge gavelled it to silence and said, "we will announce a verdict momentarily," cast a Muffliato, and the Wizengamot turned to discussion amongst themselves.
His mother was lying, and Draco knew it. He had often heard Father speak of business affairs with Mother. At times as a sounding board, other times to complain, occasionally he sought her counsel. He didn't know how to feel about this. Not only was she lying, she was saving herself whilst throwing Father under the bus. He could not wrap his mind around this incongruity.
"Mother..." Draco said to his aunt.
She stayed his words, squeezing his arm and saying gently, "I know, Draco. It's alright."
"Is it?" he asked, a note of desperation in his voice.
She looked at him with a quelling, but kind expression and said, "We'll discuss it later, shall we?"
He nodded, and went back to his own musings, deeply confused.
At last, after Fudge and Madam Bones had silently argued furiously under the Muffliato Charm, Fudge lifted it and once again gavelled the court to order.
"Narcissa Malfoy," Fudge began, "to the charge of complicity in the buying and selling of prohibited dark objects, the Wizengamot finds you not guilty."
The courtroom erupted in a loud buzz of chatter at this, but quieted as Fudge and his gavel brought order.
"To the charge of possession of said dark objects, the Wizengamot finds you guilty, with extenuating circumstances!" he shouted out over the roar of the spectators, who shifted their attention back to him.
"It is an irrefutable fact that said objects were removed from your home, the home which is your primary residence, and the home you raise your child in. That you were unaware of their existence in your home, is ruled as unwitting possession, and would, in most cases allow you to avoid a sentence. However due to the extremely dark and dangerous nature of these objects, and the threat they posed should your young child have encountered them, the charge is reduced to child endangerment."
Although the objects were removed from a heavily cursed and warded room, the wards themselves posed a direct threat to the child in question should he have attempted to breach them. For these reasons, you are sentenced to twelve months of monitored house arrest, during which you will attend parenting classes. Your son, Draco Malfoy will remain with his guardians, Theodore and Andromeda Tonks until your house arrest and classes are completed to the satisfaction of this court." Fudge banged his gavel, announced "court is dismissed. The prisoner will be escorted back to the cells in preparation for removal to Malfoy Manor."
A break was called, and Draco and Andromeda filed out of the courtroom with everyone else. They exited the Ministry through the Diagon Alley exit and ended up in a small cafe that served Ministry employees almost exclusively. Draco had never been to it before, his parents considering it too plebeian for their tastes. They were seated promptly with little fanfare and Draco mulled over the last hour.
"So, this means Mother can go home," Draco stated to his aunt without preface.
She cast a quick Notice Me Not charm and said kindly, "Yes, but you understand....you won't be. At least not yet. Your mother is still under arrest."
"But at least she'll be home, and out of...there," he said, his face troubled. He had to ask. Lowering his voice to a whisper, he said, "But...she lied. You know she did, I could see it in your face. She lied. She knew Father had those things! Mother knows everything in our home! She..."
"Draco," his aunt said, "yes, she did. Of course she knew. But there is only one reason either of your parents would lie in this case, and that is you. Even Lucius, Draco. Your mother lied for you, as I am sure your father will lie for you both."
"You act as if you almost… approve," Draco said, but his aunt dropped the charm as their waitress approached, a professional smile plastered on her face. It faltered when she saw Draco.
So Father had been here at some point and had not been pleasant, Draco surmised by her reaction. He sat up, straightening his robes and trying to give the smile he thought Potter would give to set her at ease.
Aunt Andromeda ordered lunch for them both, a light salad and tea for her and a sandwich and milk for him. When the girl left, Draco waited for his aunt's reply.
Finally after moments of her ignoring his pointed staring, she said, "I don't especially approve of the situation, Draco. I simply know that legal strategy often wins a case for one side or the other. I can acknowledge what they are doing without giving my approbation."
Draco thought about that as lunch arrived. He ate without much of an appetite, leaving half of his sandwich untouched. Once both of them were done, his aunt paid the ticket, and they left the cafe. They walked along the street, lingering over various window displays, dawdling along without much interaction. When people would notice them, his aunt would raise her chin, and move them along with a hand on his shoulder. Finally, the clock in the facade of Gringotts showed that it was nearing time for his father's trial. They made their way to the Ministry and down to the same courtroom.
The atmosphere outside the room had changed. Aunt Andromeda clutched Draco's hands as a barrage of impertinent questions and flashes went off, blinding them both. She attempted to push past the sea of reporters, sycophants, and the morbidly curious. They pressed in on them, making Draco feel as if he were suffocating. Just when he thought he might go mad, a familiar baritone voice sounded behind them, a spell parting the melee. Snape, flanked by Dumbledore, came to their aid. His Head of House placed his hand on Draco's shoulder and offered his arm to Aunt Andromeda. They entered the courtroom with ease, even as the clamour of voices seemed to increase around them. Snape saw them to their seats, and withdrew to the prosecution's side of the court, taking a seat beside Dumbledore.
The rest of the circus filed in after them, the noise of their entrance seeming to bounce off the walls as they took their places, and set up their recording equipment of various types. Skeeter was in the prime spot, her face wreathed in a vicious smile, which she turned on Draco. He recoiled slightly before Aunt Andromeda patted his knee. After a few moments, the Wizengammot filed into their seats, the woman in the monocle from before, taking the lectern that Fudge had held before. The Minister did not enter the room.
Two Aurors escorted Father in. He was just as unkempt as he had been when Draco had visited him. He shuffled between them, slightly crouched to keep the tinkling chains that ran between his legs and connected to his feet from unmanning him. Once he was in the seat, the chains on it flew up and locked him into it. The two Aurors stood on either side of him both menacing and impassive.
Draco fought the panic that bubbled up in his throat, bilious and painful. At least Mother had a champion for her dignity. Father, it seemed, would be the object of scorn.
The proceedings began as the monocled woman banged her gavel for order.
"Lucius Malfoy, you are charged with the buying, selling, and possession of prohibited dark objects," Madame Bones voice rang out over the hushed courtroom, " how do you plead?"
Draco realised he was holding his breath, waiting for his father to answer. If what Aunt Andromeda had said was true, Father would plead guilty. Draco wondered how long the Wizengamot could lock him away for.
Lucius cleared his throat and rasped out "Not guilty."
The courtroom erupted in a loud buzz of voices, Madam Bones furiously pounded her gavel to silence them, and Draco looked at his frowning aunt. He didn't understand. How did Father possibly think he could get out of this?
"Mr Malfoy," Madam Bones thundered after silence had been regained, "said dark objects were removed from Malfoy Manor by the Ministry. You were in possession of said objects. This is an irrefutable fact. Do you understand this?"
"I do," Lucius rasped.
Madam Bones stared at Father through her monocle, a fierce frown on her face. She snapped."Do you wish to change your plea?"
"I do not," Father said, clearing his throat again.
"Very well, Mr Malfoy," Madame Bones said archly, "we shall proceed with trial, where it will be proven you are guilty as charged. Call the first witness!"
"Arthur Weasley!'' The guard stood at the front of the court bellowed out, and the Weasel's father appeared from out a side door. He took his place at the small, enclosed podium reserved for witnesses, stating his name and occupation when prompted.
"Mr Weasley," Madam Bones barked out, "please relate to the court the events that led to Mr Malfoy's arrest."
"My office received complaints that Epatticus Borgin, of Borgin and Burkes, had been dealing in the buying and selling of dark enchanted Muggle artefacts. My team were conducting an ongoing investigation into these complaints, and were preparing to move in on the premises, when we observed the defendant, Lucius Malfoy, entering Borgin & Burkes' shop. We waited until Mr Malfoy had left the shop, then moved in. Upon discovery of a concealed, warded and cursed cache of dangerous dark objects, Eppaticus Borgin confessed to the procuring of dark objects for the defendant, to selling said objects to the defendant, and to buying more dark objects from the defendant, and to seeking out other buyers for said objects. Armed with this information, my office was able to obtain a search and seizure order for Malfoy Manor, as well as an order for the arrest of the occupants of the home, Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy."
Draco tuned out what happened during the raid of his family home. It was painful to think about, much less have Weasley's father state the facts in the cold arena of the courtroom. Too soon, Mr Weasely left the stand and the parade of Aurors and other specialists began, all detailing that day. It was only when Mr Borgin was called to the stand that Draco noted his father's tension. Just what had he sold to Borgin that day, and what had he sold before then?'
Madam Bones waited for the elderly man to take the witness dais. Even though Draco had only seen the man a few times before, he looked much changed. He had an air of frailty that had replaced the unctuous menace he'd given off before as the premiere purveyor of dark artefacts in England. His hair stuck up at all angles and his normally fine clothes were wrinkled and stained. It looked as if he hadn't slept in the months between his arrest and this day's proceedings. Madam Bones', for that was who had taken the court over from Fudge's gentler hand, asked him pointed questions about the elder Malfoy's dealings and Mr Borgin answered in a dry, papery voice, careful not to implicate himself if possible.
Draco watched his father, who had suddenly turned to his solicitor, a middle-aged man who had served their family for years. The solicitor asked for a moment to confer with his client, and Bones granted it with a show of irritation. The two men had a heated conversation, unheard because of a privacy spell the court allowed in that situation.
Once done, the solicitor returned to his seat, slightly mollified by whatever Father had agreed to after his initial request.
Madam Bones asked, "Did Mr Malfoy ever tell you where these dark artefacts he was trying to sell you came from?"
Borgin blanched, his sickly gaze seeking Father's. He took out a plaid bordered handkerchief and mopped his brow with it "He said he came by some of them through his father, others were… were… he accumulated them through private sales and his… when he… was…serving…under… Well, I mean he said he was imperiused so… during the war… he procured some of them while in service to You-Know-Who."
"Objection! Madam, Mr Malfoy was acquitted of…!" Father's solicitor was on his feet again. "I move that this line of questioning be stricken from the record."
All said over the hubbub of hushed voices in the gallery. Madam Bones banged her gavel again, "Order! Your objection is denied. Sit down, Mr Perkins."
She turned back to Borgin. "Thank you for your testimony, sir. You are dismissed. The prosecution rests."
Again, father tensed, and once again, the solicitor asked for a conferral with his client. This time Father appeared adamant about his request, as he appeared to be shouting at Perkins. The spell fell as Perkins stepped back to the table he occupied. He looked irritated, his face red, his hands shaking. He finally said, "Madam Bones, my client wishes to give testimony."
"As is his right, Mr Perkins," Madam Bones snapped impatiently, "Mr Malfoy, proceed."
They evidently were going to make him testify from the chair he was chained to, and after no move was made to release him to take the witness podium, he cleared his throat and said, "I do not wish to testify, Madame. I wish to change my plea from not guilty to...guilty. I plead guilty to all charges."
The ensuing uproar was deafening, and Draco wanted to cover his ears. Madam Bones wasted no time banging her gavel this time, she drew her wand and cast "Silencio!" over the spectators and said, "This trial is concluded. Sentencing shall be determined momentarily. The gallery will remain quiet." She eyed up the spectators before ending the Silencing Charm, cast Muffliato, then turned to her fellow Wizengamot members to discuss.
Draco looked at his aunt worriedly, and she grasped his hand, giving him a reassuring smile as she did. He held her hand tightly, his insides rolling with nerves. It was only a few moments before Madam Bones ended the Muffliato and addressed the court.
"Lucius Malfoy, you have been found , through your own admission, guilty of all charges. You are hereby sentenced to no less than five years imprisonment in Azkaban, effective immediately. Aurors, return the defendant to his cell at Azkaban Prison. These proceedings have concluded. Court is dismissed," and with a final bang of her gavel, it was over.
Tuesday, Halloween day, started with the normal anticipation that any feast day would have. They'd all gone to class, done their normal daily activities. Harry had gone to Quidditch practice, showered, done a bit of homework he had left over from the weekend, and was now waiting in the common room for Hermione and Ron who had started bickering again over Scabbers and Crookshanks. Harry just wished Scabbers would show up, because if the cat had eaten the rat, there wasn't much hope of the end to the fight which had gone cold and hot over the last few weeks.
Either way, Harry just wanted it to stop. If he'd thought it would have made a difference, he would buy Ron a new familiar himself.
The two finally noticed Harry in the room and with a final hissed statement by Hermione to Ron that Harry couldn't hear, Ron and Hermione joined him. Ginny followed them along with Neville, down to the Great Hall.
They took their seats at the end of the table, again across from Bulstrode and Malfoy. Harry was surprised to see that Luna Lovegood, Ginny's odd friend, was at the end of the Ravenclaw table. Ginny joined them, seated so that she faced Lovegood and had her back to Malfoy and Bulstrode. After a few minutes of dithering, Neville sat next to Ginny, colouring as Lovegood smiled and waved at them both in her dreamy way.
Millie was first to break the silence after the massive plates of food appeared next to overburdened containers of confections. Harry had his eye on the treacle tarts and was reaching for one when she said, "Afters before dinner? I like that, Potter."
Harry snatched his hand back, but not before he had snagged his first tart of the evening. Her merry laugh echoed in their area. He scowled, much too like Snape to feel comfortable with the expression. Sometimes he didn't know how to take that girl, and other times… well it didn't bear thinking about yet.
Then there was Draco. He'd been off since the trial. Malfoy wouldn't talk much about it, and what Harry had learned from the papers didn't help. He did know that Malfoy was disillusioned with both his parents, which would have made Harry laugh before he really knew the little Slytherin git, but now, it bothered Harry. Malfoy sat at his usual place, pushing around his food with his fork, not looking at anyone whilst he did it.
He didn't actually take a bite of his food until Ginny turned to him and said, "You're going to make yourself sick, Malfoy. Eat up, or I'll talk to Snape about it."
Millie nudged Malfoy and muttered, "Told you so."
For whatever reason, Draco flushed a deep red, his eyes still on his plate, but Harry noticed him looking Ginny's way more often.
They ate until they were stuffed, Harry ate the lionshare of the treacle tarts in their area. He almost felt like unbuttoning the top button on his trousers just like Vernon did every Sunday over lunch. Neville, then Ginny were the first to stand, they joined Luna as they exited the Great Hall. Harry, Draco and Millie stood at almost the same time. Ron and Hermione, who had been giving each other the silent treatment during dinner, stood at last too. That was when Hermione pointed to the doorway, excitedly proclaiming, "There's your rat, Ron! Catch him!"
All their eyes turned to the doorway and sure enough a large grey rat sat near the centre of the threshold on its haunches, peering around nervously. Ron dashed up to it, but the creature was faster than him and disappeared through a small chink in the stones. Harry and Hermione drew abreast of their friend. Harry placed his hand on Ron's shoulder which was slumped in dejection. "Sorry, Mate."
"Well, at least you know he's alive!" Hermione chirped with a note of triumph. "Now you can leave poor Crooksy alone."
Ron glared at her, and Bulstrode went to her side, theatrically whispering, "Not the right time, Granger."
"But now he knows his stupid rat is alive, and he can stop blaming my cat!" Hermione protested, "you should understand, Bulstrode, you have a cat!"
"How do you know I have a cat?" Harry heard her ask as she pulled Hermione off away from Ron.
"Can you see him on the map?" Harry suggested to Ron as they headed toward their dorm.
'I'll look when we get to the Tower," Ron said, " I don't want to pull it out here in front of everybody."
Hermione eventually caught up to them, saying to Ron, "I think you owe me an apology! Crookshanks didn't eat Scabbers, Ron!"
"Fine," Ron scowled, "I'll apologise to Crookshanks next time I chuck him out of our dorm!"
Hermione fired up to snap back, but a commotion up ahead, turned all their attention from the brewing argument. Percy was shouting for order, some of their dorm mates were rushing back down the staircase whispering frantically.
"Oi, Perce!" Ron bellowed above the chattering Gryffindors, "What's going ...oh!"
They could see, as they drew closer, the Fat Lady's portrait was slashed to ribbons, pieces of tattered canvas hanging loose, and the Fat Lady herself was gone. Percy turned and shouted his way back down the staircase, clearing a path for Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Filch, who were making their way up the staircase. The students, including Harry, Ron, and Hermione clustered behind them, anxious to find out how this happened.
Dumbledore examined the destroyed portrait, turning to Filch, who was looking around with a fierce frown, and said, "Mr Filch, we must search the portraits..."
"There she be, Headmaster," Filch growled out, pointing.
Collectively, all heads turned as one in the direction he pointed.
There she was, the Fat Lady, cowering behind a hippo that barely concealed her, shivering in fear, her hair and clothing dishevelled and dirty.
"Oh, Headmaster!" she shrieked in a frightened voice, "it was awful! Terrifying! I refused to let him in, of course, even though he had the password! And...and...he attacked! Slashed my portrait to ribbons! Just look at it! Well, I ran for my life! I never! That boy has always been wild, but this, this, is beyond the pale, Headmaster! I won't have it, I tell you!" She was standing now, her voice even more shrill with outrage, and she stamped her foot, scaring the hippo, and causing it to flee into the next portrait.
McGonagall, with the same look of impatience Harry had seen her display when dealing with Professor Trelawney, spoke out, her voice making it clear she'd had enough nonsense, "Perhaps you'd be so good as to tell us which boy is beyond the pale, yes?"
Harry bit his lip trying not to laugh at McGonagall, but what the Fat Lady replied was anything but funny.
"Why, Sirius Black, of course!" the Fat Lady shrieked indignantly, stamping her foot again.
There was an uproar of voices, and both Ron and Hermione turned to Harry, each grasping one of his arms.
"Oh, Harry!" Hermione said worriedly.
Dumbledore called for order, then told everyone to return to the Great Hall. Percy sprung into action, herding everyone back down the staircase, and Harry looked back to see Dumbledore giving directions to Filch and McGonagall as he was swept along with the tide of students. They soon heard McGonagall's magically amplified voice announcing all students and staff were to return to the Great Hall immediately. Soon the halls were teeming with milling, chattering students, teachers among them, shouting for everyone to hurry along and not to panic. Just before they reached the doors of the Great Hall, they heard Ron's name called out, and turned to see Professor Lupin making his way through the crowd toward them.
"Let's step over here," he said, leading them to an alcove to the side of the doors. "Ron, I must ask you to let me have the map. If Sirius Black is still in the castle, that is our best hope of finding him."
"Oh! Yeah, right," Ron said, producing it from the pocket in his robes. "Can't believe I didn't think of that" he muttered sheepishly.
Lupin smiled kindly, taking it and tucking it into his own pocket. "Go on into the Great Hall now, and wait for Professor Dumbledore. And don't worry, Harry. Professor Snape will be along as soon as he settles the Slytherins."
"Yes, Sir," Harry said, and followed Ron and Hermione into the Great Hall.
The tables had been cleared by magic, and pallets set out for each student. They seemed to be coded by house as far as Harry could see, Gryffindor had dark red blankets with gold sheets, Slytherin, which was placed next to the Gryffindor area, had their house colours and so on. Harry, Ron and Hermione chose pallets along the edge of their group, Millie and Draco did the same. Somehow, Ginny ended up next to them all with Luna taking one of the Gryffindor beds next to her. Harry slipped off his shoes, wishing he'd had time to at least change his clothes, his stomach was still too full, but as soon as he thought that, his outer clothing transformed into ridiculous pyjamas that had a roaring lion and flying snitches on it. Ron's clothes had a similar lion, but sported chess pieces. Harry snuck a look at Bulstrode who was looking down in chagrin at her snake-covered sleep set. Each tiny snake was being chased by a ridiculously cute black kitten with big green eyes.
She noticed Harry watching her and she flounced under the covers, turning her back to him. "Get a good look, Potter. That's the closest you'll ever get."
Ron looked over at Harry as if to ask what Millie was on about, but Harry shrugged. Girls were weird.
He settled into his pallet, wishing he'd had the foresight to bring a book or something. It was still pretty early to sleep. For a moment he let his mind drift, thinking of the cool things he could do if he had been born in a different time, or if he had met someone like Albert Einstein, or if he had wings, or a tail, or a stinger…
He woke gradually, hearing Snape's low voice speaking to someone. "I will kill him on sight, Albus. I don't care if it puts me in Azkaban…"
"Now, my boy, there is no need for such…" Professor Dumbledore said, his voice a soft counter to Snape's harsh words.
"Do not attempt to placate me, Albus." Snape hissed, "He's already taken so much from me. He took…" Harry couldn't hear the man's softly whispered utterance of what Sirius, Harry assumed, had taken from Snape. "I will not allow him to take the boy from… take the boy too."
Professor Dumbledore said something softly, and Harry felt the weight of their stares. He moved onto his back, feigning just waking, "Professor Snape, has he been found?"
Snape stepped over to Harry, kneeling, "That is not something for you to worry about, Harry. It's time to sleep."
He placed his hand on Harry's forehead, carding his fingers through Harry's hair. Suddenly Harry felt a warmth rush into his chest, and his eyes prick with tears. He turned back over, not sure why Snape's touch would make him feel so at peace. He closed his eyes again and sank back into sleep.
Thanks for reading. Please take the time to let us know what you think.