disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
So, it turns out that the best way to get back your creative juices is to finally graduate. I'm done with my masters and things started flowing for this chapter. FINALLY! Here it is, a chapter in the making with Legilimency, courtroom drama and more drama, and babies. I hope you like it.
Arabella's Heart
The trials continue. After a much-needed lunch break, where Arabella scarfed down a fish sandwich and chips in record time, they headed back to courtroom ten.
Carlisle Nott was next and the shortest by far. His participation in the Department of Mysteries fiasco and continued participation under Voldemort's regime was enough to have him shipped back to Azkaban to continue his previous life sentence. Theodore Nott sat behind Arabella and Grace with Daphne Greengrass holding his hand tightly. Both stoic and stone-faced. They left the courtroom swiftly after the announcement, Theodore not looking at his father once. This earned him some sympathy. The old guard whispered amongst each other. Another pureblood gone and wasted.
"But I suspect Miss Greengrass will help soothe his worries," whispered Eunice Max. "You and Margot raised her properly, Atticus."
Gideon Travers and Septimus Selwyn tried to bargain their way out. They were under the Imperius Curse, they didn't have any control over their actions, they were scared for their lives, they were scared for their families, they would never do it again, they were going to be better wizards, model citizens of their society… Arabella almost dozed off. Their trials were back-to-back, they were reportedly thick as thieves, and every word was so clearly rehearsed. A child would come to the same conclusion, it was so bloody obvious. Their little act and last names almost won over a number of council members, but they were ultimately sent to complete their life sentences in Azkaban. As they were leaving, council members waved and wished them well.
"Pathetic, absolutely pathetic," Grace spewed as they adjourned for another ten-minute break. "Not enough they snatched people from their homes – no, no, no, now their little friends are waving and kissing their arse! I can't believe I stuck here this long, it's maddening!"
Vincent Crabbe Sr. and Gregory Goyle Sr. were back-to-back as well. Like their sons, they were not known for their intellect or cunning words, preferring to use brute strength instead. It did not help their case. They left for Azkaban almost as soon as they entered the courtroom.
The most interesting trial so far came soon after – Gregory Goyle Jr.
She didn't know why, but she was surprised to realize that he was named after his father. She didn't know much about him. She barely ever heard him speak in all the years she'd known him – if fighting him was considered knowing him. Two Aurors brought him into the room, dragged him to the chair, and chained him. The clicks rang in the air and it settled for everyone: He was the first student presented for trial. There was an initial push against it, but since he was of age, Grace argued for it, that he must, and let the council decide what should happen to him. Arabella looked over him pensively. Somehow, he seemed smaller now than he had been in years. His thick arms dropped against the chain, his cheeks hollow, and dull eyes were practically sticking out of his skull. He used to be so big and burly, but he looked more like a child now than he ever did at Hogwarts.
Numerous students came in to speak against him. Neville led the charge, speaking so pointedly and confident, his grandmother would have been proud. Seamus, Susan Bones, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Luna, and Ginny told the room how they witnessed Goyle practicing the Cruciatus Curse on students, how he enjoyed them, how he sought out other students, waiting for them to get detention, and how the Dark Arts was the one subject he was good at. With each testimony, Goyle sunk deeper and deeper into the chair, scared and shaking, the chains clanking against each other. Arabella could not tell if he was truly remorseful or not, if this was all some sort of act. She doubted that he was capable of pulling it off, convincing everyone that he never meant to utter those horrible words, but then again, she didn't think he would torture someone, even as the son of a Death Eater.
Once Grace was done interviewing Ginny and dismissed her from the room, she turned to Goyle and spoke to him directly.
"Mr. Goyle," there was an edge to her tone, "do you understand what you've done? Do you understand the gravity of your actions?"
"The – the what?" he sputtered, voice dull and small. He jolted awake, sitting up straighter, surprised that he was being spoken to.
"Do you understand what you have done?" she leaned in and spoke to him like a toddler.
"Yes, miss."
"Very well. Explain it to me."
"What, miss?"
"Explain it back to, what you have done," Gace said simply. "You said you understood, then you can explain it to me. What have you done?"
Goyle gapped at her and Arabella almost did the same, staring at Grace.
"Miss, I – um – "
"Mr. Goyle, please speak loudly," Grace's tone was gentle now, "for everyone to hear."
"There is no need to badger Mr. Goyle," came Knox Thorne's deep tone. "He said he understood the gravity of actions. There is no need for him to continue."
"There is a need, Mr. Thorne," Grace did not turn to him as her voice cut the air. "Mr. Goyle is young and he did a terribly cruel thing. He could still have a future if he understands what he has done. Now, please, Mr. Goyle, what is it you understand you have done?"
Goyle looked at Thorne, gulping, and then back at Grace. He wasn't shaking anymore as he nodded and said, "Yes, I – I tortured those mud – those kids, miss."
Grace signed and held her open hands up, almost pleading with him. "Why, Mr. Goyle? Why would you do that to your peers? Half of them were younger than you and the other half in your year."
He was shaking again, his eyes fixed firmly on the floor. "I know, miss."
"Why, Gregory? Help us understand."
"I – I don't know, miss. I – I – they were –"
He fiddled with his fingers, unable to look up as he muttered, "They were dirty, miss. Everyone knows it. Dir – dirty blood."
Grace straightened her spine, sympathy no longer written on her face. She looked down at Goyle with disgust, daring him to meet her eye.
"Would you do it again, Mr. Goyle? Torture those dirty kids?"
"That is enough Madam Chin –"
"What was it like using the Cruciatus Curse? I've heard you have to mean it."
"Madam Chin –!"
"You meant it, didn't you, Mr. Goyle? You said so yourself, you meant to hurt those dirty kids."
Knox Thorne banged the gavel and stood up, fuming.
"That is enough, Madam Chin! We cannot allow you to interrogate Mr. Goyle any further. You are not here to pass judgement or bully, especially over a cowering boy. We will adjourn and come back with our verdict. In the meantime, I suggest you sit and stop hovering over him."
Grace's jaw was set as she sat down, not looking back, too angry to give Thorne a glance. Arabella smiled kindly at her as the others left the room, each muttering to their neighbour. Thorne was the last through the door. Just before closing it, he paused and turned back to Grace.
"Drink some water, Madam Chin, it should help with your nerves."
Arabella gapped as the door shut with a soft click. Someone in the courtroom let out a small laugh and tried to cover it with a cough.
"Muffliato," Arabella whispered as soon as Grace Chin opened her mouth. It was instantly proven to be a wonderful idea.
"That foul man!" Grace snarled, her fist banging against the table. "I could wring his neck – I will wring his neck and kill him –!"
"Grace," Arabella hissed, grabbing her arm and holding her steady. "You will do no one any good if you're kicked out of here."
Grace signed and glanced at Goyle. He was still fiddling with his fingers, his eyes planted firmly on his feet. The Aurors came around to check on the chains and he barely made a sound as one of them poked his shoulders, making sure he was still there.
"I just don't get it," Grace signed, slumping into her chair. "He's a kid like you – I know you're all of age, but… maybe you're all just kids to people my age." She signed again, her hands folded upon her lap. "I'm old and he's small and he has so much hate in his heart."
But they all had a little bit of hate in their hearts. Arabella had it – still has it. She hated Bellatrix, hated her to her core, wanted her dead, wanted to be the one to do it, and it killed her. Remus was dead. He saw that hate in her heart, saw what it was doing to her, he wanted to spare her, and he was murdered. Grace had it too. If not, she wouldn't be in the courtroom fighting against Death Eaters and Ministry officials alike. The difference was that Grace was doing some good for the world. Arabella's hate? It just led to more suffering.
She was fine with not being a good person. She was, truly. She wasn't a good person, certainly not in this lifetime. Maybe in a different world, another universe, some alternate dimension that was somehow behind an obscure door that was hidden in plain sight – maybe another her was a good person and she got to go home every day and see Remus.
The council took their time deliberating Goyle so Arabella went over the next case with Grace, making sure her boss knew who was going to show up and what topics she needed to go over. When the council rejoined them, Arabella lifted the Muffliato spell. There was a knot in her chest, something small but it ached and she couldn't look up at them.
"Gregory Goyle Jr.," Kinglsey's voice was strong and calming, "you stand accused of crimes against wizardkind. You tortured your fellow classmates. You aided and abetted Lord Voldemort and his most trusted followers. Some of those children were younger than you, Mr. Goyle. You were in your last year, you were supposed to be a role model, someone that should help them and guide them."
Arabella looked up. He was staring at Goyle, eyes unwavering.
"The council has decided that you will serve a two-year sentence in Azkaban. After the two years, your case will be presented once more to the council. This is it, Mr. Goyle. This is an opportunity for you to change and grow, and to do something that will serve your life meaningfully. This is your second chance, Mr. Goyle, I sincerely hope you take it."
The Aurors came to drag him away. He didn't try to shake them off or put up a fight. He accepted Kingsley's words. For a moment, Arabella met his eyes. She felt his arms around her throat, shaking her in the Room of Requirements, threatening to hex her. The old guard muttered amongst each other, tutting and whispering about how he got caught.
"He will know better next time, I suppose," Eldon Rosier said a little too loudly.
When the cameras began flashing in his direction and Grace stood up to address him, Thorne banged the gavel loudly, calling the room into order. Kingsley looked ready to wring both their necks.
"That is enough! Fairhurst, Hisao – get the gallery in order – "
The Aurors rushed forward as the next case was called forward.
"Malfoy, Lucius – Malfoy, Narcissa – Malfoy, Draco."
Everything seemed to be moving so fast and so slow. A moment ago, Arabella was sitting next to Grace, watching Goyle get escorted to Azkaban and the next, she was sitting in front of the council, staring up at them. Her gaze did not waver when the door opened to bring the Malfoys in. She could not – no, she would not look at them, she would not see their faces, see Bellatrix's face, she would not think about Harry and how he wants to tell the truth, whatever that may be.
So she stares at the Wizengamot. She gets another good look at everyone, tries to memorize their face and imprint them in her mind. She wants to remember them, their wrinkles and warts, their scowls and whispers of encouragement for each other. She wants to remember them for many, many years. She wants them to stare back at her, to match her gaze, her hatred, her fight, and she wants to be bitter until the last breath. Because she is here. Again. She is here fighting the same family. Again. She's going to spend the rest of her life fighting this family, this supposed Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. The Malfoys stood together, they're a unit, and she is tired of fighting this family, her supposed family.
The chains clicked and that's when Arabella felt it. There was a faint sensation on the back of her neck, a slight breeze in the stale courtroom. Someone's fingers brushed against her and the hairs all over her body stood up. It was impossible. It was a high-backed chair. She forced herself not to look. She had to appear as sane as she possibly could.
"Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco Malfoy," Thorne's heavy, baritone voice rang in the air, "you have been brought from Azkaban to present evidence to the Ministry of Magic that you are innocent of all crimes against wizardkind. Normally, the council will allow Madam Chin to present first, but given the circumstances, I will be questioning Miss Black –"
Grace's chair scrapped against the floor. "Minister –"
"Given the close nature of your relationship, Madam Chin," Thorne's voice was louder, drowning out any doubt, "it is best that I question Miss Black, as to allow the council to get a clear and coherent idea of this particular case. During my questioning, Madam Chin, you are free to interrupt me as you see fit, but you may not interject as to drag this hearing out."
He spoke to the Malfoys once more, "You are then allowed to call upon your own witnesses. Once the council has heard both sides, we will deliberate in a private room and return with the results. Have I made myself clear?"
From the small jingle, Arabella assumed all of them nodded, and she felt it again. A tickled behind her ear. It was gently nudging her, pushing her.
"Now, Miss Black, I hear you wish to be of some use to the Ministry of Magic –" Thorne's voice was full of mirth.
"I mean, seriously, Minister –" Grace stood up once more.
Kingsley tilted his face towards Thorne, eyes narrow. "Get to the point, Mister Thorne. As you said, this council is to get a clean and coherent idea of this case."
"I was simply beginning," Thorne said softly. "I apologize to the court and will begin again. Now, Miss Black…"
He shifted through his stack of parchment and looked down at Arabella. He had slick white hair around the circumference of his head and was balding on top. His eyes were a light colour, almost milky, and they bore into her, as though glaring at her would make her spill all her secrets.
"It is to our understanding that you, Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, and Mr. Weasley were on the run since August of last year. At some point, the four of you were captured and brought to Malfoy Manor. Please explain how this occurred."
Arabella cleared her throat and sat up straighter. She flexed her shoulders, hoping the feeling would simply disappear. "I was captured first at the Lovegood's house by Travers and Selwyn. Death Eaters had captured Luna beforehand and Mr. Lovegood tried to hand us over to get Luna ba – "
"Mr. Lovegood's actions are neither here nor there, strike that from the record," he snapped at one of his junior assistants. "Continue, Miss Black."
"I am sticking to the facts and Mr. Lovegood's actions are just as important," Arabella stated, staring at the council, staring directly at Thorne. "It is here and there. It is the reason why I was captured by Death Eaters."
"So you have a grudge against your friend's father?"
"I do not. I heard Mr. Lovegood as they tortured him. He wanted Luna back and I hold nothing against him. I gave myself up."
Thorne's eyebrows raised as whispers arose. The nudging became worse, pushing and probing at anything it could reach. Someone's fingers were all over her and she was completely alone.
"You gave yourself up?"
"I gave myself up."
Her head was buzzing. Her brain was sending warning signals everywhere – concern, worry, distrust, scrutiny. She was open. She was raw. She was cut in half, her body displayed for someone's amusement. She was exposed and laid bare in far too many ways. Thorne was speaking to her, but his voice was far away and her heart was pounding, reminding her, commanding her – fight–
"My apologies, Mister Thorne, but I simply cannot continue until every wand in this courtroom has been seized."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Someone is attempting to penetrate my mind with Legilimency. I do not know who it is, but this feeling cannot be anything else."
A small beat.
"Miss Black, this is frankly despicable –"
"Are you sure, Arabella?" Kinglsey cut in, leaning forward with his fingers intertwined.
Arabella gave him a single nod. Kingsley and Robert Trenholm whispered for a second while Thorne blustered in his seat.
"You cannot seriously believe that any member of the Wizengamot would jeopardize their seat by looking into the mind of this – this –"
He waved his hand in her direction, as though trying to find the most perfect and demeaning word to describe her.
"Fairhurst, Hisao," Kingsley did not need to raise his voice, it simply spoke with authority, "please confiscate every wand in the vicinity and examine them."
The Aurors did so at once, with multiple members of the Wizengamot and the gallery making a fuss and putting up a feeble fight.
"Anyone who does not listen to Fairhurst and Hisao will be dismissed from this and all remaining trials, effective immediately."
This was the maddest Arabella had ever seen Kingsley, his eyes dark and his fist clenched as he moved in his seat. She suspected that under different circumstances he was quite apt at politics. He's been in the Ministry for many years. But he was forced into hiding for many months, forced to wait until the right moment, unsure of what that would be. He was a different man, the Ministry became cruel in his absence – killing rather than disarming – and there were more enemies than friends around every corner. She suspected, that after everything, he was more like her, Harry, and Dumbledore's Army. He was used to fighting a different way.
Once every wand was gathered from the Wizengamot and members of the gallery, the Aurors disappeared and two more Aurors replaced them. Cameras flashed the whole time and journalists were either whispering to each other or ordering their Quick-Quotes Quill to keep up with them.
"Order, order!" called Thorne. "Khanna, Mendoza –!"
The Aurors rushed forward to the gallery to try and restore order.
Arabella glanced over her shoulder at the Malfoys, pressing her cheek against the curve, wondering if it hid half her face. Lucius was beaten and bruised. His skin was waxy and his once-perfect hair was in disarray. He was staring at the council, his eyes round with fear, pleading with them. Narcissa sat in the chair between her husband and son. While she did not cower or falter, she did not command the same aura as her sister. She was just as arrogant, but her untidy hair and unkept appearance made her look more like a defiant toddler than one of Voldemort's soldiers. She stared straight ahead. If she noticed Arabella staring, she simply did not acknowledge her. Draco stared back at Arabella. She expected to feel something, something familial or some sort of pity, but she didn't. All their exchange did was give her a good look at him. He was no longer smug or haughty with slick back pale hair that he spotted during most of their years at Hogwarts. His parents looked eager to speak with the council, to state their case for their innocence, but he looked tired, unwilling to fight.
She could see how Harry or anyone else could feel compelled to help them, but then her eyes travelled and saw the Dark Mark burned against his flesh. Draco followed her gaze and turned his arm away. For once, she saw him look remorseful.
"Now that everybody has calmed down," Kingsley glanced over his shoulders at the rest of the council, "Mister Thorne will continue."
"Yes, yes, well," Thorne seemed flustered before a sharp intake seemed to steady him. "Miss Black, you said you gave yourself up to Mr. Travers and Mr. Selwyn. What compelled you to do so?"
"I…" Arabella's breath got caught in her throat.
"Do you not know, Miss Black?"
"Minister, please," came Grace's voice behind her, "there is no need to badger Miss Black. We can allow her the time to gather her thoughts."
Mock apology was written across Thorne's face. "I was merely extending the same favour that was afforded to Mr. Goyle. Miss Black, answer the question."
"I… wanted… Bellatrix…" Arabella savoured the words in her mouth, not wanting them out because no one else would understand. Maybe Bellatrix – no, scratch that, she would understand. She wanted her just as much, wanted to end it eventually, squash her food under her fork, watch it expand under the metal. "I wanted to fight, I wanted to –"
Play, a voice whispered, gliding across her head.
"I wanted her."
Whispers arose. She would have been surprised if anyone took her words with acceptance. Kingsley and Trenholm shared a look.
"I do not understand," Thorne seemed curious for once, no longer hostile.
I had a dream – I had a dream and I was her and I saw everything she saw and did the night she killed my mother and I experienced it and I wanted her because… look, Dumbledore gave me a compass, right? He left me this compass that didn't point North, but to the person's deepest desire. She's my deepest desire. She was what I wanted. I wanted her. I wanted her and her and only her and she built a fucking maze to scare me or kill me and she set Rabastan like a dog on me and she was scared too. Don't you get it? She wanted it to end but she was scared because there was going to be two outcomes. I was prepared to die. She was scared and she never wanted to die. But I wanted her. I wanted her dead. She was scared. I did that. Me.
"Me going after Bellatrix has nothing to do with the Malfoy family," Arabella settled on. "They –"
She felt compelled to look at them again, to see if anything dented their armour.
"They held me, Luna Lovegood, and Mr. Ollivander hostage in their cellar for… months, I suppose. I lost track of them. They did nothing as Bellatrix tortured me with the Cruciatus Curse or –"
"I see," Rabastan whispered, taking off his suit jacket, rolling his sleeves.
"Have at her. Make her talk by any means necessary. Do as you wish."
"– or with a knife. And that maze."
She could feel him on her, feel his hands and breath and the way he grabbed what he thought he had a right to grab. Each bite was more painful than the previous and – and – "Nothing personal, Black. Just business."
"Maze?"
"She tortured me for hours in their home," Arabella continued, not listening, "and when the Snatchers and Greyback captured Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dean, and Griphook, they stood by and did nothing as Bellatrix tortured me for more information. They also argued amongst each other as to who was going to call Voldemort. They wanted to get in his good graces and, well, giving him Harry would have been a good look for them."
"And what about this maze?"
"What?" Arabella snapped, looking back at Thorne.
"What about the maze?" Thorne asked slowly.
"How… how do you –?"
"You mentioned it, Miss Black." He sounded impatient.
"Right, right," Arabella mumbled, trying to remember. "The maze was… it was just a game. She made this game because she… liked games," she shrugged. "She liked playing with her food. They told me – Narcissa told me that if I managed to escape the maze, I would be free to go and they would let Luna and Mr. Ollivander go too. All I had to do was play the game, face whatever fuc – face whatever horrors they threw my way."
There was another pause, another beat. Her body was on fire, everything felt so itchy, her arms, her scalp, the scars and the tops of her shoulders. She wanted to scratch, wanted her fingers to find the source of her itch and dig her fingers into her skin. She wanted a little relief.
Ginny's hand on her throat – Ron's hanging body, bloody and gouged – Death Eaters rushed her, grabbing her – Harry frantic – bloody Hermione whimpering for help as Death Eaters flanked her – sinister Harry, fake Harry, not her real Harry – "Boy wonder is better off without you. Boy wonder will never love you" – she was running wild, away from the house, away from hands, away from the jeers and laughs and then –
"There was a wall on the other side of the maze. I saw her for the first time that day and that's when she started torturing me with her wand again."
"What was in the maze?" Thorne asked her, his voice almost soft.
Another beat. The air was still as Arabella stared back at him.
"Minister," called Grace, voice faint, "there is no need for Miss Black to answer this question. It has nothing to do with the Malfoys and she has given enough information against them already. This question is merely out of curiosity and nothing that will help this case."
Thorne did not look at Grace Chin as he nodded and said, "Madam Chin is correct. I was merely curious as to what Bellatrix Lestrange was capable of. It seems she was inspired by many wizards during the Middle Ages, particularly Eleftherios. Are you aware of Eleftherios, Draco?"
Draco was startled at being addressed. His parents looked at him eagerly, silently urging him to speak. But he just shook his head at Thorne.
"My son is a fast learner," Lucius rushed, not allowing Draco to pass up this chance. "He received several O.W.L.s, including an 'Outstanding' in Potions and Transfiguration –"
"That is enough," Thorne said in a clear and strong voice that silenced the courtroom. He did not seem impressed or moved by the Malfoys. "Miss Black, I have no further questions for you. You are dismissed. Khanna, bring in Garrick Ollivander."
Arabella stood up, one of her knees popping, and she moved slowly towards the door out of the courtroom. Grace stood up and whispered something to her, but she couldn't hear her properly. Or maybe she didn't want to. Cameras followed after her, flashing, and she barely saw Ollivander enter the room. As soon as the door closed behind her, it was all gone.
She could see her reflection against the glossy marble walls. One of the lights over her flickered and her abdomen squirmed. She almost keeled over, her hand on the cold wall as she curled over her stomach. She couldn't tell if all it was the pregnancy or simply leaving the courtroom.
"Knock it off," Arabella hissed.
She tried standing up straight, tried to brush it off, but was only able to lean against the wall. She pressed her forehead against it and felt her body relax against the cool surface.
"Couple more hours." Arabella placed her hand over her abdomen. "I need you to work with me here. Couple more hours and then you can torture me. Meet me halfway here."
She walked down the hallway. There was a bottle of water on her desk, something to help the nerves, but then she rounded the corner and smacked right into someone, nearly toppling over.
"Oi! Oh, hi, Arabella."
Seamus quickly grabbed her arm and steadied her as she took a startled look around the hallway. It almost looked like a reunion of Dumbledore's Army. They were all scattered about, leaning against the wall, sitting on the floor, and talking to each other as they gestured about rudely. They were waiting. The moment Arabella appeared, they stopped what they were doing, the few stood up, the rest on alert, and they turned to her.
"What – what are you all doing here?" Arabella asked, astonished.
"We're here for the trials, of course," breathed Hermione. She took two long strides and engulfed Arabella in her arms. "How was it? Are you well?"
Arabella nodded, her throat and heart cleaning as the group moved closer to her. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to feel the moment, to be in the moment with them. She was surrounded by their safety. Ron carefully squeezed her shoulder, Seamus ruffled her hair, Ginny brushed her hand, and many others clapped her on the back.
"How's everything in there?" Neville asked quietly. He jammed his hands into his pockets, trying hard to look nonchalant.
"Do you need some water?" quipped Angelina Johnson, peering closely at her. "You look pale and tired."
"Well, that's not very nice now, is it?" pipped Justin Finch-Fletchley.
"Angelina's not wrong and she's not mean," came Oliver Wood.
"She's fine," proclaimed Ernie Macmillan, looking at Arabella with a mixture of determination and admiration. "She's giving those tossers a good thrashing!"
There was a small outburst of murmurs as some agreed with him. Ernie was just as pompous and brash as ever. Arabella liked that about him.
"She's not bloody hexing them," said Ron, looking at him ludicrously. "She's just testified."
"So, she's not doing a whole lot then," said Michael Corner, scratching his jaw.
"She's helping out the Ministry," added Padma.
"Still not a whole lot," quipped Corner.
"Oh, up yours!" snapped Hermione.
Arabella's head clicked back, she blinked many times at her friend, while many of them choked on their saliva. It wasn't the fact that she nearly bit his head off. No, Hermione was known for being blunt, tactless, occasionally rude at times, and often insufferable. No one knew this more than the Gryffindors, and they would tell her so at least once a semester. Ron twice a week. Hermione's best weapons were logic and reasoning, and a usual retort would be clever and witty. Arabella couldn't remember the last time she used such words after racking her brain.
"Hermione!" gasped Neville, his eyes wide.
"Weasley's been a terrible influence," Seamus whispered to Dean, his eyes twinkling.
Hermione looked startled at herself as some of them began snickering behind their hands.
"I'm sorry, Michael, I – I don't know what came over me."
Beside her, Ron had the most ridiculous grin plastered on his face.
"They just called in Ollivander," Arabella told everyone quickly. "After him is Luna, a couple other wizards, and then Harry. We're hoping to get everyone done today, even if it takes all night. The Ministry wants all this to be over with soon."
Neville nodded. "We'll be here as long as it takes."
"How were they?" Dean asked quietly. "Were they harsh?"
He was due to speak against Greyback and several Snatchers. Grace thought it was going to be a swift case due to the old guard's prejudice against werewolves. She didn't believe that Dean needed to appear at all. Arabella was inclined to side with her on the first part, but she thought it was necessary to have Dean appear before the Wizengamot. Having his testimony on official court documents and printed in the papers was very important, regardless of who was on trial. Words are important. Words are powerful. People needed to know it was safe to start coming out of hiding and abroad. They needed to know that there was still some justice out there. It was a work in progress.
"Thorne was harsh, but Grace will fight for you if there's any mistreatment. It… it wasn't as difficult… I suppose."
Terry Boot's face scrunched as he sized her up. "You don't seem confident."
Hermione and Ron moved closer to her, silently trying to shield Arabella.
"Leave her alone," snapped Seamus. "She's rattled."
"Yeah, look at the state of her," added Katie Bell.
"Oh, for crying out loud," whispered Arabella, rolling her eyes. "I'm fine. Everything is fine." She raised her voice and looked at them individually, making sure they also got a good look at her. "We're going to be fine."
They all began murmuring to each other, some clearly not believing in her, but she wasn't particularly offended. Terry pursed his lips and turned back to his friends. Arabella quickly scanned the crowd and found someone she had been meaning to talk to. She made her way towards the back of the crowd.
"Can I talk to you? If you don't mind."
Marietta Edgecombe was startled and looked towards Cho Chang for some guidance. Cho smiled back at her and nodded, quietly urged her. They were slightly secluded from the others, standing on the edge, not completely part of the group. Marietta turned back to Arabella and nodded. Her hair was deliberately frizzy and pushed to the front, trying to distract the eye away from the heavy makeup across her cheeks and nose.
Arabella initially thought to take Marietta away down the hall but decided against it. It was clear that many of them did not forgive her. She did not blame them, but they also had to know the truth.
"You were very brave coming forward," Arabella raised her chin and voice. "What Umbridge did to you and your mum was cruel, and her admitting to using Veritaserum was disgusting. She tried that on myself and Harry too. Speaking up against her in front of those old crones was very honourable of you."
Marietta was alarmed at her words, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
"She used Veritaserum?" Anthony Goldstein looked completely and utterly disgusted. "Miserable old hag."
"I can't believe she did that." Susan Bones looked saddened.
"Of course she did," Anthony shot back. "Miserable old – "
" – hag. Yes, I heard you," Susan hardened, shooting him a glare.
Multiple students, mainly Ravenclaws, moved toward Marietta, showing solidarity and comfort. Susan squeezed her shoulders as Anthony and Terry kept muttering about Umbridge, calling her all sorts of names that had the others either agreeing or laughing. Marietta began to visibly loosen her shoulders as she fixed herself next to Cho, happy to be surrounded by friends and allies.
"Probably shouldn't have said all that," Arabella mumbled as she made her way back to her friends, "but…"
She shrugged, not feeling particularly guilty just yet. She wanted to do something good and more direct than the trials. Marietta didn't deserve to be ostracized because of Umbridge's choices. They didn't need anything to divide them. Not anymore. No walls, no obstacles, no more dark lords. They were fighting different battles now, and this is how they'll win. Together.
"You knew what you were doing," Hermione simply stated.
"Can't believe that foul woman," Ron nearly spat. "Veritaserum cannot be used on students. Everyone knows that."
"Evidently not that old toad," said Ginny, crossing her arms. "She made us cut our hands open –"
"– all those stupid decrees –" chimed Seamus.
" – useless lessons –" added Parvati.
Arabella barely listened to them rattling on about Umbridge but would occasionally nod and make small noises of agreement. She felt different. Lighter. She felt her resolve and strength harden with them. She was braver surrounded by her friends, Dumbledore's Army. Their little teenage gang. Their courage, their anger, and their fiery nature made all the difference in the world to her.
She grabbed Hermione and Ron's arms and pulled them around the corner for some privacy.
"Is everything alright?" Hermione asked instantly, her voice low and worried while Ron looked alarmed.
Arabella nodded as she stared at them. She let go of their arms, her fingers going rigid. She felt so confident a second ago, surrounded by everyone, but she felt it slowly slipping away like sand through fingers. Starting at them made her feel vulnerable. More open and exposed than when someone tried to forceable enter her mind. This… oh, this felt so much worse. This is voluntary. This is her doing. This is her heart.
"Look, I, um, I want to tell you something, but – but you can't look at me."
She twisted her fingers, picking at the skin around her nails. Her left thumb was particularly dry and she tried to pull it apart.
"I don't get it," said Ron, looking at Hermione for help.
"Just close your eyes!" Arabella pleaded, waving her hands down in front of them. Trying her best to command them. "I just need to tell you something and you can't look at me, alright?"
Ron looked at Hermione again, trying to find the answer, but Hermione's eyes were firmly on Arabella. She searched her face for a moment and then nodded.
"Okay," Hermione whispered. "We'll close our eyes."
She and Ron moved slightly closer and held each other's hand. They closed their eyes almost at the same time, and the strangest thought popped into Arabella's mind. They would make good parents. Better parents than she would ever be.
Arabella let out a small breath. It was better to confess without them looking at her.
"Before, when – when Voldemort turned to me – well, I mean – er – after I killed Bellatrix and then he turned towards me, I – I –"
Her hands were in front of her, gesturing about, and she was wrong. It was difficult to confess to them, regardless of whether or not they could see her.
She then closed her eyes as well, remembering that moment. Bellatrix fell over with a frozen smile. Everyone cheered. Voldemort blasted away his three combatants and then he turned towards her. He was furious. He was screaming. He raised his wand at her. Time slowed down. People were screaming either at her or into the air. She thought she was going to die. She thought she was going to die.
"I thought I was a goner," Arabella whispered, her eyes still closed. "And –"
She searched the crowd. Time slowed down. Hermione was reaching out to her. Maybe she thought she could get there before Voldemort said those words. Ron was yelling at her, his eyes wide open.
" – all I wanted to do was look at you two. I thought it was going to be my last moment and I just wanted to look at you both. I wanted your fa – faces to be the last thing I ever saw."
There she was, standing in front of her oldest and dearest friends. They faced a troll together. She was open, raw, and exposed for them to see, probe, and peer at like a nerve. She was without armour. She reached into her chest, her fingers dug past her skin, past the muscles, and she grasped her heart. She was presenting it in front of them, the organ beating steadily, waiting for their answer.
"I thought –" Ron croaked.
Arabella opened her eyes. His face was terribly red as he said, "I thought we lost you too."
Hermione's face was hunched over in her hands and her shoulders were shaking almost violently. She was sobbing.
"Hermione," Ron mumbled, gently touching her shoulder.
Hermione let go of her snot-covered face and threw herself into Arabella, sobbing into her shoulder instead. Ron gaped as Hermione grabbed him by the neck and brought him closer to them. He craned his neck down, ears red. Arabella stood quietly, startled at Hermione's reaction.
"No more facing Voldemort," Hermione said thickly, letting them go.
"He's dead," Arabella told her simply.
Hermione shoved her shoulder, almost throwing her into the wall, and then the three of them looked at each other. Arabella was the first one to laugh, then Ron, and finally Hermione. Hermione's eyes were red as she tried to wipe her face with her sleeves.
"Here," said Ron.
He also wiped her face with his sleeves, making larger sweeps against her skin, as she looked up at him with bright brown eyes.
"Cute," Arabella nearly snarked at them.
Hermione smiled as Ron let out a small laugh under his breath.
"Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange are dead," said Hermione. "No more disappearing. No more dying."
Arabella's shoulders jerked. "No promises."
She was pregnant. Complications arise every day. She was no special.
They walked the short way back to the others, each of them a little bit lighter and fuller. It was made obvious that they walked in on the middle of a conversation that everyone was suddenly very interested in.
"I can't believe you never told us!" Angelina threw at Wood, indicating to herself, Katie, and Alicia.
Wood shrugged. "You never asked. I was waiting for you lot to ask me."
Angelina's jaw hung open as Alicia said, "We meet at least once a month for drinks, you knobhead."
"Wait," began Katie, holding her hands up to stop the others, "I don't get it. Who on earth would want – I mean," she added hastily with a fleeting smile, "who's the lucky… um, who is she?"
Wood either didn't notice the insult that was almost hurled at him or chose to ignore it. His more experienced teammates stared at him, flabbergasted.
"Oh, her name's Margaret Whisp."
"Whisp, Whisp, why do I know that name?" said Katie.
"Wait, Whisp like Kennil –" started Alicia.
"Kennilworthy Whisp, exactly!" exclaimed Wood, his eyes lit up.
Lee Jordan snorted in his hands before clapping them over his mouth. Angelina, Katie, and Alicia were taken back, not by his exclamation, but by –
"So… someone likes you," said Alicia, still trying to process this apparent momentous news. "I guess she must really love you if you guys are expecting a kid –"
"Wait, what?" exclaimed Arabella.
Angelina laughed, nearly deranged. "Welcome to the conversation, Arabella."
"I'm not some buffoon, you know," Wood retorted at Alicia.
"Oh, don't get me wrong," Alicia continued, "you're a handsome enough lad, I once thought so too, but –"
"You're a nutter," finished Katie.
"You're having a baby too?" asked Arabella.
"She wrote to me while her family was in hiding a couple of months ago," Wood said sheepishly with a shrug. "I guess it's mine. I never expected this to happen so fast, but I knew she was it a while ago."
"Really?" said Angelina. Her face indicated that she was still in disbelief.
"Oh yes, you should see her! When she's drawing up plans or scouting teams, it's amazing! Her Quidditch knowledge –"
"Oh, god," groaned Alicia, her shoulders deflating.
" – truly helped Puddlemere's farm team reach the finals before all this war nonsense happened. It's like she can sense what other players will do before they even think of it. She can do a Finbourgh Flick with her eyes closed! She does, however, prefer the more administrative side of things, but I tell you, she's going to be assistant coach this season and head coach in a few years like that."
Wood snapped his fingers as everyone looked at him in disbelief. He was speaking so fast without taking a deep breath. It was so Hermione-esque.
"Okay, it makes sense now," Katie said faintly.
"Must be love," said Alicia.
Everyone continued to stare at Wood, allowing his words to soak in about his apparent love for this Whisp. He beamed at his Gryffindor teammates.
Then Hermione turned to Arabella, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
"Who else is having a child?"
"What?" Arabella said almost absentmindedly. She was still looking at Wood.
"When you asked Oliver, you said too –"
"Two?" Arabella held up to fingers, confused.
"No, too. In addition. T – o – o. Who else is having a child?"
"I didn't say that."
"Yes, you did."
"No, I didn't."
"I think I know what you said."
"I'm the one that said it, Hermione –"
"So you admit you said it –"
"No! I mean, I would know if I did or did not –"
"I know what you said," Hermione stressed. "I don't see why you're fighting me on this. I heard what you – what you –"
They both stared at each other, their eyes firm, as realization drew upon Hermione.
"Oh, my god," Ginny whispered, her eyes darting between them rapidly.
"You're joking!" Katie cried out.
"What are you on about?" Ron cried out, looking around and then at Hermione.
"Ron!" Hermione hissed, her eyes on Arabella as a hand waved about in the air. "She's – she's –"
"Knocked up," finished Lee, trying to contain his laughter.
Ron's mouth opened into a perfect circle as he said, "You're joking!"
"I don't understand," rushed Hermione. "You're – you – how are you – a child! –"
"When did you even have the time?" Ron was astonished, as if the thought of a child was so bizarre and mystical.
Arabella stayed quiet. This was not how she envisioned telling her friends.
"There was hardly any time at all," said Hermione, shaking her head, trying to find the solution. "The tent wasn't that big and even then, we would have heard something unless – unless –"
She smacked Ron's arm, childishly trying to tell him a secret she found out mere seconds ago. Her eyes never once left Arabella.
"Shell Cottage," she said in a hushed tone that carried.
Ron's face turned sour. "Ugh, gross!"
"We were downstairs," said Dean, also disgusted.
"I can't wait for Mum to find out," jeered Ginny. "She's going to freak!"
"She knows," Arabella finally said.
"She knows?" cried Ginny and Ron.
"And she didn't yell or anything?" said Ginny.
"Did you tell her?" asked Hermione.
"She figured it out," Arabella told them.
"How?" Ron peered closely at her, trying to figure it out himself.
"Ron, she's been pregnant like twenty times, I think it's safe to assume she figured it out herself."
"I can't believe her," Ginny muttered darkly. "If I disappeared for nearly a year and showed up pregnant, I would never hear the end of it."
"She would have buried you, more like it," Ron added. "And probably one of us too."
Arabella shrugged again. "Not her kid."
"Shut up," Ron and Ginny snapped at her.
Arabella didn't like how in sync they were being.
"You're really pregnant?" Angelina asked quietly.
"Yeah," Arabella admitted.
"But… you're just a kid."
Angelina sounded pained as she stepped forward and engulfed Arabella in a tight hug.
"You're not that much older than me," Arabella reminded her. "Neither is Wood."
"But you're pregnant and you're a kid. It's Potter's, isn't it?"
Arabella nodded. "It's not like I had a ton of chances to date around."
"You're kids, and now you've got this…"
Angelina gestured vaguely at her body.
"A mandrake," Arabella said quietly.
"What?"
"Nothing."
After the initial shock – and disgust on Ron and Dean's part – died down, they waited for the Malfoy's verdict. Ollivander left the courtroom after a few minutes, immediately flanked by family members. When he passed by, he gave Arabella a tight smile but did not stay to say a word. She didn't blame him. She would probably want to forget the whole ordeal or at least be closer to family instead of a couple kids. Luna joined them a while after. Ginny and Neville immediately went to her side and she did not elaborate on what she said to the council, despite some people egging her on.
"What I said in front of the Wizengamot is between myself and the Wizengamot," Luna told everyone. "I am sure it will be published soon, but for now, it stays with me."
"Leave her alone," Ginny snapped at Ernie as he began to open his mouth.
Luna smiled brightly as Dean moved closer, checking in on her.
"Hello, Dean! Did you get your old wand back?"
"Yeah, the Ministry found them at the Malfoys. Ollivander identified it and they sent it to me."
"That's fantastic. I'm glad to hear Mr. Ollivander is getting back on his feet. During the few moments he had his strength, he spoke at lengths about wandmaking. I did not understand as much, but it was lovely to hear him speak with much passion."
Arabella, who was sitting on the floor between Hermione and Ron, remembered something. She turned to Hermione and said, "Have you ever heard of a wizard named Eleftherios?"
"Eleftherios? No, I can't say I have. Who is he?"
"No idea. He was mentioned at my trial. Something about Bellatrix."
"Eleftherios?" interrupted Ernie, his eye suddenly wide. "Why are you asking about him?"
"You know him?" asked Arabella, her eyebrows rising.
"Well, yes, he's an old precautionary tale."
"Come off it. I've never heard of him," said Ron.
"No, I suspect you wouldn't have," Ernie said lightly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" demanded Ron.
"That's not what I meant. Look, I'll start from the beginning. He's a dark wizard, but he was a Muggle-born. This all happened centuries ago. If I remember how it goes, he hated Muggles because his family didn't understand magic. He was known for creating these mazes and luring Muggles into them. He'd promise them riches and treasures, and then he would allow the maze to kill them. It was centuries ago and they couldn't pin it on him."
"He was a Muggle-born?" asked Arabella, almost wincing.
Ernie nodded. "Old pureblood families cautioned their kids not to get too friendly with Muggle-borns because of him. But you know, Arabella, it's a load of hogwash."
"Did any of those Muggles survive?" Arabella asked quietly.
Ernie shook his head. He sat on the floor opposite them as Susan and Hannah Abbott joined him.
"One rotten Muggle-born is a cautionary tale but not the hundreds of old pureblood lunatics who start wars," said Hannah, crossed. "Bloody typical."
Arabella remembered the compass Dumbledore left her in his will. Another invention by another supposed brilliant but mad wizard. Bellatrix would have hated this Eleftherios, but loved his invention. He would have proven to be useful and she would have disposed of him the moment he proved otherwise.
The door to the courtroom clicked open and Harry joined them soon enough. He stared at everyone, slack-jawed, as they rushed towards him.
"Are we still mad at him?" Ron asked Arabella, his eyes narrowed.
Arabella shook her head. "I'm too pregnant and tired to be mad at him right now. Maybe in a couple days."
Ron nodded. "Still a git though."
Hermione glared at them.
"So, how did it go?" Seamus asked Harry. "Did they immediately send those pricks to Azkaban?"
Harry shook his head. "No, they're deliberating right now. I –"
He glanced at Arabella, then Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Neville.
"I told them everything I could think of. Including what happened at the World Cup, when Riddle returned, the Department of Mysteries, when we got captured, and the Chamber of Secrets."
Ginny winced and moved closer to the wall, trying to hide behind Neville.
"Did you also tell them about Narcissa?" asked Arabella, her voice low.
"Can we talk?"
Arabella stared at him as everyone looked between the two. She slowly stood up and led them around the corner, closer to where the courtroom door was. No one followed them, but she could see a few of the others craning their necks to hear them.
"Listen, for five minutes, could you just not be mad at me?"
Arabella signed. "I'm not mad at you, Harry."
"But you are."
"I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at – everything!"
She was angry at the world. She was angry at Dumbledore for putting so much faith in a bunch of teenagers. She hated that she didn't hate him as much as she should. She was angry at the Malfoys for keeping her in their dungeon for months, months she will never get back. She was angry at the fact she got pregnant on the run, that she never thought to place the Contraceptive Charm on herself, that she thought she was going to die so why not be in the moment with Harry? She was angry at Remus for facing Bellatrix alone. He should have left her to Arabella. He was out of practice. She was angry at the Daily Prophet for running articles on whether or not the new Ministry had the guts to sentence the Death Eaters. They never learn.
She was angry at Voldemort and wanted to kill him all over again. She hated Snape, no matter what Harry said, because how does someone justify bullying students? She was angry at Rabastan for putting his hands on her and at Rodolphus for not giving up his location. She was angry at Fudge for not believing in them. She was angry at Nymph and wanted to be in her place. She hated every Death Eater and wannabe for being so cruel, for acting without consciousness, without compassion, with such intense cruelty. She hated Bellatrix. She will always hate Bellatrix. She will hate that woman until the day she takes her last breath.
"You… did what you thought was best," Arabella settled on uneasily, her lips pursed. "At least you told them everything. You wouldn't be you if you didn't, I suppose."
Sometimes she thinks she's angry Harry. Really hate him for not thinking of the Contraceptive Charm either. Hates him for thinking he was going to die and almost confessing everything to her at Shell Cottage. For saying goodbye at Hogwarts before giving himself up. For this baby. Angry at him for his role in the trials. The timing was all off. It was all too much, too soon after Remus.
"Thank you," Harry whispered.
"Yeah."
And there it was again. The silence they never filled out after it was all over. Two separate worlds. Two separate lives. How were they supposed to make this work?
"I – " Arabella began, not knowing what to say.
Suddenly the door to the courtroom clicked open and one of the Aurors, Manraj Khanna, walked out. He was a few inches short of Harry and burly.
"Black, right?"
Arabella and Harry looked at each other before she nodded.
"We couldn't find any proof that someone was trying to use Legilimency on you."
"Legilimency?" barked Harry, looking between Khanna and Arabella.
"Are you sure?" Arabella asked. "I swore, I felt something –"
"It's at least not on their wands," Khanna added hastily, glancing at Harry. "We reversed their wands and found nothing. Most were small cleaning charms. If… if they did use Legilimency, then I think it would have been wandless."
"Is there anything we can do about that?" said Harry, crossing his arms, steady and strong.
Khanna shook his head. "Not unless you want us to force Veritaserum down their throats. With everything going on –"
" – we don't need more issues today," added Arabella, nodding, feeling her chest deflate. "But when all the wands were taken, whoever it was stopped trying to get in my mind."
"Maybe you spooked them," Khanna offered. "After you said that, we were on alert and I'm guessing so was Minister Kingsley and Trenholm. I wouldn't try anything like that again with them nearby watching."
Arabella nodded. "You're right. Thanks for looking."
Khanna offered her an awkward smile trying to be reassuring before re-entering the courtroom.
"Someone was using Legilimency on you?" Harry said at once. "What on earth happened during your part?"
"I just felt something," said Arabella, her voice soft, unable to look at him. "It was at the back of my head like someone was trying to break in. I could feel… I don't know, it was sort of like a hand, you know, trying to claw in. I made a snap decision."
Harry moved closer and then stopped himself. Her eyes flickered towards him, looking at him through her hair. He then placed his hand on her arm and she almost jumped.
"It was a good call."
Arabella nodded, her voice hitched in her throat. There was pressure on her chest as she stared at him, at his brilliant emerald eyes. The stubbles along his jaw made her yearn. Made something primitive in her purr. She – she really did lo –
"How did you block it?"
Arabella blinked. "What?"
"How did you block whoever from entering your mind?"
"Oh, right. I – I don't know. I could just feel them and then that was it."
Harry seemed slightly annoyed before letting out a small chuckle.
"I can't believe it. You just did it, didn't you?"
"I –"
"Snape told me I had too many emotions," Harry said almost serene like. "I was a fool who wore my heart on my sleeve and I would fall prey to Riddle if I couldn't keep it in check."
Arabella nodded. Maybe it had something to do with her emotions. She hadn't been feeling particularly cheerful or emotion-driven during her testimony. It was only after the wands were taken, after Bellatrix was mentioned, did she feel something. The caster was a fool. They should have waited longer, let her talk, let her hear her own words and feel her emotions. They would have been able to read her easily.
"I think they did it too quick," Arabella offered. "They should have waited a bit if they wanted to look inside my mind. Or just ask me, I suppose."
Harry held onto her arm a little tighter and Arabella placed her hand over his.
"I'm fine. They didn't see anything."
"Not the most reassuring."
"It's just the truth."
She pried his hand off her, carefully opening each finger, until he was completely off her. He quickly took her hand in his, this time not letting go. She let out a small hull, looking down at their intertwined fingers. His hand was a bit cold. She covered it completely with both hands and rubbed it a little between her palms, trying to warm it up. She then looked up at him. His handsome face was staring intensely at her. He was shocked by her gesture.
"You know what I just realized?" she whispered.
Suddenly, they were in their own world. Finally just them.
"I don't think I've ever seen you with a single zit."
Harry laughs, soft and lovely, and he leans in. She braces herself.
"In our fourth year, Neville was freaking out about it. To be fair to him, it happened just before the Yule Ball."
"Oh, poor Neville!" Arabella whispered before giggling. "Hey. Did you hear about Wood?"
"No, tell me," he said, smiling at her, his thumb gently rubbing the side of her thumb.
She leaned in and could hear his breath hitch.
"He's apparently in love and going to be a dad."
"Oh, come off it!"
"It's true!"
The door to the courtroom clicked open and all the laughter between them died. She almost felt ashamed of their small moment. The trials were going on. She shouldn't be giggling outside with Harry like that. There were more important things at hand.
Grace looked at Arabella with a tight smile.
"Two years for Draco and ten for Lucius. Nothing for Narcissa. She didn't have the Dark Mark."
The wind was knocked out of Arabella.
"This is the best we could have hoped for, all things given," added Grace, looking at Arabella and Harry. "They gave Draco the same sentence as Mr. Goyle since he was at Hogwarts and… I do think he regrets his actions. Time will tell."
Arabella nodded. She accepted it. Probably since she first laid eyes on him in the courtroom. He was ashamed of his Dark Mark. It was something.
"And Lucius?"
Grace signed. "He had a previous life sentence after what happened at the Department of Mysteries. It was reduced since he did not fight at Hogwarts."
"You don't agree," Arabella stated simply.
"There were several wizards who came forward to speak about how he coerced them and used violence upon them for many years. I do not trust him, but ten years is a long time for him to sit and contemplate his actions. I hope it does him some good."
"I wouldn't be surprised if we saw him stand trial in ten years, though," Arabella said.
Grace nodded, sighing.
It was the best news they could have hoped for, especially for Lucius Malfoy. She thought the old guard would have fought for him to completely stay out of Azkaban, but perhaps things changed. Lucius lost his wand and abandoned his master, therefore their great noble cause. The council held some very old names. Avery, Montague, Max, Rowle, Rosier… they might not be pleased with his actions.
The trials continue. Fenrir Greyback was next. He stood in the middle of the courtroom, more beast than man. He was a foot taller than most Aurors, larger and more vicious, and he smiled hungrily at the council. Dean was the first one that came in, his back straight and his voice loud. Once he was done, a dozen more wizards came into the courtroom, each wronged by Greyback in multiple ways that made Arabella's stomach coil. Children, adults, young, old – he attacked anyone who slighted him, no matter how small. With each word against him, he didn't even look ashamed. The council did not take long to deliberate. A life sentence and even then, Arabella did not think it was enough for him. As he left, he looked over at Arabella and winked.
Snatchers were immediately brought in after him. Dean showed up to each of their trials. He detailed how he, Ted, Drik Cresswell, Griphook, and Gornuk were captured thrice by Snatchers. They fought the Snatchers off the first two times, but the third time…
"We were making our way North. We thought about hiding in one of the Small Isles, I think it was Mr. Cresswell's idea. As soon as we got to Scotland, we were surrounded immediately. There were more of them than us, but we fought back good. Mr. Cresswell took down two and Griphook did a number on one of them. I was holding my own against him –"
Dean jabbed his thumb towards the Snatcher, Trent Beal.
" – but they fight dirty. No one-on-one duels. Another one threw the Killing Curse at me and – "
He paused, glancing over at Arabella and her heart stopped. Just say it. Get it over with. It's fine. It's fine. Everything's going to be fine.
" – Mr. Tonks pushed me out of the way. We both stumbled on the ground and this one advanced on us. I thought I was dead and I saw the green light coming our way. He killed Mr. Tonks, and – and at some point, Mr. Cresswell and Gornuk died too. They rounded Griphook and me afterwards. They kicked us around for a bit, you know. Fists and wands and all that."
He paused for a moment. His hands were held together tightly as he tried to compose himself. After a moment, he sat up straighter and looked directly at the Wizengamot.
"They tortured us for a while. It felt like it went on for hours. I don't know what they did with Mr. Tonks, Mr. Cresswell, and Gornuk's bodies. After a while, it was like they got some sort of signal. We all Apparated immediately and the next thing I know, they've captured Harry, Ron, and Hermione."
Dean explains that they were excited at the thought of giving Harry over to Voldemort and headed over to Malfoy Manor. The rest of the council already knew and dismissed him afterwards. As Dean got up to leave the courtroom, they caught each other's eye. Arabella smiled first with a short nod and he returned it immediately.
Jaromir Jugson was sentenced next. It was a fairly quick trial. He didn't seem to have any family or friends that came to his defence. The other Death Eaters were his family. He was sent to Azkaban to continue his previous life sentence.
Silas Avery Jr. was afterwards. He was cowering and shaking in the courtroom, wincing at every loud noise. Stellan Avery, his ally on the council, made a terrible fuss when he was asked to leave temporarily. He was not as loyal as Arabella thought he was. The last time he was on trial, he claimed to have been under the Imperius Curse and this time he made the same claim. He talked about being frightened and scared for his family, especially his uncle. He spoke about flinging himself at the Dark Lord's feet, asking for forgiveness so that his family may be spared. His words were swaying, Arabella could tell, but thankfully the old guard was outnumbered in this instance. Avery left the courtroom sobbing violently.
Thorfinn Rowle was next and his relative made the same fuse as Stellan Avery did. He made a scene the whole way, stomping like a child, banging the door, and shouting at the Aurors.
"I can't believe we have to put up with these people," Grace muttered to Arabella, trying to cover her mouth behind her drink.
Arabella gave a short nod. Maybe in a year or two, it will all change…
He was silent the entire trial, not offering up a defence or a single word. He took his judgement with a single nod and left the courtroom almost immediately. It was one of the more surprising trials.
Trails, testimonies, and verdicts seemed to pass by Arabella as she jotted down notes, but nothing of significance happened. More and more Death Eaters were sent to Azkaban and sympathizers had more lenient sentences, and then –
"Lestrange, Rodolphus."
There he was. He wasn't as tall as she remembered him being, but maybe she only thought so because she was so small at the time. Back then, it felt like the four of them towered over her like skyscrapers. His hair was longer and face more gaunt, and he stared blankly at Arabella as she got up and made her way over to the chair in the middle of the courtroom. When they locked eyes, cameras flashed. It felt so strange looking at him. She expected some sort of lightning bolt to pulse through her, some sort of realization that would make her want to banish her wand and finish him. His wife would have sneered and his brother would have leered. He didn't even size her up with disgust. He just stared and somehow it felt worse.
"Miss Black, are you ready to proceed?" came Thorne's voice.
A breath of wind moved past her neck and she felt a hand. Long fingers caressed her skull, gently tracing against the back where her neck met. Arabella looked at the Wizengamot, trying to find the culprit, the fool that would try it again, when the voice came.
'You killed my wife. You ran my brother out like he was an animal. You destroyed everything. You killed her. YOU KILLED HER.'
Images flashed through her mind. A hand was slotting moment through a slit in her skull.
Young Bellatrix cackling by the Black Lake, her wild hair shining under the sun. Daring Bellatrix boldly kissing him in the dungeons, her fingers playing with him. Proud Bellatrix surrounded by her family as the engagement was set. A duelling Bellatrix dancing in the wind, spells flying out of her as though it were second nature. Lovely Bellatrix declaring her love for him. Lovely Bellatrix declaring her love for their Dark Lord. Lovely Bellatrix with her new Dark Mark, staring at it with wonderment and greed.
"Miss Black?"
Arabella glanced at Thorne and nodded, her body shaking.
She repeated what happened the night they broke into Kassandra's house, repeated the compliments Voldemort said of the Lestranges, how they were his most loyal servants, and despite speeding through her words, she didn't have to say much at all. They had the old files and her old memory from the original trial. There were a number of current members who presided over that trial and the Department of Mysteries trial. There was enough evidence.
"Do you have anything else to add, Miss Black?"
She felt the hand again, using her skull as a slot machine.
Bellatrix's cries in Azkaban, crying out for him, sobbing for their Dark Lord. Bellatrix free, a look of desire and love plastered upon her beautiful face as she whispered, 'We will create the world we deserve.'
'You took her from me.'
"Nothing else," Arabella mumbled.
As she left the courtroom, she glanced back at Rodolphus. He didn't move or show any signs that he was projecting into her mind. He simply just looked at her, his thousand-yard stare piercing through her.
She slammed the courtroom door shut behind her. She pressed her head against the cold wall and took in deep breaths. He didn't want to get into her mind for her secrets like whoever did it before. He just wanted to communicate. He wanted to show her Bellatrix, the way he remembers her, the way he loves her, and it made her more nauseous than ever before. Her mind already haunted her with images of Bellatrix and it didn't need her husband's help. She didn't want this, not this, not her, not the woman who took away her everything, her father, her mother, her Remus –
"Arabella."
Harry was by her side, holding her shoulders steady, and she clutched onto his hands.
"Deep breaths. Come on. Steady and deep."
His voice was soft, barely above a whisper. She felt his hand under hers and counted the number of fingers and joints. When she was done, she counted the tiles on the floor.
"What happened?"
Arabella shook her head. She was not – she wasn't in the mood or right frame of mind to talk about it. She slid to the floor and held her head in her hands, almost between her legs.
"I – I can't –"
Her body was reacting so violently. It was one thing for her to think of her the woman, to remember the brutal and sadistic woman with prodigious skill and no conscience. It was another for it to be thrown into her mind, showing her what she took away from him.
"How – how did you feel when you saw Voldemort young? Like, when he was a kid?"
Harry was startled. "What –"
"Just answer, please."
"I – I dunno," Harry began. He then cleared his throat and said, "I think I felt a bit sorry for him, a little bit of pity for his mother dying and leaving him in that orphanage. But… if you were there, you would have also been able to tell that it was him. He was always mean and cruel. He hung another orphan's bunny and traumatized two others in a cave. Apparently, they couldn't even talk about what he had done to them."
Arabella nodded.
"Something happened, didn't it? Was it something Lestrange said?"
Arabella shook her head, feeling so silly. "I think I'm just tired."
They sat like that for a while. Harry stared at her, expecting her to tell him something and she couldn't. It wasn't shame or fear. She was tired. She was tired of Rodolphus and Rabastan, the surviving culprits. She was tired of being reminded that they survived. That Rabastan was out there. That Rodolphus had a burning rage within him. That they both wanted revenge. It was so tiring to be living and surviving, and all for what?
After a while, the courtroom door opened and Nazem Moussa walked out. He smiled at the pair and offered Arabella a hand to stand up.
"Is it over?" asked Harry.
"The Wizengamot is almost done deliberating. I thought you would want to come in and see."
He looked at Arabella and she stared back.
"Not with those cameras in there," she told him. "But I do want – I need to see it. See him go away."
Nazem nodded and pulled something from inside his robes.
"I heard you got one yourself," Nazem said to Harry. "I don't think it's as good as yours, but it's decent enough for how old it is."
"An Invisibility Cloak?" Arabella asked.
"Be quick and I do expect this back," he added with a quick wink.
He turned back to open the door when Arabella quickly touched his shoulder.
"Thank you," she said sincerely.
Nazem nodded and opened the door. Harry threw the Invisibility Cloak over them and they snuck into the room. The both of them huddled close to each other, their bodies pressed against each other, and Harry moved them to the edge of the gallery. They were away from the reporters and cameras. Each of them looked ready to head home and they kept muttering to each other about the trials. Arabella did not pay attention to them and kept her eyes fixed upon Rodolphus. He didn't know she was there, so her mind wasn't assaulted with images of Bellatrix. But still being near him unnerved her. His presence was tiring.
The Wizengamot soon re-entered the courtroom and Arabella kept her eyes on Rodolphus.
"Rodolphus Lestrange," began Kingsley as cameras began flashing rapidly once more, "you stand accused of crimes against wizardkind. You have committed crimes so heinous that we have rarely heard the likes of which within these walls. You captured Auror Frank Longbottom and subjected him and his wife, Alice, to the Cruciatus Curse when they would not give you information on the whereabouts of Lord Voldemort. You broke into Auror Kassandra Anastas's house and subjected her to the Cruciatus Curse. You endangered her daughter with the Cruciatus Curse while your wife tortured her with a knife. You planned, many years ago, to restore your master to his former glory. You will continue this life sentence."
Arabella exhaled as Harry grabbed her hand.
"You escaped Azkaban alongside nine other Death Eaters to rejoin Lord Voldemort. You participated in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, where you planned to obtain powerful information for Lord Voldemort. You harmed and endangered multiple children in your pursuit. You were captured shortly after. You will continue this life sentence."
Kingsley inhaled deeply, staring at Rodolphus with searing contempt.
"You will no longer continue the life of violence and bloodshed you once led. You will be imprisoned in Azkaban for the rest of your natural life. Rodolphus Lestrange, may you rot."
This was the first time Arabella had felt Kingsley took the trial personally. He was quite professional with the other trials, occasionally letting his tone slip away.
As the Aurors came forward, Rodolphus allowed himself to be taken away. He left quietly and Arabella let out a small sob, her hand clapping over her mouth immediately. Her body was shaking under the Invisibility Cloak. Harry held onto her hand tighter, trying to use sheer force and will to comfort her. People began filing out of the courtroom, passing by them without any notice, and – it was over. The courtroom was empty. The silence was deafening. It never felt like she won.
Thank you so much for reading! Let me know what you think!
So, here's the thing: I've got plans for Draco Malfoy, like I said in the previous chapter. Trust me on this. I also don't buy into Lucius not going to Azkaban after the war. Like, come on...
As for the rest of this chapter, I wanted to show the other D.A. characters. I wasn't sure about writing Wood, but he's a fun character regardless. They're all friends and going to make more apparences in the future.
The scene with Hermione and Ron was something I wanted to do for a while since they haven't been in the story much, and the scenes with Harry were so much fun. It's a slow-burn ;)