WARNING: severe Ginny and Molly bashing! Possible trigger warnings for the mention of rape/lack of consent.
DISCLAIMER: the jail Ginny is send to is not Azkaban as minors can't be sent there (in this story at least).
AN: I know I've had a pretty regular update schedule for the last few weeks but I'm going away for just under two weeks so there may be a slight pause between updates (this is why I decided to give you guys a longer chapter today).
atemlol – I know it is quite far (and probably quite OOC but it fit well for the plot) and honestly, she is desperate at this point as her whole life she believed she would get him and now she's been rejected, which she's taken very hard.
lady sesshomaru sama 949 – she's definitely getting help! However I apologise if the sentencing part of this chapter is a bit odd as this is definitely not how this works in real life lol.
Chapter 16
Harry ran a hand through his hair, heart still beating fast. Ron had thankfully remained silent, he didn't think he could stomach a conversation at the moment.
They had just been gathering their stuff for potions, Hermione having gone to the bathroom when he recovered the Marauders map from his belongings. It had lain dormant in his trunk ever since arriving back at Hogwarts, none of their usual 'adventures' happening so far this year. Ron, impatient as ever had asked if she was heading back yet. Upon opening it he had discovered not only was she still there, Ginny was there too.
Becoming worried, especially after Neville voiced the length of time she had been gone for they headed there, Harry speed walking, his gut telling him something was very wrong. After all, Ginny had gone basically crazy at Hermione last time they were alone, he didn't trust her anymore.
And thank god he had trusted his instinct. Arriving at the bathroom Ginny was gone and Hermione had been slumped against the wall, bleeding and barely conscious. Terror had submerged him as she lost consciousness in his arms and though she was stable now, since Madam Pomfrey had never seen the spell before she was unable to be certain if she would remain that way, let alone wake up any time soon.
Nerves strained to the point of snapping, Harry was about to either lose it or cry when the door was flung opened, opting for the latter when his godfather's figure strode through. Flinging himself at Sirius, uncaring about showing affection in front of Ron who he was 90% sure was asleep, he buried his face into the man's chest to hide the stream of tears.
Sirius quickly wrapped his arms tightly back around Harry, anxiety clawing at his own heart. He had become close to both Harry's friends over the summer as well as his godson, deciding to make them wards of the Black house. This meant he took on their legal responsibility as a guardian and with their consent, became Ron and Hermione's legal magical guardian (placing him alongside Arthur and above Hermione's parents in the magical world). While he didn't have to be involved in his wards decisions, in Hermione's case it was especially important as her parents couldn't physically see her during the school term so every muggleborn student was appointed one. Or at least they used to be.
McGonagall had written to him about this and he had received the letter, sent via house elf for speed, when answering Harry's. He knew what it was like to lose – or at least come close to losing – someone he loved. It was heart breaking to see his godson go through the same thing, especially since his choice in girlfriend had been all but rejected in the prophet's article.
"What spell did Ginny use on her?" Sirius asked quietly when Madam Pomfrey appeared, looking harried.
"Oh thank Merlin you're here Sirius. While I've stabilised her I can't heal it properly as I don't know the spell, apart from identifying it is dark magic. I was wondering if you would know the spell?" Her tone was a world away from her usual bustling, no nonsense one, which ever increased Harry's anxiety.
Sirius nodded and Harry broke apart from him, letting his godfather be brought over to his girlfriend. While in his head he knew she was stable, she certainly didn't look it, instead doing a very good impression of a corpse. She looked no different than Ginny had down in the chamber of secrets.
Feeling sick, he attempted to direct his thoughts away from Hermione lying there, and to the future instead. The three of them had avoided talking about the future even after Voldemort's death, the worry about death eaters still remaining and the possibility the veil wouldn't contain Voldemort.
Even then, when they had been informed by Remus that Voldemort had no possible way of coming back, that his soul had been wiped from existence the habit had still remained. Of there being no hope for a normal future. Maybe it was time to start planning one.
While Harry wasn't as excited about going into politics as Hermione, he was hoping the same as her – that it would make a change. Finally, since Voldemort had fallen for the second time all Death Eaters had been rounded up and given veritaserum, no matter how much money they offered the ministry. If guilty, all their assets were seized and given to St Mungo's or any family affected by the Death Eaters and if there was any left over it went to the Ministry. Now they had all been weeded out, the Wizengamot was far more balanced, especially with the orphan children of light houses coming to age and being able to take their seats, they could start pushing equality bills through.
One Hermione was especially passionate about (apart from the House elf one) was the review of the trace charm on young wizards as it only detected muggleborns, not ones that lived with wizards. She also wanted to talk to muggleborns younger than eleven and either have a 'preschool' for wizards below eleven that they went to before Hogwarts or muggleborns given a guardian and gotten used to the wizarding world before going to school. Having just been thrown to the dogs when given his Hogwarts letter, Harry sympathised with her. He hadn't grown up with magic either and not knowing any transport or communities was detrimental to any muggleborn and ostracised them further.
He was jerked from his thoughts by Sirius sitting next to him, tapping his shoulder gently.
"She should be healing now but she'll take a few days to wake up. I've already got Ginny taken into custody for the attempted murder of Hermione and also for attempting to drug you."
"What?" Harry jerked up at that. The hell? "She tried to drug me?"
"Amortentia. More commonly known as a 'love potion' which makes the drinker become obsessed with the creator of the potion. While you are taught it at Hogwarts, it is illegal to be purchased by a minor or be used on a minor." Sirius's face was grave as he spoke, worry etched into the lines. There had been a similar scandal back at school when he was younger, however it was illegal back then, just frowned upon. Snape had given it to Lily after she had begun dating Prongs. It had been the following altercation that had resulted it being illegal, and he dreaded the thought of his godson being put through anything similar. "Just to check, you don't feel any attraction to Ginny, right?"
At the disgusted no his godson responded with, Sirius relaxed slightly. At least his godson was safe. Thoughts trailing to Ginny, anger spiked in him at the thought of the girl. While she may have been influenced by her mother, attempting to drug someone and murder another was all her own decision, even if done to achieve a weird delusion. After a pause, he spoke up "While she is a minor, both these charges are very serious so I have asked Tonks to inform Amelia she will be having a full trial in front of the Wizengamot, veritaserum if needed."
Seeing Harry about to protest, he held up his hand. "I know you went through the same thing and it was awful, but that trial was illegal and the charges were false. While minor's are rarely tried in front of the full court, for charges as serious as attempted murder anyone of sound mind is given a full trial. Unless during the trial she proves she was acting under someone's will or has sever mental issues, the latter being possible, she'll also serve an adult sentence. Only those 13 or under wouldn't, as they are deemed to young to be responsible for their actions."
They fell back into a comfortable silence, watching as some colour faded back into Hermione's cheeks. Both were lost in deep thought of the trial ahead. Tapping his fingers on the bed, Sirius hoped Harry didn't think he was being too harsh. He just couldn't risk Ginny being in either his godson's vicinity or his wards and honestly, at this point the girl was also a danger to herself. She needed to be removed from here, whether that was to jail or the mental part of St Mungo's.
Harry sat silently in the court, seated back in the witness box with his friends. As minors they couldn't be alone but Sirius had to be in his Wizengamot seat, so Remus was with them. Glancing around he spotted the majority of the Weasley's in the viewing Gallery, the only one missing being Molly.
Catching his eye, Remus followed his gaze to the Weasley's before humming quietly. "Tonks mentioned Molly was involved in this when digging for where the potion was from. My guess is Molly bought the potion for Ginny, meaning she could be charged with attempting to drug a minor."
Hermione, pale faced but alive and conscious was seated between them. She had insisted on turning up to the trial, pointing out she was the main witness and unless Ginny pleaded guilty to all charges there was no winning the case without her.
While Ron had pointed out there were other ways to prove her guilt, Hermione had had none of it. Eventually Madam Pomfrey had allowed her to go under adult supervision, the supervision being Remus. Well versed with dark magic, he was quite capable of casting the healing spell if needed and dosing her correctly with blood replenishing and pain relief potions. In fact, Remus was so used to them he had created a spell to flavour them to the drinkers liking so they wouldn't spit them back out.
"Bring in the accused!" Madam Bones's voice boomed out across the floor, or more accurately Minister Bones's voice did.
Tonks and Kingsley marched in, Ginny between them. Guilt flickered in Harry at the wan, tear streaked face until his eyes flickered over to Hermione and the guilt hardened to anger. Out of the three times she had confronted Hermione over this, she had never had any real consequences. Finally, after her anger at Hermione had gotten way out of hand, she was finally getting what she deserved.
Seated in the chair, she snivelled miserably, neither of the aurors beside her giving any sympathy, though by the periodic glances she kept giving them, she clearly thought they would given their past association.
"You, Ginevra Molly Weasley, have been accused by Lord Sirius Orion Black of the attempted murder of his ward Hermione Jean Granger, Lady Ravenclaw and the attempted drugging of his godson, Lord Harry James Potter. Both of these are criminal offences in their own right, and were committed against two minors in Ancient and Noble houses. What do you plead?"
"Not guilty!" Ginny snapped, a flicker of fight appearing on her face. Tilting her head up, she scowled at the court "And I am a minor. Under section 14, lines 34 – 36 you cannot charge a minor in front of the full Wizengamot –"
"Unless, the law says, under section 16, lines 13 – 14 that the minor, above the age of 13 and in sound mind was charged with a serious offence that required over a year in jail. Then they are allowed to be charged in a full court. Hence, the full Wizengamot," Amelia responded calmly, ignoring the angry spluttering from the upset girl.
Deciding to carry on well she fell silent, Amelia said "So, you plead not guilty to either charge."
"No!"
"Very well then. Miss Weasley, please tell the Wizengamot exactly what you were doing between 10:30 and 11:15 on Wednesday, 20th September."
"I had just been let out of Astronomy and headed to the bathroom. I chatted to Olivia Cubs," – so that was the random girl in the witness box with them – "before she left the bathroom. I then finished washing my hands and left, catching her up for Care of Magical Creatures."
Amelia hummed, face blank as Ginny finished her testimony. "Right. First testimony to the stand – Olivia Cubs."
The girl in question stepped out the witness box, heading to the podium. Her dark hair was neatly tied out the way, smartly dressed in wizarding robes. "Someone from old money," Ron murmured. "I mean, just look at how she presents herself."
Hermione and Harry hummed quietly in reply as they watched Olivia be sworn in.
"So, Miss Cubs, please go through what you were doing between 10:30 and 11:15 on Wednesday, 20th September to the Wizengamot."
"Transfiguration had just finished and I went to the bathroom, meeting Ginny in there. We had a quick chat about how our lessons went when I saw the time and headed of to COMC. Ginny then caught up to me a few minutes later, saying she just realised she had the same lesson with me."
"Did you see anyone else in the bathroom with you?"
"No, but one of the cubicles was closed."
"Could it be possible Lady Granger was in there?"
Olivia paused for a second before answering, "Yes."
"You said it was a few minutes before Miss Weasley caught up to you. Would that have been enough time to cast a spell?"
"I mean, I don't know what spell was used –"
"That's not what I asked. Is that enough time to cast a spell?"
Olivia looked around the court to Ginny, mask cracking to show the panic. "I – I guess so?"
"Or, of course, maybe neither of you left the bathroom?" Amelia theorised, blankly watching the colour drain out of the girls face.
"What? That's a lie!" Olivia shouted, fear and anger seeping through her voice. "I had nothing against Granger! It was all Ginny's idea!"
The whole Wizengamot went silent at that and Harry gaped at Amelia, impressed she had goaded the girl into admitting something. If only one day he could be that talented himself.
Olivia herself looked absolutely mortified. Ginny looked horrified, clearly her plan that Olivia's testimony could save her being thrown out the window. Harry couldn't even bring himself to feel bad for either of them, the slight pressure of Hermione's hand on his reminding him of what they had almost cost him.
"Thank you Miss Cubs. You may go and sit down now. Calling the next witness to the stand, Hermione Jean Granger, victim."
Too weak to stand on her own, Remus helped her to the stand, letting her lean on him. Eyes flickering around the Wizengamot, Harry noticed the predominant emotion was pity. He inwardly smirked. His girlfriend wouldn't like that.
"Lady Granger, please tell the Wizengamot exactly what you were doing between 10:30 and 11:15 on Wednesday, 20th September."
"I had just finished Charms and 45 minutes before needing to head to potions. I went to the bathroom and was just washing my hands when Ginny entered. After a previous altercation with her, I didn't feel comfortable being alone with her and hid, planning on leaving once she'd gone. I heard Olivia then come in and greet her and Ginny gave her Amortentia to put in Harry's drink. Once I heard them leave I went to wash my hands and was going to warn Harry when Ginny attacked me, saying she knew I was there the whole time and I wasn't going to spoil her plan as I wasn't going to be around anymore. She then left me to die of blood loss on floor. Everything went black and the next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital wing."
"Do you believe this was a planned meeting between Miss Cubs and Miss Weasley?"
"It certainly sounded like it, since Ginny had the potion with her."
"How did you know it was Amortentia?"
"I noticed it was Amortentia by the characteristic spirals of smoke and pearly sheen."
Amelia nodded, her scribe writing something down swiftly before she dismissed Hermione. Murmurs were rippling around the court when Remus helped her back to her seat, more than one disgusted glance given to Ginny and Olivia.
"Next witness to the stand, Lord Harry James Potter."
Harry stood and headed to the stand, catching the eye of his godfather and relaxing slightly at the comforting smile he received. Confidence boosted, Harry's eyes flickered to Amelia as she said "Lord Potter, please tell the Wizengamot exactly what you were doing between 10:30 and 11:15 on Wednesday, 20th September."
He and Ron had gone over their testimony's while Hermione had been unconcious with Sirius, knowing they couldn't bring up the marauders map. This was it. "Ron and I were in the common room, gathering our stuff for potions with Neville but after 20 minutes and Hermione still hadn't returned, we got worried. When heading to the girls bathroom we couldn't hear anything and I got worried as it wasn't like Hermione to be late so we went in. She was slumped against the wall in a puddle of blood. I carried her to the hospital wing with Ron and Neville."
"Could it be possible for Lady Granger to have wounded herself?"
"It was a deep slash down her back, impossible to do yourself with a wand."
"Why did you tell your godfather Lord Black you believed it was Ginny when you hadn't seen her near Lady Granger and Lady Granger was unconcious so couldn't tell you."
"It was a credible guess since Ginny had argued with Hermione in the summer and then at school threaten to attack her in an empty classroom. She would've if Ron and I hadn't arrived so it wasn't a far stretch to believe it was her."
Harry was then dismissed and Ron was called up, followed by Neville. Testimony's almost identical to his, they had few questions to answer before being dismissed.
The voices in the Wizengamot had gotten increasingly louder throughout the testimony's, prompting Amelia to create a bang with her wand. Once achieving silence, she called Tonks up to the stand to reveal her findings.
"We searched both her belongings and Olivia Cubs. In Miss Cubs we discovered a bottle of Amortentia which we now assume was the potion that Lady Granger saw Miss Weasley give to her in the bathroom. We traced back the potion to Diagon Alley, where the ingredients had been purchased by Molly Weasley on the 29th August, before they were sent to school with enough time to brew it. Clearly this plan has been in motion for a while, as Amortentia is a potion well known to strengthen with age. We also went over the last spell cast from Miss Weasley's wand which we confiscated just after the incident was reported. The spell was a dark magic spell called 'Sectumsempra' which is a rather dangerous curse and when the incantation is uttered its effect is the equivalent of an invisible sword; it is used to slash the victim from a distance, and results in deep wounds. This matches up the medical record we were given by Madam Pomfrey."
Amelia then dismissed her, turning to the white faced, shaking Ginny Weasley. "Raise your wands if you believe Miss Weasley is guilty of the attempted murder of Lady Granger and attempted drugging of Lord Potter."
Harry watched wide eyed along with his friends as almost every single wand was raised. He blocked out the sobs from Ginny, focusing instead on Hermione as her sentence was announced.
"Miss Weasley, you have been found guilty of the attempted murder of Lady Granger and attempted drugging of Lord Potter. You would serve at least 18 months, no parole and a further 7 ½ years with the possibility of parole. However, Lord Black, guardian of Lord Potter and Lady Granger, has requested to decide your sentence and I have allowed it, under section 17, lines 18 – 24."
Harry exchanged surprised glances with his friends. Sirius never mentioned anything about this to them.
Sirius stood, only speaking when the court eventually fell silent. "I chose to decide your sentence as there are some things the Wizengamot may be unaware of. Miss Weasley will serve 18 months, no parole but in the prisons psycology ward as I believe she is not only a danger to my godson and wards, but also to herself. She committed this crime after driven to desperation due to the delusion her mother pushed on her not coming true. I request she sees a mind healer 3 times a week during this time and after 18 months she may be released if deemed no longer delusional. Once released she is to remain home-schooled as I think remaining under the supervision of her father 24/7 will be better than Hogwarts. She is also not allowed to be around her mother in this time. I also request a restraining order against her for my godson and wards that will remain in place for 10 years."
"And if she shows no remorse for attacking Lady Granger and attempting to drug your godson by the end of the 18 months?"
"Then she serves her full sentence."
"Agreed. Miss Weasley will be sentenced to the psych ward of the jail for 18 months before going under review to determine the rest of her sentence. Dismiss her."
Tonks and Kingsley stood, leading the sobbing girl out of the court. Amelia then turned to the witness box and Hermione frowned at Harry, confused. "Why is she looking at us?"
Harry shrugged in response. If Hermione didn't know something, the likelihood he did? Almost nil.
"Calling Olivia Cubs to the chair."
Olivia shakily stood up, frowning as she was directed to the chair Ginny had just vacated rather than the visiting stand.
"Miss Cubs, due to the testimonies today I ask the Wizengamot, is she guilty of knowingly possessing illegal potions and attempting to drug Lord Potter?"
This time only about 3/4ths of the wands were raised but that was still a decent majority, the verdict causing deep distress to Olivia.
Ignoring the accused's cries, Amelia instead sentenced her to 5 months in jail, possibility of parole. However, even with Olivia being led out by Aurors, it seemed she wasn't done.
"Lastly, calling in the accused. Molly Weasley."
Whispers struck out across the Wizengamot once again, the golden trio and Neville exchanging surprised glances.
"You were right," Hermione whispered to Remus who hummed, a slight sad expression painted on his face.
"I wish I wasn't," he replied back despondently. Harry couldn't agree. If Molly had never done this – hell, if she hadn't encouraged Ginny with her delusion Harry and Hermione would be happily dating in peace, Ron would still have a home and Hermione wouldn't be injured.
"You, Molly Weasley, have been accused by Lord Sirius Orion Black of the brewing Amortentia and illegally giving it to your daughter. What do you plead?"
"Not guilty!"
Similarly to Ginny she became very upset at the notion, but seemed to have less control over her temper and even less remorse. Harry couldn't help shrink a little, but her loud tone, bordering on a shout and the red blotches fading onto her cheeks reminded him too much of his Uncle Vernon or even Aunt Marge. Not that they were any kind of family to him according to Sirius. Family didn't treat each other that way.
He felt a slight guilt when Hermione squeezed his hand, clearly noticing his reaction. She was the one who was still recovering from an attack, he should be the one supporting her, not the other way around. He was jolted out of his bitter thoughts on himself when Amelia let a bang out of her wand to signal she wanted silence from the Wizengamot.
"Auror Tonks and Auror Shacklebolt traced the ingredients bought for the Amortentia to you which you brewed for your daughter. Why did you brew it?"
"How dare you accuse me of such things?! I have been a model for the community, letting in muggleborns and half bloods to my home, fighting against prejudice –"
"That's not what I'm asking. Why did you brew your daughter Amortentia?"
Harry noticed the moment Mrs Weasley deflated at Amelia's voice, realising she couldn't bullshit her way out of this one. Instead she now went silent, staring defiantly back at the Minister. Amelia sighed and waved a hand to one of the aurors on hand, clearly having expected this scenario to arise.
One of the aurors strode over to Mrs Weasley, carrying a small vial of what looked like water. Clearly it wasn't though, as Mrs Weasley began to shriek, alternating between threatening the court and saying she would answer the question, which Amelia ignored.
"Veritaserum," Hermione and Remus murmured at the same time.
Ron, Neville and Harry exchanged confused glances which Remus caught and briefly explained. "It's a truth potion. Means once administered it's physically impossible for you to lie. Clearly Molly has something to hide and this is the best way to get the truth out of her."
Nodding, Harry switched his attention back to Mrs Weasley, seeing the auror administer it to her, admirably ignoring the spiteful insults she through his way. A few minutes ticked by before Amelia began with her questions.
"Right, let's try again, shall we? Why did you brew your daughter veritaserum?"
"She was upset that Harry was dating Hermione when she had always liked him, which Hermione knew and even promised to help her. Clearly all she did was discourage Harry from my daughter and take him for herself, the disgusting mudblood."
Horrified whispers rippled around the Wizengamot, Hermione herself stone faced. While anger surfaced in Harry he knew there was nothing he could do here, instead choosing to look at Ron. His friend was white faced as he stared at his mother, but there was no sorrow in his eyes, only anger. While Harry hated Mrs Weasley for what she had done to him and Hermione, he couldn't help feeling bad that Ron had all but lost his mother to this delusion. Though he was relieved none of the other Weasley's had sided with her, losing them all would've been unbearable.
"Mrs Weasley, we do not permit language like that. You have one warning," Amelia said sternly. "Why did Lord Potter not liking your daughter back make you go to such a drastic solution?"
"I knew with all that had happened it was unlikely he would ever see her positively again, let alone as a possible girlfriend. I wanted his money, she wanted his love. Pretty simple solution to that problem was Amortentia."
"And what was your plan? To make him take it forever?"
"At least until they were married with one child, possibly more. Harry is a noble man, he wouldn't leave his wife and child and my daughter would treat him like a King. By this point Granger would be out the picture and all he would know is Ginny and their children, no more need for him to take a potion. He'd have probably fallen in love with her properly by then."
"And if he did leave once you ceased the potion?"
"Then my daughter would have to get over that. However, he would still be paying for the children which, as the mother, Ginny would get access to so we would still get the money."
"They were trying to manipulate and then baby trap you," Hermione hissed, looking furious. Harry had no anger left in him at this point, just feeling ill. He had trusted this woman, stayed in her house and god knows what she'd been putting in his food and drink?
"You realise, while nowadays couples often share custody in the magical world that is not the law, instead remaining with the Head of the House. This is said under section 2, lines 4 – 8 that in the occurrence of a divorce between a husband and wife, the children remain with the Head of the House, in this case Lord Potter. Your daughter would've been cast off and never see her children again as they would fall solely under Lord Poter's custody. He would also have full right to make you pay back any money taken from him. Not only that, but marrying someone under Amortentia is illegal as they cannot consent, meaning any children between them would've been born of rape so even without this law, your daughter would still not be allowed to keep her children or share custody. When two people are married they are also tested for Amortentia to make sure it is not against either will. In no way would this plan ever work."
Amelia than gestured to the auror to administer the antidote and when Mrs Weasley came around she was hysterical. Alternating between begging Amelia to let her go, crying that it was a mistake and screaming at the Wizengamot.
Amelia raised her voice over the accused, calling out "All that believe Molly Weasley guilty, raise your wands now."
Harry couldn't see a single wand in the room that wasn't raised. There was no doubt she was guilty.
"Molly Weasley, you are sentenced to 1 year in Azkaban for giving an illegal substance to a minor and conspiring to drug Lord Potter. No parole."
Harry watched stonily as Mrs Weasley was led screaming from the room, again reminded of his Aunt Marge. How had he never seen the resemblance before?
"They're finally gone," Hermione whispered, relief painted on her face. "We're free!"
They were free. The thought shocked Harry though she was right. Ever since they had that argument in the summer, a dark cloud hovered over them at the thought of Mrs Weasley and Ginny, the slight fear they would be seen by them overshadowing much of the joy of dating. And now they were gone.
"Hermione?" It was Sirius. He looked grave but relieved as he joined them. "There's someone wanting to speak to you outside."
The golden trio and Neville exchanged cautious glances. Sirius's face gave nothing away as they stood, heading to the door. Hermione went through first at Sirius's nod. Clearly it couldn't be that bad, Harry pondered. Sirius would never willingly put any of them in danger.
A gasp brought him back to the present. "Oh my God," Hermione whispered, a hand over her mouth. "Oh my freaking God."
Ron gave him a concerned look, unable to see past them through the door. Who was it?