 sorry it took so long x
Chapter Sixty – Seven
She could see the Wizengamot looking at them in the stand, the audience watching and Rufus Scrimgeour talking. They looked to the side and Draco was sitting head down. Draco spoke
“Thanks Harry for trying, I’m not looking forward to this now”
“That’s ok mate good luck I’ll do my best” replied Harry and then she was forced out by him as he watched Draco stand up to Scrimgeour’s words,
“I now call to the stand Mr Draco Malfoy”
She blinked she was back in the waiting room. “He kicked me out” she said not quite believing it “He doesn’t want me to see what’s happening”
“What – No harry wouldn’t do that”
“He did” Ginny said not looking at them all “He’s so scared, I can feel it, and he doesn’t want me to be there if the verdict is bad”
“So there sentencing him now, before Draco without witnesses?”
“No” she shook her head, she knew it was Hermione asking all the questions but just couldn’t look at any of them and kept her eyes on her hands. “Its Draco’s turn now, there saving him for last”
Hermione sighed and sat beside her “He’ll be fine”
*****
Harry stood up when Scrimgeour asked if there were any witness’s for Malfoy’s defence and the court began to talk just as they had when he had stood up for Amy.
“And Mr Potter, why are you defending this death eater?”
“He’s become my friend; he’s genuinely different from the frightened school boy under the control of the Voldemort and his father”
“And how long would you sentence him to in Azkaban?”
Lady flagstaff interrupted before Harry could reply “I don’t think it’s relevant to hear Mr Potter’s thoughts on Mr Malfoy’s sentencing only as a character witness”
“What is your reason for defending this young man?” Said a man from the Wizengamot who seemed interested in how Harry could protect a Malfoy.
“He’s not a bad person, just one that has been made to do bad things to save his own life and that of his girlfriend, Amy O’Malley, when they were both forced into unwilling service of the dark lord by there families”
“It doesn’t not lessen there responsibility for the crime they committed” Replied Flagstaff
“But it does impede there sense of judgement of right and wrong, when it comes to some one you love wouldn’t you do anything to protect them?” Replied Harry
“I understand but how do you know they are wizards that have changed” Said a female standing up from the Wizengamot,
“I’ve talked to them, I heard there stories and taken the time to get to know them whereas you lot seem to think death eater equals life imprisonment, not rehabilitation or freedom in cases were there hasn’t been a crime committed”
“Mr Potter this is a warning”
“you gave Amy life imprisonment when the only charge you could find was consorting with Voldemort where as her sister had killed people” He said getting angry, his fear of his own sentence flying out the window,
“That’s quite enough Mr Potter, I’m sure if the O’Malley’s have an objection they will appeal there sentence” Replied Scrimgeour angrily
“And then what will you to, hand them death or go straight for the dementors kiss” he snapped back,
“MR POTTER!” shouted the minister feeling control slipping through his fingertips,
“Yes Mr Scrimgeour” he replied turning to him coldly and calmly, “What do you want me to do, sit down, shut up and give in?”
“HOW DARE YOU”
“No minister how you dare do this to Amy, to Draco and to me” he held up his chained hands and the crowds all began to cheer.
Scrimgeour banged the gavel but the cheering didn’t stop and the only way he could think of clinging on to control was “CLEAR THE COURT”
The doors were opened and the spectators shown out amid there protests and shouting. He turned to look out the door and saw Ginny’s head as she stood on the seats to see inside
“Harry what’s going on?” she shouted over the noise,
“Just a minor disagreement between Rufus and me” he said with a smile,
She nodded and smiled back the feelings of despair and worry leaving her as they did him before the doors were closed.
“Sit down Mister Potter”
“Are you going to listen to the sound of the people telling what’s right?”
“The people have no relevance in this case”
“Then I think I’ll stay standing” he leant his hands on the bar in front of him and looked to Lady Flagstaff
“You have witnesses for my character waiting outside – you want to bring them in?”
“I don’t think we need to bother, I’ve decided already” she said with a smile. A smile that wasn’t harsh or cruel or intent on troubling Harry but that of warmth, understanding and possibly even freedom.
“Oh I think Mr Potter wants to hear what they think of him – bring in the witness’s for the trial of Harry Potter” called Rufus to the guard nearest him. They nodded opening the door and walking out before coming back in again a worried looking Hermione behind him.
“Miss …”
“Granger” She replied “I’m Harry’s best friend”
“And on the night of the murder of Bellatrix Lestrange did you notice a anything odd about Harry?”
“Well not really – he’d was still in a coma from two day’s before”
“And these ‘comas’ as you call them what do they in tale?”
“As from what Harry has told me, he is possessed by Voldemort. In this instance something occurred that switched the roles and Harry was able to be active in Voldemort’s body and Voldemort in held captive in Harry’s”
“So who killed Mrs Lestrange?”
“It was Harry, in self defence”
“Self defence how do you know?”
“He told us”
“And you believe all this stuff about possession and self defence?”
“I do, I believe in Harry, and I believe that evil woman deserved to die and if Harry hadn’t have done it wouldn’t have been fair. She robbed him of his godfather when he had lost everything else”
“Ahh and the plot thickens, this was a revenge killing”
“No she shot at him first”
“Because he says she did, she is not alive to tell us”
“I’m for one glad that she isn’t because she’d be on the lose since your so inept you go after the innocent instead of the guilty.” She replied icily
“Watch where you tread young lady”
“I’m not treading on eggshells around you Minister” She replied calmly and stared at him,
“That will be all Miss Granger”
“My pleasure Minister” She turned smiled to Harry and then was escorted to a seat at the front of the empty public gallery.
“Giles bring in Mr Ronald Weasley now” He said turning to the man that seemed to be his skivvy. He nodded his head walked out and a few seconds later came back with Ron.
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RIP JD Salinger |