JKR owns.
Protecting You
Chapter Two
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Everyone seemed to tense up in their anger at the young man as he was dragged forward to the center of the dungeon, and thrown onto the old chair inside of the cage. Instantly, the chains inside started to writher forward, and began twisting their way up Malfoy's feet and over his arms. Harry noticed that the bloke who had been his enemy since the tender age of eleven was trying to put on a solid front. However, Harry could also tell that Malfoy was shaking almost uncontrollably as the chains tightened down around him.
Scrimgeour banged his gravel, "Is your name Draco Lucius Malfoy- answer yes or no."
Draco sucked in a shaky voice before answering, "Yes."
"You, Draco Lucius Malfoy, are being charged with the murders of the muggle Doctors Julian and Elisabeth Granger, along with the offences of breaking and entering, knowingly, and in full awareness, performing magic in front of two muggles, and lastly, operating in partnership with the terrorist organization, formally known as the Death Eaters. Do you understand these charges?"
All eyes turned to watch the young Malfoy as he gulped, "Yes."
Scrimgeour nodded, "Very well. Do you also understand that the truth serum, Veritaserum, may be given to you in the search for honest information, if so voted by the Wizengamot?"
Again, "Yes."
Harry glanced to Hermione's pale face as Scrimgeour continued, "Let us begin then. Prosecutor for the defense, please introduce yourself and then give your opening statement."
Young stood from their table, and started his introduction like the Minister requested. Harry couldn't help but look back down into the wrecked face of the girl he was so desperately in love with. He'd do anything just to put a smile on her face, but again felt the familiar sense of hopelessness at the thought. No matter how much he loved and cared for her, he knew he couldn't be the one to get over things for her.
Harry had gotten so caught up in his thoughts that before he knew it, fifteen minutes had passed by and Young was already calling him up to the stand.
Harry wasn't too nervous as he sat down in the chair facing the Wizengamot. Young had already gone over what he
would ask and what the Wizengamot would probably want to know. According to him there was nothing to worry about. All
Harry had to do was convince the jury that Draco and his entire family hated Hermione and that he had done things in
the past to prove his maliciousness towards her and his desire to make her suffer.
None of the questions were surprising to him. Young first asked how he and Malfoy met and what impression Harry got
from him at that time. Next was if Draco had called her any malicious names. Then if he had ever purposefully done
something with the knowledge that it would hurt Hermione.
As Harry continued to answer Young's questions in the affirmative, he could tell that the Wizengamot was getting
more and more convinced that the capability was there. Unfortunately, Harry didn't have a decent view of Malfoy
from his seat, but if he had, then he would have seen that the young Malfoy was growing paler and paler as his
testimony went on.
Finally, after another ten minutes, Young's questioning came to an end. As Harry walked back to the bleachers, his
eyes darted over to Hermione's. He gave her a small smile when he noticed that she was close to tears. Hopefully,
this would be over sooner rather than later. Little did Harry know though, that someone else was also on edge waiting
for this trial to get over with.
…
As the trial went on, Ginny was finding it harder and harder to breathe. Keeping still was also and issue she was struggling with. It was like her resolve was weakening as her parents' forces weighed in on her from both sides.
Even though she was becoming more hesitant, she knew what she had to do. Her family and friends would surely hate her,
but she couldn't keep quiet on what she knew.
Again, her stomach tightened as Young approached Malfoy's chair and started his questioning.
"Mr. Malfoy, you've never been friends with Miss Granger, correct?"
Draco was quiet for a second before he refocused on Young and raised his chin, "Yes."
"Is this because you hate her for her blood status?" Young asked ruthlessly. He knew that if Malfoy had a barrister with him, that question never would've been allowed. However, fortunately for him, Malfoy's representation never showed.
"I don't hate her," Malfoy replied quietly.
Young scoffed, "Yet, you've made a habit of calling her by the most vulgar name possible for a muggle born?"
"That doesn't mean I hate her."
"I'm sure," the man muttered, throwing a sarcastic look over to the Wizengamot.
"Let's move on to a more straightforward topic," Young continued, "Where were you the night of the 13th?"
"I was in Hogsmeade," Draco responded, trying to keep his eyes from flickering.
"Were you? Where at in Hogsmeade?"
Draco shrugged, "Just walking around town."
"It says here," Young said walking back to his table and grabbing up a piece of paper, "That you first checked into the Hog's Head at 4:45 on the morning of the 14th. Is that correct?"
Draco narrowed his eyes. He was sure that this imbecile knew that he was apprehended there later that day. Still, he answered, "Yes."
Young raised an eyebrow, "So you expect me to believe that you spent all night walking around Hogsmeade and then, finally, in the early morning checked yourself into a room to catch some sleep?"
"That's what happened," Draco returned lowly.
Ginny closed her eyes nervously as Young scoffed yet again. As it was right now, things weren't at all looking good for Malfoy. To be honest, she was surprised that he wasn't defending himself more frantically. She never knew that a Malfoy could retain a sense of dignity when facing a life-ruining situation.
"Mr. Malfoy- were you, or were you not, at the Granger's residence on the night of the 13th?"
"I was not."
"Were you aware of a plot to murder them?"
Malfoy seemed to pause at that question. Despite the fact that Young was giving him an unwavering gaze, Malfoy took in a calm breath, "You can't prove that I was there."
Young gave him a cynical look, "Yet no one can prove that you weren't."
"I can."
The courtroom became dead quiet upon hearing the simple two word protest. Slowly, in a shock and disbelieving haze, the members of the Wizengamot, Young, Harry, Hermione, the Weasley's, and even Draco, all turned to look at Ginny.
"What's that girl?" an old man sitting in the sea of officials asked.
Ginny swallowed once before standing up, "I saw him that night. I know for a fact that he wasn't anywhere near Cambridge all night long."
As the Wizengamot all started to turn and whisper amongst themselves, Mrs. Weasley tugged on her daughter's wrist. "Ginny, sit down," she hissed murderously.
"I assume you're willing to prove that statement?" Young bit out, glaring up at the young red head.
Ginny nodded and pulled her hand free from her mother, "Yes."
Scrimgeour nodded from his podium, "Miss Weasley, please approach the floor."
"Ginny-" Mrs. Weasley tried once more to pull her youngest back down, but Ginny refused to listen. Undeterred, she moved past her immobile father, and away from the glaring faces of Ron and Harry.
Draco eyes followed her down the stairs in complete and utter bewilderment. Ever since his father's barrister didn't show up for him, he thought he was done for. He never in a million years would have guessed that Ginny Weasley would be here, willing to stick up for him.
Ginny took a deep breath and avoided Hermione's eyes at all costs as she finally stepped onto the dungeon's floor.
Scrimgeour gave her a probing state, "Miss Weasley, you believe you have solid information that would lead to the full acquittal of Draco Malfoy?"
Confidently, she nodded, "I do."
With a raised eyebrow, the Minister turned back to the still whispering Wizengamot. After only a second, he nodded and turned to look at the aurors standing guard in the corner of the room, "Will you two please escort Miss Weasley to a room for questioning?"
The two aurors shared a look before nodding and walking forward to Ginny. Silently, they motioned her forward and led her out of the courtroom through the door in the corner.
Young, now red in the face, turned up to Scrimgeour with a blustering look, "Minister, as the prosecuting attorney, I demand to be present to witness the questioning."
Scrimgeour nodded easily, "Go ahead."
Quickly, Young turned back to his table and gathered up his papers and briefcase. He whispered a few words to an ashen looking Hermione, before turning and following in the footsteps of Ginny and the aurors.
Harry and Ron were not the only ones looking on in shock while the events unfolded. Draco quietly remained still in his seat as the events of the trial drastically changed. He wasn't sure on how Ginny was going to prove his innocence. For all he knew, this could only be prolonging his inevitable doom. Despite everything that had happened to him in the past few weeks, Draco still hoped that the youngest Weasley- a girl he had never been nice to- would be able to give him a miracle.
…
2 Hours Later…
…
Ginny Weasley sat outside the hearing room, feeling as if her heart was about ready to beat out of her chest. 'Oh, what had I done?' was the simple, yet frantic message that kept playing on fast forward in her head.
Her breathing hadn't calmed down either- maybe that was part of the after effect of the dose of Veritaserum she'd been given. Whatever it was though, she wished she could just relax. She'd need to be as calm as possible when the court finally adjourned.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and glued her eyes on the door that had just opened. A few of the press reporters for the Ministry walked out first, seeing as the media reporters were arraigned and kept in the hallway of the dungeons. Luckily, none of them noticed her. With bated breath, she waited for her family to come out with Harry and Hermione.
She stood as she saw the first glimpse of red hair. Just like she'd expected, Hermione was hidden under the arms of her brother and Harry. Both of them were giving her murderous glares.
To be honest, Ginny had no idea what to say to them, but she felt like she needed to try and say something. She couldn't stand the unforgivable glares any longer.
"I-"
"Save it, Ginny," Harry snapped at her instantly.
Her eyes flickered down to the teary, heart broken face of her close friend, "Hermione, I-"
She simply closed her eyes, obviously not wanting to look at Ginny anymore, and shook her head. Ginny didn't want to hurt her anymore, so she stayed quiet.
"Really Ginevra," said Mrs. Weasley this time, in the harshest tone she'd ever heard her speak with, "Do you have any idea of what you did just now? Do you know the slightest idea of the implications you've made? Hmm?"
"Mum…" Ginny whispered. She didn't expect them to understand, but still. They raised her to be honest, and that's all she did. She told the truth, "Mum, he's innocent. He didn't kill her parents."
Hermione whimpered and buried her face in Harry's chest.
"Class act, Ginny. Sticking up for a known Death Eater," Ron scoffed. He gave her such a hated look, that Ginny couldn't even recognize him as her big brother.
"I," started her father, who was standing in between Fred and George, both of whom were giving her identical looks of disappointment. Her dad spluttered for a second before he shrugged in defeat, "To be perfectly honest, I don't know what to say to you. Your actions speak louder than words."
"I wasn't trying to hurt anyone. I just know that he's not the right person to go away for this crime."
Hermione gazed at her with tears still lining the bottom of her eyes. When Young came back inside the courtroom, Hermione knew that something bad had happened. She could tell by the angry, flustered look on the older man's face. She didn't have to guess as to why the man looked the way he did- obviously the effect of Ginny's protest did not play in their favor. Obviously, there had been some legitimate basis to her argument.
Hermione couldn't describe the way she felt when the Wizengamot cleared Draco Malfoy of all charges. She'd always been one for justice, but then again she'd never been sitting atop the fence that acted as the fine line between justice, and just getting something over with. That's all that she wanted for her parent's murder trial- to just have it settled and over with. However, because of Ginny, that was no longer the case. Could she really hate the younger girl for simply telling the truth? Was she telling the truth?
Even though she wasn't in the room listening to Ginny's testimony, she knew that she had been given Veritaserum. That had to count for something. Right?
After what seemed like forever of Hermione staring formidably at Ginny, who in return was giving her back a shy, unsure look, she just shook her head.
"I have to go," she whispered, turning her head back in Harry's direction.
Harry spared one last glare at Ginny, before tightening his hold on Hermione, and leading her in the direction of the offices so that they could floo out of the ministry.
Ginny's stomach dropped as she watched her childhood friend turn and walk away. She knew by that, that they could never really be friends again. It seemed like Ginny had already dug a hole, and now was being buried in the wrath of her family.
"Someone else is responsible for killing her parents. You have to know that," she tried one last time.
"Oh, save your breath Ginny," Ron snapped, "What do you know about it anyway?"
"I know what I saw!" she burst out, finally getting defensive, "Obviously, the Wizengamot believed me- I don't understand why you're not!"
"Because the Ginny we know wouldn't make excuses for a bastard who's caused us and our friends nothing but pain. Honestly, what were you thinking?" This time it was George who glared accusingly at his sister.
Ginny shrank back considerably, but still shook her head, clinging to her beacon of truth. "He didn't do it!"
"Ginny, you can't be trusted when it comes to stuff like this," Bill muttered, his eyes glittering with disappointment more than anger.
"You don't think I can be trusted?"
"Remember your first year?" Fred pointed out, "How do you know that Malfoy didn't see to it that you were slipped something? How do you know that Malfoy didn't plan for you to see him somewhere else? What if it all was a set up?"
"It's not. You don't understand…" Ginny finished feebly. By this point, she knew it was no use. She hadn't been swayed or bamboozled into defending Malfoy; she was just telling the truth. By defending a Malfoy, she had inadvertently placed a big red x over herself. She was automatically discredited; her family would never listen to her explanation.
"No, clearly we don't. None of us will ever be able to understand your motives," Mrs. Weasley went on in a fiery tone.
"I didn't have motives, I was just-"
Ron cut her off, "You betrayed us. You're no better than Malfoy."
At that, Ginny took a step back. She felt like she had just been slapped. Regardless if she stuck up for her family's enemy or not, she didn't deserve that.
"What?"
"Ginny," Arthur spoke, taking on a grave tone, "We've always supported you, no matter what you did. But this is something I will not have any part in."
Her eyes started to fill with tears, "Dad-"
He held up a firm hand, "I hope he was worth it to you."
And then, just like that, her family started to turn on her. One by one, red head after red head, they all began to file out down the corridor, disappearing into the crowd of oncoming reporters.
Ginny stood at the end of the hall, her spirit broken and eyes staring wide in disbelief. The abandonment weighed down on her like a dozen heavy freight trains. She had grown up in a house with eight other people. She was always used to having someone understand her side of things…
But now, for the first time in her life, Ginny Weasley was alone.
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