56

Lucius was indeed right. Bowing to immense public insistence, Fudge announced the date for the highly anticipated trial of Lucius Malfoy. The date was set for the twenty second of August and it was becoming the most talked about things in the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley and the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. Word was going round that no one but those involved in the trial would be allowed into the courtroom and many were disappointed that they would not have the chance to hear the, presumably, sordid details of what really went on between Lucius Malfoy and Kathryn Potter.

She had not seen Harry, or anyone for that matter, since their venture through the secret passage and the incident with Snape. She conducted her affairs by owl and did not answer the little post she received. To her great relief, no Ministry officials came barging in demanding to search the grounds; Harry obviously having kept his silence over what they had discovered. Her plan to force Fudge into setting the trial date had worked perfectly, but she found herself growing increasingly nervous as the date approached. She stood before her wardrobe for hours, trying to pick out a suitable outfit that did not look too showy, but would still turn heads. She finally settled on something, and went to sleep on the night of the twenty-first no less nervous than she had been before.

She did not fall into an easy sleep; tossing and turning all night and waking in the early hours of the morning feeling as if a swarm of locusts were loose in her stomach. She lay watching the sun slowly creep over the horizon through a gap in the curtains until she could stand the relentless ticking of the clock no longer. It was as if it was counting down to the moment she had anticipated ever since the first day she had started loving him. She had to stand up and be judged, but Fudge didn't realise that she wouldn't go down without a fight.

She tossed back the deep emerald bedspread and pulled the heavy drapes fully open so the morning sun blazed into the room, blinding her momentarily. Pulling off her pyjamas, she climbed into the steaming shower; vigorously shampooing her hair and letting the hot water ease the tension in her body. It was no secret that Fudge was out to sully her name and she would have to fight tooth and nail to hold onto her dignity and reputation, and she might as well look indomitable while doing so. She sat for a while on the bed, allowing her hair to dry into its natural waves before dressing in the outfit she had spent hours choosing.

She had decided on a plain black dress; just about knee length with the skirt flaring out at the bottom slightly, clingy, nipped in at the waist with short sleeves. It was fairly simple, but created the crisp, sophisticated image she wanted to cultivate. She paired this with a pair of plain black heels and a black clutch. The necklace he had sent for her birthday was securely fastened about her neck whilst her hair was pinned loosely at the nape. She felt like she used to on the morning of Quidditch matches as she paced the drawing room after breakfast. Not that she had managed to eat much; a few bites of toast and a cup of tea were the most she could manage before she began to pace. It was only quarter to nine, but she couldn't stand the wait any longer considering that he was probably already locked away in the Ministry awaiting the start of his trial. Sending for the car, she checked she had everything she needed before sweeping out of the room and towards the front doors.

She had decided to forgo a cloak as it was a pleasantly hot summer day, a great contrast to how she felt inside. The car rolled slowly up as she walked down the steps and the door sprang open as soon as it pulled to a halt. She settled herself into the cool interior, behind the darkened windows, and the car moved off towards the gates. Paying little attention to their speed or the Muggle road signs, she soon found herself in a car negotiating the heavy traffic around London city centre. It was ten o'clock by the time they reached the little alleyway that contained the public entrance to the Ministry building.

As soon as she stepped into the small space, dialled the number and picked up the apparently broken receiver, a cool voice sounded out of nowhere.

"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic." The female voice told her. "Please state your name and business."

"Kathryn Potter." She obliged. "Here to attend the trial of Lucius Malfoy."

"Thank you. Please report to the security desk in the Atrium upon arrival." A small sliver badge appeared where the coins usually would and the phone box slowly began to sink beneath the surface. A small light flickered on as she was plunged into darkness, flickering off moments later as the light from the Atrium began to appear. She stepped out of the phone box at the far side of the vast atrium and tried to ignore the many stares and gossiping bureaucrats as she made her way towards the security desk. She waited patiently as the young man at the desk weighed her wand.

"Your wand." He said, not meeting her eyes as he thrust her wand back into her hand. "And we would ask that you wear your visitor's badge at all times." His tone was polite but his eyes betrayed his true feelings as she looked down at the silver pin in her hand. Although she knew she shouldn't, she decided to treat him with the same contempt he had shown her.

"I think you know who I am." She told him coldly, letting the badge slip from her fingers and fall to his desk with a clunk before stalking off in the direction of the elevators. She was not surprised as no one stepped into the same lift as she, even though it was completely empty. Her face remaining impassive, she pushed the button for the ninth level and stared resolutely back at them as the shining grille slid shut and the elevator clattered downwards. It was nearly an hour before the trial began, but she did not care that she would have to wait; preferring to arrive before everyone else so as to avoid the scathing remarks and glares that she had almost grown accustomed to.

Of course, none of the general wizarding populace would be there for the first few days of the trial. Once Fudge had informed her of the date and that she would be expected to testify before the Wizengamot, she had written back expressly demanding the trial be sealed as she did not want to have hundreds of nosy eyes boring into her as she did so. Fudge had, after several caustic letters threatening to go straight to the press, agreed to this. According to what she had gleaned from his letters, she was his star witness, whom he believed, could put Lucius Malfoy in Azkaban for life whilst also irreparably damaging her good name forever.

Of course, that was only if Fudge got to hear what he wanted to hear. So far, he knew nothing other than the conclusions his fanatical little mind had jumped to. Kathryn smirked at the thought of how he would react when he heard the truth, slipping into the door of the huge Courtroom Ten. The giant chamber was very dark, only a handful of the torches lit in the windowless place. Kathryn picked her way carefully up the steep staircase to the very top viewing ledge; a place she was certain no one would go for it was very dark and quite chilly. Muttering an incantation, she cast a warming spell to stave off the cold and transfigured one of the battered, dusty wooden seats into a much more comfortable armchair. Smiling to herself, she sat back and waited in the shadows until she heard a clock, somewhere in the distance, chime a quarter to eleven.

With a creak, the large, heavy oak doors that were the entrance to Courtroom Ten swung open and people began to file in. Several took seats on the viewing galleries, whilst others took seats in the raised bench before the seats where the Wizengamot sat. One of them she recognised as Percy Weasley, and the other as Dolores Umbridge. She looked positively beaming, probably happy at the prospect of being able to put one of the Potters behind bars if she had any say in matters. The others that had filed into the public seating she also knew. There was the tall, thin frame of Professor McGonagall and the short form of Professor Flitwick. Naturally, many of her former Professors would be there, along with her brother, friends and the rest of the Order of the Phoenix. She gripped the arms of the seat very hard as she saw the bat-like, hook nosed figure of Professor Snape sit down next to McGonagall.

As eleven o'clock approached, the courtroom became even busier as more secretaries and minor officials bustled in carrying stacks of parchment, spare quills and inkwells. Dumbledore arrived with Alastor Moody and took a seat in the front row with McGonagall and Snape. Then came her brother, Ron and Hermione. They were closely followed by Sirius, Ginny, Lupin, Tonks and the rest of the Weasley family. None of them looked happy, not that they had any reason to, and she shrank further back into the shadows as their eyes roamed the courtroom in search of her.

The entire Auror office was in attendance; she spotted Rufus Scrimgeour's lion-like mane of hair below her. There were also several members of the DA attending; Ernie Macmillan, Hannah Abbot, Justin Flinch Fletchley. She also spotted Neville, Luna and Neville's grandmother sitting near Harry. She caught sight of several people who, in her eyes, were most unwelcome. In one of the middle rows sat Pansy Parkinson and Theodore Nott. Pansy looked like she was fawning over Nott like he was Draco but, thinking of it, now that Draco was gone; she needed someone else to provide for her.

Finally, as the clock in the distance struck eleven, the doors behind the Wizengamot benches opened and the assembled people stood as they entered in their ceremonial purple robes with the silver W embroidered on the breast. She remained resolutely in her seat.

"Bring in the accused." Fudge ordered as soon as everyone was sat down again. Kathryn's heart lurched as the great oak doors were flung open and she moved right up to the edge of the balustrade and looked down as several Aurors entered the room. They stood with their wands at the ready as Lucius Malfoy was escorted into the courtroom with an Auror at either side.

She took the time to study him as they walked towards the ominous wooden chair with the chains that faced the Wizengamot. He still had his smart black suit on and he looked as if he had tried to smarten himself up. Despite this, however, she could see the creases in his suit from where it had been folded and the tangles in his usually flawless mane. He looked even thinner than he had been when she had last seen him and she felt a flare of anger against Fudge rise up inside of her. She could see how he tried to put up a cool front, but he still looked weak in the flickering torchlight. She had to stifle a gasp as they pushed him roughly into the chair and the chains that hung limp suddenly glowed gold and bound him tightly.

Kathryn watched as his grey eyes searched the courtroom for her. She did not shrink back, but continued to look down on him. He spotted her quickly and, despite her being expressionless and cold, he could see the pain of what she had to do etched into her eyes. The sight of her, however, also gave him a strengthening, comforting feeling that seemed to ease the pain the Dementors had caused.

"Please state your name for the record." Fudge ordered him in a curt tone.

"Lucius Malfoy." Percy Weasley began scribbling.

"Lucius Malfoy." Fudge began. "You have been brought here on the charge of being a Death Eater and various other crimes. How do you plead?" Kathryn thought it foolish of him to ask that question, knowing that Malfoy would never give in.

"Not guilty." He told Fudge clearly, looking right at him.

"Your answer in duly noted." Percy Weasley feverishly did said noting. "Now, let us proceed." He shuffled his papers in front of him, the noise seeming to fill the entire room as everyone else waited in silence.

"You were arrested on the morning of the twenty fourth of June this year after being found in a rather compromising position with one of the members of the Order of the Phoenix, namely, Miss Kathryn Potter. Before we consider the charges levelled against you for your crimes as a Death Eater, we wish to know what happened between the two of you in order to determine whether there was any wrongdoing on her part." There was much muttering in the courtroom at the mention of Kathryn's name, she could see Pansy whispering furiously to Nott; probably calling her many foul names that she didn't like to think of.

"After much discussion and compromise," and arguments, Kathryn thought as Fudge went on, "Miss Potter has agreed to give testimony as to what happened. Today, she has consented to show us what happened using a Pensieve." As Fudge spoke, the stones of the floor between where Lucius sat and the Wizengamot benches began to rearrange themselves into the shape of a giant Pensieve that was visible to the entire courtroom. Kathryn put the tip of her wand to her temple and slowly drew out the string of memories which, unlike normal thoughts, glowed a bright red.

"She does not, however," Fudge's eyes scanned the courtroom, "appear to be here." It appeared that no one but Lucius had noticed her presence.

"I'm here Fudge." Her voice resonated around the walls, making everyone search for where she was.

"Well, if you would be so kind." He motioned towards the Pensieve as Kathryn made her way slowly down the steps. She pointedly ignored everyone around her as she walked, keeping her eyes fixed on the man in the chair. She could hear the hushed whispers and insults, but she didn't really care.

Looking at her as she walked, Lucius could read the apologetic look in her eyes. He had known that she would never lie about what had transpired and, considering the abuse she had borne since their discovery, she deserved the chance to tell the truth. He had seen the papers; most of what they printed had been wholly fabricated or were just accusations from the Minister. He hoped that she knew that he didn't care what she did, no matter how much he did not want to see what he had done to her. She dropped the glowing memory into the Pensieve where it floated amongst the swirling grey mist. Without another word, she turned on her heel and headed for the door. The entire courtroom stared at her as she strode towards the exit, not breaking stride and not looking anywhere but ahead. The noise of her heels echoed around the chamber as she walked the length of the giant room.

Lucius was impressed as she walked past him; as well as looking beautiful, she was perfectly imposing. Everything from her eyes down to the way she walked seemed to convey the message that anyone who crossed her would find themselves on the wrong end of a nasty hex. No one noticed that, as she walked past, her free hand brushed against his ever so slightly. He strained against the bonds tying him down as she approached the door and, by a fraction, he managed to turn and watch her. She paused for a moment in the doorway and turned slightly to look back at him as the doors were closed. She only caught his eye for a moment and, in that briefest of seconds, she gave him a quick smile before disappearing from view.