89

Lucius reclaimed his seat with a relieved sigh, his hand immediately reaching for Kathryn's. She gave his hand a little squeeze, showing that she understood the great steps he had taken to get to such a point. Despite everything, Draco was still his son and she knew that he had always worked hard to protect his family from anything that threatened them. The fact that he had ignored all past precedents by withdrawing his support had left many in the courtroom with stunned looks upon their faces. Kathryn supposed that they had expected some sort of slick defence that would, if anything, lessen the charges somewhat. Instead, they had gotten an almost tacit admission that he was prepared to disown his son with the prospect of a far brighter future with her.

"Now," Fudge looked at his fellow Wizengamot members, "am I correct in saying that the last person from whom we wish to hear evidence is Miss Kathryn Potter?" there were nods of agreement from the benches. "Very well. Miss Potter, if you would step forward please."

Getting gracefully to her feet, Kathryn did not even look at Draco as she assumed her almost habitual position on the witness stand.

"Now, Miss Potter," it appeared that Fudge was keen to take the lead here, "you are involved with Draco Malfoy's father, are you not?"

"I should think that you need hardly ask such a question, Minister." There were a few brief whispers of laughter around the room.

"A simple yes or no will suffice." Fudge did his best to appear unruffled.

"Yes."

"And how long have you been involved?"

"Over two years now," she supplied, "but I'm sure that everyone in this room is already familiar with the particulars."

"Oh no, we have no need to review the particulars," Fudge shook his head, "what interests me more is your relationship with his son."

"His son and I have no relationship beyond mutual contempt." Kathryn was quick to make that clear; wanting no one I the room to even consider the notion that she had been involved with Draco as well. She was not going to rise to his bait, no matter how hard he tried.

"And I wish merely to examine the foundations of that contempt." Fudge reassured her in a condescending tone. "Now, I believe there was a particular incident near the end of your eighth year at Hogwarts?"

"Yes."

"Would you be so kind as to explain what happened?"

"He was hacked off because my team at won the Quidditch cup," she shrugged, "so he cursed me. It was a rather childish reaction really."

"And what were the effects of the curse?"

"Oh it left me hanging in the air above the Great Hall for a week slowly dying," she told him matter-of-factly, "which, truth be told, wasn't particularly pleasant."

"How is it that you survived?"

"Well, as it turned out he had not bothered to learn the counter-curse but thankfully his father proved to be slightly more thorough."

"Why do you think he saved your life in that instance?" Fudge asked. "Surely when He Who Must Not Be Named sought to kill you, such an event would have been considered useful?"

"He saved me purely by design." Kathryn admitted rather coldly. "True, Voldemort wanted my brother and I dead, but he wished to do it by his own hand. Any mishap like that could have been would have merited severe punishment."

"I see," he noted something down, "and were there any other occasions where Draco Malfoy deliberately acted to injure you?"

"Well, aside from that it was mostly petty stuff that was meant to put me out of Quidditch games."

"Such as?"

"Well, once he dragged me off my broom and threw me into the stadium the day before a game."

"And what was the result?"

"A broken leg, sprains to my shoulder and arm and a concussion." Kathryn shrugged. "Rather minor injuries in the grand scheme of things."

"Anything else?"

"In our final Quidditch match of this year, he took a beaters bat to me half way through the game." There were plenty of shocked faces around the room, although most would have a good memory of that incident from sitting watching it from the stands.

"Surely the injuries that resulted from that were even more severe?"

"Well, they took a little while to manifest, but the next morning I woke up and couldn't move. Madam Pomfrey diagnosed it as mild spinal fracturing, which was probably a blessing all things considered."

"Certainly." Despite his newly adopted attitude of indifference towards her, Fudge could not help the note of concern in his voice. "And were there any other times when his motive was more sinister?"

"If you want me to verify what Hermione told you about his actions during the battle at Hogwarts, yes, he did attempt to use the Killing Curse against me. But, like Hermione said, all it did was give me a nosebleed."

"Thank you." More notes were scribbled down. "Now, Miss Potter, as to your situation now."

"Yes, what of it?"

"It is now common knowledge that Mr. Malfoy has made you the guardian of his estate and that you are living there so surely you have some vested interest as to whether his son is imprisoned or not?" it would be a lie to say that such a subject had not crossed her mind.

"I have my opinions, as does everyone else I'm sure."

"But surely yourself in particular." Fudge had seen her attempt to avoid the question. "After all, if he is freed by this court, will that not leave you in an uncomfortable position considering the general display of venom towards you this morning?"

"I am certain it would be an uncomfortable situation for both parties."

"Wouldn't his freedom negate the position you now hold with respect to the Malfoy estate?"

"Not as far as I am aware." This confident assertion seemed to stun Draco slightly.

"How so?"

"Well, as far as I am aware, certain amendments have been made to the original instructions." She looked to Lucius, who gave the tiniest nod to confirm that her statement was correct.

"What amendments?"

"Even if his son is released, I still retain overall control of the estate." Many eyebrows were raised at this news, not least Draco's. "

"Was that change made at your specific request?" Fudge asked curiously.

"It certainly was not," she replied coolly, "and I resent any implication that it was."

"But were you aware of the existence of such a potential problem?"

"Yes, I was."

"How so?"

"I thought it prudent to familiarise myself with the particulars of the arrangement."

"And did you raise the issue with Mr. Malfoy?"

"I mentioned it once," she nodded, "but I did not involve myself in any further decision on the subject."

"Does this change surprise you?"

"No," she shook her head, "and I don't think it surprises you either."

"Thank you Miss Potter," Fudge did not acknowledge her last statement, "you may resume your seat." Nodding curtly, Kathryn stepped down and walked confidently back to her seat; this time daring to look Draco in the eye as she passed. He had a strange look about him, half angry and half resigned. Kathryn could only hope that, in some way, he at least regretted what he had done. Judging by the faces she saw as she passed, no one bore stunned looks upon their faces, as if they had not believed what she had said. Of course, the few Slytherin faces that she could discern did not look pleased.

"Nicely measured." Lucius congratulated her as she sat down. "You didn't satisfy Fudge by rising to his bait."

"I will never give him that satisfaction." She whispered back. "And he should know that by now." They did not speak further as Fudge cleared his throat and the room fell quiet.

"The Wizengamot shall now retire to deliberate." He announced as his fellow judges stood and filed through the doors on either side of their benches.

Everyone in the courtroom took the opportunity this offered; getting to their feet and heading to the doors in search of fresh air, a bite to eat and the bathroom. The Aurors that had escorted Lucius in arrived to remove him from the courtroom too and, after a stern and determined look from Kathryn, they did not voice any objection as she walked at his side.

Opening the door to a small room a little way down the hall from the entrance to the courtroom, Kathryn followed Lucius in and then the door was locked behind them.

"Lovely." Kathryn murmured, surveying the small table and rickety chairs with a sceptical eye. "Oh well, it will have to do." With a smirk, the raised her wand and the chairs transformed themselves into something altogether more comfortable. Another wave of her wand lit the torches and a fire sprang up in the empty grate to take the subterranean chill from the room.

"Much better." Lucius nodded, taking a seat on the soft upholstery. "Those seats do make your back ache."

"Oh yes," she sighed, sitting in the chair next to his, "I've spent far more time in those seats than I'd care to admit. Anyway," she started to dig in her small bag, "I'm glad I thought to do this otherwise we'd be going quite hungry." Lucius watched as she placed plates, knives, forks and cups on the table. This was followed by French bread, pâté, cold roast chicken, cheese, roast ham and a thermos of tea.

"Excellent!" Lucius looked shocked, but gratified at the spread she had provided.

"A little trick Hermione taught me." She smiled, pouring them cups of tea whilst Lucius tore up the baguette. "And I was assuming you'd want some decent food."

"Though the location leaves something wanting." He sighed, taking a long drink of tea.

"Alas Fred and George don't make a portable picnic field," she laughed, "although maybe it's something I should mention!"

"Well, it's the company that matters in this instance." He reminded her, slicing off a chunk of stilton.

"Indeed it is." She nodded, helping herself to ham. "I wonder how long they'll take?"

"Who knows?"

"Well, on Monday it was Rabastan Lestrange's trial, and on Tuesday it was Rowle's," she recounted how she had spent the past few days, "they were both concluded by lunchtime. They made little, if no attempts at a defence, but there was no one to speak for them as you have had."

"How long did they deliberate?"

"About an hour, maybe even less." She estimated. "There really wasn't much to debate. They were already well known servants of Voldemort and did not attempt to deny the crimes they committed. Though we know he bore the Dark Mark willingly, we cannot deny that his role appears distinctly ambiguous, at least, up until the final battle."

"He was seen on more than one occasion using Unforgiveable Curses," Lucius shrugged, "ambiguity aside, the law is crystal clear on that account."

"Take care of whom you remind of that fact," she cautioned him, "Harry and I might've let a couple slip during the battle."

"You had to fight like with like," he shook his head, "besides, you won the day and no one should even dare to question if the methods used were justified."

"And what if they decide to show clemency?" she asked, concern lingering in her eyes. "Are we to accept whatever judgement is levelled, or are we to challenge it?"

"We shall meet that if it comes."

"Not that I'm saying he will, but he couldn't possibly come back to live at the Manor."

"I have other places that he may make his home, if they see fit to release him." He reassured her.

"Do you think he would accept such a bargain?"

"I could make it an attractive proposition, seeing as I have removed his rights to any fortune."

"We shall see." She sighed as there was a knock at the door to signal that it was time to return. Waving her wand, the remnants of their meal disappeared and the room returned to normal. It was Scrimgeour who opened the door to let them out, escorting them down the corridor in silence and back into the empty courtroom. Minutes after they had resumed their seats, the rest of those who had come to observe began to wander back in.

All eyes were on the Wizengamot as they filed in, their faces giving nothing away. After a couple of agonising minutes of silence, Fudge cleared his throat and all eyes turned in his direction.

"Draco Malfoy, the Wizengamot had deliberated and reached a verdict." He announced to the silent room. "On the charge of being a Death Eater and wilfully participating in the commission of acts of violence against both Muggles and Wizards, the Wizengamot finds you guilty." There was no grand reaction from the room, save from a few snorts and groans from the Slytherin attendees. Elsewhere there were nods of agreement from members of the Order and the DA that were dotted about the room. Draco simply stared at the floor, no emotion registering on his face.

"As for sentencing," Fudge continued, "though you are young, it is the opinion of the court that you did fully understand the severity of your crimes and, as such, you must also face the full consequences. However, that does not mean that the court does not consider rehabilitation out of the realm of possibility."

"What?" Kathryn whispered to Lucius, her eyebrows raised in surprise.

"The law mandates that a life sentence must be served for your use of Unforgiveable Curses, but it is the decision of this court that you must serve a minimum of fifteen years of this sentence before it can be reviewed." With that final pronouncement, the Wizengamot stood and left the room once more.

His former housemates could only stand and watch as their de-facto leader, their veritable Slytherin prince, was removed from the courtroom. Looking at the man next to her, Kathryn found his face hard to read, not that he was an emotional open book the rest of the time. Privately she wondered if he did, in some way, regret seeing his only son is such a position. Though he had sometimes appeared to behave coldly towards him, Kathryn was under no illusion as to how highly Lucius valued his family. Of course, she knew that he could also be musing on the uncertainty of his own fate and whether he would be joining his son behind Azkaban's cold walls.