1. Life After
Lilly's POV
With Kingsley named Minister of Magic, an elite guard was sent to the Ministry to take it back, but of course, word spread of Voldemort's death.
Many of the Death Eaters were either dead, in hiding, or captured.
Kingsley and I sent loyal Aurors to Azkaban to guard it. Details would later be figured out, but for now, we needed guards.
I didn't sleep at all the first night after the battle.
I was changed... my only powers, well power, was being able to tell where Death Eaters were.
Anyways, with the Ministry restored, Kingsley and all the remaining Aurors were determined to fix everything immediately. However, we all did take one day off to celebrate freedom and mourn the dead.
I was working tirelessly at the Ministry, but the first day after the Battle will always creep into my mind.
Injured were immediately taken to St. Mungos. Mainly by brooms, we didn't want to risk further injury with the possibility of getting splinched.
Neville and I spent the night in my room. We cried the whole night. So many deaths... 50 people...
With me being at the Ministry, Neville was there most days, he was witnessing the trials, or well, he was testifying in court.
Majority of the captured Death Eaters were tried fairly and sentenced, life in prison was the most common sentence.
I have been sending a lot of teams of Aurors out to capture more Death Eaters. I was still Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, but I just didn't like the job anymore. It felt like a job, before I had a passion for working here, like it was my duty. Now, I feel so depressed when I walk through these halls.
Thoughts aside, I had a job. My job and goal is to capture every murderous Death Eater and make them pay. They caused this destruction and I refuse to let it happen again.
I was about to have lunch with my possible successor and Kingsley ran into my office flinging the door open saying, "They're here."
I looked at my watch and said, "Right on time. I was just about to send an owl."
She looked at me curiously and I said, "I'm sorry, we will have to postpone our lunch later, right now, we have an emergency trial."
She nodded and I followed Kingsley out of my office adjusting my hat on my head.
I came in front of the court and stared at the three faces below me. Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco Malfoy.
Kingsley nodded to me and I handled the court proceedings in its entirety.
I cleared my throat saying, "Lucius Malfoy, you are hereby charged with aiding of murder, torture, and or kidnapping of multiple people, aid to Voldemort, and you are also charged with corruption within the Ministry.
"Narcissa Malfoy, you are hereby charged with the aid in the murder, torture, and or kidnapping of multiple people.
"Draco Malfoy, you are hereby charged with the aid in the murder, torture, and or kidnapping of multiple people."
I glanced down and Narcissa took her son's hand. I sighed and said, "Lucius Malfoy, do you deny these charges?"
He replied, "No. I fully accept my charges and punishments."
I arched a brow and looked at Kingsley. I said, "The sentence is to life in prison. All in favor-" Everyone raised their hands. "All opposed?" Had to say that for official documentation.
Lucius pleaded, "I will tell you where others are hiding to shorten my sentence!"
I gave him a cold stare saying, "Only until after a year served may you apply for a reappeal due to your sentence being for life, but if you wish to divulge information beforehand it will be documented. Also, Mr. Malfoy, you have to serve your other sentence when you and multiple other Death Eaters broke into the Ministry, two years ago."
He was hauled away with a nasty look thrown at me.
I continued, "Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy, do you accept these charges?"
She replied quietly, "I do in its entirety."
Draco protested, "No, she shouldn't have any punishments. My father made her do all of this. Being an abusive husband, she had to comply."
I replied, "Unless you bear a witness not on trial Mr. Malfoy only may she be aquitted."
"I'll vouch for her."
I smiled for just a second. My owl arrived in time, trusty Diana.
"Witness for the defense, Harry James Potter."
I replied, "You may continue, Mr. Potter."
Harry replied, "Narcissa Malfoy saved my life in the Forbidden Forrest, she told Voldemort I was dead when I wasn't. All she wanted to know is if her son was alive. Narcissa knew that the only way she would be permitted to enter Hogwarts, and find her son, was as part of the conquering army. She no longer cared whether Voldemort won."
I asked, "Anything for Draco's defense?"
Harry replied, "During our sixth year, Malfoy was forced by Voldemort to try to kill Albus Dumbledore, or him and his family would be killed. Malfoy was also forced to become a Death Eater. Furthermore, when I was at Malfoy Manor with a Stinging Jinx on me, Malfoy knew it was me, he could've given me up right away, but he didn't. He let me have the wands easily, giving up his own. He, like his mother, saved me. I rest my defense."
I nodded and said, "I would like to say that Mrs. Malfoy also went to Severus Snape defying Voldemort's order, asking for help with Mr. Malfoy. Mr. Draco Malfoy, do you accept your charges?"
He replied, "I do and do not. To an extent, yes I did aid in those things. I was forced to or I'd die from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's wrath. My mother could've died, but she didn't because I became Death Eater to protect her. My family failed Him after my father failed during the Ministry operation and when he gave up a dark object to Hogwarts during my second that belonged to him. I am guilty, but I realized a long time ago that this was wrong. I was selfish for wanting myself to live at the expense of others and I will never forget it for the rest of my life."
Neville appeared running from somewhere and gasped, "Witness," gasp, "for the-" gasp again, "for the defense."
I replied, "Calm your heartbeat and catch your breath Neville, then you may speak."
He nodded and sat on the ground for a second and I grabbed my water bottle from my bag and tossed it towards him.
He caught it and drank some.
Finally, Neville said, "We had a spy from Slytherin in Hogwarts. They would help us from time to time. We don't know how, but the spy got ahold of our communication device. He or she warned us about everthing happening before it happened."
I asked, "And you presume this is Mr. Malfoy?"
Neville looked at me and said, "You know it is, you gave him the coin."
I said, "Mr. Malfoy, your response?"
Malfoy dug in his pocket and produced a Dumbledore's Army coin.
I said, "Toss it to me."
He threw it to me and I smiled recognizing the markings I made and he produced a note from his breastpocket under his jacket.
I smiled and tossed him the coin back which he caught.
I replied, "That is the coin of Dumbledore's Army and that is my note along with it. Mr. Malfoy aided the resistance at Hogwarts at the time.
"As for Mrs. Malfoy, Lucius did force them to comply with Voldemort."
Kingsley nodded and asked, "All in favor to clear both parties of all charges?"
About 20 hands went up, including mine and Kingsley's.
"All opposed?"
About ten hands went up. Kingsley said, "Cleared of all charges," and hammered the gavel.
I announced, "All assets are now unfrozen for both of you and for all on council, late lunch, we will convene in one hour."
Harry and Neville immediately disappeared after the gavel hit the wood. I expect them to have lunch together.
I went up to Draco asking, "Hey Draco, care to join me for lunch? I have a few words for you."
He nodded nervously and I continued, "Meet me inside my office, Mrs. Malfoy, you are gladly invited to join us."
She politely declined saying, "Thank you, but I must return home.
I said, "Alrighty, Draco, I'll be in my office in five."
We parted ways.
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