Chapter 5: Going Underground

Dear Lucy 

My goodness! I've heard that you've been expelled from Hogwarts, that's terrible! But I don't think you'll be expelled for long, you know? I'm sure you'll be let off because after all, you were protecting yourself. Anyway, good news! I've got myself a job! I work as a private dressmaker and seeing as I know your birthday is around this time (forgive me if I've missed it) I have sent you some robes. They're made out of the finest material, treat them with care! Perhaps you can wear them to your hearing? You've got to look smart after all. 

I hope to see you soon, Lucy. 

Lots of love 

Anastasia x

"So, she sent you robes for your hearing?" Snape asked as he peered over Lucy's shoulder. 

"It was kind of her...her job seems interesting too," Lucy replied weakly, placing the letter down and picking up the robes that Anastasia had made her. There was a black coat that was fastened with gold buttons, a black pencil skirt, a cape (rather like Snape's) and Anastasia had even thrown in a pair of knee high leather boots. It was all simply breathtaking. "She seems to have been inspired by bats though, which doesn't make me feel any better." 

"I don't suppose it does, but at least you'll look a little more mature." 

"Thanks, dad..." 

"It's true though, you were going to show up in jeans and those old shoes of yours. Do you really think you would get out of that place alive if you weren't dressed for the occasion?" 

"Not really but I still stand some sort of chance," Lucy said trying to convince herself more than anyone. "At least I hope I do." 

"I'm sure you will do, after all, they have to give you a fair trial even if they don't want to..." Snape's voice trailed off. "Are you really sure about that knight?" 

"Of course I'm sure, and I know for a fact that it was from the medieval islands, nothing like that  would be made by Lord Voldemort..." 

"Well, you never know with him. But, like you've said I'm pretty sure it came from the medevial islands." 

"Great, wonder what else Lord Zuc is going to attack me with..." 

Later on Lucy trailed off to bed, Angus trotting behind her. When she entered her room, she dropped the outfit that Anastasia had sent her on the floor, kicked her bedside table and sat on her bed with her face in her palms. 

Her life was practically falling apart, nobody would understand her and nobody seemed to want to talk to her, it was as though she was an outcast again just like when she was with James Potters' brother. 

"Why me..." she whispered to herself, as I tear fell from the corner of her eye. She laid down on her bed, closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. 

Little did she know, the ghost of her mother stood in the corner of her room, watching over her. 

*      *      * 

The next day, Lucy was dressed in the outfit that Anastasia had given her and was sitting at the kitchen table in the Order of the Phoenix headquarters; she was absolutely terrified. 

Snape sat nervously by her side, he really didn't want to have his daughter going to Azkaban. Everyone else was busying them self with cleaning up the house, apart from Arthur Weasley and Fred Weasley who sat opposite Lucy and Snape. 

"I'm sure you'll both get out of there fine," Arthur smiled as he moved one of his chess pieces and one of Fred's was knocked off of the board. "Besides, you can't go to Azkaban! You're too young to go there anyway!" 

"No she isn't," Snape butted in rudely. 

"Well, I'm sure you'll get a fair trial anyway..." Arthur mumbled. "I'm sure both of your lawyers will be pretty trained at this job, it's not as though they'll walk in and just act on a little bit of experience!"

"That's true," Lucy nodded and fiddled with the hem of her skirt. "Are you coming with me, dad?" 

"I'd love to, but the thing is they won't let me in." 

"Why not?" 

"They'll only allow one adult to escort you there and Mr. Weasley's taking you there. Besides, I would have to escort both you and Mr Potter..." 

"Say no more..." Lucy patted him on the shoulder weakly, she felt like she was going to be sick. "You better leave, you probably don't want to be here any longer. Go home, drink wine, read the prophet, don't think about me." 

"I can't forget about you though," he sighed. "Even if I did get drunk."

"For crying out loud, just leave!" Lucy yelled, standing up abruptly, hitting the table with force. 

"If that is your want, I shall," he whispered, he kissed her on the cheek quickly then left without another word. 

"You shouldn't be rude to your father, you know," Arthur said matter-of-factly as Lucy sat back down and rested her head on the table. 

"I know I shouldn't, but I don't want him to think about me. If I do go to Azkaban I just want him to get on with life like a sensible person would." Lucy groaned. 

"That's not what a sensible person would do, that's what a fool would. And your father doesn't strike me as a fool." 

"Yeah, I know, he isn't a fool..." Lucy murmured just as Molly called for Arthur to come upstairs and help out with the cleaning, which just left Fred and Lucy. 

"Your move," he said and turned the chess board towards her. 

"I'm not in the mood," she sighed and pushed the board back towards him. 

"I know," he reached out his hand and placed it on top of hers. "I'm sot surprised either. I completely believe you're innocent and would never accuse you of using magic outside of school on purpose." 

"Thanks," she whispered and a small smile crept up on her lips. Fred moved round the table and sat next to her. "Do you think I'll go to Azkaban?" 

"If you do, I'll join you." 

"I'm serious, Fred, do you really think I will?" 

"I don't think you will, like I said I think you're already innocent." He placed a hand on her cheek and forced her to stare into his eyes. 

"Why me?" She whispered. 

Fred didn't reply, instead he leaned forward and kissed her. Lucy couldn't decide if he felt sorry for her or if he was just wishing her luck for her hearing. But all the same, Lucy really needed to know that someone other than Snape was looking out for her. 

"You'll be fine," he whispered into her ear, his breath made her shiver although it was full of kindess and hope. 

"Come on, Lucy! We better get going!" Arthur called from the entrance to the kitchen, Harry stood next to him. 

"Yes, otherwise you will go to Azkaban!" Fred teased. "Say hi to Bellatrix and the dementors for me!" 

"Oh shut up!" Lucy laughed, giving him a playful punch in the arm. 

Arthur, Harry and Lucy made their way to the London underground and walked to the front desk to buy their tickets when Arthur looked around nervously. 

"Wonderful inventions these muggles think up, ay?" Arthur beamed at all the ticket machines as Lucy pulled out her purse and handed the man behind the desk money for three tickets. 

"Wonderful, Mr Weasley, and you'll get to test one of those out in a minute — thank you, Sir," Lucy added to the man behind the desk as he glared at Arthur as well as Lucy's strange clothing. 

"I will?" Arthur gasped as Lucy handed him a ticket, she went through the ticket barrier first (almost getting her cape caught in the doors) then waited for the other two. 

"Remember, just put your ticket in the slot then take it when the doors open," Lucy called to Arthur as one of the trains whizzed along the track to it's destination. 

"Ingenious!" He gasped then slid his ticket over the instructions in how to work the ticket machines (which he must of thought was the slot.) 

"Mr Weasley, that slot — " Harry pointed to the right slot and Arthur gasped then slid his ticket in, received it and walked through the barrier just in time. 

Harry quickly repeated the process then followed Lucy as she quickly stalked off, steering Arthur in the right direction to the train they needed to catch. They hopped on quickly, while Lucy sat down and Arthur as well as Harry stood. 

"We have to transfer," Lucy mumbled as she turned her map right and left, almost poking the muggle next to her in the eye. "To the green line...or was it the blue line?" 

"Knew you weren't good at georgraphy," Harry laughed a little. 

"It's never been one of my strengths...hey! Maybe I can ask these muggles?" Lucy stood in the centre of the carriage. "Attention everyone! I need to know how to get to Westminster! Anyone know?" 

A few muggles looked at her then returned to reading their newspapers, other paid no attention and continued to listen to their music. Lucy's shoulders slumped but she walked over to the nearest muggle, pulled out his earphones and yelled at him. 

"I-need-to-know-how-to-get-to-Westminster!" 

"Lucy, stop!" Arthur cringed and pulled her away from the muggle. "We're here." 

"Oh..." Lucy muttered then all the other muggles looked at her with disgust. "It was nice seeing you all on this fine day, maybe we can chat another time?" She rushed, just as a rather tall and stocky man approached her. 

The three of them got off the train then ran up the stairs and then looked around as Lucy pulled out another map, this one was a tourists guide to London. 

"We need to get to Whitehall, but this damn map doesn't seem to work for me..." She said and then Harry walked over to her and turned the map the right way. "Ah! Thank you, Harry, it's not far from here...follow me!" 

At last they reached a red telephone box that sat on the corner of the street where very few muggles passed. Harry caught up with the two others as Lucy pretended to be one of those women on game shows where they presented the prizes. 

"Ta-da!" She beamed and gestured to the telephone box. "The Lucy tours are over and after many encounters with muggles and dodgy map reading skills, I can safely say; I can get you anywhere!" 

Arthur and Harry looked at each other quickly before they all piled in to the telephone box and made their way into the Ministry of Magic. 

*      *      * 

Arthur escorted Harry quickly to his trial and then walked Lucy to hers. They walked in silence most of the way before he finally began to pluck up the courage to speak to her. 

"That was quite an amusing trip to get here, wasn't it?" Arthur chortled. 

"Especially with me, I can't believe I've been that consumed in the wizarding world to become to arrogant to muggles..." she replied coolly. 

"It all happens to us..." he paused. "I knew your mother, you know." 

"You did?" Luct was suddenly intrigued. 

"Of course! You look just like her, you know. It's a shame what happened..." 

"It is, dad really loved her. But unfortunately James Potter did too, only one could win..." Lucy gave Arthur a cheesy grin and he burst out laughing. 

"Obviously not in your mothers case. Quite seriously, though, I know your mother wouldn't have been proud of what you've done but she definitely would have supported you in this. In fact, she would even approve of you going out with Fred." 

Lucy was about to ask how Arthur knew that but then realised it was obvious. "Why's that?" 

"She really did believe in true love." 

"Well, I hope it lasts." 

"Oh I'm sure it will," Arthur gestured to the door in front of them that Lucy had only just realised was there. "Good luck." 

"Thank you." 

"I'll be waiting to pick you up when your trial ends, don't forget to be polite and do what you're told. You want to get out of there alive." 

"I know, I know...lets hope so anyway." 

"You will," Arthur smiled, gave her shoulder a squeeze then she pushed open the vast doors to her trial.