The mood in the room was tense. Daphne's arms were crossed in front of her and her lips pursed as she tried to avoid looking at the prosecuting attorney. Unlike Daphne, Penelope Clearwater-Weasley looked distinctly frazzled. Daphne could guess why. Ravenclaws did not like the sudden upheaval of known facts, and this case had been nothing but that.

"There is still a case here," Penelope argued. "Harry Potter is a marked Death Eater. He trained recruits and killed a veteran Auror. We have to set an example. There is a punishment for every crime."

"Crime?" Daphne repeated. "Harry took the Mark on Dumbledore's orders. Alastor Moody trained him. If either were still alive, I'd say you're prosecuting the wrong person. Harry did what he had to do."

"But he didn't have to do anything," Penelope pointed out. "He chose to do this. We all heard Dumbledore offer him a choice."

Daphne stared at her. "Are you an only child, Ms. Clearwater-Weasley?"

"Yes," Penelope answered uneasily.

"Then you wouldn't really understand. When you have younger siblings, you always want to protect them. Harry once told me that he would rather be tortured by Moody than have Evan have to do."

Director Bones had been listening quietly, analyzing both sides of the argument. "Okay, that's enough." The two lawyers stopped talking. "Ms. Greengrass, I understand that your client is not the only person culpable for his crimes. If they were still alive, I'd charge Dumbledore and Moody with child endangerment. But Ms. Clearwater-Weasley has a point. We have to set an example here. I am willing to offer a deal."

Daphne didn't hesitate. "Take Azakban off the table."

Penelope's eyes narrowed. "And what sentence would you suggest?"

"House arrest and community service," Daphne suggested.

Director Bones raised an eyebrow. "That's an awfully light sentence, Ms. Greengrass. I do hope you have something to offer."

"You mean besides the precedent this office has already set when they gave Lucius Malfoy a light plea bargain for very little useful information?" Daphne asked lightly, her eyes narrowed. Sighing, she added, "My client will give up all information and memories pertinent to ongoing investigations of former Death Eaters and the downfall of Lord Voldemort and be available for any and all questioning."

Director Bones looked over at Penelope. The lawyer didn't look happy, but she nodded. "Offer the deal to your client, and then I'll give it my stamp of approval."

Daphne nodded and left Bones's office. She pulled her jacket more tightly around her as she took the elevator down to the Ministry's basement where the holding cells were. Though infinitely better than Azkaban, the holding cells were still not a pleasant place to be. The basement was dark and dank with no windows and very little light. Harry was currently the only one being held there. Daphne smiled as the guard and gestured to Harry, explaining that she would like a few minutes alone with her client.

The guard was very reluctant to leave, citing it as a security risk, but a few minutes of Daphne's charm and smile had him convinced.

"I'll just be in the office if you need me, ma'am," he said.

"Thank you," Daphne said, batting her eyelashes. The guard blushed and headed towards his office.

She turned around to see Harry rolling his eyes. "Pathetic," he commented.

Daphne raised an eyebrow. "Him or me?" she questioned with a smirk.

"A little bit of both, I suppose," he replied, chuckling silently at her glare. "So what brings you to my humble abode?"

Daphne leaned against the wall opposing his cell. "The prosecution is prepared to offer you a deal. House arrest for a year and community service in exchange for your full cooperation in any Death Eater trial and the investigation of the war."

Harry's mouth narrowed into a line. "I didn't ask you to make any deals for me."

Daphne crossed her arms. "Well, you needed one. Clearwater-Weasley is out for your head. I always thought those Weasleys were bad news." She waited for the defense of his old family friends, but Harry was silent, seemingly lost in his thoughts.

Finally, Harry spoke. "So, in this deal, I'd have to plead guilty?"

"Yes," Daphne answered. "And there are a few conditions. You have to give up all information you have on all current Death Eaters and the fall of Voldemort and be available to answer any and all questions the Ministry might have."

"So basically I'll be the Ministry's puppet," Harry surmised.

Daphne gave him a look. "It's a good deal, Harry. If I were you, I'd take it."

"And if I don't take it?"

"The Kiss is likely."

Harry didn't meet her eyes. Instead, he fiddled with a loose thread on his uniform. Finally, he spoke. "I was Moody's puppet and Dumbledore's puppet. O did everything they asked without questions or hesitation. I'm not about to do the same for the Ministry. I don't want the deal."

Daphne got closer to the bars of the cell, making Harry look her in the eyes. "Don't lie to me, Harry. You can lie to anyone else, but don't lie to me."

Suddenly, Harry seemed twenty years older than he was when he sighed. "I did what I had to do, Dap. I'm done, and I'm tired, and to be honest I don't really care what happens now."

Daphne just stood there and stared at him. Finally, she said, "You might've stopped caring about what happens to you, but other people do: me, your parents, your brothers... I've never seen your dad so mad as was after the first day of the trial."

"You've seen them?" Harry's voice broke.

Daphne nodded. "They asked me why you did this, and I said it was something you had to do. Your parents didn't really understand what I meant, but I think Evan and Mark did."

Harry smiled briefly, but it soon faded. "Daph, I need you to do me a favor." She waited. "I have a vault in Gringotts. The vault number is 103. In that vault, there is a little black box with my memories in it and my will."

"Harry," Daphne pleaded, her voice hoarse.

He continued. "There's not a fortune in there or anything, but Dumbledore and Moody both left me some money and I still have what's left from my trust fault." He glanced at her. "Most of the money goes to Evan and Mark, but I left some to the Weasleys twins for their shop. There are two sets of my memories. One is yours, and the other goes to Aria Yaxley." He paused for a moment. "Make sure it's all in order for me."

"Okay," Daphne agreed, ignoring the tears falling down her face. She looked down at her watch. "I have to go."

"Okay," Harry said.

Daphne walked towards the door. As she opened it, she turned around. "You know I am not going to stop trying to win this case, right?"

Harry laughed sadly. "I know."

The Potter family sat in their living room, minds churning. The radio was in the background, but no one was listening. All the Potters looked tired, but Lily was especially haggard. She had barely ate nor slept since her son's trial had started. With the Potters were their good family friends, the Weasleys. Mrs. Weasley bustled around the kitchen, trying to convince the family to eat something. Ron cajoled Evan into playing a game of chess, but the middle Potter's head just wasn't in it. For once, the Weasley twins were quiet and solemn. Though a year, Fred and George had been friends with Harry since they were kids. Both had tried to help the Order understand why Harry did what he did, but they never understood it either. Harry was a good guy, they insisted. Harry wouldn't do this, they insisted. It turned out they were right, but it brought them little comfort when their friend could receive the Kiss.

James was the only one who wasn't sad or angry. In fact, he seemed to be more anxious than anything, pacing back and forth. No one tried to stop him. It was almost comforting, the rhythm of it. His eyes occasionally flickered to the fireplace.

Dinner was finally done and on the table. Everyone at least picked at their food to appease Mrs. Weasley. By the time tea and coffee was served, the Floo flashed. Daphne Greengrass stepped out of the fireplace. Her hair was astray, and it seemed like she had been crying.

"Daphne, come in," James offered. She smiled sadly at him.

"Thank you," she said quietly. "I can't stay long."

"Is there any news?" James probed.

Daphne sighed. "Amelia offered Harry a deal, house arrest and probation in exchange for information."

Lily looked at her husband. "Isn't that good?" she asked.

"It is," Daphne agreed. "But Harry won't take it."

"He won't take it?" Evan repeated, raising his voice. "What, does he want the Kiss or something?"

Daphne shrugged. "I'm starting to think he might," she replied. "He asked me to look over his will."

"His will?" Evan repeated, his voice hoarse. His brother was twenty one years old. He should be working in the Auror office and having the time of his life, not writing a will.

She nodded. "Gringotts has had it on file for three years. It's only been modified once." No one asked what his will said, but she kept talking anyway. "Most of his money is split between you and Mark, but a significant amount was set aside for Weasley Wizarding Wheezes. His memories are to be split between me and Aria Yaxley, and he left several letter for various people."

Lily was on the verge of tears. "Can't you do something?" she pleaded. "Have him declared mentally unstable or something?" Daphne shook her head. "Why not?"

It was the Weasley twins who answered. "Harry would never trust her again,
George replied.

"Harry's a loyal bloke," Fred added.

"And when he tells you a secret-"

"He expects you to keep it."

Lily frowned but nodded. Daphne looked at the clock. "I have to go," she stated. Stepping into the Floo, she smiled at Lily. "I am going to do something," she reassured the worried mother. "I'm going to win Harry's case."

"I hope so," Mark mumbled as his brother's lawyer Flooed away. In his family's eyes, Harry was already exonerated, and they wanted him back.

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