Living In Safety

This Is... Just...

Harry

"I can't do this." I 

Sirius kneels in front of me. "We have to, Harry. We have to go."

"I can't... I can't do it. What if I slip up, what if I say something I think is right but that's what gets him thrown in Azkaban?"

He shakes his head. "You won't do that."

I rip off the hangnail I've been picking at. It starts bleeding instantly. "We don't know that-"

"Yes, we do. Harry, he's been the best parent you could ask for since you showed up at his doorstep. That's what they're going to ask you about."

I wish I had gone with Sev. They shouldn't've let me stay behind an extra half hour. 

He glances at the clock. "Harry, we have to go. I'm sorry, but we can't wait any longer. Come on." He gives me his hand, which I take, and helps me up. "Look, I have a feeling everything'll be okay. And my gut usually isn't wrong."

Usually I would laugh, or at least chuckle, but I can't today.

We walk over to the fireplace, where we Floo to the Ministry. Everyone stares at me as we walk. Pointing. Whispering.

Everyone's judging me, and they don't even try to hide it.

"Don't worry about them," Sirius says. "They're arseholes, all of them. They don't matter."

"Okay."

He doesn't let go of my hand. I don't know why, but it makes me less afraid.

"We have to be quiet," he says once we reach the courtroom (After a horrible lift ride that made me vomit a bit). "We'll sit with Remus, and when you're called they'll show you where to sit, got it? Answer all their questions truthfully, Harry. If you lie, it'll do more harm than good. Promise?"

"I promise."

A few people look at us when we walk in, but quickly go back to listening to Draco. We take our seats, I'm sandwiched between him and Remus.

I really don't want to be here. Everything just feels wrong.

I should probably pay attention.

"Mr. Malfoy, has Mr. Snape ever harassed a student?"

"A few years ago, sir," Draco replies.

"Was this a regular thing?"

"Yes."

"Was it ever towards Slytherins?"

Draco shakes his head. 

"And why, Mr. Malfoy, do you think that is?"

"Well, I'm not positive, but I think it was his way of making school more fair. See, Slytherins are bullied the most at Hogwarts, and all of the other teachers seem to always take the other House' sides."

"Really?"

"Yes. And, he was bullied when he was at Hogwarts, mostly by Gryffindors, so he knows firsthand how hard it can be when people hate you and judge you, but the professors won't do anything."

The Wizengamot is done asking questions, so now it's Severus' lawyers turn. 

Mr. Malfoy has connections.

"Mr. Malfoy, Severus Snape is your godfather, correct?" 

"Yes."

"You stay with Mr. Snape during most of your breaks, yes? Could you explain how these breaks are?"