Always, Astoria

75. The Trial of Draco Malfoy

2005

The winter air was growing more apparent with the new year in full swing. Astoria could feel how frozen she felt. Nothing felt worth living for anymore, even with her child growing stronger as the days went on.

The news came not as a shock, because she had not heard from her best friend in many years, however reading it in print made it real. Even after all this time, Astoria held out hope that one day, she would see Lilla again. For it was not possible anymore to see somebody who no longer walks amongst the living.

Astoria's eyes read the Daily Prophet's front page so many times she felt her eyes permanently burned on the parchment.

Astoria crumbled the picture blasted on the front page and made a large crease down Dolohov's smirking face. The article read...

DUBOIS HEIRESS FOUND DEAD & DEATH EATER TRIALS TO COMMENCE

          The Ministry of Magic is pleased to announce that its search for the whereabouts of Death Eaters is proven victorious, for now. Even though He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has been "silent" for over a year, the Ministry is fully dedicated to bringing You-Know-Who's followers to justice! The trial of Antonin Dolohov and Theodore Nott Sr. is to be held tomorrow at 3:00 o'clock pm! Dolohov is to be tried on several counts, for being a known Death Eater and for the accused murder of his wife, Lilliana Dubois Dolohov.

Dubois was said to be allegedly betrothed to Dolohov at the tender age of sixteen. Whether the wedding occurred before she was eighteen is unknown, but the Ministry can confirm the couple was wed before she was twenty-years old. Dubois' body was examined by Ministry acclaimed Healer's and it has been confirmed that before her untimely death, she birthed a child. The whereabouts of the child are unknown. Auror's raided the Dolohov Manor to collect Antonin and his colleague Nott Sr. The Auror's were surprised of what they found in the dungeons of the Manor. Dubois' body laid cold for many months before she was removed from the scene, but it appeared a conservational charm was placed to preserve her from decomposing. The exact time frame of Dubois' death is still unknown, reasons also unknown to the public.

Dolohov nor confirms or denies the murder of his wife, he decided to plead with the Silencio and await trial.

How could Astoria believe a word that was written on the parchment? She felt the picture that was printed on the front of Antonin smirking was directed towards her. To laugh in her face that her eldest friend was murdered, and it was Astoria's fault for not rescuing her.

Astoria rose from her chair and set the dreaded Prophet ablaze. How could she let this happen to Lilla? Why was she not there to protect her?

It was all her fault.

Andromeda knocked at the door slowly before Astoria allowed her to enter. Astoria felt larger than she ever had in her life. Her stomach protruded more than she ever realized it could, her feet the size of the footballs, and all she could think about was swallowing a plate of Pumpkin Pasties.

"Tori...I think you should read this." Andromeda said while clutching yet another copy of the Daily Prophet in her hands.

"Not again. I cannot bare it." Astoria pleaded.

Andromeda stepped forward and bestowed the front page of the Prophet. It was what she expected. The man she loved more than life itself was photographed on the front page. The world now knew of his capture.

DUMBLEDORE'S ASSASIN CAPTURED

Draco Malfoy (age 25) was spotted in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on a snowy New Years Eve night. Headmistress Minerva McGonagall informed the Ministry that Malfoy had been skulking around the castle with none other than Astoria Greengrass, now formally Malfoy. However, Greengrass was able to flee Hogwarts before the Auror's arrived to collect Malfoy to take him into custody. Reasons on why the Malfoy's were in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are currently unknown, but the Ministry has summed it up as to do bidding for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named!