Silvia and the Rising Moon [EDITING]

8. The Trial of Lucius Malfoy

Courtroom Ten of the Ministry of Magic was filled with important people. At least, that is what Silvia believed as she made her way in. Her father followed her, his long legs moving cautiously between the gaggles of witches and wizards that the two passed.
Silvia was dressed to the nines for Lucius's trial, Aunt Lita had made sure of it. She was incredibly tired that morning as Visty helped her out of bed. The sun was barely up, and Silvia watched the pink and orange skies absentmindedly as the elf brushed through her hair. She was still half-asleep when her father arrived. She remembered how impressed he appeared at the sight of her black dress pants and jacket, as well as her straight, smooth hair.
Now, sitting down on a bench, Silvia fidgeted with her jacket. It was far too posh. "I look like a schoolboy," she muttered to herself. Lyall patted her gently on the head as he sat beside her.
Looking around, however, Silvia could tell that she fit right in with the ministers and witnesses. Some women had their hair piled up in tall, decadent bouffants. They wore dresses with big skirts of silk and lace. So these are what wizards look like, she thought to herself as a man appeared wearing a pointed black hat and a large bow tie. Looking up at her father, she suddenly realized that he did not fit in with the others. He wore a simple gray suit with a polka dot tie. His hair had been slicked back as usual. Actually, he looked more like her non-magical neighbors than the people in this room. Some people glared at him as they found their seats. Others sighed and shook their heads. Clearly, they were not fond of his appearance.
"Silvia," Lyall muttered through his teeth. He bent down so that she could hear him. "They're going to ask you some questions later on. Please, whatever you do, try not to cry. I know that it looks scary, but it's not."
She nodded, knowing exactly what to say when they put her on trial. She would confirm everything that Lucius said, despite it not being true, in order to protect her brother. It made her feel awful to lie, but she had been accustomed to it by now.
Within minutes, Lucius Malfoy was put on trial. He was placed in the center of the room, surrounded by the Council of Magical Law, as well as various witnesses. One man stood out from the council. He had jet black hair with a neat, almost unnaturally straight parting and he had a thin mustache. Almost immediately, Silvia recognized him from pictures in newspapers as Barty Crouch, head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. He was important, and everyone in the room knew it as he called for order, and directed attention to the boy sitting in front of them.
After being granted permission to speak, Lucius began his argument confidently. "I was walking alone with my... dearest friend, Silvia-"
"Mr. Malfoy," a council member interrupted. "Were you alone, or were you accompanied by your friend?"
"I was alone, briefly," he expertly lied. "I was going off to find a private place to practice my spells."
"This was not something that could have been done at home?" another robed individual questioned.
"Father doesn't allow me to use magic in the home," Lucius replied with a smirk. "I went out on my own and found Silvia. The poor thing was there all alone. I suppose that's what happens when you're raised under... untraditional circumstances."
Silvia could see Lyall's jaw clenching as Lucius continued to speak.
"I told her to stand back, because I did not intend to hurt her. Of course, she didn't listen, and the little fool jumped right in front of my wand."
"And you stupefied her?" This time, Barty Crouch asked the question.
Lucius nodded. "It was almost like she didn't understand the consequences, like she had not the slightest clue what magic is." He turned to look up at Lyall, who merely turned away, face hot with fury. "Either way," Lucius continued, turning back to the Council, "I nursed her back to health and brought her safely home. When I returned to my manor, I was surprised to find a letter summoning me here. I do not believe that I have done anything wrong. Quite frankly, I believe that I am a hero in this circumstance."
Silvia shook angrily. That wasn't what happened, and they both knew it. Nonetheless, she understood that all she had to do was corroborate Lucius's story, no matter how foolish it made her out to be.
The council dismissed Lucius before stopping to discuss the situation amongst one another. Witnesses also used this opportunity to discuss what they had heard.
"What do you think the 'untraditional circumstances' are that the boy mentioned?" Silvia heard one man behind her ask to the woman seated next to him.
"I heard Lyall Lupin has a thing for, well, you know..." The woman lowered her voice so that Silvia could no longer hear her over the audience's chatter. She looked up at her father, whose face was growing pinker and pinker.
"That poor child," the man responded. "No wonder she has no idea what magic looks like."
Lyall had had enough. As he began to rise, Barty Crouch once again called for order. Silence ensued in the courtroom.
"We would like to speak to the witness," he declared. The people looked around the room.
Lyall gently elbowed Silvia. She looked around before slowly rising and making her way down to the chair in the center of the room. What felt like a million eyes were on her as she sat down.
"What is your name?" Barty Crouch asked in a failed attempt at sounding gentle.
"Silvia," she replied softly.
"Silvia, what?" he asked.
She thought for a second. "Silvia... Rhea."
The court burst into laughter. Barty raised a hand to silence them.
"Yes, we know. What is your surname, child?" he asked impatiently.
Silvia turned to her father, who mouthed it to her. "Lupin," she repeated.
"Thank you," Crouch sighed. "Now, Miss Lupin, can you please tell us what happened with Mr. Malfoy from your perspective?"
Silvia turned back to her father, who nodded. "Yes, sir. I was..." She struggled to remember Lucius's story.
"Yes?" Crouch asked. "Go on."
"I was walking in the forest-"
"Alone?"
"Yes, and I-"
"You have a brother, is that correct?"
"Yes, sir, and-"
"Was he in the woods with you?"
Silvia paused to regain her composure. "No, sir."
A council member turned to Barty Crouch suddenly and said, "with all due respect, I do not believe that all of this questioning is appropriate, Bartemius. She's only a child."
Crouch paused. "Very well," he said, "carry on with your story, child."
Silvia took a deep breath. "I was walking alone and I saw Lucius and I asked if I could play with him."
"And how did he respond?"
She looked at her shoes. "He said I could play with him, but to stay away from him when he practiced his charms."
"And you did not listen to him?"
"No, sir."
"And you were hit?"
"Yes, sir."
"Might your upbringing have caused such ignorance?" Crouch asked suddenly.
Just then, Lyall sprang to his feet, bright red with anger. "This is Malfoy's trial, is it not, Bartemius?" he barked. "Why is my daughter on trial?"
The courtroom erupted with interjections from all around as two aurors stood to collect Lyall from his seat. Another auror approached Silvia, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her from the chair. The two were guided out of the courtroom, which suddenly silenced as the doors shut behind them.
"Ezinma, please," Lyall begged one of the aurors who escorted him out. "Crouch is out of line. You've got to understand. What if he spoke to one of your children like that?"
The beautiful auror with dark skin nodded. "We all know he was out of line, Lyall. The rest of the Council undoubtedly agrees with you."
"Then why escort us out?" he demanded.
"Your mere presence riled up the crowd, especially after what Abraxas Malfoy had his son say about your family," she explained. Suddenly, she moved closer to him. "Trust me, Lyall, I fear what he will say about my family as well. More people share your wife's disposition than you know."
Silvia looked up at the adults in utter confusion.
Lyall suddenly noticed that his daughter was listening. "Now, Ezinma, I haven't the slightest clue what you're talking about," he explained. "Nonetheless, I believe it's time that I take Silvia home."
"Don't you wish to hear the verdict?" Ezinma asked as Lyall turned to leave.
He paused for a moment to think. "No, I don't believe I do," he replied before walking Silvia out.
As they made their way through crowds of Ministry workers, Silvia looked up at her father. "What was that woman talking about? What's wrong with mum?"
Lyall shuttered, but the two continued to walk. "Now, it doesn't matter, my dear. What matters is getting you back to your Auntie Lita's house."
Silvia's face fell. "I'm not going home with you?" she asked, disappointed.
"I'm afraid not, darling. Your brother, he..." Lyall trailed off. "Well, come along, Silvia. I'm sure Blaire misses her playmate."