The Dark Knight Rises

Chapter 12: Little Girl at the Justice Department

AN: Hey. So, I realised late that I made Neville the head of the justice department, but I would like to correct that and make Dean Thomas its head as it would fit much better with the story. Thanks, and Apologies. Another thing to note is that this is an AU, meaning don't assume anything. You might find some characters that in canon are in Azkaban aren't. On another note, happy for the reviews and follows. Thank you. If you have any suggestions, don't hesitate to leave a review or even PM me.

Chapter 12: Little Girl at the Justice Department

Courtroom 11, Ministry of Magic

Two weeks prior

11:00 hrs

"In my humble opinion, Mr. MacNair is as much a danger to himself as he is to others and Azkaban is probably not the best environment for his rehabilitation," explained the hazel-eyed psychoanalyst standing in the witness stand of one of the many courtrooms in the Ministry of Magic.

The man whose trial was being held couldn't resist a smirk coming on to his face at the conclusion of the Psychoanalyst's evaluation, knowing he'd escaped going to Azkaban by the scruff of his neck. He turned and smiled at the mudblood at the other end of the courtroom who thought could send him to prison.

Hermione was at her wit's end. She just couldn't fathom how a criminal of such calibre could essentially be let go free. He was simply going to be sent to Magik Asylum for the mentally disturbed, opened in honour of Lord Frank Longbottom and Lady Alice Longbottom in search for their cure, situated all the way in an all-wizarding neighbourhood where the lowest class lived, The Narrows, and also where many criminal activities occurred but many Aurors were afraid of going in. She refused to believe only criminals lived there as she knew they were only a minority but had reigned the area with fear and terror especially with the wizarding authorities choosing to turn a blind eye.

The judge of course ruled in favour of the defence that the man in question was not of right mind and sent him to the Asylum for "rehabilitation", she angrily gathered all the parchment spread across the desk assigned to the Prosecution and left the courtroom, choosing to wait for the Psychoanalyst to ambush him outside the courtroom.

Soon as she spotted him leaving with his briefcase in hand, taking long strides heading for the lifts at the ministry she called out for him, "Healer Crouch!"

As if he knew she had laid there in waiting, he stopped adopting a smile, letting her catch up to him.

"Miss Granger" he said with a nod before continuing to walk at a leisurely pace as they walked side by side.

"You really think a man that butchers wizards, witches, and muggles for the mob, and for his own amusement, doesn't belong in Azkaban prison?"

"I would hardly have testified to that in the witness stand otherwise, would I Miss Granger?" he retorted a dangerous glint in his eye.

She swiftly moved in front of him, blocking him from the lifts, and faced him: her high heels giving her the advantage of height.

Furious, she said, "This is the third of Zabini's thugs you've had declared insane and moved into your asylum."

"The work offered by organized crime must have an attraction to the insane," said Barty Crouch Jr more than done with the conversation, moving to the side, and heading for the doors that held the Floos instead.

"Or the corrupt!" said Hermione as she passed through the doors.

Cocking his head to the side as he saw the head of the Justice department in the room, he called out to him, "Mr. Thomas!"