Destroyer

She would stop Him

"Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." Bhagavad Gita

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Harry had dressed in formal robes along with Ron and Hermione, who stood close to him, waiting outside the Wizengamot entrance doors. He couldn't help the slight edge of anxiety that crept in as he looked around the Ministry building.

Hermione's hand slipped into his and squeezed and he looked over at her and nodded, taking a deep breath. He could do this. The attendants opened the doors, and they made their way inside, and it felt like everyone's eyes were on them as they sat near the front of the open court.

The Malfoy family sat near the front, each of them stone faced and staring straight ahead. Lucius Malfoy's face had visibly aged, and he looked thin and haggard after his stint in Azkaban. Beyond him on the raised platform overseeing the proceedings sat Kingsley Shacklebolt with his hands steepled together as he regarded the Malfoys and the Wizengamot witches and wizards in their ridiculous puce garb.

He glanced to the side and met Hermione's eyes and could tell, as he often could, that their thoughts were running along parallel tracks and he rolled his eyes at her and she gave a small smile. Maybe it was because they both had been raised as muggles, but from the outside looking into Wizarding Society, some of the stranger traditions became all the more ridiculous.

"Chief Warlock. Witches and Wizards of the Wizengamot. Today, we are here to listen to the serious and egregious allegations against the Malfoy family. Lucius, Narcissa and Draco Malfoy have all pleaded innocent of charges due to the influence of the imperious and threat of death by he who must not be named."

Harry's jaw tightened, and he heard Hermione's soft scoff next to him. What followed in the next three hours reminded him of a gross parody of his own time facing charges in front of the Wizengamot.

Whereas he barely escaped punishment for justified self defense, the Malfoys seemed set to do the same against their more serious charges and actions.

The panel of jurors seemed barely to pause as they handed down the sentencing. "We find the Malfoys innocent due to the threats by he who must not be named. For certain minor dark acts and damage reparations, they will pay the Ministry a fine of one million galleons."

It was like a punch in the gut. His magic–even more unstable after Voldemort's death bucked inside him and wind whistled through the chamber. The witches and wizards looked around trying to pinpoint the source of the magic and, with a quick glance at him, Hermione abruptly stood.

"It's absolutely ridiculous they are getting away with just a fine! They are rich! You might as well hand them a get out of jail free card! They stood by and watched while I WAS TORTURED!"

Everyone's attention fixed on Hermione and Shacklebolt slammed his gavel down. "Miss Granger, you will control yourself in my courtroom!"

Harry gritted his teeth as he heard the whispers start behind them, uncaring that they could hear them. He didn't know how Ron put up with it... if he was with her...

Muggleborns can't really control themselves, you know...

How old is she and she can't control herself?

Did you hear she's trying to join the Ministry? What a joke...

He imagined it for a second, razing this entire circus to the ground. They wanted to make excuses for people committing 'minor dark acts'? He'd show them dark acts, and he wouldn't be going after children. He'd go after these incompetent corrupt institutions that enabled wizards like Voldemort with their weaknesses.