killer | harry potter (DISCONT.)

8. the woods are lovely, dark and deep

AN: Sorry I've been gone for a second. I felt a bit stuck with this story, but I'm back now!! Enjoy :))

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If there was one thing people could say about Cassiopeia Black's arrest that would be undeniably true, it's that she looked good in those handcuffs.

Not that Harry noticed. But he had never seen someone look more like they were in the middle of a fashion photoshoot while being led into the DMLE in handcuffs than Cassiopeia.

She wore an oversized baby blue cloak, intricately embroidered in various shades of green and gold. It was clasped just so that her cleavage was prominently displayed (which Harry did not look at).

The cameras flashed in her face as she was escorted into the Ministry, and Cassiopeia didn't even flinch. Actually, it was almost like she was... posing a little bit.

Harry had come to the DMLE in hopes that... he didn't even know. That she'd see him there, and be comforted? But he was sure she hadn't spotted him behind the media frenzy around her. Darwish was probably going to draw this out, in hopes of seeing Cassiopeia break. That's just how that man's mind worked.

Harry ultimately decided that he would be of better use in the Wizengamot, where they'd be discussing Cass's bail request any minute now.

Hermione was already there. She always jumped right into action, she'd been at the Ministry before the ink on the arrest warrant dried.

"Auror Potter," someone called on Harry.

Hen turned to look at Madame Howard, who was leading the extraordinary Wizengamot session. Most of the Wizengamot heavy hitters were absent, this was a decision that could be entrusted to the minor players. Which was a good sign.

He cleared his throat. "Yes?"

"I wanted to know your opinion. Do you think it's safe for the public for Cassiopeia Black to be released while she awaits trial?"

Harry had to think quickly. He definitely should not be disclosing the amount of time he had spent with Cassiopeia outside of official Auror business or the help he'd provided her. "Uh, I think she has not shown any signs that she could be a dangerous individual. The Boxing Day Attacks... they were somewhat of a crime of passion. Spur of the moment thing. Even if Miss Black were guilty, I doubt we'd get a repeat."

"There is simply no way to know that! If there is even a chance she could be dangerous, she should not be released!" An angry Wizengamot member argued.

"What worries me," Madame Howard said. "Probably more than her being potentially dangerous, is that she is a flight risk."

Proper Lawyer stood up from somewhere behind Harry. "Madame Howard, my client is not a flight risk. Her little sister, who has several health ailments and is immunocompromised, depends on her. Miss Black is her sister's sole guardian, she needs her."

"You're making it sound like the sister is a child, she's fourteen," the same angry man replied.

Harry sighed. "Madame Howard, I don't think Miss Black is a danger to anyone. Especially not without her wand. That is my professional opinion."

The Wizengamot was done with Harry soon after that. They deliberated for a while before Hermione and Proper Lawyer left the room.

They didn't look too happy, but not devastated either.

"They decided they'll advise for her conditional release. But some other talking heads have to sign off on it. It could still take several more hours," Hermione said.