„Oh, my dear..." (Mattheo Riddle ff)

Chapter 69

(Remark by the author: I have the humor of a fifteen year old, so I refuse to change the chapter number to a title.)

„...Therefore, the court sentences the defendants to the following: Professor Severus Snape, you will remain teacher at Hogwarts, thanks to principal Dumbledores trust in you. Mrs Malfoy and Ms Zabini, you are both found innocent and free of any charges. As for our students... Ms Thorne, Mr Riddle, Mr Malfoy, Mr Zabini and Mr Nott. The court could not finally prove your involvement or guilt regarding the murders that night at Malfoy Manor. Because of that, as a consequence, we will send some ministry officers to Hogwarts during the next year. To escort the defendants, to control their movements if they leave the castle and to keep an eye on things in general. Finally, the court could not determine who exactly is responsible for the murders. While we'll still have investigations about this matter in the future, I find it more than important to point out the great danger these people were in, the great threat they prevented..."

M.R.

About four hours later, we finally left the ministry building. The sun was unbelievably bright and blinding after spending the whole day in dusty, dark chambers and halls. 

All of us squinted our eyes against the light. 

„Merlins beard..." I heard Penny mutter, as she hid her face at my shoulder. 

Not only were we greeted by the brightness from above, but on top of that even more light from our level. Dozens of cameras flashed, reporters and journalists were shouting all over each other. 

Someone must've talked. Someone from inside the ministry must've leaked something about the events at Malfoy Manor or in the courtroom. 

I barely understood a complete question over all the yelling, something about Snape here, something about Tom there...

Ministry workers were holding back reporters left and right, creating a narrow path for us to make it through the crowd. All eight of us refused every single question and camera shoved in our faces, walking with our eyes sternly forward. 

As we were about halfway through the crowd, there suddenly was an even bigger commotion to our left, a movement in the crowd. I was about to pull Penny even closer into my side, when a familiar voice reached my ears through the shouting. 

„Make some space, people! We're with them!" 

Pansy. 

Blaise looked up abruptly as if he was stung by a bee. „Pans!"

Finally, Pansy, Daphne and Luna had made their way through the rows of journalists. 

„Luna!" Penny and Draco called out at the same time. 

The ministry workers tried to hold the three girls back as well, so we quickly clarified that they did in fact belong with us. They let Pansy, Daphne and Luna pass, and the cameras went completely crazy again as the three of them quickly fell into Blaises, Theos and Dracos waiting arms. 

„Aww... Look at them." Penny chuckled softly. „How adorable!" 

I hummed in agreement and stepped slightly in front of her, shielding her body with mine from the flashes and microphones still trying to get in her face. My hand stayed firm on her lower back. Steady. Protective.

She noticed.

Her fingers slipped under my blazer, resting on my waist, the warmth seeping through my shirt. Neither of us said anything else. We didn't need to.