Alexandra Dursley {Golden Trio}

Chapter 169 - Trials

Happy reading :)

"They're overworking you dear," Molly said as she sat down in the Burrow's garden next to Al. "You look tired, and you've hardly had any time for yourself."

"It's not a job, Molly," Al said light-heartedly, "I was a figurehead in the war. I just have to give lots of witness accounts."

"And the survivors ball?" Molly asked, her eyebrows raised.

"Is voluntary," Al reminded her, "And I enjoy doing it. It's something to sink my teeth into. I've been working towards this part of my life for four years. I can't just stop suddenly. I need purpose."

Molly didn't look convinced. "Whose trial was it today?" she asked.

"Amycus and Alecto Carrow," Al said, "I've been there all day - both of them went on for hours. Still, two life sentences, it was worth it."

"Are you nervous for tomorrow?" asked Molly. Al frowned; she'd avoided thinking about her own trial.

"Not too worried," she said, "It was self defence, we were in battle, and Dolohov was a Death Eater. Not to mention I'm the saviour of the wizarding world." The two women laughed at that. "But I did kill him," Al said, biting her lip, "And all those other people from the twenty-seventh of July."

"You didn't mean to," Molly protested, "The worst they'll get you for is manslaughter."

"Yeah..." Al said, but she still wasn't convinced.

*****

"The corridor in question was on the second floor," Angelina said from the witness stand, "The fall could have killed anyone, but they also may have survived."

"Thank you, Miss Johnson," Kingsley said, and she left the podium and sat down with an encouraging look at Al. Also sat there were Mundungus Fletcher, and Bill and Fleur, who had given statements on the Battle of the Seven Potters.

"Alexandra Rosalind Dursley," said Brooks, "The court will now reach its decision. All those in favour of clearing the accused of all charges against her?" Most of the court raised their hands as he looked around. The ones that hadn't soon did until every hand was in the air. Al heaved a sigh of relief - she hadn't realised quite how nervous she was. "And all those in favour of conviction?" Not one person raised their hand.

"Alexandra Rosalind Dursley," said Kingsley, rising from his seat, "You have been cleared of all charges against you on the grounds that you acted out of self-defence." He dropped the hammer, and people clapped and cheered for her as she went over to embrace Angelina before they headed off to Diagon Alley together.

*****

"Right," Angelina said, bringing in two cups of tea, "So we've narrowed it down to that account manager-"

"Riley Sutton, yes," Al said with an eye roll.

"And those two lawyers," Angelina said, "Which one did you say we should go with?"

"Arnold Voss," Al said, pushing his application to her again, "He looked very serious, and was clear at explaining legal things to me."

"We'll take him then," Angelina said, and Al nodded in agreement. They were currently deciding on how best to run Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, and were handling it surprisingly well. Both of them had moved into the flat above the shop, and had appointed a manager who would handle all the general running of it. The idea was that they wouldn't have much to do with it unless there was a very important issue that they needed to be consulted about.

Over all, the two girls had taken the project in their stride, pleased to be surrounded by the familiar home of their deceased partners. Lee Jordan frequently dropped by too, and Al got the feeling he was quite lonely without his two best friends. The three of them were working together to get the joke shop up and running as soon as possible, hoping it would finally bring them all some closure.

*****

The Great Hall was decorated with banners of green, red, blue, and yellow, all draped from the walls and the ceiling and mingling beautifully with the black drapes that hung from the walls. The round tables from the Yule Ball had been retrieved, and guests were sat at the chairs while they waited, others walking around or stood in huddles.

Al stood by the door in her burgundy dress robes greeting the guests as they entered the hall. She only knew some of them, but all were the friends and family of those who lost their lives in the battle of Hogwarts, or they had fought there too. She saw Arthur and Molly sat with Bill and Fleur and talking quietly among themselves.  The Patil twins were deep in conversation with Lavender Brown's parents, and a woman she now knew to be Andromeda Tonks was drinking a glass of champagne while she hovered on the edge of the crowd looking in as Al did.

Al took a deep breath and wandered over to her. "Al Dursley," she said offering her hand.

"I know who you are," she said, smiling. But her eyes didn't mirror her face. "Andromeda Tonks." Al collected a glass of pumpkin juice from a tray that was floating around.

"I'm sorry that you lost all those people," Al said, "I know how you feel."

Andromeda looked bitterly amused. "You do, do you?"

"I was close to Remus," she said quickly, "and Sirius. Harry Potter was my cousin, and George Weasley was my fiance. And the father of this little monkey." She indicated her ever-growing baby belly. "My parents went missing three years ago."

Andromeda looked sorry that she'd said anything, but didn't apologise. "My maiden family disowned me when I married my husband. Most of my friends cut me off, and the others died in the last war. Ted died a few months ago, and-" she inhaled sharply, letting her breath out slowly, "Well you know what happened to Dora and Remus. But I've got Teddy."

"And I've got Olive," Al said, placing her hand on her bump.

"That's a beautiful name," said Andromeda. "We should meet for tea when she's old enough. A play date if you like."

"I'd like that very much," Al said with a fond smile. A small tinkling bell rang out, and McGonagall called for everyone to take their seats while Al stepped up to the front of the hall. Everyone applauded politely as she stepped up, plastering a smile on her face. "Thank you," Al said, and the applause ceased. And she began her speech.