𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑷𝒀 𝑬𝑵𝑫𝑰𝑵𝑮𝑺 | D. Malfoy

chapter twelve

I have no idea how a court case works and especially not in the wizarding world. I tried to base it from harrys hearing in the order of the phoenix, but that's an entirely different situation, so it isn't accurate, but I hope its okay :)

A week had passed and today was the day I would see Smith again. It was the 29th of January and I had been granted permission from McGonagall to attend the hearing with Pansy, Morgan and Draco as witnesses along with Cassian. They hadn't seen much, but they knew him and could talk about his behavior and had been the ones to send letters of concern to McGonagall.

I met Cassian at the Ministry, him having taken over the responsibility of watching me and helping me through this as our parents were muggles and would struggle understanding the workings of the wizarding law. Cassian gave Draco a long, hard look with narrowed eyes, scrutinizing him thoroughly. I had sent a letter informing him and my parents about what had happened after I returned to Hogwarts and that Draco was my new partner. Cassian was not happy about it.

We walked in silence through the Ministry and I was shaking the entire way. My hands were fiddling with my coat sleeves and I was jittery all over and taking short breaths. What if they didn't believe me? Then Smith was free and I would have to be around him once more. What if they changed their mind and partnered me back with Smith again? All kinds of outcomes were flooding my mind, but Draco's hand reaching for mine giving it a reassuring squeeze settled them slightly.

We entered the courtroom together and I sat down between Draco and Cassian, still holding onto the formers hand. There was a man and a women sitting at the head of the room, facing the lowered floor below. In the seats around were about 20 judges, all getting ready for the trial. One person could determine the outcome and could possible make Smith not guilty. I would be back with him again. The thought made my stomach drop. 

It wasn't long before Smith was brought out. He looked slightly roughed up, but otherwise normal. His blue eyes found mine in the crowd and he grinned at me. I shrunk back, trying not to make it too obvious I was terrified. Beside me I could feel both Draco and Cassian tense at the sight of him looking at me. 

Smith sat down in the chair provided and looked around the room like he didn't have a care in the world, as if he couldn't be shipped of to Azkaban in just a few hours if things went in my favour. Did he think he would win? The thought made me nervous once more. If he was so confident, maybe he would. Immediately I straightened up, shoulders forward. I had to be confident too. I was the one who was correct. He had hurt me. I would win.

"Trial on the 29th of January," said the man at the head of the room, "Into offences committed under the Decree off Crimes against Humanity by Zacharias Smith, resident at number forty-two, Jesters Road, Burford." said the man. "Interrogators: Billius Finbook and Genevieve Bladt." The room was completely silent.

"The accuser, Nova Rae Shaw can now give her testimony." The man said into the room, looking in my direction. I swallowed harshly before standing up, letting go of Draco's hand and walking down the steps to the floor. Smith had moved from the chair and was sitting on the opposite side of the seats from where I had previously been sitting. He was watching me intently, not a sign of nervousness to be seen on his face. I sat down in the chair he had just vacated and took a deep breath.

"You are Nova Rae Shaw?" 

"Yes."

"You are victim and accuser in this case?"

"Yes."

"You may proceed." The man said, gesturing with his hand for me to begin talking. I gave my friends a quick glance and they all gave me encouraging smiles back.

"The defendant and I were partnered on the second of September last year in relation to the Ministry's Mandatory Marriage Law, and since our first week as partners, he hurt me both physically and mentally." I said, making eye contact with the two Interrogators.