Snow Storm - D.M , H.G

20. Under arrest

Ron almost couldn't believe his luck. Saturday afternoon his team got the news that Draco and Lucius Malfoy were seen dueling in a restaurant in London. Witnesses claimed that the younger Malfoy had used an Unforgivable on his father, his own father! Granted, Ron wouldn't mind giving that son of a bitch the ol' Crucio himself, but he knew better. But the good news was, both wizards were to be brought in for questioning, and the younger to be arrested on the spot for his use of the illegal curse. Ron had gained permission to lead the effort for Draco's arrest, for training purposes, of course.

So late Sunday morning, Ron Weasley and five other Aurors made their way to Hogwarts. It was brunch and the whole school would be gathered in the Great Hall. The redhead couldn't wait to see the look on Malfoy's face when he dragged him out of there in front of everyone. If he thought he was untouchable because he was dating Hermione, he was bloody wrong.

His body coursed with adrenaline as the doors to the hall opened and he strutted inside, warrant in hand. The house tables were gone, so he scanned the room as he walked for that head of platinum hair. He found Malfoy sitting with his ex-girlfriend, his backstabbing sister, and Luna, who apparently also didn't mind eating with the devil. He made a b-line straight towards the Head Boy, his team in tow.

"Draco Malfoy," Ron recited the words he'd practiced in his head all morning, a flick of his wand causing the blonde's chair to pull away from the table. "You are under arrest for the use of an Unforgivable curse yesterday afternoon." Another swish of his wand, and Malfoy was forced to his feet. "Incarcerous." Thick ropes bound themselves around Draco's wrists.

Draco barely had time to react before he was swept onto his feet against his will. He'd expected this, he really had, which was why he was glad that he'd instructed Hermione never to tell anyone what'd happened the day before. Not even Ginny or Potter. It was why he'd taken her to the Three Broomsticks, and why, while they were there, he turned the pub's clocks back one hour. As far as the many, many students who enjoyed lunch at the popular spot knew, Hermione and Draco had been present there the entire afternoon, before and long after the alleged London duel.

"It's a setup, Hermione," Draco told his lover urgently. "We were in Hogsmeade all day. They've got nothing."

Hermione knew this might happen. They had talked about it, and Draco had promised her that their alibi would hold, and he wouldn't be put in prison. But when Ron came strolling into the great hall, her stomach twisted all the same. Before any of them could react, Ron had Draco bound and was telling him he was under arrest.

Hermione stood up, and she didn't have to fake the surprise and distress on her face. Even knowing it was coming, nothing could prepare you for your ex arresting your current lover. "Draco's right, we were in Hogsmeade all day, there were witnesses. This is a mistake!" She spoke to Ron, who looked overjoyed to be arresting Draco.

McGonagall was already making her way down the length of the hall when the team of Aurors had bound their ward. "What is the meaning of this?" she demanded. "Why are you arresting my Head Boy?" She gave a harsh look to the team, before offering the same irritated look to both Draco and Hermione.

"Sorry, Professor," Ron said, not sounding very sorry at all. "But we have reason to believe that your Head Boy here engaged in a duel yesterday, in which he used the unforgivable Cruciatus curse. Again." He gave Malfoy's arm a jerk, emphasizing that he would be using his prior use of the curse as evidence against him.

The headmistress looked as though she'd been slapped in the face, a hand moving over her racing heart in shock. "Well that just can't be true." She could see the distress on her Head Girl's face. "Let me see that warrant." Ronald passed it to her, and Minerva looked it over quickly. She passed it back. "I'm afraid this warrant is valid. There's nothing I can do," she told her head students both sadly.