As everyone calmed down over the Quidditch match Harry found that the trial was looming closer and closer to the verdict.
He sat at the dinner table eating roast and listening to Hope and Truth talk about the tricks they had taught Joey. Whenever they mentioned his name he pricked his ears and lolled his tongue. Harry sent a look at the golden puppy that was sitting at Hope's feet, eating the food that Truth passed him.
"We taught Joey how to sit!" Hope proclaimed proudly as Truth tossed her broccoli at the pup, who ate it happily.
"Truth, stop giving Joey your food." Isabella scolded standing and collecting the plates.
"But he likes it!" Truth pouted as Joey barked happily.
"Come on girls," Sirius ushered them standing up, " Let's watch a DVD before bed."
"YAY!" The two leapt from their seats and followed Sirius with Joey at their heels.
Harry let his head fall into his hands and sat there, listening to the mixed noises of the TV and running water.
"Harry?" Isabella slid into the seat beside Harry and rested her hand on his shoulder.
"Tomorrow I have to back to court." Harry moaned. "Why can't they make up their minds?" He snapped moodily.
"It isn't that simple Harry." Isabella sighed.
"I want to keep my girls; I'm the one who raised them." Harry yelled.
"I know Harry." Isabella sighed. "Look Harry, we need a plan, a strategy. Maybe you could tell the about-"
"NO! That's not an option." Harry snapped.
"Ok then maybe take a blood test." Isabella suggested lightly.
"I can't." Harry sighed.
"Daddy?" Harry looked over and saw Truth standing in the doorway. "Daddy, uncle Sirius is swearing at the TV coz the little mermaid wants to be a human or something."
"Come on sweetie. I think uncle Sirius has had enough of mermaids for tonight." Harry picked up Truth and carried her into the lounge room were he switched off the TV, which Sirius was yelling at and sent the three to bed.
"Brush your teeth first!" Isabella called from the kitchen.
"Make me!" Sirius yelled back. The twins giggled and Harry sent them warning looks.
"We really should start punishing him." Isabella smiled, coming to stand beside Harry.
"Yes, but if we did he would just continue to piss us off for fun." Harry faced Isabella. "I'm going to bed early; I'm going to need some rest."
Isabella nodded and watched him go, a sigh escaping her lips.
The next day Harry was up early, he had gone jogging to clear his head and now sat at the table with a bottle of water. He watched the clock with growing dread and preyed that something would happen to postpone the up coming trial. Sadly nothing did.
Isabella took the twins to Hermione's and Sirius and Harry went to the court early.
Blaise was waiting, shuffling through some papers. He looked a little worn out like he hadn't slept for some days and his hair looked greasy almost like Snape's.
Harry sat beside Blaise who gave him a strained look.
"What now?" Harry hissed.
"The jury are considering a blood test." Blaise sighed. Harry growled and ran a hand through his messy black hair.
"Can't you do something to change their minds or something?" Harry asked desperately.
"Not that I can think of, Draco tipped me, I'm not supposed to know details." Harry growled at the mention of his ex. He was trying to pretend Draco wasn't involved.
He glanced wearily at Ruth who was talking with his lawyer, smug looks on both their faces that made Harry's stomach tightened.
The side door opened and the jury entered, Harry picked Draco out among the crowed, his famous Malfoy-mask on his pale face as he sat down.
"Court is in session." McKenzie ordered. He turned to Johnson. "Mr Johnson, you have something to address to the court?"
"Yes I do." A twisted smile crossed Johnson's looks making him look devilish and evil, although he didn't need to try. "My client has found some rather 'startling' news; Mr Potter has been hiding certain details from the jury."
A startle of whisperings broke out and Harry felt like banging his head or throwing something hard and pointy at Johnson.
"What details?" McKenzie asked.
Johnson's smile grew. "Mr Potter has been evolved in illegal activity!"
Harry's gave him an 'are-you-serious?' look. Johnson looked smugly on as the courtroom whispered furiously.
"And what proof do you have?" McKenzie demanded.
"Mr Ruth himself, an eye witness. So I would like to call forth, Mr Gerald Ruth." Ruth stood, straightening the hideous robes he wore, and walked over to the chair that was centred before the council.
One of the council men stood. "Do swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?"
"I do." Ruth nodded solemnly. Harry snorted.
Johnson paced before him, raising the suspense. He stopped and turned on Ruth. "Gerald, please inform the court of Harry Potter's illegal activity."
Ruth took a deep breath as if the words troubled him deeply. "While I was with Harry all he did was party, drink none stop and take illegal heavy potions-1-." A gasp spread through the room as if they were one.
Harry rolled his eyes at the stupidity.
"I tried to make him cut back, possibly even stop," Ruth sniffed, "But he refused! He kept telling me it was fun, that I should try, I always refused of course, I have a daughter you know, sweet little Constance, I didn't want her around some doped-up man."
Harry rolled him eyes and Blaise gave him a look.
"Thank you, Mr Ruth." Johnson couldn't keep the smirk off his face as he dismissed Ruth.
"Is there anyone ells you would like to call forwards?" McKenzie asked.
"Yes, Mr Axle Roach."
A stooped over bony man wobbled forwards and eased him into the chair. He was given the oath and Johnson jumped into his questions.
"Mr Roach, is it true that you saw Mr Potter buy illegal heavy potions?"
"Yes it is." Roach nodded solemnly, his eyes bouncing in their sockets making Harry feel sick.
Discover moreAnime streaming serviceAuthor interviewsGrammar checking toolsBooksBooks & Literature"Have you seen Mr Potter but these potions before?"
"Yes." Roach kept his head bouncing in a nod as if he couldn't stop.
"This is ridiculous!" Sirius shouted. "Harry has never even touched a heavy potion before!"
"Quiet!" McKenzie ordered loudly.
"I have no further questions." Johnson smirked, walking back to his seat. Roach hobbled out.
"Mr Zabini, do you wish to question any witnesses?" McKenzie asked while some of the jury wrote furiously.
"Yes I do." Before he stood he turned to Harry and hissed in his ear. "Don't say or do anything."
He made his way to the front and addressed the jury.
"I wish to call forth Mrs Geneva Barlow for questioning." Blaise nodded to Ginny who rose and walked down to the seat.
After she swore the oath Blaise began his questioning.
"Mrs Barlow, have you ever seen or suspected that Mr Potter has taken or used any form of heavy potions?"
"No, not once." Ginny declared. "Harry disapproves of heavy potions."
"In your own words, do you think Harry is a suitable parent?"
"Yes, most defiantly. Harry is amazing with the twins and they love him. They would be devastated if they were taken away from Harry. They share a strong bond."
Harry smiled softly.
"Would Harry ever put his children in danger?" Blaise asked.
"Never, he loves those girls; he would never do anything to harm them." Ginny responded.
"How long have you known Mr Potter?"
"Since I was eleven."
"And how old are you now?"
"Twenty-four."
"So roughly thirteen years you have known Mr Potter."
"Yes."
"Would you think of him as a bad person?"
"No, never."
"I have no further questions." Blaise and Ginny went back to their seats.
"Would you like to question anyone ells?" McKenzie asked.
"Yes, just one more person. Mr Potter himself."
Harry got up and sat in the chair facing Blaise. He swore the oath and Blaise started.
"Mr Potter, how long have you known Mr Ruth?"
"It's hard to say."
"What do you mean?" Blaise asked.
Harry's eyes hardened. "I met him one night at a party and never saw him again until he called this trial four years later."
"But Mr Ruth claims you have a relationship." Blaise pushed.
"One night, that's all, I wouldn't call that a relationship." Harry cast a smoldering glare at Ruth.
"Mr Potter, have you ever taken Heavy potions before?"
"No, never, I'm not stupid." Harry snorted.
"Why do you think that Mr Ruth would claim that you would?"
"Because he doesn't have anything ells to get me with, it's just a pathetic lie to make the court turn on me."
"So you think Mr Ruth is lying under oath?"
"Yes."
"I have no further questions." Blaise nodded.
"The jury will retire to figure out our verdict." McKenzie stood and everyone followed him into the side room.
"Well done." Blaise commented.
"Thanks." A tap on Harry's shoulder made him turn around. Ron was standing behind him looking pale and nervous. "Ron, what are you doing here?"
"Mate, we need to talk." Ron's voice was low and a hint of urgency laced in the tone.
Discover moreFan art commissionsMobile app promotionFan fiction platformGrammar checking toolsPublishing resources"Can it wait till after the jury has decided?" Harry asked.
"No, Harry its Hope…"
Harry couldn't hear properly, only the pounding of blood in his ears, everything was moving, and everyone seemed so far away. Ginny's arms wrapped around his shoulders and she whispered soothing words but Harry couldn't hear her, in his panic driven mind he thought he had gone deaf, until.
"She's in St Margo's."
Harry couldn't remember leaving the courtroom only that when everything came into focus he was standing in the street while ran hammered down completely drenching him from head to toe.
Someone's hand touched his shoulder and he looked over into silver-grey eyes.
"Harry?"
Everything came flooding out in a tidal wave; Harry was sixteen again, mourning the fact that he had a fifty-fifty chance of surviving to see his nineteenth birthday. Tears streaked down his cheek mingling with the rain and making Harry shiver.
Draco's arms wound around Harry and held him while everything came to reality.
"She'll be OK." Draco whispered.
"How do you know?" Harry hiccupped.
"Because she's your daughter." Draco whispered.
Years seemed to have disappeared and Harry reached up. His lips touched Draco's in an innocent kiss. But before Draco could respond Harry pulled fully away and stepped back.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Draco's hand reached out but Harry flinched away.
"I have to go to Hope." Harry looked around franticly like Hope was just going to pop-up.
"I'll take you." Draco offered, taking Harry's hand.
Draco took Harry to St Margo's were Harry ran to the desk, desperate.
"Hope Potter." Harry told the nurse before she could get a word in.
"Third floor, Child care room 34." Harry nodded his thanks and he and Draco raced up the stairs.
When they came onto the third landing Harry ran to were some plastic chairs were, with a white faced Hermione and a confused Truth, Julian and Diana.
"We're is she? Is she OK?" Harry asked, picking Truth up and holding her close, afraid to lose her.
"She's in there, a healer is looking over her, and I'm so sorry Harry." Tears were falling now from Hermione's eyes and feel onto Chris' sleeping head.
"Daddy, what's wrong with Hope?" Truth asked naive of the current situation.
"Not now sweetie." Harry murmured.
"Come on Truth, how about we get something to eat?" Draco asked, coming up beside Harry.
"Mr Draco!" Truth squealed. "Can I go with Mr Draco Daddy, please?"
"OK." Harry handed her over to Draco, his hand brushing against the blonde's.
"How about Julian and Diana come?" Draco asked. Hermione nodded and ushered the children to follow Draco.
"What happened?" Harry asked when the voices finally faded.
"We were going to eat out in London. The kids were chasing this little bird that flew onto the road." Hermione's voice cracked and she took a steadying breath. "Hope kept running, I heard a scream, a screeching and then I looked over and Hope was just lying there!"
Hermione broke down in tears; her sobbing woke Chris who began to wail with his mother. Harry knelt beside her and took Chris, calming the child he kissed Hermione's temple in a brotherly way.
"It's OK Herms." Harry whispered, willing his own tears away and the image of Hope lying on the road, unmoving with blood mixed through her beautiful blonde curls.
"Mr Potter?" A young Healer with red hair stood in the doorway with a binder clutched to her chest.
"Yes? Is Hope OK? Is she hurt?" Harry asked desperately, standing, with Chris still in his arms.
"Hope suffered a broken arm, a bump to the head and a nasty cut on her leg, but she's alright. You have a strong fighting daughter Mr Potter."
"Oh thank Merlin." Harry sighed. "Can I see her?"
"Of course, she's in here." The Healer led them into the relatively empty room.
The only occupied bed there held little Hope. She was sleeping, her left arm bandaged in a cast, bandages on her left leg and on her forehead. She looked like a broken angel; Harry swallowed a sob and went straight to her bed to hold her hand.
Hermione gave a small sob and sat beside Harry.
"I'll leave you alone, if you need anything just ask a nurse." The healer left and minutes later Draco and the children reappeared.
"Where's Hope?" Truth asked, holding two chocolate bars, one half eaten. "We got her chocolate!"
Harry smiled at Draco in thanks and turned to Truth. "Hope is asleep; you can give her the chocolate latter."
"Where is she?" Truth asked, she saw a lock of blonde on the bed and pushed past Harry to see. Truth let out a startled cry. "Hope, are we playing mummies?"
Harry bit his lip and picked up Truth holding her tight.
"Why is she sleeping?" Truth asked.
"She's just tired." Harry chocked.
"I want her to wake up. WAKE UP!" Truth yelled, tears starting to form in her green eyes. "Why isn't she waking up?"
"She will." Draco jumped in, taking Truth again. "But while she sleeps we'll go find her a neat toy."
They left again and Isabella, Ron and Sirius appeared.
"See I told you it was the third floor!" Ron snapped.
"Well three and eight look the same." Sirius sniffed.
"Men, absolutely hopeless." Isabella hissed. She saw Hermione and Harry and her mood changed. "Oh Harry!" She threw her arms around him and held him tightly. When she finally released Harry Sirius hugged him too.
"She'll be OK." Sirius promised.
"I know." Harry smiled, thinking of Draco.
"You OK, Mate?" Ron asked, giving him a brief hug.
"I'll be fine." Harry promised.