The Burrow….
Molly Weasly was so upset, she couldn't believe what Percy had done. Molly was wondering where had she gone wrong with him and Ginny. When Arthur had come home almost two months ago and told her Percy had tried to kill Harry and Hermione, she just did not believe it.
Flash….
"Molly!" Arthur cries, running into the house.
"I'm in the kitchen love."
"Oh Molly," Arthur said pulling her into a hug.
Molly was shocked at how her husband was acting. Arthur was home early and looking disheveled. He was upset and he looked as if he had been crying.
"Arthur, what's wrong?"
"Percy's been arrested," he said in a cracked voice.
"Why? It has to be a mistake." Molly cried.
"He was arrested for trying to kill Harry and Hermione. He also is being charged with the murder of Daphne Zabini."
Arthur caught Molly before she hit the floor. He knew the news of Percy's arrest would be hard on her, which is why he rushed home to tell her before she heard it from someone else.
Once Molly came around she started to cry, screaming why over and over. "Why!"
Arthur just hugged her wishing he could take away her pain. Molly calmed down after a while. Arthur told her what happened when Harry dragged Percy into the Ministry, he didn't give her all the gory details though. Arthur was sure Percy would be all healed by the time Molly saw him again. What he failed to remember was that the bites to his leg and arm would never heal. Fire cat bites were very painful. The pain only increased as the years go by. There was no potion or cream that would help the pain.
"I want to see my son," Molly suddenly said.
"We have to find Percy a lawyer first. That is the first thing, then we should be able to visit him in the Ministry holding cell."
"I wish we had enough money for a goblin lawyer," Molly said.
"They are the best, but they cost so much money. I think we should sell some Weasly heirlooms to get a goblin lawyer," Molly said looking hopeful.
"There is no reason for that love," Arthur said sadly.
"Harry brought in a lot of evidence against Percy. I haven't seen any of it, so prepare for the worst Molly."
"I don't understand why Percy would do something like this. He has always been a good boy, went by the rules never got in trouble. Well except when they thought he should've noticed that his boss was under the imperious curse." Molly sighed.
"We'll figure it out Molly, but we are not selling any family heirlooms. The other children will help out with galleons and we will sell all of Percy's possessions, to help pay for the lawyer. I hope for his sake, Harry is wrong."
End flash….
The trial would be starting in a couple of days, Molly didn't know if she was ready. Visiting Percy and not getting anything out of him was worse than pulling teeth.
Percy would just look at her and cry, saying over and over how sorry he was. Molly worried about the bites that wouldn't heal on his arm and leg. Her baby boy was suffering and there was nothing she could do about it. She even reached out to Harry and Hermione and asked them to please stop his suffering. Harry sent her a howler telling her to talk to Daphne's mom first and that if she said it was okay to stop Percy's suffering, they would find a cure. Needless to say Mrs. Greengrass told Molly to go to hell with that monster she raised. She also said if Molly contacted her again for anything less than an apology she would invoke a blood feud against them. Molly didn't want that.
Blaise and Ginny had gotten married about a month ago. Ginny was 7 months pregnant and very happy. Molly had also reached out to her but Ginny wanted nothing to do with her.
Ginny blamed what Percy did on her parents. Had they not kicked her out she wouldn't have been so sad and Percy would never have done what he did. Now the trial was starting and Percy's lawyer was going with the insanity plea.
Trial: Day#1
Ginny Zabini walked into the courtroom glowing. At 7 months pregnant and married to Blaise Zabini, she felt her brothers sacrifice was worth it for her. She sat down in her reserved seat next to her husband his mother and his ex mother in-law. Ginny was over the moon. Blaise took good care of her, after all she was carrying his only child. Her mother in-law didn't like her very much, but she didn't have to see her often enough to care. Ginny was looking forward to giving birth and having a great future with her husband.
Harry and Hermione walked into the courtroom hand in hand. They sat in their reserved seats on the opposite side of the Zabini's and Mrs. Greengrass. Hermione looked radiant in a dress of pale peach, which displayed her 5 month pregnant belly. Her hair was in soft waves swept to one side. Diamond studs in her ears and cream colored flats on her feet.
Harry wore black slacks a white dress shirt and a black tie. He pulled at his tie hoping the trial would only last one day. Harry didn't like these kinds of situations. Harry was being very cautious about their safety. Fire and Ice were invisible laying at their feet. He wasn't taking any chances and as soon as the trial was over the better.
Harry was called to the stand first. He testified how someone threw a blasting hex at him and Hermione as they left a pregnancy check-up. The audience gasped.
He told them what he did to find the would be killer and was asked who it was. Harry pointed at Percy, who again was crying and shrinking back in his seat that he was chained to.
The memories were played as Molly passes out as well as Mrs. Greengrass, when she heard how Daphne was poisoned.
Ginny was called to the stand after Harry. She explained her predicament, being disowned by her parents and several of her brothers. Dropping fake tears she explained the trouble she found herself in.
"I was being black mailed into being a baby factory, I didn't know what to do. I confided in my brother, I had no idea he would kill someone because of it. I was actually considering taking the deal. I had no one else," Ginny cried.
Blaise took the stand, but didn't have much more to add.
Pansy read a victims statement, as well as Mrs. Greengrass.
"I'm all alone now," Mrs. Greengrass cried. "Daphne was my everything, since my husband died. She always came to check on me, see how I was doing. I loved my daughter with all that I am. I want the murdering monster gone! He took my baby's life for what? How can I go on? I have nothing to look forward to. I will never have grand kids. My Edward died during the last war. I thought I would be okay, now that my only reason for staying on this earth is gone, I feel I will shrivel up and die. My only hope comes seeing that murdering monster that took my baby girl away from me take his last breath!" she huffed.
"The only reason I haven't declared a blood feud is because Daphne wouldn't want me to waste my final years in conflict and fighting enemies. What kind of mother raises someone like that?"
she says pointing at Percy while giving Molly a death glare.
Draco got up and helped her to seat next to his mother and Pansy.
The trial was basically over, final statements would be made the next day then Percy would get his punishment after a short recess.
Percy's lawyer didn't even cross-examine anyone. He felt the insanity plea spoke for itself and he would explain in his closing statement.
Trial: Day#2
Harry said fuck it! Trying to leave the Ministry yesterday was hell. The twins were using tricks to thin the crowd while he and Hermione tried to leave. Harry revealed the fire cats and it seemed everyone disappeared very quickly.
Today Harry and Hermione walked in holding hands and a fire cat on either side of them. Just before they got inside someone came running up to them and Ice pounced putting the person on their back. Just before she bit into the person Harry stopped her.
"What the fuck do you want Weasly?" Harry asked Ron.
"I need a loan, you're my only hope. I got my girlfriend pregnant and she didn't tell me until after I'd given my dad money to help Percy get a lawyer. I need to buy a house. Can you help me out?"
"Out of all the people you could've gone to why did you come to me?" Harry asked.
"Fred and George want me to do stupid stuff for them to get the loan. Blaise won't let Ginny lend me the money, you are my only hope mate," Ron said sadly.
Before Harry could say anything Hermione spoke up.
"who did you get pregnant Ron?"
"A girl we went to school with, Sally Anne Perks," Ron says turning red. "She's a nice girl and I want to do right by her."
Fred and George looked at Ron before saying together.
"Hope you didn't ruin that girl's life Ron. She was a shy and quiet person while in school. Never bothered anyone or got into trouble."
"She still is," Ron sighed. "I'm not in love with her but I like her a lot. I want to get to know her better and maybe we could fall in love and get married. I know mum is gonna kill me when she finds out.
I really need the money to buy a house. The flat is too small."
Fred and George decided they would lend Ron the money because he was trying to do the right thing. They told him he could work in one of their stores on Saturdays, and they wouldn't test their products on him. They also gave him a warning.
"Ron, if we find out you cheated on this girl or hurt her in any way, our wrath upon you will be unbearable. Sally Anne was a nice girl in school. How you got her to sleep with you we have no clue. We find out you hurt her and we will hurt you!" Fred and George said together.
Ron thanked them and gave a smirk and a nod to his former friends, before retreating into the crowd that had gathered nearby.
No one wanted to get to close to Fire and Ice.
Harry, Hermione and the twins made it to their seats just before closing arguments started.
The prosecution didn't say much he said the evidence speaks for itself, and that he had confidence they would find Percy guilty.
Percy's lawyer was way out of his league with this case, he probably had sweated away two sizes during the trial. The only way he could go was with insanity brought on by family up bringing, family conflicts and stress. He also claimed the war had deeply scarred the young man and left him unable to tell right from wrong. The lawyer did seem to be swaying the crowd, for a minute.
Suddenly Pansy jumped up and screamed.
"No! you don't get to say he didn't know any better, he killed my friend for that bitch! He calls a sister. I hope that fucker dies in a pool of his own blood! Or someone rams a spike up his ass! For what he did to a loving and beautiful person." DAPHNE!" Pansy screamed before Draco was able to grab her and take her out of the courtroom.
Percy's lawyer finished his closing statements and their was a recess for lunch.
Not wanting another spectacle, Hermione resized a picnic lunch she'd made for herself, Harry, Fred, George and the fire cats.
Harry bolted the doors and the four of them sat and talked about the trial. Harry told them he would be glad when it was over, so he and Hermione could get married and move on.
Fire and Ice loved their raw steaks and devoured them happily.
Fred worried about his mum, she was blaming herself for all the family problems, but he knew better.
Molly raised all her kids to know right from wrong. She also spoiled the ones she felt was the smartest or youngest. Ginny was spoiled by all of them except for Ron because she was the only girl. Fred knew that Percy made his own choices. He was never the same though after Penelope Clearwater was killed in the final battle of the war.
Penelope and Percy had been together since their 7th year. They were engaged and she'd been encouraging Percy to reconnect with the family. Percy had started doing just that, when he heard about the battle getting ready to start at Hogwarts, he left a note telling Penelope where he'd gone but not why. Penelope read the note, and not knowing what was happening went to find him. She just found out she was pregnant and was so excited to tell Percy that she headed for Hogwarts without thought. She ran into a pack of death eaters in hogsmeade, as she tried to run one hit her with an A/K. Percy was called to the morgue 2 days later to identify her body. After that he didn't really care about anything anymore and became very protective of the family. Maybe he was insane, Fred thought, eating the delicious sandwiches Hermione made.
Court continues after lunch, and people were able to speak up for Percy before the deliberations started and sentencing, if he was found guilty.
Molly got up to speak first.
"I as a mother felt this was all my fault, that I raised him wrong or did something that made him what he is. I swear to you I raised my kids to the best of my ability, with love and discipline. Percy was always a good child. He never got into trouble and he was always reading a book. The other boys picked on him for being a stickler for the rules. I never thought he would end up here." Molly sobbed.
Molly composed herself and turned to Mrs. Green grass .
"I'm so, so sorry for your loss, also that it took me this long to say those words to you. I ask you for mercy, please I'm begging for my son's life, Molly said getting on her knees as the onlookers gasped.
Molly continued to sob as Mrs. Greengrass got up and walked up to her.
"Molly Weasly I don't know what you did to mess that boy up, or if you did anything at all. I see you are hurting as well but he needs to be punished for what he did. I have lost my only daughter and must now spend my remaining years alone, no grandchildren nothing! I am all alone," she said collapsing and crying.
Pansy came forward, looking like she was in pain, to hug Daphne's mom.
"You have me momma G," Pansy said smiling.
"My baby is your grandchild now. Daphne was gonna be godmother.
Mrs. Greengrass continued to cry but smiled at Pansy who suddenly cried out in pain.
"Ow!"
Draco was at her side in an instant. "Are you alright? The baby?"
"We need to head to St Mungo's' the baby is coming. I've been hurting all day," Pansy said.
"Why didn't you say anything!" Draco said angrily.
"Not now Draco!" Narcisssa Malfoy says coming forward.
The three Malfoy's left the courtroom at a hurried pace.
Mrs. Greengrass told the court to give Percy the maximum sentence so that he had plenty of time to think about what he did. She then turned to Molly said.
"At least you can still visit him and see his face. All I have are pictures and my memories." She walked back to her seat.
Arthur helped Molly back to her seat as Bill stood and made his statement. He didn't have much to say as he watched his wife Fleur cradling their daughter, who was now four months old.
Percy of course was found guilty and sentenced to life in Azkaban.
Molly had to be pulled from the courtroom by force as Percy was led away.
Harry took Hermione's hand and kissed it as they stood up to go home. Ice was in front and fire was in the back. Fred and George said their goodbye's and the couple headed home to continue to plan their future.