[HP] Three thousand days of innocence

After the pre-trial, people's angry words lingered in her head for hours; days; they echoed each other until all the voices coalesced into one stirring manifesto of hate.There was no way she could have been prepared for such a pure...hateful attack.She couldn't imagine such a thing, even though she had been invaded by Tom Riddle for a year, she only got a few hints, but never expressed it clearly.She kind of realized that he didn't like being stuck in a diary, hearing her cry and profess her love for Harry Potter, but he never showed it.This perhaps makes him even more evil, since the extent of his aversion is unknown.However, this—knowing that Draco had no friends or allies in his case, no refuge of any kind—was far scarier.

The next step in a criminal trial is the trial itself: Now that the charges have been laid and the defendant's responses recorded, he will be given the opportunity to defend himself.One example is Labastan Lestrange, who was sentenced to life in Azkaban a few days ago and, ironically, returned to the same cell he had been in.Yaxley would have faced the same fate if he hadn't held evidence of Draco's involvement in Colin's murder.According to the agreement, these memories must be obtained in front of all Wizengamots.

However, Kingsley made the necessary adjustments in this trial: a hearing was held to determine Draco's mental state.Ginny had heard only indirectly about such hearings from O'Connell, who once caught a criminal who claimed to have taken the Imperius Curse while committing the crime.They would receive treatment at St. Mungo's, where a therapist specializing in criminal manipulation and mental state would examine the accused and make a definitive diagnosis.

But that doesn't explain why Ginny was summoned to Court No. 13 - the smallest of the Ministry of Magic.No sooner had she looked at the time and date than the office memo shattered.Ron had received one too, which he had told her when she came downstairs to lunch.

"I don't know why," he said when she asked him. "I've been through a lot of criminal trials, but I've never been called to any secret meeting, whatever that is."

"I hope it's about media interference," Ginny said hopefully. "I have no doubt that people's reaction at the pre-trial was because of the report in the Daily Prophet. Their report was a character attack. Disgusting."

Ron just looked at her thoughtfully, then turned and walked away. "I'll ask Harry after lunch," he said. "Maybe Hermione will know what's going on."

"I'll ask Percy, too," said Ginny.

They parted at the cafeteria door, Ron going to his wife's daily lunch date, Ginny going to Percy.When she finished queuing and filled her plate with fish and chips, she found him sitting in the corner, not eating a bite, but burying his nose in the latest Daily Prophet.

"Is there anything worth reading in there?" she asked, taking a seat opposite him.

Percy put down the newspaper. "Nobody believed Malfoy," he said frankly. "Today's editorial is about the passing of the aristocracy, and how they are desperately trying to preserve the prestige they once had. 'Draco Malfoy, arguably the wealthiest heir to the British wizarding world, is no exception.'" Percy reads road. "'He's been accused of the most heinous crimes for his family's involvement in Tom Riddle's wrong business, and he's trying to exonerate himself by claiming to have amnesia. Well, Mr. Malfoy, if you don't want to In Azkaban, Dad can't buy everyone off, so you have to do better.'”

Ginny's heart sank. "It's all true, Percy," she said. "You were there too."

Percy grimaced and put down the newspaper. "I saw a man who was afraid of being shown, of being the object of extreme disgust," he corrected. "I did some research on the Muggle diagnosis he provided and presented my findings to Kingsley. Of course we'll have to find the evidence ourselves. Kingsley is aware of this and will act accordingly. "

"And do you know the secret summons that Ron and I received today?"

"Kingsley mentioned it to me, by the way," said Percy. "The media won't be there this time, which is in the best interest of all parties. Only the inquisitors, Mr. Malfoy, you and Ron, the Aurors in charge of the case, the wizard guards and the people from St. Mungo's will be there. Think of this as a pre-trial hearing, if you will."

"But why?" Ginny asked. "Ron and I never heard of such a thing—"

"It's easy, isn't it?" Percy shrugged. "He claims he has amnesia. He may be lying."

"He got a chance to speak in court unaffected," Ginny said slowly. "And now..."

"I can assure you, it's all in strict compliance," said Percy, as he ate. "If not, I will protest."

"Then why keep it a secret?"

Percy swallowed the food in his mouth. "By law, Veritaserum must be used in a closed environment," he said. "Its instability makes it extremely difficult for the user to control, so design questions with limited answers. If there are fewer people present, things will be much easier."

"Okay," said Ginny, picking up her fork and eating without seeing the puzzled expression on Percy's face.

The conclave is scheduled for Friday afternoon, when most Ministry staff leave early for the weekend and are less likely to intrude on hearings that have not been released to the media.Ron and Ginny left the Auror's office just after four o'clock and went straight to the NO.13 courtroom.Draco's guards that day would have brought him in alone.

As they walked, Ginny told Ron what Percy had told her. "Then the rules have changed," said Ron when she told him that the questions would be limited.

"What do you mean?" Ginny asked.

"Remember when Umbridge used Veritaserum on Harry in our fifth year?" said Ron. "She wanted him to tell all he knew. She wanted more than a 'yes' or a 'no.'"

"It's better this way," said Ginny. "People are vulnerable under the influence of Veritaserum. The law protects them from corrupt officials."

"However, if the Ministry of Magic used Veritaserum on you, you must have done something illegal in the first place," Ron pointed out.

Ginny said nothing, as she thought of her peril.If Kingsley asked the right questions, the Wizengamot would know her true relationship with Draco.

The Wizengamot was already assembled when they entered the tiny courtroom.In front were two tables with a high-backed chair between them.Kingsley greeted Ron warmly like an old friend, and he even went to Kingsley's seat to shake hands with him.Ginny walked over with him out of courtesy.

"Hello, Ginny." Kingsley nodded at her, and she smiled. "I'm sure you know what we're doing here, and why it's being kept secret."

"Of course." Ron nodded solemnly.

"This is the Mauritian therapist, who will be administering Veritaserum and monitoring Malfoy's reaction," Kingsley continued, pointing to a young woman in a light green robe sitting at one side of the room.She waved to them. "Mr. Malfoy and his bodyguard should—"

Just then, the courtroom door opened and Draco walked in, his hands bound behind his back with magic, followed by a stern wizard with a face that seemed to be carved out of granite.Ginny's heart pounded when she saw him.Draco was wearing the black frock robes that Ron had lent him, but he looked even worse: his long hair fell over his face, and his sunken cheeks were covered with stubble.His bright eyes looked at Ginny at once before turning to the rest of the court.

"Ah, that's great," Kingsley said. "Let's get started right away." Ron and Ginny left the Wizengamot and sat down at the table opposite the healer.Draco's guards led him to where they had been standing. "Draco Malfoy," Kingsley said gravely. "Due to the nature of your statements during the pre-trial period, the Wizengamot has requested an investigation to determine their validity. You will be given Veritaserum and then answered some simple and specific questions so we can move forward with the trial process. You can only Answer 'yes', 'no' or 'don't know'. Any further explanations you give are at your own risk. Do you have anything to say before using Veritaserum?"

Draco gasped. "You mean—I can't tell lies after drinking this potion?"

"Probably that's what it means." Kingsley said coldly. "If you have no other questions, please sit down."

The guard made Draco sit on the chair, and he was tied up again.Draco moved his fingers and licked his lips.He seemed calm on the surface, but Ginny could see that he was actually panicking.

The therapist came forward with a vial of clear liquid. "Open your mouth, please," she whispered, and Draco complied.She reached out, put a drop under his tongue, and returned to her seat.

"Veritaserum works immediately, so we can start right away," Kingsley said, shifting in his seat. "Mr. Malfoy, you said you were suffering from dissociative fugue?"

"Yes." Draco said.His eyes looked glassy and lifeless.

"So do you remember life after November 1998?"

"Yes."

"But can't you remember anything before that?"

"Yes."

"Do you remember you went to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"

He frowned. "no no."

"Do you remember these names: Blaise Zabini, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Gower, Theodore Knott?"

He seemed to be trying to answer again: "No."

Kingsley leaned forward. "Did you murder Colin Creevey?"

Draco suddenly started grinning and struggling in his restraints.The members of the Wizengamot looked at each other in bewilderment, and the healer got up to check on Draco.Ginny felt Ron tugging at her arm, and she realized then, that she threw herself forward.She immediately leaned back in her seat, her heart pounding. "He'll answer, always," the therapist assured them. "No one can tell a lie while under the influence of Veritaserum."

"Mr. Malfoy." Kingsley asked again, "Did you murder Colin Creevey?"

"No-know-know." He finally said reluctantly, slumped on the chair, his chest heaving violently.

"Can you spot Colin Creevey in the crowd?"

"Do not."

"Do you know Colin Creevey?"

"Do not."

"Do you know how he was murdered?"

"Do not."

Kingsley frowned and made a mark on the file. "Were you living in England before Mr and Miss Weasley arrested you?"

"Yes."

"As a wizard?"

"Do not."

"Is that as a Muggle?"

Draco frowned in confusion. "Let me put it another way," Kingsley said. "Don't you use magic everyday?"

"Yes."

Ginny's pulse quickened.They had to avoid this series of questions, or they would find out that there was a registered wand bearer living with Draco at all times.She couldn't bear it if they found a reason to deport John.

"Do you know what crimes you have committed in the past?"

"Do not."

"Are you completely ignorant of the origin and history of your magic?"

"Yes." Draco said softly.Ginny bit her lip, fingers clenched her knees.

"You've got a new status as a non-magical person, haven't you?"

"Yes."

"You have a Muggle job?"

"Yes."

"Are you a British citizen?"

"Yes."

"You were living the life of an ordinary British citizen when Miss Weasley found you?"

"Yes."

"Did you murder Colin Creevey?" Kingsley asked again suddenly.

Draco arched his back again, tilted his head back, and closed his eyes. "I don't-know-know." He muttered, as if in pain.

"Mauritian healer, why does he have such a strange reaction?" one of the witches asked.

The therapist stood up respectfully. "This reaction has only happened a few times in the history of Veritaserum," she explained. "From our experience at St. Mungo's, we've found that this happens when a patient once knew the answer but can't recall the memory containing it."

Kingsley scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Then from your professional point of view, do you agree that Mr. Malfoy really suffers from amnesia?"

"I agree, Mr. Shacklebolt," replied the therapist.

"Does the Wizengamot accept Mr. Malfoy's answer, and the expertise of the Mauritian therapist, as conclusive evidence of his amnesia?"

The wizards said in unison: "Accept."

"The allegation of absconding will therefore be expunged from the record," Kingsley announced. "However, if a suspect does not remember sufficient details of the crime he is charged with, he cannot be brought to trial. Treatment will begin at St. Mungo tomorrow morning at eleven o'clock, under the supervision of the Aurors in charge of the case and representatives of the court. Mar Mr. Foo will be treated by the most authoritative amnesia specialist to help him regain the most complete memory. Next, he will have a week or so to consider his crime, and then he will be brought before the entire Wizengamot Stand trial. Do you all agree?"

The judges again agreed.

Ginny stood up impulsively, the chair rubbing against the stone floor. "Excuse me," she said nervously, "Mr. Shacklebolt, if Mr. Malfoy's memory cannot be recovered, what action will the court take?"

"Impossible." The wizard on Kingsley's left laughed. "Nobody loses their memory forever."

"With all due respect, sir," said Ginny. "Mr. Malfoy's dissociative fugue has been extensively treated by specialist Muggle doctors, with no results."

The wizard frowned at her. "How do you know, Miss Weasley?"

Ginny hesitated. "Through my—my undercover work," she said. "My reports are in the file on Mr. Malfoy's case."

"Thank you for your concern," Kingsley said. "We don't ignore that. I'm sure you'll agree, though, that our medicines are far more effective than Muggle medicines. I have no doubt that we are better at taking Mr. Malfoy's memory than Muggles are. If nothing else That's it, this hearing is over."

This is the end.Ginny and Ron stood up and looked at Draco.He watched her in silent pain, the Veritaserum still making his breathing difficult.

"It's a risk we have to take," she whispered inaudibly as she passed him.

Draco lowered his head and said nothing.