August 1995
Harry's heart was beating fast as he followed Lilith. She didn't spare him a word, occasionally making sure he was following her, and a part of Harry was glad for that. She said she would take care of it, all he had to do was say his part of the story. He could do that. Yes, he could. They made their way through the entrance to the Ministry, both of them pinning the silver badges with VISITOR written on them. When they entered the atrium, Harry was in awe. He never saw anything like that or so many adult wizards in one place. Lilith expertly led him through the crowds of different wizards, occasionally saying hello or nodding at the people who recognized her but didn't stop until they reached the wall near one lift where she finally turned to look at him.
"Alright, you need to know something." Harry cocked his head. "Fudge threw you under the bus. You're not here for a disciplinary hearing. You're being put on trial." Harry's mouth hung open.
"W-What?" Lilith sighed and pulled her brown leather messenger bag that hung over her shoulder closer.
"You don't need to concern yourself with the details right now."
"Details?! I'm being put on bloody trial!" Lilith stopped him with a glare.
"You are. We're going to the courtroom now where you will be questioned. It's highly probable that Fudge will be there too. He will try to sink you at every turn so whatever happens, remember what Sirius and I told you. Be polite, and respectful, don't be a smartass, and under any circumstance, don't lose your temper. Just say your part, answer the questions honestly and don't raise your voice. Are we clear?"
"B-But why are you here? Mr Weasley works at the Ministry so why...?" Lilith slapped the back of his head, shooting daggers at him.
"Are we clear?!" Harry opened his mouth a couple of times, rubbing the spot where Lilith hit him but eventually nodded in agreement.
"Good." Lilith looked him up and down. "Tug your shirt in." Lilith turned towards the lift and pushed the button. Harry huffed but tugged in the back of his shirt before following her into the lift. As the lift started to descend, they stood in silence. Harry clenched and unclenched his fists, nervous at the new information Lilith gave him. A trial. He was being put on trial.
"Department of Mysteries." a female voice announced and Lilith got off, Harry hot on her heel. The corridor they walked through made him uneasy. Bare walls, no windows and no doors except for one at the end of the corridor but Lilith swiftly turned left and started walking down the stairs. Harry made sure not to stumble on them as he followed. At the bottom, his stomach clenched even more as the corridor strangely resembled dungeons at Hogwarts with rough stone walls and torches. It intimidated him but that was probably the purpose. Suddenly he was glad that Lilith was calm and collected, confidently walking them through without a hint of panic. It calmed him down a little bit. As he looked around the corridor, he nearly walked into the older witch who stopped in front of a grimy dark door.
"This is it." she turned to Harry. "Let the show begin." she put a hand between his shoulder blades, gently pushing him towards the door. Harry looked at her one last time, swallowing hard as his hand gripped the iron door handle. After a few deep breaths, he walked inside.
Waves of anxiety immediately ran through him as he took in the sight. It wasn't just a courtroom. It was the same one he saw inside Dumbledore's Pensieve. His fate would be decided at the same place where the Lestranges were sentenced to Azkaban. Stony walls were dimly lit by torches, empty benches rose on either side of him but in the highest bench right ahead were many shadowy figures. Once they entered the courtroom, the hushed voices stopped, leaving behind an ominous silence.
"The trial is about to begin, take your seat." a cold male voice rang across the courtroom. Harry would be still frozen on the spot if it wasn't for Lilith's hand on his back gently pushing him forward towards the chair in the centre of the room. Their footsteps echoed around the room, filling in the uncomfortable silence. Harry eyes the chair, the familiar chains covering the arms clinked but did not bind him as he sat down which he took as a good sign. Lilith's hand moved from his back to his shoulder, putting a reassuring weight on it. His eyes lifted, finally seeing the shadowy figures more clearly. Around fifty wizards and witches sat on the bench high above, all of them dressed in plum-coloured robes with elaborately embroidered W on the left-hand side of the chest, and stared at him with a range of emotions. Right in the centre sat Cornelius Fudge, his lime-green bowler hat discarded for the hearing as he stared at the both of them.
"No visitors allowed at the trial." he spoke coldly towards Lilith standing next to Harry. The young wizard turned towards his companion, panic running through him at the thought of Lilith leaving him there alone. But Lilith didn't look at him. Her eyes were fixed on Fudge.
"I'm not a visitor, Mr Fudge. As Youth Representative to the Wizengamot, I have every right to attend every Wizengamot procedure in defence of any underage wizard." Harry's mouth fell open slightly at the new information. Fudge leaned forward in his seat, his face starting to redden.
"You are of age now, Miss Farrow. You are no longer in that position."
"As of this day, I'm still seventeen, I'm still a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and Mr Potter is still an underage wizard. By law, I still hold my position." Fudge turned towards a broad, squared-jawed witch with short grey hair on his left who looked at Lilith with interest through her monocle.
"Madam Bones?"
"Miss Farrow is right, Minister. By law, the Youth representative stays in the position until their studies are finished or until they are removed from the position. Miss Farrow wasn't removed so it's her right to attend the procedure." Harry released the breath he was holding as Fudge pursed his lips and turned back towards them. Lilith squeezed Harry's shoulder slightly, assuring him she was still there.
"Very well then." Fudge said through gritted teeth. "The accused being present - let us begin. Are you ready?" he called down the row.
"Yes, sir." Harry immediately recognized the voice. Percy Weasley sat at the end of the front bench, eyes fixed on the parchment in front of him, a quill poised in his hand.
"Disciplinary hearing of the twelfth of August," at his dictations Percy's quill quickly started to make its way across the parchment. "into offences committed under the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and the International Statute of Secrecy by Harry James Potter, resident at number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey. Interrogators: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister of Magic; Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement; Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister. Court Scribe, Percy Ignatius Weasley," he stopped for a moment and glared at Lilith. "Defence for the accused, Lilith Valentina Farrow, British Youth Representative to the Wizengamot." he said with a clear scowl on his face. Fudge clearly still remembered what Lilith told him in June but his glare did nothing to Lilith who still stood beside Harry.
"The charges," Fudge continued as he extricated a piece of parchment from the pile in front of him. "The charges against the accused are as follows: That he did knowingly, deliberately, and in full awareness of the illegality of his actions, having received a previous written warning from the Ministry of Magic on a similar charge, produce a Patronus Charm in a Muggle-inhabited area, in the presence of a Muggle, on August the second at twenty-three minutes past nine, which constitutes an offence under paragraph C of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875, and also under section thirteen of the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy. You are Harry James Potter, of number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey?" Fudge said, glaring at Harry over the top of his parchment. Lilith squeezed his shoulder once more, signalling for him to answer.
"Yes."
"You received an official warning from the Ministry for using illegal magic three years ago, did you not?"
"Yes, but —"
"And yet you conjured a Patronus on the night of the second of August?" said Fudge.
"Yes," said Harry, "but —"
"Knowing that you are not permitted to use magic outside school while you are under the age of seventeen?"
"Yes, but —"
"Knowing that you were in an area full of Muggles?"
"Yes, but —"
"Fully aware that you were in close proximity to a Muggle at the time?"
"Yes," said Harry angrily, "but I only used it because we were —" Harry nearly winced when Lilith squeezed his shoulder tightly, signalling for him to stop talking. It was a good call as the witch on the left, Madam Bones, leaned forward, cutting both Fudge and Harry off.
"You produced a fully-fledged Patronus?"
"Yes," said Harry, "because —" Lilith squeezed his shoulder once again, cutting him off.
"A corporeal Patronus?"
"A — what?" said Harry.
"Your Patronus had a clearly defined form? I mean to say, it was more than vapour or smoke?"
"Yes," said Harry, feeling both impatient and slightly desperate, "it's a stag, it's always a stag."
"Always?" boomed Madam Bones. "You have produced a Patronus before now?"
"Yes," said Harry, "I've been doing it for over a year —"
"And you are fifteen years old?"
"Yes, and —"
"You learned this at school?"
"Yes, Professor —" Lilith cut him off once again but this time spoke up.
"Two years ago, Dementors were stationed at Hogwarts in search of Sirius Black but deliberately attacked Mr Potter on multiple occasions. Therefore, he learnt the spell out of necessity during a private tutoring session." Harry noticed a few wizards and witches exchanging a few muttered words.
"Impressive," said Madam Bones, staring down at him, "a true Patronus at that age . . . very impressive indeed." Lilith squeezed Harry's shoulder once again, this time softly, reassuringly. Harry took it as a good sign. Whatever Madam Bones said, it seemed to be good even though her expression didn't show it.
"It's not a question of how impressive the magic was," said Fudge in a testy voice that broke the quiet muttering echoing around the room. "In fact, the more impressive the worse it is, I would have thought, given that the boy did it in plain view of a Muggle!"
"I did it because of the Dementors!" he said loudly, before anyone could interrupt him again. Lilith's hand was now clawed into his shoulder, pushing him back down with a force he wouldn't expect from someone so small. He turned to her, still angry and frustrated but her glare made him back down. He took a deep breath before looking back at the high bench who's occupants were deadly silent at his statement.
"Dementors?" asked Madam Bones after a moment, raising her thick eyebrows so that her monocle looked in danger of falling out. "What do you mean, boy?"
"Polite, respectful, calm." Lilith whispered to him under her breath, reminding him of her previous words. Harry tried to push his anger down as he continued.
"There were two dementors down that alleyway and they went for me and my cousin."
"Ah," said Fudge again, smirking unpleasantly as he looked around at the Wizengamot, as though inviting them to share the joke. "Yes. Yes, I thought we'd be hearing something like this." Harry felt his anger rising once again but Lilith's nails were now painfully clawed into his shoulder, warning him not to have an outburst.
"Dementors in Little Whinging?" Madam Bones said, clearly surprised at the statement. "I don't understand —"
"Don't you, Amelia?" said Fudge, still smirking. "Let me explain. He's been thinking it through and decided dementors would make a very nice little cover story, very nice indeed. Muggles can't see dementors, can they, boy? Highly convenient, highly convenient... so it's just your word and no witnesses..." as Harry was just about to lash out, Lilith pushed him down once more, shooting him a glare that immediately shut him up.
"With all due respect, Mr Fudge, there is, in fact, a witness."
"His cousin..." Lilith interrupted Fudge once more.
"I did not mean Dudley Dursley."
"We haven't got time to listen to more taradiddles, I'm afraid, Miss Farrow. I want this dealt with quickly -" Lilith's hand left Harry's shoulder as she walked around the chair, facing Fudge.
"If you wanted this to be dealt with quickly, you shouldn't have called for a trial in front of Wizengamot. It'd be much quicker if it was a simple disciplinary hearing with Madame Bones as previously arranged." Fudge was quietly fuming as Lilith turned towards Madame Bones. "Madame Bones," she continued, her voice now respectful and pleasant, contrary to the cold and calm that was saved for Fudge. "I'm sorry I may be wrong, but I am sure that under the Wizengamot Charter of Rights, the accused has the right to present witnesses for his or her case. Isn't that the policy of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?" the grey-haired witch nodded and Harry could swear he a small tug at the corner of her lips.
"You are your mother's daughter," Madam Bones said quietly before turning towards the others. "It's true. Perfectly true."
"Oh, very well, very well," snapped Fudge. "Where is this person?"
"She was escorted here, waiting just outside the door. Should I...?"
"No - Weasley, you go." at Fudge's command, Percy sprung up from his seat, passing Harry and Lilith without sparing them a look.
A moment later, Percy returned, followed by Mrs Figg. She looked scared and more batty than ever. Harry wished she had thought to change out of her carpet slippers. Lilith pulled out her wand, conjuring a chair for Mrs Figg, helping her into her seat before taking her position next to Harry and putting her hand on his shoulder once again.
"Full name?" said Fudge loudly, when Mrs Figg had perched herself nervously on the very edge of her seat.
"Arabella Doreen Figg," said Mrs Figg in her quavery voice.
"And who exactly are you?" said Fudge, in a bored and lofty voice.
"I'm a resident of Little Whinging, close to where Harry Potter lives," said Mrs Figg.
"We have no record of any witch or wizard living in Little Whinging other than Harry Potter," said Madam Bones at once. "That situation has always been closely monitored, given . . . given past events."
"I'm a Squib," said Mrs Figg. "So you wouldn't have me registered, would you?"
"A Squib, eh?" said Fudge, eyeing her suspiciously. Harry nearly rose up from his seat but Lilith once again pushed him down. "We'll be checking that. You'll leave details of your parentage with my assistant, Weasley. Incidentally, can Squibs see dementors?" he added, looking left and right along the bench where he sat.
"Yes, we can!" said Mrs Figg indignantly.
"Very well, what's your story?" he looked bored and irritated as he glared at the old woman. As Mrs Figg got into her narrative, and Harry's hopes started to go up... but were immediately shot down into the dirt when Mrs Figg was asked to describe the dementors. He slumped into his chair in defeat.
"Big and wearing cloaks," repeated Madam Bones coolly, while Fudge snorted at the description. "I see. Anything else?"
"Yes," said Mrs Figg. "I felt them. Everything went cold, and this was a very warm summer's night, mark you. And I felt... as though all happiness had gone from the world... and I remembered... dreadful things..." her voice shook and died. Madam Bones' eyes widened slightly. Harry perked up once again. This description suited dementors perfectly. He could see red marks under Madam Bones' eyebrow where the monocle had dug into it. Harry's hopes were once again alive when Mrs Figg correctly described the incident. Fudge looked unimpressed but Mrs Figg's words seemed to stick with Madame Bones. Once dismissed, Mrs Figg stood up, casting one last glance at Harry, clearly shaken by the interrogation from Fudge, before leaving the room.
"Not a very convincing witness," said Fudge.
"Oh, I don't know," said Madam Bones in her booming voice. "She certainly described the effects of a dementor attack very accurately. And I can't imagine why she would say they were there if they weren't —"
"But dementors wandering into a Muggle suburb and just happening to come across a wizard?" snorted Fudge. "The odds on that must be very, very long, even Bagman wouldn't have bet —"
"The odds are better than you can imagine, Mr Fudge." Lilith interrupted his rant, leaving Harry's side once again and turning towards Madam Bones. "Madam Bones, may I present new evidence to you?"
"New evidence? What new evidence?" barked Fudge, blood rising to his cheeks. "You cannot..."
"Proceed." Madame Bones' voice cut off Fudge. Lilith opened her bag and pulled out several pieces of parchment along with three vials, filled with cloudy gas. Harry gaped at the sight. 'Memories' he thought as he looked at the vials, remembering the substance from Dumbledore's Pensieve. Lilith walked towards the bench, placing the parchments and vials carefully before Madam Bones.
"What is this?" Lilith took a step back, folding her hands behind her straightened back as she looked at the members of Wizengamot.
"Since the beginning of July, there hadn't been just one Dementor-related accident, like Mr Potter's case, but five in total." the murmuring around the room stopped, and everybody went silent as their attention was pulled towards Lilith. Harry could see Madam Bones' eyes widen at the statement.
"What kind of nonsense is this?" said Fudge, rolling his eyes.
"It is not nonsense. It's a fact." Lilith raised her head in defiance. "These attacks went under the Ministry's radar because three of them were on Muggles. Muggles who lost their minds thanks to Dementor's kiss, leaving them in a catatonic state. The documents presented to you, Madam Bones, are medical records from the mental hospitals these Muggles are now residing in, and the memories are the memories of those three Muggles I personally visited inside those institutions." Harry stared at Lilith's back, completely taken aback by the new facts. It seemed that the members of Wizengamot were also surprised, exchanging frowns and glances with each other. "The fourth attack was on a wizard. Thankfully, a competent wizard, who was able to cast a non-corporeal Patronus charm to chase him away but was too shaken by the accident to come forward. He recently reached out to me, and wrote down a statement about the accident, signing it with his name and address. The statement is also included in the evidence in case Wizengamot would like to double-check this discovery. These attacks could've been avoided, along with the Mr Potter's accident, if the Ministry kept a closer eye on its Dementors." Lilith looked over the body of people who were now discussing the news in hushed voices.
"It is not for you to decide what the Ministry of Magic does or does not do, Miss Farrow." snapped Fudge, now a shade of magenta of which Uncle Vernon would have been proud.
"Of course it isn't," Lilith said calmly. "I was merely expressing my confidence that these attacks will not go uninvestigated." she glanced at Madam Bones, who readjusted her monocle and stared back at Lilith, frowning at the newly presented evidence.
"I would remind everybody that the behaviour of these Dementors, if indeed they are not figments of this boy's imagination, or the Dementors of mentioned in Miss Farrow's dubious evidence is not the subject of this hearing!" said Fudge. "We are here to examine Harry Potter's offences under the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery!" Fudge was now clearly fuming but Lilith stayed calm and poised.
"With all due respect, Mr Fudge, I would like to point out that the presence of Dementors is highly relevant. According to the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, Paragraph C states that it is a crime to knowingly perform magic in a Muggle-inhabited area and in the presence of a Muggle. However, Clause 7 also stated that magic could be used in front of Muggles in exceptional circumstances, including situations when the life of the witch or wizard using the spell, or the lives of other witches, wizards and Muggles are threatened." Lilith made a small pause. "Mr Potter didn't act recklessly or irresponsibly. He didn't hurt anybody, he didn't destroy anything, he didn't use magic for his own gain. He used one spell, specifically Patronus charm, an extremely advanced spell, to save himself and his Muggle cousin during a Dementor attack." her eyes bore into Fudge. "You've heard from an eyewitness, and I presented evidence that Mr Potter's accident wasn't isolated. Surely the Wizengamot can come to a conclusion that won't result in a serious miscarriage of justice."
"Serious miscarriage, my hat!" said Fudge at the top of his voice. "Have you ever bothered to tot up the number of cock-and-bull stories this boy has come out with, Miss Farrow, while trying to cover up his flagrant misuse of magic out of school? He already used the Hover Charm three years ago —"
"That wasn't me, it was a house-elf!" said Harry.
"YOU SEE?" roared Fudge, gesturing flamboyantly in Harry's direction. "A house-elf! In a Muggle house! I ask you —"
"The house-elf in question is named Dobby and is currently in the employ of Hogwarts School," said Lilith. "He speaks very highly of Mr Potter, may I add."
"That's not the only — he blew up his aunt, for God's sake!" Fudge shouted, banging his fist on the judge's bench and upsetting a bottle of ink.
"And yet I don't recall hearing about you pressing charges on that occasion, Mr Fudge." It was like a ping-pong match. Enraged Fudge against coldly calm Lilith.
"And I haven't even started on what he gets up to at school —"
"— but as the Ministry has no authority to punish Hogwarts students for misdemeanours at school, Mr Potter's behaviour there is not relevant to this inquiry," Harry was baffled at the calmness in which Lilith retorted. He never saw her waiver or stumble, nothing.
"Oho!" said Fudge. "Not our business what he does at school, eh? You think so?"
"I know so. Student's behaviour is corrected and disciplined by prefects, head boys or head girls, the Head of their house, professors or the headmaster. As a prefect, I know how the system works. The Ministry has no authority on the grounds of Hogwarts unless its student's behaviour breaks a serious law on the school grounds." Lilith paused and Harry saw how her knuckles whitened behind her back but she still retained her calm voice. "The Ministry does not have the power to expel Hogwarts students, nor does it have the right to confiscate wands until charges have been successfully proven. In your admirable haste to ensure that the law is upheld, you appear to have overlooked a few laws yourself, Mr Fudge."
"Laws can be changed," Fudge spat out angrily.
"Of course they can. And you certainly seem to be making many changes, Mr Fudge. In my years in the position of the Youth Representative, I've only had to attend a few hearings but it seems in a few short months it's already become the practice to hold a full criminal trial to deal with a simple matter of underage magic!" Harry watched as a few members of Wizengamot shifted uncomfortably after the statement. Lilith sighed.
"However we're not here today to discuss every instance in which Mr Potter used magic. He has been charged with a specific offence and we presented his defence. We await your verdict." Lilith dipped her head in a small bow, turned around and walked towards Harry, resuming her previous position with her hand back on his shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. As the Wizengamot resumed into hushed whispers and discussions, Harry's head turned to Lilith, mouth slightly agape.
"I told you I would take care of the rest." she whispered, "However, we're gonna have a talk about your behaviour here." she squeezed his shoulder painfully this time around. Harry bit his lip not to let out a hiss. Lilith's nails were indeed sharp and he was sure he would have small crescent scars in that spot until his death. He remained silent, looking at his feet until the whispering suddenly stopped. Harry abruptly lifted his head, watching as Madam Bones cleared her throat.
"Those in favour of clearing the accused of all charges?" Harry watched in amazement as more than half of the Wizengamot raised their hands.
"And those in favour of conviction?" Harry felt peace spreading through his as only Fudge and half a dozen others raised their hands. Fudge looked around the room, clearly shocked by the betrayal before taking two deep breaths.
"Very well... cleared of all charges." he muttered, a silent rage clearly visible on his face. For the first time in two weeks, Harry finally felt like he could breathe as he stood up, smiling brightly at Lilith who did not share his sentiment.
"Miss Farrow," a voice of Madam Bones rang once more through the courtroom making Lilith turn to her. "Have you considered following your mother's footsteps? You would be a good addition to my department." for the first time that day, Harry saw a corner of Lilith's lips rise.
"I have not. But my younger brother is planning on it." Madame Bones remained stoic.
"Very well, if he's anything like you, I'm looking forward to having him." Lilith gave her a small nod before walking out of the courtroom, Harry hot on her heel.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What Harry didn't expect was Lilith shoving him against the wall in the alley near the telephone booth they just stepped out of. Her eyes were cold, her knuckles whitened as she gripped the front of his shirt, holding him in place.
"What the fuck was that, Potter?!" she hissed. "I specifically told you what to do, how to act, how to speak. And what do you do? You nearly blew yourself up in there!" she didn't scream, didn't raise her voice but her tone cut through Harry like a sharpened blade. "I had your defence planned and researched to detail. Wizengamot isn't only judging you by your defence but also by your looks and behaviour. Do you think I didn't want to say to Fudge to go fuck himself? To scream at him? Of course I did but I'm not a moron. They won't take you seriously if you scream and wiggle like a child. Next time you're in trouble, think before you act you idiot!" she let go of his shirt, glaring at him once more before reaching into her blazer, pulling out a silver cigarette case, and putting one between her lips before lighting it up with a silver lighter. She put the case and lighter back, puffing out a cloud of smoke. Harry chewed his lip, straightening his shirt before pushing himself off the wall.
"I- thank you, Lilith. I'm sorry." he muttered, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "How did you... Why did you do that?" Lilith rolled her eyes.
"Dumbledore asked me to. I already knew Fudge was planning a trial and Dumbledore lost his position as Chief Warlock, but I still have my position which Fudge idiotically overlooked. And I already had part of the evidence in my possession so all I had to do was plan out the defence and search for the rest." she shrugged.
"So you..."
"I've been on your case since it happened. I spent the last two weeks looking for the third Muggle and negotiating with the attacked wizard." Lilith puffed out another cloud of smoke before pulling out her wand. Harry flinched, thinking that Lilith would curse him after his performance in the courtroom but she didn't point it at him.
"Expecto patronum" she whispered and Harry watched in awe as a bright blue eagle came out of the wand, waving its wings to stay in the same spot in front of Lilith. "To Sirius Black. The hearing turned trial went smoothly, cleared of all charges." she whispered and the patronus dipped its head before disappearing. Lilith turned back to Harry. "You should learn this little trick with your patronus, it's pretty convenient." she took a last drag from her cigarette before throwing it on the ground and stomping on it. "Let's go. They're probably preparing a party for you right now." she turned away and started walking out of the alley. Harry once again followed her but this time, there was a sudden spring in his step. He was free.
They didn't talk until they reached Grimmauld Place. Harry went straight to the door but looked back to see Lilith pulling out another cigarette.
"You're not coming?" Lilith bit her lip.
"There are a few people in there not particularly happy with me right now so it's better if you go first, and I will come in a few minutes, alright?" Harry winced as he remembered Aveline's angry rants and Hermione's sad eyes.
"I hope you have a good explanation for them." Lilith lit her cigarette.
"Explanation? Yes. Good? Not really." she paused as she puffed out a small cloud. "They're waiting for you, better not keep them hanging." Harry nodded, turning back towards the door and walking in.
The house suddenly felt warmer, and happier as the chants of Fred, George, Ginny and Aveline rang through it and Mrs Weasley, Ron and Hermione were by his side, smiling and congratulating him. Mrs Weasley ushered them into the kitchen, shouting at the four to quiet down. Sebastian was sitting at the kitchen table with an open book in his hands, seemingly the calmest one out of all residents of the house. He smiled slightly, standing up and offering Harry a handshake.
"Congratulations." Harry chuckled and shook it.
"I'd be dead if it wasn't for your sister." Sebastian froze slightly and raised his right eyebrow.
"My sister?" Harry looked around. His little mishap caused several reactions. Ron was confused, Hermione's eyes nearly popped out of her head and Mrs Weasley's smile brightened. Harry gulped before sitting down, all of them following. "You saw my sister?"
"She got me off." the cat was already out of the bag and Lilith was still smoking outside. The least he could do for her after her performance at the trial was soften the blow from Sebastian and Hermione. "She was brilliant, honestly." Ron exchanged a look with Hermione.
"We thought Dumbledore would be there once we heard it would be a trial." there was a small pang in his chest at the mention of Dumbledore but Harry pushed it down.
"He asked Lilith to take over and..." Harry chuckled as he remembered the look on Fudge's face. "Honestly, she blew everyone out of the water. Going there with new evidence, shooting Fudge down at every turn... he threw a fit. I've never seen him so angry." as he got into the details of the trial, Ron started laughing, banging at the table with his fist while a small smile appeared on Sebastian's face. Hermione was frowning slightly, biting her lip, and opening her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a loud yell coming out of the hall.
"You asshole!" yelled out a high-pitched voice.
"Avy!" yelled out three voices in response before a loud thud was heard and more yells came out. Harry and Sebastian immediately stood up, running towards the hall only to see Lilith lying on the ground, breathing deeply, and the twins restraining Aveline who sported a murderous look while trying to get out of the twins' hands.
"You presumptuous jerk! I'm gonna strangle you! Let me go! Let me go!" Aveline yelled out but the twins didn't budge. They picked Aveline up, carrying her up the stairs without much trouble, masterfully avoiding her hands and kicking legs. The yelling died down once they closed the door of one of the rooms. Sebastian walked towards Lilith, his hands in the pockets of his sweatpants when he leaned over her, smirking slightly.
"Well," he whistled. "that's what I call a dramatic entrance." Lilith closed her eyes and her head fell back on the floor."
"Shut up, Seb." she shook her head. "Just shut up." Sebastian rolled his eyes and outstretched his hand towards her.
"Wow, missed you too." Lilith took his hand and he helped her back on her feet. Lilith massaged her side, frowning slightly.
"I think she bruised my rib." Sebastian looked her up and down.
"Wouldn't be surprised, you look like shit." Lilith glared at him but Sebastian only smirked.
"Thanks for the honesty." he shrugged.
"Always." Lilith still glared at him but once Sebastian opened his arms, she immediately hugged him tightly. Sebastian had a growth spurt during the summer so Lilith's head barely reached his shoulders.
"Stop growing." she mumbled quietly making Sebastian laugh.
"You're just getting shorter, Lili." after a few moments, Lilith pulled back, her eyes going towards the staircase.
"She wouldn't murder me in my sleep, would she?" Harry couldn't tell if she was joking or was being serious. Sebastian blinked a few times.
"You're staying?" Lilith bit her lip before nodding.
"I have some meetings in London, so I'll be here until we go back to school." they stared at each other a few seconds before Sebastian sprang forward, lifting her up, twirling her around, laughing. His reaction even got Lilith to chuckle a couple of times before he finally put her back on the ground.
"That's amazing!"
"Yeah." Lilith's eyes went back to the staircase. "Just tell now, is she gonna kill me or not?" Sebastian scratched the back of his neck.
"Not really... but you two should really talk at some point." Lilith sighed deeply and loosened her black tie.
"Great." she muttered.
"We need to talk too." Harry nearly jumped when he heard Hermione's voice right next to him. He didn't even notice her. She stood next to him, with her arms folded on her chest, her eyes boring into Lilith who froze on the spot when she heard her voice. Lilith blinked a couple of times in surprise.
"Hi." she finally let out softly making Hermione narrow her eyes.
"Hi? Are you kidding me?" Lilith gulped. "You have one hour to eat, and then we are going to talk, in my room. Are we clear?" Harry watched in amazement as the girl who very much intimidated him and humiliated the Minister of Magic just mere hours ago, just paled and became clearly nervous under Hermione's gaze. Lilith pursed her lips and nodded. Hermione seemed to be satisfied with the answer.
"Good, I'll be waiting." she shot one last look at Lilith before walking past them and up the stairs. Once they heard the door closing, Lilith put her head in her hands, groaning.
"I'm so fucked."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lilith didn't know what to expect. Yelling, silent treatment, maybe even murder? Aveline literally tackled her to the ground the second she stepped inside the house so everything was possible. Sebastian led her towards Hermione's room, leaving her at the door with a sympathetic look and pat on her back. Her side was still hurting, her head was hurting, and she was exhausted but she knew Hermione was expecting her so she sighed, and entered the room, closing the door behind her. A window let in a soft light, illuminating a very small and cramped room but it was alright for one or two people to live in. Hermione was sitting at the wooden table, with a book in her hand and one leg pulled up to her chest but as she heard the door closing, her eyes shot up and she closed the book, putting it on the table.
Lilith felt nauseous all of a sudden. Guilt ripped through her whole body as Hermione's brown eyes bore into her, her stomach crumpled, and all her aches worsened in a span of a few seconds, making it very hard for her to stand up so she leaned against the door, her eyes fixated on the wooden floor.
"I know you're angry..." she started softly but was immediately cut off.
"Angry?" Hermione chuckled humourlessly. "Oh, I was angry. The first week of silence, I was scared something had happened to you." Lilith heard the chair squeak as Hermione stood up but she still didn't look up. "The second week, I was worried. The third week, that's when I started to get angry." she paused and Lilith saw the tips of her shoes right in front of her but she still didn't look up. "Now? Now I'm fucking furious, Lilith." Lilith gulped and closed her eyes.
"I'm sorry." she whispered, the pain in her head intensifying.
"You're sorry?" Lilith heard a clap in front of her, making her open her eyes. "At least look at me when I'm talking to you!" Lilith flinched at the harsh tone but she slowly looked up. Hermione was standing right before her, hands at her sides, eyes narrowed, lips pursed. Lilith's lips parted but nothing came out.
"You just left without saying a word, not even a note. You didn't respond to any of my letters, you didn't even respond to your own siblings or Fleur, and now you show up here out of nowhere! Do you know how worried sick we were?" Hermione's voice faltered, and Lilith could see her eyes watering. "We thought... we thought you might have... hurt yourself." she whispered the last words, "We thought... I thought... that I would never see you again." Lilith swallowed hard as she watched a few tears escaping Hermione's eyes, feeling a pang in her chest at the sight.
"I'm sorry," she whispered again, reaching for Hermione's hand. The younger witch tried to pull away but once Lilith caught her hand in hers, she stopped. Lilith ever so softly brushed her thumb over her knuckles, gently squeezing her fingers. "I know... I know what I did was idiotic, and stupid," she sighed "and the choices I've made were not the smartest ones, not even in the slightest," she looked up, her eyes meeting Hermione's watered ones. "but I've never wanted to hurt by that." she squeezed Hermione's hand, and looked down once again, not able to look Hermione in the eyes for longer than a few moments, sensing her feelings coming out in small waves. "I was in a really dark place, and I didn't want to," she bit her lip to stop her own tears from coming out. "I didn't want any of you to get caught in a crossfire." she shook her head, her own body betraying her as she felt water on her cheeks and tasted salt in her mouth. "I cut everyone off because... because I was not myself." Not entirely a lie. "I didn't want to talk or see anybody, I... I didn't want to think about what happened so I just threw myself into my work and let it swallow me completely." she felt her cold hand being covered by a warm one. Their roles reversed in a second as Hermione was now drawing comforting circles on the back of Lilith's hand. Lilith swallowed, her tears now running freely at the gesture as she finally looked up. Hermione's eyes no longer held anger or frustration but the familiar warmth that always comforted Lilith.
"I'm sorry, you have every right to be angry with me, you have every right to leave me..."
"I'm not leaving you, Lili." she squeezed Lilith's hand gently, sending shivers through Lilith's spine.
"I understand you're angry with me, you have every right to be," Lilith gulped, feeling her head pounding heavily. "but can we please not fight?" she was almost begging, her pain, both physical and emotional coming to the surface as her hand clutched onto one of Hermione's who was still rubbing gentle circles on it. "I'm... I'm so tired of fighting..." she closed her eyes and tried to take a deep breath but couldn't. "I... I'm so exhausted and... and I... I don't want to... don't want to fight with... with you." her breaths were shortening and her chest felt tighter in seconds. Her tears were now running in waterfalls and he hands were shaking. She hadn't had a panic attack in a while but the symptoms were always terrifying, intensifying the anxiety running through her like electricity.
She felt the warmth around her hands disappearing making her heart beat faster in panic but suddenly, her whole body was pulled into warmth as it enveloped her along with the familiar scent of lavender shampoo. Hermione. One of Hermione's hands snaked around her waist, pulling her as close to her as she possibly could, while the other gently cupped the back of her head, tucking it into her shoulder. She carefully undid Lilith's ponytail, gently running her finger through her freed hair, massaging her head, softening the banging pain inside her brain. It took Lilith a few seconds to comprehend what was happening before she hugged Hermione tightly, making sure she was there, that she wasn't leaving. As Hermione whispered soft words into her ear, Lilith's heart started to calm down, and the ringing and shakes slowly started to disappear as she cried into Hermione's shoulder.
"I...I'm s..sorry." she managed to get out in a broken whisper. Hermione was still running her fingers through her hair, and was silent for a moment before planting a soft kiss on her temple.
"I know."