[HP] Three thousand days of innocence

Although the pre-trial date was brought forward, the media still found out.Ginny had naively hoped - maybe for a minute or two - that they knew it too late to take any action, and that Draco could avoid having to face dozens of flashing cameras and ruthless reporters who only cared about front-page bylines. humiliated before.Not to mention the sheer curiosity - wherever she went in the British wizarding world these days, people were asking each other where they thought "that Malfoy boy" had been for the past eight years.

They flocked to London to see the fugitive heir.Ginny followed a large group of tourists to the Ministry of Magic, and they caused a lot of trouble by blocking the security checkpoints.The pre-trial is three hours away, and here are the vultures, gloating at the misfortunes of other people's sons.Their accents came from all over the country: she heard one wizard speaking to another in a peculiar Scottish accent, and she turned, hoping to see Simon and John.She searched the crowd as unobtrusively as possible, they didn't seem to be there yet.Miraculously, she made it to Auror headquarters unnoticed.

She had just sat down at the desk when Ron walked over with wide eyes. "I know," she said. "I can't believe it either."

"Just because he's better looking than Lestrange and Yaxley," said Ron angrily, leaning against her table. "You know, he was brought to this point by his parents, as the younger—"

"Looks like someone read the Daily Prophet," said Ginny coldly.

Ron rolled his eyes. "I'm serious! No other Death Eater gets this much attention!"

"Can we say something to get rid of them?" Ginny asked. "Isn't that the old regulation we can enforce?"

"All pre-trials are public," said Ron. "Besides, if we don't let the journalists in, they'll yell at us."

At 11:30 they were heading towards Court Seven - the largest court of the Ministry of Magic; she should have thought of that, as they knew there would be a large audience.The other Aurors wished them luck as they left.Most of them would actually be in the pre-trial as well, leaving just the three with short straws to keep the office running.Harry, whose ears had healed but still sensitive to sound, went downstairs with Ron, chatting about their memories of Draco at Hogwarts.

"Do you remember that year on the Hogwarts Express?" he said with a smile. "We enchanted them all at the same time. Malfoy and his two henchmen? God, they look disgusting!"

"When I told Mum, she gave me a hard time," said Ron, laughing awkwardly. "I think Hermione said later that there's no valid reason to attack people..."

"It's going to be fun," said Harry, as they reached the double doors leading to courtroom number seven.The door burst open, and two hapless low-ranking Aurors were trying to control the crowd, but with little success.The atmosphere is more befitting of a carnival or festival, with snacks and cameras packed into the pockets of dress robes.Young children who knew nothing about the war were herded in by their parents, with no one paying attention or respect to the Ministry officials who tried to control them.

Ginny was dumbfounded.Was the case really so explosive in the public eye?

Harry led her and Ron to the little box where the Aurors sat, to the left of the seats reserved for the Wizengamot.Above them, rows of seats stretched in a semicircle from the center of the room, filled with wizards and wizards in robes of various colours.Ginny looked at the crowd, feeling more and more helpless, until she saw Lucius Malfoy, all in black, sitting behind the Wizengamot's box.She said something hastily to Harry and Ron, and got up and walked towards him.

Lucius greeted her with a slight nod as she approached. "Is there... nothing to do with this?" he said contemptuously, and Ginny laughed nervously.

"I'm afraid not," she said. "I told Draco what was going to happen today, but I just realized that you—"

"I believe I know how the pre-trial is conducted, thank you." He said coldly. "What about his... amnesia?"

Ginny explained as briefly as possible how the necessary inquiries, treatment at St. Mungo's and the actual trial would take place.It was almost noon, and she was almost finished, when the commotion at the entrance of the courtroom caught her attention.More than one person raised their voices, and people formed a long queue behind them noisily.Ginny said goodbye to Lucius and ran down the steps, hoping she would somehow resolve the situation.

She knew who they were before she even met them. "He's not allowed in," said the besieged Auror to Simon. "Anyone who is not a British citizen—"

"I said, he's with me!" cried Simon. "Why, do you think he will pass on state secrets to his Aboriginal friends in Australia?"

Ginny had only seen them in Muggle clothes before, but for the occasion, John wore dress robes.Next to him Simon is in full Scottish attire, green plaid skirt, fur bag, plaid stockings and buckled shoes, black waistcoat and formal coat.

"You can go in, you're Scot," said the Auror, and it was obvious. "But your companion—"

"My companion?" Simon said, with an offended look.He put his arms around John's shoulders domineeringly. "Man, it's the love of my life. Johnny and I are married. So you gotta let him in with me."

Ginny almost laughed out loud, and had to cover her mouth tightly.The Auror - and John himself - looked very confused.

"What's wrong?" Simon asked. "Johnny, I don't think he believes me."

"I don't think he believed it either," John replied; Ginny thought he was going to laugh too. "Maybe he thinks it's impossible for a man like me to be with someone like you."

"I can't think of a reason."

"I know, you're so fucking charming."

"Thank you, baby."

"Okay, sorry!" the Auror called. "If—if you're really married—"

Simon rolled his eyes. "Just let us in, boy," he said. "I'm here to watch the interrogation, not to be interrogated."

Ginny held back her smile and walked over. "Is there a problem here?"

The Auror—his name seemed to be Nigel Bertram—one of the new cadets—turned to her, sighing in relief. "This man is not a British citizen," he explained.

"It doesn't matter if they've been married for at least three years," said Ginny, raising an eyebrow at John and Simon.They grinned and nodded at her, but Ginny tried to keep her face impassive. "Gentlemen, I am sorry to trouble you. Please allow me to help you find a seat."

"Thank you," said Simon, glaring at the hapless Nigel, and they followed her into the courtroom.Ginny fumbled for their hands beside her, and squeezed them; they squeezed hers too.When the two of them came, Ginny's heart suddenly felt a lot easier - as if Draco would be completely pardoned if only they showed up.

"Damn it, Johnny, look at our girl in a nice uniform," said Simon, looking at Ginny appreciatively. "I feel like I'm burning myself."

"He's gone astray within five minutes of being married," said John, with an exaggerated sigh.

"Gee, you know I have a sense of authority."

Ginny couldn't help giggling. "Oh my God, Kim, I've missed you so much this week."

"Me too, honey." He winked at her.

"I wish my legs were half as beautiful in a dress as yours," she joked.

"Damn Lowlanders, it's a kilt!"

"You two go find your seats." She said with a smile, pushing them towards the rows of seats. "The Wizengamot is coming out soon."

The two continued to walk up, and Ginny returned to Harry and Ron.Harry frowned, watching the backs of Simon and John. "Who are they?" he asked, frowning.

"They're having trouble getting in," she replied lightly. "Unfortunately for them, the wizarding world is not very forward-looking, but I have always supported gay rights."

Harry looked at her in surprise, and at that moment the far door of the courtroom opened and the members of the Wizengamot filed in.The audience sat down immediately, and the Auror closed the far door, sealing the room from anyone in.Leading the Wizengamot is Kingsley Shacklebolt, who was chosen to be Wizard Chief a few years ago and has done a lot in his career to deserve the title.All present watched with great anticipation as Britain's most respected witches and wizards strode to their boxes at the front of the courtroom and took their seats.The noon clock has struck.The show is about to begin.

Kingsley reached for the gavel and tapped it. "Pre-trial proceedings now begin," he announced, his muffled voice filling the courtroom. "Ladies and gentlemen of the Wizengamot, please state your names for the record."

It took a long time for every member of the Wizengamot—for the jury was all present today—to speak his name.After the clerk took down their names, Kingsley spoke again. "Today we will proceed with the pre-trial process and the actual trial date will be set after the charges. If the Wizengamot does not object, we will begin."

No one spoke.A courtroom that just a few minutes ago had been filled with excited conversation, the rustling of dresses and the creaking of benches was now as silent as a graveyard, with everyone in the stands holding their breath and sitting on the edge of their chairs.

"Very well," Kingsley said, gesturing.

The far door opened again, and two uniformed guards led Draco in; another wizard followed.As soon as he appeared, the court exploded: the wizard stood up and yelled at him, cursing at the top of his lungs; the witch hissed and threatened to cast a spell on him; camera flashes crackled like ephemeral fireworks .Ginny spotted Draco in a Muggle three-piece suit: well-pressed dark gray pinstripe trousers, waistcoat and coat, with a light blue shirt and a cobalt blue tie underneath.His hair was neatly combed, revealing his face - a face of fear and despair in the face of an unfriendly welcome in court.The two guards took him unceremoniously to the waiting chair, chains wrapped around his ankles and wrists, apparently startling Draco.Guards and nearby spectators laughed at him.

Kingsley had to knock the gavel a few times before the court fell silent. "Draco Scorpius Malfoy," he said over the din. "You are in the highest court of the country to be judged for a crime you have committed. Once guilty or not guilty, you will then be tried in a full court, where you will be tried in whatever manner the Wizengamot deems necessary and prudent. Do you defend yourself in this way. Do all the people in court agree?" The judges—and many spectators—all agreed.

"Are you mocking the court, Mr. Malfoy?" a witch asked suddenly.Ginny's hands tightened around her knees, her heart beating wildly.

"I—I don't understand, ma'am," Draco replied nervously.

"You're wearing Muggle clothes," said the witch to Kingsley's right. "Maybe you haven't noticed, this is a trial in the wizarding world."

"Don't pester the defendant too much," Kingsley said. "If there are no other questions, let's start." The witch nodded, motioning for him to continue. "Mr. Malfoy, you are charged with knowingly and willingly joining the so-called Death Eaters - once known as Knights of Walpurgis, intent on harming Muggles, Muggle-born wizards and disapproving Death Eater leaders - deceased Tom Marvolo Riddle—the pureblood wizard—what's your response?"

"I don't know," Draco said.

There was a full second of stunned silence, and then the court roared with laughter; Kingsley had to use the gavel again. "Mr Malfoy, you are in danger of being held in contempt of court," he said angrily, frowning. "I asked you a question and I need an answer."

"Sir, I don't remember anything before November 1998," Draco said, with a hint of desperation in his voice.

"Is this your formal plea?" said a wizard behind Kingsley.

"Yes, sir." Draco replied. "I don't remember the war, and I don't remember the crimes." He briefly explained his dissociative fugue in a tense, hesitant tone.Everyone in the courtroom listened attentively to his every word, but Ginny noticed that more than one person was shaking their heads in disgust and disbelief.

"Then I think I should read the rest of the charges for the record," Kingsley said, and the Wizengamot agreed. "Mr. Malfoy, you are charged with the murder of Colin Creevey, the assault on the person of Padma Patil, the willful murder of Katherine Bell, the willful murder of Ronald Weasley, the willful murder of Albus Dumbledore—" There were angry yells from the court, and it was a long time before Kingsley could continue. "You've also been charged with using the Imperius Curse, being a Death Eater, possessing a cursed item, and endangering a minor. Can't you answer any of those charges?"

Draco didn't even look up at him again, but stared at the floor. "No." he said hoarsely. "I can not."

"There is also a charge of absconding," Kingsley added. "But the extent of your amnesia is established, and the charge will be dropped. If nothing else—"

"Put him in Azkaban!" cried a wizard from the stands. "Malfoy doesn't deserve clemency!"

"Death Eater scum!" cried a witch.

"Sinner! Cold-blooded murderer!"

The shouts became louder and louder, one after another, even overshadowing the sound of Kingsley's gavel.Ginny had known it was going to be bad - Percy had warned her - but... oh my god.She didn't expect it to become like this.

The yelling continued, and Ron took her in his arms, his lips to her forehead. "Why?" she said softly.

"I'm sorry, Kim," he murmured, shaking her slightly.