Snakes and Sanguine

Summer: A Summer's Clothes

CW: Slight homophobia

When Harry Potter had told me the news I didn't know whether to be glad or horrified. It felt wrong to be relieved that someone was killed, even if that person had tried to kill me themself. I tried to feel strictly horrified but I couldn't help but smile about it when I was alone.

Regardless of the murder of Cepheus Archana, I still had to attend a trial, the trial against my father. This would be the first time that I would see him and my mother since the fire. I felt my throat tense up with nerves as I put on the dress robe that I was required to wear. I was not even quite sure how one of these trials worked. What would I need to do?

Just like Al had promised, he came with me to the trial. Harry apperated the two of us to one of the phone booths that led us into the Ministry of Magic. Al stepped into the red box first and was followed by me, and then his father.

We walked through the bustling Ministry building until we reached the lower level of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. I stared at the circular sign that was posted above two large doors that had the letter M in the center. Each leg was being weighed on a balanced scale. Surrounding the symbol was four words: Ignorantia, Juris, Neminem, Excusat.

"Don't worry." Harry said calmly before we entered. "The trials are pretty brief. Plus, the new Minister has just been sworn in a few weeks ago and will make sure no harm comes to you. I promise."

Not knowing what to answer, I just smiled slightly and nodded. Al could tell that regardless of his father's words, I was still worried and he put a hand on my shoulder, gripping it slightly.

"I'll be here the whole time." he reassured as we entered through the large doors. "Scorpius should probably be here soon as well."

"Thanks." I replied, still holding my small smile that acted like a shield that protected everyone else from my true feelings.

I felt my breath become shaky as I noticed the many wizards sitting around the room. They all wore a uniform robe and a square shaped hat, some black, some red. At the front of the room was none other than the new minister herself, Hermione Granger. To her left, was the Chief Warlock, whose name I did not know. He was a rather chubby man who wore thick square glasses and held a pipe in his mouth. There was a tall blonde boy in the corner of the room who looked to be approximately my age who sat next to the Court Scribe. The boy's blonde hair was pin straight and was parted down the middle. His nose was upturned and buttoned and his eyes were a sea foam green. I watched the Court Scribe say something to the boy, causing him to laugh and his cheekbones to rise as he did so.

"Hey, I'll meet you after the trial." Al smiled, before taking a seat next to his father in the gallery.

I walked over to the witness section of the courtroom and took my seat. No other witnesses seemed to be present, except for the witch house worker, Lyla, who had gotten help that night. I was a bit surprised to find that none of the squibs seemed to show, maybe they were not useful enough when it came to the trial. House elves of course, were not permitted to be witnesses because of their undying loyalty to their masters. In this case, my father.

Lyla scooted across the bench, closer to me.

"Howya feelin?" she asked.

"Never been better." I said sarcastically.

"It'll be over before you know it." she responded kindly, ignoring my rude tone. I stayed silent, drifting my eyes to Hermione Granger who quickly scribbled down notes on to a piece of parchment. "Mr. Anderson wanted me to let ya know he's doin aright" she finally said.