Persuasion (PG-13, 14,800 words) (03/03)
Title: Persuasion
Rating: PG-13
Words: ~14,800
Summary: It's Ginny's second year. The Chamber of Secrets still lies closed. Her diary, however, is wide open, and she's been writing in it for the past year. Tom Riddle has her firmly in his grasp.
Notes: For omniocular's September challenge, the AU Extravaganza. My prompt was "63. The Chamber of Secrets is not opened in Harry's second year. It's Ginny's second year now, and she's still writing in Riddle's diary."
This hasn't been beta-read, and I'm sure it shows in the construction of plot. It was really hard to keep together. So if you spot something missing or contradictory, let me know, please!
Thanks to my husband for coming up with the title, even without reading it!
And it's been split into three parts, because it's too long for a single LJ entry; however, it is a one-shot.
Part I
Part II
14 February 1994
Dear Minerva,
I'm sending this with Fawkes because I'm sure the owls are being watched. But I needed to send it in writing so that we have a record.
Sirius is innocent. He's come to me here, at the Hog's Head, and told me that it was in fact Peter Pettigrew who was the Potters' Secret Keeper. They switched, without ever telling anyone. Pettigrew had been the spy, for at least a year.
I should start at the beginning. It's simply so astounding that I never saw... But. To begin.
Sirius Black is an unregistered animagus. He, Potter, and Pettigrew discovered Lupin's lycanthropy in their second year, and in their fifth year became animagi to keep him company during his transformations. They would sneak out to the Shrieking Shack, and then later to Hogsmeade and around the grounds-which is how the four boys came to know the school so well. Sirius mentioned a map as well, and said that Filch had stolen it from them. We'll need to search the files, as it shows the entirety of the school as well as the positions of persons within the school boundaries.
So, once Pettigrew had betrayed the Potters' location to Lord Voldemort, Sirius tracked him down, and found him in the street of Muggles. After shouting that Sirius had killed Lily and James, Pettigrew blew up the street, cut off his own finger, and transformed into a rat, in which form he's been hiding for the past twelve years. In fact, he hid with a wizarding family-the Weasleys. Sirius says that he saw Pettigrew, identifiable by his missing finger, in a newspaper clipping over the summer. I believe the rat currently belongs to Ron Weasley, and should be within Hogwarts.
Black further says that he escaped by turning into a dog when needed; that the knowledge of his innocence never left him, as it wasn't a happy thought. He was able to slip through the bars and swim to the mainland. It's an incredible feat.
I have not gone barking mad. I believe Sirius is telling the truth. Remus Lupin has confirmed their becoming animagi. It's as astounding as it is clever.
Sirius is innocent, Minerva. Innocent. And we need Peter Pettigrew as proof.
How goes the search for the murderer?
Happy Valentine's Day,
Albus
14 February 1994
Dear Albus,
This is astonishing. I trust you as always, however hard I find it to believe. Remus reiterated the story as you told it, and has begun a search of Filch's files for the map.
I've sent Moody off to find the rat. Ron Weasley says it's been hiding ever since Miss Granger's death, when Harry took posession of her cat. Well, a cat and a rat in one dormitory is obviously problematic.
Do you think it at all likely that Pettigrew is the murderer? Access to the Gryffindors, and you know how Moody goes on about it being most likely a Gryffindor?
Happy Valentine's to you, too,
Minerva
p.s. I've communicated with Crookshanks, Miss Granger's cat, who confirms that Scabbers never smelled right, and has suggested Moody try the kitchens. I'll contact you as soon as we find him. I hope no one else's cat has eaten him, as much as he might deserve it.
16 February 1994
Dear Albus,
You've got to be kidding me. Black, innocent? Next you'll be telling me that Harry Potter is the culprit behind these attacks!
Nevertheless, I will meet you in Hogsmeade as you request.
Fudge
17 February 1994
SIRIUS BLACK CLEARED OF ALL CHARGES
In an astounding move last night, the Wizengamot cleared Sirius Black of all charges against him, and instead convicted Peter Pettigrew of his crimes.
Pettigrew, it turns out, is an unregistered Animagus, along with Sirius Black and the late James Potter. It was in fact Pettigrew, not Black, who had been spying for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named for at least a year before Harry Potter defeated him, and Pettigrew, not Black, who blew apart an entire street of Muggles before cutting off his own finger and turning himself into a rat.
Pettigrew then lived with an unknown wizarding family before he was noticed by Sirius Black, who has been silent on how he knew where to look for Pettigrew. Black then escaped Azkaban using his Animagus form (now registered) and traveled to Hogwarts, because, he says, "Harry was in great danger with Pettigrew so nearby. The moment [He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named] returns, Pettigrew would have been perfectly placed to kill him."
Fudge says he is "delighted" to announce the capture of the real culprit behind the horrible mass murder of thirteen years ago.
Pettigrew faces life in Azkaban following a public trial early next week.
18 February 1994
Dear Tom,
The love potion worked!
Yes?
I got Harry to kiss me today! It's a few days late, but it's still a kiss.
And did you enjoy it?
Honestly, not really. He's not very good.
I'm sorry sorry not sorry Damn.
You're not sorry to hear it. I doused you with Veritaserum again. I've still got some left from what I originally stole.
Why did you douse me with Veritaserum this time?
I want to know what it is you want out of me.
I want to be human again.
That's all?
I want to rid the school of Mudbloods.
What else?
I want to kill you.
Hah! You can't! I'm in charge!
But if you're so in charge, why haven't you gotten rid of this book? You're scared, aren't you? You know that if you turn me in, you'll be in trouble. They won't forgive you. You've killed. You used the Avada Kedavra, you strangled and cut. You stole. You set a Basilisk on the school. It's all your fault.
But
But nothing. Ginny Weasley, murderess.
So? I had to!
It's a long road to power, Ginny. And you can't do it alone. YOU can't. I was able to
Until Harry offed you.
And I want to find out how he did that. I'm sure it was some fluke.
You mean, you didn't think of something.
Yes, I admit it, I was probably arrogant. This time, though, I won't be.
What do you mean, this time?
I want you to get me out of here.
NO! I'm not giving you away! You said it yourself! You want to kill me! I don't want to die!
You'll die anyway, when you get old. What difference does it make?
I don't believe you! You're trying to poison me, aren't you?
No, of course not.
Liar.
I can't be lying. You doused me with Veritaserum yourself.
Then you're just writing around the issue. How about this: What is your current plan for getting out of this diary?
Getting a new owner who will write in me and give me their own life force, so that the fragment of my soul enclosed here can strengthen.
So as long as I keep you, you can't do that.
But you have to keep me.
But I don't have to write in you!!
I don't think you'll be able to stop. You're addicted.
No, I'm not!
5 March 1994
Dear Harry,
I know this letter will come out of the blue, but I'm your godfather. I don't know if anyone ever told you. And... I'd like to get to know you, now that my name has been cleared. Would you like to meet me in Hogsmeade at the next weekend off? I've enclosed a permission slip-Remus mentioned to me that you'd not been allowed out while I was loose and supposedly after you.
I can't wait to meet you. Let me know ASAP.
Sirius
6 March 1994
Dear Sirius,
I can't wait. Next Hogsmeade weekend is Saturday after next.
See you,
Harry
18 March 1994
Dear Tom,
Hah! I knew you couldn't stop.
Shut up. I need your help. And it's been a month, so I hardly think it an addiction.
Of course, my dear Ginny. What is it now?
Harry's got a godfather, that Sirius Black. He was cleared a few weeks ago, and now Sirius wants him to come live with him!
So?
So I'm going to lose Harry! I wanted him to come and live with us, with me and my family!
Why can't you visit Harry and his godfather instead?
Because there's no way Mum would let me!
You shouldn't let her stand in your way.
You mean, just insist on moving out? I don't think Dad or my brothers would let me get very far. And they're rather big.
But you're more powerful now, aren't you?
Yeah... I dunno. That doesn't seem right. They are family.
What is family but people who hold you back?
They love me, Tom. They
wouldn't let you do something that would make you very happy, right? Living with Harry would make you happy.
Yes, it would. But
And you say there's no way they'd let you.
No, Mum would say I'm too young. But
And are you?
No! But
So you should just run off, and if they stop you
I don't want to kill them!
I never said to kill them!
Oh.
Why did you assume I meant that?
Because you said I was more powerful than they were.
I just meant you could best them in a duel.
Oh. Okay. But what if Sirius doesn't want me to come live with them?
That might happen. And if you duelled with Sirius?
He's a hulking big man, Tom, he'd probably just throw away his wand and clunk me on the head.
There are spells for physical strength.
Yeah?
Yes. Potions. Probably in your brother's book again.
But I'd still be duelling Sirius, and Harry loves Sirius like a father.
Harry told you this?
Yes. We're good friends now. He likes me a lot.
Have you told him about Hermione and Colin?
No, no reason to upset him more. I think killing Hermione was a mistake as far as Harry goes.
Oh? He loved her?
I don't know. He liked her.
But she was a Mudblood! Doesn't he have any pride?
He didn't. I'll turn him around. And when we grow up we'll get married and have loads of children.
Whatever happened to being beautiful? Or to Evil Ramona? What about your plans for taking over the world?
They don't matter anymore, now that Harry's mine.
Except, you say, for Sirius.
Right. Sirius. But you said a strengthening potion could help me in a physical fight, and my magical powers are far greater than anyone else's in my year. In fact, sometimes I have to pretend to be a lot worse than I am in class, or the teachers will get suspicious. And more than once Moody's nearly caught me in the Restricted Section. That eye of his can see through Disilliusionment Charms, it's awful.
Is he still prowling around?
Yes, of course. He still takes Defence once a month. I wish I knew why Lupin was out so often.
Maybe he's a werewolf.
What? That's ridiculous.
Check it with the moon phases.
Fine. Bye.
20 March 1994
Dear Sirius,
Hogsmeade was so much fun! We'll have to do this next weekend as well.
Anyway, I have a question about summer. Would it be all right if two of the Weasleys came to stay with us? Ron and Ginny, they're my two good friends. Ron's owling their parents, but I'm sure they'd be okay with it.
Where do you live, anyway?
Harry
22 March 1994
Dear Ron and Ginny,
Your mother and I have finally agreed that, as long as we meet and approve of Sirius Black beforehand, you and Ginny are welcome to stay for the first month of the holidays with Harry and his godfather. I'm hoping to get tickets to the Quidditch World Cup this summer, so the second month we'll take Harry with us, assuming that's all right with Sirius.
Love,
Dad
23 March 1994
Dear Harry,
I live in London, which is why this owl took so long to get to you.
I'd love to have company this summer. I live at my parents' old house, which is large and gloomy, and needs a lot of cleaning before it's really inhabitable. There's a house-elf, but he hasn't cleaned anything in ages. I might have to give him clothes-you know, free him. Doubt he'd like you very much, as my parents were in with Voldemort. One of the reasons people wanted to suspect me so much-like father, like son, as they say.
In any case, Ron and Ginny are perfectly welcome to come and stay with us, as long as their parents say it's okay.
Sirius
30 March 1994
Dear Tom,
I don't believe it! Lupin is a werewolf!
I'm not surprised to hear it. If he's absent once a month, that's pretty suspicious. How did you find out?
It's full moon now, and he missed class.
Yes, of course he would. But where does he go to transform?
No idea. But there's the Wolfsbane Potion now. When Snape took the lessons at the beginning of the year, he made sure we learned about werewolves. Wolfsbane keeps them from losing their minds during the transformation.
Clever. But what if he forgets a dose?
Then he'd be lose among the students as a werewolf. Merlin help us. I hope that never happens. I don't think even I could take down a werewolf. They're hard to kill, as Snape made us learn.
That doesn't seem like such a good idea, to have a werewolf teaching in a school.
No, no, it isn't.
Whose idea?
Dumbledore's, of course. But Dumbledore's gone, so it's still McGonagall as Acting Headmistress. The Board haven't been able to choose a new head.
What would happen if you outed him?
He'd get sacked. And serve him right!
Why not do it, then?
10 April 1994
WEREWOLF TEACHING AT HOGWARTS
As if the dangers of this year were not enough, it was recently revealed that Remus J. Lupin, who teaches Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, is, in fact, a werewolf. An anonymous tip sent to the Daily Prophet led your reporter to search the Ministry's Werewolf Registry, where Lupin's name could easily be found alongside the names of such monsters as Fenrir Greyback and Castor Pitstock.
If Albus Dumbledore had not already been sacked, this would surely be cause for his dismissal. Dumbledore was unavailable for comment, as usual.
Acting Headmistress McGonagall told reporters, "Yes, of course we knew he was a werewolf. That's why he was taking the Wolfsbane Potion every month. Our Potions Master is one of the best in the country and never failed."
The Wolfsbane Potion, which allows a transformed werewolf to keep its head, does not prevent the bites from being infectious during the transformation. In addition, the werewolf must take it for the entire week before the full moon; a missed dose renders the entire treatment ineffectual.
"It's completely inacceptable," says Augusta Longbottom, who has rarely spoken out against Dumbledore's policies. "I have nothing against werewolves and other part-humans, but putting one in a school... that's far too risky."
13 April 1994
Alastor Moody's journal
Wish Lupin could still be here. But no one wants to stay at the school if a werewolf's teaching, so he left. Still, not too many students anyway. About 150, I'd say.
Maybe the Heir left along with the rest?
Somehow I don't think so. Slytherin's Heir wouldn't leave Hogwarts. That's what this is all about. The school, the building.
I feel I'm missing something important.
14 April 1994
Dear Sirius,
I have recently heard that Harry Potter will be moving in with you come this summer. I am writing to insist that he stay with his Muggle relatives. I know you want to get to know your godson, but it was for Harry's safety that I placed him with his relatives, and with Voldemort still active, we cannot let Harry's safety be anything but of utmost importance.
Petunia Dursley is Lily's sister, and it is in her blood that Harry's protection lies. As long as he can call their house home, Harry is safe with them. As soon as any other place becomes his home, he loses that protection. If Harry comes to live with you in London, he will immediately be vulnerable to attack from Voldemort and the Death Eaters.
I'm terribly sorry to deprive you of what should be a great joy, but as long as Voldemort lives, Harry must remain as protected as possible.
Yours,
Albus
16 April 1994
Albus,
Shove it up your nose.
No, I understand. Can he at least visit?
Sirius
18 April 1994
Dear Sirius,
Yes, Harry may come visit you, but he must remain at his aunt and uncle's for at least two weeks before he leaves. I appreciate your cooperation.
Yours,
Albus
20 April 1994
Dear Harry,
Bad news. Dumbledore says you can't come live with me permanently. I know, I know. According to him, you have to be able to call your aunt and uncle's house "home" in order to stay protected from Voldemort and the Death Eaters.
HOWEVER, you're welcome to come stay with me after you've been with the Dursleys for two weeks. But it has to be two weeks with them, unfortunately. Maybe I should come and pick you up on my motorbike. It flies. Arthur Weasley would have a fit, I'm sure. And if Petunia is how I remember her, she'll have a fit just looking at me. Have you mentioned that I'm innocent? If not, don't. The Muggles still think I'm an escaped convict. What fun!
How about it? You stay with your aunt and uncle for two weeks, then I pick you up and we go to London.
Love,
Sirius
24 April 1994
Dear Tom,
I hate Dumbledore!
Why?
He's not letting Harry move out of his aunt and uncle's place?
Whyever not?
Something about needing the protection. It's stupid! I can protect Harry.
I'm sure you can. But you can't tell anyone, can you?
Tom! You're so hateful!
No, I'm just truthful.
I HATE YOU!
30 April 1994
Dear Sirius,
The school board is meeting in a few days' time to vote for a new headmaster. It would be such a pity if Lucius Malfoy were ill for the meeting, would it not?
Yours,
Albus
5 May 1994
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE RE-INSTATED AS HOGWARTS HEADMASTER
The Hogwarts Board of Governors met last night for final votes on the controversial choice of headmaster. To everyone's surprise, Albus Dumbledore was re-instated.
"We looked at every other candidate, including Minerva McGonagall and Horace Slughorn, both of whom have had excellent teaching careers and held Head of House positions, but we slowly realized that Albus Dumbledore was the only person right for the job," said Xavier Brown, to nods from the rest of the Board members.
After his tragic mis-handling of the murders earlier this year, and his appointment of a werewolf to a teaching position, it can hardly be a surprise that many parents are protesting his re-appointment.
"It's a scandal," says Charlotte Greengrass, whose daughter is in her third year. "I don't fear for Daphne's safety anymore, now that the attacks have stopped, but I'm not sure I want her learning magic from someone like that."
Albus Dumbledore was finally available for comment, but only said that he was "delighted with the decision."
Dumbledore will return to his post next Monday.
5 May 1994
Sirius,
My most sincere thanks.
Albus
Date: 8 May 1994
To: Heads of House
From: Albus
Re: Slytherin's Heir
Dear all,
Let's catch this person once and for all. Moody has procured Secrecy Sensors for each of you. Please use them liberally on your own House.
I'm most heartily embarrassed that we couldn't catch the culprit without such blatant intrusion ont the students' privacy, but even I make mistakes.
Albus
15 May 1994
Dear Tom,
They've got Secrecy Sensors! What do I do?
I'm just a diary.
But all the things I know, all the
You're not concealing me, though. And no one will know I'm a Horcrux just by looking at me. Trust me, a Secrecy Sensor will not pick me up.
You sure?
I'm Tom Riddle, you silly girl.
Well, I'm Ginevra Weasley, you bully. I ought to destroy you.
You don't know how to destroy me.
I'll find out!
You don't want to destroy me. You don't dare.
I'll hide you!
Ginny, you have no idea how powerful I am.
You're threatening me.
Yes, I am.
But you can't do anything to me. You're just a fragment of soul.
Stupid girl, look at what I've already made you do! You've killed three people. You killed one with your own wand!
But you didn't make me do those! I wanted to kill them! And I don't regret it!
Then why are you so afraid of having me picked up by a search? You're scared of being found out.
I don't want Harry to stop liking me!
Which he will, if he ever learns that you killed his best friend.
Oh, no, it's McG
Ginny?
Ginny?
15 May 1994
Dear Molly and Arthur,
I have both good and bad news. The good news is that all your children are alive and safe. The bad news is that young Ginny Weasley has been the victim of an unfortunate acquaintance.
I regret to tell you that your daughter was the source of the murders this past year. We're not entirely sure what sort of punishment is appropriate for her actions, as she was undoubtedly duped by Lord Voldemort, who was acting through a diary containing a fragment of his soul. She is not entirely blameless, however, and admits to her numerous crimes freely. She is deeply confused, and greatly needs her parents.
Please come to the school at once. We must discuss what action to take.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
20 May 1994
Hello, Tom.
Hello, Albus. I recognized your writing.
What have you been doing to Miss Weasley?
To whom?
Tom, Tom, let's not play games.
Quite a thing for you to say. Presumably you confiscated this diary from Miss Weasley, so you ought to know perfectly well what has been done to her, especially if you know about me.
An astute observation, Tom. Miss Weasley was indeed in possession of this diary.
What have you discovered?
Horcruxes, Tom, Horcruxes.
What about Horcruxes?
In the plural, right?
I don't That is to say, I
Professor Slughorn was here, Tom. He mentioned a conversation the two of you had during your sixth year.
Did he now?
Yes, he did.
Oh.
Speechless, Tom? You should prepare your last words, because this diary is going to be burned shortly.
Fire won't destroy me, Albus.
Phoenix fire will. Oh, and look, Fawkes will be moulting in just a few minutes. He's such a lovely bird to have around. Phoenixes are amazing, are they not?
May you rot in Hell.
Oh, I think you'll learn about Hell far before I do.
1 June 1994
HOGWARTS MURDERER APPREHENDED
Ginevra Weasley, the youngest of the current Weasley clan, was arrested yesterday by Ministry authorities for the murder of two Hogwarts students and one of its employees.
Albus Dumbledore, headmaster, reportedly tried to prevent Miss Weasley's guilt from reaching the public for as long as possible. "She's only thirteen," he told reporters. "She was under the influence of [He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named], and needs treatment more than a trial."
Miss Weasley was heard to say, "I know what I did and I don't regret it."
Cornelius Fudge, however, said, "I don't care if she was acting under the Imperius Curse, she's got to stand trial for what she did."
Molly and Arthur Weasley declined an interview.
Lucius Malfoy, one of the Board of Governors, commented, "I'm not surprised the Weasleys won't talk. Their own daughter, killing Muggleborns? It's shocking. There must have been something wrong at home. And these are the people who draw up our laws?"
Harry Potter, who was a very close friend of Miss Weasley, said, "I was shocked when I first learned, but when I heard her explaining what had happened, I don't think she's guilty. She's just terribly confused. She used to be a really nice girl."
For readers who might be unaware, the major crimes for which Miss Weasley is to stand trial are as follows:
1. The murder of Hermione Granger, 23 September 1993, through the use of a Basilisk 2. The murder of Colin Creevey, 31 October 1993, with the Killing Curse 3. The murder of Argus Filch, 1 January 1994, through the use of the Basilisk
Miss Weasley will stand trial on June 8. It is a closed trial.
8 June 1994
TRANSCRIPT OF THE TRIAL OF GINEVRA MOLLY WEASLEY, ACCUSED OF THREE MURDERS
Cornelius Oswald Fudge: Trial of the 8th of June into the murders of Hermione Jane Granger, Colin Clint Creevey, and Argus Woods Filch, by Ginevra Molly Weasley, of the Burrow. Interrogators are Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister for Magic; Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Deparment of Magical Law Enforcement. Court Scribe is Terence Lucius Higgs. Witness for the Defence is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. You are Ginevra Molly Weasley, of the Burrow?
Ginevra Molly Weasley: Yes.
Fudge: Do you admit to the crimes which have been laid before you?
Miss Weasley: Yes, I do.
Fudge: Well, then, that seems straightforward.
Amelia Susan Bones: The standard punishment for murder by a minor is three months in Azkaban's youth section, per murder. Still, Fudge, she's rather young, isn't she? Shouldn't we hear what she has to say?
Fudge: Very well, very well. Miss Weasley, go ahead.
Miss Weasley: I do not claim to be blameless in what I did. I murdered three people, and in my mind at the time it was for the best. I wanted-I wanted-
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore: Go on.
Miss Weasley: I wanted Harry Potter to notice me.
Fudge: So you murdered his friend?
Miss Weasley: That's what Tom told me to do.
Madam Bones: Who's Tom?
Miss Weasley: Tom Riddle. The boy who became Lord V-Voldemort.
Fudge: I beg your pardon! How could You-Know-Who, who I know to be in Albania, have affected this girl here?
Dumbledore: You're very right, Cornelius. Voldemort is indeed in Albania. However, he left parts of his soul behind. One of them was concealed in this diary here.
Fudge: Record that a small, black, and extremely burnt diary has been presented as evidence.
Madam Bones: And how are we to know that this ever held a part of Lord Voldemort's soul? Why is it burnt?
Dumbledore: I confess that I had not thought it necessary to retain this as evidence. My first priority was to remove the soul from within it. In order to do that, I placed it in the heart of a phoenix's burning fire.
Madam Bones: Yes, that would do it, I'd say. Dumbledore, you're trustworthy. If you say that this little book held a fragment of Voldemort's soul, then I accept your testimony as truth. Fudge?
Fudge: Yes, yes, I suppose that will have to do. So, Miss Weasley, we accept that you were influenced by You-Know-Who. However, that does not erase you of the guilt of three murders. Three!
Miss Weasley: I know.
Fudge: Do you want to go to Azkaban?
Miss Weasley: Not really. It sounds awful.
Madam Bones: For goodness' sake, child, are you even going to try to defend yourself?
Miss Weasley: What's the point? I did it all for Harry, and now he'll hate me forever. I killed his best friend, and then I just started killing because it was kind of cool. I thought it would impress him. But those didn't work, and so I finally had to resort to a mild love potion to get him to even kiss me, which was really nice. But then he wanted to be just friends. So, yeah. What's the point of defending myself if there's nothing out there for me?
Madam Bones: Record that the accused has begun to cry! Miss Weasley, you're twelve
Dumbledore: Thirteen.
Madam Bones: Thirteen. You have a hundred years or more ahead of you. Fudge, this girl needs therapy, not Azkaban. Albus, what have you to say?
Dumbledore: I heartily agree. Miss Weasley simply misstepped.
Fudge: She killed three people! She nearly caused the shutdown of a great wizarding institution! She caused you to be sacked, Albus! Misstepped, my foot!
Dumbledore: And I have forgiven her for that.
Fudge: What about the parents of her victims? The Grangers and the Creeveys? She killed their children.
Miss Weasley: I spoke to them already. They're angry, but at Voldemort, not at me. I don't get it.
Dumbledore: They are angry at Voldemort because that is where the blame lies. Cornelius, if you send this girl to Azkaban, even for a short time, I believe she will die in there, or go insane.
Fudge: It's only the youth level! There aren't so many Dementors up there.
Dumbledore: Cornelius, can you imagine what she must hear? Have you no heart? Ginny, tell them what you hear.
Fudge: But-
Madam Bones: I want to hear this. Miss Weasley, go on. What do you hear when Dementors approach?
Miss Weasley: I hear-I hear Tom's voice. He tells me that I can be beautiful and loved, and that-and that all I need to do is let him out. Then he tells me I'm a failure, and that I deserve to die, and that-
Madam Bones: That's enough. Cornelius, be reasonable. She clearly needs therapy. As it is, she'll have enough bad publicity from this to last for several years.
Dumbledore: Do we really need another twisted soul ready to fall prey to a resurrected Voldemort? The Ministry's made enough mistakes in the past fifteen years, don't you think? Serious mistakes?
Fudge: Back to this diary. Miss Weasley, how did it come to be in your possession?
Miss Weasley: I found it in one of my textbooks at the beginning of my first year. I thought someone had left it there. It's a used textbook, you see.
Fudge: And how did this diary influence you?
Miss Weasley: I wrote it in, of course, and then Tom wrote back. And for the first year, he didn't do anything but listen to me. It was really nice, like having a friend in my pocket. But, I guess, he started telling me about all these spells that would get me power, and that by being powerful I could be popular. And since I really like Harry, I wanted to get Harry to notice me. But it wasn't until this fall that he suggested I use the Chamber to kill Hermione. I think, by that time, I was really hateful.
Fudge: Hence the first murder. And the second? That was not done by the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets, which itself I find hard to believe.
Dumbledore: I have been down to the Chamber with Harry Potter, who has revealed himself to speak Parseltongue.
Fudge: Oh, now Potter's a Parselmouth!
Dumbledore: Indeed he is. He communicated with the Basilisk, at great personal risk, and it confirmed that Miss Weasley had been ordering it around, speaking Parseltongue.
Fudge: But we only have Potter's word for this.
Miss Weasley: Harry doesn't lie!
Madam Bones: Perhaps Potter can be summoned to testify? If you don't believe Dumbledore, Fudge?
Fudge: Very well, very well. I'll accept your testimony, Albus. But it's all getting so strange.
Madam Bones: It's very strange.
Fudge: Yes. The second murder, Miss Weasley?
Miss Weasley: Colin... I didn't like Colin. He was annoying. Harry thought he was annoying.
Fudge: And so you killed him because he was annoying? A bit out of proportion, wouldn't you think?
Miss Weasley: It made sense at the time. Tom taught me the Killing Curse. I practiced it on flies and such; I stole Neville Longbottom's toad and killed that, and then I killed Colin and made it look like he'd hanged himself.
Madam Bones: Are you sorry for it?
Miss Weasley: I don't know. It's all a shock. I think I am. At least, I wish I could go back and never have met Tom.
Madam Bones: Hm.
Fudge: And the third murder, that of the caretaker.
Miss Weasley: That was the snake again.
Fudge: Why?
Miss Weasley: Everyone hated him.
Dumbledore: This is quite true. Sad, but true. Still, Argus did his job well, and I believe he enjoyed it.
Fudge: But murder?
Madam Bones: Fudge, she's been out of her senses!
Fudge: So we've established your guilt and the method of murder for three human murders, one toad, and you've admitted to the creation, possession, and administration of a love potion. At the very least this means expulsion!
Dumbledore: Miss Weasley has been suspended from school for the following year.
Fudge: I say she should spend it in Azkaban.
Madam Bones: And I say she should spend it in St Mungo's.
Dumbledore: Might was ask the Wizengamot?
Fudge: Those in favor of Azkaban?
Madam Bones: Please record 15 votes in favor of Azkaban.
Fudge: Those in favor of St Mungo's?
Madam Bones: Please record 38 votes in favor of St Mungo's.
Fudge: Very well! A year in St Mungo's! Let it be noted that the Minister for Magic fully disagrees with the sentencing. I would like to request that, should the accused ever be convicted of any further Dark activity, she is sent to Azkaban for the maximum term allowed for that particular crime. Is it agreed?
Madam Bones: Please record a unanimous show of hands.
Fudge: Very well. Dismissed!
6 July 1994
Dear Mum and Dad,
The people here are very nice. It's restful. They don't allow me to write at all except for these letters, and I think I need it. I'm allowed to learn magic, but they don't let me have a wand except for the few hours of school time each day. Luna's been to visit, with her father. They're both very nice. I think Luna understands a lot more than she lets on. Mum, you should find her father a new wife, because he's lonely.
I miss you all very much. Tell the twins to send me something funny. I'd like to see Ron, if he's forgiven me yet. Percy came by yesterday, to talk about his new job. He says people ask him about me all the time, but he's been surprisingly nice about it. I want to see Charlie and Bill, when they come out for the World Cup. You're still going, aren't you? I know I can't.
Oh! Writing time is up.
I love you all,
Ginny
6 July 1994
Dear Tom,
They won't give me parchment and ink, but I stole some when they let me write my letter. I know you're dead and gone, but you'll live on inside me.
I certainly shall, my dear Ginny.
~fin~