The First Trial
The First Week of June, 1998
‘Trial of Gregory Goyle:
Status: Private
Notable Witness and Accounts: Headmistress and Transfiguration Professor of Hogwarts: Minerva McGonagall; War Heroes and Peers for 6 years: Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Ronald Weasley; Other Notable Heroes and Witness of his (Goyle Jr.) Seventh Year at Hogwarts and his use of the Cruciatus Curse: Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, Ginevera Weasley.
Charges: Illegal Uses of the Unforgivable Curses; Illegal Uses of the Cruciatus Curse Against Lower Year Student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Attempted Murder on Multiple Accounts; Attempted Murder of Harry James Potter; Attempted Murder of Hermione Jean Granger; Attempted Murder of Ronald Bilius Weasley.’
The sheets of paper said on each of the tables.
“What do we do?” Harry asked.
“Let him and the others rot?” Ron replied unsurely.
“We’re all children. We were thrust into this war whether we liked it or not. No one should be punished for a childhood mistake for the rest of their life. I’m not saying that what Goyle did was right, but he shouldn’t be condemned for it. Azkaban should be saved for the worst of the worst, not for a child that did what he thought he had to do to survive.” Hermione whispered back just as newly minted Minister Shacklebolt started the trial.
Hours passed quickly, Neville spoke, Ginny spoke, Luna spoke. As did Harry, who said that while he was not there to witness his alleged crimes against the students of Hogwarts in Seventh Year, he thought him (Goyle) willing to change. After all, in the very end, he stood with the students.
“I’ve known him all his years of schooling. I find him to be an adequate student and not a threat to everyone else. I feel since he is a child and this was a war, he should be required to retake his seventh year, as many of last year’s students are doing. After that, a reassessment would make sense, but there are worst criminals in Azkaban and worse criminals yet to be caught.” Headmistress McGonagall stated.
The council's opinions changed after she spoke. Having such a scary woman on this side, many of whom were in her classes, they must take what she said to heart.
“We need to make an example out of him.” One member said.
“He is still a child.” said Another.
“He had a choice.”
“His family was at risk, his friends. He who must not be named wouldn’t spare even a Slytherin child who questioned his loyalty.”
The council continued to debate Goyle’s fate.
Eventually, it was decided. “We pronounce Gregory Goyle innocent of Attempted Murder on All Counts. We pronounce him guilty of Illegal Uses of the Cruciatus Curse Against Lower Year Students at Hogwarts…” They continued on with more legal terms. “He is sentenced to retake his Seventh Year at Hogwarts, joining various other students of his year. He is on either House Arrest, or if he wishes not to go home, Tent Arrest until the Start of the School Year. Reassessment shall be done in a Year’s time.”
“That’s good. We all deserve another chance.” Hermione said as they walked to the Apparation point in Diagon Alley. The group of six wasn’t ready to leave Hogwarts just yet.
“I think he and Crabbe had too much fun with using the curses against detention goers. But I do think he is remorseful.” Neville mentioned.
“If not, Ginny has a wicked Bat-Bogey Hex. And the DA taught us some wonderful things, Harry.” Luna said skipping along.
Laughs lit up the silent street. The first sounds of true joy since that day.
There were lights back in some of the apartments. People were starting to come home.
“What do we do now?” Ron asked.
“What does come next?” Harry replied looking back to their friends as well.
“We stay until the trials are over. After that, well, I think we decided if we want to go back to Hogwarts. And I think we have projects we want to accomplish over the summer. Cleaning Grimmauld Place, finding and restoring the memories of my parents, repairing the school.” Hermione suggested.
“Professor McGonagall wouldn’t hold it against you if you don’t want to go back,” Neville said, turning so no one would see the tears in his eyes. He didn't want his friends to leave again.
“We wouldn’t either,” Ginny whispered, looking straight into her brother’s eyes.
"We’re here. See you all in a few.” Ron said, apparating back to the school just as he finished. The others followed, Hermione being the last.
She looked at all the closed bookstores, with tears in her eyes. “Soon,” she said to herself, “Soon we will all find our new normal.” Back at Hogwarts, she fell into her friends' hugs. They stayed up the entire night talking and mourning and hoping that the world we be just a little bit better tomorrow.