Redemption
October 9th, 1983
"It's not much of course." Ollivander said as he walked through the little dilapidated storefront. It was empty but Belle could see the potential. "I was using it for storage, but the war made it very difficult to afford more than one building."
"It depends on the reasonability of price really." Belle said as she looked at the basic wooden counter. It would need a bit of polishing, but the rest of the storefront seemed pliable.
"I'm sure we can work something out of course." Ollivander said with a nod, "Anything to help your transition home. Minerva told me of your situation and I couldn't help but wonder if I might be able to help."
Belle could see it coming together in her mind. She could support her family here and truly express her art. Being in the center of Diagon Alley was perfectly ideal of course. "That's very kind of you."
"Minerva says you have children." Ollivander said as he unlocked a few cabinets.
"Yes." Belle nodded turning back to him, "Two."
"How old are they?" Ollivander asked before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a paper.
"Jack is five and Samantha is four." Belle said as she looked behind a curtain at the back of the shop.
Ollivander took out a quill and began writing something on the paper. "How about, I'll knock off ten percent if in six and seven years they come and get their wands from me?"
Belle chuckled, "Wouldn't go anywhere else anyway."
"How is the thirteen inch ash with dragon's heartstring?" Ollivander asked looking her over.
"Holding strong of course." Belle smiled before pulling it out.
"Of course, they can be temperamental dragon heartstrings. However they have the most magic ability, especially for the most flamboyant of spells." Ollivander pursed his lips as he looked it over, "Seeing your career I can see it has truly served you well."
"I suppose it has." Belle agreed as she put the wand back into her pocket.
He handed her a paper which had all the particulars, it was lower than Belle expected.
"Consider it first, but I'd be honored Mrs. Fyre." Mr. Ollivander said with a slight nod of his head. Belle hadn't heard anyone from home ever call her by her married name, so it was quite an extraordinary moment for her.
"I'll be in contact tomorrow if that's alright?" Belle asked, already having made up her mind.
Ollivander smiled as he led her out, "Of course. I look forward to your owl."
Belle left into the Alley which had changed slightly since her last visit, well over a decade before when she'd visited alongside her mother for school books. Her mother hated London, but she loved shopping and more importantly, making others feel insignificant. She'd parade Belle up and down in ridiculously feminine garb and brag of her excellence to anyone who would listen.
Belle was to meet Minerva and Mr. Urquart for coffee at the Leaky Cauldron, a place Belle had only ever passed through. Her mother didn't like the company, too many muggle supporters. Her mother also hated coffee.
"Kyle Brenna to serve life in Askaban for Prewett deaths!" A boy selling Daily Prophet papers on the corner called out. "His wife and eight children neglect to comment."
Belle tried not to think about it. She hated to admit that she had wished he had been given the kiss. She hadn't been allowed to testify of course. She wished she had.
She made her way into the pub and upon sight of her companions, seated herself with them." Minerva smirked and took a sip of coffee. "Is Mr. Ollivander's offering quite up to standard?"
Belle handed Minerva the paper.
Minerva nodded before pulling a quill out of her bag and crossing out one line, "No you will certainly not be expected to fund any existing damages."
"Minnie darling, it's common procedure." Mr. Urquart argued at her.
Belle still found a great deal of humor hearing him call Minerva, 'Minnie.' She couldn't help but giggle.
"I will go to speak with him tomorrow when you accept all the same." Minerva said as she rolled her eyes at Belle's giggle.
"I have found you a few housing options as well." Mr. Urquart revealed, "A lovely little cottage on the outskirts of Sonning. It is close enough for Mr. Fyre to commute to London via train should he find an occupation there. Unless you plan to side Apparate with him."
"No, he doesn't find the experience pleasant." Belle admitted, "Is it nearer the countryside? The poor man will be in enough of a culture shock as it is. Not to mention the birds will need space."
"The cottage is yes, surrounded by trees and upon a hill. I quite enjoyed the lovely little stone path that runs up to the home. Four bedrooms, one even available as an office." Mr. Urquart looked fancifully around the room, "I do love a good cottage."
"It sounds divine."
"I can not wait to meet your lovely children, and my Goddaughter especially. I've never had a Goddaughter before." Mr. Urquart exclaimed as he produced his wallet. He unfolded it and nearly a dozen pictures folded out. He had both Belle's children's pictures in the wallet alongside the rest. "My nieces and nephews keep me on my toes, but I'm rather excited to add your youngsters on as well."
Belle laughed, "They do keep one on their toes."
"Your children will have quite the array of playmates I suspect." Mr. Urquart began, "My youngest sister Lila has a son, Cassius who is only a couple years older than your boy. Then my dear sister Grace has a daughter around little Samantha's age, Marietta."
Belle's mind trailed away to the news of her brother's imprisonment. She hadn't known he had such a large family of his own. She did quite feel for his family, especially now that they would be without a father.
She inquired to Mr. Urquart about the trial.
"Nasty business of course." Mr. Urquart shivered, "Although, after Glenn Brenna's trial in two weeks, there will be no more Brenna trials."
Belle nodded and sipped her coffee.
"Something that should be well over by your official opening." Minerva smirked.
"Then all that's left is two more trials and I can retire." Mr. Urquart nodded before taking Minerva's hand, "To our own cottage in Hogsmead with my dear Minnie."
"How lovely." Belle nodded but blurted, "But I thought the Brenna's were to be your last."
"Unfortunately, I must speak at the Lestrange trials." Mr. Urquart shivered again. "I thought Sirius Black's trial was horrendous, I do not particularly look forward to this one at all."
Belle's heart sank faster than an anchor. She took a sip of her coffee.
"Elph," Minerva sharply corrected, "Please."
"I apologize." Mr. Urquart's eyelids lowered.
"I will be excited for your retirement." Belle said, switching gears back to the more joyous conversations. "I'm sure my children will love to meet your nieces and nephews."
"Yes let's think only of them now." Mr.Urquart begged, "They will never need to be concerned with such things."
October 31st, 2006
Belle rubbed her son's back as his legs fidgeted beneath him. Today was the day of his trial to see if he would get his wand back.
"Nervous Jack?" Belle asked as she looked over her son. He had slicked back his hair and insisted on just reusing his suit from his sister's wedding.
There was a group of people waiting, all who were there to bear witness at Jack's trial. Belle knew nearly everyone, except Hermione's assistant, Maria Hargroves whom she was quickly introduced to. She was a lovely woman, with auburn hair and delicate features. She noticed Jack had a hard time peeling his eyes from her rear, but chalked it up to nerves.
Belle was not participating in the trial, merely attending for the sake of her son.
Hermione strode out from the trial room, followed by Maria. She greeted the very crowded room.
"So the trial should be beginning in about five minutes. Only Jack, myself and Maria are allowed in for the whole trial, so I want to confirm that everyone is in fact here." Granger called out to everyone who was being abnormally quiet.
Sammy's friends were normally loud and vivacious. Even George Weasley, who always had something precocious to say was staying abominably quiet.
"Sam and Neville still aren't here yet." Ginny observed looking around as she held onto Harry's hand. "Which is odd because she left the Prophet this morning before I did."
Belle shook her head, she'd been wondering where her daughter was, "She would never miss this."
"I saw her and Neville by the elevators when I came in, they were having a discussion." Luna piped in as she looked up at the ceiling. Belle wasn't sure why Luna was there. She wasn't on the list of witnesses.
"What kind of discussion?" Jack asked as he played with his thumbs on his lap.
"I don't know, it's rude to listen into conversations between married couples. Sam was crying though." Luna said looking at him now with a deep stink eye. Belle knew that look, it was the same look Luna gave Samantha and Neville when they were discovered under their bed. She was furious about something.
"Well, I hope she's alright. She's not one to be late for these kinds of things." Hermione observed sternly, "Maybe someone here can inform her and Neville of the procedures for today when they both arrive."
Belle nodded and raised her hand, "I can."
"So as you are all aware, this is not a trial we will be fighting to win exactly. Jack has agreed to plea guilty, but our goal is to prove he was manipulated and forced to commit his crimes. We aren't trying to prove innocence. You may all be needed, or only some of you will be. Either way, Maria here, will come and fetch you if you are asked to testify. Speak to me as if it is a regular conversation, try not to pay attention to the ten-or so-members of the Wizenagamot. It's a smaller trial today, but it is still intimidating."
"Who is presiding as Chief Warlock today?" Belle asked. She was worried it was Rogers. Rogers had presided over two of her brothers' trials and she feared it would become biased because of his heritage.
"Ernest Hawkworth will be presiding as Chief Warlock instead of Helena Rogers, which is in some ways a bit of a relief." Hermione said before fixing her own tan suit jacket. Belle recognized it as one of her own work.
"Is Hawkworth more lenient?" Belle asked, she'd never heard of him.
Hermione bobbed her head, "I wouldn't say lenient, I'd say more sympathetic."
Jack nodded his head and stood up from beside Belle. He fixed his robes quickly as he stood. Everyone's eyes stared at him.
"Alright, follow me Fyre." Hermione said before turning and leading him through the doors into the courtroom.
A few moments later Samantha and Neville arrived hand in hand.
Belle hadn't seen Samantha dress in such a stately manor since Jack's return. It was a floor length black dress and suit jacket. Her normally wild hair had been stiffly pulled back into a bun. If she had been crying, one could no longer tell. Everyone greeted them calmly.
"You two are late." Ernie McMillan observed. He was there to testify about the battle of Hogwarts.
"I'm sure they are aware of that." Luna observed back only lightly looking up from her place beside Ginny and Harry. "You look very professional today Sam."
"Yeah, decided to pull out the ole' Samantha Fyre, Editor-In-Chief out of hiding for the day." Samantha said with a forced smirk.
"Just promise to put her back away after this." Ginny jested casually. "She's not my favorite."
"Mine either." Samantha agreed.
"I don't mind her too much on days like today." Luna said with a small shrug, "She's taken very seriously."
"Why are you here Luna?" Samantha asked her eyebrows raised. "Not that it isn't nice to see you."
"To offer my support." Luna smiled at her friends before embracing them both. "I have decided to consider Jack a friend, I know what it's like to have no friends."
"I'm sure Jack will appreciate your understanding." Belle partially prayed aloud. Belle informed the couple of the procedures for the trial as Samantha sat down. Her hands were shaking intensely in her pockets and upon closer inspection Belle saw the ducts of her eyes were filled with tears.
Samantha had been shaking a lot lately, more than normal. She'd told her mother she planned to see a real Healer about it, but she seemed exceptionally flustered now.
Neville's demeanor also seemed off. He was normally quite relaxed in his shoulders, but today they were nearer his ears and his hands were in his pockets. Was there trouble in paradise?
Maria emerged from the door, "Mr. Longbottom."
Neville nodded before following Maria into the courtroom.
"Is Neville miffed?" Belle whispered as soon as he left.
"Yep." Samantha nodded before fixing her hat as Duke's tail presented itself slightly.
"At?" Belle asked.
"Jack." Samantha murmured.
"Why?"
"It's complicated, let's just say Jack stuck his foot in his mouth about things he has no idea about." Samantha's voice cracked and she reached into her pocket for a handkerchief.
"Your deal?" Belle asked, scanning the room slightly to make sure no one was listening.
Samantha nodded as she finished wiping her eyes with shaking hands, "Nev didn't tell him about it, but I'm going to have to."
Belle reached over and kissed Samantha's temple. She whispered into her ear, "You need to calm down my Little Lion."
Samantha nodded, stiffening her chin. "I know, I can't be shaking when I go in there."
"Are you angry at your brother?" Belle asked.
Samantha shook her head, "Hurt, not angry. I wish he'd have spoken to me if he had any grievances."
"Maybe he worries he will sound ungrateful?" Belle theorized.
"I don't know." Samantha sat up straighter again, "I just know I want this whole thing done."
Belle held the hand of her daughter as each person went in and came out. Samantha was the last to be called, her hands were steady as she stood.
Belle listened to the murmurs of those around her as everyone began to bubble over upon Samantha's exit.
"He asked about Jack's character." George rubbed his neck.
"What did you say?" Luna asked nervously.
"I said he's opinionated, a good worker and all anyone had to see was how he was with Blossom, and they'd know he's just fluff." George chuckled.
Belle laughed along, Jack had recently adopted a giant Pygmy Puff named Blossom. She loved the creature and Jack adored it.
"He asked me the same." Ernie interjected with a shrug of his shoulders, "I said I barely know the fellow."
"I said I wished he'd shut up sometimes, that he calls me an idiot and gives unwarranted opinions on my marriage," Neville said with a huff making everyone in the room turn and give him a side eye, "And doesn't appreciate anything anyone done for him."
Belle wasn't sure wether to laugh or cry. She decided on the former.
"They don't put people in Askaban for disagreeing with their in-laws at least." Belle slightly laughed but worried for her son.
"That's what I said." Neville responded, smirking a little.
"Go easy on him though Neville, he doesn't know everything after all." Belle scolded slightly.
Neville nodded but crossed his arms, "He certainly doesn't."
Everyone's shoulders descended and started laughing.
"I do quite wonder what Sam's saying." Luna exclaimed in her sing song voice slightly changing the subject.
"She certainly can't talk about everything." Ginny said before biting her fingernails. Her brown eyes darted around.
Belle agreed, "She certainly can not. But considering she's documented most of the events, I assume she has a lot of talking to do."
Belle looked around at the group of her daughter's friends surrounding her, "Thank you, all of you for helping my children."
Before anyone could respond, Samantha came out of the door. Her hands hidden by her pockets, could still be seen violently shaking.
"There will be no more witnesses." Maria announced before she closed the door behind her.
"Now we wait." Samantha said, her eyes watching the door close.
It felt like hours as everyone continued waiting. Not even the air around them seemed to move.
The doors slammed open with a mighty thud.
Jack was running at full speed to his sister. In one motion he had her picked up into his arms. He knocked her hat clear off of her head making Duke fly in circles.
Belle watched her children briefly just watching them hold each other tightly.
Hermione emerged with a large capacious smile dancing upon her face, "Everyone, Jack's wand has been restored to him. He's officially a free man."
The room burst into applause, aside from her two children who were still tightly hugging. Belle joined her children's embrace. She assumed that they would have lots to talk about later.
The group began a triumphant ascent through the Ministry. There was a plan of meeting for celebratory drinks at the Leaky Cauldron where Ed awaited them. There was quite a crowd of Ministry workers in the main rotunda as the day was wrapping up for most.
They each waited outside the fireplaces to use the Floo Network to get back home. Belle stood proudly beside her son as they waited in the crowd.
There was a bit of a parting in the sea of people as members of the Auror department guided a prisoner through. The prisoner was very thin, long almost white hair, and had chains around his ankles and wrists.
"Warrington." Jack whispered before exclaiming loudly, "Warrington!"
Many stopped to look at Jack who reflected a genuine smile.
He pushed through the crowd and yelled again, "Warrington!"
Belle followed him as he continued pushing to the parting.
The Auror's stopped with Ron Weasley assuring them loudly it was safe to do so.
Jack stood before the prisoner, who after closer inspection Belle recognized. He was a far cry from the stocky boy Belle remembered traipsing after Jack with a penchant for tempestuous behavior. He looked down and not directly into Jack's eyes.
"Cassius." Jack said with a deep conviction.
The room of hundreds became hazily quiet as the childhood friend's eyes finally met each other's gaze.
"Jack." Cassius hoarsely verbalized.
"Thank you, for today." Jack closed his eye, "And for watching out for Sammy."
Cassius' eyes dropped. Belle had heard from Samantha that Cassius had covered for her and Neville during the war. He had done horrible things, but there was a small glimmer of hope at least.
"And for trying to protect me." Jack opened his eyes, "I always profiled myself as the intelligent one, but even I can be pig headed sometimes."
Cassius's frail and small lips formed into a smile as his eyes met Jack's again. He exclaimed, "I'm sorry."
"Your apologies will fall upon deafened ears until the day I die Warrington." Jack lowered his head into a small bow, "When you get out, look me up, let's be friends again."
"I'd like that. Maybe I can write you?" Warrington bowed back as the Aurors began walking him away again.
Jack and Belle returned to their spot in line as the room returned to the regular hustle and bustle. Jack took his mother's hand.