Weep No More

The trial brought an air of death and despair among Southbire. For some reason, the sun had hid behind the clouds, causing a gloomier look upon the houses. But the inhabitants of Southbire felt none of these feelings, and instead were looking forward to the trial. Witch-burnings were no longer something unfamiliar to them. If it was capable of magic, it was meant to be burnt.

Percy opened the door towards the barn that was serving as a court. He held it open for Draco and Hermione, both of whom entered without looking at anyone, keeping to themselves. Most of the seats were occupied, but Draco ushered Hermione towards a corner, not wanting to make their presence too noticed. It was no luck, however, because within the minute Roget approached them.

"She will be tried fairly," he told Percy, even though his face said otherwise. "We have the top technology to do so."

Draco tried to look for any signs of Pansy, but he only managed to confuse her with some other girl. "I don't want her hurt," he said to Roget. "If you so much as move to harm her, I'll kill you."

"Draco!" Hermione hissed, looking scared.

Roget smiled cruelly, bowed, and left without a further word.

"Both of you stay put," Percy said. He was searching the room for William, but knew he wouldn't be attending the trial. He was hoping that the trial would find Pansy innocent, but with each second ticking by, he knew it wasn't possible. Where's Dumbledore when you need him? he thought sourly.

There was a loud murmur coming from the front row, and Andrew appeared, dragging Pansy along. Her hair was messy, her skirt ripped, and her boots looked like they had been through Hell and back. If she survived this, Percy mused, she would not be happy about her physical appearance.

Pansy's eyes caught his, but she quickly turned to look at Draco. Draco offered her a small smile, before returning to his stony expression. Pansy lifted her nose in the air, and allowed Andrew to drag her to the middle of the stage that had been set up for her.

"Do you know why you're here?" Roget asked, making it quite visible he was in charge of her trial.

"Sometime between the whipping and the rape by your boy here -" Pansy nodded towards Andrew "--the message became a bit obvious."

Percy felt Hermione tense next to him, quite clearly distraught about Pansy's remark. But Draco merely shook his head. "She's lying," he said, looking sure of himself. "He didn't do any of that. Possibly worse, but the git didn't whip or rape her."

Andrew himself looked shocked at Pansy's story. He scowled and glared at her. "I've done none of that," he stated. Pansy just gave him a dazzling smile.

Roget cleared his throat. "You are here on trial, because you are accused for mixing yourself in the witchcraft. How do you plead?"

Pansy looked at Percy, smirked, and said, "Innocent, of course." She turned serious again. "I would never participate in such business, good sir. I need my soul to be pure for Him."

Draco looked happy about Pansy's little act, but Percy kept feeling quite nervous. If Pansy acted in the wrong way, it would be enough for her to be burnt on the spot.

"Why do you need your soul to be pure for Him?" a woman asked.

"I would like to serve Him," Pansy said, "as a nun, ma'am." She gave an angelic smile, and Percy couldn't help but grin. "It's been my dream ever since I was a little girl."

"Lies!" snapped Andrew. "Do not listen to her. She's bewitching you with her lies. She has no intention to serve God. If she serves anyone at all, it's the Devil."

"You entered Southbire with three companions," Roget said, interrupting Andrew. "We have witnesses that say you bewitched them with your looks and powers."

Percy wondered how anyone could think Pansy of all people bewitched them with her looks. She wasn't ugly, no, but there were girls far more beautiful than she was. She was the sort of girl you really didn't look twice at, but did notice all the same if you crossed paths.

Pansy looked doubtful about what she was going to say. She took in a deep breath, and then, "I was bewitched with this face, good sir. When I was but a little girl, an evil woman came to my house. My mother tried to rush me in, but the witch got a hold of me, and told me, "A pretty face I shall give thee for every man to seek. And with such face, you shall never find true love." This is why, good sir, I wish to be the Lord's servant."

Percy was amazed to see a tiny tear trail down Pansy's cheek. She looked so sincere.

"Slytherins are wonderful actors," Draco whispered with a smirk. "Especially Pansy. She wanted to be an actress."

"She admits to have meddled with evil's people," Andrew said, with a bit of agreement from the crowd.

"That's why she hunts witches now!" someone else yelled. "Lay off her, Roget, she's but a child."

"Even the youngest have found themselves in the clutch of evil, Mrs. O'Tamper," Roget said. "We shall begin the tests." He opened a small briefcase, and pulled out what looked to be a dagger.

Percy knew what was coming. A blood test. Absolutely faked, of course, but Pansy was about to lose a bit of blood. He settled a hand on Draco's shoulder, holding him back. They didn't need a show right now. They needed to play by Roget's rules, proving that Pansy had no hold on them. Pansy's had very little to lose.

"We shall mix the suspect's blood with some herbs," Roget instructed. "If the blood turns blue, then she is a witch. If it stays the same colour, then she and her companions are free to go."

Percy saw Andrew open a packet of some herbs, and throw them into bowl. He began to mash them, throwing in a bit of water as well. "Lumper roots," Hermione whispered next to him. Percy nodded, also recognizing the common ingredient found in most potions Snape taught. However, if Lumper roots were mixed with blood, the potion would turn a blue colour. Innocent or not, the mix would end up blue, and Pansy was certainly going to be burned.

Roget held up Pansy's hand, and dragged the dagger down her palm, piercing her skin. She gave a sudden yelp, and pulled her hand back. Andrew grabbed her palm, and allowed the blood to drop into the bowl. Pansy gave out a few whimpers, but still tried to keep a sharp face. Percy had to admit she had the bravery worthy of a Gryffindor.

"Two seconds, and we shall see what colour the bowl changes," said Roget. Andrew was staring at the bowl, as if expecting it to explode at any moment.

"Isn't there a way to stop this?" Hermione whispered. "Perhaps you could do a glamour spell and keep the potion from changing colours. Or a freezing charm."

"Not without everyone seeing my wand," Percy said. "If we're going to save Pansy, we can't get caught."

"If my father were here, this wouldn't happen," Draco said angrily. "He's got sense to conceal his wand in his cane."

"And if you had inherited any of his sense," snapped Percy, "you wouldn't have left your wand at Hogwarts!"

"Shut up!" Hermione whispered angrily. "Look, the potion's turned already."

And indeed it had, as Andrew showed off the light colour to the crowd, an evil smirk on his face. Pansy looked ready to faint, and Roget was talking quietly with another man.

Percy pulled Draco back, as the boy tensed in preparation to start a fight. "Don't," he hissed. "I've got a plan to save her. But we can't do anything until they're ready to burn her. I need this to work at night." Even though it was quite normal for Muggles to believe the night gave witches strength, he had been informed by Roget that Pansy's burning would be held a bit after sundown. Percy suspected because Southbire was doing a little magic of their own.

Draco looked up at him, searching for some sign of treachery. "If she dies, Weasley, if she dies because you want to save your precious Mudblood, I'll kill you," he said, before storming out of the barn.

Hermione looked up at Percy, her expression filled with sorrow. "What are we going to do, Percy?"

Percy looked over at Pansy, who was fighting with Andrew. It was obvious she wasn't about to let him set hands on her again. "Don't worry," he mouthed to her, when she caught his eye, "we've got a plan."

Pansy muttered an "Oh, smashing," before allowing Andrew to take her back to the dungeons.

Percy grabbed Hermione by her arm, and hurried her out of the barn. They walked quickly to their room. They had little time to plan, and Percy knew his idea was going to take a lot of work. Good thing he was stuck with Hermione, and not just Draco.

"All right, you two," he said, locking the door, and turning to both of them. "This is what we're going to do..."

*

"Avon, pet! Lovely to speak to you of all people."

"What's the update, William? Don't toy with me."

"Trial went like planned. The little witch is to be burnt tonight."

"Are you ready to take position, then?"

"Aye, aye, captain!"

Beep, beep, beep...

"Blimey, what a cow!"

*

"Headmaster," Snape said, rushing into Dumbledore's office, carrying a parchment.

"Severus, what brings you here?" Albus asked. "Good news, I hope."

"Arthur Weasley just received an owl, Headmaster. He told me to pass it on to you. The Ministry has already been contacted, but Arthur thought you might know a bit more about this." Snape handed over the parchment. It read:

Students are at Southbire, Ireland. Good luck!