Coon demanded.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do."
Coon sniffed with disdain. It was frighteningly Umbridge-like. "Frankly, I find you unconvincing, Mister Malfoy."
Draco nodded sympathetically. "I feel the same way about your hair, Mister Coon."
Zacharias Smith hastily disguised his laugh as a sudden, unexpected coughing fit, but the noise was already echoing through the large chamber. To his credit as a scribe, his quill never stopped.
There was an undercurrent of muttering as Coon glared down at him, his complexion matching his attire.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and the muttering stopped. Draco could not make out his expression, but he thought Dumbledore looked quite' twinkly'.
"We came to a decision an hour ago," he informed, in a way that felt like they were together alone, talking in Dumbledore's Hogwarts office
Ah, that explained why Coon had such a bee in his bonnet only now.
"After the chief investigator's report submitted this week and after intense deliberation, it is the opinion of this Inquisitorial Committee that you are herewith cleared of all suspicion regarding the escape of your father Lucius Malfoy and the disappearance of Gregory Goyle."
Draco sighed. It had certainly taken them long enough.
Dumbledore broke into a smile "Welcome home, Draco."
**
"You've been doing a splendid job at avoiding Malfoy."
"Thank you," said Hermione, having to shout a little over the wind. "I' ve been working hard at it."
Ginny sighed, but only because Hermione wouldn't have heard it. They were standing outside the main gates to Azkaban prison, having walked from the security Floopoint, which itself was in danger of being blown away.
Several dark shingles from the tiny guardhouse came off, twirling about in the wind like panicked crows caught in a whirlwind. It was just as well that she had chosen to wear trousers and a thick coat that morning instead of her more usual business robes. The lightweight robes wouldn't have fared well in the harsh North Eastern coastal gale.
The young guard who escorted them was now turning a large key at the wide doors. His free hand was busy keeping his hat on his head.
"Well it can't go on indefinitely," Ginny added. "Plus, I think he's starting to grow on Harry."
"What, you mean like mould?"
Hermione missed Ginny's amused look as the gates to Azkaban Prison swung open, assisted by the wind. The two women were greeted by very still, damp air. It wasn't any warmer than outside though, and certainly much darker despite lit torches attached to the walls at three meter intervals. Hermione pulled her moss green pea coat more tightly about her.
She regretted not bringing along a thicker scarf. The one she had on was very presentable, but something from Molly Weasley's bottomless knitting cupboard would have withstood the cold much better. The wind continued to howl outside, sounding fittingly forlorn.
Another guard approached. He gave Hermione a wide, friendly smile. "Miss Granger. Back already? Not that we mind, of course. Few enough visitors as is."
"Hello Horace. How's the leg?"
"Much better, thank you for asking." The guard turned to Ginny, looking slightly less welcoming now. "Would you please sign in?" he pointed to a large, dog-eared register that was hovering in a corner.
A jittery looking quill was tethered to the book, occasionally trying to make a break for it. Ginny walked over to sign the register and was in turn given a yellow visitor's pass to wear.
"Will you be alright, then?" Horace asked Hermione.
"We'll be fine. I'll take her up myself."
"Still not warming up to me, I see," Ginny remarked, after Horace left to resume his post.
"They' re like that with all lawyers," informed Hermione. "The fact that you' re the Minister's daughter and you happen to be representing Snape doesn't help matters, of course."
The two women made their way to the lifts. Hermione pressed the button and a loud metallic groaning noise started.
"The fact that I'm representing Snape or the fact that I'm representing him well?"
"Oh? The appeal is going well, then?" Hermione asked.
Ginny' s usually full mouth hardened to a thin line. "Hardly, but any reduction to a life sentence is preferable."
Hermione was in agreement. "I've spoken to your father about it, but he says he trusts in the process."
"The fact that we caught Zabini only because Snape set Lucius free doesn' t hold much water, unfortunately,"
Ginny said. "There's also the small matter of the Ministry considering Lucius Malfoy to be a greater evil than Blaise Zabini."
Hermione thought of Lucius as she had last seen him in his study at Malfoy Manor: imposing, frightening, seemingly unrepentant of