'Gryffindor and Slytherin, they didn't like each other, either.'
'You and Malfoy put me in mind of two other boys I knew once,' said Dumbledore. 'I had them in my office more times than I could count. How they detested each other! And yet. By the end of their acquaintance, they would have died for each other. That I know.'
Harry looked at Dumbledore curiously.
'James Potter and Sirius Black,' said Dumbledore.
Astonished, Harry was about to protest, when the door opened and Sirius stuck his head in. 'Professor,' he said. 'Draco Malfoy's awake. I think you should see him.'
'It's too bad Dad couldn't be here,' said George Weasley, using his wand to direct an unconscious Lucius Malfoy's progress up the stairs of the Magical Law Enforcement building. (Ron had been left at the curb with the unenviable task of preventing passers-by from bumping into the invisible car.) 'He's always wanted to see the Malfoys get it in the neck.'
'Quit bashing Lucius into the pillars, George,' said Fred.
'Sorry,' said George unrepentantly. 'My wand hand's a little shaky.'
A small crowd of Law Enforcement Wizards was waiting for them inside the building. Among them was Mad-Eye Moody, standing next to a tall witch whose hood was pulled down. He winked at them with his magical eye as they came in.
George took his wand off Lucius, who fell to the ground in the center of the circle of wizards and lay there, snoring slightly. 'Here you go,' he said cheerfully.
'Lucius Malfoy. He's all yours, gentlemen.'
The wizards goggled at him.
Mad-Eye Moody took the lead, 'Dumbledore said you caught Malfoy with an illegal Epicyclical Charm,' he growled. 'Is that true?'
Fred and George began talking at once.
'He kidnapped Sirius Black-' 'Used the Cruciatus Curse on Hermione Granger — she's a Hogwarts student-' 'Loads of Black Arts stuff in his house — ' 'Tried to kill his own son with that Epicyclical thing- we saw him-' 'He's a criminal!' said George in conclusion. 'And a complete wanker, as well.
Toss him in the clink.' He looked beatific for a moment. 'I've always wanted to say that.'
'Witnesses?' asked one of the wizards, sounding irritable.
'What?' said Fred, caught off guard.
'Witnesses,' rumbled Mad-Eye Moody. 'It's not that we don't know Lucius Malfoy is a bad lot. We've known that for years. But there's never been anyone who'd testify against him.'
Fred and George looked at each other. 'Well,' said George uncertainly. 'Us. We're witnesses.'
The wizards looked dubious.
'And Sirius Black,' added George.
The wizards still looked dubious. Although Sirius had been cleared the year before of the murder charge against him (aided by Dumbledore and the fact that it had become evident that Peter Pettigrew was still alive and a cohort of Voldemort's) he was still far from being considered an upstanding member of the magical community.
'And Harry Potter,' said Fred desperately.
There was some muttering at this. Most of the magical world considered Harry a hero, but there were plenty who distrusted his still-mysterious history and powers. George caught the words 'Parselmouth' and 'Always full of some mad story, isn't he?'
Fred and George looked at each other with dawning anxiety.
'I'll testify,' said a voice.
Everyone turned to see who had spoken. It was the slender witch standing next to Mad-Eye Moody, who until now had been silent. The witch raised her hands and pushed her hood back.
It was Narcissa.
Mad-Eye was grinning. He had obviously been expecting this. Fred and George, however, were floored.
'I'll testify,' she said again. 'I am Narcissa Malfoy. Lucius Malfoy was my husband.
I can confirm that he is indeed guilty of all the charges laid at his door. In addition, I will open Malfoy Manor to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and allow your Aurors free rein over all its passages. There should be enough Dark Magic material there to keep them busy for a year. I will also,' she went on, now speaking directly to Mad-Eye Moody, who was looking as if Christmas had come early, 'give you all of Lucius' papers. There is much in there regarding Lord Voldemort and what he and my husband termed The Plan. It should make for interesting reading.'
'But-but why?' stuttered one of the wizards.
'Because I want something from you in return,' Narcissa replied.
'Indeed?' said Mad-Eye Moody, looking as if he already knew. 'And what is that?'
'I don't want Lucius sent to Azkaban,' said Narcissa.
George and Fred were horrified.
'Why not?' cried Fred.
'You can't mean they should let him go?' protested George.
