The Justice Tribunal was called to order, and she found herself stared down by twelve men and women she'd never seen before. She blinked back at them.

The crowd rippled, and a flash of ginger pulled her attention. Bill, Percy, George, and Ron standing in the front — all here to see Charlie's killer brought to justice.

She met Ron's gaze before he looked away. She took a deep breath and buried him deep in her mind, forcing her eyes to blur over the audience.

The ding of the lifts silenced the entire hall, and then Lucius Malfoy was being escorted toward the makeshift stage by four guards. The Atrium exploded in sound. She could hardly think with the press of it on her senses.

They pushed him to sit in a chair facing the twelve jurors. Five judges presided, including General Hestia Jones, General Pierre, and General Jacobs.

At noon on the dot, General Pierre stood, and the Atrium fell silent.

He cast an Amplifying Charm on his voice and began, "Lucius Malfoy. You are hereby brought before this Tribunal to answer to your crimes against the Wizarding world, crimes against humanity and liberty."

The crowd hollered and booed, shaking the ground beneath her feet. Lucius was still, his hands folded in his lap. When they settled, Pierre continued.

"These crimes include: The mass murder of over 10,000 lives, both magical and Muggle, in Canada; Conspiracy to mass murder in Italy; Conspiracy to mass murder in Switzerland; the witnessed and reported murder of the following — Chelsea Jamison, Damon Ducavenay, Ruben Taverntine, Charles Weasley—"

A chuckle rumbled through the Atrium — low, but unmistakable. Hermione looked up, and found Lucius Malfoy smirking at the crowd.

"Hm. I did manage to get a Weasley, didn't I? I'd quite forgotten."

Fear lanced through her like a sharp knife, rattling her shelves. Lucius shook his head, smiling, as if laughing at a private joke.

The crowd rumbled, and Hermione's waters trembled.

What did he say?

He didn't just—

She tuned them out, glancing at the Weasley brothers. George's face was bright red.

"You know," Lucius continued, louder. A smile in tone. "I do have regrets for my actions over the past few years." He nodded solemnly. "Mostly, I regret how slowly I killed Charlie Weasley."

A shout from the crowd. Hermione's legs swayed.

That wasn't how it happened. She'd seen it.

Lucius shifted in his seat, turning his eyes on the Weasley brothers. "His screams haunt me to this day, truly. No one should have to go through that much pain."

Ron shot forward, but Bill yanked him back.

She had to make him stop. Hermione moved on shaking legs, her breath coming quickly. The hall was roaring with noise. Someone in the crowd broke the line, their shoulder shoving into Hermione's. She stumbled.

"So much blood," Lucius said, leaning forward like he held a secret. "And so much begging. But I suppose that's to be expected from a Weasley."

There was a ringing in her ears as she raised her wand to silence him — but then a sharp movement caught her eye, and she felt like she was screaming underwater as George's arm arched back, his wand slicing downward — a green light barreling forward.