Delphini

27

And so, the five years were gone. As were her secrets. A new path, Delphi promised herself, a fresh start. She looked out the window for the last time, laughing as the white froth splashed over her face. She turned as she heard her cell door open and two guards started to walk towards her. She bit her lip as she realised Leona was not there – she had not said goodbye. She wiped the water off her face and walked to them, offering her arms to them. They took her and began to push her to the boat that she remembered only too well. The icy chains appeared on her wrists and ankles and she turned as they walked out the entrance. She looked at Azkaban for what she was determined would be the last time. She turned again as the guards pushed her forward into the boat and untied the boat from the bank. She didn't look back again as the boat floated away, distracting her thoughts with the gentle rock of it. As the sea turned to a river, as the cavern roof closed over the sky, the boat floated gently to the bank and Delphi was hauled out by two more guards. They walked up to the entrance of the cavern and disapparated suddenly, appearing in the Ministry Atrium. It had not changed much, still busy, still uncaring. Delphi tried to look around as they walked quickly, beginning to recognise her surroundings. They reached a very familiar corridor – the one where Delphi, Albus and Scorpius had come when they were looking for the Time-Turner. Delphi shook her head, trying to ignore the rising terror. One of the guards knocked on the Minister's door.
"Come in," Hermione's voice floated through the door and the guard opened the door. The other pushed Delphi inside, not caring when she recoiled at the site of the bookcase in the corner of the room. Hermione, however, did care, "It's a normal bookcase. Got rid of the old one after your trial," she said. Delphi nodded, still slightly unsure. She stood, the guards holding her, for a moment more and then her chains split and fell to the floor. Delphi stared, confused, as the chains completely disappeared.
"Minister," the guards were unfazed by the chains falling off and they nodded their heads. Hermione looked up from her paperwork, made a quick note on one section and walked towards Delphi.
"Release her," Hermione commanded. The guards frowned, "The chains are gone – her sentence is over. Release her and leave. Thank you," her voice was strong and calm, but not unreasonable. The guards obliged grudgingly and soon they were gone.
"Minister," Delphi mumbled, nodding her head.
"Delphi," Hermione smiled, "Albus and Scorpius asked me to say hello, by the way," she read a note that had just whizzed into the room, "Not again," she muttered.
"How are they?" Delphi asked eagerly, "Albus and Scorpius."
"Very well, last time we got an owl. They're living in Hogsmeade – Scorpius is the Hogwarts librarian now," Hermione said without looking up from what she was scribbling on the parchment. She reached into one of the drawers in her desk, pulling out a long, thin box and checking inside it, "Good, it's still here," she handed it to Delphi, who opened it and gasped.
"My...my wand," she said disbelievingly, "I thought it was destroyed."
"It nearly was," Hermione said, "It's been quite a job keeping hold of it, I can tell you."
"Why did you keep it?" Delphi asked, "Surely I'm the last person you'd want armed."
"Why's that?" Hermione smiled.
"Because...because," Delphi faltered, "I'm dangerous. I tried to kill you."
"No," Hermione corrected her, "Rodolphus did. You were just a pawn." Delphi nodded.
"But other people aren't going to see that," she said quietly.
"No," Hermione agreed, "Other people are going to see Voldemort's daughter. Other people aren't going to see what really happened to you. People will see the child of a tyrannical man as a scapegoat for their problems. Some may get violent. And I will not let you face those people unarmed."
"I deserve to face them unarmed," Delphi muttered, her nightmares beginning to whisper themselves back into her head at the sight of Hermione.
"You don't. At your trial, I saw your heart, saw where it really lay," Hermione smiled kindly, "You were forced, you will not do anything like that again. I know that. I trust that."
"You're the first," Delphi said quietly.
"I asked Albus and Scorpius before I decided to give you back your wand," Hermione said, "We all agreed that any doubt we might have had, it disappeared after Rodolphus attacked you." Delphi nodded, trying to ignore the memories that had been dredged up.
"Thank you," she mumbled.
"Don't thank me. We owed you – we'd all be dead if you hadn't fought Rodolphus," Hermione said, "So go out into the world. And go live."

The End