A/N: This is another story of Dramione. I hope you like it. It is my birthday today! Review please, and that will be one of the best birthday presents ever! It is exactly 1:00 in the morning. Well, at least it was when I wrote this.
A Very Unlikely Couple
Chapter 1: The Defenders
The war was over for good this time. Harry Potter defeated Voldemort. Although many lives were lost, not all were good souls. Some Death Eaters died. Some fled. And most of them were caught. But, every single Death Eater caught had a chance at freedom once again. They were taken to trial, and Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley had big influence under this. Find out how many people were freed because of them. Then, follow them through their 'eighth year' at Hogwarts. See the drama and love unfold. This story, written about Hermione, will follow her troubles and adventures. Well, everyone knows that Hogwarts is a place of happiness, trouble, adventures, love, and mischief, right? But, the question is, who comes back for more? And then, who doesn't?
"As you know, we are all here today to argue on the topic of giving which Death Eaters freedom, and which to put in Azkaban. Yes, Azkaban has been restored, though not with dementors. There will now be dragons at the entrances that are highly trained to not attack unless we tell them to. Then, on the inside, there will be wizards and witches patrolling the cells and chambers of Azkaban. Now, I will introduce the new rules of these trials. The people who had great influence under the war, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley, will help with this greatly. First, the Death Eaters will give their story. Then, you will vote on whether or not they should go to Azkaban. Next, Harry, Ron, and Hermione will give you a reason to change your vote, or to keep it the same. After that, you guys will vote again and either keep your vote the same, or change it. Well, let's start." Kingsley's deep voice boomed across the room.
I had to admit, I was a bit nervous. But, I had been thinking about this for a while. As the first Death Eater stepped up to the stand, I felt a wave of hatred for him. He had killed people. Why should I feel sorry for him?
"Sebastian Lestrange." And, he was one of the Lestrange brothers.
As he explained his story about being forced into it by his parents, now dead, I sighed, knowing it was all false. Sure, he might have had a little nudge from them, but I am sure they did not force him into it. Not that they weren't capable of it. No, I'm sure they were. It was just that, when I saw him in the battle of Hogwarts, whenever he killed or hurt somebody, he would look… pleased. When Kingsley asked people to vote, every hand in the room went up. Harry was called up first.
"I do not think Sebastian Lestrange should be freed. He has done horrible things, and is not sorry for them. It is as simple as that." Harry made it simple and quick. Ron was next.
"I am not sorry for what I am about to do. I think he should be sentenced to Azkaban for the rest of his life. Why, well, Harry was correct. Plus, he is a slimy git."
"Ronald!" I said, disappointed that he would act this way in public.
"What? It's true," he said. He got many laughs from the people. I frowned and rolled my eyes.
He sat down, and I was up. As I walked up to the front of the room, I broke out in a nervous sweat. I took a deep breath, and started. "I think he should go to Azkaban. I do not believe the story of his parents forcing him to do this. I know this because whenever I saw him at the Hogwarts battle, he looked happy as he stunned and killed people. I know there is some good in him, somewhere. I just don't think he has let it come out yet. But, one day, he might change and see what he did and looks at now as amazing, but think of it as wrong." As I said the last few parts of this, I looked at Sebastian. He looked thoughtful. I hoped he was thinking about changing.
When Kingsley asked for them to vote again, all of the hands in the room, once again, went up for him to go to Azkaban. After my first one, I wasn't so nervous anymore. I wonder who was next. I know it was not going to be Rodolphus because he died. It wasn't going to be Bellatrix. She was dead, too.
"Narcissa Malfoy." Kingsley called the next Death Eater. Half rose their hands for her not to go to Azkaban.
Okay. This one I had already decided. It was obvious, wasn't it? She had all of the signs that she did it to protect her family. She was only looking for her son during the battle, not even fighting. Of course, so was Lucius Malfoy, but then again, he joined willingly and did a lot more bad things than Narcissa did. So, I was not about to forgive him as easily. And, he was not the one to help Harry in the war like she did. And when she helped, I mean she helped him in a way none of the other Death Eaters would.
Narcissa started her story. "I would like to start out by saying that I was pushed into this purely out of protectiveness for my family. Nor did I ever want my husband or son to join. I just wanted to be safe. And we couldn't be safe with Potter's side because I could not bear to leave my husband behind. I could not take him either, because his Dark Mark on his left forearm, Voldemort could trace wherever he is, whenever he is there." She did not even flinch when she said her old master's name. I admired her bravery. No Death Eater has ever been able to do that without flinching. And few people were able to say his name even on our own side. She continued her story. "So, to keep us safe and in Voldemort's inner circle after that night in the Ministry, my son and I had to get the Dark Mark. Actually, I was considered a Death Eater before then, I just was not high enough to get a Mark yet. The reason I became a Death Eater before that was because I would be considered a disgrace to my family, even if I did marry the biggest and purest pureblood heir. I wanted it before I became one. But when I did come to be a Death Eater, I felt that it was wrong. I wanted out. I shared this with no one. I would have shared it with my younger and smarter sister, Andromeda. She married a muggleborn, who died recently, and I am very sorry about that. Though she was a disgrace to my family, as I had thought then, it was better to be a disgrace rather than a Death Eater and evil. But she and I were very close growing up. I hope you can dismiss my foul actions, and understand that I never wanted to do any of those things. Thank you." With that, she stepped away from the stand.
Harry went up. "I understand everything you have said. And I thank you for saving my life that night in the forest. And I do not think you should go to Azkaban."
Ron. "Thank you for saving Harry. I appreciate that you did that. I do not think you should go to Azkaban." He sat down.
Me. "Once again, thank you for saving Harry. And I hope you can live a long, full life. You are one of the very few out of many that has good in them," I smiled at her. When Kingsley took the next vote for her freedom, every one of the hands in the room went up.
She sighed in relief. But when she sat on the bench where the free Death Eaters sat, still empty, she looked a little worried. I knew why.
"Draco Malfoy." Kingsley's powerful voice echoed across the room. I watched as Malfoy stood up and crossed the room to the stand. He looked haggard and worried.
Just as Malfoy opened his mouth, I cried, "Wait! Would it be possible for me to talk to Malfoy outside the room, Minister? Please? I would just like to speak to him and decide on whether or not he should go to Azkaban." This was not true, of course. I had already decided that he should not go to Azkaban. I just needed to ask him what I can mention when I defend him. Some things might be a little too personal.
Nearly everybody stared at me as if I was mental. Narcissa looked suspicious, as if she knew I was up to something. Malfoy and the Minister looked confused. But he said yes anyway. I got up and walked towards the door. When I looked back, Malfoy was still standing where he was when I was sitting. His expression was wary.
"Well? Are you coming or not?" I asked him. He scowled, still silent, and started walking towards the door.
As soon as I heard the door bang shut behind me, I turned on my heel and smiled grimly. "Long time no see, yes? Nearly one year. Not that I'm complaining." We had missed 7th year, so Harry, Ron, and I didn't see many people. Except, of course, when we came back for the BIG battle at Hogwarts. And that was mostly DA members. When I saw Malfoy, he was in the Room of Requirement. And he was trying to get something for Voldemort.
He rolled his eyes and then looked at me questionably. "What do you want, Granger? I suppose you didn't call me out here to catch up on our missed lives." He seemed... worn. His heart wasn't into the tease play.
I frowned and spoke. "I have a few questions. What I said in there was a lie. I am not even considering sending you to Azkaban. Ronald most likely will say that you should go, and I am not sure what Harry will do. Though if this was based on how nice you are, we would send you there, no questions asked. But this is based on how loyal you were to Voldemort, and if you are sorry that you became a Death Eater. And if you hope to change your ways. Which I know you do. Am I allowed to reveal the information on you crying and those other details that happened in 6th year? Or is it too personal?"
He answered rather quickly. "Anything that will keep me out of Azkaban. Please."
Whoa. Draco Malfoy, pleading with me and saying 'please'? This day has been twisted. I suppose I looked stunned, because Malfoy gave me a strange look. But before he could speak, I recovered and continued. "Next. Your father. Should I let make him go to Azkaban?" I was a little wary of asking this question. He might lash out. But to my surprise, he just sounded a tad bit angry when he responded. And I don't even think it was me he was angry at.
"Send him to rot away in the cell. He was a pathetic excuse of a father, anyway. My mother doesn't even love him all that much anymore." I nodded.
Before I went back into the room, I studied him. He looked a little angry. But he was handsome, I had to admit. He had high cheekbones, perfect eyebrows and beautifully shaped eyes. His eye color had been exaggerated, also. Everybody said they were a solid, cold gray, not unlike his father's. But they were more of a pale, pale blue with small, warm specks of gray, very much reminding of his mother's. The color was astounding. And his lips were full and pink. His face was shaped into a mix of an oval and circle. He had a nice build, thanks to Quidditch. I also had to look up at him. I was about a 5'6 and he looked about 7 inches taller than me. He was about as tall as Ron and even buffer than Harry. He had jeans and a navy blue tee on under his robes. He looked...well, let's just say he has long since outgrown his frail, slicked-back hair, little boy appearances.
Then I realized what I was thinking and blushed deeply. I turned abruptly and headed inside the room. I nodded to Kingsley. "Is everything sorted out?" he asked.
"Yes, Minister. Thank you." I sat down and Malfoy strode to the stand. I did not know what he was going to say, but I pictured him mumbling some short but simple speech that got his point across, never taking his gaze off of the ground. What he did, however, was blow me away and leave me speechless.
"Hello. My name is Draco Malfoy. I was a Death Eater. Realize I said was. I am ashamed of my actions. I never wished to be a Death Eater. It was a punishment for my family because of my father's fail in the Department of Mysteries. Then in the sixth year, I was given task of killing Professor Dumbledore." Many gasps came from the audience. They had waited so long for the truth about Dumbledore's death, and now they assumed they knew who killed him. "That was also punishment for my family. Voldemort knew I would not be able to complete the task, so he gave to me as an excuse to kill me when I failed. He knew I would not be able to carry out this task because even he could not do it. But, that was only because the most powerful wizard in the world, Albus Dumbledore, would always resist. Though, when I was on the Astronomy Tower that night, he offered me freedom. To join the Order. I was about to drop my wand, having already disarmed him, when the Death Eaters that were fighting the other Order members below came through the door. About two minutes later, Professor Severus Snape, my godfather, came in also. He took one look at me, and understood the scenario. He looked at Dumbledore, who started to plead with him, much to my surprise, and killed him! He just said the curse. I, though not understanding the situation, turned and followed Snape. I knew that Snape was with one of the sides, but I never knew which one. Even though all of the other Death Eaters were positive that he was a spy for our side, I had doubts. And when he killed Dumbledore, the doubt went away. I knew, that he was on the correct side. Harry Potter's side. He was nearly crying as he told me to run and go with him when we escaped from Hogwarts." Everybody was hanging onto Draco's every word. They were all amazed. He was still not finished.
"I decided to skip my seventh year. I was too humiliated to go back. It was too dangerous. But during the war, I wasn't sure what side I should fight for. I thought, maybe the Death Eaters, because there were a lot of them. Then, I thought maybe Harry Potter's side. He was an amazing fighter, and he had amazing people on his side. But, I knew if I ran into one of the Death Eaters, and started to fight him or her, they would kill me, merciless. So, I ended up switching sides as I went, like the coward I was. Potter, Weasley, and Granger saved my life twice. And I am very grateful for that. I will ask them one more favor. Please save my life once more. I am truly sorry for what I did. And I am sorry for all of those years in school. I was following my father's rules. Mistake, that. If this was based on how I treated you at Hogwarts, I should be in Azkaban for a lifetime. But, this is not based on that. It is based on how loyal we were to Voldemort, if we are sorry that we became a Death Eater in the first place, and if we hope to change our ways." He looked me straight in my eyes as he said the last part. I allowed myself a small smile. He had repeated what I said in the chamber, almost word for word. He actually was paying attention back there. He then turned to the rest of the audience. He smiled a small, small smile. Then he caught himself and stopped.
He stepped away from the stand to let Harry, Ron, and I to speak. As Harry stood, I thought quickly. Ronald admired Harry for his bravery, but he knew that I was often correct. Ron would say that Malfoy should go to Azkaban, and then there would be a row between Ronald, Harry, and I. I certainly did not want that to happen. If I went up there first, he would hear me out and might figure I am correct. Which I hope I am. I grabbed Harry's wrist and raised my eyebrows. He studied me and then nodded. We needed no words to communicate. Instead of him walking up to the stand first, I did.
"I do not think Draco Malfoy should go to Azkaban. He never wanted this at all. He was even considering joining us toward the end. I can tell because when he told his explanation up here, he showed real emotion. And he deserves to stay out of Azkaban. He deserves to live his life. He may have became a Death Eater while he was young, about a month or two before sixth year started, actually, but he also stopped being a Death Eater while he was young. So, he still has a life worth living." I took a deep breath. I was already tired. "As a result to what I just said, I personally believe that Draco Malfoy should not go to Azkaban. He is truly sorry for what he did." I walked back to my bench, face grim.
Harry went up and said, "I agree with Hermione. He does still have a life worth living. He was certainly a git back in school," Harry gave a small, breathy laugh at this, "but he definitely changed for the better, a tad bit." With that, he nodded at Malfoy and sat back down.
Ron's turn. He walks up to the stand slowly. When he looks at Malfoy, he narrows his eyes a bit. With his eyes still on Malfoy's, he starts. "He may deserve to go to Azkaban for many reasons. But he has done... a... few good things in his life. I vote on him not going to Azkaban." He said the sentences stiffly. Ronald glanced at us as he walked back. His gaze was questioning.
When everybody voted, every person voted for him to stay out of Azkaban. I saw relief break out upon Malfoy's face. When I looked at Narcissa, her face was practically made of relief. Even I, who didn't exactly want Malfoy to go to Azkaban, but knew my life wouldn't be worried if he did go to Azkaban, had traces of relief upon it.
"Lucius Malfoy." Kingsley's voice made me jump.
When Malfoy Sr. walked up to the stand, I saw he looked even worse than his son. He had deep, dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep. He was skinny and looked delicate. He walked without the step he used to have when he believed he was above everyone. His long, white blonde hair was tangled and matted, and he had visible beads of sweat on his forehead. When he spoke, it was barely above a whisper.
"Please do not send me to Azkaban. I do believe my actions as wrong, and I want to change for the better. I have a family that needs me," at this, Narcissa snorted "and I want to help them with everything I can. I should not have done what I did. The mark I have on my left arm is a mark of shame. Please, please do not let me go to Azkaban." With that, he stepped away from the stand.
Harry walked up to the stand. He started his speech slowly and carefully. "You should go to Azkaban. You have done too many bad things to not just the wizarding world, but all of them. You were in it for the power. You were a Death Eater because you admired Voldemort." He walked back to the bench. He looked exhausted.
Ron walked up and said just about the same thing as Harry. I strode up to the stand and started speaking. "You should go to Azkaban. Harry was right. You have done damage to the communities all over the world. We cannot let somebody like that be free, and not under the watch of a careful eye."
I walked back to the bench and sat down on it. I was tired and worn. When Kingsley asked if Malfoy should go to Azkaban, all of the hands went up. I sighed. Good. Now I just hoped all of the other ones passed quickly.
Do you like it? Review please! It would be an amazing birthday present!
