Title: Forgotten Memories
Rating: T
Challenge: Kamerreon's Drabble Challenge
Warnings: Implicit and/or explicit sexual content, het, slash, and foul language. Possible AU in some chapters.
Prejudice
Words: 430
As he watched the parade of Death Eaters sit in the chair before the Wizengamot, Harry knew that the chances of an unbiased trial were very slim. Those people sitting in that chair were nothing more than dark wizards, supporters of the Dark Lord. Their judges couldn't care less about their names, their lives, their families, their problems, their fears and the justifications for their actions.
Some of them deserved exactly that kind of treatment, but others didn't.
And watching this pitiful show, Harry remembered the first time he ever judged someone based on other person's opinions and tendentious information.
It had been on his first year, it was his first encounter with a pureblood, on the train, when the blond wizard entered his compartment looking for him.
"Is it true?" he said. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?
"Yes," Harry had said. He vaguely remembered paying some attention to Crabbe and Goyle, while the boy introduced them. And then…
"And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
Ron had made a mocking sound and Malfoy had reacted to that. Ron had been as prejudiced as Malfoy, but Harry liked Ron, so it really hadn't mattered.
Soon Malfoy had returned his attention to Harry. "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."
He held out his hand to shake Harry's, but Harry didn't take it.
"I think I can tell who the wrong sorts are for myself, thanks," he said coolly.
In the end, he didn't.
The Chief Warlock was speaking: "Please, Mr. Malfoy, there is nothing you can say that can redeem what you did in service of the Dark Lord. You were perfectly aware of your actions. Your family's elitist ways are far well-know by the wizarding society. And you are not a good person. I don't think there would be anyone to speak for you at this moment."
Harry pondered his decision for about two seconds, before acting according to it. A man shouldn't be convicted for his blood status or his believes, disregarding his actions. And a court shouldn't be allowed to trial a person for being a bad person.
"Excuse me, your honour."
At his side Hermione was hissing his name in warning and pulling his sleeve to make him sit down. He ignored her. And he ignored Ron's gobsmacked face.
"Mr. Potter?" – confusion had came upon the court room.
"I'll speak for Draco Malfoy."
A/N: The text in italics is the original text by JKR in 'HP and the Sorcerer's Stone'.
