Draco's Redemption

Grimmauld Place would never be described as "lively" but after the death of Dumbledore the house had become even more sombre. Members of the Order came and went with pale faces and serious eyes and the younger people living in the house were quiet and withdrawn.

McGonagall had taken over Dumbledore's role and managed quite nicely though she would be the first to admit she just couldn't rally the troupes in the same way. Mad Eye Moody had taken to living permanently in the house and drove everyone to despair with his "constant vigilance" warnings.

But life went on and after a few weeks' people began to smile and then chuckle and though they felt guilty they knew that this was what Dumbledore wanted, people laughing, people being happy.

Death Eater activity was at a minimum, they had taken heavy losses after attacking Hogwarts and it seemed that Voldemort wasn't going to risk losing any more of his followers.

Though the wizarding community was far from feeling safe the shock of their seemingly invincible Dumbledore being killed hadn't been enough to stop people living their lives entirely. They were just a lot more cautious and in many ways this was a good thing.

Ginevra Weasley sat on the bottom step of the grand staircase and chewed her lower lip thoughtfully, a book lay at her feet ignored and a glass of pumpkin juice lay half empty on the step next to her. She'd been sat for half an hour considering what to do and as nothing seemed likely to happen in the next half an hour she had decided to remain where she was and hope that her boredom would soon be alleviated.

"Ginny are you going to sit there all day?"

Looking up she smiled at the tall figure of her ex-boyfriend coming down the stairs in stocking feet. A few weeks previously she would have blushed and hidden her face but time was indeed a healer of all wounds and she had come to accept that Harry Potter was no longer going to be romantically in her life.

"Possibly." Easing himself onto the step next to her he smiled wryly,

"I think I pulled a muscle in my arm, got anything to fix it?" Nodding she stood up and gestured for Harry to follow her into a room just off from the kitchen, the Black's it seemed hadn't trusted doctors any more than they had trusted anybody so they had a fabulously stocked medical room. Having had an interest in medicine for as long as she could remember and an affinity for potions even Snape couldn't argue with it had been no surprise that she had moved into the room next to the medical room and made it her own.

Trailing a finger across the crowded shelves she pulled a tube of cream down and tossed it to Harry who caught it easily,

"I see you haven't lost your touch."

"I see you haven't lost yours." Harry retorted smoothing a dollop of cream onto his arm and rubbing it in with an expression of bliss on his tanned face, chuckling Ginny recalled the hours of training she had undergone as a Seeker for the Gryffindor House team, Harry was right; you didn't lose that kind of training easily. "Ginny, can I ask you something?" Sorting through a mixed up box of stoppered vials she nodded and gestured for him to continue while she wrote labels and set aside any of the vials whose labels were too faded to read. "Do you think we'd have worked out if this whole Voldemort coming back from the dead thing hadn't happened?" Pausing in her work Ginny considered the question and sighed,

"I don't know, probably not, we're not really all that compatible are we?"

"We get on great!" Harry argued and Ginny smiled,

"So do you and Hermione."

"But that's different; she's like a sister to me whereas you…are just like a sister to me…God's that screwed up!" Laughing Ginny shook her head in amusement and stuck a label on a vial,

"As much as I love Ron I wouldn't want to date him and I think the same goes for you." Nodding Harry ran a hand awkwardly through his untameable hair and placing a hand on her shoulder said softly,

"You know I'll always be here for you don't you?" Nodding Ginny smiled and kissed him on the cheek much in the same way she had done to Bill or Charlie when they had said the same thing before leaving home for the first time.

"I know you will, you always have been." Watching The-Boy-Who-Lived leave the medical room she felt tears prick her eyes, it wasn't that she missed being with Harry, she didn't, but sometimes she felt as though she'd wasted an awful lot of time coming to the realisation that she just didn't love him the way she once had.

As though Youth had not all the best, this day
Offers him one excelling best-of-all, --
The glorious summons of a trumpet-call

Organising the medical room had taken a long time and there was still an awful lot to do, books had to be organised alphabetically, potions separated from lotions and the vials with no names had to be tested and re-labelled. Though she barely had time to think and often skipped dinner in order to work Ginny was enjoying herself immensely and though her mother tutted at the missed dinners she had to admit Ginny had a glow. She wasn't the only member of the household to notice and for a few days rumours flew that she had a secret boyfriend. Having laughed hysterically when Hermione had come to her with curiosity in her eyes the rumours had stopped only to be replaced with a universal pride. Ginny had officially replaced Madame Pomfrey as healer at Grimmauld Place and though she knew she could always pass a message along if she needed help she rarely came up against a problem she couldn't fix.

Healing hadn't always been a career option, when she first started Hogwarts she had been determined to play Quidditch despite what her brothers might have thought. She enjoyed the sport and always would but several things had changed her mind. Firstly was in her first year after being rescued from the Chamber of Secrets by Harry she had spent several days in the care of Madame Pomfrey and had been able to watch first hand as the students who had been petrified were woken up using a potion. In her second year she'd visited Ron in the medical wing and again seen students being cured and bones being set using magic. In her third year she'd spent quite a lot of time visiting Harry during the Tri-Wizard Tournament as he received treatment for burns and other injuries. She'd found the medical world fascinating and after Christmas had begun studying with Madame Pomfrey. Having found her a willing and intelligent student Madame Pomfrey had gladly taught her all she knew and recommended that after school she become a healer. Now that the war was getting nearer and nearer her plans were being put on hold but she knew that as soon as it was all over she would be joining the mediwitches and would start her training immediately.

Working in the medical room of the Order had been immensely gratifying, Molly still wouldn't allow her to become even a junior member but by healing their various wounds and putting together emergency healing packs for them to take out she had felt like a member all the same. Tonks had taken to giving her bits of information on the basis that she would need to know what to prepare, if the area was swarming with plants that shot venomous spikes having the anti-venom was paramount. In her own way Ginny was becoming a valued member of the Order and though she was shooed out of the room as soon as discussions turned to Order business she didn't mind quite as much as she once had.

"Knut for your thoughts." Tonks leant against the doorway watching her with a half smile on her face,

"Hullo Tonks, I was just examining this vial, do you think it contains a blood replenishing potion or anti-venom? The anti-venom for the Whittling Walker is remarkably similar to the common blood replenishing potion. I'm at a loss I must admit." Shrugging Tonks pulled the cork out and sniffed it,

"Smells like strawberry sauce to me." Frowning Ginny poured a drop onto her finger and licked it, narrowing her eyes she slammed the vial into a bin and spat,

"I'm going to murder Fred and George, they always have to mess! They wouldn't like it so much if this was the vial I used if they were bleeding to death!" Laughing Tonks leaned backwards and called down the corridor,

"Fred, George I'd run if I were you, your trick has been discovered." From above came the sound of cackling laughter and pounding feet and Ginny sighed,

"Those two live to torment me."

"Only because you have authority." Incredulously Ginny uncorked a second vial and sniffed it, confident that it was a blood replenishing potion she re-corked it and then said,

"I don't have authority; they're members of the Order after all, not me."

"You could leave them to die if you wanted to."

"I would never do that, they're my brothers." Grinning Tonks face took on a feline appearance and she said slyly,

"They don't have to know that." With a grin that matched Tonks Ginny threw her arms around the slender Auror and laughed delightedly,

"Tonks, you're a genius!" Unabashed Tonks shrugged and replied with mock modesty,

"Well I wasn't a Ravenclaw for nothing."

To prove his manhood in man's noblest fray;
To be with those who fight at last to slay
That ancient despot, War. Whate'er befall,
His is a prize so rich as to forestall

When Ginny awoke the next morning she felt a bubbling feeling in her stomach and with some curiosity she dragged herself out of bed and pulled her dressing gown on. Voices could be heard in the hallway and as they rose and fell she got the idea that somebody had arrived and nobody was happy about it. Opening her door she peered out to find her view blocked by Hermione who was chewing on her thumbnail and muttering angrily,

"What's going on?" Hermione turned in surprise at finding Ginny awake so early and murmured,

"Headmistress McGonagall has had a request from a Death Eater for protection."

"It must be a trick." Ginny replied and Hermione shrugged,

"Well that's just it, we don't know if it is." Hermione said as she stood on tiptoes to see over Remus Lupin's shoulders,

"Well who is it?"

"I don't know, all she would say is that whoever it is would be joining us this morning and we were to all be open minded about the situation." Turning the names of the few Death Eaters she knew over in her mind Ginny asked musingly,

"Think its Pansy Parkinson; I never could believe she would willingly put her life in danger?" Shaking her head Hermione replied,

"No, I'm sure McGonagall said 'He' it could be her father but I always believed he was not much better than Lucius Malfoy for worshipping Voldemort." Shrugging Ginny yawned,

"Well I'm going to get a shower, I'm sure we'll see who it is when he arrives." Pushing her way through the crowd of Order members Ginny allowed her mind to puzzle it out while she made her way to the bathroom. Whoever it was must have been quite infamous if McGonagall was keeping the name quiet, she was just wondering if they would need medical attention when she bumped into Bill looking harassed.

"Ah Ginny, there you are. I was wondering if you could help Fleur, she's suffering awful stress headaches, the wedding is getting to her it seems." Nodding Ginny gave Bill a visual once over and commented wryly,

"Looks as if she's not the only one, send her along in about half an hour I'll have something ready for her." Smiling gratefully Bill did an about face and headed back into the room he had come from, from within the room she could hear Fleur's plaintive plea of,

"Pleeze Bill, not zo loud, I ave an 'eadache!" Chuckling Ginny made a dive for the first floor bathroom before anybody could beat her to it.

The invidious years and venom of decay.
No fruitless age shall he regret who pays
Thus timely his arrears to Motherland

Twenty minutes later showered and dry Ginny was heading down to her medical room when all Hell let loose. The door opened and closed from below and several exclamations could be heard, a few hexes were shouted out and as Ginny ran down the stairs she watched in horror as McGonagall pulled out her wand and shielded herself and a young man from the hexes.

"Him, you want him to stay here?" Ron bellowed as a panicked Hermione desperately pulled at his arm, Mad Eye Moody was pacing back and forth shouting loudly and Molly Weasley was desperately attempting to get people to quiet down.

"What on Earth?" Ginny said to nobody in particular, from her vantage point she could see McGonagall looking red in the face from anger but the young man she was sheltering had his back to her, whoever he was he was awfully thin and dirty looking whoever he was.

"Would everybody please calm down and allow me to explain?"

"He killed Dumbledore!" Ron bellowed and McGonagall flinched,

"Now Ronald you know that isn't true."

"Do I?" Ron spat bitterly and confused Ginny strained to see the mystery Death Eater; she could see whoever it was had upset her brother greatly and whilst that didn't take much effort she could hardly imagine it being any old Death Eater. It was hardly likely to be Snape either; it was quite common knowledge that he had killed Dumbledore. McGonagall stepped aside and placed a hand on the young mans shoulder pushing him forwards to face the gathering Order members. Gasping Ginny watched as Draco Malfoy clenched his fists and paled under the hostile gazes of the people surrounding him; though his face remained expressionless she could see he was very uncomfortable.

"Mr. Malfoy came to me with information and a plea for safety. I could not stand by and allow this young man, whatever his crimes, to risk his life following a man who will surely lead him to his death."

"He's a murdering Death Eater, he has the mark!" Moody growled and McGonagall sighed,

"He's a young man who made a terrible mistake. Albus Dumbledore would not have thrown him out and neither will I!" Growling Ron stomped off into the kitchen and Draco murmured something to McGonagall, who shook her head angrily,

"No I will not change my mind about this. I think though that we should have a meeting and discuss this like civilised adults!" Looking meaningfully at Moody who just shrugged and stomped off McGonagall turned to leave,

"I want to come to!" Ginny cried and she blushed as a hallway filled with people turned to stare at her,

"Ginevra Weasley you will do no such thing." Molly answered sternly, holding her chin up defiantly Ginny replied,

"This doesn't just concern the Order mum, I live here too, and I have a right to know first hand what is going to happen!"

"You're too young!"

"I'm nearly sixteen!"

"Far too young!" Forcing herself to remain calm Ginny looked at McGonagall,

"Headmistress I have a right to know." Nodding McGonagall looked at Molly with a placating smile,

"Molly, it's for the best. Everybody in the meeting room now." Muttering to herself Molly followed along behind as Arthur lay a reassuring hand on her arm,

"Don't worry dear; I'm sure nothing too serious will be discussed."

Shaking her head at the absurdity of her father's comment Ginny followed the others into the meeting room and snagged a seat next to Tonks and Hermione who welcomed her with smiles.

And humankind, ensuing Earth's desire;
Who stakes his else immemorable days
And wins his life back, holy from Death's hand,
Redeemed in one brief ecstasy of fire!

"…so that's it, I don't want to become a man like my father who can't think for himself, I won't kill so I'm useless to Voldemort but I know things that can be useful to you, all I ask if for your protection." There was a long silence as the group of adults and teenagers considered what he had said, his words seemed genuine and the mask he wore out of pride would slip eventually. But what to do?

"I think we should protect him." McGonagall said firmly and she was immediately met with another long silence,

"He could be a spy." Moody growled,

"I agree with Alastor, how do we know he's telling the truth?" Remus said finally and he winced at the glower Tonks sent his way, "Tonks, I know he's your cousin but we just don't know."

"Will anybody speak up for him?" There was a third long pause and surprisingly it was Harry who broke the silence,

"I will."

"Potter?" Draco burst out incredulously, his mask slipped back when Harry turned to look at him,

"Malfoy may have made my life miserable for years, he's prejudiced, arrogant and a complete pillock most of the time but he's no killer."

"How do you know this Harry?" Remus asked and Harry closed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair,

"I was there, the night Dumbledore died, I saw everything."

"Harry?" Hermione whispered and Ginny saw she had a look of hurt on her face,

"I'm sorry Hermione; I didn't mean to not tell you, it was just so hard to talk about it. The night he died, we'd been trying to find the Slytherin Locket, it had been replaced and Dumbledore had to drink some kind of potion that weakened him.

"We got back to Hogwarts and when Malfoy burst in on us I still had the invisibility cloak on and Dumbledore used wandless magic to immobilise me. He was disarmed and defenceless and Malfoy had the upper hand. He couldn't do it though; he admitted that Voldemort had threatened to kill his family if he didn't do it. He couldn't though, he was desperate but he couldn't kill him, Snape could though, that look on his face, I've never seen anybody so filled with rage, he hated Dumbledore and he killed him." His voice started to break and he swallowed hard before saying, "If I was in the same position as Malfoy I don't think I would do anything different, so I'm speaking up for him. I don't believe he can ever stop being a prejudiced, arrogant pillock but he's no killer and there's no law against somebody being a pillock."

"You know it's considered terribly bad English to use the same word twice in a sentence." Draco commented in a conversational tone and sighing Harry shook his head and said wearily,

"Cram it Malfoy, this isn't the time for Grammar lessons." Hermione opened her mouth and then closed it when Harry looked at her sternly,

"Harry are you willing to undergo Veritasium so we can confirm your story, you too Draco?" McGonagall said when it looked as if Draco would say something sarcastic, Harry nodded and Draco looked wary,

"Will you promise not to ask anything personal I don't want my deepest secrets being told to all and sundry?" McGonagall's lips tightened and she said icily,

"I would never dream of such an act." Shrugging Draco folded his arms across his chest and said in a bored drawl,

"If you want to sit through the same story twice go ahead I won't complain."

"The same goes for me." Harry said and Remus stood up,

"I'll go and get it."

"Thank you Remus." McGonagall said sighing, pulling out her wand she conjured two goblets and when Remus returned with a small vial of the Veritasium potion poured two drops into each Goblet.

"Now, drink up gentlemen, it shall start to take effect almost instantly."

End of Chapter One

A/N I was inspired to write this story after reading Half Blood Prince again, the whole bit about Voldemort threatening Draco's family just made me think and I've always believed there's more to him than a sneer and a butt load of prejudices.

The poem used in between scenes is called Redemption by Harold E Goad, I admit I used it because no matter what I tried nothing would act a page break and it looked dreadful and was hard to read. At least with the poem in it makes more sense.

Tell me what you think.

Chapter two will be up as soon as I get it written, I can't promise a speedy delivery as I have a very full course load at college and I can only write this when I have free time.