"…date is the twenty-sixth of August. Trial for Lucius Malfoy, accused of being a follower of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, involved in various murders and tortures at the command of said wizard; Draco Lucius Malfoy also accused of being a Death-Eater, involved in the murder of Albus Dumbledore, and responsible for carrying out tortures for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named." Harry slid into a seat near Kingsley and next to Dean Thomas. "Also accused is Narcissa Malfoy for being involved in various dark activities."
All three Malfoys were sitting in the chairs in the center of the courtroom. Though the courtroom was no longer filled with dementors, the room was still bitterly cold and the Malfoys shivered from fear and cold. The chains which bound them clinked quietly.
Draco Malfoy sat with his head bowed; hands clasped on his lap to hid their trembling. Harry couldn't help but feel for his former arch nemesis. He remembered his own trial three years back vividly.
Harry quickly turned back in to the proceedings "…the suggested sentence is a life sentence in Azkaban for both Draco and Lucius Malfoy." Draco's head shot up as he stared in horror the chief of the Wizengamot. Harry saw the fear in Draco's gray eyes.
"However…we have testimony to listen to from Dean Thomas, Luna Lovegood, and…Harry Potter."
Both Luna and Dean stood up and told the court about how, during their time of imprisonment in the Malfoy Manor, Draco had brought them extra food and water; never talking to them or allowing them to escape but also treating them better than any other Death-Eater. They both sat down and Luna smiled slightly at Draco who was looking at her as if he had never seen her before.
Harry cleared his throat and stood up. He glanced at the bit of parchment in his hand filled with Hermione's small, neat handwriting.
"Harry James Potter, witness for the accused-er defense." Reminding himself of Dumbledore, he allowed himself a slight smile as Draco looked at him in surprise.
"Very well Mr. Potter, you may give your statement." Being the "Savior of the Wizarding World" did have its perks at times.
"I've known Draco Malfoy for seven years and we were never friends, actually we hated each other. Draco had the opportunity to turn me in to Lord Voldemort-" A shiver went around the whole courtroom. Even though Voldemort had been dead for two months now, the name alone still brought much fear. "-half a year ago. But he didn't, thus, allowing us more time to escape since no one wanted to call Voldemort for fear of it not being me. That saved my life and that of my friends as well. Draco may have tortured others at Voldemort's command, I know that for a fact, yet I also know that he didn't do it willingly but because Voldemort had threatened to kill him and his family if he refused to do so. It was the same in our sixth year at Hogwarts; Voldemort forced Draco to let the Death-Eaters into the castle at the threat of his own life. Yeah the Malfoys were in Voldemort's inner circle and probably followed him devoutly during the first war. But during the second war they were just trying to survive as a family. None of them even fought in the final battle, at Hogwarts. No, they left as a family. Voldemort forced himself into their home and threatened them with their lives. They didn't have much of a choice." Harry sat back down. Draco's eyes hadn't left him during the whole speech but now as their eyes met, he looked back at the ground making it impossible for Harry to read his expression.
"Very well…that does change the perspective of the issue…." The Chief of the Wizengamot cleared his throat. "Mr. Lucius Malfoy, what do you say to Mr. Potter's defense?"
Lucius Malfoy sat up straighter; he was unshaven and his robes were rumpled. He was only a shadow of his former, grandeur self.
"Mr. Potter is correct in that…He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named forced himself into our home and threatened our family."
"And you, Draco Malfoy, attempted to save Mr. Potter's life?"
"…Yes." Draco answered shakily.
"And you, Narcissa Malfoy, lied to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and told him that Mr. Potter was dead?"
"Yes, so that I could return to the castle with my husband and search for our son."
"Very well….the charges have been dropped for Draco Malfoy and Narcissa Malfoy in favor for community service and probation for six months. As for Lucius Malfoy, the court would be in favor of a ten year imprisonment in Azkaban over a life sentence."
AN: Reviews would be amazing! :D