Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter® is copyright J.K. Rowlings. HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of Warner Bros. TM and © 2005. This fan fiction is provided for entertainment purposes and in respect to J.K. Rowlings and the talented cast of the Harry Potter films.
A/N: Once again Astoria is a bitch in this fic. I'm sorry to any Astoria fans, or to anyone who is fed up with her being the 'bad guy' but it's easier for me. Anyway Enjoy!
Fanfic site was being a pain in the arse yesterday - so I couldn't access it, or update.
Chapter One
Harry was the only available Auror in the office. The others were either in the middle of training or out on jobs. He was called to a simple 'domestic', a neighbour had phoned, asking for an Auror to investigate.
She claimed that she heard raised voices, smashing of china or something, and a women yelling let me go.
Harry noted the address and apparated to the property. He walked up the drive way and upon reaching the front door he could hear some shouting, but he couldn't distinguish what they were saying and who was speaking. It was as if they were in a room in the back of the house.
Harry knocked, waited and knocked again. A petite looking woman answered the door, she stared at Harry and saw his Auror robes.
"Oh. How may I help you?" she asked all too sweetly.
Harry noted she kept the door slightly shut, so he could only see her.
"Evening. I received a call, regarding raised voices and a disturbance. May I come in so I can take account of the situation and make some notes?"
She frowned, "Well everything is fine"
"I understand, but I have to follow through on the call. I will just ask a few questions and be on my way"
She nodded and reluctantly opened the door. She took Harry into the living room and she sat on the sofa.
Harry remained standing, "Right. So can you elaborate on why I was called to a disturbance?"
She shrugged, "My husband and I had an argument – it got out of hand. It's okay now. We will make sure we keep our voices down. Sorry to waste your time."
Harry's gut was telling him there was more to it than that. "Okay. Well if you just get your husband and I can speak with him too, then I will be on my way."
She smiled, but Harry could see it was a bit fake. He wondered if she was trying to pretend that everything was okay. He had seen a fair few domestic abuse cases, and the women were always reluctant to admit they were being abused.
She left the room and then Harry heard muffled raised voices. He followed the voices, hoping that the husband wasn't shouting at her because he was here.
He entered the kitchen and almost broke his jaw as it hit the floor. Draco Malfoy was sat at the dining table and he had smashed plates all around his feet.
The women turned around, "Oh you shouldn't have come in the kitchen. I would have fetched my husband for you" she tried for polite innocence.
Harry wondered what the hell was going on.
"Mrs um Malfoy, would you mind stepping out whilst I speak to your husband" he asked.
She looked panicked for a moment, she looked over at Draco and then nodded to Harry. Leaving the room. Harry thought she was acting strange, like she was worried, maybe she was frightened of Draco and what he would do to her, once Harry left.
Draco hadn't looked at Harry yet, Harry had only seen one side of his face.
Harry cast a spell to repair the plates and he stepped closer to Draco.
"Mr Malfoy, can you explain what happened here tonight?" he asked in a business like voice.
Malfoy gave a dry laugh and turned to face Harry. For the second time that night, Harry thought his jaw had hung open so much, that it would hit the floor.
On the opposite side of his face Draco had a cut above his eyebrow, which was dripping blood. He had what looked like scratch marks on his neck and a bruise forming on his jaw.
"Nothing Potter. Just a small common argument between husband and wife. Now if you'd be so kind to leave"
Harry shook his head, "I can't do that. I need a detailed explanation of what happened for my report"
Draco frowned, "Nothing happened" he snapped.
Harry sighed, Draco was stubborn as ever, "The Aurors received a call notifying us that a neighbour heard raised voices, smashing crockery and a women shouting let go. That doesn't sound like nothing."
Draco sneered, "Fucking neighbours – too fucking nosy for their own good."
"So I assume the woman's voice your neighbour heard was your wife? Why would she shout 'let go'?" Harry delicately asked.
Draco jumped to his feet, "Fuck you Potter. I did not hit my wife if that's what your insinuating. I may be a bad person but even I wouldn't stoop that low, I would never hit a women" his voice was low, but still held such venom.
"I never said you hit her Malfoy. I just need to hear your side of the story, then I can file a report and go" he reasoned.
Draco huffed, "Like I said we had an argument. The crazy bitch started throwing plates at me, one hit my head – hence the fucking bleeding. Then I gripped her wrists to stop her clawing at my neck. That was when she shouted let go. After that I let her go, and she punched me in the jaw – hence the delightful bruise. Now I do not wish to press charges against her, so I assume that's job done. Now kindly fuck off" and he stormed out of the kitchen.
Harry made a note of what Draco said and then returned to the living room, to where Mrs Malfoy was sitting. Draco had stormed off upstairs.
"Right Mrs Malfoy..."
"Please call me Astoria."
"Astoria, I have taken your husband's statement. He says it was a basic argument that got out of hand – but he doesn't want to take it further. What about you, can you tell me what happened?"
She smiled too sweetly, "Draco and I had an argument and I lost my temper and threw a few plates. I never meant for one to hit him. Then I scratched his throat, I was angry I shouldn't have done it. I'm sorry."
Harry nodded, "What about the bruise on his jaw?"
She shrugged, "Think I might have punched him too. Didn't realise I could punch that hard. Look I'm sorry, he's sorry – no one wants to take it further. So I'm sure now you have the details, you can file a report and forget about it."
Harry reluctantly agreed, but still had the weird gut feeling that something was off, way off.
He said goodnight and left the property. He returned to work and filed a report and left it at that.
Meanwhile Astoria went in search of Draco and yelled at him for saying too much. Draco sighed and told her to leave him alone, he had a splitting headache and he needed to sleep it off.
Harry had a busy workload, as a low level Auror working his way up, he had a lot of rubbish jobs and tones of paperwork. So he soon forgot about Malfoy, until a month later when he was sent on another case.
The Aurors had been called by St Mungos, they often tipped the Aurors off when they got a patient that had suspicious injuries.
He wasn't given any names, so he went to St Mungos and the healer on duty told him that the patient came in with suspicious injuries, but they were claiming they fell.
"However he has bruises on the upper arm that indicate he was grabbed harshly, the bruises form markings of fingers. He also broke a rib, but apparently he fell down the stairs" the healer said that as if that was ridiculous.
Harry agreed, that was a common excuse for someone who was abused, and they needed to explain away their injuries. Harry couldn't force them to admit it, nor could he force them to press charges.
He sighed and asked what room,
"The third door on the left Auror Potter" she smiled sadly at him.
Harry knocked on the door and entered. Sat on the hospital bed was Draco Malfoy. Right, this was definitely fishy. No way was he receiving injuries from accidents. Harry decided.
Draco closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again.
"Don't tell me Potter, the nosy staff couldn't mind their own damn business" he growled.
Harry knew he had to handle this tactfully, but gosh Malfoy was so annoying.
"Yes. The staff will often call us when they suspect suspicious injuries. So would you like to tell me how you ended up here?"
Draco rolled his eyes, "Its fine. They have patched me up and I'm happy to go on my way. It was an accident, I fell down the stairs"
Harry grunted, "Doesn't sound like you. You're not the clumsy type. The healer also says you have finger like bruises on your arm?"
Draco looked at Harry and Harry saw a war being waged in his eyes, "Astoria, saw I was about to fall and she grabbed my arm to stop me from falling. Gripped too hard and left bruises, but she couldn't hold on, otherwise she would have fallen too. So she let go and I fell down the stairs."
Harry thought he sounded too robotic when he spoke, like it was a well-practised lie. It was so darn difficult to read Draco's face and his emotions. But his eyes showed he was struggling with things.
"Right. So I guess there is nothing I can do. If you won't tell me the truth, I can't help you." Harry concluded.
Draco set his jaw, "That was the truth Potter. Stop trying to save everyone." His voice rising slightly.
Harry thought he looked tired and that he was desperate for Harry to believe him and leave.
"I'm not trying to save everyone Malfoy. I'm just doing my job. I guess I don't have a choice, but to believe you" Harry gave Malfoy his business card.
"Here is my floo details and office contact details, if anything happens or you need to talk, contact me okay"
Draco snatched the card and put it in his robe. "Sure whatever, I won't need it."
Harry sighed, "Right okay. Bye then" and Harry left.
Halfway down the hall, he saw Astoria marching towards Draco's room. He darted behind a trolley, waiting for her to walk by. Then he followed her and listened outside Draco's room.
He heard slight raised voices, "Why did you have to come to the hospital?" she snapped, sounding nothing like the concerned wife.
"Because I broke my f-ing rib Astoria. I needed assistance" he snapped.
"Don't snap at me" she harshly said.
Harry was waiting for the usual Malfoy arrogance and hear a snotty retort, instead he heard a meek,
"Sorry Astoria. Let's go home and forget about this"
He sounded to Harry, as if he was watching what he was saying. Walking on egg shells, trying not to set Astoria off.
Her tone changed in an instant to a happy, kind tone, "Oh that sounds great. Let's go home and I can make it up to you"
Harry heard shuffling and he jumped away from the door and hid around the corner. He watched as Astoria took Draco's hand, Draco flinched slightly but then took her hand and walked out the hospital.
Harry was shocked, he had been to a fair few domestic violence cases where the man was abusing the woman. But he had never had a case or even heard of a case where the woman was abusing the man.
Harry guessed it must happen, but most men would be too embarrassed to admit they were victims. But it was clear, Malfoy was suffering some form of abuse.
Harry returned to work, filed a report and vowed to keep an eye out. He also researched domestic violence against men – in the muggle and wizarding world.
He was horrified to read that the UK Muggle Government statistics showed, that one in six men will be victims of domestic violence at some stage of their life. Let alone all the cases that didn't come forwards, too frightened, ashamed or embarrassed to admit that they were abused by a women.
However domestic abuse was a form of bullying and women were capable of being abusive just as much as a men are.
Harry didn't know what to do, he didn't want to interfere. As an Auror he might cause Astoria to lash out, thinking Draco had been telling Harry things he shouldn't. But out of Auror mode and just generally as him, he was worried for Malfoy.
It wasn't like Malfoy to back down and let someone walk all over him. But it could have started as verbal abuse and maybe escalated to more. Draco just wouldn't hit her back, not even to defend himself.
He wasn't stupid enough to ask why Draco didn't just leave. He was familiar with domestic abuse cases, the victim couldn't just leave – it wasn't as simple as that.
He asked around and looked up a few reports and he discovered that previous Aurors had been called for noise complaints and a few neighbours had stated that they are always arguing.
Harry wondered why Draco didn't use his wand, maybe not retaliate with his fists, but he could cast a shield, or stupefy her or something. But when Harry was looking through Malfoys records, he noted that as part of his probation, he had his wand confiscated for four years. It was now three years later. If he breeched his terms, used someone else's wand, he would be sentenced in Azkaban. Harry felt so guilty for not bothering to see what happened to Draco after the war.
Draco was humiliated when Potter of all people, turned up and questioned him about the incident with Astoria at his home.
He wasn't stupid enough to admit the level of emotional and physical abuse he suffered. No one would believe that an ex-Death Eater and a tall, strong man, would suffer abuse at the hands of a petite, slim and short woman.
He was in a bad way after the war and he entered into the arranged marriage and didn't even consider any other option. Then Astoria started to chip away at his feelings of self-worth and independence. He started to feel that there was no way out of the relationship, she had even convinced him that without her he had nothing. She said no one else would want him, a Death Eater, a Malfoy and a disgrace. He was still depressed after the war and his confidence was low, he believed what she was saying was true.
He never really took notice how often she would do it, but over the years she would yell at him, call him names, blame, and shame him. Additionally, she would throw in threats of physical violence or other repercussions if he didn't do what she wanted.
She had only recently turned to physical violence, he was shocked at first, and she would spin it to so he believed it was his fault that she lashed out at him. He forgave her and everything was okay – until the next time she did it. Since the first time, it has become a regular thing. He would never raise his hand to her – not even in defence. A part of him refused to hit a woman and the other part felt he deserved it, he bought it on himself and no one would believe him anyway.
Then last week she had flipped out at him again and she pushed him, when he was standing at the top of the stairs and he fell down them. So he was telling the truth, he did fall down the stairs – but because she pushed him.
Bloody Potter had to show up again. He was mortified that Harry saw him in such a state – Potter probably believes he deserves it anyway. Luckily he managed to get rid of Potter and calm Astoria, before she lost her temper again.
He knew he was trapped, he couldn't see a way out. She controlled everything. She had to have control over him and she did this in many ways, she frequently used money to do so.
She rigidly controlled the finances, she withheld money and would make him account for every penny he spent.
Astoria was in charge of the relationship. She made all the decisions for them, she told him what to do, and she expected him to obey without question. She made him feel bad about himself, made him feel defective in some way. After years of this he honestly felt that he was worthless and that no one else would want him, this made him less likely to leave.
He was awfully isolated. He worked from home, didn't see his family or friends often and he was dependent on her. He felt cut off from the outside world.
Astoria was brilliant at controlling her behaviour. Out in public she appeared the perfect, pure blood wife. She would control herself until no one else was around, but lash out instantly as soon as they were alone.
Rather than acting out in a mindless rage, Astoria would carefully aim her kicks and punches where the bruises and marks wouldn't show. Only occasionally slipping up, like the plate hitting him in the head.
Draco was a coward, he couldn't stand up to her and was too humiliated, scared and heck depressed to get help, or to just leave.
Astoria made it hard to leave. Her apologies and loving gestures in between the episodes of abuse made it difficult to leave. She made him believe that he is the only person who could help her, that things will be different this time, and that she truly loves him.
He felt lost, he was ashamed that he has been abused by a woman and he knew that the authorities wouldn't believe him if he wanted to report it. Not only would they assume because he was a man and physically stronger he couldn't be abused, the authorities hated him as he was an ex death eater.
He was just waiting for the next episode. Astoria had been extra nice with him, promising she'd get help, saying she wouldn't do it again as long as he didn't do anything to provoke her. But he lived on the edge all the time waiting for her to snap.
Well Draco didn't have to wait long, Astoria returned home in a foul mood. He tried his best to ignore her, but he would either say something wrong, or she would get angry at him for remaining silent. He couldn't win no matter what he did, not when she was angling for a fight.
Draco had just finished writing up a contract for a new business deal, she stormed into his study and started yelling at him. Apparently she had bumped into one of his old school friends – Pansy bloody Parkinson. Of all the unfortunate people to run into, she had to be one of the worst.
Astoria fumed and raged, said Pansy was asking after him. That she wondered why Draco wasn't seen out as often as he used to be, and why he seemed to withdraw from his friends. Astoria said she explained that he was happily married and he didn't need to go out and socialise anymore.
"Well why was she so interested in your life?" she demanded.
Draco winced, no matter what he said it would be the wrong answer.
"She's a long-time family friend, we grew up together and we were in the same year at school, she was a friend" he reasoned.
"Did you sleep with her?" she shouted.
Draco knew she wouldn't believe him, "No, I didn't.
"I don't believe you. You slept with her and you better not think of sleeping with her again"
Draco sighed, "I never slept with her Astoria. Ask your sister, she was friends with her and me"
Astoria snatched the contract from his hand and tore it up, throwing it on the floor.
Fuck sake! He silently thought, that took him ages to write up, he didn't have magic or his wand to help him, he had to do everything the muggle way and it was tedious.
"It seems many of your old school friends are making a reappearance – first Potter and now Parkinson."
Draco stood and started picking up the bits of torn paper.
"You're pathetic Draco. Can't do magic, can't stick up for yourself and can't even produce an heir" she yelled voice thick with disgust.
Draco knew that the environment he was in, was not conducive to a child. So he managed to sneak out when Astoria was at her sisters, use money he had saved without her knowledge and he purchased a potion that prevented him from getting her pregnant. No way was he bringing a child into such an abusive family – he didn't care if it made her angrier, she was annoyed as she hadn't fallen pregnant yet.
He ignored her, put the torn pieces in the bin and walked out. This was obviously the wrong thing to do, she pulled him back by his hair and bit his arm.
"Ah fuck Astoria" he complained.
Sometimes this would cause her to stop. She realised she had hurt him and would apologise, other times this made her lash out more.
Tonight she was worked up and she didn't appreciate his complaining.
She started scratching at his face, he gripped her wrists and pushed her away, gently of course.
"Please Astoria" he begged, he really wasn't feeling too well and he couldn't be dealing with her abuse.
She froze and he took that as a sign that she had come to her senses. He turned and walked back out again, he got as far as the hall, by the master bedroom, when he felt the hard object smack around his head – he blacked out.
When he woke he was in St Mungos again. He groaned – luckily they had given him pain relief and he only had a mild headache.
Astoria was sat in the chair next to him, she was crying and she apologised, pleaded that she would change, promised she didn't mean it and that she loved him.
The healer came in and noted Astoria crying, she was a different healer than before.
"What happened Mr Malfoy? Your wife has been too upset to answer"
Draco was pretty good at explaining his injuries away. He came out with the first thing he thought of, "We had an intruder in our home. Gave Astoria quite a shock and when I turned my back on them, they hit me over the head – I don't remember anything else"
She nodded very well, I will have to report this. An intruder or burglar is a serious matter.
Draco clamped his mouth shut and hoped it wasn't Potter – no such luck.
Half an hour later Potter appears.
"Mr and Mrs Malfoy." Harry greeted them
"Mrs Malfoy my colleague is outside, please can you go give him your statement. I will get your husband's statement."
She looked at Draco for a moment, smiled and left.
"So what happened?" Harry asked immediately.
Harry had been told by the healer, that Astoria bought Draco to the hospital, he had a blow to the back of the head and had blacked out at one point. He had a wound, but they healed it. He also had concussion and most likely a killer headache.
Harry watched the blond, he looked tired, ghostly pale and thoroughly fed up.
"Why is it you that keeps turning up? Do you see my name, and think, I'll take that case. I could do with a bit of cheering up. Go laugh at Draco and his awful life?" Draco asked as he looked out the window.
Harry frowned, "No. Most the time we don't get given the names of the cases. I didn't know until I turned up. I'm not laughing Draco, nothing about this is funny. So if you're saying your life is awful, are you saying something is going on?" he prodded.
Draco gave a humourless laugh, "No Potter, no I'm not stupid. I can give you my statement, you can accept it and let things be."
"So what are you going to say happened?" Harry knew Draco would be feeding him a false story.
"I'm not really sure, we had a burglar or an intruder. I reached the upstairs landing and heard a noise, I guess the intruder panicked, grabbed something in the study and bashed me over the head. I blacked out, have no idea what they looked like. When I woke I was here. Astoria says the intruder fled the moment I collapsed."
Harry clamped his mouth shut and locked his jaw, he knew it was a damn lie. But he couldn't force Draco to tell the truth, and even if he did, Draco wouldn't press charges.
"Convenient that you didn't see them. Maybe a neighbour saw them break in or when they were fleeing?"
Draco shrugged, "Maybe. Our neighbours are fucking nosy, so they might have seen them"
"Draco you can't keep going on like this?" Harry finally said, not able to act as if nothing was wrong.
"Like what Potter?" his voice was deadly, harsh and cold. It was daring Harry to say it.
Draco was staring at him with cold and angry eyes.
"Um you and I know exactly what I mean Draco. There is places you can go, people who can help you. It's not a good environment to be in, you might get seriously hurt or even killed. One wrong blow to the head, one trip down the stairs, break your neck – Draco you need to get out"
"I can't Harry"
Harry was taken aback not only did Draco call him Harry, but the utter sadness and pain in his voice was heart-breaking.
Just then a light knock came at the door and then Astoria entered. Draco stiffened and looked away from Harry.
"Auror Potter I've finished giving my statement. I'd like to take my husband home now, he needs to rest. He can't apparate as he has no wand – so he needs me" she chimed, all sweet and false.
Harry couldn't believe this tiny woman could be so vicious and abusive, but appearances can be deceiving.
Draco stood and swayed slightly. Harry reached out and steadied him by holding his shoulder, their eyes met and Harry wanted to apparate away with him. Take him somewhere, hide him and yes like the fool he was, he wanted to save him. Maybe I do have a saving people thing. Harry thought.
But then Draco broke eye contact and stepped away. Astoria slung her arm around his waist and rubbed soothing circles on his lower back. Harry wanted to rip her arm away – two faced bitch.
Harry watched as they walked away, down the hall and to an apparition point.
Harry couldn't do nothing, the next incident Draco might end up in a body bag – he couldn't allow that to happen.
Harry checked with his colleague, he wanted to see Astoria's statement, see if she slipped up. But no, apparently they heard a noise, Draco told her to stay downstairs whilst he investigated. Then she saw someone in a hooded cloak smack Draco over the head. Draco fell to the floor and the intruder apparated away, she didn't see anything other than a black cloak.
She couldn't give the sex, the age or a description. She then raced up the stairs, saw that the intruder had dropped a heavy paperweight – this was what Draco was bashed over the head with. She then apparated them to the hospital.
Fucking convenient that. Harry really didn't like this woman.