Chapter Four: Draco Malfoy and the Very Worst Punishment.
"Hello Granger." he said as Hermione walked into the room. Draco was leaning against the wall behind the desk.
"Hello Malfoy. Please take your seat and drink both of these." Hermione handed Draco the two vials and went to grab some water. She had heard some people complain about the flavor of the potions and if anyone would complain, surely Draco would. Returning to the room, she observed Draco sitting at the desk with his head resting on his palms, "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I will ever be." He grumbled.
"Why did you accept the task to kill Professor Dumbledore?" Hermione cut straight to the hard questions; she saw no point in beating around the bush.
"If your whole family practically depended on you following His orders, could you say no? Now ask me what you really wanted to ask."
"What do you mean?"
"Ask me if I would have actually killed Dumbledore."
"To save you own skin, I imagine you would have."
"I SAID ASK ME!" Draco screamed, his face red with an almost pain stricken look on his face.
"W-Wo-Would you have killed Professor Dumbledore?"
"No. No I wouldn't have killed him. He is the only one, Hermione. The only one ever to have seen any good in me. Ever." Draco was shaking; he had never admitted that out loud before.
Hermione was taken aback by his outburst. "If you care about being good, then why have you been such a prat? Why have you bullied and been such a vile git to anyone who crossed you? you were even wretched to people didn't cross you. I never did anything to you except be muggle-born, yet you harassed me for years."
"It is easier to do what is expected of you, than it is to be the person you want to be. Imagine things from my perspective. I was born into a family that cared for only one thing: Blood Status. Before I could fully know better, I had already been sorted. To have been different, would have meant to be alone and I wasn't brave enough to stand out. I could say I was sorry, but that wouldn't be nearly enough." Draco finished staring directly into Hermione's eyes; she felt as though he was peering into her very soul. In that moment, she knew that he was telling the truth, and not just because of the potion; but on a much deeper level.
"I understand. If granted your freedom, what would you do with it?" She asked.
"I want to go back to school and finish my seventh year. I aim to take the N.E.W.T. classes in hopes of landing post there as the Potions Professor."
"How do we know we can trust you around students?"
"I wouldn't expect to be trusted at first, but I would hope that people could learn to."
"Have you ever killed anyone?"
Draco's voice lowered to barely a whisper and his lip trembled, "I am responsible for one death."
"Whose?" Hermione asked, not sure she wanted to hear the answer.
"Professor Lupins."
"You did not kill Professor Lupin. Antonin Dolohov killed him, there were several witnesses."
"Did anyone tell you WHY Lupin was even dueling Dolohov? Or did everyone leave that part out? I was trying to leave. I didn't want to be there. I didn't want to fight. I wanted to go home. Dolohov called me a coward; threatened to 'Do the world a favor," Draco was nearing a frantic state; pacing back and forth. "I didn't have a wand, not that I even cared to use it. And that's when Lupin came between us. He protected me and died trying."
"That wasn't your fault."
"Yes it was! How can I not feel guilty? After all the times I spoke poorly of him. After everything I have done. He protected me and he died, Hermione. His son doesn't have a dad because of me. His son will grow up without a dad because of me. How is that fair? I didn't deserve it. I still don't." Draco stood there, arms to his side. He didn't care if she saw him crying; he couldn't hold in his guilt any longer.
If Hermione wasn't there to witness it, she would never have believed Draco was capable of tears. "You had no control over the situation, Draco but it really wasn't your fault. I know it is sad that it happened but you mustn't waste the sacrifice he made for you. That would truly be a pity."
Draco nodded, knowing what she said was true, but still his heart hurt thinking the world was short a man as noble as Remus Lupin.
"That's all my questions. The minimum punishment is one year without Magic; this is what I have noted as my recommendation for you. After we are finished here, I will escort you to the Courtroom for the Sentencing Hearing. Do you need a moment before we leave?"
"No." Draco said, "but you can have these back." and he handed her the two full vials.
Completely bewildered, Hermione could barely get out the words, "You didn't take the potions?"
"No, part of gaining others trust is confessing my misdeeds willfully. I can't do that under the effects of a potion. I do swear to the Almighty Wizard God that I told you the full truth, sparing no details."
Hermione knew he hadn't lied; even he couldn't have faked the interview they'd just had.
"I do believe you. We need to hurry, the hearing starts in 10 minutes."
They left the interview room and made their way to the courtroom. When they entered Courtroom 239, everyone was ready to proceed, so they took their seat.
"Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, Step forward." Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy stood up and did as instructed. "I have read over the notes from your interviews; it seems that you both regret much of your involvement with Voldemort. Mrs. Malfoy, while it is noble to do what it takes to protect ones family, there is a point when one must ask for help. You took the route easiest for you and there is no honor in that." Kingsley's voice echoed throughout the room, "However, you did, at our greatest time of need, assist in helping Harry conceal his faked death. For you I have this sentence: You are to be stripped of Magic for a period no less than one year. In that time, you must spend 100 hours at Muggle orphanages and soup kitchens helping those in need. It is time that we rise above this notion of pure-blood supremacy, we are better than that. You may be seated."
"Mr. Lucius Malfoy, to say that you had any redeeming qualities would be a lie, for I have seen none in you. However, it appears that Miss Granger has seen something and believes you can do better. I trust Hermione, although I do not agree with her recommended sentence. You had numerous chances to ask for help and you didn't. To call you a coward would be an insult to cowards, so your punishment is this: You will be stripped of your Magic for Five Years. During that time you must complete 1000 hours of supervised community service by helping out at Muggle Schools and Orphanages. You are also to assist in the reconstruction of Hogwarts, which includes a heavy donation on your part. In addition to that, upon completion of your community service, you are to go to Hogwarts and spend no less than 10 hours teaching what you've learned in the Muggle World to the Muggle Studies students. Have you anything to say?'
"No Sir." Lucius said looking at his feet.
"Then you may also sit down. Mr. Draco Malfoy, please step forward." Kingsley said while skimming over the notes Hermione handed him. "So you want to complete your schooling, is that correct?"
"Yes Sir, Mr. Shacklebolt sir."
"You aim to be Potions Master?" Kingsley asked looking up at him.
"Yes Sir."
"That is a high aspiration, Mr. Malfoy. Hermione seems quite pleased with your interview. She thinks that of all the Death Eaters, you are the one with the most hope for a future. I will not diminish that. Therefore, I am sentencing you to live without Magic for one year. I am also granting you permission to return to Hogwarts to finish your final year, but you will be on a very short leash. You cannot miss class for any reason, you will not play Quidditch, and if you are caught bullying any student at all you will lose your Magic. Permanently. Your one year without Magic will begin after you finish your final year at Hogwarts. Do you have anything to say?"
"No sir."
"Then we are finished here." Kingsley said as he rose from his seat and left the room.
After the hearing, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy were taken to be stripped of their Magic, while Hermione took Draco to Diagon Alley. After all, they had a lot of shopping to do if they both were to start school in a week.
