Disclaimer: I don't own them! They all belong to JK Rowling etc. Don't sue me XD!

Sorry it's late! But I've been busy and I only got 3 reviews :( - More this time!! 5 Reviews = Update on Tuesday :) XD

A/N: Kittenonabroomstick - :D Thanks XD your kind comments are too much :)! Don't worry I wouldn't let anything bad happen to Draco… Yet :P. But I can't promise anything for later chapters! bellandedwardLS – umm… thanks for the kiss? XD. Nagini Potter – Thanks for the review!

Many Many thanks to Beckyy My awesome Beta – who is awesome :D Thanks you :D !!

Chapter 4

Sunlight pierced through the gap in the hangings of the four-poster, its bright warming light shining on Harry's face. He stirred, cracking open his eyes. He stared at the magnificence of the day. It was bright and sunny, warm. The prospect looked good for today's trial. He sat up in his bed, propped up against his pillows. He rubbed his eyes blearily. They were gritty. He hadn't got much sleep last night. He had finally retired to his bed at around 3am, having stayed up with Hermione discussing what he was going to say. He glanced at the battered golden watch he had received from the Weasley's as his 17th Birthday gift. It was showing 8:48am. He would be in the Head's office in around three hours time. He figured that he would probably need something to eat before he went, but curiously he didn't feel hungry.

Neville's snores reverberated around the room, how Harry had managed to sleep through it for almost seven years at Hogwarts amazed him. He was contemplating getting up at that point, however, remembering what had happened last time he had jumped out of his bed without checking, (he had had a great embarrassment stowed upon him) thought twice about it, deciding that it was probably for the best to check. He reached under the quilt, brushing his hands over the boxers he was wearing. Nothing was sticking up he smiled inwardly. Finally deciding it was safe to get up, Harry tore back the hangings. A rush of golden sun enveloped him in its warm embrace; he sat there for a while. Allowing the warmth to seep through his almost naked body. The jet-black haired boy had long since forgotten what it was like to feel normal, no Dark Lord on his mind. After what seemed like an eternity, or it could have been five minutes, he stood up and walked over to the window. There he gazed. The grounds, sparkling, looked like an ethereal beauty unbeknown to man. Morning dew glittering on the grounds, giving the effect of a million tiny diamonds scattered amongst the grass, reflecting the sun's rays in the most beautiful of ways. Harry realised then, that he had the rest of his life to enjoy all these small comforts. It really had been the first time he'd thought about the whole Voldemort situation since he had "defeated" him a couple of weeks ago.

As tempting as it was to stand there and stare out into the grounds, Harry had to get down to breakfast. Harry walked over to his bed, opened the trunk that lay at the bottom of it and began rummaging for some clothes to throw on. At the moment, he wasn't particularly bothered what he wore down to breakfast as he planned to come up and shower afterwards anyway. He settled for one of Dudley's old t-shirts, light grey, which looked silver in the light from the sun and some black jeans, along with a pair of Uncle Vernon's old mustard yellow socks to accompany his outfit. Harry thought about how he had never been out shopping to get some proper clothes. He was always wearing hand-me-downs. He resolved to go out at first opportunity with whoever would go to buy some new clothes. The ones he had at the moment reminded him of his past life too much. He threw the clothes on, slipped on his trainers and made his way out of the bedroom as quietly as possible, attempting to avoid waking the others. Halfway to the door, Harry wheeled around, realising something. Ron wasn't there. But it wasn't this that had alarmed him so much, it was the fact that the bed didn't look like it had been slept it at all last night. A light layer of dust was covering the sheets, the curtains hanging where they had been last night. He had no idea where his ex best friend was. He cursed himself inwardly. Why should he care where Ron was? Hadn't he practically beaten the shit out of Harry? Why now should he be worried about what happened to him. Harry pushed all thoughts of Ron out of his head and headed down the dormitory stairs into the bright common room. He was the first up, or he was the only one in the common room at least.

Harry sent a patronus up into the girl's dormitory. He had finally mastered the talking form; he had sent a message up to Hermione, asking whether she wanted to come down to breakfast with him. He had cast it only to give the message to her if she was awake. Harry plopped himself down in his favourite armchair by the fire and began to ponder on today's trial. The trial he was dreading, yet relishing at the same time.

Five minutes later, Hermione came ambling down the stairs leading from the girls dormitories, fully and dressed and with a smile that was nearly as bright as the sun that was trying to break through the windows.

"Oh Harry, what are you wearing?! You look like something Crookshanks coughed up!" Hermione exclaimed upon sight of Harry's chosen clothing.

"Thanks Hermione, you look dashing." He said a grin plastered across his face.

"You really need to get some new clothes you know. They look positively awful! No offence" she added upon spying his face.

"You know, I was thinking something similar upstairs. I think I might go on a spending spree next Hogsmeade weekend." He replied. "Shall we go?"

With that, they walked together out of the portrait hole and down to breakfast together.

*_*_*_*_*_*

Breakfast that morning was a peaceful affair, not many people were up this early, meaning that the Great Hall was practically empty when they entered it and took their seats at the end of the Gryffindor table, (which was practically deserted). Harry had barely sat down when the rush of wings above him announced the arrival of the first deliveries of the day. Many of the owls would simply take one flight around the hall and then leave for the owlery. To return later as the people their letters were intended for were still snug in their beds.

Harry looked up hopefully, he did not know why, the only correspondence that he received nowadays was the Daily Prophet and sure enough, there was the tall carrier bird a daily prophet clutched in its talons and a small brown pouch attached to its body. The tall bird started to descend and then landed gracefully in front of Harry, dropping the newspaper into his waiting arms. Harry took 3 Knuts from his pocket and placed it in the bird's pouch. The owl took a drink of pumpkin juice from the nearest jug and then set off again into the still rising sun. Harry watched it leave, glancing at the enchanted ceiling as he did so. It was a bright sparkling blue, no cloud cover; it truly was a beautiful day.

"Aren't you going to read your paper?" Hermione's voice snapped his attention away from the ceiling and back down to the unopened paper in front of him.

He quickly unravelled it, glancing at the headline. He gasped audibly.

"What, what is it Harry?!" Hermione asked, nervousness edging into her voice.

Harry laid down the paper and Hermione read the headline as well, she too was extremely shocked. She looked up at Harry, tears pricking the corners of her eyes.

"it might not be what we think yet… Just… Read the article first before we start to change our plans." She said

He nodded, silently, snatched up the paper again with trembling hands and read.

Death Eater Malfoy in Azkaban 'Slashing'

[Ministry releases information that former Death Eater has been 'slashed' with a knife imbued with Dark Magic]

Shock! Even after the dowfall of He Who Must Not Be Named Dark Magic is still all around us. Today the Ministry released a press statement stating that the former Death Eater Lucius Malfoy has been slashed across the throat with a knife that was imbued with Dark Magic. It is said the knife was concealed upon the perpetrator (who is yet to be named) with a powerful concealing charm.

A Ministry insider tells us that it all happened at the dinnertime. Malfoy and the perpetrator got into a bit of an argument during which the words: "denounced him", "he's coming back, you can feel it to" and "you'll pay for your disloyalty" were heard audibly. It is said that Malfoy then spat on the ground saying "Fuck the Drak Lord, Fuck him and all his twisted schemes, joining him was the biggest mistake of my life."

"This is where it turned ugly" says the Ministry insider. "The perpetrator looked like he had been slapped, he was boiling with anger and we guards could see that he was about to attack the other. We all rushed forwards to break up the fight. But before our stunning spells hit, the criminal whipped a knife from God knows where and swings it across the neck of Malfoy. Of course this resulted in uproar. Everyone was rioting. The guards quickly dealt with the situation." I asked him what happened after everyone was put back in the cells. "Well naturally we tried all the healing spells we knew, but nothing would work. The wound wouldn't close and we couldn't staunch the bleeding. So we took him to St Mungo's. He passed out on the trip there and no news has been released since."

I moved onto a new line of questioning. We all know from the article that I wrote last week that Lucius' son, Draco, was also serving time in Azkaban, I questioned him about what Draco's reaction to this was. "Well he doesn't know. We keep them separated, father and son. Lucius is in the east block, Draco in the west. I daresay that he won't find out unless Lucius dies… or when he gets out in ten years time."

I asked him what the punishment had been to the person who had used such awful Dark Magic. "Well, he was subjected to the Dementors kiss as soon as we had got the authority from the the Wizengamot. Since the downfall of You Know Who, they've all returned to the prison. However we keep wizard guards there as well. To keep things balanced. Unfortunately I am under a vow to not speak more on this matter" Lucius Malfoy still remains in St Mungo's under care and protection. We will keep our readers updated with this interesting turn of events at the Wizarding Prison. (The trial of the accused article reprinted pages 6 + 7)

Rita Skeeter

Harry stared at the article, a fire burning in his gut, a fire that he thought he'd never have again. It was the same fire he'd had when he'd read about something that Voldemort had done… but now this? Part of him was relieved that it was not Draco – why he thought this… he had no idea. He hated the guy… didn't he? He was confused.

He closed the paper and silently handed it across the table to Hermione, who was obviously anxious to read it as she was practically bouncing up and down on her seat, the mane of bushy brown hair swaying made Harry smile, a small smile that was quickly replaced by anger and fear, but a smile none the less.

Hermione read the article in the time it had taken Harry to fill his plate with his breakfast. He had barely finished buttering his toast when she looked up from the paper, a slightly confused expression on her face.

"What's the matter?" He asked, "why do you look so confused?"

"oh, it's nothing… just…" She replied

"Just…" he asked, a little impatient now. He hated when she did this. It was obvious that she had figured something out that Harry and, yet she wouldn't share it until she was 100 percent certain – one of her more annoying qualities. He knew now what the next words out of her mouth were going to be. As soon as Harry had formed the words that were coming next, she spoke them.

"Harry, I've got to go to the Library to… look something up" She said, picking up a few pieces of toast, standing and practically running out of the Hall. Even though he had been expecting it, Harry felt kind of sour at being dumped like that.

He finished his breakfast in silence then looked down at his watch. 9:21am. In just a few hours he would be attending the trial that his mind would just not let him forget. He drained his goblet, stood and walked out of the Great Hall, just as the rest of the school seemed to be making their way into it.

*_*_*_*_*_*

Harry didn't see anything of Hermione for the next 2 hours. He sat in the common room in his chair next to the fire going over what he and Hermione had discussed the previous night again and again until he could perform it fluently.

He looks down at his watch. It was showing just after 11:45am. Deciding that it was time, he stood up and made his way out of the portrait hole to the headmistress' office, which was at the other side of the school. Barely had he passed out of the entrance, when he collided with a mane of bushy hair.

"Oh Harry! Thank god I caught you. I completely lost track of time and thought I might've missed you!" Hermione shouted, rising up to her feet to give him a hug. "I came to wish you good luck! You remember everything we discussed right?"

"Yeah Hermione, I got it all sorted " He gave her a smile. She cocked her head slightly.

"Can I walk with you?" She asked.

"Yeah sure."

They walked along the corridors in a comfortable silence. Harry was glad that he had someone to accompany him He was suddenly feeling very nervous. They arrived at the stone gargoyle that was guarding McGonogalll's office. He had only just arrived when it hit him. He had no idea what the password was. At his side, Hermione had raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Errm…" He said

"You don't know the password do you?" she asked humour lacing her voice.

"No… I don't" he said, slightly embarrassed. Hermione chuckled.

"Godric Gryffindor" She said to the statue. It sprang to life, springing aside to allow access to the spiral staircase behind. "Oh come one. It's McGonogall, she's head of Gryffindor remember?" Harry chuckled to himself. Only McGonogall could pick a password like that. At least's Dumbledore's had been imaginative he thought.

"Well… Good luck Harry! I'll be waiting in the common room with you when you get back." Hermione said shakily. With that she pulled him into a fierce hug.

"Thanks 'mione" he said, stepping backwards onto the spiral staircase. He gave her a tentative smile then continued to climb the stairs. He arrived at the polished wooden door with the brass knocker, knocking twice to let her know he was here.

"Enter" said a voice from within. The door swung open to admit him, taking a step into the circular room he knew so well.

"Ah, good morning Mr Potter. I've arranged for the fireplace to be connected to the Floo network. We've arranged a very special type of connection it will take you directly into the Ministers office where he will be waiting for you. The trail is scheduled for 12:30pm, but the minister would like a word with you beforehand." She finished her lecture just as the flames in the fireplace burst forth in a green wave.

"12:30? I thought it was scheduled for 1pm?" he asked quizzically.

"It has been re-arranged and it seems it's ready for you" she added with a nod towards the fireplace "In you get Mr Potter" She rushed to his side to chivvy him into the fireplace. "Good luck" she said. With a fleeting smile she pulled out her wand and pointed it at the fireplace. Harry found this extremely weird, considering that he had never heard of the floo network working like this. There was a flash of blue light from McGonogall's wand. He had a last glance of her face before being hurtled forward. Spinning throughout the network of fires, he could see wizards and witches doing all sorts of things. Just as he thought he was going to be sick from the spinning, it stopped ejecting him out of a fireplace into an unfamiliar office.

The walls all around him were a deep purple inlaid with gold, filing cabinets stood at one side of the room (which was surprisingly big). There was a desk at the other end, in front of a window that reflected the weather outside or maybe it was a real window? He wasn't quite sure. The desk was a mahogany brown colour with a purple and gold draping over it. Sat behind the desk it a red wing backed chair was a man he recognised and liked well. Kingsley Shacklebolt was leaning backwards beaming at him, the white teeth complimenting his features giving him a welcoming aura.

"Harry! Welcome welcome!" Kinglsey boomed out in his deep voice. "I hope you're well? I heard about that little spat with Ron the other day, terrible shame. I heard Molly was fuming… Never mind anyway" He beamed looking Harry over. "So let's get down to business shall we? Please, take a seat." He said, gesturing to the plush purple chair that appeared opposite Kingsley's desk. Harry did as he was bid and took it, facing the beaming Minister.

"What I would like to know from you Harry… and forgive me for being blunt. But why do you want Mr Malfoy released from Azkaban? I thought you hated him?" Kingsley asked, he was intrigued as to what had brought this turnabout in Harry's attitude towards the convicted man.

"Everyone seems to ask me that question, and my answers always the same. I can't let an innocent man rot in Azkaban, doing time for a crime he hasn't committed. Even though I hate him... I still can't let him go through that." He finished. Harry looked dejectedly at the floor. Kingsley considered him for a minute or two before finally continuing the conversation.

"You're a brave man Harry, a brave and caring man. No one else gives a shit about the Malfoy's and whether or not they're guilty. Your mum and dad would be proud of you." Kingsley reassured Harry, who perked up a bit at this mention of his parents. "Do you know what you're going to say?"

"Yeah I do, I went over it with Hermione."

"Well I wish you good luck" The minister glanced at his watch. "Come on Harry, it's nearly time for the trial, best to be early I think."

"Are you coming in with me?"

"I'll be in the courtroom, but I won't be going in with you. I'm on the Wizengamot."

"Oh, yeah I forgot. Don't give me preferential treatment please" he asked looking at the floor. "If he gets off I want it to be because you believe me and not just because it's me."

Kingsley beamed at him at this.

"Don't worry" he said "I'll be fair".

*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Draco sat against the cold stone wall of his cell, peering out of the barred window. He had been in Azkaban for nearly 2 weeks now and it was driving him mad. The first few night he had been here, he had cried. Cried for his mother. But now? Now there was no tears left to cry. His body had no energy left to do anything but sit and ponder. "Nine Days" he said to himself… "Just another three thousand six hundred and forty one days to go." He gave a laugh at this a horrible choking noise erupted from his throat instead. He'd had no use for his voice in here. Talking between prisoners was strictly forbidden. He'd heard no news from his father or from anyone else for that matter. He was not allowed out of his cell. He considered how people ever survived Azkaban. He had barely been here a week, yet he was nearly going mad. Footsteps outside of his cell made him look up. The door swung open, revealing four haughty wizards.

"Up you get scum. The Wizengamot have called you the courtrooms" The wizard at the front all but spat, pointing his stubby wand at Draco, whose wrists became instantly bound.

"What do they want me for?" He managed to croak out.

"How the hell should I know?!" Spat the same guard. "Although I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the dementor's kiss." He said, a hopeful grin spreading across his face. "I'm sure they'll let me film it." He licked his lips.

"Stop Simon. You're getting as bad as the scum that are in here" A second wizard said. He had a kind round face with bright blue eyes that sparkled. They reminded Draco of his ex headmaster's eyes. The second wizard smiled at him as he was hoisted to his feet and carried out of the cell.

"How are we getting there?" Draco rasped.

"Special Side-along apparition. Simon will be taking you. At the other end you'll meet some guards who are waiting for you. They'll escort you into the holding chambers until they're ready for you." The wizard with the kind face replied.

"Now, now Scorpius. Anyone would think you're trying to be nice to the little runt." The wizard called Simon spat. Scorpius gave a small smile. "We're here" he said. Draco reached out to take hold of Simon's arm for the side along.

"Oh no, No no no. That's not how we're going. If I let you cling onto my arm then people would think I was going soft. No. We'll go like this instead." He pushed Draco's arms away from him, seized a fistful of his hair and yanked his head back. 'Much better" he growled. He turned on the spot being pulled into the tight compression of Apparition, pulling Draco along by his hair.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Harry sat at the side of courtroom 10. The Wizengamot were all spread out above him, looking down at a chair, which had chains winding round the arms.

"Bring him in" Called Kingsley.

The doors at the back of the room swung open. Four wizards entered the room in a square formation. In the middle, was Draco. Harry gasped at the sight of him. Draco hadn't been in Azkaban for 2 weeks and he already looked terrible. His usual sleek blonde hair messy and dirty. His face now extremely pale showed a haugtiness, he was thinner then he had ever been. His cheek bones being more pronounced. But what shocked Harry the most was how he composed himself on his way to the chair. His usual swagger, taking care to act royal and totally in control was gone. Replaced with a Draco, who walked with his head down, shuffling along and occasionally stumbling. Harry felt sorry for him. He even felt a pang of guilt rise up inside of him. He had no idea why. The wizards deposited Draco in the chair and spelled away the chains that were binding his wrists. They walked away from him and out of the back of the courtroom. Harry watched them go. When the doors banged shut he returned his gaze to Draco. The chains of the chair had no wrapped themselves around his arms and legs, binding him there. He looked utterly hopeless and depressed.

"Draco Malfoy" came Kingsley's voice "Do you know why you have been brought before the Wizengamot today?"

"To extend my sentence?" He said bitterly. Harry gasped. His voice, which used to be silky and smooth, even sexy, "WHAT?!" He thought to himself… had he just called Malfoy's voice sexy? His voice was broken and raspy. It sounded he hadn't used it in weeks and when he had used it had been solely for the purpose of crying.

"No, Mr Malfoy." Kinglsey replied with a slight smile. "Last week I received a letter from someone, who was willing to testify to the Wizengamot to secure your release, that person is here today to… well… do just that." Draco's head snapped up. The eyes suddenly had a gleam of hope in them.

"Who…?" He asked, shaking slightly.

Kingsley smiled again. "Would the witness please stand and state their full name for the record." He said. It was time Harry thought to himself. He stood up, thankful that he was positioned behind the chair, this way Draco wouldn't know who it was until he spoke. He was still pat in shadow, so most of the Wizengamot couldn't make out who the witness was either. "Did Kingsley tell them?" he wondered to himself.

"I, Harry James Potter hereby present myself as a witness for the defence." He spoke. This was the line he had practiced with Kingsley before entering the courtroom. He stepped forward until he was level with Draco's chair. His face was pure shock. Whatever he had been thinking, it was obviously not this. Excited muttering broke out amongst the benches surrounding them. They were all obviously excited about seeing the 'Chosen One' in the flesh.

'Mr Malfoy" Kingsley continued, silencing the muttering with a wave of his hand. "Mr Potter has submitted the request to be presented as a witness to your defence. Do you accept?" Malfoy's eyes were betraying his utter most feelings. Shock and hope? He seemed to paralysed by the events to even speak. Kingsley cleared his throat.

"Mr Malfoy…?"

"Yeah… yes… I … I accept" He choked out.

"Splendid!" Kingsley beamed. He looked down at a piece of parchment in front of him. "Mr Malfoy. You were trialled by the Wizengamot nine days ago. The charges were:

Harbouring the Dark mark – For which you were found to be Not Guilty.

Death Eater Activities – For which you were found to be Guilty

Death Eater involvement – For which you were found to be guilty"

Kingsley read the charges from the sheet in front of him. "You have been brought here to ascertain your guilt on the last two charges. For the purposes of the record, do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Good. You now have the chance to re-submit your pleas." Kingsley said "Draco Malfoy. You are charged with taking part in Death Eater activities and involvement by choice" Kingsley added this little bi on the end with a wink towards Harry, who smiled inwardly at the help. "How do you plead?" Malfoy took a long time to answer, he seemed to be considering his options. He turned his head to the right to look at Harry. They stared into each other's eyes. No longer enemies, but something else. Malfoy broke the eye contact, turning back to face Kingsley. Harry held his breath, he had a strange feeling that he was going to plead guilty, that his damned Malfoy pride would not allow Harry to help him out.

"Not Guilty" He said after a few more seconds.

"Excellent." Said Kingsley. "Now here is what is going to happen. The Wizengamot has already heard your case Mr Malfoy. After reviewing this, the decision is that you are still guilty. However, you are now going to leave the room and we will the hear Mr Potter's testimony. After the Wizengamot have considered this new testimony, you will be called back in to hear our verdict. Do you understand?"

"Yes"

"Very well. Take him out into the waiting chamber" he said to the guards who had re-appeared in the doorway. "That is the waiting chamber, not the holding cells." The chains keeping Draco in his chair released him. He stood up and began to walk out of the courtroom. Harry notice he did so with slightly more composure then when he had been led in. After the doors had closed, Kingsley turned his attention to Harry. "Well Mr Potter, you may begin your testimony."

*_*_*_*_*_*_*

The courtroom erupted in a cacophony of noise; frantic murmurs were being whispered all around Harry. His testimony had been quite controversial after all. He has told the truth of how it was. He had explained all about his connection with Voldemort through his scar. The terrified faces and torture that he had witnessed. It had taken a lot oh his willpower to recall everything he wished he could forget. But this was someone's life he was talking about. If that meant recalling bad memories, then so be it.

"Silence!" Kingsley's voice boomed throughout the courtroom, bringing order at once. "We have heard from the witness. We will now retire to make our decision. This will not be voted on in front of the defendant. Mr. Potter, if you could please leave us for a moment." He said. Harry excused himself, bowing to the court and walked off into the waiting area.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*

"Mr Malfoy. The Wizengamot has heard from the witness that you have provided." Kingsley said to Draco, who was no seated and chained in the chair again. Harry had taken to stand on the back wall, so as to watch the whole scene and so that Draco would not be able to see him. "We have all voted on the verdict." He continued, looking around the benches at everyone lined there. "The Wizengamot has decided to overturn the sentence previously instated on you. We hereby declare you Not Guilty of all charges. Your sentence of 10 years imprisonment has been revoked. You are free to go." Kingsley added with a smile. He pointed his wand at the chair and the chains unravelled. Draco sat there, in a state of shock. He was… free? Thanks to Potter… Potter of all people. Why had he done this for him? He had to find out. Harry walked up to Draco, who was still sat in the chair, shock plastering his face.

"Malfoy…" Harry said

"Potter… I…" he seemed to be fighting with his morals. "Thank you…. For winning me my freedom." Harry smiled. Coming from Malfoy, that was as good as a great big kiss on the lips. "Well I wouldn't mind that right now". Harry plastered a similar look of shock on his face at that moment. How could his traitorous brain think something like that? He shook his head mentally.

"Here, I've got something for you." Harry continued. He put his hands inside the robes he was wearing and pulled out a small thin box, which he handed to Malfoy.

"What is it?" Draco asked in curiosity.

"It's your old wand. You know… the Hawthorne wand that I took from you?" Harry would have never thought is possible, but Draco's eyes widened even further.

"I'm… I'm… I'm allowed to... to use a wand?" he asked

"Well, technically no. You have to wait till tomorrow when your official release papers are signed and everything that was seized passed back into you. That wand is deactivated at the minute. When your papers come through… Come find me and I'll activate it again for you."

"Potter… I … I don't know what to say."

"Then don't say anything. Nearly seven years of being enemies, I can't expect anything to change that fast. Here, one last favour." He said, pulling out his own wand. He pointed it at Draco and muttered an incantation. Instantly Draco's prison clothes transformed into a set of black robes, warm soft black robes.

"I know it's not like your usual luxurious clothing, but I guess it's better than what you were wearing. One more thing." He turned to face the Wizengamot who were all busy packing away their things, none of them had actually left yet. Which was good because he would need as many witnesses as possible for this.

"One last thing before you all leave" Harry said to the room, which quietened to a silence and turned to listen to what he had to say. Harry took a deep breath and then said "I just want to make it known, officially… That I hereby cancel out the Life Debt that Malfoy owes me in the traditional pureblood manner. Let it be known that the life debt is hereby null and void… err… Thanks." He added, his cheeks turning red with embarrassment. The Wizengamot above applauded him and he heard shouts of "good on you Harry!" and "You're so selfless!" He turned to face Draco again, a genuine smile on his face. "Well after the way we treated each other at Hogwarts over the past years, I don't think anyone would have said that we'd ever become friends. But, do you… err… want to? Become friends that is… I don't mind if you don't though it's just…" he trailed off. Draco considered this for a moment, then held out a pale hand for him. Harry stared at it for a moment before grasping int and shaking it firmly.

"To a new start" Draco said.

"A new start." Repeated Harry.

"So… what happens to me now?" Draco asked.

"Well first of all you've got to come with me back to Hogwarts. You'll have to stay there until your papers come tomorrow morning and I've activated your wand… and then… well you'll be free… so you can do whatever you want." Harry continued. "Do you need help?" he added after watching Draco try to stand up twice and fall back into his seat.

"No I do not need help Potter!" Draco spat. "Sorry… he added, force of habit" Harry smirked.

"Lets go then." Harry added, helping Draco to his feet "Can I ask you to do something for me?" Harry asked.

"After what you've just done for me, you could ask me to fuck Weasel and I'd bend him over and ride him like a Shetland pony." Harry stopped, mouth hanging open. Horrible images were flashing in front of his eyes and he openly shuddered at the thought.

'Oh come on Potter, don't tell me you'efight with You Know Who killed all your humour" Draco snorted, a bit more confidence finally returning to his voice.

"No, anyway. Can I ask that you don't tell anyone that it was me who got you out?... and I know it may sound weird…. But I want you to carry on being nasty to me whle we're at Hogwarts…. You know like old times?" He asked.

"Why would you want me to do that?"

"I have my reasons… will you do it?"

"Fine. What do you mean at Hogwarts? Term ends next week." He asked.

"Ah well… there's been an announcement. I'll let McGonogall tell you." Harry added. They walked silently up to the Ministers office where they found Kingsley waiting for them by the fireplace. He walked over to Harry and grasped his hand.

"Congratulations Harry" he said. He turned to Draco and shook his hand as well. "Congratulations on your freedom Mr Malfoy the Floo's waiting for you when you're ready. You'll have to go together, it's set up to only operate once." He smiled at them as both Harry and Draco stepped into the fire.

"Ready?" Kingsley asked.

"Yeah" Chorused Harry and Draco. Kingsley gave them both one last smile. A shot of blue erupted from Kingsley's outstretched wand and they felt themselves been taken into the spinning sensation of the Floo Network.

A/N So what did you all think? Please please please Review!!! The more reviews I get the faster that I can update :D. Thank you to all reviewers so far :D You're my inspiration XD!

How was the courtroom scene? ^_^ Review pleash :D