A/N: Here we are, the final part of the only Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger story that I might write. I won't say anything more from this point on as everything will be revealed at the end. Again, thank you for reading and if you like it, please review! Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Don't own the characters or the elements. All is JK Rowling's although some of it is Shakespeare as you saw in the previous chapter.
The Trial of Draco Malfoy
PART 4
The courtroom was abuzz with whispers and chattering as the Wizengamot took their seats. Hermione knew many of the officials, some of whom went to speak to her as they trudged up to the tenth level of the Ministry. Most of the officials were elderly even though there were some newer ones. Many had gone to shake her hand as they recognized her efforts in the war but as they sat down in their plum-covered robes with a bright silver W sewn on them, Hermione could not help but feel a little intimidated.
Draco was flanked by two Aurors as they placed him on his seat. Hermione could see that he had cleaned himself up from the last time they spoke. His blonde hair combed back perfectly as his skin looked better. With his strong jawline and adequate frame, Draco looked as good as he once did back at Hogwarts with one noticeable difference. Gone was the arrogant sneer and smug expression of a boy who thought he was better than anyone else. Instead, a mask of indifference was what Draco wore with his eyes holding a much softer appearances than they once did. As soon as they locked eyes, Draco gave Hermione a kind smile which Hermione returned.
The Chief Warlock started to speak as both she and Sam Wilkins, who wore a brown suit and stood rigidly on opposite sides of Draco, looked at each other. Hermione had expected a glare and was surprised to see that Sam looked at her with sympathy. He gave her a slight nod before turning his attention to Megan who had done speaking. It was time to deliver the closing statements. As prosecutor, Sam was to go first. Sam walked to the centre of the court, clearing his throat before addressing the Wizengamot.
"Witches and wizards of the Wizengamot, today marks the end of what has been a remarkable trial. I use that word remarkable because before this trial began, I did question the need for it. Our law is absolute. Anyone found guilty of being a Death Eater must be given capital punishment. But Draco here was exempted due to his age until it was found that Draco is of age and therefore able to stand trial as a man. I use that word because that word is important today and I do not wish for anyone to forget it. Draco Malfoy is a man and he is a Death Eater.
You all know what he has done. You all know what he has been found guilty. Indeed, this is an unusual trial because we are gathered here today not to determine his guilt but to determine his sentence. And I say this, why have we chosen to change that today? Because Draco was young and pulled into a war? Draco is a man and must own up to what he did. Because he made mistakes that cost people their lives? Draco is a man and made those choices. Because of his late's father influence? Draco is a man and is free to choose how to live his life. What Draco has done, being a Death Eater and contributing to Voldemort's regime cost many people their lives, cost them pain and cost them suffering. If one were to take the metaphor that Mr. Malfoy was drowning as he sunk to his own depths of darkness, one must then ask themselves, was he really drowning? A drowning man would have clung on to anything that could help him float, wouldn't he? Yet when this buoy appeared in the form of Dumbledore during his sixth year, Draco could have asked Dumbledore for help. Dumbledore, the greatest wizard to ever live, would have helped Draco and might even have fought to protect his family but Draco never did that. Because Draco wasn't drowning. Draco was swimming down into the chasm of darkness he had chosen.
Even when He Who Must Not Be Named thought of Draco is nothing but useless, Draco made an attempt to trade Harry Potter's life and all of us for the safety of his family. If you think that just because Draco didn't sell out Harry back in the Manor that he was somehow becoming good, it is to me, just Draco swimming up for air before swimming down to the darkness again. Draco Malfoy took the role of Death Eater willingly. He chose to remain a Death Eater. He chose to put people's lives at risk. Draco Malfoy is a man and a Death Eater! Our law is clear!"
Sam cleared his throat once again before looking at the Wizengamot.
"However, perhaps the silver lining that this trial has brought is that it allows me a chance to explain our law. This is much more than just about a dangerous evil man who chose to be a Death Eater. This is about the message that we are sending. If anyone of you is in doubt about the harshness of our law, then I say this? Have you forgotten about the deaths in Azkaban? Have you forgotten the fear? The terror that all of us endured? Have you forgotten the people that died, some much younger than Mr. Malfoy, to protect us from people like Mr. Malfoy himself? If we spare Draco's life, we are only doing out of pity but nothing more. We are sending a message to our community that the Ministry tolerates monsters. That we are giving these monsters a chance to rise again because we were too emotional to think clearly and rationally. If you spare Mr. Malfoy's life, then you are allowing for the possibility of another war to emerge again.
Life isn't easy. It's hard and Dumbledore himself said that sometimes we have to do what's right over what's easy. It would be easy to spare Mr. Malfoy's life out of pity but it wouldn't be right. Mr. Malfoy made his choice and he didn't hesitate to do so. And neither should me. Draco Malfoy is a man and he is a Death Eater. Our law is clear. Thank you, wizards and witches."
There was no applause, only murmuring as some members of the Wizengamot conferred with others. Hermione could see some nodding their heads at Wilkin's speech.
"Miss Granger, your closing statement, please. Afterward, we will allow ten minutes for deliberation." Megan said in an authoritative tone before nodding at Hermione. Letting out a long breath, Hermione walked to the centre of the courtroom before clearing her throat.
"Witches and wizards of the Wizengamot, my name, as you might know, is Hermione Jean Granger and I remember. I remember the Dark Times. Those days when Lord Voldemort was at the peak of power, the control he had over the Ministry and the wizarding community in Britain. If left unchecked, his brutality would have spread to the far corners of the world. I remember the pain, the suffering, the deaths. I remember because I was there. Fighting! Fighting for our cause to live in a world better than the one Lord Voldemort imagined it to be. If you know me, you know my story and the story of Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and I taking on the Lord Voldemort multiple times, losing many dear friends and family in the process to give you the chance to sit here once again. The reason I'm starting with this is because I want you to understand why I, Hermione Jean Granger and Muggle-born, am defending this person that sits here today."
Hermione raised her hand to point at Draco as she could see hushed whispers amongst the members of the Wizengamot.
"You all know the story of how Harry defeated Voldemort but did you know who Voldemort really is? He was a boy, Tom Marvolo Riddle, born without parents and without love. When Tom went into Hogwarts, it was his desire to become the most powerful wizard ever to have lived and he went through life unchecked and unloved, pursuing the Dark Arts and what happened next will live on in wizarding history. I'm telling you this because I understand your fears. You fear that if you let this man live here, that he would go on a similar path. You also fear that even if he doesn't follow that path, that he would influence others to do the same. Arguably what you feel the most towards this man would be anger. Anger directed at him because there are no more Death Eaters left. You might try to rationalise this by stating it is the law but let us not fool ourselves. This is an emotional trial despite how much we try to rationalise it."
Hermione paused for a moment to let the words sink in. The atmosphere in the room was palpable with tension.
"Witches and wizards, Draco Malfoy is not Lord Voldemort. Would Voldemort have hesitated as Malfoy did in his attempts to kill Dumbledore? Would He have made poor attempts to kill the greatest wizard of our time? Would any other Death Eater have shown the sympathy that Draco brought with him? No, they would not! I remember being at Malfoy Manor at arguably the moment where the war could have swung Voldemort's way and yet it was Draco's hesitation to identify Harry that led to the tides turning as it gave us much needed time. Yes, Draco was a Death Eater but it was one that was forced upon him. If Harry Potter, a person who had the most to lose at the hands of Draco, can forgive him, what about us? Are we going to let anger and fear control us once again, forcing us to make this decision?"
Hermione could see some witches and wizards nodding their heads to her speech.
"Someone once told me just because you understand something doesn't mean you have to accept it. I do understand your anger because I know how it feels but I'm afraid that I cannot accept it. Because it is simply not good enough! It is easy to label Malfoy as evil and be done with it but we are better than that! When it comes to people who are not as black or white like Malfoy is, we have the ability, the capacity and most importantly, the responsibility to act accordingly not just because of laws we created out of fear but because of our nature as rational and compassionate people! This is your opportunity to show to the world that the Ministry is not only tough, firm and strict but also fair and compassionate. We've lost so many people but we have the chance to save one today. One, if you would spare his life, would have people whom cares about him to help him to a better path. People like me."
Hermione's eyes met Draco's as she gazed long and hard at him.
"Just because someone stumbles and loses their way, doesn't mean we give up hope. We are better than the judgemental people of Voldemort's regime. Draco Malfoy WAS a Death Eater but he has now the chance to be a good wizard. It may be hard but it is the right thing to do and as Albus Dumbledore once said we have to choose between what's right and what's easy. What Sam Wilkins is proposing is easy and what I'm proposing is right."
A smile appeared on Hermione's lips as she stared around the courtroom. "I would like to end my statement with one final thing. Someone I'm close with recently reminded me of the beauty of Shakespeare, a Muggle playwright, and I would like to end my speech with one of his famous monologues."
"The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:It blesseth him that gives and him that takes."
Hermione could see the members shifting in their seats, some smiling as they recognised the words Hermione was speaking. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Draco's eyes beginning to widen.
"Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomesthe thronèd monarch better than his crown.His scepter shows the force of temporal power, the attribute to awe and majesty.Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings."
Hermione turned her attention to Sam, who looked mildly impressed as he clung on to each word.
"But mercy is above this sceptered sway.It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings; It is an attribute to God Himself;And earthly power doth then show likest God'swhen mercy seasons justice."
Hermione looked towards the Chief Warlock. Although Megan appeared emotionless and stoic in her demeanour, Hermione could see traces of a slight smile forming on her countenance.
"Therefore, Wizengamot,though justice be thy plea, consider this:That in the course of justice none of usshould see salvation. We do pray for mercy,and that same prayer doth teach us all to render the deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus muchto mitigate the justice of thy plea, which, if thou follow, this strict court of the Ministrymust needs give sentence 'gainst the wizardthere. Thank you."
Hermione could see certain members of the Wizengamot raising their hands to clap only to stop themselves from giving out an inappropriate applause. Some nodded their heads to her while others were furiously but quietly discussing amongst themselves. Draco was smirking at her as Hermione let out a breath she didn't even realised she was holding.
…
"Really, Granger? Portia? Such a cliché." Draco whispered cheekily though Hermione could see he was impressed. Hermione chuckled thinking about how much she had practised that part of her speech in front of her mirror over and over again.
"What happens now?" Draco asked as Hermione noted the shift in his tone. He sounded anxious and Hermione couldn't blame him She felt the same way as well.
"Well, now the Wizengamot is given time to reflect and discuss if need be, their decision to decide your sentence. Once the time is up, Megan will call the court to order. Each member is given one vote and he or she can decide to raise their hand or not depending on what Megan decides to assign the raising of hands on. All I know is we need twenty-six in our favour."
"But what if there's only twenty-five in our favour? There's only fifty here." Draco asked as Hermione noted the desperation in his voice.
"Then Megan will break the deadlock," Hermione replied. "Draco, we've done all we can now. It's up to them. I hope I've done enough to sway them for us." Hermione said nervously.
Suddenly, she felt a soft hand on top of hers. Hermione turned to see Draco giving her a smile.
"You've done more than enough for me. I wouldn't have gotten this far without you. You're a much better person than I'll ever be, Granger. So do me a favour okay? If things go wrong…"
"Don't say that!" Hermione snapped. "Don't jinx it."
"Fine! But if it does, just know, you did everything you could. Don't blame yourself okay?" Draco replied softly as the gavel on Megan's desk started to sound. Hermione squeezed Draco's hand and gave him the most confident, soothing expression she could muster. She took one last look at him. Draco sat up straight, his blond hair straightened back as his grey eyes stared at her, his head cocked to the side before giving Hermione a lopsided grin and removing his hand.
"A Malfoy must remain dignified, even in death," Draco said as he arched his shoulders back, tilted his head slightly higher and kept his arms straightened his fists on his knees. Hermione stifled a laugh as she beamed at him before walking towards the Chief Warlock with Sam next to her.
"The time has come for the Wizengamot to decide on the sentencing of one Draco Lucius Malfoy. As it has been done previously, each Wizengamot member will have one vote and one vote only. Once a majority is seen, the decision would be made and it would be final. As Chief Warlock, I would like to recognise that any member who wishes to spare Mr. Malfoy from capital punishment to raise their right hand. If Mr. Malfoy is spared, his sentencing will come from me of which will involve other forms of punishment instead. If there are no objections, let us begin. Those in favour of sparing Mr. Malfoy, please raise your right hand."
Several arms shot up in the air. Hermione counted furiously as she looked around the room.
…16, 17, 18…Come on!...
Some came up slower than others.
19, 20, 21…
It was an unwritten rule that the Chief Warlock would give a minute after hands were raised to allow for any last-minute changes. Though this was often debated on, it was still, however, tradition to wait. Two more arms shot in the air.
22, 23…
Hermione snuck a glance at Sam whose expression looked bewildered at what was happening. Another arm shot in the air.
24! Come on, two more! Just two more!
The momentum seemed to have stopped. Hermione recounted desperately, hoping to God that she had made a mistake. Yet Hermione knew she wasn't one for mistakes. As the clock counted down to the final seconds, Hermione felt a pang of pain growing inside her. She had failed! She had failed! Draco was going to die!
An old, wizened hand shot up in the air.
25!
Hermione heaved a huge sigh of relief though she could not help but feel hope rising once again. All she needed was one more arm. She could see Megan counting around as Hermione felt the heat rising all around her. Suddenly, Hermione's eyes were locked on an old wizard with black hair and a port-wine stain on his cheek. He looked to be furiously discussing to the witch next to him with his hand half raised, his eyes shifting across the room. Hermione knew that Megan would only take into account hands raised up high. This wizard looked to be deliberating his choice, his face an expression of nervousness as he started to raise his hand higher.
Come on! COME ON! Raise that hand!
The wizard's hand appeared to be swaying slightly as he raised his hand higher. Hermione could see that Megan was looking at what she was, waiting patiently for the Wizengamot official to raise his hand. The wizard heaved out a sigh as his hand went up slightly more. Hermione could feel her body rising, unable to stand the anticipation. Draco Malfoy was going to be saved. He was going to be saved!
COUGH!
Hermione spun her head towards Sam who had coughed loudly before looking away suspiciously. All of a sudden, the wizard's eyes began to widen and his hand quickly disappeared, hidden by his robes.
FUCK YOU! Hermione's inner voice screamed with anger as she wanted to beat the living hell out of Sam Wilkins. Megan glared angrily at the Wizengamot official who at the very least had the decency to look sheepish. Hermione sighed knowing full well Megan's anger was due to the official taking too long a time to deliberate.
"If my count is correct, I see twenty-five hands up in the air. Mr. Wilkins, Miss Granger, would you like to confirm?" Megan said as both Sam and Hermione nodded their heads. There was no other way now. The only person who could break the deadlock was the Chief Warlock.
Megan looked at the pair of them before turning her attention to Draco whose demeanour had not changed throughout the entire time. Waving her wand, Draco felt his body being released from the chair as he stood up on his feet, his hands placed behind as Draco stared at Megan.
"I know it's not protocol." Megan sighed as she waved her wand. "But as it is up to me to decide your fate, I wouldn't want anyone to do so sitting down. I hope that is agreeable with you, Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco nodded his head as he stared determinedly at Megan.
"Mr. Malfoy," Megan began to speak. "I hope that you understand just how fortunate you are. Your proven age had made you liable to take full responsibility for your crimes and yet due to the way it was recovered as well as Miss Granger's insistence, we now have a trial for a Death Eater. And I admit, though it may seem quite unorthodox, I agree with Miss Granger that you should indeed have this trial. Though you have been found guilty of your crimes, your sentencing, however, required much more deliberation as it was necessary for justice to seek its course. Both Mr Wilkins and Miss Granger have presented resounding arguments with regards to your sentence and I wish for you to know that I make this decision not just based on the closing statements today but with regard to the evidence, testimonies and other elements taken during the course of this trial."
Megan cleared her throat as she stared at Draco Malfoy.
"Therefore, it is with the highest authority granted to me by the Ministry, that I, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, sentence you Draco Lucius Malfoy…to…."
…
ELEVEN MONTHS LATER
Despite its ugly history and sinister atmosphere, there was something hauntingly beautiful about Azkaban. The island in the North Sea had once been home to the evil sorcerer Ekrizdis who lured people onto the island through dark magic. It had been infested with Dementors by the time anti-muggle Minister Damocles Rowle chose to build a prison on it with Dementors as guards. Once Voldemort had been defeated, the Dementors were driven off the island though the prison remained. It was temporarily unoccupied for a short while until the current Minister decided to reopen Azkaban with guards put in place and magical wards set up to counter the Dark Magic of the island. Once that had been done, Azkaban was more than just a grey fortress with flora and fauna growing in abundance around its sides. Hermione smiled as she took a moment to look at the white flowers near the path she was walking as she entered the prison.
"Hermione." cried the voice of Ginny Weasley who was walking quickly by her side. The redhead looked anxious as she kept checking her watch. "Are you sure we have time for this? Mom's going to kill me if she knew I let you go out this early."
"Relax, Ginny," Hermione said as she approached an Auror who motioned at her to follow him down a corridor. "We still have much time before the ceremony. This is just someone I really need to meet." Hermione said as she gave Ginny a hug. "You can't follow me in there. Just wait here for me, okay?"
"Okay but hurry up! This place gives me the creeps. I'm only doing it because I'm your maid of honour." Ginny replied as she sat down on a chair while looking around the prison. Hermione chuckled as she made her way down the corridor which was lit by gas lamps. The Auror brought her into a room with pale yellow walls illuminated by a gas lamp swinging above. Hermione could see a table and two chairs had been placed for her.
"Miss Granger, I hope you find this room adequate for your meeting. Usually, it's against Ministry policies to do so but because…well…it's you…we decided to make some arrangements."
"Thank you, Mr…"
"Roberts. Jason Roberts." The Auror chuckled.
"Thank you, Mr. Roberts. I won't take long. Just need to see my client. Won't take much of your time." Hermione replied as she smiled at him.
"No worries, Miss Granger. We have to wake him up and there are certain security procedures so do give us a few minutes before he comes in."
"Take your time," Hermione said as Roberts walked towards the door.
"Oh and Miss Granger?" Roberts called to her as he was about to close the door. "Congratulations on you and Weasley."
Hermione beamed at Jason before the latter disappeared into the corridor. As Hermione sat down on the chair, she couldn't help but admire the diamond ring that Ron had spent months doing extra missions just to get it for her. Today was the happiest day of her life. She was finally going to become Hermione Granger-Weasley. Yet despite her happiness, Hermione knew there was something she still had to do. A promise she had wanted to keep. A pang of sadness ran through her as she removed a letter from her coat. It was a letter Draco had surprisingly written to her when he had written to his mother and Astoria before the sentencing. Hermione unfolded the letter, looking over the words she had memorised over and over again.
Dear Granger,
I know you're probably surprised as to why I've chosen to write to you but truth be told, I don't have many friends out there anymore. Most of them have turned their backs on me and the few that have not are with me here in Azkaban. I wanted to tell you something that I decided after our last talk. I've spoken to my mother, you see, and she informed me that being the sole heir of Malfoy, I now have a sizeable fortune to my name. So I will be using a large part of it as a donation to helping Muggle-born wizards and witches who have been affected by the war. The money can also be used into helping to restore Hogwarts, my real home, as well as helping underprivileged Muggle-borns in financial matters. If there are any left over, you can use it for your elf thingy, spew was it called? I agree with Weasley. You really should pick a better name.
Don't think that just because I'm doing this, I've changed my views on blood purity. I still think that wizards and Muggles should not mix but I suppose old habits die hard. Maybe in a few more years, I will change this view but I do not have a heart of gold in me, Granger, so stop wishing for it like I know you will! I also want you to know that if I ever get out of here, the first thing I will do is fight like hell to get Astoria back and if she doesn't want me, then I will fight for her friendship. I'm taking that world trip with or without her. Just something I got to do, you know?
I wish you and Weasley the best. If ever you or him should ever doubt that the two of you belong together, please think of everything you went through and stop doubting it! You guys belong together in your disgusting, vomit-inducing lovefest and if I can see it, then so can anyone else. You love him and he loves you and that's all that matters. Like I said, if me and Astoria can be like the two of you, I'll know we'll last. Do I really have to go for your wedding? Fine, fine! You'll probably force me too and if I'm still in Azkaban, then come see me so I can at least give you my well-wishes.
I would wish you all the best but I know you're going to be fine. There is something more important though. I want to say I'm sorry for everything I put you through. All those times calling you a Mudblood, all those things I said and did to hurt you. I have many regrets on how I lived my life but what I did to you will always be up there. I hope you have forgiven me but if not, then it's fine. Just know that I am truly sorry for everything. I guess that's it. Not much more to say except this. Thank you for everything you've done for me. This next part is something I thought I would never say and I cannot tell you how glad I am to say it.
"Miss Granger?" Jason Roberts called out, startling Hermione who nearly dropped the letter. She turned around to see him standing there as Jason stuck him down on the chair before showing himself out. Hermione took the time to look at him. She hadn't seen him in a while especially with the wedding preparations but Hermione was glad to have done this today.
"Hey there, Granger. You okay?"
Hermione smiled as she nodded her head. "I just want to tell you that I have been assigned to help you with your upcoming parole. I have a really good feeling that we can get you released from here soon."
"You're crying."
Hermione felt her face as her fingers touched her wet cheeks. She could feel the tears trickling down her face as her tongue captured its saltiness. She blinked her eyes in a desperate attempt to stop herself but the tears kept pouring down.
"It's okay. It's about him, isn't it?"
"Yes, Goyle," Hermione said as she looked at the burly light-skinned man who gave her a sympathetic look as tears ran down from his cheeks as well. Goyle combed his brown hair back as he sighed loudly before looking at her.
"You did everything you could, Granger. You did more for him than any of us and I know he knows it." Goyle said as he rubbed his face.
A whimpering cry escaped Hermione's lips as the tears poured down her cheeks like rain. Before she knew it, Hermione started sobbing badly as her whole body trembled. As the tears started to drop on the letter, several of it trickled down blotting the ink. As Hermione tried desperately to rub the tears off before the letter became damp, she could feel a sharp pain piercing her heart as she read the final written words of Draco Malfoy
Thank you, Hermione Granger.
Your friend always,
Draco Malfoy.
…...THE END…
A/N: And so ends the story! I really hope that I've done the character of Draco Malfoy justice. Just want you all to know that I am a Ron fan and a Romione supporter but the possibility of a friendship between Draco and Hermione was one that I'm intrigued by. Anyways, I did write all of this down for a dare. My Dramione friend is satisfied with my work although he wanted this story to be Dramione but truth be told, I can't see those two together but that is just my personal opinion.
Furthermore, I did this also to prove to myself that I can write about characters other than the ones I love. Do check out my other stories if you like! I now need to finish two other multi-chaptered stories that I started.
I would like to say thank you to everyone who has liked my story, favourited and followed it! More than that to those who reviewed, THANK YOU! Appreciate it