I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters… Or any of the Walking Dead characters either… If I had, Carl would not have been shot and Lucius would have had a much bigger role in things, just saying. Shane would still be dead though… Yeah…As a doornail

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Previously, on Death, Decay, and Diffindo:

"Do something Potter!" Draco yelled. Harry knew instantly what he was asking. Out of the two of them, he had to have been the one who had the easiest chance of accessing his wand. He didn't know what he could do though. Would an alohomora work on a security shutter? Harry had begun shifting Hermione in his arms so he could put her down and get to his wand when it happened.

The grinding sound caused the entire group to stop yelling. As one, they all turned to the brightly lit, now completely open doorway. Harry spent all of one second in shock before reacting.

"Come on! " He bellowed at Jacquie and Teddy. Everyone reacted then and they all raced into the lighted building.

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Harry was the first one over the building's threshold and into sanctuary. The rest of the group was right behind him and soon enough, everyone was inside looking around. The large entrance area was wide and very open, with its high ceilings and giant mural. The relief Harry had felt, the whole group had felt, when the shutter slid open and they were allowed entrances waned a little. There was a glaring issue and Harry didn't know what it meant.….

There was no one around. There wasn't even a greeting party or a security check. Harry repositioned Hermione in his arms a little out of anxiousness. Shouldn't there have been more people for the 'most heavily defended facility' still standing?

"This Is all certainly underwhelming…" Draco commented over his huffing. Draco knew he wasn't really 'physically' fit…but Merlin did it feel like a lot of work to carry Andromeda around! He resolved to tell her to eat less when she woke up.

Rick agreed with Draco. This was certainly not what he thought they we going to see.

After a few seconds of milling about and looking around the group was startled by a failure noise. Turning as one, they all looked towards the sound of a rifle being cocked. Glenn, Shane, and Rick all raised their weapons and pointed them at the solitary man that stepped out of the shadows with a rifle. The group and the unknown man just started at one another for a few heartbeats before a conversation start.

"Is anyone infected?" The man yelled, his rifle still aimed at the group. Everyone held their breath as they waited for Rick to respond.

"One of our group was….He didn't make it." Rick replied in an emotion laced voice.

"What about those two?" The man gestured at the two unconscious women.

"They aren't bit. They got sick from something else." Harry replied quickly. He really didn't want Hermione and Andromeda to be the reason they were all turned away.

"How do I know you're telling the truth?" The man asked in reply. That was certainly a valid question and Harry started to sweat because of it. How could they prove it? This was the CDC after all….maybe they had a way.

"They've been sick for mother than a month. But you can determine it anyway you want." Shane replied. The man stayed silent for a moment before continuing.

"Why are you all here? What do you want?" He asked. The group began lowering their weapons when Rick pointed his down.

"A chance." Rick responded. His family was in danger! The desperation he felt leaked into his voice, he was sure of it.

"That's asking an awful lot these days." The man replied solemnly

"I, I know." Was the only reply Rick could come up with. The rest of the group looked on. Hope warred with reality and fear. Would they be allowed to stay? If they were turned away, what would they do? Could they force the issue and threaten the man into letting them stay?

Draco had never missed magic more than in that one instant. This one muggle was holding his life and the life of his fam…the other magicals in his hand. A muggle of all things! How Draco longed to just whip out his wand and cast the Imperius curse. But he couldn't! Not with all these muggles around and especially not with how defenseless the two witches were. Yes…Draco did not like the situation at all.

Harry, meanwhile, was racking his brain for anything to say that might help convince the man to let them stay. In truth, Harry had never once missed his fame as much as he did now. He had spent most of his life hating his fame and all the 'benefits' that came with it. All he wanted to be was 'just Harry'. Now though, he would trade every galleon he had in his vaults for this man to know Harry Potter The-Boy-Who-Lived.

"Please," Harry spoke up, "We're desperate. We have nowhere else to go. At least take the children!" Harry pleaded. It didn't look like the man was going to let them in, but he might take the children. Harry could live with knowing Teddy was safe behind a fortress of high-tech security doors. He would be safe and out of this nightmare.

Harry watched the man look around at each member of the group, his eyes lingering on the women and children. He seemed to be conflicted for a second, making Harry begin to hope again.

"You all submit to blood tests. That's the price of admission."

"We can do that." Rick responds quickly.

"And those two go into quarantine until I am sure. " The man continues, gesturing with his rifle at Hermione and Andromeda. Rick looked in Harry's direction at the statement. He didn't like that they were being singled out but he could understand the man's hesitancy. Multiple arguments to convince Harry to go along with the demand began running around in his mind.

"They don't need to be…" Draco yelled before he was cut off.

"We accept." Harry responded, shutting off Draco's rant.

"You can't be serious!" Draco disagreed vehemently. Harry turned his head toward him as much as possible.

"Shut up Draco! It's the only way!", he said before turning back to look at the man. "We accept, you can put them in quarantine. "

The man nodded his acceptance. He lowered his rifle and advanced on the group.

"If you have anything else, get it now. Once those doors close they won't open again."

Glenn and Shane quickly ran back out the door to grab the packs they had left behind before returning inside just as quickly. As the doors shut once more, the man walked over to a key panel on the wall and slid a card down the card slot.

"VI, seal the main door." He talked to the panel. Immediately the security shudder started to descend. Once it slammed shut, Rick approached the man.

"Rick Grimes."

"Dr. Edwin Jenner."

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Harry and the rest had followed Dr. Jenner to a large service elevator. When the doors opened and everyone piled in the situation just became surreal. While Harry hadn't been without electricity for that long, having been unconscious for most of eight months, the others had been without it for far longer. Everyone stood in a mild shock as they descended into the heart of the building, listening to a catchy show tune.

"I ain't never seen a doctor packing heat like you." Daryl said over the elevator music. It was a valid statement, Harry had never seen a doctor running around with a machinegun either.

"There were plenty of them laying around. I familiarized myself with their operation." Dr. Jenner responded. The statement was deceptively simple, however. The doctor made it sound like they were just strewn from one end of the place to the other. And, as even Harry knew, guns and ammunition were precious resources in this new world. The fact that so many were laying on the ground outside, then having the doctor confirm there was an abundance of them just sitting there made the group members apprehensive about the chances of safety.

Perhaps the doctor priced up on the sudden change in mood in the cramped elevator because he then tried to break the tension.

"But you all look harmless enough." He said, smiling at everyone before turning to Carl. He frowned playfully then.

"Except you….I'll have to keep my eye on you.." Carl looked indignant for a second before a small smile played onto his lips. He looked at his mom then who smiled back down at him in response.

The elevator stopped soon after and the doctor exited, the group following closely behind. They then walked down a well-lit hallway in silence.

"Are we underground?" Carol asked, her hand holding Sophia's in a death grip.

"Are you claustrophobic?" Dr. Jenner asked without turning around or slowing down.

"A little…"

"Well, just don't think about it." He replied making Harry snort. The old skit of a terrible doctor and his patient making its way to the front of Harry's brain. The patient had been complaining about his arm hurting when he moved it, only for the doctor to respond "Then don't move it…." as his 'medical' opinion.

The hallway ended as the entrance to a large, dark room. There was a clock counting down on the far wall as well. Draco was starting to get really tired from holding Andromeda up this long. He knew his helper T-dog (he gave a mental shudder at the name) was fairing no better. He hoped there would be a chair or bed for him to place her on soon.

"Vi. Bring up the lights in the big room." Jenner called out. The lights started to turn on, bathing the massive room in light. Everyone took in the large space silently.

"Welcome to Zone 5." Jenner said as he continued to walk to the center of the 'big room'. Rick followed and the group followed Rick.

"Where is everybody? The Doctors? The Staff?" Dr. Jenner turned slowly and looked Rick right in the eye.

"I'm it." He said with finality, "it's just me here.".

"What about that other person you were talking to?" Lori piped up immediately, "Vi was it?"

Jenner just smirked at her in a humorless manner. If only VI were a real person.

"VI." Jenner called out to the room, "Say hello to our guests…tell them 'Welcome'."

"Hello guests. Welcome." A robotic voice echoed around the room. Harry was instantly disappointed. VI wasn't a real person, it was a machine, the CDC's computers.

"I'm all that's left."

"We just heard that woman talk. Why lie about that?" Draco demanded with irritation. The woman and literally just spoken to them all. What the hell was this guy's problem? Dr. Jenner, along with the rest of the group, looked at Draco strangely.

"That wasn't a real person idiot." Shane responded.

"She just talked! Why don't you come out from wherever you are VI." Draco replied in indignation.

"Draco, she isn't real. It's a machine." Harry said loudly, capturing everyone else's attention. Harry cursed in his mind.

'Of course Draco doesn't understand what a computer is.'

"Just trust me Draco." Harry said, interrupting Draco right as he opened his mouth. ' Honestly, how did he survive and not expose himself as a wizard this long? ' Harry questioned in his mind. In that same instant, he felt like kicking himself. The answer was laying unconscious in his arms. Jenner just kept staring at Draco for a few more moments before looking back over the group.

"I'm sorry." He said. Everyone stood for a moment, digesting what he had said. Draco, on the other hand, was cursing all muggles in the safety of his own mind.

Soon after, Dr. Jenner beckoned for the group to follow him before he headed off through the big room and down another hallway. The group traveled behind him, slowly coming to terms with the fact that no one else was here. The short trip down the new hallway ended in a laboratory with several chairs and a quarantine tent.

"Take the two unconscious ones into the tent. You three will also have to stay after being in physical contact with them." Jenner stated as he pointed at the plastic medical tent.

"Okay. Come on Draco." Harry said as soon as the doctor finished talking. He didn't need to see Draco's face or read his mind to know about the refusal that was forming on the blonde's lips. Harry made his way into the tent. There were three medical beds as well as several chairs. He went over to the second closest bed and gently lowered Hermione onto it. She looked so frail to him, so vulnerable. He felt his heart clench with emotion. He never wanted to see her like this.

Draco and T-Dog entered soon after and headed towards the closest of the beds. Harry went over and helped them lower Andromeda. He looked up at the sound of a zipper being zipped to see the doctor sealing them in. Harry thought it was kind of a dumb thing to do. They had just walked through the entire facility, had spent a significant time in close proximity in the elevator. Even if they were sick, everyone would be now as well.

"He's locking us in here?" Draco asked in concern.

"It's okay Draco, you need to listen to me." Harry said, stressing his words. He didn't know how he would handle the others knowing about asking too many questions, not while Hermione and Andromeda were as defenseless as they were.

"Uncie Hawwee? Why are you in there?" Teddy asked from Jacquie's lap. He really didn't like that his Hawwee wasn't with him.

"I'ts okay Teddy, I won't be in here long. Do what Jacquie tells you ok?" Harry responded. Teddy wasn't very convinced.

"Okaaaayyy….." The two year old replied.

The blood draw went rather fast. Dr. Jenner seemed to be able to get the blood he needed with extreme efficiency. The only two issues he had were with Teddy and Andrea. Harry tried to consul the distraught two year old when the doctor approached him with the needle. Teddy was having none of it though, going so far as to jump off Jacquie's lap and run to the plastic medical tent. He proceeded to pound his little fists on the plastic keeping him from his Hawwee.

Harry, for his part, almost had a panic attack when he saw Teddy's eyes turn bright yellow from his fear. He had virtually forgotten the control issues Teddy had with his gifts.

"Teddy, calm down now!" Harry said rather loudly, shocking the little boy into stopping his actions. Harry had hardly ever had to raise his voice with the child, but now was definitely one of them. He held a hand up to stop the doctor and Jacquie's approach. Teddy needed to be calmed down and his eye color changed back before he could let anyone see them. A quick glance behind him showed Harry that Draco had moved to block T-Dog's view of the child. Harry felt an immense amount of gratitude towards the blond….not that he would ever tell him.

"It's ok to be scared Teddy, but you are not allowed to act like this. Do you understand? What you are doing is naughty Teddy." Harry said with a firm tone. Teddy gasped in response.

"'m not naughty!" He cried.

"No, you're not. You are a good boy but you are not acting like it right now." Harry said in disappointment, keeping his tone firm even though the look on Teddy's face was breaking his heart.

"I'm soyee! I'm soyee." He replied. He hadn't wanted to make Hawwee mad! He was a good boy! But the needle man…it made ouchies and he didn't want that!

Harry knelt down to the boy's level on the other side of the plastic divide, relief running through his body when he saw the child's eyes reverting.

"It's ok Teddy, I forgive you. Will you be a good boy now and let the doctor take your blood?" Harry asked in a much softer tone.

"Bu…but will it hurt?" Teddy asked fearfully. His eye color had almost completely reverted now.

"Yes, a little. But if you are good I'll give you a sweet, okay?" Harry tempted. Never let it be said the last Potter was above a bit of bribing.

"I get a sweet?"

"Only if you're good. Will you be good?"

"Yes!"

"Alright then." Harry motioned for Jacquie and the doctor to head over. Jenner waited for Jacquie to grab the boy and sit him in her lap at the table.

"It won't hurt hardly at all, Teddy was it? Just a little pinch." He said, trying to keep the child calm. Teddy just watched him distrustfully. Eventually, the doctor was able to get the blood he needed, Teddy being fascinated by the red stuff flowing quickly into the tube on his arm.

"Do I get it back?" Teddy asked suddenly, startling Jacquie and catching Dr. Jenner off guard.

"Uhhh no, I keep it Teddy."

"What?! I don't get it back?" Teddy gasped in astonishment. He wasn't going to get it back?

"Uncie Hawwee! He won't give my bood back!" Teddy yelled in indignation. Harry couldn't help the smile that came to his lips. While interaction with muggles was harrowing, dangerous, and potentially deadly, Teddy made it somewhat amusing.

"No, no Teddy you don't get it back." Harry replied, placating the two year old as much as possible. Teddy stared at the doctor for a second before dismissing the whole ordeal. He was good so he gets a sweet!

"Later Teddy." Harry replied to the question about the sweet. He could hear Draco sigh in exasperation behind him. T-dog remained at peace with the whole ordeal.

That issue resolved, Dr. Jenner moved on to his last patient not in quarantine, Andrea.

"Why are we doing this? If we were infected we would be running a fever." She asked belligerently as her blood was taken.

"I already broke all the rules in the book just letting you all in here. Let me have this little piece of mind." The doctor replied as he removed the vial from her arm. Andrea stood up and made her way back to the chairs only to stumble half way there. Jacquie was at her side in an instant to help her sit down.

"She hasn't eaten in days." She informed Dr. Jenner. He looked shocked for a moment, glancing around at all the people in the room.

"I still need to get the samples from the other five. I may not have much here but food, that I do have ." Jenner said as he busied himself placing the vials gently into his carrier.

"You have food?"

"Go to the kitchens, take a left down this hall and go five doors down then turn right. It's at the end of that hallway. Get something prepared for everyone. I'll be back momentarily to get the rest of the samples." He stated as he got up and walked to the exit. Pausing, he looked back over the group.

"If anyone wants to wash up, there are showers. Power is at a premium though so go easy on the hot water." He said before leaving the room. Rick looked at Lori, Shane stared at where the doctor ha last stood while Dale had his mouth hanging open.

"Did he say hot water?" Carol asked tentatively.

"That's what the man said." Replied T-dog excitedly before he frowned sadly. He was still in the plastic cage!

"What are we waiting for!" Carl yelled before grabbing his mother's hand and trying to drag her out the door. Everyone laughed and made for the exit. Teddy and Jacquie hesitated on their way out. Teddy didn't want to leave Hawwee…. But showers! They were fun! And he really did miss them. Harry nodded at Jacquie with a smile, giving her permission to take Teddy.

"Bye Hawwee! I'ma be sqke…suqki…squuueee clean!" Teddy yelled happily, butchering the word to an amazing degree.. Jacquie smiled at Harry before shooing the happy two year old out the door. All too soon it was only T-Dog, Draco, and Harry alone with the two witches.

"Why did you let him put us in here Potter? They aren't sick!"

"I know that Malfoy. But the choice was either do what he said or get turned away."

"We could have forced the issue. Where is your Gryffindor brazenness?" Draco asked. The sneer on his face was all too familiar.

"I'm not like that Draco. You might still be, but that's your own problem." Harry bit out, no longer willing to entertain the Malfoy heir's ridiculous attitude.

"And what about that other woman? The one that talked in the room. Where is she?" Draco asked, causing Harry to sigh again.

"That wasn't a woman Draco. For the last time, it was a machine, a computer!" Harry replied in irritation. He privately ranted in his head about dumb purebloods not knowing about muggle technology.

"You expect me to believe muggles can make one of those giant machines with all the gears and whatever talk? Do you take me for a fool Potter?"

"I am starting too, yes. That was a machine Draco. You need to believe me."

"Like that will happen." Draco scoffed. The two wizards had been so caught up in their argument that they had virtually forgotten about their other conscious roommate.

"How can't he know about computers?" T-Dog asked. He had no idea how that was possible. Unless Draco was from a…a tribe from the rainforest or something he should know what a computer is.

Harry froze for a second at the question. 'Damn!' He though. 'How could I have just forgotten a whole man's presence!' Unfortunately, that second pause gave enough time for Draco to dig his hole just a little deeper.

"Why should I know? Clearly it isn't widely known."

"Uhh…it is. Everyone knows what a computer is."

"Obviously not." Draco replied smugly. Harry would have normally had a great time pointing out that Draco had just insulted himself. But now was not a normal time.

"He's Amish!" Harry practically yelled when the thought came to him. The two other males just looked at him. One with confusion and one with a sense of understanding. Draco's expression started to morph more to anger as the seconds ticked on.

"Ahh, Amish huh? I never knew you were that Draco. I guess that explains it…."T-dog said slowly.

"Yeah, he's from a super fundamental sect of…uh…Amish. Doesn't know hardly anything about modern society."

"What the hell is Am…" Draco started to ask, infuriated at the perceived insult. Harry grabbed his arm then and pulled him to the other end of the containment tent.

"Just a second T-Dog." Harry said apologetically before turning back to Draco with a murderous glare.

"Listen to me Malfoy, I am only going to say this once. Shut your damn mouth! Everyone knows what a computer is. That's a fact. So, how do you think it looks when you say you don't know?" Harry hissed out his rhetorical question. Draco's eyes had widened slightly at the anger in his voice.

'Good, maybe he's scared.' Harry thought vindictively.

"Hermione and Andromeda are unconscious Draco! Vulnerable! You making stupid comments like that makes people suspicious. How you survived this long and keeping magic a secret, I will never know. Hermione must have been looking out for you. We need these people for now, so do us all a favor and listen to me when I tell you to shut your damned mouth!" Harry raged.

Draco knew his eyes had gotten wider and wider the longer Harry ranted. It wasn't so much that he was scared….he was just….err…scared. But he would never admit that out loud! He had a mind to lay into the git when he pulled them away but quickly thought better of it when he saw the last Potter's eyes. They looked almost as if they were glowing, like there was a light behind them shining through. The fact that the Harry's eyes, and the glow coming from them was Avada green didn't make the Malfoy very comfortable. The only other time he had seen Harry this angry was right before he, his father, and his mother had gone to trial.

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FLASHBACK: Post Battle of Hogwarts.

The Malfoy Family Trial, as the newspapers had dubbed it, was taking place in courtroom ten. Draco was worried but also slightly happy. The Aurors had placed the three Malfoys in different cells, allowing no contact between the three of them. They had stayed like that for two months, only being fed twice a day and only getting a newspaper once a month. The family still hadn't been allowed to touch one another, but they had finally been allowed to converse as they sat shackled, waiting for the trial to start. It was unorthodox to have three members of a family all on trial at the same time. The public, however, had refused to allow them a chance to get away like Lucius did in the previous war.

Things were not looking good for the Malfoy family.

All three Malfoys snapped their heads up when they heard a door shut heavily close by.

"Maybe they finally are ready to get started." Draco said out loud. Neither of his parents responded. He could understand that, they were all afraid after all. There was a very real possibility they would all be dead and soulless by the end of the day.

The Auror standing guard over the three jumped slightly when there was a knock at the door leading to the courtroom. He quickly opened it, glad his assignment was almost over. The person on the other side, however, was not who any of the four expected.

Harry Potter had come to see the Malfoy family.

Draco wanted to sneer, had wanted to throw a verbal barb at the last Potter but he couldn't muster up the strength. In the end, Harry had won. The Light had won. Their side had lost. It galled him but he could understand the want, the need to brag over your fallen enemy. He was a Slytherin after all.

"Hello Thomas." Harry greeted the Auror.

"He…Hello Mr. Potter." Thomas suttered in reply, causing Harry to let out an exasperated sigh.

"I told you, you don't have to be nervous around me." Harry said patiently.

"I know…its just, you are an icon! The biggest celebrity since Gilderoy Lockhart! " Thomas replied. The Malfoys knew awe when they heard it. They had, after all, had people talking to them like that for many years.

"Don't remind me. Anyway, Thomas I need you to do me a favor." Harry said, his tone becoming more business like.

"Anything Mr. Potter."

"You can call me Harry, Thomas. What I need you to do is go and stand outside this door for a few minutes." Harry calmly stated. The Malfoys were instantly intrigued. What did the Golden Gryffindor have planned?

Thomas, on the other hand, was sweating bullets. He wanted to do what Harry had asked, he owed him so much for stopping the war. His family was still alive because of Harry. But...he had orders, a job to do.

" ….Harry. I don't think I can do that…it's against procedure."

"I get that Thomas, I do. That's why this is a favor. I won't take too long and no one will know about it, I promise. " Harry said in placating tone. Thomas was slightly convinced….and who wouldn't want the Boy-Who-Lived to owe them a favor?

"You're not going…do anything to them are you?" Thomas asked nervously. He didn't want to offend Harry, not at all! He had more claim to the Malfoys than most everyone else and if he did do something to them, well they easily deserved it and more.

"No Thomas, not at all. I am just going to talk." Harry replied with a smile. The Boy-Who-Lived-Twice knew he had the man's compliance when he smiled.

"Alright Harry…but don't take too long!" Thomas said before taking one last glance at the Malfoys. Decision made, he opened the door and walked out.

Harry Potter, twice defeater of Voldemort, was standing alone in front of the three shackled and powerless Malfoys.

None of the family members were happy. They had listened to Harry convince the Auror to allow his request in a way they had never seen the boy accomplish before. That alone made them wary. Add in the boy before them dueled with Voldemort and won. The boy had even survived the killing curse…twice! The only consolation they had was that the boy didn't have his wand out already.

"You have all wronged me." Harry stated, his tone flat and his face expressionless. He looked at Lucius.

"Your actions in part, Lucius Malfoy, took my parents from me. I grew up without them. I grew up without a loving family. I was treated worse than a house elf and have the scars to prove it."

"Now wait a second Pott.." Draco started to defend his father. The man hadn't done anything to Potter's family that night! He wasn't even there. He was silenced by his mother in short order.

"Be silent Draco!" She whispered. Normally, he would not have accepted such an order. He hadn't, however, ever heard his mother sound as scared as she did right now. It was enough to silence his tongue. Harry, meanwhile, continued on.

"You fought for Voldemort, named originally Tom Riddle, not once, but twice against the citizenry and good people of Magical Britain willingly, on both occasions. Do you deny this?" Harry asked with his same flat tone.

"No Mr. Potter, I do not." Lucius said with as much dignity as he could. Harry simply gazed at the man in response.

"Narcissa Malfoy nee Black. You stood by, during both wars, and accepted your husband's actions. Through various actions of your own, you supported Voldemort in his aims and used your influence to actively subvert all who opposed him. Do you deny this?"

Draco couldn't let his mother be talked to like that! He wouldn't stand for it! This time Lucius stopped him before he even got started.

"Say nothing son. You need to say nothing." Lucius said, the bitter tone of defeat clear in his voice.

"I do not deny any of it." Narcissa replied quietly. Having their failures and sins thrown back at them here, now, before they were to go on trial just hammered home the consequences they were all feeling from their actions. The tears she held back started to run down her eyes.

Harry spent a few moments staring at the slowly crumbling woman before turning to look at the youngest Malfoy. In all his time on the opposite side of Harry's stare, Draco had never seen the Gryffindor's face so blank.

"Draco Malfoy. You have harassed and bullied me and my friends since the day we met. You took this a step further each year with attacks and slander. In the end, you joined the war, willingly, and fought for Voldemort against all that opposed him. Do you deny this?" Harry asked after listing the litany of grievances he had with Draco.

"I….Potter you have to understand…no one denied him." Draco replied. He was disgusted with the note of pleading in his voice…but it was true damn it!

"I did. My family did. Sirius did. Remus…Tonks. People resisted. People fought against him. And we won." Harry rejoined with vehemence. He glared at Draco for a moment before taking a deep breath and blanking his face once more.

"I was held captive and tortured in your estate, in your home. My friends were held captive and tortured. You opened your home to Voldemort and converted it into a war headquarters. " The last Potter stated in that same, mildly fear inducing flat tone. And it was a statement, there was no rebuttal possible.

"I've been reading up on the laws, on the traditions, and on the procedures and practices of the Houses. I know you all know these like the back of your hand, so you will understand what I am about to say." Harry said before his began looking from face to face.

"You, the family of the Noble House of Malfoy have wronged me, Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. You have taken up arms against my Houses, you have attempted, both personally and through others, to end the Potter line. Your life is in my hands."

"You said, the three of you, that you regret your actions. When asked, you allowed yourselves to be dosed with Veritaserum and were asked a series of questions. The result of the questioning convinced the three impartial and one wounded party of the truthfulness in your regret. You, Narcissa, were asked an additional question. In the forest, were you on Voldemort's side or were you not. Your answer is why I am here today."

"I was given the choice, under Ministry law or the laws of the Ancient and Noble Houses on whether to send you to trial or use any of the multiple Life and Blood offences you three have committed against me. I can see by your eyes Narcissa, that you understand full extent of what that means."

Draco looked over towards Narcissa only to see her pale as a sheet, tears openly streaming down her face.

"Mother..Mother! What is he talking about?" Draco asked, supremely uncomfortable seeing his mother as afraid as she was. Draco nearly started crying himself when his mother looked him with terrified eyes.

"Draco…my darling Draco. I am a daughter of the Black family….you, being my son, are a branch member of the Black family as well as a Malfoy. The…rules and consequences for Ancient and Noble houses are different and can, in certain instances, supersede our House's rules."

"What do you mean?" Draco asked. Narcissa didn't respond, looking to Harry first. The last Potter nodded for her to continue.

"Blood offences….going against your blood….are very serious offences. The Head of House of the aggrieved can….call to the magic in the blood of the transgressor. If they truly went against their own family, their own Blood, then their magic would be ripped from them. It would turn them…us into squibs at best, kill us at worst."

"Wha…that can't be true!" Draco cried in disbelief.

"No…it's true. Your Grandmother tried it against Sirius. It galled her to no end when it had no effect on him. "

Draco remained unconvinced. Surly no Ancient and Noble House would ever have such a magic! He turned to look at his father, only to see him pale and terrified as well.

"Please Potter, Heir Potter. Spare them. They only did what I told them to. As Head of House I take responsibility." Lucius begged, all sense of pride vanishing at the thought of what could happen.

Harry looked at Lucius then. Gone was the man who taunted him in the Department of Mysteries. Gone was the aloof aristocrat who was tricked by a twelve-year old. Now, there was only the broken man who was fearful for the lives of his family. The only good aspect of Lucius Malfoy.

"I want you to understand this Lucius. Your actions, your idiocy could have ended the Malfoy line for good. Out there," Harry pointed behind him to the trial room," there are only people who want you to pay for all the crimes you have committed. There is no possibility you would not receive the Kiss. No chance of that not happening. Your wife, who stood by you the whole way, would also suffer for your mistakes and actions. And your son? He accepted the task of killing Dumbledore. What do you think the penalty for that would be?"

Harry paused then allowing Lucius to understand the full consequences of his actions.

"I want you three to understand something. The only, and I mean this in the most sincere way possible, the only reason I didn't see you three dead is because of Narcissa's actions in the Forest of Death."

He let that sink in as he looked each member of the Malfoy family in the eye.

"The only thing that has kept you alive specifically, Lucius, is that I don't want to deprive Draco of a father. Think about that. You are going to walk through that door still breathing because I didn't want to take a parent from a child. Did you ever consider that when you killed? Narcissa's actions are what have saved the Malfoy family from being executed at the end of this day. The only smart Malfoy in this room was born a Black. Think about that." Harry concluded. He spent a few seconds looking from Malfoy to Malfoy before focusing on Draco.

"Draco, I want you to understand completely what I am about to say to you. Your parents made mistakes and did wrong. You, however, have a much cleaner slate. I don't care about our rivalry in school, this is the real world now and everything you do from this point on is up to you."

"But I warn you now, Heir Malfoy, if you fall again, if you take the side of the Dark once more, if you follow in your parent's footsteps, if you hurt or attack me or mine again, you and your family will not have to worry about the Dementors or the Kiss because I will kill you all myself. Do you understand me?" Harry delivered his ultimatum in the same flat tone he had used the entire time. This time, however, the last Potter's eyes glowed with power. The three chained magicals were reminded then that the boy, man in front of them had defeated their leader, the greatest Dark Lord of all time. Had fought a duel with Voldemort, on multiple occasions, only to survive and, in the end, be the last one alive.

All Draco could do was nod.

FLASHBACK: End

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That was the last time Draco had talked to Harry up until the day he showed up at the Quarry camp. The trial ended with the Malfoys being pardoned because of Narcissa's actions. Many felt that one good action did not change a lifetime of wrong ones. That is, until Harry stood up and addressed the Wizengamot calling for their pardon.

"I defeated Voldemort because I was alive. I would not have lived if Narcissa Malfoy nee Black had not lied directly to Voldemort. "

After that the vote came in quickly. It was nearly unanimous. The Wizengamot was careful to mention that they had voted in favor of Harry's argument, not the Malfoy innocence.

So, all in all, Draco really didn't want Harry being murderously angry with him.

"Fine Potter, I'll keep my mouth shut. Happy?" Draco said with resignation.

"Not even slightly." Harry responded.

"Guys! Hermione is moving!" T-dog yelled suddenly. Harry and Draco's head snapped around before they practically teleported to Hermione's bedside.

"Come on, wake up Hermione. Wake up." Harry coaxed gently. He held his breath as he saw her eyelids flutter once…twice…three times now.

"You can do it. Its time to wake up now." Harry said. Draco just watched with T-Dog on the other side of the bed. He was….moderately happy that Granger seemed to be waking up. In the past months he had grown…fond? Attached, attached to the muggleborn. Here he was, stranded in a desolate nightmare surrounded by muggles and, after everything he had did, Hermione was there to help him. Harry had been right when he had said Hermione had been keeping him in check. The Malfoy heir had learned many things from Hermione. She had been willing to help him regardless of what he had done in the past. At the time, he didn't know whether he should be inspired or scoff at her stupidity.

"T-Dog, go get some water." Draco ordered, still watching Hermione's eyes for movement. T-Dog immediately set upon the tast.

"Come on 'Mione, its time to get up. You're missing exams!" Harry said, mostly out of humor. He really hadn't expected it to work.

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Hermione awoke to bling light in her eyes and strangers gathered around her bed.. She squinted at first while she tried to focus on the people around her bed. She quickly reclosed her eyes when they started to sting.

"Come on 'Mione, its time to get up. You are missing exams!" someone said to her. Exams? How could she miss exams! But wait…she was out of school…so what exams was that guy talking about? Still, the mere thought of missing an exam helped her to wake up a little faster.

"You can do it 'Mione, just open your eyes." The voice coached again. She knew that voice…but from where? Her foggy mind tried to figure out who the person was that the voice belonged too.

She tried opening her eyes again slowly, satisfied for the moment that her eyes had adjusted to the light. Hermione then looked up towards the man leaning over her. That same man was whispering thanks and whatnot to any God that could hear him. She tried to speak but only ended up coughing through her raw feeling throat.

"Here, drink this. It's water." The familiar voice said. She felt a cup placed against her lips then. She closed her eyes and took a few sips of water, relishing the feeling of the cool liquid running down her throat. The cup was soon taken away and she opened her eyes once more. The light above her was obscuring her vision so she squinted again, trying to see the person's face.

He leaned his head back then and Hermione's eyes began to rapidly focus on the man's face.

It couldn't be….

"Harry?" She croaked out, her sore throat and wealth of emotions messing with her voice.

"Yeah, it's me Hermione. It's me, I'm here with you." Harry replied, smiling down at her.

'It's too bad he's not real,' she thought to herself while frowning slightly, 'I wish he really was here. Still, it is a good dream.'

"How are you feeling Hermione?" Harry asked.

"….Fine. Don't wanna wake up from this dream." She responded with a smile. It was rather nice to have Harry around her again, even if it was only in her dreams.

"I'm really here Hermione, I'm real." Harry replied with a small chuckle.

"Are you…really?" Hermione asked with hesitation and desperation in her voice.

Harry leaned over, grasping one of her hands in both of his. Hermione was startled at the contact she felt.

"Yes Hermione, it's really is me." Harry said quietly, a large smile planted on his lips. It took several seconds for Hermione's stasis addled mind caught up with the voice, face, and feel of the person beside her.

Hermione began to sob in relief as she took in the real Harry. The alive Harry.

Her voice failed her then, the emotional lump in her throat robbing her of any possibility of talking. Instead she let her tears of relief and happiness pour shamelessly down her face as gripped Harrys hand like a lifeline.

, now clad in a hazmat suit, watched the reunion from the other side of the tent.

Posted: 12-05-2014

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A/N

Shorter chapter. I hope that is ok with everyone. I had a few people recommend making the chapters smaller so I can get updates out quicker. So here is my first try! I figured that this was a good time to test it. How about that scene with the Malfoy family? I wonder what kind soul ended up convincing Harry not to kill them all.

I based Harry off the idea that, after killing Voldemort, Harry didn't want what happened in the last war to happen again. No one would go free that didn't deserve it. Catching all the rest of the Death Eaters would completely eliminate the threat they presented, and Harry was all for that! So tell me what you think!

Anyway, thanks all for your reviews and I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Read and review if you feel up to it!

And don't forget, I am on Kik messenger so you can ask me questions there too!. I go under the handle artariouss and yes, there are two Ss.

Also, I would like to give another shout out to the ever wonderful rocknrollprincess131 and girl-at-home13 ! Thanks you guys for your help on this chapter. I appreciate it.

And thanks also to chocolatecheesecakes for continuing to make sure Harry doesn't turn into a boorish American :P