Disclaimer: I don't own, J.K. Rowling and friends don't sue... Deal?

Roz just Roz: Here you go Oliver Twist. Lol. Thank you for the review sweetie.

cinnamin: They're in front of other people doll. The only times they've ever been so affectionate with each other is when they're alone. Lol. Still, Harry will get his Thank You! from Draco. Just not in this chapter. :D

GalynSolo: The ones you just stumble across always seem to be the best! That's how I first got hooked to fanfiction in general. I was looking for some info on the TV Show Supernatural and just found this site! I'm glad you like it! Hope you enjoy the way I portrayed the trial and escape. Lol.

Mego225: Sorry about the length! I finally found some inspiration for one of my original works, so it was a little rushed. I hope this makes up for it!

Author's Note: I know Narcissa's behavior may seem a little OOC, but I love the idea of her being a warm and caring person, kind of like a refined Molly Weasley, when Lucius isn't around.

"Mr. Potter?" An elderly wizard in purple robes poked his head in the small yellow room Harry had been set in upon reaching the courtrooms. He wasn't allowed to sit in on the trial until after he gave his testimony, and of course, for dramatic purposes, he was the last to testify. All he'd get to hear was the verdict. Bloody wonderful. "They're ready for you."

Harry nodded and stood, straightening his robes nervously. He'd been stuck in that room for over three hours. The bright sunflower color was starting to hurt his eyes and he already had a headache from a combination of nerves and the debacle of making it through the ministry. Add that to the fact that he'd been separated from Severus and Draco for that entire time as well, his only stabilizing forces when dealing with the idiots that seemed to congregate in this political hub, and Harry was in a truly foul mood.

Silently, he followed the violet-robed wizard into the imposing courtroom that he'd visited far too many times in this lifetime. Be it through memories or personal experience, Harry shuddered when he remembered his trial just before fifth year, this court cropped up in his reminisces too often for comfort.

The large double doors opened with a silent command and Harry stiffened, readying himself for what was to come. He held his head high and walked in with all the confidence in the world. Ignoring the muffled whispers and gasps from the press box on his left, he let his eyes scan over the room. Narcissa, of course, drew his attention first and Harry had to control the urge to wince at the heavy manacles wrapped around her. They looked as if they were close to breaking Narcissa's delicate wrists under their weight.

He forced his eyes to move past the Malfoy matriarch and caught Severus's eye. The man gave Harry an encouraging nod, and just that small action bolstered Harry's flagging resolve. The Boy-Who-Lived shot the Potions Master a cocky grin in response and moved his eyes to the small boy sitting next to the dark-haired wizard.

Draco was literally on the edge of his seat. While nothing showed on his face, his entire posture screamed stress and worry. Harry wanted to ignore his summons to the front of the court and give Draco a reassuring squeeze when the boy's silver-hued eyes connected with his own vivid-green ones. They were so full of desperation and hope that it broke Harry's heart.

Shaking off the need to comfort Draco, Harry continued to the front of the court and calmly took a seat in the witness stand about ten feet from where Narcissa was chained. Madam Bones, seeming to sense his nervousness despite his outward appearance, gave him a comforting smile before starting.

"Now that the witness has arrived, will you please state your name for the court?"

"Harry James Potter."

"Are you known by any other name?"

Harry rolled his eyes and leveled a weary gaze at the moderator. "Far too many to count Madam Bones. The Daily Prophet seems to call me something new each day."

Low chuckles spread through the room and Harry smirked. Just stay calm and tell the truth. Everything will work out perfectly.

"Touché Mr. Potter. Can you please tell the court why you are here today?" Madam Bones replied, shaking her head slightly.

"I am here to testify on behalf of Narcissa Malfoy nee Black."

"Pardon me." A rotund witch called out from the back of the Wizengamot's high stands. "Did you say on behalf of Mrs. Malfoy? Not against."

Harry nodded. "That's right."

"May I ask why?"

"I believe that's supposed to come out as part of my testimony ma'am."

Madam Bones held up a hand to quiet the rather loud tittering that erupted at Harry's comment. Apparently Kingsley had kept his promise to keep Harry's reason for being at the trial a secret, even from the Wizengamot itself. "To right you are Mr. Potter. Would you please tell us, in your own words, your connection to Mrs. Malfoy?"

"I have many connections to Mrs. Malfoy. She has saved my life. Her son is my friend and currently resides on my home. And she played a crucial role in the downfall of Lord Voldemort a.k.a Tom Riddle. But that will all come out in good time. If you wouldn't mind ma'am, may I start at the beginning?"

"By all means."

"Thank you." Harry took in a deep breath, drawing forth the rehearsed speech he'd prepared for this very moment. "My first memorable encounter with Narcissa Malfoy was at Malfoy manner. My friends and I had been captured by a group of men who gathered up witches and wizards to turn into the Ministry for blood-status trials. Hermione Granger noticed that one of the men seemed to recognize me and acted quickly, breaking my nose and casting a charm that made my face bloat and swell to the point that I was near unrecognizable. Still thinking that there was that possibility that I was in fact who I am, the head of the group took us to Malfoy Manor instead of to the Ministry.

"While there, Bellatrix Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy drug Draco Malfoy to the dungeon where we were being kept, we being myself, Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Mr. Ollivander, Ronald Weasley and a goblin named Griphook, and demanded that Draco tell them whether or not he thought I was Harry Potter." Harry paused, taking in a deep breath. This next part was always difficult for him. Remembering how ill everyone had been, the obvious torture they had all been through, and Dobby's death was always hell for him. "Narcissa followed them there. When Draco lied-"

"You say Draco Malfoy lied about not recognizing you Mr. Potter?" The same rotund witch interrupted.

Harry narrowed his eyes but nodded. "Yes. I believe he did."

"You're not sure."

"We haven't really talked about it."

"Why not?"

"Why would we?"

"If Mr. Malfoy was to be put on trial then-"

Harry held up a hand, stopping the witch's rant. "But he will not be. Nor will Severus Snape. They both proved their loyalty to the light during the Final Battle and I will not hear either of them maligned by someone who wasn't there and doesn't have even half of the full story. Suffice to say that they are my friends and that, above all, should be enough for you. Everyone here should be well aware that I would not open up my home or myself to anyone who truly served the dark."

Madam Bones nodded approvingly at Harry's defense. "Of course Mr. Potter. But we're getting off topic. This is not about Mr. Malfoy of Professor Snape. This is about Mrs. Malfoy. Please continue."

"Thank you Madam. As I was saying, when Draco lied, Bellatrix was furious. She saw through his ruse and demanded that he identify me. It was Narcissa who stepped between her sister and her son and reprimanded Bellatrix. When she did this, she glanced over her shoulder at me. I could tell she, like Draco, knew exactly who I was but they were trying to help me as much as they could considering they were being forced to harbor Voldemort in their home."

Madam Bones' eyebrows perked up at this. "You say they were forced?"

"It's a complicated situation Madam." Harry replied carefully. "I will say more about it a Lucius Malfoy's trial, since, as I understand it, that particular event is due solely to his decisions, not his wife's."

Steel blue eyes speared him with a curious gaze, causing Harry to squirm slightly, but Madam Bones let it go for the time being. "Very well Mr. Potter. As you obviously escaped, was this the last encounter you had with Narcissa Malfoy?"

Harry shook his head, voicing the action. "No ma'am. The next time I saw Narcissa Malfoy was when Voldemort killed me."

Shocked gasps and whispers spread through the room like wildfire. While Madam Bones got the courtroom under control, Harry took his chance to look around the room. Narcissa was staring at him with something akin to awe while Severus and Draco smiled at him proudly. He took this as a sign that he was doing well so far. Madam Bones' voice interrupted his perusal of the other attendees. "Mr. Potter. Could you please explain?"

"Yes ma'am. Of course." Harry jerked his eyes back to the sea of purple in the stands. "During the Final Battle, I met Voldemort, on his terms, in the forest. He cast a killing curse on me, and, in short, I died. For a short time. When I came back, it was just as he was sending Mrs. Malfoy to check on me, to ensure I was dead. She came and knelt beside me and saw my eyes flutter or my chest move, something, anyway, that gave away that I was alive. Right then and there she could have turned me over to Voldemort and we wouldn't be in this room right now because I really would be dead and Tom Riddle would have won. As it stands, Narcissa Malfoy asked me if her son, Draco, was alive and well at the castle. I confirmed that he was and she turned back to the most evil man I've ever had the displeasure to meet and lied."

"Explain Mr. Potter."

"There's not much else I can say Madam Bones. She knew I was alive. She knew that if, given the time to recover some of my strength, I would battle and kill Voldemort, and still she lied. She led him to believe that I was truly dead and it is because of that, and only that, that I am able to sit in this court today and tell this story.

"Throughout the entire war, the only thing I have seen from Narcissa is her continued actions in assuring her son was safe. I believe that was her whole motivation. Just as I believe that she and Draco were dragged into Lord Voldemort's clutches by her husband's following of the man, not through personal choice. In fact, I'm even betting that if you look at her arms, you won't find a Dark Mark etched into her skin."

Harry's gaze hardened, emerald green eyes stopping and ensuring they connected with every female member of the Wizengamot. "It is my firm and sound belief that Narcissa Malfoy is a mother who was dragged into a bad situation by her husband and, instead of crumbling as many would have done, found the strength to protect her child during some of the darkest times in or world. A time that was even darker for them thanks to the proximity in which they had to coexist with the Dark Lord thanks to her husband's choices, not her own. She made the best of a bad situation. How can she be faulted for that when that's all many of were doing in the war and are doing in our lives on a day-to-day basis, even if it is to a lesser extent."

The room was silent for several minutes after Harry finished his speech. Narcissa had tears leaking from the corners of her eyes. Severus was looking at Harry as if the boy had grown before his eyes, and, in a way, he had. Harry had proved, in those few moments, what the Potions Master had been afraid to admit for years… Harry was not the spoiled, arrogant, egocentric child Snape had always called him. Harry was the kind, caring, brave, altruistic man that Severus should be honored to call his friend. Draco was staring at Harry as well, but what he felt was gratitude and… and love.

Harry had done everything he promised. He did everything in had power to set his mother free and had already planted the seeds of blame in Lucius's front. He had eloquently silenced even the loudest doubter of Narcissa's innocence. If his mother spent time in Azkaban after Harry's testimony, Draco would eat his own wand.

Madam Bones cleared her throat, subtly wiping a tear from her eye. "Thank you Mr. Potter. Is there anything you'd like to add?"

"No ma'am."

"Are there any questions from the Wizengamot for Mr. Potter?"

Unsurprisingly, the rotund witch piped up. "Mr. Potter. You say you believe that Narcissa Malfoy "made the best of a bad situation". Is that correct?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Have you never stopped to ask yourself, if she was so set against Voldemort and for protecting her son, why she never sought help?"

Harry glowered at the woman, clenching his fists to keep his magic from lashing out and melting her. "And who, pray tell, could she have sought out? The Ministry was either in denial or under Voldemort's thumb during the entirety of his latest reign and the Malfoy name was so tainted by her husband that there would have been immediate suspicion, if not outright rejection, on the part of anyone working with the light. There was no one she could turn to for help."

He looked around the room, eyes blazing. "At one point, I believed that Mrs. Malfoy was as bad as her husband. Then I saw, with my own eyes, what she did. It was exactly what I've told you here today. I am more than willing to offer up my memories for the room to view if that's what it takes in order to prove it to you."

"That won't be necessary Mr. Potter. Thank you." Madam Bones cut in, sending a warning glare over her shoulder to the pushy witch. "Does anyone else have any questions for the witness?" No one so much as peeped. "Very well then. Thank you for your time Mr. Potter. You may join those seated. This concludes the trial of Narcissa Malfoy nee Black. We will reconvene in thirty minutes with our decision. Until then, please remember that no one is to approach the defendant or the witnesses," She said this with a pointed look between Rita Skeeter and Harry, "and that, should you leave this room, you will not be allowed to reenter."

Harry sat down on the other side of Severus just as Madam Bones finished her speech and banged the gavel down. Immediately, the Wizengamot filed out and the room erupted in whispers. Harry cast a privacy charm around himself, Severus, and Draco, making the movement as minute as possible so not to draw attention.

"So what did I miss?" He asked, averting his eyes from Draco's tearful ones. He could tell the bland wanted to thank him, but now was not the time or place. Best to put it off until they got home were there weren't reporters everywhere. Slowly, he stopped, thinking back on what he'd said. When they got home. That sounded… nice. Right. Actually, Harry couldn't think of anything that seemed more appropriate than Draco and Severus living with him. They were his family now, as much as the Weasleys, Neville, Luna, Seamus and Dean. Well, Draco wasn't family like them. He was a different sort of family. The kind of family that… Do not go there. Do not think that. This is not the time. Deal with it after his father's trial. Perhaps not even then.

Severus smirked, watching the emotions play through the big green eyes in front of him. Harry was so transparent it was ridiculous. He desperately wanted to tease the boy for having a crush on Draco, but now was not the time or place. Now was the time to throw Harry a lifeline and distract him from the obviously more romantic thoughts he had strayed toward. "Not much. A lot of former Deatheaters trying to save their own hide by selling her out. A lot of members of the Order testifying that she never tortured and maimed with the rest but she never stepped up to stop it either. Then her own testimony, which was essentially "I did what I had to do to survive." Then you."

"So how do you think it's going to go?"

"I think she'll get probation. Maybe be put on house arrest, though I don't see the Wizengamot sending her back to the Manor. It's almost been completely destroyed in the raids since the Final Battle." Severus replied, eyes watching Harry with unspoken questions.

Harry waved his hand. "It was already a bygone conclusion that she would come home with us if she is set free today. I won't let her or Draco go back to the manor until all of the remaining Deatheaters are rounded up."

Draco, who, until that point, had been filled with no small amount of hero-worship for the small boy who was going to get his mother set free, snapped his mouth closed and glared daggers at him instead. "Excuse me? You won't allow us to go back to the manor?"

Harry clapped a hand to his forehead, immediately realizing that had come out sounding completely different than what he'd meant. "I meant that Grimmauld Place is open to you and Narcissa for as long as you want. You're safe there, whereas Malfoy Manor is well known to Deatheaters. I can't, and won't, physically stop any of you, and this includes you Sev, from leaving whenever you want to," Harry's heart clenched painfully at the words. He honestly couldn't imagine life without chats with Severus in the morning and trading insults with Draco in the afternoon, "but I'd prefer it if you stayed with me so I know that you're safe."

"So," Severus drawled, "if, say, when we returned to your home, I packed all my things and told you that I was going to go live at Spinner's End, you would be fine with that."

Harry's face wore a pinched expression. "I never said I'd be fine with it, I said I wouldn't stop you. I enjoy having you and Draco live with me and I'm sure adding Narcissa to the mix will just make it better. We need a woman around."

"You like having us live with you?" This came from Draco, whose face had immediately lost all of its anger upon hearing Harry's explanation for wanting Narcissa to come back to Grimmauld Place with them. Now his voice was small and quiet, like a lost child's. Harry knew that tone all too well.

"I love having you live with me. You make surprisingly good company for Slytherins, Kreacher loves having more people to fuss over, and you keep me from wallowing in misery over the many people who died in the war. Plus, this way I have a buffer from the sickly sweet sappiness that is Ron and Hermione nowadays." Harry said, casting a faint obscuring charm and reaching around Severus to give Draco's hand a quick squeeze. "You're not a burden to me. You're a blessing."

Draco's eyes watered and he squeezed Harry's hand in return. He was acting so girly it was embarrassing, but today had already been an emotional rollercoaster and was only set to get worse. Right now, girly seemed appropriate. Slowly, he noticed a one of the bailiffs step toward the far door and he quickly motioned for Harry to pull back and drop the charms. It was time for the sentencing.

Slowly, so slowly Draco could have sworn they were cold molasses and not the most powerful tribunal in all of the wizarding world, the Wizengamot trickled back in. Their faces were intentionally kept blank. No one would even be able to guess at Narcissa's verdict until Madam Bones announced it.

Finally, the last to enter situated themselves in their high-backed chair, and Madam Bones banged the gavel. "The Wizengamot has deliberated on the evidence and testimony's brought forth today in the case of Narcissa Malfoy nee Black. The charge brought against her is for the war crime of aiding and abetting Lord Voldemort and his Deatheaters, a charge punishable by The Kiss. Mrs. Malfoy had pled guilty to this crime, however, in light of testimony from many who fought on the side of the light, it is decided that she will be placed on probation for ten years.

"Mrs. Malfoy, please rise." The heavy manacles fell away and Harry hissed when he saw the deep bruises they had left behind. "The conditions of your probation are that you are to have no contact with dark magic, artifacts, or wizards within the next decade. If it is found out that you have breached the terms of your probation, you will be given The Kiss, are we understood?" Madam Bones ignored the titters flowing through the courtroom as she stared into Narcissa Malfoy cool brown eyes.

"Yes Madam, I understand."

"Do you agree to the terms and conditions of your probation?"

"Yes Madam."

"Very well then. Narcissa Malfoy, you are free to go." Madam Bones banged the gavel and walked away, ignoring the reporters calling after her.

Before the gavel even fully dropped, Draco had jumped from his seat and ran to embrace his mother. Severus was slowly making his way toward them now, with Harry on his heels. Seeing Harry hiding slightly behind Severus, Narcissa pulled the Boy-Who-Lived around his former Potions Master and gave him a hug that was only slightly less suffocating than the one she had given her son. Green eyes connected with silver, panic warring against amusement, and Harry awkwardly patted Narcissa's back.

"Thank you Harry." She whispered in his ear, and Harry was shocked she was already so comfortable using his first name. "I will never be able to repay you for what you've done for my family."

In the distance, Harry could hear camera's snapping pictures away and reporters shouting question. A brilliant, if self-sacrificing, idea popped to mind and he quickly gave Narcissa a quick squeeze in return, murmuring in her ear, "We will talk about that later. As soon as I let you go, grab Draco and Severus and get out of here. Have them take you to Grimmauld Place. I'll distract the reporters while you three make your escape."

Narcissa's eyes sparkled with glee as she pulled back, and Harry found himself actually liking the Malfoy matriarch. She seemed to have a spot of adventure and recklessness in her more common to Gryffindors than Slytherins. "Of course Harry. See you at home."

Harry gaped after her. This was not the cold and distant woman he saw yearly at Platform 9 ¾. Where had Narcissa Malfoy gone and who was this warm, loving woman with a sense of fun? He didn't have time to contemplate these thoughts though as soon she was doing as he asked and pulling Severus and Draco away behind her. Harry, remembering his plan, immediately whistled to gain the attention of the reporters in the room and yelled "I'm ready to give a full account of the Final Battle and what I did up to that point, if anyone's interested?"

He was immediately bum-rushed by groping reporters, but seeing that his friends and Narcissa were escaping with smiles plastered on their faces, Harry decided it was worth it. Wearily, he sat down and started answering questions. At least I'm fulfilling my promise to Kingsley, he thought sardonically. Though when he said "some publication" I'm pretty sure he wasn't expecting every publication.

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