Hello! Sorry i took a while, i had a lot to write for this one.

Please enjoy!

Walking Free

At the Ministry

Harry's head lolled forward, his body becoming limp. He was exhausted, so much so that he could barely feel the pain in his head and chest anymore. His eyes lids drooped as he slid down slightly in the chair.

Welsh's hand tightened around Harry's neck as he continued to yell; but Harry couldn't hear him. He could only focus on the fact that he couldn't breath. His vision started to blur and he could tell that he was about to pass out again when the door slammed open, revealing two tall men.

The squeezing around his neck stopped and Harry greedily gulped in the air around him. To his horror, he could taste his own blood in his mouth. He was oblivious to his surroundings as he tried to relax his body and mind after what had just happened; however, he noticed that the three aurors were now tied up and bound and that his hands had been freed from behind his back.

One of the two men kneeled down in front of him and through his good eye, he could make out Albus Dumbledore.

'Harry, my boy! Harry, can you hear me? Are you alright?'

Harry tried to reply with 'Yes, I'm fine!', but all that came out was a gruff and scratchy 'yeah.'

'Stay here, Harry. I am going to try to sort out this mess, okay?' The headmaster turned away from Harry and moved towards the door. 'Kingsley, can you help him?'

'Yes Albus. Where are you going?'

'I am going to try and make the minister see sense. I want to try and get Harry freed!'

Albus disappeared from the room and Kingsley helped Harry up from his chair. Harry cried out in pain and instinctively clutched at his ribs. Within seconds his fingers were laced with blood that seeped through his t-shirt. As adrenaline ceased to course through his body, the pain became more pronounced.

'Don't worry, Harry.' Kingsley said quietly, 'We'll have you healed as soon as we can.' The tall man scooped Harry up then gently laid him down on the hard floor in the middle of the room. Harry grunted in pain, his forehead covered in a think layer of sweat. 'It's okay, Harry. Just relax now.'

'That boy deserves to die!' hissed Welsh from the opposite end of the room.

'QUIET!' Kingsley shouted, sending a spell flying at the man. Welsh fell unconscious, his head hitting the wall with a loud bang. The other two aurors were smart enough not to utter a word but Kingsley still tightened the ropes around them.

Over half an hour later Albus finally came back, a healer from St. Mungo's behind him. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, his chest wheezing loudly.

'Oh, the poor boy.' cried the healer. 'Look at the state he's in!' She hurried to Harry's side, shoving Kingsley out of the way. After a quick inspection of Harry's wounds she began to cast numerous healing charms whilst she dug around in her medical bag. Once she retrieved the bottle she uncorked it and poured some into a glass cup. Tilting Harry's head back she tipped the liquid into his mouth. At first Harry was cautious, not wanting to take the poison. He still had no idea why they were helping him. He had thought that they might give him something to knock him out for a while so they could get him to Azkaban. However, after some encouragement from the three people around him, Harry slowly swallowed the poison. He waited to see if he would fall unconscious but nothing happened. He actually found himself feeling less drowsy. The healer held her wand over his chest and cast a few more charms before he heard a quiet click.

'Wha- what was that?' he asked, worried.

'Oh, nothing. Just your snapped rib popping back into place. I gave you a poison to stop the pain but your ribs will be a little sore for a while. Try not to over exert yourself. Get some rest.'

'I'm afraid he won't be getting too much of that for a while.' Albus said. 'I spoke to Scrimgeour, and he is unwilling to give Harry a trial but I managed to convince him; however, he refuses to let Harry leave the ministry. He thinks that if he leaves he might try to run away again.' Albus turned to Harry, kneeling down towards him with a small frown. 'I am afraid, my boy, you will have to stay in one of the ministry rooms tonight. I have arranged it so that the trial will be first thing in the morning, so just try to relax and get as much rest as you can. I will inform Remus and Nymphadora of your condition. I am sure they are fraught with worry!'

Harry heard the door to the interview room door open again as another figure walked in.

'That is enough!' The voice was quiet yet it held an air of importance.

Dumbledore stood up to confront the intruder. 'Rufus, thank you for your cooperation.'

The Minister of Magic brushed away this comment and turned to the healer who was hovering over Harry.

'I said that is enough. The boy is fine.'

'What? Have you not seen him minister? He is obviously not ...'

'You will leave the boy.' Scrimgeour's voice echoed around the room as he interrupted the small woman.

'Rufus, please see sense.' Dumbledore implored. 'If Harry is left like this, he will not be able to attend the trial tomorrow. It is of the up most importance that he is well enough to plead his case.'

Scrimgeour just stared down at the bloodied man on the floor. 'You will leave the boy as he is. I have agreed to this trial and have graciously given you until tomorrow morning to gather your evidence. The boy will be taken to a cell in which he will stay the night. He will not be allowed visitors in that time.' The minister looked up from Harry to the tied up aurors in the far corner. 'Dawlish!'

A tall man wearing dark robes entered the room at the minister's call. 'Take him to a cell. He is to be locked in there until tomorrow morning.'

The occupants of the room all watched as the auror, Dawlish, helped Harry up to his feet. Harry, dizzy, confused and in a lot of pain, swayed as he was pulled up. Coughing as he stood blood dribbled from his parted lips and trickled down his chin. He hadn't noticed it until now but sometime during his earlier beating Harry had bitten his tongue.

'Really, minister! I must insist that this boy receive more medical attention!' However, the healer's plea was ignored by the minister as he left the room behind Dawlish who was practically dragging Harry with him.

The headmaster stood in silence; his bright blue eyes, although tinged with sadness, held a sense of hope.

Harry was unceremoniously dumped onto the small bed in the corner of the cell. He did not have the energy to move from his position. Upon hearing the door slam shut, Harry closed his eyes and groaned.

Once he had controlled his laboured breathing, Harry wiped a hand over his face, trying to remove the blood. After rubbing his bloodied hand down his torn jeans, Harry rolled onto his right side, away from the wall. He carefully manoeuvred his sore and bruised body so that he could get a better look at the room. The walls were painted grey and were bare. There were no windows, meaning that the only light came from the lights above his head. As he turned onto his back his thoughts travelled back to his time in Azkaban. Being trapped in a small room with nothing in it other than a tattered old cot with a dirty mattress sent goose bumps up his arms; however, at least there were no dementors. He could lie hear without the fear that he was going to hear his mother's scream as she died.

Time passed slowly in the cell. At least it felt slow to Harry. He was nervous about the trial. What was Dumbledore thinking? How was he going to get out of this mess? What would he say if they asked him anything about that day three and a half years ago? He couldn't remember a thing! Harry's stomach churned uncomfortably as he tried to force himself to sleep. Just before his exhausted body slipped into oblivion, his mind focused on the only comforting memory he could find.

Ginny's long red hair billowed behind her as she flew through the air, her cheeks glowing rosy pink. She looked over her shoulder at Harry, grinning widely as he chased her on his broom. She then swept off, laughing with glee.

Professor Dumbledore walked around the circular court room, his twinkling blue eyes never leaving the yellow orbs of the minister of magic. This was the second, and hopefully the last, time that he was in court defending the boy he felt was like a grandson to him.

'Dumbledore, I don't have all day!' Cried Scrimgeour from his seat above the headmaster.

'All in good time, minister.' he calmly replied as he turned his head towards the doors of the court room. He smiled as Mad-Eye Moody dragged Rodolphus Lestrange into the centre of the room, the latter's hands were bound tightly and he was thrown into the questioning chair.

'May I present, minister, Mr Lestrange. He has been a key member in our argument today. I can only hope that the evidence he provides this morning, will be of use to this case.'

The minister looked at Dumbledore with wide eyes. 'How? Wha-Why? What has he got to do with anything?' Scrimgeour spluttered.

'Mr Lestrange, here, is a death eater, as I am sure you already know. He is known to be one of Lord Voldemort's most trusted supporters and one can therefore assume that he has access to vital information about the Dark Lord and his activities.' Albus turned away from the minister and towards the ex-auror. 'Alastor, if you please.'

The members of the court watched on baited breath as Moody tipped a vial of Veritaserum into the Death Eater's mouth.

'What! You can't do that! That is illegal, Dumbledore!' Scrimgeour stood up and leant across the desk as the liquid fell into the man's mouth.

'Minister, if you would just let us show you what we have found out.'

'I, oh, very well, but this better be good.'

To this, the aged headmaster just smiled. 'I believe that this will not be a waste of your time.'

The questioning began, much as it had yesterday evening. Rodolphus Lestrange found himself revealing the Dark Lord's secrets for a second time in less than twenty-four hours. The room audibly gasped as the death eater went into specific details about Harry's treatment during his stay at Malfoy Manor, three and a half years ago. Several of the women, including Hermione, Tonks and Molly Weasley, found themselves sobbing into their partner's laps. Ron's faced had been drained of all colour as he heard, in more depth, what Harry had been through that summer. He thought what he heard last night was bad; however, as the death eater continued, he felt bile rise up his throat.

Draco Malfoy ran a hand through his blonde hair, sighing tiredly. Working on both sides per se, was hard work. For as long as he could remember, Draco had known about the division between the dark side and the light, the good and the bad and he had always known which side he was to be apart of. Without being given the chance to decide for himself, Draco was forced into the side of 'evil' as some preferred to call it. It wasn't that Draco wanted to be on the light side as apposed to the dark; it was simply that he didn't want to be involved at all. Draco didn't want to have to choose which side to follow. He wanted to go his own way and get away from all the mess that surrounded him. He had neither time nor patience for the rubbish that the Dark Lord spewed all day and Dumbledore was no better. They were both all coots and Draco was tired of the two of them.

When Draco was younger he had looked up to his father and though him to be such a great man. He had hopped that when he was older, he could be just like his father, brave, strong and powerful. It was soon apparent though that his father was not all Draco thought he was. Lucius Malfoy was a pathetic, cruel, sadistic man who followed orders from a crazed fool. Without a word Lucius would fulfil each and every order, hoping to please his master. He was just like a little puppy, following its owner around until it was given a treat. He lapped up every word the Dark Lord said, agreed with all his ideas and plans and willingly ruined his own families' life, just to make the bloody man happy. Draco had once thought that his father was only working for the Dark Lord to make things better for him and his mother, but Draco soon realised his mistake.

Draco had never been more scared in his life. His father had come to him one evening without warning, and told him very bluntly what was to happen. It was time. It was time for Draco to join the Dark Lord. Lucius had not uttered one word of comfort to his son, nor told him how to prepare himself. Draco was left to worry alone in his room. He had stayed up all night, fear eating at his insides. Despite the fact that his father had told him never to cry, Draco couldn't help the tears that rolled down his cheeks. He cried silently for himself for all of thirty seconds when another terrifying though came to him. What would happen to his mother? She hated that Lucius was working so closely to the Dark Lord and she often turned to Draco for comfort when her husband was away. How was she going to cope without Draco there to help her? She was the only thing in Draco's life that he loved anymore. His father, who had once been his idol, was merely a distant memory to him now. Draco had never thought that he could hate his father but that night, subconsciously, Draco had emotionally separated himself from the man. It only occurred to him now that since he had forcibly received the Dark Mark; Draco had stopped referring to Lucius as his father.

Bringing his mind back from the past, Draco wandered down the corridors of the manor until he came to the dungeon. Two Death Eaters stood by the door at the top of the stairs, guarding the entrance. Draco nodded to them and they stood aside. Draco strolled down the stairs towards the second door. Another Death Eater stood at the door his wand held tight.

'It's only me, Rookwood. Let me through.' The young Death Eater removed that locking charms on the door to let the youngest Malfoy passed.

The dark room smelt of sweaty bodies and blood, and the smell hit Draco quite suddenly as he entered the dungeon. He would have to speak to Lucius about it later. Slipping his wand from his pocket, Draco cast Lumos across the room. He heard a small intake of breath from the other side of the room. Pius Thicknesse sat against the wall, shielding his eyes from the light.

'Don't hurt me.' he called out, sounding oddly calm and serious. 'You'll regret it, trust me.'

Draco scoffed, smirking at the man on the floor. 'Why should I believe you? I may be young but I'm not an idiot. Anyway, calm yourself. I'm not here to hurt you.'

Pius looked scornful. 'Like you said, why should I believe you?'

Draco laughed out loud. 'Oh, I like you. You've got guts, Thicknesse, unlike some.'

'What, like you?'

Draco said nothing, simply raising an eyebrow. 'Yeah, something like that.'

'Why am I here?' Pius asked impatiently. Draco could see that the man was incredibly determined and brave but he didn't miss the flash of fear in his eyes whenever Draco twiddled his wand in his fingers.

'I'll ask the questions, if you don't mind.' Draco stepped up closer to the man and slid his wand back into his pocket. 'Do you know why you are here?'

Pius glared at the blonde, scrutinising him. Taking a deep breath the man shook his head.

'You are high up in the ministry and are well known. You are respected by many people and you are a very clever man. You know exactly how to get want you want and will go to nearly any length to get it. Just like that stunt you pulled to get your current job. Remember that?' Pius frowned, glaring at Draco.

'What does this have to do with why I'm here?'

'Now, now Pius, calm down.' Draco said in a patronising tone. 'I'm getting to that. The Dark Lord thinks that you could be very useful to him. He needs a way to get further into the ministry and you are just what he needs. He plans to Imperius you making you do exactly what he wants. You are his leverage to get into the ministry. He will then use you to turn people against Dumbledore and turn to the Dark Lord. After a short while, if all goes to plan, the whole ministry would be on his side. Hmm, sounds lovely doesn't it?'

'Why are you telling me this? You're on his side too. Surely you should not be letting all that information slip.'

Draco chuckled. 'I don't remember ever telling you that I'm on the Dark Lord's side. What would possibly make you assume such a thing?'

Pius growled. 'Don't mess with me, Malfoy!'

'Hey,' Draco snatched out his wand again, pointing it at the man. 'Less of the attitude or I'm not going to help you.'

Pius swallowed hard, lowering his eyes. Draco watched him, a smirk spreading across his face. 'Help me how?'

The blonde stood and turned away. When he reached the door he looked back over at the man. 'You'll see.'

For the third time in his life, Harry found himself sat in the middle of a court room; everyone's attention on him. His handcuffed hands became clammy as his defenders spoke to the jury. He was struggling to concentrate on what they were saying as his own thoughts began to dominate. What if they think I'm guilty? I'll have to go back to Azkaban. There'll be no way out this time. No Malfoy to give me a portkey. No way of escape.

Harry looked up as his defender finished speaking. With a jolt, he realise that it was Dumbledore who had been speaking for him. His head ached and he could not make sense of what was going on. He was still in pain from the previous evening's activities and was in desperate need of a pain potion. Scrimgeour, who was sat in the centre of the jury, stared at Harry for a moment before turning his face to his right to speak to Kingsley.

They deliberated for what felt like hours to Harry as he sat in the hard chair, sweat dripping off his forehead. Finally, the minister spoke; his voice erupted over the room like a gunshot.

'All of those in favour of conviction raise your hand.' To his relief, only ten or so people raised their hands, including a familiar woman with a toad like face. Harry frowned at his old defence against the dark arts teacher. He should have realised that Dolores Umbridge would come to try to send him back to Azkaban. He watched as she lowered her floral pink sleeve and realised that Scrimgeour had spoken again.

'All of those in favour dropping all charges, raise you hand.'

Ginny watched the jury as the majority voted for Harry's freedom. She let out a sigh of relief but in the back of her mind, she couldn't shake off the image of Harry pointing his wand at her and whispering crucio. She could still remember the pain that came with that one word. The feeling that you were being stabbed over and over again. She was brought out of her reverie by the minister's voice.

'The accused has been found innocent of all charges.' The minister spoke to the room as he announced Harry's freedom. A cheer erupted around Ginny as all of Harry's supporters stood up and applauded the boy's liberty. The minister then spoke directly to Harry, his yellow eyes meeting Harry's green orbs.

'On behalf of the ministry, I would like to give my deepest apologies to you, Mr Potter. I am ashamed of the ministry and of everyone else who believed that you could ever have commit such vulgar crimes. On behalf of the ministry, I would like to give you a full pardoning and I hope that you can pardon us all for our mistake.'

Ginny watched Harry as Scrimgeour spoke. He frowned when the minister began to apologise so openly. His unbelieving expression showed that he did not believe a word the man was saying. She had to agree with him. The minister was most likely not sorry about what had happened at all. He probably felt the need to apologize here, in public where there were witnesses, so that the ministry could move on as quickly as possible. To her left, her mother blew her nose into a handkerchief, tears running down her round face.

'That poor boy.' she practically wailed but no one but Ginny heard because of the cheering. 'Three years in Azkaban and it turns out he was innocent. And to think I helped him get there. He was only sixteen at the time! How could I have thought such a gentle and kind boy would do that to my own daughter!' Molly Weasley continued to wail but Ginny stopped listening, her attention back on Harry. He had stood up, albeit rather shakily, and was getting his hand restraints removed. This was the first time she had seen him properly in more than three years. He had grown considerably and was no longer scrawny like he had been in childhood. He was still thin but he had lost the underfed look although she had to look past the bruises and cuts scattered across his body to see this.

Ginny's eyes followed Harry as he was escorted from the court room. She felt a pang in her heart as she watched him go. She wanted to reach out to him. She felt guilty as she realised what she had done. She hadn't believed him when he said he hadn't attacked her. She had ignored his pleas and had sent him to Azkaban. For a month after he had been sentenced, she had cried herself to sleep, knowing what she had done. Although she did not know of his innocence at the time, it felt wrong to send him to the place that held the creatures that he feared the most; the place that would bring back so many horrific memories. When she had returned to Hogwarts after his sentence, she realised how much she missed him. She saw how Ron and Hermione had suffered without their third companion. She felt completely alone without him.

'Oh, did you see him? He's so grown up, not the tiny little boy anymore.' Mrs Weasley was still crying into her handkerchief. 'What have I done?' she wailed.

'Mum, will you just shut up!' Ginny finally snapped.

'O-oh!'

Yay! Another chapter! Please review.

I love Mrs Weasley. She is so funny!

LeprechaunJV- I bet they did feel bad. Actually, more stupid than sad. Welsh scares me. I think he needs some help. I hope you liked this chapter. :)

Allen Pitt- It will be a bit awkward for Ron, Hermione etc. and Harry might have trouble forgiving them. But they didn't know that he was innocent at the time so it's not all their fault. Anyway, i hoipe you enjoyed this update. Please review! :)

Caelhir- I felt bad for him too. Poor Harry! Harry, Ron and Hermione are actually all nineteen now. Harry went to prison after fifth year, when he was sixteen. Ron and Hermione left Hogwarts about a year ago. Sorry if i didn't make that clear before. Thank you for reviewing! I really appreciate your comments. :)