The day of his parents trial found Draco and Hermione standing outside the courtrooms that led into the Wizengamot chamber. The articles in the Prophet had been non-stop since it had been reported on his renouncing the Malfoy birthright and his taking on the mantle of Lord Black. Hermione had stayed with him at their new home, tending to his needs and being a supportive wife, which was more than he frankly deserved. He still hadn't openly discussed his feelings in detail, but she seemed to understand and didn't press him to reveal more than he was ready.
He blatantly ignored the other people standing outside the courtroom, as he kept his arm firmly around his wife's expanding waistline—which was now clearly visible. They hadn't confirmed the pregnancy with the twins, but he was fairly certain that the speculations would being again in earnest after their appearance today.
If the blatant states and hushed whispers were anything to go by, it was a blessing in disguise that he was still under house arrest. Maybe by the time his probation was over—the busybodies of the Wizarding World would have moved on to something more interesting than his personal life.
And the larger fact was simply, that Draco was absolutely dreading seeing his parents again—his mother in particular.
Neither one had attempted to contact him in the ensuing days after he'd left the Manor for good, and he didn't expect them to. His mother had proven she was unwilling to take his side against Lucius and frankly, he didn't know who was more to blame in the scheme they'd cooked up to hurt Hermione and his unborn children.
He'd likely get those answers today.
Or not..
He wasn't sure it mattered anymore.
Pansy had been arraigned and her testimony had exposed a large loophole within the legal language of the Ministry Marriage Law. No bride nor groom, nor those members of their immediate family— could bring harm to a Ministry chosen partner, but that didn't stop another not related of blood, to do the deed.
The trick was finding someone within Pureblood circles that wasn't in some way—distantly related by blood.
That was why he'd been shocked when Potter and Weasley had come to visit the afternoon following Pansy's testimony and found out that it had been Blaise, and not Theo who'd had helped her with her little scheme.
Theo thankfully, had been unaware but Blaise had been brought in for questioning. The outcome of that Draco didn't know, nor did he care to.
As if she could feel the tension radiating off him, Hermione ran her hand soothingly up and down his back in small circles. He pulled her even tighter into his side and sneered at anyone who looked his way.
When the door finally opened to the chamber, Draco held Hermione back and waited until everyone else had entered before moving them forward into the large circular chamber. The seats were nearly completely filled, both by the members of the Wizengamot and the area for the press and interested bystanders.
Fucking gossipmongers!
Potter came over quickly and led them to a seating area between he and Percy Weasley. Sitting behind them was Arthur Weasley, Augusta Longbottom and his Aunt Andromeda. Her presence was likely due to his taking on the Lordship of House Black. Even though she'd been disowned by her Uncle Orion, it was likely she'd be asked her opinion on his acknowledgement of taking ownership of their family house.
Arthur Weasley was also a Black through his Mother, so it was likely he'd be asked his opinion too.
Potter as well, since his Grandmother was a Black.
At that moment the inner chamber door opened at Draco stiffened as the Minister walked in followed by several Aurors...the Weasel amongst them leading his parents and their solicitor into the courtroom.
A single glance and nod from Potter let Draco know that his information had been put to use, and he sat back...wondering absently just how angry his Father was going to be when he realized that he held no more sway amongst the members within this chamber.
And his galleons were worthless.
The only part that hurt was that his Mother was going to be collateral damage, regardless of circumstance.
He refused to look their way, and kept his attention solely on Hermione, who was glaring at his parents enough for the both of them.
Then he heard Shacklebolt speak.
"We are here this day on January 3rd, 2000 to take testimony in the case of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. Both are being charged of violating the terms of their probation and stand accused of sedition and willful conspiracy against Ministry mandate 4276...the Marriage Law of 1999. They stand accused of conspiracy to commit the murder of one Hermione Jean Black and her unborn children." The crowd gasped in the back, the Minister confirming the truth of his wife's condition.
"They stand accused of abetting and aiding Rita Skeeter as an unregistered animagus and used that knowledge for their own personal gain."
Kingsley addressed the Malfoy's solicitor. "How do the defendants plead?"
"Not guilty, Minister."
A whisper of a smirk crossed Shacklebolt's face, but it was gone before it began as he turned to Gawain Robards, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
"Do you have any witnesses to call for the prosecution?"
"I'd like to call Mister Harry James Potter."
Harry stood up and made his way over to the witness stand and was immediately sworn in by magic, before the questions started in earnest.
"Mr. Potter," Robards began smoothly, "please tell the Wizengamot members the events that followed after Lord Black (Draco saw both his parents bristle from the corner of his eye), contacted you on the day of December 24, 1999?"
Harry cleared his throat and spoke up, his voice clear and firm.
"I was advised by Lady Black, who had been in contact with her husband, that he'd discovered Lord and Lady Malfoy's plan to have she and her children eliminated."
"And did she say how that was to happen?"
"No, only that she needed me to come with her to Malfoy Manor, which I did."
"And then what happened."
"I met with Lord Black, and he told me of his plan to renounce his status as presumptive heir to the House of Malfoy and why. I followed him under my invisibility cloak into Lord Lucius Malfoy's study. I watched unimpeded, the conversation between Lord Black and his parents."
"And have you submitted that memory into evidence?"
"I have done so."
"Could you please, for the court...tell us what you witnessed that evening?"
"I followed Lord Black into Lucius Malfoy's study. Both Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy were there. Draco confronted his parents, about several things actually. They'd ignored him for several months following his marriage to Hermione. When Draco asked them if the purpose of them withholding their affections was to force him to choose between them and Hermione due to the contract she'd had them sign prior to his marriage? They didn't deny it."
"Did they verbally confirm it, Mr. Potter?" Augustus Avery, Lucius solicitor demanded.
"Not in so many words, but their expressions were smug and pleased. Draco's back was to Lucius and Narcissa so he didn't see their faces, but I did."
"But you don't know that's what they were thinking?"
"If your asking about my capacity for legilimency, then do so...Mr. Avery."
The crowd tittered, while Lucius sneered.
"Very well. Are you an accomplished legilimens, Mr. Potter."
"Not as such."
"So you couldn't read their thoughts."
"Other than what was openly showing on their faces, no."
Hermione smirked and even Draco was impressed with Potter's logic. He could tell just by glancing quickly around the courtroom, most of the expressions were amused.
Augustus, gestured for Robards to continue.
"What happened after that?"
"Draco asked his mother if they'd been in contact with Miss Parkinson...well, now Mrs. Finch-Fletchley."
"And did Narcissa Malfoy confirm that she had?"
"Yes, and Rita Skeeter too. Draco had noticed a beetle that morning when he'd come to speak to his parents and contacted Hermione and I immediately."
"And how did Lord Black know it was Rita Skeeter?"
Harry lifted an eyebrow at Augustus Avery, who's question was rather hostile.
"I don't know if he did or not, he might've been bluffing for all I know but whatever his knowledge for or against Miss Skeeter's animagus form...Narcissa Malfoy admitted that it was Skeeter and that they were in cahoots with her."
"To what end?"
Harry scoffed. "I don't know Mr. Avery? That woman has been known to be less than stellar reporter and more of a journalistic hack when it comes to printing the truth. I'm not a mind reader, remember?"
A few more chuckles were heard, and even Robards cracked a grin.
Avery looked incensed.
"What happened then?" Robards asked after a moment.
"Draco confronted his parents with the fact that he'd intended to not go along with their plans and I revealed myself. He renounced his status as Heir to House Malfoy and then told his parents he'd be taking on the mantle of Lord Black."
"And what was their reaction?"
Harry scowled. "Narcissa Malfoy told Draco he didn't have that right."
"I see," Robards moved over closer to the accused, "and what did Lord Black say to his mother's assertion."
"He told her that due to the contract that Lady Black had both she and Lucius Malfoy sign prior to his marriage to Hermione, that the contract expressly forbid either one of them of disowning him as either a Malfoy or a Black."
The crowd erupted in shock and many people were staring openly at Draco and Hermione, some in confusion, others suspicion.
"Why would Lady Black have done such a thing? Was this something she plotted with her husband?" Avery snarled.
Harry grinned. "Actually, it was due to the fact that Lady Black was already pregnant with twins and wanted to make sure that no one in her new family would hurt her or her children. The addendum to Ministry Law 4276 was argued in this very chamber by Lady Black. She knew she was pregnant with twins at that time and fully intended to use that loophole to prevent her subsequent forced Marriage to the then...Draco Malfoy."
"So why did she change her mind?" Robards asked, as the crowd was now waiting with baited breath for the answer.
Harry looked over at Hermione, and she just smiled and nodded.
"Because as much as she didn't trust the Malfoy's after what had happened in their home during the war, she wanted her children to grow up with their father. But...she needed to make sure she was protected first and based on the conversation I heard that night...she had every right to be concerned. Narcissa Malfoy confirmed that they had and I quote...found a loophole...in the contract."
"And did she state what this loophole was?"
"She mentioned Pansy Parkinson, and Draco confirmed that Pansy had made him the offer on his wedding day to help him get rid of Hermione. Something he did not take her seriously at that time, nor agree to at all."
"Just one final question, Mr. Potter? What was Lord Black's demeanor when the conversation was over?"
Harry glanced at Draco, but the blonde just stared blankly at him not giving an ounce of emotion away.
"He was understandably disappointed and devastated."
Robards nodded, and gestured to Avery who just waved him off but when Harry was about to stand, Augustus asked spitefully, "Do you take issue with the former Draco Malfoy taking Lordship over the Ancient and Noble House of Black? It's my understanding that your godfather, Sirius Black left the ancestral home to you when he died as well as the vaults?"
Harry glowered angrily, but retorted emotionlessly, "It's true that I was left Black Manor as well as Sirius personal vault that was given to him by his Uncle, Alphard Black. The main Black vaults were not his to bequeath to me as he'd been disowned by his family. Draco has the rightful claim to the title of Lord Black as well as the Black Family vaults. I don't contest his claiming of the Title nor the vaults."
"But you do contest him taking ownership of the ancestral home?"
Harry's face pinched in confusion for a moment, unsure of where Avery was going with this...but knowing that there was something specific he was fishing for if he was asking this leading question.
Then it hit him!
The Black Family tree.
Ah! Sneaky!
"No, I don't contest it. If Lord Black wishes to lay claim to the Black Family Manor, I'd have no problem giving it to him."
Draco blanched and Hermione smiled widely at her best friend as she heard Arthur breathe out a sigh that sounded relieved, while Meda just chuckled.
Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy however, were highly displeased.
"That will be all, Mr. Potter."
Harry nodded and took his seat.
