Chapter 11- Malfoy Returns
The nine Death Eaters were imprisoned in Azkaban; all accounted for except Rodolphus Lestrange, who the Aurors had no clue that he was part of this plan. The Ministry of Magic was still in chaos, trying to fix itself before the election campaigns for a new Minister for Magic could begin.
After Christmas, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny returned to Hogwarts. The morning after their return, a surprise came to them during breakfast in the Great Hall.
"Harry, its Malfoy!"
"What the hell is he doing here?"
"He has every right to be here, Ron".
"Does he though? He's a Death Eater".
"Well clearly, Professor McGonagall thinks he has a right to be here".
"McGonagall isn't always right, Hermione".
"Shut up, Ron. It's not up to you. What are you going to do, Harry?"
"I'm going to go talk to him, Ginny".
Harry gets up from the Gryffindor table and walks over to Malfoy. Hermione, Ginny and Ron watch as a nervous Malfoy gets more nervous as Harry walks over to him.
"Malfoy".
"Potter".
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to complete my education".
"You bring any other Death Eaters with you?"
"It's not like you to be so judgemental, Potter".
"Why shouldn't I? After everything you've done?"
"I'm not that person anymore, Potter".
"Like I'm going to trust you".
"I don't want to be that person anymore, Harry. I chose to be a Death Eater because I wanted the power that came with it. I wanted to be greater than my father; I wanted to be He Who Must Not Be Named's right-hand man. I didn't join them for the right reasons; I didn't join because I believed in what he was doing".
"Yes, you did. You spent the last eight years preaching that blood purity is more important than anything else. You called Hermione a mudblood".
"I did, because that's what I was brought up to believe. Granger is living proof that I was wrong. Please, Harry, give me a chance to prove that I am not that person anymore".
"To prove that you are what, then. A hero?"
"Not a hero. I just want to be a good person".
"If you put one foot out of line, Malfoy, I won't hesitate to stupefy you back to hell with Voldemort".
"Fair enough".
"Besides, it isn't me you have to prove yourself to, Draco. It's them". Harry gestures behind him, at the mass of students watching his exchange with Malfoy. "But this might help".
Harry holds out his hand. Draco stares down at it incredulously, and then grabs it, shaking Harry's hand slowly. He makes his way to the Slytherin table and sits down opposite Daphne Greengrass and Harper. They look at him suspiciously, but Harry watches as Daphne starts a conversation with Malfoy.
Harry smiles, and walks back to his own table. He sits down and slings his arm around Ginny, pulling her close. Hermione turns to him.
"Harry, you know Valentine's Day?"
"Isn't it like a month away?"
"I know, but it just came up. What do you reckon the four of us go on a double date during that day's Hogsmeade trip?"
Hi Guys,
I just wanted to say thanks to Hopeful Believer for his comment last chapter about this being the best Harry Potter aftermath fanfic. It really meant a lot to read that, and it has inspired me to finish this first part. Updates on Avengers vs JL may be slow for a bit, but there's only 6 chapters of this to go. Remember though, this After the Hallows story is only part 1 of 3, but I would like to keep A vs JL going as well.
Thanks guys, keep reading
