Draco's POV:
It was a month after the war and his family was called down for a hearing. His father had told him exactly what to say, but to be completely honest, he was so afraid he couldn't process anything being said to him.
They all stood below the council, Draco's heart beating so heavily it nearly bursted from his chest.
He hears the door open but stares straight ahead.
"Welcome, Mister Potter." The judge says, which causes Draco's heart to stop. "Now, we ask you what are your experiences with them. What did the Malfoy's do to you?" The judge asks.
"Sir, me and Mal-Draco had been enemies for a long time now, a long time. But, I will say this... I came into their home disguised before the battle at Hogwarts. Both Draco and his mother were asked if it was me. To be perfectly, honest, I really did think Draco knew it was me, but he said nothing. Neither did Misses Malfoy. Misses Malfoy also saved my life. She knew I was still alive before Voldemort did and she told no one. As for Draco, he's the one who threw me the wand that saved my life. Lucius Malfoy on the other hand, consistently tried to attack me and still had bad intentions I'm sure. But Misses Malfoy and Draco... I do truly believe they were on my side. As well as Severus Snape. We all thought he was terrible, but he did all of this because Dumbledore told him to. I feel the same goes for Draco and his mother. They were simply doing as they were told in order to survive and get through this war." Harry tells them.
"So... you're saying Draco and Narcissa Malfoy saved your life?" The judge asks.
"Yes, I am." Harry says confidently. "I even have a letter Snape had written to Draco before he died." Harry says, reaching into his pocket and handing it over to the judge.
The judge sits in silence and reads the letter. He looks up at Draco with sad eyes.
He looks to the Auror beside him and whispers something and the Auror nods.
"Narcissa and Draco Malfoy, come with me." The Auror says, walking towards the door. Draco attempts to move and notices he now is able to. His mother grabs his hand and leads him out the door with the Auror.
"Misses Malfoy, I have a few questions for you regarding your son and his father." The Auror says.
"Alright," His mother says with a deep breath.
"How does your husband treat Draco?" He asks and Draco's heart stops once again.
His mother looks at the floor. "Lucius... he can be strict... Maybe too strict. I've tried to speak to him about it before but he doesn't listen to me and often gets angry when I bring it up." He never knew this.
"How is he strict?" The man asks.
His mother sniffs, "He... Draco, show him your shoulder." Draco darts his eyes from his mother to the Auror. "Please."
He hesitantly lowers his button-up shirt from his shoulder and is shocked himself. He didn't realize it looked that bad. His shoulder was covered in black and blue and still ached.
"I saw that the other day when Draco had fallen asleep. Apparently it had gotten worse. Lucius had gotten angry with him because he had a mistake when speaking to the- to Voldemort." She says, tears falling from her eyes. "Draco, I'm sorry."
"Your husband did this?" The Auror asks.
"Yes... He would sometimes beat up our house-elf instead of Draco... but other times he preferred to hit Draco." His mother admits. His eyes widen. He never expected his mother to ever care about this.
The Auror looks at Draco and asks him to show any other bruises or injuries he must have. He took unbottoned his shirt and noticed for the first time in a while just how many bruises he had gotten. His whole torso was covered in black and blue. He is given permission to button his shirt back up, which he does and then the Auror quickly steps back inside and brings them with him.
He whispers something to the judge and he nods.
The judge says, grabbing his gavel and speaking again, "Due to information I was given recently, I hearby declare Draco Malfoy not guilty." He says, slamming his gavel down onto the sound block. "You may escort Draco Malfoy out of the court room."
A woman in dark blue velvet robes grabs his arm and pulls him out the door. He sits there alone with the woman in disbelief, but overall happiness.
Harry's POV:
He stood there watching the rest of the hearing unfold.
"As for Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, the hearing continues. Now, Lucius Malfoy, I was given information that you have been violent at home with both Narcissa and Draco?" The judge asks him. The room seems to go even more silent than before.
"Really? Are you kidding me?" Lucius asks angrily. "I never once hit Narcissa and if I ever hit Draco it was because he needed it. He wouldn't listen any other way." Lucius says.
Harry begins fuming. "Permission to speak, sir?" Harry asks the judge.
"Permission granted, Mister Potter."
"Thank you. Mister Malfoy, forgive me, but Severus Snape himself said he saw Draco being beaten. In fact, I saw it myself, in the pensieve in Dumbledore's office. Not only did it show that Severus Snape was innocent but it also showed every single time you threatened, shouted at, and beat not only your son, but also your house-elf and wife. I'll show everyone here. I'll bring them to the pensieve myself and let them all see it for themselves." Harry informs sharply.
The council stares at them both in shock.
"You're worried about a house-elf?" Lucius snaps back.
"You're ignoring the key issue here, Mister Malfoy. You beat on your own son, often for unnecessary reasons. Even if it was necessary, you beat him far too harshly. I believe you threw him down the stairs once?" Harry says, "And for what reason? Because he couldn't dodge a spell?! You disgust me." Harry snaps. He turns to the judge, "Permission to leave, sir?"
"Granted. Escort Harry Potter out of the court room, please." The judge says.
Gregory Hullons, the Auror in the room, walks with Harry out into the hallway of the Ministry. His eyes are met with Draco's and Draco stands abruptly.
"Can we speak alone?" He asks the woman beside Draco and Gregory Hullons. They both nod and walk away from them, leaving them alone in a silent hallway.
"Harry... I'm sorry." Draco says softly.
"Don't apologize. I understand now." Harry replies.
"But... I tortured you for years, I threatened you in the Room of Requirment, I beat you up in class, and I joined the Dark Lord. There are many other things I did... Not to mention I tortured your friends too. All for some petty rivalry." Draco says.
"First of all, just call him Voldemort. Second, I forgive you. Some of those things you had to do to survive. But, I would appreciate an apology to Ron, his family, and Hermione. As well as any other Gryffindors you bullied."
"I will. And... I should probably say something else... I need to thank you." Draco says awkwardly.
Harry gives him a look of curiousity, so he continues on. "You saved my life... Twice actually." He looks at the ground and mutters, "And saved me from that boggart."
"No need to thank me. It's the least I could do. There was no way I was going to let you burn, no matter how annoying you are..." He trails off, "And I for sure wasn't going to allow you to be thrown under the bus after I read Snape's letter... And saw his memories... Why didn't you tell anyone?" He asks.
"Who would I tell?" Draco asks.
"Dumbledore? Professor McGonagall? Anyone at all." Harry says.
"I told someone..." Draco says.
"But they didn't help you?" Harry asks.
"They couldn't. Besides, I asked them not to." Draco replies.
"Who is it? Tell me now." Harry demands.
"Why?" Draco asks with a scowl.
"Because I demand to know why they didn't say anything. Especially if it was an adult." Harry says angrily.
"It's not a big deal anymore. It's over with. I doubt I'll ever see my father after this." Draco says, "So just drop it. Besides, the person probably hates me now."
"Who? Crabbe, maybe?" Harry asks.
"No! Just drop it!" Draco shouts.
"It was Blaise, wasn't it? That's the person you're talking about?" He asks.
"Maybe... Just drop it ok. He had enough to deal with himself. We weren't much different. He didn't see it as an option. So please, just drop it." Draco demands.
Harry sighs. He admits that Draco could be right. "Fine... But look, I'll uh... I'll talk to Blaise for you, ok? I know you guys were close... or at least you seemed close."
"He won't want to be around me anymore. I basically betrayed him." Draco says.
"I'm sure if we talk to him he'll understand." Harry says. Draco simply shakes his head but doesn't say another word.
The doors suddenly slam open to reveal Lucius Malfoy shouting a jerking away from Aurors carrying him out in handcuffs.
Lucius glares at him and Draco with his teeth bared like an angry rottweiler. Draco steps backwards, bumping into a wall. His whole body begins to shake, even as he watches them drag him far away. His father is shaking like a mad man trying to get away, but fails miserably.
Draco continues to shake and searches around the room for something. He catches sight of Harry, who is looking at him in worry. He begins to breathe like he just ran a marathon.
"Draco?" Harry asks. Draco looks like he'll throw up, or perhaps pass out. "Draco, calm down. Someone?!" He shouts. But there is no one.
He bursts into the court room and sbouts, "Someone help! I think Draco's about to pass out!" A few people rush to help, including Narcissa Malfoy, but they're too late.
Laying there on the ground is Draco Malfoy. They rush towards him and Harry lays a hand on his chest, feeling him breathing softly.
"He's still alive!" Harry informs.
"Let's get him to Saint Mungo's." Narcissa says, holding him up bridal style and carrying him away. Either Narcissa is incredibly strong, or Draco is incredibly skinny. He hopes for Narcissa's strength to be the reason.
He follows closely behind her and they meet outside with the Knight Bus waiting for them. Someone must have called for it.
They step inside and tell the ticket collector to take them to Saint Mungo's at full speed.