Merlin! A Malfoy and A Weasley, how did that happen?
She looked up at him and recognised the haunted look of someone reliving their horrors. Nineteen years later and their scars had mostly healed, but they ran deep. Ginny instinctively wrapped her hand around Draco's left arm, clutching at the faded scar of the symbol that had terrorised both of their youth. Draco looked down at her, and pressed his lips against hers. They lost themselves in each other, as they had many times over the last nineteen years.
When they separated, Ginny stepped away from her husband and gave him the time to remember.
Chapter 3: Malfoy's Guilt
3rd May 1998
Draco was sitting in the dungeons at Hogwarts, even though it was May he felt bitterly cold. He was separated from his mother and father, both of whom were also held in cells. He felt so uncertain of his place now, after Voldemort's defeat. Draco was haunted by the last year of his life. Over the last year, Draco had shared his childhood home with none other than Voldemort. After both Draco and his father, Lucius, had failed their tasks, Voldemort decided to use their home as punishment as his new base. Draco had also lived with his aunt, who was insane, Bellatrix and Voldemort's prisoners.
Draco looked down at his left arm and felt revolted by what he saw. The Dark Mark was glaring at him, its fading blackness standing out against the paleness of his skin. Draco, ultimately, knew he was a coward. Like his father, Draco had succumbed to fear for Voldemort and followed the orders of his father and Voldemort. Like his father, Draco once had pride in the Malfoy name and would do whatever he could to keep the Malfoy family in a strong social position.
Draco felt numb yet sick to his stomach about everything his actions and the side of the war his family chose to be on. Draco could feel the guilt beginning to eat him up from the insides. For a second, he wished he was in Azkaban, where he could at least blame his feelings on the dementors and feel like he was being punished for his actions. Here, he could just punish himself for the pain inflicted upon his classmates, upon good people like Potter, Granger and Weasley. When he thought of Weasley, he remembered her brown eyes, staring at him, as he was being transferred, he felt slightly warm thinking of her. Draco cursed himself, he should be relishing in his guilt, not thinking about a woman's eyes.
Instead, Draco closed his eyes and lay down on the stone, cold bench he was sitting on. He hoped he was exhausted enough to get some sleep that wasn't plagued by nightmares. He couldn't have been asleep long when a scraping sound jerked him awake. He looked around and realised it was just someone opening the dungeon doors. It must be another one of the Aurors, he wondered if they were bringing food. He was so hungry he'd eat anything now; he didn't care what it was.
"MALFOY", the Auror called into the dungeons, startling Draco once again. "Lucius, Narcissa and Draco Malfoy, you are each required to submit your initial testimony of the Second Wizarding War before the Acting Minister for Magic tomorrow at 9:30 am. You will be transferred to the Ministry of Magic holding cells immediately, following your testimony you will either be released or await trial in the Ministry holding cells.
Three more Aurors walked into the dungeons, each of them tasked with the transfer of one of the Malfoy's. Draco, his father, and his mother all followed the Aurors with no complaint and were transferred via side-along apparition to the Ministry holding cells. Draco walked into the holding cells in the Ministry of Magic, it was smaller than the cell in Hogwarts, but thankfully this one had a proper bed rather than a stone bench and appeared to be a bit warmer.
Once Draco was locked in his cell, he looked over and saw his mother had been placed opposite him. Draco smiled and was grateful he could see his mother. Narcissa, for all her faults, had always put Draco first and Draco was appreciative of her mothering nature when he grew up amongst the harsh expectations from his father. Narcissa had wavered since her sister, Bellatrix, had escaped Azkaban and it was then that Draco realised his mother didn't believe in Voldemort and his cause, she went along with it because her husband, and later her son, were involved and she felt she had to be supportive to keep them safe and to uphold the honour of a Malfoy wife.
Not for the first time in his life, Draco suddenly felt revolted at his family name, their social-climbing strategies and focus on blood status. Draco vowed at this moment to end the Malfoy bloodline with him so no one else could be subjected to the tortuous expectations of being a Malfoy. Part of Draco doubted he would be able to uphold the vow, but it did something to lessen his guilt at that moment.
"Draco, Draco, Draco." He kept hearing his name being whispered, and he soon realised it was his father. Lucius spoke in a harsh and panicked whisper "Draco, when you talk to the Minister, be careful what you say. We have a reputation to uphold."
Draco scoffed "Father, we are imprisoned for our role in the war. Any respectable friends that might have once cared about our surname are either dead or also imprisoned. We have no reputation."
"Draco," a softer voice spoke this time, a softer yet more commanding tone than his father. "Draco, your father is right, we have to redeem our name. My saving of Harry did something to help but it might not be enough."
This time Draco felt disgusted that his mother would side with his father, after everything they had been through over the last year, Draco felt his mother would have switched sides. Maybe she was more disillusioned than he thought.
Draco ignored his mother's comment and instead considered how he would say to the Minister. Draco knew he had the Dark Mark and that was easily explained. It was the truth that Draco had been forced to take the Dark Mark after his father failed to retrieve Potter's prophecy from the Department of Mysteries that had led to Voldemort's public return being a lot earlier than planned.
Beyond that Draco felt he couldn't explain away any of his other actions, he had chosen to follow through. He had chosen to continue his father's past. Had he chosen or was it out of fear? As a child could he have made that decision? Draco felt the guilt start to spread through his body again, eating at every part of him. He had acted, he was responsible, how could he even think to explain it away.
At some point, his thoughts faded away, and he drifted into a slumber. When he woke up the next morning, Draco felt more certain than ever that he would be honest in his testimony to the Minister, he would share his experience and accept whatever punishment he deserved for his actions. He did deserve it, after all, he was guilty.
At 9:25 am, an Auror arrived to make an announcement "The Minister for Magic has decided to interview you separately, he feels it would be most prudent to do so to avoid any inaccuracies and justifications. Mr Draco Malfoy, you will accompany me first, followed by Mrs Narcissa Malfoy and then finally Mr Lucius Malfoy."
"This is absurd –" Lucius began before the Auror silenced him with a silencing charm. Draco's lips twitched in humour at the look of his silenced rather trying still to argue his point. Father just cannot lose control of a situation that might demolish the Malfoy name, Draco thought smugly.
Draco had hardly clocked where he was being taken until the Auror stopped abruptly outside the Minister's office. "Mr Draco Malfoy here to see Minister Shacklebolt."
Draco was surprised for a second before he realised that obviously, Thicknesse hadn't been able to continue as Minister for Magic following his most recent actions.
"Enter" A stern voice replied and the door swung open. Draco entered and quickly used his Occlumency skills to control his emotions. Kingsley Shacklebolt, the new Minister for Magic, extended his hand towards Draco, Draco accepted it out of respect. Mr Shacklebolt began to say "Mr Malfoy, I'm pleased you have agreed to speak with me and share your story. I expect you will be honest during our conversation this morning, should you have a trial anything you say here may be used as evidence. Before we start, could you state your name, date of birth and address?"
"Draco Lucius Malfoy, 5th June 1980, and Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire"
"Thank you, Mr Malfoy, I'm aware you are a known Death Eater and have been branded with the Dark Mark on your left arm, is that correct?"
Draco nodded his head and pulled up his sleeve to show the Minister his arm.
"Right, Mr Malfoy, could you tell us when and how you received the Dark Mark?"
"It was the summer between my 5th and 6th years at Hogwarts. Father had recently been imprisoned in Azkaban for his role in the Department of Mysteries battle. The Dark Lord was disappointed with my father and insisted that I take his place. Originally, I felt honoured to have been given a mission, I felt it was something that separated me from my fellow Slytherin's and made me better than them. As the year dragged on, I realised my task was impossible, how could I murder Albus Dumbledore? I realised quickly, the Dark Lord hadn't chosen me for this task out of respect for my family, it was punishment for my father's failures and if I failed, I knew our punishment would be much worse, the safety of my family rested on my shoulders. Minister, I'm not proud of my actions but I will be honest about them as a Death Eater I have committed crimes and put innocent people at risk. After Dumbledore was successfully killed my father was released from Azkaban, yet our reputation with the Dark Lord was still in a state of disrepair. As we had lost some of our influence, the Dark Lord tasked me with less and those I did complete I did so reluctantly."
Draco paused and released he'd shared far more about his experience than he had been asked to. He immediately regretted his words and broke eye contact with the Minister.
"Mr Malfoy, thank you for sharing that information. It is helpful and as far as I can tell that was an honest recount of your experience. I do have a couple more questions for you. Mr Malfoy have you used any of the Unforgiveable Curses?"
"Yes, Minister, the Imperious Curse and the Cruciatus Curse. In my sixth year, I used the Imperious curse on Madam Rosmerta as I attempted to fulfil the Dark Lord's task for me to murder Albus Dumbledore. In my seventh year at Hogwarts, Death Eaters Amycus and Alecto Carrow oversaw the Dark Arts lessons, and, on many occasions, they forced me to use Cruciatus curse on younger students for their punishments. Voldemort himself, forced me to use the Cruciatus curse on Death Eater Rowle as punishment for his failure to capture Potter."
"Thank you, Mr Malfoy. My next question is "What was your role in the Battle of Hogwarts?"
"Once the protections over Hogwarts had been destroyed, I apparated into the castle and found two friends of mine Crabbe and Goyle. I must admit at this point I was determined to redeem my family's name in the eyes of Voldemort, so when I saw Harry Potter enter the Room of Requirement, I, along with Crabbe and Goyle, followed Potter intending to capture him and take him to the Dark Lord. Crabbe attempted to kill Potter with Fiendfyre, however, he couldn't control it and set the whole room ablaze. Potter, Weasley and Granger saved my life twice at the Battle of Hogwarts, once when I needed to escape that room and a second time in front of a Death Eater who didn't believe which side I was on. I owe them my life and I am grateful they had the decency to save me after my actions towards them."
"Thank you, once again for your honesty, Mr Malfoy. Now I must ask you, what is your perspective now?"
"Erm…Minister… I'm not sure I understand" Draco confessed. The Minister looked at him kindly and responded
"Mr Malfoy, I'm merely asking your thoughts and opinions related to the war."
"Well, I have been raised to believe that because I have a pure-blood lineage I am superior to my fellow wizards and witches. This, combined with my family's wealth and social standing, I think gave me a very conceited and narrow-minded view of the magical world. Honestly, I believe I was disillusioned about the Death Eater lifestyle and at the end of the war, I was unsure which side I belonged to. Minister, you were at that final battle, surely you remember my reluctance to re-join the Death Eaters when both mother and father were summoning me. I did so out of a sense of duty, but by this point, I had no idea what I was supposedly fighting for or what I believe. Three people on the opposing side of the war saved my life, twice, out of choice. I hold a deep regret for joining the Death Eaters and the vile deeds I had to perform. Minister, I would like a second chance to prove myself and demonstrate that I can move away from my family's bigotry."
"Mr Malfoy, I thank you for your honest testimony. As you were just a child, you could not have acted of your own accord when you joined the Death Eaters and thus would have been coerced and blackmailed into taking part in this role. From your testimony today, you have shared how your beliefs and opinions have changed in your early adult life. I hereby declare that you are cleared of all charges and will not be facing trial for your actions over the last 24 months. Unfortunately, Mr Malfoy, your actions must be punished in some way and the following are the terms. For one month, you are required to only leave your house, Malfoy Manor, to contribute to the rebuilding of Hogwarts. Over this month, I expect you to contribute to a minimum of 100 hours to help the rebuilding effort. You must then return to Hogwarts to complete your seventh year and undertake your NEWTs. If these terms are broken, you may have to face trial in front of the Wizengamot. Mr Malfoy, do you accept these terms?"
Draco looked at the Minister, he was stunned. Draco had shared his testimony and admitted to his crimes and all the Minister wanted him to do was help rebuild Hogwarts and go back to school. Draco didn't feel like he was being punished for his actions and felt the guilt spreading throughout his body again. For a second, he pondered, maybe the war had changed him.
"But Minister, my actions… my crimes are not being punished." Draco berated himself, as he let his weakness and guilt show.
"Mr Malfoy, you have shown courage standing before me today sharing your story, more than many others I have seen. It has been a privilege to hear you share so openly and honestly what has happened to you. It is, of my opinion, that your role in the war was greatly influenced by the adults in your life, those that should have known better." Kingsley's voice softened before he continued "Draco, many more experienced witches and wizards have succumbed to Voldemort's wishes out of fear for their family, you are not unlike them. The main difference being of course that you were a child when you were coerced into taking the Dark Mark. The pride you felt initially quickly waned after you realised your task was a punishment rather than an honour and that sewed the doubt that has grown in you throughout the war. Your actions have shown that you are one of the only Death Eaters capable of real love, the love you felt for your parents being the reason you have taken part in any of these actions. I have no desire to punish you, any further than I'm sure you are already punishing yourself. So, I ask you once more, Mr Malfoy, do you accept these terms?"
"Yes, Minister, I accept the terms. Thank you."
"Farewell, Mr Malfoy"
"Minister" Draco nodded before leaving the Minister's Office. He was ushered by the Auror to the Department for Magical Law Enforcement where his wand was returned to him, and he was escorted back to Malfoy Manor.
Draco felt numb as he looked up at Malfoy Manor. It had been the home of the Malfoy family for 10 consecutive centuries, each generation lived here with pride, wealth, and good social standing. Draco stared at the curving high hedge that ran off into the distance and the obtrusive, yet impressive, wrought-iron gates. He looked up and saw the pure-white peacocks sitting majestically on top of the hedge. Draco gave a small smile and thought, at least some things don't change.
Draco saluted to the gate as he had since he was a child and passed through with ease. He saw the trees and the acres of gardens and felt at ease seeing the grounds of the manor so peaceful. Having been at Hogwarts or imprisoned inside the manor for the last year, he had had little opportunity to appreciate the grounds. Draco asserted to himself that he would spend more time out here and try and deal with some of that guilt.
Draco walked up to the front doors, and they swung open before him. The Entrance Hall still looked the same, it was dimly lit and extravagant. He noted the carpet he loathed, his mother loved, still covered the stone floor. His many relatives still adorned the walls in their portraits, many of whom had been silent whilst Voldemort was here now spoke to him and welcome him home. He could feel their eyes on him as he moved to carry on through the rest of the house.
Draco looked to his left and noticed the door to the Drawing Room. The last time he had been in here was the Skirmish at Malfoy Manor when Potter, Weasley and Granger escaped with their Ollivander, Griphook, Luna and Dobby. Draco was reluctant to push open the doors to the grand drawing-room. He placed his hand on the cold hardwood and was about to push the door when his guilt got the better of him. Draco couldn't face that room today, not the room where he'd been involved in so many Death Eater meetings activities and witnessed Granger be tortured by Bellatrix. That could wait, Draco thought, for another day.
Instead, he swiftly turned from the Drawing Room and walked towards the staircase. He climbed up the elegant staircase, which was bathed in an emerald, green carpet, that reflected the Malfoy's favoured house – Slytherin. His feet carried him to the only place, he still felt safe in this house – although it was empty of Death Eaters and Voldemort currently – his bedroom. Draco reached the door and pushed it open to his room. His room had always been a contrast to the rest of the house, where the house was mostly extravagantly decorated and dimly lit, Draco's room was light and more reasonable. Well, reasonable for a Malfoy.
Draco's bedroom walls were also an emerald green, his floor was a dark wood. The room was always well lit from the huge bay windows that overlooked the grounds and the fountain. One side of his room was decorated with posters of his favourite Quidditch team, which had always been Puddlemere United. On the other side of his room, Draco had shelves and shelves of books, there were enough books in here to cause envy in Granger, Draco smirked at the thought. He grabbed one of his books from the shelf, 'He Flew Like a Madman' by Kennilworthy Whisp. Draco cast a cushioning spell and settled down on the windowsill overlooking the grounds, although he had read the book many times before he quickly became engrossed and distracted from his woes.
Draco was unsure how long he'd been sitting there when he heard the front door swing open again. It could have been anyone, Draco had yet to adjust the wards so they still would permit any Death Eater access to Malfoy Manor. He walked downstairs; he had his wand drawn in case of an unwanted intruder. As Draco reached the bottom of the staircase, he sighed with relief. His mother had returned, her cloak was hanging up in the hall.
Draco noticed the Drawing Room door remained closed so he assumed his mother would have gone into the kitchen. Malfoy Manor had had a kitchen on the ground floor since Potter had freed Dobby back in Draco's second year. They had been unable to secure a house-elf and therefore his mother didn't want to keep climbing the stairs every time they wanted something. Draco pushed open the door to the kitchen, which was hidden behind the staircase as not to detract from the grandeur of the reception rooms. As he walked in, he saw his mother sitting there, head in hands, with a bottle of Firewhisky in front of her and a tumbler that was drained and quickly refilled.
"Mother, what are you doing?" Draco inquired.
"Oh, Draco darling, I'm so pleased to see you. The Minister didn't inform me of your fate, and I was so concerned."
"Mother, where's Father?"
"Your father is currently being held at the Ministry; he will be awaiting trial for his war crimes. The ministry is not looking as kindly on him as they are on us. However, they have spared the two of us and we have an opportunity to repair the Malfoy name." Draco grimaced at her comment, he had no desire to repair their name. All he felt was ashamed, for them and their actions, they deserved their disdainful reputation.
"Mother, why have you been spared? The Minister let me off as I was a child when I took the Dark Mark."
Narcissa sighed then and explained "When the Dark Lord tried to kill Harry Potter for a second time, I volunteered to check if he was alive. I was astounded to find that Harry had not been killed and used this moment to enquire about your life. Harry confirmed you were indeed still alive, so I temporarily stunned him and told the Dark Lord he was dead. Mr Potter was quite insistent my actions changed the tide of the war and without them, the Dark Lord would have been unable to be defeated. For that, he is willing to testify to my change of heart."
Draco was shocked his mother had done this but then he remembered that Malfoy's were far more loyal to each other than that the Dark Lord. His mother risked herself out of loyalty to her son and had Potter not saved him, there might have been a different outcome.
"However," Narcissa continued "Your father's outcome is very different to ours, we need to be prepared for the worst and ready to face any backlash. Your father is certain, he will be able to evade Azkaban through tales of blackmail and threatening behaviour from the Dark Lord. He is intending to pin most of the blame on Bellatrix because we were upstanding members of society before Bella escaped from Azkaban. I'm not so sure this will be effective. In the meantime, we need to consider how we can redeem ourselves to shed a positive light on your father. Financially, we do have the galleons to donate a sizeable amount to the recovery fund, there's not much else we can do on house arrest I'm afraid."
"Mother?" Draco queried.
"Oh yes, I didn't explain, I have been placed on house arrest for three months as punishment for my actions. I presume you had the same terms?"
"No, well sort of, for one month I'm only able to leave the house to help rebuild Hogwarts. The Minister is expecting 100 hours of work to support the rebuilding effort. Then, I am to return to Hogwarts when it reopens to complete my seventh year and undertake my NEWTs."
"Oh Draco, that is exceptional. You must have been very eloquent in your explanation to receive such favour. Those actions will definitively help to repair the Malfoy name."
"Mother, do you not understand? This is not to repair the Malfoy name; I don't care about our name or reputation anymore. This is punishment for my actions, this is an opportunity for me to demonstrate that I have changed and deserve an opportunity in this new landscape." Draco snapped at his mother.
"Draco, you will do well to remember the privilege of the Malfoy name and respect what it means. You will soon be taking that name forward and you will need to respect the past and honour traditions." Narcissa calmly replied, but her eyes sternly told Draco that enough is enough.
Draco ignored the look, he looked exasperated with his mother and tried once more to explain his point of view. Draco knew he had to be tactful and not completely disregard the Malfoy name. Malfoys innately were proud people and due to their wealth had always had a lot of influence. Naturally, his mother had experienced this her whole life, it would be tricky to change her mind.
"Mother, our past and traditions have lowered our reputation to its current level. Neither the ministry nor the current climate will favour pure-blooded families, it would be ignorant and unsophisticated of us to brandish our wealth or previous status in hopes to repair the Malfoy name. Instead, Mother, we must be humble, we need to acknowledge and accept our mistakes and show a willingness to be more open-minded and accepting in society."
"Oh Draco," his mother exclaimed, "I knew you always had the family's best interests at heart."
Present Day
Draco walked back to the library, expecting to find his wife back by the fireplace. Instead, he noticed she was gone, he was puzzled for a moment before he remembered, she must have gone to collect the children from the Prep. One quick glance at their clock, which was enchanted like the clock Mrs Weasley had for her own family, confirmed his suspicions, Ginny, Astria and Draco were "travelling."
He still felt the scars of the war, they were less raw now but still haunted him from time to time. He settled down in the library, rolled his shirt-sleeves up which revealed the faded, slightly pink Dark Mark that still scarred his skin. Draco waited patiently for the best possible thing to come out of that war to come home: his beautiful wife, Ginvera. Orion's letter had reminded Draco how lucky he was, Draco was more aware than anyone that if it hadn't been for the war he would never have been able to marry a Weasley...