Summary: Draco Malfoy stands trial before the Ministry for his crimes as a
Death Eater. His only vote of confidence is a letter from Albus Dumbledore,
who died during the Final Battle. The current headmistress, Ginny Weasley
mistrusts her new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, but Dumbledore
must have known something.
Disclaimer: My name is not J.K. Rowling, I do not own Harry Potter, and am not either Warner Brother.
Crimes Against The Heart
Chapter 17
"Sometimes getting what you want is as simple as reaching out and taking it. Other times you have to work really hard to get it. Still, there are sometimes when you just can't get what you want, no matter how hard you wish for it." -My loving mother-
Draco sat on the cold floor of his small cell. The air stank of death and rot. His left eye was swollen shut and his lip had a small gash across it, courtesy of the Ministry's more rebellious aurors. Although Harry, Ron, and Ginny had tried to make Draco sound as if he was saving their lives, many still blamed him for the death of Derrick Bole, who was being portrayed as a martyr by the press. Even as he sat in Azkaban many were appealing to Minister Weasley to have this particular murderer executed. Even though Harry had said eight hundred years was a likely punishment for double murder, Draco could easily be sent to the Dementors. The terrible part was Draco had still not confessed to the murder of his father, Harry and Ron had agreed it would be helpful during the trial as a surprise tactic. So he sat in Azkaban awaiting trial. This trial would be far more public than the last and far more important. Draco understood Minister Weasley had to appear strong against criminals, but there was no reason to make an example of Draco, as many wanted him to. Another rotten bit of luck was the fact Ernie Macmillian would be prosecuting Draco. Ernie was always out to make a name for himself and there was no love lost between him and Draco since Hogwarts.
Draco was adamant to appeal even though he had already confessed he was guilty. Harry told him how almost every law had a loophole. In Harry's fifth year he had used a Patronus Charm to ward off Dementors attacking him and his cousin and he had not been punished. Although heartening to hear, Draco had not doubted whether the witches and wizards of Britain were more willing to give Harry Potter the benefit of the doubt. Draco knew he would not be so lucky, after all he came from a long line of power-hungry men with few friends. For the first time he discovered how wonderful it was to have friends when you are in trouble. Hermione Granger-Weasley was busy in the library looking through volumes of law books in the hope of finding a solution. Ron Weasley spent his time telling everyone Draco Malfoy was a hero for saving his sister and nephew. Harry Potter had agreed to help Draco by serving as Draco's defense. Most endearing, Ginny had taken time to visit him in the dark depths of Azkaban and bring his daughter as well.
They had decided not to tell anyone about Brangaine's true parentage for several reasons. First of all, he did not want anyone to use his daughter against him by threatening her. Also, the World was still seeking revenge against him and she was an easy target. Draco could not protect her from within the walls of Azkaban. Draco had expressed these fears to Ginny, who had agreed to care for her and protect her with her life. Every day Draco hoped Ginny would bring his daughter to visit, but he also looked forward to seeing Ginny as well. Despite the current circumstance, Draco could not deny the passion between them. Draco vowed no matter what happened he would always love her, but he could not ask her to throw away her life until he knew he would be keeping his own. Even if, Draco managed to appeal his case the risks of being a Malfoy were still dangerous- especially for the daughter of the Minister of Magic. Draco was not sure that the life of high society would accommodate Ginny, who was so opinionated and personal. There were too many things that kept them apart. Ginny loved her career, her son, and her large red-headed family; Draco loved his daughter and his comfortable life. They were like ying and yang, opposites, but meant for each other.
Draco longed for the years he had spent in hiding away from the Wizarding World where things were so simple. Everyday he had worked at a Muggle Medical Treatment Center and return to his flat or go to a pub for a pint. His guilty conscience had forced him to return, but if this was where he knew he would be, he might not have returned. As he sat brooding over his false life, he didn't even hear the footsteps coming down the corridor.
"Visitor Malfoy," a curt voice said. It was the prison warden and auror, he had also been the one to give Draco his swollen eye. Draco looked up hoping to see Brangaine and Ginny, but his hopes were dashed as he saw a hooded man.
"Good evening, Mister Malfoy," a kind voice said. Draco had heard the voice before, but could not match it to a face. Sparkling blue eyes stared at Draco from under the hood and he could see wisps of red hair. It seemed the Minister of Magic, Arthur Weasley had decided to meet with him.
"Hello, Minister Weasley," Draco said carefully. Draco figured this was some sort of test to see if he was innocent or guilty. This was his first trial and Arthur Weasley was the judge.
"I have decided to visit you in Azkaban, do you know any reason why I would visit you?" Arthur Weasley questioned. Draco was taken aback, it seemed obvious why he was here.
"To ask me if I am indeed a murderer," he replied like a sullen teenager. In past occurrences Draco had discovered that no one trusted the youth population. "I am, don't waste your time with silly questions." Draco crossed his arms over his chest and looked away.
"I am not here regarding your case, Mister Malfoy. I am here to ask you what is going on between you and my daughter?" he asked staring at Draco who was still sitting on the floor of his cell. Draco did not know how much he could trust this man. It was hard enough to share things with the woman he loved, but her father as well. "Ginny seems to care for you, she has begged me special clemency in your case. I need to know if you truly deserve her- I mean it." Draco recognized the edge to his voice, this man wanted the truth.
"I can't ask her anything until this trial is over. Yes, I have feelings for her, but I can not admit these feelings until I know where my life is going. But know, no matter what, I love her," Draco said simply. There was no other thing to be said.
"Ever since my eldest son was born I have wanted nothing more than for my children to be happy. When my son and wife died I thought I had lost the ability to be happy, until I saw how happy being with my family and loved ones made me. You, Draco, make Ginny happy. Now, as the Minister of Magic I am allowed to grant pardons, but releasing an admitted murderer is not the wisest political choice. Also, tongues would talk," he added briefly. Draco knew Arthur Weasley could set him free, but then of course it would be assumed some sort of scandal was the only reason Draco was a free man. Draco was not sure how to respond to him.
"I love Ginny-" he began. Arthur cut him off shaking his head slightly.
"I know, otherwise you would not be here taking the blame for her son's actions. You are not a murderer, Draco. You are saving one of my grandchildren," Arthur said with a small smile. Draco could not believe what the man on the other side of the bars was saying.
"I am still a murderer. I killed my own father and-"
"So did my grandson," the Minister finished for him. The men sat in awkward silence. "Atonement is a powerful thing, Draco. I will not let you hang for my family Draco. Albus Dumbledore trusted you and so do I." With those words Draco was left in the darkness once again.
Trust, Draco decided was a funny thing.
A/N: Once again I'd like to give a big thank-you to those who reviewed. Updates are coming slow, but my boyfriend is a real attention hog. Its our one-month today, but he was being a jerk so I decided to do a little writing, you know. All right thanks for reading, this will be DRACO/GINNY, if Draco gets out. If not the sequel will follow his daughter through life without a father. I'm not sure how long this story will be, but its way longer than I ever thought. Please drop me a review, Thanks KTBallerina.
Disclaimer: My name is not J.K. Rowling, I do not own Harry Potter, and am not either Warner Brother.
Crimes Against The Heart
Chapter 17
"Sometimes getting what you want is as simple as reaching out and taking it. Other times you have to work really hard to get it. Still, there are sometimes when you just can't get what you want, no matter how hard you wish for it." -My loving mother-
Draco sat on the cold floor of his small cell. The air stank of death and rot. His left eye was swollen shut and his lip had a small gash across it, courtesy of the Ministry's more rebellious aurors. Although Harry, Ron, and Ginny had tried to make Draco sound as if he was saving their lives, many still blamed him for the death of Derrick Bole, who was being portrayed as a martyr by the press. Even as he sat in Azkaban many were appealing to Minister Weasley to have this particular murderer executed. Even though Harry had said eight hundred years was a likely punishment for double murder, Draco could easily be sent to the Dementors. The terrible part was Draco had still not confessed to the murder of his father, Harry and Ron had agreed it would be helpful during the trial as a surprise tactic. So he sat in Azkaban awaiting trial. This trial would be far more public than the last and far more important. Draco understood Minister Weasley had to appear strong against criminals, but there was no reason to make an example of Draco, as many wanted him to. Another rotten bit of luck was the fact Ernie Macmillian would be prosecuting Draco. Ernie was always out to make a name for himself and there was no love lost between him and Draco since Hogwarts.
Draco was adamant to appeal even though he had already confessed he was guilty. Harry told him how almost every law had a loophole. In Harry's fifth year he had used a Patronus Charm to ward off Dementors attacking him and his cousin and he had not been punished. Although heartening to hear, Draco had not doubted whether the witches and wizards of Britain were more willing to give Harry Potter the benefit of the doubt. Draco knew he would not be so lucky, after all he came from a long line of power-hungry men with few friends. For the first time he discovered how wonderful it was to have friends when you are in trouble. Hermione Granger-Weasley was busy in the library looking through volumes of law books in the hope of finding a solution. Ron Weasley spent his time telling everyone Draco Malfoy was a hero for saving his sister and nephew. Harry Potter had agreed to help Draco by serving as Draco's defense. Most endearing, Ginny had taken time to visit him in the dark depths of Azkaban and bring his daughter as well.
They had decided not to tell anyone about Brangaine's true parentage for several reasons. First of all, he did not want anyone to use his daughter against him by threatening her. Also, the World was still seeking revenge against him and she was an easy target. Draco could not protect her from within the walls of Azkaban. Draco had expressed these fears to Ginny, who had agreed to care for her and protect her with her life. Every day Draco hoped Ginny would bring his daughter to visit, but he also looked forward to seeing Ginny as well. Despite the current circumstance, Draco could not deny the passion between them. Draco vowed no matter what happened he would always love her, but he could not ask her to throw away her life until he knew he would be keeping his own. Even if, Draco managed to appeal his case the risks of being a Malfoy were still dangerous- especially for the daughter of the Minister of Magic. Draco was not sure that the life of high society would accommodate Ginny, who was so opinionated and personal. There were too many things that kept them apart. Ginny loved her career, her son, and her large red-headed family; Draco loved his daughter and his comfortable life. They were like ying and yang, opposites, but meant for each other.
Draco longed for the years he had spent in hiding away from the Wizarding World where things were so simple. Everyday he had worked at a Muggle Medical Treatment Center and return to his flat or go to a pub for a pint. His guilty conscience had forced him to return, but if this was where he knew he would be, he might not have returned. As he sat brooding over his false life, he didn't even hear the footsteps coming down the corridor.
"Visitor Malfoy," a curt voice said. It was the prison warden and auror, he had also been the one to give Draco his swollen eye. Draco looked up hoping to see Brangaine and Ginny, but his hopes were dashed as he saw a hooded man.
"Good evening, Mister Malfoy," a kind voice said. Draco had heard the voice before, but could not match it to a face. Sparkling blue eyes stared at Draco from under the hood and he could see wisps of red hair. It seemed the Minister of Magic, Arthur Weasley had decided to meet with him.
"Hello, Minister Weasley," Draco said carefully. Draco figured this was some sort of test to see if he was innocent or guilty. This was his first trial and Arthur Weasley was the judge.
"I have decided to visit you in Azkaban, do you know any reason why I would visit you?" Arthur Weasley questioned. Draco was taken aback, it seemed obvious why he was here.
"To ask me if I am indeed a murderer," he replied like a sullen teenager. In past occurrences Draco had discovered that no one trusted the youth population. "I am, don't waste your time with silly questions." Draco crossed his arms over his chest and looked away.
"I am not here regarding your case, Mister Malfoy. I am here to ask you what is going on between you and my daughter?" he asked staring at Draco who was still sitting on the floor of his cell. Draco did not know how much he could trust this man. It was hard enough to share things with the woman he loved, but her father as well. "Ginny seems to care for you, she has begged me special clemency in your case. I need to know if you truly deserve her- I mean it." Draco recognized the edge to his voice, this man wanted the truth.
"I can't ask her anything until this trial is over. Yes, I have feelings for her, but I can not admit these feelings until I know where my life is going. But know, no matter what, I love her," Draco said simply. There was no other thing to be said.
"Ever since my eldest son was born I have wanted nothing more than for my children to be happy. When my son and wife died I thought I had lost the ability to be happy, until I saw how happy being with my family and loved ones made me. You, Draco, make Ginny happy. Now, as the Minister of Magic I am allowed to grant pardons, but releasing an admitted murderer is not the wisest political choice. Also, tongues would talk," he added briefly. Draco knew Arthur Weasley could set him free, but then of course it would be assumed some sort of scandal was the only reason Draco was a free man. Draco was not sure how to respond to him.
"I love Ginny-" he began. Arthur cut him off shaking his head slightly.
"I know, otherwise you would not be here taking the blame for her son's actions. You are not a murderer, Draco. You are saving one of my grandchildren," Arthur said with a small smile. Draco could not believe what the man on the other side of the bars was saying.
"I am still a murderer. I killed my own father and-"
"So did my grandson," the Minister finished for him. The men sat in awkward silence. "Atonement is a powerful thing, Draco. I will not let you hang for my family Draco. Albus Dumbledore trusted you and so do I." With those words Draco was left in the darkness once again.
Trust, Draco decided was a funny thing.
A/N: Once again I'd like to give a big thank-you to those who reviewed. Updates are coming slow, but my boyfriend is a real attention hog. Its our one-month today, but he was being a jerk so I decided to do a little writing, you know. All right thanks for reading, this will be DRACO/GINNY, if Draco gets out. If not the sequel will follow his daughter through life without a father. I'm not sure how long this story will be, but its way longer than I ever thought. Please drop me a review, Thanks KTBallerina.