Disclaimer: Nope I still don't own Harry Potter
A/N: Hehehehehe I know I'm evil. I would like to thank you all for patiently awaiting this update. Well, since everyone pleaded with me (some a few threatened to hurt me lol) I am posting the next chapter now. I hope no one went crazy while waiting for it, and that you all like this chapter. A big thank you to everyone who reviewed!
cute lil girl – lol you don't sound like a loser at all. I'm glad that you want to read this chapter so much! Thanks for the review!
CB – lol it's so much fun to torture everyone with cliffhangers, I just can't help myself! Thanks for the review!
unknown, I wish your heart was mine, Fire Angel, Twistedtwin, Sunflower18, zuvalupa, Chantal J, Melia – Thanks for the reviews! Hope you like this chapters!
jesska-14 – lol yup, you were right applause! Your new theory is wonderful as well . . . . I never really bought all that 'happily ever after' stuff myself . . . . . ;o)
Sayaku-chan – looks warily at the insane laughter lol thank you so much! I'm so happy to hear that you liked it, and I hope you like this chapter too!
dark girl – thank you very much, I'm flattered that you feel my fic is one of the few worthy enough to be praised. I hope you like this chapter (although it's not the last one ;o) )
scorpiogrrll – until you mentioned it I never thought that it looked like it was turning into a RW/HG and DM/PP fic, although after I read your review, I thought about it and now I see your point. However I can absolutely assure you that this is still a DM/HG fic (and after this chapter I think you'll see why.) Anyway, thanks for the review!
anIme-prYncess – this chapter will give you an idea of what happens to Pansy, so I'll let you read it rather than tell you. Thanks for the review!
Buck-A-Beak – I know I hate it when writers just stop in the middle of an awesome story, so that you never know the end. But no worries, I have spent way too much time and energy on this fic to quit now, especially when I think the end is finally in sight. Thanks for the review!
Anonymous-139 – lol just b r e a t h e hehehe. Thanks for the review, and I hope the update came quick enough!
Dumdumditz23 – heheheh evil me. I admit I did wait to update until I read the entire review lol I hope the update came fast enough for you anyway, and thank you for the review!
Lee – yes, yes I did have to do it. This chapter will show a bit how Hermione feels about everything, so I hope you like it, and thanks for the review!
elektra30 – thank you very much :o) I actually debated for quite a while ending the chapter at the Expecto Patronum part, but in the end, decided on this way instead. I'm glad you like the suspense it created. I hope you like this chapter too, and as always, thanks for the review!
Now, for your reading pleasure . . . .chapter 22!
Chapter 22: Grief and Forgiveness
"Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought!" exclaimed the Minister. "Harry Potter? In league with You-Know-Who! This is a complete outrage!"
"Sir, I'm not . . ." interrupted Harry, attempting to explain their actions.
"QUIET!" roared the Minister, his face reddening. His eyes were narrowed and his fists her balled in rage, he looked like he was about to explode.
"If I may," interjected Dumbledore calmly, stepping up beside the Minister. The Minister sputtered wildly in protest, but he was not about to argue with Dumbledore. "Now," continued Dumbledore sternly addressing his students, "someone please explain what you are all doing here."
Harry opened his mouth to explain but the disappointment in Dumbledore's eyes and the tone of his voice brought a lump to his throat that rendered him unable to speak. Dumbledore gazed at him expectantly, the usual twinkle gone from his light blue eyes; instead, they seemed to be dimmed with sadness.
"Please sir, there's been a mistake," interrupted Hermione desperately. She paused as all eyes turned to her. "We've all made a mistake," she said quietly, her eyes turning towards the ground.
Dumbledore sighed, "Miss Granger, I understand that you may feel regretful about this situation, but there is nothing that can be done. You testified the truth, and the Ministry has made its decision." Dumbledore paused and viewed his students solemnly noticing for the first time that Pansy was there. He frowned slightly, wondering why she was with a group of Gryffindors, but he didn't concern himself with that matter right then. "Now, all of you will wait outside and we shall all return to the school once the ceremony is complete."
A group of witches and wizards from the Ministry attempted to escort the students out of the room, but Pansy and Ron were the only one's who did not protest.
"No!" shouted Hermione furiously "Draco was telling the truth! He's innocent!"
All struggling stopped and the Ministry witches and wizards, the Minister and Dumbledore all stared at her shocked.
"Preposterous!" exclaimed the Minister, "you yourself testified that he was lying Miss! Do you now mean to tell us that it was you who was lying under oath? That is a very serious crime Miss, as I'm sure you are aware."
"No! I was not lying!" cried Hermione.
"Well please explain to me what's going on. You each have conflicting stories, and now you claim that neither of you are lying, how can that possibly be the case?" challenged the Minister with disbelief clear in his tone.
Hermione took some deep breaths, willing herself not to break down, "Because," she closed her eyes and took a deep relaxing breath, feeling much braver now that they were listening, "Ithought he was lying, and that I was telling the truth, but this morning I found out that I was wrong."
"Miss Granger," Dumbledore said in a heavy and regretful voice, "I understand that given your past . . . relations, with Mr. Malfoy that it is painful to stand by whilst he goes through this, but one cannot change the truth, no matter how difficult it is to accept."
Hermione stared at Dumbledore astounded and hurt that he could possibly think that she was lying. As the Ministry officials again attempted to remove the students from the room, Hermione struggled and shouted "NO!"
The witch who was removing Pansy left her alone and attempted to help subdue Hermione. "DRACO!" shouted Hermione desperately, kicking and struggling against the adults. The rest of the students were struggling, but even they were surprised at how violently Hermione was protesting being led away. The officials had gotten the group to the door when a small quiet voice finally spoke up.
"She's telling the truth."
Everyone stopped moving and turned to the voice. Pansy stood in the middle of the room, forgotten and alone with her head to the floor.
"Miss Parkinson, explain yourself," demanded Dumbledore firmly.
If she hadn't spoken, no one would have been able to tell whether or not she had heard Dumbledore. Her face remained directed at the floor, her hair hanging down, preventing anyone from seeing her face. Her shoulders were hunched and limp, and she had lost all air of pride and haughtiness. "Granger is telling the truth. Draco was under the imperius curse the entire time. I know, I was there when the Dark Lord put the curse on him."
"Impossible!" objected the Minister, "That would mean that you would have to be a Death Eater!"
At first Pansy made no response other than to suck in a quick breath of air. Then after a moment she looked longingly at Draco's seemingly lifeless body, and then she moved her right hand to the left sleeve of her robes. She exhaled slowly and lifted the sleeve to reveal a blood red Dark Mark. There were a few stunned cries among the Ministry officials, but most just gasped and stared. Once reality hit, the Minister ordered "seize her!" and two Ministry wizards rushed forward and grabbed Pansy by the arms. One reached into the pocket of her robes and confiscated her wand, and handed it to the Minister.
Pansy made absolutely no protest or struggle, and it was only then that some realized that she was silently crying.
"Incarcerous!" Thick ropes snaked their way around Pansy's body preventing her from moving in case she changed her mind and decided to fight back. The Ministry wizards backed away as Dumbledore approached. His tone was angry and demanding, much unlike the way he normally spoke, "Miss Parkinson, if you wish to have any hope of saving yourself and or Mr. Malfoy from very terrible fates, then I suggest you tell us everything you know about this."
Pansy had by now stopped crying, her eyes were bloodshot, and her face was devoid of any emotion. She had the haunting look of death about her, as if her soul had died right in front of them. Everyone leaned in, listening intently, eager to hear her story.
"It all started this summer when the Dark Lord broke Lucius out of St Mungo's. They were both furious at Draco for refusing to join the Death Eaters, and Lucius wanted revenge on the mudblood for corrupting Draco and helping him escape his fate. Together, the Dark Lord and Lucius developed a plan to make them both pay. That's when I was invited to join, I was ecstatic about being invited early, at that point I didn't know that Draco had refused. I felt so betrayed when I was initiated and discovered that he had been too cowardly to join, I wanted him to pay for all the times he had hurt me, and I wanted the mudblood to pay for stealing him away!" Pansy's eyes momentarily locked with Hermione's, sending a cold chill down her spine.
"I was initiated at the end of August, right before school started. And I wasn't the only one, the Dark Lord also recruited Crabbe, Goyle, and Zabini early, we were all to be part of the plan because we were Draco's friends."
"It wasn't easy acting as if everything was normal between us, because we all felt betrayed by him. But Blaise had the hardest job, he told Draco that I was a Death Eater, and that he was expected to join on New Year's but he didn't want to. He told Draco that we knew he had escaped, and Blaise asked Draco to help him escape as well. Draco agreed because he trusted Blaise."
"So Blaise lured Draco to a meeting and the Dark Lord put the curse on him. As far as I had been told, that was where the plan ended. Draco was supposed to come to his senses so the curse could be removed. But the stubborn bastard never listened to reason, so the curse was never lifted. Yet the Dark Lord went ahead with the rest of Lucius' plan anyway. Lucius still hadn't gotten his revenge on her!" Pansy paused and lifted her head, this time locking her eyes with Hermione's and keeping them there. The look of pure venom and hatred that Pansy gave her caused Hermione to cringe and defiantly hold her breath.
Pansy continued, never breaking eye contact with Hermione, not even to blink. "The Dark Lord forced Draco to bring Granger to him during a gathering of the Death Eaters. That was when the Dark Lord finally gave Draco the Mark. Everything was going according to plan. But then Lucius tortured the mudblood one last time before she was to die. Draco finally snapped out of the curse when Lucius crucioed Granger. That was why Draco killed him. Then Dumbledore, Potter and Weasley showed up and Draco didn't have the common sense to apparate away with the rest of us. The idiot was more concerned with the pathetic mudblood than himself!" Pansy screamed the last sentence furiously. All the hatred and rage she had been bottling up since Draco's arrest finally blew up. She was breathing very heavily, though she was relieved to finally release all of the tension she had been keeping inside.
For a long while after Pansy stopped talking, no one moved. The Ministry officials and Dumbledore were all staring at her; many had released the other students while Pansy had been speaking. But the students attention was focused elsewhere, they were all looking at Hermione. She meanwhile was staring at the unmoving form on the ground that was Draco. She was completely unaware of everyone else around her, all she saw was him and all she could do was to hope that he would show some sign of life before she exploded.
"Perhaps," spoke Dumbledore, finally breaking the tense and heavy silence, "we should have a conference." Dumbledore, the Minister, and the top members from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement made their way out of earshot of the students. The Gryffindors watched on as the adults spoke in hushed voices, occasionally looking at either Pansy or Draco.
Hermione's attention never wavered from Draco, he looked so different than the man she remembered. His hair was long enough to fully cover his eyes, and it was terribly dirty. His robes were ragged and he was frighteningly thin. While her attention was focused on Draco, her friends didn't dare speak to her. They all jumped when they heard Hermione gasp. She was still staring at Draco, so they all turned their attention to him as well. He had finally moved! He was slowly rolling over to his side so he could push himself up into a sitting position. Hermione made a move to run to his side, but stopped almost instantly. It was as if she were afraid something would happen to him if she got to close.
Once the discussion was complete, the adults returned to the main group. "Well, now that everything is settled, it is time for you all to be returned to school."
"Wait professor!" protested Hermione desperately, "what's settled? What is going to happen to Draco?"
Hermione had finally turned away from Draco, and was glaring at Dumbledore. So neither she, nor anyone else noticed that Draco had finally opened his eyes. Upon hearing her scream his name he had forced his eyes open, not daring to believe that he was still alive. There she was, but why was she here? Why hadn't the dementor finished him off? What the hell was going on?
"Relax Miss Granger," insisted Dumbledore in a quiet voice that Draco could not hear. "The Ministry has decided to administer a dose of Veritaserum to Mr. Malfoy, and if his story tallies with Miss Parkinson's confession, he will be released and cleared of all charges."
Hermione breathed deeply with relief, "will he come back to Hogwarts?"
"That Miss Granger, is entirely his decision," responded Dumbledore. "Now if you would all please come with me, I will return you to school." Dumbledore led the group of students out of the room. But before she left, Hermione turned to look at Draco one last time. What she saw made her freeze, he was awake. Their eyes were locked, and she found herself unable to move. She could not read what he was thinking, the pools of silver seemed to be blocked, not with a harsh anger as they used to be, just guarded. As if they were afraid to open up to anyone anymore. It took a rather forceful pull from Ron to break the contact between Hermione and Draco. And once the contact was lost, all Hermione wanted was for it to return again. She wanted to run to him and make sure he was alright, to tell him that she forgave him, to beg him to forgive her. Most of all, she wanted to tell him that she still loved him.
But she didn't get to speak, not even one word, and all too soon, she was jostled out of the room and out of Draco's sight. She followed the group to the lifts that led to the main floor. Unbidden tears began trickling down her cheeks and she didn't even know why. She felt an arm wrap around her shoulders, and for a moment she imagined it to be Draco. But when she turned and was reminded that it was Ron, she immediately tensed. She suddenly felt as if she was cheating on Draco. She knew it was stupid to feel that way; she had been dating Ron for a month. But somehow, seeing Draco again, knowing he was alive and innocent had seemed to instantly erase the last month in Hermione's mind. 'I don't even know if he would want me again,' she thought to herself. But still, the thought of Draco and how she still wanted him changed everything.
She shrugged away from Ron, and moved around so that Harry was in between the two of them. She refused to look either of them in the eye. Ron had never been very skilled at taking hints, but he got that one loud and clear. It was exactly as he feared, she knew that Malfoy was innocent, and now she wanted him back. The thought made him absolutely furious. But for the time being, since Dumbledore was with them, he bottled his rage inside.
Once they were all inside the lift and heading upwards, Dumbledore spoke, "I want to thank you all for what you did today. You stopped us from making a grave mistake. Thank you." Harry was the only on who acknowledged Dumbledore, Hermione was too busy thinking about Draco and Ron was too busy imagining himself hexing Draco so bad he'd never recover. Dumbledore led them to the fireplaces and made sure that they all left for school safely.
They were returned directly to Dumbledore's office. Hermione had been the last to leave, so when she stepped out of the fireplace, she was greeted by the expectant faces of Ron and Harry. She didn't know why they were looking at her like that, what was she supposed to say? After a moment filled with awkward silence, Ron wordlessly stomped across the room and slammed the door behind him so hard that the portraits of the previous Headmasters rattled against the wall, which really aggravated their occupants.
Hermione gulped and frowned, she looked from the door to Harry, an uncertain expression on her face. Harry cautiously stepped forward, "want to talk about it?"
"Am I wrong Harry?" Hermione whispered after a moment's consideration. "Is it wrong for me to still want him after all that's happened? I love him Harry, I can't help it, I don't think I ever really stopped loving him. I know I should have, but I didn't and now . . ." she sighed. "Ever since the night he was arrested all I wanted was for this all to have never happened, and now it's like my prayer has been answered." Hermione stopped, and after another moment's silence she added, "I never should have started dating Ron, it was wrong to make him think that I felt for him what he feels for me. I don't blame him for hating me now."
"He doesn't hate you Hermione, and you're not wrong. You can't help the way you feel, and it's alright, Malfoy's innocent." It took Harry a lot to say what he said to Hermione. He felt as if he were abandoning Ron, but Hermione needed the support, and what he said was the truth, even if it hurt Ron, it was the truth.
"I don't even know if he would still want to be with me," mumbled Hermione dispiritedly.
"Well, he'd be a fool not to," said Harry, hoping to cheer Hermione up at least slightly. Putting his arm casually around her shoulders and giving her a friendly shake.
"Thanks Harry," she turned and gave Harry a hug.
"Anytime Hermione," he responded as he returned the gesture.
- - - - - - -
Hermione did not go to dinner that evening. Besides not wanting to be around people, the thought of attempting to have a conversation with Ron was not at all tempting. So instead she retreated to her room and took a very long bath followed by a steamy shower.
Meanwhile, in the Great Hall, Harry was bringing Ginny up to speed on everything that had happened. He made sure to keep his voice down so as not to be overheard. Ginny was absolutely flabbergasted, "He's innocent! Are you sure?"
"Positive."
"Oh my god, I can't imagine what Hermione must be thinking right now."
Harry opened his mouth to speak, but Ron, who had been stubbornly pretending he hadn't heard the conversation burst, "You want to know what she's thinking? I'll tell you! She wants the bastard back! As soon as she found out she dumped me, and she didn't even have the guts to say it too my face, she just ignored me!"
"Ron! Calm down, you're making a scene!" Demanded Ginny harshly, for the other students were beginning to pay attention, and some of the more observant ones noticed that Hermione wasn't present.
Ron sneered, and crossed his arms over his chest, looking much like a stubborn two-year-old.
"Have you tried talking to her?" Ginny asked. The question wasn't directed at either of the boys specifically, so they both made a response.
Ron grunted as if to say 'are you serious?' But Harry spoke, "Yeah I spoke with her a bit after we got back."
"And?"
Harry cast an uneasy look at Ron. He really didn't want to be the one to tell him what Hermione had said. But after Ron snuck a curious glance at him, he convinced himself that if he tried to hide it, it would only draw out a situation that was already uncomfortable for everyone. "She still loves him. Sorry mate," he added to Ron quickly.
Ron however, slammed his fist on the table and shoved himself away. He then proceeded to storm towards the doors, but before he reached them, they opened. Four important looking wizards marched through. The conversations in the Great Hall ceased as everyone watched the newcomers curiously. A few people looked to Dumbledore for an explanation, but he offered none and remained seated. Although he did not look at all surprised to see the wizards arrive.
The students watched as the wizards marched over to the side of the room that the Slytherin table was on. Everyone assumed they were walking around the room to get to the professors table; however they stopped once they reached the middle, and faced the Slytherins. For a moment, everyone just watched them standing there; the Slytherins were looking especially confused.
Then, in one quick motion, the wizards drew their wands and pointed them at three of the students "stupefy!" The wizards cried.
Several students screamed and jumped out of their seats. But the wizards took no notice. The wizard closest to Dumbledore, who appeared to be overseeing the others, looked at him and nodded. Then without a word, the wizards levitated the three students, Blaise Zabini, Gregory Goyle, and Vincent Crabbe out of the room.
Everyone watched the proceedings, and then immediately directed their confused and frightened faces to Dumbledore. This time, the Headmaster did not disappoint, he stood up and cleared his throat. "I am sorry that some of you were frightened by what just happened, but if you would just relax, I will explain."
Dumbledore waited until everyone (including Ron) was once again seated, and then he spoke. "The wizards who just took away Mr. Zabini, Mr. Goyle, and Mr. Crabbe were from the Committee of Magical Law Enforcement." Everyone could feel the tension in the room escalate after this pronouncement. "As you recall from this morning, Mr. Malfoy was to receive the Dementor's Kiss. However, I am relieved to say, the ceremony was never completed. Before the Kiss could be administered, a confession was made. I will not bore you with the details, however I would like to clarify that Mr. Malfoy is completely innocent. However, the three who were just taken from us, will not be returning. I believe that is all you need to know for now."
- - - - - - -
While everyone else was at dinner, Hermione sat on her bed alone. She had spent the remainder of the day after the ceremony putting on a strong face for everyone to see. But on the inside, the severity of what had almost happened was sinking in. The time had only served to build up a volcano of grief that was destined to erupt any moment.
How she had managed to make it through the entire afternoon without shedding a tear, not even she could say. She had put a lot of concentration and focus into ignoring Ron's attitude when she was around him. Ron was not taking her rejection well, and while she could hardly blame him, she wished he would try to understand what she was going through too. Harry was clearly trying to be supportive of them both, but that was proving to be an impossible undertaking, and was really helping no one.
So now she sat alone on her bed. Her hair was still dripping wet from the shower, but she hardly noticed. The volcano of guilt within her finally exploded. She sat there, sobbing uncontrollable tears, random memories began replaying through her mind, and suddenly everything started to make sense. Now that she knew the truth, the pieces of the puzzle were fitting neatly together.
Draco's odd behavior the weeks before the ceremony, her growing unease around him; that was when he had been under the curse, "How could I have been so stupid?" she demanded of herself. "The truth was right there in front of me the whole time. How on earth could I have not seen it!"
She threw herself face first into her pillows, grit her teeth and slammed her fists down into her bed. Then, in an outburst that was much more characteristic of Draco than of herself, with a small roar of frustration she threw her pillow across the room, without a care for what it hit. It slammed against the bookcase, and dropped to the floor, causing a few small books to fall off the shelf, and Crookshanks to scurry into the corner out of the line of fire.
She again threw herself into the bed and slammed her fist down, she was so furious with herself, and she felt so guilty. She had to apologize to him, to beg him to forgive her. But how could she, when she didn't even know if she would ever see him again.
- - - - - - - -
As he watched Hermione leave, he wanted to call to her, to retain that connection he had felt when their eyes had met. But he simply didn't have the energy, and in what seemed like an instant, she and the others had gone. Now the only people in the room were the Ministry officials, the dementors, who seemed to be furious that they had not gotten to give him the Kiss, and someone who was tightly bound, and sulking in the middle of the chamber.
Draco took a closer look at this individual through narrowed eyes, and once recognition set, he could not believe what he was seeing, "Pansy?"
Pansy's head shot up, and her desperate gaze locked with his inquisitive one. "Draco! You're okay!" She looked as if she wanted to continue talking, but she began to hyperventilate and had to focus all her energy on retaining her breath.
"Pansy what are you doing here?"
"Draco, I . . . I'm sorry . . . I just couldn't, I couldn't let them do that to you. It was driving me mad knowing you were in Azkaban all this time. I'm sorry Draco, please forgive me, I never wanted you to be hurt!"
Draco stared at her speechlessly. This was not the Pansy he was used to, the Pansy he knew was conniving, arrogant, and pitiless. But the woman bound in front of him now was anything other than those things, she was weak, and begging his forgiveness. He sneered at her; she was partially responsibly for this entire mess. She was part of the reason he had been rotting in Azkaban for a month, why he had nearly had his soul sucked out, why he no longer had Hermione by his side. How could he forgive someone who had so wretchedly betrayed and deceived him?
Pansy's sobs had begun to irritate the Ministry officials, so they removed the ropes from her and handed her over to the dementors instead. They cloaked creatures were only too happy to have a new victim to suck the happiness from. As they dragged her to the side room they had held Draco in, she turned her head back and screamed, "Draco! Draco please, forgive me! I never wanted to hurt you I swear. Draco please!"
As he watched her, a realization rolled over him. She had just confessed to being a Death Eater to save him. She knew she would be placed for a lifetime in Azkaban, or maybe even worse, but she had done it anyway. The least he could do was grant her one wish. "Pansy," his voice was weak and sounded out of use. He cleared his throat in an effort to strengthen it, "I forgive you."
Pansy locked eyes with his one last time before the door between them closed. Her eyes had surprisingly been almost happy. They were certainly relieved and very thankful, and Draco felt that he had done the right thing. As he sat there on the cold stone floor, awaiting someone to do something, he found himself hoping that they gave Pansy a lighter sentence than the others. After all, she had saved his life and admitted her guilt in order to prove his innocence, so that had to count for something.
Shortly after Pansy was taken away, the doors to the chamber opened, and Dumbledore came sweeping inside. Draco was too exhausted to display any reaction to the Headmaster's grand entrance. Draco's head was pounding, his stomach was ravenous, and every muscle in his body ached with sore stiffness and lack of use. Dumbledore stepped in front of Draco, and several of the Ministry Officials followed his lead, forming a circle around the young man. Dumbledore handed the Minister of Magic a tiny glass bottle filled with a clear liquid, Draco assumed it must be the Veritaserum.
"Well Mr. Malfoy," began Dumbledore in an authoritative, yet kind sounding voice, "let us see what the truth really is." Dumbledore bent down and tipped three drops of the truth potion into Draco's mouth.
An irrepressible wave of lightheadedness consumed Draco. The chamber in which he was sitting felt extremely far away, as did its occupants. He felt as if his mind was completely free from his control, and it was open to answering any questions, and revealing any information, including Draco's deepest and darkest thoughts and secrets.
Dumbledore was the one to lead the questioning. He began as any formal inquiry should, "state your name."
Dumbledore's voice echoed in Draco's head, and it sounded as if it were coming from miles away. But Draco's mind was now out of his control and it answered the question, "Draco Malfoy."
"Are you a Death Eater?"
"No."
"Do you have the Dark Mark on your arm?"
"Yes."
"Explain to us, from the beginning, how it got there."
Draco took a big breath and spoke in a disconnected monotonous tone, "Father had always wanted me to become a Death Eater like him, the older I grew, the more I rebelled against the idea. I was supposed to be initiated after sixth year, but I fought it, and towards the end of the year, father took me to the Hog's Head to assure that I would no longer rebel. Hermione found out where I was, and tried to stop me from agreeing. In the end it worked and Lucius ended up in St. Mungo's.
"Then this summer, Lucius somehow escaped and rejoined the Dark Lord. Earlier this year, Blaise had told me that Pansy was a Death Eater, and that he was going to be initiated too, but that he wanted to escape. He asked me how I did it and if I could help him. I agreed, but then found out it was all a lie when he took me to Hogsmeade."
Here Dumbledore interrupted, "He told you Miss Parkinson was a Death Eater?"
"Yes."
"Did you share that information with anyone?"
"No."
"Not even Miss Granger?"
"No, she was worried enough knowing Lucius was free, I didn't want to worry her more, or endanger anyone else by letting anything leak out."
"Very well, please continue."
Draco took another deep breath, "Well, it turns out that Blaise, Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle were already Death Eaters, and it was all just a plan to get revenge on me and Hermione for betraying Lucius and the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord put the imperius curse on me when Blaise took me to Hogsmeade. I tried to fight it, but it was too strong for me to break through for longer than a second. It was under the curse that I brought Hermione to the initiation ceremony. I was still under the curse when the Dark Lord forced me to take the oath. I remember Hermione shouting at me to stop, but before I could fully fight off the curse again, the Dark Lord branded me. After that Lucius began to torture Hermione. That was what pushed me over the edge and gave me my strength back, that was when I killed Lucius.
"But then Dumbledore, Potter, Weasley and Snape came, and no one gave me a chance to defend myself. Hermione hadn't seen me kill Lucius; she was in too much pain, so she thought I had been acting of my own free will. I've been in Azkaban ever since."
Dumbledore looked from Draco to the other wizards standing around him; they all seemed to be wearing the same expression, guilty looks of disbelief. On the ground the spacey look on Draco's face slowly faded as the effects of the Veritaserum wore off. Draco stared with mild confusion up at the circle of wizards surrounding him.
"Well," blustered the Minister, "the Veritaserum doesn't lie. It seems as if the only thing this man is guilty of is murdering Lucius Malfoy, and I think it's clear he's already served enough time for that crime. All in favor of clearing Draco Malfoy of all charges and hereby releasing him, raise your hand."
Every hand in the chamber went up without hesitation.
"That's settled then. Mr. Malfoy, you are now free to go."
Draco could hardly believe his ears, he was free. Free again at last. But then why did he still feel so empty? With much difficulty, he pushed himself up to a standing position. He wobbled a bit, and several people in the circle held out there hands to prevent him from falling.
"I think you could do with a proper meal," suggested professor Dumbledore.
Draco grunted in response.
"If you will all excuse us."
Several of the room's occupants nodded and then watched as Dumbledore led the innocent young man out of the chamber. Neither man spoke as Dumbledore led them through the Ministry of Magic to the Ministry restaurant. The restaurant was rather full, and several of the diners gave Draco disgusted looks as he entered behind Dumbledore, no doubt they were repulsed by his filthy appearance. Draco sneered back at them, he was not used to people looking distastefully at him, and he did not appreciate it now.
Before sitting down, Dumbledore insisted that Draco go the buffet and get something to eat. There were so many foods that Draco hadn't seen in what felt like ages that he didn't know what to grab first. Once his plate was overflowing with pastries, fruit and lunch meats he followed Dumbledore to a table by the wall where it was a bit less crowded.
At first no one spoke, rather Dumbledore politely watched and munched on his toast while Draco took big bites of his meal. He could not remember the last time food tasted this good, but he was certainly enjoying the experience. Once Dumbledore felt that Draco had gotten settled enough, he spoke, "I want to apologize Mr. Malfoy, for not believing your story during the trial."
Draco was feeling rather resentful towards Dumbledore (and towards humanity in general) so all he did was grunt in response.
"I understand why you must be rather angry at us and me, but I ask that you forgive us."
Draco merely huffed and took another bite of his food. He had already forgiven one person today, so he was in no mood to do it again, and he wasn't afraid to show it.
Dumbledore sighed; he didn't seem to be expecting any more of a response from Draco so he continued. "I know this is all happening rather fast, but do you think you will return to Hogwarts?"
Draco stopped immediately. Return to Hogwarts? He hadn't even had time to fully appreciate the fact that he was free, and already the crazy old man wanted him to come back to school? Suddenly his life as a student at Hogwarts seemed ages away, he felt as if the whole concept of school was rather immature for him now. What would be the purpose? It's not like he needed to get a job or anything after school, he really had no idea what he would do. For as long as he could remember, his future had been definitively set out for him, and now that was all gone. It was a relief, but also a bit frightening because for the first time ever, it was entirely up to him to make a very large decision about the direction his life would take. And it was much too soon to decide what he wanted to do.
'Really,' he asked himself, 'what reason is there to go back to school?'
I know I've been driving everyone crazy with cliffhangers lately, so I hope the ending to this chapter leaves you all in a bit less agony (while at the same time still leaving you craving more as well of course ;o) ). The next chapter might take a bit longer to post, partially because I'm having a bit of trouble deciding what exactly to write, and also partially because it's my birthday on Wednesday, so I have some partying to do next week. Anyways as always, I love getting reviews, and hearing what you guys think, every time I read one it makes me want to stop everything I'm doing and write more! (which is good for the fic, but bad for being productive with anything else lol).