Arthur Weasley entered 12 Grimmauld Place carrying a face that clearly said: bad news. Ron and Hermione exchanged a worried look...
Thiscannot be good.
When Harry jogged down the stairs and saw the looks on his friends' faces, suspicion filled him.
"What's going on?" he whispered to Ron and Hermione, bending down.
"We don't know," answered Ron in atheatrical whisper. Together, the three huddled togetherobserving Mr.Weasley as Muggles might watch that curious little box called television.
"Draco Malfoy," began Mr.Weasley slowly, "has just been pardoned for attempting murder at Albus Dumbledore due to his having been placed under the Imperius Curse." Mr.Weasley let out an incredulous sniff, "They're just letting him go."
"What?" cried Harry, Ron and Hermione in unison.
"They can't have done that," started Ron, "a lot of Death Eaters started off after being placed under the Imperius Curse. I mean, they all just got cold feet and continued killing people after they realized they'd been... you know, killing people... even if they were under the Imperius Curse."
"Yeah," agreed Harry, as it was all he could think of to say.
"Unless he was under-aged,"said Hermione, "If he's still sixteen then he's still under immunity."
"Well, what about his Dark Mark?" countered Harry, "He can't still be under immunity if they've found a Dark Mark on that pale, rich, snotty arm of his."
"But they didn't find the Dark Mark on him," said Mr. Weasley, "not a trace of one..."
It had been a month since Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had closed and Albus Dumbledore had died. Wizards with questionableaffairs were disappearing all over the world. The greatest blow was the mass-escape in Azkaban. Without the dementors, the Ministry was forced to replace them with much needed Aurors. It was only too easy for criminals, including Lucius Malfoy, to escape and join the Dark Lord once more. The Death Eaters were not seen again, but there was great media excitement when Draco Malfoy appeared at the Ministry of Magic, claiming to give himself up. The Order followed the hearing with intense interest. As soon as Harry heard about it, he immediately left Privet Drive and joined Ron and Hermione at 12 Grimmauld Place, impatiently waiting for news every evening. Harry couldn't believe that Malfoy was so easily forgiven. It seemed the whole wizarding world was crumbling without Albus Dumbledore.
"Oh, and one more thing," added Mr.Weasley, grabbing a banana from the table and taking a large bite. "Draco Malfoy is going to be staying here."
Mr. Weasley then disappeared into the kitchen where Mrs.Weasley and Fleur would be preparing supper.
"Like, as in here in Number twelve... Did... did you two just hear---?" Harry slowly turned around to face his best friends, but he immediately regretted this, seeing as Ron was wrapped around Hermione in what seemed to be a comforting embrace. Harry's ears felt warm, he knew he was already red. To make matters worse, Ginny Weasley just happened to appear, and taking in the scene blushed as well. For a split-second Harry and Ginny's eyes met, but they both quickly looked away. Mr.Weasley reappeared.
"Oh yes, and he'll be arriving shortly before supper with Tonks," then, seeing the looks on their faces, "Well, he can't go back to the Malfoy Manor now... it's unsafe, and we're searching it again for anything... you know dangerous...evil...bad."
"Who's 'he'?" asked Ginny, but she wasn't sure if she really wanted to know.
"Draco Malfoy is about to become my roommate," answered Harry.
Even to Draco, the hearing went exceptionally quick. He'd been under custody for about a two weeks but the actual trial went for as shortly as three hours. No one really wanted to believe that a sixteen-year-old would attempt to murder Albus Dumbledore.
The great Albus Dumbledore... champion of the weak... old man with a tacky beard...
"You ought to know that the Order did you a great favor right there," ejaculated Nymphadora Tonks, she'd already developed a dislike for pale, blonde boy. Tonks' hair was turning many shades of purple and pink, something that caused Draco to wonder what color her hair would turn if he succeeded in getting her really mad, "we could have fed you to the lions in the den."
The two of them made a curious pair, making their way out of the Ministry of Magic. Draco, with his solid black designer robes and Tonks' multi-colored attire made a big contrast, only amplified by the looks on their faces. Draco was cool and composed to Tonks' furious and passionate manner. Draco didn't see the two of them ever getting along.
"You keep lions in your backyard?"Draco'svoice was oozing with sarcasm,"That's not exactly safe, you know. I myself prefer fluffy little bunnies but I guess it's your call."
"Don't you even..." Tonks shook with fury, "you'd be dead if Arthur Weasley didn't have the heart to offer you a place with us. The Death Eaters would be on you in a second if they find out how you've betrayed them."
Draco looked amused.
"The second bit's true," he conceded, "by all means, I'm quite sure my father himself would tear my guts out now that word has gotten out, but do you really think I owe my life to Arthur Weasley? Well, I don't think so. See, I could have been sent off to some deeply respected pureblood family, but no... I get to spend my time with Muggle-lovers, Mudbloods, fugitives and the rest of your lot. You see, you need me," said Draco with a sneer, "you want me to give you information about You-Know-Who's doings. Tell me, do you really think I'd do that? I mean, you know, maybe I will if you rub my back or something."
To Draco's amusement, Tonks' hair suddenly turned into a blood red mohawk. For the first time in a long time, he smiled genuinely.
Author's Note: Please remember to review. Like I said before: no review equals no update.