Chapter Thirteen: The Broken Generation

A meeting was being held in a rather inauspicious courtroom deep inside the Ministry of Magic. Harry shuffled in his spot on a bench next to Ron, recalling the last time he'd occupied this space, where they had fought Dolores Umbridge for her bewitched locket. Illegal curses always leave marks on the people and things they are afflicted upon, and the varnished wooden hall was marred with slashes of mis-aimed curses, which turned the wood into something black and rotten. A miserable gloom layered the air, seemingly beyond the usual haunted-ness of derelict places, as if the heavy occupation of dementors during Voldemort's reign left behind a tangible reminder of the happiness literally siphoned away from countless wizards. The courtrooms had been largely neglected in the rebuilding of the Ministry. More private facilities accommodated criminal and civil questioning, as the nature of recent crimes were incomparable to seriousness of the Death Eaters at the height of their power. Madam Bones' seat was occupied by Eliza Burbage, niece of Hogwarts' murdered muggle studies teacher. Susan Bones was also present, representing the department of Magical Cooperation, as was Percy Weasley, Driscoll Haverford (father of a friend of James), Ernie Macmillian and his sister Ilene, Padma Patil, Alicia Spinnet and about thirty other department managers.

Harry came to rest upon the central focus of the room, historically occupied by the condemned, where his best friend stood, quivering slightly as Minister Atterberry recited his resignation and new appointment.

"I want a vote." Draco stood from his seat on the Council, glaring at the center podium with hard determination.

Atterberry, for his part, seemed to agree with the protest as his face sulked around the room, looking for more potential sympathizers. But when he was finally prompted to answer Malfoy, the former Minister mumbled, "It's not an election. It's an appointment. Completely in the realms of my power and my decision only." He bit on the last part of the sentence, glaring at some of the more senior council members.

Draco was not convinced, " This is well out of your bounds Minister, it's clear you've been pushed into this decision. On what grounds have you decided to resign?"

Atterberry sighed and addressed Draco, "There's no particular reason. I feel as though my skills no longer suited the needs of the position."

"And what skills do you believe Mrs. Granger possesses that would make her more fit than you? Or any other senior council member in fact?" Draco sneered and rolled his eyes as the woman to his left stood up.

"I wish you would take into account anything but blood status when you talk about Hermione."

"No one said anything about blood status but you Eliza," Draco gave the council member a tired glare as he proceeded, "It simply baffles me that Atterberry's choice replacement is an inexperienced witch representing a fledgling department whose views are well-known to contradict his own. "

Looking around the faces of his colleagues, Draco's voice heightened in apprehension as he received mostly disapproving stares, "Does no one else see the corruption of this? Or do you just not care! Have you forgotten Shacklebolt?" Draco's knuckles had gone white from gripping the banister in front of him. He took a few breaths to steady his countenance, "Listen, I understand. I get the feeling of stability that we feel when we have a war hero like Shacklebolt or Granger leading us. But we are not at war anymore, and we can't afford to not think about the repercussions of our decisions five, ten years down the line. A mistake in judgment in the midst of terror is permissible, letting Shacklebolt play with our funds unsupervised is permissible. But I do not believe Granger will be able to fix whatever Atterberry believes he cannot and I believe she was too close to Shacklebolt to be put into power with this little scrutiny!" He slumped into his seat in exasperation.

A critical murmur wandered around the courtroom aimed at Draco, but Hermione put her hand up to silence it. "Draco, I agree with your concerns, I do. And if it helps ease your worry, I plan to implement a committee responsible for maintaining transparency within our departments."

Draco scoffed, " Consisting of who? Your dear husband and your schoolyard best friend?" He gestured towards Harry and Ron, the latter of whom began to rise in his seat to defend himself, "Malfoy I swear..."

Draco interrupted continuing around the courtroom, "Or your dormmates? " glancing at Padma and Alicia, "Am I supposed to believe that there's enough skeptics in this room to make that committee even close to legitimate?"

"Draco, please, " Hermione looked nervously around the room, which seemed on the cusp of civility, "We can discuss these concerns later. Actually, given your arguments, I feel as though the best committee would be lead by yourself."

Draco paused in surprise, but the other councilmembers continued to boil over. Eliza broke the truce with a vitriolic shout, " Hermione there's no need to appease him, the rest of us know full well of Malfoy's views and biases."

Draco fumed, "And are you aware of your own Eliza?"

Madam Burbage bristled, "My family did not participate in the exile and slaughter of muggleborns Malfoy, but please defend your bloodline."

Draco jumped to feet once more "Its been nineteen years since I've uttered a single slur against a wizard because of their parentage- not that it makes a smidgen of a difference here!" His eyes bulged wildly, " But let me tell you what's happened since then to the so called my people. We've been arrested and unlawfully held, our children have been questioned for harmless school quarrels, they've been shut out from social circles and jobs, they've been denied services and luxuries- because of their blood. Does that not sound familiar?"

Haverford Driscoll waved his hands dismissively, "Well now, if you're done with your tantrum, could we please start discussing actual facts regarding this change in government? I would like to know.."

"Facts!" Draco spat, "Facts are the unlawful holding of the Rowle family though it was obvious only Thorfinn had any loyalty to the Death Eaters. Or how Icarus Greengrass lost his cobbler business because of ministry harassment. Or the fact that your very own son, Driscoll, is a regular bully of any child who has the misfortune of being born into a cursed family! Tell me Haverford, does make you proud that Adrian terrorizes twelve-year-olds?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably at the sound of James' friend. Haverford swelled, " My boy is a child. And children play around. Isn't that what you were doing when you let murderers into your school to kill your own headmaster? And yet here you are."

Draco wilted and shook head wearily, " I'm sorry Driscoll, I didn't mean to bring children into this. I'm just saying that the Ministry has neglected the rights of many old wizarding families because of this muggleborn nonsense and it simply won't work. There's biases on all sides of the War and using bad family members as a justification for alienating good productive wizards is going to have huge consequences."

"It sounds to me as if your kind simply can't fathom the idea that half-bloods and muggleborns can hold high profile jobs. If making room for others is discrimination..." Eliza plucked up again.

"Have you not heard me?" Draco cried, " Johannes and Solveig Rowle scored perfect N.E.W.T.s yet neither was permitted to continue into Auror training. And Theodora had her bed set on fire at Hogwarts her first year! This isn't simply exclusion Eliza! These are children who already hate their peers!"

Alicia Spinnet stood up, "Draco don't fool yourself into believing that the incident was brushed over simply because Theodora had an infamous uncle. McGonagall took the situation very seriously and those girls are still facing restrictions"

"They should be expelled, "muttered Draco.

"And will you be advocating for the same punishment when your son inevitably does the same?" Haverford slurred mockingly.

Draco turned to stone, "Haverford I...I..." he stumbled. Eliza and Driscoll looked triumphant. "I was going in a terrible direction when I was seventeen, heck I was going there when I was eleven, " He turned away from the glares to face Harry, who seemed to be the only member listening with any sympathy." But I had support from a loving father, a terrible, but very loving father. I can assure you things have changed, Lucius doesn't consider Scorpius to be a proper grandson. It's probably a good thing."

Ron turned to Harry and whispered, "Well I suppose Al will be able to tell you whether that makes any difference. Rosie told me Scorpius literally hangs on him."

Harry turned to his friend, "Al? He hangs around with Al?"

"Didn't you know?" said Ron, "Well he's quite a nice lad so maybe he's just the most friendly to the poor kid."

Albus hadn't mentioned a single friend to Harry since starting school. It was James who had informed him that he was in Slytherin, or rather, that he wasn't in Gryffindor; Harry had deduced the rest. His son's House wasn't too much of a surprise to Harry. Al was definitely more structured than his older brother and less likely to stand up for himself. Still, a great many death eater children now resided with his own, and Harry hoped the similarities between them stopped at the sorting hat.

"Alright stop!" Hermione's stern voice pierced through Harry's thoughts. Eliza and Alicia had been arguing with Draco and Carson Ryder, another muggleborn wizard had joined. Harry hadn't heard what had been exchanged, but Draco now seemed on the verge of furious tears. Malfoy usually kept a frustratingly confident composure when arguing, but in recent months, he had completely lost control. Harry guessed his wife's condition was worsening.

"There's no need for this childish name-calling," Hermione struggled to maintain control of the room, "Seeing as we can't discuss the details of my appointment without digressing into family insults, I'm dismissing this council, stop!" Hermione firmly pointed at Draco, who made to protest, "I have my proposals typed up here and will hand you all a full copy. Read it. Disagree with it. And form your revisions. We will meet next week and I want your professional opinions on how this Ministry is to move forward. Nothing more." She tapped her wand upon a stack of papers, which multiplied in number and began shuffling towards the council. Witches and Wizards grabbed their copies and started towards the exits, most giving Hermione encouraging nods. Draco had snatched one of the first copies and was fervently skimming through the document, tapping his wand on multiple paragraphs. He too, finally left. Hermione rubbed her temples as Ron and Harry descended to meet her.

"I swear that git doesn't change!" cried Ron as he hugged his wife. Hermione shushed him but Ron was flustered, "I mean he ruined the entire meeting! I think he means to sabotage your position Hermione, you didn't mean to put him on the transparency committee did you?"

"I actually think that would be a great idea," Harry said quietly, Ron rounded on him, "You can't be serious."

Harry brushed off his friend's hostility, " Draco is a formidable manager..."

"In zoning Harry,"

"It's important Ron," Harry continued, irritated, " And if anything, I think it was Eliza more than anyone else who derailed the meeting. Her pureblood sentiments have actually worried me before..."

Ron was incredulous, "Harry, her aunt was murdered, she was eaten on Draco's dining table."

"That's not a reason to shut down everything he says Ron."

"Well its definitely understandable."

Harry shook his head. "Not as a council head. Draco was right when he brought up the Rowle boys, and Eliza played a big hand in their denial as Aurors- you know that."

"Do you hear yourself?" cried Ron

"Do you?" Harry shot back. The two turned to Hermione, who watched them sadly.

"Harry you know these ideas just don't go away. Thirteen years passed before Voldemort returned and his followers numbered more than ever. "Herminone ignored her husband's triumphant grin, "Even without Voldemort, the Lestranges, the Ministry sympathizers, McGonagall tells me of all these incidences of blood hate at Hogwarts. If anything, things seem even worse than when we were there."

Harry shook his head, "I followed the Rowles. Teddy got in more trouble than them."

"Of course there's always unfairness Harry, but the greater picture is more important." Hermione looked at him with sympathy.

Harry lowered his brows, "I... I'll see you later, I have paperwork." Leaving the courtroom, he avoided Ron's stare and hurried down the black brick hall. As he neared the elevators, he heard shuffling just before being shoved into the entrance of another door. Draco held his wand at Harry's chest, seething, but not in aggression.

"My son is being tormented by the Gryffindor Quidditch team. He hasn't mentioned your son's name but I wouldn't be surprised..."

Harry shoved the wand away, "James doesn't do that Draco. And as I hear, Al seems to get along with Scorpius."

Draco calmed slightly, but his voice was hard, "I don't care about that. But I swear if I get another letter from McGonagall apologizing..."

"Is it that serious?" Harry said. Draco nodded and backed off.

"Listen, I'll talk to James, I don't think he would do anything mean-spirited but he can hang around some better company."

"Thank you," Draco regarded Harry sincerely, he leaned against the wall of the enclave. Green light radiated from the cracks and shown upon the angles of Draco's cheeks. Harry noticed they were especially gaunt.

"Astoria isn't doing well is she." Harry murmured carefully.

"She won't respond to anything."

"Is it cancer?" Harry asked. Draco dragged his eyes around the ground before replying, "I... I think it's magical."

"A curse? Draco that's serious." Draco shushed Harry.

"No... it's...it's just weakness." He popped his head into the hall to check for any visitors before continuing, "The Greengrass' are an old pureblood line, fairly devout in preserving their lineage, as they all are. Well, there's only so many families to choose from and the Greengrass' were rather out of way- Northern Ireland so... marriages were ah... were close."

Harry wrinkled his nose, "I didn't know- I thought their family was one of the better ones..."

"Oh yeah, recently they've been quite open. It's by force- Astoria's great grandfather was the only one of fifteen children to survive into adulthood. He married a muggleborn and had seven healthy children- naturally this softened the family view of purity and whatever. But it's persisted in some of later generations... Astoria said the symptoms are exactly like her Aunt's...and she... there's nothing we can do."

"You know what some of your colleagues are saying..."

"Yes I know," Draco snapped, "Let them talk about rituals and death eater rubbish. It's better than the truth...Scorpius doesn't know."

Harry nodded understandingly, "But a muggle doctor? "

Draco sighed, "There's not much research on ah...complications from inbreeding... not the most sympathetic of topics. And the muggles have significant therapies for genetic diseases. Our doctor has one daughter who's turned out to be a witch so she's not entirely in the dark about our world...it was working out so well."

Draco was almost translucent in the glow of the hallway, his brow worked up in a fine layer of sweat. Numerous small scars traveled in opaque porcelain lines along his jawline, reaching down his neck and disappearing under his collar. A thicker scar travelled from his chin towards his temple. He grazed his fingers across it, "Do you remember when you gave this to me?"

Harry started, "I...no... was it in the Battle?"

"Of Hogwarts? No, " Draco actually chuckled, " We started fighting a little before our classmates."

"It was in the lavatory." Harry drifted into one of his nastiest memories, watching Draco writhing on the flooded tiles from his unfamiliar hex, "It's one of the worst things I've ever done."

"Really?" Draco whispered, Harry couldn't tell if he was being facetious. Malfoy gripped his jaw, "Toria thought it made me look rugged. These were less impressive." He gestured to the many smaller marks, "Professor Trelawney had conjured up a wall of glass from her broken orbs, probably the most impressive thing I've seen her do, set them straight for a pack of us. And she'll teach my son in two days"

"You were on the wrong side Draco."

"I know Harry. Scorpius does too, and if he doesn't well, I'm sure he's been reminded."

Harry couldn't decide on what to say. He reached out his arm to comfort his colleague, but Draco suddenly jumped, shuffling the papers from the meeting. He pulled out a page in the middle of the proposal, "Hey, what do you make of this?" Draco's question was inquiring, but Harry could see the start of accusation narrowing his eyes. He grabbed the page and skimmed the contents.

"I...I'm not sure what this means Draco. Obviously there's some threat lurking about the wizarding world- you know Durmstag suspended this semester indefinitely? I suppose Hermione is just taking extreme precautions for the students." The page consisted of several defenses at Hogwarts and restrictions of certain classrooms and grounds. Draco pointed at a wall on the seventh floor which Harry understood to be the Room of Requirement.

"I think she's hiding something in there"

"Who?"

"McGonagall- Haven't you seen her here lately? She's met with Granger at least ten times in the past month!" Draco scrutinized Harry urgently, " You really don't know what's going on do you?"

Harry shook his head, "Not the slightest, Ron doesn't know any more either."

Draco backed away, perplexed, "But you trust her then? You sent your sons there this year."

"Of course, " Said Harry, "And Hermione sent her daughter as well, don't forget."

Draco considered Harry for a moment longer. In his teenage years, Draco had seemed to Harry a miniature of his father, growing more visually alike with every passing year. Yet now, as he brooded frantically over the safety of his son, Harry couldn't help but think that he wasn't the only one to inherit his mother's eyes.