In the Name of Magic
The following week at work did not deliver new results. Williamson and Savage questioned Rookwood at Azkaban but he neither knew anything about possible hideouts of Avery, nor about his work from the past year. The investigations had come to a dead end which certainly did not improve Proudfoot's mood. Furthermore, the aurors who hunted the other Death Eaters hadn't found anything useful, too, so that a mixture of frustration and resignation dominated the office.
The evenings were better: Harry spent them together with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny at Grimmauld Place, both to assist Kreacher with the cleaning of the still dirty parts of the house, although the old elf heavily resisted, and to escape the watchful eyes of Mrs. Weasley-Molly.
Ron and Harry didn't have to go to work that Saturday, and so they accompanied Hermione, Ginny, and George to Diagon Alley early in the morning. Percy didn't come with them as he was ''not replacable at the office at any time.'' To replace him adequately, they had brought Arnold and Crookshanks. When they entered the Leaky Cauldron which was much more crwoded at the weekend, spontaneous applause broke out. They nodded politely and shook a few hands before managing to make it out of the pub in slightly more than fifteen minutes. At the little courtyard behind it, Hermione hit a certain brick in the wall with her wand and the gateway to Diagon Alley opened. When Harry had been here with Ron and Hermione for the last time the place had practically smelled like fear and desperation. Now, everything looked nearly as it had before: the dubious shops that sold dark artefacts and poisons had disappeared, just like the numerous beggars. Instead, the usual mixture of shops was back again that praised magical creatures, potions, books and all kinds of magical stuff in their showcases. However, some shops were still empty, like Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, whereas Ollivander's wand shop had reopened. When they passed Gringott's high, golden door, Harry shared a short grin with Ron.
''They seem to get on with their repairs.''
- ''Still, I won't show my pretty face there for a while'', Ron said. ''Goblins have a good memory.''
A little later, they stood in front of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes- or what was left of it. The showcases that had promoted the ridiculously colourful advertisement of You-no-Poo were smashed just like the entrance door. George made a face as if he was entering a war zone and stepped inside, followed by the others.
''Merlin's most slaggy pants'', Ginny cursed quietly.
She had hit the nail on the head: the Death Eaters had left nothing unharmed. The shelves which had before contained Skiving Snackboxes had been beaten to pieces, the love potions formed little ponds on the floor and at the ceiling, the two last Fanged Frisbees lethargically circled each other. Hermione pointed her wand at them.
''Finite.''
The frisbees fell down, right on a pile of burned Self-Spelling Quills.
''Where should we start, George?'', Hermione asked tentatively.
George was standing in the middle of the room, showing them his back.
''Just let everything vanish'', he said dully. ''I'll go upstairs and check how it's looking there.''
- ''We should've come here before, without him'', Hermione said nervously after George had left.
''That wouldn't have made it better, believe me'', Harry said darkly. ''Okay, then. We'll check behind. You girls can start here in the meantime.''
Ron followed him to the store room where the twins had kept their products for Defense against the Dark Arts. Here, the shop looked entirely different: all shelves were empty, but intact.
''They took all of it with them'', Harry said.
- ''That didn't save them'', Ron said and vanished the Dark Mark that was painted at the wall with a flick of his wand. ''Let's get back to the others. There's nothing to do for us here.''
When they came back to the others, Alicia and Angelina were just entering the shop.
''Bloody hell, what a battlefield'', Alicia said shocked.
Hermione and Ginny had repaired some of the shelves and put them against the walls, but the floor was still full with a collection of broken things.
''Where's George?'', Angelina asked.
''Upstairs'', Ginny said. ''He wanted to check the flat.''
- ''I'll go help him'', she said and left while Alicia pulled out her wand.
Hermione sighed deeply. ''Crazy, isn't it? I've fought with them over this stuff so many times and now, as I can just vanish it, it makes me really sad. And angry.''
- ''Don't worry, these shelves will be full in no time'', Ron said optimistically and flicked his wand.
''Scourgify.''
The pond of love potions became a little smaller.
''Don't be too sure about that'', Hermione said while wordlessly vanishing the pond. ''Because I wouldn't be too sure that these shelves will be filled again.''
- ''Why?'', Ron asked puzzled.
''Because nothing will remind George of Fred's death as much as this shop'', she said quietly.
Crookshanks disturbed the silence that followed this sad statement by pulling a dead pygmy puff out of one of the piles and playing with it. Arnold started to squeal sadly on Ginny's shoulder and presses himself against her neck.
''Hermione'', she said irritated.
''Bad Crookshanks!'', Hermione said, but the cat didn't care at all. Harry vanished his prey with a flicker of his wand which brought him a furious hiss.
When George and Angelina came downstairs the others were nearly done with the cleaning.
''That's enough for today'', George said. ''I'll take care of the rest on my own.''
- ''Are you sure?'', Ginny asked.
''Yeah.''
They went back to the Leaky Cauldron while George stayed there for a tea with Angelina and Alicia.
''D'you really think George won't open the shop again?'', Ron asked Hermione.
She shrugged. ''All I can say is that it's hard enough for me to think of the shop without Fred. What do you think it's like for him?''
- ''They've always dreamed of having their own shop'', Ginny said. ''He won't just throw that away.''
''We'll see'', Hermione said and blew a resistant streak of hair out of her face.
At the next evening, the four were invited for dinner at the Grangers'. Although Ron's first visit at Hermione's parents' house had passed without major problems (he had even behaved while eating to make a good appearance) he was very nervous while walking through the Weasley's garden with Harry and Ginny.
''That place is so clean'', he said to Harry while picking at his shirt. ''I didn't even dare to touch anything.''
- ''Don't let your Mum hear that'', Harry said. ''She might catch that one wrong.''
Harry himself was also nervous but he tried not to show it. He had never really talked to Hermione's parents, yet still they had to know that their daughter's youth would have been dramatically less dangerous if she hadn't been his friend. He kept that thought to himself, of course, as Ginny would have punched him if she knew about it.
''It's gonna be fine, mate'', he said instead. ''If you get close to doing something stupid, I'll catch their attention.''
Ginny snorted. ''Can we actually leave now? We'll be late because all of your whining, Ron!''
A moment later, they appeared in the Granger's driveway with a loud crack. Hastily, Ron clicked his deluminator so that the curious neighbours wouldn't spot them.
''Ron'', Ginny moaned, ''please turn the lights back on, we'll only get more attention like this.''
- ''Sorry'', her brother said emabarassed and let the lights out again.
''Will you please move?'', Hermione hissed from the open front door and they hurried inside.
''You really should get connected to the Floo Network'', Ron grumbled after he had kissed her hello.
''Guess what I already filed for it, Master of Mysteries'', she said. ''But they're terribly undermanned at the moment because they have to help out in other departments- seriously, you should know that, you're working at that place!''
Harry abstained from stating that he did in fact know that.
''As far as I know, these two are only eating the entire day over there'', Ginny said. ''And shouldn't we say hello to your parents? Or don't muggles do that?''
- ''Of course'', Hermione said hastily while Ron shot a dark glance at Ginny. ''Come on, they're waiting in the dining room.''
While they followed Hermione to the dining room, Harry and Ginny looked around curiously. The Grangers' home was a typical muggle home which was at least as clinically clean as Number Four, Privet Drive. Ginny nearly stopped at the kitchen door, but Harry pulled her with him unpatiently.
''I've never been in a muggle house'', she grumbled quietly.
''We can have a look around later'', Harry whispered.
Hermione's parents shook their hands before they sat down around the table. The meal was good - although it didn't come up to Kreacher's level- and Ginny asked the Grangers many questions about the various devices in the room, so that they didn't even get close to a dangerous topic of conversation. Ron acted unusually civilised, as Harry realised quickly. He earnestly tried to sit straight and focused more on the conversation than on his food, something Ginny seemed to have realised, too, because a small smirk appeared on her face halfway through dinner. They made it do dessert without mentioning Voldemort or the last year even once and only when they had all finished their first glass of red wine - including Ginny who had stared down Ron grimly as he had started to protest- Mr. Granger cleared his throat significantly after finishing his leture on the benefits of modern dentistry.
''Well, Harry'', he said. ''My daughter assures me that the war in the wizarding world is over and that she is out of danger now.''
Harry put his wine glass down slowly and avoided to send a traitorous glance over to Hermione. It didn't surprise him at all that the Grangers were worried, as a matter of fact, they had every reason to be. If anybody would decide to emulate Voldemort she would be in danger for sure: his best friend, and also muggle-born. But Hermione obviously didn't want her parents to know that.
''That's right'', Harry said. ''Voldemort's finished and his minions are behind bars.''
Mr. Granger took a small sip of wine. ''Is it that simple?''
- ''I hope it is'', Harry said. ''However, in case it isn't, your daughter can take care of herself very well.''
- ''We're safe, Dad'', Hermione said quietly.
Mr. Granger didn't seem to be convinced. ''What would happen if one of these lunatics turned up here?''
- ''I would know it immediately'', Hermione said sharply. ''And he wouldn't be able to see you, anyway. Just believe, me Dad. I've used every existing protective enchantment. Nobody can harm you.''
Harry shivered unwillingly as he realised that Hermione had actually used the Fidelius charm and waited for a good opportunity to talk to her alone after that. When Ginny and Mrs. Granger brought the plates back into the kitchen and Ron and Mr. Granger started a game of chess, he finally dragged her to the corridor.
''Fidelius charm? You're secret keeper?'', he asked. ''That's why you sent us the adress by owl?''
She nodded and shrugged. ''I am not taking any risks here, Harry. I've talked them into giving a garden party next week and sent invations to all of their friends so that they don't realise it.''
-''What about the phone book?'', he asked weakly.
''We're not in that anyway because we moved, remember? I have it under control, Harry.''
- ''Sorry'', he said embarrassed. ''I didn't even think about what-''
- ''Forget about it'', she said decisively. ''This is my business, okay?''
He nodded. ''Okay. But when you see anything...unusual, tell us immediately, all right?''
Hermione nodded softly. ''Of course, Harry. Come on back in, before Ron gets suspicious.''
- ''He's playing chess'', Harry said grinning while he followed her back to the dining room. ''He won't realise we're not there for at least half an hour.''
- ''My Dad's a complete failure at chess, Harry'', she sighed. ''Most likely, Ron has already finished him.''
The next weeks also didn't give them any new developments regarding the missing Death Eaters. The trials, however, continued and Harry saw how Rookwood, Crabbe, and others were sent to Azkaban: some silent and furious, others angry and spitting, and others broken and begging for mercy. One after another, they were led outside by the aurors and with every one of them, the day of Malfoy's trial came closer while his decision hardened. In the meantime, Harry was, for the first time in ages, almost lucky. He spent as much time as possible with Ginny and the others, renovated the house at Grimmauld Place and although it broke his heart a bit every time, he visited Mrs. Tonks at least once a week and enjoyed the company of his little godson.
On a sunny day in the middle of June, a stone old member of the International Confederation of Wizards pinned the Order of Merlin, First Class at Harry's and the other's chest while Harry was asking himself what good that International Confederation of Wizards was at all as they had only watched how the country fell apart last year. Kingsley used that opportunity to reveal the new artwork in the ministry's entrance hall which turned out to be a memorial for the victims of the Dark Lord: hundreds of hands that raised blazing wands to the sky. At every single wrist there was a small bracelet with the name of a victim, and at every name he knew, Harry's heart cramped painfully: Vicky Frobisher. Marlene McKinnon. Anthony Goldstein. Alastor Moody. Fred Weasley. Gideon and Fabian Prewett. Padma Patil. Amelia Bones. Nymphadora Lupin. Justin Finch-Fletchley. Remus Lupin. Colin Creevey. Sirius Black. Michael Corner. Severus Snape. Susan Bones. Albus Dumbledore. Cedric Diggory. Lily and James Potter.
While Harry was still staring at his parents' names, Kingsley came to his side and moved his wand. At once, the same rising phoenix that was on Fred's, Tonks's and Remus's tombstones appeared on the bracelets of the dead order members.
''They are heroes'', Kingsley said quietly. ''And look what they went through. Remus, on who society spat. Sirius, who spent half of his life innocent in Azkaban...''
- ''Snape, whose name that beast pulls through the mud with her bloody book'', Harry said bitterly. ''Heroes.''
- ''We're still here'', Ginny said softly. ''And we live to tell their stories.''
Harry nodded energically. ''Kingsley, can you show me how...?''
A few minutes later, a golden 'D.A.' appeared on many of the bracelets.
A week later the day of the last Death Eater trial for the time being had come and courtroom ten was bursting at the seams. Everybody who had at least a little status in the wizarding world seemed to have come to witness the final act in the downfall of House Malfoy. Harry saw Goyle, Nott, and Pansy Parkinson sitting in one of the front rows together with former members of Slytherin's quidditch team including Flint and Warrington. The three Malfoys were chained to their chairs with pale faces, facing the judges. Narcissa sat straight, but her hair was just as messed up as her husband's who remained only a shadow of the Death Eater who had conferred with the upper ranks of the ministry for decades. Draco sat between his parents, his blonde hair combed back strictly. He looked as if he was about to throw up.
''Doesn't look too good, does he?'', Ron murmured quietly.
Harry nodded curtly.
''You still sure we want to let him get away with it?''
- ''Look at him, Ron'', Hermione whispered. ''He didn't get away with it.''
Harry agreed in silence, while Kingsley stood up to open the trial, because that picture of misery had nothing in common any more with the arrogant, self-satisfied boy he had met in Madam Malkin's shop eight years ago. Draco and his parents had lost everything they had hold dear: power, status, and their mad dreams about pure-blood superiority. And they had paid costly for their dreams: Lucius, Voldemorts former second-in-command had been humiliated by his master, Narcissa had been forced to see how her son was broken and Draco himself would be branded for the rest of his life.
They started with Lucius.
''Mr. Malfoy, you have already been given a life-long sentence in Azkaban'', Tudgeberry said. ''Why should we not send you back there immediately?''
- ''Because I regret, Madam Tudgeberry'', Lucius said hoarsely.
''Regret does not erase your sins, Mr. Malfoy.'
- ''No'', Lucius said. ''Nothing can make the terrible things I took part in undone, but I...I have recognised that it was wrong. And I will do what I can to help.''
- ''In which do you think you can help this ministry?'', Kingsley asked.
''There are still followers of the Dark Lord that are free'', Lucius said. ''I know all of them, and I know a lot about them. I wish to offer my knowledge.''
Harry looked over to the benches: Theodore Nott stared at Lucius with big eyes.
''Let me wrap it up for you'', Arthur said coldly and leaned forwards. ''You're trying to save your own skin by betraying your cronies.''
While Lucius stared at the ground and nodded Harry unwillingly had to remember the many occasions on which he had humiliated Arthur.
''Yes, sir, that's what I want. I know who the ministry is hunting, and I also know about those of who you don't know.''
- ''Then this is the moment to talk, Mr. Malfoy'', Kingsley said. ''If your information is helpful, we will take it into account.''
Lucius licked his lips. Then he said hoarsely: ''Marcus Flint.''
Harry's hand shot to his wand, but Kingsley was faster.
''Impedimenta!'', he called and a red bolt hit Flint before he could launch at Lucius.
''Savage, please take Mr. Flint into custody'', Kingsley said calmly while putting his wand casually back up his sleeve. ''Mr. Malfoy, go on.''
Lucius talked for nearly half an hour. Harry knew some of the names: Urquhart. Derrick. Bole. Others meant nothing to him, but after every name, the crowd started to whisper excitedly while Percy was writing them down so fast that his nose was splotched with ink.
''Thank you, Mr. Malfoy'', Tudgeberry finally said. ''You've spared the ministry a lot of work. We will take your help into account.''
Mrs. Malfoy was the next one. Although she was not a Death Eater herself, Narcissa had still been in Voldemort's inner circle.
''Voldemort lived in your house for over a year, Mrs. Malfoy'', Kingsley said. ''Do you deny that?''
- ''No, minister'', Narcissa said who was still sitting straight on her chair. ''But what should I have done? If I had done so much as thinking about betraying him, he would have murdered my son.''
- ''Your son is a Death Eater'', Tudgeberry said, knitting her brows.
''That did not matter for the Dark Lord'', Narcissa said bitterly. ''For him, Draco had always only been a tool to punish Lucius for failing to bring him the prophecy.''
- ''Mrs. Malfoy, your sister, your husband, your brothers-in-law, and your son took part in the most cruel crimes committed by Death Eaters'', Arthur said. ''Do you really want to tell us that you didn't know about this?''
Now, Narcissa finally looked down. ''Of course I knew. But do you want to send me to Azkaban for not betraying my family?''
- ''Can you present any witnesses who can confirm that you were not involved in these crimes yourself?'', Tudgeberry asked sharply.
''No'', Narcissa said quietly, ''I do not have anybody.''
Harry breathed out slowly and stood up with prickling hands. ''Miss Tudgeberry, I can confirm Mrs. Malfoy's testimony.''
The reaction of the crowd was exactly like he had expected it to be: for a moment, there was complete silence and then everybody started to scream. Rita Skeeter looked as if he had just proposed to her while her photographer made a dozen pictures. At last, Kingsley jumped from his seat and whipped his wand through the air so that it banged loudly. The crowd went silent again.
''Mr. Potter, please come forward.''
Harry stepped into the witness box and looked around shortly. Narcissa stared at him just as disbelievingly as the crowd while Arthur looked like he had a bad stomach ache.
''What can you tell us about Mrs. Malfoy, Mr. Potter?'', Tudgeberry asked.
''She's innocent'', Harry said firmly. ''Mrs. Malfoy was never a Death Eater. She did not take part in any of the crimes that were committed by her family members- to be precise, she was a victim as much as many others here in this room. Over the last two years, she constantly had to fear for her family's life and what's more, she, Lucius, and Draco were tortured by Voldemort during the Easter holidays. Everything she has said is true.''
The crowd started to talk again.
''Silence'', Kingsley said loudly. ''Go on, Mr. Potter.''
- ''Mrs. Malfoy is not only no Death Eater, she also switched sides before the last battle started. I do owe her my life.''
Now, it was dead silent.
''Be more precise, Mr. Potter'', Tudgeberry said. ''Why do you owe her your life?''
- ''During the battle, there was a short break'', Harry said, trying to keep his voice firm although the memories nearly made him shiver. ''Voldemort requested that I faced him personally. So I went to him.''
He cleared his throat. ''He used the killing curse against me and made Mrs. Malfoy check whether...it had worked. She noticed that I was alive, but she told him I was dead.''
- ''How could you survive that, Mr. Potter?'', Tudgeberry asked, leaning forward.
Harry felt the collective eyes in the room staring at the back of his head. ''It wasn't the first time'', he simply said, ''and it has nothing to do with this trial. Mrs. Malfoy and I talked. Therefore, she knew I was alive, but she lied. She had switched sides.''
- ''About what did you talk?''
- ''Pardon?''
Arthur was also leaning forward now. ''About what did you and Mrs. Malfoy talk, Mr. Potter?''
- ''She asked whether Draco was still in the castle. Whether he was still alive. I said yes.''
- ''So she did it for her son, not for you?'', Tudgeberry asked.
''Does it matter?'', Harry asked and decided to end this discussion. ''For me, Mrs. Malfoy has already suffered enough, and so has her son.''
Behind him, people started screaming again.
''Silencio!'', Kingsley shouted and the talking stopped. ''Explain that, Mr. Potter.''
- ''Draco has done everything he is accused of'', Harry said. ''But he did nothing of it out of his own free will, but only because Voldemort threatened to kill his parents. And when he had the chance to hand me over to Voldemort, he helped me. When the snatchers brought us to Malfoy Manor he was asked to identify me, but he didn't do it.''
Tudgeberry browsed through her files. ''I have here'', she said, holding up one of them, ''your testimony from the trial against Mr. Gregory Goyle. You claimed that Mr. Malfoy was the leading figure in the attempt to capture you during the battle.''
Harry nodded, not overy impressed, because he had anticipated this argument.
''Malfoy was desperate'', he said. ''He was sure that Voldemort was going to win and he wanted to help his family. Was that the right thing to do? No. But that's just who he is. And I'm not blaming him for doing it.''
Harry cleared his throat again and looked at Hermione who nodded firmly.
''Ron and Hermione can confirm everything I've said, minister.''
A muscle twitched at Arthur's cheek, but he didn't say anything while Harry and Kinglsey looked at each other silently. Finally, the minister nodded.
''I hardly think that this is going to be necessary.''
He turned to the accused. ''Mrs. Malfoy, do you want to ask the witness a question?''
Narcissa who was still staring at him as if he was a ghost shook her head. ''No, minister.''
- ''Thank you, Mr. Potter'', Kingsley said. ''We continue with Mr. Draco Malfoy.''
He turned to Draco. ''For what do you pledge, Mr. Malfoy?''
- ''Guilty, sir'', Draco said hoarsely. Narcissa started to cry while Harry and Hermione exchanged a surprised glance. Kingsley leaned forward again.
''You confess to be guilty?''
- ''I have done everything I am charged with'', Malfoy said. ''It's true, I did it because I was threatened, because my family was threatened, but I did it.''
The crowd started to murmur. Kingsley seemed to be indecisive for a moment, but then McGonagall stood up and he nodded at her curtly.
''Do you regret what you did, Draco?''
Malfoy stared at the ground. ''Of course I do, professor'', he sad with a shakily voice. ''It was wrong, all of it. And no matter how afraid I was because of him, I never should have done it. I regret with all my heart, but I...''
Malfoy stopped and raised his head and Harry winced: Draco was crying, crying as desperately as he had cried when he had seen him in Moaning Myrtles bathroom a million years ago.
''Merlin's slaggy pants'', Ron murmured disbelievingly.
''He would have killed us all'', Malfoy sobbed. ''I regret it, but I was so afraid.'''
- ''No further questions, minister'', McGonagall said softly and sat down again. For a moment, Harry thought she had looked at him.
''Mr. Malfoy, do you wish to present a witness?''
Malfoy shook his head. ''No, sir. Potter has...Potter has said everything.''
- ''Then the judges withdraw now to find a sentence'', Kingsley said and waved his wand so that the crowd could not hear what the judges said. Harry took his eyes away from Malfoy and looked at the two others.
''You were right'', Ron said who still staring at Malfoy. ''He's already been punished enough.''
- ''Do you think they'll let him go?'', Hermione asked.
Harry shrugged. ''Narcissa for sure, but Malfoy...without McGonagall, he wouldn't stand a chance.''
He stared at the judges. McGonagall and Slughorn were both talking to Tudgeberry vividly. At last, the judges took their places again and Kingsley removed his spell.
''In the case of Mr. Lucius Malfoy'', he said. ''Those in favor of a conviction may raise their hands.''
Hands were raised, only Slughorn didn't move.
''In the name of magic the following verdict is passed: Mr. Malfoy, this court confirms its sentence from two years ago. However, due to the help that you gave this ministry, your imprisonment is reduced to a life-long house detention. Your wand will be destroyed and you are not allowed to use a new one.''
Lucius nodded like in trance while many of the onlookers murmured furiously among each other.
''In the case of Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy'', Kingsley said. ''Those in favour of a conviction may raise their hands.''
Not a single judge raised his hand. ''In the name of magic Mrs. Malfoy is hereby cleared of all charges.''
Lucius breathed out loudly, yet Narcissa showed no reaction but kept staring at Kingsley.
''I the case of Mr. Draco Malfoy'', Kingsley said. ''Those in favour of a conviction may raise their hands.''
Hands shot up, but it were fewer than the half. Narcissa started to cry silently again, whereas Draco seemed unable to believe it. Harry sighed out in relief.
''In the name of magic Mr. Malfoy is cleared of all charges'', Kingsley said. ''Court is dismissed.''
People started to discuss vividly while the judges left their seats and the aurors released the Malfoys of their chains.
''Do you think your Dad is very angry?'', Hermione asked slightly nervous.
Ron shrugged. ''I can't blame him, but we did the right thing- here he comes.''
Arthur had come over through the crowd, followed by McGonagall.
''Hey, Dad'', Ron said hesitantly.
Arthur scratched his temples. ''I hope you won't regret this one day.''
Harry shook his head. ''I don't think so. But we should still keep an eye on them, just to make sure.''
- ''We will, you bet we will'', Arthur said. ''Well, I'll see you later. I should talk to the press.''
- ''They're going to crucify us'', Ron moaned.
''Let them'', Hermione said contemptfully and stared over to Rita who was interviewing Kingsley at the moment.
''You know, you three still manage to surprise me'', McGonagall said. ''I would really be missing you at Hogwarts.''
- ''Thank you, professor'', Hermione said embarassed.
''That was very modest of you, Potter. I know that you and Mr. Malfoy have history'', she said a bit abruptly and left.
''This has been the second time she complimented me in the last weeks'', Harry told the others. ''If it goes on like this, I wonder-''
-''Harry'', Ron said sharply.
He turned around and saw Malfoy approaching. He was still pale, but he had wiped away the tears and seemed to have regained control. When he reached them, he slowly stretched out his hand.
''Thanks, Potter'', he said stiffly.
Harry took the hand just as slowly and saw a lightning bolt in the same moment. He pulled out his wand and spun around, but it was just Rita's bearded photographer.
''Buzz off'', Ron hissed furiously who also had his wand in his hand. The photographer toddled off.
Malfoy cleared his throat. ''You've still got my wand, Potter.''
- ''What?'', Hermione said enraged.
''It's not yours anymore, Malfoy'', Harry said coolly. ''He changed his allegiance. Ask Ollivander, if you don't believe me.''
Malfoy blinked. ''I don't think I'm welcome at his shop. I want my wand, Potter. Ollivander won't sell me a new one, after everything that happened.''
-''After everything that happened?'', Ron moaned. ''That he was imprisoned in your vault for two years, you mean? Yeah, I reckon he's not exactly a friend of yours...''
- ''Stay the hell out of it, Weasley'', Malfoy hissed angrily.
''Malfoy'', Harry said thoughtfully. ''If you actually believe that I give the wand with which I beat Voldemort to a former Death Eater, you're out of your mind.''
- ''So what do you think I should do without a wand-''
- ''How dare you'', Hermione snapped. ''Without us, you'd either be dead or already half the way to Azkaban. Surely you'll find a wand maker who's ready to sell you one.''
Malfoy nodded bitterly. ''Looks like I have to.''
With that he went back to his waiting parents. Narcissa nodded curtly over to them while Lucius stared at them with the usual mixture of fury and contempt.
''You should really keep an eye on them'', Hermione said, still fuming with anger. ''How can someone be so unthankful?''
Harry shrugged, surprised about how few he cared.
''Lucius won't be able to leave the house anymore'', Kingsley who had approached unnoticed, said calmly. ''And every visitor has to sign in at the auror on duty before seeing him. The man is finished, and the young Malfoy has learned his lession, I think.''
- ''It's not right that he gets away with it'', Ron said and stared grimly at the back of Lucius's blonde head.
''He's not getting away with it'', Kingsley said. ''The man has lost everything that ever meant anything to him. Status, influence, and his wand. That would have been the same in Azkaban, but this way he was at least useful for us. Today, he sent many people there who otherwise would have gotten away unnoticed.''