"This has got to be a fucking joke!?"
"I assure you, Mr Malfoy that it is not. The documents are quite clear and have been witnessed by 3 individuals of incredibly high standing, you are free to leave, today. If you will kindly follow me, we shall process your documentation and then return your belongings to you, including your wand. You should be home within the hour."
Draco could barely believe this was happening. In fact, if it weren't for the fact his body was freezing and shaking so violently that it hurt, he would of questioned whether or not his present circumstances were some sort of dream, or mild psychotic hallucination. As it were, he found himself following the old wizard with whom he had just spoken along the dark, cold corridors of Azkaban. Although he was not certain, he believed that 240 days had passed since he was sentenced. 240 days of minimal human interaction, sloppy porridge thrice daily and very very basic hygiene breaks. But he was going home!
Surely this old crack pot couldn't be right though?
He had swanned into Dracos cell not 15 minutes earlier, seemingly oblivious to the dank, depressing surroundings he found himself in, and had announced to Draco that his sentence had been revoked and he was free to leave after a small bit of admin!
Draco looked down at the document in his hand as they walked, he hadn't even thought to read it at the time the wizengamot official had thrust it upon him. Having only had the mental capacity to focus on the facts being stated to him. He skimmed the pages of legal jargon until his eyes fell upon the final page. His case had been personally put forward by Potter it seemed, who had spent months petitioning for an audience to argue Draco's case. His signature and character statement were counter signed by a scratchy, messy signature which he could almost decipher as belonging Weaslebee. As he turned the page to note the third signature he collided with the back of the wizard he had been following. It seemed they had reached their destination.
"Just through here Mr Malfoy. We have a Ministry official here to process your release papers. Mr Potter insisted we oversee it personally, to avoid any 'errors' which may delay your release."
Draco could barely believe it. Begrudgingly, he acknowledged he seriously owed Potter for all this. Although his Slytherin nature was probing him to question the Golden Boys motives. But he would dwell on that later.
As the door before him was opened and he was ushered inside, he noticed a door across the room opening at the same time. His gut clenched as he saw her enter, it had been over a year since he had seen her. From afar after the battle had ended. But he would recognise her anywhere. Her hazel eyes locked with his silver, and he knew. He knew right then that on that last page would be her signature. He knew that she had told Potter what had happened and that she was why the two witless wonders had campaigned for his release.
He grasped a table to his right for support, as he drank in her face. A face he hadn't been sure he would see again, yet it remained so familiar, as he dreamt of it most nights. He could scarcely draw breath, in case he burst this bubble.
"Mr Malfoy, Miss Granger here will be processing your release. I believe you may remember her from hogwarts."
"Miss Granger, I shall collect Mr Malfoys belongings and wait outside. If you should require assistance I shall only be in the room opposite."
The door closed with a soft click as the wizard left them. And for the first time in over a year, he found himself alone with Hermione.