AN: sorry! Work took over my life for a little bit, boo to adult life. Thank you again for all the comments and support! I will go over the story and fix anything I missed. I was messaged saying it was a bit jumpy sorry about that, just how I like to write I guess, but I'll try harder 😊 anyway, on to the next one.
Disclaimer. I do not own Harry Potter, J.K Rowling is the true genius behind the lifelong phenomenon.
Chapter 5.
The cell door of 1067 opened for the last time. Draco took a step out and was greeted by 2 guards, with Ron standing between them, looking worse for wear.
"you look like shit weasel" Draco declared, enjoy the knowledge that someone did look worse than his shaggy self. His hair was wild and his 5 o'clock shadow pretty much said Ron just about made it to work on time.
"well that what happens when you're not locked up, we get to have a life outside of a cell" Ron responded coolly. "are you ready?"
"oh shoot no, I left the oven on"
"smartarse"
They silently made their way to apparition point, Draco walked past the cell doors, sobbing coming from one, screams of terror from the other. The air was cold and stale, full of despair. Draco should have felt something better than this. He was convinced he'd be seeing the outside one last time. He didn't give much more thought to the red heads comments a couple of days ago. Marry Hermione. Who says that? What sort of condition is that? It's not one. that fizzy haired witch would be the last person I'd marry. Granted, she was pretty at the yule ball, and maybe she tamed herself a little in year 6, and maybe, just maybe, she gave a grateful nod to him when they were in the great hall after the war before they were arrested. But still, its granger. Intellectually she was fierce and as stubborn as a mule. But still, its granger. This thought, and it's something he couldn't agree with.
"Malfoy, hurry up"
"I can't, I don't want to go, I'm ready to just stay here and die, why do I need to be told what I already know." Ron, done a full 180 and looked Malfoy in the face and saw two expressions, acceptance and remorse.
"I've never liked you Malfoy, I think you're an arrogant, self-righteous prick who is a coward. You're rude, you've no respect for anyone or anything. However, I'm here to take you to the trial, you'll be surprised to see who will be there, so move, don't make me wingardium leviosa your arse. We wouldn't want to disappoint your mother now, would we?"
"my mother is going to be there? Is she out?" a spark jumped into Draco eyes, and that was the hope Draco was looking for.
"yes, now move".
…
The room was filled already when was pushed down into the chair, he got a glimpse of the crowd, and there was his mother, smiling down at him, her eyes speaking volumes, telling him it will be okay. He felt hope swell in his chest to the point of it being painful.
"This room is now in session. Draco Lucius Malfoy, you are charged with the following counts: known Death Eater, the conspiracy and attempted murder of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, the passion and use of dark and dangerous of dark artefact and the destruction and damage of Hogwarts school. How do you peal Mr. Malfoy" Shacklebolt looked up from his long list of charges and waiting for a reply, even though he knew the outcome of this trial, he still had to follow the rules. I could be drinking.
"guilty" replied Draco, as clear as the ocean he was ready for anything, he was willing for anything to be thrown at him.
"Mr. Malfoy, do you wish to say anything to the room to help your case?"
"No, I've accepted my wrong doings, I'm willing to take the punishment as it comes."
"I know grant the court speech privileges for anyone who wishes to speak on behalf of Mr Malfoy"
All eyes turned to Harry Potter, who was sitting next to the Weasley girl looking bored.
"I'd like to make it known to the court that Malfoy helped our escape from The Malfoy Manor, he chose not to identify me to Bellatrix Lastrange. I strongly believe that without that help, we would be in a different situation today. I also believe that as he was under age he had little to no choice in his actions as he was threatened by Voldemote, please can you all take that into consideration". Practicing the speech, I see. thought Shacklebolt.
"Thank you, Mr. Potter. Would anyone else like to say a few words".
The court room was silent, Draco looked to his mother, who was eying the rest of the room, willing and hoping for someone else to say something. Everyone knew that even with that one action in helping Harry, the court would still potentially want to see Draco go down. The standard procedure was that if 2 or more people stood up in the defence of Malfoy, he should and could be realised within understandable means. However, there was silence.
"I'd like to add something". Relief swept over Narcissa, Ginny smiled knowingly, Harry was gobsmacked, Ron went red and Draco head was spinning. I know that voice, but I don't recognise the face.
"My name is Hermione Granger, I'd like it to go on record that his helping of my release from The Manor helped our victory in the war. I also believe that without his help in lifting the wards around the Manor, Dobby would not have been able to apparat us out."
"how the bloody hell did you get in here?" whispered Ron, yet the whole room hearing this exchanged made him realise how loud he was talking.
"Mr. Weasley, please save conversations for after the trial. Mr. Malfoy, as you are under oath, please can you tell the court if Miss. Granger is correct?"
"How did you know it was me, I thought I covered my tracks pretty well" Draco was stunned, he managed to keep it out of light from Voldemote, yet this witch comes along and uncovers his secretes.
"I take that as a yes then" replied Shacklebolt. "in light of this knowledge, Draco Lucius Malfoy, you are hereby released from Azkaban, as you are the next of kin for the Malfoy name until your fathers' trial, all assets are to be put into your name. however, as a consequence the Ministry shall, can and will call on your support in rebuilding the wizarding community where seen fit and will take anything up to 45% of your family's wealth where needed. This term is non-negotiable and will stand until The Ministry sees fit. Your wand will be returned to you this evening. Good day"
With that passed, the court became and busy place full of people trying to either make their way out of the court room, and others trying to get to the court floor where Draco was. No one however, got to the floor quicker than Narcissa Malfoy.
"my darling darling darling boy, I'm so proud and happy to see you" Draco was happy to see his mother, water was dancing in the corner of her eyes as she brought her Son into a crushing embrace.
"I'm happy to see you to mother". Malfoys never showed emotions, that was a lid they never allowed open. But this time round, Draco allowed him to feel happiness and love for the first time in a long long time.
"let's get you home, shall we". With one last squeeze, Narcissa took hold of Draco's hand and made their way through the crowd and out of the room. All was going so well, until…
"Ms. Black I was wondering if I could have a quick word please". Ron popped his head from around the door, with a face of a full haha-haha-I-dropped-you-in-it.
"oh dear"
"what, what did you say weasel?" Draco looked to his mother, who in return looked like she could kill Ron, whose face was innocent as if he could have possibly done nothing wrong.
"I said, Ms. Black"
Harry stood behind Ron, and just hung his head, willing the hangover to go away along with the soon to be uproar from Malfoy. This is a dream, I'm at home with Ginny, I'm at home with Ginny, please let me be at home with Ginny.
"Ronald you arse" all spun around to see Hermione marching down the hall with Ginny by her side.
"It lovely to see you too 'Mione, and where in Merlin's beard have you been?" Ron asked, slightly frightened at the pace which she was walking towards him. It suddenly became a stand-off between the trio, the Malfoy's took as step back and Ginny took her stance behind Hermione. Neither her or Narcissa knew what she was going to do, but both exchange a look, silently agreeing to leave this one with her.
"Away"
"perfect response if you ask me" Harry chipped in sarcastically.
"why are you a Black?" asked Draco, all 4 turning to turning him as he questioned his mother. Narcissa couldn't look to the girls for guidance as she knew it would give it away.
"Draco, you must understand that after everything that has happened, I need to start afresh, you're the best hope we have to putting our name back to how it should have always been, not from fear, but from respect" Draco found it hard to think as more. He was tired, he wanted to sleep, but most of all he was upset that he found out this was. That fucking weasel red head wanker.
"well you did say you'll consider it more after the trail, which is now" responded Ron.
"I give you permission to hit him" Ginny chirped.
"thanks" Draco responded, and no soon did he say that, Draco had his foot stamped down on Ron's.
"ahhhh" Ron was left hopping on the stop.
"Draco, would you stop that" demanded Narcissa.
"Ginny why would you say that?" Harry looked like he seen a potions instruction written in Latin. It made no sense
"oh, he starting trouble, he'll get over it"
"I'm going home, to eat, bath and sleep. No offence, but I hope never to see any of you again." With that, Draco made his way through The Ministry, making his way through the crowd towards the floo network. People were staring at him, some with a look of disgust that he made it out, giving him a wide birth through the corridors.
"wait!" there's that voice again. Draco turned and looked at the person who got him out. Up close she really did change. Hermione hair was still curly, but tamed in a soft ponytail, her eyes were deep chocolate brown, and her lips were looked smooth. Wait did I just think her lips were smooth.
"Granger, I'm tired, thank you for saying what you said, but can it wait"
"sure, I'm coming back with you anyway"
"I'm sorry, what?"
"I'm. Coming. Back. With. You"
"no, no you're not"
"yes, yes I am, I live at The Manor"
"Say what now?"
AN: okay so this is a longer chapter, I hope you guys like it. I will get to the fluffy stuff soon. Sorry again for being away, I'm on holiday next week, so I might try and write a couple of chapters on my phone and then you can get 2 at once, woohoo! Thoughts and comments are welcome.