Chapter One: Recovery from the War
The war is over, and the wizarding world is slowly being rebuilt. The Ministry Of Magic has offered Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger a position as Aurors without finishing school. Harry and Ron accept the position without any hesitation and begin their training right away.
Hermione however always enjoyed school and wishes to finish her and get her diploma. After most of the DeathEaters were taken into custody and the wizarding world started to return to the "new" normal. Hermione asked Ron to go with her to find her parents. He told her she was being selfish ask him to leave his family, she apologized and left on her own to find her parents in Australia.
When she found them, she took her time watching them make sure all was well, and her spell work was still in place without side effects. She found that retirement did not suit them, they had opened a small business from their home. Her mother had picked up the baking of loaves of bread and sweets and her father had set up shop to sell the things she made. She approached them as a student from a local school interested in learning about the local business they had started. When the timing was right, she started returning her parent's memories of her and the Granger family. After a long talk, argument really, they packed up the house and business and returned to England with mistrust of their daughter and her magical abilities.
Weeks went by and her parents flinched anytime magic was used around them. They watched Hermione as if she were a wild animal that could attack at any moment. Hermione hid her wand and did not use magic around them as often as possible. She baked bread with her mother and helped her father build a small building the muggle way. Hermione's mother still watched Hermione every time she walked down the stairs when she knew she had been in communication with the wizarding world. Hermione told her parents that she would be getting ready to go back and finish up her schooling. They were reluctant to understand her want to go back but after many conversations, they understood and accepted her path. She told them that she had to go to the wizarding world the next day to deal with some matters from the war. They both just nodded and went to bed early that night.
The morning she was to leave Ron and Harry came in through the floo system set up in Hermione's living room. Hermione's dad spilled his tea and Mrs. Granger squeaked and dropped a plate of cookies. Hermione apologized to both of her parents. Ron's ears turn red as he mumbles an apology saying they could have used the door. Harry helped to clean up the broken plate and cookies. Harry, Ron, and Hermione head up to her room, as soon as the door clicks closed Hermione turns to tell Ron and Harry about her parent's not trusting her anymore and how she has been working to repair the damage she caused.
However, before she can get a word out Ron starts in on her, "Care to tell me why the hell you want to testify for Draco Malfoy's release? Have you lost your bloody mind?"
Harry shakes his head as if agreeing with Ron, but he seems unsure as he crosses his arms, kind of looking down. Hermione feels a flash of anger and her magic spark, how dare the boys to think they can come into her home and fight her on this, Ron hasn't written her in nearly two weeks.
Hermione took a calming breath and looked at both boys, "I saw him, the night we were taken, at the school during the fire, he helped us, Harry you know this. He wants to do what is right, maybe he didn't have a choice that wouldn't endanger the people he loves. We all had choices to make and some of them were made for us to protect those we love. Look what I had to do to my parents, and now I am paying for it. Harry, you ended things with Ginny to protect her, you tried to leave Ron and me behind." Hermione made this statement as if it was common knowledge.
Ron blew up and started yelling, "Why would you think that ferret would ever want to help anyone, let alone us?! He has treated you worst of all! He called you a mudblood and was always mean to you and made you cry! He is nothing but a cruel DeathEater, he doesn't give a damn about anyone but himself."
Tears filled Hermione's eyes as she stared at Ron, She flicks her wand and cast a muffling charm around the room, and takes another breath, "Ronald Weasley, I am doing what is right, you might not agree with me, but I will not stand here and let you yell at me in my house! As for you Harry Potter you know he couldn't kill Dumbledore, you saw it! You said he lowered his wand, he wanted help, he wants to be a good person. Don't you think he deserves a chance?"
Harry looks lost in thought he looks at Ron and then back at Hermione, "You know Ron…maybe she is right. He did look like he needed help, he could have given us up at his house too."
Ron stammered "Wh…What the hell Harry! Are you going to testify for him now too?"
Harry just looks at Ron and shrugs his shoulders, "I think it would be the best mate…I mean Gin and I have talked a lot about what happened that year in the castle. She said she saw him take a lot of punishments off of the younger students, and he turned a blind eye to some of the meetings. She said he knew they were happening. Ginny sent in her request to testify this morning…I think I will send mine in when we return home."
Ron looks confused and betrayed. Hermione moves to rub Ron's arm and rubbed her hand across his shoulders trying to calm him down. "Harry, would you give Ron and me a few minutes?"
Harry nods and steps out into the hall. Ron looks at the closed door and then to Hermione "I don't understand 'mione" He was so hateful to you. I just don't understand."
Hermione steps closer to Ron and places her hands on his chest. "Ron I am doing what I feel is right, yes he was an awful child but maybe he can be a better man."
Ron frowns "I won't testify for him…I think he needs to rot in Azkaban with his father."
Hermione kisses his lips lightly, "I would not ask you to…and you will not ask me not to, I love you Ron, but you do not dictate my decisions."
Ron grabs Hermione and places a sloppy kiss on her lips. "Fine, but you are my girlfriend and I am just trying to protect you. I love you too."
Hermione kisses her parents and insists that she would be back before the week was out. Three days passed and Hermione and Ron argued over Hermione helping Draco Malfoy. Hermione got her thoughts together and was ready for the day she was to testify. Ron never said anything to Harry or Ginny about their involvement in Malfoy's case.
After the battle at Hogwarts, many DeathEaters were arrested and sentenced quickly. Of course, many ran and were being hunted by the Aurors. Harry and Ron were learning about DeathEater profiles and helped build some as they trained.
The main DeathEater family that called a lot of attention was the Malfoy Family. A small surprise came with Lucius Malfoy's case, he adempted to his crimes and asked for his son to be judged lightly as he was a child put into an impossible position. Lucius said that he forced his son to get the Dark Mark, he was trying to earn back his good grace with the Dark Lord. Lucius was sentenced to life in Azkaban. Narcissa was not charged with being a DeathEater because she did not bare Voldemort's dark mark, however, she was to be on probation and must pay reformation for war damages. She pleaded for her son as well, stating he was just a boy that made too many wrong choices. Their son, Draco Malfoy made the front page for multiple days. The day his father was sentenced, the day his mother was given her sentence, and the day of his trial, because of the decision reached and the people who testified for his release.
Draco Malfoy's Trial:
Harry Potter drank the Veritaserum and told what happened on top of the Astronomy tower the night of Dumbledore's death. "Draco Malfoy lowered his wand and was reaching out for help when the other DeathEaters reached the tower. He could not have killed Albus Dumbledore, Snape did it to protect Draco."
Many whispers went throughout the courtroom, they thought the boy who lived would throw Malfoy to the Dementors. The Wizengamot lead asked for silence as he thanked Harry and asked for the next witness.
Ginny Weasley got up and squeezed Harry's hands as she passed him. He gave her a reassuring smile. Ginny drank the Veritaserum and told what happened that year at Hogwarts. Again whispers went throughout the courtroom, shocked that once again Draco was defended. The Wizengamot lead again asked for silence as he thanked Ginny, they took a brief recess, to view some other evidence they had, memories from the witness. The case would resume the following morning. They had one final witness and would make the final sentence.
The morning came quickly. Ron accompanied Hermione to the trial even though he told her she should just let the ferret rot in Azkaban with his worthless father. Hermione chose not to reply to his taunts. Hermione watched from the stands as Draco was brought in, Draco stood in the metal cage as it was moved beside the members of Wizengamot. The court called her to the stand, and she studied the man in front of her as the potion master gave her a vial of Veritaserum. He was not the boy she knew in school. He looked broken and sick. He was wearing what looked to be a dirty old prison uniform, his platinum blond hair was streaked with dirt and blood, his face had a slight beard, and his steel-gray eyes look hollow and lost. No, he was not the boy he once was. Hermione Granger took a deep breath as she took her seat in front of Wizengamot. The young man did bare the Dark Mark, but his steel-gray eyes held pain, regret, and broken innocence. The young man looked at Hermione and she knew she was doing the right thing today.
Hermione drank the Veritaserum and looked at the members of Wizengamot. The lead Wizard asks, "What is your name?"
Hermione looks at him and replies, "Hermione Jean Granger"
The wizard nods, "Why are you here?"
Hermione looks at Draco and says, "I am here to give my testament to the release of Draco Lucius Malfoy."
Ron crosses his arms and rolls his eyes. The wizard looks at Hermione and nods for her to continue. Hermione looks at the young wizard in question. She begins telling why Draco should be released.
"Draco was underage at the time of his attempt on Albus Dumbledore's life. There has also been proof found that his family was being threatened by Voldemort."
Draco winces at the name. "Draco also had the chance to expose Harry, Ronald, and myself when we were taken to Malfoy Manor."
Hermione paused and touches her scarred arm. "He knew it was us but chose to not expose us. He was also asked to aid in my torture, but he refused. I saw him when…Bellatrix was, um dealing with me. He sent a note with his house-elf to find Dobby and get him to help Harry and Ron in the dungeon. I found the note on Dobby before we buried him at Shell Cottage."
Harry and Ron exchanged looks; they knew nothing of the note she was talking about.
"Draco was a young boy in a very difficult place but he showed honor and courage. If he was placed in the same position, I think he would make the same choices."
The Wizard nodded and looked at the other members. "The last bit is your opinion and will not be taken into consideration. Thank you for your time, Miss. Granger, if you would like to stay and hear our decision then you may. We will be deliberating and will resume in thirty minutes." The members of Wizengamot filed out of the room and Draco was lowered back to the ground to wait, he slid to the bottom of the cage and covered his face.
Hermione moved over to Harry and Ron.
Ron grabbed and kissed Hermione, "You did great, not that you should have but what note were you talking about." Harry nodded in agreement.
"I found it in one of Dobby's Pockets…Wizengamot's has it now.
Mrs. Malfoy walked over to the Golden trio slowly. "I am sorry to bother you, but I wanted to say thank you. I mean it no matter what they say…thank you for believing Draco can be a good man."
Hermione smiles sadly, and Ron rolls his eyes, "I just hope it helps."
Harry looks at Draco sitting in the cage. "I hope he doesn't make us wrong."
Mrs. Malfoy smiles sadly and walks back to Draco's side; she speaks to him but he doesn't move.
As the Wizengamot members filed back in, quickly Draco stood and looked at the man in the middle. Hermione was sitting alone. Ron and Harry went back to the Auror's office.
The Wizard stood and looked at Draco and his mother. "The case of Draco Lucius Malfoy. You will be released but with conditions." Draco nods and his mother lets out a small cry of relief.
"First, you must go back to school and take your N.E.W.T.S, Second you will be on probation for the next year, and if you use any dark magic or socialize with any know of suspected DeathEaters you will be sent to Azkaban, with no re-trial. Third, You must notify the Auror department of any travel or major decision you make? Forth, as the head of the Malfoy and Black family fortunes, you will be required to pay reformation for war damages. Is this understood Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco nodded "Yes sir, Thank you."
With a wave of the Wizengamot member's wands, the chains unwrap Draco's cage and the door opens. Draco steps out and his mother throws herself into his arms and sobs. Draco looks around to see Hermione sliding out the door.
He silently whispers, "Thank you, Granger."
He embraces his mother and they leave together. Cameras flash and questions are yelled at the Malfoys as they head to the floo systems.
