DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything to do with Harry Potter

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Draco Malfoy's point of view

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My head was swimming as the guard unchained my hands and feet. I carefully rested my arms on my knees and hunched over. The pain of moving was severe and I felt like I was going to be sick. I kept my eyes fixed on the glossy floor to try and retain control. At least the room has stopped spinning after the first hour of waking up.

Those bastards. Don't even have the decency to give me a second to recover after who knows how long of being unconscious.

My hands started shaking. The slow burning feeling of the blood rushing to my fingers was bearable, but still not pleasant. My skin looked unnaturally white, even to me. How did they expect me to fight fairly for my own life if I barely had the energy to stand?

I shook my head. Of course. They didn't. They purposely did this so I couldn't fight. There wasn't a chance in hell that I could be convincing enough in this state to pull a majority to vote for my side. I could fake my way through this, seem stronger than I was, but no way could I make my words effective enough. I was hardly able to begin to get my thoughts in order and prepare myself.

Another wave of nausea hit me and I gritted my teeth to try and keep my stomach in check. This was impossible. At this rate, I would end up speaking against my whole defense.

At least Fudge is gone…

The reminder almost made me smile. The quick-tongued oaf was banned from the trial. At least the judge had some sense of justice within him. Perhaps the jury did too. I slowly lifted my head up towards the members of the courtroom. Right away several of them turned and gave me looks of great disdain. Fuck.

Almost too quickly, the room was emptied. I didn't even notice Harry leaving. I wondered what he was doing…what he was thinking…what he was going through knowing that his boyfriend was about to be carted off to rot in Azkaban. I shook my head. He should have listened to me. He should have taken my offer back in the Weasly's bathroom. He should have left. I should have let him go. I should have fucking thought of someone else for a change. But no, now I'm about to cause a lifetime of pain to the only person who gave a shit about me. And the only person I really cared about.

A sigh escaped me and I immediately cringed. My chest felt like it had been beaten on for hours. I flexed my hands. Anger, pain and guilt meshed together within me. At this point, I decided there were only two options for me: argue my defense until my voice was gone, or give up now and just accept my defeat.

I couldn't pick which option was better. That's never a good sign.

"Mr. Malfoy? Are you ready to present your closing argument?"

I looked up at the judge and suddenly realized how quiet it had become. Every judgmental eye of the jury was on me. My forehead creased at the burning feeling of their labels, their assumptions.

I silently dropped my head again. Did I honestly think I had a chance to convince them to let me go free?

Suddenly, my mind brought me back to yesterday, crouching behind that statue in Knockturn Alley, Harry in tears. I had never seen him so broken or so afraid. The way he was looking at me...those emerald eyes filled with a kind of hurt I hadn't known before. My body stiffened. Could I really be so selfish to do that to him again? Then, the night before played in my head.

I would fight. Harry deserved at least that from me.

"Mr. Malfoy." The judge's stern voice flooded the room.

I closed my eyes to compose myself and tried to stand. My legs immediately gave way. I fell back hard up against the back of the chair.

"All defendants must stand and address the council with their closing argument."

Fuck you.

I took a second on the chair, letting my breaths go through me in slow, steady intervals. I wouldn't fall to them so easily.

Using the chair for support, I made to stand up again. My knees and hands shook uncontrollably but I was able to get myself upright. As I steadied myself, my heart pounding painfully in my chest, I heard distinct whispers from the council. Trying to focus my blurring vision, I glanced up at my audience. A few witches sitting together were commenting to each other and shaking their heads in disapproval, while several wizards just stared down at me with smirks on their faces.

Call it the Malfoy sense of pride, but this only powered my want to prove them wrong. To prove all those bastards wrong.

I stood myself up as straight as possible in a stance very similar to that of my father's. One slow step at a time I made my way to the center of the courtroom. I forced my motions to seem fluid, giving the appearance that I was stronger than they thought. I couldn't have felt more to the contrary. The floor swayed and blurry black dots took over the path in front of me. I couldn't tell if I was in the center of the room or not. It didn't matter. This would have to do. If I tried to move forward any more, I might not make it.

I closed my eyes and breathed calmly through my nose until I felt my head clear. I slowly opened my eyes and stared at the floor until the black specks evaporated from my vision. The muscles in my hands felt weak and I realized they had been tightly clenched the whole time. I flexed them, cooling myself down. If there was one thing I had to remember, it was to keep my anger in check.

I looked up at the faces who would decide my fate.

The judge nodded at me. "Mr. Draco Malfoy will now give his closing argument" he announced with a turn of his head to the jury. Those members of the jury who had been whispering to each other immediately moved their full attention on me. I could feel the pressure building as every pair of eyes focused on me, glaring at me.

I took a deep breath and began in the steadiest voice I could muster.

"Members of the jury, the Ministry, your Honor, I know the Malfoys haven't acquired the best reputation in the wizarding world. We aren't known for our honesty, we think very highly of ourselves, and we are loyal to no one except those within our own family. We're corrupt and will side with whoever holds the most cards."

I saw most of the jury members nod along and smirk in agreement. It was clear the Malfoys were not a favorite among this crowd, but already grabbing them in agreement with me was a good start. I continued.

"I will not deny that in the past and for most of my life I have followed this Malfoy stereotype, but there is one thing that has set me apart from the mold." I paused to stare as fiercely as I could back at the jury. "I know when enough is enough."

"For as long as I can remember, my father has always strived for more, never quite satisfied with what he had because someone always had a better offer. He would do whatever it took to gain that little bit of ground to feel that much more superior to the rest. And when he didn't get it? Well, I'm sure you all know what happens when a Malfoy doesn't get their way."

Murmurs filtered through my audience. Something inside of me was twisting painfully at having to speak not only against my father, but against the whole Malfoy name. I tried to suppress it and focus on my words flowing smoothly. I would not be brought to an end for something I didn't do.

"I know you all are familiar with why my father did what he did. It was out of outrage. He didn't take into account what his actions might cost him. He was so blinded by the greed that had taken over his world he failed to see what was happening right in front of him. That is something that separates me from the rest. I can see the future and immediate consequences of my actions and can be content with where I am in life. I used to be like my father, letting my thirst for a higher social status get in the way of what I really wanted. But no more."

My voice was gaining power as I stood more confidently behind my words.

"You can't deny this is true. Would I have shamed my family otherwise in accepting who I am and declaring myself a homosexual? Would I have disgraced the Malfoy name in choosing The-Boy-Who-Lived as the person worthy of my affection? I did not choose him for the fame, the wealth, the boost in wizarding status. I chose him because I cannot imagine a day going by not waking up by his side. And when we're not together I spend most of my time wondering if he's alright or if he's gotten himself into yet another magical mess. It may be hard for you to wrap your minds around it, but I do love him. And, for some unimaginable reason, he loves me too. If you honestly believe someone coming from that sort of family background and being able to pull away and exhibit this kind of vulnerable adoration for another could kill a Muggle so bluntly without thinking, then you must harvest a very strong hatred for the name Malfoy. However, if you're willing to let that get in the way of a fair and deserving sentence, then maybe you're not so different from my family after all."

A few soft gasps followed my ending. It was a risky thing to say, I knew that. But it would certainly give them something to think about. The judge held up a hand and all whispers ceased.

"Members of the jury, you have heard the closing argument. Now you must take all the evidence into consideration when making your decision. Are you prepared to make a verdict?" They all turned toward him and nodded. "Very well. All in favor of a guilty sentence?"

I dropped my head as the hands began to pierce the air, closing my eyes. As strong as I was before, I couldn't bare to see how large the majority would be.

"All those opposed?"

My heart was pounding. This was it. I couldn't get Harry's face out of my mind. Harry…I love you.

A harsh pounding on the courtroom doors startled me so badly I jumped and whipped around. The doors flung open and a thin man with tiny glasses jogged quickly through the doors. He made his way up to the podium, out of breath.

"There's…there's someone here…someone wants to offer his testimony to the Malfoy case."

The judge rubbed his temple and sighed. "Mr. Malfoy has already delivered his final statement and the jury has reached their decision. We can't allow anymore evidence to the case."

The thin man nodded furiously as his breaths came noisily. "Yes…I know what the procedure is, but…I really think you should let this…person speak."

"Just bring him in!" the judge snapped angrily.

The man below jumped and ran back out of the room. Minutes later, three large bodyguard-like wizards brought in a haggard looking man in chains. I looked at the man in disgust. He was covered in dirt and his clothes were torn and worn. His face was hidden as he kept his head bowed. His long blonde hair was tangled and disheveled.

Then, something struck me and my jaw dropped. He raised his head to look at me. My heart stopped altogether, aching at the sight of the man in front of me. As those dead silver eyes looked straight into mine, he blurred out of focus from the tears welling up and flowing freely down my face.

"…Father?"

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