Chapter 27: the malfoy trials: pt 2

'Mrs. Malfoy, the Wizenagmot has reviewed the evidence brought to us today and have reached a decision. We sentence you to five years probation and one hundred hours community service which you will serve, among other things, assisting those witches and wizards who were affected by the war. You will have to meet with the head of the Auror department and the head of Magical Law Enforcement once a month.'

Harry's shoulders slumped in relief as he released the breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. Probation and community service seemed like a very fitting punishment to the crimes Narcissa had committed. He watched as the chains binding her to the chair clanked open, releasing her.

'You are free to go, Mrs. Malfoy. You must report back to the Ministry in one week to arrange your community service and to set up your probationary meetings', said the Ministry official. Narcissa stood from the chair slowly, keeping her head down. Harry watched as she was escorted out of the courtroom by Valentine before the doors at the back of the courtroom banged open once more. He turned to watch a very pale Draco Malfoy enter the courtroom escorted by a member of MLE. Draco looked up and sneered at Harry. Keep your personal feelings out of this, Harry reminded himself. Besides, Draco didn't know he was there to testify on his behalf. He probably thought he was there to ensure he spent years behind bars. Harry took a deep breath and released it slowly. You can do this, he thought to himself as the proceedings got underway.

'Mr. Malfoy, you are here today as an accused Death Eater who took part in many crimes committed over the last year. You are also accused of the attempted murder of Albus Dumbledore. We will hear the evidence against these accusations today as well as anyone who may be here on your behalf.'

Draco just glared at the Ministry official, but Harry could see the fear hidden underneath. He knew from the years that he has known Draco, that he may seem tough on the outside, but it was mostly just an act. Harry turned his attention back to the Ministry official as he read off the many crimes Draco was accused of committing. Several witches and wizards (even some old classmates) took the stand to testify against him. When the last person stepped down, Draco looked up at Harry curiously.

'Is there anyone here today who would like to testify on the behalf of Mr. Malfoy?', asked the Ministry official. Harry stood from his seat.

'I would', he said. There was a collective intake of breath from the witches and wizards in the courtroom as they realized who had spoken. Whispers followed him as he made his way to the stands. Harry spared one quick glance at Draco who wore the most shocked expression on his face.

'State your name', said the Ministry official once Harry reached the stands.

'Harry James Potter.'

'And you are here to testify on the behalf of Draco Malfoy?'

'Yes sir', said Harry. 'I've known Draco since I was eleven years old. I'll be honest, he and I have never actually gotten along. Some would even say we hate each other. But I still don't believe that he should go away to Azkaban for anything he did before or during the war.'

'And what has convinced you of this?'

Harry took a deep breath. 'I listened as several of my old classmates sat here today and retold their version of the events leading up to Albus Dumbledore's death. Many believe that he attempted to kill him in cold blood. I know different. The only reason he did what he did was because he was forced to do so by Voldemort in his fathers place. If he failed to comply, Voldemort would have killed him and the rest of his family. Some may say that this is still no excuse for attempted murder, but ask yourselves if you would have done any different if you were in his position. Some of you might, but most of you would have been too scared. And that's what I believe Draco was. I witnessed first hand the murder of Albus Dumbledore and I watched as Draco lowered his wand. He never had it in him to commit murder. This is something that Dumbledore knew all along.'

He glanced over at Draco who was glaring back at him and continued, 'As for what Draco did during the war, well, I don't have much to say about that as I didn't have much interaction with him. Although, I can say that when Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and myself were captured by the snatchers and taken back to Malfoy Manor, Draco did not want to confirm that I was who I am.' Harry paused and looked around the courtroom, taking a few deep breaths before continuing. 'I didn't come here today expecting my testimony to clear Draco of all charges. I just don't believe he deserves prison. Like I've told the Minster before, he may have been a Death Eater, but his heart was never in it.'

'Thank you, Mr. Potter. You may step down. We will deliberate and reconvene in one hour', said the Ministry official. Harry stepped down from the stands and made his way to the exit. Waiting outside was Ron and Hermione.

'Harry', called Hermione.

'Hey guy's. What are you two doing here?', asked Harry.

'I stopped in to meet Hermione for lunch and we thought we'd come down to see how things are going. They're doing Draco now, right?', said Ron.

'Yeah', said Harry.

'Well . . . ?', asked Ron.

'Don't know yet. Narcissa got probation though', said Harry.

'That's it?', asked Hermione.

'Yeah. She's got to report to the Ministry once a month though', said Harry. 'How come you didn't come to the trials', he asked Ron.

'I don't know', said Ron with a shrug. 'Just didn't want to relive any of it, you know?'

'Yeah. I know', said Harry.

'Where's Ginny?', asked Hermione.

'Practice. She'll be here later for Lucius' trial.'

'Oh', said Hermione. 'The diary.'

'Yeah. I don't know if she'll be up for dinner at the Burrow tonight after the trial is over.', said Harry. 'I know it's going to be hard for her. She's never told anyone else what she went through before.'

Hermione nodded in understanding. 'Just let us know if there's anything we can do', she said. 'I'm sorry, Harry. I've got to get back to work. Stop by before you leave if you get the chance.'

'Thanks Hermione, I will', said Harry. 'I'll see you guys later.'

Harry glanced down at his battered old watch as he watched Ron and Hermione walk to the lifts. Nearly an hour had passed so he made his way back into the courtroom and found his seat, avoiding the many curious stares that followed him. He knew what they were thinking. Why would Harry Potter testify on the behalf of a Death Eater? Let them stare, he thought to himself. The doors in the back of the courtroom banged open. Every head in the room turned to watch Draco Malfoy being escorted back into the courtroom.

'Mr. Malfoy', began the Ministry official. 'We have deliberated and reached a decision. We hereby sentence you to thirty days in Azkaban prison followed by life long probation. After you are released from Azkaban, you shall meet with the Auror department and the MLE once per month.'

Harry sat there in shock. I can't believe this, he thought. After everything, he never expected Draco to go to Azkaban. But what could he do? Nothing. There was nothing he could do to sway the Wizenagmot's decision. He sat there and watched Draco be escorted out of the courtroom to be taken to Azkaban, sick to his stomach. The thing that caught him off guard was the fact that Draco never once said anything about his sentencing. He never once resisted. He walked out of the courtroom with his head hung, almost as if he thought he deserved his sentencing. Harry scanned the faces in the courtroom. No one but him seemed the least bit upset about what had just occurred. No one but Narcissa Malfoy. Harry had not seen her reenter the courtroom after her own sentencing, but she sat quietly on the other side of the room. Silent tears were streaming down her face as she watched her only son be hauled off to prison. And there was nothing he could do.

As quickly as he could, Harry made his way out of the courtroom to get some air. He jabbed the button for the lift and quickly stepped onto it when it arrived. He didn't even notice Ginny.

'Harry!', she exclaimed. Harry looked up at the sound of her voice and wordlessly gathered her in his arms. 'Harry, what's wrong?', she asked.

Harry took a deep breath and let it out slowly. 'I don't know why I'm so upset', he said.

'Upset about what? What happened?'

'Draco Malfoy's trial. They sentenced him to thirty days in Azkaban.'

'I don't understand', said Ginny.

'I didn't want him to go to Azkaban Gin.'

'I know that but why are you so upset about it? You know that most witches and wizards are not going to forgive and forget so easily when it comes to a Death Eater.'

'I know', sighed Harry as the lift doors opened at the Atrium. He took Ginny by the hand and led her to the apparition point. 'You didn't see him though. You didn't see the fear in his eyes when the trial began. You didn't see the hurt on Narcissa's face when he was sentenced. I just . . . I don't know . . .', he trailed off.

'Come on. Let's go to the Leaky Cauldron for a bit. You just need to get out of here for a while. And stop beating yourself up Harry. You did all you could do', said Ginny, squeezing his hand.

'Thanks Ginny', said Harry. 'I don't know what I'd do without you.'

'Probably sit and sulk all day about not being able to save everyone and completely forget about all the people you have saved, me included.'

'Gin . . . '

'No Harry. I'm serious. You just don't realize how much you've done. You can't help everyone.'

'I know. Let's just get out of here', said Harry. He took her by the hand, bent down and gave her a quick kiss and turned on the spot, apparating then both to Diagon Alley.

****************************************************************************************************

A/N: Sorry it's been so long since I've updated. Work has been crazy and my laptop was on the fritz! Hopefully I'll get the next chapter up sooner and as always, PLEASE REVIEW!!!! :)