You Jump, I jump
Written by StrawberryGirl87
Hogwarts no longer feels like home, it is time to move on but Harry has nowhere else to go. Standing on the precipice of uncertainty he finds a helping hand from the most unlikely of people. Someone who is willing to stand by his side when things seem bleak.
Chapter Sixteen
They appeared in the atrium of the Ministry of Magic together and immediately started hurrying to the court rooms below. It was fortunate that they knew where they were going as they were already running a little late. Harry's stomach doing back flips as they ran. Somewhere close by Draco was alone and scared, Harry had to find him and let him know that it was going to be all right. Heads turned to look at them as they ran. The famous Harry Potter was back.
No one could quite believe who it was that they were seeing. It had been days and all that anyone could talk about was how Harry Potter had vanished after the war, potentially kidnapped by supporters still loyal to Voldemort. He was feared dead, captured or brutally tortured in the hands of Dark Witches or Wizards unknown. Yet here he was, alive and well, charging headlong through the Ministry of Magic for no apparent reason and not really looking where he was going, crashing into people in his haste, Hermione Granger following behind him looking frantic.
Together they descended down in one of the lifts, inter office memos fluttering around their heads, though Harry found himself unable to focus on anything other than finding Draco. His mind was consumed with it. He couldn't imagine not saving him from going to Azkaban, facing the possibility of living his life without Draco by his side. It was too much to think about, he didn't want to imagine his life without Draco in it.
"It's going to be okay Harry," Hermione said, trying to comfort him as the doors of the lift flung themselves open and the two of them hurried out towards court room five where the trial was being held. Hermione, who had contacts within the Ministry, had managed to get all of the details for them. Without waiting to be announced the two of them burst into the court room, surprising several of the Wizengamot who hadn't expected an intrusion.
The sight that met their eyes was enough to shatter Harry, Draco and Narcissa sat in two identical chairs both of them bound there by magical chains. Narcissa's face was tear stained and both she and her son looked as unkempt as Harry had ever seen them. Emerald green met molten silver and a thousand words were spoken between the two without a single sound ever passing their lips. The relief, the joy, the unadulterated happiness at seeing the raven haired Gryffindor was beyond anything Draco had ever felt before. Harry hadn't given up on him, he was here.
"Testimony for the defence," Harry said loudly, making himself known. The entire Wizengamot turned to stare at them in shock. None of them could believe what they were seeing, Harry Potter was here to defend two people who were clearly deatheaters by the branding on their forearms and also suspected of having something to do with his disappearance. Whispered mutters broke out through the courtroom at their saviours sudden appearance.
"You're here to defend them?" The chief warlock asked, looking both surprised and annoyed. He had assumed that this would be an easy case to deal with, ten minutes and he would have two more deatheaters in Azkaban for the rest of their lives. He hadn't expected this, it was going to ruffle him up the wrong way all day if these two went free.
"I am," Harry said confidently. "I'm here to testify to the fact that if it wasn't for these two people in front of you then I would be dead and Voldemort," A collective shudder went through the room at the mention of his name, "Would still be alive."
"Explain yourself," The chief warlock demanded looking stern and unhappy. He was an older wizard and didn't look like he had much in the way of patience. Harry took an instant dislike to him.
"It has not been made public knowledge yet about what happened the year I was on the run from Voldemort and his followers and to be honest I never planned to make it public, however considering the circumstance I don't have much choice. It was during my quest to destroy Voldemort that I was captured by snatchers and taken to Malfoy Manor. Draco Malfoy was asked to identify me by Bellatrix Lestrange and he refused to do so, putting his own life at risk and allowing me the opportunity to escape with my life." Harry said, trying not to look at Draco, if he did then all his emotions that had been pent up would show through. He had to make the Wizengamot take him seriously.
"And what of his mother, Narcissa Malfoy, how do you excuse her guilt?" The chief warlock asked, glaring at the two suspected deatheaters, "What was her role in all of this?"
"It was on a separate occasion that Narcissa saved my life," Harry said taking a deep breath and preparing himself for the explanation. He hadn't wanted to ever remember that night in the forbidden forest again but he wanted to save Draco more than he wanted to forget. "It has been well documented of course that I went to the forbidden forest to meet Voldemort during the great battle of Hogwarts, I allowed him to kill me and didn't raise a wand to defend myself. Because of this I didn't die and it was Narcissa Malfoy who realised that I wasn't dead despite the killing curse and she then lied to Voldemort, telling him that I was dead. It was only because of her actions that I was able to finally defeat Voldemort. She put her life on the line to help me, neither of them have any crime to answer for."
"Two good deeds do not erase a lifetime of dark magic and dark deeds," The chief warlock declared loudly and there was a murmur of agreement from the rest of the Wizengamot which made Harry's heart sink. He was starting to lose him and he wasn't going to let that happen under any circumstances.
"And if there was proof that they were coerced out of fear, that both Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy only did as Voldemort told them out of fear and worry for the safety of their son, would that differ your opinion?" Harry questioned, his anger seeping through. He was glad that Hermione stood close behind him, if she hadn't have been there then he might have lost his temper and started shouting at them. There was a clear bias in the room that Harry couldn't stand, it was an old grudge which didn't seem very fair.
"It might but there is no such proof," The chief warlock said with confidence.
"I have seen for myself the grave of a four year old girl whom Voldemort killed shortly before his first downfall, the first time he failed to kill me. I will happily commit my memories to this fact that to submit to his regime Voldemort murdered the older child of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy and then proceeded to threaten the life of their only remaining child so that they would submit to him and do his bidding" Harry said and at this statement the entire Wizengamot started whispering to one another again. "Furthermore I would like to add that I am under no spell, potion or enchantment, something I am happy to be tested on, I am here of my own accord and I expect for both Narcissa and Draco Malfoy to be excused of all that they are accused of. If you attempt to lock them up in Azkaban after the service they have provided me with then the Ministry of Magic will lose any respect I had for them and could never hope to add me to their ranks of employees."
Harry didn't want to work for the Ministry, he no longer wanted to become and Auror but he would do it if it managed to persuade the Wizengamot to let them go free. He would have sacrificed just about anything to save Draco. As long as he had Draco by his side he could cope with just about anything. Dangling himself in front of the Ministry as their poster boy would be a tempting offer that Harry knew they would never turn down.
"And why are you here Miss Granger?" The chief warlock asked, looking at the plain girl with an intense stare. He wasn't happy with the way things were progressing here but he had to admit that the offer Harry potter presented of coming to work for the Ministry was just what they had hoped for. He was after all a very powerful wizard with a great deal of respect, something the Ministry of Magic sorely needed after Voldemort had infiltrated their ranks.
"I'm here to testify that Harry is of sound mind, I have seen him twice over the course of his absence from the wizarding world and I also bore witness to the incident at Malfoy Manor where Draco refused to positively identify Harry to Bellatrix Lestrange. The wizarding world would be in a sorry state if it hadn't have been for the two people you have chained before you. Harry has done a great service to every person in this room, something that wouldn't have been possible without the Malfoy's. They don't deserve to be sent to Azkaban," She said and it was her testimonial that finally sealed the fates of the two Malfoy's.
The chief warlock nodded his head, considering everything that he had been told. He looked around to the rest of the Wizengamot who were exchanging quite whispers and looks of astonishment. He debated demanding to see the memories and testing to see if Potter was under any form of enchantments but he knew it would be more time wasted. Besides he had something much better in mind, it was a prize to be reeled in and displayed with pride.
"I ask for a show of hands," He said, clearly displeased with the way the morning had gone but smug in his resolve that even though two known deatheaters would go free the Ministry and gained something better. "Those that wish to clear all charges against Narcissa and Draco Malfoy?" The majority was outstanding, very few did not raise their hands. "Those that wish to see Draco and Narcissa Malfoy sent to Azkaban for the crimes they are charged with," He asked, only five of the plum robed Wizengamot voted for this. "Cleared of all charges," The chief warlock announced and relief flooded through Harry as the chains that bound Draco and Narcissa to the chairs released them.
It was all Harry could do not to leap across the divide that separated them and hug him, but they simply looked at one another, relief and love passing between them as the room started to clear. "We did it Harry," Hermione said smiling, "They're free."
Harry nodded as he watched Narcissa hug her son to her with relief that they were free, "We did it," Harry said as they too headed for the exit. The Gryffindor wanted nothing more than to go to Draco and to hold him but apparently they weren't quite finished just yet. "Mr Potter," The chief warlock called and begrudgingly Harry went to him.
"Yes sir," He asked politely. He couldn't very well be rude to the man that had just cleared Draco of everything he was accused of.
"I expect your application to join the Ministry to be sent to the appropriate people within the next two weeks. If you fail in this then I am more than sure that further guilt can be exposed to send the Malfoy's to Azkaban." He said his voice low and quite.
Harry glared at him, tensing, "Is that a threat, Sir?" Harry asked.
"More of a friendly suggestion Mr Potter," The warlock said with a pointed stare.
"Give me a month and it'll be done," Harry said and he watched as the chief warlock considered this for a moment before nodding his agreement.
"A month it is, don't disappoint me Potter."
"What was all that about?" Hermione asked as they left the court room to go in search of Draco and his mother. Harry never got the opportunity to answer Hermione before an excited bundle of blonde energy bounded happily into his open arms.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," he said as Draco began kissing Harry repeatedly anywhere he could reach, holding him close. Narcissa stood off to the side, watching the joy her son displayed so openly in dismay. He had always been such a reserved child, never had she seen him like this. Harry was clearly a bad influence on him. Though Harry supposed that it didn't help that they were practically snogging in front of her. "I knew you'd come for us." Draco said feeling deliriously happy.
"Of course," Harry said, returning Draco's embrace fully, he had missed him so much, he hoped never to have to go without him for a very long time. Just to hold him in his arms was a relief. "Draco, there is something I have to tell you," Harry began, breaking apart a little so that he could look into his eyes as he said this.
"What is it?" Draco asked with concern at the seriousness he heard in Harry's voice. Of course he feared the worse, scared that his whole world was about to come crashing down as Harry rejected him, told him that it was over.
"I should have told you when you said it to me before you were arrested and I'm sorry that I didn't but I can tell you now. Draco, I love you too."