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An Unconvincing Trial

Harry as usual, arrived by floo at the Ministry. Took a left to the offices and made his way to his Head Auror Office and settled himself in his comfy armchair at his desk. He started to arrange his paper work that he'd left on his desk the day before when a new file caught his eye. He picked it up and drew a short intake of breath, the file read;

"MALFOY, Draco – Death Eater Trial"

"No," whispered Harry as he opened the file to view the content. With a sudden jolt Harry realised that the trial was today. In ten minutes. "Fuck," he exclaimed as he grabbed he robes and shot out the door.

He knew he had to be there. His arch-enemy was going on trial for his life. Harry felt a tightening in his chest; he couldn't let this happen he thought as he rushed through the corridors and down to the court rooms. The Wizengamot was already in place and preparing to start the trial as Harry burst in through the doors with an apologetic look to the Minister. All eyes were on him as they so often were, he was the Saviour after all. He allowed his eyes to roam around at the Ministry Officials and coming to rest on Malfoy in the centre of the room. Harry fought to keep his expression neutral although his heart was hammering against his rib-cage. He needed to save him. 'But he's your enemy' his subconscious whispered helpfully 'has been for years, what are you doing?'

The Minister started the trial. Malfoy didn't even bother to defend himself, as if he knew there was no hope for him. No future other than Azkaban. He knew he was doomed from the day he got that dammed Dark Mark etched onto his skin. But, Harry thought, if he was panicking or afraid he didn't show it. And yet, Harry still felt like he ought to save him if he could, so he coughed, only lightly but enough to interrupt the Minister's condemning speech.

"Sorry," Harry said, smiling slightly as he felt everyone's eyes on him once again, including Malfoy's. "May I speak in defence?"

And excited whisper travelled around the court.

"Err... Go ahead, Auror Potter." The Minister looked downcast, Harry smiled inwardly. He knew the Minister wouldn't dare to go against anything he said and Malfoy seemed to know this too, and for the first time Harry saw a glimmer of hope show in the cold grey eyes.

"In defence of the offender, Minister, I would like to point out that, had Mr Malfoy turned me to his aunt; Bellatrix Lestrange when I was in Malfoy Manor, I would not be here to this say. And so you see," Harry allowed himself a smirk "If it were not for him, then the wizarding world would be under the rule of one of the darkest wizards in history." Harry flashed a dazzling smile in the Minister's direction. "I owe him my life, and if I may take the liberty, by default so do you."

And that the Minister could not disagree with and so, with a resigned nature and a frown he declared Malfoy 'Cleared of all charges'.

A grumble of disapproval swept around the room, but Harry's intense smile stopped them from saying anything outright.

'Well' thought Harry 'If I can't save a few lives by dropping my name, what kind of World Saviour would I be?'

The Wizengamot dispersed and Harry left quickly – he didn't want to explain his actions. Meanwhile Malfoy had been rendered completely speechless, he had no idea of Harry's motives but he was free and wasn't about to complain. That was the second time Harry had saved his life, and although he was extremely grateful, he wouldn't be seen dead thanking him. It took a while for Draco to get his head straight but he realised that now he was a free man, he could try and fulfil his dream of becoming a Healer. The amount of casualties he had seen during and after the war had affected him gravely. The trauma he saw as loved ones watched their family members die; he felt he wanted to something good. He felt like it would be some sort of redemption for what he had done during the war. If he had to be honest, it had corrupted them all. He had no family to return to, his father, the cunning and devious Lucius Malfoy had been on trial two weeks ago and sentenced to live the rest of his days in Azkaban. Narcissa – Draco's mother – had gone mad with grief and the sense of wrong-doing was so great that she committed suicide just a few days after the end of the war. Draco had no-one and for the first time in his life, he knew exactly how Harry felt. Having no parents to comfort or talk to him, he felt completely alone.