After the War

by Niells

Just a story about the lives of the Chosen One and his loved ones after the war. Rated M for language and later chapters

8. Trials and Sentences

Harry awoke on the morning of the trial of the Malfoys. He was testifying, as were Luna and Dean. They were all in the cellar and Malfoy Manor at some point during the Year of Terror. The three Hogwarts' students all met at the Burrow, being fed a hearty breakfast by Molly before being escorted to the Ministry by Arthur and Percy, as well their support group of friends, which consisted of Hermione, Ron and Neville.

The Wizengamot had decided to put Draco on trial first, as he was the youngest. He was sat in the middle of the room, with minimal straps keeping him to the chair. During his time in Azkaban his hair had grown long and shaggy, his complexion even paler, if that was possible and his clothes were baggy, due to him now being skin and bones. Kingsley sat in his chair and stared straight at Draco.
"Draco Lucius Malfoy, you are charged with the crime of being a Death Eater. This crime receives life in Azkaban, with the Kiss being administered in the most serious of cases. However, it has come to the attention of the Ministry and the Wizengamot that to administer the Kiss on you is not necessary. However, we are here today to decide on your sentence. You have pleaded guilty to the charge, but there are few things we need to do in order to determine your sentence length. I call to the stand, Harry James Potter, to testify as a witness to Death Eater activity at the residence known as Malfoy Manor."

Harry stood and made his way to the little bay, where he was to stand and testify. He looked at Kingsley, silently letting him know that he was ready to proceed.
"Mr Potter, you understand that today you need to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. If you do not, you are subject to punishment by the Wizengamot."
"I understand."
"Mr Potter, you may begin. Please tell the Wizengamot of your relationship with Mr Draco Malfoy."
"Of course, Minister. I first met Draco in my first year of Hogwarts. He was a Slytherin, myself a Gryffindor, so that started a rivalry from the get go. It escalated in our second year because we were opposing seekers for our respective Quidditch teams. It was really a school-boy rivalry. In about our sixth year, I began suspecting Draco of possible Death Eater behaviour. For a majority, it was only speculation. We had a duel at one point, but nothing concrete to say he was a Death Eater. However, towards the end of the year, actually, on the night of Dumbledore's death, Draco gave numerous Death Eaters entrance into Hogwarts, through a charmed cupboard. I also witnessed Draco attempt to kill Dumbledore but he was unable to. Severus Snape murdered Dumbledore, through a pre-arranged agreement between them. That was the last time I saw Draco until around Christmas time when myself, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley were taken to Malfoy Manor by Snatchers."
"Mr Potter, can you please tell us the course of events that you, yourself, endured, while at Malfoy Manor?"
"Hermione didn't want me being recognised by the Snatchers or the Death Eaters, so changed my appearance. When we got to Malfoy Manor, while using fake names, we were dragged into a room where Draco, his father and mother Lucius and Narcissa and his aunt Bellatrix Lestrange were waiting. The Snatchers mentioned us having a sword, which happened to be the Sword of Gryffindor. Bellatrix believed that the sword was in her vault and so wanted to know how we got it. It was then that my scar was noticed, though stretched. Draco was called over to identify us, but he stalled. Told the adults that he couldn't be sure if we were Harry, Hermione and Ron. Eventually, they figured it out and Ron and I were taken to a dungeon-like cellar. While in there, I spoke with Luna Lovegood, Ollivander and Dean Thomas, as well as the goblin, Griphook. Luna and Ollivander were prisoners of Voldemort's. But Dean and Griphook were being held there due to being caught by Snatchers. I, I could hear Hermione upstairs, being tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange. We were rescued by Dobby, the House Elf. As he was Apparating us out of Malfoy Manor, he was stabbed in the heart by a knife thrown by Bellatrix. He died upon our arrival at a friend's home."

The courtroom was silent. Harry looked at Draco once he had finished speaking to discover that there were tears falling down his face. Perhaps he was remorseful? Or maybe he had realised that even if he wasn't to lose his soul, he may lose many years or all of his life.

"Mr Potter, did you see Draco Malfoy during the Battle of Hogwarts?"
"Yes, I did. I saw him twice, both times of which I saved his life. The first time we were in the Room of Requirement, both searching for the same thing. I saved his life when one of his comrades, Vincent Crabbe, lit Fiendfyre and was unable to control or extinguish it. Ron, Hermione and I along with Draco and Gregory Goyle were able to escape but Crabbe died as a result of the fire. The second time I saw him, he was on his knees with a Death Eater pointing a wand in his face. I cursed the Death Eater and Draco was able to get away."
"Any interaction after the Battle?"
"I saw him in the Great Hall, with his parents. Then later we had a quick chat, with him thanking me for saving his life. That was the last time I saw him, until now."
"Is there anything else you wish to add, Mr Potter?"
Harry looked back at Draco who was staring at him, not with malice or with contempt but with a thankful, grateful look. He and Harry both knew that Harry had just helped lessen his sentence.

"Guards, please take Mr Malfoy to the holding chamber. All Wizengamot members, please remain. Media and witnesses please exit the courtroom. The Wizengamot is now going into deliberation and we will call you back when we have a decision." Kingsley's orders were followed and Harry made his way out of the booth and to Ron and Hermione, who walked outside with him. That's where he found Luna, crying.

"Luna, what's wrong?" Hermione knelt down in front of the girl, taking her hands in hers.
"How am I supposed to go in there and tell of the torture I received from Lucius fucking Malfoy? Hermione, you know what he did to me! How am I supposed to tell an entire room that?! I could barely tell you and Ginny and you're my two closest friends! How am I going to do this?!" The blonde girl broke down then, no longer able to talk, for her sobs were turning into hiccups and it appeared to Harry and Ron that she was about to enter a panic attack.
Hermione turned to the two boys. "Go back into the courtroom when they call everyone in. Tell me Draco's sentencing, but for now, I have to help Luna. If you see Ginny, tell her I've gone to her father's office." With that, she helped Luna up and started almost carrying her away, down the corridor, back towards the Atrium.

"What do you reckon that was about?"
"I am not entirely sure, but I think Daddy Malfoy might've raped Luna."
"That bastard. I swear, if I find out he did, I'll kill him Harry. This is Luna Lovegood we are talking about! The most caring, gentle and pure girl we know. How could he do this to her?!"
Harry was a bit surprised at his friend's reaction but nonetheless shared the same opinion. It was then that everyone was called back into the courtroom. Harry made his way back in, flanked by Ron, Dean and Neville. They sat down and awaited Kingsley and the Wizengamot's decision about Malfoy.

Malfoy was once again in the chair in the middle of the room, and was looking more frightful than he had when Harry had been called to testify.

"Draco Lucius Malfoy, you have been brought here today charged with Death Eater Activities. After hearing the testimony of witnesses, as well as reading testimonies of witnesses too unwell to make it to the hearing, the Wizengamot have decided upon a sentence for you. Draco Lucius Malfoy, you are sentenced to 100 days of community service, helping the Healers at St Mungo's with victims of the past year, as well as volunteering at the Potter Foundation, helping those who have been affected by Lord Voldemort, his Death Eaters and their horrendous activities. Otherwise Mr Malfoy, you are free to live at your own home. Further details of your punishment will be given to you by an Auror, tomorrow at nine am. If you are not here for your appointment, you will be held in contempt of the court and will be taken straight to Azkaban for six months."

Kingsley concluded the sentencing statement, and the bindings on Draco lifted. He burst into tears, realising how his life had just been saved. The crowd in the stands dispersed and even the Wizengamot left, taking a break before the trial of Narcissa Malfoy. Draco stood and wondered over to wear Harry, Ron, Neville and Dean were sitting in the front row of the stands.
"I can't ever thank you enough, Harry. That's three times you've saved my life now, and I will owe you forever. For three lifetimes really. Thank you, so much. You have no idea how grateful I am." He stuck his hand out, offering a handshake, which Harry accepted. Upon Harry accepting, the other three boys also stuck their hands out to shake Draco's hand. Dean also had some words for him, thanking him for trying to help him as much as possible when he was captured at Malfoy Manor.

The four Gryffindor boys made their way out of the room, going to get something quick to eat and drink, as Dean and Harry were both testifying at Narcissa's trial. Hermione was still missing in action, obviously still with Luna. The boys grabbed her a snack and drink, as well as one for Luna and Ginny, and made their way to Arthur Weasley's office, where they found all three girls, sitting on a small couch, Luna in the middle with Hermione and Ginny's arms around her. They looked up when the boys walked in, Hermione telling them to close the door quickly.

"You're here! What was the sentence?"
"He got sentenced to 100 days of community service at St Mungo's and, get this, the Potter Foundation. He came up and thanked Harry though, said he owes him three lifetimes. Anyway, what's been going on here?" Ron had responded to his girlfriend's question, but was his usual tactless self, because he wanted to know why Luna had broken down.
"Ron, I don't think-" Hermione was cut off by Luna.
"No, no they should know, before they have to hear it in the trial."

Luna looked up at the boys through tears, and began to talk.
"I was captured because Dad was writing about Harry in the Quibbler. I don't regret him doing that. If anything, I am proud of him for sticking up for Harry and his own beliefs. But the thing is, when I was captured, Lucius took somewhat of a hateful like to me. Reminded him of his wife apparently. Not enough that he didn't Crucio me every day, but enough to rape me every night. He would come down to the cellar, grab me and drag me up to an old bedroom in the manor that isn't used anymore. He would cast a charm, muffle, or something like that. Then he would rape me. Sometimes it would only happen once. Other times, like if he had had a bad day, or Narcissa wasn't happy with him, meaning she would deny him once he got to their bedroom, then it would happen three or four times. It continued like this until you arrived and Dobby rescued us. He would beat me if I tried to fight against him. In the end, I just let it happen, trying to put my mind somewhere else, so I could block out what was actually happening to me."

The boys had all sank to the floor during Luna's story, a mix of disbelief and anger, wanting to go to the dungeons and wring Lucius Malfoy's neck now. Their innocent, trusting Luna had been defiled by this monster. As they were still trying to digest the information, a piece of folded up parchment flew in the room and landed in Harry's lap. It was telling them that Narcissa Malfoy's trial was to begin in fifteen minutes. They got up, with Hermione performing a charm on Luna to make it appear that she hadn't been crying.

The group reached the courtroom, the same used for Draco, with five minutes to spare. They took their seats in the same place as before, with Harry, Dean and Hermione all sitting in the front row, as they had to testify. Shortly after they entered, Narcissa Malfoy was bought into the court by two guards. She was placed into the chair her son had previously occupied, bound by the same straps as he. The past few months had not been kind to her. Her hair had grown longer than usual, with the black in it fading as she hadn't seen a hair stylist in ages. Her dress, though elegant, hung on her as if she were the original coat hanger. No, the past few months had not been kind to her at all.

"Narcissa Malfoy, you are charged with the crime of being a Death Eater. This crime receives life in Azkaban, with the Kiss being administered in the most serious of cases. You have pleaded guilty to this charge and so we are here today to determine your sentence. There are three people testifying for you today, Harry James Potter and Dean Thomas. Once the Wizengamot has heard and evaluated their testimony, we will deliver a sentencing statement to you. I would now like to call to the stand Dean Thomas."

Dean stood up and walked away from his friends, with a few pats on the back and whispered good lucks. He stepped up into the witness bay and looked at Kingsley, who was once again back in his chair as head of the Wizengamot.
"Mr Thomas, you understand that today you need to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. If you do not, you are subject to punishment by the Wizengamot."
"I understand."
"You may begin. I must ask you, have you had any prior relationship with the accused?"
"No, I haven't Minister. I did not meet her until this year."
"But you went to school with her son?"
"Yes, Draco and I are the same age, and in the same year at Hogwarts. However, we differed in ways."
"Those ways being what, Mr Thomas?"
"I'm a Gryffindor, he is a Slytherin. I am a Muggleborn, he is a Pureblood."
"Very well. Can you please explain to the Wizengamot the nature of your relationship with Mrs Malfoy."
"I lived in her cellar dungeon for about a month. I had been captured by Snatchers and bought there."
"Did Mrs Malfoy ever act in a malicious way towards you?"
"Only once. She called me a Mudblood, but that was in front of her husband and sister."
"How else did she behave?"
"She was like a surrogate mother, if you can believe that. She used to bring myself and Luna extra food, when she could. It wasn't easy for her. She would sneak us scraps, bring us drinks. She was trying to look after us, keep us alive."
"Did she have any ulterior reason for doing this?"
"I don't believe so. She said to me at one point, when I asked her why she was looking after me, 'If this was my Draco in someone's dungeon, I'd want him looked after. You are someone's son too, Dean. You shouldn't be here. I'm sorry.'. So no, I don't believe that she had any reason to look after us, except maternal instinct."
"Is there anything else you wish to add, Mr Thomas?"
"Not that I can think of Minister."
"Thank you, you may return to your seat."

Dean got out of the bay and returned to his friends, all of whom were beaming at him. He'd done a fantastic job and they couldn't be prouder.
"The Wizengamot now calls to the stand, Harry James Potter."
Harry stood and returned to the bay he had been in earlier, during Draco's trial. He looked down at Narcissa, who looked so like her son. Draco had his mother's eyes, that much Harry could tell. She was crying, as her son had been earlier that day.
"Mr Potter, your oath from earlier today still stands. Do you understand that?"
"I do."
"Right, you may begin with why you are here today."
"Okay. Narcissa Malfoy saved my life. Without her, Voldemort would still be here today." There was a shocked gasp echoed around the room. Not only had Harry said the Dark Lord's name, he had also said that he was not the sole reason the evil man was dead.

"Can you please explain in more detail, Mr Potter?"
"Of course. Voldemort thought he had killed me. He told Mrs Malfoy to check. She covered my face so I could answer her. She asked me if her son was still alive. When I very quietly told her that yes, he was, she announced to Voldemort and his Death Eaters that I was dead. I actually owe this woman my life. I don't think I ever thanked you, but thank you Narcissa Malfoy. You've given me a life I thought I'd never have." Harry looked over at his friends and girlfriend when he said this last sentence, seeing that the girls were crying, and that even the boys looked close to it.
"Is there anything else, Mr Potter?"
"No, Minister."
"Thank you. You may return to your seat. The Wizengamot will now go into discussion about your sentence Mrs Malfoy. You will go back to the dungeons and be returned when we have reached that decision. Persons of the media and public, you will be notified of when to return to this room. Please do not do so beforehand. Thank you."

The crowd left the room and waited outside, all waiting until they could get inside to learn what was to happen to the Malfoy matriarch. Finally, after almost half an hour, they were let back in. Everybody sat back in their previous seats, on the edge of them though, all trying to guess what sentence would be given to Narcissa Malfoy. Narcissa herself was brought back into the courtroom by the same guards that had escorted her out thirty minutes earlier and placed back in the chair in the centre of the room, with the bindings wrapping themselves around her arms and legs again. She looked up at Kingsley, with an apologetic and hopeful look on her face.

"Narcissa Malfoy, after much deliberation, we as the Wizengamot have decided upon a sentence for you. You are hereby sentenced to five years' probation, as well as two hundred days of community service, at St Mungo's Hospital and the Potter Foundation, helping those who have been affected by the actions of Lord Voldemort and his followers. Mrs Malfoy, I want you to know that you have escaped time in Azkaban because of your treatment of the prisoners at your home, as well as for being the reason Harry Potter is alive, and Lord Voldemort is dead. You have contributed to Wizarding society, so therefore you will not go to Azkaban. But, if you do not complete your sentence as it is, you will be put in Azkaban for six months, as well as the remaining term of your probation. Do you understand?"
"I do, Minister."
"Very well. You will need to arrive at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement tomorrow morning at nine am to meet an Auror who will give you details of your punishment. Otherwise, you are free to return to your home for the evening. This session is now over."

As the Wizengamot was dismissed, and the crowd notified that they were to leave the courtroom, Narcissa was released and she then stood up off the chair and sank to the floor, crying, overjoyed at the new feeling of freedom. Held against her will by Voldemort, then again by the Ministry, it was fantastic that she was finally free. She didn't even care that she had to do community service. She could deal with it. She was free and that was all that mattered. She put her head up and looked around the room, her eyes searching, and finding their target. Her son ran to her and helped lift her up, holding her as her body shook with sobs. He helped her walk to and through the door, where she was met by throngs of media. Draco could hear his name being hissed from somewhere unknown and when he turned his head, he couldn't see.

"Draco! Over here! It is Ginny, under Harry's cloak. He wants to help your mum. Stand in front of her and shield her so I can throw this over her."
Draco heard the whispered instructions and did as he was told, and turned his head a moment later to see his mother had disappeared. He then saw the last person he expected to see, come to his rescue. Hermione Granger was shouting at the media, telling them to leave Draco and his family alone. He felt someone tug at his arm, finding it to be Harry Potter, nodding his head in a direction to their right. Leaving Hermione to yell at the press, Draco followed Harry, who lead him past the courtrooms and back to the lift, then taking him up numerous floors until they finally exited the lift and walked into an office, where they found Draco's mother, Ron, Ginny and their father, as well as Luna and Dean. Luna started crying as soon as he walked in, which he didn't quite understand why. Maybe because he reminded her of his house, where she had been kept captive for months.

"Draco! Thank Merlin! I didn't know what was going on. I just felt something fly over me and then Miss Weasley telling me to walk with her. I can't thank you enough for helping me, Mr Potter. You do not owe me anything, and yet you still helped me get away from those vultures."
"It was no issue Mrs Malfoy. I know what it is like to be in that position. Now, how about you and Draco go home? I suggest you get there and pack some things and then go stay somewhere else for a little while."
"I will. But not until after Lucius' trial. I need to be there."
"Are you sure mum? There is a good chance he won't be coming home with us."
"Draco Lucius Malfoy, that is your father. He may not be the best man but he has been the best father for you. You will go down to the court room and you will sit there. Yes, I understand that he most likely is not coming home with us, but that doesn't change the fact that we love him and we should support him."
Draco looked at his mother, and seeing the desperate look in her eye, agreed with her, saying he would join her down there. Arthur offered them another office to sit in, and have some lunch, while they waited for Lucius' trial to begin. They took the offer, leaving Harry and his friends, including a seething Ron, and Arthur to eat some lunch Molly had bought over for them.

"Ron, what's wrong with you? Did your mother make corned beef?"
"What's wrong, Dad? What's wrong? I'll tell you what's wrong! Their FRIENDS killed Fred! And yet we just fucking helped them! Because Harry always has to be the fucking hero! Well guess what?! They deserve everything they fucking get!"
"Ronald! Calm down! Harry helped them because Narcissa helped him in his time of need. I don't care what your opinion is of them right now, but she was in distress, and no person deserves to be hounded by those swine called media."
"You don't care, dad? You don't care that it was their friend that killed Fred?!"
"How dare you?! How dare you suggest I don't care about the people who killed my son! I don't care how angry you are right now Ronald Bilius Weasley, don't you dare insinuate that I don't care that my son is dead! Harry did the right thing, as did your sister and Hermione. Grow up and realise that it is prejudiced people like you that caused this war!"

The room's occupants had never seen Arthur so angry, except for Ginny and Ron, when Arthur and Percy had their big blowup. Ron glared at his father, then turned on his heel and stormed out of the office. Hermione walked in just after he left and looked at them with a curious look on her face.
"Do I even want to know why he wouldn't even look at me, let alone respond to me calling his name?"
"He is upset because we helped Malfoy and his mum. Then dad and he had a fight because Ron basically said Dad doesn't give a fuck that Fred is dead and it was friends of the Malfoys who killed him."
"Ginervra! Language!"
"Sorry dad."
"So Ronald is being a child, as per usual? Fantastic. Well, don't tell him this is my idea, but I think we should use the cloak to get Draco and Narcissa down to the courtroom for Lucius' trial. Also, I saw Kingsley on my way up and he said it starts in, oh Godric, now ten minutes. We should go!"

The group assembled, with Ginny grabbing the cloak and making her way to the office where Narcissa and Draco were waiting. She walked back into Arthur's office, holding a seemingly floating hand. Narcissa and Draco's head popped out of nowhere, just floating there.
"No wonder you like this thing Potter. It is incredibly useful."
"Yes, useful. We have to get down to the courtroom, your dad's trial is starting in ten minutes."
"Let's go then." Draco and his mother popped back under the cloak, and with Harry and Ginny leading, the group left the office. Dean and Hermione flanked the sides of Narcissa and Draco, while Luna, Neville and Arthur bought up the rear. They eventually made it down to the courtroom, and just in time. Harry ripped the cloak off the Malfoys and stowed it away in his robes. Narcissa and Draco sat in the front row, a few seats down from Harry and his friends. Harry wasn't testifying in this trial but Luna and Dean were, so they'd all agreed to come down and support them.

Once everyone was seated, Lucius Malfoy was brought into the courtroom and placed in the chair in the centre of the room. When the bindings lashed him to the chair, there were bindings than his son and wife put together. He stared up at Kingsley, a look of contempt on his face. He wanted to go free today but knew the chances of that were slim to none, and so was ready to accept his fate.

Kingsley began. "Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, you are charged with the crime of being a Death Eater. This crime receives life in Azkaban, with the Kiss being administered in the most serious of cases. You have pleaded guilty to this charge and so we are here today to determine your sentence. Today, we will be hearing the testimony of Dean Thomas and Luna Lovegood. Once the Wizengamot has heard and evaluated their testimony, we will deliver a sentencing statement to you."
At the mention of Luna's name, Malfoy's head sprung, realising then that he was done for.
"The Wizengamot calls Mr Dean Thomas to the stand."

Dean stood and made his way to the stand for the second time that day.
"Mr Thomas, you will recall from earlier that you must tell the truth, otherwise you will face punishment."
"I do."
"Very well, you may begin. Mr Thomas, did you have a previous relationship with Mr Malfoy?"
"No, I did not. I knew his son, as were in the same year at Hogwarts."
"Okay, why don't you now tell us the nature of your current relationship with Mr Malfoy?"
"Of course. I was held captive at Malfoy Manor after being caught by Snatchers. During my time there, Lucius Malfoy would torture me for being a Muggleborn. Sorry, for being a Mudblood. In this past year, I can't count on two hands how many times I received the Cruciatus Curse from Malfoy. I was also beaten, whipped at one point as well. As much as his wife was trying to look after me, he was trying to kill me, or send me insane. Whichever happened first, I guess."
"Is there anything else you wish to add, Mr Thomas?"
"No, Minister. I am finished."
"Very well, you may return to your seat. The Wizengamot calls Miss Luna Lovegood to the stand." Dean stood and made his way back to his friends, as Luna stood and made her way to the stand. The crossed each other, where they stopped and he gave her a bone-crushing hug, saying good luck and telling her to be strong. They parted ways and she reached the booth, where she sat and looked at the Minister of Magic.

"Miss Lovegood, you understand that today you need to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. If you do not, you are subject to punishment by the Wizengamot."
"I understand."
"Very well, you may begin. Did you have a previous relationship with the defendant?"
"No. I knew of him, due to his son attending my school, but I did not know him personally."
"And what is your current relationship with Mr Malfoy?"
Then she said it, the statement that caused a shocked gasp to resonate around the room, and for Narcissa Malfoy to cry out and start abusing her husband, while Harry Potter had to stop her son from leaping over the barrier and beating his father.
"Lucius Malfoy is my rapist." Luna started crying and looked over at Narcissa Malfoy. "I'm sorry Mrs Malfoy, I didn't want it to happen but it did and he wouldn't stop, no matter how much I asked."

Kingsley called the room to order and then looked at Luna.
"Miss Lovegood, are you okay to continue?"
"Yes. It took a week of me being there before he would come down to the cellar every night and take me up to a deserted bedroom, where he would rape me. Sometimes it would only happen once, but other times he would go three or four times, depending on his mood. He would sometimes beat me too, or torture me. Again, depending on his mood at the time. I started trying to block it out while it was happening, but it isn't the easiest thing to do in the world. This 'routine' happened until I was rescued from Malfoy Manor by Harry Potter and his friends. If it weren't for them, Godric knows what I would be like now. All I know is, Lucius Malfoy raped me and tortured me and beat me."

The room was silent, listening to this young girl tell a story of her most vulnerable moments while she was breaking down.
"Miss Lovegood, if you have nothing else to say, you may return to your seat."
Luna stood up and ran from the stand, straight into Ginny's arms, who was already waiting for her. Ginny held her as Luna's body vibrated with the sobs being wretched from her chest.

"Usually, the Wizengamot enters deliberation about sentences, but this is one time where I am taking my own judgement and opinion, which I would like to believe is shared by the rest of the Wizengamot. Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, you are hereby sentenced to life in Azkaban, with no chance for early release."

The crowd in the room broke into applause as Malfoy was dragged out by the guards, seeing the last of him.
"The Wizengamot is now out of session." The crowd dispersed after Kingsley's closing statement, and made their way home. As Harry was leaving, he was stopped by Draco Malfoy, again.

"Thank you, for helping me. And please tell Lovegood, that my mother and I are extremely sorry for my father's indiscretions. If we had known, if mum had known, it would have stopped as soon as we knew. I'm so sorry." Before Harry could respond, Draco had walked back to his mother, where Hermione was waiting with the cloak, to hide them so they weren't hounded by the press again. It would be worse now that Luna's rape was known. Arthur cast a disillusionment charm over Luna, making sure she wouldn't be seen, knowing that was the last thing she needed right now.

They all made their way up to Arthur's office again, where Ron was sitting on the small couch. He looked up when they walked in and went straight to his father, engulfing him in a hug, saying an apology only he could hear. Arthur returned the hug, tears in his eyes. Ron then turned to Harry, also apologising to him. Just as he accepted the apology, Ginny walked into the office.
"Sorry, we got held up. One of the reporters kept following me asking for inside information on Harry and Luna. He backed off when I threatened him with a Bat-Bogey Hex but there'll probably be an article tomorrow saying that Harry Potter's girlfriend is violent and could potentially be the next Dark Wizard. Anyway, what am I doing with these two?" She tore the cloak off Draco and his mum, who was still crying. She saw Luna there and made her way over to her.

"I am so sorry. You have no idea how sorry I am. If I had known, even had an inkling that he was…he was…he was doing this to you, I would've put a stop to it. The same thing happened to me, when I was young, but that was only once. I can only imagine the pain and suffering you've gone through due to the multiple times my, my husband treated you like this. If you ever need anything, anything at all, Luna Lovegood, you come find me. I will do everything within my power to make it up to you."
Luna looked at the woman and smiled at her. "It isn't your fault. But thank you for your apology, it does mean something." Narcissa grabbed the young girl in a hug, continuing to whisper in her ear, so that only Luna could hear what she was saying. When they separated, they were both smiling watery smiles, an unspoken kinship reached between them.

After Harry made sure Draco and Narcissa had somewhere to stay, even offering them Grimmauld Place, he and his friends made their way to the Burrow, only to find George sitting at the table telling them they had to go to Potter Manor, because Molly had taken dinner there. They made their way there, eating dinner with their friends and family, telling stories of the trials, the girls crying when hearing Luna's story, and the men wanting to go and kill Lucius Malfoy themselves. They eventually went to their respective homes, hoping to get a good night's sleep.