A/N: I'm a sucker for a good flashback, and we'll be having a good portion of that in the coming chapters. :) Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoy it!
June 1998
The courtrooms were cold and Hermione shivered, wrapping her arms around her midsection where she sat, thigh pressed against Harry's. Ron was nowhere to be seen, as expected. Death Eater after Death Eater filed in, had their witnesses called and sentences given.
Lucius Malfoy's name was called out and Hermione tensed. Harry's hand landed on her knee and squeezed tightly, knowing exactly how she felt. The last time they'd seen him so close was in the Manor and neither wanted to relive that. But, today, they'd have to.
Kingsley sat at the forefront of the Wizengamot, staring down blankly at Lucius. He had had his own battles with the man but he was to be as unbiased as possible in this decision. Hermione could see his jaw clench and knew it was a tough battle to remain unflinching.
"Lucius Malfoy," Kingsley thundered. "On this date, June fifth of 1998, you are accused of a number of crimes consisting of: performing magic before Muggles, Dark Wizard abetting, premeditated acts of torture and murder, the use of Unforgivables, and the ownership of a wide collection of Dark artifacts. How do you plead?"
"G-guilty," Lucius croaked out, his voice dry and crackly. Harry shot her a strange look. She understood immediately what his thought process was. Lucius was throwing himself under the bus, but why? To try and save Draco and Narcissa? She wasn't too sure if it would work, but at least he was giving it a shot. She struggled to swallow.
A slew of witnesses cycled through the stands, voicing what they'd seen during the war and beforehand. Her hand had found Harry's in the middle of a particularly emotional wizard's testimony. By the end of the last witness' testimony, it was clear Lucius wouldn't be getting a slap on the wrist.
"Wizengamot, based on witness testimony and the charges against him, please raise your hand if you believe Lucius Malfoy deserves life imprisonment in Azkaban," Kingsley's voice echoed through the room and Hermione gripped Harry's hand tighter. Of the fifty wizards and witches seated beside him, thirty-seven raised their hands. The remaining thirteen had grim faces and Hermione had no doubt they wished the Dementor's kiss upon him. Kingsley continued with the final decree.
"Lucius Malfoy, because of the manner of your crimes and by witness testimony of your actions, the Wizengamot sentences you to life imprisonment in Azkaban." The aurors standing at the sides of the room stepped forward to collect the haggard Malfoy monarch.
"Minister, if I may-" Lucius begged, leaning back from the aurors grip, staring at Kingsley with a look of utter desperation. "Would I be allowed a moment with my family to say my goodbyes? Once their trials are complete?"
Hermione's chest pinched and her breath hitched slightly. She felt the need to cry for some reason but couldn't, and she was glad for it. The last thing she wanted to do was cry over Lucius Malfoy. Harry's thumb rubbed circles on the back of her hand.
"I suppose that can be arranged," Kingsley spoke quietly, losing the harsh, sonorus charm. As Lucius was led out of the room, Kingsley shuffled his papers and seemed to get lost in thought, staring at the sheet on top.
"Bring in Narcissa Malfoy." The doors slid open and Narcissa was brought in, albeit without handcuffs - unlike her husband before her. She was placed in the chair in the center of the room and her eyes glanced around the room, catching on Hermione and Harry. She stared at the two for a moment before directing her attention to Kingsley, who had begun to speak.
"Narcissa Malfoy." Kingsley had resumed the sonorus charm. "On this date, June fifth of 1998, you are accused of a number of crimes consisting of: performing magic before Muggles, Dark Wizard abetting, and the ownership of a wide collection of Dark artifacts. How do you plead?"
"Guilty, but Minister, I'd argue two of my three charges were done so under duress and would like that to be taken into account by the Wizengamot," Narcissa spoke primly, eyes matching Kingsley's. Hermione watched her in awe; the grace of Narcissa while in her predicament was surprising having seen Lucius so desperate and desolate.
"Very well. We shall keep it in mind. Would you mind clarifying which charges?" Kingsley made a note on his papers.
"I had been forced to perform magic in front of muggles as they had been brought into my home to torture for fun. The spells I performed were cleaning charms in between the bouts of torture. I did not partake in the torturing of any individuals - muggle or otherwise. As for the Dark Wizard abetting - I hope you'd understand that my family was in danger; I'd do anything to keep them safe." She paused. "As for the Dark artifacts, I can't think of many families within the Sacred Twenty-Eight who don't have at least one or two."
Hermione knew of at least one that that applied to - the Weasleys. She was sure Narcissa knew this as well.
"This information will be regarded carefully in your case. Our first witness, Harry Potter," Kingsley nodded in Harry's direction. Giving Hermione's hand a squeeze, he stood and headed towards the space just before the Wizengamot.
"Er, hello," he started. Hermione resisted raising her hand to her forehead; he was always shit at public speaking. "My first experience with Narcissa during the war involved our capture at the Manor. She stayed off to the side, and looked like she'd be sick at any minute. I'd never seen her worse off-" he glanced back at the woman in question. "Worse than she is even now being held in custody."
"When we went to escape, she did nothing to stop us. I didn't think about it then but I remember it now. Then, during the final battle, when I went to the forest to confront Voldemort-" the entirety of the courtroom flinched besides Hermione and Kingsley. "I was killed, but I came back. She was the one who was forced to check if I was alive. She knew. She spoke to me and I responded, and then she lied directly to his face. She told him I was dead, knowing it was the only way she could find her son and help us stop the war. Everything she did was out of fear and love for her family."
"Thank you for your testimony Mr. Potter," Kingsley said. He then voiced out the next witness and they came to stand in Harry's place.
"You were very direct," Hermione whispered as he took his seat beside her.
"Thanks, I had no idea what I was doing," he responded quietly.
"That much was clear."
"Oi, watch it."
"Wizengamot," Kingsley was speaking again. "Based on witness testimony and the charges against her, please raise your hand if you believe Narcissa Malfoy deserves a year in Azkaban." A total of four members raised their hands. "Raise your hand if you believe Narcissa Malfoy deserves a year under house arrest and without use of her wand for that year."
Twenty-three members raised their hands. Kingsley sighed, shuffled some papers and looked back up at Narcissa.
"Raise your hand if you believe Narcissa Malfoy deserves eight months under house arrest and without use of her wand for those months," he tried. Twenty-nine members raised their hands.
"Narcissa Malfoy, because of the manner of your crimes and by witness testimony of your actions, the Wizengamot sentences you to eight months under house arrest without the use of your wand for the duration of your arrest." The aurors stepped forward once more and Narcissa stood, nodding at Kingsley before glancing back at Harry. She seemed to mouth thank you across the room at him, and the tips of his ears flushed pink.
"Did she just thank me?" He asked Hermione as Narcissa was led out of the room.
"I think so," Hermione muttered as Kingsley began to speak once more.
"Bring in Draco Malfoy." The aurors returned, with the malnourished form of Draco, in handcuffs like his father. Hermione blanched; how they felt like they were needed, she had no idea.
"Draco Malfoy," Kingsley thundered. "On this date, June fifth of 1998, you are accused of a number of crimes consisting of: performing magic before Muggles, Dark Wizard abetting, premeditated acts of torture, attempted murder, and the use of Unforgivables. How do you plead?"
Draco was silent for a couple seconds, staring at the floor. Then, quietly, he said "Guilty."
"Our first witness, Harry Potter." Once again, Harry stood, pale in the face. He resumed his place in front of the Wizengamot ang glanced back at the boy behind him.
"I'll start with this - I don't like Malfoy." Hermione groaned quietly, closing her eyes. Bad timing, Harry!
"We've had our differences; he was a prick, I was a prick, we were kids, whatever. But I was there the night Albus Dumbledore was killed, even though Malfoy isn't aware that I was." Draco had finally looked up at Harry's statement, his face contorted in confusion. "Dumbledore was going on about how Malfoy could be saved, but Malfoy went on about how he didn't have any choice in the matter and that his family was at risk. He spent a lot of time there with Dumbledore, just talking and Dumbledore was unarmed and everything. He put off killing him as long as he could and, in the end, it was Snape to do it."
"As for when we were captured, the same can be said about Malfoy as for Narcissa - he looked like he was going to be sick, like he really didn't want to be there. He made no attempt to stop us and even let me steal wands right out of his hands with barely a fight. When we had arrived, well, Hermione had shot a spell at me and made my face swell up unrecognizably. He knew it was me though, I saw it in his face but terror was also there. He lied, said he didn't recognize any of us even though both Hermione and Ron had no disguises and he clearly knows who they are. He saved us from Voldemort that night."
"Thank you for your testimony Mr. Potter," Kingsley said. "Our second witness, Hermione Granger." Hermione and Harry swapped places, taking a moment to squeeze each other's hands. Draco was staring at her so intently she felt her heart drop. At that point, she knew she was doing the right thing.
"Draco Malfoy was a blood purist bully during our school years." She winced internally, realizing she started off just as badly as Harry had. "I felt his wrath more than once and was subjected to humiliation and disregard for my well being." Kingsley met her eye with a raised eyebrow.
"I inform you of this to show that my testimony comes away from past differences and hatred, so I hope you don't take my words lightly. During our sixth year, he was a shell of his former self. He dropped the bullying act and the pompous attitude and withdrew. You could tell he was struggling with the task given to him by Voldemort." There was a rattle as Draco flinched so badly his handcuffs shook together. Hermione continued.
"When we were brought to Malfoy Manor, as Harry said, he refused to identify us. Harry and Ron were thrown into the dungeons, I guess you'd call them, while I was kept upstairs by Bellatrix Lestrange. She repeatedly used the cruciatus curse on me while he remained off on the side. He was horrified. After Bellatrix had had her fun with me, she brought out a dagger and began to carve into my arm. I saw him mouth words, even though he stood frozen in place. Then I felt an icy effect wrap around my arm. I can only assume he used a numbing charm on my arm to dull the pain. He's just a boy, only eighteen, and I'm sure it wasn't his idea to take the mark. Please, understand his circumstances in your decision."
She nodded her head at the wizards and witches before her, before heading back to her seat beside Harry.
"Thank you for your testimony, Ms. Granger," Kingsley said, his voice weirdly quiet even with the sonorus charm in effect. The Wizengamot sat silent for a moment, collecting their thoughts before Kingsley continued.
"Wizengamot, based on witness testimony and the charges against him, please raise your hand if you believe Draco Malfoy deserves five years in Azkaban for his role as a Death Eater." Two members raised their hands. "Raise your hand if you believe Draco Malfoy deserves a year in Azkaban." Nineteen members raised their hands. Kingsley shuffled through his papers before looking up at the Malfoy heir. There was silence as Kingsley thought.
"Raise your hand if you believe Draco Malfoy deserves to serve three months in Azkaban before returning to Hogwarts to finish his education under the careful eye of Minerva McGonagall." This offer drew a pause in the Wizengamot's voting as they all thought over the punishment. It was an odd one, but one that seemed to befit the young wizard. Forty-three members raised their hands slowly.
"Draco Malfoy, because of the manner of your crimes and by witness testimony of your actions, the Wizengamot sentences you to three months in Azkaban before your return to Hogwarts for the entire school year." Draco stared at Kingsley even as the aurors approached and made him stand. They led him out of the room and Hermione and Harry stood, choosing not to remain for the other cases. They came for what they needed to do, and it was done.