Hey sorry for the late update. could not get this chapter loaded anytime I tried the page would just refresh and there would be nothing. hopefully, this won't happen again and if anyone knows why this kept happening or how I can avoid it in the future please let me know. otherwise thank you and I hope you enjoy the chapter.
Draco sat in the carriage with his mother and an Auror She had insisted on joining him on his trip back to Hogwarts. He didn't have the strength to fight her on it. his father being in Askaban had been putting a strain on her and he knew how much she must need a small distraction. The papers hadn't been helping dragging their family name through the mud. He knew that she must have been going crazy in the Manor all alone. This year was going to be hard on her. until he returned.
The day after the battle his family was separated and taken into custody there they were kept and questioned until their trials. Draco had complied as much as he could. Meaning that he tried and failed to keep the snark out of his voice while he was questioned, Something that did not help him while in holding. He might have received a beating or two but he felt certain that the beatens would have happened even if he had been the most respectful and helpful prisoner. The part that really hurt was the lack of contact and information anytime he asked about his parents and their cases he was given shit.
As his court date got closer the wizard in charge of his case repeatedly told him that due to past Malfoy deceptions and lack of information, his only good choice would be if he offered his memories. He was told that his word was not exactly trusted. The man had told him that the story of him being pressured and forced to do the Dark Lord's bidding in fear of what he might do to his family could be argued. his claims to have done small things in the background in hopes of helping those around him, how during the battle finally going against his Lord. Prove it who is his eye witness. Draco didn't really think he had one it was a fucking battle people were busy. Draco didn't want a bunch of people looking through his memories of the last two years even if they were magically bound not to talk about anything not related to the case or outside the courtroom.
On the day of his trial, he was finally able to see his Mother she was not held at Askaban but was under house arrest and allowed to attend his and his father's court days under the guard and supervision of an Auror He was surprised to learn that there were four character witnesses to speak on his behalf. One was Luna Lovegood who told the court how during the time she was kept at his Manor he had provided her with proper food and medical treatment if she or Ollivander had been tortured. She also talked about how she noticed during the school year that he didn't join in with the good number of Death Eater family kids and tortured the rest of the student body. He had isolated himself more than he had the year before.
The second was Theo he told how he could understand how Draco was pressured into everything. His parents were already too deep and had no way out without risking not only their lives but the life of their only child. He talked about how he had no doubt that Draco felt the same way. He talked about how the Malfoys did not hold the same standing and respect in Vorldormorts circle as they did 18 years ago; for them, it would have been more about surviving. When asked why he didn't fall under such pressure. Theo just scuffed and said. " I have hated my Father since I was 12 if someone had threatened him I would have made them tea." He was then asked why he helped the Order, was he not threatened? Theo just shrugged and told them the only person that ever threatened him was his father. Everyone else just left him alone to do as he pleased. These first two who had spoken upon his behalf surprised him greatly but the other two had him in shock.
HARRY FUCKING POTTER spoke on his behalf telling them how Draco had not only lied to his family and the other Death Eaters about not recognizing him but also assisted with their escape from the Manor. He claimed that he and his friends would have died that day if he hadn't helped them. He also gave some information that many seemed skeptical of he said that Dumbledore had known from the start of the year what was going to happen and had planned to die to help protect his students. Draco was one of the people who had a hard time believing this.
The last one was hard. She didn't look at him once and gave direct answers. She seconded that he had not outed Harry and the rest of them when they were brought to the Manor. She also seconded Theo on his being pressured into his part in everything. She talked about how unwell he had looked throughout their 6th year and how he must have been mentally distraught. and did many things he regretted.
Draco could not figure out what was going on inside her mind. The whole time she was in the room he couldn't help but stare at her. clocking every little movement his fingers went to twist his ring but his finger was bare. since taken into custody all of his things were taken from him. She looked better, she still had bags under her eyes but her face was no longer sunken in. She was still a bit on the small side from what he could tell, but he was sure a few more meals she would be back to a healthy weight. Her hair had life back to it though she had worn it up and attempted to keep it under control. His heart rate had spicked when she had walked toward him only to pass him. He watched over his shoulder as she kept her back straight and eyes forward walking out of the courtroom.
When he was brought back to his cell later that evening he asked for the wizard in charge of his case he told him that he would agree to them seeing his memorise. It took them three days to pull and sort out his memories of the last two years after that it was a week of them going through them. then another three weeks of them confirming that nothing had been tampered with. After a month of waiting he was given his sentence he was found an unwilling participant so although he was still guilty of some crimes he would be given a lighter sentence. He had a choice: spend five years in Azkaban, or finish his schooling at Hagworst as an 8th year, and then spend a year of house arrest. He chose the second.
He watched as his mother fiddled with her gloves she was nervous. He reached out placing his hand over hers as they continued to sit in silence. Neither of them liked that the Auror was there watching and listening. Couldn't he have ridden on the outside? When they finally arrived at the castle his bags were taken by some of the castle Elvis. Head Mistress McGonagall greeted them at the gate. She welcomed Draco and said a polite hello to his mother and the Auror. the two spoke and confirmed with one another that the outside Auror patrol would be around in case there were any problems. His mother looked like she was forced to suck on a sour slug as they talked. McGonagall said that it was reassuring but that she was sure there would not be any problems. The Auror then took out Draco's wand from the pocket of his robes. He held it in front of him as he gave the speech that he had already heard twice before.
He was only allowed his wand within school grounds. His wand had a tracker spell and a block so he couldn't use harmful spells at the end of each month an Auror would stop by the school and scan his wand to make sure it hadn't been tampered with and that there were no suspicious spells that have been used with it. at the end of the school year, his wand would be returned to the custody of the ministry and he would not get it back until the end of his house arrest. Draco gave a borde yes that he understood and agreed. The man grunted and tossed his wand to the ground Draco was just able to catch it before it hit the ground. He glared at the man looming over him. He dusted the invisible dirt from his wand the first of his persessions that he got back besides his clothes.
" Mister Weaver," McGonagall said in a scolding tone. The man walked away and waited by the carriage as he and his mother said their goodbyes. She was hesitant he was sure she wanted to say something since they reunited earlier that day. but anytime she seemed like she might talk she would just rub her hands and look away. Maybe he would ask her in a letter at a later date. He let her kiss his cheek before pulling away and following the Head Misstress to the castle. While they walked McGonagall again welcomed him back to Hogwarts and told him that she was glad he had chosen to join them for another year. Draco only gave curt nods he didn't want to give more than that. He didn't like how the new Head of school was acting, pretending as if everything wasn't weird and tense as hell. She walked him down to the dungeon explaining that there were a deal of new rules and responsibilities for this school year. all the information could be found in the binders left in his room along with his belongings. Draco wasn't fully paying attention so when they got to the secret passage and she asked him if there would be any problems he just shook his head.
"Good, then you and the other head of houses assistants will have a meeting with the head boy and girl this afternoon then one among yourselves. And then you will report to your head of house. Everything is expected to be done before the rest of the students arrive this evening where you will help the prefects welcome and organize your underclassmates."
The older witch gave a firm nod as if all was agreed and walked off. Draco stood in front of the still-sealed passage. What the fuck did she just say and what the fuck is a Head of house assistant.
Draco paced outside the door of the meeting room. He couldn't fucking believe this apparently he had agreed to be the Slytherin assistant Head of house. Which was a new role for the school year. it was to help keep a positive flow and safe rivalry between the houses. Make sure everyone was following rules and was yet just another fucking name for prefect that just so happen to also give daily reports to the head of the house and that they could use as fucking earn boys. Didn't they fucking do anything themselves? He didn't want this he didn't want to be front row and in the fucking spotlight. He was already going to be fucking monitored this whole fucking year, why must he also do this. Was this some sick little jab at him?
" what the hell are you doing?"
Draco almost jumped out of his skin at the sudden voice. He had moved away fast from the voice before even looking at who had spoken. It was Rookwood, why the hell was she here?
"I suggest you not do that unless you want your ass beaten before you head back to Azkaban," Rookwood said her hand hovering over her wand hoster.
Draco looked down and saw that he had his wand in his hand. He put it away and looked at his feet. God that was embarrassing fucking Huffpuss was making him jump now.
" soooo Prefect or A.H?" Rookwood had moved her hand from away her hoster and she had taken a more relaxed stance but she still seemed to scan him as if waiting for some sudden movement.
" what… oh That assistant thing." Draco had looked up but chose not to look at her directly.
"mmm well, word of advice from Hufflepuff A.H. to Slytherin A.H. don't be so fucking jumpy and trigger-happy. Our job this year is to help keep things calm. You being all strung up and tense is not going to help put anyone at fucking ease." Rookwood walked to the door not hesitating before opening it and walking right in. The sound of chatter and greetings was heard Draco stared at the open and waiting door before taking a breath putting his head down and walking in,