Chapter 1: About Freedom

Chapter Text

Draco and Narcissa Malfoy sat calmly in the middle of one of the Ministry of Magic's courtroom, their aristocratic masks hiding how drained they really felt. It had been a long, tense day of testimony, but now was the time for the final and most important witnesses. Draco Malfoy looked up at the towering ceiling with its floating candles and tried to ignore his pounding head. He knew his future was on the line as he waited for Harry Potter and Hermione Granger to give their testimonies.

The courtroom was packed with witches, wizards, and members of the Wizengamot, all eager to hear the fate of the former Slytherin student and his mother.
Knowing his mother, Draco could see that Narcissa's face etched with worry. Nevertheless, she glanced at her son and gave him an almost imperceptible encouraging smile. Outsiders would of course not recognise even a smidgeon of both face impressions.

The doors at the back of the courtroom swung open to let Harry Potter and Hermione Granger enter. Both looked tensed, but also determined. At their entry, they casted a look at both Malfoys, acknowledging their presence through a small nod their way. Narcissa nodded back while Draco felt too tensed to send even the smallest sign to his former rival.
A whirlwind of emotions was churning within him. Their history had been fraught with rivalry and animosity - the war had somehow blurred those lines. Still, the hope that Draco was setting in Potters and Grangers help leaded to a sense of unease in him, almost like a betrayal of his upbringing and beliefs.

Reaching the testimony table, Granger led down the stack of parchment she had clutched to her chest before sitting down.
Harry Potter stepped up to the witness stand first. When the Head of the Wizengamot, Robards, gave him the word, he cleared his throat and began.
"I first met Draco Malfoy shortly before the start of our first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and from the beginning we didn't exactly get along, to put it mildly."

Had the situation not be this grave, Draco Malfoy would have snorted. "Not getting along" was an absolute understatement, regarding the fact that they had tried to get each other expelled and hurt many times over.

"But the war changed many of us", continued Harry in the silence of the room, "and Draco was no exception."
Hermione nodded in agreement from her seat while Draco winced at the use of his first name by his former rival.

"During the war, Draco was faced with choices that no one, especially someone of our age, should have had to make. He was pressured by his family, threatened by Voldemort, and yet he found the courage to help us."
Harry let that last sentence linger, until low mutterings slowly began in the stands.
"How so?", Robards asked finally.

Harry took this cue to glance at his companion, and Hermione nodded as she stood up. Their strategy had obviously been meticulously planned.

"Draco Malfoy risked his safety by helping us when we were captured by Death Eater associates.", she said, and all eyes turned to her. Once she was sure she had everyone's attention, she continued.

"We were taken to the drawing-room of Malfoy Manor, where Bellatrix Lestrange, suspicious of our identities, summoned Draco Malfoy. He was tasked with identifying Harry, or more precisely, confirming the Death Eaters speculations."
The room hung on her every word, the tension thick in the air. After a brief pause, she went on.
"After spending so many years together at Hogwarts, we are absolutely certain that Draco had no trouble recognising Harry, Ronald Weasley, and me, even though Harry was disfigured at that moment.", she said, strongly emphasising the word "absolutely".
"We strongly believe that Draco was then already deeply conflicted, torn between his fear for his family—especially his mother—and his own safety. We are also certain that he fully understood the impact of his lie at that moment. He knew exactly that betraying us at that precise time would result in losing the war for our side."
She paused and glanced around at the individuals present, before continuing.
"His understanding of the situation at that moment and the fact that he recognised Harry Potter but did not reveal either his nor our identities constituted a silent rebellion against his aunt Bellatrix Lestrange as well as against Voldemort himself, thus demonstrating his clear support for our cause. We strongly believe that this act led to him being tortured by Voldemort afterward. It is very likely that this torture was significantly worse than what I experienced at the hands of his aunt."

She paused to catch her breath and give the Wizengamot some time to absorb what she had just said. The Wizengamot sat in complete silence, all eyes fixed on her, as each member pondered the significance of her words and the weight of her statements.

After a short silence, Robards turned his attention from Hermione to Draco.
"Thank you Miss Granger, Mr. Potter. Mr. Malfoy, did you recognise Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger when they were brought to the Malfoy Manor at aforementioned occasion?"

A tensed silence fell over the courtroom.
Draco cleared his throat before answering. "I did."

"And you willingly refused to share this knowledge with the present Death Eaters?", Robards continued.

"This is correct.", Draco answered.

"Why?", asked Robards.

Draco exhaled before answering.

"Hermione Granger is correct in assuming that revealing their identities would have led to the end of the war. My aunt was ready to summon the Dark Lord as soon as she had confirmation of their identities. I was aware of this. At that time, I had already placed my hopes in the hands of the so-called Chosen One. Identifying them would have shattered those hopes."

"Why were you hoping for a victory by the so-called 'Light Side'?" Robards asked again.

Draco felt as though this discussion had been revisited several times during his and his mother's hearing. Each time the questions differed slightly, but the core issue stayed the same. Tired, he began his defense plea again.

"Due to my father's involvement with the Dark Lord, I witnessed the events unfold and the darkness of his reign from the start. I was raised with the belief that purebloods were superior to everyone else. However, under the Dark Lord's rule, all I saw was the suffering and cruelty inflicted by him and his followers, and I couldn't ignore the growing doubt within me. Their ideals were not mine; their vision for the future and the methods they used to achieve it were revolting to me. Yet, I couldn't leave this association—my mother would have been punished for my defiance, and I would have been held accountable for hers. The only way I could help the Order of the Phoenix was by choosing not to identify Harry Potter when the opportunity arose."

"Were you tortured afterwards as implied by Miss Granger?", continued Robards.

"I was. As implied by Miss Granger."

Muttering began anew in the stands of the Wizengamot.

"Thank you for your answers," Robards said, turning back to Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. "Mr. Potter, you wanted to provide testimony regarding Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy as well. Could you please elaborate?"

Nodding, Harry stood up again.
"During the battle of Hogwarts, it was brought to my attention that I had inadvertently been made an Horcrux by Voldemort. He would therefore not be able to die as long as I was alive."

The Wizengamot fell silent once more. Although this part of the story was already well-known and widely covered in various media, it still remained impressive.

"The Killing Curse that Voldemort cast on me in the Forbidden Forest on May 2nd destroyed only the fragment of his soul contained within me. I remained alive, having merely been knocked unconscious. Voldemort was unaware of this fact, and it was imperative that he remain so. He dispatched Narcissa Malfoy to confirm my death. Despite my being very much alive, she reported to him that I was dead. Once again, had it not been for a lie from a Malfoy, the outcome would have been disastrous."

The Wizengamot remained silent, their faces showing concentration as they absorbed the familiar but significant aspects of Harry's revelation, before turning their attention toward Narcissa Malfoy.

Draco was certain where this question would lead and could hardly suppress an eye roll as his mother responded.
"This lie was the only means available to ensure the safe return of Mr. Potter and myself to Hogwarts."

"Why would you want to return to Hogwarts?"

"It was where the remainder of the Order of the Phoenix and Draco were stationed. I was confident that with all the Death Eaters present, Mr. Potter would be unable to vanquish the Dark Lord in the Forbidden Forest. Additionally, I wished to ascertain personally that my son was safe and well."

"I would like to add," Harry interjected, "that I was both surprised and relieved to hear her lie to Voldemort. Her actions, driven by a mother's love for her son, once again proved to be a pivotal moment in the war against Voldemort."

Muttering began anew, and even Draco was taken aback by how Harry Potter, his long-time rival and adversary, managed to draw a connection between Narcissa Malfoy searching for him and Lily Potter's noble act of protecting Harry, highlighting the lengths Potter was willing to go for the sake of Narcissa Malfoy.

"Thank you for your responses, Mrs. Malfoy," Robards said, before turning back to Hermione and Harry. "Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger, do you have any final remarks to make?"

Hermione and Harry exchanged a brief glance before Hermione stated, "We are of the opinion that Draco and Narcissa Malfoy merit a second chance. They should be afforded the opportunity to live free from the burdens imposed by their family and associates, to surmount long-standing prejudices, and to prove their potential to become exemplary witches and wizards."

"Thank you for your presence. Please take your assigned places on the witness benches." As Harry and Hermione stood up, Robards reviewed his papers and then continued.
"All witnesses have now been heard. Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy, do you have any final remarks?"
Mrs. Malfoy locked eyes with Robards, her voice rising clearly through the room, "We thank the Wizengamot for listening to us and will accept their decision, whatever it may be."

"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy. I now ask the Wizengamot to convene in the deliberation area."

All members gathered within the space delineated by a golden line, while a barrier of silence raised around the area.

After what felt like an eternity, the Wizengamot resumed their seats. Gawain Robards rose to address the assembly with a commanding presence.
"In consideration of the testimonies provided and the responses given by the accused," he began, directing his gaze at the Malfoys, "the Wizengamot has reached its verdict. Draco Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Lyra Malfoy, you will not be subject to a prison sentence for your actions during the war."
Draco heard his mother release a breath she had been holding.
"Nevertheless, the court cannot be assured that you would utilise your second chance prudently if left to your own devices. Consequently, the Wizengamot has resolved to impose specific obligations upon you. Mr. Malfoy, you are mandated to complete your education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and to demonstrate a genuine commitment to a course of redemption and rehabilitation. Mrs. Malfoy, you will be placed under house arrest for a period of one year, and your wand will be confiscated for three years. Both of you will be required to undergo an independent psychiatric evaluation annually for the subsequent five years. Should these evaluations fail to reflect a significant alteration in your perspectives on pureblood supremacy, a further appearance before the Wizengamot will be necessitated. I hereby declare this session closed."

Relief washed over Draco while muttering as well as some indignant grumbling filled the courtroom.
He remained seated for a few moments longer, savouring the sensation and the fact that, apart from the annual examination, he remained a free man. His mother gave him a stern look and nodded towards Potter and Granger. He knew they needed to speak to them, he still let out an annoyed sighed. Well, he would just let his mother make the talk.

"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger", she said when they approached the witness bench. Hermione glaced up from the papers she was reorganising while Harry turned to face them.

"We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your testimony. It undoubtedly played a significant role in the outcome of our case.", she stated, lowering her head slightly.
"I also would like to convey my heartfelt apologies for the hardships you've endured due to our family's actions over the years. You have shown tremendous courage and kindness, and we are genuinely thankful for your support"

A moment of silence ensued as Harry held Narcissa Malfoy's gaze before responding. "We believe in offering people the opportunity to change, Mrs. Malfoy, and we think you and your son are on that path. Thank you for your kind words. Let us all hope for a better future." Harry extended his hand to Narcissa Malfoy, who gave it a brief shake. She then turned to Hermione Granger, extending her hand, which Hermione accepted wordlessly. Mrs. Malfoy nodded once more to both of them, then glanced at her son before turning away.

Draco glanced at Potter, then at Granger, and gave a curt nod before following his mother out of the courtroom. A new emotion began to rise within him: irritation. He would have to spend another year alongside Harry Potter, his now oh so sacred and brave saviour, both of them aware that without Potter's intervention, Draco would likely be in Azkaban. Unable to suppress his frustration any longer, Draco rolled his eyes, earning a disapproving look from his mother.