The Houses Competition, Round 6- Dialogue
House: Ravenclaw
Class: Divination
Category: Drabble
Prompts Chosen: [Speech] "Actions speak louder than words."
Title/Link: In Defense of 050680
Fandom: HPVerse
Stacked with: THC; MC4A
Individual Challenge(s): Reader; Cinematic; Legal; In a Flash; Bucket Listing; Outer Limit; Lunar Era; Dreamers; Criminal MC; Redemption; Magical MC; Hogwarts MC; Death Eater MC; Watts; Flashers;
Representation(s): Death Eater Draco Malfoy
Primary & Secondary Bonus Challenge(s): NC (Muck & Slime); Second Verse (Not a Lamp; White Dress)
Tertiary & Generic Bonus Challenge(s): War (Ennui)
Word Count: 832
Warnings/Trigger Warnings: minor discussions of canon war
Disclaimer/Author's Note:
Beta: Queen Nitiqret; Ebenbild
oOoOo
"State your full legal name before the Wizengamot."
"Hermione Jean Granger."
"Please tell the court if you are here to testify against or in defense of this defendant 050680."
"He has a name, just as I do, Madam Bones," she said with confidence. "This court has gone from jailing without trial to dehumanizing those in custody, which is hardly the reform we were promised by the ministry."
A fake-sweet voice spoke up. "I believe you were asked a question, Ms. Granger. This court would appreciate that you only answer what you are asked."
"When you're brought to trial, defendant Umbridge, I assure you I will be testifying against you." There was a rumble of approval from the jurors and attendees around the room. Many found it disgraceful that Dolores Umbridge was even still standing on the Wizengamot after being accused of war crimes, so Hermione's clapback was appreciated. Amelia Bones, the current Chief Warlock, had to bring the court back to order.
"As for today, I speak in defense of Draco Malfoy." She made sure to emphasize his name over his prisoner number.
The accused was sitting in the center of the courtroom; the chains binding him to it were at least looser than they would be on a violent or uncooperative prisoner. His head hung in shame, long blond hair covering his face, his pride long gone and when his name was spoken aloud, he glanced up, just long enough to catch her gaze in surprise.
Hermione was on a stand in front of the crowd, facing the corner where the wall of Wizengamot officials met the wall of jurors. It felt strange to her, to be looking down on her enemy from their teenage years.
"050680 bullied you throughout your time in school. Why would you come to his defense?" one of the Wizengamot officials asked.
"Mal-" She paused. Here, it was more important than ever to use his given name. "Draco Malfoy could be a bully, certainly. And he had his moments of cruelty toward me. But I always found him to be all talk, no action." She smirked. "Besides, I could punch some sense into him when it was truly crossing a line."
"He joined the Death Eaters, Ms. Granger. That's more than just talk."
"If I'm not mistaken, he joined to keep his father alive."
All eyes turned from her to him. He kept his gaze averted. "Defendant 050680, did you join the Death Eaters on your father's behalf?"
"No." He looked up to find the speaker who had addressed him. "I chose to join rather than die. That Riddle bastard wanted to kill me to punish my father for his failure." There was another rumble from the crowd, not excited this time, but rather shocked and horrified.
"Riddle?" an official asked.
Hermione eyed Draco curiously. "You-Know-Who, Voldemort, was born a half-blood, named Tom Riddle," Hermione explained. "He renounced his Muggle name." She turned to Draco. "I'm surprised you know his true identity."
"I was quickly disenchanted. I wanted to know who I was bullied into serving," he replied quietly.
Yet another official spoke up with a sigh. "Chief Bones, I object to the current line of questioning on the grounds of relevance."
"Objection sustained. Ms. Granger, why do you speak in defense of," she hesitated, glancing over at the boy in the prisoner's chair. "Mr. Malfoy."
"Actions speak louder than words. And despite any of his previous actions as a teenager in the safety of a school, when it truly mattered, Draco Malfoy did the right thing. He had the opportunity to turn Harry in. When we were captured and brought to Malfoy Manor, he knew who we were."
"Heresy!" Umbridge called. The courtroom boo'd.
The Chief Warlock sighed. "Sustained. Ms. Granger, you cannot speculate on Mr. Malfoy's thoughts.
"I could see the recognition in his face," Hermione tried again. "But he denied Harry's identity. His actions allowed us to escape."
Again, attention turned to Draco. "Were you able to identify Harry when he was brought to Malfoy Manor?"
He answered simply, meeting Hermione's eyes. "Yes."
"Did you deny that it was him?"
"Yes."
"For what reason?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. Why hadn't anyone thought to ask him these questions before now? The incompetence…
Draco's voice brought her attention back to the matter at hand. "Because if I had any hope of making it out alive, Harry Potter was it. His survival was crucial to mine."
"If I may?" Hermione asked, addressing the Wizengamot.
"Go ahead, Ms. Granger," Chief Bones agreed.
"Draco Malfoy was nurtured to believe certain ideals, and I believe that with appropriate actions taken, he can be reformed to be a productive member of our greater magical society. He's already shown me that he can. Because no matter what he ever said in the past, only one thing matters. Actions speak louder than words."
A rumble of approval rose up from the crowd as everyone settled in for the rest of the testimony.