Turns out they did have reason to be scared. In their joy they had forgotten for a split moment Draco was Marked. Marked with the symbol of a loyal follower of Lord Voldemort. Draco along with his family had been taken into custody by the Aurors that had shown up at Hogwarts after the battle went down. They were to be kept at the Ministry until their trial.
The trial was today.
She walked into the Ministry with Roman by her side. School had been cancelled for the rest of the year, so coming to the trial was no problem. She was terrified for Draco and what was awaiting him. She hadn't seen him for a week and she had no idea if there was anyone to help him. He was marked, no one could deny that, but he was not a follower. He was just a kid. A kid who had no choice. She hoped they would see reason.
The courtroom was dark and cold. There were dementors flying around close to the high ceiling. Luckily they were behind a barrier which kept the people in the room from feeling the sense of hopelessness their presence brought. She looked around the room to see who was here and to her surprise and relief she saw Hermione Granger and Harry Potter sitting not so far away. A spark of hope was ignited within her. The day after Draco had been taken away she had gone and talked to Harry asking if he could help.
"Your the only person anyone will listen to, and he doesn't deserve to go to Azkaban. He's only seventeen!" she had said to a passive Harry Potter. "He had no choice, Harry, please. He helped you didn't he? In Malfoy Manor." Harry's eyes widened at that, as if surprised she knew what had happened.
"Hermione was right under the chandelier wasn't she, but she wasn't crushed because Draco moved her. No one but him knew who you were, but he didn't give you away. You took the wands from him in less then five seconds, because Draco didn't put up a fight. He's not one of them, Harry." she said, hoping he would see reason.
"I'll see what I can do." he had said. He had not contacted her after that, so seeing him here was a big relief. She hoped he could help.
A couple of official looking people with dark blue robes walked into the courtroom and sat down. They began to get all their stuff ready and once they were done, the court was in session. She held onto Romans sleeve the entire time, nervous and worried.
First out was Narcissa Malfoy. She was not Marked, and had according to Harry, who gave a testimony, saved him, by not giving away the fact that he was alive after Voldemort had shot the killing curse at him. For that small act of rebellion she was spared from Azkaban, but to be kept on house arrest and had a lot of restrictions placed on her wand. Lucius Malfoy was next and he looked utterly awful compraed to how she had last seen him. His hair was not groomed and she could tell he had accepted his fate. He knew he was going to Azkaban. Everyone sitting there knew. There was nothing much to be said, so he was taken away. Draco came out next and she could see how much he was trying to keep up a facade for the audience, but she could tell he was terrified. His hair was messy and he had bags under his eyes. Under the mask he held up for the people present he looked defeated, as if he though he would be shipped of the Azkaban the second he sat down in the chair.
Draco eyes were darting around the room, looking for someone. When he spotted her sitting there his eyes stopped moving and she held his gaze until the judge interrupted their staring. She held onto Roman's arm tighter.
"Draco Lucius Malfoy," the Chief Warlock said, starring down at Draco from his stand, " you have been accused of conspiring with Lord Voldemort to kill those of blood that is not 'pure', receiving the Dark Mark, use of the Unforgivable Curses and for the attempted murder of Albus Dumbledore. Do you have anything to say in your defense?" the judge said. Draco's gaze fixed on her for a moment and she nodded in encouragement, pointing at her wrist. His face was one of confusion for a split second before he looked down at his wrist where the bracelet she had given him still lay.
She would only give it to a good person.
"I had no choice," he spoke up after a while. His voice was horse and his words were quiet.
"Elaborate."
"I was forced to get the Mark. He threatened to kill my family, to kill me if I didn't. If I had refused anything he asked of me, my family and I would be dead." Draco said, voice going slightly back to normal.
The judges began to talk in hushed whispers among themselves and Draco's gaze went to her again. She tried to smile at him, but she was so terrified it probably didn't look too good.
"I believe there is someone here to give a testimony." The judge called out into the silent room. "Mr Potter you may take the stand." It was then Harry Potter, then followed by Hermione Granger stood up and walked to the stand. The room looked at them with shock, as did Draco, as they walked forward one at a time, explaining what he had done to help, even if it wasn't much. It had to be enough. Narcissa had gotten away with being a loyal follower because she lied to Voldemort once. Draco did so much more.
"Draco Malfoy never wanted to do any of the things he was asked to do my Voldemort. He didn't want to kill Dumbledore. He had lowered his wand and was having a civil conversation with the previous Headmaster when Fenrir Greyback and the Carrow siblings turned up, egging him on. Professor Snape following and landing the killing shot." Harry said, loud and clear into the silent room. "As for being a Death Eater I believe he has told us he had little to no choice as Voldemort had no problem killing both Draco and his parents if he refused." Harry stopped for a breath and continued on." When my friends and I were captured by Snatchers and taken to Malfoy Manor my face had been changed to look different. The people present did not recognize me, but they had their suspicions. They then asked Malfoy to identify me and my friends. It was obvious who it was and he knew it was us, but he did not give us away. It was because of his hesitance to give us up that got us away before Voldemort showed up." Harry finise. The whole court room was in silent shock, she looked down at Draco and he was also shocked into silence.
At this point she had gotten her hopes up. He had to be set free. Azkaban was too harsh a punishment for a seventeen year old who had no choice. She was watching in anticipation as the judge though about Draco's sentence. She glanced at Harry and Hermione who were also watching the judge, waiting to hear what was going to happen.
"Draco Malfoy has been found guilty of all charges." She felt like she might collapse. She felt like screaming at the judge and at Harry and at Roman. She almost stood up but Roman grabbed her arm tightly before she could move.
"The accused has received the Mark of Lord Voldemort and had been seen in the presence of the Dark Lord. He has assisted Death Eaters with their siege of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and was seen at the sight of Albus Dumbledore's death." Everything the judge said made Draco seem like a full fledged Death Eater. She couldn't help the tears that were falling and the sobs coming on.
"However, the accused is underage and has witnesses reporting his reluctance to participate in such ordeals. Witness Harry James Potter states that he assisted him and his companions escape Malfoy Manor and saved one Hermione Jean Granger's life. The accused also states he was forced to participate in the use of Unforgivable curses and feared for his life if he did not comply. The accused shall therefore not be sent to Azkaban, but shall have restrictions placed on his wand until further notice and is not permitted to have any contact with Narcissa Malfoy until her house arrest is lifted. He is required to return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry if they settle on redoing the previous year." she could not believe what she had just heard. Draco would be free. He wouldn't be rotting in Azkaban. He was safe. The Judge then banged the wooden hammer on the table and the restraints on Draco's arms were removed. She jumped up with Roman following suit and rushed over to Harry and Hermione who were standing close to the exit.
"Thank you so much, Harry, and thank you too, Hermione. I'm so grateful and I'm sure Draco is to." she couldn't stop herself when she hugged Hermione. "Thank you so much." she whispered into the girls infamous bushy hair. She pulled away and smiled at her. Hermione was slightly shocked but smiled at Tara none the less. "Dont worry about, Tara. He doesn't deserve going to Azkaban, I have to agree with that. That place is only reserved for the real bad guys. Now, go to him. I'm sure he needs you." said Hermione. Tara didn't have to be told twice. She ran away from them and went to meet Draco outside.
She was almost at the exit when the the next person to go on trial entered. Theodore Nott did not look happy. He looked furious. It was understandable as he was most likely going to Azkaban and she did not feel sorry for him. So, she walked by, a smile on her face and ignored his glare as she went to find Draco.
He was standing outside, his parents no where in sight. She ran up to him and they fell into each others arms. Draco pulled away enough to see her face and kissed her. It was felt like it had been forever since she had been holding him, touching him, although it had only been a week it felt like a month.
"Now there really is no reason to be scared, unless you're hiding a Mark under your sleeve." he said, smiling down at her with such giddy happiness her heart melted for him. "Rest assured, there's no mark hiding here." she said, pulling him into a hug and squeezing him.
Roman ended up separating them wanting to greet Draco himself. As Harry and Hermione walked out Draco rushed over to them, thanking them profusely.
"Malfoy, I just wanted to apologize for using that curse on you in the bathroom. I was really paranoid and I thought something was happening. I also didn't know what the curse did. I really truly am sorry." Harry apologized sheepishly. Draco, who was looking way to happy, brushed it of, and thanked him and Hermione once again for their help. Once that was done they walked out of the Ministry together and decided to go home to the Atrios, Harry and Hermione going somewhere else. Her parents knew about Draco's trial and knew their children were going, so it was no surprise when they all appeared in their living room, a light layer of soot on their clothing.
"I see the trial went well." her father spoke up once they had dusted themselves off and said their hellos. They all smiled bigger, giddier smiles than they had for a long time.
"Would you like to stay for tea, Draco dear?" her mother asked. Draco nodded a smile still on his face as he thanked Alice Atrio for the offer. She could tell he was relived they had not asked to many questions about the trial.
Draco ended up staying for more than tea. The entire summer Draco stayed at the Atrio house. He had no other place to stay, so it worked out well. Her parents had questioned it at first, as they did not really know Draco, but it wasn't long until they hit it of. Draco was impossibly polite, his upbringing was obviously very proper and suited for the environment he grew up in and all this made her parents love him.
At the end of summer they all received letters inviting them back to Hogwarts for a redo of their last year. Draco of course was obliged to go, but they all went with him. So, on September 1. they were back and Kings Cross station and zooming of to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry once more, this time with no imminent threat of a lunatic in bath robes trying to kill you.
okay, so this is the last proper chapter, my dudes. There will be an epilogue so rest assured. Its kind of sad to and my story because I've grown quite fond of the characters, but everything must come to an end, the drip...finally...stops.
btw if i were to write a new story, what would you guys be interested in?
also who was your favourite character? it would be good to know so I can see what was good about that character and use it my other stories :) much appreciated :)