Testimony
Title: Testimony
Author: enchanted_jae
Characters: Harry, Shacklebolt, Draco
Rating: PG
Warning(s): None
Word count: 825
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This fic/drabble was written for fun, not for profit.
Written for: Birthday gift for neptuneschild1, who asked for a sequel to Fade to Green
Summary: Harry testifies at Draco Malfoy's trial.
"What, precisely, are you saying, Mr Potter?"
Harry narrowed his eyes on the rather snooty-looking witch who had addressed him from the assembled Wizengamut. "I am saying that Draco Malfoy is innocent of the most heinous charges that have been brought against him," he said in a firm, clear voice. "While it is true that he is not blameless in all of this, he did not, and indeed could not, kill anyone. He orchestrated the arrival of Death Eaters in Hogwarts under duress and with the threat of death hanging over himself and more importantly, over his family. Any one of us would have done the same under similar circumstances."
"Are you suggesting Mr Malfoy does not deserve to be punished for his actions?"
This challenge came from a bitter-faced wizard who leaned forward in his seat and scowled at Harry.
Despite the urge to remove his glasses and pinch the bridge of his nose, Harry maintained his calm demeanor. "I agree that Draco Malfoy should be punished for his actions," he said. "However, I don't believe his actions warrant sentencing him to Azkaban."
"He used an Unforgivable-"
"As did I!" Harry bellowed, surging to his feet. "Many other people who fought against Voldemort did, as well, and you have not dragged them before you to account for their actions." He stepped off the stand and approached the now silent Wizengamut. "It was a war. You may call it what you wish, but that doesn't change the fact that we were at war with Voldemort. Each of us did what we had to in order to survive and to ensure the survival of our loved ones."
He drew a deep breath and forged on. "I was there, in the thick of battle, while most of you were hiding in the safety of your homes. I saw things with my own eyes and through Voldemort's eyes that still haunt me to this day. But not once did I see Draco Malfoy commit a crime that was not done in response to a threat to his family. I confess that I used the Cruciatus curse with far less reason than he did. Would you send me to Azkaban, as well?"
A ripple of protest erupted from the assemblage, until one of the wizards banged his gavel and called for order. "Enough!" he shouted. When the din died down, he gave Harry a curt nod and said, "Thank you for your testimony, Mr Potter. We shall take it into consideration when deciding Mr Malfoy's fate."
~*~
Harry didn't know what compelled him to remain at the Ministry, awaiting word of Malfoy's fate. He hadn't seen Malfoy since the day of the final battle, and Harry had been shocked at his former rival's appearance. He'd had to steel himself not to show any emotion. Malfoy had been little more than a frightened boy when he had committed the most egregious of his crimes, and Harry didn't believe he should be sent to prison as a result. Dealing with the Wizengamut had been more frustrating than he had anticipated. It was as if most of them were ready to convict Malfoy on the basis of his family's reputation alone.
Harry stood up as the door opened. The members of the Wizengamut filed out, noses in the air and hands folded primly in front of them. Kingsley Shacklebolt broke rank to approach Harry and clap a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"They've sentenced Malfoy to a year-long probation," said Shacklebolt. "I believe it was your testimony that swayed them. Good job, Harry."
Harry felt his shoulders sag in relief. He didn't know why he'd felt so invested in the outcome of Malfoy's trial. After all, they had never been friends, but the way Malfoy had clung to Harry in terror as they escaped the Fiendfyre had forced Harry to view him in a different light. Malfoy had been just as frightened and confused and manipulated as Harry had been, and he did not deserve to suffer the atrocities of Azkaban for it.
Draco Malfoy exited, accompanied by his barrister. He didn't look happy or even relieved; instead, Malfoy appeared shocked and subdued. His darting eyes fell on Harry, and Draco Malfoy stumbled to a halt before him.
~*~
Draco was startled that Potter had stayed to hear the outcome of his trial. He'd been convinced Potter meant to throw him to the wolves; therefore, he had been stunned when Potter had spoken so ardently on his behalf.
When Draco's eyes met Potter's, he was surprised to see nothing but concern and understanding in the hero's gaze. How many times had Potter saved him while asking nothing in return? Draco felt humbled and chagrined. He would never be able to repay Potter, but there was one thing he could give.
Draco stepped closer to Potter and said, "Thank you."
Author: enchanted_jae
Characters: Harry, Shacklebolt, Draco
Rating: PG
Warning(s): None
Word count: 825
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This fic/drabble was written for fun, not for profit.
Written for: Birthday gift for neptuneschild1, who asked for a sequel to Fade to Green
Summary: Harry testifies at Draco Malfoy's trial.
"What, precisely, are you saying, Mr Potter?"
Harry narrowed his eyes on the rather snooty-looking witch who had addressed him from the assembled Wizengamut. "I am saying that Draco Malfoy is innocent of the most heinous charges that have been brought against him," he said in a firm, clear voice. "While it is true that he is not blameless in all of this, he did not, and indeed could not, kill anyone. He orchestrated the arrival of Death Eaters in Hogwarts under duress and with the threat of death hanging over himself and more importantly, over his family. Any one of us would have done the same under similar circumstances."
"Are you suggesting Mr Malfoy does not deserve to be punished for his actions?"
This challenge came from a bitter-faced wizard who leaned forward in his seat and scowled at Harry.
Despite the urge to remove his glasses and pinch the bridge of his nose, Harry maintained his calm demeanor. "I agree that Draco Malfoy should be punished for his actions," he said. "However, I don't believe his actions warrant sentencing him to Azkaban."
"He used an Unforgivable-"
"As did I!" Harry bellowed, surging to his feet. "Many other people who fought against Voldemort did, as well, and you have not dragged them before you to account for their actions." He stepped off the stand and approached the now silent Wizengamut. "It was a war. You may call it what you wish, but that doesn't change the fact that we were at war with Voldemort. Each of us did what we had to in order to survive and to ensure the survival of our loved ones."
He drew a deep breath and forged on. "I was there, in the thick of battle, while most of you were hiding in the safety of your homes. I saw things with my own eyes and through Voldemort's eyes that still haunt me to this day. But not once did I see Draco Malfoy commit a crime that was not done in response to a threat to his family. I confess that I used the Cruciatus curse with far less reason than he did. Would you send me to Azkaban, as well?"
A ripple of protest erupted from the assemblage, until one of the wizards banged his gavel and called for order. "Enough!" he shouted. When the din died down, he gave Harry a curt nod and said, "Thank you for your testimony, Mr Potter. We shall take it into consideration when deciding Mr Malfoy's fate."
~*~
Harry didn't know what compelled him to remain at the Ministry, awaiting word of Malfoy's fate. He hadn't seen Malfoy since the day of the final battle, and Harry had been shocked at his former rival's appearance. He'd had to steel himself not to show any emotion. Malfoy had been little more than a frightened boy when he had committed the most egregious of his crimes, and Harry didn't believe he should be sent to prison as a result. Dealing with the Wizengamut had been more frustrating than he had anticipated. It was as if most of them were ready to convict Malfoy on the basis of his family's reputation alone.
Harry stood up as the door opened. The members of the Wizengamut filed out, noses in the air and hands folded primly in front of them. Kingsley Shacklebolt broke rank to approach Harry and clap a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"They've sentenced Malfoy to a year-long probation," said Shacklebolt. "I believe it was your testimony that swayed them. Good job, Harry."
Harry felt his shoulders sag in relief. He didn't know why he'd felt so invested in the outcome of Malfoy's trial. After all, they had never been friends, but the way Malfoy had clung to Harry in terror as they escaped the Fiendfyre had forced Harry to view him in a different light. Malfoy had been just as frightened and confused and manipulated as Harry had been, and he did not deserve to suffer the atrocities of Azkaban for it.
Draco Malfoy exited, accompanied by his barrister. He didn't look happy or even relieved; instead, Malfoy appeared shocked and subdued. His darting eyes fell on Harry, and Draco Malfoy stumbled to a halt before him.
~*~
Draco was startled that Potter had stayed to hear the outcome of his trial. He'd been convinced Potter meant to throw him to the wolves; therefore, he had been stunned when Potter had spoken so ardently on his behalf.
When Draco's eyes met Potter's, he was surprised to see nothing but concern and understanding in the hero's gaze. How many times had Potter saved him while asking nothing in return? Draco felt humbled and chagrined. He would never be able to repay Potter, but there was one thing he could give.
Draco stepped closer to Potter and said, "Thank you."