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Written for; Stickers; Gryffindor - Lion - Brave

Word Count Without AN - 395

Not Just A Gryffindor Trait

"Charges dismissed, you're free to go, Mr Malfoy."

Draco slumped in his seat for a moment, the verdict leaving him boneless with relief. He wasn't going to Azkaban.

With a nod to the Minister, who was presiding over the trials personally, Draco left the courtroom alone. His father had already been to trial and found guilty, and his mother was at home, probably eagerly awaiting him walking back through the door.

Only now that it was over could Draco admit to himself that he'd been terrified of going to prison, and for a while, it had looked like he would be joining his Father there.

Then Potter had arrived.

It pained him to admit that he owed his liberty to Harry Potter, but the truth of the matter was that he did.

Draco turned the corner, only to find Potter standing at the end in green robes, talking to one of the senior Aurors. He edged closer slowly, not wanting to interrupt, but wanting to thank Potter for his assistance in the trial.

It wouldn't do to be seen as ungrateful.

When Potter saw him, he excused himself from the Auror and met Draco half way down the corridor.

"I'm glad they found you not guilty," Potter said after a moment of awkward silence. "You didn't deserve Azkaban."

Draco shrugged. "There are those that would argue with you. Regardless, I came to thank you for your assistance. I never expected you to stand in defence of me."

Potter shifted uncomfortably. "It was the right thing to do. What you did, lying to Bellatrix, that was brave."

"I'm not a Gryffindor, Potter," Draco sneered, though it was half hearted at best.

Potter smirked. "You think bravery is a solely Gryffindor trait?"

Rolling his eyes, he'd heard of Potter's impassioned speech about Snape after all, Draco sighed, then held his hand out.

With a glint in his eyes, Harry shook his hand. "Don't let your past mistakes define you," he murmured. "There's time to be the man you want to be. Not everyone was lucky enough to have that chance."

Draco swallowed hard then nodded. Somehow, that fact that Potter seemed to believe in him, gave him hope that he could, in fact, become the man he wanted to be.

"I should get home. Mother will be worried."

Potter nodded. "I'll see you around, Draco."

"Bye… Harry."