NOT A DRARRY FIC!

Disclaimer: I own nothing recognisable

"The family of Malfoy!"

Lucius, Narcissa and Draco were brought before the Ministry of Magic. Lucius stood tall and proud, but Narcissa and Draco hung their heads, knowing their fate and knowing they deserved it.

"Lucius Malfoy, you are charged with being a Death Eater: follower and supporter of Voldemort and murderer of Muggles and Muggleborns. The sentence is Azkaban."

Harry Potter was silent.

"Draco Malfoy, who are charged with being a Death Eater: follower and supporter of Voldemort..."

"Minister," Harry interrupted, standing up. "I wish to give evidence of Draco Malfoy's innocence."

Murmurs filled the room. Draco stared at Harry, while Lucius glared.

"Continue, Mr Potter," the Minister said.

"He saved my life, Minister."

The murmurs grew louder and the minister raised an eyebrow at Harry. "It is true, sir," harry added.

The Minister considered this for a while, and seemed to ignore the obvious protests of his advisors.

"Sentence on Draco Malfoy is dismissed," the Minister finally announced, causing an uproar. Harry sat back down as the Minister's advisors argued with him. He raised his hand and said calmly, but firmly, "My decision is final."

His advisors fell silent.

"Narcissa Malfoy," the Minister continued, but Harry quickly interrupted him once again.

"She is not a Death Eater, sir. She also saved my life, at the risk of her own."

The Minister stared at Harry for a few seconds, amid more murmured protests, and said, "Sentence on Narcissa Malfoy is dismissed."

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"Potter!"

Harry turned to see Draco striding towards him. He stopped a few feet in front of him and choked, "Why?"

Harry blinked. "I know what the Dementors are like. The other Death Eaters – I don't have anything I can say that would let them off. But you... You and your mother... You both saved my life. And neither of you had much of a choice. I had to do something."

"But... You saved my life," Draco replied.

Harry waited for him to continue.

"You already saved my life once," Draco said after a little while. "Why would you save it again?"

Harry sighed. "Because we have a lot in common, Draco. We were both born into something so much bigger than ourselves, and as far as we could tell, there was no other way. I know Voldemort would have killed your family if you didn't become a Death Eater and kill Dumbledore, and I know your father hammered blood purity and bigotry into you all your life. You didn't know anything else."

Draco blinked back tears and managed to whisper, "Thank you," before dashing away to find his mother and comfort her. Both Draco and his mother knew that they were better off without Lucius.