Heaven Through a Window • Drarry •

Chapter Twenty-One: The Hearing

Draco kept his head held high as he strolled through the Ministry corridor, a trick that he'd learnt as a boy from watching his father. People sensed his power and the crowds parted.

He arrived early to the courtroom in time to see a small group of the Wizengamot file in. It looked as though they was a subcommittee within the legislation team, and several recognised him and raised a hand as he sat on his usual bench.

"I think we're all here, so we'll start early and get this over with," a warlock said, looking around the courtroom.

The Senior Undersecretary to the Minister, Derek Johnson, began. "Wardship Hearing of the twenty-fourth of May 2013. We at the Guardianship Committee are all here united in one goal: to help Harry Potter and do what's best for him. But we must also balance what is best for society at large. Safety first, in all matters."

There were a few nods.

"We all here at the Ministry have been deeply concerned for Mr Potter's wellbeing. Tomorrow it will have been exactly six hundred days since he was committed to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries."

A few people gasped.

"Jayne Wilkes was sentenced to five years in Azkaban for reckless endangerment to human life, when she unwittingly injured Mr Potter in an altercation at the Department of Mysteries. Today we have a brief report from her, and a briefer report from an Unspeakable. Also in attendance today is Draco Malfoy, Healer-in-Charge of the Mind Department, who has provided a detailed report on Mr Potter."

When Draco was called up for evidence, the Undersecretary was not pleased. "You did not come dressed for court."

It wasn't a question.

"I am a Healer. Our department is short-staffed and time is of the essence."

"You are Draco Justus Malfoy, of Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire?"

"I am."

"Is it true that the Healing Records were destroyed in a fire this week?"

There were some uneasy frowns and furious scribblings.

"Yes. But my report was thorough, and I have written a thorough summary of Mr Potter's stay."

Johnson waved his hand. "Please describe the nature of Mr Potter's injuries."

"Objection!" a woman called.

Draco hadn't even opened his mouth.

"What is it?" Johnson asked.

"Mr Malfoy has a long-standing animosity with Mr Potter."

"Have you any comment, Mr Malfoy?" he asked.

"I'm here in my capacity as a Healer. Harry and I have been acquaintances for about twenty years. I bear him no ill-will."

"Continue, please!" Johnson said, looking at his watch. "With any luck we'll be done by lunchtime."

Draco said his piece, recalling his summer lessons as a teenager in speech and elocution. Looking into the stern eyes of the Guardianship Committee, he could tell that the Malfoy name no longer held sway in the government.

They seemed to accept his statements and dismissed him. He wouldn't know the outcome until the Committee had made their decision, perhaps days later.

They had not informed Harry about his Wizengamot Charter of Rights and apparently this was legal. What a joke this country was.

A couple of weeks later, someone knocked on the door to his chambers late in the afternoon. He'd been lying in listless rest after a night shift and was still awake, drifting and daydreaming and warm.