𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐀 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐄

Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen: To Hide

When the Minister of Magic decides to put out a media release, he pulled all the stops. The newspapers were filled with packs detailing the Never After potion, insanity caused by torture, background on the Malfoy family and interviews from the other boys in the dorm. The front cover of the Daily Prophet was covered with a new story regarding the safety and Malfoy's condition. If anyone doubted Malfoy's innocence in Dumbledore's murder, the Prophet was quick to erase those opinions. Story after story about Malfoy's life was printed, until it was clear he was groomed to be the perfect Death Eater.

So the world knew that he was insane. They knew that he was a Death Eater without it being his choice. They knew he was brainwashed since birth and that since entering Hogwarts for his seventh year, he'd seen the light. Harry was praised for turning the leader of the second generation of Death Eaters to the light side and Malfoy quickly became the image of freedom. If he could shake the hold Voldemort had on his family's life, anyone could.

The interviews given by Neville, Seamus and Dean painted the portrait of the tortured soul that Scrimgeour wanted to portray. Malfoy was kind when he knew what was happening and scary when he wasn't so lucid. They explained that Malfoy and Harry were close — that Harry had given him a second chance and that they all knew that Malfoy had changed. A detailed account likening Malfoy's condition to the condition the Longbottoms were in helped build their case (though, everyone was more than a little peeved that Scrimgeour had outed Neville's parents for the sake of his own reputation as reasoning for Malfoy's freedom). But comparing Malfoy to a pair of war-heroes had been enough to convince the Wizarding world of his innocence.

Before Harry knew it, he was receiving fan mail regarding Malfoy's condition and how proud they were of him for taking care of such a lost case. There were letters to Malfoy from concerned parents, supportive students and even second-gen Death Eaters who wished they could swap sides but didn't have the strength or the support Malfoy had.

Within a week, the parents were sympathetic towards Malfoy's Tower incarceration. They were happy to know that there was a guard by his side at all times, but they were more than fine with Malfoy being there, around their children. Scrimgeour's plan had worked. The public relations department of the Ministry had worked its magic and it was now completely accepted that Malfoy was hidden away in the castle.

But within that week, Harry hadn't seen Malfoy. He hadn't stepped through that door that was constantly locked and guarded and the only reason why he hadn't seen him was because that damned guard wouldn't allow it. During the day, an old, haggard Auror made sure no one got in. Harry had no doubts that the aged Auror had fought his fair share of duels, if his limp was anything to go by.

"What's the use in seeing him when he's unconscious?" he'd asked with a disgusted tone. "He's asleep. You won't get much out of him."

When Harry had tried explaining that the nightmares passed easier when he was there, the Auror scoffed and told him that the 'dirty Death Eater deserve it'. He apparently didn't believe the positive spin the Ministry had given Malfoy.

"So you can come back at night, when he's awake."

But Harry never returned during the night. The guard was different — kinder, even — for the night shift. He was younger than the other and was always more than eager to open the door for Harry. But every time he took that key out, Harry was struck with the need to run. He didn't know what it was, but it was like a punch in the gut. He would apologise, turn and head back to his own dorm, where he had to face Ron's disappointed look yet again.

Harry wasn't the only one having troubles with his love life. Remus and Tonks were officially separated. Only three days after giving birth, Tonks was back in the training room, taking Remus' place as Harry's opponent while Remus stayed at St Mungo's by the baby's side. Remus appeared for just a moment the day after Teddy's birth and explained to Harry what had happened.