Draco Malfoy, Broken

Chapter 3 - Birthday Bash

Hundreds of miles away, Harry Potter was brushing some lint off his plum robes. He was not at all amused to be going to a celebration, in his honor, on his birthday, which was now an official national holiday. He almost wanted to skive off, but he had some negotiating to do. He couldn't afford to miss the opportunity to strong-arm a few votes.

"Ready, Harry?" Hermione asked, she also had on deep-purple robes on and a silver W on her chest. Both of them were now members of the high wizarding court, the Wizengamot. Ron had flatly declined going to those stuffy trails and meetings.

"Sure, though this is going to be rough."

"Do you want me to go over your speech with you?" Hermione asked.

"I think Harry's mastered giving speeches, 'Moine," Ron said, walking into the changing room off the main hall. He wasn't smiling and he didn't look at Harry.

"No thanks, Hermione, unless you can tell me what I'm missing. Why can't they just..." Harry said, desperately.

"Oh Harry, it'll be alright. Everyone is just... they haven't recovered, said goodbye to their loved ones. How many were tortured and hunted during the war? People don't forgive that easily."

"I know I haven't," Ron grunted.

"Ron..." Hermione began.

"Hey, I lost a brother, Hermione," Ron huffed. "George hasn't been the same, probably never will be. You were tortured and Harry had to die to stop those assholes. There is no forgiveness for that."

Harry gave his friend a hard look. He couldn't even convince his own best mate to let the past go. Though everything Ron had said was right, he neglected to mention how no one is healing. Forgiveness and acceptance goes both ways. Ron hadn't gotten over his sibling's death. Fred was gone, but his family still were in mourning. There was no closure, no answers for what they could have done differently. Harry even felt guilty. Fred was there to help him, after all. It was over three months ago, though.

"I understand how you feel, Ron. But I can't hold onto hate that way. That's what Voldemort and his closest followers did. We have to heal."

"Save it for your speech, Harry," Ron grunted and walked back out.

"Ron..." Hermione called, but he left. "Don't worry about him, Harry. He loved Fred. George... he's still struggling. Give him space. He doesn't understand why you care so much."

"It's the right thing to do, Hermione."

"Of course. But you need to understand that not everyone is going to agree with you or see it your way. You have to accept that."

"I've been accepting it... for months. They executed Voldemort's supporters, Hermione. How could they do that? What the hell is the point of ending the whole war if we are still killing each other? And Malfoy... shit he's still in Azkaban."

Hermione looked at him and then hugged him. Harry melted. The stresses of the last few months were wearing on him. He had no idea how to navigate the political fields of the Ministry or even how to function in normal society. He was stuck. Just like when he was hunting Horcruxes. What was the next step? He was lost and fumbling. His destiny was now fulfilled. What did he want to do next? He didn't know if he could even be an Auror.

He didn't finish his last year. He tried to take the NEWTS in the few weeks after the Battle of Hogwarts, but he was so behind. The only subject he excelled in was Defense against the Dark Arts. But his Potions, Charms and Transfiguration were rough at best. Those were critical areas that Aurors need to have. He was going to end up a token member of the Ministry if he didn't get his head in the game. Hermione, the smartest one of their year, barely passed hers. She hated that fact.