Draco Malfoy, Broken

Chapter 7 - Validation

"Alright, we have Luna, Neville, Narcissa, Theo, Blaise, and Daphne," Harry counted off.

"And me and you. We carry some weight," Hermione said.

"What are you going to say?" Harry wondered.

"About how he looked when his aunt was torturing me. He had tears in his eyes, but his father was right next to him, with a hand on his shoulder."

Harry stared at her and gave her a hug. "I'm sorry you went through that."

"You went through some torture yourself, Harry."

"Apparently not as much as Malfoy has. From what I heard, it was every day... every day his father or Voldemort punished him. He wasn't even safe at Hogwarts. Can you imagine?"

"I can't Harry. It's amazing he's held out this long."

"McGonagall said... she said that he... that I might not be able to save him. That he might not recover...." Harry confessed.

"That's... possible... it's hard to know. Three months of..."

"Torture," Harry spat.

"Yes... that. It might have destroyed what he was holding on to."

"Merlin. Hopefully tomorrow, it ends. And Vance... that slimy git. I wish I could nail his ass into a cell. But Malfoy was right, there's no proof."

"Well... you could get his wand," Hermione said, her face bright with the idea. "Priori Incantatem! It can be used as evidence, Harry! There's a section in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement that are experts at reading the spells that a wand cast and what its targets was. You just have to convince one of them to come with you to take it into evidence."

"That'll work?"

"You saw Mr. Diggory at the World Cup? He only just did the basic charm. There are more extensive spells that will give you more information. He wasn't even experienced in wand theory and investigation. I'm sure all the evidence you need will be in his wand!"

"Hermione... what would I do without you!" Harry said and hugged her. Then he stopped and froze.

"Harry?"

"I still have his wand... Malfoy's... you think I could get something out of it?"

"It'd be direct evidence. But there's a chance it could give them more ammo against Malfoy, too. I don't think you should risk giving it to the Aurors."

"Ollivander," Harry said, suddenly.

"What?"

"He'd be able to help. He owes us and I still haven't talked to him. He might help tell me if there's anything that can help or hurt the appeal."

"Harry, the hearing is tomorrow," she stated.

"I'll go now," Harry said, grabbing his wand.

"There's still more that needs to get done, Harry. Final letters... and the Wizengamot might call their own witnesses to testify. Malfoy's victims... you know?"

"I don't care about the Death Eaters... but could you go talk to Madam Rosmerta... and Katie Bell?"

"You don't think that you should talk to Katie? She was your team mate."

"I don't want to shanghai her into not testifying. Malfoy almost killed her. She deserves to speak her mind."

"Fine... make me do the heavy work..." Hermione grumbled and then looked at Harry. "And Ron?"