A Horcrux's Fate

Chapter 12

"Is there really a cave in Ireland?" she had asked, her eyes bright with contemplation.

Though Malfoy was notoriously deceptive, Harry couldn't shake the notion that maybe this time he was being honest. It was a feeling he struggled to explain, especially since he was often torn between old grievances and the possibility of forgiveness.

Ron, perched at the end of the bed, crossed his arms sceptically. "Do you think he's telling the truth, mate?" He raised an eyebrow. "He's not exactly known for being honest."

Harry rubbed his eyes, his mind still racing. "I believe him," he insisted. "He had a debt to repay. Why bother coming here if he was just going to deceive us?" The brief memory of Draco's nervous, earnest expression sent flutters of doubt through him, but he had come to know that appearances often betrayed true intentions.

"Even if that's the case, they're dark wizards," Ron retorted, his angst clear. "Deception is second nature to them."

"Maybe," Harry replied, feeling a flicker of hope cross his heart. "But should we not give someone a chance? You remember at Malfoy Manor... He helped us then."

Hermione nodded slowly, crossing her arms pensively. "Your father did say the Malfoys hoped to help the ministry in exchange for exoneration and a restored reputation."

"Even if they're trying to turn over a new leaf, I don't trust them," Ron conceded, shaking his head. "They deserve to feel the weight of what they did. You know, I can't help but feel frustrated. I want them to understand the consequences of their actions—just like we lived with the consequences of theirs for years."

Harry sighed. He could never forget the things the Malfoys had done either. But then again, wouldn't they all want redemption? "I owe Narcissa," he said quietly, "after what she did to save me. It's complicated, but I believe everyone deserves a chance to make amends."

"But Harry," Hermione interjected gently, "the consequences are important. You can't simply brush aside their past because of one moment."

Harry's brow furrowed in contemplation. "Narcissa's fear for her son's safety drove her to deceive Voldemort by claiming that I was dead," Harry explained. "I don't think her allegiance to Voldemort was genuine; rather, it stemmed from her desire to protect her family at all costs. Isn't that what we all want?""

Ron expressed his scepticism with a snort. "They should consider themselves lucky that you're shielding them from a stint in Azkaban," he remarked. "Without Narcissa's intervention, one can only wonder how Malfoy would have coped without his parents if You-Know-Who had killed them. The rejection faced by their family would have been magnified, making it even harder for Malfoy to find acceptance in a society that now abhors them more than ever. It's a harrowing thought to contemplate being destitute in such a hostile environment."

"Kingsley was only threatening to seize all their wealth if they lied," Hermione sharply reminded Ron. "I don't think he would actually leave Malfoy penniless, even if it came to that. It would be too cruel. Besides, he would probably find a way to get back on his feet, one way or another."

"I find it hard to believe Minister Kingsley would be so heartless," Ginny stated. "I know him well, and he's not the type to be cruel. He's always been fair and just in his decisions."

Ron slammed his fist against the wall. "The Malfoys are cruel individuals," he said angrily. "They're now facing the harsh consequences of their actions. I can't forget how they teased our family for being poor. I want to see them struggle and be labelled poor themselves. I want to see them suffer, just like we did."

Hermione's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "How do you plan on helping them, Harry?" she eagerly asked.

Ron expressed his disbelief with a shake of his head. "I never thought I'd see you offering help to the Malfoy family," he commented. "Considering how much you despised them for all the terrible things they've done to you,"