"Draco," Penelope said. "There are several here that don't have a clean record. It's not just you."
"Son, you really changed. We all could see that, and we can see it in your work. You're thorough, patient, stern and, most importantly, you care," Kingsley said, looking at him... proudly.
He blushed a little. "I do. I want to give people another chance... like I got."
Kingsley smiled. "That's a great mentality to have, Draco, and it's why we're here."
He swallowed. He had a feeling what was coming. Kingsley hadn't buttered him up for nothing. There was only one thing that they could want.
"No," he said, before the Minister could even ask. He had been avoiding it since the first arrest.
Penelope cleared her throat. "You're the last one, Draco. Sanchez handed Potter's file over this morning and said he was going on leave."
Draco looked at the floor, trying to keep the tears at bay. "You know why I can't take him."
Kingsley nodded. "I do, but maybe... you're the only one who can reach him?"
"He hates me."
"Harry doesn't hate you. He testified for you, Draco, and your mother. You're the only two people he did that for."
"Exactly. I owe Potter my life and my freedom. You expect me to control him? Treat him like my other charges?"
"Yes, I do. You owe me, too, Draco, to put it bluntly. Harry's falling hard, spiraling, and are you going to let him crash? He needs you to save him like he saved you."
Draco took a deep breath, though Kingsley was getting to him. There were debts to pay. "Potter is not going to listen to me."
"Draco, quite frankly, he doesn't listen to anyone. Not me, the Wizengamot, not to Aurors or his previous probation officers... all eleven of them. I'm sure you heard the stories."
Draco certainly had. It was all anyone in the department could talk about. Potter had assaulted half of them and made life unbearable for the others. They were all trapped into playing games, and Potter knew it. They couldn't revoke Potter's probation as Kingsley would always commute his crimes for him. Honestly, it was a huge scandal, but so would be sending the Chosen One to Azkaban for bar fights, assault and minor probation violations.
"I have. You let Potter get away with everything, and he knows it," Draco said, flatly.
Kingsley took a deep breath. "I know. Last night... Harry assaulted two Aurors, resisted arrest, and made a scene at a muggle pub. Robards wants him in Azkaban."
"Robards is a fucking asshole, and I wouldn't trust a word that comes out of his mouth," Draco hissed and Penelope raised her eyebrows in surprise.
Kingsley gave him a smirk. "I agree with that. Scrimgeuor had promoted him, before the Death Eaters killed him, and it's complicated to remove him without cause."
"I'd find a way. He's a fucking scumbag, and I blame this whole mess on him."
Kingsley gave him a piercing look and nodded. "I'll see what I can do. Now, the fact is... Potter is on his last fucking chance. You're the last probation officer in the department. Everyone else refused to take his case, again, so trust me, you are his only hope. I can't bail him out anymore. I've overridden every single request to revoke from all eleven officers and Penelope. They all are pissed, she's pissed and Robards is pissed."
Draco looked at his boss and she nodded, and then pretended to sift papers around.
"Draco... if you don't take his case, I'm going to have to send him to Azkaban for a few months, if not a year or two," Kingsley said, shaking his head. "Sometimes... it works, scaring people straight."