Draco Malfoy, Broken

"You should have seen him, Hermione," Harry said, taking a deep drink of firewhiskey. "He was... shit. There aren't words. He was so scared... and he was afraid... of me. Me, Hermione. He'd start shaking every time I even mentioned the dementors, then he'd just faded out... lost in whatever they were forcing him to relive. Someone put a dementor right outside his door."

"That's... not right. He's only a medium security prisoner. The dementors only are put on surveillance over the worst criminals... murderers and torturers. The ones with the knowledge and ability to escape," she said, holding Harry's hand supportively.

"I think it might be that guard Vance... you know Emmeline Vance's brother. He's tormenting him. Malfoy said that his voice had been gone for over a week. He just took it. Malfoy said he did it in honor of my birthday!"

"That's illegal, though!" she gasped.

"I don't think Vance cares. Malfoy had a cut on his head, too. And the verbal abuse. Vance said Malfoy tried to kill himself."

Hermione clamped her hand on her mouth. "Really?"

"Stopped eating. He's not going to last. He's spent and there's nothing left in him to fight back. He was just dead inside and all he would say is that he deserved to be in there."

"He said that?"

"He plead guilty Hermione. He hasn't forgiven himself. Even with all the bullshit at the prison, he doesn't want my help to get out," Harry said, putting his head in his hands.

"Well... maybe you should respect his wishes. He wants to atone for what he's done."

"He wants to die. He's traumatized and on the edge. I won't let him jump off."

"Okay... what are we going to do? Did you get anything out of him?"

"No... not really. Voldemort sure tortured him though. And he didn't want to talk about what happened during the Battle of Hogwarts... after we saved him and Goyle."

"You think there's something there?"

"I have a feeling. He shut down after that. But someone has to know something. I should've gone to see Malfoy's mum first. But I just don't know about her. Anything she says will immediately be discredited."

"Alright, how about this: there were other people at the Battle. You could ask those who were there."

Harry smiled. "You're right... it's a start. But what? Track them down one by one?"

"Or... ask Professor McGonagall to call a dinner party where she will invite our year back to Hogwarts."

"Brilliant Hermione! I'll owl her right, now!" Harry said, scribbling down a note, and went to his new owl, Adalynn. Soon the black owl swooshed out the window toward its target.

"Alright... should hear back from her soon... what else can I do?"

"Go tell Narcissa that you saw her son. She'd want to know."

"You think so? She might go charging into Azkaban."

"At least tell her he misses her and that you are still trying to release him. She goes to the Ministry every day."

"Okay... okay. It's just... I'm actually afraid of what she's going to tell me."

"Malfoy's already convicted, it can't be any worse."

"No, I mean... I'm already torn up about him being there, now. What if there's more? It took all of my self-control not to bust him out right then and there."

"Harry! You can't. You'd both be hunted all your life by Aurors and dementors."

"Save the lecture, I didn't do it."

"As for what she will say... it'll give you more determination. You can always say what happened for her. Go find her. I will look up more appeals cases. I think that because they didn't even ask him if he wanted to make a statement before his sentencing. It might be a technically, but it might work."

"Thank you... so much," Harry said.

"No problem... I'm on board Harry. I want this as much as you. I'm sorry if I haven't been putting my heart into it, but I'm tired of fighting. And I don't want to argue with Ron, but you are right. Malfoy, whatever he's done, doesn't deserve to be in Azkaban."

Harry hugged her. He couldn't imagine a better friend, a better sister. She gave him a tight squeeze and sent him after the matron of the Malfoy family.

***

Narcissa Malfoy walked from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement defeated. It had been months since she saw her boy or heard how he was. All they would say that he was still alive and no visitor requests would be granted unless one of them were dying.

She almost reached the gate in the atrium when someone said, "Mrs. Malfoy?"

She recognized the voice. She turned and saw the Savior was behind her and hooded.

Before she could form a response, Harry Potter asked, "I need to talk to you. Is there someone we can go?"

She nodded and stepped toward the fire, grabbing a handful of powder. "4850 Dartford Road."

She stepped into the Floo and out into her cramped apartment. Potter followed behind her. "Welcome to my new mansion," she said, stoically.

"Thank you. How are you?" he asked formally.

Narcissa gave him a dirty look. "My husband is dead, my son was taken from me, I'm been torn from my home and forced into a self-imposed exile... working to pay rent. How do you think I am!"

"Sorry... I didn't know how to start the conversation. I just wanted you to know... I went to see Draco."

"What! Oh my Morgana!" she shrieked, grabbing onto his robes. "How is he? Is he okay? What did he say?"

"Calm down... I... it's not all good news," Harry said, grasping one of her hands tightly.

"He's dead?"

"No, but he's in a lot of pain... emotionally. From the dementors... in particular."

"No! I-I..." she took her hand back and buried her face into her hands. Harry pulled her against him. They weren't close, but she needed comfort. "Dementors... he was always so scared of them. During his third year... he nearly went to shambles. He almost didn't come home for the holidays, but Lucius made him."

"I remember Fred and George said he went running into their car. Why? What did he..." Harry didn't finish his sentence. The idea that 13-year old Malfoy was terrified of dementors seemed to confuse him.

"His father was very strict. Sometimes he'd... get carried away. I tried to protect him, but there was little I could do. The dictates of Lucius's pureblood draconian upbringing made him force the correct behavior that his son resisted."

Harry pulled away to look into her face.

She nodded, somberly. "It wasn't just Lucius. I taught him the same twisted values... I just didn't beat it into him."

"H-How?" the boy who lived asked.

"He couldn't show emotion or weakness. Lucius would hit him, humiliate him or lock him in the closet until he controlled his emotions. When he was older, Lucius would use his wand. A stinging hex or even the Cruciutas Curse if he messed up bad enough."

"He did it to his own son?" Harry murmured, anger swelling at the now-dead Lucius.

"Yes. Especially when he didn't outdo that Granger girl in class. It just enraged him. The first year was the worst when he heard. I thought I'd have to take Draco to St. Mungo's, but he healed up with some house spells that I knew."

Harry just stared at her, with his mouth open. "Just because he wasn't the best?"

"No, because a mud-muggleborn beat him. His mind couldn't handle the idea that a muggleborn could ever bet a pureblood, like their magic was weaker. He just thought Draco was slacking off and punished him for it. Of course, that's when he thought of the diary. I-I should've left, but where? Lucius had a lot of powerful friends."

Harry frowned. "I see. What happened after Voldemort came back?"

"Oh... that... it..." Narcissa trailed off. Her own painful memories came rushing back. Harry hugged her again.

"I know it's hard, but I couldn't get Draco to answer me. I need information to help him. Please tell me," he urged.

"It was awful. Not only was the Dark Lord mad about Lucius not searching for him, but then he failed at the Department of Mysterious, too. He took it out on Draco and me, as Lucius was arrested. He came to our house to stay."

Narcissa went quiet. She remembered the day Lord Voldemort had decided how to adequately punish and "reward" them. It was an honor to receive the Mark, but at the same time, a curse. A dark curse that would permanently mar Draco's beautiful skin and mark him as Voldemort's subject. She hated it. Draco did, too.

Lord Voldemort had smirked his sick expression at them. Draco hadn't outright refused, but then he shot a Crucio at her. Draco dropped to his knees and swore an oath of allegiance to his new master. Voldemort's wand shot a deep red fireball onto Draco's left arm. He had screamed in absolute misery has the red Dark Mark branded his skin. Eventually it had turned black, but that was days later. Draco couldn't heal it or relieve in his pain, so Voldemort could bask in his emotional and physical distress. After is when he revealed his true plan. Kill Dumbledore. 

Narcissa hated the coward. Voldemort couldn't kill Dumbledore, so he sent his newest and youngest servant. Of course, Draco wasn't strong enough to do it. Overpower the greatest wizard ever known? The only one Voldemort feared? He kept hinting that she was going to pay for his failure. Every opportunity Voldemort had, he would torture her in front of him, as a reminder that her life was in his hands, fail and Voldemort would kill her and him.

She had escaped the house one night, determined to find a way to rescue her son and turned to Snape, who had saved them all. He took the Vow and had actually killed Dumbledore. If what her sister said was true, Draco had chickened out and wouldn't kill the old man, though he had every available chance. She couldn't help but be a little prideful in that regard. Draco didn't become a killer, even with everything that they threatened him with. She wished she had told him that, but with Voldemort in charge of her house, she wouldn't even think of voicing those thoughts, even as she watched them systemically break her only son.

In long, fractured sentences, Narcissa Malfoy told Potter what Voldemort had done to her and Draco. He listened without interrupting, just holding her hands as she sobbed out what was the worst years of her life. Of course, there was so much more she didn't see, too. Voldemort and his Death Eaters had hurt Draco many times when she wasn't there.

"Draco had asked me not to be there. To hide. He was willing to take the torture if it meant that they left me alone. He didn't want me to watch," she said, ending her tale of sorrow.

"That's what he said in Azkaban. That he didn't want you to see him like that."

"Oh... Draco. He's endured so much. I know what everyone thinks of him, Pot-Harry. He's not a Death Eater... not at heart. He never wanted to hurt anyone. He didn't hurt anyone."

Harry did not say anything. Narcissa knew that wasn't immediately true. Katie Bell, Madam Rosmerta, Ron and Bill Weasley had all suffered from his attempts to kill Dumbledore.

"I'm so sorry for what you went though. Thank you for telling me. Will you tell your 온라인카지노게임 in court, if need be?"

"Yes. I'll do anything."

"Is there anyone else who was at the manor? That's alive, I mean."

Narcissa frowned. Voldemort, Bellatrix, Lucius, Severus, Wormtail, Greyback... all were dead. "My brother-in-law and his brother... they weren't around much... I heard they're still at large. Oh... and the... captives."

"Ollivander and Luna."

"Ollivander was there the longest. Luna Lovegood a few weeks. They would have heard Draco... scream."

"Well, I will ask. Did Draco tell you anything about the Battle of Hogwarts?"

"That you saved his life."

"Anything else?"

Narcissa looked confused, trying to remember. "He said that Crabbe was dead and Goyle was after him."

"Goyle? He said that? You sure?"

"Yeah, I didn't ask him why."

"Goyle is still at large, too. But Draco saved him from the fire."

"I don't know. I was just so relieved that Voldemort was dead, I didn't readily pull information out of him."

Harry nodded, she could see the wheels turning in his head. He asked a few more questions, but that was it. He finally released her hands and started to eye her small apartment curiously.

"It's not bad. It'd actually be worse if it was larger and no one was here," she said, missing her family.

Harry then looked at the Hogwarts trunk, nestled up against the wall.

"It's Draco's," she murmured. "I shrunk everything of his. They let me take anything I wanted from the house. There's more boxes in the closet. I don't miss the Manor. It was a prison for me... and Draco."

"Is there anything you need? I can help," Harry said, looking at her.

"No, I'm fine. Work takes my mind off... everything. Therapeutic. I have enough to get by. Besides, you're doing what I need most, returning my son to me."

Harry straightened up. "I'll get him out. One way or another."

"Thank you," Narcissa said and hugged him. "He's all I have."

Harry returned her hug, but when they broke apart, he looked into her eyes. "He's not all you have, you know?"

"What?" she asked.

"Your sister?"

Narcissa drew her breath, immediately thinking of her crazed, lunatic sister Bellatrix.

"Andromeda?" Harry offered.

"Oh..." she started, unsure. "We haven't talked in over two decades."

"Well, she lost her husband and only daughter in the war. All she has is her grandson, Teddy, and me."

"She wouldn't... I wouldn't even know what to say."

"It doesn't matter. It's family. Your family. All it takes is one step in the right direction. It might be hard, but peace can be had. I mean you're talking to me, aren't you? You need someone."

"I don't have an owl."

"I'll send Aladynn to you, when she returns. I think you should try. It's better than stewing here by yourself."

"Would she even talk to me?"

"Andromeda is one of the nicest witches I have ever met. She has also lost much of her family. She's hurting too and would enjoy some company."

"I'll think about it. A lot happened between us..."

"Forgive and forget," Harry said and sauntered over to the fire place. "Thank you for having me and telling me what happened, I know it's hard."

"No, thank you... Harry."

Harry gave her a smile and threw a handful of powder, "Number 12, Grimmwauld Place."

Narcissa Malfoy looked at the empty fire place in disbelief. The Savior of the wizarding world had just visited her and offered help. She felt hope for the first time in months. She was going to see Draco, again. She had to believe that.

Days later, when Harry's midnight owl arrived, with a note saying:

You should take my advice. Adaylnn knows where to go.

-Harry

She barely hesitated. She pulled out a quill and wrote her first letter to her sister in nearly 25 years.

***

Draco huddled next to his bunk and shivered. The only thing he had on was his underwear. He was thankful enough for that. Azkaban was far enough north that the August heat didn't reach it, and with his dementor outside his door, it was near freezing. He could never get warm, his fingers and toes were red and barely moving.

It was the newest torment Vance had come up with. Draco had to applaud his ingenuity. He said that as he was a suicide risk, he couldn't have clothes... or even his untearable mattress that he claimed was tearable. So Draco had a choice to lay on the steel bedframe or the ice cold floor. He picked the floor.

Vance had also been playing with his meals. Asking him if he wanted his food and when he didn't or rather couldn't respond, he took it away. That went on for days while Draco ached with hungry and pain, until Vance force-feed him another nutrient potion. He chuckled he while shoved the liquid down his throat, faster than Draco could swallow. He choked, unable to breath, but Vance didn't stop until the potion was gone.

Draco was having a harder time schooling his emotions whenever Vance came in. Voldemort had loved the smell of fear, but hated when Draco shrunk away from him. Draco had learned that he couldn't show his fear in front of him and kept his emotions in check. However, Vance seemed to get off on his power trip more. Draco cringed away from Vance and averted his eyes whenever he came in his cell. He had adapted to his new master. The only problem was that it wasn't fake, anymore.

A few days after Potter had visited, Vance came into his cell, looking particularly vengeful.

"So, I heard from a buddy of mine in the Wizengamot that Potter has been making overtures to him about appealing your case," Vance growled. Draco tensed and Vance stared at him intently. "What did Potter say?"

Draco couldn't say anything, but Vance pulled out his wand. His eyes were greedy and full of maniacal eagerness. "I've always wanted to try this spell. It's a good thing you can't make any noise." Draco stared at his wand in fear. He thought he was done with this pain. He thought wrong. Barely audible, Vance whispered, "Crucio!"

Draco withered uncontrollably on the floor, silently screaming in pain. Vance held it on him longer than his father or even Voldemort would have. He wanted to make a point. When he finally ended it, Draco was crying in pain. His arms and his body would not stop shaking. He curled inward and tried to will the pain and tremors to stop. Vance watched him struggle with vindictive pleasure. Draco turned his head to the floor, as to hide from him.

"Finite Incantatem!" Vance said after several minutes of watching him twitch.

"Please..." Draco moaned.

"Shut up! Don't say another word or you'll get another round!" Vance growled. Draco clamped his mouth shut. "Now, tell me what Potter said!"

Draco did not say anything. Vance kicked him. Draco retreated to the wall, but there was no escape.

"Answer me!"

Draco's voice was thin. "N-Nothing... h-he w-was trying to-to get me to t-talk, but I-I couldn't..." he stammered. The remnants of the Cruciatus Curse was still causing him to tremble in pain.

"What did he say?"

"He-He..." Draco broke off and Vance had it.

He silenced Draco again and hit him again with the Unforgivable Curse. He again experienced a lengthily bout of torture. It took several minutes after the spell ended for him to regain his senses. His eyes were filled with tears and all he could feel was the lingering effects of the curse. He couldn't hear anything.

"Tell me what Potter said!" Vance roared and Draco flinched at the sudden return of his hearing. "Do you want me to hit you, again?"

"He s-s-said that h-he w-wanted to-to help... b-but I c-couldn't sa-say anything," Draco stuttered.

"What did he want to know?" Vance growled.

"B-Battle of Ho-Hogwarts... w-what h-happened..."

"Why?"

"H-He wanted t-to find s-something to h-help..."

"Get you outta here?"

Draco nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Vance was enraged beyond measure. Vance wanted to torture him for the rest of is life, more than that, he wanted to completely break him. And the knowledge that their time may be ending, was sure to drive him harder to his goal. Vance had most likely considered that he was in danger of being exposed, too, if Draco was to spill what Vance had been doing.

"He's not going to find anything, is he?"

"N-No...."

"I don't believe you, but it's no matter. Potter is resourceful and determined. I'll just have to take precautions."

Draco tensed. He could guess what kind of precautions Vance wanted to take. He wasn't going to enjoy it. If Vance was willing to use one of the most illegal curses on him, he was willing to do just about anything.

"Silencio... has a big drawback. Two words and your voice is back. I'm just gonna make sure you never talk, again. From now on, every time you speak... you're getting another round of pain. Do you understand the new rules?"

Draco stared at him, realizing he was dead serious. He nodded.

"But, of course, it's easy to stay silent when you know the game... I'll have to test your commitment to the new rules."

Draco paled and tried to retreat into the floor. Vance put a silencing charm on the cell. No more silent screams... Vance wanted to hear him scream and beg and then hurt him more for it.

"P-Please...." he pleaded, unable to hold in his fear.

Vance smiled. "I see you didn't hold up very long. The first lesson is always the hardest. Crucio!"

Draco screamed like he had when it was Voldemort torturing him. Vance laughed at his misery and when he lifted it, he asked him if he wanted him to stop. Draco couldn't help but beg him to stop. Vance gave him a second round and a third. He spent the whole day casting the Cruciatus Curse and coaxing him to talk, to ask him to stop the pain.

It wasn't until darkness fell that Draco was able to stop himself from begging and ignore Vance's attempts to make him talk. Vance would hurt him whether he talked or not, but it was worse when Draco did. Vance would lie to him and say if he asked him to stop, he would. He promised that the game was done, then would hit him, again.

Draco wouldn't look at him anymore. His arms were shaking uncontrollably and his heart was beating so fast that he was surprised it hadn't failed.

"I think today's lesson what over rather well, don't you think?"

Draco tightened up, not responding to Vance's question.

"And look, I've missed setting out dinner chow! Do you want some food? Dinner perhaps? If you want some food, all you have to do is ask."

Vance's smooth, cruel voice lapped at his self-control. But he couldn't respond. His brain was conditioned to not speak, just like Vance had wanted. He started to hold in his screams, toward the end. His throat tightened automatically and Draco doubted he could speak even if he wanted, too.

"No food then? Are you sure?" Vance cooed.

Draco curled in defensively, not responding in any way.

"Fine, then, but I suspect we are going to have fun tomorrow... and the next day... and the next. We'll see how well you learned the rules. Just remember... you're staying here. You're never leaving. So, don't bother telling anyone about our game... Death Eater," Vance growled and left his cell.

Draco swallowed with difficulty. Day one of Vance's game was crippling. His mind was confused and screaming. He couldn't imagine how he was going to survive more days... more games....

Harry... please hurry... he prayed, tears rolling down his face.