Harry and Hermione sat waiting in an office at the Ministry. Ron and Ginny couldn't come with them because the Weasleys were making preparations for Fred's funeral which would be held in a few days. Luna was catching up with her father since they hadn't seen each other ever since Luna boarded the Hogwarts Express and Neville was at St. Mungos visiting his parents, telling them about the events of the past three weeks.

"You're sure about this Harry?" Hermione asked him uncertainly.

Harry thought about what they were about to do. He wasn't actually sure if this was the right way to go with this but he wasn't about to give up on Malfoy.

"No," he said in answer to Hermione's question. "But there's no turning back now. And we have to try."

Hermione sighed and nodded. "Of course we do. Let's just hope this is the right decision."

Once she said that, the doorknob started wobbling and the door slowly creaked open to admit Mr. Graves, who they had spoken to before. He walked in with a leash in his hands and at the end of which was a pale young man with blonde hair.

Malfoy looked better than he was at the trial. He was dressed in a suit like the one that he had been taken to the Ministry in. His hair was still disheveled and he looked like he hadn't slept a wink since the trial.

When Draco saw the two people who were once his enemies his eyes widened slightly and he stopped in his tracks but was dragged forward by the leash attached to his collar.

"You have got to be kidding me," Draco mumbled as the two men sat down across from Harry and Hermione.

Graves looked at the three other occupants of the room and cleared his throat. "Obviously you all know each other so I'll skip the introductions and move on to the business matters.

"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger. You both understand the rules and can relate to your colleagues later, am I correct?"

"Yes, sir," Harry and Hermione said in unison.

"Grand. Now I believe the only thing left to do is the payment and you are free to go with your new slave." Draco cringed slightly at the word 'slave' but either Mr. Graves didn't see it or he ignored it. Harry and Hermione did though and they felt a pang of sympathy towards the former Death Eater.

"Er, right," Harry said, eager to get this over with. "How much is, er, he?"

"He is eight thousand galleons," the older man answered. Draco's eyes widened considerably as Harry fished around in his robes and pulled out a velvet sack which he tossed on top of the desk. He weighed it and then counted out the money. "Alright," he said, satisfied. He stood up, gesturing for them to do the same, and held out Draco's leash. "He's all yours."

Hermione tool ahold of the leash as Harry thanked the Director. "It was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Graves."

Percival Graves smiled. "You as well, m'boy. And good luck Mr. Malfoy," he added to Draco.

"Thank you sir," Draco said gratefully.

"Let's go," Hermione said to the two men and they left, Harry and herself in the lead with Draco trailing behind. She took great care to be mindful of the slackness of the leash and didn't yank it.

Once they were outside the office, the three stopped and faced each other. Draco crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Okay, out with it. What just happened?"

Harry rolled his eyes at the blonde. "Honestly, Malfoy. Are you that thick that you didn't hear anything that was said in that room?"

Draco sighed. "Well, of course I know what happened. Obviously. What I mean is...why?"

Harry and Hermione exchanged looks. "Well," Hermione began, "we think that everyone deserves a second chance. That's how we see people. And while you may be on your 50th chance, we still see the goodness in you. Plus, he wouldn't take 'no' for an answer," she added, gesturing to Harry.

"Oh, really?" Draco asked in amusement.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Oh, sod off Malfoy. Besides would you rather someone else have bought you? Perhaps one of your Slytherin buddies?"

Draco blanched at the idea. If he was bought by Goyle, or maybe Nott, or Merlin forbid Parkinson, he wouldn't make it to the end of the five years of his punishment. He wouldn't even make it to the end of one year.

He shuddered at the thought. "You know I wouldn't," he said sharply at Harry. Then his eyes narrowed slightly and he looked at the two of them. "Well, now what?"

"Let's discuss that at home, so that the others know as well," Hermione said.

"Others?" Draco asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Yeah, we'll explain that later too," Harry added before turning around and leading the way through the corridors to the ministry entrance. Hermione gently tugged at Malfoy's leash and they both followed.