The Betrayed
By Misha

Disclaimer- Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling and is not mine, however much I might wish differently. However, I am not making any money off of this, so please do not sue me!

Special Note- I decided to rewrite this after reading "Order of the Phoenix", because I was still able to salvage the story and keep in it cannon. So, several details have been changed, but the basic plot remains the same. Still, I'd advise rereading the whole thing, as several aspects are now different. I've changed several key points, due to things revealed in OotP. Well, that's all, thank you and enjoy!

Author's Notes- I was flipping through the usual 'Harry is convicted of a crime he didn't commit and everyone turns on him' stories. Two things struck me, a) if anyone helps Harry it's usually Snape, b) Harry either forgives everyone as soon as they realize he's innocent and apologize or he goes psycho. As I was bother by both of these things I decided to write my own story. In it, Snape is not the one to help Harry, because though I like Snape, I also believe that his resentment is too ingrained and would blind him to the truth. So, I picked another unlikely candidate, Draco. I believe in some ways it fits and I'll go into that in great detail in the story. As for Harry reaction to his friends. Well, I was thinking about it. If it was me and the people I loved turned on me without giving me a chance, I'd be angry and hurt. And if they came to me and apologized, once they had proof of my innocence, I would not be willing to forgive them right away. Forgiveness takes time, it's a slow process and I'll show that here. In time, Harry will begin to forgive those who wronged him, but he won't forget what was done and things will never be the way they are. This is not a happy fic, nor a lighthearted fic. It's dark and depressing. It's set in the middle of a full-fledged war with Voldemort, a war that the light side is losing. It shows the uglier side of human nature-and I take a few shots at some beloved characters. Also, this will eventually be a slash story. This is my first attempt of writing in-depth Harry/Draco slash, so I apologize if it's truly terrible. Well, that's all for now, enjoy!

Pairings- Harry/Draco, minor Harry/Hermione.

Summery- Eight years ago, Harry Potter was convicted of a crime that he didn't commit and those who claimed to love him turned their backs on him. It was only through the help of an unlikely ally that he escaped with his life. Now his name has been cleared and he is called to help those who condemned him, but they will soon learn that the Harry they remember no longer exists...

Rating- PG-13

Spoilers- All five books.

Prologue

Harry stood in his cell staring out into space.

He couldn't believe that he was here. That all his so-called friends had turned on him. Even Ron had betrayed him.

There's loyalty for you. Harry thought bitterly.

The people he had loved and trusted had sentenced him to life in prison for a crime he hadnÕt committed. He was just lucky that they had done away with the Dementor's Kiss as a punishment.

It didn't bother him that the Ministry had attempted to crucify him, after all they were pretty much in Voldemort's pocket these days. He wasn't even that bothered by the public turning their backs on him, after all, they had done it to him before. He was used to it now.

No, the only betrayal that stung was that of the people he had loved. The people he would have given up anything to protect.

"Potter." Harry looked up and saw someone standing outside his cell.

"Malfoy." He said, his eyes narrowed. "Come to gloat?"

"No." His nemesis said quietly. "I've come to free you."

"What?" Harry asked in disbelief.

"You heard me." Draco told him.

"Why?" Harry asked. "You hate me."

"Yeah, but I know that you're innocent." Draco said. "Come on, Potter, there's no way you would ever kill anyone. Especially not Granger, I know how much you loved her."

"Thank you." Harry said quietly, unable to believe that his worst enemy believed him when his friends did not. "Still, give me one reason why I should believe you. You are a Death Eater, after all."

"Because you have nothing else to lose." Draco told him matter-of-factly. "Besides, things change Potter, we all make mistakes. Some of us just have a hard time getting out of them."

Harry was quiet, hearing the truth in Draco's words. Besides, he was right, it wasn't like Harry had anything else to lose. So why not risk it?

"I've set everything up." Draco told him briskly after a moment's silence. "I've arranged for a new identity and money to be waiting for you when you get out of here. As soon as you get to your destination go to the Maditor Inn and ask for Daniel. He's a contact of mine and will have everything you need."

"How will I get out of here?" Harry asked. "If you haven't noticed, I'm a high-security prisoner."

"And I'm Lucius Malfoy's son." Draco told him. After Voldemort had seized control of the Ministry, Lucius had regained the power he had lost when the truth about his involvement with the Death Eaters had come out. "I wasn't checked when I came in. I brought a portkey. The activation word is 'innocence.' Activate it as soon as I'm gone."

Harry nodded and Draco slipped the tiny object through the bars.

Harry held in his hand. "A key?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.

Draco shrugged. "I thought it fit. It is your key to freedom after all."

Harry closed his eyes for a minute.

"Thank you." He said finally.

Draco smiled. "You're welcome. Well, I should go. I don't want to be connected to your escape."

Harry nodded. "Okay."

Draco turned to leave. "Hey, Potter?"

"Yeah?"

"Have a good life." Draco told him.

Harry smiled sadly. "I'll try."

He watched Draco walk away and waited for the portkey activated.

He wondered why Azkaban didn't have some barrier against them, then realized that they probably hadn't bothered because visitors weren't allowed, not that they'd want to come.

An exception had been made for Draco because of who he was and because no one would ever suspect him of helping Harry escape.

Suddenly, the portkey became active and Harry found himself standing in the countryside.

Harry looked around and closed his eyes in a silent prayer of thanks. Then he began to walk towards the village and his new life.
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