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Questions of Science	By : AnasellaEmm Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 27647 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
Disclaimer: no ownership

A/N: the chapter title comes from the song, �The Hardest Part� by Coldplay
Thanks for all the reviews, guys! I know the previous chapter freaked y�all out a bit� but the response was hilarious. Thanks so much!

Also, thanks to my koukla for all her help!

Chapter 17: Silver Line in the Cloud
The light green liquid was half a centimeter away from Draco�s lips�

A gasp was ripped from Hermione�s throat as the door in the execution chamber was flung open and Harry stood with two Aurors she recognized but couldn�t place names with faces.

The three Aurors didn�t seem to be in a hurry, just walking in and talking to the man in the white robe, shaking his hand and smiling.

Hermione didn�t realize she had jumped up and was pressed against the glass, wondering why the three of them had interrupted the execution. Not that she was complaining� she just wished she could hear what was going on.

They couldn�t see her on the other side of the glass, which was a good thing since her nose was pressed against the glass so close she looked a bit on the mentally impaired side.

Harry seemed to be joking with the executioner, laughing and patting Draco on the shoulder, who seemed very relaxed and not at all surprised that his execution had just been halted.

In Harry�s hand, was a scroll of parchment that he showed to the executioner, who nodded as if knowing what it was already.

In a rapid succession of movement, Hermione watched as the man in the white robes spoke to the wizard-warden, handed Harry back the parchment, watched as the wizard-warden unstrapped Draco from the chair, and helped him up, keeping his arms shackled behind his back, of course, and leading him out of the execution chamber.

Hermione stood frozen watching the room empty and then watching Harry come through the door that led to the observation room, with the two Aurors and executioner in tow.

She could feel her knees shaking and her heartbeat beating an erratic tempo against her ribcage as she tried to piece together what happened and to think of the first thing to ask Harry.

She settled with, �What on earth just happened?�

Harry strode up to her and enveloped her in a great big bear hug. �I told you I was sorry, right?�

Hermione nodded slowly as he slowly eased his grip and finally stood back to talk to her properly.

�Well it�s obvious that executing Malfoy was a big mistake on the Ministry�s part, so I talked with Augustus here, who was set to be the executioner. I told him everything and he believed me, saying that he won�t kill an innocent man. He was never going to let Draco drink the potions, he was waiting for us to come and stop it in case any officials were watching.�

Hermione stared dazedly at the older man in the white robes. �Thank you,� she whispered.

�Not a problem, my dear. I wouldn�t be able to live with myself had I killed a man who had committed no crimes.�

He bade them farewell, claiming busy work and left Hermione with the three Aurors.

�So what�s going to happen now? Isn�t the Wizengamot going to be angry that he wasn�t killed?�

�Oh, well we went and talked to the Minister and an assembly of the Wizengamot� we got Malfoy a trial,� Harry said with a small smile.

�A trial?� Hermione breathed in disbelief.

�Yeah� well, I wanted to get him a full pardon with the Minister, but that was completely out of the question so Ron and I managed to convince them to give Draco a trial.�

�Ron and you?� Hermione asked� she was having a very incredulous time with all of this.

�The minute I left you and Malfoy alone in his cell I went and found Ron, told him what was happening and we knew that we had to do something to make up for being complete assholes. Ron�s just finishing up the paperwork right now.�

Hermione�s smile lit up her face as she took in what Harry was saying. This time, she gave him the biggest hug she could muster and whispered many thanks in his ear.

In an instant, it had seemed like she would be losing everything, and now this euphoria of getting it all back, made her just a bit lightheaded: that and being in the most nauseating stage of pregnancy.

�So, now what?� she asked.

�Well, Ron and Ellie want to talk to you right now and then I can take you again to go see Draco,� Harry replied.

�Why does Ellie want to talk to me?� Hermione asked.

�She�s Draco�s Advocate. Remember how she works in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement with laws and all that� well, the minute she knew what was going on, she signed up to help.�

Hermione�s smile was having a hard time fading. �She�s one of the best in the Ministry. I completely forgot about that.�

�Yeah, add that to the fact that Draco is innocent, and he�ll be a free man in no time. Well, not no time, since the first proceeding is in a fortnight,� he replied.

�Why so long?� Hermione asked as they walked out of the observation room.

�It was the only free space they had and they said they were going to keep him in maximum security until then. It was the best we could do, Hermione.�

�Thank you so much, Harry. You have no idea how much this means to me, how much you�ve done for Draco and myself and our� thank you,� Hermione quickly corrected, not wanting to spoil the mood by telling Harry that Malfoy had knocked her up.

They walked in content silence the rest of the way, towards the second floor, where Ellie�s and Harry�s offices were, the other two Aurors were dismissed by Harry.

The minute Hermione walked in through the door, Ellie had her wrapped in a hug. �Oh, Hermione I�m so sorry you had to go through that. It must have been so horrible; I swear I was crying the entire morning. Ron has been in a right state all morning as well, talking to the Minister and the Wizengamot with Harry. I�ve never been more nervous and more anxious about an outcome. If I had known they had moved the execution up so early, I would have been with you, for support and��

�Jeez, El� take a breath,� Ron said from behind her. �Hermione tuned you out two minutes ago.�

Hermione turned to him, happier than she could imagine, knowing that he and Harry had defended and fought for Draco�s justice.

�No, only you tune people out,� Hermione teased, wrapping her arms around him in greeting and gratitude.

�I�m sorry, Mione, about everything before� sorry about almost getting your boyfriend killed,� he said with a sheepish smile.

�As long as he�s alive, you�re forgiven,� Hermione laughed. �Now, I have to go back to Isabelle�s and tell Narcissa, make sure she�s ok, and then I�m coming back here. I can talk to Draco about how we�re supposed to pay you, Ellie.�

Ellie laughed. �You�re a barrel of laughs, Hermione. This is most definitely pro bono. No charge. Ron and Harry won�t let me take any money from you or Draco. Their guilt finally caught up to them.�

Hermione took a breath and smiled. �Thank you all so much, I really don�t know what to say.�

�Just go make sure Narcissa is doing well, update her and Belle, and then come back,� Harry reassured. �We have a few things to wrap up with the Ministry officials and then you, Ellie and Malfoy can meet for a preliminary advocating meeting.�

Hermione nodded and hugged them all one last time before going back to Isabelle�s flat.

-------------------------------

�And then what happened?� Isabelle asked, finding herself completely engrossed in Hermione�s explanation.

�That�s when Harry and these two other Auror�s burst into the room and stopped the execution,� Hermione explained. �But the executioner was never really going to go through with it in the first place.�

Isabelle and Narcissa sat staring at Hermione with wide eyes.

�And they�re going to give him a trial?� Narcissa asked slowly, as if not believing it.

Hermione nodded. �In two weeks. Ellie�s already working on the case.�

Isabelle was smiling slyly. �And how did Harry look like again when he burst into the room?�

�Are you seriously drooling over your man as we recover from this mess?� Hermione asked with a slight grin.

�Um. Duh,� Isabelle retorted. �I can just imagine...�

Hermione laughed exhaustedly and leaned back on the couch where she was sandwiched between Narcissa and Isabelle. She placed a hand on her stomach and realized that she hadn�t told anyone besides Draco about the baby. Isabelle only knew by default.

Hermione decided to wait to talk to Draco before telling anyone else, including Narcissa.

�I�m going to go back to the Ministry,� Hermione said tiredly. �I have to go over some things with Ellie and Draco. Do you want to see him, Narcissa?�

Narcissa shook her head. �I don�t think I could handle seeing him there,� she said quietly. �You go and be there for him. I�ll stay here with Isabelle if she can stand my company.�

�You�re like the big sister I never had, Narcissa,� Isabelle said brightly. �I�m going to teach you a killer French manicure I learned using just my wand.�

Hermione left the two women talking about manicuring disasters and the odd sort of things while she left Isabelle�s flat and headed back to the Ministry.

--------------------------------------

As she walked along the familiar hallway with Harry, Hermione kept replaying the wonderful feeling she got when she saw the execution being interrupted. It was a memory that was going to be in her mind forever.

Harry used his wand to unlock Draco�s cell and gave Hermione a quick hug before going back to his work.

Inside the cell, Draco was laying on his cot with his hands behind his head, staring into space. He looked up when Hermione walked in and sat up slowly, smiling widely at her.

In one, two, three steps, Hermione reached him and embraced him wholly, breathing deep breaths of relief into his neck and kissing his face with enthusiasm. With no words, she captured his lips in a kiss so strong that all her sensations combined into the one sense of touch playing at her lips.

She pulled back and grinned at Draco, reveling in the way his eyes had been freed of that desperate sorrow� that horrific grief.

�You don�t know how good it feels to hold you,� he whispered in her ear as he brought her closer to his warm body.

�Can you believe this?� Hermione breathed.

Draco stayed quiet, just holding her in his arms, smiling like an idiot. So many thoughts were going through his head and all he wanted to do was hold her. Boy, prison had made him soft.

He laughed at the thought and kissed the woman in his arms once more before leading her to his meager cot and setting her in his lap, cradling her as if he were afraid he would be taken from her again.

�Ellie�s coming soon to go over your case,� Hermione said softly as she nestled her head in the crook between his shoulder and neck.

�Ellie? Weasley�s wife?� Draco asked.

�Yes, she�s your advocate,� Hermione replied. �She�s doing it pro bono and is actually really excited to do it since it�s a sure win.�

Draco nodded. �It would do my ego no good if I didn�t pay her.�

�She wouldn�t accept the money anyways. She can be just as stubborn as Ron is and��

�I definitely can be just as stubborn as him,� Ellie said from the door with a teasing smile. �Sorry to break your reunion, but I wanted to get some formal things out of the way.�

Hermione stood up with Draco right behind her as Ellie made her way into the room.

Draco surveyed the new Mrs. Weasley as she extended her hand out to him and introduced herself. She was a bit taller than Hermione, with a lean build and a pretty face surrounded by thick black hair.

The wizard-warden had put in a table with three chairs around it for their discussion.

�Ok, guys, so first, I�m going to go over the general criminal trial proceedings dealing with accounts of murder and attempted murder,� Ellie started as they sat around the table. She took out several scrolls of official looking parchments and spread them out about her. �Now, Draco here has been accused of being an accessory to the murder of Albus Dumbledore and the sedition act of being a part of the Death Eaters.�

�But�� Hermione started to say, but Ellie stopped her by holding up her hand.

�I know and you know and the order knows and a handful of other people know that Draco is innocent. But in the eyes of this Wizarding government, he is guilty for those two things based on the evidence they have,� Ellie explained. �Now, I�m going to run through the proceedings of the trial.

�Usually, these murder trials last for about one court date. Thanks to the effectiveness of Veritaserum, there isn�t much debating between the Wizengamot. So, first, the advocate representing the Ministry is allowed his witnesses, including Draco, all of whom are given Veritaserum.

�After the Ministry advocate is through with their witnesses, I will cross examine the witnesses and if necesary, call my own.�

�Wouldn�t it just be easier if the Ministry�s advocate just asked Draco if he committed the crimes and then, that�s it� trial over?� Hermione asked.

Ellie smiled. �It would be very easy, but think about it Hermione, Draco did in fact aid in killing Dumbledore AND he was in fact a member of the Death Eaters, so the crimes for which he has been accused are true.

�But, my approach to this trial is going to prove that Draco was forced into the Death Eaters, as we know, and that he was threatened with the death of his family to aid in the murder of Dumbledore.�

Draco shifted in his seat and ran a hand through his hair. Hermione looked over at him and realized how tired he looked. The dark circles under his eyes and furrow of his brows showed his stress and anxiety quite clearly.

�What if you can�t persuade the Wizengamot of his innocence?� Hermione asked.

Ellie�s smile disappeared and she took a breath. �In the very slim chance of no acquittal of all charges, then Draco will be given the same death sentence.�

�How slim is that chance?� Draco asked, speaking for the first time.

�There�s a ten percent chance that they will vote against you, Draco,� Ellie said solemnly.

Hermione�s jaw dropped. �Ten percent? That�s not so slim, El.�

�You have to understand, Hermione, that these Wizengamot members are older in age and have a lot of predisposed prejudices. Some of them are extremely obstinate and have overseen many trials portraying gruesome crimes. They basically have very little empathy and don�t usually vote in favor of former Death Eaters, especially someone as notorious as a Malfoy. I�m sorry, honey, but it�s the truth.�

Hermione laid her forehead against her palm propped up on the table.

�But, I�m going to use every faculty and ability that I have to make sure Draco is acquitted of everything. He�s an innocent man, Hermione, and as long as you hold that highest amongst your beliefs, then it will work out in the end.�

Hermione nodded numbly and felt the beginnings of her light-headedness. �Thank you, Ellie. For everything.�

�You're welcome, and I swear, guys� I will not let you lose each other again. I don�t care what Ron says, you two make the cutest couple I have ever seen.�

Ellie left the two of them and made her way out of the cell.

Hermione turned to Draco and took his hand in hers. �Well?�

Draco shrugged and got up from the table, taking his original place of lying on his cot.

�Listening to her, I realized that my chances are not as great as she said, Hermione. My name and reputation precede me and there is no way they�re going to let me run off, scot-free,� Draco said musingly.

Hermione looked at him and rested her head on her hand. �I believe in second chances, Draco. Fate has finally figured out what a crappy hand you�ve been dealt and has gone about its way to make sure you don�t lead the world�s worst life. If you think pessimistically, then our chances of winning this case shrink. So Draco, please, for the love of our unborn child, don�t start thinking the worst.�

Draco blinked suddenly and looked over at her. �Our unborn child� if I�m cleared, then I�ll get to be a dad.�

Hermione smiled and forced her eyes to cease their watering. �When you�re cleared, yes, you will become a daddy. Or a dada. Or a papa. Or a baba� whatever the baby says first.�

Draco actually laughed and smiled so cheerfully that Hermione got up and kissed him again, unable to stop herself from physically touching him and basking in his physical presence.

------------------------------------

Two Weeks Later: Draco�s Court Date

Hermione wiped her mouth with the napkin Isabelle handed her as they sat in the bathroom stall at the Ministry. At one and a half months of pregnancy, the nausea was still at an apex and Hermione visited the loo at least twice a day. She still wasn�t showing and probably wouldn�t until her fourth or fifth month.

It was best that she wasn�t showing since she still hadn�t told anyone about the baby. Draco said it was best that they wait until the trial was over, regardless of the results.

Isabelle rubbed Hermione�s back and handed her a cup of water. �That was disgusting,� Isabelle said grimly.

�You think?� Hermione retorted.

Isabelle laughed and helped Hermione off of the floor. With a quick disinfecting charm, Isabelle had Hermione cleaned up and germ-free.

�The trial starts in five minutes,� Isabelle said, looking at her watch.

Hermione nodded as she washed her mouth out at the sink. To put it simply, she was nervous as hell and her nerves were beyond frayed.

Isabelle held her hand as they made their way to the courtroom. Narcissa was spending the day at the Manor with the new Healer, who had been approved by Hermione as a competent Healer and a warm soul who would help distract Narcissa.

Once inside, Hermione scanned the courtroom and saw everyone she had expected to see there. It was set up in a fairly similar way as a muggle courtroom, except that the Wizengamot was facing the courtroom in an arch and there was no jury.

Draco sat at a table next to Ellie, who was talking to him softly and pointing to things on a scroll of parchment in front of her. Hermione and Isabelle took their seats in the public seating area directly behind Draco and Ellie. Draco turned around the minute he sensed Hermione�s presence and gave her a small smile.

Hermione smiled back and leaned over the railing to kiss his cheek. �Good luck,� she said jokingly.

Draco laughed and turned back to Ellie who had audibly sighed at them, backing up her opinion of them being an adorable couple.

Isabelle took a seat next to Harry who was sitting next to Ron. They were talking seriously amongst themselves. Hermione�s knee was bouncing nervously as she watched the Wizengamot file in.

She turned in her seat to look at the surprisingly large crowd that had gathered to witness the most publicized trial of the decade. She recognized a few faces, people she knew from Hogwarts, people who worked in Diagon Alley, and some people she had never seen before.

The clearing of someone�s throat turned Hermione�s attention back to the front of the courtroom where the Wizengamot had settled in their seats and were calling the courtroom to order.

Hermione�s hands started to shake and Isabelle reached over and held them in her own, giving them a tight squeeze and not letting go. Hermione�s anxiety decreased a smidgen at her friends� support. It felt good to have them in her good graces again.

�Trial number 1208 is called to session. The British Ministry of Magic and the state of the Wizarding world against the hereby accused, Draco Lucius Malfoy on the count of attempted murder of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore and the count of treason and sedition of membership to the Death Eaters,� a man from the Wizengamot read out from a scroll of parchment.

�The British Ministry of Magic and the state of the Wizarding world are represented by the counselor, Theodore Nott��

Draco�s head shot up as he looked towards the table across the room from him. He hadn�t even noticed his former Slytherin dorm mate when he was escorted into the courtroom. He turned to look at Hermione who seemed just as shocked as he was.

Ellie leaned over to Draco and whispered, �Don�t worry about Nott. I�ve gone against him before and I won both times. I must warn you though; he�s really good and uses techniques that are especially devious.�

Draco smiled dryly. �Of course, he�s a Slytherin.�

Ellie smiled and patted his hand with hers. �If I can put up with Ron and his entire family� I�m sure I can handle a Slytherin.�

�The defendant, Draco Lucius Malfoy is being represented by Advocate Eloise Ennis Weasley.�

Ellie grimaced at her given name and stood up as the Wizengamot addressed her.

�My defendant, Draco Lucius Malfoy, pleads not guilty for said charges and demands a complete acquittal and pardon from the Ministry for false imprisonment and attempted execution.�

�Thank you, Advocate Weasley,� the Minister for Magic, Peyton Delray, spoke. He was an older man who had succeeded Scrimgeour as Minister after the war.

�Counselor, you have the floor,� the minister addressed Theodore Nott.

He stood up from his seat and stood before the Wizengamot.

�Witches and wizards of the esteemed Wizengamot, I come before you today to prove that Draco Malfoy is guilty of the crimes he has committed against humanity and against the government of the Wizarding world,� he began. He was dressed in finely tailored robes and had cleaned up well from his school days.

�My first witness is an old schoolmate of the defendant�s and one who knew extensively of his private life. I present Pansy Mildred Parkinson to the court.�

Hermione heard Ron and Harry say some things quietly and then laugh cynically. Pansy Parkinson had not changed much since school, still a pug-faced, snotty witch with very tight robes.

�I�m not sure if that skankola knows this, but I can see her damned ass crack through those robes,� Isabelle whispered to Hermione.

Ellie turned around and rolled her eyes as Pansy sauntered up to the witness stand. Draco had a lovely grimace on his face as he watched the former Slytherin in all her slutty glory.

�Now, Miss Parkinson, thank you for joining us today,� Theodore began. �To test the effects of the Veritaserum, will you please tell the court your real robe size?�

Pansy smiled a sickeningly sweet smile which was difficult under the glazed look of the Veritaserum. �A size 8, counselor.�

�Very well, then. Can you tell the Wizengamot exactly how you know the defendant?�

�Our families have known each other for quite a long time, counselor. Draco and I used to go on play-dates together when we were younger and when we got to Hogwarts we dated briefly,� she replied monotonously.

Draco rubbed his face with his hand, disgust evident in his features.

�And just how briefly, Miss Parkinson?� Theodore asked.

�Four days,� she replied.

�Why so short?� he asked.

�Draco broke up with me because he said I was a horrible lay and had an extremely annoying high-pitched voice,� she replied.

Harry and Ron snorted with suppressed laughter. Isabelle didn�t try to suppress it but laughed quietly. Ellie coughed quite loudly to cover up their sounds, although Hermione did see her smile.

�Objection, your honors,� Ellie said forcefully. �I�d like that question stricken from the record on the basis that it shows an immature and juvenile side to my client that has nothing to do with today�s proceedings.�

�Objection sustained, the question and reply are hitherto stricken from the record,� the minister said. �Counselor, please proceed.�

Theodore bowed his head and turned back to Pansy. �Miss Parkinson, can you please tell the Wizengamot about any instances where Mr. Malfoy spoke of being a member of the Death Eaters.�

�He spoke of being a member a few times when the Slytherins were alone together. During our sixth year at school, I never really saw him that much, seeing as he was always busy or tired to talk to me.�

�Do you know the reason he was always busy?�

�Yes, he was doing his task for the Dark Lord. He never told us what it was.�

�Thank you Miss Parkinson, for your testimony. That is all,� Theodore said with a triumphant smile.

�Advocate Weasley, do you have any questions for Miss Parkinson?� the minister asked.

Ellie stood up and paced in front of the witness stand, her finger to her chin. �Miss Parkinson, could you please tell the court of any instances where my client claimed to not want to be a part of the Death Eaters?�

Pansy blinked, �Once, one night when I found him in the common room at three o� clock in the morning. He looked tired and sick, so I offered him a blanket and a cup of tea from the kitchens. He refused so I sat by him hoping to get him to talk. Somewhere during that hour we sat together he mentioned that if it wasn�t for his father, he wouldn�t be stuck in this mess. At the time, I didn�t know what that mess was, so I didn�t really pay it any heed.�

Ellie smirked at Theodore and turned back to Pansy. �I thank you, Miss Parkinson. You may step down now.�

The next few witnesses were the same as Pansy, former schoolmates of Draco�s who knew of his Death Eater membership, but when Ellie questioned them, also said that Draco had mentioned at least once that he was doing his work by force.

Theodore stood up after the seventh witness was called down from the stand. His witnesses so far had all proven to be worthless. His final witness came as no surprise to anyone.

�I�d like to call the defendant, Draco Malfoy to the stand, please,� he said.

Draco was escorted by the wizard-warden to the witness stand� as if he was really going to try and escape.

Once settled and given the Veritaserum, Draco waited for the questioning.

�Now, Mr. Malfoy, please tell the Wizengamot of the day you were initiated into the Death Eaters.�

�It was June the thirtieth, the summer before I started my sixth year at Hogwarts,� he said in a solid, Veritaserum induced voice.

�Did you pledge your allegiance to the Dark Lord?� Theodore asked.

�Yes,� Draco replied.

�Did you accept the task of murdering Albus Dumbledore?�

�Yes.�

�Did you in fact find a way to get Death Eaters into Hogwarts the night of Dumbledore�s death and did you in fact attempt to kill Albus Dumbledore?�

�Yes and no,� Draco replied.

�Please explain,� Theodore said, walking back-and-forth in front of the witness stand.

�Yes I did find a way for Death Eaters to enter Hogwarts, but I never attempted to kill Dumbledore. By the word attempt, I assume you mean I tried to cast the Avada Kedavra spell� I never attempted to cast the spell.�

�But you would have, were you not afraid��

�Objection!� Ellie said angrily. �Counselor is using blatant opinion in questioning my client on the basis of fear. I ask that the question be withdrawn.�

�Objection sustained. Counselor, please refrain from inputting opinion into the wording of your questions. Now, please proceed,� Minister Delray said.

Theodore bowed his head in apology and continued his pacing in front of Draco.

�So, Mr. Malfoy, you never attempted to kill Headmaster Dumbledore, but you had the intent to. Am I right?�

�Yes, I intended to kill Albus Dumbledore,� Draco said.

Theodore smiled his ugly smile and turned to the Wizengamot. �No more questions, your honors.�

The hushed whisperings amongst the Wizengamot worried Hermione beyond belief. Theodore knew exactly what he was doing when he left the questioning on Draco�s answer.

�Advocate Weasley, you may now question the defendant,� the minister said.

Ellie stood up and immediately began talking.

�Mr. Malfoy, please tell the Wizengamot why you intended to kill Albus Dumbledore,� she said, a look of seriousness across her features.

�I intended to kill Albus Dumbledore because if I didn�t, the Dark Lord would have killed my mother and father. Frankly, I wouldn�t have cared much if my father was killed, but my mother�s life was in my hands and I didn�t want to be the one responsible for her death.�

�So you�re saying that you were forced to kill Albus Dumbledore?� ellie asked, a smile playing at her lips as the Wizengamot spoke in surprised whispers.

�Yes,� Draco replied.

�And, just for the record, Mr. Malfoy, were you by any chance also forced to be a part of the Death Eaters?� Ellie asked.

�Yes,� came Draco�s reply.

With a very arrogant smile pointed towards Theodore, Ellie turned back to the Wizengamot.

�So as you can clearly see, from Mr. Malfoy�s testimony, which is under the effects of Veritaserum, he is not solely responsible for his membership of the Death Eaters, nor is he responsible for the attempted murder of Albus Dumbledore. My client, Draco Malfoy, has never killed anyone before.�

�That�s not true,� Draco said.

A rippled gasp came from the public and from the Wizengamot at Draco�s interruption. The Veritaserum obviously was still in effect.

Ellie�s face blanched as she turned to Draco. �Excuse me?�

�You said I�ve never killed anyone before. That�s not true,� he said dully.

Hermione looked at Isabelle, Harry and Ron, all of whom were staring in shock. The only person who didn�t seem surprised was Theodore. He looked smug, the bastard.

Ellie swallowed slowly, trying to think of how to solve the situation before they lost the case.

�Mr. Malfoy, could you please tell us of what you are referring to?� she asked, dreading his response.

"I killed Lucius Abraxas Malfoy on the night that the final battle took place. He found out that I had betrayed the Death Eaters by giving the Order of the Phoenix information on where the Dark Lord was and how to properly defeat him. He aimed the killing curse at me when he saw me, but I dodged it and somehow knocked his wand out of his hand. I had him begging for mercy as I aimed my wand at him� I can�t forget that moment when he pleaded for his life and actually had the nerve to bring my mother up. The woman he had abused to the point of insanity� that�s when I killed him. I used the Avada Kedavra curse and put him out of his and my own misery.�

The entire courtroom was eerily quiet. Draco blinked a few times and seemed to be coming off of the effects of the Veritaserum. His gaze focused on Hermione who had tears in her eyes. He mouthed the words, �I love you,� and turned to Ellie who was staring at him with incredulity.

�Um, thank you, Mr. Malfoy, you may step down now,� Ellie said.

Draco was escorted back to his seat by the wizard-warden.

Ellie stood at the front of the courtroom as Hermione and Isabelle held their breaths.

�Your honors,� she began. �I ask you in my final statement to look upon my client with the utmost neutrality and detachment. I ask you to review his case based on the crimes charged against him and only against those crimes. Please add to the record that my client aided in the final battle out of his own volition and in fact killed the most dangerous Death Eater known to this community, which, accordingly, was his own father. I thank you for reviewing my client�s case today and I wish you the best of luck in deliberating his verdict.�

She bowed to the Wizengamot, returned to her seat and slumped in it, running a hand through her hair.

�Thank you, Advocate Weasley and thank you Counselor Nott for your work here today. The Wizengamot will take its deliberation into the private chambers and will be back shortly with our verdict,� Minister Delray announced.

Hermione watched as the Wizengamot filed out of the courtroom. She turned to Ellie and Draco, who were talking to Ron and Harry.

�Thank you, Ellie, so much. You did a wonderful job,� she said, reaching over the partition to hug her.

Ellie squeezed her tight and nodded. �I don�t know how they�re going to take that additional piece of information Draco surprised us with, but I really hope it works to his advantage.�

Draco remained quiet as he watched them all talk. His head was starting to ache from the diminishing effects of Veritaserum and from being anxious about whether he was going to live or not.

Hermione turned to him and kissed him softly on the lips. �I love you, too,� she said against his mouth.

He smiled at her and nodded, too tired to say anything.

Hermione�s heart leapt in her throat as she watched the Wizengamot file back into the courtroom. Actually� her heart was beating a thousand beats per minute and her hands were back to shaking in Isabelle�s hands.

The moment of truth.

The Minister cleared his throat and addressed the court.

�Trial number 1208 against Draco Lucius Malfoy for the crimes of attempted murder of the former Headmaster of Hogwarts and for the sedition and treason acts of joining the ranks of the Death Eaters has come to an end.

�Mr. Malfoy, can you please step forward so we can deliver the verdict?�

The wizard-warden again escorted Draco to stand before the Wizengamot as they addressed him.

Ellie�s fingers were crossed and Isabelle was biting her lip as tears stung behind her eyes. Harry and Ron sat with grim features, their eyebrows furrowed in concentration and concern. Hermione smiled as she felt the odd sense of optimism lighting her features. True, her hands were shaking and her heart was playing a cadence of a drugged-out drummer, but knowing her friends were just as worried, made it all seem a little less stressful.

�Draco Lucius Malfoy, based on the evidence shown today and the multi-witness testimony under the effects of Veritaserum, this court finds you not guilty of the crimes that have been charged against you. On behalf of the Ministry of Magic and the Wizarding community of Great Britain, you are hereby freed from all forms of imprisonment and granted full immunity, amnesty and pardon.�

Squeezed in a strangling hug by Isabelle, Harry, and Ron, Hermione felt her spirits soar and her eyes fill with the happiest tears imaginable. She managed to untangle herself from the three of them and in one jump she made it over the partition and into Draco�s newly un-handcuffed arms.

He gave her the most skin-searing kiss he had ever given her. He pulled back and smiled so brightly that she thought she might cry again.

They walked back over to Ellie and the rest of them, where Draco thanked her profusely, an action very rare for him. He cordially shook hands with Ron and Harry and stumbled backwards when Isabelle grabbed him in a huge hug.

Once all the commotion had died down and the courtroom had been emptied of most of its former occupants, Draco turned to Hermione. �Come on; let�s go tell my mum the good news.�

Hermione placed a hand on her still-flat belly. �Oh, there�s a lot of good news she�s going to get today.�

Draco�s gaze moved towards her hand and his face lit up again. �Oh yes, plenty of good news.�

The End
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