A Thousand Miles from Yesterday

"In the case of the Wizarding World versus Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, will the prosecutor please begin her opening statement?" Chief Warlock Ogden opened the case.

A stern grey-haired witch stepped out of the shadows and gave a slight cough. "Witches and Wizards of the Wizengamot and members of the public, before you sit two of the worst Death Eaters known to our world. These two opened not only their hearts, but also their home for He-How-Must-Not-Be-Named." The prosecutor paused as the crowd booed and only continued after Ogden had called them to order. "The Malfoy's were members of the inner circle of You-Know-Who the first time he rose to power and jumped back into that circle the moment he returned. We all know that Lucius Malfoy was behind the battle in the Department of Mysteries and he didn't hesitate to use the Unforgivables. He was sent to Azkaban for these two very good reasons… But being one of He-How-Must-Not-Be-Named's most loyal servants he was amongst the ones that fled to once more join the forces of evil!"

The witch turned around and pointed at Lucius, who through all of this hadn't moved a muscle. "I will prove that this bad excuse for a wizard can't be trusted and deserves the harshest judgment know to the wizarding world… I won't settle for anything less than Lucius Malfoy being stripped of magic and forced to live out his life as the Muggles he hates so much!" This made the proud and narrow-minded blonde blink and the crowd go wild, again making Ogden bang his hammer and demand order in the courtroom. As the room settled down the prosecutor turned to Narcissa and looked at her with pure repulse. "Here you see a witch… a wife… a mother who willing gave her only son into the service of the most evil wiz…"

"THAT'S A LIE!" Draco shouted, making the prosecutor send him an evil look. "She begged me not to follow in my father's footsteps… I wish I had listened!" Hermione placed a hand on his shoulder and asked him to calm down or he would be sent out and not allowed to see the trial. Draco ground his teeth and looked to be on the breaking point, but nodded and Hermione squeezed his shoulder. She apologized for the interruption, "It won't happen again." The grey-haired witch nodded and continued. "Mrs. Malfoy always kept a low profile, but is speculated she was one of the death eaters that tortured those poor Muggles during the Quidditch World Cup and was seen walking through Spinner's End with the notorious Bellatrix Lestrange on dark night last year… What was she doing there?"

"Dear Wizengamot… Dear public I intend to seek life imprisonment to this dark witch… A witch, nay MOTHER that sends her son into the arms of a so brutal killer… She doesn't deserve to be called a witch!" This time the crowd didn't applaud as fierce as before, many had heard the rumour that Narcissa had searched for Severus Snape's help to keep her child safe, so the prosecutor had to come up with a better case against Mrs. Malfoy than presenting her as a bad mother and a good wife! "So to round it up, I beg of the Wizengamot to see the Malfoy's for what they are…Evil, sneaky, untrustworthy and willing to offer even their only son to the dark side. They cannot be let out into the world again… Thank you!" She bowed and walked back into the shadows.

Ogden coughed slightly and asked the defender to proceed and the mousy wizard walk over and gave Narcissa's shoulder a hug and began. "Witches and Wizards of the Wizengamot and the public don't let the prosecutor fool you… Yes, my clients were Death Eaters, they don't deny that… And yes, the answered You-Know-Who's call on the night he returned…But not of the reason most think… No… They feared for their lives and the life of their son and heir." Here Narcissa's lip quivered and tears threatened to flow, but she stayed strong and raised her head in pride. "This witch… This mother isn't a bad mother as the persecutor makes her out to be. She risked her own life searching for help to protect her son… A son sent on a mission by You-Know-Who, a mission he was supposed to fail at in order to punish a father for failing…" the mousy man had talked himself warm and continued to state the reasons for a milder verdict than what the prosecutor demanded.

"The Malfoys know they did wrong and know they will be punished for their deeds… Lucius Malfoy asks, nay pleads for your mercy when it comes to his wife and his so…" a grunt from Lucius made the lawyer stop a second and then "and his soul's peace… He will take any punish the Wizengamot finds suitable as long you show mercy for his wife. Thank You." He stepped back with a bitter taste in his mouth and sent the boy a look of sympathy and was met by eyes full of complete and utter disbelieve.

Draco sat shell-shocked starring at his father's back. He knew they weren't on speaking terms, but he hadn't thought his father would send him to the gallows. And by the gasp from his defender he wasn't the only one shocked by the cruel dismissal Lucius gave his son. There was a knock of the hammer and it was time for a break before the witnesses were called. His parents were put under a sleeping spell, but Hermione said she had something to run by her client and knelt down before him.

"First, I'm sorry…" Hermione began, but Draco just shook his head. "Don't be… Why?" He looked very suspicious at her as she asked 'why' what. "Why are you helping me?" He said with head held high. "I don't want your pity… But I don't want to go to Azkaban either…" Hermione sighed and looked up at the Weasleys and nodded at the twin leaning against the wall. "Without you, Fred would have died." As if on cue Fred Weasley nodded and limped away. Draco looked away with a harsh low laughter and said that one of the things he was on trial for was for helping a pure-blood instead of a Muggle-born. "I couldn't save them both… And Weasley was the first name I remembered, didn't know the Creevey kid that well."

Hermione frowned and said that it had to be a joke. He had saved an opponent and there by been marked as a target for other death eaters. "I'll do my best to save this mess." Hermione sighed and was about to stand up when Draco asked her a favour. "Please… Tell my mother's lawyer to call Potter as a witness for her side and make him ask what she did for him in the forest… I think it will save…" he looked away not wanting her to see him tearing up. She stood up and walk over to the nervous man and they talked for a short time. He nodded and Hermione walked away again smiling to Draco and walked over to the Weasleys.

Harry and Ron were hanging over the banister to talk with Hermione. "So… How is he?" Ron asked and sent his brother's saviour a short look. He had a difficult time comprehending that the amazing bouncing ferret had risked his own precious skin to save Fred; it was a so unlikely a thing for Malfoy to do. Ron would have found it more likely to meet a Blibbering Humdinger that seeing Malfoy doing anything good. He wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't been there.

"He is as good as you would be facing life in Azkaban!" Hermione hissed. "I can't believe that Lucius could be SO cruel… Ooh, I want nothing more that go up to him and smack him!" She shot an angry look at the sleeping Lucius and saw the Court Scribe come back in and said she'll have to get back to Malfoy. "Make us proud, 'Mione!" Ron said with a smile as she walked away and then turned to Harry whispering that he'll bet she would became a lawyer someday day, it suited her. "All rise!" And they were off again.


Lucius was in deepest state of shock as the trial went on. It seemed that not one would speak up for him. All witnesses stood by Narcissa and defended her bravely, painting a much milder picture of her than the prosecutor wanted. And when Harry-fucking-Potter was put up on the stand, he revealed that she had lied to her master and said Harry was dead after in whispers asking of Draco's safety, the prosecutor had looked wreaked and then had put all her effort into making Lucius look even more evil than before.

And when the prosecutor finished her closing arguments, Lucius knew he was in for a harsh ruling. He looked over at his wife in wonder at the fact she had stayed with him through it all. Hell, he would gladly die if she was announced not-guilty, but it didn't seem likely. In a warm and gentle voice he whispered "Cissy… Look at me… Cissy…" Narcissa turned her head slowly and looked at her husband with cool eyes and in slow, icy words said, "Don't Lucius… Don't even try!" She looked at her guard as he came closer and rose from her chair with such dignity all eyes followed her as she left the room with a glance and a smile to her son, leaving Lucius in bafflement over her rejection.

Hermione had negotiated that Draco and his father were kept apart until after the final trial and verdict, seeing that it was likely they would kill each other before that time if left in the same room. The Chief Warlock had agreed and for the first time in weeks Draco had time alone without his father's evil comments and harassment. However, left all alone he started to fear for his trial and as morning came he hadn't closed an eye and was on the brim of panic.

Hermione found him pacing from wall to wall murmuring under his breath and he jumped when he heard the key turn in the door. "I can't do this! I can't!" he screamed at her, still pacing and starting to hyperventilate. When she took a firm grip on his arm he stopped and stared at her and then at the door. "STOP! Draco… DRACO… Look at me!" Hermione slapped him on the face, not knowing what else to do and, luckily, it seemed to work.

"We are going to get through this… Fortunately for us it's a new prosecutor and she or he can't be as malicious as the one yesterday, right?!" Hermione grabbed his head between her hands and made him look directly into her eyes. "I have thought and thought about how to save you from Azkaban, and I wouldn't come here if I didn't believe we had a chance. So PLEASE…" She sent him a confidant smile, but inside she had her doubts that the Wizengamot would let him off with a warning. She nodded to the warden and he put Draco into the shackles and led him away. "Merlin help me now," she whispered and followed the prisoner and the guard.

"In the case of the Wizarding World versus Draco Malfoy, son of Lady and Lord Malfoy, will the prosecutor please begin his opening statement?" Chief Warlock Ogden slammed his hammer unto his desk and a cubby wizard with bushy black hair stepped out into the middle of the room and gave a slight cough. "Witches and Wizards of the Wizengamot and the public, look at this boy," he nodded towards Draco, whose self-confidence had gone down the drain, and sat staring down at the floor. "Brought up by one of the most infamous death eaters know to the wizarding community, he was expected to follow in his father's footsteps… And, as is widely known, he did… He was the one that led the other death eaters into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at the first battle of Hogwarts which, we all regret, led to the death of the beloved headmaster Albus Dumbledore. And he was, yet again, present at the second battle where his prejudice towards Muggle-borns led to yet another death. This time Colin Creevey, a fine and noble young wizard had to take the fall…" The cubby wizard looked heartbroken, leaving Hermione enraged as he was clearly playing with the feelings of the Wizengamot.

"It is my opinion that we can't, with clean conscience that is, let this boy out into the world with his clear hatred towards all but the so called Pure-bloods. He needs to be punished and I will ask the Wizengamot to consider the ultimate… Stripping him of all magic… Thank you!" At this Draco couldn't help but cry out in agony and hid his head in his hands as a mixture of whistling and booing rung through the spectators' tribune.

"Order, I WILL HAVE ORDER… Show the kid some respect, will you… Remember he came here of his own free will. Miss. Defender your statement." Ogden sent the crowd a harsh look and not a few shrunk into the shadows in shame. Hermione took a deep breath and placed a hand on Draco's shivering shoulder. "I would like to introduce you to Draco Malfoy… He was born and raised at Malfoy manor, by Narcissa Malfoy… His father is Lucius Malfoy, but Mr. Malfoy wasn't there for most of that time… The only times Draco saw his father he was told that you weren't anything if you weren't Pure-blood and that it was only smart to be on the side that seemed strongest."

She turned and faced the crowd. "When he joined as a student at Hogwarts he had been spoon-feed prejudice against Muggleborns and as I am one of those, a Muggleborn, I was first in line for the heat and hatred build up inside this young boy… And still I stand here today and tell you… It…Was…Not…His…Fault!" Hermione held a short pause and looked over the crowd. "You have all heard the part where Draco Malfoy let the death eaters in… But have you just dismissed the other part of the truth… The part where he didn't have a choice; where he was threatened by Voldemort to kill Dumbledore or watch his parents be killed… I ask all of you… Would to sacrifice you family? Even for a wizard you knew your master was afraid of…?"

"The prosecutor has pointed out that Draco Malfoy didn't save the Muggleborn, when left with the chance of only saving one… I regret dearly that Colin Creevey died… But is his life more worth that the life of Fred Weasley?" Hermione turned her eyes to Fred again, leaning against the wall. "I know that the Weasleys grieve alongside the Creeveys, but still they are thankful that it wasn't their son or brother that died that dreadful day. So is a Muggleborn son or daughter worth more or are they dearer to the parents…? What was the reason Draco Malfoy saved Fred Weasley? Simply that the Weasley twins had made Draco Malfoy's life a… well, a bit more interesting…If I can put it that way?"

Fred and George grinned and Molly sent them an angry stare as Hermione continued. "Draco Malfoy made my life a living hell sometimes and my friendship with Fred and George Weasley… Well, they now own Weasley Wizard Wheezes, so I'll let you guess…" The crowd laughed and Draco's ears went red. "And I'll state again… Here I stand defending my former enemy… May I introduce you to Draco Malfoy…? The one that with his deliberate vague answers tried to help Harry Potter when he was caught and brought to the Malfoy Manor headquarters for Voldemort!"

The crowd gasped as she used The Name. "I ask the Wizengamot to consider the thing I have laid before you and I ask, not that Draco Malfoy is set free without a verdict. I ask that you might consider §5.3 in the Wizard law of Crimes against Muggles or/and Mixed parentage, where it is stated that 'if under threat, to the life of the offender or that of the family or friends, if the offender does harm or let others do harm, the offender is only part guilty and therefore should be obligated to join a Residential Treatment Program, where the offender will be living amongst and as a Muggle and during the time the offender is denied all use of magic."

Hermione hadn't run that one over with Draco and feared his reaction, but it seemed like he hadn't even heard what she said. She drew a sigh of relief and thanked the Wizengamot for listening and withdrew to the shadows with a pounding heart. She had stumbled over the paragraph by accident as she, in desperation, had hurled the book of wizard law across the room. A page had torn away and it had been on the bottom of the page as she turned it around, well not all of it, but enough that it had caught her eye. Now she could only hope it was convincing enough for the Chief Warlock and the Interrogators… Only time would tell.

As the end of the day drew near and the last witness was called, Hermione's head was buzzing and she was glad it so was over. She walked up to the witness stand and looked up to meet glinting eyes of Rubeus Hagrid. He had just been interrogated by the prosecutor about the Buckbeak incident, but had laughed it away; saying that Draco had had a terrible fright and that it was only natural to want to remove what scared you from where you had to be. Hermione was so proud to be the half-giant's friend and started with a smile. "Hagrid… Mr. Hagrid, you have known Draco Malfoy since his first year at Hogwarts… Would you say that he is the same boy as he was back then?"

"No… I wouldn't say that… He would never 'ad saved Fred or let you defend him back then, nooo 'e wouldn't…" Hagrid looked down at the blonde wizard who hadn't lifted his head through the trial. "Is he al'right?" Draco lifted his head just enough to meet Hagrid's eyes and nod. "Thank you, Mr. Hagrid… You can step down!" Ogden coughed and asked the defender and prosecutor to come forth.


"Miss. Defender, do you think your client needs a break or can we continue with the closing statements?" Ogden sent a worried look at the young man who was refusing to look up or even move. Hermione looked over her shoulders and asked if she could check. The Chief Warlock gave a short nod and Hermione walked over to Draco and knelt down. "Draco… They are offering you a break… I would take it… But it is up to you?" Draco raised his head and looked Hermione straight into hers. "Would… thirsty… No break… Water." Hermione blinked and rose quickly. "Has anybody offered my client water?!?" When no one answered she widened her eyes and asked them to bring some now and a guard came over with a glass.

"I'm so sorry, Draco… I didn't think… sorry!!!" Hermione was mad at herself for forgetting a simple thing like bringing him water. He took the glass with shaky hands and sipped slowly, knowing it would make his guts hurt if he drank too fast. "Ready… Go on," he whispered and took another sip as the crowd murmured wondering what was happening. Ogden knocked his hammer to bring order again and asked for the closing arguments to be made.

"Dear Wizengamot… Dear public…," the cubby wizard looked at Draco and let out a sigh. "Dear Wizengamot… Dear public… I have giving you my statement, you have heard the witnesses… You decide… Should this boy… this young wizard go on being a wizard… Remembering his spoon-feed hatred toward anyone not Pure-blood… Or should he be stripped for magic so as to never harm anyone again? You decide… Thank you." He stepped away, shaking his head with a glance of pity directed at Draco.

Hermione found it a very weak closing, but that was hopefully to their advantage. She gave a slight cough, "Dear Wizengamot… Dear public… Dear Wizarding World… What is Loyalty…?" Hermione cast a look to her friends at the tribune. "How can you choose between family, friends and the greater good? Draco Malfoy sits on trial here today for choosing his family… And, ironically enough, for choosing to save a foe, an enemy and thereby offering himself up to any death eater as a free target… I ask you not to judge the boy Draco Malfoy once was, but show mercy to the young wizard he has become."

Turning and looking at Draco's back she whispered, "He knows," and the again in a voice so loud it made every one jump "He knows he was wrong… He doesn't deny that and showed up here, of his own freewill, to let you decide his destiny… Knowing it might be a one-way ticket to Azkaban, I ask you… Would you do the same? Or would you run like hell to live another day in freedom?" Spotting one of the ones that had mocked Draco on the first day, she pointed straight at him. "Would you sir? Take the verdict as a man… You surly were the first to taunt my client as he sat in shackles, defenseless… Brave… What a man!" She hissed that last part and turned to the Wizengamot and bowed and thanked them again for listening.

The room was dead quiet… You would be able to hear a feather drop… Then someone started to clap their hands and then another and slowly it spread through the crowd, but not a word was murmured or whispered. Even some of the members of the Wizengamot joined in and Hermione had to hide a smile so she knelt down before Draco and when she caught his eyes, she saw a glimpse of something very similar to respect. "Thanks," was whisper so low she for a moment didn't believed she really had heard Draco Malfoy thanking her. Then with a snicker she whispered back, "Not bad for a Mudblood, eh Malfoy?" Making him grin and whisper "Show off." As the warden came and took him away Draco looked at Hermione and gave a short nod. She had done the best she could and now he could only hope she had made it easy for them.

"You really have a talent there, Miss." the prosecutor came up to Hermione and offered her his hand, she just smiled and said she would take his hand if he offered it to her tomorrow after the verdict, wished him goodnight and ran over to her friends. "Bloody hell 'Mione… You almost scared me down there… You were bloody brilliant!" Ron gave her a giant hug and swung her round then passed her on to Harry, George, Mrs. Weasley, Ginny and so on and so forth and lastly Fred, who whispered that if anyone could get Malfoy off with §5.3 it would be her. "Now, children lets get something to eat… Do you think they are feeding him properly, Arthur?" Molly Weasley sighed and looked at the closed door leading to the cells.

Ginny giggled and whispered that her mother had found a new charity case! Making everyone laugh and Harry slid a hand around her shoulders pulling her in for a quick kiss.