A small note to thank everybody for sticking with my ramblings this far! 

Just a heads up, I've never been in a muggle or wizarding courtoom. My experience and knowledge comes from TVs shows. I apologize if my interpretation is incorrect. H.x

Hermione swallowed back her anxiety as she and Severus approached the Malfoy's townhouse. The sky looked like a watercolor painting of reds and pinks and oranges, as the sun began to peak over the roofs of the city. The streets were abnormally quiet at this time in the morning, and the pair had had no problem apparating into a small alley way, a couple of streets from the house. 

Hermione recalled with some sadness her one-sided conversation with the sorting hat in her first year. The hat had first suggested she be put into Ravenclaw, and had been seconds away from announcing her allegiance to the house of Eagles, before it hesitated. Hermione had always wondered why the hat hadn't immediately suggested Gryffindor. A small insecure part of her had always thought that she wasn't brave or chivalrous enough to fly the banner of Lions. Certainly now, her courage was failing her. Given the task ahead, she wished for a hint of Slytherin cunning, even just an ounce, so that she might give Narcissa and Draco some reassurance that she would keep Lucius out of Azkaban. 

It was a kamikaze mission. There was no way that Lucius would walk out of The Ministry a free man. 

They approached the house, and Severus reached to knock on the door. He was wearing his best robes, which he had ironed with military-like precision the night before. Hermione knew that today was going to be punishing for him as well as for Lucius. 

On the one hand, Lucius was the closest thing that Severus had ever had to a friend. From what she knew, their relationship was complicated. Severus had told her that Lucius had scoffed when he had been sorted into Slytherin. His unfriendly welcome had been short lived when Lucius had caught Severus in a verbal-assault with James Potter, which would have ended in bruises and broken noses had the prefect not stepped in and taken points from James. Admiring the boy's tenacity (and perhaps pitying him), Lucius taught Severus how to hold to hold his own before he left the school in July of the following year. 

Lucius had introduced Severus to the Death Eaters after he had graduated Hogwarts. He had joined in the hope that The Dark Lord would allow him to excel, finally feeling like he would have the power to defeat his bullies and show everyone his worth. Little did he know how far the Dark Lord would go to ensure that Severus's bullies were defeated. He held himself responsible for his actions, regardless of how much Lucius had influenced him. 

On the other hand, Lucius was a textbook Slytherin. He was loyal only to the person who benefited him the most. He was slippery and silver tongued, and had sold Severus out to the Dark Lord once or twice for personal gain. He switched sides so easily, that Severus and The Order never trusted his true allegiance to the cause. Their relationship was uneasy, but there had never exactly been a queue of people waiting to be friends with Severus. In fact, he thought he was defect in his older age, and unable to make friends. That was until a young witch stumbled into his life. 

Lucius had been kind to Hermione after the events at Malfoy manor, for which she was grateful. Severus however, had expressed his warning that she shouldn't get too close to him. He apprised that Lucius would use her and drop her a soon as she was no longer necessary. Hermione had approached the man cautiously, but had been pleasantly surprised by his devotion to his wife and son. 

The door was answered by the same house elf that had greeting them during their last visit. He squealed at the sight of them. "You has arrived! Mistress will be very glad to see you." 

The elf allowed them to pass into the house, Severus muttered something under his breath, too quiet for Hermione or the elf to decipher. Lucius's trial didn't start until 9, but Narcissa had insisted that they breakfast at the Malfoy's before travelling to the Ministry. Hermione had all but dragged Severus out of bed, agreeing herself that 7am was too early for company. 

Narcissa greeted Hermione with a hug, and a well practiced radiant smile. Her makeup was perfectly fixed so that one might overlook the cracking surface. Narcissa was trying desperately to hold her family together. Severus skillfully dodged her open arms with snarl, pushing past their host and into the dining room. Hermione offered her apologies. 

"It's no bother. I'm used to Severus's moods." Narcissa said, her smile unfaltering. "You look lovely!" 

Hermione had tried hard to look like an adult. She wore traditional aubergine-colored robes that pinched at her waist with a pair of modest black heels that were torture to her toes. She had employed a whole bottle of sleekeazy's just to manipulate her hair into a neat bun, and had even dabbled with a little makeup to extenuate her features. Severus had already commented that Hermione looked like a seasoned, pencil-pushing Ministry Witch. 

"Thank you." Hermione smiled cordially. The house was as she remembered it, rather homely but dressed with expensive taste.

"Mother! at least let Hermione get past the door way." Draco appeared, looking very smart in navy colored robes. She grinned at him, Draco also appeared to have used a whole bottle of hair gel this morning. "Lets go, before breakfast gets cold."

Breakfast had been Narcissa's final attempt at normalcy. She had chastised Draco on his table manners like he was a grubby 10 year old, and had offered Hermione food more times than was strictly normal. She had even made attempts to engage them all in polite social gossip. The bags under his eyes and the grip that Lucius held on his third tumbler of whiskey gave away the falseness of their situation. Severus simply ignored the impressive spread and sipped his black coffee with his eyes half closed. Draco and Hermione locked eyes twice, mentally sharing the same discomfort. 

The clock stuck 8.30 and Lucius cleared his throat, diverting the attention to him. "I had promised myself that I wouldn't say goodbye, because that would be admitting defeat" 

Narcissa gasped. "Lucius no-"

"Let me say what I have to." He warned his wife with an acid look, oblivious to the fact that Narcissa had began to unravel. 

"I see now that if I don't say goodbye, then I will rot away in Azkaban with one more regret." He turned to his son, who looked startled at his father's outburst.

"You are fine son, Draco. I know I have hardly shown it, but I am exceedingly proud of you. You are the man of the house now, and so are entitled to the entirety of the Malfoy fortune. I hope that you can continue to change the Malfoy name, for the better. For too long, there has been a dark smudge on the name of our family. If anyone can change it, its you." He broke off, his voice heavy with emotion. 

After downing the rest of his drink, Lucius turned to his next victim. "Severus, you have been a fine friend. I have done nothing to deserve the loyalty I have received from you. I only hope that the Ministry sees fit to free you from their charges. You deserve to start a new life without me." 

Narcissa let out an unrestrained sob, her flawless makeup running down her cheeks.  

"You deserve to start a new life with Miss Granger. Marry her, you old fool." Lucius smiled despite his pain. Severus remained expressionless and tense. The room was silent, filled only with sound of Narcissa crying. 

Hermione met Draco's eye again across the room. He would never show it, but he too was falling apart. He had more emotions than anyone ever gave him credit for. As someone who had grown up spoon-fed in a perfect family unit, his father being imprisoned would feel like the world had stopped spinning for Draco. Hermione's heart broke for him.

Lucius stood, abruptly. He wobbled slightly and addressed Severus again, his eyes brimming with tears. "Look after my boy?" He pleaded

Severus swallowed thickly, and nodded. The tension in the air was thick, and suffocating.

"We ought to go." He reminded them, as though his little speech had never happened. No one acknowledged that he hadn't said goodbye to his wife. 

----

Hermione had only ever glanced at the courtrooms in the Department of Mysteries. They were dark and cold, regardless of the torches and closely packed bodies. Lucius was chained to a chair in the center of the room. The whole of the Wizengamot sat on a raised seats in front of him. The Minister, Kingsley, was facing Lucius as though in some form of stand off. From her seat next to Severus, Hermione could only see the back of Lucius's blonde head. 

Severus clasped Hermione's hand tightly as Kingsley called the courtroom to order. 

"Silence please." His voice commanded the room. "Lucius Malfoy, you have been brought in front of the Wizengamot today to testify for your crimes as a Death Eater." 

There was a flash of a camera somewhere in the room, and several people from the viewing gallery had began to jeer at Malfoy. Some shouted rude words or presented him with rude gestures. Hermione could feel Severus's anxiety radiating from him. She knew what he was thinking; They only had 2 weeks before Severus would be the one chained in front of the Minister. 

Kingsley gained control of the room with a flash of sparks from his wand. "Any one who fails to conduct themselves with the proper respect and dignity during this court session will be asked to leave." He warned, before continuing to read from the list of Lucius's crimes. 

Hermione pictured herself sat listening to the list of Severus's crimes, knowing the list was likely much longer than Lucius's. Would she be shocked knowing the full extent at what he'd done? Would it make it impossible for her to continue to love him? 

Next to her, Severus was asking himself the same questions. Although, his main focus was one that he had been dwelling on since breakfast. He hadn't considered what would happen to his possessions after his incarceration. Giving everything to Hermione was the obvious choice. He was sitting on a rather large pile of gold from his years of teaching, enough to get her through her life without needing to work (although he knew that it wouldn't matter to her, she would chase her career despite his fortune). He also had his house - which admittedly wasn't worth much, even in muggle real estate. Severus still thought that he ought to consult a Gringotts goblin, at the earliest opportunity.

After what seemed like hours in the dull chamber. Hermione was called to the witness stand. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat as she faced all of the eyes that had fallen upon her. From here she could see Draco and Narcissa sat on the benches reserved for family, and Harry, Ron and Ginny in the crowd. They had agreed to attend to support Hermione. 

"State your name." Kingsley said sharply, even though he knew full well who she was. It was likely that everyone in the room knew her. Her name and face was plastered over the front page of The Daily Prophet every other day, along with Harry and Ron. She was one of Dumbledore's famously underage paladins; a war hero. 

"Hermione Jean Granger, Order of Merlin First class and witness for the defense of Mr Lucius Malfoy." She said stoically, just as she'd rehearsed. 

Kingsley raised an eyebrow. "Please state your relationship to Mr Malfoy."

Hermione steeled her gaze, as Severus had taught her, leaving her face expressionless. "A few months ago, I was left in a compromising position, by a group of Death Eaters. Mr Malfoy came to my aid."

There was a moment of uncomfortable silence as an unknown member of the Wizengamot whispered in Kingsley's ear. The Minister seemed hesitant to ask his next question. "Could you go into more detail of this "compromising position", please?" 

Hermione shot a guilty look at Narcissa. "I was captured by a group of Death Eaters, where I was tortured and forced upon."

"Where did this take place?" Kingsley asked. 

"Malfoy Manor." Hermione replied, knowing exactly where this was going. 

"Was Mr Malfoy present?" 

"Yes".

There was a collective gasp from the group. Hermione found herself unable to look at Narcissa who had fresh tears on her face. Instead she looked at Severus, who wore a mask as always but held her gaze. Even his blank face was a comfort. 

"Can you tell the court, in detail, exactly what happened that evening Miss Granger?" Kingsley asked, after a different faceless member of his council had whispered in his ear. To his credit, Kingsley looked at her sympathetically. He was in a exceedingly difficult situation and she desperately tried to recall that he wasn't entirely a monster.

"I object. I have already provided a written statement, Minister." She argued.

"Miss Granger, I'm afraid I must insist." Kingsley warned.

"No." Hermione was outraged.

Kingsley fired back. "Miss Granger if you do not comply, you will be found to be in contempt and will be asked to step down from the witness stand. " 

Hermione closed her eyes and swallowed her anxiety. 

"Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and I were on the run from The Dark Lord, when we were captured by snatchers for using a taboo. We were taken to Malfoy Manor, where Harry and Ron were taken into the cellars and I was... t-tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange."

Kingsley interrupted. "Let the court know that Mrs Lestrange was killed during The Battle of Hogwarts."

Hermione continued, trying to forget the hundreds of eyes that were on her. "Bellatrix used the cruciatus curse on me. She used a cursed dagger to carve a message into my arm. When she had finished, she left me on the floor of the manor and let a group of men into the room. Mr Greyback was the first." 

Tears started falling down Hermione's face without permission. Her voice seemed stuck in her throat, her words felt too thick with emotion to make it out of her mouth. She was choking on her memories. Drowning. Her body wouldn't let her gasp for air. 

"Then Mr Dolohov, Mr Crabbe Sr, Mr Lestrange." Hermione let out a sob. Around the room, the faces of spectators showed identical expressions of shock.  A handful of the members of the Wizengamot showed pity. One older lady was wiping a tear from her eye. But the rest remained stony faced and emotionless. 

"I blacked out, I don't recall the others. But I am told that Mr Malfoy did not engage." Hermione finished.

A thin-faced balding man with severe eyebrows called her out. "Objection. That's heresay, Minister."

"Granted." Kingsley said in his calming voice. "Continue, Miss Granger." 

"Severus Snape extracted me from Malfoy manor, his true allegiance being to Albus Dumbledore. He healed my wounds and let me rest. I met Mr Malfoy a few days later, he and his wife had bought me clothes and such, as Mr Snape couldn't be seen buying such things. I have provided the receipts of his purchases as evidence." 

After another whispered word from the Wizengamot, Kingsley spoke. "Your testimony is based off of one random act of kindness, Miss Granger?" 

Hermione sighed impatiently. "No, Minister" She insisted. "I have also provided evidence on two accounts of Mr Malfoy's allegiance with Dumbledore and his involvement with The Order of the Phoenix. Did anyone even bother to look at the details I provided?!"

"You will calm yourself. I can assure you that the Wizengamot has considered each piece of evidence thoroughly."

"I stand here to testify for Mr Malfoy, not give an account of what happened at Malfoy Manor. Kingsley, you saw that Lucius was present during the Order meetings! You know he worked for the light!" Hermione exclaimed, her emotions getting the better of her. 

"Enough, Miss Granger." The Ministers voice boomed, seemingly shaking the stone walls. "You will continue to answer the questions presented to you."

The lady who had been crying during Hermione's retelling of her shame spoke up in a kind voice. "Miss Granger, did you meet Mr Malfoy again?" 

"Yes, numerous times." She replied, glad for the change of subject. 

"Did you have any reason to suspect that he had continued to work for Lord Voldemort." the witch asked. 

Hermione turned her head towards Draco, holding his frightened gaze. "Mr Malfoy never gave any reason for me to suspect that he was loyal to Voldemort. He had changed from when I had met him during my school years. I recall that Mr Malfoy used to be a proud man, his job at The Ministry and his role as school Governor at Hogwarts used to be very important to him. But, when we met again, there was no sense of pride, only fear. His biggest fear was for his son, Draco, whom Lord Voldemort was using to manipulate Lucius and his family. Lucius had no poor intentions, he only continued his appearance as a Death Eater to prevent Voldemort for massacring his family. "

Kingsley gave his best customer-service smile. "Thank you Miss Granger. You may take a seat."

----

The court was adjourned so that the Wizengamot may reach a private decision, and occupants spilled into the corridor, chatting excitedly. Severus gripped Hermione's hand, as though not to loose her among the crowds. 

"I had so much to say and they didn't want to hear any of it!" She raved to him, uncaring whether people heard her.  "We prepared so much, and it was bloody useless!" 

"I know, Hermione." Severus pulled her down a smaller corridor that was relatively empty. He embraced her in a strong hug. Hermione let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, relaxing into his arms. She let her tears flow. An mixture of anger, disappointment and anxiety spilled into the shoulder of Severus's well-ironed robes. 

"You did so well." He whispered into her ear. "No matter what happens, you tried your hardest." He reassured, but Hermione wasn't listening. 

"What if the same thing happen's to you!? What if our defense is useless!" She met Severus's eye, knowing full well that she was only voicing what he was thinking. 

"You saw Lucius this morning, he had accepted his fate. He had already given up. I haven't." He added his next words in a whisper. "I have so much left to live for."

Severus pressed their lips together in a powerful kiss. He never failed to make Hermione feel warm all over when their lips met, even despite the dreadful situation. Their privacy was interrupted by a pair of familiar redheads.

"Mione!" Ron exclaimed. She separated from Severus and welcomed hugs from Ron and Ginny. Harry lingered, clearly he was still getting used to seeing Hermione and Severus together. 

"You were great up there."

"That was awful"

"I would have thought Kingsley would have been a bit kinder." 

Her friend'c comments met deaf ears, Hermione wasn't even sure who had said what. She was glad when Severus put a hand on her shoulder and interrupted their needless chatter. 

"Hermione did the best she could." He said with more sympathy than Ron, Harry or Ginny had ever heard from their old Potions Professor. 

Harry smiled kindly at his friend. "I've known her for years, Professor. Hermione never thinks her best is good enough." He pulled her into a warm hug. 

----

When the court was re-commenced. It didn't take long for The Minister to get to the point. 

"The Wizengamot have reached a decision. On their behalf as the Minsiter for Magic, I declare that Lucius Malfoy is to be found guilty of all charges." 

There was a single distressed cry, a sound that seemed to echo around the room for seconds. It could only be described as the sound of utter agony. Hermione felt like she had been impaled in the gut by a shard of ice. She was shook to the soul, knowing that this was the exact moment that Narcissa Malfoy's life would be shredded mercilessly to pieces. Draco could be heard, shushing his mother wailed. 

The Minister continued as though the interruption hadn't happened.  "Mr Malfoy's involvement with The Order of Phoenix has been considered. For this, Mr Malfoy will not serve a life sentence. He will however, be imprisoned in Azkaban for 15 years, without parole. Court terminated." 

The room exploded with noise, and Hermione sank further into her seat in failure.