"Right this way, Mister Potter," the young witch said as she ushered the golden trio over to the waiting area outside of the courtroom, "Your friends must stay here while you speak. You'll be called back shortly. And I must say, it is an honor to meet you all." She bowed her head at the three before hurrying off.

Hermione waved goodbye before sitting down, "She was nice."

Harry nodded as he sat down next to her, "She's been here the past few times I have but this was the first time she's spoken. She's shy."

Ron stayed standing, arms crossed and visibly irritated.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Honestly, Ron. You didn't have to come. If you're going to stand there like an ass the whole time, you might as well leave."

"I just don't understand what the point of all this is! It's cool that the council respects Harry enough to ask for his input in the death eater trials, but what do you even have to say that's worth saying? What could you possibly know that they don't? They're all vile murders who should go to Azkaban for life. End of discussion."

Harry let Ron finish his little outburst before speaking, "For most of them, I don't know anything worth testifying about. That's why I only agreed to speak for Draco and his mum. They're the only ones who I feel I need to speak for."

Ron threw his arms in the air, "But why? They're just as bad as the rest!"

"Perhaps they are. But I still know things that should be taken into account when deciding their sentence."

"Like what?" Hermione asked before glaring at Ron, "Perhaps Ronald will calm down if you explain to him you are simply presenting unknown facts rather than speaking in their favor."

Harry never what he'd be testifying about, only who he'd be testifying for.

"Well, for Narcissa, that's true. She lied to Voldemort's face about me being dead. Voldemort would've taken me out then and there if he knew I survived the first attack. She bought me enough time to regroup. However, she only did it because I confirmed to her that Draco was alive. She likely would've let me be killed if I didn't answer in a way she liked. I don't know if this knowledge will affect the council's decision, but I feel it's still important that they know it."

"That sounds very reasonable, doesn't it Ronald?" Hermione asked, but it sounded more like a threat than a question.

Ron shrugged, "Sure, whatever. What about her little demon spawn?"

Harry sighed, knowing this was really not the answer his friends wanted to hear, "I'm speaking in his favor."

"WHY?!" Ron practically exploded.

Hermione stood, immediately trying to mediate, "Calm down!" she looked to Harry, running out of reasons to give him the benefit of doubt, "Please explain why you'd even consider doing that."

"He was a child, Ron!  A spoiled brat of a child, but a child nonetheless. He just parrotted everything his parents told him. He was taught how to act, what to say, what to believe by his parents. I just can't help but think he might do better without them whispering in his ear all the time. He's an adult now. For the first time, he can make his own choices. I think he might make the right ones if the negative influences are removed and replaced with positive ones."

That didn't calm Ron in the slightest, "He's been an ass since birth. He's done nothing but horrible things since the day we met him. What about him makes you think he could possibly change?"

"I have to agree with Ron on this one, Harry." Hermione said, "Malfoy may have been redeemable at a younger age, when he was still susceptible. But those beliefs are so deeply ingrained in him now, it's too late. He accepted the dark mark. He's too far gone."

Harry shook his head, "I disagree. There were multiple times after he received the dark mark that he held back. He showed resistance. I think Draco was just a scared child doing his best to survive in a family of death eaters. It was either play along or die. He doesn't have to play along anymore. I think he'll choose better if he has proper support. Proper guidance."

"Who's going to provide that? You?" Ron asked angrily.

Harry nodded, "If he'll let me, yes. He refused to kill Dumbledore. He was lowering his wand and Snape had to cast the spell instead. He refused to identify me at Malfoy Manor. He knew it was me but lied and said he was unsure. After Voldemort announced my death, he didn't join the death eaters until his parents called out to him a dozen times. He resisted wherever he could."

The door to the courtroom opened and an older wizard stepped out, "Mister Potter? The council is ready for you now."

Harry nodded and stood. He looked to his friends one final time, "Please, just think about it." he then entered the courtroom, the door closing loudly behind him.

Hermione sat back down with a huff, "I don't get it either, Ron. But taking your anger for Malfoy out on Harry was never going to change his mind."

"Yeah, whatever." Ron sat down next to her, "This is a huge mistake. If Malfoy gets off because of Harry and then goes off and kills someone, Harry is liable. I had to try to reason with him."

"Reason with him? You screamed at him."

"Well, it doesn't matter now, does it?!" Ron snapped, "He's in there testifying as we speak!"

Hermione sighed, "Let's just hope Harry is right about this one. Maybe he's just seeing something that we can't."

"Or maybe he's just an idiot who's risking everything for a fucking death eater."

Hermione nodded, "Or that..."