The next time Draco saw Anthea was on the last day of his 5-day trial.

He had been eating breakfast the next morning when he read his mother's verdict. Narcissa received the same terms as his father, however after fifteen years she would be released from all bonds if she did not fall back into her death eater ways. This was due to a witness who had come forward in favor if her character. Unfortunately, the American newspaper didn't name who the witness was. Draco left via floo the day of his trial. He considered going to the manor first to see his parents but decided against it. So instead he went straight to the ministry.

Neither of his parents were in attendance of his trial, both having to remain at Malfoy Manor. Draco thought his trials went about as horribly as he expected. It had been decided that with the severity of the corruption that had been obtained within the ministry that all proceedings would be overseen by the International Confederation of Wizards to ensure fair trials and sentencing. The council in charge of his trial seemed surprised when he walked in that morning. Draco got some pleasure after seeing the surprise written across the faces but it was quickly replaced by a feeling of dread that started deep within his stomach.

Draco's trial seemed to be full of surprises. After reading the charges brought against him, assault, aiding and abetting, and accessory to murder, the council announced on the first day that the trial would one more of character than actions. This was because he was underage when many of his crimes has taken place. An anonymous witness had come forward in favor of Draco. The same one that had come forward for his mother. Memories were shown absolving him of many of his charges. As he watched the memories played before the council it became clear of who's they were. The first one showed Draco and Albus Dumbledore in the clock tower and Draco's hesitation at killing. The second was in his families' manor when he failed to identify Harry Potter as the man that had been captured. It also showed the fight that he failed to become a part of only defending himself. A couple other brief memories were shown, ones he assumed came from his mother, that showed the pressure Draco was under from his father and the threats his family had faced if Draco failed.

Draco was stunned as he watched the first memories play, they were obviously those of the one and only Harry Potter. Harry Potter had come forth to defend the very person who had for so long taunted him.

From there the trial took a turn in Draco's favor. In fact, Draco felt as if it was not him who was on trial but his parents. The phrases "product of his environment," "Not the master of his own will," and "A conflicted child who had no chance of finding the right path," were said during the first few days of his trial. It was determined that an unorthodox method was to be used on him if he agreed. On the third day Draco would willingly submit to a memory scouring. He had the option to refuse but his defender thought that it would be a good choice. So there he sat letting a bunch of old witches and wizards dig through his memories quietly muttering to themselves about Draco's past. The fourth day the discoveries made were presented to the jurors. The charge of accessory to murder were dropped. As the judge stated it could be visibly seen through Draco's memories that he wanted no part in the killing of a person. Since Dumbledore had arranged his own death Draco was at no fault.

So there he was the fifth day waiting for the verdict and sentencing to be read. When he saw her enter the court room. Standing next to one Minerva Mcgonagall was the very girl that had lead him to be in the court room that day. Anthea. He almost didn't recognize her at first. She was dressed in a black high collared shirt and pants with copper colored knee boots. Overtop she wore a robe very similar to the one Mcgonagall often wore. It was a deep shade of turquoise that seemed to change colors to a brilliant shade of green and purple as she moved. It had long draping sleeves with a single bird clasp holding the robe shut. Anthea's blonde hair was pulled back into a low bun and a black hat sat on top in the same style that he had seen Fluer Delacour wear so long ago in his fourth year. On the hat Anthea appeared to have put several small feathers that matched the colors of her robe. He thought Anthea could have been a mini- Mcgonagall if it hadn't been for the fact that what she was wearing looking more modern than his old professors.

Before Draco had time to ponder why she was there or for that fact why Professor Mcgonagall was in attendance the Judge began to speak. The prosecutors gave their final speech, stating that Draco was a criminal and deserved to be punished for his crimes. As they spoke what Anthea had said to him crept into his mind. Slowly he leaned over to whisper in his defender's ear, "I would like to give my closing argument if I may, in fact I insist that I do."

Draco's defender looked at him with wide eyes. Before the defender could argue with Draco the prosecutors finished their statement and state down. As Draco stood up hushed whispering went through the crowd. He turned to look at Anthea and then turned to the jury and began speaking,

"I'm not going to stand here and claim I'm an innocent man. As you have seen I have committed many crimes against my fellow witches and wizards. Treated those I thought were beneath me with unfailing cruelty. I am not going to say I am a changed man either. I still believe many of the things my parents taught me."

Draco heard his defender groan behind him,

"I always had a choice in my actions, even if I don't admit it to myself. I am never going to be a 'good guy' but I am tired. I am tired of being the bad guy. I want to change even if it's a small change. I ask that you give me the chance to change, but not expect the world of me. I grew up with parents who hated mud-muggleborns, who supported Voldemort. I always had a choice in my actions even if it didn't seem like it at the time."

Draco turned and walked back to his chair in that silent court room. He looked at Anthea and just for a moment he thought he saw small smile and nod come from her pointed in his direction. The jury then left and went to decide his fate. The silence of the courtroom slowly turned into a dull roar. Minutes turned into hours as they waited. Members of the press began coming and going, probably to send updates to their superiors. His defender began to furiously whisper at him about how that closing statement had just lost him the trial. He was surely going to Azkaban now. "What could you possibly have been thinking to throw it all away like that?!"

Draco sighed. "Humility. I decided to show some humility. At the end of the day I have to live with myself. If I have to rot away in a cell or even in my families' manor at least I will do it with a clear conscious."

His defender just stared at him and didn't say anything to him for the remainder of the time. After what felt like an eternity to Draco but in reality was 4 hours his mind began to turn back to Anthea. He wandered why she was there, if she was still there. He turned slowly. There she was sitting in the top row seemingly reading over notes of some kind. Mcgonagall was gone however.

Draco's head whipped back around as the door to the jurors opened with a bang. Out poured the twenty witches and wizards that would decide his fate along with one Professor McGonagall. A hush fell back over the room and hurried movement began around him as people tried to find a seat.

"Witches and Wizards of the jury have you reached a verdict?" Asked the judge after he became seated in his chair.

The elected spokesman of the jury stood up, "We have you honor. On the charge of assault, we find the defendant guilty. On the charge of aiding and abetting known criminals wanted in connection with multiple crimes we find the defendant guilty."

A dull roar started after the verdict was read.

"I will have silence in my courtroom," the judge roared, "Thank you jury man you may be seated. Mr. Malfoy would you please stand?"

Slowly Draco stood,

"Mr. Malfoy you are an interesting case to sentence. I do not feel you would benefit from time spent in Azkaban, nor banished to your estate, however as your verdict reads you are guilty of crimes against the wizarding world."

The judge seemed to pause whether to build suspense or to gather his thoughts Draco wasn't sure,

"Therefore I took sometime in finding a sentence that would fit you nicely. You shall bear the trace charm for the next five years. Any magic that is done must be appropriate for the situation and of no malicious intent. Furthermore, you are to spent the next two years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There you will assist in repairing the school and other duties seen fit by Headmistress McGonagall. You are to report there in two days' time. You will be given a housing and your needs taken care of. Consider this mandated volunteer work."

Draco slumped back into his chair. Somehow this was so much better and worse than he expected. He raised his head as the judge began to speak again.

"Mr. Malfoy consider this a time to reflect on yourself. You are being given more freedom than many will think you deserve. Prove to me and the others that you are deserving of it."

The next hour was a blur for him. Documents were put before him to be signed. Charms were placed. Members of the press wanted statements. Draco did as he was told and before he knew it he was stepping out from the manors fireplace.