How the heck did we wind up like this?
Why weren't we able, to see the signs that we missed
And try to turn the tables
Now the story's played out like this
Just like a paperback novel
Let's rewrite an ending that fits
Instead of a Hollywood horror

- Someday, Nickelback

Disclaimer: The song above and the characters from Harry Potter don't belong to me. I only own this plot and a couple characters I invented.

Author's Note: Well, guys I can't believe this is the chapter before the last. I've come a long way with this story and I'm fond of it. I'll be sad when it's finished, but I'm looking forward to writing new stories.

Chapter Nine: Trial

Hermione walked into the gigantic room. With its high ceilings and huge diameter, she felt it was fit for a palace rather than the courtroom for the Ministry of Magic. Another thing she noticed was everything in the room was made out of wood, from the seats to the podium the minister would stand behind.

She thought back to when she was taken to the Ministry for questioning. She had spoken the truth as best as she could. Of course, that didn't defer the interrogators from issuing a trial.

Her countenance on the outside was vacant. Hermione knew that if they saw her true emotions it could only mean another thing put against her. Inside she silenced the frantic voice in her head saying that the possibility of her being "not guilty" was scant. Forgot the anger that wanted to be released. Instead she pictured Dumbledore and how he would act.

Soon the audience's seats were filled up and with some faces that were well known. There were members of The Order, puzzled and unsure of what they were about to witness.

Cornelius Fudge walked in and a hush swept over the room. Everyone watched him take his seat. The trial had now begun.

The first time Draco had noticed was during breakfast the next morning. He had sat down and as usual his eyes were automatically drawn to the Gryffindor table. The only thing that differed from all the other days was Hermione was no where to be found.

He convinced himself that this didn't mean anything. All it meant was perhaps Hermione was in the common room finishing a scroll that was due a week in advance.

So Draco went to his first class—Potions— preparing himself for another boring day filled with strict professors and lectures on N.E.W.T.S. for next year.

Each class went by in a slow torment. It was as if all the Hogwarts clocks knew he was particularly restless today and were taunting him. He tried to focus on the fact Divination was next as it was his only class with Hermione.

The bell went off and all the students rushed out the door. Draco sat in his seat until the crowd of students disappeared through the door, before following. He walked slowly and deliberately trying to master his emotions like he used to be able to do.

He was up almost all of the stairs, when he noticed there was a figure standing right in front of the door way. As he got closer he felt his stomach shudder unpleasantly. Standing before him with long snow white hair and ministry robes was his father.

"Ah, Draco there you are." Lucius appraised. "Late to class, I see."

" Hello father," Draco said tightly.

"Well, business is done and I meant to speak to you about what brought me here. I'm sure you've been dying to know."

Silence was all Draco gave to this remark, deciding it was better than revealing his anger. Go on, father, Draco urged him in his head.

"A while ago a plot was made between the Dark Lord and some of the Slytherin students here to try out some dark magic. And you'll be delighted when you hear who was chosen to test it―"

"Hermione Granger." Draco disrupted him, his voice pronouncing the name in what could only be called a growl.

Lucius' face first contorted into anger at being interrupted and then into surprise at Draco's answer. He soon recovered his expression to its usual coolness before continuing, "Thanks to me the Mudblood is now on trial."

Draco couldn't take it anymore. Subtly, he took out his wand and aimed a silent Stupefy at his father. As he turned and ran, he heard a thud on the ground.

The stairs beneath him seemed a blur as he went as fast as he could down many sets of stairs to the common room. Once there, he found the two spell books and swiftly made his way to Dumbledore's office. The halls seemed gigantic with no one, but him, to occupy them. His every footstep echoed with nerve wracking intensity.

When he finally got to the entrance of Dumbledore's office he realized there was one problem. Draco had been so focused on getting to the office that he had forgotten to get the password.

While pacing back and forth, he heard the sound of the moving staircase. Looking up, he noted he had never been so relieved to see Dumbledore than now.

"Oh, Mr. Malfoy what brings you here?" He said inquisitively.

"I need," Draco paused to catch his breath. "I need to help Hermione at the trial"

Dumbledore smiled at this and there was that twinkle in his eye, "Follow me.

"Lilting Lollipops," The staircase began to move and both Dumbledore and Draco stepped onto it. They entered the circular room.

"Professor, how will I get there?" Draco asked.

"Floo powder, of course," He threw a handful in the fire and it turned green.

"Say 'Room 147, Ministry of Magic' and that'll do the trick".

Draco stepped in and repeated the phrase in a yell. Instantly Dumbledore's office disappeared and all he saw was images of fireplaces blurring. The spinning finally stopped and he stepped out of the fireplace. Before him he saw the giant French doors labeled: "Room number, 147".

Hermione sat in her seat rigidly, answering each of Fudge's questions as truthfully as possible. So far the minister had taken all her answers quite civilly, but a couple times she had caught him and the jury members exchanging amused glances.

She could tell that they all believed her to be making up what she knew to be true. Their countenances were smug as though the jury had sat through dozens of trials similar to this one. But Hermione knew it was important to not give up, even if the odds were against her.

Just then the French doors burst open and all eyes turned to see who had entered. Draco Malfoy made his way to Hermione's side, his head held high and eyes focused straight ahead.

"Mr. Draco Malfoy," Fudge assessed him coolly. "This is a private trial. I must ask you to leave, I'm sure your father will understand."

"Oh, I'm sure he will." Draco slammed the two spell books on the podium beside him before continuing, "But I'm not here because of him. I'm here as a witness to Hermione."

"Well, unfortunately we were just finishing as you came in. Perhaps if you were punctual―"

"Liar! Let him speak," A voice yelled from somewhere in the audience. Several other voices echoed the same opinion, until the room ringed with earsplitting protests.

"QUIET!" A woman in the jury screamed. "Mr. Malfoy will have twenty minutes to speak."

In a calm voice full of conviction, he told his side of Hermione's story. He began from the day he saw the Slytherins hex Hermione. Continued to speak of when he went to the library and looked up the hex. Finally, he got to the Anti-hex and its curing effect. Draco left out the personal parts of the story and said it all as factually as possible.

"A well rehearsed defense. But I happen to know the Detracciónelmal curse is not made accessible to students." Fudge replied artfully.

"If that's so then how come I happened to find it in the Restricted Section?" Draco took hold of both of the books and handed them to Fudge. "See for yourself. Both passages are dog-eared in each of the books."

Fudge opened the first book and perused the section disinterestedly. He paused for a couple of seconds before reaching for the next book to peruse in the same manner.

"There is no proof that this hex was preformed on the girl," Fudge argued impatiently.

"Minister, if you would turn to page ninety-nine of Rare Hexes and Their Properties and read it aloud."

Skeptically Fudge complied, "The only certain way to be sure the Detracciónelmal curse is withdrawn from the victim is simple. There must be a silver ring that glows on his or her ankle..."

Once Fudge had finished reading Draco turned to Hermione and held out his had. She stepped out from behind the podium, still holding his hand tightly.

"May I?" Draco asked Hermione, gesturing at her right ankle.

"Of course," she said with a tight lipped smile.

Draco pulled up Hermione's right pant leg to reveal the ring of glowing light. Even in the large room with the sky lights, her ankle glowed as radiantly as ever. All around them gasps were heard and loud muttering.

Fudge used his hand to pound on his podium. Immediately everyone in the room went quiet.

The woman in the jury spoke once more in a serene carrying voice, "In a week's time we will decide the verdict of this case. Miss Hermione Granger will receive a letter at Hogwarts with the final decision."

"Court dismissed," Fudge said through clenched teeth.