A/N: sorry i missed yesterday's update. here are two chapters to make up for it

Ginny testified at Malfoy's trial. Hermione testified as well, sharing the details regarding the seven death eaters they had found already bound where no one in the Order had been. Their statements, along with the statements of various Order members at the final battle, put him in a very positive light. Between his knowledge of the plan and the fact that he had not fought against the Order, along with the mysterious ease of entry and incapacitation of death eaters at the Manner, there was a pretty good case for his allegiance. Unfortunately, none of the other surviving death eaters would testify to the false intelligence he allegedly supplied, but they more than happily detailed various missions he had gone on for the Dark Lord, listed those he had killed, and provided examples of his various contributions to their cause.

By the end of the trial, it was impossible to predict how the Wizengamut would rule. Remus, Snape, and Bill tried to comfort and calm Ginny, but she could barely sit still and was literally shaking as they waited for the decision. She hadn't been allowed to see Draco anywhere but in court and that was from a distance. She hadn't been able to talk to him or communicate with him in any way. She had tried to read his face as she testified, but she couldn't tell if he was grateful or angry with her for taking the risk.

The truth was that he didn't know either. He knew he should be mad at her for risking everything like that, but he couldn't help but find reassurance in her presence. He found it very difficult to remain seated and silent while she was in the room. He wanted nothing more than to run over to her, embrace her, thank her, and order her to leave him to his fate. Her faith in him was more than enough. He needed nothing else.

He was worried about her, though. She looked so frail, so tired, and almost ill. He wondered if she had been eating and doubted that she had been sleeping. He tried to believe it was anything else, but part of him so desperately wanted her to be that concerned for him that he could not altogether abandon the possibility. Of course, contrary to that one small but persist part, the rest of his mind insisted that she would be a fool to worry so about him and if she was all of him agreed that he would give anything to see her well and happy. The same bit that wanted her to care so deeply about him also felt guilty should it be true desperately wanted to reassure her that he was all right regardless of what happened and she really shouldn't let it bother her so. All in all, he thought very little about his trial and very much about the redheaded observer.

When the counsel returned, however, his attention was finally drawn to his surroundings and his fate. He was pronounced guilty as charged and sentenced to life in Azkaban. He hung his head in acceptance, but his heart broke when he heard the strangled sob from the corner.

All life returned to him when he heard the next words spoken. "Ginevra Weasley will stand trial for treason one week hence."

His head snapped up and he screamed, "NO!" He began struggling against his chains, something he had not done since he had been taken in. He had been demure, calm his entire imprisonment. He had shown no signs of resistance or much life for that matter. Now, however, as every muscle in his body strained to break free, his youth and truly defined physical condition was suddenly apparent. "NO! SHE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG! SHE'S INNOCENT! SHE'S…" he didn't get to continue. A stunning spell had hit him in the chest and he fell unconscious on the floor.

Bill had to catch his sister and hold her close to him to keep her from crumpling on the floor as Draco fell. She had tried to go him when he screamed, but Snape had wisely stepped in front of her. She just stood there, leaning against her brother, lifeless.

She was taken into custody. She was so devastated by Draco's trial, even spending a week in Azkaban did little to make her appear weaker than when she had gone in.

At her trial, Hermione testified, sharing the conversation she had had with the other girl the night after the decision regarding Draco. Snape testified to his comment after the final meeting. Lupin and Bill both testified to encouraging her. They all stated that if she was convicted of treason they would confess to the same and insist upon the same sentence she was given.

Ron couldn't believe what was happening. He begged Hermione not to make that declaration. He told her that losing his sister was going to be horrible enough, he couldn't bear to lose her as well. She just pointed out that he should be giving that speech to Bill first, he was family after all. He finally got up the courage to tell her how he felt about her. Well, it was more of a knee jerk reaction to her statement. She said that and he said, "Yeah, but I'm in love with you!"

She gaped at him for a moment before telling him that she loved him too, but she had to do this. She had to do this because she loved Ginny and believed in her. He nodded weakly. He was finally beginning to understand how strong the girl's in his life were and how horribly he had failed to trust them.

Harry hadn't said anything since Ginny's arrest. He had known this would happen. He had told it would. He had warned her. But she had testified anyway. It was that, more than anything, her conviction and determination, that finally got through to him. On the last day of her trial, he got up to testify.