A/N: Ok guys, another chapter. I've actually just purchased my new mac book, which should be here in a day or two. That means I will have a working laptop at the house and can stop writing all this at work. :) I'm sure my boss will be much happier. Anyways, onward to the next chaper. Enjoy.

Chapter Nine- First Day of Court

Today the opening statements from Miss Hermione Granger and the Ministry lawyer Mr. Augustus Pyle will start the proceedings. Mr. Pyle, a man of very good standing with the Ministry, has thus far been kept out of the press. He remains vigilant in both his moral standings and his political stance. In a quote taken before council enter the chambers, Mr. Pyle said that he felt all Death Eaters should remain in prison, but that Lucius Malfoy's actions over the years show that he is capable of changing his mask to benefit himself. Miss Granger, as usual, refused to comment to the Prophet but was seen giving an interview to the Quibbler. A special night edition will be released tonight to summarize the people in attendance and the statements made by each council.

He didn't remember the last time he was this nervous, not even at his original trial. It may have been that he knew he would be convicted at his original trial and that this was a trial of hope. Or, it could be the bushy-haired witch next to him who had worked herself into a right frenzy. She was tapping her foot, which was encased in a sapphire blue pair of strappy heels that matched the sapphire blue of her linen pants. She wore a more demure shirt than she had yesterday; this one was long sleeved navy wool with a stitched in argil vest of black and sapphire blue. She looked… pure, she looked pure and innocent, he thought. That line of thought brought him to the lewd look on Avery's face when he spoke of her and he subconsciously scanned her for marks. "Stop looking at me," she hissed under her breath. They were waiting for the Wizengamot to get there, only a few members had trickled in. Behind them sat their supporters, quite a bit more people than he would have guessed. Directly behind them was Potter, beside him was George Weasley and his brothers Bill and Charlie. Arthur was also there, a few rows back with the rest of the Weasley family. He knew that most of them were there to support Hermione, not him. The odd girl from the Ministry, Luna Lovegood was also there after taking quotes from Hermione. And then there was his son. He hadn't expected Draco to turn up for the trial; it looked as if Draco still might flee from the courtroom at any moment. He was sitting on the other side of Potter and to his shock; his hand was in Potter's.

"Is my son dating Potter," he hissed into Hermione's ear.

No one could confuse the conversation between the two as friendly, Lucius suddenly looked livid and Hermione exasperated. "I hadn't thought to ask, with all the preparing I've been doing for today. But I could turn around and ask now if you'd like, I'm sure the Prophet will love the story."

He glared at her, but did not say anything else. Snide remarks about Potter fell in his throat as he looked at the two combined hands. His son's knuckles were white from holding Potter's hand so tightly. Whether or not Potter felt the pain, nothing showed on his face. He was looking over at the slowly emerging Wizengamot, possible remembering when he had held a seat there after the war. Potter had stepped down from his position after making sure that Lucius' wife and son were cleared, as well as Sirius and Severus posthumously. But then he let the captured Death Eater trials go by without his assistance or judgment at all. "Will the defendant please rise?"

Lucius looked up, shocked to see that the whole Wizengamot had filed in while he was contemplating his son's relationships. Standing up slowly with Hermione, he looked up at Minister Shacklebolt, a man who was hoping that Hermione would clear Lucius' name. Why was he hoping for that, Lucius still wondered? "I would like to begin this trial by stating that if I had not been given sufficient evidence to support a retrial of Mr. Malfoy's case, I would not have entertained this motion. We, as members of the Wizengamot, will refrain from placing personal judgments and assumptions upon the defendant until we have heard all evidence and arguments. Is there any member of this court that cannot do this?"

He watched the court, keeping his face carefully controlled. He saw Susan Bones, whose mother's murder Lucius had been present at. Neville Longbottom also sat up there, which was present at the Department of Mysteries with Potter and Granger. Would these people be able to see him an innocent of his crimes? He shot a look at Hermione, fear falling into his eyes as he waited without breathing. "May I address the court," Longbottom said. The Minster nodded his head and Neville stood up. "I'm Neville Longbottom, Professor of Herbology at Hogwarts. I was also present that the Battle in the Department of Mysteries, which Lucius Malfoy was also present at. I would like to state that if there is information of Lucius' innocence, I would like to hear it. I can see a changed man and I hold no judgments of things I do not have the full story of."

"Well said," the Minister said. "We will continue on with the trial. Mr. Pyle, you have the open statements first."

Lucius remembered Pyle, a little slip of a man who had tried him the first time around. Pyle stood up and cleared his throat. "As we all know, Lucius Malfoy has been in this courtroom many times. Each time before the second war, rumors of Lucius' Death Eater activities were overlooked due to the amount of gold Lucius provided the Ministry and other persons. He has the ability to manipulate his emotions and his demeanor to benefit the only person Lucius Malfoy cares for, himself. I ask you good honest witches and wizards to remember that his man is capable of some of the worst crimes this court has seen and refused to speak in his own defense at his first trial after the war. It seems that Mr. Malfoy is now ready to speak because he had come up with a brilliant excuse for his actions over the year. Do not be fooled, this man is evil."

Pyle stepped back around his desk and sat down. He motioned for Hermione, as if to say… if you must. Hermione stood up slowly, smoothing down her sweater as she did. "Mr. Pyle has a point. Mr. Malfoy has been able to change his emotions and demeanor over the years. It was common for all Death Eaters to learn to school their emotions. Voldemort did not take any kind of questioning, and to show distaste for anything he did was punishable. It was often common to be tortured for disagreeing with him. I will not stand here and insult your intelligence; Mr. Malfoy did believe that Muggleborns were beneath purebloods. He joined the Death Eaters at the insistence of his father at a young age. Once Lucius had a family, although he knew it was too late to change anything, he was stuck with the guilt that his family would be in danger from his actions. When Voldemort disappeared, Lucius breathed a sigh of relief. He entered regular society and although those beliefs were still in him, he kept mostly out of trouble. He regrets that Voldemort returned to power and that not only did he have to serve, but his son did as well. Lucius asks that you listen to him, to his opinions and thoughts now, and you will see as I see that Lucius Malfoy is a changed man."

Hermione walked back around and sat down next to him. "Thank you council," the Minister said. "We will start with the witnesses tomorrow. We have one more order of business to discuss. Miss Granger has requested that Mr. Malfoy be placed under her care, warded and wandless in the house she resides in, for the remainder of the trial. The Head Auror said that he would feel more comfortable if Mister Potter was also allowed on the premises, which Miss Granger said would be no problem. After discussion, we feel that it would be safe to allow this. All those in favor, say I."

Nearly all the Wizengamot agreed to the motion, surprising the courtroom and Lucius. Smiling, Hermione watched the guards take off the magical handcuffs and watched Harry perform the wards on Lucius. "Thank you," Lucius said to them all.

"You are welcome Mr. Malfoy," Minister Shacklebolt said. "We will reconvene tomorrow."

As the court filed out, Lucius turned towards the people sitting behind him. The first person who came up to them was Luna, who shook hands with them both. "I will be around tomorrow night after the first round of witnesses for the interview," she said softly.

The next people to come up to them were Charlie and Bill, who shook both their hands and promised their support. They turned to George, waiting for him to come with them and join the other Weasley's. "You two go on," George said. George hung back in his seat while Harry and Draco approached, which Lucius thought was odd.

"Let's go Dad," Draco said softly. "Harry and I are escorting you to the Manor."

He turned to Hermione, a frown on his face, and asked, "Are you not joining us?"

"I have plans with George first. I'll be home later," she said with a smile. She handed Harry her briefcase and gave him a hug.

"Shall we, Miss Granger," George asked, extending his arm for her.

Hermione grinned and took his arm. She missed the look of anger and frustration in Lucius' eyes, but Draco didn't.