"What do you think you're doing?" Lucius asked angrily, after they entered the drawing room. "First, you open our house to a convicted muggle, then you give her free run of the house, and now you're taking her out!"
"I only took her back to her flat so she could contact her family and if you don't like her using the library, then I'll bring the books to her room," Draco said annoyed at his father's presumptions.
"Well at least we know she's harmless," Nacissa joined the conversation, "The press said she's enchanted so she can't use magic."
"She hardly knows anything about magic," Draco added, "She's only been in this world for three days."
"Her book would suggest otherwise," Lucius said dryly, not knowing the full details of the case.
"She actually figured it out on her own, without any inside knowledge. She's perhaps just as smart as her grandfather was," Draco said defensively.
"Bold claim," Nacissa said, though she was no fan of Albus Dumbledore, his intellect was legendary.
"I would stick by it though," Draco replied, noticing his father over at the wet bar pouring some spirits into three glasses for each of them.
Handing one glass to Nacissa, then one to his son, Lucius spoke, "She is still three parts muggle Draco, and one part squib, that does not make her much of anything."
Draco took the glass and a deep breath, his parents sadly hadn't changed. "Well, it makes her better than I am," he said in upmost sincerity.
Nacissa and Lucius remained silent, contemplating their son's words which shot a blow to their overblown pride.
"Perhaps you'd realize this if you didn't judge someone by their bloodline alone."
"You overstep Draco," Narcissa said cautiously, "Don't disgrace the family."
"I think we have already done that," he said solemnly.
Lucius felt slightly pained by his son's words; he had always felt solely responsible for their past troubles with Voldemort, for putting his son's life in danger, for almost getting them all killed. Those years were the worst in their lives and it took them a long time to rebuild. He was still proud to be a pure-blooded wizard, but it may have been his pride that put his family in that situation in the first place. He perhaps would never be able to admit this out loud, but he realized it deep down.
"Alright Draco, alright," his father said sounding a bit defeated. "When is this girl's trial?"
"Monday morning," Draco said.
"I suppose it does no harm to allow her some freedoms while here," Lucius said, trying not to sound too bitter.
Draco's mood suddenly lightened; did he hear his father right? He looked at his father with some hope and hastily said, "I appreciate it."
"However, if reporters start showing up at our door..." Lucius added, thinking of the embarrassment that could bring.
"I'm hoping to spare her from that as well," Draco said, betraying his concern for Alice over his family's reputation.
Both Lucius and Narcissa noted this, but decided to ignore it for the time being.
"Do you suppose they'll erase her memory?" Narcissa asked nonchalantly.
"It's uncertain," Draco averted his eyes from his parents; the thought of Alice's mind being obliviated made an uncomfortable knot form in his gut.
"Should be an interesting trial then," Narcissa said amused before broaching another topic of interest with her husband.
Draco finished his glass, excused himself and headed to his room. He was not one to willingly search his feelings, but in light of the evening's events, he had to. Alice was not what he would have expected from her kind; but then again he had never had much contact with or honest knowledge about muggles, only stereotypes and prejudice. She had fit none of his preconceived notions; she was smart, well-put together, and beautiful; does her lack of magical ability deflect from his attraction? Yes, attraction, he couldn't deny it was there.
Meanwhile, in the guestroom, Alice contemplated the subtle hints of prejudice she received from the eyes of Draco's parents. She had read about Death Eaters and their desire to rule over muggles; how they killed muggles for sport. It made her slightly sick to her stomach. Were these views still prevalent in magical society? Was she stripped of her humanity here? She remained unoptimistic about the trial's outcome; she was a muggle who knew too much. Not many like her had slipped through the cracks. Earlier that day she read a book she found in the Malfoy's library by "muggle expert" Blenheim Stalk, entitled Muggles Who Notice. Just the idea that someone could be an expert on muggles made her think of how compartmentalized non-magical folk were in this world. While some muggles had gotten away with witnessing magic, not many went on to detail the larger conspiracy accurately in a book. She even learned the British prime minister and presumably other heads of state were in on the secret too.
Her mind eventually wavered to Draco, which made her mood lighten; he was kind, honest, and extremely good looking. That night they had conversed on lighthearted topics outside the realm of her current predicament. For a few hours she had forgotten about the trial, about the possibility of losing her memory, about her ancestry. It was just about two people getting to know each other on a more personal level. "What a great time to have a crush on someone," she thought admonishingly, "Three days and I won't remember any of it!" She decided to call it a night and get some sleep.
The end of the work week had come and Draco reluctantly went into the Ministry of Magic to continue his research. His mind was undoubtedly preoccupied: he worried slightly about Alice encountering his parents that day at the manor, he considered the outcome of the trial, and he simply thought of her. Though he would mask his emotions as he normally did and he would play the part that was socially expected of the Malfoy's heir, to be cold, calculating, and uncaring.
Going down to the second level to meet Blaise Zabini in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Draco would be reminded of his artificial persona by passing Ronald Weasley in the main corridor. Weasley worked as an auror alongside Harry Potter, who had just recently become head of the Auror's Office. Hermione Weasley (formally Granger) also worked on this level, helping to improve the rights of non-human creatures. The "golden trio," as they were called, had revolutionized the ministry in many ways, and one way in particular was eradicating biased laws that favored pure-bloods.
Upon seeing Draco on the other end of the corridor, Weasley gave him a cold hard stare, non-verbally exuding his suspicion and mild contempt for the Slytherin. For a moment, Draco felt like he was back in his green and black school robes at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He glared back at Ron, but decided to refrain from making any comment. Undoubtedly Ron would be extra curious as to why Malfoy was in his department and he might even look into it for his own nosy purpose. For Draco, however, he didn't want to be bothered. He had spent too much of his life battling against those Gryffindors that he hadn't much taste for it anymore. He had matured considerably over the years, but his reputation preceded any of these changes.
Blaise Zabini was prepared for Draco's visit; he wanted to lay out the ground rules for the trial on Monday. Getting Alice to the Ministry would be Draco's final task in this case.
"The trial is set for 9:00 am, though that could change depending on prior courtroom activities. It's best if you bring her in by 8. You'll need to use the Floo Network, which is standard procedure. I'll be stationed there to greet you. I do have to warn you though; there will be a fair amount of press present when you arrive in the atrium. If you prefer not to be involved, I could arrange to take McNally myself," Blaise thought it was his duty to offer Draco secrecy.
Draco, however, wanted to bring Alice to the Ministry for the trial; he didn't feel right about abandoning her like that, "No, I'll bring her in."
"Alright," Blaise was surprised that he declined, but accepted it, "After you arrive, we'll take her down to Level 10, to the waiting rooms. They'll be using one of the larger courtrooms in the dungeons, since this trial has garnered enough interest that several member of the Ministry are going to attend. Unfortunately, the Minstry's Public Relations department has also opened it up to a few members of the press. They hope it'll convey that we appropriately handle these situations."
"So they plan on making it into a show of Ministry competency," Draco said a bit perturbed.
"Something like that," Blaise noted Draco's concern since it was also his own. His role as head of the Special Cases Unit meant he was required to present the case's evidence to the court in order to assist with their ruling. Thus, it was also his competency that was on the line.
"The fact that she's Dumbledore's granddaughter is what complicates things; either she'll be convicted as a muggle or as a witch," Blaise added curiously, "It's for the court to decide, but you can see the intrigue. I don't think there's ever been a case like this."
Draco did realize the peculiarity of the case, as well as the current public interest in it; though it had grown far removed from the individual under question. Alice had only written a book and yet her crime warranted a larger than necessary trial. Draco thought back to his father's trial and the dark circular courtroom filled with discriminating and unforgiving eyes. He was not given a chance to bid his father farewell before he was carted off to Azkaban. Would Alice be shown mercy or would the Ministry wipe her mind immediately after, thus effectively clearing any possible mishandling of the case on their part.
Draco ended his meeting with Blaise knowing that the next time they met he would be turning Alice over to the court and perhaps, never see her again.