One again, I do not own-if I did, there are a million things I would rather be doing than posting online.

Review regards;

Whatweareafriardof: I am well aware of what the Malfoy's did to Ron and his family, but most of the time it was second hand not directly-that and I am also not a fan of Ron. So sorry if you do not like where I am heading with this little plot bunny, but it is happening and I do sincerely hope you will enjoy it even with my viewpoint towards Ron.

Brian 1972: As you will read, I making it so it is basically like a witness statement more then anything that can me used in the courts joined vote on the Malfoy's. It is neither for nor against-just viewpoints from someone that has witnessed who they really are. If that makes any sense.

Chapter Two

I stare at the paper in front of me like I have been for the past two days. I thought the choice to say no would be easy, would be simple. But every time I dip my quill into the ink and go to sign my name my heart skips a beat and my hand stops before it can touch the paper. Why is this choice so hard. There family has been nothing but cruel to me; I spent years being tormented by that ferret; I have shed tears and blood because of that family. This choice should be easy. My hand itches to sign the blasted thing and get it over with but I just can't. The moment I sign no on that page there is no going back-and what if my choice wrongs them in worse ways then they did towards me? Am I really going to pretend I am better then them like they did to me for years? Am I really not going to let justice win? Could my memories decide their fate? Merlin why is this choice layered with so many reasons to sign yes as there is to sign no.

"Why so you still refuse to sign that stupid paper Mione-It's the Malfoy's! They are nothing but Death Eater scum-let them rot, it won't affect you either way, just sign no like Harry and let it be done with."

I voice cleared and I looked towards the entryway of the living room and Harry was standing there a little red in the face, "Actually Ron, I signed yes. We didn't fight that war so one side is better then the other, we fought it so that the justice system would not be biased, that we will all be equal-pureblooded or not." He took a seat next to Ron on the couch, "If we can get the Malfoy's sent to prison through honest justice not bias, that would be an honest victory-having cold feet at the end doesn't make them good, it makes them cowards, they still choose what side of the war to fight on, there is no reason to make the get away Scott free."

I stopped listening after that-were they cowards? Lucius Malfoy had a heart as cold as ice; he stood by the Dark Lord even when the world thought he was gone. He practiced the dark arts for so long it became apart of who he was-there was no doubt in my mind that that man needed to be punished. But what about Narcissa Malfoy: what did she do that could condemn her to a life in Prison? She stood behind her husband life any pure blooded wife-she was meant to bee seen and not heard, hold society parties and produce heirs to carry on the family name. She lied to the Dark Lord, she made unbreakable vows to keep her son alive and safe; what did she do besides marrying Lucius that could possible earn her a one way ticket to prison? Even Draco-he was an arse, a bigot, has an ego the size of England, but even he isn't entirely guilty. He wasn't the one who killed Albus, he lied about knowing Harry, and every time to raised his wand to do the work of the dark lord his eyes were filled with tears.

And neither Draco nor his mother stopped that madwoman form carving up my arm and cursing me black and blue.

Taking a deep breath I dip my quill in the ink well one final time; like Harry said, honest justice is the only way any to determine their fate.

Yes.

~Time skip/three days-the night before the trial/~

Running my hands over the dark navy blue robes trying to ride myself from any wrinkles that may be there; I have to look my best tomorrow. The whole magical community of England has been waiting for the final verdict on this trial. Everyone will be watching, reporters will watch ever eye moment and twitch to find second meaning. Will look for any imperfections to conjure up some note worthy falsehood story. Nothing can go wrong tomorrow.

Tomorrow I will have to look into the eyes of everyone as they watch my memories of the war. I am going to have relive the pain of laying on that floor all over again; with the same steel eyes looking at me once again. This is all too soon-I still cannot sleep without seeing her face. I can no longer keep my pain about this memory a secret. I can no longer pretend that it doesn't affect me when I am around my peers. After this trial everything is going to change. Once more those looks of pity and the "I am sorry for you" talks are going to come from everyone I meet, everyone I walk to. But even with all this, I do not regret my choice to sign yes; if there is a way that justice can prevail I will do this.

Looking back at our-my-empty bed I sigh and take a swig of sleeping potions and bind my arms so my nails do not leave scratches on my wrist; I crawl into bed and pray to whatever deity that might listen to my prays for a night of dreamless rest.

My hair as been pulled, pinned and charmed on top of my head in an elegant bun style with a couple curled strands to frame my face. Dark circles and pale skill hidden under a fair amount of creams and powders: my robes clean, wrinkle free and conservative.

Physically I was ready for this, mentally I wanted to run as far as I could and never look back. I wasn't ready for this but I had to be. My heels clicked along the marble floors of the court room, I could feel the eyes of every soul in that room staring at my back, waiting for my first mistake-the first show of fear of being in the same room as the fair haired family. I walked past them; my head held high I dared not give them the chance to make me feel small. Letting go of the breath I held I sat down and looked straight back at everyone who stared at my back. My eyes locked onto the Malfoy family; part of me couldn't believe it was that noble family that were always polished and poised, these three were nothing like that. They were pale, far to thin and frail looking.

"Hermione Jean Granger, do you sit here today ready to give an honest and fair testimony on the actions and people you see before you."

I blinked fast and sat up straight, "I do."

"Hermione Jean Granger, do you give the court permission to view and display your memories for all to witness."

I swallowed and caught the eye of Draco Malfoy and there was something there that I couldn't quite put my tongue on, "I do."

That is when I felt a spell hit my back and arms from nowhere reach out and held me from falling face forward onto the floor. My mind was starting to cloud and voices from long ago were ringing in my ears. What was going on? What kind of spell is this?

"You are nothing but a filthy little mudblood-you don't deserve to breath the same air as me."

"Do you honestly believe that you will be anything in this world? You don't belong here, you are a muggle."

"Draco-step away, those people are a sickness in this world."

"Pathetic little creature aren't you."

I could hear it all, things said in passing that mean nothing but prove how vile and cruel they were to me. There was nothing that gave the Malfoy any sense of hope.

"Is it them? Look at his forehead, tell me it is him!"

"I-I can't be sure-he looks nothing like the Potter I know."

"Draco-"

"Look at the scar boy!"

"I-I don't know!"

"Give me the girl!"

I flinched away from the memory-her voice chilling my body to the core. I am not ready for this-I can't live this again.

"Where did you get that sword? Were you in my vault! Answer me!"

"We found it! I didn't steal it!"

"Liar! You were in my vault! What else did you find?"

"Nothing I swear! Please! Stop!"

"Filthy mudblood!"

I could feel tears drip down my checks and I was unable to stop them-I just had to watch the faces of friends and family-watch them finch at the green light, listen to my screams that I have tried to hide from them for so long. I can feel the pain in my arm as if it is being recut by that vile woman, I can feel it burn my flesh once again and just like the first time there is nothing I can do to stop the pain.

I try not to feel sick when Harry won't even look me in my eyes as my memories played out; Harry the one I thought I could lean on for support as my horrible memories were shown to everyone I knew. But he wouldn't even watch-how could he be there for me if he wont even watch what happened to me? Does he not care that these memories haunt me and will do so till the day I die? I know that watching it would be hard, it was hard enough living through that ordeal: But it would be nice having someone who knows what I went through and knows the pain I suffered and know that even if I smile I am still scared and that they will fight for me and protect me. I just want the reassurance from my friends that it will be okay and that I didn't have to hide from anyone anymore. But they won't even watch the memories projecting in front of them.

I knew Ron wouldn't, I love him and he I hope still has some love for me; but even love doesn't mean he would watch for my sake. I really didn't want him to either-dreams about Fred were what drove him to the bottle, I couldn't imagine him having my memories fuel that fire. But Harry, Harry was a surprise; he was a strong leader with a lion's heart, he never turned away when this got hard for him he pushed through.

Then there were the Malfoy's; with their expressionless face and stoic posture-from a distance one would have thought them to be statues. But even with my memories being hurled in front of them practically screaming guilty, they never broke eye contact they never once looked away. But when her voice came roaring though I saw the slight tensing in Lucius jaw, the way Narcissa flinched ever so slighting and I saw the way Draco's hand tightened into a fist. How very strange that they would be the ones to watch without fear.

The room got quite as my memories faded into an echo; no one dared made a sound after watching that scene, not that I blame them. I steady my breathing and try to keep my face blank and void of emotions-I would not let the judgment of this family be swayed by foolish tears. It happened in the past and there was nothing that could be done about it.

"Hermione Jean Granger, are you well enough to continue with your testimony of this family?"

I dared not to look up into the judges stand-I knew what I would see, bit pitying eyes and deep frown lines. I couldn't see that now. "I am ready to continue."

"Very well."

Lucius was dragged from the box where he and his family were sitting and told to stand in the middle of the room.

"Hermione Jean Granger, state the name of the man before you and your testament towards his character so we as a community can determine his punishment."

The difference between the man I once knew when I first started going to Hogwarts and the man I see before me know was staggering. Lucius was always proud, clean cut and held himself above everyone, this man is just an empty shell.

"His name is Lucius Malfoy," I close my eyes and take a breath, "He was a proud man, who knew his rank in society was above all else, he went out of his way to assure everyone knew that. He insulted me as a child, was rude towards my parents and had no shame or humility towards his actions. He was a loyal member of the inner circle, he allowed the Dark Lord to use his home as his base, held captive under that very house and I do not doubt that he spilled the blood of innocents and order members alike. I also know that he is loyal to his family and when the chance arose to either fight or flee, he ran. He is a coward in that sense as well, guilty of his crimes, but I do believe there is a heart still in there that hasn't been consumed by the evil he surrounded himself with. There is hope for him yet, so I believe he needs to punished within his rights, but I do not wish for death."

I saw a light in his eyes before he bowed his head towards me ever so slightly; it would have gone unnoticed by anyone else unless they had been watching. He turned back towards the judge with that blank expression once more and didn't fight the men dragging him back.

"Hermione Jean Granger, do you still wish to continue?"

This is turning out to be a very by the books trial, making sure the witness is fine every time I have to face the family of the people that hurt me. This is perfect, a proper justice system, I couldn't have been more proud.

Shaking my head from my currant train of thought, "I am ready."

The next Malfoy standing in front of me was none other than Narcissa.

"Again, Hermione Jean Granger, will you identify and tell us your testimony of the character before you."

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, "Her name is Narcissa Malfoy; and I do not know much about her, when ever I saw her she was by her husbands side as a proper pure blood wife. She never uttered any side remark at me, only a cold icy stare. So I do not know much about her as a person, I do know that she bears no mark, and everything she has done was to protect her family. She was the one that made an unbreakable vow with Severus to keep him safe, and she is the one that lied to the Dark Lord proclaiming Harry was dead so he would knot go after her son. She was on that side because he family was, I do not blame her for anything that happened to me at her home, nor the years of torment I received by her husband and son."

I look into the stands where Harry and Ron were, expecting them to be calm as the trail went on, like she was this morning when Harry testified. But this was not the case, Ron looked seething with anger and Harry just looked miffed. As if I were saying the wrong things.

"Hermione Jean Granger, "I drop my eyes back to the floor were now Draco stood, much unlike his father who stood hunched over and gripping a cane as if it were the only thing keeping him. Draco stood with his arms at his sides, and at his full height with chest puffed out. "Are you able to continue."

Without missing a beat, "Yes."

"Hermione Jean Granger, Identify the man before you, and give a testimony towards his character."

I look the blonde man straight in the eyes, "His name is Draco Malfoy-"