Tom was about to return to the office when he saw her.
After just a week at the job, Tom decided to take a long, leisurely lunch break on Monday afternoon. Warlock Fawley was singing his praises and hinting at an impending promotion, so surely Tom's more-than-satisfactory performance warranted a little leeway.
Hermione's distinctive bush of honey-colored curls caught his eye across the Atrium as she entered the Wizengamot high courtroom.
Tom's curiosity was piqued.
He pivoted, crossing the wide room to approach the courtroom doors. According to the schedule, the next case that would be heard was Malfoy v. Wizengamot.
The dark-haired wizard ducked into a darkened alcove outside the courtroom. Tom waved his wand over his body, casting an undetectable non-recognition charm. This bespoke glamour, which Tom devised himself, would allow Hermione would to see him without recognizing his face.
Just before the doors closed, Tom slipped inside the courtroom and took a seat in the back of the chamber.
if the pinched look on Barrister Hawthorne's face was any indication, a guilty verdict was imminent.
Barrister Bones had all but decimated the defendant, a middle-aged witch named Narcissa Malfoy, who Tom surmised was the daughter-in-law of his old classmate Abraxas. Bones expertly lobbed accusations of war crimes and blood prejudice, shooting down Hawthorne's paltry defense at every turn.
To make matters worse, a new eyewitness had come forward with a Pensieve memory placing Madame Malfoy and her husband at some riot that had occurred at a Quidditch World Cup Campsite. This made compelling evidence that the couple had participated in the torture of a Muggle family.
As the final nail in the coffin, the only character witness that the defence had been able to scrounge up had failed to appear.
At the end of the trial, Barrister Bones stood to give his closing argument.
"Witches and wizards of the jury, Madame Narcissa Malfoy has held her station in Wizarding society despite the crimes of she and her husband- crimes which date back decades," he said. "She is complicit in the murder of Albus Dumbledore and directly responsible for the murder of Sirius Black. In fact, she allowed her home to be used as headquarters for He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named."
Tom's ears piqued at this.
Bones continued, "Though she managed to evade these crimes in the past, we cannot afford to be so lenient this time. Madame Malfoy should be charged in association with at least five murders of Wizards, Muggles, and Magical creatures, and possibly witness to countless more during the First Wizarding War."
Bones returned to his seat.
"Any final comments from the defendant?"
"I would like to volunteer for a cross-examination."
A deafening silence was pierced by gasps as the crowd turned to see Hermione rise to her feet.
"Ms. Granger, this is highly irregular," said Barrister Hawthorne, looking to the judge uneasily.
"I will allow it," said the judge. Ma'am, please approach the bench. And may I remind you, perjury is a serious offence."
Tom would be lying if he said he wasn't sightly impressed as he watched Hermione take the to the stand. His little wilting flower seemed to be gaining some confidence. Thanks to him, of course. Tom was sure the new promotion was responsible for this show of boldness.
"State your name, business, and blood status," said the judge.
Hermione gawped as if shocked at a normal part of Wizarding court proceedings. Was she really so wet behind the ears in magical affairs?
Hermione Granger, Junior Unspeakable, Muggle Born," she said with barely-concealed distaste.
"Thank you, Ms. Granger. Firstly, what is your relationship to the defendant, Madam Malfoy?" Bones asked.
"She's the mother of my classmate at Hogwarts, Draco Malfoy."
"For how long have you known her?"
Hermione cleared her throat.
"Well, I suppose we may have first crossed paths at some point before my second year."
"Would you say you know Madame Malfoy very well?"
"Er, no I don't."
"Is Madam Malfoy not part of a family who, unlike most tolerant Purebloods, hold anti-Muggle Born prejudice?
"Objection, leading!" Barrister Hawthorne exclaimed.
"Overruled," said the judge.
"Ms. Granger?" Barrister Bones prompted.
"Yes, I believe she and her family were once prejudiced against Muggle Borns."
Bones looked like a shark who had just caught a whiff of freshly spilled blood.
"And to your knowledge were Madam Malfoy, her husband, and her son prominent defenders of You-Know-Who during the Second Wizarding War?"
"Er, yes."
"Was it not at Malfoy Manor that you were imprisoned with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, and then brutally tortured with the Cruciatus curse by Madam Malfoy's sister, after Madam herself identified you?"
Hermione paused for a moment.
"Yes, it was."
Tom was reminded of the mind-melding incident a few weeks prior when he had caught a glimpse of a disturbing memory in Hermione's subconscious.
He remembered seeing a wild-haired woman use some sort of dark curse to cut the word mudblood into Hermione's arm. That must have been Narcissa Malfoy's sister.
Tom snuck a glance at Narcissa's son, Draco. His back was turned, but his shoulders were tensed, and his knuckles were white as he gripped the edge of his seat.
"So, considering the troubled history you have with Madam Malfoy and her family, would you not say that she deserves to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law?"
Hermione's shoulders rose as she took a deep breath.
"Well, it's true that I don't know Madame Malfoy closely. And it's true that she was affiliated with the Death Eaters."
Hermione paused.
"On the day of the war, Harry went into the forbidden forest. You-know-who tried to use the Killing Curse against him, but because a piece of his soul lived within Harry, he survived."
Tom listened with rapt interest.
"After Voldemort-" the crowd gasped as the use of Tom's true name "-used the Killing Curse, he asked his followers to confirm Harry's death, and Narcissa volunteered. When she approached Harry, she saw that he was still breathing. But Narcissa knew Draco was still alive, so she lied, and confirmed that Harry was dead. Because of Narcissa, Harry was able to catch Voldemort by surprise, disarm him, and finally vanquish him."
Tom smiled at the irony that Voldemort was sitting in the very courtroom.
Hermione continued, "as a member of the Order of the Phoenix and friend of Harry Potter, I believe my testimony means something. I may not know Narcissa well, but we would not be standing here if it were not for her bravery".
The judge dismissed Hermione, then gave his final opinion.
"Narcissa Malfoy and her husband evaded justice during the first wizarding war, and went on to commit and permit heinous crimes thereafter," he said. "Madame Malfoy's efforts to save Harry Potter, though valiant, are ultimately part of a pattern of selfish behavior which we fear will continue. We have no tolerance for hatred in the new era of the Wizarding World. We must finish this dark chapter in our history by delivering well-deserved justice."
Narcissa bowed her head in anticipation.
"Narcissa Malfoy, you are hereby sentenced to Azkaban and set to relieve the Dementor's Kiss".
When Tom left the courtroom, he noticed Narcissa's son speaking with Barrister Hawthorne in hushed, urgent tones.
"I can't believe this. You've been with our family since my father was a boy!" Draco was saying.
"I truly regret this, Mr. Malfoy," said Barrister Hawthorne, a reedy old wizard with greasy hair and a visible toupee charm. "But times are changing. I do hope you can understand."
The barrister walked away, leaving Malfoy in shock.
"Mr. Malfoy?" Tom said, approaching the distraught wizard.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, but it seems you are in need of an attorney."
Malfoy seemed to barely comprehend him, nodding with a dazed look in his eye,
"My name is Tom Volos," he said, handing Malfoy a business card. "I would be happy to represent your mother and save her from this horrible fate."
Malfoy eyed the wizard skeptically. His grey eyes darted from Tom's face, which seemed oddly familiar, to the impeccable pick stitching and rounded lapels on his dress robes. The blond could obviously recognize expensive dress robes when he saw one.
"I'm sure I can't afford it. Gods, the legal fees…" he trailed off, voice breaking. "We've already paid our reparations. They're robbing us blind."
"Please, don't concern yourself with the financials. I will represent your case pro bono," said Tom.
"What? Surely I can't accept that."
"I insist. In fact, it's a necessity, as I'm employed by the Ministry, and receiving payment would be a conflict of interest.
"I don't know what to say," said Malfoy blankly.
"Well, let's start with scheduling a consultation. Do you have a secure location for us to meet?"
"Well, we could meet at my flat. It's at The Echelon. Here, I'll give you the address" Malfoy said, scrambling for a quill in his briefcase.
Tom smiled.
"The Echelon? Perfect. I'll send an owl."