Ayleen decided that she couldn't stand the ministry. Maybe it was because she had been here to often in the last few months. After she had talked with Harry the day after the battle, he had helped her clear her father's name. Not only because he was Ayleen's biological father, but also because Harry was convinced that Severus was a hero and deserved to be treated as such. He had even agreed that Severus got buried at Godrics Hollow near their mother. To Ayleen's big surprise a lot of people had come to his funeral. She could hardly believe that so many people wanted to pay their last respects to her father. She had cried when Harry had told everyone what a great person Severus had been. Of course, he hadn't glossed over anything and had also said how mean and spiteful he could be, but in essence her brother had found very conciliatory words for his former teacher. Shortly after his reputation had been restored and he had even been awarded an Order of Merlin, Ayleen had gone back to the Ministry and applied for a name change. She no longer wanted to be just a Potter. Her father deserved that she showed that she was his daughter as well, so she had taken on a compound name. Of course the press had jumped on it immediately, but Ayleen didn't care should they write about her what they wanted she knew how it really was. Now that the dead of the battle of Hogwarts had been buried and the people found their way back into their everyday life the former death eaters were brought in front of the wizengamot one after the other. Hogwarts had been rebuild and on the first of September the students, Ayleen among them, would return to the school. But before she could resume her studies with a clear conscience, she had something to do, so she was on her way to one of the Death Eater hearings. It wasn't just some hearing but that of Draco and his parents. For Lucius Ayleen couldn't do much, but she hoped that she could at least protect Draco and his mother from Azkaban. Shortly before the hearing started she snuck into the courtroom. As she sat down, Draco and his parents were led in and the doors to the hall were closed. When the accused had taken their seats Kingsley opened the process. "The wizengamot has gathered today to pass judgment on the Malfoy family. The accused are Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, Narzissa Malfoy and Draco Lucius Malfoy. You're accused to have supported Lord Voldemort and to have belonged to his followers the death eaters. How do you plead?" "Not guilty", Lucius spoke. Ayleen closed her eyes. No one would believe this he wouldn't get by with the story of the imperius curse this time. "Not guilty", Narzissa repeated the statement of her husband. Ayleen held her breath when it was Draco's turn. "Guilty", he said and in his voice was no trace of fear or uncertainty. Ayleen bit her lower lip she knew that Draco had accepted his fate and would accepted every judgment that was passed over him today. "Very good", Kingsley said. "Their respective questioning took place without audience. You can now sit on the sidelines and anyone who wants to contribute to this case can come forward and make a statement." As soon as Kingsley stopped speaking Ayleen jumped from her seat and made her way to the hearing desk. The Malfoys had retreated to the sidelines and Ayleen could practically feel Draco's gaze in her neck as she stood at the desk. Kingsley raised his eyebrow slightly confused when he saw her but he continued professionally. "Please state your full name for the court", Kingsley asked. "Ayleen Lily Potter-Snape." Kingsley smiled slightly when he asked his next question. "Well Miss Potter-Snape what do you have to tell us?" Ayleen took a deep breath, looked shortly at Draco, who shook his head before she turned back to Kingsley. "I would like to vouch for Mrs. Malfoy and Draco Malfoy. The two don't deserve to be sent to Azkaban", she said firmly. "Are you saying that they did not commit the acts they are accused of?" Ayleen shook her head. "No, but Narzissa never took the dark mark, she just didn't want to stand up to Lucius. In Draco's case he also did what he's accused of, but only because he was scared. When his father got caught and so failed in the eyes of Voldemort, he wanted to punish the family Malfoy. Draco tried to protect his mother. He wasn't even seventeen back then." "Couldn't Mr. Draco Malfoy have turned to someone", Kingsley asked. "Mr. Minister I don't want to insult you, but would you have been brave enough to confess to someone, if you knew that one of the most powerful dark wizards was in your home and could harm the once you loved at any time", Ayleen said and looked at Kingsley with a raised eyebrow. "Good argument Miss Potter-Snape. An other question what's your relation with the Malfoys?" Ayleen frowned. What did that have to do with her statement, they didn't think she was going to give them a favor. "I know the family since I was five years old, my father was a good friend of Lucius Malfoy." Kingsley nodded understandingly and dismissed Ayleen from the witness stand. Sighing she went back to her place she hoped that her statement was enough to prevent the worst. The door to the courtroom opened with a crash and all in attendance turned startled. Harry stood slightly out of breath in the door frame and scratched his neck embarrassed. "Sorry I'm late, I got held up," Harry apologized. "Mr. Potter how may we help you?" Kingsley asked. "I would like to make a statement", Harry simply said. Relaxed he took the place Ayleen had left before. "Well what do you have to say?" Kingsley asked, massaging his forehead. "Draco and Narzissa Malfoy have saved my life. When I got caught Draco refused to sell me out. His mother didn't sell me out when everybody thought I was dead. They deserve a mild punishment", Harry explained shortly. Ayleen still didn't knew what had happened in the forest, after Harry had faced Voldemort, but he also wouldn't tell her. ""What is your relationship with the Malfoy family, Mr. Potter?" asked Kingsley. "Draco was in my year at Hogwarts, we hated each other. Otherwise I have no relation to them." Kingsley nodded and dismissed Harry from the stand.
While the wizengamot consulted over the punishment of the three Malfoys Ayleen fought her way through the crowd to Harry. "What are you doing here?" she asked as she finally reached him. "Nice to see you too sister", Harry said grinning. "Harry I'm serious", Ayleen said angry crossing her arms in front of her chest. "I'm trying to keep Malfoy out of Azkaban," Harry said, looking up at Ayleen. "Why?" Ayleen wanted to know. Harry sighed. "Simple, because he doesn't deserve to land in Azkaban. I can hardly believe I'm saying this now, but I think he isn't such a bad guy." Harry made a pained face as he said this and Ayleen began to smile. "Thanks Harry, that means a lot to me." Harry shrugged as Kinglsey and the rest of the wizengamot returned. "The wizengamot had reached a verdict. Lucius Malfoy you are sentenced to ten years in Azkaban for supporting Lord Voldemort. Narzissa Malfoy, because you didn't support Voldemort actively, nor wear the dark mark or raised your wand against someone you are acquitted. Now to Draco Malfoy. Your actions during the war do not allow you to be acquitted, but since you were still a minor and we have been credibly assured that you only did these things under duress, the court orders you to attend a social rehabilitation project that the Ministry will determine. The trial is now closed." Ayleen breathed out relieved. Draco wouldn't go to Azkaban and could live a halfway normal life. She gathered her bag when Draco approached Harry. "Potter I", Draco interrupted himself and started a new. "Thanks, for what you did for my mother and me", he said offering his hand to Harry. Harry took it and shook it. "No big deal, but I didn't do it for you alone", Harry replied, glancing over his shoulder at Ayleen. Draco nodded at Harry before he turned around and went back to his mother. Ayleen was disappointed that he didn't even great her, but surely today hadn't been an easy day for him.
Angry was no expression for what Ayleen felt. Two weeks had passed since Draco's hearing and he had not contacted her or the ministry for his integration project. The last time she had met with Harry he had told her that if he didn't contact the ministry soon he still would have to go to Azkaban. Because Ayleen would leave for Hogwarts the next day, she wanted to get this out of the way and kick Draco's ass. She took the floo network into the main drawing room of Malfoy Manor and stumbled out the fireplace. "Oh Ayleen", she heard Narzissas voice say. Ayleen's anger faded a little when she saw Draco's mother. "Hello Narzissa how are you doing?" she wanted to know and hugged the older woman briefly. "I'm fine. I'm very grateful for what Harry did even though it seems that Draco won't use this chance", she sighed. "That's why I'm here. Is he there?" "Yeah he's upstairs, you know the way", Narzissa said smiling. Ayleen nodded, left the drawing room and climbed the marble staircase. She couldn't remember how many times she had run up here as a child and slid down over the railing. Sometimes she missed those carefree days, especially when she thought about Draco and of how melancholic he had gotten. At the top of the stairs, Ayleen turned right and walked in the direction of Draco's room. When she passed one of the smaller drawing rooms she heard something and stopped. The door was ajar and Ayleen opened it further. She saw Draco sitting at a piano with his back to her, playing. He was so focused on his music that he didn't even notice Ayleen enter the room. Just as she laid her hands on his shoulders he flinched and stopped playing. "Please continue playing", Ayleen asked und squeezed his shoulders. Draco took a deep breath and started playing again while Ayleen sat down on the stool next to him. "That's beautiful", Ayleen said. Draco continued to play without answering her. "Draco why didn't you contact me and why weren't you at the ministry? Harry says that if you don't show up soon you'll be taken to Azkaban after all. "What does is matter?" Draco said indifferently. "Draco have you thought about what this is doing to your mother, what this is doing to me?" Ayleen asked, tears welling up in her eyes. Draco pressed several keys at once and turned to Ayleen. He stopped shortly when he saw that she was crying. "Ayleen what kind of work will they be able to get a Death Eater like me? Nobody will let me work with them, so I might as well go to Azkaban", Draco said slightly desperate and ran a hand over his face. "How would you know?" Ayleen asked sobbing. Draco closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Please stop crying. I don't deserve you to shed tears because of me." "Draco you're not a bad person. Yes you did bad things, but we all did. Don't be so hard to yourself." Draco sighed. "Ayleen…" Ayleen didn't let him finish and placed her lips on his. "Do it for me", she asked him as she let go of him. "Alright, but would you accompany me?" Draco asked slightly nervous. Ayleen nodded and together they their way to the Ministry.
Half an hour later the two stoon in front of a small, plain store in Diagon Alley. Ayleen had to admit that she had never noticed him before. Encouraging she squeezed Draco's hand as they entered the store. It turned out to be a kind of pharmacy that sold potion and lotions. Behind the counter stood an older, friendly looking witch. "Mrs. O'Neal?" Draco asked looking at his note. "Call me Caroline. You must be Draco", she said smiling. "Yeah Ma'am." Caroline giggled like a school girl and went around the counter. "So charming, I can use someone like you around here. You know something about potions?" Draco looked unsure at Ayleen. "Yeah Ma'am", he repeated. "It was one of his best subjects", Ayleen added. "Very well, you will work here prepare the potions and sell them and if you like you can also train to become a potions master here." Draco looked astonished at Caroline. "Don't you know who I am?" Draco wanted to know skeptical. "Of course I do my boy, but in my opinion everybody deserves a second chance. So will you work for me?" Draco smiled and nodded. Ayleen grinned as she wrapped her arms around Draco's arm and looked up at him. It seemed like things were going uphill for them now.