Ch. 39

Hermione's POV

Draco spent the better part of the morning pacing in the bedroom, mumbling everything he planned to say. I shook my head, trying to stay levelheaded and calm. I had to be strong for him, because I wasn't sure what this trial was going to do to him.

"Draco, they're going to rule in your favor," I said reassuringly.

"That's not what I'm worried about," He replied, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"Then what are you worried about?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He sighed, pausing and looking up at the ceiling. "I'm worried they'll just let him off. Seamus was the only one who saw him put something in my drink."

"But everyone saw the way the potion affected you," I said, standing up and going to him. I put my hands gently on his cheeks and brought his head down so he was looking at me. "They saw how you turned."

He chewed on the inside of his cheek and then sighed again. "I know...I'm just worried it's not enough, I guess. Given my past..."

"Draco, why do you think Harry and Ginny are so willing to be witnesses in your defense?" I asked quietly. "They're going to see that you've changed, it's been four years since everything happened. Four years is a long time."

He smiled slightly. "I suppose."

I gave him a quick kiss and dropped my hands, still looking up at him. "This will all be over after today, don't worry."

"I can't promise anything," He said, shaking his head.

"If I need to get you a Calming Draught, I will," I offered.

"I may need to take you up on that," He replied, going to the mirror and straightening his tie. "Should I wear the suit jacket?"

"No, I think the dress shirt is just fine," I said, looking him up and down.

He frowned for a few moments before disappearing into the closet, reappearing a few moments later. He was buttoning up a grey vest that matched his tie, and went very nicely over his charcoal-colored shirt and black pants.

"You look great," I said, smiling at him. "You should wear vests more often."

"I typically only wear them at big meetings," He said, smiling in return. "I can probably get a few more though."

"I won't complain." I pulled on a pair of black pumps and stood up, going to the mirror. I had opted for a black pencil skirt with a light grey blouse tucked into it. Then I giggled slightly and looked back at Draco. "Did you mean to match me?"

He looked down at himself and then back up at me, grinning. "Happy accident. Though I won't be wearing that shade of red lipstick."

"I have a nice pink lipstick in the bathroom if you'd prefer that," I teased.

He simply laughed and shook his head. "Come on; we should be getting there soon."

We flooed into the Ministry and quietly made our way to the courtroom, hand in hand the entire way. I could hear him take a deep breath every so often in an attempt to calm himself down, and finally I pulled him off behind one of the pillars in the main room.

"Wait here," I said quietly, quickly apparating to my office.

I had to search for a minute or two, but I finally found a calming draught and apparated back to where I had left Draco. Thankfully he was still there, leaning against the pillar with his hands in his pockets.

"Here, drink this," I said, putting the bottle into his hands.

He took a look at it and uncorked it, drinking only half of the bottle. I raised an eyebrow at him and he shrugged. "I'll save the rest of it for later in case I need it."

After shrinking the bottle and putting it into his vest pocket, we reemerged from behind the pillar and joined the crowd. I felt him pull me close and rest his hand on my hip, making sure that I didn't bump into anyone.

We finally arrived about fifteen minutes before the trial was supposed to start, and we were greeted by Ginny, Pansy, and Blaise.

"How are you feeling?" Pansy asked as she hugged Draco.

"I was nervous earlier, but after a calming draught I feel fine," He answered as he pulled away.

"That's good," She nodded. "I packed a couple as well, just in case."

She patted her bag and reached out to give me a hug, which I happily returned, looking at the three of them. "Thank you all for coming and supporting Draco during this."

"Of course!" Ginny exclaimed.

"We wouldn't be anywhere else," Blaise added with a nod.

"Where's Harry?" I asked then, looking around.

Ginny frowned. "He's going to be the one escorting Ron to the chair."

"Ah." I nodded and sighed, looking down at my watch. "Well, should we head in?"

Everyone nodded and I took Draco's hand, walking with him down to one of the smaller courtrooms on this floor. We took our seats and I squeezed Draco's hand, noticing that he was staring at the chair that was in the middle of the room.

"Are you alright?" I asked him quietly.

He didn't look at me as he answered in a low voice, "This was the room where my father was tried both times for being a Death Eater."

I grimaced and gave his hand another squeeze, sighing and looking around. Blaise and Pansy had taken the seats behind us as Ginny was on the other side of me, but it looked like there was no one else.

Soon enough, people began to come in from the main doorway, and there was a collective groan from our group as we realized they were reporters from the Daily Prophet. They immediately saw us and made a beeline, and I instinctively reached for my bag, trying to locate my wand.

"Mister Malfoy!"

Draco glared at the reporter, who shrunk away slightly before regaining his composure. "How does it feel being back in the very courtroom that your father was tried in?"

"If you report anything on myself or my family that doesn't have to do with this trial, I will make sure that you do not last long as a journalist," Draco threatened.

The man's face turned white and he immediately went to the other side of the room, visibly turning his body so he was angled facing where the Wizengamot would be sitting. I heard Draco let out a deep breath from next to me.

"This is going to be fun," He said sarcastically.

"Don't worry," Pansy said in our ears. "Blaise and I will take care of any other reporters as usual."

Draco nodded and I raised an eyebrow at them, wondering just how often this situation happened. Pansy winked at me and I turned back to see witches and wizards in purple robes entering the large stands.

The last one in was Kingsley Shacklebolt, who took the place of the Chief Warlock and looked around at everyone. He then looked forward at the back of the dungeon and gestured something forward, and we all turned to hear a door opening.