The judge watched as Draco’s eyes closed, almost in a sort of pain. Draco lifted his head to face him, his exhausted eyes displaying no signs of visible life.

“We have already been over this sir. I have no alibi.’’

“And when I say Department of International Magical Cooperation, I am speaking specifically of the fabulous Head of the department, my close colleague Draco Malfoy.”

Her neatly organized notes and quills tumbled out of her hands.

Ron lifted his hands to gesture has he spoke.

“Out of all the people at the Ministry, you were paired with the pompous ferret himself. That’s rotten luck Hermione.”

She placed her hands on the table.

“Yes, um, rotten luck.”
 

There was an eerie silence in the corridor, and the stale air seemed different. In an attempt to calm himself, Draco scolded his thoughts in his head. Relax. Terence is probably working this very minute. He just wanted to leave the doors open.

But he always closed them. And Draco knew this fact very well.
 

Hermione had known Draco better than anyone else, and she believed that there was not a murderous sight within him.

Hermione was gasping for air now, and her face was as pale as a ghost. Her hands were shaking uncontrollably as she grabbed the table for support.

“Draco, I will not sit in that courtroom, and watch them send you to Azkaban for a murder that you didn’t even commit. I can’t.”

He sighed.

“You have to. And you will.”

It was complete, utter madness when the group exited the elevator. The massive crowd broke out in shouts as they began to walk towards the court room. Even with his head lowered, Draco could still see the crowd pushing against the aurors, and the blinding camera flashes erupting in his eyes.

“Can you say it loud enough for the ladies and gentlemen of the jury to hear?”

Draco paused as he opened his eyes.

“I can’t give you an alibi.”

“Ron, I’m only telling you this because I thought you should know.”

Ron’s eyes narrowed.

“Know what?”

“One day, you will understand why I did this.”

The events of the last hour seemed unreal, like a far off dream. 

 The End.