A/N: I own none of the characters you recognize. I make no money from this story.

Hermione Granger looked up to see the stylish figure of Astoria Malfoy in her doorway. Hermione had been surprised when her friend had requested a meeting in her office. Normally, they met over lunch to visit; they also saw each other frequently at charitable events. The two women had developed a close relationship due to their mutual interest in helping those in need. However, Astoria almost never came to Hermione's place of business. Hermione could only remember her friend visiting her office once in their eight year friendship; she had come to see the place right after Hermione had set up her practice.

Hermione frowned upon getting a closer look at Astoria. The normally poised witch was clearly fretting over something. Her pretty face lacked its normal temperate smile; her mouth was drawn tight and her brow was pinched with worry. To an outsider, these slight alterations in her demeanor might not set off alarm bells; however, Hermione knew Astoria better than most.

"Astoria, please come in and have a seat. Tell me what's wrong."

Astoria took a deep breath to calm herself before turning to her friend. "Draco is in trouble, Hermione. We need your help."

Hermione look confused. "What's happened? Why isn't Draco here himself?

"He's been arrested." Tears shone in Astoria's eyes.

"What are the charges?"

"Violation of the International Statute for Secrecy," she started, swallowing hard. Hermione could tell that Astoria was about to cry. "He has been accused of risking exposure of our world to the Muggles on a global scale. He is facing significant prison time."

"Do you know more specifically what they say he has done?"

"I do not know the details. Draco will not explain to me what happened. He says he is worried I could be implicated. But I know he did not intend any harm to anyone.

"The charges state that he has been selling potions to the Muggle world, potentially endangering Muggles and risking exposure of magic. He needs an advocate, Hermione. You are the best advocate in England. Please, Hermione, I know you two have an unpleasant history. However, what they are accusing him of, it is not right. It simply cannot be the case. Draco has changed. He has done tremendous things for the rebuilding effort, both for wizards and Muggles. There is no way he would risk that. I would stake my life on it. Please, Hermione. Help him. If not for him, do it for Scorpius and me." Astoria was barely holding it together. Her upbringing did not encourage witches to show weakness and emotion in public; Hermione could see the pain in her damp eyes.

"Astoria, I will go speak with Draco. I need to hear his side of the story before I take the case. These charges sound very serious, but I will hear what he has to say and then decide if I can help."

"Thank you, Hermione. He is being held at the Ministry." Hermione pulled a form from her desk.

"Sign this please. It states that you consulted me about representing you and your husband in this matter. It will ensure that anything you have told me is protected information." Astoria nodded. She signed the form and then stood and left the office.

Hermione looked at her calendar. She asked her assistant to cancel her afternoon appointments, and then she gathered up her bag and headed to the Ministry.

To say Draco Malfoy was shocked to see Hermione Granger was an understatement. When they had told him that his advocate had arrived, he was sure that his father had sent the Malfoy's ancient advocate. He had represented the family for longer than Draco had been alive. He and Hermione were cordial these days; she was one of Astoria's closest friends. But the relationship was still formal and stilted. Some wounds took longer to heal than others. Draco knew she was a stellar advocate, probably the best out there. He was just surprised she would be willing to help him. However, he knew that if he could get her to listen to him, she would understand his actions and would defend him vigorously. And if that wasn't enough, then perhaps she would be willing to represent him in an effort to protect his accomplices.

When they were alone in the meeting room, she turned on him coldly. "Malfoy, I'm here as a favor to Astoria. You've got five minutes. Tell me why I shouldn't storm out of here and leave you here to rot. Selling potions to unsuspecting Muggles? Do you know the pain this is causing your wife and your son? She's terrified that her son is going to grow up without a father. Really, Malfoy, have you learned nothing from your father's mistakes? Or are you going to try and tell me you are innocent?" Her face was flashing with anger.

Draco remained calm despite her attack on him as a husband and a father. He needed her to listen, so losing his temper would be extremely counter-productive. And lying to her would just be foolish. "No, Granger, I am not. Technically, I am guilty of the charges, at least partially. However, there was no malice, and I assure you, nobody was hurt, wizard or Muggle. In fact, thousands, perhaps millions of Muggle lives have been saved or improved by our actions. Proper precautions were taken to avoid exposure. We were found out by an employee of mine who panicked and reported us without understanding the whole story. "

She had calmed down a little. She was still agitated, but he could tell that she was intrigued. But Hermione Granger was not known for letting people off the hook easily. "Oh, so the regal Draco Malfoy is just above the law. You just know better than everyone else. Silly things like hundreds of years of history don't mean anything to you." Much to Hermione's surprise, Draco burst out laughing. "What?" She barked at him.

"Do you not see the irony in you lecturing me on tradition?" Draco straightened and composed himself. "I'm sorry, Granger. It just struck me as funny. Look, we need your help. I will be happy to tell you the whole story. I think this a case you will find that you want to take."

"Why do you keep saying we? Stop appealing to me as Astoria's friend. Don't use your wife and son in that way. I agreed to meet with you as a favor to her, but I'm here as an advocate. If I think you deserve better than the charges, I'll fight for you."

"I am not appealing to you on Astoria's behalf. Did she not tell you that there were three parties charged?"

"No. Who else is charged?" Draco's eyes lit up. This was going to win her over. There was no question.

"Well, one of the other defendants is a Squib scientist who helped us with the testing. You've never met her." She looked unimpressed. Just wait, Granger, he thought, I haven't played my trump card yet.

"And the third?" Hermione was clearly growing impatient.

Draco looked at Hermione with false indifference. "Severus Snape."

"Why, of all the dirty, low-down, underhanded stunts, Draco Malfoy! How dare you speak ill of the dead! How dare you sully that man's memory! You are still a bastard, Malfoy!" Hermione leaped to her feet to storm out of the room; in her fury, she had forgotten that the door was locked. Draco raised his hand casually.

"Guard!" He called out. A guard opened the door. "Advocate Granger would like to meet with the other two defendants as well. "

"Very well, Mr. Malfoy. I will take you back to your holding cell. Advocate Granger, would you prefer to meet with Miss Malfoy or Mr. Snape first?" Upon his words, Hermione Granger nearly crumpled to the ground in shock. She lowered herself into the chair across from Draco and gathered her shattered composure. She looked back at Draco, obviously bewildered. Then she turned to the guard.

"Mr. Snape, sir. However, it seems I need a little more time to speak with my client here before I talk to the other defendants." She pulled a form similar to the one that Astoria had signed from her bag and slid it over to Draco. She handed him a pen; he signed the form after a quick scan of its contents.