Kingsley rose from his seat up at the podium. "The defense calls up Mistress Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Minerva McGonagall stood up calmly and made her way down from the pews to the center of the court amidst the surprised and shocked looks. When she reached the bottom, she sat down in the chair calmly, as if there wasn't a big audience of wizards and witches who were dying to hear what she had to say.

Draco looked up briefly through his ruffled hair to catch a glimpse of what was going through his professor's mind but she remained as poker faced as ever. Finally, the Minister held up a hand to silence the hall.

"You are Minerva McGonagall? Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"

"That is correct," Professor McGonagall stated. The man next to the Minister's seat seemed to take part in most of the questioning of the witnesses.

"And this is Draco Malfoy?"

"That is correct," Professor McGonagall said again.

"Would you be so kind and describe to the people before you Mr. Malfoy's attitude throughout the school years."

McGonagall took a moment to gather her thoughts. "Of course. Ever since first year, us staff noticed that Mr. Malfoy was, well, is a troubled young boy. All throughout his 1st through 5th, maybe a little of his 6th and 7th, years, he would always act out on his anger through snide remarks and, well, bullying. We, with the exception of Professor Dumbledore, only knew so little about Mr. Malfoy's background."

"What do you mean by 'a little of his 6th and 7th years?'" another woman demanded.

"Well, compared to the previous years, he was, in retrospect, more subdued than usual, only making a fuss when the situation called for it," McGonagall explained.

"Hmm," the Minister thought. "Might this behavior of his have been stemmed from the task that he was given by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? That he was too focused on his main objective to bother with his childhood chums?"

This took a turn for the worst.

McGonagall's mouth thinned, obviously not taking too well to how her words were twisted against her. "You're guess is as good as mine Minister, but if you really want my opinion, then no. I do not think that. He was growing up and had come to an obstacle where he would have to choose a side and that would frazzle anyone to the point where they aren't exactly in their right state of mind."

Kingsley Shacklebolt sighed and a man by his side spoke up. "Very well, Professor McGonagall. I have just two more questions for you. During Draco's 7th year, it has come to my attention that Amycus Carrow and Alecto Carrow had taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I know for a fact that the two Carrow siblings love punishing and torturing those that oppose their teachings. Can you tell me what exactly happened?" he asked, though people suspected him to already know the answer.

"Yes. New teachers were needed and, as Severus Snape was the headmaster at the time, I had no say in the pickings. The Defense Against the Dark Arts positions were altered for them so that it was just Dark Arts. The Carrows had the seventh years practice the Cruciatus Curse on the people who had gotten detentions. He would also demonstrate to the students the killing curse and Fiendfyre."

McGonagall paused to choose her next words. "As Deputy Headmasters, the Carrows were put in charge of all punishment. Punishments given out by the Carrows included torture, via the Cruciatus Curse, as well as chaining students, and corporal punishment in the form of beatings and slashes with knives."

"Yes, now, going back to what you said about seventh years having to practice the Cruciatus Curse on the people who had gotten detentions. Draco Malfoy said that he had never cast an unforgivable curse. If he was telling the truth, then that would mean he had refused the Carrows' orders, risking punishment to himself. Is this true?"

"Yes, that is correct," McGonagall answered without hesitation. This surprised the golden three for they hadn't been at school to witness this but the ones who were present, Ginny, Neville, Luna, etc., were nodding in affirmation.

"Ok, last question. Has Mr. Malfoy shown any signs of violence towards his peers or the public community?"

"Absolutely not," McGonagall answered truthfully. "He is no murderer."

"And you would be ready to repeat what you have just told the court under veritaserum?" Kingsley asked.

"Yes."

Kingsley nodded. "Very well, you may return to your seat," he said as McGonagall got up and returned to her spot in the pews. "The defense now calls Pansy Parkinson to the chair," he said, reading down a list of names.

It went on like that, person after person, ranging from how Draco didn't deserve to be treated like this to how he should be rotting in an Azkaban cell as we speak. Draco's spirit was definitely being played with as it rose when someone would talk good about him and then drop just like that when the next person would take the stand.

At last, Draco was given a hopeful streak as the Minister called out the second to last name. He rose and said, "the Defence calls Miss Luna Lovegood."