She counted as she exhaled.

"—orchestrated careful, strategic assistance to the True Order to protect himself in the event the Great Order should fall—"

Her gaze drifted to Shrapley. He met her eyes for one heartbeat before rolling his shoulders back and returning to his notes.

He'd visited the Manor yesterday evening. She'd frozen at the sight of him stepping through the Manor fireplace, but he quickly reassured her he was only there to offer some pre-trial advice.

"You're paying me—quite handsomely—to trust me. So trust me."

Her brows had drawn together, but she nodded for him to continue.

"It will be a long trial. I'd advise you to stay away if it weren't for the fact that it would be irregular— "

"I'm not going to stay home when his life is on the line—"

"—as well as your clear personal feelings for him, coupled with an enormous amount of stubbornness."

There had been silence.

"As Draco's attorney, I will tell you right now that the best thing for you to do for his case is to keep yourself well."

Hermione had stared at him, but she found no hidden meaning in his words.

"You're an expert Occlumens. Nothing you hear in that courtroom is going to help you deliver the testimony I need you to deliver. That Draco needs you to deliver. So use your skillset, and let me use mine."

Her throat had been dry as she opened her mouth. "Alright."

His blue eyes had searched hers in the darkness.

"Your shoulders are too young to carry the weight you try to lay on them, Miss Granger."

Before she could respond, he'd turned to the fireplace and left.

Hermione was startled back to the present by Pierre taking his seat. He leaned back in his chair, completely at ease.

She watched President Ogden tilt his head at Shrapley. He stood, stepping around the table as the reporters murmured.

"Thank you, Mr. President," he said. His eyes flicked over her once as he turned to the judges, and Hermione breathed deep as she plunged into the depths of her still waters.

Some time later, a man took the stand. Another man in black robes stood to question him.

A man with silver hair stood. His voice was slow as he walked. The man on the stand shifted.

A gavel banged. People stood. Someone said hello to her. She greeted them, then pulled out her notes.

The courtroom filled again. A woman in blue robes took the stand. The man in black robes stood to question her, and the silver-haired man interrupted him twice.

The silver-haired asked the woman questions. The walls behind her buzzed.

Court adjourned, and Hermione blinked into her body when Hestia Jones paused in front of her.

"Alright, Miss Granger?" she said.

Hermione blinked again. "I'm fine. Sorry, but please excuse me—" She tried to catch up with Shrapley, but he was out the front door before she could call out.

The next day was much the same — the Prosecution was still interviewing witnesses about Draco's actions in Zürich and Geneva, though nearly half a dozen were affidavits. Fleur startled her out of her Occlumency by inviting her to lunch, and Hermione declined out of fear she'd want to discuss specifics.