A really well-done comparison of what we have all seen in JKR's writing, with history. She drew even more clearly the lines of comparison in Deathly Hallows. Good job! :D

Hey Frasca!

This sure is an interesting story, looking at things from a lawyer's point of view. Did Mr. Mendelssohn really believe that Malfoy served the Dark Lord just out of fear for his family? While I think that the way you write is very good and that you keep the reader very much interested until the end, somehow the message didn't seem to come across correctly. Jasper's father's diary made me feel that he was goint to decline the request to serve as Malfoy's defense barrister, rather than giving him the confidence to base his arguments on. I guess that's because Mr. Mendelssohn Sr. emphasised his uneasiness as an individual who earned his life through something that served a cause he did not believe in. It made me expect his son to feel guilty about having to defend a Death Eater... though it makes sense if he believed that Malfoy's actions were out of fear for his family, but then, doesn't he get the idea after reding the diary?... am I making any sense or just confusing you? ;)

Anyway. I like it how you kept Minister Kingsley just and authoriterian, and I like the idea of Jasper using Harry's testimony in Malfoy's defense. Though I wonder how Harry would have felt after he'd learn how Jasper used his testimony. Would he feel awful? Would he want to murder Jasper? I don't know; it would make a story on its own ;)

Good story, and nice indication of thoughts into the writing!