Chapter 1: Confrontation.

"Hermione!" He hissed. "Merlin's beard! At least explain yourself! Why the Hell do you want to vouch for that …?"

"Harry." She interrupted in a patronizing voice. "No one else will."

"And it never happened to you to wonder why?"

"Well, I know he's mean and all, but I just can't stay here and let him rot in prison."

"So you'll vouch for him? He's not trustworthy. He'll slither out of your grasp and put you into trouble. That's all you'll gain. And then, you'll come crying home because he was just as mean as he'll ever be."

"Harry, I can't. He's not older than we are. I refuse to let someone I know face such horror without doing anything. Or alone."

"I'm really sorry to break it to you, but I'm afraid he's seen much worse. After all, he wasn't exactly on our side during the war."

"He was. We just didn't know it."

"It doesn't change what he's seen. Or done, as far as we know. He's not innocent, Hermione."

"I know, Harry." She sighed. "Will you back me up or not?"

"Do I have a choice, really?"

"You can still refuse."

"And not see the end of it?"

She grinned.

"I know you don't like it but I have to try."

"Did you talk to Ginny or Ron?"

"Not yet. I thought maybe you could break it to Ginny. As for Ron, we've not been really in touch since I last saw him."

"Is he still angry? He'll come over it. It's been almost a year now. You'll see, he'll come back with a new girl and you'll be completely forgotten. No offence meant."

"None taken. It's good to know you'll be there. It would be much harder without your support."

"Sure, you'll need it." He smiled finally.