See disclaimer in Chapter 1. They aren't mine, and what a pity that is. I'd *definitely* have more fun with them than Ms. Rowling does.
***
"Can she do that?" Draco's voice was steely, his grey eyes flashing with anger.
Harry's attorney shuffled through the parchment on his desk. Finding the one he sought, he consulted it, and then pushed it across the large cherry desk to Draco.
"She can ask for whatever she wants to, Mr. Malfoy," Abramson said, nodding at Harry as he spoke. "The divorce code puts no restrictions on what a claimant can demand. That doesn't mean she'll receive everything she asks for, of course."
Harry took a deep breath, flexing his fingers as much as Draco's vise-like grip would allow. He didn't let go; he knew squeezing the hell out of his hand was helping Draco keep control of both his magic and his sharp tongue.
"Thank you, Abramson. I'm just not sure how Ginny could possibly ask for everything in the Potter and Black vaults. Surely that's unusual?"
Draco twitched beside him, and Abramson shot him a wary glance before answering.
"It is unusual, yes. I can only assume Mrs. Potter thought that starting out asking for everything would give her greater leverage later on. When the judge demands she cuts her request, she'll still be able to ask for a sizeable sum."
"The money hardly matters, though I'd spend double just to make sure that shrew never sees a Knut of Harry's money," Draco said through gritted teeth. "What concerns me is the allusion to 'shocking evidence' about their relationship and the 'extenuating circumstances' she claims complicates the proceedings."
Abramson nodded thoughtfully, unfolding his hands from his lap to gesture. He'd given quite a bit of thought to those claims as well, and he agreed they were concerning, if only because they had no idea what her attorney was planning.
"Unfortunately, there's no way to force their hand in this. Because this is a just a preliminary hearing and not a formal trial, Mrs. Potter's attorney doesn't have to give us notice of the evidence he'll be entering," Abramson said, frowning slightly. "I'm afraid we'll just have to prepare for every eventuality we can."
Harry nodded, rising. Draco resisted, obviously wanting to stay and discuss the case further. Harry tugged at their joined hands, pulling the blond out of the chair.
"We've requested copies of her medical records in the event Mrs. Potter tries to use her pregnancy --" Draco made a low noise, and Abramson swallowed quickly "—or non-pregnancy, as it may be, against Mr. Potter in the proceedings. There's really nothing else we can do at the moment."
Draco's stance softened slightly at the pleading look in Harry's eyes, and he allowed himself to be led to the door.
"The hearing is slated to start next week. Be on the lookout for any communication from Mrs. Potter. It's not unlikely she'll approach you to try to come to an agreement out of court," Abramson warned. "It's quite common in high-profile divorces, especially ones where one party brought nothing into the marriage."
Draco gave Abramson a curt nod, reflexively bringing an arm around Harry when he felt the man tense against him. Harry still wanted to believe the best of Ginny, even after all this.
***
"—just come out for a drink, mate?"
Draco poked his head around the corner at the sound of Ron Weasley's voice. Harry was crouched on the carpet in front of the fire, talking to his oldest friend.
"I'd love to see you, Ron, and Hermione, too. But it's just not a good idea for me to go out before the trial. Skeeter's been staking out Diagon Alley, just waiting for me appear so they can fling questions at me."
"It's been ages since we've had a chance to talk, Harry," Ron whined. "Just a few drinks. You can Floo directly to the pub, so no one will know."
Draco stepped into the room, coming up behind Harry and running a hand up his back to rest on his shoulders. Even through the distortion of the fire, he could see Ron tense.
"Why don't you and Granger come here, then? You three can catch up all you like, well away from the prying eyes of the media," he said, the welcoming tone of his voice not matched by the hardness of his eyes.
"That's a great idea, love!" Harry said, leaning back into Draco's touch. "It's settled, then. You and Hermione can come here, and we can spend as much time as you like talking. I'll open up the Floo to admit you."
Hermione's head came into view, pushing an annoyed-looking Ron out of the way.
"Thanks for the offer, Malfoy, but we really just wanted to talk to Harry," she said, her expression unsure.
Harry's brow furrowed. He sank back on his heels as Draco's arms came around him, cradling him protectively.
"I know this situation is difficult for you," Draco said graciously. "But I'm a part of Harry's life. I've been a part of his life for years. I don't want to horn in on the friendship you three have shared. Your support is important to Harry, and Harry is important to me."
The look in Hermione's eyes softened, but Harry could hear Ron snort in the background. He rolled his eyes, sighing heavily.
"Draco is offering to open his home to you, and I'd be thrilled to see you," Harry said calmly, holding his hand up to stop Ron's interruption before the red-head could get a word in. "That's my only offer. I can't meet you in public, and I won't Floo over to see you out of respect for Ginny. The Floo's open. Come over if you'd like to see me."
With that, Harry ended the Floo call, standing stiffly. His legs and back ached from being hunched over talking to Ron and Hermione. They'd been arguing about when and where to meet for nearly 20 minutes. He absolutely refused to visit them, since they were living at the Burrow while their home was being renovated. Harry didn't think it would be fair to Ginny to show up on her home turf; he wanted to avoid the scene that would occur if she walked in and found him there. Plus, he worried about the reaction he'd get from the other Weasleys. Arthur and Molly had been with Ginny in the photo that ran in the Daily Prophet, so Harry wasn't sure if they were openly siding against him or staying neutral, like he hoped Ron and Hermione were. Harry hadn't really spoken more than a few words with either of them since this ordeal began, but he had received several encouraging owls from Hermione.
Draco sidled up behind Harry, strong hands massaging his tense shoulders. He pressed a soft kiss to the nape of Harry's neck, smiling as he nuzzled in to the fine black hairs.
"It will all work out, love," he said quietly, imparting as much comfort and support into the embrace as he could.
"I know it will, Draco. It always does. I just wish for once they'd see things my way instead of fighting me tooth and nail every step of the way," Harry said with a sigh.
He grabbed the parchments he had been reading before Ron's Floo call and threw himself into an undignified heap on the nearest flat surface. Draco, to his credit, only grimaced slightly at the sight of Harry's legs hanging over the side of the antique Victorian Rosewood sofa.
Before he could say anything, the Floo roared to life, and Ron and Hermione stepped out. Ron met Draco's gaze with a fierce glare, but Hermione had the grace to smile and nod slightly at her host. Draco greeted the guests with a little bow before pressing a kiss to Harry's temple and leaving the room.
"I suppose not going out was his idea?" Ron spat, his eyes flashing.
"Actually, it was my lawyer's idea. He thought it would be best for the case if I stayed out of the public eye for awhile."
Ron began a retort, but he was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a small house-elf. She curtsied before setting down the tray of tea and snacks she carried on a nearby table. Before she could leave, Hermione stepped forward to catch her attention.
"Did Mr. Malfoy ask you to bring those?" she asked, motioning to the tray.
"Yes, Miss," the elf replied, obviously worried she had done something wrong.
"Thank you, Posie," Harry said gently, shooting Hermione a dirty look. "You may go."
The house-elf started to leave once again, a look of relief passing over her features, when Hermione stopped her.
"Just a moment," she said, digging in her bag to find a scrap of parchment and a self-inking quill. "I don't believe we've met. I am Hermione Granger-Weasley, with the Society for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare. I've conducted several interviews here, but I don't believe you've been on my list."
Posie's eyes grew almost comically large as she looked from Hermione to Harry, clearly unsure what the witch was talking about. Hermione had been conducting inspections and interviews about the treatment of the Malfoy house-elves for the past few weeks, ever since Harry moved into the Manor.
"She wouldn't have appeared on your registry, Hermione," Harry said, motioning for Posie to leave. The house-elf Disapparated, leaving a disgruntled Hermione glaring expectantly into empty space. "Posie has not reached her age of majority yet, which means she is not actually employed by the Malfoy family."
Hermione made an impatient sound, but Harry cut her off.
"Unlike many families, the Malfoys insist their house-elves be educated. They actually fund a small house-elf academy here on the grounds, and they accept elves from Wizarding families across Britain, schooling them for free," Harry said, arching an eyebrow at Hermione.
"Posie is almost finished with her education, which is when she'll get the chance to decide whether or not to enter into a contract with the Malfoy family. All of the family elves serve by choice, not because they have to," he said, his stern gaze making the usually staid Hermione squirm. "She knows how to read and write, and she has received instruction about how best to focus her magic to avoid exhaustion or accidents. She has had extensive tutoring in the history of magic, both from the Wizard and magical creature perspective. When she makes her choice in a few months, it will be a very well informed one."
Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but Harry shook his head, continuing with his lecture.
"As you can see, the preconceived notions you have of Draco and his family aren't all on-target. I'd like you to keep that in mind. I'd like you to get to know the real Draco."
This time, it was Ron who interrupted. His usually calm eyes were blazing, and a flush that had nothing to do with the heat of the fire crept up his neck and face.
"You think a little house-elf school is enough to redeem what that arsehole and his family did in the name of their so-called master? That it makes up for stealing my sister's husband? For convincing the hero of the bloody Wizarding world that he's a poof?"
Harry flinched as though Ron's words had been a physical slap. Hermione reached out to grab Ron's arm, but he shook her off, advancing on Harry.
"You screwed around on my baby sister with that ponce, and you left her for him after everything she has done for you. After everything my entire family has done for you! All it takes is Malfoy's cock up your ass for you to turn your back on the people who have loved you and claimed you as one of their own for more than a decade!" The veins in Ron's neck were bulging, his hands clenched at his sides. "The Weasleys took you in when your own flesh-and-blood family wouldn't have you, and this is how you repay us?"
"Ron!" Hermione gasped, her face full of shock and sadness.
"No, Mione. Ginny has been at the Burrow every night since Harry left, crying in Mum's arms because of that bastard," he said, pointing at Harry. "He doesn't even have the decency to wait more than a month after she miscarries to leave her for his lover, a man he'd been sleeping with on the side for Merlin only knows how long. How do you think Ginny feels, Harry, knowing that the cock that was inside her had also been up Malfoy's arse?"
Hot tears spilled down Harry's cheeks as he listened to the man he considered a brother cut him down. He hadn't expected Ron to take his side, exactly, but he also hadn't expected this.
"And after all that, after losing her baby and her husband in a matter of months, Harry refuses to give her what she deserves! He's making her go through the courts to get any money at all! Don't you think she deserves every Sickle in your vaults for what you've put her through?" Ron's voice had risen steadily throughout the diatribe, and Harry cringed each time the volume increased.
"That's enough, Ron," Hermione shouted, slapping her husband across the face. He turned slowly to look her in the eyes, his own blinking in confusion. "It's enough. Enough."
Ron grabbed Hermione by the upper arms, shaking her hard several times before pulling her closer to his body, looking down on her with an angry glare. The three stood stock still in the middle of the drawing room, jumping when the heavy silence was broken by the sharp sound of applause. Hermione stumbled as Ron shoved her toward Harry, who stepped forward to steady her. Draco strode into the room, clapping his hands together.
"Bravo, Weasley. A commendable performance. Either that was the greatest piece of acting I've ever seen, or you've succeeding in staging the longest performance art piece in history with your what – 15 year? – friendship with Harry," Draco drawled, stopping near Harry but not touching him. "The man who fought alongside him against Voldemort, who helped him through the senseless deaths of so many friends and loved ones – there's no way you could be both that man and the vindictive bastard here tonight. So which is it?"
Ron lunged at Draco, but a hastily cast spell stopped him in his tracks. He cast a wild glance around the room to see who had cast the Sticking charm that bound him to the floor, utterly bowled over to see it had been Hermione. Her wand was still leveled at him, shaking, but at the ready.
"Hermione?" he asked, his voice menacingly low.
"No," she said, her voice so quiet he had to strain to hear her, even in the otherwise silent room. "No. You had no right to say those things to Harry. You know Ginny's at fault here, too. They've had problems since before they even married. You know about Dean, and about the decision she made then. You were there when your Mum had to force a Calming Draught down her throat to get her to walk down the aisle."
Harry's pale face turned even whiter at Hermione's words, and Draco's back stiffened. He still didn't close the gap between them, instead shifting closer to Hermione.
"So no, I won't let you blame all of this mess on Harry. And I won't let you make him feel like dirt just because things aren't going your way. I thought you wanted to come here to hear Harry's side of things before it was too late, before you and Ginny did something unforgivable," she continued, her eyes narrowing as she glared at Ron. "Did you think I wouldn't find out what you intended to do? Did you think I'd let you get away with fleecing Harry out of so much money?"
Hermione laughed, a cold sound that Harry had never heard before.
"I thought I knew you, Ronald. I thought I knew the man I'd married. It turns out I didn't know you any better than Harry knew Ginny. I'm sure our divorce will be smoother than theirs; after all, I don't have any money."
She closed the gap between her and Harry, holding her arms out in a gesture of apology and remorse.
"I'm sorry, Harry."
He pulled her close, inhaling the sweet scent of her shampoo as he buried his tear-stained face in her hair. Draco moved quickly, banishing Ron from the room with a flick of his wand.
"Wards," he said shortly, noticing that Harry and Hermione were staring at him. "The head of the family can banish intruders. He'll be fine, just a bit disoriented. The wards will deposit him just outside the Manor's gates."
Hermione led a still-crying Harry over to the couch, pulling him down so he was sitting next to her. Draco paced near the windows, his brow furrowed.
"What do we need to know?" he asked Hermione, worried about some of the things she'd said to Ron.
"He and Ginny planned to present evidence that Harry forced her to terminate a pregnancy two years ago. It was before he took the administrative job, so they planned to say that he forbid her to continue the pregnancy because it would have been detrimental to his career."
Harry's blank gaze worried Draco, but he brushed it aside.
"Two years ago?"
"Yes. Ginny had been sleeping with Dean Thomas, and she got pregnant. She wasn't sure if it was Harry's or Dean's, so she chose to end the pregnancy. Harry never knew," she said, her gaze shifting to Harry's bowed head. "I'm so sorry, Harry."
Draco closed his eyes, stopping near the sofa.
"So she had an affair, and she terminated a pregnancy? That can't be all. You said something about Ron and Ginny getting ready to do something unforgivable."
Hermione swallowed, trying to clear the painful lump that had formed in her throat. She blinked back tears, upset at the thought of her husband's betrayal. Ron's behavior had become increasingly erratic and abusive in the last two years, and she had reached her breaking point. Ron spouting filth at her was nothing new, but she wouldn't let him turn it on Harry.
"Ginny promised him a cut of the money if he testified that Harry beat Ginny," she said, her voice a hoarse whisper. "They planned to present evidence that she lost the baby a few months ago because Harry attacked her."
"What?" Harry's head shot up, his expression one of pain and disbelief.
"How would they prove that?" Draco asked, his deceptively calm voice hiding the banking fury underneath.
"Medical records," Hermione said, her voice barely audible. "They have medical records."
"Where did they get faked records?" Draco asked, moving closer to Hermione. The look of absolute anguish on her face told him things he didn't want to believe.
She shook her head, eyes glassy with unshed tears.
"They aren't fake," she said flatly, hugging herself with her arms. "They're mine."
TBC