Chapter 4

Percy sent the advice papers to Harry and the date was set by the court. Hermione and Charlotte were not required to attend as it was only a hearing date and it was set for one month and one day. It was the most strenuous, tiring and emotionally draining month Hermione had ever experienced. The day had arrived for the court case and even though she had spent an incredible amount of time with Percy, he was no closer to being Charlotte's uncle than the neighbour was. It was sad to see but Hermione had far more important things to worry about.

Hermione and Charlotte were seated in the small courtroom and as it was only a family court problem, there was the judge, the two family court solicitors, a few people staggered around the three aisles of seats behind Hermione and also Harry. The judge walked in and they had to stand and then they sat as he read the case file. Charlotte was unbelievably well behaved and Hermione was very proud of her. They sat together and as Hermione listened as Percy painted Harry as a philanderer, a womaniser and generally a good for nothing creep who didn't deserve to be a father, and Percy excelled at it. Hermione then listened to Harry's side of the story and she felt the defeat take over her body. He painted the perfect picture of himself; money, security for Charlotte and the clincher of all was the fact that she was his only heir. Just the body language of the judge showed he had won the case. Hermione had her chance to speak and she willed herself not to cry but unfortunately her tears betrayed her. She tried to tell the judge that it was only for Charlotte's best interest to remain fixed with her as she had lost her mum and she was her only relative who was in contact with her. She told him that she was not rich and she was definitely not looking for money from the Potter Estate but she was comfortable, she had a respectable job and she loved Charlotte with all her heart. She felt like she was babbling but she also had a desperate need to get everything out. After the two solicitors spoke, the judge took a break and Harry, Hermione and Charlotte had to wait in a room that was off the side of the court room. It had a large lounge chair one side and on the opposite side to the door, there was a kitchen. Near the door there was a corner full of books and toys and Charlotte made her way there instantly. Harry walked over to the kitchen and made himself a coffee.

"Would you like one Miss Granger?" Hermione shook her head and he nodded back to her. Hermione walked around the room and wondered how many people whose lives had been torn apart through custody battles had sat in this exact room. There was a huge gold framed mirror on the wall with a table in the front of it. Hermione made her way back to Charlotte and seeing she was ok, she sat on the lounge. Her entire body was aching from the amount of stress she had been under and she just wished this horrible day would be over with. Harry sat down at the large table and watched Charlotte play but his eyes were being drawn back to Hermione resting her head on the lounge. He couldn't deny she had a special something but considering the predicament they were in, he couldn't exactly ask her out. The time ticked on and lunch was brought in for them and Hermione asked exactly how much longer would the judge take.

"Sorry Miss, Judge Burns has been known to take his time over these types of cases. Its hard because his duty is to your daughter, not the break down of your marriage." The messenger stated obviously presuming they were married and were fighting over custody.

"Okay, but we are not married, nor have we ever been. Its not like that." Hermione placed another sandwich into her mouth.

"Aunt Mione, couldn't you just get married to him and then he could come to live with us and I could play with him?" Charlotte asked in her innocent voice but Harry was surprised she was so bright. He looked to Hermione to see her reaction.

"Sweetheart I just can't marry Mr Potter because he is your dad, I will marry someone that I love and loves me, do you understand sweetie?" Charlotte shrugged her shoulders and continued eating her sandwich. Hermione was feeling sick she couldn't possibly eat another bite and she realised with a sudden clarity that she was a nobody. She would have to give Charlotte up to Harry and she would never see her again. The tears came thick and fast and she quickly stood up to walk away so Charlotte wouldn't worry but Harry caught her arm and pulled her to him. He stroked her back and her hair while she cried and when she started to calm down a bit he asked if she was ok.

"Yes thank you I just think it all hit me at once, after today my whole life will change. I will lose everything." Hermione wiped her tears away and then stepped away from him and Harry felt the loss instantly.

"Whatever the judge says Miss Granger, we will work it out, I will still let you see her if that is the way it goes." Hermione huffed a little breath out and responded,"Thank you but I can't see that being a reality. I live here in Paris and you live in England, that's 340 kilometres away, I really can't see how I can afford to travel that far frequently."

"We'll work something out." Harry finished on that note when there was a knock to the door and all three of them stopped and looked.

A messenger walked in and he was holding a piece of paper that he handed to Harry. Harry read it and nodded and then turned around to pass it to Hermione.

The honourable Judge Burns has reached his decision,

please reconvene in the court room within 5 minutes.

Hermione took Charlotte's hand and walked into the courtroom. The few people who were there before were starting to come back in and be seated. She walked straight up to Percy and asked what he knew.

"Hermione listen, this is a good outcome for everyone concerned ok?" Hermione felt the heat rise from her feet to her face and she knew she was going to pass out so she staggered back till she found a chair. She fell into it and sat there defeated. She could not hear the people talking, she could not hear Percy telling her to stand up as the Judge had returned, she couldn't hear anything because her heart was breaking and she couldn't do a damn thing about it.

"Please stand Miss Granger and Mr Potter and walk to the centre of the floor please." Hermione shook herself out of her stupor and followed Harry to the middle of the room and stood there quite closely for two people fighting over a child.

"OK I have found this case to be quite heavy on my heart. I personally knew the Potters and we attended Hogwarts together..." Hermione wanted to walk away but she couldn't.

"... we also trained together as I was originally an Auror but took a change in my career. I find myself looking at the fact that the best place for Charlotte Weasley-Potter is with her mother's friend, Miss Granger, but can I deny the child her rights to be with her paternal parent when she has suffered the loss of her mother, I say no. Therefore my ruling will be as follows, please be aware that once this ruling is heard there is no changes to be made, it is set once and for all. Do you both understand?" They both nodded and mumbled yes sir.

"Good, as of the twentieth day of January, Miss Charlotte Lily Weasley-Potter will move to live with her father Mr Potter in London with Miss Granger as her live in guardian/carer." Both Harry and Hermione stared at him, had he completely lost his mind.

"I am sorry Sir, but what did you say?" The Judge looked sternly at Harry and repeated the ruling.

"So Miss Granger will live under your roof Mr Potter, she will have her own quarters and will not be a house keeper, she is there purely as Charlotte's guardian. She is permitted to live her life as she normally would but it will be under your roof. You are basically responsible for Miss Charlotte's life as well as Miss Granger's well being," Harry stared at the judge with his mouth open and then nodded.

"Miss Granger, do you understand the rules I have set here today?" Hermione nodded and then he continued.

"You two are to work together, you both have equal rights where Charlotte is concerned and both have equal say. If you go on holidays, the other person is to attend unless it is agreed prior to the arrangement. Is everything clear Mr Potter and Miss Granger?"

"Yes Sir" they said in unison.

"OK if there is a change in the living arrangements or a relationship develops between each of you with a significant other, this ruling will have to be revisited. Is that clear Mr Potter and Miss Granger?" They both nodded and then the Judge banged down his gavel and the case was over and now Hermione had one month to pack up her life and move her and Charlotte to London, the coldest, darkest, dampest place she knew.

Damn Great.

Harry left the courtroom without as much as a thank you or see you soon. He could not believe the ruling but when he spoke to his solicitor, he was told that his womanising ways had not escaped the judge's notice and if he appealed he would lose all access to Charlotte forever. This was the only winning scenario for him. He flew back home and had to start to prepare his house for the daughter he never knew and her guardian to move in, in one months time.

Damn Great.

Ok so what do you think, poor Harry and Hermione...

Sirius xoxo