Two more days passed of Severus digesting the information he had read. Hermione still seemed to be cranky, at best, and he didn't want to disturb her again with the information he had collected. Besides, what good would it do to bring up the Prophets awful and clearly one sided arguments to the woman they had concerned. The issue was that he still didn't know the truth of what had happened.
At the end of the day he once again found himself in the library going through old documents with a sigh, there was nothing new in any of the other news articles for the most part, sadly, they just followed the same stupidity as the Prophet if they didn't outright publish the same news article. He even tried the American, Australian and Canadian magical publications but those were not of much use. Most of them were more wrapped up in the affairs of the American Presidency.
Finally, out of sheer desperation he found himself trying a publication he had sworn never to read, The Quibbler. It was the most ridiculous thing he had ever seen and vaguely he remembered that the daughter of it's editor had been in Hermione's year. What was her name? Yuna, Ava, Rina something ending with an a. She had often been Mr. Longbottom's potions partner. Now that was a name he would never forget since it was synonymous with the utter destruction of his potions lab.
He flipped through the paper and then it clicked LUNA! He felt a sense of triumph at remembering the girls name even if it was only because it was at the very top of an article that had popped out at him. This one read "Hermione Granger saves Harry Potter's Life After Battle." it was dated before any of the Prophet's articles and Severus had a sick feeling that the dreamy girl who never lived in reality had started something she had no control over. He flicked open the article.
While the world hails Harry Potter as the hero of the battle of Hogwarts one unsung hero stands still! Hermione Granger after the dust had settled in the wake of the battle saved the life of one Mr. Harry Potter by killing a Death Eater disguised as their mutual friend Mr. Ronald Weasley who was intent on taking out not just Miss Granger herself but her friend Harry Potter as well in retribution for the death of his Lord.
The foul fiend had used polyjuice potion to disguise himself as Mr. Weasley and was running towards the two when Miss Granger stopped him with a quick and well placed curse, slicing his throat and killing the foul man instantly. It is still a mystery as to who this Death Eater was, but this reporter is just glad that he did not succeed in his task.
That was it, it was all the girl wrote, and Severus felt his hand shake as he tucked the paper away. Had he just read an account of Hermione killing her boyfriend and one of her best friends or had it really been a Death Eater? It felt like the more he read the less he knew and he growled in frustration before going back to search through the Quibbler with renewed fury. He was going to get to the bottom of this if it was the last thing he ever did!
Mostly the paper said nothing important, it specualted on dragons living in London, of course, and made a very thin case for why the moon was actually made of cheese and the Ministry was attempting to hide it, but finally there came another article that had Severus pausing. This one was again written by Luna. "Ronald Weasley not Dead, but in Hiding."
Although the Wizarding world has announced the death of Ronald Weasley, this reporter knows for certain that Ronald Weasley is not dead but in hiding recovering from his wounds sustained when he was captured by Death Eaters prior to their attack on Mr. Potter and Miss Grangers life at the battle of Hogwarts.
Although the Weasley family refuses to confirm this, as a close personal friend of all those involved, this reporter can reassure the reader that Hermione Granger would never harm a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Ron is in fact safe.
Severus looked at the words again and he wanted to believe it so badly but he tapped his foot in agitation before continuing his search. Opinions in this paper seemed ot be the exact opposite of the Prophet's but then again they were hand picked by Luna and her family who obviously wanted to protect Hermione. Finally he came the one article that was the same, mostly "Ministry Holds Closed Granger Trial to Protect Death Eaters."
The Ministry of Magic has announced that it will hold a closed Media Trial for Hermione Granger. When questioned the Ministry stated that it would close the doors to protect evidence which, if leaked, could contaminate the trails of for former Death Eaters.
More details will follow as this reporter gains them, however good people of the Quibbler we are sure the truth will come out and Hermione's good name will be cleared of all charges.
There were several other articles like that, one where Neville Longbottom talked about how amazing Hermione was and how she would never have harmed Ron or Harry in any way. Finally there was the trials end "Ministry clears Hermione Granger of all charges but refuses to release information on Death Eaters. Riot Ensues."
Hermione Granger after a long legal battle has been cleared of all charges relating to the supposed death of Ronald Weasley, however the Ministry of Magic has refused to release details on the trial or any indication of who it was that attempted to attack Hermione Granger under the guise of her boyfriend.
Following the increasing secrecy of the ministry surrounding this trail people have taken to the streets in protest, demanding that the Ministry release the documents so that the people responsible arranging the kidnapping of Mr. Weasley can face justice. The Ministry has stated that Justice has been served and has released no more statements on the matter at this time. This paper will keep you informed.
Severus tapped his long fingers on the table. It pretty much read the same, the trial was closed, there was a riot. Scrolling through the papers he saw echoes of the same string of events "Minister of Magic Resigns over Handling of Death Eater Information." "Ronald Weasley's hiding location discovered only to be declared empty when Auror's arrive." He chewed the inside of his cheek in annoyance over the same silliness that continued in this paper, until in September there it was. "Grief stricken Hermione Granger escorted to Saint Mungo's for Treatment."
Following the news of Ronald Weasley's hiding place being empty Hermione Granger grief stricken at the idea of her lover slipping away from her again was escorted by Auror's to Saint Mungo's for treatment. Her friends Harry Potter and Ginny Potter who were present at the time have refused to comment, however have indicated that they hope she gets well soon.
After the handling of affairs at the Ministry this summer this paper feels it is it's duty to continue to comment on the severe mishandling of Death Eater trials. This week, Lucius Malfoy was released on bail and has steadfastly insisted that his participation in the war was induced by the Imperius Curse and fear for his wife and young son. More details will follow on the Malfoy case however the Ministry has again steadfastly insisted that it is standard procedure to close all trials to the Media.
Severus paused there that was all there was on this story, he already knew that there would be no more useful on the subject. Prying into Hermione's mental health seemed an invasion even he wasn't willing to commit. Closing the files he paced agitated in front of them in thought.
"Yes, Alan." Minerva reclined in front of the fireplace in the head office of Hogwarts with a cup of tea in her hands as she spoke to the head of Auror Internal Affairs, one leg crossed easily over the other in a way that still managed to keep her looking well at ease in the conversation. It was late and she had let her dark hair down from the bun she usually kept it in, letting it fall in gentle waves about her shoulders instead. It softened the severe look that her face often held. Her voice however, had lost none of its power. "I understand that Percy Weasley is in charge of Auror protection, which is why I am asking you about this instead. We need someone here to Protect Miss Granger and the children."
"It's hardly that simple Minerva." the disembodied head in the floo spoke back "I can't simply demand it from him. In the last five years he has managed to gain the respect of some very powerful people here. I can not simply walk in and demand he change without a complaint from someone above him. Frankly, it is beginning to trouble me." Minerva leaned forward one of the long sleeves of her silver robes draping over her knee.
"Tell me how." her tone was mellow and her hand came up from her knee to rest on her chin showing him she was listening as she looked directly at the fireplace now. Tea set aside.
"Well, it's like the Ministry is being split from the inside." his eyebrows pulled together in clear thought before he continued "One side that believes in protecting everyone, and one..." he paused and didn't seem like he wanted to say more but Minerva waited him out in silence until he finished "one that believes those who have committed crimes are no longer deserving of such protections." Whatever he had expected it was not the nod of acceptance that came from the woman, as if she had already guessed this was the case.
"I do not think we need to guess which of these two belief systems Percy Weasley prescribes to." Alan nodded his head to affirm her thinking.
"He would never admit to it outright, but if you watch the placement of Auror activity then his design is clear yes. Those with previous Death Eater ties, suspected or actual, are grated the least possible protection if any at all and what public authority would believe or care about the complaints of a former Death Eater."
"He can get away with it with Hermione as well because of the public perception still surrounding her." Minerva supplied before leaning back in the chair and picking up her tea cup again "Nevertheless Alan, I need you to try your best on this. What have you discovered about the Howler I was sent?" Alan's lips thinned when she commented on that.
"Nothing at all, I had some of the people I trust trace the address and it did lead to the woman who signed it at least in name but Minerva, she is dead." he paused long enough for that to sink in. "Recently, yes, but long before that Howler would have been sent to the school." NOw that actually surprised Minerva and she sat up straight in the chair.
"Did you run a Magical signatures charm?" she asked instantly "Or a fingerprinting one?"
"Yes and yes. I'm not a rookie Minerva." he pretended mock insult. They had been friends in Hogwarts and remained so ever since. "Both came back with positives for the woman. Betsy Donovan was her name. She was on our case list about 6 months ago. I'll pull her files but I will need to do it without being noticed." Minerva nodded her head in understanding and then looked at the time.
"I understand, thank you Alan. You know what this means to me." he only nodded his head.
"Ah, ya, you just keep those little brats in the school safe Minerva. My littlest one is there now you know." that made Minerva smile.
"No, she is only 5." although she knew it wasn't true. She had watched Rebecca be sorted into Gryffindor last week with pride.
"Sorry to disillusion you. She is your problem now." he chuckled "but I should get on, wife wants me to start sleeping better something about the heart." he rolled his eyes to show he didn't believe it making Minerva chuckle and glance at the clock again.
"I must be going too Alan, and again, thank you." she smiled and watched as the green glow died down. Sipping her tea she sat still lost in thought until the fireplace flared brightly but this time the face that turned to greet her did not belong to the sardonic middle aged Auror. The smile that found its way onto Minerva's lips was automatic and she felt the tension ease from her body. This would be a conversation she would enjoy.