Harry dropped the spells, but before he could open the door it slammed open, Ron on the other side glaring furiously into the room, he shoved Harry aside, knocking him into the door and advanced at Hermione who had frozen in the spot with the slamming of the door.
"You bloody bitch! Did you really think you'd get away with this?! Its lies…you're telling lies!" He pressed forwards not even noticing Katie raising her wand. "It's your bloody fault…if you would only listen I wouldn't have to…you bloody know it all bitch!" He raised his fist to strike at her, not even bothering with his wand, but Katie sent a stunner at him and his prone form crashed to the floor.
"Bind him," Harry murmured clutching his head, where a large bruise was already forming from his head connecting with the door. Katie nodded and with a flick of her wand Ron was bound and levitating to be brought to a holding cell.
Hermione stood still frozen as she had been when Ron crashed through the door, "Maybe…maybe this isn't such a good idea…maybe I should…" she spoke barely above a whisper.
Do you know where your heart is
Do you think you can find it
Did you trade it for something, somewhere
Better just to have it
Do you know where your love is
Do you think that you lost it
"No! Mione! No! He has crossed a line…to barge into the ministry and attack a protected witness is one thing, but add that on top of everything else…he deserves what he gets." Harry spat, still rubbing at the lump on his head.
"He's right Mione…" Katie answered softly, moving towards the other woman and clasping her shoulder, "You did the right thing, you saved yourself and your family. Let's get you to the minister."
Katie led Hermione through the office door, beckoning another auror over to deal with Ron.
"Put him in the holding cell…make sure someone is with him at all times."
"But he's Ron Weasley." The junior auror stammered.
"I'm well aware who he is." Katie spat back, raising an eyebrow, "he's dangerous, keep him under watch Mullins or I'll have your job."
Harry stepped up to the other side of Hermione, taking her hand. "You did the right thing." He intoned, squeezing her hand in support.
You felt it so strong but nothings
Turned out how you want it
Well bless my soul
You're a lonely soul
Cause you won't let go
Of anything you hold
The three walked to lifts at the end of the hall and Katie impatiently pushed the button on the private lift to the minister's office, her foot tapping impatiently while they waited.
Hermione's head was whirling as she waited for the lift, if it weren't for Harry's grip on her hand and Katie's on her shoulder she was sure she would have made a run for it. The lift doors opened and they walked into the modern lounge room that served as the minister's waiting room, the secretary waving them through having been given instruction that Harry Potter or Hermione Granger had immediate clearance at all times.
Katie knocked on the door and pressed through, "Excuse me Minister"
Kingsley looked up from the pile of paperwork he was shifting through, "Ms Bell…what can I do for you?"
Katie opened the door further and Harry pressed through with Hermione trailing behind. "Harry my boy!" Kingsley boomed before breaking off at the look on the younger man's face.
Well all I need is the air I breathe
And a place to rest my head
Do you know what your fate is
And are you trying to shake it
You're doing your best and
You're best look
You're praying that you'll make it
Well bless my soul
You're a lonely soul
Cause you won't let go
Of anything you hold
"What is it?" Kingsley said his tone immediately becoming serious.
Hermione remained staring at her feet, so Harry spoke for her. "We need to place Ron Weasley under arrest Kings."
"What why?" Kingsley answer shocked but guarded.
"Because of what he's done to Mione." Harry stated, then coaxed Hermione to look up and meet Kingsley's eyes, effectively revealing the mottled bruising on her cheek, the finger marks around her neck, and when she moved to brush her hair back behind her ear the handprint etched on her wrist.
"Oh my…" Kingsley gasped, before reaching across the desk to attempt to comfort the young witch he had always held in great regard, only for her to shy away from his touch.
"I also need to lodge a complaint with Weasley, Minister. He caused a disturbance in the auror office minutes ago and attempted to attack Hermione while she was in protective custody, in the process wounding Harry." Katie stated formally.
"I assume you have him in custody." Kingsley asked, receiving and answering nod from Katie.
"With guards if Mullins has done his job right."
Kingsley nodded, "Smart move, if he's volatile enough to attack someone in the ministry he should be kept under guard. Arthur and Molly will need to be informed that he's being kept here." He sent off a quick memo to Arthur's office asking for a meeting immediately, before continuing, "I assume that you've brought the evidence up with you."
Katie nodded and placed the pensieve on Kingsley's desk, "this contains Hermione's memories of the events prompting her to come in today, I have placed the standard truth and tampering spells on it. Harry and I are also available to add other memories to the file, not just from the altercation but family dinners and our interactions with Hermione since their marriage. I would prefer if Hermione was allowed to abstain from a secondary viewing."
"Of course, of course, I'll have Joan bring in some soothing tea while I view them." Kingsley responded solemnly, bracing himself for what he was about to view.
Well all I need is the air I breathe
And a place to rest my head
Said all I need is the air I breathe
And a place to rest my head
Do you think you can find it
Do you think you can find it
Do you think you can find it
Better than you have it
As Kingsley viewed the memories, Hermione forced down some tea and picked at her deeply bitten nails. The tea did have a soothing effect, figuring that it had been liberally dosed with a calming drought. Harry watched her carefully sipping at his own tea and fighting feelings of failure. Katie simply began the paperwork to process the case and formally charge Ron with domestic assault and battery.
Minutes later Kingsley emerged from the pensieve casting a stricken look across his desk at Hermione, "Hermione…you are stronger than I think any of us realized. I would like to commend you on coming forward, I know it could not have been easy, and although I know that the road we face now is a difficult one, I can promise you that I will do all in my power to see justice served."
Do you think you can find it
Do you think you can find it
Do you think you can find it
Better than you have it
Better than you have it
Said all I need is the air I breathe
And a place to rest my head
Kingsley's fire place went off just then as Arthur Weasley entered the office, "You requested a meeting with…Harry? Hermione? What are you doing here? And what has happened to your face dear girl?"
"Hello Arthur, they're here for the same reason as you. Ron has been taken into custody on charges of domestic assault and battery. He is the reason for the bruises marring Hermione's skin." Kingsley responded seriously, noticing that neither Harry nor Hermione seemed willing to address their father in law.
"Molly mentioned something about Ron coming by the house in a rage last night, but I was out on a raid and missed most of it. We were to talk about it later this afternoon…I assume you left him." Arthur responded plainly.
"With good reason," Harry spat.
"Of course Harry. I don't blame Hermione in the slightest…" Arthur responded calmly.
"You…you don't?" Hermione spoke quietly.
Said all I need is the air I breathe
And a place to rest my head
Do you know where the end is
Do you think you can see it
Until you get there
Go on
Go ahead and scream it
Just say…
"Of course not." Arthur crossed the room to stand beside Hermione's chair. "Ronald has always had a bit of a temper. I've tried to work on it with him, but Molly has always coddled him. If you say that he's become that kind of person I will believe you. And clearly these three are behind you 100 percent. You've never once lied to me Hermione, why on earth would you start now."
Hermione hurled herself out of the chair and into Arthur's arms, hugging him for all he was worth, "thank you." She breathed.
"Don't thank me yet…we still have to deal with Molly." He answered pulling her close and offering her whatever comfort he could.
A/N: Song is Say (all I need) by one republic
