A/N: This was a tough chapter for me to write, but I hope it will shed some light on many things. Again, thank you to MrsRen for being my awesome Alpha/Beta. WARNING: This chapter contains mentions of abuse and miscarriage. You have been forewarned. Carry on.
The re-opening of Flourish and Blotts had been a rousing success, if how busy Hermione had been for the last month was any indication. It wasn't unusual for her to arrive home at almost ten each night, but Harry always had dinner waiting for her. Their friendship had blossomed into something more, but neither were quite sure what it was yet. When Hermione finally had a day where she could breathe, she took the opportunity to owl Pansy and ask to meet for lunch in Diagon Alley the next Saturday at the same café they had met months earlier.
Saturday proved to be sunny for once, and Hermione was thrilled. Living in London had its perks, but as long as she had lived in London, she still despised so much gloomy weather. She was looking forward to meeting with Pansy. She dressed quickly and hastily dropped a kiss on Harry's cheek before Apparating to the café.
"Witch! You're late!" Pansy sneered playfully.
"Merlin, Pansy, Draco really is rubbing off on you," Hermione crowed as she joined her at a secluded table near the back of the café.
Pansy blushed furiously, but didn't contradict the statement. They ordered their usual scones and tea, but Hermione added a few sandwiches to her order.
"You must be hungry, Granger," Pansy smirked.
"Well, I've been knackered with the book-shop and haven't had much time to eat. But Harry has been so sweet. He's had dinner waiting for me each night, and on some longer nights, even a bath drawn for me. He's spoiling me rotten, Pans," she admitted shyly, cheeks tinged pink.
"Well good! You deserve it after all the bullshite you've had to deal with. Harry's a great wizard with an even greater arse," she teased, waggling her eyebrows.
"Oh, sweet Circe, Pansy Malfoy," Hermione groaned, shaking her head.
"Hey, just because I'm married doesn't mean I can't appreciate a piece of fine male anatomy, secondary to my husband's," she defended.
Their order arrived shortly thereafter and each witch tore into their food, light chatter breaking the occasional silence. Once finished, Pansy eyed her up and down carefully.
"You're looking well, Hermione. Truly. Whatever Harry is doing for you, keep letting him. You need it, and him, I think," she observed.
Hermione blushed again, but smiled warmly at the witch across from her. "Thank you, Pansy. That means so much," she said. ""I didn't think it was possible for me to be so happy again, especially in such a short time. Honestly, I could see myself with him ten years down the road, but I'm also terrified at the same time that R..Ron… will always plague me and try to ruin any happiness I work for," she sighed, mumbling the last bit.
Pansy reached across and placed a hand on the other witch's hand lightly. "I have no doubt that Harry would protect you from that red-headed Weasel," she stated firmly.
Hermione smiled gratefully at the dark haired witch.
"Thank you, Pans," she whispered, squeezing her hand.
Hermione arrived home before Harry that evening. She kicked her trainers off at the spot by the door designated for shoes, stretching her arms over her head as she peered around the open space. Harry was nowhere to be seen, which was out of the norm. Even with the unpredictable career as an Auror, he always seemed to be home in time to meet her.
She was surprised by how much she didn't like it. She tried to push it to the back of her mind, but a niggling feeling clung tightly as she made her way to change into something more comfortable. Once changed, she padded back into the lounge.
"Hermione!" Harry bellowed as he kicked his boots off noisily. It didn't sound like Harry. It sounded like him and her heartbeat was loud in her ears before she could talk herself down.
Peeking around the door, her fingers turning a stark white against the trim, Hermione saw his face flushed with anger. Had she done something? She bit the inside of her cheek hard, hard enough to draw blood.
A weak noise left her and she took two quick steps backward. Get away, get away, she thought frantically. Hermione thought to lock the door, pushing it closed with a loud thud and turning the lock into place. Hiding in the far corner of the bedroom, Hermione slid down the wall, bringing her knees to her chest.
Her fingers trembled, and she had little doubt her face was completely drained of colour. When heavy footfalls neared the room, Hermione burst into tears.
"Hermione," Harry called softly, and she assumed he had heard her outburst. "Hermione, it's just me. I'm sorry I yelled," he cajoled. "I'm not angry with you, love. I had a bad day at the Ministry," he trailed off, placing his hand on the door and silently unlocking it.
He allowed it to open slowly, slowly crossing the threshold, eyes searching for her.
Only her whimpers alerted him to her location in the dark bedroom.
"Please don't hurt me," she pleaded, trying to scoot further into the wall, but found herself as far back as she could go. Trapped, trapped, her mind screamed.
"Darling, it's Harry," his deep baritone broke through the darkness. "It's alright," he murmured, finally finding her and kneeling down in front of her. He lightly touched her foot, making her flinch and whimper in fear. Pain crossed his features, hating that the witch was afraid of him.
"Damn you, Ron," Harry growled, his voice so low that she barely caught it.
He kept his touch light, slowly working up to caress her face. On the final try, she didn't flinch so he took a chance, pulling her into his arms.
She recognised his scent, collapsing against him the moment he had a firm hold on her. He stretched out on the floor with her held firmly against him, letting her cry.
"You're safe, 'Mione. I'm here. I'm sorry I scared you. I'm so sorry," he whispered, rubbing her back slowly. She hiccuped a few times, sobs eventually quieting.
"Merlin, I didn't realise how affected you still were, love. I'm so sorry," he said quietly. "You can still do something though, Hermione," he stated as he sat up, pulling her with him and settling against the side of the bed frame.
"What-What can I do?" she asked, sniffling as she clutched his shirt tightly.
Harry held her close, passing his hand up and down her spine. "Can I ask you something?" he murmured.
"Su-Sure, Harry," she sniffled.
"Do you want him to be punished for how he's hurt you?"
A silence followed his question, broken only by her quiet sniffles, but then she nodded against him.
"Okay then. File charges against him. Go before the Wizengamot. Get Pansy, Draco, me, even some of the other medi-witches to testify," he stated firmly.
"Alright," she whispered, nuzzling his cheek. "Thank you, Harry. I mean that," she whispered again.
"Anything for you, 'Mione. I mean that," he said, rubbing her back.
Hermione held her head high as she exited the Ministry floo the next morning and made her way toward the lifts. She was prepared, for Harry had stayed up late with her the previous night to make sure the paperwork was in order. She quickly strode across the floor, ignoring the whispers and stares and entered the lift, shortly followed in by one Luna Lovegood.
"Hello Hermione," the tow-headed witch greeted dreamily. Hermione nodded at her, a bit aghast that someone would even take the time to speak to her.
"H-Hello Luna," she replied nervously.
"The wrackspurts are out in full force today, Hermione. Here, this cork necklace should help," Luna said as she handed over a necklace.
The brunette witch took it and looped it around her neck, tucking it inside her blouse for safe keeping. "Thank you, Luna. Truly," she said
"You're quite welcome. I'm also sorry about Ron and the babies. If you're in need of someone to talk to, I am always willing to listen," she smiled as the lift dinged and she got off.
Hermione was left with her thoughts until she reached the second level and the lift opened to reveal Harry's smiling face.
"Hi 'Mione," he greeted gently, pressing a kiss to her temple. "I promised I'd be here when you filed and I intend to keep good on my promises."
At his words, she exhaled in relief and allowed him to guide her to Gawain Robards' office, Head Auror.
"Everything looks to be in order," Robards stated as he closed the thick file in the center of his desk. He removed the half-moon spectacles and folded them, tucking them in his pocket.
Hermione glanced at Harry nervously, but he just squeezed her hand wordlessly.
"Miss Granger, I am terribly sorry this has happened to you. Thankfully, the Wizengamot has adjusted their system as to how they try domestic abuse cases and please let me personally assure you that Mr Weasley will be tried properly. If this had been ten years ago, you would have been the one thrown in Azkaban and he'd have been the one hailed a hero," the gray haired man groused.
The witch nodded, eyes wide at his spiel. "Th...thank you, Mr Robards," she managed.
"The hearing will take place a week from tomorrow, if that's alright with you, Miss Granger?" he inquired carefully. "A solicitor is not necessary but if you feel more at ease with one, then you may bring one."
Hermione nodded at him, still in a daze from the day's proceedings.
"Thank you, Robards," Harry said, helping Hermione stand a few moments later.
"It was nothing, Potter," the older wizard said gruffly, stretching his hand to shake Harry's outstretched one.
Harry then guided the dazed witch out of the office and to the lifts. The moment they left, Robards called Malfoy into his office, giving him strict orders to apprehend Ronald Weasley and lock him in a holding cell until the hearing.
Hermione grasped Harry's hand tightly and kept her arm looped through Luna's, who had been wonderfully supportive since they reconnected, as they made their way to the designated courtroom the next Thursday. She was a ball of nerves and had even thrown up earlier that morning. As they approached the courtroom, Draco and Pansy, Neville, and Susan Bones, along with a few other Healers from St Mungos stood in a loose circle beside a large pillar, waiting for her near the doors. Pansy strode over and engulfed her in a tight hug, followed by more hugs from the Healers and finally Susan.
Before they entered, Hermione looked back at the posse trailing behind her, giving them tight smiles. Harry kissed the top of her head, whispering in her ear words of encouragement as he led her into the room. Harry's parents were already inside, giving Hermione encouraging smiles from their reserved seats behind the defense table.
Hermione nervously smiled back at them before taking her place at the table beside her no-nonsense solicitor, Elisabeth Fletcher. Harry had hired her, insisting upon a decent one and refused to let her pay for any of it. Pansy, Draco, and the rest of her "friends" filed in and took their seats behind James and Lily just before the proceedings began.
"Everyone please rise," the security wizard called out, his loud voice booming across the room.
Everyone in the room stood as Ron was brought in, magically bound by two burly Aurors. The scowl on his face deepened when he saw Harry standing beside Hermione, but the witch was not looking at him, instead choosing to focus elsewhere, before the fear gripping her throat choked her. The people remained standing as the members of the Wizengamot filed in, all six of them. Since it was a lower-court hearing, only six were required to be present. Once they were seated, the security wizard motioned for everyone to be seated and the proceedings begin.
The Head of the Wizengamot looked across the bar at Hermione with a warm smile as he motioned for her to approach. She stood on shaky legs but strode confidently across the floor and was directed to a seat on the side of the bar. He turned to her and begin asking the questions.
"Miss Granger, thank you for being brave enough to testify and bring an end to this," the man spoke warmly. "How many times per month did Mister Weasley abuse you?" he asked, peering at her.
"Depending on his mood, it may have been as few as three or as many as twelve," she answered in a clear voice.
Murmurs and quiet gasps of horror filled the silent room, causing the security wizard to issue a one minute Silencio on those in the gallery.
She looked across the gallery, noting for the first time that the Weasley family were seated behind where Ron was bound in a chair, Molly and Ginny fixing her with nasty stares while Arthur's face was one of sympathy. The twins seemed indifferent, but they weren't giving her looks of hatred, thankfully. The Head Wizengamot's next question snapped her out of her thoughts.
"How many babies did you lose as a result of his abuse, Miss Granger? I know this is a difficult question to answer but I assure you it's for a good reason," he stated.
"Th-three, sir," she stammered, dread and angst rising in her chest. She hurriedly fixed her gaze on Harry who gave her a comforting nod which enabled her to keep going.
"I lost three babies, and in the end, it was I who was blamed and as a result, he divorced me due to the marriage contract that had been drawn up before we were married," she concluded, a surge of confidence rushing through her. When finished, she looked up at the other five members of the Wizengamot, seeing a mix of sympathetic looks and frowns, each one busily scratching out notes.
"Thank you, Miss Granger, you may return to your seat," the elder Wizard said kindly. She nodded, following his directions and returned to her seat.
The next two of testimonies hours flew by in a blur and soon they were calling a recess for the midday meal.
As before, those in the gallery stood as the members of the Wizengamot exited and Ron was escorted back to the holding cell, the scowl never leaving his face. Jessica ushered Harry and Hermione into a meeting room just off the court where a long table flanked by matching chairs were situated in the middle of the room, laden with sandwiches and bottles of butterbeer and bags of crisps. The group of staunch Hermione supporters soon filed in and everyone helped themselves to the food that had been brought in for lunch.
Pansy approached Hermione, a warm smile on her face. "It's going well, I think," she said to the brunette witch.
"It is, but I hate having to rehash this," Hermione said miserably. As she said that, Harry came up beside her and wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"Thank you, Pansy, for testifying," he said, rubbing his hand down Hermione's back to calm her nerves. "This is just the beginning, I'm afraid," he murmured.
The proceedings picked up again after lunch, this time Harry being called to answer questions.
"Good afternoon, Mister Potter," the elder Wizengamot said as the raven-haired wizard took the designated seat.
"Good afternoon, sir," he replied.
"How did you come to Miss Granger's aid?" he asked.
Harry straightened in the seat as he began retelling the events of the last several months. "Hermione knocked on my door approximately seven months ago, and I took her in because she was homeless. The law that they were married under stated she must bear him a child or he had the right to divorce her and that is what happened. He had abused her which I was not aware of because he prevented me from having any form of contact with her. In fact, the last time I saw her or spoke to her was approximately six months after their wedding. When she entered my flat, I could see that she was emaciated and had dark circles under her eyes, presumably from lack of sleep. She carried every worldly possession in her bag. It took months for her to finally tell me what happened and I must admit when she finally admitted what happened, I was furious," he growled, shifting in his chair.
Wizen Boyle cleared his throat as Harry finished his testimony. "Thank you, that will be all. You may return to your seat."
Harry stepped down, Hermione watching as he shot an angry look at the female Weasleys, then at Ron.
Hermione's leg bounced nervously as she awaited the Wizengamot members to finish discussing and deliberating. Harry noticed and reached over, grasping her hand and kissing her knuckles.
After what seemed an eternity, Wizen Boyle cleared his throat and peered over his glasses at Ron, who was still magically bound in the chair.
"Ronald Weasley, rise," he boomed. The red-head followed his command, shuffling to his feet unsteadily.
A ruffling of papers was heard, then Boyle cleared his throat.
"For the crimes of spousal abuse against Hermione Jean Granger, you are hereby sentenced to two years in Azkaban. In addition to this, you are to serve one hundred hours of community service once released from Azkaban."
An indignant huff came from Molly, and Boyle glared over at her, daring her to say anything, then continued.
"Furthermore you are forbidden from approaching Miss Granger in any manner." He paused, glancing up at the Weasley family, seeing the scowling faces of the female Weasleys. "This includes, but is not limited to contact through the extension of your family, Mister Weasley.
If you violate any of these terms you will be permanently sentenced to Azkaban, or have your wand snapped and your magic revoked."
A loud gong chimed, signalling the end of the hearing. Everyone stood to allow the Wizengamot members to exit, followed by Weasley being escorted out, causing Hermione and everyone on the defense team to sigh in relief. It was finally over.
