When Hermione woke the next morning she was at first slightly bemused to find the hospital wing ceiling above her rather than the canopy of her four-poster. Unfortunately the memories of the previous day came flooding back all too soon, along with the aches and pains. Carefully she catalogued her remaining injuries… her stomach was still tender from the kick, and her legs felt oddly achey. 'That would be from wrenching my thigh muscles when I struggled away from Ron trying to…' Her thoughts skittered away and she determinedly didn't think about finishing that sentence. Touching her face she was relieved to discover her cheek and lip felt normal again - bruise healing salve having done an excellent job of healing her. All in all, she felt better than she expected, but still very sore. He had never hurt her so badly before.

She hissed as she hauled herself to the edge of the bed with the intention of visiting the toilet, as the depth of the bruise on her stomach made itself known. It took some determination to stand up and start walking but she knew that delaying it would only put more pressure on her bladder, which was in itself a significant discomfort at that time.

Ablutions complete, she shuffled back to her bed and sank into the soft mattress gratefully. It appeared to still be early as the usual morning sounds of a castle full of students were not yet evident. Nor was their any sign of the mediwitch, which was a surprise.

Just as Hermione was debating whether to get up again and go look for her a shimmering bear patronus stopped in front of her and spoke with the Matron's voice.

"The wards tell me you are up, dear. I've been called to the Ravenclaw dorms for an emergency with a first-year but I'll be back shortly. The infirmary doors are spelled to allow only staff to enter so you won't be disturbed. Call a house elf for tea and some breakfast if you feel up to it. Just don't leave the infirmary until I've discharged you please." Message delivered, the silvered creature gave her a business-like nod then ambled towards the door on its four paws until it dissolved away.

Hermione was actually rather relieved to have some time alone to think. She knew that the day ahead was going to be long and difficult and she would have to make a lot of decisions she'd been putting off. 'First things first,' she thought, and called the house elf assigned to the hospital wing and requested tea. In an instant the elf was back with a never-ending teapot and a plate of digestive biscuits, along with a pretty teacup and saucer. She had no idea where the cup and saucer had come from as the students usually got serviceable white mugs. She smiled at the elf and offered a sincere thank you as it bowed then disappeared, touched by the kind gesture.

Tea attained, Hermione sat against the headboard of the bed and stared into space, deep in thought. After draining her cup and nibbling one of the biscuits she decided the best way forward would be to make a list. Her thoughts were swirling around all over the place and she knew she wasn't getting anywhere in making a decision.

Pulling her wand out from under her pillow she conjured parchment and quill, feeling almost immediately better. Just the sight of them made her feel like she was making strides forward and away from the indecision that had stalled her for what felt like months.

Her list was short:

1. Decide what to do about Ron

2. How (and what) to tell Harry

'Put like that it seems so easy' she thought wryly as she looked at the empty parchment. Still, she had done some research (she was, after all, Hermione Granger) and with a determined look of purpose she set to work. It didn't take long before the blank space under Ron's name was filled with ideas and suggestions for when the Headmistress would undoubtedly call on her to give her side of the previous night. The space under her second task remained distressingly empty, but she told herself to take it one step at a time. Jotting down one last point she sat back with a contented sigh to read it through with another cup of tea.

-o0o-

Madam Pomfrey came back to the ward to find Hermione still busy writing with a frown on her face. From across the room the matron quietly observed her charge and was relieved to see that despite her injuries she looked better than she had done in weeks. There was a slight flush to her cheeks and she had lost the pinched, worried look that had plagued her since the beginning of the year.

She hoped devoutly that it meant Miss Granger had seen sense when it came to Ron Weasley.

-o0o-

The Mediwitch completed her morning checks on the girl and, after she'd showered and dressed in a fresh uniform, they had a light breakfast together. By then it was nearly breakfast time in the Great Hall.

"Miss Granger, the Headmistress told me that when you were well enough to leave, you were to floo to her office. Do you think you are up to going now?" Asked Poppy.

Hermione mentally checked herself over. The matron had provided another pain relief potion and she was feeling the effect, which was a relief. "Yes, I don't think I'm going to feel any better, thank you Madam," she replied, "At least, not today at any rate."

"Well then, let's get this over with," Poppy encouraged, helping her to gather her papers and wand before they both walked over to the fireplace.

After a quick discussion between the Mediwitch and the Headmistress, Hermione was ushered through the flames and into the Head's office where a stern looking McGonagall was seated behind her desk. Hermione stood in the middle of the room awkwardly, unsure of what to do next. She was put off-balance by the glare coming her way - Professor McGonagall had never looked at her like that before.

Just as she was about to crack and say something, the Headmistress made a disapproving "Hmmm" then waved Hermione to a comfortable chair across from the desk.

"Miss Granger, I trust you know why you are here this morning?"

Hermione nodded, sure that if she spoke all that would come out would be a unintelligible squeak.

"Firstly, I should tell you that Mr Weasley has been confined to his room in the Gryffindor Tower and charmed to prevent him communicating with anyone for the time being. I hope that sets your mind at rest somewhat."

To Hermione's surprise, she felt like a large weight had been lifted at that information. She had tried to push to the back of her mind her worries on Ron's ability to spread gossip, but it had been there festering away and worming its way ominously through her thoughts. She nodded again.

"Secondly, I've called you here now because we have a decision to make on Mr Weasley. I say we because as his victim, you have a right to be involved in the process. However," she fixed Hermione with another stern glare, "Don't even think about suggesting we forget about this or anything else as inane. This had gone on for far too long and Mr Weasley will be getting the punishment he deserves. However, it is ultimately your decision on whether it is dealt with internally or if we call in the Aurors. Being blunt, if you chose to press charges it is likely he will be charged with assault and be sentenced to Azkaban."

Hermione knew it was time to put forward her proposal. "I've had some thoughts on this, Headmistress. I don't know how feasible it would be, but this is what I'd like to happen…" and she pushed forward her notes for the Headmistress to read.

Hermione sat back in her chair and tried very hard not to fidget nervously while McGonagall read, and then started making notes herself on a separate piece of parchment.

"Yes, Miss Granger," she replied absently, still looking at the notes she was making, "Your ideas are sound. I'll just need to check with a couple of people around the practicalities, but I understand the gist of what you are trying to do." At this Minerva looked up at the girl, and allowed her approval to warm her eyes and her voice, "I must say, your approach is more than fair. I doubt Mr Weasley will understand for some time what a friend he had in you. Well done, my dear, I'm proud of you."

After that things happened very quickly with the Headmistress making several rapid floo-calls before summoning Professor Trelawney as Gryffindor Head of House to collect Ron and bring him to her office. To Hermione's surprise, Professor Snape was also summoned and stood silently at the back of the room as they all waited for Trelawney and Ron to return.

-o0o-

Professor Trelawney entered the Head's office again first, followed by a glowering Ron. Hermione instinctively flinched and shrank back in her chair. She had been offered the chance to leave before he arrived, but she wanted to be sure he understood every aspect of her request, and was willing to abide by it.

"Mr Weasley, take a seat," the Headmistress said sternly, indicating towards a hard wooden chair in front of her desk. It's position meant everyone in the room could see him but only McGonagall was in his line of sight.

He opened his mouth as if to object, then seemed to think twice, and slunk over to the chair silently.

"We all know why we are here so let's get on with it." McGonagall continued in a brisk, business-like tone, looking down at the papers on her desk. Moving a sheet to the top of the pile, she looked up and directly at Ron, whose expression was rapidly changing from righteous indignation to genuine concern as he realised how serious everyone around him were being.

"Miss Granger was assaulted last night, by you. It wasn't the first time you have caused her bodily harm, and there is documented evidence to prove this. This is not up for debate. You will not protest this - we all know it is true. She is well within her rights to report you to the Aurors and have the Wizengamot decide your sentence."

Ron paled visibly.

"However," she continued, "She has requested that this be dealt with in-house, with specific conditions. If you fail to agree to these conditions, the Aurors will be called. If you break them, or the spirit of them, the Aurors will be called. If you are found to be exhibiting similar behaviour with someone else, the Aurors will be called. This is your very last chance. Do I make myself clear?"

Ron squirmed in his chair before muttering, "Yes Headmistress" quietly.

"Good. The conditions you will be expected to meet are;

"You are to perform a wand oath to the effect that you will not mention in any way shape or form the situation between yourself and Miss Granger. You will not insinuate anything, or imply, or hint, that anything is outside of the normal. You will avoid Miss Granger for the rest of the term where possible, and where this isn't possible you will be respectful and polite. If anyone notices and comments you will tell them nothing is wrong and that you are both busy studying for your NEWTs at this time."

Hermione looked across at Ron. His face, as always, showed every emotion he was experiencing. At present he looked sullen and obstinate. Hermione was glad she had thought to include this clause. There might not be many weeks left of the year but she didn't want to have to face a barrage of gossip from the school.

"Are you agreed?" Professor McGonagall prompted, and Ron nodded. "Good. Secondly, you are to attend anger management lessons. I have spoken to Kingsley and he will arrange for you to attend sessions run with the Aurors at the Ministry. This has been explained as a post-war issue that you need help with. You will not be alone - it is a common problem for those who work on the front-line."

Hermione could see realisation dawning for Ron. She wasn't sending him to prison, or having him arrested. She was going to enable him to finish school and get a good job still. There would be no assault charge to stop him fulfilling his dream of becoming an Auror. But there would be consequences, and this was her third demand. She looked back at the Headmistress, who was about to explain it.

"Miss Granger's third requirement is that you provide restitution. She does not require it for herself, but that you do some good in the wider community. From now until the end of the year you will be spending your Saturdays volunteering at a shelter in Edinburgh for women who have been victims of domestic abuse. It is a muggle institution so you will have to manage without your magic while you are there. You are to spend your time as directed by the staff, but I want you to talk to the women and children living there, and find out how they ended up in such a position. I will be personally supervising your visits and will remain in close contact with the centre manager and I expect a glowing report on your behaviour."

Hermione could see Ron was confused. He didn't understand what Hermione wanted from this yet, but it would come. She knew that Ron had always had a big heart. He might have lost his way with her and become an abuser, but she didn't think he was irredeemable. She thought with a combination of therapy and confrontation of the personal impacts of his behaviour, he stood a good chance of changing his ways. The domestic abuse centre was as close to restorative justice as Hermione could get.

After ensuring that Ron had no questions, and after he performed the wand oath not to tell anyone, both he and Miss Granger were escorted from the office by Sybill Trelawney.

Minerva looked up at Severus, who was still standing at the back of the room, although now his expression was thoughtful.

"What do you think, Severus?"

"Miss Granger thought all of that up?" He queried.

"Yes… I believe she did some research on Muggle community service which is where she got the Shelter idea from."

"She is to be commended. She has treated him with far more consideration than he deserves. I can only hope he does indeed learn from this and lives up to her expectations."

Minerva nodded. "She said that enough lives have been ruined by the war and that he deserved better than to languish in a cell in Azkaban. She is right, of course. I'm glad she took this course of action. There are risks, as there always are, but I'm reassured that through the Order we will be able to continue to monitor him after he leaves here. A quiet word in Arthur's ear too, and I think the danger to anyone else is minimal. His chance of rehabilitation in Azkaban would be nil, as you know.

"Will you continue to look out for Miss Granger, Severus?" She asked, "I fear that despite our best efforts to keep this between ourselves, she is going to end up rather isolated for the rest of the term. I know she intends to tell Harry as he is bound to notice something is wrong if they are no longer speaking, but she doesn't want the others to know."

He nodded thoughtfully, "Yes… I'll increase our lab sessions under the pretext of NEWTs revision. That will give her a place to go without the hoards of Gryffindors."

"Thank you," she smiled at him gratefully, "With that and his time out of the castle either at the Ministry or in Edinburgh, their interactions outside of lessons will be minimal."

Severus made his way to the door, the discussion over. He stopped just before walking through it to ask one last question, "Do you think he will change? Honestly?"

"I hope so," the Headmistress replied wearily, "We call ill afford to lose any more of his generation to darkness and war."

He closed her office door and made his way down the stairs. Miss Granger hadn't surprised him with her compassion, but he thought her concept of making the punishment fit the crime was inspired. 'Such a clever girl,' he thought admiringly, 'Weasley doesn't deserve her thoughtfulness, but I'm glad for her sake she's taken this route. I'd have hated to have seen her name besmirched in the Prophet if this had gone to trial. They feast like vultures on information on the Golden Trio as it is. No, her approach is to be admired. It's positively Slytherin… for a Gryffindor.'

And with that pleasant thought he strode off towards his classroom, deducting points from students loitering in the halls as he went.