A/N: Sorry for the delay. It's been busy with my family moving and work... anyway here is the chapter! And thanks for the reviews. DISCLAIMER: Only the plot.
Chapter Eleven
Still day Ninety-oneHermione glanced at Draco as they walked along the edge of the camp to the log. They always wound up at the log. It was like their spot, weirdly enough. It made them look as if they were a couple that met up at a personal location, which they clearly weren't! Hermione just knew Draco needed to escape the confines of the tent for a while and she could understand that.
"Something bugging you?" asked Hermione glancing over at the forest as another explosions sounded. She was itching to go join the fight.
"Just thinking of something you said last night," replied Draco settling himself on the log, "When's the hearing?"
"After lunch. So what are you thinking about?"
"Could I truly face my father on the battle field if the time ever came?" said Draco with Hermione watching him closely, "Could I duel him? Kill him? Would I run or stand there shitting myself?"
"I see."
Draco gave a sigh and looked at Hermione, "You are lucky to have parents not involved in the war. I mean I know you don't get to see them but… you know, least you know they are away from all of this."
"I guess so."
"So tomorrow is the nineteenth, huh?"
Hermione smiled, "The eighteenth birthday. Wow, how thrilling."
"Great spirit you got there."
Hermione chuckled, "Over whelming, isn't it? No… it's really just another day overall. I'm just a year older, that's all."
"But it's your birthday."
"I know that. I do have a calendar like everybody else. But how can I possibly celebrate it when people will return from battle wounded or possibly dead?" asked Hermione looking at Draco seriously, "I mean yeah, I guess we can kind of celebrate with the last Horcrux destroyed last night… but I just can't."
"I guess I understand that."
"No one else does."
"No I think they do. They just want a chance to escape the reality and celebrate a birthday the normal way."
Hermione sighed and smiled at Draco causing him to look at her in confusion, "You are a lot smarter then you look, you know?"
Draco actually smiled at her and shrugged, "What can I say? Ruggedly handsome, mature and smart… I am the whole package."
Hermione laughed out loud as he flexed one his arms showing the muscles. She shook her head and let out a deep breath calming down.
"Yeah, don't let your ego inflate too much will you? We'll never be able to fit your head into the tent at this rate."
Draco gave her a slight shove and Hermione just smiled. Glancing at her watch she saw they had to get to lunch before the all-important trial. She was yet to wrangle one for Pansy but would do so as soon as she possibly could. She knew Draco cared for the young Slytherin in the friendship kind of way. Then there was Flint and Montgomery. Hermione knew she would eventually have to tell absolutely everyone that they were responsible for raping her. So far only Draco, Ginny and Blaise knew. Hermione wasn't game to tell Harry and Ron knowing that they would attempt to murder the two Death Eaters.
In the centre tent everyone had arrived for an early lunch. Hermione and Draco managed to get two seats across from Harry and Ron. Ron ignored the two with Harry greeting Hermione pleasantly and nodding to Draco half-heartedly.
"So… do you think they will get Snape with the Veritaserum?" Hermione asked conversationally to no one in particular.
"We can only hope," replied Harry after a moments silence, "There are ways around it right?"
"Yeah. They can declare innocence or seal their throats. But the person needs their wand to seal their throat and I think you have to be innocent to really declare innocence."
"Well one way or another the truth will come from Snape's foul mouth," said Harry glaring down at his mashed potatoes as though they were the image or Snape's face, "He is on high security watch. Hagrid is standing guard at the moment with Moody and Mr Weasley."
"I think that is the sole reason why Hagrid came back here," said Hermione, "To make sure Snape paid for murdering Dumbledore."
"He will pay. They can extract my memory if they need proof."
"Everyone knows he did it Harry. Why else would he have fled Hogwarts?"
"Because he is a git," spoke up Ron bitterly.
Hermione gave a sigh and looked at him, "Say what you really want to say Ron."
"He could have fled to protect Malfoy."
Harry, Hermione, and Draco looked at Ron frowning at him in disbelief.
"You really are a bitter person, Ronald," snapped Hermione, "Harry saw Snape kill him. And if you are saying that it was Malfoy then you clearly don't believe Harry."
"I know Harry saw Snape kill Dumbledore! But Snape could also have fled the school for other reasons!"
"What other possible reasons could it be? I think murdering someone is a pretty big reason to flee!"
Ron was silent proving he could think of no other reasons. Both Hermione and Ron glared at each other a little longer before looking down at their meals in silence.
"Anyway," said Harry after a few minutes as he glanced between his two warring best friends, "I heard you are leading a group to get the people from the Australian Order at the end of this month?"
Hermione nodded, "I'll need to replace McLaggen though. I highly doubt he will be ready, let alone stable enough to go."
"Well I'll go," said Harry.
Hermione nodded, "I was hoping you'd offer seeing as you know the muggle world as well as I do and you are a top flyer."
Harry grinned, "Gee Hermione, full of compliments today, huh?"
Hermione chuckled and finished her meal. At the end she left with Draco. The sky was filling with dark clouds signalling a storm was slowly building up.
"Do you want to see Pansy?"
Draco shook his head and focused on the ground as they walked back to their tent to wait for the start of the trial. Hermione looked at Draco frowning a little. He had normally been rather talkative around her whenever they were alone together.
"You aren't letting what Ron said get to you, are you?" asked Hermione curiously, "He was just being a prat."
"I know. What if Snape says something to get me locked up again?"
Hermione frowned, "Have you done anything that could possibly get you locked up?"
"I don't think so. Everything I did last year was because I was forced too. I hated attempting to find ways to kill Dumbledore. I did it half heartedly."
Hermione nodded, "I'm sure things will turn out fine."
Draco shrugged, "I guess we can only hope that really is the case."
--
Everyone stood silently watching Peter Pettigrew be led in. Hermione placed a hand on Harry's shoulder as he tensed up beside her. Draco and Blaise were silent on Hermione's other side, with Ginny at the end of the row. Ron was sitting with his brother's, wanting to keep a clear distance between himself and Hermione.
Everyone sat as Wormtail was chained to his seat and the truth potion forced down his mouth.
"Name?" barked McGonagall coldly.
"Peter Pettigrew," came his monotone reply, though he could be heard wheezing from where Hermione was sitting.
"Did you attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"
"Yes."
"What house were you in?"
"Gryffindor."
"He didn't belong there," hissed Harry to Hermione.
"Who were you friends with?"
"James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Lily Evans."
"Then why," came McGonagall's voice growing colder by the second, "Did you turn over James and Lily Potter to Voldemort?"
Despite being under the influence of the truth serum, Wormtail visibly flinched. Harry was visibly tense and Hermione held onto his hand reassuringly.
"I-I couldn't say no to the Dark Lord! He is powerful! If I didn't he would have killed me!"
"Many other people would have died before turning over their friends! However you didn't! Did you fake your own death, in turn killing innocent muggles?"
"Yes!"
"Did you know Sirius Black was blamed for the horrendous act?"
"Yes!"
"Did you return to the Dark Lord, thirteen years later, at your own free will?"
"Yes! Yes I did!"
"Did you assist other Death Eaters in murdering a group of innocent muggles one month ago?"
"Yes!"
The questioning continued with Wormtail's wheezing growing worse by the second. Once McGonagall was finished the serum had worn off and Wormtail was whimpering loudly.
"Take him away," ordered McGonagall firmly, "And bring in Severus Snape!"
A loud murmur rippled through the tent as Wormtail was led out. Hermione let go of Harry's hand and looked at Draco.
"Everything will be fine," she said reassuringly, unsure whether she should hold his hand reassuringly or pat him on the arm gently.
"I know… but that doesn't stop me from being nervous or anything," replied Draco.
Everyone suddenly stood and the crowds mumbling steadily grew to angry cries. Hermione grabbed onto Harry's arm tightly as he made a movement to go for Snape.
"Harry – don't. After this is done he will be dealt with," said Hermione firmly.
"How? He can't exactly get the kiss, can he? The Dementor's are working for Voldemort!" shouted Harry angrily.
"Something will be done. Just calm down!"
Everyone started sitting as Snape was bound to the chair. Hermione kept hold of Harry's arm but let go as Ginny stood to move to the spare seat on the other side of Harry. Hermione, like everybody else looked at Snape. He sat on the chair sneering coldly at all in the room. An Auror stepped forward and jammed down the serum down his throat. The sneer vanished as Snape's face became expressionless.
"Your name?"
"Severus Snape."
"To what school did you attend and work at?"
"Hogwarts."
"Have you always been a Death Eater?"
"Yes."
"Even when you declared loyalty to the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Yes."
"Did Albus Dumbledore know this?"
"No."
"Did you murder Albus Dumbledore?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Draco Malfoy was given the order too. His mother came to me begging me to help him when the time came. I entered an Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa Malfoy and I assume you know what happens if you don't complete an Unbreakable Vow."
"So you killed Albus Dumbledore to save your own skin?"
"Yes."
Hermione jumped as Harry stood up, looking livid. Ginny was desperately trying to pull him back to the seat, but Harry shook her off avoiding Hermione, who tried to do the same.
"Did you feel proud murdering Professor Dumbledore?" shouted Harry angrily causing all to look at him in surprise, even McGonagall, "He trusted you! Gave you a second chance and you threw it all away for Voldemort! What did he supposedly offer you? Treasures beyond your wildest dreams? Power? A chance to stand beside him?"
"Harry," whispered Hermione, "Sit down!"
"No!" shouted Harry shooting Hermione an angry look before turning back to Snape, "He is a liar and would never give you that! He would kill you in an instant if you did one wrong thing!"
"The Dark Lord is more powerful then Dumbledore ever was!" shouted Snape, "I am his most trusted servant, and when I am free he will reward me!"
"What? For allowing us to destroy his last Horcrux?"
Snape paled.
"Did you seriously believe we would leave it sitting around whole?" snarled Harry, "Not that smart are you?"
"Mr Potter, that is enough! Either sit down silently or leave!" shouted McGonagall.
Hermione and Ginny both yanked Harry down to his seat but McGonagall merely ordered for Snape to be led away once again so the older Order members could decide on what to do with Wormtail and Snape.
Everyone filed out, except those in charge of the decision-making. Harry stormed off to his tent with Ginny hurrying. Blaise went to follow but Hermione grabbed him by the robe stopping him.
"Don't. Just let Ginny talk with Harry alone," said Hermione, "Come on. We may as well head back to our tent."
Day Ninety-two: Hermione's Birthday"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" cried Ginny as a bleary eyed Hermione exited the bedroom the next morning.
"Huh?" mumbled Hermione running a hand through her knotty hair.
"September the nineteenth? Your birthday? Eighteen!"
Hermione finally nodded and allowed Ginny to hug her.
"You go wake up and I'll get your present," said Ginny happily.
Hermione gave a mumble and flopped down on the lounge, jumping back up as she landed on two legs. Spinning around she saw Draco looking at her half asleep.
"Happy birthday," he mumbled before yawning.
"Thanks. What time is it?"
"Somewhere between seven and eight I assume."
At that moment Harry walked in grinning holding a wrapped gift, "Happy birthday!"
Hermione smiled and gave him a hug before taking the gift. She unwrapped it revealing a book on the history of famous witches.
"Oh wow," said Hermione, her eyes wide as she took in the thick book, "This is brilliant! Thankyou Harry!"
Hermione hugged him again as Ginny emerged with her gift for Hermione. Only she looked at Harry, who looked back at her awkwardly. Hermione glanced between the two before taking the offered gift from Ginny. She opened it revealing a quill set with near white parchment.
"Thanks Gin," said Hermione brightly before placing it with the book, "I'll err… go get dressed. Malfoy you should do the same."
Hermione turned shooting Draco a pointed look telling him to get a move on. Draco stood, doing a mocking salute before heading to his room. Hermione entered her room and dressed into a pair of jeans and a red polo top with red slip on, round toe shoes. She brushed her hair up into a curly ponytail and left her room to see Ginny sitting on the lounge looking rather worried and upset.
"Gin?" said Hermione walked over to her and kneeling down in front of her, "What's wrong?"
"Last night… after I calmed Harry down we started talking and then kissing," said Ginny before taking a deep breath, "Things were getting really… you know, heated. We nearly went the whole way before both of us pulled out of it quickly."
Hermione raised her eyebrows at Ginny in surprise, "Whoa."
"I know! And now things are really awkward between us. I mean… I don't know what he's thinking because he just won't tell me. He left practically straight after you went to get changed!"
"I think Harry is trying to keep you at a certain distance," said Hermione thoughtfully, "He did break up with you for a reason you know?"
Ginny nodded, "Yeah I know. He doesn't want You-Know-Who to use me as bait or anything like that."
"Well, perhaps you should just talk to him. Hear him out and let him hear you out as well."
Ginny gave a slow nod as Draco walked out with Blaise.
"I'll go get dressed," sighed Ginny heading into the bedroom.
"Happy Birthday, Granger," said Blaise.
Hermione smiled and thanked him before her and Draco headed off to breakfast. They walked along silently with a few people calling out happy birthday to Hermione. As they neared the centre tent, Ron came running towards them holding something.
"H-happy Birthday," he said breathlessly holding out the gift.
Hermione smiled and took it, unwrapping it reveal a silver photo frame with a picture of Hermione, Ron, and Harry during the sixth year. Hermione smiled and looked at Ron happily.
"Thanks Ron. It's lovely."
Ron shrugged, "Look… sorry for being an utter git to you."
"It's okay," said Hermione ignoring Draco who had looked away, rolling his eyes.
The three walked to the centre tent where Hermione got even more gifts ranging from more books to silk robes. From her parents she was given an expensive bracelet, clothes, and a letter telling her how much she was loved.
Hermione grinned happily as she lowered the letter and slipped the bracelet on. After breakfast, she led a reluctant Draco to the tent to put away her birthday gear.
"So," she said entering the lounge room like area, "Do you want to see Parkinson today?"
"Sure, why not?" sighed Draco standing up boredly.
"Your enthusiasm overwhelms me," said Hermione sarcastically as they walked out.
"Wonderful."
Hermione gave him an annoyed look but said nothing as they walked slowly to the cell tent. As they entered Flint and Montgomery walked to the cell bars and leered at Hermione. Hermione felt her body both tense with anger and fear. Instinctively she stepped closer to Draco actually holding onto his robe sleeve loosely. Draco looked at her with a slight frown, but Hermione was purposely keeping her eyes focused straight ahead. She finally let go and stood by the wall looking down at her feet as Draco talked softly to Pansy.
Hermione felt eyes on her and looked up meeting the sneering gaze of Severus Snape. Hermione glared at him and looked away.
"I always did think you were the snob of the Gryffindor's," said Snape coldly before looking at Draco, "I give up my life for you and this is how you repay me by teaming up with Potter, the blood traitors and mudbloods?"
Draco turned from Pansy and glared at Snape, "I never asked you to help me!"
"Malfoy," said Hermione grabbing his arm and pulling him away, "Let's just go."
"Oh look at that," came Montgomery's sneering voice, "The Mudblood and Pureblood. In love."
Hermione finally looked at them, shooting them a cold glare. This time Draco grabbed onto her arm, but Hermione whipped out her wand, pointing it at Montgomery.
"Say something else, creep!"
"Teach her how to remove the brand, Malfoy?" asked Flint noticing Hermione's brand free arm.
"Levicorpus!" snapped Hermione.
Draco's eyes widened as Flint flew up into the air, looking as if an invisible Hagrid was holding him up by one ankle.
"Shut your mouths," cried Hermione, "You may think you have beaten me but believe me when I say I will have the last word!"
Hermione waved her wand and Flint dropped to the ground with a hard thump. Turning, Hermione walked out with Draco hurrying along behind her.
"Perfect way to ruin today!" fumed Hermione storming towards the log with Draco trying to keep up with her fast strides, "I let them get to me… I thought I was past it when the nightmares stopped… but no!" Hermione stopped and turned to Draco in tears, "They terrify me! They really… re-really scare me." Hermione placed her hands over her face as her tears started to fall continuously.
Suddenly two arms wrapped around her drawing her into them. Hermione clutched onto their robes tightly as she sobbed helplessly. She hadn't worked past it and knew it would take more then no longer having nightmares to make what happened go away.
Her crying continued on for a good ten minutes before she finally felt calm enough to pull away from the hug. She looked up at Draco who was looking at her with true concern.
"Thanks," mumbled Hermione wiping her face clean, "You didn't have too."
"I hate seeing girls cry," shrugged Draco, "And well, you looked like you could've done with a shoulder to cry on."
Hermione managed a short chuckle before gesturing to his tear dotted shirt, "Sorry about that."
"Ah well. But are you okay?"
Hermione shrugged as she gave a sniffle, "I don't know. I just… I can't believe I let them get to me like that."
"What was that spell you did on Flint?" asked Draco as they continued on their way to the log.
"Something Harry found in a book. I've never actually used it before. But well, it did make Flint pee his pants."
"He did what?"
Hermione nodded actually laughing, "I noticed as I dropped him. He had an actual wet patch appearing on his underwear."
Draco laughed and surprising Hermione slung an arm around her shoulders, "Well you have something to hold over him now."
Hermione grinned, "I guess I do."
Draco removed his arm with a slight cough and looked around, "So… do you think they'll try and a plan surprise party?"
"I have no idea. If they do then… I think I would like it. Give me something to enjoy today."
"You must really be missing your parents, huh?"
Hermione nodded, "I can tell they really miss me… Mum the most. Her and I are so close and you know, we always had a little birthday party the day before I'd return to Hogwarts."
"That sounds nice."
Hermione nodded again and looked at Draco, "What about you?"
"I'd get sent birthday packages. A sack of gold… candy and sometimes clothing, but yeah. Nothing thrilling."
Hermione gave him a small smile, "Maybe it will be different this year."
"How so?"
"Well… if we go back to Hogwarts… we… what would we be? Acquaintances? Friend's? Or people who just hung out during the war?"
"Well… I don't know."
"Me either," agreed Hermione, "I suppose we'll see how it goes, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
A/N: There you go. Lots of stuff happened! Review!
Until next time…
Love yas!
Love Coz!
