Chapter Eleven

Accused and Broken

Hermione fully woke in the morning and smiled when she saw Harry lying next to her. His arm was draped across Hermione's body and the weight of it made Hermione feel safe and at home. Harry opened his eyes and spotted Hermione watching him.

"Good morning my love." He said reaching over and kissing Hermione on the lips. "Are you hungry?" he asked. Hermione nodded just as her stomach growled loudly. "Well that certainly answered my question." Harry said with a light chuckle.

Harry and Hermione dressed quickly and went downstairs to get food. The inn keeper was very pleasant and they soon were eating hot oats, drinking tea and enjoying each other's company. The night before had been the greatest night of Hermione's life and now she was slowly becoming happy with the thought that she might be able to spend her life with Harry.

"So we'll leave in a few days then make our way to London." Harry said between eating. Hermione nodded but she was still nervous about traveling all the way to London, especially as that was where her brother was. Though Hermione had to admit that London was a very large place and the probability of seeing her brother was very slim. "Once we're in London then this will all be behind us, I promise." Harry added.

"There is still a possibility of this Malfoy man finding me." Hermione said sadly. Harry sighed and reached for Hermione's hand. "I know, I know. You won't let anything happen to me. I know that Harry." Hermione said. Harry continued to grip onto Hermione's hand and she knew that Harry would probably try to move heaven and earth to stop anything happening to Hermione. Moments like that Hermione realised why she loved the man seat opposite her so much.

Ginny Potter woke up alone once again. It had been several days since Harry had left with Hermione and it was still painful, it still hurt more than anything else. She was trying desperately to carry on but without her husband and without her mother's full love it just didn't feel wholly possible.

Ginny was dressing and cleaning the room she used to share with Harry when there was a knock of the front door that made her jolt suddenly. For one wild moment she thought it was Harry but then she remembered that couldn't be possible. Her heart for a second before she remembered the door.

Moving downstairs Ginny walked to the first door and opened it to reveal Draco Malfoy standing in front of her.

"Mrs Potter." Draco Malfoy said curtly nodding at Ginny.

"Oh hello, please do come in Mr Malfoy." Ginny said showing Draco Malfoy into the house and walking into the kitchen. "Please do have some tea." Ginny added reaching for two mugs.

"I will thank you." Draco said before sitting down on a kitchen chair. "I have news." Draco said. Ginny stopped what she was doing and looked at the man questioningly. "Neville and I found someone by the name of Minerva, she's in questioning at the church at the moment. Is this a woman who we should be talking to?" Draco asked.

"Um…yes. She lived in the woods, in a small cottage. Hermione would visit her regularly." Ginny said.

"Good. We searched her entire house and found countless items which proves she is a witch." Draco explained. "We just need a confessions then we can proceed."

"Proceed with what?"

"With confirming that she is a witch and with the finding of Hermione Granger." Draco explained. Ginny nodded and went back to making the tea. When it was ready she handed a cup to Draco and sat opposite him. Ginny found herself watching Draco Malfoy as he sipped his tea. Ginny couldn't stop herself from noticing his handsome figures and strong jaw. For a holy man he was very attractive.

"What will you do to her?" Ginny asked warily.

"God's work my dear woman, God's word." Draco said sipping his tea. Ginny tried to ignore the sick feeling in her stomach but it was difficult, very difficult. Minerva may have been an un-Godly woman but the look on Draco's face made Ginny realise that Minerva was going to experience the worst kind of pain in the world. "Now I was wondering Mrs Potter-"

"Please call me Ginny." It wasn't that they were familiar enough with one another for him to call her 'Ginny' but she preferred that to him calling her 'Mrs Potter' when she was no longer the beloved wife of Harry Potter.

"Ginny, I was wondering if you would like to join me for dinner tonight. I am staying at the inn in the village and the food is quite good." Draco Malfoy said placing his cup back onto the table. Ginny paused for a moment and wondered if she had heard the man correctly. Looking at him she saw that was a questioning look upon his face and it dawned on her that he was most likely serious about his request.

"Oh, well…thank you for your invitation. I would very much like to join you for dinner." Ginny said finding the words coming to her easier than she would have thought.

"Grand, I shall call upon at six o'clock this evening. Now Ginny, I must be on my way. I cannot leave Neville alone with the corrupted for too long. Though he has said that Minerva let slip a name…a name of a woman in this village she knew many years ago. It may be a good lead." Draco explained.

"What is the name of the woman?" Ginny asked. Draco shook his head.

"I won't trouble you with that right now. Until tonight Ginny." Draco said. "I shall let myself out" he added nodding his head at Ginny and swiftly walking out of the room. Ginny had to stop for a moment and catch her breath. This was all very baffling to her.

That evening Ginny sat opposite Draco Malfoy in the small inn located in the centre of the village. Draco Malfoy had been right, the food was very nice but Ginny found herself on edge during the whole meal. Draco Malfoy kept the talk light even the situation he was currently in and even though that could have been to make Ginny feel better it did nothing but make her feel more nervous.

"Mr Malfoy…you said, when you called round, that Minerva had given you a name. You also said that you would not trouble me with such talk until this evening…I was wondering what that name could be." Ginny said pushing her plate away from her. Draco Malfoy stopped what he was eating and looked up at Ginny.

"Mrs Pot-"

"Ginny, please."

"Ginny I am not sure that telling you now would be the wisest of choices on my belief but to do believe that you should know whom we have been given information from." Draco Malfoy said gravely. Ginny's stomach dropped and she could feel bile rising up in her stomach. She did not like the sound of this at all.

"Please, Draco, please tell me." Ginny said. She couldn't carry on if she did not know what Draco Malfoy knew.

"The name that Minerva gave was that of your mother's."

"My mother's? Minerva gave you my mother's name?" Ginny asked feeling her chest become tight.

"Yes…Neville looked into the claim this afternoon and we have taken her into questioning."

"My mother?"

"Yes, I am very sorry." Draco said.

"That cannot be true."

"Minerva says that she knew your mother from the time before you were born. Minerva taught your mother how to make several brews apparently." Draco explained.

"My own mother?" Ginny asked unable to think what Draco was saying. "That cannot be true."

"I'm afraid it seems like it is. I am ever so sorry for having to tell you this Ginny but I do believe it is right that you know." Draco said.

"I think I would like to leave now, would you please walk me home?" Ginny asked standing up suddenly. Draco swiftly followed suit and nodded his head.

"Of course, it is foolish of me to think that you wouldn't be shaken by this." Draco said taking Ginny's arm and walking her out of the inn. It wasn't until they were nearing the lane to Ginny's house that she spoke up.

"If the claim really is true, if my mother confesses to it…then what will happen?"

"She will be fully tried then a sentence cast upon her."

"She will be hanged." Ginny said quietly.

"Yes…"

"You cannot go back on your word to God I understand but please, please try and see to it that she is innocent." Ginny said. "Please."

The following day had been relaxing and calm for Hermione and Harry. Their morning had been spent in just each other's company in their room and now that evening had fallen they were sat in their inn meal a meal and drinking ale while listening to the others around them though they occasionally spoke themselves. Hermione was just revelling in the freeness she felt here with Harry and she was counting down the days they would travel to London despite her original apprehensions. Hermione was taking a sip of ale when a nearby table caught her interest by their conversation. Leaning in slightly she listened in.

"There has been some talk though, I heard that." A man said drinking his ale. "There's this one man goes by the name of Malfoy that's in a local village." The man added and Hermione's back straightened and stiffened.

"Aye, I had heard something similar." The man sitting with him said also drinking his beer. "Hung themselves a witch last night I heard," The man added and Hermione started to shake. "Well they hung what was left of her."

"Got themselves another hanging in a few days, some old woman apparently. It's always the women in the end." The first man said. At this Hermione started to shake again more. Before Harry realised what she was doing Hermione was going over to the men and grabbing the first man's arm.

"Tell me the name of the woman." Hermione said, adrenaline running through her.

"Like I would tell you, get off me wench." The man hissed ripping his arm away.

"Do you know the name of the woman they are hanging?" Hermione asked hurriedly. "Do you know the name?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because if you don't I will make you regret ever waking up this morning." Hermione growled furiously.

"I heard it was Weasley. That was the only name I heard." The man said. Hermione went bone white and Harry raced over to her before she collapsed. "I'd take your woman to bed before she causes more problem." the man snapped to Harry.

"I apologise." Harry said picking Hermione up and carrying her to their room.

"I don't need to be carried Harry!" Hermione said trying to get out of his arms. "Let me go."

"No Hermione." Harry said. He shut the door before them and Hermione practically leapt out his arms. She was moving around the room before Harry even realised. "Hermione-"

"I need to go back."

"Hermione no"

"Harry they are going to kill Molly! She is the only family I have left so don't you dare think about trying to tell me no." Hermione screamed.

"Ginny won't let anything happen to Molly."

"She would Harry. Ginny hates me, she would let her die just to spite me." Hermione said. "Your darling wife." Hermione muttered under her breath. "I have to go, I have to leave."

"What?"

"I have to go back!" Hermione said. "I have to go back and save Molly."

"Hermione you can't go back there!" Harry said desperately. Hermione couldn't leave, she couldn't go anywhere near their old village otherwise she would be killed. "Hermione listen to me, you will be killed if you go back"

"Molly will be killed if I don't go back!" Hermione yelled. "Molly is my family, I need to save her…I have to save her!"

"You cannot save her!"

"What if I can?"

"What do you mean Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Harry…what if the claim against me…what if it was true?"

"Pardon?"

"Minerva, she was teaching me potions…nothing dangerous, just healing potions and she was…she was helping me…"

"Helping with what Hermione."

"I can't do much but…" Hermione said turning towards the candle on the nightstand. She stared at the candle and with a flick of her fingers the candle's flame grew until with another flick the candle went out. "I can make flowers grow within my hands…candle flames live then die…it's not much but Minerva helped me with that, she opened my eyes to a new world and I wasn't able to save. If I can save Molly then…then maybe I could do some good." Hermione said. "Do you see why I need to return?"

"It's too dangerous Hermione."

"Harry…Molly is the closest thing I have to a mother…" Hermione said. "I need to save her."

"I don't agree with this Hermione, not one bit." Harry said.

"I don't look for your agreement Harry, my mind is already made up." Hermione said firmly. "I'll get a coach back to the village…tonight if I can manage it."

"No…no. I don't think you should do this at all but wait until the morning"

"Molly may not have until the morning."

"You are tired Hermione, you cannot run off to the village when tired. It is dangerous. Sleep tonight then in the morning you can go."

"I will you come with me?"

"Why would I not? I plan on following you to the ends of the earth." Harry said pulling Hermione into a hug. "I do not care what you are; all I care about is that I love you." Harry said kissing Hermione's forehead. "Now we sleep."

In the morning the carriage ride was swift but silent. Harry had no more words left in him to try and disagree with Hermione's choice to return and now they sat simply holding hands while the coach flashed across the lanes. They stopped just before entering the village and Harry paid the Harry's attention was away from Hermione she took the chance to remove her hand from his and take off towards the village.

Hermione ran down the road that led into the village even though Harry was hot on her heels and charging after her. "Hermione, please stop!" Harry cried after Hermione and she entered the main part of the village. Hermione was looking around wildly trying to think of where Molly would be being held. The church…the church had to be the only place for Molly to be.

In the ten seconds that Hermione had been still Harry caught up with her and pulled her into his arms. "Hermione please listen to me. We have to get out of this village and we have to get out now. I know you want to save Molly but if this Malfoy man finds you he will kill you. I understand that Molly means the world to you, I do, but I cannot lose you." Harry said desperately.

"Harry she's the only family I have apart from you…I need to save her…I have to save her." Hermione said and she began running to the church. It was a large and very old building in the centre of the village that Hermione had avoided her whole life, even when her parents were alive, but now she was running as fast as she possibly could to the building. Harry was running after her causing many people from the village to turn and stare. Hermione burst through the ornate doors of the church and tried to shiver because of the stale and cold air inside. Harry caught up with her and shivered himself.

"Hermione come on…" Harry said taking Hermione's hand but Hermione was already walking through the church. She was coming to a door leading into the back of the church when the door opened and a man walked out. Hermione stopped and stared. The man looked up and realised that Hermione was standing in front of him.

"Hermione?" the man asked. "Is that you?" he asked. Hermione carried on staring at the face she hadn't seen in so many years since he had left for London. Since he had left her all alone and turned his back on her. Hermione carried on staring at the face of her brother.

"Neville?" Hermione said with disbelief. "Why are you here?" Hermione asked. Why could her brother possibly be here? She hadn't come all this way to see her had he?

"Hermione we shouldn't be here. What if that Malfoy man comes in here and finds you?" Harry said.

"Oh Lord…it's you…the woman that Ginny…" Neville started to say before he trailed off and looked at Harry. "My master told me the story behind Ginny Potter's accusation. He said that Ginny Potter's husband ran off with…"

"With me Neville, Harry ran off with me. Ginny's accusations are about me because Harry and I ran away together." Hermione explained to Neville. "Your master…he's not Malfoy is he?" Hermione asked. Neville looked very nervous as he nodded his head. "Oh my…how could you work for a man like that? How could you leave me here and go to London to be with that vile vile man?!"

"You do not even know him Hermione. He is a powerful, God-fearing man that has given me everything I've needed to survive in London."

"You wouldn't have had to survive if you never of left me here after our parents died!" Hermione screamed hitting her brother across the face. "You left me here all alone! If Molly hadn't had the decency to take me in and care then I would have died on the streets!" Hermione carried on screaming. "Now where the hell is Molly?"

"Molly? The woman we're going to-"

"Kill yes, the woman you are going to kill." Hermione spat. "Where is she? What have you done with her?"

"I can't tell you Hermione."

"Tell me now!" Hermione screamed launching herself at Neville. He slammed to the ground as Hermione clawed at his face.

"Hermione!" Harry cried pulled her off Neville. Hermione kicked and screamed while Neville scrambled to his feet.

"I cannot tell you where Molly is, I am sorry. I can't tell you what happened to any of them."

"Them? The…the woman…the woman they hung…who was that?"

"I cannot tell you." Neville said and once again Hermione launched at him. Her hand gripped around Neville's throat. "You…would…kill…your...own…brother?" Neville gasped.

"You stopped being my brother the day you left." Hermione growled. "Now tell me."

"Her name was Minerva." Neville gasped out. Hermione let out a noise the same of a dying animal as she let go of Neville.

"What…what did you do to her?" Hermione asked.

"Hermione-" Harry warned because he was sure that Hermione wouldn't want to know.

"We…she died slowly…" Neville said quietly. Hermione turned white again and moved away from Neville to throw up on the floor. "It took her some time to die..." Neville said and Harry grabbed onto Neville's arm.

"Stop talking." Harry hissed as he went over to a now sobbing Hermione.

"She…she was…she was…YOU MURDERED AN INNOCENT WOMAN!" Hermione screamed at Neville, tearing streaming down her face. "YOU HEARTLESS BASTARD!"

"Hermione stop!" Harry said.

"I hate you…I hate you!" Hermione cried. "Until my dying day I will hate you."

"That may be sooner rather than later." A loud cold voice called from the entrance to the room. Harry went cold as he and Hermione turned to see a tall blonde man standing in the doorway. "Crabbe, Goyle…get her." Draco said as two thugs in black suits came strolling into the room and grabbed at Hermione.

"No! Get off me! Harry! Harry help me!" Hermione screamed as the men dragged her away. Harry tried to grab at the men but one of them pushed him away until Harry hit the nearest wall. "Harry!" Hermione sobbed as she was dragged away and out the door.

Author's Note: I wanted to put this up as soon as possible because I'll be busy over the next few weeks. Like always I hope you enjoy the chapter and please review if possible.