Disclaimer: I own none of these characters, only the story built around them, J.K. Rowling has that pleasure.

Warning: This fanfic will have themes of sexual and physical violence, domestic abuse, rape, content of the sexual nature.

A/N: We have a plan everyone! WE HAVE A PLAN! Happy Monday everyone! Just a little fyi, look out at the beginning of April on Ao3 for a little oneshot action for a fest. Dramioneasks on tumblr is reposting the previews so look out for mine! I did a funny lighthearted one guys! Can anyone guess what Hogwarts House I am? People that know me irl, always guess right. I wonder if my writing portrays my house. Getting into something more serious, I wanted to address some comments I got on the last chapter. I really appreciate the conversations we have been having throughout this whole work. Some people felt that Hermione shouldn't be ready to go after Ron, or shouldn't have been ready to thank everyone just yet. In my mind, she is healing. She isn't fully healed, but she has a full support system behind her. Hermione is always portrayed in the books as being a super strong willed girl. Not everyone can do what she is doing. It is my hope though, that this gives someone out there hope. No matter what, just know that you are worth it. As always, thank you for your lovely comments (no matter how deep they are they mean a lot to me and I feel for anyone that has been in that situation), your follows, subscribes, and shares. Until Next Monday my dears!- DCP

Chapter 25: Discovery

"Theo! Theo! Theoooo!"

Hermione pushed back her long hair with a dusty hand, "I think I found something!"

Theo emerged from the shelves of Draco's huge library which was stacked with books both from his personal collection and books from the manor as well.

"What did you find?"

"I've been reading that legal ledger from the Ministry in 1598, the one with the most asinine cases I've ever seen. But, it looks like I found an interesting case."

Theo joined Hermione at the table Bee had brought them so they could lay out their notes, "Is it what we had hoped for?"

"I do believe so. Here look for yourself."

She pushed the heavy and worn book towards him. He picked it up and started reading the passage she had indicated.

The examination of Selene Harber, the wife of Charles Harber of Crediton, charmer, taken before Henry Merris, esquire the 13th of March 1598.

The said examinant says that about [a] fortnight before the Feast of Hecate the Wicked last past, this examinant's husband being then and of long tyme time before an ordinary workman to cast dozens of charms on various objects for one William Alby of Crediton aforesaid, wandmaker, did then send this examinant unto the said William Alby his house to sell certain charmed objects. At which time, he the said Alby willed this examinant to come up unto him his bedchamber where his various charmed objects did lie. And as soon as she came up unto him, he did put to the chamber door, and then took her fast about the middle with both his arms in forcible manner against her will. And did cast her down against the edge of a certain coffer and did by the means of the sudden assaulting and laying of violent hands upon her so astonish her that she does not remember whether she did call or cry out for help or not. But says and affirms that he did immediately thereupon forcibly and against her will ravish her and had carnal knowledge of her body without any consent yielded by her and when he had committed the said wicked and unlawful act of carnal copulation with her this examinant, she this examinant having received the yarn of him for which she was sent, told him that she would surely reveal the matter unto her husband. Which she did accordingly as soon as she came home, and told him that he had thrust her so violently against the said coffer, that her back was very sore therewithal. Which upon view thereof by him taken he did perceive to be black and blue behind in the lower part of her back, and she then further told her said husband that he had forcibly spoiled her, and did feel herself to be much grieved and hurt otherwise by that means. According the wizarding law, William Alby was administered a dose of Veritaserum and confessed to the crime. According to Wizarding Law 3045, 'Thou may not touche a woman bound to a man whether through marriage or familie ties, may that be an offense past or present, without the permission from said man.' William Alby will be sentenced to death by hippogriff in the following fortnight in front of the wronged family.

Theo finished reading and looked up at Hermione, "And how does this help us Hermione?"

"Didn't you see? 'Thou may not touche a woman bound to a man whether through marriage or familie ties, may that be an offense past or present, without the permission from said man.' Well, since I have no family, maybe there is a way for me to gain some family. I'm obviously not up to marrying anyone."

Theo pulled the glasses from his face and began polishing them slowly, "Hmm. Perhaps adoption may be an option. Not from just anyone though. Being adopted by someone from a part of the sacred twenty-eight for instance, would give you credence with some of the more… how should i say, traditional members of the Wizengamot."

Hermione looked skeptical, "Even if the adoption is possible, no one will take it seriously Theo. I am nowhere near a pureblood. A half-blood I can see being somewhat respected, but me? No way."

"Then we will find something in your ancestral line to give you a leg up."

"Then what noble house do you suggest?"

Theo appraised her up and down, "It would have to be either me or Draco I suppose. I am the last of my line, and all alone. So perhaps I am the best bet. Yet, if I am to represent you in court that would be a conflict of interest I don't believe you'd like to be adopted by Draco either."

Hermione blushed at Theo's implication, "Wait. Harry technically was named an heir to the noble house of Black. As far as I know only Harry remains tied to that line anyway."

Theo looked at her surprised, "You are right. It would be a safe option. It would mean a resurfacing of a lost house as well. Many traditionalist would find that admirable. Yet, this is all dependent on if we can find anything in your ancestral lines."

Hermione nodded, "We have a lot riding on different aspects of this idea. I suggest we bring these findings and discussions to Draco. He is still here isn't he?"

"He should be yes. I do believe he is waiting on Astoria today."

For some reason Hermione felt a shiver go up her spine, "Ah yes. Well perhaps we should wait?"

"Whatever for? We might as well fill both of them in if we are to be working with her."

Hermione slowly nodded as they both got up from their chairs and headed out of the library. Hermione was feeling quite strange at the idea of the woman there with Draco. She didn't really know how to describe the feeling persay.

"Draco? Where are you? Hermione and I need to speak with you," called out Theo.

Faintly they heard Draco reply, "In the garden with Tori."

They headed toward the small garden. Hermione was nervous to meet the woman that Theo and Draco were trusting with her secrets, but she supposed they knew what they were doing. A shaft of light illuminated two blonde heads as the two came into view. Astoria was beautiful. She was the quintessential proper pureblood woman. Hermione felt jealous. She was never considered beautiful, nor seen in that light. She was always the dirty mudblood, the girl with the brains and not the beauty, but she had always wanted to be like Astoria. Yet she knew, she couldn't hold a candle to the woman.

Noticing herself and Theo entering the room Draco and Astoria turned.

"Theo, Hermione is something wrong?" said Draco with a concerned look on his face.

"Nothing is wrong at all. We just found something in the records that may give us a leg up."

Astoria stepped forward and held out her hand, "Before we get into more serious matters, let me introduce myself. My name is Astoria Greengrass, but you can call me Tori. I know it may be hard to trust me, but I promise to have the utmost discretion. I want to help."

Hermione grasped her hand and gave it a small shake, "I trust Draco, so I'll trust you."

Astoria laughed and touched Draco's arm, "How times have changed have they not?"

She smiled back at the woman. She didn't quite like the way she touched Draco's arm. Wait was she jealous? Why would she be jealous? Perhaps she wasn't quite happy with bringing in Astoria, but it was for the best was it not? She needed to trust Theo. He was the brains behind this. He knew what was best. Right?

"With introductions out of the way, let us tell you what we found. We discovered an old wizarding law that protects a woman from harm if someone other than her pater familias harms her. Essentially we need Hermione to be adopted by a member of the sacred twenty-eight. We will also be going through her ancestral lines to see if she has anything to help in that regard as well."

Hermione nodded in agreement and continued, "We were thinking of reviving the Black family line. We would need Harry and you, since your mother was the last of the line, to agree to the adoption. What do you think?"

Draco rubbed his jaw, "Hmm. It might be a good idea to use this in court. I'll owl my lawyer and ask her thoughts as well. I will only tell her what she needs to know of course. We already have quite a number of people in our circle."

Astoria touched Draco's arm again, "Draco while you are writing to your lawyer, would it be okay if I spoke to Hermione alone? And of course if that is alright with you as well Hermione."

Draco looked to Hermione and she gave him a quick nod, "It seems amiable to both of us. Theo if you could advise me? If you'll excuse us."

Both Draco and Theo left leaving herself and Astoria in the small garden. Astoria gestured to a small bench and they both took a seat.

"I know this seems strange for me to be here and wanting to help. But I can assure you I have reasons. I want to tell you those reasons so you understand why," said Astoria grasping one of Hermione's hand in her own.

"My story is not unlike your own. Except mine ends in a way that I don't want yours to end. It happened right before the last battle," she continued with tears in eyes.

Hermione grasped the woman's hand in hers and began to listen to her story.