**Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter the amazingly talented JK Rowling does…I just enjoy playing with her characters.

**I am so sorry. I know I've been inconsistent with my uploads and I truly am sorry for lacking on the weekly updates but I've honestly been so excited for chap 26 to 28 that I've been working on bits and pieces with each of them rather than touch 25 until early last week (hell I've written ALL of chapter 28 that's how excited I am).

However I finally came back to tackle 25 and my Beta was less than pleased with the discussion I had happening between Hermione and Draco...said it was lacking so I scrapped it all Friday night and reworked it until it was up to snuff...I hope ya'll like how it ended up...sorry still super excited for the next three chapters esp because...well I cant tell you beause it would ruin it.

**Anyways I hope you enjoy this update and let me know whatcha think. Next chapter will be a lot longer simply due to how much I'm squeezing in...as always thanks for reading and reviewing!

Chapter 25

Much happened for Hermione and Draco in the days leading up to the preliminary hearing. After the couple met with Pucey, Hermione insisted on having everyone over for dinner to discuss what had happened. She knew they would bombard them with owls and inquires as to how they could help guarantee she win full custody. So, in an effort to maintain their sanity and appease their friends, they gathered everyone together and gave them a general run down of what Pucey had gathered (the children were happily eating their dinner in a fort in Rose's playroom with Nixie).

Naturally Hermione thanked Harry and George for their signed statements as well as Pansy and Ginny for their character references (after the dinner at the Leaky Cauldron in October Ginny and Harry had happily handed the documents over to Pucey…just in case) before discussing the photographs being used alongside schedules and other documentation. No one seemed surprised to hear about Ron's infidelity…though Harry, Ginny, and George seemed the most disgusted by the sheer number of women her ex-husband had been with while they were together. In the end everyone had been pleased to find that everything had essentially been handled and there was nothing left for them to do but wait.

In the days that followed, Hermione and Draco found their dinner table often occupied by one family member or another. Draco tried his best not to be bothered by the constant presence of others, knowing they were there to try and distract Hermione from the looming court hearing, but he found his patience wearing thinner with each passing day.

Thankfully he could escape to his home office to work on paperwork, sip Firewhisky, and usually end up smiling at the photograph Pansy had sent him shortly after boxing day of him, Hermione, Rose, and the kittens sleeping on the couch. He'd set the photograph up next to Rose's drawing and found himself smiling every time he sat down.

Late in the evenings, once everyone had departed and Rose was in bed, he and Hermione were able to plan their tentative trip to Disney World. Much to Hermione's chagrin, Mr. Travers had instantly approved her vacation request…going as far as to offer her up to four weeks if she so desired. After she'd informed Draco of Travers authorization, they'd contacted his travel agent together and agreed not to tell Rose unless the courts approved their trip.

They waited until after Rose had been picked up from her last weekend with Ron to inform him of their travel plans…Hermione had handed her ex-husband an envelope (much the same as he'd done on Christmas) before disapparating with Draco and Rose. As expected, he lost his temper and promptly sent her a howler expressly forbidding her to take their child on any vacations with Draco. After making a copy of his letter and her response…which politely informed him that she'd simply been courteous in informing him but that it was up to the court as to whether or not they would go, not him…she owl'd them to Adrian to add to their case file.

Three days before the court date Hermione burst into Draco's apothecary with a broad smile and a squeal that startled everyone in the building. Before he could ask what had happened, she launched herself into his arms exclaiming that her bill had been passed by the Wizengamot and proceeded to snog him senseless without any regard to the small crowd of customers. It wasn't until they'd started clapping that she recalled their presence and blushed furiously as she disentangled herself from Draco.

After each of the customers were taken care of, Draco closed the shop early and took Hermione home to properly celebrate before owling their friends to spread the news.

Now, as the clock struck two in the morning on the eighth, she stood staring out across the snow-covered forest. The moon shone brightly, in the cloudless night sky speckled with stars, illuminating the barren grounds. Hermione's mind raced with fears of what the day would bring alongside the thoughts and discussions she'd shared with Draco, Harry, and the others.

The cold seeped through the windows, causing her to shiver and wrap her arms around her middle in an effort to both comfort and warm herself. As she contemplated returning to bed, she heard Draco stir and turned her eyes to his sleeping form.

A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she took in his disheveled state. His usually perfectly styled hair stood up on end in various directions as he rolled over and blindly groped her side of the bed…subconsciously searching for her. Silently, she covered her mouth and stifled her laughter as he jerked awake and stared confusedly at the empty space where she normally laid. In the soft moonlight, she watched as he blinked the sleep from his eyes, shook his head, and glanced around the room. He sat up as his gaze found her darkened silhouette standing before the windows and the sheets pooled at his waist exposing his pale chest.

"Can't sleep sweetheart?" he asked in a gravely tone as he rubbed his eyes. Hermione sighed and turned back to the windows as she recalled the reason for insomnia.

"No" she whispered in response. Draco shuffled from the bed and quietly crossed the room, dressed only in his favorite flannel bottoms, before wrapping his arms around her waist. Capturing her own beneath his stronghold.

"It's going to be to alright Hermione" he murmured softly in her ear. "Tomorrow…or well I guess today" he said realizing how late it was "is just the preliminary hearing. No decisions will be made…" he trailed off, he'd had a feeling she wouldn't be sleeping well tonight but he'd hoped to have been wrong when they'd headed to bed just after ten.

"I know…I know that but…" she swallowed hard, he could see the tears glistening in her eyes. "I just can't help but think they'll find some reason to take her away" she said shakily.

"Hermione, you heard what Pucey said" Draco said soothingly "you even saw all the evidence he's compiled…what judge would side with Weasley when he doesn't have the time or inclination to care for his daughter?"

"The prejudice kind" she answered flatly. He knew it'd been on both their minds, that the idea that the poor choices he'd made as a teenager would potentially affect the case. Taking a deep breath, he tucked one of her loose curls behind her ear.

"It's true, that's a possibility…but Pucey said it was a very small chance and even if they did, we could always appeal." Hermione turned in his arms and curled against his chest as her arms wrapped around his waist.

"I know…I just…I…" she choked as tears dripped onto his bare chest. "I just don't want to lose her" she whimpered as her hands gripped his sides.

"We won't sweetheart, Pucey is the best and he's been working on this for months. There's no way we'll lose her" he insisted as he reassured her, knowing that to lose Rose would destroy her. She nodded her head and wiped the stray tears from her eyes.

"Draco, can I ask you something?" she asked softly, idly wondering if this was the best time to finally sate her curiosity. He had been running his fingers through her hair absentmindedly, his mind obviously elsewhere deep in thought.

"Hmmm? Of course, sweetheart, what's on your mind?"

"When…" she cleared her throat, thankful for the fact she wasn't staring into his captivating silver eyes. "When did you know you loved me?" She doubted she would have noticed the way in which his body stiffened if she hadn't been curled against him and knew in that moment that everything Pansy had claimed was true.

"I'm not sure I could recall the exact moment love…I…I just know it's true" he answered evasively. "Why do you ask?"

"Um, well…" she sighed and stepped out of his arms, turning back to look out the window trees and water. Hermione found it was easier to explain without looking at him. "When everyone was here on boxing day, Pansy Ginny, and I stayed in the sunroom to talk" she bit her lip. "We talked about Christmas, the ball, gifts, even the hearing…" she glanced nervously up at him for a moment before looking back out over the lake. "Anyways, Ginny noticed at breakfast that something had changed between us, she said we were closer than usual and wanted to know why." She paused again, taking a shaky breath as she steeled herself in case he became angry.

Draco crossed his arms and waited patiently for her to continue, both curious and fearful of where she was heading with this. "Well, after Ginny threatened to place my daughter on a broomstick, I admitted that we'd talked about everything and you told me you loved me" her voice held a note of nervousness and fear as she continued. "Pansy seemed particularly elated by your confession…"

"No…" he said in a barely audible whisper as he exhaled sharply. Hermione squeezed her eyes shut and kept going; her curiosity had plagued her for weeks and she found she finally had enough nerve to broach the topic.

"She…well she misunderstood what everything meant." Hermione's gaze flickered to his muscled chest as she asked in a soft voice "Is it true?"

"Is what true?" Draco asked in a wary voice, unwilling to give anything away until he knew what she'd been told. Mentally he was preparing the conversation he was going to have with his life-long friend if she'd said anything about their final year at Hogwarts.

"Did you…" she paused and bit her lower lip nervously before pressing on still staring resolutely at his chest "…did you really fall in love with me in eighth year?" Her voice was small and uncertain as she asked the one question that had plagued her the most. Silence stretched between them for several heartbeats before he exhaled slowly.

"Yes" he admitted quietly. She worried her lip as her dark gaze slid slowly up his neck and over his jawline before meeting his piercing silver eyes suffused with worry. Her mind raced with questions and memories from their time together during their final year as she tried to process his admission.

"I don't get it" she said after a minute of contemplation. "Why didn't you say anything? We worked together most of that year and you never once said…"

"What?" Draco snapped, angry that the one secret he'd been weary on sharing with her was out and he wasn't prepared to answer her inquiries that she'd clearly spent over two weeks preparing. He stepped back and ran his hands through his already tousled hair in frustration. "What was I supposed to say Hermione? Hey I think you're the most amazing woman I've ever known break up with the weasel and give me…the ex-Death Eater who treated you like dirt for the last six years, a man who's actively shunned by the Wizarding World, and the man who watched you writhe in pain on his drawing room floor as his aunt tortured you…a chance?" He scoffed and turned his back to her as he ran his hand down his face and rested the other on his hip.

Anger at Pansy and the situation he'd found himself in after, hell even during, the war all those years ago surfaced. Back then, even if Hermione had reciprocated his feelings, the world would have torn their relationship apart…especially if she had left Weasley for him. Everyone hated him for the mark on his arm and the role he was forced to play in the war. Many citizens were angry…Draco understood why…but after the war he was one of the few they could use as a scapegoat to punish and ridicule as the other Death Eaters were either locked away in Azkaban or on the run.

Over the last few months he had opened up and divulged much that had happened to him and his mother for the year following his release. He'd admitted to receiving death threats, hexed letters, and mysterious packages that neither he nor his mother would risk opening. For nearly two years the Auror department had had to handle his mail. But none of that included the treatment he'd received from his fellow classmates or the fact that he'd had to use shield charms anytime he ventured down the hallways of school or out to Diagon Alley.

No, Hermione couldn't understand why even if he had confessed his feelings for her back then that they'd never have worked out. The wizarding world would have been unforgiving in her choice and potentially have accused him of using the imperious curse or a love potion. Hell even now, six years after the war, they still had run her name through the mud for dating an ex-Death Eater…he could only imagine what they would have done back then.

"Okay…" she said after thinking over his reasoning and taking a few steps towards his pacing form. Thinking back on how life had been shortly after the war she could understand his trepidation in reaching out to her…especially while she had been head-over-heels for Ronald. "Okay, I understand why you didn't tell me how you felt…but why didn't you tell me it was you who sent the quills? Or the flowers? You listened to me go on about that bouquet and how sweet Ron was for well over an hour when they were actually from you. You knew he lied and claimed them for himself when…"

"I know dammit" Draco turned back to face her as he ran both of his hands roughly down his face and took a shaky breath. "You don't think it killed me to listen to you talk about how he'd been so sweet and thoughtful for the first time in months? Don't get me wrong, I was elated in knowing you loved the bouquet…but when you said…well…"

"Draco, you didn't sign the card how was I supposed to know?" she said heatedly as she closed the space between them, forcing him to look at her. "If you'd just signed it or the Christmas gift, I'd have…"

"What?" his eyes flashed as he held her gaze. She noted there wasn't any malice, just a mixture of pain and regret lingering in his silver irises. "What would you have done? Would you have left Weasley? Forgiven me for my past? Or would you have been overwhelmed and confused and pulled back from me because of your loyalty to your boyfriend? Or worse simply thanked me and thought nothing more of it?"

"I…" Hermione paused uncertain as to what to say because the truth was, she didn't know what she would have done. "I honestly don't know what I'd have done" she stated as she exhaled and took a step back so she no longer had to crane her neck to meet his haunted gaze. "But…" she paused as she tried to find the right words to express what she'd been feeling. "I can't help but wonder all that could have been if you'd just been honest.

"Think of the years we could have had" she exclaimed in a trembling voice. "I could have helped you with your apothecary, we could have already obtained equal pay and job security for the werewolves, you could have even met my parents…" she trailed off as tears gathered in her eyes. "There never would have been a Caroline or a messy divorce with Ron…"

"Or Rose…" Draco added, reminding her that though the years had brought them both pain and sorrow they'd also brought her her daughter. "If by some miracle" he said intensely as he placed his hands on her shoulders "you had left Weasley for me, you wouldn't have your beautiful little girl. Yes, maybe we would have been happy and maybe by now we would have been married with you running the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures as I developed my business.

"Maybe we'd even have a child or two of our own…" he sighed as his face fell "but it's unlikely. Because the truth is the wizarding world wouldn't have accepted our relationship so soon after the war. They'd have done everything in their power to tear us apart or run your reputation through the ground. You'd have been a target for Voldemort's sympathizers…more than you already were…and shunned by the light for associating with a Death Eater." His gaze softened as he pleaded for her to understand "I can't tell you the number of times I thought of what could've been or what would have happened if I'd gathered the courage to confess my feelings for you.

"Hermione, sweetheart, it took me a while to accept it but I truly think things worked out for the best" he said honestly as she opened her mouth to argue. "No, please listen, I need to get this out…I think you needed to see your relationship through with Weasley. I know it's ended terribly but you needed to experience that…not just so you'd never wonder 'what if' but because out of all of it came Rose and you knowing what you truly wanted. At least I hope you know…"

"Draco…" Hermione tried to interrupt him as a few tears escaped the corner of her eyes.

"No, let me finish" he insisted. "You've lived through years of tragedy at school, a war, the death of both your parents, and a failed marriage. You've been a student, a soldier, a wife, a medi-witch, an employee, and a mother. It's true you've been through more in the last decade than most people have experienced in a lifetime but it's made you who you are.

"While you were going through all of that I was experiencing my own pain, growth, and change. I went from a self-entitled prejudice little prat, to a child soldier for one of the darkest wizards known to man, to a social pariah, and now to a respected business owner…who is still sometimes only recognized for his failures" he admitted dejectedly. "But I can honestly say I've learned a lot over the years and I'd do it all again if it brought me back to you. Yes, I loved you when I was eighteen…I loved how beautiful, smart, and strong you were. I loved that you saw me as more than a lost cause…but I never dreamed I'd deserve you.

"I needed these past few years to grow into myself too, to build a life and reputation I was proud of…" he took a deep breath. "When you walked back into my life, I finally felt like I deserved a chance to be with you…a chance to prove that I was worth your time and the trouble our relationship would cause."

"Turns out I'm the one causing all of the trouble" Hermione said with a hollow chuckle as he trailed off. "Showing up with a mountain of bills to pay, having a jealous ex-husband who won't leave us alone, and now a court case that's probably costing you a fortune…" tears rolled down her face as he shook his head.

"I've told you a hundred times, sweetheart, I don't give a damn about the money" he insisted as he cradled her face in his hands. "I love you and I would do anything to help you keep Rose."

"You've really loved me all these years?" she asked in disbelief.

"I won't stand here and lie to you, Hermione" he said sincerely. "I loved you when I was eighteen, for all the reasons I've said and probably more, but after you married Weasley I spent months learning to move on. I never forgot you or the feelings I'd had…but I shifted my focus and concentrated on myself and the business I was growing. However, I will admit it didn't take long to fall for you all over again…but not just for who you were but for who you've become."

"Draco" she breathed softly, once again she was left speechless and unable to find the words to express herself. Following her instincts, she reached up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him down into a rough kiss. Even though she feared what would come later that morning she'd never felt surer of anything in her life.

Later on, while wrapped in darkness and curled in Draco's embrace, she would admit he was right about everything. That all of their struggles had led them to where they were as two people who respected one another, understood the hardships they'd each endured, and truly loved the other as they were…flaws and baggage included.

But for now, she chose actions over words and decided to show him how much his admission meant to her. As his hands threaded her hair and he kissed her tears away, her hands roved over his hard chest before slipping beneath his pajama bottoms and dropping them to the floor. Their emotions were raw, tangible, and all-consuming as clung to one another and embraced with frenzied passion.

Within minutes her legs were wrapped around his waist and he was sheathed deep between her folds as he pressed her back against the cold glass windows. He balanced her against the glass with one arm as his left hand wove its way into her hair and cradled her head as he captured her swollen lips. Their embrace was slow, sensual, and filled with a deeper understanding that was passed through touch, taste, and locked gazes that bared their every emotion. As they climaxed together, tears slipped from Hermione's eyes and she clung to Draco as he walked them back to bed to catch a few hours rest.

The morning flew by faster than either Hermione or Draco had anticipated and before they knew it, they were due to meet Pucey just thirty minutes before the hearing to go over everything one last time. Nixie had stayed with Rose at the house and the two were hosting a tea party with dolls and bears. During the short fifteen-minute meeting, Pucey, Draco, and Hermione discussed the do's and don'ts of the courtroom. Adrian repeatedly advised Hermione to remain emotionally checked, no matter what Ronald or his lawyer, Smith, said. He explained that if she lost her temper or spoke out of turn before the representative of the Wizengamot it would damage her chances of winning the case.

After they took one last glance over the file between them, they moved into the hallway just outside of the courtroom ten minutes early. Harry stood waiting for them, as expected, due to the restraining order and would stand at the back of the courtroom as a simple precaution.

True to form, Ron strolled in just moments before the court Auror called them inside. Michael Smith urged him past the four of them before the red-head could do more than sneer in disgust.

Hermione was pleasantly surprised to find the small courtroom warm and inviting…especially in comparison to those used on the lower levels during the war. Here the room was decorated with dark wood paneled walls, a small dais where the Wizengamot representative and his transcriptionist would sit, and two tables sitting parallel to one another before the podium. As she took her seat between Draco and Adrian, the court Auror made his way to stand near Chief Warlock William Wood, uncle to Oliver Wood who had been Harry's quidditch captain during his first few years at Hogwarts. Chief Wood's reputation was considered fair as he always took the time to review each case before making an informed decision.

As she saw him residing in the ornate chair before them, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief that he wouldn't hold Draco's past against him. Being the Chief Warlock, he had the ability to pick and choose his cases before passing them off to other court members…and Hermione couldn't have been happier for him overseeing theirs.

Her hands trembled in her lap as she sat up straight with her head held high and her eyes trained on the judge and lawyers before her. Today was fairly straight forward, just as Pucey and Draco had indicated. Wood called the case to order and made certain both she and Ron were present before explaining how things would proceed and what documents would be required for the official hearing the second week of February. He divulged the expectations of each individual while they were in his courtroom and how he wouldn't tolerate insubordination or outlandish accusations. Upon completing his spiel, he expressed that they'd each complete their health scroll one week before the following hearing and inquired if they had any questions or requests before adjourning for the day.

Michael Smith, a middle-aged portly man with slicked back dark brown hair, stood from his chair and politely addressed the Chief Warlock with a small bow. Hermione's heart leapt into her throat as she watched Ron smirk menacingly in her direction. The simple touch of Draco's hand slipping into her own, reminding her she wasn't alone, drew her attention back to the judge and helped her rein in her emotions before panic set in.

"Your honor, my client and I would like your permission to subpoena Miss Granger's mother's medical records" Smith pronounced with ease.

"For what reason?" Chief Wood asked with a single raised brow.

"To prove that Miss Granger knowingly sold her body to Mr. Malfoy in an effort to keep herself out of prison for failure to meet payment deadlines. These documents will provide evidence that she lacks the proper morals and finances to raise their daughter…"

"Objection your honor" Pucey stated as he stood from his seat. Hermione squeezed Draco's hand tightly as she tried her best not to cry.

"On what grounds?"

"This case is to determine which parent is capable of not only providing a stable environment but also a loving home for their four-year-old daughter. Indicating that Ms. Granger sold herself to Mr. Malfoy is pure speculation based on the fact that he is one of wealthiest wizards in our community. It is irrelevant to the case as to whether or not he buys anything for his girlfriend."

"Sustained" the Chief said after a few moments' contemplation. Tears weld in Hermione's eyes at the sudden relief she felt. Knowing Ron couldn't use Draco's ex-Death Eater status or her mother's bills against her practically sealed the case before it truly began. Her shoulders trembled slightly as she blinked back tears and glanced at Draco. His mask of indifference seemed perfectly in place, except for the mirth shining in his eyes as he met her gaze.

"But your honor we believe Miss Granger…" Smith attempted to plead, knowing it was their only possible chance at winning the case.

"You honestly expect me to believe that a war heroine, such as Ms. Granger, would sell herself to an ex-Death Eater in order to pay off old debt?" Chief Wood asked incredulously.

"Yes sir, we believe she was incapable of properly providing for herself and therefore their daughter."

"As the paperwork here proves, Ms. Granger has maintained the same Ministry position for nearly five years. I have little reason to believe she would have sold herself to anyone. If your accusations were indeed accurate, I doubt Ms. Granger would continue to work as a secretary when she's involved in a relationship with one of the richest wizards in England."

"Your honor…" Michael Smith attempted to plead once more as Ron Weasley's face turned mutinous at the judge's final dismissal. Draco was certain he would soon erupt in outrage by the angry flush staining his cheeks.

"Enough, I will not approve your subpoena. This case is to determine who is best fit to parent Rose Jean Weasley. We are not here to speculate over anything Mr. Malfoy may have paid for. For all I know he could have bought her a house in every major city throughout Europe and it still has no bearing over how Ms. Granger interacts with her daughter. I'm concerned with the emotional stability provided in each home, how the child is treated, and if she's receiving proper medical and educational care.

"Now it seems both parents are requesting full custody, is that correct" the Chief Warlock asked brusquely, to which both lawyers replied yes. "Alright then, it seems as though both have already submitted all of the required paperwork outside of the health scroll. At the closure of this preliminary trial I will send the request to Saint Mungo's. They will then contact each of you for an appointment one week before the next hearing and proceed to record the diagnostic tests. Once both appointments have been completed the Ministry will owl each of you the date for the hearing. Are there any more questions?"

"No, your honor" Smith replied.

"Your honor my client has one inquiry and one request" Adrian Pucey politely stated before Chief Wood nodded for him to continue. "Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger had a planned family vacation to Disney World during the last two weeks of January, this was scheduled prior to receiving the court summons. I have here all of the information of where they would be staying, their daily itineraries, and how to contact them in case of an emergency if they were permitted to travel as planned. However, Ms. Granger is willing to cancel the trip if the court does not find it appropriate at this time but still wished to inquire before doing so."

"I assume they are asking because Rose would be traveling with them?" the judge asked.

"No…" Ron snapped furiously before his lawyer could persuade him to keep silent.

"Objection your honor," Smith cut across Ron to try and appeal to the Chief Warlock before his client could ruin their entire case. "My client has already informed Ms. Granger that he will not allow her to take their daughter out of the country with a known Death Eater. If that were not reason enough, when Mr. Weasley requested a copy of their itinerary Ms. Granger refused to provide him with one."

"Your honor, Mr. Weasley does not currently have majority custody of Rose and my client informed him out of curtesy. Seeing as the first weekend of their vacation would typically be Mr. Weasley's, she took the time to check his quidditch schedule and found he would be out of town for the week due to championship games being hosted in Scotland" Pucey provided calmly. "Ms. Granger didn't think it would be an issue as Mr. Weasley's schedule would not allow him to have their daughter over anyways. Also, Ms. Granger has refused to provide an itinerary to her ex-husband due to his violent nature and the restraining order held in place by the MLE. However, she is completely willing to provide documentation to both the court and head Auror in case of an emergency."

"I take it Mr. Potter is the Auror tethered to the restraining order?" Wood asked as he nodded in the direction of Harry standing by the entrance. Hermione nearly smiled when she glanced back to see Harry standing with his arms crossed in a sentinel stance by the double doors. She couldn't believe how in just a few sentences Adrian had reminded everyone there of Ron's inability to provide a stable and loving home for their daughter due to his work and volatile temper. It seemed that Slytherins really did make for the best lawyers.

"Yes, your honor" Pucey replied evenly with a nod of his head "Mr. Ronald Weasley has repeatedly harassed Ms. Granger at work both verbally and physically…"

"She deserved it" Ron insisted, interrupting Adrian as his face turned nearly as red as his hair.

"Quiet Mr. Weasley this is a decision for the court" Chief Wood barked before turning back to Pucey, ignoring Ron's splutters as Smith tried to quiet him further. "I'd like to see the paperwork…" he stated flatly and he held out his hand. Hermione's lawyer retrieved the folder containing a copy of their vacation plans before handing them to the court Auror for the judge to review. The courtroom was silent for nearly ten minutes as Wood scrutinized the packet of information before him. Hermione's nails were digging into Draco's hand as they waited with baited breath for him to make a decision. "Yes, well everything seems to be in order" the Chief determined once he looked up from the paperwork. "As long as this itinerary is followed and they check in with an assigned Auror daily I see no reason why they can't go…"

"No," Ron shouted over his lawyer's pleas to keep quiet. "I won't have my daughter leaving the country with tha…" his outrage was cut short by a silencing spell aimed from the court Auror by order of the Chief Warlock. Hermione sat in shock as her gaze flickered from Ron's puce face and dropped jaw to the irritated Auror standing in front of Wood.

"One more outburst Mr. Weasley and you'll be spending the night in a holding cell. I will not tolerate insubordination, is that understood?" Chief Wood asked shrewdly as Ron scowled and nodded reluctantly. "Now Mr. Pucey, what was Ms. Granger's request as I see this was an inquiry?" he asked kindly as he gestured to the paperwork before him.

"Your honor, we would like to request that all visitations with Mr. Ronald Weasley, from now until the trial, are supervised by either Auror Potter or Matriarch Weasley. This request is due to Mr. Weasley's violent outbursts, as dictated on his restraining order and accompanied by the photographs taken by the MLE, and fear of him trying to keep Rose from Ms. Granger. Which as noted on the affidavits before you, has been a threat on more than one occasion." The Chief picked up the file before him and flipped to the affidavits to review as Pucey continued. "Our request is not only for the safety of Rose but to also insure her return to her mother during these court proceedings."

"Objection your honor" Smith interjected "my client has never once shown outrage towards his daughter. The issue regarding the restraining order was because Ms. Granger provoked my client by holding her majority custody over his head during a private argument about Rose's living conditions. You see your honor, Ms. Granger never informed Mr. Weasley that she'd moved herself and Rose in with Mr. Malfoy. My client found out from his nephew and was upset by the fact that his daughter was living with a Death Eater…especially with everything that had happened to his ex-wife during their short imprisonment at Malfoy manor."

"Objection" Pucey snapped. "It is on written record by the courts that Mr. Malfoy lied during the trio's imprisonment in an effort to save them from eminent death. And when Ms. Granger was tortured, Mr. Malfoy risked his own life by casting a spell to dampen the effects of the cruciatus curse. Both Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger testified on behalf of Mr. Malfoy at his hearing shortly after the final battle, clearing him of all charges" Adrian argued vehemently. "Mr. Weasley had no reason, outside of jealousy and old school rivalries to attack Ms. Granger over where she and her daughter lived…"

"Objection…" Smith began.

"Enough" Chief Wood cut across both of them and the lawyers instantly fell silent. "We are not here today to challenge the restraining order, of which I personally signed off on, or Mr. Weasley's reasoning behind his concerns for Rose living with Mr. Malfoy. That is a topic that can be discussed at the official hearing next month" he stated seriously as he dared any of them to challenge him. When everyone remained quiet, he continued. "Now, as for Ms. Granger's request Mr. Pucey, I think due to the evidence of Mr. Weasley's inability to control his outbursts both in this courtroom and out of it that it is reasonable to have all remaining visits between now and the official hearing supervised. However, I will assign only Auror Potter to this task and not Matriarch Weasley due to his extensive training and ties to the case at hand. Is there anything else?" he asked irritably. After both lawyers declined any further inquiries, the Chief adjourned and told them he'd see them in February.

Everyone around Hermione stood up and began speaking at once in rushed voices. Pucey was advising Draco and Hermione to stay where they were until Ron had left the courtroom as Smith tried to calm his client down and keep him from doing anything rash. Chief Wood and his transcriptionist had disappeared through a single door behind the podium and the two Aurors stood poised and ready to intervene should someone pull a wand. Within minutes Smith was guiding a grumbling Ron from the room furiously whispering to him that if he did anything here, he was sure to lose his daughter permanently.

Once the doors closed behind them everything seemed to move in a blur for Hermione and before she knew it all four of them were standing in Draco's home office. Harry was congratulating Pucey on a job well done while Draco helped her into a chair and knelt before her.

"'Mione are you alright?" he asked as he wiped fresh tears from her cheeks. Both Harry and Adrian turned towards them when she suddenly broke down into tears. Without hesitation she wound her arms around Draco's neck and buried her face into his shoulders as her body shook. "Shhh, sweetheart…it's okay" Draco murmured as he wrapped one arm around her back while his left hand stroked her hair in a soothing manner.

"Why is she crying" Pucey asked in a whisper to Harry.

"Knowing Hermione, it's because she worried about everything that could go wrong over the last two weeks and she's simply overwhelmed with shock and relief that it went right" Harry supplied with a soft chuckle before taking a sip of his whisky and smiling at the couple before him.

"Shut up Harry" Hermione said brokenly as she sniffled and pulled back from Draco to wipe her eyes. It was true that she had been in a constant state of worry over the last two weeks and she was in fact overwhelmed with relief…but that didn't mean he needed to take the mickey out of her for it. "Please Adrian, don't think I'm upset…I'm just…" she inhaled deeply, trying to steady her nerves. "I'm just so grateful for everything you three have done and especially for how you defended me today" she said while staring pointedly at Pucey.

"There's no need to thank me, Ms. Granger. We expected nearly every accusation they threw at us and even those we didn't were easily deflected" Pucey stated honestly as he skolled his drink. "Now, before I leave, I want to say that you did marvelously in court today Ms. Granger. You held it together through their slander and accusations beautifully. I'll be in touch over the course of the next month and remember I'm only an owl away if either of you need anything" with that he tossed back his drink, saluted the three of them, and disapparated.

"Well…" Harry said after a few quiet moments "I don't know about the two of you but I'm fairly certain we can call today a win, and that deserves a celebration." He smiled broadly as Draco groaned at his enthusiasm. "Now Malfoy, I know you're tired of seeing us all the time but seeing as you're a week away from taking my sister across the Atlantic for two weeks I think a celebratory dinner is in order before we leave the two of you alone." With that Hermione burst into a fit of giggles as Draco rolled his eyes and nodded in acquiescence to inviting the horde over once again.