Once again, I have another chapter for you. Have a great night and happy reading. –Sevy14


Thursday Morning: Day of the Hearing

I awoke at 6:00am this morning. Groaning as I sit up and rub my eyes. Hermione had yet to say a word to me and had gotten out of Advanced Potions and the Head's meeting and patrolling with which she was paired with me. While I was getting somewhat irritated with her immature behavior I was just letting her ride it out, knowing that she would come to me when she was ready. After showering I went out to the kitchen, thinking it was a bit too quiet even for this hour I look over to see that it's 6:40am, I'd taken a long shower. I walk back down the hallway and open the door to Hermione's Gryffindor room and both of the cats sprint out and down the hallway. Looking in she's sleeping soundly on the bed. I think to wake her but I don't, she hasn't spoken to me and she might not appreciate me waking her up. This is my new challenge-being considerate of her space… At least I think that this is the challenge. I shrug and then shut the door silently and walk back to the kitchen where both cats are waiting by their food bowls. I sigh and look at them, Cortes meows and bend over, pouring their food into their bowls. Neither giving me a second look they begin to eat, once again I don't receive a thank you-of course they're animals can't expect anything from them. I grab some milk from the ice box and some cold cereal and pour it in the bowl. I grind at the cereal and the sound is loud in my head. I'm done with my meal after five minutes of eating and I down my pumpkin juice. I stand, almost tripping over the blast cats as they lay in wait for any dropped milk, and move to the sink where I turn the sink on and begin to wash the bowl. Afterwards I look at the clock and it reads 6:55am. I sigh and go and light the fire in the front room, I'm sure that Hermione would at least appreciate having a warm living room when she awakes, of course, that's just what I tell myself, what she really wants I have no idea at the moment since we haven't spoken in more than twenty-four hours. There's a knock on the door and rise, opening the door Draco's standing there and I stand back, allowing him entrance. As he walks in front of me into the living room I notice that he's a bit on edge, one would only noticed if they knew him. "Have you eaten?" He nods,

"Yes uncle." I'm not really sure what to expect from today, nor am I sure how to feel-how to act.

I nod. "Very good." He sits in one of the armchairs and stares at the fire. I look at the boy who is obviously in a state of confusion, I don't blame him. I'm feeling a sense of confusion as well. If released, what does that mean for my family? Family?! When did I… I suppose that is a valid question, and perhaps Albus is right, I should be thinking more on 'family' terms and not Hermione and I terms. "I'm going to inform Hermione of our departure, I'll be right back."

"Alright." This won't be good.

Walking back to wake Hermione I had a knot forming in my stomach. A part of me wanted to just leave, only leaving a note but I figured I'd rather avoid that argument and so I brave the cold shoulder that I've been offered as of late and I lean over across the bed and I touch her shoulder and shake her a bit, "Hermione," I whisper. Nothing though. "Hermione."

"Ugh… I-What?!" I look up at Severus through groggy eyes. "Why-why are you in here?! Get out!" I say shaking his hand off my shoulder and sitting up quickly. Regretting it though as the blood flow makes my rush into a dizzying fashion and I raise my hand up to my temple caressing it and I look at him, "What?"

I want to comment on her tone but it isn't worth it I think sighing. "I wanted to inform you that Draco and I are leaving for the hearing now, it starts at 8:15am. I'll be gone for tonight, perhaps even for dinner."

I just look at him. What does he want me to say. "Okay…" He just looks at me and sighs.

"Well I… Have a good day ."

"Mhmm." He turns and leaves. I just sit there staring at the spot where he had just been standing, what do I do?

I enter the living room and Draco stands.

"You're alive."

He says in a light tone, although I note that it's forced. "She makes me feel helpless." I say to him and he nods,

"Women, eh?" I feel bad for Uncle Severus, Granger's a hard bird to knock.

I just look at Draco, he did not say what I think he said. But he did and he shrugs his shoulders. Grabbing some floo powder I throw it into the fire and we step through.


Hermione's POV:

Still sitting there I suddenly hop out of the bed and hurry across the room, down the hall and into the living room. I reach up and take a pinch of floo powder and threw it into the fire, "Professor McGonnagal." I say and the fire flames green and I step through. I was so happy that I had permission to come through into her personal quarters. "Professor. Professor." I say loudly in her living room, thinking it'd be a bit rude to walk around her personal quarters. "Professor can you hear me?"

"Oh Hermione, hello dear is there something I can help you with? Something wrong?"

"I-I" I didn't know what to say. I'd been so upset with Severus that I'd put off thinking about the hearing and what I was going to do. I sigh and run my hands through my messy hair. "I'd like to go to the hearing. A-and Severus already left and-and I…" I just fall silent and look at her. She nods.

"Very well. I shall take you down to meet Severus. Go shower and be ready. What time does it start?"

I look over at the mantle and see that the time is 7:25am. "It starts at 8:15."

"Alright my dear. I shall be down to get you at 7:50am."

"Okay thank you. I'm sorry to make you have to go out of your day."

"No no my dear. This might be good for you and Severus. Go shower, go."

"Okay thanks." I say and smile at her before turning and disappearing through a flash of green flames.

7:50am

Twenty-five minutes later I find myself showered, dressed, in a midnight blue dressrobe, with black wedges. I don my cloak and make sure that the cats are fed when Headmaster Dumbledore comes through the flames. "Oh! Hello sir. I wasn't expecting you." Unsure all of a sudden I look at her and then down and back up again. Does this look alright? I haven't ever been to a hearing for a release before." I say somewhat bashfully.

"You look great. Now, Professor McGonnagal had to take care of something here so I offered to escort you to the hearing."

I smile. "Thank you sir. I'm a bit nervous." He smiles and nods.

"Yes, that is perfectly understandable. Now come here, we're going to apparate there, it's faster."

He says smiling. Feeling a bit awkward I get close to him and we touch and then the pulling in my belly button tells me we're apparating and I close my eyes. After the feeling stops I open them and we're there. I look over at him and he's smiling. I nod, signaling I'm ready and he begins walking. I follow him, my stomach throwing up all over itself internally. I feel as though I might be sick but I won't. holding my head up high we walk past the guards, inwardly I think it's kind of cool getting a free entry pass because I'm with Albus Dumbledore, the most powerful wizard in the world. After we pass the security check point he turns and winks at me, I smile. We go up the large stone steps and then I hear the familiar voice of Narcissa Malfoy and I feel like backing out-but it's too late. And then all of a sudden, it is too late because Headmaster Dumbledore calls out to Severus.

"Severus my boy, here is another member to add to your party."

The icky bile rides up my throat when Severus turns and looks at me, his eyebrows don't shoot up in surprise but his eyes show the surprise clear as day. I look down bashfully at my feet and clasp my hands behind my back. The thought crosses my mind that I must look like a small child and then I think, compared to the Headmaster, I am just a small child. A hand on the small of my back makes me look up and over at the Headmaster and he winks at me and pushes on my back a bit and move forward a bit. I walk towards Severus, Mrs. Malfoy, and Draco, who I am pleased to see has yet to close his mouth in shock at my appearance. I turn half way to them and wave at the headmaster who waves back and then turns and disappears around the corner. I sigh, turn, look at Severus. When I reach them I look up at him and then take his hand, "He's your friend. Even if I don't like him, I should at least support you and your care for him." He looks down at me and I swallow, "Besides, I know I'd ask you to do the same for me if I were in this situation." I just stand there and look from him to the Malfoy's. It seemed like an eternity, especially with the silence that was between us, but the clerk calls Mr. Malfoy's case number and the Malfoy's turn and look at the clerk. I look at Severus and then I look at them. I lean up on my tip toes and whisper, "Are we going to go in?" He just looks at me and I look back at him. A small smile graces my features. "Did you really think I'd let you come alone? I may be stubborn but I know that I need to support you and your friendship since it means so much to you-even if I don't want to." He looks at me and nods.

"We'll talk later."

"Okay," I whisper quietly. As I look around I faintly hear him murmur,

"Thank you for coming."

I turn my head to look back at him but it's as though nothing has been said. He motions for us to follow the Malfoy's into the courtroom and once again, my stomach does flips and I'm nervous-although I don't know why, it isn't like Severus is on trial here. Out of the corner of my though I see a brightly dressed woman, and I groan a bit, Severus looks down at me,

"What?"

"Skeeter." I say and nod my head in her direction. "She's trouble. We don't have a good relationship." I've failed to mention to Severus that I have a bit of blackmail on her. I pray to God, to Merlin, to whomever is listening that she doesn't approach us.

"It's fine. Sit here."

He says and I realize where we're at. Just behind the defendants table. More accurately directly behind the man, Lucius Malfoy himself, and I had never been in more of a squeamish state than I was now. I felt a hand gently squeeze my own and I look over at Severus, but just as fast as the pressure's there-it's gone. But I appreciate it and lean my head on his shoulder. My only response from him is a sniff, I just smile to myself.


My muse seems to be infatuated with this story as of now. I really hope that you enjoy the chapters that I've been putting up. Have a lovely week and I hope to hear from you. Happy reading. –Sevy14