Chapter Sixteen
Hermione sat in the dimly lit room a camera pointed at her and a screen portraying the courtroom she would soon be talking too. She had spent the last few days speaking with the lawyer about what to expect and what she would be expected to say.
"Miss Granger, can you hear us?" A voice came through the ear peace
"Yes, I can hear you" she replied, looking to the screen,
"And you can see us?" He asked waving to the camera on his end,
"Yes sir" she answered again,
"Good, good. Now Miss Granger, can you confirm that my counterpart in England has swarm you in?" the man continued
"Yes sir" she said,
"Thank you, Miss Granger, now can you please, in your own word can you please tell us what happened that day on the ship" he asked,
Yes sir," she swallowed, she knew Draco was just the other side of the door and would be in here with her if he could, but she knew she had to do this to prove she wasn't weak and to protect others from the men who had attacked her. "I had booked a private Kabana," she began
"I would like to ask the jury to see exhibit two, please continue" he said
"um, so it was about 12:15 when I got there. I approached the kabana, I could see it was occupied, but i knew it was the one I booked"
"Sorry Miss Granger, could you inform us how you knew that was the one you had booked" the man asked,
"Oh, the kabana's all have like door numbers on them, and when I booked the kabana they gave me paperwork that stated kabana 3 was the one I'd reserved."
"Thank you, please what happened when you approached" he said
"I asked them to leave as I had booked"
Draco was pacing up and down outside the door,
"Draco, sit down" Blaise said "you're making me dizzy"
"Why can I be in there with her?" Draco snapped,
"Because we both know that you would smash the camera when the cross examination started, Hermione will be ok, and you are here when she gets out"
"We should have told them she couldn't do it in her condition" Draco said still pacing
"Draco I will jinx you if you don't sit down!"
xxx
Hermione stared at the camera
"Miss Granger answer the question" the judge said
"I am" she whispered
"And correct me if I'm wrong that would make the conception date around the time of the so-called Rape" the defence lawyer asked,
"I'm sorry, but are you saying because my client fell pregnant around the time of the incident that she deserved to be assaulted" the prosecutor demanded
"I'm just stating that if she was assaulted as she claims, how is it she was able to sleep with someone else as if nothing happened" the defence lawyer argued
"So because I was assaulted, I should never sleep with the man I love ever again? I should belong to the monster who assaulted me" Hermione asked.
"Your honour may I approach" the prosecutor asked.
The judge allowed and both lawyers approached the bench.
"there is no proof that she did or didn't conceive after the crime was committed, just that it occurred around the time, baiting in mind she was on holiday with her partner"
"Agreed," the Judge said
xxx
"How long has it been now?" Draco asked,
"Five minutes longer than last time" Blaise sighed "touch that handle and they will throw you in jail" he said watching Draco staring at the door "it shouldn't be too much longer"
"I hate this" Draco said falling into a chair
"I know mate" Blaise lent back in his chair,
"Miss Granger, how has this event affected you" the prosecutor asked,
"I was scared to leave my room, I can't leave my house without my partner, I have nightmares that they will find me and finish what they started but worst of all I'm scared that if they are not punished they will do this to someone else" she said visibly crying.
"Thank you Miss Granger" the judge said "at this time we shall adjourn for the jury to deliberate" the judge raised his gavel.
xxx
The victim support officer shut of the camera off, and passed Hermione a tissue,
"You did brilliantly Miss Granger, as the judge said they will now deliberate, I don't believe they will take too long, however you are free to leave. I will contact you with the decision when we receive it" she shook Hermione's hand before opening the door to let her out.
Draco jumped to his feet as soon as the door opened, Hermione stepped out of the room straight into his arms,
"Are you ok" he asked holding her tightly,
"Yeah...I think I am" she sighed feeling safe with him at her side again,
"can we go home now" Draco asked
"yes" she smiled, her stomach made a loud grumble "can we get food I think this one is hungry" she smiled resting her hand on her bump
"Anything for my two girls" he smiled as he, Hermione and Blaise made their way out of the station.
xxx
It was two days later when the phone rang, Draco watched Hermione's face as the victim support officer gave Hermione the news
"Thank you" she said hanging up,
"Well?" Draco asked
"One got a five year sentence the others got suspended sentences and they are now all on the sexual offenders list" she said, "it's over" she let out a breath, Draco wasn't pleased with the results, but he could see Hermione was ok with it so he just enveloped in a tight hug and pressing his lips to her forehead. "I love you Draco" she whispered melting into his hug.