Chapter Twenty Seven

The White Courtroom

Hermione stared at the white marble walls of the courtroom. She had hoped she would never be back there, but it was less than a year, and she found herself on the wrong side of the Ministry.

It was just a hearing she reminded herself, not a trial. They were only trying to do a good thing but going the wrong way about it, surely that counted for something. She knew all the laws, all the loopholes and had tried to predict what methods they would attempt to bring her and Draco down. She felt they had a strong defence and if necessary, she could bring her 'golden girl' heroism into it, she hoped it wouldn't come to that.

Professor McGonagall escorted Hermione and Draco to the Ministry via Floo and seated them in the courtroom ten minutes before the hearing was scheduled to start. Draco and Hermione hadn't spoken a word to each other in five days, not since their fight in the common room. They now sat two chairs apart. Hermione picked at her nails, looking behind her every few seconds to see when her friends arrived. It was meant to be a small, quick affair. She was expecting Harry to support her, and Sirius was coming as her representative. She hoped Draco had someone coming. He sat there, staring straight ahead at the blank walls. She hoped he was okay.

The next time Hermione glanced back, Harry entered the room. He made his way up the aisle, as soon as he was close enough, she stood up and flung her arms around him.

"Are you alright, Hermione?" he asked.

She nodded, afraid if she started talking, she would burst into tears. Harry awkwardly patted her on the back as she sat back down, Harry glared at Draco. Hermione snuck a glance to the side, he appeared to have gone back to old Draco mode. His face looked stony, she knew he had his occlumency shields up. To anyone from the outside they would see his facade of an ex-Death Eater, but she could see through it. She knew it was his way of dealing with the situation.

Harry had a concerned look on his face, she managed a weak smile in reassurance, she could tell Harry didn't buy it. Next, a bunch of what looked like scientists and healers walked in and took seats on the other side of the walkway. She was surprised at how many of them there were, she was under the impression this would be straight forward.

Next Professor McGonagall came back in, accompanied by Mr Weasley, Professor Slughorn, Sirius and Andromeda. Their footsteps echoed up the stone walkway. Mr Weasley and Professor Slughorn nodded in greeting and sat in the row of chairs one back. Andromeda greeted Hermione with a kiss and a hug as she walked passed, and to Hermione's relief took the seat next to Draco. Sirius followed, he kissed Hermione's cheek, and a gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before sitting on the empty chair next to her, beside Andromeda.

Hermione leaned forward to thank Andromeda for coming, she saw the scowl on Draco's face and the look of anger threatening to bubble over. She knew it was due to Sirius's arrival. She had to talk to him, not exactly the way she wanted to do it, but realised she had to do something now or he would sabotage their chance of freedom with his foul mood and jealousy.

She excused herself to Harry and Sirius and moved to sit next to Draco. He remained sitting up straight, staring forward. She tried to pull his hand into hers, but he sat like a block of ice, his hands frozen in place.

She shuffled closer to him so they weren't touching, but close enough she could whisper in his ear without anyone overhearing. She cast a silent muffliato just to be safe.

"Draco, stop acting like a child, you're going to get us both locked up if this is your attitude for the trial," she hissed, deciding tough love was the way to get through to him. He continued to ignore her.

"Fine— I'll just talk. You are being a childish brat. I told you nothing is going on with Sirius and me, and there isn't, that's all in the past. But he's still my friend, and he's going to get us out of this mess, so you need to get hold of yourself! We cannot go to Azkaban, do you hear me. Our whole future resting on this moment, so don't ruin this for us."

She saw a crack in his mask. His mouth twitched. He slowly turned to her and leaned in close so she could feel his breath on her cheek. "You will never lie to me again," he said.

A chill ran through her. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you everything, but I didn't lie," she hissed. She wasn't going to give in to his intimidation. "And if I ever catch you trying to Crucio someone again you'll be more than sorry. Now snap out of it, we have to win this thing— together," she said, reaching out, gingerly placing her hand on top of his.

He turned his hand over and squeezed hers without changing his expression. It was all she needed to know he was still on her side. She quickly kissed his cheek. "And of course I choose you Draco, I love you," she whispered before rushing back to her seat, not waiting to see his reaction in case it broke her.

She had told him. Her heart was hammering in her chest and she felt like she might throw up. It wasn't romantic or sappy, maybe it was this level of pressure she needed to do it. But either way, she had said it and she had never felt so certain about anything in her life.

Staring forward with one leg crossed over the other, she tapped her foot, she could tell it was annoying Sirius but didn't stop. An important-looking wizard marched up the aisle and sat at the head chair, the heavy door slammed and made a series of mechanical locking sounds. Hermione looked around, thankfully there didn't seem to be any reporters present. Just a bunch of scientific-looking Wizards, a richly dressed Defence Wizard, and Hermione and Draco's few supporters.

The proceedings began by reading out all the violations of the law Hermione and Draco had committed, sixteen accounts in total. Upon hearing this, Hermione swallowed and tried her best to remain calm, looking straight forward at the white walls. She sat perfectly still, suddenly feeling light-headed, her dry mouth not letting her swallow.

An account of events was relayed to the room, along with the reading of Hermione and Draco's official reports on the potion and incident. Sirius spoke on behalf of both Hermione and Draco, paying compliment to both their character and maturity since the war, he also played up Hermione's role as the golden girl and made reference to Draco's change of sides and trying to restart his life. Sirius really knew how to work a crowd, Hermione was grateful.

Andromeda spoke after Sirius, giving a short but heartfelt speech about her feelings for Hermione and Draco and how they were both part of her family. She was glad Draco had Meda as an Aunt.

Then, one by one, the scientist wizards and healers each gave their account on their testing of the base potions Hermione and Draco created and the results from correctly following the procedure with safe moon-flower seeds. Their experiment had been replicated a number of times once their base potions were deemed correctly brewed. The wizards in the St Mungos potions lab had put a surprising amount of man-hours into the experiment. This gave Hermione hope, they weren't being written off as reckless idiots at least. Professor Slughorn sat there smiling and nodding as if he had something to do with it.

It was then, much to Hermione's surprise that the St Mungos Potions Master made his announcement. He straightened his robes and cleared his throat before announcing that their potion was not only correctly formulated, but was, in his opinion, a marvel of potioneering and could be a revolutionary tool in recovery for torture victims.

Hermione nearly bounced out of her seat upon hearing this. The potion actually works! She looked between Sirius and Harry beaming. She couldn't see Draco but imagined he looked the same as before. The room was filled with muttering and mumbling. Professor Slughorn gave Hermione a firm pat on the back from the row behind.

Once the Potions Master sat down, the focus of the room was drawn back to the Head Wizard. His black regal robes and imposing wizards hat demanded respect.

He cleared his throat. "These two young people, geniuses apparently—" he said wafting his hand in the air— "Have created a potion of remarkable skill, which looks as though it will have significant benefits to the greater Wizarding community. However— this does not excuse the fact that they broke sixteen of our laws," his gaze fell on Hermione. "Justice must be achieved."

With that comment Hermione felt her stomach drop, she swallowed, her mouth felt so dry. Of course they couldn't get out of it that easily.

"Would the accused please stand before me," he summoned them up to the front. Hermione could feel her knees shaking as she attempted to get out of her chair. She felt Draco's hand on her back as she stood up. She reached the aisle, and they walked side by side to the front. They stood tall in front of the room. Hermione imagined throwing up in front of the whole room, she stood as still as possible—as if that would prevent it.

He addressed Hermione directly. "Miss Hermione Granger, the actions you have taken during this incident have been taken into account along with those of your past efforts in the war. The sacrifices you made and the part you played assisting Harry Potter during the dark times put you in good standing with the Wizarding Community and the Ministry of Magic."

Hermione had an uneasy feeling about where this was going. He cleared his throat and scanned his eyes across the room, falling first on Draco, then back to Hermione. "Your word is acknowledged to be honest and truthful. Therefore, we are offering you a full pardon on all accounts if—you come forward now and tell us if Mr Draco Malfoy influenced you, cursed you or if you were in some way coerced."

Mumbling filled the room. Sirius yelled out in protest. Hermione didn't dare look around, she was trying to process what the Head Wizard was saying.

"If this is the case Mr Malfoy will be sentenced to take full responsibility and will be taken into custody of the Ministry. You may now respond." He looked down at Hermione over his glasses. The whole room was silent, all eyes focused on her.

She could feel herself shaking, this time from rage. How could they even think that?

She stared down the Head Wizard about to tell him where to shove his pardon when Draco grabbed her wrist, forcing her to turn and face him. The two courtroom guards stepped closer as if ready for Draco to go crazy and take him down. She glared at them as well.

"Hermione, you should take it. A full pardon, don't worry about what happens to me. I dragged you into this and this is your chance to get out." His voice forceful and determined. Though he was whispering, the room was so quiet she was sure everyone could hear.

She was shocked he even suggested it. "I'm not going to lie Draco and I'm not going to let you take all the blame, that's ridiculous. We're in this together." Now was the time to make it up to him. She grabbed his hand, gripping it tightly as if it would stop him throwing himself into Azkaban. Why the hell would he think she wanted that?

She shifted her gaze back to the Head Wizard, standing as tall as she could, crushing all the blood out of Draco's hand. "Draco did not coerce me, trick me or make me doing anything I didn't want to. We both made the potion and both take equal responsibility," she said loudly so everyone could hear.

The Head Wizard then addressed both of them. Not looking at all surprised or even interested in her declaration, she realised it had been a test, one she hopefully passed. "You are both very intelligent individuals, and I do not believe you conducted this experiment in ignorance of the potential consequences. However you took the risk, and fortunately for you, it has paid off. Your potion will help many people, and I believe yourselves included."

One person's clapping echoed around the room, she looked back to see Professor Slughorn standing up clapping alone, Professor McGonagall pulling at his robes to get him back in his seat.

The Head Wizard raised an eyebrow and continued, clearly not going to apologise to Draco for his accusations. "However— a just sentence has been decided for both of you."

Hermione could feel her arms shivering, she couldn't stop it, sure the whole room could feel it, see it. She bit her lip, not wanting to hear what was going to happen to her. She almost wished she could go back to the day when she was protesting using so many illegal ingredients in a potion, was this all worth it?

"You are to remain under probation, under the supervision of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry until the completion of your Newt level qualifications. You will not leave the school grounds during this time. Upon completing your Newts, you will both report to the Potions Master at St Mungo's Hospital where you will complete a one-year unpaid community service program, working in the potions lab. You will assist in refining the potion and provide support in human trials."

Hermione felt a glow spread through her chest, they weren't going to Azkaban, their potion actually worked! She wanted to hug Draco in excitement but refrained from doing so. The courtroom was still silent and the Head Wizard's glare unsettled her.

"Because we need such strong minds in our task of rebuilding our World, you two are being given this severe warning. You are expected to be model citizens and will not be given second chances if you are brought before the Ministry again for any form of misdemeanour. Consider yourselves lucky, and well warned." He looked down his nose at them through his think rimmed glasses and gave them a final nod.

He then stood up, coughed and nodded to the fancily dressed Defence Wizard and Professor McGonagall before clapping his hands and announcing the proceedings finished. He vanished from his chair.

Happy mumbling broke out across the groups in the room. Hermione, unable to contain herself any longer flung herself at Draco. She felt his arms wrap around her. She broke away and grabbed his hands, jiggling them wildly. "Can you believe it Draco, our potion worked!"

He smiled at her excitement but remained as cool as ever, "Of course it worked," he said. "Go hug your friends, you need to bounce that energy off somewhere else."

"Admit it, you're as excited as I am inside," she said laughing, still holding his hands.

"Of course I am," he said, leaning down to kiss her. It was the most genuine kiss she had ever experienced. Everything Draco wasn't saying, everything he felt— she could feel in the kiss. She smiled up at him. He shooed her over to her friends. She bounced over to Harry and wrapped him in a tight hug.

"Can you believe it!" she said. Harry just laughed, caught up in her excitement.

"Of course we can love," Sirius said. "We all know how brilliant you are, now the world will too." He pulled her into a hug.

Andromeda went over to Draco to talk to the Potions Master. Professor McGonagall and Professor Slughorn came up to congratulate and remind Hermione how lucky they were, several people were not in full support of Draco getting away with it. Fortunately, it turned out the Head Wizard was an old friend of the Headmistress and a reasonable man— so she said.

Professor Slughorn, already claiming their glory as his own began making his way around the room telling anyone who would listen about his brilliant students. Mr Wealsey gave Hermione a quick congratulatory handshake before running back to work, she could tell he was genuinely pleased for them.

"So you and Draco are officially a couple?" Harry said, arms folded across his chest. Sirius was listening in.

"I don't know Harry, we had a fight and haven't talked all week," she said nervously glancing over at Draco.

I still can't get my head around you two, so opposite but you seem to be well-matched," Sirius said shaking his head. "So many options Hermione and you pick someone like him," he said it light-heartedly, but she knew there was another meaning.

"You stay out of my love life, Sirius Black. I won't have you ruining it, so no trying to make him jealous or insinuating comments about us. Got it?" she said nicely, but her wand poking into his chest showed her true meaning.

He put his hands up in defence. "Got it, love. I'm on my best behaviour." He crossed his heart and mock bowed. Hermione tilted her head with raised eyebrows, not quite believing him.

"The Daily Prophet is going to have a hard time back-peddling from their stories," Harry said.

"Yes, I have a plan for that. But right now I need to talk to these potion experts." She tried to flatten her hair slightly and went to join Draco.

The castle seemed darker and quieter than usual when they returned. Professor McGonagall gave them both a stern warning, but also hugged each of them before bidding them goodnight.

Draco and Hermione looked at each other and laughed. The strangeness of the situation overcame the silence they had been maintaining. Hermione had no idea where she stood with Draco anymore. The courtroom had been all excitement and forgiveness. But their trip back through the Ministry and to school, Draco hadn't said a word or looked in Hermione's direction. He was so hard to read.

They walked the dark hallways. Every noise caused Hermione to jump. She felt like she'd been living on thin ice the past few weeks and it was ready to crack and plunge her into its icy water below. The relief of their freedom hadn't quite set in, all she could think about was what Draco was thinking. Had he gone back to hating her? Had the courtroom just been an act to help them?

She stopped, frozen in place. She couldn't walk back into their dorms, not knowing the future.

"Hermione, are you okay?" Draco asked, turning once he realised she was no longer walking.

"Do you hate me? Was this all just an act?" she choked out the words.

He was silent. His eyes shadowed in black from the dark hallway. She suddenly wished they were somewhere warm and light. He took a step toward her. "Is that what you think? You think I could make all this up?"

She shrugged, folding her arms across her chest. "Honestly— I don't know what to think. I feel like I'm about to break and I can't take much more. Just be honest with me— please Draco."

"Hermione— I thought I made it clear. I want to be with you. I'm sorry I tried to curse Pansy, and I said all that stuff about Sirius, but I know what I want, and it's you. " He leaned in to kiss her but she turned her head and pulled away.

"You scare me sometimes, Draco. I see flashes of the old you, a Death Eater and I can't do this if you're going to switch between these two people." She avoided looking into his eyes.

"I can't help the past— it's a part of me. I'm trying my best here, and I don't want to be that person anymore— but I can't promise I'll always do the right thing or be a good person, that's not realistic." He ran a hand through his hair. "I can promise I will never hurt you."

Hermione burst into tears, finding herself collapsing into his arms that quickly encircled her. "I'm sorry Draco, this has been the worst week. I can't handle much more of it. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Sirius. Can we just start again?"

He stroked her hair, "I think that might be a good idea. Stop crying— we should be celebrating here. Our potion worked, and we aren't going to Azkaban. Those seem like good reasons to celebrate. Plus we have work to do setting these rumours and newspapers straight."

She sniffed, half laughing, half crying, "This is ridiculous, you're right. Let's go celebrate, then tomorrow we can have breakfast together and see what everyone thinks of this." She said looking down at their fingers laced together.

Draco winced at the thought. Hand in hand, they walked back to their dorm, the hallways not seeming as dark as it had before.

Authors note- Thank you so much to everyone who has been following along with this story, thank you for the comments and encouragement. The last chapters will be up on Christmas day, which is Christmas eve for a lot of you.

For those of you on holiday breaks happy holidays! Hope you get lots of reading in :)