A/N - Hey everyone! Just a reminder to remember the warnings on this fic with this chapter. Some of the prisoners did not have an easy time of it. Nothing graphically described, as usual, however. I hope you enjoy this one and thanks for reading and reviewing!
Chapter 44
Unexpected
Hermione wasn't sure how long she sat in stunned silence after Lucius' arrest. She finally looked up when Ginny ran into her room, face streaked with tears.
"They arrested Draco!" Ginny said falling onto the bed next to Hermione. The two women clutched each other.
"Lucius too," Hermione said. She pulled back. "Ginny what happened?" The redhead swiped at her face with the back of her hand.
"Kingsley and Charlie and Padma's father had left to get Padma," Ginny said.
"Is she all right?" Hermione interrupted.
"Yes, thank Merlin. Whatever Rookwood told them was the truth because they brought her back a bit after the Aurors and the Hitwizards got here."
"What happened with the Aurors?"
"Kingsley expected Robards to contact him before they came to get the Death Eaters. Kingsley had told Oliver to send him a Patronus if we heard from Robards. But they just showed up. Ron and Oliver let them in and showed them where the cellars were. But some of them stayed on the grounds. We thought that maybe they were going to question us about the battle or something but they asked for Draco and Lucius, Nott and Professor Snape. We told them Nott was still at Lestrange Manor and that Professor Snape and Lucius were in the house. Two Aurors left for the house. Draco was with me so he stepped forward thinking they were just going to ask him some questions and they arrested him!" Ginny began to sniffle again.
"I don't understand, Hermione, Draco was helping us the whole time! He was passing information and messages and he rescued me!"
"I know," Hermione said wrapping her arm around Ginny.
"You should have seen his face when they asked him for his wand," Ginny said. "He looked so confused. And when they put the manacles on him, he was just, it was like he was completely defeated." She shook her head and began to cry again.
"Lucius just looked resigned," Hermione said quietly. "Like he had expected this all along."
"They can't keep them locked up, surely," Ginny said. "Once they question them and find out what happened, they'll let them go. Won't they?"
"I don't know, Gin," Hermione said, tears forming in her own eyes again. "I just don't know.
"What the hell is going on, Gawain?" Kingsley shouted as he walked into Robards office. He and Charlie had arrived back at Nott Manor to complete chaos. Ginny was sobbing, trying to explain to Charlie that they'd taken Draco and then they found out that Severus and Lucius had been arrested as well. The only reason that Theo hadn't been was because they couldn't get past the wards at Lestrange Manor. But as soon as they had questioned Rabastan Lestrange and found a way in, they were going to arrest Theo too.
"They're Marked Death Eaters, Kingsley," Robards said. "And watch your tone. I'm still your superior."
"Severus was cleared after the first war," Kingsley said. "And I've told you what really happened with Dumbledore. Theo Nott has been a Death Eater for all of five minutes. He was forced into it in an attempt to protect Luna Lovegood, which you also know. Draco has been passing information for months and Lucius actually helped get rid of Voldemort. You know all of this, Gawain!"
"And they'll have their trials just like everyone else," Robards said. "All of those things will work in their favor and help in their sentencing."
"Sentencing?" Kingsley repeated. "You can't honestly intend to send any of these men to prison?"
"Lucius Malfoy claimed the Imperius curse in the first war which I'm sure we both know was a pile of dragon shite," Robards said, face reddening in his anger. "That's not going to happen this time. I am not about to just let all of them go because they may have helped a bit now."
"A bit?" Kingsley said in disbelief. "Without the four of them the war wouldn't be over! The Resistance would still be in hiding and Voldemort would still be in power. They helped more than a bit, Gawain."
"And as I said, I'm sure that will be taken into account in their trials," Robards said. "But they're Marked, Kingsley. Anyone Marked is being arrested."
"I want them questioned and tried first," Kingsley said. "So they don't have to spend any more time than necessary in those holding cells." Robards scowled.
"I'm in charge of this department," he said. "They'll be questioned as I see fit. Or aren't the remaining hostages important to you anymore?"
Kingsley glared at the man, knowing he couldn't possibly protest against Robards' logic. The hostages were the most important thing right now. If that meant that the Malfoys, Theo, and Severus had to sit in a holding cell for a few days, it couldn't be helped.
"I want it on record that I vehemently disagree with their arrests," Kingsley said.
"Duly noted," Robards said, shuffling a bit of parchment on his desk. "The DMLE will take over the questioning of the Death Eaters."
"I'm part of the DMLE," Kingsley said with a frown.
"You are not currently an active member of this department."
"Then reinstate me," Kingsley said. Robards looked up from the parchment on his desk.
"I'm not sure that's such a good idea."
"What are you talking about? You've been telling me all along how short-handed you are."
"And I don't know if I can trust your judgement right now," Robards said. Kingsley stared at him incredulously.
"You can't be serious."
"We will question the Death Eaters," Robards stated again. "If we need your assistance for anything, I will contact you. You're dismissed." Kingsley stood and stared at Robards for a few more moments before he spun on his heel and stalked out of the man's office.
As Kingsley came through the Floo, Charlie jumped up from the couch where he had been waiting.
"Well?" Charlie asked. Not only did he want to know why the Malfoys and Snape had been arrested, Charlie hoped that Kingsley had gotten the go ahead from Robards to go to Hogwarts and get Bill and Fleur. Ginny was beside herself about both Draco and Bill. Poppy had had to give his mum a calming draught.
"Robards is choosing not to reinstate me," Kingsley said. Charlie stared at him for a minute.
"I don't understand."
"Neither do I," Kingsley said with a sigh. He scrubbed a hand down his face.
"What about Bill and Fleur?" Charlie asked.
"The DMLE is taking over questioning of the Death Eaters. They'll notify us if they need our help," Kingsley said disgustedly.
"But we know where they are," Charlie protested. This was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard and he wasn't going to stand for it. He'd go to Hogwarts on his own if he had to.
"We do," Kingsley said. He looked at Charlie. "Still have that Auror badge Robards gave you?"
"Yeah."
"Get it and let's go," Kingsley said.
"Go where?" Charlie asked.
"Hogwarts," Kingsley replied. "Robards can go bugger himself. We're going to get your brother and Fleur."
Ginny was still in Hermione's room when Poppy walked in. She ran her scans on Hermione and then nodded in approval.
"Everything is improving quite nicely."
"Good, then I can get out of this bed," Hermione said. Poppy frowned.
"Just because you are improving doesn't mean that you're healed."
"I realize that but I can't just sit here anymore," Hermione said. The mediwitch had a knowing look in her eye.
"You cannot do anything about their arrests right now, Hermione," she said quietly. "Even if you could get into the Ministry, it is still in disarray."
"I need to know what's going on," Hermione said. "And I can't do that stuck in this room. I need to at least be down on the grounds with everyone so I can get the news as it comes in."
Poppy studied her for a few moments before finally nodding, albeit begrudgingly.
"All right, let's get you on your feet and see how you do."
Hermione threw back the blankets and swung her legs to the side of the bed. Ginny and Poppy each took hold of one of her arms and helped her stand. Her legs felt shaky, likely as much from lying in bed for two days as from the magical exhaustion. After a moment, she nodded to the other two women and stood on her own. They both hovered near her to be sure she didn't fall, but Hermione took the steps all on her own.
"How do you feel?" Poppy asked when Hermione reached the end of the bed.
"A bit shaky, but all right," Hermione replied.
"It is quite a walk down to the stables," Poppy said in concern. "I am unsure if you have the stamina yet."
"Liddy can take her," Ginny said. Poppy pursed her lips in through for a moment.
"All right," she said. "But only for a short while and you come back here to sleep." Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, Poppy." The mediwitch squeezed Hermione's hand and then left the room. Hermione turned to Ginny.
"Do you know where my clothes are?"
"No, but I'm sure that Liddy does," Ginny said and she called for the House Elf.
"Miss is awake," Liddy said. She looked a bit downtrodden and Hermione wondered if she knew about Lucius and Draco.
"Liddy are you all right?" she asked.
"Master Draco and Master Lucius be taken by the Ministry men," she said. Hermione's heart clenched at the mention of Lucius' name. Liddy looked up in anger. "Master Draco be a good boy and Master Lucius be different too. They not be like those bad men."
"I know, Liddy," Hermione said. "We're going to get them back." Liddy looked up at Hermione and nodded once in approval.
"How can Liddy be helping Miss?" Hermione smiled down at her.
"Liddy, do you know where my clothes are?"
"Oh, yes, Miss," Liddy said. "Master Lucius sent Liddy back to the Manor to get everyone's things. Liddy will be right back." The elf disappeared and reappeared a few moments later with a set of robes, as well as bra and knickers, shoes and socks.
"Thank you, Liddy," Hermione said.
"Miss can be using Master Lucius' bedroom to freshen up," Liddy said, taking Hermione's hand and disappearing without warning, landing in another bedroom. Ginny came into the room seconds later wide grin on her face.
"How did you get here so fast?" Hermione asked.
"It's only next door," Ginny said, laughing. Liddy glowered at her.
"Miss still be recovering. Liddy will be taking her where she needs to go." Ginny reined in her laughter and tried to put a serious look on her face.
"You're absolutely right, Liddy. Thank you," Ginny said. Liddy nodded again and then shooed Hermione into the bathroom.
"Miss be cleaning up." Hermione looked at Ginny for help but she just stifled her laughter and shook her head at Hermione. Hermione allowed Liddy to push her into the bathroom. Actually, a hot shower sounded quite heavenly.
Kingsley and Charlie landed in front of the Shrieking Shack. Kingsley had no intention of showing up at the gates and announcing their presence. The current professors, with the exception of the Carrows, were not Marked as far as Kingsley knew. However, they obviously believed in Voldemort's cause, or pretended to, or he would never have appointed them.
Instead, they would get onto the grounds through the tunnel from the Shack and walk up to the school. Kingsley wasn't planning on telling anyone they were even there unless they ran across someone. His only objective was to get Bill and Fleur before Robards found out what they were doing.
It was almost curfew when they reached the Shack. By the time they got through the tunnel and onto the grounds, the majority of the students would be in their common rooms.
"Back here," Kingsley said, directing Charlie around the back of the structure. There were only rudimentary wards on the house, obviously most of the wards Dumbledore had placed here had fallen when he died. He and Charlie easily slipped through the back door and began to search for the trap door. When they found it, they climbed down the ladder and crouched into the tunnel.
Reaching the other end, Kingsley shot a spell at the knot to stop the branches moving and they pulled themselves out onto the grounds. With wands drawn they looked around, but all was quiet. Charlie glanced back at Hagrid's hut and sighed. A few days before the battle at Nott's, they had sent a Patronus to Hagrid telling him where they were and what was going to happen. Hagrid still hadn't shown up at Nott Manor. It would have been difficult for him to travel all the way from the forest above Hogsmeade, if that's where he still was, to Nott's with Grawp in tow. But given Hagrid had somehow gotten his half-brother all the way to Hogwarts from the giant's lands, Kingsley was a bit surprised they hadn't managed it. Still, they didn't have time to look for him right now.
"How are we playing this?" Charlie asked.
"We're just walking in. Head for the dungeons. If we come across any teachers along the way, we show our badges. Otherwise, just keep moving," Kingsley said. Charlie nodded in understanding and they hurried up the steps and into the Entrance Hall.
The hall was empty, not surprising given supper was over hours ago. As they strode down the main corridor towards the dungeons, a ghost floated toward them.
"Damn," Kingsley muttered. He had no idea what the ghosts would do; if they would inform someone or simply let them pass.
"Nick," Charlie said. The ghost stopped, a wide smile spreading over his face.
"Mr. Weasley," Nicholas said. "How wonderful to see you again. Whatever are you doing here?"
"We need some help, Nick," Charlie said. Kingsley scanned the corridor as Charlie spoke to Gryffindor's ghost. Kingsley had been a Ravenclaw himself, although he had seen Nearly Headless Nick many times in his years as a student.
Nicholas looked around the corridor and motioned for the two of them to follow him. Kingsley really didn't want to stop moving. The sooner they got to the dungeons, the less chance someone would discover them but Charlie was already following behind the ghost. Kingsley sighed and followed suit.
Nick led them into a classroom and turned expectantly to Charlie.
"We're here on a rescue mission," Charlie said.
"Thank goodness," Nick said. "The students have not enjoyed this year at all."
"No, not the students," Charlie said apologetically. "Not yet anyway. Do you remember my brother Bill?"
"Of course!" Nick said. "Former Head Boy."
"He's being held captive here," Charlie said. "Along with his wife, Fleur Delacour."
"The Beauxbatons champion?" Nick asked.
"Yes," Charlie said. Nick frowned.
"They're being held here?"
"Yes," Charlie said. "After the battle last year, they were…given to the Carrows. We've recently discovered where they are and we're here to take them home."
"How can I be of assistance?"
"Can you keep any of the staff away from the dungeons? And any of the ghosts that might feel the need to announce our presence?"
"Of course," Nick said. "I shall guard the entrance to the dungeons myself."
"Thanks, Nick," Charlie said with a smile.
"Let's go," Kingsley said, impatient to get moving.
The ghost led them through the corridors towards the stairs to the dungeons. They had to hide behind a suit of armor at one point while Nick distracted one of the teachers but made it to the dungeons unseen.
"I shall remain here," Nick said. "But watch out for Professor Bulstrode. He is the new Slytherin Head of House."
"Thank you," Kingsley said and he and Charlie began to move slowly down the stairs. The room that Bill and Fleur were being kept in was past the entrance to the Slytherin dorms and the Potions classroom in a never used corridor. The door was hidden, much as the door to the Slytherin common room was, but Kingsley had the password, as well as knew what wards had been placed around the room.
He and Charlie reached the hidden room without running into anyone. They immediately set to dismantling the wards. When the last one dropped, Kingsley looked at Charlie.
"Are you ready?" Charlie seemed to steel himself and then nodded. Kingsley spoke the password and the stone wall melted away.
"Oh gods," Charlie said once they had stepped inside. Bill was chained to a wall by his wrists, his head hanging down, a robe much too large for him flung haphazardly over him. Fleur lay on a cot against the opposite wall, a thick steel cuff around one of her ankles attached to a chain bolted into the wall. She shivered under a threadbare blanket.
Kingsley's eyes swept over the rack on the wall. There was a whip, knives of various sizes and lengths, rope, and a variety of other implements of torture. He felt bile rise in his throat as he saw the blood stains on some of them.
"Billy?" Charlie said softly as he reached his brother's side. Bill laboriously raised his head and Kingsley's hands curled into fists. The scars on Bill's face left by Greyback were open and weeping. There was a cut over one eye that had crusted over and red marks on his throat where he had obviously been choked.
"Ch-Char…lie?" Bill managed, coughing as he spoke. The cough rattled in his chest and Kingsley knew they had to get them out of here as quickly as possible.
"Yeah, it's me, Billy," Charlie said, tears running down his face. "I'm going to get you out of here."
"F-Fleur," Bill rasped out.
"We're getting her too," Charlie assured him. He raised his wand and Bill flinched, pulling himself back into the wall. "It's okay. I'm just going to get you out of these chains." He reached up and held onto one of Bill's forearms while he released the manacle. He laid the arm gently in Bill's lap before releasing the other arm. Kingsley turned and made his way to Fleur, whose back was to them. She hadn't moved since they entered the room.
"Fleur," he said quietly, not wanting to startle her. When there was no response, Kingsley reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. It was as if a switch had been thrown.
"No!" she shrieked, jerking away from him and scrambling around on the bed to face him. Her eyes were wild as she cowered into the corner of her cot. She had bruises on her throat and another under her eye. There were tiny healed over cuts on her arms and shoulders and a few near her collar bone. She clutched the thin blanket to her and Kingsley realized she was naked underneath it. He raised his hands to show that he wasn't a threat.
"Fleur, it's Kingsley. I'm here with Charlie and we've come to get you and Bill." Fleur's eyes darted across the room to where Charlie was trying to massage some feeling back into his brother's arms.
"It's all right," Kingsley said soothingly. "No one is going to hurt you anymore."
"Bill," she whimpered.
"Fleur," Bill replied, coughing again. "S'okay. S'Char…lie." Bill fell into a coughing fit.
Kingsley drew his wand to conjure a set of robes for Fleur to wear but she screamed when she saw it. He swore under his breath and shoved it back into his sleeve, holding up his hands again.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to give you some clothes." She clutched the blanket tighter to herself and eyed him warily. Kingsley smiled at her and then turned his back, quickly pulling his wand from his sleeve and conjuring a set of robes.
"Here," he said, setting them on the bed. She didn't take her eyes off him, but Kingsley could see a bit of recognition in her eyes now.
"I can take that chain off," he said nodding at the manacle around her ankle. "But I'll have to use my wand. All right?" She stared at him for a few moments and then finally nodded slowly. Kingsley carefully held up his wand and she flinched but she didn't scream again. He pointed it at the cuff on her ankle, which was sticking out from under the blanket and whispered the spell. The manacle fell open and with a wince, Fleur pulled her leg towards her. Not before Kingsley saw that the skin had been rubbed raw and was red and bloody.
"I'll let you get dressed," Kingsley said and once again turned his back. Charlie had also conjured robes for Bill and was helping his brother into them.
"Mum," Bill said.
"Mum's fine," Charlie said. "So are Ron and Ginny. They're together, somewhere safe. We're going to take you there now."
"G-George, Per-perc," Bill tried but broke down coughing again.
"Don't talk," Charlie said. "We'll tell you all about it after Poppy checks you over, yeah?"
"What is the meaning of this?" a voice boomed and Fleur shrieked again. Kingsley and Charlie spun, wands drawn, putting themselves between Bill and Fleur and whomever had spoken. A man stood in the corridor staring into the room in horror.
"Who are you? And who are they?" he demanded. "How did you get in here?"
"Through the front door," Kingsley said, taking his badge from his pocket. "I'm an Auror and we're rescuing these two hostages."
"Hostages?" the man repeated. Charlie had gone to try and calm Fleur.
"Yes," Kingsley replied. "I take it you didn't know they were here?"
"Of course not!" the man said.
"What is your name, sir?"
"Hawthorne Bulstrode, Head of Slytherin," the man said. "Who are these people?"
"Prisoners from the Battle of Hogwarts," Kingsley said. "They were gifted to the Carrows by Voldemort." Bulstrode flinched at the name.
"I don't understand," Bulstrode said.
"Voldemort passed out those on the Light side like candy to his followers following the battle," Kingsley said, his voice hard. To his credit, the man looked horrified. "We're finally in a position to rescue them." Bulstrode's brow furrowed in confusion. "That's right. Voldemort's dead. Now if you'll excuse us." Kingsley turned back to the room. Fleur had gripped the front of Charlie's robes and he swung her up into his arms, whispering to her. Kingsley knew there was no way that Bill would be able to walk out of here so he conjured a stretcher and placed the man on it, levitating it off the floor.
"I would appreciate an escort to the gates, Professor," Kingsley said and Bulstrode stared at Bill and Fleur for a moment before collecting himself.
"Of course," he said. He led the way from the dungeon room and Kingsley and Charlie followed. When they reached the spot they had left Nick, the ghost looked aghast at Bill and Fleur. Then his expression hardened and he led the procession to the Entrance Hall, clearly intending to head off anyone they might meet.
It wasn't until they neared the Great Hall that they came upon another professor. Kingsley completely ignored the indignant calls of the woman and continued onto the grounds and headed for the gates. Bulstrode could fill her in when he returned.
Once Bulstrode had opened the gates, Kingsley turned to him.
"Amycus Carrow is dead and Alecto is in a Ministry holding cell. I suggest you and the other professors take over the running of the school until the Ministry gets here to relieve you." Bulstrode's mouth hung open but Kingsley ignored it and passed through the gates, Disapparating with Bill as Charlie did with Fleur.
Hermione felt a bit better once she had showered and dressed. She was tired again though, although it was more a physical fatigue than the need to sleep. Ginny had already gone back down to the stables. Liddy took Hermione's hand and Disapparated them into the make-shift infirmary.
There was plenty of activity as Poppy moved about the room checking on the newest arrivals. Hermione didn't see Ginny but then her eyes fell on Katie's bed. She was sitting up and Oliver was sitting next to her, both talking quietly. Hermione made her way towards them; glad they were relatively close as she wasn't sure her legs would carry her much further.
"Hermione!" Katie's eyes lit up as she saw her friend.
"Hi, Katie," Hermione said. She reached out a hand to steady herself on the bed. Oliver immediately jumped up from his chair.
"Here," he said. "Sit down."
"Thanks, Oliver." Hermione settled into the chair.
"How are you?" she asked Katie.
"Nearly healed," Katie said. "I took a hex but thankfully Poppy had the potions to counteract it. I should be up and around tomorrow. What about you?"
"Poppy wasn't all together happy that I wanted to come down here but I just needed to be with everyone," Hermione said.
"We were upset about the arrests," Katie said. "We know how much they all did."
"If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have been able to do any of this," Hermione said. Katie and Oliver both nodded.
"I'm sure it's just for protocol's sake," Oliver said. "You know because they all have the Mark. Once they question them and find out what really happened, they'll let them go." Hermione gave him a wan smile.
"I hope you're right."
"Hermione," Katie began, then paused biting her lip. She glanced up at Oliver who cast a Muffliato around them.
"Go ahead and ask," Hermione said resignedly. "I'm sure you probably already know anyway."
"You and Lucius Malfoy?"
"Yes," Hermione said. Both Katie and Oliver were silent for a few moments.
"I just, how?" Katie asked. Hermione sighed.
"It started with the prophecy," Hermione said and quickly told the rest of her tale. "It's not something I ever planned on or even contemplated. It just…happened." She shrugged one shoulder. "I don't expect people to understand." She glanced at Katie and Oliver. Oliver looked a bit uncomfortable but Katie was looking at her with sympathy.
"I don't completely understand," Katie said. "But I'm not going to judge you either." Hermione felt the tears prick her eyes. She could only nod in thanks. Katie reached over and squeezed her hand. Hermione swiped at her eyes and looked back at Katie, deciding to change the subject.
"Have you seen Alicia?" Hermione asked. "I heard she was brought in." Katie's face fell.
"Yes," she said.
"Is she all right?" Hermione asked in concern.
"She's physically okay," Katie said. "Poppy was able to heal her injuries relatively quickly. She's just very angry."
"I can't blame her for that," Hermione said.
"No," Katie agreed. "I just, I feel so guilty. I mean we were on the run, yes, but everything all of them went through." Katie shuddered and Oliver put a hand on her shoulder, comforting her.
"I know what you mean," Hermione said. She had felt the same guilt every day while at Malfoy Manor.
"Poppy wants to bring in Mind Healers from St. Mungo's but she wants to wait until things settle a bit with the Ministry," Katie said. "I don't think the public even knows that Voldemort's gone yet." Hermione nodded. She didn't think so either.
"Have you seen Ginny?" Hermione asked. "I thought she was coming back down here."
"She's at the gates with Ron," Oliver said, serious look on his face all of a sudden.
"The gates? Why?"
"Kingsley and Charlie went to get Bill and Fleur from Hogwarts," Oliver said. Hermione's eyes widened. "Ron and Ginny are waiting for them to get back." Hermione felt sick to her stomach and if the expression on Katie's face was anything to go by, she did as well. After knowing what the Carrows though was an appropriate punishment for school children, she couldn't imagine what they would have done to Bill and Fleur.
It was only minutes later when the door to the stables burst open and Charlie hurried in, Fleur in his arms. Kingsley followed quickly behind, levitating Bill on a stretcher. Ginny was right behind them but there was no sign of Ron.
Poppy quickly directed them to a back corner of the stables where there were two beds near each other. Kingsley settled Bill onto one but Fleur would not let go of the front of Charlie's robes, so he had to sit down on the other with Fleur in his lap. Poppy immediately conjured screens around both beds and must have cast a silencing charm because Fleur's whimpers and Bill's moans of pain immediately disappeared.
A few moments later, Ron rushed into the infirmary, his mother in tow. They hurried toward the screened area just as Kingsley stepped out. He sighed and scrubbed a hand down his face, looking completely defeated. He took one look back at the screens and then quietly left the stables.
"I'll be back," Hermione said, rising from her chair and following him out. She was glad she had had a bit of a respite sitting and talking to Katie or she didn't think she would have made it outside.
When she reached the grounds, Kingsley was standing near a tree, one hand braced on the trunk, his head hanging down. Before Hermione could take more than three steps, he reared back and punched the trunk, letting out a feral cry as he did so. Hermione jumped and then hurried towards him as quickly as she could.
"Kingsley," she said and he whipped around her, blood dripping from his bruised knuckles, wand drawn. She immediately put her hands up and he lowered his wand, sighing.
"I'm sorry I startled you," she said quietly. He just shook his head. "Let me see your hand."
"It's fine," he said gruffly. Then he looked at her, brow furrowed. "You're out of bed." She nodded.
"Poppy let one of the House Elves bring me down here. Are Bill and Fleur-" she couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence.
"They're in bad shape physically, as well as mentally. Bill is worse off physically but Fleur, well," Kingsley trailed off shaking his head again. He sighed deeply, bringing a hand to his face and rubbing at his eyes with thumb and forefinger. Hermione took a few steps forward and put a hand on his arm.
"You should have seen the things in that room," Kingsley whispered, hand still over his face. Hermione bit her cheek, hard, to keep herself from bursting into tears. She didn't want Kingsley to think he needed to comfort her. Instead, she squeezed his arm and tentatively moved towards him, hoping to offer him a bit of comfort. She wrapped an arm around his waist and hugged him. She felt him sag into her for a few moments before he straightened and cleared his throat, stepping back.
"I'm sorry, I," he began but Hermione interrupted.
"Don't," she said. "I can't imagine the things you've seen today." He pulled in a breath and let it out, nodding.
"Hermione, about the arrests today," he looked down at her and sighed again.
"Why?" she asked. "Why did they do it?"
"Robards has insisted on arresting any Marked Death Eaters."
"Even after everything they did to help us?"
"Yes, unfortunately."
"This isn't right, Kingsley," she said and then had to grab his arm as she swayed on her feet. He gripped her arms, looking at her in concern.
"I'm fine," she said. "Still just a bit weak." Kingsley conjured a chair and settled her into it. He conjured another and sat down in front of her, elbows on his legs, clasped hands hanging between his knees.
"I tried, Hermione," he said. "I argued with Robards but he insisted. He said that their help would be taken into account."
"What do you mean taken into account?" she asked. Kingsley swore and she realized he had said more than he intended. He looked at her apologetically.
"At their trials."
"What!" she shrieked. "I thought they were just going to question them!" Kingsley shook his head. Hermione shot to her feet.
"Kingsley, you have to, they can't, you-" she lost her balance and pitched forward, Kingsley catching her before she fell to the ground.
"I'm sorry, Hermione." She attempted to steady herself. Her mind was whirling and her legs weren't cooperating with her. She felt like bursting into tears. She felt like marching down to the Ministry and telling Robards exactly what she thought of his plan. She felt like hexing something and the fact that she couldn't use magic right now rankled even more.
"Here, sit down," Kingsley said, easing her back into her chair. She blew out a breath and put her face in her hands for a moment, trying to center herself.
"Will you be there? Or are you still in charge of rescuing everyone?" she asked. Kingsley grimaced and looked away from her. "What?"
"Robards hasn't reinstated me," he said. Hermione stared at him, dumbfounded. The DMLE needed everyone they could get and Robards wasn't reinstating Kingsley?
"Why not?"
"He's upset that I questioned his authority," Kingsley said with a derisive snort. "He said he can't trust my judgement." Hermione blinked a few times, still trying to wrap her mind around all of this.
"Is he insane?" she finally said and Kingsley chuckled.
"One does wonder," he said. Then he sighed. "I'm going to get in touch with Proudfoot. I'm positive I can convince him to keep me informed. After what I did at Hogwarts tonight, though, I don't think that Robards is going to be asking me back anytime soon."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.
"I didn't have Robards' authority to go into Hogwarts but I wasn't about to leave Bill and Fleur there any longer. Charlie and I were hoping to get in and out without being seen. We had a bit of help from Nearly Headless Nick, but unfortunately Bulstrode found us just before we were ready to leave the room in the dungeons."
"Bulstrode? As in Millicent Bulstrode?"
"Her uncle, I think," Kingsley said. "He's a professor there now and the Head of Slytherin. As far as I'm aware, the public still doesn't know that Voldemort is, for all intents and purposes, dead. Robards wanted to secure the Ministry first. I'm sure after he finds out that I told Bulstrode about not only what happened to the Carrows, but about Voldemort's demise, Robards won't be happy with me. Not to mention I was technically impersonating an Auror."
"Robards can sod off," Hermione said. "Like you were going to leave Bill and Fleur there, knowing how to get them out." Kingsley smiled faintly.
"He's making the hostages his first priority," Kingsley said. "I can't fault him for that."
"No," Hermione agreed. "What about Azkaban?"
"I don't know," Kingsley said. "The Dementors will either have to be brought back under Ministry control or disbanded all together." Hermione shuddered.
"We have to get them out of there," she said. Kingsley sighed deeply. He looked exhausted. Hermione immediately felt guilty for adding to his burden. "I'm sorry, I know you're doing everything you can."
"It's not enough," he said. She leaned forward and put her hand on his forearm.
"It is," she said. "Kingsley, you're only one person. You can't single-handedly get the government back into order and rescue everyone. Especially if you haven't been reinstated." Kingsley nodded but there was a thoughtful look on his face.
"What?" Hermione said.
"Nothing," he replied quickly. "Just an errant thought." He ran a hand over his head.
"You should sleep," Hermione said. "There's nothing more you can do tonight."
"You're probably right," Kingsley said with a sigh. There was a still a look in his eye that Hermione couldn't identify though. He stood from his chair and offered his hand to her. Hermione grasped it and he pulled her to his feet, grimacing in pain. She grabbed his hand before he could let go of hers. The knuckles were split and still oozing blood.
"Come back into the infirmary," she said. "Someone needs to look at your hand. I'd do it myself if I could use magic." Kingsley looked as if he were going to protest but then nodded and followed her in.
Lucius sat on the cot in their cell and sighed. At least he, Draco and Severus had been placed in a cell that was separated from the rest of the Death Eaters. It did not stop them from shouting threats, however. And the cell was actually only for one so they were a bit cramped. Draco had wedged himself sullenly into a corner, standing with arms crossed over his chest and anger on his face. Severus was leaning back against the bars, his back to the rest of the Death Eaters. They all wore magic dampening cuffs to prevent any wandless magic, including Animagus transformation. Not that any of them were Animagi but Lucius supposed they were not taking any chances.
"Are they going to shove Theo in here with us too once they get him out of Lestrange's?" Draco said in irritation.
"The cells here are limited, Draco," Lucius said. "They had little choice but to put us all in one." The rest of the holding cells were crowded as well, most holding three or four.
"They could have just left us where we were," Draco muttered darkly.
"Robards is apparently taking no chances as to anyone's guilt," Severus said.
"Did he even take into account what we did?" Draco demanded.
"I am sure that he will, Draco," Lucius said.
"Why did I even bother?" Draco muttered under his breath.
"Do not say that," Lucius admonished.
"Why not, Father? It obviously didn't make any difference because here we still are with the likes of them," Draco waved a hand at the cells further down the corridor.
"Did you pass information simply because you thought it would keep you out of prison?" Lucius asked. Draco refused to answer for a few moments but both Lucius and Severus continued to stare at him.
"No," Draco finally said, sullenly.
"Then you should not regret it," Lucius said. "You did what you did because it was right." The three of them fell into silence.
Truthfully, while Lucius had expected to end up here, he had not expected that Draco and Severus would after Shacklebolt had explained things to Robards. Lucius hoped that once they were questioned his son and friend would be freed. Severus really was not guilty of Dumbledore's murder, after all. And there had been extenuating circumstances related to Draco's Marking, namely his mother's life being threatened, as well as his own.
Lucius did not hold out such hope for himself. Although he thought that his part in the Dark Lord's destruction might help him get a reduced sentence, he still had been a Death Eater for over two decades.
Sighing, he rested his head back against the wall. Hermione's face as he had been taken away never left his mind. She had been devastated, confused and angry all at once. He certainly hoped she had not injured herself further by attempting to get out of bed to follow him. He allowed himself a small smile. Knowing her, if she had been able, she would have been at the Ministry already, demanding their releases.
Draco slid to the floor, remaining in the corner, forearms resting on his knees. Lucius studied his son. He had dropped his sullen look and it had been replaced with a combination of defeat and resignation. A wave of guilt and anger threatened to swamp Lucius. It was his fault, after all, that his son was in this position. Had Lucius not joined the Death Eaters in the first place, had he and Narcissa not drilled Pureblood supremacy into Draco his entire childhood, things would have been different. He was angry, not only with himself, but with Robards for not taking all these things into account. Draco had been Marked at only sixteen, punishment for mistakes that were Lucius' alone. He would do whatever he had to in order to make Robards understand that, even if it meant a longer sentence for Lucius.
"You know the law as well as I do," Simon said. "The Wizengamot has to appoint an interim Minister until an election can be held." Kingsley sat in Proudfoot's flat. He had been waiting for his friend when Simon had finally flooed home for the day. Kingsley felt a bit guilty when he saw the exhaustion on his friend's face, but this couldn't wait. They needed a Minister who could guide the rebuilding process.
Thicknesse and Umbridge had been arrested, along with a few others from the DMLE. They were all sitting in holding cells as well. Simon told him that they had nearly run out of cells, even with three and four prisoners in cells that had been designed to hold one, two in an emergency. There was talk of converting the interrogation rooms in the DMLE into cells.
"This is why we need to clear out Azkaban," Kingsley said.
"Robards wants to wait until we've gotten St. Mungo's under control," Simon said. "As most, if not all, of those freed from Azkaban will need to go there for treatment." Kingsley sighed. While Robards wasn't wrong about that, this was why they needed coordinated effort. Doing things piecemeal like this was making everything take that much longer. They needed to be recruiting people from other departments to help. But so far, Robards had stuck to just Aurors and Hitwizards.
"It's partly because we haven't had time to go through the rest of the Ministry," Simon said. "Robards wants to concentrate on rescuing the rest of the prisoners from the Battle of Hogwarts right now."
"As he should," Kingsley said. "But plenty of those people are in Azkaban and leaving them there even a minute longer than is necessary makes my skin crawl."
"You're not alone. But until we can put up a candidate, I don't know-" Simon trailed off, looking at Kingsley thoughtfully.
"What?"
"You should do it," Simon said.
"Do what?" Kingsley asked in confusion.
"Become interim Minister." Kingsley stared at his friend for a few moments in complete shock.
"Have you gone round the twist?" he finally asked.
"Why not?" Simon said. "You've been an Auror for over twenty years. You were part of Dumbledore's Order and you've been leading the Resistance for the last year. You've managed to rescue half a dozen hostages before Robards even got things moving in the DMLE."
"I didn't rescue them alone," Kingsley said still in disbelief that Simon would even suggest such a thing.
"Look, Kingsley, much as you hate me to remind you, you're Pureblood, Sacred Twenty-Eight even. That's only going to work in your favor with some of the less…tolerant members of the Wizengamot." Kingsley snorted.
"They're bigots, Simon. To them, I'm a blood traitor."
"That may be but most of them will also realize the way the wind is now blowing," he said. "They'll be able to vote for you because of your lineage and still save face. And you know the rest won't have a problem given all you've done for the Light the last few years."
"I don't want to be Minister," Kingsley said.
"Interim Minister," Simon reminded him. "And you can't tell me you don't want to stick it to Robards, just a little." Simon grinned and Kingsley shook his head but couldn't help the slight quirk of his lips.
"I would have no idea where to start," he said.
"With everything you've just told me tonight," Simon said. "Rescue the rest of the hostages. Get rid of the Dementors, empty Azkaban and start the trials for the Death Eaters."
They were silent for a few minutes. Kingsley had never even considered running for Minister, politics wasn't something that had really ever interested him. But Simon was right, it was only an interim position and they did need someone to take charge. Once the public found out that Voldemort was gone, which Kingsley expected would happen relatively soon, they would need to have a working government in place to avoid panic.
"All right," he finally said. "What do we have to do?"
Hermione woke from another fitful sleep. It had been the second night without Lucius in her bed and it hadn't been any easier than the first. It was odd, really, that she had only been sleeping beside him for a few weeks and now she couldn't sleep without him there. She knew it was more than that, of course. Her anxiety about what was going to happen had plenty to do with it.
Theo had been arrested the day before, the DMLE finally able to break through the wards on Lestrange Manor. He had been allowed to give Pippen instructions to bring Luna back to Nott Manor before he was taken away, thankfully. Lestrange's prisoners had all been taken to St. Mungo's to be checked over, the collars having been removed from Terry and the other man that had been working in the kitchen.
Kingsley had been gone almost the entire day yesterday, though he had checked in briefly last night. He had said something about talking to the Wizengamot today but Hermione had no idea what the details were.
Poppy was continuing to care for all of the others that had already been rescued, although they had all been moved into the house. Most everyone who had been injured in the battle a few days prior was fine now and had been released from her care. Hermione had split her day between the stables, which had been turned back into living quarters, and the house. As she had promised, she let Liddy take her back and forth between the stables and the house, although she was feeling much stronger.
People were starting to talk about returning to their homes, the students whose parents had not been with Charlie's group especially. However, everyone was waiting to hear from Kingsley as to the state of the Ministry. No one wanted to return just to be arrested or hunted down again.
Given everything Poppy had to do to care for Bill and Fleur yesterday, she hadn't had a chance to check Hermione over, but she had told Hermione she would be here first thing this morning to do so. Hermione had been instructed to not even leave her room until Poppy had run another scan.
Sitting up in bed, Hermione yawned and propped herself up on the pillows. Despite her lack of sleep, she did feel much stronger today. She hoped that Poppy would release her to normal activities, save magic. She wanted to find Kingsley and see if she could visit Lucius. Hermione doubted she would be able to but perhaps Kingsley could get a note to him at the very least.
There was a knock on the door and Hermione called for Poppy to come in.
"How do you feel this morning?" Poppy asked as she approached Hemione's bed.
"Much better," Hermione said. "I feel a lot stronger."
"Well, let's check you over and see, shall we?"
"How is everyone else?" Hermione asked as Poppy began her scan.
"As well as can be expected. Fleur seemed a bit better this morn-" she trailed off and frowned, looking at something in the scan.
"Is something wrong?" Hermione asked. Poppy didn't answer, she simply swept away the diagnostic and cast it again. But after a few moments, she paused again.
"What is it?" Hermione asked nervously. Poppy shook her head as if to clear it.
"Hermione, is there a chance that, well, could you be…pregnant?" Hermione stared at the mediwitch, gobsmacked, wondering if she had misunderstood.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Instead of answering, Poppy waved her wand at Hermione's abdomen. It glowed with a soft white light.
"Pregnant," Poppy repeated softly.
"I don't, how can that, what?!"
"You're pregnant, Hermione."
"I don't understand," Hermione said, trying not to panic. "You've been running scans every day."
"Pregnancy will not show up on a scan until the embryo actually implants," Poppy said. "It takes five days or so from conception before that happens." Hermione immediately began to count backwards in her head. Five days ago had been the day before they had come to Nott Manor to destroy Voldemort. That night replayed vividly in her head.
"But I took the potion," she protested. Then she did a bit more mental math and realized that they had been at the tail end of the month when they'd gone to the lodge. The month had been up two days before that night Lucius had made love to her so desperately.
"Oh gods," she whispered, bringing her hands unconsciously to her belly. Pregnant.