A/N - Hello all! I'm so glad the majority of you liked the latest twist of this story! I have actually had Hermione's pregnancy planned since I wrote out the prophecy. ;) Thanks so much for all your reviews and for continuing to read, follow and favorite this story. Enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 45
Questions
Hermione didn't even realize that Poppy had sat down next to her on the bed until she felt the mediwitch's hand on her arm.
"I'm sure you have questions," Poppy said.
"I, I," Hermione began then shook her head again. She buried her face in her hands. "I can't believe this." Poppy sat patiently as Hermione pulled in a breath and blew it out. She sat up and looked at the older woman.
"I don't even know where to start," Hermione said, shaking her head. "I just, I don't know how to wrap my mind around this." Gods, why hadn't she kept better track of the timing? Of course, they had all had plenty on their minds after Lucius' torture and fleeing the Manor. After Cecilia's revelations and their subsequent planning to destroy Voldemort, Hermione wasn't surprised that both she and Lucius had forgotten.
What was she going to do? Lucius had just been arrested. She couldn't even talk to him about this. She had no idea if he even wanted another child, or a child with her. They hadn't even talked about a future together. Mostly because they hadn't known if there would be one. She knew what she wanted but now that Voldemort was gone would Lucius want the same? Hermione had no idea.
"I know that we haven't discussed this, and you can tell me that it's none of my business, but given how he has acted since the battle, I assume Lucius is the father," Poppy said.
"Yes," Hermione said quietly, cheeks pinking slightly.
"And this was consensual?" Poppy asked.
"Of course," Hermione said.
"I assumed so but given all that I have seen over the last few days, I had to ask."
"I understand," Hermione said.
"You have options, Hermione," Poppy said. "And you have some time to think about it." Hermione nodded. Poppy patted her arm and stood from the bed.
"Whenever you're ready to speak with me just let me know," she said. "Everything else in your scan looks good. You are free to do what you like, save magic. But if you feel yourself getting fatigued, please rest. Especially now." Hermione nodded.
"Thank you, Poppy."
"Everything will be all right," Poppy said softly, squeezing Hermione's shoulder before she turned and left the room.
Hermione slumped back against the pillows. She had always wanted to have children someday. But she figured she would have worked for a few years in her chosen career, have planned it all and been in a committed relationship. Not days after destroying a megalomaniac while her child's father was carted off to a holding cell in the Ministry. A hysterical laugh escaped. Merlin, she hadn't even taken her N.E.W.T.S.!
She didn't even know how to think about this right now with everything else that was going on. The battle, her exhaustion, Lucius' arrest, the suffering of the prisoners that had been rescued so far and now this, it was just…too much. Hermione threw off the blankets and rose from the bed. She needed to get out of this room. Grabbing her robes from the wardrobe, she hurried into the bathroom to shower and dress.
Feeling marginally better after her shower, Hermione walked to the door and peeked out into the corridor. She wanted to avoid everyone for now, not knowing how she could act normally around anyone with the news she had just gotten.
As she left her room and hurried down the stairs, she was trying to determine where she could go. The grounds were out as she would invariably run into someone there. She wished she could leave the estate and have Liddy take her to the gardens of Malfoy Manor. She had always enjoyed the walks she took there with Lucius and there certainly wouldn't be anyone to bother her. Hermione knew that it wasn't a good idea though, as she would eventually be missed and then have to explain why she had gone.
She didn't know enough about the house to find an out of the way sitting room or study. But she was sure there was a library. Hermione reached the bottom of the stairs and bit her lip in thought. She didn't want to just wander around, hoping she came across it. And she wasn't sure if Liddy would know where it was.
"Pippen," Hermione said wondering if the elf would even respond to her. But he appeared a few seconds later.
"Yes, Miss?"
"Could you direct me to the library please?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, Miss. Pippen will take you." Before Hermione could protest, the house elf set off from the sitting room. Hermione followed behind, pleased to see that the library was only a few rooms away from the main sitting room.
"Thank you, Pippen," Hermione said when they reached it.
"Would Miss like anything to eat or drink?"
"Some tea would be lovely, if it's not too much trouble."
"No trouble, Miss," Pippen said and disappeared with a snap of his fingers. Hermione stepped into the library and looked around.
It was nowhere near as large as the library at Malfoy Manor but that didn't matter. She wasn't here to do research after all. Pippen returned with a tea tray and set it on one of the small tables near a large fireplace in the front of the room. Hermione thanked him and he nodded before disappearing again.
Hermione decided to explore the room a bit before she prepared her tea. She made her way through the stacks, idly perusing the shelves as she went. She wasn't overly interested in reading anything right now but couldn't ever walk through a library without looking at what it had to offer.
As she came out the end of one of the sections, she came upon a small seating area complete with a large window seat. The window looked out onto a part of the grounds that Hermione was not familiar with. It must have been on the other side of the house from where the Resistance was staying. Smiling, she turned to summon the tea tray before remembering that she wasn't supposed to using magic right now.
Sighing, Hermione made her way back to the fireplace and picked up the tea tray, carrying it back with her to the small nook she had found. She set the tray on a side table and prepared her cup, then settled into the window seat. Leaning back against the pillows that littered the seat, Hermione sighed and sipped her tea.
She had always felt a kind of comfort being in a library surrounded by books. It was quiet and she could always find something she wanted to read. Before Hogwarts, she had often visited her local library on Saturdays when her parents were working. She would pick a few books from the shelves and curl up on one of the couches in a back corner and read for hours. Hermione smiled at the memory.
Now, she let her mind drift while she sipped her tea and stared out the window. She probably should have told Pippen to leave a note in her room as to where she was so no one worried, but she honestly did not want to be disturbed right now. A bit of quiet and time to think was what she needed and she wouldn't get that in the main part of the house and certainly not outside.
Lucius, Severus, and Draco looked up as the cell door opened and Theo walked back inside. He had just been questioned by the DMLE. They waited for several minutes before anyone spoke, giving the Auror time to move on.
"You all right, mate?" Draco asked.
"Fine," Theo said, sighing and sitting down at the end of the cot.
"What did they ask you?" Draco said.
"Pretty much everything from the time of the battle at Hogwarts until now. A bit about my last year in school too, but they seemed to know that I hadn't taken the Mark until recently."
"Shacklebolt would have told them," Lucius said.
"They asked lots of questions about Luna," Theo said quietly. "About what my father did to her." Draco put a hand on Theo's shoulder and they all waited for Theo to collect himself.
"Did they say anything about you getting out of here?" Draco asked.
"No," Theo said. "I think, I think they mean to send all of us to trial." Draco swore under his breath and Lucius sighed. He had expected this, but he had hoped that Draco and Theo would not have to go through that. Lucius and Severus had spoken while Draco had been sleeping and before Theo had been brought in. They both intended to do everything they could to be sure that Draco was released. Lucius would take all of the blame for everything Draco had done on himself if it meant that his son would not spend one minute in Azkaban. If he could do the same for Theo, he would have.
"Was Shacklebolt there?" Draco asked. Theo shook his head.
"But he wouldn't have been, would he? I mean he's been living on my estate for weeks. Wouldn't they think that a conflict of interest or something?"
"Likely," Severus said but Lucius could see the concern in Severus' face. They had all expected at least a short visit from Shacklebolt before now. He had assumed that the man would have been involved in the questioning, but perhaps he was leading the team that was rescuing the hostages from the Death Eaters' homes. In any case, Lucius certainly hoped that if something had happened at Nott Manor, to Hermione or Luna, Shacklebolt would have gotten word to them.
Lucius really wanted to know how Hermione was faring. Although she had been seemingly on the mend just before he was arrested, things could always happen. He had dreamed of her earlier when he had slept for a few hours. It had only been two days but gods, he missed her.
"Stand up and move back," a voice said and they all looked up to see an Auror standing outside the cell. The four men inside obliged, leaning back against the back wall with their hands in front of them. The Auror opened the door to the cell.
"Malfoy," he said. When both Draco and Lucius stepped forward, he clarified. "Draco Malfoy." Lucius stepped back and watched his son be led away for questioning with a twisting in his gut.
Hermione cradled the now empty cup in her lap. The last dregs had long gone cold and she wondered idly how long she had been sitting here staring out the window. She should probably get up and go back to the main part of the house before she worried everyone but she couldn't make herself move.
Her thoughts had not been entirely on the news of her pregnancy. She had thought about Lucius too, of course. But for last while she had been thinking of her parents. She missed them fiercely every day, but now, faced with this uncertainty, all she wanted was to speak to her mum. While both her parents would have been shocked by the news that their daughter was pregnant, Hermione knew that once the immediate surprise had worn off, her mother would have been her best sounding board. Her parents had always been rather open-minded and neither of them would have tried to convince Hermione of anything. She was sure they would have had their opinion as to what she should do, but they would have let her decide and accepted whatever decision she made.
Gods, they would have made wonderful grandparents. She smiled thinking of how much they would have spoiled any grandchild they had. Hermione had rarely gotten sweets when she was a child, but she could picture her dad slipping treats to her own children. The thought of it made her smile even as tears began to run down her face. She missed them so much.
"Hello, Hermione." Hermione looked up to see Luna standing in front of her.
"Luna," Hermione said, quickly wiping the tears from her face.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," Luna said. "I can come back later."
"No," Hermione said. "Please stay." She smiled up at the blonde. Luna perched herself on the opposite end of the window seat. Her pregnancy was much more easily seen now than it had been when Hermione had first seen her a few weeks ago. Was that all the longer it had been? It seemed like forever some days.
"How are you feeling?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, all right," Luna said. "I'm not sick anymore. I do miss Theo though."
"I know what you mean," Hermione said, sad smile on her face. The two sat in silence for a few minutes. Luna rested a hand on her stomach and Hermione's eyes were drawn to it, imagining what she herself might look like in a few months.
"Oh, he's moving again," Luna said.
"He?" Hermione asked.
"Oh yes," Luna replied. "It's a boy."
"I didn't realize you had found out already."
"Oh, I haven't," Luna said airily. "Not for certain. But I know." Hermione nodded, accepting that Luna actually did know, even without confirmation from Poppy.
"Give me your hand," Luna said. Hermione leaned forward and Luna took her hand, placing it on Luna's belly. They waited for a few moments and then Hermione felt it, a light fluttering under her hand, like butterfly's wings. She looked up at Luna in awe and Luna smiled.
"It started a few days ago," she said. "Right after I got to the safe house. I do wish Theo could feel but he'll be home soon enough, I expect."
"How can you be sure?" Hermione asked, still entranced by the movement under her hand.
"I just know," Luna said with a shrug. "Don't worry, Hermione. Mr. Malfoy will be home too. Not as soon as Theo, but in time enough."
"Time enough for what?" Hermione asked.
"Just in time," Luna replied, that same dreamy smile on her face.
"I hope you're right, Luna."
"I'll tell everyone that you're all right," Luna said as she stood. "I think Ginny is looking for you."
"I didn't mean to worry anyone," Hermione said. "I just…needed some time alone."
"I understand," Luna replied. "I'll be sure to tell them not to bother you just yet."
"Thank you, Luna." Luna smiled again and Hermione could have sworn that the other woman knew. As per usual, Hermione had no idea how Luna knew, but it wouldn't surprise Hermione if she did.
Once Luna was gone, Hermione sighed and leaned back into the pillows. She gazed out the window, hoping that what Luna had said was true. That Lucius would be back and in time.
Hermione looked down at her belly. No, this was definitely not how she had imagined her introduction to motherhood. But as her hand came to rest on her abdomen, fingers splayed protectively, Hermione knew instinctively that she would go through with the pregnancy. While she had no idea what was going to happen with Lucius, she was going to fight like hell to get him released as soon as possible. This baby was a part of them and as terrible as the timing might be, she wanted it. Merlin help her, but she did.
Draco had been gone much longer than Theo was. Not surprising, given all that had happened his sixth year. Still, it worried Lucius. He had been pacing for a bit, but the cell was so cramped with the three of them, that had not lasted long. Severus had glared at him until Lucius had stopped.
They were all exhausted, none of them had had much sleep since the battle with the Dark Lord. And given there was only one bed in the cell, they had been taking it in turns to sleep, getting only a few hours here and there. Tempers were short as a result. Not to mention the worry about what was happening both in the interrogation rooms and back at Nott Manor.
Lucius wondered if anyone had questioned the members of the Resistance. Given they were focused on rescuing the hostages, as well as questioning Death Eaters, Lucius thought they likely had not as of yet. Until they did so, however, Lucius did not hold out much hope that any of the four of them would be released. Given the Marks on their arms, it was unlikely anyone would just take their word for what happened and Lucius had no doubt that plenty of their brethren would try to convince the DMLE that none of them had really changed sides.
While they had probably used Veritaserum on some of the Death Eaters in order to get information about rescuing their hostages, Lucius knew that testimony obtained using Veritaserum was not allowed at trial. Some could resist its effects, if they were proficient enough in Occlumency, and others would put forth as fact that which they sincerely believed whether it was true or not. The potion, while helpful, had its limitations.
There was movement outside their cell and they were all forced to stand once again. Draco was pushed back inside and Severus was led away. When the Auror had left, Lucius looked at his son.
"Are you all right?" he asked. Draco sighed and scrubbed a hand down his face.
"Theo is right," Draco said. "They mean to take us all to trial, regardless of our change in allegiance." While not completely surprised by this, it still made Lucius' heart sink. He did not want his son or Theo to have to suffer that.
"Did they mention charges?" Lucius asked.
"They focused mostly on what I had done my sixth year," Draco said tiredly. "They asked me some questions about what I'd been doing to aid the Resistance but they seemed less interested in that."
Lucius' ire immediately rose. His son had been sixteen when forced to take the Mark. And his mother's life had been repeatedly threatened. Surely that should be taken into account. Not to mention all that Draco had done since the Battle of Hogwarts to aid the Resistance and rescued Miss Weasley.
"This is ridiculous!" Lucius said. "The Resistance would have been decimated months ago had they not had your assistance." Draco shrugged, looking resigned. Lucius growled under his breath. Where the hell was Shacklebolt?
Kingsley hurried through the corridors of the Ministry. They had only given him an hour before he had to be back to be sworn in as Minister. He wanted to tell the rest of the Resistance himself. He was sure they had been wondering where he had disappeared to. He wanted to assure all of them that they could return home if they wished. He also wanted to try and recruit a few of them to work at the Ministry for the time being. He would need people he could trust in his office while they sorted through everything that needed his immediate attention.
Kingsley cast his Patronus as he neared the Apparition point, asking for someone to meet him at the gates in a few minutes. He had wanted to stop by the holding cells to see Lucius, Severus, Draco, and Theo to tell them what was going on, but there wasn't enough time. He would do that as soon as he had been sworn in. He reached the Apparition point and twisted, reappearing at the gates of Nott Manor.
He only had to wait a few moments before Oliver appeared and let him in.
"We need to gather everyone together," Kingsley said. "I have an announcement."
"Most everyone is down near the stables," Oliver said. "But there are still some in the house too."
"You go and gather everyone from the stables and bring them up to the house. We'll meet right outside, so Poppy doesn't have to leave her patients for too long. And hurry, I don't have much time." Kingsley could tell that Oliver was bursting to ask questions, but he simply nodded and hurried off to fetch everyone.
Kingsley moved quickly to the house, entering through the back terrace. Luna walked into the sitting room just as Kingsley walked inside.
"Hello, Luna," he said. "I need to speak with everyone. Are they all upstairs?"
"All except Hermione," Luna replied. "She's in the library."
"Would you fetch her for me?" he asked. "We're meeting outside on the terrace."
"All right," Luna agreed and turned back the way she had come.
Kingsley took the stairs two at a time, coming upon Poppy walking out of one of the bedrooms.
"Poppy, I need to speak with everyone. Who else is here with you outside of patients?"
"Molly and Ginny," she said with a frown. "What's going on?"
"I'll explain in a few minutes, can you bring them out to the terrace please?"
"I need to stay with my patients," Poppy replied. Kingsley nodded; someone could tell Poppy later.
"All right, just send the Weasleys out then. One of them can tell you after." He turned to go back downstairs.
"Kingsley," Poppy said sharply. "What is happening?" Kingsley gave a wry smile. Of course, she wouldn't let him off that easily.
"I've been made interim Minister," he said. "I wanted to announce it to everyone and tell them a few other things before I have to return and be sworn in."
"Good," she said. "Maybe now we'll get something done." Kingsley chuckled and Poppy winked at him before she turned to the next bedroom. "I'll fetch Ginny and Molly."
"Thank you, Poppy," Kingsley said and made his way to the stairs.
When he reached the sitting room, Hermione and Luna were coming down the corridor from the library.
"Kingsley," Hermione said. "What's going on?"
"Come outside," he said. "I only want to say this once." The two women followed behind him and Kingsley saw the worried look on Hermione's face.
"Don't worry, Hermione. It's not bad news." He saw her visibly relax and open her mouth to ask him a question. He held up a hand to stop her. "After, all right?"
"All right," she agreed.
They stepped out onto the terrace and watched as the Resistance made their way across the grounds towards them. Kingsley was glad to see the most everyone that had still been injured when he had left yesterday was now walking of their own accord, save the few patients in the house. He waited a few minutes while everyone gathered and settled and then saw Molly and Ginny slip outside behind him. More than one person wore looks of concern.
"I'm sorry that I've seemed to worry some of you," he said. "This is not bad news." He saw looks of relief pass over many faces.
"I'm sure you're wondering where I've been since yesterday. I had a few meetings with some of the members of the Wizengamot, as well as a few key people in the Ministry. Just a short time ago, I met with the full Wizengamot and they have chosen to make me the interim Minister of Magic." Smiles broke out and a few people cheered. Kingsley smiled himself and held up his hands for quiet.
"I will be sworn in in less than an hour. But I wanted to come and tell all of you first and to assure everyone that I will continue to be sure the hostages are rescued as well as liberate Azkaban. I will also make sure that the Death Eaters that were taken into custody get fair trials and sentences.
If you wish to return to your homes there is no reason not to do so. I would recommend going in small groups to check over your property and wards just to be on the safe side but the immediate danger has passed. If you are not ready to do so, you are welcome to remain here for the time being.
I am going to need help in this endeavor. I'll be honest, the Ministry is in a bit of disarray at the moment and I need people I can trust in a few key positions until we can clear out the rest of the departments. I'll be contacting you once I've been sworn in. I hope you'll agree to help me." Kingsley paused and looked out over the people surrounding him. Some of them he had been with since the beginning and others he had only joined up with in the last couple of months. But he would trust all of them with his life.
"I want to thank all of you for everything you've done since last year at the battle at Hogwarts. I know there were many times when we all thought we could never win, could never conquer the darkness that had taken over our world. But we did and each and every one of you, along with a few people who aren't here today, had a hand in that. I know that we lost some people along the way," Kingsley swallowed over the lump that had formed in his throat. "And I would like to observe a moment of silence in their memory." Kingsley raised his wand.
"To the fallen."
The rest of the group followed suit, falling silent as they all raised their wands in remembrance of those they had lost to the fight. He saw a few of them wiping tears from their faces, others putting their arms around each other. Yes, they had won, but they had also lost. And it wasn't over yet. Kingsley had no idea what kind of shape those from Azkaban would be in.
"Thank you," he said, lowering his wand. "I have to get back to the Ministry but I will be in contact as soon as I can."
"Kingsley," a voice said and he turned to see Hermione hurrying toward him. He knew what she was going to ask him and regretted that he didn't have any information for her.
"Hermione, I haven't seen Lucius or the rest just yet," he said. "But I plan to speak with them as soon as I've been sworn in."
"I need to see him," she said. Kingsley looked at her.
"Hermione," he began, but she interrupted.
"It's important."
"What is it?" Kingsley asked.
"There's something I need to tell him," she said.
"If you write him a note, I'll be sure that he gets it," Kingsley said. It was the best he could promise right now.
"It's not something I can put in a note," Hermione said. Kingsley's brow furrowed as he looked at her but she didn't elaborate. He sighed.
"I don't know, Hermione," he said. "They don't allow visitors in the holding cells."
"Then get me into an interrogation room."
"You're asking for something that's nearly impossible."
"Are you the Minister or not?"
"Yes, but I don't mean to start by granting personal favors that go against protocol." He sighed again. "I'm walking a fine line here, Hermione. I was elected but not by a huge margin. There are still plenty of bigots on the Wizengamot."
"I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important," she said. He studied her for a few more moments before he nodded.
"I'm not promising anything. But I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you," she said and then she hugged him. "Congratulations." She looked up at him. "You'll be brilliant." He smiled and squeezed her arm then stepped back.
"Thank you," he said. "I'll let you know as soon as I have an answer." Kingsley stepped away from her and walked towards Charlie. He needed to have a word with a few people before he left.
Hermione walked up the stairs heading for the bedroom she had been using. Although she had much improved, she still tired easily and was now in need of a nap. As she reached the top of the stairs and turned to go into her bedroom, she stopped. Ron was coming down the corridor from Bill and Fleur's room. When he saw her, he stopped as well.
They hadn't spoken since he had left her room after she had told him about her and Lucius. He had been busy and Hermione had still been recovering. Once Bill and Fleur had been brought here, Hermione had decided to give him a bit of time with his family before she sought him out.
Now, as they stood and stared at one another, she wondered if things would ever be as they had been before. They had already lost Harry, Hermione didn't want to lose her other best friend. The thought of it made her extremely sad.
"How are Bill and Fleur?" she asked, deciding to keep the conversation off her and Ron for the moment.
"They've been physically healed," Ron said. "All except Bill's scars on his face. Those will take a bit longer. Mentally though," he shook his head. When he looked up there were tears in his eyes.
"Oh, Ron," she said and moved quickly towards him, pulling him into her arms. He clung to her for a few minutes, weeping into her hair as Hermione rubbed his back and tried to calm him. When he finally pulled away, mumbling apologies, she grabbed his arm and pulled him into her room. She settled him into the chair next to her bed and sat down on the bed in front of him.
"I'm sorry," she said, her own voice shaky. She couldn't even begin to imagine the horrors they had gone through in that dungeon room.
"Fleur jumps at every little noise or movement," Ron said quietly. "She clings to Bill as much as they'll let her. And when she's separated from him, she curls into a ball in the corner of the room. And Bill, he tries to be strong for her but I can see in his eyes that he's not much better off than she is." He pulled in a breath and let it out. "I think it helps when they can talk to Ginny. Because she sort of…knows." He shook his head and stood from the chair so quickly, he moved back a foot.
"I hate this, Hermione! There's nothing I can do! I want to, I want to go down to the Ministry and choke Alecto to death with my bare hands. I wish Malfoy hadn't killed Amycus in the battle because I want to force him to endure everything Bill and Fleur did." His hands had formed into fists and before she could even say anything, he had turned and punched the wall. Hermione jumped at the impact.
"Ron!" she said in concern, getting up from the bed and trying to look at his hand.
"S'fine," he said.
"It's not," she replied. "Let me see." He sighed and held out his hand to her. His knuckles were scraped and bloody and one of them looked like it was out of place. "I think you dislocated a finger."
"Doesn't matter," he said pulling his hand from her grasp with a wince.
"Let Poppy look at it," she said. He sighed and sank down onto the bed, his head in his hands. She sat down beside him and carefully put an arm around his shoulders. They sat in silence, Hermione trying to offer him comfort as best she could.
"This is why, Hermione," he said a few minutes later.
"Why what?"
"Why I can't understand how you can be with him."
"Lucius is nothing like the Carrows," Hermione said vehemently. The very thought of it made her sick.
"He's still a Death Eater."
"I realize that, but that doesn't mean he would do anything like that. They're not all the same, Ron."
"How can you say that after what's happened to everyone?"
"Did it happen to your mother? Or to Ginny after Draco rescued her?" Hermione asked. "And it hasn't happened to everyone. You know what Padma said. And Hannah." Padma had told them that Rookwood had never laid a finger on her. He had made her clean and cook and sometimes sit with him in the evenings. She said that he liked it when she read to him. He wasn't friendly but he had never touched her sexually and never hit or beat her.
Despite Mrs. Rowle raving about Hannah carrying the Rowle heir, Hannah hadn't been pregnant. And she insisted that Thorfinn had never been anything but a gentleman to her. His mother, on the other hand, had been cruel to Hannah, finding reasons to punish her for imaginary infractions whenever Rowle was not around to intervene. Finally, her son had told his mother that Hannah was carrying his child and the curses and hexes had stopped. For the last three months, his mother had not laid a hand on her, although the verbal assault had continued.
"He was really very kind to me," Hannah had said. "He and his mother got in terrible rows when he would come home and find that she'd hurt me. She would stop then, for a little while, but it would always start again eventually. The best thing that happened in that house was when he told her I had fallen pregnant. He did kiss me once, only for his mother's benefit, but I didn't mind really."
"I'm not trying to excuse anything but Lucius is not the same as the Carrows or Dolohov or Lestrange just because they're all Death Eaters," Hermione said. Ron said nothing.
"I know you don't understand and that's all right. But I don't want to lose you over this. Harry's gone, Ron, and," Hermione had to stop to get her emotions under control as her breath hitched. "And I don't want to lose my other best friend too." Ron reached over and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. Hermione relaxed fractionally. He wasn't accepting anything but at least he wasn't cutting her out of his life.
They sat there for a few moments, Ron still holding her hand until Hermione had to stifle a yawn. She really was very tired all of a sudden.
"I'll let you rest," Ron said as he made to stand. Hermione tugged on his arm and he turned to look at her.
"I love you, Ron, you know that right?"
"Yeah," he said, giving her a half smile. "I know." She let go of him and he turned and walked silently out of her room, closing the door behind him.
Hermione sighed and kicked off her shoes then crawled into bed, pulling the blankets up over her. She hoped that Kingsley would be able to get her in to see Lucius soon.
"You switched sides, just like that?" Savage asked skepticism clear in his voice.
"It was not as sudden as all that. I had been reluctant to participate in the Dark Lord's plans since his return in 1995," Lucius said attempting to keep the irritation out of his voice. This Auror had been questioning him for nearly an hour and still did not seem to believe that Lucius had been willingly trying to destroy the Dark Lord.
"As I am sure that you are aware, saying no to the Dark Lord was a death sentence. In order to protect my family, I followed his directives. Had I not, they would have been killed in front of me. I had not been 'in the field', so to speak, for many years. My talents had been utilized to manipulate those in power in order to further the Dark Lord's aims." Lucius knew that because he had already been tried for his crimes in the first war, they could have no bearing on his sentence this time.
"By threatening them, you mean," Savage interrupted.
"You would be surprised by how little I actually had to threaten anyone," Lucius said. "Bribes and subtle manipulation usually worked just as well. Most people have a price. It is just a question as to whether you are willing to pay it." Savage scowled but did not comment.
"When the Dark Lord returned," Lucius continued, "I expected to carry on in this capacity. However, the Dark Lord had other plans given that he did not have the force behind him he once did. As such, I was put in charge of retrieving the prophecy from the Department of Mysteries. I am sure you are aware what the outcome of that was."
"You spent a year in Azkaban," Savage supplied.
"Yes," Lucius said tightly. He still hated thinking about his time there. Knowing that he would likely have to return was only tempered by the fact that he was doing it so his son did not have to suffer the same fate.
"And after Voldemort secured your release?"
"I was without a wand and subjected to what was essentially house arrest for nearly a year leading up to the Battle at Hogwarts. When the Dark Lord killed my wife, I vowed that I would avenge her death, no matter what it took."
"And how did you plan to go about this?" Savage asked.
"I did not know," Lucius said. "Only that I intended to do it."
"Stroke of luck that your son kidnapped Miss Granger then, wasn't it?"
"My son did not kidnap anyone," Lucius said. "He was attempting to protect Miss Granger from a group of Snatchers after the rest of her group had abandoned her." Lucius was aware that the others had not left Hermione willingly, but he would be damned if Draco's actions were assumed to be nefarious in nature.
"He could have taken her somewhere else and let her go. Instead, he brought her to your manor where she was held prisoner for months," Savage said. Lucius forced himself to remain calm. He could not lose his temper now.
"She was alone," he said evenly. "She had no idea where the camp was that they were traveling to, never having been there before. Had Draco simply Apparated somewhere else and let her go, she would have had to fend for herself and would have likely actually been captured. He was trying to protect her."
"By keeping her locked in a room for weeks on end?" Savage said.
"The prophecy was made shortly after her arrival. Once we had determined that she was one of the subjects of the prophecy, we hoped to convince her to work with us."
"And yet, even after she agreed, she was still kept as a prisoner."
"The Dark Lord was still visiting on occasion and we had two other women in our home that were not proficient in Occlumency. They were not restricted in where they traveled in the house. We were concerned that the Dark Lord would find out about Miss Granger and all of our efforts would be for naught. It was for her safety, as well as our own," Lucius said.
"So, it was all to protect the plan then," Savage said.
"Yes," Lucius replied.
"And the other two women in your home?" Savage shuffled parchment. "Molly and Ginevra Weasley?"
"Mrs. Weasley was forced upon me after the battle at Hogwarts," Lucius said. "It was intended to be a punishment by the Dark Lord. She was not mistreated in any way."
"Your son said that she cooked and kept house for you," Savage said.
"That was her own decision," Lucius said. "We never asked her to."
"And Ginevra Weasley?"
"Miss Weasley was initially given to Rodolphus Lestrange after the battle. When Rodolphus was killed in a skirmish with the Resistance, the Dark Lord offered my son a reward for his performance that day."
"Because he brought in the body of Lee Jordan, someone on Voldemort's wanted list," Savage interrupted.
"Mr. Jordan had also been killed during the fight," Lucius said. "Draco simply took advantage of the fact."
"And your son didn't conveniently kill him for his own gain?"
"Of course not," Lucius said indignantly "The Dark Lord wanted those on the list brought in alive so he could question them about the Resistance. Draco would likely been rewarded even further had Jordan been alive." Savage motioned that Lucius should continue.
"My son requested Miss Weasley when offered a boon from the Dark Lord."
"Why Miss Weasley and not one of the other women?"
"Draco was aware that Miss Weasley had been Rodolphus' prisoner and thought the Dark Lord would be more likely to grant his request than if Draco had asked for someone whose jailer was still alive." Lucius paused and looked down at the table for a moment. "Had he been able, he would have rescued all of them. We all would have."
"All?" Savage questioned.
"Severus Snape, Theo Nott, Draco and myself." Savage looked at him for a moment before turning back to the parchment in front of him.
"Let's discuss the events that led up to the night of April sixth," Savage said. Finally, Lucius thought. Savage questioned him about the research he and Hermione had done and why. Lucius explained the steps they had taken to ensure fulfillment of the prophecy, leaving out the intimate moments. Those were no one's business, as far as Lucius was concerned. If directly questioned about the wording of the prophecy and what specifically they had done, he would have had to answer, but it was clear that Savage did not know exactly what the prophecy said. Obviously, Severus and Draco had only summarized, much to Lucius' relief.
Lucius told Savage of their suspicions about the Dark Lord's decline and Yaxley's apparent takeover of the Death Eaters. Once he had explained Hermione's meetings with the Resistance and their eventual move to Nott Manor, Lucius arrived at the night he was called and tortured by Yaxley.
"I was surprised to be called as I had not been since just after the Hogwarts battle," Lucius said.
"And why was that?" Savage asked.
"The Dark Lord was displeased by my wife's betrayal of him. As I was already out of favor, it was simply the last straw in his mind. I believe that he felt I would see it as a punishment to no longer be involved."
"And did you?"
"No," Lucius said. "I felt only relief. Until he began calling Draco again. Then I wanted to take my son's place. I requested to do so but was denied." Savage studied Lucius for a few moments before he asked another question.
"Why did you want to take your son's place? Were you envious that he had Voldemort's attention?"
"No!" Lucius snapped. "I wanted to spare my son having to take my place in the ranks. It was just another way for the Dark Lord to punish me and Draco did not deserve that." Savage scribbled something down on the parchment.
"The night you were called. What happened then?" Lucius explained the sequence of events and how he had determined that the Dark Lord and Yaxley had done something to bind themselves together.
"When he finished with me, I had just enough strength to activate my Portkey. I was taken to a safe room in my Manor where I was found by Severus Snape and Miss Granger. I am told that we fled the Manor when Yaxley arrived in search of Severus. We went to the Malfoy family hunting lodge that the Dark Lord was unaware of."
Lucius continued with his tale until arriving at the night Theo had summoned Yaxley to Nott Manor. He gave the details of their plan and all that happened up until Yaxley and the Dark Lord entered his mind.
"You were not the one to destroy Voldemort, correct?" Savage asked.
"Not completely, no," Lucius said. "I was able to separate their souls and eject Yaxley. When I ejected the Dark Lord, Draco was unable to trap him before he entered Miss Granger."
"I thought that Miss Granger was supposed to be a considerable distance away, with Charlie Weasley and Kingsley Shacklebolt."
"That was the plan, yes," Lucius said.
"Then how did she get close enough for Voldemort to attack her?" Savage asked.
"She was concerned that the plan was not working," Lucius said. He stared at the Auror passively as Savage looked back at him. Lucius knew the man felt there was more to the story but thankfully, did not ask. Instead, he looked through his parchment again.
"When did you become aware that your son was an informant for the Resistance?" Savage asked. Lucius gave an internal sigh of relief that they were off the topic of Hermione.
"I first suspected in September when he rescued the Weasley girl. It was confirmed for me in November."
"Did you ask him to stop?"
"Of course, I did," Lucius said.
"Because he was betraying Voldemort?" Savage asked.
"Because if he had been caught, he would have been dead," Lucius snapped. "I had already lost my wife; I was not about to lose my son."
"So, you didn't object to the information being passed, just that it was your son that was doing it," Savage said.
"No, I did not object to the Dark Lord being undermined," Lucius said with a sneer. "I wanted him gone, after all."
Before Savage could ask him anything else there was a sharp rap on the door. Savage waved his wand and dropped the wards on the room. The door opened and Shacklebolt stepped in.
"Kings-, I mean, Minister," Savage said. Lucius' eyebrows rose to his hairline. Minister?
"Savage," Shacklebolt replied. "I would like to speak to Mr. Malfoy for a moment." Savage looked surprised at this but did not protest. He gathered up his parchment, nodded to Shacklebolt and stepped out of the room. Lucius waited until Shacklebolt had cast a series of wards.
"Minister?" Lucius asked, eyebrow raised.
"Interim Minister," Shacklebolt replied. Lucius stared at him for a moment, shocked. Although, he supposed it did make a bit of sense, given he was Sacred Twenty-Eight as well as on the side of the Light.
"Congratulations," Lucius said. Shacklebolt waved away the sentiment.
"I'm sorry that I haven't been to speak to you before this. It's been a bit…mad."
"I can imagine," Lucius said. "How is Hermione?"
"She's fine," Shacklebolt replied. "She is up and around and nearly healed, according to Poppy." Lucius let out a sigh of relief. "She wants to see you."
"No," Lucius said. "I do not want her anywhere near all of this."
"She was quite insistent," Shacklebolt said, questioning look on his face.
"I have no idea why," Lucius replied.
"Outside the obvious," Shacklebolt said, then stared at Lucius. Lucius let his face settle into his neutral mask.
"I am unaware of what you are insinuating," Lucius said. Shacklebolt snorted.
"I know what's going on between the two of you," he said. "I was there, remember?" Lucius sighed again.
"I assume this is where you attempt to warn me off."
"No," Shacklebolt said. "Hermione is a grown woman and can make her own decisions. I'm not going to say I wasn't surprised though."
"That makes two of us," Lucius muttered. Shacklebolt smirked for a moment, then sobered.
"I wanted to tell you that even though I am now Minister, I only have so much sway over what's happening to the four of you. As much as I'd like to, I can't just let all of you go. There are going to have to be trials."
"I understand," Lucius said. "Although I had hoped that at least Theo and Draco could escape that fate."
"To be honest, I don't think that either of them will have to serve time in Azkaban," Shacklebolt said. "Everything they did was to protect those that they loved. Draco's passing of information and the fact that Theo housed us will definitely help. They may get probation or house arrest for a short time but that would be the extent of it I would guess.
Severus' history as a spy, along with what really happened with Dumbledore's death will likely exonerate him. He's been in hiding since the battle at Hogwarts and has only helped with the Resistance since. The only thing they could have issue with is his year as Headmaster, given some of the punishments the students suffered. But it won't be hard to show that he protected them as much as he could.
As for you," Shacklebolt said, then paused.
"I do not expect the same for myself," Lucius replied. "I have accepted the fact that I will almost certainly be going back to Azkaban. I will do whatever I can to mitigate Draco and Theo's punishments."
"What's happened these last two years will certainly help you," Kingsley said. "But they'll need more if you're going to avoid prison."
"Such as?" Lucius asked.
"Any and all information you have on anyone inside the Ministry or out that supported Voldemort. Information on those that weren't Marked will be most valuable. As well as any and all information about those that are Marked and their crimes that you are aware of."
"You want me to be your informant," Lucius said. Shacklebolt said nothing, although he did not have to. The two men studied one another for a few moments.
"I am going to need parchment and quill," Lucius said. Shacklebolt smiled and rose from his seat. A wave of his wand released the shackles around Lucius' wrists, although the magic dampening cuffs remained.
"I'll be right back." Shacklebolt left the room and Lucius allowed himself a sigh of relief. Perhaps things would work out after all.