* ~ The Eighth Year Universe Series ~ *

PART FOUR

Brave New World

Chapter 64: The Godfather

"How are things with you and Draco?"

"Good," Hermione replied with a smile, "Is that why you brought me lunch?"

"We haven't spoken in like a week and a half," Harry said. He put the brown bag down in front of her, "And although Draco told me things were okay, he didn't tell me much more than that."

"So, are you concerned or nosy?"

"A bit of both," Harry admitted, "Fancy a walk?"

"Sure," Hermione said. She got to her feet and grabbed her coat. They slipped out of the Ministry together and restarted their conversation.

"Things are fine with Draco and me. It took a pensieve to show us how the other one had lived, but we got there," Hermione said honestly, "It just took some unpleasant truths."

Harry frowned, "What did you have to show him?"

"He had to see for himself how things had been during the war for us," Hermione admitted.

"What like between us?"

"No, not like that," Hermione scoffed, "Just all the terrible things that happened during the war."

Harry blew out a sigh of relief, "Thank Merlin for that."

Hermione shot him an amused look, "And I had to see how things had gone down between him and Pansy, which…well that shed light on a lot, to be honest."

Harry nodded, "I know about the baby too, and honestly…I don't know how I would have coped with that."

"No…it broke his heart," Hermione said with a weary sigh.

"But you put it back together," Harry reminded her, "Did it help though, seeing things from each other's perspective?"

"Yes," Hermione admitted, "It did."

Harry smiled slightly, "So, you're good?"

"We're good," Hermione agreed.

"Good," Harry said, "Draco came to me for advice after you two fought, and I was worried that I had said the wrong thing, but I'm glad that I didn't."

Hermione nodded thoughtfully. Then she looked down and sighed, "I'm sorry, Harry."

Harry frowned up at her, "Why are you apologising to me? It was my stupid idea that made you and Draco fall out-"

"No, it's not about that," Hermione cut him off, "That was a fight that was always going to happen between Draco and me. In this case, your idea just happened to be the trigger."

Harry wasn't quite following, but he nodded anyway.

"I'm sorry for not being a good enough friend lately," Hermione confessed, her eyes full of concern as they met his, "I should have noticed that you were an alcoholic sooner than I did, and I…I should have been more supportive to you when you were brave enough to tell us that-"

"Hermione, you don't have to-"

"No, I do have to tell you this," Hermione said sternly, "I just assumed that Daphne and Neville were helping you handle it, so I took a step back, and that's not me, Harry. I don't step back and let someone else deal with a situation. I shove them aside, get in the way and do it myself."

Harry smiled slightly and looked away from her, "Yeah, that does sound like your method of getting things done."

Hermione took his hand, "But this time, I did nothing, and you went off the deep end. If Neville hadn't found you…I don't know what you might have done, and that scares me."

"But Neville did find me," Harry said, squeezing Hermione's hand, "And Daphne and I worked things out. I'm seeing a therapist at the training centre now, so honestly, Hermione, I think I'm going to be okay."

Hermione smiled weakly, "And I'm so happy about that, but I'm also sorry."

Harry gave a slight nod to acknowledge her apology then leant back. The air was silent and tense for a moment as Harry handed her a muffin.

"Do you mind if I run something work-related by you?"

"Of course not," Harry replied.

Hermione took a bite of her muffin, "I just caught wind of something in the Auror department before you dropped in for lunch. A girl came in to give a statement to the Aurors, she was slipped a potion on a date, and then when she woke up the next morning she discovered that she'd had sex, but she didn't remember any of it….you get the gist right?"

Harry nodded, "That's disgusting. Are they looking for the guy?"

"That's the thing, they are, but Rachel says that they can't charge him even if they find him because there is nothing to say it's illegal," Hermione said.

"What?" Harry snapped, "That's disgusting!"

Hermione sighed, "I thought the same thing, but I don't think there's anything I can do about it."

"There might be something that I can do about it," Harry said, "Just keep an eye on the progress of the case and keep me in the loop, okay?"

Hermione nodded, "I will, thanks, Harry."

"We'll fix this fucked up DMLE," Harry promised her, "One case at a time."

"It will be easier when you all receive your invitations to join the Wizengamot," Hermione agreed.

"I know," Harry sighed, "But Draco said that might be as late as the end of the year."

"Well, when it happens, change is going to come," Hermione said confidently.

"Yes," Harry agreed, "Yes, it is."

There was a knock at the door of Potter Manor on Halloween evening. Daphne and Teddy had just gotten Teddy dressed up as a pumpkin, and they were about to take him into Godric's Hollow trick or treating.

Harry had been unsure of the idea at first. He remembered how he had seen the kids playing and trick or treating when he watched Snape's memory of his parents death. But Daphne had talked him around with talks of fresh starts and all, and he knew that she was right. He couldn't avoid Halloween forever, not now that they had a child who got very excited about the holiday.

Harry answered the door and was surprised to see Ron on his doorstep. They hadn't spoken in a good few weeks.

"Happy Halloween, mate! We're about to take Teddy trick or treating. Do you want to come?"

Ron smiled at Harry, "Hey mate, I'd love to, but I can't sorry. I just came by to tell you the news. Ginny went into labour this afternoon."

Harry frowned, "Did she? I thought she wasn't due for a couple of weeks yet."

"Her due date was the 7th of November, so it's about a week early, but the baby is okay," Ron said, "She's a good weight and all. They named her Hope. Ginny wanted me to let you know."

"Wow, they had her today?" Daphne asked, "What a birthday, Halloween."

Ron chuckled, "I said that. Ginny hit me when I said that she would always get a good meal on her birthday when she went to Hogwarts."

Harry snorted, "It's quite funny, though."

Ron grinned, "Yeah, I thought so too. Katie's fuming, mind you, she was due on the 24th, and the baby still isn't shifting. She's going to have to go into St Mungos to get induced if it's not made an appearance by the 6th of November."

"Poor Katie," Daphne chuckled, "Is Ginny up for visitors then?"

"Yeah, she's keeping well. The birth was pretty smooth sailing, according to Blaise," Ron said, "It was quick too. I think she's allowed visitors up until 9 pm tonight."

"Alright, we'll take Ted trick or treating and head straight over. Thanks for letting us know, Ron."

"Oh," Daphne said quietly when they walked into Ginny's hospital room, "She is so tiny and beautiful."

Ginny smiled at her, "She really is."

"You look exhausted, Gin," Daphne said, "Do you want me to hold her for a bit?"

Ginny nodded and handed the baby to Daphne.

"Ron said you named her Hope?" Harry asked as he looked at the baby girl.

She had Blaise's dark skin tone and thick curly hair, and right now, she was waking up. Daphne chuckled at the little girl as she stretched and yawned.

"Yeah," Ginny said, "Hope Zara Zabini. We thought it was fitting because she's our hope for a better future."

"It's a lovely name," Daphne said softly, "And a beautiful sentiment."

"Look, Teddy, it's a baby," Harry said in a whisper.

Teddy made a face.

Harry chuckled, "Do you want a baby, Teddy?"

"No!" Teddy said firmly.

"Well, that's that," Harry laughed.

Daphne smiled, "She's so tiny, isn't she?"

Teddy made a face again.

Ginny laughed, "I guess you two aren't having another any time soon."

"We aren't," Daphne laughed, "It wouldn't be fair to Ted. We need to make sure he's well and truly settled first. But seeing this little one makes me feel so broody."

"Which is dangerous," Harry said. He shot Ginny an amused look.

Ginny smiled, "Would you be her Godfather, Harry?"

Harry looked up in surprise, "I would be honoured if that's what you want."

"Blaise and I couldn't agree, naturally," Ginny joked, "So we agreed to pick one Godparent each. I picked you, and Blaise picked-"

"Me."

Harry spun around and grinned at the girl who had just walked into the room.

"Blanche, hey."

Blanche smiled back, "I got you the extra strong coffee you asked for, Gin."

Ginny took it, gratefully, "Thanks, Blanche."

Daphne watched the exchange with interest, "So where is this little ones Daddy then?"

"At home, sleeping off the birth," Blanche joked, she shot Ginny a grin, "He's traumatised for life, isn't he?"

"I think so," Ginny chuckled.

"Ron said it was quick?" Harry questioned.

"Oh, it was quick, alright. She was sitting in the drawing-room this afternoon with a bit of a sore stomach. Then two hours later, I got called in from the waiting room to meet my goddaughter," Blanche said, her eyes fell on the baby in Daphne's arms, "But she's a good weight considering that she was a week early."

"What weight is she?" Daphne asked.

"7 lbs 6," Ginny yawned.

"How long are they keeping you in for?" Harry asked, sitting down on the edge of Ginny's bed.

"A couple of days," Ginny replied, "Then I get to go home, which for the moment is High-Top House."

"Blaise is just putting the finishing touches on the house," Blanche reminded her, "It won't be long."

Ginny smiled, "Mum tried to get us to move back into the Burrow. She was adamant I'd need all the help I could get because I wouldn't be able to manage on my own, but I'll be fine, and I know she'll do more harm than good by crowding me and taking over."

"You'll be just fine, Ginny," Daphne said as she handed Hope to Blanche, "You're a strong person."

Ginny smiled sleepily, and Blanche ran her hand along Hope's cheeks, "She's just so precious, don't you think?"

"I never put you down as the baby loving type, Blanche," Harry teased.

"If you tell anyone at training, I'll kill you," Blanche warned him.

Harry laughed, "You'd need to beat me in a duel first."

"Harry," Daphne scolded, "No boasting in front of the baby."

"Sorry," Harry said with a sheepish grin.

Daphne shook her head and smiled at Ginny, "She's beautiful, congratulations Ginny."

"She's so tiny," Harry said as he looked at the little girl, "I can't remember Teddy being that tiny even though I know it wasn't that long ago."

"You don't realise how fast they grow," Blanche said, "Isn't that right, Hope? And Auntie Blanche is going to be the coolest auntie around."

A chuckle went around the room, but Harry noticed that Ginny had gone suspiciously quiet. When he looked over at her hospital bed, he realised why; she was fast asleep.

"Well, I think we ought to go and leave you guys to get to know baby Hope," Harry said diplomatically.

Daphne nodded; she hugged Blanche and gave her a knowing smile, "Congratulations, to all three of you."

Blanche raised an eyebrow at Daphne. In response, Daphne just said, "I'm a pureblood too, I notice these things, and you're not exactly hiding it, sweetie."

Blanche seemed speechless, and Harry bit his lip in amusement, "Come on, let's go home before Lilly finds out you're calling other girls sweetie. She'll get jealous."

Daphne shot Harry an amused look but took his arm anyway.

"See you tomorrow, Blanche."

"See you tomorrow, Harry," Blanche agreed.

"What did you mean when you said congratulations to all three of them?"

Daphne chuckled as they left the hospital together, "It's a show marriage, Harry."

Harry frowned, "Because Blaise is sleeping with his sister?"

"No," Daphne scoffed, "Because Ginny isn't straight."

"What? But she…she is!"

"She thought she was," Daphne said. She smirked at Harry, "Until I snogged her in a broom cupboard during the war."

"So you turn straight girls gay now, do you?" Harry chortled as they stepped out together. The frosty air bit at their skin, and Teddy cuddled into Daphne.

"My track record would suggest that," Daphne grinned, "I turned Ginny gay and Lilly bisexual."

"Lilly's not bisexual," Harry sniggered, "She just enjoyed kissing you. That's not unusual, is it? You're a bloody good kisser."

"I have been told that several times," Daphne mused, "I'm just glad that Ginny didn't ask me to be Hope's godmother because that would be weird."

"Why?" Harry asked slowly.

"Because I've slept with her dad and turned her mum gay," Daphne answered.

Harry snorted.

"The point is, Ginny and Blanche are a thing. I can guarantee you when they move into that house that Blaise has built, all three of them will move in," Daphne said.

"And Blaise will be alright with that?"

"Have you met Blaise? He doesn't give a shit about anything," Daphne said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"True," Harry laughed.

"So has everyone met Hope then?" Hermione asked conversationally as she pulled a pizza out of the oven.

"We met her the night she was born," Harry said, "She's lovely."

"So tiny and cute!" Daphne agreed, "Oh watch Hermione, the garlic bread is burning."

"Oh, shoot," Hermione cursed, "We met her the day after. I even got Draco to smile when he was holding her."

Draco rolled his eyes, "I'm not completely heartless."

"She is so tiny and cute, though," Hermione agreed.

Neville smiled, "We met her the night she was born too. Gin floo-ed me not long after she had given birth. I couldn't believe how tiny she was; I was scared to hold her in case I broke her."

"I didn't hold her. I was too scared," Lilly admitted, "I like them when they are Teddy's size, you know? They're a bit less breakable."

"Teddy's still breakable," Daphne snorted, "That the last time I let you babysit."

Lilly just stuck her tongue out at Daphne in response.

"We were a little later in visiting," Theo admitted, "Sadie wasn't feeling great at the start of the week. We visited her at High-Top House, didn't we?"

Sadie nodded, "She's settled in there great, you know? Zara loves her, and she and Blanche are very friendly too."

"Very friendly," Daphne murmured in Lilly's ear.

"Like as friendly as we were in Paris?" Lilly whispered back.

"Oh, way more friendly than that," Daphne shot back.

Lilly snorted, "Does Blaise know you turned his wife gay?"

"Oh probably," Daphne returned.

"What are you two whispering about?"

"Nothing," Daphne said innocently.

"Did you hear anything we just said?" Sadie asked her friend in amusement.

"No," Daphne admitted, "Sorry."

Theo snorted, "We were just saying how weird it was to hold a baby."

"Theo was shitting himself, basically," Neville chipped in.

"He wasn't the only one," Sadie admitted, "To think we're going to have two of them pretty soon. But oh my gosh, Hope is cute."

"Isn't she just?" Daphne agreed.

"I'm happy for Blaise," Theo said, "I didn't think he'd ever get married, you know? He was never really the marrying type."

"True," Draco mused, "I never thought he would marry a Weasley, either."

"I don't think any of us did," Daphne pointed out.

"Anyway," Lilly cut in, "Isn't the point of tonight to eat pizza and spend time together? Since we all have to work way too much these days?"

"Until Teddy wakes up screaming in five minutes and Harry and Daphne have a fight over who has to go deal with him and eat their pizza cold," Hermione joked.

"He always does it in this house!" Harry said.

"Probably cause it's old and evil and shit," Neville shrugged,

"Who knows, maybe we'll get through a slice of pizza each this time," Daphne said as she took a bite.

Harry took a cautionary bite too then they heard it.

"Ahhhh!"

"Ugh, it's really your turn."

"It really isn't."

"I had a hard day today; I need pizza and wine more than you!"

"You broke one curse. I won two duelling contests!"

"Harry, pleaaaaase."

Harry rolled his eyes and got to his feet, "Fine!"

Once he had left the room, Daphne grinned, "Every time," she chirped as she took a huge bite out of her pizza.

When the floo roared to life at 'unsociable' hours, it freaked Harry out. It made him jump out of bed, with his heart pounding, fearful that someone had been hurt.

As it was, when he answered the floo at 6 am in nothing but his snitch patterned boxers, it was happy news.

Ron smiled through the fire at him, looking pretty exhausted, "Katie had the baby, last night mate. Kept us going till the last minute. She was meant to be getting induced tomorrow."

Harry smiled broadly, "Great, Ron! Is everyone okay?"

"They are both fine," Ron replied, "Katie did great. I've told the family, but I figured you might want to visit too since you are his godfather."

"Him?" Harry asked, "You've got a little boy, then?"

"Yeah, he doesn't have a name yet. We're between two," Ron admitted, "I want to name him Fabian, but Katie wants a more normal name, so she's thinking Jackson."

Harry chuckled, "Well, I'm thrilled for you, I really am. Let me chuck some clothes on, and I'll head over straight away. Daph would come too, but she needs to stay here for Ted."

Ron shook his head, "Don't worry. I totally get it. See you soon, mate."

The floo disconnected, and Harry smiled. Despite the circumstances, he knew that Ron would make a great Father. He threw some clothes on, kissed Daphne on the cheek and left her sleeping as he headed for St. Mungos.

Harry grinned when he slipped into Katie's hospital room, "He's got the trademark red hair."

Katie laughed; she looked exhausted, "He definitely has."

The baby had a full head of red hair, and he was currently fast asleep in his cot next to Katie's bed.

"Two godchildren born within a week of each other," Harry chuckled, "And I just adopted my own kid."

"They're like buses, mate," Ron joked quietly.

Harry chuckled at the analogy, "How are you all doing?"

"I'm sore and tired, but otherwise okay," Katie said honestly.

"I'm going to move in with Katie for the first few weeks," Ron informed Harry, "Just to help out with the baby and make sure that she gets some sleep."

"That's good of you," Harry said proudly, "Ron was saying you couldn't decide on a name?"

Katie nodded, "Ron wants to honour someone, but I just want him to have a normal name."

Harry sat down on the edge of Katie's bed, "Well, forgive me if this is an insensitive suggestion, but how about Fred?"

Ron frowned a little then looked over at Katie, "Fred is a bit too…it would be a bit too much to have another Fred so soon, but how about-"

"Frederick," Katie said at the same time as Ron.

"Fred for short, or Freddie," Ron agreed with a smile.

"And that way, his name honours someone that we both miss," Katie agreed. She smiled too and looked down at the baby, "Frederick Bell-Weasley…kind of has a ring to it."

Ron's smile didn't shift as he nodded, "Yeah, it does."

"Hey babe, where were you this morning?"

"Naming a baby," Harry said, grinning at his fiancé.

Daphne raised an eyebrow at him, "You gonna elaborate on that one?"

"Katie had the baby, Ron floo-ed at an ungodly hour this morning, so I left you to sleep," Harry explained, "They couldn't pick a name. Ron wanted to honour someone, but Katie wanted a normal name, so I suggested Fred."

Daphne smiled, "Of course you did."

"So my latest Godchild is called Frederick Bell-Weasley."

"How many do you have now?" Daphne joked.

"Two since Teddy doesn't count anymore," Harry chuckled, "Theo and Sadie better make Hermione and Draco Godparents because I'm going to be poor at this rate."

Daphne laughed and smacked him on the arse with her rolled up edition of the prophet, "Stop being a smart arse and get to work, or you're going to be late."

"Yes, ma'am," Harry grinned. He kissed her on the cheek and grabbed a slice of toast, "Bye babe, love you."

"Love you too," Daphne called as he rushed down the hall.

"Harry…"

"Hermione…"

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest, "Why are you always out here with Dave when I come by in the evenings?"

"Because it's my routine," Harry said matter of factly, "Have dinner, play with Teddy, bath Teddy, put Teddy to bed. Come out here, feed Dave and chill with him for a bit, then go inside and have rampant-"

"- I don't want to hear the end of that sentence," Hermione rolled her eyes, "Did you hear that Katie got out of the hospital today?"

"Yeah, Ron's moved in with her to help with Freddie," Harry replied.

"He's cute, isn't he?"

"Are you getting broody? "Harry asked with a grin.

"No, oh no way," Hermione scoffed, "I've got my job to focus on. Draco and I won't be having children for a while yet."

"Unless you do a Sadie and get pregnant on your honeymoon," Harry teased.

"Not happening," Hermione said firmly.

Dave lifted his head and hissed.

Harry scoffed, "Dave, quit flirting with her, she can't even understand your language, and she's not a snake, so it would never work out between you two."

"Do I want to know what he said?" Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow.

Harry shook his head, "No, you really don't. Anyway, I'm sorry about what happened with your date rape case, by the way."

Hermione frowned and turned around, "What do you mean?"

"Didn't you hear?" Harry asked, "They caught the guy, and he got off with a slap on the wrist after his hearing."

"Seriously?" She asked in disbelief, "How did you hear about that?"

"I was keeping my ear to the ground after what you said last week," Harry admitted, "Are you going to do anything about it?"

"What can I do about it? I'm not a lawyer. I'm in my training year in the DMLE. I hardly have any authority, do I?"

"No," Harry agreed, "But I know someone who is training to be a lawyer. Besides, you don't need to be a lawyer to call for an appeal. You just have to know enough about the law to do it."

"Who do you know whose training to be a lawyer?" Hermione asked curiously.

"My fiancé's sister," Harry said with a smirk, "You could hook up with Astoria and appeal it, you have 30 days from the day the crime was committed, so you're still well within the parameters of that."

Hermione paused for a moment, "Let me look at the legal side of it in a bit more depth tonight, then I'll get back to you, okay?"

"Deal," Harry agreed.

"Why are you reading wizarding law in your spare time?" Draco asked conversationally when he stepped into the drawing-room that night.

"Because someone raped a girl and got away scot-free," Hermione said darkly, "And there are hardly any laws against that in this fucked up world that we live in."

Draco frowned, "Seriously? I mean, I know my Dad got away with a lot of shit that he shouldn't have done. But even I would have assumed that rape is illegal."

"Well, according to the tiny section on it here in the law," Hermione said, "It is illegal to abduct or contain someone against their will and subject them to sexual abuse. But there is nothing in here about bringing a girl into your home, then drugging her and raping her."

Draco's frown deepened, "Does it specifically mention the use of compulsion charms or the imperius curse?"

"Nope, so no doubt people have gotten away with that too," Hermione fumed, "It is sick Draco, bloody sick!"

"It is," Draco agreed darkly, "Are you going to appeal it?"

"I want to," Hermione admitted, "But I don't see how I can. If there's nothing in the law about it, what can I do?"

"Talk to Astoria about it and see if she thinks it's worth appealing," Draco said honestly, "She's got a really good head for law and politics."

Hermione sighed and shut the dusty old book heavily, "Alright, I'll owl her in the morning," she promised.

When Hermione sat down to have coffee with Astoria, she felt irrationally nervous, and she had no idea why. She remembered Astoria from school; she remembered her as timid and kind.

However, the Astoria who walked into the café was not the girl she remembered. She looked more like Daphne than she ever had before, and she was clearly channelling her sisters 'business' look. Astoria wore a dark suit, her hair was pulled up into a perfect bun, and she wore deep red lipstick.

It made her look incredibly intimidating until she sat down and smiled.

"Hey, Hermione. Your owl intrigued me. I'm not actually studying law anymore because Father asked me to take over the business, but if I can help you find something to use in an appeal, I definitely will."

Hermione smiled back, "Thank you, Astoria."

Astoria ordered a coffee, then said, "So give me a breakdown of the case."

"Right," Hermione began, "A girl came in to give a statement. She went on a date with a guy she had met in a bar. You know the story; they owled a couple of times then met up. Anyway, he invited her back to his place for a drink, and she went. He put a sleeping potion in her drink, she passed out, and when she woke up, she was in a state of undress. She panicked because she didn't know what had happened, so she went to St. Mungo's, and when they examined her, they found traces of semen."

"So he raped her," Astoria said. She shook her head in disgust, "And the guy got off?"

"He was given a slap on the wrist, but because she willingly went to his house, it wasn't classed as rape," Hermione explained.

"That is sick," Astoria muttered, "But it also doesn't surprise me. There are a lot of aspects of wizarding law that are vague."

Hermione nodded, "I noticed that when I was researching this case. The law is so vague on the use of love potions, for example."

"That's definitely an area of contention," Astoria agreed, "The problem is that there are varying degrees of love potions. The ones sold by Weasley Wizard Wheezes and made by lovesick Hogwarts students are very weak. They create a mild crush, not anywhere near powerful enough to make someone sleep with someone they don't want to."

Hermione followed Astoria's words with interest.

"But the likes of Amortentia? Those should certainly not be sold freely, but they are," Astoria continued, "And when it comes to trying to make a conviction when a love potion is involved, it's tricky because how do we know that the duped person slept with the other person unwillingly? If Draco had used a love potion on you in your eighth year and you had slept with him, we could have argued that you might have done that anyway. However, if Draco had used a love potion on Harry in eighth year and Harry had slept with him, we would know that was rape, but the Wizengamot would have no way of knowing if the sex had been willing or not."

Hermione's frown deepened, "But surely anyone who sleeps with someone under a love potions doesn't do it willingly?"

"They do do it willingly; that's the problem," Astoria explained, "If we look at their memory, they are consenting to the sex but only because the love potion is making them do so. There is no evidence to suggest that they would not be willing had a love potion not been used."

"Right," Hermione frowned, "But still.."

"It's wrong, I know," Astoria agreed, "But there is very little that we can do about it. Like with polyjuice potion, if we ban the sale of amortentia, it would just give the black market more to work with because people are always going to want to buy it. Illegal brewers would find a way, and it would just further crime."

Hermione bit her lip, she wanted to argue, but Astoria's points were iron-clad.

"People use polyjuice potion for the same reason," Astoria added, "If someone was to polyjuice into Draco and sleep with you, of course, it would be rape, but how would we prove it? You might not even notice that it had happened, and even if you had, finding the person who had transformed into Draco would be almost impossible."

"It's so screwed up, Astoria," Hermione said eventually.

"It is, but unless you can come up with an ingenious solution, it's the way that things are right now," Astoria said sadly.

"In this case, though, someone gave a girl a sleeping draught then slept with her," Hermione pointed out, "Surely there's something that we can do about that?"

"There might be," Astoria said, "But it is a longshot. There is a clause in the Prohibition of Dangerous Substances act. It defines misuse of substances classed as safe, and the definition it gives is something along the lines of, using a product to conduct illegal or illicit affairs. We could argue that the use of a sleeping potion without consent was illicit, even if it isn't illegal."

"And we could use the clause about consent," Hermione added, "Isn't there a clause in that same act about only using potions or products with someone's consent? Unless they are in a position where they are unable to give consent, such as if they are gravely ill."

"Exactly," Astoria smirked, "Between those two clauses, we have a leg to stand on. But it is still a long shot, and it might gain you a few enemies in the DMLE. They might think you are trying to be too big for your boots because you've only been in the door for 5 minutes."

"I don't care," Hermione admitted, "I don't work there because I want people to like me. I work there because I want change."

Astoria smiled slightly, "Then let's do it. I'll call for an appeal in writing later today, and once the request is granted, we will have a week to come up with evidence in our victim's favour. Then we present it at a hearing."

Hermione nodded eagerly, "Thank you, Astoria. I really appreciate your help."

"Anytime," Astoria said, she picked up her cardboard coffee cup, "We'll change the ministry, one bullshit law at a time."

* ~ TBC ~ *