Chapter 17

After her confrontation with Malfoy in the boy's lavatory, Hermione wasn't sure of what to expect from their future study sessions. She had probably blown it, if she were being honest. Any chance of her and Malfoy getting along had been squashed, all because she had rushed in, insisted she knew he was a Death Eater, but not by choice, and that he was a good person.

Circe.

What had she been thinking? If any of her friends knew, they would have hexed her right there and then for her sheer stupidity. How could she all but accuse Malfoy of being a Death Eater? What if she had been wrong and he had taken the mark by choice? Would he have tried to silence her by obliviating her? Or would he have killed her instead? Merlin knew his Aunt wouldn't hesitate to try and eliminate her.

But then he had done something that shocked her even more. He had showed up to the library the next day, sitting down beside her and pulling out his books without a word. She didn't mention the incident that had occurred the day before, but neither did he. He didn't bring up what she knew, or he didn't threaten her life if she as much as breathed a word about it. He didn't promise to kill her if she as much as looked at him the wrong way, nor did he use the opportunity to torture her.

Instead, neither spoke of it, or the events that had led up to her confrontation. They didn't speak of the unspoken truth of him being a Death Eater.

And when she stole glances at him from time to time during their study sessions, she could make out an emotion that she rarely saw on a Malfoy's face. One that showed up whenever his mask temporarily slipped. She saw fear, and pain. She saw worry.

There was no doubt in her mind that he was a Death Eater, and that he didn't know what to do about it. But she felt so lost, unsure of how to proceed and how to treat him. So she did the only thing she could, she stayed silent.

Would it only do him more harm to take Draco to Dumbledore? His mother was a prisoner in her own home, and without risking her safety, how could they get Draco out? No, it was risky, and she wasn't sure Draco would be open to the possibility of leaving without knowing his mother would be safe.

When did she start to care so much for him, and what happened to him?

The pair had submitted their Arithmancy assignment the day before, and she had felt a sinking feeling, as she realized that it meant their study sessions had probably reached an end. But he had showed up again today, and she couldn't help but feel a sense happiness at the gesture. He had no reason to keep coming, and yet he did. He showed up even though she owed him nothing.

They moved on to other subjects, going over Potions and Transfigurations instead, working on their essays and studying the spells necessary before the following class.

Hermione had many study partners over the course of her Hogwarts career, but none had measured up to Malfoy, who managed to keep up, and pushed her to keep studying harder.

He was an enigma. He didn't seem to hate her anymore, but he still kept his distance when he felt he was getting too close. Sometimes they talked about non-school related matters, but the conversation quickly faded, as if they had dropped their guard for even a moment and had let matters get personal.

Something was shifting, and Hermione couldn't quite put a finger on it. She didn't know what it was, or what it meant, and it terrified her. They were in the middle of a war, for Merlin's sake. There wasn't time for her to be bloody confused over non-existential matters.

One thing was for sure, Hermione Granger had no idea what she was doing, and it terrified her.

When Draco found out that the Magical Creature Sanctuary had been attacked, he let out a sigh. It seemed as if the attacks were increasing.

It most certainly did not help that Molly Weasley had been attacked in broad day light in the middle of Diagon Alley, and a vial of blood having been drawn. Harry had taken a few days off, along with the rest of the Weasley family, as they tried to make sure Molly was doing okay.

Thankfully for them all, she had been released after a few days, physically healed from her trauma. She had been stunned over what had happened, informing them of how a girl had lured her into an alley and pulled one over on her. She was devastated, but with her family around her she seemed to be pulling through.

Draco apparated to the grounds of the Magical Creature Sanctuary, preparing for the worst. They grounds had been established for the purpose of giving creatures an area to grow and flourish without human interference, and it had been attacked.

"It's just awful," one of the caretakers said softly, as she looked up at them, "Who would do such a horrible thing?"

"Start from the beginning," Harry instructed her, "Tell us everything that happened from the moment you arrived onto the grounds. Tell us what you saw. Every little detail could be important, so please try not to leave anything out, no matter how small it might be."

"Have you ever heard a phoenix cry?" the caretaker asked them softly. When both he and Harry shook their heads, she continued, "It's the most awful sound imaginable. It's the sound of pain and heartbreak. It's the sound of betrayal all in one cry. And any human who hears it, feels devastated."

"Where were you when you heard it?" Draco asked her softly.

"I was tending the to the unicorns; we had several unicorns go into labour earlier this week, so I was tending to their young, making sure they were all healthy," she explained, as she gestured to where they were, "I heard the cry just then, and I ran over immediately. It's so awful, what I saw."

"Which was?" Draco prompted her gently.

"When a phoenix dies, it bursts into flames, and from the ashes it is reborn," she said looking down. "It's a cyclic process, and to interrupt it, is fatal."

"What did the perpetrator do?" Harry asked, frowning.

"They stole half the ashes of each phoenix who was in the middle of a rebirth cycle. And without those ashes, the phoenix cannot be reborn," she said, mournfully. "They've killed at least five phoenixes like that."

Harry swore under his breath.

"Did you happen to see who broke in?" Draco asked, softly, "Did you notice anything about them? Their height, build, gender, or anything that could be useful when it comes to identifying them?"

"I didn't get a good look," she said, "I was more focused on the phoenixes than the attacker. When I saw what had happened, I'm afraid I got a little distracted and was not paying proper attention to anything else. I got a glimpse of the person who I think could be involved as they ran to the edge of the sanctuary and apparated away."

"Did you happen to notice anything unique about them?" Harry pressed, "Or anything at all."

She hesitated slightly, "The person who took the ashes was wearing a Death Eater mask, so I couldn't identify any of their facial features."

"Are you sure?" Draco said, taking a breath as he felt his fears get confirmed. It was both a blessing and a curse to find out that the person involved was a Death Eater. The masks had all but vanished after the war, and it wasn't as if making a replica was an easy task to go about. Which meant that their suspect pool had all but narrowed down. There were only so many Death Eaters who either avoided Azkaban all together or had gone on the run to avoid being thrown in. And those who had escaped were still being hunted down by Aurors.

But it left a sinking feeling in his chest, as he thought about his own family.

His father had been furious when he found out that Draco had no intentions of courting Astoria. He had all but promised the Greengrass family Draco's hand, but Draco had not been interested in such a matter. Lucius had promised to disown him, or cut him off, but Draco brushed aside the threats, telling his father that he didn't care. He didn't need the Malfoy family inheritance, but his father needed him for an heir.

And when the rumours had come out of his supposed affair with Hermione, Lucius had sent him howler after howler, demanding Draco cease what he was doing, and present Astoria with the family jewels to declare a betrothal. It was no secret that Lucius Malfoy still believed in the old ways, and that he had not been pleased with the way the wizarding world was heading now. The only question that remained was over just how unhappy Lucius was, and whether he was somehow involved in this mess.

He prayed for his mother's sake that his father was not. They had already suffered so much during the war, and he refused to have his mother suffer further for his father's actions.

Hermione stood in front of the full Wizengamot, nervous. She had taken the role of witness numerous times in the many trials following the war. And she had stood as a prosecutor for the Ministry of Law Enforcement for more trials than she could count.

But it was the first time she was standing here as the defendant for her divorce proceedings against Ronald.

It had taken several weeks for them to get the date, insisting on the wait. The divorce of two war heroes had been highly publicized, with several theories and claims of the true reasons for her seeking a divorce from her husband. Hell, even today there were several reporters in the audience, trying to figure out just why she and Ron were getting divorced.

Ginny had stayed at home, promising to take care of Rose and James, while Harry sat a few rows behind her. The Weasleys had shown up as well, sitting close as they gave her smiles of support.

It didn't stop her from worrying.

Divorce in the Wizarding World was rare. The magic that bound her and Ron needed to have been proved to have been violated for the court to grant the unbinding of their magic.

Lavender had assured her, however, that her case had more than sufficient evidence required to prove the marriage bonds had been damaged, and that she would walk out of here, single.

"Divorce hearing on the fifteenth of May," Kingsley began, gaining the attention of the audience, "Of Hermione Jean Granger and Ronald Billius Weasley. Defense for Miss Granger will be presented by Lavender MacMillian, and for Mr. Weasley by Igor Catalus."

Hermione winced slightly at the mention of Ron's lawyer, one she knew all too well. He had something of a reputation of angling for large cases, whether it be settlement or divorce, to try and gain a bigger name. However, in the cases he lost, he simply spun it around to seem like David had gone after Goliath, and had been crushed, and publicised it to show how unfortunate it was.

"Lavender MacMillian will be the first to present as it is her side who is seeking the unbinding of the marriage bonds," Kingsley said, as he gestured for Lavender to take the floor.

"Miss Granger," Lavender said, as she gestured for Hermione to take the defendant's chair in the middle of the court. Hermione stood shakily and made her way over.

"Would you please start by telling us what a typical day of marriage between you and Mr. Weasley would look like?" Lavender prompted her.

Hermione nodded, "I usually would wake up early, and prepare breakfast for the family. I would make sure Rose had gotten up, and had gotten ready. I would ensure she had her breakfast, and then I would drop her off at my Mother-in-law's place during the day, while I went to work. Afterwards, I would either pick her up, if Ron hadn't already, or go straight home. Then I would make dinner, and read for a bit to Rose, before making sure she was ready for bed and put her to sleep."

"And if you're doing all of these things for Rose, what would Ron do? On days where he picked her up, would he make her dinner?" Lavender asked her carefully.

"Ron would let her play while he waited for me to come home. He didn't cook however; that was left to me," Hermione said softly. "If he came home that night, that is. More often than not, he wouldn't return until after Rose was asleep."

"And where would Ron be in that time?" Lavender questioned, "At work? In the arms of another woman? Or did you not know?"

"Objection!" Catullus said, standing up, "Leading the defendant."

"Sustained," Kingsley said.

"Let me rephrase that. Where would your husband be if he were not at home?" Lavender said, a slight smirk on her face.

"He used to claim to be working late," Hermione said softly, "But he usually was at a pub. When he returned home he reeked of alcohol."

There was a scoff in the Wizengamot, and Hermione looked up to see an older wizard staring at her. "It's hardly violating the marriage bonds to have a drink after work. Or to expect a mother to take care of her child."

"Shut up, Tiberius," Griselda Marchbanks scolded him.

"No more questions," Lavender presented, as Catullus stood up and made his way over to her.

"Miss Granger," the man said, standing over her. "I must say, if these are your reasons for seeking a divorce, I have no faith for our younger generations. In the old days, we would make our marriages work, even though the hard times."

"Objection!" Lavender said exasperatedly, "Where is this even going?"

"Sustained," Kingsley said, "Ask a question, Mr Catullus."

"What are your true reasons for seeking a divorce? Is it because your husband has certain expectations of you? Or is it because you've grown greedy with your war status? Is it because you need more than what your husband, who works long hours can give you? Perhaps you wish to take to having other company warming your bed?"

The vile man looked over at where Draco was sitting just then.

"I wish to seek a divorce because I do not want to be married to a man who is a drunkard, and has on numerous occasions endangered the life of his daughter. I want to seek a divorce because I do not feel safe in my own home," Hermione said, in a cold voice.

She could hear the reporters scribbling madly, but she did not blink. She did not expect the abuse to stay a secret with a public divorce proceeding.

"No more questions," Catullus said, looking put out, as if he sensed where this was going.

Hermione made her way off the stand, as Lavender called up Ron.

"Mr Weasley," Lavender greeted him, coolly. "Is it, or is it not true, that during your marriage to Hermione Granger, you have taken the company of several other woman?"

"It's not," Ron said confidently, as his magic began to spark around him. Lavender grinned predatorily at the lie as she circled around him.

"Answer the question truthfully, Mr Weasley," Kinsley prompted him.

"I might have, on occasion," Ron said, "But only because my wife is frigid and does not do her duties. It is only natural to seek company in another's arms."

Molly looked disgusted at that.

"Is it or is it not true that the number is nearing the three digits," Lavender asked, looking bored, "And that you sought out that company while your wife was at home, taking care of your family? While she was working hard to ensure you had a roof over your heads?"

"My salary was more than enough to sustain the both of us," Ron protested, "She did not need to work for money."

"And you, after three years, still work as an entry-level Auror?" Lavender asked, allowing the Wizengamot to get a grasp of just how little money Ron was making.

"Yes," Ron grumbled, "But it is only because they've taken pity on an ex-Death Eater, promoting him for the publicity. Everyone knows that Harry only got promoted because of who he is."

Ron's magic sparked again at the lie, and Hermione saw Harry look livid at his friend.

"For the record, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were promoted to lead Aurors due to their remarkable work on the Giant trafficking case," Lavender told the Wizengamot, "Not because of who they were."

"Mr Weasley, do you have a drinking problem?" Lavender asked him.

"So what? I like to have a drink here and there," Ron grumbled.

"Did you ever lay hands upon your wife, either sober or while intoxicated?" Lavender asked, and the room went silent.

"No," Ron started, before his magic sparked, causing the lights to flicker.

"Answer, Mr Weasley," Kinsley asked him again.

"I did, because she wasn't acting as a proper wife should," Ron said, pained.

There were murmurs in the audience.

"And did you ever endanger your daughter?" Lavender asked him again.

Ron pause, as if he were unsure if whether he should lie or not, "I did, because her mother was neglecting her. It isn't my job to take care of her! It's her mother's! Why should I make sure she has been fed? Or if she is in a dangerous situation?"

"Because she still is your child!" a member of the Wizengamot yelled, "Your heir! It is your job as a parent to ensure she carries on the family name and lives a successful life."

Hermione wanted to roll her eyes at the old fashioned statement, but the man had a point. Rose is his child, and he needed to make sure she wasn't neglected or in danger.

"I would like to submit memories of Hermione Granger of her recollection of events where Ronald Weasley lay hands on her, and on occasions where her daughter was nearly hurt," Lavender said firmly, as she stood up, submitting the vials that Hermione had given Lavender ahead of time.

"I would like to call a brief recess as we view these memories," Kinsley said, and Hermione let out a breath of air.

"You're doing great, Hermione," Lavender told her softly, "It's almost over, I promise."

She nodded softly, and caught Draco's eye. He gave her a reassuring smile, one that Ron seemed to have seen.

"You whore!" he hollered out, "You're making me out to be some sort of monster, all so you can shag that man! Admit it! You want his money and his name, and that's why you're leaving me."

Hermione looked at the man furiously, uncaring of what would be in the Prophet the following morning.

"I'm leaving you because you've abused me for years. Because Rose nearly was injured because of you. Because you've had a steady stream of women sharing your bed throughout the years, and because you do not care about what I want or need. Because I'll always come second to you, and I'm tired of that. I'm done being married to you," she said calmly, and turned her head as the Wizengamot returned.

"After witnessing the memories provided, we will take a vote," Kingsley said, "All in favour of unbinding the marriage of Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley."

Hermione held her breath as she watched almost all, if not all, the hands raise into the air.

"And all in favour of leaving them bound?" Kinsley asked. Not a hand was raised.

"The marriage of Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley is hereby unbound," Kingsley said, as the members raised their wands and cast the spell.

"Absolvisti Nuptias," They chanted, and Hermione felt her magic changing, feeling lighter than it had in a long time.

"All in favour of awarding full custody of Rose Weasley to Hermione Granger, with added visitation rights to her extended family?" Kingsley asked, adding in the stipulation Hermione wanted to ensure the Weasleys still had Rose in their lives.

Once again, all the wands were raised into the air.

"It's over," she breathed, feeling grateful. She was no longer married, and Rose was hers.

"This session of Wizengamot is hereby adjourned," Kingsley concluded.

The reporters tried swarming around her, but Draco got to her first.

"It's over," she said again, as she smiled at him. She gentle him a look, as she cupped his face.

"Are you sure?" he asked her, hesitantly, as he knew exactly what she wanted.

"Yes," she said softly, "I'm tired of hiding, Draco. Kiss me."

And he obliged, as he pulled her into his arms, and pressed his lips against hers tenderly. The cameras flashed around them, but she paid them no heed as she melted into his arms.