Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling and do not own Harry Potter

Chapter Twelve

"What do you mean, we can't see him yet?" Molly snarled, her face red with anger.

"Mrs. Weasley, your son violated instructions that he was given upon his release into your care in going to Miss Granger's room at St Mungo's. As additional charges are likely to be given, he needs processed as well as seen by our Healer."

"What happened that he needs a Healer?" Arthur asked, forestalling Molly with a glance.

"As I wasn't there, I can't say with certainty. However, if I were to make a guess, he likely tried to interfere with Miss Granger in some way. I really can't say what may happen with these new circumstances, but I don't think he'll be released back into your care."

"That's unacceptable, Constable! He is our son, and should be home with us." Molly said heatedly.

"Mrs. Weasley, with all due respect, he may be your son, but what he has done in the past tells me that regardless of how you may feel about it, Ronald Weasley needs to spend time with a qualified Mind Healer. And that's in addition to what the Wizengamot gives him as punishment. Status as a war hero or not, he has been accused of breaking the law, and must be seen as an offender until the matter is resolved."

"Why has he been accused of anything wrong is what I don't understand. Ronald wouldn't have harmed Hermione, ever. He told me so himself."

"Mrs. Weasley, if he did nothing to harm Miss Granger, then can you explain to me why she has been in St Mungo's for the past two days and with a bodyguard?"

"Another attempt to gain attention and sympathy would be my thought. She has always been able to defend herself, so I can't imagine why she feels the need for a bodyguard."

"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, it will be some time before your son is processed back into holding. I suggest you come back later, when you'll be allowed to see him. Perhaps tonight, around half seven. That's when visiting hours begin."

Taking his wife's arm, Arthur Weasley nodded, understanding the position of the Constable.

"Thank you, Constable, we'll come back then. We need to contact his solicitor in any case."

…. …. ….

"Well, Miss Granger, you're ready to be released. May I ask what your plans are now?" the Healer asked a mixture of compassion and worry in her eyes.

"I haven't signed the marriage contract yet, and likely never will, but don't know how to return the ring to break the engagement. I can't face Ronald without being afraid of him. He's hurt me too many times."

"That's simple, Granger. Once you take it off, owl it to him, without a return address. Until he gets the idea to leave you alone, you may be safer in a safe house I had built on Malfoy Manor property, rather than your own flat. The wards will keep him out, and he won't know where it is. As for your job, you can still floo there, and leave word you don't want the Weasel near you," Draco said calmly, although he was anything but calm.

"How would I come back, Malfoy? I'd have to state the destination to floo, and he would be sure to hear about it."

"That's my job. I'll be there outside your office, and simply accompany you to work and back. As your bodyguard, you have to be in my line of sight or in close proximity to me so I can protect you. Anything confidential to do with your job, just erect a privacy bubble. If you need help while a privacy bubble is up, give me a hand signal."

"So much for 'brightest witch of my age', that didn't even occur to me."

"Miss Granger, after everything you've been through, I'm surprised you can even remember your name at times. Stress isn't good for some people, especially those with magic," the Healer interjected, handing Hermione her release documentation.

Accepting the documentation, Hermione stood up from the bed, wincing slightly. Her bruises and other injuries were healed, but she still felt stiff. Draco picked up her bag of possessions that Harry had dropped off earlier, and walked her to the floo.

"Safe house, Malfoy Manor," he said, before stepping in the floo, Hermione beside him.

Stepping out of the floo, Hermione looked around. It appeared to be a comfortable looking cottage, and small by Malfoy standards. From the middle of the main room, she only saw five other doors.

"This cottage has a bedroom, a kitchen, a bathroom, a practice room for dueling, a dining room, and a potions lab in the basement. With the gardens here, if you need something in particular, let me know, and I can possibly brew it for you if you don't do it yourself. And before you ask, the potions lab has a floo that gives me direct access to this safe house. There are also alarms and wards to let me know if someone other than the person I bring here for protection is trying to gain access. From the outside, it looks like the abandoned stables. There's a pair of twin beds in the bedroom, so my partner can be here at night to keep you safe."

"I need to return the ring and break the engagement. May I borrow an owl?"

"There's parchment, ink, and quills in the desk in the corner. Go ahead and write the note, and I'll see that it's sent to the Weasel for you. That way someone can't trace your magical signature to this place by examining the package."

"Thank you, Malfoy."

Taking parchment and ink from the drawer, Hermione took a quill and began to write.

Ron,

We have grown too far apart to continue being together, in addition to the physical violence and mental and emotional stress and abuse I have been subjected to by you. I can't see myself ever regaining my trust for you to rebuild the relationship, so I am returning the ring, and calling off the engagement.

HG

As she set down the quill, Draco picked up the parchment and folded it, writing simply, Ronald Weasley on the front. His owl wouldn't need an address, being a former Wizarding Post owl.

"I'll send it with the ring in a few minutes. Do you need a bag or something for it?"

She nodded, and he opened one of the drawers to take out a small cloth bag. After she took off the ring, he placed it inside and tied it shut, then sealed it to the note.

"My owl is inside the Manor. While I'm taking care of this, why don't you settle in? The floo will only admit me, a protected person, my partner, and a house elf, so you should be safe alone for a few moments."