Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor am I JK Rowling
Thank you to beatlechicksteph for beta-ing this chapter
Chapter Thirteen
Ron sat in the holding cell, trying to keep his rage from showing on his face. He still couldn't believe that the bitch actually had a bodyguard, to say nothing of it being Draco Malfoy whom she asked to be her bodyguard. It was supposed to be so easy, so simple. Just sneak into her room looking like a Constable so nobody would think to keep him away, and if he couldn't scare her into dropping the charges, make sure she couldn't appear at the hearing, which would force the Wizengamot to drop the case. It was just his luck it was Malfoy in the room. Even in school, he'd been a suspicious bastard. If it had just been Harry and his sister, he could have pulled it off, since Harry was basically walking around with blinders on when it came to him. And he knew Harry could talk Ginny into almost anything.
oOoOoOo
As Draco came back into the cottage, Hermione breathed a small sigh of relief. Her hope of it going unnoticed was in vain.
"What's on your mind, Granger? I already told you this place has limited access."
"Well, now that you mention it, I'm confused about a few things."
"And those are? I know your brain must be working overtime right now. Spit it out."
"Well, I'm not sure I understand how and why you chose this line of work. I mean, you're a Pureblood, an aristocrat, given that your father is referred to as Lord Malfoy. I guess I simply assumed you would have followed your father into business. Why choose a job that basically puts you in danger daily?"
Draco's brow rose in amused disbelief. Of all the things for her to ponder about the situation, she chooses his job.
"I suppose if I don't explain, you'll nag me to death about it like you did Potter and the Weasel in school. Father suggested I learn self-defense when I was still in school. Both kinds of self-defense, although he considered Muggle self-defense slightly less effective than a wizard's. I showed an aptitude for it, probably because of my Quidditch training. After Voldemort returned, he was living at the Manor. The strength I gained from the lessons helped me endure the pain from the many Crucio curses thrown at me. Yes, being a bodyguard puts me in considerable danger if I protect someone from a person who is dangerous and unbalanced, but it also lets me be the one in control, which is something I didn't have while Voldemort was there. Yes, I consider some of the techniques I use to be plebian. But it also gives me something that an opponent wouldn't expect or know to guard against if he or she knows about me being a wizard. He despises them, but do you realize just how many of Father's business contacts have no idea our family are wizards and witches? It makes a good cover, Granger."
"I still don't see how you think I can help you in order to pay you for protecting me. In fact, I'm surprised you're protecting me, considering I'm a Muggleborn."
"It's called quid pro quo, Granger. I do this for you so you help me with the problem I have, which from the looks of my situation, needs someone with your skill in research to solve."
"I'm listening, Malfoy. What's the situation, and how do you think I can help?"
"I've been getting threatening letters which destroy themselves after I read them, with the exception of the return address. The return address is a Post Office Box, so that isn't helpful so far, but the letters are threatening my life and possibly my family's lives, if I don't turn over my inheritances to the sender by July first, in addition to using information the sender allegedly has to ruin my family. I've had people trying to find out what the information is and who might be sending the letters, but so far, they haven't been able to find anything. So the next step is research. If memory serves, that was your forte in school."
"It would have been helpful to see the letters. You say only the address remains after they destroy themselves? How does that happen?"
"They catch fire. I'm not sure, but it might be a specifically designed Incendio. I made pensieve phials after every one of them, hoping to see a pattern, and I haven't seen one yet."
"Alright, Malfoy, I'll see what I can do. I can look into it while I'm here. I may need access to your family's records to see if there are any correlations to the letters."
"Have you been informed when the hearing concerning the Weasel is scheduled?"
"Yes, a week from Friday, ten in the morning. I'm nervous, Malfoy. When I'm angry or otherwise upset, I can stand up to him, but beyond that, Ronald scares me. What makes it worse is he never shows that side in front of his family."
"Of course he wouldn't, Granger. It would possibly cause him to be disowned if his parents found out what he was capable of in regards to his behavior. I don't know his mother well, but I've spoken to his father a few times, and from what I've observed, Arthur Weasley isn't the kind of man who would condone any of his children using violence except in a situation requiring self-defense. This would mean he's done a very good job in pulling the wool over his family's eyes."
"I just hope he leaves me alone now. I can't take this anymore."
oOoOoOo
Sitting in his cell, Ron did his best to keep his face blank, to avoid giving any of the guards a reason to use Legilimency, but his thoughts were racing, and full of rage.
Fucking bitch, she's got some nerve having ME arrested. Obviously she needs a few more lessons in how MY wife should behave. She probably won't leave me; she'd have done it before now if she was going to leave. If I even decided to LET her leave me. No, she'll find out that she's mine until I decide otherwise. A few more lessons and she won't even think about it. Besides, who else would have her, with HER looks? Bushy mop of hair, plain face, and her know-it-all attitude pretty much guarantees no one else will want her. Yeah, her body is okay, but nothing outstanding. Dammit, where are Mum and Dad? I want to get OUT of here already!
A noise distracted him momentarily from his thoughts, but then he turned his attention back to his mental tirade.
I'd dearly love to know why Malfoy was in her room. He can't be protecting her. Even if he IS supposed to be some hot shot bodyguard, there's no way in Hell he'd guard a filthy Mudblood bitch like her. Maybe she's been fucking him behind my back? If she has, I'll kill her, and she knows it. She's MY property, MY witch, and I'll kill her before I let someone else have her. Besides, she can't fucking afford to pay him to guard her, so she MUST be fucking him in payment.
One of the guards walked over to the cell, and motioned for Ron to stand. Sighing heavily, he stood, and then held still while restraints were put on his wrists.
"You have visitors, Mr. Weasley. I'll escort you to the visiting room."
Hiding his disgust at being led out like a common criminal, Ron followed the guard to a room at the end of the hall. When the door was opened, he saw his parents and his solicitor.
"Mum, Dad! Thank Merlin you're here! When can I get out of here?"
Regarding him intently, the solicitor spoke up.
"Please sit down, Mr. Weasley, we have a lot to discuss, not the least of which are the additional charges you're facing."
"What additional charges?" Arthur asked, glancing at the solicitor.
"In addition to the assault charge, charges for disregarding instructions to stay away from Miss Granger until the hearing, as that was specific to his release to your care, impersonating a member of the DMLE in order to do so, being in possession of a deadly weapon, which was the knife he disguised as a DMLE officer's baton, and again attempting to harm Miss Granger while she was a patient at St Mungo's have been added. Taking all of this into consideration, it's doubtful he'll be released before the hearing again."
"That is completely unacceptable!" Molly hissed anger evident on her face. "Hermione is most likely making all of it up for attention."
"Mrs. Weasley, there were witnesses to what occurred at St Mungo's, two of whom are your daughter and son-in-law, in addition to members of the staff. Are you saying that Harry Potter is making up what he saw? Because if you are, I would venture to say the Wizengamot would disagree with your opinion."
"That's preposterous! Harry would never say or do anything to harm his family."
"Mrs. Weasley, I think it would be better if I spoke to your son about this. After all, while you and your husband have retained me, it is your son who is my client, not you and your husband. Would the two of you please wait outside the room? I can let you back inside for your visit after I've spoken to Ronald Weasley."
With a glare at the solicitor, Molly stood and stormed from the room, Arthur following, after giving the solicitor an apologetic look.
"What's this rubbish about not being released before the hearing? I haven't done anything wrong!" Ron burst out, as soon as the door closed.
"Mr. Weasley, please don't try to convince me of anything when there is evidence to the contrary. I have been retained by your parents to defend you, and that is what I will do, to the best of my ability. However, in order to do that, you have to tell me everything, and no lying to me. Photographs and scans of Miss Granger's condition were taken on her arrival at St Mungo's. I am not accusing you of causing the condition Miss Granger was in, but it is obvious that she was severely injured. I don't want to say if it was an accident she had or if it was done to her by someone, but there it is. I can argue that her condition was the result of an accident of some sort, if that is what you want, but in order for me to represent you to the best of my ability, you can't lie to me."
"Just why is everyone so willing to believe her over me? My family is Pureblood, part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight; she's nothing but a lying, know-it-all Mudblood bitch. Her parents are Muggles, dentists according to her. I just don't understand."
"Mr. Weasley! I would advise you not to use that kind of foul language in front of me. Do so again, and I will inform your parents to find you a new solicitor. For your information, I am Muggleborn."
