Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, nor do I own Harry Potter

A/N: I am so sorry for not getting this written sooner. It's hard to concentrate well enough to write when you become ill. I am feeling a bit better now, however, and will continue working on the story.

As always, thank you to beatlechicksteph for beta-ing this chapter!

Chapter Fifteen

The morning of Ron's hearing, Hermione woke early. She knew she was possibly going to be the prosecution's main witness, and she needed to be calm. She didn't know what kind of things his solicitor would ask, but she knew it would be based on some version of what Ron saw as the truth.

Focusing on the hearing kept her from thinking too much about Malfoy's problem. So far, she hadn't found anything in the memory phials of the letters to indicate something that could be damaging to his family which the public didn't already know about. She didn't find any uses of Unforgivables, at least not current, no curses in the gray area of magic, not even anything unethical in the businesses controlled by Malfoy Enterprises. Noticing the clock and seeing it was already half eight, she swore.

After getting dressed, she went into the living room to see Draco waiting for her. She paused momentarily when she realized she had just mentally referred to the Ferret as Draco. When in the name of Merlin did that start?

"If you're ready, Granger, I'll accompany you to the hearing. I can wait in one of the spectator tiers so I can be nearby so Weasel doesn't try anything."

"Thank you, I appreciate that. Shall we go?"

Nodding, Draco followed her to the Floo, waiting until she called out the destination, Ministry of Magic, Tenth Level, before following her, stepping out only seconds behind her. Seeing Hermione stiffen, he glanced around quickly. Sure enough, Arthur and Molly Weasley stood next to their son a few feet away. Judging from the expression on Molly's face, she wasn't at all pleased with the current situation. He saw her begin to walk toward Hermione and stepped forward, effectively blocking any potential spells or hexes that may be thrown at Granger with his own body, his hand already close to his wand.

"Hermione, go inside the courtroom. We don't need to wait in the hall," Draco said, not taking his eyes from Molly. It only barely registered he hadn't called her by her last name.

Molly had already reached them, however, and the fury in her eyes was evident. Briefly glancing at Draco, she turned her head to fully look at Hermione.

"So you aren't satisfied with just breaking my son's heart and making false accusations against him, you take up with a Death Eater, Hermione? How could you?" the bitterness in Molly's voice was evident.

Only briefly closing her eyes to keep herself calm, Hermione turned and without a word, started walking into the courtroom. After a few seconds, she let out a slow breath, relieved that the hearing was finally going to happen. She knew that Molly was going to side with Ron against her, he was her son, after all, but there were times she wished Molly could see what Ron was really like with her, rather than the fantasy she had in her mind of a son who would never hurt anyone.

Slowly, the courtroom began to fill, and Hermione found a seat on a bench designated for witnesses to a case. It wasn't long before Harry, Ginny, Arthur, and Molly came in, followed by Ron and his solicitor.

"As the case being heard today isn't classified as a major crime, it has been decided by the Wizengamot to forgo using the prisoner chair for the defendant, however, it has also been decided that should anyone cause a disturbance in the proceedings, he or she will be dealt with by being escorted from the room for the length of this hearing. As per procedure, all witnesses will undergo the required dose of Veritaserum before he or she testifies. Is that clear to everyone?" the dark robed member of the Wizengamot asked.

"This case is being heard against Ronald Bilius Weasley, who is being charged with assault against Hermione Jean Granger, disregarding instructions as per his condition of release prior to this hearing, impersonating a member of the DMLE, possession of a weapon, and attempted assault with said weapon. Are the prosecution and defense ready to proceed?"

"Prosecution is ready," spoke up Amelia Bones.

"Connor Stimpton for the defense. We are ready."

"Call your first witness, Madam Bones."

"Prosecution calls Hermione Jean Granger."

Hermione walked to the witness chair and sat down, her body turned to avoid looking at Ron. After she was seated, she was given the dose of Veritaserum. When it had taken effect, Amelia Bones began her questioning.

"Please state your name for the record."

"My name is Hermione Jean Granger."

"Miss Granger, you've brought assault charges against the defendant, correct?"

"Yes. However, this is the first time it's actually gone to a hearing."

"You've tried to file assault charges against the defendant before?"

"Yes. The previous six times I was told the evidence was insufficient to warrant a hearing, so the charges were dropped, or Ronald convinced me to drop the charges."

"Convinced you to drop the charges how, exactly?"

"By the use of threats and intimidation. During those times, I was afraid of him. I didn't know what he would do if I didn't drop the charges."

"Yet you didn't leave the relationship until recently. Would you please explain why for the Wizengamot?"

"I was ashamed, because I had been so completely intimidated, and didn't want to find out what he would do if I tried to leave. I never knew if and when he would lose control of his temper and hit me again."

"Objection! Miss Granger is not a trained Mind Healer, and cannot be asked to give her opinion on my client's state of mind or temper," the Mr. Stimpton said, standing.

"Mr. Stimpton, the prosecution hasn't asked Miss Granger to give an opinion on the defendant's state of mind, but her reasons why she didn't leave the relationship. Objection overruled."

Just then, Molly stood from her seat in the spectator section, despite Arthur's attempts to keep her seated.

"I can't believe you're believing her lies about my son! I never once saw him even raise his voice to her, he certainly wouldn't hit her," she said angrily.

"Remove that woman, please, for creating a disturbance. Madam, you along with everyone here were warned what would happen following any outbursts or interruptions," the Chief Warlock stated, his voice calm, but firm.

Glancing swiftly from Amelia Bones to Ronald as Molly was escorted out of the room, Hermione knew he was placing the blame for the removal of his mother at her feet.

She knew, without a doubt, that things just became a hundred times worse if he wasn't convicted.