Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, nor do I make any money from the writing of this story
As always, thanks to beatlechicksteph for beta-ing this story
Chapter Sixteen
Previously-
"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.
"Madam Bones, please continue your questioning."
"Thank you, Chief Warlock. Miss Granger, please describe for the Wizengamot the latest incident of the defendant using violence against you."
"It was the day I was due to be released from St Mungo's. Someone who looked like an officer of the DMLE came to the door of my room. As he said he needed to ask clarification questions, no one thought to stop him entering. He pulled a billy club from the holder on his side and asked me to show how I had been struck by the defendant while at his family's home. The person who had been guarding me saw something wrong and disarmed him. It was then that Auror Potter removed a Transfiguration spell from the billy club, revealing it to be a knife, and the DMLE officer transformed into the defendant."
"You say you were due to be released from St Mungo's. Why were you a patient there?"
"Because while I was trying to discuss some clauses he had concealed in a marriage contract I hadn't yet signed, he hit me, knocking me to the ground, and I was injured."
"You said that the person guarding you at St Mungo's disarmed the defendant while you described the latest incident, Miss Granger. If he had been disarmed, why describe that as an instance of violence against you?"
"Because I believe that if he hadn't been disarmed, he would have used the Transfigured knife to stab me, or harm me in another way."
"Objection! Miss Granger is testifying about her feelings, and not facts. Unless she had been able to use Legilimency to read my client's mind and intentions, she cannot say with certainty what might have happened," Mr. Stimpton stated, rising from his chair.
"Sustained. Move on, Madam Bones."
"I have no further questions of the witness at this time, but reserve the right to recall this witness at a later time."
"Noted. Mr. Stimpton, you may question the witness."
"Thank you, Chief Warlock. Miss Granger, will you please describe an incident for the Wizengamot in which you were physically injured by my client in the last six months?"
"Other than the incident I've already described, which led to my stay at St Mungo's, I can't describe an incident from the last six months that led to a physical injury."
"That's interesting, Miss Granger. You haven't had physical injuries, yet you wish the Wizengamot to believe my client is capable of physical harm to you?"
"You specified within the last six months, sir. During the last six months I didn't need to go to the hospital for a physical injury, because although they would have given me a paste to apply, I preferred to allow the various bruises to fade naturally and without magical aid. I didn't have an injury more severe than bruises in the past six months, however, it was just over six months ago that I went to St Mungo's for a physical injury that was more severe than bruises."
"Did you inform anyone in the DMLE of these injuries you say you had?"
"I did, but because they had already been Healed, the officer wasn't hopeful, and I was informed later that the charges I had attempted to file were declined for prosecution due to lack of strong evidence."
Hermione could see from the corner of her eye the slight frown on the face of Amelia Bones, who then opened the file in front of her, leafing through the pages.
"Excuse me, Chief Warlock," Madam Bones began, "but there seem to be some pages missing from the file I have for this case. May we have a recess until tomorrow so I may attempt to find the missing pages?"
"What pages are you missing from the file, Madam Bones? I hesitate to grant a recess because someone comes before this panel and finds they are not as prepared as they should have been."
"Miss Granger has just testified that she has reported incidents of violence against her by the defendant before the incident that led to her hospital stay to the DMLE, yet I see no such reports in the file before me. I would like a recess to try to locate those reports."
"The hearing is concerning the current charges against the defendant, Madam Bones. Is the panel to assume these missing reports have bearing on the current charges?"
"Yes, Chief Warlock, as not only the missing reports, but the expected testimony of a later witness will establish a history and pattern of behavior on the part of the defendant."
"Very well, Madam Bones. I will grant a recess of this hearing until Tuesday of next week, nine in the morning. I trust that will give you sufficient time?"
"Yes, it will, and thank you, Chief Warlock."
"So be it. This hearing will resume on Tuesday next week, nine a.m."
Amelia Bones immediately picked up the file, and motioned for Hermione to follow her. Draco stood and went to her side before walking into the hall with Hermione, where Amelia motioned for them to wait until the hall had emptied. Once it had cleared of the Weasleys and the Wizengamot members, she turned to look at Hermione.
"Your testimony was the first time I was hearing about past assaults, which is why I was looking for the reports in the file. I will delay prosecuting an assault case, but only long enough to make sure all my nifflers are in a row, if you can understand that. I would never decline to prosecute, no matter how weak the evidence appeared to be. And we both know from the trials after the war what that's likely to mean."
Understanding and horror crossed Hermione's face at the realization, but it was Draco who put their collective suspicions into words.
"Someone-likely Weasley-has someone on the inside to make certain the reports were never seen, if the reports were filed at all."
"Exactly. And we have until nine o'clock Tuesday morning to find out who it is, and locate the reports," Amelia agreed grimly.
