Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling and make no money from the writing of this fanfiction.
A/N: I would like to thank all of the readers of this story for their patience while it was being written. I can't always post an update when I'd like due to being too tired and ill from my chemotherapy appointments in the last few weeks to write with my usual speed. Your understanding and support of this story mean the world to me. Thank you so much.
Chapter Twenty Five
Hermione Granger was still processing what had just happened in the courtroom. Ronald had been convicted on every charge. What his sentence would be was still to be decided, but he could no longer hurt her. Just that fact allowed her to take a deep breath, secure in the knowledge that finally she had been believed. Ronald had told her so many times that she would never be believed, and even if someone did believe her, that nothing would happen simply because he was a Pureblood, that she had begun to believe it herself.
She was still kneeling in front of the Floo in the safe house. She remembered sinking to her knees in relief as soon as she and Draco had stepped from the Floo after leaving the Ministry. Draco actually seemed to expect her to do that, and just let her be.
"We need to discuss a few things, Granger," Draco said, holding out a hand to help her to her feet.
"Okay, what would you like to discuss?"
"Well first, since the Weasel has been convicted, you may want to start thinking about what you want to say before he's sentenced. There's no guarantee the panel will take what you say under advisement, but you'll at least be able to have your expressed preferences for his sentencing on record. Second, Mother has a couple of names for you; Mind Healers that she's either dealt with personally, or kept track of their career in the field. She asked me to pass the names along to you. She may extend an invitation to tea in the next week or two, so be prepared."
"Should I be worried, Malfoy?"
"I honestly have no idea. Mother has relaxed a lot of her Pureblood superiority ideals since the war; however, she was still raised in a family that had the motto 'Always Pure', so it's difficult to predict the way she thinks now unless you know her well."
"I'll look the names over and ask your mother what her impressions are of each person. I just hope I'll be able to afford the sessions. In the Muggle world, treatment sessions with a Mind Healer aren't inexpensive."
"I know my assistant Chloe is here at night, and Merlin knows she's very good at her job, but I'm also not entirely comfortable with only Chloe being here with you in case something happens."
"You said there was only a couple of ways to access this safe house. Has something happened to change that?"
"Someone has been testing the wards. It doesn't seem to be anyone Father used to associate with, so I want to err on the side of caution here. We need to move you to a new location. Just because the Weasel has been convicted doesn't mean someone he's on good terms with, or even related to, might not try something in revenge."
"Even in school, the only reason Ronald had any friends was because he kept reminding everyone he was Harry's best friend. There were times that even his brothers and sister couldn't stand Ronald, so I can't think of anyone he would be on good terms with now."
Before Draco could reply, an owl flew in with a letter, landing in front of Draco. Seeing it was addressed to him, he took the letter from the owl and gave the owl a treat before it flew away. Opening the letter, he quickly scanned the contents before handing it to Hermione.
Draco,
I had been taking a walk in Diagon Alley so I could get a few books at Flourish and Blotts when I saw a flash of red hair. With all of the trouble the Weasel family has been giving your new client I decided to follow the person. There's a shop in Knockturn Alley that sells mainly, if not exclusively, poisonous ingredients and potions, and that's where this redhead went. I don't know what they'll be used for, but this person bought several things. It was only when the person turned to leave that I saw who it was before they closed their hood. You and Granger might want to be on your guard and check anything sent to either of you, because the person I saw was Molly Weasley.
Blaise
"Molly bought poisons? Is she insane? Or is she hoping that if she manages to get rid of either of us, that Ronald won't be punished?"
"I've never tried to understand the mind of one of the Weasels to be honest with you, Granger. But I am going to Floo call Madam Bones and ask her to come here so she can see this letter. I'll also Floo call Blaise to let him know Madam Bones may want to talk to him."
"This just helped me decide what I want to say before Ronald is sentenced. It also makes me wonder how much Molly may have helped him, or if she even knew what he was doing and approved in some way."
"I can mention that you've decided what you want to say to Madam Bones when I speak to her. It's getting to be close to dinnertime at the Manor, and Mother wanted to speak to you anyway, so why don't you come with me? I know you must be feeling a bit confined staying in the safe house all of the time."
"Are you sure? Yes, I might have gotten over what happened to me in your home during the war, but I'm still a Muggleborn. Wouldn't inviting me to dinner make your parents angry?"
"I saw a lot of people tortured and killed during the war, Granger. And the one thing that was driven home for me because of that was, Pureblood, Half-blood, or Muggleborn, it all comes out red. If my parents didn't learn that in that time, then that's their issue and problem, not mine."
"Alright, I'll go. What time?"
"Dinner is served at seven, so you have time to get cleaned up and changed. Mother insists on dressing for dinner."
Nodding, Hermione turned to walk into the bedroom to begin getting cleaned up.
Dinner with the Malfoys. Could her life get any stranger?
