Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, and I do not own Harry Potter. I make no money from the writing of this fanfiction. Only the original characters and this particular story line belong to me; everything else is the property of JKR
Chapter Thirty
Hermione woke early, caught between afraid, nervous, and resolved. She was going to again be in the same room as Ronald Weasley that morning, and despite knowing there would be measures in place to prevent him hurting her, the fact she would be the focus of his anger once again sent a shiver of cold dread down her spine.
She had finished getting ready and had eaten breakfast when the flames in the Floo turned green. Draco stepped out, dusting off his cloak.
"Good, you're ready to go already. Before we leave Granger, I'd like to go over a couple of ground rules."
"You were calling me Hermione yesterday. And what rules are those?"
"If I was using your given name yesterday, it was unintentional. It's difficult to prevent developing some kind of familiarity in my line of work. And also in my line of work, that kind of familiarity can lead to me letting down my guard around a client, which could ultimately put a client at risk, because I wouldn't be watching out for them as closely as I should. As for the rules, it may go against the grain, but I need to stay no more than two paces behind you, and slightly to the left. That distance and positioning will let me tell you if you need to duck or dive to either side without raising my voice above a whisper to avoid someone hearing which direction their target-you-would be going. However, if I suddenly put my hand in your back and shove you to the floor, for the love of Merlin and Salazar, stay the fuck down on the floor. It would be easier for you to defend yourself from a prone position with a blanket shield than it would for me to try to return spell fire while trying to watch not only my own back, but yours as well with curses flying. I'll have my assistant Chloe with us, so you'll have someone else watching out for you in addition to me. There's safety in numbers, and Chloe can take you into areas that can be defensible which I wouldn't have access to, such as a ladies' powder room. It might be only a sentencing hearing, but as I told you yesterday, right now the only Weasley I trust is Potter's wife, and it would be a sucker's bet to assume the Weasel wouldn't have damn near his entire family there today as 'support'. Clear on the rules, or do you need something clarified?"
"I understand the rules, and you're right, it goes against the grain, but if I don't follow the rules you explained, then your job is more difficult, and I end up hurt or worse. So I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'll follow your rules and if you tell me to do something today at the Ministry Malfoy, I'll do it."
"Do you have everything you need? Because we need to leave soon if Madam Bones is going to escort us to the hearing."
"One moment, I need to grab something from the desk, and then I'm ready," Hermione said, walking to the desk in question, and picking up a piece of parchment which she then put in her beaded bag.
"Let's go, Granger. With any luck, it will be the last time you see the Weasel for a long while."
OoOoOoO
"Arthur? ARTHUR! Come inside, we need to go to the Ministry if we want to see Ronald before he's sentenced today," Molly called toward the shed.
"Coming, Molly. Have any of the boys said they would be there? I haven't heard from them since the dinner. I do hope Ginny is feeling alright; she might be a woman grown, but she's still my little girl. It's hard to believe she and Harry are expecting a baby."
"I haven't heard from them either, but I did owl my knitting patterns to Ginny after replicating them. Hearing that we're going to be grandparents again was the only good thing to come from that dinner. Do you suppose Ginny meant what she said? About not bringing the baby here if Ron was given house arrest and we took him in?"
"I hate to say it, Molly, but even if Ginny changed her mind for some reason, I don't think Harry will. And he was pretty adamant that to see the baby you would need to see someone about your temper."
"I still think that's ridiculous. I'm only doing what a mother who needs to discipline her child does."
"That may be, Molly, but one thing you seem to overlook is that you aren't Harry or Hermione's mother. Yes, expecting them to follow the house rules when they visited was reasonable, but despite their ages, neither of us had the right to take them to task for something. As poor a choice as they were, Harry's guardians were his aunt and uncle on his mother's side, and Hermione had her parents. By rights you should have left any disciplining them to their guardians and parents. You shouldn't have tried to do it yourself."
"We can continue this discussion later, Arthur. We need to leave now."
Sighing in defeat, Arthur followed his wife through the Floo.
OoOoOoO
"Ginny sweetheart, are you sure you feel up to going to the hearing?" Harry asked, wiping her forehead as she vomited. Her morning sickness had begun two days before. Ginny wiped and rinsed her mouth before answering.
"Harry, one of my brothers may be sentenced to Azkaban today. I have to be there, if only to say goodbye before they take him away."
"All right, go get changed and we'll go. You accidentally got a bit of your morning sickness on your robe. I'll wait at the Floo for you, unless you want my help."
"Go ahead, Harry, I'll meet you there in a few moments."
OoOoOoO
In the holding cells of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Ronald Weasley waited for someone to arrive to take him to the hearing. Despite his conviction in the trial, he felt a bit optimistic.
They won't give me a severe sentence; it's not as if they're sentencing a Death Eater after all. I'm a war hero, part of the Golden Trio, and plus, I'm a Pureblood. There have been some changes to how Muggleborns get treated, but not many, so it's likely a few of the panel will still want to be lenient with me. I'm also the brother-in-law of Harry Potter; some might think sending me to Azkaban would make the Boy Who Lived angry. I can't wait to see Mum and Dad; I want to go home to the Burrow.
A few minutes later, one of the guards that had been watching him spoke.
"Let's go, Weasley. It's time for your hearing to be sentenced."
Taking a deep breath, Ron stood and walked to the front of the cell, waited while the cell was unlocked, then followed the guards out of the holding area. He still felt somewhat optimistic. After all, he was still a Pureblood, so what would they really do to him for teaching Hermione her place?
OoOoOoO
The chamber the sentencing was being held in fell silent as Hermione and Draco walked in alongside Amelia Bones. Hermione did her best to maintain a passive expression, but found it difficult when she saw the Weasleys in the spectator seats near the defense table. She expected them to come, of course, as Ron was a member of the family. She hadn't expected the anger and loathing she saw on Molly's face.
Seeing that they were ready to proceed, the Chief Warlock called the room to order.
"Please bring in the convicted to be sentenced, so he may hear his punishment, offering whatever words or apologies he may wish before we pronounce his punishment."
The door at the back opened, and Ron was brought in to sit beside his solicitor, magic suppressing cuffs on his wrists. He first looked over at Hermione, a smug smile curving his lips, then at his mother. Molly appeared to be trying to build up a loud sob of tears, and Draco just shook his head.
"She must be trying to play the 'bereft mum' card to try to convince the panel to lessen the Weasel's sentence. I know from seeing other hearings like this that it won't work," Draco said quietly to Hermione.
"We have been informed that the convicted has a witness to be heard before sentence is passed. Do you have any objection to this Madam Bones?"
"If I am able to cross examine said witness, I have no objections."
"Very well, then. You may call your witness, Mr. Stimpton."
"I call Connor Abbot as an expert witness to the stand."
At a nod from the Chief Warlock, one of the guards brought over a phial of Veritaserum, and administered the required dose. After waiting a moment, he stepped back, allowing the defense solicitor to ask the control questions.
"Please state your full name."
"Connor Elias Abbot."
"And what House were you sorted into?"
"I attended Ilvermorny School in the United States. I was sorted into Horned Serpent there."
After nodding that the Veritaserum had taken effect, the solicitor began his questions.
"You were called as an expert witness for this sentencing hearing. Please inform the court of your qualifications."
"I am a certified Mind Healer, specializing in violent behavior modification."
"And how long have you held that qualification?"
"I became a certified Mind Healer thirty years ago, and obtained my specialty qualification five years after that."
"Mr. Abbot, you were given an opportunity to speak at length with my client, were you not?"
"Yes, I spoke to Mr. Weasley."
"Were you able to come to any conclusion after speaking with him?"
"Yes, I was."
"Please share that conclusion with the panel."
"After my initial talk with Mr. Weasley, I spoke with him twice more. I have come to the conclusion that his behavior when speaking with me, especially when a topic that caused him to become emotional was brought up, was indicative of a condition known as Intermittent Explosive Disorder."
"Please explain for the panel what Intermittent Explosive disorder is, Mr. Abbot."
"Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is an impulse-control disorder characterized by sudden episodes of unwarranted anger. The disorder is typified by hostility, impulsivity, and recurrent aggressive outbursts. People with IED essentially "explode" into a rage despite a lack of apparent provocation or reason. Individuals suffering from intermittent explosive disorder have described feeling as though they lose control of their emotions and become overcome with anger. People with IED may threaten to or actually attack objects, animals, and/or other humans. IED is said to typically begin during the early teen years and evidence has suggested that it has the potential of predisposing individuals to depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. Intermittent explosive disorder is not diagnosed unless a person has displayed at least three episodes of impulsive aggressiveness." (1)
"Is there any treatment for this disorder?"
"Yes. Individual, family, and group therapy, as well as a potion regimen; what my Muggle counterparts refer to as medication."
"Thank you, Mr. Abbot," Mr. Stimpton said, then walked back to the defense table.
The Chief Warlock looked toward Amelia.
"Would you like to question the witness, Madam Bones?"
"Yes, thank you, Chief Warlock. Mr. Abbot, how many times did you speak to Mr. Weasley?"
"I spoke to Mr. Weasley one time for approximately forty-five minutes."
"And what behaviors did he display?"
"Objection!" called Mr. Stimpton. "Madam Bones is asking the witness to reveal things from a privileged discussion between a Mind Healer and a client."
"Mr. Stimpton," began the Chief Warlock, "you apparently have exceptional hearing. I only heard Madam Bones ask about behaviors displayed, not topics of the discussion. Objection is overruled."
"He clenched his fists, Madam Bones," Mr. Abbot answered, recalling the question.
"How many times?"
"Just once."
"Any other behaviors?"
"No, Madam Bones."
"Then I must say I'm confused by your preliminary assessment of what could be wrong with Mr. Weasley. You stated in your explanation that to be diagnosed with this disorder you would have this panel believe is the cause of Mr. Weasley's behavior a person has to become aggressive three times, and you've only described one time. By your own explanation, that isn't enough to make that particular diagnosis. I have nothing further for this witness, Chief Warlock."
"You are excused, Mr. Abbot. Miss Granger, at this time I would like to hear your thoughts about what an appropriate sentence would be in your eyes. I would have imposed sentence last week, however, everyone's emotions were running too high to speak without emotion clouding judgement."
"Thank you, Chief Warlock," Hermione began, walking from her seat, "and with the panel's indulgence, to begin I would like to read an excerpt from a poem written by an American woman, a Muggle, named Dorothy Law Nolte. Before her death, Dr. Nolte held a Ph.D. which is known as a Doctorate to Muggles, and was also a family counselor," and taking a deep breath, she removed the parchment she had picked up from the desk, and began to read.
"If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learnt to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty."
"Chief Warlock that is the first part of the poem 'Children Learn What They Live'. My thought is, if behavior like that can be learned, then it should also be possible to unlearn. I am not going to stand and tell you to put Mr. Weasley in Azkaban; I am not going to tell you to give him a lighter sentence. What I will ask of this panel is this: no matter what sentence is given, I would like it to be a part of his sentence that Mr. Weasley is required to attend sessions with a Mind Healer. Perhaps it will give him the opportunity to unlearn his violent behavior."
"Thank you, Miss Granger. Madam Bones, your thoughts?"
"I agree with Miss Granger, Chief Warlock."
After adjusting his glasses, the Chief Warlock looked at the other panel members to confirm agreement of the sentence.
"Mr. Weasley, please stand."
After Ron was standing, the Chief Warlock addressed the entire room.
"Before the sentence is spoken, I want to remind everyone here that outbursts will not be tolerated. If you feel you must display behavior such as crying, yelling, or anything of that nature, wait until the courtroom has been dismissed. Mr. Weasley, are you ready to hear your sentence?"
Not trusting himself to speak, Ron only nodded.
"Mr. Weasley, you have been found guilty of assault against Hermione Granger, disregarding instructions to stay away from Miss Granger as a condition of your release before your trial, impersonating a member of the DMLE, possession of a weapon, and attempted assault with a weapon. This panel had a long discussion on what would be appropriate for your case as a sentence, and Miss Granger makes a valid point. What is learned also can be unlearned. On the charge of assault on Miss Granger, we sentence you to three years in Azkaban, which is the maximum sentence for that charge. On the charge of disregarding instructions to stay away from Miss Granger as a condition of your pretrial release, we sentence you to eighteen months in Azkaban. On the charge of impersonating a member of the DMLE, we sentence you to two years in Azkaban. On the charge of possession of a weapon, we sentence you to three years in Azkaban, the maximum sentence for that charge. And on the charge of attempted assault with a weapon, we sentence you to eighteen months in Azkaban. If my figures are correct, that gives you a total of eleven years in Azkaban, all sentences to be served consecutively. During that time, you will be required to attend sessions with a Mind Healer, and follow whatever treatment protocols are deemed necessary. After your release, you will have a five year period of probation, during which you will wear a magic suppressing bracelet on your ankle, and one of the terms of your probation at that time will be to continue sessions with a Mind Healer. You will also be forbidden to contact Miss Granger in any form or fashion during the length of your sentence. To attempt to contact her will see you brought before this panel again on a charge of contempt. I will allow your family ten minutes to say goodbye before you are transported. This hearing is adjourned."
(1) /disorders/ied/signs-symptoms-causes/
