Hey Guys!
So sorry that it's been so long. I moved and didn't have WiFi for a while. Here is Chapter 17. I truly hope you enjoy it.
Please leave a Review!
Thursday
Waking up on the second day of the trial was no easier than the first. Hermione leapt out of bed and immediately ran to the ensuite to vomit. Her nerves were already getting the best of her.
Draco awoke, hearing the sound, and also got out of bed. He walked into the loo and saw her crouched down in front of the toilet. Walking over, he gathered her hair up and held it back while gently rubbing her shoulders.
She leaned back, covering her mouth as she exhaled through her nose.
"Are you all right?" He asked quietly.
She nodded and stood up before walking over to the sink. She rinsed her mouth out and brushed her teeth but still remained silent.
Draco could tell that she needed some time alone, so he went to his closet and began getting dressed.
Once the two of them were ready, they met in the bedroom, and he pulled her into a strong, loving embrace.
"Just remember that he's a liar and he's going to get what he deserves." Draco said.
Hermione nodded as she pulled back, "Do you think his Advocate will call any of us up to the Statement Podium today for questions?"
Draco considered his response before answering, "Possibly. But if he does, just answer them straightforwardly and ignore any snide or devious remarks. Nero, his Advocate, seems to actually be a decent bloke."
Hermione nodded, inhaling. "All right. Let's go downstairs and get some breakfast."
The couple went down to the kitchen where they met up with everyone else. Harry had already ordered breakfast for the group from The Leaky Cauldron, and it was just being delivered as they sat down at the table.
"What do you think McLaggen's going to say in his statement today?" Cho asked the others as Harry waved his wand, passing the food out.
Katie shook her head, "Who knows, but it'll likely all be a lie."
"Of course, it will." Harry said as the group began to eat.
"Yeah." Blaise added. "McLaggen is a coward and could never own up to his actions."
Theo nodded, "That's right. So, all of you need to ignore him completely."
"He's going to try his best to upset the five of you, but you cannot react." Ron said.
"Yeah." Draco spoke up. "If any of you react, it'll not only satisfy him, but it'll impact the case…possibly leading to a poor outcome."
The women all nodded.
After breakfast, the group used the fireplace in the Library to Floo to Harry's office at the Ministry before making their way back to Courtroom Number Twelve.
When they entered the Entry Chamber, they found Cormac and Nero checking in with the same, burly guard as the previous day.
Hermione unconsciously took a step backwards as a sense of déjà vu rushed over her. She held her breath, hoping that Cormac didn't notice them; only letting it out when he and his Advocate walked through the Courtroom doors without turning their direction.
Draco looked over at her and gently grabbed her hand, squeezing in question.
She looked back him and nodded before following the rest of the group towards the Auror guard's station.
After the guard cataloged their wands and put a 'Courtroom Lock' on them, the group split up. The five women entered the Courtroom through the main entrance while the Aurors and supporters went up the balcony to watch the trial.
Collette was already inside, waiting behind the Prosecution table.
The women walked over to her, none of them sparing even a glance in Cormac's direction. The five of them sat down and looked over at their Advocate who was making notes with her hawk-feather quill.
When she finished, Collette, looked over at them and spoke up, "Okay girls, listen…" She said. "his Advocate can call on any of you to go up to the podium to answer questions, just like we discussed. We've gone over the likely questions but be prepared for him to spring unexcepted ones on you."
"Do you think he'll call all of us or only certain ones?" Parvati asked.
Collette nodded, "It's likely that he will only call Hannah and Hermione. However, I can't be certain of that so all of you should plan on being called on…just in case."
The women nodded as a man who looked like a slightly aged Cormac entered the Courtroom, sitting behind the Defense's table.
The anxiety that coursed through each woman when they realized that their rapist actually had support, was devastating. And when the Courtroom doors opened once more, allowing for a beautiful, blonde witch to enter, their nerves heightened even more. The witch had large, sparkling blue eyes and Hannah shook her head in utter shock.
"Who is that?" Cho asked.
"Sally Smith." Hannah replied, "She was also a Hufflepuff but a year beneath me. Why the bloody hell would she be here to speak up for him?"
Before Hannah could get any kind of answer, the Courtroom doors opened again, and Parvati huffed frustratedly while Cho growled in anger.
"Should've known." Cho muttered.
"Is that Eddie Carmichael?" Katie asked.
Hermione silently nodded, recognizing Cormac's best mate.
"Yeah." Cho replied. "He's an utter arse."
"Oh, trust me." Katie said. "I remember. Even in Quidditch he was always far more brutal than necessary."
Cho nodded, "Yeah, and that helped us Ravenclaws, but it wasn't fair at all to the other teams."
An Auror entered through the Courtroom and announced that the Trial would recommence in ten minutes just as Eddie took a seat beside Sally.
"Girls, you cannot let who is here or what they say cause you to visibly react. I know that is much easier spoken than done, but you've got to focus on remaining calm and in control of your anger."
The women all nodded and took the last few minutes to prepare themselves mentally and emotionally for whatever was to come.
When the nine Judges of the Grand Panel entered the Courtroom, Hermione felt herself become nauseous once more. She forced herself to not look over at Cormac, whom she could feel staring in their direction.
Premier Judge Orson Croce spoke up, "Yesterday, the Prosecution closed their case. As per Courtroom protocol, all recorded, physical evidence of the attacks, as well as the results of the Magical Bloodline Test were sent to each member of the Grand Panel by Advocate Adair prior to the trial beginning. Do any of the Judges have any questions for Advocate Adair about those documents?"
"I do." Associate Judge Keanu Berrycloth responded.
Collette stood up and walked over to the Statement Podium, prepared to answer any inquiries.
"Advocate Adair, why is it that you chose Mr. Malfoy to perform the Magical Bloodline Test on Robert Abbott?" Berrycloth asked.
"He is the Head Auror Medic. I didn't think there was anyone more qualified to perform such an important test." She replied calmly.
"Wouldn't you say that his connections to this group of women made it…inadvisable to choose him?"
"No, Your Justice, I wouldn't. He has some connections to this group, but Mr. Malfoy is highly qualified and clearly trusted by the Ministry of Magic, who chose him to be the Head Medic to their Aurors." She stated.
The Judge simply nodded but held an angry sneer on his face.
She waited for any other questions, but none came.
"Okay. That'll be all for now, Advocate Adair. Thank you." Co-Premier Judge Constance Drewitt said kindly.
While Collette walked back to the Prosecution table, Judge Drewitt went on to ask Nero to begin presenting his case.
Nero Bazin stood up and said, "I call Hannah Abbott to the Statement Podium."
Hermione felt Hannah stiffen up beside her before standing up and walking to the Podium.
Nero cleared his throat and Hermione could have sworn she noticed him swallow nervously before he stiffened his back and began his questioning.
"Miss Abbott, why didn't you want any Scion Assistance from your son's father?" He asked.
Hannah replied calmly, "I didn't want Cormac to have any say in my son's life and I knew that if I allowed for Scion Assistance, then he'd be allowed to make decisions about Robert's life."
Nero nodded, "Is it possible that you and my client were in a relationship, and you simply chose not to disclose that information due to embarrassment or some other reason?" He asked, leaving the interpretation of his meaning open.
"Absolutely not. I never once dated Cormac. I have never been interested in a relationship or anything with him." She replied quickly, her anger slightly showing.
"Are you only coming forward now because you need help supporting yourself and your son?"
"I don't need his help." She said through clenched teeth.
"But you need your parents' help?" Nero asked.
Hannah glanced over at the Prosecution table and took a deep breath before replying, "My parents have offered to help since my mother is retired. I can take care of my son on my own, but my parents offered their help, so I accepted it. I don't regret my decision. My son has grown up around people that I trust. People that are nothing like Cormac. I don't trust Cormac. Not even a little. My son won't be like the man that fathered him. I won't allow that."
Nero nodded, and cleared his throat before saying, "That is all, Miss Abbott."
Hannah glared at Nero before turning on her heel and walking back to her seat.
"I now call Hermione Granger to the Statement Podium for questioning." Nero said while flipping through his documents.
Hermione inhaled deeply before standing up and walking over to the Podium. She glanced up at the balcony and caught Draco's steady and calming eyes for a moment before looking back at Nero.
"Miss Granger…" He said, still looking at the documents before looking over at her, "you've gone on multiple dates with my client since you were the age of fourteen. Why would you continually date someone you don't feel safe with?
Hermione blinked once before responding, "I assumed that he would have grown up…and matured, but he hasn't. He clearly can't."
"Did you ever sleep with my client before the encounter on May eleventh?" Nero asked, quickly.
"Never. And it was a rape, sir, not an encounter." She said, feeling rage burning in her gut.
Nero cleared his throat and altered his line of questions. "Isn't it true that you are currently in a relationship with the Head Auror Medic Draco Malfoy?"
Hermione furrowed her brow, confused as to why he would bring that up, but she nodded and said, "Yes, I am."
"Did you enter that relationship before or after the…" He paused before asking. "Did you enter into that relationship before or after May eleventh?" He asked.
She exhaled quietly, "After."
Nero nodded, "And how, exactly, can this Court be certain that Mr. Malfoy is being truthful about Robert Abbott's Magical Bloodline Test? He could simply be doing whatever he can to help you win the case…even if it is all a lie."
Hermione glared at Nero, "Advocate Bazin, Draco Malfoy is a well-respected Auror Medic with superior qualifications. He would never fabricate a test result." She responded, "It is true that he and I are in a relationship, but that has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that your client raped me and four other women at that table." She said, pointing to the Prosecution table. "Cormac McLaggen is a dreadful piece of rubbish that clearly will never see the fault in his character."
Nero remained silent for a moment before clearing his throat and nodding, "That will be all, Miss Granger. You may sit back down." He said, "I now call Mr. Edward Carmichael to the Statement Podium."
Eddie stood up and walked over to the Podium. He cleared his throat before speaking up, "My name is Edward Carmichael, and I was in Ravenclaw House back at Hogwarts. I graduated the same year as Cormac. We were best mates growing up and have remained so thus far. I know him well. Better than most people. He's a good bloke. He's made some mistakes. Who hasn't? But he has never done anything as drastic as attacking or raping someone. He would never do these things he's been accused of. I'm sure of it."
When Eddie finished his statement, Nero stood up, "Mr. Carmichael, how can you be so certain of my client's innocence?" Nero asked.
"Because, in all honestly, he would have told me if he had ever been with any of them." He said, nodding to the five women at the Prosecution table. "We've always told each other everything."
Nero nodded, "Thank you. You may take your seat."
"Before you call your next speaker, Advocate Bazin, it's time for a break." Premier Judge Croce said, "It's nearly noon so we will take our lunch break now. Everyone must be back here and ready to recommence at exactly two o'clock this afternoon."
The nine judges filed out of the of the Courtroom, through the door by the high bench.
Hermione felt as if she were holding her breath until she finally met Draco in the Entry Chamber. He immediately wrapped his arms around her, holding her against him. A moment later, Cormac exited the Courtroom with his Advocate and supporters who were speaking on his behalf.
Cormac smirked at them but didn't speak as he walked by the group, holding Sally Smith's hand.
Draco clenched his jaw, despising that he couldn't do anything to rid Cormac of that revolting smirk.
Hermione pulled back from the embrace, inhaling slowly before she said, "Let's go eat lunch. I need so badly to take a break from that room and the horrendous show happening inside."
Katie nodded, holding Ron closely, "Me too. Let's go eat at the safehouse."
The others nodded in agreement
The group made their way back to Harry's office, and Floo'd to Draco's house.
They ate a quick lunch that Blaise had ordered from The Diced Doxy Pub.
"Where's Robert right now?" Katie asked Hannah as they ate.
"Blaise and I took him to my parents house this morning, before breakfast. The Lupins were going to drop Teddy off there later in the morning so that the boys could play together."
"I'm glad that Teddy and Robert have become so close." Harry remarked.
"Me too." Hannah smiled.
After lunch the Floo'd back to the Ministry. As they re-entered the Courtroom, Hermione noticed how at ease Cormac appeared to be. It not only irked her, extraordinarily so, but it also caused her great concern.
When the trial restarted at exactly two o'clock, Nero called Galen McLaggen to the Statement Podium.
The man who looked like an older Cormac stood with his back completely stiff. He walked to the Podium and scratched his brow as he cleared his throat and began to speak, "My name is Galen McLaggen, and I am Cormac's father. My family has owned an Apothecary in Diagon Alley since 1302. Each generation has been raised and taught to have discipline, so that they could, one day, run the family business. I did the same with both of my children, Cormac, and Caitlin. I raised Cormac to be a good, decent, responsible, and respectful man. He would never harm another person, especially a woman. Having a mother and a sister in his life helped to ensure that he understood the importance of showing all women respect. I know my son. I know his heart. If he had harmed these girls, I'd know it and I'd tell you. But he didn't. He wouldn't…ever."
Nero nodded, "Thank you, sir. I'm going to ask you a few questions now." He said before saying, "You raised your son to respect women. How can you be certain that he does?"
"I've seen him with girls. I've also been told, repeatedly, by several people, both men and women, that he is a complete gentleman. It's something that has always made me so proud." Galen replied.
"And how does it feel to hear all of these false allegations towards your son?" Nero asked
"It has broken my heart. I feel awful that these girls feel the need to make up such horrid stories about him. I don't know why they're doing it, but I hope they are aware of how wrong it is and the damage it can cause to many innocent lives." He replied, looking over at the Prosecution table. "What they've done here…it's wrong and I hope they're prepared for the consequences."
Hermione felt such fury toward the older wizard that she didn't even really know how to breathe. She didn't understand how he could say such horrible lies. To claim that they were lying, utterly enraged her, and made her want to stand up and shout at him, but she held it in and focused on her breathing. She looked up at the balcony and noticed Draco and the Aurors whispering to each other in rapid speed.
Suddenly Harry stood up and turned out of her sight. He rushed onto the main floor of the Courtroom a moment later and said, in a deep, solid voice, "Excuse me, I am Auror Potter, and I must speak with both, Advocate Adair and Advocate Bazin at once."
"Excuse me, Mr. Potter." Associate Judge Zamir Bixby said, "but you…"
"Actually, it's Auror Potter, and it's an emergent situation, Judge Bixby." Harry said sternly.
The Judge cleared his throat and nodded.
Premier Judge Croce spoke up, "We'll have a ten-minute break for this emergent situation."
Harry nodded and looked at Collette pointedly as Draco, Blaise, Theo, and Ron entered the Courtroom.
"You lot stay with the girls." Harry said quietly while he and Draco left with Collette and Nero.
"What's going on, Ron?" Katie asked quietly.
Ron shook his head, "Just wait, darling…please." He muttered in a Auror tone that also held tenderness for his girlfriend.
Hermione looked at the group nervously, feeling extremely confused.
Harry and Draco led Nero and Collette to Harry's office. Once inside the locked room, Collette asked what was going on.
Harry turned to both Advocates, "We have reason to believe that Galen McLaggen just threatened Hermione, Cho, Hannah, Katie, and Parvati while in the midst of being questioned."
Nero didn't speak, clearly thinking back to the responses and remarks Mr. McLaggen had made.
Collette's eyes widened in realization as she turned to Nero.
Nero exhaled and cleared his throat, "I…"
"Before you speak…" Draco said, "just know that we also have reason to believe that you have been threatened and that is the only reason you're representing that piece of shite client of yours."
Nero paused, not speaking.
"This room is secure, Advocate Bazin." Harry said in his Auror tone.
Nero's shoulders deflated slightly, "Okay…" he muttered with a nod.
"Were you aware that he was going to make the remark about how the girls should be prepared for the consequences of pressing charges against his son?" Harry asked.
Nero sighed and shook his head, "No, I wasn't, but I'm not at all surprised. Cormac has been in control of everything his Supportive Speakers were going to say since day one."
Draco looked at Collette, fury coursing through him.
"I can file charges against Galen McLaggen for making threats but without any other evidence, there's not much I can do."
"What kind of consequences was he speaking of?" Harry asked. "Is there any way of finding out?"
"Not really. Not until he actually does something which I know is terrible, but there's really no other way." Collette said.
"There might be…" Nero said with a thoughtful expression before finally saying, "You were right…Cormac has threatened me and my family. That is the only reason I am representing him. If I recuse myself right now…the case will be put on Temporary Hiatus. That will mean that you will be able to charge Galen McLaggen with threatening the women, add whatever charges you decide to against Cormac, and Cormac will be forced to find another Advocate. However, I'll need protection for my family immediately." He said.
Harry nodded and turned to Collette, "What do you think?"
"If he does that, then the case could be on Temporary Hiatus for up to two weeks." Collette responded. "That's the longest it can last. If he hasn't found an Advocate by then, he'll simply be assigned one."
Draco sighed, "Okay, we need to speak with the girls."
"There's no time." Harry said, "We've only got two more minutes until we must be back in the Courtroom."
Draco huffed. He didn't want Hermione to suffer for longer than she absolutely had to, but he also wanted her to win the case with the best possible outcome.
"I think we should do it." Harry said, "I think Hermione and the other girls would want to make sure that Cormac is charged with all possible charges, including controlling what his Supportive Speakers say and getting them to make threats while at the Podium."
Draco nodded.
Harry nodded in response, "I'm going to send Blaise and Theo over to the Bazin residence to bring your family to the Ministry."
Nero nodded and the group of four made their way back to the Courtroom.
When they arrived back in the Courtroom, Premier Judge Croce spoke up, "Now, is everything in order for us to proceed, Auror Potter?"
"Not quite, Judge Croce." Harry replied before walking over to Blaise and Theo and whispering to them to go retrieve the Bazin family and bring them to his office.
Meanwhile, Nero spoke up, "Judge Croce…" he said, "I am afraid that I am going to have to recuse myself from this case."
The Advocate's statement shocked all nine judges along with everyone else in the Courtroom, especially Cormac who looked infuriated.
"Advocate Bazin…" Judge Croce said in a bewildered tone, "May I ask why you would choose to make such a substantial decision?"
Nero swallowed nervously, "My client, Cormac McLaggen has threatened me and my family. He has stated on multiple occasions that he would kill my family and then me if I refused to represent him in this case. I felt that I had no other options, so I took on the case."
Judge Croce's eyes widened in shock, along with most of the Grand Panel.
Nero remained frozen in place.
Hermione could not believe that he was actually recusing himself from the case. She was extremely curious to know what had happened to cause the change of heart.
"Well…" Judge Croce said. "due to this astonishing revolution, we will need to put this trial on a Temporary Hiatus until Mr. McLaggen can obtain a new Advocate." He said before long at Cormac with narrowed eyes, "Mr. McLaggen, I will be checking with your newly hired Advocate, in a thorough interview, to ensure that the same situation does not occur. Is that understood?" he asked pointedly.
Cormac closed his eyes for a moment, as if attempting to control his anger before nodding, "Yes sir."
"Good. You have two weeks to obtain a new Advocate. If you do not do so within that timeframe, then you will be forced to use one of the Grand Panel's choosing." The Premier Judge said, "Also, until the trial recommences, you will be under the supervision of two Aurors to ensure that you refrain from contacting any of these women or Advocate Bazin and his family. If you even attempt to contact any of them, you will remain in an Azkaban cell until the trial resumes. Is all of this understood, Mr. McLaggen?"
Cormac nodded once more, "Yes, sir." He muttered.
Judge Croce nodded and looked at Harry, "Auror Potter, please bring Head Auror Grimes here…immediately."
Harry and nodded and left the Courtroom. When he returned, he was joined by a man with broad shoulders and torso-length chestnut hair. He appeared to be at least twice Harry's age and had the appearance of a Head Auror down to the scars covering every inch of his body.
Jacob Grimes had a waist wand holster, as well as another holster hidden under his rust-brown, dragonhide jacket. Along his right hip, he carried a leather case which held six, multicolored potions to save an Auror's life in the most desperate of situations.
"Auror Grimes…" Judge Croce said.
Grimes nodded, "Yes sir?"
"The Grand Panel requires that you assign two Aurors to supervise Cormac McLaggen until he either obtains a new Advocate or the two-week deadline ends and this trial resumes." The Premier Judge replied.
The Head Auror nodded, "Yes sir. I have two Aurors that just returned from a mission seventy-two hours ago. They are available."
"Names and identification numbers…" Co-Premier Judge Drewitt said while holding her quill at the ready.
"Liam Brown, identification number Y9B-R63 and Jackson McNally, identification number W3S-H19." Auror Grimes replied, "I'll have both of them here within ten minutes, fully prepared for the assignment."
"Thank you, Auror Grimes." Premier Judge Croce said.
Auror Grimes left the Courtroom and Hermione looked at Harry and Draco as the Premier Judge spoke up once more.
"Ladies, Mr. McLaggen will not bother any of you. You will each receive a letter within the next two weeks, informing you when the trial is set to resume. You are all free to leave for the day."
Draco held his hand out for Hermione, who immediately took it and let him lead her out of the Courtroom.
The group and both Advocates made their way back to Harry's office where Blaise and Theo were waiting with Nero's family.
Nero hugged his wife and both daughters before turning to meet Harry's eyes with a worried expression, "Where is the safest place for me to take my family?"
Harry looked thoughtful until Draco spoke up, "Ask Daph. She's got plenty of property."
Harry nodded and sent Daphne a Patronus before turning to Hermione, "Are you okay?"
She nodded, "Yeah. Just confused."
"Me too." Parvati added.
"Yeah. What the bloody hell happened in there?" Cho asked.
"Galen threatened you lot while answering questions. Remember when he said that he hoped you all understood that there were consequences to your actions?" Ron asked.
The girls all nodded.
"We spoke with Nero and of course discovered that we were correct in assuming that he was being threatened by Cormac." Harry said. "Cormac is also controlling his Supportive Speakers' remarks. We needed to get Nero out and buy some time for Collette to file a few more charges in hopes of getting Cormac more time in Azkaban." He explained.
Katie nodded and asked, "What kind of charges?"
"Tampering with Speakers, for one." Collette replied, "I'll check on more tonight."
The fireplace burned green, and Daphne stepped into the office space. Draco and Harry explained the situation to her, and she immediately agreed to allow the Bazin family to stay in her guest house.
"Before you go, I want everyone to be aware that I do not trust the two Aurors that have been assigned to supervise Cormac. Everyone needs to remain completely aware of your surroundings." Harry said, looking around the room at each person.
Daphne nodded, "I will, love." She said quietly before kissing his lips and leaving with the Bazins via Floo.
Once they were gone, everyone else went back to Draco's house.
Theo sent a letter, ordering their dinner while the others sat down around the table in silence until finally Cho's girlfriend spoke up.
"How long do you think this Temporary Hiatus will last?" Sam asked Collette.
The Advocate sighed, "It could take up to two weeks or we could receive a letter within the next hour, informing us of the time and date of the trial resumption. Sadly, it is all up to Cormac McLaggen and his speed in hiring a new Advocate as well as their combined speed in preparing their case."
"Bollocks." Ron muttered disappointedly.
"I know it's for the best, but I do hate this." Hannah said disappointedly.
Collette nodded, "I had hoped the Grand Panel would have detained him in Azkaban until the trial recommenced."
"I'm shocked they didn't." Lavender said, having been the supporter in the balcony for Parvati, she had witnessed the entire thing.
"Hey, the food is here." Theo said, stepping into the dining room with the boxes of food hovering in the air behind him.
He waved his wand, passing it out, before sitting down beside Cho.
Draco and Harry entered the room a few minutes later, joining everyone who had already begun eating.
The blond wizard walked over and sat next to Hermione.
"Where were you?" She asked him in a nearly silent breath.
He glanced around before replying just as quietly, "Potter and I went to check around the house and set up a few extra security charms."
Hermione nodded and turned back to her food.
They all ate dinner in relative silence before going to their bedrooms.
Hermione and Draco made their way up to the fourth floor.
She was quick to go into the ensuite and take a hot, calming bath with several soothing potions mixed into the bathwater.
She had so many emotions rushing through her about the situation with the trial. All she wanted to do was empty her mind for a moment, though that seemed unlikely to happen.
She felt grateful that they were going to be able to charge Cormac with more charges and that Nero's family was finally safe from McLaggen. However, despite the good that the hiatus was doing, it was also stretching out her pain. She wanted, desperately to finish the trial, hear the verdict, and put it all behind her.
She tried to not be upset with Draco, knowing that he had only done what he thought was best…and what probably was, in all honestly, best for everyone. She couldn't help it, however, when she felt tears prick at her eyes as she soaked in the bath. She loved Draco and felt that he should have known that all this hiatus would do for her was stretch out the dreadful torture. And it made her feel utterly selfish to have such self-centered thoughts.
After an hour of Hermione soaking in the bath, Draco became concerned and lightly knocked on the ensuite door, "Hermione…" He said quietly.
There was a moment of silence before she quietly replied, "You can come in."
Draco took a deep breath before entering the ensuite.
Hermione was lying in the rather deep bathtub with a think layer of orange foam covering the top of the water, shielding her body from being visible.
"Are you all right, Love?" He asked quietly as he leaned back against the edge of the counter.
She licked her lips and looked over at him, "Not really." She said, deciding to be honest, despite her anxiety about possibly arguing with him.
With a furrowed brow, he pushed off from the counter and stepped over to the tub. He crouched down and asked what she meant.
Hermione sighed, frustratedly as she attempted to contain the tears that were threatening to spill from her eyes.
"Hermione…" He said, concerned, "what is it?"
"I hate this bloody hiatus!" She replied louder and quicker than intended.
His brow furrowed even more, confused and suddenly fearful that he had made a colossal mistake. "I don't understand." He muttered.
She looked at him, tears finally spilling out, "Draco, how could you possibly think I'd want to stretch out this dreadful trial? It feels like utter torture!" She exclaimed. "I want nothing more than for this entire thing to end and for him to go to bloody Azkaban. But now…now I must wait while he takes his bloody time finding a new Advocate. And they take their bloody time working on their case."
Draco was completely taken by surprise and felt a stabbing pain with every tear that spilled from her eyes.
"I am so, so terribly sorry, Hermione." He said, "I…I thought we were doing the right thing. I…I should have known how this would make you feel. I'm…I'm sorry, Love. Truly, I am. I'd never do anything to…to hurt you. Not…not intentionally." He said.
His tone and uncharacteristic stuttering broke her heart. She looked over at him and could see the pain evident within his grey orbs.
Swallowing, she shook her head "It's okay. I'll be okay."
Draco nodded, "I know you will be, but I…I still should have been more thoughtful of how you'd feel and should've realized what this hiatus would do to you."
She lifted her hand from under the water and cupped his jaw, tenderly. "I love you, Draco."
He swallowed and nodded, "I love you too, Hermione."
She began to lean forward to kiss him before suddenly stopping herself, remembering that she was nude, in the bath.
He leaned forward, closing the distance and kissed her lips.
She wanted so badly to be able to handle taking things to the next step with Draco. She wanted him…more than ever before, but she simply couldn't go that far, and he knew that.
Draco slowly pulled back and met her eyes, "I'll set your wand closer so that you can dry off whenever you're ready. Do you need anything before I leave?"
She nodded, "Actually could I borrow a tee of yours to sleep in tonight?"
"Of course." He replied. "I'll set one in here in a moment."
"Thank you." She said.
He nodded, "Anything else?"
Shaking her head, Hermione replied, "No. I'll be out in a few minutes."
With a tender smile, he left and went to grab a black tee from his closet. He took it back to the ensuite before going to sit on the sofa in the lounge space, giving her as much time as she needed to finish up and get out of the bathtub.
Within ten minutes he heard the bedroom door open, and Hermione step out, into the Lounge space. She quietly asked if he wanted to come to bed.
He nodded and stood up. When he walked into the bedroom, he found her drinking from a glass of water while wearing his tee and a pair of grey and black, checkered pajama trousers.
They curled up in bed together and held one another closely.
After several minutes of soothing silence, Draco whispered, "I'm so sorry that I hurt you, Love."
She shook her head and pressed a kiss to his neck before saying, "Draco, we are perfectly fine. I simply needed to explain how I felt and know that you understood."
He nodded and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Sleeping that night wasn't difficult at all as they remained in each other's arms all night long.