Chapter 7: Mixed Events

It was the sweetest, most gentle kiss that was full of passion. Their hearts roared into life, as they held each other. Hermione's hand had rested in Harry's hair and Harry's hands were happily placed around her waist, pulling her closer towards him and deepening the kiss in doing so. Hermione felt how her lips parted and how Harry deepened the kiss. She surrendered to it. It was such a beautiful kiss; it would have made many cry at the sight. The kiss seemed to last forever, but they parted and Hermione gazed at Harry again, who was pretty shocked at what he had just done.

"Harry…I'm so sorry!" Hermione whispered silently and moved away from Harry and avoided his curious gaze.

"Why?" Harry asked, sorting his robes all of a sudden. Hermione stood up and gazed at Varee. She then walked to the window, not looking at Harry.

"Because, I'm just another used girl, wanting you're love, chasing after you, hoping it will come through a kiss. And there are millions of other girls out there for you." Hermione said sadly.

"Well, I'm just another guy, who wants the right girl to love. I've been searching for her for a very long time. She'd be the smartest, most sophisticated, prettiest person I know.

"And do you know what?" Harry asked, placing his hand on her shoulder.

"What?" Hermione whispered.

"She's been with me for seven years of my life, and I've just noticed that I finally found her." Harry said quietly. Tears formed behind Hermione's lashes.

"I love you so much Hermione." Harry whispered.

Hermione let her tears fall freely, and they made little paths down her face. Harry turned her so that she was facing him, both hands on her shoulders. He kissed her tears away. Hermione gazed at him all the time and couldn't believe this was all happening, after nearly three years! She threw her arms around Harry. Harry pulled her in closer and took in everything as his hands rested around her waist, the sweet smell of her long hair, her shape and form. Hermione rested her head on his shoulder as his muscular arms surrounded her. Her hands wrapping around his neck. His musky aroma coming to her and mesmerising her.

"I've wanted to hear those words from you for such a long time," Hermione murmured on his shoulder. She lifted her head off his shoulder and looked into his brilliant green eyes.

"I love you too much Harry!" Hermione blurted out and smiled at Harry. Harry grinned at her, and Hermione could've melted then.

They kissed each other deeply and passionately. Pulling each other closer into the others arms. Hermione's hand making Harry's hair wilder than ever, and Harry rubbing her back affectionately and gently. They parted a bit too soon as they thought, but a cry from a baby was always an urgent cry.

***

Hermione had started to heal more quickly than ever. Bruises had disappeared and cuts could hardly been seen and she had been getting happier and happier by the day. She had moved in with Harry and Ron. Ron didn't mind, Hermione was more than welcomed there, and he'd get to see a lot more Varee. It was like the old days again, but different. Ron was happy for Harry and Hermione. He had hated to see them depressed and seeing them together was pleasant.

Ron went away to visit Fred and George so that Harry, Hermione and Varee could have some 'family time' as he called it. Harry lay on the couch and watched the TV.

"You're the laziest guy I know, next to Ron that is!" Hermione said, holding Varee and looking down at her boyfriend. Harry gazed at her. Her hair was in its practical braid and swaying from side to side. She wore muggle clothing, jeans and a green tanktop. She was beautiful.

"That hurts, I need a hug!" Harry said sarcastically and opened his arms wide. Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled anyhow. She lay down next to him and he wrapped his arms around Hermione and Varee. He kissed them both on the cheek. Hermione giggled, but Varee just yawned and kept sleeping more. Hermione called Varee's floating cloud cot nearer and put her inside. After she lay sleeping, Harry held her tighter in his arms and snuggled into the nape of her neck. Hermione blushed, but enjoyed every moment with her Harry.

"Hermione?"

"Yeah."

"I love you." Harry mumbled and smiled at her.

Hermione turned to face him and placed a small kiss on his nose.

"I love you too." Hermione replied smiling at him. Everytime she said those three little words, his eyes would sparkle brighter and his grin would look happier.

They watched a movie, but Hermione realised that Harry had fallen asleep half way through the film, with his arms still around her. She realised this, when his warm regular breath would brush her skin and give her gooseflesh. She didn't have the heart to wake him up and lay in his arms gazing at his sleeping form. He looked like a small child and so angelic and innocent. She wished she could take a picture and treasure it. But she knew that her mind would always remember this picture of Harry. 'I feel like I'm married to him. That I was forever his.' Hermione thought as she watched him sleep. She smiled at the thought. She was positive that she would die a happy woman, knowing that Harry Potter loved her. She fell asleep watching him.

Ron opened the door slightly and smiled at the couple. He suddenly brought out a camera and took a quick picture. 'I am making a copy of this for mum!' Ron thought and closed the door silently. Harry, holding Hermione who were both sleeping and Varee awake, with curious eyes, looking at the two.

Hedwig swooped in through the window and dropped a letter for Harry. Harry awoke and stirred. He noticed the letter and started opening it. He started at the handwriting and didn't recognise it. He stared at the words written on it.

-Dear Harry,

I'm still recovering from shock. Sometimes I really hate you, but other times, I really admire you. I just want to say, I'm sorry for all the times in the past.

Someone who loves you. –

Harry read and re-read the letter, he didn't know the handwriting and didn't know who it was from. He looked at Hermione who had fallen asleep. He stroked her hair and put the letter on his desk, careful not to wake Hermione up. 'I wonder who sent me that.'

The next morning, Harry had a serious talk with Hermione.

"Well, all I'm asking, is whether you want justice served. We could take him to court." Harry said to Hermione. She looked sadly at him.

"I want justice served, but I don't want to re-live those moments again and tell them to different old wizards I don't know." Hermione said starting to shake. Harry held her from behind, comfortingly.

"I know Herms. But I may have an idea, but you'll have to re-live it just one time." Harry soothed her.

"How?"

"We'll use a pensieve." Harry said.

"You have one?" Hermione said surprised, "They are really expensive."

"Yeah I have one. We'll use that and those old wizards will see what's happening." Harry said.

"Well…" Hermione said unsure, "ok."

With that, Harry brought out his pensieve. He asked Hermione to think back to one of the rapes and the time of the hospital. She did so painfully. Tears formed as she thought and Harry had to hold back from holding her gently. He then picked up a stray strand of her hair and plucked it so that it came off her scalp. He dropped it into the pensieve. He then held Hermione tightly as she started to cry from the memory. He hushed her and he'd her gently until she was relaxed again. He then thought of the time he had flew to The Daily Prophet Office and found Hermione half-dead, how she had mistaken him for Malfoy and how she was so shaky after her nightmare. He pulled a strand of his unruly hair and dropped it into the pensieve.

Harry promised to treat Hermione to a day of fun before they would travel to the ministry. Ron came with them to Hogsmeade with them. They pigged-out on sweets from Honeydukes, bought some clothes, went to The Three Broomsticks, visited the Shrieking Shack, and went to Hagrid's hut in the Hogwarts ground. Some old professors from the school saw them and greeted them. Professor Sprout took a liking to Varee, and Madam Hooch talked to Harry about quidditch.

"You should visit Professor MacGonagall. She has never been the same since you three left! She's not as strict anymore!" Professor Sprout said.

"Actually, do visit her. She'd kill us if she missed the chance to meet you three again!" Madam Hooch added.

They all agreed and walked up to the Hogwarts castle. They received a few gasps from passing students. "Isn't that Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger?" they heard. They all grinned and waved at the students.

"You wouldn't know where Professor MacGonagall is? Do you?" Ron asked one of the students, a small mousy boy, who reminded the three of Colin Creevey.

"She'll either be in her office, staff room or in her transfiguration room." The student said excitedly and quickly.

"Thanks." The three said.

They all tried to remember their way through the school. Varee had woken up and laughed at all the shining suits of armour that would wave at her. It was then they heard hurried footsteps behind them.

"POTTER! WEASLEY! GRANGER!" The three turned around and there they saw a middle aged looking witch in green robes, with hair up in a tight bun. With that, the usually high postured witch ran up to them and hugged them tightly. They all gasped and were surprised at her strong grip.

"Nice to see you Professor MacGonalgall!" Hermione said though the hug.

"My how you've all changed! This school has seemed quite empty without you three here! Will you be staying for the feast. Please stay?!" Professor MacGonagall said. They were all surprised and didn't have the heart to say no.

They sat at the staff table and the eyes of many students stared at the staff table with the three old students. They had fun talking to their old teachers and the new students who were full of questions. Varee took a liking to Professor Dumbledore and tugged at his beard. He laughed a lot. She would mumble things that sounded like 'Grandpapa' in a baby language. They had a lot laughs and catching up done. It was fun. Dumbledore wished them luck in the court case and said he would be there. They nodded in appreciation and left.

The next morning, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Varee travelled to the Ministry of Magic and headed to the courtroom. Hermione was shaking uncontrollably, and Harry tried to comfort her. Ron had taken Varee as to look after her. Dumbledore looked at her solemnly but tried to cheer her up. Most of the Weasleys had came to give their support.

"Finally, the Ministry is doing something decent and kicking Malfoy's ass!" George said.

Most of them laughed but Hermione remained shaking. She hated this and didn't know what to do to calm down. She didn't know if the Ministry of Magic would really care if anything like this mattered to one witch. She didn't want to go through with it. Harry held her hand and entwined his fingers with hers. The courtroom door opened letting them all in.

Many old strict looking wizards looked on at the younger ones. And in the corner, stood Malfoy. He didn't look at them and just stared at the ground. He had a pained expression on his face as he saw Harry and Hermione. Harry brought out the pensieve and the older wizards (including Dumbledore and Malfoy) and the Weasley's were sucked into the thoughts inside. Harry stayed with Hermione who didn't want to be left alone. They witnessed all the pain Hermione went through. The pregnancy, the rape and assault afterwards and her psychological problems afterwards. All the wizards looked digusted and felt great sympathy for Hermione.

"After, witnessing the events of these past few years, we have concluded that Draco Malfoy, is guilty of rape and assault. Also paying for no child support is a serious offense in the Wizarding world. We therefore see fit that he spends the next 50 years in Azkaban, paying 80 000 Galleons for child support. He will loose his job and Miss Hermione Granger will take that role." The elderly balding wizard said and dropped his mallet onto the desk. Malfoy was dragged away silently by Dementors.