Author's Note: Okay, I don't have much to say about this one except I was originally planning on making it the day of Ron and Lavender's wedding but then I added in the Marie Factor and their happy day was pushed back -- hope no one minds : )

A great big thanks to all my loyal reviewers ... where would this fic be without you?

Hase: Actually, This I Promise You is one of my all time favorite songs. I used it for a chapter in Untold Dreams (the story before this one) and I didn't want to use it again. Hey look, it just came on .... How cool. Anyway, thanks so much for your suggestion though -- any other song on the list you'd like to see? Let me know : ) Thanks for the wonderful review.

Well, that's about it ... oh wait. If there are those of you who haven't told me which song you think would be best, please, please do so ... I would be extremely grateful, seeing as I have so many songs I love, I'll end up mixing them all together -- lol.

Anyway, read on, review, and enjoy! ** Anjel **

Chapter Twelve * Guilty Until Proven Innocent *

Marie Johnson had been well loved as a child in her church, then at Hogwart's, and in the neighborhood she had lived with Daniel and Clara. She was known as the kind, giving type. Always there to lend a hand and help solve a problem. If you went up to those people now and told them Marie was in Azkaban for being a Death Eater, her friends and family would most likely laugh in your face.

That is, if you could find any of her friends and family. Now, Marie was glad they didn't know where she was and if she was alive or not, she wouldn't had been able to see the pain and disbelief in their faces when they found out where she was and for what reason.

She was a failure as a daughter, a mother, and as a friend. What must Hermione think of her? Clara didn't know her mum was in the 'evil wizard prison' for helping the 'bad wizard' and Marie wasn't planning on telling her. She hoped Hermione would take Clara in until she could get out and prove she wasn't what she seemed.

She didn't know if Harry or Hermione knew of what had happened but was sure Harry would be informed the minute he came back from his trip with Hermione. She was grateful Harry had not been one of the Aurors who had rounded them up. It was too soon to face anyone she cared about. Too soon to witness the shock and disappoint on their faces. She had pushed the thought of Hermione's reaction out of her mind; for now anyway.

And Clara. Her only family and her whole world. What would her daughter think of her? She didn't think she could bear it if Clara thought of her as a traitor, or worse, someone she didn't need in her life. She knew Clara would be safe with Harry and Hermione, but the thought her own daughter loving Hermione more than her ... it would tear her in two.

The sound of the door opening jarred her out of her troubled thoughts and bathed the small, dark cell in dim light. A loaf of bread and water was placed near the door and it slammed shut before she could utter a word. Her world was plunged in darkness once more and she felt her way over to the meager food.

Taking a bite out of the stale bread, she lay back against the hard, damp wall and shut her eyes. She let her thoughts come tumbling back and slowly drifted off to sleep, haunted images filling her mind.



Harry Potter had seen Hermione angry before, many times, but never was her wrath directed at him. Here he was, the one who was supposed to kill the Dark Lord and he was backing away in fright from a woman who came up to his chest.

Hermione was currently standing in the middle of their bedroom, hands on hips and eyes blazing. She took another step towards him then stopped, throwing her hands up in the air.

"I don't understand," she began, her voice ringing through the room. "You knew about this and you didn't think to tell me? She's my friend, for Merlin's sake! How dare you keep this from me!"

"I forgot!" Harry replied back, his response sounding pathetic even to his own ears.

"You forgot?" she repeated, sarcasm dripping on the last word. "Marie was just caught and sentenced without a trial to Azkaban for being a Death Eater, oh, but that's okay! You just forgot, no big deal. No big deal ..." she ranted, pacing back and forth, breathing hard.

"Hermione ..." Harry called tentatively, reaching out a hand to her, but afraid for his life. "I'm sorry. I know I should have told you and I was, honest! But -"

"Were you, Harry? Or were you going to keep this from me to protect me, as you so often say? Were you hoping I would never find out that my friend is a Death Eater? When were you going to tell me, hmm?" She was facing him now, anger making her face red.

The thought that he could kiss her senseless right now and that an angry Hermione was such a turn on slipped through his mind, making him more ashamed than he already was. He pushed this revelation aside and faced his fiance with a look of apology.

"Remember when I told you I had something to say but I wasn't ready?" he asked. Receiving no acknowledgment he plunged on, taking a small step toward her. "This was it. I was going to tell you, I really was, I just ... You were just so happy and having such a good time that I didn't want to ruin the little fun you get to have," he told her truthfully.

Hoping for an understanding response, her next move stunned him. She turned on her heel and disappeared in the walk-in closet. "Hermione?"

She didn't answer and all Harry heard was her rummaging around. She came back out, holding a large comforter. She pushed this into his arms and glared at him. "You should have told me," she whispered, her voice venomous.

With that, she pointed to the door, not looking him in the eye. He just stood there, shocked, not knowing exactly what she was doing. After about a minute, she helped him out.

"If you want to keep things to yourself, Harry Potter, you can also sleep by yourself."



"You are really in trouble, mate," Ron declared, blowing air through his teeth when Harry had told him all about the argument.

"No, really? I though she took it quite well," Harry replied sarcastically, glaring down at the bottle of butterbeer he held in his hands. They were sitting at a booth in the Three Broomsticks, Ron saying a butterbeer or two would help Harry calm down.

"Sorry, mate," Ron said, sheepishly. "Don't worry, Hermione will cool down, she always has. You know she can't stay mad at you for long, you're the only one she'll listen to when she's upset, anyway."

"Yes, but now she's mad at me. And I don't blame her."

"Hey, at least you only have to sleep on the couch. Be glad she didn't throw you out of the house completely," Ron said, trying to comfort his friend.

Harry nodded miserably but this statement did little to help his shame. He should have told her about Marie the minute he had found out. A tiny voice in the back of his head told him Hermione was right, he had been trying to protect her by not saying anything. He knew she could take care of herself, but the thought of anything happening to her almost caused him to stop breathing.

"Harry? Oy, Harry!" Ron waved his hand in front of Harry's face, pulling him out of his confession. "Where'd you go?" he asked, looking at Harry in concern.

He just shook his head. "Just thinking."

"What are you going to do about Marie?" Ron asked after a while.

Harry just shook his head, barely hearing his friend's question.



Three hours and two butterbeers later, Harry silently crept into his house. The lights were out and everything was quiet. He climbed the stairs and peeked his head in his room, finding Hermione already asleep. Sighing, he went back downstairs, enlarged the couch, and plopped down, pulling the blanket over him.

He lay there staring at the ceiling for almost an hour, finding it impossible to fall asleep without his arms around Hermione. He needed her warmth against him to sleep instead of a lifeless pillow that couldn't hug him back.

Eventually, his eyes began to droop and he let sleep overcome him, thoughts of how Hermione would be tomorrow being the last thing on his mind.

It felt like he had been asleep only a mere hour when he was awakened by movement next to him. He opened his eyes and smiled. Hermione was snuggling next to him.

He shifted slightly, sliding his arms around her and burying his face in her hair. Sighing, he let his eyes fall shut again, only to open them when he felt something wet against his cheek.

"Hermione?" he whispered her name, finding tears on his cheeks.

She had her face against the side of his face and was quietly sniffling. "Sorry," she whispered back, moving away and running the back of her hand against her eyes.

Harry sat up, grabbed his wand and whispered a "Lumos" bathing Hermione's face in light. She squinted until he lowered his wand until it was no longer in her face but made a small circle of light around them. "Hermione? What's wrong?" he realized what a stupid question that was and smiled sheepishly at her. "Sorry."

She gave him a sad smile and moved into his embrace, pressing her face against his chest and letting the tears fall harder down her cheeks. Harry felt his heart squeeze painfully and a lump formed in his throat. "I'm so sorry, baby," he said, hugging her tightly.

He felt her shake her head. "No, I understand why you didn't tell me. I should be the one apologizing for acting like such a prat. I know you don't want to see me crying like such a baby."

Harry pushed her away, holding her by the shoulders. He shook his head and searched her eyes. "Yes, I hate it when you cry because I feel helpless knowing you're hurting and there isn't anything I can do but you have every right too. Please don't feel as if you have to keep things from me just so *you* can protect *me*."

She gave him a watery smile and let out a choked laugh. "We are pathetic, you know that? Each trying to protect the other ..."

Harry nodded and leaned forward so their noses were touching. "Well, there is no other person I would rather be pathetic with than with you," he told her sweetly, pulling her into a hug.

He laid back down, bringing Hermione with him, and they got comfortable. They were silent for a few moments before Hermione said, "I don't believe it."

"Don't believe what, love?"

"I don't believe that Marie is a Death Eater."

"Hermione ... Why would Remus lie about such a thing?"

With this, they were both sitting up again. "I'm not saying he's lying, Harry, I'm just saying that there is more going on here. It just doesn't feel right."

"Isn't there always more going on?" Harry asked with a sigh.

"I can't just sit here and believe that Marie is a Death Eater and that's that. Besides, what about Clara? She needs a mother, Harry. I would do anything for her, yes, but I'm not her mum, I can't replace that love that daughters seem to hold for their mothers and I don't want to. "

He rubbed a hand across his face, suddenly feeling years older than he really was. "I know, I just ... I was going in to see her tomorrow anyway, I'll see what's going on."

"I'm coming," she stated simply.

"What? I don't think so!"

"Harry," she warned, her arms now crossed across her stomach. "Don't start this again. I'm coming too, and that's it."

"But Hermione .... Ugh, fine!" he relented, throwing his hands up in the air. Though he didn't want her to come and witness Azkaban he secretly was glad she was coming along.

She gave him a devilish grin. "Thank you."

"Hmph." Was all Harry said as he settled himself back against the couch.

"Aww, don't be angry," Hermione told him, placing her hands on his chest and leaning close to give him a soft kiss. "You know you want me to come," she declared.

Her kiss was already making him crazy so all he could do was murmur. " I thought so," she whispered, snuggling into the curve of his body as he pulled the cover over them.

Placing a kiss on the top of her head, he replied. "Fine, you win this time but let me win the next, okay?"

Hermione laughed. "Deal."