A/N: I have only a very vague idea of how trials are run, so it's probably not very accurate. Also, I apologize for the very long delay in updating. You all deserve some sort of explanation! I've been working 30+ hours a week, hanging out with my horse a lot since this is the best time of year for it, preparing and participating in my sister's wedding, preparing for and getting my driver's license, etc. And yes, I've been lazy. Need to work on that! I did have a fun trip, too. :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

The Trial

The day of Remus's trial soon arrived. It had been decided that he and Michael would be tried at the same time, as their cases were closely related. Hosts of people were there, and more still were arriving at the Ministry of Magic's trial room.

Hermione seated herself next to the chair where Remus would sit. Fudge had told her he had been retrieved from Azkaban, but she wasn't allowed to see him until the trial. Hermione tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for him to be brought in. Harry sat next to her, looking equally impatient. Ron sat beside him, and then Luna, then Neville and his grandmother, who had agreed to come as a witness. Dumbledore sat on the other side of where Remus was to sit, then, after two empty seats, were Snape, McGonagall, and a variety of other people from Hogwarts.

Hermione wondered who the two empty seats were for. She did not have to wonder long. Pat and Linda Paeton gingerly stepped into the room, looking utterly bewildered. Pat less so, he soon recovered, and strode over to Dumbledore, and proceeded to shake everybody's hands. Linda walked over with Pat and stared at Hermione in shock. She walked up to her. "You're all better!" she managed.

"Er, yes," said Hermione, not sure how to explain her sudden recovery from her supposed paralysis.

"Brilliant, what kind of therapy are you on?" Linda asked.

"Er," Hermione started, but just then, two Ministry officials, interrupting them, led Remus into the room. Linda and Pat sat down and continued to stare at the odd things about the room.

Hermione was taken aback at how awful Remus looked. He hadn't been in Azkaban very long, perhaps a week at most, but it seemed to have a very negative effect on him. He had a blank, haunted look in his eyes, and didn't meet anyone's gaze. Physically, he looked like one good hex would do him in. The officials escorted him to his seat, and took their own behind him. Remus stared at a particularly interesting crack in the floor.

Harry and Hermione exchanged concerned glances. Hermione wanted to tell Remus how much she missed him, but he looked like he did not want to talk to anyone, or be there at all. Even Dumbledore didn't attempt to make conversation. He was too busy talking to the Paetons, trying to keep them distracted and not asking questions about all the odd things they saw. Linda attempted to make conversation with Snape, complimenting his hairstyle and choice of wardrobe – black was the latest fashion, after all – but Snape didn't seem to appreciate it. He was in an extremely foul mood, even for his standards.

Fudge stood in front of everyone and cleared his throat, gaining everybody's attention. "Hello, everyone. Thank you for coming. I trust you all know what this trial is about. Now, for the defense of Remus Lupin, are Pat and Linda Paeton."

"Do you have a mike? I don't like to shout," said Pat. Fudge handed him one that had been magically made to magnify his voice. It had been arranged beforehand, so the Paetons wouldn't get suspicious.

"Well, I personally never saw anything to complain about with Remus. He was always very polite when he worked for me, and got along with quite well with everyone. Whenever I saw him, Hermione was usually with him, and he seemed genuinely concerned for her welfare, to the point of forgetting his own. He looked a bit ill when I first saw him, and then seemed to get ill right before he left. I personally never saw him do anything suspicious. I was satisfied with his work, and especially how quickly he got it done."

Now it was Linda's turn. "I saw him more than Pat, and I have to say that I agree with him on everything. I find it really hard to believe that he would do the things he has been accused of; it's not in his nature. We were around him for quite a bit this past month, and he lived in one of our trailers. I found no weapons of any kind in there." She paused, quickly reflecting on how she'd tried to heat his cutting board up, but it didn't seem to work. 'How interesting.'

"Do you have any questions? We've got to run, Pat's going to do a performance for the queen."

The Wizengamot, however, wanted Pat and Linda out of there as quickly as possible, so they remained silent. Pat and Linda exited the room, ushered out by a Ministry official.

"Next for the defense of Remus Lupin, is Professor Severus Snape," announced Fudge.

Severus looked like he would rather eat a whole gallon of wriggling worms than say something positive about Remus. Dumbledore had persuaded him to say a few words, however, so he took the stand. "I have never seen Remus Lupin do anything – objectionable – in my year of working with him," he said, choking on his words. He sighed painfully. "I – can't imagine – him doing the more severe charges." Snape gave his seat a longing look. "Any questions?" he added reluctantly.

"You've never seen him take an inappropriate interest in Miss Granger, or any of the other female students?" asked a Wizengamot member.

Snape's face twisted into a snarl. He knew Dumbledore was watching him, though. "No." No one else asked him questions, a bit taken aback by his demeanor. He almost stomped towards his seat, quite glad that was over and infuriated that he had to do it in the first place.

A few more teachers, including McGonagall, stepped up and answered questions in Remus's favor. Remus looked less tense (Hermione swore she saw the ghost of a smile when Snape defended him) but still didn't lift his eyes from the crack on the floor.

Next was Neville's grandmother, who volunteered to come when she heard about the trial. She strode up there with a no-nonsense air, vulture hat and all. "I can't believe none of you took my owls seriously! When I read the Daily Prophet article I was most disgusted! Even when I visited the Ministry officials to tell them the truth, they showed me to the door like I didn't know what I was talking about! This is blatant injustice. I didn't see Remus do one shred of violence or anything objectionable, for that matter. I was there, in the hospital, visiting my son and daughter-in-law when I saw him. I don't know what happened in the hospital room with Hermione, but I must say, it's the Daily Prophet that needs looking into, not Remus Lupin, in my opinion!" Many other people took the stand in Remus's defense, giving convincing evidence of his good character.

Now it was Hermione's turn. Harry gave her a thumbs-up, and her parents smiled encouragingly. Her parents had agreed to drop the charges against Remus after Hermione talked to them a couple days ago. Hermione looked at Remus. He was picking at the edge of his armrest, even though it was made of metal. His eyes held a glassy expression, and his face turned red as he felt Hermione's gaze on him and realized what was coming. They were probably going to discuss his behavior when he had been caught. Remus didn't know if he could stand it.

Hermione tenatively cleared her throat, and her gaze shifted frequently between the Wizengamot and Remus. "I don't believe Remus is a criminal," she started nervously. "He took me from the hospital because he wanted to save my life. From then on, he's shown every consideration towards me," she continued passionately. "I have no complaint to make against him." She bit her lip.

A Wizengamot member spoke up. "When they Aurors captured him, they reported that he was touching you, er, inappropriately. What do you have to say about that?"

"Someone slipped Lust potion into his drink!" said Hermione. "I smelled it on his breath! He wasn't in control of himself. I'm not going to blame him for something he couldn't control," Hermione said firmly, a bit red in the face.

No one had any more questions. "Now, Remus, do you have anything to say for yourself?" asked Fudge.

Remus froze and raised his gaze to meet Fudge's. He could feel everyone looking at him. Remus didn't feel like talking at all. He had only been out of Azkaban for a few hours, and could still feel its haunting effects. Yet, he felt he had to say something, at least to the people who were defending him. Remus nodded slowly and shuffled to the stand. "I would like to thank everyone who defended me today: Mr. and Mrs. Paeton, Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Professor Hagrid, Professor Dumbledore, Alastor Moody, Ny – er, Tonks, Mrs. Longbottom, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Mr. and Mrs. Granger, and – Miss Granger," he said stiffly. "I'm deeply grateful that you all came on my behalf."

Hermione noticed that he was avoiding eye contact with her. She wondered why. He didn't feel guilty about what had happened, did he? It wasn't his fault.

Remus hurriedly returned to his seat. Dumbledore gave him a reassuring smile. Remus gave a small smile back and resumed staring at that same very interesting crack.

Next were heard a few witnesses against Remus. Dr. Clint, one of the Aurors who had caught him, and someone from the Daily Prophet who claimed to see him in the hospital. More witnesses came to testify against Michael Judge, including the Minister himself.

Michael Judge slumped in his seat through the whole discourse. He'd failed. Voldemort would likely view him as completely useless, and wouldn't rescue him from Azkaban again. He was doomed. So much for immortality.

A tense air filled the hall as the Wizengamot debated their final decision. As they waited, Hermione reached over to Remus and gave his hand a squeeze. "It's going to be okay, I just know it, Remus. I've really missed you."

Remus met her gaze for the first time that morning, and smiled. "Thank you, Hermione." He looked away and began watching the Wizengamot discuss his case.

The Minister seemed to be arguing intensely about something. Finally Fudge stood up, and took the stand to announce the verdict. "We have found Michael Judge guilty of all charges. He is to be sent immediately into a high security cell in Azkaban." There was a murmur of assent. "Also, we have found Remus Lupin guilty of forcibly removing a patient from the hospital, threatening Dr. Clint, and failing to surrender to Ministry officials. I will give Remus a choice, either a year in Azkaban, or a fine of 1,000 galleons."

The choice was easy. He would rather be penniless for the rest of his life than go back to that horrible place. "I'll take the fine," Remus called out hoarsely. He wondered how he would ever pay it. Sirius had left him some money, and perhaps he could sell Grimmauld Place. But he wouldn't have a job. How would he survive?

The worry must have shown in his face. Dumbledore leaned over and whispered, "We'll work something out, Remus."

Remus gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you, Albus," he said. The trial ended. Mr. and Mrs. Granger approached him, curious looks on their faces. They introduced themselves as David and Emma, and shook his hand.

"Thank you for saving our daughter," said Emma tearfully. "If it hadn't been for you—"

"— We've been so worried about her," broke in David. "Thank you for taking such good care of her."

Remus felt embarrassed and quite self-conscious. 'So these are Hermione's parents. Oh, please, I can't get ideas now,' he berated himself. "It was nothing," he answered awkwardly. "Nice to meet you."

"Here, Remus," said Dumbledore. "Why don't you come to my office? We have many things to discuss."

"Yes, of course, Albus," said Remus. They both took a portkey and disappeared.

Hermione watched him go in disappointment. She had really wanted to talk to him. He, on the other hand, seemed eager to avoid her. Hermione felt herself well up with hurt. Didn't he love her? He seemed to, at least before today. Did he hate her because he ended up in Azkaban? Hermione couldn't bear the thought.

Her mom noticed Hermione's look, and she exchanged glances with her husband. Clearly, some deep feelings were brewing between Hermione and Remus Lupin. He was hardly the man they had envisioned for their daughter. Not only was he a wizard, he was a werewolf, and nearly as old as themselves. But, he had already proven how far he was willing to go for Hermione, so they felt more lenient towards him. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if they got together.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Authors aren't allowed to reply to reviewers any more. I think that really sucks. Although I support the rest of fanfiction's rules, this one is stupid! Isn't interaction with the reviewers and sharing your idea with the world the two main points of bothering to post it at all? Anyway, I love you guys! You're the best, your reviews make my day! (If I get in trouble for that, that's REALLY stupid!)

Preview of next chapter: Madam Pomfrey helped Hermione through her first therapy session that night. It didn't go well. Hermione had made little progress. She couldn't feel a proper 'life' emotion when she felt so upset about Remus. Or rather, the lack of Remus. It stunted any feeling of excitement she could conjur. Where was he?