A/N: Here we go!

Chapter 7

Hermione slowly opened her eyes. The view in front of her was blurred by tears. She took in a deep ragged breath. She wiped her eyes and looked at the stunned faces in front of her.

"Her…Hermione?" Arthur Weasley's voice was shaking and could barely be heard, "You killed Roger Davies?"

Hermione nodded, "I did."

The room was silent. After a few moments, Dumbledore cleared his throat, "Well, it seems Mr. Malfoy took blame to protect Hermione, doesn't it Arthur?"

"So it seems," whispered Arthur. He stood from his chair next to Hermione and proceeded to the door, "Hermione, I will be lifting the warrant for the capture of Mr. Malfoy. He is no longer a wanted man."

Hermione's heart jumped, "Really? But, Mr. Weasley, aren't I…am I…in any…"

Her words were interrupted by Arthur's raised hand, his head shaking, "Dumbledore and myself have both been witness to the accounts of a Witch under the influence of the strongest brew of Versiterium ever known to wizard kind. You see Miss Granger, the reason we never had take the story of Mr. Malfoy was because of flaws in the normal Versiterium brew. A truly powerful wizard can break the potion. They can be trained to not allow the effects to penetrate their minds.

"I have had the most intelligent and powerful wizards working on this for the past six months. They have hit many obstacles along the way, but after a successful testing it was ready for the accounts of Mr. Malfoy. He escaped the same day, so I couldn't very well go to Azkaban to get full testimony.

"So, what you're telling me," said Hermione quietly, "Is that you sent the Aurors out to find him under the knowledge he was a free man and to bring him back safely, right?"

Mr. Weasley began to look uncomfortable, "Well, er, no one was aware but myself and the potion masters that-"

"I can't believe this! They could have very well killed him on the spot!"

"Now, Hermione, that didn't happened, he wasn't found. At least not until he was seen in your quarters a short time ago," said Dumbledore softly.

"And?" asked Hermione forcefully, "Sir," she looked to Arthur, "Ron was well aware of my past with Draco. I know quite well that he would not have hesitated to perform the killing curse on him," she stopped briefly, "and you know it."

"Hermione," Arthur moved forward a few steps, "It was a mistake I regretted the second my men exited the castle. It all happened so fast," he moved closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder, "please forgive me."

She looked up at him, anger still in her eyes. She took in a deep breath, and nodded.

"Thank you," said Arthur gratefully, "Now, if you excuse me, I've got some work to do," he smiled at Hermione and nodded to Dumbledore who returned the gesture.

The door shut and Hermione turned back towards Dumbledore. He gave her a weak smile. She tried to do the same, but all she could do was put her head in her hands and cry.

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"What?"

Ron, Harry and Ginny sat together as Arthur Weasley spoke to the ban of Aurors gathered at Hogwarts.

"Dad, that's bull! He killed him, I know it!" shouted Ron

"Ronald, please sit down. You know nothing," Arthur turned to Ginny, "I don't know how I can expect you to forgive me for not believing you. But just know, I was trying to find out the truth."

Ginny nodded slowly and gave her father a reassuring smile.

"Now," Arthur began to address the group again, "Draco Malfoy is no longer a wanted man. He is innocent. Now, after some time, I would expect to have him back on our team. He was a skilled and intelligent Auror and knowing his innocence, I will hope he will receive the same respect he had earned prior to this unfortunate incident. Now, please, go home to your families."

A bustle of noise followed in the Great Hall. Men and woman filed out of the doors, exhausted and glad to be going home.

"This is unbelievable," muttered Ron.

"What? That an innocent man is free?" said Ginny. She leaned in closer to her brother, "Or that you know that Hermione is going to be with Draco again?"

"Ginny!" exclaimed Harry.

"That's not fair," whispered Ron.

Ginny let out a sigh, "Ron, you know how she feels about him. You know she loves him with every fiber of her being," Ron cringed, "As one of her best friend's, you need to be happy for her."

Ron's face was now red with anger, "I don't care! She's supposed to be with me. It's that simple!"

Ginny chuckled, "Is it Ron? Is it really that simple? Love isn't meant to be that clear cut. Otherwise, where's the struggle? Where's the reassurance? Hermione fell in love with you once. Then she fell out and then, with out warning, she fell deep in love with Draco."

Ron looked at her, his face still angry, "That's supposed to make me feel better?"

"I never said it was supposed to, did I?"

A/N: I know, it's short. Sorry, but it's something right? )

Please R&R