It was an hour before Runcorn had returned. An hour was a long time to sit and wait to hear if your life would be forever altered. Hermione was grateful to Professor McGonagall for waiting and speaking with her while they waited. Madam Pomfrey had patients to attend and had left soon after Albert.

Runcorn knocked on the door, didn't wait for a response and then walked into the room with little preamble. He cleared his throat and remained standing, reading from a large, official looking covered notebook.

"Miss Granger, it is the determination of the Ministry of Magic, and I, as a representative of The Ministry of Magic that the man known as Scabior, official name Nicolas Scabior, is hereby declared 'not guilty' on any and all charges of rape and/or forced sexual congress."

Professor McGonagall bolted upright more quickly than Hermione would have guessed for someone her age.

"Albert, this is ridiculous-"

"Minerva, I am not finished. Please sit." Runcorn motioned back to her chair.

Hermione looked to Professor McGonagall who's fury was apparent. McGonagall glanced at Hermione, who was staring at her, shocked, and then back at Runcorn and took a breath. Hermione had no idea what she would do, but she was so grateful for someone to advocate for her. As she slowly regained her composure, she sat back down, next to Hermione.

"I will sit, but only because if I don't I might reach across this table and strangle you!"

Runcorn held up a hand as McGonagall sat.

"The Ministry of Magic does however recognize that a pregnancy has resulted under wartime circumstance from a contested union and thusly has decided if Hermione Jean Granger wishes a termination she will require written permission from Nicolas Scabior, the member of the union with purer blood, as is consistent with 'Magical Laws of Wartime Volume One' paragraphs forty seven through fifty . As we have already spoken to Mr. Scabior, and he has declined to provide such written permission, we encourage Ms. Granger to speak with him and try to settle this amicably."

Hermione felt the color draining out of her face and suddenly the world seemed to tilt to the left. She jerked out of her seat to standing, gripping the table with whitened knuckles.

She felt Professor McGonagall beside her, reassuring her with a hand on her back.

"Don't worry. We will have this settled. We will find a way."

Runcorn began again. "He's here you know, I can-,"

Minerva spun back towards Runcorn. "She does not wish to see him! How can you not understand that, you simpering excuse for a man!" McGonagall was standing now, leaning over the table, getting in Runcorn's face.

"Minerva, I'm just doing my job!"

"Your job is to terrorize students with this ridiculous miscarriage of justice?!"

"We have looked at both sides-"

"Albus Dumbledore will not stand for this nonsense!,"

"Albus Dumbledore doesn't have a choice in the matter, it's Ministry business!"…..

Their voices slowly faded away as Hermione felt her blood pounding so loudly she could hear it in her ears. She ran to the door and twisted the knob. She made her way into the small corridor, her hand on the side of the stone to steady herself. She ran, knowing they would come after her to check on her. She had to get away. She had to breathe fresh air, if only for a moment.

Hermione rounded a corner, then another, and another, and suddenly stopped cold in her tracks as she was greeted with the leather covered back of the man responsible.

She took a quick indrawn breath as he stood at the end of the corridor, nearly five metres away. He stood with his hands on his hips, drawing back the leather so it creased behind his shoulders. His dark brown hair still held the red streak and was fastened behind the nape of his neck with a leather cord. He was every bit the imposing figure she had remembered, chasing her through the forest and claiming her that night…Her eyes fell to the ground and she shut them, as if she could make him vanish by closing her eyes.

Scabior sensed something. Someone behind him. He breathed in a lungful of scent and knew who it was immediately. Slowly, he began to turn around to see her. When he was turned towards her he spoke in his low, oddly sensual voice.

"Hello, beautiful."

Hermione's legs seemed to lock in place of their own accord as she opened her eyes, still looking down. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe, couldn't hear after that. Those two words…

Then she could feel her heart beating so fast she feared it would fault and stop altogether. She was afraid if she looked at him, if she saw his face, then this would all be real. And she wouldn't be able to escape. She would be bound to something, a life that was not her own; a life she had not planned for nor wanted. She heard him take a step towards her and then pause which made her slowly lift her eyes to his.

Scabior studied her face for a moment. Then, when he was satisfied he held her gaze, let his eyes slowly, deliberately roam down her body to settle on her stomach. He craned his neck to the side like he was cracking it and then he brought his eyes to hers again.

Hermione shuddered; terrified, and held in place but some invisible and non-magical force. Her feet felt like lead in her boots. He knew.

"I knew I'd see you again. Someday."

She tried to speak but found she couldn't.

"Cat got your tongue?", he taunted her, caressing every syllable, drawing out his words as he spoke.

Her tongue darted out to wet her upper lip of its own accord, a motion his eyes followed very intensely.

"We're to be a family then, my little love?"

Tears dotted at the corners of her eyes that she unsuccessfully tried to blink away . It was then that he began to approach her. Slowly, like he had before in the forest. Like she was his prey.

"I see. You're angry. You want me to apologise. But let's be honest, love, I 'ent got nothin' t'apologise for."

Her eyes flashed angrily and he saw that. Then his face grew taut, hard, unforgiving and he continued, his eyes narrowing.

"You were begging for it."

The fury drawing through Hermione came together all at once as she felt a force not unlike an electric current pass through her. She stepped forwards, closer to him.

"I was begging for nothing! I never have and I never will. Certainly not from a man as vile as you!"

Anger flitted over his already drawn features and he took another step towards her.

"Well, they tell me, this vile man is going t' 'ave a little one so you best get used to the idea. Don't worry…you'll be begging me again soon, my lovely."

Hermione was shaking she was so angry. "How dare you!," she spat the words in his face.

He raised his eyebrows and put up his hands mocking her, as if he were afraid of her and how ridiculous of an idea that would be.

"I'm done talkin'," he started, and closed the distance between them almost instantly, grabbed Hermione by the wrist before she could rebuke or protest and Apparated them both out of the castle.