Waiting and Hoping
Chapter 9
Ron was scared. He was taking a small boat to Azkaban; he had been allowed to visit her, although many other people including Harry and Remus were also desperate to see her. Ron knew he had to see her for himself he wanted to find out how she was for himself.
The boat to Azkaban was small and dingy, it had a neglected feel to it, Ron doubted that it was used often; Azkaban had too bad a reputation for families to visit.
"Ron Weasley, follow me please," grunted a tired looking Auror "Your wasting your time you know, the people in A-wing have dementors outside their door night and day, their rarely coherent" Ron ignored him, his insides petrified.
The Auror led him into a small room with a desk, two chairs and candles that scarcely brightened the room. He sat down.
He heard voices outside the room
"Right Miss Granger, you have 30 minutes" Hermione was pushed forcefully into the room, Ron rushed to help her to her feet,
"There was no need for that," he shouted at the guard, who simply shrugged his shoulders and slammed the door, leaving Hermione and Ron alone.
"Hermione, are you ok?" he asked desperately, helping her into her chair
"I deserve this, I deserve this...,"she repeated the words again and again so that Ron had to shout to make himself heard,
"Hermione listen to me, you don't deserve this"
"I do, I do I killed them" she whispered in a hurried voice, Ron got the impression that she didn't comprehend that it was him.
"Why Hermione?"
"I couldn't leave them like that, I couldn't let them carry on living like that"
"Like what Hermione?"
"They were just lying on the floor shaking, crying...I couldn't leave them"
"Hermione why were they like that, what happened?"
"They were kissed...I couldn't leave them like that it wasn't fair"
"They were kissed, but then, why didn't you say?"
"I still killed them, I still deserve this"
"Hermione, you saved them from a fate worse than death, you don't deserve this, I'm going to get you out of here"
Hermione looked up at him for the first time. The look in her eyes was the scariest thing Ron had ever seen, worse than spiders, than Voldemort, her eyes looked so haunted that he couldn't see the old Hermione. It was at that point that he promised himself one thing he would make her smile again.
"I know you," she said slowly as if struggling to place someone that she had known a lifetime ago.
"It's me Hermione, its Ron, your Ron"
"My Ron" she said and for a fleeting moment her thought he saw a hint of recognition in her eyes, but before he had chance to look deeper the door burst open and the Auror came in
"Time's up, Come on Granger" he dragged Hermione out of the room, her eyes locked on Ron's.
Ron was back on the boat, although he felt dreadful in himself he knew that there was hope now, he knew he could get her out. He would make her smile again.
Harry was waiting for him at the shore, he helped Ron off the boat and gave him a block of chocolate, which Ron took a bite out of quickly. He felt warmth spread through him before looking up at Harry,
"How was she Ron?" Harry asked quietly
"We need to get her out of there Harry, she's a mess, she didn't even recognise me!"
"I've tried Ron, but she adm..."
"They'd been kissed Harry" Ron interrupted "That's why she killed them, she couldn't leave them"
Harry blanched
"We'll get her out of there Ron" he said forcefully, his voice full of determination.
A few hours later they were running through the corridors of the Ministry. Harry skidded to a halt outside Umbridge's office, Ron hot on his heels.
He knocked loudly.
"Come in" Umbridge answered. Harry entered with Ron right behind.
"Madam Umbridge we have some important information for you, it's regarding Hermione Granger"
"Oh for Merlin's sake Mr Potter, that case is closed! I know it must be hard admitting that you were wrong but please leave it alone. She is a murderer"
"Yes, I agree Madam, but if you will just hear me out for two minutes you will see why?"
She sighed and nodded for him to continue
"Thank you, Ron has just returned from visiting her and she told him why she did it..."
"So you admit that she did kill them?" she interrupted with a sickening smile looking at Ron
"Yes, but for good reason" replied Ron
"There is never a good reason for killing people Mr Weasley"
"I, and the law beg to differ Madam Umbridge, her parents were kissed by dementors, she loved them too much to see them suffer, and so she killed them"
Umbridge looked shocked for a second before pulling herself together
"There is no proof to back up her claim Mr Weasley, she may have thought up the plan to get out of Azkaban"
"She loved them," Harry said calmly, although his hands shook slightly
"Love, Mr Potter, is not important in this case"
"Love is always important Madam Umbridge"
"I will bring her case to trial, see what the Wizengamot make of her story"
"She needs to get out of there now!"
"Well she can't, her case will be reviewed in a months time, that is my final word, Goodbye gentlemen" she said with a bite of impatience, she stood up, walked around her desk, and opened the door leaving them no choice but to exit it.
A/N Hope you like this chapter, i felt so bad for giving you such a short chapter last time that i decided to give you a longer one. Hope you like it please r/r. Love you loads
Laura
xxx