Disclaimer: I own nothing of the JK Rowling creation or anything else you may recognise.

A.N No excuse just an apology and a thank you to those who reviewed.

Tears of a confused mind

Chapter: At the ministry

A distant sound of the birds chirping at the brake of dawn; the slow rumble of cars and buses transporting people to work; perhaps an early morning beep of an alarm clock, a vivid shout of a disgruntled postman or even the loud common voices of the bin men. These were the common early morning sounds across central London, but one person, lying on a cold hard metal hospital bed, situated meters beneath ground level, heard none of these, they heard nothing.

A groan of pain could be heard from the occupier of the bed.

What the hell?

She tried to open her eyes to see her surroundings to try and figure out where the hell she was. Once she managed to open her eyes, she was forced to close them again. Her surroundings were far too bright. Nothing but a clean white light.

Her mind was suddenly reeling with the last things she could remember. Flashes of coloured images plagued her mind. Care of magical creatures. The animals. Cursing Harry, Ron and Draco. Her screaming at Hagrid. Witches and Wizards wands raised pointing at her. Them coming closer and closer. Running towards the castle. Screams surrounding her. Dumbledore, McGonagal and Snape running down the stairs. 30 curses streaming towards her. Black. Darkness.

Almost as quick as the images filled her head, the pain from the curses flooded every muscle possible. Not one part of her didn't hurt.

Her head felt like it was going to explode, every muscle was on fire, taught and stretched.

She tried to sit up and figure out exactly where she was. She wanted and needed answers.Trying to push herself up on her elbows, she found that she couldn't, she was restrained to the bed. She could just about lift her head.

What the hell is going on?

She lifted her head and looked down at herself. She was dressed in dingy grey rough cotton trousers and matching shirt. Her feet were clasped in metal locks and her legs were bound by leather buckled restraints at her shins and again at her calf's. Her middle was bound in a leather buckle, another, across her chest. Her arms - like her ankles - were bound in metal locks. She could barely move.

Who the hell would do this to me - Fudge! I'll kill him.

'FUDGE!'

She started to struggle against her restraints, trying aimlessly to get free.

'FUDGE, WHAT THE FUCK HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?'

She pushed, pulled, kicked and screamed, but nothing was moving the restraints. She was starting to sweat - but nothing.

'FUDGE GET YOUR ARSE IN HERE NOW!'

She stopped her struggle and finally took in her surroundings. Other than herself and the bed, there were only two other noticeable things in the room - a black glass window to her left and a door straight in front of her. She let out a frustrated cry and closed her eyes.

Why am I here? Where's Dumbledore? How can they keep me here like this?

She was brought out of her thoughts by a loud banging in her room. Her eyes snapped open and for a split second she was filled with hope - somebody was here to rescue her. But all hope was shattered when her eyes landed on a short fat balding man in a violet pinstriped suit and matching bowlers hat.

'Good morning Miss Granger, how are you?'

His voice was annoyingly calm and cheery. He was pleased, she scowled at the idiotic man.

'Fuck you Fudge. Where the hell am I?'

He conjured a chair and sat down beside her bed.

'You are at the ministry my dear. I thought perhaps putting you in St. Mungos but I couldn't risk putting all those others in danger could I?'

She narrowed her eyes at him. He was really pissing her off.

'Why am I here?'

He sighed heavily, pulling off his gloves and laid them on the side of her bed.

'You need to be restrained. You are dangerous.'

'And tying me to a bed is the answer?'

He looked up and smiled falsely at her.

'It's just until your trail.'

Hermione's ears were ringing.

Did he just say trial?

'Trial? What do you mean trial?'

'Let me explain. As minister of magic, I was informed of recent 'events' at Hogwart's. Now I cannot put anyone in danger, so I need to take action and eliminate the risk.'

'That doesn't explain about the trail and restraints.'

'I had a meeting with my educational minister and other advisers in my cabinet and we came to the decision that with the 'you-know-who scare' we can't ignore any abnormal power surges, especially if they endanger others. You need to be tried for the murderers and the 3 attacks that have happened. Justice must be brought Miss Granger.

'And the bed? Well that was my idea. It's specially designed to keep the person down and prevent them from doing any magic. The metal on the restraints will absorb all the magic and penetrate it straight back into your body in the form of a shock - for the safety of others around you, you understand.'

Hermione's anger was building up inside her.

They can't do this! It must be illegal. They can't keep me locked up me locked up like this! We'll see about this Fudge, it can't be legal.

She felt that familiar energy urge through her, her eyes darkened and she felt her skin tingle and glow. No sooner had she tried to stun him, her body began to burn, her blood felt like it was boiling, her muscles were convulsing and she screamed. A high pitched bone chilling cry of extreme pain.

Tears streamed down her face. Once the pain had stopped her breathing became ragged and the tears continued to fall.

'Y-y-you w-wanka F-F-Fudge. I-I want-t-t to see Du-Dumbledore!'

He smirked down at the young witch, rising, he put his gloves back on and made his way back to the door.

'You'll see your precious Dumbledore soon enough.'

Without another word to her, he left her cell.

'FUDGE!'

She knew that he wouldn't respond. She closed her eyes and let the tears stream down her face. These weren't tears of pain. These were tears of confusion.

'I apologise for any inconvenience caused by this emergency meeting, but we have a problem.'

Dumbledore sighed and sat at the head of the table at the Order of the Phoniex. All around the table were all the witches and wizards who were members, eagerly awaiting what he had to say.

'Some of you may have heard the rumours about what happened at the school yesterday -'

'- Is it true?'

Dumbledore faced Molly Weasley. Ever since Ron had scribbled a letter to her about Hermione's arrest, she had to know if it was true.

'Dumbledore. Is. It. True? Has Hermione been arrested?'

What could he say? It was such a direct question. He had hoped to ease the news to them but now he couldn't. He nodded.

Molly burst into tears, Hermione was like one of her own and now she had been arrested. Arthur tried to comfort his hysterical wife.

'HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?'

Charlie, Bill, Fred and George all stood at the kitchen counter shaking with rage. None of them could believe that this had happened. They had just got back. And now she had been arrested - in the 'care' of Fudge.

'It seems that somebody has told Fudge everything and now he is going to make a show of her.'

'Have you any idea who it is that told him?' piped up Tonks

'I have suspects, each person more unlikely than the last.

'We're not getting anywhere here, so here is what we are to do. Arthur, Percy, Bill, Charlie, Kingsley, Tonks, I need you to get to the ministry, speak to the heads of your department and start petitions to free Hermione. There is no way we can get Fudge out of office yet. When they have started to circulate, I want you to get right in and spread the word to sign them.'

The six of them nodded and apparated immediately to get the petitions started. Time was of an essence. The more support they could get the better and this way it would be easier to influence them to get Fudge out of the ministry.

Mad eye Moody, who had been currently sitting at the other end of the table, hobbled over to Dumbledore at sat down next to him.

'She doesn't deserve this' - Dumbledore straightened up and looked at his old friend - 'I know you will do everything you can for her Dumbledore, you're a good man and we will do everything we can.'

'I know Alistair. This is just Fudge's way to show me up.'

For the next 10 minutes Witches and Wizards who were members of the Order came and went with news of the arrest spreading throughout the ministry and the outrage it was causing.

This lifted Dumbledore's spirits slightly but he couldn't help but listen to Molly's hysterical sobbing.

'What if they experiment? What if we can't see her? What if they put her on trial? What if she gets sent to Azkaban?'

Fred and George tried to comfort their mother but it was no use.

Molly's last words kept sounding in his mind. 'What if she gets sent to Azkaban.' If Fudge took this all the way - which was likely - then chances were she would be sent there. He couldn't let her live those memories of the bulling, the beatings, the cuttings, Harry and Ron, Voldermort and the Death Eaters, the dream laps of her parents and brother and the attacks all over again. It almost killed her the first time.

He sighed and closed his eyes. It had been a long two days.

Dumbledore was brought out of his thoughts by the screech of an owl. This he was expecting. He knew right away what it was - A letter from Fudge.

A. Dumbledore

As legal guardian of a one Miss Hermione Granger until she leaves school, I must inform you of the legal charges brought against her.

My initial decision was to tri her for the two attacks on students at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, however after a little thought, I think it best if charges were filed against her for the murders at the Malvolo-Riddle estate, the attack on those at her home including the Ministry officers, and fleeing arrest.

Until we have medical evidence about her 'condition' and it clearly states she is not a risk to the public, she will be securely restrained at the ministry, which will prevent her from doing any magic at her own dismay.

To keep inline with the current laws, I'm letting Miss Granger have ONE visitor. Whom ever this may be must be at the Ministry front desk by 2pm today, so they can be escorted to Miss Grangers unit.

Her trial will take place in two days time in court room 10 (Department of Mysteries) at 10am. Bring whom ever you wish as you are obligated to attend.

Minster of Magic.

C.A.Fudge.

He looked up from the parchment in his hands and saw many people staring intently at him.

'Fudge is going to hold a full hearing in two days -'

'Oh my.'

A fresh wave of tears flowed through Molly.

'What else?'

Dumbledore turned to face Severus Snape.

'She's not only being tried for the two attacks at the school but for the murders at Voldermort's mansion, the attack at her home on Death Eaters and the ministry officers and fleeing.'

Snape put his head in his hands. This. Was. Not. Good.

'When can we see her?'

'I'm afraid Molly that he's only allowing one visitor. But you can come to the trial.'

Just as she was about to say something the kitchen door flew open and Harry, Ron and Draco came striding in. Those already in the kitchen simply stared at Draco, all with the same thing going through their mind.

What the hell is he doing here?

'What's Malfoy doing here?'

Draco who was standing behind Harry and Ron shuddered. He didn't have the best experience when it came to Mad eye. Surprisingly it was Ron that came to Draco's defence.

'Draco is here for Hermione, like the rest of us. So leave him alone. If it wasn't for him we wouldn't have Hermione back at all.'

'Thanks Ron.'

Ron clapped him on the back and the three of them sat down at the table. Molly set 3 cups of steaming hot chocolate in front of them. Harry looked up and met Dumbledore's eyes.

'Any news?'

Instead of telling them what had happened, he passed the three boys the letter. Silently they read the letter, their expressions going from worry to anger to outrage.

'You've got to be kidding me!'

Everybody stared at the furious Malfoy standing red-faced looking down at the letter.'

'She'll be eaten alive at a trial! Dumbledore this isn't right, there must be something you can do - petitions, newspapers something!'

He raised his hand and silenced the head boy.

'We are already ahead of you Mr Malfoy. As we speak the word is being spread throughout the Ministry.'

Draco signed and sat back down.

'When can we' - Draco waved his hand to the two people beside him - 'see her? It says 2pm.'

Dumbledore couldn't meet the poor boy's eye. Obviously he hadn't read the latter carefully enough.

'Mr Malfoy, It says only one visitor, as her guardian - '

'NO!'

Instead of just Draco protesting, Harry and Ron stood as well.

'Boys, please sit down. It wouldn't be fair on either of you if I just let one of you see her - '

' - But that means we can't see her until her trial! What if we never get chance to- to - '

'Mr Weasley, I'm sure some arrangements can be made, but I must insist that I go and see her. I believe it would upset her if she saw anyone of you.'

After more protests and shouts from the three boys, they finally gave in, only after making Dumbledore promise to pass on a few scribbled notes. Once they were finished, Dumbledore left Grimmuald place and made his way to the Ministry of Magic.

Hermione had no idea who long she laid on that cold hard metal bed staring at the tiled ceiling, it could have been days, it could have been minutes. She just didn't know.

Her mind was reeling, the thought of a trial terrified her, she remembered how Harry had described his and she knew hers would be worse.

'Hermione?'

She turned her head to face the doors where her headmaster stood with a look of worry.

'Professor!'

Both faces visibly relaxed. Hermione on seeing a familiar welcoming face, Dumbledore seeing that there was nothing physically wrong with her that he could tell.

Like Fudge, he conjured a chair and sat down besides her. His eyes racked over her restraints before settling on her face. Her eyes were red and blotchy her skin tired and gaunt.

'How are you feeling?'

'To be honest? Like crap. I'm still feeling the after effects of the shock.'

He didn't have to ask what shock, because he knew Fudge to well.

'I'm sorry.'

'It's not your fault sir, please don't blame yourself. It was bound to happen eventually.'

'I have a few letters for you. Would you like me to read them?'

Hermione simply nodded her head. She was going to hear from her boys. This must be hard for them, knowing that the next time they'd see her she was going to be in court and sentenced.

Dumbledore pulled out the three pieces of parchment from his pocket and began to read.

Mione' It was Ron.

I wish we could come and see you but Dumbledore said we can't. So I thought that I'd write down something to say.

Don't ever forget that we love you and we're doing everything we can to get you out and that bastard Fudge sacked.

We'll see you soon I promise.

Love you

Ron

Good old Ron, knows exactly how to lift my spirits

'Is he ok?'

'Mr Weasley is fine. Very annoyed that he couldn't see you though.'

'Sounds like Ron.'

Dumbledore then went on to read Harry's letter. It was shorter than Ron's, but Hermione felt more from it.

Hermione,

Don't let the bastards grind you down.

I promise I will get you out of that hell.

Keep your head up high.

Love you forever

Harry.

Harry never failed to reminded her that she was still alive and she was defiantly made of stronger stuff.

'Did Draco write?'

'Yes - are you sure you want me to read it?'

Again she simply nodded for him to continue.

Maya,

I there with you and I will be there with you always.

I promise.

Forever.

Dray.

She wanted to believe his words, but there was something that was making her doubt that she'd ever get out of here.

Just as Hermione was about to respond, the door to her cell swung open and in strode the man of the hour.

'Times up.'

'Fudge! I've been her 10 minutes. You can't be serious!'

'Dumbledore I make the rules not you. Leave or I will call security and have you removed.'

'Do you think your 'security' is a match for me? Do I have to remind you of what happened in my office two years ago?'

Fudge flushed crimson.

'I will not be intimidated. OUT!'

'No please five more minutes!'

Hermione began to struggle against her restraints again. He couldn't leave yet, she had a few more questions.

Panic spread throughout her and she felt herself lose control, her screams filled the room and Dumbledore's head snapped back to her.

'Fudge - THIS IS INHUMAN! LET HER GO!'

Fudge ignored his protests and her screams. Dumbledore retched his arm from Fudges grip and went over to Hermione who was withering on her bed. He placed a comforting hand and her shoulder. Her teary eyes looked up and locked with the twinkleless eyes of Dumbledore.

'Th-th-theres a s-s-smudge on the p-p-phoneix's heart-t-t.'

Dumbledore winked at her and turned to leave. Fudge stood confused at the door, but once Dumbledore brushed past him, he simply closed the door behind him, leaving Hermione again alone, tired, scared and confused.

ok so i know it wasnt the best of chapters but im sorry! for the other two stories, im hoping to update them shortly!

IM SORRY!