At last I could bring the story to an end. Sorry to all readers that had to wait and thanks to them, too, for sticking around until the end. Hope you liked the story.

Enjoy and stay safe:).

The trial

"Bring her in."

Kingsley's deep voice echoed in the silent courtroom. Hermione's knuckles were white from the grip she had on the bench. A door opened at the far end of the courtroom and two Dementors glided in accompanying an obviously shaken Bellatrix. The woman still took a seat at the chair in the center of the room as if it were a throne and didn't flinch when the chains bound her there.

"Scared of the Dementors, Lestrange? You'll soon need to kiss one of them." A young member of the Wizengamot called.

"I'd be much more worried if I had to kiss you at the end of this trial."

"Silence in the courtroom!" Kingsley couldn't hide his amusement behind the hard tone.

Okay maybe not obviously shaken, Hermione thought. Bella's eyes roamed the courtroom, and the brunette could swear her girlfriend's eyes rested on her just a second longer. It seemed to be enough as Harry, who had agreed to come with her, nudged her and whispered.

"At least wait until she's pronounced free, will you."

"Barely" Hermione whispered back, not tearing her eyes off Bella.

"The following trial," Kingsley began, "is set to determine the circumstances of participation of the convicted Bellatrix Druella Black in the war."

"Murders and tortures!" the young man shouted again.

"If you speak out of turn one more time, I will be forced to remove you from this courtroom, Mr. Fletcher." Kingsley threatened.

Hermione could swear she could see a tiny smirk playing on Bella's face.

"The convicted claims she has proof of the Imperius Curse being put on her thus pushing her towards the various crimes and inhumane deeds she has been found guilty of. Furthermore, she claims to be aiming to right the wrongs she has done. Do give us the proof you claim of having, Madame Black."

As Kingsley's secretary scribbled down everything that was being said, Bella straightened up in the chair (if possible, even more) and began to speak what Hermione had made her repeat so many times.

"I haven't come here to convince people I am a good person. That would be pointless, seeing as I am not one of the kindest creatures to walk this earth. However, I had my free choice taken away from me and I was forced to do monstrous things, which even I, if I were in control of my actions, wouldn't do."

A murmur passed around when she made a pause.

"If I were to be given a Pensieve I can show you some of my memories which should prove to you, without a shadow of a doubt, that I was put under the Imperius Curse multiple times. In fact, I can prove to you I haven't been myself for half of my life thus far."

Another round of murmuring as Kingsley nodded to two young wizards who brought out a large stone basin and went to place it beside Bellatrix.

"I'll also need a wand."

Kingsley stood up and walked to Bella, handing her a handicapped wand.

"Thank you, Minister."

Hermione wasn't prepared to see what she had already heard from Bella. There were episodes of the supposed Death Eater being tortured by numerous other Death Eaters and Voldemort himself. There were episodes where it was clear the Imperius Curse was being put upon Bellatrix. There was the complete horror on Bella's face when she registered what she had done to the Longbottoms in the few seconds of clear mind she had. Hermione felt tears falling down her cheeks as she saw the last one before Bella broke the spell and the memories faded from view.

Silence spread over the room for the first time since the beginning of the trial. When Kingsley regained his voice, he spoke.

"So, Madame Black. You also said you have proof of aiming to redeem yourself. Could you show us that too?"

Hermione quickly wiped away her tears.

"I would like to, yes. It's a witness and proof at the same time" Bella replied and locked eyes with Hermione.

"I would happen to be 'it'" Hermione said, standing up and walking down the stairs towards Bella, ignoring all the stares she received. She offered her an encouraging smile before turning to everyone.

"It may come as surprising to some," Hermione began, "but me and my friends had a run-in with Bellatrix while she was still under the Imperius Curse. I suffered an injury at the hands of Bellatrix. I even had a scar, one I thought would always remind me of that night. But these past few months, Bellatrix has showed me that it really wasn't her. As the one that cursed me with that scar, she was the only one who could remove it. And she did. Minister, I think you remember what my arm used to look like."

The young woman lifted her sleeve.

"If you can see the difference in me, you have your proof that Bella is changing. Give her a chance to help other people she was forced to hurt, too."

She could hear whispers about herself as she walked back to her seat; she was used to that, but now she found that she didn't really care. All she cared about were Kingsley's next words.

"Having seen undeniable proof that Bellatrix Druella Black committed her most serious crimes unwillingly, I declare her cleared of all charges. Welcome back to society, Madame Black."

The chains of the chair sprang away from Bella's wrists and all sorts of comments flew her way, but she simply bowed to Kingsley and exited the courtroom, not even flinching as she passed the Dementros at the exit.

Hermione stared at the door dumbstruck. All the worries and events leading up to this moment and it was over in less than an hour. She registered the fact that Bella hadn't even turned towards her when she was pronounced free. Had this all been a game to get her to speak in her defense? Was Bella capable of such a trick? The Bella she knew? The brunette suddenly felt a hand cover hers. Harry seemed to have noticed her internal dialogue from where he had been sitting.

"The best way to find out something is to ask questions you know" he said in a low voice eyeing the flood of reporters that had begun filling the courtroom.

"When did you get so wise?" Hermione muttered back making a small smile form on her best friend's face.

"Someone has to be. And you definitely aren't. At least your girlfriend is now clear in the eyes of the law."

Hermione chuckled before seeing his earnest expression.

"Go get her."

She caught sight of the raven-black curls at the other side of the Atrium. Bella hadn't managed to escape the Daily Prophet reporters; a group of them were huddled around her, quills ready to take notes, and were asking all sorts of questions.

"How I escaped justice isn't going to matter if they drag me back in there because I killed you."

Hermione heard her girlfriend's answer as she got closer and couldn't resist a laugh. Bella seemed to hear her because their eyes met over the crowd separating them. In these dark eyes Hermione saw all the courage she needed.

"Bella!" she called out drawing the attention of the whole Atrium.

"Hermione" the older witch answered noncommittally.

"I couldn't congratulate you back in the courtroom." Hermione strode forward confidently until she stood inches away from Bella. She put her arms around the older woman's waist and drew her close kissing her gently on the lips. She felt her surprise and smiled into the kiss. Hermione then felt Bella hold her close and move them both towards a nearby fireplace. She broke the kiss just to yell out the first name that came to mind which gave Hermione just enough time to take a good look at the stunned faces they were leaving behind.

When they stopped spinning Hermione didn't pay attention to the room they stumbled into. She simply looked in Bella's eyes and fell in love with what she saw there.

"Are you insane?" the older witch asked after a pause.

"Yes."

Hermione's face broke out in a large smile as she pulled Bella in for a kiss.