A/N: Hello loves! Don't hate me... that's all I can say! Extra long chapter though!
Attempted Murder! Rape! How the Mighty Have Fallen! A Rita Skeeter Exclusive!
Interview with the Accused!
Two days before his trial, I sit down with a sullen Ronald Weasley, one third of the Golden Trio, hero of the Second Wizarding War, to discuss how he was driven mad with desire and jealousy after the love of his life, Hermione Granger, left him for Ex-Death Eater Draco Malfoy.
RS: Mr. Weasley, how have you been these past few months awaiting your trial? How have you been fairing in Azkaban?
RW: It's been a struggle, Miss Skeeter. I don't really remember doing the things I am accused of. I must have been so mad with jealousy that I blacked out the memory. The guards at Azkaban have treated me fairly. I'm luckier than most of the souls here.
RS: So, if you have no memory of the events, how will you be able to defend your actions? Doesn't that put you at an unfair advantage?
RW: I don't think I will able to. All I ever wanted was to love Hermione, to marry her and start a life with her. I thought she wanted the same thing. Now, I will be alone and nobody will ever love me because of the things I have been accused of. Do you think that is fair?
RS: I do not. But you must stay positive. Now, if you could say anything to Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger, what would it be?
RW: Well, I guess I would tell Hermione that I am sorry for causing her pain and hope that someday she could find it in her heart to forgive me. I will always love her.
RS: And Mr. Malfoy?
RW: Him? No, I have nothing to say to him.
And, so I leave you here readers. Is Ronald Weasley a bad guy or just a love-struck teenager that followed his heart to try to win back his love? Does Draco Malfoy have Hermione Granger under a spell? Is the two unlikely couple doomed? Stay tuned!
Hermione tossed The Daily Prophet in the fireplace. She had returned to Hogwarts after the Christmas holidays but was taking the next three days off for the trial. Her mother still refused to speak to her even after learning of the vicious assault she went through. That's when Jasper Granger finally had enough and filed for divorce.
She heard a soft knock at her door, so walked over to answer it. "Hey, Luna." Luna looked up at Hermione with her big, blue eyes then smiled.
"Can we talk?" Hermione opened the door wider and gestured for her to enter. "I wanted to check in with you before you leave. I know Monday's the trial, so I just want you to know that we are all behind you. We're your friends, and we love you." Luna hugged her and Hermione's heart swelled.
"Thank you, Luna. I appreciate it, truly appreciate it. You're a great friend." The girls chatted about the holidays. Luna introduced Neville to her father.
"Dad says he likes Neville, but he thinks I should not get too attached." Luna said sadly. "And, I think I may end things soon. I mean, I just do not see the point in stringing him along when I don't feel like this is more than just a slight attraction."
Well, that was a surprise. "I thought you guys were in love?" Hermione asked, a clearly confused look upon her face. Luna sighed.
"I love him, but it's not a true love kind of feeling. Not like you and Draco have. I look at Neville and feel love, but it's the kind I feel for any of my friends. Maybe I'll never find a love like you have, but I need to try."
Hermione understood. It was like her and Ron. Ugh. Even saying that name made her sick to her stomach. Luna hugged Hermione goodbye and set off to do something she'd never thought she'd do. Break someone's heart.
Neville felt odd. He had been feeling off for sometime now. After meeting Luna's father, it dawned on him. He didn't feel like he was meeting his girlfriend's father, but a friend's father. He loved her, sure, but was he in love with her? A knock on his door interrupted his thoughts. "Oh, um, hey Luna. Come in."
He hugged her and an awkward silence followed. Finally she spoke, "Neville? I've been thinking a lot about us and well..." she looked sad, like she may break at any moment. Neville stepped closer.
"What is it, Lu? Are you unwell?" Neville's mind was reeling. She finally said the words she'd been bottling up for weeks. "Neville, I love you, but, I'm not in love with you. Do you understand?" She looked into his eyes and watched a realization and then relief washed over his face.
"Bloody hell, Luna, I feel the same way!" He smiled then pulled her in for a tight hug. "Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed our relationship, but ever since the holidays, I have felt like we moved fast and the physical stuff was phenomenal, but you're my best friend, Lu. I think that's why I stayed. You're comfortable and that's not fair. We deserve to find a great love, don't you think?" She nodded and smiled. So that was it. They would remain friends.
Draco finished packing his weekend bag. The trial was tomorrow and McGonagall was opening the Floo for him and Hermione after dinner. A knock on his door made him drop his bottle of cologne. "Fuck!" he inwardly screamed. "Come in!" he yelled. Hermione slipped into the room. "Hey, beautiful! You okay?" She smiled wanly and tucked into his side.
"Did you read it? The interview?" He had seen the headline and didn't bother.
"What good would it do? The woman is vile and I could give two shits what that bastard has to say." He sneered. Hermione was sniffling so he knew she was crying. "Don't. Don't waste any tears on him. He doesn't deserve it." He said gently as her rubbed her back.
He was right, of course, but she couldn't help it. Changing the subject, he asked her, "Now, you're sure your dad is okay with me staying in the guest room at your house, right? It'll be really awkward if I just show up unannounced, and I would like to stay on Jasper's good side."
Her dad was not a huge fan of Draco's at first. He'd heard the stories over the years f her bully. But he knew now how happy he made her, how loved by him she was. It was made clear after Draco had joined Hermione and her father for Christmas Eve dinner. She smiled at the memory.
"Dad! Draco will be here any minute! Where are you?" Her dad came into the living room from the kitchen, easing her nerves. She had been nervous for them to meet.
Her father remembered her complaining about the boy since their second year at Hogwarts, a pig-headed bully. That's what he remembered of him. Now, suddenly, she's in love with the kid. Jasper sighed, "Excuse me if I didn't want to check the ham. We've still got five minutes until he arrives, just breathe sweetheart."
Five minutes later, he appeared. Dusting himself off, he looked up and saw her smiling. He smirked and then his face became serious, "Hello, Mr. Granger. So nice to finally make your acquaintance." Hermione suppressed a giggle at the professionalism of his greeting.
"Yes. I must say, I wasn't expecting you to be so tall. Hermione, you never told me he was taller than me." Draco looked as if his height somehow had grossly offended Jasper Granger. Hermione swatted her father's arm.
"Dad, stop. You're scaring him." She said as she laughed and stepped forward to take Draco's hand. Her father laughed as well which caused Draco's face to finally loosen from the tight smile he had.
"You two catch up while I finish up in the kitchen. Is that for us?" Jasper pointed to the bottle in Draco's other hand."Oh, yes. My mother sent it over with me. It's an Elf-made mead. Pairs well with ham. Hermione had mentioned in her owl that it was the entree tonight." He was still nervous, she could tell.
Her dad took the bottle with a warm smile and a thank you to extend to Narcissa.The rest of the evening went great. They laughed and Jasper shared stories of Hermione before she went to Hogwarts and found out she was a witch. "And she had become so mad with the boy for ruining her picture that he had somehow become stuck to his chair!" Her father had tears of mirth in his eyes at the memory."Well, I told him if he moved from the chair before I got the teacher, he'd be sorry." Hermione said with a shrug.
The grandfather clock struck 10 o'clock."Is it really that late already?" Her father said with a yawn. "I've gotta get started on cleaning up." He went to get up, but Hermione stopped him."Dad, you've done enough. We can clean up. You go to bed." She shoo'd her father away from the table as Draco began collecting their dirty dishes."Oh, alright, but make it quick. Father Christmas comes at midnight. Don't forget the milk and cookies." He said with a wink. "Goodnight love. Draco? You're a good man, son. Come back anytime." He hugged Hermione and went up to his room.
After they cleared the table and washed everything up, Draco took her in his arms. "So, you think he likes me?" he asked into her hair."He does. And you? What did you think of my dad?" Hermione really was surprised at how well her father took Draco in. She was expecting him to grill him more.
"He's brilliant. Really. You weren't kidding. He is probably the nicest person I have ever met. Him and my mum would get along famously. Why don't you bring him with you tomorrow? Mum would love to have him. Kingsley will be there too." Hermione smiled and then reached up in her tiptoes to kiss the man before her."I think that would be perfect."
"Like you could ever get on his bad side. I think he likes you more than me, and I'm his bloody daughter. 'I always wanted a son.' Honestly! My father is ridiculous. Now, are you all packed up."
Ginny sighed as she put down the letter from her mother. She wanted her to come to the hearing as support for Ron. She couldn't find it in her to pity him in the slightest. No, she was not going, and if she did, it would be to support Hermione. It sickening her to know what Ron had done to her. She did not want to believe it at first, but Harry had confirmed everything. Harry had been keeping her updated on everything. Hermione had spoken to her a few times, but everything felt so awkward now.
She decided to take a walk outdoors to help calm her. Classes were over for the week, so there was a lot of people out as well. She saw Luna walking alone, but there was someone watching her. That Slytherin bloke, the Italian one, Zabini. He started following Luna from a distance. "What the Hell is he up to? And where's Neville? Shouldn't he be with Luna?" the redhead thought to herself. She decided to follow them just to make sure the snake didn't try anything.
Luna stopped at the lake and began to sing to herself. Ginny couldn't see where Zabini went. "Now, where the hell did that bastard go?" Ginny said aloud.
"That bastard is behind you wondering why you were following him. Potter not doing it for you anymore, Weasley?" Ginny jumped at the sound of the deep voice. Blaise Zabini exuded poshness with a darkened gaze.
"Why were you following Luna Lovegood? She's a nice person, so don't you dare try messing with her!" Ginny got her defenses up, placing her hand on her wand, just in case.
"My intentions were not malicious, I swear to you. She intrigues me is all. You may not have noticed, but she is quite beautiful. I only meant to try and meet her acquaintance. She's, well, different. Not like the others." Zabini explained and Ginny couldn't help but notice the wistful look in his eyes as he spoke about her friend.
"Well, she's taken. Her and Neville Longbottom are.. " he put a hand up to cut off her speech.
"No longer together. They broke up this afternoon. Some friend." he said with a derisive laugh. Ginny looked quite taken aback. She looked back at Luna standing by the lake and sighed.
"Just don't hurt her or I'll hurt you." she said with finality then turned back towards the castle to search for Neville. He was her friend first, so she should check in on him.
Luna sang softly to herself. It was a song Hermione had showed her a few nights ago and it was like an earworm just buried deep in her brain like a Wrackspurt. "Kiss me, beneath the milky twilight. Lead me out on the moonlit floor. Lift your open hand. Strike up the band, and make the fireflies dance. Silvermoon's sparkling. So kiss me." she sang the lyrics.
"That was lovely. Did you just make that up on your own?" The voice should have startled her, but she knew he was following her. He wasn't as stealthy as her thought.
"Thank you, but no. It's a song by a Muggle band, Six Pence something or other. Hermione had let me listen to her music the other night and this song is just stuck in my head. Why were you following me?" His eyes got wide at her directness.
"You knew I was following you? How?" Blaise asked. Luna smiled at him and shrugged her shoulders.
"You may be a Slytherin and be cunning in some ways, but let's just say,you could use some help in the reconnaissance department, Mr. Zabini." Luna smirked then tossed her hair over her shoulder as she turned back towards the lake. The sun was starting to set, so the sky had mixes of purples and oranges.
Blaise decided to walk closer, and then stood next to the ethereal blonde beauty. "Has anyone ever told you that you..." he stopped as she tried to complete his sentence.
"That I am odd, strange, crazy? Loads of times." she said with a sad smile.
"No. That you look like an angel in this light. You are beautiful, Luna Lovegood" And he meant it. It wasn't a cheesy pick-up line. He really was struck by how gorgeous she was and was kicking himself for not realizing it before.
Luna blushed. Not even Neville had ever complimented her like that and they dated for eight months! "No, not one, well until you. Thank you, Blaise. You are beautiful as well." Now Blaise had heard that before, but he wasn't going to tell her that, so he simply thanked her and offered to walk her back up to the castle, which she happily accepted.
Pansy was annoyed. She wasn't that kind of girl. The kind of girl that dreamt about happily ever afters. The kind of girl that fell in love. But that was where she was at currently, with a damn Half-Blood at that! She huffed in frustration as she lay back in bed. She wanted to tell him, so badly she wanted to tell him, but he had said himself. They were having fun. What Pansy Parkinson didn't know is that the same man she was currently brooding over was, in fact, in love with her too.
"So, you haven't told her yet? I mean, you figured it out three months ago, mate, and you still haven't said anything?" Dean Thomas was getting tired of his best mate, Seamus Finnegan and his whining. He grabbed him by his arm and dragged him toward the door of Seamus's room. "Come on then. You're bloody well going to tell her. Have you seen the way she looks at you? She fucking loves you too, Seamus. Stop being such a prat!"
Seamus struggled to loosen Dean's grip. "Come off it! She does not feel the same. She told me herself that we are just having fun." That was that, he thought. He'd only told Dean and his own mother of his feelings for Pansy. His mother wanted to meet her, but how was he supposed to tell Pansy that without freaking her out.
"If you don't fucking tell her, I will damn it! I'm getting tired of watching you be all pissy and whiney about it. And, if she doesn't feel the same, which I know she does, then move on or just keep doing what you've been doing." Dean said with finality as he let go of Seamus's arm. Seamus nodded his head, then opened the door and headed to Pansy's room.
Knock * Knock * Knock
Pansy got up and answered her door. "Finnegan? You've never come to my room before. What a surprise!" she opened the door wider and gestured for him to come in.
"Listen, Parkinson," he began in his thick Irish accent, "I can't take it anymore!" He was pacing and Pansy couldn't help but look confused.
"Umm, what exactly can't you take?" she asked with a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. Was this it? Was he tired of her?
"You and me! I cannot stop thinking about us...about you! It's not just for fun anymore. It hasn't been for months." Pansy's eyes began to fill with unshed tears and she turned away from him.
"So, this is it then? You, you're breaking up with me aren't you?" He heard the shaking in her voice as she asked him. His face horror-stricken.
"No, fuck no. Don't you know? Oh, fuck. Parkinson, I'm in love with you. I've been in love with you for months. I just know you would never be in love with someone like me." he finally stammered out.
Her heart leapt out of her chest. "Finnegan? What the hell are you talking about, you daft clown?" She laughed and turned to face him with tears streaming down her face, "I have never loved anyone like I love you. You make me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. I love you, Seamus Finnegan. Nobody and nothing could ever keep me from that."
He stepped forward and took her in his arms. He softly placed kisses to her forehead, moving to her cheeks, then settling on her lips. "I love you, Pansy. Let me show you how much." He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Walking them to her bed, he gently lay her down. He vanished their clothing with a quick spell, then placed a locking charm and Muffliato to the door. "Let me make love to you."
Jasper Granger was nervous. He'd ordered Wizarding Robes from Madam Malkin's without his daughters knowledge. He wanted to blend in at the trial. He'd been given special permission by the Minister of Magic himself to attend. Her and Draco would arrive soon and he had ordered Chinese takeout and gotten some movies for them to enjoy a night of fun before the seriousness of tomorrow.
A woosh from the living room told him his daughter and her boyfriend had arrived. "Dad! We're here!" The sound of his daughter's voice instantly putting his mind at ease. He sat at the kitchen table and waited for the couple to appear.
"Hey, sweetheart," he stood up and gave her a kiss on her cheek and hugged her tightly. "Where's Draco?" he inquired as he noticed the young man was not with her.
"He is taking our bags to our rooms. Is that Moo Shoo Palace?" she squealed at the sight of the food containers from her favorite Chinese restaurant. Her father chuckled, "Of course."
Draco entered the room and shook Hermione's father's hand. "Good to see you, sir. Thanks for allowing me to stay with you." Jasper pulled him into a hug, surprising him. "Oh!" Hermione smiled at the interaction.
"Anytime, son. You're practically family now. My daughter is a lucky girl." Draco pinkened slightly not expecting such a proclamation from his girlfriend of four months father, and he smiled. "And, Draco, I told you at Christmas. Call me Jasper. Now, I ordered all of Hermione's favorites from Moo Shoo Palace. And I got her two favorite movies to watch." Draco looked confused so Hermione explained.
"Moo Shoo Palace is Chinese food. And, trust me, you'll love it. And by my favorite movies, I'm guessing you got The Breakfast Club and The Labrynth. We'll watch The Labrynth first." she said with smile and wink.
Hours later, her father yawned just as The Breakfast Club began. "I'm going to call it a night, kids. Not as young as I used to be. I'll see you in the morning." He bent down and dropped a kiss to the top of his daughter's head then went up to his room.
When she heard her father's door close, she pounced on Draco. "Oh my goodness, I thought he'd never go to bed." she spoke into his neck. She began to nip and kiss his neck as she reached one hand down to touch him.
"Granger, not that I'm not thouroghly enjoying this, but what if he comes back?" Draco snuck a look over his shoulder then let a low moan escape his lips as she massaged his growing erection.
"The Labrynth always makes my dad sleepy. Why do you think I wanted to watch it first?" she whispered into his ear. She started to grind against his erection. "I need you tonight, Malfoy. Please." With that, he scooped her up, shut the TV off, then took her to his room, casting a Muffliato to the room.
"I love you so much, Granger. What do you want?" He said as he lay her on his bed.
"Make me forget." She said. "Just make love to me." And so he did.
The next morning, Hermione woke up in her bed. "Draco must have carried me," she thought to herself. She smiled at the memory of falling asleep in his arms after they made love. He was gentle and sweet and she never thought she could love him more than she already did.
After showering then dressing, she went down for breakfast. She could hear her father and Draco talking in the kitchen. "Yeah, then just whisk everything together and we'll put a few scoops in different spots in the pan. Once the bubbles stop popping up, we'll flip them over for a minute or so and voila! Pancakes!"
They were standing in front of the stove top making pancakes together causing Hermione to giggle. They turned and smiled at her. "Look at me, Granger! I'm really cooking, the Muggle way and everything!" her boyfriend exclaimed, a look of pride in his face.
"I see. I'm impressed. You must be a great student because dad has tried teaching me how to make his famous pancakes and I never get it right." She replied with a playful smile upon her lips. Then she noticed what her father was wearing. "Dad? Where did you get those robes?" He was wearing a set of Wizarding Robes in a deep red color with gold trim.
"Oh, well, I got special permission from Kingsley Shacklebolt to accompany you and Draco to the trial, so I ordered these from that Madam Malkin's place via Owl. Quite fetching, don't you think?" He smiled at his daughter then saw the tears in her eyes.
"Oh, dad! Thank you! This is such a surprise. I'm so happy you will be there for me. I love you, dad." She gave her dad a tight squeeze which he returned.
"Anything for you, sweetheart. Love you too, string bean." Her childhood nickname coming from his lips made her laugh. "Not such a string bean anymore though, huh?"
Draco finished plating all the pancakes then added a few strips of bacon to complete the meal. He quite enjoyed making breakfast for everyone. "Breakfast is served." he said with a smile then conjured three cups of coffee over to the table. The ate together and made pleasant conversation; anything to not remember where they would be a short hour from then.
Her father and boyfriend flanked her on either side, each holding a hand as they made their way to the lifts in The Ministry. The crowd of reporters and photographers were an annoyance she had expected, but the worst part was yet to come. "Hold on tight, dad." Hermione warned before the lift took off down to the courtrooms.
"Well, that was quite a ride." Jasper Granger looked every part of a wizard in the new robes he was wearing. Nobody gave him strange looks or accusatory stares because of his Muggle status. He looked over at his daughter. She was nervous, but trying to be strong. He thanked the stars that she had Draco by her side. The young man clearly loved and adored his only child.
"Granger, you're shaking. Come here." Draco said as he pulled her into his warm embrace. He looked over her head at Hermione's father. Once they made eye-contact, Jasper walked closer. He put his hand on Hermione's back and rubbed it.
"You're going to be okay, sweetheart. If it gets to be too much, you say the word and we can leave." He could see his daughter's head nod slightly and urged them on. They entered the room. The gallery was almost full with the front row seating left with only four open spots.
Draco ushered them into their seats. "Who is this other seat reserved for?" Hermione asked as she looked around and spotted Mr. and Mrs. Weasley in the second row on the other side of the room. Her breath hitched as Molly's eyes locked into hers. Draco turned to see what caused such a reaction and noticed Hermione looked as if she was going to be sick.
"Sit down, love. You're okay. We are here with you." Just then he saw his mother enter the room. "Look, my mum's here." He stood to greet his mother. "What are you doing here?"
"I am here to support our girl here. Hello, dearest girl." Narcissa gave Hermione a quick peck on her forehead then smiled over at Jasper. "Jasper, I hardly recognized you. Those robe are very becoming on you." she commented causing him to blush.
"Thank you, Narcissa, and you look beautiful as always." he responded with a big grin. Hermione watched her father with humor in her eyes. She knew her father had a bit of a crush on her boyfriend's mother. He couldn't stop gushing about her after Christmas dinner. The exchange helped her forget for a moment why they were all there.
The Wizengamot entered and took their seats as the gallery quieted down. "Your attention, please!" the chief warlock began, "Our first case is against Ronald Billius Weasley of Ottery St. Catchpole. Bring out the accused so that we may list of the charges against him." Ron was brought out in heavy chains the sat in the middle of the courtroom.
"Mr. Weasley, you are accused of the following charges: one court of aggravated assault and one count of attempted murder of Draco Lucius Malfoy of Wiltshire, one count of kidnapping, one count of false imprisonment, one count of sexual assault, and one count of attempted rape of Hermione Jean Granger of Hampstead, and one count of resisting arrest." Gasps and hushed talk could be heard as the accusations against him were read. Hermione could see the shame in his face, but she couldn't find herself sympathizing with her former best friend.
Draco could feel Hermione's hand squeezing his tighter as the list of Ron Weasley's crimes were read out loud. "You okay, love?" he whispered, and she nodded in response. He looked over at her father and saw him shaking. "Jasper, Jasper." he whispered trying to get the man's attention. Wen he didn't respond, he said, "Dad?" which got his attention.
Jasper looked over as he heard "dad" and saw Draco's concerned face looking over at him. "Do you want me to cast a calming charm on you or you gonna be alright?" He nodded his head and felt a calmness come over him.
"Mr. Weasley, what say you for your defense?" a member of the Wizengamot asked.
Ron cleared his throat, "I remember seeing them, Hermione and Malfoy, walking hand-in-hand. I remember feeling anger, rage, and jealousy at seeing her with him. I remember hexing Malfoy and taking Hermione to the cabin. After that, I have no memory. I do not remember hurting her. Maybe my subconscious mind doesn't want me to know that I had been capable of hurting the woman I love."
Draco stroked her hand as her father pulled her closer so she could lay her head on his shoulder. The hardest part was coming.
"Will Mr. Draco Malfoy approach the podium to give his account of the event." the announcement was made and Draco stood, watching as people stared and whispered. "Please, speak."
"Myself and Miss Granger were just coming back from dinner with my mother. As we approached the Apparation point, I was hit with a stunning spell from behind and flown back, hitting my head on the hard ground. I heard Miss Granger becoming disarmed by the assailant. I then felt her pull me into her lap, and as I was losing consciousness, I saw the assailant as he grabbed Miss Granger away from me. I heard her pleading with him to let her go so she could tend to my bleeding head. Then everything went silent and I lost my fight to stay awake. The next thing I remember is waking up in St. Mungo's and asking about Miss Granger's well-being, being told she was missing, and feeling my heart break at the thought of never seeing her again." His voice, steady through his speech, broke at his final words.
The courtroom was in awe, many softly crying. Ron looked ashamed. Jasper looked at his daughter. She had tears streaming down her face, so he handed her a handkerchief. "Thanks, dad." she said with a sniffle.
"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. You may step down and return to your seat. Will Miss Hermione Granger please come up to give her testimony." the Wizengamot member announced.
Draco met her halfway, "I love you. You're strong. We're right here, and he cannot hurt you." he spoke into her ear and kissed her forehead before continuing to his seat.
Hermione stepped up to the podium not even glancing at the chained up Ronald. "Thank you for your testimony, Miss Granger. We know this is not an easy subject to discuss. When you are ready, please give the court your account of the events."
Hermione took a deep, cleansing breath and began. "As Mr. Malfoy said, we were coming back from dinner, getting ready to Apparate back to Hogsmeade Village and return to school when we were attacked by Ronald Weasley, my ex-boyfriend and former friend. He had already sent us both threatening letters which I notified our head mistress of. I had not wanted to take it to the Ministry because I did not want to hurt his Auror career, a decision I now regret." She looked over to where her father, Draco, and Narcissa sat, then continued.
"After he dragged me away from Mr. Malfoy's unconscious body, he apparated us to a secluded cabin in the middle of nowhere. I learned afterwards that it was an old abandoned Ministry safehouse. Ironic. He then screamed at me for being in love with someone else. He told me that I am supposed to love him and just forgot, but he'd make me remember. He stunned me and I blacked out until the following morning." This was the part she was dreading the most, but she knew she had to tell it.
"When I woke, I was unable to move due to a sticking charm. I was naked with a thin blanket covering my body and I was sore and felt dirty. I knew then that he had raped me while I was unconscious." She tried not to cry but the second she said the word 'rape' a sob left her mouth and the tears started coming.
"Do you need a moment, Miss Granger?" the chief warlock asked out of sincere concern. Hermione shook her head and said, "Draco. I need Draco." to which the man motioned for Draco to come down from his seat.
"I'm here, love. I'm right here." he said as he gathered her in his arms. "I'm not going anywhere." he said looking towards the members of the Wizengamot. They nodded in agreement that he could stay. Draco held her hand as Hermione continued her testimony.
"Thank you. I heard someone approaching the cabin door and heard them mumbling incantations. The door opened and it was him, Ronald Weasley. He greeted me as if nothing happened. I yelled at him for raping me, and he said he, he thought we had a good time. I felt physically ill. He was acting delusional. He unstuck me from the bed, but not before tying my hands to the bed. He tried to feed me, but I refused and began to lash out because I thought he'd killed Draco. He threw the bowl of food up against the wall and backhanded me. Then, then he, oh gods!" She began to cry again and Draco soothed her by hughing her close and rubbing her back.
"He told me I didn't learn my lesson the night before so he'd have to teach me again. He tore the blanket off of me then took his pants off. I tried to fight him off, tried keeping my legs closed, but he got his knee between them, forced them open and was about to rape me again when the Minister, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Harry Potter and four other Aurors arrived. Kingsley had stunned Ronald and Harry covered me up with a blanket. The last thing I saw before Kingsley apparated us out was Ronald being dragged out by two of the other Aurors." She did it; told her story.
Suddenly a mans wailing could be heard. It was Ron. "I'm sorry! I don't remember doing it! I swear! I'm so bloody sorry, Hermione! Please! I love you! Please forgive me, Mione! Please! You're my best friend! I love you! I love you!" He screamed and screamed and had to be subdued. Molly Weasley's cries could be heard as her son slumped in his seat. "Oh, my son! How could you?!?!"
Hermione fainted, Draco caught her, and her father jumped down from the Gallery to check on his daughter, but was stopped by an Auror. "Sweetheart! Oh, son, please. Get her out of here!" he yelled to Draco as he scooped her up in his arms. Narcissa met them down by the courtroom doors then led them all into a room across the hall. Her heart broke at the sight before her. Her son cradled the woman he loved in his arms, softly soothing her as she finally opened her eyes. "Is it over?" she whispered then closed her eyes again.
Two hours later, the verdict was announced and Draco wanted to curse the whole Wizengamot. "Not guilty by reason of insanity! Are you fucking kidding me?" He paced back and forth as Kingsley and Narcissa watched. Jasper had taken Hermione home already. She'd asked him to stay until the verdict was read.
"Draco, son. You've got to calm down. I know it's upsetting, but you have to remain calm for Hermione. He'll be in the psych ward at St. Mungo's for five years. Even with that, we still have a permanent order of protection on Hermione and yourself. He cannot come within 1,000 meters of yourself or your property." That helped calm him, but he was still livid.
"Well, then I think I'll start buying up all of the property in England then." he scoffed illiciting a chuckle from his mother and The Minister of Magic. Narcissa gave her son a hug and a peck on the cheek then Kingsley shook his hand. "I'm going to break the news. Mum, come by later for dinner, okay? Jasper was going to ask but then everything went to hell." She nodded and smiled then Draco left.
"Well, doll. I'll see you tomorrow morning for brunch. Give us a kiss." Kingsley said as he took Narcissa into his arms. "You haven't told him yet, have you?" he asked to which she shook her head.
"I don't know how. I mean, I am 44 years old. How do I tell my adult son he's going to be a big brother." She said with a smile.
Ohhhh snap! Didn't see that one coming, huh??? I'll be back with another chapter soon! Give us a review, like, or follow. XOXO!