Author's Chapter Notes:
There are crimes of passion and crimes of logic. The boundary between them is not clearly defined. Albert Camus
Hermione continued the card game while Harry posted her bail, Allbright sent Katie to sit with her while he went to the WSA, and Ron went to her parents. The reporter continued to rail at Hermione, the Hit Wizards, the Ministry, and even his own paper.
"I've written down everything he's said," Katie said.
The Hit Wizard, named Bryce, snickered. The reporter didn't say another word. An hour later, Ron returned with fish and chips for her.
"I should have brought more," he said when he saw Katie.
"I had lunch, but thanks for the thought all the same," Katie said, smiling shyly at him.
"They said to call them as soon as you get home," he said to Hermione.
"Were they angry?" Hermione asked, stuffing an entire chip into her mouth. Manners be damned at the moment- she was starved and in handcuffs.
"Not really, just surprised."
"Weren't we all?" Katie asked.
Harry returned with a bail receipt in hand. "Well, the gang's all here. Katie, how are you?"
"I'm well, thanks. Allbright sent me over to keep her company."
Speaking of which, the doors opened and Allbright returned to the ward with none other than Percy Weasley.
"And my day is complete," Hermione mumbled.
"Hey, Perce," Ron said.
"Hello, Ronald," Percy returned and faced Hermione. "Hermione, you have been scheduled to appear before the Wizengamot to answer for charges of public dueling, disturbing the peace, and assault on Thursday December 10, 2009."
She took the sheaf of papers and sighed.
"I'm personally handling the administration of your case, to ensure no mistakes are made and to prevent any undue delay of the case. I'm sure that you want a swift resolution," he said.
"Thank you," Hermione said.
**
Hermione was released from the detention ward and followed Allbright to his office. He pointed to a chair.
"Now that you're out of detention, we can really talk. Forgive me for sounding like a scolding father, but, young lady, what were you thinking?"
"It's no excuse, but I lost my temper."
He sighed and sat back. "This isn't the first time an advocate from this office has run afoul of the law, but when I say that you know better, I truly know that you do. When I get all of the evidence and witness statements to determine the tone of the case, we'll sit down and decide on the kind of plea for you to make. I feel the need to warn you that since the Ministry reforms after the war, they're not inclined to play favorites. You might be facing a hefty fine and possibly jail time."
She nodded. "I've considered that."
"And in accordance to division procedures, you are hereby placed on an unpaid leave of absence until your hearing."
"Yes sir."
Her trembling lips and eyes on the verge of tears was hard for him to see.
"Take heart, Hermione. You're hardly a criminal, you know that, everyone knows that. Take this time to gather affidavits from as many people as you can to vouch for you. Use this time to get your quaffles in a row so that you'll be fully prepared come December tenth."
She gathered her things and went to the Auror division. The watch wizard let her through the foyer that led to Harry's office.
"Are you okay, Miss Granger?" the wizard asked.
"I will be in time, thanks," she answered.
Harry's assistant bid her to take a seat in his office. "He had to run an errand, he should be back shortly."
When he returned, he saw her sad, tired face and gave her a soft kiss. "They let you off early?"
She shook her head. "Unpaid leave of absence until the trial. Division policy."
"Come on, let's get you home."
At home, the events of the day caught up with her and she cried herself to sleep in Harry's arms. She felt beyond foolish that she was goaded into a duel by an idiotic scum bag, embarrassed that she was arrested in front of dozens of people, sad that she was in essence kicked out of her office for the foreseeable future, and felt guilty that she had put her perfectly wonderful boss in such an awkward position. The telephone rang and Harry quickly answered it.
"How's my favorite jailbird?" Grace asked.
"She's had a rough day. She cried herself to sleep."
"What exactly is she charged with?"
"Public dueling, disturbing the peace, and assault."
"What's the other one charged with?"
"The same plus stalking and libel."
"I know that the laws for you magical folks are different from ours, but where does she stand?"
"The head of the Office of Magical Law, her boss, is defending her. Her chances of a lesser fine and minimal jail time is good."
"Jail time, my goodness."
"The public dueling charge is one of those obscure laws that might be dismissed; however, the Wizengamot will take the disturbing the peace and assault charges seriously. In any case, it's all just supposition until the trial. She's on an unpaid leave of absence."
"I'll wager that she's none too happy about that."
"She admires her boss, so she feels really guilty that she's put him in an imposition."
"Does she need any financial help since she won't be getting paid?
"As long as I have breath in my body, she'll never do without, so I've got that covered. She said she's not worrying about food because she's putting herself on bread and water to prepare for jail food."
"She's sounding a tad emotional at the moment."
"She'll see things in a better light tomorrow. Her brain just has to reset, as she would say."
"All right, take care of her, and I'll come by with the baby tomorrow. Evelyn always makes her feel better."
**
After breakfast, Harry said he'd do his best to stop in at lunch, if only for a few minutes. Hermione was quiet, a little too quiet for his taste, but he wasn't worried enough to say anything yet. Everything's that's happened has probably just settled in her mind and she's contemplating her next move. When Harry was gone and the dishes put away, she simply went back to bed.
She woke to the sound of someone knocking on the door. She answered it and found her mum and Evelyn there. She baby squealed and reached for her. Automatically, Hermione chuckled and took the baby in her arms. She breathed in the scent of the baby's hair and skin.
"So, how are you? Really?" Grace asked and they sat on the couch.
Hermione shrugged. "I'm fine, just feeling a bit down. I know what I need to do, it's just hard to get motivated."
"My sweet girl, this is something you've never faced, is it?"
She shook her head.
"All you can do is tell your side of the story and let everything else unfold. You have a good barrister?"
"An advocate, yes, my boss. I'm very lucky."
"So, what's next? First things first, right?"
"Well, Master Allbright said that I should make a list of people who would vouch for me and get affidavits from them."
"After that?"
"Record my version of the incident. Everything that was said and done, as detailed as possible."
"Then?"
"Look at what I was charged with and the correlating punishments and see what kind of plea I can make."
"That's it?"
Hermione shrugged. "And that's it, for my part. The rest is up to my advocate."
"Well, you know what you need to do, so have you done any of it?"
She looked at herself, still in dressing gown and sleep-disheveled hair.
"I take that as a no. Pumpkin, I can imagine how vigorously you work for your own clients, so why won't you do the same for yourself? The Hermione I know doesn't sit around like a bump on a log, feeling sorry for herself. The Hermione I know would fight this tooth and nail."
Harry returned to see Hermione at lunch to find her on the treadmill, jogging at a brisk pace. Music was blaring through the headphones, sweat running down her face and neck, her t-shirt sticking to her damp back. She started singing to the music.
"The only way out is through, the only way we'll get better-"*
He turned down the volume on the stereo, prompting her to look and see what caused the change to her music. She smiled when she saw him, took off the headphones, and slowed the treadmill. He held up a bag of take-away.
"Did your mum drop in?" he asked as they ate.
She nodded. "It was just what I needed. Why didn't you tell me I was being such a bump on a log?"
"Honestly, I think that I may say something wrong and make everything you're going through worse," he said.
"It is what it is, nothing you can say can make it worse. I didn't murder anyone; I lost my temper and threw few spells, now I have to deal with the consequences. Moping around and doing nothing isn't the answer either. I need to just get my quaffles in a row and deal with December tenth."
"Do mine ears deceive me? Did you just use a Quidditch word?"
She responded by tossing a chip.
**
On the eve of her hearing, Hermione took dinner from the oven. She sniffed the baking dish appreciatively. She and Harry tucked in, not saying much during the meal.
"This might be my last good meal for a while," Hermione said, thinking that she had made an exceptional Shepherd's Pie that evening. "This turned out good, didn't it?"
"Stop. Do you remember what you said? You didn't murder anyone. Besides that, that jerk is facing the same charges," Harry said.
"Take care of Crooks for me," she said and sopped up the remaining sauce with bread. "Harry, stop looking at me like that. I have to prepare myself for whatever happens."
"Kingsley hates this, you know."
"I know, but he can't play favorites, that wouldn't be fair. The world has to see that everyone gets the same treatment under the law. If anything, I think that this entire experience will make me a better advocate."
She took his hand and stood. "Come on, let's go to bed. I want to make some more fond memories to sustain me during the long nights in jail."
"What about this?" he said, gesturing to the dishes.
"That can wait."
Three days later...
Allbright wanted Hermione to be the last to be questioned, to have her testimony fresh in their minds when they made their judgment.
"I call Hermione Granger to be questioned."
Hermione rose from the table and took her seat in the chair for questioning.
"Miss Granger, please give this court your account of the events of Friday, November 27, 2009."
**
An hour later, Kingsley spoke. "Master Advocate Allbright, you may make your final case statement."
Allbright nodded and rose. He clasped his hands behind his back and paced before the Wizengamot as he spoke.
"Minister, Interrogators, and Wizengamot members, today you've heard the truthful testimony of the accused regarding the events of the day in question, and viewed the pensive of the events. You've listened to Miss Granger's reasons behind the events of that unfortunate day and you've heard of her sincere regret for her actions. You've heard the testimony of the witnesses and read the affidavits regarding her unwavering goodness of character and spirit. Miss Granger is certainly not a criminal nor is she a dangerous element to society in any way, shape, or form. She is simply a young witch who admits to have felt threatened, lost her temper, and experienced a lapse in her normally good judgment. I implore you to consider every element of this case when you render judgment."
He patted Hermione on the shoulder and took his seat. Now all they could do was wait.
**
After he recited the Wizengamot's verdict, Kingsley looked at Hermione with his eyes full of apology and regret, before leaving the Wizengamot chambers. Hermione gave him a quick understanding smile, not at all angry. Harry, on the other hand, was the very definition of the saying if looks could kill as he glared at Kingsley. He glared at the Hit Wizard that entered the chambers to escort Hermione.
"I'm sorry, Hermione, I did the best I could," Allbright said.
"I know, and I thank you," she replied and shrugged. "It's only a week, I'll be fine."
"Do you want me to file an appeal about the fine? I still think it's a bit exorbitant," he said.
As far as she was concerned, the entire situation was her fault, and hers alone. She could have simply just kept on walking that day. Her one small comfort was that Crittendon was given the same sentence and would return in another trial to answer for the stalking and libel charge. She mouthed I love you to Harry as the Hit Wizard placed the shackles around her wrists. He felt Harry's glare at his back.
"The shackles aren't too tight, are they?" he asked loudly, so Harry could hear.
"No, they're fine," she said and gave Harry a wink before leaving the chambers.
If everyone didn't already know about the trial, they found out the next day on the front page of The Daily Prophet and a half dozen other papers.
WAR HEROINE SENTENCED!!
After a riveting three day trial, war heroine and Ministry Legal Advocate Hermione Granger was found guilty of third degree magical assault and sentenced to seven days at the minimum security, short-term confinement facility at the Chelmsford House of Correction for Witches. Additionally, Miss Granger was fined one thousand galleons for the charge of disturbing the peace, and will serve ten days of community service for the charge of public dueling. Master Advocate Wilford Allbright, advocate for Miss Granger, spoke after the judgment.
"I am of course disappointed with the verdict, but Miss Granger above all knows and accepts the collective judgment of the Wizengamot. She will walk into the Chelmsford facility with her head held high, and leave the facility with her head held just as high to resume her duties as an Advocate in her usual stellar fashion. She has the unwavering support of her family, friends, and her extended family at the Office of Magical Law."
Milton Crittendon, former reporter for Wizarding World Weekly, was given the same sentence as Miss Granger, and will stand trial upon release from his own sentence for charges of stalking and libel against Miss Granger. Harry Potter, beau of Miss Granger, was described as "enraged" when Miss Granger was escorted from the Wizengamot chambers and offered no comment.
Chapter End Notes:
Yes folks, she's going to jail.
* from the song Out is Through by Alanis Morrisette
And for those who are wondering about the difference between Hit Wizards and Aurors, (good HP reference material) tells the difference:
"The Department of Magical Law Enforcement maintains squads of trained Hit-Witches and Wizards whose job it is to capture dangerous wizarding criminals...The Hit-Wizards are not the same as Aurors. Hit-Wizards, it would seem, are sent primarily against criminals while Aurors track down and capture Dark Wizards."
**
