Disclaimer:I do not own Harry potter nor do I own any of the characters with the exception of Nadia (stress the first a Naah-dia), her parents, Kyro (pronounced Kii like a long 'I' and roh) and a few others to come in future chapters which will be listed then.
Early update yay!
I wake up with a start. With my shirt sticking to my chest with sweat and more perspiration steadily running down my face, arms, legs…everywhere. Who turned off the ac? I get off the bed and I'm a little nauseous. I walk to the thermostat by my closet door to turn it on but when I arrive there not only is the ac on but the temperature is 63 degrees. Then why am I so hot?
It's still dark out. I spin around to check the time and damn it…I moved too fast. The nausea worsens. It's 3:52 am. Another wave of nausea hits me like nothing I've felt before and I make a mad dash for the bathroom.
I couldn't make it to the toilet so I settle for the sink. I throw up the small amount of water I drank that night and then some. My body keeps dry heaving and retching but nothing is coming up. I feel more perspiration flow down my face as my body wracks with the spasms of my non-existent vomit. I'm overheating and I feel as if I'm about to pass out. I look at myself and my face looks pale. No this can't be good. I collapse to my knees and then lay back on the floor. The coolness of the tile gives me a little relief but not much. It's been three and a half months since the incident and I have merely a few hours before I have to be in front of the wizengamot.
Three and a half months with pity stares from my friends and family…the only people who don't look at me that way is Zarah, and Kyro and that is because they are the recipient of these stares as well. My 'morning' sickness- if it should even be called that because it happens all day- has gotten one hundred times worst. I can't release any energy because there is no one to give it to. My mother says this is the cause of my severe morning sickness. All I've been doing is pigging out on M&M Ice cream sandwiches, pickles, kraft cheese, and green sour skittles.
Blaise hasn't awoken and every day I see him he looks worse and even more deteriorated and sick. The doctors assured us his brain was repaired…but I just can't believe it he has lost so much weight, it hurts me to see him like that all the time. Kyro even told me…no begged me the last time not to take him with me anymore when I go to see Blaise. I tried to reason with him but the pain I saw in his eyes was unbearable. I told him I would not force him if he felt like it was too much and just to let me know when he would be ready again. This is all my fault. Everything I touch, everyone I've come to care for recently get's hurt and it's all on me. My heart clenches and hurts for all the pain I've cause others. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you! You are worthless! I scream internally at myself.
I need to feel something other than this pain and hurt inside. I grab my forearms press firmly and scrape with all off my might peeling away the skin of my arms. I stand and look at myself in the mirror. "I hate you!" I punch the glass with all my might; it shatters and with a shard of glass I hack away at my arms like I've been doing for the past month. Sometimes I feel like killing myself but I know that it would devastate my parents, Ky needs me, and because two other lives are connected to mine…so mine wouldn't be the only one I take. I try to convince myself that suicide is the cowards way out and I am no coward…I'm just looking for a bit of relief. I bleed until I feel light headed then like always I quickly grab the skin repair salve and coat my arms in it. I clean up the blood, repair the mirror making sure that no one ever finds out.
I head to the shower blast it on cold and sit in the spray rocking back and forth for what seems like hours. I turn it off dry myself jump in bed and cry myself to sleep for however long I have left before the trial.
-:):):)-
"Mommy" I feel someone pat me. "Mommy it's time to get up. Nana says that you need to get up now." I nod and open my eyes. They barely open and I realize they are swollen from all my crying. Normally I would have fixed that by now. I would never have let Kyro see me like this. I'm on my side and he is standing at the side of my bed staring at me. "Are you okay mommy? Were you crying? Don't cry." He hugs me with his little arm and I wrap an arm around him and nuzzle closer to him. I hear footsteps enter my room. "Nana I think mommy was crying. I think she is worried."
"Darling you have nothing to worry about. Even if the ruling is in her favour we will simply force them to give him to us. We are royals after all and though we don't push our superiority around a lot certain times call for it. I don't know why you are even following their rules or going to this common court. Simply make yourself known for who you are…we'll threaten and bribe a few people here and there and that should do the trick. I know it sounds sleazy but hey; it's for a good cause. We've done it before and I'm pretty sure your father has already bribed a few people." My mother says. I sit up finally bringing Kyro with me and look at her. She startles and looks deeply into my eyes.
You're not worried about a trial; this is something different…I'm positive. What is it? She sends her thoughts to me. We haven't done this since I was fifteen. We can read each other's minds as well as other peoples. We can send thoughts. Only royals would be aware of another person reading their mind by a strange invasive tingling feeling.
Nothing mom don't worry.
It's most definitely something…call it mothers intuition but I know what I'm talking about. I won't force you to talk but just know that when you are ready I will be here for you. I love you dear. Never feel afraid or ashamed to tell me anything…I have to take Kyro with me now. He has to be there before you. Be ready and there within an hour. She walks over to me kisses me quickly on the forehead and takes Kyro out of my arms. I sit for a minute or two then I get up to get ready.
-:):):)-
I'm heading down to the court room now. I'm dressed in a full black fitted pencil dress, with a jewel neckline. A pair of pointy toe full black 3" heels. No jewelry just my ring. No nail polish, light make-up, and a peach lip color. My hair is pulled back into a neat but rather large bun.
When I reach the doors the guard opens them for me. As I reach inside I notice the room is overpacked with the panel of judges, my family and friends, then the nosey little bastards; reporters, and random people. I know that this has made major news ever since Blaise was hospitalized. There have been all sorts of shit stories and speculations in the paper. They can all suck it. I walk confidently with my head held high to the only free space in front of the judges. I stand before my seat and look up at the panel. Someone reads all of the opening statements and finally we are allowed to sit. The main judge finally speaks.
"We are all here today to view and judge the case of Ms. Daphne Greengrass agaisnts a Ms. Nadia Granger. This case is to decide the final judgement of who custody of Mr Kyro Zabini will be granted to as well as who Mr. Blaise Zabini's assets will be given to because of his current condition. Ms. Granger?" He addresses me.
"Your honour" I say and he looks confused for a bit but doesn't comment.
"Where is your lawyer?"
"I didn't feel the need to hire a lawyer sir."
"Was money an issue? Should we appoint one to you?"
"Money was definitely not an issue sir. I just didn't hire one." I hear disapproving sounds all around the room and I have to force myself not to roll my eyes.
"Alright then, let us begin." The judge shuffles through his paper work. "Alright let's start with you Ms. Greengrass." I look over to Daphne for the first time. Her hair is loose, flowing down her back, she is wearing deep blue silk robes, a neckless, and a too innocent expression. I want to slap her.
"We are here today to rectify the unfair treatment of Ms. Greengrass." Her lawyer begins. "She has been denied the right to see and care for her son which is a mothers prerogative. She has been devastated and finding solace in the fact that this is a just court and she will be given what she deserves which is her son and everything else she needs to take care of him." The judge nods and looks down at the paper before him.
"Ms greengrass, I see here that you signed away your parental rights. I would like you to tell me your reasons for doing this." She sniffles. Her lawyer looks ready to make another speech but she taps him and starts to speak tears coming from her eyes.
"I love my son very much. I would do anything for him. It devastated me to sign those papers I assure you but I had to." She whimpers. Is she seriously doing this right now? I look at her in disbelief. "I was so scared!" She begins to bawl. What she says next has the whole courtroom gasping. "Blaise h-he hit me all the time and he threatened me that if I-" and before I even said anything I hear Zarah shout from the crowd.
"Liar! You evil woman! My son never put his hands on you! How dare you sit up there and lie like that?! You deceitful little bitch! I swear to merlin I will-"
"Mrs. Zabini! Calm yourself or you will be escorted out. This is a very emotional time for you I understand but please conduct yourself in an orderly manner. Your temper and reaction is not helping the case." I see my mother who has become close friends with Zarah ever since Blaise and I got together trying to calm her. The judge looks back to the front of the room. "Ms Greengrass, I have here a paper with over forty signatures signed by not one but three of the golden trio stating that you are an unfit mother." He says.
"They are all Blaises friends. They never liked me and I know that they would say anything to make me look bad." She finishes crying. He nods.
"Well you do realize that the mention of abuse changes this case completely." The judge states matter of factly nodding at a guard who leaves the room. "We have a healers memory of an interview conducted with Mr. Kyro Zabini this morning…we didn't get much but that won't matter seeing as the case has changed course because of your revelation Ms Greengrass." I wonder what change he is talking about but I just decide to keep quiet until I am called. I see someone walk to a big shiny frame mounted on the wall. They take the memory and spill it into it and I relize its some sort of pensive…a rather large one. The memory starts and the courtroom is quiet.
-Memory-
"Kyro I want you to feel comfortable sharing your feelings with me. I am your friend and speaking to me will be very good for you. This talk is about what's best for you. Will you answer a few questions for me?" Kyro looks uncomfortable but nods.
"Why don't you tell me about your mommy?" Kyro nods.
"My mommy is very nice. I love her. She reads me stories everynight, she bakes cookies all the time and I get to eat Ice cream m&m sandwiches when shes having baby cravings. Her belly is getting really big now. It's not like normal mommy bellies…hers is bigger cuz she's having two babies and not one. When mommy told me about the babies Nana said that she would see if they were boys or girls in a month but she didn't bother. She wants it to be a surprise she told me…I don't think she's telling the truth."
"Oh really? What do you think is the real reason your mum doesn't want to know?" The healer asks.
"Daddy is sick. I think mommy wants to wait until he wakes up to know…I don't feel like talking anymore."
"Don't worry about it…you've said such wonderful things about your mum. You don't need to say anymore."
-End of memory-
Immediately the judge speaks again. "The healer was trying to get a statement about Ms Greengrass. But it is obvious that she was not who he was referring to. He did not want to talk anymore so we had to leave it at that. But like I said it doesn't matter either way." I think about what Kyro said and I underestimated him…I need to be more careful especially with my meltdowns. The guard steps back into the room with two potion bottles. He places one in front of Daphne who is the closet to him and then one in front of me. "Ladies you both will be required to take veritaserum to investigate Mr Zabinis behavior further."
"Excuse me but I thought this case didn't require a truth serum." I smile because I know she will get caught now. Potions work on me because they are the same for commons and royals…but we have truth spells which are stronger. Veritaserum will work on me but if I really wanted to I could fight it. But why would I? I have nothing to hide.
"Well Ms Greengrass it wasn't called for before but domestic abuse is a more serious matter than a custody battle and we need to find out if and how you were abused to punish Mr Zabini when he does recover…while we are at it I'm sure we can throw in questions about the custody case. Do you have any objections Ms Greengrass?"
"No" I hear her say hesitantly.
"Well drink up." I look at her. She reaches for the vial with shaking hands, she uncorks it and empties it in her mouth. I'm waiting for her to swallow but I guess I don't care either way because she can't talk well while hiding liquid in her mouth. I turn to the judge.
"Should I really drink this? I'm not sure what it will do to the babies." He shakes his head.
"They will be fine." He reassures me. I look for my mother in the seats and she nods…that's enough for me. I down the potion.
"Okay First question. Ms Greengrass did you state earlier that Mr Zabini hit you?" She looks in a bit of a struggle but not even two seconds later the answer burst from her lips.
"Yes"
"Okay. Were you being truthful in this accusation? Did he hit you?" She struggles for a bit longer but answers.
"No." there is light chatter around the courtroom.
"Why would you make this sort of false accusation?"
"I wanted to win the case."
"And how exactly would this help you win the case?"
"Everyone would take pity on me." The judge raises his eyebrow.
"Why did you come here today, and to win the case is not a suitable answer."
"I-I wanted the Zabini forture. I saw an opportunity to finally get it so I took it."
"And what of Mr. Kyro Zabini?"
"I really don't care." There were small gasps around the room and light chatter. The judge betrays no emotion.
"That is all. Ms Granger for procedures purpose we have to ask you a few questions as well." I nod completely unfazed.
"Is the Zabini fortune all you are after?" I don't hesitate.
"No"
"How do you feel about Mr. Kyro Zabini?"
"I love him. He is practically my son." I answer as soon as the question is finished no hesitation.
"Did you have any intentions to spite Ms Greengrass today?"
"Some" I smile smugly.
"Has Mr Blaise Zabini ever hit you?"
"Yes." I hear loud gasps around the room and I just realized what I said. Shit! I should have taken my time. Well I can't lie now.
"He did?"
"Yes"
"Is this a regular occurrence?"
"No"
"So he is an occasional beater?"
"No" The judge looks confused.
"Describe to me what type of beater Mr Zabini is?"
"It only happened once."
"Describe how it happened and what lead up to it."
"Blaise and I had broken up because I found out about his wife. He kept writing me and sending me gifts. I decided to go to a party that my friend invited me to. He was there as well. We were all dancing and I danced with another wizard. He got upset. Got into a fight with the wizard; he was the victor. He pulled me away from our group of friends and out of the club. By this time he was already extremely drunk. It was early midnight maybe one a.m. As we got outside he disapparated with me. We then got into an argument in his room where he told me that he owned me and that I was not allowed to see or speak to any other men even though we were not together. I let him know rather rudely that I could do whatever I want with whoever I want. My choice of words made him very upset and he backhanded me." The chatter got louder and I didn't dare look into the crowd where my family and friends were.
"Quiet down everyone! Ms Granger I would like you to tell me how hard did Mr Zabini hit you."
"On a scale from one to ten; ten being very bad I would say it was a strong seven maybe even a weak eight. My mouth was bleeding, I suspect I had a bruise and I stumbled a little."
"You said you suspect you had a bruise?"
"Yes."
"How did you not know?"
"Because I ended up in the hospital unconscious later that morning." I heard gasps and loud protest around the room.
"Silence! Anyone who cannot be quiet will be asked to leave. So in this one incident that Mr Zabini hit you was it multiple slaps or just that one that made you have to go to the hospital."
"It was just once and not the reason I needed to go to the hospital."
"Why did you go to the hospital?"
"After he hit me I ran away crying. I guess the gravity of the situation finally hit him because the look on his face told me that he couldn't believe he hit me either. It seemed to have sobered him. He chased behind me apologizing but I ignored him until we reached the main staircase and this is when he caught me. He apologized again, promised it would never happen again…he even told me he would take an unbreakable vow just to show how serious he was about it not happening again. I was still upset, mostly with myself for reacting the way I did so I decided to goad him even further. So I said something nasty to him again though not with as much venom as what I said first-"
"Well if that's the case tell us what you said and move on with the story." The judge interrupted.
"After he apologized he asked me to stay I stepped back and he asked where I was going. I told him I was going to visit my boyfriend. He then covered his ears and shook his head over and over asking me not to say things like that. I decided I wouldn't let him off I stepped back again not realizing how close I was to the edge of the steps. I had on high heeled shoes and I lost my footing. I fell down the entire staircase only realizing when I hit bottom. I was only awake long enough to see him rushing down the steps worriedly towards me. I blacked out." The judge nods.
"Alright. Do you fear that Mr Zabini would do it again if given the chance?"
"I-I'd like to think not."
"Elaborate." He says simply.
"Well I hope he doesn't but he has such a nasty temper that I'm not so sure. I know he didn't mean it but sometimes he reacts before he thinks so I'm a little afraid." I've just said all of that and I didn't realize it to be true until just then. The judge nods.
"Would you like to press charges on Mr Zabini?"
"No" I hear the crowd protest again and the judge speaks over them.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
"Last few question. This will determine whether or not Ms Greengass is entitled any compensation seeing as what I've heard alludes to the fact Mr Zabini was unfaithful which is a breach of the modern wizard marriage law." I nod. "Did you and Mr Zabini engage in any sexual acts while he was married?"
"It depends on what your definition is. Could you specify?" He looks curiously at me and nods.
"Did you have sex with Mr Zabini while he was married?If so oral or vaginal?"
"Neither."
"Did you perform any acts leading up to sex which you have stated was not performed?"
"Yes"
"You all were together for a few months am I correct? I mean including the break-up for however long?"
"Yes"
"And you did not have sex? Does that mean that you knew about Mr Zabinis wife even before you decided to discontinue you relationship with him? If not please explain."
"No I did not know about his relationship beforehand. I was a virgin and I was scared." The judge looks sympathetically at me.
"Okay Ms Greengrass, were you aware that Mr Zabini had a relationship with Ms Granger."
"Since the child was born he wasn't ever faithful."
"Were you okay with this?"
"Yes"
"Why were you okay with this?"
"I have never been faithful. Before and after Kyle was born." There is chatter around the room.
"Ms Greengrass who is Kyle?"
"My child." The judge chuckles a little.
"Well in that case I grant custody of KYRO Zabini to Ms Granger." The judge emphasizes Kyros name. "I also grant Ms Granger all of Mr Zabinis assets."
"What?" I hear daphne yell. "I deserve something as well!"
"A slap maybe." The judge says. I speak up for the first time.
"I would prefer if all of Mr. Zabinis assets remain under his name." I say. The judge looks curiously at me.
"Are you sure? You have to take care of Kyro Zabini as well as the children you are now expecting."
"I have more than enough to take care of them I assure you."
"Alright, Ms Granger will be granted custody of Mr Kyro Zabini as well as access to Mr. Zabinis assets if she needs it. The assest though will remain under the name of Blaise Zabini." He pounds the Gavel and immediately gets up from his seat.
-:):):)-
After the judge's ruling he was allowed to leave first, then Daphne and her lawyer, then me. I'm waiting in the Ministry's main hall I continuously look around me for my family and friends. I plaster on a fake smile when I see them coming towards me though I'm dreading the confrontation. I see my mother and aunt worriedly looking at me, all my friends sporting a frown, Hermione looks a bit upset, and the look on my father's face was a raging hurricane. Zarah meekly walked beside them with a sleeping Kyro hugged close to her. My dad takes to the front of the pack and reaches me first. I brace for the impact of his words.
"I can't believe you.I had to wonder if that was my own daughter up there. I suspect you are embarrassed enough already. You and I will have a talk later do you understand me young lady?" I'm shocked that he didn't shout at me so I quickly nod.
"Darling?" I hear my mothers voice say and I look up at her. I am quickly embraced by both her and my aunt. "Why did you lie to us?"
"I didn't lie I-I…I omitted." I say weakly.
"Omission is deception." My mother says.
"Deceptions are lies" My aunt says.
"And lies are betrayals." My mother finishes. I feel tears streak my cheeks and I realize that I'm crying.
"I'm sorry." I say and my voice cracks. They both hug me tighter.
"We understand." My mother whispers in my ear.
"We love you no matter what dear" My aunt whispers in the other.
A.N
So yes this is two updates in what? Two or three days? I cant remember. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I promise the next one is soon to come. Until next time my lovelies Keep calm and be positive. :*