No Time For Epilogues
Chapter 17
Hermione glanced at her desktop calender. Tuesday September 5, 1998. The trials for the Malfoy family had started yesterday. Lucius Malfoy, a known Death Eater, had been in Azkaban since after the Battle of Hogwarts. Narcissa and Draco Malfoy had been under house arrest, since they didn't bear the Dark Mark on their arms, but were under suspicion of Death Eater conspiracy. Under suspicion? The stuff happened at Malfoy Manor! I was tortured there! Voldemort himself often stayed there! Just how much suspicion did you need? She knew she would called as a witness, but didn't know when, and hoped it wouldn't be this week. She was knee-deep in preparation for meeting with the Centaurs and helping to update the Magical Creatures text for Hogwarts. As if on cue, her boss strolled into her office and laid a letter on her desk.
"I know the timing is awful, but it appears that you have a court appearance tomorrow," he said.
She let her head fall to the desk with a thud.
"You knew this was coming, didn't you?" he asked.
"Yes, but now isn't a good time," she replied.
"Well, the time is tomorrow, so I won't be expecting you until after lunch tomorrow," he said kindly.
"Yes sir."
Since the death of Voldemort, the Malfoys were pariahs. Lucius was in Azkaban with the other apprehended Death Eaters while his wife and son were held inserving house arrest for conspiracy. They received no visitors at Malfoy Manor and the only owls they received were from the Ministry and The Daily Prophet with the news. The same morning Hermione was informed about her appearance as a witness, Draco was reading the announcement in the paper.
MALFOY HEARINGS TO CONTINUE
The trials for Lucius, Narcissa and Draco Malfoy began yesterday with riveting testimony from the Headmistress of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall. The hearings should be a mere formality for Lucius Malfoy, already convicted of Death Eater crimes two years prior and subsequent escape from Azkaban. The fate of Narcissa and Draco Malfoy remains to be seen.
Tomorrow's testimony should be just as riveting, if not more so, when Miss Hermione Granger, winner of the Order of Merlin First Class for Valor, takes the stand to testify. See the special evening edition of The Daily Prophet for coverage of Miss Granger's testimony.
Looks like I'll be joining Father in Azkaban by the time Granger is done! Draco thought and let the paper drop to the table.
The next morning, Hermione emerged from her room clad in the classiest pant suit she could find. She sat down to enjoy a light breakfast, too nervous to enjoy anything heavy to eat.
"You look nice," Ian said.
"You're not wearing a robe?" Elizabeth asked.
"No, I'm making a statement. I'm going to testify about a family who hated, and probably still hates mMuggles and mMuggle-born wizards. I'm wearing this because it says 'hah, take that, I'm still here.' I wear it because I'm proud of my heritage, proud to be your daughter," she said.
The Wizengamot
The Malfoys sat in three chairs, humiliated beyond reason at being shackled to chairs, an Auror standing guard behind each chair, wands at the ready. Just before nine a.m. the Wizengamot doors opened and Draco watched as Hermione strolled in, flanked by Ron Weasley and a couple who appeared to be her parents. Harry and the rest of the Weasleys were behind her.
Draco had a lot of time to learn about himself and others the past year. He vividly remembered that night the trio were brought to the manor. Hermione was tortured by his psychopath aunt, yet never gave up information. HOW? WHY? At the Battle of Hogwarts, the trio saved him, twice, although they didn't have to. WHY? And to this day, he could scarcely believe it when his mother told the story about Potter when the Dark Lord thought he had killed him. He almost wanted to ask Potter himself. Draco observed Hermione and her contingent take their places in the gallery. Ron looked at him blankly and whispered something to Harry, who looked at him and shook his head in pity. The Wizengamot entered and took their places. Kingsley Shacklebolt took his place at the podium and rapped a gavel.
"Welcome one and all, this morning of September six in the year of the Common Era, nineteen hundred and ninety eight. We will continue the hearings of Lucius, Narcissa and Draco Malfoy concerning the charges of Death Eater crimes and conspiracy of aiding and abetting Death Eater crimes. I call this morning's witness, Miss Hermione Granger."
Percy Weasley stood and indicated a chair for her to sit. Her mother gave her hand a quick squeeze, and Hermione gave Ron a kiss on the cheek and she took the witness seatstand.
Kingsley spoke. "Would the witness please state her full name, date of birth and place of employment?"
Hermione cleared her throat and spoke. "Hermione Jane Granger, September 19, 1979, Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."
"Do you know why you are here this morning?"
"Yes Minister. I was called to testify in the matter of the Malfoys."
"Very well. Let me begin by giving my congratulations on your award and engagement. I wish you all possible happiness for your future."
"Thank you Minister."
"Now, to the reason we are here. Take note Miss Granger, that the accused are shackled to their chairs, possess no wands, and are guarded by Aurors, so you may testify without fear of reprisal. Should one of the accused say something untoward, they will be magically silenced."
Lucius learned that fact during Minerva's testimony yesterday when he muttered something to the effect of "meddling old hag."
"Also, in the interest of complete fairness, for which too many were denied for far too long, all witnesses are requested to drink a small, milder form of the Veritaserum draught."
Hermione crossed her legs and looked at Kingsley with a single raised eyebrow.eybrow.
"I understand your hesitation in the matter, Miss Granger. This particular version of the Veritaserum draught allows you keep your wits about you and total recall of the event afterward. You won't mindlessly blather on and reveal everything you're thinking about; you'll just feel compelled just enough to give an honest answer to a direct question. I took the draught myself, Miss Granger."
Hermione understood and nodded. If Kingsley, trusted member of the Order of the Phoenix and Minister for Magic could take it, so could she.
"Mr. Weasley, if you would," he said and Percy stepped forward to give a small cup to her. She took the cup, toasted the Minister and drank the dose in a single gulp. After a minute, Percy looked at his watch and nodded at Kingsley.
"Miss Granger, is it true that you've had past dealings with Death Eaters? Roughly two years ago, you were injured at the Department of Mysteries?"
"Yes sir."
"A curse was it?"
"Yes sir."
"What kind of curse?"
"The healers weren't sure. It seemed to start shrinking my internal organs and try to rearrange them."
"Good Lord," Ian muttered.
"Were you witness to Death Eaters infiltrating Hogwarts your sixth year?"
"Yes sir."
"I'm going to ask you some questions regarding one of the accused, Draco Malfoy. To the best of your knowledge, have you at any time, witnessed him use an Unforgivable curse?"
"No sir."
"To the best of your knowledge, have you at any time, witnessed him harm another person?"
"Yes sir."
"To the best of your knowledge, have you at any time, witnessed him to compel another to cause harm?"
"Yes sir."
"I know the following questions will be difficult for you, but I must ask you to perservere. Do you recall the events of this past March, at Malfoy Manor?"
"Yes sir."
"You were subjected to the Cruciatus curse?"
"Repeatedly sir, until I fell unconscious."
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ron gripping the arms of his chair.
"Who cast the curses?"
"Bellatrix Lestrange."
"So, regarding the events of that night, you remember nothing beyond being cursed?"
"No sir."
"But you were shown, through pensive memory, what happened while you were unconscious?"
"Yes sir."
"Describe what you saw in that pensive."
Hermione recounted the events on her fingers. "General disagreement among the occupants of Malfoy Manor about summoning Voldemort; Bellatrix Lestrange had a knife to my throat; they were going to give me to Fenrir Greyback; a chandelier chandeleir fell on me and a goblin, and Dobby the house elf died."
Kingsley addressed the Wizengamot. "The pensive in question is available for view, at any time, in the Auror Division Evidence Chamber. Miss Granger has already signed a release regarding the viewing."
Kingsley looked carefully at Hermione and asked, "Miss Granger, do you blame the Malfoys?"
"I'm not quite sure what you're asking, sir."
Everyone in the Wizengamot wondered too.
"Do you blame them for what happened to you?"
"No sir, the blame does not solely belong to them."
The Malfoys looked at each other in disbelief.
"Could you tell the court why you believe this?"
"The events of the night in question happened at their home, but by that point in the war, matters were quite beyond their control, that much was obvious. I'm sure at first, the elder Malfoys were convinced of their cause and dragged their son into it, poisoning his mind with their hateful vitriol. The past year however, I'm convinced that the Malfoys were hell-bent on one concept; that of self-preservation. They fell out of favor with Voldemort and had to play the role of loyal Death Eaters to survive."
"That's an astute conclusion you've arrived at, Miss Granger. One last question then you can step down. What is your opinion of Draco Malfoy today?"
Hermione took a deep breath and answered, looking Draco squarely in the eye. "I think he's a coward who will be paying for his ignorance the rest of his life. After this day, I will think of him no more."
Hermione was looking at Draco like something that was stuck on the bottom of her shoe, much as he had looked at her over the years. Draco averted his face. When Ron choked on a laugh, Harry nudged him with an elbow to keep him quiet.
"Very well, Miss Granger, you may rejoin the gallery."
Hermione stood and took a step, feeling a wave of dizziness that prompted her to grip the arm of the witness chair. She faintly heard Kingsley call out, "Are you well, Miss Granger?" She felt another wave of dizziness accompanied by nausea and found that her legs could no longer support her body. The last thing she saw before unconsciousness took over was Ron leaping over the gallery railing toward her. He got to her first and the Wizengamot exploded in activity.
"Summon a healer!" Kingsley called out. The Aurors led the Malfoys quickly from the courtroom.
When Ron knelt next to her, she started coughing. Ian was there in a second and turned her on her side, then she vomited.
"What's wrong with her?" Ron asked whenwhe she started shaking violently.
"She's having a seizure!" Elizabeth exclaimed, tears running down her face at the sight of her stricken daughter.
"What can we do?" Harry pleaded.
A Healer finally arrived. "Nothing, Mr. Potter, until the convulsions have passed, or you may injure her further."
As soon as she stopped shaking, the Healer ran a diagnostic wand over her. "I'm taking her to St. Mungo's immediately," he said, took her hand a dissappeared with a loud pop.
An hour later, a sleeping Hermione was wheeled from the Urgent Care ward at St. Mungo's. The Healer followed and spoke to the Grangers.
"She's out of danger, but I would like her to stay overnight for observation," he said.
"What happened?" Ron asked.
"The truth serum she took earlier reacted badly to another potion she's currently taking," he said.
"Hardly anyone's allergic to Veritaserum," Harry said, his Auror training coming to mind.
"That's true, but the Wizengamot is using a modified version. No one had any way of knowing that there would be a reaction because of the other potion in her system. We need to contact them immediately and make them aware of the situation before more drink the stuff."
"What other potion?" Ian asked. Ron knew immediately and blushed redder than his hair.
The Healer cleared his throat and spoke. "A contraceptive potion."
"Wouldn't she just love for that little gem to get out?" Harry asked dryly.
Harry left to tell Kingsley himself, to keep the matter as discrete as possible. Not long after, Kingsley returned with his trio of personal security Aurors and met with the Grangers.
"Master Granger, Madame Granger, I am more sorry than I can say for what happened today. That young lady has been through so much, it wasn't my intention or that of the Wizengamot to add to it."
"Thank you sir," Ian said.
"How is she?"
"Out of danger, resting comfortably," Elizabeth said.
The next morning, Ron arrived early to be the first to see Hermione. He was surprised to find Kingsley's security wizards standing outside the door and heard Kingsley's deep laugh then Hermione's.
"Can I go in?" he asked the guards.
One nodded and opened the door.
"Ron!" Hermione called out with a smile, her eyes bright.
"How are you love?" he asked, kissing her softly.
"Right as rain."
Kingsley rose and shook his hand. "I just wanted to be the first to see her this morning and give her my deepest apologies and those of the Wizengamot. She was also pleased to hear that the Ministry will be footing the bill for her treatment and stay."
Kingsley said goodbye, leaving the two alone. Ron pulled a chair close and kissed her hand. "I suppose you know why you got sick."
Hermione rolled her eyes and nodded. "Don't I have the worst luck of anyone you ever met?"
They talked for hours until the Healer came, examined her and declared her free to go.