Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews everyone! I'm glad I'm getting lots of positive feedback.
I apologize again for delays in the updates. I'm not going to update everyday anymore because I want to keep this fic going for a while. I'll update twice a week – Mondays and Fridays.
Keep reading and keep reviewing!
"I have something for you," said Colin.
He was leaning against his car, all packed and ready to drive back to Edinburgh. He handed Hermione a small wrapped parcel and she smiled at him delightedly.
She opened it tenderly, not wanting to waste the paper wrap. Inside was a beautiful picture frame with seashells and beads glued prettily around it. The photo in the frame was one taken by the seaside on their ride down to London. It was a still Muggle photograph, and Hermione appreciated the simplicity of it. Sometimes she liked still photographs more than the moving ones, because they captured the true essence of the moment.
In the photograph Colin's arm was around Hermione's shoulders, and he was hunched over on himself, laughing. The wind was blowing his shaggy blond hair, as it was blowing Hermione's long brown hair. Hermione was leaning into Colin's chest, a large grin on her face. She was looking straight at the camera with bright, happy eyes and a snow cone in hand.
"It's the one the ice cream man took of us," explained Colin after a time. "It's just a little reminder for you, that even though you're having difficulty with a majority of your friends, you still have one faithful, loyal friend. Always."
"Oh, Colin, I love it!" Hermione gasped, jumping into his arms.
He chuckled and swung her around, and putting her down he said, "Alright, kiddo, I've got to get going."
He kissed the top of her head and gave her a last hug before jumping into his car and driving down the street. When he reached the end of the street he honked the horn twice and stuck his hand out of the window, waving.
Hermione looked down at the photograph again and hugged it close to her chest. Colin was a great guy. She had never had any difficulties with him. He was just a simple, entertaining, loveable person that everyone could get along with, and she treasured him.
She was outside of Colin's hotel, and just before she was going to Apparate back to Diagon Alley, she realized that this hotel was not far from Ron's place. She hesitated for only a split second, and with her mind set, she Apparated to Ron's.
She stood outside of his front door, breathing deeply. Did she really want to face him? He was no doubt still absolutely furious with her, and she wouldn't be surprised if he just all and out shut the door in her face and ignored her.
She rang the doorbell twice and waited. Those twenty seconds of waiting were the worst of Hermione's life. She expected yelling and red faces and curses to be thrown around.
Harry opened the door, surprised to see her. His surprise was quickly masked with disappointment and anger.
"What are you doing here, Hermione?" he asked. He sounded tired and looked it too.
"I'm here to apologize to Ron," said Hermione unsteadily. "To all of you, actually."
"I highly doubt he'll want to see you. He's currently in the study with a lawyer – you know, since he's being tried for murder and all that," said Harry coldly.
He made to shut the door but Hermione stopped him.
She looked at him with big, pleading eyes and said, "Harry, please. Of all the years you've known me, when have I ever been so heartless? I've always put you and Ron before myself, before my studies. I'd never do anything to endanger his wellbeing and you know that, Harry, you know that. Please don't do this to me."
"You really think what you're going through is worse than what Ron is going through?" asked Harry venomously. "You really think he's better off than you are?"
"No!" Hermione protested. "I'm just trying to do the right thing. I'm trying to make things right; I want to help in any way that I can, and you know I'm useful."
Harry only stared for a few minutes, but he finally said, "I'm only doing this to help Ron. This doesn't mean I've forgotten everything, Hermione. Keep that in mind."
He left the door open and walked into the house, leaving Hermione to follow him hesitantly. Frankly, she was offended. She was being honest and Harry was still being stubborn. Didn't he understand that she didn't want any of this to happen? And didn't he understand that Ron would be tried regardless of her involvement with Malfoy?
Harry motioned for her to stay behind in the foyer while he walked down the hallway and tapped on a large Oak door.
Ron stuck his red head out and looked at him inquiringly. He looked more tired than Harry. His face was pale and washed out, his eyes were large and dull, and he looked as if he had lost a lot of weight. Hermione had only seen him a few days ago and he looked completely different.
He didn't notice Hermione standing in the foyer. Harry whispered something in his ear and Ron suddenly turned his head in the direction of Hermione, his eyes darkening. A mutinous snarl was forming on his face and he looked about to yell at her before Harry whispered something to him again. Ron nodded reluctantly and shut the door again, leaving Harry outside.
A few moments later a tall, regal looking wizard came out of the room, his black robes billowing behind him. He gave Hermione a suspicious glance before making his way to the large fireplace on the opposite side of the hallway and flooing out.
Ron came out a minute later, as well. He stalked up to Hermione and spat, "You've got some nerve."
Hermione stood her ground, determined to make Ron understand. "Ron, I –"
"Save it, Hermione," Ron said. "I don't want to hear your pathetic apologies right now; I just want your help."
Hermione was on the verge of tears hearing Ron speak this way. She put her childlike feelings aside and put on her best professional face. She nodded curtly, understanding fully that if she wanted to help Ron, she'd have to put her emotionality aside.
"I have papers from the Aurors' office concerning your conviction and I've been researching about past cases like yours. All of this material is in my room at the Leaky Cauldron, though. I can Apparate back right now and get the things if you'd like," said Hermione, wincing slightly at her emotionless tone.
Ron shook his head. "Forget it. I'll come 'round later tonight and look the things over. I have to meet with my Quidditch coach about the likelihood of me continuing to play Quidditch after the trial."
Was Ron's career at stake? Hermione was horrified even further now, realizing that Ron's entire life was on the line.
Hermione nodded again and made to leave. Before she left, though, Ron had something to say which startled Hermione.
"Why are you staying at the Leaky Cauldron?" Ron asked. He tried to ask this nonchalantly.
Hermione turned around, her eyebrows raised. "Ginny hasn't told you?" When Ron shook his head and furrowed his eyebrows, Hermione was about to tell him she got kicked out before she thought better of it. She didn't want to make Ginny the bad guy, especially if she deserved to be kicked out. "I – I'm not living with Ginny anymore."
She Apparated out quickly to avoid further questioning.
The minute Hermione left Harry told Ron the real truth.
There was a second's flash of indecision in Ron's eyes before he stormed back into the study and slammed the door shut.
Hermione waited around for hours, wondering when Ron was going to come. He'd said he'd be over later tonight, hadn't he? It was getting quite late – Hermione had to prepare for work, shower, and of course, catch some sleep. Her patience for Ron was quickly thinning. She understood why he might be mad at her, but he had no right, frankly. Hermione knew she didn't do anything to provoke Malfoy to go to the Wizengamot. In fact, Malfoy said he'd been getting on their case since just after his mother's death, which proved Hermione had nothing to do with Ron's trial.
Finally frustrated enough to stop waiting, Hermione put on a pair of sleeping knickers and a long sleeved tee-shirt, preparing for bed.
She had just settled herself under the covers when a popping sound erupted from the center of the bedroom and a crash was heard as someone collided with the floor.
Alarmed, Hermione shrieked and reached for her wand, covering herself with the blankets.
"Who's there?" she demanded, her voice faltering.
She cast a Lumos charm and could see Ron straightening his clothes as he lifted himself from the ground.
He glanced at her sparingly and said roughly, "Calm down. It's me."
Hermione was livid. "Who the hell do you think you are?! I waited for hours and now you suddenly decide to fit me into your busy schedule?"
A slow snarl was spreading on Ron's face. "Just wait a minute, Hermione. If anyone should be angry at the other, it's me."
Hermione felt something snap inside her brain. She suddenly felt like shouting and kicking and punching at Ron. She was sick of his stubbornness.
She glared at him so fiercely that he actually physically moved himself back towards the door.
"Get over yourself," she hissed. "I've been having the worst few days of my life. First I make an utter fool of myself in front of the whole Ministry by getting piss-drunk. Then I wake up in Malfoy's bed, vulnerable and confused as anything. I manage to sever two of my best friendships in one day – one because I've got a big mouth, and the other because I can't control my drink. One of my best friends kicks me out and now I'm living in a hotel room. How the hell do you think I feel? You think this is a tea party for me?"
"You think this is a tea party for me?!" bellowed Ron. His face was strained and there were red splotches on his cheeks. "I'm being tried for murder, thanks to you! Thanks to you and Malfoy!"
"Damn you!" Hermione shrieked. "I had nothing to do with Malfoy's decision to try you! He said he'd been to the Wizengamot a year ago, and they only just got back to him. It's not my fault that by pure coincidence he gets a reply the same time as he re-enters my life!"
"'Re-enters your life'?" Ron roared. "What, are you dating him now too? Shagging him on the sidelines while my life is at stake?"
Hermione jumped out of bed and rushed at Ron from the other side of the room. Ron instinctively backed up against the door and Hermione thrust herself at him, scratching and hurting every inch of his body within her reach. She was shrieking and howling as she clawed at his arms and neck.
Ron tried to fight her off by holding her wrists firm, but Hermione kneed him in the midsection and he doubled over on himself, groaning.
Hermione didn't stop, all the while choking on sobs and yelling, "I hate you!"
When Ron managed to collect himself, he stood abruptly and pushed Hermione against the wall, holding her firm so she couldn't hurt him.
Hermione bared her teeth at him, almost daring him to try something.
"How dare you accuse me of that?" Hermione demanded. "You know I carry my morals in the highest regard – how dare you think I'd throw it all away for someone so loathsome as Malfoy?"
Ron relaxed his grip on Hermione, his shoulders slumping. He seemed defeated.
"Why can't things be simpler?" he asked himself pathetically. "Why can't we go back to Hogwarts?"
"You honestly think life at Hogwarts was any easier?" asked Hermione skeptically. She was still tense underneath Ron's grip but she continued, "You think fighting Voldemort each year and facing all those challenges is better than life right now?"
"Well I was never being tried for murder, was I?" snapped Ron.
He let go of Hermione and slumped to the floor, his back against the wall. His head hung in his hands and he didn't say anything further.
Hermione slid down beside him. She wasn't ready to forget their major fight, but she was willing to be there for Ron. Having as close a friendship with Ron as she did, she could easily switch from mega-bitch to sympathetic friend within seconds – she'd had enough experience with this during the War.
"I know that what you're going through right now is worse than what Harry or I is going through," said Hermione gently, "But that doesn't mean life is a piece of cake for us either. I know that this last week has been more stressful than the War and Hogwarts combined. Growing old means having to face challenges, and we may hate it, but we have to deal with it. There's not much we can do."
"What are mum and dad going to think when I tell them?" Ron asked. "I can't just not tell them; they'd find out eventually from the papers. A Quidditch star being tried for murder is not going to go unnoticed by the press."
"When exactly is your trial?" asked Hermione.
"Monday."
"What?!" gasped Hermione. "Is that even fair? You hardly got any notice! Do they really expect you to have a lawyer lined up and a proper case to defend you by Monday?"
Ron snorted bitterly. "When has the Wizengamot ever been fair? With Scrimgeour as the head prosecutor, you can bet I'm not going to be tried fairly. He hates me."
Hermione was worried. "Isn't Percy part of the Wizengamot? Surely he'll help you out."
Ron looked at her incredulously. "He gave up his whole family just to make it in the Ministry! He's not going to his reputation just to help his brother out. Who am I to him?"
"Dumbledore's the Chief Warlock; he'll not let you be tried unfairly. Nor will Griselda Marchbanks; she's as fair as any decent person," reassured Hermione. Truthfully speaking, she was reassuring herself just as much as Ron.
Something hit her though. "Did you say Monday?"
Ron sensed the hesitancy in her question and he looked up at her with inquiring eyes. "Yes. You'll be there, won't you?"
"That's my first day of work…" Hermione trailed off uncertainly.
Ron was starting to panic now. "My trial is first thing in the morning. You can't take some time off to be there?"
Hermione looked at him apologetically. "Ron, it's my first day…"
Ron nodded understandingly. "You're right. It would be selfish of me to ask that you be there."
Hermione felt horribly guilty. Somehow Ron's defeated resignation made her feel even worse.
She took his hand and squeezed it tightly. "I'll try my best to be there."