This was without doubt the worst Christmas I have ever had. At least the Christmas after dad's death everyone was speaking to each other. To make a long story short Ginny is mad at everyone and everyone is mad at Ginny. My best friend and brother-in-law has been kicked out of his flat and living in my guest room. Glad I sprung for the two bedrooms! Then to top that, I can't seem to make any headway with the love of my life that will likely soon vanish from my life forever.

"Morning Ron," said Harry as he trudged into the kitchen. "Any owls?"

"Just ones from the Ministry finalizing the ceremony; I don't really think Hermione will appreciate that we will be a part and you are apparently giving her the medal."

"Oh, anything else?"

"No mate," I gave him a sympathetic look, "nothing from Ginny."

"Right," he said while pouring himself a cup of strong coffee. "Ron, I've been thinking. We should get Hermione to file a complaint about the guards at Azkaban. Without that, we can't do anything and I think those bastards deserve some punishment."

"I was thinking I'd just kill them the next time they come into town." I said with all seriousness.

Harry obviously wasn't sure if I meant it. "Well, um I think putting them behind the bars would likely serve as better justice."

"I know Harry; I just get sick when I think about it. She might still be at Hogwarts, I'm sure McGonagall would let us see her if we explained why. She'd probably encourage her to do something about it."

"That's a good idea. I'll send an official owl." Harry said essentially monotone before quickly apparating.

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I wasn't exactly sure why I let McGonagall talk me into meeting with Ron and Harry. I certainly didn't want to relive what only ended a few days ago. She convinced me that I would be helping all the others in there who didn't deserve this treatment either. She also promised not to leave me and to keep them on topic. Actually, I was petrified. I still had nightmares about them finding me and taking me back. I'd been conditioned to be silent so long, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to talk.

I sat in the headmistress office waiting for them to arrive; I looked up at Dumbledore's portrait. "I think you're doing the right thing; you're a Gryffindor remember." He said causing me to smile.

"He's right you know." I quickly turned around at Ron's voice and saw that he and Harry had entered with Professor McGonagall.

"I trust you two will keep this brief." She told them in her most stern voice. They both quickly agreed and sat down like two boys being scolded.

Harry spoke "Hermione, we'd like you to formally make a complaint against the guards of Azkaban. They need to be punished. Are you willing to do so?" I nodded. "I need you to say yes or no, for the record."

I realized that there was parchment with a quill that had just ceased moving on its own. "Don't worry; it's not like Rita's." Harry said with a smile.

"Okay, then yes, I am willing."

"Good," he replied.

I gave the names of the guards involved, it was easy actually, but we had not gotten to any of the details.

Ron then took the questioning. "When did the problems begin?"

"My first night." I couldn't look at them so I stared at the floor just in front of their feet. I could see Ron shift uncomfortably.

"Could you describe the night please?" he asked.

"I was placed in my cell. There were a lot of cat calls at me. I was famous, almost like a freak show. I was placed away from the other prisoners I was told for my protection, but I later realized it was for another reason.

I had eaten my meal when the first guard came to my cell and let himself in. I remember not understanding what was going on, I thought he was there for my dinner tray. He called me all sorts of names and began to hit me. After I was on the ground he straddled me and ripped at my clothes and got off my underwear.

I was screaming and two guards ran up outside my cell. I thought I was saved. Then one of them told me that no one cared so I could just go on screaming and that it turned him on. I heard the man on top of me unzip his pants and he raped me. When he was done the other two had their turns. That was my welcoming present they said. They told me they wouldn't be so gentle in the future."

Ron's voice squeaked when he spoke again, "how often did this happen?"

"At least two to three times a week. The beatings and other things just got worse. After a while I realized that no one did care, so I just stopped screaming and I'd just lay there. They would tell me I deserved it that they had been asked to be as rough as possible."

"When was the last time?" Ron questioned. It was obvious that he was trying not to show any emotion.

"The night after you came to visit me." I said and looked briefly into his eyes which I now saw were filled with tears.

"Is there anything else?" Harry asked relieving Ron.

"Like what?" I asked.

"Have you seen a healer?"

"I had a physical examination before my hearing and some of the things they did may have caused some permanent damage and the healer said it would be difficult for me to conceive or carry a baby to full term. If they weren't careful I'd get pregnant and the spells and potions they used for the abortions weren't the best ones to use apparently."

"Hermione I'm so sorry." Professor McGonagall said as she placed a loving hand on my shoulder.

"It doesn't matter." I replied. "Like anyone would touch me now anyways." I looked up to Harry. "Are we done?"

"Yes, would you be willing to testify in court?"

I hated to think that I would ever see the inside of a court room again. "If I have to."

I looked up at Ron who looked ill and apparently was. He leaned over and threw up.
"He's been doing that a lot lately." Said Harry, but it was obvious that he was disgusted by me. At least now I don't have to worry about him pursuing me romantically as he rushed from the room.

I stood up and went to the windows that overlooked the quiditch pitch and just let the tears flow freely.

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I had to get out of there. I felt like I couldn't breathe and I was still reeling from my latest vomit attack. I heard Harry and McGonagall rush down the stairs after me.

"Mate, you ok?"

"What do you think? At least the dementors wouldn't have done those things to her. They said they were told to be extra rough." By this time I had just started crying and slightly hyperventilating, "you don't think it was Ginny?"

"No, if she said anything, the guards would interpret it to mean whatever they wanted. I'd believe Ginny would keep it a secret, but not tell them what to do."

McGonagall led us to the hospital wing where Madam Pomfrey gave me a potion for my nausea and anxiety. "I hope you realize Mr. Weasley that she probably thinks you are disgusted by her now."

"Why would she think that?" I panicked.

"The way you ran from the room without so much a word. When you are finished please see your way out. I need to check on Miss Granger."

We walked out of the hospital wing toward down the many hallways toward the front door. I wanted to see Hermione, but Harry thought I should just leave her be. But outside I saw her walking toward the lake and left Harry to catch up to her.

When I approached she flinched as though she thought she was under attack. "Hermione, I'm so sorry that happened. And don't think that no one would want you; I still want you, I love you. I always have."

"Really?" She asked me though tears.

"Yes."

"Where was that love when I was accused and sent to Azkaban. At sentencing you said you wished I had been killed by that troll in first year. You just threw me away like a worthless mudblood I am."

"I was hurt and confused. Everyone was telling me what to believe."

"If you truly loved me like you said, you would have believed me." She turned and continued to walk toward the lake. I heard Harry call me in the distance and I sprinted back.