**18**
Malfoy Manor
Professor Snape had documented much of what happened the previous year at Hogwarts and told her where she could find the file. Over the next week Hermione read the file and was shocked and saddened at what she found. Ginny, Neville and Luna never really talked about what Hogwarts had been like last year, and reading the file she could understand why.
Under the direction of the Carrow's bullying became the norm. She found documentation of many brutal attacks against students. Filch had taken to hanging rule breakers in the dungeons in shackles and that was some of his minor punishments. She had turned over the documentation of his actions to Shacklebolt and was waiting on an arrest warrant for him. Once she had the warrant she was looking forward to arresting Filch.
More disturbing than how students were treated by Filch was what students had done to each other. She had found many incidents of students being attacked with the Cruciatus curse, being beaten. She also had two additional confirmed rapes, though the names of the victims had not been in the files. She also found Snape suspected that at least six more of the victims of being beaten had also been raped and not reported it. Hogwarts must have been hell that year.
Hermione was not looking forward to interviewing the victims' in the reports. However one of the students listed as a victim shocked her. Why would Crabb and Goyle subject Draco Malfoy to several hours of the Cruciatus curse? She had a feeling Draco knew something they did not want even the Carrow's to know last year. Draco would be her first interview.
***
Hermione walked up to the front door of Malfoy Manor the following morning remembering the fight she had with Ron when she told him her plans to go to Malfoy manor. He tried ordering her to bring him and Harry with her. When that did not work he had resorted to begging.
Hermione knew why Ron did not want her to see Malfoy alone, he was the only one that knew of the nightmares she had been having about the night she had been tortured. There were several nights when she had awakened in a cold sweat crying. Ron, always there, holding her, letting her know she was ok and that he was there for her. It was those nights Ron had to hold her along with his feeling he failed her that night that he did not want her to go to Malfoy manor without him. Hermione knew at some point she and Ron would have to deal with his guilt over that night. This was something she needed to do on her own, and she knew it.
Hermione sighed heavily as she reached up to the knocker on the door and was surprised when the door opened before she had a chance to knock. If Lucius Malfoy was surprised at Hermione being at his door he hid it well.
"Ms. Granger." She could not say he greeted her warmly but the greeting lacked the malice of some of there other encounters. "What a pleasant surprise. To what do we owe the pleasure of your company?"
Hermione suddenly felt like all she wanted to do was just run away, to get as far away from this place as possible before she could be again tied up and tortured. Something in her face must have betrayed her sudden fear because Mr. Malfoy said to her softly.
"Miss Granger. You do not know how much I regret the circumstances of your last visit to my home." Hermione could see in Mr. Malfoy's eyes he was being sincere as he continued "I would like to offer you my apologies for the events of that night."
Hermione was not sure how to react to his offer. After she thanked him for his apology he invited her in. She noticed he made steered her away from the dining room where she had been tortured.
"I am sure you did not come out here for an apology Miss. Granger" Mr. Malfoy motioned for her to sit down. "So who do we have to thank for the pleasure of your company?"
"I am here to speak to Draco if he is available." She answered
"I see," Mr. Malfoy was not able to hide his surprise as he continued "I am not sure how much help Draco can give you on the order of the Dragon Miss Granger. I would however be happy to answer any questions you may have"
"Thank you Mr. Malfoy." She answered politely, "I will be sure to let Ron and Harry know. I am here on another matter."
"I see. Let me get Draco for you then."
Mr. Malfoy offered to get Hermione something to drink while she waited. She declined the offer and sat waiting for Mr. Malfoy to return with Draco. She felt her heart pounding in her chest as she found herself remembering the night she was bought here by the snatchers. She was not sure if being at the place where she had been tortured made her memories clearer but she remembered clearly every detail of that night. She had not really fully understood Greyback's comments when she had arrested him. However now she clearly remembered being given to Greyback by Bellatrix Lestrange. Hermione shuddered as she remembered Greyback's attention.
Hermione's attention was drawn from her recollections by the voice of Draco Malfoy.
"Why do I have to talk to that Mud…"
"Draco, don't you dare finish that thought. If it had not been for her and Potter and Weasley you would be dead." Hermione could not believe how angry Mr. Malfoy sounded as he finished. "Miss Granger has shown more courage than most in coming here alone today. You best remember that."
She heard Draco interrupt his father, but Mr. Malfoy cut him off. "I do not know why she wants to speak with you but you will co-operate with her and keep a civil tongue if you know what's good for you."
A few seconds later Draco entered the room followed by his father. Draco sat across from Hermione glaring at her. Hermione did not say anything. She wanted Draco to initiate the interview. She knew this would give her control of the interview. She sat patiently waiting for Draco.
"So are you going to just sit there" Draco finally sneered "Or are you going to tell me what this is all about. I have better things to do than…"
"Draco" There was no missing the warning in Mr. Malfoy's voice.
Hermione looked coolly at Draco. She then opened her briefcase, a gift from Ron when she joined the Auror's. She smiled as she recalled how Harry said Ron had driven him crazy looking for the perfect gift for her. She pulled six pictures out of a file and handed them to Ron. The pictures were of the six girls Snape had suspected been attacked last year. Snape would not tell her who the one victim he knew was. He stated she had asked her name be kept confidential and he had every intention of honoring her request.
She handed the pictures to Draco and asked.
"Do you know these girls?"
Draco's face went white as he looked at the first photo.
Draco handed her the photos back after looking at them.
"Sorry. I have never seen them before."
Hermione took the photos back,
"Bullocks" She snapped "You looked like you had seen a ghost when you looked at that first picture."
Draco did not say anything and looked anywhere but at Hermione,
"Why don't you tell me about how you know these girls Draco?"
Draco Still did not say anything, and seemed to find his fingers to be of great interest.
Hermione just sat, waiting for Draco to say something.
"Miss Ganger," Mr. Malfoy broke the silence "Perhaps you can tell me what this is about?"
Hermione turned her attention from Draco and handed the photos of her victims to Mr. Malfoy. She spoke keeping her voice calm as she did, "These young ladies were all brutally raped over the course of the last school year."
She watched Draco out of the corner of her eye as she spoke. His eyes again showed surprise at what she knew. Mr. Malfoy glared at Draco as he asked.
"So why question Draco?" he asked, sounding much calmer than he looked.
"It seems that Draco name kept coming up while Professor Snape was looking into the attacks. I am involved because another girl was raped last week at Hogwarts. I am here today because you and Draco were at Hogwarts last week. I am sorry Mr. Malfoy but with your son's name constantly coming up it does lead to questions."
Mr. Malfoy looked at Hermione and spoke calmly and for Draco's benefit.
"As I recall Miss Granger there is no such crime in the Wizarding world as rape, so why pursue this matter?"
Draco looked relieved as his father finished
"You are right Mr. Malfoy. There are no Wizarding laws for rape." She stressed Wizarding laws and laughed as she continued "I'm sorry were you under the impression I was hear on Ministry Business?" She saw the shock in Draco's eyes as she continued, "These incidents are not being investigated by the Aurors ."
It was Mr. Malfoy's turn to chuckle as he interrupted Hermione. "Miss Granger, I am a little confused. If the Ministry is not investigating these 'rapes' then why are you here?"
Hermione smiled at Mr. Malfoy sweetly, "I'm sorry did not mean to give you the impression I was here on Ministry business." She reached into her purse and pulled out her wallet. Showing the Malfoy's her Inspector's Id she continued "Mr. Malfoy I am here as an Inspector for Scotland Yard, who I assure is fully investigating these attacks and anyone involved will be charged in the Muggle courts since we cannot charge them in the Wizarding courts."
Draco suddenly looked very frightened as she finished. Hermione knew she needed to get Draco to cooperate. Snape had told her that he did not think Draco was involved in any of the attacks. That was not his style. She agreed with him. She did however believe that Draco knew something and she needed him to co operate. So far he had not been too cooperative. She did not expect him to be, and it was time to take the advice that Davies had given her yesterday while preparing for today's interview.
Hermione stood up. As she did she took a pair of Muggle handcuffs from her purse and spoke coldly to Draco.
"Draco, please stand up." Neither Draco nor Mr. Malfoy had noticed her removing her handcuffs. Draco then stood up, looked at his father, then Hermione. Hermione approached Draco and spoke coldly.
"Please turn around and place your hands against the wall."
Draco stared at her his eyes showing a mixture of confusion and fear. Mr. Malfoy looked on but thankfully did nothing. Draco was the first of to speak defiantly.
"Why?"
Before Draco could say or do anything more Hermione drew her wand quickly and held it under his chin. She saw Mr. Malfoy Draw his own wand but he did not aim it at her. She looked at Mr. Malfoy, who spoke calmly.
"Miss Granger" he still did not raise his wand as he continued. "You seem to have forgotten you are here by yourself. If you think I am going to let you take Draco to a muggle jail…"
As Mr. Malfoy was speaking Hermione got on her radio, glaring at him as she spoke into it,
"A215 10-13"
Mr. Malfoy looked at her not understanding her last action. She held the Radio where the Malfoy's could hear what it was saying
"All A200 special service units we have a 10-13 at Malfoy Manor in Wilshire. Units to respond"
She then hear Ron's voice over the radio immediately, "A 220 responding"
"A400 and MM1 responding" Harry voice came out of the speaker this time.
After Harry's voice several other A200 units also confirmed they were coming,
Mr. Malfoy looked at Hermione and said "You think Muggle toys are going to help you"
Hermione did not break eye contact with Mr. Malfoy so she did not see Draco's raise his hand and he hit her on the side of her face his other hand grabbing her wand hand. Hermione recovered quickly and bought her knee into Draco's groin hard. He fell to the floor, as she went to cover Draco with her wand she heard Mr. Malfoy's cold voice.
"Drop your wand Ms. Granger."
The fight she had with Draco had covered the pops of Ron and Harry Apparating into the Mansion.
"Drop the Wand Malfoy" Ron shouted. As Mr. Malfoy turned to look at Ron without dropping his wand, Ron said softly this time "Please give me a reason!"
"Don't be Stupid Lucius", Kingsley said calmly.
Mr. Malfoy dropped his wand, staring at Hermione a look of surprise.
Hermione shoved Draco against the wall harder than she intended and heard him whimpering after she cuffed him she spoke into the radio again letting HQ now she had two in custody, she motioned to Ron as he gently pushed Mr. Malfoy against the wall and cuffed him.
As Ron was doing that Hermione shoved the muggle radio into his face. "This is not a toy Lucius, it is a Radio. I was never really here alone."
`****
Hermione could feel Draco's fear as she approached the booking desk. She had apparated to an adjoining room that had been set up for the Aurors working with Scotland Yard to apparate to with their prisoners. Most wizards that were arrested now were processed first at the special services division of Scotland Yard before being transferred to the Ministry. This procedure had satisfied the Prime Ministers request for information on wizards wizards in England. Giving the British government on those that had criminal records and protecting the privacy of those that did not.
Hermione pushed Draco in the direction of the booking table. The booking sergeant smiled at her as he greeted her warmly.
"Hello Inspector Grang…I mean Hermione"
Hermione had made it a point to have everyone she worked with call her by her fist name. As far as she was concerned she had not earned the title of Inspector. She knew many of those she worked with did not agree with her but that did not matter to her.
Hermione pushed Draco against the booking table and smiled back at Serteant Ferrel,
"Draco Malfoy." She started to remove Dracos handcuffs "Seven counts Criminal Sexual assault, 1 count assaulting a Peace Officer and if I could I would also charge him with being an asshole"
Sergeant Ferrell looked at Draco with distaste, "I see, someone who can't take no for an answer. Don't Worry Hermione we know what to do with the likes of him"
Draco's eyes widened.
"Once you have him processed sergeant put in interview two please."
Hermione turned to leave when she heard the pop of Ron and Harry arriving. She also heard Lucius Malfoy's voice from the room set aside for arriving prisonors.
"You cannot do this! My son and I have done nothing!"
"Malfoy, Stop resisting" She heard Harry say as he pushed Mr. Malfoy into the booking room "You are only making things worse"
Mr. Malfoy pushed Harry away from him. Sergeant Ferrel reacted quickly, running up to and hitting Mr. Malfoy in the back of the legs with a nightstick. Mr. Malfoy went down. To the ground and Sergeant Ferrell spoke with authority.
"I will have none of that in my jail sir."
Malfoy glared at Sergeant Ferrell, then looked at Kingsley and spat,
"Muggles! You have bought me to."
Sergeant Ferrel silenced Mr. Malfoy by slamming his nightstick against the wall above his head.
"I may be a muggle sir", he whispered "But I know how to handle your lot so I would keep a civil tongue. Charges?" The last he directed at Ron and Harry
"Interfering with a Peace officer and resisting" Ron glared at Hermione as he answered. Hermione did not like the look Ron gave her as she stepped out of the booking room.
*****
Hermione was sitting at her desk, head in her hands. She could not believe how bad things had gone at the Malfoy's. She could not believe that she let things get that far! She shook her head. I can still salvage this, she thought to herself. She would just have to use the fear Malfoy had shown in the booking area to get him to co operate with her. All in all this had not been one of her better mornings.
"Just what did you think you were doing going there alone?"
Hermione looked up to see Ron standing at her door, his face red with anger. Her morning just got worse.
"I had to question Draco", she answered. Her voice sounded a lot calmer that she felt.
"We see how well that worked out for you didn't it"
"So far" Hermione was fighting to hold her anger in check "It has actually worked out…"
"Bullocks Hermione", Ron bellowed "You were being held at wand point when we arrived!"
"I had the situation under control, Ronald!"
Hermione shouted back, she could feel her cheeks starting to burn with anger.
"I doubt it." Ron responded sounding much like the night at the Yule Ball. "It looked like Mr. Malfoy got the drop on you Hermione!"
Hermione did not say anything. She just glared at Ron, her eyes blazing. She did not say anything because she knew Ron was right. If Lucius had known what a radio was she would have never been able to summon help. The thing was, she had counted on Mr. Malfoy not knowing about muggle technology. Except for Mr. Malfoy getting a wand on her things went exactly the way she wanted to at Malfoy manor.
"You almost got yourself killed today 'mione" Ron's voice softened but he still sounded angry, "I don't know what you are working on but did you get anything useful from Draco before it all went to hell?"
Hermione shot out of her chair. She didn't scream or shout but her anger could be heard clearly in her voice.
"You did not watch ME get hit with a killing curse did you Ron?" She moved from behind her desk and was in front of Ron now jabbing his chest with her fingers as she spoke. "You didn't have to go through thinking I had been killed!" Hermione was working herself into a rage when the intercom on her desk beeped and Sergeant Ferrel's voice stated. "Inspector Granger, Draco Malfoy is ready for you in interview 2 ."
Hermione did not respond to the intercom. She just walked past Ron leaving him to stare after her in silence.
***
Draco could not believe he had been arrested by Granger. Worse how could Granger think he was involved with the attacks at Hogwarts last year! Draco had been horrified when he learned what Crab, Goyle and that Git Benedict were doing. Worse they were being encouraged by the Carrow's. Draco had even gone as far as stopping one of the attacks, and then reporting that and the other attacks to Snape. What he wanted to know was how Granger had found out about the attacks and linked him to them. He had an Idea that Benidect probably had something to do with that.
Draco looked up as Granger came into the room. She sat down and stared at Draco coldly but did not say anything. Draco squirmed nervously under her glare. Finally he could not stand her glare and he spoke. "Granger you have it all wrong…I did not have…"
****
"Malfoy," Hermione interrupted Draco before he could finish his statement. "If you had nothing to do with attacking those girls then why did all six of them identify you?"
***
Ron turned to Harry as Hermione finished her question. "What attacks is she talking about?"
Harry's face had gone white after hearing Hermione's questions. He did not know what Hermione was talking about but he had a sinking feeling. He did not like what he was hearing, attacks involving girls, meant only one thing in his mind. Ginny had been alone at Hogwarts, could something have happened to her last year?
"Harry?" Harry's thoughts were interrupted by Ron again,
"I don't know Ron. I am trying to hear what Hermione is asking Draco" He motioned for Ron to be quite.
***
Draco stared at Hermione, clearly shocked at what she had told him. She did not add to her last question waiting for Draco to answer. After he did not answer her, Hermione stood up.
"Have it your way Draco," She said "If you are not going to give me an explanation I will just have to take the words of the victims and charge you accordingly."
She could see that Draco was clearly struggling with something. As she turned to leave he heard him whisper "Wait."
Hermione turned around and sat back down looking at Draco expectantly.
Draco stared back at Hermione. She could see he was afraid of what was about to happen with him. After a minute Draco finally spoke softly.
"I had nothing to do with the attacks on the seven witches last year nor the attack on the one last week, but I know who did."
Hermione hid her surprise at Draco's revelation of a seventh attack she did not know about. She simply stated. "Go ahead"
Over the next half hour Draco told him about Crabb, Goyle and Benedict's bragging about the attacks on the six witches. He told her they had told him that these were special "Detentions" set up by the Carrows for female students whose families were resisting the will of the Dark Lord. It seemed the Carrows not only had the girls raped but made sure that the girl's parents watched as they were raped. He then told her how the Carrows and then later Benedict would use memory charms to make the girls forget who raped them, but remembered the rapes themselves. It seemed the Carrows had also tried to get Draco to join in on some of the attacks.
He then looked at Hermione. She saw hatred in his eyes as he looked at her. However the hatred was not directed at her, but those that had committed the vicious attacks on the girls last year.
"Granger," he stated angrily "Tell me you are going to do something about this, I told Snape everything after the third girl was attacked. He did nothing"
Hermione sighed, even though she had Draco's statement she could not arrest Goyle or Benedict. She needed a victim. Even though Draco had heard about the attacks he could be used as a witness to support any charges made by the victims, but she could not charge them solely on what Draco just told her.
"Draco," she said softly, her frustration showed clearly in her voice, "Without the victims identifying their attackers I cannot do anything. I can try and get the memory charms reversed. The problem is that more than likely their statements would not hold up in court."
Draco glared at her. "You mean you will do nothing?"
Hermione shook her head "No. I will continue to look into this and hope to find someone whose memory has not been modified."
Draco sighed heavily. He looked at Hermione.
"I know someone that can help you"
Hermione stared at Draco.
"What do you mean?"
"I walked in on them while they were raping one of the witches." Draco looked away. "I cursed that bastard Benedict and got her out of there before they could alter her memory. I then took her to see the Headmaster."
Hermione stared at Draco. "Who was she?"
"Luna Lovegood" Draco answered.
Hermione felt herself drop into her chair.
****
Hermione sat at her desk, head in her hands. She could still hear Draco's voice describing what he had walked in on. She had hoped maybe Draco had stopped everything before anything had happened to Luna. Draco had dashed that hope by making it clear Benedict was probably finished with Luna when he cursed him. The good news is only Benedict had raped her. Crab and Goyle had not had their turn yet.
"Hermione", She heard Ron ask, cautiously.
She looked at him, fighting the tears she felt were coming. She saw his shocked look. She did not know why, but all of a sudden she felt herself getting angry. She knew Ron had been listening in on the interview. She now felt as if Ron by the simple act of listening to what happened had also violated those girls…Her friend Luna. She glared at him.
"How much of that did you hear?" she tried to hide the anger she was feeling as she asked. She could tell by Ron's expression she had not succeeded.
"Enough to know why this case is bothering you so much," He said gently, "What are you going to do?"
Hermione sighed. She knew she was not angry at Ron, and taking her frustration out on him right now was probably not a good idea. She realized she needed him to comfort her.
"I guess I am going to have to talk to Luna"
"Why?" he asked. He sounded a little angry.
"What do you mean why?" Hermione glared at him. How could he ask her that?
"I mean," Ron stated, this time he sounded like he was starting to get angry, "Don't you think Luna has been through enough? Not only did she have to live through what that animal did to her, she then had to survive Azkaban and Malfoy Manor."
Hermione felt the tears start to roll down her cheeks; she felt herself deflate as she answered Ron
"Ronald, do you think I am heartless?" She saw him wince at this accusation, "Don't you think I know what Luna went through last year?" She was not sure if she was crying because she was angry with Ron's accusing tone or because of what she had just learned. "I don't want to have to make Luna live through that ordeal. I have no choice."
"Bullocks, Hermione you have choice." Ron shouted, he was not letting Hermione's tears force him to back off. He heard what Draco had said. That should be more than enough to nail Benedict and Goyle. She did not need to even involve Luna in this mess. He told Hermione as much as well.
Hermione was no longer holding back her tears. She was crying more out of what Ron had just said to her than anything now. How could he think that she would be so cruel. To make someone have to re live what was one of the worse things they had ever been through. Apparently Ron did not know her as well as she thought he did.
"Ron, I would never make someone go through that again if I didn't have to."
She then angrily explained to Ron her predicament. "Because there is no Wizarding law for the crime of rape I have to try and convict these animals in the Muggle courts. In order to bring them to trial I have to have a victim!" Ron did not notice her taking off her engagement ring as she continued "I have no choice but to talk to Luna. Did you forget Benedict tried to rape me? Did you forget another girl was raped at Hogwarts a couple of weeks ago?"
She took a deep breath before she finished. "Since you think I am a heartless bitch, I can't imagine that you would want to waste the rest of your life with me!" She laid her engagement ring on her desk in front of him and stormed out of her office.