A/N: Thank you all so much for your reviews so far.
I own nothing you recognize.
Now, Hermione reveals a bit of her inner Slytherin.
Ch 5 – The Prosecuting Attorney
Percy Weasley looked up from his desk to see his assistant, Marilyn, waiting in his doorway. "You have a visitor, Mr. Weasley."
"Do they have an appointment? I'm very busy."
"It's Advocate Granger, sir. She wishes to speak to you about the Malfoy/Snape case." Percy chuckled derisively.
"Of course she does." Advocate Granger is probably beside herself that she doesn't get to prosecute this case. This has the potential to make my career. "Send her in please." Percy Weasley never missed the opportunity to gloat. Hermione Granger may have been the shining star in this office when she left three years ago, but I am the Head Prosecutor now. And Granger is now stuck defending half-breeds and other weak-minded creatures.
"Hermione, how lovely it is to see you. I understand you wish to talk about the Malfoy case."
"Good afternoon, Percy. How are you today?"
"Oh, I'm excellent, excellent, Hermione. We've finally caught the Malfoys up to no good. And the fact that Snape will go down is just a bonus. I never believed all that nonsense about him protecting Harry."
Hermione breathed deeply. It would not do to lose her temper with the Head Prosecutor. "Percy, I am here as a professional courtesy. I am on my way to file the following forms. " She handed Percy the forms. He reviewed them one at a time. His smug expression faded quickly.
"You are defending them?" Percy was horrified. This is a disaster. With war hero Hermione Granger as their advocate, they might actually stand a chance at acquittal. That would be a major blow to my career. "But why would you do such a thing? They are clearly in violation of the International Statute of Secrecy. And this is a chance to teach those Malfoys a lesson. "
"Really, Advocate Weasley, is that your primary motivation? Are you just doing this to teach the Malfoys a lesson? I thought your duty was to uphold justice and enforce the laws." Hermione's eyes narrowed; her voice was cold and calm. Percy sputtered.
"I misspoke, Advocate Granger. I am horrified at their blatant disregard for Muggle safety."
"Indeed, disregard for Muggle safety is a serious charge. We should all be looking out for the safety and health of all beings."
"Of course that is my primary concern."
"So, if this were just bureaucratic noise, you would not be inclined to prosecute them so vigorously."
"My only duty is to protect the innocent. "
"I'm glad we have the same goal, Advocate Weasley. I'm sure once I explain to you the actual facts of the case, you will be happy to drop the charges. "
Percy laughed heartily. "Don't be absurd, Hermione. They broke the law."
"They saved many lives. They were thorough in their efforts to protect Muggle health and safety. They were equally thorough in their efforts to protect the magical community. They have used the knowledge they obtained to further both Muggle medicine and magical healing. Their actions have been trailblazing and heroic. And you would punish them for it."
"They broke the law!"
"They failed to get proper approval for a restricted business transaction from the Wizengamot. It was a mistake, to be sure. But it was a mistake that caused no harm, but rather saved thousands of lives. If allowed to continue, that number will only grow. Lyra Malfoy is a visionary who seeks only to equalize the treatment of Wizards, Squibs and Muggles. Despite being born a Squib to a family with a dark past regarding Muggles, she has achieved a high level of education and is a very accomplished scientist. Severus Snape is a genius and a war hero whose knowledge and hard work could truly make this world a better place. He has lived a quiet life and refused all accolades for twelve years; at the same time, he has developed many potions and medications that have done immense good. Draco Malfoy is a born leader who has become a business magnate in just a few short years. He has overcome the mistakes of his past. His family may lack the influence of days gone by, but that is because they have turned from the political scene and now focus on business and philanthropy. Malfoy Industries has been instrumental in the rebuilding process. Their recent work with Muggleborns and Squibs has been nothing short of inspiring. And that's to say nothing of myself, Advocate Weasley. You have chosen your opponents in this game very poorly, Advocate Weasley. "
Percy was speechless. He stared at Hermione, wide-eyed.
"Percy, I had anticipated you would have more vision than this. I came here to discuss what corrective action my clients could take in order to resolve this matter. I had hoped we could come to an arrangement that would benefit the Ministry, the public at large, the Muggle community, and my clients. I see that my confidence in you was misplaced. I will see you in court. I do hope this doesn't become a media spectacle.
"What corrective action?" Percy offered. If she can prove half of what she says, the public will be all over this. There's no way I can afford to be the cold-hearted bureaucrat who would deny Muggles life-saving potions. Any goals in politics would be destroyed.
"No, Percy, it seems I'm wasting your time."
"Hermione, please tell me what you had in mind."
She sighed. "Very well, though I doubt you have the courage to support such a venture. But here's how I see it." Hermione spent the next few minutes explaining to Percy how she knew that there was a procedure for applying to the Wizengamot for an exception to the International Statute of Secrecy. She acknowledged that such approval should have been obtained up front.
"There should be punishment for such blatant disregard for the rules." Percy stood by his guns on this point. Hermione smiled sweetly.
"I believe Draco would sign off on corrective actions involving a fine paid by Malfoy Industries. The company may have made a procedural error. I'm sure there's some Ministry charity that could benefit from the additional funds."
"Illegal activities must also be terminated immediately."
"I believe my clients would accept a temporary injunction, Advocate Weasley. However, surely you understand how anxious they are to get this situation resolved. If they are forced to stop production for more than a few weeks, the supplies of the medications will be exhausted. It seems that such a sudden break in the availability of such successful and helpful products would undoubtedly raise eyebrows among the Muggle community. We wouldn't want to risk exposure of the magical community through such a scandal."
Percy sighed. She had him up against the ropes. "You will need to apply for an exception to the Statute. The full Wizengamot will need to hear the case. You will need time to prepare your materials."
"Two weeks, Advocate Weasley. I assure you that the Malfoys have kept excellent records. My preparation is mostly done for me." Hermione quietly hoped that was true, but knowing Professor Snape, she felt fairly confident in that fact.
"What do you want from me, Advocate Granger?"
"Drop the criminal charges. If you must, file the sanctions against the company. This should have been a corporate matter from the beginning. The defendants were acting only as agents of the corporation.
"Advocate Weasley, my clients should be released immediately. I'm sure your assistant has the appropriate paperwork at her desk. Oh, wait a moment. I took the liberty of stopping by my office and having my assistant draw up the release papers. All that is required is your signature and a witness. "
Percy could only nod. He pressed the button to summon his assistant into his office. Hermione explained to her that she and Advocate Weasley had resolved the criminal matter in a satisfactory manner and that it had been decided that this really was a matter of corporate law, not a personal criminal matter. Percy just stared in awe as Hermione explained the form to his assistant. She handed Percy the quill. Percy signed, and then Marilyn signed as witness. Marilyn magically duplicated the paperwork and took a copy for their files and handed Hermione a copy for hers. She tapped her wand on the originals, and they vanished. They had been magically filed. The word 'validated' appeared on the top of each of the copies.
"Thank you, Marilyn, for your assistance. Advocate Weasley, it has been a pleasure. Good day." Hermione stood up and headed back to the holding area to deliver the good news to her clients. Even she was shocked at the way Percy Weasley folded under pressure.
Next: Hermione gets to share the good news with her clients.