Disclaimer: ... Not mine.
"Hermione's not a cold-blooded killer, Moody," Ron grumbled, his head resting on the briefing table. About seven other Aurors and a few other Ministry officials stared at him, some with worry and others with slight disdain.
"I didn't say it was done intentionally, Weasley. She could have worked herself up into a frenzy under the bed."
"Yeah, while she was jabbing at herself with a broken piece of sharpened iron," came Ron's muffled reply.
"If you have any other idea that might explain how the same piece of metal in her hand was also the same piece that was jabbed into the healer's back?" Moody growled.
" Maybe she didn't do it? Or maybe he slipped?"
"For someone who seems so intent on proving that their fiancé is innocent, you don't seem too eager to give up any evidence that would prove just that."
"That's because those officials over their have their arses so bent on shoving her in Azkaban that I haven't had actually been asked to testify," Ron growled.
"Excuse me!"
"Mr. Weasley is a liability!"
"His connection with Ms. Granger is to close to make an unbiased testimony!"
Ron stood up, glaring at the protesting officials. "That's bullshit and you know it! You just don't want me in that courtroom anymore!"
"The last time you testified, you made a mockery of every man there and you were held in contempt for insulting not only the Minister but his wife!"
"She's a whore! But that has nothing to do with what's happening now! I have every right to be at that hearing as Harry and you bloody well know it!"
"Weasley, out! Now!" Moody barked, moving out of the door. "You too, Potter."
Harry went over and grabbed Ron, who seemed to have a few more words to say to the insulted men. Harry shoved the angry red head out the door, but not before one more insult was fired.
"Bloody tossers!" Ron growled before the door was slammed shut and Moody had Ron up against the wall.
"What the HELL is wrong with you?!" he demanded.
Ron shrugged him off, running his hands through his hair and pacing. "I should be at the hearing," he growled.
"Oh, so your way of getting yourself in is calling the Ministry a bunch of tossers?" Harry asked, snorting.
"That's what got you in trouble the last time you went to testify. I told you to watch yourself or that mouth of yours is going to get you into some trouble," Moody hissed.
"Ron… Hermione's only chance of getting out of Azkaban is if you cooperate with those Ministry officials," Harry whispered.
"They can go to hell," Ron muttered.
"Damn it, Weasley," Moody swore. "If you don't start acting like an Auror, I'm going to suspend you and then you'll never be able to get into that hearing. Understand?" he growled.
Ron looked like he was going to explode, but he just kept his lips shut and nodded stiffly. Moody then glanced over at Harry. "Take him home," he ordered.
"I don't want to go home," Ron grumbled.
"What was that?"
Ron looked down at the floor. "Nothing."
Moody glared at the two men then went back into the conference room. The hall was silent for a moment then Ron looked over at Harry. "You're not going to scold me?"
Harry shrugged, starting to walk towards the exit. "I figure that's Hermione's job. Besides… The Minister's wife is a whore."
Ron offered a wane smile and the two left.
Ginny sighed and got up from the table, walking over to her front door and looking through the peep hole. Frowning, she opened the door.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Harry looked around then up at her. "Can I come in?"
Ginny bit her lip, glancing back in her flat then out at Harry. "Well, I kind of have-"
"Potter? Is that you?"
Harry froze at the sound of his superior. Helton appeared at the door and leaned over Ginny's shoulder to get a better look at who was there. "Hey, Potter. What are you doing here?" he asked curiously.
At first Harry just stared, but Ginny coughed and he blinked. "Sorry… I… I was here to talk to Ginny about Her… about something," he answered.
Helton smiled and nodded. "Family matters, no need to say anything. I've got to go anyway. Seems your brother's gotten himself in trouble with Moody," he said to Ginny, holding up an official looking letter.
She glanced at Harry then back at Helton, frowning. "You don't have to go," she whispered.
Helton shook his head. "Potter seems to need to speak to you alone, and I really have to go. After all, important people have important things to do," he said with a smirk.
Ginny smiled and rolled her eyes. "Smart ass," she muttered.
Helton grinned and gave her a quick kiss before taking out his wand and moving out the door. "I'll see you later," he said before disapparating.
Ginny stared at the spot he had just occupied before turning to Harry, her smile fading rapidly. "Well… come in," she whispered, moving aside so he could enter.
They walked over into her small kitchen where she started picking up dirty dishes.
"You were having dinner?"
Ginny set the plates down rather hard and turned around, brushing some hair out of her face. "Yes, Harry. That's what people do. They have dinner, they talk and they have fun, not that we could have any fun at this point, but of course, you don't know much about fun anyway, seeing as you spend most of your time at the Ministry," she said before turning around again.
"What is your problem?"
"My problem? I don't have a problem. I'm just surprised that you're here," she responded.
"Why are you surprised?"
"Because… you know what… I don't feel like discussing this particular topic with you, because it usually ends with you clamming up and my temper shot. I don't need that right now, so why don't you just tell me why you're here," she said quickly.
Harry watched her for a moment then sighed. He also wasn't ready to go back to that particular topic. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a file. "Ron's not allowed to go to the hearing," he said.
Ginny frowned. "What? Why?" she asked, moving over to him quickly and picking up the file.
"His big mouth, maybe?" Harry offered, watching her read the order.
"She's a whore? Bloody tossers?" she read with an eyebrow raised. "He said this?"
Harry nodded and Ginny snorted, sitting down in one of the stools. "I'm surprised he didn't say anything worse… he's always been an idiot," she murmured. She frowned and looked up at Harry. "Why did you come here?" she asked.
Harry sighed and looked down at his hands. "Ron's no longer allowed to see Hermione either and he's going to need someone to talk to."
"What about you?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm going to be too busy avoiding the Ministry's stupid questions while I deal with the upcoming hearing. I'm just lucky the Ministry hasn't seen me as a liability," he whispered.
"You're always a liability," Ginny muttered, getting up from her seat and moving over to another counter. "So you came to give me a heads up? Well, thank you, but I think I can handle my brother, Harry."
"The Ministry's going to ask you questions about Hermione."
"Well, I am a witness, Harry."
"Do you think she killed that man?" he asked.
Ginny was about to answer when she stopped and looked away. "I don't know what to think, Harry. She… We all saw the same thing, yet she insists that someone else was there! Hermione's not crazy but even I know sane people don't see and hear things that aren't there," she whispered.
"So I guess I'm not sane," Harry muttered.
Ginny closed her eyes and silently cursed herself. "I didn't mean it that way and you know it," she whispered. She looked up at him. "Hermione believes that she's seen something that doesn't even exist… You… you were different, Harry… Hermione doesn't have some Dark Lord chasing after her."
Harry sighed and looked down. He thought for a moment then he got up, grabbing the file. "Come on," he said, heading for the door.
Ginny watched him go. "Excuse me?"
Harry turned to her. "You know that I'm useless in finding books. I need your help."
"Where are we going?" she asked, grabbing her purse and jacket.
Harry smiled. "Hogwarts."
A/N: Here you go!
mione-ron-4ever: 1 has been answered and 2 will be answered in the next chapter. As for 3, I have no idea because I haven't thought that far ahead but thanks for asking! As to how long it will be, I don't know. If I keep making my chapters long then probably around 10-15, but if I decide to go for the short and un informative effect then it could be as long as The Lord's Judgment.
cellogirl: I wouldn't say that you're dying to know, because everytime someone says that, someone in the story dies.
cheeky splash: It wasn't actually a knife. Just a broken piece of iron from the bottom of the bed. As for everything else, it will be answered eventually.
GTKari-123: Heated up? No, my dear, the stove has just turned on and the pan's still cool my friend.
charma10: I like that. Fun and unpredictable.
sballLuvr5: It's hard to believe crazy people. Even when they think they're telling the truth. ;-)
Wesker888: I like to keep my readers on their toes.
Due to the fact that my computer shut off and erased unsaved chapters, I will not be updating for about a week on this story. I'm sorry. The Lord's Judgement will be updated and finished before then. God willing!
Chapter Tease:
Hermione ran to the bars and began pulling on them. "You have to let me out! He's coming back! Don't leave me alone!" she screamed.
I'm back, Hermy! Loony Hermy! Loony Hermy!