Okay, yes, there has been quite the hiatus on this story, but that was due to an engagement, and then an abrupt break up. I took some time away from all of my Harry Potter stories to pursue a Doctor Who one, which takes up all of my time. Especially at work since that is where I find myself coming up with the best ideas. I wish there was a device that could be hooked up in my brain so while I am thinking it is being copied somewhere! Anyway, I am back. Going to try and update all of my stories, and this one took a dark turn with their relationship I noticed. Anyway, Timelord Omega is reading this one to, and I even bragged about it on Facebook! Oh, and instead of writing a separate Fremione, their love story will be wrapped into this one, in case you couldn't tell. Which means most of it will be from Draco's viewpoint, but some will be just a narrative, since Hermione and Draco don't exactly hang out.
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I traveled home early in the morning to collect my family. Mother was in tears and father protested. I managed to get both of them to the ministry in one piece though. Harry sent one of his lackeys to escort us to our courtroom. In the center were three chairs, all too familiar to us, with their chains that vibrated waiting for a reason to restrain its occupants. I helped father into the one on the far left and I took the middle chair. This wasn't going to go well. Not with all the blood on our hands. Percy floated into the room. I had been out of touch and forgotten that he had been given this position in hopes of being distracted from his brother's passing.
"Lucious Malfoy, you and your family have been brought here today on a summons to prove your innocence in front of me. Harry Potter is the presiding Auror over your case per his request," Percy began and I heard my father his beside me. As far as I knew, father had nothing to do with whatever had been going on, but who is to say I just hadn't noticed. Mother burst into tears. She figured that since it was Harry, our fate was sealed. If only she knew him the way I know him. I sighed as Percy drawled on about keeping tabs on all Death Eaters and that there had been some questionable behavior from a few of the older members.
"What do you have to say in your defense of the accusation that you are the ring leader of this new organization Lucious," Percy questioned looking over his glasses. "Sir," I began. "Hush Draco, this hearing is more for your father, especially since article 65 of the proclamation set for by the late Minister states that any person under legal age that committed crimes for one Tom Marvolo Riddle is hereby excused and forgiven. You are only here for the purpose of providing evidence one way or the other for your father." I sat there dumbfounded. I didn't even know there was a proclamation. This meant that there was no trace on my wand; so I could work on Harry's potion now without worry. A smile spread across my face and I glanced around the room trying to spot him.
"Minister, I know not of what you speak. Although I heard that you let Crouch Jr. off the hook. There is your mistake. If anyone will start a riot, it'll be him. I am an old man," Lucious whispered in his raspy voice. Percy rolled his eyes, "Mr. Malfoy, I have recently sent for Mr. Crouch to be brought back in, because of a letter that happened to be delivered to the wrong person, plotting an uprising, and signed by your name. The owl got confused because of him changing homes so many times." Percy started digging through his files as my mouth hit the floor. Of course. Barty Crouch. Young enough to last awhile, but old enough to remember what it was like. I groaned and put him face in my hands, how could I have been so stupid? "Is there a problem Draco," Percy questioned me as he looked up from his rummaging. "No minister, I just never knew." He frowned at me before returning to his search.
After a few moments, he pulled out a piece of parchment that clearly bore the Malfoy crest. Mother began crying again and I leaned over and hugged her. I glanced at my father who sat there rather smugly, knowing that he would be returning to Azkaban, where once again the dementors were patrolling.
Back at Hogwarts
Hermione was walking hand in hand with Ron across the grounds. It was his turn to be stationed at the school, but tonight was his last day. The stopped just before the cemetery, "Are you sure you want to go in," Hermione asked her husband. She had always loved Ron, but what no one knew, was that deep down, she loved Fred. There were a few nights they snuck off together, but those were gone. Ron nodded and headed for his brother's grave. "Hermione look! Someone has been here, laying flowers on his grave," he pointed out. Hermione only nodded, not wanting to tell him it was her. They sat there reminiscing about Fred and George, and as dusk fell Ron got up to leave, holding out his hand for her. "No, I'm going to stay here for a while, need to tell Remus and Tonks about how big Teddy is getting," she said moving over to their plots. "Alright, not too much longer, you're right on the edge of the forest." She giggled at him for still being afraid of the things that lived in there.
"Damnit Fred leave me alone! Please, don't go, I'm sorry," Hermione clutched her chest and reached out into the darkness sobbing. Fred had been gone almost 5 years, she had watched his coffin be lowered into the ground, and yet he haunts her. He didn't even come back as a ghost. No one else can see him or hear him, except her. "Shhh, it's going to be fine Hermione, I'm always with you now. I'll never leave you," he whispered into her ear. She could almost feel his arms around her, which was bad. Harry had told her he was gone and needed to let him go. She sighed and relaxed, his ghostly arms around her. She wasn't letting this feeling go, ever. "Fred, why won't you show yourself, be a ghost instead of the wind around me," she whispered leaning her head against his marker. She heard him chuckle, "I'm in your heart, that's all. Only way I can come back is if you can find a way to give shape to me. Although it would probably be bad for Georgie."
"Freddy, please. Just try to really focus yourself. That's all that you are missing, focus." Suddenly, the wind picked up, and the ghostly image of Fred stood before her. "Oi! I'm back," he shouted as he zoomed off to the castle. Hermione bit her lip, wondering if maybe this wasn't the best idea.
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Yeah, I brought Fred back…..Fred is my favorite character, and I was having trouble not hating myself for not having him around.