Chapter 23

"So…" Ginny said, turning to Hermione and pointing a thumb at Draco. "This little blond creep would be why Harry's peeved, huh?"

"Ouch." Draco said, pretending to take offense, but his heart wasn't in it. He was feeling crappy enough about his life that he couldn't be as defensive as he once was.

Hermione's eyebrows scrunched together, and she stared angrily at her half empty (not half full) cup.

"Twit. Getting worked up about something that just shows what a good natured person you are." Ginny exclaimed suddenly, and grabbed Hermione's hand again, giving it a sympathetic squeeze.

Hermione looked up, happy and surprised to find someone taking her side, at least a little.

Then she realized that Ginny didn't know the whole story. Harry wasn't just upset that she was helping out with Draco's trial. He was upset about other things she had been doing, or he suspected she had, with Draco.

Draco was looking from one of them to the other, his hands resting behind his head as he leaned back in his chair. He obviously didn't know how to react to the situation. Usually, he would have said some rather offensive things about Potter, which of course would only have succeeded in making Ginny leave in a huff. But Hermione was friends with Ginny…and Potter. He looked like he was trying his best to just hold his tongue. 'If you can't say something nice…'

"Ginny…Harry has a lot of reason's to be upset with me. But I need him to help out with this trial. He's the only witness to what was going on behind the scenes with Draco and Voldemort." Draco cringed, but Ginny held up well, upon hearing the name. "It was his visions. If I bring them up, and Harry refuses to take the stand and prove I'm not making it up…"

"Yeah. I can see that going badly. Having only your testimony might not be enough. The question comes down to this: love of a hero and good friend of the Chosen One VS hate of a former death eater? Things are too crazy and hysterical. Hard facts may not be enough, these days, what with all the death eater trials going on."

"Exactly." Hermione agreed. "Which is why Harry said he won't help out." 'or one of the reason's' Hermione thought, really not wanting to fill Ginny in on her rather taboo relationship. "If he takes the stand, the facts won't matter. Draco will get off without further ado."

"But Harry knows Draco shouldn't go to Azkaban."

"Right."

"So….I don't see the problem."

Hermione sighed. "It's a moral thing. Harry doesn't want people to make his word law. It should be up to a court to look at the facts."

"But facts won't help! Everyone's pretty biased about anyone even slightly associated with death eaters right now!"

"Right."

Ginny sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Ok…so Harry won't help because he wants the judge to look at the facts, not the Hero's opinion. But without Harry, we don't have the facts. But even if we have the facts and not Harry, the facts alone might not help with a biased judge. Do I have this right?"

Hermione was getting a headache, much as she suspected Ginny had. "Yes."

Ginny thought for a moment, biting her bottom lip. "I'll talk to him. It makes more sense that he just bite the bullet and make a case for Draco then let him to go Azkaban for life." She sighed, and looked up at Draco. "Or worse." She added.

"If anyone can talk to him, it's you Ginny…" Hermione started, a bit hesitant to continue. "…but…well…I'm sure he'll bring it up if you try to talk to him about this…there's, er, a bit more he's upset about…"

She felt very hot and uncomfortable. How the hell could she say this? What if Ginny was pissed too…what if one of them explained to the wrong person that Hermione was biased? The less people who knew about her and Draco the better, right? For the case?

But looking up at Ginny waiting expectantly, she realized she really needed an ally and friend right now. She felt isolated with her secret. Only her and Draco. She felt as if she had pushed her friends away, and she was overwhelmed with a deep sadness.

Ron couldn't know, so she didn't want to talk to him. Harry did know, and now she couldn't talk to him. Ginny didn't know, so should she take the chance that she might leave her alone, too?

Hermione was silent in her thoughts long enough that it became awkward. Ginny was trying to be patient, since there seemed to be something important Hermione wanted to say, but her patience was wearing out.

Draco's eyes were wide, and he was staring at Hermione. He was probably thinking along the same lines as Hermione about the trial. Or was he worried that she would lose another friend over him? She wasn't quite sure.

"What!? What else could there be? I can't do anything to help if you don't tell me, so out with it!" Ginny finally burst.

Hermione wasn't good at this confession thing. She knew she hadn't done anything wrong, logically. But she still couldn't help feeling like she had done something awful and disgusting to her friends. Sleeping with Draco, and continuing to be with him…it just wasn't something she could defend among the people she cared about. She didn't like that it felt as if she had committed some crime, herself, for falling in love with the wrong guy.

"Excuse me. Be right back." Hermione said, and fled. Fleeing from an awkward situation, hmm….it sounded familiar. But dammit, she needed to escape and think. She ran to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face.

***

Draco found himself left alone with a very confused Ginny Weasley. The two avoided eye contact for a minute or two. When it was clear that Hermione would be awhile, Ginny turned to the silent Draco.

"What the hell is going on?"

"Hmm?" Draco asked, still not looking at her and trying to avoid the subject. He didn't want Hermione pissed at him, afterall, and so he was trying to be on his best behavior with Ginny. And the only way he could be on his best behavior around a Weasley was to not say a word.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Look, you can say whatever stupid thing you want to me. If I promise not to get mad at Hermione, will you just tell me what's going on? I know you know. I also know you're just bursting with annoying little insults, but if it'll get me the truth, out with it."

Draco breathed a sigh of relief. He decided at that moment to take her promise to heart, and just unload on her.