Chapter 14

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing.

AN: Sorry for the delayed update, but I had two exams and a paper due this week.

Hermione Pov:

"Ms. Granger, can you please tell us about your time spent with Mr. Weasley?"

Being on the stand as a witness at Flint's trial was one thing. Being here now was completely different. I'm surrounded by the Wizengamot, reporters, as well as friends and family. Looking up, I see Molly trying so hard to keep it together in front of the rest of her family, and Arthur staring on ahead trying to be strong. I can't even imagine what they must be going through.

It's been a week since Draco and I barely escaped Ron. My bruises and lip have begun to heal rather quickly, thanks to various potions. Ron on the other hand, not so much. I look down to him again where he's glaring daggers at me from next to his lawyer. His eyes look bottomless and hollow, but his face looks like one giant bruise. His nose was broken and his jaw fractured by Draco, but it looks like no one bothered to fix them. Probably a direct order from Harry…

"Ms. Granger?" Draco asks, getting my attention again. "Can you please tell the court about your experience with Mr. Weasley?"

I clutch my hands together in nervousness. I don't know if I can do this. I want Ron locked away for all that he's done, but I didn't think I would have to tell my story from before he kidnapped me. reporters from top newspapers stand in the back of the room with quills raised, ready to take down anything I say. Rita Skeeter wasn't allowed in thanks to Harry, but what if these reporters twist around what I say? Only Harry, Ginny, and Draco know about that part of my life, but soon the whole world will. Do I really want to share something so personal, even if it will help in sending him where he belongs? I hear a small whimper like sound from Molly and look up at her again. Oh Merlin, can she bare to hear what her son did to me? It was bad enough when Harry and Blaise had to tell them their son was a crazy serial killer and that he kidnapped me. This will just further break their hearts, and I don't want to put them through anymore.

"Hey" Draco murmurs softly coming up to me in the stand, and taking my hand. He rubs the back of it gently and looks into my eyes. "Pretend they're not here. It's just you and me talking. You can do this Hermione."

He's right, I can. This has to be done, no matter how hard it is on all of us. What will be published in the papers will probably be monitored before they're released, and the Weasley's know that Ron dug his own grave. Taking a deep breath, I look up to Draco and my jurors and begin my tale. I don't go nearly as in depth as I did when I told Draco, but I give all the important details. I answer every question he asks, and even fill in how Ron got me by myself and what happened before he and the others came to get me from the tent. When I'm done, Molly has her hand clasped over her heart and tears continuously leaking out of her eyes. Arthur holds onto her and gently rocks them back and forth. He whispers soothing things in her ear, but I can see the unshed tears in his own eyes.

Draco thanks me and says I can return to my seat. "You did well love" he whispers in my ear reassuringly as he helps me down from the stand. My part is over.

Harry takes the stand next to talk about what he and Draco discovered in Ron's apartment and how he pulled off all of the murders. After they arrested Ron, Harry and Blaise returned to the place in the forest. They discovered a hole Ron had dug behind the tent which he was planning to bury me in after he killed me. Upon further investigation, they found all of Ron's victims over the years, besides those whose bodies turned up recently, were buried around the campsite. There were probably twenty different corpses found. Turns out when he said they were 'beneath' him, he meant it literally.

His vengeful path started about a year after I left him. First it was Ron wanting to get back at the Chudley Cannon's team for firing him. He sent a mysterious gift to the coach who opened it and unleashed a poisonous gas in his face. It was Ron's hope that with the coach out of the way, he could take back his position once they found a new one. When it didn't work, he was discouraged but continued to torment other members of the team. He would disguise himself and send hexes and jinxes at them from the shadows of meet and greets, or generally threatening letters. When the aurors started heavily guarding them, he backed off.

Then there were the women. Ron frequented brothels and other places where loose women hung about, even more so after I left. He began taking them in to 'shape up' as his wife, but none of them ever made the cut. He abused and controlled them, and finally killed them. I think that he probably made up excuses just to hurt them because he enjoyed the power he held over them, and sadistically liked watching them in pain. He did the same thing to me.

His first victims were the women I found him cheating with in the papers that day. In some way, he convinced himself that they caused me to leave. He'd started going insane by then, and found his pleasure through having them at his mercy. Since they were prostitutes, no one really bothered to look for them because they'd been shunned by most of their families anyway. It became a pattern with so many of them, and he never showed up at the same whore house twice so to avoid suspicion. Why he chose to bury them in the Forest of Dean is still a mystery, and will probably only ever make sense to Ron's twisted mind.

He stuck to this routine for three years, but started getting a little sloppy once he started going after other types of women. Though most were still loose in a sense, they did have families that cared about them and would notice when they turned up missing. Ron often held the women captive in his apartment and refused to let them see their families. Most never even knew that their daughters or sisters were in a relationship with Ron, and if they did he made it appear as though they'd broken up long before the girl went missing. One girl was almost able to get away like I did. She snuck out, but made her mistake in going to the media instead of the aurors. She wanted to destroy his reputation and told them she wanted to press charges against him for violating her. He kidnapped and killed her, then polyjuiced himself as her and went back to the papers to say that she lied and made the whole thing up because she was upset he broke it off with her. That was the beginning of him polyjuicing himself.

His game slightly changed when I came back. He decided I was the cause of any misfortune that befell him, and I would be next. However, he knew he would have to plan it all carefully because of my closeness to Harry. He used disillusionment charms and polyjuice potion to stalk me. He followed me once when Draco walked me home after a date and discovered where I lived. He spent months trying to unbalance me hoping I would think my wards faulty and take them down. It was very clever and worked, allowing him to get in and destroy my flat. Once he was done, he then came to the game using the Cannons Keeper's pass to get into the private box. Players always have exclusive access in case the occupants of the box want to meet with them. By then he'd had the keeper locked up and had already tortured him into madness. He was able to apparate away once I ran out of the bathroom, and brutally murdered the player that night before placing his body on the quidditch field. The next two months he chose random women he could find and put their bodies out thinking he was sending us a message.

He began to get frustrated when he wasn't able to get to me again, and devised a plan. He polyjuiced himself as random people to get into the ministry and saw the secretary of the law department. He lured her away to his apartment, then killed her and took over her role for about a month so he was able to get closer to all of us. He was easily able to plant the memo's on Draco and Harry's desks while saying he had no clue who sent them, and also got his hands on a document that he sent to George saying there was an issue with his ownership contract. He was the one who broke into George's house and snuck into his bathroom to steal a few of his hairs from his brush. Then he busted in the shop window, knowing it would get Harry and Draco out of the ministry at the same time. While they were at the shop, he disguised himself as George to get me away from my protection. By holding onto his arm when we were in the floo, he was able to get past Draco's wards and killed the two aurors while I was upstairs. His entire scheme was incredibly planned out and went off without a hitch. Ron was always a great chess player in school. He knew exactly how to make his moves, and we were all pawns on his chessboard in his sick twisted game. He played us well and almost got away with it, but I guess karma finally caught up to him.

Once Harry finishes his story, Draco turns to the Wizengamot and tells his own version of how he found me and how he was able to overpower Ron. Had it not been for Tobias, both he and I would have been dead before Harry and the aurors got to us, and Ron would have probably been able to escape. I'd completely forgotten that he burrowed himself in my front pocket, and his distraction made all the difference in our situation. Pygmy puffs are very loyal to those they love and can sense when they're in danger. We rewarded him by buying an even bigger cage, which is practically like his own personal mansion, and Draco buys only the best and most expensive food. He's also discussed getting him a partner, although we're a little hesitant with the way pygmy puffs rapidly reproduce. Regardless, Tobias is probably the most spoiled puff that ever lived.

Once Draco makes his closing argument, we wait for about ten minutes to hear the verdict. They reach a decision and find Ron guilty on all charges. There was just too much against him for his lawyer to even try to put together a defense. He's sentenced to life in Azkaban, where Harry will make sure a dementor guards his cell at all times. As he's being led away he shouts obscenities over at Draco, Harry, and I and rambles madly to himself. It doesn't matter because there's nothing he can do. He allowed his anger and jealousy to overtake him and changed into this dark insane person. He let his negative traits fester and swell within him and chose this evil path, and will spend the rest of his life paying for it.

Draco hugs me close, then kisses my forehead and assures me that he'll never let anything like this happen to me ever again. I return his embrace, but over his shoulder see the Weasleys huddled together and surrounding a distraught Molly. She knew Ron deserved this, but she was still sad that she had in a sense lost another child and was probably blaming herself. Draco catches my gaze and nods for me to go ahead. I approach them very carefully, not quite sure what to say. Molly looks up at me through tear filled eyes, and my heart goes out to her.

"Hermione dear, I am so so so sorry" she chokes out. "I had no idea he was capable of such atrocities, I swear! We tried so hard to raise him right, but I guess-"

I cut her off as I put my arms around her and let her continue to sob on my shoulder as she fiercely hugs me back. "It's not your fault Molly" I say softly. "You did a wonderful job of raising your children. Don't blame yourself for their mistakes." We stand there holding each other and whispering apologies, and I assure all of them that we'll remain close despite this terrible experience. The Weasley's helped raise me and welcomed me into the magical world, and for that I'll be forever grateful. There my second family and will remain a huge part of my life.

A month later, I'm standing in Madame Maulkin's getting a few last minute touches and fittings for my wedding dress. Draco and I decided that with all that's happened in the past few months, we didn't want to wait anymore and are getting married this weekend. We thought Narcissa might be a little put out with our decision, since she was planning a huge extravagant wedding scheduled six months away, but she was surprisingly on our side. We didn't need a huge celebration, we just wanted our close friends and families there.

"Well dearie, everything seems fine, you just need a little extra material around your chest area" she says giving me a knowing smile. I blush, but don't further comment. In this past week, my breasts have gotten bigger and are practically falling out of my shirts. I'm also going to have to pick up a few new outfits as well. She goes off to the back to gather her materials, and I'm left standing on the little stand in front of a three way mirror in my gown. It's a white one shoulder gown with lace trimming. It molds to my body shape from my chest down to my hips, then flares out all the way to the ground. It's almost a mix between a sexy sleek style and a princess type ball gown. I feel truly exsquisite in it, and cannot wait for Draco to see me. It looks even better now with my new curves…

As I'm admiring my reflection in the mirror, I hear the front of the door open, and a woman comes in to look at robes, then catches sight of me. She slowly comes towards me until she's standing rather close and practically glares at me through my reflection in the mirror. She's really a beautiful woman with honey blonde hair, and dark blue eyes, but the scowl marring her features takes away from it. I feel like I've seen her before, but don't think I've ever had a conversation with her. Maybe I just saw her in passing on the streets, or around Hogwarts? She had to have been in a younger grade if that's the case.

"So it's true then? Draco's actually marrying you?" she asks haughtily Obviously she doesn't like me and is probably some pureblood chit with a crush on Draco. When we first got together, I got a letter or two from some still bigoted purebloods who didn't think I deserved to be in the presence of the great Draco Malfoy because of my heritage. We just laughed at their pettiness and didn't give it another thought. None of them have ever approached me though.

"Yes" I say flatly meeting her glare through the mirror. I'm not in the mood to deal with anymore mess thrown our way. Draco, Scorpious, and I have been through hell and back and have come through it as a family. Nothing she can say is going to ruin my happiness.

She sniffs at me then says, "Such a shame that he's ruining centuries of pureblood. Then again, he became a blood traitor when his father was no longer around to guide him. But this stunt has truly dragged him down past the point of no return. It's disgusting really." She looks me up and down with clear distaste on her face. She's really starting to get on my nerves. I don't know who she is, but what makes her think she has the right to come here and say these horrible things about my future husband?

As though sensing my thoughts through my hateful glare at her, a condescending smile takes over her face. "How rude of me. We haven't even been properly introduced. I'm Astoria Greengrass." She hisses the s sound like a snake as she continues to look down her nose at me like I'm some kind of bug or rodent. Why is she talking to me? It's not like she can say or do anything, after all she signed over all parental rights to Scorpious. Surely she's not stupid enough to try to hurt me to try and call of our wedding. Why does she even care? She left Draco and Scorpious.

"I don't know what you want or why you're talking to me, but nothing you say or do will stop Draco and I from getting married, nor from me adopting Scorpious" I say to her, feeling my ire rise. Her eyes widen at the last part. I guess she wasn't expecting me to actually adopt him. Good, I want her to know that I've completely erased all chances of her ever coming back into his life. It might be vindictive, but after what she did she doesn't deserve another chance with him. "Yes, Scorpious will legally be mine very soon. He already calls me mommy. He's wonderful, and didn't deserve what you did." I almost spit that out at her.

She looks taken aback for a moment, before anger overtakes her. She turns to face me fully, then hisses. "What the hell was I supposed to do? I was only nineteen! I didn't want to be a mother then! I'd just gotten out of school, and was immediately married off before I even got the chance to live my life. I thought it would be a dream come true to marry Draco Malfoy, but then he changed! He completely disregarded everything he'd ever been taught and mingled with half-bloods and mudbloods" she spits at me, fuming. "We were taught all our lives about the importance of blood purity. It angered me that he could just turn his back on all of that. We had nothing in common, and then when we had Scorpious he said that he wasn't going to continue with our teachings. I was going to have a kid that didn't care that he was superior to all others! I couldn't just ignore and go against what I'd known my whole life! And I had no idea what I was doing with him! Hell, I was just a kid myself. I didn't ask for any of that!" she's nearly panting as she finishes her tirade.

I myself am beyond enraged. Did she hear the words coming out of her mouth? What does she expect me to understand her reasons and feel sorry for her? I've only known her all of five minutes but already she's become the most selfish and hateful person I know.

"Is that supposed to justify everything?" I hiss back. "Just because you were taught something as a child that your husband didn't agree with, you take it out on the child? Are you ignorant?! Look around you! The world has changed! Don't you think it was hard on all of the others who were taught the same ideals when they turned their backs on it? But they got over it and went along with what the ministry was trying to do! And now look at them. They're living peacefully among all of us and consider those who are not of pureblood an equal. Merlin, we fought a bloody war over this issue! Did it not teach you anything? Blood doesn't matter! My blood is not dirtier than yours, no matter what you were taught growing up! And you walked out on your child because you didn't ask for him or your circumstances?! That is the stupidest and most selfish reason I have ever heard in my life! Do you think he asked to be born to two parents that hated each other? Do you think Draco asked to be forced into the marriage contract with you? Do you think I asked to be discriminated against when I joined the wizarding world all because I have muggle parents?! No one asks for the obstacles they are thrown in life, but we get through them and don't run away because it's not what we wanted!" By the end of my own tirade, I'm panting too and we continue to glare viciously at each other.

After a few seconds of silence, Astoria straightens back up. She still looks condescendingly at me, but there's something else in her eyes. Almost like a glimmer of respect for what I've just said to her. "Look, I didn't expect to run into you when I came in here, and I didn't come over to necessarily fight with you" she says.

"Oh? Surely it wasn't to invite me over for tea! What pray tell, were you hoping to accomplish by coming over to speak to me?" I ask sarcastically.

She huffs through her nose. "You and I will clearly never get along. I won't see you as anything more than a mudblood, and you won't see my view point of things. I'll probably never be able to accept those of impure blood, and you'll continue to promote equality. However, I know you're a strong woman. I've seen the papers regarding the trial, and I know about your story. I also know that you'll be the mother Scorpious needs. He was never really mine. I may have carried and delivered him, but I wasn't ready to be a mother. I don't expect you to consider my reasons or to care, but me giving him up was probably the best thing I could have done for him. I don't like you and think you'll taint the Malfoy line, but you can give him what I never could. Good day, Ms. Granger." With that, she turns on her heel and walks out of the shop.

I think about my encounter with Astoria all day. I know it's hard to forget everything you've ever been taught and embrace the exact opposite, but damnit nearly all the other Slytherins were able to do it! It was the only way they would be able to survive in our world and although many of them aren't marrying a muggle born like Draco, I'm sure they won't necessarily encourage their children to do the same. They won't continue with these prejudices because they know what such hatred can lead to. I have no sympathy in my heart for Astoria. Her decisions were wrong and her reasoning beyond stupid. However, some of her mothering instinct did come out today during our confrontation. It was very slight, but still there. She acknowledged what was best for Scorpious. Over the years the guilt of her choice will begin to eat away at her, and one day she'll look back and be so ashamed of what she did. But it's already too late. She chose her path and, like Ron, she'll be forever paying for it.

My wedding day comes, and I find myself a jittery mess of nerves right before I'm supposed to walk down the aisle towards Draco. The wedding is being held in the gardens of the manor, with only our friends, family, and a few trusted reporters such as Luna Lovegood from the Quibbler to capture our special day. Scorpious and James both got to be ring bearers and looked so handsome in their tailored tuxes. Those two really are something else. Victoire and Dominique are my two little flower girls and are absolutely adorable in their white and blue dresses. My bridesmaids, Fleur and Gabrielle walk down the aisle next, then my maid of honor, Ginny after she squeezes my hand. Finally I hear the wedding march, and my dad walks me down the aisle. All stand and eyes turn to me, but I'm only looking ahead at Draco. He stares at me in awe, never ceasing to make me feel beautiful, and all of my jitters leave. This is what I truly want, and my life is about to be complete.

I take his hand and Kingsley presides over the ceremony. It only lasts about twenty minutes, and we take the traditional vows, both muggle and wizard. When it's time to seal our bond with a kiss, he grabs me around the waist and dips me like they do in the romance movies I got him to watch with me. The wedding guests cheer, and his best man Blaise has to almost pull him up to get us to stop kissing. I blush, but we both laugh not caring about how silly we must look to them. I've never been so happy in my life.

We proceed into a section in the gardens that has several tables set up and begin dinner. After wards are the toasts and the speeches begin. First are his groomsmen and Theo steps up. He's not a mushy guy and simply says he's happy for us and wishes the best. Next is Harry, whom says that he never saw this coming, but life has a funny way of turning out and he knows we're perfect for each other. He wishes us years of happiness and many other blessings. Finally it's Blaise's turn, who decides to start off with embarrassing stories about Draco, such as the time in third year when I punched him in the face and how he was turned into a ferret. Scorpious looks over at him with a mixture of amusement and awe while Draco glares at Blaise good naturedly. At the end of his speech, he raises his glass to us and says there are no two people more perfect for each other and he knows we'll be happy for the rest of our lives before saying cheers.

Draco and I have our first dance, and he holds me tightly. Others join afterwards, but we remain dancing together through a few more songs until Narcissa cuts in requesting a dance. I go off and dance with my father, Harry, and even Scorpious and James. Looking around I also happen to catch Blaise dancing with Gabrielle in a gentlemanly fashion. He really likes her, and I hope things work out between them. I don't know if he'll ever settle down, but after everything we've been through I believe everyone deserves to have a significant other and hope Blaise finds his someone too.

Finally, it's time to say goodbye to our friends and family and go off for our honeymoon. The guests throw rice at us as we pass, and at the end of the line is Narcissa holding Scorpious. She wishes us a fun time, and says not to worry about anything because she'll take good care of Scorpious. I know she will, but this will be the longest Draco or I have ever been away from him, even though its only for a week. We both hug and kiss him fiercely and he begs us one more time to take him with us to the Virgin Islands. He huffs and crosses his arms when we tell him no again, but Draco embraces him again and says that he'll bring him something back and we'll go on a trip somewhere with him soon. His answer seems to pacify him for now, and he goes back into Narcissa's arms without much fuss.

Draco apparates me to the private beach houses he purchased on one of the islands. Of course by house, I mean mini mansion that a family of five could live comfortably in and probably manage to not see each other. Him and his extravagant ways are something I'll eventually learn to get used to. He picks me up bridal style and carries me into the master suite, where we make gentle love over and over again. Finally we take a break and lay idly next to each other catching our breaths. Once we're done panting, Draco gets up and goes over to one of his bags to pull something out. He comes back over to me and hands me a document.

"For you love. As my wedding gift" he smiles while handing me the papers. I look down and feel tears of joy prickling in the back of my eyes. It's an official document naming me as Scorpious' legal mother. He's officially mine in every way now. "Oh, Draco" I breathe. "Thank you. I'm so happy…"

He kisses me on the lips. "Me too Hermione. He finally has a mother, and I have an incredible and beautiful wife. Our family is complete." We make out for a little bit before he pulls back and gives me his dazzling smile. "I plan on enjoying this week fully, but I can't wait to get back to him. We're going to start our new life together and build up so many memories, just the three of us." He moves down to trail kisses down my neck, and I suppose now would be a good time to tell him.

"Draco?"

"Hmm?" he mutters while still continuing his ministration.

"What if it's not just the three of us?" I ask.

He stops what he's doing and pulls back to look at me in confusion. "What do you mean?"

I cup his face in my hands and stare into his eyes. "What if in a few months, the three of us became the four of us?" He still has a confused look, but then realization dawns on him.

"Are…are you…?" he can't seem to get the words out, but I know what he's asking. I smile and nod.

His breathtaking smile comes across his face again, and his eyes shine in happiness. "You're pregnant? Merlin Hermione this is wonderful! We're going to have a baby! Scorpious will be thrilled to be an older brother, and mother will be beside herself in glee! How far along are you?"

"About three months. I found out for sure a few weeks ago, and I wanted it to be my wedding gift to you" I say. The joy in his eyes fades at my words, but I know him well enough to know what he's thinking and what subtle meaning he picked up from my what I've said.

"Three months? But that means…you were pregnant when you were…when Weasley…"

I place my finger on his lips to silence him. "I know, and I was worried too. But I went to the healers and had them check. Everything is fine. The baby is growing normally and there's no reason to be concerned. It's as healthy as can be."

The dark look leaves his features and the joy comes back. He swoops down and kisses me again. "This is wonderful Hermione! We're going to have another baby! Life is finally going our way." We don't talk anymore after that, and continue with our previous activities until the sun comes up. When we're finally too exhausted to carry on, he cradles my back into his front and wraps his arm possessively over my stomach. As I drift off to sleep, all I can think about is how happy I am and the new life we'll have together.

AN: So, I decided to give you all a bit of fluff to make up for my lack of updating. I know I said I wouldn't bring Astoria back, but one of you suggested a scenario like this and I found it interesting and decided to go with it. Also I'd like to say something completely irrelevant to the story but regarding some of the things you've said in reviews. I just want to let you know that I don't hate Ron or Lucius. WHAT?! Shocker I know, considering the story I've just written. Although I was never a fan of the pairing of Ron and Hermione together, I still liked his character. And sure Lucius made some really bad mistakes, but in the end he gave up fighting in the final battle, more concerned with finding his son and making sure he was safe. I think that if Hermione and Draco were to actually have gotten together in the series, Lucius would probably have been accepting of it, though it might be hard for him at first considering what he had been taught his whole life. I just needed someone to portray the villains in this story so I could go build their relationship, and Ron and Lucius fit the bill. If I continue writing stories for FF, I'll probably have them as good guys, or as good as Lucius can be. Next chapter will be an epilogue!