Chapter 40
It had been a long two weeks. From being kidnaped and tortured to nearly losing her son, Hermione Granger definitely needed long, long vacation. She had already arrange to take a few weeks off of work, which had been a result of taking minimal time off during her time at her job, along with Draco who had done the same. They were still deciding on a location, but Hermione wanted it to be special. She wanted her son to be able to see some of the places he had read about, and he wanted both her children to have a memory that they would remember for years to come. She knew Scorpius might not be able to remember all of it, due to his age, but at least he would enjoy the experience.
When Jamie had been cured, she stayed with him for an entire day. She knew he was going to be fine. After several tests, Draco had concluded that he was forever free of the illness that had once plagued his family line. The potion had been a medical breakthrough, and several journals had already contacted them with the intent of publishing their findings. She felt proud of her findings, but moreover she felt relieved that her son was fine. While she knew from the moment she adopted him that she could lose him, she didn't think she would ever be able to bear with it if it happened. When he was released a few days later, the two of them moved in with Draco and Scorpius.
The entire thing had been surreal. She loved waking up next to Draco ever morning and being able to feel his arms wrapped around her. It gave her a sense of security and comfort and she had never felt more content.
If she thought Scorpius and Jamie got along okay while Jamie was in the hospital, then she had made a severe understatement. The two of them had become thick of thieves and while they weren't biologically related, they were brothers in all but name. Scorpius had shown the Jamie all his favourite spots to play, and after the use of several safety charms, Jamie and Scorpius went flying on a set of training brooms. She might have had a minor heart attack over the last bit if Draco hadn't assured her that he was watching every step of the way and that it would be completely safe. She could tell that Draco was equally ecstatic about how well their children got along together. Once he had released Jamie, he insisted that he call him Draco as opposed to Healer Malfoy like he was used to.
The press was still hounding her at every left turn but thanks to all the protection spells on Malfoy Manor, it ensured their privacy and for that she was grateful. She knew that her children would grow up with the media constantly watching and the world knowing their names, but that didn't mean that she didn't want either Jamie or Scorpius to experience a life as normal as possible.
The attention on her had thankfully taken a far less negative light than it had been before. Instead of the articles blaming her for what happened, more and more of them turned to support her. It had helped that a formal announcement had been released on the events of that night, giving the public just enough knowledge to know what had happened.
Ron had officially been dropped by the Chudley Cannons a few days ago. Apparently being an accessory to murder was not the kind of person they wanted on their team. They had released a statement saying that they in no way condone the actions that he had taken and dropping him was a long time coming. After that it seemed as if Ron truly had no one on his side. Even his family who loved him thought he deserved to go away for his actions. It was a sad thought and she very nearly felt sorry for him, if it weren't for the fact that he had put her through so much.
Blaise, who had fully recovered, had to sort through a nightmare amount of paperwork to legally be able to be alive. He knew that hiding out was his best chance of survival, but he wasn't any happier about the amount of things he needed to deal with as a result. He had taken to spending a lot of time with her children to avoid it, and she didn't quite blame him for not wanting to do any of it.
It had been a horrible shock to the world to learn about Daphne and her actions. A few sympathised with her situation, having lost someone themselves, but everyone agreed that her action were condonable. Her parents had taken it the worst, having lost their daughter. They had reached back out to Astoria as a result and were attempting some sort of reconciliation, but it would take a while for them to get to a healthy place.
Her own parents had been horrified to find out what happened, but had taken the opportunity to get to know their grandchildren. They claimed life was too short to let moments pass, and she had been happy at how her life was turning out. Draco had done so much for her, including introducing her to her child and helping her reconcile with her own parents. He had truly helped improve her life, and she couldn't be more grateful to him for doing so.
Pansy had been upset by the news as well, seeing as Daphne had been seeing her during all that had happened, and not once had Pansy picked up on any sorts of murderous tendencies from her friend and client. She knew that Pansy had been considering shutting down her business, but Hermione insisted that she wasn't responsible for Daphne's actions, and that they were of her own accord.
So here they were now waiting for the last of all of it: Ron's trial. She couldn't say that she wasn't nervous about it all. It was clear that Ron was very guilty, but that didn't mean the process would be any easier or that she wasn't any less anxious.
"Are you ready for this?" Draco asked her softly as he wrapped his arm around her waist. they had arrived at the courtroom five minutes ago, after dropping off the kids with Blaise for the day. There was no way she would even consider bringing them here and she knew he wouldn't mind watching them for a few hours.
She nodded, "I just really want it to all be over, you know? I'm so tired of it all, and I just need to not have to think about it for a while."
He cupped her face, "I know, Hermione. After this we'll take a nice long holiday. I've been thinking about it, and I was thinking that we should travel around Europe and see several of the major sights. That way we don't have to pick just one place to spend all our time. And can just take it easy the rest of the time. We both know that we deserve a break after everything that's happened."
She smiled as she pressed her lips against his, "That sounds wonderful, Draco. I can't wait. We can start packing tonight and head out after all of this is over."
The courtroom began to fill up with people. She could see the Weasleys sitting in the stand a row away from her as Molly gave her a small wave. She could tell how difficult all of this had been for them and she felt bad. She knew that none of it was her fault, but that didn't stop the fact that they were about to lose their son for a while. Ron needed to face justice, but that didn't mean that it didn't affect his family.
Harry was sitting with Ginny, and was just slightly behind her. He squeezed Hermione's shoulder with reassurance and she gave him a small smile.
She held her breath as they brought in Ron. She hadn't seen him since that night, but she could already see the changes in his appearance. He had dark bags under his eyes and his demeanour had completely changed. He looked as if he hadn't eaten in weeks, which considering how much he normally ate explained a lot.
When he looked at her, his face darkened. She could see the anger and resentment towards both Draco and herself in them. She felt herself divert her eyes so she wouldn't have to meet his any longer. Draco simply held her tighter as Ron was brought to his seat.
She took a deep breath in and out as she closed her eyes. She could get through this. She was strong enough to face what happened and the consequences of it.
Hermione watched as the members of Wizengamot took their places in their high stands. She knew how unusual it was to have such a full courthouse, but given the nature of the trial, it seemed appropriate. It wasn't every day a war hero was accused of such things.
"We are here today for the trial of Ronald Bilius Weasley who stands accused of two counts of accessory to attempted murder and accessory to terrorist attacks. We will begin with opening statements from the defense."
A tall thin man stood as he made his way to the stands. "My client, Mr. Weasley is wrongfully charged with such crimes. He had no knowledge of the terrorist plot, nor did he intend for Miss. Granger to be injured. In addition, he was only informed that Mr. Malfoy would be 'taken care of', without explicit knowledge of what that would entail."
She heard Draco scoff from beside her, but he did not draw the attention of the court. Hermione didn't blame him for similar thoughts were running through her head. The mere idea that Ron didn't intend for Draco to die was ridiculous.
"Mr. Weasley, we will start from the beginning, shall we?" the chief warlock asked. "Is it true that you ended your relationship with Miss. Granger to pursue other more 'suitable' women for someone of your social stature?"
Ron tried to protest, "It was a mistake! I didn't realise how much I loved her until I let her go."
"Answer the question, Mr. Weasley," the old chief asked again. Hermione didn't recognize most of the older members, but she could see others she knew from those higher up officials at the ministry and from a few Order members that she had never been especially close with.
"Yes," Ron said, looking as if he wanted to say more. But a look from his representation shut him up.
"Testimony from several witnesses have stated that you took the news of Miss. Granger's relationship with Mr. Malfoy rather poorly. Would you say that you would have done anything to get rid of him?" the chief asked again.
"No," Ron said. "I never would have killed him. I hated the bastard, but I would never have killed him."
"We have letters from you to Mr. Lucius Malfoy asking him for help," the chief stated. "Hoping he would help you deal with the 'problem'"
Ron's lawyer stood up that, "Can you prove that those letters were from my client? Those letters were unsigned. Maybe they were from a third, unhappy party. My client fought in the war to bring down Death Eaters like Lucius Malfoy. Why would he turn to one for help?"
It was a low blow to throw in the hero card, but Hermione wasn't surprised. She knew they would play it a few times hoping to regain public morale and even sway a few of the members of the court. None of them looked impressed however and Hermione couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at that. Just because one did something of great value once, it did not put hem above the law. The entire point of the war was to bring equality to all, and if they simply showed Ron gratitude for his actions and dismissed the charges, then the lives of all those who died would have been in vain.
"They were unsigned, but the letters had traces of DNA evidence on them which can be tied back to your client. In addition, the handwriting is a match for that of your client," one of the secretaries stated when the chief looked at him for proof.
The lawyer nodded, already knowing the results. It had been a long shot to try and say that it couldn't be Ron's note when there were several spells which could prove that it was.
"Mr. Weasley, what were you hoping writing to Mr. Malfoy would achieve?" the chief warlock asked him, sounding curious.
Ron hesitated before speaking, and Hermione could tell that whatever he was about to say couldn't be good.
"I was hoping he would scare his son out of a relationship with Hermione. Malfoy always seemed scared of his father at school, and I was hoping some of that still remained. Why would he want his son to be with her when she's a mudblood. It would ruin the Malfoy family line," Ron said.
There were gasps throughout the room at that. Draco looked furious at the statement and Hermione placed her hand on his thigh to calm him down slightly.
"For the record, the use of the word mudblood was Mr. Weasley trying to explain it from Lucius Malfoy's point of view," the lawyer said, shooting a dirty look to his client.
The chief nodded, "Moving on. I will now allow the defense to call a witness."
"I would like to call Hermione Granger to the stand," the lawyer said.
Hermione felt herself stiffen as all eyes turned to her. She had figured that something of the sort would happen. She stood and made her way down to the stand, and the entire time she could see Ron watching her.
"Miss. Granger, how were you feeling when your relationship with Mr. Wealsey was terminated?" the lawyer asked her.
She felt herself nearly panic but she maintained her composure, "I was devastated. Who wouldn't be after the end of such a long term relationship?"
"Would you say that you were so devastated that you would have done anything to get him back? For example would you have dated the man who was considered Mr. Weasley's 'mortal enemy' as a means to get him back?" the lawyer asked her carefully as he stood inches away from her.
She felt herself grow angry, "No. my relationship with Draco had nothing to do with Ron. I in no way wanted to have him back in my life. There was a point when I would have accepted being his friend, but now I want nothing to do with him. I did not date Draco to make Ron jealous. I started dating him because I cared for him."
"Is it possible that you were tricked into having such feelings for Mr. Malfoy? Say under the influence of a love potion or a spell?" the lawyer asked her curiously.
"A love potion would need to be continuously administered, and Draco wasn't around me enough in the early states to be able to administer the potion to such a degree. The other suggestion was a spell, and I whole heartedly can say that I do not believe it to be true," Hermione said firmly.
"Well if you were under a spell then you would not be aware of it," the lawyer shot back. She was really beginning to hate the guy.
"Enough," the chief said. "We are here for the trial of Ron Weasley, not if Miss Granger is under the influence of a love charm. But to stop this nonsense," he said as he pointed his wand at her, "finite. Now Miss Granger, do you feel any different about Mr. Malfoy?"
"No," Hermione said hardly. "Now can we get back to the matter at hand?"
"I just have a few more questions for you, Miss Granger. What were you doing when Mr. Weasley supposedly lured Mr. Malfoy to what would have been his death?"
"I was a bit busy defusing a potion which would have blown up several thousands of people had it gone off," Hermione retorted.
"So it's Mr. Malfoy's word that my client lured him to his death?" The lawyer asked again.
"No. if you did your research you would know that there were witnesses that saw the two of them talking and leaving together," Hermione said, getting bored.
The lawyer seemed to not want to press on. "How did you and Mr. Potter determine that my client knew where Draco Malfoy was?"
"The use of veritaserum," Hermione said. "If the need for urgency presents itself, Aurors are allowed to use such potions in interrogations for information."
"That is all, Miss Granger," the lawyer said, realising he would not be able to get her to say anything to help his case.
She rose from the stands and made her way back to where Draco was. He wrapped his arm around her and she leaned into him.
"The Wizengamot members have already seen the memory of the interrogation," the undersecretary said, speaking for the members. "What we have seen was a confession."
"Mr Weasley, it appears that all the evidence has been presented. Do you have any final words to say to the room before we vote on a verdict?" the chief asked him.
"Draco Malfoy is a Death Eater. It doesn't matter that he avoided prosecution; nothing can change what the mark on his arm means," Ron said darkly. "Hermione belonged to me, and he went and stole her. I was just trying to reclaim what was rightfully mine."
She heard Draco swear at Ron under his breath and she couldn't help but agree with the sentiment.
"There is not enough evidence to suggest that Mr. Weasley was aware of the plot of the explosive potion at the ball. All those who vote Ron Weasley guilty of two counts accessory to attempted murder?" the chief asked. She watched as every member raised their hand in agreement.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley, you are hereby sentenced to twenty years in Azkaban," the chief ruled.
"It's finally over," Draco said as they watched Ron be taken out of the room. He was protesting the entire way out, and Hermione turned away, not wanting to have to face it any more.
"Let's go home," she murmured. "I want to be with my family."
Draco helped her up and they gave a nod to the Weasleys as they left the room quickly to avoid the flocks of press waiting to get the scoop on the court case of the decade. After months of wanting him gone, Ron was finally out of her life for a long, long time.
A/N: And he's guilty! You would have thought that with all that money, Ron would have been able to hire a proper lawyer, but it seems as if he is just as clueless in that as he is most other things. Thank you so much for reading and following along, and I'll see you next week for the epilogue!