-Chapter 27-
"Draco Malfoy, it is by majority vote of this court that you have been found guilty of all crimes in which you have been accused. It is the collective opinion of those that voted in your conviction that you acted of your own accord based on the testimonies given here today. Under Wizard Law regarding the punishment of the use of any of the three Unforgivable Curses you are hereby sentenced to life in the high security ward of Azkaban Prison. This session of the Wizengamot is dismissed."
Shacklebolt pounded his gavel on the podium and the members dispersed. The two Aurors that brought Draco in unchained him from the chair and dragged him, kicking and screaming, out of the courtroom. Hermione and Ginny held each other tight and kissed. After a series of hugs by the group they were headed out of the courtroom when Shacklebolt stopped them at the door.
"Minister, sir," Harry said, "how are you?"
"Doing fine, Harry. And I've been telling you for years now that you can call me Kingsley or Shacklebolt."
"Sorry, sir, I guess I just hear it enough that I forget."
"Have you three heard from your superiors this weekend?" he asked, referring to Hermione, Ron and Harry.
"No," they answered collectively.
"Ah! Remind me to yell at someone for that! There was a special closed session of the council on Friday evening, top secret. We looked over the statements you gave the Aurors after the incident last weekend, and while the council agreed that you did break several laws in your adventure it was decided that charges will not be brought forth."
"Thank you, sir," Ron said with a smile.
"I'm not finished, Weasley."
"Sorry, sir."
"There were those few who wanted to see some kind of discipline brought forth so to pacify them it was further decided that the three of you are suspended, with pay, until the first of July…so I'll see all of you back here in a week." Shacklebolt smiled and clapped Ron on the shoulder. "And your travel restrictions have been lifted. Might I suggest you all come to Portugal for the World Cup match this weekend? It promises to be exciting, does it not Captain Weasley?"
Ginny smiled and nodded. "Of course, sir."
"Fantastic. I'll make sure everyone else involved gets their official letters today."
"Shacklebolt, I'm sure it's not really information you're allowed to provide but I was wondering about the trials of the other four," said Harry.
"Ah, yes. Those will be coming up this afternoon, closed session of course despite The Daily Prophet protesting that this is an important case and all of that. Really Narcissa is the only one the council is undecided on. Not whether or not she should go to Azkaban, just for how long. I'll send you an owl tonight, how's that? It will be in The Prophet right away as it is so it won't do any harm in you knowing."
"Thank you, sir. Send the owl to The Burrow, I plan on being there tonight."
"If he's not we'll be there," Hermione said.
"All right well all of you take care. Maybe I will see you this weekend, have a good week off!" Shacklebolt said as he turned and exited the courtroom.
Hermione and Luna took Ginny up to the atrium and Flooed to the Burrow right away because she was feeling ill. Ron and Harry went to see Arthur. When they got to the Burrow the women were halfway through lunch already and Ginny was feeling better. When Ron and Harry stepped out of the fireplace Willow greeted Ron by leaping into his arms and the two of them got lost in each others lips.
"Oy! Do you two have to snog in front of me?" Ginny asked mockingly.
"Yeah you two, can't it wait?" Hermione laughed.
"Funny guys, really funny!" Ron said as he set Willow back down.
"Hey, we took it from you for how long? It's only fair that we get a little bit of a payback," Ginny said.
During lunch letters arrived for Aislin and Willow informing them of their travel ban being lifted. Afterwards Ron, Harry, Ginny, Aislin, and Willow put together a game of Quidditch outside while Hermione and Luna helped Molly in the kitchen.
"How is Ginny doing, Hermione?" Luna asked.
"As good as can be expected I suppose. It's only been since Saturday that she's shown any improvement. At least she's eating again and she slept all night Saturday night. Last night she was pretty restless but I think it was just nerves about today, I didn't sleep well either."
"That's good. Oh my!" Luna held on to her stomach. "This one…this one loves to move."
"How's it going? Is this one any easier than the twins?"
"A bit since I know what to expect. Harry wanted to rush me off to St. Mungo's every time either one of the boys gave me a good kick in the ribcage. I'm not fond of the hospital as it is, they really should put in a maternity wing rather than sending us all to the Artifacts Accidents ward. That was probably the number one reason I did the birth at home."
"Best way to do it anyways," Molly said. "I had all seven here at home. Only one that gave us any concern was Ginny."
"Really? She never told me that," Hermione said as she put the dishes away.
"She's been a fighter since day one, which came nearly four weeks earlier than expected. She was small but feisty. She was only a few hours old the first time Ron saw her and she gave him a good right hook to the nose."
"So she has literally been beating Ron up since the day she was born? And here I thought she was exaggerating!" Hermione laughed.
"You'll have your hands full if you want children with Weasley blood, that's for sure."
"I'll love every minute of it," Hermione said. "We're still working on how to go about all of it though. I mean you know...obviously we can't...yeah."
"You have plenty of time, dear."
"Possibly. Honestly I'd like to try right away so that Lennox can have siblings at least somewhat close to his age. He'll be at least four by the time any of them are born."
"How is the house going?" Luna asked.
"I haven't been over there since last week, they were finishing up the outside walls then. They've said construction should be done by the first of August so I figure after decorating I should be able to move in by the middle of August. How about yours?"
"Wonderful. Harry's having the original house re-built on to something a little more suitable for the whole family. They've cleared out a spot and have started building a nice space for when I get The Quibbler going again. I'm hoping Ginny won't be too busy at The Prophet and she'll write a bit for me."
"It sounds delightful, Luna. I'm sure Gin would be more than happy to write for you if she has the time."
"Ron, that Quaffle totally went in!" Ginny yelled as the group walked in from their game.
"It did not!"
"Sorry Ron, Ginny is right."
"Hey, you're supposed to be on my side!"
"Just because I'm your girlfriend doesn't mean I have to agree with everything you say!"
Ron grumbled and everyone took seats at the kitchen table. Hermione and Luna passed around glasses of lemonade.
"Will all of you be staying for dinner?" Molly asked.
"We wouldn't want to be any trouble Mrs. Weasley."
"Nonsense, Aislin dear! I've got a couple of chickens that need to be used, we'll have roast chicken and vegetables. Why don't all of you go up to the village while I get everything done? Maybe go up to the bakery and bring back some nice desserts, they have wonderful pies."
There was a collective agreement from everyone but Ginny. The redhead stayed seated at the kitchen table.
"You comin' Gin?" Willow turned to ask.
"No, I'm pretty tired. I think I'll just stay here and relax for a while. You guys have fun though."
"Willow," Hermione pulled her aside while Harry Flooed out with one of the twins, "I really honestly hate to ask this of you but would you mind taking Lennox with you and keeping an eye on him? I want to stay here with Ginny."
"Of course Hermione, it's not a problem at all. Ron is really good with him, it's kind of adorable."
"Thank you so much, I owe you one."
The group Flooed out and Hermione hung back. She sat down next to Ginny at the kitchen table and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Hermione you should go and have fun, I'll be fine."
"It's okay Gin. I thought maybe we could talk?"
Ginny nodded and the pair excused themselves to the sitting room while Molly started dinner. Hermione sat on the sofa and stretched her legs out on it, Ginny positioned herself between them and leaned against the brunette.
"So are you for sure going back tomorrow?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah. I don't know how much I'll be able to do but I'm going to try. We leave Friday morning for Portugal, the match is Saturday afternoon. I probably won't put myself in, if I do then it won't be for long. It depends on how I feel."
"Just do what you can, love."
"Hermione…how…how have you been? With all of this?"
"I've been worried about you. When you didn't come back after flying…gods Ginny, I don't think I've ever been so scared. We all had a good idea about what happened, we didn't even consider letting the Ministry handle it; except for Percy of course but obviously we ignored him. When we found you…when I realized what had happened…I don't even remember what was going through my head other than killing him. It was all a blur."
"I was so scared of what would happen when you found out. I think that's why I shut you out…"
"What did you think would happen?"
"I don't know, honestly."
"It hasn't been easy, to tell you the truth. But only because you shut me out and wouldn't let me try to help you. All I wanted was to help you get through this."
Ginny sighed and nuzzled into Hermione's neck. "I'm trying, I really am."
"I know you are, love. I know you are."
"Ha-have you talked to your parents at all?"
"No. The last I heard from them was at the hospital. I sent them a copy of our wedding announcement right after it was printed and didn't get a response."
"The wedding…I don't have anything to wear."
Hermione smiled. "You've got a little time to find something."
"Have you done anymore planning for it?"
"A little. Neville and Professor Sprout want to do the flowers, I've got contact information for caterers and the Ceremony Wizard booked. George has insisted that he get to do a little something to do with fireworks so I have consented to that as long as he doesn't destroy anything. Any idea who you want standing up with us?"
"As much as I'd love to have all of my brothers up there I think it would be fair to just have Harry and Luna. We both owe them a lot and it would be easier to get two sets of dress robes versus however many we would need for all of them."
"That sounds good to me. But you know that if you don't want to…we can postpone it."
"No. I'm marrying you, Hermione. I've waited for this for almost ten years, I will not have it delayed any further."
"But you said…you can't feel…I don't want you to go through with this if you can't love me."
"It'll get better, 'Mione."