Trials – Part 1

"Do you have a connection with Lord Malfoy?"

Hermione was afraid of this question. For an outsider, this should be a simple question. It was enough to say one short word. But to her, yes meant a completely different wizard. It wasn't about Lucius, who wasn't Lord Malfoy when she met him. This included his father and grandfather. And a few other wizards she could now only find on the family tree hanging in the main library of Malfoy Manor.

"Miss Granger…" - Kingley's voice bore signs of growing irritation - "Do I have to wait long for your answer?"

She sighed before answering. - "Yes, I had a connection with Lord Malfoy. I have a connection with Lord Malfoy and will always have a connection with Lord Malfoy." - She closed her eyes, not wanting to see the reaction of the rest of the witnesses, and before anyone could break the silence that appeared in the Wizengamot Hall she said - "Brutus Malfoy was like a father to me. Abraxas Malfoy was my friend. As for Lucius... I gave birth to him even though I'm not related to him in any way."

xxx

She ran her fingers through his dark hair. He was very similar to his nephew but had more stability. - "I missed you." - she whispered, resting her forehead against his chest.

"You look like you haven't eaten in months."

She didn't want to tell him that. These unexpected jumps in time had always been tiring for her, but now it was even more so. A few months of living in a tent with Harry and Ron had wreaked havoc on her system.

"I haven't eaten for several months." - She cleared her throat before adding - "But I don't want to talk about it."

He cupped her face in his large hands, then, after staring into her eyes for a moment, closed his and closed the distance between them just enough for him to brush his lips against hers.

"Can I?"

In that short question, Alphard Black contained all the longing he felt. She had felt the same since she disappeared on their wedding day. - "Yes."

He kissed her once more. This time he didn't stop. They separated only when they heard a knock on the door. - "Salazar, I told Abraxas I wanted some time alone with my wife." - he growled through clenched teeth.

He softened when he heard her giggle.

"Brax you can come in!" -she shouted. - "We aren't naked" - She had almost forgotten that this was where she felt like home.

Alphie leaned over and whispered quickly into her ear. - "Be gentle with him. Antares still hasn't conceived. Abraxas doesn't care, but her parents want to trade her for her little sister in case she doesn't conceive by the end of the year. They don't want to pay the penalty for not having an heir."

xxx

"Did you give birth? You are half the age of Lucius Malfoy." - Kingsley was stunned. She wasn't surprised. - "It's impossible, Miss Granger."

"I haven't been Miss Granger for a long time, Minister. It would be nice if you would review the documents I provided last week. If you did that review, you wouldn't have to ask..."

She was nervous. In the falder was a certificate from the Department of Mysteries. A certificate so she hasn't been arrested for illegal time travel yet. A document signed by every Minister of Magic she met. Her Marriage Certificate and... Lucius Malfoy's Birth Certificate. In this document it clearly stated that she gave birth to the current Lord Malfoy, but his biological parents were Abraxas and Antares Malfoy.

The wizard quickly reached for the documents. Even faster, with fury clearly written on his face, he looked through the contents of the folder. Hermione watched with satisfaction as fury gave way to first surprise and then complete bewilderment. - "Mrs. Black, you don't have to explain to us any more on this subject. Could you tell me why, apart from family connections, you wanted to testify in favor of Lucius Malfoy? Why do you want to advocate freedom for a Death Eater who participated in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries? For all I know, you nearly died from this event."

"And as far as I know, he is a wizard who saved me and my parents during the attack on the district where I lived as a child. This is the wizard that helped me to send my parents to Australia so they wouldn't be affected by the war between wizards again. This is a wizard who kept his word and didn't come again between me and the person who tortured me. Lucius Malfoy is a wizard who will do anything for his family. If he was welcome on the light side, he would have helped without hesitation. However, how could anyone expect someone to help him if..." - she gulped, feeling tears welling up in her eyes - "...a fucking light symbol was able to cover up a murder attempt just to save his pupils?"

xxx

He took her in his arms and pressed her against his body. She could feel how fast his heart was beating. After a moment of awkward silence, he whispered so softly that she barely heard him -"I'd like to you give birth to my child first. However, I understand the situations. The next child you have will be Black. Even if I'm not his father."

She tried to move away from him. Unfortunately to no avail. - "I don't want to be like this with anyone else."

"You dream about having a big family. I don't know if I'll live in time where you're stuck when you finally stop time travelling. I just wish your children had at least some of my blood in them."

She understood what he meant. Still, it didn't change the fact that it hurt her that he considered that there was a moment in space-time that they wouldn't live at the same moment. She tried not to think about the fact that her beloved died exactly one year before her birth.

She tugged at his tie and kissed him without asking. After a while she pushed him onto the bed and climbed on top of him.

"Something happened?" - he chuckled.

"Hormones are currently increasing my libido. Can I use you to satisfy it or should I ask Abraxas for help? I have no doubt that he will agree."

She was pleased to note the hint of jealousy in his silver eyes. She didn't even notice when he turned them around so she was underneath him. Alphard leaned over her and said looking at her mouth. - "As long as I'malive, you are mine. I'm not sharing."

xxx

"What attack are you talking about, Mrs. Black?" - The unknown wizard rose from the chair to Kingsley's right. - "I'm Peter White. Unlike the Minister, I reviewed the documents you provided. However, they were the subject of the case. I didn't want to discuss what you shared with us for fear of leaking information."

"It wasn't just James and Lily Potter's house that was attacked that night. In addition to Harry Potter's family home, several others were attacked. Including mine."

xxx

I wanted to publish both chapters in one day. However, I thought I'd post the first of the two chapters today. I'd like to see if you're interested in the outcome of the trial. Regards, Katie Krum.