Chapter 27: Mother Daughter Time Part II
-Back in the present-
Hermione shook her head smiling as she replayed the 'surprise' he had given her part way through their final year. "If you are going to insist that you want to learn to ride a broom, I'm sure Malfoy might as well put his teaching to the test. Ginny was going on about how good you'd be at it"
"You were my first student," he acknowledged, "Surely like mother like daughter I could teach her just as well." He nodded towards Rose, "I'm sure you would enjoy that wouldn't you Rose?"
The young girl nodded her head enthusiastically, "Would you Mr Malfoy?"
Draco nodded "I'll speak to your mother about it, while you go and try that dress on" he pointed to the dress Violetta had in her hand; Rose nodded, bounding off in the direction of the changing room.
When Rose had disappeared from sight, Pansy spoke; "You can try that on as well Draco," before excusing herself and her daughter giving Hermione and Draco some alone time.
"I'd like to talk tonight- when Rose has gone to bed" Hermione started
"I have no doubt you do"
"Also, she wishes to stay at the Manor, for the foreseeable future I suspect, Rose that is"
"And you do not?" he queried quietly, when she didn't give him an answer he sighed, running his hands through his blond locks. "I have already said you can stay at the manor for as long as you want" he sighed again, licking his drying lips before speaking, "I wish you would talk to me properly"
"I-" Hermione paused, "I just need time to think, that's all" Draco opened his mouth to speak but came to the realisation that he couldn't say anything productive to aid her. "I never thought I would have to deal with..." she signalled between them both "This". He nodded his head in agreement, taking a step closer to Hermione to show some sign of comfort but a small voice sounded from the changing room, so he just reached a hand to her shoulder squeezing it before walking into one of the remaining rooms to try on the uniform he still held in his hand.
-Mid afternoon: Malfoy Manor-
Having gotten a rather perfect dress for Rose, and taken a trip to Weasley Wizard Wheezes for a few treats from Rose's Uncle, both she and her mother were enjoying the sunrays in the expansive gardens of the Manor.
"Mum?" Rose questioned suddenly
"Hmm?" Hermione replied, placing the book she had been reading page down onto her chest as she turned her head towards her daughter.
"Did you manage to ask Mr Malfoy if we can spend the night here?"
"I did, he said we can stay for as long as we want to" Rose nodded her head going quiet again. "Perhaps while we're here you can have those flying lessons?
"That would be nice..." she trailed again, "Mum you said you'd answer my question from earlier"
Hermione nodded, "That I did..." she rubbed the back of her neck, "You wanted to know why me and Malfoy weren't together?" Rose nodded. "When we were in our final year, after the battle of Hogwarts" having read Hogwarts a History numerous times, the young girl knew all about what had transpired before her conception, and how both her parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles had been involved. "We were the head boy and head girl, we made a silent agreement to be amicable, we kept to ourselves. We spoke more and more, and then one day he wasn't there, he had a trial for his crimes, hadn't mentioned it to me."
-1999-
Letting the steam from the heads bathroom evaporate into her chambers Hermione stepped out of the room, a red towel wrapped tightly around her chest, ending just at the knee, and a small white towel in her hands drying the tips of her locks. Though it was easier to magic the hair dry Hermione preferred the Muggle way, as it gave her a long time to think- not that she needed time to think, she seemed to be constantly thinking recently, more and more about a certain blond companion.
Speaking of whom, she shouted through the bathroom, "Malfoy, the showers free when you want to use it." When she got no reply she shouted again, "Malfoy?" Curious as to why he wasn't replying, she walked around to his door knocking loudly but still not getting a reply. She carefully opened the door to find his bed made as if he hadn't slept in it, while his broom was still propped up next to the door.
Unsure of where he could have gone, their lessons didn't start for a while from now, and Hermione knew that he had exactly the same lessons as her for today was Wednesday the day they spent most of the day together, except their free period towards the end of the day. So the question was where was he?
When he wasn't in the Great Hall for breakfast, and hadn't shown up for the double Potions first thing she began to worry, and made the effort to go to see the Headmistress to see if she knew where her blond counterpart may have disappeared to. When Hermione got to McGonagall's office she informed Hermione that Draco was having his war crimes tribunal that day, expressing her shock that he hadn't informed her himself. Hermione was granted permission on asking to go to the tribunal, and was accompanied by Minerva McGonagall herself to the Ministry of Magic.
-Now-
"Whatever you hear about me and Malfoy back then, or even now, isn't true, I didn't go to his tribunal because we had romantic liaison, I did it because for me he had repented, he had told me he was sorry, and I believed him..."
-1999-
"Miss Granger will you cease your run at once" Professor McGonagall's voice sounded at the side of Hermione as she was running down the corridors of the Ministry. Hermione slowed glancing at the silver ethereal of a Tabby cat running at her side, before slowing to a stop. After a few moments the real Professor was at her side, "It is not wise to go barging into this situation half-mast. You need to think about this"
"I can't let him go down for anything, I know he's learnt, I know he's sorry- I owe him my life" she whispered the final part as they began walking further down the corridor stopping in front of a set of double doors, standing guard of the door were two Aurors. And as Hermione attempted to walk through the doors they stepped in the way. "I need to get in there"
"I'm sorry miss but it's a closed meeting" one of the men wearing his hair in a pony tail replied.
"Do you know who I am?" Hermione asked exasperated, "I'm here to give evidence"
The man once again shook his head, "I know am aware of who you are Miss Granger, but I'm sorry I'm under strict instructions"
"Williamson, Proudfoot, let her in" the stern Professors voice sounded from behind Hermione, as the brunette stepped out of her way, so that the two Auror's could see their old Professor.
"Professor, we would do, but we are under strict instructions from Kingsley himself"
"I revoke that instruction," a Lynx appeared between McGonagall and the two middle-aged Aurors, "Let Miss Granger into the Wizengamot."
Without so much of a second word they opened the door, Hermione gave her thanks to the Lynx to give back to the Minister for Magic before she entered the room, turning back to look at her Professor as she hadn't stepped forward. "I can't go with you Miss Granger, but make me proud" she smiled a smile that caused the wrinkles in the corner of her eyes to crinkle together.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione entered the room, noting the hush that befell within as her footsteps echoed through the large chamber. Brushing some imaginary dust from her jumper she rounded the corner, taking in who was present, and just as her eyes landed on her blond classmate Kingsley Shacklebolt spoke from a chair high in the seats around the room. "Miss Granger, you are here to give evidence in the defence of one of the Malfoy's are you?"
Hermione nodded, "Not just one, I am also speaking on behalf of Harry James Potter" she lifted her chin as some form of confidence, though she wasn't feeling it. "May I speak Sir?" she questioned, sneaking a glance at Draco who was staring intently at her. "What I say here in this room today isn't common knowledge. I have spoken to Harry countless times, we assumed it would be public knowledge when the Malfoy's were having their trial, but alas it appears the Wizengamot thought it would be best to keep it otherwise. And have thus been planning to attend this meeting for a while." She paused rubbing her hands in an attempt to calm her nerves, "As you already know Minister Harry is away for training so I hope you will accept my word for everything I have to say."
There were a few mumbles around the room, before a hammer on the table stopped any discussions. Though the pause allowed Hermione to truly take in the Malfoy's sat side by side, Draco in a black Wizarding robe, his dishevelled hair having had hands run through it numerous times, as it appeared to become slightly slicked back. Lucius held his wife's hand precariously in his as she was staring intently at Hermione, while the elder Malfoy man was looking at Kingsley.
"What do you wish to tell the Wizengamot today Miss Granger?"
Hermione glanced at Kingsley and a few of the members sat either side of him, before she stared at Draco, wetting her lips lightly before she began speaking. "I've come to tell the Wizengamot how the Malfoy family saved my life and the life of my best friends" she spoke with the confidence she had lacked for the past few months. "My views on why they did what they did, how I think the war has changed them, just like everyone else, and why I think, they deserve a second chance."
-Present Day-
"That day changed something between us" Hermione retold
"What happened, in the trial?" Rose asked intrigued.
A/N: Well I'm evil enough to end it just there, you'll have to wait to find out what happened at the trial, or maybe I'll just go back to the present. You don't need to know what was said in the trial do you? Thanks for all those that reviewed the last two chapters, and please review this chapter to. Until next time; Scorpio219