DISCLAIMER: STILL A NO. ALL BELONGS TO JO.

A/N: Thank you all so much for the support. I am glad you are still enjoying this story. I hope that you find this chapter makes up a bit for the last. I need sleep, but I wanted to get this out. I needed to write, and now I need to share. All my love.

Lily

There was no avoiding it. Severus knew that he needed to talk to her, they needed to plan. Dementors or not he was not about to let Hermione rot in Azkaban. He was frankly shocked by some of the charges being lobbed at her, although he had learned that there was not much he found he could count on when it came to the Ministry, who seemed to muck things up whenever the opportunity to do so presented itself. He was however determined to make sure that she had the best defense before she even turned herself in.

Some of the charges would be very difficult to prove her innocence. Griphook had been killed just before the battle of Hogwarts, and Hermione had been with the dastardly duo at the Hogs Head, something he was certain he could convince Aberforth to testify to. He wasn't even sure what the bumbling red-headed idiot was thinking with that accusation, it honestly made no sense.

Harry would certainly be able to testify that she in no manner attempted to lure him to his death in the Forbidden Forest, if there was anyone that the Wizengamot was likely to listen to it would be their personal hero-turned-Auror, Chosen One Potter.

The attempted murder was going to be the harder charge to fight, if Weasley knew anything about her self-torture he could turn that around on her. Severus already knew that they had found the wand had performed Unforgivables in the years following the war. It would be more difficult to prove that it was not against Weasley, though even if they choose to believe that tripe she had a very good case for self-defense. Any number of people could testify to what that monster did to her, and how she had nearly died, losing her daughter in the process.

He truly could not imagine that anyone would believe her to have been working with the Death Eaters, she was highly documented as the Death Eaters Undesirable #2; she was hunted by them, not working with them, certainly not with mad Bella. He needed to find out more about how the evidence was stacked against her. They would build a case for her defense, and they would move along with their lives.

He knew that Elphias Dodge had taken over the post of Chief Warlock following the Death of Albus, he had been a member of The Wizengamot for over five decades, and had held the title of Special Advisor to the Wizengamot for the past seventeen years. He had witnessed some of the greatest travesties of justice, and would be fair and just. The rest of the members were an unknown. Much of the Wizengamot from before the war had been weeded out, many being sent away to pay for their own crimes, and many were killed. Now it was a newer group, and in contrast to their leader they tended to be much younger, several will have been Severus' past students, or old school mates. He would see to it that he got a full listing of members from Kingsley so he could prepare the best approach. He thought about representing her himself, but was not sure if that would be a help or a hindrance. While some imbecilic fools looked at him as if he were some sort of otherworldly war hero god, others still looked at him as the scary dungeon bat Death Eater Spy, and he may be well versed in many subjects, including some law, but he was no Wizarding Solicitor. It had been a good Solicitor and Harry and Minerva's Testimony that had freed him from the same fate that Hermione was now facing.

He wondered about Minerva, she would be an ideal choice of character witness for the defense, but he knew that she was having struggles with Hermione still following the revelations of their relationship. Perhaps this would be the chance for her to really put her concerns to rest and be a more suitable mentor to Hermione, as he knew both of them had hoped for.

Really maybe her best hope would be someone removed from the War and the preconceived notions of who was a hero and who better understood a little darkness to serve as her Council.

Having settled his thoughts on the matter he went to go talk to Hermione, grabbing a calming draught before leaving his lab in the cellar, knowing Hermione might need it.

Severus headed back up to find Hermione on the sofa, her breast pumps going, and a book practically perched at the tip of her nose. He could see it was her Arithmancy text book. This was how he thought of her when she graced his thought during the day; reading and pumping, his bookworm earth-mother goddess. He hated that she had lost her daughter, but knew that she was an amazing mother regardless, and the way she honored her daughter by gifting babies in need with her milk. It was beautiful. It was part of what he had fallen so deeply in love with. She was so smart, and could keep him on his toes, even if she still struggled with underestimating her own intelligence. She was so kind, so loving and forgiving, she gave all of herself to help those she cared about, and those she had never even met, never once expecting anything in return. He couldn't understand that type of selflessness, he had been the Head of Slytherin after all, and the qualities of his house were well ingrained in his inner psyche; quid pro quo was the unspoken motto of house Slytherin. While he always expected to gain something when he did something for others, even offering to let Luna stay with them served him. She worked with Hermione and freed time for him to focus on his business without feeling guilty for neglecting Hermione when she was so focused on her studies, and she made Hermione laugh and helped to continuously crack at the shell she had built around herself. It was highly self-serving, even if it did not appear so at first glance. With Hermione though, everything she did was out of the kindness of her heart. She had not intended to get so much satisfaction and self-worth from it. She was amazing. He would see to it that she knew it someday.

For now he knew he had to bring her relaxed night to a halt and hurl her into chaos. He only hoped that she would trust him to keep her safe, and that they survived the night without another of her emotional attacks. He would hold her through the storm if that was what she needed of him, but he wished she did not need to continue fighting with the demons of her past. He thought to attempt another triggered Obliviate with her, to erase some of her worst self-torture, but was afraid that without the extreme shame in her actions they might be repeated if she was to find herself struggling with her self-worth again. He would do anything to keep that from ever happening again. Perhaps he would think of something else to do to help her. For now, he would be there for her as her world came crashing down again.

"Hermione," he whispered as he moved to sit beside her. "Perhaps you could put the studies away for the night."

Hermione smiled but kept her nose buried in her text. "Oh, but Severus, Bridget Wenlocks Treatise on Numerology clearly shows that while Divination, as it is taught at Hogwarts, is absolute codswallop, it is actually perfectly logical and possible to predict future events if one has a proper handle on the arithmantic equations and, well, I am nearly done with this chapter, and then I was thinking about working on a basic numerology chart to practice, and it might take a while," she told him, excitement clear in her voice at the prospect of a mini project. She could see that he was serious though when she really looked at him. "Oh, I'm sorry Severus. I know I get a little sucked into my studies, and while I do feel confident in Herbology and Potions now, having been working with you and Luna, I do worry about Arithmancy, Charms, and Transfiguration, and all three require high marks for acceptance as an Apprentice by the Potion Masters Guild, I just want so much to do well."

Severus could see how determined she was, and it pleased him immensely, but he knew that her studies would take a backburner while they dealt with the trial. "Hermione, you will do amazing, but tonight we need to talk about something. Put the book away, finish pumping, I will pour us a glass of wine and we can relax and discuss some things. I love you," he told her, keeping his voice calm and soothing, fingering the calming draught in his pocket hoping he would have no use for it.

"Severus?" Her voice cracked with worry, but she moved to do as he asked as he walked towards the kitchen; always trusting that he had her best interests in mind. A glass of merlot did sound rather good after all.

Severus returned with two glasses of wine just as she was finishing with her pump, sending the bottles to the fridge and the pump to the sink with the flick of a wand. She must admit, she was feeling better with her charms of late.

He sat down beside her and offered her a glass as she tucked her wand onto the side table atop a pile of text books. "Hermione, I heard from Kingsley today. I have news."

She immediately paled, knowing that if it would require talking with Severus privately, just a day after their last lunch together, then it must be rather serious. "What is it Severus, did they find them? They found Ronald and that vile woman?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Severus inhaled deeply while deciding the best way to word his reply. "Ronald Weasley is in the custody of the American Ministry. He is to be transferred to London soon. There is not yet word on Verity Cane, though it could just be that I was not informed as to the developments that concern her, merely to those that concern you," he worded carefully.

Hermione took a sip, letting the deep red liquid sooth her nerves. "He's been caught."

"Yes."

"But there is more isn't there. You wouldn't be so tense if that was all, that would be good news, and this does not seem like good news. What happened? Is Harry okay?" she asked, fear evident in her tone.

"As far as I know Potter is fine, he will be part of the transport team to return Weasley into the care of the Ministry here. He was not there when Weasley was apprehended to my understanding. Fear not." He could easily see the relief written all over her face, even as strained as their relationship had become, Hermione would always love Harry like he was a part of her family. "There is however, something else, and it will be difficult, though not insurmountable should we keep our heads and work through everything together," he explained to her, still not quite having found words better than 'you are to be tried for murder, attempted murder, colluding with Death Eaters, and being a dark witch' he just needed a much better way to word it than that, and more time if he could afford it. He unfortunately had neither.

"Just tell me Severus. How much worse can it be? After everything I have already been through, and everything I know that I will have to face, I do not think much more could really hurt at this point; so long as we have each other." Her words were so honest, gaining strength in her voice as she believed what she was saying so wholeheartedly.

He hated that he had to prove her wrong. "You are to be tried as a dark witch. Charges include murder and attempted murder, as well as colluding with Bellatrix Lestrange and attempting to lead Potter to his imminent death. While he did not go into detail Kingsley said that as preposterous as the charges are they are backed by rather insurmountable proof. I am so sorry Hermione. You must turn yourself in by the end of the week, or they will come for you."

It was official, Hermione had lost her marbles. Severus had been prepared for tears, for screaming, and hysterics. He had not been prepared for this graceful creature he loved to laugh with a mouth full of wine, subsequently causing her to snort it up her nose. "They really are dunderheads aren't they Severus," she laughed as she wiped at her nose which was dribbling wine. "I mean, we already knew I would face a trial, but colluding with Bellatrix? Have they lost their collective minds? And honestly, if they are going to hold me accountable for killing Dolohov during the war then all of us are doomed, all of us killed, we all caused grievous injury. It was a war," she explained. "Honestly!"

"Not Dolohov, though I am little concerned with the Murder charge, it was logistically impossible for you to have been present at the time of Griphooks murder, and besides, there have been no trials for the murder of Magical Creatures, or half breeds, ever."

"Griphook was neither creature nor half breed!" she raged, obviously more appalled by the dead Goblins classification in the eyes of the Ministry than she was by the implication that she was responsible for his death. Frankly, after he had left them to burn to death, either in that thrice damned Lestrange vault, buried by the ever increasing collection of cursed objects, or by dragons fire, Hermione had no love lost for the Goblin, still she understood that it was his nature to think first about the honor of Goblins, and Goblin forged history, like the sword he had been so desperate to recover. To think that she could have killed him though, crusader for house elves and centaurs and werewolves alike, Hermione Granger could no more kill a Goblin or anyone else in cold blood. They were idiots.

Severus should have expected her ire at that fact, frankly he was happy for the classification as it was a charge that would be more easily dropped as the Wizengamot was reminded that the supposed victim of her crime was not human, let alone wizard. "Calm down Hermione, fight for Goblin rights another time, for now let's focus on your freedom, and keeping it secure," he implored.

Hermione harrumphed. She was not happy with it, but agreed that it was not the largest problem. She still thought this was a horrible farce. But she did not think it as horrible as Severus seemed to. "Honestly though Severus, if we can make it through everything we have, surely we can make it through this. I certainly have enough character witnesses, and bear no Dark Mark, though you are proof that the mark itself does not indicate inherent darkness. I cannot fathom that many charges would stick for long. Am I to assume it is Ronald who I attempted to kill? The arse certainly deserved as much," she griped.

"It is, and Harry, in the forest. I certainly would not have blamed you for either death. Both have been a thorn in my side for the past decade," he told her, a smirk gracing his lips. He leaned in and kissed her smoothly, happy to see that she was not going to break down. He felt calmer by the whole thing as well, her thoughts on the subject soothing his own worries.

"Be nice," she chided. They may have been obnoxious, but they had been good boys for the most part while they had been at school. Jealousy and war had broken Ronald until nothing of the boy she had once loved was left. "Ronald certainly would have deserved my wrath, but it was always aimed at myself. I will testify to my story. I cannot be the only witch or wizard to have such struggles. In fact, let's get ahead of it. I will have Luna write my story. She is a brilliant writer. I am sure we can have an article published in the Prophet by the time I turn myself in. I will tell all, it's time. I will face the Wizengamot, and they will see reason because they are not as imbecilic as they seem. Elphias is an old friend of sorts, he will keep them straight. We can survive this. Even if I need to spend time in Azkaban, we will get through it. That prison has nothing on the one I spent the last three years locked away in," she told him, absolutely assured of the outcome.

He was immensely proud of her. Through everything she really had come out the other side of this strong. He would stand beside her and help her however he could, but for the first time since she had walked into the shop, fresh bruises blooming on her olive skin, he saw the Hermione Granger he knew. Strong willed and intelligent. She was right. They would make it through this. She would become his apprentice, and gain a Mastery of her own. He would be happy to be by her side as she did it.

The next day they told Luna what was going on, and in a typical Luna fashion she proceeded to suggest that someone check over the Ministry for a severe infestation of Wrackspurts. She did agree to write the tell-all Hermione Granger Story. They agreed to publish it in the prophet, the Quibbler was currently on hiatus while her father did travelling of his own. So that night the three of them sat together at the kitchen table and Luna wrote while Hermione told her story, simply copying down word for word what they each said. Ignoring the pomp and circumstance that Skeeter was known for, and letting Hermione's words tell the tale.

Luna Lovegood: "Hermione, I understand that you are turning yourself in to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement for unspeakable crimes. Do you care to confirm this?"

Hermione Granger: "It is true, Sunday evening, I will surrender my wand and give myself over to the Aurors for the crimes for which I stand accused."

Luna Lovegood: "What crimes are those Hermione?"

Hermione Granger: "I am accused of the murder of Griphook the Goblin, a hero who the war could not have been won without the assistance of; the attempted murder of Ronald Bilius Weasley, the wizard until recently I believed to have been my husband; conspiracy to commit murder, the intended victim being Harry James Potter, Chosen One and my decades long best friend; involvement with the Death Eaters, most specifically with Bellatrix Lestrange; acting as a spy for Tom Riddle working from within the Order of the Phoenix to bring about the destruction of our world; and the use of The Cruciatis Curse, and The Killing Curse, following the war."

Luna Lovegood: "And you are willingly turning yourself in for these crimes. Do you admit your guilt then?"

"Hermione Granger: "I have nothing to hide. I am ready to lay all my secrets bare, though none of them should carry a sentence in Azkaban. I am assured of both my innocence, and in the Wizengamots ability to give me a fair trial and find me innocent of all charges, as is just."

Luna Lovegood: "So you did not commit any of the crimes for which you are accused? I am to understand that the wand you had been in possession of since the war is in the hands of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Is it your belief that a scan of the wand in question will show no traces of dark magic, let alone the use of Unforgivables; all of which require a mandatory sentence in Azkaban Prison, and were only forgiven in times of war in life or death situations as a last means of self-defense?"

Hermione Granger: "The wand that the ministry possess was originally the wand of Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange. I came to be its new owner following my capture by Snatchers during the war. I was brought to Malfoy Manor by the Snatchers during the war, along with Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter, both of whom I had been on the run with for nearly a year. While there I was tortured, and it is, I believe, the torture that I endured there that led to the rest."

Luna Lovegood: "I was there that day, though I admit to not seeing you until many days later, I was not in a position to recognize you as it were, at the time. I am sorry for that. What happened that day Hermione? Why do you say that it led to the rest? And how did you take ownership of the wand if you were being tortured at the time?"

Hermione Granger: "I understand Luna, you do not need to apologize. I lived through the battles of the Ministry, and of Hogwarts, and while both were terrible days, it was that day as a captive in the Manor that will remain the worst day of my life. It is the story of that day that I have held secret for many years, and that has led to events I am very ashamed of, and ready to answer for. They do not however, make me a dark witch."

Luna Lovegood: "You are always surrounded by Withering Whispies and they detest darkness Hermione. I do not doubt that you are very much a practitoner of light magics, though none of us who lived through the war live free of the taint of dark magic, it is clear that your core is bright."

Hermione Granger: "Thank you Luna."

Luna Lovegood: "Can you tell me what happened that day."

It was at this point in the interview that Hermione began to tense. Even without the vivid pain associated with the memories, it was not a story she desired to tell. She reached out across the table to take Severus's hand in her own for support and steeled herself to tell her friend her tale. She hoped that Luna would not be upset with her for keeping it secret so long. She hoped more that she would not judge her harshly for what happened, nor for what she did. She thought that there were perhaps details that needed to not be said. It was enough to tell that it happened, she decided against detailing entirely how.

Taking a deep steadying breath Hermione prepared to answer the question she had known all day was to come, and had still wished to avoid at all costs.

Hermione Granger: "This will be a long story."

Luna Lovegood: "That's okay. I love stories, and am happy to listen to yours, and to share it, should you wish, on your behalf. I have often found that my favorite stories have parts that are horrible, and sad. It is the end, when the protagonist overcomes their troubles to find a happy ending that I love best."

Hermione Granger: "Thank you Luna, I find I enjoy the same in a good book. I am afraid this story is not a good book, but was in fact the horrible truth of the day that we were taken by Snatchers to Malfoy Manor. When we were thrust into the Manor, and delivered directly to Bellatrix Lestrange, I worried that the war was lost. It was Draco Malfoy who saved us then. Everyone has heard how he lied to buy us time, claiming he could not tell if it was Harry. That time that he bought us, while helping us to overall become successful in our campaign, also proved to be my undoing. In the moments she hesitated to call to her Master and summon him to the Manor to finish us she noticed the Sword of Gryffindor in the hands of one of the Snatchers.

Luna Lovegood: "That seems like an awfully odd place for the honored Sword. I thought it only presented itself to worthy Gryffindor Heroes?"

Hermione Granger: "That is true, it was in Harry's possession when we were captured. It was taken from us. The problem was Bellatrix Lestrange believed it to have been in her personal vault, where Tom Riddle had asked her to place it for safe keeping, along with another item, that he held great importance in. He had been given the sword by Severus Snape, who as Headmaster of Hogwarts, had access to the Sword in its resting place on the wall of the Headmasters office. What none of us knew at the time was the sword that Severus gave to Tom Riddle, to Voldemort, was actually a fake. We also did not know that he was the one that brought us the real sword, hoping it would help us in our quest. Without all of the knowledge I did the only thing I could. I lied. Bellatrix ordered the Snatchers to remove everyone from the room, Harry and Ron were locked in the dungeons. She kept me with her."

Luna Lovegood: I saw them there. And Griphook. Harry was terrified that you were going to die. He eventually did something to get us out. He called Dobby. But before we got away, Griphook was taken upstairs. I did not see you there. But I did hear your screams. Can you tell me, Hermione, what happened to you that day?"

Hermione Granger: "Bellatrix Lestrange questioned me, she tortured me with the Cruciatis Curse, telling me she would kill me if I kept lying to her. It did not work. She threatened to kill Ronald, and everyone else they held captive, trying to use that fear to break me. I still refused to tell her anything and just kept claiming that I didn't know, and that it, that the sword, was a fake. Griphook, when he was brought in, vouched for it being a fake, but was quickly sent back to the dungeons. She did not believe us. Or perhaps she did, but that was not enough reason to let me go."

Luna Lovegood: "Hermione, I can see that this upsets you. We can stop now, if you would like, and finish later. I heard you scream for so long that day, I know that whatever you must have been going through it must have been terrible. The fact that you have survived is a testament to your strength. I think you must have had Guardian Wingers with you that day, keeping you quite from death, as death was not yet ready for you."

Hermione Granger: "Thank you Luna. It is difficult, I have told this story to very few trusted confidants before, and each time it has been horrible for me to relive what happened, but I do believe that I need to tell this story. I do not think I am the only one to have suffered in such a way, and perhaps, if someone who reads this can know that she is not alone, then my pain will have been worth it."

Luna Lovegood: "That is very thoughtful of you Hermione."

Hermione Granger: "Bellatrix was not happy that I was not broken by her wand. She decided to try a different form of torture. She summoned Fenir Greyback, whose status as a vile monster had nothing to do with his being a werewolf, and everything to do with him being completely evil. It is well known that Greyback performed some sort of ritual to blend his human side and his wolf side permanently, making him continuously part werewolf, able to control partial transformations during any moon phase. What is not as well known, is that witches rarely survive an attack by Fenir Greyback. Wizards who cross his path he will turn if he chooses, but witches face a far worse fate. I did not find myself lucky to have survived his attack, in fact I begged for death through all of it. While Bellatrix Lestrange watched from across the room I was raped and tortured by a partially transformed werewolf. I will forever live with the physical and mental scars of this attack. He was brutal. He left me nearly barren, and next to death. I had been unable to find pleasure in physical expressions of love since that day. I was a virgin before he touched me, and he broke me in such a way that I was forever ruined. The two of them brutalized me and while they did indeed break me, and I begged for them to end my life, I never gave up the secrets I held. The next thing I really remember clearly was being in Shell Cottage, the home of William and Fleur Weasley."

Luna Lovegood: "I am very sorry you had to go through that Hermione. I never knew. That is horrible. I remember seeing you at Shell Cottage, through the door. It was left open just a crack while William went to go get something for you. We had all been there for a few days, having been rescued by Dobby the Elf. You looked terrible."

Hermione Granger: "Thank you for that Luna, I am sure I did. When I came around and was able to move about Harry came and told me a bit of what had happened. He gave me a wand, because I had lost mine on the run. I knew immediately who it had belonged to. I had been at the end of it for so long. I saw some irony in fighting to end the war with a wand that had caused so much destruction during it. I won't lie and tell you I hoped for the chance to use it against her."

Luna Lovegood: "You did, didn't you? I remember fighting her beside you at Hogwarts. She was attempting to kill you when Molly Weasley ended her life."

Hermione Granger: "That is correct. We met again at Hogwarts, and she tried to finish what she had started, but Molly, the wonderful woman that she is, saved us all from her wrath. When I saw Greyback again he was lying dead in a heap of rubble. I will forever be thankful that they are no longer on this earth."

Luna Lovegood: "I know how hard that has been for you to share, and while it does help me understand how you have come to be in possession of such a wand, I still do not understand the rest of your charges, though I think it is safe to say that you were most certainly not working with Bellatrix Lestrange. Anyone who thought you were should promptly go to St. Mungos and be checked for infestation or spell damage, perhaps a backfired Obliviate, like what happened to Professor Lockhart."

Hermione: "Thank you Luna. But you are right. It does not explain much. Let me do my best to answer for it all."

Luna Lovegood: "Take as long as you like, I had a luxurious nap earlier."

Hermione Granger: "Thank you Luna, I am glad you feel well rested, I must admit to suddenly feeling quite drained. But I would like to do this now.

Luna Lovegood: "Absolutely. So did you kill Griphook? He was at Shell Cottage with us, and the last I know he was seen alive was with you, and Harry and Ron. The four of you left together."

Hermione Granger: "Yes, we did leave Shell Cottage together. We had figured out that there was something important in the Lestrange vault at Gringotts Bank. Harry decided it was imperative to winning the war that we find it. Griphook agreed to help us get in, if we would return the sword to the Goblins. We struck a deal, and he did as promised. We last saw him in the vaults, and he was very much alive. He left us there to finish our task and find our own way out. We escaped on a dragon. I still have trouble going to the bank."

Luna Lovegood: "Oh yes, it was all over the Wizard Wireless. The whole of Hogwarts was a twitter with the news. I was back there by then, you know. The Nargles were very bad that year, and I think it added to the commotion. Of course, we couldn't listen to it in the open, but we all crammed into the Room of Requirement, and it was quite a beautiful show of unification. It was sadly devoid of green, and I do rather like the color."

Hermione Granger: "Yes well, it was rather frightening to live through. But it is my understanding that during the trials following the war several Death Eaters and Snatchers testified that it was their Lord Voldemort who killed the Goblins as retribution for allowing a break in that directly affected a vault that was under his control. I am horribly sorry that our actions led to that slaughter, but I did not participate in the killing of any Goblin."

Luna Lovegood: "Oh, so they already have accepted the guilt of someone else for that crime? Why ever did they accuse you of it after that? It seems awfully silly a thing for such intelligent wizards and witches to do."

Hermione Granger: "As the Wizengamot, and the Ministry claim to be representative of all Magical Beings, and hold none higher than the rest, the proof, as they say, is in the pudding. There has never been a witch or wizard charged with the murder of a non-human magical being. Thus there is no real record of the murder being attributed to anyone. Very few would remember that bit of testimony. I sat through the trials, and as a proponent for equality, and someone who knew Griphook, I felt saddened to hear of his death. I have not forgotten that testimony. It will be too easy to get the records of the trials, as all are transcribed. I am confident that the Ministry will see fit to drop that charge."

Luna Lovegood: "Oh that would make sense. I am glad to know that you did not kill him Hermione. I quite liked him myself, and would have been very sad if it had been you. Thank you for not killing him."

Hermione Granger: "I could never."

Luna Lovegood: "Did you ever conspire to bring about the Death of Harry Potter?"

Hermione Granger: "While I am sure that I said on many occasions that I wished to kill him, it was always in the way a sister wishes pain on her brother. He drove me crazy, and to this day he still does, but never have I wished him true harm. I most certainly did not try to have him killed. I offered to walk with him into that forest, and face my own death, if he insisted on going. I trusted him, when he said he needed to go alone. He forced me to stay behind. I will forever hate that we had no other options. Albus Dumbledore made certain that Harry would die at the hands of Tom Riddle, for he knew that it was the only way to overcome the very prophecy that named Harry the Chosen One. Don't think for a minute I don't have any number of nasty words for the old codger, but he was a wonderful Wizard, and he knew what he was doing when he led Harry down a path that inevitably ended with him willing to die to save us all."

Luna Lovegood: "You know, I rather miss his speeches. He was so brilliant. I am certain he was Ravenclaw, quite mistaken our brilliance is at times. Then again, it is possible he was just a little bit barmy, he was up in years wasn't he?"

Hermione Granger: Yes Luna, a bit of both I am sure."

Luna Lovegood: "Did you try to Kill Ronald Weasley? We have all heard how your bonding was never completed. It would be understandable if you had been betrayed, and acted out in anger against him. Is that what happened? I know the Nargles always were drawn to him."

Hermione Granger: "I will admit that I had every reason to want him dead, but I never have. In fact, for years I blamed myself for all of our problems. You see, following what Greyback did to me, I found myself unable to fulfil the last requirement of the marriage bond."

Luna Lovegood: "You mean that the two of you never rejoiced in copulation?"

Hermione Granger: "I am going to pretend you did not just say that. But no, I did not have sex with him following our marriage ceremony."

Luna Lovegood: "How can that be, when you were known to have been pregnant with his child? Was it perhaps someone else's child?"

Hermione Granger: "No, it was Ronald Weasleys child. We did eventually consummate the marriage, but as he had been sexually involved with at least one other witch before that occurred following our bonding, the bonding dissolved. I did not know that bit until very recently."

Luna Lovegood: "Is that why you have reason to want him dead? Because he had an affair?"

Hermione Granger: "No. In fact, I knew for much of the time we were together that he was involved with another witch, however being muggle born, I was not fully aware of the implications that held for a magical marriage bond. I always felt that it was my fault that I was not adequate, as I was not able to get over my trauma to give him what a husband needs and wants from his wife."

Luna Lovegood: "Fire whiskey and cold beers?"

Hermione Granger: "No, he was quite good at getting those for himself. I was not giving him sex."

Luna Lovegood: "Oh, well certainly that is understandable considering what you have lived through."

Hermione Granger: "He did not think so. And I did not expect him to live a sexless life. We did eventually have sex, as much as it truly pained me. I conceived a child. I was using highly powerful fertility drugs to make the certainty of a child much stronger."

Luna Lovegood: "I am sorry you lost your baby."

Hermione Granger: "Thank you Luna. The truth is that for the years we lived together we were very unhappy. I was struggling heavily with my mind. Muggles call it Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It was crippling me, and my magic. I found it very difficult to perform basic spells with my wand, well with the wand I was using. Ronald grew to be vicious, as I am sure he was struggling as well, and where I turned my issues inward, he turned them all towards me. It started with him occasionally hitting me during an argument; like I'm sure it begins for many abused women, though the story did not end there. While he would always apologize afterwards his beatings became more severe and more frequent. Severus can attest to the frequency of my orders for pain potions and bruise paste."

Luna Lovegood: "Why did you never seek help? I am sorry that I never knew what you were going through, and was not there to help you escape."

Hermione Granger: "I did not wish anyone to know. In honesty I believed it was no less than I deserved for letting him down. I let him marry me knowing I would not be his idea of a proper wife. I was never one for household duties or being doting, and I just knew instinctively I would not be able to give him passion, as I had none in me. I hated myself Luna, and grew to welcome what he did to me."

Luna Lovegood: "You should not hate yourself Hermione. Hatred is proven to draw Harsberry Hornets, who feed off of the sickly energy of hatred, and pollinate it to make it fester and grow."

Hermione Granger: "I have not heard of them. Thank you for telling me. I did though, then. I hated myself. It was not until I became pregnant that things began to change. I had renewed hope in our future. Things however did not end well. He raped and beat me nearly to death following a fight. It was like being in the Manor all over again. If Severus Snape had not happened across me as I struggled to get away I would have been dead very soon. I very nearly did not make it, a Squib, who works as a Muggle doctor, was brought in to assist in my treatment. I lost my daughter. He injured me so greatly it caused too much damage to my womb for it to sustain her, and she was still born while I was unconscious at St. Mungos. When I awoke it was to find that she was dead, and I again wished that Bellatrix had ended it all for me. In all of the years of abuse, I never once fought back or raised my wand at Ronald Weasley. I have never attempted to kill him."

Luna Lovegood: "No one would blame you. I am afraid if I had known sooner I might be facing the same charges. I do not think he should like to see me again, if I am to be as honest as you have been. I am afraid I do not understand, if you were not attempting to fight back, why you are accused of using unforgivables. I do not know of any witch or wizard who has come forward after being cursed."

Hermione Granger: "I will admit that following the war I used the Cruciatis Curse many times. I also used the Killing Curse, Avada Kedavra, once after the war. I am highly ashamed of this. I am afraid, that following the war, and my decent into depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I developed a problem with self-harm."

Luna Lovegood: "Are you saying that you cursed yourself? How is that possible?"

Hermione Granger: "Mirrors are a very terrible thing when you hate yourself. Every time you walk past one you are forced to face that which you hate most. I cannot remember the exact moment when I decided to do it, but one moment I was staring at my own pallid face, hatred burning for the woman I saw in my reflection, and the next, I had raised my wand and uttered the words that had terrified me since I had first heard them, more so since they had been aimed at me, by the same wand I was using no less. I used the mirror in my room to bounce the curse back at myself. I continued to do so. Many times over the years I punished myself for every perceived failure, by performing the one curse I could seem to make the wand work for, the Cruciatis, always, and only ever, aimed at myself. One day, I felt that I should just end it. I tried to do the same with the Killing Curse, but its power shattered the mirror, and the curse bounced harmlessly behind me. I am so very sorry. I was very, very broken, in my head, and my soul, at the time. I have only used those curses to harm myself. Never to inflict torture or death on any other living creature, not even a bug."

Luna Lovegood: "Hermione, I do not think that sorry is a great enough word, it may not have been invented yet. The world owes you our gratitude for all you have done for us, and I am sorry that we failed to protect you, even from yourself, after all we have done for you. Please, accept my apology. I hope that your future is as bright as you deserve for it to be."

Hermione Granger: "Thank you Luna. As you can see, I am innocent of the crimes for which I am accused. I intend to turn myself in, so that justice may be swift and true. I believe in our Ministry and in this world we all share. Thank you so much for your time.

That my dear readers was Hermione Granger, War Hero, Golden Girl, Princess of Gryffindor, Brightest Witch of her Age, and true friend to many of us. Those of us who know Hermione know that these charges are heinous and absolutely false. It is our responsibility to come together to help her now in her time of need, as she has done for us.

For those of you who only know of her, know that her words were heartfelt and that the interview was performed in a room that had just been cleared of all Wrackspurts. She fought to make this world a better place, for all of us, witches, wizards, centaurs, goblins, house elves, werewolves, mermaids and more. She has fought for you. I heard and saw the evidence of the torture, and now knowing how it was inflicted I find myself wishing I was vomiting slugs, as I am sure that would leave a better taste in my mouth than this has. She has fought inner battles all on her own because she felt all alone in her struggles. Which of us who was touched by the war is free from damage? Which of us came through the same, or even with the same shoes? I know that I have not. Can you say that you have?

Please consider who she is, and what she has been through, and join me at the Ministry on Sunday at 7:00pm, to support Hermione while she faces this next trial, her own. Join me in solidarity for Hermione Granger. Join me in showing her that she is loved by this community, and that she is worthy of more than she sees. Join me, and together let us ensure that Hermione Granger never sees the inside of a prison cell.

It took no time for Luna to get her story to the Prophet. They decided to print it in a special morning addition that was sent out all over the country first thing on Saturday morning. Luna did not tell Hermione about her call for everyone to gather at the ministry, she thought, that sometimes, you most need friends when you think you have none.

A/N: So what did you think? Perhaps things are not so bleak for our girl. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, it is a bit different for me, though it was fun to write a pure dialogue. Please let me know what you think! Reviews are joyous.

Lots of love. Truly.

Lily.