Chapter 4: Harry's Trial
Hermione
The morning of Harry's hearing was the most stressful Hermione could remember, even more than the morning of the Triwizard tasks last school year. At least then, there were professionals presiding, at the very least attempting to keep the tournament safe for the competitors. This hearing though, it seemed like the whole of the ministry was out to get her poor friend.
A hearing for the use of underage magic in defense of one's life, it didn't make any sense. Though, from what she has been hearing, Fudge would take any opportunity to discredit and dispose of Harry and Dumbledore, unable to face the reality of you-know-who's return. It was idiotic, if you asked Hermione. Politics appeared to carry over some attributes from the muggle world, namely electing morons in positions of power.
Hermione didn't manage much sleep the night before, the worry for her best friend outweighing the needs of her body. She ended up playing the 'what if' game for hours, laying in her bed. It was a game she had gotten exceptionally good at over the eventful school years at good ol' Hogwarts. What if he gets expelled? She'd have to deal with Ronald on her own, a scenario that did not fill her with excitement. If she wasn't friends with Harry, she probably would never speak to that idiot, his lack of table manners and intelligence is a real turn off.
"You alright, Hermione?" The youngest Weasley asked, stepping out of the bathroom. Hermione must have zoned out, lost in her own world of 'what if'. She gave what she hoped was a reassuring smile to her friend.
"I'm fine, just worried about Harry is all."
"I'm sure he'll be fine." Ginny tried reassuring her. "Don't you keep saying how underage magic is okay if it's used in the face of mortal danger, or something like that."
"The law clearly states that." Hermione might have gone overboard in informing Ginny about that particular law, but it was his best defense, in her humble opinion.
"Besides, Dumbledore should have it all under control. He is the greatest wizard in history." Ginny struck a chord with Hermione, her shoulders giving way to relaxation. Dumbledore must know what he is doing, he wouldn't let Harry get unfairly expelled. Her anxiety quelled for the time being, Hermione stood from the bed, intent on taking a hot shower to prepare for what is likely going to be a day filled with anxious worrying.
The hot water cascaded down her back, soothing away the worries that plagued her the night before as she lingered under the water, probably longer than what was healthy. She reluctantly killed the water, her time exceeded. Grabbing the towel, she stepped towards the fogged mirror on the opposite wall. Her hair had lost much of its frizziness that had been present nearly every day in her younger years, not that she was complaining about that little development. Her hair a nice warm brown, cascading down her back, tickling the bottom of her shoulder blades. Overall, she was proud of the woman she had grown into.
Suppose it's time to face the day's challenges. Hermione sighed as she exited the bathroom, Ginny already having left for breakfast. Quickly throwing some clothes on, her outfit not a pressing concern, she retreated from the bedroom. Descending down the dark staircase, she passed the crotchety house elf, Kreacher. Hermione thought she heard mudblood uttered from his mouth, but she couldn't be sure. Shrugging it off, she decided on giving the poor creature the benefit of the doubt - he was a slave after all - no wonder he's so upset all the time.
Her first steps into the dining room were met with a chorus of greetings. A grimace was drawn from the studious girl at the greeting from Ronald, engrossed in his early morning meal, food flying from his mouth. She decided to take a seat next to Ginny and Harry, the latter having not even touched his food. He poked and prodded at his plate, a shepherd herding his flock of eggs into a neat pile.
"Morning, Harry." Hermione tried, her fears springing up once again. She had to quell them, for Harry's sake - she couldn't imagine what was going through his head. He did look nice though… This might be the first time she saw him put real effort into his appearance. Well, except the Yule Ball, but he really only went because he was forced to. He had combed his hair this morning, somehow getting those messy locks formed into something that resembles a haircut, probably with the help of Sirius. Dress pants covered his legs, a blue button down shirt tucked into the khaki colored material. A brown leather jacket completed the ensemble, the color matching nicely with the pants. He forwent a tie, an odd choice if you asked Hermione, but he did look good, she had to admit.
Mrs. Weasley huffed over, placing a plate full of food on the table in front of Hermione. Her stomach rumbled as the smell of eggs and bacon hit her nose, the intoxicating smell filling her nostrils. She eagerly dug into the wonderful breakfast, though much more dignified than Ronald, who was still chowing down further down the table.
Sirius wandered in a short while later, his shirt riding up on his midsection as he stretched his arms above his head, a mighty yawn escaping into the morning air. He patted Harry on the shoulder, making his way towards his seat at the head of the table.
"Mornin', everyone." Sirius' voice carried over the table. He received a variety of greetings in return, some more energetic than others… Ronald's garbled with the food in his mouth - was that his third plate? Harry mumbled inaudibly from his seat besides Hermione, some sort of greeting.
"You alright there, Harry?" Sirius questioned from his seat, concern for his godson evident on his visage. He didn't react, at least until Hermione nudged him with her leg from under the table.
"Hm? Ye- Oh yeah, I'm fine. Just the hearing is all."
"You'll be fine, Harry. The law is on your side." She tried to reassure the downtrodden young man. "Magic is allowed outside of school if-"
"Yeah yeah, mortal peril. You've told me at least ten times, Hermione."
"She's right." Sirius piped up. "Only a moron would take it any farther."
"Well, Fudge is quite the moron when he wants to be." A cheery voice butted into their conversation. "Wotcher, everyone - oooh that smells bloody fantastic, Molly."
Tonks certainly was in a good mood this morning, a huge contrast to the sulking minor sitting next to Hermione. Sirius apparently had the same idea, except he wasn't one to let it go without an answer.
"You're quite energetic this morning, cousin. Coming in here and interrupting our brooding session."
"Just a good morning for yours truly. Really is a nice day outside… I'd tell you to get some fresh air, but you know, the whole wanted fugitive thing cuts the bollocks off of that idea." She teased as she practically skipped towards Mrs. Weasley.
"Feisty too. Didn't even wake up my dear old mother, was just thinking it was a quiet morning." Sirius paused, eyebrows scrunched, thoughtful. His eyes widened, as if a lightbulb had just been lit above his head. "Unexplainable cheary, clumsiness put on hold, a tad defensive… cousin, did you have a shag?!" He exclaimed. A scandalous gasp coming from the red headed woman hovering in the kitchen. Sirius Black!
Tonks raised her eyebrows, necks cracking as heads whipped towards her direction. "Wouldn't you like to know."
"I'm slightly curious now too…" Lupin muttered from across the table.
"Curiosity killed the wolf, Remus. Don't forget." Sirius joked.
"Why don't you go find some stray mutts to shag." That was certainly unexpected coming from the mouth of their former professor. Harry snorted, a small smile on his face at the verbal sparring. He was probably glad to have the attention on something besides the trial.
"Jealous, my depraved cousin?" A triumphant smirk plastered on Tonks' face.
"Maybe I am. Who was it? What poor sod did you rope in?" His eyes narrowed, awaiting an answer, excitement most likely few and far between, spending your days in this dreary place.
"Alright, that's enough now. No more of that vulgar language." Mrs. Weasley burst into the room, hands flailing in the air, face nearly as bright as her hair. "It's almost time to leave for the hearing, Harry dear. Finish getting ready and Arthur will take you to the ministry." Harry complied with her wishes, scraping his chair as he stood.
"Before you go, just a life lesson from your resident metamorphmagus… don't kiss and tell, not a good look." Tonks winked at the three, Hermione, feeling her face heat up, saw another bright red cheek out of the corner of her eye. Looking over, Ginny's eyes darted everywhere but Tonks. Harry rushed out of the room making a beeline towards the staircase.
Idle chatter began to fill the room, Sirius still attempting to pry a name from Tonks. From his expression, he was not successful in the endeavor. Harry descended the stairs a moment later, his nervous eyes finding Mr. Weasley.
"Are you ready, Harry?" Hermione lined up behind Sirius, a conveyor belt of 'good luck' hugs rolling by the black haired boy. Hermione gave him the biggest hug she could muster when it was her turn, burying her face into his shoulder, trying to hide her anxiety. "Good luck, Harry."
After a the well wishes were over, Harry retreated out the front door, Mr. Weasley in tow after a much exaggerated bow.
"I should be out there with him." Sirius had his eyes stuck to the door.
"Don't be stupid." Lupin shot back. "That would only make him worry about you and the hearing." Sirius' face fell as he moped away, his energy from breakfast long gone. It was a waiting game now.
It was the not knowing that was the worst part - Hermione hated not knowing. The wait was easy, plop down in front of the fire, open a book and the time flies by like a warm summer breeze. But the not knowing the fate of her best friend, that was torture. Ginny had joined her in front of the fire awhile ago, the warm flames making the place at least a bit more homey.
Hermione had been trying to get ahead on their fifth year textbooks, distracting her wandering mind with the pursuit of knowledge, her feet tucked under her on the chair. Then, Ginny had plopped down on the chair next to her, and her little study session was gone.
Don't get it twisted, Ginny was a good friend, one Hermione was lucky to have. But… sometimes she liked to talk a little too much. Especially when she decided to bring up the topic that had been causing her anxiety for the past week. They shared their misgivings on Harry's hearing, their hopes, their fears. The topic was quickly discarded, the fear of the unknown creeping in on them both.
A comfortable silence passed between the friends, the crackle of the flames filling the gaps in conversation. It was peaceful. Ginny didn't let it last too long, bringing up another topic Hermione wasn't sure she wanted to talk about either.
Tonks' mysterious mood.
Hermione had never given much thought into the whole passion thing, her mind preoccupied on being the best student in the school, proving herself to this new world. Having dentists as parents may have been a slight catalyst for this perfectionist attitude she had adopted in school. There was rarely a time for pleasure amidst all the studying, the learning.
Ginny did not share such misgivings. She was quite the curious cat, insisting that the metamorphmagus had 'gotten a good shag' as she so eloquently put it. Hermione had been quick to scold the younger girl, who was having none of it. You sound like my mother. Hermione could be fun…
Apparently, the wizarding world was much more liberal in their sexual education than their muggle counterpart, if Ginny's knowledge of the forbidden was anything to go by.
So, that's how she found herself in this conversation with the fiery redhead, doing her best to crack the clue on Tonks' mysterious lover. Her guesses ranged from the improbable to the highly unlikely… Hermione certainly hoped Ginny was joking when Dumbledore came out of her mouth.
"Haven't seen Hagrid in awhile…"
"Really Ginny." Hermione deadpanned. "I don't even think that's physically possible."
"Ooo, maybe it's someone in the order."
"That's-" Hermione had her rebuttal on the tip of the tongue, anticipating another absurd name. "That's an interesting thought."
"Lupin?"
"And now we're back to square one."
"What're you guys talking about?" Tonks had wandered over to the fire, a tall brunette following her. Hermione had seen the woman around the house before, she felt bad that the woman's name eluded her.
"Nothing." Ginny said, a little too quickly, her innocence not exactly being proven.
"Uh-huh. Anyway, Hermione and Ginny, this is Hestia Jones. Good friend of mine." Hestia Jones. Hermione never talked to her, seemed like a nice person based on observation. "So, Ginny." Tonks eyes bored into the younger girls, Ginny sinking into the couch. "What were you talking about?"
Ginny stole a nervous glance at Hermione, a lump slowly descending down her throat. "Uhhh." A bead of sweat trickled down her temple, it was hot in front of the fire. "Weweretalkingaboutyourlover."
"What?" Tonks shook her head in confusion.
If possible, Ginny sunk even further into the chair. "We were talking about your, uhhh, your lover." Hestia must have found that hilarious, the laugh she emitted left nothing to the imagination.
"My lover? What makes you think I have a lover."
"It was pretty obvious, I think. You're never that happy...normally" Ginny explained, a sheepish look crossing her face.
"You've been spending too much time around Sirius." Tonks sighed.
"So, come on Tonks." Hestia scorched a chair over to their little gathering. "Let's hear who it is. These two are obviously curious and… so am I."
"I thought you're not supposed to kiss and tell." Hermione tried to help Tonks out a little.
"Honey," Hestia said. "That's just something you tell the guys to keep their egos in check. That rule doesn't apply to girlfriends." She looked expectantly at Tonks.
"Merlin's beard. C'mon guys, I really don't want this to be a one time thing. This can't get out."
"My lips are sealed." Hestia mimicked closing a zipper over her lips, flicking the imaginary key into the crackling fire.
Ginny nodded along. "Who am I going to tell… my mother?" The three witches turned towards Hermione. She sighed, closing her eyes for a second. She placed her textbook on the end table sitting next to her.
"Sure, why not? I'm in."
Tonks crossed her arms, her features stoic in front of three curious faces. Well, two and Hermione. "Fine, but I'm not going to tell you. You have to guess."
"What does he look like?" Tonks rolled her eyes. "Only 'yes or no' questions. You have until Harry get back, a celebration is most likely in the cards when he's found innocent."
"Was it Harry?" Ginny asked innocently.
"Wha- what?" Tonks sputtered, Hestia laughing in her face. "Of course not."
"Have we met this guy before?"
"Yes."
"Is he an Auror?"
"No."
"Does he work in the Ministry?"
"No."
"Is he younger than you?"
"Yes." Tonks reddened after answering that one. "You sly girl…" Hestia teased her, smile growing the redder Tonks' face.
"Does he have brown hair?"
"No."
"A long gray beard."
"That's a hard no. I can't believe you would ever think of that, Ginny."
"You gotta give us a hint, Tonksy. We're not even close." Hestia pleaded. Tonks was not having it, she even looked a little upset.
"Don't call me that."
Hestia scrunched her eyebrows, just as confused as Hermione. "Why not? Percy calls you that all the ti-" Hestia stopped, a smile growing slowly on her face. It kept growing and growing, if it grew anymore it would encompass her whole face. "That's a good catch right there, girl. How'd you manage that?"
"Percy?" Ginny asked. "Percy Weasley?"
Tonks and Hestia both threw their heads back, mirroring each other's movements. "Ew, not at all… no offense Ginny."
"None taken."
"Percy Jackson." Hestia answered. "He's in the order, bloke from America. Pretty damn handsome too."
A face flashed in Hermione's mind. The young man who showed up the night Harry was brought to Grimmauld place. He seemed nice enough but she wasn't sure what all the fuss was about. She admittedly didn't get a good look that night, mainly focused on Harry's arrival.
"So…" Hestia was waving her hand in a circular motion, egging her on. "How was it?"
"Really, Hestia?" Tonks sounded upset but Hermione saw right through it. She looked like she was about to spill all the beans.
"How well do you know me? You know I won't let it go till I get what I want."
There was a long pause between the four girls, Tonks' face red. Whether from embarrassment or the effort at holding it all in, they wouldn't know. Tonks swallowed audibly, Hestia's smile growing, knowing she had her friend on the ropes.
"It was bloody fantastic." Tonks' bubble finally burst.
"That good, huh?"
Tonks nodded slowly. "He must be half god or something, lasted for two hours!"
"Brilliant. Did you stay the night?" Hestia's teasing smile never wavering.
"Well, seeing as how I couldn't really walk… I did." Tonks admitted. "Made for a rough day at work the next morning though."
"That seems like an awfully long time."
"Hermione," Hestia turned towards her. "It's better than thirty seconds, that's for sure."
"What's he like under the outer layer?" Hestia continued her interrogation.
"He's really guarded, doesn't talk about his past. Only thing he said was that he had 'been through a lot of shit'. But, anybody can claim that."
"True."
"He has a ton of scars though. You think Lupin has a lot, think again. Back, chest, abs, arms, you name it. All over his body, which by the way, doesn't have an ounce of fat on it, I'm almost positive."
"I'm proud of you, girl. Is this going to be a normal thing?"
"I hope so." Tonks said. "But he also said he couldn't do a relationship right now."
"Maybe he'll get his head out of his ass soon." Tonks shrugged, a very noncommittal response.
"So-"
"HE GOT OFF! HE GOT OFF!" The boisterous cheering from everyone's favorite twins flooded into the room. Tonks looked relieved. "Looks like time's up." Ginny looked disappointed as she rose from the chair.
"You're lucky." Hestia told Tonks as they reached the door to the dining room. Hermione saw her eyebrows raise as she pushed open the door, leading the group into the celebration of Harry's innocence.
The celebration died down after a while, much to the chagrin of the twins, who tried to keep it going. It eventually dissolved into a nice meal, Harry filling in the younger generation about the events of the 'hearing'. Didn't sounds like much of a hearing, more like a criminal trial.
He told them of how they moved the time up without notice, how the entire Wizengamont was present, for a mere case of underage magic. How his neighbor had testified for his innocence, Dumbledore's brilliant defense and the toad lookalike who seemed to have a personal vendetta against him. According to Harry, only her and Fudge voted for his guilt. It really made Hermione's blood boil.
The mood at the table was overwhelmingly positive, though. The result of the trial was the first good news anyone had heard in a long time.
"What did you guys do while I was gone?" Harry asked them.
"Not much, mate. Isn't much to do around here." Ron answered.
"What about you guys?" Harry turned to Hermione and Ginny.
"Oh, uhh." Ginny looked at Hermione expectantly. "We were just hanging out with Tonks and Hestia in the living room, talking about things."
"About what?"
"You know, things. Um, girl stuff." Ginny nodded enthusiastically along with Hermione's words. She gave an internal sigh as Harry decided to drop the subject, seemingly scared off at the 'girl stuff'.
This was, by far, the most lighthearted dinner she had had in this house. Positive conversations were abound, not one mention of the war, it was nice. Sirius was still trying to coax his coveted answer out of his cousin. Hermione shared a smirk with Ginny. Now that she knew, it felt nice being in the know for once. She had been on the outside looking in since she arrived. Dinner was good, and the universe was too cruel to let good things last. She just didn't expect the good times to be broken by the subject of the majority of conversation that day.
The dining room door had slammed open, the noise of the wood hitting the wall making everyone at the table jump. Percy stepped in, holding what looked like a roll of parchment. He looked a little worse for wear. His hair was tousled, like he had just been in a fight. Normally, you could just infer it was windy that morning, if it weren't for the gash that ran down the side of his neck, starting at the slight stubble, blood running onto the collar of his shirt; or the fact that a large tear had been opened in his shirt, exposing the skin covering the right side of his rib cage.
"Wotcher, Per- bloody hell!" Tonks half- yelled, already out of her seat and moving to his side. His breathing was a little labored, but other than that he acted like he didn't have a massive cut down the right side of his neck. "What happened to you?" She had reached his side.
"What do you mean?" A confused look adorned his face.
"What do you mean, what do I mean? Look at your shirt! And your neck!"
"My neck?" He reached a hand up, covering the gash momentarily. When he brought it back down, the crimson color of blood covered his palm. He shrugged, like it was the most normal thing in the world. "Would ya look at that." He wiped the blood off on his pants.
"You have a real habit of barging in on nice meals, mate." Sirius joked from down the table, attempting to ease the mood.
"My impeccable timing is a gift." Percy shot back.
Tonks gave him an incredulous look. "You have to get that taken care of."
"Trust me, I'm fine, I've had much worse."
"Percy!" She crossed her arms, sending him a glare that made Hermione squirm slightly in her chair. He didn't seem to care, rolling his eyes and holding up the parchment once again.
"I promise I will, but this is important." He turned to address the rest of the room. "Got a message from Hagrid… it's not going well." The members of the order hanging their heads slightly, a collective sigh escaping into the musty air. Hermione wished she knew what Percy meant, especially if it was about Hagrid.
"Alright, Perce, you told us. Now let's get your neck taken care of." Tonks tried to push him out of the dining room, both of her hands on his shoulder. His upper body tilted slightly towards the door, but his feet remained firmly planted on the floor.
"I'm telling you, I'm fine Tonksy."
"Percy…" Her eyes were a lot softer now, her voice low as she pleaded with the young man. "Please…" Her words were barely above a whisper at this point, but Hermione was able to hear her them quite clearly. Percy's will seemed to disappear, a long exhale relieving the tension in his shoulders.
"Alright, Tonksy." He lowered the parchment onto the table, handing it to Lupin, who nodded in return. He slowly moved towards the door, the pink haired girl in tow, pushing him forward.
Hestia leaned her head close to Hermione and Ginny once the door shut. "Looks like Tonks was right about that 'no fat' thing, girls." Hermione hadn't really noticed, being more focused on the bleeding gash on his neck than what lay under the tear in his shirt. Ginny had apparently noticed the same thing as the older woman, nodding enthusiastically.
"Well.." Sirius leaned back in his chair, hands placed behind his head, mischievous smirk on his lips. "Looks like I found my answer."
"Why don't you give her a break, Sirius. You tease the poor girl enough."
"Gotta entertain myself somehow, Remus. Besides, we all need a healthy ribbing every once in a while."
Mrs. Weasley stood from her chair, the legs scraping against the wood floor. "All the children not in the order must be out of this room when Percy and Tonks return. Supper is over." Her exclamation was met with noises of protest, to the surprise of nobody, Hermione was sure. "No, No! I don't want to hear it! It's been a very long day, and you're all going back to Hogwarts soon."
"But Mrs. Weasley…" Harry attempted to plead his case, looking towards Sirius for support. Hermione saw him shake his head slowly.
"Not tonight, Harry. You should get some rest, we'll talk in the morning."
Harry didn't look happy about being left in the dark again, frankly, neither was Hermione. The words reassurance of a talk from his godfather was enough to placate him before he decided to make a scene. Hermione loved Harry like a brother, but she always noticed he had underlying anger issues, a fuse that was always quick to ignite. Thankfully, he exited the dining room with no more protest, Hermione and the rest of the gang following closely behind.
"Left in the dark again. Do they not trust us?" Harry had blurted out once they reached the bedroom.
"They must have a reason, Harry. I don't think they hate all of us."
"Certainly seems like it, 'Mione." Ron had sat in the chair next to Harry, his eyes narrowed with his friends. Hermione understood where they were coming from, she was frustrated as well. Being kept in the dark, not knowing things that put your life in danger, it felt like the order was playing with their lives. Hermione, unlike the other two, was able to look at the situation rationally, however. The more people know pertinent information, the easier it could be leaked, fall into the wrong hands. The less people that know, the better. Especially in the early stages of war. You don't want your enemy to know all the cards you hold in your hand. How was she going to explain that to them? They would never accept rational reasoning, they were never the best critical thinkers.
So, Hermione kept quiet, letting the two boys stew in their underserved feelings of unfairness. Really, they were being quite immature. All she could do was pretend to listen, putting on a show of nodding or humming every once in a while, feigning her agreement to their sentiments. She hated having to lie to her friends, but she had been down this path before - nobody wants to listen to her advice, just use her as an ear to rant into.
Hermione decided she would just put up with it for now, they were leaving for Hogwarts in three days time anyway. Hopefully they would be overjoyed to be back at school, Hermione knew she would. Hopefully, they could all ignore the war and just be normal teenage witches and wizards for once. Eh, who was she kidding, something was bound to happen. Why would they get a break this year of all years? It was inevitable. All Hermione could do was hope and pray that whatever happened, it wouldn't be too terrible and they could all make it home. She would keep her fingers crossed.
