Forgive this chapter, it is needed to wrap up logistics and the case against Fudge. I do hope the next and final chapter makes up for it.

The Daily Prophet arrived the next morning, the big headline read that Fudge had been arrested along with several members of his staff including Percy and Ronald Weasley. The details that were 'leaked' revealed Fudge's orders to have Harry Potter killed in order to broker a deal with Voldemort.

"Oh Bella." Hermione said reading the section about Percy. "I have to go."

"Go, go where?" Bella asked turning the page to read the rest of the article. Thankfully her name was not mentioned.

"I need to go see Molly and Ginny." Hermione said getting out of bed and pulling on a shirt.

"What- why, they nearly ruined us Hermione, have you forgotten?" Bella said staring at Ginny in disbelief.

"I haven't forgotten Bella but- well I care about Ginny and, well Molly was trying to protect me. I just-" Hermione stopped short seeing the look of fury on Bellatrix's face.

Hermione sat on the edge of the bed, "Ginny didn't do anything to us Bella."

"She didn't have a chance to Hermione, you didn't tell her about us, if you had she would have been just like them." Bella spat the words in disgust. "Blood traitor trash." She was instantly sorry.

Hermione stood up quickly, "Really, and what am I Bella?"

"I didn't mean that Pet." She said quickly trying to pull Hermione back to the bed. "Please. I didn't."

Hermione pulled away from her. "What am I Bella?" Her words heated.

"That's not fair Pet, I didn't mean what I said."

"Oh but I think you did." The hurt was obvious. "What am I to you?"

"Everything." Bella said, her voice gentle.

Hermione felt her anger drain instantly. Bella was right there was nothing she could do for the Weasley's if they even wanted to see her. Ginny had not responded to the last three owls Hermione had sent her, neither had Molly. They knew about Bellatrix obviously from the papers and Ron. She was not accepted anymore. She sat back down on the bed. Bella moved to her and kissed her hair, "I'm sorry Pet."

Hermione curled into Bella's arms, she started crying, and for a moment she wasn't sure why until Bella spoke, "You lost your family Pet."

The owl arrived shortly after breakfast from the Auror's office, it detailed the charges brought against Fudge and his entourage and which came from Bella's testimonies. They read over the charges and at the bottom it stated when and where Bella had to report for her testimony.

It was April when the trial started, Bellatrix sat next to Hermione, Harry on the other side of Hermione and finally Tonks. The press snapped photo after photo of the them sitting there, people craned their necks to get a look at them.

The chief Warlock thanked the crowd and reminded them why they were there. Instructed the spectators to hold their tongues when there was testimony going on. Bellatrix entwined her fingers with Hermione. They heard the charges being read for Fudge, the trials for his counterparts would be held separately.

Fudge was brought before the people, the chair's chains snaked around his hands. Bella's hand tightened against Hermione's for a brief moment, her breath catching in her throat. She trembled slightly, Hermione's thumb stroked gently against the side of Bella's hand.

Another chair was produced as the first witness was called, the Wizengamot had set up a rather large projection of the pensieve to reflect what was going on in the memory of the witness. Lucius was the first to testify, there was an hour of memories showing his messages back and forth between Fudge and Lord Voldemort, Lucius clarifying for each party and then going back and forth. The express order from Lord Voldemort to not kill Harry Potter, to bring him and his friends in alive. Hermione shivered when she heard her name on the lips of the dark lord.

"Perhaps the mudblood Granger will be of some use Lucius." Came his high thin voice. Hermione's fingers were so tight on Bella's hand that Bella lost feeling.

"But she is a mudblood my lord." Lucius replied.

"She is a talented witch Lucius; I am not so short sighted that I cannot see talent even in the dirtiest of blood."

"And the blood traitor?"

Voldemort waved his hand, "He is of no use to us, he is little more than a squib. And Lucius, if you bring them in alive, give the girl to Bella I am sure she will treat her with every kindness." With that there was a high cold cruel laugh.

The pensieve went dark. The press immediately began snapping photos again of the couple's reaction to Lucius' memories.

They sat through three more days of testimony until it was Bella's turn. Bella's eyes stayed locked to Hermione's as she took the stand. A breath escaped her as the chains did not move to snake around her wrists.

The pensieve reflected several memories of Bellatrix speaking to Albus Dumbledore and Fudge.

"The boy must be kept alive Bellatrix at all costs." Dumbledore said, Hermione recognized the meeting place as Godric's Hallow.

"And his friends?"

"Spare them if possible though there are casualties in all wars."

The memory faded into another, Bellatrix was standing in front of Fudge at the Ministry.

"The boy must be killed Ms. Black; this needs to be done as soon as possible."

"Albus wants him kept alive."

"Dumbledore is mistaken, if the dark lord has Potter this will end Ms. Black with the fewest lives lost possible."

"And his friends, the mudblood and the blood traitor?"

Fudge waved his hand indifferently, "Those three have caused enough headaches Ms. Black I highly doubt they will be missed by anyone other than their families. Make sure it looks like an accident for all three, let everyone think their own stupidity killed them."

The memory faded into another, Hermione's eyes widened as she heard her own screams reverberate through the chamber. Bella's whisper was heard through the chamber, "The cup is in my vault. I'm so sorry."

The memory faded again and the chamber was dark for a moment.

They asked Bellatrix several standard questions and she was free to take her seat with Hermione again.

"I love you." Hermione whispered as she took her seat.

"I love you too Pet." Bella whispered back.

The trial went on for another week; Bella was called back to the stand three more times to contest what Fudge had said. When the trial finally ended a rather sheepish Harry approached Bellatrix and Hermione in the atrium of the Ministry.

"I wanted to thank you Ms. Black." Harry said holding out his hand, "For what you did and the risk you took."

The courtroom was full to capacity as the verdicts were read for Fudge and each of his co-conspirators. Hermione and Bellatrix sat in the balcony, Hermione tried to meet Molly and Ginny's eyes but they refused to look up from their seat on the floor of the court.

"It's alright Pet." Bella whispered as Hermione sat back and the culprits entered. Percy looked terrified, Fudge indignant.

"Cornelius Fudge you are sentenced to life in prison at Azkaban for conspiracy to commit murder, threatening members of the wizard community, harassment of witnesses in the event to obstruct justice." The chief warlock declared, the crowd went wild, it took several moments for the noise to die down.

"Percy Weasley you are sentenced to twenty years in Azkaban prison for co-conspiracy, divulging confidential information and harassment of witnesses in the event to obstruct justice." Hermione and Bella heard Molly and Ginny cry out.

"Ronald Weasley you are sentenced to three years in Azkaban for the harassment of witnesses in the event to obstruct justice." Again the cries came from the ground floor.

Tears stung Hermione's eyes as Bellatrix hugged her closely. "Come Pet, lets go home." She whispered pulling Hermione to her feet.

Three days before Beltane, at breakfast, another letter arrived from the Ministry of Magic, it was thicker than the usual ones they received and addressed to Bellatrix. She ripped it open and read it:

Ms. Black:

In light of your recent contributions to the conviction of Cornelius Fudge for conspiracy it is the understanding and agreement of this department that your pardon be rendered obsolete and as such no restrictions shall be placed on your person, wand or home effectively immediately.

Yours in Good Faith,

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Inside the envelope was Bella's new paperwork as well as her wand.