The Lion's Secret

by EandJMalfoy

Hermione Granger has hidden herself away in the muggle world for the past five years since the war. She emerges from the shadows to attend a party held by the Malfoy's. After a drunken one night stand, at the party, Hermione soon found herself pregnant. The only thing that made it worse is that Draco is the father.

5. The Trial

Chapter 5: The Trial

Disclaimer: This is a fanfiction based on the Harry Potter universe by J.K. Rowling. We do not own anything, except the plot and a few characters created by us to further the plot line in the future.

Hermione was wrong when she thought she had nothing to worry about. She carried on in Muggle London with her newly established boyfriend, Ryan. It had been a month and two weeks since they officially met. Hermione did care for him, but wasn't sure about how she felt. She saw him more as a friend and felt awkward when he would kiss her. On top of her displeasure, She hadn't been feeling well the past couple of weeks. Ryan doted on her much to her resistance.

"Here love," Ryan said as he placed on her bed. Hermione got in and pulled the covers over herself.

"Are you hot? cold? Do you want me to make you some soup?" He asked.

"Ryan, really I am fine. I just have the flu. Which by the way is contagious so you should go, I don't want you to get sick." Hermione stated as he helped her back into the bed. She had been constantly throwing up for the past two weeks and it seemed like she never got better. Hermione was going to tell him to leave for the sixth time, when an owl flew into her bedroom and landed on a perch next to Owl Eyes who was locked in his cage.

"Gosh Mione, how many owls do you have?" Ryan asked staring at the unknown owl. Hermione was relatively good at keeping magic a secret from Ryan and keeping Ryan a secret from the Wizarding World. Apart from the owls that came and went. Hermione didn't have anything that made her suspicious. She kept her wand, potions, magical books, and newspapers with moving pictures all hidden inside the beaded purse she used during the war. The owl hooted as it dropped a formal letter on her dresser. Hermione wanted Ryan out of the flat so she could read the letter. She had to think of something.

"Uh, Ryan, that chicken soup you mentioned sounds good. Could you get me some?"

Ryan jumped to his feet and headed for the kitchen, "Right away, love." Ryan was trying to purposely trying to sound British by adding "love" as a pet name for her.

"Actually, we are all out, can you go to the store and get me some?"

Ryan smiled, "Oh course, love, anything for you, love." He blew her a kiss and walked out the door. Hermione waited a few minutes to make sure he was truly gone. When she was sure he left, she went to stand up to get the letter. Her vertical stance was accompanied by a wave of sickness. She rushed to the bathroom and retched out her breakfast and what look like her previous breakfast... again. Hermione leaned against the toilet until the contents of her stomach were empty. Hermione took a minute before she stood up. She relied on her bathroom counter as support until she got in front of the sink. She cleaned her mouth with her toothbrush and gargled water to remove the taste. When Hermione looked up she came face to face with her menstrual calendar hanging above her sink on the mirror. Hermione looked at the calendar. Looking at the checkmarks from May's menstrual month, but noticed that June was empty. On June 22nd it said, "Next Period", but there were no checkmarks that signaled that she had, had it. Hermione looked sideways out the door to see her daily calendar which stated today was July 10th. June 22nd was three weeks ago. Her period was three weeks late.

Hermione was still in a froze position. It couldn't be. There were plenty of reasons to have a late period, right? She thought of all the medical reasons that could lead to an absence of a cycle, but knew that none of the possibilities were more prominent than the one the first one that entered her mind. She instantly thought to the night of Draco's party. She hadn't had any recollection of what had happened, but just now she was positive of the facts. Hermione ran into her room and grabbed her beaded purse. It still had the extension charm on it as it emptied out the contents of her magical objects. Hermione rummaged through the stuff until she found her wand. It felt so right when she held it again. With the wand in hand, Hermione grabbed a medical spells book she had been studying while she was on the run with the boys. She opened to the table of contents and scanned for what she need. Abnormal Potions, bites, burns, cuts, dark curses, Hermione scanned the list until she got to the letter "P": Poisons, Potions, Pregnancy. The word made Hermione cringe. Hermione opened to near the end of the book and scanned the title page. There was a picture of a fetus holding a wand for humor, but all it did was freak Hermione out. She flipped past conceiving, contraception (She wished she knew about this), and finally got to pregnancy tests. She looked at all the potions and realized she needed to do an alternative spell since she didn't have time or equipment to brew anything.

Hermione looked for a spell, but couldn't seem to find one. The book was mostly focused on potions and what potions ingredients healed aliments. Hermione closed the book in defeat. She couldn't find one and she didn't dare risk going down to the store to get a muggle test, where Ryan might be, depending on which one he went to for her soup run. Hermione paced across the room. It was unbelieveable. Hermione knew that she was... That word. She just didn't have courage to say. She barely told everyone she slept with... Him, let alone now telling anyone that she was care his... Child.

Ugh! The whole thing made Hermione want to vomit more than she was already. Hermione was thrown out of her thoughts when the grey owl hooted again, this time with irritation.

"I'm sorry!" Hermione told him as she grabbed the letter. It was formal letter written with green ink and had the Ministry seal on it. Hermione lifted the seal and lifted the top. The letter shooted out of its captor as to shape to resemble a face floating in front of her. It had inky green eyes and plum lips from the wax seal. The feminine looking letter smiled,

Dear Miss Granger,

Your presence is required at the hearing of: Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, on the tenth of July for his crimes of murder, torture, and unforgivable curses against the Wizarding World. Ministry representatives will escort you to the trial. The hearing will take place 3:30PM. We request you arrive earlier for seating.

Thank you,

Council of Wizard Law

Hermione knew that the wizarding world was anything, but punctual, but having her attend a hearing and giving notice the day of was really annoying. Today was the worst of all days. She knew he would be there. Draco. Ugh, the name felt like tar in her mouth. She looked at the clock on her bedside table, it read 1:30PM. Hermione walked her dresser, looking for acceptable for the trial. Hermione decided on a blazer with a matching skirt. Taking her clothes to the bathroom, she turned on the shower. The warm water made her relax, but Hermione was still worried. How could she have been so reckless? How could she have let herself do this? All she knew for sure was that whatever happened that night would haunt her for the next eighteen years. In the Muggle world they had could do a certain procedure that can get rid of unwanted pregnancies, but Hermione would not be able to live with herself if she went through with it. By the time Hermione was showered and dressed, she was in too much of hurry to leave, she remembered that Harry lent her his cloak of invisibility, so she quickly grabbed it out of her bag, and threw it over her spell books. Hermione grabbed a handful of floo powder and shoved herself inside her fireplace.

"Ministry of Magic!" She yelled as she threw the powder on the ground. The dust ignited the green flames around her. When the heatless fire left her, she was standing in one of the many fireplace entrances of the Ministry. Hermione tightened her grip on her bag as she blended with the crowd of witches and wizards. Hermione entered the main Atrium where she saw the fountain. It was back to normal, for the most part. The golden fountain was returned to the Fountain of Magical Brethren, but she still remembered all the helpless muggleborns that were turned to stone and displayed in the Magic is Might. That kind was magic was not reversible.

Hermione removed her eyes from the fountain only to see Draco and Narcissa from across the other side. Narcissa looked as though she were dressed for a funeral, but Hermione guessed that it was probably acceptable attire considering what will most likely happen to Lucius. Hermione continued staring and accidently locked eyes with Draco. His stare towards her made her feel like a creep. She quickly walked away from the fountain. She walked towards the Lobby, going to ask for directions, when,

"Hermione!" Hermione turned around at the call of her name to see Harry and Ginny walking hand in hand.

"Hi, guys." Hermione said relieved.

Ginny analyzed Hermione's nervous face, "What's the matter? Did you run into Ron?"

"What? No. Wait, what's Ron doing here?"

"Ron and I were invited because we are the ones who captured him, but they invited you because it would be rude to exclude one-third of a trio."

"Does that mean I don't have to go?" Hermione said hopefully.

"No. You still have to go." Harry said as if he were her parent.

Hermione sighed in disbelief, but followed Harry and Ginny.

"So, this is going to be super boring, huh?" Ginny asked Harry. Harry had been to tons of trials for death eaters because he was the chosen one and he was viewed as an honorable guest.

"Very likely. Although one deatheater did try to bite one of the guards while he was chained up. Some slight humor, but for the most part it is relatively boring."

Hermione felt nervous about seeing Draco again. She still isn't sure whether or not Draco knows that slept together. Hermione felt her stomach jump each time she stole a small glance at Draco. Hermione still had morning sickness, and right now was the worse time to have the urge to vomit the contents in her stomach. She ran out of the trial room and into the closes female restroom. Ginny ran after Hermione, inside the bathroom, Ginny heard the sound of someone throwing up, then the toilet flushing. Hermione walked out of the stall and went to the sink to get rid of the after taste of vomit. Hermione looked up at the mirror and saw Ginny at the door of the bathroom.

Ginny looked at Hermione with curiosity, "Okay, spill. Tell me everything." Hermione couldn't contain her pent up tears any longer, "I think I am pregnant."

Ginny stared at her friend in shock, "What?"

"I am not saying it again!" Hermione warned still not believing it herself.

Ginny couldn't wrap her head around it, "When? Who?" Suddenly Ginny realised it immediately.

"Is it… is it his?" Ginny asked amazed, "Is it Malfoy's?" Hermione let tears fall from her eyes, but nodded her head yes.

"You have to tell him." Ginny stated flatly.

"What! No! I can't!" Hermione yelled.

"Hermione, he had a right to know."

"Ginny! No he doesn't! This is my problem. I can handle it on my own."

"Hermione, it isn't about if you can handle it or not. It's about the right to know. If you are… with child, and Malfoy is the father, he has a right to the kid."

"Ginny, what makes you think he would believe me? I have no idea if he even knows we slept together!"

"You could do a paternity potion."Ginny offered.

"He wouldn't agree to that and it would make things way too awkward."

"Regardless, you have to at least notify him."

"Ugh! Ginny!" Hermione whined.

"Go! You're going to march into that courtroom and you are going to tell him the truth."

"Ginny, What about the people?"

"The courtroom is empty. Only family is allowed."

"Ugh, Ginny." Hermione said, "There is a small flaw in your plan: I am not their family."

Ginny smirked, "Technically you are." Ginny said pointing at her still flat stomach.

Hermione's hands sweated as Ginny pulled her out of the bathroom. She felt her wind pipes swell with anxiety as she stared at the door.

"It's not even guarded, just go in." Ginny told her. Hermione nodded as she stared at her fate beyond the door. Hermione took a step forward when the court doors opened to the public. Court officials and guest began to file in past Hermione. With a turn of her heels, Hermione looked at Ginny, "Saved by the door." Ginny looked less than satisfied at Hermione. The girls lead Harry in and took their seats in the middle of the cascading rows of pews. Hermione scanned the room to see Draco and his mother side by side and then saw Astoria Greengrass take a seat next to Draco.

"Do you think they're together?" Hermione asked, whispering in Ginny's ear.

"Nah, just moral support." Ginny said comforting her.

Hermione nodded. Suddenly the lights dimmed as if there was a show. From the center of the circular trial room came a cage holding Draco's father. He looked horrible. His face was stressed. It looked like he went through lots of torture. Then a man from the head of the desk spoke, "Lucius Abraxas Malfoy of Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire England. You are charged with the crimes of being a death eater, housing death eaters in your home, and the countless murder of innocents. Do you deny these charges?"

Lucius didn't even look up, "No."

"Very well. Does the defense have any evidence to prove Mr. Malfoy's innocence?"

Hermione looked at the court. No one seemed to say anything of Lucius' behalf. Hermione then looked at Draco. He tried to hide the pain that was plastered on his face. Narcissa was beside her son, whimpering with silent tears. Hermione stared at the two. She never thought of it, but Lucius wasn't just a deatheater. At one point he was a husband and a father. Hermione never realized how important that was until she saw how vacant her potential child's life would be. She thought of all the memories of her father and knew she wouldn't trade them in for anything. The judge waited before saying, "Lucius Abraxas Malfoy… we find you gu-"

"Wait!" Hermione yelled. All eyes were on Hermione was slowly getting up. Draco and Narcissa stared at her with shock and Lucius actually raised his hopeless head to look at her.

"Hermione!" Ginny whispered, "What are you doing!"

"Miss Granger?" The judge asked, "Do you have something you'd like to say?"

Hermione gulped she felt so awkward with all eyes on her.

"Um, before you pass judgement on Mr. Malfoy. I would like to offer a defense."

A collective gasp was heard throughout the whole courtroom. Hermione looked at Draco before focusing back on the judge.

"I know that Mr. Malfoy and I do not have a pretty history, but I can honestly say that the only reason he became a death eater, along with housing death eaters , and not to mention the murders of innocent people. He only did it to protect his family from You-Know-Who. Mr. Malfoy feared the Dark Lord, and knew that if he disobeyed him, it will cost the lives of his family. If it were any of us," Hermione said, "we would commit many crimes in order to protect the ones we love." Hermione instinctively wrapped an arm over her stomach. "Someone once told me and my friends, 'We've all got both light and dark inside of us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are.' And while many of you think that this hurting my case, it's not. Because I believe Mr. Malfoy didn't have a choice. While you may look at him in the face and see a death eater, others look at him as a husband and a father. Do you want to be the one that takes their loved one away from them?" Hermione paused and looked out at the crowd one more time, "I rest my case."

The judge looked at Hermione, "That was very convincing, Miss Granger." The judge then addressed the Wizengamot jury, "Those in favor of distributing the Dementor's Kiss?" Hermione looked around and about one third of the jury raised their hands. "Those in favor of twenty five years to life in Azkaban?" The rest of the hands were raised. The judge nodded, "Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, the jury has sentenced you to twenty five to life in prison. In ten years you will have a review hearing, where you may potentially ask for a decrease in your sentence. Until then, Court is dismissed."

The court was soon cleared. Hermione sent Harry and Ginny out without her. Draco and Narcissa were the first to leave. Hermione sat in her seat staring at Lucius who still had his head slumped over. Hermione grabbed her things and headed towards the door.

"Wait!" Lucius called from his cell. Hermione stopped in her tracks and looked at the imprisoned man.

"Why? Why did you fight for me?" Lucius asked with a signature Malfoy smirk. Hermione came closer to the man. She touched the center of her stomach and stared into the man's cold grey eyes, "Believe me, Lucius, I did not do it for you."

Lucius watched Hermione walk off, before he pulled her in, "Miss Granger? Have you gained weight?"

Hermione turned around shocked, "Didn't anyone ever tell you not to call a woman fat!"

"Oh yes," Lucius smiled, "Especially pregnant women."

Hermione closed her jaw, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh please, Miss Granger, Anxiety is all over your face. Your constantly rubbing your flat stomach and all the sudden your sentimental. I am not dumb."

"Okay, it's true I am pregnant, I'm a month along, but I have by no means gained weight.."

"You are still an unwed witch, so having a child out of wedlock will be bad for your reputation."

"Apparently defending you is bad for my reputation. But then again I could care less what others think of me. Anyways how would you know if I'm still unwed. I have been in the Muggle World for half a decade."

"It would be a shame for this to get out. People talk and suddenly everyone knows. "You'll be branded for life if you keep the little nuisance."

"Huh, thats interesting. I didn't think you'd call your grandchild that."

"My what!" Lucius said shocked.

"Goodbye, Lucius." Hermione said distastefully as she walked off.

"My grandchild?" Lucius pondered, "Is it… is it Draco's?" Hermione didn't answer him. She kept her head held high as she headed towards the exit.

Lucius was taken away, Hermione walked out the courtroom. On her way out she bumped into someone. "Oh I'm so sorry." Hermione said. She looked up at the person and saw that it was Ron. She didn't see him enter the courtroom earlier.

"Mione, what were you thinking?"

"What are you talking about?" Hermione said sounding like she was confused but knew what he was talking about.

"You must be mad, why in the bloody hell would you defend him."

"Well if you must know, I partially know what it is like not knowing what it's like to not having your father. During the war I had to erase my parent memory of my existence. Hell my parents still fully aren't there. I know that Malfoy and I do not get along, but I do not want him to not have his father for mistakes that he made in order to protect his family."

"I guess they are your new wizard family then?" Ron hissed.

"What? No!"

"Then why the hell do you care what happen to that ferret anyways!"

"Do not call him ferret, he has a name! And if you so desperately want to know why I defended him Ron!" Ron nodded.

"Why are you defending him? Let me guess, he treats you like his whore and-" Ron calling her a whore hit her hard, and it made her more furious than she already was.

"You want to talk about Whores?" Hermione roared, "Why don't you ask your skank girlfriend Lavender about how that feels!"

"Hermione that happened years ago, I apologized, I also was hexed by Ginny for what I did!"

"If you didn't want to be with me then, why didn't you just tell me." Hermione started to cry out of frustration.

"Take back what you said about Lavender." Ron warned.

"No!"

"Take it back!"

"Why should I take back what's true. She's a whore and always will be! I'm pretty sure that she has another man on the side just like how she was when we were dating!"

"Lavender is not a whore! At least Lavender wasn't the one that screwed Malfoy! Only a true whore would sleep with that ferret! I was over at Harry's when you told Ginny! I heard everything!"

Hermione tears went from frustration to hurt feelings. "You know what Ronald I may have slept with Malfoy! But, you have no right to call me a whore! I am going to tell you something, I was with you since 7th year, and just one night with Malfoy, was far more enjoyable than the nights spent with you!" Hermione said with no expression other than hatred and anger. Ron rose his hand and brought it down with so much force. Hermione knew what was coming, closing her eyes waiting for the impact. The impact from the slap never came. She opened her eyes only to see a tall muscular figure dressed in all black blocking her view of Ron.

"What the hell are you doing Weasel? What are you thinking raising a hand at a woman."

"It is none of your concern ferret." Ron spat out in complete disgust.

"It becomes my concern, when the woman that saved the life of my father is about to be hit by a man, wait not a man but a boy. A man will never lay a hand on a women."

Ron didn't like the fact that Draco intervened so with free hand he punches Draco. Draco was in shock and dropped his grip on Ron's hand. Draco's hand ran over the blood across his lip. He wiped what he could off and glared at Ron.

"You know Weasel, that was quite a good maneuver."

"Sorry, I don't take compliments from Ferrets." Ron hissed.

"But, do you know what's a better one?" Draco asked smiling, "This!" Draco raised his leg and kicked Ron in the balls. With a yelp of pain Ron collapsed to the floor holding his crotch.

"That's a filthy move." Ron grunted in pain, "Even for you."

"It's a filthy move for a filthy person." Draco told him. Hermione still at the scene took satisfaction from seeing Ron on the floor. Everyone stared at the three. Draco then turned his attention to Hermione, "Are you okay?"

Hermione nodded weakly, "Yeah, I'm-" A wave of sickness took over her body. She ran as fast as she could to the bathroom. She pushed the doors open into an empty stall. She leaned over the toilet and retched out everything. Hermione laid there still uncomfortable from the discomfort in her stomach.

Hermione heard a knock from outside the bathroom.

"Granger?" Draco asked.

Hermione freaked and apparated away.

Hermione arrived in her livingroom. She took off her shoes and made her way to her bedroom.

"Where have you been?" Ryan hissed. Hermione looked at the cold soup that was sitting next to him along with the textbooks that were uncovered.

"Something important came up."

"Okay something came up. Now on to another matter. What are these?" Ryan said pointing to the pile of books on floor.

"Well isn't it obvious, they're books. Why are they on the floor?"

"I went to sit down and your empty bed felt a little hard. When I actually sat down, books fell off your bed. Like out of thin air. So I picked one up and it told me the ingredients for Felix Felicis. Whatever the hell that is."

Hermione mouth opened, "I can explain!"

"Please do! Because right now you look mental."

"They were some funny books I was reading to my students."

"Oh? Did you also show your students this?" Ryan asked holding her beaded bag. "I went to see what was in there and suddenly my whole arm fit inside."

"Why were you going through my stuff!" Hermione asked.

"You had it laying about!"

"That doesn't give you permission to snoop around!"

"What is all this rubbish!" Ryan asked, "I looked around because I was curious. You were gone, which is another explanation you owe me."

"I don't owe you anything! I don't have to tell you everything."

"I am your boyfriend!"

"Well you're a pretty lousy one!" Hermione roared.

"Where were you?"

"You want to know! I was at court!"

"What? Stop lying to me Mione! You were not at a court!"

"Yes I was! You wanted the truth!"

"You haven't given it to me! You keep lying!"

"No I am not!"

Ryan got angry, "Yes you are! You completely mental, you know that! You have magic books, and weird bags and an untruthful personality!"

"You take that back!" Hermione yelled.

"You take this back!" Ryan yelled back as he threw one of her books. Hermione pulled out her wand and turned it into a bird that flew around the room.

Ryan stared at the bird, "How did you...?"

"Magic. I have magic, Ryan." She hissed.

Ryan took a step back, "You're joking. That didn't just happen."

The bird rested on Ryan's shoulder proving it was real. With a wave of her wand, the bird turned back into a book which fell to the ground. Ryan began to walk forward, "Look Mione, I am sorry about-"

"It's too late for sorry." Hermione hissed. Ryan slowly came forward, "don't come any closer!" Ryan continued to move.

"Incarcerous!" Hermione said as she pointed her wand. A thin rope shot from Hermione's wand and clung and knotted itself around Ryan.

"How did you do that!" Ryan said shocked.

Hermione let a single tear fall from her face, "Goodbye Ryan."

"Wait! What are you going to do? Hermione!" Ryan yelled.

"I'm sorry Ryan, but this isn't going to work out anymore."

Hermione raised her wand and pointed it straight at Ryan.

"Hermione!"

"Obliviate."

Author's Note: Yikes! Sorry about the cliffhanger, but we felt like it was a really good place to end the chapter. On a better note: Hermione's Pregnant! Please Review and give us your guess on what might happen next. We will also take baby gender and names into consideration if you wish to voice you opinion. This fanfiction will be updated every Tuesday if you want to see more. Hope you enjoyed both chapters and we will see you next week for Chapter 6!

~ AmateurWriter98 and AnonymousMaknae