I figured since the last chapter was a tad short that I would throw this one at y'all too :) I appreciate some of you may think I am glossing over this but that I am not - I simply do not want what occurred to be a focal point right now and for anyone who has ever been assaulted - I empathise greatly and stand with you 3

Mine to Save - Chapter Eight

The weekend passed uneventfully, with Harry rarely leaving Hermione's side. The Gryffindor seemed to be handling the Malfoy incident well, but had taken Harry's advice, albeit grudgingly, on board. She met with Madam Pomfrey a couple of times to talk about what had happened, and it seemed to be helping- or at least, Harry assumed it was.

Monday came around, and with it the final week before Hermione would have to choose her wizard before the Ministry decided for her. It was that morning which an owl arrived for Hermione, informing her the School Board had met and were investigating the claims made against Malfoy. They had requested her presence to go through the next steps before any decisions were made. Harry watched her confirm her attendance, adding that she would be bringing someone along.

Harry just nodded when she turned to him, already prepared that she would ask for support. Hermione smiled and squeezed his hand once in appreciation before the pair were given passes to excuse them from classes until the School Board were done with them.

They met with the Board, the Headmaster, and McGonagall after breakfast in the headmaster's office. Harry was shocked, and outraged, to see Lucius Malfoy in the room. He turned to Hermione whose face was ashen.

"I'm sorry, but what the hell is he doing here?" Harry hissed at the headmaster.

McGonagall narrowed her eyes at his tone, but they shone with sympathy. "Lucius Malfoy is Draco Malfoy's representative. Mr. Malfoy is entitled to either a legal representative or a parent- as I'm sure you are aware, Mr. Malfoy cannot attend himself due to the nature of the accusation."

Harry quieted, his hand being squeezed to death in Hermione's fierce grip. Unfortunately, neither of them could argue that point – Malfoy might be a scumbag but even he was entitled to some sort of defence. He squeezed back quickly and stood just slightly in front of her, acting as a barrier between her, the Board, and Malfoy Senior.

The twelve remaining members of the Board were seated along a table which Harry assumed the headmaster had conjured. Harry took a seat at the far end with Hermione next to him. The two professors sat down, Dumbledore at the head of the table, and McGonagall at his right. Harry sat at the left, with Hermione beside him, hands intertwined under the table.

Several Board members separated Hermione from Malfoy Senior, for which Harry was grateful. He glanced at Dumbledore who appeared calm, soothing Harry's nerves that Hermione would be ambushed.

"Thank you for joining us, Miss Granger. My name is Artemis Meadows. As I'm sure you've gathered, we're here about the accusation against Draco Malfoy over the assault of Hermione Granger, both seventh year students here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Miss Granger, you accuse Mr. Malfoy of accosting you in the halls of this school, and sexually assaulting you. You understand the seriousness of such an accusation?" Meadows began.

Harry noticed Malfoy sniff and attempt to glare at Hermione, but she cleverly kept her gaze on the man talking. She nodded. "Yes, sir, I know the gravity of the situation and the accusation, and I stand by it."

Meadows nodded. "Very well, the reason for this meeting is to clarify some points before the Board can come to a decision on what action, if any, will be taken against Draco Malfoy."

Hermione looked at him worriedly. "Is there something wrong with my memory as a statement?"

The Board member across from Meadows spoke, a woman with a kind face but sharp eyes. "Miss Granger, my name is Aurelia McKinnon. I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but Pensieve memories are good for seeing what has taken place, but they unfortunately do not give the viewer any indication to the donor's emotions or thoughts at the time."

Harry knew this but realised Hermione didn't when she shook her head.

"Well," McKinnon continued. "There are a couple of moments during your memory in which we cannot ascertain your emotions or thoughts, and, as I am sure you have realised, this has raised questions. Two incidents in particular, to be precise."

Hermione closed her eyes and swallowed, Harry squeezed her hand and addressed McKinnon. "Forgive me for interrupting, but I'm not sure Hermione is going to be comfortable discussing something like this with Malfoy's father sat there glaring at her."

Meadows turned to face Malfoy Senior. "Perhaps you wouldn't mind stepping out for this, it is a rather sensitive thing to discuss an assault."

Malfoy Senior stared back. "No, I will be remaining as my son's representative. I believe that were I here in a legal way, I would not be asked to leave."

Harry swore internally and glanced at Hermione, his best friend tearing up and trying to remain brave. "It's alright, Harry. If he wants to hear how his son made me feel, I'm quite happy to educate him on the matter." Her voice shook, but she managed to meet Malfoy Senior's eyes unflinchingly.

McKinnon's lips twitched minutely, only Harry seemed to notice. "Very well, I shall continue. The first instance we are unable to agree on, is when you seem to relax in Mr. Malfoy's grip as he is kissing you. You appear to no longer struggle and simply allow him to continue."

"I was going to catch him off guard. My dad always told me to hit someone in the nose when being attacked, it hurts, their eyes tear up and they can't see. So, I relaxed to get him to let his guard down, then I struck. I didn't have my wand, and I haven't yet managed to grasp wandless magic, at least not wordless as well."

Meadows nodded and made notes while McKinnon spoke. "I see, so your intention was to get the upper hand, so to speak?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes."

"So, it was not, as Mr. Malfoy has said, because the struggling was for fun and you actually enjoyed it?"

Harry snarled and slammed his hand on the table, the one not in Hermione's grip. "That's a fucking insult to every person who's ever been attacked! Did she look like she was enjoying it?"

"Mr. Potter! If you cannot hold your tongue you will be escorted from this meeting!" McGonagall yelled.

He sat back and bit his tongue but inside he seethed at the audacity of Malfoy- the both of them. Hermione shakily responded. "No, I-I did not in any way enjoy it. I was scared, crying, and genuinely trying to get away from him."

"I see," McKinnon stated. "Very well, we shall move on. After Mr. Malfoy has caught up with you and seems to drag you back to the alcove you were 'accosted' in, you are informed that if you misbehave again, you will be hog-tied and left naked in the Great Hall. Mr. Malfoy states this was only a light taunt, as you were both just role-playing."

Hermione shook her head, her curls flying about her face. "Absolutely not! I wasn't role-playing! I was disgusted at what was happening, but without my wand I was powerless! Draco Malfoy is both taller and stronger than me, I had no chance at besting him when he was controlling the situation."

Meadows scribbled more notes then interjected. "Miss Granger, I must ask, are you absolutely certain that none of this was simply some game in which you and Mr. Malfoy were engaging in? You are seen to be giving Mr. Malfoy what he is seeking."

Dumbledore coughed softly. "Excuse me, Mr. Meadows, I will not allow anyone to give their views on something that is not factual. Only Mr. Malfoy knows what he was seeking, not even Miss Granger knows this- despite what has been seen."

Harry wanted to scream at them until he understood that the headmaster had just saved Hermione from having to answer in too much detail about what they were referring to- though he had no idea what that was having not viewed the memory, nor asked Hermione in detail what had occurred.

"Of course, my apologies Albus. Miss Granger, the moment I am referring directly to, is Mr. Malfoy's hand under your skirt. You, excuse my bluntness, open your legs wider."

Hermione flushed deep red, tears slipping down her cheeks and falling onto her robes. "I…I was…Yes, I did. I used it so I could clamp my legs on his hand and push him. He was off balance and it gave me the opportunity to use my weight to spin us around and push him into the wall. He hit his head and I managed to grab my wand. I'd been trying to summon it, but like I said, I'm not any good at wandless magic yet."

Meadows nodded. "Understood. One final thing, Miss Granger. Though we can, I imagine, guess what is taking place. Can you explain what Mr. Malfoy's hand was doing between your legs?"

Harry caught Malfoy Senior's lecherous gaze and felt ready to throttle the man. "Is this really necessary?" Harry asked. "It's obvious what that sick little fuck is doing to her, she's been through enough, don't you think?"

McKinnon sighed softly. "I understand your desire to protect Miss Granger. However, it is not visible in the memory, so while we have only Miss Granger's word what took place, we must know what she interpreted to be happening."

He blinked and gawped at the woman. "I'm pretty sure Malfoy had a fucking good view what he was doing."

"Mr. Malfoy has refused to donate his memory of the event," Meadows said, shifting awkwardly in his seat.

"Yeah, I just bet he has."

"Potter! I won't warn you again!" McGonagall said, her face pinched in anger.

"Sorry," Harry murmured.

Hermione sniffled and wiped her eyes with her free hand, her other one grinding the bones in Harry's hand her grip was so tight. "He…He had his… He was…"

Harry closed his eyes and tried to fight his own tears. McKinnon sat forward and took Hermione's shaking hand. "Miss Granger…Hermione, I understand this is a very traumatic experience for you, but we are going to require you to be specific as to what was taking place."

She sobbed brokenly, both hands coming up to cover her face. "I…I can't! I'm sorry, I just can't!"

Hermione got up from her seat and fled from the room, her sobs ringing in Harry's head. McGonagall got up to follow her, pressing Dumbledore back down to his seat and giving Harry a warning glare.

McKinnon sighed and sat back. "Dear me, if we cannot conclude this meeting…" She trailed off and Harry knew Malfoy had pretty much just won.

"Please, can't you force Malfoy to give up the memory?" Harry pleaded.

Malfoy Senior snorted. "I think Mr. Potter you'll find that is against the law, especially as while he is in attendance at school, he is still considered a minor until he either leaves of his own choice, or graduates."

Meadows nodded. "Mr. Malfoy is correct, Mr. Potter. Unless Draco Malfoy is willing to give the memory, we have no choice but to dissolve the case."

Harry cried out in frustration and hung his head. "This is bollocks," he muttered.

"As we have to acknowledge the accusation has been made, we cannot allow Mr. Malfoy to return to Hogwarts right away. He will be suspended for a period of four weeks, after which, he will be allowed to return to school, but with conditions which must be met without fail," Meadows stated.

Harry stared in disbelief at him but kept his mouth shut when Dumbledore lightly kicked him under the table. "What are the conditions?" Dumbledore asked.

"Upon Mr. Malfoy's return, if there are any incidents, no matter how minor, that take place, he will be expelled. Make no mistake, Mr. Malfoy," Meadows addressed the senior one. "If your son has any complaints made about him, at all, there will be no further chances to plead his case."

Malfoy senior nodded, disgust written across his face, making Harry have to bite the inside of his cheek to hide a grin. It was a small victory, but a victory, nonetheless.

"This accusation is serious, and one that causes the Board concern, but without a completed statement from Miss Granger, we cannot rule to expel him," McKinnon followed up. "Mr. Malfoy will not be allowed in any classes Miss Granger attends. He will have to take up private tuition or attend the lessons outside the times that Miss Granger is attending."

Dumbledore nodded. "Of course, we will provide Mr. Malfoy with lesson schedules away from Miss Granger."

McKinnon nodded. "Excellent. I believe that will be all. Albus, the Board will make regular visits upon Mr. Malfoy's return to the school, please let us know if you have any concerns or anything else you wish to be put in place."

The headmaster nodded and quietly thanked the Board for their time. Malfoy senior complained to Meadows about the unfair treatment of his son, but he was told to make his statement to the Ministry if he was dissatisfied with the outcome the Board had come to.

Harry recognised that it would be extremely bad for the man to hold his tentative position within the Ministry if they learned his son had been accused of assaulting a student. The blond backed down and disappeared out of the office, through the Floo, with a flourish of robes.

The rest of the Board left, along with McKinnon and Meadows, leaving only Dumbledore and Harry in the office. "Sir, is there nothing else we can do?"

Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "I'm afraid not, Harry. Miss Granger could not complete the statement of what happened, and without that, the Board's hands are tied. Rest assured, my boy, we will do everything in our power to keep Mr. Malfoy away from Miss Granger. He will be monitored closely, and so much as a single detention will see him expelled from Hogwarts- and not even Lucius Malfoy will be able to stop it from happening."

"But he's on the Board of Governors, wouldn't Malfoy's expulsion require a unanimous vote of all thirteen Board members?"

Dumbledore shook his head and winked at Harry. "Because Lucius Malfoy is also Draco's father, he would not be able to have a vote on the Board, this is why he could only be Draco's representative today. As it is his child that is under fire, so to speak, the other twelve Board members will decide his fate- and they have already clearly stated that one more incident, no matter how minor, will see him expelled."