Hermione quickly discovered that the best way to get her stubborn husband to obey Healers orders and to get plenty of rest was to ensure that someone was with him to keep an eye on him and ensure that he wasn't overstretching himself. As often as she could, Hermione herself liked to be that person as she wasn't sure if anyone other than herself was truly strict with Draco. Her husband was a charmer and could most likely get his own way with most of the people in their lives, but she wasn't as easily swayed as other people, and she was more than capable of being tough with her husband, especially when it was in his own best interests.
With Draco absent from work, Lucius had stepped up to do extra hours, but fortunately the business had come a long way from when Hermione had first started working for Malfoy Holdings, and most of Draco's work could wait until he was back on his feet. As such, Hermione was often able to take early finishes from work, which was how she had ended up curled on the sofa with her husband in the middle of the afternoon, each of them engrossed in the books they were reading.
Reaching the end of her chapter, Hermione slipped a bookmark into the pages of her book and placed it on the side table. Asking Draco if he wanted a drink, she had just risen to her feet when the floo sounded to let them know someone was sending them a message. Hurrying into the floo room, Hermione activated the floo and received the message, which was from the Ministry of Magic. after replying to the message, and leaving the connection open, she returned to the living room to inform Draco that a visitor was on their way from the Ministry to talk to them about the case against Ron.
"Maybe they've finally decided on what to officially charge him with," Draco mused.
Since his arrest there had been a bit of a tug of war going on at the Ministry as they tried to decide on the final charges Ron would face. Ron had initially been arrested on attempted murder, but his legal counsel was fighting those charges and trying to get him charged with a lesser offence. Although a source of Lucius's had revealed that the Ministry themselves weren't entirely decided on what charges to push for as they didn't want to make a mistake in such a high profile case.
"We'll soon find out," Hermione said as the floo network chimed and she headed across the hallway to greet their visitor.
When Hermione returned, the last thing Draco had expected to see was that she was accompanied by the Minister of Magic himself. Draco hadn't seen Kingsley since Daniel's wedding, and while he knew the Minister would have been keeping an eye on the case, he hadn't expected a personal visit from him. Especially when Kingsley confirmed he'd brought an update about Ron's case.
"Why is the Minister himself delivering updates on criminal cases?" Draco asked. "Or have the Ministry sent out the big guns for a reason?"
"It's nothing sinister, I assure you," Kingsley replied with a chuckle. "I've been keeping a close eye on proceedings, and I offered to bring you the latest news as I haven't yet been able to visit you, Draco, and see how you're baring up."
"I'm getting there," Draco replied. "All this resting is starting to get boring though."
"You are now allowed to do light exercise," Hermione reminded her husband. "And you are getting stronger and not getting tired out as easily."
"True," Draco conceded with a nod. "But I'm still several weeks away from full recovery."
"You'll get there, we just have to be patient," Hermione said, taking hold of her husband's hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Although justice might help with my recovery," Draco said, turning his attention to Kingsley. "I am going to get it, aren't I?"
"Yes, Ron will end up back in Azkaban," Kingsley admitted. "Earlier this afternoon he pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon. He was also charged with attempted murder, although he pled not guilty to those charges."
"Why two separate charges?" Hermione asked with a frown.
"The Auror team have been working hard for the last few weeks, building their case, and they are convinced they can get an attempted murder charge to stick," Kingsley explained. "I don't know all the details of their case, so I can't really say why they think they can get a conviction. However, Ron has steadfastly denied deliberately setting out to try and kill Draco, so it's been obvious for a while that this will be going to trial. Obviously at a trial, he could be found innocent of attempted murder, but even he isn't denying that he stabbed Draco, so the second charge will come into play in the event of an innocent verdict."
"So if he's found innocent of attempted murder, he'll still be sentenced for assault?" Draco checked. "And what if he's found guilty of attempted murder?"
"Then the assault charge will be dropped and the more serious charge takes precedence," Kingsley explained. "Either way, Ron's heading back to Azkaban. I just thought he had learnt his lesson after last time. I saw him when he first came out you know, and I genuinely thought he would put his life back together and learn from his mistakes. I just can't believe he's put himself in a position where he's going to end up back in Azkaban for much longer than his previous sentence."
"I think we were all taken aback by what happened," Hermione admitted.
"Including Weasley himself," Draco pointed out. "It actually sounds like I'm trying to get him off the attempted murder charges, but surely my statement helps him. I still say he was as shocked as I was when he stabbed me. It certainly never came across as intentional."
"As I said, I don't know all the details," Kingsley said. "But as a former Auror, I think I have an idea what sort of case they're building. If I was investigating and believed this was a deliberate attempt on your life, I would focus on Ron's past conviction and the trouble between your two families. I would also focus on the fact he was carrying a knife, and why would a wizard need a knife? That is going to be a big cross against Ron's name when the trial starts. If he'd hit you with a curse, it would have been much easier to explain it was a spur of the moment thing. But the knife does raise concerns."
"It comes across as pre-meditated, just like using George's name all those years ago did," Hermione guessed.
"And that will also likely be brought up," Kingsley said with a nod.
"Do we even know why he had a knife?" Draco asked. "As you said, it's an unusual thing for someone to be carrying around with them. Especially when a wand is all any wizard needs to protect himself."
"He picked it up from Gringotts apparently," Kingsley answered. "It was a memento from his past, a present from Arthur. Although questions will be asked as to why he chose to hang onto that memento. Why choose to keep something so dangerous?"
"So, if we're heading to trial, when will that be?" Draco asked.
"An exact date hasn't been set, but it will likely be in about a month's time," Kingsley replied. "The press are already focused on this case, so the quicker we get it over and done with the better for everyone concerned. Once the date is set, you'll be informed and given notice of your requirement to give evidence."
"Will only Draco need to give evidence?" Hermione asked. Her husband was the only witness to what had happened between himself and Ron, but depending on what sort of case the Ministry were building against Ron, she suspected she might be called to testify.
"Draco will certainly need to give evidence, but given the sort of case I believe is being built against Ron, I would also expect you would need to testify, Hermione," Kingsley answered honestly. "Quite possibly Daniel would be asked to testify as well. I can't say anything for certain, as obviously as Minister of Magic, I will be part of the Wizengamot Ron will be facing, so I don't know all the details of the case. But if I were you, Hermione, I would be prepared to head into court."
Thanking Kingsley for the information, and taking the time to deliver it personally, Hermione showed the Minister back through to the floo room. Once he had left, she relocked the floo, and rejoined her husband, who was gazing thoughtful into the distance.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked, wondering if Kingsley's visit had brought back bad memories for Draco.
"I'm just thinking that my statement could actually be a useful part of Weasleys defence," Draco said with a snort. "Isn't that ironic? He's accused of trying to kill me, yet I could be the one to get him off scot-free."
"I would hardly call it scot-free," Hermione pointed out. "Even if he's found innocent of attempted murder, he will still be facing an assault charge."
"True," Draco mused with a nod. "I just don't really like the idea of having to go through a trial, only to have it all be in vain."
"I'm sure the Ministry know what they're doing," Hermione said. "They wouldn't be bringing the case unless they thought they could prove it."
"I don't see how to the honest," Draco admitted. "I know Kingsley said the fact he was carrying a knife will go against him, as will his past, but I still say he was genuinely shocked when he stabbed me."
"I think they've got something else as well," Hermione said quietly. "I think it's why they might also want Daniel to give evidence. When we spoke to Ron, he said the only thing he was sorry for was that he hadn't killed you when he had the chance."
"You said," Draco muttered, well aware that only moments later Weasley's mother had said something very similar, and his wife and son had heard two people wish he had been killed within moments of each other.
"We weren't alone in that room," Hermione pointed out. "One of the Aurors who had been investigating was there. Ron said that in front of an Auror."
"No wonder they're pressing for attempted murder," Draco snorted. "Honestly, who in their right mind says something like that in front of the Auror who is investigating you for stabbing someone?"
"Who in their right mind says something that horrible anyway?" Hermione countered.
"People often say nasty things they don't mean," Draco said quietly. "I know I said plenty of horrible things about plenty of people when I was younger. I do believe I once uttered a rather horrid statement regarding you and the Basilisk back in our second year. I fear that I'm starting to sound like part of a Weasley fan club, but I'm not sure I can blame him for what he said. Yes it was nasty, even more so given how close I came to dying, but it doesn't necessarily mean that he truly meant it. People do say all sorts of things in the heat of the moment."
"You're right, they do," Hermione agreed with a sigh. "I'm sure I've even said one or two horrible things that I didn't mean. But I saw the look in Ron's eyes, Draco. He meant every word of it. If you had died, he would have revelled in the pain it would have caused. He would have revelled in my pain."
"But it didn't happen," Draco reminded his wife, pulling her gently into his arms. "Weasley is the only one in pain, and its all of his own making. Let's just wait and see what happens when his trial starts. But at least once that's over, we can put this behind us once and for all and carry on with our lives. And this time hopefully he won't come popping back up in twenty years time to cause more trouble."
The same day Kingsley had visited Hermione and Draco, they headed off to have dinner with their eldest son and his wife. When they arrived at Grimmauld Place, they discovered they weren't the only visitors as Bill and Fleur had also been invited to dinner.
"How are you doing, Draco?" Bill asked as the two couples greeted each other.
"Not bad," Draco replied. "I haven't gone mad from boredom just yet."
"Only boring people get bored," Hermione remarked, smirking at her husband.
"People stuck at home, ordered to take it easy, also get bored," Draco retorted. "Especially when my wife goes out to work and I have no-one to argue with."
"So that's all I'm good for, arguing with?" Hermione questioned with a pout.
"The making up's fun as well," Draco shot back with a wicked grin.
"Can you even do making up?" Fleur asked with interest. "Or do you have to take it easy in the bedroom department as well?"
"I have been told I can partake in light exercise, but nothing too vigorous," Draco informed the French witch, who he had long since admired for her laid-back and open attitude towards sex and intimacy.
"Ah, so Hermione has to do all the work, and you reap all the rewards," Fleur laughed.
"Not all the rewards," Draco replied. "It's surprising what I can do without exerting myself too much."
As Draco and Fleur laughed together, Hermione quietly pulled Bill to one side and informed him of what she and Draco had been informed by Kingsley. Bill hadn't heard about Ron's case going to trial, but he certainly wasn't surprised as it had been looking likely for some time.
Just as the pair were discussing the situation, Daniel and Victoire entered the room, and overhearing part of the conversation, asked what was going on. With Fleur also interested in new developments, Hermione quickly explained Kingsley's visit, and everything she and Draco had been told.
"Gran won't be happy," Victoire said softly, leaning into Daniel, who placed a comforting arm around her shoulder.
"Your gran has known this was coming," Bill said with a shake of his head. "We all knew it was coming."
"Yes, but Gran was trying to stop it from happening," Victoire admitted. "She came to see me yesterday to beg me to get Daniel or Draco to speak to the Ministry and to get them to lessen the potential charges against Ron."
"She came to see you?" Bill asked with a frown, wondering why his mother hadn't mentioned seeing Victoire when she'd popped in to see them. "You mean at work?"
"No, she came here," Victoire replied. "I came home from doing some shopping to find her hammering on the front door."
"How did she even know you were living here?" Hermione asked. "You've only been here a matter of days."
"And we haven't said a word," Bill assured his daughter and son-in-law, not wanting them to think they had been disloyal and told Molly something it had been obvious they didn't want to share with her.
"That woman," Fleur hissed angrily. "I am going to strangle her. How do you think she knew, Bill? The same way she knew about the appointment to view a wedding venue. That sodding woman was snooping around at our house again. That was likely why she was there yesterday morning. Remember how she just popped up from nowhere, and then wouldn't even stay for a cup of tea?"
"I can't believe her nerve," Bill spat, not even bothering to defend his mother as everything his wife was saying made perfect sense.
"Maybe we need to limit her access to our house," Fleur suggested. "Or at least threaten her with it. That is twice she has now invaded Victoire's privacy. And now she knows where Victoire is living, what's to stop her from bothering her on a regular basis."
"She won't be coming back here in a hurry," Victoire said with confidence as she turned to give her father an apologetic look. "I'm sorry Dad, but I've pretty much cut ties with Gran after yesterday. When I answered the door, she tried her best to get inside, but I sent her home and went to visit her at The Burrow. But before I went, I checked the floo and found she had tried to use it a couple of times, and I also checked the security on the front door and found it had been tampered with. Someone had tried to unlock the door using magic."
"She tried to break into your house?" Draco questioned with a low whistle, truly stunned at the depths Molly was plunging to.
"I'm sure Gran didn't see it as trying to break in," Victoire snorted.
"I'm sure she didn't," Bill agreed, knowing full well that his mother would have simply expected automatic access to Victoire's house simply because she was family. "But more than her trying to get into the house has to have happened, Vic. What else did she do?"
"When I explained to her why she couldn't get into the house, and why Daniel didn't want her here, she started to spew her usual barbs about Draco not being Daniel's real Dad," Victoire explained. "I told her to stop it and that she needed to accept how things were and respect our wishes. She then said she would behave and cause no more trouble if I asked Draco or Daniel to step in with the Ministry on Ron's behalf."
"She tried to blackmail you?" Fleur asked with a horrified gasp.
"She said no, but it was how it came across," Victoire answered with a slight shrug of her shoulders. "When I told her that I wouldn't speak to either Draco or Daniel on her behalf, she lost it and started calling me a traitor. After everything, that was the final straw for me, and so I said goodbye and walked out. Maybe things will change after Ron's trial, and maybe in time, I will feel able to make room for her in my life, but at the moment, I just don't want her poison anywhere near me. I'm sorry, Dad."
"Don't be sorry," Bill insisted, walking over to his daughter and giving her a hug. "Mum is acting really badly at the moment, and I can understand why you need to distance yourself from her. I would like to think that things will get better after Ron's trial, but I don't want to get my hopes up. After all, I thought all this mess was long behind us. I genuinely thought Mum had accepted how badly she and Ron had messed us all those years ago, but here she is, yet again acting like a mad woman. Do not blame yourself for this situation, Vic. Mum has brought this all on herself, and if she loses you because of her actions, then she'll only have herself to blame."
A/N – I'm sorry that I keep forgetting to post how many chapters this story has. I actually finished it a while ago and it has 27 plus an epilogue in total, so not long to go now.