A/N: I do not own any character references by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter series or agree with her comments. This story is a product of my pure imagination. I do not profit from this and will not pay for any commissions for art about this story.
But you touch my face.
Redefine all of those blues.
When you say "Honey."
Summertime spritz, pink skies,
You can call me "Honey" if you want, because I'm the one you want.
Wintergreen kiss, all mine,
You give it different meaning 'cause you mean it when you talk.
Honey, I'm home. We could play house.
We can bed down, pick me up.
Who's the baddest in the land? What's the plan? (What's the plan?)
You could be my forever nightstand.
Honey
~ Honey by Taylor Swift
~*~ 10th June 2003 ~*~
Hermione hummed to herself as she layered slices of roasted turkey and lettuce onto the slices of bread, swaying to the rhythm in her head. "From the windows to the walls. Let sweat drop down my balls-"
"Oh, really?"
Hermione gasped, spinning around so fast that the knife in her hand, which she was using to put mayonnaise on the sandwiches, slipped out of her hands. "Harry!"
He was leaning against the doorway, grinning. "Last I checked, you didn't have any of those parts."
Hermione turned back to the sandwiches, blushing as she got a second knife from the drawer. "It's a song."
Harry grinned, "A song?"
"Yes," she huffed, spreading mayonnaise on all the sandwiches. "That's one thing I miss. The Wizarding Wireless just isn't the same. No Muggle radio, no decent music."
Harry crossed the kitchen over to her and leaned against the counter. "You like music that much? I didn't realize that."
Hermione glared at him. "Harry, I don't only read. My parents ensured that I was well-cultured. I love museums, concerts, plays, and pretty much anything else. Rosella and I usually have the radio on at home."
Harry smirked, "So what was that song?"
Hermione put the top slice of bread on the first sandwich and began cutting off the crust. "Get Low."
"Never heard of it. What are the words again?" He asked.
Hermione froze mid-cut, glancing at him and his damn smirk. "No."
"Oh, come on. Please?" Harry said, giving her a look that was so much like their daughter's.
Hermione groaned, setting down the knife. "Fine, but you are not allowed to laugh."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Harry told her.
Hermione sighed, "Three, six, nine. Damn you, fine, sock it to me one more time. Get low, get low, get low, get low."
Harry bit his lip, trying not to laugh.
Hermione grinned, "From the windows, to the walls. Let sweat drip down my balls, make all my bitches crawl. Stop!" She yelled, throwing up her hands, "Get jiggy with it. Stop! Get jiggy with it!"
Harry lost it, bursting into laughter. "Lord, Hermione, I think I love your rapping skills."
Hermione bowed, then went back to the sandwiches, "Now you can quit it."
"It was cute," he said, grabbing a grape from the bowl beside her.
Hermione bit her lip as she cut the sandwiches into triangles. "Oh, did you?"
"Yeah," he said quietly, slowly coming closer to her, and her heart started racing.
Before either of them could say another word, the sound of small feet running down the hall shattered their moment.
"Wash your hands first!" Andi's voice called from somewhere in the house as Teddy and Rosella came running into the kitchen.
Harry jumped back from her as Teddy rushed past them to the sink. "I can't reach!" Teddy complained, standing on his tiptoes, but he still couldn't reach the faucet.
"I can!" Rosella said proudly as she marched over.
Hermione turned to her, ready to tell her not to climb, when their daughter's feet lifted off the ground.
She glanced at Harry in shock. "Is she… levitating?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Hermione said, watching Rosella float a few centimeters higher, and turned on the tap.
Andromeda appeared in the hallway and froze, her mouth dropping open.
After washing her hands, Rosella grabbed the counter's edge and dropped to the floor. "I did it!"
Teddy's eyes were wide. "You can fly!"
Hermione exhaled, pressing a hand to her chest as Harry ran a hand through his hair. "Well," he said, "We're going to have our hands full, aren't we?"
"Wine?"
Hermione looked up from her book as Harry entered the drawing room. "Thanks," she said, accepting the glass.
"No problem," he said as he sat down on the other side.
Hermione took a sip of her glass, "Thank you for getting the radio working."
"Least I could do," Harry said as the song 'Sway' by Michael Buble came on. "May I have this dance?" he asked, putting his hand out for her.
She set her book down. "I thought you'd never ask," she said as she put her hand in his.
Harry led her over next to the fireplace, and they started to sway to the music. Harry's hand moved lower on her back, and she could feel the heat from his body, making her heart race.
Hermione let him spin her around, and her leg went between his, and she could feel him against her leg, making her gasp.
"Fuck this," Harry muttered as he lifted her off her feet as if she weighed nothing and threw her onto the couch.
Harry climbed onto the couch, hovering over her. His green eyes were glowing dark. "I can't do this anymore."
"What?"
"Resist you," he stated as he lowered his lips to hers.
Hermione moaned as she kissed him back, her hands tangling in his hair. She gasped as Harry nipped down her throat, his teeth grazing her skin. "The door!" she gasped, "Rosella can walk in!"
"I locked it," Harry said, grinning against her skin.
"Oh, thank god," Hermione sighed, "It's been too long, Harry. Make love to me."
Harry's hands were everywhere, exploring every inch of her body as they slipped under her shirt, his fingers grazing her nipples, making her arch her back, moaning. "Harry!"
Harry's hand moved lower, slipping under her shorts, and she gasped as he teased her. "You're so wet," he groaned.
"Harry, please!" Hermione moaned.
"Hermione! Hermione! Wake up!"
Hermione sat up, gasping as she looked around and found Harry sitting next to her.
"You were having a nightmare and were yelling out my name. Are you okay?" Harry asked.
Hermione fanned her face, "I'm good."
"Need me to stay with you tonight?" Harry asked.
"No!" she stated quickly, making him stare at her, "No, I mean… I'll be fine. Thank you for offering."
Harry stood up, "You know where to find me if you change your mind." He told her as he shut the door behind him.
Hermione threw herself back, groaning as she ran her hands over her face, her pulse thrumming between her legs. Grabbing her pillow, she held it against her face as she screamed.
~*~ 11th June 2003 ~*~
The scratching of Rosella's new coloured pencils against her paper and the occasional turning of a page were the main noises that filled the drawing room as Hermione sat curled up in the armchair with a book open on her lap, while Harry and Rosella sat on the floor colouring with the new art kit that Andi had got her.
Harry sat beside her colouring, but his looked more like scribbling than Rosella's did.
"Like my drawing, Daddy?" Rosella asked, holding up the paper.
Hermione glanced, biting her lips together not to smile. The picture showed a small house surrounded by five stick figures. Two of them, with matching curly hair, one tall and one small, stood nearest to the house. A bit farther away was a man with orange hair and a girl with yellow hair. On the opposite side was a man with what appeared to be a large bubble on his head.
Harry pointed to the man, "What's that supposed to be?"
Rosella giggled. "That's your hair!"
"I have a bubble on my head?" Harry asked.
Rosella stood up and patted the messy bun on top of his head. "It's your hair, silly!"
Hermione tried, but failed to contain her laughter.
Harry looked over at her, glaring, "What do you have to say about it, Granger?"
"I think," Hermione said, "They call it a man bun now."
"You'd better watch it," he warned, pointing his pencil at her.
Hermione grinned. "Oh? And what are you going to do about it?" she teased.
Before Harry could reply, a familiar voice came from the doorway. "What am I walking in on?" Making both she and Harry jump.
Hermione twisted around, "Ron!"
Ron raised his hand innocently as he walked into the room. "Don't let me interrupt whatever that was," he said, grinning as he sat down next to Rosella. "Hey Rosie, how's my favourite girl?"
"I made a picture of you, Uncle Ron!" Rosella said proudly.
"I see that," Ron said, pretending to study it, "Tell me about it."
"Here's Mumma and me at our house," Rosella explained, pointing, "And that's you and Aunt Luna visiting. Look! She has her ring on!"
Hermione's eyes went wide. "Wait, did you finally propose?!" she kicked his arm, "You told Rosella before me?!"
Ron winced, rubbing his arm. "Ow! Abuse! And no, I haven't proposed yet. It's… still not the right time."
Hermione groaned, "You're an I-D-I-O-T, you know that? What are you waiting for?"
Ron shot her a look, then nodded towards Harry as Rosella asked him to help her draw Crookshanks. "It goes both ways, you know?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "Sometimes I really want to strangle you."
Ron smirked, sitting back. "What's stopping you? My irresistible charm?"
"The law," Hermione told him, going back to her book. (shoutout to @creativepromptsforwriting on Tumblr!)
Ron laughed, "Kitty's got claws, but she'll never use them."
Hermione glared at him over her book, then pointed toward the door. "Rosella, what's that over there?"
Rosella turned to look, and Hermione flicked Ron off, causing Harry to choke on a laugh.
"I don't see anything, Mumma," Rosella said, confused.
"Oh, sorry, sweetheart. I thought I saw Crookshanks do something funny," Hermione told her.
Rosella giggled, "Mumma, Crookshanks is sleeping in my bed! You're so silly."
Hermione leaned over and flicked Ron's ear, making Harry laugh.
Rosella went back to her drawing as Hermione went back to her book. "Daddy, why don't you and Mumma live together?"
Hermione inhaled so fast that she choked on air.
Harry leaned back, looking at her, "You okay?"
She nodded, "Fine. Just… forgot how to breathe for a second."
Harry rubbed the back of his neck, turning back to Rosella. "Well, I was gone for a long time," he said gently. "And I hope one day that we can all live together. But right now, this is Daddy's house, even if I share it with Andi and Teddy. Until you and Mumma are ready for that, I'll stay here."
Rosella nodded as she went back to colouring.
Hermione's pulse had started racing while he spoke, and it refused to calm down. She pretended to focus on her book, but she could feel Harry's gaze on her.
Over her book, she saw Ron lean closer to Harry and whisper, "You're an idiot, you know that? Don't mess it up this time."
Harry shot him a look, "Who says anything's going to happen?"
Ron smirked, "Oh, it'll happen. It's just a matter of when."
Harry didn't answer him. He just glanced at Hermione. She grinned as she went back to her book.
~*~ 13th June 2003 ~*~
The smell of broth and simmering vegetables filled the kitchen as Hermione stirred the pot, humming to herself. Glancing up as footsteps echoed down the stairs, Harry leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a smile.
"Lunch should be ready in about ten minutes," she told him, placing the lid on the pot and wiping her hands on a towel.
"Perfect timing," Harry said, stepping inside the kitchen. "Andi ran out earlier, and I asked her to pick up something."
Hermione looked at the brown bag, "What did she get?"
Harry reached into the bag and drew out a small box.
Hermione gasped, "A radio?!"
"It's battery-operated," Harry said as he opened the box, "So hopefully the magical interference won't be too bad, and it has a large antenna too."
Placing the batteries within it, he turned the dial, and static filled the air. Handing it to her with a smile, she took it, "Oh, thank you, Harry."
"You had to uproot your life to move in here," he told her, "It's the least I can do to make it feel more like home."
She smiled as she fiddled with the dial. The first few stations were nothing but static and garbled words, but then a strong beat cut through.
"Ah," she said with a smile, "Eminem."
Harry looked at her, surprised, "Wait, you know more rap?"
Hermione grinned, "Don't tell my dad. He can't stand it."
Harry laughed, shaking his head, "You never stop surprising me. You know that?"
"I have to keep you on your toes somehow," she teased.
The song ended, and a softer one began.
"Oh, I love this one. It's Kelly Clarkson's A Moment Like This," Hermione said, smiling.
Harry walked closer and held out his hand, "We never got to share a dance at the Yule Ball. Can I have this dance?"
Hermione blinked, "You're serious? Dancing again?"
He nodded, smiling.
Setting the towel aside, she placed her hand in his, and he drew her closer. His hand was resting at her waist as the lyrics filled the room.
"Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this."
Harry guided her through a slow sway around the kitchen, his thumb brushing against the skin beneath her jumper. Hermione gasped as he spun her out and back in again, then dipped her slightly, catching her by surprise.
"Well, I may be dreaming, but still lie awake… can't we make this dream last forever?"
Hermione's pulse thundered in her ears as she looked up at him, their faces inches apart. "Harry…" she breathed out.
He swallowed, "Hm?"
"I-"
"Where are you two? Have you heard!?" Ron's voice screamed from somewhere within the house.
Harry straightened up immediately, and Hermione pulled down her jumper.
"In here!" Harry yelled.
"I'm going to kill him," Hermione mumbled as she exhaled, and turned back to the stove just as Ron appeared in the doorway.
He looked between them, "Did I interrupt something?"
Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "Not exactly. What's going on?"
"They caught Kingsley," Ron said excitedly.
Hermione froze, the wooden spoon slipping from her hand and clattering to the floor. "What?"
"They found him," Ron repeated, "Up north in one of the old Order safehouses."
Harry's face hardened. "I need to contact Olivia."
The two men left the kitchen together, and the echo of their footsteps faded down the hall.
Hermione leaned against the counter, her breath unsteady as the last faint notes of the song lingered in the air. Reaching over, she turned it off.
"Hermione?"
She turned, and Harry was standing in the doorway.
"I'm fine," Hermione said quickly, forcing a smile. "Go. Talk to Olivia. Find out what's happening."
Harry crossed the kitchen in what seemed like only three steps, as he leaned down and pressed a kiss on her forehead.
"Save me a dance," he murmured. Then he was gone.
Hermione stood there, staring at the empty doorway. Their bubble, the fragile, beautiful bubble of peace they'd built together here at Grimmauld, had just burst.
"Anyone there?"
Hermione walked over to the floo in the drawing room, "Come on through, Molly." She said as she tapped her wand to the floo, and Molly came through.
Molly stepped through and looked around. "Oh, Hermione, you look tired."
Hermione ran her hand over her face, "It's been a long two weeks, Molly."
Molly looked around, "Where is Harry?"
Hermione picked up some of Teddy and Rosella's toys. "He went with Susan and his solicitor, Olivia, to the Ministry. They're trying to sort out how to proceed with all this mess. Nothing like this has happened before."
Molly frowned as she dumped all the toys into a basket and turned around. "The Wizengamot has an emergency meeting at 19:00 to discuss the next steps. They decided to expedite the trial to tomorrow."
Molly placed her hand on her mouth, "Oh, Hermione…"
Hermione gave her a tired smile. "I appreciate you coming to get Rose. She's been cooped up here in the house for two weeks. She could use some cousin time."
"She can stay the night if you'd like," Molly offered.
Hermione bit the inside of her lip. "Thank you, but… after everything, I'd rather have her home tonight."
"Understood," Molly said as the thundering of footsteps came from somewhere upstairs.
"Don't run down the stairs!" Hermione yelled.
"Missy Rose, no jumping on the stairs!" Kreacher stated as Rosella ran into the room, sliding on her socked feet.
"Nana Molly!" She yelled as she hugged her, "Let's go!"
Hermione knelt beside her. "Be good, okay? Don't eat too many sweets."
Rosella giggled, "Nana Molly doesn't give me sweets."
Molly chuckled as she took Rosella's hand, "Try to take time for yourself."
Hermione nodded and waved as the green flames flared, and they disappeared through the floo.
Sinking onto the couch, the emptiness of the house pressed down on her. Andi had gone to work, Teddy was at his babysitter's, and she was utterly alone other than Kreacher in the big house. For the first time in days, she was left alone with her thoughts.
After an hour of cleaning the kitchen, doing laundry, and attempting to clean the house, Hermione's mind was giving her anxiety. She decided that she was done sitting around and walked into the drawing room, jumping back as the fireplace roared to life.
Harry stepped through, brushing soot off himself, his hair a mess, pausing, surprised to see her. "Where is Rosella?" he asked, frowning, seeing her jacket on.
Hermione pulled her hair out of her jacket. "Molly took her to the Burrow. I thought she could use a break."
Harry nodded, "Where are you going?"
Hermione slid her feet into her shoes. "I'm going to go check on the store."
Harry frowned, "Now?"
Hermione looked at him, "It's driving me crazy, Harry. I just… I need something normal for a bit. Are you staying here?"
Harry shook his head, "No, I'm grabbing some documents for Olivia."
Hermione nodded as she grabbed a handful of floo powder, "Let me know what she says."
Harry nodded as she flooed away.
Stepping out into her office, Hermione looked around and smiled at her familiar space, glad to find it tidy.
Leaving her office, she walked down the stairs, and Vivian looked up from the café counter, "Hermione!"
Regina came out from behind one of the shelves. "You are alive!"
"Don't be so dramatic," Hermione yawned as she walked over to Vivian, "I need a latte, stat. Make it a double."
Vivian smiled as she started making one.
"So how are things?" Regina asked, "Misty said that Theo has been telling her that the Ministry is basically imploding."
Hermione sat on a stool at the counter, "It's not good, for sure. Harry is at the Ministry with his solicitor, and they are having an emergency Wizengamot meeting tonight. Tomorrow is the trial." She said as she got up and walked around the counter, grabbing a biscuit for herself. "So yes, things are imploding."
Vivian set her cup in front of her as she returned to her stool, "So, how were two weeks trapped in a house with Mr. Hottie?"
Hermione dusted the biscuit crumbs off her lips as she finished her biscuit, then licked her lips. "Illuminating." She said as she hopped off the stool and walked over to the case to grab another biscuit. "It's been an interesting two weeks."
Regina frowned as Hermione finished off the rest of the biscuit and rolled her head to loosen her neck. "Everything okay?"
Hermione gave a fake smile. "Yes, why?"
Vivian offered her a croissant, "Try this."
Hermione took it and bit into it, "Oh lord," she moaned.
"Alright, there is something more going on here," Regina stated as Misty walked in, "Whose next door?"
"Megan," Misty stated as she stared at Hermione, "You are eating sweets. You don't eat sweets."
Hermione frowned, "Yes, I do."
Regina gasped, "You're pregnant!"
Hermione gasped, "Regina, don't say that so loud! No, I'm not pregnant. My lord, it's just been a difficult two weeks."
"Two weeks, stuck in the home of your baby daddy that you've been in love with since forever, sounds so hard," Regina said sarcastically.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "It's more complicated than that. I'll be in my office."
Hermione stood downstairs in the library of Grimmauld Place, staring at the stacks of books before her. Tomorrow. Tomorrow would be the day that changed everything in her life. In Rosella's life. In Harry's and in the Wizarding World. After tomorrow, she would have to go back to her life.
Hermione stood in the quiet of the library listening to the sounds of the old house. Taking a big breath, Hermione walked out of the library and saw that the lights were on in Andi's room, meaning that she and Teddy had already gone to bed. Swallowing back the heaviness, Hermione started climbing up the stairs to check on Rosella. She was halfway up the stairs when she heard Harry's voice.
She leaned against the banister, listening to Harry read to Rosella.
"Daddy?"
"Yes, my sweet girl?"
"You found the bad guy, right?"
Hermione leaned back against the wall as Harry answered. "I didn't, but yes, he was found."
"Does… does that mean we have to go home?"
Hermione's breath caught as she pressed a hand to her chest.
"Yes, sweetheart," Harry said after a moment. "You'll be going back home soon."
Hermione squeezed her eyes shut as Rosella answered him. "I don't want to leave you, Daddy."
A tear slipped free before Hermione could stop it. She quickly swiped it away.
"I don't want you to leave either, but your mumma has made you an amazing home, sweetheart. This place is really Andi and Teddy's home now. I'm just here for a bit."
Hermione's heart broke at Rosella's hopeful voice. "You can come live with us."
"We'll see," Harry told her, "Now, my dear, it's time to sleep. Close your eyes."
Hermione wiped her face as she took a deep breath and continued up the stairs. Closing the door behind her, she laid back against it. The truth was, she didn't want to leave him either.
~*~ 14th June 2003 ~*~
The moment that Hermione stepped out of the floo behind Harry into the Ministry's atrium, sound hit her like a wall. Flashes came from what seemed like every direction as photographers snapped their pictures, and reporters began shouting questions.
"Lord Potter! Is it true that you are going to testify against the Minister?"
"Why would the Minister do this to you?"
"Are you two together?"
Hermione froze for a second as the blinding flashes made her vision go white, before Harry slid his arm around her shoulders.
"No comment," he told them as he guided her to the lifts, as the reporters circled behind them.
Hermione focused on grounding herself in the feeling of his hand on her back, a layer of protection, as she hurried toward the lifts.
"Just keep your head down," Harry murmured. "Almost there."
Hermione nodded, following his lead as they finally reached the lifts. The doors slid open, and they quickly stepped in, and Aurors blocked the reporters from the doors as they slid shut.
Hermione exhaled. "Well, that sucked."
Harry gave her a slight smile, "They smell blood in the water, and we are the victims."
The lift dropped as Hermione straightened her best robes over the top of her dress, trying to calm her racing heart.
When the lift opened, they stepped out onto the lower corridors of the Ministry's level nine. Harry took her hand, and together they walked over to the stairs and down to level ten, where courtroom number one was. Hermione shivered as the temperature of the air changed, and Harry held the door open for her. "Want me to put a heating charm on your cloak?"
"That would be amazing," Hermione said as he took his wand and cast it. "Thank you."
Harry took her hand again, and together they walked to Courtroom One, where they found Olivia outside talking to someone with Kraglin standing beside them.
Kraglin spotted them and walked over. "Lord Potter, Ms. Granger, it is a pleasure to see you both."
Harry extended his hand. "And you as well. Thank you for everything that you've done for this case."
Kraglin's lips curled, "Just you wait," as he turned and walked down the corridor. Olivia finished her conversation and walked over to them.
"Hello, Ms. Stark, what is the plan?" Harry asked.
Olivia looked at her watch. "The Wizengamot convenes at noon. They will administer Veritaserum. From there, I will state our case, and his legal team will respond. We have sound evidence. Melinda also gave a statement to the Aurors, and it is on the court record that they have already received. She may be interviewed if necessary. Our rebuttal, if needed, is Kraglin, but Veritaserum will seal the deal, in my opinion."
Hermione squeezed Harry's hand, "What happens afterwards?"
Olivia inhaled, "Sentencing. I am planning to go hard. Minimum of five years in high security, hoping for ten. He knows too many people. When he is found guilty, the committee says it will immediately name an interim Minister until another can be elected. They already have someone in mind."
"An election?" Hermione asked, surprised.
Olivia nodded, "It's been over a century since the post was last decided by vote, but the precedent demands it if a sitting Minister is removed. Fudge was nearly a vote, but we think he was Imperiused to resign."
Harry tensed. "They want to move quickly, to keep the Ministry stable."
"Precisely," Olivia said, glancing down the corridor. "The political fallout of all of this will be unpredictable. I advise you both to be cautious about what you say and how you react today. There will be press inside."
Hermione looked at Harry, who squeezed her hand. "Understood."
As the clock above their heads clicked to 11:30, Olivia opened the heavy oak doors. "We should take our seats. It is going to be a long day. Prepare yourselves, I can almost guarantee that when his legal team responds to us, they will call both of you to the stand."
Hermione drew in a slow breath as she and Harry followed her inside, where the chamber was colder than she remembered. She immediately looked up to make sure that dementors were not floating around the ceiling like before.
Olivia led them to a row of seats closest to the "gallery" section of the courtroom, then nodded at them as she headed towards the small desk toward the center.
Harry squeezed her hand, "You okay?"
"Just nervous," Hermione said, taking in the murmuring of the fellow witches and wizards already gathered. Opening her bag, she pulled out a book to read until things started, which made Harry laugh. Looking up at him, she saw him smiling, "What?"
"Just that some things change, but I'm glad that some stay the same," Harry told her as he looked around.
Hermione's heart pounded in her ears as she glanced around, as the Wizengamot in their crimson robes took their seats, easily spotting Mrs. Longbottom and her unique hat. A hum filled the walls of the Courtroom where spectators had gathered, as a man in dark black robes took to the large podium.
Looking around, she saw various members of the Weasleys and their classmates gathered in the courtroom. She jumped as the gavel hit the podium, and Kingsley, in a cage, rose from the middle of the floor, causing the murmuring to rise.
"Silence! The Wizengamot convenes on this fourteenth of June to consider the offenses committed by Kingsley Shacklebolt. Interrogator Head Auror Gawain Robards presides, and the legal teams of both sides are present. Witnesses have been recorded in the ledger," he said, looking up from his podium at Kingsley. "The charges against the accused are as follows. Corruption. The deliberate abuse of the power of the office of Minister of Magic for personal and political gain, obstruction of justice, and attempted line theft. Do you understand these charges?"
"Yes," Kingsley stated. "I do"
Robards turned to the Wizengamot. "Witches and Wizards of the Wizengamot, I implore you to look past your loyalties to the Ministry to uphold your duty to the people we serve. If we prove the evidence to be correct, this man withheld information and manipulated others for his personal power." Robards stated as he turned back around toward Kingsley, "Medi-witch."
A medi-witch came over holding a small vial and unstoppered it. The silver substance within seemed to glow in the light as an Auror came over and forced Kingsley's head back. Eventually, Kingsley gave in and opened his mouth so the Veritaserum could take effect.
"Mr. Shacklebolt has been given a new form of concentrated Veritaserum as Aurors train to become less susceptible to it in our field," Robards stated, which made Kingsley sit up straighter. "Please state your name for the court."
Kingsley closed his eyes, obviously trying to fight the serum, before opening his mouth. "Oswald Kingsley Shacklebolt."
"During your tenure as Minister, did you use any unauthorized means to monitor or intercept private communication between citizens?" Robards asked.
"Yes," Kingsley stated, "For Potter and Granger, I used my personal house-elf. If I considered others a political threat, I used a Ministry elf."
Gasps rippled through the chamber, and Hermione's fingers tightened on Harry's arm. His muscles beneath her hand were tense.
"For what purpose did you intercept Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger's communications?" Robards asked.
"To control, Harry Potter. To limit their influence within the Ministry. He and Hermione Granger didn't meet the expectations of our ideals," Kingsley stated.
"And what expectations were those?" Robards asked.
Kingsley's jaw clenched down hard. "Two Muggle raised wizards should not hold the reins of our Ministry. I only did what was necessary to preserve stability."
Harry stood up, shocking Hermione, "Stability?! You sabotaged us! I died to protect us from the same bloody prejudice!"
"Mr. Potter," Robards stated, "Sit down or I will have you removed."
Harry sat down, breathing hard, and Hermione took his hand, running her thumb over the back of it.
"I wasn't alone. The old families supported me. They wanted to keep the Ministry to their benefit. I followed their counsel," Kingsley stated.
"Which families?" Robards demanded.
"Burke, Yaxley, Beaufort, Victor," Kingsley stated.
Hermione watched multiple members of the Wizengamot turn towards a few individuals.
"They met with me regularly. Provided funding for the Ministry, swayed votes to maintain control," Kingsley stated.
Gasps, curses, and shouts filled the courtroom as a few individuals tried to make a run for it, but it was obvious that they had been planning for that as Aurors apprehended them.
"Order!" Robards yelled, slamming his gavel.
Hermione swallowed hard as they were escorted out, and Robards continued. "You manipulated, by your own words, communication between war heroes. You used them as pawns, all to uphold a system built on blood status and corruption. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Kingsley looked over at them, and a shiver ran down her spine as his eyes met hers. "I did what I thought would protect our world. Even if it meant breaking theirs, Dumbledore thought it was what was right."
A stunned silence filled the room, and then chaos erupted again.
"Silence!" Robards yelled as he looked at Kingsley, "Dumbledore? As in Albus Dumbledore?"
"Yes."
The crowd around them started whispering.
"Silence!" Robards yelled again, "I will have Aurors remove anyone who continues to disturb our proceedings! Mr. Shacklebolt, what was Albus Dumbledore's role in this?"
Kingsley's jaw clenched again, "I was sworn not to speak of it."
Robards leaned closer, "When?"
"Dumbledore learned he was dying after finding one of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's Horcruxes and putting it on. It cursed his hand and sentenced him to death," Kingsley stated.
Robards frowned, "Horcruxes? Vestibules for his soul?"
Hermione grabbed Harry's hand tighter as she heard Harry mutter, "Shite!"
She, Ron, and Harry had all decided the day of the final battle that only those whom they could trust would know about the Horcruxes and that with them, the knowledge would die. Now, she worried someone would investigate them again.
Robards glanced at Harry, who shook his head.
"What was Dumbledore's part in this case?" Robards continued.
"He was afraid that Potter would sway too many if he won and would be too progressive for the wizarding world. He knew that Muggles are rapidly becoming self-reliant, and that their ideals would change too much. Potter grew up not knowing our ways. He thought he was a Muggle until he received his letter. Dumbledore knew that Black or Lupin could easily raise him, so he manipulated the Ministry to keep Black in Azkaban and Lupin from prospering and getting a job so that Potter was out of sight. Isolated with abusive and neglectful muggles."
Hermione rested her head on Harry's shoulder as the truth finally came out.
"So, the savior of our wizarding world was deliberately placed with Muggles so that Dumbledore could retain control?" Robards asked.
"Yes."
Hermione swallowed as her throat got tight.
"Once, he knew he was ill, and he couldn't continue… he swore me to continue his mission. He worked with the old grey families that maintained a level of power outside of Voldemort's influence to influence the Ministry without being the Minister himself. When he became Chief Warlock, he was able to control some of the laws through his influence. He laid the foundation for me to follow."
Robards stared at him for a moment, "What were his instructions?"
"If Potter were to survive and defeat Voldemort, he was to be persuaded to leave," Kingsley stated.
"Leave the country?" Robards asked.
"Yes, Dumbledore knew that Harry had no family that would hold him to Britain. His Aunt hated him. Dumbledore had to step in multiple times after Muggle authorities had received reports of his care growing up. They neglected and abused him."
Hermione looked at Harry as his eyes squeezed shut and didn't have to look around to feel the eyes on them.
"So, if he won, he did not want the attention. He hated the attention that his fame brought him. Dumbledore knew if he won, he would want to escape. I was to encourage him to leave," Kingsley stated.
Hermione swallowed hard as her heart leaped in her throat.
"Potter came to me after the Memorial and stated that he had decided not to be an Auror any longer. I had given him the offer to be fast-tracked to be an Auror, but did not tell him that it wasn't an Auror here in Britain. I was going to contact MACUSA, but he stated he wanted to become a healer. Only hindrance was getting him to leave since he was in love with Hermione Granger."
Robards glanced at them. "What did he being in love with her have to do with anything?"
"My elf, Huntington, sensed that she was pregnant. The only thing I had going for me was that in the heat of battle, Ron Weasley kissed her, and Harry saw it. Harry didn't want to come between them and was afraid that any remaining Death Eaters would go after her. So, I told him I would help him. I contacted some people within various Ministries to keep him on the move. The new Headmaster of Durmstrang contacted me, saying they would be glad to host him. No one would think of looking for him there, so I sent him there first. In the chaos of everything, Harry Potter disappeared."
"So, you purposely kept him away, knowing that Ms. Granger was pregnant with his child?" Robards asked.
"Yes."
"And is that why you manipulated their post to each other?" Robards asked.
"Dumbledore had told me about how Lucius Malfoy's elf had stolen Potter's mail back in his second year, and it gave me the idea. Dumbledore had his elf Huntington that followed Potter, and he gave it to me to continue monitoring him. So, I had Huntington monitor Granger and Weasley instead, and the post she received and sent. Longbottom contacted me a few times to send letters to Potter, but when they went unanswered, he stopped. Same with Weasley, but Granger was persistent. At first, she sent multiple letters a week, then reduced it to one. By the time the baby was born, it was less frequent, but she wrote to him a lot," Kingsley stated, "Stupid, obsessed girl."
"What did you do with the letters?" Robards asked.
"Some I'd send, others I'd edit with a simple spell from school that I learned to help me cheat off a classmate. I could easily remove the text and rewrite it in their handwriting. It was easier than you would think," Kingsley stated, "As long as he didn't know about the child, he would not want to return if he thought she was with Weasley. He was easily persuaded to continue his learning and travels after leaving Durmstrang. He contacted me, saying he wasn't quite ready to come home." Kingsley stated, "I thought everything was over when Granger was in the Prophet with the baby, but he wrote to her for the first time about her, and turns out that he had run into Viktor Krum and knew about the child. He thought she was born to the Weasley family. With clever editing, I was able to keep that ruse alive. It helped that Granger kept her out of the public eye."
Robards sighed, "What about Melinda? The girl that Harry Potter met in America. How did you know her?"
"She was the granddaughter of one of Dumbledore's past friends. I paid her to become friends with Potter, hoping that he would fall in love with her. I even sent love potions for her to use on Potter, but she refused to use them. She wanted to become friends with him naturally, but he was still hung up on Granger. She decided to follow him after he left America and was relentless enough that he finally gave in." Kingsley stated.
"What was your plan for her?" Robards asked.
"I hoped he'd marry her and stay in America, leave Britain behind. When my personal elf, who had been following Potter, stated that he had finally gone to Gringotts and was coming home. It took him so long to return to me that Potter was already on his way. There was not much I could do after that," Kingsley stated.
Robards shook his head, "When did you stop manipulating their mail?"
"When my elf informed me that he sensed Goblin magic on their letters. I knew we were found," Kingsley stated.
"You do realize that by trying to manipulate Lord Potter's thinking of the parentage of his child, you can be charged with attempted line theft," Robards stated.
"I did not realize it at the time," Kingsley grimaced for the first time, and Hermione realized that the Veritaserum was wearing off.
Murgan, the head goblin legal representative, rose from the table next to Olivia, "Goblin Nation through the Gringotts Administration wishes also to state that the Magical Postal Integrity treaty was broken."
Robards looked at Kingsley, "You manipulated his post from Gringotts as well?"
Kingsley grimaced, "It was needed to keep him away."
Olivia stood, "Mr. Shacklebolt broke several Muggle laws as well, such as the Postal Services Act of 2000, the Theft Act of 1968, and RIPA 2000."
Robards stared at him. "I do not believe that I need to speak to the witnesses at all. Minister, do you realize you have violated Law 455.15 of the Wizengamot? That holds up to four years in Azkaban. Additionally, law 63.4, which pertains to deception of parentage, holds an additional five years."
"I did it for the good of wizarding kind," Kingsley stated, "To protect our world."
Robards glared at him, "The good of wizard kind? You fractured a family and weaponized trust, doing irreparable damage to the office of the Minister of Magic. That is tyranny."
Murgan set a file down, "Gringotts provides documentation to the Wizengamot."
Robards nodded to someone, who walked over to grab it. He turned to the Wizengamot members, "Does anyone wish to hear from Lord Potter, Ms. Granger, or any others affected in this case?"
Hermione squeezed Harry's hand as no one spoke.
Robards turned back to Kingsley and hit his gavel against the podium, "The Wizengamot will retire to deliberate our findings. The truth has been spoken, and the truth will condemn you. Aurors take him back to his cell until we reconvene."
Kingsley sank back into the floor, and the Wizengamot rose, leaving through the door behind them.
Harry rubbed his face, "Bloody Hell."
Olivia walked over to them, "Are you two all right?"
Hermione looked around to try to gauge the crowd's reaction, only to see Ron, who was in the front row, jump out of the spectator box onto the courtroom floor. An Auror walked over to him, and he spoke to them animatedly before walking over to them. Ron came up beside her as Olivia talked to Harry.
"You okay?" Ron asked, kneeling next to her.
"That was like being flayed open in front of everyone," Hermione stated as Harry looked at her. "Are you okay?"
Harry sat back down, taking her hand, "We didn't want any of that out there."
"We knew it was a risk going with the Veritaserum route," Olivia stated, "But it will bring the best results."
Harry swallowed hard as he closed his eyes, "I didn't want anyone to know how I grew up."
Hermione put her hand on his chin and moved his head to look at her, "Harry, you were an innocent child. You overcame abuse and neglect, and instead of being bitter or becoming angry, you are helping others. You will recognize the signs in other children and will be able to save them."
Harry swallowed hard. "He used me. He used us. He used so many people to gain power."
Hermione sighed as she glanced at the press and saw Rita, "Fuck… she was right."
"Who?" Ron asked.
"Rita," Hermione said, "Rita was right. That book with what we thought was salacious lies… it was the truth or some part of it."
Ron shook his head, "Where's Rosie?"
"Rose is with Andi," Hermione told him.
The whole audience quieted as the chamber doors opened, and the Wizengamot returned. Instead of returning to the gallery, Ron moved to sit between them, leaning against their legs, offering his support.
Robards took the podium, "Aurors bring forth Mr. Shacklebolt."
Hermione took Harry's hand again as Kingsley rose again to the middle of the courtroom.
"We have decided on all charges," Robards stated. "Those in favor of conviction?"
Hermione watched as all but a few people's hands rose in the air.
"Those in favor of clearing the accused of all charges," and those few raised their hands.
"Guilty of all charges," Robards stated as he banged his gavel, "Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Wizengamot has decided that you must serve a twenty-year sentence with a minimum of ten years in Azkaban's high security ward. Upon release, you cannot serve in any public office for the rest of your life. You will also be banned from communicating with the Potter family or the Granger family. Aurors take him away."
Flashbulbs filled the room as Aurors apprehended him and escorted him out a set of doors.
Robards beat his gavel on the podium, "Silence! We had decided on an interim Minister of Magic until one can be elected by a fair vote of the people of England. The Wizengamot names the new temporary Minister of Magic as… Arthur Weasley."
"So?" Andromeda asked as they appeared in the drawing room at Grimmauld Place.
"Ten years in Azkaban minimum," Harry told her. "And Arthur has been named temporary Minister."
"Oh, how we have fallen," Andromeda said, shaking her head, "That is amazing for Molly and Arthur."
"Would you do me a favor? Tonight, can you watch Rosella? If not, I can ask Briar Rose and Camillo," Harry stated.
"Of course I can watch her. Why?" Andromeda asked.
Harry turned to Hermione, "We should celebrate." Harry looked at his watch, "It's 15:00 now. Wash up and put on your best dress. Meet me here downstairs at 17:30."
Hermione looked at him, surprised, "Celebrate?"
Harry smiled, "We deserve something good."
At 17:23, Hermione came down the stairs of Grimmauld Place, fresh from the bath, with her hair curled and styled for the first time in weeks. She wore a blue dress that Andi had let her borrow, with minimal modifications, such as shortening it since Andi was taller than she was.
Harry was standing at the bottom of the steps, dressed in a button-up dress shirt and trousers that were tailored to his body. As she came around the landing, he looked up and whistled, "You look incredible."
She felt her cheeks heat as she blushed, "You don't look so bad yourself."
As she touched the ground floor, Harry held out his arm, and she took it. Harry grinned at Andi, "Don't wait up."
"Have fun," she said with a grin.
The familiar sensation of apparition squeezed her, and when she was released, they were in a large toilet stall.
"Um… Harry?" Hermione asked.
Harry took her hand, "This is just the apparition stop. Come on."
Exiting the stall, they walked out of the restrooms for a cruise company, where the section they had come out of had "EN PANNE" on the door.
"France?!" Hermione asked, surprised as they exited the public toilets, and Hermione gasped. The Eiffel Tower stood before her, its presence standing tall. She gasped, looking at Harry. "You just apparated us all the way to Paris?!"
Harry smiled sheepishly, "I learned in the last couple of years, in the Amazon especially, that I could apparate further distances than most. I worked with some people from the Amazon who people think never leave, but the truth is, they have expanded their magical core slowly over time. Because of it, they can apparate to the cities, get what they need, then apparate back into the Amazon."
Hermione looked at his face, "It didn't exhaust you?"
Harry shook his head, "Keep in mind, though, Hermione. When I was with Dumbledore in the cave, I apparated us at least 600km before I really even knew I could do it. I did it because I had to." He started walking, and Hermione held tight onto his arm.
Harry led them up the stairs to be at the base of the Eiffel Tower. "Have you ever been here before?"
"My grandparents lived here in Paris when I was young, but I barely remember it," Hermione said.
Harry squeezed her hand, "We will come back when it gets dark."
After a short walk, they arrived at Café de l'Homme, and Harry opened the doors for her. "Thank you, sir," she said, smiling as she walked inside.
A maître d' came over, "Bienvenue, avez-vous une réservation? (Welcome, do you have a reservation?)."
Hermione went to open her mouth, but Harry surprised her. "Oui, une réservation pour deux sous Potter (Yes, a reservation for two under Potter)."
Hermione looked at Harry in shock as the maître d' looked at his book.
"Oui, monsieur, par ici pour notre salon (Yes, sir, this way to our salon)," the maître d' said as a waiter came and led them to the stairs.
Once upstairs, the waiter pulled a chair out for her at a table overlooking the Eiffel Tower, "Cela vous convient-il, monsieur (Is that alright with you, sir?)"
Harry motioned for her to sit, "Oui, merci, c'est suffisant (Yes, thank you, that's enough.)," Harry stated.
Hermione took the menu as the waiter nodded to them both. "Si vous avez besoin de quoi que ce soit, je m'appelle Michael (If you need anything, my name is Michael.)." As he left.
Hermione looked at Harry, "Since when can you speak French?"
Harry grinned as he pulled back his sleeve, "Communication bands. So helpful when you are traveling the world."
Hermione grinned, "Literal tricks up your sleeve." She looked at the menu, then out at the Eiffel Tower as someone came over and filled their glasses with Champagne. Looking over the hedges, she saw a band playing calming French music. "Is this real?"
Harry smiled as he sipped his wine, "Yes, very real."
Hermione swallowed down her wine as they were left alone on the patio after their first course was brought to them, and she bit her lip, "Harry, you could apparate all the way here. Why did you never come home?"
Harry's smile fell as he looked at the table for a moment. "I was scared," he admitted quietly, "I was lonely. Part of it was my own doing. When Ron came back, I told myself that I didn't belong with you anymore. That my life was not my own. If you were with me, you'd have a target on your back. Then he kissed you during the battle, and my worst fear happened. I couldn't bear to see it… so I ran. I was a coward."
Hermione stared at him, "But we made love under your cloak. How did you not know how I felt?"
Harry's eyes met hers, "I didn't feel I was worthy of it. You were so smart, beautiful, and I'm just… me."
Hermione swallowed hard, "You don't give yourself enough credit."
Harry shrugged.
Hermione's chest tightened as she sipped her wine. They made small talk while they ate the main course. Dessert, a chocolate dish, was brought out for them, and Hermione cut into it, making chocolate explode from the cake. Biting into it, she moaned, making Harry grin, "That good?"
Hermione just nodded.
After dessert, Harry walked her to the Eiffel Tower, where they stood at the foot of it as the sun started setting behind it. Melancholy set in as she gazed at the beautiful sunset, with its vivid pinks and oranges.
"Why are you sad?" Harry asked, pushing a curl behind her ear.
"These last two weeks were horrid, but at the same time, I am going to miss this," Hermione said as she looked at him. "Our little sleepover has been nice while it lasted." She sighed, looking back toward the tower, "Rosella and I will be out in a day. I just… I don't know how to say goodbye again."
"Then don't."
Hermione froze, looking at him, "Harry…"
Harry took her hands, "Look, I know you have to go home," he said, "But we don't have to say goodbye."
Hermione's breath caught in her throat as he stared down at her with such intensity. "Stop me if you don't want this." He whispered.
Hermione's pulse thundered in her ears. "Please."
Harry leaned down, and his lips met hers. Warm, familiar, and hesitant. The slight taste of wintergreen. The world around them disappeared as Hermione moaned against his mouth, her hands clutching at his suit jacket for support as his arms wrapped around her.
When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers. "Let's go home."
"Lord, yes," Hermione said with a shaky laugh.
Harry pulled her over to the base of the tower and looked around to make sure no one was watching them. A moment later, they landed softly in Hermione's room, and Hermione could feel the energy radiating off him.
Kicking off her shoes, between the wine and being drunk off Harry, laughter bubbled out of her mouth. Reaching back behind her, she tried to grab her zipper, but it refused to move down. She looked at him over her shoulder, "Damnit, can you help me?"
Harry crossed the room slowly. "Of course."
Hermione shivered as his fingers found the zipper, tugging it down gently. As the zipper moved farther down, he pressed a kiss to her shoulder.
"I'm not going to rush this," he whispered against her skin. "Not this time."
She turned to face him, "What do you mean?"
Harry cupped her cheek, brushing his thumb over her lips. "I'm going to romance you, Hermione Granger. Properly this time. I'm going to date you. Then maybe if everything feels right, on our fourth date perhaps, I'll make love to you."
Hermione's body felt as if it were on fire, "Harry…"
He smiled down at her, "Because the truth is, I never stopped loving you."
Out of her mouth came a small, half-moan, half-gasp, and before she could say anything, he gently kissed her cheek, then took a step back as his eyes burned into her. "Goodnight, honey."
The door clicked behind him, leaving her standing in the quiet bedroom as her heart hammered within her chest.
Preview of Chapter 37 – Everything Has Changed
"Do you mind if I see your hip?" Harry asked.
Hermione opened her eyes, "Harry, if you want to undress me, all you have to do is ask," she grinned.
"Smart arse, are you okay with it or not?" Harry asked.
Hermione took her good hand and started pulling down her trousers just enough to bare her hip to him. Settling back down onto the pillows, Hermione closed her eyes, "Ignore the stretch marks."
Gentle fingers ran over the slivery lines that ran from her stomach to her hips, "These aren't stretch marks."
Hermione scoffed, "You liar." She said, looking at him.
Harry met her gaze, "These are a badge of honour. You held our daughter in your body, through torture, through pain, and strife. These aren't something evil or ugly, Hermione… these are proof that you are a survivor."
Hermione swallowed hard as tears welled in her eyes. "Damn you."
Harry examined her skin and paused on a spot between her hip and her belly button, "This area appears very blue. Can I-"
"NO!" Hermione said, making him jump back. "It's… It's not bruising."
She bit the inside of her lip as their eyes met.
"Hermione, do you have another tattoo?" Harry asked, surprised.
Hermione slowly nodded.
Harry blew out a breath, "You surprise me more every day. What is it?"