Love is Hope: Life after fifth year

***

Hermione didn’t feel very comfortable. She was seated between Harry and Ginny, watching Ron loose his temper before the Wizengamot. The new Minister of Magic had not wasted any time, and organized a hearing for all on-going cases. She wanted to put an end to the chaos reigning at the Ministry, and had started with the smaller, to her rather insignificant but bothersome cases.

Hermione’d heard that a couple of wizards who had been arrested for Muggle-pestering had finally been punished properly. She hoped for Mr. Weasley’s sake that this would put an end to the random infractions of the laws protecting the Muggles. It was the second day of non-stop trials of the Wizengamot, and Harry and her had been invited to come watch the custody hearing.

Amelia Bones had only let Percy and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley argue for five minutes, before calling Ron to the front. Madam Bones was of the opinion that after all it concerned Ron and Ginny, and that she would hear from them first. Ron had started out relatively calmly, but when Mr. Galfadus had asked to interrogate him, and twisted his answers, he’d lost his temper.

Hermione couldn’t believe Dumbledore just sat there, and didn’t try to calm Ron down, or ask his own questions. Ron was asked to step down and make place for Ginny. Madam Bones had asked only one question, and Ginny had answered clearly that she wanted to stay with her parents. Again Galfadus took the opportunity to interrogate her. But instead of going for the mind games, that wouldn’t work to get Ginny riled up, he asked her age, and spoke to her like she was an insignificant little girl.

Even Hermione’s blood started to boil when she saw a young woman treated that way. Again Dumbledore did nothing. Percy had clearly informed Galfadus of the week points of his siblings. Luckily there was a spell that kept the ‘audience’ silent, or there would’ve been a lot of angry shouts from the twins heard by the distinguished witches and wizards in the Wizengamot. Hermione started wishing for the best when she heard her name called to the bar. Bewildered she looked at Amelia Bones and stepped forward.

“Miss Granger, Mr. Percy Weasley has asked for you to be a character witness. Do you promise to tell the truth?”

“Yes, I do, Madam” She tried to stand still, but almost lost her balance from surprise, she thought Percy was against Muggleborns now

“You seem to know the Weasleys for some time now. Tell me how you got to know them, and please try to be objective”

Hermione hesitated, but only a moment, before starting to speak as confidently as possible: “Well, I met Ron first, in the train to Hogwarts, but we didn’t click at all. My first year at Hogwarts Percy was a prefect. I didn’t have a lot of friends and he seemed one of the only people willing to talk to me. Later that year something happened and I gained two friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. The next year I got to know Ginny. The summer before my fourth year, I stayed at the Burrow, and I got to know the rest of the family”

“It seems you’re well-placed to be a character witness then. Can you tell us about Percy Weasley, and remember, be objective”

“Well, he’s always been very ambitious. I suppose that’s a good thing. I always thought he was a bit like me. Trying to be the best as he could, and doing something meaningful with his life. His parents always supported him in that. I used to believe there was nothing wrong with being so focused on achieving ones goals that I didn’t think it that bad when he seemed to be a bit blind to the reality around him”

Hermione was interrupted by a cough coming from Mr. Galfadus. Madam Bones seemed annoyed: “You have a question Mr. Galfadus?”

The older wizard nodded sweetly at the witch. He turned his balding head towards Hermione, while fingering his moustache: “Well, Miss Granger, first I’d like to congratulate you on your OWL scores, very impressive indeed. But I couldn’t help but notice you spoke in the past tense?”

“Sir, I believe there are more important things then being the best in academics, or for example getting a certain job at all costs because it pays well. I never thought ill about Percy Weasley before next summer, because I always believed him driven by something else then greed for power, or wealth, for that matter”

Mr. Galfadus didn’t seem pleased, at her answer, and went for the attack: “Is it not true Miss Granger, that the Weasleys are poor, and have trouble every year to be able to pay for their education? And that those children suffer from it?” He might have used that as a jab with Ron but it didn’t work with her.

“The Weasleys are the richest family I know”

Well, talk about astonishing people... she could see Dumbledore’s eyes twinkle at her even from where she stood. Mr. Galfadus didn’t know what to say for a moment, and Madam Bones took advantage of that: “Elaborate”

“I’ve never known a time where any of the Weasleys didn’t have the required books or tools for school. So I fail to see why someone would blame Mr. and Mrs. Weasley of not providing for their education. The Weasleys are in many respects a family like any other, but their richness lies in their upbringing and their love and care for each other. The loyalty that binds them. The total acceptance of who they are, what they are...”

Mr. Galfadus interrupted her: “That’s all very touching Miss Granger, but this is hardly the point/”

“Then do enlighten us on what is the point, Mr. Galfadus,” Madam Bones asked.

“Mr. Percy Weasley has better means of providing these children a good education!”

“Oh, so it boils down to money, does it?” Madam Bones asked.

“Of course!” Mr. Galfadus exclaimed.

Hah! Now it had been his turn to be pestered...

“Very well, this clears up a lot of things, really...” Madam Bones visibly suppressed her agitation. “Since Mr. Weasley has done a great job all these years at the Ministry, and refused many promotions in favour of a job he enjoys, without once getting a raise, I believe this is long overdue. Especially now it seems that he would lose two children over that minor detail. I grant Mr. Weasley a raise taking in account all the years he’s been a loyal Ministry worker. That should level the scores. And since there’s no reason anymore to remove these children from their parental care/”

“There is!” Mr. Galfadus had seemed to regain the faculties of speech. “There is! They are in danger. The parents permit their children to put their lives in danger! They are both targets for the recent threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named because their parents fail to protect the children, and encourage the friendship between them and Harry Potter”

Hermione was seething, but tried very hard to conceal it, since she hadn’t been dismissed yet, she didn’t fall under the silence spell for the audience: “With all due respect, Minister, may I respond to this?”

Madam Bones looked at her and seemed to weigh her decision carefully. “This does not fall under the category as character witness, but I allow it. However I preserve the right to stop you if your respond is irrelevant”

Hermione nodded: “I can of course only speak truthfully for myself, but I believe Ron and Ginny share my opinion on this matter. I am very well aware of the threat that poses Voldemort,” several gasps were heard, “I, myself am a close friend of Harry’s and a Muggleborn, I know the risks of being his friend as no other. Mr. Galfadus seems to think these risks are a recent development, or that we do not fully understand those risks because we are mere children. I say he is very much mistaken, we have known danger since the start of our friendship”

Hermione took a deep breath: “I could tell you about how many times Harry has saved Ron’s, mine, and even Ginny’s lives, but it isn’t Harry Potter that is on trial. However it seems our friendship is. Like I said before I’ve never had a lot of friends, Harry and Ron have been the first real ones to me. We stick together, we don’t abandon each other because it gets rough. I’d rather die being at Harry’s side, and trying to keep him alive, then abandon him and betray his friendship...”

Hermione took another deep shaky breath before continuing: “The Weasley family has given Harry the love of a family, and Harry has proven to be worthy of that love and trust over and over again. This is about destroying a family by taking Ginny and Ron away, and putting the blame on someone who doesn’t deserve it, Harry Potter. Percy Weasley may have turned his back on the people who loved him, love him still, but that doesn’t give him the right to hurt those same people. He’s caused enough pain as it is...”

Her speech was met by silence. Mr.Galfadus tried to say something, but Dumbledore spoke for the very first time: “Well, I suggest we vote on this, and don’t drag the whole case out, we do have other matters to attend today”

Madam Bones didn’t give Galfadus the chance either: “All in favour of considering Mr. Percy Weasley’s request!” a few hands went into the air, Mr. Galfodus’ among them. “All in favour of dismissing this request?” more hands went up this time.

Hermione barely heard Madam Bones call for the next case. The adrenaline rush she had been on, made her knees feel weak now. She so did not like speaking in public unprepared... She was ushered out of the door by Ministry guards in the direction of the rest of the Weasleys-minus-Percy. The fact that she was standing in *this* corridor, only moments away from the veil, didn’t escape her attention. All of those emotions combined with the cacophony of shouts of gratitude, made her dizzy.

She almost fell, but strong hands caught her, Harry, of course. Mrs. Weasley crushed her in hug, sobbing of happiness, Bill was looking at her with respect, and Mr.Weasley seemed to have something in his eye. The twins were congratulating her on getting their father a raise. When Mrs. Weasley finally let her go, Ginny attacked her. Over her head, she could see Ron looking at her in awe and gratitude.

The party fell silent when Percy went by. He didn’t spare them a glance and hurried to the elevators. Hermione felt sorry for him, but even more for Mrs. Weasley. She started crying again, and this time it wasn’t out of happiness. Mr. Weasley put his arm around his wife and ushered them to the elevators at a slow pace. They didn’t meet Percy again, and all left through the Floo network to the Burrow. Several Order members were waiting there to escort them all back to the Grimmauld Place with cars.

***

They had celebrated the arrival of the Weasleys at Grimmauld Place all of the night. Long after dinnertime Dumbledore had arrived, and joined in. Hermione didn’t mind leaving her two boys to catch up, and she’d listened patiently to Ginny’s story on how Dean and her had exchanged owls and agreed on being just friends.

With the morning came Hogwarts’ owls for the future sixth years, and one for Ginny, too. This was curious, since Ginny had already received her booklist last week. They were all at breakfast when they received the letters. Hermione of course knew what would be in hers, and opened it slowly so she could see the others’ expressions, when they opened theirs.

Ginny had torn her envelope immediately, and when a badge fell out of it she squealed. Scanning the letter briefly, she squealed again.

Mrs. Weasley, alarmed, came to examine the letter and beamed of pride: “Another prefect! I’m so pride of you, Ginny!” She went out of the kitchen to tell the world the good news. Ron and Harry looked up at hearing Ginny had been made prefect. While Harry looked questioningly at Hermione, Ron tore his envelope open, and had two badges falling out of it.

Ron’s eyes almost popped out of his head. Picking up one of the badges, he examined it closely. Frowning he looked at the letters accompanying it. Harry seemed to know what it was about, smiling at his friend.

Ron looked up at Harry: “You knew about this?” Harry nodded. “But...”

“No buts, Ron. Katie didn’t feel up to it, after seeing Angela struggling all year, and I think I’m not cut out for this. Ron, you live for this, I know you have notebooks full of strategies. And I just want to have fun with Quidditch. Besides,” Harry concluded in a more teasing tone, “you know what it’s like to not get it on your first try, you’d know better then me how to teach someone to improve themselves on a broom”

“But...”

Ginny interrupted her brother, “You’re the new captain, so I’m supposed to suck up to *you* to get a chaser’s position? Yurgh... Great!”

Ron seemed to be able to utter only a few words: “Bloody hell!”

Harry turned to Hermione: “What about you, Hermione? Didn’t you get chosen prefect this year?”

“Why don’t you open your letter, Harry” Confused about her avoidance, he did what she told him and two badges fell out from his, too.

“What the...” Ron looked over Harry’s shoulder to see what it was. “Hey, you’ve been made prefect! And what’s the other? Wicked! DA’s an official duelling club this year, meet the president!”

Harry looked up at Hermione: “Hermione, are you a prefect this year?”

“Nope”

“What!” that was Ron, “but why would they take your badge? You’re like the prefect-extraordinaire!”

Hermione answered dryly: “Thanks, Ron. Anyway, shouldn’t you check if you got all classes you signed up for?”

Ron checked and groaned: “Yeah, they accepted me in all of them. What about you, mate?”

“I don’t know, Potions is on my schedule, but... ah, I’m on probation? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that, even if you didn’t fully have the required grades to be accepted, you can follow the course but can be kicked out of it if your performance isn’t up to standards. That just means that you’ll have to do well on this years’ exams if you want to continue potions in seventh year”

“Great... Are you going to tell us what your schedule is, and how come you’ve not been made a prefect again, or are we going to have to wait until school starts to know?”

Hermione toyed with the idea of leaving them in the dark, but decided against it. She told them about the arrangement she had made with Professor McGonagall.

Harry and Ron didn’t seem to have much to say to this, Ginny however was mock-angry because now she had to play prefect. Hermione looked down at her schedule. It was good to have it now, instead of having to wait until September. She had a full nine-courses in the week, and Care of Magical Creatures Saturday morning. This meant she only had Transfiguration, Charms and Defence against Dark Arts with Harry and Ron, Potions with Harry, Herbology with Ron, and all the other courses without them. They had Hagrid’s class together without her, during the week.

She couldn’t wait for school to start!

***

Please review