Chapter 5: Escape
The next few moments were of silence.
Then chaos ensued.
Hermione was glad that the ministry had decided to confiscate the wands of everyone who entered the courtroom. If they hadn't, she mused, after Harry's confession she might have ended up as a turnip.
Cameras immediately started going off as reporters from various wizard newspapers began shouting questions in the courtroom. Molly Weasley erupted in tears and Fred and George's faces turned an angry shade of red. Most amusing was Percy's expression, Hermione thought. He was staring at Harry, slack-jawed. Cornelius Fudge pounded both hands on the table in front of him and roared a loud "WHAT?!?"
Harry met Hermione's gaze and they continued to stare at each other in silence, shunting out the uproar at his revelation. She took comfort in his reassuring nod. Even if they lost every friend they had after this trial was over, at least they'd have each other.
At this rate, Hermione thought. That might be all we have left.
It took several minutes before Tiberius Ogden, Chief Warlock, could call the courtroom back to order.
"Order! Or I'll dismiss the lot of you!" He had to compete with Fudge's screaming, Molly's crying and the howls of several angry witches and wizards. Dumbledore was watching the entire scene, a rather amused expression on his face. Hermione secretly wondered if her former headmaster was taking sadistic pleasure in having tricked the court.
Tiberius Ogden dismissed The Daily Prophet entourage and a few witches and wizards who wouldn't quit screaming. Arthur Weasley escorted Molly out of the courtroom, casting angry glances over his shoulder at Harry. Fudge blustered until Ogden gave him a warning glance, then sat with his arms crossed, giving Harry the evil eye.
Ogden looked at Harry for a moment before speaking. "You and the defendant are married?"
Harry gave a curt nod, and Tiberius looked around the courtroom incredulously. His gaze finally settled on Hermione. She forced herself to meet the older wizard's scrutinizing stare.
"When did this happen?"
Julius jumped to his feet with renewed confidence and presented the marriage license to Tiberius, who pulled out a pair of half-moon spectacles and studied it carefully. Cornelius Fudge stole a quick glance over his shoulder, scanning the document before turning beet red and looking at Dumbledore.
"Dumble…you married them?!? You…"
Dumbledore raised a hand, silencing Fudge's angry tirade. "Yes, I did perform the ceremony. And I would be more than happy to answer any questions regarding the nature of my involvement."
Tiberius stared narrowly at Dumbledore. "You expect us to take this seriously?"
"It is legitimate."
"It's a conspiracy!" Fudge yelled.
"It is not a conspiracy," Harry shouted. "I love her."
It took all the self-control Hermione could muster to keep her jaw dropping at this revelation. Did he just say he loved me?
Of course not. He's saying that to convince the court, Hermione reassured herself privately. Isn't he?
Tiberius Ogden stared at Harry. "Mr. Potter, you do understand that this looks as if you married Hermione to get out of testifying…"
Harry nodded. "I know what it looks like. But I do love Hermione and that's why I married her."
He said he loved me.
This time Hermione could not keep the heated flush from spreading across her face. The impromptu wedding ceremony had been one thing, but she had not been prepared to hear Harry publicly announce his love in the courtroom.
It's all part of the act.
Tiberious Ogden leveled his gaze on Hermione, and she mentally cursed her body for its lack of control. Then, his features seemed to soften, seemingly deciding her pink cheeks were nothing more than embarrassment at having such a private declaration made in a public place.
"Ridiculous! He's lying through his teeth. Get me some Veritaserum and I'll prove it," Fudge was shouting, banging his hands on the bench again.
"You cannot give Veritaserum to the husband of the defendant," Julius interrupted quickly. Herminoe cringed at the panic in her attorney's voice. "The Marital P…"
"Don't tell me about some damnable law in my own courtroom! I'll change the law!"
"Cornelius, do not make me dismiss you," Tiberius interrupted, his voice carrying a bit of strain. Fudge glared at Tiberius.
"You would…wouldn't you? I am the Minister of Magic!" Fudge looked enraged.
"And you of all people should know that even the Minister is not above the law…" Tiberius' voice retained its calm demeanor. Fudge promptly sat down, glaring at Dumbledore.
Tiberius examined the marriage scroll, and then glanced at Harry and Hermione. "We will be investigating this matter further. For now, I'm going to postpone the trial pending possible dismissal of the case. But if I find out that this is a farce, I'll take you to Azkaban myself and throw away the key. Do I make myself clear?"
It worked.
"Yes sir." Harry and Hermione spoke in perfect unison.
"Dismissed."
Hermione stared at the ground in stunned silence. She couldn't believe they had gotten away with it. She had been mentally preparing herself for the inevitability of Azkaban prison, only to be given a joyous reprieve. Slowly rising to her feet, she turned, glancing at her parents. They were smiling, hugging each other. Her mother had tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. She looked at the remaining Weasleys, who looked positively furious. Her gaze met Ginny's for a fraction of a second before the youngest Weasley shifted in her seat uncomfortably, refusing to look at her former friend.
Hermione felt a hand on her shoulder, and she glanced up at Dumbledore controlled expression.
"We should journey to the back room. There are a few things I'm sure we'll need to discuss with you and Harry."
Hermione nodded and waited as Harry walked towards her. He rested a hand on her elbow, sending a little jolt of electricity coursing through her skin. Hermione ignored it, joining her family as they walked out of the courtroom. The group reunited in a private room, followed with a few members of the Order who'd attended. Julius looked elated that he had not been caught, bouncing on his feet like an anxious toddler.
"You'll have to pretend this is real for a little while, but the case will get dismissed," he looked delighted.
Harry simply stared at the ground. Hermione flushed, looking down. They would have to fool everyone into believing that this was a real marriage.
Can we do it?
Her mind mulled over the alternatives. She felt as if she were waking up from a bad dream, and any moment her mother would shake her awake and remind her to get up for school.
No…I don't go to school anymore. I graduated.
Hermione glanced between her parents, who were now glancing at her and Harry, concerned. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
Why would they be concerned?
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Harry, Hermione, after discussing the matter with your parents it's been agreed that the two of you should get away for a little while, while the dust settles."
Hermione and Harry looked at him. It made sense, but at the same time the whole scenario seemed surreal. Dumbledore reached into the folds of his robe and withdrew two tickets.
"Reservations have been made at a hotel on Waikiki Beach. I believe you'll find the accommodations…appropriate."
"Hotel…?" Hermione felt her throat dry. She glanced at Harry, who was blushing furiously.
"Most wizard couples who get married have a honeymoon," Julius stated quickly, ignoring the withering look Hermione gave him. "If we want to make them believe, then you need to take one." He paused, adding almost as an afterthought, "Of course, if you had children…"
"Now wait just a moment…" Hermione's father protested.
"They've just gotten married!" Emma Granger interjected.
"That's none of your business," Hermione retorted, glaring at Julius. She felt her face reddening. She clenched her right fist, trying to control her rising ire. "Or do you make the decisions for my life now too?"
Julius raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, I get your point. But you must admit…"
"I think that is a decision best left to Harry and Hermione," Dumbledore interrupted. Harry gave him a grateful look, still not looking at Hermione.
Dumbledore turned and held the tickets out to Harry and Hermione. "I believe it's time for the two of you to get going."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other. It couldn't hurt anything, Hermione thought to herself. She gave a light nod, and they grabbed the tickets.
Immediately Hermione felt a tug around her navel. She was being pulled by an unseen force. She felt Harry's hand instinctively close around her own as they fell onto a sandy covered beach.
"Ooph." Harry groaned, rolling onto his back. "He didn't tell us it was a portkey."
Hermione glanced around. It was late at night, but she could make out flaming torches along the street. On the other side people were mulling about. No one seemed to have notice the two wizards who suddenly appeared on the beach.
Hermione rose to her feet shakily, brushing some sand off her pants. At any other time, she would have been fascinated by the opportunity to travel to an exotic location. But the circumstances had left her somewhat off-kilter. She blushed as she realized she and Harry were still in their dress robes. That would not go well with the locals.
She felt a tug on her hand as Harry pulled himself to his feet. He glanced around, his hair disheveled, bits of sand pouring out of the dark tendrils. He glanced down at the tickets and then at the street.
"There it is," he said quietly. "Aston Waikiki Beach."
Hermione glanced at the tickets, verifying that it was the right location.
"Um…I guess…we should go check in?" She suddenly felt very self-conscious. What kind of accommodations would Dumbledore have chosen for them?
"Um…yeah. Let's do that."
Harry took her hand and she stiffened slightly, but Julius' words kept playing over in her head.
Make them believe…
She gave his hand a light squeeze and he gave her a slight smile as they made their way across the street and to the hotel. They approached the front desk, where a clerk was chatting on the telephone.
"Um…excuse me." Harry's voice rang out nervously. The woman gave him a rather spiteful look, eyeing their attire with interest, and set the phone down. "Can I help you?"
"Um…I've got…um…reservations?"
The woman rolled her eyes, and began tapping on the keyboard of a computer. "Name?"
"Potter, Harry Potter."
"Honeymoon suite. Shall I call the bellhop for your luggage? Perhaps you'd like to get your … robes cleaned?"
Honeymoon suite? Hermione made a mental note to hex Dumbledore the moment she returned to England. Heat began rising to her cheeks. She didn't dare look at Harry. Instead, she focused on the clerk.
"That won't be necessary," Hermione answered curtly, trying to alleviate her nerves. The woman smiled sweetly and handed her a cardkey.
"Room 1034." And she picked up the phone again.
Hermione rolled her eyes and tugged Harry's hand. The two made their way to the elevator, and after a few moments, they found themselves staring at their door.
"We should go in…" Hermione found herself struggling to get the words out.
"We should…" Harry said quietly, as if asking permission.
She inhaled deeply and unlocked the door, stepping into the darkened room. They stepped into the room. Hermione gave a small gasp when Harry turned on the lights.
The suite was elaborate, with a couch, table, a small refrigerator, and enclosed patio. A huge television rested in the corner and the large, king-sized bed had curtains tied at the bed posts.
A single bed…
Hermione felt her face flush, and she glanced at Harry, who seemed to be staring at the room incredulously. Hermione briefly wondered if he'd ever seen such elaborate accommodations outside of Hogwarts. His gaze met hers and then followed it to the bed. His cheeks reddened considerably and he promptly dropped her hand, shoving his fists deeply into his trouser pockets.
"Um…well…I can sleep on the couch…it's…not a big deal…"
Harry ran his fingers through his hair as the awkward silence settled over them. Hermione forced herself to look at Harry, who was staring uncomfortably at the carpeted floor. She might have laughed at the irony had the circumstances been different, but their situation was far too unusual to be looked at in a humorous nature by its participants.
He said he loved me.
Part of Hermione vehemently wanted to protest that statement. How could he love her? He'd never shown the faintest bit of interest in her as anything more than a friend. But more disturbingly, part of Hermione's mind searched her own feelings, trying to determine if she felt anything more for the raven-headed man standing beside her.
Nonsense, her mind screamed. You loved Ron, not Harry.
"Um, Harry?" Hermione's voice was quiet, the question weighing heavily on the back of her mind. He looked at her, and she could see the uncertainty in his eyes.
Did he really mean it?
"Did…you really mean what you said…in the courtroom?"
"No," he said, a little too quickly for comfort. "I mean…I was just trying to make sure they believed it…you know? I mean…I didn't want to lose you too…you're all I've got left…with Sirius gone…and now Ron…"
Hermione couldn't help but notice he was blushing even harder. But she shoved the memory in the back of her mind. They stood for a few moments in uncomfortable silence.
"I think…I'm going to go to bed." Hermione eventually said, finally finding her voice.
"Yeah…bed would be good." Harry glanced at her for a moment and then down. "Um…I think I'll sleep in my robes."
Hermione felt her face redden. She didn't even a nightgown to change into, and she wasn't about to sleep naked. She willed the color out of her cheeks and nodded. "I think I will too. Goodnight Harry."
"Goodnight 'Mione."
Hermione crawled into the bed, hesitating for only a brief moment before drawing the curtains around the four posters. She stared at the closed fabric for a moment, trying to calm her racing heart.
The light turned off and she slowly crawled beneath the covers, staring at the darkened ceiling. She tried to quell the questions racing through her mind with little success.
It was a long time before she fell asleep.