Our apologies for the lack of update last night- I (Heaven) usually take care of updates and I'm on overnights at work and didn't remind Amy to put up the chapter before I left. So please accept my apologies for the late update and we hope you enjoy the chapter!
Hermione spent the next couple of days immersing herself in the case. Arthur Weasley's funeral was that day and she knew that her presence wasn't wanted. Ron and Ginny had made that quite clear the other day.
She'd received the information from the prosecution about the evidence they had and the witnesses they were bringing in and she was currently compiling a list of questions she wanted to ask all of them.
Her jaw dropped as she read over a deposition one of the witnesses had given. The woman was a colleague of Arthur's who according to the notes had been afraid to come forward at first given the notoriety of all that were involved.
It read that she had seen Harry go into the office with Ginny, come out, then come back alone a half hour later. After several minutes in Arthur's office he'd stumbled back out, his eyes wild and he'd been muttering something along the lines of "I killed him..." before running out of the Ministry.
She felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her as she read and reread the woman's deposition.
"This is impossible," Hermione muttered, slamming her fist down on the page.
This was the most damning evidence yet and so far everything else had been circumstantial at best.
Hermione collected everything together and headed for the Ministry to see Harry. Her time with him had increased to four hours a day due to the impending trial and she used every moment with him to go over and over the day of the murder.
She took a seat in the visitors' room and waited for the guard to collect Harry.
She bit her lower lip when he was brought in- he was pale and thin, his hair even longer than usual and hanging in his eyes. The only time his face lit up now was when she came to see him.
Without a word, he sat down beside her and waited for the guard to leave them.
"Want me to bring candles?" the guard asked sarcastically from the doorway. "Make it more romantic for you two lovebirds."
"Bugger off," Hermione snapped. "I'm his lawyer you idiot."
"Right," the guard said chuckling to himself before shutting the door.
"How are you holding up?" Hermione asked Harry, though she already knew the answer.
Harry shrugged. "Same."
Hermione didn't want to tell him this latest news. He already looked as if he'd given up. But, she had to tell him. He was going to find out and it was better it came from her than someone else.
"The prosecution has a witness," she said reaching into her bag for a copy of the deposition.
He snorted. "Of course they do."
She handed him the piece of parchment. The expression on his face didn't change as he read it over. Wordlessly, he handed it back to her.
"It looks bad, but I'm going to meet with her myself this afternoon," Hermione said quickly.
"Hermione," Harry began. "This is useless isn't it?"
"I have to meet with her," Hermione started to explain.
"They have all this evidence against me," Harry said. "They found my hair in Arthur's fist. They have people that saw me go back. I don't have anyone who can vouch for me on my true whereabouts that day."
"Someone is obviously framing you," Hermione said dismissively. When Harry snorted, she looked at him point-blank. "I'm not going to let you give up, Harry."
"Just seems like it's not worth the effort anymore." Harry muttered.
She reached for his hand. "I know things look bad now, but I'm going to find a way to get you out of this..."
He managed a slight smile. "I'm lucky to have you on my side."
"Damn straight," she said squeezing his hand.
"I wish this was all different," he said, looking at her. "I wish I could take you out properly and show you how much you mean to me."
"You'll get your wish when the trial is over and you're set free," Hermione said softly. "And we'll have a big celebration."
"Maybe we can go on holiday together somewhere," Harry stroked her cheek, unable to keep from touching her. "Just us..."
"Where would you like to go?" Hermione whispered.
"I don't care," he said, leaning in.
She closed her eyes as he pressed his lips gently to hers.
"I know we shouldn't be doing this but I can't help myself," Harry whispered, kissing her again.
"Me either," Hermione said her arms looping around his neck.
He kissed her again, deeper this time, almost pulling her onto his lap.
"We can't," Hermione finally said mustering up all the willpower she had." Not here...not now."
"I know," Harry said, his eyes closed. "Damn it all to hell though."
"I know," she said softly. "Soon, I promise."
"Okay," he said as she pulled away.
Hermione spent the next hour going over the rest of the prosecution's witness list with Harry.
"I guess our best defence at this point is also to get as many people who know you to vouch for you," Hermione said. "I'll see if we can get people like Luna and Neville to testify on your behalf."
Harry nodded. "Any luck with talking to Ginny?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "She's useless. For us anyway. The prosecution loves her."
"Next to the woman in Arthur's office, she must be their star witness," Harry said quietly.
"Afraid so," Hermione replied. "But I can't shake this feeling that she's lying you know? At first I thought it was her grief over Arthur, but the way she jumped down everyone's throat when they were looking out for her, and then when I told her I was your defence attorney... it just didn't add up."
"It wouldn't be the first time she'd lied," Harry mused.
"Probably not the last either," Hermione rubbed her forehead. "And they won't give her Veritaserum because she's pregnant."
"And by the time she has the baby, I'll be in Azkaban," Harry said shaking his head.
"You will not," Hermione said. "I'll not have that happen to you."
"Short of breaking me out of here, what choice do we have?" Harry asked her. "The cards are stacked against me, Hermione. It is a very real possibility that I'll end up there."
"I'm going to figure something out," Hermione said. "Trust me Harry."
"I do," he said. "With my life."
She smiled at him. "And I'm not going to let you down."
"You never have," Harry said resting his forehead on hers.
"This time won't be an exception," she vowed. "I don't care what I have to do to prove you're innocent- I'll do it."
Harry smiled at her. "I love you."
"I love you too." Hermione said. "I want you to get some more rest Harry. I know you've been up pacing in that horrid little cell all the time."
"You need to get a better spy," Harry said. "Tonks isn't the most conspicuous person on the planet."
"I don't care," Hermione said stubbornly. "I want to make sure they're at least treating you decently here."
"I'll get some sleep if you promise to do the same," he said.
"You don't worry about me," Hermione said.
"I do," Harry said softly. "All the time."
"You shouldn't," she replied. "I'm fine."
He raised an eyebrow. "Hermione..."
She gave him an exasperated look. "I have to work round the clock if I'm to get you out of here."
"I appreciate all that you're doing for me," he said deciding not to lecture her about getting more sleep or eating. "I hope you know that and if...no...When I get out of here, I'm going to pay you back for it."
"Agreed," Hermione smiled at him. "And I like you being positive."
"It's hard to do, but I promise I'll try," he said. "When's our first day in court?"
"A week from tomorrow," she stuffed her papers back in her case. "I wish they'd at least have given you bail."
"I guess I'm too much of a flight risk," Harry said. "And too high profile, as Tonks said."
"I suppose," Hermione grumbled. "Well they'll all regret it once I prove you're innocent. I feel like there's some sort of evidence right under my nose and I can't figure out what it is."
"If anyone can, you can," Harry said. He shook his head. "How do you do this? Before I came in here, I was about as low as I could possibly be and now, I'm actually thinking I have a chance."
"You do have a chance," Hermione squeezed his hand. "You have more than a chance Harry. You didn't do this and people are going to see that."
Harry smiled at her. "Can I do anything else to help?"
"I don't think so," Hermione said. "I'm going to go talk to that witness and get the full story. I also want to try and crack Ginny- she knows more than she's letting on."
"She hasn't really been the same since---well since she and I broke things off," Harry said thoughtfully. "Luna said she kind of withdrew during their last year at Hogwarts. I thought it was because you, Ron and I were off searching for the horcruxes, but I don't know."
"I don't know either," Hermione shook her head. "I mean, I thought she was one of my best friends next to you and Ron... but after you two broke up she would hardly talk to me anymore. Then after the war was over, she got so secretive about everything."
"This would be easier if you could talk to one of the other Weasleys," Harry said. "But, I know they pretty much hate you and me right now."
"Yeah I know," Hermione shook her head. "Ron especially..."
"Think he'll ever come round?" Harry asked her.
"At this point I have no idea," Hermione said. "If it's any consolation, when I went over there Luna was with him."
"Really?" Harry asked.
"I hope she's helping him calm down," Hermione replied. "He worked himself into a right strop with me when I was there."
"She's always liked him and she knows what it's like to lose a parent," Harry said thoughtfully. "That's what he needs."
"I hope so," Hermione sighed. "I really can't get angry with him right now you know?"
"Aye," Harry agreed. He looked at the clock over the door and sighed. "Our good friend the guard will be back any minute."
"I'm just delighted to see his smiling face," Hermione said sarcastically.
"I want to do something before he comes back," Harry said leaning in.
Hermione smiled as he caught her lips with his.
They kissed for several minutes and only broke apart when they heard the guard's voice in the hall.
"Time's up," he said smugly from the doorway.
"I'll come back later this evening." Hermione told Harry, professional demeanour in place. "Once I've spoken to the witness."
"Good luck," Harry told her echoing her professional, detached tone.
Hermione nodded and then swept past the guard, purposefully bumping him out of her way as she left the room.
"Okay, Potter," the guard said gruffly. "Let's go."
"Fine," Harry said coolly.
"Can't blame you mate," the guard said as Harry led the way back to his cell. "Get it while you can, I always say."
"Shut the fuck up," Harry said. "She's my lawyer and my best friend."
"Hit a nerve, did I?" the guard said chuckling. "You know, it's not very fair of you to string her along like this, when the only person you're going to be kissing in the near future will be a Dementor."
"You have no idea what you're talking about," Harry pulled roughly away from him.
"I know plenty," the guard said shoving Harry into the cell and then using his wand to lock the bars. "You're going down for this, Potter. And not even your hot lady friend is going to be able to get you out of this one."
"Famous last words," Harry said coldly. "I didn't do this and she's going to prove it."
The guard laughed as if that was the best joke he'd ever heard. "See you later, Potter."
Harry flipped the guard off as he walked away and sank onto the narrow cot that had been his bed since he got there.
He wasn't going to give up Hermione not now when they were so close to having what they'd both always wanted. And though things didn't look good now, he was going to try and remain positive and hope that Hermione would find some way to get him out of this.
*** *** ***
The day of the funeral dawned rainy and cool- a fitting mood for the occasion. The Weasley family was all clad in black, standing around the open grave into which Arthur's casket would be lowered. Molly was sobbing, with Charlie and Bill standing on each side of her for support.
Ginny stood a little off to the side, her body also wracked with sobs, but they were not only ones of grief, but of massive guilt.
There was a large turnout, of not only friends and family, but a great deal of people from the Ministry and the village of Ottery St. Catchpole. Ron had always known his father was well-liked, but he hadn't known it was to this extent. Luna squeezed Ron's hand in support and he turned to give her a thankful smile.
"Are you holding up all right?" she asked.
He nodded. "Thanks to you."
"I'm glad I can help," Luna tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear.
"Gin?" Ron asked nudging his sister. "Are you doing okay?"
"Fine," Ginny wiped her eyes with a soggy tissue.
Ron put his arm around her as the vicar began to speak.
Molly sobbed harder as the vicar talked about how Arthur had been a well respected and likeable man.
"And family meant everything to Arthur Weasley," the vicar continued. "Nothing made him more proud than talking about his sons---William, Charles, Percy, Fred, George and Ronald and his only daughter Ginevra...."
Ron swallowed hard as he gripped his sister's arm.
"His spirit and his will lives on in each of his children," the vicar said. "And in his grandchildren..."
At this, Ginny used her free hand to pat her stomach. The grandchild her father would never know.
Molly pressed her handkerchief to her mouth as she stepped forward to lay a single white rose on her husband's coffin. The rest of the Weasley's followed suit- Bill and Charlie still supporting Molly who would surely have toppled over without them.
Ginny lingered over her father's coffin as she placed her rose on it. "I'm sorry, Daddy," she whispered.
Draco stood a little ways away from the group gathered around the gravesite. He was in polyjuiced form of a random Muggle he'd gotten a hair from. Draco didn't want to be there but he knew that his presence would hopefully soothe Ginny a little bit.
"Come on, Ginny," Ron said putting his hand on her shoulder. "We're going to go back home now."
"I'll catch up in a minute," Ginny said softly.
"Gin..." Ron said. "I don't like you being alone out here in your condition."
"I'll be okay," Ginny told him. "I-I don't want to leave just yet, Ron."
"Come on, Ronald," Luna said. "Why don't we go visit with Dean and Seamus? When Ginny is ready, she can come join us..."
"Okay," Ron said motioning over his shoulder to where his friends were. "We'll be right over there."
Ginny nodded. "Thanks, Ron."
Draco saw her standing alone and made his move. His hair was dark brown and his eyes blue, but as soon as Ginny saw him she knew who he was. "I was hoping you'd come," she whispered.
"I knew you needed me," he said putting his hand on her shoulder. He wanted to kiss her, but knew that would raise too much suspicion.
"How could we do this?" she asked. "Draco how can we stand here knowing what we know?"
"We have to," he whispered handing her a handkerchief. "We didn't mean for this to happen, Red."
"But it did," Ginny said, new tears springing to her eyes. "My father is dead and Harry's taking the blame for something he didn't do."
"You want our baby to grow up without its parents?" Draco asked her gently. "Better him than us, Ginny. You know that I'm right."
Ginny didn't respond. "I don't know," she finally uttered.
"When are you going to be able to come home?" he asked her. "I've missed you."
"Soon," Ginny said hoarsely. "Draco what am I supposed to do when this baby is born and it looks nothing like Harry Potter?"
"It'll have red hair like you and no one will be any the wiser," Draco said dismissively.
"You don't know that," Ginny hissed.
"Once Potter is put away, you and I will run away and we'll never have to see these people ever again," Draco said. And throwing caution to the wind, he hugged her tightly.
A few feet away, Luna turned to check on Ginny and witnessed the whole thing. She tapped Ron on the shoulder. "Who's that with your sister?"
"What?" Ron spun around. "I don't know- I've never seen him before."
"You guys know him?" Luna asked Dean and Seamus.
"Nope," Dean replied.
Dean, Ron and Seamus returned to their conversation, but Luna turned again and was surprised to see that the stranger was still holding onto Ginny.
"They're awfully intimate for someone no one even knows," she mused, staring at the couple.
"Maybe he went to Hogwarts," Dean suggested. "Or worked with her at the Ministry."
"Perhaps," Luna took in as many details as she could about this stranger who suddenly embraced Ginny.
"You shouldn't be here," Ginny said pulling away from Draco.
"Ginny you need me," he said. "And I miss you."
"We can't be together," Ginny sniffed. "You ruined that. I can't raise my child without my brothers and mum around. And they're never going to accept you."
"We'll work something out," Draco promised. "I can't live without you Red."
"I-I have to go," Ginny said weakly.
"Will you come home tonight?" he asked her.
"My mum needs me," Ginny said. "I can't leave her now, Draco."
"Soon then?" he persisted.
"Ginny?" Ron asked as he and Luna came over. "We're ready to go back to the house."
"Hello," Luna said to the man. "I don't believe we've met."
"Uh hi..." Draco replied.
"This is Christopher Murphy," Ginny said dabbing at her eyes. "He interned with dad a few summers back."
Ron nodded. "Nice to meet you mate."
"Did you go to Hogwarts?" Luna asked inquisitively.
"No," Draco said. "I didn't."
"We appreciate you coming to pay your respects," Ron said offering Draco his hand.
"Sure," Draco shook Ron's hand and released it quickly. "I have to go. I'll see you soon?" he looked at Ginny.
Ginny nodded. "Thank you...Christopher."
He nodded at her before turning away without acknowledging Ron or Luna.
"I didn't even know Dad had interns," Ron said as he took his sister's hand. "But nice of him to show up, just the same."
Ginny tugged away. "I need to go lie down," she lied weakly.
"Gin--" Ron said calling after her, but she Apparated away.
"I think she's taking this as hard as Mum," Ron said to Luna.
"Obviously," Ron frowned. "Bloody hell, I want to kill Harry. This is all his fault."
Luna didn't say anything to that. She put her arm around him. "It was a lovely service."
"Yeah," Ron coughed. "Yeah... Dad would have liked it."
"It's okay if you want to cry," Luna told him gently. "I won't think any less of you. You don't have to be strong all the time."
Ron shook his head. "I'll be all right," he muttered.
"Are you sure?" Luna asked.
"No," Ron said. "Right now I'm not sure of anything except one thing."
"What's that?" Luna asked looking at him.
"That I'm going to make that asshole pay for everything he's done to my family," Ron's eyes turned a dark, angry shade of blue. "Potter isn't getting out of this like he does everything else."
"Whoever did this does deserve to pay," Luna said putting her hand on his arm.
"Don't defend him to me," Ron said quietly.
"I'm not," she said softly. "Come on. We should get back to your house."
"Sure," he said. "I should help Mum right now."
"You look very handsome," Luna said shyly. "In your suit, I mean."
Ron looked surprised at her comment. "Thank you," he said after a moment. "You um... you look nice too."
She pulled her tweed coat tightly around her. "Thank you, Ronald."
He nodded. "Are you coming back to the house with me?" he asked.
"If you want," Luna replied.
"That'd be nice," he said. "I haven't really thanked you for being around. It's been good having you by my side Luna."
"I haven't done much," Luna said modestly.
"I'm not one to wear emotions on the outside," Ron confessed. "I tend to keep it bottled up a lot of the time. You've helped me work through some really tough things already."
Luna smiled at him. "I just know what you're going through. I didn't really have anyone to talk to about it other than my dad though."
"I appreciate it," Ron said, looking directly at her. "I know I haven't ever been very nice to you- by all rights you should have just left five minutes after you got here that one night but you didn't."
"We were kids back then," Luna said looking earnestly back at him. "You're not the same person you were then, Ronald.'
"That's for sure," Ron said. "A lot's changed."
"Most of it for the better," Luna said softly. Impulsively, she stood on her tiptoes and pecked him on the cheek. "You're a good man, Ronald."
Ron actually blushed as she did this. "Thanks. I kind of needed to hear that right now."
She grinned and was glad to take his mind off of the events of the day even for just a couple of moments. "Now, there is something I have been dying to ask you..."
"There is?" he asked.
Luna looked impishly up at him. "I heard a rumour that you once ate six cheeseburgers and two large orders of chips. You have to tell me how you did it and where you put it all."
Ron laughed for the first time in days. "That's completely untrue."
"It is?" Luna asked in surprise.
"Yup," Ron said. "It was eight cheeseburgers and three EXTRA large orders of chips."
Luna laughed. "Eight? And you didn't get sick?"
"No way," Ron replied.
"I am very impressed," she said batting her eyelashes dramatically at him. "That is a talent."
"I'll teach you sometime if you want," Ron smiled at her.
"We'll have to start out slow," Luna said giggling. "I've never been able to eat more than one cheeseburger."
"The key is pacing yourself," Ron explained.
"And having a cast-iron stomach probably helps too," Luna guessed.
"That it does," Ron held open the door for her. "I'd better go see if Mum needs any help."
Luna smiled as she walked inside the house. "I'll be in the sitting room."
"Mum?" Ron asked when he went into the kitchen. "Anything I can help with? I promise I won't eat it all just yet." he joked, trying to at least make Molly crack a little smile.
"I've got it," Molly said quietly. "I need to make your father a plate."
Ron's brow creased. "Mum..."
Molly stopped what she was doing and shoulders sagged. "I know...he's not...he's not coming back."
"I know," Ron stepped forward and hugged her. "This is hard Mum but we're going to get through it."
"I'm so glad you're all here," Molly said hugging him tightly. "Percy couldn't stay though..."
"Percy never stays," Ron muttered. "But Bill and Charlie will be back in a few minutes and Fred and George are setting things up in the sitting room."
"I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here," Molly said smiling at her youngest son. "And having Ginny here is going to be a comfort."
"I'm glad Mum," Ron replied. "We'll do anything you need us to do all right? All you have to do is ask."
"Can you help me with these biscuits?" she asked him. "I'll even let you eat one or two."
"Sure," Ron gave his mother a little smile. "We just won't tell anyone."
In the sitting room, Luna was helping Fred and George with the tables.
"Thank you, Miss Lovegood," Fred said as Luna helped him cover one of them with a cloth.
"You can call me Luna," she said. "There's no need for formalities."
"And you may call me the handsome twin," Fred said grinning at her.
"That would be me," George said nudging his brother. "You have that horrible nose, remember?"
"I have the same nose as you," Fred retorted, making Luna giggle.
"Yours is bigger than mine," George said. "The only thing you have that is bigger than mine, I might add."
Luna's laugh turned into a grimace. "I don't know if I want to hear about this."
"You're right," Fred said hastily. "This isn't the time or place for that. Mum would probably hit me upside the head if she heard us talking like that."
"We could talk about Percy and his disappearing act," George said frowning. "Bloody wanker looked as if he'd rather be anywhere but here."
"Penelope tried to get him to stay," Luna said.
"I don't know how she puts up with him," Fred shook his head at the mention of their brother. "He just thinks he's so much better than the rest of us. Only reason he turned up at all is because he wants a share of inheritance. Too bad it's more like a pittance- and we're giving our share to Mum."
"I overheard him talking business with some bloke from the Ministry during the service," George said. "It took all I had not to thump the smarmy git."
"I think that's a shame," Luna helped them cover the last table. "I'd have loved to have brothers and sisters around when my mother died. It was nice having Daddy of course, but siblings would have made things easier too."
Bill and Charlie came back in as Luna said this and Bill smiled. "If it weren't for Fred and George, we'd probably all be crying."
"We're the comic relief then?" George asked proudly.
"Always are," Charlie said fondly.
Ginny stalked into the sitting room looking upset and she glared at Bill. "Why is Phlegm in my room?"
"She's in her third trimester Gin and she was knackered," Bill said apologetically. "And I wish you'd stop calling her that."
"She's annoying," Ginny snapped. "And I'm pregnant too remember? I need to lie down as well!"
"She's asleep!" Bill protested. "And last time I checked you have two twin beds in there...."
"SHE SNORES!" Ginny shouted angrily.
"Fleur snores?" Fred asked curiously.
"Like a bloody roaring lion," Ginny glared at her oldest brother. "Bill get her out of there!"
"Ease up, Ginevra," Fred said. "You can crash in our old room."
"It smells in there," Ginny was unrelenting.
"It does not smell," Fred said indignantly.
"Yes it does," Ginny snapped. "Like old socks and stale food."
"Fine," Bill said with a sigh. "I'll move Fleur to mum's room, Ginny."
George shook his head as Bill left. "You know Ginny; this isn't easy on any of us. We know you're pregnant but you shouldn't use it as an excuse to get your way."
"It's my room and I don't want her there," Ginny said wishing more than anything she could just go back to her own flat.
"She's always been nice to me," Luna offered. "Maybe if you got to know her better, you wouldn't..."
"You like anyone that's nice to you for more than two seconds," Ginny retorted.
"Ginny!" Charlie admonished.
Ginny's eyes filled with frustrated tears. "Why are you all ganging up on me?" she bawled.
"We're not ganging up on you," Charlie said. "Emotions are really raw right now with all of us. We're all missing Dad."
"I miss him too," Ginny sobbed.
Charlie hugged her. "You were always his favourite."
"Why did this have to happen?" Ginny asked as Luna handed her several tissues.
"It doesn't make any sense," Charlie said gently. "And it's even harder that to accept that Harry had something to do with it."
"It doesn't seem right," Luna agreed. "Not at all. Harry loved your father."
"He was like a brother to all of us," Charlie said frowning. "And something like this is hard to believe."
"But you do believe me, don't you Charlie?" Ginny asked.
Charlie was silent for a moment. "I guess I do Ginny," he sighed.
"I need you guys," Ginny said hugging him. "I need you to believe me."
It was clear to Luna that none of the Weasleys aside from Ron and Ginny believed that Harry was capable of doing this but at the same time, didn't want to think of their sister as a liar.
"Come on, Ginny," Charlie said helping her to her feet. "I'll help you back to your room so you can get some rest."
"Thank you," Ginny wiped at her eyes.
Luna watched them go and decided to check into Ginny's story some more and find out who this mysterious Christopher really was.