Unofficial Portkey Archive

This is a courtroom chapter, but Damian gets a nice big surprise, well… a few times ;)

Let Me Be Myself - Three Doors Down

I guess i just got lost being someone else,
I tried to kill the pain
But nothing ever helped
I left myself behind
Somewhere along the way
Hoping to come back around
and find myself some day

Lately I'm so tired of waiting for you
To say that it's OK, tell me please
Would you one time,
Let Me Be Myself
So I can shine,
with my own light
Let Me Be Myself

The day of Damian's trial had arrived, and Hermione headed to the courthouse with Harry after sending Bella to school. She was nervous, but her parents had told her they would be there if she wanted them, and Harry had promised not to leave her side.

Harry squeezed her hand as they walked up the steps to the courthouse. "It's going to be fine, Hermione."

She nodded. "I hope so."

Harry knew there was no way they could lose. They had evidence on their side. Damian Conaghan was going to be put away for a very long time.

"I just don't know what I would do if I lost Bella," Hermione said quietly.

"That's never going to happen," Harry reassured her.

"Be positive, right?" she managed a smile.

"We've come full circle," Harry said. "You were the one who used to tell me that."

"Right," Hermione took a deep breath.

"Oi!" a voice called out from behind them.

Hermione turned to see a familiar red-haired man and a blonde woman hurrying in their direction. "Ron?"

"Sorry we're late," Ron said.

"W-what are you doing here?" Hermione asked him.

"Support," Ron said. "We've missed you and Luna and I wanted to be here for you."

Hermione stared open-mouthed at him. "Ronald---Ronald Weasley..."

Ron looked uncertainly at Luna. "Maybe this wasn't such---"

"That is the sweetest thing you've ever done for me," Hermione interjected.

"It is?" he asked.

Hermione stepped forward and gave him a hug. "I'm so sorry."

Ron patted her back. "Let's let bygones be bygones, eh? Or I could send some canaries after you..."

Hermione laughed. "How about not ever bringing up those canaries ever again?"

"Deal," Ron said.

Hermione looked at the blonde beside Ron. "Luna."

"Hello, Hermione." Luna said her blue eyes pensive. "It's nice to see you again.

"I wish it was under better circumstances," Hermione said.

Luna nodded. "But hopefully today will have a happy outcome."

"Of course it will," Ron scoffed. "And then we'll go out for a celebration dinner or better yet, that cook of yours can make me---I mean us---something."

Hermione had to smile. "Let's just get through this trial and we can go from there."

Harry shook Ron's hand. "Glad you could make it, mate."

"Thanks for letting us know," Ron told him.

"It means the world to her and to me," Harry said.

"Very much," Hermione said as they entered the courthouse.

"How do you deal with this much sunlight?" Ron asked Hermione. "You'd think it would hurt your eyes."

"I've gotten used to it," Hermione said. "I haven't been to London in ten years."

"I know," Ron said without thinking.

Hermione nodded silently.

Luna nudged Ron in the ribs.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

Harry looked at the board that listed the courtrooms and the cases. "Looks like we're in Courtroom Four."

"Okay," Hermione felt her palms grow sweaty and she wiped them on her skirt.

"You look lovely," Luna told her.

"Thank you," Hermione said, grateful for Luna's calming presence.

They walked into the courtroom and Hermione froze when she saw Damian sitting at one of the tables with his attorney.

Harry squeezed her hand. "It'll be okay. I'll be sitting right behind you the entire time."

Hermione recognised Damian's attorney. It was the same one who had drafted that stupid contract. Damian turned around and gave her an arrogant grin.

Straightening her back, Hermione pushed through the gate and sat down with her own attorney.

Ron, Harry and Luna took their seats right behind her in the first row.

Ron nudged Luna. "Kind of reminds me of Malfoy."

"Shhh, Ronald." Luna said. "You shouldn't speak so loudly."

"Sorry," Ron whispered back.

Harry watched Hermione converse quietly with her attorney and glared over at Conaghan as the man sat back with a smug grin on his face.

Robert and Elinore took their seats just as the judge entered the courtroom.

"All rise," the bailiff began.

"The case of Conaghan versus Conaghan," the bailiff continued. "Case 1-2-4-6-3. The honourable Warren Johnson presiding."

Hermione sat down as soon as they were able, her knees trembling.

Judge Johnson looked briefly over the case notes. "I understand that you are both seeking full custody of your one child, Isabella Conaghan?"

"Yes Your Honour," Hermione's attorney, a dark skinned woman named Annie Dixon replied.

"Yes, Your Honour," Michael Stevens, Damian's attorney replied.

"And there is a pending criminal case against Dr. Conaghan on the charges of domestic assault, aggravated battery and attempted murder," the judge read from the case notes.

"That's correct," Michael nodded again.

"Today, Mr. Conaghan, you are not being tried on those offences," the judge said. "We are only concerned with your fitness as a parent to Isabella."

"I assure you, your Honour, that I've never laid a finger on her in a wrongful way." Damian said with self assuredness.

Hermione bit back an angry retort. It wouldn't do her any good to make a scene. Too much was riding on this.

"Miss Dixon," the judge said. "You can make your opening remarks..."

"Yes your Honour," Annie said, getting up.

"My client, Hermione Granger Conaghan met Dr. Damian Conaghan when she was just a child," Annie began. "Their parents were friends and of course, they hoped that one day love would blossom between their two children. Years later, it did. Hermione was swept off her feet by the charming medical student who promised her the world and that he would love and protect her. But, shortly after they were married, he changed. He became increasingly violent and his behaviour became erratic..."

Hermione bit her lower lip as Annie quickly went through the past ten years of her life.

"On the night of November Second, Dr. Conaghan arrived home unexpectedly from his trip abroad," Annie continued. "He was clearly intoxicated and upset. He struck Mrs. Conaghan in front of their daughter. In fear for her daughter's safety, Mrs. Conaghan asked her daughter to go upstairs. Dr. Conaghan repeatedly beat and struck his wife to within an inch of her life. She thought she was going to die. Does this sound like a caring doctor, husband, or father? I don't think so."

"Through witnesses and police reports, I will show that Hermione Conaghan is the more fit parent." Annie said, sitting back down.

The judge nodded. "Thank you, Miss Dixon. Mr. Stevens, your opening remarks..."

"Thank you, your Honour," Michael said, standing up. "Mrs. Conaghan would have you believe that she is the wronged party here. But, that is truly not the case. Damian Conaghan loves his wife and daughter and wanted nothing more than for them to be a happy family. They built a happy life here and Damian Conaghan is a respected member of the community."

"He has spent long hours at the hospital, away from them, to provide them with every comfort and necessity they need," Michael continued. "And he's been repaid by false accusations and infidelity."

Damian chanced a look at Hermione. She could feel his eyes on her, but she wasn't going to look at him.

"The guilty culprit here was Mrs. Conaghan," Michael continued. "She has always felt threatened by her husband's success and continually tried to hold him back. She was against his going to Baltimore to work at a prestigious hospital. She was against a possible move that would benefit their family. And the real reason for that is sitting right behind her..."

"Objection!" Annie rose from her seat.

"Sustained," the judge said. "Continue, Mr. Stevens."

Michael was frustrated that he couldn't use this card, but tried not to show it.

Ron opened his mouth to whisper something to Harry, but Luna nudged him again in the ribs.

"Ronald," she said softly. "Just stay quiet."

"The fault lies solely with Mrs. Conaghan," Michael continued. "She is the reason this marriage has fallen apart and she is the reason we are here today arguing custody. Dr. Conaghan loves his daughter and will do anything in his power to keep her safe."

Michael sat back down. "I told you it was too soon to bring in infidelity," he muttered to Damian.

"You did fine," Damian said. "The judge knows that something's going on."

Michael nodded. "We're going to have to do a lot to discredit her."

Annie called Hermione to the stand. Hermione took a deep breath as she stood up and took the witness stand.

Once she was sworn in, Annie smiled reassuringly at Hermione.

"Mrs. Conaghan, could you please tell the judge about your occupation?" Annie asked her.

"I'm a teacher at Dr. McGraw's orphanage and school," Hermione answered.

Annie asked her some basic questions about how long she had worked there and about how she generally liked her job.

"And your daughter, Isabella, is a student there as well?" Annie asked.

Hermione nodded. "She loves it there. Her best friends go to school and live there."

Annie handed a sheet of paper to the judge. "You'll see, your Honour, that Isabella has top marks in her class."

The judge nodded. "Very good."

"Mrs. Conaghan," Annie said. "Can you tell the court how you felt when you found out you were pregnant?"

"I was thrilled," Hermione said softly.

"And your husband, how did he react?" Annie asked.

"He... didn't seem so happy," Hermione said carefully. "At the time, I assumed it was due to his heavy workload."

"He wasn't around much for you during the pregnancy?" Annie asked.

Hermione shook her head. "No."

"You were living in Paris at this time, were you not?" Annie asked.

"Yes."

"That was where things first soured between you and your husband?" Annie asked.

"Yes."

"It was in Paris that he first assaulted you?" Annie asked.

"Yes," Hermione bit her lower lip. "The first time it happened, it was not long after we married- but it didn't happen again for so long that I nearly forgot about it."

"He assaulted you after he found out you'd had lunch with a colleague?" Annie asked.

"Yes," Hermione recalled the incident.

Under the table, Damian clenched his fist.

"It was all I could do to keep myself together," Hermione said, her voice trembling. "The next day, he came home and it was as if nothing happened.

"And did he strike you while you were pregnant?" Annie asked.

Hermione nodded. "It was after my first ultrasound. The doctor told us it was going to be a girl and I was thrilled that my baby was healthy and progressing like she should. But, he was outraged. He said he had never wanted a baby, but he would have been able to accept it if I'd given him a son, but that I couldn't even do that right."

"Objection," Michael interjected.

"On what grounds?" the judge asked.

"Hearsay," Michael replied.

"Sustained," the judge nodded.

"What did your husband do when he found out you were having a daughter?" Annie said trying to rephrase the question.

"He struck me," Hermione said. "On the face- on my head. I kept my arms wrapped around my stomach so he couldn't do anything to the baby."

Ron glared at Damian and Luna had to hold his arm to keep him from getting up.

"He left and didn't return for three days after that," Hermione said.

"Did things improve after the birth of your daughter?" Annie asked.

"Not really," Hermione said.

"How was your husband as a father?" Annie asked.

"He's never been affectionate with Bella." Hermione said honestly. "He rarely interacts with her. He's always talked about when she's old enough; he wants to send her to boarding school."

"And has your husband ever struck Isabella?" Annie asked.

"No," Hermione said. "I would never allow that to happen."

Annie asked some more questions, before she moved on to the night Damian had nearly killed her.

Hermione choked up. "He'd been sacked from his job over in the States.... and Bella and I were late coming home. We didn't expect him to be back yet."

"What happened that night, Mrs. Conaghan?" Annie asked gently.

"He'd been drinking," Hermione said in a strained voice. "And when we came home, he just started hitting me and wouldn't stop."

"And Isabella, where was she during this?" Annie asked.

"I told her to run upstairs," Hermione said. "I told her to get away."

"You put your daughter's safety above your own?" Annie asked.

"I always would," Hermione said. "It's never a question in my mind."

"No further questions," Annie said to the judge.

Hermione wiped at her eyes and looked at Harry.

"We'll take a short recess and Mr. Stevens you can begin your cross-examination," the judge said.

Hermione was thankful for the chance to collect herself. She excused herself to go use the loo.

Harry stood up to follow her, but Hermione waved him off. "I'm okay...I just need a moment."

"Are you sure?" Harry asked.

Hermione nodded and hurried out of the courtroom.

Once inside, she splashed some water on her face. "Get it together," she told herself.

It was hard enough dredging up those old memories with Annie asking the questions, but Hermione knew Michael Stevens would rake her over the coals.

"Just be honest," Hermione patted at her face with a paper towel.

Behind her, she heard the door open. Hermione paled when she saw the face behind her in the mirror. "Damian..."

Damian locked the door behind him. "Hello, dear."

"There's a restraining order against you," Hermione said turning around. "You're not supposed to come near me."

"No one knows I'm in here," Damian smiled coldly.

Hermione moved to get past him, but he grabbed hold of her arm. "Let me go!"

Damian shoved her against the wall. "Call this trial off, Hermione. Or you WILL regret it."

Hermione winced. Her body was still healing from the last time he'd attacked her. "Let me go, Damian."

"Then do what I tell you," Damian said, his eyes narrowing. "Or this time they won't be able to find you."

Hermione closed her eyes. She saw the faces of Harry, Bella, and her parents.

"No, I will NOT call off this trial," Hermione said, opening her eyes and glaring at her husband.

Damian's grip on her arm tightened. Hermione felt all the anger in her rise up and the lights in the room suddenly flickered.

"What the hell?" Damian asked.

"You STAY away from me," Hermione said angrily. "From now on!"

"Did you do that?" Damian asked her.

"Yes," she retorted.

"I thought you had to have one of those wands," Damian asked, his grip loosening a bit on her.

Hermione summoned all her anger again. "I said STAY away from me!"

All three of the mirrors above the sink cracked. This time, it was Damian that paled.

"If you think you can EVER touch me again, you're sadly mistaken," Hermione's eyes blazed. "And if you think you're going to win this trial..."

Damian was speechless. He backed away from her and fumbled with the lock on the door.

"Get out," Hermione stepped towards him.

Damian finally managed to unlock the door and he practically ran from the room. For the first time in what seemed like forever, Hermione felt that she had the power over him.

She felt better about herself than she had in more than ten years. Her spine a bit straighter, she headed back into the courtroom.

Harry stood up when he saw her. "Hermione?"

She smiled at him.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked reaching for her hand.

"Fine," she said. "For once... I'm fine."

"You did great up there," Harry said wanting to hug her, but not wanting to give Damian's lawyer any extra ammunition.

"Thank you," Hermione said. "Now I just have to get through his questions," she looked over at Michael.

"You'll be grand," Luna said linking her arm in Ron's. "You know, your soon to be ex-husband has a very dark aura."

"A what?" Hermione asked.

"A dark aura about him," Luna said. "I kept reading a disturbing energy from him."

"That wouldn't surprise me," Hermione said.

The judge re-entered the courtroom and the bailiff asked everyone to rise. Damian, however, was nowhere to be found.

"Be seated," the judge said banging his gavel. "Mr. Stephens, where is your client?"

"I... don't know Your Honour," Michael stammered. "He just stepped out for a moment..."

"I'll give you one minute to find him," the judge said impatiently.

"Thank you," Michael hurried out of the room.

Annie looked at Hermione.

"What does this mean?" Hermione asked her lawyer.

"It means your husband is pissing the judge off," Annie whispered back. "Not a good sign."

Hermione felt encouraged by this.

The judge sighed and tapped his fingers impatiently.

Hermione shared a hopeful glance with Harry. Had she managed to frighten Damian off? He'd always been terrified of her magic and he had forced her to give it up.

Michael hurried back into the courtroom. "Your Honour, my client was in the restroom. He will be here in just a minute. He's not feeling well."

The judge looked extremely displeased but nodded.

Two minutes later, Damian arrived in the courtroom looking as if he'd seen a ghost. He glared at his wife before sitting down beside his attorney.

"Are you ready, Mr. Conaghan?" the judge asked. "I do not appreciate being kept waiting."

Damian nodded. "Yes, sir. I--I apologise."

"Be seated," the judge said. "And let's get started again."

"Mrs. Conaghan, please take the stand again," the bailiff said. Hermione took her seat back on the witness stand.

"Mrs. Conaghan," Michael said. "Good morning."

Hermione smiled tightly. "Good morning."

"Did you ever tell anyone about these alleged beatings?" Michael asked her. "A friend? A colleague? Your parents?"

"My housekeeper knows," Hermione said. "And now my parents know. As does Harry."

"I beg your pardon, Mrs. Conaghan," Michael said. "But, who is Harry?"

"My best friend," Hermione answered. "Sitting right behind me, as you pointed out earlier."

"Would this be the same man who has stayed at your house every night this week?" Michael asked.

Annie stood up. "Objection! Irrelevant!"

"Sustained," the judge replied.

Michael wasn't about to be deterred. "Would this be the same man who arrived at your home the night of your supposed attack?"

"He came to help," Hermione answered evenly.

"I'm sure he did," Michael said sarcastically. "He arrived in Johannesburg three months ago, did he?"

"Around that time," Hermione replied.

"He's an old friend of yours, is he?" Michael asked.

"We were friends, yes." Hermione said. "Just like I was with Damian before I left for boarding school."

"Was your relationship platonic?" Michael asked.

"Yes," Hermione said truthfully. It had been at the time.

"And you didn't hear from him again until he arrived in Johannesburg under the guise of helping out with the orphanage?" Michael asked.

Annie stood up. "Objection, your Honour. Relevance?"

"Sustained," the judge said. "I'll ask you to stay on topic, Mr. Stevens."

"Of course," Michael said approaching the witness stand. "Mrs. Conaghan, did you tell your husband about the arrival of your old friend?"

"Yes," Hermione answered. "At dinner the night he arrived."

"You didn't tell him the truth about your relationship with Mr. Potter though, did you?" Michael asked.

"What truth are you aiming for?" Hermione asked him. "You're insinuating something that isn't true."

"Mrs. Conaghan," the judge warned.

Hermione glared at Michael Stevens. "Harry and I are not together," she spoke truthfully.

"So you've said," Michael said sarcastically. "I wonder why he's spent the night at your house every night this week, then."

"Objection!" Annie exclaimed, getting out of her seat.

"He's been staying over to make sure Damian doesn't come back to kill me!" Hermione snapped angrily.

"Move to strike," Michael said looking at the judge.

The judge nodded. "Mrs. Conaghan, the court will not tolerate your outbursts. Please answer the questions as presented."

"Yes your Honour," Hermione said quietly.

Michael walked back over to the table and pulled a piece of paper from a folder. He handed it to Hermione. "Do you recognise this document?"

Hermione nodded. "It's the prenuptial agreement that Damian and I signed before we were married."

"You signed it without question, did you not?" Michael asked.

"Yes, but---" Hermione started to answer.

"And you know that if you were to move to divorce you'd give up all assets and rights to your daughter?" Michael pressed.

"I didn't know it at the time," Hermione replied.

"You mean you sign things without reading them?" Michael asked. "Highly irresponsible, I'd say."

Michael smiled with false sympathy at Hermione. "No further questions, Mrs. Conaghan."

The judge looked at Annie. "Redirect, Mrs. Dixon?"

"Just a moment, your Honour," Annie replied.

Hermione took a sip of water.

Harry watched as Annie wrote some questions down and stood up again.

"Mrs. Conaghan, you signed that prenuptial agreement on good faith did you not?" Annie asked. "You had no reason to think your husband-to-be would include such clauses, did you?'

Hermione shook her head. "I didn't know."

"And you found out about this clause right after your husband was arrested in France for assaulting you?" Annie asked.

"Yes," Hermione answered.

"He used that as leverage to get you to drop the charges didn't he?" Annie asked.

"Yes," Hermione admitted.

"And you did drop those charges, didn't you?" Annie asked.

"I did," Hermione nodded.

"Dr. Conaghan would use that contract to bend you to his wishes many times over the course of your marriage, didn't he?" Annie asked.

"He used it several times," Hermione said. "Each time... I thought it would be the last. I don't know why."

"And that is the reason you didn't go to the police and you didn't tell anyone about what he did to you behind closed doors?" Annie asked.

"Yes," Hermione whispered.

"No further questions," Annie said.

"You may step down," the judge told her.

Hermione nodded. She caught her mother's eye.

Elinore smiled encouragingly at her.

Annie looked at the judge. "I'd like to call Harry Potter to the stand."

Harry was surprised. He wasn't expecting this.

Harry stood up and walked to the witness stand.

"Mr. Potter, could you please tell the court your occupation?" Annie asked.

"I counsel orphans," Harry said. "I also fund struggling orphanages."

"You worked closely with Mrs. Conaghan at the orphanage?" Annie asked.

"Here and there, yes." Harry nodded.

"You hadn't seen Mrs. Conaghan in over 10 years, correct?" Annie asked.

"Yes," Harry replied.

"What made you come to this particular orphanage?" Annie asked.

"Another friend of ours arranges this for me," Harry said. "He sent me here."

"But, you had no idea that Mrs. Conaghan was going to be here, did you?" Annie asked.

"Not until I walked into her classroom," Harry said truthfully.

"And Mrs. Conaghan wasn't happy to see you, was she?" Annie asked.

"Not at first," Harry said. "We had a bit of a falling out ten years ago. But we worked back on becoming friends again."

"And did Mrs. Conaghan tell you anything about her marriage?" Annie asked.

"Not at first," Harry said. "I had my suspicions that something was wrong, but never brought it up."

"And the child, Isabella, did she ever tell you anything about what was happening at home?" Annie asked.

"She admitted it to me and her friend Billy," Harry answered. "It was one morning after he'd beaten her." he glared at Damian.

"Objection," Michael said, standing up. "Hearsay."

"Sustained," the judge replied.

"What did Isabella tell you about her father?" Annie asked.

"She did tell me that he'd hit Hermione," Harry said. "I went to see her and she was holed up in the house with bruises."

"But, she didn't tell you about the contract?" Annie asked.

"No, she didn't," Harry replied.

"When did you find out about it?" Annie asked.

"Right after she was attacked the last time," Harry replied. "Her mother found the contract in her home and I forwarded it to my colleague, Neville Longbottom. He was the one who discovered the clause that would void the contract."

"And what is that clause?" Annie asked.

"The clause that states the contract to be null and void if either party in the marriage were convicted of a crime," Harry replied.

Annie smiled. "No further questions."

Michael conferred with Damian before he stood up. "Mr. Potter, your usual assignments do not last more than a couple of weeks, but you've been here in Johannesburg for three months, right?"

"Correct," Harry answered.

"Why would you stay longer here?" Michael asked. "Most of your work could have been conducted in London, right?"

"It could have been," Harry said. "But I chose to stay local."

"Mrs. Conaghan has to have something to do with that," Michael commented.

Harry shrugged. "I was helping out a friend in need."

"I just bet you were," Michael said with a chuckle.

"Mr. Stevens," the judge warned.

Harry remained silent and looked at the other man.

"How long were you and Mrs. Conaghan carrying on behind my client's back?" Michael asked him point-blank.

"Objection!" Annie stood up, her features angry.

Michael approached the witness stand and levelled his gaze at Harry. "The truth is you seduced Mrs. Conaghan and the two of you came up with this scheme to discredit Dr. Conaghan, isn't that true?"

"Absolutely not," Harry remained calm and stared right back at him.

"Mr. Stevens," the judge warned.

"No further questions," Michael said with a smirk at Harry.

"I'd like to strike the last two questions," Annie said.

"Motion granted," the judge said.

"Thank you," Annie sat back down.

Annie called a couple of Hermione's colleagues at the school who testified that Hermione was a caring, loving parent who would do anything for her daughter.

Hermione felt better as the case progressed. Surely things were looking to her favour as opposed to Damian's.

"We'll break for lunch," the judge said. "Mr. Stevens you can present your case at that time."

Hermione sighed. "How much longer do you think this will take?"

"I can't imagine he'll call that many people to the stand," Annie said.

Hermione nodded. "I want to call and see how Bella's doing."

Ron and Luna walked out of the courtroom with Hermione. They were going to grab lunch for the four of them. Harry wanted to talk to Annie.

"You kind of took me by surprise," Harry told her.

"I did?" she asked. "How so?"

"I didn't think you would be calling me to the stand," Harry admitted.

"I was kind of going for that," Annie confessed. "I do that because then no one has time to come up with a story."

"Do you think I helped or hurt her case?" Harry asked.

"I wouldn't have called you up if I thought there was any chance of you damaging it." Annie replied.

"There's something I think you should know," Harry said to her. He waited until Michael and Damian had left the courtroom. He told Hermione's attorney about how he'd contacted his friend Cho Chang to set something up at Johns Hopkins to get Damian away from Hermione. "He doesn't know I was behind it and I'd prefer it was kept that way, but according to Cho, he had quite the roving eye. He was dismissed for sexual harassment."

Annie nodded pensively. "I'll see what I can do with this information."

"She's in Johannesburg as it happens," Harry told her. It was a lie, but he could have Cho there within the hour. "If you'd like to call her to the stand..."

"A surprise witness," Annie nodded. "That would be good. I'll have to talk to her beforehand, of course--"

"Of course," Harry said. "I'll ring her now..."

He would probably owe Cho another life favour to get her out here, but he hoped her grudge against Damian Conaghan would be enough drive.

Harry found Hermione in the corridor. "How's Bella?"

"She's fine," Hermione said. "She's worried that she'll have to come and face Damian."

"I don't think it will come to that," Harry said squeezing her hand. "Did I tell you yet how proud I was of you? You were so brave."

"Thanks," Hermione said. She told Harry what had happened in the loo.

Harry clenched his fists. "What?"

"I don't know what happened," Hermione said. "I was so angry- I thought of Bella, and of you and my parents, and how much faith you four have in me... and suddenly the lights were flickering."

"Is that why he didn't come back to the courtroom?" Harry asked.

"Probably," Hermione said. "When he found out about magic, he was terrified. It wasn't long after that..."

"What?" Harry asked gently.

"The beatings started," Hermione said. "I thought if I gave up magic, he'd stop."

"Come here," Harry said leading her to an empty hallway. When they were alone, he put his arms around her.

Hermione sighed. "I just want this to be over, Harry."

"It will be," Harry said. "There's something...there's something I have to go and do, but I think it's going to be the key to winning this case, Hermione."

"What is it?" she asked.

"You'll see," Harry said pecking her on the cheek.

Hermione watched him go and hoped he was right.

At Johns Hopkins, Cho Chang was looking forward to finally going home and taking a nice, long bath. She'd just pulled a double shift.

She was just getting her things together when she heard her mobile ring.

She pulled it out of her pocket and sighed when she saw the name on the screen. She thought about ignoring the call, but she knew how relentless he could be.

"What is it, Harry?" she asked in greeting.

"Cho, I need to see you straightaway," Harry said.

"Why?" she asked. "I just want to go home and relax- I just got done with a double--"

"I'm in the lobby," Harry cut her off. "And I don't have much time."

"Here?" Cho asked incredulously.

"Here," Harry said. "Please...Cho."

Cho sighed. "I'll be right down."

She found him pacing in the lobby looking very much the same as he had the last time she'd seen him. "This had better be good. I'm knackered."

"I need you to come to Johannesburg with me," he said. "Just for today. Damian's on trial for almost killing Hermione."

"What?" Cho asked taken aback. "Is she okay?"

"She's all right," Harry nodded. "But we're trying to put him away. You can help us."

"What could I possibly do?" Cho asked.

"Tell them about what he did here," Harry answered.

"I don't' know," Cho replied doubtfully.

"Please," Harry said. "You could clinch this. Send him away. Hermione could lose custody of her daughter unless we prove he was cheating on her."

Cho had never cared much for Hermione Granger, but she would never have wished a bastard like Damian Conaghan on her. "Okay," she finally replied.

Harry hugged her. "Thank you," he said gratefully.

Cho patted him awkwardly on his back. "I--I just need a second to text my boyfriend to let him know where I'll be."

"Sure," Harry nodded.

"I'll be right back," Cho told him.

Harry sat down and looked around. It was a nice hospital. He was surprised that Cho Chang had chosen to pursue a career in medical issues- and at a Muggle hospital, no less.

Cho came back a couple of minutes later. She held out a file to him. "This is the incident report that a couple of nurses filed against Damian."

Harry stared at it. "This is huge!"

"I told you he was a busy man while he was here," Cho told him.

"I'll say," Harry shook his head. "Thank you Cho."

"I'm not the cold-hearted bitch you think I am," Cho said with a shrug.

"I never said you were," Harry replied.

"Your friend Ron Weasley did," Cho said. "Not to mention his little sister..."

"Well... Ginny said and did a lot of things that weren't very nice." Harry shook his head. "I really appreciate all you have done for me, and Hermione."

"Well, let's get this over with," Cho said, a little uncomfortable with his gratitude.

"I'll Apparate us there," Harry told her.

Cho nodded. "There's an empty room just to the left there..."

"Great," Harry said.

Back in Johannesburg, Luna, Ron, and Hermione were just finishing up their lunch. Hermione had only managed to eat half of her sandwich. Ron eagerly asked to finish it for her.

"Here," Hermione pushed it to him. "I'm too nervous to eat."

"I've never had that problem," Ron said with a grin. "I'm always able to eat."

Hermione sighed. "I wish Harry would get back. He said he's got something that could win this case for me."

"He'll be back soon," Luna reassured her.

"I know." Hermione said

"So tell me about your little rug rat," Ron said after he'd finished off Hermione's sandwich. "She magical?"

"I don't know yet," Hermione said. "Possibly..."

"She a bookworm, too?" Ron asked.

Hermione smiled. "Of course."

Ron grinned. "I happen to like bossy know-it-all bookworms, you know."

"I know," Hermione said. "It's been awhile, Ron. Too long."

"Well, now I know the reason why," Ron said. "It kind of makes sense now."

"Part of me wishes I'd never left that night," Hermione said quietly. "But... that would mean that I regret having Bella. And I don't."

"We've all made mistakes," Ron said. "And we can't change any of that. We can start again though."

Hermione nodded. "Thankfully."

Harry had dropped Cho off at Annie's office so she could read over the file and brief Cho on what was going to happen. He was out of breath by the time he found his friends in the courtroom cafeteria.

"Only you would think to go for a run at a time like this," Ron joked.

"Not quite for a run," Harry sat down. "For some help."

"Do we get a hint as to what kind of help this is?" Hermione asked.

Harry shook his head. "Probably best if I don't get into details. Annie's taking care of what I can't do."

"Are you hungry?" Luna asked. "I can get you a sandwich, Harry."

"I'm fine," Harry shook his head. "Thanks."

"How about you and I go and get dessert then?" Ron asked Luna. "This Muggle food isn't that bad."

"Sure," Luna said, reaching for his hand.

"He's like a kid in a candy store," Harry said taking a seat beside Hermione.

Hermione nodded. "Good to know some things don't' change."

"How are you?" Harry asked.

"Okay," Hermione answered.

"You're nervous," Harry said, reaching for her hand underneath the table. "But, you don't have to be. He's not going to win."

"He can't," Hermione said. "I can't lose her Harry. I can't lose Bella. It would kill me."

"You're not going to lose her," Harry said confidently. "She's going to be with you forever."

Hermione nodded. "Promise?"

"Promise," Harry said grinning at her.

Hermione wanted him to hold her, and reassure her further but the results of them being seen that way could only prove disastrous.

"Look," Harry said. "On the off chance that something happens and this doesn't go our way...we can take her and run..."

Hermione shook her head. "I could never ask her to live that way. You either."

"I would do anything to keep you and her away from him," Harry said. "Anything."

"Thank you," she said softly.

"I love you," Harry said.

"I love you too," Hermione almost whispered.

Ron came back to the table with Luna walking behind him, carrying a tray full of desserts.

"Ron!" Harry exclaimed. "We don't have that much time!"

Ron shrugged. "I can finish this off in five minutes."

"He can," Luna said dreamily. "I've seen him do it."

"I could tell you what I tell my students," Hermione said. "You need to enjoy your food and not wolf it down."

Ron shoved an entire piece of cake in his mouth. "The faster I eat the more I can eat."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "You haven't changed one bit."

Ron grinned at her.

"Luna, how do you put up with this?" Harry asked shaking his head.

Luna only smiled. "I love to watch him eat."

Ron grinned and held out a forkful of pie to Luna. She smiled and took a bite. "Thank you, Ronald."

Hermione had to smile. It felt good to be around people who genuinely cared about her like this.

"He's so sweet, isn't he?" Luna asked. "I knew it was love when he offered to share his food. He never shares his food with anyone."

"That's true," Harry admitted. "Must be love."

Ron finished off two pieces of pie, a bowl of rice pudding, and another piece of chocolate cake. He patted his stomach afterwards. "That should tide me over."

"Until what, next century?" Harry asked.

"At least until dinner," Ron said tossing a crumpled up napkin at his best friend.

Harry shook his head. "We need to get back to the courtroom."

"Right," Hermione said, standing up.

Harry put a hand on her shoulder. "It'll be okay."

Hermione nodded, wanting to believe him more than anything.

Ron stuffed some biscuits in his pocket and he and Luna followed Harry and Hermione out.

Annie was waiting for them in the courtroom.

"What's going on?" Hermione asked her lawyer.

"I have an unexpected witness," Annie told her. "I have to ask the judge if I can call one more witness before turning the case over to opposing counsel."

"Who is it?" Hermione asked.

Annie didn't get to answer as the bailiff called the courtroom to order and asked everyone to rise as the judge entered the courtroom.

Hermione cast one more look at Harry before taking her seat next to Annie.

"Mr. Stevens," the judge said. "Are you ready to---"

Annie stood up. "Your honour, I have another witness. "

"Your Honour, this wasn't cleared with me," Michael said.

"Approach the bench," the judge said to the two attorneys. Both of them walked quickly over to the judge, while Hermione and Damian looked on trying to hear what they were saying.

"It was recently brought to my attention that someone who can attest to Damian Conaghan's actions while in America is here," Annie handed them both a list of questions she had compiled.

"I've never even heard of this woman," Michael said dismissively.

The judge looked thoughtfully at the papers. "I'll allow it."

"Thank you, your Honour," Annie said.

"I'll need to have time to come up with my own questions," Michael said.

"How much time will you need?" the judge asked.

"Twenty minutes?" Michael asked.

"Fine," the judge replied.

"Thank you," Michael nodded and went to sit back down.

Hermione watched as the judge announced a brief recess. She looked at Annie. "What's going on?"

"Mr. Stevens has to compile his own list for the witness," Annie replied.

Hermione chanced a look over at Damian. He was deep in conversation with his attorney and had a worried look on his face.

"This has to be a good thing," she whispered. "Who is it?"

"Dr. Cho Chang," Annie told her.

Hermione gaped at her. "Cho CHANG?"

"Yes," Annie said looking up from her notepad. "Do you know her?"

"We used to go to boarding school together." Hermione said. "She... used to go out with Harry. We weren't really friends."

"I think we'll leave out that small detail," Annie whispered. "Damian doesn't know that you knew her previously. At least that's what Dr. Chang told me."

"She said that?" Hermione asked.

Annie nodded. "I think it's best that we keep that part of this secret."

Hermione nodded.

Hermione turned around and looked at Harry. He had also noticed Damian's expression.

The next few minutes passed by agonizingly slow for Hermione. She had no idea that Cho Chang had known Damian. What she couldn't understand was how Harry had set this up. How had he known about Cho?

She finally remembered to breathe when she saw Michael and Damian sit back, neither one looking very happy.

The judge came back into the room and asked Annie to call her final witness.

"I call Dr. Cho Chang to the stand," Annie said.