Latrunculus--Part 12

With Malfoy back in custody, Shacklebolt thought it was safe to bring Ron back on duty. So he returned to headquarters and his squad. There were other Dark wizards to catch. He was quickly back on missions.

However, this afternoon he was catching up on paperwork. His inbox was as full as ever. With a scowl, he reviewed a form, signed it, and placed it in a new pile.

He had emerged from his work long enough to celebrate the arrival of his newest niece, Emma Elizabeth Potter. Ginny and the baby were doing fine, a proud Harry announced to all and sundry. The crowded waiting room had erupted in cheers.

Of course Hermione was there. There was no way that she would miss the birth of Harry and Ginny’s baby. She hugged Harry, congratulating him on his daughter. She waited patiently for her chance to briefly see Ginny and the baby.

It was the first time he had seen her in weeks. He knew that she had found a job as a researcher in a Muggle university with help from the Ministry. She seemed happy as she conversed with Remus Lupin.

He managed to talk to her for a few moments after he had seen his sister and his niece. They exchanged tidbits about work. Then it was her turn to see Ginny and the baby and he was called back to headquarters.

He wondered when he was going to see her again. Would it be Easter at the Burrow? Sooner?

He was pulled from his thoughts by a knock on his door. Calling for the person to come in, Ron took another piece of parchment out of his inbox. However, the form was quickly forgotten when Shacklebolt appeared in his office.

“Shacklebolt,” Ron greeted, rising to his feet.

“Afternoon, Weasley,” the older man said, taking a seat. Ron followed his example. “Hard at work, I see.”

Ron wasn’t sure how to reply so he remained silent. Why was his boss here? Shacklebolt was never one for idle chats.

Shacklebolt sighed as he leaned back in the chair. “I just received word that Malfoy’s trial has been scheduled. As a witness to his attack on Hermione Granger, you’ll be asked to testify.”

“Gladly,” Ron said.

Shacklebolt nodded. “I’d figured as much. I must warn you that you are to remain professional during your testimony. I won’t have you embarrassing the Aurors at the Wizengamot, understood?”

“Understood.”

“Good,” stated Shacklebolt as he rose to his feet. “I’ll leave to your paperwork.”

However, paperwork was the last thing on Ron’s mind as his boss left the office.

* * * * *

The morning of the trial came quickly. As Shacklebolt had predicted, Ron had been called to testify before the Wizengamot about Malfoy’s attack on Hermione. Ron took a moment to smooth the front of his neatly pressed Auror robes before entering the courtroom.

A few witches and wizards were already in the room. Most were dressed in plum-colored robes and occupied the highest set of benches in the room. They were conversing in low voices, making whispers in the room.

Ron took a seat on a bench about halfway up the room. He had a good view of the Wizengamot as well as the chair in the center of the room. He smiled as he thought of Malfoy in chains.

More people began to come into the room. Ron recognized a report from the Daily Prophet who had once interviewed him about a case. As more took their place at the highest bench, a handful of people took seats on the benches around him. Some disappeared into the shadows caused by the flickering torchlight.

Ron, like the others, watched as Malfoy and several guards appeared in the center of the room. Suddenly the room fell silent. Malfoy scowled as he was shackled to the chair.

The head of the Wizengamot called the room to order. “The trial of the third of February into offenses committed by Draco Abraxas Malfoy which includes escape from the prison of Azkaban and use of the Latrunculus Curse. Please call the first witness.”

A guard from Azkaban came forward. He described the discovery of Narcissa Malfoy in the cell of her son and the subsequent search of Azkaban for the escaped prisoner. When he wasn’t located, the guard testified that the Aurors were contacted.

Ron was then called. He told the court about the squads sent out and the protection measures taken. He then went on to describe the attack on Hermione at the cemetery.

As he spoke, images of that horrible afternoon flashed through his minds. Hermione being cursed and falling unconscious to the ground. Malfoy’s smirk as he disappears. The healers taking her away from him in St. Mungo’s. However, his voice stayed steady.

When he finished, the court had few questions for him. Ron managed one glare at Malfoy as he returned to his seat. The glare was returned in full measure.

“Next will be Hermione Jane Granger.”

A gasp came from the crowd. A figure emerged from one of the shadows. She looked directly ahead, head held high, as she made her way forward.

“A Muggle to testify against me!” Malfoy cried, straining against his shackles. “How dare you!”

Ron was already to his feet when Hermione calmly said, “Muggles are allowed to testify before the Wizengamot. Also, a prisoner cannot profit from an offense by using magic to prevent a witness from giving testimony against him.” She eyed Malfoy coolly as she rattled off a number of cases as examples.

‘Way to go, Hermione,’ Ron thought as he sat back down.

The Wizengamot head agreed with Hermione’s statement. Malfoy was muttering as he settled reluctantly back in his chair. Hermione turned her back to him as she once more addressed the court.

She told her version of the events in the cemetery. During questions, she said that she had been a target during the second war due to her close ties to Harry Potter and the Weasleys in addition to her own activities. She had testified against Malfoy in his earlier trail for the death of her parents, stating that she saw him leave her house before discovering their bodies.

Once her testimony was over, she turned to head back to her seat. Malfoy tried to rise as she passed. He appeared almost feral as he spat, “I should have waited a few more minutes and killed you, too, Mudblood.”

Hermione stiffened. For a moment, Ron thought she would burst into tears. However, she pulled herself together and moved on toward her seat without a glance back.

A bit into Seamus’s testimony, Ron heard the door quickly opened and then closed. He quietly made his way out of the courtroom. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the brighter light outside.

He turned to the sobs coming from his right. Familiar bushy hair was bouncing against shaky shoulders as Hermione sobbed. Ron called her name.

She glanced up at the sound. She froze for a moment, eyes red-rimmed from tears. “Ron?”

“You did real well in there, Hermione,” Ron said as he moved toward her.

She gave a bitter laugh. “Yeah, I was very brave facing him when he’s surrounded by guards.”

“You faced him,” he said, “and because of you, he will go back to Azkaban to rot. He won’t be able to hurt anyone again. You did that, Hermione, when many people would be miles away from here.”

“Some hero,” she muttered, wiping at her eyes, “crying out here in the hall where anyone could see.”

Ron tipped her chin up to face him. “You are a hero, Hermione.”

Her eyes met his and suddenly everything shifted. He took a deep breath. He felt Hermione’s breath against his face as he leaned forward.

“Ron, don’t,” she whispered suddenly.

He froze. “What?”

She pulled away from him. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”

“Hermione, wait.” He grabbed her arm but she jerked it free. He stared at her, confused. “Hermione?”

“I’m sorry, Ron,” she cried. Covering her face, she turned and ran off. Her sobs echoed off the walls.

What had just happened? What did he do wrong? He was still standing there in confusion when Seamus suddenly appeared at his side.

“Weasley,” the other Auror greeted. “Care to get a bite before heading back to headquarters?

“Why not,” Ron replied. However, he knew that his mind would not be on food.


Part X!I With Malfoy back in custody, Shacklebolt thought it was safe to bring Ron back on duty. So he returned to headquarters and his squad. There were other Dark wizards to catch. He was quickly back on missions. However, this afternoon he was catching up on paperwork. His inbox was as full as ever. With a scowl, he reviewed a form, signed it, and placed it in a new pile. He had emerged from his work long enough to celebrate the arrival of his newest niece, Emma Elizabeth Potter. Ginny and the baby were doing fine, a proud Harry announced to all and sundry. The crowded waiting room had erupted in cheers. Of course Hermione was there. There was no way that she would miss the birth of Harry and Ginny’s baby. She hugged Harry, congratulating him on his daughter. She waited patiently for her chance to briefly see Ginny and the baby. It was the first time he had seen her in weeks. He knew that she had found a job as a researcher in a Muggle university with help from the Ministry. She seemed happy as she conversed with Remus Lupin. He managed to talk to her for a few moments after he had seen his sister and his niece. They exchanged tidbits about work. Then it was her turn to see Ginny and the baby and he was called back to headquarters. He wondered when he was going to see her again. Would it be Easter at the Burrow? Sooner? He was pulled from his thoughts by a knock on his door. Calling for the person to come in, Ron took another piece of parchment out of his inbox. However, the form was quickly forgotten when Shacklebolt appeared in his office. “Shacklebolt,” Ron greeted, rising to his feet. “Afternoon, Weasley,” the older man said, taking a seat. Ron followed his example. “Hard at work, I see.” Ron wasn’t sure how to reply so he remained silent. Why was his boss here? Shacklebolt was never one for idle chats. Shacklebolt sighed as he leaned back in the chair. “I just received word that Malfoy’s trial has been scheduled. As a witness to his attack on Hermione Granger, you’ll be asked to testify.” “Gladly,” Ron said. Shacklebolt nodded. “I’d figured as much. I must warn you that you are to remain professional during your testimony. I won’t have you embarrassing the Aurors at the Wizengamot, understood?” “Understood.” “Good,” stated Shacklebolt as he rose to his feet. “I’ll leave to your paperwork.” However, paperwork was the last thing on Ron’s mind as his boss left the office. * * * * * The morning of the trial came quickly. As Shacklebolt had predicted, Ron had been called to testify before the Wizengamot about Malfoy’s attack on Hermione. Ron took a moment to smooth the front of his neatly pressed Auror robes before entering the courtroom. A few witches and wizards were already in the room. Most were dressed in plum-colored robes and occupied the highest set of benches in the room. They were conversing in low voices, making whispers in the room. Ron took a seat on a bench about halfway up the room. He had a good view of the Wizengamot as well as the chair in the center of the room. He smiled as he thought of Malfoy in chains. More people began to come into the room. Ron recognized a report from the Daily Prophet who had once interviewed him about a case. As more took their place at the highest bench, a handful of people took seats on the benches around him. Some disappeared into the shadows caused by the flickering torchlight. Ron, like the others, watched as Malfoy and several guards appeared in the center of the room. Suddenly the room fell silent. Malfoy scowled as he was shackled to the chair. The head of the Wizengamot called the room to order. “The trial of the third of February into offenses committed by Draco Abraxas Malfoy which includes escape from the prison of Azkaban and use of the Latrunculus Curse. Please call the first witness.” A guard from Azkaban came forward. He described the discovery of Narcissa Malfoy in the cell of her son and the subsequent search of Azkaban for the escaped prisoner. When he wasn’t located, the guard testified that the Aurors were contacted. Ron was then called. He told the court about the squads sent out and the protection measures taken. He then went on to describe the attack on Hermione at the cemetery. As he spoke, images of that horrible afternoon flashed through his minds. Hermione being cursed and falling unconscious to the ground. Malfoy’s smirk as he disappears. The healers taking her away from him in St. Mungo’s. However, his voice stayed steady. When he finished, the court had few questions for him. Ron managed one glare at Malfoy as he returned to his seat. The glare was returned in full measure. “Next will be Hermione Jane Granger.” A gasp came from the crowd. A figure emerged from one of the shadows. She looked directly ahead, head held high, as she made her way forward. “A Muggle to testify against me!” Malfoy cried, straining against his shackles. “How dare you!” Ron was already to his feet when Hermione calmly said, “Muggles are allowed to testify before the Wizengamot. Also, a prisoner cannot profit from an offense by using magic to prevent a witness from giving testimony against him.” She eyed Malfoy coolly as she rattled off a number of cases as examples. ‘Way to go, Hermione,’ Ron thought as he sat back down. The Wizengamot head agreed with Hermione’s statement. Malfoy was muttering as he settled reluctantly back in his chair. Hermione turned her back to him as she once more addressed the court. She told her version of the events in the cemetery. During questions, she said that she had been a target during the second war due to her close ties to Harry Potter and the Weasleys in addition to her own activities. She had testified against Malfoy in his earlier trail for the death of her parents, stating that she saw him leave her house before discovering their bodies. Once her testimony was over, she turned to head back to her seat. Malfoy tried to rise as she passed. He appeared almost feral as he spat, “I should have waited a few more minutes and killed you, too, Mudblood.” Hermione stiffened. For a moment, Ron thought she would burst into tears. However, she pulled herself together and moved on toward her seat without a glance back. A bit into Seamus’s testimony, Ron heard the door quickly opened and then closed. He quietly made his way out of the courtroom. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the brighter light outside. He turned to the sobs coming from his right. Familiar bushy hair was bouncing against shaky shoulders as Hermione sobbed. Ron called her name. She glanced up at the sound. She froze for a moment, eyes red-rimmed from tears. “Ron?” “You did real well in there, Hermione,” Ron said as he moved toward her. She gave a bitter laugh. “Yeah, I was very brave facing him when he’s surrounded by guards.” “You faced him,” he said, “and because of you, he will go back to Azkaban to rot. He won’t be able to hurt anyone again. You did that, Hermione, when many people would be miles away from here.” “Some hero,” she muttered, wiping at her eyes, “crying out here in the hall where anyone could see.” Ron tipped her chin up to face him. “You are a hero, Hermione.” Her eyes met his and suddenly everything shifted. He took a deep breath. He felt Hermione’s breath against his face as he leaned forward. “Ron, don’t,” she whispered suddenly. He froze. “What?” She pulled away from him. “I’m sorry. I have to go.” “Hermione, wait.” He grabbed her arm but she jerked it free. He stared at her, confused. “Hermione?” “I’m sorry, Ron,” she cried. Covering her face, she turned and ran off. Her sobs echoed off the walls. What had just happened? What did he do wrong? He was still standing there in confusion when Seamus suddenly appeared at his side. “Weasley,” the other Auror greeted. “Care to get a bite before heading back to headquarters? “Why not,” Ron replied. However, he knew that his mind would not be on food.


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