Chapter 3
Auror Hodgekins was a stout fellow with broad shoulders and dirty blonde hair; though he was on the shorter side he was by no means slight. Auror Roebuck on the other hand was tall with a slender building, perfectly coiffed brown hair with a sense of entitlement melting off of him.
“Franklin Hodgekins”, Charlie said crossing to shake his hand, “It’s been a long time.”
“Hi there, Charlie,” he responded kindly but didn’t go as far as smiling. “I was sorry to hear about your brother.”
George tensed at the mention of his twin as was always the case.
“Thanks. Franklin and I were the same year at Hogwarts,” Charlie explained to the room, “He was in Ravenclaw and one hell of dueler.”
“Comes in handy in this profession,” the other Auror responded in a decidedly posher accent than his partner, “My name is Edward Roebuck and we are here on official business not for a class reunion.”
Hodgekins just barely avoided rolling his eyes at his partner but also felt the tension in the room and took over the discussion.
“Yes, unfortunately, Charlie, we do have an arrest warrant for Ms. Granger and we have it on good authority that she is here, living with your family.”
“And don’t attempt to hide her,” Roebuck cut in, “We know she is here and you must hand her over or everyone in this room could be arrested for aiding and abetting.”
“Roebuck,” Hodgekins growled back, “Enough.” Roebuck backed down for the moment.
Mr. Weasley steps forward, “Hermione is here, as a guest of this family. But before you take her anywhere, we have a right now know what she is being charged with.”
“You have no right to that information,” Roebuck responded, “Unless I am mistaken, Ms. Granger is not a relative of this family by blood or marriage.”
“She is as good as family,” Mrs. Weasley injected.
“But she is not actually family ma’am,” he responded his patience waning, “And as that is the case only Ms. Granger is entitled to that information. Now, we have a schedule to keep. Please hand her over at once.”
“I know this is hard,” Hodgekins said, trying to salvage the situation, “But we do have our orders.”
“But this is ludacris,” George spoke up, “Hermione is a bloody war hero not to mention the brightest witch of her age, she could not possibly have done anything to deserve this.”
“Maybe you don’t know her as well as you think do.” Roebuck replied.
“Regardless,” Hodgekins said, “We have our orders. And I’m sure everything can be worked out.”
A hush fell over the parlor and every mind in the room was trying to figure out a way to stall for more time but then Hermione emerged from the kitchen, holding Ron’s hand. She stood in front of the wall of Weasley’s facing the Aurors.
“I’m Hermione Granger.”
“Finally,” Roebuck spat out, “Hand over your wand, Ms. Granger, you are under arrest.”
“What is the charge?” she asked in a voice not quite as strong as her usual one.
“We can inform you upon arriving at the Ministry, we really must get going.” Roebuck said reaching for Hermione’s wrist. As he did that, Ron stepped in front of Hermione and the wall of Weasleys started to tighten around her.
“Don’t touch her,” Ron snarled.
Percy puts a hand on Ron’s shoulder and whispered, “Stay calm, Ronald.”
Hermione put a gentle hand on Ron’s forearm pulling him back. She smiled up at him and then turned to Roebuck, her chin more raised and when she spoke again, she sounded more like the Hermione they all knew and loved.
“You said so yourself, Auror Roebuck, I am entitled to know what I am being charged with. And I will not be complying unless I know what I am being accused of.”
Roebuck smirked an ugly smirk and it was clear to all his feelings about Hermione and where is allegiances likely stood.
“Fine,” he said, “You are charged with using the Memoria Impedimentum Sempiterne curse on Muggles. And per Ministry of Magic Decree 541 of 1982, that curse is illegal. And is punishable by prison time is Azkaban.” The smirk returned to his haughty face as he said the name of the magical prison.
“Now, enough of this posturing,” he continued, “Hand over your wand, you are under arrest.”
Hermione knew she didn’t have a choice and reached into her pocket to hand over the wand she had been using since her escape from Malfoy Manner. When she handed it to Roebuck, she, Ron and Harry noticed a glimmer of recognition on his face.
“Look familiar?” Harry asked snidely as he made his way to the front to stand beside Hermione.
Before Roebuck could answer, the floo came to life yet again and acting Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt arrived in the very crowded Weasley parlor.
He took in the scene, “Looks like I arrived just in time.” The look of disdain on Roebuck’s face was not missed by anyone, even the Minister.
“Molly,” Kingsley continued, “Could you put the kettle on? We have some things to discuss.”