Chapter 7
Edith Cumberland entered her office in a huff, “Sorry I’m late, Faye,” she called to her assistant. “That deposition should never had taken that long but the other solicitor must be weeks out of school. I know everyone is green at the start but honestly.”
Faye was standing anxiously with a cup of tea in one hand and the special edition of the Daily Profit in the other hand. “Ms. Cumberland, you have people waiting in your office.”
“What?” Edith replied, “I swore my calendar was open for the rest of the afternoon.”
“It was but I thought you would want to meet these potential new clients.”
“New clients? Faye, you know I’m not taking on new clients at the moment, I’m overloaded as it is. And I’m a one witch show!” Edith was trying to keep her annoyance in check but feared she was failing.
“I really think you will want to reconsider. Percy Weasley is in your office, he said you were at Hogwarts together. And his brother is with him.”
“Faye, there are numerous Weasley brothers, which one?”
“Ron.”
“Ron Weasley? Like Harry Potter’s best friend? One third of the Golden Trio, Ron Weasley?” She asked in slight shock.
“That’s the one.”
“I see why you thought I would want to meet with them. But why are they here?”
“Mr. Weasley didn’t say exactly, expressing the need for confidentiality but I suspect is has something to do with this.” Faye handed her the paper and Edith gasped.
“Hermione Granger has been arrested?” Edith, as a Muggleborn herself, had great respect for Hermione. “Alright, I guess I going to this meeting.”
Faye handed her a cup of tea and opened the door to her office. Both Weasley brothers stood up as she walked in . She put the paper and her tea down on her desk and shook Percy’s hand,
“Percy, it’s nice to see you again. It’s been a long time.”
Percy smiled, “Yes it has Edith; Edith was a prefect my first and second years.” Percy explained to Ron who nodded.
“Edith, this is my youngest brother, Ronald Weasley.” Ron reached out to shake Edith’s hand.
“Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Cumberland. And thank you for meeting with us on such short notice.”
“Pleasure to meet you as well, Ronald. Please sit down.” The brothers returned their seats as Edith settled in behind her desk. “Though I suspect you are tired of hearing this, Ronald, thank you for what you did in the war. The Magical world owes you their gratitude.” He smiled slightly. “Oh and let me offer my condolences on the death of your brother Fred. I didn’t know him personally but my nephew has certainly enjoyed products from his shop.”
“Thank you, Edith,” Percy said with a sad smile.
“Now,” Edith started, “I know you did not tell Faye the exact reason for this meeting but I’ve just seen the Profit so I am assuming it has to do with Hermione Granger’s arrest?”
“Yes,” Ron answered.
“Edith, Aurors arrived at my parents’ home this afternoon with an arrest warrant for her. They are charging her with using the Memoria Impedimentum Sempiterne curse on Muggles.”
Edith took a deep breath, “That’s a serious charge. If found guilty it includes time in Azkaban.”
“Yes, we’re aware.” Ron said.
“Who are they claiming she did this curse to?” Edith asked.
“They did not specify but we believe Hermione may have used it on her parents before she sent them away during the war. We didn’t get a chance to discuss anything with her before they hauled her away.” Percy explained.
“Her parents?” Edith asked, shock on her face. Though Edith didn’t know much about the curse, they fact that Hermione did any memory work on her parents seemed shocking.
“Look, Ms. Cumberland,” Ron said, “I know you might be thinking badly of Hermione right now. But she needed to protect her parents and it destroyed her to tamper with their memories. This wasn’t an evil act, she did it out of love. Like Percy said, we didn’t get the chance to speak to her so I don’t know if she knew the curse was illegal but she is not a criminal.”
Edith sat back in her chair and took a long sip of her tea. On the one hand, she was a bit horrified at what Hermione did but hearing Ron’s point also made sense.
“I assume you both know it’s too late for a bail hearing tonight, she’ll have to stay the night in jail?”
The brothers nodded.
“Faye?” Edith called and within seconds her assistant was at the door, “Find out if a time has been set for Hermione Granger’s bail hearing. And then notify Ministry holding that I’ll need to see my client.”
Faye nodded and returned to her desk.
“This means you’ll take her case?” Ron asked.
“Yes, I will. I doubt it will be easy especially with the publicity it will garner but Hermione is a hero to Muggleborns, like me, I have to help her if I can.”
“Thank you, Ms. Cumberland, really, thank you so much.” Ron smiled.
“Yes, Edith, thank you.” Percy added.
“Ms. Cumberland,” Faye said from the door, “Ms. Granger’s bail hearing is tomorrow at 9am. And cellblock 3 is awaiting your arrival.”
Edith took another sip of her tea, gathered some blank parchment and quills into her briefcase and got to her feet. “All right, gentleman, I’m off to see my client.”