Chapter 11
Edith Cumberland headed down to the halls to cellblock 3 carrying her briefcase and levitating the outfit the Weasley’s had assembled for her client. Proper and conservative, just as she requested. Edith wasn’t nervous, perse, but maybe apprehensive. She truly believed there was a lot more to these charges to than met the eye. She believed the politics of the Wizengamot not mention the ego of certain members played a much bigger part in this. Yes, what Hermione did was serious but it wasn’t for malicious purposes. She just hoped the Wizengamot would be fair.
She arrived at cellblock 3 and was greeted once again by Jimmy Jenkinson.
“How was Hermione’s evening?” she asked, “Do you know if she slept at all?”
“I don’t think much,” he answered, “She was hassled a bit by a pair of party girls I’m familiar with. She was fine but keep your eyes on the paper, these girls love to sell stories and they were spinning a tale about her. She didn’t say anything but I don’t think that anyone cares about the actual truth.”
Edith groaned; any bad press was not be good for Hermione. But that’s not her priority at the moment, now she had to get Hermione out on bail.
Jenkinson showed Edith to the prisoner changing rooms where he’d bring Hermione so she could prepare for her hearing. When Hermione arrived moments later, she did not look well rested but she did look eager.
“Good morning Ms. Cumberland,” Hermione said upon arrival.
“Good morning,” she handed Hermione the clothing, “Why don’t you change and then we’ll get going,” Hermione grabbed the garments from Edith who noticed she was shaking slightly. Edith took Hermione’s hand and said, “Everything is going to be ok, Hermione.”
Soon Hermione found herself in one of court rooms in the Ministry, similar to the one she was in last year in disguise. Luckily there were no longer Dementors flying above or Voldemort loving officials running the proceedings. But that still didn’t make Hermione feel much better. She also was not relieved to noticed that no one seemed to be here to support her. She asked her solicitor, “Where is Ron?”
“Hermione,” Edith said softly, “We thought it best that Ron as well Harry stay away from this proceeding. As you can imagine the press coverage will be extensive and their presence could make things complicated. Percy Weasley will be here though and possibly his father as well.” Hermione could not hide her disappointment; she knew what Edith said made logical sense but she longed for the comfort Ron would provide.
“Trust me,” Edith continued, “Ron and Harry were not pleased but they will be waiting for you at the Weasley home after the hearing.”
Just then she saw Percy and Mr. Weasley enter the courtroom, each smiled warmly at her which she appreciated. It might not have been the ginger she was hoping for but in this moment, she’ll take it.
A booming voice then called, “Come to order, the Honorable Bernard Lovibond presiding over Wizengamot vs Hermione Jean Granger. The charges against this witch are as follows: violating Ministry of Magic Decree 541 of 1982, the use of the Memoria Impedimentum Sempiterne curse on Muggles.”
Lovibond then took over, “Thank you, Tomas. Ms. Granger, do you understand the charges against you?”
“Yes sir.” Hermione answered in a clear voice.
“Fine. What is your plea?” Lovibond replied with little interest as he presided over bail hearing every day.
“Innocent, sir.” She replied.
“Yes, yes,” Lovibond said, “Your bail is set at 2500 galleons. And you shall remain under house arrest and restricted from using any and all forms of magic.” All of this was expected and Edith had explained this to Hermione already.
“Understood sir.” Hermione said.
“Good,” he continued, “I understand you will be staying with the Weasley family at their home in Devon?”
“Um, well,” Hermione stammered for the first time, she had not discussed this with anyone yet.
The she saw Mr. Weasley stand up out of the corner of her eye.
“Yes, sir,” he said, “Ms. Granger will be staying with my family.”
“And you understand, Mr. Weasley,” Lovibond continued, “If she fleas the country or breaks any part of this bail agreement, you will be responsible?”
Hermione looked at Mr. Weasley and felt tremendous guilt for putting him in this position. Of course, she had no plans to break any part of her agreement but still.
“My wife and I understand completely, sir.”
“Alright,” Lovibond said with even less interest than before, “Ms. Granger, follow Tomas and pay your bail and then you are free to return to the Weasley home.”
“Thank you, sir.” Edith said, ushering Hermione toward Tomas. But Hermione stopped by Percy and Mr. Weasley.
“Thank you so much. I hate,” she started but Mr. Weasley held his hand up knowing what she was going to say.
“Molly and I want you with us, Hermione. You are family. Period.” Hermione nodded at Mr. Weasley, so grateful for this wonderful family.
“Ms. Cumberland,” Percy said, “the Minister has offered us the use of the floo in his office to head back to the Burrow. The press is crawling all over the Atrium, especially after this morning’s ridiculous article.”
Edith internally winced, she had not mentioned today’s front page to Hermione.
“What article?” she asked.
“Let’s talk about everything when we get to the Weasley’s, Hermione. Tomas is waiting for us. Percy, Arthur, we’ll meet you at the Minister’s office.”
Thirty minutes later, after paying her bail and having a tracking spelling placed on her, Edith and Hermione swiftly headed towards the Minister’s office. Hermione and the Weasley’s may be comfortable with him but Edith had never met Kingsley Shacklebolt and was excited.
“Edith,” Hermione said as they rounded the last corner before the office, “Please tell me what this article was about?”
“Hermione,” the solicitor responded, “We have a lot to go over when we get back to Devon and I promise we’ll discuss the Prophet piece but here, in the Ministry there are too many ears.”
Hermione knew Edith was right she just dreaded to know what was written and hoped it wasn’t that nonsense Zara and Char made up last night.
Edith and Hermione arrived at the Minister’s office and were warmly greeted by his assistant who ushered them in Kingsley’s office.
“Hermione,” the Minister’s voice boomed, “How are you, my girl?” He asked.
She smiled, though she knew it looked forced, “As well as can be expected sir.”
“Yes, well, I am confident you will get through this. You are a strong and bright witch, I have faith in you.”
“Thank you, sir,” Hermione responded, “Minister Shacklebolt, this is Edith Cumberland, my solicitor.”
“Ms. Cumberland,” he said turning his attention to her, “Pleasure to meet you. Percy was just telling me about you. I trust you to take excellent care of Hermione.”
Edith was a bit flustered but pulled herself together, “Pleasure to meet you, Minister. And yes, I am going to do everything in my power to make sure Hermione is treated justly.”
“Well,” Mr. Weasley interjected, “We best be going. If we’re late, Ron may explode.”
Kingsley laughed, “Yes, don’t get in Ron’s way when it comes to Hermione.”
Hermione blushed but was equally as anxious to get out of the Ministry and into Ron’s arms.
“Thank you again, Minister, for allowing us the use of your floo. The Atrium would be horrendous for Hermione.” Edith stated.
“It’s the least I can do. I wish I could offer more than my best wishes and my floo, Hermione, but any more intervention on my part will not help you in the eyes of many members of the Wizengamot. “
“Of course,” Hermione responded, “I am grateful for what you have done already.”
“Off you go then,” Kinsgley said, “Arthur give my best to Molly and the family.”
With that, each member of the party entered the floo, Arthur going first and Percy bringing up the end.
When Hermione landed in the lounge at the Burrow, the first face she saw was Ron’s, thank Merlin. He scooped her into his arms before she was even able to brush the dust from her clothes and hugged her tightly to him.
He whispered into her hair, “I’m so glad your home, love.” When Hermione opened her mouth to respond words didn’t make it out, only a strangled sob. Upon hearing the sound, Ron led her out of the room and out on the front porch for some privacy. She was full on sobbing now, having held it all in while she was gone. Ron let her cry it out and rubbed soothing circles on her back.
Minutes later, when she caught her breath finally and the tears paused, she looked up at Ron; into the blue eyes that she loved so much. “I’m so sorry, Ron. All of this trouble I’m causing you and your family.”
Ron shook his head, “Don’t even start, Hermione, you aren’t causing any trouble; we are going to figure a way out of this. You were instrumental in saving our very way of life, love, they aren’t going to send you to Azkaban.”
“I don’t know Ron,” tears started to escape her eyes again and he held her tighter, kissing the top of his head.
“It’s going to be a challenge, Hermione, no doubt about that. But you’re always ready for a challenge.” He smiled at her and she couldn’t help but smile back. She tilted her head back and glanced at his lips.
“I know it’s not the most appropriate time,” she whispered, “But please kiss me, Ron.” And his lips were on hers before she finished saying his name.
Edith glanced out the window and saw the young couple wrapped in each other’s arms and decided to give them some more time. Mrs. Weasley had set out tea and biscuits for everyone while Percy introduced her to those she had yet to meet, including Harry. Harry Potter and Kingsley Shacklebolt in a span of an hour, quite a day.
Before she settled into a seat at the kitchen table, Percy asked to speak with her privately and led her to the back garden.
“Edith, I think I have a development.” Percy stated matter-of-factly.
“Please,” Edith encouraged.
“A Ministry colleague of mine confided in me that they believe they know the underlying reason for these charges against Hermione. Yes, she broke the law, but there is a group of Wizengamot members who want something, something Harry, Ron and her wouldn’t share before. And once they discovered the mistake she made, they took advantage.”
“What do these members want?”
“They want to know the truth about the mission Dumbledore sent them on during the war. And not the watered-down version that was shared with the press. They know there is more to it and they believe they are entitled to the complete story.”
“And the trio won’t tell them?”
Percy shook his head, “They won’t go against Dumbledore’s wishes. They have made it very clear. Even my family doesn’t know the whole story.”
Edith is impressed with the young trio’s sense of loyalty but she has been practicing law long enough to know that loyalty rarely wins out over freedom.
“Do you really think Hermione will put her loyalty to Dumbledore ahead of her freedom and future?”
“Actually, no, but I think she will put her loyalty to Harry ahead of her freedom and future.”
Edith sighed; this case is going to be harder than she even imagined.