Chapter 16
“Ron, try not to worry too much about giving testimony,” Arthur said in his attempt to calm his nervous son in his shed well after dinner.
“Thanks Dad,” Ron responded while her tinkered with Muggle plugs. “I want to do right by her but I’m afraid,” he stuttered and didn’t finish his thought.
“I know, son, you’re worried about that famous Weasley temper? But Percy promised to prep you as best he can and you’ll be ready.”
“I’m glad you think so, Dad.” After he got his summons, Hermione’s solicitor, Edith, said she could not speak to him about his testimony because she did not summon him. She suggested he speak with his brother. When he went to Percy’s office at the Ministry and filled him in, Percy promised to help him. Percy thought the Wizengamot only called him to rattle Hermione and hope to get him to respond emotionally, so they needed to work on controlling that. That was what he and Percy would start the next morning, early, before Percy had to report to the Ministry.
“Why don’t you head up to bed, son? I know you and Percy are up to it early tomorrow.” Arthur patted his son’s shoulder.
“You’re probably right. Thanks Dad.” Ron headed out of the shed and trudged up to the Burrow’s back door. When he got there, he found Hermione with 2 mugs of tea sitting in one of the yard chairs.
“I thought you might join me for a night cap?” She said with a sweet smile. He grabbed the mug and noticed the tell-tale smell of Fire Whiskey. He smiled and took a seat next to her on the step.
“Thanks, love,” He took a slow sip and enjoyed the burning sensation the alcohol provided.
“Ron, I don’t want you to worry too much about your testimony. Edith thinks they just want to rattle me but since I’m already rattled how bad could a little more really be?” Her attempt at humor fell flat.
“Percy thinks they hope to elicit an overly emotional response out of me. And I think we both know that’s definitely a possibility. And what if hurts your case?”
She got up from her chair and joined Ron on the step, wrapping her hands around his upper arm. “I’ve noticed a change in you, Ron, over the weeks since the war ended. I dare say surviving and winning a war has matured you. I don’t think you’ll ever not be emotional, that’s just who you are. But I think you have better control of it than you give yourself credit for.” She was smiling up at him and it warmed him but he wasn’t sure he believed her. Though, if he thought about it, he has been better with his temper since losing Fred; a death like that does have a tendency to put things into perspective. But could he keep it together if these arseholes asked purposely loaded questions?
“I’ll do my best for you Hermione.” He kissed the top of her head and snuggled her close. They remained in their quiet bubble for a bit longer, enjoying the alone time and the peaceful evening.
“Despite what is going on,” she broke the silence, “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere but here, with you.” He smiled, leaned down and captured her lips in a sweet kiss.
“I love you so much,” he responded.
“And I love you,” she smiled back, “Let’s go upstairs.” He stood up and reached out for her hands.
“We probably should, I am working with Percy very early tomorrow.”
“Oh,” she smirked as she pulled him towards the door, “I didn’t mean go upstairs for sleep.” She winked at him and he moaned.
“Who needs sleep anyway.” He pinched her backside, she shrieked and they ran up to his bedroom.
***
It was Thursday morning and Hermione’s trial was set to start that Monday. Edith felt pretty good but was pinning a lot on her client’s ability to sway the members of Wizengamot with her reasons for doing what she did. Hermione was very poised and smart but she didn’t like to be vulnerable and Edith had been encouraging her to be so as if she was too guarded in her testimony some won’t respond well.
Percy had been working with Ron to help him control his emotions and it had not been an easy task. Edith had limited interactions with Ron and from what she had experienced he appeared quite mature for such a young man. War does that to people. But apparently, he is famous for his short fuse especially when people attack Hermione. She just hoped he could keep it together when the time came.
Percy had also heard through the Ministry that Holly Knickerbocker was leaning more towards Hermione’s side, thanks to the positive press recently. While the other hold out Anthony Erikson was still vacillating. There isn’t much more back channeling that could be done at this point.
Another hiccup that worried Edith was that there was no proof that the Grangers were in immediate danger. Of course, anyone with common sense could agree that the Muggle parents of Undesirable Number 2 were in danger but there was no exact proof. And Edith worried that some on the Wizengamot will claim Hermione just over reacted.
She let out a heavy sigh, she just has to put on a strong and truthful case, that’s all she could do. She was considering a third cup of coffee when she heard a shriek from the outer office where Faye’s desk was. She jumped up and headed for the office to see Faye jumping up and down.
“What in Merlin’s name is going on?” Edith asked.
“Edward Roebuck’s cousin is Jeremy Plante! And Edward Roebuck’s uncle in Charles Beaumont, member of the Wizengamot.” Edith looked blankly at Faye, trying to catch up.
“Jeremy Plante is the Australian Auror that was sent to the Grangers to initially check on them. He was the one who discovered that Memoria Impedimentum Sempiterne had been used and that it was used by a relative.” Faye excitedly explained though Edith was still missing the connection.
“Don’t you see, Edith? We’ve been trying to piece together how the Wizengamot knew about Hermione using the illegal curse before the British Auror Corp or even before the Minister. Jeremy Plante told his cousin who told his uncle! And Charles Beaumont was a Voldemort sympathizer, though it’s been impossible to prove.” Edith took in this information; it did fill in gaps and she could use it to prove corruption in the Wizengamot.
“Plante has been summoned by the Wizengamot, right?” Edith asked and Fayed nodded. “What about Roebuck?”
Faye checked some parchments and shook her head. “They haven’t summoned Roebuck only his partner, Franklin Hodgekins.”
“That makes sense, Hodgekins isn’t related to a member of the Wizengamot. Well, we better get a summons out for Roebuck. I want to question him.” Faye was already writing up the paperwork. “Great work, Faye, truly, excellent.”
Faye left the office and headed to the Ministry to deliver the summons for Roebuck personally to the Auror department. She didn’t want to chance him not getting it or it being intercepted. As she headed back to the Atrium and the floos she overheard a very interesting conversation between two legal assistants. The Atrium was just crowded enough that it could easily explain why she stuck close to the two assistants. What she heard made her want to gasp but she swallowed it and ran for the nearest open floo.
***
Percy Weasley was in his office at the Ministry on Thursday evening under what felt like a mountain of paperwork. He had tried to make a more significant dent in the work before leaving for Edith Cumberland’s office but it was nearly 6:00pm and he was due there. Faye had sent an owl earlier requesting he come by the office and he was glad for it because he had what he thought was hopeful news to share with the legal team.
At 6:00pm on the dot he knocked on the office door and Faye called for him to enter.
“Thank you for coming Percy. I was just going to pick up some take away for Edith and I, can I get you anything? Nothing fancy, just some chicken curry.”
“Oh, that would be great, Faye, thank you.” She smiled and headed out.
“Come on in, Percy,” Edith called from her office, “Faye made quite the discover today.” She went on to explain the connection with Roebuck and Beaumont.
“Well, that certainly explains how the Wizengamot knew before anyone else. And Beaumont is one of Hermione’s most ardent critics.”
“And I’m sure Roebuck alerted the press to Hermione being arrested and that’s why she was assaulted by the press upon arriving at the Ministry that day. What a wanker.”
Percy smiled; he hadn’t heard Edith speak like that before.
“So, how is your prep with your brother going?”
Percy sighed, “It’s going well. For better or worse the war matured him but if there is anything that can get that temper flaring it’s someone going after Hermione. And I have no doubt they will ask goading questions. But he stopped trying to hex me when I asked particularly tough questions, so that’s an improvement.”
“Do you think he’ll be ready by next week?” Edith asked.
“Yes,” Percy answered confidently, “He loves that girl with all his heart, he’ll do whatever he can.” Edith smiled. She had not spent too much time with Ron but she saw the way their eyes lit up when the other enters a room and if that’s not love, Edith doesn’t know what is.
“Also,” Percy continued, “I think Holly is even more firmly on Hermione’s side now.”
Edith clapped, “That’s great!”
“I heard from an aide in her office that she is very upset with how pushy some of other members are being behind the scenes about the Veritaserum.”
“Good. Any news on Anthony Erikson?”
“Unfortunately not, he keeps things very private.”
“Well, even just movement with Holly is good for us.”
The door to the office opened and the scents of fresh and hot chicken curry filled the room. Faye walked in, “Let’s eat.”
While they ate, Percy filled Faye in on Holly and Ron and congratulated her on figuring out the connection between Roebuck and Beaumont. After they finished their meals, Faye vanished the remnants and announced she had another piece of possibly interesting news.
“When I was at the Ministry this afternoon delivering Roebuck’s summons, I overheard something interesting. With so many trials being prepped for Ministry officials who were working for Voldemort and Death Eaters the gossip is flying. Apparently, there is rumor that Voldemort had a list of Muggle born families he wanted dead, even if the Muggle born themselves were already dead he wanted to send a message and kill the families. So, Death Eaters and officials within the Law Enforcement division were constantly on the hunt.”
Edith looked at Percy, “Did you know about that?”
“No,” he said, “But I didn’t have much interaction with the Law Enforcement division. And honestly, I was trying to keep my head down and figure out how to get out and find my family.”
“Go on Faye.” Edith urged.
“And there is a rumor that a wealthy member of the Wizengamot was offering large sums of money to those who found and killed those on the lists in order to gain favor with Voldemort. The team on Yaxley’s case are looking for that list to use against him. If we could find that list,”
“And the Grangers name is on it,” Percy continued.
“It’s the last piece of the puzzle. It proves that Hermione’s fears were not unfounded.” Faye added.
“Imagine how high the sum was for the Grangers?” Percy said.
“And what if Beaumont was the wealthy person offering the money?” Faye added.
“Honestly, if we could find the list and the Grangers were on the list, that’s the most important thing. Beaumont would be an added bonus but it’s not the priority.” Edith said.
“Percy, do you think that list could be floating around in the bowels of the Ministry?” Faye asked.
“I don’t know,” Percy said honestly, “During the Voldemort months, paperwork was not the top priority.”
The three were quiet, all lost in their own thoughts.
Edith sighed, “Look, this is all great Faye and thank you. But without the list it’s not necessarily relevant. With the trial starting Monday, we need to focus on the case we have which I think is strong.”
Faye nodded and understood what her boss expected from her, stay focused. But wouldn’t it be great if that list did come to light.