Redemption

Redemption : Chapter 7 of 8

At 8:45 am the next morning, Hermione held Severus's hand nervously as they waited for the judges to enter the courtroom and convey their judgment of Draco Malfoy.

The judges faces did not betray their decision in the least, Severus observed. Draco was once again brought in in shackles and seated before the judges. His face had returned to the impassive mask of early yesterday.

The head judge cleared his throat to gain the crowd's attention.

"Due to the highly extraordinary circumstances surrounding the death of Lucius Malfoy, all charges against Mr. Draco Malfoy have been dismissed."

In an instant, the shackles holding Draco Malfoy vanished.

"It is this court's opinion that Mr. Malfoy was acting with honor when he killed his father to save the life of Miss Hermione Granger as well as the lives of countless other victims."

"However, this court has heard testimony to support charges of rape against Mr. Malfoy on behalf of Miss Granger."

Hermione looked at Severus with a mixture of shock and fear in her eyes.

"Miss Granger, do you wish to press charges against Mr. Malfoy at this time?"

Breathing a sigh of relief, Hermione stood. Draco remained still. "No, I do not."

"Very well, Miss Granger. You have the right to do so should you change your mind."

Hermione nodded and sat down.

"Furthermore, this court has rescinded the death certificate of Hermione Jane Granger in light of the irrefutable evidence of her continued existence."

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief and wept against Severus's shoulder. Severus held her as he looked over at Draco; Draco sat like a statue, seemingly stunned at the turn of events.

When Hermione stopped crying, Severus leaned over and whispered, "Would you like to talk to him?"

Hermione nodded. She wiped the tears from her face as she walked over to where Draco now stood, staring blankly into space as if frozen in time.

"Why?" was all Draco said when Hermione approached. He didn't look at her.

She closed her eyes at the overwhelming emotions stirring inside of her. She had not been this close to him since she had been trapped in the Malfoy mansion. "You showed me compassion."

Draco shook his head in disgust. "But in the end- in the end-"

"In the end you saved an unborn child from a fate worse than death, Draco. I would never have lived through the birth of that child, I was too weak. Either I would have died, or the child would have, perhaps both. It would have been worse if the child lived."

"I would have killed you both before I let that bastard touch you again, Hermione, either of you," Draco said through gritted teeth.

"I know."

"How can you stand her next to me after all I did to you, after all my father did to you?"

"You are not your father, Draco."

At that, Draco let down his guard and faced Hermione, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Hermione, I never meant to hurt you."

"I know." She reached for his hand in a gesture he had offered her so many times to comfort her.

Draco looked at her hand stunned, reluctantly accepting it.

Watery eyes met watery eyes. "Go make peace with yourself Draco. Your father is dead and we are both free now."

Draco nodded before looking away and releasing her hand.

As Hermione left the courtroom that day, she knew a new life was beginning, for her, for Draco, and even for Severus. She didn't know where it would lead them, but somehow the events that had transpired had set them all free.