The new face of evil - 8 years out

After a couple weeks, Hermione had been getting very comfortable with the situation. She had enjoyed her time being able to relax and read. Since she was isolated from all the press, and no one brought up what happened, it was almost like it never really happened. When Harry came home one day she came straight to him and asked, "Why do you have so many Dark Arts books in the library? You've got some pretty obscure volumes in there."

Harry looked at her for a second and said, "I don't believe any magic is dark, it's all in how you use it. Godric told me to keep learning and I try to do that. I couldn't imagine using some of the spells I've read about, but I think it helps to know that they are out there. Besides, you're the one who got me interested in going to the bookstores in Knockturn Alley, so you can't say much."

"I guess you're right. How many of them have you read?"

"I've at least skimmed through all of them and really read most of them. I told you that you really rubbed off on me our seventh year. I can't get enough of the stuff anymore," Harry said smiling, and then added, "I'd rather you didn't spend your time reading those dark books, just read the good ones."

"I think I'll do that. I looked through one of the dark ones today and just the descriptions of some of the spells could give you nightmares," Hermione replied, and then she added, "I found out something else today. The lawyer, Melvin said the Italian Ministry is going to officially charge me with helping Stonham."

"I expected as much. What did Melvin say?"

"He said we can beat it but I'll probably have to go to trial to be found innocent. I don't want all that back in the press," Hermione said getting a tear in her eye.

Harry went to her and said, "Melvin's good, you can count on him. You know that I can't testify don't you? As far as anyone knows, I wasn't there."

"I know, I'm not asking you to. I was just starting to feel normal again."

"When do you have to go to court?" Harry asked.

"I'm supposed to go before the Magistrate on Monday. Then the trial might not be for another month or two."

"Well, we'll take it one at a time. You should be able to bypass the press until they formally charge you. Getting out after that may be tricky."

"That's what Melvin said. I just want this to be over." Hermione became really nervous about the meeting with the Magistrate.

Early Monday morning, Hermione was surprised to see Remus Lupin in the kitchen when she came down. She was dressed in a very nice conservative suit, just like Melvin had asked her to. "Remus. What are you doing here?"

"Good morning Hermione," Lupin said. "I'd like to accompany you, if you don't mind."

"You don't have to do that. Harry didn't ask you did he?" she said sounding a bit annoyed.

"Harry didn't ask. He just mentioned that he wished he could go with you and I volunteered. If it gets me out of the office for a day, I like it," Lupin joked.

The two of them met the lawyer and then Apparated to the Italian Ministry building where they were quickly shown to a chamber. Melvin, Remus and Hermione were sitting in the room near the magistrate's chamber waiting. Hermione kept pacing the floor, but the two men sat and waited patiently. Hermione was looking through the window on the door and could see into the office across the hall when she thought she recognized someone that she hadn't expected to see walk by the window in the other office. She stood still and focused on that office, then saw the magistrate walk by, turn and shake someone's hand. She saw no further movement and after a couple minutes of wondering if the person she saw was really the person she thought, she went back to pacing.

After a few more minutes, the door to their room opened and the magistrate walked in. Melvin and Lupin immediately stood up. "Gentlemen, Dr. Granger," the man said. "After further review of the evidence, it is the desire of the Ministry to not bring charges against Dr. Granger, to make a statement clearly stating that she had no knowledge of the illegal activities at Stonham Research, and that her research had been impeccable."

Hermione stood there shocked but Melvin spoke up quickly, "Thank you sir. Please convey our gratitude to the Ministry for the consideration to Dr. Granger." The man nodded and left the room.

"So what does that mean?" Hermione asked expectantly.

"It's over. They won't be formally filing charges and will issue a statement clearing you to the press. You don't need to worry about this anymore and your name is cleared. It's over," Melvin said calmly, like he was expecting this.

"But why?" Hermione asked, clearly confused. She saw the two men look at each other. Then she spoke up, "It was Harry, wasn't it? I thought I saw him in the magistrate's office a minute ago."

"The Ministry must have realized it was in their best interest to not charge you. You were obviously innocent, and they knew it," Melvin stated and didn't mention Harry.

Hermione looked at Lupin who added, "The Ministry owes a lot to Marauders Inc, and especially to Harry, but they wouldn't drop this if they really thought you were guilty."

"So, he just walks up to the magistrate and asks him to not file any charges. Just like that?" Hermione asked not actually believing that could happen.

Lupin smiled. "Something like that. Come on, let's walk out the back and go home."

The three of them appeared at Harry's and found him sitting at the kitchen table eating a sandwich. "Back so soon?" Harry called out sounding perfectly normal.

Hermione walked straight to him and said, "Why are you always fighting my battles for me? You don't need to keep helping me." She sounded very angry. Harry almost fell out of his chair and got a very terrified look in his eyes and began mumbling when Hermione continued, "Now you listen to me," then she dropped to a sweet voice. "Thank you," and hugged him tightly.

Finally, Harry let out his breath and said, "You scared the hell out of me." He breathed a few more times. "I expected you to be upset, but not as much as you just sounded."

"This is the new, improved Hermione. I'm not too self-centered to get upset about a good friend helping me with something I know nothing about."

Harry stood and shook Lupin and Melvin's hands. "Thanks you guys."

Melvin said, "No problem, it's my job."

The two men left and Hermione hugged Harry again. "I'll never be able to repay you for everything."

"Then don't try. You were innocent and didn't deserve what happened to you in the press and a trial would only have made it worse. Now, your name is clear and you can go find a job wherever you want."

Hermione thought for a bit. "Would you mind if I hung around for a while? I want to think about what I really want to do."

"Stay as long as you want. You're always welcome here. When the news hits the paper, we'll go celebrate."

"Damn right we will," Hermione agreed.

The next day there was a fairly prominent article with the Italian Ministry declaring that Hermione had no knowledge of any illegal activity and that all of her work had been beyond reproach. That weekend, he, Ron, Parvati, Ginny, Harry and Hermione went out and had a major celebration. They ate and then went to a popular club in Diagon Alley.

There was a huge commotion with Ron and Harry coming into the club. It wasn't uncommon to see Ron out in public and by himself he attracted a fair amount of publicity. Even though Harry had been out more since he started dating again, it was still not a common sight and the two of them at the same time caused quite a stir. The friends were able to find a table at the far side of the club and quickly ordered drinks. Even before the drinks arrived, Ron and Parvati headed for the dance floor.

Harry was amused at how Ron talked to everyone that came up to him, clearly relishing the attention. "Ron can't get enough of that," Harry said looking at his friend.

"The trappings of a professional Quidditch player seem to agree with him," Hermione laughed back.

"But Harry would rather be home alone," Ginny said kissing his cheek.

"Not alone, not anymore," he replied as he turned to kiss her lips.

Hermione shook her head and said, "Enough you too."

Ron and Parvati came back after several minutes and quickly Ron grabbed Hermione's hand and said, "This is your celebration, c'mon let's dance."

Hermione only hesitated for a second before saying, "That's right it is!" She followed Ron out to the dance floor and got into the spirit of things.

"I can't let you stand here all night. Would you please dance with me?" Harry asked his date, who agreed and the two joined their other friends on the floor.

While dancing, Hermione noticed that Ron would talk to all kinds of people, but Harry totally ignored everyone who came up to him and only focused on Ginny. She didn't know how he could ignore so many people trying to talk to him but assumed it had to be years of practice.

The two couples came back to the table after a few songs and were talking and watching other people in the club when a tall, slender, stunning oriental girl tapped Harry on the shoulder.

"Good to see you again Harry," the beautiful girl said.

Harry turned around and smiled brightly as he said, "Hitomi! How have you been?"

"Same as usual. And you?"

"Nothing ever changes for me. Hitomi, this is Dr. Hermione Granger," Harry said as he introduced the girl. Harry never addressed Hermione as Dr., and it made her feel good that he did use the title when introducing her. "You probably know this is Ron Weasley, keeper extraordinaire for Puddlemere, and his wife Parvati." The girl shook their hands and nodded. "And this," Harry said turning towards his date, "is my girlfriend Ginny Weasley." Ginny immediately picked up on this introduction. Every time Harry had introduced dates to her in the past, they were his friend, but he clearly said she was his girlfriend.

Hitomi shook Ginny's hand clearly appraising her and said, "Nice to meet you Ginny. Make sure you keep this one in line."

"Oh, I intend to," Ginny replied to the girl.

"Hitomi models for the Darning Agency," Harry announced.

"It pays the bills," the girl said and then turned to Ginny. "Would you mind if I had a quick dance with your date? It used to be like pulling teeth to get him onto the dance floor."

Quickly Ginny answered, "Not at all, he could use the exercise." Ginny smiled at Harry who gave her an evil look over his shoulder as he followed Hitomi to the dance floor.

The friends watched as Hitomi and Harry danced and were surprised at how suggestively they moved together. Obviously the two had spent much time dancing before and both seemed to be enjoying it. Hermione noticed Ginny watching, but couldn't understand her friend's expression. "The way they dance doesn't bother you?" Hermione asked.

Ginny quickly replied, "Oh no. When we would be out with Harry before and he would dance with girls other than his date, at first I wondered how they could deal with it, but every single time, Harry came back to his date and made sure she knew that he was there with her. Even if he was on a date that didn't seem to be going well, he would make sure the girl he came with knew he was with her. I couldn't imagine Harry ever cheating on a girl."

Ron jumped in, "It's true. We've been out and he has wanted nothing more than to get away from his date and I've seen him turn down offers from amazing women. Again, kind of stupid if you ask me." Ron was quickly hit by Parvati.

Ginny added, "And, it kind of makes me excited to see him move like that with someone else, knowing he's coming home with me."

"Hey! None of that talk when I'm around," Ron yelled, but not sounding really angry. Then Ron turned to Parvati, "So babe, if I go grind with another woman would you it turn you on?"

Hermione and Ginny looked intently at Parvati, clearly interested in the answer. "No! I know you'd just be fantasizing about her. Then we'd get home and you would want me to magically change my hair color again for the night." Parvati really didn't seem angry but Hermione and Ginny's eyes were huge.

Ron blushed profusely and stammered, "Um...What we do in the privacy of our own bedroom isn't for their ears."

"Tell us more about my brother the pervert!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Um... Let's go dance, love," Ron said pulling Parvati out to the floor.

"Do you really think he does that?" Hermione asked.

"I wouldn't be surprised," Ginny replied just as Harry and Hitomi came back.

"Ginny, thank you for letting me borrow this one. I forgot how well he danced," Hitomi said smiling at Ginny.

"Anytime; he's fun to watch," Ginny replied as the girl left.

"Ex girlfriend? You looked good out there," Ginny whispered to Harry.

Harry kissed her on the lips and said, "We dated a few times. And you look good everywhere. I hope you're not too attached to the panties you're wearing tonight." Harry raised his eyebrows.

"Who says I'm wearing any?" she replied clearly capable of matching his comments.

Before Harry could reply he heard, "Hey you two, remember there are other people here." Hermione had a large smile on her face when she said this.

Ginny didn't even blush but asked, "Harry, do you know anything about Ron asking Parvati to change her hair color some nights?"

Harry nearly fell back and gasped, "How do you know about that?"

Now Ginny and Hermione were really interested. Hermione said, "Parvati just said something about it before Ron drug her out to dance. C'mon spill it!"

Harry got really red and said, "I can't, that's Ron's private business."

"It's not that private, you know!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Well, remember Ron and I go to the pub most Thursday's and after a few drinks, he mentions things," Harry said not really wanting to go into this.

Now, Ginny looked like she was going to open a Christmas present and said, "Oh, you have to tell me!"

"He'd kill me. How would you like it if I talked about things I fantasize about to him and he told your friends?"

"I'd rather you just tell me yourself, but we already know about the hair thing, you just need to give us the details." Ginny pleaded.

Harry saw Ron still out on the floor so he leaned in and said, "Well, you know Ron gets hit on a lot." The girls nodded. "I think this is just his way of spicing things up between the two of them. He's even snatched some hair before and asked Parvati to use polyjuice potion."

Both girls gasped and Hermione exclaimed, "Parvati didn't go for that did she?"

Harry laughed, "Nope, Ron had a black eye for a few days."

They were all laughing when Parvati and Ron made it back. Ron looked confused and asked, "What did I miss?"

"Obviously half your brain cells!" Ginny exclaimed and started laughing again.

It was very late when they all went home. Hermione quickly went to her room and Ginny was almost dragging Harry into his. Once inside, she seemed very intent on removing his clothes as fast as she could. "Man, what did I do to cause this reaction?" Harry said clearly enjoying Ginny's desire.

"Just being you. And, seeing you dance with Hitomi made me realize how lucky I am," Ginny kissed him deeply and then looked seriously into his eyes. "You know, I would take the polyjuice potion if you wanted."

Harry looked shocked, sat up, let his hand stroke her face and said, "Gin. You're what I want. When I fantasize, it's about you." He kissed her deeply.

"Um... That's what I wanted to hear," she said continuing to remove his clothes. "You'll have to tell me about these fantasies sometime. Maybe I'll want to make them a reality."

"Maybe sometime. What about your fantasies? Do you want me to use the polyjuice?"

Ginny quickly answered, "Never! Actually, I fantasized about you when I was with someone else." She immediately realized what she said and put her hand over her mouth, embarrassed.

"Really now! I really want you to tell me what yours are," Harry said wanting to know what Ginny really wanted.

"I'll do that, but not now. I know exactly what I want to do now," she said slipping out of her dress.

After hours of active, noisy lovemaking, Ginny was thinking of how amazing things were with Harry. She thought her life was pretty good before, but in the past few months, things had become better than she could have ever dreamed. She fell asleep across him and had wonderful dreams.

Hermione was starting to feel restless about her future. She was happy being around her friends again, but really wanted to start working. She didn't mention anything to her friends because she didn't want them doing more than they already had for her. During the days, she secretly started researching other places she could go work. She really liked doing research, but preferred to stay closer this time. Hermione spent the next couple weeks looking, but not finding anything that she really felt strongly about. She ended up spending a lot of time at Ginny's office and was there one day when Sirius appeared and said, "Can both of you come to Ron's immediately?" he said this without hesitation and they could tell something was wrong.

"What's wrong Sirius?" Hermione asked.

"Just come to Ron's right now," Sirius said and disappeared.

When the two girls got there, the mood was very tense and Ron was almost going crazy. "What's wrong?" Ginny asked running to her brother.

"Parvati and Ruth have been kidnapped." The girls were shocked and couldn't even speak.

Ginny finally asked, "What do they want?"

Ron turned to Hermione with a look of disgust and pushed the ransom note into her hands.

Weasley,

If you want to see them again, you will follow this very closely. The Dr. will deliver the formula to a location we will specify tomorrow. You, that show off friend of yours, and his godfather will be enjoying a nice lunch outdoors in Diagon Alley so we can make sure you won't be near Granger. If we so much as think anyone is with her, it's all over for your daughter. You have one chance to have this end with your wife and daughter unharmed. Don't try to be a hero.

"It went through the Muggle mail until it got to Hogsmeade," Sirius said.

Hermione tried to approach Ron but he backed off. "Don't come near me. You and that damn job of yours caused this."

Sirius spoke up, "Ron, it's not Hermione's fault."

"Where's Harry?" Ginny asked.

"Talking to some Muggle contacts. We think they are probably being held in Muggle London," Sirius replied.

"Do you have the formula they want?" Ginny asked.

"No. It was in the vault that night. I couldn't re-create the formula if I tried," Hermione said starting to cry. "Ron, I swear I don't have it."

Ron started to say something but they heard, "She's telling the truth, she doesn't have it." Everyone turned to see Harry standing there. Everyone other than Sirius was shocked and a bit intimidated when they saw him. The friends flashed back to how Dumbledore looked when he was angry and Harry seemed even more terrifying, almost seeming to glow.

"How do you know she doesn't?" Ron yelled.

"Because," Harry said producing a parchment, "I have it."