Until the end Draco x Hermione

Chapter 27 Trial

- Draco Malfoy! We've finally got you!

No one had seen it coming. In a fraction of a second, two Aurors had appeared from nowhere and brutally separated Draco from Hermione, who watched the scene without understanding.

- What are you doing?" she cried, her tears threatening to flow again.

- This individual is wanted not only for using the Crucio curse, but also for complicity in the murder of Albus Dumbledore!" exclaimed Dawlish.

- Hermione!" shouted Draco, struggling. I had nothing to do with it, I swear! Hermione!

But no matter how hard Draco fought, nothing helped. One of the Aurors, Williamson, had bound him with the Incarcerem spell, and was already forcing him towards the exit. Pierre and Bérangère watched helplessly, not knowing what to do to prevent what was happening. Bé had her wand out, but what could she do against two Aurors? And she didn't want to get into trouble either.

As Williamson led Draco up the stairs, Dawlish retraced his steps to address a devastated Hermione.

- We're very sorry about this intrusion into your home, Miss.

- Why don't you arrest me?" Hermione asked like an automaton, without looking at him.

- Oh, please," he laughed. I highly doubt you had anything to do with Albus Dumbledore's death. Harry Potter's testimony clearly states that...

- Harry?

- Yes, that's exactly what I was saying. Mr. Potter is the one who alerted us to Draco Malfoy's involvement in this terrible murder. He didn't mention your name, by the way, which is...

- Granger... Hermione Granger.

- By Merlin's beard! You're the one he... well... you're the one he used the...

- Crucio curse yes!" she interrupted, annoyed. But it was involuntary!

- That, my dear, will be for the courts to decide! To mark the occasion, we've refurbished the Atrium. It will be courtroom number nine. He'll be tried as soon as we've finished with Snape. Your testimony will be of great use to us if you could come forward. All right, then! On that note!

He went out. We heard a CRAC on the stairs, then nothing. Total silence.

It had all happened so quickly that Hermione barely had the impression that it was all real. She hadn't even been able to tell him how much she'd missed him, believed him and forgave him. She hadn't even been able to kiss him...

She fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face, devastated. In all her agitation, she had completely forgotten about Pierre and Bérangère. The young man walked slowly towards her, then placed a hand on her trembling shoulder. She gasped at the touch and looked up sharply.

- Pierre? I...

She felt somehow bad that he'd had to witness this dramatic scene of almost-reunion. She wanted to apologize, to justify herself... But he didn't give her the chance and took her in his arms, even though she didn't think she deserved it.

- It's all right," he consoled her. We'll find a way to get there.

Hermione disengaged herself from his embrace, visibly surprised.

- We? No. I can't ask you to do something like that. I can't even believe you didn't leave after what just happened!

- You're not asking me. This is my choice.

- Can someone explain to me what just happened?" intervened Bé, the previous events having piqued her curiosity.

- We're going to London," announced Pierre, rising to his feet. Hermione has to be there before the trial's over. If they've apparated, they must already be at the Ministry.