Summary: Hermione Granger has a history with Draco Malfoy, and it isn't a pretty one. In fact it's downright ugly. Draco Malfoy has a history with Death Eaters. It might be even uglier. Released from Azkaban and reintroduced to society, how will Draco cope when everyone seems to hate him, except the person who should? And when he's tossed to the lions, why does she protect him?

WIP obviously. But it's coming along really well on paper so updates should be regular. I hope you enjoy.

"They cleared that git of all charges," Ron hissed, throwing a paper on the table. "And his parents."

Hermione scooped up the paper to read the headline that was agitating Ron.

"'Malfoy family cleared of all charges,'" she read the headline aloud. "'Potter/Granger testimony solidifies defense's case in final days of trial.'"

She turned to Harry in surprise.

"I can't believe it actually worked."

Ron slumped into his chair at the breakfast table, next to Harry and across from Hermione.

"I can't believe you two testified for them," the redhead sighed. "Still I suppose life is going to be hell for them now."

Harry didn't miss the blatant glare Hermione sent towards Ron upon hearing his words and kicked her foot lightly under the table. He shook his head and the brunette settled for a soft huff at her friend.

"Enough about the Malfoy's, Ron," Harry nodded towards Hermione.

Ron seemed to miss his friend's not so subtle hint.

"They committed so many crimes... I- I... just. What could they have possibly done that could...!? And if they allow him back at Hogwarts-"

"And speaking of Hogwarts," Harry interrupted loudly, glaring at Ron. "Are you going back Hermione?"

The female third of the trio wasn't listening, occupied with staring at Ron. There was nothing she hated more than hearing Ronald Weasley rant about the Malfoys. It was all anyone had heard from him for the last several months, ever since the end of the war. He had no right.

"Hermione? Are you still set on going back to Hogwarts?" Harry repeated.

"Of course," she finally replied, still boring holes into Ron with her glare. "And the two of you should be too. Though if Ronald is going to keep this attitude perhaps it would be better if he neglected to return."

Said boy huffed and rolled his eyes at Hermione's tone. Wisely, Harry ignored them and plowed forward with his conversation.

"I think I am going to go back. I mean... the auror office already offered me a position, but I don't want a job that I got for my name. You know what I mean?"

"I wrote to Mcgonagall already, I'm coming back... with whatever attitude I want. Hermione!"

Ron and Hermione were staring daggers at each other.

"Please, you're only going back because your mum is making you," Harry chuckled.

Hermione ceased her glaring to laugh lightly at Harry's comment. She knew Ron wouldn't change overnight, and he had no reason to consider the good side of the Malfoy's until she decided to come clean.

"Be that as it may," Ron said. "At least I'll be able to keep an eye on you and Ginny. Merlin knows what you two would get up too without someone babysitting you."

Harry looked affronted.

"We would never. Our relationship is entirely-."

"Disgusting? Vomit-inducing? Revolting?" Ron interrupted.

"You're just jealous you don't have a girlfriend!" The other boy bit back.

Hermione laid her head on the table and massaged her temples. This type of argument was, unfortunately, not uncommon between the two boys. She gave them a minimum of twenty seconds before someone asked why she and Ron didn't just date. There were quite a few reasons actually, a main one being the Malfoy's.

"Hermione, you could always go out with Ron," Harry suggested, half-jokingly.

She snapped her head up, lips pursed, and gave the boys a look that managed to convey disgust and irritation at the idea of dating Ron, but not at Ron himself.

"Sorry Ron. Looks like you'll have to find someone else who likes freckles and ugly orange hair," Harry smirked.

Hermione went back to reading the paper, knowing Harry's comment was going to set off a colossal argument, one she didn't particularly want to be involved in. Sometimes she wished she could get into their little spats the way she had just a year ago. But so much had happened, and there was no way she could just turn around and act like a child again. She didn't begrudge her best friends that opportunity though.

It wasn't as though she'd gone through any more pain and suffering than they had, it was just a different kind, and it affected her differently. She coped differently.

Harry and Ron had both regressed to childish pranks, while Hermione had grown more mature. Sometimes, if she was being honest with herself, Hermione recognized that she was jealous. Jealous of how they had absorbed the impact of the war. Jealous of their bright and optimistic outlook. Jealous that she couldn't seem to integrate herself back into society the way they had.

Not that they never suffered. While staying at the Burrow it wasn't uncommon to hear feet padding to the kitchen at all hours of the night for a soothing cup of tea. Frequently someone's panicked thrashing and shouting filled the house as nightmares once again took the place of dreams. But they'd shaken the nightmares faster than her, and made fewer trips for tea than her.

Hermione felt that she hadn't gone through as much as anyone else and so she shouldn't feel so broken.

Harry had literally died. Ron had nearly lost a brother. They'd all lost Remus, though luckily for the youngest Lupin, Tonks survived. They'd all been on the run with only each other for months. They'd all been captured and nearly killed. Ron and Harry had seen their darkest fears in horcrux induced hallucinations.

Hermione, however, was the one who had been tortured for nearly a month before finally escaping.

And perhaps that was why while her boys could laugh and joke and tell stories to little infant Teddy Lupin about the heroism of his late father, she could only think of the war in terms of a cold, stone dungeon, the metallic taste of blood, and the agony of a cruciatus cutting through to her bones.

"Hermione? Are you okay?" Ron tapped her shoulder awkwardly. "You're… uh crying again."

Hermione laughed. Trust Ron's emotional awkwardness to cheer her up.

"Fine," she smiled slightly. "Keep fighting about who's uglier."

"It's Harry. I mean look at that thing on his forehead."

Hermione tuned them out again, turning to the paper.

Potter testified on behalf of Narcissa Malfoy. According to the Boy Who Lived, Mrs. Malfoy lied to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, claiming Potter was dead. Though no physical evidence exists proving this occurred, the testimony of Harry Potter himself was credible enough for the Wizengamot.

Perhaps the most interesting event of the day was the testimony of one Hermione Granger- a close friend to Harry Potter who was instrumental in developing the strategy that eventually ended the war. Invoking a clause not used for over two centuries, Granger was able to deliver her statements solely to the witches and wizards directly involved in the trial. No one will ever know exactly what she said about Draco Malfoy and how it could possibly enough to pardon him from his crimes unless Granger herself decides to come clean.

Perhaps they hid a secret affair throughout the war? I for one wouldn't be surprised if we hear of an impending Granger-Malfoy child.

Hermione let out a loud groan. She had been impressed with the surprisingly factual nature of the article… until that lovely bit of speculation. Harry glanced over at her, then realized what she was reading,

"Oh! Did you just hear you and Malfoy are expecting?" He laughed. "Congratulations!"

"Oh shut it Harry," the brunette growled.

Ron looked ready to vomit at the mere thought of a fictional Malfoy-Hermione child.

"Honestly. The nerve of these- ugh," Hermione shivered. "Vultures. Every single one of them."

Nonetheless, she turned back to the paper.

Whatever Granger's reason for defending her once arch nemesis, her testimony was, unfortunately, effective.

Narcissa Malfoy will be placed on house arrest for a period of six months, but will undergo no further consequences. Draco Malfoy will be returning to Hogwarts under the strict eye of newly appointed Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall. Each Malfoy will be fined 10,000 galleons, including the late Lucius Malfoy.

The Malfoy's punishment clearly will not come from the law. Their true punishment will come when their names no longer bring fear but ridicule, when they are laughed at in the streets and scorned in school hallways. They may not have seen true consequences in the courts, but surely our society will bring this terrible family to justice.

Authored by Rosaline Pierce as the third article of her collection "Death Eaters Unmasked: What Must Be Done to Protect Our World."

If only 'our society' knew what Draco Malfoy had actually done, Hermione thought. She sat back and felt the scar on her wrist. If only.

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