Saving Granger

By - Keshia Kay Mansell

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Last Time:

"Come on guys! The court is refilling again." Harry said excitedly.

"Yeah, their almost ready to make their decision!" Neville exclaimed.

"Well, lets go then." Draco said as he and Hermione followed their friends back into the courtroom for the verdict.

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Chapter 10: Free At Last

Present Time:

Hermione anxiously watch as the Wizengamot filed in. Each of them wore a different expression. Some looked worried, some looked pleased, and others looked as if a great weight had been pulled from their shoulders. Percy looked rather grim as he took his seat in the courtroom. Everyone watched as he unrolled a long piece of parchment and began to read the verdict.

"Ronald Weasley, please stand." a hint of pain echoed through his words. "We, the Wizengamot of the courts, find the defendant…Guilty of all charges. You must serve a sentence of five years in Azkaban for your crime."

"WHAT!? YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!" Ron shouted as Aurors began to drag him away. "I'M YOUR OWN BROTHER! HERMIONE IF I EVER GET OUT OF HERE I'LL GET MY REVENGE! YOU HEAR ME!? I'LL KILL YOU!"

When he was out of the room, Hermione burst out in tears. She was finally free. Free of a man who had tried to ruin her life. She was so happy that she had no idea of what to do! She quickly gathered Draco, Neville, and Harry for a much needed group hug. Without their support, she would have never been able to see this day.

"Um… Hermione?" Hermione lifted her head to see all of the Weasleys standing before them. Ginny looked as if she was on the verge of tears as she began to speak again. "H-Hermione, I didn't know… I really didn't t-think he w-was capable of that. P-please forgive us all?"

Hermione wiped away some of her straggling tears and smiled. "Of course I can." Ginny through her arms around her old friend and sobbed while the rest of the Weasleys began to reacquaint themselves with Draco, Harry, and Neville. By the time everyone had left the courtroom, they had all reunited their lost friendships.

When they had all made it to the entrance of the Ministry of Magic, they had to fight to get through the massive amounts of reporters that wanted to capture Hermione's photograph. Hermione barley had any time to say goodbye to her friends thanks to the enormous crowds. Draco had to practically shout in her ear that they were going to go to Harry's place for celebration due to all of the racket. Hermione was more then pleased when they were able to floo away from such chaos.

"Well done, 'Moine!" Harry greeted as they arrived at Number Twelve Grimuald Place.

"It's all thanks to you, Draco, and Neville, Harry." she smiled as Draco hugged her from behind.

"Hey, don't stand around over there. There's way to much to do over here." The trio looked towards the kitchen to see the Weasley twins and Neville all watching them with crooked grins plastered to their faces. "Come on, get over here already!"

But they weren't the only guests who had arrived. In a little over an hour, Harry's home had filled with all kinds of familiar faces from old schoolmates to Aurors. As Hermione went to fetch herself and Draco some drinks, music and Mrs. Black's murderous screams echoed throughout the house. Sometime during the night Harry and Ginny had apparently made up because they were now seated on a couch while snogging each other's brains out.

When Hermione returned with two butter beers she seated herself next to Draco. "IT SURE IS LOUD IN HERE." she shouted over the music.

"I AGREE." Draco shouted back. "DO YOU WANT TO DANCE?"

"WHAT?" she couldn't understand what he was saying over all the noise.

"I SAID, DO YOU WANT TO DANCE?" This time he kind of acted out the motions so she'd understand even if she couldn't hear. When she shook her head yes, he helped her up. She rested her head against his neck as her wrapped his arms around her. They swayed together lovingly as they got lost in the rhythms of the music. They went on like this for hours, though they occasionally sat down for rest and to talk to old friends. Soon the night drew to a close and it was time to say goodnight.

"Thanks for everything, Harry." Hermione said as she gave him a hug.

"No problem, Hermione." Harry said kindly. "I'll come and pick you up tomorrow."

"What do you mean by that?" Hermione said in a confused sort of way.

"Well since the case is over I figured that you could stay with me until you found your own place." Harry told her. But the reaction he got wasn't what he had expected. Instead of appearing happy with his offer, she looked depressed. He followed her sad gaze until he saw Draco, who was still conversing with the Weasley twins.

"I can't do it, Harry. I cant just leave him like that." she whispered, now looking into his caring emerald eyes. "Over the past few weeks we've grown close, you know? I can really tell that he cares for me and somehow he's managed to have captured my heart."

"Are you sure about this? I mean after all that just happened, don't you think that this is rather quick?" Harry asked her. He watched Hermione's expression soften as she and Draco locked eyes for a split moment and knew his argument was lost.

"I love him." she admitted.

"I just hope you know what your getting into." Harry replied as Draco started walking towards them.

"I believe I do." she smiled

"Are you about ready to go?" Draco asked as he kissed her on her forehead.

"Yep. See you, Harry!" She waved as she shouted "Malfoy Manor!" and disappeared through emerald flames.

"Take care, Potter." Draco said as he turned to go. But Harry stopped him by grabbing his left shoulder.

"You better treat her well, Malfoy." Harry warned in a serious tone.

"I assure you that I will, Potter. You can bet my life on it." Draco smirked. And with those last words said, he too disappeared through the green flames.

"What took you so long?" Hermione asked when Draco left the fireplace.

"Potter wanted to give me a pep talk, if you must know." Draco smirked.

"Oh, and what was this 'pep talk' about, if I dare ask?" Hermione quirked a curious brow at him.

"Well," Draco paused, "he threatened to hex me into an oblivion if I didn't take extra-special care of you."

"Well now, we can't have him doing that, can we? That kind of rough housing would cause you to get a scratch, or worse!" she faked being shocked. "He could ruin your precious hair!"

"Oh, yes. Because that would most certainly be the end of the world!" Draco exclaimed sarcastically.

"Now how can we possibly avoid that." Hermione asked as a sly smile crept its way to her lips.

"I could think of a few ways." Draco murmured huskily as he stole her lips in a kiss. "After all, we still have all our lives." He chuckled as he lifted her bridal-style and carried her to his bedroom. He was going to make good on that promise to Potter.

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A/N: So what did you guys think? I really hoped that you all enjoyed this story and I'd like to thank you all for reading and leaving so many great reviews! I will tell you that I will write a sequel to this, which will simply be called Saving Granger 2. Thanks again!

-KKM