You Raise Me Up

I am very pleased with all of the response this story is getting. This is going to be a very interesting story if I can help it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione sat quietly in a chair at Grimmauld place. She had been staying with Harry there since she had gotten out of the hospital a couple days ago. She contemplated the heaviness of the day.

She had been requested to testify at Lucius Malfoy’s trial, and she felt terrible. Percy himself had headed the proceeding, but was calm and collected as Minister, much to the surprise of all that knew him. The sentencing was later that day, and she was requested to attend that as well. The look on Draco’s face when his father had been found guilty of many things was heart-breaking. She knew he was well informed of his father’s activities, but to hear the finality of a guilty sentence was a heavy thing.

The hours ticked by slowly until the sentencing, and Hermione tried to breathe calmly to soothe her mixed feelings. The courtroom had slowly filled, and Percy was at his post at the head of the courtroom.

Lucius was chained in the center of the floor, awaiting his sentence. Draco and his mother, Narcissa, were sitting as close to Lucius as they could get in the audience seats. Narcissa had very clearly been crying, and she clutched Draco’s arm for support. Draco had a stony look on his face, and Hermione surmised that he was trying to hold back tears.

Percy banged a large black gavel. The courtroom quieted immediately.

“In response to your guilty sentence, Lucius Adonis Malfoy, you have been called back for your sentencing. As befitting your crimes, you will receive the Dementor’s Kiss, effective im-“

“Wait!” came a small voice. Percy looked around, and saw a petit, bushy-haired witch staring at him.

“Miss Granger…there had better be a good reason for you to interrupt these proceedings.” He said, looking very clearly miffed. Harry and Ron, whose head was bandaged, were staring at Hermione in shocked awe.

“If you will give me the time, I will explain my outburst…” she said. Percy looked agitated, but then nodded sharply. “There is no denying the guilt of Mr. Malfoy. He has terrorized witch and wizard alike, and served under the most powerful and terrible wizard since even Grindelwald.” She began. “But to give him the Dementor’s Kiss? While not denying its severity or finality, would the court not agree that it is…quick?” she asked. A few gasps were heard, and even Percy looked surprised. No one had ever said anything like that about the Kiss. Quick? Was she barmy?

“Throughout his life, Mr. Malfoy has been born and bred to hate Muggles and Muggleborns. I have personally been on the end of his severely prejudiced views. I propose to the courts that Mr. Malfoy be subjected to a punishment that lasts a bit…longer.” She said. She saw Lucius’ tense, and his shoulders rise and fall harder, as if trying to control his breathing.

“What are you suggesting, Miss Granger?” Percy asked. He leaned back against the back of his high seat, and steepled his fingers. This should be interesting…and maybe messy.

“In the Muggle courts, crimes are not always punished with such a final act. Some courts believe in a thing we like to call…rehabilitation. Many believe that crimes are a sort of ‘injury’ of the mind, and if they can be ‘cured,’ the individual can become a better member of society. I think the courts should try and rehabilitate Mr. Malfoy. He should be trained and versed in the ways of Muggles, so that he can understand that it is not only Purebloods that grace this world.” She said.

Percy looked at her. She was essentially proposing that they free Lucius.

“And how would the courts enforce his…education?” Percy asked.

“Give him a…tutor of sorts. Someone who can guard and monitor what he learns, and record his progress. Someone who is well-versed in Muggle society, and can give him the insight needed to learn.” She said. The courtroom was abuzz with this information. Lucius Malfoy learn about Muggles? What a novel idea!

Percy regarded her with a pensive look. It certainly sounded interesting, but would it work? He personally didn’t like the Dementors, and only believed they should be used when necessary. Lucius Malfoy was a tricky thing…but could he be an asset to society if reformed?

“Very well, Miss Granger. The court will consider your proposal. There will be a ten minute pause to discuss, and then we will deliver the final judgment.” He said. With those words spoken, he snapped his fingers, and a sort of cloudy film appeared in front of the large Wizengamot. This was done so that over fifty people wouldn’t have to leave and re-enter the courtroom.

The ten minutes were torture to the Malfoy family. Lucius sat in the center of the floor, almost trembling in his chains. Draco was clinging so hard to his mother that he was fairly certain he would bruise her. Narcissa was visibly trembling, and tears had pooled in her eyes, ready to fall.

After the ten minutes, the cloudy film fell, and Percy banged the gavel to catch the attention of the audience.

“Mr. Malfoy, we have discussed Miss Granger’s proposal, and find it to be a sound idea. It has never before been attempted in these the courts of the Magical Community, but due to the nature of your…crimes, we find it an interesting alternative to the Kiss. You will be bound to your house, and given a period of one year to learn what you can about Muggles, and even travel into their world unnoticed. At the end of this year, you will be evaluated by a person of your teacher’s choosing. Should you pass this evaluation, you will be deemed a rehabilitated member of society, and allowed to leave as a free man. Should you fail, you will be given the Kiss immediately, with no more interruptions.” He said, and then stared pointedly at Hermione. “This is the court’s decision, and it will hold true.” He said, and banged the gavel.

Lucius visibly relaxed, and even sighed softly as an Auror approached him to unfasten his chains. Suddenly an impish smile crossed Percy’s face.

“The court has also decided who will be your teacher, Mr. Malfoy. Since it was her idea to begin with, Miss Granger will come to Malfoy Manor and live with your family for the year she is to teach you. Should she refuse, this very generous sentence will be revoked, and the Kiss used in its stead.” He said. Lucius looked around to where Hermione was sitting. Her mouth was open slightly as if she were shocked to hear it. He swore he felt his stomach plummet.

“But-” Hermione started.

“If you refuse, Miss Granger, your argument will have been for nothing, and his punishment will be the Kiss.” Percy warned.

“But I was just going to say…that…I would be honored to be Mr. Malfoy’s teacher…” she was lying through her teeth. She wanted to throttle the man. She had just helped him, and now she was being punished.

“Very well, this decision is in effect as of now. You will be required to accompany the Malfoys to their home.” Percy said, and banged the gavel again. “This court is now dismissed.”

Hermione stood rooted to her place. She watched as Narcissa Malfoy practically jumped the banister and ran to her husband. She saw the flashes of photography as he grabbed her in his arms and planted a searing kiss on her lips.

She felt a tap on her shoulder, and turned to see Harry, Ron, and Draco staring at her.

“Why did you do that, Mione?” Harry asked softly.

“He deserved what he got, tricky little snake…” Ron said angrily. Draco looked at her.

“Thanks.” He said softly. The other two looked at him in shock. Draco leaned forward, and hugged her. “My father might not say it outright, but he’s grateful too.” He said. “Whenever you’re ready to leave…we…um…we’ll be waiting.” He said, and walked away to where his parents still stood kissing fervently.

Harry wrapped his arms around Hermione. “Do you want to come by Grimmauld place and get your things?” he asked.

Hermione, after her home had been destroyed, had been taken to Diagon Alley by Harry and bought a few articles of clothing. She nodded.

“They’ll have to wait for me…” she said. “Because afterwards I have to go to their home…” she added, sounding a bit distant.

Ron was quiet. He didn’t want his friend to go. Especially to the Malfoys. And for an entire year, too…bummer.
Hermione left Harry’s embrace, and walked numbly to where the Malfoys were standing. Narcissa stepped forward and hugged her warmly.

“Thank you, my dear! You have no idea what you have done for this family. We owe you a debt we will never be able to pay…” she gently whispered into Hermione’s ear.

As Narcissa stepped back, Lucius stepped forward. He was a tall man, and the top of Hermione’s head barely reached his shoulders. It was a similar occurrence with Draco, but Draco was slightly shorter than his father. Even Narcissa was taller than the petit Hermione.

“You have done something for me that no one else would: you defended me. I owe you my life. Should there be anything you need, want, or even fancy while you are under our roof, do not hesitate to ask, and it will be supplied for you.” He said. His usual smooth, commanding voice had softened. Hermione nodded mutely.

“I need to go to Grimmauld place to pick up what things I have.” She said. Lucius nodded.

“You may go and get your things, and meet us back here. We will then take you to Malfoy Manor.” He said. She met Harry in the courtroom, and he took her to Grimmauld place to pack a duffel bag full of what little clothes she had. He then took her back so that she could meet the Malfoys. She met them where she had left them, and Lucius led the group out of the courtroom, and to the outside of the Ministry. Photographers and reporters were practically attacking them, but they all ignored them.

Lucius stopped when they had just crossed the threshold of the Ministry. He looked at Draco. “You’re mother and I will Apparate back together. Since Miss Granger doesn’t know where we live, you may side-along with her.” He said. Draco nodded. His mother and father disappeared, leaving him with Hermione.

“Thanks again.” He said, and gently put his hand on her shoulder. They disappeared, and reappeared right in front of the Manor. Hermione’s breath caught in her throat, and she looked up at the huge house before her.

This might not be so bad after all…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lucius says that he can feel the love. And he loves the love. He also says that he also likes blackberry jam, but is a little unsure about cloudberry. He says he will substitute that one for butterscotch pudding. I say that's fine with me...