The Grangers trial was coming up soon and Severus could feel Hermione's nerves were rolling off of her in waves. It had one point made him so distracted during a seventh year potions class that he dismissed the class all together. He shook his head it was times like these he could use his mother to talk to, but she had sadly died several months back of cancer. Severus swept from his office unable to work anymore and made his way to Minerva's private chambers.

Severus gave the password and entered the sitting room and what he found made his heart jump from his chest. He saw Hermione in the corner with her knees to her chest rocking back and forth with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Hermione," said Severus and swept over to the distraught young witch and pulled her into his arms. "Hush now, it's all right. The Grangers won't get out of Azkaban. I promise." he whispered.

The fire sprang green and Annabelle, Richard and Reed stepped into the room. Annabelle gasped at the sight of her only grandchild in tears. Richard helped Severus steer his daughter to the couch, and they all sat down silently comforting the young girl.

Minerva entered the room after dealing with several unruly remarks from Lavender Brown and her friends. She had given the girls detention with Flitch cleaning the laboratories. She hoped that would stop the girls from being so mean to her daughter. She mentally shook her head. She didn't understand children these days.

"I'm so sorry Kitten. It took longer then I thought." said Minerva as she made it quickly over to her daughter. She sat down on her knees in front of the couch. "Those girls shouldn't be troubling you."

Hermione only nodded and snuggled deeper into Severus's and Richard's arms. Richard shifted over and Minerva sat down on the end of the couch.

"I don't mean to take everyone away from their work." said Hermione looking at Severus and Reed.

"Don't you worry yourself little one." said Reed. "The shop will be just fine. You need us more right now. You're going to have to show us that Gryffindor courage tomorrow."

Hermione chewed on her bottom lip. "I don't know if I can."

"You'll be just fine. Just answer the questions asked truthfully, and everything will be just fine." said Severus reassuringly and Hermione nodded her head.

The family stayed until Hermione fell asleep in her father's arms. Richard shifted her into his arms and carried her to her bedroom. He laid her down and pulled the covers over her sleeping form. He kissed her gently on the forehead and exited the room.

"Tomorrow is going to be extremely hard on Hermione." said Severus.

"If it will make you feel better Severus you may stay here for the night." said Minerva.

The head of Slytherin house shook his head. "I better not. I have to keep an eye on my snakes. Thank you. Please keep me informed on tomorrow."

Annabelle's brow frowned at this statement. "You're not going. Hermione will need you young man. You are connected in ways that no one truly understands. Surely your students could use study hall or something for tomorrow."

Severus sat back with a sigh. He knew he couldn't be seen in the courtroom. If the Dark Lord's followers that were on the board found out it would much harder to get back in the mad man's good graces.

He shook his head. "I have to keep an eye on Quirel. Something is not right about that man. I just can't Anna. I'm sorry. I must go. Good night everyone." Severus left the room his black robes blew behind him with each step.

Annabelle shook her head. "I just don't understand him."

"Hermione will be just fine. Harry will be coming with us tomorrow. Hopeful that will help her nerves." said Richard and the trio nodded in agreement.

00

Hermione stood in front of the large mirror. She wore nicely cut navy dress robes. She had her smooth curls hung loosely around her shoulders. She nervously applied her shine gloss to her lips after applying her powder. She nodded in approval. She sat down on the bed and put on her boots. She slipped her wand up her sleeve. She exited her bedroom.

Hermione entered the small kitchen and smiled at her family that sat around the small table. Minerva sat a cup of tea down on the table and Hermione sat down at the table. She took a careful sip of tea and sighed at the claming effect it had on her body. She knew that her mother had laced the tea with a potion.

"Thank you Momma." said Hermione after finishing off her tea. She sat her empty cup down on the table in front of her. "I needed that this morning."

"I told you the claiming draught was needed." said Annabelle. "Here wee one. Blueberry cheese cake pancakes." She sat a plate down in front of Hermione.

"Thanks Granny, but I don't think I can eat this morning." said Hermione looking at the round golden brown blueberries stacked up in front of her.

Annabelle smiled and leaned over Hermione's shoulder and kissed her cheek. "Make from scratch." She whispered. "Not with magic and she sat down at the table.

Hermione beamed and picked up her fork and took a bite. She closed her eyes and chewed the pancake. She took another bite and soon her plate was empty. She looked up and saw her granny wink at her and she gave her a soft smile.

The family breakfast was interrupted by a black raven that flew through the slightly open window, and it dropped a letter in Hermione's lap. It flew out the way it entered the room.

Hermione picked up the letter and turned it over and opened it. She pulled out the letter. She smiled when she saw who it was from.

Hermione,

I hope you understand why I can't be with you today, but you have your family and Potter with you. I have every faith in you that you will do just fine. I want you to be truthful in your answers and the Grangers will get what they deserve from hurting you. Trust in yourself and be the brave Gryffindor I know you are.

Best of luck,

S.S.

Hermione sighed and stuck the letter in her purple beaded bag that in the chair nearby. She got up from the table and put her bag over her shoulder. She nodded her head and the family rose from the table and they left for the headmaster's office where Harry was meeting them.

00

The McGonagall family, Reed and Harry made their way to the large courtroom. Minerva took Hermione's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze as they stopped in front of the doors. The doors opened and they all entered the large round room that held tons of seats in the upper levels.

Hermione stopped in her tracks when saw John and Jane Granger at table but they were held in place by shackles. She jumped slightly when Harry's hand gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. She nodded her head and sat down with her family waiting to be call to the bull pit.

It felt like hours listening to the questions being asked of fellow workers at the Granger's dental practice and then came the policemen that knew about the abuse but did nothing for free dental work.

"Poppa, what about the muggles? They aren't suppose to know about the magical world?" whispered Hermione.

Richard leaned over and whispered, "They have their memories altered after the day, and made to believe that they testified at John and Jane Granger's trial but not in the wizarding world."

"Oh, ok." said Hermione and turned back to the questioning and chewing on her bottom lip.

"The court calls Hermione Jean McGonagall. Let the court know that Hermione was magically adopted by Duke and Duchess Richard McGonagall. There by making her biologically their child." said the Madame Bones.

Hermione slowly made her way up to the bull pit and slowly sat down. She took a deep breathe and waited for the questioning to being. She looked around at the room that was filled with witches and wizards all dressed in black robes and hats. She looked back at her parents and best friend and they gave her a reassuring smile and a nod.

"Miss McGonagall, please tell us when you remember the abuse beginning. Just tell us your story." said Madame Bones. "Then we will ask questions if need be."

Hermione looked at the woman and nodded her head. She took a deep breath.

00

Hit the button and tell me what you think. The details of Hermione's life with the Granger will be in the next chapter. I figured I left the story alone for far too long and I needed to update. Please bare with me since I have a single mother and time to write can be hard. But the next chapter will be posted soon.