Chapter 27

For centuries, the wizarding world was blessed with the bonding of soulmates. Any couple who was given the gift of being soulmates were known to be magically stronger, more attuned with each other, and desperately overprotective of each other and whatever offspring might be born from their union. They were known to be at the top of the wizarding hierarchy from just their magical strength alone. However, during the last wizarding war with Voldemort, because of the number of deaths, soulmates were temporarily erased from the wizarding world. Those meant to be soulmates could never be because their other half had been killed off by dark magic.

Everyone took an initial step back as a loud feral growl erupted from Draco's throat. His eyes turned a dark grey as he glanced around at those around him, momentarily forgetting himself and where he was. All he saw were eyes and bodies. All he felt was a threat towards his soulmate. His beautiful, intelligent, caring and fiercely protective soulmate needed to be protected herself.

Hermione lifted her hand to cup Draco's cheek, turning his head to look into her eyes. As if communicating mentally, Draco's eyes slowly returned to its regular shade of grey. Hermione cleared her throat and slowly lifted her wand to Draco's head, pressing gently as she pulled out the long blue glowing string from his mind, tossing the memory strand into the pensieve as it slowly began to appear in the air above them for the entire room to see.

Draco closed his eyes, not wanting to see or even relive his memories again. The first images were of his father. Draco was only 4 years old when his father had begun to literally beat his beliefs into his only son. Years of physical abuse followed. Memories of Draco hiding behind a tapestry, watching as his father continuously beat his mother, caused Hermione to turn to Narcissa, who had respectively looked away, not wanting to be reminded of the years of pain she had endured. Gasps were heard then, as one particular memory of Narcissa lying unconsciously on the floor as an 11 year old Draco pulled his Godfather, Severus, into the room to save his mother's life.

The memories just kept going, revealing that Draco's happiest moments were when he was with or near Hermione and her family. The summer before their 6th year was revealed to be the hardest for Draco since Voldemort was practically living in his house. Voldemort was seen constantly trying to read Draco's mind, torturing him almost daily, along with his father. The amount of pain Draco had endured was more than Hermione had ever thought. When she couldn't watch anymore, she turned to Draco and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her face into his chest. His love for her was the only thing that made Draco stay sane...stay good...stay true to himself.

As the memories of how he saved Hermione and Harry's life at the mansion were revealed, the entire room became quiet. The silence remained as the last memories of his confrontation with his father were shown. Once the blue smoke from the memories were gone, Minister Kingsley stood up and looked at the closest auror.

"Unchain that poor boy, now!" Kingsley snapped angrily.

The auror jumped slightly and rushed over to Draco, waving his wand as the chains around his wrists and ankles disappeared. As the heavy weight of the chains were lifted away, Draco fell forward, almost hitting the floor, but Hermione's body braced him while Harry stepped forward and pulled one of Draco's arms around his neck, hoisting him up as well.

"I don't even think we need a vote here, but to stick to protocol, I shall ask now. All in favor of condemning Mr. Draco Malfoy to a lifetime in Azkaban, raise your hand." Kingsley said through gritted teeth.

No one raised their hand. Ron's eyes were ablaze with anger as most of his supporters had now moved closer to Draco's side of the room.

"All in favor of clearing Mr. Draco Malfoy of all charges, raise your hand." Kingsley ordered as he lifted his own hand into the air.

Every member of the Wizengamot and the Council raised their hand. Kingsley banged his gavel on the desk in front of him and sighed softly. Even after his final decision, the room was still silent. The looks on the faces of those who had followed Ron was one of pure shame.

"Mr. Malfoy...Draco...please accept this court's apology for having even dragged you here for a trial in the first place. We were all mistaken and misled. I humbly wish you all the best in the future." Kingsley offered.

Draco gave Kingsley a small nod as he turned with Hermione and Harry to walk out of the courtroom. A small sigh of relief escaped Hermione's lips as they led their little group with them out, trying to ignore all the stares from so many eyes in the room.

"You are all fools." Ron's deep voice broke the silence. "You think because he had it tough that he shouldn't take responsibility for the things he did? For the way he treated everyone around him, for years? He has the fucking Dark Mark on his hand for fuck sakes! He has evil in him! Why can't you all see that?!"

"No, Ron." Hermione said softly, but yet everyone could hear her clearly. "You are the one who has evil in him, because you have no sense of forgiveness or remorse. There is never a grey area for you. It's always going to be black or white. You, and people like you, are the reason why a Dark Lord like Voldemort existed. You both have the same mentality. Unfortunately for you, you lack the strength or the skill to be anything but mediocre, and I pity you."

"You...you fucking...bitch!" Ron hissed as he quickly pulled out his wand and pointed it at Hermione, saying a spell before Hermione could even react.

Everything moved in slow motion for Hermione. One minute she was holding up Draco's right side and the next she knew, she was being pressed into his back as he used all the strength he had left to stand in front of her, protecting her...protecting his soulmate. Before the spell could hit Draco though, a force came out of Hermione, blocking the spell and sending Ron flying through the air, into the nearest wall. The force pinned him there as he screamed in pain.

"Draco, easy." Severus said softly.

"I'm not doing it." Draco replied as he turned to glance at Hermione, who had her eyes glued to Ron's body. "Hermione...it's okay...let go my love. Listen to my voice...come back to me."

Hermione inhaled sharply and pulled her eyes away from Ron as he slid down the wall, landing with a loud thud.

"I thought only pure bloods could do it…" Hermione wondered to herself.

"And very strong witches." Severus chuckled to himself. "I'm going to have to make a lot more of my secret potion for the two of you and probably whatever children you end up having."

"Aurors, arrest Ronald Weasley for assault." Minister Kingsley ordered.

Hermione weakly looked on as three aurors approached Ron and attached chains to his hands and his ankles. Mrs. Weasley screamed then as they dragged Ron away into a different room.

"No! Ron is good! He didn't do anything wrong!" Mrs. Weasley cried out. "She attacked him!"

"In self-defense!" Harry snapped. "Your son isn't perfect, Mrs. Weasley. Neither is your daughter by the way."

"Please!" Hermione's weak voice pleaded. "Can we leave?"

"Yes." Kingsley nodded. "You are all free to do. Bring up the next prisoner for questioning!"

Hermione's legs gave out as her body gave in to the weakness. Sirius swooped in and scooped her up into his arms, nodding to the rest of the group to walk on. Harry helped Draco out of the room, but Draco kept looking back to Hermione.

"Let's get them back to Grimmauld Place." Harry suggested.

"No, I need to get them both to my potions. Miss Granger's place is where we should all apparate to." Severus ordered.

Everyone nodded their head in confirmation as they headed out of the Ministry. One more look at each other was given before loud pops were heard as they all apparated to the Granger Residence. Sirius followed Severus up the stairs to Hermione's room before laying the now unconscious Hermione on her bed.

Severus walked over and lifted Hermione's head, gently and slowly pouring a bit of the potion down her throat. As he stood up to leave, Draco wobbled into the room, moving to lay down next to her.

"Draco, she needs rest now and you need to get your strength back. First thing you need is a good meal." Severus explained.

"I will not be leaving her again. I can't be away from her anymore. It hurts too fucking much!" Draco snapped angrily. "Don't make me leave her again, please!"

Narcissa, Harry and Sirius stood in the doorway, watching as Draco collapsed on the bed next to her, tears running down his face as he pulled Hermione into his side. He had been away from her for too long. He felt like a failure to her. He couldn't even protect her from Ron. She ended up protecting him, again. He couldn't stomach another moment without her. No, he would not leave this bed until he knew that she was alright again.

"At least eat in bed, you need your strength back, for her." Luna's soft voice floated into the room as she walked in with a tray of food. "I made some soup and toast. I hope you can stomach it."

Draco gave her a grateful look as Harry stared with love and admiration at the woman he vowed to marry as soon as he could. Draco sat up a bit as Luna pulled up a chair next to his side of the bed. She proceeded to slowly feed Draco, who was too weak to even feed himself.

"Luna, give him 3 sips of this potion after, okay?" Severus instructed as he turned to usher everyone out of Hermione's room. "Give them some space."

"Is it really over?" Narcissa wondered out loud as everyone returned to the living room downstairs. "Can we all finally move on now?"

"Yes." Severus nodded. "I think we can."

"Good...because I thought I'd never see this day." Narcissa reached up and slid her fingers into his silky black hair, pulling him down to place a soft but deep kiss on his lips. She pulled back for a moment, unsure if what she had been feeling for years were real or even reciprocated.

"Fuck...finally." Severus growled as he pulled her against his chest, slamming his lips down over hers, tugging desperately at her thick mane. "Mine…"

A/N

I think I disliked Ron more than I realised haha! Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Let me know your thoughts!