Disclaimer: All HP characters don't belong to me. Some sentences are quoted from "Harry Potter" by JKR and "Fred and Edie" by Jill Dawson. Inspired bya real-life murder trial.
To flamers: I don't take kindly to flames, so back off.
Author's Note: "Price of Love" is back! Well, not exactly, I have started all over again under the new title "Crime of Passion"…
Chapter 1: It All Started That Night
Hermione Jane Granger Weasley and Harry James Potter sat in two chairs together at Courtroom Ten, Department of Mysteries, Ministry of Magic. They were tried by the full court, for the crime that the both of them had committed.
Hermione looked extremely paled, as if she was going to pass out in any moment, while Harry just looked blank.
Hermione looked around the court, beside the Wizengamot, there were people who came to see the trial, including her parents and the Weasleys. Hermione looked down when her eyes met her father's, she couldn't bear to look at him.
The Minister of Magic cleared his throat and started: "The accused being present, let us begin… Disciplinary hearing of the 7th of October, 2004 into offences committed…"
Hermione wasn't quite listening, everything happened so quickly that it made her dizzy. Her hands were cold with fear.
"The charges against the accused are as follows: Mrs Hermione Jane Weasley, you have committed adultery with Mr Harry James Potter and together, you two have plotted murder for your husband Mr Ronald Weasley. So together, the both of you have two charges, adultery and murder."
Hermione took in a sharp breath. Harry reached out and held her hand.
"On the night of 3rd of October this year, you two have murdered Mr Ronald Weasley…"
"Hermione didn't!" yelled Harry, letting go of Hermione's hand and jumping up from his chair. "I'm the one who killed Ron, not Hermione!"
The court was filled with whispering and talking at Harry's confession.
"We will see about that, sit down, Mr Potter." snapped the Minister.
Harry sat down.
"First, let us hear the statement that Mrs Hermione Weasley gave to the Magical Law Enforcement Squad." said the Minister. "Mr Lewis, if you please."
A wizard got up and started reading.
"On the night of 3rd of October, I was walking home with my husband Ron Weasley when I heard him call out 'Oh!' and he fell up against me. I put out my arms to save him, and found blood which I thought was coming from his mouth. I tried to hold him up. He staggered for a while and fell against the wall and slid down. He never moved after he fell… I think he died…"
Hermione was trembling, she knew that wasn't the whole story, she knew exactly what happened… She thought of everything she and Harry had done, starting the night when she committed the first crime ever in her life…
6 months ago.
"Do you love me, Harry?" asked Hermione as she and Harry lay side by side on her bed at the Burrow, naked under the sheets. She leaned on Harry's chest and Harry put his left arm around her, holding her close.
Ron was out, staying overnight at the Ministry of Magic as there were too much work.
Harry smiled at her and nodded. "Yes."
Hermione sat up and Harry let go of her. She leaned over him.
"What about Ginny? She was your girlfriend, after all."
Harry paused as he thought carefully. "Not anymore, I broke up with her months ago, just for you. I didn't tell her the real reason why I want to break up, of course." he added quickly. "I just say that we should go our separate ways."
Hermione smiled and kissed her lover tenderly on the lips. Harry kissed her back and as he caressed her neck, he whispered, "Do you know that you're committing adultery by just sleeping with me?"
"Yes." said Hermione softly. Harry's lips left her skin and she said, "But I don't care. You are the one whom I love. Ron doesn't love me. At least, not anymore. He acts like his brother Percy as he gets older. And you know how boring Percy is."
Harry grinned. "So I'm like your saviour? I saved you from your boring life?"
"Yes, if you didn't decide to come back from overseas, Ginny won't bump into you and won't bring you home and we won't have met again." said Hermione, tipping Harry on the nose.
Harry leaned and bit Hermione's finger playfully. Hermione giggled and tugged her finger from Harry's jaws. Harry pushed Hermione down flat on the bed and when he just about to kiss her, Hermione placed her hands on Harry's firm chest.
"You sure you locked the door and placed Silencing Charm in this room so that no one could hear us?" she asked worriedly.
Harry grinned. "Of course, I added a Stealth Sensoring Spell as well, so if Ron suddenly comes back, we will know."
"Harry, Harry," said Hermione, frowning and shaking her head. "You are one sneaky man…"
She then smiled, put her arms around his neck and pulled him down. "I love it."
Harry kissed her and Hermione placed her hands on his smooth back, her head tilted and she drew in her breath sharply as Harry sucked on her hardened nipple…
Soon, Harry and Hermione were lost in their own world.
The next morning, Hermione woke up and felt for her lover beside her without opening her eyes. She felt nothing, so she opened her eyes. Harry's side of the bed was empty. He must have gone back to his own room next door.
She got up and looked at the two clocks on the bedside table. One showed the time, 10am. The other showed the status of herself and Ron. Ron's hand was pointed to the word 'working'. Suddenly the hand turned and pointed at the word 'Travelling'.
Quickly, Hermione got out of the bed, grabbed her clothes from the cupboard and dashed to the washroom.
Hermione was putting on her shirt when she heard Ron calling outside, "Hermione, are you in there?"
"Yeah, don't come in, I don't have my clothes on!" called Hermione.
Ron snorted. "As if I want to."
Hermione ignored him and put on her trousers. Then she came out of the washroom. She found Ron sitting on his chair, tired from his work at the Ministry.
"Busy night, huh?" asked Hermione in concern.
Ron nodded. "I could use a huge amount of breakfast before I go back for work again."
"Again? Can't you stay at home and rest?" asked Hermione. "Harry can keep you company."
"No." said Ron firmly and got up.
"Hey, don't forget that you asked Harry to stay just because you wanted some company. Now that he's here and you don't seem to need him." said Hermione.
"I will get him when I need him." said Ron. "Now would you mind making breakfast for me? I think Mum didn't leave me some when all of you ate just now."
"All of them." corrected Hermione. "I didn't wake up until 10am."
Hermione and Ron left their room and bumped into Harry, who was wearing his pyjamas.
"Morning Ron, Hermione." he greeted cheerfully.
"Morning, have you slept well?" asked Ron.
"Yep." said Harry, smiling.
The trio went downstairs, Ron walked ahead.
Harry whispered to Hermione: "I lied, you know that I didn't sleep much last night."
Hermione giggled. Ron turned. "What are you giggling at?" he asked.
Hermione shook her head.
"Mental." said Ron, shaking his head.