She confirms exclusively to the New York Ghost that Narcissa Malfoy is alive and well inside Malfoy Manor. Moreover, she alleges that the True Order joined the mob, using military force in an attempt to penetrate the estate's defenses while she and Mrs. Malfoy were inside. "The use of such force on any British citizen is harrowing, let alone a defendant with vague, ill-defined crimes. If Britain executes every individual who was associated with a Voldemort supporter, none of us will be left. Focusing on the family members of Death Eaters is a distraction from what they should be doing, which is pursuing Great Order officials who have fled the continent."

The Ghost that had arrived at her window that morning held a note from Gumley: Pleasure doing business with you, Miss Granger.

Narcissa came to Draco's room that afternoon. Her eyes were red, and she struggled to speak. After embracing Hermione, she managed to excuse herself for the rest of the evening.

The following morning, the Prophet contained an announcement that all trials would be postponed until the following week.

As Narcissa grieved, Hermione spent hours in the Malfoy library, researching ways to remove the elves' chains while the elves rotated as her guinea pigs. After three rigorous days of research, she was able to unlock it. Plumb buried her face in her hands and wept as the metal fell off her shoulders. Hermione spent the rest of the night patting the backs of a parade of crying elves.

The food at the Manor improved. Thanks to their exemption from the Manor's anti-Apparition wards, the elves were able to Apparate to buy food and other supplies to replenish the pantries, and Hix was very pleased that he could tend to the grounds again, muttering under his breath about the weeds in the bluebells.

The Ghost continued to escalate its criticism of the Justice Tribunal. A new editor was announced at the Prophet, and Hermione almost spilled her coffee on an article that read slightly critical of General Jacobs. But whatever was published, the guards outside the Manor remained.

Hermione had taken to glaring at them when she was bored, but the only times they lifted their eyes from the horizon was to stare up at the owls soaring through the boundaries.

She began receiving letters from all around the world, supporting her story and her struggles. Some were personal; others professional. One human rights organization gave her a standing offer of free counsel. She directed them to Oliver Wood's case, expressing her concerns that he was being held without cause, and requesting that they address it quietly. She heard from the American Society for No-Maj-Borns, and a new coalition in Austria looking to protect Muggle-borns' right to an education. Narcissa helped her answer every one of them, and Hermione screened all correspondence for Narcissa, finding condolences from acquaintances and Lucius's business partners.

Among the letters was a pale blue envelope addressed to her in a familiar handwriting. She ripped it open, finding a short note from Ginny.