Hestia's lips twitched, and for a split second, Hermione wondered if she was trying to hide a smile. "I'll see what I can do. No promises."

"Once we receive the official pardon, I expect it to be printed in the papers. Owl me with the meeting information. Thank you for your time today, Hestia."

She turned on her heel and walked back to the house, dismissing her.

~*~

Two days later, the Prophet announced the dropped charges against Narcissa Malfoy and the creation of the new International Magical Military Tribunal, with a full list of all members. Hestia sent an owl with the official pardon, and an invitation to the first meeting that following Monday. Hermione took a full day to respond, intent to spend the day celebrating with Narcissa. Narcissa showed her where they stored the champagne from the winery in France, and for the first time in her life, Hermione had the pleasure of seeing Narcissa Malfoy slide into less-than-perfect articulation.

When the True Order guards had still not been released from their posts outside the Manor the following morning, Hermione sent back her reply, inquiring as to their purpose.

They were gone by that afternoon.

More letters arrived. Most were supportive, but others spewed hatred and rage. Hermione looked up a spell for destroying Howlers, and made sure she reviewed the post before Narcissa. One night, an unsigned letter arrived from a peevish owl, calling Hermione a traitor and a whore. Hermione tossed it into the fireplace before Narcissa could ask about it. As she watched it burn, she summoned a letter from her pouch that she'd received earlier that day, reading it over and over:

I read about Narcissa today. I'm happy for you.
Ginny

They agreed that it still wasn't safe for Narcissa to leave the Manor. Luckily, she didn't have much reason to. The Prophet article was followed by a flurry of letters from friends. She started corresponding with Neville, and told Viktor she'd be happy to meet once her schedule lightened.

She was finishing breakfast with Narcissa on Thursday morning when Hix appeared at the table. "Mistress," he whispered. "The goblins are here."

Hermione set her coffee cup down with a sharp clink.

Narcissa stiffened. Then she rose from the table, patting her mouth. "Thank you, Hix. Please see them over the barrier and escort them to the drawing room." Hix popped away, and before Hermione could think past the panic in her chest, Narcissa was calling for Mippy. She appeared with a sharp crack!

Narcissa inhaled before speaking. "Be prepared to pack up our things to transfer to Grimmauld Place."

Mippy Apparated away with wide eyes, and Hermione pushed out of her chair. The goblins were here to discuss the Manor. They'd found the heir to the Dolohov estate, and they were here to tell them to pack up and leave.

Narcissa nodded at her once, her face pale as a sheet, and Hermione followed her from the dining room. She hadn't asked what it would look like, when they were forced to leave — what they could take, what they could leave behind.