Shrapley asked her to elaborate on when her sexual relationship began with Draco Malfoy, and she replied, "The early hours of 20th March 1999." Shrapley had asked who had initiated the act, and she said, "I did." The court hummed in shocked whispers and scratching quills, but her mind was too focused for their judgment to sink into her. President Ogden had to call for quiet.

"20 March," Shrapley said, pacing with his hands in his pockets. "Why didn't Draco Malfoy pursue sex sooner?"

"His main interest was my comfort and well-being."

"How do you know that?"

"He told me as much many times, but it became clear in his actions on Sunday 26 July."

Hermione went on to detail the ritual that extracted the magical signature of her virginity, and the reasons for it. Shrapley asked the judges to refer to the glass jar and corresponding memory they'd reviewed that morning.

Shrapley asked her to confirm that she still had one functioning ovary due to Draco Malfoy and Narcissa Malfoy, and then referred to the physical examination conducted at St. Mungo's when she'd been admitted.

He asked for any other instances where Draco Malfoy had prioritized her well-being, and she explained the night that Bellatrix Lestrange had cut into her arm, poisoning her, and the way Draco had sucked the venom out. He asked her about the death of Bellatrix Lestrange and referred the judges to the memory.

"Why do you think he killed his aunt, Miss Granger?" Shrapley asked.

"Because she was going to kill me."

"And that was good enough reason for him?"

"Yes," she said.

Pierre recrossed his legs. The reporters buzzed, the room hanging on every word.

They moved onto the tattoo antidote potion after that. She described in excruciating detail how she researched the tattoos and what resources she was given access to, including Narcissa and Draco's wands. She mentioned Draco taking her to see Theo Nott and procuring the proper text for her, at great risk to himself.

Shrapley asked why she didn't take the antidote herself once it was tested. She confirmed that she did, telling the court about the day Draco tried to give her his wand and set her free. Her eyes pricked at the memory, and Shrapley gave her a sharp look that reminded her to push her emotions beneath the surface.

After an afternoon recess, the last thing they discussed on Thursday was how Hermione had communicated with the True Order. She detailed Charlotte's system of passing notes, explaining that Draco helped her connect with Cho Chang. When she told them it was Draco that had extracted Charlotte's memories the night Edinburgh was attacked in March, Pierre sighed and cracked his neck. Her voice was hoarse from the talking as she finished with the story of Draco giving the antidote ingredients to Charlotte and returning her memories. Shrapley asked the court to refer to Lucius Malfoy's memory that had been submitted to evidence.

When President Ogden adjourned court that day, Hermione slipped out the back to avoid the rabid reporters and photographers and Apparated home. She accepted a hug from Narcissa, slipped into a bath, and allowed herself to think of Draco without her Occlumency. Her tears drowned in the bathwater, and by the time she went to bed, she was fully Occluded again.