"Objection." Shrapley's voice cut through the whispers. "Leading question."

"Sustained," Ogden said. "General Pierre, be careful."

Pierre nodded, and then smiled at her. "4 May, yes?"

"Yes." Her fingers twisted together.

"Miss Granger, did you ever find it curious why your friends were being tortured, raped, and caged like animals… while you slept in a bed of your own, not a hair on your head touched—"

"Objection—"

"Rephrase, General Pierre—"

"Did you know your treatment was different than the other men and women sold at the Auction?"

She looked into Pierre's cool blue eyes and imagined placid waters. "I did know."

"What did you make of it?"

"I was confused in the beginning. But when I asked Draco Malfoy why he'd bought me in the Auction, he said it was the right thing to do."

"And you believed him?"

Her breath hitched. She hadn't. She'd thought for months that it was exactly as Pierre said — a plot to protect him and his family. She chose her words carefully.

"Not at first, but after the many instances I discussed earlier, I came to see that—"

"You didn't believe him at first?" Pierre tilted his head at her.

"I soon did."

"Was that before or after you began your sexual relationship?"

"Objection!"

"Sustained."

Hermione was fully in her body now, her eyes watching General Pierre as he stalked her like a panther closing in on its prey.

"What reason do we have to trust your mind, Miss Granger?" His eyes were fierce as his voice grew in volume and speed. "You exhibit many symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome as Healer Thompson discussed, and your testimony is riddled with emotional ties to the defendant—"

"Objection—"

"—that only prove the point that you bonded with him during your captivity—"

"Objection—"

"Sustained, Pierre!"

"—aligning your goals to his ultimate purpose of proving his innocence to this court—"

"I'll hold you in Contempt, Pierre."

"Apologies, Mr. President." Pierre paused and swiftly redirected as her heart hammered in her ribs. "What reason do we have to think you weren't manipulated in your time at Malfoy Manor, Miss Granger?"

"I loved him for years before he saved me." She lifted her eyes, watching the words float on a string to him. "And I love him still."

Whispers descended like snowfall. Pierre opened his mouth. And paused as the rumbling grew.

Hermione's eyes flicked to Shrapley, who'd come to his feet. He lifted a brow at her and gave the slightest shrug of his shoulder, as if to say, Not bad.

The gavel banged over and over until President Ogden had control of the room. Pierre adjusted his collar and leveled her with a curious look.

"You loved him for years," he repeated. "At school?"

"Yes. I had feelings for him at school."

She stared into Pierre's narrowed blue eyes, and he held her gaze as he told President Ogden that he had no further questions. The court was called to recess, and she exited too swiftly to hear anyone calling her, moving as quickly as she could back to Malfoy Manor.