Sorry, didn’t go into recommended courses of action.
/If/ Hermione is innocent under the above scenarios, then you need a way to detect magic use, either via an examination of what Hermione has cast by looking at her wand, or an examination of Draco for magical traces.
If she isn’t innocent, or, rather, no evidence can be found that shows innocence—they key is Lucius and his rage. He’s acting particularly irrationally because it involves his son, so Harry may be able to do something with regards to Draco. The concept of “reasonable doubt” is almost certainly not codified in Wizarding law, but the concept probably exists. The problem with applying it is again Lucius’ rage.
So -
Our goal is to return Hermoine to Hogwarts in a reasonably healthy state—say, no damage that won’t heal in weeks. The issues standing in the way are that is popular to hate on Hermione, and the Lucius is out for blood, /potentially/ on his son’s behalf.
Harry could take actions to make hating Hermione unpopular—other comments suggest Harry challenge duels, or threaten to leave the country. Alternatively, he could promise favors; on the gripping hand, he could threaten duels and promise favors.
Lucius’ rage is unlikely to be abated by any interference from his son—he already considers Draco “compromised” with regards to his new opinions on Muggle-borns. Any information regarding Hermione as, in fact, wizard-born wouldn’t work either—he’d be enraged anyway, although he’d likely turn towards other avenues...
Which makes me think—Hermione, as a muggle-born, holds a status somewhat similar to an orphan, and is thus presumably adoptable. In such a case, Harry (or another friendly noble house) may be able to adopt Hermione, take the blood-debt on the House, and pay it another manner… such as Harry, who Lucius has reason to hate due to Draco, going to Azkaban instead. (And summarily destroying it)
My original idea for abating his rage is actually Fawkes—If you could get the Pheonix Calm on Lucius, he may be able to think rationally—he’d still demand punishment, but maybe then it’d be something in line with the crime.
Hmm. I’d like to share all this, but I’ll keep thinking.
In such a case, Harry (or another friendly noble house) may be able to adopt Hermione, take the blood-debt on the House, and pay it another manner…
Has been suggested before. Rather than adoption, a betrothal contract could work. However, needs approval of Dumbledore (Harry’s legal guardian) and would still need a Wizengamot vote to transfer the penalty from Hermione to Harry (since the Wizengamot has already, in this chapter, voted to punish Hermione). And the Wizengamot isn’t going to vote to send the Boy-who-Lived to Azkaban to die—think of the political repercussions!
Remember how strangers in the street think of Harry, now imagine how they’d think of those in the Wizengamot who sentenced him to death for being self-sacrificial and loyal to his friends. Lucius would never ask such a thing of the Wizengamot, nor would they vote in favor if he did.
(Dinner interrupted)
Sorry, didn’t go into recommended courses of action.
/If/ Hermione is innocent under the above scenarios, then you need a way to detect magic use, either via an examination of what Hermione has cast by looking at her wand, or an examination of Draco for magical traces.
If she isn’t innocent, or, rather, no evidence can be found that shows innocence—they key is Lucius and his rage. He’s acting particularly irrationally because it involves his son, so Harry may be able to do something with regards to Draco. The concept of “reasonable doubt” is almost certainly not codified in Wizarding law, but the concept probably exists. The problem with applying it is again Lucius’ rage.
So - Our goal is to return Hermoine to Hogwarts in a reasonably healthy state—say, no damage that won’t heal in weeks. The issues standing in the way are that is popular to hate on Hermione, and the Lucius is out for blood, /potentially/ on his son’s behalf.
Harry could take actions to make hating Hermione unpopular—other comments suggest Harry challenge duels, or threaten to leave the country. Alternatively, he could promise favors; on the gripping hand, he could threaten duels and promise favors.
Lucius’ rage is unlikely to be abated by any interference from his son—he already considers Draco “compromised” with regards to his new opinions on Muggle-borns. Any information regarding Hermione as, in fact, wizard-born wouldn’t work either—he’d be enraged anyway, although he’d likely turn towards other avenues...
Which makes me think—Hermione, as a muggle-born, holds a status somewhat similar to an orphan, and is thus presumably adoptable. In such a case, Harry (or another friendly noble house) may be able to adopt Hermione, take the blood-debt on the House, and pay it another manner… such as Harry, who Lucius has reason to hate due to Draco, going to Azkaban instead. (And summarily destroying it)
My original idea for abating his rage is actually Fawkes—If you could get the Pheonix Calm on Lucius, he may be able to think rationally—he’d still demand punishment, but maybe then it’d be something in line with the crime.
Hmm. I’d like to share all this, but I’ll keep thinking.
Has been suggested before. Rather than adoption, a betrothal contract could work. However, needs approval of Dumbledore (Harry’s legal guardian) and would still need a Wizengamot vote to transfer the penalty from Hermione to Harry (since the Wizengamot has already, in this chapter, voted to punish Hermione). And the Wizengamot isn’t going to vote to send the Boy-who-Lived to Azkaban to die—think of the political repercussions!
Remember how strangers in the street think of Harry, now imagine how they’d think of those in the Wizengamot who sentenced him to death for being self-sacrificial and loyal to his friends. Lucius would never ask such a thing of the Wizengamot, nor would they vote in favor if he did.