"Shoot!" groaned Hermione smacking her forehead as she ran back to her tiny office, soon to be ex-office, threw open the door, grabbed the memo lying on her desk, and ran back toward the closing elevator doors. Toppling headlong and nearly knocking over the person standing inside, she made it in and clutched at the stitch in her side.
"Merlin's, Granger!" came a half-irritated, half-amused voice from behind her. Turning around, Hermione saw Theodore Nott begrudgingly rubbing a spot on his nose where her hand must have hit him as she tried to get inside.
"Sorry, Nott," smirked Hermione.
The lift clanged to a stop and opened onto level one. Hermione straightened her pants and adjusted the messy bun on her head. As she was about to leave she heard a soft voice from behind her say, "You got this, Granger."
Without looking back she gave a tiny nod and walked out of the elevator in the direction of the Minister's office.
X
Kingsley was staring intently at the memo Hermione had handed to him. She was sitting at the edge of her seat across the desk from him, nervously biting her lower lip. He glanced at her and smiled slightly when he saw her firmly clasping her right hand with her left one. He knew it was partly out of anxiety and partly because the habit to raise her hand had not left her, no matter that she was now an adult witch working at the Ministry of Magic. After a few more minutes of silence he looked up at her and spoke.
"All of your requests shall be met with. I hope your transition from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement will go over smoothly. If you need anything at all do not hesitate to ask Ms. Granger. "
Hermione looked startle. With wide eyes she said hurriedly, "What? Just like that? I had prepared so many points to convince you. Minister, some of the requests are rather expensive and as grateful as I am that you are giving us the freedom to make changes, I really do think you should go over the list once more."
"Would you prefer I decline your requests?"
"What! No! That's not what I meant. I only mean it would look like favoritism…"
"Hermione," cut in Kingsley firmly, "If there is anyone in this ministry who deserves these privileges it's you, Ron, and Harry. All the transformation that we have seen over the last three and a half years is all thanks to the days and nights that the three of you along with your schoolmates have spent reforming and revolutionizing the way this Ministry works. Everyone greatly appreciates the work you have done in the Being Division with rights for house elves, and if only they understood its values I'm sure the house elves would be very grateful indeed, but like I told you over a month ago, we need you, I need you, in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. And now that you have agreed, I am prepared to grant any request of yours."
Hermione looked into the kind, intelligent eyes of her friend, the Minister of Magic and sighed.
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Kingsley. I won't let you down."
They went over a few more details of her transition, which would be done by the end of the week, and then Hermione left to find Nott and tell him the news. Only she didn't have to go too far. She saw him sitting outside the Minister's office waiting for her.
"Well?"
"He agreed to everything," she breathed out.
"Of course he did," he snorted, "Does anyone say no to you? Tell me you asked permission for the replenishing supply of firewhiskey in our office Granger, because if you didn't then you're clearly not manipulating your position like I've been trying to teach you for two years now."
"No, I did not Theodore," replied Hermione with a roll of her eyes.
"Theodore?" he started smirking like the true Slytherin he was, "what's wrong?"
"I do not want this privilege. I fought for equality. They shouldn't be giving us this special treatment, it's wrong. Harry hates it as much as I do. I am grateful that Kingsley agreed to all our requests but really some of them are quite expensive. Everyone is going to think he has favorites and that's going to be counterproductive," she replied frowning.
Nott rolled his eyes.
"Trust you to get upset over getting what you want Granger. You and Potter need to get used to the fact that you are as good as royalty now. You don't see old Weasel King crying about it, do you?"
Hermione's frown deepened at the mention of Ron's attitude. It was true that Ron enjoyed the special treatment he was met with everywhere, sometimes even getting affronted when he wasn't given it. Harry and Hermione didn't say anything to him because Ron had never been in the limelight before and they didn't want to upset him, especially as he had had a tough time dealing with Fred's death and was prone to fly into fits of rage at the smallest comment about his attitude.
It had been a little more than three years since Harry Potter had defeated Lord Voldemort at the Battle of Hogwarts. The wizarding world was still reeling from the shock of loosing its loved ones but they had started to pick themselves up soon after because everyone wanted to work together and build a more equal world for their future. All of them had worked day and night to put together a new ministry with new laws and rights to prevent another such war again. Things were starting to go back to normal recently and everything was falling into place. Sure, there was still a lot of work to be done but this time the younger generation was standing up and speaking out.
Hermione had joined the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures right after completing her 7th year at Hogwarts. She rallied and fought for the rights of house-elves, werewolves, centaurs, and other creatures who would not or could not speak for themselves. Surprisingly Theodore Nott joined her in her campaigns.
He along with his fellow Slytherins who had fought for Voldemort knowingly, were sentenced to a lifetime in Azkaban, until Harry, Hermione, and on their insistence Ron, stepped in. When the savior of the wizarding world weighs in on something everybody straightens up and listens. After Harry and Hermione presented their case, the Wizengamot decided to give those who were 20 years or below at the time of the war a pardon and community service on projects devised by Ministry officials. They would also be under strict supervision until deemed safe by the Wizengamot.
The ones over 20 unfortunately did not have the support of Harry Potter with them. They were all given fair trials and according to their respective charges, were either sentenced to Azkaban or stripped of their wand. All except for Narcissa Malfoy.
Harry Potter stood in the court on the day of her hearing and uttered four simple words: "she saved my life." And she was granted a full pardon with strict supervision and house arrest for one year.
And that is how Hermione and Nott began to work together. Nott had been assigned to the welfare for house elves program. The first time Hermione met Nott, she didn't know what to expect. The Head of her department, Gwena Barnby, brought him to her cramped little office and introduced them. After the initial paperwork had been signed, Gwena left and an uncomfortable silence ensued for five minutes where Nott stared fixedly at the wall behind Hermione while she bit her bottom lip nervously, wondering how to start.
"So, um, we will be working t-together on the project and I'd like to get a few things straight before we start," rushed Hermione, stumbling a little. "Whether or not you have a problem with my blood is none of my concern. You're here to work, to redeem yourself if you so wish, so whatever prejudice you may hold needs to be left behind before you enter this work place. I just fought a war, I'm not interested redundant arguments."
At her last line, Theodore Nott finally looked at her and sighed.
"I don't have a problem with you, Granger. I never did. There was a time when I tried to fit in with the rest of my house and my family but that was a long time ago. While I may not have been a death eater, I did make a few foolish choices and yes I was prejudiced when we were younger. But I never really cared enough. All I want is a fresh chance. I don't have anything to loose," replied Nott looking Hermione straight in the eye.
Hermione was surprised by what he said. It was true that Nott had never personally done anything to her. But he had always laughed or smirked when someone, mostly Malfoy, from the Slytherins had insulted and attacked her and her friends. She knew Nott senior had been killed during the battle and his mother had passed away when he was quite young. Nott didn't have any siblings, which meant he was alone. So young and already alone, thought Hermione with sadness. So many lives lost.
Well if Nott wanted a second chance she would gladly help him. And from there, slowly, the two of them started working together. At first they worked in silence with only a polite comment here and there, but then as time progressed they fell into a comfortable friendship, getting to know more about each other. Hermione was pleased to see that Nott put in everything he had into his work and they made a good team, bringing about lots of changes for the betterment of house elf conditions.
To his own surprise, Nott really began to enjoy work. He had never liked the way his father had treated the elves at Nott Terrace, his humongous family house. And as he got to know more about the muggleborn witch, the more he admired her. A year passed and his community service came to an end. He had been deemed "worthy" of fully returning back to the wizarding community and his inheritance was given back to him. All those who had been sentenced, in one form or the other, had to make reparation after the war but even that rather large dent in his inheritance had left him with enough money to live a comfortable life. He knew Granger had stepped in for him at the end of the year though she didn't mention a word of it to him. So at the end of the year when Nott decided to stay on and continue working with Hermione, she was overjoyed.
Now, more than three years after the war they had become a strong team that was a force to be reckoned with, but more importantly they had become close friends. The war had changed a lot for all of them.
"…and as much as I appreciate you ogling at me Granger, it is starting to get a little embarrassing."
Hermione started out of her thoughts and came back to the present. She saw Nott shaking his head at her and pointing to his watch. "I'll see you after lunch at the office and we can start clearing out the space. Got lots to do this week. And for Merlin's sake don't have another row with Weasley. It's quite irritating when he keeps popping in while we are working to throw another tantrum."
And with that Nott turned around and headed toward the elevators.
Hermione scowled in his direction. None of the fights they had had over the last month were her fault. She was only looking out for him because Ron forgot to use his head most of the times and someone needed to tell him what he was about to do was extremely stupid.
With that thought in her mind she stepped into a fireplace and stated clearly, "the Burrow."
X
She stepped into the tiny kitchen of the Burrow and to her surprise saw Harry and Ron seated at the table already. Ron wasn't looking at her and his ears were as red as his hair.
Harry cleared his throat, "Hey, Hermione."
"Harry, why are you here?" asked Hermione suspiciously taking a seat across from Ron.
"I, er, thought it best if I was here. I don't want the two of you to keep fighting about this and…"
"So you're on his side then?" demanded Hermione
"My side?! Hermione, it's my life, it's my decision. I don't see where you come off telling me what I can do!" shouted Ron.
"If only you weren't throwing away everything you wanted Ronald, for a "change of scenery", maybe then I would try to make sense of this idiotic decision."
"I've had enough of it! We have been doing this since our 5th year and I really don't need your permission for anything. Just because you are happy with where you are and what you are doing does not mean I am! Perfect little Hermione Granger has it all figured out doesn't she? Well sorry to disappoint," spat Ron.
"ENOUGH!" bellowed Harry
Hermione and Ron jumped. They had forgotten Harry was till in the room. Rubbing his temples Harry looked at them and spoke firmly.
"Ron I told you to control your temper, mate. And Hermione I understand why you are upset but this is Ron's decision. Let it go."
Hermione was about to object loudly when Harry raised his voice slightly and for the first time Hermione notice a slight strain in this demeanor. He whole body was tense and his eyes had an anxious look about them.
"Hermione I know you mean well but I agree with Ron. If doing this will make him happy, if quitting from the Auror department and joining up with George will make him happy, then yes I support him. Maybe you think there is no potential for him to move forward after this but it is his choice. And Ron get that pathetic smirk off your face."
Ron was sitting at the table grinning triumphantly at Hermione.
"Harry," began Hermione.
"Please Hermione," said Harry pleadingly, "I really need you and Ron to stop fighting and arguing about everything, till tonight at least."
At his words Hermione instantly put two and two together and gasped, her hands flying up to cover her mouth, " Oh Harry!"
"Why? What's tonight mate?" said Ron looking from Harry to Hermione, completely at sea.
"Ron, you fool! Harry is doing it tonight! He's finally asking Ginny to marry him!" squealed Hermione, running over to Harry and giving him a big long hug.
Ron stared at Harry with his mouth hanging open. "Are you sure…? Tonight?" asked Ron in a daze.
Coloring slightly, Harry nodded nervously at Ron. They looked at each other for an entire minute before Ron stood up and awkwardly patted Harry on the back.
"Good on you mate."
X
Hermione floo'd back to the Ministry, got as much done as she could, bade Nott a good night and headed back home to her parents house.
After the war, the first thing Hermione had done was to find her parents and return their memories back. It had been tricky and had required the help of an entire squad of ministry officials, but once Mr. and Mrs. Granger were explained everything by their daughter, they had decided to move back to London to restart their old lives again.
Hermione had decided to stay with them and had been living with them for the last three years. She had missed them so much while she was on the run that she tried to spend as much time as she could with them, helping them settle back into their old life. But now that her 22rd birthday was only a few short weeks away Hermione had decided to finally move out and get a quaint little apartment in Diagon Alley. She was going to move in before her birthday and was quite excited to have her own place for the first time! She had made sure her parents fireplace was connected by the floo network to her own fireplace in the apartment so that they could visit each other easily and frequently.
Sitting down for dinner with her parents she told them all about how Harry was going to propose to Ginny tonight and how Ron had given in his resignation at the Ministry and was going to start working at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes by next week, and how she had finally accepted the position at the Department of Law Enforcement.
"It's been a big day for all three of you, hasn't it?" asked her father smiling.
Hermione smiled back, thinking about how much life had changed for the three of them, and how much more it was going to after tonight.
X
As she came out of the bathroom, ready for bed, a light tapping sound from the window caught her attention. Recognizing the owl she ran to the window excitement coursing through her. Giving the owl a few treats she tore open the letter and read:
Dear Hermione,
Harry finally asked! Though I'm sure you already knew. I'm so excited and have a million thoughts running through my head and I don't know where to start. Mum's an absolute mess, you can imagine. I think she's more excited about Harry officially becoming her son than about her only daughter getting married.
Meet me for lunch tomorrow at the Grunch. Soooo much to discuss!
Love,
Ginny
Laughing, Hermione climbed into bed and fell asleep within minutes, dreaming about how her and her friends' lives were changing so quickly.
She had no idea how right she was.
X
