Vixen: Redemption

Disclaimer: Nothing but the plot belongs to me, the characters, magical places and world within are all a product of JK Rowling's amazing imagination, without which my childhood would have been a much emptier time. As such it all belongs to her.

Authors Note, please read before beginning:

Dearest Readers,

I feel the need to explain at the beginning of this story that this is not a sequel to my original fanfiction 'Vixen' even though the title may lead you to believe that it is. A sequel was much requested but I do need to stick by my original belief that that particular storyline is finished. I did however wish to create something for my loyal followers, reviewers and readers after an incident involving Vixen being reposted without permission under someone else's name. I was so genuinely shocked and yet honoured to have the fan base stand up on my behalf and help me get it removed, that it moved me to tears. You guys truly are the best kind of people and I believed you deserved something from me to say thank you.

So! Back to the original point. This isn't Vixen or a sequel but rather a whole new story using the same bare bones idea but with an entirely new plot. I could have just done a different animal form but to me this is how Hermione appears as an Animagus. I hope you enjoy it and understand that this story would never have happened if it weren't for the support and outpouring of love I received over a fanfiction I first began 7 years ago.

You don't need to read Vixen to understand this story. It stands alone.

Warmest Regards,

SLL x

Chapter One

Many things had changed in the short amount of time since The Battle of Hogwarts, but the tenacity of Hermione Granger was not one of them, as the Minister for Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt was discovering. The young witch stood rooted to the spot, practically trembling with rage as magic crackled around her.

"I understand Hermione, really I do. But we must be patient." His deep voice was soothing, he knew that. It was one of the many reasons he did so well in politics, amongst other things a cool head was definitely his most valued asset in this job. Apparently though, his attempts at calming Hermione Granger were only succeeding in riling her up more.

"It's been four years Minister! How much more patience would you demand I have?" Her usually perfect top-knot was rebelling before his very eyes as she batted strands of hair away from her face in agitation.

"It has been four years since The Battle, yes. But you can't expect all prejudice against magical creatures to have dropped dead with Voldemort. That's not how politics works Hermione." He watched as she took a deep breath and composed herself, her hand flying to her hair in a useless attempt to smooth it back into place.

"It's just so frustrating Minister, to work in a department where your superior doesn't have the same passion for the work as you do. How are we ever meant to advance when the very voice for these creatures doesn't believe in their equality?" He smiled at her and he wouldn't deny if asked the pride he felt in this young woman, she truly would go far within the Ministry, if only she could develop a little patience.

"Cuthbert manages the department as he sees fit Hermione, we've had this conversation. He stands by the original clause upon which the department was created. He is an old fashioned man, you need to help him see the more modern way of looking at our world. That's why I employed you after all." He steepled his fingers and looked at her in a way very much reminiscent of the late Albus Dumbledore.

"I've tried Minister! Believe me I have, but he continues to see me as a silly little girl employed with the sole purpose of bringing him his morning coffee. I know the clause, I've re-read it a thousand times trying to find a way to use it to show him how archaic it is, but he refuses to listen!" She threw her hands in the air again, but this time she held an air of defeat about her rather than defiance.

"I believe I once knew a man who used to complain about a certain young student refusing to believe anything but the words written within her text book. That student changed her outlook, why?" Kingsley had used his trump card, he didn't want Hermione to lose her passion for her job and using her old teacher as reference was a sure way to make her try harder. As if he himself were in the very room and she was still striving for his approval.

Her shoulders slumped as she looked at the ground, it seemed a familiar routine for the pair of them and she spoke as though she'd recited the sentence many times before. "Because he made me learn to look beyond the written word, to look beneath it, then disprove it and re-write it myself."

"Which is precisely what I need you to do with Cuthbert Mockridge." He opened his hands to her in conclusion and smiled at her as she sighed, nodded her head and turned toward the door.

"It isn't fair you know Kingsley, using him against me like that." Her voice was soft and held just a trace of sadness to it.

"Ah, but Miss Granger, whoever said Politics played fair?" He tried to keep the tone light but a certain sadness now lingered in the room. It seemed to follow her like a cloud nowadays whenever he was mentioned. As such it followed her from the room and Kingsley took a deep breath as the air seemed to clear and lift, like the passing of a storm.

Hermione made her way back to her office and smoothed down the rich, deep purple of her uniform blouse as she walked. The logo for The Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures was emblazoned in charcoal grey on the breast pocket and she sighed as she caught sight of it. She had hoped this job would be the platform she needed to advocate the equality of magical creatures, House Elves being at the top of her list. Instead she was shut down at every turn by Cuthbert Mockridge, an old wizard who believed steadfastly in the clause created in 1750 in the International Code of Wizarding Secrecy. So much so that it was emblazoned across the office she was now stood in, she narrowed her eyes at the paragraph which mocked her from the wall, wondering if she had ever hated a group of words as much as she did these.

"Each wizarding governing body will be responsible for the concealment, care and control of all magical beasts, beings, and spirits dwelling within its territory's borders. Should any such creature cause harm to, or draw the notice of, the Muggle community, that nation's wizarding governing body will be subject to discipline by the International Confederation of Wizards." —Clause 73, International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy.

What good would it do if they continued to treat other magical beings as inferior? It only created animosity and the belief that wizards thought themselves above others of magical decent. There would be no equality as long as wizards 'ruled' over other beings as though they owned them. She sighed in frustration and closed the door to her office, in here at least she was free from that damnable clause.

"Having a tough day, Mione?" She jumped and span quickly, a hand hovering over her chest in shock before a large smile broke across her face and she enveloped the man sat within her office chair in a warm hug.

"Harry Potter, what have I told you about turning up unannounced and surprising me?" Her statement was chastising but her tone was warm as she welcomed her old friend.

"How are you?" He asked, avoiding the question and holding her at arms length to look at her. "You look fantastic."

"I'm ok Harry, just still struggling with the same issue I was when I arrived at this department. How are you? How's Ginny?" She conjured a second chair and invited him to sit in it as she took her own seat at her desk.

"Ginny is fine, a little sore and she swears a beached whale has more ease of movement than she does, but I think she's just as beautiful now as she was the day I fell in love with her. Not that she believes me of course." He smiled and for a moment Hermione saw the young boy she had first met on the train with his messy hair and broken glasses. Then the man reappeared as he turned solemn, his now sleek hair and designer glasses taking away the boyish charm she remembered. "That's not why I came to see you Hermione. I need your help."

"Oh?" She asked, a feeling of dread rising in her stomach as she stood. "I have the feeling this type of conversation is going to require copious amounts of tea."

Harry knew of course that tea was just an excuse to turn away from him and keep her hands busy, to make sure he didn't see her reaction when he spoke to her. He allowed her that. "I haven't heard from him in months Hermione and I'm worried. His house is warded so thoroughly that even owls cant get passed to deliver my letters. Ever since the trial… It's almost like he wanted to be found guilty. This isn't how a man acts over being acquitted Hermione, it's just not."

Her hands paused for a moment, before they continued pouring tea into two cups. Finally she turned with a composed expression of cool interest. "What is it you think I can do about that, Harry? It's his choice if he wants to seclude himself away from society, after all they've hardly done anything for him."

Harry took the offered cup of tea and sighed as he leaned back into his chair. "I know that, he's a grown man and can make his own choices. It's just that… Ginny is fit to burst soon and I wanted to move the wedding closer. I want my son born in wedlock Hermione and I know it may sound old fashioned to you but that's what I believe. I want him there Hermione, he's the only link I have to Mum."

Hermione closed her eyes for a moment at the pain in Harry's voice. He knew she would do anything for him, especially when it was about his soon to be complete family.

"Go on." She said, waiting for his supposed plan.

"I thought you could do… that thing." He raised his eyebrows at her and she had to roll her eyes at his attempt of subtlety. "The owls got past the outer wards, just not inside the house. I thought an animal would be better suited to get a bit closer and maybe just see if he's ok, you know?"

"And then what Harry? So I see him and he just wants to be left alone. Then what?" She asked, wanting to make sure her friend wasn't being naive about this.

Harry leaned forward and placed the untouched tea on her desk before bowing his head and gripping his previously sleek hair in his hands. "I just don't get it Hermione." His muffled voice said in frustration. "He was vindicated, why would he be more secluded now after the trial?"

"Have you ever thought that it isn't vindication he wanted, Harry?" Her voice was soft, as thought she'd thought about this many times before. "Maybe what Severus Snape seeks is redemption."

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Please review! I hope you like it, thank you again to the readers of the original Vixen; I adore you. And to new readers, welcome!