Who's freaking out about finals and is a Hufflepuff? I'm a Hufflepuff!

For the Houses Competition

Word Count: 419

Beta: Jetainia

Prompt: [First Line] He/She/They looked out over the crowd, took a deep breath and said,

She looked out over the crowd, took a deep breath and said, "Thank you, everyone, for joining us today. As your new Minister of Magic, I solemnly swear…"

As she recited her rehearsed speech, Hermione Granger-Weasley allowed her attention to wander. All her life, she planned to do great things and now she would get to do them with the power she now held. She planned to carry on Kingsley Shacklebolt's reign as Minister and keep it going on the uphill track. After having Fudge, Scrimgeour, and Thicknesse as his predecessors, Shacklebolt spent most of his term cleaning up the political messes.

There was still plenty for Hermione to fix.

So many ideas and she had at least seven years to accomplish them. Scholar programs for squibs, positive educational reform that would bring Hogwarts to the 21st century, and though she had succeeded in freeing the House-Elves, there were still other Magical Beings who needed attention and equality.

But she wouldn't have to do it alone.

There were plenty of people in the Ministry who would back her up, and in her years since graduating Hogwarts, she had become adept at making people see her way.

The Sorting Hat had told her that if she weren't Muggle-Born he would have considered putting her in Slytherin. She certainly honed her cunning, wit, and ambition to reach the top rung of this ladder.

And it was all worth it.

"And finally," she said. "I would like to mention my family. Because of their support at home, it has given me the energy and drive to come in every day so I could continue my work. I love you all."

"That's my wife!" shouted Ron proudly while their children, Rose and Hugo, cheered.

Hermione smiled out at the crowd of witches and wizards who erupted into applause at her speech. She stepped down from the podium and immediately went to her family.

"How did I do?" she asked breathlessly.

"Wonderful, Mummy!" Rose grinned. "Didn't hesitate once."

"You're brilliant, love," said Ron, kissing her on the lips.

"Oh, good," she laughed. "I was worried when I stopped listening to myself."

"Great speech, Minister," said Harry. "Come on, we've got a party ready for you at our house."

"Wasn't it supposed to be a surprise?" Ginny asked.

"Lily let it slip."

Hermione laughed and followed them out before the press could swarm her. She could address them properly in the morning.

To use Ron's favorite two words: Bloody Hell, she was Minister of Magic!