Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Election day - part 1
A little more than two weeks till the Election day. Sure they still had a lot of obstacles to overcome but Hermione was assured in the victory of her candidate.
Mr. Parkinson was a person she happened to believe in, he was a man of strong conviction and integrity. Of course, he had been associated with Voldemort during the war, but had changed completely ever since and Hermione knew just how to utilize the potential of that redemption story.
It all started off with a donation Hermione made to the cause, a large sum of Galleons sure helped Mr. Parkinson's campaign and didn't go unnoticed. Soon the donator herself got involved in the campaign and so Hermione achieved a significant place by soon-to-be-minister's side.
They were spending another late night working in the Parkinson manor, beside a large desk full of papers and two small glasses filled with firewhisky.
"How you present yourself if very important, it's the image you create is what matters. We must pay attention to details, leave nothing to chance. A lot can be learned from muggle politicians, you know." Hermione spoke while Mr. Parkinson listened soaking up every word.
He stroked his beard that was a mixture of black and gray. "Miss. Granger, your advice in these matters has been invaluable. I believe we're almost there. Be sure that you won't be forgotten… if I'm elected that is." He said putting down the small glass of liquor on the desk.
"I wouldn't expect any less from an honorable man Minister."
"Hold on…" Mr. Parkinson said smiling. "I'm not Minister just yet. We still have that big debate 9 days from now…"
"I'm aware…" Hermione nodded.
"…witch is why I wanted to ask you to stay for the weekend in my humble home. We could go over some plans for the remaining time, and beyond. You've got to try our chef's cooking, and we'll find a nice room for you as well."
"I gladly accept." Hermione said restraining herself from smiling. This had assured her she'd have some important position like the personal advisor to the Minister, she imagined. Her place in this new government was something she was particularly concerned about. After all she had money, buying a share in Fred and George's emporium, witch she considered the best move in her life, had acquired her a considerable amount of wealth. Fred and George lead the business themselves, which meant Hermione's vault in Gringotts filled with more Galleons each month without lifting a finger.
After that "beginner's luck" in business, as she called it with a smirk while retelling the story, she invested in other things, and thus became one of the richest people in the wizarding world by the young age of 25.
What she craved was what she lacked at the moment, power, the ability to change things on an even larger scale, and after the election she'd, no doubt have a much greater role in shaping the future of the wizzarding world.
The Parkinson manor was used as the headquarters for the campaign, so Pansy was moved to a smaller room besides her father's office. Hermione never saw her around the house, so she assumed Pansy had married and moved somewhere else, but she was right there, room next to them and listening to their conversation trough a small hole in the wall that she discovered back when she was still in Hogwarts.
The hole was hidden at the corner of a bookshelf in the back of her father's office and Pansy was pretty sure he had no idea it existed.
Pansy put her eye on the whole trying to catch a glimpse of her father's desk, trying to see to whom this somewhat familiar voice belonged to. "Hermione Granger…" She whispered silently sting down on the floor and leaning back on the wall in her silky white nightgown.
Pansy had heard from friends, while she still bothered to keep in contact with them that is, that Hermione Granger was rich now and bought a great big mansion not far from the Parkinson manor. Just like in Hogwarts, she just had to be the best in everything, witch made Pansy recall how much she hated her back in the school days.
Pansy stood up and placed her ear on the hole, trying to hear what they were talking about. She heard muffled voices, but they were understandable enough. Her father was praising Granger, apparently.
"Thank you." Hermione replied. "But like you said we haven't won yet, there are a lot of things to consider still…"
Mr. Parkinson stopped her placing a hand on her shoulder. "All in due time Hermione, can I call you…"
"Of course, sir."
"And call me Darius. I really… I have to say I wish I had a daughter just like you." He said after a bit of hesitation.
"I appreciate that." Hermione said plainly, wondering why he never mentioned his own daughter.
On the other side of the wall Pansy had heard this and it felt like an ice shard in the heart. She was envious of Hermione as it is, and now even more because of what her father said. Though she hated the fact that she still craved her father's recognition, she couldn't deny it. It seamed that Granger of all people was now an integral part of her father's latest project, witch is to be the next Minister of Magic. She just desperately hoped they fail at this attempt.
She stood back up and placed her ear on the hole again, they were now leaving her father's office.
"Let's find you a room now." Mr. Parkinson said and they stepped out into the hallway.
Pansy moved to the door of her room and placed her ear on it. She could still hear their voices though they were even more muffled now.
"There's an empty room." Mr. Parkinson said opening a door across from Pansy's room. "I'm sure you're used to better, but…"
"Don't be silly, this is fine."
"The bathroom is at the end of the hallway."
"Right." Hermione nodded stepping inside the room while Mr. Parkinson stood at the door resting his hand on the knob.
"Good night… oh and my daughter is right across from you, if you need anything else."
"Sure." Hermione said trying to hide the surprise that Pansy was actually here in the house. "Good night." She said and Mr. Parkinson left. Hermione took off her pants and suite jacket and threw them over a chair. She locked the door with a spell before she went to bed. She decided she'd sleep better that way.
After a tormenting hour or so of thinking, and thinking about what she was gonna say to Granger, Pansy stepped out of her room and reached for the knob on the door opposite. It wouldn't budge. Granger must have locked it, she realized. Pansy gave up and returned to her room. She threw herself on the bed feeling the anger in her subside and sleep take over.
End of ch1-