Summary: After two high-profile wizarding officials from around the world are murdered without any leads, the Ministry of Magic moves MOM Hermione Granger into a government-owned property where she can be under the supervision of an Auror. DRAMIONE
I do not own Harry Potter and all characters, and related indicia belong to J.K. Rowling.
Daily Prophet- London
Monday, September 25th
STILL NO ANSWERS
It has been two weeks since MACUSA's Samuel Quahog was discovered dead in his high-security residence in New York City. Aurors have confirmed that they suspect that foul play was involved. Head Auror Glad Pigmire issued this statement, "President Quahog was in excellent health when he left the office on Tuesday afternoon. Healer Jeanie Travers reports that President Quahog had a mandatory exam three days before his death in order to travel abroad. Therefore, we must conclude that our president did not pass away due to health complications and treat the investigation as a homicide. At this point the investigation is ongoing and we will not be discussing the case with the public."
We do know from inside sources that the killing curse was not used on President Quahog, and no traces of poison were found in his system. Whatever was used to kill President Quahog remains a mystery. This is a developing story.
Tuesday, October 3rd
MURDER IN THE NIGHT AGAIN!
German Minister of Magic Adalard Luzhise has been killed in his home barely three weeks after President Samuel Quahog. This disturbing news was brought to our attention after MOM Hermione Granger held an emergency press conference in London at three o'clock this morning. The German Ministry of Magic confirmed that Luzhise died in a German magical hospital from serious lacerations and afflictions all over his body. Healers report that Luzhise was transported to the hospital by his wife, Lucy, and teenage son, Adalard Junior. Lucy Luzhise was soaked on one side with her husband's blood and told healers that she woke up to blood seeping into her nightdress from her husband's wounds. Healers worked for over an hour trying to revive the minister, but all known spells and potions failed to keep the minister alive. Aurors are at a loss as to how the minister could have been attacked from inside his enchanted home and have declared this a homicide. The Aurors must be considering that the death of President Samuel Quahog and Minister Adalard Luzhise are not coincidences. Minister Granger hinted at the idea during her speech but would not answer any direct questions after her statement.
"On behalf of the ministry of magic, I am sorry that Minister Adalard Luzhise is no longer with us and Great Britain will do whatever we possibly can to help our fellow nation in this tragic time."
Hermione stepped off the platform as flashes and shouts echoed behind her. With everything on her mind and the deaths of her equals, she still thought about the flashes and shouts of May 2nd, 1998. Hermione didn't like to think of it as the Battle of Hogwarts because she never thought herself capable of fighting in a battle. Battles were something goblins and giants in the 17th century participated in, not her. She knew that deep down she did fight in a battle and that she was considered a heroine, but she liked to push it from her mind. She was Hermione, and she much preferred her title as Minister of Magic because she felt that she could wrap her head around the concept. Heroines were much more complicated
Her title being screamed in her ear ripped her out of her thoughts.
"Minister, MINISTER, HERMIONE!"
It was Harry. Hermione had told him thousand times that he didn't need to call her Minister, but he always insisted that he should treat her with the same respect as everyone else because she deserved it, and he also said that no one respected Hermione more than himself. Harry was the head of the Auror department and he began to trail Hermione around as soon as he discovered that Samuel Quahog was murdered. He walked beside her with his wand drawn, it was always drawn. She silently understood why but had never questioned him about it. Constant vigilance.
"Yes, Harry?"
"Let's go up to your office. We need to have a chat."
"Can't it wait until I get a few hours of sleep? It has been a terrible, long day."
"I'm sorry Hermione, it can't. This is about your safety and that is the top priority."
This annoyed Hermione. Harry knew better than anyone that she was more than capable of handling herself. Harry pulled her into a lift and the all too familiar female voice announced three floors before they reached Hermione's office on level one. Hermione whispered her password to the M on the door and it granted them access.
Harry spoke before Hermione could, "Hermione, I know what you are going to say, and I value your opinion, but these attacks are not random, and you know it. You need more protection."
Hermione was about to open her mouth to speak when a soft knock interrupted her. She threw her head back and combed her hair with her hands, let out a sigh. "Come in,"
To her surprise, her predecessor and mentor Kingsley Shacklebolt walked swiftly into the room, followed by Ron. Harry gave Kingsley a meaningful look and Kingsley gave him a nod. Ron was scowling and walked around the room twice, and started to go for a third when Hermione called out, "Ron knock it off. I am perfectly safe in my own office."
Ron rounded on her, "This is a serious matter, Hermione, we have to double and triple check everything. You mean the world to us, and the person who is out there murdering politicians is clearly skilled."
"We don't even know why he or she murdered the presidents. There is no reason to think that I will be his next target."
Harry countered her argument, "That's the point, Hermione, we have no idea what this person is after, or why they committed murder, so we have to be especially careful since we don't know the motive…That's why we want you to lie low for a while. Erm, Hermione we want you to take a sort of vacation until we get this figured out." Harry choked out the last part. He started to cringe even before the minister started to speak. Twelve years of friendship had taught Harry when to expect a fight.
Hermione turned red and balled her fists. Her hair, which was already frizzy from the night's events seemed to frizz up even more, and her brown eyes bore into Harry's. Two government leaders are murdered and Harry's ingenious plan is to take a vacation? Preposterous! Hermione was not one to burst out and scream, but with her lack of sleep and the day's events, she felt so overwhelmed that she might've just let loose on Harry. She took a deep breath and reasoned that it was all she expected of Harry to tuck her safely away until the threat was dealt with.
"Not only is it what I want, it's what Ginny wants and just about every other wizarding family want too. They worship you Hermione, and if we lost you we would lose so much ground." Harry concluded and Ron frowned and shook his head seriously.
"I don't want to do this. The country is in a state of panic and I need to be here to be a brave face. What kind of leader would I be if I just decided to go on vacation while my equals are being struck down around me?"
"We understand your position Hermione, and we know what we're asking is a lot, but please consider it. The wizarding community knows that you are in danger and they will always respect that."
Kingsley who leaning against Hermione's bookshelf spoke in his deep voice, "All of the attacks have been in the officials' homes, and at night. Granger doesn't necessarily need protection when she is in the Ministry itself, just when she is at home. You live alone Granger, and these deaths prove that this person can get around spells and enchantments. We'll have the Auror department provide you with a suitable Auror to provide extra protection. We can even have a Fidalious charm set around your new location in order to limit who can access your home.
Hermione cut him off, "New location? I see no reason for me to move just because of these incidents. I can stay in my own home."
Ron growled, "Everyone knows where you live Hermione, that means an outsider could discover where you live very easily. It's best to be unpredictable." Hermione saw a flash in his eyes and she realized that he looked upset for some other reason than his ex-girlfriend might be on a hit list. Hermione continued to squint at him and he turned his back to her and started pacing.
"As you know, the ministry owns property all over the world and we think that we have found the perfect place for you to inhabit while you go on your extended trip."
"Harry I am not taking a leave of absence. If having a security detail is good enough for Kingsley then it is good enough for me."
"Fine, it might be better that way. I can't imagine what a disaster it would be if we cooped you up with-."
Ron interjected, "Yeah, its better if you do keep up appearances and come to work. Leading a country isn't something that can just be put on hold."
Harry gave a small smile, "We were thinking Holyhead because then you could be close to me and Gin. Ron was all for shipping you off to France but with you wanting to come to work, that would make for some tricky apparition and the last thing we want is for you to drown in the ocean after going through all this trouble." Harry let out a laugh at his own joke, and Hermione let out a little laugh of her own and collapsed into her desk chair.
"So how soon do I have to get packed?"
"Its already being taken care of. As soon as I give them the ok, they'll start packing and shipping to a secure location in Holyhead and we'll just have you make sure there isn't anything we missed and then we'll perform the charm and let you get some rest."
Hermione sighed and closed her eyes, "I should be there while they pack. I don't want them manhandling all of my possessions, and when am I going to get my security detail? I want to set some ground rules."
Ron spat, "He'll meet us at the house in Holyhead." And with that, Ron threw the door open and walked out.
Hermione was right, there was something up with Ron, but before Hermione could say anything Harry said, "Don't worry about, he's just upset about the situation."
Hermione was too tired to care what Harry was talking about. Kingsley bid them both goodbye and left after Ron. Hermione walked to drink cabinet and poured herself a water and offered one to Harry. She knew that Harry would decline, but always thought it was rude not to offer. Harry only drank from a flask. Some people called him paranoid, but Hermione thought it was smart to cover all of his bases. Harry had experienced many close calls with Voldemort sympathizers after Voldemort fell from power. Also, due to the nature of Harry's job, he was under constant threat from criminals. She always teased him that he should have picked a quieter job that didn't involve hunting down dark wizards and he argued that it was the only thing he knew how to do.
Harry stood and stretched, "It'll all be okay Minister, I'll make sure this guy is run into the ground."
"It could be a girl you know."
"Yes, yes Hermione that's what I meant. A girl or guy. I learned my lesson the first time."
Hermione smirked at Harry and lifted he wand to the fireplace where it roared into life with the standard green flames.
"After you Minister?"
"Certainly,"
Hermione kept her wand drawn as she scooped floo powder in her hand and stepped into the flames and annunciated clearly, "Seventy Palmer Court," and the flames whisked her away. Harry took one more look around the office and turned to follow, but there was a knock at Hermione's door. Harry raised his wand and approached the door. He pulled it open with a jerk and came face to face with Draco Malfoy. He looked very displeased.
"Malfoy, I see you got my owl. The situation has changed and we have to act immediately."
His expression was still sour. "Potter, I still don't understand why you would pick me for this job. Forcing Granger to be cooped up is a terrible idea."
"I know, it was a terrible idea. We changed the plan, Granger will continue to work and make appearances, but you'll be following her around like a lost puppy. Anywhere she goes, you go. Hermione will not make this easy, so this is going to be a real challenge. She's 'the smartest witch of her age' and all that, and I think that makes you the only qualified wizard to take this job on. And not to be rude, you're one of the only Aurors without any attachments, and that means you can dedicate all of your time to keeping an eye on Hermione."
Draco pretended like the last remark didn't sting. His mother was always reminding him of this fact and it didn't make it easier. Any time Draco went to the manor for tea, some new pureblood diva was attending. Draco was over it, he wasn't going to conform to the ideals that brought on his father's death. He was looking to get serious with someone, but that would have to be put on hold while the minister was in danger. Draco held his job with the greatest respect and strived to uphold the laws of society. His original plan after the Battle of Hogwarts was to establish the Malfoy name in a good light again, but the wizarding world had other ideas. His entire family was captured and sent to Azkaban while they awaited trial and it seemed like they would never see the light of day again or a trial. It wasn't until Harry fucking Potter walked through the gates Azkaban all by himself and ordered the guards to escort the entire family to London for their trial at his request.
Draco's father was convicted almost instantly for his crimes against every walk of life. Draco knew that's what his father deserved and it was hard not to hate him for those things. Draco had seen him torture people and murder them in his own home and discovered other things his father had done during the trial. His father had given a piece of the Dark Lord's soul to a little girl in order to cover his own ass after the Dark Lord fell the first time. It was a disgusting trial.
Draco's mother was next, and Harry Potter saved her. He testified for well over an hour about how Draco's mother lied to Lord Voldemort after attempting to kill Potter and her single action saved Harry's life and changed the outcome of the entire battle. "Without Narcissa Malfoy's help, I wouldn't be here and neither would any of you. Narcissa Malfoy did what she had to do in order to see her son again, and her love for her son saved us all, much like my own mother,"
Draco silently cried when Potter compared Draco's mother to his own.
For Draco's own trial, Harry, Ron, and Hermione all testified on his behalf. Draco had many charges against him and one by one they were dropped. Hermione was the one who drove it home, she talked about how they were all just kids, and Draco's father had driven him to believe what was wrong was right, and that if he had been raised in a different situation, Draco might never have been forced into anything. One wizard countered her, "Ah but Miss Granger, he did do those things, and he should be punished for his actions."
Hermione was one step ahead of him, "Yes! And I plotted against the ministry, used polyjuice potion to infiltrate the Ministry and Gringotts, used unforgivable curses on other individuals, and stole a dragon. All of us kids did terrible things in the war to survive and Draco did the same. He is not his father."
The wizard did not speak again, and after a few moments, and some political jargon, Kingsley Shacklebolt, the newly appointed Minister of Magic asked for a vote and Draco was cleared of all charges. Thanks to Hermione, not a single hand raised against him. He later wrote a letter to her, asking for her forgiveness and to thank her, but he never sent it because his pride got in the way. Malfoys didn't beg for forgiveness or thank people. He still held onto the letter just in case he felt brave someday.
Draco came back from his reverie, and addressed Harry, "Have you told Hermione that this is happening? How did she handle it?" He was sure that Hermione would throw an outright fit at the idea of Draco Malfoy following her around, regardless of how she defended him publicly, he had bullied her in school and she wasn't likely to forget it."
"Erm, I haven't told her yet. It might be best to spring this on her right before we do the charm."
Draco gave him an incredulous look and didn't say anything. Harry could be incredibly thick.
Harry sighed, "You're right. It's another terrible idea. I'll talk to her. I should actually get going and so should you. I'm was about to walk into the fireplace when you knocked."
Draco nodded and turned for the lifts. "Oh, and Draco? Have some faith, ok? I know this won't be fun for you or her but try and make the best of it,"
Draco gave another nod and walked away.
A/N: Hi everyone! I hope you guys like this chapter. This is my first fic and I am excited to try it out. I tend to jump around when I write so I hope everyone understood what was going on. This fic is canon compliant except for that pesky epilogue/Cursed Child. Please review and tell me what you think so far.
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