In the Ministry's atrium, there was pandemonium as always. Hundreds of witches and wizards moving around each other, focused on their goal.

Today however was different. It was vibrating with life as the huge podium in the centre was taking up a lot of space and everyone was trying to walk around it and the crowd who had stopped to look.

On the stage were large photographs, newspaper articles and posters with strange runes and symbols on them. At precisely eleven o'clock that morning, Hermione Granger will be giving her first public presentation of her findings from Greece with her team. It was common knowledge that Hermione was out exploring on some expedition, but very little was known about what she was looking for. Today would be the day everyone found out.

A nervous Hermione was in a small side room with her family and her group leaders. After pacing around the room relentlessly, the team's medic got too irate with her and told her to stop at once. She walked over to the door to peek around and judge the crowd numbers. While she was looking she noticed a gaggle of reporters for the Prophet and the Quibbler.

"That fucking Skeeter woman is here" Charlie said from over her right shoulder. "Don't worry about her, Hermione, everyone knows she talks bollocks these days" he added soothingly while placing a hand on her shoulder and squeezing it lightly.

A kindly woman with a sweet face walked to the room.

"Miss Granger? It's time" she said as Hermione opened the door fully to her. She took a deep breath and rolled her shoulders.

"Bring it on" Hermione said to herself. She smoothed down the modest office dress she was wearing and checked her shoes. All present and correct.

She walked to the stage with Charlie and her team leaders behind her. Charlie was acting the gentleman with his hand resting on the small of her back as she climbed the small steps to the stand her notes were on. He led her to the front of the stage where the photographer's lights were flashing of their own accord and the journalists were shouting; trying to ask questions. A large crowd had also gathered, most just wanted to catch a glimpse of one third of the Golden Trio but some were genuinely interested.

Once the crowd was calm again, Hermione started.

"Minister, lords, ladies and gentlemen" she said with a shaky voice. She glanced to the side to see the Weasley's and Harry smiling at the edge of the stage. Harry may be the head of the Auror department, but he wouldn't miss Hermione's presentation. This gave her the courage she needed and carried on with a stronger tone.

"As some of you may be aware, I have been exploring the Mediterranean for the past four years. I have been searching for evidence that proves the existence of the earliest magical people. I put a team together so we could learn more about our history and other magical cultures. I am happy to report that we have found what we were looking for, plus a multitude of other artefacts that will help piece together both muggle and magical history" Hermione paused to take break and let the reporters catch up with their notes.

"Of course, I couldn't have done this alone. First of all, I want to thank the Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, for giving me the opportunity to head this mission, without his help with the funding and his resources I would never have found the right people for the job" she paused to allow a polite round of applause for Kingsley in which he looked up at Hermione and nodded, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Secondly, the team leaders and experts whose knowledge was immeasurably helpful. Mike Maley, Christopher Sand, Melissa Fearcroft and Sandy Thomas. They worked relentlessly throughout the last four years translating and researching runes that were once thought to be part of an extinct language and whose work meant we could carry on when we got to a dead end." she extended her arm to the four people on her right as another round of applause filled the atrium.

"Thirdly, Dominic Le Strausse, our medic and shoulder to cry on. Thank you for keeping us alive" she said with a smile and her team giggled at as she motioned to her right.

"And last but by no means least, Charlie Weasley" she paused as Molly whimpered at the side of the stage. Hermione looked to see smiles on the face of every Weasley and Harry. "He did join our team very late, but his fresh approach to the research allowed us to see things we were overlooking. Without him falling from the cliff face and washing down an old waterway we would never have reached our goal. Now, I've said all my thank you's to the people I was calling MY team, but really we were all equals and working towards the same goal. We are OUR team, and we open this exhibition to you all"

She finished with a smile to a standing ovation and massive cheers from the crowd. She stood arm in arm with her team so the prophet and Quibbler could take their photographs. She could see Rita Skeeta and her electric green quill moving at top speed but she just smiled and carried on.

Charlie moved and put his hand back on the small of her back, with Dominic on Hermione's other side. Charlie leaned in and said into her ear over the noise of the crowd.

"Well done, sweetie. You killed them"

"I can't believe they took it so well" she admitted.

"Savour this, Hermione, you deserve it"

With the crowd still cheering she looked out and smiled. All she and the team had been working on had paid off. She was surrounded by flashing cameras and raucous applause. The rest of the team leaders were now walking to the back of the stage so they could enter the exhibition but Charlie kept Hermione at the front, forcing her to enjoy her moment.

Without warning, Charlie swept Hermione into a low kiss, one hand on her waist and one nestling in her hair. She was flung back with a small yelp and quickly silenced by the man's lips meeting her own. The cameras around the atrium exploded with erratic flashes and the journalists nearly exploded with questions.

Still low to the ground, Charlie broke the kiss and smiled his winning smile.

"Thank you, Charlie" she whispered into his lips. "Thank you for everything"

Fin.

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