Ministry of Magic

Friday 29th October 1999

15:28pm

Theo ran through the corridors of the Ministry, darting between witches and wizards as they went about their work. His heart was pounding in his chest as he tore down the back stairs that took him to the lobby when the elevators were out of order. Slamming through the door, he nearly knocked over a young intern who was making her way across the lobby. Stunned witches and wizards stepped out of his way, unsure as to why he was tearing through the building like a Centaur on speed. He heard the screaming as he approached the Ministry library.

"...There is nothing for you to try to understand, Ronald. What I do is my business. Why this is important to me is my business…"

"But he is a DEATH EATER," Ron roared, his face flushed crimson with anger.

"What the fuck is going on?" Theo yelled, striding into the room.

"Stay out of this Nott," Ron yelled, pointing his finger straight at him. "Hermione is nothing to do with you."

"I beg to differ, Weasel-bee," Theo spat, approaching Hermione, who stood fuming in the middle of the library. "Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.

"I told you, stay out of this," Ron hissed, taking a step forward.

Theo whipped out his wand, pressing it under Ron's chin. "And I am warning you, nicely, Weasley, to get the fuck away from Hermione. She is plenty to do with me."

"Shagging him now, are we?" Ron sneered.

"What?" Hermione shrieked, "I am not sleeping with anyone, Ronald, not that it is any business of yours. How dare you." Her hands were firmly on her hips as she rounded on him. "You have hardly said a word to me since he was sentenced and you come in here today with your accusations and temper. How. Dare. You." She punctuated the last three words stabbing a finger into his chest.

"We are worried about you Hermione," he stated, glaring at Theo. "I don't know what he has said to twist you like this, to make you fight for the release of a Death Eater, but we are worried, all of us."

Hermione squared her shoulders. "No one has twisted me, Ronald. I am fighting for him because it's what is right. He turned himself in."

"Yeah, when he could see they were losing, " Ron scoffed.

"It doesn't matter when he turned himself in, he did. And Dumbledore believed in him. His mother is the reason Harry is even alive "

"The court didn't agree with you, Hermione. And it doesn't matter what Dumbledore believed. Dumbledore is dead. Because of him."

"No." Hermione emphasised. "Harry told you what he saw in those memories. He was dying."

Ron rounded on Hermione, Theo stepping towards him threateningly before Ron took a step back fixing his eyes on her. "Tell your bodyguard to stand down," he spat.

Hermione glared back defiantly.

"Fine, we are done here then Hermione," Ron spat before stalking out the room, slamming the door for good measure.

Theo caught her as she crumpled, sobs wracking her body.


Ministry of Magic Library

Saturday 30th October 1999

21:22pm

Theo approached the desk where she had fallen asleep, her head on the book she had been reading.

"I am sorry to call you in Mr. Nott but this isn't the first time, and it's becoming somewhat of a habit. A habit that cannot continue," the librarian stated primly before turning on her heel.

He reached down and touched her shoulder.

"Granger?"

"What?" she rushed, sitting bolt upright.

"You fell asleep in the library again Granger," Theo told her gently. "It's time to go home."

Hermione shook her head. "Too much to do. Have you seen this," she pulled a book towards him, pointing to the text.

"Granger..."

"I think it's important, especially when you consider the precedent set during the trials," she continued.

"Granger..."

"And when you take into account this," she reached for another book as Theo grabbed her wrist, stilling the movement. She looked round at him, her eyes widening.

"Granger, go home."

"No, Theo! There is too much to do, too much to go through, too much work to be done," she rushed, her eyes wild.

"And you can't do any of it if you are tired."

"I'm not tired!" she cut him off.

"No? I just got called in because you were asleep on a pile of books. Again." He quirked an eyebrow at her.

Hermione huffed. "Fine. I will go home, but I am not happy about it," she stated, grabbing her things.

Theo chuckled. "I didn't expect you to be."


Ministry of Magic Library

Sunday 31st October 1999

22:26pm

"Mr. Nott, it is Sunday, and Halloween." The librarian's eyes flashed with anger. "I will have no choice but to report this."

Theo nodded, before moving to the stacks.

Hermione stood between the stacks, using her wand to remove books from the highest shelves, before adding them to the pile levitating next to her.

"Oh. Hello, Theo," she rushed out. "I think I have found something important."

"And it will still be here Tuesday, after the holiday," Theo told her firmly.

"We cannot wait until Tuesday " she stated, levitating the books to the desk she had set her work on.

"The librarian would prefer it if you did." Theo nodded towards the short, elderly witch who sat seething at the desk in the corner.

Hermione huffed. "It's not like she needs to be here."

"Actually, she does. This isn't Hogwarts, Hermione. You can't just come and go when you please."

"I have work to do!" Hermione cried, her concentration broke and the pile of books crashed onto the desk causing a shriek to slip from the lips of the librarian who suddenly rushed out from her corner, rounding on Hermione.

"That is it. Get out!" The librarian cried.

"I am working on a very important case," Hermione started.

"I am not interested, Miss Granger. Unless you want me to summon your supervisor immediately, I suggest you leave." The elderly witch pointed towards the door with her bony finger. "Get. Out."

Hermione reached for her wand.

"Granger," Theo warned, uncertain as to what Hermione might do. He had never seen her like this. She was manic, almost feral. It was unnerving to say the least to see Hermione Granger less than fully in control of her faculties.

Hermione fixed a look at Theo who returned the look just as forcefully before capitulating, knowing what she was going to do. He turned to the elderly witch, "Miss Meadows, please, allow me to escort Miss Granger out once she has tidied up her workstation and returned the books." He flashed her his most charming smile, holding her gaze.

"Fine. But I want you both gone by ten thirty," she replied curtly, before making her way to the desk in the corner to gather her own things.

"Are you done?" he hissed at Hermione, who placed her beaded bag on her shoulder with a smile. "Seriously, you will get us both fired one of these days."

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