Years From Now
Chapter 7
September 23, 2008
Hermione's right hand initially shielded her face from the onslaught imposed by the press, but after she had adjusted she let it fall, although her brow was furrowed as she peered around at the reporters surrounding her. Questions were being fired off rapidly and she could not discern who was saying what. She had a flashback of being 18 again after the fall of Voldemort, when she, Ron, and Harry had essentially been stalked for weeks and weeks on end by exuberant wizarding media.
"How long ago did Harry propose?!"
"Was it a big or small proposal?"
"How did Harry propose?"
"What were your first thoughts, Madam Granger?"
"Were you upset it took this long, Hermione?"
"Please," she commenced after taking a deep breath, "Please!"
All of the talking and the majority of the clicking ceased at her words. The witches and wizards present watched her raptly like hungry piranhas. Hermione knew she had to say something; it would make them less rabid if she spoke, she could have some modicum of control, and there was no use in denying it. Their engagement was out for the world to know now.
"So, is it true, Madam Granger? Did Harry Potter propose to you?" a bold soul questioned, the first to breach the near silence.
"Yes, it's true. He proposed and I accepted," the brunette confirmed. The crowd burst forth with booming energy once more, louder than before, actually, their words and camera snaps returning.
"When?!" someone inquired.
"The end of last week," she added.
"Which day?"
"Can you show us the ring?!"
"How do you feel?"
"I was, and am, very happy about it. I am fortunate to have Harry and cannot wait to see what the future holds for us," Hermione mentioned, "With that being said, I'm afraid I have no more time for questions. I have much work for the day that requires my attention and I would thank you to allow me to see to it."
She gave a single nod and then moved forward. No one attempted to stop Hermione but they did follow her with more inquiries, shouts, and pictures, yet they did not go beyond the security desk as they knew their presence was much less tolerated past a certain point.
"Well, let the circus begin!," Hermione exclaimed when she arrived to Lottie's station not long afterward, "I was just accosted by a mob that also so happens to be the press." Her assistant grimaced while she peered at the brunette.
"I'm so sorry. I know this is all my fault! Please don't fire me." Lottie remarked. She had started her shift ten minutes before Hermione had, as she always did.
"I am not going to fire you, Lottie," the Muggleborn sighed.
"I feel terrible, though! What can I do?"
"For now, just as we did yesterday: no one gets through unless it's urgent and there's proof," responded Hermione. Lottie nodded with determination and then posited:
"All day?"
"No. Just the next two hours. I need the time to myself to work without interruptions; something tells me they will be much plentiful in the coming days!"
When Harry got to work that day, an hour after his fiance, he had his own surprise. He emerged from the elevators to the second level and stepped out on his floor, and he saw a group of people huddled around the desk of the Auror responsible for walk ins. This person took the reports or complaints from everyday folks in the British magical community, and if any citizen was requesting to see a particular Auror, especially without an appointment, they had to go through this wizard or witch.
It was a lower level position meant for Aurors in their second or third year of training or for an Auror who had been disciplined and demoted, and the witch today (a young woman in her final year of training) looked hassled by the group that was crowding her desk. Harry's brow furrowed as he walked closer and saw her frazzled state. Something fairly large must have occured for that many people to be here at once and he thought he should check in to see if she needed assistance.
"Is everything sorted out here?" he asked, approaching the desk. She (Morrison, he reminded himself) was standing and looked at him with a relieved expression.
"Captain!," she uttered, "These people came to-"
"Mr. Potter!" one of the five shouted.
Everything happened quickly after that. The five of them started speaking all at once- loudly. They zoomed toward him and cameras came out of God knew where, popping away without pause. His shock rendered him immobile for a stint as he blinked away the intrusion of the lights and sounds.
"Harry, where did you ask Hermione to marry you?!"
"Were you nervous at all, Auror Potter?"
"Tell us where you got the ring!"
"Merlin's beard!" Morrison exclaimed. She whipped out her wand and ran around her desk to intervene. They had tricked her! The reporters had snuck in under the guise of regular citizens giving details about a serious scuffle somewhere or another, and of course they had. If they had not come to Auror headquarters with a fake cover story, they would have promptly been thrown out when identified as the press.
"What do you think your parents would have said about the proposal?!" someone wondered.
Harry's alarm dissipated with the mention of Lily and James Potter, and his face changed to show his indignation with this ambush at work. Two other Aurors had rushed over from the cluster of cubicles to help with the situation upon seeing and hearing the commotion.
"You are not allowed on the premises! You all need to leave immediately!" Morrison directed, inserting herself into the fray with the two others. The reporters cried out with the knowledge that they were being forced out and had not heard from their target.
"Just one statement, Harry!" one beseeched.
The dark haired wizard gritted his teeth. The brash of these people upset him but he would say something, at least.
"Yes. I asked Hermione to marry me but I have no further comment beyond that!" he stated in an irritated voice.
The senior Auror then moved past the zealous group that continued to shout for him and the three Aurors who were making sure the disturbance was taken care of. The nerve of them! He was not surprised but it still aggravated him that they would bombard him while he was working. Harry lost sight of the reporters but had not gotten too far past all of the cubicles (for his own office) when he was accosted once again; this time, however, it was at least by friendly faces.
"Harry! You all right?" Noah Ainsworth questioned.
"Damned vultures." Cassandra uttered, scowling a bit. In addition to the two other captains, there were about seven or eight Aurors around him looking concerned.
"I'm fine. It's being taken care of by Morrison, Zhang, and Tokey," answered Harry, letting out his frustration through a sigh, "I just wasn't expecting them. Caught me off guard."
"They know very well they're not allowed up here without clearance." Noah attested.
"Their disguise was convincing, at least."
"A lively way to start your morning!" an Auror offered.
"I'm good with quiet mornings." The group surrounding him laughed.
"Well, Harry, pet," Kaz commenced, peering around at their colleagues in anticipation. She could see the eagerness plain as day on some of their faces, "About why the press was here to begin with…"
The dark haired wizard gazed at her curiously and then looked at the others. He could see smiles and grins on their faces now and, when he peered back at Kaz, she was beaming.
"Congratulations, mate! You're getting married!" Noah exclaimed, grabbing Harry around the shoulders and shaking him enthusiastically.
His coworkers were now the ones shouting and making cheerful noise as they surged in a little closer. His head swam again, as it tended to do when he was being bombarded, and while he felt somewhat startled at their change in demeanor, he did not feel angry toward them. Simply resigned. As they had all gotten to the Ministry before him, they had heard of Hermione's run in earlier that morning and what she had revealed.
"Cheers, Captain!"
"Taking the leap!" two Aurors from his team stated, clapping their hands.
"You two are perfect together!" someone from Ainsworth's team noted.
"A soon to be married man!" Kaz said, giving him a tight hug while pressing her cheek against his.
"And to the Head of the DMLE, no less!" a wizard pointed out.
"Thanks… thanks you lot." Harry answered. He knew his response was pathetic in comparison to their gusto but he had not been prepared for any of this. He also observed that other Aurors were standing up in or outside of their cubicles, watching the display with happy expressions or clapping as well.
"Congratulations, sir!" a witch from Cassandra's team mentioned. She was one of the Aurors fresh on the heels of completion of the three year training. She was also smiling but Harry noticed that something was wrong with it; it appeared strained, and when he looked at her with a furrowed brow, a noise that sounded like a sob escaped her throat and she ran off. Alarmed by her reaction, he peered rapidly at Kaz.
"What?-" he started.
"Oh, nothing to worry over, Harry! She just has a thing for you! I expect she's upset," she shared in a nonchalant voice, which only served to increase his alarm.
"What?!"
"We'll have to celebrate." Noah deemed, redirecting Harry's attention.
"Yes!" Kaz confirmed. Some of the younger Aurors looked thrilled at this prospect.
"This or next Friday! We'll set it up."
"Er-" began Harry.
"Don't you worry about it, Harry! You'll just have to show up!" Noah attested.
"Aurors night out!" Philips, from Harry's own team, cited, grinning. His friend clapped his shoulder as though to agree.
"You'll have to tell us how you proposed!," Kaz said, "And if anyone here says anything to those vultures about it, you'll be out on your arse faster than you can blink!"
Harry continued to say little as the group walked him to his office, chattering the entire way as though the senior Auror was not in something of a daze.
Hermione lifted her no visitors ban after the two hours but, thankfully, did not receive an onslaught of people requesting to see her. It was the typical amount, but the faces of those who did come indicated they had more than work business on their minds as their eyes shot to her left hand. What was more, when she was out and about in the Ministry that day, excited whispers and deliberate smiles followed her. Consequently, she felt great relief when her shift was over and took no time in getting home, something that she may not have rushed on a regular basis because she wanted to ensure every small task was taken care of.
When the brunette Apparated home and landed in her living room, she released a loud, long sigh before marching into her room. She reemerged with her hair free and dressed in shorts and a loose shirt, then checked Hermes' food and water before heading to the kitchen. Her owl followed her and landed on the dining room table. When Hermione watched to see where he had chosen to perch, she jumped in place and cried out in surprise.
"Harry!" she declared, a hand going to her heart.
Her fiance sat at the table and looked nothing short of aggravated. He gazed at her yet said nothing, even as Hermes hooted and shuffled up next to the wizard to begin inspecting him. Hermione stared at him for a bit before she exhaled and ran a hand through her hair.
"I will go out on a limb and say we had similar days," the witch mentioned.
"Likely." Harry uttered. There had been more reporters waiting for him in the Atrium when his shift had ended an hour ago, and he hurriedly Disapparated with an angry look on his face before they could truly get to him.
"We can't really be surprised, Harry." Hermione sighed, moving to join him at the table instead of searching the kitchen for sustenance.
"No, but I can be upset. They came to Auror headquarters in the morning, Hermione. They were waiting for me," he shared. She shook her head as she sat down.
"They know they are not allowed there without authorization."
"They know, yes, but they obviously don't care."
"I had cameras waiting for me when I got to the Ministry as well," she mentioned, leaning forward.
"I'm not ready for this invasion. Because that's what it's going to be." Harry claimed, frowning.
"I know, Harry."
"If they invade my immediate workspace again, I cannot be held accountable for what I may or may not do."
Hermes hooted before leaving the humans, perhaps bored with their interaction. Hermione smiled grimly and held out her hand to him, indicating she wanted his. He gave it without contest.
"Let's do something to take our minds off the press," the brunette suggested.
"Like what?" Harry questioned.
"Like cook dinner together, or see if we can visit Reagan and Liam, or go to the cinema-"
"Or shag?"
She pursed her lips at his proposition but her eyes appeared somewhat amused, while Harry let a grin show.
"Does it always come back to sex for you?" Hermione responded.
"Of course not!," he insisted, "But I can definitely tell you that if you had been waiting naked in my office after the mess with the media this morning, I would've been so happy and distracted that I might've agreed to sit down for an hour interview!"
The true frenzy for Hermione and Harry commenced the next day. It began with the Daily Prophet's headline and cover story for that Wednesday.
The Chosen One Has Chosen the One: Harry Potter is Engaged!
Harry received the paper while eating breakfast and tried not to grimace as he examined the article. Its content covered the entire first two pages and the feature picture was of him and Hermione looking joyfully at one another and laughing. (He could not place when or where it had been taken, due to the sheer number of times he had his picture taken, but it was likely within the past year). There was also a picture of Hermione's ring on the second page; it seemed someone had managed to snap a good shot of it the previous day when she had been baraged. Harry did not read past the first paragraph as he did not want to digest being overly exalted by the paper, something that was essentially a guarantee since his defeat of Voldemort.
When the wizard got to his desk that morning, there were multiple copies of the periodical on its surface. He groaned as his eye caught the first sentence of the article: We here at the Daily Prophet take immense pleasure in announcing that wizarding legend Harry Potter, 28, has proposed to the most influential Muggleborn in recent history: his long time best friend and girlfriend, Hermione Granger! Some of the articles on the desk were blank while others were accompanied by notes, and Harry knew that the official announcement in the publication would only bring bolder attention. Indeed, even his fellow Aurors were more vocal about his engagement than they had been the preceding day.
Accordingly, Harry was called into the Minister's office shortly before noon and he went feeling intrigued. It was always great meeting with Kingsley and their conversations moved fluidly between professional and personal. There was another person present when Harry was seen into the impressive office by Kingsley's assistant and that person was Hermione. She peered at his slightly surprised expression with a content smile of her own.
"Harry, welcome!" the Minister greeted cheerfully.
"Hello, Minister," the Auror replied, shaking his superior's, and friend's, hand.
"Please have a seat next to Madam Granger."
Harry sat on her left as Kingsley's assistant exited the office and shut the door. He waved his wand at his door before peering at the two in front of him, a wide smile plastered on his face.
"It's been some time since we've been able chat and catch up." Kingsley remarked in the voice he used when discussing personal matters.
"It has," nodded Harry.
"I was telling Hermione that I really do regret that I was unable to attend her birthday celebration at Grimmauld. If I had gone, hearing about your engagement this week would not have come as such a surprise!"
Kingsley held up a copy of the Prophet and Harry made a face while the other wizard appeared amused.
"We're sorry you found out at the beginning of the week with everyone else. It was a significant slip Lottie's part." Hermione stated.
"It's no matter, as I'm sorry that this is the first time since Monday that I've had time to speak to you two about it," he answered, "It makes me happier than I can say that you two are getting married!" The grin on Kingsley's face was evidence of his delight and it was contagious for the couple.
"Thanks, Kingsley!" Harry said.
"It's a long time coming!" the Minister noted.
"I think so!" Hermione replied, looking mirthfully at her fiance.
"Would you like to tell me when this happened?"
"On her birthday," the dark haired wizard revealed. Knowing they were in safe territory with a trusted companion, Harry took her left hand in his right.
"Wonderful!" Kingsley stated.
"It was." Hermione commented.
"But it was completely unplanned. I was intending to propose to her at Hogwarts- this Saturday, actually." Harry supplemented. This earned a laugh from the other man.
"Doing things as planned doesn't sound much like the Harry we all know." Kingsley attested.
"Exactly. So that proposal may have been doomed from the start."
The Minister laughed once more and remarked:
"It could only be you who marries him, Hermione."
The brunette smiled shrewdly as she jostled their still joined hands.
"Similarly, your impending union is why I asked for both of you to meet with me," continued Kingsley.
"Oh?" Harry uttered, raising an eyebrow in bemusement.
"Yes. You two are easily the most famous witch and wizard at present in our world, and the fact that you are going to marry each other, of all people, is going to send wizarding Britain into a tailspin. Today's paper is exhibit A."
Harry made a disgruntled face while Hermione exhaled at the truth. He was right and they knew this.
"Yesterday, you were both confronted at work and that, likely, is not going to dissipate in the near future." Kingsley explained.
"It will be a nuisance." Hermione relayed.
"To say the least." Harry added.
"Yes. You two being targeted by the media is inevitable but we can mitigate some of that. We will have to ensure they do not interfere with your ability to do your jobs," the Minister said.
"What were you thinking?" the witch inquired.
"Setting clear expectations for the press, or over eager citizens. No one is allowed beyond the security desk in the Atrium unless they have official Ministry business that does not pertain or even allude to your engagement. They will be escorted by an Auror trainee at all times if they do have legitimate business. We will not tolerate any employee being harrassed while working and level two is absolutely off limits."
Harry perked up at Kingsley's stipulations. He could not protect them while they were not working but this would makes things much easier for them both during their working hours. (The Auror also noticed that the other wizard had slipped into professional mode).
"Thank you. It sounds like just what we need, Kingsley." Harry stated with conviction. Hermione nodded.
"What happens if someone chooses to ignore these conditions?" she wondered.
"Then they will be detained, possibly fined. If they persist, they will be arrested," Kingsley shared, "Interference with Ministry business cannot be permitted and that is exactly what hassling you here is."
"I can worry about my duties instead of being questioned about what color scheme we'll have for the wedding." Harry pointed out.
"You're still liable to get asked that! It'll just have to be when the mob is chasing you on the weekends." Kingsley was smiling again and Hermione chuckled.
"This will be very helpful," she vocalized.
"Yes. I will alert Gawain and he can make the announcement. If you two get an outpouring of mail following the news of your engagement, which very well may happen, we will scan that as well."
"No matter how many times this happens to me, I never get used to it." Harry proclaimed, his voice coming out muffled because his chin sat in his left hand.
Harry stayed in the office for another 15 minutes, having friendly conversation with the Minister and his fiance, before he took his leave. The brunette had to meet with Kingsley for actual business and Harry considered going to wait for her in her office, but he decided against it when he thought about Lottie's knowing gaze following him into the room. Consequently, he received keen well wishes and congratulations wherever he roamed in the Ministry that day, which were said with gleeful smiles, and so did Hermione. Additionally, the Prophet was not the only publication that had reported their engagement; by the time Harry was done for the day, he had seen four additional printings and had copies of them all sent to him. The senior Auror fell into bed face down that night, exhausted from the hubbub of the past two days and only expecting more.
A silver lining that Harry discovered amidst all of the fervid attention came the following day, and (ironically) came in the form of Christopher Garrick. Harry had been in the mess hall eating lunch with a few Aurors from his team when his engagement cropped up as conversation. It was discussed playfully so he did not mind that it was being talked about, and when he looked up from laughing, he met the gaze of a Hit Wizard sitting nearby, also eating lunch and glowering in their direction. It seemed Garrick had heard much of their discussion and he looked very displeased, which lit up something in Harry's brain and, in turn, made his face light up with a smirk.
He owed Garrick for the numerous barbs thrown his way and the condescending conversations they had, and he especially owed him for the improper remarks he made about Hermione that he knew got under Harry's skin. It seemed the senior Auror could return the favor today. Harry did not finish his meal in quicker succession just to rib the Hit Wizard, but when he was finished and about to leave the dining area, he stopped in front of Garrick's table.
"I'm surprised you haven't congratulated me about my engagement to Hermione, Garrick! As much as you talk about her and talk about us, together, I thought you'd be thrilled!," Harry attested in a cheerful, mocking voice, "I'm marrying Hermione, mate! It's brilliant! I'll consider inviting you to the wedding, yeah?"
The corresponding glare set on him was ugly but it only served to make Harry feel more smug, and his grin was deviously triumphant as he walked away.
Out of all the well wishers Hermione received that day, she was most shocked for one of them to be her ex-boyfriend. She had been coming down from Level 4 (i.e., Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures), the initial department she had worked in upon starting at the Ministry out of Hogwarts, when she crossed direct paths with him.
"Hermione!," the wizard exclaimed, eyes widening at the sight of her, "Er, Madam Granger!"
Isaac Franklin had been Hermione's romantic partner during the three year period in between Ron and Harry. The two had met in Level 4 and commenced dating a year after she started working. They had an amiable, easy relationship but nothing worthy of fireworks, and it lasted 10 months before she ended it. Hermione figured out at some point that Isaac was besotted with her because she was the Brightest Witch of Her Age, and their time together following the discovery that he was starstruck felt strange and one sided, so, she called it quits.
They saw one another on occasion nowadays and their romance had been long enough ago (nearly seven years) that it hardly seemed like they had dated to begin with... or at least it felt that way to Hermione. They were affable in their interactions but not a stitch beyond acquaintances now, which suited the witch just fine.
"Isaac. How are you?" she questioned, showing a small smile.
"I'm doing well, thanks! Just finished another bill for review!," he shared, still looking caught off guard, "How… how's it running the DMLE?"
"Complicated. But engaging! It's the type of challenge I love."
"That's great. Always knew you'd go far!" His eyes shot to her hands.
"Yes. Thank you for the congratulations card when I was sworn in!" Hermione stated.
"The least I could do was send a paltry card." Isaac attested, gaze still locked on her hands.
"Well I appreciated it all the same," she nodded, "I'll see you around?"
"Erm, yes! Yep."
The Muggleborn smiled at him again before continuing on her way but she did not get far before he was calling to get her attention back.
"Congratulations, by the way. Yet again. This time for your engagement," Isaac relayed in a measured voice, "It's… it's fantastic. You two will be stellar." Hermione gazed at him, a tad stunned, before authentic gratitude graced her face and molded a soft smile.
"Thank you, Isaac."
The other unexpected well wisher Hermione received did not come in person but rather on paper. Weeks before, the Muggleborn found an unmarked, pristine piece of parchment on her desk and this time was no different. The message on it, however, was starkly different than the first.
Madam Granger-
Allow me to first congratulate you on the joyous news of your engagement. And to a distinguished wizard such as Harry Potter, no less! His prominence is on par with the likes of the dark lord he defeated, his mentor Albus Dumbledore, and the alleged dark lord Dumbledore defeated: Gellert Grindelwald. (Which is not to discount your own illustrious background, Madam, for you surely have your own).
A union between two magicals is always a blessed affair, and the youth you both have ensure the union will be one of longevity.
Allow my second order of business to be an introduction. I merely go by G, Madam. The letter holds significance for a variety of reasons, ones that I hope I may expound upon face to face at a later time. You no doubt received my first correspondence a number of weeks ago about Gellert Grindelwald and I imagine the confusion it may have caused you. I also imagine you know much about this eminent wizard and likely thought the information useless, but I can guarantee you do not know everything about him… such as the fact that his grandchild is the one composing this letter.
Gellert had no known children but 'known' is the imperative word. My grandfather was human and he still had needs during his skillful rise to power for the honor of all magicals. My grandmother helped him with some of these needs for a three week period during a stop on his travels. When their time together resulted in my mother's conception, my grandmother informed Gellert but, due to what he was trying to accomplish, he did not feel the same happy anticipation as she. Indeed, he (rather coldly, from what I have been told) told my grandmother he would not be involved in the child's life and continued on with his exploits without looking back.
My grandmother, whom I loved dearly, was naive to believe it could have been any different. Gellert was an icon and had no time or plans for parenthood. Consequently, he did not coerce or threaten my grandmother into riding of the baby; he allowed her to make her own decision, although he showed no interest in what it was. My grandmother had my mother but she never completely let go of her naivety, because she would occasionally send Gellert pictures and updates of my mother. He only responded once, Madam Granger- when he learned his daughter was having a child.
I bear no ill will toward my grandfather. It would be wasted energy and, as his blood flows through my veins, I know I come from greatness. The children you will bear for Mr Potter will come from greatness. My efforts are better served in fostering my greatness, not holding grudges.
Lastly, Madam, allow me to explain why I am contacting you. You have significant power: magically and politically. You have sway. You have intelligence. You have Mr Potter. You are in an optimal position to serve as an ally for my cause, which is the same as my grandfather's. Magicals deserve to be on top. Intrinsically, we are superior to Muggles. They have value and can make important contributions but this would be best done under our guidance. Voldemort took my grandfather's philosophy and twisted it; what was more, he did not fully believe it. He sought power for himself and nothing more, parading it under the guise of blood purity and wizarding unity. Gellert believed in true unity for all, with magicals merely overseeing it.
I seek to reestablish Gellert's vision. The primary difference between our approach is that, where my grandfather was apparent and often loud, I am subtle. However, both of our methods are perspicuous and what will do what is necessary to ensure success.
I look forward to your response, Madam Granger, and know we will have much to discuss.
Hermione's heart was beating quickly in her chest by the time she finished the letter. One million thoughts shot off in her brain as her eyes darted about her office. Grindelwald had a grandchild? (Supposed grandchild! She could not trust something just because someone said it). And this person- this G- wanted to revive his movement? That was inherently ominous.
The Muggleborn knew she would have to do a number of things. She knew she would not respond since she could not indulge this person and replying would only encourage them. She knew she would have to inform Robards of this situation so the Auror department could keep an eye on it, and she knew she had to speak to Lottie to find out where the letter had come from.
"Lottie," Hermione uttered, rushing to her assistant's station, "Did you put this on my desk not long ago? While I was out?" She brandished the parchment in the other witch's face and Lottie looked at it, her brow furrowed.
"No…" she claimed.
"Are you sure? You didn't forget?"
"No, I'm sure."
"Did anyone come by while I was away?" asked Hermione.
"No." Lottie attested.
"You didn't see anyone in my office at any time?"
"Not at all. No one! Hermione, what's going on?"
The brunette stared at the parchment again and shook her head, a worried crease maring her forehead. Her heart was still pumping faster than normal.
"This was on my desk. Based on what you're telling me, I don't know how or when it got there," she revealed. Her assistant looked concern now as well and gazed at the letter and then her boss.
"Is it bad?" Lottie wondered. Hermione released a heavy sigh.
"It could be."
A/N: I don't like this chapter much but it is what it is. I was writing another H/Hr fic at the same time as this chapter, although it won't get posted until tomorrow, and I think all my creative juices went into that story. (I'm determined to create as much Harmony content for fanfiction as I can).
Also, the Grindelwald subplot is just that: a subplot. It's not going to be crucial to the story or anything.
