At exactly noon, Kingsley came through the floo dusting the soot of his robes while Remus was washing the dishes (after much insistence, Hermione finally relented to "please sit down" and let him do his share "after all that's why I don't pay a rent") whilst Sirius and Hermione were looking after Teddy, who was giving his Uncle a morphing show.

When they heard the floo activate, the four occupants of Grimmauld Place's kitchen stopped abruptly what they where doing, even Teddy went back to his original sandy brown hair.

Kingsley startled at the sudden lack of sound and his gaze fell on Sirius who was holding little Teddy on his lap and an arm thrown on Hermione's shoulders. Kings then did something entirely out of character; he gaped quite inelegantly for someone of his standing.

"Do shut your mouth Kings dear, you'll catch flies..." said Sirius with a grin.

"Or fleas" muttered Remus under his breath.

Hermione had to stifle a giggle behind her hand as she looked at the Minister's incredulous stare. He shook his head and Hermione had to wonder which one of these men was the dog, with how identical to the beast Kingsley's movement was.

"Don't look so surprised Minister... I'm quite sure to have told you beforehand that he was back to the land of the livings..." said Hermione with a small smile and a eyebrow raised.

Kingsley cleared his throat.

"Um... Yes, that you did. But I, once again, seem to have underestimated you and thought that you... eh..."

"Had had one glass to many of fire-whiskey?"

"Yes! I mean... No!" Kingsley stopped digging himself a bigger hole and sighed. "I'm sorry Hermione" he said while plopping gracelessly in a nearby chair.

Remus patted Kingsley on the shoulder and gave him a glass of water that he readily accepted.

"I'm quite certain that Hermione will forgive you, won't you 'Mione?"

"Of course! Now that you have got back your barring, we might as well get on with it and you'd maybe liked to welcome Sirius back!" Hermione grinned.

"Yes Kings!" cried Sirius in mock outrage "Where are your manners? Did they stay behind when you became Minister? You're not taking a page from Fudge's book, are you?" he added shuddering, his hand over his heart.

Kingsley chuckled and shook his head in bewilderment.

"Some things never change..." he muttered then stood up and came around the table to tower over where Sirius sat. "It's good to see you out and about old man!" He said while clapping a hand on Sirius' shoulder and shaking his right hand. "We all missed your antics..." he grinned.

"It's good to be home" said Sirius wistfully.

Kingsley sat back down and pierced Hermione with his gaze.

"Now young lady, care to explain to me how this all happened?" he said, lifting his left eyebrow.

"I did a ritual" Hermione deadpanned. "And before you ask, it was not dark in what ever way you can think of. It was light grey at the most. And it is not prohibited by the Ministry. I did my research after all. I may have broken some rules of the D.o.M. But I didn't break any laws. I made sure of that. We're not at war any-more after all... It's not like I can break through Gringotts again without any consequences." Hermione said with a cheeky grin.

"Impudent witch!" said Kingsley in his best imitation of the late Professor Snape, then the effect was ruined by his lips twitching upward and the booming laugh that followed.

"Merlin pants Kings!" Exclaimed Remus and Sirius at the same time. "You gave us quite a fright there" finished Sirius.

When Kingsley's laugh had dropped down to a mere chuckle, he patted his robe pockets to find what he was looking for. With a triumphant cry, he took a rolled parchment from out of one and handed it to Sirius.

He cleared his throat and with the utmost serious and pompous voice announced:

"As Minister for Magic, I hereby declare you, Lord Sirius Orion Black, clear of all charges against you for crimes committed in the First Wizarding War and declare you innocent. All your assets and values will be rendered back to you, and your place as Head of House Black and seat at the Winzengamot reinstated. An Order of Merlin, first class will be awarded as well as all advantages associated with it. The Ministry and I will officially and personally offer public apologies for the injustice of your incarceration and lack of trial."

Then, with a more care free voice, he continued.

"I'll also take care of the Prophet and the announcement that you are back from behind the Veil."

He then rounded on Hermione, "As for you Dear..." was the further he got as the lady in question interrupted him.

"Do not worry Minister, my resignation letter is already penned and only needs your signature to be complete."

Kingsley did a double take, not entirely sure to have heard her correctly.

"Resignation?" He asked, perplexed.

"Why yes! I wouldn't imagine the Ministry wanting to keep in their employe someone who has broken more than a dozen rules."

"Resignation", repeated Kingsley. "Hermione, why on earth would you think that the Ministry or I would want to fire you or for you to hand in your resignation when you just accomplish the impossible and brought back an innocent from the Veil of Death?" He all but bellowed in his bewilderment.

Hermione sat there for a minute, her mouth forming a perfect little 'o' of surprise.

She hummed than looked sheepishly up at Kingsley.

"Well, that's... nice, I suppose. But... Well... You see... I thought I'd resign anyway..."

"You want to resign? From the Department of Mysteries? Are you mad Hermione?"

Hermione let out a mirthless chuckle.

"No, Minister, not mad at all. But as I was saying to these two," she said while pointing at the two older men listening to the conversation, "I took the job with the sole purpose of finding a way to bring Sirius back, and not because it was what I wanted to do. Now I can take the time to find my parents and bring them back." She finished in a soft voice.

"Ah, yes. I understand. But, before you hand in you resignation, let me grant you a paid holiday for as long as you need to find your parents, and we will see what we do about your post in the D.o.M. once you come back, yes? Once it is confirmed that you did indeed bring Sirius back, I do not think the other Unspeakables will want to let you go."

AN: It will take me some time for me to get my first chapter up. But dont worry i will have it up soon along with my other story Hot summer!