Authors Note: Well, after a long, long time I can happily say that I have a new chapter for you. Hooray! It is only a small one, simply because it is filler. This is the second to last chapter. The next one will be the end of this short road. I hope you have enjoyed it so far, and you continue to do so.
Of all of the people to have issued a summons to her, she was not expecting it to have been Kingsley. She was still on friendly terms with him, even though he was now Minister of Magic. This did not mean she had any special favours open to her of course, those days were long over. Kingsley ran a tight ship and if he even heard a whisper of potential corruption, the entire Ministry would be on their tiptoes, wondering who was going to go next. He was the fair man with the iron first. It was just what Hermione thought they needed at this moment in time. The war had not been long over, and there are some people who still would not be silent. It was a delicate time and it needed to be handled with just the right mixture of justice and sternness. Kingsley had that, in spades.
She had dressed carefully that morning, not even allowing a stray hair to be out of place. Her appearance had to be impeccable, as did her timing and she herself. This was important, she knew that much. Kingsley would not have made the effort to contact her and tell her to come to the Ministry if it had not been. It was not that he did not care about her and her troubles, more that with his current job he did not have the time to. Thus, her logic dictated to her that if he was doing such a thing, it would be concerning something very important. Several possibilities crossed her mind and not all of them were one's she wanted to really entertain.
Once she was ready and prepared for the meeting, she left Spinner's End and made her way to the Ministry of Magic. After all that had happened, it was still a little difficult for her to enter the place. The memories of what it had become, even if it was only for a short time, still assaulted her when she entered the building. It wasn't the same as it had always been on the few times she had visited it and so she struggled to reconcile it with before. The after of Voldemort and his Death Eater's taking control was different in several key ways to the before, and Hermione had to say she was more than a little pleased. If it had been the same as before, it would be difficult to comprehend that the events of the past year had occurred. As strange as it seemed, she needed a tangible, physical reminder that control had been wrested. The scars left from Bellatrix just weren't quite the sort she was looking for.
The current Ministry, under Kingsley, was a much more open place. Kingsley was of a fairly similar mind as Hermione herself, and after the oppression that had been before, he was more than focused on creating a more free environment, and not just for witches and wizards. There were many who disagreed with his policies, but he was the Minister of Magic for a reason. Kingsley was no tyrant, he was just good at presenting points to others, and soothing their concerns about what he was doing. His morals were strong, and after being in the Order of the Phoenix, and fighting on the front line against Voldemort and his Death Eaters, freedom ran in his blood. It was a novel concept that Hermione would have to get used to, that someone in the highest position of power agreed with her stance on the rights of other magical beings.
Hermione arrived at the Ministry and successfully managed to make her way up to the Minister's Office, without any real hassle or bother from anyone. They all knew who she was by sight, and for the first time Hermione had to concede to the fact that there was some benefit to a small amount of fame. After all, if it wasn't for her fame, then her dream concerning her and Severus would never come to pass.
Taking a deep breath and straightening her clothes, even though they didn't need to be straightened, she rapped smartly on the door to the Minister's Office. The door was opened and Hermione stepped in shyly, not sure on exactly what to expect. The sight of Kingsley sitting behind the desk, with a smile on his face, was reassuring to her.
"Thank you for coming here Hermione. You can sit down." Kingsley said, his voice as deep and soothing as always. Hermione smiled nervously and sat down as Kingsley had indicated. She clasped her hands together in her lap and waited for Kingsley to speak again.
"I want to talk to you about something important. It isn't anything to worry about." Kingsley added on the last to reassure Hermione. Either her nervousness was very evident, or he was just used to picking up on emotions, no matter how well or badly masked they may be.
"I have received a request from Minerva McGonogall that I feel may be of some interest to you." Kingsley started, pausing to give Hermione some room to speak if she wished to. Hermione was more than confused about what was going on now that Minerva had been mentioned. Her confusion took precedence over her nervousness and she surprisingly enough found herself more relaxed.
"How so Minister?" Hermione asked, remembering to be as respectful as possible. She may be on friendly terms with Kingsley but she had to show him what he was due as Minister of Magic.
"It is concerning you. I have been asked to approve the request that you take up the position as Potions Mistress. I have been assured that although you have yet to complete your apprenticeship training with Horace Slughorn, you are more than capable to fill this position." Kingsley stated, unable to avoid chuckling a little at the expression on Hermione's face. Her mouth had hit the floor and her eyes were widened with shock. She could hardly believe what she had just heard. It could not be possible! She wasn't properly trained yet, nowhere near it, she still had years to go.
"Begging your pardon Minister, but how would I be able to take up the position? I am only 19 years old and have not yet finished my training." Hermione asked, both curious and unable to wrap her mind around how it could be.
"Minerva assures me that you are more than capable, and how you conduct yourself in the position and your abilities to teach are more her concern than mine. I know you Hermione, and I believe that you could teach Potions effectively with your eyes shut and hands tied behind your back." Kingsley said, finishing with a large smile and a twinkle in his eye that was so reminiscent of Albus Dumbledore. It was more than soothing to her. She smiled in return and then started laughing.
"I can hardly believe it Minister. For two very important and influential individuals, you and Minerva, to have so much faith in me is both a comfort and amazing." Hermione replied, her eloquence failing her in the end. This was so mindboggling, it was difficult for her to take it all in. It was probably going to take a few days before it really, properly hit her.
"Then I wish you all the best in your future career, Professor Granger." Kingsley said, standing up from his chair and holding his hand out. Hermione stood up and took hold of his larger hand, shaking it firmly.
"Thank you Minister. I hope that when I see you again it is under circumstances as happy as these." Hermione stated before heading towards the door.
"As do I Professor Granger, as do I." Kingsley settled himself down in his seat and even though she had her back to him, Hermione was sure that he could see her beaming smile as she left his office.
