A/N: Thank you for all the reviews/favouriting/following goodness! Happy reading!
For the reviewers: Honoria Granger [Most definately]; arabellagrace [Haha 'you'll find out,' I say perkily]; StBerryFan22 [Thanks! Haha, nah that's Ron's specialty... I think she generally keeps cool on the outside unless pushed when there is injustice to another defenseless soul - like buckbeak.]; MalesClaceWessaSydrianDramonie [Thanks! Now, I can't answer that!]; MacKinTosh17 [Thanks! Hmm, a bit off Molly coming up]; ShamelesslessObsessed [Glad to hear/read it. Hmm, now I have an image of him holding an animal skull and quote from Hamlet. Enjoy the Weasley twin fun!]; Chester99 [Punishment a'hoy!]; CrazyPedantic [Patience, patience :)]; patty cakes rock [narrow-mindedness will do that :'( ]; Kermit 304 [Thanks, the resolution to the evil deputy is resolved below - private industry has less hoops than public]; Littlebigmouth [Ah well, I tried to warn you! Perhaps rather too late though :) Fear not, it won't be awkward... although I highly doubt that will cheer you!]; and BSwfty1997, LanaLee1, and fatyellowrat [Thanks!].
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter etc etc. Please don't sue me!
Please review and let me know what you think!
When Hermione arrived home after the meeting, she found her husband leaning against the counter with an open bottle of scotch and two crystal glasses next to him.
She walked in and grinned. Smiling back, he grabbed some ice cubes from the freezer and added them to the glasses, pouring a healthy amount of scotch over the top and holding one glass out to her.
She glanced at the clock with a raised eyebrow.
'A brutal day for you, besides this will help,' he replied.
Her hand wrapped around the heavy glass, a smoky smell rising from its amber liquid.
'I haven't had scotch in ages, where did you find this?'
'I swung by a Muggle store on the way home, I thought we could celebrate the crushing of the deputy and take the edge of the serum's effects in one fell swoop. So, how did it go?' Draco asked.
'I am back to my regular shifts and he has been fired. False accusations usually only result in a warning and being forced on to the shifts no-one else wants, but, in this case, the hospital has fired him: as the false accusations were to intentionally destroy my career, reputation, and marriage for his own security; for lying during honest testimony; and for not upholding the hospital's equality code of conduct. Of course, there will always be people who believe I have used my position as a former member of the "Golden Trio" to cover up questionable actions, but the hospital has promised to squash this to the best of their ability should staff or the media suggest it. The hospital will also be providing me with a glowing reference once I finish. They will also be driving home to all staff and contractors that they are an equal rights organisation and anyone who works for or with them is measured against that principle.'
'As they should,' Draco muttered.
'I now just need to press charges against Deputy Stevens for slander. I have to make sure he learns he can't act that way, although my lawyer says he will most likely settle out of court.'
Draco nodded.
'I'm also mildly tempted to turn him into a female for a period of time to see if he learns to treat women with more respect – I don't think such a step should be necessary for people to understand, but in this case, it might be.'
'I can help if you like,' Draco offered hopefully.
Hermione smirked in reply. 'Maybe, I'll let you know.'
Draco looked mildly disappointed. 'It was also my marriage he was trying to destroy.'
'Fine, you can help if it turns out to be necessary,' Hermione said while rolling her eyes, a small smile on her lips.
Draco grinned.
'I'll cast a spell on him that will alert me if he is maliciously sexist again. If he is, we will start planning his rehabilitation.'
Draco pulled open a draw and retrieved a large book, placing it gently in front of Hermione with a flourish. Hermione rolled her eyes when she read the title, Mischief Managed: a Slytherin guide to practical retribution spells for every occasion.
Hermione rolled her eyes, but started to leaf through the book none-the-less.
'I have to admit, Healer Soundleaf surprised me,' Hermione added after a few moments of silence.
'In what way?'
'She stayed neutral. I had expected her to provide me with some support, or at least provide testimony that Deputy Stevens had been making my life difficult since the start.'
'Hmm, maybe Deputy Stevens made a persuasive argument, saying you acted differently when she wasn't around,' Draco suggested.
'Maybe, I guess I won't know if I don't ask her, there is no point making assumptions,' Hermione conceded.
'Anyway, to victory and truth,' Draco said, clinking his glass against Hermione's.
'Victory and truth,' Hermione replied, sipping the burning liquid.
A/N: The promised chapter of Harry having lunch with the Weasleys is posted - click next! click next! Please click next before the pitchforks come back! XD
As always, if you see any Oxford English punctuation/grammar corrections, please PM me so I can fix them up. Otherwise, reviews and favouriting make me ever so happy :D