So, I'm a terrible human being who can't keep any promises I make and am just terrible in general to be honest. I've had so much going on that I haven't had any time to write and I churned this out over the past I don't know how long.
But it's here that's the main thing! I hope you enjoy it!
18 months later:
Diagon Alley flourishes in all it's glory. The shops are bustling with life, every which way there are people. Parents being dragged from shop to shop by new Hogwarts students, new shops have opened in replacement. Some old shops have reopened, Olivanders is quiet on the end, reopened but still just as quiet and serene as it once was. Hermione surveys, with pride, a sense of accomplishment, even though she did not rebuild this central part of the wizarding world.
The gentle touch on her elbow made her turn, she grinned as Ron took her hand. They had been together every day since the battle. His freckled cheeks tightened as he grinned down at her.
"Ready?" He asked, nodding they walked down the street passing Olivander's, Hermione glanced in to see at least three young costumers waiting eagerly for the older wizard. Hermione looked at the purple building, still open but it was nowhere near as busy or bustling as it once was, it's happiness long since drained.
Walking in, the shop was still bustling as always but it didn't feel the same. The boys quickly dispersed to uncover George's latest invention. Hermione noted Verity still stood behind the counter as well as a couple of other busy looking employees. The shop bustled with Hogwarts students ready to return to school.
"Missing the Library already, Hermione?" A voice stated from behind her, turning she grinned at Neville. She quickly embraced him tightly,
"How are you?" She asked, smile splitting her face.
"Well, I um, got accepted into the Auror training program. I wasn't sure I'd get in but Kingsley said there was no doubt" Neville grinned.
"That's wonderful Neville" Hermione smiled up at him, "How is Luna?" She asked with a small smile she knew exactly how Luna was but it pleased her to see him light up at her name.
"She's in Bulgaria at the minute looking for some Streeler, or something. I might be wrong" He explained with doubt but Hermione merely nodded and smiled. "What are you going to do know?" He asked curiously. Hermione had never fully expressed her career ambitions, not even to Ron. Many assumed she would become a professor at Hogwarts, but she wasn't ready to go back for the rest of her life. Hermione smiled and shrugged.
"I haven't really decided yet"
"Well I know you can do whatever you want to Hermione" He grinned. Hermione returned the smile and thanked him. He was quickly gone in search of the boys. Hermione followed after inspecting a couple of frown worthy looking gags at death eaters but pushed it aside. Walking into the back they found George. He was chatting amicably with the boys but she could see the pain in his eyes. They all could. Without Fred, there was a loss that none of them could replace. They spoke a long while before leaving the shop.
Hermione making beeline for Flourish and Blotts. She halted however when Ron grabbed her arm.
"What-"
"Why are the Malfoys here?" Ron cut her off with a sneer. Hermione followed his gaze to Gringotts.
Hermione hadn't seen either of the Malfoy siblings since the trial just before Christmas.
She recalled the day with a sickening feeling rising from her stomach. It was in the old chambers, where the last trials for the first war had taken place.
Draco Malfoy had gone first. Kingsley pressed him with a multitude of questions. Hermione could see him trembling from the back of the room with Harry. He had confessed to everything that was true. How he had made multiple attempts on Dumbledore's life, how he had cursed Katy Bell but stressed he hadn't wanted for anyone to be hurt. How he had willingly became a death eater, he had reluctantly nodded and confessed it all. They had been ready to sentence him to Azkaban until Harry had stood to defend him and Narcissa. Kingsley and the Wizagamont were willing to let him off lightly to attend Hogwarts finish his education and allow a full search of the family home. Draco had agreed and was willing to whatever they wished. Lucius and Narcissa's trial had been similar from what Harry had told Hermione but Lyra's had stuck with her the most.
She had been the last of the Malfoys, as soon as she entered the room. Hermione felt the Wizagamont stiffen. Hermione saw it quickly too, the dark mark slowly fading into pale skin. Lyra sat in the chair hunched, Hermione had known they had kept her in Azkaban with Lucius. She hadn't heard why but she could see the number just behind her ear. Her hair had grown out, lying lifeless against her thin face.
"Lyra Septima Malfoy, you are here for your crimes against the Ministry in the Second Wizarding War. You stand accused of Murder, Torture, Treason, as well as a number of war crimes that can be viewed" The speaker announced.
Hermione was shocked at the number of items listed on the board. Dark arts, curses, unforgivable curses all of the things Hermione thought someone could be accused of was on the board. She glanced at Lyra who also seemed to be reading it. Kingsley stood, and glanced up at Hermione and Harry before turning on Lyra,
"What do you say for yourself?" He asked, Lyra glanced at him before back at the board before shaking her head and turning.
"What would you like me to say?" Her voice was gravelled and pained, like she hadn't spoken in a long time. "Would you like me to say how it is all true? How I murdered, coerced, tortured and done the Dark Lords bidding. How I sacrificed my teenage life for my parents' devotion to a cause that no one should have believed? Would you like me to explain to them how I hunted for the golden trio just like every other death eater. How my aunt trained me to torture and kill and extract information?
Do you want me to beg for my life? Or do you want me to tell the Wizagamont how I was a double agent working for Dumbledore? How I relayed information back to the Order for them to use against Voldemort even when they were in hiding. Or do you want me to tell them how I killed 15 Death Eaters at the Battle of Hogwarts so I could try and get out of a situation no child should have ever been in the first place" Lyra stared into crowd, a look of fury evident on her face. "Is that what you want me to tell them?" Lyra asked Kingsley, he nodded gently to her before making a closing speech. Harry didn't rise to defend her. The Wizagamont let her free for her acts for the order and demanded a full search of the Lestrange manor.
Hermione was brought back from her recollection by Harry's voice,
"They are free Ron"
"Still, they are war-criminals Harry. They could be up to something" Ron stated. Hermione watched Harry mull it over.
"They probably aren't doing anything wrong" Harry said with a shrug. Hermione liked the reformed Harry, he was relaxed and far less cynical than he had been 6 months ago.
"We have a duty to protect people Harry" Ron argued. Hermione rolled her eyes at him. Ron had become paranoid, his nightmares tortured him far beyond that which Hermione could comprehend. She had nightmares too. They all did. Some nights she wouldn't sleep at all.
"Fine, we can go that way. But we're not accusing them of anything" Harry stated firmly.
They watched the siblings speak quietly before walking further up the street towards the Leaky Cauldron, it wasn't until they got closer did they see Draco nod and apparate away only to watch Lyra slip down into Knockturn Alley. Hermione frowned and they walked quicker.
Slipping into Knockturn Alley, not much had changed. It was still dark, filthy and filled with unease. They followed her to a familiar shop which Ron sent a firm look of 'I told you so' to both Harry and Hermione. Borgin and Burkes familiar chime brought them to the small corner as Ron removed a familiar extendable ear. Hermione resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"Miss Malfoy?" A shocked Borgin exclaimed.
"Borgin" Lyra's voice was void of any emotion,
"What can I, ugh, do for you?" He asked reluctantly.
"I have some items that I require you to move for me" She stated, she clearly produced a large sack as there was thump on the table.
"I would have thought given your recent trial, the authorities would have removed it from the estate" Borgin theorised.
"This wasn't in the estate" Lyra stated. Hermione glanced up through the window, there was a lot of silver items on the table.
"It's things from the vault" Hermione whispered.
"You haven't touched any of these have you?" Borgin asked. Lyra didn't verbally respond but there was a muttering of approval.
"Some of these are very dark, others harmless." Borgin continued,
"Just get rid of them" Lyra sneered, footsteps were heard,
"None of them as dark as that which you wear however Miss Malfoy" Hermione heard Lyra sigh,
"Get rid of the junk Borgin. Or I'll take my business elsewhere" Lyra had a tone that reminded them all of Lucius but this tone was darker and threatening. Hermione elbowed the boys and they hid in a nearby alcove as Lyra emerged from the shop. She looked both ways before walking deeper into the street. Ron eagerly followed with Harry hot on his heels. Hermione followed cautiously, they walked deeper into the alley, Lyra took a quick right into a small doorway. Hermione tugged both the boys back,
"We're too easily recognised" She hissed. Ron protested but both Harry and Hermione were walking away from the establishment that Lyra had entered.
Walking back into the light of Diagon Alley, Hermione pondered what Lyra was up to, she wasn't the same seventeen year old she'd met in her fourth year of high school. Lyra was nearly twenty-one and a grown adult. Hermione shook her head at the thought of Lyra still meddling in the Dark Arts. Ron however was more than willing to launch a full investigation into the older Malfoy sibling. Hermione walked away, her patience running thin with her boyfriend.
"I'm going home" She muttered to Harry before apparating away. She wasn't even sure he heard her.
The following morning after several owls from Ron asking her where she was? If she was ok, and the like however she found herself in the Ministry of Magic sat opposite the Minister himself. Kingsley Shacklebolt had spent the past half an hour explaining why he would have her immediately in the department of law enforcement, how she would be an excellent fit etc. However, one look from Hermione told him that was not about to happen,
"Miss Granger, what is it that you would like to do?" He asked as he sat down. Hermione frowned,
"Minister, I don't want a job created for me" Hermione stated firmly. "I worked hard like everyone else, I deserve to start at the bottom like everyone else. So, my question would be what availability do you have that would suit you" Hermione stated in her best professional voice she had. Kingsley regarded her for a moment before nodding, rubbing the back of his neck he pulled forth a small pile of papers from a filing cabinet. Flicking through them he plucked two from the pile,
"Given your resume, I would state that these two particular roles would be most suited to your skills" He paused,
"Considering your known dislike for magical law enforcement" Hermione frowned at the thought, "There is either, the Head of Office for House Elf Relocation or an Officer for the Werewolf Registry" He explained,
"Given your activist for House elves I would recommend you for the Elf relocation role"
"I have no experience in the role" Hermione protested, but Kingsley merely shook his head,
"You know the legislation for House elves?" He asked, Hermione nodded,
"Then you know all you need to for the role Miss Granger" With that he stood,
"Congratulations, I look forward to working with you" He stuck his hand out which Hermione shook, dumbfounded at that conversation.
She had gone in looking for a small role within the ministry to cover the rent for a home that she had yet to find. She had been staying at the Weasleys and despite that Ginny was living with Harry and George was in a flat above the shop and all the other boys had left, it still felt crowded. Hermione apparated to the edge of the Burrow. Ron was launching garden gnomes from his position in the garden Hermione dodged the couple that came towards her. She stepped through the back gate alerting Ron of her presence.
"Hermione, where have you been?" He asked, frown gracing his forehead.
"I was at that ministry" Hermione stated, she had told him about it days ago, he had obviously forgotten by the deepening of his frown.
"Why? What happened?" He asked just as quickly, Hermione only rolled her eyes however and walked past him into the house. Molly was in the kitchen busying herself, Teddy sat at the kitchen table with an orange in his drooling mouth. She smiled at the site of him, he greeted her back with a drooling smile.
"Hermione dear, how was Kingsley? Did you get what you hoped for?" The Weasley matriarch set two cups of t down on the table well out of the reach of the toddler she sat next to. Hermione frowned replaying the conversation in her mind,
"I'm not sure" Hermione stated, relaying the conversation from that morning. She explained the interview to Molly, and the matriarch grinned with a squeal. She gave Hermione a tight hug and congratulated her. "Oh, we should have shepherd's pie for dinner, to celebrate. I'll get on it right away" Hermione grinned as Molly started pottering in the kitchen, Hermione got up retiring up to her and Ron's room, she opened the door to find an owl sat perched on the window.
Opening up the letter she gave the owl a small treat before it flew off. The letter was from Harry and Ginny, congratulating her. She found herself grinning but it was slowly fading as she heard the thundering steps of Ron. Ron burst open with a scowl on his face.
"Why didn't you tell me about the interview?" He growled out,
"Ron-"
"No, you should have told me Hermione, I'm your boyfriend you should tell me where your disappearing off to!" He was almost shouting by the end. Hermione now riled by his tone, stood.
"I have to tell you nothing Ronald!" She didn't want to argue, she knew it was his scrutiny of the world that made him this angry. She left the room with Ron hot on her heels. She didn't stay long enough to listen any further to his ranting.
She apparated to Grimmauld Place. Ginny was there a glass of gigglewater in hand. "He's a prat is my brother". Hermione smiled sadly,
"Sorry for just dropping in on you" Hermione apologised. Ginny smiled,
"Harry told me about your interview, when do you start?"
"Tomorrow" Hermione added with a grin, "I'm so excited" Hermione smiled, as she took a sip of the magic equivalent to wine.
That night Hermione slept in the old room that they used to with the order. Ginny had made it not quiet as dark as it once was. That morning Hermione dressed in the best clothes she had for a business environment and flued to the ministry. Harry walked her in and she was quick to find her office. Her office that wasn't as nice as she had expected it to be, it wasn't much bigger than a broom closet with little else in it. A young looking man appeared, he had a large bundle of papers in his arms.
"Oh, Miss Granger, you're here early. I apologise for my tardiness" He said quickly. His black hair and glasses falling into his eyes. "I'm Mr Wolfs assistant, Jacob. He told me to bring you the latest files for relocation and he needs the done by Monday" and just as he was there, he was gone again.
Hermione quickly realised that out of the department it was her and three others all of whom were old and definitely reaching retirement age. None of whom wanted anything to do with her.
Hermione quickly realised that Mr Wolfs was not someone she wanted to mess with.
After a week at the ministry she had learned that the system was ridiculously flawed that as quickly as she put an elf with a new family, they would send them back again and request another. She had learned that the pureblood families they served were the worst of the worst. She wasn't surprised to see the Malfoy name on a couple of papers, the pure blood regime was still very much in place.
One afternoon however, as she was running with a large bundle of files and legislation through the fourth floor of the ministry for a rather important meeting where she had been planning to make elf lives slightly better she promptly ran head first into a tall thin blonde Malfoy.
Was it terrible? I feel it was terrible...
Anyway I hope you all enjoyed it