Happy Election Day, y'all! Don't worry, I'm not goin' all political on you. I just love Election Day. For multiple reasons. I get to pretend like I have a say in who will rule the country for the next 4 years, and also it'll be the end to all the obnoxious campaign ads on TV, on the radio, in people's Facebook posts... So yeah. Good day for me. :) This chap is kinda short, but I'm workin' on another as we speak, and since I got home kinda early from work, I might actually finish it tonight! Wahoo! Thank you SO FREAKIN' MUCH for all your reviews :) You guys are so sweet and I love you.

A loud tapping on the glass awoke Hermione the next morning. A large gray owl flew through the window as she opened it, landing on her shoulder and extending it's foot. She pulled the parchment off, tossed the owl a treat, and returned to her bed to read the letter.

Dear Hermione,

I received word of your letter to the Ministry about the Marriage Law, and the reception you describe perturbs me. I will be sending a message to Minerva to request an audience with you. I would like to discuss the topics of your letter in person. I expect to be at Hogwarts early this afternoon. Hopefully this works for you as well. It will also be nice to see how you are doing as of late. Albus told me you've been through a rough time. You are important, dear girl, do not ever forget that.

Affectionately,

Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic

Hermione felt uneasy about the meeting. Had Kingsley really become that detached that he thought the Marriage Law would be accepted with open arms? She wasn't sure that he had any idea of what was going on due to passing something like that. She narrowed her eyes and squared her shoulders, determined to tell Kingsley exactly what she had on her mind during their meeting later on. She rushed from the room to wake Harry and tell him the news.

Hermione wasn't approached by McGonagall until closer to noon, and she was pleased to hear that Kingsley was to be arriving around one for their meeting. Hermione turned back to her friends, who were all crowded around her in the Great Hall, and smiled with a glimmer in her eyes.

"So…anyone have any complaints about the Marriage Law they'd like brought up with the Minister of Magic?"

Ron and Ginny gaped at Hermione, shocked that they hadn't been told that Kingsley was visiting, while Harry snickered from his place next to Ginny. Daphne placed a swift peck on Ron's cheek, drawing him back to reality. Pansy snorted and shook her head at her love struck best friend. She spoke up in support of Daphne and Ron.

"Mione, you definitely need to say something about this whole Pureblood and Muggle-born thing. Honestly, I don't think it even makes a difference right now. But seriously, can you tell people like Ron and Daphne, and Ginny and Harry that they can't be together? That just doesn't make sense."

Hermione nodded. She was already determined to talk about that, and to not leave until he was on her side with that matter. If he wanted people to get married this early, he had to at least allow them to marry who they want to. The group of friends fell into a heated debate about the new law, and Hermione sat back to observe. It took a few minutes to realize that three men were surprisingly absent from lunch. She frowned, wondering where Blaise was, and blushing that she was actually aching to see him.

"Hey Daph, where are the boys?"

Daphne's face darkened for a moment before she recovered. She smiled softly at Hermione and shook her head.

"Sorry, Mi, but I'm not at liberty to say. I can tell you, though, that Blaise wants you to meet him in the common room at 7 tonight. Maybe you can persuade him to tell you what they're up to."

Hermione nodded before realizing the time and slipping off to McGonagall's office. A booming fire was already lit when she walked in, and she smiled at the warmth and comfort it emitted. Kingsley was seated in a plush burgundy armchair near the fire, and he stood to greet Hermione as she entered. The pair hugged tightly for a second before Hermione sank into the chair across from Shacklebolt. His warm smile permeated the uncertainty in her heart, and she relaxed slightly.

"Hermione. It is so wonderful to see you. Please, tell me how you are doing. It doesn't quite make sense when Albus mentions you but refuses to give any information."

Hermione smiled sadly, and launched into a tale of her past few months back at Hogwarts. Kingsley nodded ever so often during her long-winded story, but he chose not to speak up until she was finished. He reached out and clasped her petite hand in his large ones.

"Child, you are one of the strongest witches I've ever met in my life. I know you went through such a difficult time with the war, but I need you to think about something. I don't mean to sound insensitive, but have you talked to anyone who also felt devastated by the war? I know that you might not think it's the same, but talk to the Weasley's. Talk to Andromeda Tonks. Hell, talk to Harry. You have to know that you weren't the only one going through a hard time, and those people love you. They will help you. But it seems you've already started helping yourself, which is wonderful to hear. Now, since my time is somewhat limited as Minister, please. Let's discuss your grievances with the Marriage Law."

Hermione and Kingsley sat in McGonagall's office for another three hours debating the Marriage Law. Being stubborn helped Hermione immensely. She held her ground on many topics, and she was even able to convince Kingsley to change his mind about some areas of the law. Hermione knew it would be foolish to try to get him to dissolve the law altogether, but she would at least try to make it workable. And Kingsley was surprised when Hermione told him of the backlash happening in the younger generation. By the time he chose to go back to the Ministry, Hermione was pleased with what they had discussed, and Kingsley had promised to write up the new version of the law as soon as he returned to the office.

They said goodbye, and Hermione returned to her common room. Before she could collapse on the bed to take a nap, she heard the familiar ping of her iPhone. Shocked, she dug through a bag of things from the Ward and produced her phone. Her screen blinked Blaise's name, and a grin spread across her face.

You were right, you know. I'm so sorry for any pain I've caused you.

Hermione frowned. Blaise sounded weird. Why was he apologizing? And what was she right about? When would he have ever caused her pain? A fearful lump rose in her throat as she typed out a response.

Blaise, you're scaring me. What's going on?

Hermione threw a soft t-shirt and a pair of pajama bottoms on and crawled into bed, her eyes hardly leaving the screen in case she missed the text. What could he possibly mean? Hermione's skin felt chilled even though she wrapped up in her blankets. As soon as she felt the buzz, her eyes were locked on the screen.

This isn't Blaise. I'm sorry, I thought he would've told you. It's Draco. Blaise gave me his phone for entertainment. He taught me how to text. He showed me YOUR number. He thought you might want to start talking to me when you knew where I was.

Hermione shot up in her bed. Draco?! And what did he mean? Where did he go? Did he leave Hogwarts? She was getting extremely frustrated that he was leaving things out and equally fearful because of his cryptic nature.

Where are you?

She paced the length of her bedroom about 50 times before she got a response.

The Ward.

The discarded phone landed on the edge of the bed as Hermione flew from the room.