Summary: After her break-in at Gringotts Hermione Granger's vault had been confiscated. Five years later, she received an invitation to mend their strained relationship in exchange for her services. [Hermione/Antonin]

The Granger Vault

Chapter 2

Hermione Granger walked out of the office and stopped. Her thoughts were jumbled and overwhelming. Magical creature healers were an avenue she had not considered before, and it was foolish of her. Wasn't she always working with magical creatures? There were many creatures with different magic available that could help her restore her parents' memories. However, breaking into Gringotts was so risky. Goblins rarely lost. If they offered a contract, they were sure they would win. This time she was betting her life. The last time she had been down in the Lestrange Vault she had almost die thrice, the vault multiplying charm, the guards and the dragon. That is ignoring the Thief's Downfall, which dropped her to her death.

It was madness.

She could recover her parents' stolen memories. But, what good would they do with their memories of her if she died while trying to get them back?

There was no other option but to try it at least. The witch would never forgive herself for not trying. The young witch sighed, and her shoulders dropped. She meant to recline back against the door to sort her thoughts, but she missed it, badly. Instead, her body fell against a warm chest. A humorous chuckle made her squeal, and she quickly moved away. Embarrassed and blushing, she hissed, "Dolohov!"

"Miss Granger," he returned with dark, mischievous eyes, "A pleasure to serve as support and not only protection."

"Protection," she murmured with a disbelieving look. The witch watched him narrow his eyes at her tone and stand straighter, "Can I believe you will protect me?"

The taller man tilted his head, "It is my duty to the Gringott's bank."

Hermione shook her head, her hair ends waving around her shorter form, and reclined against the opposite wall, "It sounds as if The Gringgots Bank is your... new master." Her eyes bore into his searchingly.

The older wizard didn't seem to mind the comment. "I live to serve," he said simply and then frowned, "Now I have many masters. It's complicated to please them all. However, it does make it an exciting puzzle."

It was strange that he viewed the world in such a simple way since he was known to be brilliant, creative and diligent. He had the characteristics of a leader rather than a follower but perhaps following was ingrained in him since childhood. Maybe he only felt at ease while serving a cause; be it slaughtering muggleborns or protecting the bank's assets. Some people didn't like to feel the pressure of making important decisions.

"You are the same," he shared after a moment of silence, "You followed Harry Potter and Dumbledore," the reminder made her frown, "Now you serve the Ministry." Her eyes widened a bit as his words hit home. No one was ever on top, and no one was completely free.

It was enlightening to realize that for all the simplicity with which he seemed to view the world, he was still a brilliant wizard indeed. He could break the issue in small parts and analyze them logically, just like her.

That Sunday Hermione decided to visit the Burrow. Some weekends she favoured some time to herself, others she opted to spend with her surrogate family. She sat in the corner of the balcony with a cup of tea and watched her family calmly.

Fleur and Bill's daughter Victorie was four now and was a master veela manipulator. Dominique wasn't far behind her sister, both in a regular competition to be Arthur's favourite granddaughter. Fleur's insistence that she also wanted to have a son made Hermione suspect that a third child would soon be on the way. If there was something Fleur had in abundance was determination. If there was something Bill had in abundance, was love for his wife.

Angelina, George and Fred II were the fireworks at the party. Loud, hyperactive, obnoxious but the firsts to make everyone smile. If there was an odd noise, they were the cause. Roxanne, the youngest of that joke shop family, was the quieter but still a funny George offspring. In her case, you had little warning before something exploded or something befell you. Still, she was the perfect mix of her mother's beautiful tan skin and George's vivid eyes. This pair of kids would be amazing at Quidditch if their gene pool were to be taken into account.

Percy, Audrey and baby Molly were quiet, polite and most of the time the easiest for Hermione to join for a chat. Audrey was expecting another baby girl soon, and she was glowing with happiness. Molly had inherited her grandmother's hair colour, and Audrey was hoping this new baby came with her family's darker hair colour. Hermione squeezed her hand and supported her with a half-grin. Also, she suspected these girls would be gifted more books than brooms by her parents, so only time will tell if they would enjoy the family sport.

Demelza nee' Robins and Ron were pregnant and very happy about it. Their relationship started two years after the Battle of Hogwarts. Demelza played in the Gryffindor Team and was even captain during her last year at school. Ever since Ron started his Auror training, she had been sniffing after him. Ron was very dense, but after a lot of blunt seduction, he finally understood. Her tenacity and excellent bludger dodging skills finally won him over a year, and many owl letters, later.

Ginny was also expecting Harry's first child with an extra step to her bounce. Since it was like this, Audrey, Ron and Harry's children will possibly attend Hogwarts the same year. Could even be in the same team together. There have been talks in the house to make a Weasley Quidditch Team in the future. Which, in Hermione's mind, they could. There were enough numbers in their ranks to make The Weasley Reds. After the war and Ginny's connections with the Harpies and the Prophet, they could probably achieve it. That would be very interesting. It appeared that Hermione would be, for the first time, interested in Quidditch if that were to happen. She never knew this could be possible.

Merlin! The Weasley family was the best. Hermione sometimes wondered how this family could overcome so many things and keep going. It was extraordinary since they were always beaming with happiness. There was much pain after the war, but it was moments like this when one could see what they gained by defeating Voldemort, that she finally felt like it was all worth it. They were alive, healthy and happy. There was peace. There was a future.

"Hermione!" Harry chortled while he messed up her hair, "So nice to see you!" His job as an Auror allowed him little time after work on an average day and taking care of a pregnant wife had his schedule full. Hermione understood, helped him as she could, and was cheering for him. Harry had grown up in an abusive home and dealt a terrible life as he grew constantly threatened by Voldemort. The boy-who-lived was finally glowing with happiness. "What's new?"

The witch nodded in greeting and drank some more tea. "Everything is fine." She began and smiled at him gently, "I may have a new lead in how to fix my parents' memories." She let a full smile grace her lips.

"That's amazing, Hermione!" cheered the messy-haired wizard as he sat at the couch next to her. The thud of the stairs made Harry glance and quickly invited Ron over. The redhead grinned and squeezed Hermione's hand when he passed her. "Hermione thinks there may be a new way to heal her parents!"

"Blimey! Those are great news." Ron smiled wide and turned to her too. His hand were rough because of Quidditch and Auror duties. The Auror was now packed with muscles and moved with the confidence of a veteran. "Who is the new healer?"

Hermione set her teacup over the table at her side and straightened. "The Gringott's goblins offered me the services of a Goblin healer if I help them check the new security renovations they made to the bank. Since you know, I broke in and can thus "validate" they are much more protected now than last time."

Both Harry and Ron looked at each other for a moment before grinning. "That brings back memories," said Harry and he chuckled, "That multiplying charm was terrifying and then left behind to fend by ourselves by Griphook... the little devil."

"The dragon was the coolest thing," explained Ron, "If it weren't for Hermione, we would have been dead and wouldn't have ever ridden a dragon." He reclined against the couch and looked at the roof, "That was a nice memory."

"Harry," Hermione called softly, "How is it going with the rehabilitation of the Death Eaters?" Her hands began to fidget. "How... do you feel they have adapted? That...have they truly integrated into our society now?" At his piercing look, she shrugged and looked away, "You know I have mixed feelings about them. I am sure many of them had no choice, but I also believe that they are more prone to violence than common folk."

Ron and Harry shared a confused look. Ron began, "After Voldemort died and they spent that first year in Azkaban many of them were very open to the idea of... redeeming themselves. Remember that many of them had spent half their life in prison by then."

"They possess a lockdown to their magic," the messy-haired wizard reminded her, "They can only use-"

"Yes. The ex-Death Eaters can only use their magic in case of a serious injury or in the place they work at." She interrupted with a little glare. Then she sighed because she was obnoxious. "I mean... what do you feel? Do you feel the program is working?"

Harry shrugged. "Most of the folks I've worked with seemed easy-going and appreciative enough," shared the saviour of the Wizarding World.

"Same," agreed Ron, "They all have their little ticks of course but nothing out of the normal. Besides we are all a little more forceful than the previous generations after the war and all. Many of us have killed." There was a heavy silence in the room for a long moment, all remembering those dark times they managed to overcome. The nightmares had lasted for many months; to others, it took years to be able to sleep a full night again.

"I'm glad then," Hermione smiled and crossed her legs, "I am glad those witches and wizard have a second chance." In a way, of course. A little part of her felt they should have stayed in prison, but that wasn't helpful to any part of the Wizarding World. The extremely dangerous witches and wizards served a longer sentence in Azkaban before being admitted to rehabilitation. If they accepted, they could integrate back into society, but their magic will always remain limited. The younger wizards and witches would have probation and depending on their progress could regain their full magic in the future.

"Why do you ask?" questioned Harry suspiciously. The Auror in him knew she was aware of everything that was going on at the Ministry. It was strange for her to ask their field opinions. After the War Hermione had gone back to Hogwarts and then refused to join them at Auror training. She just wanted a simple life where she didn't need to be always alert or in danger, and he understood. He supported her and loved her the same. This curiosity though required an explanation.

Hermione rolled her eyes amicably, knowing they would not let the matter drop. They were still protective of her, although thankfully they allowed her independence and privacy. "I met Dolohov today," she shrugged, "He was cordial and seemed... calm. So I just wanted to know how it was truly going with the reforming project."

Ron sat straighter. "Are you alright?" He placed his elbows on his knees. At her nod, he continued, "He didn't say anything bad to you, or anything?" She shook her head.

"He was one of the easiest to adjust," informed Harry, "He has a very straightforward view of the world. So far he had been working well at Gringotts, last I heard." He had been locked for three years under tight surveillance before being offered rehabilitation. He was one of the few remaining wizards alive who had spent more years of his life in prison than in polite society.

The witch nodded. "That's what I thought too. I was just surprised because I didn't feel any hostility at all." To her, that had been the most significant shock. Someone like Antonin Dolohov, who had been part of Voldemort's inner circle and had fought in the two wars to eradicate mudbloods, should have more malice in him. But there was nothing. It was not indifference. At the contrary, he seemed curious about her. There was simply no hate or anger.

"Perhaps... he didn't join Voldemort because of the blood prejudice," offered Harry with solemn eyes, "Many of them shared with the Ministry nurses why they followed Tom Riddle. I've heard the stories are very unusual so he could be one of those."

Ron sighed, "I... Just let's talk about something else. You know I have my issues with him because of my family and all, so I don't want to get angry about it."

Harry and Hermione shared a glance but nodded their head. Five years ago, Ron couldn't even hear the name of the wizard without enraging. He had also tried to kill the man once. Indeed the younger Weasley son had improved very much during this half-decade. He had grown respectable and considerate.

"Hermione," called Harry with a broad smile and a playful tone, "We were talking a few days ago, Ginny and I, and we... want you to be our baby's godmother, what say you?"

The witch's smile widened, and with a little squeal, she moved to Harry and hugged him tightly, "Of course I will! I would gladly be his Godmother! I will give him lots of books! I swear!"

That brought a collective fit of laughter and good naturally bookworm rebuffs.

That night Hermione sat at her flat in Muggle London and pondered how to best break through those superior Gringotts' defences. Perhaps the goblins weren't sure of what they were asking of her. At the same time, this was a delicate balance to maintain.

Bloodmania had diminished considerably after the battle of 1998. However, there was no need to make the wizarding folk rethink their new beliefs. Did she want to alert the goblin to other possible vulnerabilities on their system?

The brunette witch sighed as she wrote things to remember in the parchment. Spells, charms, jinxes, potions... would it be a good idea to take a muggle gun too?

To be continued

JeniNeji's Note:

Thanks for reading! I hope you liked this new chapter. Please, let me know what you think.