"Like lullabies you are,
forever in my mind."
-Lullabies, Yuna (2012)
Hermione spun the S.P.E.W badge on her desk. She watched the letters blur and meld into each other as the badge turned and hoped that somehow, she would spontaneously re-capture the unbridled enthusiasm for the cause she'd had at fifteen. Since the Office of Misinformation was technically part of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, she spent a lot of time she wasn't actively working on Misinformation cases writing legislation that provided much more autonomy for magical creatures. Many of the creatures in the purview of her department wanted to live by their own laws and should treated with the respect they duly deserved.
The latest rejected proposal was to have the Magical Being office staff integrated, employing various species of Beings within the office as a way to slowly transition the department out of existence, with wizards creating a united species regulation office that valued input from all beings. Her work had become largely demoralising. She spent most of her time chastising Wizards for being insensitive to Muggles or either being loathed for trying to achieve any reform or loathed for not achieving enough reform.
A few days earlier she had run into someone she'd fought alongside during the war, the disappointed reaction she'd received had devastated her, the words echoed in her head - "I hoped you'd right some of the wrongs, but it seems like even the brightest witch of her age Hermione Granger can't work within the bureaucracy of the Ministry."
Every day hurt recently, she often thought of those she was letting down. The memory of Dobby, Grawp, Firenze and, inexplicably, she thought of the Beauxbatons Triwizard Champion Fleur too. Her mission was to help other non-purebloods. Those that were treated even worse than Muggle born. But she was failing them all daily.
She looked at the scroll on her desk next to the now stilled badge, Minister Shacklebolt had offered her a role that has been tailor made for her. He'd been trying to convince her for months to take the job. Rubbing her scar, she considered the offer once more.
The role would mean working across both Muggle and Wizarding governments, being proactive about the safety of Muggles and improving relations between both communities. She knew the influence being Deputy Head of a Department could bring her more power to shape legislation. Hermione also knew, deep in her heart she was trying to trick herself into an easier option. But she was tired and the primed for the tricks to work on her as she signed away what had once been her dream job. Although she didn't know it at the time, even leaving the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures would not stop her thinking of those she felt she was failing most days.
After Fleur's confession the pair had drifted back into a luxurious sleep, their limbs and bodies intertwined on the generously sized armchair. Evidently there had been no further developments during the night, or it would have been an awkward moment for whichever Ministry Official's head arrived in that particular fireplace.
Hermione woke up feeling warm, comfortable and safe. She basked in Fleur's embrace a bit longer than necessary before she woke up the other witch. Fleur woke up smiling and Hermione still couldn't quite believe it was her that was putting such a delighted expression on the beautiful witch's face. This was followed by a wave of guilt; Hermione knew she had to come clean to Fleur about her suspicions. Especially after their shared intimacy the night before.
As Fleur's brain started to wake up, she shot up, "The ministry press conference! Quick!" The other witch dashed from the room and Hermione closely followed behind her, puzzled why they were leaving the room with the Floo connection behind. They stopped at a closed door nearby which Fleur opened to reveal a bedroom. Hermione looked around the room noticing it was sparsely decorated aside from a shelf of trinkets including medals, trophies, a coin and a large picture featuring a child version of Fleur playing with a toddler aged Gabrielle. Moving closer for inspection, she was interrupted after a few seconds when a wad of clothing landed next to her.
Fleur had flung open the door of a closet inside the room and after inspecting a few items flung some black jeans, a blouse and a blazer at Hermione. Without a word Fleur had stripped off herself, changing into a chunky sweater and jeans, somehow making the clothes look elegant and stylish in a way very few people would get away with. Still, Hermione was not one to complain as she rolled up the hems on the jeans slightly, the clothes otherwise fitting her well, grateful to have clean clothes for the press conference.
A Wizarding press conference was nothing like the Muggle press conferences that Hermione had attended with New Scotland Yard. The most glaring difference was the lack of video cameras, the second was the scrolls of parchment all with enchanted quills at the ready for taking notes. As the President of the International Wizard's Council took the podium, she was momentarily dazed by the flashes of the magical cameras several photographers had activated. The dark-skinned woman stood tall, waiting for expectant hush to take over the crowd before starting, "Firstly, I want to make the position of the International Wizard's Council abundantly clear. We do not negotiate with terrorists. Whoever you are, purporting to care for children while striking fear and trauma into the hearts of the most vulnerable, you are disgusting, and we intend to lock you in Nuremburg where you belong!"
Whispers echoed around the room, speculation rife among the journalists and ministry officials from various nations. Hermione's vision lit up as she realised a photographer had turned around and taken an image of the crowd at that moment. The tension in the crowd began to amplify, from the murmurings Hermione could overheard the majority thought Council was going to let people die rather than apologize. Although Hermione didn't think her face had betrayed her anger at this politician provoking a terrorist, she wasn't entirely convinced that photo taken moments earlier would only show her with a blank expression.
The President raised her hand and again, a hush fell over the crowd, "For the past few years there has been a bill in progress, making its way through the council's processes to be ratified, that achieves the refuge network protections demanded and more. Last night at an emergency meeting this bill submission was unilaterally ratified by all nations and will go into effect at midnight tonight. We have added extra amendments to make cross jurisdictional investigations and conversely, prosecutions much more straightforward. We hope that whoever you are, you will be the first person prosecuted under this new law."
Having at least the grace to look a little contrite, the anger drained from the President's face as she said, "Finally, we must apologize to all those lost in Voldemort's wars. Although there were certain individuals who helped you will find, like the international efforts at the time this apology offers little assistance and comes too late. Offering this apology publicly is something I regret not doing sooner, I was deeply…"
As she left the room Hermione didn't hear the end of the career politician's speech. She had heard what she needed to hear and now she needed to get to work.
Hermione paced back and forth in Fleur's office while Fleur sat in her office chair, swiveling back and forth with an amused look on her on her face. Fleur had never known someone could be so focused. The younger witch looked like she was counting on her fingers, which she kept holding up, mumbling to herself then putting back down, as if she was checking and unchecking items from some mental list. After close to fifteen minutes of this, and Fleur had been watching the clock, Hermione finally stopped in front of her, "Ok, I have a suspicion, but I want to be wrong."
"Yes, your mysterious lead." Fleur said, reaching briefly towards Hermione before remembering they were on full view in her glass cubicle office and dropping her hand lamely.
Hermione half smiled when she noticed the attempted gesture before finishing, "I need to talk to someone in England and after that we'll know more solidly if I'm right. We also need to establish how this is connected to your sister. Did you stay in touch with anyone from Hogwarts after the tournament? I know you and Roger were close at one time."
Fleur was more than a little surprised to hear that Hermione had noticed who her Yule Ball date had been. Smiling, to reassure the girl she had recently professed to be the soul mate of she replied "Luna Lovegood is the only person from Hogwarts I had communicated with until we recently became reacquainted. She is probably my closest friend actually."
"That's why she kissed me I guess" Hermione replied, shocking Fleur equally with the revelation. Though before Fleur had any chance to get some clarity, she was disturbed by shouting in French coming from the main office.
The President and some executives from the International Wizard's Council were shouting at the French Minister for Magic who was storming towards the door of Fleur's office. Fleur flung open the door just as the Minister said "And I will NOT have the only aurors who've made any progress on the case stood aside!"
Seeing the quizzical on Hermione's face, the French Minister started again in English. "The President was visited by a senior aide not long after the press conference, he was under the Imperious curse although this was lifted shortly after he delivered a message and a threat to the President in the form of this note. After the man wrote the note, the curse lifted and he could not remember anything prior to leaving his Gobstones club meet up the prior evening."
Handing a piece of parchment to Fleur the minister reassured, "This is a copy of the original."
The witches read in unison from the paper, which was written in English;
Dear President, I knew that you would try to spin my message, but I am no monster. You did all that was required so no children will be harmed. I had taken this man as my collateral; it turns out I did not need him yet.
I was displeased to see Aurors at the press conference. Unless Hermione Granger and Fleur Delacour are removed from the case I will be very unhappy. You do not want to find out what happens if I am made unhappy. You have 48 hours until the fourth truth is revealed, we do not want extra carnage on top of that.
"Starting an investigation over now, with only 48 hours until another attack, and giving in to terrorist demands! Surely you see that is political suicide if it ever got out." The French Minister said in a way that strongly hinted he would ensure it would get out if his hand was forced in removing them from the case. The French Minister then turned to Hermione and Fleur, "Don't you two have investigating to do somewhere?"
Hermione leapt at the chance to escape the irate bureaucracy and political games underway, "Yes, we were just about to Floo to London to follow some leads."
Walking out of the English Ministry of Magic ready to apparate Hermione felt a shared nervous tension with Fleur. They had been named by the killer, just as she was hunting them, they had been hunting her. She couldn't let herself wonder if they'd been observed more than at the press conference. "I just need to check, did Luna ever send you any souvenirs from Hogwarts?" Hermione asked.
Fleur thought for a second, "No. All I ever received from Luna was letters."
Hermione nodded like she knew that would be the answer then held out her hand for Fleur, although side along apparition wasn't at all necessary for where they were headed Hermione didn't want to speak the name of the destination aloud in her paranoid state.
They landed in a small grove of trees near the now familiar Quibbler offices. Hermione inhaled nervously and Fleur reached up to Hermione's cheek, cupping her face while she said, "You're the smartest person I've ever met and as loyal as a Veela. I'm sure whoever you suspect is the person. You've got this."
The kiss Fleur planted on her forehead was chaste and intimate in a way that made Hermione feel supported. The feeling only lasted a second though, as when she turned towards the Quibbler building, she realized they had been standing below Cho's window. And the way the witch waved tentatively at them confirmed they'd been seen.
"That's who we're here to see?" Fleur mused as she noticed Cho, "Do you suspect...?" Her question was cut off as Hermione shook her head, "I just need her to clarify something."
When Hermione walked into Cho's office she burst out laughing, with Fleur joining a second later when she got the joke. Cho had out on a pair of Rita Skeeter's old glasses and was mimicking her when she said, "What is this breaking scandal I see out my window? I can see the headline now, Top Ministry Aurors have Steamy Affair Instead of Solving Crimes."
Laughing with Fleur and Hermione as she took off the glasses, Cho continued, "No, seriously it's taken decades to fully recover from the trashy tabloid legacy she tainted so many female journalists with. I don't write pieces like that, so whatever I just saw ends here. I'm glad you've found each other for your fling, or whatever it is. Although judging from what I saw, I'd say more than a fling. Were you dating before this investigation? I suspected something last time you were here, but not the first time. When Hermione wasn't yelling at me, I could feel the chemistry rolling off you two. Sorry, I don't mean to pry, I'm just curious by nature or I wouldn't be a journalist..."
Cho had trailed off; Hermione suspected the look on Fleur's face had quelled her curiosity – at least temporarily. Hermione took her chance, "I want to apologise Cho. The last time I was here, I was out of line. There really isn't any excuse."
Her apology was met with a shrug from Cho, "You were mean. You did say hurtful things. I know what you went through, and what you've done for me over the years. That outweighs one incident, we're still friends Hermione. An exclusive about the investigation once this is all over wouldn't hurt though."
Hermione nodded and then raised her wand, "Muffilato.", as a measure of explanation said to Fleur, who was unaware of the spells that were in vogue during both Hermione and Cho's time at Hogwarts, "We can't be heard outside this room now."
She paused before continuing, "I can promise you an exclusive. But I have to ask you something big Cho, I need you to make a vow that anything we talk about stays between us three. I need information about someone, they absolutely cannot that we asked about them, or all three of us could be in even more serious danger."
Fleur felt goosebumps raise on her skin, unsure of it was from the spell cast on room or from the serious turn the conversation had just taken. She was about to find out who this mad person was and ultimately, who she needed to catch to avenge her sister.