Hermione's skin crawled at Kingsley's words. She liked Kingsley and had thought Kingsley had liked her, but there had been too many awful tricks to feel comfortable now. Still, he smiled reassuringly.

The door at the end of the hall opened and a redhead – Ron – scrambled inside. "Sorry," he gasped. There was a streak of maroon lipstick on his cheek. "Got held up." He took his seat beside his father, just across from Hermione, and Hermione gestured at his cheek to signal to him while his father rolled his eyes beside him. Ron rubbed it off and blushed.

"First order of business," Kingsley said. "We've asked Mr. Potter to step up to lead the Auror Department and the first recruits will be arriving next week. Our gold star, Hermione, organized the recruiting process and I must say that it's some of her finest work yet." He handed Harry a paper and then passed another couple down the table to the people who were also to be involved in the process. Harry skimmed the list with a finger, pausing occasionally. "Any issues?" Kingsley asked.

"None," Harry said. She caught a glimpse of green as he glanced over. "Hermione did great work, as always."

"There's a lot in here about blood purity," One man said from down the table. "How can we be sure that the muggle-borns will know the ropes as well as the purebloods?"

"A little thing I like to call education," Hermione replied. "And common sense." Harry snorted beside her.

"A muggle-born came up with those requirements," Kingsley said. "If the only issue you see is about blood purity, it may be time to do some inward examining."

The man set the paper down, looking properly reprimanded and Hermione fought the urge to preen.

"You said we have recruits already," Harry said. "I'll need their names ahead of time."

"They ought to be in your office," Hermione said. "I've been working on setting up an automatic transmitting system… Anything written on charmed paper will automatically deliver to our offies once complete. I've set it up with my office, Kingsley's, Mafalda's, Arthur's, and even-"

"Ladies and Gentlemen, our superstar," Kingsley put his hands together and clapped. "I thought my secretary was just getting ahead on things. I ought to have known. My life gets easier the longer you work here." He put his hand on her shoulder. "Which leads me to my second order of business. Hermione Potter, have you ever heard of a Deputy Minister?"

Hermione's heart leaped in her chest. "I… it's a muggle concept, isn't it?" She laughed nervously.

"We've never had one in the wizarding world," Kingsley said. "But I couldn't think of a person better for the job. You built this place from the ground up and no one knows more than you. I want to organize an office for Deputy Minister of Magic and I want you to be the first to serve there."

Her world vanished into bubbly, bright white. She felt the smile spreading across her face. "Breathe!" she reminded herself. "Breathe!" Her skin was tingly and little tickles of happiness sent everything into a bubbly daze.

"And what would that entail?" She said, trying to keep the squeak out of her tone.

"Yes," Draco Malfoy said. His face was red and cold with a sneer, but nothing could burst her bubble. "What would she be doing?"

"In the muggle world, the Deputy Minister stands in for the Prime Minister whenever he's sick, on vacation, or unavailable. If they die, they take over for the Minister," Harry said. He glanced up to Kingsley. "That's correct, isn't it?"

Kingsley slapped his hand down onto Harry's shoulder as well. "You two are peas in a pod," he said. "Yes, Hermione would be elevated to more-or-less the same position as I am in. I would retain the deciding power of the office, decide on classified notions, and am overall in charge of the ministry. However, Hermione could make decisions all on her own, I'm planning on turning the power of investigation over to her, and one of her primary responsibilities would be to investigate the Minister of Magic periodically. I intend to build an office free of corruption."

"Now, Kingsley," Hermione said sternly. "You're not just going to make me your secretary, are you?"

"Of course not," Kingsley replied. "In fact, you'll have your own secretary. Which I think you'll need – you've put in seven times the hours of anyone in this room since the Fall of Voldemort."

The room shivered.

Hermione kept her gaze blank. She had known that – she'd kept the timetables for the first year until finally being able to pass them off. There wasn't a thing she hadn't done. "I worry I might not be able to keep up with the places I'm needed," she said. "Who'll be covering for me in my current office?"

"Whoever you choose," Kingsley said. "Maybe we ought to hire three people in your place, though. And since you'll remain in a position involving everything, you can continue to work where you like as you like."

"Kingsley," Hermione laughed. "I knew there was a reason we got along."

"This is unacceptable," Draco Malfoy said, standing up. "If you put her into that position, we will no longer continue to make donations to the ministry."

"I'm sure I have a death eater account I could donate in place of your funds," Harry said with his tone simultaneously bored and clipped. "Which should I use? The Lestrange accounts, or the Black ones?"

Hermione was simultaneously disgusted and grateful. Disgusted because the Boy-Who-Lived was flaunting his war spoils in her support. Grateful because she'd never have been able to serve up such a cold-cut return to Draco on her own.

"This Ministry doesn't take bribes," Hermione said. "If you wish to donate, there is neither any recognition nor political sway guaranteed."

"Quite correct," Kingsley said. "Mr. Malfoy, you are here on account of your involvement with the Ministry Finance Department. But if you have an issue with my choice of Deputy, I can always find a new accountant."

Draco took his seat.

"Speaking of Finances," Kingsley continued, clapping Hermione's shoulder once more. "And I will get back to you later, Mrs. Potter. I've looked at the latest numbers Mr. Malfoy has given me. His tactical spending has allowed us to grow far more quickly than I anticipated and he reports excellent foreseeable numbers as the economy bounces back." Kingsley pulled out his chair and sat down, putting his fingertips together. "We expect to begin paying back employees for their extra time and efforts on the next paycheck."

Something like an arc of electricity raced across Hermione's skin. If Kingsley was true to his word – and she had no reason to doubt he was – then her savings were about to explode. Not that it would be of particular interest, since Harry had his own accumulation, but if this ended in divorce then she'd still live comfortably forever.

The meeting drudged on with Hermione paying attention to the affairs of the multiple departments to ensure it was all working as she had set up. Draco's fury settled into a sea of partially-masked despair and exhaustion across from her and she tried to not revel in that fact. She would have to remain impartial and courteous – couldn't gloat – to maintain her position. Still, her mind brewed at the possibilities. She didn't have to wait for things to get approved anymore. Yes, she'd still have to cater to the demands of the multiple heads, officials, and god forbid her own husband, but now the waiting game was over. So long as she continued in the faith Kingsley had entrusted her to, she could work maybe twice as fast. Not to mention she now held access to the records department and didn't need security clearance… and to be honest that would likely be all that would change. She already attended every meeting – even some she wasn't needed at to make sure no one could sabotage her work – and worked in every department. This would just make her job that much easier.

The meeting let out and Hermione lept from her seat to shake Kingsley's hand. "I'll need a word," she said. "Not now, but eventually. Just to sort things out – make sure we're on the same page. I want to run some of the plans I was going to start on by you before I start-"

"Oh, whatever you come up with, I'm sure it'll be magnificent," Kingsley said. "It always is. Why don't you pop by my office before I leave at six? I'm not sure when you'll be leaving… I do have a meeting at four-thirty, so make sure not to come through then…"

Hermione nodded along. Harry was nodding too, slower as he continued looking through the seat Kingsley had given him at the start of the meeting. But he was close enough to politely eavesdrop and looked tense enough she was worried about it.

Kingsley checked his watch and bid her adieu and headed out down the table and toward the door, pausing to listen to some as he passed. Hermione gathered up her things, still glowing, and began heading out herself. She wanted to head down to her office – sort a few things out.

Ron Weasley had paused by the door. He brushed down his hair and put his hands in his pockets and paused. When she passed him, he cleared his throat. "Hermione," he said. "I just wanted to say congratulations. You know, my dad said ages ago you were the hardest working person in the ministry. You really deserve this."

"Thank you, Ron," Hermione said, beaming. "It means a lot."

"Are you going out to celebrate? It's a big moment – I don't think we've ever had a deputy minister. You're going to be the first one, the first girl, and the first muggle-born, all in one."

She preened at this – it really was quite extraordinary – but shook her head. "No, I just thought I'd climb down to my office and start working on some things I had planned for the muggle affairs department. I think your dad will really like them and it'll help us start to get electronic things functioning around magic." She paused. "Be nice if we could get them working on magic, but-"

"Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be fantastic," Ron said. "But you've worked a lot. And it's lunchtime. You should…"

A hand settled on her shoulder. It was Harry. "Sorry it took me a bit," he said. "Where are you heading?"

"I was just heading to my office," Hermione said. "I wanted to work on some runes I had-"

"Can you spare a break for lunch?" Harry interrupted. "Please?"

Hermione wilted. "I suppose," she said. "But I might stay later tonight to make up for it."

"I'll make sure to have someone bring you dinner and force you to eat."

"That'll just take me longer…"

"Someone's got to make sure you're eating."

Hermione rolled her eyes and lolled her head toward Ron. "Can you believe this?" she sighed.

Ron's hands went deeper into his pockets. "He's right. Do you usually miss meals?"

"Yes," Harry said.

"No," Hermione scoffed. "I eat, just not always at regular times. Whatever helps me get the most done."

Ron looked between her and Harry's shaking heads and nodded. "Well, just take care of yourself," he said. "Don't work too hard." He put a foot behind him in a slow retreat. Hermione nodded.

"It was nice seeing you again, Ron," she said. "We'll talk later."

Harry pressed a hand to her back and they moved out and down the hall to the lifts, trying to make it to the apparition point. "Maybe we should try that sandwich shop again?" he asked. "Give it another go?"

"Fine," Hermione said. "But quickly? I really did want to work on that-"

"I'll make sure you have plenty of time."

The press wasn't as thick but they still moved fast, Harry with his head low, to the apparition point to make it straight there. Went inside, got a table, and Hermione stowed her things away to talk to Harry. "What did you think of my work for your department?"

"Amazing," Harry said. "I wasn't lying. You truly do great work. And, uh, it sounds like you've been doing it for quite some time."

"I have," Hermione perked up. "There isn't a part of the ministry I haven't worked on. From the minister's position downward."

"Really?" Harry asked. "What did you do for Regulation and Control of Magical creatures."

"I took all the conscious species off the lists and made treaties with them instead," Hermione said. "Even the house-elves."

"I remember reading about that," Harry said. "What about Magical Games and Sports?"

"Did you ever hear about the ludicrous patents department?" Hermione asked. "I'll tell you – it was named ludicrous for a reason!"

He finally cracked a smile at that as a waitress set plates down in front of them. Hermione thanked her and picked up her sandwich. Harry traced a pattern idly on the table. "It sounds like you're really qualified," he said. "And you deserve it."

She paused and swallowed. A compliment? He'd said it softly. Was he worried about complimenting her now? "Thank you," she said. "I, uh, know I'm not the flashiest witch, but I've got a good head on my shoulders."

Harry put his eyebrows together. "I think you're just swell," he said. "But, uh, I do worry about this."

It was her turn to furrow her brow. "Worry?" she asked. "About what?"

"Well…" He fumbled and coughed. "I don't want you to be in danger and the press can be… bad, and…"

"The press," Hermione repeated flatly. "So this is about you and your fame?"

He rubbed his brow. "I'm not trying to make it about me, I'm just saying that sometimes they can be-"

"Cruel? Coniving? Machiavellian?"

"Yes!" he said. "You've done a lot of good work, but I don't think you can comprehend how awful it is to have the world's magnifying glass on your head."

Hermione sat back and crossed her arms. "Harry, I've worked for years. You heard Kingsley – I've put in seven times the hours of anyone else. Seven times. And it's so unfair that I'd get this far to become… anchored to you and you don't want me to do it."

Harry sighed. He kept staring at the table, so Hermione could only see the top of his head. "I know," he said. "I'm happy for you, really. You're going to make a great deputy and I bet that if you do a good job, you could be easily voted in at the end of the term."

"Maybe I could make you deputy," Hermione said sarcastically.

Harry rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Not on your life," he said. Hermione decided to forget his doubts and instead laughed at his disgusted face.

She'd scarcely finished moving her office before her husband was up to bug her again. Not in presence, but in spirit.

"First auror training injury," someone said outside her office. Hermione paused, processed, and pinched her lips together. Apparently, Harry would hold nothing back.

"What curse?"

"One of the new unspeakables skimmed him. Nothing horrible."

"By golly…"

By golly was right. Hermione fixed her suit coat and headed out. What did Harry think he was doing, using unspeakable curses with his recruits? New ones, at that!

"Hermione!" Kingsley said, appearing out of a hallway with a stack of dusty binders in hand. "Off to solve another problem?"

"Supervision," Hermione said. "I'm heading down to the auror department."

At this, Kingsley's gaze fell stern. He switched the binders to one arm and took her shoulder. "Wait just a moment," he said. "I need a word."

Hermione paused mid-stride and waited. Kingsley fixed her with an iron gaze. "I like Harry Potter," he said. "And I know you don't. But whatever is going on with you at home, I need it to stay at home."

"Pardon?" Hermione said. "Are you saying I can't go talk to my husband?"

"I'm saying that this is one person I don't want you correcting on how to do his job," Kingsley said. "Hermione, you were tactical during the war. A planner. You were never on the front lines. I was. I was there, in the thick of battle, with Harry Potter. We were the people who listened to you-" he tapped a finger on her shoulder, hard, "and we were sent in. You can fight. He did."

"I fought in the battle of Hogwarts," Hermione said. "I was trained just like everybody."

"You weren't trained like him," Kingsley said. "And I know you, Hermione. You've worked hard and it's rough to have people dress your accomplishments up as his. But you've got to put that aside at work. Harry Potter is a good man and I picked him to train our aurors for a reason. Your support is critical. To me and him."

Hermione exhaled. "I'm going down because of a bad report," she said. "But I'll be nice. I promise."

"Don't let me down," Kingsley said. "We need him – we can't risk anything."

Doubtful, Hermione thought. War was over. Everyone wanted peace. But she nodded and passed Kingsley and continued down towards the new auror department.

The sounds of battle were still going on inside the Auror cadet room. She put up a shield before unlatching the door and stepping in. The entire room was filled with fog. Flashes of red and blue were flying inside the smoke. With a frown, Hermione crept forward. Someone stumbled into her shield. A new auror-in-training with wide eyes and a focused stare. He jumped back from her and then recognized her. "Mrs. Potter?"

At the mention of Potter, her lips pressed together. "Where's the instructor?" she asked.

The young man pointed dead ahead, toward the epicenter of red and blue spells. Hermione nodded and turned her attention forward. "Thanks." She ducked under a red spell that blasted into the door – leaving no damage, and then continued forward. As she got closer, she kept running into students, taking cover behind conjured rock walls and dodging spells just like she was. Her shield did most of the work for her, but she still ducked the occasional burst of red light. Cruciatus? Was he really using the Cruciatus?

One student went down in a scream but jumped back up when the effects were immediately relinquished. Fabulous. That was a felony.

She guessed where Harry would be and then cast a binding spell. Immediately, three more red blasts came towards her. She ducked, fired two more, and then with a long sweep, heard something thump. Harry's voice echoed off the walls. "Down!" he said. All the spells stopped. The fog began to dissipate.

Harry's frame appeared as he undid her spell himself with a wide smile. "Incredible!" he said. "If you use a wider stance with your spells, you can sweep the spell and cover more area! And you need to be fast because you only have seconds to think. Whoever cast that binding spell – it could have been stronger – but-" He paused, recognizing her hair through the fog, and his shoulders dropped. "Hermione?"

"You're using Cruciatus curses?" Hermione demanded. "Harry, that's a felony."

"Well, they all signed the papers for it," Harry said. "What do you think you're doing?"

"They signed…" Her jaw was swinging. Harry nodded. He was still shocked to see her. Bits of fear in his stance – he must be worried about hurting her. Why? She didn't understand. So she closed her mouth and exhaled. "Okay," she said. "Why cruciatus? Isn't this their first week?"

"First day," Harry said. "And I'm using the cruciatus because, in this type of a setting, they'll only be under it for seconds at most. Enough to learn to want to avoid it. Not to mention it'll help them begin to build resilience."

"Resilience for what?"

"Against the cruciatus, Hermione." Now he just looked irritated. "Before they can leave training, I want them to be able to shrug off the curse. We're beginning in short bursts. Whenever they think they're ready, I'll put them under it in stronger bursts. By the end of training, they'll be immune."

"You can't shrug off the torture curse!" Hermione exclaimed. "Who can do that?"

Harry raised an eyebrow. Paused. Waited.

"You're the Boy-Who-Lived," Hermione sputtered. "You're hardly an achievable goal."

"Oh, you think you can't learn to do it?" Harry asked.

That was a low, low blow. But she refused to even consider trying it in front of the dozens of witnesses that could potentially tell the tale of her failure. So she crossed her arms and sulked. Harry rested his case. "That was pretty good," he said. "Advanced spell-casting. Where'd you-"

"You taught me," Hermione admitted with a sigh. "I was a part of Dumbledore's Army."

"Really?" A young lad said as the rest of the students gathered around. "Me too!"

Harry looked surprised. "Crazy how life works out," he said. "Would have been nice to have been friends then." He took up a battle stance. "Do it again, please. Without the fog. It'll be a good demonstration for this lot."

Hermione wasn't quite sure what he expected her to do, but she fell back into an easy stance and then, after a moment's preparation, swept a spell past his feet. He blocked it effortlessly. "See how she did that?" He asked his class. "Her widened stances opens up her frame more, allowing for more movement and a longer spell contact."

"The frame is really for training," Hermione said. "It's really a matter of focus. You have to think about elongating the spell."

"But we're going to focus on stances so you guys can focus on feeling the magic," Harry said. "When you're in battle, you don't have a lot of time to think."

"Well, it really depends-"

"Aurors are front-line warriors, Hermione," Harry reminded her. "I assume you were a tactical person."

She pinched her lips again. It wasn't easy to admit he may be the expert here. But the word "tactical" made her think. Harry and Kingsley had been the people she sent in. She never would have sent a person of her background into the thick of battle, because they would have gotten nowhere. Even she knew that.

And right now, she was casting doubt on Harry's instructor skills, arguing with him in front of his class.

She smoothed down her slacks and exhaled, and then nodded and relaxed and felt the beginning of a smile begin. "Yeah," she said softly. "I was. We really gave Umbridge a run for her money. Snape too, my seventh year."

Harry's eyes clouded over. "Would have been fun to see," he said. "I never really got to my seventh year."

"Will you teach them patronuses?" Hermione asked. She gestured to everyone with her wand and they jumped as if they thought she might attack. They'd have to quit that soon. Harry would take care of them. "Those were quite helpful."

"They'll learn everything I taught Dumbledore's Army, plus endurance and stamina and whatever else I feel they need," Harry said. "And actually, we're going to start learning those after I give you all some time to practice sweeping your spells. You'll need wide stances and slower movements until you get the hang of it. Pick a partner and start of with a binding spell. Now, please!" He turned to make sure they were all following directions but took a step closer to Hermione. Her breath hitched.

"You," he whispered softly. "Weren't you the… otter?"

"Oh," Hermione exhaled. "Yes. My Patronus. I'm an otter."

Harry nodded. "You caught on quick," he said. "But that wasn't a surprise. You were always quick in class." He patted her shoulder. "Was there anything else you needed?"

Hermione felt like she was unfocused. Confused. "No," she said. "I just… came down to see how training was. Say hi. I'm not so busy at the moment."

Harry checked his watch. "Be nice to head out to dinner," he said. "I get off at six. Want to pick a place and we can go and talk?"

The biting response didn't rise. The bitterness didn't surface. He was being nice. And she appreciated that. "I'd like that," she said. "I'd like that a lot."