Part 5
Tea never failed to ease her worries. And always, to her surprise, the warmth of it sliding down her throat did wonders. While she couldn't say that it had never harmed her, as on many occasions the roof of her mouth and tongue had suffered when her lack of control had taken a sip too hot. She could honestly say, the fleeting pain she sometimes felt was outweighed, most days, by the way it calmed her without rhyme or reason.
Her pleasure was interrupted however by the gentle opening and closing of her bedroom door. Green eyes quickly found the source and with slow but sure steps her new companion was soon at her desk.
"How are you feeling?" Minerva asked gently, as she put down the tea she had only moments ago been reminiscing about.
Hermione found the seat in front of her desk, and sat down almost nervously. "Better, I think. Perhaps a little dizzy still. How long was I out for?"
"A little under an hour." Minerva answered as she visually checked over the younger woman.
"Forgive me, I…"
"Before you continue…" Minerva interrupted with a wave of her hand, "You have nothing to be sorry for. You are exhausted and rightly so. Your body is going through immense changes. If anyone is to be sorry it is I. I should have foreseen this, or at least expected it."
Hermione frowned, "Well if I am not allowed to apologise, then neither are you."
Minerva almost smiled at the defiant nature she had always so admired within the young woman. "Then we are at a stalemate."
"Good" Hermione responded softly, her tone sounding a little more at ease. "Then at least we are on equal footing."
Silence fell between them for a brief moment as they regarded each other. Minerva was Headmistress and a queen… but even despite those monikers she was a natural-born leader. The way she held herself with grace and poise spoke volumes. Hermione did not hold those titles save for her newly appointed one. But soon, she hoped Hermione would stand toe to toe with her. It was within her. The leadership, the drive, the ability to look through all the chaos and make the right choices.
She could see it in the way her eyes never shied from hers. Even though she had a long way to go, Minerva had no doubt that the younger woman would step up to the bar.
Green eyes looked down to the tea that was going cold, and gestured to the pot on the table. "Would you care for a cup?"
Hermione nodded, "Please." She said as she moved forward to help herself. The activity calmed her and distracted her for the briefest moment and moved her thoughts onto lighter subjects. "How is Hogwarts fairing these days?"
"Let's just say that although the students change, their antics and ability to keep all of the staff on their toes does not."
Hermione smiled as she added her milk, grateful for the light-hearted change of subject, "If you had a galleon for every time a student let off a Dungbomb or Exploding Whizz Popper you'd be a very rich woman."
"Try something more akin to Portable Swamps," Minerva said dryly as she picked up her briefly forgotten tea.
Hermione looked at the older witch curiously. "Dare I ask?" She imagined there was a story behind her words but she knew it was Minerva's decision as to what did and did not remain unearthed.
"Perhaps another day, and with something," She gestured to their tea, "a little stronger."
Hermione leaned back in her chair with a small smile, "You have my interest thoroughly peaked."
"I've been at this school for a long while." Minerva alluded, "However my interest is in your life. You've been working at the ministry for some time now. And your work in equal rights for all magical creatures has gained you quite the reputation and career." Minerva said as she looked the woman who seemed to be avoiding her gaze. "Which begs my question, why you so steadfastly rejected Arnaga knowing what you know, and doing what you do?"
Hermione looked at the cup in her hands and tried to focus on the way the light reflected off of the liquid inside and not the question she has been trying to avoid. The one that told her she had been a coward, selfish and cruel.
"Hermione," Minerva interrupted her musings softly. "No one blames you, in fact I would be a hypocrite if I said I didn't understand your reaction considering your past. War leaves many scars... I'm just asking for your side?"
Hermione looked up, and though she knew Minerva's intentions were good, she wasn't ready to discuss them.
"I appreciate what you're doing for me, but I'm not in the mood to discuss it. So with all due respect, I ask you to let it be." Hermione stated firmly.
Her disappointment was strong but she didn't let it show. Instead, Minerva took a sip from her cup and then started again, "Alright. Then where would you like to begin? I said I would answer your questions and I am a woman of my word."
Hermione looked at her gently. She had thousands of question, "Perhaps you can begin with how this process usually starts?"
Minerva put her cup down again, "Well, usually, if you are born dragon souled, you are taught from a young age. However, if you are not, the process begins with being open. You have to get to know each other. It is not necessary to share each other's opinions but you do have to respect them and get along. The reality is that you could be spending four hundred years or more together." Minerva stated seriously.
Hermione gnawed her lip, "Four hundred?"
"Being dragon souled you benefit in long life, increased strength, power, stamina and more."
Hermione listened carefully, "And how do I access that?"
"You should already be able to. However I would advise getting to know Arnaga before you begin delving into the things you can and cannot do. Arnaga has much to teach you in terms of customs and politics."
"What about you? Surely you can teach me?" Hermione almost urged. Truth was she was still trying to find a way around this whole Arnaga thing.
Minerva could see turmoil in Hermione's eyes and it left an uneasy feeling within her, "I can teach you in part, but I am not the queen of England. You are, Arnaga is. It is she you need to speak with, not I."
Hermione groaned and sat forward. Placing her cup on the table, she stood while twisting her hands before bringing them to her face, as if trying to hide, "How am I supposed to do this? Lead a country… I don't know the first thing…"
"You are forgetting…" Minerva interrupted as she looked up at the woman who was clearly struggling, a notion she was all too familiar with. "You are not alone. You may not know anything about this 'new world' or how to govern it, but she does. You merely have to let her in."
"Then why can't I hear her now?" Her hands coming down from her face and crossing in front of her chest.
"Have you tried to listen? She is there. She can hear and feel everything you do, perhaps she is simply giving you space. I assure you she is probably more understanding than you think." Minerva tried to reassure her.
Hermione turned and walked towards one of Minerva's many bookshelves. She had always prided herself in her own collection but it was un-paralleled next to Minerva's vast assortment. "What if I can't do it?"
If Hermione hadn't of had her back turned to Minerva, she would have seen the surprise that passed over the Headmistress's face. Albeit the surprise had only flickered across her features for a split second, but it was enough to display the older woman's concern.
"Since when did you become so defeatist? And I do not recall you ever having been unable to do something when you have put your mind to it."
Hermione turned to look at the woman who before today had been merely the Headmistress. And while Hermione and the whole Wizarding world knew there was so much more to her, she had never realised how much more there was to her, until now.
Emerald eyes bored into mocha ones, almost trying to impart their faith in the younger woman.
"No one begins their journey knowing what to do. No one starts a job and learns everything in a mere day. It's not about how you start, it's about how you finish... There are people outside those doors waiting for the opportunity to take this seat from you and they will tear you down if given the chance. Don't let them."
Hermione wanted to ask how. How did she do this? Where did she begin? But the truth of the matter was that she already knew the answer. Asking was merely a way to forestall.
"Hermione…" Minerva stood and walked over to stand beside the woman, "No one is going to force you. While Arnaga is unable to leave you, she will not force you to be queen either. But you have the tools inside you. And I would not have vouched for you if I did not believe you could do it."
She wanted to think she had a choice like the Headmistress had just said, but she didn't feel like she did. She wanted to believe she had been given a great opportunity, a gift, but she was struggling to find the silver lining. She was angry. But as she looked at the books in front of her she was reminded of how many times she had sat in front of the bookshelves of her childhood home. She had been a talented child, no doubt, but that didn't mean it hadn't taken minutes, hours, days and years of studying and determination.
Turning her head she looked at the woman who seemed to hold so much faith in her. "Do I have… a council?" She asked, unsure.
Minerva tried not to let the smile reach her lips, "A small, immediate council, yes. Francis is your right hand."
Hermione nodded in understanding, suddenly realising why he had been so attentive.
"Niska Darmarti is your advisor. Effectively she runs beneath Francis." Minerva elaborated.
"I see." Hermione murmured softly as she wandered back to her chair, but instead of sitting in it, she perched herself on the arm and stayed facing the Headmistress. "And you?"
"Me?"
"Yes. Do we converse much? I imagine with England and Scotland being next to each other that we would council each other often as Britain is one nation?"
"We do, although I do not mind confessing, your predecessor had an affinity for getting on my last nerve." Minerva confided.
Hermione smiled, "Oh?"
"Bridget Farnsworth. Incessant woman, all talk and no action." Minerva replied with little fanfare.
"We don't know how I shall perform yet," Hermione said a little nervously.
Minerva looked at her without waver, "No, but Arnaga has been trained by the finest minds, she has the experience and you, my dear, are far more level headed than Bridget will ever be."
Hermione nodded and realised if she really was going to do this she had to have more confidence in herself. There was no use sticking her head in the sand.
"And who is your right hand?"
"Astra Pinkleton."
Hermione's brow furrowed, "I recognise the name but I can't say I can put a face or recall how I know the name."
"She was two years above you at Hogwarts. She went into the caring of magical creatures and breeding. She is a certified breeder and as such fell into the helping of breeding dragons. I'm sure you can connect the rest of the dots."
Hermione nodded. Indeed she could. "And she has been with you for how long?"
"I believe just under two years."
Hermione clasped her hands in front of her and lay them in her lap, "So… from what I've gathered, the council is not keen on my… arrival, shall we say."
Minerva sighed, "You were not the person they expected. But that doesn't mean you cannot change their minds."
"And how many of us are there?"
"Council members or dragon souled?" Minerva asked for clarification.
"Dragon souled."
"Many thousands. I could not tell you our exact numbers as they are thankfully increasing but compared to the general Wizarding population we are few."
Hermione frowned, "Before the attack, Charlie said to Niska that I would be able to help?"
"You were brought in because it has been a matter of discussion whether to inform the general population of our existence. As you will come to learn, the higher powers are aware of dragon souls and as such you will find us at political and important events. During the war, we were of much help due to our invisibility as it were."
"Then why would you lift the veil if it has helped you in the past?" Hermione questioned. To her, it seemed like they were in a good position.
"A white lie is still a lie and as our numbers grow it is becoming harder to conceal us. While it has kept us safe it has also been a burden."
While her words were as formal as ever, Hermione could see the experience in her eyes. But before she could be certain it was there, her fabled walls came up.
Minerva continued, "With that said, I am unsure whether it is the best course of action. There are many aspects to being dragon souled that many would abuse, and I fear that this would benefit those with similar inclinations to Voldemort."
"Then you stand against the passing of the announcement?"
There was a long pause as the Headmistress took off the glasses that till now had been perched upon the end of her nose. "For now, I do. As much faith as I have in the world, there are forces at play that reaffirm my decision."
And there it was. The thing Hermione had a feared and yet ultimately knew already. There had been a reason for the attack. She hadn't just fallen into the position she was in now. "Forces?" Hermione tried to clarify.
Minerva wasn't sure if it was the time or the place. The woman had been through so much already. She didn't want to scare her off. Yet the determination in those mocha eyes told her otherwise.
Hermione folded her arms, "Your lack of response tells me that it isn't good. And the way I see it my attack was not expected but anticipated." She elaborated, "Are we at war?"
Minerva moved towards her desk and perched upon it in the same manner Hermione had perched on the edge of her chair, "Civil war we believe. It is early days, but yes, there have been some disturbances within Britain."
Hermione sighed and looked to the ceiling. The very high, mysterious and magical ceiling. How she wanted to disappear into that ceiling. She remembered coming into this office so many times as a girl and wondering if it had an end. Oh, how she wanted this to end. But as her head came back down and turned to steady emerald eyes she found herself strangely reassured. One step at a time right?
"I have another question."
This time Minerva did smile, "Of that, I would have no doubt. Go on?"
Hermione smiled back, "Before the attack, Niska said something along the lines of gaining ground within the ministry, alliances. But from you've just told me, the higher-ups already know of us? And you said you helped in the war, it seems like you already have alliances?"
"We do. However, there are some that believe that we would take over as a superior species." Minerva pursed her lips, "Unfortunately, in every society, you will always find those who are out for personal gain. Even within our kind."
Hermione nodded in understanding and waved with her hand, "So you wanted to find somebody who would smooth the cracks and bridge the gaps."
"Yes." Minerva reaffirmed.
Hermione was impressed, "A smart idea."
Minerva tried not to feel smug, "Thank you."
Hermione chuckled, of course it had been Minerva's idea. "The council. Am I acquainted with any of them already?"
"A few, probably, some work within the ministry. But there will be quite a few that you will not know as the council makes up each country in which we reside. I'm sure Francis will introduce you to a lot of people in the coming weeks. And the Spring Solstice Ball is in but a few weeks."
"A Ball?" Hermione almost grimaced.
"Indeed. I believe it will be your first big event." Minerva watched as Hermione's face fell and try to reassure her, "I'm sure you will be just fine."
"And you will be there?"
"I will," Minerva confirmed despite feeling much as Hermione did. Gatherings were not her favourite. They weren't always so tedious but at times when her days were long, it was not something she looked forward to. There were weeks when she felt like a circus act, juggling a multitude of things between Hogwarts and running a country. Exhausted didn't even touch how tired she often felt.
"And will they expect to meet me… or her?" Hermione asked unsure if she wanted the answer.
The pain on Hermione's face was obvious, but as the minutes passed she could see the walls being built. Walls she knew all too well. Walls that protected herself and her people. She was expected to be strong, unwavering and Hermione would need to do the same.
"Both."
Hermione looked at her hands, hands that were no longer just her hands, and for the first time in a week noticed her wedding band. Things would change. But she'd do her best to keep things how they were and they would be alright. They had to be alright.
"Then I suppose I have some talking to do with Arnaga."
"I believe you do."
Authors note: Any mistakes are my own. But as always I hope you enjoyed it.
