Disclaimer: My take on JK Rowling's world.
"Request denied!"
"I beg your pardon!" Hermione lunged for the black howler that burnt to ashes in front of her.
Amelia Pelmet, of Wizarding services, was two hundred and three years old, with startling blue hair. Had experienced a great many things in her long life, but the furious expression on the face of the woman in front of her was not somethings she had been expecting. She recovered quickly enough and sat up in her chair.
"I apologise Miss Granger, the ministry has decided that unless a legitimate and legal appeal is made, your claim simply cannot be processed."
"That will take months! Years even." Hermione growled, slinking back into her own chair.
"Yes, however anything other than waiting the normal amount of time, and correctly filling the procedure is illegal." The older witch stated.
"I'm not asking you to break the law for me! Just… I don't know… bend it a little, speed it up maybe, for you know… a war hero." Hermione would normally have felt bad for using her status as leverage, but this just wouldn't do.
"I am sorry, what you're asking for is simply not possible Miss Granger. Legally you have absolutely no claim. However, if you do wish to make a claim legally the circumstances could very well change, it may even speed up." Mrs Pelmet smiled at the younger witch.
"The ministry is willing to overlook your young age since you are, as you rightly put it, a war hero. Also, your large savings, own home and income are a brilliant factor, plus your status in the ministry itself." Seeing Hermione's lack of enthusiasm. Mrs Pelmet closed the file and took the free seat at Hermione's side.
"Hermione." Mrs Pelmet started. "What you are trying to do, is one of the noblest things I have witnessed. Quite honestly, I'm very proud to be working your case file, you have done remarkable things for the wizarding world, and you are very much the brightest witch of age. However, that does not mean that they or I can change the law for you." The older witch took a breath.
"I can however promise you my help in anything you need to speed up the process." she had been staring Hermione down as she spoke, and Hermione struggled to contain her irritation.
"Thank you, Mrs Pelmet. I'm not trying to be difficult I just want this so much." Hermione conceded.
"Adoption is a very long process, Hermione nonetheless your case is very, very good. It just takes time." Mrs Pelmet walked back to her desk and examined the file.
"What I can do is apply for the child to live with you whilst the adoption process advances." Mrs Pelmet conceded.
Hermione let out a beneath she didn't even know she was holding. "Oh! yes, Thank you."
Hermione had used the Ministry floo to travel back to Diagon Ally, it was the second Wednesday of the month, a date she and Harry reserved without fail to catch up just them. Hermione stepped out of the fireplace, dusting herself off she waved hello to Hannah Longbottom.
'The wandless' was Hermione's first business venture; she and Hannah had opened the pub a year after the war. Hermione had spent a great deal of her money while searching for the Horcruxes. She needed a stable income to return to Hogwarts for her eighth year. Neville had put her in touch with Hannah who had inherited her father's inn after he had died in the war. Hannah who could not bring herself to return to Hogwarts proposed a business plan. Hannah managing the pub while Hermione went back to school and worked the weekend shifts. The girls had become fast friends.
"You are glowing." Hermione observed the very pregnant witch. Neville not in?" She asked Hannah.
Hannah laughed and shook her head. "I can't get through the door, not today. He's at Hogwarts still. He'll be back on Friday." She said pulling out new fire whiskey bottles.
"I'll pop back on Friday then. I'm meeting Harry in the office and then I'm going home. Owl if you need anything." Hermione winked at the blonde.
Hermione sat down at the desk she and Hannah sheared, pulling out the stock books that Hannah always left for her in the draw, Hanna wasn't a fan of numbers but always did the stock take so Hermione wouldn't have too.
Hermione was ever grateful, every extra job Hannah did allowed Hermione more time to work within the ministry, she was quite high up in the department of magical education, she had been offered a table on the seat of governors at Hogwarts just yesterday.
"You look busy."
Hermione smiled as Harry sat down in the armchair in front of her. "Hello, stranger." She stood up to hug her friend and sat on the desk, so she was in-between his legs.
"I saw you two weeks ago." Harry rolled his eyes.
"Too long."
"I wrote you."
"Too short."
The two frowned at each other for a long while then laughed. "How's' Ginny?" Hermione asked.
"Good, I left her in Russia. She'll be back in a week." Harry manoeuvred himself around his friend that was still perched on the desk and poured a drink from the bottle behind her.
"How is work?"
"All doing well, life in the ministry exasperating, I've been elected as governor."
"That's great Hermione! Congratulations!" Harry hugged her. The pair drank and exchanged news for a while, talking mostly about Harry's job rounding up criminals, plans for his and Ginny's wedding, his lectures at Hogwarts.
"Enough about me, you had news?" The wizard asked bringing his attention back to her.
The brown-haired witch, now sat on the office sofa, with her back to the door. Lifted a finger indicating he should wait for a second.
Harry took in the sound of the door closing and locking. He knew the muffliato had been cast.
"Yes, although, I need this to be kept between us, please Harry. I couldn't put anything in writing you see." Hermione's said in quick and hushed tones. Harry looked at her confused. "What's wrong Hermione."
She took a deep breath and told him the full story; barley taking breaths, to get it all out before he interrupted. When she was done Harry was staring at her in complete fascination.
"You want to adopt, Draco Malfoys son." It wasn't a question, more like a very peculiar statement.
"Yes."
"Your twenty-one"
"I'm aware."
"It's Malfoy."
"I'm also aware."
"This is crazy."
"Again. Aware."
Harry looked comically exasperated; Hermione would have laughed but she was sure he would leave the building if she did.
"When did this even happen? How does this even happen?"
Hermione had the nerve to look even guiltier than she did already. "I need to tell you something else."
