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It felt strange to Harry that he was sending Hermione to eliminate a political opponent. He was firmly against using his girlfriend like an assassin, but the silly witch demanded that she should be the one to do it.

From the far-too-happy grin on her face as she insisted, Harry knew that Hermione would relish in the feeling of being able to get rid of Lord Parkinson. If only that poor sap took the bribe money and sat his arse in a seat. That would have avoided all this mess.

Mess… Harry was aware using that word when a life was about to be taken was callous, but he simply didn't care anymore. After he discovered that Ron had been dosed by Hermione into acting like an utter tool, Harry went ballistic. He could forgive Hermione for many things, but he didn't think destroying his first ever friendship was one of them.

Even now, Harry could remember the rage that coursed through his veins. Hermione didn't know how close he was to breaking it off with her, but only stopped when he realized that Ron wouldn't be coming back. Even though the redhead might have been potioned, he would remember every hurtful word Harry had hurled at him. Knowing Ron's natural pride, it would take a while to regain the friendship without exposing Hermione's actions. Even then, it wasn't a sure thing.

Fear and loneliness kept Harry from cutting Hermione off. But he was glad it happened that way. Harry couldn't imagine a life where she wasn't by his side. Of course, his life would have been much easier if he had realized that back then.

After knowing Hermione's actions, Harry purposely shrank away from the aggressive steps she seemed so fond of. This was where the decision on the Ministry came in. Harry had held all the power for a brief moment, and the wizarding world looked at him like he was the next Merlin. So many things could have been righted, but Harry decided to follow Dumbledore's path and willingly gave up most of that power.

There was no use thinking about past mistakes. Harry and Hermione were taking steps to rectify them, so all he had to worry about now was how to keep Hermione from going too far. She had been vicious when it suited her back in school, but it seemed like she was like that all the time now. Hopefully, she would revert back to her old self when there weren't so many cunts blocking their reforms in the Ministry.

Once again, Hermione wondered if men always thought with their cocks. It was pathetically easy to get past the 'security' of their little bigot party. All she had to do was wink and flirt a little before getting in. It seemed that being a mudblood didn't mean much when the mudblood had a nice pair of tits and a firm arse.

Hypocrites.

She could have asked for an invitation to the party as Harry's representative, but that would involve being in a lower position than the soon-to-be-dead Parkinson. Neither Hermione nor Harry could allow that, so crashing the little get-together would have to do.

"Granger?"

Hermione stopped and turned to see who called for her. Not many here would call her 'Granger,' but when she saw a platinum blonde head, it made sense.

"Malfoy," Hermione nodded, "I didn't think you would be invited to this."

Draco grimaced but had to admit Hermione was right, "I didn't either, but I got one for some reason, so here I am… What are YOU doing here?"

Hermione felt a little sorry for him. After the war, almost everything his family had was either used up by Voldemort or had been exhausted in trying to redeem his name. The Malfoy family used to be power brokers in the Ministry, but they could now barely qualify to get invites to low-level parties.

Then again, maybe this was karma for Draco being a prick during school.

"It's Lord Parkinson's big day," Hermione said with a glint in her eyes, "I wouldn't dare to miss it."

Draco stiffened and took a step back in shock. He wasn't sure why, but Hermione seemed too similar to his Aunt Bellatrix for a moment. That was impossible, though. It must be his trauma flaring up again randomly. It was common these days for Draco to wake up sweating from the horrors he had gone through during the war.

Still, the Malfoy suddenly wanted to put some space between him and Hermione. "That's nice… I'll leave you to it then. I just wanted to say sorry for how I acted at Hogwarts."

Hermione tilted her head curiously and wondered where the apology came from. As far as she knew, Draco had nothing to gain from doing it… so it might be from the heart? Hermione smirked, amused at her own thoughts, and waved Draco off after a nod at what he said.

"Ms. Granger! I'm so happy you could make it! I would have personally delivered the invitation if I knew you wanted to attend!"

Hermione gave Lord Parkinson a polite smile and felt a little giddy at what she was about to do. The man hadn't personally offended her, but since Harry was, it was practically the same thing. Unlike Selwyn, Parkinson didn't try and get sexual favors from the women around him. He was purely interested in hoarding power and keeping his vision of Magical Britain a reality. That made Parkinson potentially more dangerous than the deceased Selwyn, whose main goal was getting his dick polished.

"It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, Lord Parkinson."

With a wave of his hand, the host laughed loudly, "Then I'm glad it happened! It would have been a sadder day without you here."

Hermione smiled before he excused himself and moved on to another newcomer. She had to admit that Parkinson knew how to work a crowd and make himself seem friendly. Too bad those skills won't be too helpful to escape death.

Draco sat at a table far from where most of the important guests were seated. He didn't mind, though, especially after he had talked to Hermione. Draco had forgotten about it since his later years in Hogwarts were spent slaving for Voldemort, but there had been rumors going around the castle that Umbridge had been last seen with Hermione before she had been found half-eaten.

Draco hadn't even thought of Hermione being the cause of Umbridge's death back then. Still, after seeing the image of Aunt Bella when looking at the witch, he wasn't so sure anymore. If his suspicions were true, something would happen at this event that would prove it.

"Hello, Draco."

Draco shifted his eyes away from Hermione to see Pansy standing next to him. His former hanger-on had become a sought-after woman since her father took control after Selwyn died.

"Pansy, you look well."

Draco hid the frown when she invited herself to take a seat. He didn't feel like playing any games, and he especially didn't want to be seen next to a Parkinson until his suspicions about Hermione were settled.

"Where's Astoria? She used to love coming to these parties."

Draco ignored the barely-hidden envy and said, "I didn't want her to strain herself. She shouldn't be moving about this far into the pregnancy."

Pansy stayed silent for a few seconds. "You're happy with her then?"

"Pansy, she's about to be the mother of my child. Yes, I'm happy with her." Draco couldn't have said that more dryly but immediately regretted it when he saw the pain flash on Pansy's face.

She nodded briskly and stood up, "I'm glad. Have a good night, Mr. Malfoy."

And that regret disappeared. Pansy still had the same poisonous tongue he remembered. The lordship that House Malfoy had vanished along with the wealth. Draco had contemplated warning her about his suspicions of Hermione but eventually decided to keep quiet.

It was one of the few helpful things he learned from his father. People without influence should forget about sticking their noses in matters above their heads. Or they'd conveniently disappear.

"Apologies, everyone! I have to interrupt the merrymaking to say a few words!"

It felt like Parkinson was speaking right in front of him, a common spell used at these parties when needing the attention of the whole room.

"We have a few newcomers that I have great hopes in! Please give Lord Quartz Oleander and Lady Ophelia Crow a warm welcome!"

Draco clapped along with everyone else in the hall at the two unremarkable people standing next to Parkinson. From what he could remember, Oleander and Crow weren't true noble families, so they must have been elevated by Parkinson to occupy a couple empty seats. Draco had a feeling the old Malfoy seat was one of them.

"And in an unexpected surprise, the lovely Ms. Granger is here to celebrate with us!"

All the eyes in the hall shifted to the pretty brunette sipping from her wine glass before she gave them a polite smile.

"Ms. Granger! We would be thrilled to have you say a few words."

Draco watched Hermione dab her lips with a napkin before sauntering to Parkinson. Her walk had a hypnotic effect on most in the hall, something Draco didn't think the former bookworm would ever gain. Then again, he wasn't sure if he paid all that much attention to her at Hogwarts. It was Harry that Draco was focused on, and Hermione had been a minor blip compared to the Potter.

"The first thing I want to say is that Harry, sorry, I mean Lord Potter sends his well wishes."

A few people chuckled at Hermione calling Harry as Lord Potter when they knew she was involved intimately with him. Draco narrowed his eyes at how she was playing the crowd effortlessly. Hermione was never the best at speaking to a large group of people, coming off as demanding and lecturing. Draco felt he had been absent for far too long with all the surprises he was being hit with.

"Lord Potter often speaks of how much he respects Lord Parkinson's work ethic, even if they don't agree on everything." Hermione had a wry smile on her face at the end. "I'm sure anyone with Lord Parkinson's recommendation would be a fine addition to the Wizengamot. I hope you both live up to his expectations."

Hermione nodded at Parkinson and stepped back, taking herself out of the spotlight. This time it wasn't just Draco that was surprised at something Hermione did, but everyone gathered in the hall. It didn't make much sense for her to be here in the first place, but the praise was over-the-top.

Parkinson cleared his throat, "I'd like to thank Ms. Granger for her kind words. Lord Potter and I ha— GRK."

Draco raised his eyebrow when Parkinson choked on air, cutting off his self-congratulatory speech. His first reaction was to look at Hermione, but she looked as confused as anyone else in the hall.

When Parkinson dropped to his knees, the panic set in.

"Father!"

Pansy screamed in fear as she rushed up to him. The few mediwizards in the audience stepped up to see what was wrong, but before they could cast a diagnostic spell, Lord Parkinson started screaming in pain.

With bloodshot eyes and a crazed look, Parkinson started clawing at his own arm, trying to take something only he could see off his body. He only succeeded in ripping up his nails and scratching deep grooves into his skin.

"Restrain him! He must be hallucinating!"

Parkinson's arms and legs snapped together in a rigid state as the healers tried to keep him from harming himself.

"IT'S YOU!"

Tears of blood were dripping down his face as Parkinson roared.

"HOW ARE YOU ALIVE!"

After two coherent sentences, Parkinson went back to screaming bloody murder. But that didn't last long.

Draco was shocked to see something that could match Voldemort's brutality long after his death. It was like the man was under a cruciatus, but that wasn't possible since the caster would have already been discovered. When the healers failed to find anything wrong with Parkinson, Draco decided it was time to leave.

"NO!"

Parkinson made one shout in a desperate call for help before his body turned bright red. The audience watched in horrified fascination when Lord Parkinson exploded and the blood congealed into a grotesque version of the Dark Mark.

"… Merlin save us."

Draco stiffened at the far too familiar sight as the screams started around him. The proud magicals started acting like animals to escape the wards and apparate as far away as possible. Draco stood in place as his eyes caught a curious sight.

Hermione seemed as terrified as any of the others, but it looked as if she was putting on an act. Draco wasn't sure why he thought that since he didn't know her mannerisms too well, but when Hermione glanced at him as she rushed by, he felt like she was more euphoric than anything.

Draco shuddered and swiftly followed the crowd. The world had changed too much if the golden girl was this terrifying. Maybe it'd be best to be low-key until Potter and his woman were finished with whatever they were planning.

"Outrageous! Our peer had his life taken by a mere sympathizer of the Dark Lord! How dare you suggest that You-Know-Who was coming back!"

Harry struggled to stop himself from rolling his eyes. Even now, they refuse to say his name out of fear.

"And what do you suggest about Lord Parkinson's last words? He was clearly claiming that someone was back from the dead. Unless immortality is no longer a secret, the Dark Lord is the only one with this ability."

Avery puffed up in anger, "He was hallucinating! Anyone could have told you the same. Lord Potter! Ms. Granger was there. What's her opinion?"

Harry made it look like he was thinking about what to answer. He said with feigned reluctance, "I have seen her memory… and it's disturbing. However, Voldemort is unlikely to do something so public when he has such little power. While I think we must be cautious, jumping to extreme conclusions can do more harm than good."

Harry mentally patted himself on the back for such a convincing act. It wasn't time yet to make a grab for power.

Avery didn't think much of it and looked victoriously at the members clamoring for a comprehensive search. "I agree to the unspeakables adding more security wards, but like Lord Potter said, it isn't time to invade the privacy of the members of this body."

With Harry's seeming concession, the clamor died down a bit until the session ended with nothing much done. The current Lord Avery had taken over after his father had been stripped of his titles. Harry had noticed that he was trying to take the lead after Parkinson had unfortunately exploded.

Poor man.

Harry slipped out of the chambers and avoided any well-wishers to get home as soon as possible. He had things to do that couldn't be delayed.

After he apparated silently into his shared apartment with Hermione, Harry shrugged off his robes and let this fall to the floor before entering his bedroom. As expected, the woman that caused the recent chaos was sitting on the bed with a book open on her lap.

Harry unbuttoned the top of his shirt and said, "I'm sure you know this, Hermione, but you're one scary witch."

Hermione hummed in agreement but didn't look up from whatever she was reading. Harry wasn't bothered by this since he had always known her first love had been books. Besides, there was a way he could reliably get her attention.

Harry stood next to her and looked down at the diminutive woman that could topple the government if let loose. Her slight frame and good looks were a dangerous distraction from what she was capable of. Even Harry didn't know how she had done that to Parkinson, and in all honesty, he had no desire to know. His stomach had turned when watching her memories of what happened at the party.

After Harry had settled his discomfort, he had imprinted the need to give Hermione detailed instructions in his mind. Parkinson had exploded in a shower of bloody gore because he had told Hermione that it needed to make a 'statement.' While Harry could see the benefit of what was done, he preferred to not use methods that would make Voldemort proud.

But first, he had a job to do.

"Hermione?"

Once again, all he got as a reply was a distracted hum. Harry stroked her wavy brunette hair for a few seconds before pulling on it tightly to make Hermione face up. She gasped at the shot of pain from the unexpected pull on her hair and quickly forgot about her book.

"I haven't thanked you today."

Hermione closed her eyes when Harry leaned down and captured her lips. He bit her bottom lip and sucked on it before pulling back, letting it scrape gently against his teeth before it left his mouth.

Harry picked up the book on her lap and lay it face down on the side table, saving the page Hermione was on so she wouldn't bite his head off afterward. He climbed onto the bed and got in-between Hermione's legs after parting them. The way Harry thanked Hermione was to eat her cunt like it was the best dessert ever made. It wasn't too far from what Harry honestly thought about it, so it wasn't much of a hardship.

Moans filled the room after Harry vanished Hermione's clothes. He made sure her moans didn't stop until the love of his life was exhausted and satisfied.

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