A/N: Hello all! Well here I am with the next chapter… thanks for the reviews and onto the story!

DISCLAIMER: Not mine.

Chapter Thirteen: Rigged Justice System

"You lay here on the lounge Sweetie and I will put on the Wiggles DVD," said Hermione as she placed the pink quilt over Dakota's body, "Would you like to watch Wiggle Time or Big Red Car?"

"Wiggle Time please," smiled Dakota.

It was two days after Dakota had been taken. Hermione was still worried about leaving Dakota alone and had taken three days off work to be home with Dakota. Draco had come around the past two nights and left an hour after Dakota went to bed, though he always left reluctantly.

Hermione put the DVD on and headed to the kitchen to make Dakota a Vegemite sandwich. She switched the wireless on and hummed away to a new song by the Weird Sisters called Secret. Once the sandwich was made and it was taken to Dakota Hermione sat at the messy dining room table. She had just begun planning her first England wedding in four years and was enjoying it. As she went through fabric swatches her client had given her and Hermione glanced up at the Calendar: December 14th.

"Christmas," whispered Hermione, "Christmas in ten days."

"Afternoon my darling."

Hermione jumped and turned in her chair to be welcomed by Draco's lips. Hermione returned the tender kiss and smiled at him as he sat down beside her.

"Planning a wedding?" he asked picking up a silver piece of material.

"Yeah. It will be on January 17th. I was wondering, could you look after Dakota on the night?" replied Hermione comparing the blend or clash of two material swatches.

"Sure. You know I just noticed that you haven't got your Christmas tree or decorations happening yet."

"Me too. There are plenty of pine trees on this property… I can just use one of them. And I have a box of decorations in the spare room near mine."

"Well," grinned Draco pushing the work away from Hermione, "You go and get those and I'll go find you a tree."

Hermione smiled happily, she leant forward and kissed him softly, running her tongue along his lower lip teasingly. Draco pulled away laughing, causing Hermione to grin wickedly.

"Your teasing ways are the same as ever… just a few wrinkles," he smirked earning a hit on the arm from Hermione, "Okay, okay. No wrinkles. I'll go get the tree."

"You do that," chuckled Hermione standing to go get the box of Christmas decorations.

O

"I'm so glad that Dakota is coping," said Ginny as she walked Narcissa through the newly built magazine section of the Muggle Magic Wedding's building, "Your office is across from mine, see?"

Narcissa nodded. She found it hard being civil with Ginny, considering she never got along with her family. It was also hard having her as a boss.

"With your section you are the boss, so people will work for you, but ultimately all decisions have too be passed by myself and Hermione during certain circumstances," continued Ginny opening Narcissa's office door, "The Style section people are back down the hall. They work in cubicle section C."

Narcissa nodded again. "How is the employing part going?"

"Well I have found a person to be head of the Catering section and… well I have found practically everyone. I am now working on employing people who will do the printing upstairs and places to sell the magazine at."

"Have Flourish and Blotts said yes?"

"They have. My brothers will sell it at their stores. We will naturally sell it down stairs… but it is a slow process," sighed Ginny, "Now I need to do some magic painting and furnishing."

"Would… would you like some help?" asked Narcissa, hardly believing what she was asking. Fancy that, her, a Malfoy, asking a Weasley… well now Potter, if she would like help.

O

Harry slammed his office door and kicked his desk in anger. He gave an angry yell and sat down at his desk infuriated with the justice system and his stupidity.

The door opened slowly and in walked Rufus Scrimgeour, the Minister of Magic but at the moment Harry had other… not so nice names for him.

"Look Minister I would much prefer to be alone," snapped Harry coldly before looking up at him in disbelief, "How could you? First you let Emery Flint out early due to good behavior and not even a week later you let Sharla Mink and her bloody relatives out because they could pay their bail fee?"

"Mr Potter this is out of my hands-"

"No it darn well isn't! You just don't like me because I wouldn't obey your friggin orders when Voldemort was around. Let me enlighten you on the reason why these people were in Azkaban for the first place. Emery Flint: he was charged for domestic abuse to a friend of mine. Sharla Mink: she kidnapped Dakota Granger just a few days ago with the assistance of Andrew Blackworth and Delia Mink. As for good behavior on Mr Flint's side… he really had no choice but to behave didn't he? The Dementor's would make him be nothing but miserable."

"You have no right in calling me a bad Minister."

"I never said you were, but thanks for saying it for me Rufus… you are and say hello to your opponent in the upcoming Minister elections. If you can't run a good justice system I will."

O

Hermione placed the star on top of the tree and stepped down the ladder. She stepped back beside Draco and looked at the amazing tree with a gold star, red, green and silver tinsel and matching balls. The golden fairy lights twinkled merrily at them. Dakota hugged Hermione around the waist as they surveyed the rest of the room. Green tinsel rested above the television cabinet, red and gold tinsel were arranged to hang around the ceiling lights and a sign saying 'Merry Christmas' hang on the front door. As for the lounge room doorway mistle toe was placed there.

"It looks pretty Mummy!" giggled Dakota looking up at Hermione with a grin, "Can I go play upstairs?"

"Sure Honey," replied Hermione before Dakota left the lounge room singing a Wiggles song.

"Her first White Christmas?" asked Draco curiously.

"Yeah. Back in Australia we would go to the beach in the morning before coming home and opening presents. Lunch would be a barbeque and while Dakota played with her new toys Merle and I cooked dinner. All I can say is thank the muggles for air conditioning!"

Draco laughed, "Maybe one day we can experience a Christmas like that as a family?"

Hermione turned to face Draco and wrapped her arms around his waist and said quietly, "Maybe we can celebrate this Christmas as a family?"

"What are you saying?" asked Draco wrapping his arms around Hermione's back as he looked down at her curiously.

"I want you to move in… I want us to become a family. I want to wake up with you beside me and go to sleep with you holding me."

Draco looked shocked, and then started to laugh. Hermione pulled away thinking he thought she was crazy. Hermione frowned and walked into the kitchen feeling stupid. If she knew he was going to laugh at her suggestion then she wouldn't of asked him. She began wiping the crumbs from the bench in silence. As she shaked the crumbs into the sink Draco walked in looking confused.

"Hermione… are you okay?"

"You laughed at me… if I knew you felt that way about my suggestion… well, I wouldn't of been so stupid in asking you!"

"Hermione I didn't laugh because I thought it was stupid… I laughed because I was shocked. I would love too move in with you and Dakota. Too sound mushy, I would love to wake up beside you and go to sleep holding you."

Hermione smiled, "Really?"

"Really."

Hermione then screamed out happily and ran to Draco. She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him firmly on the lips.

"I love you," she grinned before kissing him again.

"I love you too."

O

"Are you serious?" asked Blaise as Harry paced around the staff room, "He released them?"

"Yes!" cried Harry, "The system is rigged. Pay your way out and you are free to go screw someone else's life up!"

Dean shook his head in disgust, "What do we do?"

"I'll tell you what I am going to do, I am going to run to be Minister then propose a new law that all convicts can't use their own money to pay there way out of Azkaban. All I need is a lawyer to help me write the law out clearly."

"I don't think any of the lawyers will be game to go up against Scrimgeour," replied Blaise with a sigh, "He has them under his eye constantly."

Dean nodded in agreement and Harry sat down with a deep, defeated sigh.

"But," continued Blaise leaning forward, "I do think it would be a good idea for you to run for Minister. Scrimgeour is way past his expiry date. People will vote for you anyway because you are Harry Potter the boy who lived."

Harry nodded, "Yeah but I want people to vote for me on what changes I will bring. Not because I defeated Voldemort when I was 17."

"That you will have too tell the people in your campaign speech," said Dean, "When are the elections?"

"February. Everyone votes on the 20th."

"Well it's December. You better go get a form to fill in. I heard some guy from the Department of Mysteries wants to run… he is one odd guy."

Blaise nodded, "What's his name? Simon… Simon something."

"Simon Ledodd," said Dean, "So Harry, are you serious about this?"

"One hundred percent serious."

O

"I have too say," smiled Ginny looking around the now painted and furnished I DO magazine office center, "We did a good job."

Narcissa nodded smiling, over the two hours she had come to realize Ginny was a very down to earth woman and not at all the way she expected her to be, "Indeed we did."

Ginny yawned and rubbed her rounding stomach, "Four months to do and the new addition arrives."

Narcissa smiled, "Lucius and I wanted a little brother or sister for Draco. But after him I found out I couldn't have anymore children."

"Oh… um… that's terrible," said Ginny slowly. She didn't know what else to say.

"In a way yes. But it allowed me to dote more time on Draco. People believe as parents, we didn't really look after him. But believe me, I did a lot of things with my son. I taught him to walk, talk, write."

"Well now you can be the doting grandmother. The woman Hermione can turn too for advice," said Ginny as they sat down on one of the benches.

"I was so worried when Dakota was missing. I was scared for Hermione and Draco. I just knew this ordeal would be the make or brake deal… and I thank Merlin everything went perfect!"

"Only Hermione is constantly watching Dakota."

"Time will ease the nerves. How about we go to the café for some late lunch?"

"Sounds great."

O

Hermione smiled as she watched Dakota help her father unpack his clothes. She was about to go and join them when someone called her name downstairs. With a sigh Hermione turned and headed for downstairs to the lounge room. Pacing in her lounge room was Harry, with a serious look on his face.

"Harry are you okay?" asked Hermione walking over to him looking worried, "Is Ginny sick? Or the kids are hurt?"

"No. I have bad news," said Harry leading Hermione to sit down at the lounge, "The Minister has allowed the release of Emery Flint based on good behavior."

Hermione's mouth fell open, "Th-that's… Merle…"

"It gets worse. He also released Sharla Mink, Andrew Blackworth and Delia Mink because they paid their own way out."

"WHAT?" screamed Hermione standing up, "The Minister allowed that to happen?"

"I should have frozen their accounts."

"It's not your fault Harry. That Minister… he is one who will take bribes."

"What is going on?" asked Draco as he walked into the room carrying Dakota, "Hermione?"

"That stupid Minister has released Emery Flint, Sharla Mink and her followers!"

"What?"

"It's true," sighed Harry, "But I have more news."

"What?" asked Hermione half-heartedly. She couldn't handle more bad news.

"I am running for Minister. As Blaise said, Scrimgeour is past his expiry and I want a justice system that works."

"That's great Harry," said Hermione with a half smile, "If the circumstances were different I would probably be cheering… but Sharla… I don't feel safe."

"Daddy," said Dakota out of the blue, "Are Nana and Poppie poor?"

"No. Why?"

"That mean lady… she said her friend was taking money from a piggy bank."

Draco frowned, "Nana and Poppies piggy bank?"

Dakota shrugged her shoulders, "Can I go play?"

"Sure," nodded Draco placing Dakota on the ground so she could run off to her bedroom, "Do you think she is onto something?"

Harry looked at Hermione, "You know your daughter better then anyone else Hermione. What do you think?"

"If it is a chance of putting Sharla behind bars again… go for it."

"I'll look into it now," nodded Harry, "Talk to you later. Bye."

"Bye," smiled Hermione as Harry left with a crack. She turned to Draco who walked over to her.

He wrapped his arms around her holding her close.

"It did seem strange that my parents lost the money so easily," murmured Draco, "Maybe our darling daughter solved a mystery."

Hermione chuckled and looked up at Draco, "Maybe she did."

O

Ginny took a bite of her chicken and salad roll and sighed after she chewed and swallowed. Narcissa sipped her tea and smiled at her new friend.

"How are the children?" asked Narcissa cutting her quiche.

"James is great. Him and Dakota are best friends, which is what Harry wanted. Rianna amazes me everyday. She is a very creative girl. Rianna Lily is her name."

Narcissa smiled, "She sounds adorable."

"She is Mummy's little girl."

"So have you picked names for the one on the way?"

"Well for a girl I like two names. One is Adiana. It means the night's falling reveals the angels' beauty. The other is Erin. It means peace."

Narcissa nodded, "Both are lovely names. What about names for a boy?"

"We have two again. Bailey meaning able… we like the name. And Hunter. That name means simply hunter."

Narcissa nodded, "Did Harry pick Hunter?"

Ginny laughed, "Yes. I like Bailey and Erin."

"Erin Adiana Potter. Sounds nice… Bailey Hunter Potter. Sounds… like something you would get used too."

The two women laughed enjoying each other's company. If only they knew the scandal Harry was uncovering.

O

"How can you be sure Dakota was telling the truth?" asked Dean as Harry wrote out the form for the request of the Malfoy's transactions in the past three months, "She is only 3."

"I know Dean," snapped Harry, "But this woman deserves to be behind bars. Dakota is the only witness we have and she has given us a lead."

Dean looked at Blaise, who just shrugged his shoulders.

"In the mean time," said Harry standing, "I want you two working on this case."

He handed them a manila folder labeled Emery Flint.

"Find something to get him behind bars again. If not send one of the new Aurours to spy on him."

Blaise and Dean left Harry's office muttering to each other. Harry sat down and signed the form and instantly apperated to Gringotts. The place a fairly busy with people getting out money for Christmas shopping, something Harry released he needed to set time aside for.

Some women in their early twenties spotted Harry and waved to him seductively. Harry just nodded and walked past the counters and towards the office he was looking for.

It was already opened with the head Goblin inside.

"Can I help you Mr Potter?" he asked in an annoyed tone.

"Yes you can," replied Harry handing him the form.

The Goblin nodded, "I have suspected something was going on with this account but I had no proof to do anything. I am assuming you do?"

"The word of a three year old."

The Goblin raised its thin eyebrows, "I see. Well wait in the foyer and I shall personally bring you the transactions and the amount left in the account."

"Thankyou," replied Harry walking out of the office and too the foyer area to hear his sons voice scream out.

"Daddy!"

Harry smiled and picked James up for a hug, "Shopping with Granny?"

"Yes. She is getting some money out."

"Oh. Where is Rianna?"

"With Aunty Fleur. She is sleeping."

The women in there twenties looked at Harry in shock. Obviously they missed the Witch Weekly edition telling all about Harry and Ginny's wedding.

"Hello Harry dear," smiled Molly walking over.

"Hi Molly. How is Rianna?"

"Asleep for her afternoon nap. So James and I thought we would go shopping!"

James grinned, "We are buying some presents. But not mine or Rianna's, cause Granny knows I will tell Rianna what she is getting."

Harry laughed, "Of course you will. You are like Uncle Ron."

Molly smiled, "First Christmas with out Ron."

"First one with Dakota," replied Harry to cheer her up.

Molly nodded with a smile, "Well, come along James."

"Bye Daddy!"

"Bye Sport," smiled Harry, "Bye Molly."

Molly waved and Harry turned around to be face to face with the head Goblin of the London Gringotts.

"Here are all the transactions from the past three months, along with the money that is remaining," he said.

Harry nodded, "Thankyou for your help."

The Goblin nodded and Harry left with a crack, the benefit of being an Aurour was being able to apperate into most places where ordinary wizards and witches couldn't.

O

Ginny and Narcissa stood up and pulled on their warm, wool cloaks. They paid for their meal and walked out into the snow-covered alley.

"I should do some Christmas shopping," said Narcissa, "Want to join me?"

"Sure. I have to pick up a few more things myself," smiled Ginny, "I plan on buying James this toy broomstick. It has the Chudley Cannons logo on the handle and comes with a kids Quidditch outfit."

"Sounds very cute."

Ginny smiled, "Harry talked me into getting it. Rianna is getting this bubble set where she can create bubbles into different shapes and colours. Plus a new teddy bear from the muggle world."

Narcissa laughed, "Christmas should be wonderful this year. I have my husband, son, and I hope to soon be daughter in law plus my granddaughter."

Ginny smiled, "Oh wow."

"What?"

Ginny walked over to a Wizards Antique store, "The first snitch used at Hogwarts during a Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Harry would love that! Five hundred galleons. I can afford that."

Ginny walked into the store with Narcissa. It smelt a bit musty but the lady at the front greeted them warmly.

"Cold out?" she asked.

"Very. Can I please purchase the snitch in the window?"

The woman nodded and brought it over. She placed it in a velvet blue box and slipped it into a paper bag.

"Five hundred galleons."

Ginny handed her the amount, said bye and her and Narcissa left the store.

"Ginny?"

Ginny spun around to see her mother looking from her too Narcissa. James ran towards his mother and hugged her tightly.

"Hi Mummy," he said happily, "I saw Daddy just before!"

"Really?" asked Ginny curiously, "Where at?"

"The bank. He was waiting for someone."

"Probably to do with his work. How are you Mum?"

"Fine," nodded Molly, "Narcissa."

"Molly," replied Narcissa calmly.

"Narcissa works on the magazine. She is the head of the style section," said Ginny to keep the conversation flowing.

"I see. So you are shopping together?" asked Molly.

"Just like friends do," smiled Narcissa, "Right Ginny?"

"Right," nodded Ginny with a smile, "Christmas shopping Mum?"

"Yes. Your father got paid this week. I'll get James' and Rianna's presents on the weekend."

"I just got Harry something wonderful! Oh Mum, you should see it! I'll show you this afternoon… do you want me to take James?"

"Only if he wants to go with you."

"James, would you like to come shopping with me and Mrs Malfoy?"

James nodded and hugged his grandmother goodbye.

"I'll be over in an hour or so for Rianna. We have some final things to pack before we move on Saturday."

Molly nodded, "I'll see you then."

Ginny smiled and her, James and Narcissa walked towards the bookstore to see what gifts they could find there.

Molly watched the three and sighed. Now she felt like she was loosing her only daughter to the woman she had hated since she was born.

O

Harry frowned at the transactions in confusion. It made no sense. The Malfoy's should have well over 7 million galleons in Lucius' account. As for Narcissa there should be 14 million galleons. Yet the amount left over in Lucius' is 500,487 galleons and Narcissa has only 14,789 galleons. The transactions were showing the truth of how much they had spent. This clearly showed that Dakota was telling the truth.

Harry stood up and walked down to Blaise's office. Blaise and Dean were seated around the table in the middle of the room going over Emery Flint's folder.

"Someone had been draining millions of galleons from both Lucius and Narcissa's accounts. They should have more then what they have left in the accounts," said Harry, "What have you both found?"

"Three theft charges, one charge of assault on his own mother and that is all. But those alone give him a full 25 years in Azkaban," said Blaise reading them off, "But we have more to go through yet."

Harry nodded, "Well I have to go and track down Sharla and bring her in to be questioned."

"If she doesn't talk?" asked Dean.

"Then we bring in the one person I know who will talk."

Dean and Blaise nodded as Harry walked out to go do what was needed to be done.

"Since when did we become like those muggle detectives?" asked Blaise.

A/N: Not my best I know, but I had a lot of writers block with this chapter. But I hope you all enjoyed it. The drama is just continuing! Bye for now!

Love yas!

Love Coz!