A/N: Content note for blatant reference to homophobia in the Wizengamot. I haven't found the names of many people on the Wizengamot, so for the purposes of extra character dialogue I'm using OCs.
For a witch raised in a Muggle home, life at the Ministry of Magic could never truly become mundane. Slowly their rotations to different departments became less frequent as each student found one that most suited their unique interests and abilities. Hermione looked forward to spending time in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the magic that was the Wizengamot chamber, hoping to one day right some of the wrongs against many members of muggle and wizarding society alike.
Things seemed safe, like the comfort of a muggle office job in a cubicle. Hermione would meet regularly with Amelia Bones to discuss her career goals project and was happy to get to know her better as a mentor. Over the course of the summer, she unraveled a few details about her life that would help her come to some unexpected conclusions.
In a recent letter, Minerva had told Hermione that she would have a guest staying with her the first weekend in July and she hoped to eventually bring Hermione there, home, with her another year. Hermione's mind drifted back to that first conversation about her father in which Minerva told her that her father loves her. What's more, from what Minerva said Hermione knew that her parents were very much in love. Perhaps they still saw each other regularly. Surely, if her other parent were a woman, that would be difficult if not downright impossible.
You're thinking too much, Hermione, you just have to trust Minerva knows what she's doing.
On Friday afternoon Hermione found herself in a booth with Amelia Bones during a short coffee break. It came as a welcome surprise how approachable Amelia was to Hermione and how easily conversation flowed between them. At the onset, their discussions solely revolved around the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, but as they got to know each other Amelia told Hermione more about her time as an Auror.
As they were walking back to the Wizengamot chambers Hermione asked, "Do you have any weekend plans?"
Amelia's face appeared startled for a moment, surprised by the question but knew Hermione was just making small talk. "Yes, I actually do have plans this weekend. I'll be visiting an old friend and will be away from London. What about you? Do the other students have fun outings over the weekend? That's always the best part of the program."
Hermione took in the information and said, "We did a lot of sightseeing around town these past few weeks, so I think I'll just spend it catching up on reading at my parents' house. I think we're supposed to get some rain tomorrow anyway."
Amelia smiled warmly, "That sounds lovely, Miss Granger. I think my best memories from my teenage years were spent reading tomes of books. I particularly liked Muggle novels, especially Jane Austen. Wonderful classics. I still have a few by my bedside I pick up from time to time."
"Oh, really! Gosh, my friends think I'm nuts, but I absolutely love those novels. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite."
Hermione beamed internally at the revelation. They were unexpectedly so alike, it was lovely.
The two made their way to the Wizengamot and found some other Hogwarts studied awaiting the afternoon sessions. Waiting for the signal to enter the Wizengamot chambers, several witches and wizards exited the chambers and called for Madam Bones. One of the few women sitting on the Wizengamot put her hand up as a signal to keep the Hogwarts students from attending.
"I'm sorry, but you are not allowed to enter at this time. We have an emergency session convening this afternoon and no visitors can be present. You may return to the central desk and begin your weekend early."
Hermione immediately felt on edge. The other students were only mildly irritated or excited about the weekend, but she could tell that something was terribly wrong.
I certainly can't trust the Ministry fully after what likely happened to my parents. I didn't like the look on their faces, something is clearly happening.
Wizengamot Chambers
Amelia watched as Bernadette Olmeiro conveyed the news. They were to change the location for future Wizengamot meetings, shared with no one outside of the four students working with the DMLE on the summer program and their colleagues. The reason she gave was vague, something about heightening political tensions.
"All members of the Wizengamot are instructed to walk accompanied anywhere they go within the Ministry. This should ideally be another member of the Wizengamot, but they should also chaperone the Hogwarts students working with us this summer", she explained.
"At this time, what we are hearing is mere speculation, but our sources detect political tension that could impact not only the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, but the Ministry of Magic as a whole. We have all been advised to exercise caution. It appears that there are both Muggle and Magical activist groups seeking to question the Minister's legitimacy and, by extension, the Wizengamot. These protests stem from opposition to laws against … degenerate persons… such as homosexuals."
Were it not for her Auror training and occlusion, Amelia Bones would have rolled her eyes at her colleague. She, one of the people most in control, felt helpless all because the Minister had enacted legislation that separated families and sent innocent witches and wizards to Azkaban. It was barbaric. She was both pleased at the rising opposition while also dealing with the realization that she was in danger, yet again.
Without intending to, she found herself speaking up.
"Madam Olmeiro, is our duty to the Minister or to the witches and wizards who we represent in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement? We are bound not to laws but to our constituents. I for one am very concerned for the safety of myself and my colleagues, but we must continue our work. Insinuating that persons such as homosexuals are degenerate is a lapse in the values maintained by this chamber." Amelia warned with a stern voice she didn't know she had in her.
Demetrius MacIntrye cleared his voice and spoke up, "Ladies and gentleman, I appreciate the reminder from Madam Bones regarding our duties and responsibilities. The time is getting late and I wish to adjourn this session. We will continue the conversation upon further review of information provided by the Minister. You are dismissed. Have a good weekend."
Late afternoon, Minerva McGonagall's Home in the Scottish Highlands
Amelia left the meeting feeling on edge and exhausted. When she finally arrived at Minerva's home, their home, she felt so emotionally spent that she ate dinner quietly with Minerva who patiently waited for her to share her thoughts.
Amelia dutifully reported everything she heard at the Wizengamot to Minerva who nodded and didn't say anything until she finished recounting the day's events.
"Gosh, I sure am proud of you, Amelia. Good of you for reminding them where their priorities lie!" Minerva cheered on her partner.
Amelia sighed. "Honestly, I didn't know I had it in me. Being around Hermione has made this all seem too real. It's not just you anymore, I'm fighting for both of you, for all of us and I'll be damned if they send me to Azkaban before I can abolish these laws and ease some of the tension happening. They didn't mention anyone by name, but I can only guess that things are happening and murmurs are being heard about the Death Eaters." she spat out the last sentence, full of disgust at the Ministry's need to "protect" its employees from the truth.
"Well I know the Order will be on high alert. And to think everything seemed to be heading in the direction of a calm summer."
Amelia nodded her ascent. "I'm not just going to 'do my duty' as Head of the Wizengamot, Minerva, you know that. I'd give up everything just to be with you two, to make sure this doesn't keep happening to other people. You KNOW there are others, we knew them personally." Amelia lamented. She and Minerva looked at each other across the table for a few minutes, quietly reflecting on the road ahead.
"I remember Albus once told me when I was much younger that there's no right way to act with so much corruption. I thought he was protecting me from my own morals when he said that, but I see how he was right. We will keep moving and doing everything in our power to protect the ones we care about."
Amelia tried to contain herself from crying, from feeling the shame she felt at never being able to do enough.
All she could manage to say before they changed the subject was, "We'll get Hermione back to us, some way, somehow. This house is too large and quiet for the both of us. Ah, she told me today that she quite likes Muggle novels. I can't wait for her to see your library, she'll be in awe and won't come out of there for a week!" Amelia and Minerva both chuckled.
With the mood somewhat lightened, Amelia and Minerva went on talking under the dim light of the chandelier in the dining room for another hour before retiring to the living room to watch a movie, their favorite Muggle pastime.
Later that evening, Granger Residence
Hermione hoped that things had gone well for Madam Bones in the Wizengamot. It seemed very serious and she imagined she would learn soon on Monday if Madam Bones felt comfortable sharing any details with her and the other students.
Will Madam Bones be able to see her "old friend" this weekend? Curious how Minerva is also having company. They can't be seeing each other, can they?
Hermione had already run through the list in her head of witches and wizards at the Ministry, not excluding men outright but there were also no possible contenders. Out of the women, she immediately took a few off the list for age and heritage, especially for those who recently came from magical schools and communities outside of Britain. She was left with few options, and it was appearing more and more likely that her dear new mentor could very well be her other parent. Is that just what she wanted, though?
Hermione closed her eyes in bed, thinking about the two witches. She could already tell which features she inherited from Minerva but knew there was still something missing. Amelia's hair color and texture, skin tone, and facial features would complement those of Minerva quite well. How perfect it would be to know for sure if Amelia was indeed her second parent, a woman who, in time, could become a mother to her? It didn't matter who Amelia was or what she looked like, Hermione felt like maybe she'd found the missing piece to who she was, like the spark she felt when shaking Madam Bones's hand.
Drifting off to sleep, she hoped her parents wouldn't give up on each other or her. Love was too rare a thing to ever give up on, regardless of however many "laws" had to be broken.
Midnight, Minerva McGonagall's Home in the Scottish Highlands
That night in bed, Amelia reached out for Minerva's hand.
"Min, are you awake?"
Minerva grumbled something unintelligible which Amelia took as a sign to continue.
"Min…if anything happens to me, please tell Hermione." Amelia didn't want to finish her sentence.
Minerva squeezed her hand tightly and emphatically said, "WE will tell Hermione. I don't know when or how, but we'll talk to her. Together."
With that, each witch fell into a fitful sleep, worried about what would happen the next week.