My Friday started off just like any other typical day since I joined the Department of Magical Creatures Welfare at the Ministry. In the few months that I've been here, I already passed legislation regarding House Elf welfare and was about to pass my Werewolf Rights Act through the Wizengamot. Or I would, when they finally filled all the remaining spots. I rolled my eyes and threw my quill down with a loud sigh. No matter how many times I sent a note to Kingsley he always replied by saying that it was on his list of things to do.
The Order met regularly, mostly for Sunday dinners at the Weasley's. They rebuilt the Burrow after the battle and it's better than ever! Although he's invited, Kingsley never comes, always giving some excuse as to why he couldn't make it. Everyone understood, but it was a constant reminder of how far we still have to go. I groaned and rubbed my temples. There was nothing more I could do until the court issue was resolved. The Elvish welfare bylaw only needed half of the Wizengamot to be present for the vote, however the Werewolf law needed the full Wizengamot.
I poked my head out the door to call for my assistant and the sounds of an argument filtered down the hall.
"You have to let me through! I have to see her!"
I frowned and moved down the hall. That sounded like Ron. People were starting to poke their heads out of their offices and I was too concerned to care. What the hell was Ron doing here?
"I'm sorry Auror Weasley, but she specifically asked not to be disturbed," my secretary, Meredith, answered tersely. I chose her out of all the applicants because she was the only one who wasn't starstruck by me, Harry or Ron.
"This is important!" Ron growled.
"Meredith, it's alright," I said, "Harry and Ron can always come and see me, unless I say otherwise of course," I winked.
"Oh, of course, Ms. Granger. I'll rearrange your afternoon- this seems important," she said quietly.
I nodded at her thoughtfulness and ushered Ron down the hallway. No doubt feeding the gossip mill for the week. "What's wrong? Is it Harry? Is he ok? Are you ok?"
He just shook his head and herded me into my office, locking and warding the door. He whispered a Muffliato for good measure and turned to give me a hard look.
"Spill it, you're scaring me." I twirled my wand around my fingers nervously while I waited for him to speak.
Ron shook his head and sighed. "I honestly don't even know where to start."
"Please just spit it out," I said tensely.
"Kings is enacting a marriage law, something about the drop in population or something," he rushed out in one breath.
"What?" I wheezed, all of the air in my lungs suddenly gone.
"Kings is-" he started again.
"No, I heard you the first time," I cut him off. "You could have put it a bit more tactfully."
He shrugged. "You said to spit it out."
I smacked his arm. "I know what I said, but you are a total arse, Ronald Weasley!"
He flushed slightly. "Yeah, I know. Anyway, Kings just decided and wanted to give us a heads up, since we're you know, us."
I shook my head and leaned against my desk. "So this is what he's been hiding. There's no way he can keep it quiet once the papers catch wind."
"Well for one thing, he fired Rita Skeeter. Broke her wand and everything," Ron informed gleefully.
"That's terrible!" I giggled. "Although I can't say that I'm surprised. I think that an anonymous tip about a certain beetle animagus may have done the trick."
"Oh, that's just evil!" he clutched his chest in mock pain. "Remind me to never get on your bad side."
"And don't you forget it!" I teased. "So who all knows about it? Besides you, me, and Harry of course."
Ron rubbed his neck. "The Minister of course, his secretary, and -" he gulped.
"And?"
He flushed but didn't answer.
"Who else knows, Ron?"
" The Wizengamot. Kingsley needed a full vote, and the law passed first thing this morning."
"What!?"
"Yeah, I really wasn't supposed to tell you that," he mumbled.
"Get out of my way!" I said heatedly, blasting the door off the hinges in my anger. Oh what the hell, I'll fix it later. I marches all the way up to Kings' office hair crackling Ron following meekly behind. I brushed past Melody, his secretary, who didn't do much to try and stop us.
"Kings!" I blew the doors open with a bang, pausing to take in the occupants. Kingsley Shacklebolt sitting calmly behind his desk with a raised eyebrow and Draco Malfoy of all people sitting casually in a chair across from him, trademark smirk firmly in place.
"Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley, would you be so kind as to wait outside? Melody will let you know when I am ready for you."
"No need Minister, I believe our business is concluded," Malfoy rose smoothly from his chair and shook Kings' hand. "Granger," he purred as he passed me. "Weasley." He sauntered down the hallway whistling cheerfully.
"Strange git," Ron muttered under his breath.
I nodded in agreement, tearing my mind away from Malfoy's retreating figure and back to the crisis at hand. I stormed into Kings' office, admittedly with less angst than before. "What the hell, Kings?" I demanded, dropping down into one of the chairs in front of him while Ron stood behind me.
"Please sit down," he intoned, not unkindly.
"What were you thinking!? We're in a precarious enough position as it is! There's no way the rest of the population will accept this!"
"The operative words there, Hermione, are the rest of the population," he sighed. "Due to the war and the high rates of squibs being born, the magical population in Britain is critically low. If we don't start working on saving it now, there won't be anything left to save." He slid the report across the desk, and I read through it quickly. He wasn't wrong, but there had to be a better way to go about it.
I bit my lip in thought. "Was there any other way?" I asked at last.
"You know I wouldn't ask this of you if there was," he said quietly.
"Well shit." I leaned back and crossed my arms.
"Shit indeed. And while I respect you enough to give you a heads up, I must implore you to keep this to yourselves, at least for the weekend. Affected members of our community will receive a notification of a mandatory meeting at Hogwarts on Monday morning. The rest of the community will find out after the fact. - there's no way I could keep that silent now would it be right of me to do so."
Ron snorted and Kings glared. "By keeping it to ourselves, do you mean just us three or are we allowed to extend the courtesy to our families?"
"I'm sorry."
"Do we get to know the particulars? The people affected by the law?" I asked.
Kings shifted. "You'll find out along with everyone else on Monday."
"What, can't have her figuring a way out before the ink's even dry?" Ron asked harshly.
"Something like that. If that's all, the three of you can have the afternoon of, to come to terms with the news."
"But sir! I'm in the middle of trying to pass three different legislations with half of the staff I need"
"I know very well what you're in the middle of, and I can promise you'll have the staff you need after the outcry from the law dies down. But for now, go home, relax. Have some time to yourself- none of us will have much alone time after this," Kings said tiredly. "And before you even try anything, Meredith is under strict instructions to not let you anywhere near your office until at least a week after Monday."
"Kingsley!" I cried in outrage.
"I don't want to hear it Hermione! Go home, you two- you'll thank me later."
"Alright, Kings- we'll see you on Monday," Ron said, grabbing my arm and hauling me up.
"See you on Monday," Kings repeated. "Oh and Hermione?"
"Yes, Minister?" I paused at the door.
"You may want to take the file from your desk. It is of the utmost importance and since you'll no doubt try to come back on Tuesday, it should hold you over until you can go in front of the Wizengamot."
"Yes, Minister." I nodded. Ron had to practically drag me from the room because there was no way I was done ripping into Kingsley about this. When we were down the hall, I violently ripped my arm free, drawing many curious stares.
"Not here," he hissed.
I frowned but allowed him to escort me back to my office so I could grab my things. I also made sure to grab the file that Kingsley requested before I left. It wasn't there before, but I had no doubt that he had it sent over while I was storming over to his office. There was a note on the cover of the folder:
Top Priority
I want you running point on this.
Make me proud.
I was definitely intrigued, to say the least, but it would have to wait. Ron and I walked swiftly to the fireplaces so we could floo home. As soon as we were through and stepped into the kitchen in the Burrow, I turned on him. "What the hell, Ronald Weasley!?" I shoved him. "How can you be so calm right now? How can you just sit there and be ok with this?"
"Mione calm down!" He grabbed my wrists. "First of all, I'm not, and second of all, Harry and I have a plan and we'll tell you if you simmer down!"
I eyed him for a moment and then sighed. "Alright, what is it?"
He looked around for a minute before dragging me upstairs to his room where Harry was already waiting. As soon as we entered, he warded and silenced the space so we wouldn't be overheard, much like we had on the run.
"Harry," I whispered in relief.
"Hey Hermione. Reckon you flew off the handle too?"
I grinned and immediately felt better. At least Harry hated the idea as much as I did. "You bet, Potter. Ron had to drag me out of there before I really ripped into Kings. Not cool, by the way," I said pointedly.
Ron looked a little sheepish. "We couldn't very well have you blowing our cover, now could we?"
I scowled. "So what is this half-cooked plan of yours?"
"Hey, how do you know it's only half a plan?" Harry demanded.
"Because this is what you two do. You have an idea, and then you drag me into it to make it a plan. Haven't you learned anything in the last eight years?" I turned to Ron who was grinning widely and trying to hide it.
"Yeah, whatever," Harry laughed. "So do you want to hear it or not?"
"Fine, Harry Potter. State your case," I settled into the only chair in the room and crossed my ankles delicately.
Ron snorted, but Harry grinned. "Ron and I feel like we shouldn't be forced to marry let alone someone the Ministry chooses for us. How do we know they won't choose wrong, anyway? And what if it's someone we have a bad history with? If we didn't know better, I'd say there would be no guarantee that they wouldn't marry you off to a Death Eater and Ron and I off to their daughters."
"Ron and me," I automatically corrected. "Sorry," I cringed at their looks. "These are all valid points but have you stopped to consider the idea that the marriages were arranged by compatibility and blood status, Pureblood supremacy would be wiped out because all of the children would be -"
"Halfbloods," Ron finished quietly.
"Right," I nodded. "They can't do anything about us, but if our children are all halfbloods then that eliminates blood ideals and Pureblood supremacy, and hopefully removes any further cause for war." As I spoke I realized it was true. As that was what Kings was trying to do, but in a really sneaky way. Damn Slytherin.
Harry let out a huff. ""Damn, Hermione, you're right. So they are going to marry us off to Death Eaters?"
I shook my head. "Not necessarily. There are plenty of Purebloods and other wizarding families that didn't support Voldemort. But then again, we're us, you know? So they know we'll be ok no matter who we're paired with. And without a doubt there's something in the law about spouses being protected from each other because there's definitely a lot of bad blood, especially in our year."
Ron snorted. "Speaking of bad blood, we saw Malfoy getting chummy with Kings. What was that all about?"
Harry shrugged. "Probably something to do with his parole. He just wanted to get under your skin, what else is new?" He chucked a pillow across the room. "He may have helped us in the end, but he's still a git. I know it makes sense, but I hope to god you aren't paired with him Mione."
I started. "You know, I didn't even think about it," I bit my lip. "If it happens, we'll deal with it. We can't let fear of the unknown stop us from living our lives."
"Yes, Wise One," Ron teased. I accio'd the pillow and threw it at his face. He laughed but sobered quickly. "No, but seriously. You're right, whatever happens, we've got each other's backs, right?"
"You know I'm always here for you guys," I said, grabbing them both for a hug. I hoped this wouldn't be the last time we all were together like this.
A pounding on the door made us break apart, wands drawn. "Oi, you three! Mum wants to see you all in the kitchen!"
Ron opened the door a crack. "Alright, we'll be down in a second!" he bellowed back, a disgruntled look on his face.
I laughed and took down the wards, smacking right into Fred, who was no doubt eavesdropping. "Hear anything interesting, Freddie?"
"'Course not, Mione dear. You saw to that," he picked me up and spun me around, causing me to laugh loudly.
"Well we can't be too careful- never know who's listening," I panted out.
"Well just for that," he said mischievously. He threw me up over his shoulder and took off down the stairs.
"Put me down, you oaf!" I demanded, his shoulder digging into my stomach with each step.
"Not a chance, Mione! Care to share what you were plotting?"
"Not a chance!" I retorted, giggling.
"Have it your way, then!" he responded. I barely had time to gasp out an uh-oh before he was sprinting out the back door, Harry and Ron close behind. "This is your last chance, Mione!" he warned, stopping at the edge of the swimming hole.
"No! Nonononono, " I chanted. "Fred, don't! I'm not dressed for-"
"Shame," he mimed putting me down, but threw me in anyway to my shriek of outrage.
I came up for air spluttering and angry. "Frederick Gideon Weasley, you owe me an apology, and you better make it a good one!"
He laughed and jumped in after me, his cannonball drenching me again. "You really need to lighten up, Mione. Stress of being a Ministry employee finally getting to you?"
"Hardly," I rolled my eyes.
"You can still come work at the joke shop- we could totally use that brain of yours," he tapped my forehead and I smacked his hand away.
"No thanks, I like where I'm at," I retorted. I slid my way up the bank to where Harry and Ron were waiting. "A little help would have been nice," I grumbled as they hauled me up.
"Why would we do that when we could do this?" Harry transfigured our Ministry attire into suits and the two of them carried me back to the lake between them. We spent the rest of the afternoon having fun dunking each other and splashing around.
Bill and George came to find us when the sun was going down. "Come on you lot, dinner's on!" Bill called.
"Having fun without me, Freddie? That's not very nice," George pouted.
"What did Molly say when we never made it to the kitchen?" I queried, having completely forgotten the reason for opening the door in the first place.
"What do you mean? Mum only just now told us to come and get you all," George smirked. Fred was wearing a matching look when I turned around to smack him. "Fred Weasley, that was so unfair! You just wanted information!"
"Information? Do tell," George blinked innocently.
"If I wasn't going to tell him, what makes you think I'm going to tell you?" I asked, wringing out my hair.
"You wound me, fair lady," George gasped.
"Come on you thespians, and bring the kids with you. Dinner won't wait for you," Bill smirked.
"The only reason he's being so nice is because he's getting laid," George stage-whispered behind his hand, quickly sprinting away before he could get smacked.
Bill growled and shook his head. "Just get inside. You can keep your damn secrets, but like I said, dinner won't wait."
"Race ya!" I sprinted off after Bill and George.
"You're so on!" Harry grinned, taking off after me, Ron right on his heels.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
"You're right in time, dears," Molly called, placing dishes on the table. "Run along and wash up and then we'll sit down. Oh and Hermione dear, you and Ginny are planning on spending the night right?"
"If you'll have me, Mrs. Weasley," I smiled.
"Molly, dear," she corrected. "And we wouldn't have it any other way. Hurry up now.
I cleaned up fairly quickly all things considered and headed back downstairs, finding out we were still waiting on Ginny. I took my seat and we didn't have to wait long before Ginny came through the Floo, covered in grime from her day at practice.
"Sorry everyone, practice ran long today," she came over and kissed her parents' cheeks before dropping into the seat next to me. She snatched up the nearest plate of food and began filling her plate.
"How was practice, Gin?" I asked, doing the same.
She shrugged. "It was a bit more grueling today, seeing as we won't be meeting for at least a week."
"Oh, and why's that, dear?" Molly asked.
"Dunno. Coach got something from the Ministry about a meeting on Monday? Anyway, we're supposed to all be getting our letters tomorrow."
Ron, Harry and I shared guilty looks, and it didn't go unnoticed by the twins. "Anyone know anything about that?" Fred asked, looking between the three of us.
The boys shrugged. "No, we haven't heard a thing, but we have been given the next week off. Perce? Have you heard anything?" I deflected towards him.
He had the sense to look uncomfortable as every eye at the table turned to him. "N-no, I only know about as much as you. Kings is getting up a meeting on Monday morning at the school, and he wants all of us to be there. Gin's right, more instructions will be coming in or letters soon. How was your day, Mum? Dad?"
"Fine, thanks. Just busy like usual," Arthur shrugged. "And you Molly dear?"
"It was good, the children all enjoyed the toys and books! Thank you so much Harry and Hermione dears!"
"You're so welcome, Molly! I'm so glad they love them!" I said.
"Oh, they do dear. You should come visit sometime. I'm sure they'd love to see you! And Harry and Ron too of course!"
"Of course, just name the date!"
Harry grinned at us. "What she said."
"Wonderful, I'll owl Meredith and let you know!"
Conversation flowed easily after that, all of us laughing and joking like we used to when we were younger. It was nice, but I knew the law was weighing heavily on our minds- and I had a feeling that at least Percy if not Arthur as well also knew, and they weren't saying anything either.
Ginny and I opted to take our dessert upstairs where we could have a sort-of slumber party like we used to when we were growing up. Even though we shared a flat in Muggle London, we hardly ever saw each other, what with each of our crazy hours. "So," I plopped down on my bed with my apple pie. "You and Harry? I take it that's new."
"Yeah," she said quietly, fidgeting with her fork. "How did you know?"
"You could hardly look at each other all night," I teased.
She groaned. "Was it that obvious? I mean, we both decided it was time, but that didn't make it hurt any less, you know?"
"I totally get it. It was about two years, right?"
"Yep, our two-year anniversary would have been next Friday. Suspicious timing, isn't it? Harry and I breaking up, and Kings having a secret meeting all around the time of the anniversary of the Battle? It's just strange, is all."
"I couldn't agree more," I shifted nervously.
"Hey, if you knew something, you would tell me, right?" She asked, stealing a bite of my pie.
"Hey, you have your own!" I complained, tapping her fork with mine.
"Seriously Hermione, would you?" she pressed.
"Ginny…"
"So you do know something! The twins were right for once! Spill. Now!"
"I can't Gin, I'm so sorry. Kings didn't tell us everything, but he did ask us not to share what he told us- even to you. Ron and I both asked," I sighed.
"Even me?! I was right there with you practically the whole time!"
"Even you. I'm soo sorry. We'll find out the particulars on Monday along with everyone else."
"So we should just wait."
"Yeah, I can't see any way around it."
Ginny sighed. "So did you want to go for a ride in the morning? The sunrise will be beautiful."
I laughed. "You're kidding, right? Me, on a broom?"
"You're right, but you've got to face this fear sometime. Gryffindor courage and all that."
I snorted. "Sometime, sure. Doesn't necessarily mean tomorrow morning. And besides, we hardly get to see each other as it is and I want to enjoy the moment without screaming in terror every second."
"Hm, I suppose you're right. We should make more of an effort. How about take-out Tuesdays? Ooh, and dessert Fridays!"
I laughed. "Now that I can get behind!" I agreed. "Cheers!" We clinked forks and enjoyed our pies, swapping stories of funny moments at practice and the Ministry, steering well clear of the elephant, or in this case bomb, in the room. We fell asleep well into the early hours in the morning and I regretted it as soon as Ron pounded on the door right at eight am.
"Go away Ron, we're sleeping!" Ginny yelled, throwing a book at the door.
"Mum wants us downstairs for breakfast, and then we're heading to Diagon. Hurry up, you two!"
I groaned and rolled over. "It's too early, and do you have to be so loud about it?"
Ginny rolled over and fell out of bed with a loud thump and a curse. "You have any Pepper Up potions with you?"
I waved my hand in the direction of my bag and tried to go back to sleep.
"You're a lifesaver!" she breathed. "Your turn!"
She pounced on me and I groaned. "But sleep!..."
"Take a potion and you'll feel better because whoo-wee these babies have a kick to them!"
I blinked my eyes open and I took the potion she was shoving at me. I grimaced at the burn and nodded. "Yep, my own brew. A little bit of caffeine along with a couple secret ingredients and you'll be awake all day," I winked.
"That's fucking brilliant Mione! You've got to share the recipe!"
"I will if you don't shout about it," I grimaced again.
She grinned. "Sorry. You should hurry up if you want a chance in the bathroom this morning." She smacked my leg and got up quickly, no doubt running for the bathroom before her brothers did.
I followed behind and was able to get ready while the rest of the Weasley clan was eating breakfast downstairs. Ginny pressed a breakfast sandwich in my hand as we were leaving, and I squeezed her hand gratefully. I munched on it as we stalked down the alley, grimacing every time a photographer came our way. That was the only downside to being the saviors of the wizarding world. Well, that and everyone knowing our faces- we couldn't even walk down the street without people stopping us every two steps. Sometimes we're even recognized in the Muggle world, though rarely.
Rather unsurprisingly we ran into the Malfoys leaving Gringotts as we approached. Or rather, Malfoy and his mum.
"Granger," he purred when they were close enough. "Red," he added as an afterthought.
"Malfoy," I said stiffly. "Lady Malfoy, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"And yours, Ms. Granger. If I may call you Hermione? I would like to thank you for everything you've done for my son and my family. Neither of us would be standing here without you, and I owe you everything, Hermione dear. Please accept my deepest apologies for your treatment in my house. We may have been under a dark influence, but you were in my house and under my care and it never should have happened. I promise you that it will never happen again."
Ginny gasped behind me and I nodded. "I accept your apologies, but I am currently unable to offer my forgiveness, Lady Malfoy. I am unsure if I ever could," I said honestly.
She smiled slightly. "I appreciate your honesty, but I could never ask that of you. Will you, however, do me the honor of coming tea? Both of you, and your mother," she smiled over at Ginny. "There's a new place that opened up just down the Alley- it would be my treat."
Ginny and I shared a look, and she seemed as shocked as I was. Narcissa's expression was carefully guarded, but there was something hidden in the depths of her crystal eyes. Hope.
"Of course Lady Malfoy, let's take the first step to moving forward. Name the date and we'll be there. If you'll excuse us, we must be going. Good day Lady Malfoy, Malfoy." I nodded. I linked Ginny's arm through mine and pulled her away down the Alley.
"What the hell just happened?" she whispered.
"Hell if I know," I glanced over my shoulder, catching Draco's eye as he watched us thoughtfully. His eyes flashed as they met mine, but I shook it off. Must have been a trick of the light.
"So, are you really going to have tea with her?" Gin pressed.
"Yes, we are. As much as I may dislike them, we need to start moving on and so do they. Fresh starts, remember?"
"Hm, if you say so, Mione. But there's just something about them that doesn't add up."
"Perhaps, but we have to start somewhere," I muttered. Further conversation on the topic was halted as Ron jogged up to us.
"Hey, quit dawdling you two! We still have shopping to do before lunch, so hurry up!"
"Of course Ron's got his meals timed to the minute," Ginny teased, elbowing Ron sharply.
"Hey! It's not my fault my stomach's on a schedule! Although, it makes things easier if you think about it…" he trailed off. "Yeah, we should get going."
The three of us laughed and joked as we caught up with the rest of the Weasley clan plus Harry who were already walking inside the wizarding bank ahead of us.
"Glad you could join us girls," Mr. Weasley reprimanded gently.
"Sorry Dad," Gin said quietly.
I blushed and nodded. Looking around, I realized that everyone in the lobby had stopped what they were doing and were openly staring at our little group- wizards and goblins alike. Sine if the goblins were cracking their knuckles threateningly. I shared a nervous glance with Harry and Ron and all of us had the same expression- Oh. Shit.
"Mister Potter," a goblin popped up in front of us. "Can't say it's a pleasure."
"Grivnar," Harry greeted respectfully. "The repairs are well in hand, I trust?"
"Hmm." Grivnar eyed us squintily, most likely trying to deduce if we were up to any trouble.
"Very good. Well, my family and I have some business with our vaults, but it shouldn't take long. You're free to come with us if you like," Harry offered kindly.
"Seeing as it's my job to make sure the Great Dragon Escapade doesn't happen again, I will gladly take you up on that. I must insist on one vault at a time, however. "
Harry looked at the Weasleys, who all nodded in the affirmative. "May I counter by requesting that the uninvolved parties conduct their business as usual and the rest of us go with you one vault at a time? That way our business will finish swiftly and allow us to leave quicker."
Grivnar's eyes narrowed to little slits. "You make a logical point, Mister Potter. And seeing as it's in everyone's best interest for you to leave as quickly as possible, I will accept your counter-offer. You three follow me, Grangle will help the rest of you at the front desk."
Harry, Ron and I followed Grivnar down through the tunnels, taking a brief ride on one of their carts. Ron's vault was the first one we reached, and we all had to go in with him. He grabbed a small amount of coin quickly and then we continued on. First my vault, and then Harry's and then we were hurtling back to the surface. As we had assumed, we were the last to arrive, and it seemed all of the goblins gave a sigh of relief when we made our reappearance. The Weasleys began to file out, and Harry and Ron behind them.
I turned to Grivnar before we left. "Thank you for your understanding today, Grivnar. Please let us know if there's anything else we can do to help repair the damage we've caused."
He nodded. "I will keep it in mind, Miss Granger."
I nodded back and followed the Weasleys out. Ginny linked her arm through mine immediately and began chatting away about some quidditch team or other as we wandered down the Alley. Us, being who we were, could hardly go five steps without someone stopping us for a photo or just to say thank you. I appreciated the sentiments, but it quickly became annoying when I couldn't go anywhere in the wizarding world without everyone knowing my name. I briefly wondered if this was how Harry felt all these years. I knew he was just as uncomfortable as I was. I linked my free arm through Harry's and a flash went off somewhere to our left. No doubt we would make tomorrow's front page.
We decided to hit Madame Malkin's for some new robes for Monday's meeting, and I wanted to stop into Flourish and Blotts before we left. The guys found robes easily enough, but Ginny convinced me to buy new work robes as well as a couple of dresses for work functions. "Since we're already here," she rationalized. The two of us took over an hour to get everything we needed, and I was really impressed with what we were able to find. Ginny really did have a keen eye for fashion and I was glad she convinced me to buy a couple of dresses that I normally wouldn't choose for myself.
After Madame Malkin's, we stopped over at Flourish and Blotts so I could grab some new reading for my reading on the Wolfsbane potion for a pack the Ministry was working with. As soon as I found what I needed, they practically dragged me across the Alley to Florean Flortescue's for lunch with the rest of the family before we retreated to Grimmauld place for the rest of the afternoon. One of the few places to go to get away from prying eyes these days.
Ginny and I immediately flopped onto one of the couches when we arrived and I made a face at the cloud of dust that poofed up into the air around us.
"Harry, you seriously need to clean this place up," I scrunched my nose. "It's disgusting!"
Ginny started cackling which turned into hacking as she inhaled a mouthful of dust. The force of her coughs caused her to roll off the couch onto the floor, sending up a new cloud of grey particles into the air.
"This is the first time I've really been back, you know?" he shrugged.
"Then while we're here, let's make it a home," I suggested. "This is your home, and we have all weekend to make it livable." I wiggled my eyebrows. "Since…"
"Since shit's gonna hit the fan?" Harry finished ruefully. "Yeah, alright. I can order Thai if you want to stay for dinner?"
"If you're paying, I'm in, mate!" Ron clapped his shoulder enthusiastically.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Of course we'll help, Harry, and not just because of the free food."
"Right, then! Where do you want to start, Hermione?" Harry grinned.
"How about you call Kreacher and I'll take care of the dust in here and then we can come up with a game plan."
"Sure!"
I cracked my knuckles and lifted my wand. Concentrating on the air around the room, I raised my wand above my head and began sweeping it in a larger circle slowly at first and then faster, creating my own personal cyclone. Windows and doors slammed, cabinets and china rattled, and still the cyclone grew, collecting dust from every nook and cranny around the house. I began to shape it with my free hand pinching my fingers together until it became a thin column in front of us. I released a tiny breeze that blew open the window in the other room and then I pushed the column towards it with all of might, sending it out of the house and into the street beyond.
"There, that's better now, isn't it?" I smiled.
My friends were all gaping at me, stunned. "That was brilliant, Mione," Ron whispered. "Brilliant, but scary."
I laughed and went over to inspect the mantle. My finger came up clean when it touched it and I smirked.
"Seriously Mione, where did you learn how to do that?" Ginny asked. "I don't remember learning that in school."
"Dumbledore taught me," I said quietly, noting Harry's shuttered expression.
"Did he, did he teach you anything else?" he croaked out.
"A few things, and I can teach you later if you like," I said softly.
"I'd like that. He really was the greatest wizard of all time, wasn't he?"
"He was a great wizard, but I think you're right up there with him," I bumped his shoulder with mine.
"Hear, hear!" Ron agreed.
"Thanks, guys. I don't know what I'd do without you," he confessed, looking at the three of us in turn.
"Mope around in your haunted house, of course!" Ginny joked, and we all laughed.
"Yeah, we really should fix this place up to be livable. Even I wouldn't want to live here the way it is now," Harry wrinkled his nose.
We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening going room-to-room and refreshing it up to Harry's and Kreacher's standards. We rearranged furniture, redecorated the walls, and even redid the hallway, much to Lady Black's displeasure. Her screaming stopped soon enough with a well-placed silencio eternalia and we all uncovered our ears gratefully. Even Kreacher seemed somewhat grateful.
True to his word, Harry ordered in Thai food, and the four of us sat around the kitchen table laughing and joking around like old times. "You know, any minute now, I keep expecting Moody to stomp in down the hall or Kings to appear from the living room," he reminisced.
"I know what you mean," Ron agreed. "I'll never forget the time when Fred and George hit me with a tripping jinx and I fell right into the portrait, pulling the curtains down and everything!"
We laughed, remembering, but sobered quickly, the weight of our losses hitting us all. "To those we lost," I raised my cocoa cup. "They died so that we could be free- so their friends and families could have a better life," I whispered.
The others clinked their glasses with mine and we solemnly took a drink. After a few moments of silence, I squeezed Harry's hand and stood up. "I'm heading back to the Burrow, but I'll see you in the morning."
"Stay, please," Harry whispered. "All of you. I have the room and I'm not ready to be alone here just yet."
"Of course, mate, whatever you need," Ron said.
Ginny nodded and the four of us set our mugs to wash in the sink and headed up to our rooms, the creaking of the stairs the only sound in the otherwise somber house.
Just like at the Burrow, Ginny and I shared a room while Harry and Ron bunked in the other right across the hall. And also just like before, Ginny could hardly wait before she started in on me. "Sooo," she pounced on my bed as I closed the door. "Now that we're alone, will you please tell me what the hell is going on with the Ministry? Ooh, and Draco! Don't even get me started about him! "
"Sh! Keep it down! Harry just got to sleep!" I laughed. "And you know I can't tell you a damn thing about the Ministry- Kings'll have my head if he even if he even knew we were having this conversation!"
"Well, what are best friends for if not to share secrets?" she grinned wolfishly.
"Ginny…" I warned, flopping down next to her.
"Oh, come on Mi, please? If you don't, I'll let you the twins loose on you for a month! "
I cringed and she shrieked in triumph. "The only thing I can say is that it's a new law that just got passed. It may be unpopular so they want to announce it to everyone at once to avoid the appearance of playing favorites."
"Even though that's clearly what they did," she pointed out.
"Too right. We don't know much beyond that, but it won't matter if people find out we were given a head's up."
"And you can't tell me anything more?" she pleaded.
"Sorry Gin," I shrugged, "That's pretty much all Kings told us."
"Pretty much?"
"Yep, and that's all you're going to get out of me, so drop it. You'll find out with the rest of the wizarding world on Monday."
"Well, whatever it is, it must have been pretty traumatic if Kings gave you all the weekend off," she mused, dancing back to her bed.
"You have no idea," I grumbled. The rest of the wizarding world had no idea of the major shit storm that was about to hit them. Ginny turned off the lights, and after I made sure she was asleep, I whispered a soft 'lumos' and pulled out the file from Kingsley. His note was still attached, and it made me curious. Why couldn't he just tell me what it was all about when I was in his office earlier?
Top Priority
I want you running point on this.
Make me proud.
I opened the file. It was about a potential partnership with a new werewolf pack that had surfaced near Hogwarts, in the Forbidden Forest of all places. The first few pages were about the initial meetings, and a general pack bio. From the documentation, it seemed like they approached the Ministry first. Usually it was the other way around- the Ministry usually made the first move when reaching out to packs. This was highly unusual. I frowned when I read the pack bio page.
Pack name: Poignard
Current Alpha: Classified
Previous Alpha: Classified
Council Members: Classified
Numbers: Classified
General Location: Forbidden Forest, Hogwarts
Details: classified
Agent on case: Kingsley Shacklebolt/ Hermione Granger
Initial meeting: April 19, 2000
Notes:
The Alpha contacted Minister Shacklebolt and requested a meeting. The two leaders met at _ for several hours, discussing a potential partnership with the Ministry and the Magical Creatures' Welfare Department, headed by Hermione Granger. They asked the Ministry for access to Wolfsbane for their pack and a reintegration program for those members who wished to return to society, which the Ministry agreed to pending the completion of their request. The Ministry requested a patrol around Hogwarts grounds as an extra safety measure and their help of a common issue- merging with a rogue pack close to their location that poses a possible risk for Hogwarts and its students. Upon the successful completion of the merge, the Poignard pack will receive monthly doses of Wolfsbane for their entire pack with further details noted in their contract in the Ministry.
As a gesture of good faith, the Ministry is providing three months of Wolfsbane in advance and at the request of the Council, putting the head of the Magical Creatures' Welfare Department, Hermione Granger, on their case. In a return gesture, the pack has started patrols around the grounds and peace talks with the rogue packs.
This case is on-going and is on a need-to-know basis. Only the people described above are allowed to know the details of the case and as such, they would be considered in violation of the temporary agreement between the Ministry and the pack should it be proven that they shared sensitive information with unauthorized personnel or persons not described in this document.
A copy of the temporary agreement is included in this file on page 3, it is signed by both Alpha and Minister Shackelbolt.
Should the Minister or Ms. Hermione Granger need to contact the Alpha in regards to the case, they may send a message to Diagon Alley Post Office, Box 60 and it will be received. Personal messages will not be tolerated.
I flipped the page, and it was a temporary contract drawn up in what looked like Kingsley's handwriting, signed by him and another person, the signature magically blurred to protect their identity. It matched what was outlined in the notes on the previous page, with the addition of an ongoing agreement with the Ministry should all requests be completed. I turned the page, and that was it. That was all. All I got was a half-redacted document and a blurry contract. What. The. Hell. Was I supposed to do with this? What did they want from me, and why did they want me specifically?
I snapped the folder shut and put it away. "Knox," I grumped. I tried to go to sleep and ended up tossing and turning for what seemed like ages. I had too many questions than answers and it was driving me crazy. Why would Kingsley give me this now, when he kicked me out of the office? He knows that I need to be in the office to work on something of this magnitude!
Eventually I gave up and crept downstairs to the library where we kept the parchment. I took a deep breath and penned a letter to the Alpha.
Dear Alpha of the Poignard pack,
Thank you for your interest in a partnership with the Ministry. I have just been informed of the details of the case and I have a few questions so I may better understand how to help you.
What can I, specifically, do for you? The notes of the casefile say that you spoke to the Minister, so what can I do for you that he can't?
Are you interested in anything else in addition to what was lined out in the temporary agreement?
I hope to make your acquaintance soon, please let me know if my office can assist you further.
Regards,
Hermione Granger
Head of the Magical Creatures Welfare Department
I sighed and folded it up. Here goes nothing. I opened the window and whistled softly for a Ministry owl. One came down and hooted quietly. "Take this to Diagon Alley, Post Office Box 60. Thanks little one," I said, giving it a treat and the letter. It flew off into the night and I shook my head. What the hell did Kingsley get me into?
I was midway through Hogwarts: A History when a regal owl swooped through the window and landed on the table next to me. It had a letter for me. From the Alpha. I gently took the letter and opened it. The script was elegant and very formal. Who was this person?
Ms. Hermione Granger,
I was wondering when I would hear from you. I'm glad the Minister notified you of our situation, perhaps a partnership between my pack and the Ministry will be possible after all.
As you should know from the file, we don't ask for much. All we want is a chance for our members to be reintegrated into Wizarding society if they so choose. The previous Alpha turned many children, and as such the majority of our pack are younger witches and wizards. The life of an outcast isn't one I would want for myself, let alone a child. The reason why I chose you is simple.
You, Hermione Granger, have impressed us all with your cleverness, stubbornness and above all your kindness. If any of my children have a chance of a semi-normal life, it will be because you have helped us. I know what you're trying to do regarding werewolf rights and any help or funding you need to continue it, you shall have. You gave the wizarding world a breath of fresh air, and as a well-known figurehead for civil rights, I have no doubt that you will turn the world upside down and rebuild it into a better place. From what I hear, you already have.
We would like for you to be our point of contact with the Ministry from here on out, if you agree. We would also like for you to come visit our pack as things progress, with precautions of course. With the current climate being what it is, we can't be too careful. We would also like weekly updates regarding your progress with the reintegration program.
Provided everything goes well, there may be a possible business partnership between us if you're interested.
Hoping you are well,
Alpha
I bit my lip. Formal and flattering without giving anything away. He didn't even sign his name. Not knowing who it was that I was going to be working with was driving me crazy! But with everything else going on, I couldn't afford to spend any more time thinking about it. My focus should be on the Ministry meeting, not about a mystery Alpha. He wanted me to meet the pack, right? So I guess I'll find out soon enough. On second thought, I didn't even know if it was a 'he'. I tucked the letter into the file and stowed it back into my bag. The owl was still there, so I gave him a treat and sent him on his way. I closed the window and crept back upstairs and crawled into bed- without waking Ginny, I might add. I only got a few hours of sleep before Ron woke us up banging on the door.
"Oi, when's breakfast?"
The four of us spent all of Sunday goofing off and cleaning through Grimmauld place. Kreacher was surprisingly helpful, giving us food and drink while we worked. We even had some entertainment when Ron accidentally stumbled into a Cornish Pixie nest and was subsequently chased around the house by the little buggers while we all cracked up. As it was Sunday, it was the weekly Weasley dinner. Mrs. Weasley would absolutely have our heads if we missed it, so we flooed over a little early for some extra family time before dinner.
"Oi, Mum! Look who finally showed up! We thought that old house swallowed you up or something," Fred teased as I came through.
"You wish," I retorted. "You can't get rid of me that easily!"
"Well, we'll just have to rethink our plan then, won't we Freddie?" George smirked.
"Har har," I punched his shoulder and quickly moved off to the kitchen before he could retaliate. If the twins were scared of anyone, it was their mother. "Hello Mrs. Weasley!" I greeted. "Anything I can do to help?"
"Of course not dear, I've got it all in hand here and Arthur's already set the table."
"If you're sure," I hedged.
"Of course dear, we're just glad you're here. We've always considered you a daughter," she hugged me.
"And I've always considered you my family as well," I blinked tearfully. "I'm so glad I met you all."
"And we were glad to know you too dear. Now away with you before the tears flavor the dinner." She kissed my cheek and bustled off to finish preparing dinner, her own eyes shiny as well.
"Aye aye ma'am!" I saluted to her chuckles and disappeared out the door, only to be snatched up by Charlie.
"Thought you could sneak in without saying hello, did you darlin'?"
"Charlie!" I laughed. "It's so nice to see you! I didn't know you were coming!"
"Neither did I, actually," he chuckled nervously and placed his hand on his neck. "My Ministry letter came a bit late, so here I am! Will I do?"
I looked him up and down and grinned. "Perfectly! Escort me to the table?" I nodded to the twins hiding around the corner.
He caught my meaning and gallantly offered me his arm. He pulled his want and winked and on his count we sent a stringing hex at the twins. I couldn't help but grin at the yelps of pain and even Charlie let out a chuckle.
"Just you wait Granger, we'll get you when you least expect it," Fred whispered as we passed by.
"We'll just see, won't we?" I winked and sat between Charlie and Ginny at the table, across from Harry. So I was safe, for now.
Dinner passed by with the usual hum of conversation and bantering among the family. I hoped that whoever I married would be as kind and loving as Arthur and our house as light and warm as this one. We all stayed up late playing Muggle board games that Mr. Weasley recently acquired. After a long round of Monopoly in which the twins tried to cheat, and then Harry and I trying to teach them how to play poker, I went to bed. It was looong overdue. I finally drifted off, uneasy about what the morning would mean for the rest of our lives.
