Chapter 21: A day at the Ministry

Harry looked up from his desk briefly and caught the silhouette of Hermione facing him through the window of her office. He promptly checked the time to make sure he wasn't late to turn in his latest Auror summary. A good two hours remained until it was due, which was a relief since it was extensive, especially after Ron's updates.

"Something wrong mate?" The red-haired man inquired, "Are we on a schedule?"

"No," said Harry, "I just saw Hermione looking out her office and I'm fairly sure there's no one in yet but us… just thought time might have flown by."

"Nah," laughed Ron unabashedly, "I bet she spotted me, I swear it's a miracle if we see each other more than once a day, and usually I'm half asleep."

Harry looked up at his friend. Ron may have brushed it off, but he knew he never liked being without Hermione for long. It had been excruciating getting him to lead extended missions because he didn't like missing supper with his wife and kids. Recently, there had been a sudden change of heart.

"How's Hugo like being on his own so much," Harry pressed.

Ron looked uncomfortable, "He's been fine, though I s'pose he's had his fair share of adjustment with Rosie gone and all that. Still Mum and Dad have been keeping him busy-apparently, he's realized that if he helps Mum with the cooking, he gets to eat all the extra goodies." He eyed Harry, "I know Lily's been spending a lot of her time at Grandma and Grandpa as well… well I've heard of a few incidents…"

Harry smirked, "Molly's convinced Lily taught herself some 'summoning charm'. I guess she's retrieved a few items from the roof that the kids got stuck… but honestly, I think she probably just climbed up those stones that stick out. Bill's youngest is over there too while he's away and Percy recently dropped off Molls and Lucy since he and Audrey volunteered for that diplomatic affair in Albania… "

"Good grief we better get them a wonderful Christmas present this year," Ron muttered, "Well at least my Dad since I'm pretty sure Mum's over the moon with that full house."

"You mean your house," laughed Harry.

"I told you," said Ron wearily, "I've barely been back to grab leftovers, see Hugo, and fall asleep for a few hours… and somehow Hermione gets by on even less. Lily could teach herself a tower destroying charm and as long as its not mine, I probably wouldn't hear it!"

"And she hasn't said anything about… well anything?" Harry inquired.

Ron shook his head and answered shortly, "Not a hint," before adding, "And you?"

Harry shook his head, "I just feel like it has to be bad, I mean Shacklebolt clearly didn't misuse Ministry funds… and with the stuff popping up now in our department…" he gestured grimly to the photos Ron had compiled of their last investigation, "It's a wonder no one died from that."

"I just don't understand why she wouldn't let us know; I mean we aren't as brilliant as her for sure but I can tell the landscape is changing!" Ron pulled out another file of papers and photos, smacking them onto the desk. A photo of a small boy in a St. Mungo's dressing gown slipped out and Harry picked it up carefully. Ron shuffled the papers a bit, muttering his complaints on the case, "I mean it's like it was a practical joke but then they're lucky the old lady made it out alright… like it's either someone very talented is having a bad laugh at all this or someone very stupid is trying their hardest to… well whatever he's up to its not good." He paused as he saw Harry had drifted away from the conversation and stared at his friend momentarily, sad. Harry was contemplating the photograph of the young curly, haired boy- Liam Vane-aged 09-magical-half blood-as the documentation described, stood with his arms outstretched and cut and a blooming black eye, his lips quivering. The injuries were treatable, but the boy couldn't bring himself to look at the camera…

"Oi mate, we'll catch the bloke, just be glad it wasn't worse… positive thinking okay." Ron tried to bring Harry out of his reverie. As was the usual for years now, Harry seemed to forget that silences lasting more than a few seconds were not normal in conversation, "You can tell me what up mate." He steered Harry back into his investigative mode when he failed to answer, "Does it remind you of something?"

"Erm… actually, what team did Francesca say had just dealt with the primary school? Was it Gambino's group?" Harry shook himself back into reality and shoved the photograph into Ron's open file. His friend regarded the photo briefly, not able to see what it could have triggered, before closing the pages.

The case in question was another reason the elder Weasleys were currently strapped with their grandchildren. Hermione, not one to miss any opportunity for education, had made it very plain that Rosie and Hugo would attend some form of muggle education during their elementary years. She'd grudgingly got Harry to agree and most of the Weasley siblings decided it would be a good place for their children to spend their days while juggling their jobs. It had been a growing trend among many of the 'newer' wizarding families, people who appreciated some of the practical skill they garnered pre-Hogwarts- so much so that quite a few squibs had found a lucrative niche in educating small groups of wizards and witches and set up primary programs. This minimized the chance of incidences that might arise if many magical children suddenly flooded an unsuspecting muggle school. The Potters and Weasleys sent their children to a woman named Amelia Applebee, who was a relation of Filius Flitwick of all people. The small woman was cheery and good with handling everyone from boisterous James and Fred, to shier Al and Molly. Unfortunately, she and three other teachers had been attacked in London one night, their lessons and student attendances stolen, but jewelry and money left. This caused great concern, which was further compounded when, not a week later, the location of one such school was suddenly razed by a muggle demolition crew… despite magical enchantments. When questioned about these plans, the Crew Manager seemed confused about what these odd people were accusing him of. He had not ordered any buildings destroyed in the last month and certainly not some old barn not in the path of new development. The teaching union had suspended all in-person curriculum until a more thorough investigation was complete.

"Yeah, yeah it had to have been them- I heard it from Wood as well. Maybe we can bother him for the files… but honestly I don't see the connection." Ron summoned the flyer paper, beginning to scribble a request. "Aerogami!" The page neatly folded into a paper plane and zipped out of the room, "Not sure if he's in yet so it might take a few hours to get it."

As the door opened, Harry glanced back at the window leading into the Minister's office but could no longer see Hermione's form. This was because she had made her way just outside his office and ducked as the plane swooped by.

"My Dear Minister!" Ron loudly pulled Hermione into an exaggerated hug. "It's been ages!"

"Oh Ronald! Stop it! It's not appropriate!" But her face was facing Harry and he could see the joy crinkling her eyes.

The two pulled away and Hermione's countenance changed to tepid curiosity as she noticed the large, messy stack of case files lodged at the edge of Harry's desk. "I suppose that'll be in the report I receive today?"

Harry sighed, "Hopefully- I haven't had time to brief Francesca about many of these, they happen so quickly. Ron just finished compiling the evidence of four this week."

"Four?" Hermione looked concerned, "That's a lot. And they're all serious?" She started to open Liam Vane's file.

"By outcome, no, thankfully." Harry ran his hands through rumpled hair, "By intention, well it's hard to say for sure but I'm planning to recommend a task force to take another look at some of these."

Harry watched Hermione closely as she skimmed the files, hoping for a hint at whether these cases were merging into her secret endeavors. He couldn't discern much though.

"Harry thinks these might be connected to the primary school attack and robbery." Ron had appeared over his wife's shoulder, "I've just sent Oliver a request for his team's case files. If you stay for lunch, we can both witness Harry's twisted logic make sense of all this activity. Wouldn't be the first time he's been right about something like that."

But Hermione intervened, "The school case? Wood won't have it; they've looked through it so many times. I… I requested it to be looked at by Draco so he can rule out whether it was just a simple lapse in Magical enforcements."

Ron sneered at the mention. Draco's name had been turning up far too often in conversation ever since Hermione had picked him as a "ethics and transparency representative." He'd caught the pale man in the Minister's office many times, always holding briefs riddled in red ink and question marks. And Hermione looked berated after every encounter.

Harry piped up before Ron could start another rabbit hole into Malfoy, "I'll have my proposals done within an hour and maybe Francesca will have more ideas on how we should approach this. I assume you two will be meeting later. Would you be too busy to grab lunch?"

Ron's face brightened considerably, and Hermione also looked hopeful, "I think so- it would be short and maybe if you are comfortable waiting until 1… I would love to though"

"I can manage that," Ron chimed in, giving Hermione a peck on the cheek, "I'd better get my write-up in then so I can check in with the newbies. They're both adjusting quite well to the pace of the team by the way. And ever since Harry's given his little lessons Florian has been sharper than ever."

"Yes, I've heard," Hermione beamed at Harry, who flushed at his friends and continued to scribble notes quietly, "Francesca and I were just discussing that perhaps Harry could lead a training lesson or two to hopeful Aurors. McGonagall even said he could be a guest instructor for a week or two for the N.E. W.T.s at Hogwarts. And no, we won't force a promotion on you if that's what you're grimacing about."

"He got nominated again didn't he?" Ron gestured to a rather fancy piece of paper laying neatly in Harry's wastebin, "Blimey mate you are bonkers."

"Francesca is adamant that Harry should replace her one day." Added Hermione, turning to her friend, "She was the one that sent out the offer this time, you know."

Harry smiled politely but said nothing.

At five to one, Ron reappeared at Harry's door to usher him down to one of the small cafes on the balcony floor of the atrium. Harry had not expected his friend to be so punctual and hastily covered his open files before heading out.

The two sat on a relatively secluded round stone table overlooking the bustling space below, as Tipsy, the catering House Elf that ran the café, took their orders.

"I'll have a soda, and could you also grab a cappuccino with sage? We'll wait for the food orders if that's alright with you." Ron glanced up at the Minister's Office, which looked empty.

"Oh, is Minister Granger joining you today how splendid!" Tipsy squeaked, sending Ron's order to the bar with a snap of her fingers, "And for you sweetie?"

"Some water to start off that's all," Harry smiled at the elf.

"Tsk." She swatted the air, "It's getting colder now, I'll bring you a pot of tea at least, we just got the seasonal Yeti mint sprigs from Oslo today. How does that sound?"

"Oh yeah, that sounds great, thank you." Harry smiled as Tipsy nodded, self-satisfied.

Ron and Harry chatted lightly about the prospects of the Hollyhead Harpies taking the World Cup next year, which, if successful, Ginny planned to retire after.

"Has she mentioned what she might do?" Ron asked, "I mean it would be hard to just be home with Lily off to school…"

"I think she's mentioned trying to start a broom business with your father actually, he has a talent for tinkering with the handles in just the right way. Got an old muggle broom off the ground even. And I can't imagine her settling for a desk job- she likes active work." Harry replied.

"I heard her say something about a Quidditch Column as well…" Ron pressed, to which Harry snickered, "Yeah I think she'd be a great addition to the Prophet full-time- I know people love her muggle sports opinions as well. Rita Skeeter is still there though, and I think she finds it hard to be civil around her…"

"Understandable," muttered Ron.

"I don't know how that woman kept her job," Hermione breezed into the conversation as she sat between the men. She handed Ron a thick file, "I got the school case from Draco- he's added all he knows about the enchantments on the place so maybe that will help give a clue about what went wrong."

"Or he's covering for his own mistakes," griped Ron, though he didn't say more when Hermione gave him a stern look.

"If I've learned anything about Draco this year, it's been that he doesn't make mistakes. He's more obsessive than me sometimes." She trailed off as Ron glared at her, "I can think of a few mistakes…."

"Did he have another row with Haverford?" Harry interrupted. Hermione nodded, rolling her eyes, "Apparently his son got suspended from the Gryffindor team because of a stint with Slytherin… well I think he believes it was with Scorpius specifically, but Adrian won't say…"

"Like he was cursed?" Ron inquired

"No I'm fairly sure Adrian is the instigator of all this," Hermione countered, "If he's anything like his father… I mean Scorpius is a First Year- there's not that many curses he could throw that Adrian can't handle."

"I mean it's a Malfoy we're talking about," Ron insisted, but Harry spoke up, finally, "No I think he's fine- he and Al are pretty close I guess." Ron choked.

"Like, friends?"

Harry nodded and surprisingly, so did Hermione, "McGonagall mentioned them to me. Al's the reason Scorpius isn't in the hospital wing more often than he is. They're a little island in Slytherin apparently, but she described him as sweet. Amazing considering the horrible rumors about his family. He's in her office every other week just to talk through all of it. Oh thank you! This is exactly what I needed." Hermione took the cup of coffee from Tipsy, who asked for their orders and left a small plate of bruschetta for the trio to share.

Harry perked up, "Like stuff beyond having Malfoy as a father?" Hermione nodded.

"It's horrible. Especially because someone found out that his mother is sick. Really cruel things actually- stuff about sacrifices to bring Voldemort back and blood rituals…and they just say these things unless Al's around- probably why they're inseparable."

Ron looked dubiously at his friends, "So Al's the brave one huh- I just don't understand… I mean obviously he's a great kid Harry, you know I don't think this against him. But he just seems perfect for Gryffindor that's all…"

Harry shrugged, "They make their own choices I suppose- he just seemed so hesitant to be Slytherin in the summer I don't really know what changed. James took it pretty hard I think- Fleur told me Dominique mentioned that he had a time explaining to his house what his brother was doing with that lot."

"Well, I know he still hangs out with Rosie fairly often." Hermione comforted Harry.

"So what do you think- is Lily going to blow both of 'em off and end up in Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw?" Ron teased as he emphatically thanked Tipsy for the stacked, melty burger sitting in front of him.

Harry rolled his eyes, "Honestly I can't imagine her not in Gryffindor but maybe Ravenclaw… I don't know- Al always seemed the most book-smart."

"Yeah but she's brilliant Harry c'mon." Ron continued and even Hermione nodded. "I mean I know that the outbursts are pretty variable when you're young but I'm almost positive she can direct her magic already… even without a wand."

Hermione added, "I've noticed it too. Maybe it's from following around James and Teddy, but she's quite mature in some ways. Like, I'm almost positive she charms her shoelaces tied… I saw her do it over the summer- that's special"

Harry laughed, "I wouldn't put it past her to practice with what little she's got- she's pretty competitive with James and Al and has been complaining that they're going to leave her out since they 'know so many spells now'"

"That's the spirit." Said Hermione proudly. Ron giggled.

"But really Harry, they might be keeping up with her in a few years. I mean Ginny and I also had a load of experience, but trust me, we were lucky if we made smoke from our ears before school." Ron mused, "Honestly Bill's the most talented one of the bunch- no matter what Percy thinks- I think it pays to be the eldest, the problem solver..."

Harry snorted, "Let me offer you James as exhibit A of that not being true. I swear, he's in for a painful year for O.W.L.s- and that's comparing him to me."

"Yeah but he knows how to have fun." countered Ron, "he'll be fine- obviously if he can apply himself to Quidditch, he can try in other things. Its just a matter of wanting to."

"That's true," laughed Harry, "It's not like I'm that worried... but I did tell him that he only gets to keep the cloak as long as passes his finals."

"My goodness Harry, no wonder he dismisses classes!" Hermione playfully chastised him. Ron nodded approvingly. The trio fell into a comfortable silence as they ate their meals.

"Is that McGonagall?" Harry had glanced over the balcony into the Atrium. The shimmering mahogany cloak of the Headmistress immediately stood out from the sea of office hues.

"Oh no, has it really been that long?" Hermione checked her watch, "I'm meeting with her this afternoon, the first round of letters arrived this morning."

"And the Ministry overlooks that?" Ron inquired

"Yes, unofficially… we just want to improve some of the communication with the school and all. SO we can help all wizards- even the youngest ones." She hurriedly finished the last of her chips and began to pack to leave, "This was great," she looked sincerely at Ron and Harry, "We… we need more time together."

Ron kissed her goodbye. As he turned, Ron looked calm, "Yeah that was nice."

Harry nodded thoughtfully, "It was- but she's lying about those letters. Hogwarts doesn't get their rosters until the New Year. Duramstag, however, got theirs last week."

Hermione caught up with her former teacher just as she stepped out of the elevator for the Minister's floor. If the acknowledgement from the two seemed less than excited, it was only because they met often and under grave pretense. Minerva watched Hermione closely as she hurriedly passed the portraits of the former Ministers, aiming pointedly for her door.

"My dear you must know that once this is out in the open, you'll be appreciated. I'm being sincere when I say you are the clear choice given the circumstances." She sat down with her pupil and smiled kindly. Hermione barely registered the compliment and nodded expectantly to the box she was holding.

"Are they all of them?" McGonagall nodded. "Headmaster Valko says that even the most remote regions are detectable at this time- not that they accept many that come from there…"

Hermione pursed her lips. The Eastern Bloc of Magic was a diplomatic equivalent of an impenetrable fortress, both in the aspect of compromise and being a stubborn relic of a bygone time.

"I already glanced at them and I don't see any of the signs that we would expect." McGonagall absorbed the disappointment that dissipated strongly from Hermione. "Obviously, I'd like you to see if I've missed something or have new information. But twins are noticeable and not one is on the list."

"So either he's avoided that region or he's continuing…" Hermione trailed off, miserable, "his precautions." She leapt up suddenly from her desk in frustration and began to pace the length of her office.

"But the descriptions match known regions in Albania perfectly!" she mused, "I… but if I'm wrong, sending an envoy is just so dangerous, I need to be sure…"

McGonagall listened patiently, "Minister…"

"Don't call me that! I haven't done a damn thing yet," Hermione snapped, looking out at the portrait of Dumbledore's Army, "I haven't been nearly as productive out of school…"

Minerva had heard enough. She also stood and strode to the window, pulling Hermione around by the shoulder. Hermione looked defiant.

"Now you listen. Nothing you've said since you've started this job has gone wrong yet. We're making progress! The ones we have are improving and the new potion is much more palatable. Look what we have to go off of! Children's testimonies, rumors, dodgy politicians, student rosters from an institution who would rather ignore the presence of 'impure magic'. You are trying to make a diamond from sand and despite all of that, you are steadily doing it! You're not getting an 'O' from this if that's what you want but you've applied yourself knowledgably, no doubt like your studies. So, Minister, would you like to hear my idea?" McGonagall's eyes were slits as she braced Hermione intensely.

Hermione wilted and stood silently for a moment. "Yeah… thanks Minerva." She made her way back to her desk and took out a fresh piece of parchment with the day's date. She looked up expectantly.

McGonagall started, "Well, as you know the Room of Requirement is in almost constant use at the moment. But last month, it was emptied when we took them to St. Mungo's for their check-ups. And Professor Trelawney, bless her, managed to open the Room for storage. Apparently she's been trying all year with no luck, despite my many warnings that the hall is off-limits." McGonagall paused to gather her patience, "Anyway we were chatting, and she mentioned how she hates the room now, all scorched with no one bothering to clean it up, but that she loves the recycling wardrobe that's in the space."

Hermione knitted her eyebrows, "Recycling wardrobe?"

McGonagall continued, "Yes, a tall metal wardrobe with wrought-iron design. A little warped from the Fiendfyre, but no matter how much stuff she puts inside, it always empties the next time she is in need of it."

Comprehension dawned on Hermione. McGonagall continued, "Now, these things were old magic by the time the Second War came around, I doubt they would be easily recognizable. Definitely taking a page out of their own playbook, but I think if we wanted a more subtle means of spying and even extraction, these might be a good strategy. They are undetectable to even Ministry traces"

"And do we know if the other is still there?" Hermione felt light with new ideas regarding her plans, "The store closed ages ago."

McGonagall smiled, "From what I remember, Borgin and Burkes had so many nasty artifacts that Shacklebolt decided to lock most of the merchandise in the Department of Mysteries. So I would bet the other cabinet is sitting just below us, and hopefully is full of bottles of sherry."

Sorry if the storylines are a little abrupt between Al and the trio. I'm hoping to merge them soon! Thanks for reading so far!