Chapter 18
In the weeks after Hermione's publication with the Daily Prophet, interest and popularity of non-wizard beings spiked. Firenze was quite strategic and Ron was sure that he took full advantage of the swell of support with the Fair Beings Council. Ron knew that the Fair Beings Council had spent most of its infancy swimming against the sea of naysayers, and Ron didn't help much. That being said, after Hermione announced that the elves were fundamental in her escape from Azkaban, wizards started looking at the Fair Beings Council in a different way and respect for non-wizard beings began to grow. That wasn't to say that there weren't still the naysayers, but suddenly they were outnumbered.
Ron also noticed that the Fair Beings Council started shifting the way they did their training sessions. Normally, Hermione or a stand-in would have drolled on for hours about regulations and mandates. Now, despite him remaining distanced and at the back of the conference room, he and the other Aurors were enthralled.
She no longer spoke on behalf of non-wizard beings, but instead invited them to lead the sessions, answer difficult questions, and even hold mock duels to provide real-world examples of their skills and how to handle in-person conversations and potential confrontations. It was fascinating, and even Ron never quite realized the true power the Elves held, the insight Goblins possessed, the adaptability Werewolves managed and the secrets and wisdom Centaurs were blessed with. He was particularly pleased when Ringold was wiped from the dueling floor against a miniature squeaky elf named Star. She was perfectly sweet, but her response to Ringold was anything but. He left wide-eyed and slightly embarrassed. Ron could tell a shift, not just in the department but across the Ministry itself.
"Are you nervous about tonight?" Harry elbowed Ron at the morning Auror briefing.
"No." Ron whispered back, though it came off as more of a bark.
Harry gave him a doubtful look.
"It's just a party." Ron reiterated.
"Fine." Harry said, raising his hands in defeat, though Ron was sure Harry was silently mocking him.
Ron had to admit though, the word 'party' was a bit of an understatement. It was more of an event, and even that didn't quite cover it. The Fair Beings Council sent out luxurious invitations inviting a significant number of Ministry members, and interested dignitaries from across the world to a lavish party to connect and learn what's coming for the FBC. Most of the department's Aurors were invited for reasons of keeping the peace (if the need arose), but Ron was sure he was also invited, along with Harry as Hermione's friend and a member of the Golden Trio, which even five years later, still held weight.
The afternoon came and went, and Ron spent part of the time at Grimmauld Place agonizing just a little too much about what he should wear. He hadn't spoken to her and now it just felt easier. But tonight, tonight he would have to. There would be no way around it, right?
Ron looked himself over. Although he tried to double down on the idea that he still didn't deserve to see her, and that it was better for her this way, he couldn't help but feel like he was on the precipice of something. Despite his mind commanding him to stand down and stay away, his body seemed to have other plans. The buzzing in his fingers and the jittering in his legs were clearly telling him he couldn't wait to talk to her again.
He could have easily turned down the invitation as his workload was busy, but something in him couldn't stop himself. Something in him said it was time.
It had taken nearly all of Hermione's strength the past month not to storm into the Auror office and demand Ron talk to her. She wanted so desperately to be near her best friend again, the man she loved. Unfortunately, it was made clear in no uncertain terms by Harry that Ron was going through something. Hermione clearly understood, as she bounced between good days and bad. And for once, she decided she would leave him be. No row to get them started. No contact unless he was ready.
So, the only thing she could do to preoccupy her time was to dive into her work. Firenze had welcomed her back with open arms and deep apologies. The first day was spent with them both shirking their work responsibilities and going to a park to talk through everything that happened. He had always been wonderful with caring advice. And despite part of the conversation being focused around Hermione's situation, most of it reverted to all the new ideas Hermione had about improving the Council. Though she didn't go into detail, she did tell him that her grant work with the Elves and Fair Beings Council literally saved her life.
They spent the rest of that afternoon brainstorming. Hermione no longer wanted to follow a rulebook to move forward. Firenze laughed when she jokingly threw it "out the window" and onto the grass nearby. Let's get creative, she had said. And they did. Very creative. It no longer became the Firenze and Hermione show, instead they leveraged every single contact to come up with a new game plan, first of which was becoming partners with the press. It made Hermione think of Ron. His advice from long ago somehow popped up again. She would absolutely not partner with tabloids or Frank, but she felt that finding support among the press was critical in making this work. And so was her telling her story to them.
Just as Firenze predicted, after the article was released, there was a swell of interest and communication with the Fair Beings Council. So many people were now interested in what they did. They even had new non-wizard beings that had refused to participate previously, reaching out to learn more.
And so, after long nights and lots of Chinese takeout with Firenze, they had done it. They had shifted their organization from one of surviving to thriving. And with that, of course, it was time to celebrate. It was time to bring people together.
It was seven-thirty and everything in the magnificent hall was ready. Gleaming ribbons of purple and gold hung from the tall rafters. Cocktail tables were scattered across the room. A lavish buffet was magically heating along the wall with an endless display of powdered confections and interesting finger foods. There were even buffet sections for delicacies preferred by different beings, all who had agreed to attend.
She looked across the way to their recent addition to the space, a magicked underwater wall. A few mermaid tribes had shown interest in learning more and Hermione thought it would be such a great addition to the space to add a wing just for Mermaids. They worked with the transportation office to create a magical trophy-like portkey for each of the tribes, with the end point being the water across from her. She was exhilarated to hear that some of them had never even had the opportunity to talk with other mermaids before. This was truly a once and a lifetime experience and she could hardly breathe from the excitement...though another reason, she knew, was the fact that just days before she had received an RSVP from Ron Weasley that he planned to attend.
She tried to hold back a giddy shake, she couldn't help herself. Firenze walked up to her and smiled.
"We've really done it, Hermione." He said, gently touching her shoulder.
She looked up at him with a grin. "We did."
After a long moment, Firenze spoke again. "Are you sure you're ready for tonight?"
Hermione knew what he was referring to. She nodded.
He continued. "Once I announce it, I can't take it back." He urged. "You're sure?"
Hermione took a deep breath, looking over everything she'd worked for these past years.
"I am."
With that, Firenze walked to the entrance doors and pulled them open. He smiled at her as beings of all shapes and sizes arrived and began to make their way inside.
Although Ron was eager to see her, he avoided arriving too early. He quickly realized that was a mistake as for the first time in history nearly everyone had arrived on time.
He stood shocked as he entered the FBC wing of the Ministry. It was rowdy with laughter and voices, shrill and booming. He could tell instantly that Giants were there, not just due to their sheer size, but their reverberating voice. For the first time in a long time, he could barely see over the crowd with all the shapes and sizes of everyone.
He was sure Harry and Ginny were in here somewhere and he would seek to find them first, though he wasn't quite sure how he would accomplish that feat. Heading towards the drink station and buffet he stopped short to marvel at the water wall housing a variety species of mermaids all screeching to one another and some talking with Wizards nearby.
"Ron" he heard someone call, though it was hard to tell over all the conversations and magicked instruments playing in the background. He turned to see the familiar red hair of his sister and the dark brown hair of his best friend. He popped a powdered donut in his mouth as he gave them an acknowledged wave and walked over.
"Look at this place. Seriously?" Ginny waved around in amazement.
Ron tried to respond with agreement, but his mouth was still full. He attempted to wipe it away, but Ginny just rolled her eyes.
"She did great." Harry filled in. "So proud of her."
Ron tensed slightly. Almost worried that she would pop up and catch him unguarded.
"Yeah." Was all Ron could get out.
Before they had an opportunity to get into too much conversation, Ron heard the instruments quiet and the regal voice of Firenze via a magicked microphone call out over the hundreds of individuals eating and chatting away.
Everything went quiet as everyone listened on in anticipation as he rose up on a magicked stage near the mermaid water wall. He stared with adoration as Hermione silently joined him on the stage. She was in a drop-dead violet gown. It matched perfectly with the space. She looked regal and full of smiles and confidence. Her golden ringlets fell wildly over her shoulders.
"Thank you all for joining us this evening for our First Annual Fair Being Council Gala. We are honored to have representatives from our Elven, Centaur, Goblin, Werewolf, Mermaid, Giant, and Wizarding communities here with us tonight."
After each you could hear various howls, cheers, and claps. As they settled, Firenze continued.
"This Council was founded five years ago under the principles that everyone, no matter who they are, how they look, or where they come from, should have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else."
Everyone cheered in celebration.
"I'd like to give a special thank you to Minister Shaklebot for making this a priority at the Ministry and to each of our community leaders for partnering with us to make this a success."
Clapping continued. Ron glanced over at Hermione who smiled and clapped along with the crowd. He couldn't describe how proud he was of her achievements. How much joy it gave him to see her genuinely happy.
"The goal of this evening is to have a wonderful time, but more importantly, to get out of our comfort zone. This is a special moment in time where we can all come together to build bridges...and that is all up to you. But…" He continued before the crowd started their obligatory cheers, "I have a few announcements to make first."
He smiled and looked at Hermione, then back out at the crowd.
"First of all, I'd like to officially recognize the Mermaids and Giants for signing the accords and becoming members of the Fair Beings Council. As new members, the Giants of the East Mountains and the Mermaids of the Deep Blue Water tribe have invited a Ministry applicant to live with them for six-month increments to learn about their culture and to begin developing regulations and cooperation. Hermione would you do the honors?"
Ron watched Hermione nod and step forward. "I had the opportunity to build lifelong connections with many beings in this room, and I am overjoyed that Auror Jeremy Lancaster will succeed me in growing our relationships."
Everyone clapped and it slowly dawned on Ron why Hermione had been in the Auror department that day. It didn't surprise him at all that Jeremy would be a great candidate for this program. He clapped with the group.
Hermione stepped back as Firenze continued. "Next, I would like to thank the Daily Prophet for agreeing to an ongoing partnership and cooperation with the Fair Beings Council, providing more non-wizard content and reporting. As a result, they have hired Goblin Arglok to be a full-time reporter with a special focus on non-wizard education and news."
"And for my final two announcements..." Firenze said, stopping to look back at Hermione again. Ron watched as Hermione returned Firenze's look with a heartfelt gaze of her own.
"It is with sadness that my long-time colleague, Hermione Granger, will be resigning from her post as Junior Officer of the Fair Beings Council."
Ron was not the only one that sucked in his breath in surprise. He looked over at her for confirmation as she nodded her head solemnly.
Ron didn't like this. She had worked toward this goal for years and the minute it was successful she backed out. He wanted to rush up to her and demand an answer, but stayed still as Firenze continued.
"She was not just my employee in this endeavor, she was my partner and confidante. She gave me hope when there felt like none, and she made contributions to our world and beings of this world that I cannot express in words. Although I will no longer get to see her every day, I wish her all the best with her future endeavors."
Ron felt his forehead sweat. The unexpected news set him on edge and the worry grew in his gut. Where was she going?
"But," Hermione jumped in, hugging Firenze as she moved forward, "I am being replaced by someone even more spectacular. An elf that is strong, supportive and will be a great asset to the FBC. Welcome Violette." Hermione guided her hand to a small figure standing nearby the stage.
"And with that" Firenze called to the group, "go build bridges."
The crowd erupted in cheers and claps. Ron ignored Harry's calls as he moved his way around boisterous elves, goblins and wizards and toward the stage. Hermione was also climbing down and heading in his direction.
He couldn't help himself, he was moving toward her. Then just as she prepared to look his way, an arm grabbed her and she turned. She looked toward a figure that Ron couldn't quite make out, and then headed off in another direction.
Ron wasn't sure why, but the courage he possessed, the desire he had to see her was dissipating quickly, and all he really wanted to do now was leave. He made his way through a crowd and was headed straight for the door when he knocked into what felt like a wall of muscle.
"Oof, my apologies." The voice echoed, pulling back.
Ron looked up. Of course.
"No, I'm sorry Victor." Ron said as sincerely as he could looking up at the strong jawline of the famous Quidditch Star.
"Ron Weasley. Good to see you."
Ron nodded and gave a curt smile. Although he no longer held animosity for the famous Quidditch star, it was like muscle memory to show disdain.
"You too." Ron finally answered. "How are you?" Ron knew it was a loaded question after the whole Werewolf thing, which apparently was no longer a secret.
"A little more...itchy in all honesty, but I'm doing very well, thank you."
There was a long pause. "Can you believe that Hermione is departing the FBC?" Krum piped up.
"No." Ron said sincerely. "I had no idea she was leaving."
"Me either." Krum breathed. "She always thinks three steps ahead though, so I'm sure she has a plan."
They stood awkwardly for another minute and Ron was just about to give a polite goodbye when Krum caught him off guard.
"You know I tried." Krum said tipping his glass towards Hermione huddled in an alcove with whom now Ron could identify as Avery.
"Tried?" Ron asked politely.
"Tried to win her affections." Krum filled in. "Multiple times."
Ron clamped his mouth shut in surprise. Krum smiled at him and continued.
"But you see, how could I compete with her best friend, and a war-hero to boot?" He said, chuckling and taking another somber sip of his goblet of wine.
"Excuse me?" Ron choked out, looking at Krum in surprise. "Are you saying you were jealous...of me?"
Krum shifted uncomfortably and sidestepped Ron's question. "It's hard, I'm sure you know, to find someone real and honest, and someone that...makes you better."
Ron thought about it a moment. "I completely understand what you mean." Ron answered genuinely.
As Ron watched Krum in sheer shock, he saw something there that he didn't expect. Familiarity. Krum was just as lost in love as Ron, simply trying to find his partner in life. Ron suddenly felt an unspoken camaraderie swell up within him. The pieces of anger and resentment he held onto for so long slowly slipped away like sand through his fingers.
"Victor! Could we borrow you for a moment?" Both Ron and Krum turned to the voice. Hermione's voice. Calling for Krum.
Her mouth turned to a surprised 'oh' when she noticed Ron there.
"Good to see you, Ron." Krum said tipping his head and walking over to Hermione and Avery.
Hermione descended from the stage. Her eyes stung at the touching words he'd said on her behalf. Before she could get a chance to seek out her friends, and in particular, Ron, she was interrupted.
"Hermione." She heard a voice and someone grab her arm. She cursed silently as she looked over to see a familiar female pulling her towards a small alcove. "Can we talk?"
"Avery?" Hermione asked, surprised.
"Yeah, do you have a minute? I won't take long, promise."
"Listen, Hermione." Hermione tensed, preparing for the worst. "I need your help."
Hermione stopped short. "Oh. What can I help you with?"
Avery looked around the room cautiously. "I've never told anyone this." Hermione remained silent, more curious now than cautious.
"I have an older brother. We basically never talk about him. My parents are very traditional, see." Hermione was still lost. "He...he was scratched many years ago and was turned...to a werewolf."
Hermione nodded.
"My parents, they couldn't handle it and he left so we never heard from him again." Guilt and longing crossed Avery's features. "I was really young at the time and we weren't ever allowed to talk about it. I just felt like, you know, he must be bad if he was a werewolf. I never...never tried to find him."
"I'm so sorry." Hermione said putting her hand on Avery's arm.
"What I'm trying to say is I think my parents were wrong...and I'd like to see if you could help me find my brother."
Hermione looked at her for a moment and smiled. "I've got a brilliant idea."
Hermione quickly glanced around the room and spotted exactly who she needed.
"Victor! Could we borrow you for a moment?" Hermione watched as Victor tipped his head toward the gentleman he was talking with. It took her a moment to realize that the gentleman she was referring to was Ron. Her eyes widened and she felt herself let out a surprised breath.
Before she could invite Ron over, he disappeared into the sea of party-goers.
"Damn." She swore to herself. Another missed opportunity, and with Krum involved, no less.
"Victor." Hermione breathed, giving him a quick half-hug. She thought it somewhat ironic and quite hilarious that the very person she had bickering with Avery about all those months ago was now standing in front of them, and Avery was speechless.
"You..you're…" Avery barely got out.
"Viktor Krum." Viktor filled in for her.
"Victor, this is Aliesha Avery. She is an Auror at the Ministry." Hermione introduced.
"Pleasure to meet you." He said pulling Avery's hand up and kissing her knuckles softly. Hermione was expecting one of Avery's uncomfortable and sarcastic responses, but all she saw was a reddening of Avery's cheeks. Hermione's brow shot up in surprise as she glanced between the two.
"What can I do for you ladies?" He asked politely as he took a sip from his goblet.
"Victor has just recently signed on to be the official liaison between the Werewolf Community and the Fair Beings Council." She looked between the two. "Unfortunately, as I am leaving the FBC, and Violette will be busy with training for the foreseeable future, we need a Ministry liaison to support Werewolf initiatives."
She watched as Avery looked towards her, it slowly dawning on the Auror what Hermione was implying.
"Avery?" Victor interrupted. "That name sounds so familiar." He furrowed his brow as if trying to pull information from the back of his mind.
"Dillon Avery?" Avery offered with some difficulty, as if the words had been glued to the back of her tongue.
"Ahh, yes, that is the one!" Krum snapped his fingers.
"That's my brother." Avery breathed. "How...how is he?"
Victor smiled at her. "I don't see him often, but he has a wife and two children. Very happy from what I can tell."
Hermione watched as Avery's face broke out into a brilliant smile.
"What I was saying…" Hermione started with a grin, "was that we need a Ministry liaison to support Victor and possibly take trips out to the Werewolf Commune."
Avery looked over at her with a mix of misty eyes and hope.
"I believe you may be the right woman for the job. Mind you, it might require building long standing relationships with werewolves and their families. Would you be up for that?"
Avery nodded mutely and Hermione looked back to Krum to verify that he was also on board.
"Then it's settled." She confirmed, smiling between the two. Hermione glanced over to where Ron had stood, hoping to spot him amongst the crowd, but all she managed was to be pulled into another important and fascinating conversation, and then another, and then another.
Despite the late night, Hermione was up at her normal time for her early 4:30 workout. When she first came back to work, she hoped that she would run into Ron. She kept her normal time, and did a few extra stretches the first week hoping that he was just a bit late. Unfortunately, to her dismay, he did not come.
That didn't stop her from continuing her tradition of sweating out her anxieties and worries with a long run. Despite moving forward in her career and life, the tendrils of fear and pain did slither their way into her brain every so often leaving her unnerved and waking up screaming. The only way she could keep them at bay was through exercise (and sometimes an ungodly amount of ice cream).
After Azkaban, one of her most common nightmares was the leap from her cell into the jet black, freezing waters. She refused to let the fear consume her. Thus she found herself in her current predicament: failing miserably to overcome her fear of heights.
She currently grasped tightly onto the grooves along the rock wall in the Auror Gymnasium. A stupid idea, she admonished, but here she was. She held herself up in an awkward fashion seven feet above the ground unable to go up or down.
"Bugger." She said to herself with a huff. She could leap from thirty stories in the air out of a death prison, but she couldn't reach for the next groove in the wall not two feet up for fear of falling. How pathetic.
"What the bloody hell are you doing on the rock wall?" A familiar deep voice echoed behind her. The room was always empty, so she could have easily imagined it.
"Ron? Are you really back there?" She called over, afraid to move from her spot on the wall.
"Yes. Are you really there?" He asked in his familiar joking tone. She was sure he was brandishing a lopsided grin and imagined his hands were now on his hips.
She leaned her head up against the wall. "This is so embarrassing."
"Do you need help?" He asked, both amused and slightly concerned.
"No, Ronald Weasley. I do not need help." She was sure she heard him cross his arms in enjoyment, if one could hear such a thing.
She took a moment, and a deep breath and slowly shimmied herself back down to the ground, levelling herself out. Her arms and legs felt like jell-o, but she would never admit that to Ron, nor the amount of time she had spent stuck in that position that morning.
There was a moment of silence and they took each other in. So much had happened and there was so much to say. Despite her desire to wrap her arms around him, she held back. They both did.
His face transitioned from a free spirited natural look to one of uncomfortable shame. He looked down at the floor unable to maintain eye contact.
"I uh..was going to go for a run this morning, would you like to join me?"
Hermione nodded slowly, grinning inwardly at the familiarity.
She followed him silently up the stairs to the second floor and they stretched before preparing to take off down the track.
Hermione followed Ron as they started to jog. Just as he pointed his wand ahead to cast the illusion, he stopped short and turned towards her.
"Do you trust me?" He asked cautiously, holding out both his hands. His face was flushed and his words felt somehow innocent and unsure. He looked at her with vulnerable eyes as she glanced down to his open hands.
Then, she looked up, locking eyes with him. And with as much meaning, and as much passion and love, she placed her hands in his and answered him.
"Always."
And with a pop, they were gone.
