Disclaimer : Everything you recognize is J. and everything you don't is mine.
Chapter Two.
Hermione blinked at the Minister, surprised at the Wizemgamot. She had expected more of a battle from them
"The only caveat is they would like to you to sign an 18-month contract stating you will remain in the British Isle's." The African man said, oddly nervous, "The contract to be reviewed and renewed every 18 months between the Wizemgamot and yourself."
"And if I am called upon another Enchantress to assist? Just like I may call on others to assist me?" Her eyebrow rose as took a look through the document he had handed to her as she had walked in at the beginning of the meeting.
"Or vacation time?" she added, her eyebrow raising further. "I believe even you are entitled to 30 days leave. And the Wizemgamot themselves are only session for 6 months out of the year."
"Last page details all that." He answered, worryingly.
Hermione took her time reading through the contract, completely ignoring the young Minister as she did so.
She vanished a clause from the contract which stated she could be exiled at any point with 40% vote from the Wizemgamot, obviously slipped in without the majority vote.
It was only when she initialed and signed, did Kinglsey sigh in relief. The public was in an uproar, clamoring for news of Enchantress Hermione settling in England.
"I'm looking forward to working with you on certain Bills we're going to pass." Hermione said, making a copy of the contract and handing him the original.
Kinglsey smiled, "What are you going to tackle first?"
"Equal pay and vacation time for witches." She smiled, "Followed by a werewolf health care act and then an equality and care act for magical creatures."
He whistled, "We're going to have some fun."
Hermione smiled and stoop, grabbing her cloaking and closing the clasp over the base of her neck, "Ready for the press?" she asked him.
Kinglsey nodded.
They both stepped into the hallway.
Hermione nodded at Percy who smiled at her.
Percy turned to the minister and handed him an envelope, "My resignation Minister. Effective immediately."
Kinglsey took the envelope and looked between the two of them, blindsided.
"You're leaving the ministry?" he said dumbfounded.
The Weasley nodded, blushing.
The Minister turned to Hermione, "This is why you wanted a stipend for Enchantress Employee's?"
She smiled, "If I wasn't a muggleborn, I could've been a Slytherin."
Kinglsey shook his head.
§§§§§§§
Hermione, Percy and Daphne Greengrass stood in the foyer of a small three floor building in Diagon Alley between Quality Quidditch Supplies and Ollivanders.
"It's been empty for the last month and we have numerous interested parties." Daphne said as walked around the room. "The landlord has put a hold until you decide whether or not you want it."
Hermione nodded as she and Percy looked around.
"It's in desperate need of a coat of paint," Percy said.
"I like the open space." Hermione said on the second floor, "The waiting room can be down stairs, I can see the public here with a treatment room for those that need medical attention."
"And we can use the third floor to filter through the mail for those who need help." Percy said.
It was only when they were on the ground floor did Hermione turn to the Slytherin and said, "We'll take it."
Thirty minutes later, she and Percy exited the shop, lease agreement signed with Daphne on her way to get the landlord's approval.
The following days were busy, they hired a small group of elves to filter through the post and found an assistant for Percy in Padma Patil and hired Astoria Malfoy to decorate the Hermione's office space.
Padma briefed the young Slytherin on Hermione's instructions of blue and gold with simple furniture and lots of book space.
Hermione and Percy had started writing up the first Bill they planned to introduce to the Wizemgamot, which they planned to the Witches Equality Act which encompassed equal pay, equal treatment and job opportunities with a commission being set up to deal with any complaints that would come in.
They worked from the dining room of Dover Cottage while Astoria set up their office space.
Percy would often join Hermione, Seraphina and Ron for dinner.
"I think our biggest opposition will sit with Madam Longbottom and Lord Malfoy and Lord Goldsmith. All three are staunch traditionalist's." Percy said scooping pasta onto his plate the evening before they were due to move into Diagon Alley.
"I think Augusta can be reasoned with." Hermione said, sitting across from him, "Neville and Hannah just had a little girl. It may play into her decision."
"And the other two?" Seraphina asked.
"Goldsmith enjoys being difficult for the sake of being difficult." Percy said, "But Malfoy? That one I'm certain of. The others are a toss-up."
"But they're key players? They have alliances with other family's that will vote the same way they do."
"Even Malfoy?" Ron injected, slightly surprised.
Percy nodded, "Draco Malfoy has become a serious political opponent in the last few years because of his business ventures outside the Wizemgamot."
"And people trust the Malfoy name?" Hermione asked.
Percy shrugged. "He's got a Midas touch."
"So all we got to do is get them on our side and getting the Bills voted in would be easier?"
The older Weasley nodded, "Also a few others but they're too corrupt for their own good."
"Ahh yes," Hermione said, "The officials that get paid to introduce acts or nay on bills that they don't like. We should draft up a Bill on that too."
"Enough with the shop talk you two," Seraphina smiled at them, "Rome wasn't fixed in a day."
§§§§§§§
Hermione looked around the transformed office and smiled at Astoria.
"It looks wonderful, Mrs. Malfoy." She said to her.
"Please call me Astoria, Enchantress." The blonde said, "From Padma's description I figured you'd prefer sleek and simple so I've stuck to that as much as possible."
"It's marvelous!" Padma said looking around hers and Percy's office situated on the other side of the wall from the reception and waiting room.
The small party made their way upstairs to admire Hermione's office and treatment area and then onto the elves' den who were already sorting through piles of mail.
It was when they were on the way down did Astoria slip and went tumbling down the remaining stairs, landing on the floor with a soft thud.
"Ah," she groaned, trying standing up.
"Astoria!" Hermione quickly caught up, "Let me help you."
"No no, I'm okay." Astoria said, leaning heavily on the stair railing.
"Uh huh and I'm Merlin." Hermione said, "Hold still. I'm going to get you up to the treatment room."
She quickly took out her wand and Astoria froze in place, with another flick the young Slytherin slowly floated upstairs.
"Please summon Mr. Malfoy." Hermione said to Padma gently. "He may want to help his wife home."
She followed the floating woman up the stairs and into the treatment room where she gently laid Astoria down on the hospital bed in the center of the room.
"That's a rather odd feeling." She said gently.
"I'm going to treat you now, Astoria." Hermione smiled at the woman as she washed her hands, "Do you have any medical history I need to be aware of?"
Astoria hesitated.
"I will not disclose any information you tell me. Its strictly confidential." She assured her.
"I've also broken my left leg numerous times and dislocated my left shoulder a few times." The younger woman said so softly Hermione almost didn't hear her, "I'm also infertile…brought on by numerous uses of the cruciatus curse."
Hermione nodded slowly, "Do I have your permission to put my hands on your body? It's part of the treat."
Astoria nodded.
"What hurts the most?"
"My left leg and my lower back."
Hermione pursed her lips and gently placed both her hands her calf, a slight golden glow emanating from them.
"It's broken in two places; can I fix it?" She asked gently.
"Please? I don't want to go to again."
Hermione nodded and gently mended the bones.
Astoria sighed in relief.
"Better?"
"Much."
Hermione moved to stand behind Astoria, "I'm going to place my hands on each shoulder."
"Okay."
Again a soft glow emanated from the enchantress's hands.
"It's a broken collar bone and dislocated shoulder. I can fix it too ?"
She nodded.
A moment later Hermione sat on the edge of the hospital bed.
"Astoria," she hesitated to say, "I can see you've been a victim of abuse. I… can help you…if it's your husband-"
She shook her head vigorously, "Draco would never. It's from my father when I was a child."
"I'm sorry you had to go through that." She said softly, "I can-"
The door burst open and Draco Malfoy had his wand pointed directly at her.
"Get away from my wife, Granger." He almost snarled at her.
Percy and Padma followed both outraged, their own wands drawn.
Before Hermione could say anything, Astoria calmly said, "Put your wand away Draco. The Enchantress has healed me and you rudely interrupted her in the middle of a sentence."
Draco looked from Hermione to his wife and slowly lowered his wand.
"Percy, Padma, close the door on the way out." Hermione said directly to them.
She watched as the young Malfoy strode to his wife's side, taking her hand and gently kissing it. "Are you okay my love?"
Astoria nodded. "Enchantress has healed all my aches and pains."
"Astoria had two fractures in her leg, a dislocated shoulder and a broken collar bone." Hermione said, "I've healed and re-enforced the bones so it would be less likely to break again in the future."
Draco nodded, "Thank you. Can I take her home to rest now?"
She took a deep breath in, "Your wife also informed me of her previous medical history and I can heal the problem."
"I beg your pardon?" he said blinking at her.
Hermione waved her wand in the air, an image of the female reproductive system floated before them.
"Under the cruciatus curse, scar tissue develops in the fallopian tubes and uterus. That scarred tissue prevents the fetus to go down the fallopian tubes and causes an ectopic pregnancy. This is the most common issue." Hermione said calmly demonstrating on her diagram, "There is a number of alternative issues which can cause infertility but given that you endured the curse prior to your 21st birthday, I don't think this would be the cause."
"So if its scar tissue, you can fix me?" Astoria said eyes wide.
"You have to be broken to require fixing. Your…equipment doesn't work as it should because of an outside influence. I can heal the equipment which would allow you to conceive and carry to term." She said softly, "Can I examine you?"
Astoria nodded eagerly. "Please."
Hermione stood on the side of the bed, directly opposite Draco.
"I'm going to place one hand on your abdomen, okay?"
She nodded again, eyes closed, tears falling out the edges.
Hermione placed her hand on the young woman's abdomen, her hand glowing softly.
Neither of the Malfoy's looked at her during the long moment of silence.
It was only when she lifted her hand, did Draco's patience break.
"Well?" he asked, his eyes hopeful.
Hermione nodded, "Your scar tissue is extensive and encompasses your remaining fallopian tube and your uterus but I can heal it, if you want me to."
"Oh please do." Astoria said, tears flowing freely. "I've never wanted anything more than to have a child of my own."
Hermione summoned a chair and motioned for Draco to sit.
"A few things before we proceed. You will have some minor bleeding after todays procedure. You will need to stay on bedrest during this time. Once the bleeding stops completely you can then go about your normal day to day." Both Malfoys nodded, "Your next monthlies are due two weeks from now. It is only once they pass can you start attempting to conceive again, am I clear?"
They both nodded.
"If you're suspicious that you are pregnant you are to make an appointment with a healer and then proceed as per normal."
"Yes, Enchantress." Draco said surprising her slightly.
"If you're ready, I can begin now."
Astoria took a deep breath.
"Okay good. Astoria, I need you to lay very still."
"Okay."
Hermione flicked her wand, turning it into a long mahogany staff, rose's craved into it.
She put one hand on the woman's abdomen and closed her eyes, whispering an unintelligible Latin phrase. She hit the staff on the ground, making Draco flinch violently from the sound it emanated and the sparks that flew.
It was only an hour later and 7 more strikes of her staff did Hermione open her eyes, and stepped away.
"It's finished." She said softly, leaning on the staff slightly.
"Thank you, thank you so much." She said, tears welling up again.
"Mr. Malfoy, you can apparate your wife home. Make certain she has something to eat before she falls asleep."
"Yes, Enchantress."
§§§§§§§
Hermione was wearing a warm jumper that turned white as soon as she touched it and white jeans with boots to keep her feet warm, she was sat on her porch chair, cup of tea in hand, watching the greyness of the dover cliff's as the snow fell.
"Enjoying your morning off?" Ron asked sitting down next to her.
"Mmmm." She said smiling slightly at him, "These last two weeks have been chaotic."
"Isn't healing blindness and restoring dried up rivers something you do every day?" he grinned at her.
"Just a typical morning in the office." She winked at him.
The pair sat in a comfortable silence for a while longer.
"I never thought we'd get here." He said softly.
"To Dover Cliffs?"
He rolled his eyes at her, "Peace. Working without worry of prosecution for being a blood traitor or a muggleborn."
"I never doubted our victory. I just doubted I'd be around to see it."
He nodded, "I know what you mean. Now my biggest worry is getting mum off my back about settling down. She'll start on you soon."
Hermione groaned, "I'll shuffle it onto Percy. Gay or not, he can settle down and have children too."
Ron chuckled, "Mum feels too awkward about bringing the topic up with him. Given that the Marriages Act isn't official yet, despite majority vote of the Wizemgamot."
"I think it will happen before Christmas, we just need to iron out a couple of details, wording and such to keep the traditionalists happy."
"Do you think your equality act will go through?"
Hermione blinked at him, "Have you been reading the news, Ron?"
He blushed bright red and shrugged, "Well I got to know what's going on, don't I?"
She smiled, looking away, "Next thing I know you'll tell me you've read books that aren't textbooks or Quidditch Through The Ages."
"Oh but sweet Mione, I have." He winked at her. "I'm currently halfway through Dueling Arithmancy by Professor Babbling."
"Oh I loved that one." She exclaimed, "The way she explained-"
Hermione was interrupted with a cat Patronus landing in front of her.
"That's Minerva's Patronus." Ron said, blinking at it.
"Somebody is attacking Hogwarts wards. They are quickly failing. We need you." The Patronus said before promptly disappearing.
Hermione jumped into action, summoning her cloak, "Get the aurors down there."
Before Ron could get a word in, Hermione blinked out appearing in the great hall, directly beside the Headmistress, making her jump and draw her wand at the Enchantress.
Hermione looked around at the children in the great hall and felt the wards.
"Headmistress. I need the children out of here and in the basement." She said as a greeting." I can ward the entrance shut in the kitchen, it's too late to evacuate."
Minerva couldn't get a word in before Hermione shrugged her cloak off and hit her staff on the ground, chanting in Gaelic.
Within minutes the great hall was empty except the Headmistress and a few Professors.
They watched Hermione in awe.
"The tables need to go." Hermione said to her, her breathing heavy.
The old transfiguration professor nodded and vanished it, watching Hermione as she hit the floor with her staff.
"Seraphina, Natalya, Naledi, Constantia, Sasha, Marigold. Hogwarts wards are under attack. Come." She said loudly, her eyes turning white.
Within moments other Enchantresses started arriving, making the Hogwarts Headmistress flinch.
"I need you and the other professors on the edge of the hall, Headmistress." Constantia said, making them move as the seven enchantresses made a circle in the middle of the great hall.
"I've done the Celtic Knot and the Gaelic Knot wards." Hermione said, her breathing still heavy. "The Aztec Seven in 3…2…1."
All seven enchantresses hit the ground with their staffs seven times at the same time, sparks flying.
The magic in the air made everything humid and Minerva found it heavy in her lungs as breathed in.
"The Old Latin in 3…2…1." Constantia said as they started to hit the ground another seven times with a large pause in between.
"Ancient Chinese in 3…2…1." Marigold said, as they hit the floor in sync.
The pressure of the magic pushed the old headmistress and the other professors to the floor, her eyes wider than she had ever remembered.
"Inverse Celtic in 3…2…1." Hermione's previous mentor said with an evident frown.
"Lastly, the Zulu Ward." Naledi said as they hit the ground an additional seven times.
Upon the last strike, the heaviness of the air dissipated, enabling the professors to stand again.
"The aurors are on the boundary of Hogwarts." Hermione said, leaning onto her staff, taking deep breaths.
"Hagrid, please escort the aurors in." Minerva said, looking pale. "Now." She added when she saw him hesitate.
"The Celtic and the Gaelic knots?" Constantia said turning to Hermione, "What on earth were you thinking Hermione!"
"The wards were almost down, Constantia. There are children here." She said weakly, "I will not let blood be spilled on these grounds again. Hogwarts has seen enough bloodshed."
The old enchantress deflated at that, "You'll be the death of me."
"That makes two of us." Seraphina added. "I'm gone less than a week and this is the heart attack I get."
Hermione grimaced. "The children need to be sent home. Who-ever was trying to dismantle to the ward had the greatest command of magic I've ever felt."
Constantia nodded, "You're right. They need to go home until we figure out how to make the ward unbreakable."
"But he wasn't breaking through them." Hermione said sitting down on the ground.
"He was unweaving them." Naledi said, joining her younger sister on the ground.
Nobody said a word.
"So our real task is to make them unbreakable and unweave-able." Seraphina said groaning.
Ron and Harry led the aurors into the great hall, the former two heading directly for Hermione.
"Are you okay?" Ron squatted in front of her.
She nodded, "I'm fine, just a little weak. We all are."
He nodded and stood greeting the other enchantresses and professors.
"Hagrid said the threat is over?" Harry said, looking around.
"Immediate threat," Hermione corrected, "Somebody was trying to break in. The current wards will hold them off but we don't know how long."
Harry turned giving the aurors instructions.
"I've unwarded the kitchens, send the children to pack and send out notices to their parents that their children are coming homer sooner than expected." Hermione said to Minerva while she still sat on the floor with Naledi.
"We'll get to it immediately." Minerva nodded.
Constantia turned to the young Enchantress, "Can you recommend accommodation for us?"
"You guys can stay at The Burrow." Ron said to the old enchantress. "Mum would love to have you."
She hesitated, "And are you sure Mrs. Weasley would be open to the idea?"
"She'd be offended if you took rooms at The Leaky Cauldron." Ron said smiling, "She's been complaining the house is too empty."
"Very well. Please go on and ahead and confirm with Mrs. Weasley that it is indeed okay with her that we reside at The Burrow for the foreseeable future."
He nodded and quickly departed.
"Headmistress McGonagall," Constantia said, "Please let me know if when the train shall be departing. One of us will be on it should the target be the children themselves."
"I'll send a few professors as well for additional security." She nodded at the old woman in white.
§§§§§§§
Hermione and Seraphina had ascended a small dome in the back garden to keep it warm and shelter them from the elements during dinner.
The enchantresses and the Weasleys combined proved to be beyond the crooked house's capacity.
Despite Hogwarts being threatened, it didn't impact the occupants. Laughter still flowed among the friends and family.
Hermione and Constantia were helping Molly in the kitchen with the food preparation for the small hoard.
Or rather Constantia and Molly helped with Hermione leaning on a counter, wine glass in hand.
"It's so lovely having the house full again." Molly said mashing a giant pot of potatoes.
Constantia nodded, "I know the feeling. When my little ones left the nest it felt as if half my soul left with them. But it's part of being a parent. And all your children have done so well, it's a mark of good parenthood."
Molly beamed. "Yes well…yes. I'd feel better once Ron settles down." She glanced at Hermione.
"Percy needs someone too." She chimed in, trying to divert the attention away. "The Marriages Act will be enacted soon so he can legally marry."
Molly paused, "Mm I heard that Terry Boot is also single. I ll drop his mother an owl."
"And you, young lady?" Constantia turned to the youngest enchantress.
"What about me?" She said raising an eyebrow as Ron stepped into the kitchen.
"When are you going to find yourself a nice young man and settle down." Constantia said, "You've seen the world and sown your oats-"
Hermione saw Ron's expression darken.
"- its about damn time."
"I travelled the world with Seraphina but sown my oats? Seraphina kept me far too busy for that. Just as everything would slow down, she'd drag me off to another part of the world." Hermione said trying to keep her blush down.
"So no young fella waiting for you back in Istanbul or Moscow?" Constantia pushed as she chopped up some salad.
"No." she said sternly.
"And no-one here?"
She sighed, "Nobody has really expressed interest. The whole enchantress thing probably scares most interested blokes away… and that's okay. We're far too busy anyway."
"Gin is looking for you, Mione." Ron injected, giving her the perfect excuse to escape the conversation.
"Oh thanks." She said leaving the kitchen with Ron following.
"Gin isn't actually looking for you." He said quietly, "It just looked like a good time to get you out of there."
She smiled at him, "Thank you."
"They mean well but tend to be over bearing at times." He said, "Do you need a refill or you fine for now?"
She shook her head, "Any more than this and I'll wake up with whooper of a hangover tomorrow."
He nodded, jestering to the corner, "Do you think that George knows that Marigold is only being polite and that she isn't actually interested in the sneezing skives he's explaining to her?"
She glanced over in the direction were George was waving his hands explaining something while the african enchantress tried to stifle a yawn.
"No but Angie does and she's off to rescue."
They both watched Angie smoothly distract the conversation away from George's newest creation.
Both laughed slightly at the sight of George's expression turning into the same one Marigold held only a moment earlier.
Molly and Constantia summoned the hoard to dinner and Hermione tried to stifle her blush as Ron held out a chair for her.
It was only when she was at home and in bed did she mentally kick herself, wondering how much longer she was going to act like a lovestruck teenager.
§§§§§§§
AN:
Hi All!
Thanks for all your amazing feedback. The next chapter is completed, I just need to get through it to edit. My English isn't American or British but rather South African, if there's phrases you don't understand or seems like it doesn't fit, please let me know so I can edit it. I am trying to keep it as universal as possible.
As always, thank you to the wonderful Smos who is an absolute treasure!
Looking forward to hearing what you all think.
Stay sane and stay safe.
Love,
BlondeTyche xx