As Ron and Hermione walked of Hermione's scan with their doctor Justin Finch-Fletchleyt, Ron couldn't help but notice the Daily Prophet on one of the tables in the waiting room. The front page story that morning was that Jason Charmer was arrested for conspiracy.
"You think this was the right thing to do?" asked Ron, pointing at the picture showing Charmer being escorted out of the Ministry.
"He's a dangerous man, Ron," said Hermione. "It had to be done."
"Oh, Hermione!" called out Justin, holding a small leatherbound book. "I looked into it, and I think these spells could work."
"Thank you, Justin," said Hermione, taking the book from. "I really appreciate it."
"No worries," said Justin. "By the way, I think what you and Ron are doing is brilliant - we need more people like you. I'll see you at your next scan."
"Cheers, mate," said Ron, reaching out and shaking his hand. As the two walked out of the office and waited for the Knight Bus, Ron not very discreetly took the book out of Hermione's purse and began to thumb through it.
"Ronald!" hissed Hermione. "Put that back!"
"Blood spells, eh?" said Ron. "So, you are considering a blood boundary spell on the flat?"
"Well," said Hermione, a bit flustered as she took the book back from Ron. "I did some reading during my lunch breaks and, as I suspected, many of the blood boundary spells are simply barbaric, requiring copious amounts of blood to create the protective boundary. I figured there had to be a way without so much blood and mess, so I reached out to Justin and asked him for his advice."
Just as they arrived to the bus stop, the Knights Bus pulled up and both of them entered into the tightly packed comportant, making it difficult for Hermione to find a seat.
"Ah, Weasley and the Missus," said a voice familiar to the two of them. It was Bors Dearborn, a member of the Order who also worked at the Ministry in the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Dearborn was a decade older than Ron and Hermione, but his long brown beard and hair added addition years to his face. He often wore dark and worn robes plus heavy brown boots since he was outside around creatures so much. As for his personality, he was slightly shy and not the most inept in social situations, but nevertheless he was nice and considerate to everyone he met.
"Hello, Bors," said Hermione. "Where are you off to?"
"It's my day off," said Bors, getting up from the seat he had been in previously and offering it to Hermione. "I've been running around to the shops all day - haven't had time with this whole bloody mess. What about you two?"
"Doctors' appointment," said Ron.
"Ah, yes - the little Weasley to-be," nodded Bors. "All is well?"
"Yes," said Hermione, getting up as the bus was now approaching the Ministry.
"Well, nice to see you both," said Bors, tipping his hat as Ron helped Hermione off the bus. "See you soon, hopefully."
"What a daft little man," said Ron, as the bus zoomed away into the London traffic.
"He's just a little...awkward," said Hermione. "But he's harmless!"
"You know, we can always move," said Ron, returning to their previous conversation before the bus. "We might need more space anyway with the baby and Hattie plus the older two might want to stay with us after Hogwarts…"
"Ron, I don't want to move," insisted Hermione. "I love our flat. We've been there since Rose was born - I want to raise all of my children in that flat!"
"Alright, 'Mione," sighed Ron, knowing he was not going to win the argument. "When the kids get home from term, we'll do the blood boundary spell."
"I'll see you when I get home," said Hermione, as she gave Ron a quick kiss on his cheek.
"See you later," said Ron, as he turned around to walk to a telephone box to apparate to his office.
As Ron walked to the box, he noticed a reflection in the glass that looked familiar to him and the sight of the person made Ron tense up. However, in the blink of an eye, the figure disappeared from the reflection, making Ron tremble slightly as he opened the telephone booth.
Meanwhile, Hermione had walked back to her office, but she noticed that Lara had a nervous look on her face as Hermione walked past the secretary's desk.
"Hermione, the Minister is in there with Ulysses Gamp and Harry Potter," said Lara.
Hermione walked into her office and sure enough, she saw Gamp, Shacklebolt, and Harry in her office. Gamp, a stout man with chronic respiratory issues and greasy red cheeks, had made himself comfortable in Hermione's chair, while Kingsley stood next to him on the left and Harry leaned against the bookshelf on the right.
"What's all of this?" asked Hermione, sternly.
"Hermione," said Shacklebolt. "We feel it is best, for your health and safety..."
"Your services are no longer needed," said Gamp getting to the point. "I will be taking over as Deputy of the department, given your...current state."
"You're firing me because I'm pregnant?" asked Hermione, approaching Gamp like a lioness stalking her prey.
"Ms. Granger," said Gamp, standing up to look up at Hermione, who was staring into Gamp's beady black eyes. "Please don't make this harder than it needs to be..."
"This is because of my husband, isn't it?" retorted Hermione.
"Hermione," said Shacklebolt, firmly. "These are dangerous times, and you are in a vulnerable state..."
"You're actually siding with him?" asked Hermione incredulously, pointing to Gamp. "After all I've done for you? And what about you, Harry?"
"I'm sorry, Hermione," sighed Harry.
Finally at her breaking point, Hermione grabbed a quill and signed a parchment with the words "I Quit". Once she threw her quill on her desk, she picked up her satchel and stormed out of her office, giving the three men a stone-faced death stare. Without saying good-bye to anyone, Hermione walked out of the Ministry with such force that anyone who may have been in her way would have been trampled. Once outside the Ministry, Hermione disapparated to Grimmauld Place, with Harry appearing shortly thereafter.
"Well?" asked Hermione, eager to hear the aftermath of her departure from the Ministry.
"You were brilliant, Hermione!" said Harry. "Gamp's completely convinced that Shacklebolt and I are on his side in removing you from the Ministry".
"Thank goodness," sighed Hermione. Hermione's departure had been planned out so that she could devote her time to spying on Charmer's supporters, hiding families, and deducting what the other side is planning for their next attack.
"Now I can help you and the other Aurors out more without worrying about unnecessary paperwork or deadlines," said Hermione.
"More importantly..." said Harry.
"Yes, I know, Harry," said Hermione, patting her stomach. "Honestly, everyone needs to stop treating me like I'm some fragile doll. I know what I'm doing!"
"Yes, Hermione," said Harry, rolling his eyes at her stubbornness.