"Mione!" Narcissa hissed as she was slammed up against her office door. The Gryffindor's hands roaming from her waist to her rear. The younger witch giving her a sly smirk.
"Yes, Cissa?" Hermione asked nearly drowning in those blue eyes. One hand moving off the blonde's bum to trace Narcissa's collarbone.
"We are in my office." Narcissa whispered
"You forget my love." Hermione caressed her cheek with the pad of her thumb. "About the night at the Three Broomsticks."
Narcissa flushed at the memory
"I had my hand up your skirt." Hermione said shamelessly her fingers now tracing the outline of the blonde's lips, careful not to smudge Narcissa's lipstick. "Well, my skirt that you wore, which drove me bonkers."
"Mione." Narcissa pleaded. She was so dangerously close to letting Hermione have her way with her. She knew either way, Hermione would have her. Either here in her office or she would get mauled the moment she got home.
"Yes Cissa?"
"You know what steered me the most about that night?" Narcissa asked
"What?"
"The want and need from you." Narcissa felt her hands shift to her hips. Narcissa knew she was teetering on the edge of being taken. "It wasn't just about putting that dreadful Camilla in her place. "
"It was about reaffirming our ownership of each other, to one another." Narcissa breathed. "I have never felt so empowered."
Hermione closed her eyes.
"The empowerment was more fulfilling than what I felt that night of the Minister's Ball." Narcissa almost smirked when Hermione's eyes shot open. "You were so angry and jealous that you were more engrossed in owning me, you forgot about the fine art of reciprocation in the bedroom."
"You have one last chance to stop this, Cissa." Hermione warned.
"But then it wasn't about reciprocation for you, that night." Narcissa carried on as if Hermione had challenged her. "It was about showing me how many times I could orgasm. The different ways, how hard and more importantly, whom was directing it all."
Hermione groaned utterly turned on and sunk to her knees. These slacks were the first time Hermione had seen Narcissa in.
"You had the notion that if you did that. I would love it so much so that I would never leave." Narcissa breathed heavily out
"And you never did."
And for wearing these slacks, I'm going to eat you through them
"No I-
Narcissa was cut off by Hermione in the most delicious way the younger witch could have ever thought of. The blonde had to make a mental note to chastise the younger witch later that night. In the meantime, she was, oh
Oh Merlin
(-)
"Miss Granger, you are late." Kingsley stated. The Minister raised an eyebrow to the younger witch as she hurriedly entered his office. The younger woman literally looked run of her feet.
"Sorry Sir." Hermione apologized as she sat down opposite the Minister and his desk. "I have been predisposed."
The Minister simply shrugged. "It is unusual for you to be late. However, I will let it slide this once."
"Thank you Sir." Hermione said. She could still taste Narcissa, Gods she could still smell her scent.
"Anyway, be prepared for a long day." He sighed tiredly. "Send a note to your assistant to cancel all meetings and appointments you have for the day."
Must be urgent
"We are off to appear before the Wizengamot about our relations with the Muggle Queen and the new Muggle Prime Minister."
Oh fuck
(-)
"Darling?"
"In the study, Cissa." Hermione called out. She sat at her desk, staring at a blank piece of parchment. She didn't know how long she had been sitting there like that, just that she got home from work and found her way to their library study of sorts and ungracefully plonked herself down in her chair. What a day
"Are you ok?" Narcissa asked as she entered the room. Her face full of concern. Usually the brunette would stop by her office after she had finished work and they would leave the Ministry together. Usually they would dine out or have some sort of plans for their evening and after what happened in her office earlier that day, she thought they would have been in their bedroom. But alas, they were not. She received an owl from Hermione, simply stating, I headed home after my meeting with Kingsley. Predictably, Narcissa assumed the two had a rather heated discussion and Hermione left in a temper.
However, that is not what Narcissa saw in the younger witch. She did not seem angry. She seemed deflated, agitated and hesitant.
Hermione gave Narcissa a small smile
"Come here." She murmured. When the blonde got within reach of the younger witch, she hauled Narcissa into her lap.
"You didn't answer my question." Narcissa whispered. She was grateful she had discarded her robes as soon as she entered the apartment.
"I'm ok, just shocked." Hermione answered.
"Bad meeting?" Narcissa queried
"That's an understatement." Hermione replied
"Care to share?"
"It has to stay between us." Hermione caressed the blonde's check softly. She was half tempted to say to hell with it and pick up where they had left off earlier that day. However, logic got the better of her.
"Of course."
"I had a briefing with the Minister as you are aware." Hermione sighed tiredly. She linked their hands together. "And after our briefing we had another meeting with the Wizengamot."
Concern crossed Narcissa's face but the blonde did not dare say anything
"The Ministry is about to be restructured. There are issues Kingsley is having to address at the concerns of the new Muggle Prime Minister and the Muggle Queen." Hermione stared into those beautiful blue eyes. How much she loved them was beyond measure. "The Wizengamot is not impressed that the Muggles are demanding transparency from the Ministry. And Kingsley is caught in the middle. The only way they have seemed to not so much come up with a solution but a way that will sit perfectly well with both sides, is that there is to be a Royal Commission into the Ministry of Magic. It's findings will be the determining factor on how the Ministry is to be restructured."
Narcissa remained silent but nodded in understanding. Questions where reeling in her head.
"I have been approached to be the Commissioner." Hermione muttered in dismay. "I'm not particularly impressed with the idea because the timeframe is three months. It will mean that I will be so far drenched into the commission, I might not get to see you as much."
"We will make time Mione." Narcissa reassured her. "It's only three months."
"Time?" Hermione snickered. "I'm half tempted to use the Time turner I used in Hogwarts to get through my classes."
"Mione, why are you dreading this?" Narcissa asked. "To be considered by the Wizengamot and the Minister to head a Royal Commission, is ought to be a privilege."
"A privilege for whom?" Hermione asked back softly. "I have to vacate my seat in my own department. And if, only if, the Wizengamot are somewhat agreeable to my final report, will determine if I will have a position in the Ministry. Not to mention the constant liaison with the Muggles and attempting to develop more trusting relations with them, while carefully not pissing off the Wizengamot."
Narcissa sighed
Then it dawned on Narcissa what the real issues where for Hermione. She let go of the brunette's hands and placed both of her own hands on Hermione's face. "Darling, no matter what happens with this report of yours and how it is received on both sides will not define you. After all, you are the brightest witch of your generation. Our whole entire world knows that."
Hermione kissed the inside of Narcissa's wrist
"You do not need courage to do what is honest and right my Lion." The blonde whispered.
The brunette gave the blonde a small smile
"And ignore whatever the media have to say about it." Narcissa added
"I definitely agree with that." Hermione muttered. "Rita Skeeter is going to have a bloody field day."
"Enough about her." Narcissa chided. "So what is a Royal Commission?"
Hermione explained in great detail with the blonde still in her lap. She was able to resource the staff of her own choice. There was no limit to her budget. There was no jurisdiction. She only reported to the Wizengamot and the Muggle Queen. And they were the only two parties that could force her off the commission if they felt it necessary.
She expressed that she felt a little intimidated about the formalities of it all. She had only just started wearing the appropriate attire for her role and attending Ministerial functions by quietly smiling, exchanging forced pleasantries and then retreating somewhere where she is unnoticed to drink in peace, while Narcissa relished in her element. Hermione was quite happy and settled living life as it was.
This Commission would change it all
The blonde voiced that Hermione was a law unto herself
The brunette rolled her eyes.
Narcissa playfully shoved her
"So may I ask whom it is you have chosen as your staff?" Narcissa asked
"I haven't chosen anybody yet." Hermione admitted. "However, I know I need excellent researchers, tenacious investigators and even the advice and guidance of a decent solicitor."
Narcissa and Hermione both knew whom the best investigator was. The blonde dared not mention out of fear of the brunette's reaction. However, if emotion was to be put aside in the use of logic, Hermione would do it.
"I need to see Harry." Hermione spoke as if she read Narcissa's mind. "I can't think of any other investigators unless I use foreigners. I know that would not go down well at the Ministry. I would be comfortable with Harry and Jarvis O'Brien, but I am not able to use Jarvis or you. Do you have any suggestions of researchers I could look into?"
Just like that
"Why can't you use Jarvis?"
Hermione took a deep breath. "He is going to be taking my seat."
Narcissa looked alarmed "And whom will I be reporting to? I have to report to someone who knows how the Department of Mysteries and its complex functions. I can't just have some stand in. We haven't even been informed of these recent developments."
"Cissa-
"I know you are after a decent researcher but you are not taking any of mine. I don't even have a superior to answer to."
"Cissa you are going to be the superior."
"And if you think that you could take someone from my team on Runes you have another-
The blonde stopped abruptly.
She frowned deeply
She blinked several times
"You are going to be approached tomorrow morning about the position as Head of Department of Mysteries." Hermione smiled brightly at the shocked blonde. She put aside the attack of poaching her researchers. "You have been endorsed by Jarvis and several senior officials to take Jarvis' seat."
"How could that happen?" Narcissa whispered
"By hard work and dedication." The younger witch responded. "The results you have produced with Runes is so outstanding, we are all at an awe. Your team function efficiently, probably because they are intimidated by you and are too frightened to do nothing but charm themselves to their desks and work until Lady Black dismisses them with a cold glare-
Narcissa shoved her again playfully
"Oh, do stop, Ms Granger." Narcissa scoffed. "It is certainly not my fault I am perceived to be cold."
If only the world knew just how hot you could get, Hermione thought. Then again she wouldn't like the world to know just how hot the blonde could get.
"You must not reveal that I have already told you about the promotion." Hermione changed the course of the conversation. "I wasn't meant to delve too far into it. But I couldn't help it.
Narcissa shrugged elegantly as if the whole thing didn't matter
"Aren't you the least bit nervous?" Hermione wondered out a loud.
"I am still yet to be officially asked." Narcissa replied and smirked when the younger witch rolled her eyes. "If, as you say, I have the support of the senior officials of my department, I do not see a struggle. Jarvis although effective as he was, ran the department very differently to how I run Runes. So there will be a lot of changes. He and I clashed when it came to hiring researchers and interpreters. He believed of good solid continuous sourcing from overseas. Though we initially started doing that, I stopped because it was my turn over was ridiculous high. I cut my team down to four both researchers and interpreters and cultivated, shared, learned our combined knowledge. I guess news traveled all the way to Hogwarts and Professor Bathsheda Babbling approached me and asked if I could have tea with her and her highest achieving students. The rest you know."
Hermione remembered at how outraged she was that Narcissa could plan of spending her free time on the weekends between Hogwarts and Beauxbatons giving keynotes on the subject. She would often drag her feet along when Narcissa would go to Hogwarts but spend her time having tea and a catch up with Minerva.
Her mentor seemed concerned about Hermione's relationship with Narcissa at first. Until she saw for herself, just how great a match they were together. And she secretly loved it, because Narcissa brought Hermione back. This Hermione was far different from the young girl Minerva knew all too well. However, both Gryffindor's were just happy to be back in each other's' presence.
But that action of Narcissa giving key notes on Runes, set the subject off as a major trend. And because of its growing popularity with the students, an agreement of traineeships became provided by the Department of Mysteries to those handpicked students.
If Hermione knew her blonde as well as she thought, she did. She then knew what was to come of the department. Narcissa would not only have traineeships offered through the study and interpretation of Ancient Runes, she would streamline it through the entire department to stop the sourcing of staff from overseas.
Its far more benefitting who have students that are curious, they then become adults who are enthusiastic Narcissa had mentioned one Sunday while she sipped a steaming hot cup of coffee. It was one of those rare Sunday's they got to themselves. They lounging casually in their living room, quietly chatting. Passions are meant to be cultivated and then harnessed
The brunette was just so proud of how far the blonde had come.
"Don't brood about the Commission, Darling." Narcissa kissed Hermione on the forehead quickly before standing to move around the room. "Just focus on one matter at a time. First thing, is to form your team."
Hermione nodded. One thing at a time.
"Are you sure you're ready to see Harry?" Narcissa asked softly as she ruffled through a stack of parchments she had brought home earlier in the week.
"I'm sure." Hermione said positively. "I have been thinking about it for a few months."
That is a very positive change
"I've been sitting here all afternoon staring at this parchment, wondering how on earth I'm going to write to him." Hermione admitted.
Still looking through her parchments Narcissa said absently. "Just ask him if he would like to go and have a drink with you. You two can talk over a few whiskeys and beers."
Simple yet effective
Hermione quickly scribbled down her note. Quickly folded it, stood and on her way out of their study she kissed Narcissa on the lips. "I love you!"
I love you too my Lion
(-)
"I am rather surprised to get a note from you." Harry took a long sip of his butterbeer. He and Hermione had just met and found themselves a table in the far dark corner of the Leaky Cauldron.
"Yeah, I've been mulling for months." Hermione admitted. She toyed with her tumbler of her firewhiskey. "I just didn't know how to approach you…after-
"I understand." Harry said quietly. He took another long sip of his pint nearly emptying the contents. "Ginny suggested I give you as long as you need."
"Narcissa suggested I just write you a note asking if you would like to go out for a few drinks." Hermione took a very long sip of her whiskey
"Wives, amazing what happens when you listen to them isn't it?" Harry laughed.
"True." Hermione giggled and leaned forward on the table. "But I'm not married to Narcissa."
"She is your wife, Mione." Harry gave the brunette a sobering squeeze on the shoulder. "May not be legally, but I saw it, last year at the Auction. It's obvious that you can't see life without her. That day, I understood why you went bat shit crazy."
Both Gryffindor's put their heads down and drank their glasses empty. Hermione offered to shout the next round and Harry stopped her by putting his hand on her arm.
"It's taken a year and a half for us to talk, Mione. But I love you." Harry choked. He pretended that there was fluff on his glasses that needed tending to. He spoke while wiping his glasses. "I love you as if you are my own sister. And I've bloody missed you!"
Hermione tried with all her might to blink away the tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "Oh Harry, I love to you too my brother."
The chosen one could not contain himself, he gathered the brains in his arms. Promising her that everything will be ok. Apologizing for not really giving her the opportunity to discuss her parents after the war.
"It's ok, Harry." Hermione whispered. She gave Harry one last squeeze before saying, "You should let go of me before rumours start."
"Very true." Harry grinned sheepishly
Hermione went to the bar and ordered another round of drinks for them.
'So how have you and Ginny been?" Hermione asked as she carefully placed their drinks on to the table.
"It's been hard Mione.' Harry admitted. "We missed carried a year ago. Ginny hasn't taken it too well. I'm so grateful Narcissa has been there for her. It didn't really help with Molly putting pressure on her to carry on trying."
"No that's not what she would like to hear." Hermione handed Harry's pint to him.
"No its not." Harry agreed. "She hasn't been talking to her parent's because of it."
"Are you two ok?"
Her green eyed friend looked at her, his eyes pleading for help.
"I heard she really has thrown herself into her team." Hermione tried very hard not to let her concern show. She flexed her neck as a way to distract herself. "Narcissa has been really busy the last few months and I don't think she gets to see Ginny as much as she would like to."
"No they have a strange but really good friendship, those two." Harry commented.
"Narcissa is going through some changes in at work." Hermione mentioned casually. "But I think she would love to see Gin. They both have a way of empowering each other when they seem to be going through something so new."
"I think Gin would love it too."
"Just remember to tell her that you love her, Harry." They both took long sips of their drinks. "Remind her, she is not to blame."
"I think it's my turn to shout." Harry choked out.
"Yup, I think it is." Hermione ignored the heaviness surrounding them. "I think I'll take it down a notch and have a butterbeer."
"Coming right up."
The two best friends spent the next hour catching up. They spoke of Harry's marriage and her relationship. Harry delved into the Weasley family politics surrounding Ron and Lavender. Ron seemed so happy at the joke shop, he didn't realise that he and his wife are struggling so hard financially. Harry told Hermione that he offered to help them out, but Ron couldn't bear the thought of owing his brother in law. Hermione shared Harry's concern for their friend. She mentioned she had a few ideas floating around in her head that might be able to help Ron out.
The two drank, laughed and cried as if they had only seen each other the previous day. Hermione came to the conclusion that Harry was the only friend she had that she could hit serious issues with and then have a laugh in the same sitting.
"So how is your work going?" Harry asked after laughing off some sick joke he had overheard from the other tables.
"Where do I bloody start." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Do you want another beer?"
"Sure"
Harry watched his brown eyed friend approach the bar and get served rather quickly. She seemed the most settled and happiest he had ever seen her. She looked a little too thin and small in a thick woollen jumper and black tights.
"So, what's going on in your neck of the woods?"
Hermione considered the question carefully. Her hands cradling her head. Her face turned serious.
"There has been a new muggle Prime Minister elected. He is requesting transparency from Kingsley and he has the full support of the Muggle Queen." Hermione began and then told Harry about the issues the Ministry and Wizengamot faced.
Harry raised his eyebrows when she told about her Royal Commission
"Blimey! Mione!" Harry exclaimed
"Tell me about it."
"Have you had any thoughts about who you would like to join your team?" Harry asked
"You and Ron to investigate." Hermione quickly gulped down her beer. She eyed her friend with determination. "Draco and Rachel Blaustein to research and I hate this, but I'm thinking of Blaise Zabini to lead any hearings I hold. There are others I have thought of. And recommendations that have come from the Wizengamot."
"That sounds like a formidable team."
"In my head it does. It's getting everybody to work together that will be the hard part." Hermione admitted. "Love Ron and all but I know he will not be happy with my choices. However, my choices are for the betterment of our people. And for the betterment of our people, I need the best England has to offer."
'Very true, Mione." Harry agreed. "Besides, I know if Ron steps out of line you wouldn't hesitate to put him back into place."
Hermione leaned back in her chair. "I hope I don't have to go that far and do that.'
They both stared at each other and burst out laughing.