A/N: No Copyrights were harmed in the production of this work. No money exchanged hands; no real ideas were generated; only minor discussions of my attempts of humor occurred.
A/N2: Special note to anonymous reviewer XL. Stephen Fry was unharmed in the creation of this fic… I believe on the night in question he was held up at the studio retaping a scene…
Last time on The Power He has Not:
Longbottom Manor
Neville and Susan's suite:
September 2001
"To Susan, the first of us to marry!" Lavender lifted her glass.
"Like it's a surprise to anyone at all. Neville sealed this deal that back on that day on the Express." Said Padma following the toast. "Rumour has it that Hermione has or is about to marry a Muggle man she met at the school she's going to."
"And Ron keeps asking Luna to marry him, but she still says he can't until he wins the World Cup" Hannah said shaking her head "I mean sure, he's got the Cannons winning for a change, but… "She noticed the looks she was getting from the other girls "My dad's a big Cannon fan, I hear these things."
"Sounds to me like some one has some unrequited feelings for one of the golden trio," grinned Susan.
"I have not. But if he ever slips Luna's leash, I'm there."
Laughter filled the room. In the next room Neville looked up from his Herbology periodical, and decided that he didn't really want to know.
Harry Potter and the Power He Has Not.
Chapter 41 – Epilog Two
London England
University of Westminster:
March 2002.
Draco Malfoy looked across the table at the young woman and sighed silently to himself. How the hell had he gotten himself into this situation?
Potter's will had bequeathed the position of Head of the House of Black to him with a small maintenance allowance for the upkeep of the properties Potter hadn't liquidated from the estate. Potter left him with a title, and no money beyond the gift given that last Christmas. Draco got the title only because his Aunt Andromeda and cousin Nymphadora had turned it down.
After casting about for a few weeks in the face of public hostility to the name 'Malfoy' he turned to a man he considered his best and probably only friend. Daniel Granger had earned his respect during the long months at the Potter estate. Despite being a Muggle with no idea of how the magical world worked, he was a fount of common sense.
"It seems to me that you need to generate an income. If you go the executor of the Trust, I'm sure he would allow you to continue your education. I've seen how your mind works Draco; I would wager that you would do well in the Law."
That made sense. His mother further suggested that he speak with his Uncle, meaning Ted Tonks of course. A short conversation with the man sent Draco to Remus Lupin, the executor of the Potter Trust.
That meeting went very well considering their history together. Potter exhorted his friends and family from the grave to forget the past and get on with their lives. Lupin agreed to finance Draco's studies at a Muggle University with a loan to be repaid following graduation, a stipend to cover living expenses was offered without being asked for, and Draco gratefully accepted it and took Remus's hand to seal the agreement.
That was three years ago. Since then he had excelled in his studies. The School of Law loomed in his future. Then he met this woman. This Sheena MacKenzie. Whenever he took a position, she took the opposite. If he said up, she said down. He said left, she said right. It was infuriating. Worst of all she started to occupy his dreams. She wasn't the type of woman he pictured himself with. She wasn't a model like beauty. She didn't demur to him. She certainly didn't respect his opinions, but they were on the same track and had many classes together. She called him an unread boob. He called her an uncultured poser.
Then they were assigned a research project requiring 7 weeks of research to even begin the joint paper. They fought and argued over every aspect of the paper, from the opening line to the conclusion. Then last night, in the middle of an argument over some minor point of tort law that he couldn't recall right now, they had somehow ended up in her bed.
Draco was hardly a virgin, but he had never had an experience like last night. Passion that intense could not possibly be good for you. Even now, he wanted to scoop her up and take her back to the bed for more.
She looked at him over her cup of tea. "So…"
"Yeah." He said feeling stupid. "Should I apologize?"
"Do you feel you need to?"
"I lost control last night, and I… I hope I didn't…"
"You know, for an unread boob, you're pretty cute when you're embarrassed."
His mouth opened and closed without sound.
"This is where you insult me. As best I can tell it's what we use for foreplay."
"Foreplay?"
"Last night was fantastic." She rose from her chair and slid on to his lap "If you think you're getting out of here without another couple of hours in my bed you're insane." And she kissed him, hard.
"What makes you think I'd want a poser like you?"
She giggled, rising from his lap she pulled him back to her bed.
Ala Shan Plateau Mongolia
424th Quidditch World Cup
August 2002
"Hello Herm-own-ninny."
"Hello Viktor, how are you?"
"I am well, and you?"
"Very well indeed. Viktor, this is my husband, Marcus Stewart."
"How do you do? I am Viktor Krum, and you are a very lucky man."
Marcus laughed, "You aren't telling me anything I don't already know Mr. Krum. Hermione tells me you used to play this game, do you still compete?"
"Please call me Viktor"
"Marcus" the two men shook hands
"No, I no longer play. It is young mans sport, but I play in two world cups, so I can brag to grand children some day." Krum looked to the pitch wistfully "I am Commissioner of sport now
"LUNA!" Hermione called waving the blonde woman over to them. "Luna did you ever meet Viktor Krum?"
"No, I saw you at a distance of course; I was just a third year when you visited Hogwarts." She turns smiling "Hello again Marcus. I see you are keeping Hermione happy."
"That is a mutual pleasure Luna. It is good to see you again."
"This was most excellent game! Your husband best keeper in generation maybe more. Has never been shut out in World Cup final before.
"Thank you Viktor, from you high praise indeed." Ron Weasley, still in his playing robes made his way though the crowd of admirers to his Luna who he pulled into a kiss. When he finally broke it, he said to her "Now?"
"Now."
"Marcus, Viktor, Hermione, It's been good to see you all, but Luna and I have to leave right now."
"Is there something wrong Ron?"
"Hermione I've been asking this minx to marry me for more than 6 years. Every time she told me not until I played for England in the World Cup and played a shut out at keepers against a team in blue robes. Barbados fits that bill. We're going to get married right now before she can add any other conditions to the deal."
Stewart Residence:
July 2008
Marcus was mowing the front lawn when he suddenly felt a presence behind him; he turned to see two men in expensive suits standing on the sidewalk watching him. He stopped the mower.
"Bill, good to see you again." He extended his hand to Bill Weasley.
"Marcus." Bill shook his hand warmly. "This is an associate, Neville Longbottom. Would it be possible to speak to you and Hermione?"
"Certainly, she's inside with the Danni and John, come on in." He led them through the door. "Hermione, visitors!"
"Bill, Neville, how are you. More importantly, what do you want?"
Neville spoke. "It's time for you to come back Hermione. We need you."
"Nice of you to lie like that Neville, but I doubt you need me."
"Of course we do. There is going to be a vote of no confidence for the Minister next Tuesday. He is going to lose, badly. I am in a position to become the next Minister."
Bill continued. "We are going to clean house. There isn't going to be a whiff of corruption in the entire ministry when we're done, and we need honest incorruptible witches and wizards to step up and serve. People like you Hermione."
"I've got my work."
"You just finished your most recent project, and haven't found a new one yet. This is important Hermione, having Lady Potter onboard" Neville suddenly looked stricken. "I am sorry Mr. Stewart I didn't mean."
"Marcus, please." He smiled. "I've long since come to terms with being the second man Hermione loved, but only because he met her first. One on one I'd have kicked his ass."
Their children ran into the room "Mum! Mum! John made a mess!" both children stopped wide eyed at the visitors.
"Danni, John." Hermione knelt next to her oh so grown up 7-year-old daughter and her 5-year-old son. "This is Mr. Weasley and Mr. Longbottom. They are some of Mums special friends."
"Ooh that means you can do magic?" the little girl, an image of her mother bounced excitedly in place.
"It sure does." Said her father. "Hermione why don't you just go ahead and do what we both know you want to do, and go with these men to measure your new office for drapes? While you're talking business I'll get the kids to your Parents house for dinner as planned, and you can meet us there when you're done."
Granger Residence
Game Room:
July 2008
"So they came to ask her to return."
"Yep." Marcus was racking the balls on the table. Danni and John were upstairs being fussed over by their grandmum.
"And she's going to go back to work for them?"
"Yep."
"Crap."
"Yep. Pay up."
Daniel knelt down next to the bucket in the corner of the room closest to the table, and counted out 50 1-pound coins. "I still say…."
"Ah ah ah, just pay up."
"Fine." He handed over the coins. Marcus saluted him with his beer.
"I'm getting them all back."
"Maybe. Are you going to play or bitch?"
Daniel lined up his shot for the break. Four balls fell in the pockets. He smirked "I guess that makes me solids."
He kept smiling as four coins were flipped into the bucket.
…---ooo000ooo---…