Author's Note: Thanks for reading and reviewing! Let the plan start rolling!
Chapter 12
January 2000
On the third day of the new year, Hermione dropped off her coat and briefcase at her desk and waited until Ron was well on his way to his own job before bee lining for the elevators. She went straight to the Minister's office and was actually quite surprised when the Auror that usually stood guard there let her walk right in.
"I was expecting you Miss Granger," spoke Kingsley from his desk. A pair of glasses sat on his nose as he reviewed some parchment on his desk.
Hermione did not wait for an invitation to take the seat across from him. "You've been avoiding me for over a month, Minister, but you've been working on what our last conversation was about. Don't deny it, I know it's true. You made sure the dementors didn't hold back on Draco. I'd even say you made sure they paid extra attention to him. Things have been happening with me and my memory. I know you've done something."
Kingsley put the parchment in front of him down and removed his glasses, leaning back in his chair as Hermione ranted. "Hermione, you've come to me today expecting that simply because I have kept some of my actions to myself that I would not be completely honest with you. I admire you and I respect you for all you've done and are doing for the magical community which is why I've been paying extra attention to your case. You are right, I looked into Draco Malfoy's file and after some review, I modified a portion regarding the dementor's attention to him. I expect the dementors were making up for lost time."
Hermione blushed when he spoke, realizing the tone and force she had used when she entered his office. "It's been working.," she spoke with a gentler voice. "On Christmas I had this sort of mental reflective breakthrough. It's a bit hard to explain but my brain got really fuzzy and I had a flashback, almost, of the night Draco attacked me. Then everything came rushing back and I could remember a bit. Memories that I can only assume I had blocked Ron out of were once again clear."
Kingsley listened intently and nodded. "You're still the brightest witch of your age, Hermione. And I know the positive results will make you want to rush forward, but we must be cautious with magic we've never encountered. I will continue to have the dementors…"
He was cut off by Hermione. "I want permission to see Draco in Azkaban."
The request startled him as his eyes widened and he sat up straighter. "Surely you aren't expecting me to grant this request. No one is allowed in Azkaban except for prisoners and dementors."
"That's not true. Certain high ranking officials have been allowed in the past," Hermione spoke, referring to the likes of Barty Crouch and his wife when it was said that their son was on his deathbed. Hermione conveniently left out that the couple had used that special visit to switch out Mrs. Crouch with their son.
"It's not safe, Hermione," said Kingsley paternally.
"I can cast a perfect patronus, you know that. And Draco isn't a threat without a wand. I'd be able to stun him if he made any sudden movements."
"What's the reasoning behind it?" Kingsley asked, not fully understanding why such a visit would be beneficial.
"When Sirius was in Azkaban he was able to stay sane because he knew deep down that he was an innocent man."
"Draco knows he's not innocent."
"But he knows his goal was met. Just knowing that is a happy enough memory for him to hold it together. He knows the longer he holds on, the longer my memory remains modified and the longer I forget Ron the more likely we stay apart forever. If he knows his grand plan hasn't worked, that it's not keeping us apart, it may be enough for him to give up hope."
"To be blunt, Hermione, it frightens me how much you want this man dead."
"It's not that I want to kill him, it's that I want my life back. It's that he planned this to deliberately hurt all of us. It's that he is getting satisfaction from my pain. If there were another way that meant he could live, than I'd be here with you discussing it. But we must face the facts here, Kingsley. In order for this spell to break, Draco's magical ties to this Earth must be broken and the only way for that to happen is for him to finish in this world." It was hard for Hermione to actually say out loud that she wished Draco would just die. The words were harsh, let alone the reality of it all. She'd seen enough death in her lifetime already.
"You've had plenty of time to think about this, haven't you?" the Minster asked, watching her carefully.
"Months. It must be done. Just let me go." Her eyes pleaded with him and they were silent for a few minutes as Kingsley sat back in his seat, contemplating her request.
"You'll need to go through a bit of general awareness training before you go that will take place after hours. Your other work at the ministry must not suffer, though I know it hasn't thus far. It is also very important that no one knows that I'm allowing this, Hermione," he finally spoke, particularly meaning those close to her such as Ron and Harry.
Hermione's eyes instantly lit up. "I won't tell a soul."