We're so close to the end now. This is the penultimate chapter, folks. The one before the end. S'been crazy, doncha think? It's about to get crazier. I really, really want to know what you guys think about this. This isn't a 'let's feed the author's ego' type thing, this is a 'what an amazing story I have to tell her' type thing. I promise, there's a difference.
Lol.
Carry on, enjoy it. Tell me what you think.
Istalindar.
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"Oh god." Daniel raised an eyebrow as he stepped into her room and found Constantine sitting on the edge of the bed, practically hyperventilating and trying, yet failing, to calm herself. "Oh god."
"What?" He asked, sitting beside her and pulling her into his lap, wrapping his arms around his waist and kissing her back.
"Tomorrow. Tomorrow we either depose Potter or we're all ruined."
"Potter's gone." Daniel shrugged carelessly. And then it's a matter of how quickly Lucas can get Draco and Hermione pardoned, and then it'll all be over."
"Over?" Constantine whispered. "This has been going on for two years, Daniel. I don't even know Hermione any more."
"You will." Daniel murmured back. "When you see her in the mirror, you'll remember her."
"And if I don't?"
"Then Draco will remind you. Because he remembers her perfectly."
"And what if Hermione's changed in the last two years and she isn't who he remembers? What then?"
"Then Draco will make new memories of her and look after those instead." Daniel twisted and laid her on the bed, positioning himself beside her, braced on his elbow so he could look down at her. "Hermione was the first thing Draco cared about enough to risk his neck." Constantine smirked.
"Really?"
"Well, there was getting Potter into trouble. That was worth risking his neck too, I suppose."
"You are such a prat. And Draco at school was a little snot."
"I won't deny either of those things." Daniel smiled and kissed her gently. "You're okay now?"
"I'm going to see Potter as soon as Hermione's pardoned." Constantine said quietly. Daniel wasn't at all surprised.
"I'll go with you. I won't interfere, he won't even know I'm there unless he threatens her."
"Promise? I don't want Draco lording it over him when I'm trying to find out why. He won't talk to me at all when Draco's there."
"You're mixing up your persons, love." Daniel said with a small smile.
"Whatever. You get my point."
"I do. And so does Draco." He teased.
"Ugh!" She rolled her eyes. "You're such a pain."
"Your pain though."
"Don't I know it. In my neck, in my ass…"
"You're hilarious, you know that?"
"I leave the ego building to you." She replied smartly. "And it's not like you actually need any help from me." He grinned. "Thanks, though."
"For what?"
"Not leaving me."
"Never ever." He promised. He stroked her hair. "You know what Draco's going to ask Hermione when all this is over?" He asked softly. She shook her head, big green eyes looking up to meet his. "He might consider asking her to stay with him forever." One of her eyebrows arched, and he picked up her hand with the ring on it. "Chances are, he's going to ask if she'll accept the ring he gave her as it really is, an engagement ring."
"Is he really going to ask that?" Constantine asked with a soft smile.
"There's a very good chance."
"Will he tell her about the ring then too? About the inscription?" Daniel nodded slowly.
"I think he might. What do you think Hermione will say?"
"I think she'll say that it's a ridiculous question."Constantine bit her lip as she watched disappointment strike like lightening in Daniel's eyes. "She's been considering that ring as an engagement ring for years." She continued with a sly smile. He stared.
"Serious?"
"As a heart attack." She quipped. Daniel grinned, a full-out smile of the type you didn't usually see on either him or Draco.
"Thank you." He whispered, bending to kiss her. She kissed him back for a few moments, then pushed him away slowly.
"Of course. But I need to get some sleep, and so do you. Big day tomorrow."
"Can I stay?" he asked gently. She bit her lip, as thought thinking about it.
"Yes." She said finally, just when Daniel's impatience was about to get the best of him. "You can stay."
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Constantine was nervous. As nervous as she had been at that first ball with Draco, ages ago. It was fitting, actually. Beginning and end. Harry's rise and Harry's fall. He had only just become Minister when he accused her of treason, and in the end he would be deposed as Minister. By her. Full circle.
It was about time.
Daniel, Carina sat on either side of her in the balcony above the council room. Below them the whole council sat, including Lucas and Amadeo. If Draco was here he too should have been sat down there: there was some tradition about Malfoy's sitting in on councils, whether they were elected members or not.
It explained about how Lucius had the Ministry in his pocket.
So far it had been boring. They were working their way down Harry's agenda for the meeting, and his removal wasn't on the list, so it would be announced at the end. If Harry noticed the council was full for the first time in years, he didn't give it away. Nor did he give away the fact that he must have noticed that Constantine, who usually absented herself from the actual politics, was there in the balcony. Sans Ginny, as well. The younger redhead was sick, with a slight fever and a racking headache. Constantine suspected it was something to do with Harry being removed: Ginny still loved him, even if she wasn't in love with him. And just because she knew this had to happen didn't mean she had to watch.
Constantine didn't mind. This wasn't something Hermione rejoiced at either. It was bittersweet…a terrible ending to what had been an amazing friendship. But on the other hand, she hadn't started it.
Harry had created his own doom. It was funny how true prophecies could be sometimes, even from that old bag Trelawney.
"That's it then." Harry announced. "Thank you for attending, I-" Constantine bit her lip and sat up, and Daniel took her hand.
"One last thing." It was Pansy who stood up, who had inherited the council membership from her father. "There is one last thing the council wishes to discuss."
"All items must be on the agenda." Harry replied. "Forward your item to me and it will be put on the agenda for next month."
"The item involves your removal from the position of Minister of Magic and your subsequent replacement." Pansy continued, her voice clear as a bell. Whatever she had been at school…pug-faced, bitchy, backstabbing…she had grown into a rather impressive woman, with a clear sense of self and a definite ability to express herself.
And no woman in the social scene doubted that Pansy could destroy them in a day should they get on her bad side.
Harry was stunned by her announcement, and he looked slowly around. Constantine, from above, could see everyone's faces. They all looked resolved…there wasn't really a council member who looked surprised by the announcement. And what was kind of surprising is some of them were those who did not tend to bow to the wishes of families like the Parkinsons or the Malfoys. Then Constantine noticed Madame Bones and suddenly understood.
This might actually work.
"Any items wished to be discussed must be put on the agenda." Harry said again.
"I'm putting it on the agenda." She replied. "The council wishes to vote on your removal and replacement."
"They do, do they?" Harry asked. The quill beside him taking minutes was scribbling madly. "Let's vote on that. Those that wish to vote on my removal…vote aye now."
The vote was nearly unanimous. And there were some tentative votes. But overall, it was more than enough to pass the motion. Harry looked shaken and pale. But he steeled himself anyway.
"Then vote. For my removal as Minister of Magic." Constantine could see Ron, sitting pale in the corner behind Harry. He wasn't a council member, but as Captain of the Auror department he was allowed to sit in an observe, though he couldn't vote. "Vote aye for my removal."
Hands went up, and votes were scribbled down on the voting slips. The vocal and written voting system was designed to be completely accurate…though many were aware that you could say one thing and write another. It was meant to protect the voting privacy…as no one trusted what one said, only what one had written. Constantine took a deep breath.
"Vote no for my removal." Harry continued, his voice flat and toneless. Again, hands went up and answers were scribbled down. At the end Harry flicked his wand and all the votes zoomed into the ballot box, where after a tense minute the response was spat out.
Harry was removed. By almost unanimous vote. Harry stared in shock at the result. He had never expected this. He was Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. He had destroyed Voldemort, saved the Wizarding World from years of fear and repression. He had introduced the Golden Age of peace and prosperity. What did these people want?
Pansy smiled, a wolf's grin that made Constantine shiver. That girl was Slytherin to her core.
"And for his replacement, I nominate Lucas Weatherley." She said.
"I second that notion." Blaise Zabini rose also.
"I agree." Amadeo nodded but did not stand. Harry stared in shock at his replacement, who sat looking at him calmly, completely collected and utterly unsurprised. Harry looked up at the balcony and saw Constantine watching him. She could practically hear the thoughts running through his head.
That bitch.
"Are there any other nominations?" Madame Bones stood and Blaise and Pansy sat down, their part done. As the oldest and highest ranking council member, without a Minister, Bones was in charge. No one put forward another nominee, they were all well versed in what would happen. However, it wasn't coercion,or rather, it was Constantine's version of coercion.
Each council member had had a chance to speak to Lucas in private, without Amadeo or Constantine or anyone else hanging over his shoulder constructing his answers for him. They had asked anything they liked, politically of course, and it had been their decision as to whether vote for him or not. But Lucas was a very talented politician, and with a little bit of a touch-up from Constantine, Ginny and Carina, he had become very acceptable to every class of witch or wizard.
"Then the vote is for Lucas Weatherley to become Minister of Magic, effective immediately." Madame Bones continued. Harry had sat down, looking rather sick. Ron leaned forward to whisper something in his ear, but Harry shook him off.
"All votes for Lucas Weatherley to become Minister of Magic, please vote now." Madame Bones said. Hands went up and votes were written. It looked positive.
"All votes against Lucas Weatherley to become Minister of Magic, please vote now." She finished. With a flick of her wand all the votes went to the ballot box where they were magically counted and the result displayed.
Lucas was Minister.
It was Lucas' turn to look rather shaken now, and Constantine saw Amadeo murmur something in his ear that made Lucas straighten up.
"Lucas Weatherley, please stand and come forward." Madame Bones said. Lucas did so, walking calmly to stand in front of her. "Do you accept this position as Minister?"
"I do, Madame Bones." He said, his voice clear and carrying. Constantine smiled.
"Do you swear to protect the wizarding community and only do what you feel is right for it in an altruistic manner if need be?" Lucas nodded.
"I swear."
"Do you swear to protect the interests of the wizarding community in international negotiations and to commit yourself to retaining order in our society, as well as increasing the standard of living for all?"
"I swear."
"Then I, as leading council member, do swear you into the position of Minister of Magic, effective immediately. Is there anything you wish to say?"
"Thank you." Strangely enough, it was a first. The standard reply to that question was 'No.'. The question itself was there as a last minute chance to say 'This was a horrible mistake. I'm actually a death eater but I've seen the light but I can't possibly be Minister.'
Nobody had ever said that though, either.
Madame Bones smiled at Lucas, who smiled tentatively back.
"You did it." Carina whispered. Constantine smiled at her but didn't look away from the scene below her.
"Does the Minister have a first order of business, as the council is already assembled?"
"Yes." Lucas said. "I wish to grant two pardons, retracting accusations based on no rational evidence."
Constantine, Amadeo, Daniel and Lucas had debated the wisdom of this so soon. Constantine and Daniel, obviously, wanted pardons for Hermione and Draco as soon as possible. But two years on the social scene had taught Constantine the value of patience and she had been prepared to wait a few weeks for Lucas to get settled before starting work that was so controvertial. Amadeo was of two minds: he understood the need for a proper timing, however he felt that Lucas should take advantage of a full council.
In the end, they decided to leave it up to Lucas. It was his future, after all. And why he still didn't know the importance of the pardons to Constantine and Daniel, he was willing to trust them.
Everyone had their secrets, after all.
"He's going for it." Daniel whispered. Constantine nodded, her hand gripping his tighter.
"You can't do that." Harry said, interrupting. "Without evidence."
"What was you evidence against Ms Granger and Mr Malfoy?" Lucas asked shrewdly, turning to look at Harry. Harry shifted.
"That's confidential." He said finally.
"I'm the Minister, Mr Potter." And there was a haughty smugness in his voice that would make any Malfoy proud. "And this is my council. It is my intention that they vote with me, for the retraction of the accusations and for the writing of the pardons. Thusly they must know on what grounds were Ms Granger, and Mr Malfoy charged." Harry looked like he was going to be ill.
"The file and evidence is in my office." Harry said.
"Then summon it." Lucas said. "Mr Potter, this is what I wish to discuss as Minister. You will co-operate." Harry glared, and Ron shifted uneasily. Harry sighed.
"Accio file." He ordered eventually. There was a short silence and then the flutter as the file hit the door.
"Mr Weasley, if you wouldn't mind." Lucas nodded to the door, and Ron glanced at Harry before opening it and picking up the file, tucking it back in order before handing it to Lucas. "Thank you, Mr Weasley." Ron nodded sheepishly and returned to his seat.
Constantine couldn't have been more proud of Lucas. She was aware that his smugness, that his self-assurance was a show, because those first few months as Constantine had been equally a perfomance and a test of strength for her. Inside she was willing to bet that Lucas was freaking out, but controlling himself for the council and for his friends. With his views and his backbone, he would make an excellent Minister. As difficult as it was to control a Minister with a backbone, she didn't want to be babysitting him the rest of his term, as Dumbledore had done with Fudge. Lucas would have to make his own Ministry.
Lucas swiftly replicated the file and sent a copy off to every member of the council. He waited for a few minutes while everyone skimmed it. And then, with rehearsed casualness, Amadeo rose.
"Lord Malfoy." Lucas acknowledged him.
"This file mentions a prophecy." He commented. There was a pause full of the noise of flipping parchment as the other members of the council searched for the mention of the prophecy, and then the room was filled with murmurs and nods as they found it. "Do you know what the prophecy contains?"
"There is a transcript at the end of the file." Lucas said. "However, if the council wishes, we shall view the prophecy itself, as it was recorded." More nods and mumurs of acknowledgement. While the council didn't really see how Ms Granger had involved herself with treachery, those who knew her knew she had an impeachable personality, solid evidence was required. It made a nice change, from Potter's announcements of arrest warrants and the such like without any evidence presented to them, simply because he could do that as Minister, to Lucas' sharing of evidence and asking their opinion. It was something he had learnt from Amadeo and Daniel both: how to ask an opinion without seeming weak and likely to be influenced. "Very well." He turned to Harry. "Summon the prophecy, if you please, Mr Potter."
"How would you know about the prophecy if you hadn't already seen the file?" Harry asked, desperation edging his voice. "You stole it!"
"The spell, Mr Potter, is libra vidus, for quick reading." Lucas said, and the council murmured agreement. Those who hadn't been influenced by Pansy or Amadeo knew the spell as well as the rest of them: in fact, a lot of them had used it just minutes ago so they had the full picture. And the desperation so obvious in Potter's voice said a lot about his state of mind…he was guilty of something, and the more Lucas shared with them the more it was starting to become clear that perhaps the Golden Boy from Voldemort's Dark Years was perhaps not so undamaged by the war as they had thought. "The prophecy, Mr Potter?"
"Accio prophecy." Harry said softly. Lucas closed his eyes briefly, and Harry jumped when the door flew open and the prophecy flew in, unharmed. He'd been counting on it smashing on one of the many doors that stood in its way. It landed softly in front of Harry, and he looked at it as though it may bite him.
"Activate the prophecy, Mr Potter. We all wish to hear it." Lucas said softly. Harry looked at the new Minister, who stared back at him calmly. Lucas was not going to dig Harry out of trouble. Harry swallowed and brushed his hand over the prophecy, and Trelawney's voice filled the room.
Through blood and fire, fought as oneYears of growth and battles done
The fairer friend of Chosen Boy
Lived through war to live in joy.
But conflict between two shall rise
As evil shines into her eyes
Risen in power like shining sun,
Without her pause till day is done
To cast out that once called Gold
The hopes and ways that were of old
To bring him low with bitter trust
By snakes with keys hung with rust.
Her voice died out, and Lucas looked around.
"I'm skeptical." He said eventually. "This prophecy, as with any prophecy, can be interpreted in a number of ways. And, of course, prophecies do not hold up in any court nor council.Divination, while recognised as a magical practise, is not reliable."
"This was your proof?" Ron asked quietly. His voice carried. Harry shot him a look, and Ron fell silent.
"It's rather accurate." Constantine murmured almost silently to Daniel. He smirked.
To them, it was very clear. The fairer friend was, of course, Hermione. The conflict was his attempt to assassinate her, the evil shining in her eyes was Harry. She rose in power, and she knew she'd been compared to the sun in terms of her beauty more than once. And she was certainly driven in her task to 'bring low' the Golden Boy, and with him the anti-muggle tendancies that still ran rife throughout society. And snakes with keys hung with rust…that was Amadeo and Draco with their two redheaded friends: Ginny and Constantine.
It fitted perfectly.
Perhaps Trelawney wasn't the cooked-up old bat Hermione had always considered her to be.
"I call for a vote. Based on the evidence before you, Hermione Granger was accused of treason and an assassination order was placed for her name. I call for a vote retracting that order and accusation, with a full pardon to her name. Votes for aye, now please."
Hands and scribbles as usual, and Constantine bit her lip.
"Now votes for nay." More hands and scribbles.
With the customary wand flick the votes flew to the ballot box and were counted.
Hermione Granger was pardoned.
Constantine took a deep breath and swallowed back tears.
"And now, one more vote." Lucas smiled at the council, who were looking weary. "I promise you, this is the last one for today." They smiled back, he already had them in his pocket. "I vote for the retraction of accusations of treason against Draco Malfoy for harbouring Miss Granger, and a full pardon to his name. Votes for aye, please."
Scribbles and hands.
"And now for nay."
Hands and scribbles.
The votes flew to the ballot box and were counted. Draco was pardoned, but not unanimously. Obviously some still wanted to see him in Azkaban. Hardly surprising, he had his fair share of enemies. Throughout the war he had fought undercover for the Light side, alongside Snape. Snape, too, had been pardoned of all past transgressions by a narrow margin.
"I hereby declare both Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy pardoned of all past transgressions against the wizarding society." Lucas bent over his podium to sign his name on the pardoning sheets, which had appeared as soon as the process had begun. He held up the two contracts so all could see. "I call on two witnesses to stand beside me and sign their names."
"I shall." Madame Bones stood and Lucas nodded for her to step forward and sign. She did so then stepped back.
"I shall as well." Ron Weasley stepped forward, and Lucas looked at him.
"You are aware, Mr Weasley, that you are implicated in the false accusations aimed at Ms Granger and Mr Malfoy and by signing their pardons you do not lessen your punishment, whatever the council sees fit for it to be." Ron nodded.
"I understand." Lucas smiled slightly.
"Then step forward and sign." Lucas said. Ron did so, and Constantine watched Harry glare at Ron the entire time.
"I don't think he knew." She said softly to Daniel. "I don't he knew what grounds Harry was accusing Hermione on."
"He's Harry's best friend."
"Perhaps Harry knew it wouldn't stand up." Carina commented quietly. "Perhaps he knew that Ron would not try to kill his friend on the basis of a prophecy."
"Signed and witnessed by the council and by Madame Bones and Mr Ronald Weasley, I hereby confirm their pardons which are to be put into effect immediately." The two pardons shimmered and then steadied as they were secured by magic. Hermione and Draco were now acquitted of treason on those grounds…they could not be accused again.
"Thank you, for this opportunity to make things right." Lucas said to the council. "I have sworn to try and make our world a better world, and I have tried to start today." He paused. "I would like to take this opportunity to say that if there is ever anything at all you wish to discuss, I would be happy to discuss it with you, here in council or in my office. Now, if there are no other items on todays agenda…" he paused, but no one said anything. "Then I declare this council over, to meet next either in a month or whenever time sooner that a council is requested." The crack of a wooden hammer on the lectern signalled the end of the council and people began talking among themselves, standing and gathering their things. Lucas looked up at Constantine, and she smiled down at him. Carina, beside her, was looking down adoringly.
"He's amazing." She murmured. Constantine laughed and touched Carina's shoulder.
"Go down and greet your new Minister." She said softly. Carina glanced at her with a grin and flew out of the balcony, disappearing out of the door.
"Free at last, free at last, thank the lord, we're free at last." Daniel quoted softly. Constantine laughed quietly and pulled him into a hug, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I'm not sure that's quite appropriate. We weren't slaves at all, just fugitives."
"It's the words I was after." Daniel replied drily. Constantine smiled. "When do you want to see Potter?"
"Tonight. The inquest will begin soon, with Lucas' announcement of Harry's rather flimsy evidence, it's likely there will be investigations into his other actions to see if such methods were taken in regards to other things. I want to get there first."
"To rub it in his face?"
"No. But even if it was…I've spent two years running from him." Daniel smiled and kissed her forehead.
"Tonight Pansy's having a ball in Lucas' honour. She wanted to be the first." He told her. She raised her eyebrows.
"That's rather hasty, especially for those that didn't know about the vote."
"Everyone but Potter and Weasley knew, Connie." Daniel rolled his eyes. "And even if they didn't, they obviously know now."
"Don't call me that." She poked his shoulder. "So she's had this planned?"
"We knew Potter was going down, Connie. Everyone did." She poked him again and he grinned. "So she planned the ball, made the invites, so tonight…what do you think?"
"I think we're going to Asia in a few days, to help out. My funding in Bangladesh was cut." Constantine sounded sour about this.
"So tonight we'll go?"
"Yes." Constantine nodded. "Hermione and Draco won't have had a chance to return yet. Probably won't even know until it's in the papers tomorrow morning."
"Good point." Daniel nodded. "Shall we go down and congratulate the new Minister?" Constantine smiled.
"I think we shall."
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