Chapter 24 – Confronting Shacklebolt

Word count: 4,216

By Billybob

OoOoOoOo

The door opened on a frantic looking Abe who dispensed with the normal pleasantries by saying: "Shackelbolt is here, so watch what you say." Slightly unnerved and a-bit confused, Hermione entered the old wizards cottage with her guard fully-up.

"Good afternoon Minister, this is a most pleasant surprise," Hermione declared in her most charming tone.

"Ms. Granger what are you doing here?" Kingsley demanded to know - instantly suspicious.

"Visiting an old friend prior to leaving the country, that's not against the law, now - is it?"

"Of course not, forgive me for acting distrustful but your highly vocal defense of Ronald Weasley actions during the last year has done little to pacify our returning Muggleborn's exiles. Their cry's for vengeance flies in the face of the rights of our pure-blood citizenry. We have eliminated the DE sympathizers from the government employee roles for the most part - but I refuse to strip our pure-blood minority of all legal rights.

"No one has ever suggested such a thing - Minister," Hermione retorted calmly.

"Are you telling me that it is just coincidence that you showed up here at the same time I came to see Mr. Dumbledore concerning a proposal for the final disposition of Killer Weasley's personal estate?"

"Minister has a criminal trial been conducted with Ron as the defendant? I don't recall reading of one in the Daily Prophet," Hermione asked while trying to keep her temper from climbing.

"No Ms. Granger, as you of all people know perfectly well - no formal charges were ever filed against the leadership of the resistance, primarily for political reasons of safety and public order," Kingsley said sounding offended. "The Muggleborn's now in control of most of the Ministries departments have a far different view of Ronald than our - 'older' - Wizarding Families."

"Most of the pure-bloods bigots that are still at large - - are a-part of these; 'older' Families… you just mentioned, Minister - and calling them a more politically acceptable name doesn't change that fact." Hermione spat back her temper now flaring. "According to a French Wizarding newspaper article I read - just the other day - - most of your political and financial contributors these days – all seem to come from the same families that are directly or indirectly linked to the former DE rulers of magical Britain. Is it just merest coincidence that the Pius Thicknesse published list of finical supporter's matches yours almost perfectly.

"Those slanderous charges have yet to be proven, Ms. Granger. And I have publicly demanded a retraction." Kingsley retorted.

"While at the same time - refusing to open your contributor records for public review," Hermione snorted. "Yes Minister – all of England is waking up to whom you owe political favors too. If you continue on these lines - I'd say you days as Minister are numbered. Or do you believe that no-one will notice that your contributors of today seem to be ALL on the same page - - in their outright hatred of my Ron - for dragging their-lot down from the near dictatorial power that they've held for countless generations. That response on their part is at least genuine and understandable, as their ability to influence policy in their favor has now been all but eliminated.

"My personal objection to your actions - sir, isn't in acknowledging that you've sold out to a pack of former Death Eater sympathizers. It's obvious to me and many others in the UK - that in the last year you've slowly transformed into the same kind of stereotypical corrupt politician that you use to despise. Power corrupts all it touches – but your recent tendency in picking up the talking-points mantra of your DE supporters by accepting without question or trial - the premise that Ron was a 'killer' – should be considered just as slanderous as those that call you as corrupt as Fudge or Thicknesse."

"You'd be a natural solicitor Ms. Granger. And of course - I fully realize my error – that my slip of tongue, so to speak …was legally improper. That it would have been more appropriate for me to say "alleged" before calling him a killer. However in my own defense I must say that apparently you have lost the public relations battle over that particular title for Ronald. Loads of people in the Wizarding community including a fair few of his resistance supporters regard Ronald's actions during the war as questionable.

"Questionable does not automatically translate to Killer – sir!" Hermione replied with cutting logic. "And that unrealistic bit of slander is not held by the silent majority – meaning all the Muggleborn's he directly or indirectly saved from certain death at the hands of the DE. Which are the same people who now compose slightly more than half of England's Wizarding voting population?

"The word of mouth truth about Ron is slowly spreading in spite of the lies of the Wizarding drive-by media. The pure's biased staff writers on the Daily Prophet are the ones that have championed the title of Killer for Ron and as a result– in case you haven't noticed; have been steadily losing their readership. While at the same time, the English language versions of continental Wizarding newspapers are steadily rising in circulation. Now having the reputation of a clever-man, perhaps as Minister - you can tell me what you think is behind such a dramatic change in how Wizarding England gets its news."

"I don't know but I will say that I greatly dislike …the growing influence of foreign newspapers on this country," Kingsley sneered in disgust.

"Where else can the public get the truth?" she countered. "The blood-status biased media of just two years ago - is now after the war - seriously out of touch with the main-stream witch and wizard of England," Hermione calmly pointed out. "The Daily Prophet itself was irreversibly tainted by its blind-support of the Pius Thicknesse genocide measures - - a act of total support that is now coming back to haunt that newspaper. Objective journalism in Britain - died during the Fudge administration and most people accept as fact that it will never return to the Prophet. For centuries that openly biased… pro-pure's ...meaning a pure-blood agenda based newspaper - was the unofficial mouth-piece of the Ministry and the sole source of news for magical Britain – however that bigotry-based monopoly of the news is rapidly ending."

"Ms. Granger is correct Kingsley. I'm not the only one that has noticed the rapid rise of the Quibbler," Aberforth interjected calmly – "Everyone use to laugh at the Quibbler contents – I did myself - to be honest. But after being sold by the Lovegood's to Dedalus Diggle a mere eight months ago– that monthly publication has slowly become respected as a sole source for bias free news and editorial comment - that truly represent the Muggleborn perspective."

"It's bias, Abe – everyone knows that," Kingsley snorted.

"And the Prophet isn't?" Abe replied with a snort of contempt. "Who are you trying to fool here – Kingsley? I can recall how often you yourself - use to complain about the Prophet bending the truth to the breaking-point to advance some Cornelius Fudge pure-blood agenda or other."

"Dedalus has done wonders in providing a different point of view to the standard Ministry printed mouthpiece – and we wizards are a better democracy because of it - we have real discussions over public policy now, a far cry from the blind sheep we were - before the two Voldemort uprisings. The late war has taught us all to distrust our magical government and question everything it does."

"That attitude makes getting anything done really difficult." Kingsley pointed out in a deeply frustrated tone.

"All dictators have said the same things for centuries; democracy has always stood in the way of the whims of absolute monarchs. Do you now aspire to be the King of all wizard-kind?" Aberforth asked and chuckled at Kingsley's embarrassed reaction.

"Dedalus as one of the few surviving members of the old Order of the Phoenix recent expansion into radio with a news-talk station on the Wizarding-wireless has also seriously challenged the truthfulness of the pro-pure's propaganda, spewed daily by the minority controlled Wizarding press. It has forced the Prophet for the first time - to actually fact check their stories and when caught-out in their customary grievous errors - have issued far more retractions than at any other time in living memory."

"People should trust the Daily Prophet; it's the only totally-British newspaper." The Minister declared.

"Trust once lost …must be re-earned, and that takes time and loads of straight dealings to win it back. Absolute truth is the key - as regaining trust is a never ending work in progress – believe me …I know," Hermione said in an extra soft semi-embarrassed tone. "Remember sir - it was the main-steam biased press that sold the public on both; the incompetent Fudge and then the Quisling-like, DE collaborator; Thicknesse.

"I was all in favor of lessening the absolute power held by the pure-bloods, you both know that. However going from the tyranny of the minority to bullying by the majority is no improvement in my book."

"So you are now opposed to majority rule – is that it - sir?" Hermione snapped. "The last time I checked - - no Muggleborn has seriously suggested the hunting of pure-bloods …as a legally sanctioned sport."

"Hermione please, for my sake - tone down the biting sarcasm," Abe pleaded.

"You think you're going to be Britain's first Muggleborn Minister of Magic – don't you?" Kingsley snarled back feeling deeply offended. "Maybe someday soon - you will be …only God knows the future - - and if you do come to sit in my chair - - perhaps you'll finally discover that the world isn't as idealist black and white as you think it is. You'll learn first-hand the distasteful compromises you have to make - just to get things done in a post-war environment. You and bad-boy Potter have emerged from the bloodiest war in Wizarding history with next to zero blood on your hands – blissfully ignorant to what had to be done to bring the DE down

"As a former Auror I had to kill felons in the line of duty – I had to make instant life and death decisions just like your dearly departed Ronald did during the war. The ironic thing is - Killer Ron - would have understood the hard decisions I've had to make - - the harsh measure's I've had to undertake just to keep the peace."

"Historians will someday look back at this post-war period and wonder how a 'reprisal-genocide' against the remaining pure-bloods of this country was avoided. That will be my true legacy – that in spite of the few mistakes I've made. In the end - I kept the peace. I personally stopped the violent backlash against the pure's and my efforts alone …saved Slytherin House from obliteration and all its students past and present and future from - -"

"Bullocks" - Hermione interrupted snarling hotly, "Neville Longbottom did that! As the leader/hero of the Hogwarts resistance group - it was he that spoke-up for Greg Goyle and Pansy Parkinson to my Ron and it was Greg and Pansy that became the most visible symbols of Slytherin's fighting against the DE tyranny. The Daily Prophet has sung their praises as the ultimate definition of 'good' pure-bloods since the final battle. Their wedding was the social event of the year. "

"I know that, I was there. And Aberforth here officiated." Kingsley said clearly irritated.

"Have you also conveniently forgotten - Minister – that I was the one that heavily suggested that Harry take Neville's place as Greg's best man while I took my place as one of Pansy's bridesmaid's – the highly symbolic-support that Harry and I gave to the couple was not lost on the media or the general public. But beyond your gate-crashing of the wedding - I can't recall any great risks you took to prevent a backlash against any Slytherin's."

"Then again - - you're also suitably forgetting the contributions of Horace Slughorn, Charity Burbage and last but by no means least - the priceless spy work for the resistance – done by the ultimate Slytherin hero - Severus Snape. Their combined bravery was what prevented all Slytherin snakes from being painted as irreversibly evil - not any quickly forgotten speech of yours.

"You are a very bitter woman Granger," Kingsley stated in a matter of fact tone.

"I have been called that a-lot lately - and rightfully so… sir. Primarily because of people like you - that have turned out to be such a huge disappointment to me," Hermione said shaking her head sadly. "I expected better of you – and so I imagine – would have Ron. You owe your very life to Ron Weasley, and also your current position as Minister, for without the support of the resistance he led – you wouldn't hold your current high office. Ron personally picked you to replace Pius Thicknesse before he died and in gratitude you turned on him like a stereotypical Judas.

"Now you go too far - Granger," Kingsley said in a warning hiss.

"Worst yet - now there are rumors floating about," Hermione said dismissing out of hand Kingsley threat, - "that you have allowed wrongful death litigation to go forward against Ron, the same kind of wrongful deaths suits you disallowed by Ministerial-edit ...by Muggleborn's against guilty as sin DE families.

"You just don't see the big picture Granger. Ron committed premeditated murder repeatedly during the war.

"- - - And the people you are allowing to litigate against his estate are in many cases legally-accountable accessories to Muggleborn genocide. You freely give the pure's - the very same legal standing that you deny to my people."

"Your people - - Ms. Granger?" Kingsley sneered knowingly.

"You are the one to treat Muggleborn's differently from pure's and by doing so - will be politically held accountable for your anti-Muggleborn attitude in the long term – mark my words," Hermione said with grim determination. "Your actions are divisive sir – pitting pure's against Muggleborn's is in my humble view a politically losing position. "

"We will see if your opinion comes to pass, Ms. Granger – we'll just see," Kingsley growled at his now acknowledged enemy. "As for you Abe, may I take it that my attempt to use friendly persuasion to gain a peaceful solution has failed? "

"Kingsley, as I have said before, you give me more power in this matter than I actually have," Abe said with a huge grin. "When the French Wizarding High court unanimously confirmed the legality of Ronald Bilus Weasley's last will and testament - my hands became tied."

"You're the executor of his estate, you could - -"

"His entire estate has already been sold-off and the gold obtained lawfully transferred – after all outstanding debts were paid in-full – just as he bequeathed - to the Rupert Grint Muggleborn resettlement fund."

"Even if I wanted to reverse Ronald's wishes – and I don't - you're less than subtle efforts to get Ron's accounts frozen by the London Gringotts goblins – which have been repeatedly rebuffed - - have thus revealed your real motivation to me, and I for one will not help you line the pockets of DE sympathizers with Ronald's gold."

"Justice will be served to those Killer Ron so foully abused," Kingsley spat with grim resolve.

"The French branch of Gringotts and the Wizarding government of France have also turned you down in your feeble-attempts to put a lien on the resettlement fund," Hermione said with obvious contempt toward the Minister. "I can't help but wonder though - if the pains you have gone through to keep your name out of this sordid little affair - have been worth the political capital you spent to gain so little gold. If the Wizarding public of Britain were ever to become aware of your downplayed connection to this litigation - -"

"There is no direct proof of any of that."

"Very-true Minister," Hermione admitted with a nod of admiration to a cunning opponent. "All I am saying is that tightrope-walking is often a quite dangerous occupation – one misstep and you can quickly fall from a great height."

"Is that a threat - Granger?" Kingsley said as he slowly moved his hand toward the wand in his pocket.

"Heavens-no, Minister, your fate is in the hands of the voters, not mine." Hermione said with an amused and totally unexpected chuckle. "Or have you forgotten I'm leaving England in the next few days. The Ministry of Magic for Australia …located in Sydney - - has spent the entire last year searching in vain for my parents. I actually designed the Fidelius Charm I put my parents under - with such a government sponsored search in mind. A search perhaps requested - at some point - by our former DE regime to force me to betray Harry's whereabouts. I honestly don't know myself where they are – I kept myself ignorant of their whereabouts just as a-bit of added-on security. It is conceivable that I could take several years to find them – if at all – and I've closed out my affairs in England with that unpleasant possibility clearly in mind.

"Then you have no plans to return?" Kingsley asked sounding greatly relieved.

"I didn't say that - sir." Hermione said with unusual candor. "I just believe that your house of cards will fall a-part… long-before I find my parents. Investigative journalism may be dead at your state controlled Daily Prophet - but that bias rag is no longer the sole source of news distribution in magical Great Britain. "

"Oh Hermione, you disappoint me," Abe said in an amused tone. "You've missed the obvious... for once - for Kingsley here actually mistook your great dislike of him – if only for a moment - as a metaphysical extension of our dearly departed Ronald. He was actually reaching for his wand just now – fearful that you would take-out our current Minister in the same fashion that Ronald eliminated many a DE murder. He's forgotten that you didn't actually kill anyone during the late war.

"She didn't – that's right," Kingsley said as the tension left his body and he began to relax.

"It is extremely fortunate for you Minister - that the mortal remains of Ronald Bilius Weasley was burned to ashes in the courtyard of Hogwarts;" Abe said with a bone chilling calm. "Ronald had zero tolerance for the DE in our midst, and once he targeted such a traitor of blood tolerance, the number of DE bodyguards surrounding his target never stoped him from imposing his special form of frontier justice.

Kingsley couldn't help it he shuttered at the thought.

"I can't help but wonder if Ronald was still alive today what life or death choice he'd give you - before sending you beyond the veil." Hermione said drolly.

"I'm a member of the Order of the Phoenix - I was on his side during the war," Kingsley pointed out in an uneasy tone.

"You sound nervous Kingsley," Abe pointed-out. "Are you realizing only now, how far you have gone to switch sides since the war ended? Exactly how much difference is there… these days - - between you and say - - Lucius Malfoy, when it comes to the civil-rights of Muggleborn's to litigate against a pure-blood."

"This is mere conjecture. Ron is dead – I personally saw his body burn."

"Very True – Milord Minster of Magic," Abe said with an overly exaggerated bow. "But I wouldn't just assume that Ronald's method of dealings with the tormentors of Muggleborn's died with him. It was after-all another Weasley - which I believe… did-away with the former Minister Pius Thicknesse."

"This is utter ridiculous, Killer Ron is dead and I've wasted enough time here. Good-day Aberforth Dumbledore it is a pity you do not see eye to eye with me on the litigation issue - your refusal to cooperate with the Ministry will come at a heavy-price to you personally."

"Is that a threat Kingsley" Abe asked sounding amused.

"Take it any way you like old man," – Kingsley snarled – "As for you Ms. Granger - all I can say is good riddance to the most arrogant bookworm I have ever had the displeasure to know. I fully understand why Harry broke-up with you – for no sane man would ever marry such an irritating hag."

"DON'T bother to rush back to the UK – we really don't need your-sort here – making trouble and disturbing the peace… that I created." and with that said, Kingsley Shacklebolt - Ministry of Magic for Great Britain, Scotland, Wales and northern Ireland - a wizard now beyond furious – then stormed out of Abe's remote cottage – apparateing within moments of clearing the anti-apparition wards.

"Your ability to suffer fools hasn't improved much since the last time I saw you," Abe said chuckling softly.

"He's changed Abe, I use to look-up to Kingsley – he was the one Auror besides Tonks that I trusted completely," Hermione replied shaking her head in regret.

"People change – and people given almost unlimited political power change the most - - It corrupts them just as you said," Abe said softly as with a loud "pop" a very upset female house-elf suddenly appeared in the room

"Mistress has gotten all upset-se by talking to corrupt–wizard… all very bad for little flower, Tweaky will be in big-trouble with master if Mistress or flower is harmed. Mistress must sit down while Tweaky brings a cuppa and a tin of biscuits. And then with another loud 'pop' the house-elf was gone - - leaving behind in her wake a postcard that fluttered to the floor a milla-second before Hermione could eagerly snatch it up.

"Is it from Benedict?" Abe asked highly amused that his protégée had gone to Shakespeare to find the alias he now lived under. The first name of the love of his life had come from the wordsmith bard of Stratford and taking the name of 'Benedict Ronald Stratford' seemed to fit perfectly with what the old wizard knew of the young man's extra-sharp ironic wit - - for his protégée had once written in an ever so rare letter, that the couple in Much Ado about Nothing - - and Mione and himself – had quote; "so much in common… it's downright scary".

"What does it say Hermione," Abe asked in concern of the young woman who's' face had suddenly lost all color.

Hermione looked-up from the postcard and in a trembling voice - said as tears began to flow;

Dear Abe – please tell my beloved Beatrice - the beautiful niece of Leonato – that I found her parents… signed - her devoted slave - - Benedict of Padua"

(End Tran)

AN: notes, - - anyone care to guess how the backstory of Ron and Hermione at Hogwarts in the books compares to the tale of Beatrice and Benedict? I have often wondered if the Bard inspired JKR when she wrote Ron/Mione?