Chapter Thirty One
Author's Note: So, so sorry about the lengthy delay. It's been one of those weeks…Thanks so much for reading! Not mine!
Hermione deliberately made her way back up the ramped aisle to towards the exit of the central chambers of the Ministry of Magic. She was aware of the many, many sets of eyes that bore into her back, but did her best to ignore them. Relief was her prevailing emotion. Whether or not her speech was successful, she was simply happy, in that moment, that the important task had been completed.
With all her strength, Hermione wrested the heavy, rosewood door open, and breathed easily when she entered the friendly confines of the surrounding lobby area.
"Hermione!"
Hermione turned and saw she had a trio of well-wishers waiting for her. George, Holly, and Klara were seated together on the rigid maple bench that rested, pressed against the wall, adjacent to the door through which she had just emerged.
"Mione! You were brilliant," George exclaimed, jumping up from the seat to scope Hermione into an energetic hug.
"Really?" She asked her voice muffled from being snuggled tightly next to George's shoulder.
"I thought so," He replied.
"I don't think I had enough time to really make my point," Hermione muttered, as George gently placed her back on the ground. "It would have been nice if I really had the opportunity to speak for awhile, I could have gotten into much greater detail…there was so much more I wanted to say…so much more I could have said," She contemplated, her voice trailing away, as she untied her dress robes, removed them from her shoulders, and looped the heavy garment over her arm.
"No, Mione…I thought it was great…short and sweet," Klara volunteered, also rising to offer Hermione a supportive hug. "And you sounded very authoritative,"
"Thanks guys," Hermione's throat felt tight as she also accepted a hug from Holly. "What do we do now? I don't know if I should go back to work or go watch the rest of the debate and the vote."
"Do you want to watch them vote?" Klara asked gently.
"Not particularly," Hermione responded with an uneasy chuckle. "I think I'd rather just find out the results after the fact." The thought of listening to the Ministers tearing apart her words and accessing the value of them made her feel a little queasy.
"What if we went somewhere for lunch?" Klara suggested. "Or we could even get takeout and eat it in my office. That way it won't look like we're shirking on our work," She said, gesturing between herself, Hermione, and Holly. "And I can arrange to have the results of the vote delivered to my office as soon as they're known."
"That would be brilliant," Hermione breathed, grateful for her friend's idea. There was no way that she would be capable of focusing on editing her current piece of legislation: her adrenaline from delivering her speech was still too high.
"I'm in," Holly grinned. "Anything to avoid doing work for the afternoon…"
"And I have the afternoon off," George added. "If I can crash your girl's party that is,"
"Of course," Klara smiled.
-o-O-o-
It didn't take long for the group of four friends to comfortably converge in Klara's office, snacking on whatever offerings had looked the most appealing from the Ministry's cafeteria. Klara's office was at least twice the size of Hermione's and boasted a couple of plush couches and a large coffee table that made it an ideal place for enjoying their late lunch. Hermione nervously nibbled on her chicken pot pie as she listened to her friends chat amicably about day-to-day matters in an attempt to make her feel as if it was simply another afternoon. She wasn't sure when they'd hear word about the results of the vote and, consequently, rarely took her eyes off the door as she eagerly anticipated when the golden scroll would float into Klara's office with news of the Ministers' decision.
"You doing alright, Mione?" Klara questioned gently. "You look rather pale."
"Er…just a bit on edge," Hermione forced a chuckle as she reluctantly peeled her stare from the doorway.
"Do you have any idea when the results will be available?" Klara asked, carefully placing down her roast beef sandwich.
"Nope," Hermione shook her head. "Kingsley didn't give any indication…I suppose it could be whenever. I-" She stopped short as the sight of a small scroll supported by rapidly vibrating golden wings entering Klara's office distracted her. "I wonder…" Hermione speculated, not completing her thought. The scroll hovered over to Klara who nimbly caught it mid-air and violently unwrapped it.
"Rubbish…sorry, Mione…just a memo about something entirely unrelated." Klara volunteered tenderly, stowing the unhelpful letter in her oversized, brown leather satchel. "I'm sure it will be here soon though."
Hermione hadn't been aware that she had been holding her breath, but she quickly exhaled and nodded feebly. Reluctantly, she returned to her chicken pot pie. Holly and George immediately took the conversation to Quidditch and Hermione attempted to contribute to the discussion, despite the fact that her mind was elsewhere.
"When do the playoff start?" Holly questioned George. Hermione was certain that Holly was just asking to be polite; surely she already knew the answer to the inquiry. There was no possibly way, Hermione thought, that Holly didn't have all the important dates connected to Puddlemore United already jotted down in her day planner as well as committed to memory.
"A couple weeks from now," George offered.
"How's your team doing?" Klara asked, feigning an interest in the sport that Hermione knew she didn't particularly care for.
"We're doing alright…tied for the top with Montrose Magpies," George grinned modestly.
"If it comes down to head to head, you guys will take league for sure," Holly laughed confidently. "I know for a fact that they can't take you…their Chasers haven't been able to master your defense all year…there's no reason to believe that they'll suddenly have be capable against you guys in the playoffs."
"Well, we're hoping it comes down to the two of us," George replied with just as much self-assuredness as Holly. "You have to beat the best in order to say you're the best," He continued, speaking in the clichés that Hermione noticed that he often used when discussing his Quidditch team.
"You'll be coming to all the playoff games right, Mione?" Holly turned to Hermione, addressing her with a broad smile. "If you think the regular season games are crazy, you ought to see the playoffs. I'll be a wreck for sure."
"Er yes…I'll be going," Hermione stammered, caught off guard by Holly's question. "Although now I'm nervous to see what sort of state you'll be in...You should see Hol at these games," Hermione continued turning to Klara. "She's a bundle of nerves even during blow outs…I hate to see what the playoffs will do to her."
"I only hope you have some sort of medical training, Mione," Holly laughed. "Sweet Merlin…it might be necess-" Hermione's eyes went to Klara's door along with the rest of the office's occupants. Once again, a small scroll had entered the room. It too had the golden wings of an inter-Ministry communication. As Klara caught it and unrolled it, Hermione did her best to keep her nerves steady; for all she knew, it could merely be another false alarm.
"Ahhh! You did it Mione!" Klara exclaimed excitedly, showing an uncharacteristic amount of exuberance for her generally even keel personality. "The legislation was voted down!"
"Really!" Hermione echoed her coworker's excitement. "Are you serious?"
"Yup…I most definitely am. It was voted down. By a narrow margin, mind you…but it was voted down."
"That's brilliant Mione," Holly shrieked with a wide smile.
"You're amazing," George added, pulling Hermione into a side hug as they sat next to each other on Klara's couch.
"Er…there's no guarantee that I actually had anything to do with the result," Hermione contended. For all she knew, the Ministers' minds might have been made up regarding their votes well before her own contribution.
"Yes you did,"
"I'm positive that you were the difference maker,"
"Obviously this is all you,"
Despite her own misgivings, Hermione instinctively broke into a joyous grin and a soft flush arose on her cheeks at the sounds of her friends' praise. "Thanks you guys," She mumbled, continuing to lean into George's torso. "Although, mind you, this is hardly a noteworthy victory….There's still a long ways to go in order to gain proper equality for House Elves…I still have a lot to do…I have–" With that thought she stopped short. Ever since graduating from Hogwarts, Hermione hadn't exactly been sure what direction she wanted to take her career and what sort of things she wanted to pursue in her work life. In that moment, however, her future seemed a lot clearer and her plans felt much more solidified. She knew where her heart lay and what her passions dictated. She knew that she'd continue working towards achieving equality for the marginalized within the magical community; not just for House Elves, but for all who were historically treated as lesser, even including Muggle born wizards and witches like herself.
"A victory is a victory," Klara offered, seemingly unaware that Hermione had momentarily mentally checked out.
"Agreed," George grinned, snuggling Hermione a bit closer towards his torso.
"I think this calls for a celebration," Holly laughed. "I have a bottle of champagne in my office…would you like me to go get it?"
"Why do you have champagne in your office?" Klara asked pointedly. Her tone was good-natured, but Hermione knew, that as their technical supervisor, she had to inquire about any seeming violations of protocol."
"Er…you know…just in case the need for celebration ever arises…" Holly responded with a feigned embarrassment. "Like right now," She grinned impishly, absentmindedly straightening her vibrant pink top.
"Well…I don't know if I can really endorse that," Klara responded, brushing her long, black hair over her shoulder. "But perhaps we should go out tonight…Keith and Oliver could join us that way," She directed her comment towards Holly, mentioning both their respective boyfriends.
"I'd like that," Hermione smiled. Her breathing was much more relaxed since getting the positive news of the results of the Ministers' vote. She knew that it was not much more than a symbolic victory; nothing would actually change, as a result, regarding the treatment of House Elves. However, no matter how small, it was also a step in the right direction and she hoped that it would be the start of the momentum that would eventually lead to full equality and respect for House Elves and other non-person magical beings.
"Brilliant," Holly laughed. "Leaky Cauldron tonight?"
"Perfect," George grinned.
"I'm in," Hermione added: grateful for her friends' support, desire to be there for her when she needed encouragement, and willingness to take her out for celebrations when she received good news.
-o-O-o-
The Leaky Cauldron was fairly empty when Hermione and George entered the tavern later that evening. Taking advantage of the celebratory occasion, Hermione had changed out of her smart outfit she had worn for her address and had put on a playful party dress. The dress was a deep, eggplant purple. It had small capped sleeves, a low crew-cut neck line, and fit snugly in the waist. The skirt flared out over her hips, creating a large bell-shape over her thighs before reaching its hem at her knees. A narrow, black ribbon snaked around Hermione upper waist, encircling her middle three times before tying at a bow at the back. Her hear was worn down; Hermione had enchanted it to fall smoothly over her shoulders. Her only accessories were her favourite earrings; the diamond studs George had given her so long ago at Ginny and Harry's engagement party. With the dress and her sparkly black pumps, Hermione knew that she was significantly overdressed for the casual atmosphere of the Leaky Caldron, but she didn't mind; the outfit seemed appropriate for her mood. Also, George had dressed similarly fashionably in black slacks, a grey-blue button down shirt, and a darker blue sweater vest. He looked, Hermione thought, as handsome as ever and she was certain that the few other young women in the Leaky Cauldron were eyeing him approvingly as they walked through the tavern.
"Look, there's Klara and Holly," Hermione exclaimed, pointing at the table her friends and their boyfriends had claimed.
"Brilliant, Ollie's her too," George added with a smile, placing his hand on Hermione's lower back to guide her towards the aforementioned table.
"You look adorable," Holly declared as Hermione and George joined them.
"Thanks," Hermione grinned, sliding into one of the wooded chairs.
"Hey mate," George laughed, greeting Oliver Wood with an energetic hand slap. Hermione smiled at their enthusiastic exchange; she knew they'd be in for a lot of Quidditch talk over the evening, as George and Oliver had already started discussing Puddlemore United's game against the Chudley Cannons on the upcoming weekend. Their conversation, however, was interrupted when the waiter approached the table, seeing about drink requests.
"Er, I don't know…" Hermione murmured when the waiter inquired about what she wanted to drink. "There is work tomorrow," She added in response to Holly's incredulous glance.
"Oh Mione…Surely you can have one drink," Holly suggested. "We can take it easy tomorrow…You deserve a fun night,"
"Fine," Hermione chuckled and ordered a glass of white wine. "I hope I'm not regretting this at work tomorrow," She added, looking pointedly towards the smiling Holly.
"You won't be…We'll ensure that you're behaved." Holly laughed and shook her short blonde hair out of her eyes. Both girls knew that wasn't the nature of their friendship; if anything, Hermione would be mindful of Holly's behaviour, rather than the alternative.
Even with her concerns, Hermione was grateful when their waiter returned with the beverages. The white wine was both delicious and felt well-deserved.
"To Hermione?" George proposed, lifting his pint of Butterbeer, suggesting that the table complete a toast to Hermione.
"To Hermione," The others echoed as they clicked their glasses together. Hermione fought a slight blush as her friends ambushed her with praises and congratulations.
"Oh Mione, you know you deserve it," George chided, evidently noticing her flushed cheeks. "We're all very proud of you," He added, reaching over to nudge her shoulder.
"Alright," Hermione shrugged as she contently sipped her wine, eager to enjoy the company of her friends for the evening.
-o-O-o-
"Ugh, I should have known that I can't behave myself when I'm out with you two," Hermione giggled as she left the Leaky Cauldron with her friends. Her three generous glasses of wine throughout the evening were clouding her mind and making her less than secure on her black pumps. As she exited the front door, she held on tightly to George's arm.
"Easy there, Mione," George laughed, guiding her out into the temperate evening air.
"Meh, you deserved a fun night, Mione," Holly reminded her with a large grin. Her friend was right; Hermione had fun with her small group at the Leaky Cauldron. They had spent the evening in animated conversation, exchanging jokes, and discussing many topics from work, Quidditch, local gossip, and anticipated plans for the upcoming summer. Hermione had worn a wide smile throughout the evening and felt light headed at the end of it from the combination of continual laughter, the cozy tavern, and plenty of wine.
"Well, we should get going," Klara commented, motioning towards Keith. Hermione and Holly hugged their coworker goodbye and George and Oliver shook hands with Keith. Even though George had very little in common with Klara's boyfriend, he had been pleasant and friendly towards the much quieter and more reserved man all night, including in him all of his and Oliver's conversations, something Hermione found very admirable. After Klara and Keith left, Holly and Oliver were quick to follow.
"Ok, Hermione…shall we get going too?" George asked, offering Hermione his arm.
"Lead the way," She smiled, taking his hand in hers, looking forward to their walk back to his flat in the pleasant evening air. She knew she'd be unnecessarily tired at work the following day, but in the moment that didn't bother her; she was more interested in spending a few extra hours with George than in returning to her own empty flat and getting a good night's sleep.
Author's note: Sorry again about the delay. Thanks for reading and please leave a comment!