"Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer." It was an ancient muggle saying attributed to Chinese master of war and diplomacy, Sun Tzu. It had been very much on Oliver Grantham's mind when he had decided to invite Hermione to be patron of his Muggle Born Repatriation Foundation.
After the press conference he was no longer sure in which category Hermione and her friends belonged. He had been impressed with the speed with which Hermione had learnt from her stumbles early in the press conference. Passion and unrealistic idealism was no fault in the young, especially if they were willing to learn. In his more hubristic moments the 36 year old Grantham had visions of himself as mentor to a new generation of leaders, tempering their idealism and zeal with the wisdom gained and passed on by generations of earlier wizards. He was realistic enough to realise this was unlikely.
Offering Hermione the position as patron was an ideal way of getting to know her and her friends and gaining a better understanding whether they could be allies or were destined to be foes. Either way, it would be an advantage to him to learn as much about them as possible.
Grantham had little doubt that Hermione could fulfil the role of Patron very well. That was important to him. His life had been constantly at risk during the war because of his work with muggle born families and he would not damage the work of the foundation even to gain political advantage.
The door to Grantham's office opened.
"Miss Granger is here, Mr Grantham."
"Thanks, Cara. Show her in will you please."
Grantham got up from his desk and moved forward to greet Hermione.
"Good morning, Miss Granger. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too."
Grantham showed her to a small lounge setting at the front of his office and invited her to be seated.
Hermione looked around Grantham's office. The reception area had been decorated in a style she called 'wizard gothic' though not as oppressive as she usually found that style. It was like a lighter, brighter, more tasteful version of Grimmauld Place. She had been surprised to see some computers in one of the side rooms. Grantham's office was in the same style as the reception area; it was formal as befitted a lawyer's office but not unfriendly.
"Arthur told me you were traveling, and I see from the papers you have visited Australia. I hope you have recovered from the journey. It is a long trip."
"Yes thank you." Hermione felt unwilling to be drawn out on the details of her trip.
"I am sure Arthur has given you a rundown on my proposal. With your permission, I would like to give you a detailed understanding of the work of the foundation." Grantham then launched into a twenty minute exposition. His enthusiasm and passion was palpable. Hermione occasionally asked for clarifications which Grantham happily provided.
Hermione found herself responding to Grantham's passion and becoming excited at the idea of becoming involved. She still had many questions and reservations though.
"So exactly what do you see my role as patron as being, what would it involve?" she asked.
"First and foremost you lend your name to the organisation. It's important you understand that. You should not do this unless you are entirely happy with the aims of the organisation and the way we operate. Then, there would be various fund raisers to attend and the occasional press interview."
"Mr Grantham, I believe you are an honourable man, but I really don't know how I could be sure what the foundation was really doing with such a tangential involvement. I would need to know a lot more, talk to some of the staff and some of the people you are helping."
"Of course Miss Granger, I wouldn't expect anything less. I have lined up two of our employees to talk with you today if you have the time. I understand you know them both."
Hermione cocked an eyebrow in surprise.
"The first is a classmate of yours I understand."
"Justin Finch-Fletchley," said Hermione almost to herself, the knuts slotting into place. "He said that he was with a lawyer who had founded an organisation helping the muggle born when he heard about the battle going on at Hogwarts. That was you then?"
"Yes."
"And you fought in the battle?"
"Yes, alongside Justin, though I can't claim we saw a great deal of action. Justin has been working with me on this for most of the last nine months. I have appointed him General Manager of the Foundation. He is a very competent young man and has excellent connections in the muggle community that have proved most helpful."
Remembering more of what Justin had said, Hermione added "you had a child at Hogwarts this year. That must have been difficult?"
"Agonising," he replied and for a moment his composure came close to cracking. "You cannot know how grateful I am that it is all over."
"And the second person you have lined up for me to talk to?" asked Hermione quickly, allowing Grantham to move on.
"Is perhaps someone you do not know so well, though he once had a very close, if brief, association with your friend Ron Weasley." Grantham smiled inwardly as if laughing at a private joke but did not expand on his enigmatic reply.
"Miss Granger," Grantham continued, "I also mentioned to Arthur that if you wanted it, I'd be happy for you to take on a more active role in the foundation. That would be one way to better understand what you were lending your name to. However, I have no idea what your plans are for the future or how much time you would be willing to give to this cause. You do understand that apart from a few full time employees such as Justin, all other work at the foundation is on a voluntary basis. There is no pay."
"Yes, Arthur explained that to me. My immediate plans are to return to Hogwarts to complete my education. That's not going to give me a lot of time to be involved in other activities and there are a few other things I would like to do as well. I'm not even sure that I would be free to leave the school to attend these fund raisers you talk about."
Grantham's gave a vaguely condescending smile. "I really don't think Professor McGonagall will deny you permission to undertake any worthwhile external activities you choose," he said.
Hermione agreed, indeed her plans for the year relied on it, but she didn't want to let Grantham know that.
"Perhaps," was all she said.
"Let me put a proposition to you. In addition to being Patron of the foundation I would like to invite you to join the board. That would involve a three hour meeting twice a month and some preparation time. That would give you an excellent oversight of the organisation and a say in how it was run. I believe you could make an excellent contribution. I know I am asking an awful lot of you but I do hope you will consider it."
Hermione was taken aback. She was surprised and flattered by the offer. She had always thought you had to be a middle aged businessman who smoked cigars to join a board. Still, she needed to know a few more things.
"I would like to ask you a number of questions that are a bit personal if I may."
"Of course."
"Why did a conservative lawyer from an old pureblood, family take the risks you did for this cause in particular? Why do you care so much?" Hermione asked.
"I could tell you that I believe that the health of the magical community requires all its various components, pure bloods, the muggle born and all the various magical races to live in harmony and it would be true but it wouldn't really explain what I did, what I am doing. The answer to your question is simply this; I saw great injustice and intolerable cruelty and I was in a position to do something about it. I am not the sort of person who can stand by and do nothing in such circumstances. I don't think you are either."
Hermione nodded, accepting this answer.
"At the press conference you asked me about S.P.E.W. Why? And how did you know about S.P.E.W. in the first place?"
"You remember that?" he asked. He had been expecting this question but wanted to probe Hermione a little further before responding.
Hermione smirked. "A rising star of the Wizengamot in the guise of a journalist from an obscure legal journal asks a question about a defunct organisation that only about 10 people had ever heard of. Yes, I remember that."
"Ah, caught out! The answer is, again, quite simple. It was a test."
"The question remains. Why and How?"
"I am a politician, an ambitious one. Politics is about power and any successful politician must understand it and its sources. What I saw at Hogwarts in the immediate aftermath of the battle was a new power arising. It centred on Harry Potter and his two friends and included the members of Order of the Phoenix and the DA. I needed to understand it and I did my research. You will find if you work with me that when I decide to act I do so quickly."
"I think you exaggerate our importance."
"I'm not surprised you're uncomfortable with it but you know it's true. The Australians recognised it from the other side of the world, or are you going to tell me they didn't try and recruit you to their cause? Let me guess. They put you up in a swanky hotel, George Lonnergan himself probably led the charm offensive, they introduced you to fascinating and influential people, I know they gave you a State reception and I bet they offered you all sorts of help."
Hermione was lost for words. She had no idea how to respond. This was the last thing she had expected to hear.
"Don't be surprised, Hermione. You're new at this game. Wherever you went in the world at the moment they would try and recruit you. At least the Aussies are decent folk, even if they are following a dangerous path."
"I thought much of what they were doing was excellent," said Hermione recovering her aplomb. "I really liked the way they are not so isolated from muggle culture. They even go to muggle university."
"Oh, I agree they are doing some excellent things. The ignorance of the average English wizard of muggle society is laughable. Worse, it's dangerous. Our education system is very narrowly based."
"That's exactly what they said in Australia. I would really have liked to go to university," said Hermione somewhat wistfully.
"Then why don't you?"
"I don't see how it's possible."
"Let me show you something." Grantham crossed the room and opened a cupboard door. On the inside was a framed certificate. He took it down and handed it to Hermione who was astounded. What she was holding was a first class honours degree in history and politics from Oxford University awarded to one Oliver Grantham.
"It is possible, Hermione, you just have to choose to do it. You have a fine mind. If that is what you want to do then you should do it."
Hermione felt like she had back in Australia when Michelle had casually announced she was at university. Her mind was reeling with possibilities that she had thought closed off for good. She was feeling dizzy.
"How, why?" was all she could get out.
"During my fifth year at Hogwarts I went to stay at the home of my best friend, a muggle born. I had always regarded myself as sophisticated and knowledgeable in the ways of the world. It was a shattering experience. I felt like some primitive savage who had accidentally stumbled into the modern world. I understood next to nothing. I felt utterly humiliated by my ignorance and resolved to remedy it. I started reading muggle newspapers, literature and history. I went to muggle movies and visited the muggle world whenever the opportunity arose."
"After leaving Hogwarts I approached the father of a muggle born witch I knew who was a professor at Oxford. I explained to him what I wanted to do. He was very supportive. He prescribed for me a private course of study that would prepare me for the course I wanted to do at Oxford. I did that study while apprenticing as a lawyer in the wizarding world. I then more or less dropped out of the wizarding world for three years and did my degree."
Hermione was excited. "But how did you get admission?"
"Ah, well that did require a little magical mischief and some fake records. The degree itself, though, I earned legitimately."
Hermione couldn't hear enough. She probed Oliver about every aspect of his life at Oxford. They talked about muggle history and the study of politics and the relationship between the muggle and magical world. An hour later Oliver had to shut the interview down apologising that he had another appointment. He handed her over to Justin Finch-Fletchley extracting a promise that she would get back to him within a few days with her response to his offer.
That night at the dinner table at the Burrow something unprecedented happened. No Weasley could get a word in. Hermione couldn't stop babbling about Oliver.
"He really does know how the world works. He knew the Australians would try and recruit us. He knows George too. No, not you George, George Lonnergan. He reckons George is effectively no2 in the Aussie government. Did I tell you Oliver topped his history courses?"
"Bleeding hell, it's like Gilderoy Lockhart all over again," groaned Ron.
"Except she's not 12 years old anymore," laughed Harry who was highly amused by Hermione's behaviour. "You better watch out Ron. It sounds like you have serious competition."
"Very funny," responded Hermione with as much dignity as she could muster. "You have nothing to worry about Ron. Oh, by the way, guess who else I met today?"
"Let me guess," replied Ron "Oliver Grantham's alter ego?"
"Ha, Ha" replied Hermione. "More like your alter ego, Ron. It was Reg Cattermole, the wizard you impersonated under polyjuice when we penetrated the ministry."
Ron's demeanour abruptly changed. "How is he? Did he and his wife get away safely? What about his children. I've always worried about what happened to them after what we did."
"They're fine Ron. Oliver helped them escape to France. They both now work for the foundation."
"Ah, good old Oliver; there to clean up our messes. What a fine chap he is. I wonder where he was when we were fighting Voldemort."
"Don't be like that Ron. Anyway, he did fight in the second half of the Battle of Hogwarts."
"Lucky for you, Harry, Oli was there to save the day," said Ron tartly.
"Now you're being nasty and insulting Ron. You're just annoyed because I've met someone who likes studying and learning like I do."
"No Hermione, I'm annoyed because all he had to do was wave his precious degree from his precious muggle university in front of your nose and you forget he is not on your side. He attacked you at the press conference Hermione. He as good as admitted it, you said."
"That's not what I said at all Ron, which you would know if you bothered to listen." Hermione was getting very annoyed. "It was a test. He wanted to see what we were made of, that's all. We obviously passed."
"That's rubbish Hermione. He set you up. He wanted to discredit you; and Harry, Neville and me too by the way. He was hoping you'd come across as some crazed zealot in front of the world's media. He saw you as a loose cannon. That's what he really thinks of you. I'm sure he was telling the truth when he said he recognised the influence we now have. He set out to destroy it. He is not on our side Hermione. But oh that's OK because he has a degree from Oxfoot."
"That's Oxford," she said haughtily. "And you're being ridiculous. You're being illogical. Why would he give me a high profile job if he wanted to destroy my influence?"
"Yeah, now you're asking the right question."
Hermione looked like she had been stung. She stood up. She was very angry now, almost shouting. "You're wrong Ron. Every time I want to do something to better myself you're threatened by it. You mock me and try and stop me. You're just jealous. Well I won't have it." She stormed off, then, when she got to the base of the stairs she turned and glared with full fury at Ron hissing with venom "And don't you dare try coming into my room tonight."
Ron was bright red, Harry and Ginny were both trying to stop laughing and George said "Ooh…"
The rest around the table looked almost as embarrassed as Ron. Silently Ron got up from the table muttered a few words and went out the kitchen door into the still night.
"So that's one of the famous Ron-Hermione rows we've heard about?" remarked Arthur when no one else said anything.
"Not really, Dad," said Ginny. "That was only about 4 or 5 on the Ron-Hermione scale. The good ones get up to 8 or even 9."
Molly stood up and started to clear the table. "Shouldn't someone go and talk to them? I don't like all this angst."
"I'll go and talk to Ron in a little while," said Harry. "No one should approach Hermione at the moment. She's going to be very embarrassed in the morning. Leave it to me and Ron."
Molly nodded her head, accepting this plan. She continued clearing the dishes with Fleur's help.
Percy wasn't happy. "I don't like it. Hermione normally see things clearly, but this time I'm with Ron. She's been dazzled by this Grantham. She needs to have her head on straight by tomorrow afternoon. We need her."
Next afternoon a meeting was being held at the Burrow, a continuation of the discussion that started at Fred Weasley's wake. A challenge had been thrown down at that time; what do we need to do so we don't have to fight this same war again in a 5, 10 or 20 years' time? The surviving members of the Order of the Phoenix were expected as were senior members of the DA and a few select others. Hermione had floated the idea of forming a political party and there had been much animated discussion between various groupings, many owls exchanged but very little consensus.
"She'll be fine tomorrow," said Harry, hoping it was true.
Early the next morning, around 4:00am, Ron was lying in the spare bed in Harry's room. He had woken up from a fitful sleep and had been unable to get back to sleep. He wasn't very happy. He hated it when there was distance between him and Hermione. He enjoyed the battle, the sparring, the game play but he hated the distance that followed if it went too far, got too serious. Last night was very serious.
He knew he had to apologise. He didn't think he had done anything wrong, but he knew he had to apologise. That's just the way it was. He also knew he couldn't back down. For her own sake, Hermione had to see the truth and he wouldn't be doing her any favours if he just went along with her. Trouble is Hermione hated being wrong – she could carry on for weeks just to avoid admitting she was wrong. He wasn't sure what to do and he was worried.
He was also worried about George. They'd come back from Australia to find that he'd slumped into a kind of depression. He hadn't done anything about the shop, had hardly seen any of his friends, had hardly left his room except for meal times. George tried to lift when he was with the family but it was clear he wasn't doing well. Ron hadn't broached the idea of his working in the shop with George yet and he knew he couldn't put it off any longer. He planned talking to George this morning and didn't need to be having an argument with Hermione at the same time. He was just a little angry at her for putting him in this position.
At that moment the door to the bedroom cracked open. It was Hermione. A stray shaft of light from the landing illuminated her face which was all puffy and red from crying. She looked miserable. She was wearing pyjama shorts and one of his t-shirts which also made her look very cute.
Ron's heart melted, all anger forgotten. He instinctively pulled back the covers of his bed in invitation. Hermione rushed to him, climbed into bed, buried her face in his chest and cried a few tears. He engulfed her with his arms and kissed her on the top of her head. He thought he heard a muffled "sorry" and whispered "I'm sorry Hermione too".
"I missed you," she said reaching up and kissing him.
"If you two are going to do anything else I suggest you get a room." Harry's disembodied voice cut across the room.
"Good idea," said Ron and they raced each other upstairs.
Harry felt very lonely. He looked wistfully through the open door across to Ginny's room and once again the debate in his head started.
As the hours went by the family slowly woke. Most of the family were mildly surprised and largely amused when Ron and Hermione arrived for breakfast together, hand in hand, still in their pyjamas.
"Well, how are we all this morning," asked George somewhat pointedly.
"Fine thank you George," said Hermione, "but I need an answer to a question."
"And what question is that?" asked George.
"The one I asked last night. Why would Grantham offer me a high profile job if he wanted to destroy my influence?"
"Ah," said Percy, "it's good to see you back in the land of the rational."
"I wasn't that bad," protested Hermione.
Not wanting to upset Hermione they all stayed quiet on this point, all except Percy.
"Hermione you came back from Australia talking enthusiastically about democracy, elf emancipation and ending of privilege based on ancestry. You must know that someone like Grantham will not only vigorously oppose you. He will do whatever he can to block your every move."
"Ron and I had this conversation this morning. The question remains why offer me the job."
"I suppose it's possible that he cares more about his foundation than he does in stopping us and he thinks Hermione would do a good job," offered Harry.
"Oh, I am sure he cares very much about his foundation," replied Arthur. "A man doesn't risk his life for something he doesn't care about and I don't think he'd let Hermione anywhere near the foundation if he didn't think she could do a good job. A man like Grantham, though, can play a game at a lot of different levels. The question is, what else is he after?"
"He might think it's a good way to learn a lot more about you lot close up," said Bill thoughtfully, "probe for weaknesses. He might even believe he can influence or change you."
"Nah," said Ron, "we saw how impervious Hermione was to his charms yesterday."
Hermione gave him an angry glare.
"He's not doing you any favours offering you this job, Hermione," said Arthur. "It's not fair but, as a muggle born, you will get no kudos for working for other muggle born. Many will see it as tribal and self-interested."
"Should I take the job then?" asked Hermione.
"That's up to you, Hermione," replied Arthur. "Forewarned is forearmed."
Ron took advantage of a lull in the conversation.
"George, can I have a word?"
They went into the lounge room.
"If you're going to give me the pep talk, little brother, you're too late. I've already gotten it from Bill, Charlie and Percy. I'm sure Ginny will be along any time now too."
"No George, actually this is about me."
"Well, much as I am surprised, this can't be about your love life. That book really paid dividends it seems."
"Yeah it did. What I want to do is get a job."
"Didn't Kingsley offer you a job as an auror? I thought that is what you wanted to do."
"It is. It's just that I've spent the last year not knowing when someone was going to jump out from behind a bush and hit me with a nasty curse. I need to have a break from that for a while."
"Maybe you should change girlfriends then."
"Very funny."
"I don't see what this has to do with me Ron. I can't give you any advice on getting a job."
"What I was hoping is that you'd give me a job in the joke shop."
"The joke shop isn't open, Ron" replied George stiffly.
"So I'd noticed."
"So, this is the pep talk after all. I have to give you full marks for an original approach, Ron, if not for honesty."
"I am being honest, George. I really am not ready to start as an auror. I'm tired, George, really tired; not physically but emotionally. Kingsley has already agreed to a six month deferral and I need a job. If in doing that job I can help my brother get his business back on track, well then, that is a bonus. So George, I'm asking you for a favour, can you give me a job? Please think about it, OK."
Ron got up. He touched George on the shoulder as he left to re-join Hermione and the rest of his family.
George sat there quietly.
"What do you say, Fred? Is it time?" A tear came to his eye.