Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Election day - part 4
Two days after the celebration of the victory, it was the day the new Minister officially took office. Hermione went straight for the Minister's office. She walked trough the hallway after looking up from the balcony that overlooked the whole Ministry, it resembled a busy beehive with wizards and witches walking among some of the most magnificent golden statues. She reached what was to be her office, she presumed, an office right across from the Minister's. She noticed they didn't put her name on the door, while on the Minister's door it already said in golden letters: Darius Parkinson, Minister of Magic. They probably didn't get a chance to, she figured.
She was about turn the knob when she heard voices from inside, so she sat on the bench right in front of the door. She decided she should be polite and let them finish. There was absolute silence in the wide black stone tiled corridor this early in the morning. She could hear voices, one was Mr. Parkinson's, but the other voice was too familiar to ignore. It was that Draco Malfoy. What's he doing here, talking to the Minister? Hermione wondered. She leaned closer to the door, just near the keyhole.
"I don't think she's interested in me." Malfoy said.
"Don't you worry about that Draco, there's always a way."
"You mean the…"
"Just show up at dinner, alright?"
"Yes sir."
"And no word to anyone till I appoint you officially my personal advisor, understand?"
"I do…"
At that Hermione burst through the doors. "What the hell?! You promised me that position! Two days ago on a party after the election!"
"Wait just a minute…" Mr. Parkinson said defensively raising his hands.
"And quite frankly I think I earned it, a lot more than this prick!" She said nodding at Draco, who seamed very stunned and confused by Hermione's sudden appearance.
"Go on Draco, I'll handle this." Mr. Parkinson said calmly, tapping him on the shoulder.
"See you later sir." Draco said and went for the exit while keeping and eye contact with furious Hermione. He took a few steps around to make sure he doesn't pass too near her. He feared Hermione a little bit after that day in the third year when she punched him in the nose.
"Alright, now calm down Hermione. Close the door and let's talk about this."
"There's nothing to talk about!" Hermione yelled slamming the door shut. "We had a deal! Very clear and simple one as well! You know you wouldn't be a Minister without my help, so how dare you…!"
"How dare I?!" Mr. Parkinson cut her off. "I'd be careful how I talked to the Minister of Magic if I were you." He warned calmly. "I'll find a place for you, but some that's fit for a muggleborn."
"Muggleborn? You can't be serious…"
"I am! I'm saying take what I offer or get out of my office." The new Minister said leaning back on his desk. He opened one side of his fancy green coat to reveal an oak wand with a bone grip attached to his belt.
"What is this?!" Hermione asked sensing there was something odd going on here. Was he about to attack her? She reached for her own wand attached to her belt in a small noose made especially for it.
"Do you really want to do that?"
Hermione stopped her hand.
"That's right… you're not that stupid, for a mudblood."
It's been a while since Hermione heard that word. She couldn't believe this was happening but it made her blood boil just the same. She gritted her teeth in an effort to keep her hand still.
"Who do you think they'd believe? I can already see the Daily Prophet, front page, the new Minister survives assassination attempt, so go ahead."
Hermione relaxed her stance and so did Mr. Parkinson.
"Fine!" Hermione said trough her teeth. "But you'll pay for this you bastard! I can promise you that!" With that she stormed out, and the corridor echoed with her angry footsteps.
With a busy mind she nodded goodbye to the Auror positioned at the bottom of the stairway. She realized what sort of man she helped put in a position of power, even more than guilty for that, she felt angry that someone had tricked her like that.
End of ch4-