Sadly I own nothing, all rights go to our Queen JKR.
1ST January 1985.
When Hermione woke, the sun was just peeking through her curtains, far too bright for the first day of the year, her Father had not moved a muscle, choosing this time to apologise to her Aunt before formally apologising to her Father, she snuck from his grasp, grabbed her dressing gown and headed to her Aunt and Uncles room. Before knocking, she straightened her night dress and dressing gown, breathing in for the courage she knew she had to explain her actions, however, her Aunt could be pretty scary.
"Come in." Lucius spoke as she had knocked.
Hermione opened the door and stood waiting to be addressed.
"Good Morning Hermione." Narcissa stood, putting her own dressing gown on and motioned for her Niece to follow her for a drink of tea at the table. "To what do I deserve this morning visit?"
"I have come to apologise, I was extremely rude to you yesterday and you definitely did not deserve my behaviour, you have done everything for me. I wasn't angry at you, I was angry at my Father."
"Apology accepted, although, you are aware as to why your Father needs to be away as often as he does?"
"Yes, he needs to secretly build a bigger army."
"Yes and no, he is thriving to make wizarding Britain a better place to live, for everyone. He does not ignore you on purpose."
"I know."
"Do you?" Lucius raised an eyebrow to her before collection a fussy Aurora from her bed.
"Yes, I should be and I am grateful that I have you both and Aunt Bella to guide me, but..."
"We are not your Father?"
"Exactly, Draco and Aurora get to see you every single day, If Mother was alive I would have her too."
"Is that what all this is about Hermione?" Narcissa put the teapot down and placed her hand over the girls.
"Yes... No... I don't know. I feel sad and I want to have a Mother too."
"I know you do darling, Hermione. There is no way to bring her back I hope you know that."
"I do. I wouldn't want to, it would not be safe."
"Good, I am glad you understand this. Are these feelings because of the recent celebrations of our family or because Aunt Bella is beginning to show you her memories?"
"Both, I think. How do I stop it?"
"Stop feeling sad? You never will, but it feels better in time."
Hermione only nodded before finishing her tea as she had yet to speak with her Father. Thanking her Aunt and Uncle for helping her she made the short trip back to her room in no time.
"Father?" She quietly spoke as she sat back in her bed.
"Yes, Hermione?" Tom opened one eye before waking up properly.
"I want to apologise for yesterday."
"Have you apologised to Aunt Cissa?"
"Yes."
"What did she say?"
"She thinks I am mad because I miss not having a Mother. I know I have Aunt Bella and Aunt Cissa but I don't have my own Mother."
"I think you would benefit from speaking to Luna."
"How so?"
"Are you not aware her Mother died a few years ago."
Hermione's eyes widened and shook her head.
"Luna's Mother died whilst experimenting with potions one evening."
"That is terrible."
"Luna was around the age of three, she remembers her Mother but very little."
Hermione nodded as she thought on the matter, Luna would be attending lessons again this week with her and Bellatrix, maybe she could ask her how she felt better then. Shaking her head from her thoughts she saw her Father stand and stretch, sadness kicked in again.
"Are you leaving?"
"Yes, I will be back for the evening meal and if you wish I shall tuck you in bed tonight too. Uncle Lucius and I have business with his Ministry role to deal with."
"Will he be Minister?"
"Yes." Tom walked around and kissed his Daughter on her cheek before bidding her a good day.
"Father, is it safe for you to leave the manor and travel around England? What if someone sees you?"
"I have been gone for far too long for anyone to realise who I am, although I do apply a charm, much like a glamour. The charm changes my appearance to those who my magic do not recognise them."
"Won't your magic recognise the bad guys?"
"Which bad guys dear?"
"The one's who broke your wards at Riddle Manor when you had brought Harrison home?" Tom walked around and kissed his Daughter on her cheek before bidding her a good day.
"Don't you worry about a thing, your Uncle's Lucius, Rabastan and Rodolphus along with all my men know how to protect me when I am in a public place." Tom spoke as he walked around and kissed his Daughter on her cheek before bidding her a good day.
Tom was beginning to feel frustrated, so frustrated he could have killed the damn minister today. The current minister; Millicent Bagnold* had already spoken to the Council regarding who they should appoint as the new Minister, she was in favour of their opposition Cornelius Fudge. The Council were a group made up before the Wizengamot but stayed as a group to decide on matters higher than the Wizengamot and consisted of 6 highly thought of old pureblood families. Abraxus Malfoy had gained a seat before his passing. Tom looked at the scroll of names which contained members of the council;
Lord Sirius Black - Empty, yet to be taken by Black Heir.
Lady Amelia Fawley
Lord Rodolphus Lestrange - Empty, yet to be taken by Lestrange Heir.
Lady Augusta Longbottom
Lord Draco Malfoy -Passed down by the current Heir, he must take his seat upon his 21st birthday
Lord Perseus Parkinson
Lord Abdu Shacklebolt
Lord Achmed Shafiq
At least with a push, he could sway the decision, he would need to speak with Lucius, Narcissa and Sirius first. Leaving his room he wandered into the Parlour where he knew Lucius and Narcissa were having afternoon tea whilst watching the children in the garden, luckily Sirius was in attendance too.
"The council are in favour of Cornelius to be the new Minister."
"What can we do?" Lucius passed Tom a cup of tea.
"I need Sirius to take his seat on the council and for Narcissa to announce she will be in acting of Draco's, I know at a push as long as we have the majority of the votes we should win, Perseus will vote for you, that I am in no doubt of, Rodolphus needs to take his seat too, Amelia Fawley may favour our side, her Uncle was in school with yourself Lucius; Hector Fawley. Abraxus and I helped Amelia's Father gain his seat as the Minister when I had just left school. What do we think on Augusta Longbottom?"
"She will not vote in our favour, Barty Crouch Jnr sent her Son and Daughter in Law insane to the point they live in the Janus Thickey ward.
"Wait, I have a seat in THE Council?" Sirius asked before nearly choking on his tea, realising what news Tom has filled the group on.
"Yes, were you unaware your Grandfather Arcturus Black named you heir before his passing?"
"No, I was aware of the fact, I knew he had a seat on the Wizengamot however, I was unaware of any seat on The Council."
"You will need to announce your title as Lord Black. The goblins at Gringotts can do so with the correct paperwork." Tom saw the smile creep up on Sirius's face.
"Sirius as an ex-member of The Order, do you think you could put in a good word for Lucius to Augusta, maybe invite her around for tea, I hear Neville, is it? Her Grandson? He will be the exact same as Harrison."
"I shall see what I can do, no promises though, she can be brutal once she has her mind set."
"Narcissa?"
"Yes, Tom?"
"Will you act for Draco as his appointed person until he is of age?."
"If it will continue to help your plans then I will, may I ask why it has skipped a generation and Draco is next in line for the seat?"
"Armand Malfoy was the first Malfoy to gain a seat, he set a group of old Runes to the Malfoy seat which made the availability to only every second generation. He believed that to have a Father and a Son share a role could be dangerous thinking if a Father and a Grandson share the seat then the age gap is sufficient enough to change the course of Wizarding Britain in which it needs to turn." Lucius supplied for his wife.
"Great, I believe an afternoon in Diagon Alley is to be had tomorrow." Tom stood dismissing all conversations and made his way to his Daughter.
"Hermione, would you like Father to buy you more books on our visit to Diagon Alley tomorrow?"
"Don't encourage her." Sirius chuckled.
Hermione scowled at Sirius, much to everyone's amusement she looked just like her Mother.
"That would please me very much, thank you, Father." Hermione swung her arms around his shoulders before he picked her up and held her tightly.
"You ignore anyone that makes fun of you Hermione, Knowledge is power. Do not ever forget so."
*Information from HPWIKI. Millicent Bagnold was the MoM from 1980-1990 before Cornelius Fudge.
The Fawley Family are Trueblood Hufflepuffs, very little is said other than they were part of the sacred 28.
