Chapter 18
Hermione POV
A sense of awe fell over Hermione as she stepped into the main foyer of the French Ministry. The area was normally breathtakingly gorgeous, but today festive lights laced the expanse of the room, twinkling like stars in the night. In the middle of the room a giant Christmas tree stood where the fountain normally was, and it was decorated to perfection. There were numerous decorations placed strategically around the room and the ceiling had been enchanted so that it now appeared to be snowing - the entire room was absolutely divine.
"Good evening, Hermione. You look beautiful."
Hermione spun around to see Mr. Noirent smiling kindly at her, a woman next to him that she could only assume was his wife.
"Hello, Mr. Noirent," Hermione smiled as she gave him a nod of her head. "How are you?"
"Not too bad, all things considered," he said in exaggeration with a goofy grin on his face as he eyed the room. "I'd like you to meet my wife."
The thin woman extended her hand with a smile and Hermione returned the gesture. "Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Noirent."
Mrs. Noirent gave a small chuckle. "Please, call me Marie. I'm not a big Ministry official," she said as flashed her husband a teasing glance. "And it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Jacob has had nothing but good things to say about you."
Hermione blushed lightly. "Oh, that's too kind of you, Mr. Noirent. I'm hardly deserving of such praise - just doing my job."
Mr. Noirent raised his eyebrows in doubt. "A great job at that," he said decidedly. "Anyhow, we'll let you mingle. I wish they'd just go ahead and serve dinner," he mumbled and received a playful nudge from his wife. "We'll see you later."
Hermione bid them farewell and began to wander amongst the various Ministry employees, most of whom she didn't know. Feeling rather awkward and out of place wandering around alone, it was actually a relief to spot Percy. She walked briskly towards him, keeping him in her sight as not to lose him in the large crowd. As she neared him, she noticed a petite girl latched onto his arm - likely his girlfriend, or at least date.
"Good evening, Percy," Hermione smiled as she reached the pair.
He looked over at her, scanned her up and down with a level of scrutiny and glanced next to her before speaking. "Alone, are you?"
Though it was true, the fact that he had to go and point it out, and in that tone, infuriated Hermione. However, she smiled politely and responded, "Indeed. My date couldn't make it tonight."
"Pity," he said dismissively. "Well, I'd like you to meet my date. Hermione, this is June. June, this is Hermione; her and I have been working together on the house-elf initiative."
The dark-haired girl gave Hermione a faint smile, and Hermione returned it with about the same enthusiasm. She turned her gaze to Percy once more.
"Yes, Percy and I have been working together, but we actually have known each other for years," she announced lightly. She smiled at June and ignored the mild alarm radiating off of Percy. "You see, I'm actually quite close with his sister. I've spent a significant amount of time at the Burrow with the family."
"What's the Burrow?" June asked as she peered up at Percy in question.
Percy looked flustered, his cheeks turning a shade of red as he stumbled through a response. "It's just...a nickname that my silly siblings gave our home. It's actually quite a nice place though," he insisted with an eager nod.
Hermione had to admit that she felt a bit of sympathy for Percy. He tried so hard to ignore where he came from, who he was. She didn't anticipate that he would've hidden 'The Burrow' from this girl, and she did feel a bit bad for bringing it up. She was about to chime in and play along with Percy's story when he hurriedly ushered June away. Hermione sighed as she watched them leave. She was about to determine where she should go next when a voice came from behind her and startled her.
"Has a lot of insecurities, doesn't he?"
Hermione gasped and turned around to come face to face with Ms. Blake.
"Sorry, did I startle you?" Ms. Blake asked lightly.
Hermione laughed tentatively. "A little. How are you?"
"Fine, thank you. Yourself?"
"I'm fine, thanks."
"That's a lovely dress you're wearing," Ms. Blake admired with a slight cock of her head. "You didn't arrive with a date, but you may leave with one."
Hermione laughed embarrassedly and could feel heat rush to her cheeks. "Oh, I highly doubt that," she responded. "And you look great."
Ms. Blake gave her a tiny indulgent smile. "Rumour has it they're going to serve dinner any minute now. Care to join me?"
A wave of nervousness pushed through Hermione as she smiled and thanked Ms. Blake and followed her to the exceedingly large table that had suddenly appeared a few feet down from the Christmas tree.
Hermione smiled and politely greeted all the officials who came to sit near them, Percy and June deciding to sit across from them. With a pop, a plate full of turkey, gravy, and all the fixings appeared in front of each person along with a goblet of pumpkin juice.
The ensuing small talk wasn't quite as painful as Hermione had anticipated. Percy had designated himself as a key speaker in their section as he felt the need to butt in to every conversation and make himself heard. Ms. Blake had been quite quiet this whole time and Hermione deduced that the older woman was just amusedly observing. The sly cursory glances she sent Hermione's way every now and then confirmed this.
Finally, a French Ministry official that Hermione was introduced to at the start of dinner, but didn't know beyond that, leaned forward to see past Ms. Blake and directed a question Hermione's way. "So, Miss Granger, how long have you been working with the Ministry?"
"Only about four months, sir," she replied, thankful she didn't have a mouth full of food at the time.
"Impressive," he stated with a look of surprise on his face. "I've heard your name a few times over in our neck of the woods. All great things."
Hermione couldn't stop the puzzled look on her face from forming. "Really? I mean, wow, I'm flattered. Thank you, sir."
He chuckled and gave a nod towards Ms. Blake. "Vivian, here, has been singing your praises up and down these halls. And that's saying a lot," he laughed furthermore, drawing similar reactions out of those within earshot of the conversation.
Hermione looked to Ms. Blake questioningly and in probably a much more incredulous manner than she had intended. Ms. Blake simply shrugged.
"It's well deserved. Your passion far outreaches others involved," Ms. Blake's blue eyes falling ever so briefly upon Percy, "and that passion has really driven and inspired us all. To see someone so young with such strong beliefs and convictions, coupled with superior intellect, I really can't say much other than good things about you," she stated nonchalantly.
Hermione laughed nervously, feeling her whole face radiate with heat. "Really, you're much too kind and generous, Ms. Blake. I haven't done anything special."
"Modesty, what an admirable trait," Ms. Blake noted, and a few others nodded in agreement. "And it's nice to see a career-minded woman such as yourself. So many people, especially women, get caught up in relationships and let them interfere with their careers."
Hermione felt a lump develop in her throat and her eyes instinctively flashed to Percy. There was a glint in his eye that she really didn't like.
"Oh, Hermione didn't tell you?" Percy asked lightly as he sought eye contact with Ms. Blake.
"Percy," Hermione said imploringly.
"Tell me what?" Ms. Blake asked, her voice now suspicious as she shifted her gaze between Percy and Hermione, scrutinizing both.
"She's engaged," Percy announced easily. He briefly waited for a response from Ms. Blake, but quickly locked eyes with Hermione.
The brunette's mouth fell agape for a moment before she set her jaw.
"I'm not engaged," Hermione asserted, her voice authoritative as she looked to Ms. Blake who now eyed her with an eyebrow arched every so slightly.
"Oh," the older woman replied evenly.
"Ginny won't be very pleased to hear that," Percy replied, his voice daring her to retaliate.
Hermione was about to protest when the French Ministry official she'd been talking with a moment ago cut in.
"Ginny? Isn't that a girl's name?" He asked, clearly perplexed.
Hermione could feel her cheeks burning and her heart beat strongly in her chest. Her mind raced to determine a way out of this situation, but all possibilities faded away as the on-looking faces stared intently at her and each passing second felt like she was digging herself a bigger hole.
"Well, I am seeing someone," Hermione started. She was having trouble keeping her voice steady and did her best to maintain eye contact with those around her. She kept reminding herself that she had no reason to be ashamed. "I have a girlfriend."
Murmurs broke out around her and Hermione felt her panic rising. She struggled to keep her breathing even. Laughter broke through Hermione's thoughts and her eyes snapped forward to Percy.
"I don't suppose everyone knows that it's your sister I'm dating?" Hermione asked severely.
Percy stilled for a moment, looking hard at Hermione. When he spoke, he broke their eye contact and cast his gaze absently down the table.
"I have nothing to do with her."
"You should be ashamed of yourself," Hermione said in a harsh tone.
She was so upset over his comment, the situation, everything, that she could feel herself starting to tear up. She glanced down at her food in an effort to hide her wet eyes from her colleagues.
"A girl?" Another official asked from across the table.
Hermione looked up and he continued his questioning, but directed it to the woman next to him.
"Didn't one of the girls in the Obliviator Headquarters have a relationship with another girl?"
The woman seemed to ponder the suggestion for a moment before speaking. "Right. She hasn't worked here in ages," she shrugged.
"Oh right," he said with a nod.
"Yes, she quit," the woman explained.
"She was sort of," another man chimed in as he glanced around before mumbling, "pushed out...wasn't she?"
"Quiet," the woman said as she glanced down the table, presumably towards the French Minister.
The retelling continued on in hushed voices, and Hermione tried to digest the information they were relaying. She fiercely ignored the way Percy was watching her, probably laughing at her. She'd love to wipe that smirk off of his face - she'd relish the opportunity to. However, she was thankful that the officials were caught up in the story of this former Ministry employee and had supposedly forgotten about her. She had to think of a way out of here.
"Come with me."
Hermione gasped slightly as Ms. Blake's quiet voice cut through her ponderings. She turned to look at the woman and was well aware that she likely had a great amount of fear in her eyes. Ms. Blake just gave a slight gesture with her head towards the halls. Hermione found herself too unsure to move, but when Ms. Blake rose from her seat, she found herself doing the same. Thankfully, their dinner companions still seemed consumed by their prior conversation that they barely heeded any attention to them as they left. Hermione still refused to look at Percy.
Wordlessly, Hermione followed the older woman away from the chatter at the dinner table and down an empty corridor. When they came to a stop, the voices of their colleagues were a mere buzz in the distance. The lighting was insufficient where they stood and there was more dark than light - it gave Hermione the shivers.
Hermione stood and awaited her punishment. She felt like she was going to be punished anyway. Ms. Blake slowly turned around to face Hermione, her expression not letting on how she felt about this development.
"Are you alright?" Ms. Blake asked, her voice softer than before . As if on cue, Hermione sniffled, before closing her eyes for a few seconds in an attempt to regain her composure.
"I'm fine," she answered, though her voice was far from sure.
"He's a bit of a prat, isn't he?" Ms. Blake said as her eyes looked past Hermione and towards the dinner table far off down the hall. Hermione didn't quite trust herself to reply and she didn't even know what to say. She hated Percy right now, but she didn't think Ms. Blake was the proper sounding board for such an outburst.
"I suppose I should've guessed," Ms. Blake said with a hint of a smirk. "May I?" She asked, though she was already reaching towards Hermione.
The brunette resisted the urge to move back as Ms. Blake's hand came forward and grasped at the thin, gold chain around Hermione's neck and pulled it up enough to reveal the ring that had been concealed by her dress.
"It's gorgeous," Ms. Blake stated in a bit of a drawl. She glanced up at Hermione and gave her a light smile.
"We're not engaged," Hermione repeated with a nervous laugh.
"None of my business, really," the blonde admitted with a shrug as she let the necklace drop from her fingertips and moved back.
Before Hermione could begin to feel comfortable, Ms. Blake gave her a bit of a grin and went on.
"Though I'm dying to know more."
Hermione glanced around nervously before looking back to Ms. Blake. "Well, what would you like to know?" She asked tentatively.
"Was she who you had to see a few weeks back?"
A blush quickly rose to Hermione's cheeks and she gave a nod.
"She was really hurt - there was an accident. I had to see her," she explained.
Ms. Blake nodded her understanding. "That's sweet of you. Glad she was fine," Ms. Blake commented. The brunette gave her a weak smile.
"So, tell me more about this charming young woman," Ms. Blake said with a gesture of her hand. "Percy's sister, hm?" The look Ms. Blake gave Hermione was one of amused disbelief. "Are they alike?"
Hermione nearly laughed, but she caught herself and cleared her throat.
"No, not at all alike. Ginny's very intelligent, but she's much more easy going and fun."
Ms. Blake smiled. "That's probably a blessing." Hermione had to chuckle.
"Yes, I believe so."
"Well, what else?" Ms. Blake asked again.
Hermione frowned in contemplation, not too sure what she wanted to disclose to her superior, though so far Ms. Blake seemed understanding and supportive.
"Well, she goes to Hogwarts," Hermione said and saw no initial reaction from Ms. Blake.
When Hermione didn't speak further, the blonde let out a bit of an impatient sigh and said, "So? What does she want to do after Hogwarts?"
Hermione struggled with her inner desire for privacy, but another part of her felt relieved that Ms. Blake was positively interested. "She wants to play quidditch - hopefully for the Holyhead Harpies."
The older woman nodded her head, a faint smirk forming on her lips. "Ah, a quidditch player," she teased. "So how long have you been together?"
"About a year and a half."
"That's nice. Do you see it going further?" Ms. Blake asked with an innocent look on her face.
"Yes," Hermione replied without any hesitation. "I do."
"And you planning to stay with the Ministry?" Ms. Blake asked, now a hint of her opinion shining through.
"Yes, is there a problem?" Hermione asked.
For the first time that Hermione could recall, Ms. Blake seemed concerned about how to approach the topic at hand. She paused briefly and eyed Hermione with a bit of apprehension shadowed by warmth.
"I've been with the Ministry long enough to come across other stories like the one they were talking about out there," Ms. Blake announced with a nod down the hall. "I've seen things like this ruin careers-"
"I don't care what any of them think," Hermione asserted as she struggled to control her temper, but found herself slipping regardless. "Who I date has nothing to do with the quality of my work. You know I'm capable!" She nearly shouted and found herself pointing in accusation at Ms. Blake before she could stop herself.
Ms. Blake put out a hand and gently pushed Hermione's outreached hand down.
"I'm aware of how capable you are," Ms. Blake admitted nonchalantly. She made eye contact with Hermione, her blue eyes soft and her usual mild amusement nonexistent. "I was about to say...until you interrupted me...that despite everything, you could probably get past this because of your exceptional work," she emphasized. "You may experience a bit negativity from some, but I imagine you'd fare better than that other Ministry worker. You're already in good standing with several high-ranking officials, the Minister included. At the very least, the Minister has made it clear to me that he doesn't want to lose you. In addition, the Ministry overall has become more progressive and inclusive."
"I'm sorry," Hermione said quietly, feeling guilty for exploding at her superior the way that she did. If being outed so publicly wasn't a career-limiting move, then yelling at one of the highest-ranking Ministry officials from Britain would probably suffice. "That's very flattering, though I hardly feel I deserve it - especially right now," she offered.
"Don't worry, I know you're upset right now," Ms. Blake responded with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Although, I must comment again on your work ethic - with the hours and dedication that you've put in, I wouldn't have guessed that you were seeing anyone. Ginny's supportive, I take it?"
"Yes, very much so," Hermione replied with a bit of a coy smile, feeling suddenly bashful over the thought of how supportive Ginny actually was. "I'm very lucky."
"That's excellent," Ms. Blake said. "Quidditch players are typically known to be great fun, and of course they're revered in a sense, but usually they can't be bothered with this bureaucratic 'nonsense'," she continued with a sly grin. "It's very rare for serious Ministry employees to marry Quidditch players. Scandals and such, as tantalizing as they may be, create unnecessary political waves, and Quidditch players do have a habit of attracting such things."
"Well, I don't care about who 'serious' Ministry employees marry," Hermione proclaimed with a bit more severity than intended, nearly instantly forfeiting her previous remorse for yelling at her boss. "And Ginny's not like that at all."
"Please understand that all of this doesn't reflect my personal opinion," Ms. Blake explained patiently. "I fully believe you, and thank goodness, too. The last thing we need right now is a scandal to give the French Ministry or whoever else something to hold over our heads."
"That won't be a problem," Hermione promised.
"Good to hear," Ms. Blake chuckled. "Listen, I hope I haven't upset you. You're a very intelligent young woman and can make decisions for yourself, I'm well aware," she said gently. "If Ginny's good to you and supports you, then I'm happy for you. The Ministry can be a vicious place," Ms. Blake said with a rueful smirk. "Good support is necessary."
Hermione continued to stare a bit scrutinizing at Ms. Blake, but eventually dropped her defenses. "Thank you, Ms. Blake."
"Come, now," the older woman said warmly, as she placed an arm around Hermione's shoulder and ushered her back towards the dining area. "We have a party to enjoy."
Hermione huffed in frustration as she set her ring down on the floor of her living room and tried to reach Ginny. The brunette gritted her teeth together as she clutched today's newspaper tightly in her hand. She had tried last night the second she had gotten home, but Ginny was unavailable. Forcing herself to not be upset with the girl, Hermione reasoned that it was quite late and Ginny was likely asleep, also it wasn't Ginny that she was mad at, she was just furious about the events at the Christmas party.
"Crookshanks, stop," Hermione snapped as he pressed up against her. "Honestly, what's been with you lately?"
He hopped up onto the couch and began pacing back and forth, eyeing her.
"The vet says you're fine," Hermione said wearily. "I don't understand." She threw her arms down to her side and huffed. "Just a little longer and we'll be back home, okay?"
"Hello?"
Hermione whipped around to come face to face with a very groggy looking Ginny. She was still in her pyjamas and apparently hiding, crouched in a corner somewhere again. Hermione felt a rush of guilt over being so demanding, but right now she really needed to speak with Ginny.
"Look at this," Hermione said hurriedly as she thrust the newspaper into view and displayed the article she had just read.
The redhead rubbed her eyes and blinked several times as she leaned in toward the paper. She stared at it with what looked like a great deal of effort for several moments before her eyes finally went wide and her mouth fell open.
"What the-"
"I know!" Hermione exploded as she dropped the paper back down her side with such force that when it hit the side of her leg, the sound reverberated across her flat. "I'm going to kill Percy. I'll do it myself. And I won't need magic to do it."
"That bloody-" Ginny started before she pursed her lips, and held her breath, her eyes darting around in anger. "I should've known he'd do something outrageously stupid. I don't even know the full story, but no, you're not going to kill him, I'm going to kill him. You can watch if you like."
Despite the fact that Ginny was making a vague attempt to make Hermione laugh, the brunette found herself nearly crying. "It's all over the papers, Gin," she said in a frail voice.
"I know," Ginny's voice was thick with sympathy. She fidgeted and looked at Hermione with great concern. "What can I do? How can I help?"
Hermione let out a heavy sigh. "Nothing. There's nothing either of us can do," she admitted as she gave a faint shake of her head and brought up the article again to glance at it.
"What does the rest say? I didn't get a chance to read it all," Ginny asked tentatively.
Another sigh escaped Hermione's mouth. "It's not entirely bad. It makes a ridiculous claim at the end about whether I'll be able to control myself or if I'll fall into the same 'trappings' as a previous French Ministry employee who was involved in some scandal supposedly. Outside of that though...it could be worse. I just hate that everyone knows now."
Hermione examined the article for what had to be the fifth time in the past five minutes. The article mentioned Hermione by name and said that she was attempting to liberate the house-elves despite facing many struggles of her own being a lesbian witch. Then it went into the story about a female French Ministry employee that Hermione can only assume was the girl they were speaking of last night at the table. Apparently she had crossed a few lines with another female employee or two - an unwelcome crossing of the line. According to the article, the woman blamed her behaviour on the fact that these other two girls were veela, but not surprisingly, that didn't sit well with the French authorities. The closing comments of the article were regarding whether Hermione could stay focused on her career or if she'd be 'side-tracked'. However, at least there was a note about how dedicated she was to the house-elf initiative, so that was better than what they could've wrote otherwise.
Hermione didn't believe a word of this rubbish, but ultimately the damage was done. Now everyone not only at the Ministry knew about her, but all over France. And she had to admit that this article would probably reach England as well. How could it not? So much for being judged by her work alone.
"I'm so sorry, Mione," Ginny said, causing Hermione to look up. "I don't know what to say. I guess it could've been worse...but, what happened?" She asked bewildered. "How did this all come about?"
"Percy," Hermione spat. "Ms. Blake was complimenting my work and he said that you and I were engaged. And this is while we were all seated at the dinner table. At least 8 people heard right then and there," she exclaimed.
"We're engaged?" Ginny asked, her eyes wide and bright.
"Gin!" Hermione nearly yelled as she stomped her foot. "Sorry," she said quietly. "But now's not the right time."
"Sorry," Ginny replied sheepishly as she blushed. "Go on. How'd everyone react?"
"I don't know," Hermione said exasperatedly. "Surprised? Confused? They started telling the story about this girl," she held up the paper, "but it was a slightly different retelling than what the paper indicates. Apparently she was pushed out by upper authorities."
Ginny looked nervous. "That's not good..."
"No," Hermione shook her head. "And then I had a bizarre conversation with Ms. Blake. She took me aside and she...," the older girl trailed off as she recalled Ms. Blake's words. She still didn't know how she felt about their little chat.
"What happened?" Ginny prompted.
"She," Hermione started and sighed, slouching momentarily before straightening back up. "She was nice, but she still warned me a bit about how things are in the Ministry and she specifically said that a scandal was the last thing this project needed."
Ginny looked on at the brunette, seemingly unsure of what to say.
"I don't know, Gin," Hermione sighed as she moved over to the couch and sat down. "And I'm so tired," Hermione complained as she settled in and ran a hand through her unruly hair. "God, I've been exhausted the past while already and now this? I must've had the most restless sleep because I feel absolutely drained."
"Mione," Ginny said as she reached forward, though they both know she couldn't reach her. Hermione glanced over at the redhead, and moved off the couch and onto the floor so she could sit close to Ginny. Even though it was just a picture of her, it felt comforting to even pretend to be near her.
"Mione," Ginny repeated as she reached out again to nearly caress the side of Hermione's face. The brunette closed her eyes and imagined the feel of Ginny's warm hand upon her cheek.
"I know this is really hard," Ginny went on, "but you get to go on holidays very soon. It'll take some time, but this will blow over. And you're amazing at what you do, nobody can criticize your work, so you shouldn't worry. They can't get rid of you for this, they can't afford to! You're the best person on the team," Ginny asserted.
Hermione scoffed despite appreciating Ginny's words and effort. "Well, if that's the case, then the Minister might be very happy to get rid of me. That would hinder the project quite nicely."
"Stop that," Ginny chided. "You'll be fine. You're just all worked up because of the rubbish Percy put in your head last Christmas and the story about that girl."
After brief reflection over Ginny's words, Hermione had to give a slow nod of her head. Ginny did have a point.
"You're right. Thank you, Gin. You're so incredible."
"Why? Cause I can actually come up with a logical thought every now and then?" The redhead asked with a wry grin.
"No," Hermione retorted as she pretended to tickle Ginny, still drawing a laugh out of her. "You're incredible because you always help me, and yes, you're oddly reasonable sometimes," she smiled.
"And I'm so incredible that you want to be engaged to me, right?" Ginny asked with a waggle of her eyebrows and a cheeky grin.
"Gin," Hermione stated with a bit of a weary, yet apologetic, look.
"Hey, you're the one who gave us the rings," Ginny pouted.
"I know," the brunette relented. She made a conscientious effort to tread carefully and not trample Ginny's feelings. "And they are a promise, but we're not officially engaged...yet. Someday." She smiled quietly as Ginny leaned back with a heavy sigh and rubbed her tired eyes.
"Fine," Ginny said with reluctant acceptance.
"Ginny." Hermione smiled with affection at her girlfriend, who would hopefully someday be her fiancée. "You're still in school and I'm just on an internship. We both need to have stable jobs before we can get married - it'd be irresponsible to do so otherwise."
The younger girl snorted a laugh as she hung her head in her hand. "Oh Mione. I'll never be short on logic and reason as long as you're around." Hermione was on the brink of feeling offended, but the notion was halted as Ginny went on tenderly. "One of the many reasons I love you. And you're right - I'll do my best to remember your reasoning during times of impatience," she smirked.
"I love you, Gin."
"I love you, too - even though you always make me wait."
AN: Well, I'm sure everyone hates Percy even more now :p Not exactly the type of quality time between Hermione and Ginny that everyone may have been hoping for, but it's all I can offer for the time being lol - more soon. Thank you again to everyone for reading :)