So many follows and favorites already, thank you! To those who have already reviewed, thank you especially for your feedback. Yes, I cannot imagine Lucius Malfoy without arrogance. Even after all that occurred with Voldemort, I think the only way he could have rebuilt his life would have been to assume his former hauteur, even if the underlying foundations of it were permanently destroyed. To do less would be unthinkable.
To reward you all for your interest, here is the next chapter! Let me know what you think!
"Really, Harry, enough is enough. I am well able to handle Lucius Malfoy."
"That's not what it looked like when I found you in a full body bind after your little argument last month," Harry reminded her. Hermione's cheeks flushed slightly but she continued as if he hadn't spoken.
"I'm convinced that your hovering Aurors are making it worse, not better. He's more determined than ever to extract petty revenges since you sicced your dogs on him."
Hermione was comfortably ensconced on the Potters' couch, her feet tucked up underneath her and a very nice glass of elven wine relaxing her after the busy week. Ginny was holding a sleeping baby Albus and darted a glance at her husband, whose jaw was clenched in that way he had of stomaching unpleasant tidings.
"Perhaps she has a point, Harry. It is certainly the type of thing that would antagonize a Malfoy," Ginny offered, the baby's noises from a dream distracting her momentarily.
Harry sighed and ruffled his hair. "I don't want to make it worse for you, Hermione, but he cannot intimidate you. It's a violation of the Human Resources management guidelines, as well as hate speech if he called you a Mudblood."
"Harry, you and I both know that I've heard worse. Draco said it with far more venom than his father, and to his credit Lucius has secured more funding and additional researchers. Beneath the digs and almost obligatory insults, I do believe he may actually care about the results."
"Ha! If he does it's only because his precious Scorpius is a Squib and they are too ashamed to admit it," Ginny said, then had the good grace to blush when she received two looks from Hermione and Harry.
"That may be so, Ginny, but it's none of our business," Hermione said, then squeezed her friend's hand to lessen the sting of the rebuke.
"I don't doubt that Scorpius is just as venomous as his father and grandfather. That family is too vicious to skip a generation," Harry said. "No, he's got some other reason for being there, and I'll be damned if I can figure out what it is."
"I don't know and I don't care," Hermione said after another mouthful of wine. "I would just like to be able to do my job in peace without worrying about what he is doing behind the scenes. I never know whether I will be pleasantly surprised at a department meeting or feel the urge to hex him into oblivion."
"I could talk to Kingsley about moving him. Even Malfoy would be tempted if he were offering a junior minister position somewhere," Harry said reasonably. "It's not like he brings any particular expertise to the subject area."
Here Hermione was silent. While she had grudgingly admitted Lucius Malfoy's tactical brilliance, she was beginning to suspect that he knew far more about Muggle chemistry and Potions in general than he had ever let on. The manner in which he perused her research and the occasional sly question had given her to understand that he had a quick mind, and she did not doubt that he knew more about the intricacies of her work than he wanted anyone to realize. It made him more dangerous and also harder to get rid of.
"I don't think he would go, Harry. He is there for a purpose, and he won't leave the position until he realizes it." Hermione's brow was furrowed, and she grasped at a sliver of a thought spurred by something Malfoy had said earlier. "He told me tonight that he doubted I understood the ramifications of my work…I am not sure I know what he meant by it."
Ginny and Harry exchanged a glance, and Ginny spoke again, softly so as to not wake Albus. "Hermione, what exactly are your results telling you? We have assumed you are working on the Squib issue, but you aren't allowed to talk about it and certainly people are getting nervous…"
"I wish I could tell you, both of you, I really do," Hermione begged. "But I am under a Wizarding Oath not to reveal any of it until Kingsley gives me permission to speak of it." She paused and gave a brief, brave smile. "I will have to puzzle out Lucius' meaning myself. It is probably making little sense because it's so late. I should go."
So saying, Hermione stood and leaned over to give Ginny a kiss on the cheek and place a gentle kiss on Albus' head. She let Harry escort her to the fireplace, where she took a handful of Floo powder after Harry hugged her. "Constant vigilance, Hermione. Whatever it is you are working on, obviously Kingsley feels comfortable enough to let Malfoy in on it. I guess we'll just have to trust that he knows what he's doing."
Hermione gave another smile that was braver than how she really felt. "Yes, that's it exactly Harry. I'm sure whatever storm gets thrown up as a result of my work, it will end up being a tempest in a teapot."
"Are you ready, Miss Granger?"
Kingsley's deep voice at her side startled her, and she caught Lucius Malfoy's smirk as he grabbed her elbow in a proprietary manner and propelled her forward into the lift. Kingsley followed with his two Aurors, neither of whom was Harry. He had been sent on a field mission based on a reported sighting of Antonin Dolohov, and of course that was more interesting than a press conference about the Ministry's research on magical genes. Hermione was irked by Malfoy's presumption, but his grip on her elbow was firm and she couldn't make a fuss about it without Kingsley noticing, so she settled for glaring daggers at him instead.
The lift stopped at the fourth level, and Calvin Yaxley got on, nodding to Lucius and Kingsley.
Better and better, another ex-Death Eater, Hermione groused to herself, then was put on her guard by Kingsley saying something in a low tone to Yaxley. She was further alarmed by the fact that Yaxley seemed to be coming with them to the press conference.
"After you, Miss Granger," Lucius murmured, releasing her elbow briefly as she negotiated through the crowd of reporters arrayed for the press conference. The flashes of light from photographers were a familiar if annoying occurrence, and Lucius was right by her side for every one of the pictures. Damn the man, anyway, Hermione thought to herself, and heard a quiet chuckle from her boss. Hastily she retreated behind the shifting fog of her Occlumency shields, and cast a dirty look sideways at Lucius.
"How flattering that you find my presence so distracting," Lucius said with a patronizing tone, then swept to his place to Kingsley's right. Hermione had been briefed on the protocol and stood in the background, grateful for once to not be directly in the public eye, even if she was forced to participate in the conference.
"Good Witches and Wizards, welcome to the Ministry of Magic. I have called you here today to discuss the recent increase in the number of Squib births amongst the magical community, a situation which has saddened and depressed us all. As soon as an increase was noted, the Ministry took it upon itself to fund research into possible causes…"
Hermione allowed her mind to wander, cognizant of the need to keep her shields intact. As soon as an increase was noted, my ass. It took me three years of busting my butt with a secondhand instrument and some complicated potions work to get enough data to get them to even consider funding my work. She refocused on what Kingsley was saying, and heard the gasp from the press corps as he announced that sadly, they had found a physical basis for the loss of magic among so many of their offspring. Kingsley's description of genetics was succinct and perhaps not quite accurate, but the press witches and wizards were enraptured. This was big, and the only sounds to be heard in the room were the scratching of quick quote quills and the rustle of fresh sheets of parchment to replace those already saturated with words.
"And now, I will turn you over to our Minister for Magical Law Enforcement, Calvin Yaxley, for a discussion of how the Ministry intends to confront this epidemic. Calvin?"
Hermione started forward to whisper to Kingsley, but Lucius grabbed her elbow again and leaned down in what looked like a quiet word from the boss to anyone who happened to be looking at them. However, Hermione was well aware of the vice-like grip which Malfoy was exerting on her, and his eyes had taken on that dangerous mercurial gleam.
"No, Miss Granger, I will watch you take in the effects of your good work," he hissed in a tone that brooked no argument.
Faced with the highly unpleasant prospect of a scene in front of every press witch and wizard in Britain or waiting quietly while Yaxley said whatever horrible, hideous thing had been cooked up, Hermione chose to not make a scene. There was a time and a place for that, and this was not it. Whatever had been decided had clearly involved Kingsley, and who knew how many other deputy ministers and department heads within the Ministry.
"The genetic testing which was developed in-house at the Ministry allows us to pinpoint which pairings between witch and wizard are likely to result in offspring who suffer from a loss of magic. Thus, the Ministry has decided it is in the best interests of the Wizarding community of Great Britain to require such testing between potential spouses before marriage."
Yaxley paused and the press corps scribbled furiously. This was a natural development from the stunning news, it would seem, but Yaxley was not done yet.
"In addition to the genetic testing for those wishing to marry, the Ministry is henceforth imposing mandatory genetic testing on all Wizards and Witches of marriageable age and whom are likely able to have children. A statistical analysis of the children tested thus far indicates that this problem may be widespread. We are therefore compelling parents to bring in all children below the age of eleven to be tested as well, in order to ascertain the true extent of this threat to our community."
Hermione felt a knot forming in her throat. This was far more intrusive than she would have liked. Parents who previously would have waited for their child's magic to manifest naturally would now be confronted with that knowledge when their children were much younger. If their children were diagnosed as being Squibs, Hermione feared that some parents would cease their attentions to their non-magical children, as some in the Wizarding world still felt that Squibs were damaged and inferior in some way. Argus Filch was one example of such "parenting". She swallowed hard, but could not dislodge the lump that reflected the anguish of her heart. This was terrible. Didn't they realize they were causing more problems than they were purporting to solve? She was about to turn away to leave but Malfoy's hand tightened and he prevented her from doing so. She had forgotten he still had a hold of her, and threw an angry look and nonverbal hex at him. He wordlessly parried it and flashed a look of searing anger at her, giving her a split second glimpse at what he truly thought of her research.
"No, dear, you will swallow all of the bitter potion you helped create," he whispered in her ear, turning her in a gesture that looked comforting but was anything but.
"Lastly, the Ministry will use the genetic information it obtains from the Wizards and Witches of marriageable age to compile a list of suitable matches for each witch and wizard. It is expected that those of marriageable age will marry within the next year. Were the situation not as dire as we fear, the Ministry would not take such a drastic step. However, in order to ensure the survival of our magical community, we must see population growth or resort to begging other magical communities for an influx of new immigrants."
A rustle of whispers ran round the room. Nearly all in the room were to be affected by the law. A mostly uniform hush spread over the press as Kingsley retook the podium.
"I would like to assure the Wizarding community that were the circumstances not so grave, the Ministry would not be interfering in such a social institution in this manner. However, the research carried out by our Department for Magical Research, which will be published later today in the Annals of Magical Research, is thorough and based in unequivocal fact. Therefore, we must act quickly to safeguard our community and ensure its survival. We hope that all witches and wizards affected will do their part with good grace and accede to the demands of biology, for the greater good."
Hermione's eyes closed at Kingsley's parroting of Dumbledore's seemingly favorite phrase. As Kingsley stepped back from the podium, the press wizards and witches began to shout a plethora of questions. Hermione heard a few before one particularly nasal and rude voice cut through the din.
"Minister Malfoy, do tell us, was Hermione Granger the primary researcher behind this work?"
Hermione didn't need to see her yellow curls to know who had asked. Kingsley nodded to Lucius, who released her arm at last and strode to the podium.
"Miss Granger has been invaluable to this work." Lucius paused and turned his head to meet Hermione's eyes, then he turned back to the audience and threw her to the wolves. "In fact, you could say that without Miss Granger, this research would never have been done."
Hermione did not stay for the instant flurry of questions. She turned on her heel and walked away swiftly, escaping to the closest fireplace and calling, "Hermione Granger's Flat" in a clear voice. She stepped through into her living room, then turned and quickly blocked the Floo before she sank to the floor and cried her heart out.
The tapping of an owl at the window raised Hermione from her stupor on the floor. She unbent herself stiffly, uncertain of what time it was. She slowly went over to the window and opened it to let the lovely barn owl in, recognizing it as Ron and Lavender's. She took the note from its leg absentmindedly, then offered it an owl treat from the bag by the windowsill before closing the window after it. She softly said, "Lumos" to light the room up a bit, then unrolled the note to uncover Ron's messy penmanship.
We just read the evening Quibbler and, wow, 'Mione, you sure know how to cause a stir! It won't affect us, of course, but blimey Hermione, do you realize how many people are rushing to Mungo's now to get their kids tested? I'll bet Draco is going spare! And the arranged marriage law…George is already anxious, right green around the gills, he is. Charlie swears he won't set foot back in England while it's in effect, and Mum is a bundle of nerves, afraid he'll go off and marry some Roma witch before all the furor dies down. Dad swears he had no idea what was going on, but really, 'Mione, couldn't you have dropped a hint? Lavender says to let her know when you get your list, okay, because you're going to need some support having to pick a husband from a list of genetic 'eligibles'. I hope you're doing okay. Come for a visit if the attention is too much for you. Love, Ron (and Lavender, of course)
Hermione threw the note down on the kitchen table and folded her arms around herself. Of course, she'd be getting a list. Breathe, Hermione, breathe.
How stupid could she be: hers was one of the first genetic profiles made because she had been eager to prove the technique! How did she not hear about the statistical model they were using to predict the number of Squibs, or arrange the matches? But of course Lucius wouldn't have told her about that. He would have given it as a project to the new Arithmancy member of the team, that bright young thing Jessamine Miselle. She was a recent graduate of Beauxbatons and a whiz with Arithmancy, so of course that must have been what she was working on since her arrival. To be honest, Hermione had been so buried in her own analyses that she had just been grateful for another mind to deal with the statistics the Ministry required for all the data.
"That's it!" Hermione said excitedly, and opened the window once more to whistle for her owl, Lucifer. He was a mean tempered long-eared owl, but he had great stamina for long distance flying and Hermione was certain no one would tamper with him, either. Now, what to say? She put the quill to her lips and ignored Lucifer's angry hiss at being made to wait while she composed her note. She erased several lines before getting what she felt was the right balance in tone. Squelching the sense of unease that accompanied her action, she tied the note to Lucifer's leg and said clearly, "Lucius Malfoy."
The bird blinked and took off with a long swoop through the window. Hermione bit her lip nervously, then turned to the fridge. She had to eat something, and then she would go to bed and wait for her boss' reply. She doubted very much that he would rush to reply this evening, so she would be better off tucked away in bed. Tomorrow morning was soon enough to deal with this mess again.
