Hermione rolled her shoulders back, trying to relieve some of the tension that had built up between her shoulders. Hermione looked around the office noticing that her colleagues had already left for the evening. She chanced a glance at her watch and groaned. It was eight o'clock and she was late. She quickly gathered a few papers and neatly stacked them in her leather briefcase, turned out the lights, and made her way towards the elevators. Exiting the elevator, she quickly made her way over to the floos and left for her flat. Stepping out of her fireplace, Hermione deposited her briefcase in her office on her way to her bedroom and change out of her work robes into a more casual outfit. After making sure she looked decent, Hermione disapparated to the edge of the Weasley property.
Hermione stared at the looming house in the distance and for a brief second she considered going back home. She dreaded explaining to the members of the household the discussion that she and Minister Shacklebolt had shared earlier that day. With one last fleeting thought of returning to her comfortable flat, Hermione slowly made her way up to the Burrow.
Standing outside the front door, Hermione could hear loud voices coming from inside. Some were laughing, others were yelling, but all were just loud. Hermione sighed and grasped the door handle quietly pulling it open. What was once a boisterous environment suddenly turned silent as she glanced up noticing that everyone's eyes were on her. Hermione stood still, staring right back, before she was quickly ushered in by Molly who was suddenly taking Hermione's jacket from off her shoulders. What was once silence was suddenly loud again as questions were being thrown at her left and right. Hermione followed the matriarch into the kitchen, the lines of questions following Hermione, and sat down at the table. She let out one last sigh and held up a hand demanding silence.
She explained that her conversation with Kingsley was less than ideal and went into detail as to what was said. When she finished recounting everything, Hermione waited for the uproar she knew was coming and wasn't let down. "Bloody hell," Ron all but screamed, "They are all fucking lunatics!"
"Ronald Billius Weasley, I expect you not to use that language in this house. Do I make myself clear?" Ron only nodded his head, looking only a little bit ashamed, while the twins could be heard cackling at their brother's scolding. Mrs. Weasley sent a glare their way before flicking her wand at the stove and began the process of boiling water. In a softer voice Molly asked, "Hermione dear, would you like some tea?" The brunette in question only nodded and gave a small smile.
Harry who had been mostly quiet finally spoke up. "Would it be beneficial if I spoke to the Wizengamot?" Harry looked hopeful and Hermione sadly shook her head no. She watched the hopeful smile slip off his face and was replaced with a disappointed frown. By this point, the tea was done a cup had been placed in front of Hermione. Hermione thanked Molly once more, picking up the cup and slowly taking a sip of the steaming liquid inside.
"Well Forge," George began, "Since we can't get out of this one why don't we–"
"Go out on the town and enjoy our last few days as single men?" Fred finished. "What a brilliant idea Gred!"
Hermione let a small smile grace her lips at this and reminded them that they still had to show up for their exam tomorrow morning at nine, no matter how smashed they got. This received a 'yes mum' from the twins as they left the house. Ron, who was looking quite bewildered, questioned, "How do you do that?" Noticing Hermione's confusion, he added, "How do you know what time the exam is. It wasn't in our letters." Hermione simply just rolled her eyes and summoned today's newspaper, tapping her wand at the front page. The tips of Ron's ears turned red as he mumbled something about Hermione being a know-it-all and that not everyone reads the newspaper.
Mr. Weasley beckoned his wife to come upstairs, saying goodnight to all of those who were still in the kitchen. Ron followed soon after claiming that he needed to go to sleep early to be in his right mind for tomorrow's exam. After he left, Hermione sent her cup to the sink, washing it by magic and staring at the table, loosing herself in thought.
After some time, Ginny stood abruptly from her spot at the table, shocking Hermione who had forgotten that the young witch was there. Harry sighed and looked after her retreating form sadly. "She's taking this pretty hard," Harry stated before going after her.
"Understandably so, we all are," Hermione replied to the empty Kitchen. With that, she too stood and left the house, making sure to lock up. She reached the apparation point, swiftly turning on her heel. As soon as she reached home, the young witch made her way to her bedroom and fell face first onto her mattress. Today was a long day, but she suspected that tomorrow was going to be even longer.