A Hundred Storms

by arielx

Desperate for normality after the final battle, Hermione returns to Hogwarts to finish her education. As part of his probation for acts during the war, Draco must return as well. The war may be over, but the storm is only beginning. Confused and broken, they begin to heal where their story began.

49. We are Heroes

Chapter Forty-Nine: We are Heroes

Cause I'm okay when we're together
I know we will live forever maybe
One day we'll make history
How does it feel to be free
We are the stars that shine
We don't even have to try
We could go down in flames
But we'll melt our world away
All I know it's you're my rock n roll
And wherever we go we are heroes, heroes
They don't make 'em like you and I
Legends never die
- Legends Never Die by Ferras

Hermione awoke with a start the next morning following her passionate plea to her fellow eighth-years. Between her classmates, Neville especially, they forced her to retire to bed and try to get some sleep while they finished writing their own letters. She wasn't sure if she felt particularly restful, but she was grateful for their concern. She also hadn't needed her sleeping potion, and she couldn't decide if that was a good thing or not.
Rolling over, she caught Draco's scent in the pillows she used the previous night and her over-worked tear ducts stung as she fought back another round of useless sobbing. She didn't have time to cry. Draco didn't have time for her to cry. He seemed so strong and put together when she saw him in Azkaban, but she knew better. Draco held his head high for her then and she owed it to him to do the same.

Half an hour after waking Hermione finally emerged from Draco's room freshly showered and noticed only Blaise was still in the common room. She had every intention of sending off all the letters that were written the night before but when she got to the table they had been working at she found it empty.

"Neville and Hannah ran the letters up to the Owlry last night," Blaise spoke up when Hermione reached the bare table. "With any luck they'll be run with this morning's paper."

Hermione's heart began to race and she braced herself against the end of the table. Blaise was out of his seat in a flash in case he needed to steady her.

"Sorry," Blaise said with some chagrin as patted her on the shoulder. "This is new to me, too. You Gryffindors are an excitable lot. After Neville forced you to go get some sleep last night he thought it would be most effective to get them out in time for the morning post. I just wanted to give you a warning before breakfast."

Something in Blaise's tone knocked out a thought Hermione had the previous evening.

"How is it that everyone came back last night?" She asked him. "I assumed you all would trickle in throughout the next couple days since classes don't start until next week."

Blaise raised an eyebrow. "I thought you knew?" He took in her expression and gave her a weak grin. "Potter and Weasley owled the lot of us and said you needed help. They didn't go into specifics, but the letters came late Christmas day, so obviously we all knew it wasn't good. I thought it might be another Maliceptor attack, but I had no idea about the Ministry."

"I appreciate the help," Hermione said solemnly. "I really think we're going to win this."

"I should say so," Blaise agreed. "Ready for some breakfast? The others already headed down and I'm anxious to catch the papers."

Hermione nodded and the pair headed out of their common room and towards the Great Hall.

Due to a large majority of the students having left on holiday, the Great Hall was condensed into four tables. The professors and staff sat along in their normal place while three long tables were set up in a U formation facing the teachers and one another. There was a mix of familiar and new faces already at breakfast when Hermione and Blaise joined their fellow eighth years at the table on the right. Hermione sat down across from Hannah and looked to the windows while accepting a plate of bacon Terry passed to her.

"No post yet," Hannah guessed what Hermione was watching for. "It should only be another few minutes, however. Those owls are like clockwork."

Hermione already knew this, of course, but she was grateful to Hannah for filling in her apprehensive silence with a safe and mundane topic. Hermione's eyes flicked to the table where the teachers were seated and she locked on to McGonagall's gaze. Her favorite teacher received a curt nod and a grim smile. Hermione thought McGonagall's mouth was set in a sterner line that normal, but she simply received a nod in return.

Hermione surveyed the room again and took a deep breath, collecting her jumbled thoughts. She didn't regret the letters, in fact she feverishly hoped the Minister read them over his morning pumpkin juice and choked.

With that thought, the owls descended into the Great Hall.

Hermione stared at the one heading for her and noticed then that all the other eighth years had requested their own papers. The few of them who were chatting between themselves and the other students all froze as the Prophet was delivered to their table and they slowly looked at one another.

Hermione looked across the table to Hannah, who was looking back at her with excitement and fear dancing in her eyes. Had they sent off the letters in time?

Hermione took another deep breath and discovered she was a little dizzy. Her hand remained steady as she reached out and shook the paper open. It was twice the size it normally was and Hermione knew then this would be no ordinary edition. There, on the front page, Hermione saw her own face looking back up at her in black and white with a headline in bold across the top that read:

WAR HEROINE SLAMS MINISTRY, DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR FALSE IMPRISONMENT OF FORMER DEATHEATER

Hermione closed her eyes and counted to five before she opened them again and began taking in the story that made the front page. The picture they selected was a flattering one, she was dressed in her best robes and it had been taken during one of the trials she had been called to give witness to. If Hermione remembered correctly, it had been the trial of none other than Delores Umbridge. The Hermione that looked out from the paper looked grim but satisfied, not overly joyful but respectfully approachable.

Without speaking the eighth years dove into their papers and barely paused to acknowledge the rest of the room. The other students and teachers were watching them with mild interest, and Hermione saw out of the corner of her eye McGonagall reach for her own paper and begin to read.

Late last evening, letters began to arrive in droves to Prophet headquarters. The article began. Draco Malfoy, son of recently deceased Lucius Malfoy, was arrested late Christmas day due to violations regarding his parole. However, it appears there is more to the official story that the Ministry provided to this publication. Following confirmation of the arrest, Prophet writers received a tip from Hermione Granger, famed for her tireless effort in vanquishing He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. As our readers recall, Ms Granger was pivotal to war that took place last May, and as we reported back in September, she accepted a place at Hogwarts to finish her education. Ms Granger selflessly put off her seventh year, which was to be concluded at the end this past spring, due to spending that time assisting Harry Potter and one Ronald Weasley in combating He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and his plans to desiccate our way of life. According to Ms Granger this was a bad arrest, Mr. Malfoy had indeed used a curse to aid Ms Granger and she has requested his immediate release. Upon investigation, this writer has learned that the curse in question is the recently rated Severing curse added to the Ministry's Dark Arts scale last month. It stands to reason that such a recent addition to the scale would indeed come with a grace period, but swift action on the Ministry's part has led Mr. Malfoy back to Azkaban. This writer wonders if the Ministry will be rounding up anyone who might not yet be familiar with the latest restriction or if this treatment is specifically for Hogwarts students. Our readers will also recall a Ministry decree that was passed soon after the conclusion of the war last May regarding Ministry overreach within Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The decree, agreed upon unanimously by Ministry officials and Hogwarts representatives alike, closed a long-standing loophole that gave the Ministry of Magic certain levels of power over the school in times of duress or as the Ministry saw fit. In the past this loophole was abused by former Ministers and their officials, but it appears that history has come once again to repeat itself. When questioned about these allegations, a representative of the Minister relayed they had no comment at this time. At publication, this paper has received no less than twenty-five letters to the editor (see page 3) regarding Ministry overreach at Hogwarts by current and former students. To see Ms Granger's personal letter followed by a statement from Harry Potter, please turn to page 2.

Hermione looked up from the newspaper with her mouth slightly agape and turned to Blaise. "Twenty-five?" She whispered. "I thought it was just the nine of us?"

Blaise gave her a sly grin. "We're not the only ones Potter and Weasley reached out to." He told her. "I'd bet my last Galleon they owled everyone the could think of with a story to tell. What did you call that group? Dumbledore's Army? Certainly they all have something to say when it comes to the Ministry butting their noses where it isn't welcome."

Hermione let Blaise's words sink in and then tore into her paper. There, on page three and running all the way to page fifteen were letters from her fellow eighth years alongside the names of people she never fathomed to ask for their help. Cho Chang, Lee Jordan, Katie Bell, Seamus Finnigan, Padma and Parvati Patil, Susan Bones, even Marietta Edgecombe and Pansy Parkinson. Hermione was pleasantly surprised to see Luna and Ginny's names, and Ron had added his voice to the mix. She never doubted the latter three would help her and was so pleased Harry and Ron had reached out to so many other people. She hadn't thought of it.

"This is incredible," Hermione said in a hushed voice to whoever could hear her.

"The Minister is going to have a fit," Neville said gleefully. "I can't believe Harry and Ron were able to drum up this response!"

Hermione could barely believe it herself, but Blaise was right. All these students and former students had a reason to be wary of the Ministry trying to get themselves involved with the goings-on at Hogwarts. Most of them were involved in the D.A., which was a direct result of failed Ministry procedure at their school. It was probably a relief to finally be able to tell the world the wrongs they suffered.
Hermione reflected on the article itself and couldn't help but remember all the times the Prophet had criticized or questioned her character. The media was an incredibly powerful tool that could be used to sway the public one way or another. She caught media attention before the Ministry and now the media was obviously playing in her favor. The Ministry under Cornelius Fudge had used it against Harry, and now Hermione felt no guilt in using it against the Ministry under Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"We're going to have to escalate quickly," Hermione said to those around her in between bites of toast and large gulps of pumpkin juice. "We can't let this be a flash in the pan while something else comes along and garners interest."

"What did you have in mind?" Hannah asked.

Hermione paused, unsure of how far she wanted to push. It appeared their letters were a success, she noticed the Great Hall had taken on a more excited buzzing tone than when Hermione first arrived. Students and teachers were glancing over at her and her classmates with appreciative nods and gestures. Those students who were old enough to remember Delores Umbridge and the criminal amount of power she had been given by the Ministry were especially vocal as they poured though their own papers. Those who didn't have a Prophet subscription were eagerly taking the pages as their fellow classmates finished with them. It appeared the Prophet would not have any problem meeting their quota today. Hermione was worried if she pushed her luck she might come off as just a rebellious and entitled teenager, someone not meant to be taken seriously.

"Hermione?" Hannah asked again.

"I was debating wether or not it would be a good idea to go to the Ministry in person," Hermione said out loud. "But I don't want to push our luck. If nothing changes after today I think we should consider a visit. Perhaps we could organize a small protest and tip off the papers that we would be there?"

Before anyone could answer Hannah noticed something going on at the teacher's table then and turned to focus her attention on their Headmistress. Hermione followed her gaze and saw that Filch was bent low, speaking to McGonagall.

"Oh dear," Hermione murmured.

"He looks excited," Hannah commented.
"That can't be good," Blaise observed.
McGonagall left the breakfast table for a few minutes while the eighth years waited, and was back before they could find their voices again.

"Here she comes," said Neville as McGonagall made her way over to where Hermione was trying her hardest to look as insignificant as possible.

McGonagall stopped at Hermione's side and placed a comforting hand on her pupil's shoulder. "The Minister has arrived and would like to speak to you," McGonagall said in tone Hermione couldn't quite place.

Hermione took a small sip of her pumpkin juice to stall a moment and lubricate her mouth that had suddenly gone dry. She stood, and then looked back down at the table.

"Neville, Blaise, would you like to come with me?" Hermione asked. She didn't want to make a spectacle of herself by asking her whole table come, but she felt they would be properly represented if she brought a couple more students to witness whatever it was the Minister wanted to see her about.

McGonagall looked over at Hermione and gave her a reassuring smile that told Hermione she made the right call.

"I have him waiting in the foyer," McGonagall told Hermione as Blaise and Neville scrambled out of their seats. "I think it would be best to take this to my office."

Hermione could only nod, so she followed her Headmistress towards the stone gargoyle and climbed the stairs to the office, Neville and Blaise right on her heels. Hermione noticed the new Defense professor and Auror, Joshua Wendel, had vacated his seat in the Great Hall after a signal from McGonagall and led up the rear of their strange little party.

Hermione never imagined that Harry and Ron would be waiting for her when she arrived at the top of the stairs. She stopped dead in the middle of the office when she finally registered they were really standing there and those tears she swore off earlier that morning came back with a vengeance.

"You two are brilliant," Hermione said once she regained some sense of composure. "Those letters, I just can't believe..."

Ron, surprisingly, was the one to speak. "We thought it could help," he said with a shrug. "It was a gamble, but we've played with worse odds."
Hermione walked over to her two best friends and wrapped them both in a vice-like hug. She pulled them both as close as she could to her and held on for dear life.
"We came straight from training when we heard the Minister got a hold of the paper," Harry told the group in general but still hung on to Hermione, who was trying her best to keep her composure still.

"I've never seen him so mad," Ron added cheerfully. Winky let us in through the kitchen Floo. We passed Professor McGonagall on her way back to the Great Hall and she slipped us the password to meet you here."

"I wouldn't miss this for a lifetime ticket to the Quiddich World Cup," Harry affirmed with a satisfied smile.

At that moment Filch brought up the Minister of Magic himself accompanied by the same two Aurors who were there in the hospital wing the night the Minister arrested Draco.
Hermione untangled herself from her two best friends and stood between them while Blaise and Neville came over to flank the trio. What a strange union it was, four Gryffindors and a Slytherin.

"Minerva, Wendel" Kingsley nodded his head at the Headmistress and Hogwarts Auror before turning his attention to the five other people in the room.

"You have caused quite a stir," Kingsley said carefully to Hermione while ignoring those beside her. If he was surprised to see Harry and Ron he didn't let on.

"It needed to be done," Hermione told him. "Draco doesn't belong in Azkaban anymore than I do."

"Perhaps that's just the thing," Kingsley took in the group before him with calculated restraint. "We are just seven months past a major turbulence in our society. I cannot have you stirring the cauldron like this, it is bad for public moral."

"Arresting innocent people is bad for public moral, Minister," Hermione said in a voice that dared him to argue.

The Minister's eyes flicked to Wendel, who was standing on neither side of the imaginary battle line along with McGonagall. Kingsley seemed to be weighing his options before he spoke again.

"Slander against the Ministry cannot be allowed," Kingley said slowly, thinking carefully about each word before he voiced it. "The balance of peace is delicate right now, and the people deserve to be protected from those who wish to upset that balance. Our citizens need to know that the Ministry is doing everything in our power to make sure our streets remain safe and hysteria over Ministry judgement will not be tolerated."

Kingsley seemed to come to a decision just then, as he nodded to himself with confidence. "Auror Wendel, I'm pleased you had the foresight to join this little meeting. As senior most Auror here, please arrest Miss Granger and bring her to the Ministry. We will sort this out one way or another, as this has gone far enough."

Any sound in the room evaporated faster than if Voldemort himself had resurrected before their eyes. Nine pairs of eyes zeroed in on Wendel before he could even move so much as a face muscle. He took a deep breath and Hermione felt the air in the room charge and crackle with magic desperate to be free.

"I'm not arresting Hermione Granger," Wendel looked at his boss as though the older man had asked him to blast away a herd of baby unicorns. "From what I can understand she has broken no laws."

"Slander is against the law," Kingsley replied stiffly.

"Slander is untruths, false statements." Wendel argued. "What untruth has she spoke against the Ministry? I'm certainly not defending the Malfoy boy, but Ms Granger hasn't lied or slandered the Ministry to protect him."

"I am your superior" Kingsley ignored Wendel's question. "It isn't your place to decide guilt or innocence, it is your job to follow orders."

"Technically, Professor McGonagall is my superior," Wendel said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "As the separation of the Ministry and Hogwarts puts her directly in front of you in present company, per recent laws."

"You're suspended," Kingsley told Wendel, who merely looked over at McGonagall.

"Do you happen to have any openings for a Defense teacher?" Wendel asked the Headmistress.

If Minerva McGonagall had been any other witch, she would have cackled with delight, but she merely straightened her mouth into a half smile and nodded.

"That's settled then, I suppose." Wendel said, smiling fully now.

Kingsley looked furious. "Potter, Weasley-"

"You're off your Hippogriff."

"Are you daft?"

"Suspended, both of you!" Kingsley barked, quickly losing his tempter.

"Brilliant."
"Excellent."

Kingsley turned to the two Aurors he brought with them, both of whom looked as though they would rather be absolutely anywhere but where they stood. Before Kingsley could say another word, however, McGonagall stepped forward.

"That is enough," she said in the calm, level voice that has been used to quiet thousands of children over the course of nearly a century, to include the present Minister.

"This has indeed gone on quite long enough," McGonagall told Kingsley as she swept past Wendel and went to stand in front of Hermione and the rest of her students. "I have humored you, Minister, and I have allowed you to enter my school. If any of you move in the attempt to take Ms Granger against her will then I will be forced have you ejected from the premises. Please, feel free to try me."

McGonagall waited but the two Aurors didn't so much as twitch. Kingsley was glaring at his former teacher with a loathing Hermione was actually surprised to observe. She thought that potent look would have been saved for herself.

"Excellent." McGonagall silently clasped her hands together and observed the small group in front of her as though she were conducting a detention. Perhaps she was.

"It seems there's really only one course of action," The Headmistress addressed the Minister of Magic. "Release Mr. Malfoy back to Hogwarts and all this nonsense will go away. Let the Prophet know it was simply a terrible misunderstanding, and after hearing testimony from Ms Granger and other Hogwarts students and personnel it was found that Mr. Malfoy had, in fact, not been using a dark curse with intent to harm, but rather in error due to ignorance. We can have this whole matter cleared up and Mr. Malfoy back at school just in time for the start of second term."

"I will do no such thing," Kingsley shot back, but he did not insist on arresting Hermione again. "Mr. Malfoy will have his hearing in two week's time. The court will find him guilty, as he is just that. I don't want to see anymore slanderous articles against our Ministry running in any publications. Any more outbursts from Ms Granger here will result in her swift arrest. Am I understood?"

"We understand, Minister," Harry said with a look of absolute disgust on his face. "However you'll find that it's not just Hermione you'll have to arrest. I wonder if the Ministry will stick me with Undesirable Number One again, or if Hermione will receive the honor?"

Kingsley, much to Hermione's dismay, ignored Harry and let himself out of the office. His still-nameless Aurors looked back at the group with looks of apologies on their face, but they left all the same.

Hermione let out a breath she hadn't been aware she was holding and turned to those gathered around her. "Well, it's barely midmorning and I have nothing else planned until classes resume." Hermione said casually. "Does anyone feel like getting arrested today?"

(A/N) Hello! And fairly quickly too! I really loved the standoff here, but I'm not 100% cool with this chapter, the tone just feels off to me. I can't figure out how to make it better however, so hopefully it comes across okay and I'm just being weird. This is obviously a transition chapter and I know everyone is anxious to see Draco again, I think we'll get to him next chapter. I've had how it will go down in my head for awhile now, but I'm having a hard time translating my brain into text, so send some good writing juju my way pretty please =) Please let me know what you think! Also, anyone have any Dramione-centered tumblrs they want to shout out? I'm always trolling for inspiration and that site is such a Harry Potter gold mine! See you next time!