Chapter 4: Absolute Power

The potion was definitely one of the most brilliant concoctions Hermione Granger had ever seen. It was dangerous and immoral, but being who she was, she couldn't help but marvel at it. It by far surpassed anything she had seen before, and she was afraid it was going to prove too difficult for her to figure out. She remembered from Slughorn's class that to comprise an antidote for an unknown potion, you had to break down the components first. So far she had extracted over 75 ingredients. There were some usual ingredients, ones she had dealt with in class. But there was some she had never used before, only read about. They seemed to react in strange ways together. And then there was one ingredient she just couldn't figure out. She sighed, this was going to take longer than she thought.

"Hey," Harry broke through her concentration. "Need any help?"

She had made camp in one of the spare bedrooms in Grimmauld's Place. Dozens of books and potions bottles were splattered everywhere across the floor. "No offense, Harry, but I don't know if you'd be much help," she smirked. "You weren't the best in Potions if I remember correctly."

"I seem to recall our sixth year when I outshone you, Hermione," he joked.

While once upon a time that had infuriated her, she just laughed now. "Somehow I don't think the Halfblood Prince is going to be able to help you with this." He laughed with her.

It was nice to feel this bit of normalcy. After the war, she had gone off to Australia alone after being with Harry and Ron for almost a year constantly. And then since she had been back, seeing the lunacy the world had turned to had been more than strange. But here, she was with Harry, her best friend since she was 11 years old. It was nice to know that whatever else happened, that had remained the same. It was so frustrating though. She was supposed to be the smart one, and she couldn't figure this potion out. "I just wish I could get it already."

"You will," he assured her. He looked at her, and opened his mouth to say something else. But then his eyes grew wide. "Hermione, that's it. We need the Halfblood Prince!"

"Harry, I doubt that book has any answers for us," she shook her head.

"No," he said quickly. "But the Halfblood Prince, Hermione remember who it is? Snape!"

She had thought of that. Severus Snape had been a brilliant Potion Master. He would have been able to help. Only one problem.. "He's dead, remember?"

"But there's a portrait of him at Hogwarts," Harry grinned.

She wanted to smack herself. How could she have forgotten? It wasn't like the Ministry could administer a potion to portraits of dead people. Snape would still be himself there, with the memories and knowledge of his life, his Potions knowledge. "We have to talk to him!"

"I'll make an appointment with McGonagall," Harry said quickly.

And then his face dropped as he remembered something. "How am I going to face him?"

"Snape?" Hermione questioned, confused.

"Dumbledore," he said quietly, sighing as he ran a hand through his hair. "How am I going to explain this to him?"

"Harry, it's been 5 years, I'm sure Dumbledore has caught on to what's going on even from his portrait," she said comfortingly, though she knew why he was upset. The one thing Harry had always done better than anyone else was take all the blame onto himself.

"I know, but how am I - Hermione, do you ever think this is our fault?" he asked, looking down at his hands. She heard what he really meant, his fault.

"The Ministry made the potion, Harry, not us," she reminded him gently.

He shook his head. "I know, but - maybe I rid the world of one evil wizard to pave the way for a government of them."

She thought carefully before she spoke again. "It wasn't your fault, Harry. You didn't put the government in place. You didn't force people to drink the potion. You didn't erase everyone."

"I know that wasn't me," he shrugged. "But I gave them the means to."

"How do you mean?"

"Well, everyone was scared, weren't they? After the war, I mean. Everything was in chaos. They needed someone to stand up and take charge. I could have done that, I should have. I know Kingsley was a good choice. He had fought with us, but if I had taken the post when it was offered after the war, then none of this would have happened. I could have stopped it."

"Or you could have been killed like Kingsley was," she said softly. "He was a very able wizard, Harry. You're right, he fought with us. We saw his abilities and we know it would have been no easy feat to kill him. But they did. Just like they would have gone after you. And then where would we be? Now you're still free to give us hope, and perhaps, save the world a second time."

"Would they have though?" It sounded as if he had thought about this a lot, perhaps for the last 5 years. "I was their savior, wasn't I? The whole wizarding world looked up to me. I could have been their leader too, taken a more active role in the rebuilding than just going to capture escaped Death Eaters. And if they had killed me, it would have caused more of an uproar than when they killed Kingsley. Maybe even my death could have stopped it."

She looked at him. "Harry, we can't focus on the maybe or the ifs. Maybe it would have been different if you had taken the post when they offered. But you were 17, Harry. You had just finished defeating Voldemort after living for years in the shadow of destiny. You had carried the burden on your shoulder much longer than you even remember, even before you were born. You were not ready to be Minister of Magic, and quite frankly, I agree with that decision. Remember what Dumbledore told you when Voldemort killed you. Those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it, the ones who have leadership thrust upon them. You didn't want to be a leader, Harry, not ever. I knew that since I met you. If you had wanted the Minister post, well I don't know if you'd have been good at it. But now? Now you are still here to fight another day! You are forced to be a leader again, and I know you'll wear it just as well."

"Still, I should have done more," he insisted. "How can I face him after I let this happen?"

She couldn't argue with that. He should have done more when he learned what was happening. He should have called her back then so they could stop it together before it had taken over the entire wizarding world. However, she had meant what she said. They couldn't linger in the past and focus on the maybe and the ifs. They had to keep moving forward. "We'll fix this, Harry," she promised.

"What if it's too late?" he asked quietly.

"It's never too late." He didn't seem reassured with her statement so she tried again. "When I first learned I was a witch with all this power, my father warned me that with absolute power comes absolute chaos. I think he wanted to make sure I didn't get too absorbed with this new power. The Ministry did this to have absolute power, Harry, but we are about to hit them with a lot of absolute chaos. We will fix this, together."

"Like always," he smiled finally. "I sometimes hate myself for throwing your life into this constant battle when I saved you from that troll first year. But then I remember, I'd have never made it this far without you."

"Nor I you," she promised. "I've told you before, Harry. I'm glad you saved me even if we've gotten into some sticky binds since then. I wouldn't trade it for the world, Harry. You gave me something that day, you gave me friendship and I would do it all over again if I had a choice, exactly the same way."

He hugged her. "I'll go write to McGonagall now."

He started to leave the room but paused. "We have to go to the Weasleys for dinner tomorrow night. They invited us."

"Harry, I can't," she said in horror. Seeing Mr Weasley alone was bad enough, but if she saw them all, if she saw Mrs Weasley, she wasn't sure she could handle that.

"There's no polite way to refuse," he told her apologetically. "It won't be so bad, Hermione. They were always nice, so it's much the same. Just - don't look them in the eyes and you probably won't even notice."

She nodded, knowing there wasn't anything she could do. Until the potion was ready, they had to keep up pretenses. As much as it killed her, she would have to deal with her second family. "At least we'll get to see Ron again," she said to herself when Harry left. She missed her friend immensely. Even though what remained of him was damaged, it filled her heart with joy to just see him. She supposed one night wouldn't hurt.

She turned back to her work on the potion, wanting more than ever to finish this, and quickly. She had a best friend to save.

Work was just as miserable as she thought it was going to be. She didn't find anything wrong with being a secretary, but she knew it was not for her. Especially not as secretary to Draco Malfoy. It was unnerving seeing him smile and be courteous to his coworkers. This was not the Draco Malfoy she knew. He seemed genuinely happy, and she constantly found herself having to remind herself of the fact. The only consolation was that he always had a sneer for her, when his back to turned to the rest of the office. It was completely mental that seeing Malfoy sneer brought her joy now, but it was her only reminder of sanity here.

"Hello, Granger," he stopped her by desk when he returned from lunch. "Did you have a pleasant lunch break?"

"Oh yes," she said, her voice and expression the very essence of sweet. "I decided to stay back and read."

"Of course," he laughed. He actually laughed. She was glad she was already sitting. "The world would stop turning if Hermione Granger did not have a book."

She smiled. "Yes, well, I do enjoy books as you know."

"You should try going out sometime," he said, his voice just as jovial but his expression smirking. "You know, get a life. Try to get a bloke. I know that might be difficult for you, but I'm sure you can do it."

The nerve! He was taunting her. "I have a life, thank you very much," she said as nicely as she could, a hard smile plastered on her face. "Not all of us need to go out gallivanting to have a different arm candy every week."

"Gallivanting?" He smirked.

"Should I say flaunting about?"

His eyes hardened for a second, but the smirk did not leave his face. "Well, Granger, back to work then. If you could join me in my office when you get a chance please?"

He walked into his office, leaving the door open for her. It was not a question, despite the use of the word please. She sighed and followed him in, closing the door and casting a silencing charm.

"You're an arse," she glared at him as she sat across from him.

"And you're just as hotheaded as ever," he glared right back. "That was a test and you failed. I know you're not used to the feeling of failing, but that was it."

"You tested me by because a complete wanker in front of everyone?" she raised an eyebrow at him. "Why?"

"Yes, and like I said, you failed," he said. "As for the why, I just ran into the Minister on my way up from lunch and he said he'd be stopping by my office today. Correct me if I'm wrong, but when one visits one's office, one first speaks to one's secretary."

"And you think I can't handle it," she said. It wasn't a question because she knew that's exactly what he thought.

"I know you can't," he shook his head. "You got angry about what I said. You think that's anything compared to how he'll try to flaunt it in your face?"

"Yes well, believe it or not, I actually know I have to fool him. I don't particularly care what you think," she shrugged.

"You better not screw this up. This may be the only chance we get and we don't need you to be another brainwashed crone. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually need you to be you."

"Is that a backwards compliment, Malfoy?" She smirked.

He glared at her. "Just get back out there, and don't fuck this up."

She just rolled her eyes and went back to her post. She wouldn't let Malfoy know, but she was actually nervous about this. The Minister was coming here, the minister who had deliberately put her in a position he knew she would hate as revenge. She knew unfortunately that Malfoy was right. Thicknesse would taunt her worse than Malfoy had, and she would have to keep her calm. If only it could be that easy.

It was exactly 47 torturous minutes later that Pius Thicknesse, the Minister of Magic strolled out of the elevator and made a beeline towards her. She tried not to watch him, instead pretending to focus on her work. But from the corner of her eye, she could see he was positively gleeful as he approached her.

"Ah, Ms. Granger," he said, smiling at her. She looked up with an easy smile. "What a pleasure to see you again!"

"Minister," she said. "The pleasure is all mine."

"Yes it is," he smirked. "I see you've fit right into your new assignment."

She could tell he was getting too much joy out of this. "Yes, Minister."

"And how do you find your particular assignment?" He taunted further.

She wanted to hex him. She really did. She had never used an Unforgiveable but she was considering it right now. "It's quite exciting," she kept her voice as light as possible. "I've never been a secretary before."

"I'm sure with your brain, you were more than up to the challenge," he smirked. "And how are you finding working for Mr. Malfoy?"

"It's nice," she said. This time she wasn't completely lying. She knew it was better than being surrounding by only mindless drones anywhere else, even if was Malfoy. "He's rather amusing."

"I know you two weren't very close before," he prompted, leaning forward. Yup, he was enjoying this way too much.

"No, we weren't," she said. "I don't see why though. We get along quite well now." That one was completely a lie.

"I'm sure you'll be the best of friends," he said. His eyes wandered over her form. "After all, a girl with your body can befriend any bloke I'd imagine."

She had to actively work to not smack him for that. It took everything in her to stay calm and keep a smile on her face. "I'm sure Mr. Malfoy isn't interested in my body, Minister," she laughed. "Besides, we are just friends."

"For now," he said in a tone that suggested he wasn't quite done with her.

Luckily she was saved from responding when Malfoy's door opened and he stepped out. "Ah, Minister, there you are. I was just about to let Ms. Granger know to send you in as soon as you arrived. Shall we?" He indicated they go into his office.

Thicknesse smirked at her one more time. "Until next time, Ms. Granger," he said, nodding his head once. "I enjoyed our little chat."

He walked into Malfoy's office. Malfoy exchanged a look with her, probably trying to gauge what had happened before he walked in and closed the door behind him.

Hermione sighed in relief. She had done it, somehow. She had been able to keep from reacting and giving herself away despite the fact that he was such a vile man. She turned back to her work, knowing she was going to make that man pay for what he had done and she was going to thoroughly enjoy it.

Another chapter now revised! this is actually mostly different from the way I had it on granger enchanted. I noticed some inconsistencies and such. Anyways I hope you liked it, please let me know your thoughts!

Also, the guest who asked what George meant when he said Ginny had rubbed off on Hermione. Firstly, compared to Hermione, Harry is dumb too. She's been classified ad the brightest witch of her age. He was not talking about her intelligence. Also, as Ginny was a member of the DA and in the thick with the Order, I think it's safe to say she knew more than one spell. Hermione was fierce but she also used her brain to not let her temper dictate her actions all the time like Ginny did when she cursed Zacharias Smith in the sixth book for continuously asking about what happened at the Ministry because it annoyed her. What I simply meant is that Hermione has never been one to threaten to "hex someone's ball's off". That I think, is something Ginny would do. I don't think Hermione CANT do it, I just think she wouldn't threaten it. She would be more reasonable, like she usually was when she was trying to stop Harry and Ron from fighting with Malfoy in the halls because they'd get in trouble. So when George said that he meant that Ginny's temper was rubbing off on Hermione. And no, Hermione had not seen Ginny in 5 years, but Hermione has also not seen Harry or Ron in 5 years. Does that mean their friendship was diminished in any way? I believe not.