Potter Island, two days later
"Hermione, you have been asked to appear before the Wizengamot on Tuesday," Kingsley told her. "It isn't for a formal vote of no confidence in you yet, but enough of the neutrals and moderates seem to have decided to humour the conservative pureblood factions.
"Since it is not a trial, I don't think it has the force of a full summons and you are on maternity leave for at least the next six months, but…"
"Don't worry, Kingsley, I'll be there. I'm not letting those bastards get me down!"
"That's the spirit, love!" Ron approved.
"What is our strategy, Kingsley?" Harry asked. "How do we protect Hermione from the worst of the conservatives…?"
"Unless they attack me physically, Harry James Potter, I do not require protection! I can defend myself from rational debate perfectly well. You can't win a debate by thumping or hexing people!"
"More's the pity! I would love to unleash Wonder Witch and her Furies on the conservative purebloods in the Ministry and Wizengamot!"
"You and me both, Harry!" Ron noted. "Unfortunately, the missus is right as usual. We already have the Wizengamot breathing down our necks. Do we really want to start antagonising the remaining moderates and neutrals by acting like a pack of savage hyenas?! Even some of the liberals might turn on us if we overreact in that way.
"We have the support of you and your allied Houses – that's Potter, Longbottom, Abbott, Bones, Greengrass and McMillan in the bag. You hold the Black vote in proxy for Teddy and we can rely on Terry and Draco for the Boot and Malfoy votes."
"Those are on the Wizengamot legislature. It doesn't necessarily reflect the Judicial Sub-Committee or the Full Court."
"True," came a familiar voice from behind them. They turned to see Padma Patil, who was just on her way to the showers with Parvati after training with their fellow Furies outside the Kilns, as the main house on Potter Island had been renamed. The wing that Daphne and Tracey shared with Dora was called the Meadows. James was proud of his puns on Potter and Greengrass. "Remember though, Harry, that Susan and I run the Magical Crown Prosecution Service for Kingsley. No evidence of high crimes or misdemeanours has been brought before us yet. They are not, or at least not yet, preparing articles of impeachment against any of you.
"This is at worst a preliminary hearing. All you must do, Hermione, is to ensure that the Wizengamot Committee in question gets to hear your side of the story calmly and clearly."
"Come on, Pads, we need to hit the showers before the others use up all the hot water."
"I'm on my way, Parv. Then, Ron, Hermione, what are your plans for lunch? We could discuss possible strategies over a vegetable curry. Bring Hope and Hugo, given that it's a Saturday."
"That sounds lovely, Padma, thank you."
The Patil twins shared a house next to Parvati's dressmaking factory in the Hertfordshire countryside. Tastefully decorated in a British Indian style, the lounge had comfy armchairs and sofas; a shrine to various Hindu gods and goddesses including Parvati's namesake festooned with the lotus blossoms after which her sister was named; and a selection of muggle and magical forms of entertainment. The dining room was elegant, the kitchen spacious and airy and the whole house reflected a perfect mix of the extrovert Parvati and the more reflective Padma. Outside of their respective bedrooms, there was a distinct lack of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw colours.
"We must get you to do our interior designs from now on, Parvati," Hermione gushed. "You have the same eye for cushions as you do for fashion. This is beautifully done!
"You built from scratch one of the fastest rising companies in the wizard world. Somewhere up there, Lavender's proud of you, dear."
"Thank you, Hermione, although honesty compels me to say that you, Pads, Susan and the others who have worked so tirelessly to reform our government and laws are far worthier of praise than a mere dressmaker and model."
"Thank you, Parvati. Now, Hugo, why don't you help Auntie Parvati lay the table, whilst Daddy and I go up to the study to talk to Auntie Padma?"
The twins had decided to use the smallest of the four bedrooms as a study. Bookshelves held books on wizard law and a feminine mannequin was next to an easel with a sketchbook on it. One of the two desks with files and laptops also had a sewing machine on it, demarking it as Parvati's.
Padma, however, led Ron and Hermione to four comfortable armchairs around a coffee table. "Take a seat and we can discuss our next steps.
"This seems to be an opportunist play by the conservatives to use the situation to their advantage. If they can persuade enough of the others that you are a danger to wizard society with your moral laxity as well as your reformist ideals, maybe they can get a new Ministry team in place. We can expect the angling for conservative purebloods to resume their positions of power to resume in earnest, cheered on by Ms Skeeter."
Hermione sighed. "When will they give me the respect that I deserve?! I have reformed the laws for all mages in Britain and Ireland, putting all on as equal footing as I can, given our oligarchical system of government, whilst raising the rights of other sentient magical beings. To have done that whilst starting a family must have proved my capabilities?
"Why must my achievements always be undermined by my status?! I didn't ask to be born to muggle parents, any more than I asked to be abducted and raped by a muggle crime lord in the Caribbean.
"Don't get me wrong. I love Mum and Dad very much and wouldn't change anything about them. My reputation should be based on what I have done, not whether my parents are magical or not…"
"Not one of us would argue otherwise, Hermione my love. Padma's right though. It isn't us who are calling for you to appear before the Wizengamot to explain yourself."
"Thank you, Ron. Hermione remember that these people want you to lose your temper or otherwise get upset. If you come across as a hormonal new mother, they can really go to town with the character assassination. Before you say anything, I know that you are a new mother!
"Try and keep calm. Remind them of your status as a war heroine and a respected administrator and political reformer. Basically, show them the logical but compassionate Hermione Weasley we all know and love.
"That said, I am sure that something we don't yet expect is going to happen. It always does…"
"Grub's up!" Parvati called from downstairs.
Hermione was enjoying the vegetable korma with pilau rice, vegetable samosas, onion bhajis and naan bread. Parvati was an excellent cook and the curry had a mild but spicy flavour.
"Thank you for inviting us, Aunties Padma and Parvati!" Hugo said happily. "This is one of the best meals I have had in a long time. You should open a restaurant, Auntie Parvati."
"Thank you, Hugo dear, but I have no plans to add to my workload. Running a business whilst fighting crime as a Fury is more than enough for me for now."
"Fair enough, Auntie Parvati."
"Whoever this person is, Pete, they have Barbara, Lisbeth and I chasing ghosts from domain to domain. I believe we last saw the money come through a holding account in Lithuania, having got there via a business account in Zimbabwe. No such companies exist anywhere that we can find. Our mystery person or persons are very well-resourced.
"Do you have any ideas?"
Peter Parker was dining at the Cobalt Club in New York with Tony Stark and Matt Murdock. He was now the CEO of Parker Industries, a thriving biochemical concern. The Cobalt Club, long having kept a few private areas for the private detectives, cloaked vigilantes, secret agents and metahumans who wanted somewhere to enjoy food, drink and good conversation with their peers, had happily accepted him as a member. After his early days in Queens, he was glad to be increasingly wealthy and able to provide for Aunt May and MJ, not that the model and actress couldn't provide for herself these days too.
"Daisy's the best hacker in SHIELD, Tony, but you know that already. If the three of you can't find any real leads, however, I don't know if she could either. Barbara has Bruce's resources at her disposal, whilst you have Stark Industries at yours.
"What about trying to find out what Rita Skeeter has to offer an American no-maj? Have the British wizards offended anyone lately?"
"Pete's right, Tony. Try starting from the end we do know. The witch journalist is clearly involved in whatever is going on."
"Pete, Matt, thank you.
"I'll contact Harry Potter. The British mages would be the best people to keep an eye on Ms Skeeter."
Ginny Potter left the Daily Prophet premises on Monday evening and met Tracey Greengrass-Potter and Astoria Malfoy in Diagon Alley. "Hi Trace, Tori. Are we ready for our stakeout?!"
"Hi Gin!" Astoria replied, hugging her old friend tightly. "We certainly are!
"Draco is visiting 12 Grimmauld Place this evening and Scorpius is at Hogwarts, so I can join you both on this Girl's Night Out!"
The three ladies Apparated to an area near Rita Skeeter's house, checked to see that they were not being observed and then they each span rapidly to the right. A vortex surrounded each witch, followed by a thunderclap and a blinding light. Lioness, Vendetta and Warrior of the Furies were now all present and correct. Clad in black armour decorated with white astrological and alchemical symbols over their torsos and flanks; short skirts; knee-high boots; large bronze bracelets; golden tiaras with Caduceus symbols on the front; bronze hoplon shields slung across their backs; their golden magic belts with lassos, swords in scabbards and Caduceus wands in holsters, they were ready for anything.
Using telepathy to operate the hovering charms in their boots, they Disillusioned themselves and flew to a hill overlooking Rita's study. Lioness conjured three old-fashioned spyglasses. The Three Furies lay down on their fronts and used the telescopes to view Rita sat at her desk.
"I don't suppose that anything exciting will happen," Warrior mused. "Hopefully, we get some action tonight!"
"That goes for all of us, sister!" Lioness agreed fervently. Vendetta suppressed a sigh. Other than Wonder Witch herself, no Furies were keener for battle than her two companions. As for herself, she was the most ruthless! After her experiences at the hands of Crabbe, Goyle and Nott, her first reaction in a fight was to decapitate first and ask questions later!
"Wait a second, girls," Warrior called, "Rita's answering a muggle mobile. I can't recognise the type, but it looks advanced.
"It's a shame that we can't read her lips, as that might give us some clues as to whom she is speaking. A pound to a penny, it's our anonymous benefactor. That would solve that mystery."
"Should we move in?" Vendetta asked. "Rita isn't exactly someone who laughs in the face of danger!"
"Negative, Vendetta," Lioness decided, taking command. "We don't know what muggle or magical alarms and even traps she might have around her home for one thing. For another, we don't want to scare off her new friend or even give Rita further ammunition against us.
"Rita's getting out some floo powder. She's pouring into the fire and is heading off to parts unknown.
"I'll get Harry to make some discrete checks at the Floo Maintenance Office to see if he can establish where she went."
Hermione stood nervously outside the Committee Room chosen for her appraisal. She had brought Hope along in a carrycot, hoping that the sight of the baby girl might soften a few hearts.
"Are you OK, Hermione?" Harry asked concerned.
"I'm just nervous, Harry. What if those conservatives convince enough others that I am a fallen woman only worthy of derision? They might force me to resign and ask you, Ron, Kingsley and company to do likewise. You would be guilty by association if nothing else…
"We have done so much to reform this world. I'm damned if I am going to let the old regime retake control again, Harry. If they want a fight, then they will get one!"
"It is time to go in, Harry," Kingsley declared. "Someone will come for you soon, Hermione. Please keep calm. Good luck, my dear."
As she was led into the chamber, Hermione felt a knot in her stomach. She could see friends smiling at her, trying to put her at ease. One face, however, was having quite the opposite effect.
Patrick Parkinson, Pansy's estranged father, was a former Death Eater and a pureblood supremacist of the worst order. Somehow, he seemed to be chairing the hearing. So much for impartiality! This is a kangaroo court!
"Mrs Weasley," Parkinson began, "I see that you have shamefully brought the product of your affair into this Chamber."
"I have brought my youngest daughter in with me, Sir. Yes, Hope Pansy Weasley was conceived by an act that was at best of dubious consent on my part. That I cannot deny. Her skin colour is clearly not due to Ron or me.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the Wizengamot, you know my part in the defeat of the late Tom Riddle, alias Lord Voldemort. You all also know how hard I have worked to reform the Ministry to make it work for every magical being. Do you really believe that my achievements have been negated by me agreeing to have sex with a muggle crime lord to save the life of a muggle Auror?
"I shall be on maternity leave for the next few months. All I ask is that my family's privacy be respected at this time and that I may be allowed to return to my position once my leave is completed.
"Thank you for allowing me to address this body."
"That was a most charming story," Parkinson snarked. "Still, you cannot conceive after rape! I don't care what your muggle friends believe, Mrs Weasley. We mages know better, don't we?!
"You whored yourself with a muggle crime lord, on the pretence that it was to save a worthless muggle life. Then you have a child, which you somehow convince your husband to adopt into his lower-class family. Someone as naïve and forgiving as Ronald Weasley shouldn't be Deputy Chief Auror…"
"May I remind you, Chairman," Giles Greengrass cut in smoothly, "that Mr and Mrs Weasley are not on trial! Please restrain yourself to finding out the facts, not interpreting them!"
"Ah, but how can I expected to do that when the Potters, Weasleys and their friends subject our world to this woman's depraved muggle ways?!
"Wasn't it enough to raise the status of centaurs, werewolves, vampires, even house elves, until they are practically equal to humans?! Did she stop after making half-bloods and muggle-borns equal to purebloods?! No, it was still not enough for the infernal meddler who stands before us. Now she sets a terrible example to our children.
"Rita Skeeter is right! Grant Mrs Weasley, her husband, Chief Auror Potter, Minister Shacklebolt and company generous war pensions, then ask them to resign and seek pastures new. We can then restore the rightful order to the Wizard World…"
Hermione looked around her. Obviously, Harry, Kingsley, Neville, Draco, Terry Boot, Giles Greengrass and Hannah, Ernie and Susan's fathers were looking supportively at her. All the other liberals and a good half of the moderates and neutrals seemed to be on her side, although with some of the neutrals at least it was probably more a case that they weren't sure that things were bad enough yet to risk a Parkinson Administration. Why do they never give up on their Old Cause?!
"If you wish to propose formal impeachment procedures against myself or my colleagues, that is of course your right," she began. "All I can say is that my record speaks for itself. If my actions over the last ten months or so are tainting that, then perhaps you should consider impeachment.
"Thank you for your time. May I depart, as my baby needs feeding?"
"Of course, Mrs Weasley," Parkinson sneered. Briefly Hermione noticed that a few faces among the conservatives (even amongst those too young to have been part of the Fudge and Thicknesse regimes) were looking at her with utter contempt. "I'm sure that you will be hearing from us again…"
That evening, Harry had invited a party to the Kilns. Hermione was looking into Hope's carrycot. The innocent face of her beautiful baby girl made everything seem worth it. I am not letting any pureblood conservatives push me around ever again!
"What happened with the Wizengamot Committee?" Rex asked her. She told him, ending by noting how even younger conservatives seemed to be viewing her as entirely beneath their contempt. "Rex, I thought that at least the younger generation would come to love the new wizard world and come to at least respect and admire us reformers."
Rex thought for a moment. "How did that old Civil War-era song put it?
New trickings, new goings, new measures, new paces,
New fashions, new riches, new power in new places,
But old sneers and old scorn on a new set of faces,
And is not Old England grown new?!
In this case, Hermione, it isn't even different families in power, but the next generation of the Death Eater sympathisers. They have been raised to think of you as the Great Destroyer of Pureblood Values or some such rot."
"I'll never win, will I?" Hermione sobbed.
"I shouldn't leave Spoilers," said a distinctive Yorkshire accent from behind them, "but in time wizards will speak with pride of the legendary Hermione Weasley." A blonde woman, seemingly in her thirties and wearing blue trousers held up with yellow braces and a white jacket opened to reveal a blue top with a rainbow band across the middle. "Not yet, outside of certain circles, but they will. Sometimes people must live with new ways for decades before they fully accept them."
"Thank you, Doctor," Hermione replied. After the young man with the bow tie and fez and the grumpy old Scotsman, the Doctor as a Yorkshire lass does take some getting used to. It is still truly the Doctor though. "I don't suppose you can give me the timescale?!"
"It is still a long way off yet, but it will come, I assure you!"
Meanwhile, Harry was talking to Kingsley. "We have discovered that Rita has set up a couple of houses in the States with floo access. Both are supposedly empty and Rita Apparates from whichever to some unknown destination, presumably also in the States. There is no sign of her in Magical America during any of these periods."
"So," Kingsley observed, "all we need to find out, Harry, is where she goes. Find that and we find her benefactor. Then we might finally have some answers…"