Chapter 6
Hermione Granger
September 1st, 2003, Ministry of Magic
The Arithmantic calculations for the Marriage Law had been done by some Unspeakables but Hermione had seen the formulas and had run them for some of her friends. Neville and Hannah were a near perfect match as were Harry and Ginny. Ron and Lavender were matched as well but with a lower score, same as Draco and Astoria. She had withstood the temptation to try her own name but now she kept on the look-out for an owl. Logic dictated that not every one could receive his or her match shortly after seven, such an influx of owls in Britain during day-time would endanger the Statue of secrecy. On the other hand G was not that far down the alphabet. By lunchtime – no letter had come – Hermione suspected that, as misogyn the wizarding world was, that the letters would go out according to the prospective husband's name. That ruled out Marcus Flint at least. Over the bland canteen meal she indulged in a brief fantasy of herself as Mrs Zabini. Very brief it was.
When she came back to her department the noiselevel was noticably less than usual, all her colleagues looking at her expectantly. Then she saw the letter on her desk. As Hermione was the only unmarried witch in the room everyone was eager to see her result. Consulting her calendar she knocked on the cubicle of her supervisor.
"Mr Bulstrode, I would like to use up two hours of my over-time and leave at three today. Is that all right with you?"
The elder wizard, an uncle of her erstwhile year-mate Millicent, grinned.
"Ah, young love. Eager to meet your intended?"
"I really can't say, sir. But I would like to find out who it is in private."
"Understandable, it's a bunch of gossiping old biddies out there." He stopped and frowned.
"Say, Miss Granger, you are a modern witch, aren't you?"
"I'd like to think of myself as such, yes."
"So you would not stay at home after your marriage? You would continue to work here, wouldn't you?"
"That is my plan. I do want children, though, which is the whole reason for this law."
"Of course, my dear. I would support a longer than usual maternity leave as well. Is the door closed, yes, let's speak plainly. You know my daughter is engaged to be married, don't you? Her fiancé is from Spain and my wife has expressed a wish to be near Olive if – when – we will be grandparents. That is some years off, my daughter has just started her mastery, but in ten or twelve years I would like to put this department in you capable hands."
Hermione was speechless. While her relationship with the department head had always been amiable she had not expected this.
"Do not look so surprised, Miss Granger. You may not be the most popular person in this department but you are by far the most efficient and dedicated. I guess you would need a capable deputy to handle the human relations part of the job but as a whole I think you could be just the right person to bring this department into the 21st century. Think it over, there's enough time yet. And of course you can leave early."
"Thank you, sir. I do not know what to say."
"There's no need to hurry. Off you go!"
The witch need not to be told twice. She cleared her desk and waved to her colleagues, letter unopened and secure in her bag.