Chapter 4
One month had passed from that afternoon when Hermione had entered the meeting room that would become their war room.
Extensive research had been made. Consultations had been scheduled. Recommendations were sketched. They had already worked on various proposals, with different wordings that had to be agreed on by most of the Wizengamot members before the first and only reading. No such things as seconds and thirds. They only had one chance.
Their little Magical Reform Commission, as it was being known now, was gaining allies and silent adversaries that published articles against the representation amendment. It had not been personal until now, focusing merely on the imaginary cons of such change, but both Hermione and Cormac were prepared for the criticism.
After one month of sharing an office with Granger, Cormac admitted it had been utterly satisfying to work with someone as passionate as her. He conceded the Commission would not be as prepared as it was if not for her. Cormac's little project was now hers as much as his and because of Hermione Granger, his dream would come true, Cormac was sure of it.
The witch was much as he remembered her from Hogwarts. True, Cormac hadn't worked or studied with her but he had observed Hermione in the library or common room. Every Gryffindor had witnessed her revising Weasley's or Potter's homework or studying for her OWLs. He even remembered a coloured planner similar to the one she filled now and carried with her.
Hermione was intelligent, sharp, and resourceful… it made him push himself, priding whenever they succeeded in accomplishing one of their goals. Surprisingly, they had been a good team up until now.
"So, how's it working with her?" Afton Smith asked him before biting his cauldron cake.
Cormac, Afton and Eloise were returning from the cafeteria, the elevator voice announcing they had arrived at Level 2.
"Yeah. It's been a month now. Is she like rumours say?" Eloise added to his right as they headed towards the Administration Services office.
"What do rumours say?"
"Well, you know, that she's an ambitious know-it-all … that she always manipulates those she works with, toying with them…" Eloise said.
"What? Bollocks!" Cormac exclaimed.
"Yeah, I heard someone from the Wizengamot who heard it from someone from the IMC department say so too. Ambitious and sly like a Slytherin, she befriended them until she backstabbed them as soon as she lost the British seat. That's why she left," Smith said before eating the whole cauldron cake he had left.
"Good thing she didn't get the seat. It would be shameful to have her representing us," Eloise shook her head.
Cormac seized both idiots by their sleeves, pulling them towards a secluded corner. After working side by side with Hermione for the last weeks, bantering during those long hours, sharing vast amounts of coffee, planning their strategy and bad-mouthing purebloods like the Malfoys, Cormac's chest felt heavily pressed after hearing their words.
"Listen, you dunderheads," Cormac snapped. "I know you're older than her and didn't go to Hogwarts the same years, but we've been working our arses off for a month and she's funny, kind, bright and an expert in magical law."
"Cormac, you have to agree, it's fishy how even the Minister endorses her," Smith raised his hands.
Cormac rubbed his face, incapable of understanding how these two could believe such codswallop.
"Blimey, they were members of the Order of the Phoenix. Have you forgotten? They…" Cormac paused because, at that moment, the door connecting to the Minister's office opened, Shaklebolt and Hermione coming out of it.
"See…?" Peasegood murmured and nudged him with her foot until no other than Harry Potter and Ron Weasley followed them.
He examined the party as he was sure Peasegood and Smith were doing too. The Minister of Magic and the Golden Trio, though he now knew Hermione despised the moniker, made an imposing scene. Cormac also noticed her DOM robes fitting her impeccably -more so in her upper body, he admitted- and her curls wonderfully defined.
As soon as her eyes were on him, he felt his body go still. Cormac questioned her with a raise of his eyebrows, to which she answered by slightly shrugging, one corner of her mouth upwards.
"McLaggen," the Minister said while Afton and Eloise remained silent a step back. They politely greeted each other though Hermione gave him an amused smile.
"I was describing Weasley and Potter what an outstanding amendment you and Granger have assembled."
"Thank you, sir. Though we would be readier if we knew a date…"
"Ah, the big question. But as I've told her, it doesn't depend on me. I do promise that it'll be soon. So be prepared."
"Minister, the meeting…" Ron Weasley said as he glanced at his watch.
"Ah,of course," Kingsley said."The new proposals for the World Cup venues will be presented. Well, give my regards to your uncle, Mister McLaggen."
"I will, thank you, Minister."
Cormac locked eyes again with Hermione and smirked provoking her to roll her eyes, amused. He followed her until the party left wondering if Hermione would join those meetings and missing the knowing glance that Peasegood and Smith shared.
"So…" Peasegood said, finally grabbing his attention.
"Cormac, why don't you introduce her to us, old chap? Maybe have a drink?" asked Smith, "You know, so we can have our own opinion about her?"
"Afty, he doesn't know her that well. He's bluffing," Eloise said.
"Oh, no, we're friends," Cormac smirked. "I'll ask her and let you know."
"Good," Smith clapped Cormac's shoulder, amusedly sharing a smile with Eloise.
That afternoon, Hermione arrived at their war room unusually late.
"I'm so sorry, Cormac," she apologised as she slumped on her usual chair, head to the back, her visible neck obliging him to divert his eyes. "Head Croaker thought it would be lovely we brief him on our new findings… and question everything. Feel like coming out of my last NEWT," she tiredly exhaled.
"Then a drink will do you good, princess. How about it?" He proposed.
Hermione straightened immediately and good-humoredly squinted her eyes towards him before inquiring, "Just friendly?"
"Of course," Cormac chuckled. "Honestly, not interested in anything else, pet, no offence."
"None taken," she nodded as she quickly seemed to look at his chest; Hermione then pushed her glasses as she focused on the table, clearly still thinking about it.
"Just as colleagues, you can ask Lovegood if you'd like. And I'll ask Smith and Peasegood," Cormac saw her relax.
"When?"
"Today? Tomorrow?" Cormac shrugged, trying not to pressure her.
"Fine. Ok. Good. Today, then?" Hermione said. "A drink would be lovely after Head Croaker's torture."
"Brill. Then we'll leave when we finish here."
"Excellent."
In the following weeks the five of them, occasionally with Rolf Scamander, all single with no families to return to, would meet for drinks.
"Well, she's not as cold-hearted, ambitious and pretentious as rumours say," Peasegood accepted one evening at the Leaky Cauldron. "She's not overly friendly, but not a bad person. A tad reserved, innit?"
Cormac gave her a half-smile. Hermione and Luna appeared at that moment with charmed-floating drinks: three beers and two glasses of elf wine.
"Brought reinforces," said Luna merrily. She then gave a long gulp of her beer and sighed, "Wonderful the effect of alcohol on a human body after Cracking's torture."
"Bloody hell, again? That's why you're late? It's been twice this week!" exclaimed Eloise, "thank Merlin I'm not an Unspeakable."
"It's Head Croaker, Luna. And, he's nervous with … some of the conclusions we've arrived," explained Hermione from Cormac's right.
Luna ignored her and started a curious conversation about how butterbeer made nargles leave when Hermione leaned close to his ear.
"Sorry I couldn't meet you today in the meeting room. Tomorrow I'll make sure to leave earlier," Hermione said, causing goosebumps down his back.
"No worries, pet. We've got it pretty much ready for next Monday and blow their minds with our proposal. We could start with the new Statute."
"I was thinking the same thing," she grinned.
"Of course you have, you're almost as smart as me, remember?" He playfully pushed her forehead with his finger making her laugh and bat his hand away, causing a chuckle to come out of his chest.
"Have you asked for anything to eat? I'm starving," asked Luna, her blue eyes examining the food from a nearby table.
"No. I'll ask our usual, no changes accepted," offered Cormac, standing and making sure he had his money pouch.
"Wait Cormac, I'll come too. Heaven's know the disaster you caused last time you tried to bring everything back yourself," Hermione said.
Cormac let her go first and followed her towards the counter where Tom would take their order. Between the tables and chairs, he subtly and unrepentantly eyed her bum. She definitely had a nice bum.
They stood side by side as he gave their order to Tom, their arms touching as they rested on the counter. She stood so close he could feel her body heat and was relishing that feeling when someone called her.
"Hello, Hermione."
At the posh sound of the voice, Hermione tensed and clenched her hands. Cormac became curious and slightly turned his head to watch her lips pursed. She slowly turned while Cormac waited patiently, ready to listen after Tom had left.
"Adrian, hello," she tightly said.
"How you've been?" a wizard asked, his voice familiar.
"I'm good."
"Didn't expect to see you here," he tried. "You look beautiful with those new glasses."
Entertained, Cormac raised an eyebrow when Hermione didn't reply. Poor bloke.
"We need to talk. Dinner this week?" the wizard tried again.
Something in his voice made Cormac squirm with unpleasantness. Where had he heard that voice?
"Never. I told you before. Never want to be near you again," she replied.
Several plates then glided towards him, lingering to be taken. Curiosity winning, he decided to take one and turn to face the wizard that had caused such distress in her.
Fuck. Adrian Pucey. Slytherin in his year and his school nemesis.
Poor bloke his arse!
Cormac felt his mouth curve into a devilish smile as he passed his arm over Hermione's shoulders. Pucey narrowed his eyes to where Cormac's hand lay. One point to him, just like the old days.
"Pucey. Nice seeing you, as always," Cormac grinned.
"McLaggen," Adrian Pucey sneered.
"Princess, our order is ready," Cormac said softly near her ear, enjoying the frown that appeared on the Slytherin's face.
"Let's go," she said and, ignoring Pucey, left towards their table.
"Seems like you're still a stupid prick," Cormac said and followed Hermione, watching her walk with quick steps.
"Hey! What's wrong?" Asked Eloise as soon as she saw Hermione.
"Ah! The traitorous ex-boyfriend!" Luna exclaimed her eyes on Pucey.
"Blimey! You went out with Pucey?" Asked Smith surprised, his green eyes wide; Eloise, who was taking a sip from her beer, choked and ungraciously spluttered her beer on the table.
"Really, Hermione? That daft git?" Cormac said. From the conversation, he had imagined it.
"I don't want to talk about it," she said.
"He's a Slytherin!" Eloise cleaned the mess with a swift wand movement before putting her beer on their table with more emphasis than needed, "and Gryffindors don't go out with Slytherins!"
"Well, she more than went out with him…" muttered Luna.
"Luna!"
"What? Anyone can have a slip," Luna calmly replied.
"He's always been a supreme tosser," Cormac added behind his beer, "a sodding prat with his core engrained with pure-blood ideas."
Hermione remained silent, watching her glass.
"Just explain to me how a Slytherin, and pure-blood, dated a muggle-born Gryffindor?" Eloise said, her Gryffindor heart out in sight.
"We just did, all right?"
"Rumours say you backstabbed him," Afton murmured.
"Is that what they say?" Hermione asked, her back straighter.
"Uhm, yeah?" he mumbled.
She scoffed and Cormac saw her stunning eyes burn with anger.
"Come on, Hermione! It's not like we believe those rumours!" Eloise said.
Cormac, aware Hermione looked like she was ready to jinx someone, did not hesitate to put a hand on her back, soothingly rubbing it and noticing the strap of her bra. He was glad he did, soothe her that is, because she let out a breath and her back curved a tad, the evening probably safe.
"I'll be right back," Hermione then said and headed towards the loo.
A few glances were shared at their table.
"Did you know this?" Smith asked him and continued when Cormac shook his head, "I still remember your flying dare from your first year. I might have been in my seventh, but you winning against him was the highlight of the semester."
"Blimey! That was you!" exclaimed Eloise, she was from Afton's year as well, "Epic, after Flint messed with someone's potion?"
"Yeah, my mate Baker's, muggle-born. Sent him to the hospital wing with bloody painful pustules," Cormac gave them a lopsided grin. "Pucey didn't stop Flint and even mocked my friend, calling him the usual. Dared them to fly the highest, then. I fly best, of course: both plunged after losing control and would have crashed if not for some Slytherin prefects that saved them."
"McLaggen against Pucey?" Luna asked, "interesting."
"So, Luna? You know what happened between Pucey and Hermione, right?" Eloise asked.
Luna raised her eyebrows before tilting her head, "You only want me to tell you because of your curiosity. So, I'll lie and say I don't know either."
"Oh! Come on!"
Something made Cormac raise his eyes from his almost empty pint. Luna gave him a piercing look before her eyes moved towards one of the corners of the bar. Pucey's corner, where he was absent.
He nodded back to Luna and stood.
"Where you going?" Asked Smith before following Cormac.
"Loo. What? You gonna miss me?" He smirked.
"Go, you prat. Go save the golden princess. I'll go for the rest of our meal," Smith said.
"Believe me, Aft, she doesn't need saving," Cormac didn't doubt Hermione would jinx that git if necessary.
But she was his colleague and he would not leave her alone. Circling tables and patrons, Cormac headed towards the loos when he heard voices. He stayed behind the nearest corner, arms crossed.
"… explain, why won't you come back to me?" Cormac heard Pucey say.
"Come back? You don't do what you did to your partner and lover, Adrian."
"Mia, I did it for us. I still love you, even after all this time."
"Adrian, you betrayed me by taking the British seat. You. Betrayed. Me. We worked hard for months for my election, but instead, you went behind my back."
Ah! So that's what happened.
"The seat was lost to you weeks before the election! I knew from my connections and the meetings I had on your behalf. I thought you would understand by now the situation we were in… You would have never agreed to our methods."
"You're right!" she snarled.
Cormac chuckled from his corner. Bribing? He didn't doubt Hermione's intentions and work ethic but now her willingness to strive with their project made sense. It was revenge for her as it was for him.
"This is how this world works!" Cormac heard him scold, "listen, Mia…"
"Don't call me that." Hermione murmured in an undertone, "you lost that privilege when you accepted the seat. A seat you won with money and promises."
"Hermione, we were raised differently." Pucey's voice was grave, "but my love for you is still strong, don't doubt it. Would you consider it from my point of view? The seat I secured for both of us would have gone to Bletchly instead."
Hermione took her time to answer.
"Yes, we are different. I thought it wouldn't matter, but it did. Adrian, I would have never gone behind your back. I did love you, but now… now, we don't have anything more to say."
A moment passed and then Cormac heard Hermione again, struggling.
"Don't touch me. Leave me alone."
"Hermione…" Pucey's tone was desperate. "Don't be stubborn and naive!"
"Don't touch me!" she repeated, "Let go of me!"
And that was his cue before things got violent and she cursed him. As soon as Pucey noticed him, he slowly let go of Hermione's arms. Hermione then stood by Cormac's side, her wand ready in her hand. Without another word, Pucey stormed out of the bar.
When Cormac was reassured that arsehole was gone, he turned to Hermione and felt the urge to hug her, the beer probably lowering his protective wall. Heartbreak, treason. He could empathize.
"You heard everything, right?" she said, her words muffled by his chest.
"You wanna talk about it? I'm an excellent listener."
She just shook her head. "Another time."
"We're strong, Hermione," he said to her ear. Her curls prickled his nose and her citrusy perfume reached him. "We're stubborn and we get back on our feet as many times as it's needed. We're Gryffindors."
"I must confess, sometimes I forget," she chuckled in his arms and then raised her eyes to watch him closely, the golden rim of her glasses glimmering.
"Well, now you have me to remind you how great we Gryffindors are," he winked smugly as he inevitably stared at her lips. "Seems like Potter nor Weasley have done a good job."
Nothing prepared him for the heat that enveloped him as her hesitant arms surrounded his waist, her pressing body causing him to forget how to breathe.
"Thank you. I didn't need your saving…" she said.
"I know."
"But it's nice when a friend has your back," Hermione then let go, smiling at him. "We should go back, Afton eats as quickly as Ron does."
As he followed her for the third time that night and gazed at the swaying of her hips and the decadent movement of her curls, he ignored the desire to hold her again, a tug in his chest that he immediately tried to extinguish. Experience had taught him to be cautious. Curiosity did kill the cat, and Cormac didn't want to be the feline creature with that catastrophic ending.
Again.
After that night, it seemed he now saw Pucey or his friends everywhere in the Ministry, his old rivalry spark alive again. If Potter had had his rivalry with Malfoy, Cormac had had his own with Adrian since the young Pucey regurgitated his pure-blood ideologies to him. Quidditch had been a sore point, considering he had not been able to play against his nemesis. But outside the Quidditch pitch, oh boy had he given the Slytherins a proper hell. The Doxy eggs bet he had won had been only the tip of an iceberg and at the time he had not cared he had missed the trials after sending Pucey to the infirmary for two whole weeks.
"McLaggen," said Adrian one day outside their war room.
Cormac had been concentrated on an interdepartmental memo and had missed the waiting wizard.
"What are you doing here, Pucey?" Cormac asked, avoiding opening the door in case the wizard invited himself in. "Granger said she didn't want to see you again. So leave now."
"You're her lap dog now?" Pucey sneered, "I actually came to warn her but you might know as well. The new Statute will give you undesired enemies if you continue working on it."
"Ah, you're worried after how you won the British seat? Don't worry, your seat is safe. It's not retroactive. Now, if you don't mind…" Cormac tried to dismiss him unsuccessfully.
"She's more vulnerable considering her status," Pucey said, stopping him by the arm.
"Status? Tell me, Pucey, what type of status are you talking about? Hm?" Cormac felt close to losing his poise, taking a step toward the wizard and his wand out. "Last I heard there're no such things as status in our society."
"You are as naive as her, your upbringing lacking," Adrian mocked. "It's how our world works and maintains itself, how this Ministry functions, how the European wizarding society is constructed. Nothing can change it. Not even your anti-corruption statute."
"The amendment will pass."
"The code is not important but, the statute? It will be stopped. I assure you, you will not succeed. Any political aspirations for her will be gone. Not even Kingsley will protect her. And it will be all your fault."
"Are you threatening me on behalf of your group? Or maybe you thought your warning would change Hermione's mind about you? Leave, Pucey. I'm warning you. If you don't help her then don't be on her way," Cormac hissed.
"Yes, I should leave, you're a waste of my time. I will find another way to help her," Pucey said, leaving Cormac with the certainty that they needed to prepare their defences better.
After that incident, whenever he crossed with the Slytherin, Cormac smirked his way, not in the least threatened. And then, their had their first victory. The Code12R amendment passed in the Wizengamot, decreting the right for representation during trials and specifically avoiding a repeat of the violent muggle-born trials.
Why the bastard had been there, observing the process from the back of the room, following her like a stalker in the distance -and making sure she knew he was there-, Cormac ignored. Maybe Pucey still loved her; a more than enough reason for Cormac to make him jealous.
Once outside the Wizengamot, as Lovegood, Potter, Weasley and Kingsley joined them for a celebratory lunch, Cormac pulled Hermione's elbow, separating them from the rest of the group. Pucey, a few feet away, kept an eye on them. But when sunny-bright-brown eyes made contact with him, he forgot about Pucey, his body stilling for a couple of seconds, holding his breath, before closing the distance between them, her mouth inches from his. And somehow, only two words came to his mind:
"Thank you," he whispered.
"What for?"
"This would not have been possible without you. This was important to me, on a personal level. So thank you. You are extraordinary, Hermione," Cormac said.
The praise made her blush. Her rose lips parted and he somehow was fixated on them. Her mouth curved into a smile.
"You are amazing too, Cormac," Hermione whispered before stepping back, opening her eyes wide. "And… that's why we make the best team the Ministry has seen in magical law for decades. Did you see those prats faces when the voting passed?" She began rapidly walking again towards her friends, startling him. "I'm telling you. I'm going to buy a pensieve only to watch this memory again and again in the future."
He smiled when the image of an old Hermione reviewing that day scurried in his brain, his heart making a leap. He shook his head and kept her pace, walking by her side.
"Excellent idea, princess. I'll buy a pensieve myself," Cormac joked. But could not bring himself to say that he would gladly see again and again the memory of her turning to him with those radiant eyes.
A couple of days later, his now retired visiting Uncle Tiberius grinned when he saw his nephew.
"Cormac, are you heading to your office?" Uncle Tiberius asked him.
"Yes, Uncle. You want to walk with me?" Cormac's mouth twitched, knowing why he was visiting.
"Wonderful idea, my boy, wonderful idea," exclaimed his uncle and silently accompanied him to Level 9.
Once in the war room, Uncle Tiberius sat in one of the chairs before enlarging one of the various books Cormac was sure he had in his pockets.
"You're too early, uncle. She normally arrives in an hour or two," Cormac cheekily said to his only remaining family member.
At his silence, Cormac kept smiling as he read a book about the History of Statutes in Magical Law, occasionally glancing at his visitor. Uncle Beri's eyes, on the other hand, glinted and studied his nephew carefully.
"Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart," his uncle quoted his preferred author.
"Pray, uncle, why have you quoted Marcus Aurelius?" said Cormac smiling, as his attention returned to his observing uncle, "What is it, Uncle? You're making me nervous!"
"Nothing to worry about, my boy. I was just thinking how good it is to see you smile again."
"It's been good days."
"Yes. I can see that," his dear uncle kept surveying him like old people usually did. "Now, do tell, was the passing of the Code 12R amendment how you had planned it?"
"Yes. We expected the most traditional members to vote against it. However, meeting with those in between certainly worked to our advantage."
"Ah! How open were they to Miss Granger?"
"I noticed an early reticence to meet her, mainly because of her brilliance, her war heroine status and her friendship with Potter, Weasley and Kingsley. Not entirely because of her blood status, as one would imagine."
"Indeed, I have heard many feel scrutinized by her. Miss Granger has a strong, imposing and sometimes intimidating presence."
"Aye. There is also the fact that numerous rumours have been told about her over the years and wizards still remember them. The recent articles have not helped. However, she has developed tough skin and hasn't taken it personally. And those who were against the Code 12R amendment… you can imagine who they were…"
"The purists." Uncle Beri nodded knowingly.
"Uncle, the amendment will not alter their status quo per se, but the Statute… what reactions do you think they will have?"
"Well, my boy, they will use the printed media to convince the public against it as they have done until now but expect them to be harsher, much harsher. Do not consider they will not. And they will try to buy votes, either with money or exchanging favours. Be prepared."
The door opened then, creaking as it always did.
"Lucky day! Head Croaker … oh!" Hermione stopped on her feet as she noticed his Uncle Tiberius comfortably in the nearest chair.
If looks could tell, Cormac was sure his uncle would have exclaimed At last! when Hermione entered, having the opportunity to finally meet her after asking at least twice for a formal introduction from his nephew. Leaning on the table and his cane, Tiberius Ogden stood from his chair, his kind hazel eyes never leaving her.
"Hermione, may I introduce Elder Tiberius Ogden. Uncle, I'd like you to meet Miss Hermione Granger."
His uncle gallantly took Hermione's hand and gave it a light kiss, "Miss Granger, a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance."
"Mr Ogden, how do you do? Pleased to meet you too after hearing so much about you," Hermione politely said.
"Indeed. It seems we have both heard from each other and yet, my dear nephew has been neglecting his duties. As his closest family member, I'm afraid I have to take the matter into my hands." Uncle Beri looked between them, "Miss Granger, would you do us the honour of accompanying us to dinner at Logan House tomorrow Friday evening?"
"Logan House?"
"That's… my family house," Cormac hesitated unsure of his Uncle's intentions. Why was his uncle inviting her to Logan House? Why not Ogden Manor?
It seemed Hermione had the same line of thought because she gave him a polite but questioning look. At her reticence to accept the invitation, Cormac quickly nodded.
"I'd be delighted Mr Ogden," Hermione said.
"Wonderful! Now, Cormac, the time…" His uncle added.
"Yes, of course, six in the evening?" Cormac cleared his throat, his heart beating savagely.
"Lovely!" His uncle exclaimed, the only one to show how thrilled he felt.