Chapter 21
Hermione was escorted through the atrium by no less than six Aurors. The minister led the group, with two Aurors immediately behind him to his left and right. Another two Aurors walked behind them, directly in front of Hermione, and two behind her. She suspected that she'd end up in chains by the end of the night. More awkward for her however, was that Tonks was in front of her on the left, and Kingsley Shacklebolt behind on the left. Kingsley had seemed perplexed by the situation, only briefly familiar with Hermione's existence with the order, while Tonks kept turning and attempting to ask Hermione questions, questions which were quickly cut off by the Auror to her right.
This parade passed through the large group of onlookers, gawking at her, the minister, or the tattered banner high above their heads. Some gawked at all three. As Hermione watched Fudge's shoulders slump, she ensured hers were straightened and her chin high. The walk to the lifts seemed to take an eternity, but eventually she found herself escorted inside with her four escorts, the Minister in a different lift.
'The hell are you doing here Hermione?' Tonks eked out, unable to contain herself. Hermione could not tell if she was buzzing with excitement or rage.
'I came to fulfil the Stuart Clause.' Hermione answered, keeping her tone as even and calm as she could. She didn't particularly like the idea of the Aurors she didn't know getting jumpy.
'Does Molly know?' She asked, though she was elbowed by one of the other Aurors in the process. 'She's basically the only adult you're staying with and you just didn't tell her you were going for a little visit to the ministry?'
'Mrs Weasley has bigger things to worry about right now.' Hermione shook her head. 'I'd rather she's more focused on her family, than on me.'
'You can catch up when all of this is over, Tonks.' Kingsley sighed.
'Level Two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement.' A voice spoke as the lift ground to a halt.
Fudge was waiting on the other side, looking more tired and irritated than before. 'Shall we get this over with?' He asked, beginning the long trek down the even longer corridor.
As they walked, Hermione heard a faint, muffled voice from behind and a metal grating. She turned to see two Aurors step out of the lift and maintain their distance. They came to a stop outside a pair of large, grand doors. Two Aurors appeared to be standing guard, raising their numbers to ten.
Fudge turned expectantly to her, falling into a mock bow as he gestured toward the doors. 'Head on in then Miss Stuart.' He challenged.
'There seems to be an issue with the doors at the moment, correct? No member of the Wizengamot has been able to enter, to my knowledge.' Hermione asked, making sure all of the gathered Aurors had some acknowledgement of that fact. 'Just to be certain, you can go first Minister.'
He stammered for a moment, before sighing and placing his hand on the ornate door handle. No matter how hard he tried, the handle would not turn, and the doors rattled helplessly.
Hermione smiled and stepped forward, standing directly next to Fudge. The Aurors seemed to dislike that. 'Release your hand Minister.'
The moment Fudge's fingers slipped from the handle, Hermione swung the door wide open, striding into the room beyond with ease. The Wizengamot Chambers were reminiscent of the atrium above them. A large oval of dark marble with a high vaulted ceiling. Raked seating of dark wood lined the walls, interposed with large pillars and backed by stone fencing, separating the seating from the large fires lighting the room. A large podium dominated the far side of the room, the same height as the highest seats, it protruded out in a way that screamed of compensatory power. In the centre of the chamber were two raised black circles, upon the further was a dias holding a crown, sceptre, and globe.
Hermione spun on her heel, her gaze directly on Fudge.
'While this is certainly interesting this does not confirm your claim.' He smiled, clasping his hands in front of him.
'Enough denial, Minister. It doesn't look good on you.' Hermione turned her attention to the Aurors behind him. 'If one of you would be so kind, call the Wizengamot to order. I have matters to discuss with them.'
One of the Aurors acquiesced, calmly making his way back toward the lifts.
Fudge however seemed furious, his fists tight at his sides, face red and panting violently. He marched past Hermione and up into the podium where he sat and stared down at her.
As people trickled into the room, dressed in their robes and ball gowns, Hermione took stock of how many sat on which area of the room. The majority of seats appeared to be Ministry Officials, though Hermione didn't know who most of them were, she could recognise Amos Diggory among the crowd, wearing all black, and sat tiredly in his seat. The people around him were muttering to each other, looking down at Hermione, where she stood next to the dias.
On the other side of the room, sat a mere handful of people, mostly men, among whom was Lucius Malfoy. They were not staring down at her, nor even glancing, they simply spoke together in hushed voices, their focus utterly on their conversation. Hermione tried not to stare up at them, to guess what they were saying and how they were saying it. She kept her gaze moving, drifting across the many faces she would quickly have to familiarise herself with.
'You're a little young to be queen.' A voice announced.
Hermione turned quickly to see a small, elderly woman staring up at her, curiosity glinting in her eyes. 'I didn't know there was an age requirement.'
The woman smiled back, patting the back of her hand. 'I am Augusta Longbottom,' she announced, 'and I have heard a great deal about you Miss Granger, or should I say Stuart.'
'Only good things I hope.' Hermione smiled.
'Mostly good.' Augusta reassured her. 'Although I have not forgotten when my grandson came home telling me about a certain freezing spell and rule breaking escapade.'
'I apologise for the harm caused upon your house.' Hermione spoke diplomatically.
'There's no need for that.' Augusta waved her hand. 'You will find that Dumbledore keeps me up to date with the goings on in that secret lair of yours, and I will be firmly in your support.''
'Thank you.' Hermione inclined her head, smiling.
'I may not agree with the dark families, but they respect me.' She continued. 'Should I advise them to support your claim, they will.'
'Given the identity of their master, they might not.' Hermione frowned.
'Then give them a reason to support you.' Augusta smiled. 'Good luck Miss Stuart.' She curtseyed and left, ascending the steps to the family seats.
Hermione looked up at the group surrounding Lucius Malfoy, looking over each man. How many of them were Death Eaters? How many of them had killed in the name of purity? How many of them would continue to kill if Voldemort was allowed to continue?
It was during such thoughts, when Hermione's gaze became dark and angry, that Lucius turned to look at her. He seemed less certain of his earlier conviction, though he still seemed to dislike her. Narcissa had said she believed he had no choice anymore, that there were no further chances for him to turn back. Hermione decided otherwise, but given the certainty in Narcissa's voice, she decided to manufacture one.
The stream of people entering the doors trickled to a halt, and they were drawn shut with a loud bang. At this, the gathering of witches and wizards shuffled to their seats. Silence filled the chamber.
Fudge slammed his gavel onto the sounding block. 'This meeting of the Wizengamot on the Twenty-Fourth of December 1995 is called into session by Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. Would the guest for this session declare themselves for the record?'
'I am Hermione Stuart.' She stood defiantly, staring up at Fudge. 'Queen of Magical Britain.'
'That has yet to be discussed, Miss Stuart.' Fudge held his hand up.
'I have declared such before the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, despite how dubious his claim to the position may be. By law, the Ministry of Magic is no more. Would you go against the law?'
'The law is decided by the gathered members here.' Fudge frowned. 'You are not a member of this Wizengamot. You do not decide the law.'
'But the Wizengamot did decide the law, several hundred years ago.' Hermione smiled sweetly. 'It is in the first charter, the Stuart Clause was written into law. Article 16, Section 7, Dissolution Clause - in the event of the return of the Royal Bloodline, the Ministry of Magic shall immediately disband and turn over power to the rightful monarchy upon a Royal descendant's declaration to the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot.'
'We are not here to debate the meaning of a centuries old law, Miss Stuart.' Fudge leaned forward.
'There is no debate, there is no vote, there is no option for your corrupt government to remain in power.' Hermione snapped, straightening her shoulders. 'I, Hermione Jean Mary Stuart, am born of Royal blood. With my magic, I invoke the ancient right of rulership.'
'Someone stop her at once!'' Fudge screamed, attempting to shuffle off of the podium.
Several people began trying to push through the crowd, but found their paths blocked. Lady Longbottom, and several lords Hermione didn't recognise, held their wands aloft, creating the barriers between the ministry officials and Hermione.
'Let no man deny my birthright. Let no man deny my blood.' Magic crackled like fire around her, much like it had once before, raging and churning in the space about her. 'These words I swear on my magic, these words I swear on my life.'
A wave of magic blew through the room, causing most of the host back into their seats. The fires at the edge of the room flickered out for a moment, plunging the chamber into darkness, before lighting again. Dust fell from the now cracked ceiling and the podium had a large rend through it.
The minister stood, shaking, and hauled himself back into the chair on the podium.
'V-violence...' He muttered out. 'Violence will not sway this ministry to surrender.'
'Lord Malfoy submits his request to speak.' He stood, his usual superior air about him.
Fudge shifted his gaze from Hermione, and onto Lucius. He was hopeful. 'Request granted.'
'I, like many of my fellows, have studied the law of which Miss Stuart spoke.' He began. He appeared practised in passing his gaze across the gathered members in such a way that it seemed like he was actually looking at every member, and invested in them. 'There is no room in debating its meaning, nor its legality. The laws we vowed to uphold are clear. Miss Stuart is our Monarch.'