Author's Notes:
Here's Chapter 134 for you!
Happy Holidays! I hope you had a great few days.
My belated gift to you is this chapter.
Enjoy!
Love, DW x
After a long afternoon and an even longer night, Hermione and Draco settle down to sleep around two o'clock the following day. Initially, Hermione had been concerned with Draco's rash decision to publish the article despite getting her release from holding, which is what he wanted. However, considering how much danger the Aurors put her family and friends under yesterday, she agrees that publishing the article was the correct step forward. Although, she was not looking forward to Minister Kingsley retaliation or President Harris' reaction to antagonising him.
Unfortunately, Hermione didn't need to wait long for President Harris' reaction. They receive an owl via Megan Goyle at nine o'clock, requesting their presence at MACUSA as soon as possible.
"We'll never be able to get a portkey there," Draco claims as he begrudgingly dresses for the day, still tired from the eventful day yesterday.
"We're going to have to try," Hermione sighs. "We can't apparate to New York."
"Do you know how to change a Portkey's location?" he asks.
"I know the theory, but I've never tried it, and I don't think now is the time to experiment either," she mentions.
"We'll figure something out; we always do," Draco presses a kiss to her head as he passes her. He picks Scorpius up out of his Moses basket and takes him into his room to get dressed on his way out.
Hermione smiles softly, thankful that Draco remains calm while she's starting to worry.
In Scorpius' bedroom, Draco chooses a pair of trousers, a shirt and a jumper for his son. Scorpius hadn't slept well with Mitty the previous day, probably picking up on Mitty's nerves and just wanting his parents there to rock him to sleep. Therefore, as Draco pulls a jumper over his son's face, his eyes close and remain closed as he drifts back off to sleep in his father's arms. Draco chuckles, lying Scorpius down on his changing unit to get him further dressed. It seems like today will be another busy day, so having a sleepy Scorpius might be advantageous.
Hermione takes their sleeping son in her arms as Draco attaches the baby's chest carrier to himself. Hermione then clips Scorpius against his warm chest, which keeps their son asleep and softly snoring. They floo from their house to the Ministry's floo floor, and instantaneously, they know something is wrong. The entire floo floor is empty. Even though it's a Sunday, Hermione expected to see a few Ministerial workers wandering around glumly as they rush around the Ministry. Cautiously, they take the lift down to the Portkey Department, where they don't bump into anyone once again.
"Somethings going on," Draco comments, taking his wife's hand in his and hurrying them through the door into the Portkey Department. "It's suspiciously quiet." He adds as they peer into the waiting room, where there isn't even a receptionist booking people in for their portkeys.
"I guess we just take the first one we find," Hermione shrugs, pulling Draco into the first room, where a handbag is lying on the ground.
Hermione removes her wand from her cloak pocket, inspecting the object to discover where it is planning on taking someone. "Toronto, in Canada," she grins. "We can apparate from Toronto to New York, right? How many miles is that?"
"I don't know, but it's not like we have any other options," Draco states, taking hold of the handbag with his spare hand.
Hermione quickly grabs it with her own as the telltale wind picks up, spinning them around the room as they transport away from the Ministry of Magic.
They're on a beach beside a small white cabin overlooking what Hermione assumes is a large lake when they land. Turning around, they realise it's a pretty small beach, as they make their way onto the pavement, where a sign informs them the beach is named 'Cherry Beach'.
"I've never been to Canada," Draco states, glancing around at the numerous car parks surrounding the beach.
"Me neither, it's a shame it's a flying visit," she says, taking his hand and apparating the four-hundred and fifty miles to New York City.
Hermione recalls from their previous visits to MACUSA that they had an entire floor in the basement solely for apparation. Once they find their way to an elevator, they make their way up to President Harris' office. There they find a highly exhausted Adam sitting, staring mindlessly at a pile of parchments.
Draco clears his throat to gain his attention.
"Oh, look who decided to show up, the whole reason I was here at four in the morning," he complains. "They're here!" He shouts through to President Harris' office.
The door quickly opens, and President Cerys Harris is stood in a comfortable pair of lounge trousers and an oversized, chunky cardigan, "Come in."
Nervously, the couple enters the President of MACUSA's office, standing in front of her desk as they wait for the President to sit.
"Please, take a seat," she offers.
Hermione unclasps Scorpius from Draco's chest, lying him on her lap as he's content at the moment. "President Harris, we're both very sorry about what transpired yesterday. We expected the easing of restrictions to be for the full five hours, but Shacklebolt replaced them early." She quickly explains their actions, expecting the President to be angry or disappointed in them.
"Hermione, please slow down," she smiles; although her eyes look tired, they're also shining. "I was impressed by your actions yesterday. I read the Daily Prophet article at half-past three this morning. I very much enjoyed it; Maddox is an accomplished writer."
Draco scoffs, "He knows how to spin the truth to fit the perspective he, or the Minister, wants the public to believe."
"Which is why you went to him, isn't it, Draco?"
"Of course," he grins. "If Shacklebolt refused to release Hermione, I wanted the public on our side."
"And they are, aren't they? You've done more to turn the public against Minister Shacklebolt than I thought you could." President Harris slides a picture across her desk towards them.
Draco picks up the photograph, holding it up so Hermione can see. The location is easily identifiable. It's the foyer of the Ministry of Magic, and surrounding the Fountain of Magical Brethren are hundreds of people; some of the more visible faces are recognisable. In the front, Dean and Seamus, Neville and Hannah, and George and Angelina are stood, their fists pounding the air as they seemingly chant with the rest of the crowd. Scattering the crowd are signs reading some variant of 'Save Our Saviours'.
"What is this?" Hermione questions.
"Protests," President Harris smiles, leaning back in her chair. "For you, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley." She explains. "Fifteen minutes after I received the Daily Prophet, Megan Goyle sent me that picture. She had shown up for work to find hundreds of people gathered in protest against Minister Shacklebolt's treatment of their 'Saviours'."
"For me?" Hermione repeats.
"Initially, it was for you, but then as more people gathered, people got talking, and they decided they want the rule-of-seven restrictions removed from the country." President Harris adds.
"That's why the Ministry was so quiet; everyone was down in the foyer," Draco mentions quietly, staring at the picture. "Has the Minister released a statement yet?" He asks.
"Not yet, but I've got people in the Ministry awaiting his response," she explains.
"Why did you invite us here?" Hermione wonders.
"I didn't want you taking part in the protests. As far as I know, the crowds think you're still in holding. It's better if they continue to think as much. Once Minister Shacklebolt has made his statement, we'll act accordingly. Our best option is to portkey you to the Ministry. You'll stand in front of the crowd, give a speech about how much you appreciate everyone for their response, but ask them to please disperse. You don't want them to risk their safety and freedom for you. Hopefully, the crowds will leave. If not, you two at least look good in both the public's eyes and the Ministry's eyes." President Harris explains her plan.
"What about Harry and Ron? They don't know about the plan; what if they show up?" Hermione asks.
"Megan Goyle has asked for them to remain at home for the day," she answers.
"You've thought of everything," Hermione sighs.
"That's Secretary Tyler's job; she's writing your speech right now," President Harris admits.
"I usually write my speeches," Hermione states.
"Once she's finished, she'll bring it through, and you can amend it to your liking," she assures Hermione.
"I'm not sure I like this," Hermione admits. "I wrote that article for you; we've reformed the Order of the Phoenix and gained new members, who give feedback to us, which we send to you in our fortnightly reports. Everything we've done so far has been underground, but what you're asking me to do now is to step into the spotlight, which will put my family in even more danger. The Minister already despises Draco and me; this may push him over the edge. He might arrest us for inciting a riot." She speaks her thoughts on the whole plan.
"He might, and the public will rally against him. He won't be able to sentence you for anything," President Harris reminds them.
"You want us to get arrested to cement this idea of a tyrannical Minister in the eyes of the public," Draco states.
"It wouldn't hurt," she admits.
"No, I'm not risking that again," Hermione shakes her head. "The Minister would keep us in holding until our trial, and there's no one Scorpius can stay with for that long."
Abruptly, the door to the President's office bursts opens with Secretary Tiffany Tyler and Megan Goyle.
"I'm so glad you're both here," Megan breathes heavily, her clothes and general being looking dishevelled.
Draco stands, allowing Megan to take his seat.
"What's happened?" Draco asks instantly, knowing something has gone down.
"I came as fast as I could. Portkey is faster than mail. The protest turned into a riot." She breathlessly explains.
"What happened?" President Harris worriedly stands, leaning over her desk to question her Ministry Liason.
"I was taking more photos when all these aurors appeared on the edge of the crowd. They had their wands already drawn. Gradually, they started pushing the crowd closer and closer together. People were getting squashed, so a big push began. The crowd lifted the children in the air in an attempt to get them out of the fray. I called for other Ministry workers to get the children out, and they were crowd-surfed towards us. I hope we got them all out." Megan begins to weep. "It was like the aurors were waiting for the children to be safe because as we got the last one out of the protest, they started throwing spells into the crowd. It was so bright. Then the crowd started rampaging in every direction, pushing people out of the way and onto the floor. It reminded me of when the Death Eaters attacked the War Anniversary Dinner in May." She admits, her body shaking as her tears fall.
Draco, awkwardly rubbing her shoulder, asks, "Was anyone arrested?"
Megan shakes her head, "It didn't seem like that was the aim; it felt like dispersing the crowds was the main priority. I left as the aurors began calling for healers. They were moving some unconscious bodies out of the mess. It was awful."
"Was this under the order of the Minister for Magic?" Tiffany Tyler asks.
"Obviously," Megan snaps. "Sorry, but aurors police wizarding Britain, they're not security guards. The crowd committed no crime, we have the right to protest, and it was peaceful until the aurors showed up."
"We can use that; the Minister incited a riot, which has led to injuries and put children in danger," President Harris picks up her quill, scribbling down notes.
Hermione feels uncomfortable using others' misfortune for their gain.
"I feel like you're using us," Hermione tells the President.
"This is what you signed up for when you agreed to help remove Kingsley Shacklebolt from power. I know it's awful that this has happened, but you need to think about the repercussions for Shacklebolt. This event alone will add another year onto his sentence," she tries to reassure Hermione.
"It's harsh, but the result will be so sweet," Tiffany Tyler comments, a knowing grin on her face.
"Every year counts when it comes to Shacklebolt's sentence. Not every charge will stick, so the more we have against him, the longer he'll spend locked up in prison." Harris explains.
Hermione nods; she understands the situation is dire, and they need to use every one of the Minister's misdeeds. Still, it doesn't stop the guilt from settling in her stomach. A crowd of around three hundred people had been scared and hurt after turning up to protest her arrest. An arrest that Draco had already resolved. She now felt guilty and knew they would too when Harry and Ron found out.
"Where's Harry and Ron, at home still?" She asks.
"Yes, I doubt it's long before they find out what happened." Megan states.
"Can we go? Now we're no longer needed for your speech." Hermione asks.
"Yes, that's fine. I'll expect your next report to be rather long, though." President Harris mentions as they stand. "Megan, will you show them to the portkey room?"
The trio is silent as they walk down to MACUSA's portkey room.
"Are you coming with us?" Hermione asks Megan when they reach an old book on the floor, their portkey.
"No, I need to show President Harris the other photos I took. She'll probably want to spread them around the Wizarding World, so more governments can pick up on this." She explains.
"Well, thank you for helping today," Hermione hugs Megan before she and Draco grab onto the portkey, which whisks them away to the Ministry of Magic.
Instead of riding the lift from the Portkey floor to the Floo floor, Hermione and Draco risk getting off on the ground floor, hoping to catch a glimpse of the protest's aftermath in the foyer. They arrive from behind the Fountain of Magical Brethren, which seemed to be the meeting place for the demonstration.
"I wonder who organised the protest? It only took an hour after the publication of the article for us to be called to MACUSA," Draco questions quietly.
The foyer is littered with signs and general rubbish, creating an eerie feeling as they walk around the Fountain, coming behind none other than the Minister of Magic himself. Hermione's eyes widen, grabbing Draco wrist in the hope of somehow getting out of this situation without being seen. Unfortunately for them, an Auror stands up from where he had been inspecting a sign on the floor and makes direct eye contact with Hermione.
"Minister!" He urgently points at them.
Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt turns on his heel, his whole face contorting into a glare of absolute disgust upon landing on them.
"I should have known the two of you would have something to do with this," he hisses. "Are you happy with yourself? Fifty-three people were taken to St Mungo's with various injuries because of you two and that article of yours."
"Because of us," Hermione snaps. "This whole protest boils down to you and your rule-of-seven restrictions. People hate you, Kingsley, they despise you, and there's no coming back from that. Don't blame us because you've done that to yourself." She angrily yells at him.
"Lawson, take Ms Granger upstairs to my office," Minister Shacklebolt orders, and the Auror's hand motions the way.
"I'm not going anywhere but home." She snaps.
"It seems you forget that I am the Minister for Magic, and you don't hold any title here, Ms Granger. Take yourself up to my office. I require a word with you, Mr Potter and Mr Weasley." The Minister turns to Lawson, nodding at him to continue.
Lawson reaches out, taking her wrist in his hands.
"Hermione," Draco reaches out for her.
"Take Scorpius home," she assures him. "I want to hear what he has to say." She glares at the Minister, snatching her hand out of the Aurors and making her way towards the Minister's lift.
Draco's jaw hardens as he contemplates arguing with the Minister, or doing as Hermione asks, and taking their son home to safety. After yesterday's events, Draco decides on the latter, never wanting his son to be in any amount of danger ever again.
Once at home, Draco calls for Mitty to take care of Scorpius in the living room while he writes some letters in his office. Quickly, he scribbles an abrupt invitation to Pansy and Ginny, asking them to hastily arrive to discuss their spouses' recent meeting with Minister. Since Sophie still has Athena, Draco calls Mitty and asks her to apparate to both households with the invitations.
Hermione sits in one of the chairs overlooking the Minister's desk, awaiting the arrival of either her best friends or the Minister himself. Thankfully, Harry and Ron are the first to arrive, being pushed into the room by two separate Aurors, who guard them outside the Minister's office door.
Pulling them both in for a hug, Hermione sighs deeply, wondering just what the Minister has up his sleeve this time. No doubt another way to infuriate her.
"I was hoping for a relaxing Sunday at home with my family," Harry smiles, taking the seat beside Hermione, leaving the third one beside him for Ron.
"Anyone know why we're here," Ron asks, slumping down in his chair. "I feel like we've been dragged into Dumbledore's office again."
"There was a protest, that turned into a riot, against yesterday's events and our arrest. Kingsley thinks we organised it." Hermione explains, her voice full of boredom.
"Of course he does," Harry sighs.
"What did he want to speak to you about yesterday?" Hermione asks.
"The Minister has suspended me without pay for a week, then when I return, I'm working on Vale's trial with Kingsley. He's banned me from entering the Auror Department due to my 'lack of loyalty' and my 'breaking the law'." Harry rolls his eyes.
"What a dick!" Ron comments.
"I am suspicious of the Auror Department, and now I can't even question them. Although I'm not too fussed since the so-called 'brethren' attacked my family and friends, a break from them will be good. Plus, I was the one who first suspected Vale and put his file together; I want to be the one to take him down and ensure his sentence is harsh." Harry explains.
"Silver linings," Ron shrugs.
The Minister's office door bursts open as Kingsley Shacklebolt enters; Lawson shuts the door. The Golden Trio watches as the Minister for Magic sits down behind his desk, shuffling parchments and newspapers around, before finding what he needs.
"This," Minister Shacklebolt throws that mornings copy of the Daily Prophet towards the three of them. "Needs to stop, now!" He orders.
"That was all Draco Malfoy," Ron announces.
Hermione glares at her friend, "I didn't hear you blaming him when Draco released us. You were full of praise."
Ron shrugs, "I was grateful, but now it's causing me trouble. That's like the main thing I don't need." He explains.
"I'll give you something you don't need," Hermione threatens, and Ron's eyes widen, leaning away from her.
"Alright," Harry awkwardly chuckles. "Minister, you know we weren't present here this morning. I didn't even know there was a protest until Blackwood came to get me. After yesterday's misunderstanding, I know I've been spending time with my wife and children; I've not had the time to organise a protest." He lightly chuckles.
"Where were you and Mr Malfoy returning from, Ms Granger?" Minister Shacklebolt asks.
"We heard about the protest and showed up in the hopes of telling everyone we are safe so that they can go home. We found out too late, though," Hermione answers, using the lie President Harris was going to have them tell.
"Why don't I believe you?" He asks.
"Because you have a distrustful nature that worked in your favour during the War, but now, it's working against you, and you can no longer trust anyone," Hermione suggests.
"Enough," the Minister snaps. "I am sick and tired of you and your husband and the two of you." He adds, looking at both Harry and Ron. The latter looks confused about what's he's done. "You all voted me into power on the first of September 1998. We are a democratic country, and the vote was counted. I won; I am the Minister for Magic, and whether or not you like that now, you have to respect the decision of the populace."
"Do another vote now, and you would lose in a landslide, without even knowing the other candidate," Hermione threatens.
"You and Mr Malfoy's actions, of the past two years have been treasonous, and it only your three's status as the 'Golden Trio'," Minister Shacklebolt's eyes flicker down to the Daily Prophet. "It's your status that has held me back from arresting and sentencing you."
"What was all that yesterday, then?" Ron asks.
"You overstepped yesterday. You were disrespecting myself and the laws of this country-" Shacklebolt begins.
"Your laws are bullshit," Hermione states.
"Hermione," Harry tries to stop her, but she shakes his hand off her shoulder.
"You are not above the law, Ms Granger," Shacklebolt raises his voice.
"Neither are you, Minister," she retorts.
"I admit, I have pushed the boundaries for what is morally correct for a Minister to do, but I did so for the greater good and the future of the Wizarding community in Britain." He claims.
"Shut up," Hermione tells him, done with his lies. "You aren't fooling anyone. Despite your attempts, I have researched the first Marriage Decree from 1355. There was an increase of 70 births a year in the first five years, but thirty years afterwards, the birthrate had plateaued back to the levels before the Black Death." The Minister's face twitches. "Am I hitting a nerve, Minister? Do you realise that, in the end, your Marriage Decree won't have any lasting effect on the British population? You'll soon be forgotten to history, just like every post-war Minister. You come in, spend seven years cleaning up after the war, then go along your merry way, not even lost to the history books, because no one cares," she harshly informs him. "The only way your Marriage Decree will be remembered is for the way you abused the decree to control the populace." She adds.
"The populace needed controlling," Minister Shacklebolt roars, having had enough of the verbal abuse she had been throwing at him. He watches as the so-called 'Golden Trio' stare slack-jawed at his admittance. "What do you think your precious Draco would be doing right now if he weren't married to the precious Hermione Granger? He'd be out there, up to no good, spreading terror along with Parkinson, Zabini and Goyle, no doubt."
"You don't know what you're talking about," Hermione shakes her head, standing up. "Draco had plans to become a Potions Master, using his knowledge to help create potions for St Mugno's. I was not the catalyst for his change; he'd been changing long before the Marriage Ceremony before the war even ended. I know as much as he does that, he's done awful, terrible things as a Death Eater, but Draco's spent the past three years attempting to make amends for all that he's done." She defends her husband.
"I'm supposed to believe that Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy, the right-hand man to Voldemort for many years, isn't somehow a part of the new movement?" The Minister questions. "How do you know for certain that he isn't the New Dark Lord?"
Hermione laughs sourly, hot tears prickling at her eyes, "You're doing too much, Kingsley. You've lost every ounce of respect I ever held for you. You deny the Death Eaters have returned and now accuse my husband of running the whole movement. Make your mind up, are they back or not? It can't be both." She turns, storming out of the Minister's office.
Lawson peers inside, making eye contact with the Minister questioningly.
"Let her go," Minister Shacklebolt waves him away.
Harry and Ron are left staring at each other awkwardly, silently conversing on whether to stay or go after her.
"I wasn't sure whether to accept their match at the Marriage Ceremony," the Minister admits with a deep sigh, leaning back in his chair. "I didn't believe it at first, but in a split second, I decided to go ahead with it. I had hoped Ms Granger would be able to influence Mr Malfoy positively. I don't think I've ever been more wrong about them than I have about anything else. I was so wrong. Malfoy has corrupted her, and now, regrettably, there's a child at the centre of all this. All this would be so much easier without their child." He mutters.
Ron scoffs, "Scorpius' entire existence is completely your fault." He reminds the Minister.
Minister Shacklebolt's eyes focus on Ron, taking in his relaxed, laid-back appearance. "You seem rather bitter about his existence too. You're not still harbouring feelings for Ms Granger, are you, Mr Weasley?"
Ron defensively stands up, pointing his finger at the Minister, "Of course, I have feelings for Hermione, but I moved on. I love Pansy more than I ever thought I loved Hermione. We're so much more compatible, and she's the mother of my children."
"I saw your questionnaire; you thought you were going to marry Hermione Granger. You wrote her name down, and yet she didn't. At the Ceremony, that must have hurt when I called her name after Malfoy's while you were still waiting. No wonder you had such an adverse reaction when I called Ms Parkinson's name for you. It seems like you're just settling for the cards I dealt you. I didn't give you Hermione, and she certainly isn't going to give herself to you, now that she has someone on the same level as her. You might as well as settle for your wife since no one else is comparable to the 'brightest-witch-of-her-age'." The Minister watches as Ron's red face deepens as each of his statements strike a nerve.
Ron slowly raises to his feet, "You have no idea what you're talking about. The moment I saw the scan of my children growing inside my wife's stomach, I knew I was gone. How could I not love Pansy?" He argues, leaning steadily closer to the Minister's desk.
Harry stands behind his friends, ready to pull him away if he lunges at the Minister.
"You wouldn't understand, you don't have any children of your own, you've never married, you're a hypocrite. That's all you are and all you'll ever be." Ron wholeheartedly denies his claims. "I'm done," he raises his hands, leaving the office of the Minister for Magic.
Harry returns to his seat, jealous of their friends for leaving and hating them for leaving him alone with the Minister for Magic after spending half an hour aggravating him.
"What a commotion?" Harry awkwardly comments, taking his previous seat. "You crossed the line there, though. Ron's besotted with Pansy, and you can trust me when I tell you Draco Malfoy is not involved in this new Death Eater movement. It took me years to trust him, but I do." He explains.
"You can never truly know people like Draco Malfoy. They're always plotting their next power move." Minister Shacklebolt claims.
Harry shakes his head, "You need to regain the respect of the community, and to do that, you need to make actual positive changes. Start by announcing that the new movement exists and that you've discovered a mole within the Ministry. We are working on getting valuable information from him. No need to mention Vale's name, but just reassure the country that you know what's going on, and you're working to fix it." Harry tries to give the Minister some advice, under the guise that he's looking out for his interests but knowing he won't take it. "Have you chosen which law firm is going to prosecute Vale?" He asks, slightly changing the conversation.
Minister Shacklebolt take a moment to regain his composure before he answers, "I've narrowed it down to two," rummaging around on his desk again. "Here, either Goldman's firm, or Moore's, since you're all about giving me advice today, which would you recommend?"
"Firstly, I would recommend you organise your desk," Harry half-jokes.
"It's an organised mess," the Minister returns the jokes.
Harry opens the files for both Goldman's Law Firm and Moore's Solicitors, pretending to scan the list of lawyers and student lawyers past cases. Harry already knows which he needs to choose but doesn't know how to make a choice feel unplanned and believable. He nods and smiles as his eye catches one name in particular.
"Go for Goldman's Law Firm," he throws the file back across the desk. "Graham Goldman has the most experience in sentencing high profile suspects, especially Death Eaters. He sent Lucius Malfoy away for twenty years, with only one witness testifying against him. He's the best, and we need the best." Harry feels that he may be laying it on a little thick.
Either way, Kingsley eats it up, "Good choice, I would have chosen the same. I hope you're ready to accept this responsibility, Harry. I wouldn't give this to just anyone," he pulls out a piece of parchment. "And it wasn't because you're Harry Potter. You proved yourself with your Vale file and proved that I can trust you to do what's right within the workplace. You might want to consider proving I can trust you outside of work. I know you and Hermione had gone through a lot together, but there's only so far the past can take you before you realise people change, and they're no longer the person you once knew." He states, scribbling a letter to Graham Goldman of Goldman Law Firm.
Harry remains quiet. He can't lose his trust with the Minister for Magic, not now he has this new role. It's the perfect opportunity for him to keep an eye on Kingsley for the New Order.
"Take this down to Goldman on your way out," Minister Shacklebolt hands over the envelope, sealed with his Ministerial stamp.
"Sure, I'll see you in two weeks for my official start," he smiles, taking his leave.
The aurors stationed at the Minister's door earlier had left at some point after Ron's departure. Harry runs the letter down to Goldman's Law Firm's receptionist, who promises to deliver it the first thing the next day.
The large clock in the foyer reads ten to one in the afternoon. Harry still had the whole afternoon ahead of him to relax after the entire weekend's stress. However, he arrives home to find his wife and sons gone. At the kitchen table is a note from Draco Malfoy, inviting Ginny, Teddy and James over for lunch while their spouses are otherwise occupied. Assuming that's where they are, Harry floos to Hermione and Draco's house.
Hermione had been the first to arrive home, angry tears streaming down her face as she stormed into the kitchen from their floo fireplace.
"That bastard," she curses into Draco chest when he pulls her in for a tight hug. "I hate him; I fucking despise him," she screams into his shirt.
"Ginny and Pansy are here," he tells her.
Hermione's red face peeks over her husband's shoulder, "When did you get here?"
"I invited them, a sort of 'Spouses of the Golden Trio' support group," Draco smiles, pleased with his joke.
"We do put you through a lot, don't we," Hermione rubs her hands across her wet face. "Sorry, he's just infuriating. Kingsley interrogated me about where we had been coming from this morning. He wouldn't shut up about how we were overstepping and disrespecting him. Of course, I gave as much as I got, and he actually admitted that the public needs controlling." She shakes her head.
"Come sit down," Draco guides her to the living room, where the three spouses had come from when they heard Hermione's entrance. "I'll get you a drink." He adds, rushing to grab her a much-needed gin and tonic.
"What else did Kingsley say?" Ginny asks, enthralled.
"He said some awful things about you, Draco. That's why I'm like this," she gestures to her face. "He accused you of being the New Dark Lord, and I lost it. I don't understand how he can't see that you've changed immensely these past three years." She strokes his face.
"Not everyone knows me as you do," Draco smiles softly. "And not everyone is as willing to forgive me as you were." He adds, eyes falling guiltily to his lap.
"You'll get there soon enough; everyone will see you as I do," she kisses his cheek, then downs her gin and tonic.
"Do you want another?" He asks.
"No, I'm alright. I just needed to calm down," Hermione smiles, placing the cup on the coffee table coaster.
"I hope you got a few good verbal jabs in at the Minister," Pansy grins, enjoying hearing about the man's misfortune.
"Of course I did," Hermione smiles. "I do recall belittling him by reminding him that we will soon forget him. Not even the history books will remember his name."
"A personal attack; I love it." Pansy laughs.
"Pansy!" Ron's voice calls around, and her face falls to one of concern.
"I'm in here," she calls to her husband.
"Merlin, I love you," Ron admits, rushing to his wife and pulling her into a deep, wet kiss.
"Do you mind?" Ginny kicks her brother's leg. "You make me want to throw up more than morning sickness." She grimaces.
Ron laughs, pulling Pansy down onto the couch with him, whispering into her ear as she giggles.
Ginny nods at Hermione and Draco, begging them to join her in the kitchen away from her brother and wife.
Sat at the kitchen table, Ginny mutters, "Hopefully, Harry will be here soon too."
Fifteen minutes later, Harry walks out from their floo room, looking exhausted, "Good news, Theo Nott's law firm is taking on the Vale trial."
"That's great, just what we needed. Now we've got you working with the Minister and Theo working with the lawyers; he will ensure they sentence Vale to the fullest extent of the law." Hermione smiles.
"You're working with Shacklebolt, personally?" Draco questions.
"On the Vale trial, since I put together the initial case file," Harry explains. "Although, I know he's trying to keep me close."
"As long as you know that," Draco agrees.
"What he doesn't know is I'm also keeping him close," Harry nods. "I'm sure to gather plenty of incriminating evidence against him."
"I'm concerned about what Shacklebolt will ask of the Aurors, without Harry Potter there to whistleblow, no offence," Draco adds.
"Some taken," Harry frowns. "But it's true, I turned on my colleagues against Vale, and I've certainly made a few enemies in the department after yesterday. Although, I'm sure I still have some friends who I can ask to keep an eye on the department for me."
Out from the living room, Ron and Pansy join the rest of the group, giggling, "When did you get here, Harry?" Ron asks.
"A few minutes ago," he answers.
"I was just saying to Pans that now you've given Maddox permission to write about us all; he's not going to stop using us against the Minister." Ron mentions.
"Especially with the reaction his article garnered today. I bet tomorrow there's an article tomorrow on the protest turned riot." Pansy adds.
"Maddox works for the Daily Prophet, who is firmly in the hand of the Minister. If he continues like this, he'll soon be without a job." Draco states.
"I'm sure Harris wouldn't mind giving him a job for the Congress Times," Hermione scoffs.
"What's that?" Ginny asks.
"President Harris praised Maddox's writing and manipulation techniques." She explains.
"Well, I think we should all stop worrying about tomorrow and enjoy what's the rest of our Sunday," Ron suggests. "Is there a takeaway near here?" He asks Hermione.
"Yeah, there's a fishery in the next village over; they sometimes deliver." Hermione answers
"I'll give them a call," Draco says, scrolling through his contacts as he walks into his and Hermione's office.
Hermione fills the kettle up, offering to make everyone a cup of tea or coffee while they wait for their lunch. Hermione realises she hasn't seen Scorpius since she returned home as she presses the lever down.
"Where're our children?" She turns, asking Pansy or Ginny, both of whom had been here with Draco waiting for their spouses return
"Outside with Mitty," Pansy answers. "Honestly, I've been telling Ron we need to get a house-elf for our new place. We hardly ever get a minutes peace with the twins."
"You're moving!" Hermione asks.
"Hmm, oh, yeah, on Wednesday," Pansy nods.
"We're either of you going to tell us?" Harry stares at his friend, who just shrugs.
"We saw what Molly was like after you two moved into Grimmauld Place, so we thought we'd keep it quiet until after we've settled," Pansy explains.
"Actually, yeah, fair enough," Ginny nods, remembering her Mum visiting every day for two weeks, trying to help tidy the house for them.
Draco returns, "They said they're too busy to deliver. Do you mind driving to pick it up, Hermione?"
"No, that's fine," Hermione nods, walking over to the fruit bowl in the middle of the kitchen counter, where she keeps her car keys, which she rarely uses.
"When did you buy a car?" Harry frowns.
"A few weeks ago, we bought it from our neighbours behind. It was their Mum's. They said she's too old to drive, but keeps sneaking out, so they asked if we wanted it. It's just an old little thing, used mainly for driving to the supermarket." Hermione explains. "Pansy, Ginny, do you want to come for a ride out?"
Both women agree to join Hermione for the car ride, while the three men stay behind to set the table and get their children ready for dinner.
"So, Pansy," Hermione starts as they drive off her property. "Where are you moving to?" She asks.
"I honestly not that big of a deal. We have to move out of the Estate by the first of August, so we started looking for a house at that new estate agency in Diagon Alley. Have you seen it?" She asks.
Both Ginny and Hermione in the front of the car shake their heads.
"It's owned by a muggleborn and his muggle wife; they can find you a house in either community," Pansy explains. "We wanted a small, quiet place within the wizarding community. They found us the perfect cottage; a four-bedroom, two bathrooms, three reception rooms cottage in a Yorkshire wizarding village. We went to have a look, and it was perfect. Our neighbours are in their seventies, and there are only about five houses in the village. The twins loved it too." Pansy grins.
Hermione glances at her friend in the rearview mirror, and she looks genuinely happy, a smile beaming on her face. Pansy is excited about her future.
"It sounds like you've found your forever home," Hermione comments as she drives out of their village and towards the next one, where they found the fishery.
"We really have," Pansy agrees. "Once we've settled, we'll invite everyone around for a little dinner." She suggests. "Well, it'll have to be in groups of four or five, thanks to the restrictions," Pansy corrects herself.
"I'm looking forward to the Minister's statement in the Daily Prophet tomorrow," Ginny grins. "Hopefully, he's put his foot in it, and we can use his own words against him."
"I'm worried you're enjoying this a little too much, Gin," Hermione jokes.
"Of course, I'm enjoying this takedown, Kingsley's targeting my husband and family. He's made it even more personal than it was before," she comments.
When Hermione pulls up at the fishery, she climbs out of the car, walks into the shop, where she gives Draco's name, pays the bill, then rushes back to the car, passing the bag over to Ginny.
"Let's get that home before it gets cold," Hermione says, turning the car's engine back on.
"Or we can just cast a warming spell over the bag to make sure it stays warm," Pansy suggests. "You're losing your touch, Granger."
"Oh, shut up, Pansy," Hermione laughs. "I'm rarely in the wizarding world at the moment, what with being on parental leave and not being able to walk down Diagon Alley without being stared down by an Auror or Ministry Official."
At home, Draco shows Ron where the dishes and cutlery are in the kitchen before following Harry outside to search for their children. They find all five children digging in the greenhouse left behind by the previous owners.
"Oh no," Draco stares wide-eyed at the muddy hands, clothes and faces of all five of the children. "What's happened here?"
"We helpin' Mitty with tores," Teddy explains.
"Chores," Mitty clarifies. "Mitty want fresh vegetable and fruit for Scorpius."
"Well, it looks like you all enjoyed yourself," Harry grins, picking both Philip and Phoebe up, one in each arm.
"'Elllo," Philip greets Harry.
"Bu-bye," Phoebe adds, making Harry laugh.
Draco picks Scorpius up, gesturing for Teddy and James to follow them back into the house.
"Go home?" James questions, following after the adults.
"No, we're having dinner soon," Harry explains.
"Dinner, dinner," Teddy chants, running towards the house.
James laughs, trying to run after his older brother-figure, but his shorter, unsteady legs can't carry him as fast, but he keeps going.
"Let's wash our hands," Draco cheers, hoping to install some fake excitement into the children.
"No!" Teddy screams, running away from Draco.
"Mitty, can you wash Scorpius' and change his clothes, please," Draco passes his son to his house-elf, who disappears upstairs. "Come here, Teddy," Draco sneaks over to where Teddy is attempting to hide behind a cushion on the kitchen couch.
Teddy screams giddily, throwing the cushion onto the floor as he scrambles over the arm of the couch and runs away.
"Come on, Teddy, you're three years old; let's show James how to wash your hands and face," he tries to convince his Aunt's grandson.
"No!" He giggles, running towards the staircases.
James starts crawling after him, repeatedly screaming, "No! No! No!"
Draco scoops up James into his hands, not wanting the toddler to fall down the stairs, attempting to follow Teddy.
"Oh no, Teddy! I've got James, and I'm taking him to wash his hands!" He jokes.
"No! Daco, stop it!" Teddy chases after Draco as he enters the downstairs bathroom, placing James in the bathtub. Philip and Phoebe are already sitting in the tub, where Harry is washing them down with a washcloth.
Teddy peeks his head around the bathroom door, sees Philip and Phoebe splashing around in the couple inches of water, and decides it isn't so bad. He clambers over the side of the bath, joining in with his younger friends.
When Hermione, Pansy and Ginny return with dinner, the children are washed and dry, sitting in high chairs around the dining table. The adults plate up the children's plates first, letting them begin as they plate up their own. Dinner is filled with laughter as they joke about their shared past at Hogwarts, specifically the first four years, before their lives got even more difficult.
Draco smiles as he sips his glass of wine. It feels surreal that the six of them can now laugh about their first shared detention in the forbidden forest, the midnight duel, and the whole Norbert the dragon situation.
Harry and Ron, feeling a little tipsy, having had a few glasses of wine themselves, stand up from the table. They attempt to reenact for Ginny, Draco, and Pansy just how they carried an illegal dragon through Hogwarts to the top of the tower block.
Pansy snorts, wine shooting through her nose when Harry admits that the only reason they got caught that night was that he left his Cloak of Invisibility at the top of the staircase.
"Classic Potter," she laughs, "You come up with some convoluted plan that you're able to execute fully, but then you get overconfident and lose yourself. Classic, Gryffindor." She corrects herself.
"Hey, I'm a Gryffindor," Ron states, offended.
"Don't remind me," she rolls her eyes.
"Daddy Harry?" Teddy yawns. "I tired."
Harry sighs, picking the young boy up out of his highchair. "I hate to cut the night short since we're having such a good time, but the children really should be getting to bed soon," Harry explains.
"We've got plenty of spare bedrooms here," Hermione suggests.
"Are you sure?" Pansy asks.
"Of course," Hermione nods, standing up and stumbling slightly. She needs to stop drinking wine; it turns her legs to jelly. "Mitty," she calls.
Mitty appears in front of Hermione, "Yes."
"Can you make beds up for Harry and Ginny, Ron and Pansy, and the children?"
Mitty's eyes widen excitedly; she loves having the children around, "Yes, yes," she grins, then disappears.
"That solves that," Hermione smiles at her friends. "Let's get the children to bed and continue this in the living room. Mitty can keep an eye on them."
Ginny, Ron, Pansy and Hermione take their children to the spare bedroom next to Scoprius' room. Mitty has placed barriers on either side of the bed to stop the children from falling out of bed.
"This bed is big enough for all five of them," Ginny comments, sitting both Teddy and James on the edge of the bed and stripping them both of their clothes.
"Scorpius is still a little young for sleepovers," Hermione says, taking her son into his bedroom.
Hermione changes him into his sleepsuit, pressing a kiss to his forehead as she tucks him in with his Gus, the polar bear, teddy he got in New York. She watches her son rub his cheek against the soft fur of Gus. In her experience, Hermione knows Scorpius will be fast asleep within the next five minutes.
Back in the spare bedroom, Teddy is lying in the middle of the bed. On his left, Philip and Phoebe face each other, quietly whispering, while on his right, spread out in a star position, is James, already fast asleep.
"They're adorable," Hermione grins. "Wait a second."
She rushes into her bedroom, grabbing her camera, to snap a picture of them.
"I need a copy of that," Pansy's face softens as she inspects the polaroid picture.
"We can all have a copy," Hermione confirms.
Downstairs, in the living room, Hermione finds her wands and duplicates the picture twice for the Potters and the Weasley.
The rest of the night is spent still reminiscing and discussing the hopes and dreams they have for their children and their own lives, now that the Marriage Decree has come to an end. They've got the rest of their lives ahead of them.
Draco awakes the following morning to the sound of an argument getting aggressively louder nearby. It takes his hungover thoughts a moment too long to remember the Potters and Weasleys spent the night.
"Shut up! You don't get to talk to me," he hears Pansy snap.
Draco groans, rolling out of bed and pulling his dressing gown on, assuming she's shouting at Ginny since the two of them still aren't on exclusively friendly terms. However, he opens his bedroom door and finds Pansy pointing a rolled-up newspaper at her husband.
"What's going on?" Draco asks, walking cautiously towards his friend.
Pansy turns, fury on her face, "This, this is something you'll want to see," she jabs the newspaper into his chest.
Draco frowns, unfolding the newspaper to read the headline on the Daily Prophet, "Ron Weasley admits to still 'having feelings' for ex-Hermione Granger." He glances up at the man in question, whose face is pale, and his eyes are shifting around as though looking for an exit. Draco opens the newspaper to the article, "Ronald Weasley believes he had been dating Ms Granger before the announcement of The Marriage Decree. Here we reveal that Mr Weasley wrote Hermione Granger on the questionnaire as his current relationship, despite Ms Granger not writing his name in return. In the past two years, Mr Weasley and Ms Parkinson have welcomed twins Philip and Phoebe into their lives. Still, the question on everyone's mind is: did Ron Weasley settle for Pansy Parkinson after losing Hermione Granger to Draco Malfoy? Evidence would suggest so since sources close to the Weasley family suggest Ron Weasley only committed to his marriage after discovering his wife to be pregnant with his children. However, Ron Weasley yesterday admitted to still being in love with Hermione Granger and only loving Pansy Parkinson as 'the mother of my children'." Draco shakes his head.
"It's not what it sounds like," Ron mumbles quickly.
"What is wrong with you?" Draco asks. "I'm assuming you said something along these lines in front of Shacklebolt, and now you're surprised he's used it against you. You're an idiot, Ronald Weasley." He snaps.
"I never said I was in love with Hermione," Ron defends himself.
"Yet you had nothing to say when I asked if you still had feelings for her," Pansy snatches the newspaper out of Draco's hand and hits her husband across the head with it.
"I said it, but I just meant that I've moved on from her; my feelings are just friendly now," Ron explains.
"Don't lie to me," Pansy drops the newspaper, using her hands to slap his chest. "Don't fucking lie to me," she cries, her eyes watering.
Draco, seeing the situation getting out of their hands, wraps his arms around Pansy, dragging her away from Ron. "You need to leave, Ron," Draco tells him.
"No, Pansy, I do love you. We're so much more compatible than Hermione, and I ever were." Ron continues to dig a deeper hole.
Pansy scoffs angrily, "Compatibility!" Her hands drop to her side, letting Draco drag her away. "You're such a dick, Ronald Weasley. I thought there was more to our relationship than whatever that questionnaire told us."
Draco glances up the corridor, wondering where everyone else is hiding. Then he spots Harry peering out of Scorpius' bedroom. "Oi, Harry, get Ron out of here. Take him home."
Harry scrambles out of the bedroom, "Of course, come on, Ron," he grabs Ron's shoulder, guiding him down the stairs. "Give Pansy some space," he mutters, pulling him down to the floo room.
Pansy turns around in Draco's embrace, sobbing into Draco's chest, "Look at me! Crying over Ronald fucking Weasley."
"He's not worth it," Draco smiles softly.
Pansy laughs, leaving their hug. "I do love him, though," she sighs, rubbing her eyes. "What's wrong with me?"
Ginny awkwardly walks towards them, having also left Scorpius' bedroom, "Pansy, there's nothing wrong with you. My brother is just an idiot. Trust me, he doesn't have the brain cells to think before he speaks, but he does love you. If he didn't, he would have left you after the twins were born, but he didn't."
"Didn't you read, he settled for me?" Pansy harshly snaps. "Sorry, Ginny, I'm not angry at you," she groans, not wanting to lose the whole Weasley family.
"I understand; you probably need some space; no doubt Mum has read this and is furious at him. We'll get Ron to give you some space for a few days," Ginny tells her.
"Thank you, Ginny," Pansy pauses before awkwardly hugging her sister-in-law.
Hermione stands a few feet away from her husband and two friends, not sure if Pansy is also angry at her, "Pansy?" She calls the other woman's attention. "If you and the twins want to stay here for a few more days, away from Ron, you're more than welcome to occupy the spare bedroom. Unless you want space from me too."
"I don't blame you at all, Hermione, and you shouldn't blame yourself either. You can't help being so desirable," Pansy grins, pulling Hermione in for a hug. "I think I will take up that offer, though, if you don't mind." Pansy glances at Draco.
"Sure, stay as long as you want," Draco jokingly rolls his eyes. "Don't you have work this morning?"
"Ah, shit, yeah," Pansy sighs. "Ginny, can you take the twins to Molly's? I've got to go."
"Yes, go," Ginny agrees.
Pansy takes a deep breath, wiping her face once more before she rushes downstairs to the floo room, where she floos straight to her classroom, knowing full well she's about to traumatise a few students with her tired, tear stricken face and her current mood.
"I can count on one hand the number of times Pansy and I have hugged," Draco comments.
Hermione chuckles, "I'll help get the twins ready."
"I'll start breakfast," Draco yawns, walking downstairs to find Teddy, James and Scorpius already eating toast with Mitty, so he makes cups of tea instead.
It seems they will have a long couple of days ahead of them while they wait for Pansy and Ron to get their relationship together. Although both of them are just as stubborn as the other, it is bound to take family and friends to get them sorted.
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