Chapter 23

How was it, Ron found himself wondering, August? It had been two months since Hermione and Ginny had come back from Hogwarts and a month since he and Hermione had found their flat in Diagon Alley.

And, it had been two months of happiness like no other. Ron liked living with Hermione. In fact, he loved it. This had been the longest period of time they had spent together since actually getting together, and it was going extremely well.

Weirdly, he found they argued less than they used to these days, despite being in closer proximity to one another all the time. Sure, small arguments followed them — things like who was going to cook that night, or how Hermione thought the picture frame she'd bought looked better on one side of the wall, whereas Ron would have preferred it to not be hanging up at all. But beyond that, they found themselves getting along very well, which pleased Ron.

He liked making her happy, and he liked being the reason she smiled or why she spent the day in a good mood, all because he'd kissed her good morning or told her he loved her. For some reason, he always seemed to find a way to make her laugh, even when she was worrying about what the future held for her.

Which had been the case ever since her NEWT results had arrived. She had pondered, stressed, and gone over each job offer over and over, writing a list of pros and cons for each, throwing the lists away, and then rewriting them until she had twelve inches of parchment on each one. She'd asked Ron for his opinion numerous times, where he'd simply told her she'd be amazing in whatever she chose (which was true, because it was Hermione, and she excelled at anything she did). His lack of decision making on her behalf had stressed her out even more, until he'd caved.

"Alright, well, it'd be cool if you accepted the Magical Law offer, because then we could work together."

"But… I'm just not sure I want to do that," Hermione replied, which had been her response to every job.

"Well, I'm sure if you asked any department in the Ministry, or went to McGonagall and asked for a job, they'd offer you something," Ron said, stifling a yawn on the second week of discussing her future career every night.

"But you'd hate me going to Hogwarts again," Hermione said, though Ron saw in her eyes she was contemplating the idea of teaching.

Ron shrugged. "We'd work it out. Besides, who am I to stop you from doing what you want?" He said the words because it was the right thing to say, but really, he knew she was right. He would hate it.

Hermione bit her lip, once again looking over the offers. Then, something changed in her expression. She set two of the offers aside and set the other one in front of her.

"That was a quick decision after two weeks of going backwards and forwards," Ron said. He peered over at what she had chosen. "Magical Creatures?"

Hermione gave what seemed to be an attempt at a definite nod, but Ron noticed some uncertainty still. "I… I think this is the right place for me. I mean, I do feel very strongly about magical creatures, and… and maybe I can make a difference or something…" She scanned the letter and nodded again. "Yes, this is where I think I need to go."

"Alright," Ron said, grinning. "You'll be great, whatever you do in there." He also read the letter. "It doesn't really specify what you'll be doing, though, does it?"

"No… but I suppose I have to start somewhere down the bottom? I'll be learning."

"Well, you may as well write now and let them know. I bet they'll be thrilled to have you. I know the Magical Law department will be disappointed, and no doubt Percy will be confused as to why you'd reject his offer, but… that's a good decision."

Hermione nodded, immediately jumping up to find a quill and some parchment. After she'd written her response to accepting the offer in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, she scribbled down rejection letters for the other two.

"I'll just… go and post these now," she said after she'd sealed them. "Honestly, I'm so glad we live right near the post office — it's so convenient."

"Would be even more convenient if we had our own owl," Ron said.

"Maybe," Hermione said dismissively. "I'll be back soon," and she was gone, hurrying through the door and down onto the street.

Ron shook his head. He'd brought the idea of an owl up a few times, though Hermione had not seemed too keen on it. Apparently having Crookshanks — who was far from impressed about the small space he suddenly found himself confined to — was more than enough for the time being.

Every time he mentioned it, he found himself longing for his owl, Pigwidgeon, who'd gone missing at some point during the war, most likely killed on a flight to deliver a letter. Ron had never been overly fond of the owl, but he — well, he had been fond of Pig if he was being honest — and he wished they could get another one.

Hermione returned from the post office half an hour later, declaring that she'd sent off her acceptance for the Magical Creatures job, and — to Ron's surprise — carrying a cage with a small, brown owl.

"Hermione, what is —"

"You said you wanted an owl," Hermione said, smiling. "Have you ever noticed the post office sells some of its unwanted owls?"

"Yeah, because they're useless at delivering mail," Ron said, his moment of elation deflating very quickly. Of course Hermione would choose an owl that she considered in dire need of help, rather than one that would do the job it was supposed to do. He eyed the owl with disappointment.

"Oh, Ron," Hermione said, setting the cage down in the corner by the window that overlooked Diagon Alley. She took out her wand and Transfigured the cage into a perch. "I know they do that sometimes, but apparently it's not the case this time."

"What's wrong with it, then?" Ron asked, now watching as the owl flapped its wings excitedly, taking in its new home.

"Nothing," Hermione said. "Nothing at all. They just said they had far too many medium-distance owls. People are using the Floo Network and Portkeys and Apparition more freely these days and prefer to deliver their messages in person."

"Oh, right," Ron said, not completely convinced. "So, this one's alright then?"

"As far as I know," Hermione said, nodding. "They said her name was Arwen. I thought that was a nice name."

"Well, as long as she does what she's meant to, then I suppose she'll do," Ron said, offering a finger to the owl, who nipped it affectionately.

"It will be easier to have one here," Hermione confessed. "I just… hope Crookshanks tolerates her." She eyed the cat warily. Crookshanks had just slinked out from the bedroom — his favourite sleeping place — and was now watching Arwen with a hungry expression.

"We'll leave the window open," Ron said. "For a quick escape."

Hermione didn't seem to appreciate the joke.

But she had been right about it being easier having their own owl, and over the next two weeks, Crookshanks and Arwen learnt to appreciate each other in the house; though at times, Ron caught Crookshanks eyeing the owl off as if hoping to have a second dinner.

The first Monday of August came two weeks after that, and Ron once again found Hermione waking up before him. Wandering into the kitchen, she was already dressed in the Ministry robes she'd been sent. She sat at the table, a piece of toast in front of her with only one small bite taken from it.

"Excited for today?" he asked, coming over to kiss her. "You'll do great."

"I don't think I know anything about magical creatures," Hermione said by way of greeting. "I know nothing, in fact. I don't know —"

"You know more than I do," Ron said.

Hermione glanced up, her eyes narrowing as she looked over his bedraggled appearance. "Aren't you dressed yet?"

"Um, no?" Ron said. "I don't start for another ninety minutes. And —" he nodded at her, "— neither do you, for that matter."

"Yes, but didn't I ask you to come with me early?" Hermione said, her voice higher than usual.

"Yeah, and didn't I say that was unnecessary?" Ron retorted. "You only need to get there fifteen minutes or so before nine. It'll be fine. You'll do great."

But, it seemed that Hermione was in no mood for Ron's casual approach towards her first day. "Please, Ron. I want to get there at least half an hour early. Maybe even longer… please."

"Hermione, you really don't need to —" But upon seeing her expression and how terrified she looked, he stopped what he was going to say and nodded. "Alright, I'll go with you early. Just let me shower and eat something first."

Hermione returned his nod and reached out a hand across the table to take his. She squeezed it. "Thank you, Ron."

"No problem," Ron said, smiling. "Anyway, it may give me some time to catch up on paperwork. Do you know they even give trainees paperwork?"

"Yes," Hermione said, "because you've only been complaining about it for the last month."

"Well, it's lousy. I mean, we should be learning the practical things, you know? Paperwork can be for later." He stood up and shuffled towards the bathroom. He was going to look a right fool arriving so early at the Ministry.

…

To his surprise, however, Harry had beaten him. Ron had arrived with Hermione in the atrium a little after eight. It wasn't as busy as he was used to, but it was still bustling with workers, all eagerly heading towards their respective departments and offices. Unsurprisingly, Ron spotted Percy hurrying along. His brother may have changed in attitude since the war, but his obsessiveness over work had not changed one bit.

"What are you doing here?" Ron asked Harry when he stepped into the Auror Office. Hermione trailed nervously behind him, suddenly terrified at being in a place she had spent a lot of her free time visiting Ron.

"Preparing," Harry muttered, and Ron noticed he was shuffling some papers in front of him.

"What for?" Ron questioned, coming to peer over Harry's shoulder. Spread out before him, Harry had essays written on none other than Draco Malfoy and his parents. "Oh, of course. I completely forgot about that!"

"Yeah, well, lucky you," Harry said, and he looked nervous.

The Malfoys had spent the last year and a bit kept under twenty-four-seven house arrest. They were unable to leave their house for any reason at all. The only thing currently keeping them out of Azkaban was that the Ministry was waiting for more qualified people to deal with their case. Like the last time Voldemort had been defeated, the Malfoys immediately claimed their lack of involvement in the war, trying to save their own necks and not caring about who they brought down with them.

In the countless interviews that had followed the war, Lucius Malfoy had apparently named and shamed every single Death Eater who had gone into hiding, giving himself temporary immunity for his information, and probably making some very unpleasant friends who were now locked up in Azkaban.

But, it was finally time for the Malfoys to be trialled, and as Harry had had some dealings with them towards the end of the war, he had been instructed to testify about their involvement in it.

Ron had laughed when he'd found out, sure that Harry would send all three of them to the cold, dark cells of Azkaban (where, in Ron's opinion, they all belonged), but then Harry had explained that he didn't intend to do that at all.

"As much as I dislike him, Draco was a product of manipulation. And, if it weren't for Narcissa, I wouldn't be here." However, Harry had nothing pleasant to say about Lucius and intended to ensure he spent the rest of his life in prison.

"They'll listen to you, won't they?" Ron said. "I mean, they'll do what you want? Draco and his mother out, his father inside. I still reckon you're making a mistake. They'd throw you under the Knight Bus the moment your back was turned."

"I'm not so sure," Harry said. "After all, Draco didn't give us away at Malfoy Manor…"

"And that went well, didn't it?" Ron glanced sideways at Hermione, who had instinctively grabbed at her arm where her Mudblood scar was still very visible underneath her robes.

Harry said nothing, but examined his notes once again. He then looked up, his eyes flashing to Hermione. "Oh, it's your first day, isn't it?"

Hermione nodded silently.

"She's a little nervous," Ron said wryly. "You know what she's like, overthinking everything…"

"You'll be great, Hermione," Harry said encouragingly. "They'll love you there."

"Thanks, Harry," Hermione said quietly. She looked to Ron. "Maybe we should go…"

"I'll be back in a moment," Ron said to Harry. "Merlin, I wish I could be in those courtrooms with you today."

"I'd much rather be in training," Harry said. He got to his feet. "Mind if I join you for a walk? I need to clear my head."

Ron and Hermione nodded, and the three of them left the Auror Office and headed toward the lift to make their way to the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.

They'd almost reached the lift when all three of them stopped in their tracks. Ron had to blink a few times to make sure he was seeing correctly, then glanced sideways to Hermione and then Harry to make sure he wasn't imagining it.

Before them, looking more haggard than Ron had ever seen them, were the Malfoys. All three were being escorted to the very lift Ron, Harry and Hermione had just been reaching, by silent Aurors.

Once proud of their blood status, of their family name, people who had always held their heads high, they looked utterly defeated. They were the bottom of the food chain now, kept locked inside for over a year and it showed. Their skin was paler and more gaunty than ever before. Lucius Malfoy's hair was thinning in places, leaving bald patches where thick hair had once grown. He didn't smile, but when he spotted Harry, something resembling anger flashed across his face.

Draco and his mother barely noticed them, Draco only looking up when they stopped for the lift. Unlike his father, the youngest Malfoy appeared fearful at seeing them. It was their first encounter since the fight at Hogwarts, and by the looks of things, Ron, Harry and Hermione had fared much better than he had.

Ron felt a sense of smugness that he didn't at all try to hide. There was Malfoy, who had spent his whole schooling life tormenting Ron, reminding him of the Weasley family's lack of wealth and promoting his own, calling Ron so many names that Ron couldn't remember them all, looking very much the worse for wear. And opposite him was Ron, the so-called 'blood traitor,' considered a hero of the war.

The lift doors opening and the Aurors forcing the Malfoys into it was the only thing that prevented Ron from pointing that out. Though, he couldn't help himself entirely.

"I suppose Harry'll be seeing you in the courtrooms. You may regret all those jibes at him over the years, considering he has your fates in his hands."

Fear graced all three of the Malfoys' expressions now, and Ron smirked, despite himself. The Malfoys hadn't been told Harry would be at his trial.

Ron glanced sideways at Hermione, as he'd expected her to reproach him for his comments, but she appeared not to have heard him at all. Her eyes followed the descending lift, a look of pity in her expression.

"God, they look terrible," she said.

"You're not feeling sorry for them, are you?" Ron asked, incredulous. "After all Malfoy did to you over the years? After all the times he called you a —"

"I just said they look terrible," Hermione interrupted, a little stiffly. "Besides, we know Harry is going to testify in favour of Malfoy and his mother, so we'll have to deal with them in society if the Wizengamot agrees with Harry, which they'd be stupid not to."

"Doesn't mean seeing them in society is something I'm going to enjoy," Ron muttered as another lift arrived and the three of them scrambled in. "Harry's too nice, if you ask me. I'll never forgive Malfoy for what he did. For all they've all done over the years. You wouldn't understand — you didn't grow up knowing all about the horrible things the Malfoys were known for."

The topic of the Malfoys died as the lift reached level four — the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Already, there were plenty of people roaming this level, which gave Hermione a very green complexion.

"Oh, stop your panicking, would you?" Ron said, stifling a laugh. He placed an arm around her waist, guiding her forward. "Where was it you have to go again?"

"The… the Being Division," Hermione said nervously. As she spoke, they reached a sign with arrows pointing in all sorts of directions. "Left," she said after a moment.

The three of them headed down a corridor, very quickly reaching large double doors with the signage of Being Division embossed above it.

"You'll be fine, Hermione," Harry said encouragingly, and he patted her on the arm. "Good luck. Let me know how you go. Actually, why don't you guys come over for dinner tonight?"

"Er, sure," Ron said, surprised by the sudden invitation. "Let me know how the trial goes, won't you?"

Harry nodded and practically jogged back down the corridor.

Ron kept his arm around Hermione, giving her a squeeze. "You really will be great," he said. "You'll be so great they'll be wanting to make you head of the department within a month."

"Oh, don't say that!" Hermione whispered.

"It's only the truth," Ron said, shrugging. "Do you need me to go in with you, or will you be alright?"

Hermione opened her mouth, and Ron suspected she wanted to ask him to go in with her, but she closed it before speaking and shook her head. "I'll be okay, I think. Thank you for coming early…"

"Not a problem," Ron said. "And, try and meet up with me for lunch, yeah?"

Hermione nodded, turning to face him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him. He kissed her.

"You really will be great," he assured her. "Good luck."

"Thanks, Ron," Hermione said, and steeling herself, she pushed open the doors to the division and vanished from sight.

Ron beamed, making his way back to the lift. He had meant what he said. She really would be great. Hermione was great at everything she did. He had no doubt that one day she really would be head of the department if she chose to stay there.

…

Ron slumped from the training room at lunch time, feeling exhausted. They'd just spent the morning Apparating to multiple places around London, following planted leads as part of the day's training. It had been fun, but tiring, having to move so abruptly over and over again.

However, as the trainers pointed out at everything they did — these were all real life situations they were being put in. Occasionally, once they finished training, they would be chasing Dark wizards around the country, and most likely further than London.

Dragging his tired feet to the tea room, Neville beside him, they collapsed into two chairs, not even bothering to look at what food was on offer.

"I wonder how Harry's doing down in the courtrooms," Neville said after a moment. "I wonder if the Malfoys…"

Ron glanced at Neville, feeling a moment of pity for him. Malfoy had made Neville's life hell, too, and because of that Ron had not bothered to tell him that Harry planned on letting Draco off the hook. Instead, he shrugged, "We'll find out soon, I suppose."

A moment later, Hermione hurried into the room as well, looking frantic as she drew up a seat with them.

"Looks like you had just as fun a morning," Ron said. "You alright?"

"Yes!" Hermione breathed. "I just… got lost on my way here…" She waved a hand around the room. "The Ministry is so much bigger than I thought…"

"You get used to it," Ron assured her. "How'd it go?"

Hermione nodded, regaining her breath. "Oh, it was great! Do you know why they offered me this job to begin with?"

"Because you're amazing?" Ron guessed.

"No, because they heard… they found out about SPEW! They want me…" She was so excited she could barely finish her sentence.

"Go on," Ron said, smiling.

"Well, they want me to start rewriting laws for the rights of all intelligent magical beings."

"What?" Ron asked, taken aback by this revelation. Not because he didn't think it was a good idea — he had learnt a lot over the last few years — but because rewriting laws was not something they usually asked new employees to do.

Hermione nodded, beaming. "They said they were glad that I accepted them, because they thought I had a really good understanding, and Kingsley, apparently, has asked every department to start thinking about ways to change the Ministry. And after I knocked back the Auror offer, he thought it would be a good idea to have me there instead. Even if I'd accepted the Magical Law offer, I probably would have been doing something similar anyway."

"Wait," Ron said, "to change the Ministry?"

Hermione nodded again. "Yes, apparently he doesn't want it to be as it has been in the past. He wants things done a better way, differently. He wants more Muggleborns in positions of power, he wants to encourage better relations with Muggles in general, so maybe one day, the Statute of Secrecy can be changed — though that's a long way off, I think — and he just doesn't want things to be as they once were. He envisions a totally different Ministry, and he wants us — me — to help with that!"

"Well… that's great!" Ron said, reaching across the table to rub her arm encouragingly. "I told you you'd do a great job. And look, they're already asking you to do something more advanced than most would. So, you're rewriting laws?"

"Well, obviously not immediately," Hermione told him. "It will probably take years to get such laws through and passed and then put into place. But they want me to focus on house-elves, goblins and centaurs first. I'll probably start with house-elves, truthfully. I've done the most research into that."

"Great!" Ron said again, though this time, he couldn't help but wonder why Hermione had found all of this out on her first day, where he, Harry and Neville had been working there for over a year now and Kingsley had said nothing to them.

But there was no more time for conversation, for in that moment, Harry entered the lunch room. His eyes scanned it, and spotted Ron, Neville and Hermione. He made his way to them, grim-faced.

"How was it?" Ron asked as he pulled up yet another chair and sat down.

"Really bad," Harry said. "Lucius… he's a piece of work… even in chains. But Draco and Narcissa are free to live their normal lives."

"What?"

All eyes flickered to Neville, who was staring at Harry with his mouth open.

"You mean Malfoy didn't go to Azkaban?"

"... no," Harry said, looking a little embarrassed. "They got off their charges. The Wizengamot deemed over a year under house arrest enough of a punishment for them. Lucius Malfoy has been sentenced to life in Azkaban, though."

Ron noted that Harry didn't explain to Neville that it was Harry who had testified against Draco and Narcissa. It would be in the Prophet tomorrow, anyway.

"Well, that's good, at least," Neville muttered, though he looked rather put out by this unexpected news.

Ron looked at Harry and Hermione, who looked just as uncomfortable as he felt.

"How's your first day going, Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Great!" Hermione said, and she relayed what she had just told Ron and Neville moments earlier.

"Told you, you'd be great," Harry said. "Also, Ron, Neville, I ran into Kingsley on my way up here. He says he wants to see us in his office after training today."

"Uh, probably because we may have Apparated a little clear of the checkpoint today," Ron groaned, looking at Neville. "Entirely my fault, but I swear some Muggles spotted us."

"Why'd he want me there, though?" Harry asked.

Ron shrugged. "Anyway, anyone want anything to eat? I'm starving!"

…

However, Kingsley didn't want to speak to them for matters regarding that day's training. He wanted to speak to them about something resembling what Hermione had said earlier — about changing the way the Ministry of Magic functioned.

There they all sat, in the Minister for Magic's office, not unlike the time where he'd offered them all Auror positions. But this time he was asking them for their ideas, not their service.

"But Kingsley," Harry said, looking hesitant, "we're just trainees. Surely you should be asking the more accomplished Aurors their ideas."

"Everyone will be getting their chance to have their say," Kingsley conceded, "However, none of them have had such involvement in a war, or contributed in the downfall of Lord Voldemort, such as yourselves — yes, you too, Neville."

Neville flushed, closing his mouth.

Kingsley smiled at him. "You defeated a Horcrux, the final one, might I add, eventuating in the downfall of the darkest wizard of all time."

Ron heard Neville mutter something about not knowing it was a Horcrux and clapped him on the back. "And you pulled the sword from the Hat. Can't say I've done that, myself."

Neville went even redder.

"So, start thinking," Kingsley said. "I am pleased to have Hermione starting work around our relationship with other magical beings, and the three of you sharing your ideas would be completely beneficial."

"But… why?" Ron asked, still coming to terms with the idea that his opinion in such an important setting was valued.

"Well," Kingsley said, "as I mentioned previously, all of you contributed to —"

"No, I mean, why do you want to change things? The Ministry has run this way for centuries."

"And, in your opinion, Ron, are you happy with how it's been run in your lifetime?" Kingsley asked.

Ron thought about it for a moment. He supposed he wasn't at all happy with the way things were run, though he'd never really considered the possibility of an alternative. Was that even possible? How could the Ministry change?

"There are still people who work within these walls that share values of old," Kingsley continued when Ron didn't respond. "And, while good workers, I envision a Ministry that is inclusive and accepting of all, regardless of their history or blood status. There is living proof in Hermione that just because she is of Muggle parents, it has not inhibited her ability to perform magic at all. She's —"

"The best," Ron interjected.

Kingsley nodded.

"But, Kingsley," Harry began, "won't there always be people who believe in things like blood status? We can't entirely eradicate such old fashioned views."

"No," Kingsley said, "but we can work together by changing their attitudes. The Ministry has earned a poor reputation over the last few years, and rightfully so, but I seek to change many things within it, starting now. The three of you have proven yourselves as exceptional Aurors in the making, and your history shows your quick decision making is superb. I'm not asking for answers now, but I'm asking you to think about it. How can we make it a better place for everyone? How can we change things so we can ensure what happened to the last few Ministers, doesn't happen again?" He gave a wry smile as he added, "Call me arrogant, but I wish to remain in this position for some time yet. I'm rather enjoying myself."

There was silence again.

"I'm, of course, not expecting a change overnight," Kingsley continued. "It will be years, I know, to get the big things happening. But I want you to be aware of it — to think about it. If you will?"

Ron looked between Harry, Neville and Kingsley, and saw that his friends looked just as perplexed as Ron felt. It felt weird that someone of Kingsley's experience envisioned them as the future — young, barely out of school wizards who'd foolishly gone on a hunt for Dark artefacts that attempted to destroy them.

Personally, Ron thought Kingsley might have been banking a little too much on the luck they'd had along the way and less on their actual ability. Well, in Ron's case, at least.

But he didn't say anything as they left the office, all deep in thought. He'd still do as Kingsley asked — or at least try — and think of ways to improve the Ministry. One thing he did know that needed to change was the requirements it took to enter the Auror program. As was proven by the people who walked beside him, you didn't need an Outstanding in your Hogwarts results to prove yourself to be good at the prestigious job. One's experience, dedication and natural ability was much more important.

Your encouragement keeps me going! Thank you all so much. I hope you enjoy this chapter!