AN: Currently a two shot but more content or one shots may be added at a later date.
EWE. Tonks is still alive after the battle of Hogwarts. I've chosen to go with the story line that Tonks stayed at home to look after Teddy during the battle and so survived.
Warnings: Hermione/ Tonks femslash. Rated M for possible future chapters. Initial two shots not M rated.
0o0
"Miss Granger?"
Hermione "Hmmmed" in acknowledgement but took her time finishing writing her sentence before she lifted her head towards the voice.
She studied the Officer, who shuffled nervously from foot to foot as they stood in open doorway. She raised her eyebrows in an indication to continue.
"There's an…irate…member of the public in reception threatening to 'destroy the whole department' if her issues aren't dealt with."
Hermione's brow furrowed at the report from her Officer. To her knowledge, threats of such sort were very, very unusual in the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
Her pause of thought had obviously lasted too long as the Officer added more information. "I said we would get the Department Head, at her total insistence."
Hermione nodded, dropping her wand from her holster so that the tip of it sat in the palm of her hand. She walked down the short corridor to the department reception, which doubled as an open plan office for the three Officers who worked under her. The threats and shouts echoed down the corridor and she wondered how on earth she had failed to hear it in her office.
Her eyes widened in surprise as she turned into the space and found Andromeda Tonks standing with her hands on the reception desk, leaning over and roaring in the face of their Administrator, Susan Bones.
"I swear to all of Merlin's descendants, I will burn this office to ashes and feed them to Dementors!" she spat viciously.
The threat would have been vaguely amusing if it wasn't for the sparks of magic coming off of the experienced witch; the sparks threatening to set fire to the furniture around her. She looked murderous as she pointed the end of her black wand directly at their Administrator's jaw, who sat petrified with tears running down her cheeks.
Her other Officers stood looking gormless, each at their individual desks and, apparently, wandless.
Hermione frowned, taking in the situation before hedging her bets. With a flick of her wand, she silently summoned Andromeda's wand and caught it, causing the intimidating witch to switch her attention quicker than Hermione really registered. She was instantly reminded by the speed, resonating power, sneer and appearance that this was a direct relation to Bellatrix Black.
On turning to face Hermione, she raised her other hand, showing the collection of her Officer's wands in her hand, which started emitting violent sparks as she waved her arm threateningly.
"Mrs Tonks, I would appreciate if you could stop threatening my Officers," she said matter of fact, meeting the women's grey eyes with a steely look of her own.
Andromeda's jaw twitched with anger.
"Miss Granger. What are you doing here?" She covered her surprise well but it was still evident in the change of tone in her voice. Hermione suspected her current raging emotion was causing the Slytherin side of her to slip a little and inwardly celebrated that she seemed to be gaining a small semblance of control between them.
Hermione was aware that all the other witches and wizards in the room stayed totally still and silent at the exchange as she replied,
"I'm Department Head, as of two weeks ago. I believe you threatened my colleagues until you could see me?" She raised her eyebrows pointedly, glad to see the tiniest bit of red tinge Andromeda's cheeks. "May I suggest that you return your collection of wands to my colleagues, then I shall return yours and we can sit down and discuss whatever has brought this…" she waved her arm around searching for an appropriate word, "confrontation on."
Whatever Hermione had said was obviously the wrong thing as Andromeda's anger swelled in full force once more and she rose to her full height, raising her hand with the collection of wands.
Before she could cast anything, Hermione shouted Expellaramus and disarmed her once more, before casting a Protego shield as a defensive mechanism.
There was total silence in the office as Hermione stood in an attacking pose, holding all the wands in her hands. Her jaw was firmly set as she glowered at the witch.
Stretching her other hand out, she encouraged the Officer to take his wand back. "Malcom, can you please return these to their rightful owners. Then contact the Auror office and ask for some presence, please."
"I'll go," Susan said quickly, scarpering out of the office while picking up her wand.
"Enough," Hermione spat, still holding Andromeda's gaze. "I will have you thrown out of here and banned if you so much as raise your voice once more. Do I make myself understood?"
Andromeda glowered in return, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
"Do you agree or will I have you removed?" Hermione exerted her position firmly.
Andromeda finally nodded.
"Hermione…"
Malcom made his concerns known with one word as she returned Andromeda's wand and indicated for her to head down to the main office.
"She is a Black. If it's one thing they like it's to keep their word," Hermione said matter of fact, following the older witch. "Malcom, can you join us please?"
Walking in, she nodded for the older witch to take a seat opposite her desk and sat down on her chair. Rearranging the material and report which laid on her desk, she cleared her desk and looked at Andromeda.
"Now that things have calmed down a little, may I ask what has caused this visit? This very hostile visit."
"You know exactly what caused this," Andromeda spat, forcing herself to stay seated.
Hermione took a moment to think about any potential issues before shaking her head slowly, opening her hands in a surrender motion. Keeping her voice purposefully calm she replied, "I may do, but at the moment I honestly can't think what it may be. Please tell me."
Andromeda's eyes tightened as she studied Hermione closely.
"Nymphadora's estate. Teddy's estate."
Hermione's eyes flicked as she tried to recall anything she had heard on such matter. Once more, drawing a blank, her eyes moved to Malcom who shifted in his seat very nervously.
"Malcom?" Hermione asked simply.
She watched him twitch nervously and clear his throat, "Andromeda's daughter was married to Remus Lupin. As a registered Werewolf, his assets and Gringotts Vault were frozen on his death. Mrs Tonks is here to protest the issue."
Hermione's face crumped into confusion.
"Why were they frozen?"
"Because he was a registered Werewolf, as per policy," Malcom said nervously.
"What policy?" she asked, her voice becoming more pointedly demanding.
"The act of 1847," Malcom said steadily, watching his new boss closely.
"There's an act, from 1847 which freezes Werewolf assets on their death?" she asked in total disbelief.
Malcom nodded silently, looking more comfortable at her questioning.
"Remus died two years ago," she said seriously, glancing at Andromeda, who now looked less murderous.
"And Dora hasn't received a penny nor any of his contents of his vault," she stated angrily.
"Why are they frozen?" she asked, turning her attention back to Malcom.
"Because of policy."
Hermione resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "I'm aware of that, but what is the purpose of the policy? Why was it introduced?"
"To persecute Werewolves and their family and to remain frozen until a time when their direct relatives die and their inheritance is swallowed up by the ministry," Andromeda said matter of fact.
"Hermione?"
Harry's voice broke up the discussion as he appeared out of breath at the door, with his wand raised.
"Harry. Did you know that Remus' vault was frozen?" she demanded.
"Yes," he nodded, his jaw tightening as he glanced at Andromeda.
"Why didn't I know?" she demanded.
He paused and shrugged, "You were at Hogwarts and I guess you weren't there at the Burrow whenever it was discussed. We stopped speaking about it when Tonks got so upset about it."
Hermione's voice rose suddenly, "Of course she would have been upset, her husband's assets were frozen because of a seemingly archaic policy of complete and utter nonsense!"
Harry nodded, trying to process what happened. He looked at Andromeda.
"Do you want the Aurors to remove Andy from the building?" he asked with a wince.
"I don't know," Hermione admitted with a wave of her hand, her mind whirling around at the information. Her gaze moved to Malcom, "Has the department known about this for a while?"
"Two years," Andromeda gritted out.
Malcom gulped and nodded. "Maldive looked into it and said there was nothing that could be done."
"Did you look into it?" Hermione asked him. His face turned red as he shook his head. "Maldive did it and he was my boss."
"Yes, well, if I ever come up with an incompetent decision, please feel free to offer your services," she bit back.
"Does this mean you could look into it?" Harry asked very hopeful. "I mean, you're head now, right?"
Hermione turned her attention to him and nodded. "Yes. I'll look into it. I have no idea what it's all about so I can't comment until I do but I will look into it."
"Great, another 'look into it'," Andromeda spat.
Hermione felt her back rise at the insinuation that she wouldn't take her job seriously and looked at Harry. "Now you can escort Mrs Tonks from the premises. And be warned Mrs Tonks, if you ever, ever come in and disarm my staff and threaten to kill them again I will have you charged and tried."
Harry's eyebrows rose up from behind his glasses frame. "She didn't…." he muttered.
"Oh but she did. I walked in to find her with her wand at Susan's jaw and everyone else's in her hand."
"It's nice to know that our new department head can defend us though," Malcom said seriously, glowering at Andromeda.
"Andy," Harry said strictly, nodding at the door.
Hermione watched as the witch billowed out of her office with her black dress robes filling the space.
"She reminds me of Severus Snape," Hermione muttered. Her lips twitched as Malcom laughed quietly. "Now, I want you to go and look out all the paperwork you can find on this issue both from the last two years and about everything to do with the policy in question. I want to know why on earth this exists."
0o0
Harry grinned at Ginny, kissing her before sitting down at the Burrow's kitchen table. It was currently jammed packed of home cooked roast dinner and surrounded by Weasley's family and friends.
"Harry dear!"
"Hi Molly," he grinned. "Thanks for this."
"You're welcome, dear. No Hermione today?"
"No, she's busy I'm afraid," he explained simply. He was more than used to informing the Weasley's of her absence.
"Keeping a low profile more than likely," Andromeda's voice carried down the table.
Harry paused the serving spoon in his hand and looked up at her, steeling his eyes in an uncharacteristic manner.
"That's unfair and uncalled for."
The noise and conversation fell away as others registered the conversation.
"Really?" Andromeda asked haughtily.
"Yes." His posture stiffened further, causing his fiancé to turn concerned from next to him.
"Harry?" Ginny asked.
"Andromeda got removed from the DRCMC for her behaviour and comments. I don't think she should be looking to criticise Hermione when she didn't even know about Remus' account being frozen."
"You got removed?" Nymphadora's hair turned a sharper pink than usual as she looked at her mother. "What the hell did you say?"
"Nothing but the truth," Andromeda commented flippantly.
"I think threatening to burn down the department and holding a wand to Susan Bones' throat helped with Hermione's decision."
"Mum!" Dora exclaimed in surprise. "Jees, Hermione doesn't like me at the best of times, never mind with you threatening to burn down her department!"
"Hermione doesn't dislike you," Ginny said matter of fact.
"She has a weird way of showing it," Dora muttered. "I won't count on her going above and beyond to look into Remus' affairs."
"Are you joking?" Ron asked sharply. "You're speaking about the witch who started up an association for House Elves Rights while at Hogwarts. If you want anyone to look into it, it's 'Mione."
"She isn't one for letting her prejudices cloud her work either. I mean, she even helped tutor Malfoy in Muggles studies in her final year," Ginny chipped in. "Threatening to burn down her department will not have done you any favours though. Let us all be honest; your family haven't exactly treated Hermione with any respect."
"Bullied by Malfoy Senior as a teenager. Bullied by Malfoy Junior all through school," George started ticking points off of his fingers. "Looked down upon by your estranged sister. Tortured to near insanity and death by your other sister. Threatened to burn down her department and workers within two weeks of a Ministry job after staying away from the Wizarding World for a year. Ticked all the boxes Andy!" He grinned at her, getting a clip over the ear from Molly as she passed him.
0o0
Harry sat down next to Hermione for lunch in a Muggle café near the Ministry.
"So, how was your weekend?"
"Good," Hermione nodded.
"Busy?"
"Yes," Hermione rolled her eyes. "I spent a lot of time researching policy for Werewolves accounts after death. It was nice to have it at home. I took over the kitchen table and my mum and dad leant a hand going through some of the more legal language. They had to do some course for their Dental Practice, which helped me a lot."
"That's really good of them!" Harry said seriously.
"I know. It's really nice to be able to share with them and have them understand this world a little more."
"I'm sorry I couldn't' make Sunday dinner with them," Harry apologised.
"It's fine. I know if Ginny is home you want to see her and my parents understand that too. I met up with them on Friday evening for some drinks with them and their colleagues. You can easily join us sometime if you fancy. They do it most Fridays after work."
"Or" Harry said pointedly, "You could join us at the Leaky for a few."
"I'm not against it, I just know how tight a group you Aurors are and you don't always welcome outsiders."
"Well, I'm Department Head so the others can shove it. Besides, Ron will be there too."
"Has Cho ever forgiven me for not actually going out with you in fifth year?" she smirked.
Harry's light laughter set her off as she joined in.
"Hey, what about Tonks? She seems to think you don't like her?" Harry asked confused.
"I have no beef with Tonks."
"Beef?"
"It's a muggle saying," Hermione dismissed. "It means I have no outstanding quibbles with her."
"Okay," Harry nodded. "Hey, if you need some help with the Werewolves policy, will you let me know? I know I'm not great at research but if I can help I will."
0o0
Hermione listened to the footsteps coming down their corridor, coming into the room and sitting down. Without lifting her head, she muttered, "Hi Harry."
"Hi."
She paused and finished her sentence before looking up at the desolate looking Wizard.
"What is it?" she asked concerned.
"I was hoping for some advice, or at least a place to hide for half an hour."
"Tea?" Hermione offered.
"Hell yes," he groaned, watching as she stood up and clicked on her personal kettle.
"What happened?"
Harry sighed and ran his hand over his scar.
"So. We were out on a case. Four of us. It had been agreed that Tonks would morph to help our cover but the team weren't all aware of it. It all went fine and we got the guys we were looking for but then two of our Aurors started chatting up Tonks, who was currently looking like a busty blonde. She was playing her part really well.
Anyway, they start chatting her up and after a few lines Tonks morphs back to a standard Tonks look. The Aurors turn away in disgust and make some remark about how they wouldn't have bothered if they had known who she was."
Hermione's frown deepened at the story.
"Tonks has shut herself in the office claiming she has paperwork to do but I'm pretty sure she's hurt because they insinuated or said something that amounted to her only looking hot as a busty blonde," Harry lamented. "I tried to speak to her but I didn't make it any better."
Hermione chuckled a little, "I can imagine."
"Shut up," he groaned with a smile. "At least I tried."
He exhaled. "I don't know whether to make a deal out of it or not or what to do. I'm all up for being head Auror but not when it comes down to people management stuff. I just want to get the bad guys, you know?"
"I know," Hermione sympathised with him.
"Any advice?" he asked hopefully. "I thought you might be able to help…"
"Since I was a girl?" Hermione raised her eyebrows in despair.
"Well," he protested, "You'd be better than Ron."
They both chuckled and shook their heads at the comment, knowing it was true.
"Have you tried telling her that they were wrong?"
"Kind of?" he squinted. "I think I probably made a mess of it though."
Hermione groaned, leaning back in her seat and frowning.
"I know she's not your favourite person but she doesn't deserve that. I don't think she's been with anyone since Remus and that won't have helped."
"I don't not like Tonks!" Hermione protested frustrated.
"You say that, but you definitely treat her differently. You aren't impolite but you're stand offish," he pointed out.
Hermione blushed a little contemplating rebuking his comment but realising that it wasn't a lie. She did avoid Tonks if possible. She was polite when she had to be. She did try and spend time away from the Witch when all she wanted to do was eye her up and appreciate the woman for what she was. Hermione had a massive crush on Nymphadora Tonks.
"So, could you maybe go and speak to her? Or ask her for a drink after work to speak about it? Please? I stopped Ron asking you out again last week, surely that deserves something in return?" he begged.
"Again?" Hermione despaired.
"I know," he agreed sympathetically. "He still thinks since he can't find anything better his relationship with you is definitely worth pursuing."
"Brilliant!" Huffed Hermione, looking up at the ceiling in despair.
0o0
Tonks looked up at her office door and frowned as it started to open.
"I said I was busy!" she snapped.
"I know," Hermione Granger's soft voice replied as she slipped inside the office and shut the door.
The witch looked as if she was getting ready to flee as her eyes darted quickly around her office before looking at Tonks.
"How can I help you Hermione?" Tonks asked calmer, aware that this was the first time that Hermione had ever been in her office. The Auror in her studied the witch as Hermione's eyes met her own and her cheeks flushed pink. She had obviously come from her office downstairs if her work robes and small heels were anything to go by.
Hermione took a deep breath and started a monologue.
"Harry told me what happened today. Not because he was spreading the news but because he was worried about you and how ludicrous the situation was.
I wanted you to know you're brilliant. You're clever, you're a quick draw, your wandless and wordless magic is mind boggling. You were taken on by Moody because he saw your excellence. You're Depute Auror only because Harry is seen as the Poster Boy for the department, otherwise you'd be Head Auror.
You're selfless and the love you have for Teddy is awe inspiring. You're so brave to fight for what you believe in on a daily business and you're an inspiration to so many girls in Hogwarts who wish to try and be an Auror.
I think you're brilliant and beautiful inside and gorgeous outside regardless of your morphing abilities. Never, ever change, just because some of your colleagues are pricks."
Hermione took a deep breath and walked towards Tonks' desk with determination. Tonks looked confused, still absorbing the speech she had been given while the younger women walked around her desk, leaned down and kissed her.
Tonks' eyes fluttered shut as Hermione's soft lips landed on her own. They moved ever so slightly before they were removed. By the time Tonks' eyes opened, Hermione was back at the door.
"And for the record, I don't hate you," she huffed, leaving the room quickly.
Tonks sat there stunned. Her mouth hung open as she stared at her office door, trying to process what had just happened. Her hand rose to her mouth and tapped her lips, accepting that yes, they had just been kissed. They'd been kissed by a very beautiful witch, who up to a minute ago she thought hated her.
Merlin.
She wasn't expecting that.