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"Gather round! Gather round! Please, students, stay close to your housemates."
Professor McGonagall hurried down the corridor where Hermione and the other selected seventh-year students were waiting. Only two students from each house were selected for the Magical Leadership Consortium - an exclusive opportunity for students from all magical schools nearing graduation to participate in an eight-week intensive work placement at the Ministry of Magic. Harry and Ron were visibly jealous of Hermione and Dean for being selected. But both of their parents were highly respected workers of the Ministry, they didn't need the extra exposure.
"Potter and Weasley were rather cold this morning," said Dean. "Are they still cross with you for being accepted?"
"I think they are more envious of our missing classes," Hermione replied.
Dean chuckled. He glanced around at the students lining the hall to watch them leave. Harry and Ron waved excitedly, surrounded by Seamus, Ginny, Lavender, and Zacharias from Hufflebuff. She was certain a part of them was actually going to miss her, but Harry and Ron had loads of friends. The school was filled with people like them.
It wasn't Harry and Ron's fault. They included her and cared for her more than nearly anyone else. It was her that was different. There was a cold chamber of her heart, desperate for warmth that no amount of their attention could reach. It was like she was trapped within a frozen lake, looking through the sheet of ice at all the people on the other side, warm and connected and happy, but never able to reach. Desperate, she pressed her body and cheek against the frozen barrier, welcoming any leftover heat that may seep through.
Molly and Arthur were the only people who knew about her designation. It wasn't that she meant to tell them. In fact, after she had discovered in third year what it meant to be an omega, she was keen on never breathing a word of it. But that summer when she went to visit Ron and Ginny at the Burrow, things were different. Molly and Arthur were different from the others, too. Different from her, yet again, because they were bonded mates. They had everything she wanted for herself now that she knows what bonding could be like.
They detected the change in Hermione immediately as well. They spoke in private, Arthur assuring her that the Ministry had strict practices in place when it came to discrimination. That there were potions, salves, and services , free of charge to complement her designation. The services part they loosely alluded to, but Hermione was too embarrassed to look into it further.
Most people in the Wizarding world didn't look down on it. It was only the members of the Sacred Twenty-eight that rejected any designation other than beta. But they funded the development of the suppressant potions, so even their pretentiousness proved helpful.
Hermione and the other students quickly reached Hogsmeade Station. McGonagall led them from the usual platform they arrived on and through a door that appeared to lead to nowhere. The eight selected students funneled through the door, finding a comfortable-sized room with and a large fireplace.
"Attention, students. Your commute to the Ministry will be via floo powder. I imagine all of you have experience with this mode of transportation. Speak clearly, and no detours!" McGonagall announced, waving her finger at Hermione and Dean.
They both smiled. Throughout their years at Hogwarts, the Gryffindors in their class had done more than their fair share of menacing around the castle. All in good fun, of course.
"Mr. Finch-Fletchley, you will go first. If you please."
Justin disappeared in the green flames and the rest of the students followed suit.
Once Hermione reappeared at the Ministry, she cleaned the dusk from her clothes and adjusted her skirt. It was checked and came right about her knees, but it wasn't pleated like their school uniform. Her knitted turtleneck tucked into the waist and her robes were black. Some of the other students opted to wear formal dress robes. But Hermione grew up with a certain idea of professional attire, and she wasn't ashamed for the Ministery personnel to know she was muggle-born.
The lift was open for them, Mcgonagall entering first. A wizard walked behind Hermione and she gasped. She had been in Diagon Alley while it was crowded with various witches and wizards and was aware that there was an alpha nearby. But never had she been so close to an unmated one. One that she would be in the same building as, nine hours a day, three days a week for the next eight weeks.
The wizard stopped abruptly, turning to find her and looking just as caught off guard as she was. He blinked once, shaking his head before spinning around to continue on his way, and Hermione hurried onto the lift.
The small room was getting hotter, and Hermione opened the front of her robes to cool off. It was a handful of jerking movements before they arrived on level 7, the Atrium.
A group of witches and wizards were ready to greet them. Along with the selected students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. Lily- Harry's mother- was among those waiting. Some workers had already made their selections and were steering their students to their respective offices.
"Hello, Mrs. Potter," Hermione said, formally.
Dean snorted and Lily raised a stern brow at him.
"Oh, come on. Lily-" Dean started.
"Mr. Thomas. There are formalities that must be adhered to within the walls of the Ministry," Lily said.
"My most sincere apologies, Mrs. Potter," Dean corrected, smartly.
Lily nodded, winking at Hermione and messing the hair on the top of Dean's hair as she left to welcome the other student. Lily couldn't select either of them to work in her department, they had too much of a personal relationship. This was the only program that actually took measures to negate the usual favortism of the ministry.
"Curriculum vita?" A man's voice requested from beside them.
Hermione reached into her robes, pulled out the folder she prepared with all of her credentials, and handed it over.
"You have an interest in Magical Creatures? That is usually a difficult position for us to fill," he continued as he read through her CV. "Ah, I see here you received an Outstanding in Care of Magical …"
His voice faded out as he kept reading, turning the paper over. Another wizard appeared suddenly at his side, but his eyes were locked on Hermione. His colleague glanced at him, turning the CV for him to read as he looked at Hermione with wider eyes.
"You received an Outstanding in every subject ?"
"Excuse me, Dolohov." The other man, who was notably younger, took the CV from his hand.
Another alpha. Hermione kept her composure, clasping her hands politely in front of herself, rather than crossing her arms protectively across her chest like she wanted to. His eyes flicked up from the resume to meet hers before dropping back down. He looked up again, and the second time, a small grin lifted in the corner of his mouth. Like they shared a tiny secret. Hermione pressed her lips together and swallowed. Attempting not to return the smile, or make any assumptions on what their little secret could be.
"My sincerest apologies, Dolohov. This candidate was already selected by our department in the pre-screening," the alpha said, putting Hermione's CV back into the folder and tucking it under his arm.
"Bullshit, Zabini! They have only just arrived!"
"Perhaps you should actually read the CVs when the Headmasters send them two months ahead of time," Zabini retorted.
"We need her in the Department of International Magical Co-Operation . Last year we ended up with George Weasley and we are still tending to the backlog," Dolohov protested again. He turned to Hermione, standing straight and with authority. "It is an incredible opportunity, Ms. Granger. You will get to observe some meetings of the Confederation of Wizards. Not to mention insights into the development of magical law."
"Wow. That sounds incredible!" Hermione answered honestly.
It was the department she had been wishing for.
"And impossible. As previously mentioned, she is spoken for," Zabini said, a low growl in his voice that Dolohov appeared to miss.
Hermione didn't.
"Good luck to you, Doholov. There are plentiful candidates to choose from. I remember Ms. Granger's Hogwarts companion also having compelling credentials," Blaise said walking away and gesturing for Hermione to follow.
After he had taken a few steps Dolohov spoke to Hermione. "The choice is yours. The connections my office can provide you-"
"Come."
Hermione flinched at the subtle command in Zabini's voice. To Dolohov, it would appear demanding, short, and rude. But only because the word was spoken in a subtext he didn't know how to read. A fact reinforced as Dolohov was unable to understand why Hermione was so strongly compelled to follow.
Zabini led them to Professor McGonagall who noted Hermione's assignment on her scroll. Professor McGonagall reminded Hermione of their departure time, her face beaming with pride and approval at her selected assignment.
Zabini led them back to the lift, noting to Hermione all of the helpful rooms on the Atrium level that she would become familiar with.
"Don't feel too conflicted. Dolohov makes a good pitch, but you'd have been spending most of your time in the Magical Trading Standard's body. They are still removing all of the non-sensical amendments George Weasley was able to sneak in."
Hermione chuckled. "Like what?"
"Like ' any trades of magical artifacts valued at over five-thousand galleons must be sealed with a kiss' ."
Hermione covered her mouth to muffle her laugh but it still escaped. The lift doors pinged and opened.
"He's uncontestedly my favorite Weasley," Zabini said.
Their lift was empty. Zabini let her walk in first before selecting level three. They rode in silence for a few moments. A stark contrast from the friendly chatter just a moment prior. Hermione shuffled on her feet, feeling how hard Zabini worked to keep his eyes straight ahead.
"I apologize in advance, Ms. Granger. It is inappropriate with respect to magical regulation to speak of such things… But I am a subject of a stronger authority, and it would be going against the nature of my designation to say nothing."
Hermione gasped, the sound echoing through the lift. No one, save for the Weasleys, has ever approached the topic of designation. And why would they? Everyone else was a beta and the thought never had to cross their mind.
"I saw in your CV that you are muggleborn. There are things that are not taught in school. Are you aware of-"
"I know I am an omega," interrupted Hermione.
Zabini looked at her, a grin forming on his face. He exhaled, relieved with a laugh and Hermione joined him.
"Thank Merlin. You are very bright, I should have known," Zabini continued, voice returning to its casual cadence. "There are potions- I can show you where to get them. Suppressants and regulators. All have been studied and tested to be harmless and effective."
"I don't take suppressants. I don't really care to, to put it bluntly," Hermione replied.
A part of her was offended by the offer, but she tried to keep that truth to herself. He was only trying to be helpful.
His brows furrowed questioningly before he shook his head and grinned. "Fair enough. Offer is always there."
The doors pinged and they walked out onto the third floor. Zabini took out his wand and muttered a quick summoning spell. A large, blank, envelope flew towards them. Zabini caught it, untucking her folder from under his arm and sliding it in. They went to the end of a hall that had a large, regal door at the end. To the side of the corridor was a desk with a wizard working at it.
"Good morning, Carter. This is Hermione Granger. She graciously arrived this morning to assist the Director with whatever he needs," Zabini handed over the envelope with her information inside. "Ms. Granger, this is Bellamy Carter. He is the executive assistant to Director Malfoy. He has access to Director Malfoy's office and will show you where you may set up and put your effects."
Hermione realized at that moment that she never explicitly asked what she would be doing. Being a deputy to the Department Director was more than she had been hoping for. Excitement flushed through her and she turned towards the desk.
"Lovely to meet you, Mr. Carter," Hermione replied holding out a hand.
Carter grabbed it, smiling largely and looking at her like she just told him Christmas was coming early. "Thank Merlin and Morgana. I don't think we would have made it another fortnight. Why did it take her so long to find a replacement this time?"
Zabini grinned widely, signs of mischief woven in.
"This one's worth the wait," said Zabini. "If you can take it from here? I have to return to the atrium to select an apprentice to work in the Invisibility Task Force office."
"Certainly. I will show you the way Ms. Granger," Carter said.
He walked around his desk and led her to the large door at the end of the hallway while Zabini returned to the lift. He inserted a key and waved his wand as the locks clicked from within the thick wood.
The office was gigantic. Straight ahead was a large desk with a wingbacked chair behind it and two large sitting chairs in front. To the right was a small sitting area, with a small couch, two chairs, and a table. On the left was a smaller desk, nestled in the corner to create sort of its own defined workspace.
It was more than she dared to dream for! Being able to work not only closely, but in a shared office with a Department Director . Hermione had heard of the Malfoy family, mostly in passing from Ron and Harry who had conversed with them at various social events. They never reported much, other than the usual pure-blood snobbery. Hermione had never attended any events, her family preferred to go on holidays when they weren't in school. It didn't worry her. She was sure that she could make a great first impression once given the chance.
Hermione took one step inside and was immediately made aware of another unknown characteristic of Director Malfoy. The scent was unmistakable. It was stronger than Zabini's, even with the wisps of suppressant apparent. It made her head spin and Hermione blinked heavily as she attempted to ground herself.
"You may hang your robes there," Carter instructed.
Hermione removed her robes, unsure if she should question why it was necessary. The room was making her warm, however, so she was grateful for the action. Carter looked over her attire, clearly not expecting such a strong muggle ensemble.
"Very… unique," Carter surmised. He set the folder neatly on the Director's desk, keeping it in plain sight before he walked back towards the door. "You can wait over in the lounge area. There is a cupboard in the wall for any personal effects you would like to store. If you need anything, those globes contact my desk. Just touch them before speaking and I will be able to hear you."
The globes were positioned around the room like lamps, one at each main area.
"Thank you, I will," Hermione said.
Carter closed the door behind him and Hermione took a chance to look around the room. She wished she would have been allowed to keep her file. At least give her something to do with her hands. Something to reign her mind as it drifted away. It must have been the nerves or excitement. Either way, she was sure she was prepared for anything Director Malfoy would ask for.