A/N: Special thanks to poka for the review! I know that last chapter had a bit of angst. It might get worse before it gets better.

Chapter 4: Fear Oppresses Strength

Wednesday June 10, 1998 | Department of Ministry Reconciliation

Hermione wasn't completely listening to Ophelia. All she could think about was how guilty she felt. She spent the rest of the night in the study reading, preparing the next day, and eventually fell asleep in her reading chair. She hadn't meant to. By the time she woke, Harry was in the shower. Getting dressed and leaving for work without him had been petty. She needed a clear head before meeting with Tom and didn't think she could maintain that with his energy, with his fear for her.

"Director, this is important," Ophelia said testily. "We're already severely pressed for time."

She didn't need a lecture. Another one. "Miss Sideris, I understand what my role is here. I understand your legal strategy. I know how to get Tom talking without showing my hand."

Ophelia closed her folder. "Director. I know dealing with this man isn't new to you. Doing so in a legal environment is. We have to be incredibly careful we don't give away any information about our arguments. That might be precisely why he wants to have this meeting."

Impatience dissipated a small measure. "I understand. I do. I know you have a difficult job and I'm not making it easier."

"Just, don't give him any details about how you protected Harry and see if you can get him to slip up and admit to… anything. That he isn't Voldemort, that he tried to kill Harry, that he was never resurrected. With the lawyers all present, anything he says will be admissible. I can't imagine his legal team approves of this. At all. In fact, I understand they're in with him now and will be essentially until you meet with him at three. They're preparing him for sure and likely begging him to change his mind."

"Tom's not going to change his mind," Hermione said. "He might have two minds, but they'd be in agreement on this."

"Why?" Ophelia asked, and then realized the question had been blurted out. "That was rude. I'm sorry. It's just that you'd think after everything that's gone wrong for him that he'd learn his unhealthy obsession with you has been a liability."

"Before me it was Harry. There's something within him that makes him create the circumstances that will defeat him. In three lifetimes. I'm not sure he's capable of changing."

"Well, that's good for us. If you have any questions, send a memo or come down to my office," the lawyer said, gathering up her notes and documents.

"I will thank you," Hermione promised, stood and stretched. She checked her texting parchment. Harry had been silent. He was either mad at her or he thought she was mad at him. Drumming her fingers on her desk, she wanted to apologize. She didn't know what to say to him.

Maddy entered the office, her hands full of briefing materials. "You have your thirty minute break next. Then Gideon Ollivander, followed by Mary Cattermole. I've given you an extra thirty minutes for lunch in case you need some extra time before… before the aurors are ready for you," she stumbled over the best way to qualify the appointment with the man who tried to kill her boss. "Then you need to take thirty minutes before Fiona is ready for you in the Department of Mysteries."

"Thank you," Hermione said, organizing the briefing materials in chronological order. She hadn't done herself any favors. There was so much to be said about her desire to witness the prophecy. Good reasons and terrible ones. When Fiona offered the time, that evening, Hermione had accepted without really thinking it through. She'd done so so quickly there wasn't an obvious time to talk to Harry until after Tom. Still, she knew if she didn't find a way to explain to him her plans to witness the prophecy after spending time with Tom, their evening wouldn't be improved compared to the previous night. Regretting not facing the topic when she had a chance, she finally picked up her quill, pulled the texting parchment toward her.

HG: I'm sorry I left early this morning. Can we talk?

The delay in receiving a reply was nerve racking. She tried to distract herself by picking up the personnel files for her interviews.

HP: I can come up now. The rest of my day is busy.

He was hurt. And probably mad. It was a terrible idea to have the conversation at work. Why hadn't she just stayed and faced the situation at home? Asking him to meet in her office was ridiculous. Asking to leave the ministry also seemed excessive.

"Maddy?" Hermione called out.

The witch appeared, looking expectantly.

"Is there a place around here where people can talk? About non-ministry issues?"

"There's a garden area. It's usually busy during the lunch hour."

Hermione remembered seeing it from the window of one of the meeting rooms. It hadn't occurred to her that it was more than just scenery. "I know the place, thank you. I'm going to take my morning break there."

Maddy eyed her suspiciously. "I thought the healer said you should use the spell lying down?"

Hermione was already sending the location to Harry as she stood.

"I know. This is important. I'll take extra time at lunch," she promised and headed for the lift. Following the signs, she rehearsed what she was going to say. Opening the door to the green space reminded her of the memoryscape in her sanctuary at Hogwarts. A peaceful harbor of life and growth in the center of a great bureaucracy. The fresh air was a welcomed change. There were even birds chirping happily above her. She wasn't surprised to see Harry already pacing a small walkway. She tried to assess what kind of mad he was by his stride. It was measured and deliberate. Thoughtful mad was probably bad.

He sensed her presence and turned. Stopped his movement.

"Hey," Hermione said lamely. "Thanks for coming."

"You left this morning."

"I did—"

"—while I was in the shower."

"I didn't want to argue."

"You want to argue now?"

She let out a long breath. He wasn't going to make it easy for her. She didn't blame him. "No. I don't want to argue at all. I need to tell you something."

He held his hands wide, impatiently waiting for her to explain.

The attitude annoyed her. It took the edge off her guilt. "Fiona made time for me this afternoon. To hold the prophecy."

His brows knit together. "So you're not meeting with Tom?"

"After Tom." She stood straighter, waiting for the reaction.

"Of course," he said deadpan.

"Harry."

"No. Of course. It's not enough you're going to let the clone mess with your head, you're going to finish the day letting the visions twist your mind. Here I've been trying to figure out how to talk sense into you and you're off figuring out how to destroy the last bit of sense you have left."

"That's not fair," she pushed back.

"Isn't it? If our roles were reversed, would you let me do this?"

"Let you?" she asked, her voice rising. "We don't let each other do things. We support each other."

"I don't support this," he said quietly.

The words took her breath away. She didn't want to hold the orb without him. Was he saying he wouldn't even be there for her? Or was it an empty threat. If he was that determined to keep her from the visions, she couldn't dismiss it. They didn't do that either. "When would you support it?"

The question appeared to diffuse some of the tension. "Just… not tonight. Not after talking to Tom."

She could do that for him. "Okay." With the word out, a calm fell over her. She could do that for him.

"Really?"

"I'll ask Fiona to set it up for another day."

He let out a shaky breath. "Thank you."

Not sure what else to do, she took a step forward, stopped short of reaching out for him. Emotions were still raw. "I know this isn't easy. I don't want to wait."

"We don't have to hurry either."

It was an echo of their disagreement from the previous night. They likely both had things still to say. "I have meetings. I'll… we can talk about these concerns you have tonight." She could tell he wasn't happy waiting until after Tom. Even if Hermione could make time for him, she didn't think she would. Not meeting with Tom wasn't an option. She needed to know how to stop him from killing her in the future. They could make guesses. They could focus on specific dates. The best source of information was Tom Riddle. "I am sorry I left this morning. I won't do that again."

She was turning around when he took her hand in his to stop her. "You shouldn't go into this meeting assuming you know what he wants," he said, stepping closer. "He's had time to incorporate Voldemort. Time to dwell on how he failed to build his new army before we got him. The only thing that's gone right for him is that he managed to kill you in the future. And there's still a chance for that to be reversed. He's been backed into a corner."

He didn't have to finish his thoughts for her to understand what he was getting at, "I won't underestimate him," she promised, squeezed his hand and made the walk back to her office. She found Gideon already in the waiting area.

Maddy handed Hermione her messages. "Minerva accepted your invitation to meet on Friday. She offered to come here to the ministry."

"I'd prefer to go there. If she doesn't mind. I have some personal business at Hogwarts."

"I'll make the arrangements."

Nodding her approval, Hermione decided to take it as an opportunity to get ahead of her schedule for once, she walked up to Gideon and stuck out a hand. "Mister Ollivander. You're early, but I'm ready if you don't mind?"

"Of course," he said politely, stood and shook her hand. "My brother speaks highly of you."

Hermione was already leading him to her office when she paused to consider his words. She didn't think Gavin would mention her wand to just anyone but he may have shared it within the family. She couldn't blame him for that, but it made her nervous to think more people knew about the druid vine wand he made her. "Does he?" she asked, controlling her tone. "Can I get you something to drink?

He held up his hand, "Miss Tailor already offered. Thank you." He waited for her to sit before he joined her in the sitting area. "Gavin hasn't mentioned how you two met, he's just impressed with your skill and ability."

He was perceptive enough to pick up on her micro-hesitation. He also recognized there was more to her and Gavin's relationship than he knew. "Your brother helped me a great deal when I was in a dangerous situation. I'm thankful for his help."

"We also owe the life of our father to you, Harry, and Ron. We won't forget that."

Her face softened. "That's really more thanks to Harry, Ron, and a house elf named Dobby. I am happy he is recovering and he made it out of Malfoy Manor." She let the silence hold for a moment, remembering Dobby's sacrifice. "You've taken a different path than the rest of your family."

He shifted, transitioning to the official interview. "I… really enjoyed quidditch. Much to the dismay of my father. I tried to explain a flying broom is like a very large wand. He was not extremely impressed with that argument."

Hermione laughed. Broom crafting wasn't something she had spent a large amount of time studying, but she understood they had their own special magical cores and often required similar quality of woods as wand did. "I've been told you're a big deal to fans of the English National Team."

"I did alright," he said with a genuine smile. "Eventually the age of my body caught up with the youthful thoughts in my mind. I've enjoyed my second career nearly as much as my time as keeper."

Hermione didn't need his file. She knew his record. "You've done incredible work using Quidditch to unite other confederation members who don't necessarily see eye to eye. I'm also impressed with your youth programs. Not everyone grows up around the magical world, it can put those kids who want to play the sport at a disadvantage."

"Between you and me, I look forward to those training camps more than the participants. I might not be able to keep up with the pros these days. And the kids let me relive those glory days. They even let me block a goal or two."

She was starting to like the older wizard. He was humble when he didn't even need to be. In fact, most people would take the opportunity in an interview to paint themselves in the best possible light. Not that being good at quidditch was a prerequisite for the job, he'd want to play to his strengths. "I'm curious what makes you want to leave the ICW and come work here at the Ministry?"

"Honestly?"

"It's preferred."

"You," he said with a self-conscious chuckle. "You're a bit of a big deal yourself. I admire what you've had to overcome and am impressed that after everything you've been through, you still think it's possible to reform."

It was an unexpected answer. Hermione resisted the urge to protest his assessment of her. "Are there reasons to believe reform isn't possible?" That earned her another laugh.

"The Ollivander name has earned my family good will throughout the wizarding community. I may not have been called to be a wand maker but I am an Ollivander. If I can use our standing to unite members of our community who don't necessarily see eye to eye, I think that would honor our legacy just as well as my brother's efforts."

"This job you've applied for… I really have no idea if the purebloods will participate. You might be facing an uphill battle. I wonder if you've considered how you would go about getting the support and buy-in from the more… recalcitrant members of the pureblood community?"

At that question he leaned forward, pulled out a scroll of parchment, and handed it to her. "By dealing with each family individually at first. They each have different motivations. Even within the larger families, there are competing interests. I've taken the opportunity to lay out my initial thoughts on the most prominent families. The actions and activities I think would need to be taken to bring them on board. This includes the order I would recommend. I know it would be tempting to get the more friendly families onboard first, that could create a new set of problems. Say we announce the Weasleys or the Shacklebolts are members of the center, there is less chance the Lestranges would be inclined to join. I think there's a more conservative order and approach."

She unrolled the parchment, skimmed over his timeline, his aims, his strategies. She was impressed. And relieved. The Heritage Center was a central pillar in her strategy and it also happened to be the one priority she felt eminently unqualified to oversee. "Do you think we stand any chance at bringing the Lestanges into the fold?"

It looked like the wizard finally relaxed, he leaned back and paused to formulate his words. A wince told her he had landed on the most problematic member of the family. "A benefit of being part of the sacred twenty-eight is a well honed survival instinct. The family as a whole understands Rodolphus and Bellatrix are a mark on their name. They might be the best place to start. Convince them they can lead the efforts to unify, offer a chance to distance themselves from them could give you a powerful ally. Who doesn't like a redemption arc?"

It was worth a shot. There wasn't a chance they'd be her ally. "I wouldn't normally recommend exploiting such an unfortunate circumstance. If they're amendable to exploiting our position, I'm not opposed."

"The best way to get a chaser to aim for a specific hoop is to make it look like it's open and vulnerable. The best way to block a quaffle is to know where it's heading," he offered.

"Make it seem like it was their idea to begin with? If you think you can manage such a feat, you're welcomed to try. If you want the job?"

"Really?"

"You're surprised?"

"I thought the process might be more cumbersome. The ministry isn't known for its efficiency."

"We're working on that too. For me, this interview was a formality. Before we met, I thought your background and family history would be an asset to the center. Having had a chance to get to know you, I think your demeanor and your thoughtfulness is exactly what I need in this position. I need someone who is able to work independently from me while still dedicating themselves to the spirit of the task. I'll need you to operate with a higher level of autonomy than most of my direct reports. If it seems like you're too close to me, it will be a liability for you. I'm afraid dropping my name won't be an asset," she told him.

"Maybe we can change that too."

She smiled at his optimism. "I'll have Maddy draw up the offer letter. It will include my proposed compensation and the initial budget for your initiative," she said, standing. "If you accept, we'll set you up in your office and your first task will be to inspect proposed locations."

"Thank you," he said with excitement.

She walked him to her door. "I understand you worked at the wand shop for a short time?"

"My summers were spent helping, yes. And then the first year after Hogwarts when I was in training."

She pulled out her druid vine wand. "Your brother told me one of the first tasks given to the apprentices is to learn how to care for the rarest woods?" Holding the wand out for him, she decided she could trust him and he'd appreciate the product of his early tasks.

Gideon cocked his head, not sure what she was getting at until he held the wand. "Merlin," he whispered, studied the intricately carved handle. "I never thought dad would ever make a wand from that vine. It was part of the reason I was so turned off by the prospects. Tending to stocks that would never be used. It seemed… pointless at times."

Hermione understood. "I'm grateful those reserves were available and well cared for."

"I don't recognize the core," he said looking closer.

"That will need to remain a secret I'm afraid," she explained.

He held it out to her and watched it turn in his hand to offer her the handle. "Thank you for your time, Director. It's been a pleasure."

~~/~~

"Oy! Harry, you have to stop pacing," Tonks said, her hair stood up for several seconds, forming spikes, before falling back down to her shoulders. "I can't see the board if you're going to keep walking back and forth in front of it."

He rubbed his neck and sat heavily into a chair. They were trying to find what was left of Voldemort. They couldn't rule out that it wasn't still in the ministry. That scared the shit out of him. "Fiona's done a thorough review. Several times. They're checking daily for any signs that it's in the Department of Mysteries."

"If he's not down there, he got out," Tonks said. They'd been going in circles. Every time they came to the same conclusion. Voldemort passed the check points. Either before they realized he was freed or within someone who slipped through.

"Sadie knows," Harry said. "She freed him. She wouldn't have done that if there wasn't a plan."

"She's not giving up anything without getting something. And maybe not even then."

Harry considered his partner's observation. "Why is she so loyal? She claims Tom saved her life. Do we know how or when?"

"She made it a point to clarify her loyalty is to Tom not Voldemort. Whatever happened must have been ages ago."

"The Malfoys might know," Harry said with some hesitation. He didn't know who else to ask.

Tonks stood. "We'll set up a meeting tomorrow. We need to get down to interview."

Looking at the wall clock, Harry was forced to acknowledge it was time. "He's been with his lawyers all day."

"Hermione will handle him. She's got more experience than the rest of us combined."

They walked together to the stairs leading to their secured interview suites. Harry hated that Tonks was right. He didn't doubt Hermione's ability to confront Tom, he wished she didn't have to. He wished she could see she didn't have to. There was likely little they would glean from the interview. Opening the suite doors, Harry was surprised to see everyone was congregated in the entryway. Ophelia and Balin looked annoyed. Williamson was leaning against a far wall, eyes closed. The minister was there, which surprised him. Hermione was the only one missing. "What's going on?"

Ophelia rolled her eyes. "His lawyers insisted on having one of their representatives in all adjoining rooms to make sure no one was listening in on their privileged communications.

"For Merlin's sake. We proved all access was blocked when we brought him up here," Tonks said with a huff. "We're not the ones they should be worried about. Their client is."

The door opened behind them, Hermione stood for a beat, taking in the group. Harry didn't like that she was alone. He couldn't ask her to have an escort no matter how worried he was that Voldemort was inside the ministry. Especially after their conversation the night before had exploded so epically in his face. He held the door for her to let her in, held her gaze for several seconds, assessing her mental state. Calm stared back at him. Tension he hadn't even known he was carrying left his shoulders. Despite all his fears for her, she didn't fear the task before her.

"Time's up," Williamson said, coming to life. He rapped once on the door closest to him. "We need this room to get set up. You can rejoin your client if you want, but you can't stay in here."

A young wizard with a tidy side part and slicked back hair looked as if he was going return Henry's words with a snide comment before rightfully deciding it would be unwise. He gathered up his parchments as Williamson cleared out another observation room. Harry led Hermione to the corner. He looked her over one last time, searching for doubt or concern that might linger. "Did you get a chance to use the potion and spell Healer Halley recommended?"

She nodded. "I did. At lunch and during my last break. No problems."

"You don't have to do this." He tried one last time.

"I know," she said, resting a hand on his arm.

"Director Granger," Williamson said as he approached the two. He paused to give the couple space. Hermione stepped back to give the head auror her full attention. "His lawyers will be in the observation room to the right of where you'll be sitting. The minister will be in the room behind Tom. Ophelia and Balin will be behind you. Tonks and myself are going to be right outside the door. Harry's going in with you. If he thinks Tom breathes wrong, he'll have a button that will signal us to through the door and his restraints will lock him into place. I'll explain this to him when you're ready to go in."

She smoothed out her blouse as she took a step forward. "I'm ready."

Williamson opened the door, led Hermione through as Harry got into position behind her. He wanted to be in the room. There were still things that could go wrong. He'd have to trust her and everyone around her to react if needed but there was no substitute for being in a position to react himself.

"Mister Riddle—"

"—Gaunt."

"You have not legally changed your name," Williamson replied quickly and pressed on. "Director Granger is here voluntarily. She can end this meeting at any time. Mister Potter will be present with access to a failsafe switch. If you twitch in Director Granger's direction, he is authorized to lock you down. Is that clear?"

"Crystal," Tom said, his eyes shifting from the head auror to Hermione. He ignored Harry completely.

Harry eyed the button, positioned himself to be within inches of it. He wouldn't relax. His right hand was resting on the handle of his wand and his sole focus was their prisoner. Williamson left the room, leaving the three alone.

"Director Granger. I've been doing some reading. I think you have me to thank for your position."

"Did you request this meeting to get a thank you?" Her words were devoid of emotion.

Harry's eyebrows went up. He'd watched memories of the pair's interactions, but this was the first time he'd witness it himself.

"We could start there," Tom replied with a grin.

"Let me be plainly clear. There is nothing in my life that I owe to you."

Tom finally acknowledged Harry's presence, eyes sliding to him and then down to the ring on Hermione's finger. "That's not true. Is it?"

Hermione's right hand moved unconsciously to the ring on her left. "Nothing," she said forcefully.

Clicking his tongue, Tom leaned back. "I thought we could be honest with each other. We have so much history."

"Tom," Hermione started, paused. "That's all you are to me. Ancient history. I am very busy, so if there's nothing specific you wanted to say, I'll be going."

"No!" he yelled and slammed the metal table with his hands.

Harry's wand was out in a blink. His free hand hovering over the button.

Hermione, who had been starting to stand, locked eyes with Harry. She was trying to provoke, Harry could tell that much. It was the most emotion they had gotten out of Tom since they had him in custody. She stood all the way up, her back to Tom, forcing the prisoner to come to terms with his complete lack of power.

"I'm not done," he said with an edge of panic.

Hermione turned slowly back to him, but made no move to sit. "I'm not sure if it's sunk in yet. You have no control over your situation. You have no control over me. You have no say in what I do. And I don't even need a wand for that to be true. I came to listen to what you had to say. To see if you had any… I was going to say remorse, but you're not capable of that… any regret for the consequences of your actions."

His jaw locked as he fought for control of his temper. "Will you please sit down." It wasn't a question, it was barely civil.

Pulling her chair out, Hermione waited several seconds before taking her seat again. Harry lowered his wand but didn't put it away.

"I have nothing to regret."

"Something to confess then? They said you would tell me where to find the time turner Bellatrix stole if I showed up."

His eyes narrowed, then he sighed. "I will confess, I used that as a ploy to get you here. I didn't think you'd come otherwise."

It was most likely the most honest thing Tom had ever said to her. She didn't think Bellatrix trusted him enough, even with Voldemort's memories. In fact, it appeared Bellatrix hadn't even trusted Voldemort to know she had the device. If she had, he would have most certainly used it. Resigned, she sat back. "Then what do you want, Tom?"

Harry saw anger flare behind the man's eyes. Tom didn't like being dismissed but kept it together. Harry wanted to tell Hermione to take it down a notch. They needed to see if he would confess to something they could use against him or give them a hint that could lead them to either the time turner or Voldemort.

"I thought we could discuss our… misunderstanding."

"What part of your actions do you think I may have misunderstood?"

Tom's eyes slid to the mirror he knew his lawyers were behind. An indication he was trying to follow their counsel. Harry thought he wasn't entirely or he wouldn't be having the conversation to begin with.

"I've been charged with attempting to use the killing curse on Harry," Tom started slowly, then gestured the best he could with his wrists restrained together toward Harry. "Which obviously isn't true or he wouldn't be standing there. Would he?"

Oh he was fishing. It was consuming him that his attempt to kill Harry with a seemingly unstoppable spell had been stopped. For a second time.

"I've heard you have to mean it. Maybe you didn't have it in you. I'm no legal expert, but not having the skill to execute the spell doesn't make you're not guilty of using an unforgivable curse." Tom twitched his wand arm at her words, Hermione pressed on. "Besides. You used several cruciatus curses on me when you kidnapped and tortured me. Was that all just a misunderstanding too?"

Harry understood. Ophelia had been adamant that the method Hermione used to save him had to be secret. They weren't ready for that information to be known by the defense. Not until the defense had gone so far out on the limb, there was no way to unwind the faulty argument.

Tom sat back, taking a contrite demeanor. Attempting one at least. "That was all Bellatrix. She imperiused me. She was so obsessed with who I was before my rebirth, she tried to make me Voldemort again. Forced me to take all the memories from who I was before. Forced me to hurt you. That's not who I am."

The development was certainly a surprise. Throwing Bellatrix under the Knight Bus was a tactic that was callous, even for Tom.

"That's your defense?" Hermione asked, genuine surprise in her words. "Bellatrix made you do it?"

"She's crazy. All those years in Azkaban. How could she not be changed? But I didn't want to hurt you. She insisted that if I did, I would remember who I was. I'd pick up where Voldemort left off."

"You're just a victim," Hermione proposed, trying to see how far Tom would go with this strategy.

His grin was more of a grimace. He didn't like that label. "Just like you."

It was a clever way to say one thing for the record that would have a vastly different interpretation for the people who knew the implication. Hermione wasn't a victim. She had been trying to convince Harry and Albus of that a time or two. Being in the room. Watching Hermione deal with Tom, Harry had to admit she wasn't. His concerns may not have been entirely misplaced, he was slowly realizing he underestimated her. She could hold her own with him. Not just hold her own, she could manipulate him. The only reason he had the upper hand in their previous encounters was because Tom made sure he had the unfair advantage.

"Just like me," Hermione repeated quietly. "We're nothing alike. But the thing is, you're not even worthy of taking over Voldemort's identity. He didn't hide who he had become, he embraced it. His soul might have been horribly broken, but at least he had a soul of his own. He used his Death Eaters, he'd never let them claim credit for his actions. You're a sad copy of him. They say products of the gemino charm are inherently inferior, so you shouldn't be disappointed with your inadequacies. It's physically impossible for you to be more than the original Tom Riddle."

Shoving at the table, Tom tried to overturn it. Hermione had anticipated his reaction. Her wand was out and pointed at the table, out of Tom's view. A nonverbal spell locking it in its place.

"Can't even flip over a table. That's a shame. I'll see you at the trial," Hermione said, standing. When she dropped her spell, the table pushed back against Tom. "I hope you have a better argument by then."

"Don't walk away from me!" Tom was unhinged. Pulling on his restraints, lunging in her direction. Harry pressed the button and they watched chains grow up from his shackles, wrapping around him until he couldn't stay upright. He fell to the interrogation room floor with a satisfying thud.

Outside in the suite hallway, Tom's lawyers were rushing to the door, demanding he be released and threatening Williamson with filing a complaint for unnecessary force. The door of the adjacent observation room opened. Ophelia motioned for Hermione and Harry to join them.

"I'm sorry. I'm not sure how helpful that was. I'm not sure he'll change his explanation for how he was created," Hermione started.

"No, you were great. We had no idea he was going to blame Bellatrix. We can use that," the older witch explained. She looked pleased. "We have enough circumstantial evidence and witnesses to counter their claims of a rebirth. We wouldn't have had an argument against an imperius defense. I'm sorry I doubted you."

Harry had doubted Hermione himself. He'd adjust his mindset in the future. "We can bring Bellatrix in for an additional interview. I'm not sure it will help. She hasn't been cooperative."

"Maybe if she knew her creation betrayed her, she'll talk," Hermione countered.

Harry wasn't sure anyone could predict what Bellatrix would do. From Hermione's experience with her, it was clear the witch cared more about Voldemort than the clone. All the more reason to find what was left of Voldemort's soul.

Ophelia nodded. "It's worth a shot. We'll wait until Tom is back in his cell at Azkaban. I don't want to give them a chance to interact in any way."

"Williamson is overseeing Tom's return tonight with Tonks. We can make the arrangements with your office to move Bellatrix when you're ready," Harry said, taking Hermione's hand. He wanted to leave with her before they moved Tom. He gave his partner a wave as they headed for the exit.

"We're just leaving?" Hermione asked, looking behind her as he guided her forward.

"The assignments were already made before we came down. I'm done for the day. Do you need to stop by your office?"

"Well, yes…" she started as they got on the lift and reconsidered. "I guess not. If this is important to you, we can leave now. I'll just text Madison." She pulled out her texting parchment and her wand.

HG: We're done early. I'm heading home. If anything needs my attention tonight send it through the floo

She looked up at Harry, waiting for her aid to reply. "I'm okay, you know. That wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. I was actually satisfying."

He knew that was true. "I know. I just. I want to leave the Ministry before he does."

Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't press the issue.

MT: Understood. Files are on the way. See you tomorrow

"I'm free to go," she told him.

Harry didn't need to be told twice. He hurried her through the atrium. Being so close to Tom, being reminded of the threats that remained spurred him on. Letting the floo take them home, the files Maddy sent were already filling a small box. He let Hermione flip through the folders while he let Gerty know they were home early. The house elf got right to work finishing dinner. Harry made a detour to grab them some butter beers. Drinking from his he studied her from across the room. "I'm not sure I like that new floo service. They can send you work at any time. You don't find it intrusive?" he finally said.

She put the work down, and crossed the room. Taking the offered beer, she shook her head. "It's faster than owl post. We can turn off the service if you don't like it."

"If it's easier to get you home at night, I say we keep it."

Hermione studied him. Ran her hand through his hair, let her fingertips trail down his face, tracing his lips. He turned into her touch, kissed the scar on the palm of her hand. "Maybe we can have a normal life. If Tom really goes away for good."

Harry took a deep breath. Why was everything dependent on Tom Riddle? "Maybe we can have a normal life regardless of what happens to Tom."

Her hand dropped to her side. She took another drink. "Let's eat on the patio," she said, opened the double doors as she ignored his assessement.

Following behind her, he lit the fire pit with his wand.

"I filled two more positions today. Gideon Ollivander is going to oversee the Heritage Center. Mary Catermole is going to lead the muggleborn summer program. They've both accepted my offer letter," she was explaining as she summoned place settings from the china cabinet in the dining room.

He wasn't really in the mood to pretend everything was fine. The name caught his attention though. "Cattermole…" he said, trying to place it.

"Her husband, Reggie, was the one we used in Ron's polyjuice potion. Mary had been the one on trial when we got the locket."

"And she applied to work for your department?"

Hermione smiled, "One of the first applications actually."

"We should let Umbridge know. I'll make it a point to swing by her cell when we transport Bellatrix."

"Harry," Hermione said with a laugh, then thought about it. "Actually that would be brilliant."

They both sat, he pulled her legs up onto his lap to give her tired muscles a massage. "Today was better with the spell?"

"It seemed to help," she told him, put her elbow on the table, rested her head on her hand. "I rescheduled the meeting with Fiona for tomorrow."

Harry looked up to the sky. The clouds were taking a pink hue from the sun sitting lower on the horizon. He shouldn't be surprised. She had only promised him to not press the issue that day. He didn't know what his schedule was going to be like the following day. "When?"

"At the end of the day. She said anytime after four."

"Okay." He didn't know what else to say. So they sat in silence. She handled herself better than he would have with Tom. Everything she'd been through, she was stronger for it, like her scars. She'd tried to tell him before. The scar tissue changed her, made her tougher. It was the same for the scars he couldn't see.