Happy Good Saturday my freaky darlings. I'm once again sitting here getting my tire changed so I can go see family for Easter tomorrow. Sigh, but that means plenty of time to post this and type up another chapter. For those of you excited to see some purebloods be silly- get the popcorn because that is pretty much the chapter.

Chapter 12 Hermione Takes Care of Business

The ministry forwarded the first requests/demands first thing the next morning. Oliver read over her shoulder, shaking his head. "Those poor bastards. Try to play nice, leannan."

"Absolutely not." She signed her agreement to the proposed meeting times and requested Harry and Ron as the observers. She added she would walk if anyone else attempted to sit in.

She debated rubbing salt in the wounds, that purebloods lost everything to a muggleborn by wearing muggle clothing instead of robes. Nodding to herself she dressed in a simple dress and left off the robes. She had long day ahead of her, she should be comfortable, their sensibilities be damned.

Harry and Ron greeted her when she arrived, "You never do anything by halves, do you Mione?" chuckled Ron.

"You know me, never a dull moment."

"This way, they assigned you a conference room for the day," Harry gestured for her to follow him.

She stood in the door and surveyed the set up. "This won't do." She transfigured the large wooden table into a dais. She created a throne and tall stools for Harry and Ron. She vanished the remaining chairs. She took her place on the throne.

"Uh, Hermione?" said Harry.

"You may address me as her grace, Hermione, first of her name. Your grace is also acceptable," she said with a straight face before breaking down in laughter. "They need to remember they are here to beg their new ruler for favors." She smoothed her skirt, "Some of them might need a reminder. Won't matter for some." She handed a stack of parchment to Harry and Ron, "So we don't have to keep repeating ourselves.

Horace Burke burst into the room, "Listen here, you little bitch..." he started to choke on his tongue thanks to a tongue tying spell.

"First, watch your tone. Second, you are here to beg, not command. Third, you will find I am a big bitch, not a little one." She released the spell.

Horace coughed, "Are you going to let her behave in this manner?" he yelled at Harry, who silently handed him a piece of parchment. "What is this?" He began reading aloud, "As Mortimer Burke claimed the ancient rite of sanctuary when he stole his bride all interactions will be under that penal code. Again, what is this?"

"To tie the ministry's hands he used feudal laws. When I destroyed his fortress I became the lord of House Burke. All property and wealth became mine. I can keep it, gift it outside of the house, or return it. Consider your next words carefully. And spread the word to your family, or don't. I really do not care."

Horace looked at her in horror. "All of it?" he whispered.

"Every knut, every property, every business. This is why most people don't use them anymore. These laws come from a brutal times in British history. I do not believe Mortimer researched them thoroughly."

Horace asked, "Why do know them so well? No offense intended, but your background."

"I looked into them to see if they could be used for several cases when I worked for the ministry."

"What do you want in return for my vaults and home?" he inquired humbly.

She pretended to ponder the question and consult her lists. "I wish to see our world be more inclusive and supportive. I want you to support that initiate in the ministry through proposals and your open support of new legislation. Also within your family, you will be more welcoming of muggleborns in our society as a whole." She paused, "As you were ignorant of the old ways, I will caution you, for the rest of my life magic will be consider me your feudal lord. If you agree it will be a binding oath. Like losing your magic level oath. That includes your spouse, children, and grandchildren."

He nodded, "To not be destitute they will accept it. Would we all lose our magic or just the one who broke trust?"

"The first offense-only them. If it became a habit, all of you. Caution them that even if they lose their magic the obligation doesn't end."

Again he nodded to indicate his understanding, "I agree to your terms. Thank you."

"You're welcome," she tapped her wand to a blank parchment and signed. "Sign and take this to Department of Deeds." He tipped his head in farewell.

"One down, so many to go," she sighed. "This is not how I wanted to spend my vacation."

"Well next time don't play the hero," Harry told her.

Ron snorted, "You were with half the department raging at Robards."

"So were you until you heard Gin was involved."

"And knew she would call Hermione, who would go in heavy."

"Which I did. Calculated risk to be honest, but, again, what else could I do? Let Ginny follow Adrian and Marcus into known danger?"

"The answer is nothing. You couldn't do anything else. And now you have to face the consequences of being a badass, "Harry told her.

"I shouldn't get punished for doing the right thing," she pouted.

A soft knock announced the arrival of the next supplicants. A young couple entered looking fearful. "Miss Granger?" asked the young man. "My name is Dean Burke, this is my wife, Sophie." The blonde woman nodded. She looked ready to burst into tears. "What do we need to do to get our vaults back?" He tried to look confident, but she saw the terror in his eyes.

She reviewed Dean and Sophie Burke's information. One tiny vault with a hundred galleons. They rented a small flat. His parents cut him off after he married a muggleborn. Nigel Burke earned another tally next to his name on her shite list. "One vault, no property?" she clarified.

"Yes, ma'am," he responded politely.

Sophie glared at the floor, "Dean's father took the house his grandfather left him when he married me."

"Sophie," hissed Dean, "Miss Granger doesn't care about that. She's a busy woman. And I've told you a thousands times, I would rather have a hundred years with you in a tiny flat than an hour in that house without you."

"I know. But it annoys me that no one cares that he threw you out of your house without punishment."

"Which house is it?" asked Hermione startling both of them.

"16 Wren Lane," he answered.

Hermione located it, "Currently unoccupied. Let's change that shall we?" She looked at Ron, "What's a reasonable wedding gift from pureblood parents?"

Realizing her intentions, Ron replied, "Around a thousand."

"Done. Deeded to Dean and Sophie Burke, 16 Wren Lane and deposited two thousand galleons in their returned vault." She tapped a parchment and signed it before passing it over with instructions.

"I don't know what to say, Miss Granger," Dean said. His eyes widened as he stared at the paper, "Thank you."

"You're already living my biggest request: be kind and accepting of everyone."

Sophie's smile brightened, "Thank you so much." The couple left hand in hand far lighter than they arrived.

Ron looked at Hermione, "You had like twelve hours, how did you accomplish all this research?"

"How dare you doubt my skills? Kidding, the goblins keep detailed reports and were eager to curry favor with the new vault holder."

Harry chuckled, "What a difference some money makes. After the war they wanted our heads."

"Then we offered to keep our mouths shut about the dragon mistreatment and where the darkest magical item ever created was in exchange for calling it even. And we kept our end. Integrity speaks volumes to them."

It seemed Horace Burke warned many of his relatives. Quite a few managed to control their tempers long enough to request the return of their homes and vaults. Which Hermione nearly always returned. Generally for the price of respecting their fellow sapient beings. A few she questioned about shady dealings. She instructed them to clean up their acts or change business practices. The current owners of Borgin and Burkes got quite the lecture. Her pile of papers dwindled greatly before she called a break for lunch.

"Who is left?" asked Harry.

She consulted her list, "Vanessa Crowley, Nigel Burke, and the current Wizenmagot member, Persephone Burke. That and a handful of extinct family lines. Let's go eat."

"Do those last three even have appointments?" Ron asked.

"Nope. But, I'm not dragging all of this to lunch. I'll come back to get it."

"And annoy them by not being here if they decide to pop in," laughed Harry.

"I don't know how, I broke for a meal when my scheduled ended. My instructions were clear. Make an appointment and show up."

Hermione lingered over lunch, speaking with acquaintances and former co-workers. She held court regaling them with stories of her matches and escapades in the muggle world. A few she told about her burgeoning relationship with Oliver.

Vanessa Crowley waited outside the conference room. "I apologize for not making an appointment, but Avery didn't want me to. He plans on joining Nigel and Aunt Persephone to demand the Wizenmagot force you to return everything as it was."

"Oh, that is a bad plan," Hermione said. "Very bad, like you might want to begin legally distancing yourself bad."

Vanessa wring her hands, "Is there, is there any way to save him?"

"Convince him not to be colossally stupid. Otherwise, as with most of this, my hands tied. These are ancient magically binding laws."

Vanessa frowned, "That seems a bit extreme, but I really only care about my dowry house. I've always intended to give it to my son when he marries."

"And I will keep that safe for him. I don't want any of the money or property. I never did." Hermione collected a scroll from the table. "Please try to get Avery to read this."

Vanessa took it looking uncertain, "I will try." She left.

Hermione frowned, looking worried. "What is it?" asked Harry.

"These laws were written before the ministry, perhaps before the Wizard Council. The consequences of these laws are dire. That's why we stopped using them. The Wizenmagot will have to side with me, or risk losing their magic. And for trying to deny the demands of the law will forfeit any titles, standing, and wealth to me. And ban the petitioners from the halls of government for a thousand years."

Ron whistled, "That's steep."

"I know. They were designed to be last resorts, or to even the playing field. You need to let Kingsley know what's going on before those idiots do anything truly irreversible."

Ron nodded, "We're on it."

Hermione spent the next days finishing her Christmas shopping and clothing shopping with Ginny and Daisy in turn. She finished her wrapping when an owl pecked at the window. "Well hello, lovely, is that for me?" She took the letter and gave the owl a treat. It hooted and took off again.

She examined the missive from the ministry. Would it be a summons that would rend a family from the ranks of their beloved Sacred Twenty-eight? Or had saner minds prevailed? 'Only one way to know,' she told herself. She opened the envelope.

Miss Hermione Granger,

I have been advised by legal counsel to petition you for the fair distribution of Burke family assets instead of perusing legal action of my own. Therefore, I request a meeting with you for myself, my younger brother, Nigel, and our cousin-in-law, Avery Crowley on behalf of his wife, Vanessa. Please respond to the ministry when you are available.

Sincerely,

Persephone Burke.

Shaklebolt's spectral lynx appeared moments later, "I know you're tempted to draw this out. Meet me halfway and just get this over with, please."

She created her own otter, "Fine. I will play nice, but only if they play nice, too. I am available tomorrow morning until ten."

Oliver arrived home smiling, "Ah rented me flat."

"That's good. Any one I know?"

"Aye, Marcus and Bethan Flint. Or rather, they will be the Flints tomorrow. We're invited to the wedding. Ten thirty at the ministry.

"I'll be sure to wrap up the last meeting by then."

"Percy promised to help keep everything quiet."

"And then we have dinner with Gran and Granddad Westbrooke."

"Muggle oxford and jumper pressed and ready," he laughed. "And after today I am on break."

"Whatever will we do with all that time together?" she asked laughing. She wrapped her arms around her waist.

He embraced her, "No idea, but I'll endeavor to ensure you enjoy it."

"Hmm, I like the sound of that." She raised up to kiss him.

"I thought you might," he kissed her passionately. "We should take this upstairs."

"Sounds good to me," she purred. He swept her up in his arms and strode to the stairs. Once upstairs they helped each other shed their clothes before tangling in the sheets.

Hermione dressed for the wedding and left Oliver lingering in bed. He promised to meet her at the ministry. She headed straight for the minister's office. "Good morning, Kings."

He grinned at her, "Hermione, good morning. Ready?"

"To finish this farce? Yes. Are they ready?"

The smile slid from his face, "Not yet. I assume they're trying for a minor power play by arriving at the last minute. You know, trying to save face."

"So long as they don't dally. I have plans at ten thirty."

He nodded his understanding. "Tea? We can catch up.

"Yes, thank you. That sounds delightful." They sat and gossiped about their friends and families. They talked about Hermione's career and Kingsley's plans when he left the post of minister. Eventually she glanced at the clock and stood, "This has been wonderful, Kings, but I have a wedding to attend. The papers may even claim it's my own. Don't believe them, you rate an invite."

"What happens now?" he asked also rising to his feet.

"Their vaults and properties remain mine. Nothing changes other than my patience grows ever thinner. I don't play games. I do not like it when others play them. Inform them of that, and perhaps, remind them magic considers me their liege, even if they do not."

"Enjoy the wedding," he told her.

"I doubt it. Another stop gap forced by this curse." She exited his office with a wave to his staff. She entered the lift cage and pressed the button for the lobby. Before the door closed she saw the three Burkes exiting the other cage. She glanced at her watch. "Fifty-five minutes late, they showed me." She entered the atrium and looked around. Ginger hair caught her attention. She focused on it and located Ginny.

Oliver caught up with her halfway to them. "Hello, leannan. You look lovely and a bit annoyed."

"Why thank you for noticing, good sir. You look quite smart yourself. And I am annoyed." She linked arms with him ignoring the interested looks they garnered. "But no matter. Onto the next." She hugged Ginny, Bethany, and Daphne Greengrass in greeting.

"Are we all here?" asked Adrian.

Bethany counted heads, "Yes. I guess we should get this party on the road." She looked at Hermione for approval.

"Close, show on the road, party started," the muggleborn corrected. "But good try." The group first perform the marriage and registered it in the appropriate offices before going to shift the bond. Mortimer Burke waited inside the department for them. Sullen, he followed when Hermione beckoned him. "Stand here, and repeat whatever Percy tells you to," she ordered. He sulked but complied. "You may go. Do not tell anyone who got married, what you did here, or who shifted their soulmate bond. Absolutely none of this story leaks or you will know why my friends call me brilliant but scary." He gulped nervously, nodded and slouched away.

"Thank you for being here and helping deflect. We hope to have a big wedding for our first anniversary," Bethany smiled. Marcus simply grunted. The group broke into smaller pieces as they left. Ginny and Adrian joined Hermione and Oliver.

"You rate an invite to Christmas Eve?" asked Ginny.

Oliver nodded, "And New Year's Eve with Hermione's team."

"Yes, well, we'll probably leave early to join Puddlemere," Hermione added.

"Because that lot is a safer choice," joked Oliver.

"No, but my family won't see those photos in the papers."

"There is that," he conceded. "What are yer plans for the rest of the day?"

"I don't really have any. I suppose we could lounge about if we like."

"Or ye can help me finish me Christmas shopping."

"It is the 23rd, Oliver Quinn Wood! How are you not finished?" Hermione exclaimed. He shrugged sheepishly. Before he could answer Kingsley approached.

"Hermione, please, as a personal favor, can you meet with them and end this?"

"Are you sure you can afford to own me anymore favors?" she asked.

Adrian and Oliver laughed, until they realized Ginny, Kingsley, and Hermione were not. The Minister of Magic frowned, "Gods help us if you ever call them in, but yes. I need to, I have to."

She sighed, "Fine, but mostly because I am beyond done with all of this."

"Thank you."

She replied with, "You owe me." She gave Oliver a kiss. "See you at home."

He gave her a goofy grin, "Yes, ma'am."

She followed Kingsley back upstairs. She looked at the annoyed faces and rolled her eyes. "Don't even start with me," she told them. "You were so late, I left before you even arrived. We will ignore that insult. Your power play failed. I will not listen to whining, grandstanding, or threats. Now ask nicely so this can be over."

Persephone Burke narrowed her eyes, "You are very presumptive, mud..."

"Nope, stop right there, we are done. The mediation of House Burke is over." Fury burned through her. "You knew what was at stake, what tiny things you had to do. And you couldn't even keep a civil tongue long enough to do that. So, fine, be rude. I'll keep your money, your property, and your Wizenmagot seat. Probably give it away. And please, complain to them about this. Drag me in front of them. The old laws will strip them of their magic if they side with you over me. If they make demands against me it will strip them of their wealth. And unjustly going against your liege will indenture you to me for a century." She looked at Kingsley. "Minister Shaklebolt, I intend to offer the seat to a family of the Sacred 28 that lost theirs, please get me a list and I will be in touch. I will instruct Gringotts to divide their assets between their heirs. I am done. The matter is closed." She stomped off.

"Then she started to call me a mudblood!" Hermione roared, telling Oliver the story. "But it's finished."

"Are ye sure yer up the a Christmas gathering this evening?" he asked concerned.

She waved him off, "Westbrooke Christmas is laid back. We dress nice, but no drama or formality."

"A nice change of pace lately," he muttered.

"I know."