Hi Everyone, sorry for the long wait I have been rewriting the next two chapters for the past month and could not decide on where the best place to split them would be. I think I settled in a place that works best for the story now and I hope you enjoy it. Thank you so much for the comments they always inspire me to keep writing and working on this story.- Dayin
"Before we go out there I must tell you both that Kingsley Shacklebolt has been made the temporary Minister of Magic now that Voldemort has been defeated and his spies within the ministry found out" McGonagall explained in the hall as they moved toward the castle entrance.
"Can he be truly trusted, Professor?" questioned Harry sharply, tensing as if about to enter another battle. He knew many of Voldemort's followers had infiltrated the ministry and while most of them had been caught in the battle yesterday morning he did not want to chance another attack.
"While you two have been recovering Mr Potter things have been progressing very quickly out in the wizarding world. Truly I do not think anyone would dare try to threaten you at this time but even if that were the case I do think he is trustworthy." she earnestly replied, hating the fact her two young students had come to fear the authorities that were meant to be protecting them.
"What is this about then ?" whispered Hermione from behind Harry's shoulder. She didn't want any extra trouble befalling her after all that had already happened so far.
"Right now the wizarding world is unstable, the corruption shown within the ministry when the death eaters were unmasked has shaken everyone's trust. The only thing they seem to be agreeing on is their support of those that directly opposed Voldemort and you, Hermione, are at the top of that list, I believe the minister wishes to use that to solidify his place"
As she neared the doors the sunlight hit Hermione's face causing her to squint against the light in an attempt to adjust her eyes to see the world in front of her as she exited the castle.
When she came into view the air-filled quickly with excited shrieks and a blinding flash of cameras that made any adjustments her eyes had managed for the light useless. In front of her was what sounded like a mass of hundreds of people.
It all made sense to Hermione then, of course, Kingsley would be wanting to make a show of seeing them, she had defeated Voldemort so everyone trusted her to be uncorrupt from his views. She wasn't sure how she felt about being used as propaganda but if Madam McGonagall believed they could trust Kingsley they would try.
Quickly casting an eye protection charm that worked similarly to a pair of sunglasses she turned and repeated the spell for Harry who was beginning to walk off-kilter due to all the sudden flashes of light.
McGonagall walked in front of them, placing herself firmly between her students and the over-excitable crowd making sure they had enough room to keep moving forward.
Kingsley stood on a small makeshift stage in the middle of the quidditch pitch. He looked at them eagerly with pride and slight desperation in his eyes. He appeared to be silently begging them to go along with what he was doing.
Hermione had only met Kingsley a few times prior and she couldn't help but notice how he seemed to suit the air of authority that his new title was providing. His authoritative nature came in handy as he began commanding the crowd into silence requesting they settle down so he could speak.
"And here are our hero's now! Come, Come please stand here beside me" He shuffled over to make room for them on the stage and he tactfully placed himself between them. The crowd roared back into life as their presence was formally announced.
McGonagall joined the crowd keeping a sharp eye on the proceedings and every action the minister made.
"When I was offered this place as acting Minister of Magic I knew honouring the bravery of the heroes who gave us our freedom was essential." as he spoke the words the crowd cheered around them loudly making their agreement known as cameras continued to flash.
Hermione looked around the pitch at the ecstatic crowd Kingsley was trying to make his support of them very clear to the masses.
"Harry and Hermione the wizarding world and I would like to thank you for your bravery and courage in our time of great need."
"And so to repay you for your heroism and valiant efforts I am awarding you the wizarding world's greatest honour, the honour of Merlin." He pulled out a box from inside his robes with two perfect medals glinting in the light, one nestled upon a beautiful green ribbon and the other upon a deep purple ribbon.
Hermione gasped, she had figured that they may get a bit of media attention and that she would be recognised in public the same way Harry was sometimes, but the order of Merlin was unexpected.
"This medal is the highest honour we as a wizarding world are able to bestow, it is a tribute to your honour and bravery in the most perilous of times, and it is but a small token of gratitude in comparison to what you have done for us."
"First I will present Mr Harry Potter with his award" Kingsley picked up the medal that hung from its Royal purple ribbon as he walked to stand directly in front of Harry.
"To one Mr Harry Potter for his acts of bravery in the face of danger, I award the Order of Merlin second class "
"Harry Potter if you so choose to accept this award you will be carrying the honour and thanks of the wizarding world with you. You will henceforth be known as Sir Harry James Potter the wizarding world itself will endeavour to repay you for your service in any way we can which means you will have access to your own vault at Gringotts reserved for a recipient of this award.
"Do you accept this honour?" He questioned Harry
"I do " Harry whooped happily, Hermione imagined it must feel good for the crowd to be on his side for once instead of how they had been acting for the past few years.
"To Miss Hermione Jean Granger for her vanquishing of the Dark Lord Voldemort and her sacrifice and bravery at the expense of her own safety and nearly life I present the Order of Merlin First class."
"Hermione Granger if you so choose to accept this award you will be carrying the honour of the wizarding world with you. You will henceforth be known as Dame Hermione Jean Granger and for your service to our world, we will also extend a seat on the Wizgamot government voting council. You will also have access to your own vault at Gringotts."
She could not believe what she was hearing, she was being offered a seat in the Wizgamot government. She knew Harry would stand to inherit a seat or possibly 2 because of being the heir to a noble family. But for a muggle-born like Hermione, a seat on the wizgamot was a major change and not something she had ever dreamed would be available to her, with the right to vote on major laws she could make a genuine difference in the world she had fought so hard to protect.
At Hermione's prolonged pause of silence, Kingsley began to look nervous that she may refuse "Will you accept this award for your service?" He pressed further looking at her in anticipation.
Hermione considered her options carefully, while the award was a great honour it also came with many new responsibilities and rules she would be bound by. She knew from what she had read about the awards that she would need to be able to attend Wizgamot meetings regularly and she would have to declare herself as a politician to the Magical Congress of the United States of America when she travelled back to her family in Washington.
But still, she wanted to be recognised for what she had done and a real chance at improving the wizarding world seemed worth the extra hassle.
"I do accept Minister thank you." He breathed a sigh of relief as the crowd around screamed in delight when the medal was placed on her neck.
The medal felt heavy and cool against her shirt. Glinting prettily in the light as she lifted her hand to grasp it between her fingers. When the medal was completely around her she felt a warm wave of magic flow through her entire body and an aura of pure white light surrounded her body.
The crowd gasped as the light emanate from her.
This must be like an unbreakable vow Hermione thought remembering the glow that would surround a wizard's hands as they made the vow. The only confusing detail was that Harry had not glowed. Perhaps this was because she had received the first-class award?
"Dame Hermione Granger and Sir Harry Potter we as a wizarding world thank you for your service may magic herself bless you and all your endeavours."
"We will now open the floor to reporters to ask the questions they wish," The minister said deflating a bit as his body relaxed now that the stressful part of the award ceremony was over for him.
The cameras around them flashed brilliantly as reporters began to scream out questions and requests for a statement.
"Hermione, how do you feel being one of the few recipients of the order of Merlin first class?"
"I feel honoured to receive the award and grateful to the minister for his efforts to bestow it upon us." She quietly answered, still trying to regain her confidence to speak so publicly.
"Harry, are you pleased to receive the second class order of Merlin award?"
"Harry, how does it feel to be outshone by your best friend ?" This question was asked in the nasal voice of one Reeta Skeeter.
Hermione felt herself flush red with anger, had Reeta Skeeter not learnt already to keep her nose out of business involving Harry and her?
"It feels great!" Harry laughed, not taking the bait of the sleazy reporter "There has never been anyone more deserving of recognition than Hermione."
A barrage of harmless questions continued that Hermione couldn't quite bring herself to care about enough to pay much attention. Both she and Harry gave statements about how it was their duty to protect the wizarding world and the reporters seemed to love it. Eventually, the reporters settled down and moved over to speak to them.
"Sir and Dame I would like to congratulate you on your titles and thank you once again for your help in defeating Voldemort" His voice sounded powerful and full of confidence as he said it.
The minister continued to speak to Harry, and Hermione couldn't help but tune him out as she began to think over the award for herself.
Her new title was unexpected and she could not quite comprehend how she had come to this point in her life. It was just a few years ago she was the frizzy-haired girl afraid to leave her family in America to begin her magical education and now she was Dame Hermione Granger.
Speaking of her family she would soon have to figure out what exactly she was going to be telling them. Between the Horcrux hunting and being held captive for so long she had not had any opportunities to talk to them in the last few months and as a whole, she hadn't been able to see them properly since the fourth year when Voldemort had returned.
The tap on her shoulder made her jump with surprise as she was dragged out of her thoughts and returned back to the present.
She looked over to see who had touched her and found Harry staring back at her his hand still on her shoulder and one eyebrow raised. He and the minister seemed to have been deep in conversation. A conversation appeared she was meant to be taking part in.
"Mione are you alright ?" he asked as he lifted his hand away.
"Yes, sorry, just got a bit distracted there" She nervously chuckled.
"That's alright, the minister was just saying there that there are some forms we need to sign at Gringotts to legally accept our titles and everything that comes with them."
"Haven't we already accepted the titles minister, I thought that our agreement was legally binding already? I assumed it was similar to an unbreakable vow on account of that light that glowed around me after I accepted the award?
"No Dame Granger this award ceremony is more or less the presenting of your eligibility to accept the award the legal signing is where you can officially accept. The light was not a typical part of the award ceremony either but I am sure the goblins at Gringotts will explain all of that to you further." He motioned for them to follow him as the flash of cameras resumed its storming.
They followed him until he stood next to a goblin wearing standard black Gringots robes. The Goblin's face was held in a sneer as he looked at all the wizards in front of him.
"Ironclaw thank you for coming to transport our heroes to Gringotts please let me know how they get on," Ironclaw grunted and gave the minister a curt nod of his head before turning his gaze on the two award winners.
"Sir Potter and Dame Granger, would you please accompany me to Gringotts to claim your Merlin Awards?" He questioned boredly in a gruff voice while inspecting his hooked nails.
"Alright" Hermione unsurely answered and Harry nodded his agreement.
Ironclaw let out a large sigh before shoving a leather satchel out in front of them. Harry looked at it completely baffled until Hermione delicately placed her hand upon it. The realisation then dawned upon his face as his hand joined next to hers.
The familiar spinning pulling feeling of a portkey fell upon both of them as they were whisked away to Gringotts bank. They landed in a small side room dedicated to portkey's with walls lined with items destined to be utilised for the bank's various journeys and a small landing pad in the centre.
They walked out of the portkey room following closely behind their Goblin guide. As they entered the main hall of the bank where rows of Goblin bank tellers sat looming above the rest of the patrons they were greeted by the cheers and claps of the general public who were excited at the sudden appearance of their newfound heroes.
"If you follow me to the private suite Sir and Dame we can open your Merlin vaults and handle the logistics of your new titles."
The Goblin led them to a wall that appeared to be entirely made of solid steel. The only thing distinguishing it from other walls was the 2 other Goblins guarding the area in front of the door.
The Goblin leading them stopped in front of one of the guards and quickly reached his hand out to grasp his shoulder.
" I, Ironclaw, seek entry to this security level six-chamber, may your pots never empty and your enemies lie dead at your feet."
He spoke the Goblin greeting in a rough voice that left no room for argument as the guards quickly moved to press their hands against the wall which rippled and warped to reveal a doorway.
The goblin pushed forward while shooting a pointed look back to the two mages to ensure they were following as he led them deeper inside.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please let me know what you think and anything you would like to see happening in the story! Thank you again for all the support so far reviews always help to inspire me to keep writing so the more reviews the sooner the next chapter gets written and published! Hopefully the next one should be out in a few days-Dayout