Chapter 5: The Next Day [Morning]

When Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter, bleary eyed and still slightly hungover from the lack of sleep, stepped off the lift at Level Two, which housed the Department of Magical Law Enforcement several hours later than usual, they found the corridors empty and silent; most DMLE officers were clearly already out on their assignments or at their desks.

Painfully aware of their tardiness, and hoping not to disturb the usual morning meeting too much, they softly pushed open the large double doors to the Auror Office and slinked inside the large open space. The place was as quiet as the corridors but not as empty. Several aurors sat quietly at their desks and had their eyes trained on the Head Auror office. Said office was actually just a large niche to the side of the main floor framed by three walls. It contained two chairs, a large desk, and several locked file cabinets.

The niche opening was misted over, the indication of heavy privacy charms. The fog swirled and rippled, distorting the view of the space and turning sounds into the low hum.

'Robards is with Shacklebolt?' Ron squinted at the fog.

'Think the meeting was delayed, mate?'

'If we are lucky. Who is the third bloke or is it a witch?'

'Come on Ron, it's a witch, but I don't recognize her,' Harry squinted at the fog but had no more luck than Ron discerning the identity of Robard's early visitor.

'Millicent Bagnold.' Whispered one of the present aurors. 'She runs the Marriage Initiative Commission.'

'The Bagnold?' Ron's pale eyes rounded as he heard the whispered confirmation.

'Who is Bagnold?'

Ron dragged his friend away to the group of empty cubicles.

'Harry, she was the Minister of Magic during Voldemort's fall. She approved Crouch's handling of the Death Eater trials. If she advised on it, no wonder the Marriage Law is loophole-free and so draconian. She is Ravenclaw! I'd bet the spell and the process they use is magically sound and was retested as much as possible before they implemented it. Hermione's match...blimey it pains me to even call it that... but is not an accident, it cannot be! I just don't understand what they have against her… or us. We should see what my match is gonna be.'

'No!'

'Yeah!'

'But this is mental!'

'Tell me about it, now I wish-'

Whatever Ron wished for remained unknown as the privacy wards lifted and the raspy voice of their leader filled the space.

'Potter! Weasley! Get in here now!'

The friends exchanged glances.

'Keep cool, Ron.'

'You too, Harry.'

'Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, you are late. Care to share why you look as if you tracked rogue Death Eaters all night? I distinctly remember putting both of you on trainee-appropriate duties.'

The privacy wards lowered once more. The outside room became blurry, distorted.

'A friend of ours received very disturbing news yesterday, sir.' Harry didn't feel like sharing that they went to all the places they could think of and still found no trace of their distraught friend. 'Ron and I were tied up most of the night.'

'And were you tied up just outside these camera frames?!' Robards slapped the Daily Prophet issue on his desk. Both young aurors-in-training focused on the paper, and then gaped at the visible headlines and the accompanying pictures gracing the front page.

FOES NO MORE - Golden Girl marries Voldemort Lieutenant

HOUSE ARREST [of 7 years] - A first under Avery Amendment to the Marriage Law

'Marries?' Ron mouthed, shooting a glance at Harry.

'House Arrest?!' Harry mimed back.

'Is that Malfoy's mom? Who did Hermione marry, Harry?' Ron leaned in to whisper. 'Do you see Lestrange anywhere?'

Harry rubbed his forehead. Ron was correct. Aside from what appeared to be a school picture of the dark witch, and another one clearly from her time in Azkaban, he couldn't find her on any pictures with Hermione.

'Why don't you share with us, Mr. Weasley?' his superior demanded sternly.

'Nothing to share, sir.' Ron squeaked and cleared his throat flushing deep red.

Harry reached out and pulled the paper from Robards side of the desk. He didn't feel at ease to read everything on the front page, when everyone at the room waited for his and Ron's reaction. Still several lines in a larger script caught his attention.

…A testament to the Golden Girl's golden heart, Madame Lestrange afforded a chance at reform and redemption while others (of lighter character we might add) faced execution…

…'I won't become the source or reason for new deaths and new suffering.' said Miss Granger. 'I cannot.' And we applaud Miss Granger's determination and strength of character! A true fresh start for the post-war world!..

…Miss Granger trusted to set up the proper wards and bindings to satisfy general house arrest rules for her spouse...

'How could you do that to her, sir?' Harry exploded and Ron was thankful, because he was about to say the same but in a less polite way. 'That witch tortured her! Are you trying to get Hermione killed?!'

'Exactly! And it is still the Auror Office duty to oversee house arrests!' Ron added quickly. 'Why would you make this her responsibility!'

'We did not, Mr. Weasley!' The Minister Shacklebolt snapped, then added in a more even tone. 'I would love to discuss this… whatever this is…with Hermione.'

'Publicity stunt of a foolish young witch, that's what it is, Kingsley.' the modulated slightly raspy voice of the only present witch interjected. 'Of course now that she is lauded as a symbol of peace and unity on the Prophet's front page…'

Current Minister shot a warning look to the former Minister, and both pursed their lips.

'Commissioner Bagnold is correct, it would be hard to go back on Hermione's announcements after this much publicity. We can however offer her assistance... if we know what she needs. Do either of you know where she is?'

'Not at the moment' The two exchanged glances.

'She'd be at my place later today. I'm sure.' Harry clarified reluctantly when all save for Ron frowned at him disbelievingly. 'She is staying with me at Grimmauld place until Hogwarts term starts.'

'I won't be so sure, Mr. Potter.' For the first time Millicent Bagnold looked directly at him. Harry schooled his features. The witch's gaze was sharp, evaluating, but not necessarily unfriendly. Still he didn't know her. And if she was the one behind that ridiculous law he disliked her on principle! 'If the signing of the marriage contract was genuine, it triggered the Honeymoon clause.'

Both younger wizards cringed at the name but had blank faces having no idea what that meant.

'Mr. Weasley, did you not read the important parts of the law, I'm told it applies to you too, does it not?'

Ron shrugged.

'Hermione usually explains stuff like that to us.'

The Minister rubbed his chin hiding a smile. The Commissioner heaved a sigh.

'The Honeymoon clause compels the couple to stay at the same domicile until the union is consummated. The clause comes into effect 10 days after signing the Intent, or immediately at the signing of the marriage contract. The Intent serves as a basic marriage contract after the 10th day, if couple doesn't want or need to have a more customized document. Well-off families usually go for specialized contracts... which I assume is what Miss Granger signed.'

She looked pointedly at the newspaper.

All wizards blinked stupidly at her.

'Does no one read the important documents?' the witch stared incredulously at the group. 'Minister Shacklebolt?'

The Minister cleared his throat.

'I am overage, Millicent… The details seemed trivial-'

'Mione is stuck somewhere with that crazed witch! Indefinitely?!' Harry finally connected the dots.

'That witch tortured her!' Ron repeated even more heatedly.

The witch heaved another sigh.

'Not indefinitely, Mr. Potter. If anyone bothered to read the law, the union has to be consummated within 30 days of signing the Intent.'

'What happens if… you know… not…' Ron blushed crimson but asked anyway.

'Mr. Weasley, I am not your friend to explain such trivial details!'

Ron gulped, went even deeper shade of red, and seemingly finally lost his nerve.

'Just humor us, Millicent,' Kingsley drawled and shot a tiny smirk the witch's way. The witch gave him a stern look. 'I promise I'll study the law thoroughly this week.' She pursed her lips. '… tonight, I'll read it tonight.'

Harry and Ron exchanged looks when the witch relented.

'Measures depend on the situation… including annulment if one of the couple is clearly at fault.'

'Lestrange is in no shape to consummate anything with anyone right now.' Robards said and the Minister nodded. 'So this marriage will be annulled in 30 days.'

'33' Bagnold corrected.

'I beg your pardon?'

The Commissioner heaved another sigh but clarified.

'The couple has 3 days to correct their negligence without negative consequences.'

'This is just… brilliant.' Harry mumbled quietly.

'We have to find her, Harry! Harry?'

Harry stared intently at one of the pictures.

'Sir, why are you interrogating us, when these wankers witnessed everything?' He tapped on the corner of one of the pictures. Ron eyebrows rose as he noticed what Harry was pointing to. The auror team flicked in and out of frame as the picture cycled through the sequence. 'Or have they also... disappeared?'

Robards puffed an exasperated breath.

'Geminio'

He handed a copy to Harry.

'They are accounted for, Potter. They know very little. You two are to learn Miss Granger's whereabouts and ascertain her safety.'

Ron and Harry nodded.

'Try to arrange a meeting or a floo call at the very least.' Kingsley added.

Ron and Harry nodded again.

'Dismissed.'

Harry and Ron went silently to Ron's cubicle, as it was farther away from the presently occupied desks.

Mission Report - Retrieval Team 1 - [07.12/13.1998]

11:42pm. Arrived at St. Mungo's hospital; attempted to access the matched Death Eater (Bellatrix Lestrange [BL]). Access denied by the hospital and by the next of kin, Narcissa Malfoy [NM].

12:03am. Miss Hermione Granger [HG] arrived on 4th floor of St. Mungo's hospital. Got access to her Marriage Law match [BL]. Roughly 15 minutes later, HG invited NM to join her in the patient's room. NM left for the night 20 minutes later.

4:50am. HG informed the team that she had come to a decision and she wished to move BL in the quiet hours in order to preserve public peace. The team assumed the usual transportation to the special Ministry hold. The team removed the containment wards, and escorted HG and BL (on the levitated stretcher) to the welcoming floor of the hospital.

4:53am. The welcoming floor was not deserted as is normal at such an early hour. Several press teams, NM, her solicitor Mr Nightshade, three of his Understudies, visitors, and many suspicious characters whose only affliction appeared to be excessive drinking were present.

The auror team got separated from HG and BL.

Soon after, a protective barrier was set around a small area containing HG, NM, BL stretcher, Mr Nightshade, and one of the press teams (Daily Prophet). Short of blasting through it, injuring onlookers and scaring half the hospital, the team could do nothing but observe.

HG appeared to be a willing party to the marriage contract signing, the short interview with the press teams afterwards.

5:03am. HG side-apparated with the solicitor, NM and BL (stretcher) to unknown location.

The press then accosted the auror team about BL survival and the Ministry's cover up. This delayed the team's return and report to Auror Office.

5:22am. Report filed.

The two silently contemplated the report.

'Harry,' Ron leaned in and whispered, 'was Kingsley flirting with-'

'Ron!' Harry shot a look at once again foggy niche entrance and whispered back. 'Let's not talk… or think about that!'

He tapped on the name in the report and inclined his head towards the exit.

End of Chapter 5