Chapter 35: The Unrelated
Hermione Granger thought she should be more stressed about her upcoming meeting at the Ministry. For all intents and purposes the meeting was in a way a job interview. Yes, the, still unnamed, Ministry commissioner didn't have any say in Hermione's getting the job. Yes, Headmistress appeared to be set on supporting Hermione and helping her succeed in the role. Surely, if that Ministry employee complained about Hermione's preparedness or ability, even falsely, the Headmistress would have no choice but to replace her. Rebuilding Hogwarts was too important to allow for any distractions...
It would have been very natural for Hermione to stress about the meeting, and about the many what-ifs... Hermione thought so, but she simply didn't have the energy to stress out.
A set of completely unrelated thoughts and things kept crowding her head, taking up her worrying space.
"Found your scrolls of woe.
The Ludicrous Patents appraiser…
Floo Regulator… that's a glorified eavesdropper, did you know?
Spawn of Muggles! I draw a line at being married to a Pest Control Administrator.
If you ever get bored playing foolish games with the Ministry,
Narcissa would welcome having you associated with her charity efforts."
Hermione received the letter shortly after Headmistress' news about Hermione's extracurricular opportunity.
For a split second Hermione was so very tempted to reapply for the pest control position at the Magical Creatures Department, just to spite the impossible witch!
In less than two inches of parchment, Bellatrix managed to flaunt the fact that she once again snooped at Hermione's room, offend Hermione's less than successful job search, and highlight her and her family's utter entitlement, even while in disgrace! Oh you need a job, here's a fund for you to manage.
Hermione didn't like the flickering of something resembling satisfaction, or, perhaps, happiness, that Bellatrix offered her a fairly decent option. An option Hermione would have explored if it wasn't for the Liaison role. Surely, Bellatrix was plotting something or wanted something in return...
Thinking about Bellatrix meant also thinking of the upcoming trip back to the Grotto, of their personal agreement, and of how on earth she was going to attempt it after the absolutely disastrous last time.
There were plenty of other things to occupy Hermione's thoughts too.
Gryffindor House dug itself so far down the hole of lost points that first school night, Hermione puzzled about how and how soon they could get back onto even ground with Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs.
Blaise's removal of points per each brawler was confirmed by the Heads of both impacted houses. Slughorn and Longbottom warned that both of them would be visiting the dorms unannounced. Since students cannot be trusted to behave. Headmistress then announced additional points off each brawling House for violating the proper behavior in shared places. She then took some more points off Gryffindor for poor sportsmanship and bullying; since there were two and even three Gryffindors to each one Slytherin. Hermione, Ginny, Lavender, Blaise, as well as the young Slytherin and Gryffindor witches who alerted older students, received points for their role in stopping the commotion. Those points were not very noticeable in the sea of lost points though.
DADA was one of Hermione's NEWTs, and she kept wondering what DADA with Professor Longbottom would be like.
Hermione didn't interact with her new Head of House yet. The bulk of Hermione's classes fell on Mondays and Tuesdays. With September 1st being Tuesday that year, Hermione had only two classes by Friday morning. Defense wasn't one of them. She did spot the old witch's eyes on her several times during the mealtimes.
Then, there was Ginny's news. Ginny was indeed pregnant. On purpose! And she planned to try for the second kid too in quick succession, if all went well with the first one!
The timing was perfect, apparently... The kid would be the first and only Weasley grandkid... the first and only Weasley's niece or nephew... for a couple of years. Everyone would be available to help out.
Ginny expected to actually join a professional team for three to five years. Maybe the law would be amended to something less stringent by the time her second or third child was due...
It'll be chaos when everyone started having kids at the same time... needing medical assistance... buying kids stuff... enrolling at school... kids looking for jobs... Having at least one child ahead of the rush was smart.
Thinking of Ginny's situation inevitably brought Hermione back to thinking about her own situation. Even if she was set on taking life one ridiculous Ministry requirement at a time…
Without general outrage and worry, and without taking Ginny's age into account, Ginny's reasoning was logical, if only for established couples... Couples with freedom to worry about chaos in the hospitals and shops... couples without worry of murdering or being murdered by their charming spouses.
Hermione realized she was out of Hogwarts anti-aparition zone when she was already standing in the middle of Hogsmeade. She sighed, reminded herself to keep her thoughts on the task at hand, and aparated to London well ahead of her 8:30am Ministry appointment.
Hermione spent the previous two days catching up on the castle's state of repair and disrepair. She read the documents Headmistress provided, and talked to the Hogwarts staff.
Hogwarts needs fell into three broad categories, magical restore, physical restore, and stocks replenishment. Professor Flitwick and Headmistress walked her through the magical damage to the castle, the restoration progress, and the specific requests they wanted to make of the Ministry. Hagrid walked her through the grounds; showed which areas still required physical restoration; took her to parts of Forbidden Forest and discussed some of his less straightforward requests. Mister Filch, Madam Pomfrey, and various Professors provided updates on school's medical and educational stocks.
Headmistress went over everything she expected from Hermione's first meeting just the night before. The first meeting should be limited to the discussion about the list of tasks, the timelines which could work for the school, the estimated efforts and budgets.
Hermione was prepared. She just needed a little luck that the Ministry person she was to meet was half-decent and lacking some direct or indirect personal vendetta against her.
'Granger! Wait up!'
It took several calls before Hermione slowed down. The person she took for an annoying journalist was in fact not a journalist at all, at least he wasn't the last time they spoke.
'I hoped to run into you.'
'Nott?' Hermione spotted the curious looks from the early Ministry arrivals. The commotion the wizard created didn't go unnoticed. She sighed. 'What are you doing here? What do you mean hoped ?'
'Have something to show you. And Potter said you might be here early today.'
'Harry? When did you see him?'
'He was at Bagnold's yesterday.'
The two fell in step as they headed towards the elevators.
'Bagnold... Harry was… why is Harry meeting the MIC Commissioner?'
'Don't know, don't care. Do you think Potter would tell me?…'
'Why were you at MIC? Aren't you... well... you know...'
'Ah so you remember that...' The skinny wizard bit his lip and blushed faintly. 'I work there. The you know doesn't interfere with work. And let us not ever mention that again! I'm one of the temporary staff, the interviewer. Very few volunteer to interview ahead of their date so the Commissioner lets me help out around the office.'
The two entered the elevator and reached for the same destination button.
'Do you have a couple of minutes?'
Hermione nodded. It seemed the fates were still very much against giving her time and space to stress about her upcoming meeting!
'Great, come with me.'
The two went through the doors announcing the Offices for Marriage Initiative Commission.
'Don't worry, it's too early for anyone to be here yet.'
They walked to the desk at the far end of the space. Hermione looked around curiously. For an organization which created so much upheaval in her life the office looked too average, too normal. It was disconcerting.
Theo pulled the scroll from the depth of his desk drawer.
Both ends of the scroll were rolled into the middle.
Hermione looked at him puzzled, but took the scroll and slowly unrolled both sides to reveal the small official print in the middle.
"…Before submitting your selection for MIC's approval, please note to be in compliance with the Marriage Law:
(1)the assisting party may only be a witch/wizard unafflicted with familial or personal blood curses; afflicted witches/wizards, as well as muggles, squibs, creatures, and beings won't be approved for the role;
(2) witches and wizards afflicted with some blood curses may still request assistance, following MIC review of their situation;
(3) the assisting witch/wizard will be part of the child's birth record;
(4) the assisting witch/wizard won't have any personal or monetary rights or obligations to the resulting child under Ministry laws;
(5) personal or monetary rights or obligations may still arise from familial and/or blood enchantments, it is recommended to inquire about and negotiate these issues prior to signing the Cooperation Agreement.
REQUEST DETAILS
Assistance Required from: Wizard
Age Group: 71 years old
Height: 180+ cm
Build: Thin
Complexion: Pale
Hair Color: -
Eye Color: Red
Minimum OWLs: 12
Hogwarts House, if any: Slytherin
Special Magical Abilities: wandless magic, mind magic, elemental magic, parselmouth, dark …"
'Why-' Hermione frowned at Theo's faint grin and raised eyebrow. 'Oh no… she wouldn't-' she muttered under her breath glanced at the request details again, and unrolled the top part of the scroll.
"POPULATION REPLENISHMENT - COOPERATION INTEREST FORM
Requesting Couple: Hermione Granger and Bellatrix Lestrange "
'I'm going to kill her!' Hermione whispered.
'So, do you want this added to the cooperation registry?' The grin seemed to permanently settle on the wizard's lips.
'I'm taking this.'
'No problem, I have another copy.'
'Nott! Fine, what do you want in exchange for all the copies? And for not filing it anywhere!'
'Set a meeting for me with Narcissa Malfoy.'
'What? Why?'
'Hm… well I'm not asking why you want all the copies back, do I?'
'Obviously because I don't want them filed!'
'Well, I didn't ask.'
'Is she- oh Merlin!' Hermione glanced wide-eyed at the Slytherin with a faint budding grin of her own, she then looked around, saw no one but lowered her voice anyways. 'Is she your lady love?'
'What?! No!' The wizard squeaked, coughed, and too looked around to make sure they were still alone. 'I don't have- This is ridiculous! I'm never drinking with you again, Granger!'
'I'm telling, unless you give me all the copies!'
'She is not my- I'm not attracted to Draco's mum!'
'So there is someone!'
'Let it go, Granger!'
Theo glared. Hermione smirked.
'Fine. I want to ask her for a loan. Happy?!'
'Loan?'
'Yes, to buy out my Manor. I'm short a few galleons, and she is the only remaining person with money who won't refuse on the spot... I don't think.'
He slid the copy of the scroll towards Hermione.
'Oh... Fine... I can mention it to her. What if she doesn't want to see you?'
'I have faith in you, Granger. Walk you to the Reconstruction?'
Hermione tucked the original and the copy far into her robe pockets.
Meeting Theodore Nott at the Ministry was certainly unexpected for Hermione. The conversation was alarming and amusing in equal parts. Bellatrix was in for a stern talking to for more than one reason! If Hermione bothered to waste her breath, anyway.
Hermione was at her destination with several minutes to spare. The door was cracked open.
Theo glanced through the crack in the door, and cleared his throat.
'Here you are. Let me know about Mrs. Malfoy.' He gave the crack in the door another look and quickly headed back towards his own workspace.
Hermione looked quickly through her notes, reminded herself that she was well prepared and absolutely ready for her meeting.
She was about to enter the office space and look for the Commissioner's office when she spotted the plaque next to the door listing the ministry officials within the space.
ANDROMEDA TONKS, the Reconstruction Commissioner.
So much for putting off the meeting with that witch indefinitely!
End of Chapter 35