a/n: many thanks to Time Keeper and poka for reading and reviewing. I've got a few WIP going and writing the bigger story on the last chapter is in the mix. I've had to write a lot for work this past two months and it's been hurting my muse a bit. I'm hoping to get back to these stories soon.

Prompt: Getting elected Minister of magic

Chapter 22: Minister

The ornate room was meant to look official, not to be functional. The chairs and couches were overdone and uncomfortable. The sound of trumpets, pomp, and circumstance drifted through the open window making the room feel even more intimidating. Harry could hear the unmistakable sounds of a large crowd gathering and officials directing that crowd to maintain order. It was an important day for a lot of people. Turning away from the window he caught Maddy scowling at the dress she was made to wear. She was going to be in for a long day. "You just need to leave that on until the ceremony and the pictures afterwards, then you can change," he promised.

"I hate this daddy," she whispered to him.

He understood. She would rather be in her quidditch gear or knee deep in a lake playing with plimpies.

"I'm hungry," Siri announced, pulling on her ponytail. The girl's hair had been barely under control when they left the house. It was an explosion of curls and frizz now.

Harry rubbed his forehead. He had tried to get everyone to eat before they left. There had been too much chaos and excitement. Now that they'd been sitting with nothing to do for a half hour, it was catching up to everyone.

"Siri, sweetie, come here," Hermione said, handing their middle child a bag of crisps while pulling out a hair smoothing potion. She was certainly more qualified to tame the unruly mane Siri inherited.

Harry joined Liam on a fusy couch to stay out of the way of staff who were rushing in and out. He wondered how his wife managed to stay so composed. She twisted their daughter's hair into a fresh ponytail, and gave direction to her aid who was managing an unexpected dignitary's arrival. Harry took a deep breath. He had been nervous for her and finally realized he didn't need to be.

Liam leaned heavily against Harry's shoulder as he kept watch on the score box in the Daily Prophet as it tracked the South American Quidditch finals. "I can't believe they're still holding the tournament."

"The entire magical world isn't on hold for this one ceremony," Harry told his oldest, knowing he was still disappointed they had to turn down tickets. He'd make sure they got to the World cup together.

The great double doors on the opposite side of the room opened. Harry turned and nodded at Draco as he entered with his family. His wife, Astoria, was elegantly dressed and had a firm grasp on the hands of their two kids. The young Malfoys appeared to be just as discontent as the Potters.

Harry stood, sensing they were getting close to getting on with everything.

"Draco, Astoria," Hermione greeted them kindly before sending Siri on her way to read by the fireplace. "The delegate from the South American confederation just arrived, they're rearranging the seating. It turns out his Quidditch team lost and he was available to attend today. I thought we could stay here with the kids as long as we could. I think we'll get thirty minutes of sitting still out of them. I don't want to waste that."

Draco stepped forward and gave her a brief hug. "It looks great out there. We walked through the front to get my parents in their place."

Hermione clapped her hands together, "Oh Draco. Your dad came? That's amazing. I know he still feels out of place. I'll use a tongue tying curse on anyone who questions his attendance."

"Yeah. I told him as much. He's in a private box. He's still not used to being at public events." Draco looked pained at the entire situation. Lucius' release after serving his entire sentence had disappeared from the public mind for several years. The papers had decided his release required renewed scrutiny due to the recent developments.

"'I'm sorry this has affected him again. I'm just glad he could be here for you," Hermione consoled him and smiled at Astoria. "You're looking better. Is the potion helping?"

The frail woman nodded. "I'm feeling better. Who would have thought that the owners of a joke shop might find a therapy for our malediction."

That was an unexpected turn, Harry thought. "Fred and George really branched out during the war. I don't think any of us expected them to spin off a potions and protections shop."

"I think they prefer to call it a boutique apothecary," Hermione corrected with some humor. "We were glad to help fund their efforts." The two couples stood in awkward silence for several seconds. There was a lot of history in that room. Good and bad. Harry understood the reason for Hermione's decisions, still, she appeared to have the ability to find the situations that would cause the most upheaval to expectations and then lit the fire to watch it all burn. She was born for that exact moment.

"Ma'am. We're ready for you," Hermione's aid poked her head in to get the ceremony back on schedule.

Harry and Astoria gathered up the kids. Hermione kissed Harry quickly. "Thanks for putting up with all of this," she whispered, squeezing his arm affectionately.

He leaned in close to her ear to make sure no one else would hear him, "You remember our deal. You'll wear the robes home tonight."

Hermione punched him lightly and let him take his seat on the stage. Leaning heavily on her cane, she turned on her left heel to face Draco, she hoped her face wasn't red from the implication. She cleared her throat. "Are you sure you want to do this? There's still time to back out."

"Not a chance, Granger," Draco answered confidently. "You're stuck with me now."

"Deputy Minister for Magic," she said, testing his upcoming title.

Draco motioned to her and replied, "Minister for Magic. If ever there were unlikely allies, it would be the two of us."

Hermione wrapped her free arm around his and led him to the doors to await their cue. "That's the point Draco. That is exactly the point. Our world needs purebloods and muggleborns to work together. Just try not to kill me like the last deputy."

"I'll try to refrain," he said dryly.

"All rise for Minister-elect Hermione Jean Potter and her Deputy-elect Draco Lucius Malfoy," a voice called out, clearly amplified.

The two stepped out onto the stage and waved to the crowd who were on their feet applauding their new leadership. The ceremony progressed with selected readings, the oaths of office, and the donning of the official minister's robes. Hermione caught the wicked look in Harry's eye before turning away from him and stepping up to the podium. Releasing her cane, it hovered obediently at her side as she used the podium to steady herself. She waited until the crowd settled down, looking at the faces she could make out. She spotted Lucius and Narcissa in their box and smiled in their direction. She was glad they were there. The ministry needed to put as much value in rehabilitation as it did in punishment.

They'd seen progress since the war, but progress that stuck was often slow. Hermione knew changing too fast would overlook the real problems and leave too many feeling abandoned. She cleared her throat and straightened her speech. "I know my appointment is unsettling to some in our wizarding community. I am not so foolish to think those prejudices will change on merit alone, yet I do affirm my commitment to those that oppose me, to be their Minister for Magic as much as those who support me."

She looked back at Draco before continuing, "We will not forsake our rich heritage; I will not abandon the legacy we honor today. However, I will not tolerate regressive sentiments that desire the subjugation of those deemed less than. There should be no caste system amongst the wizarding community. We are purebloods, muggle-born wizards, and wizard-born muggles. I also represent the beasts, beings, and those in between who have been at best ignored and at worst controlled. I will be a minister for the entire magical community. We all have value and the ability to contribute to our future in a meaningful way. Your ministry of magic should be a place that makes it easier for all to find a way to contribute, not to find a way to benefit from the burdens of others."

Harry listened to Hermione outline her priorities with pride. Her efforts during the MACUSA civil war had launched her back into the spotlight, but a force on her own, apart from the golden trio. It had made her the obvious choice to lead the ministry. Her landslide vote really was a testament to people's belief in change and their disapproval of the previous administration's handling of the war in the States. He hoped that sentiment would continue for her, but also knew public opinion could change with the wind.

Liam leaned close and whispered, "She's going to be the best minister and some people are going to hate it."

Patting his arm, Harry hoped their kids would weather whatever storm was coming their way. It was the only worry he had about the new developments. They had just started to come to terms with the trauma of Hermione's capture. They agreed as a family to embark on this new challenge together, acknowledging it would be difficult being thrust back into the spotlight.

Liam and Maddy certainly didn't mind attention. That didn't mean they'd embrace the type of criticism that would get thrown at them from unexpected corners. Siri. Harry worried about his middle child the most. She was private and struggled the most with the notoriety her parents bestowed on her. Looking like the spitting image of Hermione hadn't helped. There would be no anonymity for her. Putting a comforting arm around Siri, Harry pulled her closer. He wanted to protect her from everything. He had one more year of her safely within the safety of Hogwarts and that was it. He'd have to let her loose to the world.

Sensing his attention on her, Siri looked up at her dad. "She's doing great. You worry too much."

Not bothering to correct his middle daughter that his worry was for her not her mother, he nodded. Squeezed her close and looked around at Maddy. The worst thing to happen to her had already happened. She was in a dress. He had offered to help her find an alternative but Maddy didn't want to waste time shopping for clothes. Then he thought of Shiloh. What would her reaction be to it all? He imagined their oldest would have been protective and felt sad Liam, Siri, and Maddy were denied that relationship. His eyes flicked to the Malfoy's box. It had been harder for him to forgive them for their part in Hermione's suffering. They hadn't cast the spell, but they hadn't stopped it either.

As Hermione wrapped up her speech, he watched the huge crown rise to their feet to applaud her sentiments. The real work was about to begin. Harry knew Hermione was ready and she would do everything needed to ensure the rest of her family was too. It was a revelation to Harry that while he had underlying worry, he had no fear.