a/n: Sorry for the pausing in posting. I went on vacation in the north woods with no cell signal to reset. It was desperately needed and writing feels like fun again. I'll post a couple chapters here for this story and am getting back to my WIPs. Special thanks to Time Keeper and starboy454 for reading and reviewing!
Prompt: First Career
Chapter 14: New Normal
The first month after the war was pure chaos. The ministry locked down international travel to and from the country by witches and wizards. Everyone needed to be investigated to ensure they weren't Voldemort loyalists or sympathizers. It wasn't a high priority since all ministry resources were focused on rounding up the most violent Death Eaters and verifying the veracity of imperious claims from others. The atrium of the ministry was surprisingly orderly. The aurors had a secure corridor carved out with enchantments for prisoner and suspect transport. The fountain in the center was restored. The number of ministry employee robes was outnumbered at least five to one to those in street clothes seeking aid from the ministry. Families trying to be reunited. Falsely accused were seeking restoration of their property that was confiscated… the needs appeared endless.
Harry and Hermione were there to officially turn over Bellatrix's wand and to request access to a portkey to Perth, Australia. Thankfully Tonks provided them with a special pass to use the auror's expedited corridor. They stepped up to the wand registrar. The harassed witch looked to be at the end of her rope. Harry's wand was a simple matter.
"Holly and phoenix feather. Eleven inches," she reported and tore off the slip. "Keep your wand in your pocket unless instructed otherwise while within the ministry. Alarms will sound and a full body bind spell will stop you if you fail to follow these guidelines." Her words carried the tone of a person who had repeated that warning hundreds of times a day.
Hermione stepped up and pulled out two wands. One of the witch's eyes twitched at the deviation. "Walnut and dragon heartstring. Twelve and three quarters inches," she said, traded Hermione the slip of paper for her second wand. As the second slip printed, the witch looked in annoyance and slapped the instrument assuming the strange wand materials were a mistake.
"Toromiro and Thunderbird feather," Hermione supplied helpfully.
The witch looked skeptically and then ripped off the slip. "Toromiro and Thunderbird feather. Eleven and one eighth inches. Keep your wand… keep your wands in your pocket unless instructed otherwise while within the ministry. Alarms will sound and a full body bind spell will stop you if you fail to follow these guidelines."
"Thank you," Hermione said and hurried along.
"I can't take you anywhere," Harry teased her while following the directions to the stairs that deposited them at the Auror's bullpen.
"Granger, Potter. Over here," Tonks shouted from across the sea of desks.
The couple hurried to their friend and stepped into her office. As soon as Tonks closed the door the world became blissfully silent. "I'm sorry it took so long to meet with you. It's mayhem around here. Thanks for coming in," she said motioning to the chairs across from her desk. Stacks of files leaned against each other in a precarious tower that threatened to come crashing down on them. Tonks focused on Hermione once everyone was sitting. "Harry said you have the wand of Bellatrix Lestrange. We need to document the provenance, we need a short statement on how it came into your possession, and a list of any and all spells you may have cast since taking possession of the wand. In order, preferably."
Hermione was ready for the request and pulled out the forms Harry brought to her. They had filled them out together to make sure she didn't miss any details. It felt dangerous to have it all written down. "There's some personal information in here. Harry said you needed it, but could seal it."
Tonks' face softened in a way that told Hermione the auror already knew the words that were written in ink. Already knew about the torture and the loss. "This will be for my eyes only. If any information is required for trial purposes, you'll be notified. Are you planning to file a complaint for what she did to you?"
Wiping her palms on her jeans, Hermione sat straight. They had discussed this too. "I need to. Yes. I know she's already serving a life sentence for her crimes in the first war. I need the record to show what she did to us."
"We'll help you with the process. What ever you need from this office you'll have it."
Setting the statement on the desk, Hermione nodded in thanks. She trusted Tonks. "I can take the wand out?"
Tonks rolled her eyes. "I disabled all sensors in this wing. It's safe."
Hermione set the walnut wand on the parchment and felt lighter not having the responsibility of carrying it around. "Do you there will even be a trial?"
"I understand you might know more about that than I do," Tonks said with some interest.
Hermione shook her head. "I only just accepted the position at the ICW. I'll only be a legal aid for the tribunals and I disclosed my connection to her to ensure there are no conflicts." Hermione explained and looked at Harry. He was supportive of her decision even if he didn't understand it. "I'll have a year of coursework before I'll even be certified."
"An international tribunal for all Death Eaters. It sounds easier to just lock them up and be done with it," Tonks said.
It was the same opinion Harry voiced. Hermione shook her head. "They deserve to be proven guilty. Maybe Sirius would have been exonerated if there had been more transparency and oversight." She knew that argument would make sense. For both Harry and Tonks. Hermione was actually looking forward to being part of the process. It felt like progress and a strong step toward justice.
"Hm. I guess it's a new day," Tonks replied, not quite convinced.
"I hope so," Hermione pushed. She wanted it to be different. The old way of assuming guilt was why the ministry had been so vulnerable to the injustices it perpetrated over the previous year. Really before that.
"And what about you Potter? Are you going to come work for me?"
Harry shifted in his chair. He hadn't expected to be put on the spot. "I'm sorry no. I think my Death Eater fighting days are over. Professor McGonagall asked me to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts next year. We'll see if I last a second year. I might be begging for a second chance next year."
"Ah. I understand. I'd make the same decision if I were you. Both of you. You deserve some peace after everything. You'll always have a place here if you need it," Tonks said and pulled a small metal rod from her drawer. "This is from Kingsley. I mean Minister Shacklebolt," Tonks drew out the title. "It's a portkey to Perth with instructions for how to activate it when you're ready. He's also offered services from our obliviators if you run into trouble restoring your parents' memories."
"Please thank him for approving this," Hermione said gratefully. "The portkey office estimated it'd take another two months before they'd even review my request."
"Bureaucracy. Some things stay the same," Tonks observed. "Remus told me to remind you two about the party at the Burrow next weekend. You won't believe how big Teddy's gotten." Tonks told them, leading them to the door.
Hermione smiled. A month of laying low had been good, but she was ready to catch up with those closest to them. Normalcy appeared to creep up slowly. She wasn't opposed.