AN: I won't be able to post this weekend, but I hope everyone has a restful one. Also, Happy Friday 13!
Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
Hermione despised working at the Ministry because she was forced to be cheerful.
When Hermione had received her current job, she was ecstatic. The fact that she was working in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures was a dream come true. Here was her chance to make a difference in the Wizarding World, to bring justice to magical creatures and create a more equitable world for muggleborns. If she was lucky, she could work her way up to being the Minister of Magic! Being a member of the Golden Trio with a Ministry job meant she could accomplish any dream she had. She was going to make the changes she'd yearned to see as an adolescent.
Within a month, reality came crashing down on her, smashing her heart into thousands of shards. Most of her work consisted of filing documents, notarizing decisions already made, ensuring mail went to the correct person, and having her opinions ignored in favor of listening to those with more power, prestige, and wealth than she had. Not only was she not making a difference, but she was losing her sense of purpose in life. Why leave the muggle world if all she was good for was pushing papers in the Wizarding World? Had she fought a war just to be a secretary? What was the point of working in the Ministry if her ideas weren't heard?
"Excuse me?"
Her heart fluttered as she looked up from the mound of documents before her. The man at the other side of the desk wasn't smiling, but there was a softness in his black eyes, one she had come to appreciate. While his appliance still struck some as intimidating, to her it was striking. With every passing year he became more alluring to her, especially when he softened his expression.
"What can I do for you, Severus?" She savored every syllable of his name. It was a habit she'd spent nights trying to break. The last thing she needed was for him to know how many times he'd starred in her dreams or how often she had daydreams in which she screamed out his name loud enough for everyone on the block to hear.
"I was wondering if you had the forms for the order of Veritaserum," he began, his voice lacking its usual edge.
"Let me see if we do," she began shifting through her papers.
"Indeed." He tapped his foot. "There are quite a few papers on your desk."
"Yes, the holiday season means everything is pure chaos. You'd be surprised how many disputes arise during the holidays, how many parties are planned, or how many creatures get into fights over holly displays."
"I see."
She continued searching for the document.
"Minister Tremaine is overworking you again, isn't she?" He frowned.
"I told you, it's a busy time of year."
"But she isn't hiring anyone to give you a reprieve."
"Things aren't that terrible."
"There's no need to lie. I see the bags under your eyes."
She glanced up, wondering why she thought she could get anything past a spy. "It's the holidays. Things have to get done before the break and even more done before the New Year. Everyone is overworked."
"And underpaid."
"That too."
His expression softened. "Do take care of yourself, difficult as it is this time of year."
"I will if you do the same."
He twisted his lips as his foot stilled.
Hermione resumed shifting through the documents. "I saw your form here somewhere."
"Do not hurry yourself," he leaned against her desk. "I have time."
"You don't have all day, and you don't want to be here any longer than you need to be."
"I do not mind spending a little more time in the presence of a sensible person."
She blushed and glanced at him. "I'm sensible?"
"You're the most sensible person in my life anyway, which admittedly may not be saying much."
"I'm sure there's someone else who's sensible in your life."
"Not when it comes to certain topics." He looked down and pointed to a document at the bottom of the pile. "Is that my form?"
"Oh," Hermione grabbed it, wondering how she could've passed it so many times without taking note of it. "It would appear so."
"Thank you."
She pulled it out and handed it to him. "If you don't mind signing it, we can get you the money for the Veritaserum."
"Indeed," he shook his head. "I still don't know why your department needs Veritaserum."
"I think it has to do with interrogating the proprietor of the illegal half kneazle ring," she swallowed. "Since it involves a magical creature, it falls under our department, meaning we aid in the interrogations."
"So you do." Severus outstretched his hand. "Could I please have a quill and ink?"
"Certainly," she tugged at the drawer in her desk, but it did not so much as budge. After a few yanks, it opened with a groan. She pulled out the quill and ink pot, wondering if she dared close the desk knowing it had stuck for the third time that week. At some point the Ministry needed to invest in new desks, but then that would involve them caring about the secretaries and those who were not ministers. It was too much to ask that anyone at the Ministry care for people like her.
Why had she agreed to take this job again?
"Thank you." He took the quill and dipped it in the ink pot. "How are those back-aching potions working for you?"
"Very well," she shifted in her red, barely padded chair. "They take the edge off sitting here all day. I deeply appreciate you recommending them."
"There is no need to thank me. It's all a fair exchange."
"It is?"
"Indeed it is. You receive comfort, and I receive pay."
"True," she shifted in her chair again, trying to find what little softness it possessed.
"It's barbaric that they won't buy you a new chair." He signed his name.
"It isn't barbaric, just," she continued in the tone of her boss, "cost-effective."
Severus snorted. "It isn't cost-effective if your workers cannot focus and make mistakes on their documents."
Her stomach sank. "Have you noticed any mistakes on your form?"
"I do not see one on this document, nor have I ever seen any on a document you have created for me. Still, it is a possibility if employees are in discomfort."
"True."
"You deserve a comfortable chair, or at least the funds to buy yourself one."
"Indeed," she shifted in her place. "You seem to be the only one who cares, though."
"Sadly nobody appreciates a good employee," he shifted the parchment so he could get a better view of where he was to sign his name next. "Has Minister Tremaine been giving you any trouble lately?"
"No more than usual."
He moistened his lips and signed his name on a different line."She is insufferable."
"That isn't true."
"It's close enough to the truth."
"She isn't terrible most days," Hermione continued.
"Who isn't terrible most days?"
Hermione looked at the redheaded woman standing to her right. Her red lipstick was a stark contrast to her pale face and green eyes. Her Ministry robes couldn't hide her figure, one most women had surgeries to obtain.
"Speaking of the devil," Severus muttered before turning to her. "I was about to seek you out, Minister Tremaine."
"Oh, you were," there was a gleam in her eyes that reminded Hermione of a picture of Lily while she was still in Hogwarts.
"Indeed," he set down the quill. "I was wondering how many vials of flea potions you needed for those half-kneazles."
"I don't know," Minister Tremaine tapped her cheek. "There are twenty kneazles, but it isn't known if we should allocate our funds to their flea treatments or to Ministry bonuses."
He quirked an eyebrow. "Ministry bonuses?"
"Yes, we have to award bonuses to our best employees. The Ministry is giving us less money to do so. Thus the flea treatments may need to wait."
He raised his eyebrow higher. "You would allow innocent animals to suffer so you can give yourself a larger bonus?"
"I wouldn't," Minister Tremaine shifted her foot. "But you know how the Ministry handles funds. It's difficult to get Kingsley to understand that just because the half-kneazles are going into the shelter soon doesn't mean they shouldn't be cared for."
"I can speak to Kingsley," Hermione cut in. "As the owner of a half-kneazle, I can tell him how vital flea treatments are to his health."
Minister Tremaine furrowed her eyebrows and lowered her voice. "I'm sure you can."
Hermione grinned, wondering if she'd finally found something to do other than create and fill out forms.
"Sadly, this is an issue between ministers, not those lower than us," Minister Tremaine's voice lowered.
Hermione bit her tongue. She would've loved to have screamed at her to remember who saved the Wizarding World more times than she could count, but what would be the point? Without a university degree, Hermione was doomed to eke out whatever living she could. It would be wise to accept her lot in life and not hope for anything more.
"Hermione would be a wonderful advocate for any type of magical creature," Severus noted.
"I'm sure she would be," Minister Tremaine's smile returned. "But I do not create the Ministry rules. I only follow them."
Severus had a flicker of skepticism in his eyes.
"Anyway, I would love to have lunch with you at some point to discuss ways of improving Wolfsbane distribution." She batted her eyes. "I'm sure you have fascinating opinions about it."
"I do have a few thoughts on the matter," he admitted.
Hermione's chest constricted at the predatory expression on Minister Tremaine's face.
"Anyway," Minister Tremaine turned to Hermione. "Do you have the form for the vampire permit to build a slaughterhouse filed?"
"No, but…"
"Then file it," Minister Tremaine demanded. "There's no reason at all for you to be here while Severus and I discuss official Ministry business."
Hermione swallowed and stood.
"Hermione, are you there?"
Severus groaned and put a hand over his forehead. Minister Tremaine gave her best friendly minister expression as Hermione remained still.
"Hermione I," the newcomer stopped and examined the scene. Her lips curled upwards.
"Hello, Headmistress McGonagall." Minister Tremaine had the expression of a minister standing before an important diplomat. "What a pleasant surprise. What brings you to our doorstep?"
"I was here to see Hermione," Minerva looked at the Minister. "But I suppose this concerns you too."
"Oh. Do you have some new contracts for me to look over?"
Hermione scowled. By "me," Minister Tremaine meant, "Hermione."
"Not today, Drizella, though I do have an invitation for you and Hermione," Minerva began. "One Severus has already accepted.
"Oh?" Hermione stood straighter.
"Indeed," Severus grumbled.
"Yes, I am having a ball at Hogwarts on Christmas Eve," Minerva announced."
"Oh, you are," Minister Tremaine folded her hands.
"Indeed she is," Severus said through gritted teeth.
"You don't look enthused," Hermione noted.
"I'm not," he raised his head. "I've never appreciated being summoned, whether it be by two masters or my alleged best friend."
Minerva put a hand on Severus' shoulder. "I am your best friend, a fact you should never forget."
"So you'll be there?" The gleam returned to Minister Tremaine's eyes.
He exhaled. "Unfortunately."
"No, it is quite fortunate," Minister Tremaine took his hand. "It will be an amazing time for us both."
Hermione's body went cold as her stomach sank.
"Don't you mean us all?" Minerva lowered her hand.
Severus yanked his hand away from Minister Tremaine's. His eyes hardened.
"I did," the Minister didn't miss a beat. "But I didn't know if Hermione wanted to attend or if she could. This is our busy season after all."
"I'm sure Hermione can find the time to attend," Minerva turned to her.
"Yes, but with Christmas..."
"I would love to attend." Hermione grinned. "I think the ball will be amazing."
"Then it's settled," Minerva answered. "You are both invited, and you will both go."
"Thank you so much," Hermione answered. "I appreciate the invitation more than I can say."
"Think nothing of it," Minerva replied. "We are always happy to see you. I couldn't imagine the ball without you."
"I could," Minister Tremaine muttered.
"Excuse me?" Minerva turned to her and pursed her lips.
"I mean," Minister Tremaine covered her mouth and coughed, "I can only imagine what the ball will be like and what a magnificent affair it will be."
Severus rolled his eyes.
"Anyway, I will owl you both with the details sometime within the next few days," Minerva continued.
"Thank you," Minister Tremaine answered. "If you have time, there are a few things we need to discuss about the Forbidden Forest."
"Indeed, I was hoping we could discuss the latest Hogwarts survey and what this means for our new perimeters," Minerva answered.
"We can speak in my office," Minister Tremaine gave Hermione a backwards glance. "Don't forget to file that paperwork."
"I won't," Hermione answered.
Minister Tremaine led Minerva out of the room, all the while chatting in hushed tones about their business.
"At least someone reasonable will be at the ball," Severus began.
"I suppose." Hermione sighed. "Minister Tremaine can be reasonable when pressed to do so."
"Minister Tremaine is a dunderhead. I meant you," his voice softened. "You will be the only reasonable person there."
"I will be there." She smiled, hoping she didn't look like an idiot. "I am eager to see you there."
He gave her a genuine smile, which sent heat throughout her body. "I am eager to see you there as well."
She hummed and folded her hands.
"Sadly I must depart," he replied. "Perhaps we'll see each other before the ball."
"Perhaps we will," her voice was softer.
He nodded before departing. Once he was out of sight, Hermione relaxed. Her heart beat faster as she imagined dancing the night away in Severus' arms.
This Christmas could prove to be a pleasant one indeed.