Chapter Text
1 st July
The Burrow
Hermione woke to the early morning sun peeking through the curtains. Her waist felt heavy under the weight of Ron's arm, his snores were soft, and his breath tickled her hair. She smiled, feeling comfortable and warm in the arms of the man she loved. She shifted and Ron began to stir. His eyes opened and he smiled, placing dry lips to her cheek.
"Good morning," he whispered.
"Good morning to you too." Hermione smiled. She was happy. She was safe. She was content.
"Have you heard anyone up yet?" Ron asked.
"Not yet, I expect we are still waking quite early after all those months on the run". Ron nodded in agreement. In the days that followed the battle of Hogwarts, many of them had struggled to sleep because of the aftereffects of the battle.
There had been nightmares, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and grief from the losses they had suffered. Naturally, healers from St Mungo's had been overwhelmed with patients after the battle. But once everyone's physical wounds had been tended to, the mind healers had begun their work.
Nobody had fought the idea – Hermione had expected Ron and Harry to be stubborn and refuse the help. Everyone was desperate to recover and live happy lives, so even the boys had thoroughly engaged in the treatment. As the days passed and they attended more sessions, they began to depend less on calming draughts and dreamless sleep potions. When they started to have restful dreams, they were finally able to be content in their safety and able to relax. This was what they had fought for, this is what it was like to live.
"Do you want to go and get some breakfast?" Ron asked, before kissing her gently on her mouth. "Or do you fancy stopping in bed for a bit?" Hermione giggled, kissing Ron back.
"Let's stay in bed." She murmured into his lips. The sun continued to shine.
7 th July
Hermione, Ron, and Harry sat in the kitchen of the Burrow sipping their hot drinks while the family slept on around them. Ginny had made a brief appearance to grab a coffee and then head straight back to bed; she was not as enthusiastic about early mornings as Harry had suddenly become.
Harry broke their comfortable silence. "I'm going to Andromeda's today. Just to watch Teddy for a while."
"Do you want any company?" Ron asked. Hermione smiled at Harry, acknowledging they would come too.
"No, thank you. I've asked Ginny and she's going to come with me – I think we want to try and help as much as we can before I start the trainee programme." Harry replied. He had been accepted into the auror training programme. Ron would be joining him, both boys eager to do something practical rather than return to Hogwarts. Though Ginny was returning to Hogwarts to complete her final year. She had refused, point blank, to even consider redoing two years, despite having a terrible education in her sixth year.
Hermione had yet to make up her mind. She was torn. She had numerous offers from a large range of departments within the ministry, and the opportunity to pick a department of her choice was a rare privilege. But she could also go and complete her final year at Hogwarts. After all, her heart longed for a slow year, some time to recover and Hogwarts would be the perfect place to do so. She knew she would be frustrated if she never officially completed her education but she still felt the pull to return to Australia and locate her family. It would be difficult to find time to make a global trip if she were studying for N.E.W.T.S.
A few months had passed since the final battle and repairs had already begun. Azkaban was at capacity, and the remaining Death Eaters who had been caught were under house arrest or kept in the Hogwarts dungeons or in a holding cell at the ministry if they were more dangerous.
Kingsley was a natural leader, kind, compassionate and strong. He was what they all needed now and he was doing a great job as Minister of Magic.
Kingsley was focusing on rebuilding the ministry; not just ripping down the hideous statue of wizards on top of muggles – but rebuilding the inside of the ministry top to bottom. There was extensive work to be done. Trials needed to be held, muggles needed calmed and obliviated, wizards and witches needed mind healers to support them following the trauma of their last few years, but he was slowly succeeding.
It was unanimously decided that Minerva McGonagall was the best choice for the new headmistress at Hogwarts, and under her lead the castle was rapidly being restored to its former glory. Yet it had been a while since Hermione had been to the castle, so she turned to Ron.
"Ron, I think we should go up to the castle today – the floo is open here into Professor McGonagall's office. We should carry on helping with some of the repair works." Hermione suggested. The repair works were lengthy, members of the Order of the Phoenix would be there to help daily. That is, those who were not busy rebuilding the ministry with Kingsley. Ron nodded in agreement. They drained their mugs as the sound of people stirring moved around them.
The warm sun continued to shine.
Harry and Ginny left for Andromeda's as Hermione finished drying her hair following her shower. Ron informed the rest of the Weasleys where they were heading. Arthur was back at work and would be leaving any minute and Molly had her regular visit to her mind healer for grief support. George was struggling but had returned to the shop – Lee Jordan had started to help him, and they were determined to bring happiness back into people's lives. I In Fred's memory.
Percy had taken a leave of absence and decided to join Ron and Hermione in their journey back to the castle.
After they flooed from the Burrows kitchen straight into the new headmistress's office, McGonagall greeted Ron and Hermione and informed them of where the repair parties were working today.
She asked Percy to stay for a private word.
"Mr. Weasley, I understand you have taken some time away from the ministry?" She inquired, looking over her half-moon spectacles. Percy cleared his throat and the headmistress motioned for him to sit, so he did.
"Yes, professor. I find myself torn – I contributed to a terrible regime and I'm ready to help repair the mess I contributed to."
"You have apologised for that. You were misled. Do you intend to return to the ministry?"
"No, Headmistress. I do not feel like it is the place for me, now. Although everyone has forgiven my past actions, I don't want to return anytime soon."
McGonagall smiled. "And how would you feel about another option, Mr Weasley? Here at Hogwarts?" Percy froze. "I find myself in need of new staff and I feel you would fit perfectly as my new Transfiguration professor." Percy stuttered before enthusiastically accepting her offer. After they finished their discussion, he ran after Ron and Hermione to tell them the wonderful news. Hermione was thrilled for him and Ron looked surprised, but congratulated his brother.
They spent the rest of the morning helping the restoration parties. There had been outstanding progress on restoring wards and rebuilding the grounds and castle. It would certainly be ready to reopen its doors in September for students new and old. All students were being offered the choice to resit the previous year or return in their projected year, and the response so far was mixed. Hermione contemplated whether to return or not as she replaced portraits onto walls that had been removed.
Stopping for lunch in the Great Hall, she was surprised when a friendly face sat across from her.
"Kingsley! Hi! What are you doing here? I didn't expect to see you anytime soon with all the work going on at the ministry," Hermione gushed, pleased to see her old friend looking so well. She was incredibly pleased at how progressive he was already being: aiming to fight for a truly equal society, including the rights of magical creatures. During her gush, Ron approached and greeted Kingsley before sitting next to Hermione, before planting a kiss on her cheek. She blushed, slightly embarrassed he had kissed her, even if only on the cheek, in front of company.
"I wanted to speak to you, Hermione. I must admit, I hate having to ask a favour of you when you've been working tirelessly to help restore the castle..." Kingsley began hesitantly, and Hermione nodded in encouragement for him to continue. "I am going to meet with the Prime Minister of muggle England tomorrow, and I feel it would be incredibly beneficial if you joined me. I understand you are considering returning to Hogwarts, but I feel your place right now might be next to me, rebuilding the wizarding world and working for a more equal society." He paused. Hermione's jaw dropped.
"Are you offering me a job, sir?"
"Yes, although I haven't quite gotten as far as designing a job description or assigning a salary yet. But I know that I will need your brains and insight into muggle England to help rebuild – as well as your passion for equality for other magical beings. We have the trials coming up, too, and I'm going to need someone levelheaded by my side."
Ron was beaming next to her. He reached for Hermione's hand and squeezed it in support. "This sounds amazing! Hermione, you should really consider this."
Hermione took a sip of pumpkin juice to calm her nerves. "Minister. I've been really torn about what I want to do – I'd already been approached about the trainee auror role and of course was debating returning to Hogwarts… but this sounds perfect. It's not even a choice-Yes. I'd love to accept this offer and work with you."
Kingsley smiled. "We can discuss particulars tomorrow then. My office at the ministry at, say, 2 p.m.?"
"That works for me," Hermione agreed. "But minister…"
"Please, call me Kingsley," he interrupted before motioning for her to continue.
"I need to ask you something. It's personal... Before the war, you may already be aware, I obliviated my parents and encouraged them to relocate to Australia for their safety. I desperately need to get to them and bring them home and try to restore their memories, but I don't know when to fit such a trip in or what support I will need."
Kingsley nodded. "Once you are settled in your new position, Hermione, we will fully support your trip and consider it a priority to get your parents home and their memories restored."
Hermione nodded, her throat tight and tears prickling behind her eyes.
"I'll speak to you tomorrow. I'm pleased we will be working together going forward, Hermione."
Hermione said her goodbyes as did Ron. They worked for the rest of the afternoon with happiness rooted in them. This was how things were supposed to be, progressive, happy, full of hope. The warm sun continued to shine.
July 8th
The next day, at 2 p.m., Hermione was welcomed into Kingsley's office. "Hermione! Welcome!" Kingsley waved at the seat in front of him before asking his assistant to please bring them a pot of tea.
"Hermione, I'm going to be frank with you. There's been some fantastic progress made in the time since we reclaimed the ministry. We've captured the death eaters, their trials are organised, and we have done extensive work on repairing staff's mental health. We've increased funding for integration schemes, and more are being built-two things I think you will be passionate about.
"Minerva has fervently agreed that muggle studies will be compulsory and that more work will be done with muggle born children before they attend Hogwarts, and during their first two years to ensure they don't feel as frightened as they have been historically.
"Further, we're compiling legislation to ensure that going forward house elves must be offered a minimum wage and rights – they are, of course, resisting this but with gentle work we hope to end slavery. We are working closely with the Centaurs, too."
Hermione sipped her hot tea and listened in eagerness to every word the minister said. This was her dream – this work was incredible. She longed to be a part of this, and now she had the opportunity to make a real difference.
"As I told you yesterday, I need to meet with the British prime minister today and I want you to help. I can only imagine how angry he is about what's been happening since he took office. I visited him only briefly to tell him about our world and to tell him that Tom Riddle had been killed and the monstrosities should end. But the meeting was so brief, and he didn't say a lot."
"What would you like me to do, Kingsley?"
"I know no more about this meeting than I have already told you, but I trust your judgement and ability to think on your feet once we meet with him. Are you almost ready?" He motioned to her tea. She nodded, draining the last of it. "Oh, and while I remember, yesterday I was able to put together the proposal with the official job description and a starting salary. Peruse it at your leisure." Hermione took the parchment and slipped into her bag, before standing alongside Kingsley. They made their way over to the fireplace in his office, and Kingsley took a handful of powder.
"10 Downing Street."
Hermione waited until the flames calmed before taking a handful and doing the same. She caught sight of the window as she felt the flames rise to move her and saw that the sun continued to shine.
The Prime Minister had been expecting them. It was apparent as he was incredibly nervous when Kingsley and Hermione stepped into his office and brushed off their robes. Nevertheless, he held out his hand to them both to shake firmly and offered them refreshments.
Hermione had drunk so much tea that day she wasn't sure she could stomach another cup. "Could I bother you for a cup of coffee, Prime Minister?" She asked.
"Please, call me Tony." He motioned for the pair to sit down while he poured Kingsley and himself a cup of tea and Hermione a steaming cup of coffee.
"I asked them to bring the tea tray earlier… I said I would be working late, and they brought it on a hot plate. I had to say I did not want to be disturbed… how on earth am I meant to explain two strangers appearing in my office when they haven't come through the front door? All this is, understandably, highly overwhelming for me. How all this magical stuff works and why you are here, in my office again."
Hermione and Kingsley exchanged a look, both unable to read his tone. As he served them their drinks and sat across from them.
"Mr Shacklebolt, last time we met you told me that the disasters and the deaths would end? Does that still stand? Once I received your mail telling me we needed to meet, I was incredibly nervous you would tell me there was more bad news, and that your evil wizards were going to kill more of us."
Kingsley grimaced and shook his head. "No, Prime Minister, that isn't the case at all. I just wanted the opportunity to talk about rebuilding our mutual communities by working together."
The prime minister scoffed. "I think your kind has done quite enough damage to our communities; don't you think?"
Hermione coughed, noticing the look on Kingsley's and the Minister's face and wanting to prevent any further frustration to either party. "Prime minister-Tony-I can only begin to imagine how you must feel. It's been a horrific first year in office for you. You had so much to deal with in your own government, not even beginning to mention what fires you have had to fight because of the war raging in our world."
She took a moment to breathe. "But now we need to move forward. I was born to a non-magical family. My mum and dad are dentists. We can help repair the damage done. Both the physical damage and to help repair the muggle-wizard relationships. We want to improve integration for children born to non-magical families, to help them adjust to their dual life more comfortably and enabling them to belong to both the wizard and non magical world more easily. We also want to hold those who committed these crimes against non-magical humans accountable for their actions. Every death your police have been unable to explain every supernatural disaster that damaged non magical Britain- if you can give us a list, we will use it as evidence to prosecute those responsible. The trials begin soon."
The Prime Minister nodded, seemingly calmer. She glanced at Kingsley, hoping to see approval on his face for what she had said. He smiled at her and gave her a soft nod, which she returned with a small smile before looking back to the Prime Minister. Yes. This was exactly where she needed to be. She glanced out the window behind her at the night sky,
The sun had stopped shining.