One: The Attack
2021...Ministry Of Magic
I looked with dread on the calendar for today: September 19th, my 42nd birthday. Gods, I'm old. I didn't look old though, as I put on my tailored dark robes, and put my wavy chestnut hair in a fashionable French bun, and put on some tasteful makeup. Anyone who thought to look at me would think I was in my mid twenties, so that was a welcome by product of being a witch: a long life span.
I twisted my cheap crystal engagement ring around on my ring finger. I could slip it easily on and off, the marriage enchantment null and void on it, due to my marriage to Ronald Weasley ending in a nasty divorce two years ago. Still, I wore it as a reminder to myself to never ever compromise on love, especially to insecure mommy's boys like Ron Weasley.
Once I was ready to go, I apparated to the Ministry of Magic from my posh penthouse in London. I greeted everyone politely no matter their rank, or blood status, and most of the staff thought I was a breath of fresh air, because Fudge and Scrimgeour always looked down their noses at everyone.
I got to my office, and looked over my itinerary for the day; it was all very cut and dry, and just dull. The usual hearings, meetings, and press statements about Dolohov and his gang picking up where Voldemort left off, the meeting with the auror department head Harry Potter himself. Okay, the last meeting would be a welcome change of pace, but that was only because we were best friends. Still, we could not afford to be anything but professional these days, because of our careers.
I heard a knock on my office door, and I called out, "Enter."
Parvarti Patil poked her head in. "Are you doing anything for lunch? It is your birthday, after all."
I grinned, but continued to write out my report to each head of magical enforcement about the importance of tightening security around the Ministry. When I was done, I sat back, looking at Parvarti's wicked expression.
"First, don't remind me," I said. "Second, I don't have plans. I am absolutely swamped with work. This new deatheater regime is growing in strength, and people are scared."
Parvarti smirked, "Uh huh, and that's all boring political crap I don't want to hear about. Come on, Hermione, it's your birthday! You know, the big 4 2. You should take a personal day and go get laid or something."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Who? I'm divorced from Ron. All of his remaining brothers has someone, and you're making me nervous looking at me like that, Parv."
Parvarti giggled, "Why not...Harry? He's become quite easy on the eyes, and who is gonna care that the Minister of Magic is screwing the Head Auror?"
I laughed, blushing, "Oh wow, you really have gone off the dead end, Parvarti. Harry is like my brother. Yes, he's cute, but it wouldn't be right."
Parvarti frowned. "Sorry. But you really should get out more."
"You might be right. But duty calls. What do you have for me, Secretary Patil?" I asked.
Parvarti handed me the files on Crouch Junior and Lucius Malfoy, who were set to go on trial next week. I rubbed at my dry eyes. "I can't imagine having to act as a witness against my own father," I declared. "Draco already has disowned him, and buried himself in his work as a healer, but the records show that the court will be calling on him as a witness any way."
Parvarti frowned. "Do you think he will be a problem? Malfoy Junior, I mean? You two haven't exactly ever been friends."
I shrugged my shoulders. "I can't imagine that he would be, but Barty Crouch Jr...He seems like a real piece of work. Even when he was disguised as Alastor Moody he was a bit unhinged. We had best keep on our toes with this one."
Parvarti nodded. "So noted. Now, get your butt some lunch, and don't worry, Madame Minister, things are going along swimmingly."
I didn't have the heart to disagree with her, so I just agreed, "I agree. Thanks."
"No problem."
She left, and I went through my work day. I didn't mind the work, honestly. Most people would be crushed by it all, but I enjoyed overseeing all of the magical departments, and making sure things ran in a smooth, ethical way. For my last meeting, I headed down to the auror department, and Harry greeted me professionally as always.
We shared an in office lunch, and discussed the upcoming Malfoy trial. Harry sighed after reading over the file, "I can't imagine Draco will be much of an issue, but I'm with you on this one, Hermione, we should be cautious."
"And the Crouch case?"
"Same thing."
"Good. If that is all--"
"Hermione wait," Harry called me back. I turned around, and he looked sad. "I...I'm tired of this weird tension between us. I've always been able to talk to you, and everything but..."
My heart beat fast at that. "What are you saying, Harry? I'm fine with us being professional."
He approached me slowly, carefully, and I took a step, then another one. "I'm not," He reached out, and caressed my cheek. "I...I just want to know if it could be possible for us to be...well, more."
"There's only one way to find out."
"Yeah." He brushed his lips to mine, and I felt a bit tingly, but there were no sparks, not even when our tongues touched and moved over one another. He was a very good kisser, but I simply felt odd kissing my brother essentially.
I broke the kiss, and sighed heavily, "I'm sorry, Harry. You're a great kisser, but--"
"You don't love me."
"No. Not like that."
Harry nodded, burying his emotions. "It's alright. Our friendship won't change, but I can't deny that I love you, Hermione."
"Thank you, Harry."
He stepped away from me, and nodded to himself. "Well, are you ready to go down to the courtroom?"
"Lead the way, Agent Potter..."
🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
The elevator lift took us both down to the courthouse level, and already, the wizarding paparazzi was out in force. I answered their incessant questions, and so did Harry. He escorted me inside, and we separated to conduct court business. I went to my court office, and changed into my official robes, which were worn over my regular suit. Once that was done, I went over the case with the Wizengamot, and they agreed that the court bailiffs would be increased due to the danger of the accused being a flight risk.
I went to my pulpit and rang the gavel. The bailiff in charge announced my presence, and Lucius Malfoy was brought in. The court was full, and Draco looked impassively stoic as he sat in court wearing a tailored, expensive suit. Why, oh why, was such a handsome wizard like him such an asshole? Only the gods knew.
"Lucius Abraxes Malfoy," I adopted my Minister voice, "You are accused of conspiring to overthrow the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts, and otherwise giving aid and comfort to the traitor Thomas Riddle, otherwise known as Lord Voldemort. How do you plead?"
Lucius looked gray and rumpled, even dressed in a sharp suit once again. "Not Guilty, Madame Minister."
"So noted," I replied. "Barristers, you may present your case to the Wizengamot whenever you are ready."
The prosecutor spoke eloquently about Lucius Malfoy's many crimes, the least one was defamation of character against Albus Dumbledore regarding the whole Buckbeat incident in Hagrid's Care Of Magical Creatures class my third year. The Malfoy Barristers were also very eloquent, and sounded all very polished, and had the feeling of a well rehearsed script.
Witnesses were prsented, but just before I called Draco Malfoy up to the stand, there was a large commotion from beyond the main double doors, and deatheaters apparated in, and began killing everyone in sight. Then one of them pointed at me, and shouted, "Fools! We're here for the mudblood! Kill her!!"
I blasted four deatheaters, and had to rip off my outer robe so that I could move easier. Eventually, I found myself fighting back to back with Draco Malfoy because Harry was already in the thick of battle ordering his men to arrest whoever surrendered their wands.
Lucius was freed from the chair, and given a wand, and his mask. He moved in to attack me, and Draco glanced at me, "Run, Granger. I've got this."
"But why? He's your father."
Draco smirked, "Think of it as a protracted apology for all those times I was a bullying little asshole towards you in school. Go."
I nodded, and I had to stupefy a few deatheaters before I made it back to my courthouse office. I had no time to apparate away, but if I could go back in time and prevent this coup from ever happening, then all the better. I took out my timeturner, and flipped the rings back, but when they did, they kept spinning by themselves, and the last thing I could remember saying was "Oh no," before I was catapulted back in time before my career in Hogwarts ever began...in 1991 when I was only 12 years old....
