Chapter 14
The soft glow of candlelight danced across the walls of the Ministry's ancient archives. Stacks of scrolls and dusty tomes towered precariously on the long wooden table where Hermione and Harry sat, surrounded by the whispers of centuries-old knowledge. They had been poring over these texts for hours, seeking elusive answers hidden within languages few could decipher.
Hermione sighed deeply, pushing a stray curl behind her ear as she squinted at a parchment filled with archaic symbols. "Half of these aren't even in English," she muttered. "Some are in Latin, others in Old Latin—it's like trying to piece together a puzzle with missing pieces."
Harry rubbed his tired eyes, stifling a yawn. "I can barely tell the difference anymore," he admitted, closing the heavy tome in front of him. "We've been at this all night."
The clock on the wall chimed softly—well after midnight. The Ministry was silent, the usual bustle of witches and wizards long gone. Hermione glanced at Harry, noticing the weariness etched on his face.
"Maybe we should keep going," she suggested tentatively. "There might be something we're overlooking."
Harry shook his head gently. "Hermione, we're not making any progress like this. We need rest. Besides, you have a full day tomorrow—you are the Minister for Magic, after all."
She hesitated, her sense of duty warring with exhaustion. "I suppose you're right," she conceded reluctantly. "But it feels like we're so close."
He offered a reassuring smile. "We'll start fresh in the morning, with clearer heads. Who knows? Maybe the answers will reveal themselves then."
Hermione nodded, gathering her notes and carefully stacking the ancient texts. "Alright. Goodnight, Harry."
"Goodnight," he replied, watching as she stepped into the emerald flames of the Floo Network and vanished from sight.
Hermione arrived at her quiet home, the familiar surroundings offering little comfort. The silence was heavy, filled with memories she couldn't escape. She set her bag down but paused, her mind returning to an unfinished task.
There was one more thing she needed to do.
Determined, she made her way to Ron's home office—a place she rarely entered since his passing. The door creaked softly as she pushed it open. The room was just as he had left it: Quidditch memorabilia adorned the shelves, and his beloved Chudley Cannons poster hung slightly askew on the wall. The scent of his cologne lingered faintly in the air.
Hermione's eyes fell upon his desk. She opened the top drawer and sifted through the contents until her fingers brushed against something familiar—the Deluminator. It looked unchanged, its silver surface gleaming softly in the dim light.
She held it thoughtfully, memories flooding back of the times it had guided Ron back to them. On an impulse, she flicked it open. The lamp on the desk instantly extinguished, its light absorbed into the Deluminator, leaving the room in darkness. She flicked it again, and the light returned just as swiftly, casting a warm glow once more.
A bittersweet smile touched her lips. "Still full of surprises," she whispered. With a sigh, she placed the Deluminator into her bag. Perhaps someone could analyze it—maybe it held secrets that could help them now.
The next morning, Hermione sat in her office at the Ministry, a stack of documents awaiting her attention. The sun streamed through the large windows, but the brightness did little to lift the weight she felt. As she began reviewing the first parchment, a knock at the door drew her attention.
"Come in," she called.
Her secretary, Amelia, entered hesitantly. "Minister Granger, have you seen today's edition of the *Daily Prophet*?"
Hermione looked up, sensing unease. "No, I haven't. Is there something I should be aware of?"
Amelia bit her lip. "I think you should read it." She placed the newspaper on the desk, the headline glaring up in bold letters:
RON WEASLEY, REVIVED?
An Unbelievable Sight at the Ministry.
Hermione felt her stomach drop as she skimmed the article:
This reporter has been informed by reliable sources that an individual was apprehended at the Ministry for breaking and entering. While such incidents are not uncommon, witnesses claim that the individual bore an uncanny resemblance to the late Ron Weasley. The Ministry has remained tight-lipped, offering no official statement. Sources now confirm that the individual is no longer in custody. The question remains: What happened to this mysterious person, and what are Minister Hermione Granger and Head Auror Harry Potter hiding from the public ?
Hermione closed her eyes briefly, a headache beginning to throb at her temples. "Thank you, Amelia," she said quietly.
"Is there anything I can do?" Amelia asked gently.
Hermione shook her head. "No, that's all for now."
As Amelia left, Hermione tried to collect her thoughts. The situation was escalating faster than she and Harry could manage. Just as she reached for a quill to write him a note, Amelia reappeared.
"Minister, the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, Nigel Bramsworth, is here to see you."
Hermione's grip tightened on the quill. "Send him in," she replied evenly.
Nigel Bramsworth entered the office with a purposeful stride. A stout man in his sixties, his gray hair was slicked back, and a thin mustache framed his stern mouth. His eyes held a sharpness that made many uneasy. Rumors swirled about his time as an Auror during Voldemort's infiltration of the Ministry—that he hadn't opposed the dark regime's policies. Hermione had never trusted him, but his influence among the old pureblood families made him a figure to be reckoned with.
"Mr. Bramsworth," Hermione greeted him with a polite nod. "To what do I owe this... unexpected visit?"
He gave a curt nod. "Minister Granger," he began, his tone devoid of warmth. "I wish to extend my sympathies for your recent loss."
"Thank you," she replied, keeping her expression neutral.
He glanced around the office before fixing his gaze back on her. "I'm here regarding a rather troubling matter."
"Go on," Hermione prompted.
"It has come to my attention that an individual bearing the likeness of Ronald Weasley was apprehended by Aurors within the Ministry," Nigel stated, watching her closely. "However, this individual has since been relocated without any consultation with my department."
Hermione met his gaze steadily. "According to Head Auror Harry Potter, the person in question was found to be under a powerful glamour charm and is cooperating with us on a sensitive investigation. For security reasons, it was necessary to move him to a safe location."
Nigel raised an eyebrow skeptically. "A glamour charm, you say? Convenient. And yet, bypassing proper channels undermines our protocols. Collusion, even at the highest levels, cannot be tolerated."
Hermione felt a flash of irritation. "Mr. Bramsworth, unless you have evidence of any wrongdoing, I suggest you refrain from making unfounded accusations."
He took a step closer. "The Ministry is not your personal domain, Minister. Transparency is essential for the trust of our community."
She stood, meeting him eye to eye despite the difference in their statures. "I am well aware of my responsibilities. The safety of the wizarding world is my utmost priority. Now, if there's nothing else, I have a great deal of work to attend to."
Nigel's expression hardened. "Very well. But know this—I will be conducting a thorough investigation. The truth will come out, one way or another."
"Do what you must," Hermione replied coolly. "But be careful not to overstep your bounds."
He gave a stiff nod before turning on his heel and exiting the office.
As the door closed behind him, Hermione let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The situation was becoming increasingly precarious. She needed to speak with Harry immediately.
Later that evening, Hermione met Harry in a secluded corner of the Leaky Cauldron. The hum of conversation around them provided a comfortable cover.
"I saw the article," Harry said grimly, sipping his butterbeer. "Nigel confronted me earlier today."
"He's pushing for an investigation," Hermione replied. "He won't stop until he uncovers something he can use against us."
Harry nodded. "We need to be careful. Any misstep could jeopardize everything."