Meeting with the Minister
CHAPTER 5
August 10th 1998
Hermione felt as though her two worlds were about to collide, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Now completely inside her own head, Hermione was oblivious to the actions of those around her. She had dropped the letter she had been reading on the floor and it was a further five minutes before she came to.
“Hermione. Hermione! HERMIONE!” She heard Harry scream, finally breaking out of her own mind.
“Uh, huh, what? I’m here. Why are you yelling?”
“Mione, you were out of it for like five minutes or so.” Harry explained.
“We thought you were having a fit or something.” Ron not so eloquently elaborated.
“No, no, I’m fine. Must’ve been a panic attack that caught me off guard.” Hermione fibbed. “What time is it? We have to be at the ministry at noon?”
“8:30, Dad just left.” Ron said.
“Okay, not bad. We have three hours until we should be at the ministry. I’m going to shower.” Then Hermione bolted before anyone else could ask her any additional questions about her reaction to Kingsleys letter.
11:30
The trio apparated from The Burrow front garden to the Ministry of Magic atrium. Hermione was happy to see the statue of Muggles in their rightful place had been returned to the Fountain of Magical Brethren. They learned that one of the perks of being a war hero was, they didn’t have to surrender their wands at visitor check in. In fact, they were told they were free to go about any business they had at the ministry without checking in.
They made their way into the lifts, and up to Level 1 where Kingsleys office was. When they got to their destination, they went over to speak with his assistant who was expecting them.
“Good Morning you three. The Minister is finishing up his 11:00 meeting, then has cleared his afternoon for his discussion with you all.” She greeted them. “Tea on the buffet cupboard is fresh, help yourselves.” She said before going back to work.
It was not even 10 minutes before they heard Kingsleys booming voice as he walked an older Wizard out of his office, saying his goodbyes. He then greeted the trio like old friends, greeting Hermione first as he wasn’t shy that she was his favorite.
“Hermione, you look lovely today, Ron, Harry, thank you for escorting this lovely lady. Thank You all for coming in today. Lets use my conference room. The office is far too caustic and professional a discussion among friends.”
“Kings, you flatter me. Wasn’t I just yelling at you a week ago?” Hermione laughed.
“There’s no one I’d rather yell at me than you my dear.” The pair laughed. Kingsley and Hermione had a close relationship, full of banter ever since they were paired together during the when the Order rescued Harry from Privet Drive before his 17th. Sometimes the boys thought she was closer to Kingsley than she was to them.
“Well then I’ll make sure to do it more often darling.” Hermione teased. “Kingsley, you dragged me out of my pajamas and into the ministry. What is the meaning of this?” Hermione pouted adding a flair for the dramatic. Which the group laughed about. Ron and Harry rarely got to see this side of Hermione, somehow only Kingsley brought it out of her.
“All jokes aside, we have a lot to talk about. The first thing I wrote to you about, and truthfully the least important, is the arrest of Delores Umbridge. I know you all have a lot of information about what she did during your fifth year but what she did this past year with the Muggle Born Registration Committee will likely see her with a minimum of life in prison.”
Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat slack jawed as they realized they must be fully unaware of the full extent of the atrocities she committed as head of the committee. Knowing their experience with the power hungry woman, they were sure she tried to get away with as much as possible, and knowing the lack of oversight she has she got away with literal murder.
“Next, we need to set a date for the Order of Merlin Ceremony - and yes, it must be before you return to Hogwarts.” All three started to groan. “As this is the reaction I expected, I went ahead and set the ceremony and reception date for this Sunday, the 16th at 17:00. Don’t worry about the short time available. You will have all ministry financial resources at your disposal to ensure you’re properly prepared. Also this is a formal event - yes dress robes are required.”
They boys started to groan. Hermione rolled her eyes, and laughed, thankful she had attended society events in the past with her parents and had a closet full of appropriate dresses, and a seamstress who loved her.
“Here’s an update I didn’t write to you about. The Malfoy Family.” Ron rolled his eyes, but Harry and Hermione, who had spoken on behalf of Draco and Narcissa listened closely. “Lucius, was found guilty of his crimes, but also found to be under duress in his younger years, and in fear of his family's lives in his older years. He will serve a 10 year sentence, and pay a 5 million galleon fine.” They all grimaced, but knew the self serving Malfoy patriarch was more interested in serving himself than Voldemort.
“Narcissa was only guilty by association. When we checked her wand, there wasn’t a single dark spell on it. She, her husband, and her son were all willing to submit memories showing her lack of involvement in any of Voldemort's plans. The memories you shared from what happened at Malfoy Manor Hermione, and Harry what you shared about what she did in the forest, along with Snape's memories, and her testimony under veritaserum cleared her of all charges.” Harry and Hermione nodded their heads. Narcissa did lie to save Harry, she played a direct role in the outcome of the war.
“Now Draco. There’s no lying and saying that kid wasn’t a bigoted asshole when you all were in your younger years. But it quickly became clear from memories, and veritaserum testimony that every action he took in support of Voldemort was under duress. He even corroborated what Harry said about lowering his wand to not kill Dumbledore under veritaserum. While under duress, he still did perform a lot of vile actions and the committee determined he should be held responsible for his crimes. He was tried June 1st, then sentenced the same day to 60 days in Azkaban. He was released on July 31st.” Hermione looked at Harry and Ron, curious of their reaction.
“Happy Birthday to me.” Harry muttered under his breath.
“Damn ferret.” Ron said.
“He will be on probation, and have his magic monitored for the next year. He cannot perform any dark spells or any spells that would attack someone outside of what’s required for classes at Hogwarts. Yes, he will be allowed to finish his education. I’m sure his reaction was wonderful when he learned he’s required to take the new Non-Magical Studies Course.” The entire group shared a laugh.
“So Kings, you shared about Umbridge, went off on a tangent about the Malfoy family trial and now you’re making jokes about Malfoy Jr. in Muggle Studies… Why are you ignoring the latter half of the letter you wrote?” Hermione questioned with a raised eyebrow.
“You don’t let anyone get away with anything, do you Hermione?”
“Nope.” She retorted with a pop.
“How much do you know about the muggle government?” Kingsley asked the group.
“They have a Prime Minister and a Queen.” Ron said.
“What I learned in muggle Primary School.” Harry added.
“Probably more than you.” Hermione said, being snotty to Kingsley. The three males in the room looked at her. Harry and Ron laughed, but Kingsley just looked at her and he seemed to know she wasn’t joking.
“So, here’s a small government lesson. The Queen is head of state. Below her is the Prime Minister, The House of Commons and The House of Lords. The Prime Minister is elected, so are the people in the House of Commons. The House of Lords are family seats like the Wizenagemot. When the Prime Minister is Elected, they pick a Cabinet of advisors made of high ranking people from the two houses I discussed previously. How did I do, Ms. I know more than you?” Kingsley finished and asked Hermione.
She smirked and responded. “That will do for the context of this conversation I believe.”
He chucked and continued. “The Prime Minister and Minister of Magic have always had informal audiences with one another. Generally these would happen when the Minister of Magic had information they thought pertinent to share with the PM. Apparently, the Minister of Magic was always supposed to be part of the PM’s cabinet, with the other members of Cabinet read into the Statute of Secrecy. They also have this organization called MI5 that quickly figured out who the three of you were and how you were helping the war..”
Well fuck thought Hermione. There’s option one, Grandpa knows everything. Hermione put her head in her hands and started shaking her head, but Kingsley wasn’t done.
“They nicknamed you three the Special Dark Ops Team. They kept an eye on you from afar with the help of MI5, and they occasionally dropped supplies in towns you were near to help you find things so you didn’t have to steal from anyone. During the most recent Cabinet meeting when I briefed on the Order of Merlin ceremony, I was informed that the PM had been keeping the Queen apprised of your actions and advances during his weekly audiences with her.
Double fuck. I did not have options one AND two on my bingo card, Hermione thought.
“So if any of you have watched the muggle news, or read the muggle papers and heard about the Special Dark Ops Team, it means you three.”
“What.” She said flatly.
“Also, the Queen and Prime Minister want to meet you and have a formal dinner in your honor.”
“What, no.” She said again. “Kingsley, I have a life in the muggle world. I cannot have, member of a Special Dark Ops Team as a publicly known thing.” Hermione said, terrified.
Harry and Ron looked confused and Kingsley looked concerned. He knew Ron was a pureblood, and Harry fully left behind life with his muggle relatives, but he truly knew nothing of Hermione’s life before Hogwarts, and now it felt like there was something that everyone was missing.
“Harry, Ron, why don’t you head down to the Auror office to give your statements about Umbridge. If I remember correctly Hermione didn’t interact much with Umbridge outside of class and trapping her in the forest.” Everyone nodded. “So there’s no need for her to go with you. I’ll see her back to the burrow safely.”
Kingsley saw the boys out and resealed the door before continuing. “Hermione, what is going on?”
“How much do you know about my life outside of the Wizarding World?”
“Not much, only what you have told me.”
“Exactly, and I’ve probably shared more with you than most Kings.” Hermione took a deep breath. “No one truly cares where those of non-magical birth come from before they end up in the Magical World Kingsley. That’s why no one knows anything about me other than the fact I’m Harry Potter’s smart friend, the brightest witch of the age, or the Golden Girl. I keep it quiet because why share if people don’t care…”
“Fuck, this sucks. I made it seven years keeping this part of my life separate from the Wizarding World, Kings and in a two hour meeting my life was just torn apart.” She took a breath before continuing. “When I told you I was more familiar with the muggle government than you are, I meant it. I am intimately familiar with it. Let me ask you a question.”
“Okay.” Kingsley said.
“How many Cabinet meetings have you been to?”
“All of them since the beginning of June. Why?”
“Have you met all of the members?” She continued.
“Yes.” He answered, confused by this line of questioning.
“Tell me, who are the 15 members of Cabinet in addition to yourself?” She asks and Kingsley begins to list off all the members.
“Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who is also Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain Daniel Granger VI, The 11th Duke of Rutland, Lea…” Kingsley was going to continue but he was interrupted by Hermione.
“Who was that last one again?” She asked, looking him straight in the eyes and raising her eyebrows.
Kingsley maintained eye contact as he responded, “Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, Daniel Granger VI, The 11th Duke of Rutland. He’s a great chap…” Kingsley trailed off as though something had just clicked.
He jumped up and said “Merlin's Beard, same last name. Are you family?”
Hermione laughed, knowing Kingsley was about to shit himself when he learned this part. “Kings, I hate to break it to you. He’s my Grandfather.”
“Oh, Shit.”
“And my father is his only son.” Hermione said, trying not to laugh, as she understood the implications.
“Fuck” Kingsley was now turning red in the face.
“Yeah… Also, I have no brothers.”
“So you are the blood heir, and when your father dies your husband inherits his title?” Kingsley finished.
“Yes, that is how our peerage works, until I have a son that comes of age.” She finished.
“We let a teenager of Noble birth, last in line, run around the countryside, chasing horcruxes, and dark wizards without protection and the entire upper echelon of the muggle government knew about it, but we couldn't figure it out!” Kingsley shouted.
Hermione couldn’t contain herself and started laughing. Kingsley started glaring at her. “No wonder everyone acts like they hate me in the Cabinet meetings. I take it you know them all better than I do?”
“Probably.” Hermione laughed.
“I’m screwed, completely screwed…” Kingsley ranted. “Who all knows about this, and is there more?”
“In the Magical World? Only you… Kings, can you handle more today?”
“That means there is more… Just tell me.”
“Grandpa and the Queen have known eachother since they were kids, my mum is best friends with her daughter Anne and I’m good friends with both of Anne's kids.”
“Alright, you’re best buds with the entire Royal Family. Your family is in Government, specifically the House of Lords. We’ve completely mishandled you, and you’re the most high ranking individual of Noble birth in the magical world… Did I summarize that correctly?”
“Sounds about right.” Hermione responded.
“This is a public relations disaster.”
“No it's not.” Hermione said, crossing her arms. “No one is going to find out. I don’t want my personal life outed. No one in the magical world has cared to ask, so why do they deserve to know?” Hermione stood her ground as she explained her reasoning.
“You understand this could totally change how purebloods see muggle born witches and wizards?”
“It may, but I’m not going to be a magazine piece when I have my own life. There’s no reason for people to know my family history just because.” Hermione stated as she stood her ground. “We may have won the war Kingsley, but this world hasn’t been a safe space for me these last 7 years. I’ve kept my magical, and non-magical lives private and intend to keep it that way. This is also why I want anything that happens in the muggle world to be anonymous. I’m sure Her Royal Highness and the Prime Minister would agree with me when they hear my reasoning, as having “member of MI5 Special Dark Ops Team” on my resume does not bode well for my future as the daughter of nobility.” Hermione said bluntly.
Kingsley was in awe of the woman in front of him. He was beginning to see the difference between magical and non magical Hermione. Non-magical Hermione was the far more confident of the two, she knew her place at the top and she carried herself as such. Whereas in the magical world, she would more readily yield to those who knew more than she did.
“Okay, you win. I’ll make sure it’s all anonymous.” Kingsley yielded.
“Thank you. Also, I’m sure Grandpa has figured out that you know me and he’s probably just lying in wait for you to make the connection. He’s sly like that. I’m sure he will laugh hysterically when you tell him and will help make sure everyone is on board with keeping everything anonymous.” Hermione concluded.
"Mione, did you just politely tell me that your Grandpa and the damn Cabinet of the United Kingdom are likely fucking with me?” Kingsley accused.
"Mister Minister, I am a lady. Such language is unbecoming and inappropriate. I'll just say I do get my sense of humor from my fathers side of the family." Hermione laughed and Kingsley groaned.
"Time to get you back to the burrow, before l find out anything else." Kingsley said.
"Actually, I think it's time for me to go home, home. Want to swing by for brunch Saturday at eleven? It's our family brunch day, I'm sure Grandpa would love to see you. Maybe, just maybe it will give you a one up on him this time.” Hermione laughed.
"You know what, I'm in." Kingsley said. Kingsley apparated Hermione back to the Burrow where she said her see you laters, and apparated home.