Chapter 2
The next morning, Hermione finished her make up and slipped into her heels, checking her reflection in the mirror. She was wearing another version of what had become her summer work uniform, pencil skirt, heels and a sleeveless blouse. Her hair, which she wore a little darker now and had learned to tame with a strict routine, tumbled in soft curls to the middle of her back.
Just as she was reaching over to drink the last of her coffee, there was a tap on her bedroom window. She crossed the room, opening the window and taking the letter from Hecate, the Potter’s owl.
Hey Hermione,
Just wanted to check you’ll still be over tonight? Fancy Chinese? We haven’t had that for ages.
G xx
She wrote back quickly while the owl waited, confirming that of course she’d still be coming, and Chinese sounded perfect. The three of them had a long-standing Wednesday night dinner plan.
She wandered to the living room, fastening the charm bracelet she always wore. She grabbed her bag off the dining table between the living room and kitchen, looking around to make sure she had everything. She loved her flat, it wasn’t huge, but it was perfectly adequate for her, with a guest room for the odd occasions she needed it. It was bright and open with high ceilings. She’d kept the colours light; white, creams and beiges with heavy wooden furniture that gave it a very tranquil feel.
Instead of flooing directly to the Ministry, she apparated to a secluded spot near her and Theo’s favourite coffee shop and ordered their usual. She hoped that by arriving with coffee, it would put him in a good enough mood for her to pick his brain a little. Well, possibly a lot, if truth be told.
She knew it had worked the moment she saw his eyes light up as she entered their shared office. “You’re always a sight for sore eyes, Princess, but especially when you come bearing gifts of caffeine.” He crossed the office to meet her, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. “So, how was Draco?”
She settled at her desk before turning to face him. “Yeah…he was okay…” She drifted off, unsure how to broach the subject she really wanted to discuss.
He pinned her with a look. “Okay, out with it. And here was I thinking the coffee was just because you love me.”
She chuckled softly. Theo could always see right through her. “You know I love you. The coffee was just an extra sweetener because I know you’re not a morning person. Anyway, Draco was fine, that’s not the issue, but while I was there… I saw Lucius.”
Theo shifted slightly in his chair, settling in for what he was sure would be a long conversation. “Ah. I see.”
“You knew he worked there, didn’t you.” It was a statement, not a question. She could read Theo as easily as he read her.
“I did, yes. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but Draco asked me to keep it to myself, and I didn’t want to betray his confidence.”
“It’s okay, I get that. I’m just... surprised, I suppose. And, well, maybe a little curious.”
“About what, Princess?” Theo asked, furrowing his brow. “I mean, you know the story, you’re probably one of the people who knows it best, all things considered.”
Yes, Hermione did know the story. Both she and Harry had testified at Draco’s and Narcissa’s trials, as well as being present for Lucius’s, as they were all so closely tied.
She and Harry had both seen evidence that Draco didn’t truly believe in, or stand by, the side he was supposed to be on. Draco had been sentenced to a year’s probation. The testimonies of Harry and herself, along with other evidence - mostly in the form of sworn affidavits from Kingsley, after viewing memories - proved Draco’s actions in the war were performed under extreme duress and fear for the lives of himself and his family.
The entire wizarding world knew that Narcissa had defied Voldemort in the final battle. As Narcissa's only crime was that of association, it was found that her defiance was enough to wipe her slate clean and allow her to walk free.
What came as a shock was Lucius’ trial, which was first as his evidence was so significant to the trials of his wife and son. He admitted to freely, albeit naively, joining the Death Eaters during the first war, finally relinquishing the story that he’d been acting under the Imperius Curse. It wasn’t even a surprise to hear the tale that came after that, of how he’d been horrified and afraid when Voldemort returned to power, having realised after the first war that he was a deranged madman with very dangerous delusions of grandeur. Lucius claimed that he’d had no choice but to follow Voldemort as the only other option was certain death. Over time, his views on Muggleborns began to change, because how could they be that inferior when they were holding their own against Voldemort? Over time, Lucius’ beliefs had changed entirely. However, before he found a way for his family to defect safely, he was stripped of his wand and held prisoner in his own home.
His story didn’t come as a surprise. Desperate men will say anything to remain free. The earth-shattering shock came when Kingsley stood before the Wizardgamot, testifying that he had seen countless memories proving this to be the truth. As Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt was deemed the only person with the power and the right to be able to view a person’s memories and testify to their veracity.
Kingsley’s testimony had stunned everyone in the courtroom, aside from Draco and Narcissa. Hermione hadn’t believed a word that came out of Lucius’s mouth, but upon hearing Kingsley’s findings, she had no choice but to accept it as the truth. No matter how implausible Lucius’s words, nothing would sway her faith in Kingsley, and if he claimed to have seen proof of Lucius’ change of heart, that was good enough for her.
“Yes, of course, I know the story. I accept that it’s the truth, but before now, that’s all I’d had to do. Accept it and move on. Lucius was in prison for five years and in the year since he was released, no one’s seen hide nor hair of him.” Theo gave her a guilty look which she immediately understood to mean he had in fact seen him. She gestured for him to speak.
“I may have seen him a few times. Not a great deal, as he seems intent on making Draco seem like a social butterfly in comparison, but I have seen and spoken with him on occasion.”
Hermione nodded thoughtfully. “The thing is, I haven’t, and it’s not like Draco would ever bring him up. It’s only now I remember how little you told me after his release. You told me Draco had found him somewhere to live and they were on pretty good terms now. That’s about it. You didn’t offer any more and I didn’t give it much thought at the time, it wasn’t relevant to my life.”
“So why is it now?” Trust Theo to ask the probing questions.
“I don’t know, somehow seeing him, knowing he’s closer than I realised, makes him suddenly seem real again. As I said, I accepted the truth from his trial, but nothing ever gave me the cause to really sit with it and try to process it until now,” Hermione told him, sitting back to look at him and chewing her lip while she waited for his response.
“You want my take on it, don’t you.” It was a statement and so Hermione didn’t answer, just waited while they both sat sipping their coffee for a few moments.
Theo let out a long breath. He wasn’t often serious, but on occasion, he knew it was called for. “Well, as you already know, Draco forgave him. It took a while, but he got there. Before he was released, Draco found him a house, spent the first few nights there with him. Over the next six months or so they slowly rebuilt their relationship, much stronger that it had been before, now that they were free of those godawful pureblood ideals.” Theo’s lip curled in an unusual display of distain, reserved for when he was thinking of his own terrible and unforgivably cruel father, who thankfully died in the final battle. Theo, she knew, hadn’t grieved over him for a second.
She gave him a tight-lipped smile of understanding which seemed to settle him before he carried on.
“After a while, he started to help Draco with bits of the business. From home at first, but eventually Draco convinced him to work from the office occasionally. Though he’ll still only be there when he can basically stay hidden. He’s worried about how isolated he keeps himself.” Theo shrugged before continuing. “Draco has nothing on him in that respect. I know he keeps to himself for the most part, but he sees a lot of people through work and does have a small group of friends he sees socially, even if it is usually behind closed doors. Lucius, on the other hand, has barely spoken to anyone aside from Draco and Narcissa since his release.
“He still speaks to Narcissa?” Hermione tilted her head in surprise. It was public knowledge that they had divorced soon after the trials. Narcissa had moved to the south of France, though she knew Draco still saw her often.
Theo smiled at her surprise, realising for the first time, how their divorce would appear to someone who didn’t know better. “Their divorce wasn’t hostile. They love each other dearly, but it’s a love of friendship. You know, I assume, that they had a traditional pureblood arranged marriage?” Theo rolled his eyes with a long-suffering expression, reminiscent of his usual, light-hearted manner.
Hermione smiled and nodded before he continued. “Well, as Narcissa told Draco at the time they filed for divorce, they were never in love, though they were lucky to respect and care for each other far more than most pureblood couples. It was obviously unheard of for purebloods to divorce, not to mention the two wars kept them a little busy, so it was never even considered. After the war was over, and the world changed so dramatically, they realised it was time. But they’re still close, or I imagine as close as anyone can ever get to Lucius, and they still have a strong friendship.”
“Wow, I never realised. I suppose I just assumed she hated him, for leading them into the war and everything they went through.” Hermione almost felt a little bad for just assuming the worst. This whole thing was certainly giving her a lot to think about.
“No, Princess, Narcissa could never hate Lucius any more than you could hate Harry or Ron.” They sat in silence for a few moments, contemplating.
“Thanks for talking it through with me Theo,” she said with a warm smile. The wheels in her head were still turning, rearranging her views on the Malfoys – Lucius especially – but she knew all she could do for now was let it process and settle.
“You know I’ll talk to you about anything, anytime. And while I’ve got a feeling it won’t be the last time we talk about this, can I please brag briefly about how wonderful my husband is now?”
Hermione laughed. “Do I take that to mean that he hasn’t had you doing any more laundry?”
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Hours later, after a not particularly productive day spent mostly in her own thoughts, Hermione headed over to the Potter’s. Stepping through the floo into the kitchen, she called out to Ginny.
“Coming!” Ginny called back to her. Hermione deposited her bag on the kitchen table and started to make tea. She was here so often that she just made herself at home. She loved it here, it was so bright and warm now, barely recognisable as what had once been headquarters to the Order.
“Hey Hermione. Ohh, tea, yes please!” Ginny smiled. “Sorry, I’d literally just got home and was getting changed or I’d have started it.”
“Don’t be silly, I’ll finish this and then run up to change myself.” Hermione always brought something comfier over to change into after work.
Five minutes later, they were sitting at the gorgeous oak table in the middle of the kitchen. They usually ate here as opposed to the more formal dining room, which as far as Hermione knew was barely ever used.
“So, how’s work?” Hermione asked.
“It’s good. They actually offered me a promotion, but I turned it down.” At Hermione’s frown she continued. “They wanted me to take over as sports editor, which is great, but it would mean being stuck in the office all the time and not actually going to the games. It’s just not me, and let’s be honest, it’s not like we need the extra money,” she finished with a shrug.
It was true, not only had Harry been left the Potter fortune, but he’d also been awarded a not so insignificant amount of money as part of the Order of Merlin First Class that he, Hermione, and Ron had all received. Most of Hermione’s was still tucked away, she earned well in her job and didn’t live extravagantly, but it was nice to know it was there when she wanted or needed it.
“Plus,” Ginny went on quietly, “to be honest, I’m starting to get broody, so it’s not really the best time to be starting a new job.”
“Oh my god! Gin!” Hermione exclaimed, reaching across to clutch her hand in excitement. “Have you talked to Harry about it? What does he think?”
“I think he’s quite excited by the idea, though a little nervous. You know, taking on the most powerful madman of all time is no big deal, but a baby is apparently terrifying.” Ginny laughed, rolling her eyes.
“Yeah, that does sound like Harry.” Hermione agreed. Before Ginny could respond the floo roared into life.
“Don’t say anything,” Ginny had time to whisper before Harry was in earshot.
“Hey, sorry I’m late,” Harry said as he took his outer robes off and hung them over a chair. “I got a weird note just as I was about to leave.” He pulled it from his pocket and handed it over.
Harry Potter,
You should know that a Death Eater has returned to England.
“What? How did this arrive?” Hermione spoke first.
“And why doesn’t it say who it’s from?” Ginny chipped in.
Harry shrugged. “It came up from the post room and no one’s really sure, you know how many letters go through there. We have no ideas yet as to who it came from or why it doesn’t say.” He sat down at the table, running a hand through his hair making it stand up ridiculously. “It had no charms, curses or magical signature on it at all. It could literally be from anyone, or even just a hoax.” Ginny shrugged, this seemed enough for her, but Hermione wanted answers, though she knew there was no chance of getting them tonight.
“Just make sure you’re both a bit extra cautious, yeah? Just in case.” Harry looked from Ginny to Hermione as he made to stand. They both agreed, making Harry promise the same before he went to get changed and collect their food.