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"It's good to see you too, Narcissa," Molly said, looking a little unsure. |
"Hello, Molly," Draco said to cut the unease, "I'd get up but Rose is asleep right now." |
Molly looked over at Draco with Rose in his lap and smiled. She came over and kissed the top of Rose's head before giving Draco an awkward hug to keep from waking the sleeping child. "It's good to see you, Draco." |
"You wanted to talk, Molly?" Hermione asked, "Would you like some tea?" |
Molly sat down on the armchair across from Draco. "Yes, please," she answered. |
Hermione poured tea for the woman and added cream and sugar like it was an old habit before handing the cup and saucer to her mother-in-law. "So what brings you over?" |
"Well, I don't want to ruin your Saturday but I came over to talk about Ron." |
"Okay," Hermione said, clearly dreading the subject. |
Hermione had kept the most recent revelations about Weasley from his mother. As far as Molly knew, her ikle-Ronnie-kins was only philandering scum, not the complete piece of shit that Draco knew him to be. Molly didn't know about the years of obliviation or about the broom incident with Minerva or about the kidnapping incident with Rose. Draco didn't agree with Hermione's decision to keep those details from Molly but it was her decision. |
"Ron has asked for me to set up a meeting so that you both can discuss visitation for the girls." |
Draco looked at his mother who had her mouth pursed like she'd smelled something particularly nasty. It took everything Draco had not to settle his face into his patented Malfoy sneer. He didn't want Weasley anywhere near his girls. |
"How does next Sunday work for you?" Molly continued. |
"That's fine, I suppose. Make sure Ron knows that there are going to be some stipulations to getting me to agree on any visitation terms. Our previous encounters have not been the most positive." |
Molly agreed to tell her son. She got up and made her goodbyes. A pinch of Floo powder and she was gone. |
"I can't believe you're going to let them anywhere near him," Draco said after the green flames died and the fireplace went back to its normal orange glow. |
"He's their father. He deserves to see his children." |
"He's an abusive bastard and he doesn't deserve to be anywhere near them," Draco retorted angrily. He hugged Rose closer to him as if holding her there in his lap could keep any harm from coming to the girl. |
"He's their father, Draco. I don't much like it either, but what kind of woman does that make me if I won't let the father of my children anywhere near them. I have to believe that he can change, that he can still be the good man that I know is in there." |
"You have to stop trying to find the good in everyone. There are people out there who can't be redeemed and I'm afraid that he's one of them." |
Hermione held up the cuff on her wrist. The firelight dazzled off the stones making the alexandrite glow red. "People once said that about you. Should I have not tried to see the good in you and walked away from you that day on the platform?" |
Damn. She knew just what to say to take the fight right out of him. He didn't think she was right about Weasley but that was something only time would tell. He also knew that it was probably a bit of selfishness that wanted to keep Weasley away from the girls. That combined with a healthy dose of over-protectiveness. |
"Fine, Hermione," Draco relented, as if he had a say in the matter, "Just don't force them to stay if they're miserable. They can call Tansy if they want to come home." |
"I never had any intention of forcing them to stay with him. Ron will have to prove himself and earn everyone's trust again." |
"So, I brought over some samples I thought we could look over for the decorations," his mother said to Hermione, trying to distract them both from a full-scale argument. |
Hermione gave her attention to the planning and just like that the day was back to being just another Saturday, except that it wasn't. They had the looming meeting with Weasley to face and he knew that despite her wanting to give Weasley a chance, she wasn't looking forward to it any more than he was. |
The last week of her employment as Head of the Department for Magical Education arrived with a terse letter from the Minister. Draco fumed at the callous way Shacklebolt accepted her notice. He couldn't understand the stupidity of the man in just throwing away such a talented witch. |
Her employees were informed of her decision to leave. The resulting drama made for a trying day as Hermione sought to comfort the distraught staff. Draco had to settle for quick snatches of her time while at the Ministry since she refused to leave her desk for lunch. Hermione was determined to leave the DME running smoothly until her replacement could be found. No doubt it would be some sycophantic idiot of the Minister's that would either run the department into the ground or profit off of Hermione's hard work by maintaining the status quo. Either way, nothing new would come out of the DME unless one of her employees forced it out. |
Rose wasn't having a great week either. After Molly's departure, Hermione told Rose about going to see her father next Sunday and spending time with him after that. Rose was not on board with that plan and threw a spectacular temper tantrum. She was sent to her room to calm down and told to return when she could communicate with her words and not her feet. |
Hermione reassured her daughter repeatedly that everything would be fine. That her father wouldn't try to take her away again. That Tansy would come to get her if she wanted to leave. Rose said she believed all of their reassurances but still sought out them both for extra cuddles. |
Draco spoiled Rose shamelessly. Thankfully Hermione let them both have their way understanding Rose's fears and Draco's reservations. So Rose got to have extra broom rides with Draco, extra stories before bedtime, and a blind eye turned when Draco slipped her a cookie before dinner. |
Draco kept his reservations about Weasley's fathering abilities to himself. He remained supportive to Hermione, knowing that she didn't need the added stress of a fight with him about her daughters" father. He also knew that any expressed or felt reservations in front of Rose would make it more difficult for the girl to accept her father's presence. |
An article ran in The Prophet on Friday, the last day of Hermione's employment. Somehow word had leaked to the public about Hermione leaving. Draco read the article during breakfast and glanced at the accompanying photo. It was from the opening of the primary school in September. Hermione was talking with the principal from the school. There were teachers, parents, and children clustered about. He saw himself standing behind Hermione talking with Rose's teacher. |
Granger Leaves Ministry |
War heroine and the brains of the Golden Trio, Hermione Granger, has turned in her notice and plans on leaving her career as Head of the Department for Magical Education. Granger has not commented on her reasoning for leaving her post. |
The Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt was asked for a comment about his reaction to Granger's leaving and said, "We are sad to see such a talented young witch go. Mrs. Granger has dutifully served the wizarding world well through her efforts working with the Order of the Phoenix during the Second Wizarding War and the changes she made to the Department for Magical Education. We wish her luck in her future endeavors." |
Sources tell us that the split between the two Order members was not so amicable, citing the Minister's objections to Granger's new relationship with Draco Malfoy as the cause of the rift between the two. "She was given the choice between her career with the Ministry or her relationship with Malfoy," a source close to the couple stated, "Hermione wasn't going to let anyone dictate how she lived her personal life so she chose to leave." |
Parents and educators are dismayed by Granger's plans to leave the DME. Headmistress McGonagall fumed at Granger's resignation and the supposed reasoning behind it stating, "Mrs. Granger has been the best thing that has happened to Hogwarts and the Department for Magical Education. She has brought about great changes in how we educate magical children. Using her experiences as a Muggle-born witch entering Wizarding society, she has helped other Muggle-borns and their families adjust to the sometimes daunting changes and culture shock that many Muggle-borns' experience. She, along with Draco Malfoy, have made great strides in fostering inter-house unity both inside and outside of Hogwarts. If their new relationship is the cause for this resignation, then the Minister does the Wizarding world and the DME a great disservice." |
Draco Malfoy has not commented on his views on his girlfriend's resignation from a Wizengamot council member's viewpoint or as a loved one. Malfoy, an admitted former Death Eater, has worked diligently over the years to eradicate pureblood supremacist ideology from the Wizarding world. Years ago when asked why he took his Wizengamot seat amongst the overwhelming opposition, Malfoy stated, "We have to be the change we want to see in the world. We have to be the generation that shows the Wizarding world that blood status means nothing anymore. We have to ensure that our children and our grandchildren don't have to choose between killing someone because of their blood status or seeing their own family killed." |
Other Wizengamot members have commented about Granger's resignation with varied opinions. Percy Weasley, a Wizengamot council member for the Weasley family, stated, "Hermione has been an asset to the Ministry in the past, however her adulterous relationship with Draco Malfoy reflects badly on the Ministry. She was given the opportunity to rectify the situation and become a model Ministry employee, which she declined." When asked about his brother's own long-standing adulterous affair with Lavender Brown, which resulted in four children, Weasley chose to answer "No comment." Theodore Nott and wife, Daphne Nott, council members for the Nott and Greengrass families, stated, "We support Hermione and Draco. They are a lovely couple. Both have worked hard for our society and it pains us that Hermione is being treated so poorly by the Ministry." |
Considering the outpouring of sadness and outrage at Granger's departure possibly for disagreements over her relationship, change may be necessary within the Ministry. The future of our society and the education of our children cannot afford for talented Ministry officials to feel they are forced to resign because of disagreements with the Minister. |
Draco handed the paper to Hermione, who started reading it. "I wish I knew who was writing these articles and taking the pictures. I'm tempted to send them a gift, you know like a house or something." |
Hermione set the paper down and started to laugh. "Really, Draco. A house? A bit over the top, don't you think?" |
"I'm a Malfoy. Over the top is what we do," he said and took a sip of his coffee. He was serious about the over the top gift. |
Hermione just snorted at that and continued to read the article. Her last day at the DME. Draco cleared his schedule today to help her pack up her office and be a supportive presence as she said her goodbyes to the others in her department. Tansy would be accompanying them to help Draco take the boxes home and put them away in the study. He also had a surprise waiting for her when they got back. |
They arrived at the Ministry early. It was still relatively quiet. Rose was being taken to school and picked up by his mother today. They made it to the DME without incident. Mrs. Edvard was already in the office waiting for them. |
Draco took out a box and returned it to its normal size. He handed the box, now the size of a shoebox and wrapped in green paper with a silver bow, to Hermione. Hermione hugged the elderly witch that had looked out for her for so many years. Draco pretended not to notice when he saw the fearsome secretary dab her eyes. |
In the box was a statue of the Eiffel Tower that would act as a portkey taking the Edvards to Paris for a vacation. The couple would be staying in Draco's mansion in the 16th arrondissement. Tickets for operas, museum tours, and reservations to restaurants accompanied the portkey. Draco had done everything he could to make sure the couple had a memorable vacation. |
Hermione spent the day helping Tansy and Draco clear out her office. She spent time with each of her employees giving guidance and encouragement. With the exception of Mrs. Edvard, they would all be staying on to run the department in Hermione's absence. |
Four "o clock came with the arrival of Harry, Ginny, Neville, Luna, and the Snakes. The last of the boxes were transported to Spinner's End with Tansy. |
"Why are you all here?" Hermione asked the group. |
Harry acted as spokesman for the group. "We weren't going to let you walk out of the Ministry alone. Neville is here representing Hogwarts. The Snakes are all a part of the Wizengamot and I'm the Boy Who Lived. I hardly need a reason to support my best friend. Plus it's a bit of a field day out there. The press is crawling all over the atrium." |
They all made their way through the Ministry accompanied by Mrs. Edvard and the rest of the DME. Once the group reached the atrium of the Ministry. Gathered near the fountain was a cluster of journalists and photographers. They were spotted as they left the elevators. Cameras flashed as the group walked across the atrium. Journalists bombarded Hermione with questions, most of which were too hard to understand in all the commotion. |
"Hermione, what can you tell us about your decision to leave the Ministry?" someone asked. |
Hermione stopped and looked out over the crowd of reporters. She held up her hands in a plea for silence. The expectant crowd quieted down. |
"Thank you all for coming to see me off today," Hermione joked with the crowd of reporters, "What can I tell you about my decision the leave the Ministry? It was not an easy decision. I've worked in the DME for many years. I was trusted to head the department and I've gotten to know and trust the many people I've worked with over the years. We've worked together to create a department that is focused on improving the education of our children. In the end, it came down to doing what was easy or what was right." |
"Hermione, anything you want to say to the Minister?" |
"Yes," she smirked at them, "You haven't seen the last of Hermione Granger." |
A Convention of Weasels |
Draco apparated with Hermione and Rose to the Burrows for the dreaded "Convention of Weasels," as he started calling it, much to Hermione's annoyance. Harry and Ginny were going to be there as well to act as moral support and to try to keep things as civil as possible. He didn't know how well that was going to work. Ginny was still livid about Weasley's attempted kidnapping. |
Draco picked up Rose when they landed outside the wards. She was clutching her green stuffed dragon in one hand and had the other on the collar of his jacket. He took Hermione's hand and they walked up the hill to the front door of the Burrows. |
"Ready to do battle?" he asked. A garden gnome went running across the lawn in front of them. |
"Not really. I'm so tired of all this," Hermione answered. |
"I know. I wish this was going better for you and the girls." Why couldn't Weasley be reasonable about this? He knocked on the door of the Burrow. |
Mrs. Weasley opened the door. "Hermione dear, you didn't have to knock. Let me get a hug from my beautiful grandchild." Draco transferred Rose into her grandmother's outstretched arms. "Oh, you've gotten so big." |
Mrs. Weasley hugged Hermione then Draco as they came through the door. He was still getting used to the easy affection that Mrs. Weasley doled out. "Good afternoon, Molly," Draco said, returning her hug. |
He took their jackets from Hermione and hung them on the hook. He'd remembered to wear long sleeves today. He didn't want the mark to agitate Weasley and further complicate the proceedings and add more stress on Hermione. He watched Rose go hug her grandfather as they walked into the living room. |
Harry and Ginny came out of the kitchen. Draco caught a look of fury from Ginny before she quickly masked it behind a happy smile for Rose. Rose ran to them for hugs. Ron and Lavender came out of the kitchen behind Harry and Ginny. Rose saw them and broke away from Ginny and ran to hide behind him and Hermione. |
"Don't I get a hug too, Rose," Weasley called after her. |
"No!" Rose shouted from behind their legs. Draco petted her head soothingly. This wasn't starting off so well. |
"Rose, honey come hug your daddy. He's missed you," Molly tried cajoling the girl from her hiding spot. Weasley was getting redder and redder as Rose continued to refuse to hug him and cling to Draco and Hermione's legs. |
"No! Not my daddy! Draco's my daddy," Rose shouted. |
It was one of the best moments of his life. This sweet angel claimed him as her father and he had a difficult time keeping the elation from his face. The fact that she did it to Weasley's face probably would have been a good moment too if he wasn't so worried about being Avada'd on the spot. |
"Daddy, don't make me hug him. He might take me away again." She said it loud enough the whole room heard. Silence descended on the room. |
"Again! What have you done Ron?" Molly yelled. |
Ron paled at the sight of his mother's fury. "Mum! She's... she's..." |
"Don't you dare say it, Ronald Weasley!" Ginny shouted, forestalling Weasley attacking Hermione, and keep him from calling her a "Death Eater's whore" again. |
"Maybe Rose would like to go play with Albus. I take it you brought him, Ginny," Draco said. This argument looked like it was going to devolve fast and Rose had already seen enough of her parents arguing. |
"Oh yes. He's out back playing with... Well, I'm sure it will be all right. Come along Rose. Let's go find Albus." |
Rose looked at Hermione. "Go on, honey. It's okay. Mummy and Daddy need to have a talk." Ginny led Rose outside. Rose kept herself as far from her father as was possible as Ginny led her from the room. |
"I see you brought the Death Eater and convinced my daughter to start calling him "Daddy'," Weasley spat as the door closed behind Ginny. |
"I see you brought the home wrecker and what she calls Draco is none of your damn business," Hermione retorted. |
"Stop it, both of you. Ron, what was Rose talking about? Why was she afraid to hug you?" Molly asked. |
"I took Rose out of school one day last month. I didn't tell Hermione," he answered his mother, "They're turning my daughter against me," Weasley whined, obviously hoping his mummy was going to take his side in this. |
"We don't have to do that, Weasley. You're doing a great job of that all on your own," Draco sneered at him. |
"Why are you even here?" Weasley asked. |
"Where she goes, I go, so get used to it especially since the only reason she's even here is because you weren't able to obliviate her the last time you thought she was alone." Oops, he wasn't supposed to say that. Sorry, not sorry. |
"Obliviate her! You tried to obliviate her?" Molly screeched. |
"It worked before! Oh shit!" Weasley paled as three wands were drawn and pointed at him. |
"Mutatio Skullus!" Draco shouted at Weasley. Weasley's head transformed into a redhaired weasel. He'd secretly wanted to do that for years. Childish, yes but oh so therapeutic. |
"Furnunculus!" Harry shouted at his best friend, maybe not so best anymore. Weasley's furry face erupted in boils. |
Hermione pointed her wand at her weasely, pimply husband and uttered the phrase, "Ní féidir bheith caidreamh collaí," with deadly calm. A shudder passed through Weasley but no other visible sign of whatever Hermione hit him with showed. |
Draco looked at Hermione. She grinned up at him with a malicious glint in her eyes. Whatever that spell was, Weasley wasn't going to like it when he figured out what the affects were. |
She took his hand and breezed past Weasley and Lavender into the kitchen. Hermione seated herself on the bench at the kitchen table. Draco slid in beside her. Weasley sat down across from Hermione and glared at her through his beady weasel eyes. The affect was rather amusing. |
Ginny walked into the kitchen. "Oh, you started the hexing portion of the day without me. No worries, I'll catch up." Ginny's famous bat-bogey hex was soon visible on her brother's face. He almost sympathized with the bastard, having been on the receiving end of that hex. Almost. Well, not really at all. The bastard deserved worse. |
Molly, Arthur, Ginny, Harry, and Lavender stood around the kitchen. Molly appeared to be working herself up into a tirade. Arthur was trying to soothe her and keep her temper from erupting. |
"I don't know what Hermione hit you with but I'm not even going to try to fix you. They can unhex you. Ronald Weasley, I don't know who you are anymore. You cheat on your wife for years. You have children with this, this woman," Molly spat, gesturing at Lavender, who looked at the floor, "You obliviate your wife to keep her compliant. You kidnap your child." |
"She's my daughter. I can't kidnap my own daughter," Weasley squeaked at his mother. |
"You can if her mother doesn't know where she is!" Molly shouted. |
"Let's not forget he called her a whore. In front of Rose," Ginny added, shooting a glare at her brother. |
"You called her a whore! You called the mother of your children a whore. You called her a whore in front of your daughter. I raised you better than this. Calling her a whore, that's a bit hypocritical don't you think, considering your actions?" Molly raged, beating him about the head. Weasley flinched and tried dodging her assault, throwing his arms over his head. |
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