A/N: Enimfo luost sirfeht Morfesir, Enoevarb Odaedeth Morfesir, Avada Kedavra…either this or next chapter, and this one will include a pleasant turn of events…
Chapter XXI: The Meaning of Life
With help, mainly from Hermione, Ginny, Luna and Draco took the posts, vacated by the deputies. Opposition against the alleged monopoly of power was vocal from some ranks within the Ministry, and a few notable protests were called, but being the brilliant diplomat and orator that Hermione was, she handled the pressure with dignity and finesse.
"What would you say to the accusations that you are choosing your own personal friends to occupy the peaks of the Ministry?" was one question, asked repeatedly by the reporters at the conference Hermione was forced to call, in order to alleviate the public and ministerial apprehensions.
Harry sat next to her, but his role was purely ceremonial. All eyes were trained on his wife, and Ron was absent, as he was currently quite preoccupied with presenting the new recruits their duties and responsibilities.
"You ask a fair question," Hermione answered slowly, "and I have an answer that I hope you will find suitable. See, this most recent occurrence of treason, that almost seemed to succeed, is one aspect that worries me immensely. The fact that Mr. Humphrey Boggart coerced and charmed many others into doing his bidding, leads me to think that there is a lack of accountability and transparency in this government. As a Minister of Magic, one of my duties is to see that all Magical people can view their government's work and demand change when something does not function correctly. As the last trial demonstrated, there was a lack of transparency, accountability and correct function within the Ministry of Magic, if men, such as Mr. Boggart, are left in peace to hatch plans that could result in chaos. My choice of appointing Luna Lovegood, Draco Malfoy and Ginny Weasley, is that there needs to be not only quality, but also trust, in order for a government to function."
"About your choice of deputies for the three most important posts in the Ministry," came another question, "why have you placed complete political novices in such responsible and demanding positions?"
"I must disagree with you," Hermione replied, a bit affronted. "These three were directly involved in the last war against Voldemort, and they have more experience than many of the people who work in the Ministry. The reality of those years taught us much valuable experience and knowledge, and each of my appointees bears more experience, wisdom and knowledge than their years may show."
"What makes you think that the war with You-Know-Who prepared them for such jobs?" another bold reporter asked, unashamed.
Hermione looked down for a second, before answering, "I don't expect you to understand, sir, but that war cost many their lives, their families and for some, their sanity. Those strong enough to fight and survive learned lessons that nobody should have to experience - about loss, cruelty, unfairness, death…the point here is that the people I am appointing are not concerned about their own well-being while they are in power. They are genuinely concerned about the welfare of society as a whole, and they would be willing to give their lives, when it comes to fighting for what is right and just."
"And yourself, Minister Potter," the same reporter inquired after, but much more politely. "There are rumours that you will not be directly engaged in the management of Ministry affairs, and hand that responsibility to your deputies. Is this true?"
Incidentally, Hermione knew her involvement within the Order of the Phoenix was to remain as secret as possible, so she chose a slightly different response. "The current case the Auror Department is working on, that is the murders of Olliviander and Gregorovitch, which were coveted wandmakers, require the immediate involvement of me and my husband, Harry Potter, to help solve it as soon as possible."
"In that case," yet another reporter, bearing a jacket with the insignia of the Quibbler, asked, "what would the roles of the new deputies be?"
"Until further notice, they are to take on most of the day-to-day and policy responsibilities in the government. Unfortunately, the case is particularly involved and dangerous, and I have been forced by the circumstances to choose a suitable substitute for the present."
"Are you saying you are literally handing power over to someone else, while you remain no more than a figurehead, and that person yields the strength of making decisions you ought to be present for?"
"Certainly not," Hermione rejoined easily, "my appointee is someone I can trust, and more importantly, someone who will be able to take on the duties of a Minister of Magic."
"Once again, what would be the guarantee that no more revolts and conspiracies to seize power, will take place?" a reporter, who had spoken earlier, inquired urgently. At this point, the sound of scratching quills suddenly died, and all eyes turned attentively to Hermione.
She took a deep breath. "In conjunction with Ron Weasley and Harry Potter, I have arranged for regular reports to be submitted to us on problems and progress within the Ministry, and we will act in a supervisory role, coming to assist in any issues that cannot be otherwise successfully resolved."
"Will you inform the public on a regular basis about the nature of your work on the murder case?"
"My work there involves information and actions that must remain secret. At the end of it, however, we do plan on releasing a report for public viewing on the nature and resolution of the case. As well, the trials, when the time comes to persecute the criminals, will not be made public. Only the results will be acknowledged to all."
Hermione made a subtle sign to the Aurors, standing at the corners of the table that the conference had ended. Despite the uproar of questions that followed, Hermione stood up, unfazed, and parted with the crowd of reporters, before walking out with Harry at her side.
"Interesting interview," Harry observed, as they made their way towards the elevators. "Do you think Luna'll be able to handle your job?"
"Oh yes," Hermione answered quickly. "I have faith in her. The more important aspect of the whole affair is that it's someone we can trust…Harry, you know it won't be possible to tackle Lestrange without resources from the Ministry."
"I realize that," he looked down, "and I still think that we must take care of it sooner than later."
"Well, with the magic she has at her disposal, and the two spells we have to keep away from her…hopefully they are the only record of that type of magic."
"It's that very purpose the Order of Merlin was created for. I think we need to find out more about this Mortimer Evans fellow, before we proceed any further."
"Agreed," Hermione said. "Do you remember which of the two books it was in? The one we found at Godric's Hollow, or that horrible one that kept me out of order for a while?"
"I think both of them have the information we're looking for," Harry answered thoughtfully. "We can check tonight."
"Remind me later, will you?" Hermione asked of him. "Right now we have to go help Ron teach the others about putting down armed revolts at the Ministry…"
"Yeah, yeah, good idea," Harry rejoined, "not sure if he can handle everything on his own…"
With that, Harry and Hermione hurried to Ron's office in the Auror department where he was indeed spending time taking Draco, Luna and Ginny through the finer points of being a government figurehead.
"Heya, mate," Harry greeted loudly, as he and Hermione stepped through the threshold of the Head Auror's office.
"Harry, Hermione," Ron turned to them, "How are you?"
"Just finished with the conference," Harry said. "How goes the coaching down here?"
"Alright," Ron affirmed, "but there is only so much I can do. You'll need to give each of your new recruits a personal tour," he glanced at Draco, Luna and Ginny.
"Well, Ginny, you're with me," Harry told the fiery redhead, "and since women call the shots everywhere, Luna is with Hermione…"
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked Harry, affronted.
"Love, do I ever make a decision without you?" Harry returned innocently. "You know I never would."
That response seemed to satisfy Hermione, and she motioned to Luna to follow her. Ron's significant other nodded at the others, and drifted off after Hermione on her way to the Minister's offices.
"Come on, you git," Ron snapped at Draco. "I haven't all day to waste on you…"
"Don't tie your knickers in a twist, Weasley," the other smirked. "I know I'll end up teaching you how to do the job properly…"
"Muffliato," Ron muttered, pointing his wand surreptitiously at Draco. The latter, caught by surprise, did not notice the invisible stream of magic strike him, and a full minute passed before he realized that the smug grin on Ron's face meant that he had effectively shut him up…
"Much better," Ron went on, the grin on his face only becoming smugger by the second. "Now I can finally talk without the smartarse comebacks from you…"
Draco only scowled furiously, because he knew the counter-charm needed to be spoken in order to lift the spell, and thus, he was powerless to do anything.
Fortunately for him, Harry was the one who sighed deeply at Ron's immature reaction, and raised his wand to free up the suffering captive.
"Ron," he said, "I know you and Malfoy will never truly respect one another, but at least, try to be civil…"
"With this bird-brain for a partner?" Draco drawled, "I highly doubt it."
"This bird-brain happens to be my best friend," Harry snapped. "Malfoy, your head is so far up your arse, you don't see much else than your ego, do you?"
"Draco," Ginny told him darkly. "Behave, or I will have to discipline you about respect later on."
Something in Ginny's fierce gaze finally had the desired effect on Draco, and his smug expression evaporated at once. "Alright, I'm sorry," he mumbled, humbled by his rather forceful girlfriend.
"Now come on, you bloody git," Ron muttered, and without waiting, departed from the office. Malfoy, uncertain for a second, glanced at Ginny, then at Harry, and ran out after his quarry.
By now, Harry and Ginny remained alone. "Do you think those two will ever learn?" he asked her.
"Don't count on it," Ginny returned, exasperated. "Now, if I am to replace you, what is it I'm doing exactly?"
"Alright, follow me," Harry answered, and finally, he and Ginny left the gloomy office.
"Is Hermione feeling better now?" Ginny inquired.
"Much, yes," Harry replied. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, so soon after her recovery she had to confront that rogue deputy…Boggart, I think his name was…and now the power switch…could be taking a toll on her, wouldn't you think?"
"I know, Ginny, I know," Harry answered. "I have thought about it, but my major concern is that she doesn't go near that book again."
"Then how are we supposed to read it?" she asked, uncomprehending. "The next person that puts their eyes to it could very well die."
"I do have an idea that might work, and save the Order from unnecessary casualties," Harry explained after a minute's thought, more to himself than his companion "It will be dangerous, but it might prove that we have unexpected allies in this whole investigation…"
"What are you on about?" Ginny pressed him, growing more frustrated.
"You remember the Death Eaters that met with Remus some night ago, right?" Harry asked her.
"Yes."
"Well," he continued, "if we can secure their presence in a safe place, we may be able to administer the book as a test of their loyalty…of course, we will nurse them back to health, but simultaneously, we're going to learn more about Mortimer Evans, and who he is exactly."
"You mean the fellow that sent you that note?" she was intrigued. "M.E.?"
"That's him," Harry nodded, "the Death Eaters did mention him briefly, but we have to learn more about him in general, so that's just one way to do it without exposing ourselves to the risk of doing so."
Ginny smiled at him. "I think that's a brilliant idea."
Her approve concluded the formulation of this freshly hatched until a further time, as for now, Harry was charged with the responsibility of taking Ginny through the intricacies of the being the head of the Magical Law Enforcement department.
"Now," he was saying, as they exited his office, midway through the tour, "down this corridor are the offices of all the wizards who head the various subcommittees of the department, from potion mismanagement, to theft investigations, ranging from petty to daring, and then the evidence committee, which collects clues from a crime scene. It would take too long to cover them all, but it's best learned with experience, you see."
"And I have to control all these committees, if there are so many of them?" Ginny asked faintly.
"No worries about that, Gin," Harry reassured her, "They are mostly self-sufficient. Your job deals mostly with the reports they submit to you once a week, and you have to sign off on it, just to ensure everything is in order. If there are any problems out of their hands, and you can't tackle it on your own, Draco'll help you out. My department always works with the Auror Department, and the partnership is very productive…"
"And what about Lestrange?" she inquired further. "Am I working on that case too?"
"Yes, you are," Harry affirmed. "There is a subcommittee on them too, and they are under your supervision. But that's only one of the many cases you'll have to review. However, the Bellatrix case does bear particular importance, because of the danger it poses…you and Draco will coordinate both departments in the investigation, while Luna will make the official decisions on matters that are pivotal to the whole affair…"
"Such as?" Ginny asked him.
"Well, for example," Harry paused, considering his words, "it will be her role to ask you two what is going on, not just for the case, but also everything else, and keep track of progress. If she has any ideas, it's your job to put them into effect, and she will be the one watching that that's followed."
"Oh, I see," Ginny smiled, "so, all in all, no pressure."
"None at all," Harry smirked on his own turn, "we all support each other in this."
"True that," Ginny said, "anymore stops on this tour?"
Harry looked up at the ceiling, running through a list in his mind. "No," he replied after a minute. "That should cover it."
"Good then," Ginny rejoined. "Let's go and wait for the others in Ron's office."
**
The rest of the troupe had returned soon after, and almost immediately following their arrival, everyone came back safely to Grimmauld Place.
"So, where do we go from here?" Ginny asked the room at large, taking off her coat and placing in on its hook.
"Asking Remus to contact those two Death Eaters again," Harry answered promptly, giving her a meaningful glance; a look of realization overcame Ginny's expression, and she remembered their earlier conversation.
"You heard `em mate," Ron pointed out, "if the need arises, they'll call us, not we them."
"They said nothing of the sort, Ron," Harry objected. "They just left without telling us what we need to do to reach them."
"That's not true - "Ron countered him, but he was cut short by Remus, who walked in at that precise moment.
"Boys," the werewolf interrupted conveniently, "I've received another letter from our mysterious assailants. They want another meeting."
"Say what?" Harry asked urgently, "Let me see!" And he grabbed the letter from Remus' hands.
"What does it say?" Hermione asked quietly from behind him, peering over his shoulder.
"Tower Bridge, midnight, tomorrow," the bespectacled wizard replied urgently, "and they don't say why they want us to be there." He looked questioningly at Remus.
"I know as much as you do, Harry," Lupin shrugged, "Could be anything, if you ask me."
Sighing in frustration, Harry handed the letter off the Ron, who had been gesturing to read it, and sat down heavily on the couch. "Why does this have to be so damn hard?" he muttered under his breath, rubbing his eyes. His remark went unnoticed by all, except Hermione.
"What's wrong, Harry?" she asked him gently, sitting down beside him, and taking his hand in hers.
"Everything, Hermione," he told her snappishly, "I know I have to deal with all of this, but my patience is starting to wear thin…"
"You do remember that patience is a virtue, Harry," Hermione reminded him softly. "Rushing could be deadly, you know. We're already in incredible danger, and I don't think making rash decisions can be our best policy right now…"
"I know, Hermione, I know," he answered, more calmly, still looking at his feet. The muffled voices of the others flew from the kitchen, as they talked of something amongst themselves, but Harry paid no heed to their words.
"You look tired, Harry," she observed in the silence that had settled over them.
"Hermione, I've…I've had something on my mind for a while now," Harry began, suddenly growing visibly nervous.
"What?" Hermione gazed up at him.
Harry was glad for the privacy that the surroundings afforded. "Well…" the words died on his lips.
"You can tell me, Harry," Hermione urged him on softly.
The image of James and Madelyn arose in Harry's mind's eye, as the question he had been meaning to voice, became clearer than ever before in that very instant. "I wanted to ask you, because you'll be the main reason, should this happen…"
"Harry," Hermione was perplexed, "what are you talking about?"
"How would you feel if we started a family?" It came out far easier than he expected.
Hermione's mouth formed a silent "oh", as she comprehended Harry's question.
"Look, I'm sorry," he apologized quickly, "I knew this was a bad time - "
"Shush," she placed a finger over his lips, then leaned up, and kissed him, before parting again. Harry couldn't manage to utter a single word, as he watched the firelight dance across her face. "I would love to," she simply said.
A/N: And there you have it, chapter 21…what might happen next is anyone's guess, but ch.22 is also in the works…in the meanwhile, review and enjoy!
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