Happily Ever After the Fact VII: For Every Action...
March 2010
The visit from Minerva during Hogwarts' spring holiday was awkward.
She had flooed one morning without warning, requesting entrance. Hermione had been uncertain how to respond until she had felt a small stab of resignation drift through the bond. Severus' expression was carefully shuttered, but Hermione could tell he was not looking forward to this particular meeting. Recalling their final meeting before she had stolen him away in time, Hermione did not blame him in the least.
It needed to be done, however, and so she had bade the Headmistress enter. Minerva had aged a bit since Hermione had last seen her in the present; no doubt to Severus she looked positively ancient. She looked tired, in Hermione's opinion, and entirely uncertain of her welcome. The three of them stood silently for several long moments, before Hermione finally decided to break the ice before her husband could. He could be terribly sarcastic and rude when he was nervous.
"Good morning, Minerva. Thank you for coming to our home. Would you like some tea? It's Irish Breakfast."
The older woman nodded thankfully. "Yes, thank you, Hermione." Hermione nodded and left the small sitting room to retrieve a third cup and a fresh pot. As she did so, she heard Minerva address her husband. "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry, Severus."
It was probably better if she stayed in the kitchen whilst the tea steeped. Minerva and Severus were both very proud, and this meeting couldn't be easy for either of them. Their last had gone abysmally. As Severus had anticipated, Minerva had not believed his assertion that he truly was an agent for the light. She had said many bitter and hateful things, accusing him of not only Albus' murder and betrayal, but also of student torture, embezzlement from the school, and even sexual deviancy.
He had taken her words stoically, though Hermione knew they had hurt. Particularly the accusation that he had been molesting students. The others he had expected, but that...especially on the very morning after his first sexual experience, had hurt him deeply. It was especially cutting since his new wife was a former student, and her eighteen-year-old self was still out there somewhere, her memory fresh in his mind.
Minerva had gone so far as to laugh when Severus had told her that Voldemort had "discovered his true loyalties." He quietly told her that he planned to try to run, to direct Voldemort's anger away from the school, but that he did not believe he would outlive the week. She had scoffed and called it justice. Severus had solemnly abdicated his position as Headmaster, effective dinner time, and the woman had spat at his feet, and informed him that if she found him on Hogwarts grounds once the wards recognised her authority, she would kill him. She had fought in the previous war, and Hermione knew that Severus had believed her.
Yes, no doubt it was much better that she wasn't in the room with them just now.
Hermione sought out the little knot of emotions in her mind that represented Severus, and was reassured to find that the predominant emotion was unease and discomfort, not anger. Carefully, she lifted the tea tray, and headed back towards the sitting room, listening briefly outside the door to make sure she could interrupt.
Hearing only silence, Hermione entered, and found Severus seated, a beautifully framed plaque in hand, and a gold and enameled medal on a white ribbon dangling from his long fingers. He glanced up as she entered, and said softly, "Professor McGonagall has been kind enough to return the Order of Merlin, First Class, she's been holding in trust for me."
Hermione turned to look at her old mentor, catching the sad acceptance in her eyes that Severus had referred to her so formally. "You were never in your portrait at the school, and I never thought to question your death. I should have. I should have sought you out earlier and apologised for everything I said that night. You tried to tell me." Minerva's voice was strained, and Hermione handed her a cup of tea. Minerva took it and sipped, apparently grateful that her hands had something to occupy them.
The three of them sat in silence for a few minutes more, before Minerva stood, her back ramrod straight. "I shall take my leave of you, now. I hope you are able to forgive me someday, Severus."
He waited until she was at the fireplace before finally saying, "Thank you, for bringing me this. I...I am not sure we can ever be friends again, the way we were, but I do thank you for this." He took a deep breath as she nodded, and continued, "I do not blame you for not believing me, that night. I do hope that you realise that however many heinous things I had to do for the Dark Lord, I swear I did do the best I could to protect the children."
"I do," Minerva said quietly. "I was angry. I believed you to be a traitor, and I'll not deny that, but I don't think I ever honestly believed that you would actually touch the young ladies as it was rumoured."
Severus nodded. "There's that at least."
Minerva left silently, and Hermione wrapped her arms around her husband and cried the tears he wouldn't.
May 2010
"Oh, my God!" Hermione stared at the Daily Prophet in front of her, dumbstruck by the awful headline glaring out at her. "Severus, have you seen the paper?"
Her husband set the kettle to boil for their second pot of tea that morning and gave her a wry look. "Hermione, the Prophet ran an article just last January labeling you as a necromancer, and the new 'Dark Lady.' Then when the Aurora label started taking off, they ran another one claiming that you sell more than just sexual enhancements and that I married you to remain your best customer. We've had to field rants, carefully worded inquiries into your regime, indecent propositions and howlers for weeks." He paused and then finished with heavy sarcasm. "So, yes, I firmly support the continued existence of that pinnacle of journalism and read it every chance I get."
Hermione ignored his jibe and said quietly, "According to this, there was a mass suicide in the Ministry this morning. Right in front of the memorial fountain."
Severus' head shot up. "What?"
"Five women and one man. They had apparently all filed complaints of either domestic abuse or sexual assault against their partners in the last couple of months, only to have nothing come of it. They sat with their backs to the Memorial Fountain this morning with a sign that said 'We Die for Freedom,' and they drank poison." Hermione read the article further. "Apparently, they've traced the poison bottles back to Essex Brewing and the owner-someone named Thaddeus Thistlewent-has been taken in as an accomplice to murder!"
Severus' jaw hardened and a tic appeared near his left eye. "Thaddeus is the owner of one of the largest breweries in England. He had over twenty Potioneers working under him. He's a decent man. They can't possibly make that stick."
"That's not all." Hermione read further. "Apparently according to Auror records, the reports of abuse, violence, sexual crime and suicide has risen nearly thirty-four percent in the five months since the law became effective. The reporter says that there's going to be a sit-in at the fountain against the law tomorrow. She's encouraging people to attend."
She looked up from the paper, her face flushed. "Severus, this is wonderful! I mean, it's a tragedy and absolutely awful that these people felt like there was no other way out, of course. But it's wonderful that people are finally going to do something about it! We're taking a stand. I'm going to go."
His nostrils flared in what Hermione had learned even as a child was a bad sign. "I don't think that's a good idea, Hermione," he said. "This could get dangerous. There are a lot of very angry people out there. He hesitated and said softly, "I thought things were good between us, that you were happy, even."
Hermione blinked in surprise. "Severus, you...you aren't the problem, not by a long shot. Sure we had a few hiccoughs, but nothing we haven't been able to work out." Her words faltered.
"Even if this law were repealed, even if we weren't bound magically, I would still want to be with you. I would still love you. This has nothing to do with us; this has to do with our basic rights as people and letting the Ministry have far too much power over what should be a personal and private choice. I'm going. You're welcome to come too, if you like," she added.
He stared at her, his expression frozen in shock. "You...you just said you love me."
Hermione felt herself blush. She hadn't realised the words had even slipped out. "I...I suppose I did, didn't I?"
"You can't take it back!" he said quickly, as if worried she would do just that.
"No." She searched his face. "I couldn't if I wanted to. To be honest I thought you already knew. Is...is it okay?" she asked hesitantly.
His answering look was gratifyingly happy, and just a touch wondering. "It is the sort of declaration I have wished for all my life." He looked about to say something else, then seemed to check himself, and instead responded with, "You'll not regret it-me. Not ever. I swear it."
She smiled and reached across the table to take his hand. "No, I really don't think I shall."
Severus declined attending the protest the following morning.
"I detest people and I detest public displays; I am officially retired from making a bloody difference for the Greater Good." His gaze grew troubled, and he stroked one of her curls softly. "Hermione, please be careful. Don't do anything foolish."
"Severus, it's a sit-in. The point is to inconvenience the Ministry and force them to take notice. We're not planning anything dangerous. It's already been made clear that several Aurors will be there on duty to make sure things don't get out of hand."
"Is Potter amongst them?"
"He is, actually. He's rather put out about it; he very much wants to join us on the Floor instead. The MLE isn't letting anyone off duty, apparently. Luna will be there on their behalf, though."
"Will you please at least choose a place near where he is posted? I may not be fond of Potter, but I do trust that he will look to your safety should something happen."
Hermione touched his cheek and kissed him lightly. "I promise."
Glancing at the scene in front of her, Hermione couldn't help but think her promise was easier made than done. She had arrived a full half-hour before the sit-in was supposed to start only to find the Atrium already filling quickly. Looking about, she spotted Harry near the fountain itself, in the centre, looking grim.
Hermione picked her way through the crowd, her murmured apologies more or less lost in the rising din. She was nearly in front of Harry before he noticed her, and to her surprise the look he gave her was one of alarm. "Hermione! What are you doing here?" he said.
Confused, Hermione replied, "Same thing you would be doing here if you could have got off work. I'm protesting. Where's Luna?"
"By the Floo entrance, passing out protective necklaces of some kind. I think people think they're protest-related, because people are wearing them, but..." Harry shook his head. "Not important. You shouldn't be here, Hermione. You need to get out, immediately. Out of the country, if you can."
"What? Harry, what's wrong?"
"A Healer at St. Mungo's was turned in by one of the assistants for having unauthorised contraception. This morning she named you and one Serena Malfoy as her suppliers. Gibbons signed a warrant for your arrest and assigned Aurors to apprehend you barely half an hour ago. They've probably already discovered that you're not at work or home. You need to get out, now."
"Oh, gods."
"Get out of here, Hermione, before you're seen. You won't do any good to anyone in Azkaban."
Suddenly the crowd around them jostled and surged, and someone yelled, "Hey! Isn't that Percival Weasley? He's on the Marriage and Family Act Board! I saw his name on the roster!"
Hermione and Harry turned in horror to see several protesters converging in on a surprised and alarmed Percy. The man held his hands up, and stammered something, clearly trying to explain that he meant no harm.
"Oi, he's trying to join the protest, calm down!" Harry shouted, trying to shoulder his way through the crowd.
Someone else shouted at Percy, "You and arseholes like you are the reason we're here!"
"I'm just...I'm just trying..." The redhead stumbled backward, away from the angry people closing in on him, but found he had nowhere to go. The people behind him were not allowing him to make an escape.
Harry tried again. "I said, stand down! This is supposed to be a peaceful protest for anyone to join!"
"My sister killed herself because of you!"
"You had no right-!"
"This is your final warning, my wand has been drawn and I will stun if you lot don't sit down! Aarons, get your arse over here, I need backup." Harry shouted.
"The Boy Who Lived to Kiss Ministry Arse, is it?"
"Protecting slime like this! Get them!"
Several protesters drew their wands and started trying to hex in the crowded room. Others actually reached out to grab Percy, and then Hermione couldn't see either of her friends as the crowd converged around them. She drew her wand, but then hesitated, trying to decide if she should help, or if she even could.
"Stop!" she shouted ineffectively, and tried to elbow her way through the crowd. Her efforts were equally ineffective. There seemed to be no way to tell who was trying to break up the fight and who was adding to the problem. Someone's elbow sank into her stomach as they shoved their way through and Hermione grunted, doubling over as she lost her breath. She nearly lost her balance as she was jostled, and panicking slightly, Hermione stunned the man next to her as she tried to remove herself from the growing situation.
People pressed in around her, trying to see what the fuss was about, blocking the exits. Someone on the far side of the brawl was pointed out as being another Ministry worker of some kind, and the hapless woman was quickly overwhelmed. Hermione's heart sank as she could hear the woman cry, "I'm just a secretary, stop, please stop hurting me!" More Aurors started shouldering their way through, shouting orders to remain calm and "break it up," all to no avail.
Abruptly deciding that anything she tried would not only make the situation worse, Harry's warning of her impending arrest still ringing in her mind, Hermione turned and tried to make her way back to the Floos. If she were lucky, she would be able to get out and send a message to Severus to meet her somewhere inconspicuous. Drat the anti-Apparition wards on the Ministry! It was nearly impossible to get to the Floos, which were still managing to spew more people in to the already-packed room.
One of the Aurors who was trying to shove past her towards the fight halted next to her and grabbed her arm forcefully instead. "I know you; you're Hermione Granger!" he announced. His wand was suddenly pointed at her chest and his grip tightened on her arm. "Hermione Granger, you are under arrest for the illegal distribution of controlled substances. Surrender your wand."
Her heart in her throat, Hermione shifted her gaze to the arm he held fast, where she still held her wand. "I'll come peacefully, I'll even wait for you, but you need to help break that up!" She shouted over the noise.
The auror shook his head stubbornly. "I'll not be responsible for letting you escape! You're coming with me."
Hermione opened her mouth to respond when a large wizard next to them interrupted. "Here now, you can't arrest her!" It was Kerrick Finnegan, whose older brother, Seamus had died in the battle of Hogwarts. Her arrest was actually gathering a good deal of attention in their little corner. Kerrick drew his own wand threateningly. "That's Hermione Granger, and she's a bloody hero. You can't arrest her."
"Sir, I'm going to ask you to stand down," said the Auror bravely, his wand shifting between Kerrick and Hermione. "A warrant was signed for her arrest. No one is above the law, not even Hermione Granger."
"That's what you lot said about the Marriage Law!" an angry woman interjected.
"Hermione hasn't done anything wrong!" Kerrick took a step closer; the large Irishman was clearly furious.
The Auror's grip tightened painfully, and Hermione winced in response. "Ms. Granger has been implicated in an illegal substance ring. She is under arrest!"
"Stop hurting her!" Kerrick growled. "That woman has done more for this world than you could imagine!"
"Illegal substances? You mean birth control!" The woman, who Hermione now recognised as being a year or so below her in school, snarled and drew her wand. "Because of this idiot law and you idiot Aurors mindlessly doing whatever you're told, I'm pregnant! I had to end my apprenticeship! I don't want a baby, and I don't want my so-called husband. Unhand her!"
The Auror's wand shifted once more, now aiming at the woman, and Kerrick didn't wait any longer. He spat a hex, and the Auror groaned, doubling over. The motion jerked Hermione down with him, as he still refused to let her go. Around her, confusion exploded as people not quite near enough to see started talking.
"What's going on over there?"
"I think that Auror hexed Hermione Granger for giving out birth control!"
"He's got another hex coming, then!"
"Someone's got birth control? Where? You can't keep it all to yourselves!"
As the situation was misconstrued around her, hexes started flying. In such close quarters wands were near useless, ricocheting dangerously. The angry crowd, desperate to be heard, started reaching, yelling and punching. Glass shattered beyond the fountain as a full-blown riot broke out in the Ministry atrium. The Auror had finally lost his grip on her and was now being beaten in front of her.
Hermione watched in horror as he went down to his knees and tried to shield his head as people started kicking him. It wasn't supposed to happen like this; it was supposed to be a peaceful protest! She tightened her grip on her wand until it actually hurt. She needed to get out of here, fast. Hermione turned back towards the Floos, and once again tried to make her way toward them.
It was slow progress, and hexes were now flying wildly and at random. She tried to shield herself as a burning hex flew at her. Unfortunately, she didn't have the arm room to cast a Protego, and her shield ineffectively protected nothing higher than her knees.
Hermione fell back hard, throwing others out of balance as the hex hit her squarely in the left shoulder. Blistering pain shot across her upper chest, collarbone and down her arm. Her shoulder felt like someone had just stabbed it with a red-hot fire iron, and with a cry of pain, she dropped to her knees.
It was the least safe position to be in, and in short order she found herself lying flat as someone tripped over her. Her shoulder radiating heat and pain, she struggled to get up as people pressed around her, mentally screaming, Severus! Then someone's elbow hit her solidly in the head, and everything went dark.
A/N: Thank you once again--I appreciate the time you've taken to read, please review...
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The visit from Minerva during Hogwarts' spring holiday was awkward.
She had flooed one morning without warning, requesting entrance. Hermione had been uncertain how to respond until she had felt a small stab of resignation drift through the bond. Severus' expression was carefully shuttered, but Hermione could tell he was not looking forward to this particular meeting. Recalling their final meeting before she had stolen him away in time, Hermione did not blame him in the least.
It needed to be done, however, and so she had bade the Headmistress enter. Minerva had aged a bit since Hermione had last seen her in the present; no doubt to Severus she looked positively ancient. She looked tired, in Hermione's opinion, and entirely uncertain of her welcome. The three of them stood silently for several long moments, before Hermione finally decided to break the ice before her husband could. He could be terribly sarcastic and rude when he was nervous.
"Good morning, Minerva. Thank you for coming to our home. Would you like some tea? It's Irish Breakfast."
The older woman nodded thankfully. "Yes, thank you, Hermione." Hermione nodded and left the small sitting room to retrieve a third cup and a fresh pot. As she did so, she heard Minerva address her husband. "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry, Severus."
It was probably better if she stayed in the kitchen whilst the tea steeped. Minerva and Severus were both very proud, and this meeting couldn't be easy for either of them. Their last had gone abysmally. As Severus had anticipated, Minerva had not believed his assertion that he truly was an agent for the light. She had said many bitter and hateful things, accusing him of not only Albus' murder and betrayal, but also of student torture, embezzlement from the school, and even sexual deviancy.
He had taken her words stoically, though Hermione knew they had hurt. Particularly the accusation that he had been molesting students. The others he had expected, but that...especially on the very morning after his first sexual experience, had hurt him deeply. It was especially cutting since his new wife was a former student, and her eighteen-year-old self was still out there somewhere, her memory fresh in his mind.
Minerva had gone so far as to laugh when Severus had told her that Voldemort had "discovered his true loyalties." He quietly told her that he planned to try to run, to direct Voldemort's anger away from the school, but that he did not believe he would outlive the week. She had scoffed and called it justice. Severus had solemnly abdicated his position as Headmaster, effective dinner time, and the woman had spat at his feet, and informed him that if she found him on Hogwarts grounds once the wards recognised her authority, she would kill him. She had fought in the previous war, and Hermione knew that Severus had believed her.
Yes, no doubt it was much better that she wasn't in the room with them just now.
Hermione sought out the little knot of emotions in her mind that represented Severus, and was reassured to find that the predominant emotion was unease and discomfort, not anger. Carefully, she lifted the tea tray, and headed back towards the sitting room, listening briefly outside the door to make sure she could interrupt.
Hearing only silence, Hermione entered, and found Severus seated, a beautifully framed plaque in hand, and a gold and enameled medal on a white ribbon dangling from his long fingers. He glanced up as she entered, and said softly, "Professor McGonagall has been kind enough to return the Order of Merlin, First Class, she's been holding in trust for me."
Hermione turned to look at her old mentor, catching the sad acceptance in her eyes that Severus had referred to her so formally. "You were never in your portrait at the school, and I never thought to question your death. I should have. I should have sought you out earlier and apologised for everything I said that night. You tried to tell me." Minerva's voice was strained, and Hermione handed her a cup of tea. Minerva took it and sipped, apparently grateful that her hands had something to occupy them.
The three of them sat in silence for a few minutes more, before Minerva stood, her back ramrod straight. "I shall take my leave of you, now. I hope you are able to forgive me someday, Severus."
He waited until she was at the fireplace before finally saying, "Thank you, for bringing me this. I...I am not sure we can ever be friends again, the way we were, but I do thank you for this." He took a deep breath as she nodded, and continued, "I do not blame you for not believing me, that night. I do hope that you realise that however many heinous things I had to do for the Dark Lord, I swear I did do the best I could to protect the children."
"I do," Minerva said quietly. "I was angry. I believed you to be a traitor, and I'll not deny that, but I don't think I ever honestly believed that you would actually touch the young ladies as it was rumoured."
Severus nodded. "There's that at least."
Minerva left silently, and Hermione wrapped her arms around her husband and cried the tears he wouldn't.
May 2010
"Oh, my God!" Hermione stared at the Daily Prophet in front of her, dumbstruck by the awful headline glaring out at her. "Severus, have you seen the paper?"
Her husband set the kettle to boil for their second pot of tea that morning and gave her a wry look. "Hermione, the Prophet ran an article just last January labeling you as a necromancer, and the new 'Dark Lady.' Then when the Aurora label started taking off, they ran another one claiming that you sell more than just sexual enhancements and that I married you to remain your best customer. We've had to field rants, carefully worded inquiries into your regime, indecent propositions and howlers for weeks." He paused and then finished with heavy sarcasm. "So, yes, I firmly support the continued existence of that pinnacle of journalism and read it every chance I get."
Hermione ignored his jibe and said quietly, "According to this, there was a mass suicide in the Ministry this morning. Right in front of the memorial fountain."
Severus' head shot up. "What?"
"Five women and one man. They had apparently all filed complaints of either domestic abuse or sexual assault against their partners in the last couple of months, only to have nothing come of it. They sat with their backs to the Memorial Fountain this morning with a sign that said 'We Die for Freedom,' and they drank poison." Hermione read the article further. "Apparently, they've traced the poison bottles back to Essex Brewing and the owner-someone named Thaddeus Thistlewent-has been taken in as an accomplice to murder!"
Severus' jaw hardened and a tic appeared near his left eye. "Thaddeus is the owner of one of the largest breweries in England. He had over twenty Potioneers working under him. He's a decent man. They can't possibly make that stick."
"That's not all." Hermione read further. "Apparently according to Auror records, the reports of abuse, violence, sexual crime and suicide has risen nearly thirty-four percent in the five months since the law became effective. The reporter says that there's going to be a sit-in at the fountain against the law tomorrow. She's encouraging people to attend."
She looked up from the paper, her face flushed. "Severus, this is wonderful! I mean, it's a tragedy and absolutely awful that these people felt like there was no other way out, of course. But it's wonderful that people are finally going to do something about it! We're taking a stand. I'm going to go."
His nostrils flared in what Hermione had learned even as a child was a bad sign. "I don't think that's a good idea, Hermione," he said. "This could get dangerous. There are a lot of very angry people out there. He hesitated and said softly, "I thought things were good between us, that you were happy, even."
Hermione blinked in surprise. "Severus, you...you aren't the problem, not by a long shot. Sure we had a few hiccoughs, but nothing we haven't been able to work out." Her words faltered.
"Even if this law were repealed, even if we weren't bound magically, I would still want to be with you. I would still love you. This has nothing to do with us; this has to do with our basic rights as people and letting the Ministry have far too much power over what should be a personal and private choice. I'm going. You're welcome to come too, if you like," she added.
He stared at her, his expression frozen in shock. "You...you just said you love me."
Hermione felt herself blush. She hadn't realised the words had even slipped out. "I...I suppose I did, didn't I?"
"You can't take it back!" he said quickly, as if worried she would do just that.
"No." She searched his face. "I couldn't if I wanted to. To be honest I thought you already knew. Is...is it okay?" she asked hesitantly.
His answering look was gratifyingly happy, and just a touch wondering. "It is the sort of declaration I have wished for all my life." He looked about to say something else, then seemed to check himself, and instead responded with, "You'll not regret it-me. Not ever. I swear it."
She smiled and reached across the table to take his hand. "No, I really don't think I shall."
Severus declined attending the protest the following morning.
"I detest people and I detest public displays; I am officially retired from making a bloody difference for the Greater Good." His gaze grew troubled, and he stroked one of her curls softly. "Hermione, please be careful. Don't do anything foolish."
"Severus, it's a sit-in. The point is to inconvenience the Ministry and force them to take notice. We're not planning anything dangerous. It's already been made clear that several Aurors will be there on duty to make sure things don't get out of hand."
"Is Potter amongst them?"
"He is, actually. He's rather put out about it; he very much wants to join us on the Floor instead. The MLE isn't letting anyone off duty, apparently. Luna will be there on their behalf, though."
"Will you please at least choose a place near where he is posted? I may not be fond of Potter, but I do trust that he will look to your safety should something happen."
Hermione touched his cheek and kissed him lightly. "I promise."
Glancing at the scene in front of her, Hermione couldn't help but think her promise was easier made than done. She had arrived a full half-hour before the sit-in was supposed to start only to find the Atrium already filling quickly. Looking about, she spotted Harry near the fountain itself, in the centre, looking grim.
Hermione picked her way through the crowd, her murmured apologies more or less lost in the rising din. She was nearly in front of Harry before he noticed her, and to her surprise the look he gave her was one of alarm. "Hermione! What are you doing here?" he said.
Confused, Hermione replied, "Same thing you would be doing here if you could have got off work. I'm protesting. Where's Luna?"
"By the Floo entrance, passing out protective necklaces of some kind. I think people think they're protest-related, because people are wearing them, but..." Harry shook his head. "Not important. You shouldn't be here, Hermione. You need to get out, immediately. Out of the country, if you can."
"What? Harry, what's wrong?"
"A Healer at St. Mungo's was turned in by one of the assistants for having unauthorised contraception. This morning she named you and one Serena Malfoy as her suppliers. Gibbons signed a warrant for your arrest and assigned Aurors to apprehend you barely half an hour ago. They've probably already discovered that you're not at work or home. You need to get out, now."
"Oh, gods."
"Get out of here, Hermione, before you're seen. You won't do any good to anyone in Azkaban."
Suddenly the crowd around them jostled and surged, and someone yelled, "Hey! Isn't that Percival Weasley? He's on the Marriage and Family Act Board! I saw his name on the roster!"
Hermione and Harry turned in horror to see several protesters converging in on a surprised and alarmed Percy. The man held his hands up, and stammered something, clearly trying to explain that he meant no harm.
"Oi, he's trying to join the protest, calm down!" Harry shouted, trying to shoulder his way through the crowd.
Someone else shouted at Percy, "You and arseholes like you are the reason we're here!"
"I'm just...I'm just trying..." The redhead stumbled backward, away from the angry people closing in on him, but found he had nowhere to go. The people behind him were not allowing him to make an escape.
Harry tried again. "I said, stand down! This is supposed to be a peaceful protest for anyone to join!"
"My sister killed herself because of you!"
"You had no right-!"
"This is your final warning, my wand has been drawn and I will stun if you lot don't sit down! Aarons, get your arse over here, I need backup." Harry shouted.
"The Boy Who Lived to Kiss Ministry Arse, is it?"
"Protecting slime like this! Get them!"
Several protesters drew their wands and started trying to hex in the crowded room. Others actually reached out to grab Percy, and then Hermione couldn't see either of her friends as the crowd converged around them. She drew her wand, but then hesitated, trying to decide if she should help, or if she even could.
"Stop!" she shouted ineffectively, and tried to elbow her way through the crowd. Her efforts were equally ineffective. There seemed to be no way to tell who was trying to break up the fight and who was adding to the problem. Someone's elbow sank into her stomach as they shoved their way through and Hermione grunted, doubling over as she lost her breath. She nearly lost her balance as she was jostled, and panicking slightly, Hermione stunned the man next to her as she tried to remove herself from the growing situation.
People pressed in around her, trying to see what the fuss was about, blocking the exits. Someone on the far side of the brawl was pointed out as being another Ministry worker of some kind, and the hapless woman was quickly overwhelmed. Hermione's heart sank as she could hear the woman cry, "I'm just a secretary, stop, please stop hurting me!" More Aurors started shouldering their way through, shouting orders to remain calm and "break it up," all to no avail.
Abruptly deciding that anything she tried would not only make the situation worse, Harry's warning of her impending arrest still ringing in her mind, Hermione turned and tried to make her way back to the Floos. If she were lucky, she would be able to get out and send a message to Severus to meet her somewhere inconspicuous. Drat the anti-Apparition wards on the Ministry! It was nearly impossible to get to the Floos, which were still managing to spew more people in to the already-packed room.
One of the Aurors who was trying to shove past her towards the fight halted next to her and grabbed her arm forcefully instead. "I know you; you're Hermione Granger!" he announced. His wand was suddenly pointed at her chest and his grip tightened on her arm. "Hermione Granger, you are under arrest for the illegal distribution of controlled substances. Surrender your wand."
Her heart in her throat, Hermione shifted her gaze to the arm he held fast, where she still held her wand. "I'll come peacefully, I'll even wait for you, but you need to help break that up!" She shouted over the noise.
The auror shook his head stubbornly. "I'll not be responsible for letting you escape! You're coming with me."
Hermione opened her mouth to respond when a large wizard next to them interrupted. "Here now, you can't arrest her!" It was Kerrick Finnegan, whose older brother, Seamus had died in the battle of Hogwarts. Her arrest was actually gathering a good deal of attention in their little corner. Kerrick drew his own wand threateningly. "That's Hermione Granger, and she's a bloody hero. You can't arrest her."
"Sir, I'm going to ask you to stand down," said the Auror bravely, his wand shifting between Kerrick and Hermione. "A warrant was signed for her arrest. No one is above the law, not even Hermione Granger."
"That's what you lot said about the Marriage Law!" an angry woman interjected.
"Hermione hasn't done anything wrong!" Kerrick took a step closer; the large Irishman was clearly furious.
The Auror's grip tightened painfully, and Hermione winced in response. "Ms. Granger has been implicated in an illegal substance ring. She is under arrest!"
"Stop hurting her!" Kerrick growled. "That woman has done more for this world than you could imagine!"
"Illegal substances? You mean birth control!" The woman, who Hermione now recognised as being a year or so below her in school, snarled and drew her wand. "Because of this idiot law and you idiot Aurors mindlessly doing whatever you're told, I'm pregnant! I had to end my apprenticeship! I don't want a baby, and I don't want my so-called husband. Unhand her!"
The Auror's wand shifted once more, now aiming at the woman, and Kerrick didn't wait any longer. He spat a hex, and the Auror groaned, doubling over. The motion jerked Hermione down with him, as he still refused to let her go. Around her, confusion exploded as people not quite near enough to see started talking.
"What's going on over there?"
"I think that Auror hexed Hermione Granger for giving out birth control!"
"He's got another hex coming, then!"
"Someone's got birth control? Where? You can't keep it all to yourselves!"
As the situation was misconstrued around her, hexes started flying. In such close quarters wands were near useless, ricocheting dangerously. The angry crowd, desperate to be heard, started reaching, yelling and punching. Glass shattered beyond the fountain as a full-blown riot broke out in the Ministry atrium. The Auror had finally lost his grip on her and was now being beaten in front of her.
Hermione watched in horror as he went down to his knees and tried to shield his head as people started kicking him. It wasn't supposed to happen like this; it was supposed to be a peaceful protest! She tightened her grip on her wand until it actually hurt. She needed to get out of here, fast. Hermione turned back towards the Floos, and once again tried to make her way toward them.
It was slow progress, and hexes were now flying wildly and at random. She tried to shield herself as a burning hex flew at her. Unfortunately, she didn't have the arm room to cast a Protego, and her shield ineffectively protected nothing higher than her knees.
Hermione fell back hard, throwing others out of balance as the hex hit her squarely in the left shoulder. Blistering pain shot across her upper chest, collarbone and down her arm. Her shoulder felt like someone had just stabbed it with a red-hot fire iron, and with a cry of pain, she dropped to her knees.
It was the least safe position to be in, and in short order she found herself lying flat as someone tripped over her. Her shoulder radiating heat and pain, she struggled to get up as people pressed around her, mentally screaming, Severus! Then someone's elbow hit her solidly in the head, and everything went dark.
A/N: Thank you once again--I appreciate the time you've taken to read, please review...
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