Chapter Text
Once Hermione had left Hogwarts with all of her NEWTS, a couple of months after the Battle of Hogwarts, she did not take a year off with Harry and Ron, like they had planned to. She instantly started her apprenticeship at the Ministry. She had been reluctant at first, considering everything that the Ministry had put her through over the past years. But Shacklebolt had insisted on showing her around himself to prove how much the Ministry had changed since he took over.
Shacklebolt was also the one who introduced her to the head of the Ministry of Magic research committee. Phoebe Penrose, granddaughter of Phoebus Penrose, had taken upon herself to change the research committee's orientation drastically. The Muggle research institute was still active, but it was now focusing on understanding Muggles to improve the Muggle studies' curriculum at Hogwarts and ultimately improve relationships between Muggles and wizards. Bethany O'Rourke, head of the Muggle research institute, was even working hand in hand with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to question the viability of a world in which wizards would not be hiding from Muggle any longer.
Though Hermione had been greatly interested in their work and had promised Bethany that she would read her most recent papers, she was not meant to join their institute. The apprenticeship that Hermione had signed up for was with the head of the Psychology institute. It had been cared about very little over the past two decades, but the scars that the War had left on the Wizarding World had rekindled the Ministry's interest in this research field. Anselma Bones, Amelia Bones' younger sister and the head of the Psychology institute, was an elderly witch with long grey hair and little patience. She was therefore very lucky to have Hermione Granger as her new apprentice; never, in the five years she worked with her, did Hermione test her patience.
"Hermione, you should be the one leading the conference today" Anselma suddenly declared one morning, while Hermione and she were getting ready for their monthly meeting with the other research institutes.
"Really, are you sure? I mean, whether the Minister does or does not fund our clinic entirely depends on today's meeting."
"I am aware. I would not propose if I did not believe that I can rely on you. Now, get ready and don't make me regret this" Anselma answered while shoving papers and folders into Hermione's arms. Hermione could only beam at her, already raking her brains for the best phrase to start her presentation with. They could not be prepared enough for their meeting, for it was the largest one Hermione had ever witnessed since she had joined the Ministry, five years prior. Penrose and Bethany were there, of course, as well as the heads of the other research institutes, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, who was Harry and Ron's boss, the head of the Committee on Experimental Charms, the head of the Magical Education Department and, obviously, Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Minister himself. Hermione could feel her hands shaking as she thanked everyone for coming and announced the meeting's theme.
As soon as the presentation was over, Hermione searched for Anselma's gaze. Only once her mentor had nodded in silent approval could Hermione acknowledge the dozens of hands that were raised in her direction.
"Miss Granger" Bethany started, and Hermione was thankful that she was the first to speak. "Does this mean that the clinic that you would like to open will be based on a Muggle's therapist's office? Do you plan to use the same methods as them?"
"Yes and no. Of course, Anselma and I have read many great Muggle psychologists and psychiatrists, as I stated during my presentation. Yet our approach is different from the way Muggle's conceive psychology, since we believe that many psychological issues can be treated with more efficiency if we involve magical means, such as Potions or Transfiguration."
"And how would that be different from we work we do at St Mungo's?" an elderly wizard intervened. Hermione had not noticed him at first, for the table hid most of his small body. From the green robes he was wearing, Hermione guessed that he was representing St Mungo's.
"We do know that you are already doing great work regarding long-term maladies. But we believe that our method could provide a different approach; one that could lead to permament results."
The small wizard seemed a bit insulted by Hermione's explanation, for it sounded like that young witch thought herself to be a better healer than the ones at St Mungo's. He did not get a chance to argue though, for Anselma had just given voice to the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
"Thank you, Anselma. My question will be very straight-forward: how do you stand concerning legilimency? Will it be a part of your treatment?"
"Thank you for your question. We did address very thoroughly, considering its sensitivity."
A couple outraged whispers ran across the room.
"However ..." Hermione went on, raising her voice to cover the whispers "We came to the conclusion that accessing a patient's trauma through legilimency would neither benefit the patient, nor our research. Our patients will come to the clinic willingly and freely; they should therefore also be able to choose which parts of themselves they will provide us with. Yet that is hardly possible when using legilimency."
Most of the assembly seemed reassured by Hermione's answer and she even thought that she had seen Anselma smile. The meeting went on for another hour, during which most questions were raised by the Potions and Transfiguration research institutes, who were now very eager to hear in which ways their departments would be able to collaborate.
The next morning, Anselma greeted Hermione with the greatest smile the young witch had ever seen on her: Kingsley had granted them enough funds to aquire premises, invest in the necessary equipment and advertise their work. Her presentation had been a success!
The same evening, Hermione met Ginny, Harry, Ron, and Luna for drinks. Harry and Ron had just come back from their first mission in France, where they worked hand in hand with the French Ministry of Magic. The French had uncovered leads on illegal magical weaponry trades over the English Channel.
"Yeah, Ron got on with the French pretty well. Hard to believe this is the same bloke who coudn't get a single word out in front of Fleur. I mean, mate, how many French girls did you bring home in a single month? Three? Four?" Harry jested, elbowing his friend.
Ron's ears instantly turned crimson, and he hit Harry's shoulder. "Come on mate, you said you wouldn't tell anyone!" He threw Hermione an embarrassed glance, but she merely shrugged. They had only dated for a couple of months after Ron and Harry came back from their trip. If she had felt anything beyond friendship for Ron in the past, it was all gone now.
"What? You're the one who was prancing around about it when we met George!" Harry retorted, rubbing his bruised shoulder.
"I, for one, do not want to imagine another one of my brothers getting it on with a French witch..." Ginny butted in with a disgusted scowl.
"You're one to talk about getting it on with a witch..." Ron growled, and it was Ginny's turn to grow crimson. Harry seemed particularly perplexed, but Luna only beamed at him as he seeked her explanation.
"Anyway ..." Ginny resumed, while avoiding Harry's gaze "Enough girl-talk for tonight. This was supposed to be about Hermione's success!"
Harry still seemed uncertain regarding Ron's latest comment, but he could not overpower the joy of having their brandy and Luna's Daisyroot Draught brought to their table. They all toasted to Hermione's success and soon all veiled allegations were forgotten.