Chapter Text
23rd of August , 2002
Ministry of Magic , Department Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
Fellow co-workers would gather into the small office with simple party hats, and Weasley ever lasting streamers as they cheered and clapped. They held signs saying; ‘Congratulations!, to the woman sitting at her desk with a shocked, and confusion look upon her tired face. Next to her stood the tall, dark, broad shoulder Minster of Magic as he offered her a piece of parchment. She took the carefully inked letter, and looked it over with her browns eyes.
“Hermione Granger, after your work with the Department here, we would like to promote you to Junior Deputy to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. There you will work closely with the Aurors, as well myself.”
Hermione was still flabbergasted as she looked over the parchment word by word, “Mr. Shacklebolt, I don’t know- What of S.P.E.W? It has been my work since I been here. I can’t just drop it.”
“No worries on that, Ms Granger, you laid the foundations we needed to keep it going, and grow!” Ms. Prickle said with pride.
Granger sighed in some relief. Still it was her project, her work since Hogwarts. To leave it all for a promotion? It was time to let others take the reins. It was time, she needed, no she wanted, to step up. S.P.E.W was now in the hands of the DRACMC, she trusted Mrs. Prickle and staff to keep it going.
Those brown eyes finally lifted to look up to the Minster, and smile, “When do I start?”
28th of September, 2002
Ministry of Magic; Department of Magical Law Enforcement
A month later into her new post, she settled well into her far more spacious office with her own Floo. Rare to have an office with a floo, especially for a Junior Deputy, she didn’t bother to question it. She was happy about the amount of shelf space she had for her books, and studies, Her desk was constantly covered in files and scrolls of reports from Aurors and other Officers of the department.
With this position she could now work closely with her dear friend, Harry Potter, and boyfriend Ronald Weasley. Five years now her and Ron had held steady, marriage had been a topic few times, but she did want to make sure she had a good place in her career, and make sure S.P.E.W had a solid place within the Ministry. Maybe she could bring the subject back up now? Everything was going wonderfully since the promotion.
Harry and Ron have been with the department longer, acting as Junior Aurors, and she was making sure they stayed out of trouble. Just like when they were at Hogwarts. Though, it wasn’t all yelling and running after them as it was then, she rarely got to go out and do field work, she was mostly a glorified secretary for the actual heads of the department. Sorting case files, looking for anything that could help purge any laws that favored Pure-blooded families over those born to Muggles. She never been so glad for this, the Ministry was finally taking a stance for Muggle-born, even Squibs. She was doing her part, even if she was always lost in paper work.
Not far past noon she paused in her work to take a tea break, and eat some lunch when a knock was heard at her door. “Come in!” she called.
The door opened, and Kingsley would make his way inside, “Ms. Granger.” he greeted with his rich tone.
“Sir!” Quick to stand, nearly tipping one of her cups over. Kingsley only shook his head, and gestured her to sit, before joining her in the other chair across from hers. She always admired Mr. Shacklebolt, he was easily becoming a favorite among the Wizarding Community for his changes, and fierce stance against Dark Arts and those that would use them. Though she can see the time has been aging him. Grey stubble lined his strong chin, as well his brows.
“Sorry to come unannounced, Hermione, I wanted to talk with you about a new assignment.” said taking the pot of tea to help himself to a cup, “You will work closely with me, and no, Harry and Ron are no involved, at all.”
Head tilted curiously, “Sir, no offense, and please forgive me for speaking out of terms, but I do have quite the work load already with the new law changes to go through next year.”
He only chuckled, and nodded, “I know they been running you thin, and I have talked to the department to start seeking others to share the load, because this assignment takes priority now.”
‘Takes Priority?’ Hermione thought as she slowly sipped at her tea, eying the Minster a moment before she would ask, “What is the assignment?”
Paused in mid sip of his own tea, looking around the room for a moment, before taking his wand from his robes and muttered, ‘Muffliato’. A moment waited then Kingsley returned his gaze to Granger, “As I said, this only between you and I. Classified. Do we understand, Ms. Granger?”
The brunette stared for a moment before nodding those curls slowly, setting her cup down to give Shacklebolt her complete attention. “I will admit, I had worked to get you hired into the Department of Magical Law for awhile now. Not only I knew you can do great things for it, but...I knew I could trust this task to you without questions from Ms. Prickle.
Hermione seemed far more interested now, going all this length just so no one could question her of her movements, and actions that had nothing in relations to her ‘actual’ job. She continued to listen, lean back into her chair.
“Only myself, and Headmistress McGonagall have knowledge of this.” he reached into his robe, and pulled out a small box, placing it down. Slight wave of his wand, and tapping upon the top, he uttered, ‘Engorgio’. The box grew to the size of a lock-box, with a small latch upon the front of it. Another tap, and the words 'Aberto', it popped open. Hermione slowly leaned forward to see what was inside, the excitement was rising in her chest, curious what could have been kept so locked up, but all she saw was,
“A file?” she blinked, and went to reach but the file itself turned and ‘SNAP’ at her fingers. Letting out a yelp, she backed off and looked to Kingsley. “That is some nasty security for some papers, Sir.” she said looking to see the amuse look upon the Minster.
“With good reason, I assure you. Unfortunately, it won’t let you see the contents unless you are authorized.”
“So, I have to agree with the assignment, without knowing what it is?”
“Yes, and No. I can tell you, but that will go against the charms placed, and it will destroy itself. All I can give you is; that you will be a bridge to making our world safer.”
She blinked slowly, and looked to the box once more, getting more and more curious. “If so, why all the security?”
Kingsley blinked at her, then shook his head, “All I can say.”
“Are you charmed as well, sir? That you cant say what is in it?” There was another pause, the Minster did not utter a word, only look at her as if she didn’t say a thing at all. So he was. Hes gone to such lengths to even charm himself to speak little of this, unless she agrees. Looking around for a moment, eyes fell to the piles of files and scrolls, so much work, but he did say it would be lessen when she takes on this role. He trusted her to be a part of this, whatever she was doing. Taking a slow breath she looked to Kingsley and nodded slowly. “I accept.”
As if he snapped out of a daze, the Minster smiled, and reached to offer his hand to her, “Good, now take my hand, I will transfer authority.” He waited until Granger hand was in his, “Repeat after me: 'I, Hermione Granger...Will take on the task brought before me...” paused as he listened to her repeat his words, “'Never to speak, but to those we trust, and those under its gaze.” another pause, “and Will keep this task under lock and key.” Once she has finished those last words, swirls of purple and blue from Kingsley hand would wrap about Hermione’s. She felt something, a little tinge in her brain, but like that it was done.
The Minster released her hand, and gestured to the box, “Go ahead. Go over it, and I will answer any questions you have with reason.”
She looked to him, then back to the box before carefully reaching in, bloody thing better not snap at her again. Thankfully, not this time, it was just a plain old file. Not to heavy, and none to light. Placing it before her, that excitement and interest was at an all time high as she opened it.
Within were several clippings from the Daily Prophet of former Death Eaters being arrested, or found dead. Each had a stamp from the Minsters own personal office. A brow rose as she looked up to Shacklebolt, whom was slowly sipping at his tea as she watched her. Eyes fell back to the pages, some handwritten in a rather familiar way, she seen this writing before?
===
MKS :250902
Regards, trailing the Adders tracks, will investigate, contacts will be silent until more information.
–Hemlock-
===
Hemlock? Was this an undercover Auror that the others did not know? Why was this so locked up? Many questions swam in her head as she continued to finger through the pages. The bio for this Hemlock was clipped to the back, and of course no picture, hardly any information to go on. Finally she looked to Kingsley again.
“Before you ask who it is, I want you to understand, their code name is for purpose of their safety and yours. It’s best you address them as such when you make your meetings.”
“Meetings? Meaning I have to see them in person?” she asked, almost excited and afraid at the same time.
“Yes, you will make frequent checks. Only when it is safe. They will let you know.”
Hermione nodded then pick up one of the clippings of the loyalist Nott Snr being arrested by Aurors. Harry was there, she recalled him talking about how the man simply gave up, but would not talk. “All these clippings, was Hemlock’s work?”
“Correct, I hired on Hemlock to help thin out what remains of Voldemort’s loyal followers. Those have been just a small part of their accomplishments, most have been credited by other Aurors.”
Credited by others? Seem it was a way to throw the Auror department off without thinking their was a third party in all this. Why would Kingsley not hire on this person into the Aurora Department? They risked a lot chasing former Death Eaters, and Dark Wizards to not be known. Unless...
“They’re a Death Eater..” said breathlessly.
Kingsley nodded in confirmation. “Yes, this is why I am keeping this on the down low. I did not wish to cause issues, we know most had no choice, while other relished in the dark ways. Most of the Auror’s today lost loved ones after the Battle of Hogwarts, and Second War. I have a feeling they would lash out.”
“Who—”
“I will not give their name, Ms Granger..”
There are few people she can think of that were Death Eaters that could be working for redemption; Draco? His father? Mother? Could been any of those Pure-Blooded families. She thought for a moment. Severus Snape? No, he’s done enough, and with his injuries doubt he was hunting dark magic users. Besides, its been five years since she seen him, and she asks McGonagall about him in her monthly letters. Only stating he been, peachy.
“When do I start...communicating with Hemlock?” she asked curiously, “And how?”
The Minster rose from his seat, and moved to her floo. Waving his wand over the dust, muttering some words, “There, when you wish to send letters just say, “’Hemlock’ it will transfer it directly.”
——
Hermione and Kingsley would spend a good hour talking, and understanding the procedures she needed to make. She needed to use her initials for those letters, no need to complicate it all. Noted the numbers, and he explained it was the date the letter was sent. So the last one was just a few days ago, and from this point on she would get any other letters through her Floo.
In fact it would be over a week before she would get her first letter from Hemlock. She was going over a case file when the Floo came to life, though no person venture through, but a letter as it floated over, landing gently down before her.
She looked it over, the wax seal was black, even had a interesting scent of lemons and sandalwood. It was familiar, where has she smelled it before? Breaking the seal carefully, she opened it to look over that same lettering.
====
MKS:071002
Adder found, will engage upon orders.
-Hemlock -
===
Staring long at it before she would move to one of her desk drawers, waving her wand to unlock it. Pulling it open she pushed that small box aside and pulled up a folder marked, ‘Adder’. Kingsley made sure she would get all information she needed for the task, this one was the first.
Adder was a wizard that dabbled a little too much in the unforgivables, so much he’s been terrorizing muggles and wizard kind a like. She gazed over the reports and sighed, it was her choice to put Hemlock in harms way, or send the Aurors. At first she figure it would be easy but this choice was hard. Yes they handle themselves against other Wizards, but what if was the one she send a person to their death? Kingsley trusted her to make these decisions.
One more look over the Adder’s file, seeing the death count he manage to rank up, she shook her head. Grabbing a quill she started to right out her response;
===
Hemlock:071002
Stand down, we will send Aurors to take care of Adder, in the meantime set yourself aside. You done good work. Keep in touch, will inform you when we have Adder in custody.
HJG
===
Standing from her desk she move to the floo and spoke the words before tossing the letter out. She watched for a minute before moving to write out the warrant for the wizard’s arrest, and detailing the information to make a swift and easy arrest. As she was nearly done the floo erupted again, and another of Hemlock’s letters came floating to her desk. Confused for a moment, she reached to open it and read it.
===
HJG:071002
I don’t know who you are, but I suppose if MKS allowed you answer my letters, either he has a new name or simply passed the leash to you. I will back down, but I –must- insist on letting me handle Adder. Aurors will just make him panic. Think twice.
-Hemlock-.
===
Hermione’s brows furrowed tight,’he questions my orders?’ Did he do this to the Minster? Was he being an arse since she was a new person. She looked at her report, then continued to send it off to the Auror offices.
I won’t respond, he can sit and think about it. I trust the Auror’s will handle this case with care, they have done so before. She made certain Harry will pick it up, or Ron, at least she know they will take it with care.
——
Hermione would continue on with her work for the remainder of the shift. It was quiet, no letters from Hemlock, or any word from the Aurors. Usually Harry and Ron would come to use her Floo to head to their homes after their shifts. It was past 530 now, and still no sign of them. Tapping at her thigh as she looked to the door, then to the Floo. He mind was going back and forth to rather something happened to keep them later. Eventually, the Floo would come to life. Harry stepping in, looking worse for wear. His cloak was torn, he had speckles of blood on his cheek. It reminded her how he looked after the Battle at Hogwarts.
Hermione stood quickly, “Harry! What happened?” she looked him over, and waved her wand over him to do a health check. Cuts, bruising but nothing terrible...
“Hermione, sit, please...”
“Harry tell me what happened..”
“Sit..!” voice was louder, sending the junior deputy back into her chair looking fearful.
“You sent that warrant for Adder, yes? We went to check out the place he was last seen, simple. Until he saw us. Was like some rabid dog being cornered, he flung spells with no care, rather it hit us or people around us. Full on panic...”
“Harry...”
“Ro-Ron didn’t...” he choked, pulling his glasses from his face to wipe at the thick tears that forced their way out. “Ron was hit...straight through, ‘mione, he didn’t get a chance...”
A sharp cold feeling ran through her spine, her mind numb as if she wasn’t registering what he was telling him. Her brown eyes were wide, then finally it hit her. Ron was dead...that is what he was telling me.Her hand started to shake, her mind and body started to reaction as a large wave of emotion’s hit the Junior Deputy.
“H-Harry...”
“’mione...” he moved to embrace his long time friend as she started to cry out. Holding her tight as he felt her tears soaking his shoulder. Wailing as she could not control it any more. Felt as if the room shrunk around them, and only light was the small lamp on her desk.
This was her fault...
All her fault..