Chapter 3: A Meeting with the Minister

Author's Note Millions of thanks to my original beta reader, who helped me tremendously, and to my new beta reader, CharmedForce, whose gentle criticism and enthusiasm inspire me to do better. I appreciate the comments and support of everyone who took the time to read and review my story. Your generosity and kindness are amazing!

Disclaimer: The characters you recognize belong to the brilliant J. K. Rowling; I owe her an immeasurable debt of gratitude for her creation, a new kind of Camelot.

Chapter Three

Minister Shacklebolt’s Office, Ministry of Magic, London

“Hermione, my dear, how are you holding up?”

Minister of Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt dismissed his secretary, and wrapped his arm around Hermione for a quick hug, then helped her off with her cloak, ushering her to a low sofa near the fireplace. “Sit down, Hermione, I’ve ordered tea; it should be here in a moment.”

“Kingsley, it’s so good to see you.” Hermione stood on tiptoe to kiss Kingsley’s cheek as befitted an old friend, then dropped onto the sofa, brushing away tears. “It has been dreadful, but I’m coping. Ron’s in Ireland, but Harry and Ginny are close so I’m not alone. At least a thousand times today I’ve headed for Minerva’s office or gone to Floo her and realized I can’t. I don’t think I’ve really realized yet that she’s gone, actually.”

“I don’t think any of us have realized it yet, not completely.”

A footman entered the office bearing a loaded tea tray, which was placed on the low table in front of the sofa. Kingsley leaned forward and poured tea for both of them, gesturing to the plates of sandwiches and sweets on the tray.

“I’m not going to listen to your arguments, Hermione; I know you won’t have eaten for hours. Fill your plate with sandwiches and sweets and EAT. You can’t manage the whole of a stressful day like today on nothing but tea.”

He spoke as one who knew her well, but Hermione really needed little urging. She was so hungry she was getting a headache, and travel by Floo was always a little upsetting anyway. Hermione gratefully filled her plate, enjoying the little sandwiches and sweets.

They conversed sporadically as they consumed the light meal.

“That was perfect, Kingsley; thank you so much.” Hermione sat back on the sofa with a fresh cup of tea, while Kingsley pointed his wand at his desk and commanded “Accio notebook.” A thin leather-bound folio soared into his hand, and he sat back with his own fresh cup of tea.

“First, Hermione, in case you’ve not heard, there was no evidence whatsoever of foul play. Susan’s initial assessment was spot on; Minerva’s heart simply gave out, which surprises nobody. And you handled sealing her office and calling Susan just perfectly; it was exactly what needed to be done. Thank you for that, my dear. My job is so much easier when people follow procedures.”

He looked up and smiled fondly at her.

She waved away the commendation, but pounced on the first part of his statement.

“I know she was growing steadily weaker; Madam Bones had mentioned that she was concerned about Minerva. I’m just grateful that Kreacher found her rather than one of the students.”

“We must be thankful for that,” Shacklebolt agreed. “I understand you and Draco opened the office when the team from the Ministry got there?”

“Yes. Once they’d taken away her body, Draco and I opened the secure drawer in her desk. She’d told me where her to find her will and had given me the password when I became her deputy, you see. She expected she would die at Hogwarts, and she wanted to be sure that her burial instructions and her will would be found in good order when she passed on. You know Minerva: always efficient, even about something like this. It was,” Hermione began to cry. “It was her way of making sure that it would be easy for all of us afterward. I shall miss her so much.”

Kingsley offered her a clean handkerchief and held her hand while she cried. He used a tissue from his desk to mop up his own tears.

When Hermione stopped crying, she asked to use the bathroom to wash her face and comb her hair. When she returned, she was composed enough to sit back down on the sofa and ask calmly,

“What is the Ministry planning to do about her funeral or memorial service?”

“She made it clear in her letter that she wanted to be cremated.” He chuckled. “I remember hearing her say, many times, that she didn’t ever want to be put on display like the stuffed House-elves on the walls at Grimmauld Place.” Hermione nodded, remembering Minerva’s acerbic humor and gruff Scottish burr.

“We will set up the meeting room on the first floor with a large photograph and a bier for her urn. We’ll use a still photograph like the Muggles use. The public can come and pay their respects here in London. We will hold the visitation on Friday from noon till eight in the evening. I hope you can be here for that, and Harry, too. ”

“I’ll come early to help get things organized, if you need me.” Kingsley nodded and made a note, then continued, “Saturday, I will bring her urn to Hogwarts in time for the memorial service that afternoon. The Ministry would like to hold a reception in the Great Hall afterwards.”

Hermione nodded her head. “I’ll see Harry when I get back to the school, and I know he will be honored to participate. Please let me know how many to expect for the reception.”

“Of course.”

“Have you arranged for speakers at the Memorial Service on Saturday, though?”

“I will give the eulogy. And Arthur Weasley has already volunteered to pay tribute on behalf of the Order. I think it would be appropriate to have Harry speak, if he feels able to.”

“What about the Gryffindor Prefects? Minerva's whole life was teaching; it would be suitable to hear from two of her current students."

“That’s a good thought. Will you speak to the Prefects for me?” Hermione nodded.

They both glanced up as the clock on Kingsley’s desk began striking the hour.

“My goodness, it’s that late already." Hermione got to her feet, with Kingsley following suit immediately. "I thank you for the tea, Kingsley, but I really must be getting back to Hogwarts. I still need to talk to Draco, and I wanted to have a bit of time with Rose and Hugo before they go to bed. They’re quite upset, as you can understand.”

“Of course they are, and of course you must get back. Thank you for making the time to come all the way to London. I would ordinarily have come to Hogwarts myself, but I have been inundated with letters and Floo calls.”

Kingsley helped Hermione on with her cloak. As his office was part of the Floo network, Hermione’s return to Hogwarts was extremely easy. She tossed a handful of Floo powder into the fire, called out her destination and stepped out of the fireplace and into her office at Hogwarts a moment later to find Draco Malfoy dozing on the sofa.

Prompt Information

This story was written for the Potter Place Deathly Hallows Challenge.

I used prompts 6 and 8 but modified them.

The original prompts:

6. The kids leave after Snape dies. He sits up and realizes he is a ghost.

8. As Hermione, Ron, and Harry watch Snape die, Hermione is devastated because she has been secretly in love with him. Waiting until after the war is won, Hermione gets her Time Turner and goes back a year. She confronts Snape and tells him what will happen. They take the year to come up with a potion that will react once the Dark Lord and the gang leave the Shrieking Shack. Since Hermione cannot be seen by her other self, she must stay with Snape in the dungeons until the day of the battle. I think it would be kind of cool is she were to fight during the battle as herself and her time turner self.)

My modifications: The story is written about a portrait and not a ghost. I only borrowed Hermione being in love with Severus from prompt 8.