Sixteen

Disclaimer: I still don't own it, no matter how hard I try Imperio. By now no doubt you know there are theories about an inner earth or hollow planet. Paper waste is still not an issue, and the electrons are seriously indignant, so there.

"Oh, hi, Draco! You want Harry? Hang on!" Ginny Potter disappeared from Lucius's view, then Harry Potter appeared.

"Draco. Hi."

"Hi. Got a moment?" Draco asked.

"For you? Anytime," Potter answered, grinning.

"Great! Can we get together for dinner? You, Gin, and I? Oh, never mind. Scrap that. Let me get my priorities right... My father wants you to accompany him to the Minister. When can you do that?" Draco asked.

Potter's face fell. "You prioritise your father's wants before your own? I'm disappointed, Malfoy!"

Draco smirked. "Well, no, not really. I'm just keeping up appearances. Father is in the room and can hear every word."

"Oh. Okay. Well, in that case... If I agree to meet him at three o'clock, will you meet us for dinner?"

A sigh escaped Lucius; he couldn't help it. "Yes, Potter, he will. My word. Just get me to Kingsley in your presence!"

Harry grinned. "All right. Meet me at the phone booth on Charing Cross Road at three then."

"Father?"

"Yes, Draco, no doubt I am your father."

"Yes, and all I have to do to confirm that is look in a mirror, I know. Now, seriously, what's going on?"

Lucius regarded his son. He had grown up a lot, no doubt. Lucius decided to take the risk of telling him his own thoughts and hopes. Even if Draco did not agree with him, at least Lucius could be certain that he wouldn't betray him in any way.

Severus walked away from her, and Hermione sat down on the ground. What is going on... She gloomily stared at the scenery without seeing. I know I love Lucius. I have no doubt about that. So why...?

Her reverie was interrupted by Lola's voice. "Severus! Have you forgotten your early days here? I think you have. Go. Enjoy the gardens. I'll speak to her." Her voice was gentle yet her tone clearly admonishing.

Hermione looked up as Lola approached. The woman sat down next to her. "Please, dear, don't judge him too harshly. He tends to fall back to his... less joyful ways when he has a lot of contact with people from up above," Lola explained.

Hermione shook her head. "I'm not judging him. I'm just..." She buried her head on her knees and hugged herself tightly. "I don't understand..."

Lola put an arm around her and lightly pressed her shoulder. "There is nothing wrong with liking two men at the same time, you know... It is not unknown here and from my understanding is not that uncommon in the wizarding world either. With Muggles, of course, it's a different situation. They are so far removed from anything natural..." She sighed heavily. "But that's exactly why we are working towards freedom on the entire planet. And... you know, doing the magick with two rather than one other will prove more effective."

Hermione's mind was reeling. Her head shot up and she met Lola's eyes. "Are you saying it's all right for me to have those feelings for... him, even though I know I'm in love with Lucius?" she asked, her voice incredulous.

"Go and look for the answer inside yourself, Hermione. I do know life up above is very much subjected to the suppression of intuition, which is one form of keeping control of people. But it is not so down here," Lola said, her tone gently washing over the witch. "Learn to listen to that voice inside."

Hermione's eyes now sought the form of the dark man. He'd joined the young people and looked perfectly natural. "What an amazing change he must have gone through," she whispered.

Lola laughed. "Yes. I remember the early days when he lived here. He was perfectly miserable at first, then fought to maintain the misery because he didn't know there was life beyond it...a better life...and eventually, he gave in to the joy that prevails everywhere down here. It took him a while, though."

Just before three, Lucius Disapparated from the manor and reappeared in a narrow alleyway near the Ministry. He walked around the corner to the phone booth. Potter was already there.

"Mr Malfoy," the younger man greeted politely.

Lucius smirked. "Potter. Why don't we drop the formalities? After all, your best friend shares my bed, and my son is about to seduce you. Harry."

Potter's mouth dropped open. Then he visibly swallowed. "What?"

Lucius motioned for him to enter the booth. "You heard my words. Let me assure you, Potter, a relationship between three adults can be far more rewarding than one between two. Witches, especially strong ones, tend to benefit as much as we do, for two wizards provide more balance."

Potter glanced at him from the side. "I'm not going to discuss my sex life with you. Lucius."

"Oh, that's a relief. Saves me hexing your mouth closed," Lucius said, smirking again. "Now, does Kingsley know I'm here?"

"I only told him I needed to see him urgently."

The Minister was in a state of upset. Across his desk were several newspapers, both local and national, and he gasped as he read one headline after another. "Merlin, what is going on? The Muggle world seems to rebel everywhere suddenly. This started only last night when about ninety percent of police officers and firemen resigned their jobs! This morning, teachers did the same after facing empty classrooms all over the place! Look at this!" He turned a newspaper around for Harry to read and continued to lament. "I've received no fewer than eleven memos from the Muggle Prime Minister and have no idea what to tell him!"

Lucius looked over the younger man's shoulder. Unable to suppress a grin, he said, "Finally! The Muggles are waking up."

"Lucius!"

"Kingsley."

Kingsley looked questioningly at his favourite Auror. "You could have told me you'd bring Lucius along, Harry."

"Sorry, Kingsley," Harry muttered and looked carefully around. "Can we talk freely here?"

"Yes. I set additional wards and check them daily. What is going on these days? I've noticed some time ago that you and Ron don't seem to be on such friendly terms anymore. And I can't imagine it's because he and Hermione split up."

"No. It has nothing to do with that," Harry agreed.

"I believe it has everything to do with what's going on in terms of control issues, no?" Lucius asked, his voice casual, while carefully observing the Minister.

Kingsley sighed. "I used to trust both you and Ron unconditionally. I don't know what caused me to stop trusting him blindly, but something leads me to believe he is no longer worthy of that."

Harry nodded slowly. "I agree with you."

"Say, Kingsley, would you now consider putting a tracking charm on Mrs Wilson?" Lucius felt no need to mention that his son had already done that.

Kingsley nodded curtly. "Yes. I admit fault here. At the time I thought you were paranoid. Only to find that I was being ignorant for the longest time."

The afternoon of exchanging information and viewpoints proved to be revealing, even more so at the end.

Both Harry and Lucius stood up to part with the Minister when a commotion and a loud voice caught everyone's attention.

"What the hell?" Kingsley muttered.

"No matter who you are or how important it is, you cannot just walk into Minister Shacklebolt's office!" The door opened and revealed Edwina Wilson and Kingsley's assistant.

"I'm so sorry, Minister. She simply ignored me!" the girl apologised.

Wilson glared at her. "Like I have to listen to you, idiot girl," she hissed and turned around to face the Minister. "Shacklebolt. I want that..." She caught sight of Lucius. "Mr Malfoy. What are you doing here?"

"Having tea," Lucius said smoothly. Then he smirked. "How is life treating you, or shouldn't I ask, Mrs Wilson? Did you come here to ask the Minister for assistance with improving the quality of your life?" His tone was now perfectly conversational.

She flinched at Lucius's words and abruptly turned her attention to the Minister.

He held up his hand. "We do observe common courtesies here, Mrs Wilson. Surely, you are aware of that? Calling my assistant an idiot girl is not acceptable."

"Whatever!"

Her accent was very American, her tone petulant, and Lucius wrinkled his nose. I bet Hermione would punch her right about now...

"You need to do something about your head of MLE! She is actively sabotaging our efforts to improve the safety of the wizarding world! You would do well to replace her, Shacklebolt!"

Kingsley ignored Lucius and Harry, who stood there avidly following Edwina's words.

"You want me to replace your replacement why? What sabotage? I'm not aware of any. Although I am aware that she hasn't been to work for the past couple of days. Which I find understandable. Her children were kidnapped out of Hogwarts with an illegal Portkey! So she took them somewhere safe as soon as they were rescued. As you know, we are still investigating the case. Hermione has never been known to skive off work in all the twenty-two years she's worked for me. I certainly see absolutely no reason to replace her because she's spending time with her children unexpectedly. We do make such allowances for mothers, you know?"

"It has nothing to do with that, and I bet you know it, Minister," Edwina hissed. "The witch has been actively sabotaging our efforts for security."

"I see," Lucius said. "And you took into your own hands to spy on her, did you?"

"I did no such thing!" Edwina shouted. "And besides, that's none of your business!"

"I beg to differ," Lucius said. "If my partner's life is jeopardised, then it does become my business."

"Making sure she does her job properly does not constitute jeopardising her life, Malfoy," Edwina spat. "Finding that she does not, however, does justify firing her."

"Mrs Wilson," Kingsley started, and she glared at him venomously. "I do not recall granting permission to investigate one of my most trusted workers. Hermione is as much a war hero as Mr Potter and Mr Weasley. I've known all three since they were in their teens and have worked closely with them for more than twenty years. Forgive me if I cannot simply take your word for her sudden inefficiency, let alone take seriously your claim of her sabotaging Magical Law Enforcement." The look on his face was challenging.

"If I say she has to go, then you better take my word for it. And if I were you, I'd tread very carefully. It would be... a pity if the Minister of Magic met an early demise, would it not?"

A letter whooshed through the fireplace into Edwina's hand, interrupting her blatant threats. She opened it impatiently, her expression still one of smugness, and started to read. Her face turned white.

"Oh, Merlin. The Muggles are rebelling. I need to be with my husband. He will be helpless without my magic if the electromagnetic grid is damaged." She missed the looks between the three wizards, Lucius's encouraging nod, and Kingsley's imperceptible nod at Harry.

Harry cast a silent Accio and started reading the letter while Lucius twirled his wand between his fingers.

"Give that letter back, Potter!" Edwina cried and reached for her wand.

Instantly, Lucius's wand was on her throat. "One move, Wilson, and I will give you the treatment you had planned for Rose and Hugo Weasley." His voice left no doubt how deadly serious he was.

Harry silently handed the letter to Kingsley, then moved towards the witch, his wand drawn. Ropes flew out of it, forcing her onto the chair she stood in front of and binding her tightly to its frame.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Edwina shouted.

"If you don't shut your mouth, I will shut it for you," Harry said, any attempt at politeness vanished. "You are under arrest for suspicion of treason, for attempted murder, and for attempted genocide on humanity, Muggle and magical. You have the right to remain silent." He paused shortly, then continued. "Oh, and I accuse you of mind-fucking my best friend. I suppose that's a valid charge, too." The Auror met her eyes, which wore an expression of utter horror.

"Did you know she referred to him as a retard shag buddy?" Lucius threw in conversationally. "I could almost feel sorry for him."

Harry smirked while his eyes remained on the bound witch. "Oh, that's what your comment the other day was about. Yeah, poor Ron." Then his eyes hardened. "Wilson, I'm going to have the Minister authorise the use of Veritaserum on you, and then we'll have a nice, long talk. I'll make sure Ron will be here, too, and I promise you it won't be for moral support."

Edwina remained silent, her mouth now tightly closed.

Lucius addressed Kingsley. "I take it you don't need me here now. I'd like to return to Hermione; I promised her I wouldn't be gone for long."

Kingsley nodded. "By any means, Lucius. We may need you for Wilson's trial, though."

"No problem. Draco always knows how to find me." Then Lucius turned to Harry. "Quick word, if you please, Potter. Outside her hearing range."

Harry nodded and motioned for Kingsley to keep an eye on the bound witch.

"Keep your voices down. I doubt the corridor is safe," Kingsley said and shot an angry look at Edwina.

The two wizards stepped outside, and Lucius closed the door behind them. "Draco will explain in detail how you can yet again play the part in the save-the-world game." He smirked at the younger wizard and made his way back to the road from where he Apparated to the manor.

After another hour of briefing Draco, the elder wizard mounted the dragon to return to Shambhala.

Hermione slowly got up from the ground and approached her children, who looked very much at home amidst exotic beasts, several tall young people, and Severus. She smiled at the sight of their evident happiness.

Severus met her eyes. "I... I'm sorry for taking out my frustration on you earlier," he said quietly. "I've learned much down here, but patience doesn't seem to be included in the curriculum."

Hermione laughed, relieved he was no longer angry. "Don't be sorry. I guess I haven't been in the best state with all that's happened."

"That's not surprising. I can't even begin to imagine what you've been through," he said. "I am glad your children are safe."

"So am I," Hermione said. "I don't want to think how it could have turned out, had you not been there! I don't think I'll ever be able to repay you..."

"It's never about that, Hermione. One thing I learned here is that sleep comes easier when you do what's right. And maybe stop others from doing what's wrong." He shrugged. "That's my Slytherin upbringing gone down the drain." He pointed at a tall man a distance away. "There is Karl. He'll tell us food is ready."

Hermione suddenly realised she hadn't eaten for a while, and the audible grumbling of her stomach confirmed it. She blushed.

Severus laughed. "Good timing, then." He lightly touched her arm as they turned in unison to meet Karl.

Most grateful thanks to southernwitch69 for the beta. Without her, this would be not quite legible. Or readable. Or comprehensible. Or understandable. You get the drift... Mistakes are mine, for I do not share.

A/N: For details of the prompt, please see chapter 1.