The New Job

It was already the end of summer, and Hermione was trying not to burst into tears in the middle of her kitchen. She was dressed perfectly as Draco had put it, every hair in place, the perfect dress for her first day of work, and a new pair of heels that Cissy had gotten for her. She didn't want to mess up the makeup she had done only minutes earlier, but the tears threaten to leave her eyes, and she was sure she was going to have to do it all over again. 

She stood in front of her triplets, who were currently eating blueberries and cereal. Making a mess, she noted. She kissed their heads tenderly and whispered how much she loved them. She just wanted to stay home and watch them all day long. She couldn't, though. She was going to work for the first time today. Deputy Head. Right hand to the Minister of Magic. She could hardly believe it herself, but she knew that it is what she wanted. Something she would never regret. It was just so hard to leave her children. Harder than anything she had ever done before, and it surprised her. She thought she would be excited to go to work, to interact with other adults. Maybe she would be once she got there, but she was having such a hard time leaving her kitchen. 

"They will be alright, dear. You'll be back for dinner, and then we can sit in the garden later and read to them. You won't miss anything, and I promise if they do something crazy today, I will record it for you just like you showed me." Draco pulled his wife into a hug and kissed her head, carefully as to not mess up her hair. 

"You have to promise if they show any signs of walking, or talking, or magic, you will record it." 

"Hermione, none of that is going to happen today, but I promise I will record it. I promise." 

"Have a wonderful day, dear; you'll do wonderful." Narcissa hugged Hermione, and they walked her to the door.

"I love you 'Mione, do try and concentrate. You are going to be magnificent, and you'll love every minute of it."

"I love you too, Draco. I will try." 

Hermione walked out of the door and took a breath. She just had to get to work so that she could throw herself into her job. Keep her mind away from everything she was missing at home. It was going to be a long day, she thought. Everything going through her mind at the moment was an indication to her that she wasn't going to be able to concentrate unless Kingsley gave her a mountain of work. She figured this wasn't going to be the case since it was her first day. But she silently hoped he would as she walked into the Ministry. She made her way up to the floor as she was instructed, and as she stepped off the elevator, Kingsley greeted her. 

"Hello, Hermione." He shook her hand enthusiastically and led her to an office. Hermione smiled at the warmth that the office offered, and then at the bookcase filled with books. "Basically, today I am just going to show you around, and whatnot. I know that you will want to get right into things, but best to take it slow. Show you how things run around here. I'll be interested to hear your take on everything. If you see anything that could improve efficiency, don't be afraid to relay the information." He went on for about ten more minutes talking about really nothing before they started through the halls.

He took her everywhere that she would need to go to check up on things, then showed her around to places she knew she wouldn't ever need to be, but she was grateful that the time was passing quickly and that she found things that could be fixed that she could work on. It helped her keep her mind away from her children. She wondered occasionally if Draco was doing alright. 

"And this is the Auror office. It is almost time for lunch, and I told Auror Potter to be expecting you. I know I'm a familiar face, but there isn't quite anything like having a real friend at work you can take lunch with or pop by to say hello when you're having a rough day. I'll see you in an hour, and we can discuss the rest of your duties." Kingsley smiled at Hermione, and she thanked him genuinely. She was so grateful that he would think of this to help her through her first day.

"Hello, I'm here to see Mr. Potter." Hermione waited by the receptionist to be let in, and when she didn't even look up from her paper she was working on, Hermione started to get annoyed, "Excuse me?" Hermione was growing impatient and couldn't help but feel as if she was being ignored. 

"Yes, I heard you the first time. If you do not have an appointment that I know about, I cannot let you in. And since I take all appointments, I know you do not have one. So you'll have to go back from wherever you came from." The lady was incredibly rude, and Hermione felt her anger flare up inside of her. 

"Ma'am, I was under the impression I didn't need an appointment to go anywhere in the Ministry. Since I am sure you are well aware, I am second in command to the Minister. Deputy Head Malfoy, perhaps I can get your name." Hermione was standing with her arms crossed. Hermione watched as the lady raised her head, her face was now bright red, and she looked incredibly worried. Hermione knew from what little Shaklebolt had told her that many people wanted her as the next minister. She was under the impression that even though he said not many people would know about it, he said that to make her feel better.

"I am so sorry, Madam Malfoy, of course, you can go through, have a wonderful rest of your day." The lady, who Hermione noted had not given out her name, was fumbling over her words now and looked like she was about to be scolded as if she was a toddler. 

Hermione did feel guilty in away. The woman had probably worked there for a long time and was doing her job. Hermione was not even 20 yet and now was in charge of a lot of people. She had respect from people for what she did in the war, but she wanted to earn respect at her new job, and threatening people on the first day was no way to do that, she thought to herself. 

"'Mione!" Harry got up from his desk and hugged his friend. He quickly noticed the look on her face and figured Mrs. Malik had given her a hard time. 

"Hello Harry, Kingsley said you were expecting me for lunch," Hermione pushed the negative thoughts that were running through her brain to the back and focused on how she was actually hungry and happy to see her friend. 

"Yes, I have a place I want to take you. It shouldn't be busy yet. If we hurry, of course." Harry grabbed his coat, and Hermione followed him back out of his office and passed the receptionist. Harry noted the redness on Mrs. Malik's face and grinned, knowing Hermione had probably done something that he would have liked to have seen. Once they were out of the Ministry and on their way to lunch, Harry decided to bring it up. 

"So, how did you manage to embarrass Mrs. Malik?" 

"Well, she didn't even look at me when I said I was there to see you. Just ignored me completely. So when I said excuse me, she made a big deal about how I didn't have an appointment and how I would have to leave and make one for a different day. Then, I basically told her I didn't need an appointment, and you know, I think she was afraid I was going to fire her on the spot. Not really the best way to make a first impression." 

"She hates everybody Hermione, the only person she listens to is Shaklebolt, so the fact that you made her do that is impressive. I am sure she respects you too now. Honestly, when I went up to her on my first day, she wouldn't let me in. I had to send a letter to the Head Auror, who then could barely persuade her to let me through. I was even on the list to see him. She thinks everyone is bad. She lost her whole family in the war and trusted no one." 

"Well, I am sure that she hates me now. My last name is Malfoy, after all." Hermione sighed and was glad they had finally arrived. They ordered quickly and found a place to sit. 

"You are still Hermione, though. Hermione Granger, Brightest Witch of Our Age," Harry tried to make her smile, but it didn't seem to be working, "What is going on 'Mione?"

Hermione looked at her friend and thought about everything running through her mind. She had never lied to Harry before, and she knew she couldn't start now. 

"Well, I hate this. I want to be at home with my children. I don't want to be in this job, basically training to be the Minister. I thought I did. It is everything I have ever wanted. I have just always wanted to help people and make a difference, but now I am afraid that I am just going to be another politician in this position. I don't want that." 

"Hermione, that is a long way away, I promise. You are going to be able to help people. You are going to be able to override things and push people to do the right things. Help rid the ministry of the kind of politicians you hate. You are going to make a difference. And you can't stay home. How else are you going to help rid this world of the last bit of evil for your children? The Ministry needs you 'Mione."

Hermione shook her head. She, of course, knew all of that; she just felt so unsure right now. It felt weird not being there. It felt weird having all of her life long dreams changes so quickly. 

"Hermione, give it a chance." It sounded as if Harry was begging her. And Hermione had never been one to turn down something so quickly, even if she didn't want to do it completely. Her best friends said they needed her, and all she heard was that he needed her. She would do anything for Harry. So she figured she was staying at the Ministry. 

"Alright, Harry."

"Great!" Harry finished his lunch, and they walked back together, making small talk. 

"We should make this a weekly thing; I think I would enjoy that," Hermione said before parting to go back to her own office. 

"I agree; if you need anything, you know where I'll be."

"Thank you, Harry." Hermione hugged her friend before getting in the elevator and making her way back to her duties. 

"How was lunch, Ma'am?" A friendly young boy was at the desk outside of her office, which she found strange enough. To add to it, he had called her Ma'am, and they had to be around the same age.

"It was nice. Thank you for asking. May I ask who you are?"

"Oh, very sorry, I thought that the Minister had told you I would be coming. I am your assistant slash intern. I basically do what you tell me or help write up and send whatever you need. Slash, I am learning how to work here." He had a smile on his face that Hermione found calming. 

"Right, you are aware it is also my first day, and I have no idea what I am doing. I don't know if I will be any help with telling you how to work here. Plus, I still don't know who you are?"

"Marcus McKinley, ma'am. Yes, of course, I know that I am just happy to be working with someone so talented."

"Well, Marcus, it is nice to meet you. Please stop calling me ma'am; you can call me Hermione." She stuck out her hand for him to shake, and he just smiled at her again with his calming smile that seemed to put Hermione more at ease. 

"Now, what exactly are your responsibilities?" 

"Well, I am in charge of your schedule. So I know that you have a meeting with the Minister in 20 minutes sharp. I help you go through all of the mail you will get. Sort it for you, help you decide what you will tackle for that day, what things need the Minister's approval, and what things can be sent to other people to handle. I am supposed to let you know that other people can handle plenty of things and that you don't have to do it all. Make sure you eat. Auror Potter informed me yesterday that is the most important one." 

"Well, it seems like you know more about my job than I do, and that you are not going to need much assistance is learning to do yours. It seems like you have it under full control." 

"Well, thank you. I love being organized; that is why I was chosen over everyone else, I think. You see, I'm no good with magic, really. A shame that such a special gift was wasted on me, but I am so organized, and the Minister thought that you would appreciate that over whether I was top of my class or not," 

"Well, he is correct. I don't really care if you cannot do magic at all. I love being organized too. If you have any tips or tricks for me, I would love to hear them." Hermione smiled before grabbing the folder left of her desk and heading towards the Minister's office. She was starting to calm down, and Harry was right. She just needed to give it a chance. One day at a time until she was in a routine. Then she would feel better about everything. Plus, today had gone by quickly, and she would be home soon. Having dinner with her family.