Happiness Is Not A Place ** (HERMIONE)

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@hermionejean
<3

Astoria had stopped at The Ministry to have some lunch with Draco. He had thankfully been given a lunch time around the same time as her, and as long as they could see each other somewhat during the week, she was happy. They had finally decided to get Lyra a nanny, one of which they trusted completely and was incredible with their daughter. Lyra was five months old now, and she was starting to scoot across the floor. Astoria was excited for her to begin crawling, but also knew she'd miss the non-movements of her.

She was now just walking through the Ministry, saying hi to a few people here and there that she knew. Astoria hadn't expected to have been here so long, but she had been caught up in a conversation with one person. Finally exiting the Ministry, she stood up against the side of the building, smiling at the sound of children running around. It was finally getting slightly warmer outside, and while Astoria didn't mind the snow, the Spring was beautiful.

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Hermione had completely lost track of the time; her morning had been consumed with meetings, briefings and paperwork piled high on her desk. She was organized to a T of course, but even her skills couldn’t have prepared her wholly for her new position as Senior Undersecretary. Blissfully, Harry had started settling into the Head of Magical Law Enforcement but he knew that Hermione was always there as a helping hand or a listening ear if he needed one. She rubbed her eyes, already tired and saw that it was lunch time. “What I wouldn’t give for my Timeturner back,” she mumbled to herself. She signed one last contract before standing up, stretching this way and that to get the blood flowing into her limbs. She began going through her lunch options; food trucks near the office were looking the most desirable right now and she needed a bit of sunlight. She shrugged off her robe, revealing a Muggle navy pantsuit underneath, and grabbed her camel colored peacoat. She opened up the door and headed down the hallway, buttoning up the jacket and not really paying attention to where she was going. As she left the building, she squinted into her sunlight and turned to her left. “Astoria!” she exclaimed, surprised to see the other woman outside. Astoria was a professor at Hogwarts and not a Ministry worker, though Draco did work there. “How are you? How is the baby?” she asked, walking over.

@jill

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@hermionejean
<3

The sudden exclamation of her name made her jump slightly, eyes widening. It wasn't everyday that Astoria heard her name shouted so happily and loudly, but it was a nice feeling. Many of the students tended to try to steer clear of her, especially the other Slytherins. And they didn't call her by her first name, sometimes not even the other Professor's did either. Her hazel eyes met brown, and Astoria stood up straighter, smiling brightly at Hermione. "Hello, Hermione!" The new Minister walked closer to her and Astoria laughed slightly. "I'm wonderful, thank you for asking, and yourself? The baby is great. She's quite the calm one, much easier than Scorpius was." She smiled and glanced up at the sky before back down to the woman in front of her. "Congratulations on becoming Minister, Hermione."

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Hermione smiled as Astoria returned the greeting. “I’m glad to hear it Astoria; sometimes I wonder what it’d be like with children so young around the house again,” she said, then laughed. “Though I’ve been so busy, trying to find time to have a third child seems rather impossible,” she admitted, shaking her head a little. She wondered what it would be like with a tiny human racing around her and Ron’s house, filling the empty hallways with shouts of laughter, drawing on the walls, and more messes overall. Sometimes Hermione did miss those days, other days not so much. “Thank you Astoria, I’m still a bit in shock if I’m honest. Victoire was doing a wonderful job but I think she was also doing a good job of holding in just how much of it was getting to her. I’m glad she trusted me to carry on the torch though. She’s settling into a quieter life with Teddy, and between you and me, she deserves it,” she told her with a laugh.

@jill

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@hermionejean
<3

"Keep on wondering!" She laughed. "Lyra isn't bad, though, honest. It's just I figured at this age I'd be settled down with Draco, with Scorpius finally going off on his own in a few more years." Astoria smiled at Hermione. It wasn't all that bad, but she now had an infant, one that would be with them for eighteen more years, possibly longer. Lyra was a complete surprise, but a loved and happy surprise. "I'm sure she does, she did a fantastic job and everyone loved her and the way she did things. But I'm glad she's taking a bit of a break, she's young. Needs to enjoy her life before stressing herself out to be our age."

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Hermione nodded with a small smile.  She had not envisioned herself in this position, being Minister of Magic, with both of her children almost done with school and Ron working with George at the Joke Shop.  "I didn't think I'd be Minister for Magic if we're being honest.  I always wanted to do good in the world, not that being the Minister isn't doing good, but...more what I did when I first started here," she told her honestly.  Sometimes she missed those days when she was drafting legislature, giving house elves and goblins better rights, and a chance to have a voice in the Wizarding World.  Still, now that she was Minister she supposed she could still make sure what she believed in was given a proper chance.  "So, what brings you here?  Just lunch with Draco?" she asked her curiously.

@jill

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@hermionejean
<3

Astoria's own smile turned somewhat bittersweet. As children, Hermione had always been the person who wanted to do help others and do better for everyone involved. And while she would be doing that as Minister, Astoria understood where she was coming from. Being The Minister of Magic was a lot more than just helping and she was sure Hermione would miss that part of it. "Being honest is a great start to this career. Though I'm sure you'll be able to do those things as well." Astoria wasn't sure what else to say in this situation, she felt bad, but knew Hermione would enjoy it all. "Yes, actually! Lyra is with her nanny, and I feel like I never get to see Draco much so I try to have lunch with him as much as I can, just time for the two of us."

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Hermione smiled gratefully at Astoria; sometimes it was just relieving to get what was on your chest off and being told that the thoughts were understandable.  "I hope so, I don't want to seem like I'm overstepping my authority as Minister of course, but I want to be sure the voices that need to be heard are heard, and everyone is treated equally."  She didn't need to tell Astoria her fears of Elaine Dupree and the Purifier squad; they hadn't been heard of since the death of Desirae, but too quiet was never a good thing.  Elaine could strike at any time; nobody was having luck finding out any information on her either.  Not even Theo, which was a great cause for disquiet.  If Theo was discovered having passed information to the Ministry regarding Elaine....Hermione shuddered involuntarily.  "I'm glad that you and Draco can find together, goodness knows Ron and I struggled when we had two under the age of two trying to find a spare moment.  Now that the kids are at school we can get lunch most afternoons.  Even if lunch is him coming to my office with takeout," she said, laughing at the last bit.  Perhaps to the young romantic, her and Ron didn't seem to still have the romance.  But she knew they still did, and so did he, which was what mattered in the end.


@jill

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@hermionejean
<3

"Oh Hermione, I doubt you could ever be thought as overstepping! It's your job, and I'm sure most people will understand that. Especially those who know you well." Astoria smiled. She was glad she was able to change her ways around from when they had been at Hogwarts. It hadn't taken her long to do so, but it had taken her longer to regain lost friendships as well as relationships with her family and sister, especially her parents. Astoria laughed along with the Minister and nodded. "But that's the best, isn't it? Being like children again, getting takeout and stuffing it down your face so you can get back to whatever it was you're doing." Perhaps a nice dinner out would be great as well, but reliving memories like that are what makes marriage special.

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Hermione laughed. “I hope the rest of the Ministry is as understanding as you are,” she told the other woman, though she sincerely doubted it. The Ministry, much like Muggle Ministries always had one or two bad seeds sown within its ranks. She hadn’t gotten a chance to meet with every single department head yet as the kidnapping of Adeline Shacklebolt had come to light so soon after her appointment, but she had a feeling not everyone would be as excited or agreeable to a Muggleborn being Minister. She hated the idea that the pureblood prejudices of old still were around, but it was an undeniable truth. Elaine’s group of followers had proven that; though she highly doubted all blood purists were Elaine’s lackeys, plenty of them probably thought that a Muggleborn Minister would be problematic.

She smiled, genuinely this time at Astoria’s comment of her and Ron’s empty nest life while their children were at school. “It is nice, I do try my best to leave my work at the office because Ron likes when I can just relax at home. But I fear with being Minister these things may not be so simple anymore,” she said, sighing wistfully. She knew what she had been asked to take on, and she’d take it on without complaint. But being the head of the British Ministry would be no easy feat, politically or socially.

@jill

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@hermionejean
<3

"Oh I hope so as well! I can imagine some may not be unfortunately. Though I know you will have a lot of people behind you." Astoria smiled genuinely. She couldn't imagine the different opinions and thoughts that everyone had at The Ministry. She knew from what Draco had said that it was much different than what it had been years ago. But with such a wonderful leader, Astoria was sure things would go much smoother. Astoria felt bad for Hermione, but also didn't at the same time. She did feel bad that Hermione wouldn't be able to see her husband as much, which was a big issue for many couples. But she knew the woman would enjoy her job so much more than her prior. "Maybe try for date nights? Once a week, decide on something to go do. Nothing extravagant, just spending time together even."

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Hermione smiled and patted Astorias hand gratefully.  "Thank you Astoria, truly," she told her.  "And congratulations to you on becoming Deputy Headmistress," she added, placing her hands back on her lap.  She had of course been informed nearly immediately after Astoria's appointment, and had approved the choice immensely.  Though she had been in Slytherin, she was not one for the Pureblood ideals, and had raised their son to be kind and treat Muggleborns equally.  She sort of wondered what Lucius and Narcissa thought of that; the Malfoy matriarch could perhaps open her heart to equality, but Lucius was a lost cause.

Hermione listend to Astorias' suggestions, and nodded thoughtfully.  "It sounds so simple, but then there are just some days where I get home and all I want to do is have a glass of wine, curl up with a good book and go to sleep.  Especially when the children are away at school," she admitted.


@jill

[Deleted]

@hermionejean
<3

The small pat on her hand and congratulations had Astoria blushing a light pink color. She hadn't really been expecting that, but it felt good all the same. The two girls had gone to school together,
and while they hadn't been even acquaintances back then, Astoria was glad that as they grew into adults they had become somewhat of friends. It was important, and it also allowed for a better relationship between everyone. "Thank you, Hermione. I'm happy that I've grown into such a position."

"Oh trust me, I think most of us would enjoy that." Astoria laughed. "Maybe you can! I'm not sure the work load you have of course, but I can't imagine it's light. Though taking time to yourself is very important, especially with such a stressful job." She smiled. Deputy Headmaster was stressful, much more than just a Head of House, but Astoria was happy to do so! It was higher up, it made more money and she loved the students. There wasn't anything that would've made her say no.

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Hermione laughed as Astoria assumed her workload wasn’t light. “You’re not kidding,” she told her. Victoire hadn’t left all that much behind when she stepped down, but then Adeline Shacklebolt had gone missing within hours of her swearing into the position. They still hadn't been able to track her down, which concerned her. Theodorus Nott had been unusually silent as well, which concerned her even more. She knew that Theo had not been impressed by what he saw with Elaine’s leadership skills, but he hadn’t exactly declared allegiance to her and the Ministry either. She also had not seen him since becoming Minister, and did not know if their agreement had altered at all due to her new position. “I know it’s important; it makes me wish I still had my Time Turner from my third year to do over hours and take them for myself,” Hermione admitted with a small laugh. She had of course used the Time Turner so she could take an intense course load, but had almost cracked under the sheer amount of work she had taken on. So even though the idea was enticing, she would not have actually done it, regardless of all the time turners in existence being destroyed.

Hermione checked her watch and groaned inwardly. “Excuse me Astoria, but I have to be going. There’s a few things for the Second Task that require Minister approval and I want to get that done with before my meetings this afternoon,” she said, sounding apologetic for cutting their conversation short.

@jill
end on your next post <3

[Deleted]

@hermionejean
<3

Astoria had a large amount of respect for Hermione. Not only because she was the Minister of Magic, but just because of how she carries herself. Ever since they were children she was always so confident in herself and everything she believed in. Many people envied her, whether they were verbal about it or not, Astoria being one of them. She would blame it on the fact that Draco had been in the business of the three friends for years, but while they were at school together Astoria really hadn't wanted much to do with the blonde boy! Of course that all changed as they got older, but jealousy in that sense wasn't a part of it. "I think I'd be too nervous to handle one of those. I wouldn't want to ruin the future!" She laughed.

"Oh, please don't apologize! I'm sure I'll see you at the second task, and if not, we'll cross each other's paths at some point. Enjoy!" Astoria waved to Hermione as she left. Realizing she wasn't sure what she had left to do that day, she scrunched up her nose and looked up to the nearby clock tower. It was early afternoon, but she supposed getting back to the school would be the smartest choice. Turning the corner quickly, Astoria apparated back to Hogwarts.

---END--- <3