Chapter Text
This is my first post on AO3. I hope you like it.
The 13th Use For Dragon’s Blood
Chapter 1
Monday morning bright and early, Hermione gracefully stepped out of the floo and headed through the atrium of the Ministry of Magic. As she approached the center of the atrium, she stopped to gaze at the rebuilt fountain and atrium. Memories came back to her of the battles and the celebrations, laughing and crying. At the age of twenty five her life had changed so much since she entered the wizarding world fourteen years ago. She was not the same person that walked through the platform at 9 ¾. Now she was five feet seven inches of confidence and drive. Gone were her insecurities of being a muggleborn. Taking its place was a woman that was determined to help save and rebuild magic in the world. Even if she had to do it with the old guard kicking and screaming.
Stopping in front of the fountain, she adjusted the files in her arms and withdrew a few coins from her bag. Closing her eyes, she made a wish and threw the coins into the crystal clear water. Plop, plop, plop was the sound they made as they landed in the fountain. Waiting for just a moment she turned and walked with grace and determination to the lifts. “I hope my wish comes true.” she thought. “Just this once I want my research to be wrong.” But she knew it was not.
A breathy voice came from the elevator,” Level 1 office of the Minister for Magic, Senior Undersecretary and Goblin Liaison Office.” Hermione walked out of the lift and up to the receptionist for the Minister for Magic. “I am here for an appointment with Ministry Shacklebolt at 8 am.” she stated. The receptionist looked up and realized who was speaking.
Marietta Edgecombe had not seen Hermione since graduation. It seemed she had dropped off the face of the earth. Every once in a while something would be written in the Daily Prophet about where she was graduating from, what she was doing or who she was working with. Other than that she was a recluse.
They had made their peace with each other during their eighth year. Both going back to finish their NEWTS, had given them time to work through the issues that had occurred during their sixth year. Once Marietta explained her reason to Hermione all was forgiven. Mariette had been like so many other students who participated out of fear for their family. Hermione had lifted the curse and many “I am so sorry” were said by both women.
“Hermione, it is so good to see you ! They have moved your conference to the Wizengamot Chambers . There are so many witches and wizards in attendance and demanding admittance to the conference it was the only place large enough to hold them all. Minister Shacklebolt is just getting ready to go down. Go on into his office and you can go down with him.” she said with a smile. “I’m really glad you are back home. Maybe our graduating class can get together one evening”
“Marietta, it is good to be home and I would love to get together with everyone. Do you think you would be able to contact everyone that fast?” she asked. “I have to leave again on Friday morning for Romania. Just owl me what you decide and I’ll be there. My evenings are fairly free.” she said as she stepped into the Minister's office.
The minute she walked through the door an unknown force had grabbed, hugged, picked up and spun her around. Getting her bearings she looked to see she had been embraced by none other than Harry Potter. Harry was now over six feet tall and very well built. Being an Auror agreed with him. The piercing green eyes and messy black hair had not changed.
“Harry put me down, you're crushing me !” she said laughing as Harry spun her around in circles. Once the room stopped spinning and she got her footing back, Harry released her and she turned and hugged Kingsley. Stopping she turned and asked, “Harry, why are you here? This is a conference on magical creatures and our dwindling magic.”
“Kingsley told me you were going to be here and I missed you. We haven’t seen you for three years.” Harry explained. “Come on I’ll walk down to the Wizengamot Chambers with you and Kingsley.”
As the three exited the lifts and entered into the hallway leading to the chambers, Harry and Hermione were surprised to see the number of important witches and wizards gathered.
“Kingsley this looks like a meeting of the ICW.” Hermione whispered to him.
“Well Hermione that is what it has turned out to be.” Kingsley said, smiling at her and Harry. “It seems that the issues you have been researching are having a far reaching effect all over the world.”
“Actually Hermione, that is another reason why I am here.” Harry added. “With all of the publicity you and the Scamander's have been getting, Kingsley and I felt it was best for a little added security.” Harry held up his hand to stop Hermione from interrupting him. “I will be on the stage with you as well as Dennis Creevy. There will be plain closed aurors in the audience and armed aurors at the exits. “
“There will be no arguing over this.” Kingsley said in his minister of magic voice.
Hermione just stopped and smiled at both Harry and Kingsley. “ I appreciate your concern and will not cause a fuss, I promise.” she added with a smile.
Dennis Creevy walked in the door and smiled at Hermione, “Long time no see Hermione!”, then he nodded to Kingsley and Harry, letting them know everything was ready for the conference to begin. Clapping his hands together, Kingsley said, “Let’s get this show started.” He then turned and walked out the door and on to the stage to where the podium had been set up. Hermione followed and took a seat behind him.
“Welcome my fellow witches and wizards. We have gathered here today to discuss a growing problem among all of our countries. The best and most informed minds have been working on this issue and their chosen representative is here today to present their findings and plan of action. Without further delay, I present to you, Ms. Hermione Granger from the Scamander Research Institute.” Kingsley announced and offered his hand to Hermione to bring her to the podium.
The audience was immediately brought to their feet, clapping and cheering for one of the leading experts on magical creatures as well as the Brains of the Golden Trio.
“Thank you all very much.” she said as the crowd quieted down. “It is an honor and privilege to address all of you here today. I must admit that I am surprised to see almost a complete ICW meeting. As Minister Shacklebolt told you, my name is Hermione Granger. I am a Master MagiZoologist with a second Mastery in MagiCreature Husbandry. I bring you the greetings of The Scamander Family and Preservation Foundation.
“They asked me to speak to you today as they are attending to the birth of our forty-second Graphorn sprog. For those of you that do not know, Newt Scamander began the breeding program in 1931, with what was believed to be the last two breeding pairs of Graphorns in existence. They had been hunted almost to extinction for their horns and hides.”
Flicking her wand, she displayed a large picture of the Scamander family and the Graphorns in their natural mountain environment.
“I plan on keeping this meeting short and to the point. Now to the reason for our meeting today.” she stated flicking her wand again. This time she displayed a list of countries with their birth rates for the last five years.
“For the last five years I have traveled and worked with the Scamander’s and your government officials in researching the loss of magic around the world. Not just a decline in magical creatures but also a decline in magical births with witches and wizards.
“As you can see there has been a slow but steady increase in the number of children being born in magical families. This is an increase of twenty-seven percent since the defeat of Voldemort.” She flicked her wand again.
“The downside is that the number of non magical children born to magical families in that same time period is up twenty-two percent. The more populated areas seem to have a higher percentage of squib births than those numbers in the rural areas.” She finished speaking and gave the audience time to think about the information she provided.
Flicking her wand again she displayed a list of magical creatures and beings. “We have tracked the birthing rates of these magical creatures and beings for the last five years.” She flicked her wand again. “As you can see the birth rate for each of these has gone down steadley to show a drop of thirty seven percent. This is due to many factors, such as loss of natural habitat, poaching and loss of reproductive capabilities. ” she said. “WIthout these magical creatures and beings, magic is dying in our world.” She paused again as the crowd began to murmur louder at her statement.
She continued to explain .” This is because the earth's ley lines exchange it’s magical force with the magic from living beings and creatures. With the diminished sources of magic from beings and creatures there is not enough magic to resupply the ley lines and balance the magic we have.”
“If our magical creatures are not protected and assisted to increase their numbers the natural magic will continue to decrease. The only other alternative is for every witch and wizard that is in child bearing years to produce 5.2 children with magical abilities with in the next 5 years.”
There was a loud commotion from the crowd. Many individuals were shouting questions at Hermione. While others sat in disbelief. Once the noise and commotion finally died down, Hermione began to complete her report.
“We have a plan in place to begin to correct this. First the days of having only an heir has to stop. At this rate we are not even replacing ourselves. Witches and wizards live longer lives and have more time to birth healthy children than non-magical beings, but we reproduce less on average. Here in Britain, the Wizingamot has proposed a marriage decree requiring every witch or wizard between 18 and 45 to marry and produce at least one magical child. Think for one minute.” she paused, “Two magical people producing one magical child is still a negative one for population growth.”
“We are aware that there are many witches that are unable to carry a full term child for health reasons. This is being addressed by a team of fertility specialists at St. Mungos as we speak.”
“The second plan has been presented to every country represented here today and legislation has been proposed to each of your countries to set aside land for habitats and breeding grounds. The Scamander's and I are working with those reserves and habitats already in exististance to improve their facilities and birthing rates.”
“ For the last three years we have traveled to see the largest magical creatures first. We have visited most of the existing reserves and trained with them so their staff are working to increase the numbers of the creatures they care for. This coming Friday I will be leaving for the dragon reserves in Bulgaria and Romania to begin working with them to improve the birth rate among their dragons. These are the last dragon reserves to work with”
“We cannot work every species of magical creatures at the same time, the larger creatures need our attention the most. That is where we have started our work but some creatures are being actively assisted by others. “
“For instance right here in England, Rubeus Hagrid, Magical Creature Professor and the Keeper of the Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, has been training and raising Acromantula, Hippogriffs, Unicorns and Thestrals. Hagrid has done an excellent job, but he needs assistance in obtaining habitat space and increasing breeding. “
“The remaining winged horses, Abraxn, Aethonan, and Granian are being bred and housed in Ireland by the Finnigan family, France by the Delocur family and Italy by the Zambin family. Again we need to increase the breeding. Only producing 1 new colt a year is not enough to keep the breeds alive. “
“The African delegation has provided me with the data on Erumpent, Manticore, Runespoor and Nundu. After providing some training on habitat improvement and breeding, they have been able to increase their numbers significantly. “
“The Rocky Mountain Institute of Witchcraft and WIzards in the United States have the population of Thunderbirds up by thirty two percent. “
“We will be working with most of the habitats to insure the growth of their magical creatures and their sustainability.”
“As I said before I am leaving on Friday to work with the Dragon Master at the Bulgarian Dragon Reserve with assistance from the Dragon Master from the Romanian Dragon Reserve, Charles Weasley. “
“I have worked very closely with Dragon Master Weasley along with his team and seen their success in his projects in New Zealand, China and South America.”
“We are also opening a reserve here in Wales. The land has been obtained and wards and habitat are being set up as we speak. Dragon Masters from several reserves will be giving us their perspective on who should be running this new reserve from our interaction with the other reserves we visit. “
She finished up. “You have been provided packets with all of the information I have given you. Now I would suggest that all of you read the reports we have prepared. If you have any questions I will be available for questions until I leave on Friday. You can owl me or request a sit down time.”
“Please remember I have not been home to England for over 5 years, please review the material you have been given, because I have lots to do in a little amount of time. Thank you for your interest and participation“
With that Hermione stepped away from the podium and left the chambers with Kingsley, Harry and Dennis.
Once back in Kingsley's office she dropped into the closest chair. Looking up at the three she asked, “Do you think I gave them too much at once?”
All three began laughing. “Well you did warn them it was going to be short and to the point.” laughed Harry.