Chapter Text
Harry POV
I remember when I thought that when Voldemort was dead for good I could finally rest. Maybe I was a fool for hoping but can you really blame me, I’ve been actively fighting since I was 11 and passively since I was one. After the Battle of Hogwarts I thought the wizarding world would be free and I wasn’t the only one. For days after the Battle of Hogwarts parties raged, day and night and everyone seemed to think it was done. That now that Voldemort was gone everything would be fine, I thought that too. I was so naïve.
We spent the new few years rebuilding what had broken down, arresting any death eaters present at the battle or otherwise confirmed and giving them trials. It was slower then many including me liked but it was still moving and I had thought that the new people in charge of the Ministry would sort it out.
At least until it became clear that just like when Voldemort was first defeated many death eaters were going free, the same excuses being used. Someone was being bribed and no one knew who. So to find out, Hermione while a little earlier then expected planned to get a job at the ministry. Hermione had all the qualifications, the references, and had actually already been offered a job at the end of the war but turned it down to focus of making up their final year. It was perfect or at least we thought so.
“I’m sorry Miss Granger but you don’t have the needed experience to work in such a position. You have only known about magic for 9 years, at best. That is simply not enough time to learn all about this world. Perhaps in a few years if you show that despite your less than stellar upbringing you can grow and adapt than we may consider your application.”
It was complete and utter bullshit of course, Hermione had the best grades in her year as well as having actual battle experience. However with that it was clear that prejudice had wormed itself into the ministry once more. Especially since multiple people who didn’t have near Hermione’s prowess were hired with barely a background check. But that didn’t matter because she was a muggleborn.
I don’t know why it surprised me so much. After all many people that weren’t marked death eaters still shared their hatred of muggleborns. It didn’t help that with the many of the death eaters that got off with nearly no consequences and went back to doing what they were doing before the war started. Along with this many people who would have opposed this treatment died in the crossfire of the fighting. So while maybe I shouldn’t have it did surprise me, maybe I thought that after the war all of our problems would be solved, it sadly didn’t work that way.
After Hermione was turned anyway, Marcus Flint was nominated for the job. His connections alone boosted his status until in only a few months he was a prime candidate for the next minister. I was so angry that because of something like blood status Hermione’s dream was so out of reach.
I was also scared what would happen? I sometimes wonder what would have happened. If Flint did win the election what would happen then? Who was to say it wouldn’t become even more corrupted or that even more laws to restrict people would have been put in place. But anyway back then the remits of the Order of the Phoenix had come together and decided that they needed someone they trusted to become the next Minister of Magic.
There was a lot of arguing since no one other than Hermione wanted or felt like they were right for the position. Than to everyone’s surprise Ron volunteered, “I’ll do it I’ll be the minister of magic,” it was trying to sound strong and confident but I remember the worry, doubt, and anger in his eyes, though I bet no one but Hermione and me picked up on it.
Their reactions were comical though I didn’t really notice it until later with the help of a pensive. At that moment I trying to figure out why Ron had offered.
I’m ashamed to say that for a second I thought that maybe he was trying to gain the spotlight. Though that idea was immediately shot down a second later when I remembered a rant that Ron gave when the three of us were hunting for horcruxes. A rant in which Ron spoke(in great detail) about how if people in power got off their butt and actually went out to see the effect the laws they pass or don’t pass effect other people then maybe the wizardarding world wouldn’t be a disaster right now! Ron hated politics and had no idea how Percy could even worked there.
‘Then why’ I remember thinking before it clicked. If they rejected Hermione for being muggleborn then if Ron applied they would have no reason to complain. After all while both their grades are less impressive then Hermione’s they still exceed the requirements to get a job there. Along with while being in the ministry he would have Percy guide him as he had been there for years.
Though I didn’t even consider it at the time I later realized that it was also because they could have claimed the same thing about having not enough experience about me making Ron only person in their immediate group that could. Along with him being one of the few people Harry and Hermione would trust explicitly.
Now, years later as a I look into the ritual on the ground and my two friends at the two different sides of the triangle I could help but think that this was no where near my last adventure. I hope this time it turns out better.
“It all ready,” Hermione Granger, Headmaster of Hogwarts and one of my two best friend said painting the final run with blood from a basket by her.
“It’s not, look you forgot the sign right there,” Ron Weasley, Minister Of Magic and my other best friend pointing at a small section of the triangle.
”Good catch, Ronald,” Her voice is soft but steady, strangely it reminds me of Luna but before I could think of anything else I brush them away before I start to spiral.
“Done?” I ask feeling light headed though I doubt either of them feel any better than me with all of us still having are bleeding arm, not treated as the ritual dictated.
They both just nod. All of us know that we need to finish this soon or someone will pass out before we finish.
”Ready?” Hermione’s voice is quite but commanding enough to snap me out of my thoughts. Spending years with McGonagall has taught her many things one of which is the ability to hold attention, maybe next time she will be able to take her long awaited break.
”Ready,” Both me and Ron confirm, nodding both our heads.
Not waiting a second longer Hermione starts chanting in latin both of us joining at the second verse.
Please let this work. Please let us start over!