To a Better End

Chapter 2

May 5, 2003

"A fucking month long suspension?!"

Hermione was livid. When she was called in first thing on Monday morning to speak with Robards, she expected a reprimand, sure. But nothing like this. A whole month of no work? What would she do? It's not like she would be hurting for the money. Her salary was really quite generous, and since she and Ginny shared a small flat together, there wasn't much in the way of bills. But she loved having something to do every day. How would she fill that time?

"Granger, if you don't watch your mouth when speaking to your superiors, I will absolutely extend it," Robards threatened.

Dick .

"What about Malfoy? Does he get the same treatment? Because it was his idea and his illegal portkeys!"

"Malfoy is not in my department, and Unspeakables have more leeway due to the nature of their work. If his superiors find that he needs to be disciplined, that is their jurisdiction. Not mine." He turned his head towards his door and yelled, "Potter!"

Harry entered Robards' office mere seconds after being summoned, not looking pleased with the situation. "Yes?"

"Please escort Miss Granger to the atrium to floo home or anywhere that's not here." He turned his attention back to Hermione, "I'll see you next month."

Hermione scoffed and turned to leave. Harry was about to grab her by the elbow to escort her like a proper Auror, until she shot him a look that dared him to treat her like a disgruntled employee. He threw his hands up remembering who she was to him. They walked to the lift in silence. Hermione was sure actual smoke was coming out of her ears, by the way everyone was looking at her. Or maybe they were all gawking because they overheard her outburst in Robards' office. Hermione went back through the memory.

That fucker didn't think to place a silencing charm? He did it to make an example out of me. For what? For not running our plans by him? Shit.

She had just caught and imprisoned one of the last major Death Eaters, and this was the thanks she got. Robards was truly a control freak. Hermione had proven time and time again that she was one of the most valuable assets in the department. The title of Top Auror would switch back and forth between her and Harry. Going on a mission without getting plans approved shouldn't have been that big of a deal.

Harry and Hermione stepped into an empty lift and grabbed the hanging handles above them. From her periphery, Hermione could see Harry glancing at her. She let out a sigh and turned to her head to face him.

"Yes, Harry?"

"I'm not saying that how you went about what you did was right - it was breaking protocol, but you did a hell of a job. After years of getting cold leads, you and Malfoy got on it while it was still hot. And the only reason that happened was because you broke one rule. Robards is a fool for suspending you for that long."

Hermione gave him a half smile. She hoped to see the light in his eyes when she turned to face him, but when she looked, it was dull and lifeless. It wasn't uncommon for him to fall into a void of sorts in the weeks after Remembrance Day. Each year she hoped he could climb out of his valleys easier. She hoped that he would climb out and find the light again. But if she was being honest, that light dimmed the day, five years ago, when he walked through the Great Hall, seeing so many loved ones pale and still. His loss was too great to let the light fully return.

"Thanks, Harry. Are you alright?"

Harry looked at her for a moment before looking down at his shoes and shaking his head. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and squeezed it in their familiar sequence. If she could go back and save everyone, she would. She would be happy even if she saved just one person for him. He was her brother, and his pain was her pain. If he lost, then she lost. He looked back up and gave her a smile that he meant as reassuring, but the agony was clear.