My Heart Remembers Differently

Speaking the Truth

The Room of Requirement was a surprise to me.  The last time I was in here, I was flying for my life to get away from fiendfyre.  The Room of Requirement didn't look as though it had suffered.  Remarkably, it looked a little like it did when we were meeting for Dumbledore's Army.  Every wall had a mirror, but there were faces in the mirror as if I were being surrounded by jury.

McGonagall, Shacklebolt and a beautiful dark haired witch in a rich black cloak stood in the center of the room along with Harry, Draco, and Luna?  Seriously?  I looked up at Professor Tonks who had been standing guard outside the room waiting for me.  Her face was tense and she was actually dressed in a black robe, her dark hair pulled back in a bun on the top of her head.  Her blue eyes were on the dark haired witch and I realized they had to be family.

"Hermione Granger, are you here of your own free will?"  A familiar voice spoke to me and I gasped turning to see a large portrait of Dumbledore.  He looked alive and well, but I knew that he was dead.

"Professor Dumbledore..."  I breathed.  His face was serious and I swallowed the lump in my throat.  I nodded.  "Yes, sir.  I am here of my own free will."  I said.  The mischievous twinkle that I was used to appeared behind his moon shaped bifocals and he nodded.

"Hermione, come stand by me, dear."  McGonagall said holding out her hand.  I walked towards her and stood beside of her.  With a wave of her wand a chair appeared and she motioned for me to sit down.  I did.  I looked at Harry, who gave me a quick wink, but didn't change his serious expression.  I relaxed. 

"Hermione Granger, I am Bianca Tonks, Minister of Magic in America."  The dark haired witch said.  I looked up at Professor Tonks who was not looking pleased to have who could only be her mother here at my oath-taking.  "I have heard of your talents, and am honored to meet you in person."  She said with a smile.  "With your permission, I will be your witness." 

"Of course."  I said quietly. 

"Please, if you are not a witness or an official presenting the oath, step outside of the ring of truth."  Shacklebolt said.  McGonagall patted me on the shoulder before she and Harry, Draco, Luna and Professor Tonks stepped away from the glowing circle I just noticed on the floor and how it circled around me, Shacklebolt and Minister Tonks.  Shacklebolt produced a cup and a bottle of potion.  I remember Professor Tonks telling me about the veritaserum.  I took the cup of what I noticed to be pumpkin juice and watched as Shacklebolt poured a couple of drops into the cup.  "If you are sure of wanting to pledge your allegiance to the cause, drink, Hermione Granger."  He instructed.  I put the cup to my lips and drank all of it. 

"Do not speak unless spoken to."  Minister Tonks warned.  I nodded.  Shacklebolt uttered a spell and the circle glowed brighter and suddenly, with a whooshing sound became a curtain of light around me, Shacklebolt, and Minister Tonks.

The questions Shacklebolt asked were simple.  My full name, my blood status, my hopes for the future.  I didn't miss the look the two ministers gave one another when I shared my love for Harry and the hopes to be his wife and the mother of his child.  I added that I hoped to be a useful witch that could help people and magical creatures.  The questioning part wasn't as intrusive as I thought it should be considering the potion and the privacy.  Perhaps some of the others had more to hide than an eighteen year old witch that was finally in her seventh year of school.

The curtain of privacy came down and the two ministers pronounced me worthy.  My eyes locked onto Harry.  I could see the look in his eyes.  Without thinking, I spoke what was in my heart.

"Harry, I love you more than I know how to express.  I wish we could find a private place in this huge castle where I could spend about ten hours kissing you.  Sometimes, I miss the tent."  I sighed.  Harry flushed and I heard Professor Tonks chuckle.