Becoming Beta

Chapter 39

A/N: STOP! Have you read chapter 38 yet? I uploaded two chapters tonight. If not, go back and read that one first!

A few people helped with this fic, twztdwildcat - my first ever beta was amazing in helping get this thing into fighting shape the first few chapters, brownlark42 - ya'll have heard me go on and on and on about how amazing she is, but really, I cannot say enough nice things about her, and finally Mahawna guest-beta'd a chapter in there, so thank you to her as well!

This is it! A year and change later and this story is done. It's been a wild ride and I've loved every minute of it. Thank you, my readers and reviewers, for sticking with it. Hopefully, you enjoyed it and will check out some of my other works!

I make a manip for every chapter, find me on Tumblr at crochetawayhpff.

Draco smiled as he watched the Minister for Magic sign the piece of parchment. It was the law that he and Hermione had been working on for the last fifteen years. Hermione had probably conceived of some version of the law way back in Hogwarts, he was sure. It didn't start becoming a reality until after the war was over. He smirked down at Hermione and wrapped his arm around her waist. He was glad the law was being passed now, rather than later. In a few short weeks, he'd be ascending to the Minister's seat and it would look terribly biased if he passed it while he was Minister.

They were standing on a dais in the middle of the Ministry of Magic's atrium. Hundreds of witches and wizards were witnessing the law being signed. Hermione and Draco's pack and every other pack in the British Isles were also in attendance. Draco couldn't be more proud of his wife for catalyzing the law, advocating for its principles, and ultimately helping to see it to fruition. It might never have happened without her hard work and perseverance.

"Chief Alpha Malfoy?" the Minister asked. Hermione smiled up at Draco and stepped forward.

"Minister Fawley." They shook hands.

"Congratulations Chief Alpha. Werewolves are officially recognized as Beings by the British Ministry of Magic. Signed into law on this day, August 15, 2018, by Minister Fawley. We couldn't have done this without the help and support of the Chief Alpha Malfoy," the Minister stated grandly. The wizards gathered all applauded politely. The werewolves in attendance were much more raucous, clapping and cheering.

"All werewolves wishing to receive wolfsbane on a monthly basis will need to visit the newly created Werewolf Liaison office out of the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures on Level 4 for a one-time setup. Werewolves who need a place to turn safely each month, please see the same office for directions and guidance to sanctuaries throughout the country." Minister Fawley grinned widely as he shook Hermione's hand once more. Flashbulbs popped as the various publications took pictures.

Britain would be the first country to offer free wolfsbane for any werewolf who wanted it. No questions asked, no registry taken, nothing needed more than an owl or Floo address. The addition of moonlight sanctuaries and community wilderness areas for running freely with other werewolves was innovative and unheard of. Draco felt his chest swell as he remembered that Hermione had been the one to insist on the sanctuaries. She argued that Wolfsbane was fine and all, but it suppressed too much of the wolf. It was healthier for werewolves to live without wolfsbane if at all possible.

Hermione beamed at the assembled, reserving her special smile just for Draco and their children. It felt good to be recognized as a Being. Other Beings included wizards, of course, goblins, centaurs, house-elves, Hermione had pushed that one through a few years ago, and now werewolves.

"You are all invited back to Malfoy Manor for a celebration. The Floo is open," Hermione told everyone as the ceremony ended.

"I can't believe I'm finally a Being!" Felan shouted to Accalia. Draco reigned Accalia in before she could get lost in the crowd. Accalia was their youngest at four and tended to get lost easily. She was as headstrong as her mother. Felan was six and as easily pretentious as Draco had ever been at that age.