CHAPTER ONE: THE OFFER

"GRANGER," Kingsley's voice boomed through the fireplace in Hermione's office, "MY OFFICE. 15 MINUTES."

Sometimes it was worse than a howler. Hermione couldn't count the number of times Kingsley sprung a surprise summoning to his office, his voice radiating throughout the room that would startle Hermione, sending various parchments and quills all over the room. She mumbled, "Yes, sir."

Getting up from her desk, Hermione did a once-over in the mirror, smoothing out her pencil skirt and white button up blouse. It would have to do. Often, Hermione would get so carried away in work, she would walk into meetings with ink smeared across her face, her hair amess, or even sometimes without her shoes. In an attempt to appear more professional, not like the once awkward bushy-haired student she once was, Hermione had adopted a 'once-over' policy before she left her office for any reason.

She opened the door to her office, her assistant perking up immediately, Hermione announced, "I will be in the Minister's office. Make sure the OWL reports are on my desk by the time I return, I want to go over and analyze them thoroughly this afternoon."

"Yes, Hermione," the young girl said immediately.

As Hermione walked through the halls of the Ministry of Magic, Hermione pondered what had gotten her here. After the defeat of Voldemort, Hermione had insisted on returning to Hogwarts to take her NEWTs. Harry and Ron tried to convince her to take the Ministry offer to give them all a pass and jobs for their service and efforts during the war. And being Harry Potter's sidekick didn't help, Hermione thought. If there was anything Hermione hated more, it was being handed things because she was part of the Golden Trio.

Ron, on the other hand, had no problem accepting a position under Harry, who had been promoted to Head Auror a few years ago. After most of the damage from the war had been cleaned up, Ron left his position to work with George in the joke shop. In the end, Hermione had suspected the job had been too much for him. Thier relationship, while expected, didn't last long, which was unexpected to the tabloid rags. Hermione, who was determined to throw herself into her career, quickly realized they did not want the same things, but Ron was easy enough to deal with. It became complacent. Boring. When Ron finally called it off, she realized she didn't actually care. It was much more of an awkward brotherly love anyway.

After Hogwarts, Hermione had worked in several departments in the Ministry to restore peace and fix damages. As the work became less and less frequent, she sought work in the Department of Magical Education. It was no secret that Hermione loved her time in school, doing homework, researching. When she actually got into the department, she fell in love with it. She had been offered many promotions, but she kept turning them down. On a personal level, she didn't feel like she was ready. Her current position including several project management roles, various assignments, and a team of staff at her whim. As she walked down the hallway, she pondered what position Kingsley would be trying to offer her this time.

She rounded the corner and knocked on the giant elegant doors to the Minister's office. The door slowly opened, and Hermione stepped inside. She loved being inside this particular office. It was beautiful and grand. Golden drapes hung from the ceiling behind Kingsley's desk. However, she was unable to gander at the glorious room before Kingsley called out, "Welcome, Hermione."

It was then she realized they were not alone. A group of people sat waiting in chairs around his desk. Was she late for a meeting?! I'm going to kill my bloody assistant- She barely had time to register, "I'm sorry, sir. I did not realize we had a meeting, let me summon my-"

"This is not a pre-planned meeting, Hermione, I assure your usual prepared reputation is unwavering," Kingsley spoke. Hermione fidgeted nervously. Before Hermione had a chance to survey the people, Kingsley spoke again, "You are aware that we've had a vacancy of the Head of Department of Magical Education for some time. Minerva McGonagall has been serving as an interim for the summer, but soon she will have to return to Hogwarts for the upcoming year. I have submitted your name."

Hermione froze, He's got to be kidding. Head of a Department? I just turned him down for an assistant department head last month!

"Sir, as I already told you-"

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, I know. We've been over this plenty of times. I'm here to tell you this is happening, and I'm very happy to tell you that this will be no ordinary promotion. For the head of a department, you must submit a worthy application, interview with myself, and have a hearing where you will be judged by a committee of peers comprised of department heads and significant people you would work with."

That was the moment when Hermione finally surveyed the room.

Kingsley continued, "Your committee will include Minerva McGonagall, headmistress of Hogwarts and current interim," Minerva gave her a warm and kind smile.

"Neville Longbottom, Professor of Herbology," Neville waved enthusiastically,

"Olympe Maxine, Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy" A nod.

"Percy Weasley, Head of the Department of Magical Transportation." Percy barely looked up.

"Harry Potter, Head Auror.."

"'Ello, Hermione," Harry grinned at her. She slightly narrowed her eyes at him, and she pondered how long he had known about this little arrangement without telling her.

"- and Narcissa Black, head of the sub-department of Wizarding Examinations," Kingsley finished. Hermione glanced over the the woman. Her breath stopped as she caught sight of her piercing blue eyes. Narcissa continued to stare, but she gave no sign of acknowledgement as most of the others had. Just a stare. Despite working in the same department, Hermione barely saw Narcissa. Her office was more centralized. She had many terrified assistants to do her bidding for her, so she didn't leave her office much. Occasionally Hermione would catch sight of her at a department wide meeting, and Hermione couldn't resist but stare as she was doing now.

Hermione had always been fascinated with Narcissa Black. Despite their few encounters and the role Narcissa played in the war saving Harry's life, Hermione didn't know much about the woman. No one in the Wizarding World could escape the tabloids and gossip rags so Hermione had heard about her divorce from Lucius Malfoy quickly after the war. Continuing the little staring game they were having, Hermione noticed the woman wore a plain black professional dress and black heels. It didn't take her long before she noticed Narcissa was observing her as well. She suddenly wished she had wore something more… approval-worthy. She watched Narcissa's eyebrow raise slightly before she realized Kingsley had finished introducing everyone. Her attention snapped quickly back.

"You will prepare a presentation on what current obstacles you see facing the department in the next five years, ways of improvement, and why you would like the position."

"But-" Hermione started, but she was quickly cut off.

"Thank you for being here everyone, Hermione will be prepared for her hearing in a month's time," Kingsley finished. Everyone began leaving the room. Harry gave a pat on her back. Hermione shot him a "we will be talking about this later" look. Neville gave her a thumbs up. Percy squeaked a quick 'hey'.

Narcissa was the last to leave, slowly lingering by Hermione, and in her her low clear voice said, "Good luck, Ms. Granger."

With that, everyone was gone.

Hermione could feel the rage going through her blood. He couldn't just spring this on her!

"Sir, I don't even want this job, you can't make me go through a whole hearing - "

"Hermoine Granger, I have played your games of 'I'm not qualified' and 'no handouts' for long enough. You are far too qualified for your current position, and it is time for you to move up."

"To a department head?!"

"I thought you could use a challenge," Kingsley smirked. Oh, he knew how to get her attention. "And it won't be as easy as it looks. You have to get a completely unanimous agreement from that committee, and it won't be as easy as it looks."

"Ninety-percent of them love me, it's a completely biased committee-" Hermione interjected.

"Not quite. There is one person on your committee who does not believe you should get the position," Kingsley countered. "Narcissa Black believes you are far too young and inexperienced for the role."

"Too young and inexperienced…" Hermione gritted through her teeth, clenching her fists together.

"As I said, I thought you could use a challenge," Kingsley smirked. "One month, Hermione, one month. You may go."

Hermione turned on her heel, stalking out of the minister's office. Oh, he was good. He knew exactly how to rile her up. As she walked out of the office, her thoughts turned to the blonde woman she would have to win over.