Hermione returned to work, and true to his word, Rufas immediately brought Hermione into his office to give her his surprise that he had promised her. This surprise was a special Certificate of Appreciation for her work signed by both Rufus and Moody as well as by members of the Wizengamot. It was also then that Rufus gave Hermione another surprise. But this was one surprise she could tell no one! It was personal between her and Rufus and she was stunned to the core by it! It would be another five years before she could whisper a word about this to anyone! Five whole years!!!
A lot can happen in five years, and it certainly did! Hermione and Ron now had twin girls who were almost three years old now. Their big brother was approaching his fifth birthday. Merlin had reddish brown hair and brown eyes while his sisters had the flaming red hair and blue eyes of the Weasleys. Harry and Ginny were parents to two boys, ages 2 and 4. Charlie had finally married and the couple was expecting their first child soon. The twins both had young girls with their wives. Bill and Fleur had two children and were expecting their third!
At work, Arthur had been promoted to the head of his office and made a new member of the Wizengamot just last year. Harry also was a member of the Wizengamot, as was Ginny. Ginny was one step under Hermione in the Ministry Office. Harry and Ron were now senior Aurors under Lupin, who became Head Auror when Moody retired two years ago. He was also a member of the Wizengamot....a feat that would have been impossible for a werewolf just two years ago! New appointments to the Wizengamot had allowed for less prejudice, espcially with Minerva McGonagall at the helm!!!
It was at the end of that fifth year Hermione received a very special summons to McGonagall's office. She entered the office nervously, waiting to find out if she had passed the final test that would make Rufu's surprise come true!
"Well, Hermione," Rufus began. "The time has come as I told you it would. We took the vote by secret ballot. Those voting were the heads of each Ministry Department as well as the entire Wizengamot. They are accepting my resignation allowing for my retirement."
He looked over to Minerva and winked.
"The vote that was taken also approved Rufus's recommendation for his replacement," Minerva said. "Hermione, you have just been voted as the youngest Mistress of Magic in our history! Congratulations!!!!
Hermione shook her head in disbelief! At the time Rufas would officially announcehis retirement...one month from now, she would be only 28 years old and be the Mistress Of Magic for England!
The party that celebrated the retirement of Rufus Scrimgmour and the installation of Hermione Weasley was one of the most celebrated events ever in wizard history! Hermione immediately set up special offices to represent those various magical creatures that had been underrepresented in the past. These offices granted rights that had been denied to these creatures in the past. Lupin himself turned the reins of the Aurors office over to Harry so he could head up the office that would represent werewolves. Over the next several years he worked tirelessly with the healers at St, Mungos as well as those scientists called unspeakables to finally develop a total cure for this terrible affliction!
House elves also had an office in which Dobby found good work. Although most house elves still desired to work without pay, as their natures usually dictated, they were assurred proper treatment by their employers and mandatory time off to properly rest or recover from illness or injury. Those witches and wizards who failed to abide by these new laws faced fines and possible imprisonment. In certain cases, their right to have house elves were
stripped. The remaining giants were granted special living areas where they could live unmolested by humans without being forced too close together. The dementors opted to leave the country and movedto places where they could still access the human prey they craved. Those creatures without a voice, such as hippogriffs, thestrals and others like them were protected from unjust treatment by Rubeus Hagrid himself, with the guidance of Hermione and Minerva, Ron and Harry.
Some wizards still attempted to build up their dark forces, but, especially due to the fact that they lacked the allies that had been available when they were receiving bad treatment, now found their lives to be happy the way they were and the dark wizards found themselves unwelcome. These new troublemakers were quickly caught and dealt with without too much trouble.
Thus began the reign of "Hermione the Just" as history would remember her ministry, which she ruled until her retirement at the age of 80. During this time of peace and harmony, Hermione was also elected as Head Mugwump of the Wizengamot after Minerva McGonagall retired. She retired from this position at the age of 95. Her and Ron's children and grandchildren followed in their parents footsteps and eventually became Ministers and Mistresses of Magic themselves after their mother's retirement. Harry and Ginny's children also held high positions and two went on to become Supreme Mugwumps of the Wizengamot themselves.
On the day the great witch Hermione died, it is said in legend that the Phoenix, Fawkes, who had once belonged to Albus Dumbledore, was seen carrying her spirit up to heaven to join the other famous witches and wizards who had traveled the "next greatest adventure" before her.