It wasn't often that Hermione Granger was nervous. There were, in fact, very few things that could cause the powerful witch to quiver, even the slightest bit. But a private meeting with the Chief of Staff of the British Minister of Magic was definitely one of them.

Of course, there was no way that she was letting Pavrati Patil, one of the most well respected and noted witches in the world, know that. Pavrati worked for the International Organization of Witches and was specifically interested in the political arena. She had been working on the Marriage and Family Wellness Act for over three years and was ruthless about getting it passed.

And that's why they need me, Hermione mused. I'm a deal closer. I make things happen. However, it's going to be very hard to do either of those things with Neville Longbottom in the same room.

The Hogwarts Heroes, they were called. Neville, Ron and Harry. Of course, it went without saying that Harry was the brightest star in that little constellation, but Neville and Ron were valuable as well. Neville, it was said, was the brains of the operation. It was rumored that he had read Hogwarts: A History twelve times. (Hermione herself had only accomplished that feat seven times.) While he was quiet, he was ruthlessly loyal and would always do everything within his academic power to see that Harry was all right. Ron was Harry's center. When life spun just a little too far out of control, Ron brought Harry back to reality. Not to mention that he was a brilliant strategist. It was Ron who figured out where Voldemort would be hiding that night.

Stories flew through the wizarding world about their friendship and even though it had been years and years since they first became famous, Neville and Ron were held in high regard.

When Harry had announced his candidacy, everyone knew that Ron and Neville would not be far behind. Over the past three years of his administration, Ron and Neville had each proven themselves as worthy beyond just being Harry's friend. Ron quickly went to work setting up Quidditch training camps for under privileged young wizards and Neville is the most well-respected diplomat since Arthur Weasley.

At least I'm not meeting Minister Potter, Hermione thought to herself. That would surely send me over the edge.

Straightening her robes and running a finger through her mane, Hermione bravely stepped up to the security wizard and opened her mouth to state her name.

"Hello, sir, I'm – "

"Wand," the wizard said without even looking up from his copy of The Daily Prophet.

"Oh, okay," Hermione replied, slightly flustered. "I'm Hermione Granger and I'm here to see Mr. Longbottom."

"That's nice."

"I work for the IOW and I'm trying to get the –"

"Go through the lobby and take the second elevator on your left," the wizard intoned. "Take it down to P74 and go down to the last door on the left. Knock three times, do a little dance and then enter. Mr. Longbottom's secretary will greet you."

"A little dance?" I'm not a very gifted dancer, what if the quality of the dance is what lets me in the door?

"I was kidding about the dance."

"Oh, well," Hermione chided herself for believing the gentleman.

"Here's your wand," said monotone man. "It passes inspection. Have a nice day."

"Well, he doesn't sound like he wants me to have a nice day at all!" Hermione muttered to herself as she made her way to the elevator bay. It didn't seem like any time at all before she was standing in Mr. Longbottom's office lobby.

"Ms. Granger?"

Hermione turned to see a pleasant looking witch wearing business robes. "Yes?"

"Mr. Longbottom asked me to show you to the Central Meeting Room. Are you ready?"

"Why, yes," Hermione replied.

"Excellent," the secretary said, gesturing to a door on the far wall. Just as Hermione was about to open the door, it swung open to reveal a pleasant looking man with a serious expression.

"Ah, Ms. Granger, it's nice to meet you." The man offered Hermione his hand and ushered her into the room. "I'm Neville Longbottom. Did you get here all right?"

"Yes, I was fine," Hermione assured him.

"Excellent! Ms. Patil is already here. Now, let's begin."

...

Three Hours Later

"Now, it's not going to pass with that much money attached to it, and you know it." Neville calmly addressed them.

Pavrati and Hermione exchanged glances before Pavrati spoke up. "But if it doesn't pass, then millions of children will starve."

"I'm sure that's a drastic overstatement, Ms. Patil," Neville replied.

"Mr. Longbottom," Pavrati started, but stopped when Hermione placed her hand calmly on her arm.

"Mr. Longbottom, then we are at an impasse."

"It would appear so, Ms. Granger."

"But I would like you to clear a few things up for me before my colleague and I depart."

"By all means."

At this point, a figure slipped in the door behind Hermione. While the whole room sat up a little straighter, Hermione didn't even notice the addendum to the group.

"Mr. Longbottom," Pavrati said before Hermione could speak, "I want you to know that, before she speaks, Hermione has not even read the report from the Genesco convention. Her knowledge of the bill is entirely based on our conversations over the past few hours."

Bloody hell, Hermione inwardly groaned.

Neville raised his eyebrows, and replied, "Well, Ms. Granger, let's hear what you have to say."

Taking a deep breath, Hermione barreled forward. "Well, Mr. Longbottom, she's right. I have not read the report from the Genesco convention. However, if I had, I would have known that over 58% of wizarding children outside of the British Isles are denied proper education. Because they do not know simple conjuring spells or healing potions and are therefore, subjected to the fate of their Muggle peers. Children in the 10/40 window are starving to death, Mr. Longbottom. They are dying at a rapid pace and your administration has done nothing to stop it! If the Minister thinks that he can just turn a deaf ear while almost two-thirds of the wizarding population cries out from their graves, then your boss is the chief executive of fantasy land!"

"Well, let's take him out back and beat the shit of him!" Harry cried from his position from behind Hermione.

Bloody hell, Hermione groaned.

And she was so concerned with beating herself up that she never noticed that Harry's eyes were dancing in a way that they hadn't in about three years.

...