The Science of Secrets
Chapter 6 – The Science of Secrets
Hermione smoothed down the non-existent wrinkles in her robes as she waited for the senior Unspeakable to begin her lesson. She had been back in England for a few weeks now, after having been away for five years, receiving her two Masteries in Celtic Runes from Mistress Aisling O'Donoghue in Ireland a month or so ago and her Mastery from the International Academy for Magical Studies in Arithmancy in Switzerland two years prior.
She had received an invitation from the Head Unspeakable Percival Edmund Archibald the day she had received her Rune mastery to extend an invitation to work in the Department of Mysteries. As she stood there, anticipation mingled with curiosity, whispers and stifled giggles fluttered at the edges of the room, only to be swiftly silenced by the senior Unspeakable’s stern glance.
At the front stood Alethea Hawke, a woman whose stern visage held an intensity that allowed no argument and tolerated no delay. Her sharp, focused gaze swept over the trainees, quieting the last murmurs and enveloping the room in a thick hush of anticipation.
"Occlumency and Legilimency," Alethea's voice rang out, clear and commanding, "are two sides of the same coin. One guards your thoughts, the other unveils them. Mastery requires proficiency in both arts."
Her sharp eyes swept over the trainees, lingering on Hermione for a moment. "Here, in the Department of Mysteries, you will delve into the unknown. It will test your resilience in unimaginable ways. To navigate these depths, you must be adaptable yet steadfast, unflinching in the face of uncertainty.
A sliver of doubt pricked Hermione. Though these techniques were critical in wartime, they felt less suited to the world of research. She had dabbled in Occlumency on her own, fueled by a desire to help Harry during his disastrous lessons in her fifth year. It had served her well, deflecting Bellatrix Lestrange's mental assault at Malfoy Manor. But Legilimency felt intrusive, a far cry from academic pursuits.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione closed her eyes, envisioning herself as a tranquil lake, emotions calm beneath a still surface. A persistent question surfaced. Why was this training crucial? "Unspeakable Hawke," she questioned, voicing the shared confusion among the acolytes. "We understand the importance of these skills for Aurors, but what is their relevance to our research?"
A hint of a smile played on Alethea's lips. "The Department, Acolyte Granger, delves into the heart of magic. Powerful artifacts, forgotten lore, secrets that defy explanation. You never know what you might encounter, or what entity might covet your knowledge. Occlumency provides a shield against external threats and aids in mastering your own emotions, ensuring they do not cloud your judgment. Legilimency, applied with finesse, can unlock these mysteries, offering a way to understand not just enchanted objects, but the very beings that guard them.”
**~~**~~**
Hermione sat in the dimly lit room, her mind racing with a thousand questions and twice as many fears. The sterile, metallic environment felt oppressive, and the silence only amplified the pounding of her heart. As she tried to piece together what little information she had gathered, she found herself reflecting on Alethea's lessons. The senior Unspeakable's words echoed in her mind, a reminder of the importance of mastering her emotions and thoughts.
Romulans, they called themselves. A people she had never encountered or read about in any of her magical or Muggle studies. But why would she have? She was on a different planet, for Circe’s sake. How far into the future had she landed? She was supposed to have gone back in time, not forward. It was supposed to be impossible to jump ahead in time beyond her originating time. Were Romulans from a country on Earth, like the English from England or Americans from the United States? Their appearance made her wonder if it was a cultural trait, the distinctive ear shape, like the Kayan people who wore rings around their necks to extend them.
Another thought struck her: what if they were an entirely new species? The very idea was both thrilling and terrifying. If she ever made it back home, her dad would be beside himself with curiosity. He'd never stop asking questions about them. Imagine that she thought with a small, incredulous smile, I met actual aliens! The concept was beyond anything she had ever expected to encounter. Their response to her didn’t suggest that her appearance was a surprise to them. Their familiarity with humans made her feel somewhat reassured. Though she still didn't have an answer to her question, the fact that they seemed accustomed to encountering humans was comforting in this strange situation.
As she continued to observe her surroundings, Hermione marveled at their technology—light years ahead of anything she knew. Sleek consoles with glowing interfaces and devices emitting soft hums filled the room, making her feel like she had stepped into a science fiction novel. The sheer advancement of it all was overwhelming, and for a moment, it felt as though the walls were closing in around her.
Hermione took a deep breath, picturing herself as that tranquil lake Alethea had spoken of, with calm emotions beneath the still surface. She closed her eyes briefly, letting her breathing slow, drawing in deep, measured breaths. Each inhale and exhale brought a bit more clarity, a bit more control. The techniques she had practiced under Alethea's guidance came rushing back to her. She visualized the tension flowing out of her body, dissipating into the air around her. The racing thoughts in her mind slowed, allowing her to regain focus and composure.
She took a moment to evaluate her magical core. It was still weak from the strain of the Time-Turner experiment, a residual fatigue that lingered at the edges of her consciousness. However, the intense ache that had haunted her earlier was now blessedly gone, thanks to the restorative power of her nap. Though she was still running on fumes, the overwhelming exhaustion had eased. As her physical state improved, her mind shifted to more pressing concerns.
Do they know about magic, though? she wondered, a furrow forming on her brow. Is the statute of secrecy still in place? Frustration gnawed at her as she clenched her fists slightly. She needed to gather more information, but without revealing too much about magic. The weight of secrecy pressed down on her, making her acutely aware of every word and action. She resolved to keep magic hidden until she could learn more about this time.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft hiss of the door opening. The Romulan who had interrogated her—Valek—entered, accompanied by two other figures. Their expressions were unreadable, but their presence was undeniably intimidating.
Valek approached her with measured steps, his piercing green eyes studying her intently. “Miss Granger, we have commenced our analysis of the device you were carrying," he said, his tone formal and measured. "It is unlike anything we have encountered before”.
Hermione straightened, masking her anxiety with a facade of calm. "It's called a Time-Turner," she explained. "It allows the user to travel through time. I was conducting the first human trial."
Valek nodded, though his expression remained skeptical. “We are verifying your claims. In the meantime, you will remain under observation. Any attempt to escape or deceive us will be met with severe consequences.”
Hermione swallowed hard, nodding in understanding. “I don’t intend to cause trouble. I just want to find a way back home.”
Valek’s gaze softened slightly, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. “Tell me, Miss Granger, what exactly went wrong with your experiment?”
Hermione took a deep breath, recounting the details of her experiment, the chaotic tumble through the void, and the moment she found herself on this strange planet. She described the raw magic she had felt, the sensation of being pulled through time and space, and the overwhelming disorientation. Of course she didn’t use the term magic.
As she spoke, Valek listened intently, occasionally glancing at his companions who seemed equally intrigued. When she finished, he nodded thoughtfully. “Your story is... extraordinary, to say the least. We will continue to investigate. For now, you will be taken to a more comfortable holding area.”
Hermione stood, feeling a glimmer of hope. “Thank you,” she said softly.
Valek didn’t respond, merely gesturing for her to follow. As they walked through the labyrinth of corridors, Hermione discreetly observed her surroundings, noting the sleek, utilitarian design of the Romulan base. The walls were a dull grey, interspersed with control panels and what Hermione assumed to be Romulan script.
Valek led her through a series of turns, each corridor seemingly identical to the last. Hermione tried to memorize the path, though she doubted she could find her way back without assistance. The two silent Romulans flanked her, their presence a constant reminder of her precarious situation.
Finally, they arrived at a set of reinforced doors. Valek entered a code on the panel, and the doors slid open to reveal a modest but significantly more comfortable room. There was a bed, a small desk, and a large flat panel that reminded Hermione of a telly, on one wall. It was a stark contrast to the austere cell she had been held in previously.
“You will remain here until further notice,” Valek said, his tone neutral yet authoritative. “Meals will be provided, and you will have limited access to the view screen for entertainment purposes. However, at this time you do not have permission to contact Starfleet. Should this situation change, you will be given access to the communication interface on the view screen.”
Pointing to the only other door in the room, he continued, “You will find the sonic shower and sanitary unit through that door. Lastly, do not attempt to leave this room without authorization.”
Hermione nodded and stepped inside. The door closed behind her with a soft hiss, and she immediately felt a slight easing of the tension in her shoulders. It wasn't freedom, but it was a significant improvement from her previous confinement.
She took a moment to survey her new quarters. The room, though modest, was a stark contrast to the stark, windowless cell she had been held in before. The bed looked reasonably comfortable, and the small desk offered a place for her to think and plan. It was much larger and more advanced looking than any television or computer she had seen. I’ll look at that in a bit, she thought, hoping it was like the computer at her parents' dental practice.
Approaching the door Valek had indicated, Hermione found the sonic shower and sanitary unit. The shower's sleek, metallic surface gleamed, featuring intricate panels and sensors instead of traditional nozzles. A sonic shower, she mused, does that mean it uses sound to clean?
Pressing a random button, Hermione felt a gentle sensation as the hand in line with a sensor came clean, as if she had washed it in water. Hermione couldn't help but compare it to the Scourgify spell, imagining how the gentle hum of the sonic waves would cleanse the body just as her spell banished dust and stains.
Returning to the main area, she sank onto the bed, allowing herself a moment of respite. The weight of her predicament was still heavy, but the relative comfort of this room gave her a small measure of solace. She knew she needed to stay alert and plan her next move carefully. The Time-Turner was in Romulan hands, and her only hope of retrieving it—and finding a way back home—depended on her ability to navigate this precarious situation.
As she pondered her options, Hermione's mind raced with possibilities. She needed to establish trust, gain more freedom, and find a way to communicate with someone who could help her. Determined to start somewhere, Hermione stood up and walked over to the view screen. I guess this is the best place to start looking for answers.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
"Commander Valek, do you believe her story?" asked T’Rul, the sharp-featured Romulan woman who had accompanied him in bringing Hermione to her new room.
Valek considered her question carefully. "There are elements of truth in her account. The device she carries is unlike anything in our records, and her knowledge seems genuine. However, we must remain cautious. Her true intentions are still unclear."
T’Rul nodded, her analytical mind already considering the implications. "What is our next move? Should we inform the authorities on Romulus of this development?"
Valek took a moment to reflect on her query. His mind raced through the potential consequences of contacting the Tal Shiar prematurely. Alerting them could bring unwanted attention and complicate matters. They could demand she be handed over due to a perceived security risk, and then she would likely disappear, taken to one of the Tal Shiar's secret facilities, never to be seen again. While Valek was loyal to the Empire, he recognized the Tal Shiar’s ruthless methods and their tendency to act without restraint. He knew that involving them too early could lead to unnecessary escalation and loss of control over the situation.
Valek weighed his options carefully. There was a delicate balance to maintain between vigilance and caution. Acting hastily could jeopardize their entire mission, while proceeding too slowly might allow a potential threat to develop unchecked.
"I don’t want to bother the Tal Shiar over one human," he finally said. "I don’t have enough information at this time to justify such a move. We need to gather more intelligence on her background and purpose here. If she poses a threat or if her presence could be of strategic importance, we can then consider involving higher authorities. For now, we will keep her under observation and continue our investigation discreetly."
As they moved to leave, Valek glanced back at the door to Hermione's room, his mind racing with possibilities. This unexpected encounter could change everything for the Romulan Empire, and he was determined to uncover the full potential of the strange device—and the woman who brought it to them.
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
258 years in the future. That’s how far she had been flung into the future. Hermione sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the view screen, trying to make sense of what she had discovered. While there hadn’t been a lot of information on what she had found to be called the Romulan Empire and its people, there was a wealth of information on Humans and Earth as well as the other species that made up the Federation, and others that were not.
Hermione’s heart pounded as she scrolled through the historical records. The Federation—a vast interstellar union comprising various planets, including Earth—was something she had never even imagined. She learned about the United Federation of Planets, a coalition founded on principles of peace, exploration, and cooperation. Earth, now a key member, was part of an organization that spanned multiple star systems.
She marveled at the names and faces that appeared on the screen: Vulcans, with their pointed ears and logical minds; Andorians, blue-skinned and antennaed; Tellarites, with their gruff, argumentative nature. It was like something out of the most fantastical Muggle science fiction stories she’d read as a child, yet here it was, real and meticulously documented.
As she delved deeper into the records, Hermione began to understand more about the Romulans' perspectives on other species. They viewed Humans with suspicion, seeing them as potential threats due to their leadership role in the Federation. The Romulans respected human resilience and ingenuity but always kept a wary eye on them. Their relationship with Vulcans was even more complex. Sharing a common ancestry, Romulans often saw Vulcans as overly pacifistic and naive. Despite the deep cultural connection, there was significant mistrust and ideological differences, especially regarding emotions and logic.
Hermione also discovered the Romulans' general distrust of other Federation members like the Andorians and Tellarites, viewing them as part of the Federation’s power structure and, by extension, potential adversaries. Outside of the Federation, Romulans respected the Klingons as worthy adversaries, appreciating their warrior culture and strength. However, this respect was tempered by a history of rivalry and conflict, even though temporary alliances had been formed based on mutual interests. With the Cardassians, Romulans saw strategic allies, especially against common enemies like the Federation, but remained cautious due to the Cardassians’ cunning and ruthlessness.
The more she read, the more questions arose. How had humanity evolved so significantly in her absence? What technologies had enabled such advancements? And, most importantly, what of the magical world? There was nothing that hinted at the existence of magic on Earth or anywhere else, for that matter.
I don’t think it would be possible for magic users to stay hidden with all this technology, Hermione considered, feeling a pang of concern. The magical world is always so far behind in innovation; I can’t see us being able to hide in such an advanced world.
Her mind raced with possibilities. Perhaps the magical world had found a way to conceal itself even more effectively, or maybe they had integrated with the Muggle world in ways she couldn’t fathom. Maybe magic has become indistinguishable from advanced technology. The thought of wizards and witches using advanced technology alongside their magic was both intriguing and disconcerting.
Hermione continued her research, diving deeper into the records. The database was vast, covering everything from architectural blueprints to medical breakthroughs. Yet, there was no mention of magic, no trace of the hidden world she had left behind. It was as if it had never existed.
Could it be that magic has been entirely forgotten, or has it simply become so well-concealed that even these advanced societies cannot detect it? she wondered. The absence of any reference to magic troubled her deeply. How could something so integral to her identity and the world she knew simply vanish from history?
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Valek stood at the center of the lab, carefully examining the damaged Time-Turner in his hands. The device was severely melted and charred, with only a few symbols and parts of the crystal still visible. He couldn't reconcile its appearance with the extraordinary journey it supposedly enabled.
A Romulan scientist leaned over a console, eyes scanning the data streaming across the display. "Commander, our data confirms that Miss Granger is from a different dimension," he said, his tone puzzled. "Yet, this damaged device shows no advanced technology, no detectable power source. It defies our understanding."
A Romulan officer stepped closer, scrutinizing the Time-Turner with a skeptical eye. "It’s possible this is a decoy, meant to mislead us. What if the true mechanism is hidden or located elsewhere?" he suggested, suspicion lacing his words.
Placing the Time-Turner on the table, Valek nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed. We cannot dismiss the possibility of deception. However, Miss Granger’s arrival here is evidence of an extraordinary event. We must determine if this device holds the key, or if there is another technology at play," he said, his voice firm and determined.
The scientist tapped a few controls, bringing up a more detailed scan of the Time-Turner. "We've detected faint traces of an unknown energy. Interestingly, it's similar to the new type of energy we’ve been researching, but there are subtle differences," he explained, pointing to the display.
Valek’s interest was piqued. "Differences? Explain," he commanded, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the display.
The scientist pointed to various energy signatures on the holographic screen. "This energy has a unique signature, almost as if it's been altered or channeled through something. It doesn’t match any known energy sources exactly but bears a resemblance to our recent findings," he elaborated.
The officer's doubt intensified, crossing his arms. "Are you proposing that this energy was manipulated in an unknown manner? Miss Granger is human, and we have no evidence that humans can control energy like this," he stated.
Valek’s thoughtful expression grew more intense. "Miss Granger’s arrival here, combined with this device, suggests an unusual mechanism at play. For such a device to be functional, it must be highly advanced. The fact that we cannot figure out how it could possibly work indicates a level of sophistication beyond our current technology," he mused, his mind racing with possibilities. "The latest intelligence from our informants within the Federation suggests that they are not yet capable of producing technology of this complexity."
The scientist nodded in agreement. "We should investigate the device further. If we can map out the exact pathways of this unknown energy, we might be able to replicate or at least understand its functionality," he suggested, adjusting the settings on the console.
Valek considered the information carefully. "We need to speak with Miss Granger. Her cooperation will be crucial in understanding the mechanics of this device. However, we must approach this carefully. Any hint of deception or reluctance will be scrutinized," he warned, his gaze steady.
The officer glanced at the holographic display; his expression serious. "Commander, should we increase security around the device? If it holds the key to dimensional travel, it’s invaluable," he proposed.
Valek nodded decisively. "Yes, double the guard and ensure it remains under constant surveillance. We will also need to monitor Miss Granger closely. Her knowledge and any insights she can provide about this energy make her a significant asset," he ordered.
The scientist adjusted a few more settings on the console, bringing up a 3D model of the Time-Turner’s internal structure. "We’ll begin by mapping the energy pathways. If we can understand the flow and control of this energy, it might reveal how the device functions," he said, his voice filled with determination.
Valek’s eyes remained fixed on the holographic display. "Proceed with caution. We are on the brink of discovering something that could shift the balance of power. Every detail must be meticulously examined," he concluded, his tone leaving no room for doubt.