Chapter 26
Chapter 26
‘Hello Mr. Longbottom. Come in.’
‘Yes sir. Did you learn what the potion is?’
‘I am making progress, what I want to know is who you got it from. Based on what I know of this potion so far it should not be at Hogwarts.’
‘I can't say, I need to know what it is before I can answer your questions.’
Snape thinks for a moment.
‘If I had more than a drop or two to work with I might be able to identify it better.’
‘I understand sir. Give me a moment.’ Snape nodes and Neville calls, ‘Ralts?’
‘Yes master?’
‘Bring me that snack we discussed the other night.’
When the snack is in Nevell’s hands he places it in front of his professor.
‘I asked for a potion, not a snack.’
‘Sir? I believe this was dosed with the potion we were discussing.’
‘Well in that case I will begin running tests. I'm not sure if I will complete the test before the holiday break.’
‘I understand sir. I really need to know what this is. Can you please owl me?’
With a huff, Snape says, ‘if I find the time. Otherwise we will discuss this when term resumes.’
Feeling dejected, Neville leaves the room. As he walks down the hall someone calls his name. Looking around, Neville doesn't see anyone.
‘Nev?’ Someone taps him on the shoulder and Neville jumps.
‘Who is there?’
Tracy pulls on Neville's hand, encouraging him to walk into the hidden room. He thought this was a blank stretch of wall.
‘Interesting. Where are we?’
‘Not sure. Found this place 2nd year when we were all worried about petrifications.’
Neville places his hand on the wall pushing his magic into it like Luna taught him.
‘I love all the secrets that can be discovered in this castle.’
The castle pushes against his magic in a gentle caress, with a smile he walks over to sit by the fire with Tracy.
‘Once again I find you down here near Snape's classroom, I know you don't like Snape himself. What are you up to?’
‘I would rather not talk about it just yet.’
‘Alright.’
‘Tell me more about how the hairs of juvenile magical creatures can be considered more potent than their adult counterparts?’
‘It all comes down to innocence. The more pure the animal the better the ingredient. That is why most people who harvest magical creatures try to raise them. Animals and people can become very trusting. Imagine raising a herd of unicorns and being able to collect the first few hairs that were shed, that would be some of the most potent hairs available. Unicorns only trust their herd and possibly their herder before they become adults. And that is only one example.’
‘That is fascinating. It's the opposite with plants. Usually you only want to harvest the mature ones because they are more potent and better able to carry the properties we are looking for.’
‘Is that why you're always in the greenhouses?’
‘Yes, you can never tell when a plant will reach its optimum maturity, so you have to tend it regularly.’
‘That is amazing. We should go into the forest to collect various ingredients. I think we could learn alot from each other.’
‘I think so too.’
*.*
Finally everyone is on the train headed home for the holidays. Hermione, Neville , Ginny and Luna are in one compartment and Ron dragged Harry away as soon as the train started to move. Just after the snack trolley passes their compartment, Draco, Blaise and Theo arrive.
‘Luna, what are your plans for the holidays?’
‘Daddy and I are going to check the property. He thinks he saw something nesting on our trees.’
‘That's interesting. I hope you stay safe while you look for it.’
‘I will. What about you?’
‘I think I will be spending time in Diagon Alley at the twins shop.’
‘Mum said-’
‘I'm sure I can guess what your mum said but she is not my parent or guardian. I will not change my plans for your mother.’ Hermione says this angrily. After taking a deep breath Hermione forces herself to calm. ‘I'm sorry that's your mum and I have nothing against her but things are sensitive since my parents died.’
‘I know, I just wish things wouldn't become too tense, it is the holiday season.’
‘I will try my best.’
‘Thank you. What about you, Dray?’
‘Same as usual I suppose. Mum probably has various social engagements planned. Theo and Blaise will probably be there as well.’
‘Yup. Mum has been talking about it for months, I’m expected to be “The Perfect Gentleman”.’
‘Father expects that I attend. I still don’t understand why they always want us to join them.’
‘Father said it’s so they can all play matchmaker.’
‘I hope I’m not included in that.’
‘Well my parents might try to get you and your boyfriend over for one of them. I'm sure your parents will be approached with betrothal conversations before the night is over.’
‘That is a horrible concept, and all of you go along with it?’
‘No actually. But my parents play along and spend copious amounts of time 'considering' things while they ask my opinion. After that they let the other family down gently. Mum is very skilled at it.’
‘My father wants to plan something between you and I.’ Theo points between himself and Hermione. ‘I told him he was delusional. Anyone I choose will be my own choice, not something he can decide.’
Hermione is absolutely astonished. ‘Your father thinks- we aren’t even close like that.’
‘Mum spends so much time arranging her own weddings I doubt it occurs to her that I am of marriageable age.’
‘I think I need to have a serious conversation with anyone who may be considered to have guardianship over me.’
‘That might be best, cousin.’
*.*
Mei Chang walks into the Ministry seeking the Auror department.
‘Hello, may I help you?’
‘I’m looking for Madam Bones.’
‘She is in her office. Go on in.’
‘Madam Bones?’
‘Yes?’
‘I am Mei Chang. I submitted a request on behalf of the Board of Governors regarding the school. Did you receive it?’
‘I’m not sure I did. Can you give me a moment to look for it?’
‘Of course.’
A moment later, Bones located the proper document. Looking through it, Madam Bones becomes visibly upset.
‘Are you and the other members certain that the trace is tied to the Headmaster?’
‘Yes, he has also been neglecting the wards and not property staffing the school. We will handle matters as best we can but this was something we wanted to report because it is punishable by law.’
‘I will begin the investigation immediately. Do you have the report from your evaluation of the castle?’
‘I have included a copy when I filled the report.’
‘I see it now. Thank you for checking on the progress of this investigation. Will the board be suspending the Headmaster?’
‘Pending your investigation? Yes, that is the protocol. We have grounds for suspension but we were unsure if you will be needing to arrest him.’
‘I will contact you for any further questions.’
‘Thank you for your time. Have a nice day.’
*.*
‘Mother, father. This is Hermione Granger.’
‘Lovely to meet you dear. Will you come visit over break? I have some dresses if you are able to attend our New Year's Gala.’
‘I intend to visit but there may be some trouble with long visits or an evening out. It seems I'm on a relatively short leash right now.’
‘That is a shame.’
‘I can ask George if I can have some friends over one evening. They have a flat above the shop.’
‘That sounds promising. I hope it works out.’
‘Thank you. Have you been contacted regarding my guardianship?’
‘Pardon? What guardianship?’
‘My muggle parents recently were attacked and killed. The headmaster “suspects” my biological parents were the cause of this at the Dark Lord's orders.’ Hermione rolls her eyes. ‘I requested guardianship be passed to you. I was then informed that I will stay with friends this holiday because guardian transfers take time.’
‘We could have had that done in a matter of days. I will begin looking into this immediately.’
‘Thank you both, I need to go, Mrs. Weasley looks like she is about to start yelling. Come by the twins shop in Diagon? I plan to be there most days.’
‘We will. See you soon.’
Hermione hugs her aunt and uncle before also hugging her cousin and walking to join Molly and surprisingly George.
‘George?' Hermione walks up to him and he pulls her into a hug.
‘Fred, let her go; this is not appropriate.’
‘Mum, I’m George.’ He comments before capturing Hermione’s lips with his own.
‘It doesn’t matter who you are, she is still in school and you will not take advantage.’
‘Mrs Weasley? I’m 17 now and perfectly capable of making my own choices. George and I have been dating since September.’
‘Come on, Hermione lets go. See you all there. George apparates away with Hermione in his arms.’
‘Seems the fun has just begun.’
George smirks. 'We can have all the fun we want. Sirius is waiting.'
*.*
‘Lucius, Severus, join me. Have you any news?’
‘I have been told that you likely caused the deaths of an unsuspecting muggle couple by the name of Granger, probably at the request of my dear sister-in-law.’
‘Truly? I don’t recall such an order. Perhaps it slipped my mind.’
‘Right and I suppose you can tell me why I found an illegal potion in the hands of a Griffindor?’
‘I have no idea what you mean. Tell me more Severus.’
‘This is the most powerful persuasion potion that can be made by the public, but it has other properties that seem to cause revulsion to specified parties.’
‘Who had the potion?’
‘Longbottom asked me to identify it because it belonged to someone and he wanted to replace it.’
‘I feel like there is a lot of missing information in that story.’
‘As do I, unfortunately it’s about all I know at this time. I may have promised that I would write to him with the results but I think this needs a more hands on response. Perhaps once school resumes.’
‘Have you mentioned anything to Albus?’
‘I thought I should bring this up with the board, it seems that the headmaster has even less control over the school than he originally thought. I was under the impression that the wards prevented these types of potions from entering the school.’
‘You are correct however the wards have been severely neglected and are in need of a lot of work.’
‘I will need to summon a board member to question Mr. Longbottom.'
'Send someone the first full day after term resumes.’
‘Of course, Severus.’
‘Have a nice day.’
*.*