Chapter 3
ii
Ready for The Storm
.
1305 hours
2 May 1978
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
.
The Crossing was bad. Really bad. At first she felt like a cloud, a literal fluffy cloud, floating freely like she had the world in her palm. She was smiling and giggling, her big mane of hair causing her to imagine herself as a sloth. The giddiness she felt was good until Seal's warning screamed in her mind.
"Well Unspeakable Moon, if Unspeakable Hermes gets unlucky, she will be useless dead meat."
Her eyes snapped open, t he memory dulling the effect of the Mandrake leaf and waking her from the happy trance. The Mandrake leaf, she suddenly remembered where she was. Time Space. It was dark, cold, and eerily noiseless. She felt her palms sweating, her breathing quickened. She panicked.
She was too panicked to keep the leaf in her mouth without swallowing it so she spat it out, which wasn't a good idea. Fantastic , she thought to herself. Everything began to move quickly, blurring as she was shoved through time. So fast that she felt like her eyes had detached from her sockets. She felt like she was being forcefully pulled into a small, thorny tube, something like apparition but way worse and way more painful, squeezing all air out of her lungs. What was maybe only minutes felt like days. She screamed, her voice hoarse, and just like that, everything stopped and she was standing on her two feet again.
She puked her guts out.
When she was sure she was done, she scourgified herself and the mess she made. She paced around the room where she landed, trying to figure out where she was. It looked exactly like the Red Chamber, except for the glowing runic circle that now looked ashen. She squated down to check if the runes' magic was still active or not.
"It won't do anyone good if it's miraculously still working," she mumbled.
Feeling satisfied, Hermione smoothed her cloak down. She put her wand back in the holster around her wrist, concealed by her sleeve, and walked out the door with one goal in mind: to find the Headmaster.
An empty corridor greeted her on the other side of the door. She looked over her shoulder to see where did she came out from and to her surprise the red door now morphed back into a wall. She laughed at the absurdity. "Fucking hell. It’s the Room of Requirement!" She shook her head in disbelief while making her way to the Headmaster's office.
Oh, no. Password. She grunted her annoyance. "Why does he need a password, anyway? It's pointless! Everyone knows it's going to be a sweet or something that he's currently obsessed with!" She inhaled and called off a few sweets she knew he liked, until she heard a woman clearing her throat behind her. Hermione spun and squealed in delight at the sight of one eyebrow raised Minerva McGonagall.
"Is there anything I can help you with, Miss…"
"Granger. Hermione Granger. Yes, I need to talk to both you and the Headmaster, Professor. It's very urgent, life or death kind of urgent. So please, can we go up to his office now?"
Minerva eyed her suspiciously. Before she could voice out any dispute, Hermione handed over an envelope to her, pointing at the singe of the Department of Mysteries on the left upper corner of it.
Minerva gaped like a fish, looking from Hermione to the singe to Hermione again.
"Whaー"
"I'd rather we speak about this over tea in the Headmaster's office,” Hermione cut her off. “This is a very serious matter and any information leak can bring us grave danger.”
"Yes, of course," Minerva cleared her throat once again. " Woolen socks ."
Hermione snorted. Trust Dumbledore with creative ー not. It's fucking predictable, Albus ー passwords, she thought as she rolled her eyes inwardly. The gargoyles moved aside. Minerva led the way, climbing the circular stairs.
"Ah, Minerva. What a pleasant surprise! Care to join me?" Albus waved his hand to the small feast on his table, a pot of tea and various kinds of sweets around it.
"No, Albus. I was on my way to Gryffindor common room when I met Miss Granger here outside of your office. Miss Granger?" Minerva stepped aside to let Hermione introduce herself.
Hermione took a deep breath before she made her first step into the familiar Headmaster’s office. She remembered the last time she stepped in, with Harry and Ron after the great battle. She remembered Dilys Derwent sobbed unashamedly and Dexter Fortescue, on the other hand, was waving his ear-trumpet. She remembered how Phineas Nigellus proud voice boomed the whole office.
“And let it be noted that Slytherin House played its part! Let our contribution not be forgotten!”
"Good Afternoon, Headmaster,” Hermione said as she walked towards the table. She took a glance at all the fully-awoke portraits that resided in the office. “Before I start, I would like to request some privacy from the portraits, please.” All around the walls, the Headmasters and Headmistresses of Hogwarts were scowling at her with obvious displeasure. But with a nod and a simple “please” from Albus Dumbledore, they yielded, leaving the trio on their own devices.
Hermione gave Albus a genuine smile in thanks and quickly squared her shoulders as she now stood face to face with her old Headmaster. “My name is Hermione Granger, and I believe it's better for you to read this letter first.” She probed into her satchel and took out a white envelope. “I promise you I will answer any questions as honestly as I can." She slid it across the table to him. If he was suspicious, he didn't show it at all.
"I understand I seem suspicious to you. But,ー" Hermione put her Unspeakable identification badge beside his letter. "ーas you know, we Unspeakables, are really good at keeping our mouth shut. I can't offer our help to you and the Order of Phoenix in regards to Voldemort, unless you start reading now."
She took a seat on one of the armchairs right across from Albus, crossing her legs. "Now, read," she ordered Albus.
The air in the room felt heavy, dense with her magic. It was suffocating. Albus glanced at her Unspeakable badge then the letter then Minerva.
"No one dares to speak his name, Miss Granger."
Hermione stopped herself from rolling her eyes. "Please read the letter, Headmaster Dumbledore. We magicked it so it can only be opened by the intended. I know you have questions, but, as I’ve said before, I won't spill anything unless you both start reading that damn letter."
Her silver hair unintentionally crackled with magic. "Don't test my patience. I just had the worst crossing ever and all I need is a good bed and good meal. But I won't get any of them if you are still contemplating your given task: to read."
"Miss Granger! That'sー" Albus put one of his hand up to stop Minerva’s outburst.
"Very well, Miss Granger. I assume Minerva received one too?" Minerva confirmed his assumption with a nod. "Take a seat, Minerva." Albus waved his hand towards the free armchair beside Hermione. Minerva nodded once again and moved to take her seat. "I have a feeling this meeting will be long."
The room now was quiet as both her Headmaster and Headmistress started reading their individual letters. Only the sound of rustling parchment could be heard. Hermione eyed both of them, trying to gauge their reaction. She watched Minerva cover her mouth with one hand and glanced at her with pity and pain. She heard Albus sighing heavily and looked at him to see his eyes had saddened.
Hermione really had no idea what was in the letters but from their reactions, she hoped it covered most of the situation at hand. This was taxing, emotionally dreadful , she thought. She couldn't imagine what their response would be when she explained more of the war. She closed her eyes and tapped her index finger on her lap anxiously.
Albus put down the third parchment out of five pieces of his letter. She saw some sentences were outlined to stress their importance. A wave of memory came to her.
"Why," demanded Ron, seizing her schedule, "have you outlined all Lockhart's lessons in little hearts?"
Hermione chuckled remembering how ridiculous she was with her infatuation over Gilderoy Lockhart. She could have had a crush on someone better, like Oliver for example, or Cedric, or Angelina or even Terence Higgins. But she just had to have a crush on Lockhart, an embarrassing moment of her life that no one seemed to want to let go. Albus stopped his reading and rose his eyebrows towards her. She faked a cough as a cover up.
Take a deep breath, Hermione.
Hermione exhaled the tension out of her, her shoulder visibly sagging a little. She closed her eyes and hummed Dougie MacLean's Ready for The Storm. "I am ready for the storm, yes I'm ready for the storm," she sang in whisper while looking down to her lap where her hands rested, studying her nails. As if on cue, Albus put down his last piece of parchment and chuckled.
"Oh yes, Miss Granger. I can see you are ready for the storm," he said with that twinkling eyes that Hermione loved and hated at the same time. It reminded her so much of Harry.
Hermione straightened in her seat. "Yes. Well, it is a good song. You've finished reading?" Albus simply nodded his head once. She turned to her Headmistress. "Professor?"
Minerva put her letter on the table and let out a small sigh. "Yes, Miss Granger. I must say I didn't expect this when you said grave danger." She drank her tea, her hand was still shaking. "Can we proceed with our questions now?"
"Of course." With a snap of her fingers, both letters set on a small fire and vanished. Nothing left of them, not even a speck of ash. "We don't want to take the risk of them getting into the wrong hands," Hermione explained. "I have no idea what was written in the letters so please ask about anything you need further explanation on."
"It says we won against Voldemort yet we're still at war. What does it mean, Miss Granger?" Albus rested his chin on his entwined fingers.
"Please, call me Hermione,” Hermione smiled softly at her old Headmaster. She hadn’t being called Granger since she moved to Unspeakable Office. Even Hermione sounded weird in her ears. “Yes, we won against Voldemort but we were too late. Voldemort's belief in blood supremacy was deeply engraved into purebloods culture and mentality. He planted the seed and what was left of the Death Eaters nurtured it. The ministry was rotten to its core. They legalised laws against muggleborns including the right to attack them and beat them to pulp, to death, if they dare to disagree their purebloods' sentiment."
.
ーーー
0921 hours
29 December 1998
Hogsmeade
"Dean, dodge!" Seamus screamed at his boyfriend desperately.
They were hiding in the abandoned Hog's Head bar when five Death Eaters ambushed them in their small piece of peace. Hermione's feet were freezing over the fact she was only wearing socks, her sneakers were still inside the warm bar. She checked on Dean who just barely dodged the arrow-shooting spell.
"Are you hurt? Are you okay?" Her panic could be heard in her voice. Dean nodded his head and returned to his fighting stance. He jerked his head to where Seamus was hiding.
"Let's go, Hermione!" He dragged her by the wrist and led them to a flipped carriage right between two shops. It worked as their barricade. Seamus pulled Dean into a desperate hug and whispered his gratitude to Merlin for his boyfriend's safety.
"We were just talking about death and voila! Here they are!" Seamus fiercely whispered to Hermione and she couldn't help but giggle at the irony until a spell hit the carriage startling the three Gryffindors. Hermione snuck a spell on their offenders.
" Bombarda Maxima! "
The explosion effectively threw two Death Eaters back and killed one as it hit him square on what was left of his face now. As the two tried to get themselves up, the other two advanced forward with more dangerous hexes.
"We have to move! This carriage can't take it any longer!" yelled Seamus.
"Let's go to Hog's Head again and hide in the tunnel!" suggested Dean.
Hermione couldn't answer verbally as she was busy screaming hexes and spells so she nodded her agreement. They were about to make their move when Hermione's legs suddenly went sluggish.
"What theー"
She knew what it was. She saw this once when Lockhart did it to Harry by mistake. Her bones, specifically below her knee caps, were vanished. "No no no. Not now! No! No!"
"Hermione!" Dean and Seamus screamed together. Hermione's head shot up to them then back to the two Death Eaters who were advancing fast towards them. One of them had his wand aimed at her. She turned to her friends again who were safely hidden behind one of the shop.
"Go! Leave now!"
"No, Hermione! We can't just leave you here!" Seamus yelled between his sobs.
"They're coming! Just go! I'll be okay! I'm the brightest witch, remember?" Her tears bleared her eyes.
"No! You're coming with us! You heard me?! I'll drag you if I must!" Seamus curled his arms under her armpits. She pushed him away.
"Please, Seamus. Leave! Dean! Take him away! You have to live, Dean! Mudbloods’ honour! We promised!" She locked her stubborn eyes to Dean's. Dean took a deep breath and pulled Seamus away from her. Seamus panicked.
"No! Dean, no! We're not leaving her! They'll torture her! Dean! They'll torture her!" He tried to worm himself out of his boyfriend's grasp. But Dean was much stronger than him.
"Live, Hermione Granger! Mudbloods’ honour!" Dean screamed without looking back. His eyes were closed, squeezing his tears out roll after roll. Hermione let out a small laugh over her sobs.
"Mudbloods’ honour!"
ーーー
.
Hermione rubbed her face as she remembered the last time she saw the couple alive. She heard from Harry, a month later, that they both were found dead. Turned out every secret passages and tunnels were secured with Caterwauling Charm, including the newly made secret tunnel in the basement of Hog's Head, despite one end having already been destroyed by Neville's grandmother.
Harry had given her Seamus' suicide note. It was still in his grasp when they found his dead, limp body, hidden under one of the table in Owl Post Office. It was a killing curse. He’d done it to himself.
“I know this is rude but if it’s okay with you, Headmaster, can I smoke here?” Hermione asked. Her right sweaty hand already dug into her coat’s pocket, gripping hard on her Marlboro pack. She looked weary.
Albus glanced at Minerva, silently asking her if she’d be okay with Hermione request. Minerva nodded.
“Of course, Hermione. And please, call me Albus,” said Albus.
“And I, Minerva, Hermione,” Minerva added.
“Thank you, Minerva, Albus,” she replied. She gave both professors a small, grateful smile as she put a fag in between her lips and lit it with a snap. Hermione stared at her brown satchel ー where she still kept the note ー sadly and recalled the content which had been engraved on her memory ever since she received it.
.
ーーー
1534 hours
December 1998
Owl Post Office, Hogsmeade
"I'm scared. Terrified. Cold. Mad. This is madness. Someone help Hermione. They got her. Put down Dean's body. Bury what left of him. They killed him. They forced me to watch as they did it. They forced my eyes open, my ears open as he screamed when they carved mudblood on him. Put down Dean's body. I love him. Merlin I can't do this without him. I'm sorry DA. I can't. I can't. I love him. I love him. I love him. Voldemort be damned!"
ーーー
.
"Just within one month after the law came out, twenty-one Muggleborns were found dead. Four of them hung in front of random shops in Hogsmeade. Hog's Head Inn was one of them,” Hermione continued as she huffed her smoke.
Albus’ eyes widened at the mention of his brother's property.
"Half-bloods weren’t in a good spot either. They, too, got attacked, not as bad as Muggleborns but enough to be left crippled. Flags of the Blacks motto, ' Toujours Pur' , could be seen everywhere." Hermione showed them a moving picture of a wizard waving the said flag. "The truth of their family has been destroyed," Hermione told them, stopping herself before she could mention Sirius' death. "They've been martyred as blood supremacists. As a standard every Pureblood should be held to.
"Death before impurity." Hermione shook her head in disgust, looking down at the picture.
The man waving the flag wasn't dressed as a Death Eater. He wore no mask and bore no tattoos. He was proud to be himself, validated through the culture two whole wars couldn't even shake.
He smiled as he turned to the camera, dark and menacing. It was the smile of superiority. The face of blood supremacy.
"It was always between the two different worlds. And it’s gotten worse after the Second War. The death of Voldemort flared the Purebloods beliefs more than ever. They blamed Muggles for their loss and the rapid inclination of their kind. They believed if the Muggles hadn't received the privilege of attending Magic school, Voldemort wouldn't have existed. They didn't support him but believed Voldemort was right when he said Muggleborns were just simply mud. That they should be placed rightfully where they belonged, under their dirty shoes to be step on."
All sound left Albus' office. "That's why you came here?" Albus asked while holding the photo.
Hermione could see that he recognised the man. Douglas MacDougal. It was known in this time that MacDougal family was never one that would support Voldemort. They were a neutral party; either housed in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. Always got along with their peers, whether they were Slytherins or Muggleborns. She could only imagine how awful it must be for the Headmaster to see one of his previous friendly student condemning the rights of innocents.
"Yes. I came from 2002 to change the future. To stop Voldemort now before his sick beliefs spread like it did in my time. I came here with one intent: to bring him to his damnation. To kill him," Hermione answered them firmly. She took one last long drag before she cast evanesco .
"But to come back twenty-years from the future, you could have died! You could be lost in time continuum!" Minerva stood up facing Hermione.
"It's a risk I will take over and over again if I must." Hermione clenched her jaw and instinctively masked her face from any emotions but determination, like a fighter ready to jump into a battle. "I'm a Muggleborn, Minerva. My life was and will always be in constant danger. They didn't care if I was a war hero. I was on the front line against Voldemort. They didn't care of how much I contributed to the Wizarding World, they'd still attack me. Why? Because I'm a fucking Mudblood," Hermione spat the last word in disgust. Minerva winced at her language but Hermione didn’t care.
"My half-blood friend, the one who killed Voldemort, was treated like shit. He was viciously attacked, beaten near to death on the anniversary of Battle of Hogwarts by three Death Eaters. A revenge for the death of their Lord Voldemort, leaving him crippled for the rest of his life. My blood-traitor friend, he was also on the front line with me, tortured into insanity because he helped Muggleborns without reserve. Moving them from one safe house to another.
“Those two are my best friends, my brothers, one of my reasons to do this! I would be damned if I let that become our future. They deserve better than that!" She stressed her words vehemently.
.
ーーー
1703 hours
2 May 1999
Time Chamber
"I can't live without him, 'Mione. Let me do this. I have nothing to lose anymore!"
"You have me, Gin! This is madness! Don't do this. I beg you. Please."
"I'm sorry, 'Mione."
“You have me.”
ーーー
.
Hermione bit her tongue before she could speak of Ginny. Her inner right forearm tingled.
Minerva sat back and looked ten years older than her actual age. "Albus, we need to do something. This is not a matter of fighting Voldemort and his game anymore. This war is so much more than that." She covered her face with both hands tiredly.
"I know, Minerva.” Albus leant back on his seat and slowly stroking his long white beard. “Usually, I wouldn't agree in meddling with something as fickle as time, but seeing that the Headmistress of Hogwarts herself requested me toー I quote her, ' stop being a noble prick and just break the damn rule!' ー" the current Headmaster’s eyes shone with amusement whereas the future Headmistress blushed furiously at her future self. "ーI think some changes are in order," he finished with a chuckle.
"The Headmistress wrote to you?" Hermione was surprised to know Minerva from her time was in this plan too. Seal did all the formal paperworks. She and Luna were appointed as the project's researchers.
"Oh yes, Hermione! She told me you are the brightest witch of your age and to listen to whatever you said."
Hermione laughed and shook her head. "She's mad. Did she write to you too, Minerva?"
Minerva smiled and nodded at Hermione.
"She also attached a picture of three young brave heroes standing in front of what left of Hogwarts." Minerva showed Hermione the picture.
"Yes. This was taken right after the battle of Hogwarts. The boy with glasses is Harry James Potter; son of Lily and James Potter. The lanky tall redhead is Ronald Bilius Weasley; son of Molly and Arthur Weasley. And that's me. We were so young." She touched the picture fondly.
"We did it! We bashed them, wee Potter's the one! And Voldy's gone mouldy, so now let's have fun!"
Hermione lips stretched upward as she remembered Peeves the Poltergeist singing his victory song after the battle.
Albus stood up and stretched out his hand to shake Hermione's. Hermione accepted it.
"It is an honour to work alongside 1/3 of the Golden Trio, Miss Hermione Granger. The Brightest Witch of Her Age, First Class of Order of Merlin, War Hero of the Second War, and," Albus smiled softly at her. "The bravest witch the wizarding world ever witnessed." Albus pecked her knuckle. "Now what can we help you with?"
Hermione grinned and said, "Your signature." She took out a red folder out of her satchel.
"These are my credentials. Apparition test, OWL and NEWT results, graduation proof. All can be verified simply with your signature. I need an identity in Wizarding World. This is my life now."
“And Muggle World?” Albus asked as he cleared his table magically so Hermione could lay her documents down for him to see.
“Taken care of. Muggle’s is easier to breach. Birth certificate and IDs: done.” She showed him said documents. “Wizarding on the other hand, is simply magic. Everything is magically protected.” She pushed forward her Wizarding documents. “Of course, I could live without them, but I don’t want to take the risk being caught. I don’t want to break any more laws!” She shivered before she muttered, “As if traveling time isn’t heavy enough.”
Albus studied the documents, both he and Minerva voicing their admiration upon seeing her OWL and NEWT results. Hermione beamed and said, “Thank you!”
"Consider them all passed. Anyone else you need me to talk to?" He put aside the documents and refocused on Hermione.
"Ollivander and Tiberius Ogden."
"Ogden? Of Wizengamot?" said Albus clearly perplexed.
"Yes. In my time, he was one of your staunch allies, Albus. He resigned from his post to show solidarity when they discredited you." Hermione briefly told them how he resigned in protest due to Cornelius Fudge's appointment of Dolores Umbridge as High Inquisitor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the continuing campaign by the Ministry of Magic and the Daily Prophet to discredit Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter.
"Loyal friends are hard to find.” Albus stroked his white beard, smiling happily at his friend’s loyalty. “Thank you, Hermione. I wouldn't know his allegiance if it wasn't for you. I'll owl him now. What do you need him for?" Albus summoned a parchment and quill.
"I need his help to become an Unspeakable during this time," she began to explain. "Actually, it would be better if I could speak to him directly. If you could simply make an introduction."
Albus nodded as he hovered his right hand over his parchment and quill. The quill vibrated for a short moment then levitated vertically above the parchment. Albus repeated what Hermione said and the quill started to move on its own.
"Hey, my eyes aren't 'glistening with the ghosts of my past!"
“It might take a week or more for us to get a reply, Hermione.” Albus voice pulled her back from Rita Skeeter’s evil acid green Quick-Quotes Quill .
“That long?” Her eyes still locked on Albus’ quill, trying to make out if whatever it wrote was rubbish like Rita’s. It wasn’t.
“I’m afraid so,” confirmed Albus.
“Well, there’s nothing we can do now but to wait. Seal, my advisor, told me to ensure all clearance first before I find my surrogate family.” Hermione cracked her neck. Her whole body started to feel the sore effect from The Crossing.
Hearing Hermione’s discomfort, Minerva quickly said, “Hermione, as Albus said, it'll take some time for all of this to be authenticated. Please, stay here while everything is finalized. You’re safe here.”
“The students?” Hermione voiced her worry.
“We can just tell them you’re an apprentice under Madam Pomfrey, a nurse,” answered Minerva.
“Can I use the Prefects’ Bathroom, please? I promise to use it covertly.” Hermione mustered her best puppy eye look. And from Albus’ chuckles, she knew she succeeded.
“Of course, dear. I’ll let you know the current password later,” Minerva answered fondly. She felt a strong affection towards the brave, companionless time traveller.
“Thank you!” Hermione squealed in delight. She glanced to the old grandfather clock at the corner of the room. “It's still early. Do you all mind if we start some planning now?”
“Where do we start?” Minerva asked.
Hermione reached for her satchel and pulled out a black folder. She pointed to a list of names.
"These are known spies in my time. Before I can provide you all with any further details, their alliance needs to be confirmed through questioning." She looked between Minerva and Albus. "Any untrustworthy members will need to be dealt with.
“I can't join your Order meeting openly, not until we are certain of every member's loyalty," Hermione sternly told them.
“Understood,” Minerva nodded. After a moment, she said, "You mentioned of a surrogate family."
Albus looked up at Hermione, waiting for her answer.
“Yes,” Hermione answered without lifting her eyes from the documents.
“Well,” Minerva said tentatively, “Who do you intend to stay with?”
“It would be better for you to stay with a magical family, Hermione. A family that knows of our war,” Albus offered before Hermione could answer. He glanced over Minerva before he continued. “The letter itself was helpful, but, without any understanding of our war and Voldemort, they could only be a liability. Why can't you stay here, in the wizarding world? We can place you in one of the safe house."
Hermione rubbed her chin. "A safe house won't work because too many people will have questions. ‘Constant vigilance,’ as Moody would say.” Chills ran through her spine, remembering Moody’s magical eye piercing through her soul. “The last thing we want is distrust in the group, Albus. I must stay low until the right time comes."
“Very well,” said Albus.
“Well, who will you stay with, then? Albus is right to be worried about endangering a Muggle family.” Minerva asked again.
A small smile etched onto Hermione’s face.
.
ーーー
1701 hours
29 December 1999
Hyde Park, Central London
.
Hermione stretched her body as she laid on their red and white chequered picnic mat. It was quiet today. No Londoners were stupid enough to go out for a picnic in this weather. Well, except for their family. Magic really was a wondrous thing. She rolled over to her left side, facing her second surrogate mother. Molly obviously was the first one.
"Andy, can you pass me the sandwich please? I'm famished!"
Andromeda looked down at her daughter in mock disgust. "You just ate a bowl of chinese fried noodle and now you want more? Are you a lady or a boar?" She passed her her egg sandwich nonetheless.
"If I’m a boar, so is Teddy! He eats more than I ever will and yet you still say it's not enough for him!" Hermione took a bite of her favourite Andromeda's home-made sandwich. "Double standard much? How rude!" Another bite.
Andromeda rolled her eyes. She shifted her attention from her daughter to her grandson. Teddy could barely walk but he was trying his best to catch the magicked green bludger for kids. The thick snow wasn’t helping either, but he managed. She cooed at him. "He's growing up so fast."
Hermione finished her meal and laid back to her previous position. She sighed in contentment. "Yes. Before you know it, he’ll be dating five girls at the same time. He has that player vibe, y'know."
Andromeda threw a piece of bread crust to her daughter. "Stop ruining my grandmotherly moment, you insufferable prat!"
Hermione stuck out her tongue as her reply.
ーーー
.
Her face lit up as she said, “I plan to stay with the Tonks, of course!”
Minerva looked surprised at her answer. She looked over the list, searching for either Tonks as she asked, "Can they be trusted, dear? In the future?"
“Yes!” Hermione answered with confident. "Andy and Ted had fought on our side."
Albus hummed thoughtfully. “Andromeda and Edward are the members of the Order. They can pass words and notes between us." He was about to jot down the Tonks’ address when Hermione stood up.
“I don't need their address, Albus. I have everything I need." Hermione shook her leather satchel, reminding him of her black folder.
She jerked her head toward the door, silently telling Minerva that she was ready to see her accommodations. Minerva rose up from her seat and unexpectedly hugged her.
"What you did was very courageous, very brave and selfless of you, young lady. I'm very honoured to fight in this war with you. Thank you for the sacrifices you're making, Hermione. Thank you so very much."
Hermione hugged her back and reveled in her motherly gesture.
“Now, let me show you your new chamber, Nurse Granger,” Minerva held the door open, her face softened, smiling, while waiting for Hermione to step out of Albus’ office.
“Oh and the password is, ‘ not woolen socks’, ” Minerva whispered.
Hermione heard Albus’ snort before the door closed behind her.