Disclaimer: I don't own anything, etc, etc.
p.s.: Author's note at the end : )
-o-O-o-
Dear Mrs. Weasley
We appreciate your desire to help with the living conditions of our house elves, but popular opinion among them suggests they are perfectly content. While your concerns raised important questions, we feel we can find satisfactory solutions without resorting to outside sources.
If you have any more questions or concerns, please address them to our public relations department.
Sincerely,
Wendall Drewfus
Hermione sighed as she read the letter, placing it on her desk when she was done. Her head followed soon after, and she considered falling asleep where she was, slumped over in her office. Unfortunately for her napping plans, Hermione's wand began to vibrate. With another sigh, she reached over to turn off the alarm before pushing herself to her feet. Making a neat pile of her papers, she made her way out of the office and down the stairs.
Hermione's office was located on the third floor of the house she and Ron had lived in for the past seven years, moving in after Hugo had been born. She descended slowly, not in a hurry. The alarm meant tat she had half and hour to get to Hugo and Rose's school. If she was really in a rush, Apparation was always an option, but it was nice out and she wanted to walk the kilometer and a half route to the school.
She arrived at the school ten minutes after dismissal, having gotten waylaid at the flower stand Neville and Hanna ran on the second Wednesday of every month, when Neville had the afternoon off from his professoring duties. Hugo and Rose didn't mind the delay, as they got to spend time with their friends who stayed later, having two working parents. It wasn't that Hermione didn't work – she was fully involved with SPEW – but she worked from home, making it easier to juggle her children's schedules. Entering the low building, she spotted her children's auburn hair.
"Rose, Hugo, you ready to go?" They jumped up to greet her.
"Hi Mum," Rose said, giving her a small hug. Hugo muttered a greeting, absorbed with a small blue stone he held in his hand. Saying their good-byes to the teacher, the three of them made their way out into the streets of Hidgemon-on-the-Green, a small wizarding town outside of Devon.
"What have you got there, Hugo?" Hermione asked as they made their way towards the edge of town. A couple of people greeted them, and the children waved back.
"A rock. Apparently, it's magic."
"Hu-go," Rose sighed. "It's not magic. You just think it is because the man pulled it from behind your ear."
"Nu-uh," Hugo exclaimed, sticking his tongue out at his sister, who looked at Hermione beseechingly.
"Mum, tell him it's not magic. It's just a dirty old rock." Seeing Hugo's face at this less than complimentary observation, Hermione knew she had to intervene.
"Behave, you two. I don't know if the rock is actually magical in nature, but it is quite pretty – "
" – and there's more magic than the stuff that comes from your wand," Hugo paraphrased in a smug voice, looking at Rose. She scowled and stuck her tongue at him.
"Hey," Hermione chastised. "Anyway, who did you say gave it to you?"
"I don't know his name." Hugo shrugged. "But he's the guy who cleans the park we go to during lunch."
"Well, ask his name the next time you see him. It's polite to say hello –"
"To the garbage man?" Rose exclaimed.
"Yes, Rose," Hermione explained patiently. "He's a person, and he deserves respect. I don't care if you meet a beggar from Knockturn Alley – you will be polite, understand?" Rose grumbled a bit but nodded her head. Hugo looked uncertain.
"I already asked him his name, but he wouldn't answer. Ms. Robertson said he was moot."
"The word was mute, Hugo," Rose interjected snarkily. "And she said it was because he was guilty and didn't want to give himself away.
"She said this to you?" Hermione asked, interested in that explanation.
"No, I heard her talking to Mr. Atta. She sounded angry."
"Huh." She was intrigued. Maybe she would stop by the park the next day. Padma Patil, who Hermione had grown closer with after Hogwarts, was a trauma Healer at St. Mungo's. Perhaps she could help whoever the cleaner was regain his voice if his muteness had psychological roots. "Alright, you two. What do you want for dinner?"
A/N: Hey all. So, new story. I am still working on "Ere the New Day Breaks", so no worries. Sorry I haven't updated in such a long time – my muse appears to have gone on an extended vacation. Hoping that I will find time to think of new things for it with the arrival of summer and a break from school (hoorah!)
Don't worry, though: this story IS finished. I'm planning on putting up a chapter a day. Some of them will be quite short (see the chapter you just read : ) ) and some will be longer. It was just an awkward length/didn't look right if I put it all in one chapter.
So, I hope you enjoy. I will try to update New Day sometime within the next coupla weeks (my apologies). As always, reviews are much appreciated. Happy summer!
xoxo, GusGus
