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Chapter 2: A Scientific Benchmark
Hermione had owled Minerva McGonagall later that night when she had returned to Grimmauld Place after the US embassy event. She had her own self-contained suite of rooms in the house. Harry had turned the London townhouse over to Remus Lupin after the war so that he and his family had a home on the condition that there was a room for him and Hermione as members of the House Black. Harry did not want to live there permanently thanks to the memories of Sirius. He and Ginny had there own Chelsea Flat now that the young red haired witch had graduated from Hogwarts. During his training Harry had only been there at his godfather's old home to crash out, bathe and change his clothes before heading out to the next day of training.
It was about three days later that both Dr McCoy and Ms Munroe were able to undertake a semi official visit to the UK magical world. As educationalist it was decided that they would do some minor testing and research during their visit. Hermione Granger met them at the US Embassy with a London Black Cab to start their visit to the magical community. When they left the embassy in the black cab Hermione had demonstrated how they could identify if the driver knew about the magical world. She pointed out on Bob's the cabdriver's license that he knew about the magical world thanks to the small golden cauldron on the licence card.
Hermione directed Bob the cabby to start on a small mini tour of the magical parts of inner London for their American visitors. As a starting point the squib cabby took the party to the Ministry of Magic and pointed to the telephone box that marked the visitor's entrance. "Anytime, always manned that entrance, just pick up the phone and answer the questions to speak to the receptionist," advised Bob explaining helpfully to the foreign visitors.
"We have a hospital but I am not sure if our medicine would work for a mutant, as it doesn't always work for a non magical. If you needed help the Ministry could call a healer for you or get you to the appropriate medical facilities. I am not even sure if there is a specialist mutant medical facility or unit in London," advised Hermione looking at her visitors to see if they had some clue for the existence of a place that looked after mutants in the UK. The thought that they might not even be getting appropriate basic national health care was a horrifying thought for the witch whose family had been heavily committed to the National Health Service.
Bob the cabby had been thinking about the problem before he advised, "If there was anyone with experience it is most likely St Barts or St Thomas' Hospitals".
Looking at the time Hermione prodded Bob to take them to the Leaky.
"The Leaky" questioned Storm wondering what type of place could be identified by this weird name.
"The Leaky Cauldron, is a public house and the gateway to the London magical shopping district called Diagon Alley," explained Hermione. "I thought we could have a quick look round the alley. I have a meet and greet for you at the magical bank Gringotts so you can meet some Goblins. The Bank is not UK territory but actually part of an independent landlocked nation. Ragnok the current Chieftain would like to meet with you. Not officially but sort of off the books like. If this were an official visit, the Ministry of Magic would be getting in the way and probably making a complete balls up of the whole situation. We still have a lot of politics and attitudes to overcome within the UK and European magical communities. Think of this as a back channel meet up.
To test if they could see the Leaky Bob dropped his passengers on the curb several premises before the small dark pub entrance. Hermione paid him and told him she would need a pick up on Saturday at her local Tesco when she needed to get the shopping home.
"Bob is a good cabby to know he is a member of the Order of Phoenix so if you have something a little sub-rosa you could contact him to get our help," the young witch explained after waving the cabby off so he could get his next fair and earn a reasonable living.
"Right as our first experiment of the day I want to make sure you are not in physical contact with me before you list off the premises on this side of the road ahead of us" advised the young woman to her two visitors. When they had made sure they were not blocking the footpath and not touching Hermione they then proceeded with the experiment. Dr McCoy did not list the Leaky Cauldron in his inventory but Ororo was disturbed about the dark wall between two shop premises that kept changing size on her.
Taking the hands of her guests Hermione led them to the entrance way and then into the building. Hermione explained for non-magicals they normally have to be brought into the building physically touching a magical person particularly the first time they visited to break the charms.
Storm could not believe the archaic interior and the wizarding clothes that most appeared to be wearing. She was absolutely fascinated by the medieval tone of the public house. There was a customer reading a book while absently wave a hand stirring his mug of tea. They had been shown magic with wands but here was someone doing it without even really thinking about it. Storm was distracted by the sight when Hermione introduced to the two visitors Tom the barman explaining that he could let them into the Alley if they needed to visit for some reason or they could use the fireplaces to floo to a specific destination if they wanted to, of course they would need the prior access rights.
Tom let them through to the alley and Hermione guided her guests up the street. She asked them to walk briskly, as she was likely to cause a crowd. After giving them both a very quick briefing on goblins and goblin culture, the young witch led the pair of mutants up the impressive white marble steps and into the bank.
Looking straight away at the small being that had walked out onto the marble floor the visiting pair was shocked by the sight of his Victorian era suit. "Good morning Griphook may your gold be plentiful and your sword sharp" greeted their guiding hostess. Even the language used by Hermione seemed to be archaic to the Americans.
"Good morning Hermione. Welcome visitors. Please follow me," and with that they were ushered from the marble main banking hall into an impressive office.
Hermione had dropped into a very deep curtsy when she saw Ragnok behind the desk of the office. The US visitors were not so deep in their bows but Ragnok could forgive them due to their look of total confusion that the American visitors had, as they were definitely not magicals. His monitors and sensors confirmed that but the man's blue fur definitely established that he was a mutant.
After making the introductions between the two groups, Hermione had asked for a book and seclusion so she could not reveal their conversation. It was an interesting hour for Storm listening to the politics over a fine porcelain cup of tea. Apparently the goblin nation wanted access to the United Nations and to have a treaty with the USA so they could visit the country. There had apparently been repeated applications over the last two centuries but the goblin nation felt that British Ministry of Magic had been halting this negotiation process up.
Hermione was there but not there in the room as she had a book and a cup of tea. It was a strange occurrence for Storm to find that Hermione could not hear any of the conversation. There was nothing-visible there separating them but there must be some reason why the young witch could not hear the conversation. Added to this distracting piece of magic, Storm was also fascinated about the implications of the goblins having access in the United Nations. When there were lulls in the political conversation Storm would flick her eyes over to observe that Hermione Granger was engrossed in a book and was not reading lips to find out what the back channel conversation was all about.
Ragnok raised the privacy charm on Hermione and called her to attention. "Thank you for your assistance with this meeting Miss Granger. The Goblin Nation thanks you" the goblin chieftain rumbled in his deep gallon barrelled voice.
"You are welcome Chieftain Ragnok. Have you forgiven me yet for the Dragon?" she asked with a slightly cheeky grin.
After heartily laughing the goblin agreed, "Yes Yes this clears the dragon incident."
"I am glad I have been helpful with this matter. If you need my assistance again please don't hesitate to ask but I am going have to whisk our guests up to see Professor McGonagall. I rather not keep my former head of house waiting for me" explained the young witch.
"Wish Minerva well and thank her again for the last bottle of scotch she sent down to me. I will see her next week at the Old Course," the goblin chieftain advised her.
"Oh not another worshiper of the small white ball altar. I didn't think it would interest a goblin. What do you see in the game?" inquired the curious young witch. Hank and Storm could both see that Hermione was truly interested in the goblin's reply.
"It was the business first for me but I must admit I like the self challenge. Golf is the game where you battle yourself, the course designer and the weather. It is very challenging" explained the laughing goblin ruler.
"Griphook take them to the staff floo hall," he advised the smaller goblin when he arrived after calling him to his office with a buzzer. The last round of good byes was given and the party headed out to the staff floo hall where Hermione briefed her guests on the intricacies of floo travel. She had given both of them a charmed bracelet to wear so when they got to the castle they could see it properly not as some ruin. Hank thought it was strange but heck with his fur it wouldn't be seen easily.
In the end Dr McCoy went through first and Hermione brought Storm through the grate with her. The mention of dragons was something both the visitors wanted to quiz the young witch about at a later time. Where there really dragons?
x0x0x
On his arrival at Hogwarts Dr Hank McCoy heard a rich burr of a voice advising him to quickly step out of the fireplace onto her carpet so that Hermione and the other guest could come through. The accent was so similar to his old friend Dr. Moira Kinross MacTaggert that the large feral mutant quickly followed the directions. Hank McCoy was certain the he would in the future have a large number internet chats about this new development with the lovely Moira. Her specialism as geneticists would certainly be needed when looking at the relationship between mutants and magicals.
The office was a wonderful old world gem. Not long after stepping forward the flames changed to green again in the grate and Storm with Hermione had arrived. The witch who the burr had belonged to had stood up from her seat at the paper covered desk and come round to greet her visitors.
"Professor McGonagall, this is Ambassador McCoy and Headmistress Monroe. Headmistress Monroe runs a gifted school in the United States" advised Hermione.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. It is nice to see you again Hermione. Now if you could take the Ambassador up to see our friend Poppy us Headmistresses are going to have a chat about troublesome students. Bygone with you child" ordered the tall, war tempered steely Scotswoman with a smile for her former student.
The rich laughter of Hermione was a delight to all who were listening in the room, "But I was a very good prefect and Head Girl, Minerva. Ragnok says thank you for the scotch and he will see you at St Andrews next week. Do you regularly tee off with the Goblin Chieftain?" the young witch inquired of her housemistress.
"You just didn't get caught that often and yes when we both get a chance. We normally have a wager over whiskey and of course being him he was rubbing it in that I paid up the last time we teed off. Now be gone" the Headmistress advised her former student with a regal flick of her fingers. Even when she wasn't in her animagus form the woman still had characteristics of regal cat giving orders to its worshiping owners.
x0x0x
Hermione had escorted Dr Hank McCoy up to the infirmary where he had a lovely time discussing the numerous questions he had about magical medicine. The biggest problem that he could see that he would have would be the ability to communicate with specialists like Madam Poppy Pomfrey due to the problems of magic round electronic devices. His custom built PDA device fried itself the first time he attempted to use it to take notes in the Hogwarts infirmary. It was a pity but Madam Pomfrey provided him with some parchment.
The electronic issue would be something to look into when he got back to the States thought Hank. He would have to chase up with Deputy Secretary Loren what the US magicals did in relation to electronic devices considering their community was more integrated with the normal world. Hermione while not participating in the main discussion was able to provide some translation assistance between the two medical professionals. The young witch could see the potential of developing closer links to the Ambassador, the Xavier Institute for Gifted Children and the not so secret organisation the Xmen for the magical community.
x0x0x
Professor McGonagall took the other Headmistress on a tour of the castle and showed her the magnificent features. During their discussion they covered difficult adolescents and troublesome former students.
The two women discussed Hermione Granger, as Storm was interested in recruiting her to the Institute on a learning exchange program. The plan she formed was that Hermione would come to learn about mutants and they would learn more about magic. Minerva McGonagall thought that this was a wonderful idea and great opportunity for her former student.
"She is stifled here by the past, her position and the world in general. She needs to get away to learn whom she really is, to take the time to depressurise after the war and find her what she wants to do. Hermione has been fighting now for almost 9 years she needs some rest and relaxation. I am sure I can arrange this from our end fairly quickly but she will want to continue with her non magical education can you assist her with that. I am sure the Minister of Magic will agree with his old Transfiguration professor. From within the Order of Phoenix this plan for our heroine will be supported, as it would help change our world for the better. The trouble would be getting her to agree to the whole idea" explained the taller woman. Even though she gave off a stern appearance the former Transfiguration professor was highly concerned about many of her charges. Some like Hermione had even greater pulls on her heartstrings than she liked to admit. There was a special place in her guarded heart that held Miss Granger with high esteem and great love.
The two headmistresses had reached the infirmary finding a lively discussion underway when they arrived. Hermione was completing a translation for Hank and Poppy that enabled Storm to then lead into the exchange program idea.
"What about visiting the US for a couple of years where you become a liaison with the Xmen at the Xavier Institute. Minerva says that you are a good tutor and we always need tutoring skills for our students. You could do a double degree in the US and live at the school. Hank keeps a lab in the grounds and I can see you are interested in this area of research that Poppy and Hank are discussing? What do you think about our suggestion?" asked the American Headmistress of the young witch. Storm was very straightforward and had launched both barrels in excitement with the suggested plan at the young witch.
Hermione had to take a moment to understand the plan and what was being suggested to her by the forthright American headmistress. Taking a deep breath before she spoke, Hermione counted with "I haven't received my A levels yet and I have only just started at the Ministry of Magic". Hermione did not want to let her friends down or her former comrades in the Order of Phoenix. The curly haired witch didn't want to get her own hopes up as she needed both the grades and the place at an American University for this suggestion to occur. Things like fees and visas were also concerns. Hermione had not shared her idea with the guests during the day but when possible had asked questions to clarify the American education system. The young witch had been toying with the idea of studying in the US to gain a further understanding and some separation from the pressures of fame in the UK.
"Yes as an administrative clerk in Magical Creatures the chances of you achieving Departmental Head status is very slim" bluntly summarised Minerva McGonagall. "Remus will only get so far before the pure bloods attempt to shut him down again. If you do the liaison you might find a way to shut the fuddy duddies down while participating in science along with magical developments. You could be a techno magus of some type. You could combine all three worlds and improve both magical and mutant integration in the rest of the world." Minerva McGonagall had survived teaching for over forty years, two dark wizards and three wars depending how you counted things. The woman knew that Hermione had already been thinking about going to the States for her degree program. Logical the young witch must have been thinking about this option given her circumstances and what her life was like here in Britain. Hermione was a highly logical girl and the Headmistress knew her traits well.
x0x0x
After lunch in the Great Hall with the rest of the faculty Minerva McGonagall led her visitors back to her office so they could floo back to the Leaky and Hermione could escort them back to their embassy. Bob, Hermione's favourite cabby, was there with a quick call from the Leaky to return the group back to the starting point of today's tour.
As soon as Hermione had left Hogwarts the Headmistress McGonagall went into overdrive. Minerva had seen the gleam of excitement and wonder that had been missing from the young witch's demeanour for some time. First of her list of contacts was Kingsley Shacklebolt. Minerva stepped through to his office to discuss the idea and he could see the benefit. If they could get more integration with the non-magical world through the mutant world they would able to knobble the purebloods. Also according to Minnie, Hermione had been excited about the idea. The fire had been back in her eyes something they had all missed.
Many of the older members of the Order of Phoenix were worried about the young witch. She seemed to be in a limbo and no longer seemed to have that fire that they all had first seen in their classrooms or on the battlefield. With her wartime work Hermione had forged links with many of the senior members thanks to her intelligence and ability to be highly logical.