Mending Friendships and Visiting Places

I am sorry again for the late update. I will be travelling to a new country soon for a long time, so procedures for that is taking most of my time. I thank my reviewers and followers again.

Here I tried portraying bits of Japanese wizarding community. Might have made lots of mistakes, your comments will be helpful.

British Magic Ministry,

Whitehall London

24 February 2005

10:30 a.m.

Wrecked

His vulnerable brain was most likely about to stop working diligently from the sheer amount of rough pressure he was putting on it to try and find her whereabouts. Ronald Weasley was no stupid wizard; he knew his female best friend was much more intellectual than him and they were not compatible with each other, but that didn't mean he couldn't care for her. They might have broken up right after two months of the battle, but that surely didn't mean he wouldn't worry for her. He might not be talking to Harry for more than a month due to an argument against his muggle relatives "The Dursleys" , who were now a part of their lives and constantly making their advancements in his family. But that definitely didn't mean he couldn't ask his scar headed best friend about Hermione.

The day she returned from Australia with her parents, was the first time he realised that Hermione needed someone better than him, a man who could understand her emotions. Ron wanted to follow her there to the other side of the world and help the witch with her search, but she wanted to do it all by herself.

As a Gryffindor, the witch was supposed to carry her emotions on her sleeve, except she didn't. When he entered her little flat in Diagon Alley, London, Ron could experience a change in atmosphere within the tiny apartment. So he called for her, but instead of the brunette head that he was expecting; a soft orange ball of fur started rubbing itself on his feet. A few minutes later when the wizard severely strained his ears he heard water running in the bathroom, Mione is probably taking a shower, he thought in the mean while to keep himself busy he started methodically searching for something edible in her kitchen.

Almost half an hour later when Hermione walked out of her bedroom in plain white t-shirt and black jeans, she called for her pet "Croonkshanks", her voice a bit hoarse. She hadn't seen the wizard devouring her snacks and was instantly alarmed, hands on her wand, a stunning charm might have been on her tongue as well, if she hadn't spotted him sitting with a cheese sandwich on her dining table "Ron?"

"Mione, I was wondering how you have been"? He was his usual carefree self, stuffing as much as he could in his mouth. Leaving home without break fast did that to him.

"Fine Ron," she answered in nonchalance and picked up Crooks who was trying to get her attention. When she tried feeding him Tuna, the Kneazle mix seemed more interested in licking her face.
Ron guffawed at that "Gosh Mione, I think your cat wants to caress you."

Hermione gave him a tight lipped smile while he busied feeding himself rest of the sandwiches.

A month later he had come to know that her cat was far more sensible than him. The little pet was trying to lick her tears away.

After the witch was able to successfully return her parents memory, they were not at all happy with her offensive actions, Mr and Mrs Granger berated her and demanded their daughter to devote the rest of her life living like a muggle, their social relation was almost devasted when she steadfastly denied their wish. The day on which he visited her flat, she had merely returned to her place from her parent's and was crying in her shower.

How Harry managed to divulge it all out of her without being lied to, was something he would never know.

Ronald felt like an dunce when his best friend informed him about the situation with Hermione and the senior Grangers. The day after that his dad, having been an old acquaintance of her parents, visited them along with Harry. They explained the whole scenario including, how Voldemort was hell bent on killing all muggle borns, specially Hermione and the Grangers. By degrees the whole issue crept in on their heads. Her dear mother was the first one to break down sobbing hysterically, she had been holding daughter for hours in her motherly arms.

Hermione was no rule-breaker, but she was there for him whenever he needed her. When he had left the Ministry to work for Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, Harry didn't support his decision but she had taken him to dinner, in order to lighten up the grim feeling he felt during his first day in the shop. Neither Harry nor his family ,with an exception to his mother had appreciated his sudden decision to promote George.

The witch was a constant presence in his life, since they were eleven years old. But more than once he could not reciprocate the same for her. Hermione needed him when she was in her most vulnerable state, dreaming of the Malfoy Manor writhing while being tortured by Bellatrix, in the early days of their courtship. It was Harry who aided her instead of Ron , he woke up constantly to her screaming, tossing and turning on her bed in the room next to the one he shared with Ron in Grimmauld Place. The scar headed wizard would hush soothing words to persuade her to sleep well. Her boyfriend would never enter her room, sometimes he would put on earmuffs to prevent her heart breaking shouts from getting in his ears otherwise drink himself to obliviousness using Ogden's Old.

Those were the days of past , their friendship has seen lots of ups and downs since then. Now a days she seems to be very sneaky about things. Hermione is bound to Merlin knows how many Unbreakable vows, after she started working professionally for the Department of Mysteries.

He was about to take lunch with the witch yesterday, but she failed to show up. The solitary way he could contact her was through owling. When his owl returned without being able to deliver the message, Ron felt something was amiss with her. Either Hermione wasn't working or she might have been…? Hermione has faced the death eaters innumerable times already to have been allegedly kidnapped by them. He would be hexed by her, if his thoughts even remotely lurked close to the idea.

With these coherent thoughts in mind, he walked up to the Auror Office, strolling straight to the raven haired witch organising files. "Can you instantly inform Harry Potter that Ronald Weasley is here to greet him?" he demanded her.

"May I know the reason why you are here?" the witch, an ex-Hogwarts student working as secretary of Head Auror, asked him

"It is a family issue Davis and I am not at liberty to state it yet?" the ex-auror fixated her with his glare.

This didn't make the witch cower though, "Well if you say so" , she said with an air of apathy in her voice and then removed the wards with a few swishes of her wand, peeked inside Harry's chamber and probably informed him of his newest guest. "Mr. Weasley, Head Auror Potter is ready to receive you now," with that Tracey Davis returned to arranging files.

As he slowly opened the door to his best friend's chamber, Ronald Weasley took in the entire scenario; a habit inculcated from his job. Harry was sitting comfortably on the other side of the desk , his greenish eyes relatively gentle from the last time Ron had witnessed them.

"Mate, how are you?" the head auror asked his best mate slowly standing up from his chair.

Ron couldn't help but pout, it had been so long and his best mate was only standing like a fool instead of thumping his back or giving him a long hug, like they used to.

Harry having sensed his best friend's hurt feelings rushed to the other side and hugged him fiercely. "It has been almost a terrible month," he smiled. "I would never understand your choice to transfer to Hit Wizard, but I guess it must have given you time enough to help George with the joke shop?" his statement came out more as a question.

Ron released a breath; he didn't know he was holding "Did Mione put you up to it?" he asked tentatively.

"Both Mione and your sister," Harry chuckled "Ginny credibly threatened to let me sleep on the couch if..."

"You don't stop being a prat," Ron caught up with him, years of togetherness had made them really close."In fact the night I had dinner with Hermione she explained me how I could be there for George even while working for the Ministry and as the Hit Wizards are always unneeded except during serious cases, which is once in two months I tell you," the wizard chuckled," I thought for a while and…er just applied ," he was smiling now while reminiscing fondly the memory, but it brought back a certain brunette in his mind. Silently thanking Merlin, for not bringing up anything about the Dursleys , he was not ready to accept them yet as an extended family.

Taking a seat opposite Harry's desk Ron requested him "Harry, mate" , his jovial tone changed into seriousness "Do you know where…Mione is?"

The chosen one's face remained blank for a few seconds before he asked ,"Did she not notify you?"

"We were going having lunch together in Diagon Alley, but when I reached there she was no where," Ron completed exasperated " Mate Mione didn't even owl me."

"And?" the head auror knew there was more to it than his best friend was telling him.

"Errol inevitably returned without delivering the message to her."

Harry carefully analysed the complex situation for a while; Hermione was not someone who would do anything without anticipating things first "Ron I think she must have left for Japan," when his dearest friend produced a befuddled look, that only Ron was capable of , Harry explained "Hermione must be meticulously researching on a time-travel device which we seized from the Nott guy, apparently manufactured in Japan and since it is far away, so that might be the reason Errol couldn't reach, besides…the owl needs to retire...What?"

"Nott you say...how did he get one?" Ron tried to clarify.

The boy who lived simply shrugged, "Don't know mate."

"Hence you think she must have gone there for research purpose?" the red headed wizard thoughtfully interrogated him.

Harry bent down on his desk going cautiously through a recent case file " There's no where else she would go."

"May be you are right, mate," Ron reluctantly agreed after a while.

A smile gradually forming in the head auror's face, "Ron I know you genuinely care for her, all of us do, but she is all grown up like us and … she is gifted with charms."

"Blimey, how can I abandon that knowledge Harry?" the hit wizard chuckled gleefully "She would Kick their arses if the specific need arose."

While the scar headed wizard was assuming his seat , he heard someone's stomach growling "Merlin! I knew, having those pancakes would do nothing for my poor stomach," his best friend justly complained.

Harry let out guffaw "I guess there is something for you here," he said while trying to control his bursts of boisterous laughter.

The wizard unlocked a drawer from the cabinet near his desk with a non-verbal Alohamora and levitated a snack box in front of Ron. "Here, open it", he wiggled his expressive eyebrows.

The red headed wizard eagerly opened the lid of the lunch box and started munching on Chocolate truffles "Ron! "Harry exclaimed. "Wait for me mate," he said before diving on the truffles himself.

When the dessert no longer existed in front of them and had made their way safely in the tummy of both the wizards, Harry chanced a anxious glance at his closest friend and found his best friend licking his fingers, the head auror simply jerked his head with a smile at the childish gesture.

"Mate, guess it will be better to.. uh take my leave now," Ron spoke awkwardly while scratching his head, he was still not able to form fully coherent formal sentences.

"Umm…Ron?" Harry spoke nervously collecting himself from the shock, in the mean while his best friend had hitherto carried the few steps towards the door " Would you please take your seat back?"

The red headed wizard might no longer be working for the auror office, but Ron knew his best mate enough to understand when Harry referred to strictly business. Without further questions he took the designated chair opposite the Head Auror, intent on listening whatever the former had to say.

Forwarding the file towards his best friend, he said " check this file out, there's a serious issue where we might need your help."

The hit wizard turned a few pages and read attentively the first two or three lines "Mate why don't you tell me what it is about."

An experience and friendship of working with the guy opposite him, gave Harry a premonition that he should put forward the on-site photos to explain the case better. So that's what he did, he shoved a few photographs in Ron's direction, all of them showing murder scenes of different women. There were three photographs in total, and the women had their neck slashed. "Are these pure blood witches I am gazing at?"

"Right."

"Harry temme the truth, how long did you get to adequately prepare for this?" Ron asked suddenly furious, realising Harry had already known that they would working together.

"Mate just calm down, will you?" Harry pleaded fixing his glasses and walking up the steps to the door, establishing their distance.

Ron was silent for a while, he had come a long way from being the gangly teenager who would get enraged at any moment with the temper of a tea spoon, to an adult who was dating the editor of Witch Weekly as well as someone he considered responsible second to Bill and Hermione, a tremendous compliment in his opinion. He even handled his fans better, instead of signing photographs he waved at them from far.

"The mode of action was decided last night that we would be taking help from the Hit Wizards and the notice will not be issued until today evening, " Harry spoke softly while repossessing his seat. "It was merely a co-incident that you visited..."

"It's alright."

"I am sorry mate, I." Harry continued soberly staring at his dragon hide shoes, "Pardon," he looked up at his best friend like a child who had received Christmas gifts early

"I guess, you are right," Ron said looking at everything except him. "Let us get this over with, ye mate," he walked ahead leaving Harry behind, turned the chair towards him and started considering the photographs intently, while taking the seat.

Harry quirked his brow and replaced his sappy look with a smile. He slowly walked up to his best friend, thumped him on the back and joined the investigation.

Mahoutokoro

Highest point of MinamiIwoJima

Japan
11:00 hours

Wonderstruck!

Can be said about Hermione, once she landed gently in Mahoutokoro. The specialized school was pretty much as described by her colleagues from the Department of Mysteries, who had been here in the past during his youth and a friend from the Japanese Ministry of Magic office of International Magical Affairs. He was there in England to attend the Global Magical Creatures Conference, the said witch was the Head of the Department of Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures then. While the diplomatic conference lasted for three days, Hermione couldn't get her fill of arcane knowledge from the wizard. As the Head of a department hosting a global event, she had lot more integral duties to fulfil other than gaining information about the wizarding world of Japan.

With the help of remnants of data, she had collected from the vast collection of books in the Hogwarts Library and a certain manor housing ancient tomes, the witch had formed a rough sketch of the place in her mind. But no description or research on the school could prepare her for the visuals of the genuine thing. By all means, the school was established on the peak of Minami Iwo Jima and built using Mutton-Fat Jade but it was so much more. The beauty of the enchanted palace was certainly indescribable, something she could never compare to Hogwarts.

Their Cloud Pelter came to a halt near the palace gates while she levitated herself down careful not to disturb the delicate thing. Hermione was still enchanted by the way it moved.

Earlier

Her portkey was intentionally designed in such a way that she landed near a Japanese Shrine, almost an hour earlier, in the city of Kyoto. A day prior to her travel she had used the only source of calling her long lost acquaintance in Japan, which could communicate her message in a few minutes. There is no floo network in Japan, so Hermione had to get a mobile phone to call her Japanese friend Takakashi. Her mother had been pestering her to purchase one for a few years now, but as she already owned a telephone she wasn't much interested. Unfortunately , she hadn't subscribed for international calling services and getting a cell phone would be more feasible. So, it was yesterday that Hermione heeded her mother's advice and bought a new cell phone. As soon as the SIM card was activated she dialled the number he had given her three years prior and called the wizard.

Once the momentum of being pulled out forsook her, Hermione turned around to see if he was there already. Mr. Takakashi was sitting on a bench outside a gourmet restaurant the standard name plate of which read "Haruna." To her right, there was a shop selling traditional Japanese Kimono ,a few steps ahead was a book shop. Hermione instantly noticed that nothing looked magical about this not-at-all bustling street which was lined with Cherry Blossom trees. So, she started walking with a swift pace towards her noble friend, anxious that someone must have seen her odd appearance, she checked her surroundings once every minute. Unlike London, this street of Kyoto wasn't much swarmed. She hastened towards the wizard sitting within a few meters from her, while taking in the scene around her.

A middle aged man wearing a Wafuku Kimono was strolling leisurely down the dull street comfortably holding a paint brush, that too of a size considerably more enormous than ordinary paintbrushes. "Wondering, what it is?" she heard a familiar male voice next to her and as of habit, her hands immediately reached the wand attached with a halter to her left arm. "No worries, Hermione-san, it's me Akihito," he said before the witch turned to confront him.

Her friend bowed (a Japanese way) as a sign of respect she did the same. "I don't identify what it is about this brush, but something doesn't feel right;" she spoke out loud revealing her concerns.

The wizard standing next to her chuckled politely "The man handling the brush is a wizard", the brunette English didn't look considerably surprised. They were after all are known to acclimatize according to their environment. "And..." he continued while crossing the street "the brush represents his wand."

The previous statement did make Hermione halt for a second before she properly digested the contemporary information "How is that possible Mr. Takakashi?" the witch still enquired trying to perceive everything around her. The wizard she was watching earlier was now faintly moving the brush as if he was painting something, in front of a shop which had a closed sign written both in Japanese and English hanging near the wooden door. The glass door opened, and they entered the store following him.

"Mr. Takakashi where is it, that we are going?" Hermione asked in a strained voice, and she could not understand what they were doing. Inside the store it was lightened up with yellow flame balls, and they were walking with a rapid speed towards a counter or a reception of some sort. The walls and floors were made of wood, finely intricated and burnished.

"Hermione -san we are going to hire a cloud petrel from here," at her befuddled look he supplied "We cannot apparate to the school grounds, no floo connections there", he was walking ahead of her while obstinately maintaining a intense eye on their surrounding.

The wizard they had followed was already standing in a queue for the petrel , she supposed. We better not be late, she thought while trying to calculate the time it would take for them to reach the lady in the counter. "We don't have to wait Hermione-san," Akihito whispered tenderly reassuring her. Astonishingly they didn't have to stand in the queue. She anxiously followed her friend directly to the witch who was supplying some sort of tokens in exchange of a few Ryo coins, as explained by her Japanese companion later. He showed her his official badge and an authentic document written in Japanese most probably from the local Ministry of Magic.

After the witch properly had checked the document and gave them a go, they started walking towards the stand by cloud pelters, all in white these were magically created to look like clouds. "These are a divine miracle of alchemy Hermione-san", Akihito winked at the gaping witch. He presented the token provided by the witch in the counter to another wizard who was sitting close to the pelters to be released.

The wizard immediately stood up as he perceived them approaching "Akihito-san", he made a light bow and both Hermione and her friend followed. "We are going for a brief trip to Mahoutokoro", Mr. Takakashi supplied to the official before causing a swish with his brush which she hadn't noticed and was sitting on the cloud pelter in no time, while Hermione levitated herself there.

Now,

The enormous gates were fiercely protected by two enchanted Samurai statues, which needed to be bowed at before walking inside and this was where Hermione noted the real use of these paint brush wands. Her friend handled the brush to produce some Japanese characters on the air which appeared on a sort of floating ribbon and flew towards the castle. After a while the castle gates opened, and they were allowed to walk in.

Just like she had heard from her colleague, the students in the courtyard close to the palace gates were practising Herbology and Flower decoration of Magical Orchids. "These are implemented to prepare perfumes which retain the strength for a lifetime," Akihito respectfully informed her while swiftly walking through the mutton-fat jade floor. Once they were close to the principal doors, the wizard halted and turned to face her with a sheepish smile "May I Hermione-san?" he asked for her hand. The witch meanwhile was so engrossed in awing over the magic there, that she didn't comprehend for a few seconds what

Mr Takakashi was asking for. "Hermione-san your hand," he inquired again more prominently this time.

"Right," her cheeks turned red out of embarrassment and placed her hand on his. They were standing outside the Headmaster's office in no time, this she understood because the book written by one of the gifted Hogwarts' students who visited Mahaoutokoro mentioned that the walls there were designed with purple orchids and magical ivy and a yurei in the shape of an attractive woman could be seen roaming aimlessly through partitions very much like Hogwarts ghosts, except this one asked riddles which if solved incorrectly would lead them to be cursed by her for countless generations to get literally setting up deals with her. The deals were drawn in such a way that the witch or wizard normally lost and were cursed in turn.

As soon as the Yurei observed them, it floated towards them. A silvery wispy figure of a woman wearing Kimono and traditional Japanese jewellery. Hermione immediately turned on the translating spell that she had learnt from her wards, before the ghost could ask any question.

The translator charm worked wonders for her, just as the yurei started speaking in Japanese, the little brunette witch could overhear everything in fluent English. "What is it that having the ability to run in any direction without your emotional control", the wicked witch spoke while tracing a crooked finger down Akihito's chin. "Answer fast," she demanded impatiently.

"Thoughts", Hermione answered for him "we do not have much control over them." The Yurei sniggered at her, totally livid that she could not enumerate another pair to her list of cursed humans, "You may go now."

"Thanks a lot Hermione-san", her friend believed still shaken from the previous experience. "I'm not really good at answering these, even during school I would bring a friend or two for these visits."

Hermione wanted to ask if anyone ever got cursed, but before the words could leave her lips, the door to the headmasters chamber slid open and they stepped in. The huge chamber looked like straight out of a Japanese folklore the jade walls contained designs of pink cherry blossoms, a wooden ceiling and windows covering the Eastern part of the wall. Portraits of the previous headmasters were hung in the wall. One-third of his office wall was adequately covered with book shelves , a crystal ball stood on his desk. In the centre of the room was hanging an ornately designed kettle, held above a light blue flame which was suspended mid-air. "Welcome to Mahoutokoro, Hermione-san", the grand wizard who looked not considerably older than Akihito smiled. "How are you faring so far in Nihon (Japan)?"

"Much better than I had earnestly hoped", she bestowed a confident smile "Thanks to here," she said wistfully pointing towards her friend.

"That's great considering your business and lack of time. I hope you can accept a cup of Saake (Japanese tea)", he levitated the kettle unhooking it and poured three cups of sake. They moved towards the section where a table was sat, and surrounding it were cushions. Both wizards sat on the cushions, Hermione followed suit.

It took them almost 15 minutes to drink their beverages and the witch noticed that both wizards looked at peace during this activity. To quench her thirst further she set her eyes outside the balcony and noticed branches of cherry blossom sticking out through the upper circle. At the far end of the room a large looking mirror stood, much like the mirror of Erised.
"the glass you are looking at acts like a portal, we don't have floo connections here in Japan," Headmaster Kamasaki adequately explained her. " Just like floo calls, you can use this Matsuyama mirror to contact anyone here in the wizarding world." He stood up, walked towards the mirror "Besides the younger generation are more attuned towards cell phones, unlike us old traditionalist", he grinned.

"Cell phones are handier than mirrors, Kamasaki-san", Akihito countered in gallant defence. He too was walking in the direction of the mirror now. "Come on Hermione-san, we don't want you to be late", he advised her politely.

She was puzzled as to where they were going once more, turning to look at the headmaster " Hermione – san don't worry, you will be whisked to a place where the convincing answers to your question lie," she heard him assure before Akihito snatched her nervous hand and they were both sucked by it.

Japanese Ministry of Magic

Kinkakujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto

After what seemed like seconds they made a clear landing in the forest near a shrine, thanks to Hermione's friend Akihito who got the premonition that she would be unable to be steady for a while. He held the witch straight in both the arms encircling her on the way. "Why did you pull me out of Mahoutokoro…. I didn't even get looking at the library?"the disgruntled witch complained. Eagerly taking in her surrounding cautiously she asked anxiously "Where are we now?"

Akihito was staring thoughtfully at the little witch beside him in genuine amusement "Hermione-san would you calm down. Do you know that the Japanese Wizarding Community, unlike others, are local practitioners of mind control charms?"he asked her. Not waiting for her to acknowledge the question he replied " it is similar to legilimency, but we exercise powers of divination as well which makes this charm even stronger."

"You mean to say that the headmaster projected his thoughts to your head," she deciphered, now much more peaceful and understanding.

"He knew immediately you wanted information regarding the time travelling device. To answer promptly your second question we are visiting the Ministry now," her jaws were open because she hadn't really revealed her political reasons for the International Official Travel and could barely feel Mr. Takakashi penetrating her conscious mind.

"See it doesn't work like legilimency," he said voicing her words and improved a brisker pace towards their destination, the witch trailing him behind. "And I cannot constantly pick your thoughts only the ones which are worrying you a lot."

Once they were out of the forest and closing in towards the clearing he asked her if she would like visiting the shrine first and then the Ministry or go directly to her destination.

"Do I gain options?" the brunette witch asked playfully, trying not to let her jaws open staring at the enormous shrine shining like dazzling gold in front of them.

"Naturally you have, see", he informed her pointing towards the courtyard " the muggles are however not here, it is the afternoon break, so we can of course go to the ministry and then come back downstairs."

"What are these iconic statues called?" Hermione requested her friend, pointing out to two huge lion like sculptures, while walking down the road towards the front. They looked like official guardians of the shrine. Pearly white in colour they looked magnificent.

"They are Komainu, who protect the Ministry and Shrine much like your statues and suits of armour of Hogwarts", he informed her keeping an eye on their surrounding, when he was sure no muggles were around them, Akihito continued "did you know Hermione-san that only the first three levels of the temple are visible to the muggles and the rest eight are conceiled, specially considering the department of mysteries makes up one floor in the basement."

Hermione's eyes brightened as she processed the new information, "What about..?" she was in the verge of asking a new question when her cell phone started ringing, she pulled it out to find that her reminder notification was what making the noise. What was she forgetting, the witch clicked the notification and found her impending weekly visit to her wards? "I wish time would graciously permit me to move slowly, but Akihito as the situation presents itself, we will undoubtedly have to transport directly to the Department of Mysteries," she said, her lips pressed into a thin line.

He probably nodded understanding the situation, "Alright," he said with the gracious smile which at present seems to possess eternal place on his face. Immediately she could feel the uncomfortable pull of an apparition.

The next instant she was standing in front of a door which read Department of Mysteries in a Bronze plaque. A door separating her from the chambers of the department.

"Hermione- san this is where I depart from you," Akihito said pointing towards the Shoji (separator) made of Japanese Cedar.

"I sincerely hope we greet each other soon," he solemnly shook hands with her.

Hermione was excited and sad at the same time for not being able to properly bask in the glory of the shrine, "Having such less time for an international visit is highly in justifiable, but I am really thankful to you for your co-operation. Will give you a call as soon as I reach England," she hugged the vaguely uncomfortable wizard.

With a pleasant nod and that signature infectious smile he was instantly out of sight. This is when Hermione decided to step in and set about the authentic work.