Chapter 7: Adding to the fun.


Previously: Suddenly another voice came 'Why Minerva, are you trying to corrupt these young innocent minds?' followed by a hearty chuckle.

'Ro! You are here!' Dawn shouted excitedly, nearly tackling the poor woman with a hug.

'Hey kiddo' Rolando Hooch answered with a broad smile 'I was in the neighbourhood and thought to drop by. But I see you are busy, should I come back later?' Rolanda gave Dawn a sly grin and winked to Hermione. Hoping to tease them a little.

The effect was immediate as both of them turned beet red.

'And you say I was trying to corrupt them? Little old me, the rule follower and esteemed headmistress with more honours than she could ever name, mmh Rolanda?' Minerva teased back.

Dawn took a double take and then some. 'Was her mother just flirting?!' No freaking way!'

Ro got a taste of her own medicine as she was the one blushing now but didn't let that stop. 'Well... I remember a certain time when we...'

'Breakfast time! Want to join us Rolanda?' Minerva interrupted her. It was much better that some stories should never be told.

'Sure.' Rolanda knew she just won and she could have sworn that Minerva had just been flirting with her. 'That was I can tell the kids more about during breakfast. You are so thoughtful oh ever so esteemed headmistress' Rolanda couldn't resist, the opportunity was begging for it.

Dawn snorted. 'Oh this was just too good.'

They all sat down for breakfast, passing the bread, butter and what not. It was the most fun Hermione had in ages. She felt at home. Everyone just relaxed and talked about anything really and for once she could strike up intelligent conversations about several theories involving her research which she was investigating. Rolanda had even pointed out something she had previously overlooked. It was great. She felt oddly in place, as if they were a little family already.

Her own family, despite all her best efforts, was killed. Not by the death-eaters mind you, well yes by the death-eaters but someone else had betrayed them. She had yet to find out who.

A hand grabbed hers. Shaking her out of those negative thoughts. Dawn didn't stop talking but her eyes never left Hermione. 'She sure is something special' She quickly gave Dawn a small appreciative smile indicating that she was alright.

This brief interaction wasn't missed by the two professors. They were happy for Dawn and Hermione, both girls deserve each other. Secretly they glanced at each other neither having the guts to admit to the other woman their true thoughts.

What they didn't know was a certain witch or witches already had plans to get them together. With plenty of embarrassment of course.


'Everyone heads up' Tonks yelled 'This is Iris. Be nice.' The last part was directly aimed at Harry and Molly. She didn't trust them one bit.

The twins were still drooling at her sight. Those two never did grow up. But it was amusing as they were both happy with their current girlfriends and would never betray them. They just liked to cause some trouble. After all, they had a name to uphold.

"Hello Iris, I am Arthur. Pleased to meet you" the older Weasley said politely. 'I hope you don't mind me asking but have we met before?'

This came as a surprise to Iris as in matter of fact they had. Not that she was going to tell him that though. It was about ten years ago? If not more.

She was for once at home during Christmas.

He picked up Hermione once from when she was there too. Iris was a couple of years older than Hermione and had already left home by then to study international relations at her old university. No one knew of her, seeing as she studied abroad in several countries. When Hermione had sent her parents away she hadn't suspected a thing.

Her little sister was smarter than she had thought and seeing as how Iris herself was in another country there was no need for additional precautions. Plus even her so called best friends back then never asked much about her family. Selfish prats! She like Hermione was devastated when she heard her parents had been murdered. And her poor sister, she never once told her the details. She wasn't sure what was worse the not knowing or the haunting look Hermione held whenever she asked about it. Her little sister, her sweet innocent sister had seen so much horror. Damn it! I was supposed to protect her; I am the older one I should have been there to support her not the other way around. She had tried everything to get Hermione to open up, from a soft approach to being down right forceful but it was fruitless. Hermione had once told her to stop trying, she would never share what had happened with anyone, Iris especially. It was her way of protecting her older sister.

However as a result of this Hermione had a hard time of trusting anyone. Her friends back then ignored her, too focused on their own mission. Only a handful of people actually knew anything about Hermione, let alone know where she lives. Even her work doesn't know the right address. It saved her a couple of times as certain dark wizards were still on large and looking for the brains of the golden trio. And if that wasn't bad enough she was still constantly harassed by that Rita Skooter or something woman. Meanwhile Minerva, Luna, Fleur, Tonks and herself were the only ones who knew where she lived and had some vague idea what actually happened.

Her sister had struggled through a lot and Iris was certain that she still did. Perhaps that was one of the reasons why she threw every ounce of her energy in her work.

Ironically she used a pseudonym, knowing that otherwise those foolish wizards wouldn't except it. It was both brilliant and sardonically funny how she used one of their most feared evil wizard's idea for her company's name. Like Tom Riddle, she had arranged Hermione Granger to 'Mirage ' the major corporation of all human, creature and what so ever rights. She would love to see the faces of the bastards when they discovered that all their major political changes they so love are thanks to Hermione. She might have had a little mean streak when it came to those who had hurt her little sister. She whole heartily believed 'No one can make her life miserable but me' As teasing the little bookworm was her other favourite thing to do apart from making out with Tonks. Mmh thinking about Tonks.. I should really fill her in on the plan.

However before Iris even had a chance to say anything she was interrupted.

Another knock. '' Jeez just how many more people can show up?' Tonks couldn't help but think.

"Ron joins the Weasley club! GREAT JUST WHAT WE NEEDED ANOTHER PRICK!" Tonks couldn't help but think that things were about to go downhill fast.

"Where is she?' He asked in a rough voice. Everyone thought he was expressing some concern for her well-being except for Iris and Tonks. They heard the hidden malicious undertone.

Iris looked at her girlfriend. This meant trouble and yet they had no way of warning the others without raising suspicion here. 'Damn! What to do?'

A hopeless sense of defeat fell on them. Iris was distraught, she had heard the story of Hermione. Of what happened the last time he had found her. 'Shit!'

Little did they know that help was on the way.