TRIGGER WARNING! This chapter contains sexual/violent content.
All my thanks to Tridogmom who made this chapter possible.
Chapter 9
Smokes and Appearances
To the untrained eye the Ministry of Magic operated as normal for a Friday. Employees shuffled and crammed into the elevators, memo planes flitted overhead. However, the gossip of the day was abuzz about the nation's new favourite star – Nigel the niffler.
Witches cooed over his infectious grin and cheeky attitude. While older wizards muttered amongst each other on strategies for amassing the most amount of the already-sold out gold coins – to appease their family's demand. All of this had made Hermione's journey to the fifth floor a great one where people smiled, nodded and congratulated her. Despite the drama of last night, she was determined to make it a positive day.
When she entered the office, Mrs. Khan was already there cutting out articles from a tall stack of newspapers which threatened to collapse onto the petite woman.
"Good morning. Didn't I tell you to come in later today?" Hermione teasingly critiqued.
"You did dear, but my husband still expected his breakfast and packed lunch as usual." Mrs. Khan replied as she discarded a newspaper and reached the top of the pile for a new one. Hermione considered the older colleague's ideas of marriage a bit archaic. Surely with the ease of magic, a wizard should be adept enough to make his own food! Nevertheless, she knew cooking was Mrs. Khan's source of pride, so she couldn't condemn it. Especially when Mrs. Khan regularly brought home-cooked food for the team.
Hermione transfigured a ruler into a pair of scissors and helped with the press cuttings. Soon Justin and Artemis walked in the office zombie-like; Artemis clutching a large cup of coffee and Justin sporting sunglasses.
"Late night last night?" Mrs. Khan asked with a mischievous grin.
"We celebrated after we cleaned up." Justin said as he collapsed in his chair and rested his head on a pillow of old newspapers.
"You didn't think to choose celebrating the evening after, which happens to be a Friday night?" Hermione pointed out.
"Serendipity Hermione." Artemis took a deep drink of her coffee. A large eagle flew into the room and dropped a letter with the Malfoy seal on it. Mrs. Khan opened the letter and read it aloud.
"Dear team,
I'm unable to come into the Ministry today. Please prepare all evidence to evaluate for Monday morning.
- Malfoy."
"Pick up some scissors you two," Hermione said as she pointed at them with her scissors. "We have a lot of newspapers to get through."
"Good morning my friend!" Blaise stormed unannounced into Draco's office as he brandished a copy of Witches Weekly in his hand.
Draco sighed, he had barely sat down.
"What do you want Blaise?"
"I want to buy you coffee. That's the kind of caring mate I am." Draco scoffed at the remark. More like a nosy friend.
"How about I order some coffee from my secretary and you can tell me what you want to say while I start to work?" The sooner he gets the Italian to spill, the sooner he can chip away at his workload. Evidently Blaise had other ideas as he stretched himself out on one of the visitor chairs as if he was ready to lounge there all day. Draco sent a memo to his secretary for two coffees.
"Well I came to check if you were still using my gift to you. Because it seems like you won't be needing it anymore now that Astoria's in the picture."
"I do still use my phone once in a while, like the camera." Draco opened his inkpot and his letters.
"Does Astoria approve of your photography skills?" The dark Italian tapped his foot, in the most irritating fashion.
"I wouldn't know if she did. If you're trying to get all the details of my love life; there's not much to it right now. I took Astoria as a date to a very public event, I escorted her home and kissed her on the cheek goodnight. Nothing else had or will happen."
"Well it seemed a bit odd, thought you were into a Muggle girl for a while." Blaise took sudden interest in a seam on his jacket.
Draco sighed in exasperation. "My mother suggested her as a suitable last-minute guest when I told her about the event. I had work to do and I just needed someone I was acquainted with to fulfil a role."
"Is that role being a wife?" His friend teased, and Draco wanted to hex him so badly.
"No, the role of a one-time date." He started to draft some letter responses.
"Fine! But seriously where's that hot Muggle you were seeing? Jean wasn't it? Can I get her number if you're done?"
Draco almost broke his quill from pressing it too hard but had left a huge ink stain on the paper. The thought of him getting intimate with hermade his stomach churn.
"She's not right for you." He said with gritted teeth. Blaise mockingly clutched his hands to his heart, as if wounded.
"What's so flawed about me? Or what's wrong with her? Too clingy? Or was she too kinky?"
Something inside Draco finally snapped. "Shut up!" He instantly regretted barking at his friend who was taken aback by his outburst. "Sorry. She was perfect. And neither of us are deserving of her."
Blaise stared quietly at his friend, contemplative. "Why?"
He thought about it, did he want to share his dirty secret? A secret that had burdened him for so many weeks. "She's actually a witch." He gently revealed.
A quiet knock on the door. His secretary came in with a tray laden with coffee. She quietly left it on the side table and left. His dear friend strode over to the offering and helped himself to a cup. Only when he finally sat down, did he nod in understanding.
"Isn't that great news? You could have taken her last night?"
"Not at all. Especially once you know which witch she is."
"Oh fuck! It's not dear Millie Bulstrode is it?" Blaise had the cheekiest grin on his mockingly horrified face. Draco burst into laughter. It was both funny and very unfunny, especially for the poor soul who was in love with Millie.
Draco dragged the tabloid magazine towards him and saw the front cover. It was of him next to Astoria Greengrass. 'Love is in the heir!' the headline read, he scoffed at the drivel and flipped it open. Right there on the third page was Hermione Granger on stage next to Nigel. He didn't have the nerve to tell her that she looked beautiful last night, with her hair pulled up and the shimmery dress that draped over her body wonderfully. He folded the magazine so it was only her picture showing and placed it facing his friend.
His friend grasped the magazine and frowned at the picture. It took a few seconds before his eyes widened, glanced frantically between Draco and the picture.
No! You're playing with me!" If Blaise thought this was a joke, Draco only sat quietly, whilst he continued to respond to his letters.
"You can't have! Surely that one time, she would have noticed!"
"Actually, it was twice. Or three, depends on what you're counting."
Blaise laughed uncontrollably. "You're a terrible joker. I can't take you seriously."
"That's too bad, because it's true."
The laughing stopped and his friend sat blankly in a catatonic state. Draco continued his work as his friend processed this information and he sent a memo to his secretary to postpone his next meeting. This could take a while longer than he thought. Also, he preferred his friend much more in this state.
Finally, downing the remnants of his coffee Blaise stood up and began to pace the room. "Well mate, I don't know whether to congratulate or commiserate you."
"How about neither?"
"You dated the famous Hermione Granger and shagged her not only once but three times!"
"Should I perform the Sonorous charm so you can broadcast that louder?"
Blaise stopped his pacing and sneered at his friend. "How the fuck did you win her over with your wanker personality?"
"If you're going to insult me in my ownoffice, then I suggest you move on."
"You're the one who tormented her and her friends."
"I did. Potter was such an asshole and Weasley was an easy insecure target."
Blaise sniggered. "Remember when we came up with Weasley is our King?"
Draco chuckled at the song, he was very proud of himself at the time for being so lyrical.
"Anyway, I really do have to get some work done. But let's get dinner at the club tonight. Perhaps we can talk about youinstead."
Blaise only smirked back, "Not a chance. Especially now that I know you slept with Hermione Granger. Ciao!" With that he waltzed out of the office in a similar fashion as he came in, unexpectedly, and made Draco feel very disgruntled.
For the first time in months Hermione had a full hour lunch break so she decided to pop over to Harry's desk to see if he was available. She saw the elevator filled with a few people and the doors about to close.
"Hold the door, please!" she shouted as she made the final leap before they closed after her.
"Miss Granger. It's nice to see you again." Greeted a low and soft voice. She glanced up the tall man and on his face. She remembered him from last night but…
"Sorry, have we met before?" She asked.
He produced a large calloused hand. "It's Rolfe Shepherds. We were introduced briefly last night by the entrance." Hermione took it and smiled.
"Yes. How are you Rolfe?" He grinned back at her.
"I'm very well Miss Granger. I have to say that last night was really incredible." She felt herself blush at the compliment.
"Please call me Hermione. And thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."
"I really did. In fact, I bought several chocolate coins for my nieces and nephews. Hopefully one of them wins the competition." He responded with a deep rumble of delight.
"I wish them good luck." Hermione responded politely.
The door opened, and both Hermione and Rolfe had to step to the side to let everyone out. He shifted a lot from side to side and shook out his shoulders.
"I hope this isn't too forward, but would you be interested in a drink some time?" He asked as the elevator door closed and they were alone.
Hermione was a bit surprised and thought about it. She noted he was squarer-jawed and possibly more rugged than she normally went for, but he was still a fairly handsome man. As she promised herself when she woke up, she would make today a positive day. This included taking a chance on new opportunities.
"That sounds lovely. How about next Friday?" She suggested
"Great! I can meet you in the Atrium, say 6 o'clock?" Rolfe asked with a lop-sided grin.
The elevator door opened onto the Atrium and Hermione turned to him, "Well, see you next week!" She confirmed.
Hermione stepped out of the elevator as three witches with enormous hats entered. Rolfe towered over them with his broad shoulders, waving shyly as the elevator door closed between them. As her father used to say to her when she was learning to ride a bike. "When you fall down, you just got to pick yourself back up and try again." Now that work would be returning to a normal routine again, she would have to give dating another try. This time there would be no concealment involved.
Hermione was ready to face her Monday morning meeting with gusto. She had enjoyed a lovely weekend at Grimmauld Place, ate Sunday roast, and even had an amicable afternoon with Ron. She told him about her upcoming date and he was seemingly nice about it. He updated her about the new things George invented at the joke shop, how busy he was in the past two days selling Nigel the Niffler stock, and his plans to travel to all the Chudley Cannons' away games. She felt good that after a few years, she and Ron could look back at their puppy love fondly as something that was naïve, adorable, and not meant to be. She had told Ron she would always love him as part of her family and as her best friend, after taking his sweet stubborn time to reflect on his own feelings he realized he reciprocated her feelings.
The tabloids loved to discuss their 'love life' and whether they were on or off. The idea that she might still be with Ron intimidated so many wizards, which had caused Hermione resort to concealment charms and Tinder to find a few nice Muggle guys to date. No tabloids, no drama. Who could find fault in that?
She thought she was the first to arrive in the office but sitting there was the impeccably dressed man she wished to move on from.
"Good morning." She offered politely.
"Morning." Draco responded curtly.
Adverting her eyes from him, she busied herself with taking out the parchments she needed and meticulously arranged stationery around her desk. The room was silent excluding the shuffling of parchment, and the sound of their breathing. There was nothing else to arrange, so she sat still. Glancing over to the blonde, she saw he had his glasses on and his eyes were fixated on the Daily Prophet, but they weren't reading the pages. She knew they didn't have to talk to each other unless necessary, but it still felt awkward.
To her relief, Artemis and Mrs. Khan walked into the office and she joined in with their small talk about the weekend. She glanced over and Draco looked more relaxed with the additional company as he poured out cups of tea for them. Not long after, Justin arrived in his usual chirpy, debonair mood and their first meeting of the day started.
Standing from his seat at the head of the table, Draco looked at all of them. "Hopefully you have all recovered from the busy few weeks we've had, but there is still work to do. Let's start today with an evaluation of the public's response. Who has the report?"
Artemis put her hand up as she opened her folder. "We had a total of one hundred and twenty-seven reporters from around the world on Thursday night. Ninety-three mentioned Pendragon in an article to some extent. I've got a breakdown on the average word count, article position, and the papers reach that day."
"Good. How many of these articles were positive?"
Justin responded with the numbers. "Fifty-five of these were positive, twenty-six were neutral, nine were sceptical and three were negative."
Draco nodded and Hermione understood that while this was good news, it wasn't the perfect score she had hoped.
"It's pretty good for the first stage of the campaign, but we need to target those of neutral and negative opinions with press releases and monitor their changes. Who wants to head up that project?" Justin raised his hand. "Thank you"
"Now, Mrs. Khan and Hermione, do you have the stats on the donation funds and revenue?"
"We have received orders for approximately three million chocolate coins since Friday. Bringing around ten thousand and forty Galleons in revenue towards The National Trust from the sale of coins alone." Hermione read from her carefully written notes.
"I received an owl from the dragon sanctuary this morning. They have almost sold out of their Nigel the Niffler toys and piggy banks. I have already responded to that news with a fresh purchase order with Mr. Weasley." Mrs. Khan interjected.
Draco took off his glasses carefully and smiled at everyone. "This is a good start and while we have made substantial revenue for the National Trust, we still have a lot of work to do."
Reaching into the bag beside him, he pulled out a bottle of chilled champagne.
"I'd like to propose a toast."
Justin and Artemis cheered loudly whilst Hermione and Mrs. Khan clapped politely. Justin wasted no time in conjuring up some flutes while Draco popped the cork and started pouring.
Once everyone had a glass, Draco raised his.
"Thank you all for the hard work you have put in to this project. Justin and Artemis, you both will have bonuses at the end of this quarter. Mrs. Khan, since you're a Ministry employee I can't give you a bonus, but you have been invaluable to the team. Instead I want send you and your family on an all-expenses paid stay at whichever one of my resorts you choose. Cheers."
Mrs. Khan shrieked with joy. Everyone raised their glasses and Hermione let the delicious, crisp, dry elixir ripple down her throat.
"And last, but not least, to Hermione. The most brilliant and hard-working pioneer of our times. I speak for all of us when I say that you're the great visionary behind all this." His silver eyes pierced through her as he spoke.
"Here, here!" Justin shouted and everyone toasted to her.
"Finally, I have an announcement." Draco's smile disappeared and Hermione's instinct told her it wasn't good.
"As the rest of the campaign has been thoroughly planned. I see no need for my input and
therefore, I will be taking a step back from the project after today." He raised his glass one last time. "Good luck."
It was a melancholic toast, Hermione could see how Justin, Artemis and Mrs. Khan were affected, even knowing from the beginning he wouldn't be a permanent team member, given he has an entire company to run. Hermione didn't know what to think or feel. All these months, she had been angry, confused, upset, and admired this handsome man and now he would be out of the picture. It felt like a bittersweet end to their tumultuous relationship.
The week had flown by and Hermione had felt a sense of emptiness in her working day. Perhaps it was the reduced workload from not planning a large launch event or perhaps it was the empty chair at the head of the large conference table. Either way, the changes meant she had more energy to look forward to tonight. Not only because it's the start of another weekend, but also her first date with Rolfe, someone new.
As the week went on, the excitement built up slowly like a gently simmering cauldron. It bubbled to the top yet did not boil over. The Ministry clock rang six o'clock and the scrapping of chairs and rustling of parchments rolling themselves away echoed throughout the building. It's finally the weekend.
She whipped out her wand and everything packed itself away on her desks. Her feet carried her into the Atrium and even with the bustle of leaving employees, it was easy to see the large, square-jawed, handsome man who shifted nervously on his feet as he waited.
Rolfe Shepherds caught her coming towards him and gave her a lopsided grin.
"You look well Miss Granger."
"Hey! How are you?" She asked politely.
"Relieved it's the weekend. You?" He studied her up and down with his hazel eyes.
"I'm fine, thank you."
"Come on Hermione. Smile then." He said with a lopsided grin and she forced herself to grin back at him but it irked her a little. She brushed off that feeling as she was still trying to have a positive attitude about everything.
"I thought we could have a few drinks at this new bar on Diagon Alley if that's ok with you?" He asked.
She agreed as they made their way to the Apparition point. She felt his large hand capture one of hers and the familiar tug of side-along Apparition. Another twinge of annoyance ran through her. She disliked being the side-along, but she hated not being forewarned first even more. They landed in Diagon Alley which was crowded with the after-work crowd.
"Tell me about yourself Rolfe." She asked as he guided her through the street. They arrived at a dimly lit modern bar with an Art Deco decor in blacks, gold, and marble. There was no name on the sign to indicate what it was called just an illustration of a spirit bottle and a juniper branch within it.
"I'll tell you all about it over a drink." He said in a softly firm manner.
The bar was already half full and Rolfe led them to an empty table at the back. A few people glanced their way but continued with their conversations. As she took in her surroundings she could see a few tables were occupied by pairs and small groups of three.
"I've been told this place specialises in cocktails with a magical twist. What would you like to try?" He offered.
"That's exciting." Looking at the drink menu she wasn't sure what to choose. "Why don't you surprise me?" He smiled before he went up to the bar.
Sitting alone, she smoothed her hands over her hair and checked to make sure her curly hair was still in its low ponytail as her nerves fluttered in her stomach. It's been a while since she went on a first date, perhaps these jitters are due to a lack of practice. Or should she make an excuse to go home now? She wasn't impressed yet, in fact was pretty annoyed with his behavior so far. She hushed down those feelings of hesitance. If anything, Hermione is a determined person and she's determined to give this opportunity a chance. Despite her gripes earlier, she might like him more once she gets to know him.
Rolfe returned with a tray which held a pair of bell jars, one filled with grey smoke and the other was filled with a light purple glow. They were like nothing she had seen before.
"Those aren't drinks, are they?" She joked.
"The grey one is called Hidden Hunter and the purple one is called Violet Bloom. Which do you prefer?" Rolfe offered.
"I'll take the Violet Bloom if you don't mind."
Lifting the purple bell jar, the glow transfigured into a hundred violet petals that scattered in a flurry before all but one disappeared. Springing up around the petal, a champagne flute filled with a creamy lavender-hued liquid perched precariously on the wooden base of the jar. The petal smoothly transformed into a full violet flower that delicately floated on the bubbles to rest on the foamy top.
"That is an incredible display of magic. It was so beautiful I almost don't want to drink it." It amazed her that such creativity went into a single concoction.
"Let's see what this one is like." Rolfe glanced at her mischievously before he slowly lifted the other bell jar. The grey smoke clumped together in a tight ball and Hermione wondered if that was all there was. She shrieked back as a wolf's jaw snapped close to her nose and it howled loud and clear before the smoke dissipated.
Rolfe chuckled at her. "I'm sorry. I was warned that would happen, but I wanted to see your reaction." It was a cruel joke of his to play on her. It reminded her of Fred and George.
"That's absolutely not fair!" She protested as her heart pounded hard against her chest, attempting to escape. She took a sip of the purple glass and the floral and peppery taste tingled her palette. It soothed down her throat and calmed her nerves. While it gave her a startling fright, Hermione figured Rolfe had a playful nature to him. Which she knew she lacked at times.
"Now, why don't you sit down and let's have a normal conversation to get to know each other." Rolfe's eyes glinted in the light as he slowly sank into the bar stool opposite her. He sipped his drink and gazed at her intently.
"What would you like to talk about Miss Granger?"
"Hermione. And let's talk about what brought you to England?" Taking another sip of her drink.
"What can I say, I was born in Essex but I went to school in New Zealand when my parents moved there 20 years ago. I played quidditch professionally until I retired early due to injury. I heard the British Ministry of Magic had positions open in the Department of Sports so I moved here for the work. Have you ever been to New Zealand?"
"No, only to Australia. Does that count?" She asked lightheartedly.
Chuckling and taking a drink of his cocktail, "They're not that close to each other and entirely different places. Did you have a good time in Australia?"
"Not particularly." Hermione said bluntly.
"Did you come across any of the scary spiders?" He joked.
"That's ridiculous. I'm not afraid of spiders, even poisonous ones." She took a deep hesitant breath, "If you must know, I tried to retrieve my parents after I obliviated their memories of me during the war. I failed to get them back. In some ways, you can say I'm an orphan."
"Oh! I'm so sorry. I didn't know! That's very insensitive of me!"
Shrugging off the dull pain that always came when she talked about her parents, "You wouldn't have known. It's fine. Tell me about the school there."
Rolfe told her of the school in New Zealand, a large labyrinth of treehouse structures that was hidden in the mountains, and escapades he had as a playful teenager. Hermione couldn't contain her own curiosity and the comparisons between his schooling and hers at Hogwarts.
Realizing they had both finished their cocktails, Rolfe stood "How about I get us another round? No surprises this time."
"Yes please." And was only half teasingly when she added, "I'll walk out if there's another surprise." Smiling, he walked to the bar and returned with two highball glasses filled with something peachy and full of ice. No bell jars, no smoke, no tricks. Hermione felt her shoulders relax at the normal drink.
"Thank you. Not just for the drinks, but for bringing me here." She smiled at his angular face which had tightened at her compliment.
"The pleasure is truly all mine. This might sound silly, but I can't believe I'm on a date with the brightest witch of our times, Hermione Granger."
Pushing down the thought that he was only taking her out because of her fame, she lifted her glass to clink theirs together before she took a long sip. Even though it was a sensational cocktail, the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, she noticed how he barely touched his. Perhaps he's more nervous about this date than she was?
Breaking the silence, he asked "Would you like to hear how I was once almost killed by a kangaroo?"
"That sounds like a death-defying story. Tell me about it." She did enjoy a good thrilling tale that was not her own.
Gazing at him as he started to describe one of his summer holidays in Australia, she could see his lips moving she couldn't understand what he was saying. Like when someone turns down the volume on telly but you can still see the characters talking. Except this wasn't telly, it's happening to her now.
"Sorry Rolfe, can you say that again?" She could hear her own voice and her eyes focused hard on the firm lips, moving and flashing perfect white teeth. The rushing sound of blood flowing through her body became louder than rapid rivers. Hermione felt her head pounding in the confusion and a build-up of panic. Something was defiantly wrong with her.
Looking at him intensely, she grabbed Rolfe's hand. "I need to go home right now." At least that is what she thought she said. She could feel her mouth moving and the air in her vocal chords, but she could no longer hear her own voice.
His brows furrowed, and his hand held hers tightly and mouthed 'OK' to her.
Standing too quickly her vision started to spin and she was hit with an intense wave of vertigo. Her knees were weak and buckled under her, she felt a firm arm wrap around her waist and keep her upright. Hermione was terrified. What was happening to her? Feeling her breathing start to become erratic as panic washed over her, she knew she was no longer thinking straight and needed to get home.
Cool air rippled across her skin as Rolfe guided her outside the bar. Sucking in the chill in the hopes it would sober her the darkness of the alley seemed to grow deeper before her eyes.
Feeling the tug in her belly of side-along Apparition her disorientation and panic had worsened. She felt herself sink onto a soft leather sofa.
Her sofa had a herringbone wool textured fabric.
Where was she?
Rolfe didn't know where she lived.
Had he brought her to his place?
Broad, warm hands enveloped her cheeks and her eyes focused on a pair of green ones looking back at her. The feel of his hand stroking her hair did not lessen her feeling of unease, instead it made the hairs on the nape of her neck stand up.
Her vision was coming in and out, even though she couldn't seem to focus on anything even when it wasn't black. Reaching out trying to get a grasp on something real and solid in this state of disassociation, she felt him grasp her hand.
The spinning was growing worse the longer she remained seated, so she laid back on the sofa hoping it would go away. She felt him lay down beside her and while he still held one hand, the other moved from her hair to rub her shoulder.
She felt the pressure of him moving much to close to her and the sensation of warm lips slithering across her neck.
"Stop it." Once again, she felt her lips move but she couldn't hear herself say anything. Beyond the sound of her pounding heart she still felt deaf. Feeling him roll her on to her back, she was trapped beneath the heavy weight of his body. He had let go of her hand and she felt him snake it under her to cup her ass.
The terror shocked her as he forcefully rocked his erection against her clothed groin. The man was becoming more aggressive with the kisses on her neck, harshly sucking, biting, and licking from her ear to her collarbone.
Her hearing returned when she realised the loud growl he emitted against her neck.
"Be a good girl and take my cock." He barked. His calloused hand ripped open her blouse and burned her bare skin.
"You will enjoy this when you let this happen." Hermione felt cold fear envelope her. This cannot be happening.
"No!"
Pain ripped through her throat as she screamed.
Help! Reaching out her free hand on instinct, she felt her magic spark in her fingertips and something smacked into the palm of her hand. Her wand, thank Merlin.
Still not able to see clearly, she rubbed her thumb against the familiar grain of the wood. Thrusting it as hard as she can in front of her face, she made contact with something fleshy. He roared in pain and suddenly his weight was removed from her body.
"You fucking bitch! You stabbed me in the eye!" He screamed. Adrenaline was coursing through her veins and she imagined the safety of her home as she Apparated out of danger.
Hermione collapsed to the ground and felt the recognisable texture of her rug underneath her. The spinning from the Apparition was too much and she vomited all over herself and the floor. Scuffling away from her own mess, she rolled into a ball and wept.
After her torture at the hands of Bellatrix, she promised herself she would never feel helpless and captured again. Yet here she was, once again laying in her own filth, feeling the imprint of his body still pressing into hers. His scent lingered on her. All she wanted was to burn all her clothes and tear the violated skin off her own body.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, rationality whispered to her to contact help. Still sobbing, she tried as hard as she could to think of a happy memory – a snowball fight with Harry and Ron.
Letting the memory fill her senses, she whimpered "Expecto Patronum." A thin wisp of smoke ejected from her wand. While that memory had always worked, she realized it wasn't powerful enough.
How could she have been fooled so easily? She should have known bett- 'Stop Hermione! Focus on a happy memory.' She could almost hear Harry talking to her, coaching her like he did in the Room of Requirement. 'Think of your happiest memory; allow it to fill your entire mind.' Gathering strength from her imagined conversation, she focused on the day she received her Hogwarts letter. All those younger years of being ostracized for being different, the sense of happiness of knowing she held magic within her. To truly understand who she was and there's a world out there who accepted her for what she is. That feeling of completeness.
"Expecto Patronum." Her voice was firm and clear. Feeling the spell leave her wand, the otter nuzzled briefly with her before it dashed away. Watching her otter leave she was filled with an intense loneliness and the sobs returned, wracking her body. The crack of Apparition filled her flat and heavy footsteps rushed towards her. Panic struck her, and she tensed, unable to tell whether it was a friend or foe coming towards her.
Screaming as a hand wrapped around her shoulder, she turned.
"Fuck! Hermione, what happened?"
Knowing she was safe, she let the darkness overtake her as she leaned into Harry's embrace.
