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Spinner's End, Evan's Household
Lily pulled her knees to her chest, resting her head on them. It had been 2 days since she last saw her best friend and it felt like an eternity. It wasn't just because she missed her but because she literally felt that there was something terribly wrong. This treacherous feeling had sat upon her chest and she was unable to shake it off. The feeling started about midday yesterday, and small whispers like the wind were taking over her mind. Telling her that Hermione was hurt. Hermione needed her. Go. Go. Go.
Lily tried to reason with herself and calm down but her mind wouldn't be sated. She called the Silver household 5 times in the last day. Mr. Silver had been kind and told her that Hermione went to visit relatives but Lily knew the man long enough to know that something was off. Hermione would never go this long without calling. Never. But it wasn't just her mind that was nervous. Her magic felt dull and wilted, almost like a depression.
Lily pulls at the ends of her hair and considers going to Severus' house to vent but remembered that his father was home. So that wasn't a viable option. Standing abruptly she begins to pace.
Lily felt like stomping her heels in annoyance. She hated problems that felt unsolvable. Hermione lived for that nonsense but Lily liked the instant gratification of understanding and solving a problem quickly.
Bringing her mind back to an unsolvable mystery that had plagued her for 5 years now.
The strange connection she had with Hermione Silver. Thinking back to the first day they met, Lily never told Hermione this but it was Lily's magic that pulled her to intervene. It was her magic that told her "protect that girl". It was her magic that claimed Hermione as a missing piece in Lily's life. At six, Lily had no idea how to articulate that. But now, at 10, Lily understood in her heart that there was something deeper happening.
So what does that mean? Magic begets magic so unless they were secretly related the only way they could share a magical bond would be if Hermione were magical.
But she wasn't, right? Lily needed more books. She couldn't let this be unsolvable. Lily let out a huff of exasperation and began to walk towards the bright green house phone in the Evan's living room. It wouldn't hurt to call one more time. Just as she reaches her hand out to grab the phone a voice startles her.
"Leave the man alone, Lily," Petunia speaks up dryly. "Annoying him won't bring her here any faster."
Lily felt that ache in her chest again
"Something wrong with her Tuney." She looks to her sister in defiance but moves away from the phone to sit on a near by chair.
Petunia follows behind clutching a book to her chest. " What do you mean?"
Lily shakes her head. Severus was always telling her not to talk about magic with non-magical people. "I gave you a pass with Hermione but no more." He would drawl.
Petunia moves to stand behind Lily and places the book she had on Lily's lap. Intermediate Magical Theory: For the Curious. Lily's eyes widen. "Where did you get that?"
Petunia shrugs. " You and Hermione just leave these books all over your room." She scoffs. "If I didn't know that the two of you were geniuses, I would think that you were lazy slobs."
Lily gives a small laugh. "It is organized chaos." Her eyes meet the book. "Did you read it?"
Petunia doesn't answer but begins to braid Lily's hair.
Lily sighs lightly at the sensation. The two sisters hadn't sat together since the park incident. Lily always had either Severus and/or Hermione to keep her company. She assumed Petunia would come near her when she was ready and she wasn't proven wrong.
"Do you hate me Tuney?" Lily's voice shakes. No matter how much she tried to act like it didn't hurt that her sister called her a freak, the truth was always there.
Petunia continues braiding silently. She loved her sister. She did. And she loved that book. Magic was fascinating but polarizing. She was going to lose her sister to it one day. That felt clear and it felt certain.
"I could never." She says simply. Lily nods. Nothing more had to be said. Their relationship may not be what it was but they were still sisters.
"So what happened to your troublemaking wife?"
Lily rolls her eyes at the wife comment. "Do you believe in soul mates?"
"Not necessarily"
"When Hermione first met me she called me her soul mate."
Petunia nods remembering the story.
Lily turns her head to look her sister in the eye.
"I never said this out loud but my magic pulled me to her." Lily rubs her palms against her thighs. " I can feel her panic, I can sense when she is upset. Usually it is a dull ache but yesterday I felt pain." She stresses.
Petunia takes in what her sister was saying. Magical bonds and what not. Petunia knew nothing on the subject and that made her feel useless.
"You think you two are soul mates?" She asks slowly.
"I don't know." Lily shakes her head as if that will organize her thoughts. "We have some sort of bond, I think."
The girls sit in silence.
"Do you think she feels this too?" Lily asks timidly. "I know she doesn't have magic but do you think she feels it?"
"The magic stuff I am uncertain about." Petunia states tonelessly. "But what I do know-" She pauses and takes a deep breath.
"I remember when the two of you would read The Iliad every day."
Lily raises her eyebrow, unsure of her sister's point.
"What I mean to say is that it is obvious that the two of you share a bond. One I could be jealous of but it is different than our bond as sisters." She points at herself and Lily to emphasize. "I bring up the Iliad because I imagine your bond being like the Helen of Troy mythos. I think that the two of you would start and fight in wars to keep the other safe."
Lily's eyes widen slightly but nods. That ache is her chest agreed with that statement.
Petunia continues, "I don't know if that's a soul mate bond but I know it is something. What ever it is, I bet she feels it too." Petunia reassures her and puts her hand on her sisters. Their eyes meet and they smile. Maybe Petunia could start over with her baby sister.
The phone ringing breaks the two out of their comfortable silence.
Muggle London, Flat of Marius Silver
Hermione sipped at her tea, it felt nice to be home. This weekend had been an information overload. She felt like her brain had been given a crash course in magic. James had been more than happy to tell her about everything and anything. Even though it had been his birthday, he spent the entire day introducing her to his favorite parts of magic. Which meant a lot of toys and prank items that he got at some store called Zonkos, which Hermione now knew to avoid in the future. He even kept to his word and found her a book in the Potter Library about bonds, so that she could learn about House Elves. The amount of books she came home with was enough to make her salivate. But instead she felt anxious about seeing Lily and explaining the whole situation. Luckily, her Aunt Minerva would be coming with her to help fill in the blanks.
Peering over her mug she looked to her Aunt Dorea, she was speaking quietly to her father who looked strangely stoic. She found this foreign look on her father unsettling.
"Everything ok, papa?" She speaks up.
Marius and Dorea look over at her shocked as if they had forgotten she was there. Dorea's eyes look slightly watery and she struggles to speak. Marius places a hand on his sister's shoulder and smiles at Hermione.
"Everything is okay love." He looks to Dorea. "There's been a death in the family."
Hermione gasps and puts down her tea. She strides quickly over to her Aunt and gathers her into a hug.
"It is no one you know," Marius answers her unasked question. Hermione nods.
"You are such a sweet girl, Hermione." Dorea smiles fondly. "I am sorry for crying all over you."
"I love you Aunt Dorea." Hermione waves her off. "I hope it wasn't a bother having me over while you dealt with this?"
"You are always welcomed." Dorea brushes a curl from Hermione's face. "James is smitten with you, he won't stop talking."
"Is that different from normal?" Hermione tilts her head in thought. Dorea laughs loudly.
"I suppose not." She gets out through laughs.
Hermione looks to her father and hugs him as well. "I miss you, papa" He smiles back at her. "Will you join us next time?" They decided that Hermione would spend every 3rd weekend with the Potter's to further acclimate her to magic.
"I missed you more." He sighs. "I won't promise anything." He scratches that back of his head. "But I do promise that I will be there to see you get on the train to Hogwarts."
Hermione understood her father's hesitation but at the same time, she just wanted her whole family together.
A knock and the jingling of keys alert them to Minerva McGonagall's presence. Hermione squeaks and jumps up, she didn't finish packing for her stay at Lily's house.
"Stall her" Hermione hisses in a whisper to Dorea who gives her the thumbs up. Hermione runs to her room.
Minerva walks towards the siblings in the living room. She strides over to Dorea and places a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I heard about Pollux. I am so sorry for your loss."
Dorea smiles in acknowledgment. "Does Dumbledore know anything about what happened?"
Minerva's mouth forms a straight line. "He doesn't know the full story but he does believe it may be connected to the missing muggleborns."
Dorea cringes that last part should have been said in private, not in front of her hotheaded brother.
Marius gasps. His sister did not mention that part to him. Marius turns a sharp eye to Dorea. "You think Pollux was murdered?" He snarls. "And you still think it is a good idea to let my daughter go gallivanting at Hogwarts?" His voice rises slightly but stays low enough that Hermione can't hear it in the next room.
Dorea squares her shoulders defensively. "Marius, you must know that Hermione is safe with us." He makes a scoffing noise.
"Don't take that tone with me, Marius." She narrows her eyes. "We don't know anything for certain. Charlus is looking into it. Once I had all the facts I was going to bring them to you."
Marius looks to Minerva who nods in agreement. "Marius, calm yourself." Minerva toots.
He slams his hands on the table. "I knew this was a bad idea. She can't go there." He crosses his arms against his chest. "I'm not going to lose my daughter to those maniacs."
Dorea and Minerva gasp. "Marius! They don't even know she exists! No one is after her."
"Yet!" He shouts.
At the franticness of her father's voice Hermione comes running in and looks on with wide eyes. All the adults turn to her but only Minerva can manage a small smile.
"Hermione dear, everything is ok." She strides over to the girl and gives her a small hug. "Say bye to your father and aunt so that we can apparate to your friends house."
Hermione groans at the word apparate but bounces over to her father whose face is still hard. "Bye papa. I will come home afterschool tomorrow." He bends down and kisses her on the forehead. Gathering her into a tight hug he tells her to be safe. "I love you. Call me before bed." She nods still wary of the strangeness in her father's face but doesn't push. She quickly gives her Aunt Dorea a hug and thanks her for everything.
She walks back over to her Aunt Minerva who in turn grabs the girls hand and they apparate away.
As soon as the POP echoes around the apartment, Dorea rounds on her brother.
"You've just been waiting for an excuse, huh?" She sneers. "If you tell that girl that she can't go to the magic world, she will hate you!" Dorea's chest heaves in anger.
He makes a low noise in his throat and walks over to his liquor cabinet, swiftly pouring himself some Brandy.
"I don't want any of this!" He takes a large swig out of his glass. "I just want my daughter to be safe! You should want the same."
"She will be safe!" Dorea walks over and snatches the bottle out of his hands. She places it down on the table hard enough to shake the table. "If you take this away from her. She will hate you."
"May be that is a small price to keep her safe." Marius sighs. If Hermione hated him for keeping her safe then so be it. But at least she would be safe.
"Don't do this" Dorea pleads. Marius snatches the bottle back from his sister.
"Just let me think." He starts. "I have a year until Hogwarts, right?"
Dorea nods.
"Just give me time to think, Dorea." He lets out before taking a prolonged swig straight out of the bottle.
Spinner's End
Hermione had gotten the chance to side along apparate multiple times in the last 3 days but she found she still hated it. Her Aunt Minerva still held her hand and she found herself squeezing back tightly. But was if out of anxiousness or sickness from her trip, she wasn't sure. They apparated a few blocks away from Lily's home, behind an old abandoned house.
"Are you ok?" Her Aunt peered down at her with concern.
"Yes." Hermione bites her lip. "Well, I am actually a little nervous."
Minerva gestures for her to continue.
"Like how do we do this?" She words come out pressured and quick. "Like do I blurt it out? Do I try to channel some magic and show her something?"
"Remember what you said when you first got your magic?" Minerva breaks through Hermione's rant. "Best friends don't keep secrets." The woman smiles at Hermione knowingly. "This is a good thing, child. Do not stress."
They turn the corner onto Lily's street and Hermione feels that welcomed calm. A feeling she always seemed to get when she was close to lily. Her anxiousness seemingly forgotten she begins to speed up to reach the Evan's household faster. Reaching towards the front of the house, the front door is suddenly thrown open and a flash of red hair pounces onto Hermione.
"You're ok? You are ok?" Lily asks over and over into Hermione's hair. "Were you hurt?"
"Very long story." Hermione sighs into her best friends embrace. Warmth spreads to Hermione and she finally feels grounded after her insane weekend. A familiar feeling like coming home. Unbeknownst to the girls a blue circular light begins to glow around the two.
Minerva gasps in shock at the scene. "What did you do?" She asks accusatory and points at the slowly fading blue light.
The girls look at the woman in confusion but look up wide-eyed at the blue light.
"I didn't do that." Lily and Hermione say in unison.
Lily raises an eye at Hermione. "Well duh, you didn't do it, Hermione. You don't have magic."
Hermione can't help but smirk at her best friend who stares back with wide eyes.
"What? You have magic?" Lily yells in a half excited, half confused voice.
Hermione nods slowly. Lily jumps up and down in excitement until McGonagall clears her throat.
"Yes, child we will explain everything after you both tell me how you conjured that light!" Minerva lets out hurriedly.
"Honestly, Aunt Minerva I don't think we did that." Lily nods in agreement.
"Do you know what that light was, Auntie?" Hermione looks at her Aunt curiously.
Minerva knew that light very well. Blue circular lights around two people meant bond acknowledgment. Minerva had no idea what kind of bond it was but she knew that she was not going to explain this to two ten-year-olds.
"Did either of you make some sort of vow to one another?" Minerva once again lets out her best accusatory tone. Someone needed to fess up because neither of these girls she has the magical understanding to create any sort of bond.
"I don't think so" Lily pipes in with her finger to her chin. " But my magic has always pulled me towards Hermione, almost like a bond," Lily says embarrassedly. Minerva gasps at the word bond.
"Is this bad?" Hermione asks nervously. Minerva looks sharply at Lily.
"What do you know about bonds?"
"Not much, ma'am." Lily answers. She wasn't sure how to take in this situation. Now that Hermione had magic that could very well mean that their magic was tied to one another. That thought scared and excited Lily.
"Why were you so worried about me when you first saw me, Lils?" Hermione breaks the silence.
Lily huffs. "Well first, you haven't called me all weekend." Hermione lets out a small oops. "Second, yesterday I felt this aching pain in my chest. I felt like you were in danger." She pauses. "Were you?"
Hermione's eyes widen. "I got knocked out by a broomstick." Lily looks at her in confusion at the word broomstick.
Minerva gasps. "And you felt that she was in pain?"
Lily nods in shock. So she really did feel that. She wasn't going crazy.
"Do you get that aching feeling as well, Hermione?"
"I'm not sure. I know I feel anxious when I go too long without seeing her. But I figured that was normal." Hermione looks over at Lily who is staring at the pavement.
"So what does this mean, Aunt Minerva?"
This answers so many questions for Minerva, like how Lily was able to calm Hermione's panic attack when they first met. But that doesn't explain the bond itself. How could they have an established bond if neither made any promise or vow to the other? Trouble seemed to always follow Hermione and for the first time McGonagall felt nervous about Hermione coming to Hogwarts.
"I'm sure it's fine girls." She gives a tight smile. "Maybe it is just a testament to how close you are." Minerva walks past them and into the house. "Come on you two. Hermione wanted me to explain the situation with her magic to you and I do not have all day." She throws out over her shoulder.
Both girls look at the older woman in disbelief.
"Do you buy that?" Lily raises a light strawberry brow.
"Not for a second." Hermione scoffs. "But if she won't tell us. We will just have to figure it out on our own."
"You have a theory?" Lily asks.
"Maybe. But I'd like to reference this book I have first." Hermione states remember the book that James let her borrow from the Potter Library. "Do you?"
"I think this bond has always been there. I think that because you are now aware of your magic that it was able to do that blue circle light thing." Lily says thoughtfully.
Hermione laughs. "Blue circle light thingy?"
Lily finds herself grinning. "Well, no matter how it happens. I am glad that you have magic." Lily grabs Hermione's hand and squeezes.
"Me too Lils, I have so much to tell you." Hermione squeezes back. "Severus is going to burst."
"And I will have a front row seat." Lily cackles. She could hear their friend sneering already. "I bet you stole that magic Hermione, you hooligan!" Lily scolds Hermione in her best Severus impression.
The two girls break out into laughter and quickly make their way to the awaiting Minvera Mcgonagall.
Department of Magical Law Enforcement - Office of Charlus Potter, Deputy Head Auror.
Charlus Potter stares at the stack of papers in front of him. He called upon everyone he could think of the get some insight into the death of Pollux Black but was constantly shut down. It was like everyone was afraid to speak on it. The papers all read 'cause of death not determined'. The home had no sign of forced entry, no struggle to be seen. If Pollux was attacked he would have put up a hell of a fight. As an expert duelist, he was no slouch. So either he did die naturally or his attacker was someone he knew.
Sighing Charlus looks over at his floo longingly. He hated breaking promises to anyone especially to Dorea but the whole investigation seemed bust. Just as Charlus considers packing up, the sound of a cane hitting marble floor put him on guard.
The door to his office blows open as the alabaster face of Abraxas Malfoy appears in his doorway. Without waiting for Charlus to invite him in, Abraxas struts his way towards Charlus' desk eyeing up the mess of stacked papers.
"Hello, Abraxas good to see you too." Charlus lets out in a flippant manner.
"Wish I could say the same." He drawls.
Charlus sighs. "Meaning?"
"I'm hear to issue an official warning" He grins.
Charlus' face wrinkles in anger. "You mean you came here to threaten the Head Auror, a crime that is punishable by an overnight stay in Azkaban."
Abraxas holds up his hands. "No threats. Just a warning."
Charlus grunts.
"The death of Pollux Black was of natural causes but I hear that you are investigating it," Abraxas says lightly. "For what purpose?"
"I don't have to explain the happenings of my office to you." Charles rubs at the growing scruff around his chin. Maybe it was time to retire; he was getting to old for this nonsense.
"Very well." Abraxas shifts his cane slightly. "I thought we could be civil about this but I guess not." He gives a cruel laugh. "Close the case."
Charlus raises an eyebrow as if to say, "Are you shitting me?"
"I'm sure you've heard rumors about an uprising of those unhappy with the current state of the Wizarding World." Abraxas walks over to Charlus' desk and snatches up the photo on his desk. The photo was of Dorea, Charlus, James and Hermione that was taken on James' birthday yesterday.
"Lovely photo. Did you know that Dorea was once betrothed to me before she ran off with a blood traitor?" He looks pointedly at Charlus who smirked in reply.
Abraxas' thumb moves around the photo until it hits Hermione's face. "This rumored uprising has its eyes set on eradicating the dirty blood out of the Wizarding World."
Charlus tries not to react.
"Adoption records are public, you understand that right, Auror Potter?" He sneers.
Charlus stands quickly wand in hand. "What do you want Abraxas?"
"Simply close the case." He shrugs. "Your dirty little secret is safe with me." He emphasizes the word dirty.
"I don't take kindly to threats, Malfoy." Charlus snarls.
"I know." Abraxas smiles. "But you will heed me." He takes out a file from inside he robes. Hermione's adoption papers. "I am the only one who knows." He shrugs. "For now."
Charlus says nothing but keeps his wand trained on Malfoy.
"There's still time to switch sides, Potter." Malfoy start. "I happen to believe Blood Traitors can be reeducated." He smiles cruelly.
"Sides? You make it sound like we are at war." Charlus' face scrunches in confusion. "This isn't war, Malfoy."
Abraxas smirks. "Not yet." He turns his back to Charlus, robes bellowing out behind him. "Close the case. This is your only warning."
Charlus' mouth opens in disbelief. What in the world was going on?
A/N Hermione may not remember making a vow but I do.
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