-=The End of Winter has come for JKR's Harry Potter Book Series, But it will always be Spring in Fanfiction.=-

A Talent for Death

Heart to Heart


A fire glowed in the hearth, "I'm going to go to the Floo Network Authority to see about getting this fireplace connected. I'm not really sure what it entails but since I've decided to take the apprenticeship at Hogwarts I figure why not. And then I can Floo you, I'm pretty sure you can't floo me but I'll check to be sure."

"Sounds good dear. Your move." Mr. Granger watch Hermione select a piece and move it into position. He looked over his shoulder to see if his wife was around. "Hermione dear tell me, have you found anyone you'd think about settling down with?"

Hermione looked rather puzzled. "Settle down with? Dad what are you talking about? Your move."

Mr. Ganger quickly considered his options and moved the pawn. "You look, well to put it bluntly. It looks like you're in love dear. Your Mum didn't want me to say anything, I know you're responsible but I still like to know what's going on in your life. You'll always be my little girl."

"Dad that's sweet. There are things going on in the Wizarding world and I know you and Mum have been reading the Daily Prophet. The fact I'm a Muggleborn puts me at risk, I know that and I'm willing to accept that. It's not something I could drag someone else into in good conscience, let alone start a family or anything. When I'm not here I place extra protections on the house and cars. For the rest of it there is someone who occupies a good deal of my thoughts, but I'm not ready to do anything about it yet." She smiled tentatively.

"So, tell us more." Mr. Granger gave his daughter a knowing look. It is Professor Snape, I knew it.

"He's brilliant actually but I don't like his friends and he doesn't like mine, so that kind of complicates things." Hermione breathed making her move.

"Some kind of Romeo and Juliet?" Daddy laughed.

"Stop, no. It's nothing at all like that. That's a positively dreadful story. I mean look, if those two idiots had just ran away from Verona they'd have a bunch of kids and started their own empire." Hermione was peeved. "Romeo and Juliet isn't romantic it's," she waved a hand in the air. "Stupid. Little gits with more hormones than brains."

Mr. Granger laughed heartily. "Sometimes I wonder if your too pragmatic for your own good. I hope you do fall in love with someone you can really relate to, not just the man of the moment."

"I'm glad we had this talk dad, I've got some things to think about right now. Do you mind terribly if I concede defeat." He smiles indulgently at his daughter. "Thanks, love you. I'm taking the scooter out for a spin." Hermione kissed her dad on the cheek and grabbed her coat and gloves.

At least it was only cold and not snowing. She put her helmet on and left. Hermione buzzed to a stop at a coffee and tea shop.

After getting her coffee she sat in the back and pulled out a pocket size notebook. Opening to the first page, she scanned the ranks. Each name and or note was written in Ancient Runes. Several of the names had been crossed out. As she received information on the targets she entered it next to the appropriate name. Some of the bigger players might be easier to ambush near their homes or social engagements. The problem is that the later was less predictable. Ambushing them at their homes put her at a disadvantage. If they have wards that removed them to a safe location, in which case they would have seen her and would be able to communicate freely. Taking out big players would make a greater immediate impact, unlike the small fry she'd been taking out. The inner circle would be much more difficult to get close to, and a greater challenge to kill. To get to the inner circle she almost certainly needed Severus. Unless she made herself enough of a nuisance that they were compelled to find her. That might sound like fun but she'd need to leave a trail. If she left something that identified her accidentally on purpose.

For now it was too big of a jump to go for key players.

AN/ Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to review, you make my heart swell. There will be more action in the near future, hold on to your hats. Varity Sinning