Hermione lamented the fact she could once write for hours on end without needing to soak her hand in murtlap essence. This was no longer true, unfortunately, and this was the third time she balanced her wrist on the bowl and let her fingers submerge in the soothing goo.
She had taken it upon herself to write out accounts of the Malfoy's financial endeavors while a Copy-Quick Quill wrote out certain points from each of the Malfoy trials from over two years ago. She had to mark them, but she was a much faster reader than writer, and that was saying something.
Narcissa had contributed to more than just W.A.G. in the time between the sentencing and to now. Ulterior motive or not, she chose all the right organizations. War orphans, Muggleborn reparation, public property reconstruction. Most had her as an 'absent board member' in return for her galleons, but she was also in correspondence with most of the active members.
Lucius was also considered to be a contributor, though his folder of accomplishments otherwise was slim. However, since it came out of a Gringott's account they both had access to, one could consider that a point in his favor. Somehow.
Honestly, she had never thought she would be petitioning in Lucius Malfoy's favor. Sometimes she had wondered if it was right to end their house arrest early. The problem was, it really was the lightest sentence they could give other than probation on leaving the country. If they were such judged to be such a danger, why not have them in Azkaban?
Clearly this was simply a bid to appease the public. But Hermione did not shirk from any challenge, and she would leave them without a doubt that she could hold her own.
Not too far from the table she wrote on were several small invitation. Narcissa had arranged that tea with Sofia and invited her. The other was from Blaise, though if she hadn't received one she would have seen it in today's Daily Prophet splashed over the fourth page.
She had sent a gracious thank you and that she would be attending to both this morning, despite the continuing ache in her fingers.
Hermione had already spoken with Ginny yesterday and was updated on everything she knew. It was both a relief and painful that Ron had went to visit his brother. Irritating about the tales of the Ministry, but nothing she hadn't suspected since the meeting with Kingsley.
She had waved off Ginny's pursuit on finding out who else had helped write those unpleasant allegations. If it wasn't Rita Skeeter it was Parvati, if it wasn't Parvati, another intrepid gossiphound would follow them. Did their names or particularly vitriolic tongues matter?
Parvati had nothing on Skeeter, even with a secretive little sneak.
But Ginny had that glint in her eye, the one that said she'd find out who thought of last year's rumour that she made Harry Polyjuice into Gwenog Jones in bed. And the random snarky comment thrown in such as 'not a fan of riding brooms, much like Ginny Potter' or the classic 'Harpies Orgy weekend' when the team had gone to Switzerland for team building exercises.
Hermione sometimes wondered if it was actually someone on the Harpies team that angered the second writer so, Ginny was not the only team member mentioned regularly. Still, she had given her blessings to Ginny and Lavender to snoop to their heart's delight, but she had all this paperwork on top of her regular work to handle.
She wasn't sure how Lavender was involved, Ginny hadn't mentioned anything on that account.
Speaking of the Malfoys, she had not received one Owl from Draco. Should she expect one? They just saw each other yesterday. Unfortunately Hermione had never dated outside of school, at least someone she hadn't lived with while wrangling that shift from two people to one couple.
Should she Owl him instead? What was the protocol, was there one? Did he have one that was different from regular? All the questions made her rub her temple.
Hermione had assumed she would see him tonight either way, he wouldn't turn down Blaise's invitation. She'd invite him to go with her, but it was very public and Ginny had made a very good, worrisome point - Hermione regularly checked herself for tracking spells, but did Draco?
Blaise stood with hands on his hips, watching the witches and wizards settling up their stalls and carts. The vendors were busily setting up and merchandise followed them in boxes and crates, bumping the curious bystanders all over the place.
He had made sure to set up far enough from the Leaky Cauldron and all other busy locations that it wouldn't create a path blockage. Still, it was close enough that those shoppers could see what was happening down the long main street and get curious.
"It's all coming together nicely." Luna had arrived early for some reason, and stopped to say hello.
Blaise gave her an askance look, mostly because she was wearing a modified version of her roaring lion head, except it was now a howling wolf head atop of hers. "Thank you."
"You're quite a good planner. I have a hard time remembering which correspondent isn't allowed in which country."
"Err, how do you get banned from a country?"
"It's very easy, unfortunately. For example, I'm not allowed back in Denmark." She spoke with such a matter-of-fact serenity as she watched the vendors.
Blaise coughed, wanting to ask desperately. He wasn't sure he should.
"It wasn't my fault. The Minister there had a Vittra following him around trying to make him have accidents.. I tried being helpful by yelling 'Look Out!' every time he sat or went to the loo, to appease the Vittra you know, but neither appreciated it."
Blaise sent a sideways glance her way again, taking in the life-sized wolf head and necklace made of dried beef. He hoped it was beef, anyway. "Is that smeared with Marmite?" He pointed at the meat.
"Oh yes, to keep away the Nargles away. They stole my earrings, so I had to use Marmite."
"Right... Well, I better go...do things." Blaise pointed to the extra hired people arriving, and quickly walked away.
Luna waved after him. "Good luck!"
Ginny sat at Lavender's kitchen table, peering intently at the table with a pair of Omnioculars held to her face.
She wasn't watching the table, she had rewound to yesterday and was gradually turning up the speed.
Lavender was just climbing out of the bath, she could hear. The other witch had taken some convincing to let Ginny help her prepare for the night, but she gave in eventually.
Ginny had plenty of practice on Hermione, but admittedly never thought she'd be convincing Lavender to participate in the time honored tradition of pampering one's self before an event.
The Omnioculars was another altered item that she had borrowed from Harry. Impervious to weather and wind, it would record wherever it was pointed at for nearly an entire day.
"Tell me why we're still watching Tracey Davis?" Lavender asked as she dried her hair with her wand, pouring herself a cup of tea. She hadn't changed yet, she was still wearing a bathing robe as she took a seat.
"Umm." Ginny still had the eyeholes pressed snugly to her face. "Hermione had mentioned yesterday that it wasn't personal, the whole team of Holyhead Harpies get written up a lot. I realized that was true, but also that one person in particular was mocked more often than not."
"Who?"
"Sadie Baldock. She's been on the reserve team since last year, and the more I thought about it the more I remembered about her."
"She's a Slytherin?"
"Well...yes, but not that. She was in my year, so." She smiled eagerly at Lavender, until the other girl smiled in fond exasperation.
"What did you remember then?"
"I'm glad you asked! She used to date Tracey!"
Lavender didn't seem quite as excited, though she clearly caught the implications. "You think Tracey was lying then?"
"She must be!" Ginny resumed staring into the lens. "Sadie's been ridden mercilessly in Whispers on the regular, which is also a term they used to describe her role on the team. I don't know why I hadn't thought of it before! That tricky bint, acting so confused at our questions."
Lavender finished drying her hair and went to fetch her brush.
"She hasn't left the house by the door once, she probably uses the Floo. I was hoping I could catch a visitor coming by though. I'd ask Percy to let me peek at the records, but he's such a stickler for the rules. I'd probably have to fill out ten applications and sign a confidentiality agreement-" Ginny looked around in startlement at being alone.
"I'm listening!"
"Wait, I said I would help!" She put down the bulky item and went to find her.
Lavender sat in front of a chipped vanity desk and delicate chair, smoothing down her hair with a brush.
"Why don't we wear it up tonight?" Ginny gently took the brush, running the soft bristles over Lavender's scalp and down to the tips of her hair.
"I don't know." She frowned at her reflection, the plain mirror only mimicking her actions.
Hermione used to say that Lavender and her mirror would chat for what felt like hours about getting ready for the day.
"People are going to stare anyway," she said gently, hoping it wouldn't be taken too badly. She continued to run the brush through the blonde hair, sliding it back from her forehead with the fingers of her free hand. "You might as well feel good about you."
Lavender's shoulders slumped. "I used to love this part of going out."
"You still can, it'll just take time."
"I'm ugly, Ginny. Time won't change that."
She found herself biting her lip, tears stinging at the bald statement. Lavender may have several scars on her lower face, but she wasn't ugly. If only the Gryffindor had had a Fleur around to admire the signs of her bravery! She squared her shoulders. "I hope you'll see how wrong you are in time," she said firmly.
Lavender looked up at Ginny's reflection in the mirror in surprise. She opened her mouth, closed it, and then nodded slowly as something softer and plaintive touched her features. "Perhaps...I'll wear my hair up."
Ginny smiled as she reached for a gorgeous barrette with champagne pearls and ivory flowers. In time, in time.
Author's Notes:
Let's see, we had Hermione, Blaise and Ginny. Next up, Draco and Lavender for sure! That's the funny thing about side characters, they keep doing stuff and I keep following them cause it's so dang interesting to me :D The next chapter is going to be a behemoth, I think.
So yeah, 400 Followers! What! And almost 200 reviews, wow. I'm continually tickled pink that others are enjoying this. You fantastic lot make me happy.
BTW I forgot to cross-post a bit of my author's notes from Her Hunger, and shall do so below!
You know, I was reading and enjoying social media when I saw that a really popular author put down fanfiction super harshly. It kinda made me sad, you know? We adore their world. I know I'd be flattered by the love someone had for my work.
Anywho, I know it's silly but I wanted to say if anyone wants to use any random detail used in my fanfics, I think that would be dandy. While I would love a mention that they came from Erosandpsyche, it's not necessary AT ALL. But if you let me know about it, I'll mention your work, cause sharing is caring! :D
Here's an easy copy and paste for what I can remember offhand! (EDIT: Added in extra stuff at bottom, will add entire list to About Author soon)
Floating Carafe - in Diagon Alley. Menu items with bottomless carafes
Be-Easy Latte - with Calming Draught
Perk-You-Up Coffee - with Pepper Up
? coffee - Cheering Cordial
The Lonely Siren - a travelling inn at the end of Hogsmeade. It has rooms by the HOUR teehee, and warm Butterbeer.
The White Rabbit - random pub in Diagon Alley.
Alcohols - Pepperum, Silver Jinx tequila (ingredient in Unicorn's Blood)
The Performing Patronuses - actors/travelling troupe
Lord Strange - a saucy play that was banned at one point in the 1700's! Involves a witch placing a broom under her skirt (ahem) and the wizards cast spells from the hip, if you know what I mean XD