"The vote is tomorrow, but it looks positive. After the Stillwater scandal no one wants to appear apathetic in this issue. At this rate, by the end of the week, it will be illegal to fire someone because they are a Creature." Hermione beamed at Evans.
"That's great news" Evans hadn't understood most of what Hermione had been campaigning for, but he did understand that the passing of this bill would make life easier for everyone in Knockturn Alley.
Hermione opened her mouth only to be cut off by Evans's apartment door banging open and a grinning Marcus Flint swooping into the apartment.
Marcus was wearing his work uniform from the second hand shop. Under one arm, he had a box of books which he handed to Hermione rather than Evans.
"I see you really appreciated my gift," he quipped at Evans.
"They found a better home."
"So I heard, congratulations lobbyist Granger. You've been making waves in the Creature community with your outspoken criticism of the Ministry."
Marcus flopped himself on the opposite side of the couch as Hermione. He toed of his shoes and flung his feet up onto Hermione's lap. Evans hid a grin behind his palm when Hermione batted Marcus' feet down without pausing in the legal jargon she was reading over.
"Come on sweet thing, I've had a long day at work. Just a little toe rub for the bread winner?"
Hermione flicked her wand at Marcus and sent him jumping from the coach with a stinging charm, "Don't 'sweat thing' me."
"I like you Granger" Marcus flopped back down onto the couch, "You're a real firecracker."
"Lunch is almost ready," Evans cut in, "Today is Grilled Chimera with a Fresh Nectarine Salsa".
Hermione organize and put away her documents while Marcus got up and set the table for the three of them. "Are you staying the night," Evans asked Marcus.
Marcus looked over at Hermione. Doubt cross over his face.
Hermione managed to catch the look as she was turning to put the legal books back on the shelf. "Don't mind me Flint, I'm heading over to Abraxas Malfoy's manor for a brief meeting before I go to dinner at the Weasley house".
Marcus raised a skeptical eyebrow at Hermione. Vampires don't meet during the day. That was a hard and fast rule. Someone as powerful as Abraxas Malfoy agreeing to meet during the day meant a great deal.
"Are you just going to walk over there yourself?" Marcus swept his eyes over the firecracker witch with wild hair and fierce eyes. Granted he would never jump her in an Alley but a vampire or a hag might.
"Yes of course. I don't need an escort" Hermione challenged.
For the rest of the meal, Hermione and Marcus bantered about feminism in Knockturn while Evans sat patiently and listened. Despite both their best efforts, Evans tactfully avoided getting involved.
After lunch, Evans got ready for work at the pub, Marcus cleaned up the dishes and Hermione packed up her things and left for her meeting with a vampire.
Hermione grabbed her pastel coloured summer cloak from the brass cloak hanger by the door and swung it over her shoulder. "I'll see you tomorrow then, Harry?"
"Evans" Evans corrected absentmindedly, "yes, I promised you earlier that I would be at the press release after the vote."
"Good, Ron is coming too by the way. Wear something nice,"
Evans poked his head out of his room. He was half changed into his work uniform. "I don't have anything nice" his voice had an edge of panic to it.
"Boys, honestly. Did Abraxas not give you those dress robes you stuffed to the bottom of your trunk."
Evans grinned sheepishly, "...yes"
"Good then wear the green ones tomorrow and do something with your hair. It looks like a birds nest."
"Your one to talk" Marcus quipped good naturally. He ducked to avoid the stingily hex Hermione flicked his way.
"Well I'm off. Owl me if you need anything else." Hermione shut the door firmly behind her and trotted off down the hall.
Hermione didn't know Knockturn Alley that well, so she had to regularly stop and ask hags for directions. Some were a bit iffy, and all of them looked positively putrid, but most were friendly and helpful. It took longer than she would have liked, but Hermione still managed to make it to Abraxas' manor on time.
When she reached the large ornate doors, she raised her hand to knock but it swung open as she raised her hand.
Standing in the doorway was none other than Tom Riddle. He looked nearly identical to the image Hermione had seen in Evans's mind during their Occlumency lessons, only Tom wasn't wearing school robes and he had an ugly black eye.
Tom Riddle bit nervously at his lip and waved haphazardly at the sitting room door behind him. "You can come in. Abraxas told me to wake him when you got here."
Hermione stood stalk still, mouth hanging open like a fish. She felt like her brain had just short circuited. In fact, she was certain her eyes had turned the same alarming blue screen of death colour that her father computer sometime went.
"Or you can just stand there staring at me. That's fine, I get it all the time." Tom grinned easily at Hermione, but he still bit at his lip when Hermione didn't respond. "Are you deaf?" angry was starting to leach into his voice.
Angry villains Hermione could deal with. It was the self conscious ones she couldn't handle.
"Of course I can hear you, don't be daft." She marched in past Tom. With as much grace as she could muster, she flicked her cloak off with a bust of pure magic and had it float over to the cloak hanger.
Tom looked suitably impressed.
"This way, shall I prepare tea or coffee on." Coffee was said with unmistakable disdain.
"Tea will do. Earl Grey if you have it."
Tom gave a well practiced shallow bow and slid back out of the sitting room where he left Hermione.
Hermione felt out of her depth. Tom Riddle was back and living with the most powerful vampire in Knockturn Alley, who was a Malfoy no less. Things likely couldn't get any worse. Hermione could hear their mother's voice in the back of head telling her this was far too dangerous. She needed to get out now and… and tell… someone. Possible Dumbledore. Yes, definitely Dumbledore. The headmaster would know what to do or could at least come up with a plan. It would be plain suicide to stay.
Unfortunately, by the time Hermione came to that conclusion, Tom Riddle was back with a tray of tea floating behind him.
"Abraxas will be down shortly. I prepared a light tea." With a flick of his wrist, the tray settled itself on the table between them. A three tiered golden tray was loaded with finger sandwiches and sweats. The unmistakable aroma of fresh Earl Grey, perfectly steeped came wafting from the pot.
Hermione smiled at the blatant show of power. Two could play at that game, "Shall I serve us then?"
"Please" He challange.
Hermione tapped her finger on the arm her seat. Two streams of tea snaked out of the tea pot spot and slithered their way through the air to the tea cups. Without spilling a drop both tea cups were filled. "Milk or lemon?"
"Milk and honey if you would" Tom's eyes gleamed as he watched Hermione tap on her chair again. Honey and Milk floated over to Tom's cup and stirred himself in. Then the tea cup and saucer floated right into Tom's waiting hands.
"You are a marvelous witch Hermione Granger"
"Why thank you Tom Riddle"
Tom frowned, "I never told you my name."
"Nor did I. It was rather rude not to introduce yourself when you first opened the door by the way." Hermione could see the look of perplexity hidden behind Tom's aristocratic mask of indifference. He looked her up and down like a particularly challenging puzzle. Part of Hermione wanted to tell Tom how she knew of him. But it was so fun to watch him wonder so instead she sipped her tea and enjoyed the power game.
"My apologies" Tom sipped his tea slowly, his eyes remained trained on the witch opposite him
Hermione shot a smug smirk back before she schooled her features.
The study door swung open as a sleepy looking Abraxas Malfoy shuffled in. He covered his hand as he yawned. Hermione caught a glimpse of the massive fangs Abraxas sported before the vampire reshealth them.
Abraxas poured himself tea manual and grabbed a small plate of food. "So Ms. Granger, I understand you plan on re-writing the current legislation."
Hermione blushed at the thought of such a lofty goal, "Well I want to make a difference".
"We of the Alley appreciate it." Abraxas nodded. He sat himself down on the couch and flung his feet up onto Tom's lap. Tom was about to flick them back off Abraxas cleared his throat and smiled at Tom as if to say 'my coach, my rules.' Recluncely, Tom settled his hands on Abraxas' ankles.
"So, Ms. Granger, what brings you here?"
"I'm starting to work towards changing the search warrant process. I noticed that there are different standards for Witch/wizard search warrants and Creature search warrant. You have the highest number of annual search warrants against you. I thought you might have dealt with the ministry before and have some knowledge you could share with me."
Tom was impressed with the calm cool way Hermione pitched her purpose. Where a muggleborn got such confidence was beyond Tom.
"I would certainly appreciate some revisions to the search warrant processes. It does get tiring to clean up after aurors every week."
Abraxas got up from his place at the couch and wandered over to the small library of books in the sitting room. "I have a few books…" Abraxas pulled out three slim books and handed them to Hermione. "Just a moment. I have a few more upstairs." Abraxas handed Tom his tea and fluttered out of the room.
"That's strange" Hermione muttered. When Hermione looked up to watch Abraxas leave the room, she realized that the fire was out. It had been lit before. Most magical families leave their fires lit all the time in case they receive a fire call or someone wants to floo through.
Tom tracked Hermione's glance, "yes it is. That fireplace is self lighting. It shouldn't ever go out."
"Maybe the charms need updating."
"...maybe" Tom didn't sound like he believed that at all "We should go up to the library and find Abraxas just in case." Tom flicked his wrist and his wand sprang into his hand. He kept it half raised as he lead the way upstairs.
Hermione felts silly pulling her wand out, but it seemed like a good precaution if only to defend herself against the mass murdering wizard currently leading her deeper into a vampire's house.
"Abraxas?" Tom called. The house was silent which might have been normal enough if it wasn't for the fact that Abraxas was suppose to be looking through books. Certainly there would be some noise from his movements?
"Abraxas? The fireplace is -" Tom came to an abrupt stop when they passed the study. The fire was out there too. "Fuck" He hissed quietly "Mctavish and his gang are back" Tom whispered to Hermione.
"Mctavish?"
"The head Auror of the Creature division"
Hermione got the opinion that this Mctavish person acted more like a mob boss and less like a government official.
"What do we do?" Hermione asked.
Tom floundered helpless in place. He took a step further towards the library but then paused. Hermione could only guess what was going on in Tom's mind.
"What will they do to Abraxas?" Hermione prompted.
Tom didn't have to answer. A blood curtailing scream came from above them. Tom looked horrified at the roof above.
Hermione didn't think twice. She took the stairs two at a time, running as fast as she could towards the library.
"Expelliarmus! Accio Abraxas" Hermione caught Mctavishes wand and stepped over the badly burnt Abraxas. She stood in front of his crumpled form protectively, Her wand stayed trained on the head Auror. "What. gentlemen, is the meaning of this?"
Mctavish didn't look the least bit fazed at having his wand ripped out of his hand or being caught by a witch. He sneered at Hermione, "We are searching the premises. You are not legally allowed to be here unless you are a resident." Mctavish stepped forward, menacingly glaring Hermione down.
"There is nothing even remotely legal about this search, sir. As was outlined in the 1874 Fisgard Laws. Searches of a premises where the primary home owner is a vampire must happen between twilight and dawn. As you can clear see, it's the middle of the day." Hermione indicated the open window for added effect.
Mctavish looked at the fierce teenage witch with her wand in one hand and a law book clutched in the other. She looked mad enough to strike him, whether it was with her wand or the book remained to be seen.
"You don't get to play lawyer here, girly."
Mactavish took another step toward so he towered over the witch.
The tip of her wand pressed into his chest, "Do not 'girly' me you insipid old man, your malfeasance will not go uncontended."
"Good lord woman," Tom gasped as he came into the room.
"You see, this little wizard understands. You have no rights here. Even if we are hauled into court it's the head auror against a trouble maker vampire, a mudblood and whatever thing that is." Mctavish vaguely gestured to Tom. "Who do you think will win?"
"I'm willing to find out." Hermione bit out.
Mactavish took another look at the wild hair and feral glare of a witch crossed one too many times. She was a child really, but there was something about her that made Mctavish take half a step back.
"The door, gentlemen, is that way" Hermione motioned to the door, "Allow me to see you out."
Mctavish looked around the room. He had only brought two other aurors with him and both were frankly useless in a fight. The witch and the wizard were clearly powerful. Abraxas might not put up much of a fight, but the other two looked like they'd fight to the death.
Not to mention the witch still had his wand.
"Very well."
Hermione kept her wand raised as she saw the three aurors down the hall and out of the property.
"My wand…" Mctavish prompted when he stepped into the unwashed brick side alley.
"Can be collected at the ministry, Head Auror Mctavish." The witch had the audacity to slam the door in his face.