Chapter Fifty-One
"We're in Scotland?" Stella repeated.
"Yes." Hermione confirmed again carefully, not sure if the other woman was mad at her or not.
"How did we get to Scotland?"
"I created a portkey. It's a magical means of transport over long distances. Normally they're carefully regulated by the particular country's Ministry, and international travel is supposed to only be arranged by the Ministry in conjunction with the Ministry in the arrival country. But as it's almost impossible to trace wandless magic, I doubt either the English or the American Ministries are aware of what I did." The witch explained easily.
"Okay, so the next question would be - why here? Why did we have to go so far away?" The detective continued.
"I wasn't really thinking about the destination, I just needed to be somewhere safe for us to talk. This place has the reputation of being haunted, and only a handful of people know the truth behind that so we're not likely to be interrupted. Plus the front door is sealed so no-one can get in that way, which leaves the only access being the tunnel to the Whomping Willow which is on school grounds." Hermione answered.
"This place is haunted?" Stella asked as she let her eyes wonder round the room once more and consciously took note of the various damage this time.
"No, but it probably sounded haunted at the time. Around twenty years ago one of the students at the school was a werewolf, but only the Headmaster and a few of the other teachers knew that at the time. To ensure the safety of him and the other students, the Headmaster created an access tunnel to this house, which had already been abandoned for years by then. When it was time for the full moon Remus would be brought here for his transformation, and then collected in the morning."
"A werewolf?" Stella asked incredulously.
"Look around you Stella, analyse the scene in front of you. Those aren't cat scratches on the floor and walls." Hermione reasoned and watched as the criminalist stood and did as suggested, walking round the room taking closer looks at the various debris.
"Is Harry -?" For some reason she couldn't identify Stella couldn't finish her question, though she didn't need to.
"No. Harry is an animagus. The two main differences between an animagus and a werewolf is that an animagus has to study how to perform the change and from then on has control of when they change - it's a conscious decision. It only takes one bite to become a werewolf, and they have no control over when they change. It's also far more painful."
Stella looked obviously relieved by this news, and Hermione briefly wondered at this but not for long as Stella was already asking another question.
"What scares you more - the pain coming back, or Mac and Danny's reactions to your wounds?"
Stella had purposely waited until Mia was feeling better again before asking anything about her outburst and by catching her off-guard Stella was rewarded with a candid reaction - to the last part of her question in particular.
"I guess my own reaction didn't help with your confidence, did it?"
Hermione gave a tiny shake of her head.
"It's not as if they can have a whole lot of time to get used to the idea before they do see you either." Stella continued.
"What do I do Stella? I don't want to scare them away!" Mia asked desperately.
"The only thing I can suggest kiddo, is to talk to them." 'But I think I'll have a talk with them first' Stella thought to herself.
The women were interrupted by a sudden creak from the stairs and Hermione instantly went on alert, disillusioning both of them and silently instructing Stella to stay still and quiet as she moved slowly towards the door. The creak had been followed by a whispered hiss that Hermione assumed was someone being 'shushed' and then the door she was standing beside was opened wider.
"Show yourselves immediately!"
The voice was weaker then Hermione remembered, but the authority within it was undiminished.
"Professor McGonagall?"
Hermione released the spell on herself as she identified the voice of the Headmistress and, stepping in front of the door saw Professors Flitwick and Sprout accompanying the former Transfiguration teacher.
"Miss Granger? Dear child!" The aged professor declared as she moved forward, still reliant on the stick she'd used ever since the stunner incident, and amazed her former pupil by pulling her into a brief embrace.
"Miss Granger, what may I ask are you doing here?" The diminutive Charms professor asked, looking a little uncomfortable at the emotional display by his esteemed colleague.
Hermione found herself speechless, her mind unable to come up with a suitable answer and she was just wracking her formidable intelligence for some reasonable excuse when there was a cough from the corner where Stella stood and Hermione released the spell hiding her friend - while keeping an eye on the three newcomers for any signs they might suddenly attack.
"I asked her to bring me here." The tall detective stated as she stepped forward and into view.
"And who are you?" Professor Flitwick asked, though his small voice was drowned out.
"Do you need us to remain Headmistress?" Professor Sprout asked at the same time, knowing how worried the Head of House had been about her former student lately and wanting the two some time to talk - besides, she could always find out everything from Minerva later.
"No, no, you two go on back to the school, I'm sure we'll be following along in a while." McGonagall answered Professor Sprout's question, causing Stella to ignore the one directed at her, and the two professors duly did as asked.
"Now then," the remaining professor began, turning her attention to the mysterious woman with her student, "perhaps you wouldn't mind answering Filius' question?"
"This is a friend of mine, Stella Bonasera. Stella, may I introduce Professor McGonagall, and the other two were Professors Flitwick and Sprout." Hermione introduced.
"You're an American witch Madame Bonasera?" The professor asked curiously.
"Ah, no, I'm a Muggle." Stella informed the other woman. Despite the use of the stick - and the earlier hug - she had the impression of a stern and exacting taskmaster from the other woman and now had a better appreciation for the other teen's reaction to news of George's lecture a few nights ago. An impression not helped as the woman's eyes went wide at the news and she turned to Mia
"A Muggle Miss Granger? In Hogsmead?" The elder woman virtually gasped.
"She's not in Hogsmead, she in the Shrieking Shack. None of the villagers dare come here so I didn't see the harm." Hermione tried explaining, feeling her reclaimed control slipping a bit at the possibility of disappointing her favoured teacher and authority figure.
"If it's a problem we can leave right now." Stella said upon seeing her friend become distressed once more and stepped closer to her offering support.
Seeing Hermione's distress herself, and not wanting her student to disappear before she had some answers the Headmistress softened her tone and returned her attention to Hermione, allowing her to see the worry she had been feeling after receiving news from Kingsley Shacklebolt.
"Of course, not many even know how to get in here, so no-one need know there's a Muggle here. Stay."
It wasn't said with the usual commanding tone, but it wasn't quite a request either and Mia shared a look with Stella before giving a nod. McGonagall conjured a third chair to join the two already in the middle of the room and motioned the other two to sit.
"Let us start again. It is good to see you Miss Granger." McGonagall began as soon as the other two were sitting. "I am so sorry for everything you have been through - what Mr Weasley did was unconscionable, how he could do such a thing to a fellow student - to such a loyal friend - is disgraceful. And then to be attacked by Death Eaters! My dear, how are you doing? I supposed you've heard that Mr Weasley in now in prison, and Miss Weasley is in St Mungo's."
Stella could see that the older woman was genuinely concerned about Mia, but she was looking at her with such pity that Stella wanted to snap at her, but also obvious was Mia's fondness of the woman so the detective held her tongue as her friend answered.
"I'm quite alright Professor, really. And yes, I had heard about Ron and Ginny." Hermione answered, ignoring the familiar look - the same look that was annoying Stella.
"What in Merlin's name were you doing in America in the first place? Not that it matters, you're home now, and we can see about getting things back to normal for you and Harry. Did Mr Potter not come with you?" McGonagall continued.
"Harry was busy starting his new job today." Stella interjected causing Mia to gasp.
"Oh, I completely forgot about that, and I bet he didn't sleep last night either. Do you think he's doing alright?" Hermione asked, feeling guilty for having asked him to watch over Stella and not remembering the importance of today.
"It's okay, I think he managed to get a bit of sleep. And he seemed quite excited when I spoke to him earlier." Stella assured Mia.
"What job is Mr Potter doing?" The Headmistress queried curiously.
"He accepted a position with the Manhattan Auror Division in New York." Hermione informed the teacher.
"New York?" McGonagall exclaimed in disbelief. "Why did he accept that instead of a position here? I'm sure Kingsley would have offered him a position here if he'd asked."
"I thing Kingsley probably did, but Harry decided to stay in New York with me. I'm not actually here to stay, we'll be going back shortly - we just wanted somewhere to talk."
"Surely you won't let what's happened to you drive you away from your home?"
"Um, well, you remember I was asking some time ago about Blood Contracts?" Hermione began uncomfortably. "It seems my mother made one when she was younger, promising me in marriage to her friend's son, and he lives in New York. He has a settled life there and it would be unfair of me to make him move to England when it is so much easier for me to begin a life out there instead."
"You have a Blood Contract? But, I thought that was just your usual inquisitiveness? What kind of man is this wizard?" The shocked professor asked - she'd honestly never wondered at the sudden interest her pupil had shown months ago as there was just so much work to be done repairing and rebuilding after Voldemort's defeat.
"He's not actually a wizard and he is a good and trustworthy man. He works with Stella in the New York Police Department." Hermione explained.
"A Muggle?" Was the other woman's immediate reaction, her tone indiscernible as to whether this was a good or a bad thing.
Stella listened quietly as Mia told of the Contract and silently wondered how much she would explain - or if the matter of Mac would be left to another time, or not at all. Watching the elder woman she was reminded of what Don had told them all outside the pub the first time Stella had met Mia and Harry, and if this professor's reaction was anything to go by Flack had been right when he'd said Hermione was expected to marry a wizard and continue a magical blood line. Thinking of that conversation, Stella felt her concern rise as she wondered if someone would go as far as releasing Hermione from the Contract by killing Danny, leaving her free to marry a wizard as seemed expected. She made a mental note to mention that conversation with Mia once they were alone again.
"Yes, a Muggle. Actually, I think it's been easier that he's non-Magical as, being Muggle-born myself we've been raised in the same world, so we have lots more in common and I can talk more easily with him than I probably would with, say, a Pure-Blood. Even without the Contract I've never seen myself ever marrying a Pure-Blood."
As Hermione spoke the look of pity returned to the professor's face, becoming deeper the more she listened and increasing Stella's annoyance that Danny was another thing that apparently Mia should pitied for. She was amazed that the younger woman was able to ignore the look so well, but then remembered that Harry had said she was used to it by then.
"So you intend to never return to England then? And Harry feels the same?"
"It's unlikely we'll move here to live, but I expect Harry and I will be back from time to time to visit various people." Hermione tried reassuring her Transfiguration teacher. "Besides, Harry likes that he doesn't attract as much attention there as he does here." The older woman seemed to understand how The-Boy-Who-Conquered would appreciate anonymity after everything he'd been through, though she still didn't look particularly happy that neither of the teens would be returning to England.
"And what of your -," Professor McGonagall looked towards the American before finishing her question. "What about medical treatment?"
"It's okay, Stella knows about my injuries. And they're about the same I think."
"Have you not had them checked recently?" The professor's question was echoed in Stella's thoughts.
"They don't change, and Harry looks at my back every week while I check the front."
"That settles it. Off with you to Poppy, come along." Professor McGonagall instructed as she stood and motioned Hermione to her feet.
"I really don't need to get checked." The teen protested, only to face a dispute from an unexpected source.
"Oh yes you do! Up you get. I take it this Poppy is Madame Pomfrey?" Stella grabbed Mia's arm and helped her out of the seat as she stood herself, and received a nod from the professor to her question. When Mia opened her mouth to protest again Stella quickly cut her off. "Mia, if you don't come to get checked out, I swear I will tell Harry."
"Harry knows." There was almost a touch of petulance to Mia's tone as she said this, but it had no effect on the determined detective.
"Then I'm telling Mac, and you can explain to him how you're not looking after your health." Stella actually looked smug as she finished and saw the 'you wouldn't' look on Mia's face.
Hermione found herself grudgingly agreeing to see Madame Pomfrey and followed Professor McGonagall down and through the tunnel, with Stella close behind.
xxxx
As soon as she exited the tree Professor McGonagall was making her way up the hill to the castle with her stick, while her two companions were suddenly struck by the reality of it being winter and their being in Scotland without their coats as these had been left in the nice warm apartment back in New York.
"Brrr, I thought the City got cold." Stella exclaimed as she began shivering.
Hermione instantly placed warming spells on both of them as she gently pulled the stationary detective away from the danger of the tree. Stella instantly felt the warmth and allowed herself to be moved forward.
"We can't stay here, we need to be further away." Mia explained, coming to a stop when she'd put them at a safe distance. "Here, put this on. Sorry, I didn't think we'd be going outside at all." She explained as she conjured heavy coats for both of them.
"Why did we need to be further away before putting these on?"
Just as the question was finished the Whomping Willow sprang back to life, shaking itself free of the snowfall and clearing it's branches once more. The noise had instantly drawn Stella's attention and she watched with open mouth as the tree seemed to come to life.
"That's why. It really doesn't like anything near it, which makes it a good security measure to keep people away from the tunnel - or keep certain people within the tunnel and away from the other students." Hermione said gently, reminding the detective that the Shack had been the hiding place for a werewolf, so there had to be some security in place for the protection of the students and staff.
"Stella, try not to give away that you are a Muggle when we reach the school - there might be people there (Slytherin's in particular) that would try to hurt you if they knew. Unfortunately, there are still those that consider Muggles to be less than human." Hermione told her friend as they began the walk up to the castle, while at the same time she was trying to think of a way of preventing any harm befalling her.
Hermione became distracted as Stella suddenly looked confused and began walking away from the school instead of towards it, reminding Hermione of the Muggle Repellent charm in place around the school, and prompting an idea.
"Do you mind if I put a spell on you?" She asked.
"Go ahead, I trust you. What kind of spell is it?" The taller woman queried as Mia steered her back towards the school.
"It's a repelling charm, like the one you're feeling now." Hermione explained as she silently said the counter charm and the look of confusion disappeared from Stella's face. "The charm I'm going to put on you will repel any magic aimed at you, and send it back to the caster - that way if someone does try to attack you, or a spell just goes awry, people will think you simply deflected it."
Having cast her protections the two women continued on the path up to the castle, eventually catching up with the Headmistress who was stood outside Hagrid's hut talking to the half-giant, presumably about them as the big shaggy head turned in their direction as they got closer and a booming voice greeted them.
"Hermione!" Hagrid cried as he literally swept the small figure into a hug, leaving her feet dangling three feet above the ground before putting her down again. "Is Harry with yer?"
"Hi Hagrid. No, he's working today, but I'm sure he'll be by to visit again soon." Hermione told her large friend before turning to the stunned woman behind her. "Hagrid, this is a Stella, she'd a friend of Harry and I."
Hagrid held out a large hand to the (normally) tall woman who found that her entire hand was barely the size of two of his fingers, yet his grip was surprisingly gentle as he shook her more delicate appendage.
"Nice to meet ye. Any friend of Harry and Hermione is a friend of mine too."
"Thank you, it's a pleasure to meet you too." Stella said in a remarkably strong voice, despite the shaking she felt inside - she'd met a lot of dangerous men over the years, but none of them had made her feel as if they could crush her with a single swipe of his hand.
Unfortunately, Stella was then given a real reason to be afraid as the small hill to the side of the hut moved as a moss and bracken covered boulder rolled over to reveal two blinking eyes. Stella honestly couldn't help the shriek that escaped her lips as she processed what her eyes were seeing and was slightly mollified by the similar cry from Professor McGonagall and the gasp from Mia as the latter grasped Stella's arm and moved them both back while putting herself in front of the detective.
"Hermy?" The sleepy voice boomed even though Hermione was sure it had only been murmured by the giant.
"Hello Grawp, go back to sleep now." Hermione tried telling the younger sibling as she gathered her courage and walked up to the boy and patted her hand against what she thought might be his cheek. She was surprised to find how daring she was being - oh she was still afraid of the huge child-like creature, but her fear was far less than it had been when she first met him.
Unfortunately Grawp apparently didn't like her idea as the next moment Hermione was moving back again quickly to avoid being squashed as the small giant rose up onto his knees and stretched out his hand to where she now stood.
"NO."
Hermione's command rang out with clear authority, and to the amazement of those present Grawp stopped reaching for the two women now standing one in front of the other again, his hand held frozen a few feet from them as he looked at her with impossibly wide eyes.
"No. Grabbing." Hermione continued in the same voice, feeling a little guilty as the muddy-green eyes took on a sheen of moisture at the rebuke, but this was replaced with a look of confusion.
"Tu Hermy's?" The giant asked and Stella found herself mesmerised by the crooked rows of yellow brick-like teeth rather than paying attention to what the creature was saying.
"No Grawpy, not two Hermione's, one is a Stella." Hagrid said in a cheerful voice, catching the woman's attention.
"What? No, I think I'd like to be left out of this." The detective said as she gripped Hermione's arm to reassure herself that the other woman was actually there, that this wasn't some weird dream she was having and that her senses weren't deceiving her.
"Stella. Hermy." Grawp repeated and Hermione let out the breath she'd been holding since he'd noticed the other woman as he finally retracted his arm.
"That's enough dawdling Miss Granger, come along. And Hagrid, remember our agreement about him." Professor McGonagall suddenly interrupted - much to the relief of Stella - and she moved to shoo the former student and Muggle along the path up to the castle once again.
Both Hermione and Stella were happy to comply and kept pace with the professor while Hagrid walked just behind them. They had only gone a few feet when all three women were unexpectedly put off balance when the ground shook as the giant slumped down on the ground and slung his arm across Hagrid's hut, causing the roof to move slightly askew as he did. Hermione was amazed the tiny hut stayed intact at all as she and Stella helped Professor McGonagall regain her footing before she began her determined march up the hill once more.
The further up the hill they went the more the school came into view and Hermione felt her breath hitch at the sight as memories of the past years flooded her mind. She hadn't been back to the school since the final battle and carried vivid images of the destruction (and death) caused that day etched upon her mind for all eternity. Yet as they neared the school Hermione was staggered at how fast the repairs had been completed, walls and windows were once more intact and the grounds looked as they had all the years she'd been a student there. Magic truly was amazing. Still, Hermione couldn't help but contrast the 'normal' appearance of the school with the likely emotional state of the castle's occupants. Emotional scars were far harder to heal than the physical ones sometimes. As she was contemplating this, Stella was using the occasion to ask the Headmistress a series of questions and Hagrid took the opportunity to have a quiet word with Hermione, putting a hand on her shoulder to get her attention they allowed the other two women to walk on ahead a bit before following.
"I say, Hermione, did Ron really do what they're saying he did?" Hagrid asked uncertainly.
"I'm sorry Hagrid, but if you're talking about his abandoning Harry and dosing me with a dangerous love potion then, yes, I'm afraid he did." Hermione said gently, her anger at the boy returning as the gentle face crumpled with disappointment at the betrayals. "I'm sorry, but he isn't the person we all thought he was."
xxxx
