Act II: Render
"A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." Albert Einstein
In which one corner of the world is drawn into focus and the curvature closes.
Chapter 19: Zemblanity
The tok of the fountain cleared the pine air of Hermione's thoughts, as once more she was brought back to the present. The sound of the water was a gentle power. It streamed over unseen rocks and filled a small wooden flute, until the container would tip and hit its counterpart with a solid, clean thunk. Hermione listened for it again before fully rejoining her breath to the moment.
The forest before her was a black line between the white of the ground and the treetops. The sky was a petal grey. Flakes from the eiderdown clouds fell so slowly they nearly hovered in their flight to join the scattered snow on the flat ground.
Nothing in the sky reminded her of the rooftops she would gaze upon out her window as a girl, but she found similarity in the peace it gave her. Her life felt very far away from her. The realness of her connection to all aspects outside of herself had faded sometime between her arrival at Kage's estate and when she became able to pick apart what made her unpracticed and unsure.
She knew the snow had fallen upon her hair, though she did not mind. She watched a stray flake land on her cheek. The cold was mild now that she had been outside for hours, but she did not feel the press of time as she had. Hermione felt, for the first time, full. After she stripped herself bare and emptied herself out, she let her thoughts come to her and focusing on the present organized her mind. It was the conclusion of a long series of tries.
Now, distant from the first struggles into her mind, she grazed her cheeks. They had not frosted from tears- not this time. She knew the tears would grow again from unexpected fallow thoughts and things that she had yet to experience. A thought rose in her, that she might not be so at peace anywhere else.
She got to her feet carefully, feeling her blood needle while her muscles remained mute to her command. Willpower moved them and kept her balance. Frozen dexterity made her fingers numb to the smooth wood of the door and her strength. Inside, she went to her coal brazier where she drifted for a few seconds before thawing.
She had not crystalised like this in the beginning of her tries and she was thankful to be numb in her body rather than being. The numbness was a difficult period of being to accept. Hermione placed a hand over her heart, feeling its steady pulse as warmth spread through her, far away from the wild current she was when she first began her practice and healing. It was a good thing, she thought, that she had taken Kage's offer.
Hermione sat in front of the mirror Moriko had left in her room. Her cheeks were flushed from the temperature change. She ran her fingers along where her skin melded together. Whatever had happened in the steam and waterfall, it had peeled away a veneer. It had stung as she had washed her skin away, like old skin after sunburn, but- she gave herself a smile, some part of herself was more present. The deeper color of Hermione Granger was revealed in brushstrokes. She peered into the mirror, a cloudy brown striated in a section of her eye. While she was still largely a girl of adolescent age, she felt differently.
Though she couldn't help but wonder what Lily or her parents would think of her appearance. Petunia certainly would be horrified.
She tugged on the ends on her hair with a comb and set to work on her hair, still curly and auburn, but more voluminous in ways she was familiar taming. She ran her fingertips, calloused and with a seamless pattern that colored her skin, over her hair to tie it. Her arm in her view had the faintest, thinnest lines of 'mudblood'.
The feeling of pain she noticed. She acknowledged it and set it away with the thought that she was herself. It was a small step, but she would remind herself that it was not all of her everytime she saw it, she did not need to live in that moment. As Kage had said, it would take discipline.
There was a small scratching knock at the door, then Moriko asked, "May I enter?"
"No, not yet." Hermione said, her robe was nearly transparent. In the beginning she had worn her regular clothing under her yukata. Now, however, she felt underdressed even when her obi was undone but had taken to accepting the thin linen undergarment.
"Kage no-kimi requests your presence." Moriko's voice was quietly urgent.
"Thank you." Hermione placed another layer of her robe on, un-rushed. It was likely the dinner that Kage mentioned to her yesterday.
"Do you need assistance with your dinner attire?" Moriko asked.
"You might as well." Hermione said, "I'm still not very good at dressing- oh, yes, please come in."
Moriko opened the door from the floor and slid inside then pulled a wooden box with her. "I think that the tsubaki is appropriate for this meeting and you will be able to wear it in its proper home before leaving."
"Meeting? Leaving?"
"Yes." Moriko glanced behind to give Hermione a sly look. Hermione pressed her lips together and tried to smile, but Moriko enjoyed withholding information too much and she was jostled. She had no idea she would be leaving, or having a meeting- today, and so soon.
Moriko said, turning the box to her and sliding it's lid open, "This is your gift."
Hermione furrowed her brow, still trying to name her feeling that had snuck up on her. She knelt down to see the colors in the box properly. Moriko slid out a wooden pole and unfolded the sleeves and layers of cloth. Some in patterns, some embroidered and some decoration so fine they appeared woven into the cloth. The kimono was a wistful forest green. A steady blood red was layered under it while a bright, furious red layered closest to where her skin would be.
Moriko smiled looking at it and then her, "It suits you I think."
"It's a gift? But Kage has already given me so much- I couldn't,"
Moriko gave a tiny tight shake of her head. "Sh-sh-," Moriko patted Hermione's arm and started setting out the kimono on the bar. She hung the pieces in order of how she would ply it over Hermione's under robes. She gave her a pair of deep red pants Hermione had once admired on Kage.
Hermione tied them on over her thin robe as she turned away from Moriko. "Who is coming to this meeting, Moriko?"
Moriko brought the first layer over carefully "Many people. Maybe too many." She folded left over right, situated the cloth and tilted her head. Hermione helped shrug on the layers but huffed. Moriko tittered silently, her laughter causing her to bend her stomach before she added the last layer.
Hermione said, quite irritated now, "Really, is this quite necessary- the layers, they're very heavy."
Moriko quickly tapped Hermione on the nose, "Yes."
"How am I supposed to take this with me if I can't even dress myself?" Hermione knew she was avoiding asking Moriko again about the identity of the guests because Moriko enjoyed being evasive, but also she was still processing leaving.
"You can learn. And there is always someone around that can help you, Hermione." Moriko began to wrap the obi which had lain hidden under the kimono. It was black with a large gold geometric design that Hermione knew to be her Antahkarana. It's visibility to her was clear and cleverly disguised. Her back straightened and her chin tilted upward to let Moriko wrap it around her. .
Moriko wrapped the obi, carefully straightening as she went.
Perhaps she was afraid. She had been separated from her friends and her family for a long time. It was strange, that she did not feel so alone. She wondered where Draco and Harry were but it was no longer a clawing worry. She wasn't sure even how much time it had been in relation to the Evans' family. "Do I know the people who are coming?"
"Some."
"Were they invited?"
"Few were. It was an invitation that was extended out of courtesy. The others… no. They came out of fear. They will be watching you closely. Remember what Kage no-kimi has taught you and you will be fine." Moriko tightened the heavy layer around Hermione and began to tuck the tie together. Hermione watched in the mirror and tried to memorise the way that it would go, but it was useless. Her appearance was a new subject of study. Before, she felt as if she should be put together for other people at the least. She found nothing to appreciate, and when she did, considered it vanity. It was strange to have Hermione Evans' casual care for appearances at least be banished so suddenly, and then this new pattern of thought be lacquered over her.
After hair, shoes, and protests, her eyebrows and lips were lightly outlined by Moriko. Trying to relax her face she wondered, not for the first time if this was how Draco had lived. Preparing ritualistically for something that felt like a show, wearing expensive gifts and attending mysterious meetings. She thought she knew enough about Sirius to know that the Black family had some complex expectations.
Moriko encouraged her to sit down in front of the mirror. Moriko smiled and clapped, delighted as Hermione pinked. She looked more than herself.
"Come now, it's almost time." Moriko escorted her to the estate for public functions and duty.
Hermione took a moment to glumly appreciate the scenery. The sun had never been quite visible to her during her stay, and seemed to linger just above the horizon. Something had passed two nights ago, and the sun was now visible across the treetops.
Moriko paused at the fountain where Hermione had not been able to identify the creature carved to be its guardian. The fox-like dragon with a pearl in its mouth was covered in petals and moss.
Moriko poured water over Hermione's hands and the edges of her shoes. Hermione tried to clear her thoughts and remain in the moment of her experience, to trust that when information was revealed that she would know what to do and tolerated the ritual.
There was a confidence associated with her questions about the future. The questions used to be brittle, but now moved like water through her mind.
Entering the hall took many steps, but Moriko guided her through them and Hermione respectfully followed. She sat, bowed with her hands on the polished floor. Kage's voice, deep in the way Hermione had noticed Kage's voice had been in the hut, formally granted them entrance.
Moriko opened the door for her. Hermione looked up and saw that her careful preparation did not prepare her for the reception of people. She was on a stage levelled just below Kage's throne.
There were many people, standing in straight rows, equidistant apart, filling the greater reception hall. Dressed mostly in bulky dark clothing, some had tall white hats that looked to Hermione to have paper whiskers. A few others wore wide brimmed, cone headed hats made of black mesh, tying under their chin. There were two people seated directly opposite of her on the far side of the elevated platform who looked nothing like the others.
Hermione recognised Lugaid and Alphard. Both were stiffly seated. Lugaid was looking as formal as she had ever seen him, completely in wizarding robes, while Alphard was wearing a wizard's hat at a dashing angle, his mustache waxed or perhaps charmed to curl upwards on either side of his mouth.
They looked at her cautiously for a moment. When she stood and walked to the empty pillow seat she guessed was for her, placed somewhat more centered under Kage's throne, Lugaid nudged Alphard with a look of wide eyed meaning. Alphard hissed at Lugaid out of the corner of his mouth and gave her a small wink.
Kage boomed, "This is my apprentice," Hermione turned to look at Kage but her attention snagged on the audience's reaction.
There was a scattered susurration that swept the bodies in the chamber. While some seemed simply startled, others were decidedly angry.
There were two strange things that occured, one was the sound from an individual who was at the front of the rows. The second was their address. As if pressing itself against a barrier and speaking through water they said, "Lord Excellency," to Kage. Their hands were bowed out in front of them, their face hidden by voluminous sleeves of gold green and an indigo.
Hermione pinched her eyebrows together and looked up at Kage.
Kage looked sharper, her jaw a little stronger, her hair was pulled up in such a way that made her face look more severe and older.
The person continued, "Much of what we have told you is for your ears, your apprentice, with all humble and due respect is a mere child, and additionally, an outsider. We beseech you to recognize the strength of this challenger." They looked up. Their face was thin without being pinched, their nose had a noble bridge to it but their expression was carefully blank.
Kage projected sharply, "Your beseeching grates upon my ears, Overseer Ryu."
Overseer Ryu's eyes betrayed a sense of derision in their set, flicking to Hermione.
Kage stood and seemed to command a tilted bow from all who were standing before her. She stepped down from the dais. Her robes made her shoulders look broad and Hermione realised that while Kage appeared very similar, she was purposefully no longer presenting as a woman. Hermione pinched her lips together and looked at Lugaid and Alphard. Lugaid had a worried stretch to his mouth and Alphard was carefully composed, his head titled at her when he caught her watching.
Kage pointed to Hermione, "My apprentice knows of this violent intruder you have painted as a mere challenger." Kage's tone implied her restraint.
Hermione raised her head, and looked back at the gathering and then at Kage, trying not to squeak.
Kage continued in a more measured tone, "You speak well Overseer Ryu, but Headmistress Annaisha has spoken like the first water of spring. Though she speaks without your careful artistry, it is clear that each perceives art in their own way." Kage stood before Hermione, and met her eyes. Hermione felt that Kage was being aggressively indirect and more metaphoric than usual.
Kage threw her hand out over the crowd, explaining to Hermione, "Here are the honored members of government and the esteemed persons who direct Mahoutokoro school of magic and it's ancient ways."
Hermione glanced at the gathering. Only four people were not wearing hats.
"Minami Iwo Jima was entered by a wizard who bore down the gates and demanded to see the best the school had to offer. This wizard invoked a rather antiquated piece of legality left from the Sengoku Jidhai era-" here Kage turned sharply to Overseer Ryu who had put their hands down and looked attentively at Kage.
The only individual she would have special knowledge of became clear.
Kage held up a finger, "This wizard knew about this invocation that would require his challenge be met properly, and be allowed to remain as a guest in the school until it was done so."
Kage looked to an older woman with grey in her hair who looked to have a wet eye but a hard line at her mouth. "Yet, the wizard learned. Headmistress Annaisha."
Headmistress Annaisha, offered, "He learned like a sea shark. Never at one subject for too long, never still, voracious and distant." Her voice stern but with a tremulousness that belied her strong emotion, "The wizard spoke with a silver tongue to those that would attend to him."
The Headmistress' eyes slid to Overseer Ryu. Overseer Ryu's mouth chin moved forward minutely.
The Headmistress continued, her eyes not directly on Hermione but her head tilted in her direction. "After I negotiated with him about the rules and set of the challenges, he refused to participate in Divination, Mental Discipline, and was only temporarily interested in Abjuration until he learned of the sacrifices involved. The code that we invited him into did not satisfy him. After a demonstration of Kotodama, he quickly grew sharp. He angrily demanded that his challenge be fought by our -our best." The woman paused. She bowed and an apology was on her lips before Kage waved it away. Hermione briefly racked hours she spent reading in Kage's study. Kotodama was essentially invocation. It would have looked like regular spellcasting to him. Knowing however, the weight that it had and the connection to the soul- of course he wouldn't have understood.
Kage stated quickly, "Head Steward Shiki was slaughtered by this wizard in battle. The wizard then destroyed a part of their castle. He left with the proclamation that their magic and way was inferior." Kage raised an eyebrow at Hermione and Hermione swallowed. She had never heard of Voldemort going to other castles and threatening people, but then again, Hogwarts and her Ministry was primarily concerned about Britain.
Kage said gently, "We will honor Head Steward Shiki befitting his status as a hero." The Headmistress bowed deeply.
Ryu's mouth twitched and then asked Hermione, "Well- do you think that it is he whom you have been bid by the gods to end?" Kage glared at the Overseer.
Hermione's mouth dropped open, like a fish gaped and could not find air. It had not been put quite that way before, and she felt empathy for Harry.
Kage turned imperiously to Overseer Ryu and the others as susserations of whisper and the movement of cloth rippled through the body of people. Kage warned,"That is why she is my apprentice- she is of my ilk, Overseer Ryu. To imply that she is anything less, will insult me."
Overseer Ryu raised one eyebrow and tilted their head in tepid respect.
Hermione said, "It could be him. Tom Riddle, who calls himself the Dark Lord-" Hermione stumbled on the name, she now knew that to speak his name in the presence of those who might have his mark would invite him. It wasn't fear, but caution that caught in her throat she sternly reminded herself.
"Lord of Darkness, Flying Death, he said of himself." The Headmistress answered.
Hermione furrowed her brow in derision. That seemed ridiculous but not out of character. Hermione surmised that there might be a language spell in place, something that would not be uncommon for meeting halls such as this. Trying to smooth her face, she asked, "Did he...summon anything? Leave a mark?"
Kage looked to the Headmistress but it was another woman behind her who answered. In pastels with yellow and a black conical hat, the woman said, "It was a skull, with a snake weaving infinity from the eye and mouth."
Hermione gathered herself and nodded, short firm. "Yes."
Kage asked, "Apprentice, your insights will afford valuable protective advice. What will this threat bring us next?"
Hermione bit her lip and said hesitantly, "Honestly, I would be guessing -"
The Overseer spoke in third person, "Overseer Ryu objects to this strongly."
Kage bared her teeth and they were sharp, befitting her inhuman form that Kage had revealed to her before Hermione's name ritual.
Overseer Ryu's nostrils flared and smoke emanated from them.
Kage voice, thrumming in that way that diminished other sounds, "You are invited into My Castle. My patience grows thin as my hospitality wears."
Hermione, irate that reasonable due diligence was not being given proper respect, got to her feet. Her robes were indeed heavy. She needed to step carefully, "I can only say what logic and knowledge has evidenced." She lifted her chin at Overseer Ryu. "I will not pretend what I say next is the objective truth, but if you decide to pursue this wizard or if any of your population was of the same mind, it is not death but devastation that you face." There was a pause. She tried to specify,. "It is the ideas- his corruption he brings with him."
Overseer Ryu said, "Corruption? Forgive a humble overseer for requesting clarification."
Kage looked like she did not want to concede that the Overseer had a point, but looked to Hermione.
Hermione was having trouble with finding a good stance in her robes and in the ceremony she was sure she was missing. "Tom Riddle, or the … Dark Lord has a particular view that he holds to be necessary to … he believes that purebloods have a right to magic and that those born of non-magical parents do not."
"Forgive me," Overseer Ryu stated. If Hermione wasn't so suspicious of the overseer, she would have labelled it charming, "This is largely an issue for the respectable wild of Great Britain who are self admitted to not have a code that binds their students to act honorably."
Hermione's face scrunched, confused, and offended, "Hogwarts has… rules." Hearing herself, Ron would call her prissy.
The Overseer smiled, their teeth very white and straight, their smile softening their smooth features. Hermione was struck suddenly with the thought that Overseer Ryu was beautiful, then remembered adroitly Gilderoy Lockheart.
The Overseer huffed a quick puff of air, and took on a superior eyebrow tilt. They expanded, "Mahoutokoro requires that all of their students adhere to a code regardless of their family's station. They are judged by their merit and their aptitude. Any child at seven may show talent, but skill and merit are determined by that child's performance and innate capacity for ability at eleven."
She felt that anger so familiar to her as Granger raise its hackles under her collarbone and fuzz into her head. She had a feeling that she didn't like where the Overseer was going with this.
"It is how Mahoutokoro has remained so… prestigious for centuries." Overseer Ryu sounded smug. "Wouldn't you agree, Headmistress Annaisha?"
Headmistress Annaisha gave the barest nod of her head.
"At that point, the child is then awarded their entrance into Mahoutokoro, or they live as a shaman among the clouded population." The clouded population, Hermione surmised, referred to non-magical people.
Kage cut through, "That is enough clarification, Overseer."
"Your Lord Excellency, I apologize. Please, I eagerly await your honored apprentice's insights. Hopefully, I shall be stunned beyond thinking of speeches that annoy your god-hood."
Kage looked like her lip might curl to bare teeth, but smoothed it out and then looked to Hermione.
Hermione was thinking, trying to determine what and where and if Mahoutokoro would be in further danger. She worried her lip, tasting the silt of color that Moriko has put on her mouth.
Hermione scrunched her nose. "You said... that he said, you were weak?"
The Headmistress' wrinkles at the corner of her mouth tucked in. "Yes, honored Apprentice to Kage."
Hermione asked, "How did he gain access to this ritual that you have?"
Kage's head did not turn, when her eyes slid to Overseer Ryu. "We wonder that ourselves."
"He destroyed the castle? Which part?" Hermione asked.
The Headmistress continued. "I would not dare question the apprentice of Kage's decision that this is important information, so I will explain that it was our first house, the gate."
Hermione watched her expecting more.
Headmistress Annaisha took in a sharp breath and continued, "Which contained our water augury. The pool is eternal so the house repair is nothing- it was simply the wizard's exit as he cast the sigil."
Hermione pinched her brow together, "How did he fight the challenger? Or how did they...die?"
The Headmistress spoke after a brief moment of complete silence, "My son died with honor- but he did not face an honorable opponent."
Hermione felt sorrow yawn in her at the woman's flat tone, her composed round face and the shimmer in her eyes. "My son.. insisted he would take my place." The woman's voice did not break, but Hermione began to regret asking her to recount the story.
The rest of the room averted their eyes to the floor.
The Headmistress continued, "He did not trust this wizard, and he was right not to. This man struck when my son bowed. Before he had drawn his blade, he was felled with terrible pain. He proclaimed us weak because we expected him to be beholden to our code of conduct and my son died hearing the wizard crush his head beneath his heel."
The confirmation was clear. Moments passed and Hermione bowed to the Headmistress, feeling that words would cheapen the understanding of the tremendous grief the woman underwent and her appreciation.
Hermione thought. "I do not think that Tom Riddle will come back. His presence at your school is ... I would think, it indicates that he plans to investigate other schools. Either he will convince them of his ideas, or… kill a representative to prove his strength to himself- but…" Hermione bit her lip.
She wasn't sure. It seemed out of place. Voldemort in her time was trying to consolidate ultimate power and hold sway over a particular group of people. Expanding this soon during his early years was an outlier, as far as she knew. She had studied his rise to power in Hogwarts after her 4th year but again it was focused on his movements in Great Britain.
Kage bowed her head abruptly. "There. This Lord with no land, no people to protect, will not return."
Hermione rushed, "Ensure that his ideas have not been spread, and if you see him again, assume that he will kill anyone he can get away with killing. He might not return to kill, as I have said. But to control."
"Feh," Overseer Ryu threw up their arms and said, "Hogwarts may control their people by limiting ideas, but the capacious mind cannot consider ideas a threat without interrogating them."
Hermione's eyebrows drew down. She was quickly seeing why Kage had come to lose her patience so quickly with Overseer Ryu. "Tolerance of others cannot abide intolerance." She was lucky to have kept that quote from her multitude of readings. Popper had been dry, but it was a book that she had borrowed from Jac Evans and was thankful it had been put in simple terms.
Overseer Ryu said in the silence of the rest of the room, "What a quaint paradox, one that is unfortunately not-"
"You are dismissed." Kage commanded.
There was a shuffle as much of the robes in the room decided to immediately move. Overseer Ryu halted but then bowed for longer than necessary and backed away.
Kage stayed still until the room dispersed. She sighed and her visage shrank with it.
Dinner was a quiet banquet. Alphard and Lugaid were natural enough, following Kage's rules of topics of conversation allowed at dinner. Lugaid was a bit more informed than Alphard, who had trouble with the chopsticks.
They began with general inquiry as to what she had been doing, and then the topic of her absence arose. Her absence had been explained as further preparation and training to her parents because Lily had told her parents. After her initial worry, she was able to listen patiently without too much pre-emptive stress.
Lugaid winced, "It wasn't intentional, but I didn't feel as if I could lie to them. Black here,-"
Alphard shot a mildly offended look to Lugaid and Lugaid dipped his mouth in a small smile. "Alphard was kind enough to enter and explain that you had been apprenticed to him." Lugaid glanced at Kage, likely wondering if this broached discussing serious matters of business. Kage was pleasant if quieter than usual, and Hermione thought it was because Kage might be rolling over what had come to light.
Alphard said congenially, "I spoke with your parents and they're pleased to know that your studies and mind have been impressive, despite the concerns for your practical applications."
Hermione's heart sank, Lily must have been very upset with her or concerned.
Lugaid cleared his throat, setting down his empty bowl. "Technically he's your acting guardian. Which is accurate for the internship that he's secured… which I still don't see as necessary. A girl your age should be focusing on studies and having fun."
Alphard waved it away, "Never mind that. That's months away. Possibly. Lugaid is simply sore because he involved Headmaster Dumbledore." Lugaid was a member of staff of Hogwarts and unable to officially act as guardian, Hermione recalled, remembering Harry's interaction with the permission slip and McGonagall.
Hermione nodded, having finished her food. Fuyuko began to clear the dishes. Normally Hermione would help, and even have dinner with her and Moriko, but formalities were being observed, likely to mark the occasion.
"Well, dinner has been excellent." Alphard said. Hermione could read the segway that he proposed by his hands slapping his thigh lightly.
"I am not sure," Hermione began, "-if I am ready to return."
"What? Your enrollment in Hogwarts-" Lugaid interjected.
"Let her finish." Kage said.
Hermione paused, searching for a way to bring up concrete reasons in the mire of feelings. Hesitation was a judgement she had discarded, but she wondered if she simply was too used to taking her time. "You mentioned, in our first meeting, that I should meditate on the elements. To find a teacher of the old ways." Hermione face was evident of her confusion as she tried to remind Kage. "-but I have not been able to focus on elements or understand what exactly you meant by old ways. Neither am I sure about replicating them for any effective use."
Kage tilted her head and blinked, a pause Hermione felt was natural in their conversational flow but Alphard was clearly uncomfortable. The tok of the pine fountain broke the still air and Alphard started to thrum a word in his throat when Kage looked to the door.
Moriko opened the door, kneeling. She slid in, closed the door, and brought forth the wrap that Hermione recognized as the instrument Kage was fond of playing.
"Thank you, Moriko." Kage said as Moriko bowed and proffered it with two hands.
The fox like woman backed away, still bowing and shot Hermione a small smile. "Should I bring tea soon, Kage-no-kimi?"
Kage looked at Alphard then Lugaid, and Lugaid made a face that Alphard returned to his counterpart.
Kage smoothly said, "Yes, thank you."
After Moriko left, Kage unwrapped the instrument. Alphard watched with curiosity, Lugaid shifted his seated position expectantly.
Kage with no smile said, "There is something which must be said regardless of my hopes." Kage laid the instrument bare.
Hermione's heart fluttered, and Lugaid pursed his lips.
Kage continued "When I said that I had not entered your mind, that the barrier was plain with all those who had my talent, it was … a lie."
Hermione felt betrayal coil in her gut.
Kage's face turned to Lugaid, but her eyes did not find his. "When I said that I would need to meet her before I made a decision, I lied. As you contacted me, I divined her presence and visited her dreams. I saw the reason for the shift in peace. I had already decided."
Her dream. A woman in snow. She had somehow forgotten, in the ways that dreams usually faded out of her waking eye.
"It was ...intrusive of me." Kage looked at Hermione with the faintest crease between her eyes. "I apologise." She bowed gently. "Yet, I cannot say that I regret doing it or that it did not need to be done."
Hermione flinched and felt hurt skin her eyes. Where once she might have reacted with rushing out of the room, or lashing out, Hermione instead was allowing herself to feel Kage's statement. She was watching Kage avert her eyes, and thought that perhaps Kage was holding back a further explanation. Lugaid was thoughtful, Alphard uncomfortable but Kage pressed on.
"The time for moment to movement has come for you, Hermione." Kage let her voice rest heavy. "While there were things that I wished I could have taught you, it is not an opportunity for me to hoard but rather to guide you to seek learning in a new journey. I have provisioned you with what I could. The basics, the beginning. I am the old teacher. And there are others." Kage opened her hands, trying to impress on Hermione something. "Though I would praise myself too highly to call myself good-" she echoed Hermione's last question to her about good and evil, "-my intentions became thus."
Kage checked the instrument and shifted her position to one where she could play it.
Alphard was running his fingers along his now waxed mustache. "She's...supposed to continue her education with ...elements or these mysterious and quite uselessly vague 'old ways'. We develop new curriculum and spells in the school. I don't see how the old ways are going to be of much use to her." Alphard said, lightly attempting to diffuse the tension. It seemed he was about to say something else.
Kage sighed and tilted her head at Alphard, "Use to her is not exactly the usefulness that you think of Lord Black."
"Please, call me Alphard- this title business is-"
Kage was a delicate blade as she rose her instrument, finally settled and poised, "You are still a Lord, your nature is that of lordliness. To call you anything different would be to remind you that it is your privilege to leave the position of power you find yourself in."
Alphard's jaw strained, and his beard looked stark against his skin. Lugaid pushed his lips tightly together.
Kage pressed her fingers to the strings, intending to play.
Hermione interjected, unaware of the strange tension between the three, completely focused, "That is the worst sort of apology I think I've ever heard, and I have heard paltry apologies. You've taught me how to accept things as they are and trust in myself, to seek truth- and then tell me that it was based on a lie?" The only observable pattern emerged quite suddenly, and Hermione finished, "We're not black and white stones to move about on a board."
Kage's eyes made that invisible small smile, litiing indignation in Hermione. Hermione would have stood up if she hadn't been weighed down by the ridiculous heavy robes and remembered that if she stood quickly, she'd likely trip.
"How should I apologise then?" Kage said.
Hermione chewed on her lip, "Tell me- or I suppose, at least give me an explanation."
"Despite your insistence on taking matters into your own hands you still seek to ascertain your path through others?" Kage's fingers still tightly held the strings.
"No- no deflections. This isn't a lesson." Hermione nearly laughed, "It simply doesn't make logical sense. You have a place in mind, you took me here, brought me here because - why, I interested you? I was apparently a witch struggling to manifest magic. You only revealed you knew more when it was to convince me to come here. You clearly have other things going on, and you're no ordinary witch. There's something missing- you telling us this- that you lied now, it seems… like a distraction."
Kage was surprised, similar to how she reacted when Hermione came so close to winning in their game. Delighted and mischievous, "Once again, you see the result but not the gambit. You changed destiny and so I changed as well. That is the explanation that I can offer."
"Kage…" Lugaid said, a frown between his eyes. Alphard tilted his chin down and his eyes seemed to be lowered but Hermione had seen that weighty perception before on a much older Sirius. She blinked away the man that had sat at Grimmauld place with a pang.
Kage apologetically, soft, somehow more masculine flicked her gaze to Lugaid. "I sometimes... forget. You know this."
"What does that have to do with lying to us?" Hermione wasn't sure she was following this 'forgetting'. "Why lie about what I needed?"
Moriko re-entered, bringing with her a tea set and a glance at Hermione that looked more sly than reprimanding. Hermione was quiet, returning Moriko's look challengingly. The woman positively delighted in coyness.
Kage said, "It was what I discovered that you did not need. I lied because I did not come into your destiny an equal. I send you away because I no longer am a stream with separate water. What I have given you is what it is that you need, not all the information and power that you want. That is for you to build."
Lugaid seemed to accept this with a solemn nod. Alphard was unusually quiet and Hermione's head was buzzing. Moriko finished the set and bowed. Backing away.
Kage tried out a note, "It is time. You are ready."
Hermione tried to protest. There was missing information and in her current state- with so many pieces missing, the fact that it could be revealed and wasn't, based off a formality, was an insipid way to submit to irony. It came out as "No!" Hermione breathed in sharply, trying to think clearly. Kage allowed her to. "Your apology is hollow because your motive occluded."
Kage glanced down at her polished instrument. "Hn." Kage laid a finger on the tuning mechanism and withdrew then her eyes closed. There was a moment of winter and wind.
Kage spoke. "If you are so concerned with direction, I have the ability to give one to you. It seems only fair as you do not think my apology adequate. My motives, I am afraid are like smoke at best."
Hermione remembering just why she was so irritated with Kage when she first came was prepared to give another lash at the rationale.
Kage spoke, her eyes trained directly on Hermione. "You have more to learn, but from another teacher and I do not think that teacher lives in Hogwarts. The elements, I do not think, are your pathway either. They are secondary, which I admit I could have made clearer, but like any wise teacher, I changed depending on your needs."
Kage and Hermione shared an understanding as her words settled. Hermione knew that Kage had helped her with her rift between her selves and prepared her so she was better equipped to perform the magic that she needed. She had given her the ability to exist without being crippled by her body's reaction to stress and pain. She had shown her another way to perform magic.
She told her she had lied in the beginning because she had. While Hermione did not think this lie was enough to ruin Kage, Kage had calculatedly done so to push her on a path despite her comfort and safety here. She knew something. She also knew of the deal that Hermione made and likely knew of the entities involved. Kage and her relationship was based off truth, more or less.
Kage opened up to her. Her voice in Hermione's head was more of a feeling, "Not only to protect you, but to shield you." Kage allowed the weight of her duties to briefly rest on Hermione's mind. She cut the connection and brought them back to the table.
"My direction, and apology, is to connect you to Ougadu. You were correct that I did have a plan for your next path, but it is one that you would have likely concluded to take on your own."
Hermione sat a while, thinking about what she knew of Kage and the other schools. If Voldemort was visiting other places, and his pattern- her arrival breaking the peace, it would make sense that the circular nature of time travel and time lines could connect in predictable ways- but only if one followed emerging patterns.
"I have a question-" Alphard was polite, his tone cultured. "-was there a prophecy that I'm missing? Who are either one of you? To be honest I was intrigued, happy to be in the audience, at first, but now I think that continuing forward with this level of ignorance is a mistake only an absolute fool would make."
Kage laughed mutedly, "I am an old teacher. She is a promising pupil of destiny. You're not wrong- but prophecies make themselves."
Alphard looked cross, but Lugaid placed a hand on his shoulder and Alphard shifted to indignant. "It's a bunch of weyrd shit - and I have never met anyone so deft at avoiding questions. Should you ever care to enter politics in the British Ministry of Magic, I'd happily acquaint you with fellows that you'd outshadow anyday." He shook Lugaid's hand off his shoulder as he reached for the cup.
Lugaid looked hurt.
Kage did not look amused as Hermione would have expected. But Hermione was retaking with a stranglehold her sense of calm. She pressed her fingers into the ceramic cup and allowed it to press against the silk on her wrist.
Kage began to play her instrument, the note keening. Her voice adopted a sweet timbre as she sang,
"From the stars, the sand is a line my paint of bone swipes-
breaking the night sky. Misery from the dark shore cannot be seen by the stars that glitter above.
The eighth month fast approaches and I have nothing to wear,
brother won't you lend me a single sleeve-
the gods will laugh and take my dress but I still cannot see the leaves."
Long after Kage's voice stopped, her instrument strung the peculiar quality of a mournful voice. Hermione prepared to leave after Kage finished. She left that night.
Lugaid was uncomfortable but took great pains to look at ease outside the Evans house. Hermione was wearing a wool dress that was the complementary pale green color of Lily's twin pink. Hermione felt at once too small in it and it's length too short. It was strange being on the sooty street at noon, so suddenly after the night in the pine scented estate.
Lugaid looked down at her and said, "You're sure- about," He gestured to her appearance. Fuyuko and Moriko had packed her things while Alphard performed the glamour charm on Hermione. Her hair was smooth auburn waves, her eyes only green, scars absent but itchy under skin that wasn't her own.
"Better than the old and grey granny, wouldn't you agree?" Alphard had remarked cheekily.
Hermione nodded. The Evans would already likely have questions about her stay away, and the train back to Hogwarts left tomorrow morning. This was something she could mitigate if not completely control- and she wasn't ready to explain this aspect, if ever. Lugaid and Alphard hadn't asked and she let them believe whatever they kept to themselves.
Lugaid swung open the small iron gate and they were nearly to the door before it was thrown open by Penelope Evans. She looked tired, her hair was unkempt and her eyes were faintly purple under the careful makeup that she wore.
Hermione was taken aback, concerned and filled with a sense of understated affection for the woman she had called Mummy. Though her years of being Hermione Evans were thinned, like a tracing, the feelings were evidently quite real.
"Baby!" Penelope threw her arms around her and picked her up to hold her close, she showered her with kisses on her head, gripping her tightly.
She clutched Hermione to her and looked up at Lugaid, "Thank you so much, I'm afraid- isn't here- or I would…tea or something." She tilted her head in.
Lugaid held up a hand. "Not at all Mrs. Evans, I understand completely."
Hermione was confused and a little uncomfortable, "Why?" was on her lips before anything else.
"I'm sorry rose petal, but your father isn't home right now. He had some... business." There was a tight line at her mouth and Hermione observed this woman was showing her age despite her youth.
Lugaid looked at the Sunday afternoon street, suddenly jovially curious. His mannerisms were to try to set Penelope at ease. "Mr. Evans at work, on a day like this? Hard working sort, admirable."
Hermione thought it odd as well, but she had been asking why Lugaid wasn't going to come in.
Penelope took in a sharp ragged breath and ushered Hermione inside. "Just put your things in your room, try and see to Lily, and say hello to your older sister kindly Hermione Rose."
Penelope shut the door but Hermione pressed her ear to the crack.
She couldn't hear every word, but Penelope was explaining that there was a strike taking place and Jac was a Union organizer, but something had happened. Mrs. Evans was not forthcoming with the details to Professor Lugaid, but it appeared that Mr. Evans went to Derry. On business.
Hermione wrinkled her face briefly then paled. Derry, 1972. Very little of her muggle history studies remained, but her memory was as sharp as ever and the date hooked on the details to pull up Bloody Sunday.
No wonder this father had books on political activism. She heard a sound at the top of the stairs and saw Lily.
Lily was watching her with open faced concern.
Hermione stared at Lily trying to overhear the rest of the conversation. Lugaid was stumbling over information that informed Penelope Evans of her study abroad options, and that her tuition was being taken care of by her Magical guardian.
Hermione knew she needed to be up the stairs by the time Penelope came back inside. She headed up to Lily who watched her hurry up the stairs with her small case of items. Hermione gave Lily a tentative smile.
Lily blurted, "Are you upset with me?"
Hermione set her case down and gave Lily a hug.
The girl returned her affection fiercely. "I was so worried and mad, and I was scared and then Petunia had ago and and- Sev! And I just let it out and I'm sorry- but I'm not and-"
"It's okay Lily." Hermione pulled away and gave her a smile.
"And I lost the list of things you told me to bring back to you." Lily raised her mouth in a wince.
Hermione sighed and shook her head. The list was irrelevant but she'd explain that to Lily later.
Petunia had cracked open the door and then pretended not to be at her doorway, instead making like she was at her desk.
Hermione tilted her head and brought her case forward. "Hello Petunia."
Petunia turned and said, "Oh it's you."
Hermione didn't laugh. It wouldn't be helpful. She instead found something else to say, "I like your hair this way."
Petunia crossed her arms, "Yes. Thank you."
Hermione looked beyond her sisters room, the line and barrier still in place without a formal invitation. "Is Fruffy-kins around?"
"Your little monster has been at it with Fruffy so I've had to-" Petunia gestured, then spotted Crookshanks who had come up by Hermione's ankles to pause and stare at the Puffskein on the bed. Petunia rushed to the door and shut it behind her, making Lily and Hermione move aside.
Hermione picked up Crookshanks with a coo. He immediately started purring and then bit her. "Ow- sorry Crooks!" Hermione winced at his needle like claws and flapping tail.
Petunia laughed, and Lily scoffed, "He was pretty mad about you leaving him. I was an excellent mother in your absence, though I don't think that Richard liked having my attention split."
Hermione at the mention of mother looked down at the door. "Is...she okay?"
Petunia pinched herself together, "Da was gone for ages then came home and they were yelling."
Lily looked like her jaw was tight. "His face-"
She was cut off as their Mummy opened the door back up. She looked tense but then saw her daughters at the top of the stair. She smiled, "I've a roast in the oven darlings, how about we let Hermione wash up and we can have a nice tea?"
Petunia nodded. "I'll help."
Lily grabbed Hermione's case and they went into their bedroom. Hermione clicked the door shut with her foot. "What about his face?"
Lily said, "It looked like he had gotten into a fight. They were saying at the market that he had to do with rabble rousing or- something about a strike? I don't know, they were yelling at Mum. Oh 'Mione I'm so worried!" She wrapped her arms around her, tears edging, then, hesitating she sniffed. She pulled back. "What is that?"
Hermione couldn't help but puff out a laugh, "How should I know? Do I smell?"
Lily wiped away her leak quickly. "No- it's just- I guess different. Wash up- Mummy wants to know what you've been doing and Sev's been dying to know too. I'd ring him, but he said his Dad doesn't like it when the phone rings. I can send Richard?"
"Did Severus come for Christmas, then?" Hermione asked.
Lily smiled softly, "Yeah. It was nice."
Hermione tried to put Crookshanks down, but he refused. "Alright, I'll try."
Lily ran down to Richard's perch in the back garden.
Hermione sighed and returned Crookshanks accusing gaze. "I'm already tired, I don't need you to add to it."
Crookshanks meowed, his tone short.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Right, well. I couldn't bring you!"
Crookshanks whipped his tail back and forth and Hermione said, "I will try to take you next time. I promise." She nuzzled him. Satisfied he let himself be set down.
It was a strange thing to be in the kitchen again. The tea settings were laid out at the dinette. The living room with it's armchair resident was gone, and thus it seemed, the natural thing was to have tea in Penelope's domain.
Penelope greeted Hermione with a kiss again and led her to a chair, "Now, tell us! Tell us everything- did you have to use a hole in the ground?"
"How is that the first thing that could possibly come to mind?" Hermione was aghast.
Her mother looked both relieved and exasperated, "Well, I don't know! You hear things!"
Hermione resisted pinching her nose, this was worse than the casual ignorance her Granger parents kept about them regarding wizards. She had to remember that she was in the seventies, and married women didn't invite men inside their homes without the husband present and Penelope hadn't likely gone to college or left the country.
Lily said, "Can you use your wand now?"
Petunia had that unpleasant pinch to her face, "You- can't use your-? Don't wands choose or whatever?"
Hermione thought of her wand, still in it's home in her case. She didn't feel the need to have it clutched to her at all times now, but treated the question with her own feelings on the subject. "I actually haven't tried."
Lily agape and her mother looking back and forth between her daughters as she poured tea was struggling to keep up.
Hermione reassured, "I was taught other things. Important things, and I- did Professor Lugaid tell you?" She looked to Penelope as if she didn't know. Already lying again, Hermione squeezed her shoulders.
"Yes," Penelope nodded jerkily. "Yes," she turned to Petunia and Lily. "Hermione is going to be studying abroad this semester, or possibly summer, depending on the answer of the Headmistress of another school?"
Lily's jaw dropped, horrified. Petunia nearly curled her lip and sank her perfect posture to fold her arms.
Hermione said, "I am sorry, it's just- the apprenticeship has more to do with theory of magic Professor Lugaid was tutoring me on than anything else."
Lily laid her hands out on the table, "Hogwarts is the best magical school in the whole of Great Britain!"
Hermione said, "Yes, but it's not the only school."
"Your sister has a great opportunity as an apprentice, and while she's a little...different, she's doing her best with what she has." Penelope sipped her tea, nerves apparent.
Petunia snidely said, "Different isn't good-"
Penelope set her cup down with a clank, "She's making the best of it Petunia, now if you can't be nice you can go to your room."
Petunia made a petulant face and moved to get up but Hermione said, "It's okay. Petunia. It's not great but I'm doing what I can."
Lily huffed, "But I just don't understand- you did magic with me! Why's this so complicated and why do you have to leave? We were supposed to do this together!"
Hermione reached over to snag Lily's hand that had laid on the table. She was reminded of how Harry had never wanted to drag others into something dangerous but Lily was insistent that everyone should be dragged into something good. "I know, and we will but I'm going to have to come back to do this with you. I'll write, I promise."
Petunia said, "You didn't write."
Hermione's face half squinted, "Yes, well, this last time there were...complications."
Hermione briefly told them about the estate and Kage. She skimmed over the time expansion and slowness but alluded to it vaguely as the complication. She expanded on her clothing and the house at the behest of Petunia and her mother, and glazed over the turmoil she had worked through. She detailed the activities for Lily in a way that wouldn't make it seem like a vacation to Petunia. It was delicate work and eventually the door rang.
Lily ran to get Severus and Penelope poured more tea and excused Petunia from sitting at the table.
Petunia merely turned her nose up at Severus as she marched up the stairs. Hermione noted his new clothes. It was a black mock turtleneck and dark flared jeans- very muggle. Even with the flappy jacket he hung on the rack, it suited him quite well, even if he was smug watching Petunia walk up the stair.
Lily pointed excitedly to his shirt when Severus was winning his pretend battle with their older sister. Hermione suspected it was a Christmas gift.
Hermione looked at Severus then tilted her head, "Have you grown?"
Severus groused, "Hello is usually the standard greeting."
More than his clothing it was his voice that caused her to see Professor Snape standing in the doorway. His accent was smoother, he had edged the Spinner's End lilt out of his mouth. Something had happened, and Severus apparently had sprouted at least an inch in the few weeks standing at height with Lily.
Hermione said, "Hello. Would you like some tea?"
Penelope had piled things on a tray to take to the living room.
Lily started telling her about how Severus and her shared the wishbone this year at Christmas dinner and that he hadn't had a Christmas before.
Severus corrected, some color on his cheeks, "A Christmas similar."
"Right-"
Penelope busied herself in the kitchen and claimed to start in on dinner and dessert.
Hermione listened to Severus and Lily trade comments about Christmas, presents, and the whispered re-telling of the spat between Petunia and Severus. Some petty argument and snide comment that blew up in the confrontation that made Lily cry her confession.
After Hermione's unbothered acceptance, Lily launched into catching her up on Emily and Regina, their common friends whom Hermione had nearly forgotten. Emily was persistently asking questions about their school, quite offended that they hadn't left an address and will be expecting letters. She had managed to say Regina was getting 'totally into her older sister's dance scene.'
Severus cut in, "Disco is ridiculous.".
Lily said, "Though you seemed to enjoy Tom Jones when we-"
Severus abruptly asked, "What's happening with your schooling? Are you coming back to Hogwarts?"
Lily filled in the highlights, eager to share despite her obvious desire to prod and tease him.
"Are you really going to be Lord Blacks apprentice?" Severus' jealousy coated every word. He had known about it likely when Lily had told her parents and Lugaid had gotten involved.
Lily said, "Oh Hermione, Sev's gotten himself into a duelling club!"
"That's nothing compared to what- study abroad, is it?"
Hermione remained quiet, her time with Kage had encouraged her to remain so, and it allowed her to look at the response she would have given. Something a bit insensitive, and a little know-it-all ish but Lily spoke over Hermione's quiet.
"She's got to! She's not even learned to use her wand- but don't you dare tell Yaxley or Creepy-Crowley about this."
Severus glared at Lily, "If she's so special then it shouldn't be an issue anyway."
"You wouldn't," Lily said with playful exasperation, sensing that Severus' response was disdain for the very idea.
Severus turned to Hermione, "What school?"
"Ougadu." Hermione answered.
Severus leaned against the armchair from his position on the floor, "Pft, they're a bunch of savages."
Hermione snapped, "That's utterly uncivilised yourself. You have no idea about other magical practices and their merits. They're extraordinarily skilled."
Severus for not the first time, looked to be assessing her opinion in a calculated manner.
Lily huffed, "I doubt that Hermione's teacher would send her off to a place to learn to be 'savage' Severus- who told you that?"
Severus, shifted, uncomfortable at Lily's reprimand, "Everyone knows."
Hermione tried to control her slowly rising temper, "Everyone? Or just certain types of wizards?"
Severus was dismissive, "They don't even use wands!"
Hermione drolled, "Listen to yourself, you sound like an idiot. 'Lord Black' seems to think that they have useful skills."
This gave Severus pause. He looked at the carpet, picking at it, "I heard that he's in danger of losing his Lordship anyway."
Hermione snorted, "Is that so?" But her bravado was laced with a disquiet.
Lily crouched and pointed at Severus, and sing-songy. "Are you jealous?"
His eyes were wide, "Am not!" Severus clutched at himself. Lily pointed to him and then with a big smile that looked very much like Harry, she aimed to tickle him.
Severus cried out and shoved her off, panic clear on his face. He shoved Lily off a little harder than she was expecting, and not having rough-housed with brothers or boys before, Lily looked startled and a little hurt. Severus had scrunched up his legs to fold in front of his chest.
Hermione, to give Severus a chance to recover and distract Lily offered."Kage is very powerful witch, and she was something not unlike a Lord. I saw her throne room, but I liked her library best."
Severus and Lily looked at her, their interest obvious.
Lily laughed, "Of course you liked the library, boffin."
"How can a witch be a lord?" Severus wrapped his arms around his legs, casting a side long look at Lily, his face splotchy.
Hermione decided to tell them more of the magic that she had learned about and the library Kage had and concluded with telling them again, that she'd be leaving for Ougadu during the semester. Dinner was mostly pleasant if early, and Severus was on his best manners.
Hermione half listened to the radio her mother was washing the dishes to as Severus and Lily raptly watched the telly. Thoughts of Jac Evans and whether he was safe worried at her. The radio show was on about the strikes and the growing unrest in Northern Ireland.
She had never learned how Lily's parents died, she just knew that Harry had never spoken of grandparents, and neither had Sirius reminisced of Lily's parents, sitting at the table of Grimmauld place in the dark of their midnight conversations.
She wondered if they had died before James had begun dating Lily in 6th year, where Sirius was likely out of his parents house and attached to James. She tried not to funnel her concern down uncertainties.
She returned to what she could affect and her limitations. She held no illusions about preserving the future for Harry, her friend, anymore.
"Severus," Hermione said, "Can you help me? Dessert."
Lily turned, "What?"
Severus said, "I didn't hear-"
Hermione gestured to where she had her head near the door. Severus sighed and got up and Lily looked at Hermione who waved her at the telly. She got up and in the hallway snagged Severus' shirt. He looked at her suspiciously.
"If you want an apprenticeship, you should look into working with Belby and Slughorn."
Severus's face was certainly not the cool collected Professor Snape. There was the familiar narrowing of his eyes, but he nearly did that for everything.
"Who?"
Hermione sighed, she might have misremembered the Order of Merlin date but her best guess was that Belby was at Hogwarts around this time. "I'm thinking about working on my potions skills." She released his shirt awkwardly.
"What of it?"
"Belby, Damocles, he's working on getting a potions apprenticeship?"
"What does that- your mum-" he turned.
"She's putting down the plates for pie."
Severus licked his lips and then asked her, "You've asked me about Occlumency the same way." He eyed her, leery.
She asked, "You've found a tutor, then?"
He blinked, his chin twitched.
Hermione said primly, "I know a bit more about that, too. I'm willing to trade if you take an interest in being Belby's assistant."
Severus ducked his head, eyes flicking to the light fluttering at the cartoon noises coming from the living room. Lily laughed.
"Is this advice about an apprenticeship or bragging?" The last of the careful accent Severus had adopted was wiped away, "I don't appreciate you sneaking up and cornering me. Don't boss me."
Hermione sighed and heard the clatter of plates being set on a tray. she walked into the kitchen. She'd never know what Severus was really up to all of his hours. The boy kept about as much mystery around him as his older counterpart had secrets and obsession.
Penelope startled at their entrance, she moved quickly in front of a brandy bottle and glass. Hermione smelled it though, and it immediately brought back Draco's offer in a crystal cut glass.
Hermione focused on the present, "I thought you needed help with the trays."
"Oh thank you petal, and Severus, so thoughtful!"
Severus, she and Lily shared the meringue pie and finished the program. Severus left, thanking Penelope for the pie and didn't say a word more to Hermione about the potions. Lily hugged him and she waved.
Hermione and Lily packed their school trunks and their Mummy came in to tuck them into bed. Lily in the dark after she turned off the lights whispered, "I miss Da."
Hermione, exhausted, said nothing.
AN: I've been gone for too long.
Updated for grammar and the like- let me know if I've missed anything. Still no beta, still looking.
Sengoku Jidhai; 1467 to 1615 era of civil unrest and upheaval in medieval Japan.
Tom Jones; She's a Lady was definitely a song baby Severus would sing to himself.
Boffin; like egghead or nerd, derogatory but it's Lily.