St Oswalds Hospital had quite a reputation in its time, but like many Victorian built hospitals, decay was starting to show through the cracks. Funding to repair and upgrade was non-existent from the government, so you can imagine the delight of Stanley Trenchwood the director of St Oswalds, when a 'Madame Jett' contacted offering a generous donation to the facility in exchange for a tour of the building which he eagerly agreed to.
He straightened his tie as the desk clerk buzzed through telling him his donator had arrived, rushing to the door with welcoming smile he was taken aback by the beautiful blonde lady standing gracefully at the door, he could tell she had come from money but couldn't help but wonder about her odd sense of style to wear a black poncho? Or was it a cloak he wondered.
"Mr trenchwood?" Her voice questioned gently, she held her hand out.
"Madame Jett" he eagerly took the hand, bending down to kiss the back of it. She jerked her hand away.
"Yes" she answered wiping said hand with the back of a handkerchief she pulled from her purse. "I believe you were going to show me your research department, As requested?"
"Of course" he eagerly responded, bowing slightly and gesturing left with his arms. "This way please."
Narcissa trailed behind the muggle as he continued his rehearsed monologue, leading her round various departments. She tried her best to hide her repulsed face when hearing descriptive comments on some of the procedures carried out, she knew muggles didn't have magic, but the sheer lengths they went through to survive was almost barbaric. Narcissa made a mental note to remove all the Muggle medical books from her office, goodness knows what new forms of torture the deatheaters would find if they get hold of those.
"… and finally we come to the Kidney research department, I believe this was where your interest mainly lies in our research program Madam Jett?" he smiled an oily smile as she turned her attention back to the man.
"Indeed, I would like to see the new Dialysis machine I requested you test out with my donation," She carefully pronounced Dialysis, knowing she had practised it several times with the security guard before entering, and obliviated him of course after he confirmed she had it correct.
"Ah, yes. It's over here." he answered, gesturing to a compact machine, gleaming fresh out of the box. "We Haven't actually finished setting it up for use yet." He continued, though Narcissa was no longer listening, she looked at the machine, her plan had worked. She looked around for any other workers before pulling her wand from her robe. Trenchwood stared blankly at her as she ruffled whatever it was back into her pocket.
"Forgive me Madam Jett, I forget what I was saying." he apologised, confused, he didn't remember getting to the research department from his office so quickly.
"You look unwell Mr Trenchwood, you appear to have blacked out for a moment, perhaps we should schedule my visit for another day?"
"Yes, perhaps."
"My assistant will be in touch." she concluded, and dismissed herself quickly from the room.
Trenchwood headed to the consultants office. Hoping one of the doctors or at least a nurse would be present to check him over. He managed to find a nurse to check his vitals with no unusual activity. He was about to head to his office when the department head came running behind him.
"Mr Trenchwood, where are the new machines? We are just about to set them up for testing and no one can locate them within the department?"
"What are you talking about Watson, All stock is right he-" he pointed to the empty space on the central counter. Rubbing his head for a moment as if trying to remember. It was at that moment Trenchwood started to panic, oh how he wished he had scheduled that new CCTV set up to be installed last week instead of next week.
Hermione stirred groggily as someone shrugged against her shoulder. She looked up from her pillow to see it was Harry staring down at her,
"The minister wants to see you." He whispered before looking across to make sure he hadn't disturbed Ginny.
Hermione dressed quietly before descending the rickety staircase of the burrow, low muttering could be heard from the room below. Still in a sleepish haze Hermione was partially confused why the minister wanted to see her.
She rubbed her eyes as she padded into the living room. Harry was standing still in his pajamas alongside Arthur in his dressing gown both looked up as she entered the living room, The muttering from Kinglsey Shacklebolt and another Auror who she did not recognise stopped as they looked towards her.
"Good morning Hermione, I am sorry to disturb you at an early hour but unfortunately as we try to settle everyone certain duties cannot wait." He explained in a manner of importance.
Hermione nodded, knowing if she said anything else it would only draw out what inevitable favour she was about to be asked.
"We have an issue that has been occurring over the last couple of weeks in the muggle world, I am hoping you can assist the Auror I am putting on the case.
To say she was annoyed was an understatement. 5 days, 5 days it had been since Voldemort had finally been defeated, and in those few days she had barely left Ginny's room, sleeping, relaxing, healing. Harry had run out the second he could to further help wherever he could, he needed to fulfil that impending need even without a Dark lord or prophecy in place. And Ron being needy, chased straight after immersing himself in whatever glory worship he could achieve.
"What do you need me to do exactly?" Ready to say no at any suggestion of risk, she had done her part. Her priority now was to sort herself and find her parents, not that anyone was aware of this.
"We have had reports of several muggle hospitals having equipment stolen. Nobody knows who, how or why? We only linked them together under the strange circumstances reported"
"You think it's a wizard?"
"We believe so yes, there are signs of obliviation to the participants reported, we have unspeakables working through the memories we managed to pry, but we are low on spare enforcement to put the time in to the case, however we are concerned how much these individuals are going out of their way to obtain this equipment"
"What exactly do you want me to do?"
"You understand muggles, you may be able to pick up on something simple we missed, I am pairing you with Auror Tonks, and you will liaise with Arthur of course once we locate and understand the machines"
"Ok"
Kingsley handed her a file. "I will send Tonks over for you this afternoon, in the meantime read through the notes we have collected so far. And Miss Granger, this information doesn't leave this room?"
She took the file and nodded. Turning back towards the kitchen, not even waiting to be dismissed.
"Hermione," Arthur called after putting his hand on her shoulder, "feel free to use my study if you need some privacy for that" he smiled looking down at the file.
"Thankyou" she answered. She turned knowing she couldn't sleep now and made a cup of tea before heading to the study with the file.
The door burst open with no warning of a knock,
"You could have knocked Ron" Hermione grumbled as she slammed the file shut.
"Sorry" he apologised, "Tonks is asking for you, she's in the kitchen with mum"
Hermione picked up the file hugging it to her body and shuffled past him.
"Wotcher Hermione" Tonks called, her voice soft and a sad smile on her face. Hermione said nothing but instead walked straight to the other witch and hugged her tightly.
"You of all people shouldn't be working right now" she whispered.
"Have to, distracts me" she answered with tear stained eyes as she pulled back.
"Would you like to stay for lunch Nymphadora?" Molly asked from the stove.
"No thanks I'd rather get straight into work if Hermione's happy to start with me this afternoon" she looked at Hermione.
"Sure, let me just get my bag."
Hermione ran upstairs grabbing her pre-packed bag, she was never unprepared after the last years shenanigans, she shoved the file in with the rest of the belongings,grabbed a coat and headed back downstairs.
"See you later" she called to everyone hurrying out the door after Tonks.
"We're going to my mums if that's ok?" Tonks explained as they walked across the garden.
"That's fine," Hermione smiled. She took Tonk's offered hand before Apparating out.
They landed in a small clearing. A large log cabin stood ahead of them well hidden in the pine trees towering around it, most of the land around it had been cultivated into vegetable patches.
"Mum lives off grid,'' Tonks explained as she noticed Hermione's look of surprise.
They walked through the door, it's hinges squeaking as it was pushed shut. Tonks pulled off her coat and hung it on the pegs on the wall of the hallway before walking into the first room on the left, Hermione followed suit finding herself in the kitchen, Teddy squealing with happiness as his mum went to pick him out of his chair. Andromeda was by the stove, stirring what looked to be soup in a large pan, she smiled towards her family as Teddy reached happily towards his mother.
"Hello Hermione" Andromeda acknowledged the Muggleborn shyly hovering in the doorway, "Take a seat we don't bite" she continued noticing the fleeting scared look on the girls face.
Hermione sat down feeling silly for the fleeting thought of how much she looked like her sister, from afar it could be her identical twin and yet Andromeda's hair was much lighter and her eyes much softer.
Andromeda placed a bowl of soup in front of her and Tonks before returning with one for herself and some bread. "Thankyou mrs Tonks" Hermione whispered as she took a slice of the offered bread.
"Call me Andy," she smiled.
"You don't mind working from here do you Hermione?" Tonks asked, dipping some bread in her soup.
"Not at all"
"Great. It's easier than trying to secure an office right now, and I don't like being too far from Teddy since his dad-" she stopped throwing her hands to her face to hide her tears. Andy patted her daughter's arm as her daughter tried to hold back the sobs.
"The house has always been unplottable, no one knows about it outside of the family, apart from the minister and now you, Hermione." Andy explained. As she accio'd a box of tissues across this kitchen for her daughter.
"I know you're staying at the Burrow, but I figured you might like somewhere a bit less crowded," Tonks explained as she wiped her face with a tissue.
"What my daughter is saying is you're welcome to stay here if you wish Hermione."
Hermione was caught off guard at the offer, not expecting this fragile family to open up their home for her so easily.
"Thank you" was all she could say as they were disturbed from a popping sound in the kitchen.
"Hi Donny" Tonks called towards the house elf that appeared.
"Hello miss!" The elf squeaked before it eagerly began putting away pans from the drying rack.
"Donny is another house guest, she is staying with us until she can find a new employer as her previous mistress set her free before she died. She insists on helping in the house to pay her way" Tonks explained as the elf happily whistled about her work.
She finished her soup and picked up her bowl taking it towards the sink. She pulled her sleeves up slightly as she rinsed the bowl under the tap. Andromeda joined her side with the other dirty bowls. Her gasp was not missed by Hermione, who had a pretty good feeling what caused it, her suspicion confirmed when she looked up to see the older witch staring at the 'Blood' part of her scar sticking out under her sleeve.
A look of despair on Andy's face as she continued to stare. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare."
"It's fine" Hermione reassured her, she was used to people staring at it after this long.
"May I-" She gestured to the sleeve. Hermione pulled it up, fully revealing the angry red mark.
"It's still weeping?" she asked, looking closely.
"Yes." Hermione confirmed.
"Interesting . . ." She said, dropping the arm and marching off towards the archway into the next room. Hermione was confused and looked at Tonks who was equally as confused and shrugged her shoulders waiting for her Mum to return.
Andromeda returned a minute later with a cloak wrapped around her.
"I am going out" she announced heading for the doorway.
"Okay" Tonks answered, distracted by a biscuit she was eating. "Where?"
"I want to see my sister." She answered, the door shutting behind her.
"Alright. . . What!?" Tonks jumped up as it sank it what her mother had said, she ran past Hermione to the doorway,
"Mum! What the hell?"
"I need to confirm something" She called heading to the apparition point.
"Shit, Donny! Can you please watch Teddy I won't be long I promise!" Tonks shouted as she jumped around on one foot trying to stick her shoe on the other. Hermione ran after them, knowing this wasn't good and not really sure what else to do.
"Of course Miss Nymphadora!" Donny shouted excitedly
"It's Tonks!" She shouted correcting the elf as she ran down the garden path to where her mum had just apparated from, she grabbed Hermione's arm apparating them both straight after.
The loud banging of the knocker almost caused the auror to jump out of his skin. The shifts guarding Malfoy manor was slow and boring, but safe for new recruits like Zinc Mulberry who had just been sworn in after the war had finally ended. The lanky boy turned to the door, scraping for his wand as he unbolted the latch.
"Name and reason for Visit?" He croaked through the crack of the door.
"Andromeda Tonks, I want to see my sister." She instructed,
"Mum, what the hell are we doing here?" Tonks angrily whispered from behind.
"Shhh!"
"Let them in Burberry," The calm tone of Narcissa Filtered through from the Stairwell.
"It's Mulberry," he muttered. Opening the door allowing entry. Andromeda walked in holding her head high, she looked up, seeing her youngest sister for the first time in decades.
They looked at each other for a moment both emotionless, or at least appearing that way. Hermione felt small as she hovered in the background, uncomfortable about where she was. Tonk's was holding her wand, ready to strike at the slight chance of attack.
"What do I owe thee pleasure?" Narcissa asked, her hand still on the bannister.
Andromeda moved to the foot of the stairs.
"I wanted to see my sister." She repeated again. Narcissa stepped back slightly and turned sideways as she gestured for Andromeda to join her up the stairs.
"Stay here" she ordered as she began ascending the stairs, Tonks gobsmacked but knew her mother ment business. She watched helplessly as her mother reached the top of the stairs, walking past the blonde without looking at her. Narcissa looked down on the two girls for a brief second before turning after her estranged sister.
Narcissa led her to a small drawing room, sitting herself down and gesturing for Andromeda to join her on the couch opposite. The tension could be cut through with a knife as the silence deafened the room. Andromeda ignored the gesture to sit, instead she walked towards the mantelpiece by the fire, looking at the small photo frames. One caught her attention specifically and she picked it up to look closer.
"Well you're here, now what?" Narcissa asked, getting impatient.
"I already told you why I'm here," Andromeda answered, turning towards the blonde.
Narcissa looked at her confused about contradicting her when Andy continued.
"I want to see my sister" She reiterated once again, holding up the photograph of Bellatrix.