Chapter 2
The exhausted Minister Shacklebolt is busy basking in the afterlight glow of his finished paperworks when suddenly a loud 'crack' resounded the whole office, startling him silly. Luckily, after participating in a war and being a former Auror, his reflexes could be said to be topnotch for within a second his wand was already on his hand, dangerously pointed at the black hooded intruder.
He held his breath. Thinking that it might be another death eater on loose who's bold – or probably stupid – enough to directly ambush the Minister in his office. So with a subtle gesture on his other hand, he wandlessly sent a message through the Auror Department using the hidden Wireless Intercom Lacrima or WIL; the latest and most advanced communication product given by the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes to the Ministry of Magic officials.
"I think it's hardly necessary for that, Minister Shacklebolt. You know only mine, Harry's, Professor McGonagall's, and a few other trusted ministry officials' magical signature were the only ones keyed and allowed to enter your Blood Ward." Hearing the familiar – albeit cold and emotionless – voice, Kingsley released the breath that he didn't knew he's currently holding. The tension on his shoulders now dropping at ease.
"I beg to differ child because just like what Moody always says: Constant Vigilance. Ya never know." Thinking of the said wizard, Kingsley couldn't help massaging his brows. For all his often talk of constant bloody vigilance look where does he still ended up now. On the St. bloody Mungo's, as the newest ward neighbor of Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom. Suffering with the same situation. Poor ol' pal.
"And nonsense. Just Kingsley for ya, child. I won't let the person whom I have ridden the thestral with and helped me fought back to back calling me such high moniker. So, now, how may I help ya, Miss Granger?" He paused. Seemingly remembering something important. "Or is it Miss Peverelle now?"
At the mention of that surname Hermione's head snapped to his direction. Kingsley suppressed the wince that threatens to partook after directly meeting those pair of haunted bloodshot eyes. He didn't know if it's just illusion now, but he swore he really saw a flash of killing intent on her eyes directed at him.
Goodness gracious Kingsley, you have fought two bloody Wars and an evil madman and ye're telling me now that only a mere teenager could scare ya? Rubbish! He chastised himself, but then remembering all those powerful curses and hexes that hurled and whizzed through the young witch's wand, he internally shuddered. Thank Merlin, she's an ally. Remember that, Kingsley. She's an ally. Be thankful. She won't hurt you. She's an ally. She won't kill you. She's an ally. The silly Minister repeated it over and over again on his mind like a mantra.
Two months after the War, Hermione was summoned on the Gringotts to read the last Will left by her parents. Her mum had given her a couple of hundred thousands of muggle money that she had accumulated in all of her years of working on dentistry. Together with some high priced jewelries and properties it can be said that Hermione already have a large scale of pocket money to live an idle life for years.
But when it was Mr. Granger's turn, Hermione didn't know what to expect but a huge magical surprise is definitely not what she had anticipated.
Henry Granger's – or formerly known as – Hendrick Peverelle's late father is the last known remaining descendant of Peverelle bloodline. The Peverelles is formerly part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight but they don't have the same prejudices regarding the half-bloods, muggleborns, and especially muggles as the other families in Sacred Twenty-Eight does– like the Malfoys, Lestranges, Blacks, Notts, Parkinsons, Goyles, and so on and so forth.
During the war they also supported the Light and that's the other reason why the Knights of Walpurgis of the first Dark Lord Grindelwald annihilated the entire family. For being a Blood Traitor and all. Though for the main reason no one knew. But Hermione had a hunch in her heart, especially knowing that Grindelwald was the first known holder of the powerful Elder Wand before Dumbledore and later, Voldemort.
At that time no one knew that Septimus Peverelle has a Squib son that he entrusted to his Halfblood wizard friend who lived in the outskirts of the muggle city during the War.
The Squib child is called Hendrick Peverelle who was personally raised by the infamous potioneer Mr. Henry Dagworth-Granger. Hendrick grew up ignorant of magic but on the day of Mr. Dagworth-Granger's deathbed, he revealed it all to him. Said he at least deserved to know about his origins and what exactly happened to his real family. That time, Hendrick was already married to his wife Helen who also managed to learn the truth.
Later when they had a child, they weren't much as surprised to see the weird things that's happening around their little daughter. But then they decided that for their safety they needed to at least hide their identity– especially Hendrick's for that matter. He changed his name from Hendrick Peverelle to Henry Granger which is obviously derived from his late pseudo-father's real name.
They posed as a two muggle couples until the day that their daughter's Acceptance Letter to this magical school called Hogwarts arrived. When Professor Dumbledore told them the basics of magic they pretended to be oblivious and acted surprised at the revelation. Though the glint that flashed behind the old wizard's spectacles told them that he knew otherwise but didn't chide them. It's their secret to keep and though curious, he wasn't a nosy person to intrude other people's business.
The couple then decided that it's better for their daughter to know the entire truth when she's of age. By then she would clearly understand more the reason why they keep it a secret from her. Though the entire 'will-tell-her-when-she's-of-age' thing didn't happen at all for they already died on the hands of the second known Dark Wizard the day before she became seventeen.
Thinking again about the deaths of her parents, the familiar painful tug on her heartstrings resurfaced again. Hermione calmed herself first before closing her eyes. Compartmentalizing her thoughts and emotions had become a constant habit to Hermione that she's doing it with ease now. Like a walk on the park. But the growing darkness thrumming through her veins also grew excitedly ablaze. As if a moth drawn to a fire. Hermione waited for the feeling of hollowness and emptiness to come back before opening her eyes.
Minister Shacklebolt's mantra halted when those pair of hollow and frighteningly more haunted eyes met his. It's as if staring at them more would pull you on an endless abyss at any second. A shudder runs down his spine. Goosebumps arising his skin. Bloody hell, so much for that crappy mantra I think I might've needed a group of Aurors to secure me at the moment.
"So, Kingsley, I'm here because of the last time."
"Oh." Oh. Of course he remembers it clearly. Or was he really? Wait, which last time is it again? Blimey! Why does he need to forgot it of all things?! Think... Think... Think carefully, Kingsley.
"The portkey. I entrust you already arranged things for me?"
The portkey... The portkey... That's it! You're brilliant Shacklebolt! And you forgetting things isn't a sign of aging it only means that you're too busy to remember such trivial things as portkeys. Remember that!
"Oh, yes. Yes, yes... I clearly remembered that I hid it somewhere on my Vault. Just a moment if ya may, Miss Granger."
"Hm." She only replied with a noncommittal hum.
After ransacking through his bundles of topmost secret files filed on the Vault, Shacklebolt at last manage to find the golden box that will serve to be her portkey.
"This, child, if I remember correctly ya didn't accept the key connecting to the Peverelle's vault at that time." Opening the lid of the golden box, he retrieved a rectangular thing that oddly resembles a bank card inside of it. Only it was a golden card with Gringotts intricate watermark doning its smooth surface. "Ya can at least use this just like those muggle contraption that muggles uses to get monies on their bank accounts. It is charmed to easily change into a foreign currency if ye're going to a foreign country. And this particularly awesome Charm is courtesy to Miss Clearwater's brilliant mind. Convenient isn't it, Miss Granger?" He added hoping to elicit at least a curious expression from the young witch.
Alas, Hermione remained expressionless and unfazed. This kind of things doesn't excite her anymore. She doesn't care at anything anymore.
"Great." She only blurted out with that emotionless tone of hers.
Kingsley sighed. If only not for the War, this equally if not more brilliant witch could've led a bright future. Hell, he's even willing to give her a high position on the Ministry. Probably on the Creature's division so that she can propose that– what was it again? Spat? Scum? Spew?
Blergh, nevermind.
"Portus." With a silent enchant the golden box glowed lightly. "Here ya go, Miss Granger. When ya reached yer destination someone will be guiding ya to sign some contracts and to register yer wand first. And then she'll give ya a quick briefing to where exactly ye're heading to. Don't worry Miss Granger she's a trusted person and I can assure ya that she won't go blurting out on the Daily Prophet the next moment that ye're out of sight that the great War Heroine slash Golden Girl is fleeing the Wizarding World." Kingsley said jokingly but a few moments later, he was only met with a stony face from the opposite witch and a few imaginary cricket sounds.
Well, this is awkward ha ha. But nevermind. He knew that he doesn't have a humour okay. No need to slap it on his face!
Before he could open his mouth to talk again, Hermione had already grabbed the glowing portkey. She felt the familiar tug on her navel before disappearing on the spot with a swirl. Only leaving three muttered words as a response to him.
"Annoying. So loud."
Left behind. Kingsley Shacklebolt stood gaping in shock. He felt like crying without tears.
W-what... What an ungrateful witch!
A/N: So how was that? I just imagined a scene wherein Kingsley is being silly and now here it is. I know it's not that great but can you please leave me some reviews? I just wanna know the thoughts of my lovely daffodils is all!