AN: I apologise for the long delay. If you are still reading this story, I so thank you.
Also, please stay safe.
Seventh Commemoration and Accidental Magic
Year 2005 | 4th Seventh of May | Chapter 1
Five years later
"Hermione, what are we going to do when your baby comes out with those distinguished impossible emerald eyes?"
That indeed would need an explanation.
Department of Magical Law Enforcement Hermione Granger knew that the volume of the latest round of laughter coming from their group was too much to not garner notice. But honestly, she isn't entirely concern for the racket they are producing; many others who are in the same Ministry Ballroom are also quite clamorous within their own mini cluster. After all, they are agreeably assembled for the commemoration of the last ended war, like they have had, for the last 7 years.
In some ways, when their society ceremoniously started picking up the cluttered pieces of their lives during that afternoon of 7th of May in Year 1998, at a ruined Hogwarts ground, five days after Harry defeated Voldemort, it quintessentially marked May 7 with such reverence. Moreover, the Ministry had even started to regard the commemoration as fitting annual affair to carry out official pronouncements of major vicissitudes.
As a matter of fact, in year 2003 when Hermione made the decision to leap from Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures (RCMC) to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement (MLE), she could not convince Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt and MLE Head Jinn Leroy to exclude the public announcement during the 5th Year Commemoration.
Truthfully, she recognized the merit in wielding her popular Golden Trio heroic war role as she was introduced into her new Ministry role. She was cognizant that the substantial public backing she gets from the Ministry would afford certain advantages in lobbying reformations, never mind that she mentally cringes at the political-drama spectacle.
During her three years stay at the Department of RCMC, Hermione truly made a name for herself other than 'Harry Potter's best friend Golden Brain' label. She had revolutionized advocacies that are collectively constructive amongst beings, beasts and spirits.
RCMC introduced countless immersions that began redefining and enlightening many outdated concepts, which are mostly the root causes of the perpetual prejudice. Unfortunately, there are aspects in which the Department is still coming short. For one, they could not make a dent against the deeply rooted injustice of elves in their world, as elves themselves are unintentionally active party of the wrongness.
In one of her dinner dates with her best friends, Hermione was ranting her frustrations about the injustice of it all. Harry candidly pointed out the limitation of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures in terms of legislation involving Humans. He threw in the idea that maybe she needs to get a craftier operation for their RCMC programs by establishing collaboration with MLE, since the latter has the jurisdiction in passing and dispensing justice for all…
The idea was rather brilliant. Hermione conceded that no matter how worthy the objectives of Regulation and Control are, they are sometimes restricted by the Department's very nature. Indeed, there are some things that would never materialize with mere encouragement. That without full power of the law, they would only get improvements but not enforcement... She had kissed Harry's forehead for his wonderful insight and then as soon as she drafted her initial design for alliance, she secured a meeting with Jinn Leroy. The wizard is the popular Head of MLE, and the boss of Harry's boss in the Auror Division.
But Harry, nor Ron, or even Hermione herself, could not have imagined the extremely brief dialogue she had with Jinn Leroy during the said meeting—
"Ms. Granger, I already took a good run through of your proposal. And my answer is that why don't we get your brain transferred to level two of the Ministry…?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"It is time for you to join MLE. Then you could get your brilliant mind to craft and endorse changes, bloody charm or bloody force the bloody Wizengamot into passing relevant promulgations… I am certain you can integrate the unpopular but vital RCMC agenda you are unsuccessfully promoting these years in MLE."
"I can't get it done in RCMC?"
"You know you can't. Otherwise, we are not having this meeting."
The frank counter-offer caught Hermione completely off-guard. First and foremost, she had thought she would spend more years in RCMC before she would venture into another department, well, honestly, into MLE.
"Ms. Granger, do transfer to MLE and get them done. And many more we ought to accomplish... Merlin knows how many others we humans have to be lawfully compelled with, for no reason other than to emerge as better civilization than we are. Otherwise, we might find ourselves fighting another deranged dark spellbinding chauvinists wizard."
Hermione's quick brain had grasped the certitude of such pronouncements. And she cannot deny the real break that is being presented to her.
"If you don't mind the dip in the title, the MLE Deputy post is yours."
Yes, technically it is a downgrade from a Department Head. Although Hermione was generally tagged as an over-achiever, especially back when she was a student, it was never about self-victory. And most importantly, it was never about a damn title. Being a Ministry employee since Year 1999, she is fully aware of the clout of MLE. To be its deputy would give her a better platform to bridge the limitation of those she would never accomplish despite holding the headship of Regulation and Control.
"I also need someone who would last for more than 12 months in the job."
It was a common knowledge within the Ministry that Jinn Leroy has been going through series of appointment and discharge of Ministry officers for the said Deputy post. And the notion of possibly the next 'hired and fired' MLE Deputy went through Hermione's head.
"As you have probably deduced, I, or rather the MLE is unable to keep one since I have assumed its headship. Now you're wondering if it would be a career misstep for you to accept the post, especially with the last one who just lasted for pitiful 3 months."
Hermione could not help but release a snort at the wizard's words. And simultaneously raised her hand in gesture of contrition upon seeing Jinn's raised eyebrow. For few moments, they regarded each other in silence, both making mental assessment. Then the veteran wizard went on to set the final slay.
"Do you mind me calling you Hermione? And please, call me Jinn."
"Alright, Jinn."
"See. Quick like that. Take the post Hermione... You do have plans of moving into MLE, regardless that you have not intended it to be now... We both damn know that you're not lacking in qualification. You're not regarded the wisest witch of you age for nothing. And most of all— I hear that Hermione Granger is no quitter…That NO-IMPOSSIBLE-TO-FIND-HORCRUX can make her lose her sight with what needs to be done..."
Oh, Jinn Leroy is good. Bloody good… And that was that, Hermione made the jump to MLE.
Two years as MLE Deputy, the decision was attesting to be the right call. Such as the case of passing a particular decree closest to Hermione's personal crusade— The Act for the Welfare of Elves, mostly referred by its shortcut, 'The AWE'.
The AWE is a severe grown-up version of Hermione's SPEW. It went through countless consultations and rigid campaigns amongst elves and magical people, with many versions written and revised, before a win-win draft was finally endorsed, and consequently signed into legislation. To be precise, as far as official record, it was signed into law just three days ago. Hence, the 7th Commemoration tonight will highlight 'The AWE'.
Also happening tonight is the formal introduction of the latest batch of Aurors who finished their probationary period. It accounts for the extra number of attendees at the Ministry ballroom… Despite the seemingly delay in the opening of the commemoration, no one is really minding it. No one is giving a fuss that the Minister is still held in some last minute meeting with the Wizengamot members. Everyone is simply enjoying the jovial atmosphere at the banquet.
Another barrel of laughs has erupted amongst Hermione's company, whose names are Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley Potter, Hestia Jones Shacklebolt, Audrey Weasley, Angelina Johnson Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Susan Bones, and George Weasley. And because they have George holding the court with his anecdotes, it was rather impossible for them to not explode into considerable merriment.
Their latest outburst had prompted Hermione to subtly check around them, again. This time, she saw the arrival of her boss, Jinn Leroy, together with senior members of the Wizengamot, followed by the Minister's Chief of Staff, Gil Williams, though no Minister himself yet.
She watched Gil breakaway from his companions and headed towards their group when he caught sight of their huddle. Hermione surmised that the meeting that noticeably ran long was finally over. Shacklebolt Kingsley is shortly to appear and have the official programme commence.
"It was so wicked," George enthused in his narrative, effectively returning Hermione's full attention at the chattering within her group.
"What is wicked?" Gil Williams intersected as he just reached the group, and making small gestures of greeting.
"Oh, you would want to hear this."George enormously beamed at the question before finishing to addressing it. "That the VERY FIRST MAGIC of— James Sirius Potter was to almost give his VERY FAMOUS father— Harry Potter…a some kind of a heart attack!"
At George's overplayed comical account, Hermione found herself genuinely chuckling. But what actually amused her was the adorable blush that sported by the target of George's antics, none other than her best friend, Harry Potter. When she caught his olive eyes, she gave him a wink, which made him shake his head but nonetheless laughed at himself.
Hermione already knew the story, but she gladly listened to George with his colorful narration. He was telling the story of how the Potter's latest broom, the Firebolt version 2005 had broken out from its magically locked compartment, and whooshed towards his nephew, James Sirius Potter. Apparently, the toddler accidentally summoned it. But the extra wicked part that George was emphasizing about was the incident of Harry falling down the stairs as he physically raced against the broom, and absolutely forgetting that he could have used magic.
"Imagine," George affectionately draped one arm over Harry and not holding back in his ribbing, "Here is an exceptional wizard, who once disposed a powerful evil, suddenly falling into a mad mishap, from an accidental magic… by his less than six-year old kid!"
The exaggeratedly dramatized story's finale was accompanied with props from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. George released one of their latest ingenious product inspired from the very same story. It was a simple tube that upon taking out its cap, it transformed into an incorporeal twelve-inch miniature broom, which discharged and ignited at Harry's head. George's antics caused them another round of laughter, especially as Harry fought over his heightened blushes.
When a bit of the laughter had died down, Hestia asked, "The kid is just six years old, right?"
"Actually, James won't be six until August." Ginny, the proud mother, stated with unmistakable pleasure.
"And he's already having accidental magic? Wouldn't that be considered too early." Hestia appraised. "If I recall correctly, mine first manifested when I was seven years old."
Ginny nodded, "Mine was about a month after I turned seven. And my mother said that all my brothers first exhibited magic around that age too."
Ron and George motioned in confirmation before Gil Williams told them that he had gotten his first display of magic exactly on the morning of his seventh birthday. He earned laughs as he narrated that it happened because he was too impatient to get to his birthday presents. He was hurrying to eat breakfast when he accidentally vanished their family dining table.
"Isn't 7 years of age the official age of when kids started having accidental magic?" Hestia asked.
"Then as a kid, I was very late on that." Angelina bemoaned, "I did not show magic not until I reached ten." She proceeded to reveal that her mother was a bit worried that she would be non-magical, because she wasn't displaying accidental magic.
Neville good-naturedly waived off Angie's lamentation. "My grandmother pestered me for not showing magic not until about a month before I got my Hogwarts letter. I was readying with the idea of how she would send me to live in a Muggle world if I never display magic."
"Neville, a person's name of our kind would appear under the official record of Magical population when born. Regardless if they would exhibit accidental magic or not." Said Audrey Weasley.
"I know. But when you're a kid growing up with my grandmother, you tend to doubt so many things…" Neville replied with genuine lightheartedness as he had outgrown most of his uncertainties. "Anyway, I actually wanted to share that I learned from Professor Flitwick that there is no official age on accidental magic. The notion of 'age seven' for first accidental magic is from informal collection. Therefore, there is no delayed accidental magic as well."
"That is correct, Neville." Said Susan Bones. "Plus, many have known of stories of 7-year-old kids accidental magic here in our world, which is why the 'age seven' sticks. Take Ginny and her brothers. But many forget that it excludes muggle-borns' first accidental magic. For obvious reasons, they don't know it yet for them to keep track of it."
"I suppose…" Angelina acknowledged. "But would it be fair to say that we don't hear much of kids' accidental magic younger than 7 years old?"
"You can say that" responded by Neville. "It is incredible for James to summon at age 5."
"Yes. Fairly!" Ginny smilingly responded. "But, as much as incredible it is— James' early magic—" she paused before she sent their group's attention towards Hermione with a wave, "What is more incredible is her daughter's magic."
"Your daughter is displaying magic already?" Neville asked incredulously as she turned to Hermione. "But didn't she just turned four last December?"
"Err, yes, she has. And yes, she's four." Hermione mumbled and she knew where the conversation would be heading, and has no idea how to divert into something else without being plain evasive.
Ginny who is oblivious of Hermione's internal struggle, actually went on to say, "That is not even the most astonishing part. She was already displaying magic when she was just a baby!"
With what Ginny had said, a quick and non-verbal exclusive exchange commenced across three best friends. With brief unseen reproaching glares from Hermione to the boys, and Harry returning it with a contrite face, it settled the matter of who told Ginny.
"Woah! Do tell!" George excitement is palpable and before Hermione could decide on what to tell them, Ginny replied to his brother.
"You didn't know?" Ginny was genuinely stunned to have learned that George has not heard the story. She probably thought that Ron would have given the info to him already. Well, Ginny didn't know that apart from the Trio, she is the only one who knows about it. Hermione suddenly wanted to jinx Harry for it, and her best friend probably had sensed it, he mouthed a 'Just Proud', and gave her a small assuring grin.
Hermione internally sighed and let go of her initial reaction. She isn't truly angry that Harry told Ginny. She is not even surprised that he would tell his wife. Understandably, it was basically harmless to share it with Ginny. Plus, she believes that Harry is simply proud of her daughter, the same manner she feels about James Sirius Potter.
"I didn't realise—" Ginny hanged her words before shooting Hermione a small signal to know if she could proceed to tell the rest. Hermione gave her a smile before nodding in accord…because to do otherwise would just raise questions.
Hermione heard Ginny began telling the group an abridged version of her daughter's accidental magic. And then she couldn't help but silently recall her own memories...
It was one morning in April of 2001. Hermione had a fright when she found her four-month-old daughter much awake and playing with her stuffed toys. Surely, a playing baby is nothing to fear; except for the fact that the very same toys were the ones that Hermione had put away the night before— where she had placed on the shelves… The very shelves located across the room, which was certainly beyond the baby's reach.
Hermione could only guessed that her daughter had wielded an accidental summoning charm. How else? She refused to consider any other reason. Besides, she triple checked and knew that her wards have not been overridden by anyone without her knowledge, most especially not by a proficient witch, nor literally bypassed by a cat with notable markings. Hence, she was convinced that it was daughter's magic she missed witnessing at hand.
Then few weeks after that incident, Hermione finally testified her daughter's magic. As a matter of fact, she knew that it happened on the 7th of May 2001, four years to date.
That early morning, Hermione was alerted that one of the set charms had gone off, she rushed from the kitchen to a bedroom with much concern. Just after entering, sparks of magic in front of her widened her chocolate eyes before they turned into absolute endearment, laced with overwhelming amusement. When she stepped further into the room, another pair of eyes with exact likeness of Hermione's chocolate ones, turned on her. The owner is none other but Rose Esmerauld Granger McGonagall.
"Alright sweetheart," Hermione lovingly murmured as she hunched down to pick up her baby from the floor. "It is very much noted that you got your OTHER mother's prowess…"
Hermione's mixed awe and apprehension displayed on her face. The cause is nothing less than essentially witnessing her daughter's exhibit of accidental magic.
In response, the small human bundle of joy toothlessly adorned Hermione's signature Cheshire grin. However, the adorable baby chuckles that sounded off had sent Hermione's heart to skip a beat. She could swear, somehow, she heard Minerva McGonagall in them. Hermione shook her head in disbelief and lightheartedly rebuked her daughter with showered kisses.
"I hope you also inherited her trademark of subtlety and impeccable discipline. Otherwise darling, you're going to cause me a lot of trouble."
At the further grinning that Rose gave her in return, Hermione heartily laughed. "Oh definitely, A LOT, LOT, LOT of trouble!"
"What did she do this time?" The question came from her best friend-the-boy-who-lived, who expectantly appeared in her home.
"Good morning, Harry."
Harry kissed her in greeting, reached and took hold of her baby, then playfully asked, "What did Rose Esmerauld Granger McGonagall do this time?"
"Harry, I told you not to—"
"What? Call her by her full name…? She's still a baby Mione, I doubt she understands us at the moment." Harry interrupted her concern, of indeed about using Rose full name.
"But—"
"And no one else is here except us." He interrupted her again. "And this new flat of yours can rival the wards of Gringgots." He finished with tone that left with no room for argument.
Hermione internally sighed. She knew that she went excessive in setting her wards, bordering of employing slight unorthodox magic. Ron even teased that her flat is just lacking a dragon and she is all set. Truly, she made sure that no one could ever enter the place without her knowledge and permission. The exception was extended only to her two best friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. And only after the boys smartly won their debate by citing emergence purposes. In effect, the two have unlimited pass.
"You know what I meant Harry…" She feebly countered, and proceeded to recite that she simply does not want any mishap, like him unknowingly using her daughter's complete name in public, nothing short of announcing to the world that she is Minerva McGonagall's daughter. That Rose Esmerauld Granger— has McGonagall for her true surname.
"You know I WON'T." Harry maintained. "And the unbreakable vow will not let me—even if I try…"
Hermione ran a hand over her face to ease her tension. She knew that she's over-reacting. She knew that Harry is correct. And she knew that they have been down this argument several times already. And knew that Harry is being overly patient about it in order to ease her misgivings. She watched Harry shrugged at her in dismissal of her worry, and then redirected his attention to the baby in his arms. She heard him returned to his earlier question.
"Mione, what did this little special witch do?"
Hermione let out a sigh before saying, "Just before you arrived, the crib alarm sounded off. So I ran in here as fast as I could, and I found her out of crib already, on the floor, with her toy.
"WHAT…?" Harry gasped. "She charmed the crib's railings away?" He looked at the crib, which is in perfect order, "Did she put it back, and safely lowered herself onto the floor?"
"Merlin knows! I'm just glad that she didn't get hurt… But yeah, that would be my guess."
"HAH! She got your talent in charms."
That earned a genuine smile from Hermione, which turned into a full grin and sparkles reflected in her eyes as she raised a stuffed-toy lion to Harry, and then stated quite proudly, "This was the stuffed toy OTTER you gave her last month."
Olive eyes bugged in marvel, "She transfigured it into a lion?"
"Yea. The transfiguration was just happening as I entered the room." Hermione answered with her grin widening even more and threatening to split her face.
"So, she can charm and transfigure already?"
"Harry, clearly it's accidental."
"And maybe— Rose McGonagall can also apparate. Maybe that's how she got herself out of her crib?" Harry offered in delight and grinned back at Hermione.
Hermione laughed at his amplified remarks, "That's over the top Harry."
"A baby using summoning charm and transfiguring a toy is not over the top?" Harry retorted teasingly.
Hermione laughed again at Harry's words and expression. She shook her head and said with incredulity, "I know, I can't quite believe how early we are seeing her accidental magic."
"I am almost envious for James. But then, given WHO your daughter is— I mean, one parent as the most talented witch I've known who saved my life countless times. And the other parent as 'the witch' to revere, Merlin knows what Rose can do when she grows up!"
A quaint sound from Rose Esmerauld Granger McGonagall startled both Hermione and Harry. Both adults exchanged looks that communicated how the baby seemed to understand the ongoing discussion, and wished to join the conversation.
"Oh Mione, I take it back! Rose has likely gotten your ability to comprehend everything. Not to mention she may already have your impeccable memory!"
"Harry—"
"Better devise a plan, now. I don't think you have many years to come up with an acceptable reason for hiding from her that she's a McGonagall."
"Harry, stop that."
"Well, with your perfect deductive reasoning and strong right hook, and then Minerva's zero tolerance of nonsense, my dear best friend, you better brace yourself with Rose's outrage once she finds on her own that she's a McGonagall. You need to—"
"Harry that's not funny! And really stop with the exaggeration."
"I wasn't trying to be. And it was not an exaggeration. Bearing in mind that—"
"Harry!" Hermione lightly smacked him. "
"Alright, maybe half funny—"
"Quit it Harry or—"
Hermione words halted, Harry's jaw dropped, as both got flabbergasted when Rose just exhibited another accidental magic… The plush lion toy (transfigured Otter) that Rose is playing with, just let out a convincing roar.
"FOR THE LOVE OF MERLIN!" Harry exclaimed after he picked up his jaw from the floor.
Coincidentally, it is almost the same exclamation that George Weasley had uttered, but much louder and much more colorful. "FOR THE BLOODY WICKED LOVE OF MERLIN!"
It effectively brought Hermione back, to the present, to the Ministry gathering for the 7th commemoration.
Hermione had quickly gathered that Ginny had completed her narration. Of more or less telling them about Rose's much too early transfiguration and charms accidental magic. Of course, minus all the parts about Rose's other parent.
"That is most extra-ordinary!" Gil made the comment, which was basically echoed by everyone in the group.
"I have never heard of accidental magic by baby." Said Hestia.
"Me either." Seconded by Audrey.
"My Aunt did." Susan started, "Of charming musical instruments to play while still at the crib. Charmed bagpipes, I think."
"Your Aunt charmed bagpipes when she was only a baby?" As Hermione heard Ron posted the question, a niggling feeling started at the pit of her stomach. And it intensified as the conversation progressed…
"Oh, I misspoke. Aunt Amelia told me a story of someone she knew who made bagpipes play while she was still a baby."
"Who?" Angelina asked the question, which most of them wanted to know.
"The Headmistress." Susan supplied in easy answer. "I believe Aunt Amelia and the Headmistress were friends and they've had been quite close when they were younger... But Aunt got the spill not from the Headmistress herself but from Headmaster Dumbledore. He told my Aunt that Minerva McGonagall happened to be mere months old when she had bagpipes playing all night long."
"Really, the Headmistress? That is wickedly wicked! I would have to ask her about it." George happily remarked, grinning wildly at discovering something about Minerva McGonagall. "Woah, I just had a flash of inspiration for our next product… On second thought, I'll create it exclusively for the Headmistress!"
"Years after Hogwarts and you're still pestering the Headmistress." Angelina lightly chastised her husband, before saying something that sent Hermione's guts into twister. "So now we know not only one, but two marvelous babies, who are waaay early with their accidental magic, your daughter Hermione, and Headmistress McGonagall.
"Speaking of the Headmistress," Audrey cut in as she gestured towards the entrance, "Here she comes with the Minister."
"I thought she's not attending. I mean, Professor Flitwick said the Headmistress was due to attend a personal matter." Said Neville.
"After missing the last couple of years, the Minister probably managed to convince her to finally show-up tonight." Remarked by Hestia.
To say that that niggling feeling inside Hermione had turned into blown F6 grade tornado is to put it mildly... For the first time in the last five years, after deliberate and unintentional circumvention, Hermione is now finding herself trapped in the same function with Minerva McGonagall. And all she could do is to beg Merlin to have no one mention her daughter (their daughter) near the woman, at least until she could bloody escape the bloody Seventh Commemoration.
Posted: 2020 July 13