I'm back, baby dolls! Face on a Milk Carton is complete, so this little story how has my undivided attention. For those of you patiently waiting, hello, again. I missed you. To those joining us after Faces, welcome. Remember I own nothing, I just like playing with other people's toys. Now, enough from me.
Chapter 3
Leaving Barrett's Haven, Viktor flooed them to the small town of Wareham, the closest village to the team's stadium. "Small village, but I enjoy. Local wizards ignore players, give privacy."
"That's nice of them."
Viktor shrugged. "Used to them being about. Wizard's pub is okay, yes?"
She grinned at his sudden uncertainty. "That's fine. Even if someone gossips or the Prophet runs the story, I've been the heartbreaking homewrecker before." Viktor scowled at her. "I live with Harry, I've been seen out with you, so Heartbreaking Harlot Hero Repeats History. Sure, we'll tell them we're just friends."
"Merlin forbid. Britta visited months ago, press made huge deal. Krum seen with blonde beauty multiple times. Are wedding bells in future? Unlikely since she is sister." Hermione's tinkling laugh made Viktor grin. "Missed laugh, book bug."
"I missed you, too. You used to be a better pen pal."
"Postwar see more quidditch clubs in Europe want to play Britain again. Mean more games, more games makes more travel."
"I read Britain is pushing for more home games next season."
The arrival of the waiter paused the conversation. Hermione ordered shepherd's pie with the house ale, while Viktor opted for steak and kidney pie with a German beer. Once the waiter departed, Viktor answered, "British teams win more often than not. Demand bigger cut of ticket sales, or more home games. Really, teams want more home games. More merchandise sales and concessions."
"The paper in Lulea suggested the European teams tried to use the marriage laws as an excuse."
"Da. Players need to work on marriages or families. British commissioner said then maybe British needs to just play self next season. Solve all problems, suddenly excuse gone."
"Not judging, or suggesting anything, but quite a few unmarried players traded into England, didn't they?"
"Or America. Three years ago not ready for marriage or that responsibility. Wanted to play longer."
"You intend to retire when you get married?"
"After first child, or at least play less. Maybe coach. Want to be home more for family."
Hermione nodded. "I understand. I want to focus on establishing myself a little before kids. But I do eventually want them. I know people act like you can't do both, but my mother proved a career and family are possible."
"What is first step to establish you?" Viktor asked as the food arrived.
"Sitting down and plotting out which offers I want to accept and which I intend to decline. Once I take over Barrett's Haven. I will create my own ritual space to start researching."
"Any ideas?"
"Kingsley suggested a more dependable fertility ritual, given the laws sweeping the continent. So, I'll probably look into the existing ones."
Viktor nodded, "They are old and some seem dark. Results weak: squibs, poor wizards, or sickly children."
"A most likely hard on the body, making more than one pregnancy unlikely, Making them next to useless today."
"How so?"
"Most marriage laws require at least two children, if not more. At least Greece is granting a bonus to anyone having more than three. I've seen firsthand how multiple children can cause a financial drain. Not all of these families were as lucky as the Weasleys. They have an orchard and room for a garden and Molly Weasley should teach culinary classes."
"Sometimes feel bad for leaving because I could. Family and friends claim they understand, but I worry about feelings."
"Those laws have been a blessing for England. After two wars over two generations, we needed the craftsmen and masters that came our way. The quidditch players were a nice bonus." She grinned at him teasing.
"I see, still no love for stupid game on death sticks." He teased back.
"Pretty much." They both laughed. Hermione steered the conversation towards Viktor's career until they finished eating. "I would let you escort me home, but Harry would need to add you to the wards first."
"Is fine, will choke down gentlemanly needs for one night. Have early morning also. See you as soon as back."
"You'd better, Mr. Krum, or I shall be very put out with you."
Over breakfast, Harry peppered Hermione about her day. Where she had disappeared to and then began plotting ways to slow her move to Barrett's Haven. Eventually, she called for a ceasefire in his barrage. "How about I use Barrett's Haven as a workplace, and live here a while longer?"
"If that's your best offer, I guess it's better than nothing."
"You are correct there, Mr. Potter." They both laughed and finished breakfast.
Later that morning Hermione pulled out the letters she had received over the last six months. Some went straight into the fireplace, offers from dark families that her instinct told her were nothing more than a pathetic trap. Once they offed her, they could claim any manner of accident or magical backlash had occurred. It might not be a bad idea to bring along back up, someone to watch her back, and ensure nothing accidentally on purpose occurred when she worked, an assistant perhaps.
Some inquires went into the maybe pile. Something about the request caught her attention, some negatively, some positively. None of them could be immediately accepted or rejected out of hand.
Very few went into the yes pile. Molly Weasley wanted to have the Burrow cleansed after the Death Eater attack on Bill and Fleur's wedding. Kingsley wanted her to look over the existing ritual rooms in the Ministry. A few light families wanted to renew or recreate their family spaces. Hermione wrote out acceptance letters and appointments to discuss the job and her fees.
For the maybes, she sent out inquiry letters requesting more information and floo contact for a floo call. She made a note to investigate an office. While she intended to work out of the Haven, she didn't want to advertise where she lived and worked. The more she considered the idea the more she liked it. Her mind made up, Hermione drafted a letter to a realtor inquiring about inexpensive office spaces. She borrowed Harry's new owl, Bron, sending off her letter before she could overthink anything. And added get an owl to her to-do list.
The floo roared to life as she shut the window. She turned, smiling to see Harry emerge from the flames. "Hi, honey, I'm home."
"Har, har. Ignoring that, how was your day?"
"Not bad, kind of reminded me of Gryffindor practices under Wood during third year."
"I guess that's good."
"I think so. What did you do all day?"
"Got myself organized, sent out acceptance and rejection letters, and made a to-do list."
"Super organized Mione strikes again."
"You're just jealous of my powers."
"Actually, yeah, a little. You have the ability to multitask better than anyone else I know. You accomplish more in one day than most of us."
"Aw, thanks, Harry. What do you want?"
"Why do I have to want something?"
"Flattery always comes with a request. Spit it out."
"Can't a friend just compliment another friend?"
"Sure, but not your style. What's the favor?"
"Ginny has been dropping hints about getting back together. We all know it's a bad idea. Don't let me."
"Come again?"
"Don't let me. One of us gets lonely, we get nostalgic. Everything's great for a month or two. Then BAM, screaming matches, broken plates, and both of us
miserable. So, please stop me. None of that it's my life, my mistakes crap. Stop. Me." He ran his hand through his unruly hair. "I'm not kidding, Mione. I don't care if you have to hex me. After the last break up, I don't think our friendship will survive another go-round. Or my friendship with Ron. That's part of the reason why he left the Auror Corp, to get away from me and the toxicity."
Hermione thought for a moment. A simple yes hovered on her lips, but she sensed Harry's desperation behind the request. A simple 'don't go there' conversation with Ginny could also blow everything out of proportion. "Have you considered dating someone else?"
"Sure, let me just pull new girlfriend out of my pocket."
"Don't be rude. Would you be interested in a simple ritual to attract a new girlfriend?"
"Huh? You mean use magic?"
"One or two runes and simple wishful intentions, nothing complicated or nefarious."
"You hate love potions and that junk."
"This doesn't attract a specific person, but a person who would be good for you."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that. I can set it up for you easily."
"That's kind of awesome, Hermione."
"Thanks."
"Let's do this." Harry pumped his fist in the air.
"I'll get my inks." She raced upstairs returning with a fountain pen and henna inks. She prepared everything. "Sit." She pointed to the chair next to her at the kitchen table. "Hands palm down."
Harry sat down and obediently put his hands flat on the table. Hermione dipped the fountain pen in the ink. "We start with beith for emotional rebirth and nion for harmony and connections. Queirt for love and faithfulness, then muin for honesty and life lessons learned." She drew them on the back of his hands. She cleaned the pen and changed inks. "Now fehu for new beginnings. Gebo for love and partnership. Wunjo for happiness and flourishing partnerships. And, last, ansuz for stability and communication." She waved her hands over his to dry the ink. "Now, pull your magic to the surface and think about a new girlfriend. Don't be specific, think generically about what kind of traits she should have. Hold the power until it fills the runes."
"How will..." Harry started.
"I'll tell you, now concentrate." She monitored the runes until each gave off the faintest glow.
"Now, release the magic." She smiled at the gentle rush of wind. "It'll take a few days for the ink to wear off. Don't scrub at them. They need to fade naturally."
"Thanks, Mione."
"My pleasure, and in the meantime I promise to hex you if you try to get back together with Ginny."
"Are all rituals this simple?" Harry asked staring at his
hands.
"Merlin, no." Hermione laughed. "It depends on what you're attempting. Get you a girlfriend, a couple of runes, some magic and we're done. Protect a city from a dangerous beast, takes about twenty people."
"Could we have used a ritual to deal with horcruxes?" He asked in a small voice.
"The three of us? No, we would have needed a fourth. But with one additional person, yeah, we probably could have."
"That sucks."
"Part of why I came home. We're not the only country losing ritual magic, so I am going to exploit my celebrity to bring awareness to it."
"That's rather brilliant of you." complimented Harry.
"Why thank you, Harry."
The realtor contacted Hermione first thing in the morning, providing her with a list of immediately available office spaces. She perused it while eating breakfast. Harry read over her shoulder. "Hey, that one is next door to the twin's shop."
"One wonders if that is a pro or a con?" she mused.
Harry looked pensive, "I'm not sure."
"Maybe I should hire an assistant first, then worry about an office?"
"It will all just fall into place. What are your plans for today?"
"Appointment with Kingsley and the head of unspeakables to look over the old spaces. Then I might pop over to the Burrow if Molly is available and see how big of a job the cleansing will be."
"She'll love for you to visit."
"This evening I'm going to block off a room for muggle electronics," she said casually, side-eyeing Harry's reaction.
His eyes widened excitedly, "Seriously?"
She laughed, "Yes. We can block the magical flow from a room and convert magical energy to power them."
"I love magic." he sighed.
She burst out laughing, "You love the thing blocking your ability to use electricity?"
"For being the thing that brings back the electronics and cleans with dishes in an instant."
"Yeah, points to magic for that." She sent her dishes flying to the sink. "Well, I'm off."
"See you for dinner?"
"Unless Molly holds me hostage with the offer of cooking."
"Should that occur, I forgive you in advance."
"Thanks."
Promptly at 9 o'clock, Hermione flooed into the Ministry of Magic. She paused at the security desk to allow her wand to be scanned, and receive a visitor's badge. She retraced her path to Kingsley's office from the day before. She nodded to the hooded figures quietly conversing in the corner of the office. She smiled at Kingsley. "Good morning. Shall we head down to the lower levels?"
One of the figures spoke up, "How do you know that's where the circles are?"
"One, permanent circles are dug into the ground, or carved into stone. As we are in the middle of London, I doubt there is a garden hidden round back. Two, I've been to the Department of Mysteries before."
Kingsley smirked, "This way, Mistress Granger." He led the party to the bottom floor of the building. He gestured for her to exit the lift first. "Ladies, first."
"Why thank you." She stepped into the cavernous room, taking it all in. Fires in wall mounted brazers flared to life. Slowly, she walked the perimeter, studying the floor. She could see the shallow grooves of a massive circle that filled the cavern. Inside were five smaller circles. She paced them all, making mental notes.
She stopped in front of the three figures. "So, the existing lines are still solid, they just need to be gone over to deepen them, easy."
"So when will you be doing the renovations?" asked one of the unnamed men.
"Oh, I'm not. The people who intend to use these the most need to be the ones putting the effort into them. You need to pour your magic into the stone, not me. I don't need a connection with this space, you do."
Kingsley nodded, "This just demonstrates how much of ritual lore we've lost."
"It does." agreed Hermione. "I'll show myself out, while you three discuss matters. I'll be sending you the invoice, Kings."
"Indeed."
Hermione entered the lift and selected the main floor. The lift paused halfway up, and two young men entered. Neither noticed her initially, so they continued their conversation. She instantly recognized the silvery blond hair belonging to Draco Malfoy but failed to place the dark-haired man with him. "Drake, I don't know why you keep dragging me to these interviews. No one is going to hire me. I managed to avoid that damn mark, but lack the gold to buy myself out." He ran his hand through his hair in frustration.
"Cass, it isn't as bad as that. Eventually one of these department heads will realize that hiring you is doing me a favor."
She attempted to hold in the snort of laughter but failed miserably. They both looked at her, surprised at her presence. "I'm sorry. I promise I am not laughing at your misfortune, but at the idea that anyone in the Ministry will realize that without someone spelling it out in large letters. Have you tried Kings, he might be one of the few people who could?"
"Granger."
"Malfoy." She returned his nod of greeting. "And I must apologize again, and admit I don't remember you."
"You wouldn't, I was in seventh year in like your fourth, I think, Cassius Warrington." He held out his hand.
"Hermione Granger." She shook his hand.
"May I say that I enjoyed your last three articles about the combination of runes and rituals and encouraging a resurgence of the old ways."
"Thank you, Mr. Warrington."
"I always wished I was academically inclined enough to study for a mastery in either. But I didn't have the grades to attract the attention, or the wealth to just pay for one."
"Excuse the rudeness of my next questions, but indulge me, what are you currently doing for employment?"
"I work part-time at Flourish and Blots and Honeydukes."
"Hmm, how do you feel about half bloods and muggleborns?"
"I saw enough blood during the war to know that we all bleed the same color. Magic is magic, only misguided morons get bogged down in that shite anymore."
"How would you feel about being my assistant? That could be doing anything from assisting in rituals, making appointments, or reminding me to stop for the day and go eat something." They all laughed at the last part.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, I need someone to help me and watch my back from time to time. You sound like you need a more meaningful job. If you want to, think it over. Tomorrow I'll draw up a more defined offer detailing responsibilities and compensation. Look it over, take your time, let me know what you think." They both stared at her. "Do I have something in my hair? Cobwebs or something?"
"You just casually offered me like it's nothing, then act like I might refuse. You barely interviewed me."
"Well, I know where those articles were published and it wasn't Witch Weekly, so while your grades might not have supported it, you are somewhat academically inclined to follow scholarly journals. You want something more than shop work, meaning you aren't afraid of hard work that you enjoy. And Malfoy already said he would owe a favor to whoever hired you. And I like the idea of Malfoy knowing he owes me." She smirked at his playful sneer.
"Like I don't owe you for what you said at my trial."
She waved at him, "Bygones." The lift stopped at the main floor. "I'm tied up most of today, so it will probably be the afternoon before I owl you."
"I eagerly await it." She waved farewell and exited the lift.
She overheard Cassius whisper to Draco, "Do you think she's serious?"
"Granger isn't the type to play games, cruel or not. She really means it."
