Darlings, I feel like it has been forever. The days have just been flying by on me. I have a nice chunk of the next chapter, so here's hoping it doesn't take too long. I sat down and did a rough outline of the rest of the story. I was thinking it was almost over, my muse feels otherwise. I am apparently incapable of writing a less than 25 chapter story. shakes head Sorry, not sorry?
Chapter 22: The Experiment Begins
Hermione sent an owl to Ginny before going to bed, asking if the redhead wanted to go shopping. The return owl came the next morning.
'Excuse to escape my mother? And when don't I want to go shopping? Come steal me around 9. -G'
Hermione opened the kitchen door at the Burrow and raised her foot to step in when Ginny barreled into her, shoving her back outside. "Do not make contact, do not engage. Start moving, if we stop she'll have us. Bye, Mum, Hermione's here. She needs my help with her super secret project."
"Wow, did you take a single breath?"
"Probably not. But she's a thousand times worse than with Bill's wedding."
"Aren't most of you getting married somewhere else?"
"Don't you dare defend her, Mione. Dad, DAD, spiked her drink with sleeping potion at dinner just to get her to go to sleep and give the rest of us some peace."
"She probably thought Charlie would never get married."
"Stop defending her. She had us repaint the house inside and out. No one at the wedding is going to be in my bedroom except me and maybe you. The only break I get from Charlie's preparations is when she's obsessing over my wedding." Ginny ranted. "How in the hell are you planning three?"
"I'm not. My mother is planning one. We had the one that we threw together. And the Bulgarian one just got moved to Britain on the Isle of Skye. Nikolina is planning the reception at Barrett's Haven."
"Ensuring the press stays out, nice. That's why everything will be at Nott Lodge."
"As much as possible. I'm thinking of releasing photos from the muggle one. It will be the most formal one."
"So, why is the Bulgarian one moving?"
"My research is going well, and the Krums insist it is way more important than where they watch us exchange some vows. So, a more formal, but less legally binding ceremony."
Ginny scrunched up her face, "Less legally binding?"
"Old druidic binding ritual. It means nothing in the eyes of the ministry.
"So what are we shopping for?"
"What aren't we shopping for? An outside waterfall wedding, outfits for engagement parties, weddings, and the soon to be upcoming christenings. I am sick of boring formal robes. I want beauty, I want dazzling. So, formal muggle dresses and flowing dresses by designers wizards have never heard of."
"So, your psychotic break from all the stress is going to be becoming a fashionista? Different, but something I can support. I just wish it was cheaper. This has been hard on the pocketbook."
Hermione clapped her hands in delight, "Thought, we're close enough in size that we can trade dresses with minor alterations. Double our wardrobes at half the price."
"You are brilliant."
"So I've been told." The girl linked arms and entered the first boutique on the street.
Wednesday Hermione instructed Katie to post packages to each of the couples. Each remaining international couple received their portkey. Every couple received directions to Hermione's Diagon Alley office and notification of the meeting time on Friday. She included a brief questionnaire about possible employment interests. She forwarded the answers to Kingsley when they arrived. Thursday she finalized the directions. She gave them to Harry to proofread for clarity. "Hermione, this is amazing."
"Thank you, Harry. I just hope it works."
"Of course it will, you designed it." She simply rolled her eyes in response.
Hermione flitted about the kitchen Friday morning, double checking she had everything and that no one had canceled or changed plans. "Book bug, please, stop. You are making the coffee nervous." Viktor placed his hands on her shoulders, silencing her excuses with a kiss. A kiss she instantly relaxed into, sagging against his chest. He massaged her shoulders. "Kreacher made a wonderful breakfast, come enjoy it."
"Harry slipped a calming draught into my orange juice, didn't he?"
"I will never tell either way." She giggled at his answer. "Now, come eat. Then you will go to work and I will run last minute Charlie wedding errands with Harry."
She pecked his cheek, "You are an angel."
"It helps that the demon horns hold up the halo. After lunch, your father invited Harry and me to go with him to his club and play golf. I have no idea what any of that is, but Harry seemed to."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "By club, he means his golf club, a place where people go to hit little white balls into small holes meters away with metal sticks in an annoyingly complicated game." She began eating.
"So, is not just quidditch," Viktor chuckled, "you dislike most sports?"
She sniffed, "I enjoy watching football, I enjoy friendly pick-up games. I never enjoyed flying or playing quidditch. I enjoy quidditch as much as one can enjoy watching loved ones defy gravity at high speeds while they attempt to cheat death on flying wooden staves with straw tied to them, as they chase tiny yellow balls and dodge demon cannonballs. Why?"
"Did you realize that when annoyed your vocabulary increases? Is adorable." She rolled her eyes again and continued to eat.
Once she finished eating she used her mobile to call her mother. "Were you aware your husband is trying to corrupt your son-in-law and Harry with golf?" She listened to the reply. "Inform him I have no intention of becoming a golf widow and will not take this sitting down."
Viktor heard his mother-in-law laugh over the phone. "I do not have to go if this upsets you. I thought you would like me to spend time with your father."
"Oh, no. Dad started this war. I will finish it. You go, try to have fun. If you enjoy it, then we'll discuss ground rules." She kissed him farewell. "I have to go. Tell Harry I said to have fun."
Hermione gathered her papers and apparated straight into her office. Cassius stacked the completed packets in piles according to topic, while Katie put the finishing touches on the refreshments. They both grinned at her. "They're all here, outside, waiting," Katie reported. "I left them out there in case you needed to fix anything last minute."
"You mean in case Harry and Viktor forgot to spike my drink and I was a basket case?"
"Pretty much."
"Thank you, and I mean that. I was a mess of nerves until Viktor distracted me."
"Really?" Cassius waggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Enjoying the honeymoon period, are we?"
"Nothing as fun as that. He simply gave me other things to think about, like my father making him into a golf zombie." She glanced towards the front door. "Let them in, they're probably as nervous as we are."
Cassius shooed her into her inner office. She tried to glare at him, "Image is everything. We've discussed this." She sighed heavily and complied. Through her closed door, she heard Katie welcome the participants, collect their information, and invite them to serve themselves a pastry or beverage.
Once the level of noise died down, Hermione emerged. The wizards attempted to stand, but she waved them back down. "Sit, sit. Despite my staff's best efforts to stop me, you'll soon find I'm rather informal when allowed to be. And as the boss, I allow myself quite a bit of leeway." Most of them laughed at her joke. "Before we go over the actual ritual, I have some housekeeping items." She picked up three blue folders. "I know you all have places you can stay, but
I need to study the results of the experiment with your actions mimicking as normal a life as possible. Of course, the Hughes live in England, and the Petronovs are staying in a magical flat, but I would like the rest of you to choose one of these properties instead of staying with your friends." She handed the folders over to the nodding couples. "See Katie to make arrangements."
She smiled, feeling her nerves ease more, "Next on my agenda, employment. I know most of your employers granted paid leave, but normal lives, remember? Consider additional paid work while in Britain a perk of participation." She held up green folders, "Minister Shacklebolt collected a list of differing offers from the ministry and willing businesses. Feel free to try your hand at something completely new. Just let Cassius know so he can contact the HR departments." She surveyed the to room, smiling faintly at the nodding heads. "The confidentiality clause still holds. Your British employers have been given the same information: an undisclosed ritual master is testing fertility rituals, and your participation in that trumps their needs. They face steep fines if that information is leaked, but their assistance will be publicly made known if this is a success. I am asking you not to talk about your participation for two reasons. One, this is brand new as far as I can tell. I want credit to go where it is due: you, my team, me. Two, I do not want the press or public harassing you. If no one knows anything groundbreaking is going on, no one will be hunting the story. I have been dealing with their crap since I was fifteen, and allow me to assure you, you don't get used to it. It stays annoying and invasive. Cherish your anonymity. Help me protect it." Again she looked to gauge their agreements.
"Cassius will pass out an instruction sheet to help you remember what to do, but, please relax. This is not complicated." She paused to allow him to distribute the last packet. "On the first page, you will find four runes. Huath for fertility, Tinne for hearth and home, Ingwaz for fertilization, and Berkanan for fertility. They are a mix of Elder Futhark runes and Ogham Fews runes. They can be placed in any order so long as they form a circle, or rather a square.
"The first stage is twofold. You will mark the walls or floors of the ritual area with the runes. Every day both of you will energize, or charge, the runes. When drawn in the manner described in your instructions they will store the magical energy until released. It will take approximately a month to fill the runes. During this time the women will be using muggle means to track ovulation. I have some tests for you to use. You will also track your temperature. This will help determine when will be the optimal time for you to perform the ritual with the stored energy." She held up a calendar with places for recording the results. "The instructions are in your packets. Once a week I will be inspecting your circle and will go over some more personal questions to tailor the ritual to you."
Blossom Hughes raised her hand, "Excuse me, mistress?"
"Yes."
"We don't have a ritual circle, does it matter where we draw the runes?"
"I suggest somewhere you are comfortable having sex. The power released will best be harnessed at the center."
Blossom nodded, "Noted, ma'am."
"Any other questions?" No one moved. "I know this is a lot of information in a short amount of time. Do not hesitate to contact one of us with questions. Now, the last thing, please remember this is an experiment. It may take tweaking. Do not be discouraged if this takes several attempts." Everyone nodded, "If no one has any questions, please look over the packets and make your selections."
Hermione and her staff withdrew to her office. "Where are you off to?" asked Katie.
"The Burrow, the younger Weasleys need some reinforcements, Molly's in groom's mother monster mode. Pray for us."
Katie nodded sagely, "Good luck, I'll compile a report for you to look over whenever you're ready."
"Sounds good, thanks."
"You should get your engagement party invite in the next few days," Cassius informed her.
"I'll be watching for it. I'm off."
She popped right outside the wards and walked up to the Weasley home. From the outside, she could hear Molly issuing rapid-fire orders. Bea noticed her the moment she opened the back door. "Hermione! Thank Merlin. The florist sent pink roses instead of mauve. Could you, please, help Penny fix them?"
"Certainly, point me at those flowers."
"Percy's old room."
"On my way," she waved greetings to the various Weasleys.
Bill waved back, "Would you send Talbot down to help me with the tent?"
"As soon as you tell me who or what Talbot is."
"Penny's husband, he's hiding, I mean, helping her."
"Hiding?"
"Kind of an antisocial doesn't like big crowds."
"Consider him sent."
Climbing the stairs she listened to Molly fret about the gnomes while George and Charlie assured her they got them all. She made a noise before opening the door as to not startle the occupants. "Hi, Bea sent me up to help with flower salvage and Bill needs Talbot's help with the tent."
Penny smiled, "Hello, Hermione. Oh, Tal, this is Charlie's friend, Hermione Granger,"
"Krum," Hermione interrupted, "small private ceremony."
Penny's smile widened, "Hermione Krum. Congratulations. Hermione, this is my husband, Talbott." He nodded.
"Pleased to meet you."
He nodded again. "I'll go help Bill." He kissed his wife's cheek on his way out.
"Such a chatterbox," joked Hermione.
"He's never been much for socialization, sorry." Penny gave her a wry smile.
"Bill warned me. I'm not offended. Now, where are these flowers?"
"Right here," she showed Hermione the incorrect pink and correct mauve colored ones. As they worked the two discussed their current research, or rather, Penny's. "Norton and I think we're on the verge of perfecting stronger fertility potions. We developed one focusing on one increasing male potency and one to help encourage the female body to ovulate. We're working on a third to help ensure a female remains pregnant." She shrugged, "Doesn't seem like much, I know."
"Not true, every little bit can help. Can you keep a secret?"
"Let me make some educated guesses: you're working on a fertility ritual, and if you get mixed results you'd like to add our potions?"
"Very astute guesses."
"Even without asking, I know Norton will be as honored as I am that you would even consider adding our work to yours."
"Why does everyone act like I'm infallible?"
"Not infallible, just very respected in intellectual circles. A simultaneous double mastery all before the age of thirty is astonishing. Add to that, while the three of you refuse to speak about the events during the last years of the war, we do know they were extraordinary and that you were the brains of the operations."
"I guess I don't always think about those things. We just did what needed to be done." She waved her wand over several roses. "But, yes, I may be interested in augmenting the ritual."
"Just let us know." She held up five roses, "The last ones. Want to do the honors?"
Satisfied preparations were in hand, Molly prepared dinner for the assembled workers. Joining them at the table, Hermione waved at Harry and kissed Viktor in greeting, "Got roped into helping did you?"
"Volunteered, book bug. Your family is my family."
"Still very sweet of you. Did you enjoy golf?" She took the filled plate he offered her. "Thank you."
"Am I in trouble if I said I did?"
"No, but there will be rules and consequences if you let my father convince you to violate those rules."
Viktor looked at the others, both Harry and Ron nodded solemnly, "I understand. And it was a nice way to spend time with your father, level playing field, he said. He is more experienced, I am younger and in better shape."
"All I am going to say is that there are rules."
"Break them at your own risk," whispered Ron, ignoring her dark look.
Bill changed the subject, "Did Teddy enjoy his trip to the Eye?"
"He did. He now wants to figure out how to fly his broom to the top, so there's that." She tittered, "I'm hoping Dominique is calmer, but Fred will be along. so..."
"Not much hope of that," finished Bill.
"I would pretend to be insulted, but that's a fair assessment," Fred admitted. Everyone laughed.
Charlie confirmed everyone's arrival times as the meal wound down. "Harry and Hermione will be on call for any last minute emergency supply runs. Penny brewed both mothers Calming Draught."
"Yes, but do they promise to take it?" George called out. Molly" swatted him with a dishtowel. "That isn't an answer."
"Behave," his mother told him.
"Bea and I want to thank you for everything you've done to help pull this off, especially since we are all in the same boat."
"Not like you won't be returning the favor soon, mate." Fred joked.
"All right, enough joking. Off to bed, the lot of you. Tomorrow will be a long day." Molly ordered sternly. "Bea, Penny, Talbott, we'll see you tomorrow morning."
"Oh, somebody's sleeping alone," Ginny teased in a sing-song voice.
"So are you," her brother shot back.
"I'm not," Viktor smirked, hugging Hermione from behind running
his hands along her sides.
"Dude, not cool. Stop groping our sister." George complained.
"Can't help myself, all these curves are so tempting." He pressed his lips to her neck. "And I get to keep her."
"I think, you'll find that I am the one keeping you," Hermione replied.
Fred flung a cushion at them, "Go be disgusting somewhere else."
Viktor flashed him a wolfish grin, "I like that idea. I know just the bed to go to." He began tugging Hermione towards the floo. She laughed at his antics and the Weasley brothers' protests.
She blew them a kiss, "See you tomorrow," then grinning impishly she added, "if I can walk that is."
Viktor nibbled on her neck as she grabbed floo powder, "I like your plan." He caressed her hips.
She squirmed under his ministrations, rubbing her legs together seeking frictions. "It wasn't your plan?"
"The twins have been teasing all evening. I wanted back pay."
"Payback," she suggested.
"Da, that." He pulled her to him as she threw the powder into the flames and declared their destination.
