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So far... By the summer of 1987, The reborn Hermione has befriended Harry and his family (Sirius and Hestia Black) and begun recruiting supporters to the cause of rooting out Ministry corruption. Read on...
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Chapter 9
A Busy Day Out
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Ingots for Gringotts
A scattered glittering of light caught the eye of Sirius Black as he gazed at the exotic wristwatches in a Muggle shop window. He and his wife were waiting outside while Anne Granger took Harry and Hermione into the shop.
"Merlin!" he said in a low voice.
"What now?" said his wife, looking where he was gesturing with his eyes. "You've been edgy all... Double Merlin with warts! So that's what she keeps in the satchel?"
"Exactly! Muggle dentists must earn more than I thought if they pay them in gold bars."
"Well, they're only tiny." She squeezed in a little to allow an old man with a squeaky shopping trolley to pass by on the narrow pavement.
"But so many! I had no idea a... what did she call it?"
"A baddery," Hestia said knowledgeably. "It makes her watch go round."
"Yes, that was it. I'm just surprised they cost so much when clockwork ones work for nothing. What's the point? And – look! Now he's giving her so much change! All those banknotes! Anyway, I'm not edgy – I'm cautious."
"Edgy."
"Not."
"You're always like this when we take Harry out in public. We can't keep Harry cooped up indoors forever and this is a Muggle area, remember? Besides, Hermione watches out for him as well – have you noticed?"
"Yes," nodded Sirius with a smile, "she's like the big sister he never–"
"Don't start that again!"
"Sorry, Hes. ... But it's true, isn't it? She's perfect for him; about the same age but more sensible than many an adult. I now wish he'd had more contact with youngsters so he–"
"Hush, here they come," she hissed. "Whatever you do, don't mention the gold!"
With the children scampering behind, Anne emerged with a big smile, and began shrugging on a flimsy grey frock coat which was the nearest she had to a witch's summer robes. "What are you two looking so nervous about? You look like a couple of Muggles lost in Knockturn Alley."
"Oh, uuh... we were just talking about the kids making more friends – safety in numbers and all that – weren't we, Hes?"
She glared at him.
"Which friends, Daddy?" said Harry.
"Your father means when you go to Hogwarts, darling," said Hestia, nudging Sirius in the ribs. "Right, who's for ice cream?"
"Yay!" squealed the children.
"Come on then, let's walk along to Fortescue's. You two keep ahead where we can see you."
The five of them marched on, the adults trying to keep up with the excited youngsters.
"Hermione, will we really have other friends at Hogwarts?" said Harry.
"The best. I'm hoping to meet them before then, but it needs thinking out how to do it."
"But you'll still be my friend?"
"Forever!"
"Forever!" echoed Harry, happily.
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Entrapments
Mrs Granger quickly scanned the menu displayed outside Fortescue's. "Can you order me a monster Neo and watch Hermione for me? I'll be back from Gringotts in a jiffy."
Sirius exchanged glances with his wife as they took their seats at one of the outdoor tables. She mouthed, "Do you think she really knows what a Neo is?" Harry read her lips, giggled, then turned to watch the passers-by – some busy shoppers, others clearly strolling and enjoying the pleasant weather.
Hermione had run after her mother, hissing like a goose. "Not on your own, you're not. I'm coming too."
"P'uh!" snorted Mrs Granger. "We've been thrice before. Think I can't manage a few strangely-impossible creatures on my own by now? Come on then, I'll show you how it's done."
At the entrance she bade a cheery good morning to the goblin attendant there. "See?" she smirked at her daughter.
They queued behind a fat, pallid-faced man who glanced back and narrowed his pudgy eyes at Anne. She took a half-step away but Hermione blocked her from going any further.
"Is that...? Is that...?" Mrs Granger whispered.
"Only a half-vampire, Mum. The full vampires don't normally come out in daylight. Anyway, they have bigger fangs than him."
Anne Granger composed herself and straightened up with her chin higher than before. "I knew that."
The man must have overheard for as he was about to leave the counter, he bared his teeth in a nasty leer before sweeping past them.
Mrs Granger took a couple of steps towards the counter but was pushed aside by a newcomer who cursed at her. "You there, out of the way! Muggles aren't you, by your ragged attire? Can't you read? This is a wizarding bank." It was a tall, blond-haired man who had elbowed ahead of them and was now demanding service from the goblin cashier. "I need a withdrawal, Gornuk, and I'm in a hurry," he snapped.
"Right away, Mr Malfoy."
"Do you mind!" flared Mrs Granger, "We were here first! We're in a hurry too!"
"Mum..." Hermione tugged at her mother's sleeve but was shook off.
Malfoy snatched a quill from the goblin and began filling in a form. "Why do you goblins let filth in here, Gornuk? How can this drudge be allowed access to its owner's account?"
"How dare you!" cried Mrs Granger. "Slavery was abolished long ago!"
"Get me another quill, Gornuk! Quickly now!" Malfoy turned and looked scathingly down his nose at Anne and spelt out, "That – can – be – changed."
"Mum..."
His attention diverted to Hermione, he scrutinised her contemptuously before spitting out, "Yet another Mudblood to soil our world. What are things coming to?"
"Don't you dare talk to my daughter like–!" Mrs Granger abruptly fell silent and felt herself pulled away by an invisible force towards another queue with Hermione apparently in tow.
"Thsorry, Misther Malfoy," cried the young girl over her shoulder.
"You do well to learn respect for your betters," sneered Malfoy. "Dammit, Gornuk, get me some ink, will you! My wife and son wish to make purchases while I have to meet with the Minister in ten minutes. I need those coins NOW!"
"He bewitched me!" hissed Mrs Granger furiously when her voice was finally restored. "That wizard actually had the nerve to magic me away and–"
"That was me, Mum. I silenced you and drove you over here. Believe me, you do not want to make an enemy of Lucius Malfoy."
"I don't care who he is! No one has the right to–"
"Mum! He's a very powerful dark wizard. He was a supporter of that evil Voldemort I told you about. He could make any Muggle disappear very painfully any time he wished and nobody could prove a thing or have any idea how they disappeared! He already has done so – many times."
Mrs Granger fell silent as they waited at the new counter. After a while she muttered, "Oh."
For the next few minutes she groused about the injustice done to her and her family. "Wait till I tell your father! It's just not right!"
"Mum, don't tell Dad! Lucius Malfoy is high on my list of tasks; let me deal with him."
Mrs Granger stared at her child as they closed in on the counter. She hefted her satchel up and asked the cashier to discretely remove the Muggle money and convert it to Galleons in Hermione Granger's account. "There should be eighteen thousand pounds there. Then we'd like to withdraw fifty Galleons."
While the goblin was busy she turned back to her daughter. "That rude man is one of your 'tasks'?"
Hermione nodded. "Him and his family."
Mrs Granger face went very pale. "You're not going to...?"
"No, Mum, I'm not an assassin. I shall help establish a new order where dark wizards like him will face real justice. But it takes time to do things right so you must avoid confrontation else you won't survive. Meanwhile..." She gestured back towards Malfoy who was ripping up his withdrawal form in a very agitated manner.
"You just cast a spell on him?" said her mother, and a trace of a smirk touched her lips.
"A subtle combination of very mild confusion and bewitched implements. It'll take a few minutes to wear off, so he'll be late for his appointment."
Mrs Granger smiled as she listened to Malfoy shouting obscenities at the goblin, but Hermione was thinking, if he's going to see the Minister, could the withdrawal be for something more than shopping? Had she, by sheer chance, found an opportunity to secure evidence against Malfoy?
She considered this while their own counter assistant meticulously checked their Muggle money, but in the end she decided against her suspicion. It was far too unlikely to be true. Malfoy loudly declaring he was withdrawing Galleons then going to visit the Minister for Magic? He might as well have shouted out his intentions. That is most odd, now I come to think of it...
But a flicker of motion in the corner of her eye redirected her attention and changed the course of her pondering. She squinted in Malfoy's direction. What had she seen? Was someone concealed there by a charm? An idea came to her and her mouth fell open in surprise.
"What?" said her mother, who had been watching her closely.
But Hermione was looking up and down the great Gringotts hall for anyone who looked out of place. Might there be Aurors following Malfoy? A tall man in dark blue robes stood next to a central pillar, but he was discussing the lamp fixtures with a goblin guard so could be an employee himself. The fat vampire hadn't left yet; he was waiting by the exit and leering at the throats of any young women who passed near – Malfoy senior's flesh would be too old and stringy for his taste. Two older women were not in any queue but they were chatting together animatedly and not paying any attention to Malfoy. There were others who were queueing but none were well-placed to observe Lucius.
She glanced back at the man in question: Malfoy, still fuming and looking at the wall clock, appeared to have completed his form and was waiting for the goblin to bring his gold. There it was again – the faint flickering motion, and now heading away towards the door! It had not been her imagination.
"Mum, I have to go. Whatever you do, stay here at least ten minutes for your own protection, join other queues if you have to, but stay! If I'm not back then return to the ice cream parlour and wait for me there."
"No, Hermione! No! What's going on?" hissed Mrs Granger under her breath.
But her daughter was already walking swiftly towards the exit and was silently casting a spell to confirm her theory. She perceived the faint outline of a young woman several paces in front of her and hidden under a Disillusionment Charm. As Hermione hurried to catch up, the woman glanced back. Thankfully her eyes were gazing over Hermione's head towards Malfoy. Her features seemed very familiar, although Hermione was unable to recall where she had seen her before.
As the concealed woman left through the open doorway ahead, a hand grabbed Hermione's arm and a voice grunted, "Whatever you think you're up to, child – DON'T!" It was the vampire.
Hermione squirmed around in his grasp. The fat man wasn't grinning anymore – he looked ready to bite her head off. There was no time for this: the woman was escaping, Malfoy's goblin had returned and was counting out Galleons, and Mrs Granger was rushing down the hall towards her daughter.
At this same moment, Hermione felt an inner pulling sensation summoning her attention – it was Aculus! She had to Apparate urgently – but Hermione could not abandon her mother to the unknown, nor leave this situation unresolved. She groaned softly. What to do?
Perhaps the vampire heard her whimper for he released his grip. "Just go back to your mother and don't run off again."
The girl looked at his face. One fang was slightly askew. All became suddenly clear. She took two strides towards her mother's approach, gesturing wildly for her to go back. Her mother stopped, uncertain, then hesitantly obeyed. Hermione turned again to the vampire.
"You're working with that woman who just left, aren't you?" – she didn't wait for an answer – "It's a trap. I mean, it's obvious isn't it? Malfoy openly drawing out gold and loudly telling everyone he's off to see the Minister? Hardly likely, is it?"
The half of the fake half-vampire that was human flushed with irritation. "Run along little girl before I–!"
"Do I sound like a little girl? I mean, really? I'm a senior officer working for a magical attachment to Interpol," said Hermione, thinking fast.
"Never heard of them."
"Well you wouldn't have, would you? Listen, it's most likely Malfoy has set this up to entrap you – I've known him do it before. Who was that woman? Where is she headed? Quickly!"
"None of your damn business! Get the hell away from me – he'll be coming past here any minute! You'll ruin everything!"
"She's going to the Minister's department isn't she? She's an Auror like you, right? She'll walk visibly towards the Auror department then conceal herself again while she diverts to the Minister's office. It won't work! They'll have reliable witnesses placed to see her in an unauthorised area without a permit or believable excuse – one quick trial and she'll be in Azkaban."
"Why would they do that?" hissed the fat man. "Why go to the trouble of–"
"Not for her! You don't understand how Malfoy thinks. He'll have set this up to enhance his own standing. Don't you see? He's almost certainly intending to genuinely donate that money in private to some worthy cause."
The man sighed and looked up to the heavens in exasperation. "In private? So nobody knows what a wonderful benefactor he is?"
Hermione outrolled his eyes by at least a couple of swivels. "Once that Auror is caught it won't be secret anymore, will it? The Daily Prophet headline will be: Auror maliciously accuses Malfoy as he contributes to– what? You know something don't you? You must have received information? Anonymous, I'll bet?"
The fake bloodsucker was now looking very worried. "St. Mungo's. That was our info. We heard that under the pretence of a donation he was really bribing Fudge to swing a few more votes in favour of a new law restricting Muggle-borns attending Hogwarts."
Hermione's eyes widened.
The vampire flapped his arms worriedly. "He'll be coming any moment! Go, go, go! Malfoy's gathering up his Galleons!"
Without looking around, Hermione extended the life of her bewitchment. The sound of several coins clinking down onto the marble floor could be heard behind her. "I can't hold him long without suspicion. You must have contact with your partner, yes? Call her off now! Tell her it's a trap. For pity's sake don't let her go anywhere near the Minister's office – someone will be following her!"
The man's face paled more suitably to his vampire disguise again as he pulled out a tiny mirror. "Alice! Cancel! Cancel now! Answer me!"
Hermione gulped. "My goodness, you're Frank Longbottom, aren't you?" Despite the fake teeth and cosmetic padding, she could vaguely see a resemblance to Neville just before he'd been carted off to Azkaban.
"What? What's happened?" came a quiet whisper from the mirror.
"Call me when you're safe, Alice! Get out, I say! NOW!" the man hissed. The woman must have nodded for he seemed satisfied and thrust the mirror back into his pocket – then he turned angrily on Hermione. "If you're lying, I'll– hush! Malfoy's coming!"
Hermione rushed on. "Fudge and Malfoy daren't risk not proceeding with the donation even if Alice doesn't show, so you go to St. Mungo's head office. I'm sure that within the hour you'll find a donation is recorded there for – do you know the amount?"
He nodded. "We heard the bribe would be ten thousand."
"So you'll know I'm telling the truth."
Malfoy strode by them with merely a cursory snarl in Hermione's direction, then he was gone.
Hermione carried on, "Put in a formal written request to your boss to search the Minister's–"
"Are you totally Confunded? Scrimgeour? He'll refuse outright. He'll never risk acting against Fudge without absolute proof up front."
"Exactly, then you'll have the officially rejected request as evidence that you and your wife were not intending to break any rules. That's your alibi should it be needed."
The Auror stared at the little girl, his left fang slowly dribbling down to his chin. "You seem to know an awful lot about things."
"You and Alice will be even more of a target after this – your mother too. I urge you to protect your homes with the Fidelius Charm – consult with Albus Dumbledore if you need help with that."
Frank's eyes were now wide open. "What! You believe my family is at risk!"
"Certainly! But your son will become even more isolated. Introduce him to a trusted friend in a similar situation. You know who I mean."
"Harry Black? But there are rumours about the Blacks that–"
"Not all the Blacks are bad. Harry will never turn to the dark! Both children will benefit. Think about it over the summer, Frank."
The man shook his head in bewilderment. "This is astonishing advice that appears to be coming out of the mouth of a little girl. I'm a professional. I cannot be expected to keep all this from my wife and my associates."
"Yes, which is why..." began Hermione.
Frank Longbottom felt tendrils of suggestions teasing into his mind. It seemed as if he'd been talking to an Interpol agent named Adam Brown – a big man with a deep voice, but he couldn't remember his face. Brown had warned him about the trap at the Ministry. Frank had to go to St. Mungo's to make sure. He blinked rapidly to try to clear his head. Adam must have already left. Frank headed off to the hospital in a hurry. If what Adam Brown had told him was true, then he and his wife had just had a narrow escape.
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The Manse Address
"What kept you?" said Aculus softly as Hermione Apparated beside him. They were concealed behind a large industrial waste container. "She's gone – quick, quick, read the message, perhaps I can still catch her!"
"She? She who?" Hermione took the folded sheet of paper from the raven's claw and opened it up.
Mike Worthing lives at Oakside Manse, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
She had barely committed it to memory when Aculus seized it in his beak and winged rapidly away. Hermione sprinted down the street after him, but as she approached the corner it was apparent that a busy market lay ahead. Hermione slipped into a shop doorway and Disapparated – Aculus could find her if he needed to.
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Spare The Rod?
Mrs Granger was waiting anxiously on the front steps of Gringotts bank when Hermione came out from behind one of the main columns of the facade. They examined each other silently for a few moments, conscious of the goblin sentry nearby, then the woman took her daughter's hand and they set off for Fortescue's without a word.
"I'm alright, Mum, honestly."
"Not sure I'll ever get used to this to'ing and fro'ing," murmured Mrs Granger. "What'll we tell the Blacks? It's nearly thirty minutes! Look, there they are!"
Harry came running to meet them in their last few strides. Sirius was on his feet with a concerned look.
"Sorry," called Mrs Granger with a resigned smile. "Queued for ages then some arrogant soandso pushed in front of us."
"Your Neo's melting," said Hestia. "You'll find it's lost its bite."
"Sirius," a passing woman's voice greeted with cold formality as she swept by without pausing.
"Perhaps just as well," said Anne, eyes widening at a collapsing mound of chocolate ice cream with a pink forked tongue dribbling out between long white molars.
"Narcissa..." acknowledged Sirius with a frown to the passer-by. He sat down looking rather deflated.
Harry laughed. "Here's your Snowcono, Hermione, we tried to keep it cold but it's already, erm–"
"–erupted," she finished for him, though her attention was on the rather grand, blonde-haired lady who had just walked by with her son. "Never mind, it usually fizzes up my nose any... way..."
She stared at the back of the passing boy's head – it was Draco Malfoy. He was still a tiny youngster and sweetly clutching his mother's hand. Might they both yet be turned? Could those two be spared her plans for them? Jealous spite twisted Draco's features as he glanced back at the various ice creams that the Blacks and Grangers were enjoying. Hermione's own expression must have displayed her distaste for she caught sight of a puzzled Hestia watching her face.
"He reminds me of that git who was rude to us in Gringotts," she explained hastily.
"Malfoy?" said Sirius. "Lucius Malfoy was the one in Gringotts?"
"Throwing his weight about like he owned the place," said Anne Granger as she viciously stabbed the Monster Neo in the nose with a spoon. It sneezed and icy yellow snot spat out onto her frock coat. She grimaced, wondering where next to attack her dessert.
"Steer clear of them is my advice," said Hestia.
"Yes, that's what Hermione... that's what I... what we thought too, didn't we?"
"Yes, I keep watching out to steer Harry away from people like that," said Hermione. She began to dig into her coconut Snowcono; hot treacle, steaming and glowing redly, began to flow like lava down the sides.
"Good for you," said Sirius.
"I can watch out for myself!" said Harry. "I'm seven now!"
"That's right," said Hermione, quickly, spoon suspended, "that means we can watch out for each other, right, Harry? Get all the naughty people locked up like that woman's sister and her family!"
He nodded eagerly as he watched Hermione gulp down another spoonful, and wishing he'd not beaten down his Terrormissu quite so quickly.
Sirius looked at Hermione very curiously. "Andromeda? What do you mean?"
"No, the Lestranges," said Hermione. "Can you help me with this, Harry? It's a bit big for one person to eat." She passed him a spoon and watched his eyes brighten as he quickly started on her dish.
Sirius shook his head as if trying to clear it of some confusion. "The Darkrise brotherhood? What have they got to–"
Hermione was admiring Harry's skill at gently blowing aside the candy smoke from her Vesuvian dessert. "No, I was speaking of Bellatrix."
Hestia and Sirius exchanged puzzled glances before Sirius said, "Bella has no other immediate family except for Andromeda and Narcissa. You do know they're all sisters?"
Alarm bells rang in Hermione's head and she bit her lip in regret. What had she said? She dare not relax her guard for a moment. Had Rodolphus not married Bellatrix in this world? Weren't they all locked up in Azkaban? No, of course they're not! She cringed – feeling drained suddenly, as if the effort of ongoing deceit had weakened her magic. She clutched the edge of the table to stop herself slumping in her seat.
Hestia frowned and appeared to be about to question her but Sirius spoke first. "Andromeda? What do you mean?" He was looking at Hermione very curiously.
Had he not already said that? Harry was still eyeing her Snowcono and licking his lips. She passed him a spoon, and suffered an overwhelming sensation she had already done so once. It's happening again! – déjà vu!
"Hermione?"
The young girl waited a few seconds more until she felt her magic restoring itself. "Sorry, Sirius, I was trying to remember what I'd said. Did I say 'family'? I meant 'friends', friends of her sister, Bellatrix. I read..."
"Yes?"
"Sorry, I meant... what I meant was... I read an article in the Daily Prophet that Rodolphus had a..." She squealed as if suddenly self-conscious and cast a blushing charm upon herself. "A reporter wrote he had a crusth on Bellatrixth!" She jumped up and began to re-examine the window menu with her back to them.
"A what?" said Sirius.
"She means a crush," whispered Mrs Granger, coming to her daughter's rescue, then mouthed, "Now, she's embarrassed. She often lisps when nervous."
"Oh, I see..." said Sirius, not seeing at all.
Meanwhile, Hermione was thinking furiously about what she must have mixed up. The later history books of her time had revealed that Voldemort had ordered Bellatrix to marry Rodolphus because his father had decreed no unmarried Lestrange could have access to the family vault. It had been rumoured there was something hidden there. Of course! In this changed world, he never made any Horcruxes so there was no Hufflepuff Cup to be kept safe – therefore, Bellatrix and Rodolphus were not married! Then she thought over her previous conversation with Hestia about the Longbottoms, and she whirled around again, to blurt out:
"So, Bellatrix and the Lestranges are definitely not in Azkaban? Nor Crouch junior?"
The Blacks both looked astonished at her outburst. "Of course not – she's the most wanted person in the country! Crouch was in prison for the murder of several Muggles, though. He led the Helm until it was disbanded and he was caught."
"The what?"
"The Helm – one of the gangs that rose up after You-know-you died," said Hestia, "Honestly, Hermione, I thought you'd researched your history."
"Not well enough, it seems," said Hermione mournfully, as she watched Harry swallow the last of her Snowcono.
"Tell me, did Mrs Crouch visit her son in Azkaban. And did they both die soon after?"
Hestia nodded and looked at Sirius for confirmation. "They certainly did; poor Mr Crouch took it very badly. Hermione, you do ask the strangest questions. You ought not to be thinking about such as this at your age."
But Hermione had her head on one side as if listening. The invocation of Aculus was positive, suggesting he'd had success; Hermione needed to meet with him again quickly. "Mum, we've got everything we need, and I'm feeling a bit weary. Can we finish up and go home? If the Malfoys are shopping, then I've lost my appetite."
"Was it something I said?" whispered Hestia to her husband as they watched the Grangers return to the Leaky Cauldron on their way home. "I suspect she had another little burst of accidental magic and it tired her out."
"Not surprised. The sight of the Malfoys would make even a bog troll puke."
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By a Thread
After Apparating her mother back home, Hermione wanted to rest for a few more minutes until the drop in her magic was full recovered. Fortunately, it was not necessary to Apparate again because the raven was already in the larch tree. She was quickly diverted from worrying about the recent déjà vu experience.
"You foresee much, Mistress; did you know Mike Worthing is dying?"
Hermione gasped. "I hadn't realised his illness began so early; perhaps I forgot."
"You forgot? How so?"
"Aculus, I have no intention of keeping anything of significance from you; my future is not merely a vision – I have lived it. The Fates decreed I might slip back to my youth to try again, yet keeping my magic and knowledge. However, I never knew Mike Worthing personally, I only knew of him. That he is a ruthless businessman, everyone knows, but in my time he also became a benefactor."
The intelligent bird tilted its head to show his interest. Hermione continued:
"It was public knowledge that Worthing was kept alive for years by the healers at St. Mungo's – but I had no idea it had been over three decades! I do know he gradually deteriorated to a wheelchair and thence to a prolonged deathbed. But in the 2020's a significant breakthrough was made by a Muggle geneticist into their understanding of his type of malady – what they call 'cancer'." Hermione hesitated, emotion showing on her face.
"Another wizard – a very great wizard – shared Mike's hospital ward and informed him of the new treatment, encouraging him to forgo his prejudices and accept the Muggle medication which by then was having great success. It was one of the wizard's last acts before he sadly passed on himself. There was no cure for the extreme chronic melancholy which took his will to live."
There was silence for a few moments while the raven waited for Hermione to compose herself. A breeze sprang up, ruffling his feathers and stirring the mix of yellow-green larch needles, then he said softly, "It was Harry Potter, wasn't it? The other wizard?"
Hermione nodded, then looked Aculus severely in the eye. "On no account ever mention this to young Harry. He was barely forty-three when he died –though he looked much older."
"I shall not; you have my word, Mistress, but..." – the raven paused – "can Harry not then be saved? Either of them?"
"My purpose in life is to help Harry; that is why I am here. His life hangs by a thread. It is our social systems that are frayed and rotten. As the 'Boy Who Lived' he will be targeted by dark wizards even though Voldemort is no more. Even if he survives their malice, his friends might not, and that loss is what killed him before – not the Dark Lord."
"And Mike Worthing?"
"As for Mike... I hope the healers can again keep him alive and free from pain long enough because, sadly, he must suffer another thirty years or so before the Muggles discover the cure for what ails him. The most I can do is reveal to him that future – he is critical to our plans."
"Perhaps his daughter might take his place if not. His entire commercial know-how is being stored for her to access and he sounds confident she has both the will and the ability to continue his success."
"Was she the one who carried the message? The secret address? She is already involved in his trade?"
"Yes – Isobel is destined to take over Mike's business on his death. I teased the note back into her bag without her knowing I was even there. Her mother is the Secret Keeper. She–"
"Mrs Worthing? Not Mike?"
"His wife, Catherine, yes. You'll be reassured to hear that he cares for and protects his family; they are the reason for the Fidelius Charm. He has a son a year or two younger than Isobel and two younger children also."
"And his elves?"
"He treats them firmly but fairly – that is my view."
Hermione thought for a few moments. "You mentioned that Mike is storing his business knowledge for his daughter, Isobel; you mean he is compiling a library of information?"
"I have seen them using a runic bowl. I do not know if that–"
"A Pensieve? Mike Worthing has a Pensieve? ... They are rare and expensive; it will be most useful to have an ally with such a device."
"Very well, I must make preparations for a visit during the next few weeks..."
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—oOo—
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Author's Notes
I've had a rush of creativity this week and will be posting an additional new story in the next day or two – maybe even this evening. It's about 6 x 5K chapters and is Harry/Luna with Neville/Ginny. No title yet but watch out for it very soon! It's all done but for polishing so it won't interfere with Chance of a Lifetime's updates.
A guest reviewer of the previous chapter pointed out that I'd used 'sat' instead of 'sitting'. I agree it can sound ugly if you're not used to it but it is in fact established British English (some other commonwealth countries too, I believe.) I've given this some additional thought and scanned my main document and the British usage does occur quite a few times. I've considered changing them all but decided against it so you may see it happen in future chapters – both in chapters that are already written but not yet published, and in new chapters simply because it is natural to me (and therefore not easy to detect.) However, I shall be more inclined to use 'sitting' if I remember, because both forms are correct in British English, and 'sitting' appears to be more global. Good call anyway.
Although I think I'm putting in all the key elements, some readers find my writings confusing and even tedious. The boring parts, I hope, are mostly subjective. Some like revolution and politics, others hate that and want a fun romance or a quest for an amazing relic. I hope that's all it is and that my scenes are not actually written in a boring way. To me they are a delight.
Okay, now the confusion and mystery. I thought it was all there in the story but I'll explain it anyway. Some mysteries of course, are intended to be in the fiction and unfold later. (Those of you who could follow the story without a problem can ignore this.)
Although initially driven by love for Harry, Hermione has already seen the fate of mankind is a dreadful one. Billions will suffer and die and likely the remnant will become extinct too eventually. She believes the reason is that mankind has evolved in two directions – magical and scientific – and both need to work in harmony for the species to continue. Her future adult self already could see most of what was needed but it was too late. Now she has plans to influence both societies that they might ultimately blend in some degree and help one another to survive. Although Hermione is powerful, it is unrealistic to simply storm the Magical Ministry and the Houses of Parliament. Even if she forced a benign dictatorship on Britain, the problem is global. No, her task is to gradually change society and set an example for the rest of the world. That is a lifetime's task and she cannot do it alone. That is why the last chapter was called Gathering Support. She knows the key characters from her future life who can help make the difference. That will be the background theme throughout these books while the foreground will be the exciting (I hope!) adventures with her friends and new enemies, especially at Hogwarts.
I like to show and hint and imply rather than directly explain in the narrative. I do hope everyone understands that Adam Brown is really Hermione generally disguised by Polyjuice (or in the case of Frank Longbottom, a Legilimensic suggestion?) That she is doing that because professional adults are unlikely to take a young girl seriously? If anything else needs explaining then let me know specifically what, but I think I've covered the essentials here. As for the dull parts, all you can do is skip them because I aim for variety and everything I put in is essential to the storytelling and not boring to me at all – quite the opposite. But keep me informed and I shall strive to improve. Still, when I think about it, I found small parts of Lord of the Rings boring and unclear so maybe my effort is not so bad after all.
Thanks to everyone for comments and reviews. These are most welcome and very encouraging. Let me know of any weaknesses or faults – I'm always trying to improve my writing so feedback is really useful. :)
- Hippothestrowl
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