It was a cold day in August when Hermione first came upon word of the outside world of Heaven. No good news, but at least it was news. Some contact with anyone that lived in Heaven was good…. at least she thought it would be. The voices of the stranger and Claude drifted through the empty house.
"So you're positive no one suspects?"
"Well love you know I don't have that kind of power," The strangers laugh was cold "But I don't see any suspicion."
The stranger wore a magenta frock, and sported gemmed glasses. Her nails were sharp and pointy, and her curls large and rigid. She wasn't the kind of person you'd want to be around in a dark alley.
"Ok, but the minute you hear anything let me know!"
"Of course doll."
Claude took out a wad of cash. The stranger eyed it and scoffed.
"Claude Richards! You'd do well to keep in mind that the information I give you is crucial to your well-being, and that the information I posses about you could ruin you if it got into the wrong hands." She laughed her wicked laugh.
"Marge," He spit out impatiently "I have a child to feed. I can't give you much more!"
" Well then perhaps I should pay a visit to the royal Angels office on my way out of town?"
Claude threw the lady an angry glare and pulled out another wad of cash.
"Will this do it?"
"Yes, it will do quit nicely!" She grabbed the cash and turned to head out, but Claude grabbed her arm.
He held out an extra 5.
"And Marge, while you're in town do spread it around that the young lady and I are married."
"Ooo you little devil." She said grasping the money.
At that moment Hermione made her entrance.
"Married?!"
Claude spun around while Marge took her time, smiling with pleasure at the visit of the young lady.
"Why Hermione, ummm, this isn't what it looks like!"
"Really? Is it not???" She now turned to the lady "Has this despicable snake here been telling you disgusting lye's, again?"
"Depends on what you consider truth."
Hermione glared at the women.
"You are aware aren't you Claude, that no matter what you pay this women she will ruin your reputation quicker than you can think? Not that I really care about that!"
"Minnie dear you haven't changed a bit" She snarled.
"Neither have you Marge."
They glared at each other.
"Now before I deal with that trash I will tell you this for what I hope is the last time. You are scum, Claude. You are the lowest being that should have ever graced in Hell. Instead you live here in this glory of a magnitude, which your evil heartless being could never understand. And every day you proceed to seek me as your wife. Well I would never marry you if my life and everyone I cared about lives depended on it. I wish upon you no less than a slow excruciatingly painful death. I wish for you to burn in the depths of hell forever." With that she spat at him. She then turned on Marge.
"And you! You never learn do you? Why I let you out at the train station that day is beyond even me! Maybe it was because I was young and forgiving but my time for that has passed! So watch yourself Marge."
"Minnie sweet I have no clue what you are talking of!"
"Don't you? And besides how in Harry's name did you get up here?"
Marge opened her mouth to answer but just then Maxa waltzed in hugging her teddy bear.
" Hia mommy! Who's that?" She said innocently pointing to Marge."
"That," Hermione said " Is no one you want to get involved with" She glared at Marge, took Maxas hand and marched out of the room.
She walked through corridors and strode into her bedroom. She grabbed a small box and marched back out. She walked down the main staircase and out the front door.
"Mommy, where are we going?"
"We're going to go visit Nanny Katherine." She said firmly, and Maxa giggled with delight.
When they got to the little cottage Katherine lived in, she was out front gardening and stood, greeting them with a warm smile.
"Well to what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Mommy said— ," Maxa started but Hermione interrupted.
"I need a favor from you, Kathy."
" Why anything for my favorite gal and her daughter." She replied kindly.
Hermione glanced at Maxa then back to Katherine. "Can we possibly talk…alone?"
Katherine nodded.
Hermione sent maxa off to play with Katherine's two cats.
"What's troubling you love?" Katherine asked kindly.
"Oh its Richard…. what else!"
"Problems with the marriage?" She asked. Hermione flinched but nodded…she didn't have the time to explain once again that she wasn't married.
" Well then what can I do for you?"
" Well I hate to ask and I really can't explain why but could you possibly keep this safe for me?" She held out a wooden box with a small broken lock on it. " Its some of my savings."
" Why I'd be happy to watch it for you. Its safe with me."
" Yes I know. That's why I asked you."
With that Hermione nodded politely and left.