Author's note: Corban – that's his first name according to Pottermore – Yaxley is a minor character in JKR's world. I first noticed him in Annette Poudre's "Midsomer Murders", where he is Antonin's friend, and then of course in Calebski's "Pictures of You". Both are wonderful and inspirational stories. I tried to write my own Yaxley and apologize in advance if he seems too similar to either versions. His looks I picture like Peter Mullan in the movies, although a bit younger. The story is finished and will be posted twice a week.

Another author's note: I had planned to write a story for HwaetWeGardena. If you know her stories you will also know which couple it should have featured. Alas, my characters had other ideas!

Disclaimer: Anyone and anything recognisable belongs to J. and her associates.

Part 1

December 20th, 2010, Ministry of Magic

Hermione Granger was fed up. A huge project was to be finished by the end of the month but this afternoon her department was nearly empty. Some employees had called in sick, others were on leave. Now it was 4 pm and she was alone in the office. When yesterday she had asked her colleagues about this phenomenon she hadn't gotten a straight answer, just mumbles about it being the season for colds and sniffles, and the others had left the kitchenette rather quickly. Well, her part of the project was done, she wasn't the one responsible for its punctual completion, maybe she'd leave, too. Until the Ministry closed down for three days on the 24th she might as well work normal office hours instead of always being the last in the office despite her position as a junior researcher. And never asked along for lunch or after-work-drinks .

`Noxing´ the office lights the young witch made her way to the elevators in the hall. Hermione couldn't be sure, as she never left as early as four, but the hall seemed less busy than usual. Putting all thoughts of that riddle from her mind the witch tried to remember the contents of her icebox while making her way to the grocery on the corner of Knockturn Alley and Diagon Alley.

Hoisting her tote up on her left shoulder after her shopping was done – edibles should not be shrunk – she hesitated outside the shop. Knockturn Alley was no longer avoided by the young witch, her favourite place there being the used-book-shop three houses down. Deciding that her groceries were not too cumbersome for a bit of browsing she turned apruptly towards the Alley. And smashed into someone. Quite a bit taller than her, swearing incoherently but still dropping whatever he'd carried to grab her arm to prevent her from falling on her bum.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry, I did not look where I was going!"

The man took a step back, only relinquishing her arm when it was clear that Hermione was steady. He had straight dark blond hair and seemed a bit older than her. Mumbling "No problem, don't worry." he bent down to retrieve his belongings, a paperbag from the apothecary and a broom of all things. When Hermione smelt the herbs in the bag it hit her.

"Sage, juniper, yarrow! And frankincense! Of course, you're smoking! It's Yule!"

Now the stranger appeared a bit worried. He cocked his head to one side and offered a hesitating, "Yes?"

Hermione was beyond embarrassement. How could she have overlooked something so vital, so ingrained in magical society? She felt like that time more than ten years ago when Neville's grandmother of all people had taken her aside and had explained to her how different hairstyles were viewed in wizarding society. Since then she'd worn her hair pinned up or braided.

"Sorry again, sir, you must think me quite mad. Today I have been wondering again why nearly half of my colleagues have called in sick and the others are on leave. They are celebrating Yule!"

A rueful smile graced the man's face.

"You're sounding like you've been born in England, therefore I guess you are Muggle-born, aren't you?"

It did not come out in a patronising tone and it was quite true, so she replied, "Yes, I am. And most of my friends are not very traditional. Why did you say that about me being British born? Do wizards in other countries not celebrate the quarter days?"

"I guess the solstices are observed around the world but the meaning might be different on the other side of the world, don't you think? Austrialian witches won't be excorcising winter right now. And what I know from my friends is that only a few celebrate Yule in it's purest form. Some use it as an excuse to start partying before Christmas. But most of them are simply superstitious, they would not ignore the date completely. Until about thirty years ago the Ministry and most shops would close on Yule, not on Christmas day like now."

"Fascinating. I wish there was a book on all these unwritten rules."

"There are books, but they fell out of fashion in a way, some were deemed unsuitable."

The last statement was ringing faint alarm bells in Hermione's mind but the stranger was right. During Dumbledore's time as head of the Wizengamot quite a few laws had been passed that outlawed some rituals, potions and even knowledge of certain strands of magic with quite arbitrary markers as to what was deemed suitable and what not.

"These are herbs for smoking, for cleansing, aren't they?"

"Yes. I am moving into a new home, hence the herbs and the broom."

"Is there a recommended time for smoking? Or an accompagnying chant?"

The stranger seemed to consider whether to answer.

"To be honest I am playing it by the ear. My grandmother would smoke her house on New Year's Eve and on the 6th of January, she was of orthodox faith. Here in England I believe that I can feel a difference on the quarter days and solstices, my magic is more in tune with its surroundings. Tomorrow I will clean the house in the morning, then go for a walk trying to get a feel for ley-lines nearby. Smoking will be done after dinner, I think."

"I haven't noticed feeling different on Yule or even on Samhain, but on Beltane or Imbolc I tend to overpower my spells like a first year at Hogwarts. It is quite embarrassing, really."

"Please don't take this in the wrong way, but you are a young woman. I guess Magic is telling you something."

"What? Settle down and have half a dozen of children?"

"Or just party hard and use a contraception spell." Hermione's look of outrage at this comment set off a bough of laughter. Before she could tell him off the man continued, "As entertaining this is, I can't feel my toes any longer. I wish you a good night." With that he walked towards Diagon Alley, leaving the witch fuming. She called after him.

"Get in contact with your ley-lines then and cast a warming charm!"

He raised a hand without turning around and was gone.