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Chapter 6
After two weeks with no results, the Chief was actually slowly losing the battle to control his Trouble. Hermione ended up going to Duke's to rant and let off some steam. She was beyond frustrated and had come to care for the gruff man. He listened as she sounded off all she had tried with no real success.
"You said the one banishing spell showed some promise?" Duke inquired.
"Yes, but it only caused a dark spot to show up on his chest and it cause considerable pain for him." Hermione explained.
"And you had one healing ritual to ease the power of an oncoming release?" Duke continued to question.
"Yes." Hermione said, wondering where Duke was going.
"Have you tried to use them in tandem? Use the banishing spell to pull the spot to the surface then use the healing ritual focused on that specific area?" Duke asked.
Hermione looked at Duke in complete awe.
"What?" Duke asked self-consciously.
"You're brilliant! I don't know why that didn't cross my mind!" Hermione exclaimed.
Duke shrugged, "Sometimes it takes looking form the outside in to see things clearly."
Hermione grinned widely before pulling Duke to her in a tight hug and kissed him in gratitude.
The next day, just as the Chief was about to tell Hermione that he appreciated her attempts but it was time to stop or find someone else, Hermione told him about Duke's suggestion. The Chief agreed to try one more time after getting her promise that it would be the last for him. He explained that he could feel it getting stronger than he could hold.
The procedure took a few hours to do due to time needed for the banishing spell to fully pull the dark spot forward, almost like it was resisting and had learned her intent. Then she drew a set of runes around the area, handed the Chief a potion to drink before she started chanting the healing spell while waving her wand over the affected area. By the time she was done, both of them were exhausted but a small dark bubble hung in the air between them. No one and nothing moved for several moments before Hermione threw a shield around the corrupted Aether so it could not re-infest anyone.
The Chief cracked a smile, "You did it! Can you do it again?"
"I can! How do you feel?" Hermione asked
"Lighter than I ever have, thank you!" the Chief answered enthusiastically.
"Sir, how are we going to go about this? I can't have the entire town knowing what I am or what I can do." Hermione inquired.
"Well, there's not much to be done about that unless you know a way to keep their mouths shut." the Chief answered.
Hermione let her head fall to her desk with a thunk. "Merlin, I'm such a bloody idiot!" She exclaimed and at the Chief's questioning smile, she explained, "I can put a spell on the door of whatever room I use that will keep anyone from speaking about anything that happens inside or I can have them leave in a suggestive dream state and we can then figure out a story for them to believe about the time lapse. I must be more tired than I thought." she chuckled.
"This story, it could be customized for each person?" the Chief asked with a calculating look.
"It can, yes." Hermione told him.
"Then we'll do both, just to cover all our bases." Chief Wuornos decided.
"How will we get them to come in?" Hermione pondered aloud.
"I'll worry about that, you just tell me when you want to do this and how many you can do in one day and you'll have more than you can handle." The Chief chuckled, making Hermione smile.
"Alright, Chief. Now that I know what needs to be done, I should be able to do two in the morning and three or four after lunch. However, you should let them know that minimum clothing will be worn through the treatment. Just because yours showed up on your chest doesn't mean everyone else's will do the same." Hermione clarified.
"I will make sure they know. Why don't we say two and three, that way you don't over extend yourself?" he put out there, watching her reaction.
"Sounds perfect." Hermione agreed after giving it some serious thought. "Now, how do we gather those with non-active Troubles in here? They'll need to be tested as well." Hermione wanted to know.
"You let me worry about that. It'll get done. Now, I believe I have the perfect spot for you to setup. I'm guessing you do not want a bunch of strangers traipsing around your apartment." The Chief informed her.
"That would be great! You're right; I really don't relish so many people in and out of my domain." Hermione chuckled. "Is it possible to see this place now?"
"Shouldn't you rest first? You seem worn out." The Chief asked, concern for the young witch seeping into his voice.
"Just let me knock back a Pepper Up potion and I'll be just fine." Hermione told him.
After downing the potion, she left with the Chief to see where everything would happen. It was an abandoned office building that would work great. While the Chief kept watch so no one would stumble in, Hermione got to work warding the space to the teeth. She then set up a shielded area where she could send the Troubled Aether. Once finished, they bade each other a goodnight with the Chief telling her that her first "customer" would be there at eight and that would be his son.