Anam Cara

14. Plans

Albus surveyed the room in front of him. There sat Minerva, sitting as stiffly as always, thin hands folded neatly in her lap. She was gazing at him expectantly, with the same respect that had always shone there, since her days at Hogwarts, since they… Albus refrained from smiling.

His eyes flickered to the Potters. Harry was leaning against the desk, his hand clasped tightly by his wife. Ginny glanced up at her husband and they shared a smile, a familiar tinge of pink spreading across her cheeks.

By Harry stood Ron. He had grown into his height now, and was sturdy and broad. His flaming hair contrasted sharply with his paler skin, an everlasting mark of his family name. His arms were crossed firmly over his chest and his eye frequently looked over to the woman sitting by him.

Hermione looked to him now and again, sharing a small smile. Then she would look to himself. And then…Albus watched as her dark eyes lingered on two specific people; the shadow of a man standing resolutely in his corner, and the blonde shell. Draco was staring straight at him, blue eyes prepared, but obdurate.

Minerva cleared her throat and Dumbledore snapped out of his silence.

"Firstly, if you wouldn't mind, Mrs. Potter, I am going to dismiss what has happened in the last day or so for everyone who has been here. I'm sure your husband will give you the details."

Ginny nodded.

"It's painfully clear that the Minister intends on returning to Hogwarts. We have no idea when, and-"

Ron broke in. "Aren't the Ministry required to send a message prior to visiting? I mean, we could catch them on that-"

Dumbledore shook his head. "I wish it were that simple. It is usually requisite that the Ministry send us fair notice, but in cases such as these, we can't base anything on that 'rule'.

"I gather you all realise we have to come up with a more efficient way of hiding Miss Granger until we can prove her innocence. With the help of Minerva, I believe I have come up with a solution that is adequate." He looked to her.

Minerva nodded and stood up.

"After the war, you may remember there was a great deal of new property on the wizarding market, families emerging after a few years of disappearance selling their temporary homes. Homes that had been hidden to all eyes, except the rightful owners.

"The charm required for this must be registered through the Ministry and performed by a qualified professional. Basically, though you are in 'hiding', the Ministry has tabs on you at all times and may withdraw the charm whenever they deem fit. During the rise of V-Voldemort, this was obviously a problem for families who were at risk of being affected by his wrath. A safe place to hide couldn't ever be truly guaranteed and the process of Abstrudo Domus, for that is the charm, is costly. So, inevitably, there was only one other option for those not ready to trust the Ministry."

"Black market…" said Hermione without thinking. Instantly all eyes were upon her. "And blacker than Knockturn Alley, I expect."

McGonagall nodded. "Of course. But after the war, many thought it unnecessary and there was suddenly an abundance of 'discovered' property on the market and those that were hidden blended themselves slowly back into society. I suspect that there are also some who choose to remain concealed.

"Now, you may wonder what this has to do with me. I myself have never seen fit to hide myself away, but perhaps that is just my situation being as it is. I have a sister. About twenty years ago she simply…disappeared. We had never been especially close, but I sought after her, to no avail. Anyone she'd ever met claimed they had never known her. I gave up in the end. My sister is rather erratic in her personalities. One minute she wants to be the centre of attention, the next, she decides she wants to leave this world behind." McGonagall gave a disapproving sniff.

Five years later, she re-appeared again. I received an owl from a friend of hers, informing me that she had returned from her long holiday. The very same friend that declared she had never heard of her. Disconcerted, I visited her home and questioned her about her whereabouts. She repeated what I'd already been told and acted as if it was nothing of great importance.

"Eventually, I gave up on asking her and returned to Hogwarts. A few years later, the exact same thing occurred. She returned, and then disappeared again just two years after.

"I began to harbour suspicions when I went to visit her six years ago. I found her waving goodbye to a witch dressed in concealing robes, with a piece of parchment and her empty purse. She knocked my misgivings aside and told me I was overreacting.

"During the war, she vanished again. When she came back, I decided not go to her again. But when this particular situation came up…I had an idea. If my sister was hiding what I thought she was, we had the ideal solution."

"Ideal solution for what?"

Everyone in the room jumped at the voice but there was no one to be seen. As they regarded the space around them cautiously, there was the slow appearance of a tall witch from thin air, dressed entirely in a vicarious shade of blue from her heavy robes to her eye shadow. Everybody stared at the woman. She was the exact copy of Minerva, if she had been shaken up a little.

Minerva McGonagall pursed her lips. "Athene. You're early."

Her face defying anyone to say a word about the sudden arrival, she looked to the others.

"This is my sister."

There was hardly a need to state it. Athene McGonagall observed them all, her mouth twitching at the corner.

"Didn't your parents ever teach you it's rude to stare?"

-

Athene placed her teacup back onto the saucer with a clink.

"Now that the formalities are over with, sister dear, you might want to fill me in with the details?"

Hermione thought it very odd that Minerva had barely greeted her sister. There had been a stiff nod and the offer of tea. There had been no sisterly hugs, smiles and 'how's the children?' She might have expected it from her old Head of House but this Athene seemed the exact opposite of her twin. An odd sort of restraint was apparent and the patient countenance of McGonagall looked forced.

"You're a bit of a quiet bunch, I must say." She smiled kindly at Hermione who returned it, immediately warming to the friendly witch. Dumbledore cleared his throat and Minerva crossed over to her sister, a shrewd expression on her face.

"Where is the house, Athene?"

Athene looked puzzled. "My house? Down in Lancashire, Minerva dear, where else would it be? It didn't just sprout legs and move away, you know." She gave a tinkling laugh to herself. "Oh, that reminds me- did I tell you about that poor Muggle who lives next door. Why, just the other day-"

"Athene." Minerva stared at her in annoyance. "I don't need to hear your prattle about that harmless Muggle you insist on meddling with. You know what I'm talking about."

The gentle smile disappeared from Athene's face, replaced by a stubborn fixing of her jaw. "I'm afraid I have no idea of what you're referring to." It was plain she did.

"Athene," Minerva said crisply. "Every person in this room knows you are hiding something, never mind me. We may have great need of your little 'secret', so cease your mulish attitude if you please."

Athene looked at her sister defiantly, like a child caught doing something naughty. Minerva returned the look. Hermione stifled the giggle she wanted to give and saw Ginny bite her lip to keep from smiling. She'd only ever seen her old Professor act 'bossy' in the classroom, with her sister it was an entirely new situation to apprehend.

Eventually, Athene backed down and sighed, looking down at her hands, a lock of greying black hair falling over her face. "Oh well, I suppose it couldn't be a secret forever." She glanced up at her sister who gazed astutely back.

"What do you want it for?"

"Tell me where it is first."

"Don't be ridiculous Minerva- I have no idea who most of these people are! Knowing you, you've brought a Ministry investigation down on my head," she grumbled.

McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "Incredibly perceptive of you but not quite what it seems."

Confused, Athene glanced around the room. "Why do you need my house?"

"There is someone we want to place in it," came a voice from the corner. Athene craned round to look at Snape who stood with his back against the wall, arms firmly crossed over his chest.

"Ah, the shadow has a voice. Good Merlin dear, have you ever heard of colour? Did somebody die?"

"Athene, if you please-"

"Quite alright Minerva, I prefer to look as if I haven't thrown a can of paint in a most lurid shade over myself, thank you. Though you obviously don't share my opinion, Miss McGonagall."

One of Athene's eyebrows arched and her lips thinned. "Do watch your mouth. At least I don't look like an overgrown bat." She continued on, brushing aside his comment. "Who?"

"Me," came a small voice. Athene looked to Hermione. She studied her closely and then her eyes widened.

"You're that Death Eater the Prophet used to harp on about, aren't you? Hiding criminals are we, Minerva?"

"She isn't a Death Eater. She made a mistake for honourable reasons and has been punished unduly. We need a place for her to stay until we can prove her innocence."

Hermione looked at Snape in surprise. His face was expressionless but he had spoken of her in an odd way, she was sure there was an accolade hidden somewhere within his words.

"Hmmm," Athene looked thoughtful. "I suppose that bungler of a Minister is still after her? You should have left the country, dear," she added.

"I did," answered Hermione flatly.

"Oh."

-

Hermione shrunk her two suitcases and fitted them neatly into her pocket. She looked at the room that had barely been hers. It was nice, she thought, if she had been staying, she would have been glad to live here. She gazed around for a few seconds before returning to the small living room. Ginny sat on the couch, awaiting her with an unhappy expression on her face.

"Are you ready?"

Hermione nodded. The two women left the room and fell in step together as they walked through the dungeon corridor.

"This is all happening too fast," Ginny murmured. "I haven't seen you in years and the minute you come back, you have to be taken away again. At least I know you're going to be safe this time."

Hermione was touched by the sorrowful tone of her friend's voice. "I missed our talks," she said softly. "I used to remember when we would stay up late during my last summer holiday and just talk about anything. It feels like forever since I've been able to be so honest with anyone."

"Well, when you get back…" Ginny smiled. "Because you will. We'll get the Ministry to understand somehow."

"I won't be getting my hopes up too soon, though. I wish I could have seen Kate before I went."

"Are you sure? She's a real terror." At the foot of the dungeon steps, Hermione looked up in surprise. Harry stood there, cradling a small child to his chest with a proud smile. Hermione raced up the steps.

The little girl was pink-cheeked and already had some red curls. Hermione glanced at Ginny. "She looks just like you."

Harry grinned. "I have two beautiful girls now."

Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Look at you, being all fatherly."

"Who would have thought it?" said Harry smiling. He held the baby towards her. "Would you like to hold her?"

Taken aback, Hermione stepped away, a swarm of emotions enveloping her. She desperately wanted to hold the little girl and remind herself this was one of the reasons it had all been worth it, "I-I…I want to. It's just…if I do."

Harry's eyes met hers and he nodded in gentle understanding. "You're going away.

"But when you're back, you'd better start getting involved with your duties as godmother."

Hermione laughed. "I can't wait."

"Hermione?" The three looked over to where McGonagall had come down the stairs. "We're ready for you now. My sister's memory of the house's location has been Obliviated and the charm has been cast anew. Severus is ready to take the Portkey as soon as you are."

Hermione's eyes widened. "What?"

A/N: Yes, I admit it. I have been negligent again- but there were bunnies. Lots and lots. (Literally- I saved a baby wild rabbit from my cat's clutches on Sunday.)

If you have the time, please check out Losing Sleep, and tell me what you think.

I should be able to update a little more now- my French Oral Exam is tomorrow morning at 11.05 (eek) and I leave High School on Friday (yay) Of course, then comes the actual written exams…sigh Je suis condamné!