Chapter Twenty One: A Quick Visit

Harry gratefully dressed. He had a restful night despite what had happened but now he had to find out what the day had in store. The healer who had attended him led him from his room to a small common area where his friends were waiting. Cedric Diggory was smiling glumly.

"The food is good," he said, "but don't expect much variety."

Harry looked at the table. There were bread rolls and honey, but no butter. There was also oatmeal. And there was plenty of water to drink.

"It looks wonderful," Harry said, and sat down to eat. He was famished after his ordeal, and put a noticeable dent in the food. As he paused for breath he asked, "Why are all of you here? Why didn't they take you back?"

Neville Longbottom snorted as Cedric rolled his eyes. Hermione and Ginny gave bemused smiles. Cedric gave the answer.

"Because, Harry, there's no one to take us back. That Professor Quirrell brought us here and left. We don't even know where here is."

"We are south of London," Harry said. "It is a safe place because everyone here is sworn to a vow of silence. The sisters only talk when they are dealing with their patients and then only about the patient."

"This is a monastery?" Hermione asked, and Harry nodded. "I thought those disappeared in the middle ages."

"We are a backward people," Harry said cheerlessly. "If you do not believe me, read the Daily Prophet."


Cornelius Fudge was furious. "Albus, you must order them to return our students."

"Minister," Albus Dumbledore said as calmly as he could, "they have already asked if it is safe to do so. Please try to understand their position."

"THEIR POSITION? That Professor kidnaped six students."

"Six students who were being attacked by a dementor," Albus reminded him, "and two of those students are . . ."

Cornelius Fudge waved his hand to say he did not want to hear any more. "The students must be returned to the school." He added in a condescending tone, "You know how to deal with them. Just make sure they do it."

Albus nodded his agreement without answering. Fudge was not interested in knowing how. All he cared was that he got what he wanted. "I will send word to them immediately, letting them know that it is safe for the students to return."

Satisfied, the Minister said goodbye and left the school. Those backward people needed to learn their place. They didn't deserve any credit for one lucky discovery. If it weren't for the Potter boy, they would not even have bothered to use such a valuable find. Cornelius Fudge knew that it was only a matter of time before their sense of fairness made them share the discovery. Then he would show them how to use such a gift.


The brusque looking man entered the room where the Hogwarts students sat. He looked around, taking in each face with a glance. Harry stood up when their eyes met.

"My Lord Bontriomphe."

"Lord Henry, I am happy to see that you are well. I have visited your brother and he is recovering, but it has been decided that he should stay here until our return." He glanced down at the cat that was rubbing his leg. "Goodwoman Granger, I must ask that you keep your cat in check at all times."

Hermione nodded, surprised not so much that the man knew her name, but that he knew the cat was hers. She called to Crookshanks, who immediately returned to her and jumped on her lap.

"Thank you." Lord Bontriomphe looked at his pocket watch, then turned to Harry again. "Clothes are being brought for your friends, Lord Henry. Have them change quickly. We have an appointment within the hour, if possible. As it is, I anticipate a late arrival but I do not wish to be too late. Naval Intelligence wishes to debrief everyone as to the events of last night."

"Naval Intelligence?" Cedric asked, as though it was a joke.

"Robert and I are both listed as officers," Harry explained.

One of the Sisters came in and asked Hermione and Ginny to accompany her, while another Sister sat a pile of clothes on a vacant chair then left as well. Cedric and Neville stared in surprise.

"Harry," Neville asked. "Why do we need to change clothes?"

Lord Bontriomphe cleared his throat. "We need to travel in public. You will stand out otherwise. Please change quickly. I will return shortly, and you must be ready to leave."

Cedric took the set of clothes on top, looked at them and handed them to Neville.

"Why are they so paranoid?" Cedric asked, as he began to change."

"That is an easy question," Harry told him. "Two of His August Majesty's nephews were attacked by a creature that no one in the Empire has ever heard of."

"Nephews?" came the surprised response.

"In this world, my great grandfather on my mother's side was King. My uncle, King John IV, is very protective of his family."

Cedric and Neville both continued to stare until Harry prompted them to finish dressing.


His Majesty, John IV Plantagenet, sat looking out of the Tower window. The Somerset twins, and four friends from the other world were sitting a few hundred yards away in the office of the Chief of Naval Intelligence. His Majesty corrected himself. Robert Somerset was still at the Hospice with the Sisters of Saint Gertrude. The conspiracy of silence was extended by one dozen.

"My Lord." The Lord Seneschal had entered the room. "The party has arrived."

"I know," His Majesty answered. His voice became serious. "William. What was it?"

"John, they call it a dementor. Professor Quirrell described it as an abomination."

John looked at his old friend. "What would be an accurate description?"

"From what I have heard, the Professor has the right of it." William visibly shuddered as he remembered the vivid explanation of what happened. "The creature was trying to," he paused for the right word, "to devour Lord Henry's soul. Lord Robert tried to stop it, and received its full attention."

John frowned with anger and surprise. The thing must indeed have been a horror if that one word was the best description. He rose from his chair. There was a secret passage to a secret room. He would listen as the children retold the events of the previous night.


Hermione was the first one to be led into the conference room. Harry was already ensconced in his seat at the end of the table. Next to him was a priest who identified himself as Father Maurice. On the other side of the table was Lord Bontriomphe. The man in the center asked Hermione to sit. He told her he was Captain Smollett and he would ask her some routine questions.

Hermione first described the events on the train as accurately as she could. She was sitting next to Robert and had a full view of his actions. When asked to describe the dementors, she gave the textbook description of what was known about them as well as her own reactions. It was Father Maurice who seemed the most interested but he said almost nothing.

Forty-five minutes after the interview began, she was excused. As she left, Ginny was brought in and given her seat. Hermione smiled encouragingly, and went back to the waiting room where Cedric and Neville were.

"We were worried," Neville told her.

"They were thorough," Hermione admitted. She looked at the table set to the side and smiled. "I see they have real food here. Oatmeal is not my idea of a full breakfast." She grabbed a piece of fruit, then paused and looked around.

"Where's Crookshanks?"

"Somewhere in here," Cedric said in a bored voice.

"No, he isn't," Hermione said in annoyance. "He must have snuck out."

"Where are you going?" Cedric asked as she reversed her steps.

"To find him." Hermione thought that was obvious. She opened the door and stepped out to confront an Armsman.

"Do you need anything?" he asked firmly.

"Um," Hermione said nervously. The last thing she wanted to do was explain about her cat.

The Armsman smiled, misunderstanding her nervousness. "Turn left at the end of the hall, then right at the next hall. The facilities will be on your right. Will you need an escort?"

"It seems simple enough. Thank you."

Hermione quickly walked to the end of the hallway and turned left. As soon as she was out of sight of the Armsman, she paused and looked around. There was plenty of noise from people working, but all of the doors were closed. She slowly walked forward, and halfway down she did spy a door that was not completely closed. Not a door, but a panel, a secret passage. She listened, and heard a mewing sound. She pushed the door open and slipped into the room, closing the panel behind her.

"I assume this is your cat," a voice said.

Hermione turned to see a tall blond man standing at the end of a hallway, Crookshanks lying on his left arm purring as the right hand rubbed the fur on the cat's back. She couldn't help notice that he was the best dressed person she had seen so far. She knew he must be a nobleman.

"I hope he didn't bother you, er, My Lord."

The man smiled kindly at her. "Not at all. He was a relief." He motioned for her to come into the room. "To tell you the truth, I had the unfortunate task of listening to your description of . . . It was quite disturbing."

Hermione followed his gaze and saw a chair near the far wall.

"It was not as disturbing as being there," Hermione said in a light tone which was ruined by an involuntary shudder as the memory recalled itself.

"Your name is Hermione?" the man asked.

"Yes, My Lord."

"We are in private. Please, call me John."

Hermione couldn't resist his smile, and nodded, giving him a grin of her own. He led her to a small table away from the far wall and asked her to sit. He sat down as well, carefully so as not to bother the cat, now nestled in the crook of his arm.

"If I may ask," John said. "I understand that you are a close friend of the Somerset family."

"You mean Harry and Robert? Sorry, Lord . . ."

"Harry and Robert will do fine. I was curious what you were like."

Hermione paused and became suddenly afraid. "Could I ask? Who are you?"

"Surely you must have guessed by now. But do not let that disturb you. Crookshanks was not disturbed. Not that he would be." John's smile became wide as he almost laughed. "After all, a cat may look at a King."

Crookshanks sensed the King's movement and jumped from his arm to the floor. His Majesty picked up a cup and an urn. "Would you like some tea, Hermione?"

Nervously, the girl made her lips move. "Yes, please."

"My nephews tell me that you are a brilliant student," John said calmly, as though he was an old friend of the family. "What do you think of our world?"

"What do I think?"

"Yes, you. After all, Harry came here and wanted to stay. Ernie came here and decided to stay. Yet we are such a backward world compared to yours. I understand, for example, you have horseless carriages which can travel much faster than a racing horse. And they are probably more comfortable than our coaches."

"We call them cars, and they are . . . faster," Hermione admitted. She felt she should say something positive about this world, and added, "but horses don't pollute the air as much. It smells a lot better here."

"Ah," John said, "Cars are faster than coaches, but they make the air smell bad. On the other hand, horses can also make the air smell bad. Does the smell linger long?"

"Well, there are a lot of cars around."

"Wizards do not use cars, though?"

"They have other ways to travel," Hermione acknowledged, happy for the change of direction of the conversation. "There are brooms, portkeys, floo powder, and the more advanced wizards can apparate."

"That sounds delightful." John said sincerely, and Hermione briefly forgot who it was she was talking to.

They talked for more than an hour. Hermione was thrilled to hear how the Empire was organized. She always thought of Feudalism as archaic, not as a living system of government. In turn, she kept His Majesty's attention by telling him about the world of magic and all of the amazing creatures that could be found. They both laughed heartedly when she finished telling him about Norbert, the baby dragon.

"Excuse me, Hermione," His Majesty said at one point. "The morning is almost gone. You should rejoin your friends." He pressed a button on the wall and a man entered the room.

"Escort Miss Granger to the room where her friends are waiting, and make the necessary apologizes, but do not mention Us." His Majesty turned to Hermione and lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Can I rely on you to use your discretion? I do not wish to upset the Armsmen for your breach of security."

Hermione nodded and John IV excused himself. After he left by another door, she and the King's Messenger returned to the waiting room

"Where were you?" the Sergeant at Arms asked Hermione when she reappeared.

The King's Messenger spoke up. "Sergeant, I am here to vouch for the young lady. She was delayed by a member of my office. You should have been informed. It was an oversight."

The Sergeant nodded. "I will have to make note of this."

"That is expected," The King's Messenger said. He opened the door to the waiting room and ushered Hermione and Crookshanks inside. As he closed the door behind her he was heard to say, "You should also be careful. The cat likes to roam around. He was found in the one of the unoccupied rooms."

Ginny and Cedric were looking at Hermione when she returned. Ginny gave an audible sigh of relief.

"Where were you?" Ginny asked. "Guards were running around all over the place."

Hermione let Crookshanks jump to the floor and then sat down in one of the chairs. "I ran into . . . a relative of Harry's."

"What happened?"

"It was very strange. He poured me a cup of tea and asked me how I liked London. He also asked me if I would like to visit Robert over the Christmas holiday."


Lord Bontriomphe ushered everyone into the coach after the proceedings were done. As everyone settled in, he gave instructions to the driver and closed the speaking hatch in the front of the cab.

"I suppose all of you are eager to get back to your school," He said drily.

"I am," Neville offered. "I'm tired of sitting around in rooms." Cedric and Ginny echoed his remark.

"Perhaps you should have some exercise, first," Lord Bontriomphe suggested. "We could risk having you walking about the city but, if you wish, I was informed that you could walk around the conference center of a nearby hotel."

"My Lord Bontriomphe," Hermione said as a smile played about her lips. Crookshanks was sleeping beneath her legs in a cage. "You aren't very good at surprises, but I will ask. Why would we be interested in walking around a hotel?"

"The Sorcerer's Convention. It was suggested to me," he looked knowingly at Hermione, "that the five of you might find it of interest." As an afterthought, he added, "I would have suggested Saint James Park."


"What are these?" Hermione asked as she saw the array of wands.

The Sorcerer eyed her carefully. It was an unusual question from a girl her age. "You do not travel much? But you are well read?"

Hermione understood that she should have been more careful. "Books are easy to read, but they do not tell you everything."

"A pity," the sorcerer said as he gave Hermione a wand. "Here, point the wand at that child's block. Now concentrate on moving the block from where it is on your right side over to your left side."

Hermione followed his instructions and was delighted that the block moved easily. "That is wonderful," she told him. "I would love to know how you do that."

"If you had talent we could teach you," The Sorcerer said. He stopped Hermione as she went to return the wand. "I have a feeling about you, young miss, if I may be so forward. I assume you do not live in London, but will you be staying long?"

Hermione went to return the wand again but the sorcerer made no effort to take it. "I'm leaving today," she admitted, "after we leave here." The sorcerer's regret was apparent. She hesitated, then added, "But I may be coming back for Christmas. My friend invited me."

The sorcerer's face changed instantly. "That would be perfect. Let me explain. These wands are a new design but we need to know how well they hold up." He gave her his card. "If you agree, I will give you the wand (instead of charging you the Four Pounds Three and Six) and in exchange you will let me know how well the wand performs over time."

"You want me to test the wand? But I'll be at school."

"Better yet," the sorcerer said. "Let your friends play with it as well. We have found that the wands may react differently for different people." He saw the girl hesitate and added. "Please, as a favor."

Hermione laughed. The man sounded so pitiful when he said that last line. She took the card and looked at it. "I promise . . . Master Sorcerer Mercer."

"Thank You," the sorcerer said. "You do not know how hard it is to field test new items. If you will permit me, let me know where to call on you, and I will bring a Christmas Pudding that would feed His Majesty's Army."

They were both laughing as Harry walked up to them and said, "Hello, Hermione."

The sorcerer stared, and bowed politely. "Lord Somerset, I believe?"

"Henry Somerset, Master Sorcerer."

Sorcerer Mercer's face took on a genuine smile. "This is an honour, My Lord Lieutenant. Is this lady a close friend?"

"Only a friend," Harry said.

"A pleasure to meet you, My Lord, Lady. If you will excuse me." The Sorcerer went to help a couple and their small daughter. He cast a glance as Harry and Hermione left, hoping that his hunch was right. He was usually good at hunches. Then he quickly turned back to the couple as their daughter played with a wand. He explained how the spell would begin to fade after the first month and disappear completely by the end of the third month. Most children would lose interest by then, but if their daughter had talent she would still be able to use the wand without knowing that there was no longer a spell.

The couple thought briefly, then bought a wand. The clincher, the sales line that always worked was 'if she/he had talent'. Everyone hoped their child might prove to be special.

As Harry and Hermione walked away she had to ask. "What did he mean by a 'close' friend?"

"It was a polite way of asking if I was courting."

"Courting? But you're only thirteen."

"Families can start at a young age in this world," Harry explained. "Because I have means, I can wed at fourteen, when I will legally be an adult. Women only have to be thirteen. You are already old enough. Fifteen is not an uncommon age. By seventeen, most people are married. There are plenty of exceptions, but that is the way of it. It would not be unusual if we were romantically involved." He smiled but it did not help Hermione's discomfort, so he changed the subject.

"How did you manage to buy a wand?"

"It was a business deal," Hermione explained. "It's a new product, and I'm going to test it for him. In exchange, he's going to give me a Christmas pudding."

"That sounds fair," Harry said. "Would you like to join Neville and Ginny? Lord Bontriomphe gave them each Two Pounds. They are testing the out-of-season fruits stored in a preservator."

They looked toward the stalls but did not see their friends. Hermione nudged Harry and pointed toward the automatic clothes cleaner. (Just Walk Through. Soon To Be In Every Home.) Ginny had a large red stain, probably strawberry, and walked through the ensorcelled arch. Two steps later her blouse was spotless and the salesman asked her to let everyone see.

"I'll pass on the fruits," Hermione said with a laugh. "Where's Cedric?"

"He and Lord Bontriomphe are attending a public lecture on Magic in everyday life. Lord Bontriomphe suggested I get you away from the salesmen, just in case."

Hermione nodded. Just in case she said the wrong thing, as she almost had to Master Sorcerer Mercer. "What would you like to do?"

"Something I shouldn't," Harry said, "but we have time." They walked past the aerial viewer, which projected the downward view from two hundred feet above the building. After that they walked by the large crowd watching a presentation of the new, affordable light fixtures, where only the bulb need be ensorcelled. Then they were out of the hotel and Harry immediately hailed a cab, telling the driver, "London House." He refused to tell Hermione where they were going, saying she should be able to guess.

Twenty minutes later, the cab stopped at a large house surrounded by a garden. Harry helped Hermione down then gave the man a five pound coin. "Wait for us. If we are more than a half hour, please call us." Harry paused then added, "Goodman, may I have the servants bring you anything, perhaps some caffe."

"I wouldn't object, Sir," The man said happily. The note was more than fair pay for his time, but a free meal was indeed a bonus.

"This is your house?" Hermione guessed.

"Don't be silly," Harry told her. "This is the house of my brother, Lord London." He opened the front door for her, giving a friendly smirk to the housekeeper when she looked upset that he did not wait for her to open it.

"Charity, this is a friend of mine, Hermione Granger."

"A friend, My Lord?" Charity asked, in the same tone as the sorcerer.

"More of Robert than myself," Harry replied.

"Robert has better manners," Hermione retorted.

"But time is short," Harry told the housekeeper. "Is My Lord London in?"

"In his room, sulking, My Lord. You should be a nice surprise. If you can get him to stop."

"I will. And if you could see to the coachman, please."

Harry walked Hermione up the staircase and then another then knocked on a door.

"Go away," a voice cried out.

"No."

"Harry?" the voice called out. The sharp sounds of footsteps were heard, and the door was thrown open. An eight-year-old boy hugged Harry.

"Roger," Harry said quickly, "there is not much time but I wanted you to meet a friend of mine. Hermione, this is my baby brother, the Marquis of London."

"My Lord Marquis," Hermione said as she curtsied.

Roger smiled, then frowned. "Why is there not much time?"

"Lord Bontriomphe went to a lecture at the Sorcerer's Convention. We have twenty minutes or so before we need to head back."

Roger's smile returned. This short visit was to be a trick played on his guardian. That made it worthwhile. "Twenty questions then. I ask first. Hermione, are you titled."

"No, I'm a common working girl."

"What do you work at?"

"Don't I get a question?"

"You do, and that was your question." Roger gave her a smirk.

"I work at magic. And how did you get so smart?"

"I was born that way? And I know what you meant." Roger proved his age by sticking out his tongue then laughed when Hermione went to grab at it. By the end of twenty questions they were fast friends.

Roger would be in a good mood for days because Harry told him Hermione would be spending the holidays. And his good mood was extended when he overheard the rumours about her and Robert. It ended when Lord Bontriomphe heard the rumours. He always ruined everything.


Cornelius Fudge was controlling his temper as he faced the fireplace where Albus Dumbledore's face appeared in the flames.

"Have the students been returned?"

"They have, and they are in high spirits for the most part."

"I am relieved to hear that," the Minister said. "Why were they detained?"

"They weren't. Robert Somerset, who is in the infirmary by the way, needed time to recover from the attack. You do remember that." Albus showed no emotions, even though the remark was clearly meant as a rebuke. "His brother, Harry, and the rest of the students went to a, um, magic circus in the meantime."

Fudge was astonished. He had been raging all this time about a kidnaping. "Whose idea was that?"

"Harry's Uncle. Harry Potter does have relatives in the other world, and they are quite fond of him. His uncle thought it would be a nice treat."

"Um, well, yes," Fudge said uncomfortably. "I can't fault them for that," then he added harshly, "but we must have better communication in case something like this occurs again. You might suggest letting one of OUR people have one of those stones they use. It could save valuable time in the future."

"I will," Albus said, and the fireplace held an ordinary fire once more.