A.N.
Sorry they're not jumping each other yet and won't for a while...grin at ariesjade1374 and as always thank to my beta and all my reviewers. Love you.
9.
Both women slept well and it was in good mood they began the day. They smiled to each other and lightly bantered. As promised, it was Hermione who did the breakfeast. After all eggs were one of her rare culinary skill and some orange juice was not too difficult to product.
Minerva teased her gently. "If you're looking for a job after school, I'll hire you as my personal cook. Your fabulous skills can no longer stay hidden. You must say 'yes'. I pay very generously in expensive, black, rich, creamy, sweet and mouth watering kind of chocolate."
Hermione was blushing profusely and decided that a counter-attack was definitely in order. She let a cocky grin stretch her lips, affecting a contemplative expression. "Why, Minerva, the very strict professor has a sweet tooth? It has blackmail propriety..."
The older woman made a sorry face. "I'm must confess my very sinful addiction. However, I will deny it to the bitter end if you ever try anything. Moreover, it would be the pot calling the kettle back. It would be rather hypocrite, don't you think?"
Hermione's innocent face was not very convincing. "I have no idea what you're talking about, dear Minerva."
They burst out laughing.
As scheduled, they went to the lawyer office. Mr. Garott was a serious and competent man. There was few small talk, since they all preferred going straight to the point.
"Until your majority, Miss Mcgonagall here, will be you legal guardian. After that, as their single child, you will have full access to the totality of your heirloom. " Mr. Garott allowed himself a small and satisfied smile.
"Your parents were very far-sighted. I saw them recently and all the appropriate papers were done. Anyone disputing their will will find nothing to level on. You are the only child they ever had, there isn't any divorce or anything that could be used to gain an advantage." The lawyer gave a kind look to the younger woman.
"Don't worry about your relative's claim. I don't see it succeeding. If they keep causing trouble, we could of course solve it to the court. However, it would be better, and cheaper, to settle any quarrel... in private."
He handed some pieces of papers. "If that's all, I'd like you to read and sign a few administrative forms, just to indicate you accept legs and in general the will of your parents. As your legal guardian, Miss Mcgonagall's signature's required too. I'd advise you to let your current financial arrangements as they are for now. They're still advantageous for you. Of course you may now do as you please with what is rightfully your property...Is there anything else?"
Once out, they looked at each other. "Well, it went fast... why don't we go celebrate in a nice restaurant?" Hermione, reassured after their visit with Mr. Garott, teased her favorite professor. "Already tired of cooking, Minerva?"
She shook her head and smiled, but soon her face became thoughtful. She didn't remember the last time she'd smiled so much. Hermione was really good company. She generally didn't feel at ease with people and yet she was behaving with her pupil as if she was a long time friend.
However, she was her mentor, she shouldn't behave like that. On the other hand, Hermione needed a friend now. And she was certainly mature enough not to mix the time they had here together with their life at school.
And she really liked their interaction. She didn't relax much usually and she missed this feeling of satisfaction. Minerva sighed. 'We'll see what happens. No need to get all stressed out over nothing.'
Hermione for her part, was treading on similar thoughts. It was strange how easy it was to interact with her usually so aloof and distingued professor. It seemed as if they were life-long best friends. The teasing and laughing made her feel good.
With the boys, she sometimes had the feeling that she annoyed them, that she wasted their fun. Around them, she had to be the reasonable one who saved the day with her knowledge. She was the bookworm, the one who helped with homework, but not the one to go out and talk with. She thought that maybe it was her fault, but now she didn't know anymore.
It was so easy to talk with Minerva. She had the feeling she understood her. She would certainly not expect her to give up about the S.P.E.W. or something else that she took at heart. 'Ahh! Quit thinking about that. The boys are good friends, the firsts you ever had. And Minerva, well, we'll see what happens.'
At the restaurant they asked for a table for two. It wasn't anything pretentious , but the cooking was simple and good. They ordered salads and omelets with some apple pie as a dessert. They didn't see the time go by, they were having an interesting discussion and generally having too good of a time to take notice of the hour.
When they got out, it was already dark. They hurried back to the Granger's house where they were intercepted by Mrs. Nott. Both were so bewildered to see her, while they thought this problem was dealt with, that they were unable to react properly and avoid her.
"Dear Hermione, I'm so sorry to hear what happened to your poor parents. It's a great shame really. I always say that if men could fly they would be born with wings. But nobody listen to me!"
While Ms Nott continued her ranting, Minerva couldn't help wondering if Trelawney had any muggle cousin. It would certainly explain a great deal. Meanwhile, Hermione was seething. she did know that her parents were fine and alive, but it didn't prevent her feeling bad to hear this stupid old ghoul talking like that about her family.
Finally, Minerva came out of her dreamy state and watched worriedly her pupil who was currently throwing daggers to the babbling idiot while clenching her firsts. So, she put a soft hand on the younger woman and gently led her in her home like she was a precious and fragile package.
The nosy neighbor mistook it as an invitation because she followed and even preceded them in the house. Minerva felt an headache coming. Luckily, a light appeared in this brewing storm in the form of Phillip Qotteroy. Minerva thanked the goddess for this little miracle.
With fake cheerfulness, the man came over and shook hands to everyone. When came the turn of Ms Nott, it was obvious she would gladly give some advise to the poor sinners, but was extremely reluctant to approach him. Maybe she believed that being black and kind was contagious...
It was with great reluctance and promises to come back soon that she explained she just remembered she had something to do and couldn't unfortunately stay longer. And it was with such a deep relief that nobody cared to hide, that they watched her finally leave.
Phillip Qotteroy lost his gracious smile and said grimly. "I'm sorry for your loss, Hermione. If my family and I can do anything to help, don't hesitate to tell us, okay?"
The young woman nodded shakily. 'How did the neighborhood learn about it?' It was obviously a question that worried her professor too, because after thanking him profusely for his timed rescue, she asked him how the news had spread.
"Well, it was from a little man with a rat face. He was looking around. The Blairs asked him what he thought he was doing and that he had better have a good explanation for doing that or they'd call the police.
He explained about the crash and said he was looking for you to talk, but when proposed to wait with them, he said he'd come back later. Ms Nott was there too. So, the news of your parents's death traveled fast. Again, I'm really sorry."
Hermione thanked him for his concern and asked for a more detailed description of the man. "He said he was called Peter and that it was an old friend. But the Blairs didn't trust him. He was nervous and weird. His right hand had something abnormal too, but they couldn't say what. I'm sorry for not knowing more, but if I learn something new I'll tell you at once."
Minerva exchanged a glance with her pupil, who probably had the same thought, if her white face was any indication : 'Wormtail'.
"Thank you for your precious assistance, but we had a rather tiring day..." Phillip nodded, understanding the hint, and left them with a last concerned look and the assurance of his help if necessary.
Minerva watched him go and shushed her pupil when she opened her mouth. She talked with a low voice and threw looks around her : "Inside."
Hermione felt nauseous. If it was really Wormtail, it confirmed that 'they' had planned to assassinate her parents. It certainly proved that her parents, Minerva and herself had acted in time. Her mind was reeling with possibilities and her stomach was doing flip-flops.
Minerva wasn't feeling better. She took her wand of its hiding and began casting spells. If death eaters came around, they would detect them and be more cautious, but she had to keep Hermione safe. The older Grangers were already gone and with any luck, their enemies wouldn't think they had been tricked. They were using magic after their 'death' after all.
After being assured that everything was safe, she turned her attention to her pupil who seemed on the brink of passing out. With the practice of this last few days, she took her pupil in her arms and tried to reassure her.
"Hermione, will you calm down, please? Everything is fine. It was a given that Voldemort would send people to see what happened. He won't do anything. He knows the order will take care of you. If you want, we could owl your friends and ask them to stay for the rest of the week. Would it please you?"
Hermione nodded dumbly. She should be stomping and generally be in fighting mode. She'd already had some experience with the death eaters, but knowing they were here, close to her muggle house, where nothing bad ever happened, made it more terrible that anything.
She felt exhausted. She wanted to stay in Minerva's gentle but strong arms forever, where she felt safe, where the world couldn't hurt her anymore.