Author's Notes: Hermione is brought into the story a little more, and the
social class conflict between Mira and her cousin comes to a head. It's a
long chapter; I think the longest I've written. No sex or violence in this
one, so no warnings of that sort.
Oh, thanks to those who read and review! Keep posting reviews if you like what you read. And even if you don't.
I'm working on differentiating between what a character is saying and thinking, I tried italics but no luck. So, that being said, once I figure that problem out, I may start re-editing and re-posting chapters to make them a little easier to read.
Disclaimer: Nothing recognizable from the movies and books belongs to me.
Chapter 44: Yuletide Tensions
After sending Maddie home for the afternoon, Mira found herself quite busy. She wrote to some customers, letting them know that their special order robes had arrived; and wrote a note to Hermione Granger, her soon to be tutor in the magical arts. Mira had lunch plans with Susan and Tricia the day after next. Christmas Eve was on Friday. It was already Tuesday. She would be meeting Susan and Tricia in the Leaky Cauldron at noon on Thursday. Mira wrote to Hermione, and asked if she could meet with her in the Leaky Cauldron at ten. That would give them plenty of time to get to know each other, and decide on a schedule and course of studies. Mira finished up by writing a quick note to her cousin, confirming their plans.
Swiftfeather was out making a delivery run, so Mira put the scrolls aside for the moment and went into the back room to unpack the latest deliveries from the workshop. Among the stack of boxes, were three more special order dress robes for holiday balls. She shook them out and put them on hangers, reminded that the Twelfth Night ball was coming up in little more than two weeks. She really needed to get robes sorted for herself and the professor. She made a mental note to discuss the issue with Susan on Thursday, as her cousin would know exactly what was appropriate for a wizarding formal fancy dress ball.
The last box in the stack was marked with a tag reading: "Personal delivery, Mirabelle DelMare". Excitedly, she hauled the large white box onto the worktable and untied the cord that held it shut. She lifted off the lid, and unwrapped the tissue from around the garment. She took it out of the box and held it up to get a good look at the finished product. It was a fine cloak, her Christmas gift to the professor. It was made of a fine black wool fabric, with a rich pewter silk lining. As per his preference towards the more austere in clothing, it had no surface embellishment. The only embellishment was the ornate pewter clasp at the narrow banded collar. Mira remembered that the professor was head of Slytherin house, and knew that the symbol on the Slytherin crest was a snake. The clasp consisted of two pewter serpents, which magically coiled around each other, securing the cloak. She took a moment and touched the clasp to activate it and watched it coil and uncoil, fastening and unfastening. She checked the measurements, and content that it was just as she had specified, she carefully folded it back up and returned it to the box.
She went back up front, to check and see if any racks or displays needed restocking. A Hogwarts owl swooped in through the window, dropped a scroll onto the counter, and flew right back out without ever landing. Mira picked up the scroll and started to open it when the shop owl, Swiftfeather, flew in, deposited a satchel of scrolls on the floor, and landed on his perch by the window. Mira brought the owl some water, and fetched the satchel. She sorted the mail, and returned to her scroll from Hogwarts. The professor had invited her to spend Christmas at the school, as his guest. The Christmas Eve feast would be served at seven, but she could arrive earlier to have time to settle into her quarters and freshen up. A carriage would be waiting for her at the train station at a quarter of five.
Excited, she got out a scroll and quill, and wrote a note to the professor, thanking him for his invitation, and letting him know that she hoped to be meeting with her new tutor later in the week. She would be away from the store most of the day on Thursday, and probably wouldn't be able to see him until Friday when she arrived at the school. Wednesday would be a total madhouse, due to the final pre-Christmas special orders being picked up and final alterations made.
When the shop owl was fully rested, Mira tied the scrolls addressed to Hermione and Susan to the bird's legs, and handed him the one addressed to the professor in his beak. Swiftfeather took off through the window, to deliver the scrolls and patrol the countryside, hunting for his supper. Mira never looked out the window, and had no idea that a witch and wizard had cast a spell on the bird, calling it down to them. The older wizard held his dragon hide gloved arm out for the owl to perch on. They crossed the lane to a dark carriage that was parked in the shadows. A cloaked and hooded man took each of the scrolls from the owl, read them, and replaced them exactly where they were. The gloved wizard released the bird, unharmed. The witch climbed into the carriage, the gloved wizard climbed into the driver's seat. With a flick of his wand, the entire carriage disapparated into the night.
Wednesday was an absolute nightmare for Mira and Maddie. There were a dozen robes being picked up for Christmas feasts and Yule balls. Two needed more than minor magical alterations, and Mira found herself pressed into service with the ancient treadle powered sewing machine located in the back room of the store. The women worked through lunch, and got their last customer out the door at exactly five after nine that night. Maddie took the floo network back home, and Mira trudged up the stairs to bed. She never heard back from the Granger girl, and assumed that she would be meeting her in London at ten the next morning.
Mira got off to a slow start on Thursday. After helping Maddie get the shop open and ready for the day, she took the floo into Diagon Alley; but there must have been a backup in the network, because she arrived in the bookstore, not the Leaky Cauldron. Mira swore under her breath, as she bundled up in her cloak and hurried down the alley to the tavern. She arrived and immediately spotted her tutor sitting in a corner, near a window. Mira approached the girl's table.
"Hi there Hermione, hope I'm not too late, am I?"
Hermione fidgeted with a small stack of books on the table.
"Oh, no, not at all, I got here early. Mum dropped me off on her way to work. I've just been catching up on my reading assignments."
Mira took her cloak off, set it on an empty chair, and deposited her cap and handbag on top of it.
"So, I assume Professor Snape told you why I needed a tutor? I never really had a formal magical education."
"Um, he didn't say a lot. Exactly how much magic can you do, Ms. DelMare?"
"Quite a bit, but please, call me Mira. Oh, would you like to share a pot of tea?"
Hermione nodded and Mira flagged down a serving girl, who immediately brought a small tea service to their table. Tea poured, and initial formalities out of the way, Hermione was a little more at ease.
"Okay Mira, what areas of magic do you think you need help in the most?"
Mira described her yearly holidays in France, and the tutor her grandmother had hired for she and her cousin. She also talked about how Susan was fascinated by the magical world, and how she couldn't have cared less. She told Hermione that she passed on most of the extra lessons offered by Grand- mere Eloise. However, Eloise was very concerned about the threat of dark magic and wanted to teach the girls advanced curses so that they could hold their own if ever faced with a evil witch or wizard intent on doing them harm. Susan didn't want to even hear about such things, but Mira learned and learned well. Eloise taught her how to take somebody down with one curse, instead of the conventional disarming or blocking charms. She also taught her the illegal Imperius curse, and sternly warned her to use it only if she found herself or somebody else to be in immediate danger. It was Eloise who bought the girls their wands. Mira's being a petite seven and a half inch rigid wand of rosewood; in it's core the whisker of a kneazle. It was also Eloise's idea for Mira to have a matching decoy wand made and to wear them as hair-sticks so that it was easily accessible, but hidden in plain sight. After the death of their parents, Mira explained, Susan completely immersed herself in the wizarding world and continued her education; but Mira walked away from it and pursued a life in the muggle world. And that's where her magical education had ended. When she first arrived in Hogsmeade to stay with her cousin's family, Susan taught her a few more charms and spells so that she would be a little more self- sufficient, but in all she was not at the proper skill level for an adult witch. She told Hermione that she needed help in transfiguration for sure, and they agreed that it would be a good start.
Then they made small talk for a little bit, finishing the pot of tea. Mira asked Hermione what her best subjects in school were, and what she planned on studying at university. Hermione replied that she was very partial to the "precise arts" like arithomancy and potions, and would probably study both as a double major at university. She was less interested in more abstract subjects like divination and the study of magical creatures and plants. Mira laughed and said she was the complete opposite and had studied art history in college, and had loved her art classes back when she was in school.
Their discussion drifted to their lives in general, and how they both sometimes had a lot of trouble fitting in with the wizarding world. Hermione was just beginning to come out of her shell, when Susan and Tricia arrived at the inn. Tricia hurried over to the table, and hugged her "auntie". Susan took her time walking across the dining room, and greeted Mira in a casual and aloof manner. Mira introduced Hermione to the newcomers.
"Susan, Tricia, this is Hermione Granger. She's a student at Hogwarts, and has generously agreed to tutor me where I am lacking in magical skills."
Susan gingerly shook Hermione's hand, and Tricia looked at her with a strange expression, trying to place her from her memories of Hogwarts.
"Oh, hi, I remember you. You're in Gryffindor, right?"
"Yes, that's' right, I remember you were a Hufflepuff, weren't you?"
Hermione looked over at Mira, to get her attention.
"Well, I suppose I best be going. It was nice to meet you Mrs. Treadle, and nice to see you again Tricia."
Mira patted the girl's hand and motioned for her to sit down.
"Please stay Hermione. I'm sure Susan and Tricia would love to have you join us for lunch, wouldn't you Susan?"
Susan nodded nonchalantly, and waved for a serving girl to take their orders. Tricia and Hermione chatted amicably, exchanging stories of both Hogwarts and Beauxbatons. Tricia also asked many questions about the current trends in the muggle world. She, like many other young full- blooded witches and wizards, had a fascination with anything of the muggle culture. Tricia turned and tugged at Mira's robe sleeve.
"Auntie Belle, can Hermione come along when you take me out in muggle London after Christmas? Oh please, can she?"
"Well, that's up to Hermione, and Hermione's parents, now isn't it? I'm sure to Hermione, it's nothing special, just like a day in Diagon Alley is nothing special to you. But if it's okay with her, and okay with her parents, and okay with Susan, then sure, the more the merrier."
Hermione looked over at the two women.
"Honestly, I don't want to intrude, it's okay, really."
Susan smiled at the girl. "Nonsense dear. Why I think it's a grand idea for Tricia to maintain ties with her peers here in England. And from what I've heard, you're quite the scholarly little witch; with all the honors and top marks you receive. You'd be a wonderful influence on her, because Merlin knows she could use some motivation to take her studies more seriously."
"Oh Mum! I do well in school!"
"You could always do better dear."
Mira looked down at her plate and subtly rolled her eyes. Some things never changed. Tricia was going to be Tricia, and no amount of cajoling and nagging would make her any more scholarly and serious. Mira remembered her dilemma regarding the fancy dress ball robes and turned to her cousin.
"Oh, before I forget Susan. What exactly is appropriate attire to wear to a formal fancy dress ball in the wizarding world?"
"Why, did somebody come into the shop for advice on what to order?"
"Uh, no. Actually I've been invited to a formal fancy dress ball and I have no idea what kind of robes to come up with for my escort and myself."
"Oh, I see. Which ball have you been invited to Mira? I thought I knew of all the ones being held in Britain this season?"
"The Hogwarts School Governors' Board Twelfth Night Masquerade Ball."
Susan nearly choked on her salad. She put down her fork and only barely regained her composure.
"The Hogwarts Ball? You've been invited to the Hogwarts Ball? Why that's nonsense! How on Earth would you manage an invitation to that event? Those invitations are the most highly sought-after pieces of parchment in the wizarding world!"
Mira shot her cousin an ugly glare. Hermione looked up from her plate, a slightly pained expression on her face.
"Um, Mrs. Treadle. Mira's been seeing the head of one of the Hogwarts School houses, and I'm assuming it was him who invited her. Wasn't it Mira?"
"You're right Hermione. He invited me to the ball before the school term was over. He also invited me to spend Christmas with him at the school, since I won't be able to make it to Grand-Mere Eloise's in time for the festivities."
Flustered, Susan batted her eyelashes at her cousin and mumbled a response.
"Oh, well, I see, then I do hope you understand just how lucky you are to have this kind of a chance, I also hope you behave yourself and refrain from embarrassing yourself and your family."
"Yes Susan. I'm not planning on climbing up on the head table, and hiking up my skirt to do a can-can or anything."
Tricia sat with large eyes, taking in the exchange between her mother and her "auntie". She tugged at Mira's robe again, and motioned her to lean in close to her.
"Auntie Belle, you really did start going out with him, didn't you? I knew you fancied him after that day in the shop."
The girl giggled, and Mira tousled her hair.
"So, Susan. Tell me about these events. What can I expect? What do we need to wear?"
Susan explained to her cousin that the guests at wizarding fancy dress balls generally wore more abstract costumes, not like the character costumes worn at muggle fancy dress parties. Typical choices included: Historical wizarding dress, allegorical figures, elemental themed robes, etc. It was not necessary to dress in a "costume" but rather a robe suggesting a theme. Nothing clever or humorous, and certainly nothing risqué or revealing. With lunch wrapping up, Susan promised to owl Mira a selection of clippings from the Daily Prophet, with photographs of the best dressed witches and wizards at the last Hogwarts Masquerade Ball, held several years back.
Hermione was the first to excuse herself from the table. She stood up and shook Mira's hand. The girl gave her an old schoolbook, introductory transfiguration; and suggested that Mira read it in full, before their first full session, which would take place on Monday. Mira promised to owl Hermione over the weekend to let her know when and where they could meet.
Hermione said her good-byes and exited the inn on the muggle side, to take the subway to her mother's office. Tricia and Susan were staying on in Diagon Alley to do some shopping. Tricia was eager to get out and see the sights. The two women got up and followed the girl out the door. Neither had any reason to notice the old witch sitting a table behind them. The old woman rose and exited the inn, making her way to Knockturn Alley; where she met with a cloaked and hooded man in the tavern.
In Hogsmeade, Maddie found herself busy but not overwhelmed in the tailor shop. There had been an early morning rush, and then a slow period around noontime. A young woman came into the shop, inquiring about a special order. Maddie showed no order under that name in her register book, but the young witch was insisting that one had been placed for her employer. When Maddie went into the back room to look for a forgotten parcel that might contain the robe, the young woman removed a little pouch from her pocket, opened it, and released a tiny glass orb into the air. It floated like a soap bubble, and landed up on the top of the highest shelf, where it wouldn't be noticed. Maddie returned to the front of the store, but the young witch was gone. She shrugged her shoulders, and figured that the woman must have realized that the order had been placed at a different robe shop, because they surely had no record of it at Treadle's.
In Diagon Alley, tensions were running high between the two cousins. While Tricia hurried on ahead, Susan and Mira walked at a leisurely pace, taking in the sights, and making polite small talk. Mira's cousin took her by the arm, and leaned her head slightly towards her.
"So, tell me Mira, what's going on with you and this professor at Hogwarts? I wasn't aware that your little peccadillo with him before the fighting ever amounted to anything? I did some research on his family, and I am quite disappointed in you. I did my absolute best to help guide you into a good match with that widowed friend of Albert's and you turned your nose up at him. For what? For a teacher who carries the double burden of a disgraced family name and a history of questionable dealings with You Know Who. Honestly, Mira. If you show up on his arm at that ball, people will talk."
Mira tightened her grip on her cousin's arm, and smiled a saccharine smile.
"Oh Susan, don't you remember? The Ministry also gave him the highest level of commendations for his valiant service as a spy for the Alliance. Albus Dumbledore considers him to be a trusted friend and colleague. And don't forget, Grand-Mere met him and gave him her blessing. Why in Merlin's name would you have a problem with him?"
"Come off it Mirabelle. Everybody who is anybody knows that he has a very dark history and managed to come out of the muck smelling like a rose by sheer chance. Albus Dumbledore may be a great wizard, but he has been known to make mistakes. And Grand-Mere is an old woman with romantic notions of youth who indulges you much too freely. Besides, I have seen him through fire-talking, and he is a most unattractive man. That stringy long hair, and those monkish plain robes. He could dress better on his salary. I know Dumbledore doesn't pay much, but he pays enough for his faculty to afford hair shampoo and decent robes! And that professor despised my Tricia, always sending nasty letters home about her behavior in class. I am very disappointed in you. I had hoped that you would take this chance at a new life in England to create a better life for yourself. You have so much potential dear. I could have helped you get in with the right kind of people."
The two women stopped, as Tricia darted towards a shop that sold magical beasts. She was standing with her nose pressed against a large window where there were several juvenile snowy owls on display. Mira turned to her cousin, and motioned her out of the lane, where they had a little more privacy.
"Susan, I'm only going to say this once, so please listen closely. I like my life. I like working for you and Albert in the shop. I like my little apartment. I like living in Hogsmeade for the most part. And I love this professor. Now, you don't have to be thrilled, but I do expect some respect over my choices. They're my choices, Susan. Not yours. I'm very happy for you that you are living the life you dreamed of. Let me live my life too. You don't have to agree, all I ask is that you accept that we have very different values and try and find a common ground. I really would hate to drift farther apart from you and Tricia, but this is the life I have chosen for myself, and this is the man I have chosen to love. You can either deal with it or not. The choice is yours."
Susan pulled away, with a prim and pursed look on her face. She straightened her cap, and smoothed the front of her robe.
"Fine. If you're happy with him and the kind of life he can give you, then who am I to try and persuade you otherwise. You always marched to the beat of your own drummer and turned your back on the gifts that Fortune has laid in your path. But know this. I want more for my daughter, and I will not have you filling her head with any silly notions of settling for less than the best the wizarding world has to offer her. I'm allowing her to spend this day in London with you simply because I cannot bear venturing out into the muggle world anymore, it gives me a headache. I'm pleased that the Granger girl will be tagging along. She's a prime example of just how far even a muggle can go in the wizarding world, given hard work and talent. Maybe she'll motivate Tricia to work a little harder at school. If she sees that a muggle can do it, then she has no excuse not to excel as well. I'm sorry you won't be able to make it to Eloise's cottage for Christmas. I do hope that your celebration at Hogwarts is a pleasant one. Now, Tricia and I are on a schedule today, we have several stops to make, and I wouldn't want to keep you from work. I'm sure the new shop girl could use some help this afternoon."
Susan gave Mira a light hug and kissed the air beside her cheek.
"Happy Christmas Cousin. I'll be sure to give your love to Eloise."
Susan turned and walked over to her daughter, put an arm around the girl's shoulder, and guided her off down the alley. Furious with Susan, Mira exhaled sharply, turned on her heel, and stalked back to the Leaky Cauldron. She waited in line at the floo fireplace and gave the location of the tailor shop. With the floo network so overloaded with holiday travelers, she was ejected out of the fireplace in the Three Broomsticks inn instead. She cursed under her breath and headed for the door. Not paying attention to where she was going, she didn't see a man push his chair away from the table in front of her. Mira collided with him, and was thrown off balance. The man grabbed her around the waist and deposited her into the chair.
"Pardon me miss, I didn't look before I stood up."
Mira looked over her shoulder and recognized him instantly. It was the man from the Leaky Cauldron. Sirius Black. He looked at her with a wicked gleam in his eye.
"Well, what a pleasant surprise Mademoiselle DelMare. Fancy literally running into you here! Please, let me buy you a drink, it's the least I can do for nearly knocking you down."
"Thanks but it's not necessary. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. I was thinking of other things and got a little distracted."
Sirius knelt down, picked up Mira's book and handed it to her.
"What in Merlin's name could drive a fair maiden like yourself to distraction? That overgrown vampire bat you keep company with hasn't been giving you a hard time has he? If so, I would be more than honored to call him out for a duel."
"No, nothing like that, it doesn't have anything to do with him at all. Well, not directly. It's my cousin, she's putting on high-born airs and she feels that he's beneath me. She wants to set me up with somebody else, but I'm not interested, and she can't seem to just drop it and leave me be."
Mira took her book, stood up, and straightened her cap and robe.
"Why am I even telling you this? You can't stand the man."
"Well, I won't lie and say that's not true, but I am quite fond of you. Come on, let me buy you a drink, just one?"
"Thanks, but no. I really have to be getting back to work. I'm late as it is."
"Well, then let me walk with you. You work at the tailor shop right? I'm meeting my godson and his friend across the street at the café. I promised to take them to the Quidditch shop and buy them a practice quaffle. Harry's friend really wants to make the team his final year in school, and he needs a lot of practice to get there."
"It's a free country, and I can't hardly stop you from walking the same way that I am, now can I?"
Mira clutched her book to her chest, turned, and walked to the door of the inn. Sirius hurried to catch up and open the door for her. Outside of the inn, he held out his arm and motioned for her to take it. Mira raised her eyebrow at him.
"Oh come now! I wanted to make sure you didn't slip on the ice on the sidewalk. Nothing more. You wound me with your suspicions. I'm nothing if not a gentleman!"
"I'm quite sure I can manage two blocks without breaking my neck."
"Please, my father always told me that a gentleman offers his arm to a lady when they are walking together, don't make me a disappointment to the memory of my dearly departed father."
"Oh all right! But don't think for an instant that I don't know just how much of a rogue you really are."
Sirius gave Mira an exaggerated pout. She took his arm, and they headed down the street to the tailor shop.
Oh, thanks to those who read and review! Keep posting reviews if you like what you read. And even if you don't.
I'm working on differentiating between what a character is saying and thinking, I tried italics but no luck. So, that being said, once I figure that problem out, I may start re-editing and re-posting chapters to make them a little easier to read.
Disclaimer: Nothing recognizable from the movies and books belongs to me.
Chapter 44: Yuletide Tensions
After sending Maddie home for the afternoon, Mira found herself quite busy. She wrote to some customers, letting them know that their special order robes had arrived; and wrote a note to Hermione Granger, her soon to be tutor in the magical arts. Mira had lunch plans with Susan and Tricia the day after next. Christmas Eve was on Friday. It was already Tuesday. She would be meeting Susan and Tricia in the Leaky Cauldron at noon on Thursday. Mira wrote to Hermione, and asked if she could meet with her in the Leaky Cauldron at ten. That would give them plenty of time to get to know each other, and decide on a schedule and course of studies. Mira finished up by writing a quick note to her cousin, confirming their plans.
Swiftfeather was out making a delivery run, so Mira put the scrolls aside for the moment and went into the back room to unpack the latest deliveries from the workshop. Among the stack of boxes, were three more special order dress robes for holiday balls. She shook them out and put them on hangers, reminded that the Twelfth Night ball was coming up in little more than two weeks. She really needed to get robes sorted for herself and the professor. She made a mental note to discuss the issue with Susan on Thursday, as her cousin would know exactly what was appropriate for a wizarding formal fancy dress ball.
The last box in the stack was marked with a tag reading: "Personal delivery, Mirabelle DelMare". Excitedly, she hauled the large white box onto the worktable and untied the cord that held it shut. She lifted off the lid, and unwrapped the tissue from around the garment. She took it out of the box and held it up to get a good look at the finished product. It was a fine cloak, her Christmas gift to the professor. It was made of a fine black wool fabric, with a rich pewter silk lining. As per his preference towards the more austere in clothing, it had no surface embellishment. The only embellishment was the ornate pewter clasp at the narrow banded collar. Mira remembered that the professor was head of Slytherin house, and knew that the symbol on the Slytherin crest was a snake. The clasp consisted of two pewter serpents, which magically coiled around each other, securing the cloak. She took a moment and touched the clasp to activate it and watched it coil and uncoil, fastening and unfastening. She checked the measurements, and content that it was just as she had specified, she carefully folded it back up and returned it to the box.
She went back up front, to check and see if any racks or displays needed restocking. A Hogwarts owl swooped in through the window, dropped a scroll onto the counter, and flew right back out without ever landing. Mira picked up the scroll and started to open it when the shop owl, Swiftfeather, flew in, deposited a satchel of scrolls on the floor, and landed on his perch by the window. Mira brought the owl some water, and fetched the satchel. She sorted the mail, and returned to her scroll from Hogwarts. The professor had invited her to spend Christmas at the school, as his guest. The Christmas Eve feast would be served at seven, but she could arrive earlier to have time to settle into her quarters and freshen up. A carriage would be waiting for her at the train station at a quarter of five.
Excited, she got out a scroll and quill, and wrote a note to the professor, thanking him for his invitation, and letting him know that she hoped to be meeting with her new tutor later in the week. She would be away from the store most of the day on Thursday, and probably wouldn't be able to see him until Friday when she arrived at the school. Wednesday would be a total madhouse, due to the final pre-Christmas special orders being picked up and final alterations made.
When the shop owl was fully rested, Mira tied the scrolls addressed to Hermione and Susan to the bird's legs, and handed him the one addressed to the professor in his beak. Swiftfeather took off through the window, to deliver the scrolls and patrol the countryside, hunting for his supper. Mira never looked out the window, and had no idea that a witch and wizard had cast a spell on the bird, calling it down to them. The older wizard held his dragon hide gloved arm out for the owl to perch on. They crossed the lane to a dark carriage that was parked in the shadows. A cloaked and hooded man took each of the scrolls from the owl, read them, and replaced them exactly where they were. The gloved wizard released the bird, unharmed. The witch climbed into the carriage, the gloved wizard climbed into the driver's seat. With a flick of his wand, the entire carriage disapparated into the night.
Wednesday was an absolute nightmare for Mira and Maddie. There were a dozen robes being picked up for Christmas feasts and Yule balls. Two needed more than minor magical alterations, and Mira found herself pressed into service with the ancient treadle powered sewing machine located in the back room of the store. The women worked through lunch, and got their last customer out the door at exactly five after nine that night. Maddie took the floo network back home, and Mira trudged up the stairs to bed. She never heard back from the Granger girl, and assumed that she would be meeting her in London at ten the next morning.
Mira got off to a slow start on Thursday. After helping Maddie get the shop open and ready for the day, she took the floo into Diagon Alley; but there must have been a backup in the network, because she arrived in the bookstore, not the Leaky Cauldron. Mira swore under her breath, as she bundled up in her cloak and hurried down the alley to the tavern. She arrived and immediately spotted her tutor sitting in a corner, near a window. Mira approached the girl's table.
"Hi there Hermione, hope I'm not too late, am I?"
Hermione fidgeted with a small stack of books on the table.
"Oh, no, not at all, I got here early. Mum dropped me off on her way to work. I've just been catching up on my reading assignments."
Mira took her cloak off, set it on an empty chair, and deposited her cap and handbag on top of it.
"So, I assume Professor Snape told you why I needed a tutor? I never really had a formal magical education."
"Um, he didn't say a lot. Exactly how much magic can you do, Ms. DelMare?"
"Quite a bit, but please, call me Mira. Oh, would you like to share a pot of tea?"
Hermione nodded and Mira flagged down a serving girl, who immediately brought a small tea service to their table. Tea poured, and initial formalities out of the way, Hermione was a little more at ease.
"Okay Mira, what areas of magic do you think you need help in the most?"
Mira described her yearly holidays in France, and the tutor her grandmother had hired for she and her cousin. She also talked about how Susan was fascinated by the magical world, and how she couldn't have cared less. She told Hermione that she passed on most of the extra lessons offered by Grand- mere Eloise. However, Eloise was very concerned about the threat of dark magic and wanted to teach the girls advanced curses so that they could hold their own if ever faced with a evil witch or wizard intent on doing them harm. Susan didn't want to even hear about such things, but Mira learned and learned well. Eloise taught her how to take somebody down with one curse, instead of the conventional disarming or blocking charms. She also taught her the illegal Imperius curse, and sternly warned her to use it only if she found herself or somebody else to be in immediate danger. It was Eloise who bought the girls their wands. Mira's being a petite seven and a half inch rigid wand of rosewood; in it's core the whisker of a kneazle. It was also Eloise's idea for Mira to have a matching decoy wand made and to wear them as hair-sticks so that it was easily accessible, but hidden in plain sight. After the death of their parents, Mira explained, Susan completely immersed herself in the wizarding world and continued her education; but Mira walked away from it and pursued a life in the muggle world. And that's where her magical education had ended. When she first arrived in Hogsmeade to stay with her cousin's family, Susan taught her a few more charms and spells so that she would be a little more self- sufficient, but in all she was not at the proper skill level for an adult witch. She told Hermione that she needed help in transfiguration for sure, and they agreed that it would be a good start.
Then they made small talk for a little bit, finishing the pot of tea. Mira asked Hermione what her best subjects in school were, and what she planned on studying at university. Hermione replied that she was very partial to the "precise arts" like arithomancy and potions, and would probably study both as a double major at university. She was less interested in more abstract subjects like divination and the study of magical creatures and plants. Mira laughed and said she was the complete opposite and had studied art history in college, and had loved her art classes back when she was in school.
Their discussion drifted to their lives in general, and how they both sometimes had a lot of trouble fitting in with the wizarding world. Hermione was just beginning to come out of her shell, when Susan and Tricia arrived at the inn. Tricia hurried over to the table, and hugged her "auntie". Susan took her time walking across the dining room, and greeted Mira in a casual and aloof manner. Mira introduced Hermione to the newcomers.
"Susan, Tricia, this is Hermione Granger. She's a student at Hogwarts, and has generously agreed to tutor me where I am lacking in magical skills."
Susan gingerly shook Hermione's hand, and Tricia looked at her with a strange expression, trying to place her from her memories of Hogwarts.
"Oh, hi, I remember you. You're in Gryffindor, right?"
"Yes, that's' right, I remember you were a Hufflepuff, weren't you?"
Hermione looked over at Mira, to get her attention.
"Well, I suppose I best be going. It was nice to meet you Mrs. Treadle, and nice to see you again Tricia."
Mira patted the girl's hand and motioned for her to sit down.
"Please stay Hermione. I'm sure Susan and Tricia would love to have you join us for lunch, wouldn't you Susan?"
Susan nodded nonchalantly, and waved for a serving girl to take their orders. Tricia and Hermione chatted amicably, exchanging stories of both Hogwarts and Beauxbatons. Tricia also asked many questions about the current trends in the muggle world. She, like many other young full- blooded witches and wizards, had a fascination with anything of the muggle culture. Tricia turned and tugged at Mira's robe sleeve.
"Auntie Belle, can Hermione come along when you take me out in muggle London after Christmas? Oh please, can she?"
"Well, that's up to Hermione, and Hermione's parents, now isn't it? I'm sure to Hermione, it's nothing special, just like a day in Diagon Alley is nothing special to you. But if it's okay with her, and okay with her parents, and okay with Susan, then sure, the more the merrier."
Hermione looked over at the two women.
"Honestly, I don't want to intrude, it's okay, really."
Susan smiled at the girl. "Nonsense dear. Why I think it's a grand idea for Tricia to maintain ties with her peers here in England. And from what I've heard, you're quite the scholarly little witch; with all the honors and top marks you receive. You'd be a wonderful influence on her, because Merlin knows she could use some motivation to take her studies more seriously."
"Oh Mum! I do well in school!"
"You could always do better dear."
Mira looked down at her plate and subtly rolled her eyes. Some things never changed. Tricia was going to be Tricia, and no amount of cajoling and nagging would make her any more scholarly and serious. Mira remembered her dilemma regarding the fancy dress ball robes and turned to her cousin.
"Oh, before I forget Susan. What exactly is appropriate attire to wear to a formal fancy dress ball in the wizarding world?"
"Why, did somebody come into the shop for advice on what to order?"
"Uh, no. Actually I've been invited to a formal fancy dress ball and I have no idea what kind of robes to come up with for my escort and myself."
"Oh, I see. Which ball have you been invited to Mira? I thought I knew of all the ones being held in Britain this season?"
"The Hogwarts School Governors' Board Twelfth Night Masquerade Ball."
Susan nearly choked on her salad. She put down her fork and only barely regained her composure.
"The Hogwarts Ball? You've been invited to the Hogwarts Ball? Why that's nonsense! How on Earth would you manage an invitation to that event? Those invitations are the most highly sought-after pieces of parchment in the wizarding world!"
Mira shot her cousin an ugly glare. Hermione looked up from her plate, a slightly pained expression on her face.
"Um, Mrs. Treadle. Mira's been seeing the head of one of the Hogwarts School houses, and I'm assuming it was him who invited her. Wasn't it Mira?"
"You're right Hermione. He invited me to the ball before the school term was over. He also invited me to spend Christmas with him at the school, since I won't be able to make it to Grand-Mere Eloise's in time for the festivities."
Flustered, Susan batted her eyelashes at her cousin and mumbled a response.
"Oh, well, I see, then I do hope you understand just how lucky you are to have this kind of a chance, I also hope you behave yourself and refrain from embarrassing yourself and your family."
"Yes Susan. I'm not planning on climbing up on the head table, and hiking up my skirt to do a can-can or anything."
Tricia sat with large eyes, taking in the exchange between her mother and her "auntie". She tugged at Mira's robe again, and motioned her to lean in close to her.
"Auntie Belle, you really did start going out with him, didn't you? I knew you fancied him after that day in the shop."
The girl giggled, and Mira tousled her hair.
"So, Susan. Tell me about these events. What can I expect? What do we need to wear?"
Susan explained to her cousin that the guests at wizarding fancy dress balls generally wore more abstract costumes, not like the character costumes worn at muggle fancy dress parties. Typical choices included: Historical wizarding dress, allegorical figures, elemental themed robes, etc. It was not necessary to dress in a "costume" but rather a robe suggesting a theme. Nothing clever or humorous, and certainly nothing risqué or revealing. With lunch wrapping up, Susan promised to owl Mira a selection of clippings from the Daily Prophet, with photographs of the best dressed witches and wizards at the last Hogwarts Masquerade Ball, held several years back.
Hermione was the first to excuse herself from the table. She stood up and shook Mira's hand. The girl gave her an old schoolbook, introductory transfiguration; and suggested that Mira read it in full, before their first full session, which would take place on Monday. Mira promised to owl Hermione over the weekend to let her know when and where they could meet.
Hermione said her good-byes and exited the inn on the muggle side, to take the subway to her mother's office. Tricia and Susan were staying on in Diagon Alley to do some shopping. Tricia was eager to get out and see the sights. The two women got up and followed the girl out the door. Neither had any reason to notice the old witch sitting a table behind them. The old woman rose and exited the inn, making her way to Knockturn Alley; where she met with a cloaked and hooded man in the tavern.
In Hogsmeade, Maddie found herself busy but not overwhelmed in the tailor shop. There had been an early morning rush, and then a slow period around noontime. A young woman came into the shop, inquiring about a special order. Maddie showed no order under that name in her register book, but the young witch was insisting that one had been placed for her employer. When Maddie went into the back room to look for a forgotten parcel that might contain the robe, the young woman removed a little pouch from her pocket, opened it, and released a tiny glass orb into the air. It floated like a soap bubble, and landed up on the top of the highest shelf, where it wouldn't be noticed. Maddie returned to the front of the store, but the young witch was gone. She shrugged her shoulders, and figured that the woman must have realized that the order had been placed at a different robe shop, because they surely had no record of it at Treadle's.
In Diagon Alley, tensions were running high between the two cousins. While Tricia hurried on ahead, Susan and Mira walked at a leisurely pace, taking in the sights, and making polite small talk. Mira's cousin took her by the arm, and leaned her head slightly towards her.
"So, tell me Mira, what's going on with you and this professor at Hogwarts? I wasn't aware that your little peccadillo with him before the fighting ever amounted to anything? I did some research on his family, and I am quite disappointed in you. I did my absolute best to help guide you into a good match with that widowed friend of Albert's and you turned your nose up at him. For what? For a teacher who carries the double burden of a disgraced family name and a history of questionable dealings with You Know Who. Honestly, Mira. If you show up on his arm at that ball, people will talk."
Mira tightened her grip on her cousin's arm, and smiled a saccharine smile.
"Oh Susan, don't you remember? The Ministry also gave him the highest level of commendations for his valiant service as a spy for the Alliance. Albus Dumbledore considers him to be a trusted friend and colleague. And don't forget, Grand-Mere met him and gave him her blessing. Why in Merlin's name would you have a problem with him?"
"Come off it Mirabelle. Everybody who is anybody knows that he has a very dark history and managed to come out of the muck smelling like a rose by sheer chance. Albus Dumbledore may be a great wizard, but he has been known to make mistakes. And Grand-Mere is an old woman with romantic notions of youth who indulges you much too freely. Besides, I have seen him through fire-talking, and he is a most unattractive man. That stringy long hair, and those monkish plain robes. He could dress better on his salary. I know Dumbledore doesn't pay much, but he pays enough for his faculty to afford hair shampoo and decent robes! And that professor despised my Tricia, always sending nasty letters home about her behavior in class. I am very disappointed in you. I had hoped that you would take this chance at a new life in England to create a better life for yourself. You have so much potential dear. I could have helped you get in with the right kind of people."
The two women stopped, as Tricia darted towards a shop that sold magical beasts. She was standing with her nose pressed against a large window where there were several juvenile snowy owls on display. Mira turned to her cousin, and motioned her out of the lane, where they had a little more privacy.
"Susan, I'm only going to say this once, so please listen closely. I like my life. I like working for you and Albert in the shop. I like my little apartment. I like living in Hogsmeade for the most part. And I love this professor. Now, you don't have to be thrilled, but I do expect some respect over my choices. They're my choices, Susan. Not yours. I'm very happy for you that you are living the life you dreamed of. Let me live my life too. You don't have to agree, all I ask is that you accept that we have very different values and try and find a common ground. I really would hate to drift farther apart from you and Tricia, but this is the life I have chosen for myself, and this is the man I have chosen to love. You can either deal with it or not. The choice is yours."
Susan pulled away, with a prim and pursed look on her face. She straightened her cap, and smoothed the front of her robe.
"Fine. If you're happy with him and the kind of life he can give you, then who am I to try and persuade you otherwise. You always marched to the beat of your own drummer and turned your back on the gifts that Fortune has laid in your path. But know this. I want more for my daughter, and I will not have you filling her head with any silly notions of settling for less than the best the wizarding world has to offer her. I'm allowing her to spend this day in London with you simply because I cannot bear venturing out into the muggle world anymore, it gives me a headache. I'm pleased that the Granger girl will be tagging along. She's a prime example of just how far even a muggle can go in the wizarding world, given hard work and talent. Maybe she'll motivate Tricia to work a little harder at school. If she sees that a muggle can do it, then she has no excuse not to excel as well. I'm sorry you won't be able to make it to Eloise's cottage for Christmas. I do hope that your celebration at Hogwarts is a pleasant one. Now, Tricia and I are on a schedule today, we have several stops to make, and I wouldn't want to keep you from work. I'm sure the new shop girl could use some help this afternoon."
Susan gave Mira a light hug and kissed the air beside her cheek.
"Happy Christmas Cousin. I'll be sure to give your love to Eloise."
Susan turned and walked over to her daughter, put an arm around the girl's shoulder, and guided her off down the alley. Furious with Susan, Mira exhaled sharply, turned on her heel, and stalked back to the Leaky Cauldron. She waited in line at the floo fireplace and gave the location of the tailor shop. With the floo network so overloaded with holiday travelers, she was ejected out of the fireplace in the Three Broomsticks inn instead. She cursed under her breath and headed for the door. Not paying attention to where she was going, she didn't see a man push his chair away from the table in front of her. Mira collided with him, and was thrown off balance. The man grabbed her around the waist and deposited her into the chair.
"Pardon me miss, I didn't look before I stood up."
Mira looked over her shoulder and recognized him instantly. It was the man from the Leaky Cauldron. Sirius Black. He looked at her with a wicked gleam in his eye.
"Well, what a pleasant surprise Mademoiselle DelMare. Fancy literally running into you here! Please, let me buy you a drink, it's the least I can do for nearly knocking you down."
"Thanks but it's not necessary. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. I was thinking of other things and got a little distracted."
Sirius knelt down, picked up Mira's book and handed it to her.
"What in Merlin's name could drive a fair maiden like yourself to distraction? That overgrown vampire bat you keep company with hasn't been giving you a hard time has he? If so, I would be more than honored to call him out for a duel."
"No, nothing like that, it doesn't have anything to do with him at all. Well, not directly. It's my cousin, she's putting on high-born airs and she feels that he's beneath me. She wants to set me up with somebody else, but I'm not interested, and she can't seem to just drop it and leave me be."
Mira took her book, stood up, and straightened her cap and robe.
"Why am I even telling you this? You can't stand the man."
"Well, I won't lie and say that's not true, but I am quite fond of you. Come on, let me buy you a drink, just one?"
"Thanks, but no. I really have to be getting back to work. I'm late as it is."
"Well, then let me walk with you. You work at the tailor shop right? I'm meeting my godson and his friend across the street at the café. I promised to take them to the Quidditch shop and buy them a practice quaffle. Harry's friend really wants to make the team his final year in school, and he needs a lot of practice to get there."
"It's a free country, and I can't hardly stop you from walking the same way that I am, now can I?"
Mira clutched her book to her chest, turned, and walked to the door of the inn. Sirius hurried to catch up and open the door for her. Outside of the inn, he held out his arm and motioned for her to take it. Mira raised her eyebrow at him.
"Oh come now! I wanted to make sure you didn't slip on the ice on the sidewalk. Nothing more. You wound me with your suspicions. I'm nothing if not a gentleman!"
"I'm quite sure I can manage two blocks without breaking my neck."
"Please, my father always told me that a gentleman offers his arm to a lady when they are walking together, don't make me a disappointment to the memory of my dearly departed father."
"Oh all right! But don't think for an instant that I don't know just how much of a rogue you really are."
Sirius gave Mira an exaggerated pout. She took his arm, and they headed down the street to the tailor shop.