Our World Winter
By Hermione Starise
AN- Well this will surprise you! Another chapter… from me! Can you believe it? Lots and lots of thanks to all of my lovely reviewers, paticulary for those at the end of Precious Stones... they were really touching. Sniff Sniff. Sorry to end on such a bad note, but I wanted to set the mood for this... although it's altered... subtley (I hope) altered. Lol!
Anyway thanks again for your reviews and support... they inspired me to get this out quickly.
Chapter 1The day was brilliantly bright covered by a haze of lazy heat and idle chatter. The ground of the Investigative Auror's headquarters where in their full splendour- the grass green and the flowers blooming. Celebration wood was alive with green magnificence and the newly planted rose garden was fragrant and shyly beautiful, displaying itself for the first time.
On the great vast lawns a massive pavilion had been erected, its great yards of creamy cloth reflecting the sun's brilliance and radiating a carnival feeling. People scurried around with smiles on their faces, looking forward to the first respite from non stop work and the first delight of summer.
Amidst it all, however, there were more serious intentions at work. Deeper plans and tensions were at play beneath the show of summer joviality and the young woman, who stood looking down on it all from her office window, knew all too well what they were.
Hermione Granger had chosen muggle attire for the annually held Garden Party. She had always thought that robes were just far too binding in the heat and preferred the freedom of movement that her light green summer dress gave her. The dress was demure but elegant, with the sort of skirt that reached to her knees and moved prettily when she moved. Its sleeves were short and filmy and its bodice buttoned down to the waist by small dainty black buttons, drawn in by a neat waistline that accentuated her slender figure.
She was rather pleased with it.
Aside from her dress, she wore sensible black sandals, Merlin knew she'd be on her feet all day, and had her boisterous dark curls pined up and out of the way in a vaguely untidy but nevertheless flattering way.
Anyone looking for signs of illness, for it was rumoured that she had suffered terribly, would be disappointed. Her complexion was rosy and her weight what it should be. There was no more leaning on desks for support and no more distant moments struggling with pain.
Still surviving again had left its mark, invisible, but nevertheless there.
She had a slight air of impertinence as she scrutinised the work going on below her; her expression was ironic; her troubled brown eyes casting doubt of the whimsical goings on and concern for the profounder issues that lay beneath it all.
Shaking her head, she picked up the pile of completed files that had lay quietly on her desk, and after a moment of hesitation snatched up something else and stuffed it into the pocket of her summer cloak which was hung up. She'd look at that again when she got home.
She headed down the cool stone corridors with her quick, determined step and down the grand staircase which still held haunting memories for her to deposit the files with the secretary who was looking thoroughly miserable.
"Finished already?" The girl, who Hermione knew reasonably well, asked her.
Hermione gave her a wry smile.
"Oh come on Susanna, you think Remus would let me work on anything complicated and distracting when he needs me for his campaign?" She asked.
Susanna Blake rolled her eyes, "No, of course not."
"You stuck here all day?" Hermione asked, feeling sorry for her.
"Yeah, so remember me when you're enjoying the sun whilst eating cucumber sandwiches and drinking champagne!" Susanna laughed.
"I'd gladly swap places with you," Hermione said sighing, "Anyway, I'll be keeping a clear head. No champagne for me, I wouldn't dare!"
Susanna laughed and Hermione said goodbye, heading out into the dazzling July sunshine. Remus was talking avidly with a small dark haired woman who Hermione hadn't seen for a few months but recognized instantly.
She paused, reluctant to go and interrupt them; feeling keenly the spark that seemed to glisten between her greying but still handsome employer Remus Lupin head of the Investigative Auror League and his opposite, Kathryn Marsden head of the Field Auror League.
She wondered vaguely what the future could hold for a werewolf and the unique woman he was talking to. Thinking of this brought Hermione back to thoughts of her own future, a subject that had occupied her intensely amidst the political arguments going on, and found she could hold off interrupting the pair no longer.
"Kathy!" She said stepping forward and causing them to turn round.
"Hermione," The woman smiled; laughter in her sharp hazel eyes, "It's good to see you again."
"I'm glad you survived that crowd after the meeting in Brighton," Hermione said, shaking the hand that was offered.
"Yes, that's what we've just been talking about." Remus cut in, frowning.
"It proved that public support for the move is strong," Kathy said optimistically.
"Yeah but the crowd surging the way it did…"
"In support," Kathy reminded him.
"Well yes, but it made the movement look slightly violent. The ministry frowned on the event afterwards."
"Yes, but there's a new minister and I think we'll have more influence over him," Kathy persisted, pushing a strand of her neatly cropped brown hair behind her ear.
"I don't know about that," Hermione said dryly.
"Why do you say that?" Remus asked.
Hermione shrugged, "He's always had very decided views of his own."
"Um," Kathy looked uncertain again, "He's so young though, maybe…."
"How are they?" Hermione cut in, unable to contain herself any longer.
Both Remus and Kathy chuckled and Hermione had the grace to colour slightly, ashamed at her interruption but unrelenting nevertheless.
"Fine," Kathy said, "Working hard. They send their love."
Hermione sighed, knowing that was as much as she'd get. Her thoughts turning, not for the first time that day, to her two best friends… at least they still had a lot of work to occupy them. Remus didn't realise that, although Hermione was good at it, the endless political manoeuvring was boring her.
Sure it had been interesting enough at the start when they were going about things discretely, like players in a chess games, forming allegiances and gradually giving the idea to the public, bit by bit.
No though, no when the only people who stood in their way were bureaucrats with more money than sense. Those who didn't like change. The conservatives had called a stalemate and it had all slowed down. Suddenly Hermione didn't feel as though she couldn't make any difference and she longed for a new challenge.
Just as she longed to see them again. Particularly him, his face was all together unfocussed in her mind and she longed to see him again, to make sure it was still there.
Not that I'm in any doubt! She told herself firmly.
"Hermione?" Kathryn asked.
Hermione was startled out of her reverie, realising they'd been talking to her. She blinked at them in confusion.
"I was asking," Kathy said with a twinkle in her eyes, "Where you got your dress, it's very pretty."
"Ahh, but her thoughts were on who she wished could see her in it." Remus said, and Hermione felt the overwhelming urge to wipe that knowing smirk of his face.
"No they weren't," Hermione snapped back, surprising herself and her friends who looked completely taken aback.
Instantly feeling taken ashamed of herself she mumbled an apology and fled, leaving them staring confusedly behind her.
She found herself taking refuge in the dappled sunlight and muttering under her breath. Why couldn't they leave her alone on the subject?
Ahh, but you brought it on yourself by asking after them. The sensible part of her said.
Still, she was fed up, why were people always asking her about missing Ron? And Harry come to that? Why couldn't they just let her live her life without them for the time being? Seeing as that was how it had to be.
Didn't they realise she had a life of her own?
She stunned herself with these thoughts. She hadn't realised how bitter she was getting. Shaking her head she made herself breath calmly. It was just the politics really.
Being in the place where she last said goodbye made her calmer though it was hard to believe that this wood with it's thriving leaves and wild life was the bleak half dead place it had been seven months ago.
She remembered the eerie silence of winter with its spindly braches and compared it to the concoction of sounds she now heard; the birds singing and the insects buzzing. Even the heat seemed to make a noise, sizzling and annoying her.
She would sit down and enjoy the quiet, just for a minute.
Later, when the guests had arrived and the place come to life Hermione found her self winding her way through crowded tables with her head down.
Hermione felt uneasy as she made her way to the table where Remus sat, very aware of the scrutiny that she was under and fully conscious that several voices were whispering her name.
"Remus?" She asked as she reached the table, hoping he had forgotten her earlier bad temper
Her friend and boss turned round and smiled at her.
"Ah, Hermione! Enjoying the party?" He asked her looking pleased with himself.
"Yes," She said lightly, smiling at him, "I just thought I better tell you that the minister's arrived."
His countenance changed immediately and he suddenly looked serious.
"Oh right," He said standing up and excusing himself to the people sitting around him still enjoying their meal.
"He's admiring the roses," Hermione said, "Talking to Kathy."
"Right. Well, I best hurry up then if I want to make a good impression on our new minister." He said straightening his robes and smoothing down his greying hair.
"Oh Remus, surely you don't need to make a good impression? Surely he's already got a lot of respect for you!" Hermione said.
"Well he was always the least predictable of all the boys, and like I said earlier he's got some radical views."
He set of at a brisk pace and Hermione hurried after him, her green skirt swishing at her knees.
She hadn't seen Percy Weasley since he had risen dramatically to power with the disgrace of his predecessor who had been discovered to be involved in all sorts of illegal money making schemes.
It had been a whirlwind election and people had been impressed by Percy Weasley's still young fresh-faced view on things. He'd stormed into power despite the many comments that it seemed strange that it was his sister, a reporter for the daily prophet who had uncovered the former Minister's scam.
He looked happy, standing there amongst the roses in his pinstriped robes, his trade mark Weasley hair shining in the sun beneath his bowler hat.
He was in his element.
"Ah! Mr Lupin, Remus!" He said cheerfully as they approached, shaking his old teacher's hand enthusiastically.
"Hermione, my dear, it's good to see you." He said turning to her and beaming like a fond, older brother.
She smiled at him, "Percy."
Kathryn gave her a side long glance and nodded. He was on their side.
"I'm sorry I couldn't make it in time for the meal Remus," Percy said apologetically.
"Oh, that's all right." Remus said dismissing Percy's apology with a wave of his hand, "You've turned up. That's what matters."
Hermione watched amused. Despite being Minister of Magic, Percy still had the mannerisms of a school boy, especially towards his old professor.
"You understand Remus, that I can only offer my support for this movement. I can't push it?" Percy asked, glancing in Hermione's direction.
He was talking of their fight to abolish the Field Auror's no contact laws and to move even further, to merging the divisions and totally reinventing the profession.
"Yes, quite." Remus nodded, "But I think your support is enough to push it."
"Good. Well I will show my approval in my speech and offer support." Percy said.
"Thank you," Remus said smiling, "You're due to speak at two o'clock, in the main pavilion."
Percy nodded, looking a little nervous.
"I better get back to the bureaucrats," Remus said smilingly, "Kathy?"
"Yes, I'll come and make sure they don't gobble you up!" She said laughing.
When they had gone Hermione turned to Percy and couldn't help grinning.
"So, you've finally got where you wanted to be?" She asked him with a grin.
He smiled sheepishly and coloured slightly.
"Yes," He said, "But I won't pretend I don't have things to regret."
Hermione nodded remembering how terrible it had been when Percy had turned his back on his family. It was a time long past however, and the Percy who stood before her now was a better person. Full of the famous Weasley integrity and courage. He had grown up, and she told him so, making him laugh.
"You were always years beyond your age Hermione." He told her.
"And you were always younger than you thought you were." She smiled.
He laughed, his horn rimmed glasses glinting in the bright sunshine. Hermione studied him, thinking him the further from her… well… Ron than any of the Weasley brother's.
He was smart, his pin striped robes impeccable but his bowler hat perched somewhat awkwardly above his neatly cut red hair. Ron always looked comfortable, Percy all too stuffy and formal. His eyes too were brown like Ginny's. Hermione found herself missing Ron's intense blue eyes.
"Have you heard from my brother recently," Percy asked as if sensing her thoughts, "Ron that is."
Hermione coloured, "No, no, not for a while. There's such limited contact allowed, even within the profession, you see."
"Ah," He replied nodding, "Another good reason to get the new laws passed."
"Harry and Ron," Hermione said, feeling a wistful note creep into her voice.
"Yes, yes indeed. Mum has taken this talk of the no contact laws being abolished to heart Hermione." Percy said looking anxious.
"I know I was at the Burrow last week." Hermione said.
"Ah," Percy's eyes glazed over, "I haven't managed to get home for weeks."
Hermione smiled, but didn't reply. She didn't think that Mr and Mrs Weasley would see much of this particular son now that he was Minister of Magic.
"Percy?"
Hermione turned around to see Penelope, his young wife and childhood sweetheart who had vowed never to speak to him again when he broke away from his family but since revoked that vow years ago.
"Oh Hermione!" She said beaming.
Hermione smiled back at the petite, slim woman with hair even curlier than her own. Penny Weasley had tight brown curls cut to fall just beyond her ear lobes with it pinned back from her face elegantly. She had bright intelligent dark eyes and neat regular features. She like Hermione had chosen a muggle dress, cut to fall below her knees, in a pretty light blue shade with a neckline that was both decorous and flattering at the same time.
"You look so elegant!" Hermione exclaimed approvingly. Penny was the perfect model of a Minister's wife. She looked more comfortable in her role than Percy did.
"Thank you," Penny said smiling, "You look lovely yourself."
"She does indeed," Percy agreed, slipping his arm around his wives waist and smiling, "But I think Hermione is wishing my youngest brother was here to see her looking so."
Penny smiled and Hermione could feel herself blushing again and found herself forcing herself to swallow the bubbling bitterness that had caused her to snap and Remus and Kathy earlier.
"Indeed?" Penny asked her, eyes twinkling.
"I…" Hermione floundered, lost for words.
She was saved having to reply by Ginny's arrival and only had to look on smilingly as Ginny's excited shouts and congratulations hit Percy in a wave. She caught Penny's eyes and grinned.
Things were going well for the Weasley family.
Hermione took her place standing beside Ginny in front of the podium that had been set up for the speakers. Both Remus and Kathy had spoken and as Hermione managed to wind her way to the front of the crowd standing listening, the head of the Patrol Auror Division was wrapping up his speech. Balding Earnest Hughes stepped down from the podium to polite applause. His speech hadn't give much away, he'd only talked about how they had a lot of options and should consider any changes carefully. Hermione had the feeling he was against the merging of divisions.
When Percy got up to speak, the pavilion went quiet. All eyes were on their new minister of magic.
"Friends," He began beaming round the room, looking confident Auroring profession is a notable one of considerable worth. If it was not for the work of the talented individuals amongst you and the well oiled teams that you work in, our world would be a chaos of crime and cruelty."
Here Percy paused for breath, looking round the room and suddenly Hermione saw something new in him: authority. The sort of authority that inspired confidence and trust.
Percy's speech continued and he pledged his support to the changes but warned them that the rest of the Ministry would have to agree before any changes could be made. He also asked the three division heads to draw up a plan for reform together.
The applause for Percy was enthusiastic and people chattered excitedly as the pavilion emptied when he stepped down from the podium.
"Wow," Ginny said to Hermione.
"Wow." Hermione agreed.
Hermione arrived home late that evening and after feeding an indignantly hungry Crookshanks, sank gratefully onto the settee and slipped off her sandals. Her flat, she noted gratefully was wonderfully cool after her long day.
Remus' Garden Party had gone off well, but only time would see if it had the desired effect. It had been his plan to get the ideas of re-merging the league and taking away the no-contact leagues out into the open and spark off a debate over it so that ordinary people would talk about it and hopefully, with Percy's support come to agree with the ideas themselves.
It had certainly sparked a political debate. Ginny had told her the prophet planned a two page spread on it. It was important because it would be the first major movement Percy had to face and whether or not he handled it well would determine the course of his career.
Hermione reflected on the past couple of weeks. Her last couple of cases had been simple; Remus had spared her from more complicated ones so that she could help out with their campaign for the changed laws. Apparently she had a head for such things, and so it had been endless meetings with various politicians vying for support, and quite frankly she was bored.
Distractedly Hermione reached up to unpin her curls and wondered as she did so, how long it would go on for. How long would her real job have to take a sideline to Remus and Kathy's quest to "reinvent and rejuvenate" the Auror profession for every division.
Suddenly she remembered the piece of paper she had stuffed into her cloak pocket, and sprung up to fetch it.
She sat back down slowly, and Crookshanks settled himself on her lap. With a sudden rush of excitement and shaking hands she opened it. Wondering why she hadn't given it any serious thought before.
She was re-considering its contents when an urgent knocking brought her back down to earth and she froze, wondering who could want to speak to her so late.
Hope lodged itself swiftly and inexorable in her heart for the briefest of moments and her spine tingled. Could it be?
Shaking her head she stood up, incensing Crookshanks who showed his annoyance with a sharp howl and went warily to the door, smoothing out her now dishevelled curls.
You never could be too careful when you opened you door, particularly if you were in Hermione's profession and even the charms she had put on the door to determine that only friends were able to get close enough to knock, were not fail safe.
With a slight nervousness and a heart that had not forgotten the brief stab of hope she had had when she heard the knocking, she opened the door.
There in front of her, red faced and out of breath with dark circles around his eyes and shaking hands, stood Professor Neville Longbottom.
"Oh, Neville." She could not keep the disappointment from her voice.
"Sorry," He said, "I know it's late."
"No, no, anytime for a friend," She replied hurriedly forcing her face into a smile, "Come in."
He followed her through to her small sitting room and she made them tea, allowing him time to collect himself.
"You seem…troubled," She said as she placed two steaming mugs on the coffee table in front of them and sat down on the settee beside him.
"I'm sorry Hermione, I shouldn't have come," He apologized, "But I'm beside myself, I really don't know what to do."
"What's the matter, is it your Gran? Is she…" Hermione was alarmed by the look of cold distraction in her friend's normally cheerful brown eyes.
"No!" Neville cut her off, "No not Gran, its Luna. I don't know how to help her anymore." He said.
"Why?" Hermione asked frowning, "What's the matter?"
"It's just these visions…" Neville faltered.
"Visions?" Hermione asked sharply, "I thought she'd learnt how to deal with them?"
Hermione had never had much time for the art of divination. Fortune telling as she called it. Yet she'd been forced like the rest of them to pay attention to what seers said, when the prophecy about Harry had come out…
Hermione shuddered remembering it.
"She had," Neville said looking forlorn, "At least I thought she had…"
"What is it?" Hermione asked, taking her friends hand and forcing him to look her in the eyes.
"It's like she's not there anymore." Neville said his voice breaking.
"What do you mean?"
"She's withdrawn Hermione, she just keeps going on about this place in her visions but she doesn't know where it is and there's... there's…"
"Go on…"
"There's no magic there." Neville whispered, terrified.
"And has she talked to you about it?" Hermione asked.
"She did," Neville nodded, "Before it took hold of her. Now…"
"Now?"
"She's just absent." He said defeated, "Gone, vacant."
Hermione nodded solemnly, picking up Neville's tea and handing it to him. He drank it with shaking hands.
"I've seen it before," Hermione said quietly, "It's rare but sometimes, sometimes when there's a crime, usually an ancient one that hasn't been solved a seer will get a hold of some memory or another… don't ask me how and are plagued with visions concerning it. It's about the past, I think."
Neville stared at her.
"I may be wrong," Hermione said hurriedly, "But I could have a specialist talk to her. There's a whole department at work. They can find out locations, time, dates etc…"
"Yes…" Neville said quickly, "Anything."
"I take it she's not taking classes?" Hermione said.
"Oh no!"
"So it wouldn't be a problem for her to come in, McGonagall wouldn't mind?" Hermione asked hoping she wasn't giving him false hope.
"No, none at all." Neville said quickly. He was eager, Hermione could see. Neville had always had too much faith in what she said. It made her uneasy, "I left her sitting with Minerva in fact. She's very anxious. We all are."
"Ok then," Hermione said slowly, "I'll go and find out when she can come in tomorrow and send you an owl."
"It must be soon!"
"Hermione was taken aback by his ferocity and just nodded, "I'll do my best."
Later when he was gone, and Hermione was sat pondering what he had told her something caught her eyes glistening on the floor.
Ice cold fear crept into her veins despite the warmness of the night. Her snowflake.
She bent over to pick it up quickly and restored it to its rightful place around its neck where it lay comfortably contrasting her lightly suntanned flesh.
She bent to bed telling herself it was just an accident she'd dropped it that was all. She didn't believe in omens or portents. No augury would scare her.
Omens were just tales.
Right?
AN- Yay! Done before I start college, there you go Nicole… I met your challenge!
Anyway what did you all think? Please review and let me know.