Granger Residence

Upon returning home and having dinner with her parents, Hermione couldn't wait to write to Minerva. During the first weeks of summer, Hermione had struck up a first tentative and then comfortable correspondence with her biological mother. She was especially eager to give her an update on her conversation with Amelia Bones and wondered if she knew her. She thought back to their handshake. She'd never felt her magic react to anybody save Minerva. Was that normal? Was that just something that would happen when you shake hands with a friend or someone you trust? Given that the other person was her biological mother, suffice to say that Madam Bones must have some connection with her. An aunt, her other parent, a distant cousin? Hermione's heart leaped at the possibility of having more family members. It was too soon to tell, but it couldn't hurt to tell Minerva.

She sat down at her desk and began with some trepidation to write a letter to Minerva.

Dear Minerva,

I'm very much enjoying my time at the Ministry this summer. I'm soaking it all in, so to speak. We had some great talks across different departments in the Ministry of Magic and I can tell that everyone is slowly finding their niche. This week we got to see the interior of the Wizengamot chambers for the first time and there are no words to adequately express how spectacular it is. We listened to some of the sitting members of the Wizengamot, including the Head, Madam Amelia Bones. I really was captivated by how she described her career first as an Auror then being part of the Wizengamot. I can't say that I'd choose that path, but I'd love to learn more about all types of magical and muggle jurisprudence. During lunch, many of us ate with people whose departments we were interested in, and I had a chance to ask Madam Bones some more questions. She's very professional, but I'm sure she would be an excellent boss or mentor. Actually, we have to do a sort of long-term career goals project this summer and I'd quite like to ask her to be my mentor. I think she'd do a fine job and I'm looking forward to the weeks ahead. What do you think?

I have a bit of a strange question, but since I didn't grow up in the wizarding world not everything is intuitive to me. I remember when I hugged you I felt as though I could sense your magic. There was some strange sensation that I can't quite explain that seemed to happen at the level of my magic. Does that make sense? Could you shed some light on this, I would quite appreciate it?

I look forward to seeing you in person again to tell you all about the summer. I hope you're having a nice time away from the castle, you definitely deserve it.

Warmly,

Hermione

McGongagall Manor

Minerva wasn't particularly excited by what seemed like the constant stream of owls with Hogwarts related business requesting her time and attention daily on what should be her summer holiday, but this time she knew that she was likely to find a letter from her daughter nestled between other less pleasing letters from the Board of Governors or a professor about twice a week. Noticing the parchment with her daughter's handwriting, she set the other letters aside and fed the owl a nice morning snack.

She took a sip of her tea and dove into reading about what was surely an eventful summer at the Ministry of Magic.

Minerva's heart leapt at the revelation that Hermione had met Amelia, had talked to her for what had amounted to a lovely lunch conversation. They seemed to be getting along swimmingly and Minerva couldn't be more grateful. Truly, she felt a lightness in her heart that she hadn't felt in years, a sense of relief that perhaps the very thing that had been taken from them and nearly tore them apart could heal after all these years. Hermione's question at the end was even more surprising. She did notice that her magic recognized Hermione, but it wasn't a particularly strong or startling situation. Then again, she had always felt that with her brothers and then with Amelia when they became partners. It seemed strange that Hermione would be asking that now when she could have easily done so when it happened. She supposed it would quite surprise a student from a Muggle family.

There has to be another reason why she mentioned this now and wanted some sort of confirmation of this phenomenon. Minerva mused to herself, sipping the lukewarm tea.

Hermione just met Amelia and then brings this up without much by way of explanation. Surely, she couldn't have given her a hug as I did, but she would have had to touch her for this to occur. Ah! Did they shake hands when they met? That explanation seemed to make the most sense. Now Minerva didn't quite know what to say to her daughter. A short reply would have to do.

Dear Hermione,

As always, your letter is quite a welcome distraction from less friendly missives. I'm so glad to hear that everything is going so well and you're making the most of the program. I knew it would be a great fit for you. I must say that I think law might be an excellent career path for you and one in which you would excel advocating for the rights of others.

That was nice of Madam Bones to have a word with you about her career. I do know her from her time as an Auror and think she would indeed be a good choice as a mentor. In fact, I remember even trying to recruit her to join the Hogwarts staff when we had an opening in Charms, but she was already interviewing at the Ministry.

As for your question about sensing people's magic, it is quite common among family members, close friends, and spouses. Usually it isn't a particularly strong feeling, but I can imagine it seemed strange since you likely never experienced that before. In fact, it's very similar to how it feels to do wandless magic. We should get to some basic wandless magic in sixth year, but I'm sure you're already ready for a lesson.

I miss you too and look forward to your next message.

Warmly,

MM