Hello again! Thank you for the reviews, follows and favs! I'm breaking this into two chapters so it is easier to read. Perhaps this extra-long update will finally shed some light on what's going on. Enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything that looks familiar to the world of Harry Potter.


At least two weeks went past with Hermione getting progressively busier with her teaching and consultations with students who needed extra help. The additional classes she was taking over from Severus added to her workload and she barely had time to contemplate her feelings for him.

She had studiously avoided him during this time, making sure that anything she needed to pass him was either placed on the teacher's desk in the Potions classroom or sent via owl. Lunches were quick and she often skipped breakfast, and opted to dine in her rooms for dinner instead of joining the rest of the school.

After her last class on Friday and a busy session about decorations with Flitwick and Pomona that culminated in dinner and drinks at Brews and Stews, Hermione had a quick shower before she finally flopped onto her bedcovers.

Just as she was drifting off into sleep, a light tapping sound at the window jerked her awake. She groaned and rolled off the bed. It was already approaching midnight. She sent the owl off with a snack as she unrolled the thick wad of parchment. Small pieces of paper fell out and she bent to retrieve them, recognising them as clippings from wizarding newspapers and magazines. She set them aside and unrolled the main body of the parchment.

Dear Hermione

How have you been?

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you about our conversation over dinner a few weeks ago. About that Muggle Studies professor. I had been meaning to search through Gran's archives (she's been keeping every single newspaper ever since her days at Hogwarts) but that meant a trip back home to the countryside. I finally managed to get approval for a three-day break. It's ending tomorrow so I'm writing this now before I get swamped by the busy city life again.

This Chérie Dujardin – or rather, Chérie-Joelle Marie Dusoleil – is not a complicated character save for the mystery behind her name, assuming she really is 'Professor Dujardin'. I could not find anything unsavoury about her. I shall consider that as good news since you work and live in the same place as her. However, she's not as ... how should I put this … simple as she may seem to be under the guise of a Muggle Studies professor.

I was unable to find anything in British papers, but I have enclosed a few clippings I managed to obtain from an acquaintance in France. By the way, the enquiries have been completely discreet. Your name was not mentioned in the correspondence.

I'd wager that McGonagall is fully aware of her identity. There seems to be something going on, Hermione. Otherwise, someone like her wouldn't be here in Britain, and, least of all, at Hogwarts.

I can only help this far. I can't seem to uncover anything else. Perhaps, you might be able to discover something with the information I have provided. I wish you luck in this investigation.

And, Hermione, please be careful.

Yours,

Neville

P.S. Burn this.

Hermione tossed the letter into the fireplace and took a deep breath. What could Neville have uncovered that required her to be careful about? She picked up the clippings, casted a translation charm on them before arranging them in chronological order.


BEAUXBATONS STUDENT AWARDS 1988

The Top Graduating Student prize for this year goes to Chérie-Joelle Marie Dusoleil. Miss Dusoleil has received the highest scores in twelve subjects - Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology, Astronomy, French History, Combat, Arithmancy, Muggle Studies, Divination, Ancient Runes and Art.

Beauxbatons has traditionally offered the highest scoring student a sponsorship to study under the finest witches and wizards in France at La Academie Baton and, in exchange, the sponsored student will be required to fulfil a tenure of three years as a staff of Beauxbaton.

… (continued)


BEAUXBATONS ANNUAL TEACHING AWARDS 1994

The students have spoken! Here are the results of this year's Annual Teaching Awards.

Overall Best Professor Award - Lalune Lula

Overall Best Assistant Professor Award - Chérie-Joelle Dusoleil

Most Caring Professor Award - Marc Jones-Mere

Most Humorous Professor Award – Randy Noel Purdue

...(continued)


FRENCH MINISTER FOR MAGIC PASSES AWAY

Long-time French Minister for Magic Jerome Canard breathed his last today morning at St. Bundo's Hospital for Magical Maladies. His body will be transferred to The Crematorium on Rue-de Parle, Paris, in preparation for funeral rites that will take place today afternoon.

The public may pay their respects to the deceased Minister until 12 noon on Wednesday, 4 February. Thereafter, the body will be moved to a family crypt in the South of France. The location will be kept a secret and the family has requested for privacy during this mourning period.

According to a statement released by the Ministry, the deceased Minister is said to have died of natural causes.

"The exact details pertaining to the nature of his death are unknown as of this moment but the public should refrain from any unwarranted speculation," said Aide to the Minister, Chérie-Joelle Dusoleil.

Aide Dusoleil further confirmed that the Minister did relay several last wishes and a message for the country and his successor. The detailed recordings will be published by the Office of Scribes in a special edition of The Ministry Journals – Year 2000 on Friday.


2 JANUARY 2001

DEATH EATER SIGHTINGS IN FRANCE UNCONFIRMED

The French Ministry of Magic has declined to comment on reports that missing Death Eaters from Britain have been sighted around the French Alps. According to a representative from the Office of Combat, the authenticity of the anonymous reports were currently being investigated.

"It is imperative that the Office acts only upon official information issued by the Ministry. If there is matter of substance in this matter, an investigation will most certainly be undertaken," said Officer Chérie Dusoleil.

… (continued)


Hermione put the clippings aside and realised her hand was shaking. The names were different but the information matched what she knew about the woman. Severus had mentioned she graduated top of her cohort. Chérie had mentioned she taught at Beauxbaton and was part of the delegation that came to Hogwarts for the Triwizard Tournament in 1994. But she neglected to mention that she had moved on and joined the French Ministry.

That could only mean Chérie was now a French Ministry official undercover in Britain as a Muggle Studies professor in Hogwarts.

And it also explained why she mentioned the French Alps.

Hermione pulled out her pensieve and took a deep breath before touching her hand to the silvery substance floating in it.


2 Years Ago – Somewhere in the French Alps

Hermione surveyed the landscape from the doorway of the cottage. To say it was breathtaking was an understatement. She felt insignificant compared to the snowy peaks that rose and spread wide. There was so much beauty to be enjoyed in nature and she had intended to come with her parents but they declined to join her on a skiing trip. They were getting on in their years, they said. How about she visited them and spend some time on the beach?

So Hermione had done just that. She took a whole month's worth of vacation, spent two weeks sunbathing in Australia in preparation to freeze her butt off in the cold peaks. Alone. Harry and Ron couldn't take a vacation because she was on vacation. That's what their nasty boss said, anyway. But she didn't want to go skiing alone; it just wasn't fun. Besides, she heard rumours of Death Eater sightings in the area from an anonymous report. What would Death Eaters be doing around France anyway? Sampling authentic croissants?

"Is everything okay, dear?" The landlady called out from within the cottage. In French, of course.

"Yes, fine," replied Hermione haltingly. She couldn't remember much of her French from her Muggle school days but she had tried to cram as many 'important phrases for tourists' as she could into her head while relaxing on the beach the past two weeks.

She closed the door to the cottage and made her way down the wooden steps. Her wand was stowed securely in a sleeve pocket in case she needed it. But surely nothing would happen in such a serene place?

A short walk down the slope led her to a discreet shelter from where she apparated into the town centre. At times like this, Hermione appreciated the perks of being a witch. The place had not changed much since her last visit several years ago. She strolled along the shops, purchasing baked goods, trinkets and souvenirs before apparating back to the cottage just before the sun had set.

She was looking forward to hiking the next day and the weather was looking quite promising.

-.-.-.-.-

Hermione stretched her limbs vigorously as she reached a secluded rest stop. She had packed some food, juice, a book and several other handy items in her endlessly expandable pouch. She had been relying on warming charms while going higher up in altitude since she didn't quite fancy the idea of wearing several layers of clothing underneath her already double-padded winter jacket.

The hike had been quite eventful so far and she managed to capture some photographs with a disposable Muggle camera. It definitely did not have the best quality but she had to make do with what she could find.

Her stomach rumbled at that moment and she took out a sandwich, munching on it slowly as she flipped her book open and began to read. When she looked up next, it was because the place was getting dim fast and she couldn't make out the words on the page even under her mini reading lamp. A quick check of her watch showed it was well heading into evening.

Hermione packed quickly and moved behind a boulder to apparate back to the cottage. Instead of feeling the familiar pull of her apparition, she found herself flying headlong across the plane, throwing up a shield charm and cushioning charm as she landed hard on her back. She sprung up and shot a shower of stunning spells at once before ducking behind the nearest boulder.

She tried to control her breathing. She should escape. She should apparate now. Then send a patronus to her team to alert them. But it would take some time before Aurors could be dispatched to the scene especially since the area was not within the jurisdiction of her Ministry of Magic.

She peeped from behind the boulder and saw shapes moving. There were two of them. Maybe she could take them on. It shouldn't be too difficult. After all, they had been in more dangerous situations during the war. All she had to do was—

"You can't hide, foolish girl. I can smell you."

Hermione sucked in her breath. It was Greyback. Her fingers ghosted over her chest as she held her breath. She should apparate but there was something that made her want to stay. A movement in the corner of her eye jerked her attention there and she sent a slicing hex that way.

The boulder behind her blasted apart and she ran. Each boulder she passed was blasted apart one after another until she reached the last one and braced herself for the confrontation.

"Expelliarmus!"

Both Greyback and his wand were flung backwards.

Hermione sprinted.