Sept 27, 19:00
"Minerva"
Minerva felt more than heard her name as it thrummed through her heart and rippled out through her limbs leaving goosebumps in their wake, just as it had done when they had first magically bonded. " O mo Bhand-dia, I hear you." Fingers once again splayed, pressing into the grooves of Hermione's thick bark, Minerva pressed her forehead gently to the surface and smiled, breathing in the fresh scent of pine mixed with the unmistakable musk of her lover. It was intoxicating. "Are you well, gradh?"
"I am, love. Quickly, get everyone inside. There are five beings on the far end of the Manor and one is making their way here with haste."
Opening her eyes and turning, she gestured upward and whispered, "Up we go clan, Hermione alerted me to five people inside, one of whom is headed our way." One by one they began apparating up to the nearest branch then climbing higher toward the open window. Minerva pulled on the Manor wards and Elspeth appeared by her side, hands full of pinecones. Minerva's eyebrows shot up at the sight, "Why do you have those, Els?"
Only a lifetime together let Minerva know that Elspeth felt caught out. "Uh well, Minnie, ya see, I's thinkin' of taking some with us back to the Manor and planting them, as a present for you and Miss Mione. Seein' as you twos made them and all."
Minerva felt her heart swell as her face broke out into a full grin, "Aye, that is a very thoughtful gift, Els. And would you mind staying here with Hermione until she can change back, then use the wards to take her to me?"
"A'course, Minnie, go on, up wit ya now, git goin'."
"Bless you, Els." And in a moment she joined the rest of the party up in the boughs. George and Charlie were on the limb closest to the window, Harry and Ginny on the one below, all clearly waiting for her direction. Making a grabbing motion toward Harry, he passed her the net with the Lestrange birds. Minerva tossed it through the window, holding her wand at the ready should it set off any alarm. When nothing happened, she waved her hand in a circle, then hopped through and moved swiftly to the side to allow for the others to follow, lighting her wand tip with a silent Lumos.
What she saw made her stomach turn and gasp, the sound immediately echoed by George. The room was splattered with blood, the iron guff was quick to stick in the back of their throats. Upon Charlie's entrance, he gave a groan of distress at the sight of the square of leather tug its way out of his brothers' robes and attach itself to the blood stained ceiling, then zoom to a splotch on the wall, then to the puddle on the floor. Ginny was next to enter and followed Charlie's line of sight, "Mum!" Once Harry was inside and took in the scene, Minerva snapped her fingers. All eyes immediately met hers, "Charlie, Ginny, have those vials at the ready. And again, your primary mission is to find Molly. Harry, up here with me, George, cover your siblings. Hermione will join when she can. Kreacher, are you with us?"
A gravely disembodied voice answered, "Yes."
"Wonderful, dear, if you would, upon finding Molly, get her to Madame Pomfrey post haste."
"As you wish."
Just then, a familiar voice had them all instantly facing the only door in the room, wands at the ready. "Who goes there? Present yourself immediately!" Draco. Minerva was shocked to see her Clabbert pustule still black at the tip of her wand. Holding up her wand so others could see too, she whispered to Harry, "You go first, talk to him, see if he'll help us." Harry nodded and Minerva continued, "Leave the door open a crack so I can back you up." Nodding again, and taking a breath, Harry marched with purpose to the door pulled it open and almost shut again, "Draco, it's me, Harry. I haven't come here to fight. I just want Mrs. Weasley."
"About bloody time! I sent you a patronus an hour ago."
Harry was the picture of confusion, " You sent me a patronus? I never got it."
Draco murmured loud enough to hear, "Prior Incantanto" and the last spell cast from his wand was indeed a silvery greyhound who came right up to Harry, "Quick Potter, you must come at once if you want the Weasley woman to live. Send a patronus when you're at the main door. I'll be waiting."
After hearing the message, Minerva revealed herself from the room. "It's likely your patronus never made it past the Manor wards, Mister Malfoy."
Draco didn't seem surprised to see her, "If you didn't get it, how did you know to come here then?"
"We followed our own leads, although entering through the front door would have been easier. Tell me lad, where do we find Molly?"
Looking away and squinting, "They put her body in the cellar."
May 12, 1998
(10 days after the Battle, 4 days before first Order meeting)
Luna tilted her head as she watched Hermione from her nearby perch of piled rubble. The sun had risen enough to burn off the chill of the May morning. They had been at it for hours, since Hermione had sent word through the portraits with the offer to join her when she woke. She didn't mind. It felt nice to be useful. Repairing the wards was at least distracting from the horrible flashbacks she still had from her time in captivity.
Legs apart, seeming to put most of her weight on her left foot, Hermione held a wand in each hand, the right pointed at two o'clock and the left slowly moving to join from the nine position. Her eyes were shut tight and her brow furrowed, mouth moving in seemingly unending silent incantations. Luna closed her eyes and visualising a larger, third eye appear on her forehead, she moved her magic to see through it. Immediately the source of Hermione's struggle became clear, a stringlike tendril of protective warding was lashing around like a snake with its tail held, and just as she thought it was a fruitless endeavour, she saw it fall limply in submission. Opening her human eyes, she saw the relief upon her friend's face as she now brought her left hand easily to join her right. With a satisfied sigh, Hermione collapsed on the uncut grass in a sitting position before lying down completely, arms and legs splayed.
"I'm impressed. I wasn't sure you were going to be able to connect that last one."
Hermione grinned as she turned her head toward Luna. "Thanks, Luna, I didn't quite know if it would happen myself. Your description of that line being like a coiled snake gave me an idea, though. I was able to stress the x-factor in Hooke's law of springs. It seemed to fight against it, which I find odd, but apparently even magical wards can't defy physics." Sitting up on her elbows, "How does the area look now, any other fragmentations?"
Luna had no idea what Hermione had just explained, but she closed her eyes once more and saw the web intact and vibrant. It was, by far, the biggest patch they had completed in the last week, the main conduit and corresponding connections spanning more than a third of the dome's upper arc. Smiling and opening her eyes, she shook her head, "No other problems I can sense, it looks very taut and conductive."
Hermione beamed and flopped back down in the grass enjoying the slight breeze hitting the dampness on her brow as the satisfaction of a job well done flowed through her. She took a slow deep breath and the subtle sweetness of the spring flowers relaxed her even further, so much so, she was not aware of the Headmistress approaching or her consciousness fading to black.
Minerva had been with Filius tending to the tricky repair of the head office Gargoyle when they both felt a shift in the wards. Minerva more keenly. Raising her hand to pause their efforts, Minerva pulled the wards to her, pushing her magic through the matrices, and was shocked to find the wards now almost fully intact. Tilting her head she gasped at the distinct resonance of Hermione Granger thrumming along one of the main lines. Sweet Merlin, I knew she was powerful, but this? Opening her eyes, she met Filius'. "My my, it seems as though Hermione was able to attach that warding conduit we were unable to yesterday."
Filius' face furrowed, "How is that possible? We were at that for hours! And how can you be sure Hermione did it? I need to go see this for myself." Not waiting for any answers, he turned on his heel and scampered off down toward the staircase, no doubt to the main gate. He had been more skittish than usual. Minerva chalked it up to his unwillingness to make time to grieve. After he was out of sight, Minerva expelled the breath she had been holding and leaned heavily on the Gargoyle's stone plumage. Reaching into the wards again, she more closely examined the new repair before zooming out and slowly rotating the whole of the Hogwarts' construct, she scanned for any remaining damage. For the second time this morning, she gasped. The only areas left untethered were some minor frays near the base of the protective dome near the forest. Pushing her magic and murmuring into the area, the webbing snapped together, completing the entirety of Hogwarts' warding circuit. Minerva sat down heavily upon the floor as she felt the magic flowing powerfully through the channels. Far more powerfully than she remembered the intact wards being after she'd inherited them after Albus' death. Was it just the contrast of having held them unwoven since Severus' or was Hogwarts actually stronger now? I need to find Hermione. Once more putting her mind's-eye into the warding matrix she spotted Hermione's signature out on the eastern field. Standing, she turned on the spot.
Having apparated about twenty yards from Hermione's supposed location, Minerva first saw Luna's white-blond hair blowing in the breeze from atop a large chunk of column on one of the last remaining detritus piles. Scanning the area, Minerva's eyes landed on a body's length indentation of grass. Hermione. Luna turned and nodded at her as she approached. Seeing no movement from where Hermione lay, she gave a quick gesture of her head for Luna to join her. Hopping down light-footed, Luna glided over, her voice soft, "Good morning, Professor. Is there something I can help you with?"
Minerva took in the still-gaunt features of her former pupil, "Good morning, Luna. I believe you've already been of great service this morning. First, is Hermione alright there?
"Oh yes, she's just a bit tired from fixing the wards."
"Mm, yes, about that. Tell me, if you're able, how did you two manage to seal that bit of warding?"
Luna closed her eyes and tipping her head up, re-examined the area. Minerva cocked her head to the side, "You can see the wards, can't you?"
"Oh yes, quite clearly. Honestly, I thought everyone could until Hermione informed me that it was most unusual and quite the gift." Opening her eyes, she brought her gaze back to meet the curious green ones of her former professor, "To answer your question, I've been describing the condition of the warding filaments as I perceive them and at times adjusting Hermione's wand position, and then she does the spellwork to repair them." Closing her eyes once more, looking back at the webbed dome, "It's really very good now, don't you agree?"
Minerva sighed softly, giving her a half smile, "Yes, quite. Thanks mostly to you two, the warding is now completely intact."
Luna scanned the perimeter of the dome. It was an odd sight as she turned in a slow circle with her eyes closed. "So it is. That's nice. Perhaps I'll sleep in tomorrow. I think I'll go ask the elves for some toast now. Unless you needed anything else, Professor?"
"Just Minerva is fine now, dear, and no, by all means, go rustle up some breakfast. Thank you for all your repair efforts, Luna, they are much appreciated. I'll make sure the Governors hear about your contributions."
Luna shrugged, responding in her dreamlike, lilting voice, "If you want. Bye for now." And she headed off not quite in the direction of the castle. Minerva raised her eyebrows and shook her head. Bless that odd witch. Turning, she brought her full attention to the prone one she could just make out sleeping through the long grass. Her smile returned in full. And as for this one, my my, she must have spent every last magical drop.
Pulling her wand she conjured two Queen Anne chairs, matching those that sat in front of her desk, with a small table in between. Using the newly intact wards she sent a request for coffee and some nibbles and within moments a plate of scones complete with clotted cream and jam and two steaming cups of coffee filled the table surface. Thank you, Winky. Closing the remaining distance she felt her heart quicken as she gazed upon her former pupil's face. Not a line of worry could be found, and only in their absence was Minerva made aware of how much Hermione had truly changed. Gone was the innocent young lass from her school days. Even now, at her most serene state, Hermione exuded a maturity beyond her nineteen years. Fascinating, no doubt her rapid magical maturation is a contributing factor. Minerva thought back to when Hermione single handedly dealt with the Carrows' surprise visit to deliver the warrant for her arrest. Unable to apparate due to the still fractured wards, Minerva found herself fixated at the exchange from her office window. The sheer power emanating from Hermione as she parried every hex with her own inventive combination of counter-curses was captivating. Knowing she should run to her former pupils aid, she found herself immobilised, not wanting to miss even a moment of the unfolding scene. Just when she was about to force herself to go, Hermione pulled a second wand from her robes and the siblings hit the ground simultaneously in full bodybinds. It was glorious. She was glorious.
"Hermione," Minerva's voice came out rougher than she expected and she cleared her throat. Hermione stirred and for a moment Minerva thought to just let her be, grant her a few more moments in this rare peaceful state. That option became moot as Hermione's eyes opened and then quickly shut against the light. Then before Minerva could process what was happening, Hermione had sprung up, wand extended and pointed directly at Minerva's heart. Minerva didn't move a muscle except those to raise one eyebrow.
"Easy, lass, it's only me. You're safe."
The wild look in Hermione's eyes was instantly replaced with horror as she pocketed her wand, "Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry, Professor, I hadn't realised I fell asleep and am not quite used to that anymore. Sleep is usually evasive these days."
"It's quite all right, my dear. I'd prefer you to have your sharp reflexes intact during these uncertain times anyhow. Would you care for a cup of coffee and some scones?"
It was Hermione's turn to raise an eyebrow and seeing it Minerva smirked and moved to the right and motioned toward the set up three metres behind her.
"Oh, yes, that sounds amazing. Thank you."
Once seated, Hermione took a sip of coffee. "Mm, this is exactly what I needed." A light bulb seemed to go off as she pulled the cup away from her lips. "And it's piping hot. Did the elves apparate this here?"
Minerva huffed out a small laugh before taking her own sip then gave a slight nod, watching Hermione connect the dots.
"So the wards are fully reconnected then. That's what that means, yes?"
"Indeed. It does, lass." She put her cup back on her saucer and looked earnestly into curious honey-golden eyes, "Thanks to you."
Hermione's face lit up, putting her saucer down for fear of spilling it in her excitement. "Brilliant! Oh, and it wasn't just me. Without Luna, I wouldn't have even known where to begin, really. You know she can see them, right?"
"Aye, Luna intimated you tag-teamed the effort, with her sight and your cleverness."
Hermione blushed, and not knowing what to say, slathered some cream on a scone and took a bite, looking out over the lake in the distance. It really was a lovely morning. The air was fresh and fragrant, moving the surface of the lake just enough to catch the gentle morning sun in a thousand little crests. She knew she had been pushing herself this week, but it just felt so nice to finally have tasks that were challenging yet accomplishable. After the frustration of hunting and destroying horcruxes, and now the influx state of the magical world, fixing the wards had been a welcome pastime as she tried to piece her life back together. She took a slow, deep breath and brought her eyes back to her silent companion.
Minerva had yet to hear from Hermione about what transpired during their quest leading up to the battle. Harry had given her a fairly good picture when she had visited the Burrow a few days after, but Hermione hadn't spoken of it at all and Minerva's intuition told her not to push. Oh she had been perfectly willing to chat about anything else, but anytime the subject moved to her experience, it was wrapped up in just enough to push the conversation along. Watching the emotions flit across Hermione's face now made her wonder if she was almost ready. She was not prepared for what came next.
"I'll be moving in with Harry at Grimmauld on Friday."
A hot wave of disappointment shot through Minerva, immediately followed by a feeling of disorientation at the unexpected strong emotional response. Pull it together, Minerva, what's wrong with you?!
"Oh?" Minerva managed, taking another sip.
Hermione sighed heavily, putting down her knife in mid jam spread. "I visited my parents last week."
Minerva, still feeling off balance at the direction of the conversation, cleared her throat, "I can imagine they were relieved to see you after such a long absence."
Hermione's eyes welled up with tears and she wiped them away with her napkin before they could fall, looking back out at the horizon. "Well, not exactly."
"Lass, what's happened?"
Hermione shook her head. Minerva waited and when nothing came further, "I understand the inclination towards not sharing, Hermione. As you are well aware, to many people's chagrin my private life is, well, private." Huffing out a breath at her own inarticulation, she continued, "However, I have found that being able to trust a select few with life's burdens can make them lighter to bare."
Hermione cast her eyes down and began fidgeting with her robes, "I'm afraid to tell you, to be honest, what I've done is not exactly legal."
Minerva raised her left eyebrow and smirking, waited until Hermione made eye contact, "You haven't killed them have you?"
It had the desired effect, Hermione's face transformed at once from shock to recognition that she was being teased. Barking out a laugh, it all came tumbling out, "No, I just wiped my whole existence from their memories before we set off on our quest and I found them down in Australia last week and they've adopted two kids and seem quite happy. And now with me potentially facing trial and the magical world being on a precipice, it doesn't seem wise nor kind to attempt any sort of restoration."
Minerva's right eyebrow joined her left. Wiped their memories of her existence?! Without damaging the rest?!
Hermione took in Minerva's expression and immediately prepared herself for reprimand. Shoulders slouching, chest caving in on itself, Minerva hated seeing it. Hated seeing this uniquely powerful witch take on this defeated posture.
"I would have done the same." She spoke firmly.
Hermione shot her a look of blatant disbelief and Minerva added for clarification, "If I had been in your situation, of course."
"Really?" Hermione's voice was laced with pleading.
"I believe I would. Now, I'm not quite sure I would have been so confident not to fracture their minds in the process, but if that was not a question, yes, absolutely. You must realise that you've most likely saved their lives, many times over, as a result?"
Hermione nodded as she sat straighter, shifting her body to face Minerva, eyes full of grief. "Yes, when I paid a visit to our old home in Hampstead, it was in ruins. I put most of it to order and banished the unsalvageable." Searching Minerva's eyes, "Thank you, Professor. I cannot tell you how much it means to hear your validation. It's been slowly eating at me for the past year. And I never really imagined the possibility of them starting a new family."
"It's just Minerva, dear, and may I ask you a hypothetical question?"
"Of course."
"If their safety wasn't an issue, what would you wish to do regarding restoring their memories?"
Hermione turned her head to face the lake once more, the breeze lifting parts of her hair. The sun being behind them cast their shadows on a diagonal ahead of them and Minerva became fixated on how the shadow strands flitted through the bending blades of grass. It relaxed her and she felt her face soften as she waited for Hermione's response. Since becoming reacquainted with post-war Hermione, the most striking difference was her pauses before speaking. The young, student Hermione had prattled on almost instantly with any question being vocalised in her vicinity. This Hermione was more reserved. No less observant, but less inclined to assert her knowledge or opinion unless directly solicited. And while Minerva had sentimental feelings toward the childlike memory of Hermione, she very much respected how Hermione had evolved into her own calm confidence in this way.
Minerva watched as the shadows of Hermione's hair were captured by a shadow hand and disappeared behind the shadow profile of a head now looking in her direction. Turning her own head, she met eyes that were open and more resolute than they had been mere minutes ago.
"I think I would, and regardless of their safety should, just let them go. Give them a chance at the normal life they always thought they would have." Hermione paused, averting direct eye contact. Minerva sensed there was more and therefore gave a slight nod before busying herself with the other half of her scone. Sure enough, Hermione continued, "It's not like they were unhappy having a witch as their daughter, and I can't imagine better muggle parents during those early years of my magical discovery. They were kind and patient, even curious in the beginning, but it eventually wore on them, not being able to truly understand my abilities, and with that, my priorities. I could never be the version of me they wanted," Taking a deep breath, "And not just in regards to me being a witch." Shaking her head almost as if to stop that train of thought,"Watching them with these muggle kids who really need them, I find it a bit selfish to reimpose myself upon them, especially after the violation of removing myself in the first place." Meeting green eyes once more, Hermione took in Minerva's thoughtful expression and waited eagerly for her take on the matter.
"I believe it to be the wisest choice, albeit painful." Minerva said plainly, putting down her knife and wiping her hands and mouth with her napkin before placing it in her lap. Finding Hermione's eyes once more, "I'm afraid aside from your very valid reasoning, restoring a complex web of memories like that, so long after they have been removed, would run a very high risk of them developing severe mental illness with dissociative, even hallucinatory, behaviours."
Hermione's eyes welled up again and she blinked the tears back before nodding. "I hadn't expected us to be gone so long, for our mission to be so difficult." Bowing her head and with a slight shake, "How naive I was." Sighing, "I made sure to put touchstone memories in place at every five year mark, so I could re-navigate the counter spell, but you're right, I don't have any frame of reference for this past year in order to even enter in properly." Looking out over the lake without really seeing it, "Well, that's that then. I won't do anything to risk their wellbeing."
Minerva waited several minutes before speaking. "I'm sorry for your loss, Hermione. And while I know you must grieve, I hope that you are kind to yourself in the process. It was an incredibly selfless act, not to mention a very difficult magical process. They would surely be dead and most likely tortured beforehand had you not acted."
Hermione tipped her head back, closing her eyes and tried to accept Minerva's kindness and absolution for her technically-criminal infraction. Taking a series of breaths while picturing her grief shrinking into a manageable sphere, she put it in a box to deal with later, in private. On her last exhale she slowly brought her awareness back to the present and met open, watchful emerald eyes, "Thank you, Minerva, I'll take that to heart."
Minerva's heart swelled at hearing her given name spoken for the first time by her former pupil. It was a hopeful swell. Perhaps Hermione would be one of the few who could truly transition from their prior roles to more equal footing. A comfortable silence resumed as the witches polished off their coffee and scones. Minerva sensing it would be a welcome distraction for them both, "Would you care to join me to activate the protective dome with the wards you were so helpful in repairing? I assume Filius has been diligently testing them, but without my presence, he cannot trigger the full protective measures."
Again, Minerva hit the mark and Hermione lit up, all traces of their heavy conversation gone, "Yes, I'd love that!"
Sept 27, 19:00
A high-pitched "STOP!" echoed through the Chamber of Death as Bilm lunged at a transfixed Neville Longbottom who had taken two quick steps toward the Veil reaching toward the wailing infant of Albus Dumbledore. "Pitts, grab the other twos, back to Hogwarts, now!" A startled Pitts sprang into action just as Kingsley and Angelina also had taken a step forward. With a loud crack they were in the kitchens at Hogwarts. Bilm collapsed on the floor, "Oy, Pitts! He tolds us not to bring anyone there until he was stable!"
"I's didn't knows they'd try to walk ins! I mean, how daft can yous be to walk into the Veils of Death?!"
Kingsley's deep resonate laugh lifted the energy in the room where dozens of elves were stopped in their tracks at the unusual intrusion with varying degrees of shock and dismay at Pitts rudeness, "Ah Bilm, Pitts, bless you. Thank you both for keeping us all this side of the Veil tonight, and to answer your question, Pitts, you'd be shocked at the depths of human daftness."
Bilm looked visibly relieved at the Minister's reaction, "Yous most welcome." And suddenly becoming a bit more assertive, he added, "Please, Ministers, don't goes back to the Chamber until 22:00 exactly. Now that you've been transfixed, you may still feel the pull to cross the Veil. And the well, the Headmistress would be nones too pleased."
Kingsley chuckled again, kneeling and putting his hand on Bilms shoulder, "I promise. I wouldn't want to upset the Headmistress either. Thank you again for saving our lives, Bilm. Anything you need, you just ask alright?" Ears wiggling a bit, Bilm bowed and grabbing Pitts, who was staring at the new house table with a puzzled look. Both elves disappeared with a loud crack.
Angelina offered a hand and Kingsley grabbed it, standing upright. "Well, we have an hour. Shall we see what's happening upstairs?" Angelina nodded and Neville, rubbing his forehead and looking a bit peaky, dipped his head a bit. Kingsley, spotting Winky, motioned her over. "Hello Winky, would you mind sending up three glasses of fire whisky and some biscuits once we're in the Hall?"
"A'course, Ministers. How abouts I just take you there meeself? Seein as these two look like theys seen a ghost." At that Neville paled even more. Kingsley noticing, "That would be very gracious of you, Winky." And with a pop the three were deposited at the head of Hall nearest the Gryffindor table. Followed by a bottle of fire whisky and seven tumblers with ice and a platter of chocolate biscuits on a silver tray. Their sudden presence was met with wands drawn from Filius and Fleur.
"How did you bypass the gate?" Exclaimed Filius who had yet to retract his wand.
Kingsley raised his hands, "Filius, you and I found Professor Trelawney's secret pet and have yet to speak of it again." Filius barked out a laugh and put his wand away, "Mm, yes and we shan't, ever." Wiping his brow with a kerchief, he took in Angelina and Neville's uncharacteristic despondency. "What happened, Kingsley? And do tell me immediately if we have a security problem here."
"No, no breaches to worry about, we were brought back by the missing elves, Bilm and Pitts, who have been keeping watch over Albus as he's in some sort of quantum superposition at the Veil. We witnessed part of his age regression cycle, and we three nearly crossed when the newborn Albus cried out."
Filius' eyebrows disappeared into his short cropped hair, as he motioned them toward the table, "Oh for heavens sake, sit, sit, have a drink. Merlin's beard, Albus." Sitting and passing the glasses around, Filius poured for everyone present. The two empty glasses seemed to snap Neville out of his stupor, "Where's Luna and Hagrid?"
Fleur answered, "Zey went to fetch ze Sorting Hat. 'Ermione's message about ze eclipse reminded Filius zat it often speaks during such times. And we've agreed to travel in pairs. Zey should be back any minute."
Raising a glass, Kingsley made eye contact around the table, "To another day this side of the Veil, thanks to our magical kin. To the elves." Clinking glasses, they all took a sip.
Hagrid and Luna were making their way back to the Hall with a very chatty Sorting Hat. Immediately upon arrival to the Headmistresses office, the Hat startled them both by blurting out, "Finally! How long must I wait here in agony! Curse the witches and wizards that prevented me autonomy of movement!"
Luna smiled as her eyes landed upon the hat on the shelf behind Minerva's desk, "Oh hello. Interesting, I have heard tales of your many mischievous disappearances, did you not by your own volition go to those places?"
The stitches pulled the folds of its crown upward in a striking approximation of an eye roll. "Well, yes, but nevermind, sometimes cursing our forebearers is the right medicine for a sour mood. Can you at least grant me that?"
Luna let out a rare chuckle, it was characteristically melodic, like a tinkling of wind chimes. "Yes, well, how about you show off your skills and come to me now, H-a-t-t, Hatt." After the better part of five months being Luna's Order partner, Hagrid had grown accustomed to Luna's peculiarities and with Hermione's guidance learned how to navigate moments like this without his first reaction being judgement.
"Uh, Luna, 'xcuse me, but why did ya jus' spell out hat with an extra T?"
Without moving her gaze from the Hat, she spoke with authority as she extended her arms towards it. "Because, that's it's proper name, the oldest in England I believe, isn't that right, Hatt?"
Instantly, Hatt was in her arms. Hagrid gasped, but Luna seemed unaffected and turning, boarded the staircase. Hagrid hurried to follow.
"Mm, clever witch, I knew Ravenclaw was the place for you. That is until today, of course. Splendid, isn't it?! I simply can't wait for next term. Sorting will be much more interesting, yes, yes, loads more interesting."
Exiting the corridor, Hagrid felt he should reset Hatt's expectations, "Seeing as we're not openin' the school jus' yet, I wouldn't go and get too excited."
"We shall see, my good Hagrid, we shall see." Spinning abruptly in Luna's arms to face outward, Hatt took in the new hourglass filled with pearls in the Entry Hall. "Pearls! Marvellous, just marvellous! Matches the quality of your hair just so! Perfectly suited for House Lovegood, don't you think?!"
