A/N: Thank you all so much for the love on this. I honestly did not expect it to gain this many reviews or faves before we hit 10 chapters. I am so glad you're enjoying it. I hope you like this chapter. We enjoyed writing it.
As always, feel free to find me on Tumblr at 'asirensrage' if you have any questions or want to see some of the other things I've created including a mood board for this fic.

Chapter 10: Past Loves and Current Irritations

She misses hangover potions.

The world feels too bright. Despite the desire to bury herself further under her covers, she forces herself up. She has work to do, even with the pain pounding in her head.

There is a knock on the door and she pushes herself to actually get out of bed. There is a robe on the chair which she grabs and throws on before opening it. Genya is standing on the other side.

"You look terrible," she says lightly.

"And you're here for…?" Hermione doesn't mean to be rude, but she is not awake enough for this. "I do not have a meeting, do I?"

"Ivan suggested that you might need my assistance this morning."

"Come in." Hermione moves back from the door and allows Genya in. Thankfully, she is alone.

Hermione closes the door behind her while Genya walks further in. The other woman is quiet as she sets up her box. Hermione sits back on her bed, trying to wake up.

"I did not take you for one to indulge so...freely."

Hermione pushes her curls back out of her face. "If there is one thing I have learned it's that there are occasions where such indulgences are necessary. Tea is the drink that civilizes mankind. You can have tea with anyone, friend or enemy, and the courtesies behind it force everyone to be on their best behaviour. You do not go for a pint with someone you detest. It is a drink that builds foundations and friendships. The General was in need of such things and I felt that we needed to strengthen those foundations if we are to be allies."

"I see." Genya turns away from her, opening the bow that holds the colours she needs. "There are...rumours that you and the General are more acquainted than you say."

Hermione blinks for a second before she realizes what Genya means. "I'm afraid those rumours are false."

Genya turns and smiles slightly at her before moving forward, tilting Hermione's chin up with her fingers. She glances at her face, considering slightly. "Is there another?"

Hermione considers how to answer. The woman in front of her waves her hand slightly before pausing and moving back to her box. "Not anymore," Hermione says carefully. "My last...relationship, if you could call it that, was not simple. None of my relationships were simple," she admits. "I didn't love him, but I could have."

Genya looks at her, a crease forming between her brow. "What do you mean?"

"Viktor was something else. He had a presence about him. He was quiet, but only if you didn't know him. He had a number of fans who thought the world of him but only because of how well known he was. We were casual...meeting when our schedules allowed but when we did…" a small smile grows as she thinks about him. "He wanted more but I couldn't give it. Not yet, at least. Not when I had so much to do and now...well, it doesn't matter now, does it?"

"His name was Viktor?" Genya asks before nodding to herself. She grabs a small container out of the box and comes back towards her. "Tell me about him."

Hermione smiles slightly. "He had these dark eyes that just drew you in and his voice was deep enough to give me shivers. He was brilliant. Everyone saw a gifted athlete but he was more than that. He was intelligent and didn't-he didn't demand my attention or resent my goals. He just wanted to be by my side throughout it. He was proud of everything I accomplished and of my intelligence. He never questioned why I couldn't just stop."

Genya pauses. "What was it that stopped you from loving him back?" she asks softly.

"I wasn't ready or...strong enough, I suppose. I couldn't bring myself to be exposed further to the public eye at his side. I just couldn't let myself take that leap of faith that it would be alright when it was wielded so viciously against me in the past."

Genya gives her a small smile. "And now?"

"It doesn't matter, does it?"

"I suppose not. Come now, you look more alive. Let us get you dressed before either of us miss breakfast."


The remnants of her hangover fade as that day progresses. Training is not easy. She is not out of shape, but she is used to using her wand instead of her body in an attack. Her experience in fighting, running and throwing her body into her movements to help power some of the spells have helped. She is just unused to actually hitting something, barring the occasional smug ferret.

She needs to find ingredients that potentially hold the same ability as the ones back home. If she can create even just a bruise paste, it will help immensely. She never considered she would need Snape, but he would be useful. As surly and unhelpful as the man was, he had a gift for potions. Hermione, admittedly, lacked that gift. She could follow instructions to a tee but when it came to creating something new, she limited herself. At least in potions. Investigation is warranted, perhaps some time with her field guide that must still be in the bottom of her beaded bag.

"May I ask you something?" Hermione asks Sofie once the pleasantries had been seen to.

"You may," the older woman answered. Despite her age, she moves quickly, leading Hermione down the hall and back towards the room they had worked in previously.

"Who is the best person in the Little Palace that I can speak to about plants and their properties?"

Sofie looks slightly surprised, but she thinks about it. Since their first lesson, Sofie has proven that she is the one who knows everyone in this place. "I would suggest that you seek Grigor. He is the otkazat'sya who runs the gardens. He's been here nearly as long as I have. Or Galina, the head Alkemi, if we can secure an appointment."

That does not give her as much information as she hoped but it is a start. "Thank you," Hermione says.

Sofie stares at her for a moment before she nods. "I will introduce you to Grigor on the morrow if his schedule allows. The man does not approve of interruptions to his tasks. We will send him notice first. Getting a bit of Galina's time is a matter of locating the proper vintage and gossip to entice her away from her projects. I'll fix a date for you as soon as I can come up with both."

"That sounds wonderful, thank you."


Hermione was not surprised to find that her theory on drinking with the General had proven correct. While they were not overly familiar with each other, he seemed to settle slightly. At least the few conversations they had in passing were not laced with the fatalistic undertones that he had wrought before.

It left them both with an understanding, one that allowed them to finally find a routine. Hermione's mornings were filled with lessons from both Botkin and Sofie. The afternoons were given to private study, as long as she trained with the General. So far, his lessons were being implemented by Ivan or Fedyor. The latter showed great enthusiasm for her capabilities while the former did his best to look unimpressed. She was waiting to see his face when she brought out her most complicated spells.

She spent her evenings on spell crafting and research. So far it was a slow experiment with the dirt she had gathered from the Fold and seeing how it reacted to certain spells. Her arithmancy only gave her so many predictions. She was also in the midst of crafting a list of the plants she remembered, and needed, along with their properties in preparation for her upcoming meetings with Grigor and Galina to see if the same or alternates could be found.

Unbroken sleep is not easily found, but Hermione prefers to spend her time awake working, not laying in bed hoping the memories stop repeating in her dreams and twisting into nightmares.


Research is a fascinating thing to Hermione. There is so much for her to learn and to use. The more she knows the better prepared she will be. She has always turned to books for answers and comfort. While her peers have seldom understood, it was this action that saved her and her friends so many times. She needs it more than ever now. Which is why she does not appreciate any interruption.

"So this is where you've been hiding."

Hermione looks up, confused at the voice. The woman standing next to the table is unknown to her. She looks vaguely familiar as if she has seen her before, but there is no memory of the woman. Her grey hair is piled on the top of her head and she holds a cane as though it is more for decoration than actual need. The same way Lucius Malfoy did those few times she saw him.

"Do I know you?" Hermione asks, keeping her tone polite. There are too many powerful figures in this world where the monarchy is close at hand. She does not want to insult someone who does not deserve it or who can make her pay a high price for it.

"You have not come for training," the woman says. Her tone is sharp, but it reminds Hermione more of Professor Snape than McGonagall. It does not endear the woman to her at all.

"I am afraid you are mistaken," Hermione says gently. "I do not believe we have met before, let alone that we are to train together."

The woman's eyes narrow. "You do not know me, girl?"

Hermione bristles. "I have made that clear."

"You are Grisha. All Grisha start their training with me." There is the sharp sound of the tip of the cane striking the ground hard.

"As I said, you are mistaken. I do not have you on my schedule." She is trying to maintain her politeness, she is British after all, but the woman is trying her patience already.

"What schedule?" The woman demands.

Hermione stands up. She is not terribly tall, but she will not allow this woman to attempt to bully her for nonsensical reasons. "The General has been directed by the Tsar himself to see to my training. It is his schedule that I am tasked to keep and, as I repeat myself for the last time, you are not on it. You have not introduced yourself and continue to demand something I have no knowledge of. Now if you don't mind, this is a library. You are disturbing the peace and I will ask you to leave."

The woman attempts to straighten her posture and glares at Hermione. She is struck by the certainty that there is something more to the woman in front of her. She will have to ask Sofie. They look close to the same age.

"Do not presume to order me, child."

"But I will," a deep voice comes from behind them. Walking out from the other aisle is a tall, dark-skinned man, his eyes white with blindness. "The summoner speaks true. You are disturbing the peace of my domain, Baghra. If you cannot conduct yourself with manners befitting a library, begone."

The woman looks ready to argue but decides against it. Her cane taps repeatedly, hard against the stone as she storms out of the room. Hermione feels as though she can breathe again.

"Thank you," she says softly.

"You're most welcome, Miss Grankova. I trust you have found everything that you have been searching for in my library?"

Hermione smiles automatically, aware that it will show in her voice even if he cannot see it. "I have. Your organization system is fantastic. It has been a breeze to find what I need."

"I am glad to hear it. I am Konstantin. Call on me if you are in further need of assistance."

"I will, thank you."

He leaves her then. She can't help but watch him for a moment as he moves swiftly through the stacks. He is almost as quiet as Madam Pince was. Relieved at the return of silence, Hermione turns back to her research. She makes a mental note to ask Sofie who Baghra was considering she had not introduced herself. It reminded her of the purebloods who expected her to know them. They were always more put out when she was recognized by face before they were by name.


She does not get a chance to ask Sofie until her next lesson.

"I was approached by a woman in the library," she says.

"Not unusual," Sofie says, watching her carefully. "The people are curious about you."

"She was adamant that I should be training under her."

"Ah," Sofie pulled back slightly. "You met Baghra." She moved and poured another cup of tea for both of them.

"Who is Baghra?" Hermione asks. She has rarely seen Sofie pull back like this before, though they have not known each other long.

"Baghra has been here as long as I have," Sofie says. "Longer even. She trains the Grisha."

"Yes, she mentioned that," Hermione nods.

"You are lucky, Miss Grankova, to not have her in your schedule. She is not a forgiving or kind tutor."

Hermione frowns at that, reminded of another who fit those words well. "What do you mean? In what way?"

Sofie looks at her carefully, seeming to think about it before she reveals anything. "Baghra believes that a Grisha's power is strongest when exposed to...stress." There was something about the way she said it that triggered alarm bells in Hermione's mind.

"Stress? How?"

Sofie hesitates. "Baghra believes that pain is the best method to draw out a person's abilities."

Hermione's grip tightens on her cup. The idea that pain would be the best method is horrifying. It reminds her of Umbridge and those quills. It reminds her of Bellatrix, demanding answers in between curses. Her body had been on fire and she remembers hearing herself begging. She retreated at some point in her mind, anything to escape it. She was lucky she came back.

"-ya? Maya? Hermione!"

Hermione snaps back in focus. Sofie is leaning towards her, looking alarmed. "I'm alright," she says automatically.

"You certainly are not," Sofie says, soft but stern. She pulls the cup from Hermione's hand. "You are shaking."

Hermione looks down. Her hands are trembling slightly, the reminder of the curse feels as though the remnants have come to life under her skin. She clenches her hands tightly. It is a good thing they did not schedule her with Baghra. It would not have ended well.

Sofie's hand is gentle as she places it over one of Hermione's fists. "Take a deep breath," she says softly. "You're safe here."

"I am aware of that," Hermione nearly snaps out. She does not mean for it to come out as harshly as it does but she feels as though she has been torn open and her wounds are on display. It is a moment of vulnerability. Hermione has never been good with those. "Thank you," she says gently.

Sofie smiles at her and hands her back the teacup. "Drink some tea, dear. It will help soothe you, I think."

She takes a sip automatically, ignoring the sting Sofie's words cause. There was a time when Mrs. Weasley would have offered that comfort. It feels like a dream now.

"Did I ever tell you the story of Ekaterina and the unfortunate incident involving a very expensive vase, the Tsar and Nikolai's pet cat?" Sofie continues the story without waiting for an answer. "It started at the Summer ball which our dear Tsarita was holding in celebration for her sons. I am certain she actually wanted to showcase her garden…"

The tea does help, as does the story which Hermione is not entirely certain is true, and afterwards Hermione feels less like she has been struck by a live wire and more like herself. "I apologize," she says. "I did not intend to react in such a way."

"No one does," Sofie says. "You are not the first, nor I imagine the last. I won't ask you to share the cause, my dear, but I do hope that you are aware that you are safe here. No harm will come to you in the Little Palace."

Hermione smiles at the woman before her and if her eyes glisten with unshed tears, Sofie does not mention it.

"Now, as I was saying," she continues. "The cat ran up the skirt and in all my years I have never heard a woman shriek as I did that day."

Hermione cannot stop herself from smiling at the image the woman paints. She sits back and listens to the story. Whatever lesson they had is forgotten as Sofie continues to tell her other tales of the royals and their court. Her heart is lighter when they finally end and it is time for her to move on.

[tbc]