Hi all! Happy New Year! I know that I haven't updated in a while. Well...here's an update for you! I apologize for such a late update, but here you go. I hope all of you stay safe and healthy!
Now, without further ado, enjoy!
Chapter 16
Ragnok pulled out two identical quills, one from each box. "Now, I imagine you'll only need to use one, but these are your blood quills."
"Excuse me?" Hermione yelped, snatching her hands away to her chest in an attempt to protect them from harm. She could still feel the pain from the back of her hand at just the thought of a blood quill.
"Ryann?" Bellatrix asked, concerned and confused.
"She got to you, too, then?" Beckett asked with a deathly calm tone, causing her aunt and the goblin to snap their attention to her, dumbfounded, whilst Hermione flinched and turned her gaze away from those alexandrite eyes. At first, after witnessing her young girlfriend's split-second reaction, it confused her, but she then watched how she had cradled her left hand.
The purple-haired witch had heard of the pink toad's proclivity for using these instruments as her preferred form of punishment for her students. Dolores Umbridge wasn't particularly quiet about it whenever she was present at the Ministry. She would boast about her 'successful' detentions, practically just plain giddy just thinking about them, really. The metamorphmagus knew that she favored the torturing of the Gryffindors and muggleborns in such a manner, especially for Harry Potter and his friends. But, Beckett never thought that Hermione would be one of her victims, but it was bound to happen with her having been friends with Harry Potter.
Hermione swallowed thickly. She hesitated a second further before turning her gaze up to Beckett's expectant eyes.
The older witch arched her eyebrow that spoke, 'you better answer me.'
"You know about Umbridge's detentions?" the curly-haired witch asked cautiously.
Beckett nodded her head slowly, her eyebrow still high. However, before the knowing witch could say anything, Bellatrix cut her off.
"One of you better tell me what is going on. What is this about blood quills and this Umbridge person? Better yet, who is this person?" She demanded with confusion and authority written on her face. The dark witch glanced back and forth between the two younger witches, expecting an explanation.
Beckett sent a pointed look to the teen, silently commanding the girl to speak.
However, Hermione looked away, uncomfortable with the idea, knowing what sort of reaction she would get from her godmother.
Catching the look, Bellatrix settled her expectant eyes onto Hermione, "Ryann?" She said with an unyielding, authoritative tone.
Releasing a deep sigh, Hermione turned towards the witch sitting to her left. "Last year, Fudge implanted a ministerial official, his pet toad, Dolores Umbridge, as Hogwarts' newest Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor and its High Inquisitor."
"Ah, yes, Draco did mention something about an incompetent ministry official passing off as a teacher," Bellatrix waved her hand dismissively, "though, he never said who."
"Yes, well, aside from her ineptitude towards teaching and actually practicing real spells, whenever a student-mostly Gryffindors and muggleborns-did something she didn't like, she would dole out detentions like they were candy. And most of the time, it was for the most stupid reasons."
"Yes, yes. But, what does this have to do with the blood quills?" came the impatient demand.
Both Hermione and Beckett deadpanned, but the teen continued on, ignoring the impatient remark. "The blood quills were her detentions. She'd have us write lines for her with them until they, as she said, 'sunk in.'"
"And she did this to you?" Bellatrix asked calmly, too calmly.
Hermione gazed warily at her before nodding her head.
Beckett narrowed her eyes. "My question, Hermione, is why did she do that to you? You're not the sort to get detention."
Hermione bristled at the remark, eyes narrowing. "You'd be surprised by the things I've done at Hogwarts with Harry and Ron," she replied indignantly. She released a sigh as she rolled her eyes before she continued. "As I am sure you know, Umbridge basically despises muggleborns and, loosely, Gryffindors."
Beckett nodded her head, waiting. That was another thing that Beckett heard about with this witch. It was just as she thought before. The pink-dressed witch already knew of the Undersecretary's absolute hatred for those filthy mudbloods-as she so crudely put it. She was rather vocal, claiming they weren't true witches or wizards. Yes, because eleven-year-old muggle-raised children know highly advanced practices of stealing another's magic, Beckett thought.
"Well," came the drawn-out word, "she particularly hated me because I am, or rather was, a part of both of those groups, as well as being Harry Potter's best friend."
Beckett narrowed her eyes once more, not at the mention of Potter, but as the stalling ramble the teen was trying to do.
At noticing her girlfriend's glare, Hermione spoke on. "Well, one day, I was walking down one of the corridors on my way to the library, and I had accidentally run into her. I didn't know who it was, so I quickly apologized. But she screeched, yelling that I was purposefully trying to maim her. Not really sure how one could do that without paying attention. I mean, she was acting as if I shoved her down a flight of stairs."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "But, she thought so. I tried to explain to her that I wasn't doing any of the sorts. But, she, of course, didn't believe me. She gave me detention, during which she had me write, 'I must not injure my superiors.'" She could still vividly remember back to that moment. She looked, fleetingly, at her godmother before speaking once more. "And that was the first time."
"What?!" Bellatrix exclaimed.
"First time?!" Beckett shouted at the same time as her aunt. "Explain," she seethed, her tone sharp and jaw clenched tightly.
Hermione shifted in her seat; the tension was suffocating her. She sighed heavily. "The second time was when a group of other students and I were caught secretly practicing defensive spells since we weren't being properly taught. She and her inquisitorial squad found us, and for our punishment, she had us write: 'I must not participate in any illegal organization that is clearly against the Ministry."
Bellatrix seethed while Beckett's face hardened even more. Her jaw ticked while her eyes blackened before quickly returning back to their typical alexandrite shade. Clearly, both enraged witches had something to say or rather do. It was written all over their faces. Though, they refrained, surprisingly.
Hermione partially expected the dark witch to leave and surge through the Ministry with the intention of abducting and torturing the pink toad. Though she didn't know what Beckett would do, and that made her nervous.
"We are going to table this...fun little conversation for later. I'm sure Ragnok has much more business that he needs to get back to after this. So, let us continue on and finish this." Beckett spoke through gritted teeth.
The typically stoic and sometimes border-lining rude goblin snapped out of his shock at the display he had just witnessed. "Yes, of course, Miss Black." Turning to face the teen again, he grabbed the following two items as he spoke. "Miss Ronan, worry not of these blood quills; they will neither hurt nor scar."
Hermione nodded her head with much gratitude.
"Now, here," he gestured to the newly arrived items, "are your head of house wax and seal. This is to be used whenever you send any letter or document."
She nodded in understanding.
"And now, here are your keys to your vaults. Would you like to visit your vaults, today?" He asked as he handed each witch their respective keys.
"Yes, please, that would be much appreciated," Hermione gave a nod of thanks. "And, could it be possible to transfer all of the money from the vaults the Grangers had set up for me to my main vault?"
Ragnok nodded his head, "yes, of course. It will be done. And after our business is completed, one of our associates will take you down to the vaults." And with that, he placed all items and documents into their respective boxes, excluding the house rings. "Miss Ronan, before we adjourn, might I provide a piece of advice?"
"Go ahead," the brown-eyed witch said with a quirked eyebrow.
"I believe that it will be most beneficial for you to get a new wand," he suggested, receiving a confused expression from Hermione and matching narrow eyes from the Black witches.
"Why?"
"It might be more suitable for you to have a wand that is keyed to you as Ryann Ronan instead of using a wand that is keyed to Hermione Granger."
"Why would that be necessary? I mean, I'm still the same person," Hermione said with a furrowed brow. She looked to her companions, confused.
"Well, not necessarily," Beckett spoke up, "you are a new you. You're different. Your personality shifted, not in a wrong way. When you were Hermione Granger, though fiery, you were more demure, selfless-in a bad way-and...would you say malleable? You had a veil over your eyes that allowed you to be easily manipulated by Dumbledore and the Order. I mean, you risked your life for your 'friends' that wouldn't do the same in return. However, now, after almost dying and learning of who you really are, you began questioning everything.
"Everything the Order was doing, and what Dumbledore was saying, you became less trusting and more critical. You're no longer as demure as you once were. You're speaking up more, asking questions, saying no. You're different now, and that might be a good idea to get a new wand, one that connects better to your evolved personality and real identity."
Hermione was shocked by Beckett's declaration. She didn't even notice the shift in her character. However, quickly reviewing her recent behavior, she couldn't help but agree with her witch. She had questioned Harry's accusation of Draco, even hit him when he made an untoward insinuation about her regarding the blonde wizard.
Hermione had stopped accepting Ronald's ridiculous behavior and words. She had said no to Dumbledore when she attempted to meddle in her personal life in multiple different ways. And she had begun questioning the motives behind the Headmaster and his Order. These changes were a definitive confirmation for Hermione to agree with Beckett's words. Clearing her throat, I guess we'll need to stop by Ollivander's before we leave."
"Good," Beckett replied before turning back to Ragnok. "Is there any other business that we need to address at this moment?"
"No, Miss Black, that is everything, unless there are any questions or concerns." The three witches shook their heads, "Good. It was a pleasure meeting with you today, and Miss Ronan, it has been an honor to assist you with your financial matters."
With exchanges of farewells and departure, Hermione, accompanied by Bellatrix and Beckett, made a quick trip to the main Ronan vault before heading out into the Alley to meet up with Draco and Narcissa.
As they excited Gringotts, Hermione was happy to find the Malfoys waiting for them on the bank's steps. She could imagine that Narcissa was terribly excited to go shopping for the young teen. Since she was taken when she was three years old, and the fair-haired witch didn't have a daughter, Narcissa never had the opportunity to dote on the little girl. And now, with Hermione being back, Narcissa can do so.
"Hello," Hermione smiled upon approach.
"Hello, dear," Narcissa greeted with a kind smile of her own, "I trust you were able to settle everything?"
"Yes, ma'am," Hermione replied.
"Yes, but we need to make a quick stop at Ollivander's. It has been recommended for me to obtain a new wand that keyed to me as Ryann Ronan rather than Hermione Granger."
"That sounds like an excellent idea, Ryann," the fair-haired witch commented before the group made their way to the old yet well-respected wand shop. They heard a chime sound off as Hermione opened the door upon entering, signaling their presence to the shopkeeper.
A familiar elderly man popped his head out from behind one of the stacks at the sound. Though, the wizard slightly frowned at who was now occupying the shop. Ollivander recognized each individual, for as he always says: he remembers every wand he had ever sold. And by extension, his memory includes their respective owners.
With that being said, he was bewildered. What would Hermione Granger, muggleborn extraordinaire, be doing with the most infamously prejudicial families of the wizarding world: the Blacks and the Malfoys? And why would an assumed half-blood, relatively open-minded ministry official-who has rarely been seen with the two families aside from a few parties and balls-be in attendance as well?
Blackwood was not a pureblood name, and thus it was highly assumed that she was a half-blood or muggleborn-though no one had ever actually asked her. And then having her arm looped with that of the teen witch's. Yes, the confused wizard was aware of Miss Granger's newfound identity and the revelation behind her strange disappearance as a toddler and its relation to her parents' murders. However, he was surprised that she was already attached to the well-known dark and hateful family.
Ollivander had initially believed that the witch was still associated with Harry Potter and the Weasleys, but that apparently wasn't no. Though the Ronans were known to be closely connected with the Blacks, it shouldn't be entirely surprising. However, the elderly wizard was still perplexed by the presence of Beckett Blackwood. For the life of him, he couldn't figure out as to why the department head was with the family and young Hermione Granger, though a part of him felt that there was something familiar about her. But he didn't dwell too much on it before flashing a warm grin to the young brunette.
"Ahh, Miss Granger! Such a pleasure to see you again! Though, I suppose I should refer to you as Miss Ronan," he said with much mirth that didn't really reach his eyes. "What can I do for you on this good day?"
Returning his smile, "It's good to see you too, Mr. Ollivander. And yes, it's Ronan, now. And I am here for a new wand."
"Ahh, yes, of course. I imagine that it has to do with your newly found name?" He asked with eyes filled with curiosity, though he held a tone that betrayed his nosey personality. Ever the snooper.
"Yes, sir," Hermione said as the grey-haired wizard went down one of the tall stacks. About a minute later, he came back holding a box.
The shopkeeper opened it before gingerly handing the wand to the teen, "here, try this one. Vine, unicorn hair, eleven inches."
Hermione gave it a wave, causing a vase to explode.
"Nope, definitely not." Right beside the front counter, he walked up the closest ladder, all the way to the top. He carefully pulled a box out from the middle of the top shelf. Leaning down, he handed her this new wand. "Here, alder, dragon heartstring, nine inches." And with a wave of this wand, the shelves shuttered for a couple of seconds before calming. After steadying himself, the wizard gingerly stepped down before speaking, "absolutely not." This pattern went on for another six times before he went to the shelf on the right wall in the far back of the shop. He came back, carefully, holding a box with a curious expression on his face. Ollivander gently handed Hermione this wand, "here," he flickered his eyes between the teen and the wand, "try this one."
As she grasped the hilt, the room became encased in a soft glow. Hermione couldn't help but smile at the warm feeling the wand was emitting. It was distinctly different from when she first held her original wand. Of course, there was a content feeling when she held the vine wand, but this one felt...just right.
"Hmmm...curious," the shopkeeper muttered.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked with her head tilted.
"Miss Granger-" a clearing of a throat interrupted him.
"My apologies," Ollivander's eyes flickered towards the imposing dark witch with raven hair. "Miss Ronan," he focused once more on the teen in front of him, "I remember every wand I've ever made, and every once in a while, there would be a wand that stands out more than others. I trust that young Mr. Potter explained to you about his wand and its connections to..." the elderly wizard glanced over to Bellatrix once more before clearing his own throat, "...Ummm, the Dark Lord, yes?"
Hermione nodded, unsure as to what his point was.
"Then, you'll understand when I say that this particular wand has a similar story."
Furrowing her brow, "you mean that this wand has a twin?" Hermione asked.
"Not exactly, but you're close. This wand has a mate."
"Mates?" Hermione echoed, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Yes, Miss Ronan," Ollivander said. "The day I was called upon to retrieve the heartstring of a deceased dragon, I was amazed when I saw what species the dragon was." He pointed his knobby finger toward the wand Hermione was holding, "the heartstring in your wand came from an Antipodean Opaleye, an extremely rare breed. And they are also known to only have one true mate, and when their mate dies, they will soon follow. That was true for this very dragon. Lying beside it, we found another...its mate."
Mr. Ollivander looked Hermione directly in the eye, his own filled with suspicion and curiosity. "It is curious that you were destined to receive this wand when its mate is," he flickered his eyes over to the purple-haired with an indiscernible look, "owned by one, Io Black. He sighed. Once more, he flickered his gaze towards Beckett before quickly shifting it back to Hermione.
"Unfortunately, I doubt you will have the opportunity to meet her anytime soon. After graduating from Hogwarts, eight years ago, she disappeared. Miss Black hadn't been heard from ever since. Though, I'm sure your new...company," the elderly wizard said as he shifted his gaze to Narcissa and Bellatrix, "will be able to help you in finding their lost family member." Mr. Ollivander finished, his tone filled with more suspicion and curiosity.
Hermione didn't know what to say. She was concerned with how the wizard had spoken, though it didn't reflect on her face. The teen had a feeling that the wandmaker was aware of Beckett's true identity, though the curly-haired witch couldn't see how he would be able to tell.
Beckett had previously told her of her appearance change whenever she was in public or in front of those who weren't family when she was younger. She would revert to her mini-Bellatrix looks, which she did when she first got her wand. So, he shouldn't know her true identity, but his not-so-covert actions indicated otherwise. This worried Hermione, for she knew that Mr. Ollivander was closely associated with Dumbledore. However, she would be surprised if he were to report this to the Headmaster about what transpired within his shop on this day.