A/N: A Harmony fic. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: y'all know I don't own this.
Pearl Eye
Chapter 1
Enter The Lion
Hermione Granger couldn't believe her eyes. As she stared around Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, she was stunned that this hidden world existed. A month before, the 22-year-old Hermione received a message to her apartment, and it was oddly delivered by owl. The message read:
To Hermione Granger:
We, the Ministry of Magic, have been notified that you have used magic for the first time. Your situation, coming into your magical prowess at a later age, is quite unusual — in fact, it might be unprecedented. As such, we invite you to the Wizarding World to understand and develop your gifts, for the safety of you and others. In two fortnights, if this offer is accepted, arrive between Platforms 9 and 10 at 9am. A ministry official will meet there and escort you to British's wizarding society. If you so choose to remain in the Non-Magic World, per the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, we cannot permit your use of magic. Without the proper education and training, your ability to control your new gift could be disastrous for our world. If you cannot gain control, you will have no choice but to attend a wizarding school.
We hope to see you soon,
Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic
Of course, Hermione accepted the offer. Because the day she turned 22, a bolt of light shot from her hand and she couldn't understand what it meant. Since then, strange incidents kept occurring wherever she went. When angry, surrounding objects shook. When sad, rain fell over her head.
She confided in her mother, fear rising as she listed all the strange incidents happening around her. But instead of telling her she couldn't be serious, her mum stood slowly. "Wait here." When she returned to the kitchen, she handed her a Grimoire. "This, Hermione, has been passed down in our family for centuries. It's a book of spells, belonging to the Petalfold family, my ancestral parentage. We come from a long line of witches, Hermione."
At first she thought her mother was playing an elaborate joke, but the more she talked, the more Hermione understood the magic within herself. Her mother explained what squibs were, and always assumed that, like her and her mother and her grandmother and her great-grandmother, the magical gifts from generations past lay dormant or altogether extinct.
But Hermione was different. She was a witch.
And with her parents' blessing, she ran through Platform Nine and Three-Quarters and entered the magical realm. Awed by the witches and wizards, dressed in robes and using wands casually, she saw kids around the platform, jumping off a train. They ran to parents — being the spring, it looked like they were returning home for break.
The ministry official, Morris, stood by her side. "They're coming from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizarding, Britain's wizarding school. Unfortunately, you didn't get to attend, which is why we're finding alternative schooling that will help you come into your gifts. Now, hold tight to my arm. We're going to the Ministry of Magic. If you let go, you might splinch — and I can't emphasize enough how painful that will be."
Hermione squeezed his arm and squeezed her eyes shut as nausea overwhelmed her. She felt like she was traveling through space and time. But when Hermione opened her eyes, she saw she was in a bustling building with government officials walking everywhere. Their appearance out of nothingness was clearly nothing new — this form of transportation must've been common. Morris smiled then told her to follow.
Overwhelmed by the world around her, taking in every detail she could, she didn't notice the man standing in front of her, who she bumped hard into. She fell to the ground, and when she looked up, she stared into the most green eyes she'd ever seen — the color of emeralds, she'd described. She couldn't look away for a moment, until the man offered her his hand. She took it, red rising to her cheeks. "I am so sorry. I wasn't paying attention — I…" she sputtered.
The government official beside her apologized profusely, as well. "Mr. Potter, are you okay?" This man must've been a big deal.
He waved him off. "No worries, Morris, really." Then this man named Potter turned to her. "I should be asking you that. Are you okay…"
"Hermione. Hermione Granger. And yes, I'm fine. Thank you."
The Potter man smiled and said, "I hope you have a great day, then," before returning to the young boy, signing an autograph for him.
She mumbled, "You too," before Morris whisked them away.
"Who was that?" she asked. "Is he important?"
Morris snorted. "Absolutely. Not only is he the Head of the Auror Department, but he's The-Boy-Who-Lived." Upon her look of confusion, he smiled. "You'll learn. Now, welcome to the Department of Continuing Education. Meet Dr. Godfrey Hoblesum. He'll help you from here."
When Morris left, she took the offered seat across from Dr. Hoblesum. "Now, Hermione Granger," he muttered, thumbing through her file as if she wasn't there. "22-years-old, graduated with a Bachelor's in Political Science from a Muggle college. Was prepared to get her Masters and PhD but chose instead to join wizarding society." He looked up at her. "Is that accurate?"
She nodded. "I don't know how you know all of that, but yes… Is that part of magic, reading minds?"
He stared for a moment before answering. "Only those well trained are capable of Legilimency. But you'll soon learn all of that. As you've already proved yourself to be a voracious reader and an accomplished student, we believe, instead of pairing you with a private tutor to learn the basics, which would cost galleons that I don't believe you have, you should enroll in our community college, usually reserved for those witches and wizards who, after Hogwarts, still require additional learning. Now it will cost a small fee, but not much. Have you converted your money, yet?"
"When I convert my pounds to galleons, I don't have much, according to my mum. She gave me all she could spare, but the conversion let's me know it's not much."
"Mm… well, I can take you to the Department of Unemployment. We can place you in a position, and once you have enough money, you can enroll next year in the college."
Hermione cringed. "Next year?"
But before Hoblesum could respond, a voice sounded from the doorway, "I have a job opening, Hermione, if you're interested."
She turned to see the handsome man from earlier, something Potter. He wore a crisp, black robe, under which a red and gold tie displayed a pop of color. His glasses made him look imposing, and the lightening scar on his forehead distinct. But the kind smile on his face balanced his striking form.
Dr. Hoblesum immediately sat up straight, his humdrum demeanor now upbeat. "Mr. Potter! It's great to see you. You say there's a job opening for Ms. Hermione Granger?"
For someone who was signing autographs earlier, he was far more down-to-earth than she expected as she watched him sheepishly rub the back of his neck, "I apologize for eavesdropping. I was headed to the Department of Unemployment to find someone to fill this position, but overheard you're looking for a job. Though I'm afraid you might find it unsuitable."
"No, I'm all ears!" Hermione exclaimed, forgetting the immense attraction she felt towards the man.
"We recently allowed our house-elf to work with us part-time so that she may see her family more often. So we're looking for someone to work in her absence… as a maid. We'll give you room and board, and the pay is more than fair — you won't have an issue covering your tuition. My wife and I don't mind accommodating your schedule, either." Harry turned to Dr. Hoblesum. "Ginny desperately wants another house-elf, but it actually makes me uncomfortable. I'd much rather pay a willing maid fairly than concede to the low wages house-elves demand."
"House-elves?" Hermione mumbled, but Hoblesum ignored her bewilderment.
Hoblesum rapidly nodded in response to Mr. Potter. "Absolutely understand, though I'm of the mind they enjoy the work. But Hermione, if you accept the job, we can get you enrolled in school immediately."
Her attraction forgotten, she stood up and excitedly held out her hand, not caring about his status or the way people seemed to treat him like royalty. "Yes, I will absolutely take the job, Mr. …?" She stopped, realizing she didn't know his name.
He grasped her hand in a firm shake and answered, "Call me Harry. Harry Potter."
A/N: And so the Harmony begins! Reviews and feedback are always welcomed here :)
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