Finding Granger
Chapter 4 - Inspecting the Roots
28 November 09:30
Hermione was by the door when Draco rang the doorbell punctually. Already the kettle was boiling and tea was being laid out for another day of research.
"Good morning. I have something interesting to show you." She revealed as they went to the living room. The once cosy and orderly place resembled a hoarder's home. Boxes were stacked into towers and their contents strewn across the coffee table.
She woke up early this morning to get a head start when she came across a clue. Now she could barely wait to share it with Draco. On the sofa, all the evidence was carefully arranged. The locket, a broken piece of a wand, the Gringotts key, and some faded documents.
"I found my father's birth certificate and I wondered if anything stuck out to you." She handed over the document and carefully Draco opened it. Nervously biting her lip, she watched his silver eyes scan the paper with care for detail.
"Fawley. That's a Sacred Twenty-Eight family name that has died out."
Her heart leapt. That could be a real lead in their research, but the name isn't exactly uncommon. How many Fawleys were there in the world? There must have been hundreds, if not thousands. Perhaps they weren't closer to the answers than they were. Her mind began to discourage her with facts and dwindling possibilities.
"We can check with the Ministry, but I doubt we will get any more answers." She dismissed. Before going to the kitchen to make tea.
28 November 12:45
Entering the reception area of B.A.T.S. again, Draco was dismayed to see the obtuse clerk again at the desk.
"What can I do for you?" The clerk asked dully, almost as if Dementors had sucked out all the zest for life from him.
"Yes, we are here to see the birth and death records of the Fawley family, per my right as a descendant." Granger commanded, Draco smirked at the way she held her chin high. When it wasn't him on the receiving end of Granger's bossiness, dare he say he enjoyed it.
But the unflappable clerk stared blankly back at her.
"Do you have the necessary proof of identity?"
Granger pulled out one document after another from the folder she clutched and placed everything on the counter.
"Those are my father's birth certificate to prove he was born as Frank Fawley, my birth certificate, my paternity test results to prove Frank Fawley is my father and my Ministry of Magic identification card."
The man pulled on his glasses and slowly inspected every document with disdain. It was clear he didn't want to help them. Draco had to grit his teeth to prevent any sudden outburst of annoyance. Finally the clerk sniffed before turning to them.
"I'm afraid there's an inconsistency in your father's name and the account you requested access to. For all I know, this birth certificate are fraudulent."
Jumping in to save Granger from a burst of outrage, Draco leant in towards the clerk.
"I understand that there's a blood ward that locks all registers. Correct?"
"Indeed." The clerk replied smugly.
"Well since Ms Granger is here and can have access to her personal files, why don't you fetch them for her?"
"Correct but doesn't grant her the access she requested."
"Yes but wouldn't her personal file provide the necessary verification she needs to see the Fawley records? Since the personal files would contain fraudulent-proof evidence of which family tree she's a descendant from?"
A sour expression crossed the bureaucrat's face.
"Wait here." And off the displeased man went while Draco smirked at Granger.
"No need to thank me just yet."
Savouring the moment he bested Hermione at getting something done, they waited in the grim office.
28 November 15:00
"What do you want to drink? My treat."
Hermione watched Draco place a few sickles on the bar counter at the Leaky Cauldron. Her mind still working over the facts and the new questions that cropped up.
"Butterbeer is fine."
"You need something stronger than that. Two glasses of Elven wine please."
Sitting down at a table in the far corner, Hermione opened her folder of notes. It seemed like Draco was right about her belonging to the Fawley family line. But apart from the birth certificate and her right to access the documents. There were no records of her father in the registry. It was as if he was never involved in the magical world.
A glass of wine was placed before her and Draco raised his glass to hers.
"We should celebrate. This is a big step forward."
Putting on a brave smile, she toasted him.
"Why do I get the feeling that there's a reason why my father's not in the Ministry's records? Perhaps he was outcast or maybe a Squib."
Her companion sighed at her suggestion.
"I have the same thought too. If the Ministry doesn't have any record of him. We should pursue the next lead."
"The Gringotts key?"
Draco took a hearty pull from his glass. "It's the next step. Perhaps there's some family heirlooms that will give us some more clues."
Pulling out a pocket watch from his robes, he checked the time. "If we finish our drinks, we can get there before closing."
Hermione's heart pounded with nerves. It had been a long time since she set foot in there; not since the war. To this day, she has only ever interacted with the bank at an arm's length through owl post or asking Bill Weasley to assist. But curiosity was getting the better of her and Draco seemed encouraging.
"Sure. We can." She smiled at the blond, as if there was nothing to fear at all.
A/N: Thank you for reading up to this point. Reviews are welcome and I enjoy hearing your thoughts.